duchelonde_a a_o fair_a lady_n and_o gentyll_a which_o within_o short_a time_n be_v conceyve_v &_o bear_v a_o soon_o when_o this_o child_n be_v bear_v the_o state_n of_o the_o empire_n come_v unto_o the_o emperor_n &_o everyche_n of_o they_o synguler_o beseech_v the_o emperor_n to_o nourysshe_v his_o soon_o the_o emperor_n answer_v &_o say_v /_o to_o morrow_n shall_v be_v a_o torneye_n &_o there_o shall_v you_o all_o be_v /_o &_o which_o of_o you_o do_v best_a &_o opteyn_v the_o vyctory_n shall_v have_v keep_a of_o my_o soon_o /_o and_o if_o he_o nourysshe_v he_o well_o i_o shall_v promote_v he_o to_o great_a dygnyte_n and_o honour_n and_o if_o he_o do_v the_o contrary_n he_o shall_v dye_v the_o foul_a dethe_v yâ—_z can_v be_v think_v thansayd_v they_o right_o reverend_a lord_n all_o this_o please_v we_o well_o on_o the_o morrow_n when_o every_o man_n be_v come_v to_o the_o torney_n the_o state_n ju_v and_o scarmusshed_a bookful_n manful_o long_o time_n till_o at_o the_o last_o there_o come_v a_o doughty_a knight_n name_v josyas_n the_o so_o manful_o bear_v himself_o among_o they_o all_o that_o he_o win_v the_o vyctory_n and_o anon_o when_o all_o be_v do_v /_o this_o josyas_n take_v the_o child_n and_o lead_v he_o forth_o with_o hy_z â—_o /_o &_o because_o this_o emperor_n soon_o shol_a de_fw-fr be_v receyve_v in_o his_o country_n he_o send_v before_o to_o his_o castle_n &_o command_v his_o offycer_n the_o it_o shall_v be_v dight_v bo_z the_o without_o and_o within_o /_o &_o that_o the_o chyldes_n bed_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o the_o mydde_v of_o the_o castle_n /_o and_o also_o the_o seven_o sâ—yences_n shall_v be_v paint_v above_o the_o chyldes_n bed_n the_o when_o the_o child_n waken_v out_o of_o his_o sleep_v he_o may_v lie_v in_o his_o bed_n &_o rede_v his_o lesson_n this_o knight_n have_v a_o fructefull_a &_o a_o wholesome_a well_o by_o the_o chyldes_n bed_n side_n wherein_o he_o use_v to_o bathe_v himself_o therein_o /_o &_o the_o knight_n wife_n bear_v the_o key_n of_o this_o wellâ—_n there_o be_v a_o wyndowe_n yâ—_z the_o son_n may_v come_v in_o &_o shine_v it_o fortune_v upon_o a_o day_n the_o the_o lady_n the_o keep_v the_o key_n leave_v the_o wyndowe_n open_v thrughe_a neclygence_n and_o when_o the_o lady_n have_v do_v there_o come_v a_o bear_v &_o see_v the_o wyndowe_n open_a &_o go_v unto_o the_o well_o and_o vathe_v he_o therein_o /_o of_o who_o bathing_n the_o well_o savour_v after_o for_o great_a hete_n the_o be_v the_o time_n /_o wherefore_o who_o so_o ever_o drink_v thereof_o wax_v lepre_a within_o short_a tyme._n and_o so_o it_o fortune_v within_o a_o lytell_a space_n after_o the_o the_o lord_n &_o the_o lady_n and_o also_o their_o household_n be_v leper_n &_o not_o withstond_v ing_v it_o appear_v not_o sodeyn_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n there_o come_v a_o 〈◊〉_d egle_n in_o at_o the_o wyndowe_n there_o as_o the_o emperor_n sonclaye_n &_o bare_v the_o child_n away_o out_o of_o his_o cradle_n and_o when_o the_o knight_n perceyve_v this_o he_o weep_v bytter_o &_o say_v alas_o alas_o &_o woe_n to_o i_o wretched_a creature_n the_o ever_o i_o be_v bear_v what_o shall_v i_o do_v for_o now_o i_o be_o the_o soon_o of_o death_n /_o for_z i_o be_o a_o foul_a leper_n &_o so_o be_v my_o wife_n &_o also_o all_o my_o household_n and_o the_o while_o he_o be_v thus_o mourn_v there_o come_v unto_o he_o a_o physycyen_n &_o say_v to_o he_o in_o this_o manner_n sir_n if_o you_o well_o do_v after_o my_o counceyll_n it_o shall_v not_o repent_v you_o first_o it_o behove_v you_o &_o your_o wife_n &_o all_o your_o household_n also_o for_o to_o be_v latin_a blood_n /_o &_o after_o that_o to_o be_v hathe_v &_o wasshen_v clean_o /_o &_o than_o shall_v i_o lie_v to_o my_o medecyne_n and_o when_o yâ—_z be_v hole_n than_o shall_v you_o &_o your_o wife_n &_o also_o all_o your_o household_n walk_v unto_o the_o mountain_n and_o hill_n and_o seek_v the_o emperor_n soon_o for_o the_o eagle_n have_v leten_v he_o fall_v in_o to_o some_o place_n the_o knight_n wrought_v all_o thing_n by_o the_o counceyll_n of_o this_o physycyen_fw-mi /_o and_o anon_o after_o he_o be_v leten_v blood_n and_o have_v receyve_v the_o medecyne_n /_o and_o than_o he_o be_v hole_n and_o his_o wife_n &_o also_o all_o his_o houssholde_n wherefore_o he_o leap_v on_o his_o horse_n &_o take_v with_o he_o three_o squyer_n and_o robe_n forth_o and_o seek_v and_o child_n and_o at_o the_o last_z he_o find_v he_o hole_n and_o sound_o lyenge_a in_o a_o baleye_n and_o than_o he_o be_v grete_o reioyse_v and_o for_o the_o great_a joy_n and_o gladness_n that_o be_v in_o he_o for_o find_v of_o his_o lord_n the_o emperor_n soon_o he_o make_v a_o great_a fee_v /_o &_o after_o the_o fee_v so_o do_v he_o lead_v the_o child_n home_o to_o the_o emperor_n and_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v his_o soon_o in_o good_a helthe_n he_o be_v right_a glade_n /_o wherefore_o he_o promotd_n high_a to_o great_a worshyppe_n which_o live_v after_o that_o long_a time_n in_o great_a honour_n and_o worship_n and_o atte_n the_o last_o he_o end_v his_o life_n in_o pease_n and_o in_o rest_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n his_o soon_o betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n who_o many_o man_n desire_v to_o nourysshe_v at_o eester_fw-mi when_o they_o receyve_v the_o sacrament_n nevertheless_o he_o the_o hest_n ju_v with_o the_o devyl_n &_o overcome_v he_o thrughe_a penance_n the_o knight_n the_o take_v this_o child_n with_o high_a betoken_v a_o good_a crysten_v man_n the_o fast_v true_o &_o blyss_o all_o the_o lent_fw-la before_o /_o therefore_o do_v we_o as_o the_o knight_n die_v send_v we_o before_o messenger_n to_o dight_v &_o to_o make_v clean_o the_o castle_n of_o our_o herte_n from_o all_o spot_n of_o sin_n by_o werke_n of_o mercy_n &_o so_o shall_v this_o child_n ihesu_n rest_n and_o light_n in_o the_o mydde_v of_o out_o herte_a the_o welle_v betoken_v mercy_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v next_o our_o lord_n for_o who_o sooner_o be_v without_o mercy_n and_o troth_n may_v not_o nourysshe_v the_o blyss_v child_n ihesu_n but_o it_o happen_v oft_o the_o the_o knights_n wife_n the_o be_v the_o flesh_n of_o man_n bere_v the_o key_n of_o mercy_n and_o oft_o leave_v the_o welle_v open_v /_o &_o than_o come_v the_o bear_v the_o be_v the_o devyll_n &_o cast_v the_o venym_n in_o to_o the_o well_o of_o mercy_n /_o &_o who_o the_o have_v thereof_o shall_v be_v infect_v with_o the_o leper_n of_o sin_n the_o wyndowe_n wherein_o the_o son_n shine_v be_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a goost_n by_o who_o man_n live_v and_o be_v comfort_v goostly_a by_o this_o wyndowe_n the_o eagle_n come_v in_o /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o power_n of_o almyghty_a god_n &_o take_v away_o the_o child_n ihesu_n from_o the_o herte_n of_o man_n &_o than_o man_n have_v great_a cause_n to_o weep_v /_o but_o what_o shall_v he_o do_v when_o the_o child_n be_v go_v but_o send_v for_o a_o subtyll_a physycien_fw-fr that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o dyserete_a confessoure_n which_o shall_v gyve_v he_o counseyll_o to_o lete_fw-la high_a blood_n &_o all_o his_o household_a de_fw-fr that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o put_v out_o sin_n thrughe_o very_a confessyon_n of_o tongue_n before_o his_o ghoostly_a fader_fw-mi than_o must_v be_v bathe_v hynselfe_n with_o teres_fw-la of_o contrycyon_n &_o compunccyon_n of_o tongue_n /_o &_o after_o the_o take_v the_o medycyne_n of_o satysfaccyon_n &_o than_o shall_v he_o be_v make_v clean_o from_o all_o manner_n of_o sin_n and_o when_o he_o have_v do_v thus_o he_o must_v lepe_v on_o the_o palfrey_n of_o good_a life_n &_o tide_n forth_o w_z e_z his_o three_o sovyre_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v w_z e_o fast_a prayer_n &_o almesdede_n /_o and_o than_o without_o doubt_n he_o shall_v find_v the_o child_n ihesu_n in_o the_o valley_n of_o humylyte_n and_o not_o in_o a_o hill_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v pride_n /_o and_o if_o he_o do_v this_o doubtless_o he_o shall_v have_v may_v &_o power_n to_o nourysshe_v that_o blyss_v child_n ihesu_n /_o for_o who_o nourysshy_a ge_o the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n shall_v promote_v he_o unto_o everla_a joy_n unto_o the_o which_o joy_n god_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n which_o be_v name_v fulgenctê°_n which_o govern_v his_o people_n noble_o /_o and_o love_v they_o so_o moche_v the_o he_o make_v to_o proclaim_v thrughe_v out_o all_o nacyon_n the_o who_o soever_o will_v come_v to_o hyryche_n or_o poor_a atte_n a_o certain_a day_n shall_v have_v their_o petycyon_n what_o soever_o it_o be_v when_o the_o mighty_a man_n hear_v this_o
his_o armure_n again_o in_o to_o the_o grave_n when_o his_o blyss_v body_n be_v bury_v /_o but_o the_o cytezyn_n envy_a he_o /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o jew_n &_o the_o paynym_n of_o jewrye_n accuse_v he_o to_o pilot_n and_o lay_v the_o law_n afore_o they_o against_o he_o sa_v /_o if_o thou_o suffer_v he_o thus_o thou_o be_v not_o friend_n to_o cesar_n themperour_n /_o we_o have_v a_o law_n &_o after_o that_o law_n he_o ought_v to_o dye_v /_o &_o thus_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n of_o his_o enemy_n be_v damn_a to_o death_n hang_a on_o the_o cross_n bury_v in_o his_o grave_n arise_v the_o three_o day_n from_o death_n to_o life_n and_o after_o ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o ihesu_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n there_o regn_v sometime_o in_o the_o cyte_v of_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n &_o a_o wise_n name_v betolve_v which_o ordain_v a_o law_n that_o what_o woman_n be_v take_v in_o avoutry_n her_o husbonde_n be_v a_o live_v that_o she_o shall_v be_v cast_v in_o to_o perpetuell_a prison_n there_o be_v that_o time_n a_o knight_n which_o have_v a_o fair_a lady_n to_o his_o wife_n which_o die_v avoutry_n under_o her_o husbonde_n &_o be_v with_o child_n therefore_o by_o the_o law_n she_o be_v put_v in_o prison_n /_o where_o within_o short_a time_n after_o she_o be_v delyver_v of_o a_o fair_a soon_o this_o child_n grow_v up_o till_o he_o be_v seven_o year_n old_a /_o his_o mother_n daily_o weep_v herte_o and_o when_o the_o child_n hear_v this_o he_o say_v to_o his_o mother_n thus_o o_o mother_n why_o weep_v you_o thus_o /_o &_o for_o what_o cause_n be_v your_o body_n thus_o turment_v than_o say_v his_o mother_n o_o thou_o my_o sweet_a soon_o i_o have_v great_a cause_n to_o morn_n &_o thou_o also_o /_o for_z above_o our_o hede_n be_v the_o walk_v of_o people_n and_o the_o son_n shine_v in_o his_o clerenesse_n /_o &_o great_a solace_n have_v all_o man_n that_o be_v above_o we_o /_o &_o we_o be_v here_o contynual_o in_o such_o derkenes_n that_o i_o may_v not_o see_v the_o ne_fw-fr thou_o i_o /_o alas_o /_o alas_o /_o that_o ever_o i_o conceyve_v the._n than_o say_v the_o soon_o /_o such_o joy_n ne_o such_o light_n as_o thou_o speake_v of_o saw_n i_o never_o ne_v yet_o perceyve_v /_o for_z i_o be_v bear_v here_o in_o this_o derkenesse_n therefore_o if_o i_o have_v mete_v and_o drink_n enough_o here_o will_v i_o live_v all_o the_o day_n of_o my_o life_n therefore_o mother_n weep_v you_o not_o but_o show_v unto_o i_o solace_n the_o while_n the_o lamentacyon_n be_v bytwene_v the_o mother_n and_o the_o soon_o /_o themperours_n stywarde_a stand_v above_o their_o hede_n &_o hear_v all_o their_o mourn_a /_o wherefore_o he_o have_v great_a conpassyon_n of_o they_o and_o go_v unto_o the_o emperor_n and_o kneling_n be_v seek_v he_o of_o his_o grace_n for_o the_o mother_n and_o the_o soon_o /_o that_o they_o may_v be_v delyver_v of_o prison_n the_o emperor_n as_o a_o merciful_a lord_n grant_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v delyver_v neverthesse_n if_o they_o tresspase_v so_o in_o time_n to_o come_v they_o shall_v be_v punyssh_v with_o double_a pain_n /_o &_o after_o that_o they_o be_v delyver_v this_o woman_n end_v herlyfe_n in_o that_o cyte_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n which_o make_v this_o law_n that_o what_o wed_a woman_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v what_o soul_n which_o be_v wed_v to_o our_o lord_n do_v advoutrye_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v deed_o sin_n shall_v be_v cast_v in_o the_o prison_n of_o hell_n /_o therefore_o a_o sinful_a soul_n have_v great_a cause_n to_o weep_v for_o she_o be_v depart_v fro_o light_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v from_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n she_o soon_o that_o desire_a meet_a &_o drink_v be_v the_o mighty_a man_n of_o this_o world_n which_o sayen_v to_o the_o prelate_n of_o that_o chirche_n and_o to_o the_o prechour_n which_o prithee_o unto_o they_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n /_o that_o while_o we_o may_v live_v and_o have_v all_o the_o solace_n of_o the_o world_n we_o desire_v none_o other_o joy_n of_o heaven_n the_o stuarde_n which_o hear_v their_o lamentacyon_n be_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n the_o which_o know_v all_o the_o prevytee_n of_o our_o herte_n and_o contrycyon_n of_o out_o sin_n beseech_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n for_o we_o that_o we_o may_v be_v delyver_v from_o the_o prison_n of_o sin_n /_o and_o that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o everla_a life_n /_o unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o derelorde_n jesus_n amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o emperor_n name_v pomper_v which_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v mercyful_a this_o emperor_n lete_fw-la cry_n thoroughe_o all_o his_o empire_n a_o great_a fee_v and_o that_o poor_a &_o rich_a shall_v come_v to_o this_o fee_a and_o who_o so_o ever_o come_v to_o that_o fee_a shall_v not_o only_o be_v well_o feed_v but_o also_o he_o shall_v have_v great_a gift_n when_o the_o heraude_n have_v warn_v all_o manner_n of_o man_n to_o come_v to_o this_o fee_a att_o the_o time_n there_o be_v two_o feeble_a man_n lyenge_a by_o the_o way_n and_o the_o one_o be_v lame_a and_o yâ—_z other_o be_v blind_a this_o blind_a man_n say_v unto_o the_o lame_a man_n alas_o and_o woe_n to_o i_o and_o the_o how_o shall_v we_o do_v /_o for_o themperoure_n have_v lete_fw-la cry_n a_o fee_a and_o who_o so_o eâ—er_n come_v thereto_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v well_o feed_v but_o also_o he_o shall_v have_v right_a great_a gift_n /_o and_z i_o be_o blind_a and_o thou_o be_v lame_a how_o shall_v we_o do_v what_o say_v the_o lame_a man_n to_o the_o blind_a man_n i_o shall_v tell_v the_o good_a counsel_n /_o if_o thou_o will_v do_v after_o i_o thou_o shall_v let_v for_o no_o thing_n i_o be_o lame_a and_o feeble_a and_o may_v not_o go_v nevertheless_o i_o may_v see_v /_o and_z thou_o be_v strong_a and_o blind_a and_o may_v not_o see_v /_o take_z thou_o i_o upon_o thy_o back_n and_o bear_v i_o and_o i_o shall_v lede_v the_o /_o the_z right_a way_n and_o thus_o shall_v we_o both_o come_v to_o the_o emperor_n feest_fw-la than_o say_v the_o blind_a man_n after_o thy_o good_a counceyll_n i_o do_v /_o come_z on_o my_o back_n and_o i_o shall_v bear_v the_o and_o thou_o shall_v lede_v i_o the_o right_a way_n /_o and_o so_o they_o do_v that_o both_o of_o theym_n come_v to_o that_o fee_a and_o receyve_v great_a reward_n and_o gift_n among_o other_o man_n /_o and_o thus_o end_v their_o lyve_n in_o pease_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cry_v the_o which_o lete_fw-la cry_v a_o general_a fee_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n /_o unto_o the_o which_o joy_n he_o call_v all_o mankind_n and_o forsake_v no_o man_n that_o will_v come_v unto_o he_o this_o lame_a man_n betoken_v the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chyrche_n prechour_n and_o confessor_n which_o that_o have_v no_o thing_n of_o theyrowne_n but_o lyven_v by_o teching_n and_o alm_n of_o other_o man_n and_o this_o blind_a man_n betoken_v lay_v man_n which_o know_v not_o the_o right_a way_n unto_o heaven_n it_o behove_v that_o the_o blind_a man_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v the_o lie_v man_n to_o bear_v the_o lame_a man_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chirche_n susteyn_v and_o fee_a theym_n with_o the_o tything_n of_o alm_n and_o other_o oblatyon_n /_o than_o the_o prelate_n be_v behold_v to_o teach_v and_o infourme_v we_o the_o way_n toward_o heaven_n where_o as_o we_o shall_v not_o only_o have_v a_o fee_v but_o also_o great_a joy_n and_o reward_v /_o to_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v we_o thereto_o amen_n sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o emperor_n name_v folliculus_n yâ—_z which_o be_v right_n wise_a merciful_a and_o rightful_a in_o all_o his_o werke_n this_o emperor_n build_v in_o the_o ee_v a_o noble_a cyte_n when_o rein_v he_o put_v all_o his_o tresoure_n and_o precyous_a stone_n /_o and_z riches_n to_o be_v keep_v /_o unto_o this_o cyte_n be_v the_o way_n stony_a and_o full_a of_o brymble_n &_o sharp_a thorn_n /_o &_o three_o knight_n be_v arm_v ready_a to_o fight_v with_o theym_n that_o will_v come_v to_o that_o cyte_n therefore_o themperour_n ordain_v that_o who_o soever_o overcome_v these_o knight_n shall_v entre_fw-fr the_o cyte_n and_o take_v at_o his_o will_n of_o themperours_n tresoure_n after_z yâ—_z this_o emperor_n lete_fw-la make_v in_o the_o northewe_v a_o cyte_n wherein_o he_o ordain_v all_o manner_n of_o pain_n torment_v sorrow_n and_o myscheef_n to_o the_o which_o be_v a_o broad_a way_n full_a delectable_a grow_a full_a of_o rose_n and_o fail_v lelye_n
this_o poor_a man_n and_o say_v my_o lord_n i_o promise_v you_o my_o faith_fw-mi the_o fullly_n for_o to_o be_v true_a unto_o you_o as_o long_o as_o that_o i_o live_v the_o emperor_n anon_o make_v he_o knight_n and_o give_v high_o great_a rychesse_n when_o he_o be_v thus_o promote_v he_o wax_v so_o proud_a that_o he_o think_v himself_o more_o able_a for_o to_o be_v a_o emperor_n than_o his_o lord_n /_o wherefore_o he_o make_v suggestyon_n unto_o dyvers_a lord_n of_o that_o empire_n that_o he_o may_v usurp_v and_o take_v upon_o hy_o thrughe_o strengthe_n of_o theym_a to_o be_v emperor_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o anon_o he_o exile_v he_o and_o all_o though_o that_o be_v consent_v to_o he_o so_o that_o they_o be_v put_v in_o great_a wretchedness_n &_o sorrow_n and_o than_o the_o emperor_n ordain_v other_o man_n in_o their_o stead_n and_o give_v theym_v all_o the_o possessyon_n of_o the_o traitor_n and_o of_o there_o felawshyppe_n and_o when_o the_o banysshed_a man_n hear_v that_o stranger_n have_v take_v possessyon_n in_o their_o land_n and_o good_n anon_o they_o conspire_v against_o he_o &_o thrughe_v treason_n pray_v theym_a unto_o a_o feeste_n /_o and_z they_o as_o innocent_n think_v no_o treason_n come_v at_o the_o day_n assign_v /_o and_o be_v serve_v with_o fyve_o mease_n /_o which_o be_v enpoyson_v /_o wherefore_o as_o many_o as_o taste_v of_o that_o vytayll_n die_v in_o contynent_a /_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o /_o he_z be_v grete_o move_v and_o call_v his_o counceyll_n to_o wit_v what_o be_v best_a to_o be_v do_v of_o this_o treason_n and_o of_o their_o dethe_v than_o say_v the_o emperor_n soon_o my_o lord_n i_o be_o your_o soon_o /_o and_o you_o be_v my_o fader_fw-mi /_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v gyve_v you_o good_a ceunsell_n and_o profitable_a to_o all_o man_n not_o far_o hen_n be_v a_o lytell_a realm_n wherein_o dwell_v a_o fair_a maiden_n and_o gracious_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o every_o man_n which_o have_v a_o orcherde_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o welle_v /_o whereof_o the_o water_n be_v of_o such_o virtue_n /_o that_o if_o it_o be_v cast_v upon_o a_o deed_n man_n /_o anon_o he_o shall_v live_v again_o and_o recover_v his_o life_n therefore_o my_o lord_n i_o shall_v descend_v unto_o the_o realm_n and_o seek_v that_o water_n by_o the_o which_o they_o that_o be_v slay_v at_o the_o fee_a may_v rise_v again_o to_o life_n and_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o /_o he_z be_v grete_o glad_v and_o say_v soon_o thy_o council_n be_v right_a good_a and_o anon_o the_o emperor_n soon_o go_v in_o to_o the_o say_a realm_n and_o felle_n in_o conceit_n of_o the_o maiden_n in_o so_o moche_v that_o he_o enter_v in_o to_o the_o gardyne_n and_o say_v of_o the_o welle_v and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v he_o make_v fyve_o deep_a trench_n in_o the_o ground_n in_o the_o which_o the_o water_n run_v till_o it_o come_v where_o the_o deed_n man_n lie_v bury_v /_o and_o anon_o when_o the_o water_n touch_v theym_a they_o arise_v from_o dethe_v to_o life_n /_o and_o thenne_fw-fr the_o emperor_n soon_o lead_v theym_n unto_o his_o fader_fw-mi and_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o he_o be_v right_n joy_n full_a /_o wherefore_o he_o crown_v his_o soon_o with_o a_o lauryate_a crown_n in_o token_n of_o vyctorye_n /_o and_o so_o he_o end_v his_o life_n in_o pease_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v that_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n the_o poor_a man_n that_o be_v promote_v betoken_v lucyfer_n yâ—_z which_o be_v make_v of_o nought_o be_v exalt_v in_o the_o empire_n of_o heaven_n in_o so_o great_a joy_n and_o clerenesse_n that_o he_o seem_v thrughe_v his_o pride_n that_o he_o will_v be_v like_o almyghty_a god_n /_o and_o not_o only_o like_o himself_o but_o also_o more_o than_o almyghty_a god_n /_o wherefore_o the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n exile_v he_o and_o all_o theym_n that_o consent_v unto_o he_o to_o hell_n /_o and_z in_o their_o place_n man_n be_v exalt_v to_o great_a joy_n and_o honour_n the_o devyll_n sing_v this_o envy_a he_o that_o man_n shall_v come_v to_o such_o glory_n and_o honour_n /_o &_o bad_a adam_n and_o eue._n unto_o a_o fee_a when_o they_o eat_v of_o the_o apple_n against_o god_n commandment_n /_o and_o counceyl_v they_o thus_o sa_v in_o what_o hour_n he_o eat_v of_o the_o apple_n you_o shall_v be_v like_o god_n and_o in_o this_o curse_a feest_n they_o be_v serve_v with_o fyve_o mease_n the_o which_o be_v enpoyson_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o their_o fyve_o wytte_n be_v accord_v in_o et_v of_o that_o apple_n whereof_o man_n be_v infect_a and_o dye_v this_o hear_a the_o emperor_n soon_o meve_v with_o mercy_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n in_o to_o this_o world_n and_o acquaint_v he_o so_o well_o with_o the_o blyss_v vyrgyne_n mary_n that_o he_o find_v in_o she_o the_o well_o of_o man_n hod_z and_o conjoin_v it_o to_o he_o godhede_v accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n i_o be_o the_o well_o of_o life_n who_o drynk_v on_o it_o shall_v not_o thurste_v after_o that_o he_o lete_fw-la make_v fyve_o trench_n in_o the_o ground_n /_o that_o be_v to_o lay_v fyve_o wound_n in_o his_o body_n of_o the_o which_o run_v both_o blood_n &_o water_n whereby_o all_o mankind_n be_v reyse_v fro_o dethe_v to_o life_n /_o and_o so_o he_o lead_v theym_a up_o in_o to_o the_o palyce_n of_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o our_o blyss_v lord_n jesus_n cryste_n that_o shed_v his_o blood_n upon_o the_o road_n tree_n for_o the_o and_o i_o and_o all_o mankind_n amen_o amen_o amen_o for_o saint_n charyte_v sometime_o there_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n the_o which_o be_v name_v dunstane_n in_o who_o empire_n dwell_v a_o gentyll_a knight_n the_o which_o have_v two_o son_n one_o of_o his_o say_a son_n wed_v himself_o astayn_v his_o fader_n will_v to_o a_o comune_a woman_n of_o the_o bordello_n the_o knight_n hear_v this_o exile_v his_o soon_o from_o he_o and_o when_o he_o be_v thus_o exile_v he_o beget_v on_o this_o woman_n a_o soon_o /_o and_o soon_o after_o that_o he_o wax_v seek_v and_o needful_a wherefore_o he_o send_v messenger_n to_o his_o fader_fw-mi beseeching_n he_o of_o his_o mercy_n this_o hear_a his_z fader_fw-mi have_v compassyon_n and_o ruth_n of_o he_o wherefore_o he_o be_v reconsyle_v and_o when_o he_o be_v thus_o bring_v again_o to_o his_o fader_n grace_v /_o he_o give_v his_o soon_o which_o he_o have_v beget_v afore_o of_o this_o nedeful_a woman_n to_o his_o fader_fw-mi and_o he_o kind_o receyve_v it_o as_o his_o soon_o and_o noryssh_v it_o when_o his_o other_o soon_o hear_v this_o he_o say_v to_o be_v fader_fw-mi fader_fw-mi quod_fw-la he_o it_o seem_v that_o thou_o be_v out_o of_o thy_o right_a mind_n the_o which_o i_o preve_v by_o this_o reason_n for_o he_o be_v out_o of_o his_o mind_n that_o receyve_v a_o false_a heir_n /_o &_o nouryssh_v he_o /_o who_o fader_fw-mi have_v do_v he_o anguysshe_v &_o disease_n afore_o but_o my_o brother_n which_o beget_v this_o child_n have_v do_v the_o great_a injury_n when_o that_o he_o wed_v the_o comune_a woman_n against_o thy_o will_n and_o commandment_n therefore_o i_o seem_v that_o thou_o be_v out_o of_o thy_o right_a mind_n thenne_n answer_v the_o fader_fw-mi and_z say_v by_o cause_n that_o thy_o brother_n be_v reconsyle_v thou_o be_v envious_a to_o i_o and_o also_o unkind_a to_o thy_o own_o brother_n /_o willing_n for_o to_o put_v he_o from_o my_o felawshyp_n for_o ever_o more_o &_o sothe_o none_o unkind_a man_n shall_v have_v my_o herytage_n but_o if_o that_o he_o be_v reconsyle_v but_o yet_o thou_o be_v never_o reconsyle_v of_o his_o unkyndnesse_n for_o thou_o may_v have_v reconsyle_v he_o but_o thou_o will_v not_o /_o therefore_o of_o my_o herytage_n get_v est_fw-fr thau_fw-fr no_o part_n ¶_o the_o fader_fw-mi of_o the_o two_o brother_n betoken_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n and_o this_o two_o son_n betoken_v that_o nature_n of_o angel_n and_o nature_n of_o man_n for_o man_n be_v wed_v unto_o a_o comune_a woman_n of_o the_o bordelle_n when_o he_o eat_v of_o the_o apple_n against_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n wherefore_o he_o be_v exile_v by_o that_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n and_o put_v fro_o the_o joy_n of_o paradise_n the_o soon_o of_o the_o comune_a woman_n hetoken_v mankind_n this_o knight_n soon_o that_o be_v to_o say_v adam_n begin_v to_o be_v needful_a /_o for_z after_o his_o sin_n he_o be_v put_v from_o joy_n in_o to_o this_o wretched_a valley_n of_o tear_n and_o weep_a accord_v to_o this_o scrypture_n in_o sudore_fw-la vultus_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o the_o sweet_a of_o thy_o visage_n thou_o shall_v eat_v thy_o breed_n but_o after_o by_o the_o passion_n of_o cryste_n he_o
mary_n the_o emperor_n soon_o betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n the_o sergeaunt_n that_o be_v send_v thrughe_v the_o cyte_n betoken_v saint_n johan_n that_o baptist_n which_o be_v send_v afore_o our_o lord_n /_o to_o make_v ready_a for_o he_o accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n ecce_fw-la mitto_fw-la angelum_fw-la lo_o i_o send_v my_o angel_n afore_o i_o etc._n etc._n the_o state_n which_o desire_v the_o emperor_n soon_o to_o nourysshe_v betoken_v the_o patryarke_n and_o prophet_n which_o desire_n grete_o to_o nourysshe_v our_o lord_n &_o so_o to_o see_v he_o but_o they_o may_v not_o see_v he_o /_o ne_o norysshe_v he_o for_o fire_n and_o water_n which_o shall_v be_v causet_v of_o their_o sight_n be_v not_o with_o hy_o persyght_o the_o fire_n betoken_v the_o holy_a goost_n that_o have_v not_o yet_o a_o pered_a in_o they_o /_o for_z they_o be_v not_o wasshen_v the_o water_n of_o the_o fonte_fw-la also_o you_o may_v understonde_v by_o the_o fire_n perfyght_v charyte_v /_o and_z by_o the_o water_n true_a contrytion_n which_o then_o now_o a_o day_n fail_v in_o many_o man_n /_o and_o therefore_o they_o may_v not_o have_v the_o lytell_fw-mi thylde_z ihesu_n in_o their_o herte_n jonathas_n that_o wake_v so_o well_o betoken_v a_o good_a crysten_v man_n which_o study_v ever_o to_o wake_v in_o do_v of_o good_a werke_n /_o yield_n to_o god_n for_o sin_n the_o fire_n of_o charyte_n /_o &_o the_o water_n of_o contrycyon_n but_o oft_o time_n the_o tyrant_n which_o betoken_v the_o devyll_n put_v out_o the_o fire_n of_o charyte_n from_o man_n herte_n and_o cast_v out_o the_o water_n of_o contrycyon_n so_o that_o they_o may_v not_o nourysshe_n this_o lytell_a child_n ihesu_n therefore_o awake_v we_o as_o jonathas_n do_v that_o we_o entre_fw-fr not_o in_o temptacyon_n and_o call_v we_o to_o we_o mason_n that_o be_v to_o say_v dyscrete_a confessor_n /_o which_o can_v make_v in_o our_o herte_n a_o chamber_n of_o stone_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o sure_a feyth_n &_o hope_n than_o call_v we_o to_o we_o peynter_n that_o be_v to_o say_v prechour_n of_o god_n word_n which_o can_v paint_v in_o our_o herte_n ten_o ymage_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v ten_o commandment_n which_o if_o thou_o keep_v and_o preserve_v daily_o /_o &_o devout_o without_o doubt_n thou_o shall_v behonour_v in_o heaven_n and_o if_o thou_o keep_v well_o the_o emperor_n soon_o thou_o shall_v sytte_n in_o chair_n of_o gold_n crown_v with_o a_o crown_n of_o gold_n /_o &_o if_o thou_o nourysshe_v not_o well_o without_o doubt_n thou_o shall_v be_v hang_v on_o that_o galous_a of_o heil_fw-fr /_o from_o the_o which_o save_v we_o our_o dear_a lord_n jesus_n amen_n in_o rome_n there_o dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v menaly_n the_o which_o have_v wed_v the_o king_n daughter_n of_o hungry_a a_o fair_a lady_n &_o gracious_a in_o all_o her_o werke_n /_o &_o special_o she_o be_v merciful_a as_o the_o emperor_n lay_v in_o his_o bed_n he_o bethink_v high_a the_o he_o will_v vysyte_n the_o holy_a land_n /_o &_o on_o the_o morn_n he_o call_v to_o high_a the_o empress_n and_o his_o own_o only_a brother_n and_o thus_o he_o say_v dear_a lady_n i_o may_v not_o ne_o i_o will_v not_o hide_v fro_o the_o /_o the_z prevytee_n of_o my_o herte_n i_o purpose_v to_o vysyte_n the_o holy_a land_n /_o wherefore_o i_o ordain_v the_o pryncypal_o to_o be_v lady_n and_o governoure_n over_o all_o my_o empire_n and_o over_o my_o people_n and_o under_o the_o i_o ordain_v here_o my_o brother_n to_o be_v thy_o stywarde_a for_o to_o provyde_v all_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v profitable_a to_o i_o and_o to_o my_o people_n than_o say_v the_o empress_n since_o it_o will_v none_o other_o wise_n be_v but_o needs_o you_o will_v go_v to_o the_o holy_a land_n i_o shall_v be_v in_o your_o absence_n as_o true_a as_o any_o turtyll_o that_o have_v lose_v his_o felawe_n for_o as_o i_o byleve_v you_o shall_v not_o escape_v then_n with_o your_o life_n the_o emperor_n anon_o comfort_v she_o with_o fair_a word_n and_o kiss_v she_o and_o after_o that_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o she_o and_o of_o all_o other_o and_o so_o go_v forth_o toward_o the_o holy_a land_n and_o anon_o after_o that_o the_o emperor_n be_v go_v his_o brother_n wax_v so_o proud_a that_o he_o oppress_v poor_a and_o rob_v tyche_n man_n &_o yet_o he_o do_v worse_a for_o daily_o he_o styre_v the_o empress_n to_o sin_n with_o he_o but_o ever_o she_o answer_v again_o as_o a_o holy_a and_o a_o devoute_a woman_n and_o say_v i_o will_v quod_fw-la she_o never_o consent_v to_o you_o /_o ne_z to_o none_o other_o as_o long_o as_o my_o lord_n lyve_n nevertheless_o this_o knight_n will_v not_o leave_v by_o this_o answer_n but_o ever_o when_o he_o find_v she_o alone_o he_o make_v his_o compleynt_a to_o her_o /_o and_o styre_v she_o by_o all_o the_o way_n that_o he_o coude_fw-fr to_o sin_n with_o he_o /_o when_o this_o lady_n see_v that_o he_o will_v not_o sea_n for_o none_o answer_v ne_o will_v not_o amend_v himself_o when_o she_o see_v her_o time_n she_o call_v to_o her_o three_o or_o four_o of_o the_o worthy_a of_o that_o empire_n and_o say_v to_o theym_v thus_o it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o you_o that_o my_o lord_n the_o emperor_n ordain_v i_o prycipal_o governor_n of_o this_o empire_n /_o and_o also_o he_o ordain_v his_o brother_n to_o be_v steward_n under_o i_o and_o that_o he_o shall_v do_v no_o thing_n without_o my_o counceyl_n but_o he_o do_v all_o the_o contrary_a /_o for_z he_o oppress_v poor_a man_n grete_o &_o rob_v rich_a man_n /_o &_o yet_o he_o will_v do_v worse_o if_o he_o may_v have_v his_o intent_n wherefore_o i_o command_v you_o in_o my_o lord_n name_n that_o you_o bound_v he_o fast_a /_o and_o cast_v he_o in_o prison_n thenne_n say_v they_o sothe_o he_o have_v do_v many_o harm_n since_o out_o lord_n go_v /_o therefore_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o obey_v your_o commaandement_fw-fr /_o but_z in_o this_o mater_fw-la you_o must_v answer_v for_o we_o to_o our_o lord_n the_o emperor_n than_o say_v she_o drede_v you_o not_o for_o of_o my_o lord_n know_v what_o he_o have_v do_v as_o well_o as_o i_o he_o will_v put_v he_o to_o the_o foul_a dethe_v that_o can_v bethink_v anon_o these_o man_n set_v hand_n on_o he_o and_o bind_v he_o fast_a with_o iron_n chain_n and_o put_v he_o fast_a in_o prison_n /_o where_o as_o he_o lie_v long_o time_n after_o /_o till_z atte_a the_o last_o it_o fortune_v there_o come_v tydynge_n that_o the_o emperor_n be_v come_n home_n &_o have_v opteyn_v great_a worshyppe_n and_o vyctory_n /_o when_o his_o brother_n hear_v of_o his_o come_n he_o say_v /_o will_v god_n my_o brother_n may_v find_v i_o in_o prison_n for_o thenne_n will_v he_o enquyre_v the_o cause_n of_o my_o emprysonement_n of_o the_o empress_n /_o and_z she_o will_v tell_v he_o all_o the_o troth_n /_o and_o how_o i_o desire_v she_o to_o sin_n /_o &_o so_o for_o she_o i_o shall_v have_v no_o grace_n of_o my_o brother_n but_o lose_v my_o life_n this_o know_v i_o well_o therefore_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o 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theym_n unto_o the_o death_n /_o and_o than_o he_o be_v right_a sorrowful_a and_o say_v within_o himself_o alas_o quoth_v he_o it_o be_v great_a pyre_n for_o to_o slay_v such_o a_o fair_a young_a man_n /_o and_z therefore_o if_o i_o may_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o and_o anon_o the_o knight_n scrape_v away_o that_o writing_a and_o write_v in_o the_o same_o paper_n a_o letter_n sa_v these_o word_n upon_o pain_n of_o dethe_v i_o command_v the_o that_o thou_o take_v the_o young_a squyer_n berer_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o let_v medde_v he_o without_o any_o delay_v unto_o my_o daughter_n and_o you_o with_o all_o the_o honour_n and_o solempnyte_n that_o you_o can_v /_o &_o when_o that_o they_o be_v wed_v /_o that_o you_o take_v he_o in_o honour_n and_o worshyppe_n he_o as_o your_o own_o soon_o and_o that_o he_o keep_v my_o place_n till_o i_o come_v to_o you_o myself_o /_o when_o the_o knight_n have_v thus_o write_v he_o close_v the_o letter_n subtylly_a and_o put_v they_o in_o the_o 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