¶ How Emma journeyed from Rome and how she became a nun at the cloister of Converted Sinners at Maestricht. Whenas Emma hath put on the rings like as ye have heard she departed her with her eme from Rome the city and they two journeyed so long until they were come to Maestricht where Emma was holpen of her uncle to be a nun in the cloister of the Converted Sinners. And after he had thereto holpen her he took his leave of her and journeyed to his own country where he lived yet twenty-four year after he had holpen his niece to come into the cloister, the which he visited each year so long as he lived. ¶ How the angel of God did off the rings from Emma’s neck and hands. Emma dwelling in the aforesaid cloister lived so holily and did such strong penance that the merciful Christ forgave her utterly her sins, sending his angel to her where she lay and slept, the which did off the rings, whereat Emma rejoiced greatly, saying: Long nights are little to him lief Who lieth sorrowful of heart; His sleep is great unrest or greater grief, With fearsome dreams and other such mischief. Even thus I now feel sorrow’s smart. Who will the meaning to me impart Of this my dream wherein I lay? Meseemed from hell-pit I did start And heavenwards was borne away. There many white doves I met in the way, The which my bonds struck with their wings. O merciful God, what see I? Stay! To Thine high grace have I won for aye? Ah yea, ’tis true; there be my rings Beside me lying. King of kings, What cure art Thou for all misease! No thanks suffice Thee for to please In any stound. O man, in whom all sin is found, Hereby may ye ensample take; And to His worth that knows no bound Let everlasting laud and praise resound, Even such as your faint voice may wake: Praise ye the Lord in His temple for the Lord His sake, _EPILOGUE_ Even thus, O ye whom God loves well, In days of yore these things befell All truly, though some hold it for a fable. But go ye to Maestricht, an ye be able, And in the Converted Sinners shall ye see The grave of Emma, and there all three The rings be hung above her grave. Thereunto stands writ in goodly stave Her way of life and her penance And how and when all this did chance. By these tokens I hold its truth for clear. She lived the space of two full year, Sithens the rings were fallen away, Faithful in penance, as I heard say, Ever to pleasure the Highest King.— Take all in gree, without grutching, This simple tale: ’twas writ for love, That we may win to heavenly glory above. ¶ AMEN ¶ This Book hath been examined and approved by a learned man thereto appointed.