290 Three Lives of Saints:
Of proverbs we have two :
Seli child is soon i-learned : where he thinks to be good.'*
For it is soothly said, when a man : is in most sorrow and tene.
Then is our Lord's grace nearest : as it was there seen.
Punishments mentioned include quartering, hanging and drawing.
The origin of the custom of fasting upon Tuesdays is given as follows:
It was on a Tuesday : that they the bones took up.
All his chances that he had : on Tuesdays came to him
On a Tuesday was he born : from his mother's womb he came
And also as men bring a thief: to receive his judgment
Before the King at Northampton : upon a Tuesday
With great shame was he brought : as all that folk saw
More foully than any thief: folk shamed him there.
On a Tuesday was he banished : and out of the land he went
And on a Tuesday at Pountenay : our Lord to him came
And said to him that sweet word : of his martyrdom.
Thomas, said our dear Lord : yet shall of thy blood
All my church honoured be : these words were well good.
On a Tuesday also good to England he came
After that he was banished : to receive his martyrdom
On a Tuesday at Canterbury : to death he was done
And after, on Tuesday : enshrined was he also
These seven Adventures on Tuesday : came to him at least
Therefore we see many men": make one promise
To leave flesh on Tuesday : or to fast with one meal only
Till they come to Canterbury : or while their life lasts.
It only remains to set on record an item of tradition which seems gathered from an Eastern source. The legend of the Vision in Jerusalem :
For in Jerusalem's land men knew : of his martyrdom Within the first fortnight : that he met his death.
••Cf. Canterbury Talcs, B. 1702, quoted by Skeat : For sely child wol alday sone lere.
