+The Text+ is given from a thirteenth-century MS. in the library of
Trinity College, Cambridge (B. 14, 39): it is thus the earliest text of
any ballad that we possess. In the MS. it is written in long lines, four
(or six, as in 4, 12, and 14) to the stanza.
As the language in which it is written is not easily intelligible,
I have added a paraphrase on the opposite pages.
[Transcriber's Note:
The modern paraphrase is shown here stanza by stanza, with a deeper
indent than the primary text.]
+The Story+ is of great interest, as it adds to the various legends of
Judas a 'swikele' sister. The treachery of Judas has long been popularly
explained (from the Gospel of St. John, xii. 3-6) as follows:-- Judas,
being accustomed as bearer of the bag to take a tithe of all moneys
passing through his hands, considered that he had lost thirty pence on
the ointment that might have been sold for three hundred pence, and so
took his revenge.
A Wendish ballad makes him lose the thirty pieces of silver, intrusted
to him for buying bread, in gambling with certain Jews, who, when he had
lost everything, suggested that he should sell his Master. Afterwards,
in remorse, he rushes away to hang himself. The fir-tree is soft wood
and will not bear him. The aspen is hard wood, and will bear him; so he
hangs himself on the aspen. Since when, the aspen always trembles in
fear of the Judgement day.