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 But told it Mary Magdalen.

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 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 suehsuch [sic] a guest,

To lose her pains and so be 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,