Considering how you broke your tryst? So Jonas then he was ashamed, Because he was not flyting free, Of all his faults she had him blamed, He left the wife and let her be. Saint Thomas then, I counsel thee Go speak unto yon wicked wife, She shames us all and as for me, Her like I never heard in life. Thomas, then said, you make such strife, When you are out, and meikle din, If ye were here I’ll lay my life, No peace the saints will get within, It is your trade far to be flyting, Still in a fever as one raves, No marvel though you wives be biting, Your tongues are made of aspen leaves. Thomas, quoth she, let be your taunts, You play the pick-thank I perceive, Tho’ you be brother’d ’mong the saints, An unbelieving heart you have Thou brought’st the Lord unto the grave, But would’st no more with him remain, And wast the last of all the lave That did believe he rose again. There might no doctrine do thee good, No miracles make thee confide, Till thou beheld Christ’s wounds and blood, And putt’st thy hands into his side; Didst thou not daily with him bide, And see the wonders which he wrought? But blest are they who do confide, And do believe, yet saw him not; Thomas, she says, will ye but speer, If that my sister Magdelene, Will come to me, if she be here; For comforts sure you give me nane. He was so blythe and turned back, And thanked God that she was gane; He had no will to hear her crack, But told it Mary Magdalene. When that she heard her sister’s mocks, She went unto the gate with speed; And asked her who’s there that knocks; ’Tis I the wife of Beith indeed. She said, good mistress, you must stand Till you be tried by tribulation. Sister, quoth she, give me your hand Are we not both of one vocation; It is not through your occupation, That you are placed so divine, My faith is fixed on Christ’s passion, My soul shall be as safe as thine. Then Mary went away in haste, The carling made her so ashamed, She had no will of such a guest, To lose her pains and be so blamed. Now good Saint Paul, said Magdalene, For that you are a learned man, Go and convince this woman then, For I have done all that I can; Sure if she were in hell, I doubt They would not keep her long there, But to the gate would put her out, And send her back to be elsewhere. Then went the good apostle Paul, To put the wife in better tune, Wash off that filth that files thy soul, Then shalt heaven’s gates be opened soon. Remember, Paul, what thou hast done, For all the epistles thou didst compile, Though now thou sittest up above,