which_o hang_v speak_v the_o apostle_n say_v suspend_v elegit_fw-la a_o ina_fw-la mea_fw-la my_o soul_n have_v choose_v to_o be_v hang_v for_o like_a as_o a_o man_n be_v lyfte_v up_o from_o the_o ground_n by_o hang_a right_a so_o a_o sinner_n be_v lyfte_v up_o from_o sin_n toward_o heaven_n unto_o god_n by_o the_o hang_a of_o satisfaccyon_n upon_o this_o galous_a we_o shall_v hang_v till_o the_o bird_n of_o heaven_n come_v down_o y_o it_o be_v to_o say_v till_o the_o apostle_n come_v down_o to_o feed_v we_o with_o our_o good_a dede_n for_o there_o be_v more_o joy_n of_o one_o sinner_n do_v his_o penance_n a_o before_o the_o angel_n of_o god_n in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n like_a as_o the_o steward_n bring_v again_o themperours_n daughter_n so_o it_o behove_v we_o to_o seek_v about_o by_o dyverse_a werke_n of_o mercy_n &_o find_v our_o soul_n y_o it_o we_o lose_v &_o bring_v she_o again_o to_o the_o chyrche_n &_o rule_v well_o our_o u_o wytte_n and_o feed_v our_o greyhounde_n as_o we_o shall_v &_o make_v our_o life_n so_o clean_a and_o pure_a that_o we_o fall_v not_o again_o to_o sin_n for_o drede_v that_o it_o fortune_n to_o we_o worse_o &_o y_o it_o we_o have_v no_o leyser_n to_o ask_v mercy_n again_o at_o our_o need_n and_o if_o we_o fulfil_v all_o this_o true_o unto_o to_o our_o lyves_n end_n wtout_fw-fr doubt_n we_o shall_v optayne_n everlasting_a life_n to_z y_z e_z which_o our_o lord_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wise_n name_v edfenne_n which_o ordain_v for_o a_o law_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o ravyssh_v a_o maid_n shall_v be_v at_o her_o will_n whether_o she_o will_v put_v he_o to_o death_n or_o y_z t_z she_o will_v have_v he_o to_o her_o husband_n it_o befall_v after_o that_o a_o man_n ravyâ—shed_v in_o a_o night_n two_o fair_a maiden_n y_fw-fr e_fw-la first_o damosel_n desire_v that_o he_o shall_v dye_v &_o the_o second_o desire_a wedding_n the_o ravyssher_n be_v take_v &_o â—edde_v before_o the_o judge_n that_o shall_v satisfy_v both_o these_o damoyselle_n through_o his_o wysdome_n &_o ryghtfulnes_n the_o first_o damosel_n ever_o desire_v the_o death_n accord_v to_o the_o law_n than_o say_v the_o second_o i_o desire_v he_o to_o be_v my_o husband_n for_o in_o like_a wise_n as_o thou_o have_v the_o law_n for_o the_o in_o like_a wise_n i_o have_v it_o for_o i_o &_o nevertheless_o my_o petycyon_n be_v more_o better_a than_o you_o for_o it_o be_v more_o charytable_a therefore_o i_o thynk_v in_o my_o reason_n that_o the_o justice_n shall_v gyve_v sentence_n with_o i_o than_o the_o justice_n understand_v the_o great_a mercy_n of_o the_o second_o damosel_n give_v judgement_n that_o he_o shall_v wed_v she_o and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst._n the_o ravyssher_n betoken_v every_o sinner_n which_o ravyssh_v god_n mercy_n as_o often_o as_o he_o defoul_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n by_o sin_n for_o the_o devyl_n may_v never_o overcomme_v man_n but_o if_o it_o be_v suffer_v by_o will_n for_o saint_n austyn_n say_v non_fw-fr est_fw-fr peccatum_fw-la nisi_fw-la sit_fw-la voluntarium_fw-la it_o be_v no_o sin_n but_o if_o it_o be_v voluntary_a the_o sinner_n ravyssh_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n as_o oft_o as_o he_o have_v very_a contricyon_n the_o ravysher_n also_o be_v call_v afore_o the_o justyce_n when_o y_a e_o soul_n be_v depart_v from_o the_o body_n and_o anon_o the_o first_o damosel_n that_o be_v the_o devyll_n lay_v against_o the_o sinner_n that_o he_o ought_v to_o dye_v everlastyng_o by_o y_z e_z law_n of_o ryghtwysnes_n but_o that_o other_o maiden_n that_o be_v chryst_n lay_v for_o she_o how_o y_a e_o mercy_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o help_v by_o contricyon_n &_o confessyon_n which_o be_v y_z e_z high_a way_n to_o everlasting_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v both_o you_o &_o i_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o rich_a name_v lypodyus_fw-la which_o take_v to_o wife_n a_o fair_a vyrgyn_v &_o a_o gentyll_a and_o be_v the_o king_n of_o assyryens_n daughter_n this_o young_a lady_n conceyve_v &_o bear_v a_o child_n &_o in_o the_o birth_n of_o she_o soon_o she_o die_v and_o anon_o after_o her_o decese_n this_o emperor_n wed_v a_o other_o wife_n and_o beget_v she_o with_o child_n also_o and_o anon_o after_o that_o these_o child_n be_v bear_v he_o send_v they_o both_o in_o to_o a_o strange_a land_n for_o to_o be_v nouryssh_v than_o say_v the_o mother_n of_o the_o second_o child_n my_o reverend_a lord_n ten_o year_n be_v pass_v since_o i_o bear_v my_o child_n and_o yet_o see_v i_o he_o never_o but_o once_o &_o that_o be_v the_o first_o day_n of_o his_o birth_n therefore_o i_o beseech_v you_o my_o lord_n to_o send_v for_o he_o that_o i_o may_v once_o rejoice_v i_o of_o his_o sight_n than_o say_v y_o e_o emperor_n i_o have_v a_o other_o child_n by_o my_o first_o wife_n &_o if_o i_o send_v for_o thy_o soon_o then_o must_v i_o send_v for_o both_o &_o than_o anon_o he_o send_v for_o they_o and_o when_o they_o be_v come_v they_o be_v pass_a fair_a &_o well_o nouryssh_v well_o teach_v and_o pass_v like_a in_o all_o manner_n thing_n that_o unnethe_n that_o one_o may_v be_v know_v from_o that_o other_o but_o if_o it_o be_v only_o of_o the_o father_n than_o say_v the_o mother_n of_o y_z e_z second_o child_n a_o my_o lord_n tell_v i_o which_o of_o these_o be_v my_o soon_o &_o he_o call_v he_o she_o soon_o that_o he_o beget_v on_o his_o first_o wife_n when_o thempresse_n hear_v this_o she_o give_v all_o her_o cure_n to_o nourysshe_v &_o to_o eeche_v he_o &_o despyse_v that_o other_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o he_o say_v to_o his_o wife_n soth_o i_o have_v deceyve_v the_o for_o he_o that_o y_z e_z love_v so_o moche_n be_v not_o thy_o soon_o but_o that_o other_o be_v thy_o soon_o than_o set_v she_o all_o her_o cure_n upon_o the_o second_o &_o forsake_v the_o first_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o he_o say_v true_o i_o have_v deceyve_v the_o yet_o without_o doubt_n this_o be_v not_o thy_o soon_o but_o one_o of_o they_o two_o be_v thy_o soon_o than_o say_v y_o e_o mother_n a_o my_o lord_n for_o his_o love_n that_o die_v on_o y_o e_o ride_v tell_v i_o without_o cavellacyon_n which_o of_o they_o be_v my_o soon_o the_o emperor_n answer_v &_o say_v certain_o i_o will_v not_o tell_v you_o till_o they_o be_v comme_fw-fr to_o manhood_n for_o this_o reason_n first_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o this_o be_v thy_o soon_o &_o he_o thou_o nourysshe_v as_o thy_o soon_o and_o forsoke_v that_o other_o &_o when_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o this_o be_v thy_o soon_o than_o you_o e_o despyse_v the_o first_o &_o cherysshede_v the_o second_o therefore_o i_o will_v that_o thou_o cherysshe_v &_o nourrysshe_v they_o both_o till_o they_o come_v to_o that_o y_z e_z may_v have_v joy_n of_o they_o when_o thempresse_n hear_v this_o â–ª_o she_o nouryssh_v they_o both_o a_o like_a and_o when_o they_o be_v both_o comme_fw-fr to_o age_n themperour_n make_v a_o great_a supper_n and_o before_o all_o his_o gest_n he_o tell_v his_o wife_n open_o which_o of_o they_o be_v her_o child_n than_o rejoice_v she_o great_o &_o with_o she_o soon_o she_o end_v her_o life_n in_o peace_n and_o rest_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n son_n betoken_v those_o y_o to_o be_v choose_v to_o everlasting_a life_n &_o those_o y_fw-es e_fw-es be_v not_o choose_v the_o mother_n of_o they_o be_v the_o chyrche_n y_fw-fr t_o nouryssh_v they_o both_o therefore_o our_o lord_n will_v not_o y_o it_o the_o chyrche_n shall_v know_v which_o be_v choose_v and_o which_o be_v not_o choose_v for_o if_o she_o know_v that_o than_o will_v she_o love_v y_z e_o one_o &_o hate_n y_fw-fr e_o other_o &_o so_o shall_v charyte_v be_v overthrow_v among_o we_o &_o shall_v live_v in_o discord_n &_o strife_n but_o troth_n at_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n shall_v tell_v we_o which_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o which_o shall_v be_v damn_a therefore_o pray_v we_o in_o this_o world_n that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o the_o everla_a feest_n in_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v both_o you_o &_o i_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v polennus_n which_o have_v three_o son_n who_o he_o love_v moche_n it_o befall_v upon_o a_o day_n when_o this_o emperor_n lie_v upon_o his_o bed_n he_o bethink_v he_o to_o which_o of_o his_o son_n he_o may_v gyve_v his_o empire_n after_o his_o decese_n than_o call_v he_o to_o he_o his_o three_o son_n and_o say_v which_o of_o you_o three_o y_o it_o be_v slow_a shall_v have_v my_o empire_n after_o
and_o his_o soul_n shall_v be_v delyver_v from_o sin_n and_o by_o all_o right_a he_o shall_v have_v everlasting_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n sometime_o there_o regn_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wise_n name_v frederyke_v which_o have_v a_o only_a soon_o who_o he_o love_v moche_n this_o emperor_n when_o he_o lie_v at_o the_o point_n of_o death_n he_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o soon_o &_o say_v there_o soon_o i_o have_v a_o ball_n of_o gold_n which_o i_o gyve_v the_o upon_o my_o blessing_n that_o thou_o anon_o after_o my_o death_n shall_v gyve_v it_o to_o the_o moo_v fool_n that_o thou_o may_v find_v than_o say_v his_o soon_o my_o lord_n wothout_n doubt_n your_o will_n shall_v be_v fulfyl_v anon_o this_o young_a lord_n after_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n go_v &_o seek_v in_o many_o realm_n &_o find_v many_o recheles_a fool_n because_o he_o will_v satysfye_v his_o father_n will_n labour_v far_o till_o he_o come_v in_o to_o a_o realm_n where_o the_o law_n be_v such_o that_o every_o year_n a_o new_a king_n be_v choose_v there_o &_o this_o king_n have_v only_o the_o guide_n of_o y_z e_z realm_n but_o a_o year_n &_o at_o the_o year_n end_n he_o be_v depose_v &_o put_v in_o exile_n in_o a_o ylande_n where_o as_o he_o shall_v wretched_o fynysshe_v his_o life_n when_o themperour_n soon_o come_v to_o this_o realm_n the_o new_a king_n be_v choose_v with_o it_o great_a honour_n &_o all_o manner_n of_o mynstralsye_n go_v afore_o he_o &_o bring_v he_o with_o great_a reverence_n and_o worship_n unto_o his_o regal_a sete_n and_o when_o the_o emperor_n soon_o see_v that_o he_o come_v unto_o he_o and_o salew_v he_o reverent_o &_o say_v my_o lord_n loo_n i_o gyve_v the_o this_o ball_n of_o gold_n on_o my_o father_n behalf_n than_o say_v he_o i_o pray_v the_o tell_v i_o the_o cause_n why_o thou_o gyve_v i_o this_o ball_n than_o answer_v this_o young_a lord_n and_o say_v my_o father_n charge_v i_o in_o his_o death_n bed_n upon_o pain_n of_o forfeyt_v of_o his_o bless_v that_o i_o shall_v gyve_v this_o ball_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o moost_n fool_n y_fw-fr e_o i_o coude_fw-fr find_v wherefore_o i_o have_v seek_v many_o realm_n &_o have_v find_v many_o fool_n nevertheless_o a_o more_o fool_n than_o thou_o be_v find_v i_o never_o &_o therefore_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o the_o that_o thou_o shall_v regne_fw-la but_o a_o year_n and_o at_o the_o year_n end_n thou_o shall_v be_v exile_v into_o such_o a_o place_n where_o as_o thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o myschevous_a death_n wherefore_o i_o hold_v the_o for_o the_o moo_v fool_n that_o ever_o i_o find_v that_o for_o the_o lordship_n of_o a_o year_n thou_o will_v so_o wilful_o less_o thyself_o &_o therefore_o before_o all_o other_o i_o have_v give_v to_o the_o this_o ball_n of_o gold_n than_o say_v the_o king_n without_o doubt_n thou_o say_v sothe_o and_o therefore_o when_o i_o be_o in_o full_a power_n of_o this_o realm_n i_o shall_v send_v before_o i_o great_a treasoure_n and_o rychesse_n wherwyth_o i_o may_v live_v and_o save_v myself_o from_o my_o schevous_a death_n when_o i_o shall_v be_v exile_v &_o put_v down_o and_o so_o this_o be_v do_v wherefore_o at_o the_o year_n end_n he_o be_v exile_v &_o live_v there_o in_o peace_n upon_o such_o good_n as_o he_o have_v send_v before_o and_o he_o die_v afterward_o a_o good_a death_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n the_o which_o byquethe_v the_o ball_n that_o be_v to_o say_v worldly_a rychesse_n to_o fool_n and_o ydyotte_n which_o savour_v no_o thing_n but_o that_o be_v erthly_a this_o emperor_n soon_o that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o precher_n and_o a_o discrete_a confessor_n search_v about_o many_o realm_n &_o land_n to_o show_v to_o mysbyleve_a man_n &_o fool_n their_o peryll_n the_o realm_n wherein_o no_o king_n may_v regne_fw-la but_o a_o year_n be_v this_o world_n for_o who_o so_o have_v live_v a_o hondred_a year_n when_o he_o come_v to_o the_o death_n he_o shall_v seem_v that_o he_o have_v live_v but_o the_o space_n of_o a_o hour_n therefore_o do_v as_o the_o king_n do_v while_o that_o you_o be_v in_o power_n of_o life_n send_v before_o you_o your_o treasour_n that_o be_v to_o say_v alm_n deed_n &_o other_o merytoryu_v dede_n &_o certain_o when_o you_o be_v put_v in_o exile_n out_o of_o this_o world_n you_o shall_v live_v in_o peace_n &_o shall_v find_v y_z e_o mercy_n of_o god_n plentefull_a whereby_o you_o shall_v optayne_n everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o he_o that_o for_o we_o die_v on_o the_o road_n tree_n amen_n dioclesyan_a regn_v in_o the_o cyte_n of_o rome_n in_o who_o empire_n dwell_v a_o noble_a philosopher_n y_z e_z which_o let_v up_o by_o his_o craft_n a_o image_n in_o the_o mydde_v of_o yeâ—ite_v of_o rome_n the_o which_o image_n stretch_v out_o his_o arm_n &_o his_o forme_v fynger_n whereupon_o stand_v this_o posy_n write_v in_o latyn_a percute_fw-la hic_fw-la smite_n here_o this_o image_n after_o the_o death_n of_o this_o philosopher_n stand_v still_o a_o long_a time_n &_o many_o great_a clerk_n come_v thyder_n for_o to_o rede_n the_o superscripcyon_n that_o be_v on_o y_z e_z fynger_v but_o none_o of_o they_o understode_v what_o it_o ment_fw-la wherefore_o there_o be_v great_a wonder_v among_o the_o people_n and_o at_o the_o last_o a_o long_a time_n after_o there_o come_v a_o strange_a clerk_n out_o of_o far_o countree_n &_o when_o he_o see_v this_o image_n he_o red_a y_o e_o scripture_n smite_n here_o and_o than_o upon_o a_o day_n when_o he_o see_v the_o shadow_n of_o the_o hand_n he_o take_v a_o mattock_n &_o break_v up_o y_o e_o ground_n under_o the_o hand_n where_o the_o shadow_n be_v accord_v to_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o superscripcyon_n &_o anon_o he_o find_v a_o house_n all_o of_o marble_n undernethe_v the_o grovode_n wherein_o he_o enter_v &_o come_v in_o to_o a_o hall_n where_o he_o find_v so_o moche_n rychesse_n so_o many_o yewelle_n and_o so_o great_a meruayle_n that_o he_o never_o see_v ne_o hear_v of_o such_o nor_o so_o many_o before_o that_o tyme._n at_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la last_o he_o see_v a_o board_n cover_v and_o all_o manner_n of_o thing_n necessary_a thereto_o set_v there_o upon_o he_o be_v hold_v far_a and_o see_v a_o carbuncle_n in_o a_o wall_n that_o lyghten_v all_o y_o e_o house_n and_o anent_o this_o carbuncle_n on_o that_o other_o side_n stand_v a_o man_n hold_v in_o his_o hand_n a_o bow_n with_o a_o arowe_n ready_a to_o shote_v the_o clerk_n merualled_a moche_n when_o be_v see_v all_o these_o thing_n and_o think_v in_o himself_o if_o that_o i_o tâ—ll_v this_o forth_o there_o will_v no_o man_n byleve_v i_o &_o therefore_o i_o will_v have_v somewhat_o of_o these_o good_n in_o token_n of_o proof_n and_o with_o that_o he_o see_v a_o knife_n of_o gold_n upon_o y_o e_o board_n which_o he_o take_v &_o will_v have_v put_v it_o in_o his_o bosom_n but_o anon_o the_o archer_n smite_v the_o carbuncle_n and_o break_v it_o wherwyth_o all_o the_o hole_n house_n be_v shadow_v &_o make_v dark_a and_o when_o y_a e_o clerk_n perceyve_v it_o he_o weep_v more_o bytter_o than_o any_o man_n may_v think_v for_o he_o wist_v not_o by_o what_o way_n he_o may_v go_v out_o for_o as_o moche_v as_o the_o house_n be_v make_v dark_a through_o the_o break_n of_o the_o carbuncle_n and_o that_o darkness_n abide_v still_o for_o evermore_o after_o and_o so_o fynissh_v the_o clerk_n his_o life_n there_o in_o that_o darkness_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o image_n so_o stand_v be_v the_o devyll_n which_o say_v evermore_o smite_n here_o that_o be_v to_o say_v take_v heed_n to_o erthly_a rycheâ—se_n &_o not_o to_o heavenly_a treasour_n this_o clerk_n that_o smite_v with_o the_o mattock_n betoken_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o this_o world_n as_o pleder_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o law_n attorney_n and_o other_o worldly_a man_n that_o ever_o be_v smyte_v what_o by_o right_a &_o what_o by_o wrong_n so_o y_z t_z they_o may_v gete_v the_o vanytee_n of_o this_o world_n &_o in_o their_o smyte_a they_o find_v great_a wonder_n &_o meruayle_n that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o find_v therein_o the_o delight_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o many_o man_n rejoice_v the_o carbuncle_n that_o gyve_v light_v be_v the_o youth_n of_o man_n which_o gyve_v hardynes_n to_o take_v their_o pleasure_n in_o worldly_a rychesse_n the_o archer_n w_o t_o his_o arowe_n be_v death_n which_o lay_v watch_n anent_o man_n to_o slay_v he_o the_o clerk_n that_o take_v up_o y_o e_o knife_n be_v every_o worldly_a man_n that_o wen_v ever_o to_o have_v all_o thing_n at_o his_o will_n death_n
smit_v the_o carbuncle_n that_o be_v to_o say_v youth_n strength_n and_o power_n of_o man_n and_o than_o lie_v he_o wrap_v in_o darkness_n of_o sin_n â–ª_o in_o which_o darkness_n oftentimes_o he_o die_v therefore_o study_v we_o to_o flee_v the_o world_n and_o his_o desire_n and_o than_o shall_v we_o be_v sure_a to_o win_v everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o jesu_n bring_v both_o you_o &_o i_o amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v tytus_fw-la a_o wise_a man_n &_o a_o dyscrete_a which_o ordain_v in_o his_o day_n such_o a_o law_n that_o what_o knight_n die_v in_o his_o empire_n shall_v be_v bury_v in_o his_o armure_n &_o who_o so_o ever_o presume_v to_o spoil_v any_o knight_n armure_v after_o he_o be_v deed_n he_o shall_v dye_v without_o any_o withstand_v or_o gaynsay_n it_o befall_v after_o within_o few_o year_n that_o a_o cyte_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o empire_n be_v besyege_v of_o themperours_n enemy_n wherefore_o that_o cyte_n be_v in_o peryll_n of_o lose_a â–ª_o for_o nâ—ne_n that_o be_v within_o that_o cyte_n may_v not_o defend_v themselves_o by_o no_o manner_n of_o craft_n therefore_o great_a sorrow_n and_o lamentacyon_n be_v make_v through_o out_o all_o y_fw-es e_fw-es cite_v but_o at_o the_o last_o win_v few_o day_n there_o come_v to_o the_o cite_v a_o young_a knight_n and_o a_o fair_a and_o doughty_a to_o do_v dede_n of_o arm_n who_o the_o worthy_a man_n of_o the_o cite_v behold_v &_o understand_v his_o doughtynesâ—â—_n cry_v w_n t_o one_o voice_n o_o thou_o most_o noble_a knight_n we_o beseech_v the_o if_o it_o please_v thy_o worthiness_n to_o help_v we_o now_o at_o our_o most_o need_n 'loo_o you_o may_v so_o this_o cyte_n in_o be_v peryll_n of_o lose_v than_o answer_v he_o &_o say_v 〈◊〉_d you_o not_o sir_n thâ—â—_n i_o have_v none_o armure_v &_o if_o i_o have_v armure_v i_o will_v glad_o defend_v your_o cyte_n this_o â—earing_v a_o mighty_a man_n of_o the_o cyte_n say_v to_o he_o in_o secret_a wise_n sir_n here_o be_v sometime_o &_o doughty_a knight_n which_o now_o be_v deed_n and_o bury_v within_o this_o cite_v acâ—orâ—ding_v to_o the_o law_n &_o if_o it_o please_v you_o to_o take_v his_o armure_n you_o may_v defend_v this_o cite_v &_o delyver_v we_o from_o peryll_n and_o that_o shall_v be_v honour_n unto_o you_o and_o profit_n unto_o all_o the_o empire_n when_o this_o young_a knight_n have_v herd_n this_o he_o go_v to_o the_o grave_n &_o take_v y_o e_o armure_n &_o array_v himself_o therewith_o &_o fight_v myghty_o against_o his_o enemy_n and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o opteyn_v &_o have_v the_o vyctory_n &_o delyver_v y_o e_o cite_v from_o peryll_n and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v he_o put_v the_o armure_n again_o in_o to_o the_o grave_n there_o be_v some_o man_n in_o the_o cite_v that_o have_v great_a indignation_n and_o envy_n at_o he_o because_o he_o have_v opteyn_v the_o vyctory_n and_o accuse_v he_o to_o the_o judge_n say_v thus_o sir_n a_o law_n be_v make_v by_o themperour_n y_z t_z who_o so_o ever_o despoil_v a_o deed_n knight_n of_o his_o armure_n shall_v dye_v this_o young_a knight_n find_v a_o deed_n knight_n &_o take_v away_o his_o armure_n therefore_o we_o beseech_v y_z e_o that_o thou_o proceed_v in_o the_o law_n against_o he_o as_o against_o he_o y_o it_o be_v breker_fw-mi of_o y_fw-fr e_o law_n when_o the_o justyce_n hear_v this_o he_o make_v y_z e_z knight_n to_o be_v take_v &_o to_o be_v bring_v a_o before_o he_o and_o when_o he_o be_v examine_v of_o this_o trespass_n against_o the_o law_n he_o say_v thus_o sir_n it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n â–ª_o that_o of_o two_o harm_n the_o least_fw-mi be_v to_o be_v choose_v it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o you_o that_o this_o cite_v be_v in_o peryll_n to_o be_v lose_v &_o but_o i_o have_v take_v this_o armure_n i_o have_v neither_o save_v you_o ne_o the_o cyte_n therefore_o i_o thynk_v you_o ought_v rather_o to_o honour_v &_o worship_n i_o for_o this_o good_a deed_n that_o i_o have_v do_v than_o thus_o shameful_o to_o reprove_v i_o for_o i_o be_o lead_v as_o he_o that_o be_v ready_a to_o be_v hang_v and_o also_o good_a sir_n a_o other_o reason_n i_o may_v lay_v for_o my_o excuse_n he_z y_z t_z stele_v or_o rob_v violent_o purpose_v not_o to_o restore_v y_z e_o thing_n that_o he_o rob_v but_o it_o be_v not_o thus_o with_o i_o for_o though_o i_o take_v the_o armure_n of_o the_o deed_n knight_n for_o your_o saluacyon_n when_o i_o have_v opteyn_v the_o victory_n i_o bear_v it_o again_o to_o y_z e_z same_o place_n &_o so_o the_o deed_n knight_n have_v that_o be_v he_o by_o the_o law_n than_o say_v the_o justyce_n a_o thief_n that_o breke_v a_o house_n that_o he_o may_v steel_n &_o bear_v away_o such_o as_o he_o may_v find_v &_o though_o he_o bring_v again_o that_o he_o have_v take_v i_o ask_v of_o the_o if_o that_o the_o break_n of_o the_o house_n be_v lawful_a or_o not_o the_o knight_n answer_v sometime_o the_o break_n of_o a_o house_n may_v be_v good_a where_o as_o it_o be_v make_v in_o feeble_a place_n which_o shall_v cause_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o house_n to_o make_v his_o wall_n strong_a that_o the_o thief_n after_o y_z e_z break_v not_o the_o wall_n so_o lyght_o in_o avoid_v of_o more_o harm_n than_o say_v the_o justyce_n if_o the_o break_n of_o the_o house_n be_v good_a nevertheless_o in_o that_o breaking_a violence_n be_v do_v to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o house_n and_o so_o though_o thou_o do_v good_a with_o the_o armure_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o deed_n knight_n nevertheless_o thou_o do_v wrong_v to_o the_o deed_n knight_n in_o take_v away_o his_o armure_n the_o knight_n say_v i_o have_v tell_v you_o how_o that_o of_o two_o harm_n the_o least_fw-mi be_v to_o be_v choose_v and_o that_o harm_n where_o through_o great_a goodness_n come_v ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v harm_n but_o it_o shall_v rather_o be_v call_v good_a for_o if_o that_o any_o house_n within_o the_o cite_v be_v on_o fire_n &_o begin_v to_o brenne_n it_o be_v more_o better_a to_o throw_v it_o to_o the_o ground_n and_o three_o or_o four_o house_n thereby_o than_o they_o shall_v be_v set_v on_o fire_n also_o whereby_o all_o y_o e_o cyte_n may_v be_v brente_a right_o so_o if_o the_o armure_n oft_o y_a e_o deed_n knight_n have_v not_o be_v take_v the_o cyte_n and_o you_o all_o have_v be_v lose_v and_o when_o the_o justyce_n hear_v y_o it_o he_o answer_v so_o well_o &_o so_o reasonable_o he_o may_v gyve_v no_o judgement_n against_o he_o but_o the_o which_o have_v accuse_v this_o knight_n slay_v he_o for_o who_o death_n there_o be_v great_a weep_v through_o out_o all_o the_o cyte_n &_o his_o body_n be_v worshypful_o bury_v in_o a_o neeâ—_n tombe_fw-fr ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n and_o this_o cite_v be_v y_fw-fr e_o world_n the_o which_o be_v besyege_v of_o the_o devyll_n and_o deed_o sin_n and_o as_o many_o as_o be_v within_o this_o cyte_n be_v all_o in_o peryl_n to_o be_v lose_v this_o young_a knight_n that_o come_v to_o the_o cyte_n be_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n which_o have_v not_o the_o armure_n of_o our_o manhood_n till_o he_o go_v to_o the_o grave_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o the_o womb_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o glorious_a vyrgyn_v mary_n by_o the_o annunciacyon_n of_o the_o angel_n sayinge_v the_o holy_a goost_n shall_v light_v in_o the._n etc._n etc._n lo_o thou_o shall_v conceyve_v &_o bear_v a_o soon_o and_o thus_o in_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o vyrgyn_v he_o take_v the_o armure_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o deed_n knight_n that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o take_v the_o manhood_n of_o adam_n ourfore_o father_n &_o save_v the_o cyte_n that_o be_v the_o world_n with_o mankind_n from_o peryll_n by_o his_o bless_a passion_n which_o he_o suffer_v on_o the_o cross_n &_o than_o he_o put_v his_o armure_n again_o in_o to_z y_z e_z grave_n when_o his_o bless_a body_n be_v bury_v but_o y_z e_z cytezyn_n envy_a he_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o jew_n of_o jury_n accuse_v he_o to_o pilot_n and_o lay_v the_o law_n against_o he_o say_v if_o thou_o suffer_v he_o thus_o thou_o be_v not_o the_o emperor_n caesar_n friend_n we_o have_v a_o law_n &_o after_o y_o e_o law_n he_o ought_v to_o dye_v and_o thus_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n of_o his_o enemy_n be_v condemn_v to_o the_o death_n of_o the_o cross_n &_o after_o ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n where_o our_o lord_n jesu_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n there_o regn_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wyse_v name_v betolde_v which_o ordain_v a_o law_n that_o what_o woman_n be_v take_v in_o anoutry_n her_o husband_n be_v alyve_a she_o
counseyle_n i_o pray_v the_o that_o faithful_a friendship_n may_v continue_v bytwene_v we_o and_o in_o token_n of_o love_n that_o thou_o will_v drink_v my_o blood_n &_o i_o shall_v drink_v thy_o that_o none_o of_o we_o depart_v ne_o fail_v other_o in_o this_o journey_n the_o folysshe_a knight_n say_v it_o please_v i_o right_a well_o all_o that_o you_o say_v wherefore_o they_o be_v both_o let_v blood_n and_o everyche_a of_o they_o drink_v other_o blood_n when_o this_o be_v do_v they_o go_v forth_o togyder_o on_o their_o journey_n and_o when_o they_o have_v go_v three_o day_n journey_n toward_o the_o cyte_n where_o y_fw-fr e_o treasour_n be_v they_o come_v to_o a_o place_n where_o be_v two_o way_n one_o be_v sharp_a stony_a &_o full_a of_o thorn_n that_o other_o way_n be_v plain_a and_o fair_a and_o full_a of_o swetnes_n &_o delight_n than_o say_v the_o wise_a knight_n to_o his_o fellow_n dear_a friend_n here_o be_v two_o way_n one_o sharp_a and_o thorny_a nevertheless_o if_o we_o go_v this_o way_n we_o shall_v come_v to_o this_o cite_v that_o be_v so_o rich_a &_o there_o shall_v we_o have_v that_o we_o desire_n than_o say_v this_o folysshe_a knight_n to_o his_o fellow_n i_o wonder_v great_o of_o you_o that_o you_o speak_v such_o thing_n for_o i_o will_v rather_o byleve_v my_o eye_n than_o your_o word_n i_o see_v here_o open_o &_o so_o do_v you_o that_o here_o be_v a_o hard_a way_n &_o full_a of_o thorn_n &_o as_o i_o have_v herd_n say_v there_o be_v three_o champyon_n arm_v in_o this_o way_n ready_a to_o â—yght_v against_o all_o man_n that_o go_v that_o way_n toward_o the_o cite_v of_o y_fw-fr e_o eest_fw-mi &_o therefore_o i_o will_v not_o go_v that_o way_n but_o here_o be_v as_o you_o may_v see_v a_o other_o way_n plain_a and_o easy_a to_o walk_v in_o and_o in_o this_o way_n there_o be_v three_o knight_n ready_a to_o serve_v we_o &_o gyve_v we_o all_o manner_n thing_n necessary_a to_o we_o and_o therefore_o by_o this_o way_n will_v i_o go_v &_o not_o by_o that_o other_o way_n than_o say_v the_o wise_a knight_n certain_o if_o we_o go_v by_o that_o way_n we_o shall_v be_v lead_v in_o to_o the_o cyte_n of_o the_o north_n wherein_o there_o be_v no_o mercy_n but_o perpetual_a pain_n &_o sorrow_n and_o there_o shall_v we_o be_v take_v &_o bind_v and_o cast_v in_o prison_n certain_o say_v the_o folysshe_a knight_n this_o way_n be_v y_z e_z ready_a way_n &_o as_o i_o byleve_v it_o be_v more_o profitable_a than_o y_z e_z other_o way_n than_o go_v they_o both_o forth_o y_o e_o fair_a way_n &_o anon_o three_o knight_n meet_v with_o they_o which_o receyve_v they_o reverent_o as_o for_o a_o night_n &_o give_v they_o all_o manner_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o they_o and_o on_o y_z e_z morrow_n they_o take_v their_o journey_n forth_o to_o ward_v y_z e_o cyte_n and_o when_o they_o be_v within_o the_o cyte_n anon_o the_o emperor_n offycer_n meet_v w_n to_o they_o &_o say_v dear_a friend_n why_o come_v you_o hither_o in_o so_o moche_v that_o you_o know_v y_z e_o law_n of_o this_o cite_v so_o cruel_a of_o long_a time_n here_o before_o soth_o you_o shall_v be_v serve_v now_o after_o y_z e_z law_n anon_o they_o take_v the_o wise_a knight_n and_o bind_v he_o and_o put_v he_o in_o prison_n â–ª_o and_o after_o that_o they_o take_v the_o folysshe_a knight_n &_o bind_v he_o fast_o and_o ke_v he_o in_o to_o a_o dyche_n soon_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o the_o justyce_n come_v to_o the_o cyte_n to_o gyve_v judgement_n on_o they_o that_o have_v trespaced_a y_o e_o law_n and_o anon_o all_o the_o prisoner_n be_v bring_v forth_o before_o the_o justyce_n among_o who_o these_o two_o knight_n be_v bring_v forth_o one_o from_o prison_n and_o that_o other_o from_o the_o dyche_n than_o say_v the_o wise_a knight_n to_o the_o justyce_n reverend_n lord_n i_o complain_v of_o my_o fellow_n that_o be_v guilty_a of_o my_o death_n for_o when_o we_o two_o come_v to_o the_o two_o way_n whereof_o that_o one_o lead_v to_o y_z e_z cyte_n in_o the_o ee_a &_o that_o other_o to_o this_o cyte_n i_o tell_v he_o all_o the_o peryll_n of_o this_o cite_v &_o the_o reward_n of_o that_o other_o cyte_n &_o he_o will_v not_o byleve_v i_o &_o say_v to_o i_o in_o this_o wise_n i_o byleve_v my_o own_o eye_n better_a than_o thy_o word_n and_o because_o he_o be_v my_o fellow_n i_o will_v not_o let_v he_o go_v alone_o in_o this_o way_n &_o thus_o come_v i_o with_o he_o wherefore_o he_o be_v cause_n of_o my_o death_n than_o say_v the_o folysshe_a knight_n i_o complain_v that_o he_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o my_o death_n â–ª_o for_o it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o you_o all_o that_o i_o be_o a_o fool_n &_o he_o a_o wise_a man_n &_o therefore_o he_o shall_v not_o so_o lyght_o have_v follow_v my_o folly_n for_o if_o he_o have_v forsake_v this_o way_n i_o will_v have_v follow_v he_o &_o therefore_o he_o be_v cause_n of_o my_o death_n than_o say_v the_o justyce_n to_o y_z e_z wise_a knight_n because_o that_o thou_o with_o all_o thy_o wysdome_n and_o great_a understanding_n so_o lyght_o consent_v &_o follow_v the_o will_n of_o the_o fool_n &_o his_o folysâ—he_a werke_n &_o thou_o fool_n because_o thou_o will_v not_o do_v after_o the_o counseyle_n ne_o fulfil_v the_o wholesome_a word_n of_o this_o wise_a man_n &_o byleve_v he_o i_o gyve_v judgement_n that_o you_o be_v both_o hang_v for_o your_o trespass_n and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v wherefore_o all_o man_n praise_v great_o the_o justyce_n for_o his_o dyscrete_a judgement_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v almyghty_a god_n &_o in_o the_o ee_a be_v y_fw-fr e_o cyte_n of_o heaven_n wherein_o be_v treasour_a infynyte_n and_o unto_o this_o cyte_n be_v a_o hard_a way_n &_o full_a of_o thorn_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o way_n of_o penance_n by_o y_z e_z which_o way_n full_a few_o walk_v for_o it_o be_v hard_a &_o straight_o accord_v to_o holy_a scrypture_n say_v thus_o est_fw-la arta_fw-la via_fw-la que_fw-la ducit_fw-la ad_fw-la vitam_fw-la it_o be_v a_o straight_o way_n that_o lede_v to_o everlasting_a life_n in_o this_o way_n be_v three_o arm_v knight_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o devyll_n the_o world_n &_o the_o flesh_n which_o to_o who_o it_o behove_v we_o to_o fight_v &_o to_o optayne_n the_o vyctory_n or_o we_o may_v come_v to_o heaven_n the_o second_o cyte_n that_o be_v in_o y_z e_z north_n be_v hell_n and_o to_o this_o accord_v scrypture_n sayinge_v thus_o ab_fw-la aquilone_fw-la pondetur_fw-la oen_fw-mi malum_fw-la out_o of_o the_o north_n come_v all_o evyll_n certain_o to_o this_o cyte_n be_v y_fw-fr e_o way_n plain_a &_o broad_a &_o wall_v about_o on_o every_o side_n with_o all_o manner_n delycate_v wherefore_o many_o man_n walk_v by_o this_o way_n the_o three_o knight_n y_o it_o gyve_v to_o every_o man_n go_v this_o way_n what_o thing_n they_o need_v be_v these_o pride_n of_o life_n covetyse_v of_o eye_n &_o concupyscence_n of_o the_o flesh_n in_o which_o three_o the_o wretched_a man_n great_o delyte_v &_o at_o y_z e_z last_z they_o lede_v he_o in_o to_o hell_n this_o wytty_n knight_n betoken_v the_o soul_n &_o the_o folysshe_a knight_n betoken_v the_o flesh_n the_o which_o be_v always_o folysshe_a &_o at_o all_o time_n ready_a to_o do_v evil_a these_o two_o be_v fellow_n &_o knytte_n in_o one_o for_o everyche_a of_o they_o drynk_v other_o blood_n that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o shall_v drink_v of_o one_o cup_n either_o joy_n or_o pain_n shall_v they_o have_v after_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n the_o soul_n chosech_v the_o way_n of_o penance_n &_o in_o as_o moche_v as_o she_o may_v she_o sâ—ereth_v the_o flesh_n to_o do_v y_z e_z same_z but_o the_o flesh_n thynk_v never_o what_o shall_v come_v after_o &_o therefore_o she_o go_v in_o the_o delyte_n of_o this_o world_n &_o flee_v the_o delyte_n of_o penance_n and_o thus_o the_o soul_n after_o the_o death_n be_v cast_v in_o to_o hell_n &_o the_o flesh_n be_v cast_v in_o to_o the_o dyche_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o to_o the_o grave_n but_o than_o the_o justyce_n come_v that_o be_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chry_v at_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n to_o deem_v all_o mankind_n than_o you_o e_o soul_n shall_v complain_v upon_o the_o flesh_n &_o the_o flesh_n upon_o the_o soul_n but_o when_o y_a e_o justyce_n that_o will_v not_o be_v deceyve_v neither_o by_o prayer_n ne_o by_o price_n shall_v condemn_v y_z e_o soul_n because_o she_o follow_v you_o e_o fraylte_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o flesh_n &_o also_o he_o shall_v condemn_v the_o flesh_n because_o it_o will_v not_o byleve_v the_o soul_n wherefore_o let_v we_o study_v to_o tame_v our_o flesh_n that_o
we_o may_v obey_v god_n and_o than_o shall_v we_o have_v everlasting_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n amen_n there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v frederyke_v which_o have_v no_o child_n save_o a_o daughter_n though_o who_o this_o emperor_n after_o his_o decese_n bequeath_v all_o his_o empire_n this_o understand_v a_o earl_n that_o dwelte_v there_o beside_o come_v unto_o this_o young_a lady_n &_o woo_v she_o &_o stere_v she_o to_o sin_n all_o that_o he_o may_v wherefore_o this_o young_a lady_n in_o short_a process_n of_o time_n enclyneh_a to_o the_o earl_n &_o this_o earl_n anon_o lay_v with_o she_o &_o defoul_v she_o &_o after_o that_o he_o put_v she_o from_o her_o herytage_n and_o chase_v she_o out_o of_o her_o empire_n wherefore_o she_o make_v great_a lamentacyon_n &_o flee_v unto_o a_o realm_n there_o beside_o where_o as_o she_o daily_o weep_v &_o mourn_v it_o befall_v after_o on_o a_o day_n that_o while_o she_o sit_v mourn_v beside_o a_o way_n there_o come_v ride_a by_o her_o a_o fair_a young_a knight_n upon_o a_o good_a horse_n which_o come_v toward_o she_o a_o great_a pâ—ce_n &_o worshypful_o salew_v she_o and_o ask_v the_o cause_n why_o she_o mourn_v so_o sore_o than_o answer_v she_o &_o say_v my_o reverend_a lord_n i_o be_o a_o emperor_n daughter_n come_v of_o a_o royal_a kin_n my_o father_n be_v deed_n which_o leave_v i_o all_o his_o empire_n because_o he_o have_v none_o other_o heir_n &_o after_o his_o decese_n a_o earl_n there_o beside_o deceyve_v i_o &_o take_v from_o i_o my_o maydenheâ—e_n &_o after_o that_o he_o put_v i_o violent_o out_o of_o my_o herytage_n so_o that_o now_o i_o be_o fain_a to_o beg_v my_o breed_n from_o door_n to_o door_n &_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o my_o sorrow_n than_o say_v the_o knight_n fair_a damosel_n i_o have_v great_a compassyon_n on_o thy_o beaute_n and_o on_o thy_o gentylnes_n therefore_o if_o thou_o wylte_n grant_v i_o one_o thing_n i_o shall_v fight_v for_o the_o against_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la earl_n and_o i_o behote_v the_o the_o victory_n than_o say_v she_o alas_o alas_o i_o have_v nothing_o y_o it_o i_o may_v gyve_v to_o the_o but_o myself_o and_o i_o ask_v no_o more_o of_o the_o say_v the_o knight_n but_o that_o thou_o will_v be_v my_o wife_n and_o love_n no_o man_n so_o moche_v as_o i_o than_o say_v she_o reverend_n sir_n that_o will_v i_o do_v glad_o &_o more_o if_o i_o may_v than_o say_v the_o knight_n i_o will_v that_o thou_o do_v for_o i_o one_o thing_n that_o if_o it_o fortune_n i_o to_o dye_v in_o batayle_n for_o the_o &_o opteyne_v the_o victory_n thou_o shall_v take_v my_o bloody_a sherte_n &_o hang_v it_o upon_o a_o perch_n in_o thy_o chambre_n and_o this_o shall_v thou_o do_v for_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v y_z t_z when_o so_o ever_o thou_o behold_v the_o sherte_n thou_o shall_v weep_v for_o i_o the_o second_o be_v that_o what_o so_o ever_o man_n come_v to_o woo_v the_o to_o be_v his_o wife_n than_o shall_v thou_o hasty_o run_v unto_o thy_o chambre_n &_o behold_v my_o bloody_a sherte_n &_o think_v herte_o within_o thyself_o thus_o the_o lord_n of_o this_o sherte_n dye_v for_o my_o love_n in_o batayle_n the_o which_o recover_v my_o herytage_n god_n forbede_n that_o i_o shall_v take_v any_o other_o man_n after_o his_o death_n than_o say_v she_o reverend_n sir_n all_o this_o i_o shall_v fulfil_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o when_o y_a e_o knight_n heâ—de_v this_o he_o give_v batayle_n against_o the_o earl_n &_o obtain_v the_o victory_n and_o y_o e_o earl_n be_v overcome_v &_o flee_v and_o this_o young_a lady_n be_v bring_v &_o receyve_v again_o in_o to_o her_o herytage_n nevertheless_o this_o knight_n be_v deed_o wound_v in_o that_o batayle_n whereof_o he_o die_v but_o or_o he_o die_v he_o bequeath_v his_o bloody_a sherte_n unto_o this_o damosel_n desyre_v she_o to_o keep_v her_o promise_n when_o this_o young_a lady_n hear_v of_o his_o death_n she_o weep_v sore_o &_o make_v great_a lamentacyon_n for_o his_o death_n and_o in_o his_o sherte_n be_v write_v this_o verse_n think_v on_o he_o &_o have_v mind_n that_o to_o y_fw-fr e_o be_v so_o kind_n anon_o when_o she_o have_v receyve_v the_o sherte_n she_o hang_v it_o upon_o a_o perch_n in_o her_o chambre_n &_o as_o oftentimes_o as_o she_o behold_v it_o she_o weep_v bytter_o it_o befall_v not_o long_o after_o that_o the_o state_n of_o her_o empire_n come_v to_o she_o &_o desire_v she_o to_o take_v a_o husband_n but_o than_o she_o go_v to_o her_o chambre_n &_o behold_v the_o bloody_a cherte_n than_o wax_v she_o sorrowful_a &_o say_v oftentimes_o alas_o alas_o thou_o suffer_v death_n for_o my_o love_n &_o thou_o also_o recover_v again_o my_o heritage_n god_n forbede_n that_o i_o shall_v take_v any_o other_o man_n but_o the._n and_o thus_o she_o answer_v every_o man_n that_o come_v to_o she_o &_o so_o they_o go_v away_o unsped_a and_o she_o end_v her_o life_n in_o peace_n and_o rest_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n and_o his_o daughter_n be_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n make_v at_o the_o similitude_n of_o god_n to_o who_o god_n give_v &_o bequeath_v the_o empire_n of_o paradyse_n but_o there_o come_v a_o earl_n y_o it_o be_v the_o devyl_n and_o styre_v she_o to_o sin_n when_o she_o eat_v of_o the_o apple_n &_o say_v to_o she_o thus_o in_o what_o hour_n you_o â—ate_z of_z y_z e_z apple_n you_o shall_v be_v like_o god_n wherefore_o we_o breaking_a god_n comaundement_n we_o be_v all_o exile_v out_o of_o paradyse_n &_o chase_v to_o the_o realm_n of_o this_o world_n here_o to_o live_v in_o great_a wretchedness_n like_v as_o the_o psalmyst_n say_v in_o sudore_fw-la vultus_fw-la tui_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 than_o come_v a_o fair_a young_a knight_n &_o a_o strong_a that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n which_o have_v compassyon_n upon_o mankind_n &_o take_v our_o flesh_n &_o our_o blood_n and_o give_v batayle_n to_o the_o devyl_n and_o overcome_v he_o and_o thus_o win_v he_o again_o our_o herytage_n therefore_o let_v we_o do_v as_o this_o young_a lady_n do_v put_v we_o this_o bloody_a sherte_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o mind_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o passion_n of_o chryst_n on_o the_o perch_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o think_v we_o how_o â—ur_n lord_n jesu_n chryst_n shed_v his_o precyous_a blood_n for_o us._n and_o if_o any_o man_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o devylt_n or_o any_o other_o will_v stir_v we_o to_o sin_n anon_o think_v we_o on_o y_o e_o passion_n of_o chryst_n &_o say_v we_o thus_o i_o shall_v take_v none_o other_o but_o the_o which_o have_v shed_v thy_o blood_n for_o i_o &_o thus_o shall_v we_o win_v everlasting_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v apolloninus_fw-la which_o ordain_v for_o a_o law_n that_o every_o man_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n shall_v worship_n the_o day_n of_o his_o nativite_fw-la this_o emperor_n call_v to_o he_o a_o clerk_n y_fw-mi t_z hyght_n uirgyll_n &_o say_v my_o dear_a master_n there_o be_v many_o heed_n sin_v do_v contrary_a to_o the_o law_n therefore_o i_o pray_v the_o that_o thou_o by_o thy_o cunning_a will_v make_v some_o craft_n whereby_o i_o may_v know_v who_o trespace_v against_o y_o e_o law_n pryvely_a or_o pert_o than_o say_v uirgyll_n my_o reverend_a lord_n your_o will_n shall_v be_v do_v anon_o this_o uirgyll_n through_o his_o craft_n make_v a_o image_n in_o the_o mydde_v of_o the_o cyte_n of_o rome_n which_o dyscever_v &_o tell_v themperours_n messenger_n who_o trespaced_a against_o the_o law_n &_o who_o not_o there_o be_v that_o time_n dwell_v in_o y_z e_z cyte_n of_o rome_n a_o smyth_n that_o hyght_n focus_n which_o for_o no_o thing_n will_v worship_n the_o natyvyte_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o befall_v upon_o a_o night_n as_o the_o smyth_n lie_v in_o his_o bed_n he_o think_v upon_o the_o image_n that_o have_v accuse_v so_o many_o man_n before_o &_o dread_v least_fw-mi the_o image_n will_v accuse_v he_o wherefore_o he_o rise_v &_o go_v to_o the_o image_n &_o say_v i_o make_v a_o vow_n to_o god_n if_o thou_o accuse_v i_o i_o shall_v break_v thy_o heed_n and_o when_o he_o have_v thus_o say_v he_o go_v home_o the_o emperor_n on_o the_o morrow_n after_o follow_v send_v his_o messenger_n to_o the_o image_n as_o he_o be_v wont_v before_o to_o know_v &_o to_o understande_v who_o have_v trespaced_a against_o the_o law_n and_o to_o they_o than_o say_v the_o image_n lyfte_v up_o your_o eye_n &_o behold_v what_o
a_o bird_n of_o two_o colour_n &_o by_o that_o bird_n stand_v two_o beeste_n which_o feed_v that_o lytel_n bird_n with_o their_o heat_n &_o after_o that_o come_v many_o moo_o beeste_n and_o bow_a their_n heed_v toward_o the_o bird_n &_o go_v their_o way_n and_o than_o come_v there_o dyverse_a bird_n that_o song_n so_o swete_o &_o so_o mery_o that_o the_o emperor_n awake_v in_o y_fw-fr e_o morning_n er_o this_o anselme_n remember_v his_o visyon_n &_o wonder_a moche_n what_o it_o may_v sygnyfye_v wherefore_o he_o call_v to_o he_o his_o philosopher_n &_o also_o the_o state_n of_o his_o empire_n &_o tell_v they_o his_o dream_n charge_v they_o to_o tell_v he_o the_o sygnyfyenge_a thereof_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n &_o if_o they_o tell_v he_o the_o true_a interpretacyon_n thereof_o he_o behyght_n they_o great_a reward_n than_o say_v they_o dear_a lord_n tell_v we_o your_o dream_n and_o we_o shall_v declare_v unto_o you_o what_o it_o betoken_v than_o you_o e_o emperor_n tell_v they_o from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n as_o it_o be_v afore_o say_v when_o the_o philosopher_n hear_v this_o with_o a_o glad_a cheer_n they_o answer_v &_o say_v lord_z y_z e_z dream_n that_o you_o see_v betoken_v good_a for_o the_o empire_n shall_v be_v more_o clerer_n than_o it_o be_v the_o moan_n that_o be_v more_o pale_a on_o y_o e_o one_o side_n than_o on_o y_z e_z other_o betoken_v the_o empress_n that_o have_v lose_v part_n of_o her_o colour_n through_o the_o concepcyon_n of_o a_o soon_o y_o it_o she_o have_v conceyve_v the_o lytell_a bird_n betoken_v the_o soon_o that_o she_o shall_v bear_v the_o two_o beeste_n that_o feed_v this_o bird_n betoken_v all_o the_o wise_a man_n &_o rich_a man_n of_o this_o empire_n shall_v obey_v thy_o soon_o these_o other_o beeste_n y_o it_o bow_v their_o heed_v to_o the_o bird_n betoken_v that_o many_o other_o nacyon_n shall_v do_v he_o homage_n the_o bird_n y_fw-fr e_o song_n so_o swete_o to_o this_o lytell_a bird_n betoken_v y_o e_o romayn_v which_o shall_v rejoice_v and_o sing_v because_o of_o this_o birth_n lo_o this_o be_v y_z e_z very_a interpretacyon_n of_o your_o dream_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o be_v right_o joyful_a soon_o after_o that_o the_o empress_n travayl_v &_o be_v delyver_v of_o a_o fair_a soon_o in_o who_o birth_n be_v great_a joy_n make_v wtout_fw-fr end_n when_o y_a e_o king_n of_o ampluy_fw-fr herd_n this_o he_o think_v in_o himself_o thus_o lo_o i_o have_v war_v against_o the_o emperor_n all_o the_o day_n of_o my_o life_n and_o now_o he_o have_v a_o soon_o the_o which_o will_v revenge_v all_o three_o wrong_n that_o i_o have_v do_v &_o wrought_v against_o his_o father_n when_o he_o come_v to_o full_a age_n therefore_o it_o be_v better_a that_o i_o send_v to_o the_o emperor_n and_o beseech_v he_o of_o trewse_n &_o peace_n that_o his_o soon_o may_v have_v nothing_o against_o i_o when_o he_o come_v to_o manhood_n when_o he_o have_v thus_o say_v to_o himself_o he_o write_v unto_o the_o emperor_n beseeching_n he_o to_o have_v peace_n when_o the_o emperor_n see_v that_o the_o king_n of_o ampluy_fw-fr write_v to_o he_o more_o for_o drede_v than_o for_o love_n he_o write_v again_o to_o he_o that_o if_o he_o will_v find_v good_a &_o suffycient_a surety_n to_o keep_v the_o peace_n &_o bind_v himself_o all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n to_o do_v he_o seruyce_n &_o homage_n &_o to_o gyve_v he_o yearly_o a_o certain_a tribute_n he_o will_v receyve_v he_o to_o the_o peace_n when_o the_o king_n have_v read_v the_o tenor_n of_o y_z e_z emperor_n lettre_n he_o call_v his_o counseyle_n pray_v they_o to_o gyve_v he_o counseyle_n how_o he_o may_v best_o do_v as_o touch_v this_o matter_n than_o say_v they_o it_o be_v good_a that_o you_o obey_v y_fw-fr e_fw-la emperor_n will_v &_o commandment_n in_o all_o thing_n for_o in_o the_o first_o he_o desire_v of_o you_o surety_n for_o the_o peace_n &_o as_o to_o this_o we_o answer_v thus_o you_o have_v but_o a_o daughter_n and_o the_o emperor_n but_o a_o soon_o wherefore_o let_v a_o marriage_n be_v make_v bytwene_v they_o &_o y_o it_o may_v be_v a_o perpetual_a sykerne_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o peace_n and_o also_o he_o ask_v homage_n &_o rent_n which_o be_v good_a to_o fulfil_v and_o than_o the_o king_n send_v his_o messenger_n to_o the_o emperor_n sayinge_v that_o he_o will_v fulfil_v his_o intent_n in_o all_o thing_n if_o it_o may_v please_v his_o highness_n that_o his_o soon_o &_o the_o king_n daughter_n may_v be_v wed_v togyder_n all_o this_o please_v well_o the_o emperor_n nevertheless_o he_o send_v again_o that_o if_o his_o daughter_n be_v a_o clean_o vyrgyn_v from_o her_o birth_n unto_o that_o day_n he_o will_v consent_v to_o that_o marriage_n than_o be_v the_o king_n right_a glad_a for_o his_o daughter_n be_v a_o clean_o vyrgyn_v therefore_o when_o y_z e_z lettre_n of_o covenaunte_n &_o sykerne_n be_v seal_v the_o king_n do_v do_v make_v array_n a_o fair_a ship_n wherein_o he_o may_v send_v his_o daughter_n with_o many_o noble_a 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fight_v with_o this_o whale_n &_o wound_v he_o sore_o and_o as_o they_o smite_v the_o maiden_n that_o be_v in_o his_o belly_n cry_v w_n to_o a_o high_a voice_n &_o say_v o_o gentyll_a sir_n have_v mercy_n &_o compassyon_n on_o i_o for_o i_o be_o a_o king_n daughter_n &_o a_o true_a virgyn_v from_o the_o hour_n of_o my_o birth_n unto_o this_o day_n when_o the_o earl_n herd_n this_o he_o wonder_v great_o &_o open_v the_o side_n of_o the_o whale_n &_o find_v the_o young_a lady_n &_o take_v she_o out_o and_o when_o she_o be_v thus_o delyver_v she_o tell_v he_o forthw_o to_o by_o order_fw-fr who_o daughter_n she_o be_v &_o how_o she_o have_v lose_v all_o her_o good_n in_o the_o see_v &_o how_o she_o shall_v have_v be_v marry_v unto_o the_o emperor_n soon_o and_o when_o y_a e_o earl_n hear_v this_o he_o be_v right_a glad_a wherefore_o he_o comfort_v she_o the_o more_o &_o keep_v she_o still_o with_o he_o till_o she_o be_v well_o refresh_v and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n he_o send_v messenger_n to_o the_o emperor_n letting_a he_o wit_v how_o this_o king_n daughter_n be_v save_v than_o be_v the_o emperor_n right_a glad_a of_o her_o saluacyon_n &_o come_n &_o have_v great_a compassyon_n on_o she_o say_v a_o good_a maid_n for_o y_o e_o love_n of_o mi_fw-mi soon_o thou_o have_v suffer_v moche_n woo_v nevertheless_o if_o thou_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v his_o wife_n â–ª_o soon_o shall_v i_o preve_v and_o when_o he_o have_v thus_o say_v he_o let_v bring_v forth_o three_o vessel_n the_o first_o be_v make_v of_o pure_a gold_n well_o couch_v with_o precyous_a stone_n
clear_a enough_o that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o be_v not_o apt_a to_o serve_v god_n and_o when_o god_n may_v not_o have_v of_o the_o second_o ton_n than_o ask_v he_o of_o the_o three_o ton_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_z y_z e_z three_o ton_n of_o his_o youth_n than_o answer_v the_o wicked_a man_n and_o say_v that_o wine_n be_v to_o strong_a &_o mighty_a and_o therefore_o his_o youth_n ought_v to_o be_v spend_v about_o dede_n of_o this_o world_n and_o not_o in_o penance_n which_o shall_v make_v he_o feeble_a &_o weyke_a when_o god_n see_v that_o he_o may_v not_o have_v of_o this_o ton_n than_o ask_v he_o of_o the_o four_o ton_n and_o than_o answer_v the_o wicked_a man_n &_o say_v that_o a_o age_a man_n be_v feeble_a &_o may_v not_o fast_o ne_o do_v no_o hard_a penance_n &_o if_o he_o do_v he_o shall_v be_v cause_n of_o his_o own_o death_n and_o than_o ask_v our_o lord_n of_o the_o fyfth_o ton_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o his_o old_a age_n when_o he_o do_v creep_v &_o may_v not_o go_v without_o a_o staff_n but_o the_o wicked_a man_n excuse_v himself_o &_o say_v that_o this_o wine_n be_v to_o feeble_a to_o gyve_v such_o a_o feeble_a man_n for_o if_o he_o shall_v fast_v one_o day_n it_o be_v time_n on_o y_z e_z morrow_n to_o make_v his_o grave_n and_o when_o our_o lord_n see_v that_o he_o may_v not_o have_v of_o the_o fyfth_o ton_n than_o ask_v he_o of_o the_o syxth_o ton_n that_o be_v to_o say_v when_o a_o man_n be_v blind_a and_o may_v not_o go_v to_o sin_n no_o more_o yet_o desire_v he_o of_o such_o a_o man_n drink_v that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o help_n of_o his_o soul_n but_o the_o wretched_a man_n lyenge_a in_o despair_n say_v alas_o alas_o to_o i_o because_o i_o serve_v not_o almyghty_a god_n my_o maker_n &_o redeemer_n she_o in_o time_n past_o while_n i_o be_v in_o youth_n &_o in_o prosperyte_n but_o now_o there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v but_o only_a y_fw-mi e_o lie_n &_o the_o dregs_n of_o all_o wretchedness_n therefore_o what_o shall_v it_o avayle_v i_o now_o to_o turn_v toward_o god_n but_o for_o such_o man_n we_o shall_v mourn_v nevertheless_o god_n be_v so_o merciful_a that_o though_o he_o may_v have_v no_o seruyce_n of_o man_n in_o all_o his_o time_n yet_o be_v he_o content_a to_o have_v the_o lie_n of_o his_o ton_n that_o be_v to_o say_v his_o good_a will_n though_o he_o may_v not_o serve_v he_o otherwise_o &_o so_o shall_v his_o good_a will_v stand_v he_o in_o stead_n of_o penance_n for_o in_o what_o hour_n the_o sinner_n do_v his_o penance_n he_o shall_v be_v save_v as_o ezechiel_n wytneâ—seth_v the_o apostle_n say_v alas_o alas_o &_o welawaye_o for_o there_o be_v many_o that_o will_v gyve_v no_o wine_n ne_o none_o other_o thing_n to_o he_o wherefore_o god_n shall_v complain_v unto_o the_o king_n of_o iherusalem_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o he_o godhede_v at_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n &_o than_o god_n &_o man_n shall_v gyve_v a_o sentence_n defensable_a against_o such_o man_n say_v esurivi_fw-la et_fw-la non_fw-la dedistis_fw-la etc._n etc._n i_o have_v hunger_v &_o you_o give_v i_o no_o meat_n i_o have_v thur_v and_o you_o give_v i_o no_o drink_n 'loo_o thus_o shall_v he_o rehearse_v to_o the_o the_o seven_o werke_n of_o mercy_n and_o when_o this_o be_v do_v than_o shall_v they_o be_v put_v to_o everlasting_a pain_n and_o the_o rightful_a man_n into_o everla_a bliss_n where_o they_o shall_v have_v joy_n wythouten_o end_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst._n amen_o in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v antony_n under_o who_o reign_n the_o rower_n on_o the_o see_v have_v take_v prisoner_n a_o mighty_a man_n soon_o of_o a_o other_o regyon_n &_o bring_v he_o to_o y_z e_z emperor_n prison_n fast_o bind_v when_o this_o young_a man_n be_v thus_o in_o prison_n he_o write_v to_o his_o father_n for_o his_o ransom_n but_o his_o father_n will_v no_o ransom_n pay_v ne_o none_o other_o thing_n send_v to_o conforte_v he_o this_o hear_v his_o soon_o weep_v sore_o &_o may_v not_o be_v comfort_v for_o the_o unkyndnes_n of_o his_o father_n this_o emperor_n have_v a_o fair_a daughter_n which_o visyte_v every_o day_n this_o prisoner_n &_o comfort_v he_o as_o moche_v as_o she_o may_v to_o who_o the_o prisoner_n answer_v &_o say_v how_o shall_v i_o be_v merry_a or_o how_o may_v i_o joy_n thus_o for_o to_o lie_v fast_o bind_v in_o prison_n from_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n &_o notwithstanding_o this_o it_o greve_v i_o more_o that_o my_o father_n will_v not_o pay_v my_o raunsom_n when_o this_o maiden_n hear_v this_o she_o be_v move_v with_o pyte_n and_o say_v dear_a friend_n i_o be_o sorry_a for_o the_o nevertheless_o if_o thou_o wylte_n grant_v i_o one_o thing_n i_o shall_v delyver_v the_o from_o this_o anguysshe_n &_o pain_n what_o thing_n be_v that_o quoth_v he_o that_o thou_o wylte_n take_v i_o to_o thy_o wife_n than_o say_v the_o prisoner_n i_o promise_v you_o sure_o to_o fulfil_v your_o intent_n and_o desire_n and_o for_o the_o more_o sykerne_v i_o plight_n you_o my_o troth_n when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o the_o damosel_n delyver_v he_o out_o of_o prison_n and_o flee_v away_o with_o he_o home_o to_o his_o father_n house_n when_o the_o father_n see_v his_o soon_o &_o the_o maiden_n togyder_n he_o ask_v you_o e_o cause_n why_o he_o bring_v she_o with_o he_o than_o say_v his_o soon_o sir_n this_o damosel_n delyver_v i_o out_o of_o prison_n and_o therefore_o she_o shall_v be_v my_o wife_n than_o say_v his_o father_n i_o will_v not_o consent_v that_o she_o shall_v be_v thy_o wife_n for_o two_o reasonable_a cause_n which_o i_o shall_v show_v the._n the_o first_o be_v this_o it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o the_o that_o the_o emperor_n her_o father_n may_v have_v have_v for_o thy_o delyveraunce_n great_a good_a and_o for_o as_o moche_v as_o she_o be_v untrue_a to_o her_o own_o father_n and_o true_a to_o the_o it_o seem_v well_o that_o thou_o shall_v not_o trust_v long_o in_o she_o for_o who_o be_v false_a to_o her_o own_o father_n by_o reason_n shall_v be_v very_o false_a and_o untrue_a to_o a_o other_o man_n the_o second_o reason_n be_v this_o the_o cause_n why_o she_o delyver_v the_o out_o of_o prison_n it_o be_v neither_o for_o pyte_n nor_o for_o love_n but_o for_o flesshly_a lust_n that_o she_o have_v to_o the._n for_o at_o thy_o delyveraunce_n she_o make_v covenaunt_v with_o the_o to_o be_v thy_o wife_n and_o have_v of_o the_o thy_o troth_n and_o therefore_o soon_o it_o be_v not_o reason_n that_o she_o shall_v be_v thy_o wife_n the_o maiden_n answer_v to_o this_o question_n &_o say_v as_o for_o the_o first_o reason_n which_o thou_o lay_v against_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v be_v untrue_a to_o my_o father_n that_o be_v false_a for_o my_o father_n have_v plente_a of_o rychesse_n &_o thy_o soon_o be_v but_o poor_a and_o therefore_o i_o help_v he_o for_o pyte_n and_o for_o none_o other_o cause_n and_o nevertheless_o thou_o that_o be_v his_o father_n will_v not_o pay_v his_o ransom_n that_o he_o may_v be_v delyver_v out_o of_o prison_n 'loo_o for_o this_o cause_n i_o have_v delyver_v he_o therefore_o i_o be_o kynder_n to_o he_o than_o thou_o that_o be_v his_o own_o father_n &_o he_o be_v more_o beholden_a to_o i_o than_o to_o the._n unto_o that_o other_o reason_n where_o as_o y_z e_z say_v that_o i_o delyver_v he_o because_o of_o flesshly_a lust_n i_o answer_v and_o say_v playnli_v that_o it_o be_v not_o troth_n for_o all_o manner_n of_o flesshly_a love_n be_v cause_n of_o strengthe_n or_o else_o of_o fayrne_n but_o thy_o soon_o be_v not_o strong_a for_o his_o enprysonment_n have_v do_v away_o his_o strengthe_n he_o be_v not_o fair_a for_o by_o the_o pain_n that_o he_o have_v have_v in_o prison_n he_o be_v make_v low_a and_o unlusty_a to_o the_o sight_n and_o therefore_o pyte_v only_o move_v i_o to_o delyver_v he_o and_o not_o flesshly_a lust_n than_o say_v the_o soon_o unto_o his_o father_n dear_a father_n for_o as_o moche_v as_o i_o be_v in_o peryll_n of_o death_n and_o write_v unto_o the_o that_o thou_o will_v pay_v my_o ransom_n that_o i_o may_v be_v delyver_v and_o thou_o will_v not_o help_v i_o but_o this_o damoysel_n of_o her_o gentylnes_n and_o for_o pyte_n have_v save_v i_o from_o death_n and_o delyver_v i_o out_o of_o prison_n and_o therefore_o soth_o she_o shall_v be_v my_o wife_n wherefore_o forth_o with_o he_o wed_v she_o with_o great_a honour_n and_o with_o she_o end_v his_o life_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n the_o young_a man_n which_o be_v take_v with_o the_o
man_n which_o study_v ever_o to_o watch_v in_o do_v of_o good_a werke_n yield_v to_o god_n for_o sin_n the_o fire_n of_o charyte_n and_o the_o water_n of_o contricyon_n but_o aftentymes_o 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 y_o e_o water_n of_o contricyon_n so_o that_o they_o may_v not_o nourysshe_v the_o lyttel_n child_n jesus_n therefore_o let_v we_o watch_v as_o jonathas_n do_v that_o we_o entre_fw-fr not_o in_o to_o temptacyon_n and_o call_v we_o unto_o we_o mason_n that_o be_v to_o say_v dyscrete_a confessor_n which_o can_v make_v in_o our_o herte_n a_o chambre_n of_o stone_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o sure_a faith_n and_o hope_n than_o call_v we_o to_o we_o painter_n that_o be_v to_o say_v precher_n of_o god_n word_n which_o can_v paint_v in_o our_o herte_n ten_o ymage_n that_o be_v to_o say_v ten_o commandment_n which_o if_o thou_o keep_v and_o observe_v daily_o without_o doubt_n thou_o shall_v be_v honour_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 sit_v in_o a_o chair_n of_o gold_n crown_v with_o a_o crown_n of_o gold_n and_o if_o that_o thou_o nourysshe_v he_o not_o well_o without_o doubt_n thou_o shall_v be_v hang_v on_o the_o galous_a of_o hell_n from_o the_o which_o preserve_v we_o our_o bless_v savyour_fw-mi jesus_n amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v menaly_n which_o have_v wed_v the_o king_n daughter_n of_o hungary_n a_o fair_a lady_n &_o a_o gracious_a in_o all_o her_o werke_n and_o specyal_o she_o be_v merciful_a on_o a_o time_n as_o the_o emperor_n lie_v in_o his_o bed_n he_o bethink_v he_o that_o he_o will_v go_v vysyte_n the_o holy_a land_n and_o on_o y_z e_z morrow_n he_o call_v to_o he_o the_o empress_n his_o wife_n &_o his_o own_o only_a brother_n &_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 from_o you_o the_o prevytee_n of_o my_o herte_n i_o purpose_v to_o vysyte_n the_o holy_a land_n wherefore_o i_o ordain_v the_o princypal_o to_o be_v lady_n and_o governor_n over_o all_o my_o empire_n &_o all_o my_o people_n and_o under_o the_o i_o ordeyn_a here_o my_o brother_n to_o be_v thy_o steward_n for_o to_o provyde_v all_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v profitable_a to_o my_o empire_n &_o to_o my_o people_n than_o say_v the_o empress_n since_o it_o will_v none_o otherwise_o be_v but_o that_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 she_o make_v 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 kyss_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 become_v so_o proud_a that_o he_o 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fast_o with_o iron_n chain_n and_o put_v he_o fast_o in_o prison_n where_o as_o he_o lie_v long_o time_n after_o till_o at_o the_o last_o it_o fortune_v there_o come_v tydynge_n that_o the_o emperor_n be_v come_v home_o and_o have_v optayn_v great_a worship_n and_o victory_n when_o his_o brother_n hear_v of_o his_o come_n he_o say_v will_v to_o god_n my_o brother_n may_v find_v i_o in_o prison_n for_o than_o will_v he_o enquyre_v y_z e_o cause_n of_o my_o enprysonment_n of_o the_o empress_n &_o she_o will_v tell_v he_o all_o the_o troth_n &_o how_o i_o desyrey_v she_o to_o sin_n and_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 than_o send_v he_o a_o messenger_n unto_o y_z e_o empress_n prayinge_v she_o for_o chryste_n passion_n that_o she_o will_v vouchsafe_v to_o come_v unto_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la prison_n door_n that_o he_o may_v speak_v a_o word_n or_o two_o with_o she_o the_o empress_n come_v to_o he_o &_o enquyre_v of_o he_o what_o he_o will_v have_v he_o answer_v &_o tayde_v o_o lady_n have_v mercy_n upon_o i_o for_o if_o the_o emperor_n my_o brother_n find_v i_o in_o this_o prison_n than_o shall_v i_o dye_v with_o out_o any_o remedy_n than_o say_v the_o empress_n if_o i_o may_v know_v that_o thou_o will_v be_v a_o good_a man_n &_o leave_v thy_o folly_n thou_o shall_v have_v grace_n than_o do_v he_o promise_v she_o sickerly_a to_o be_v true_a and_o to_o amend_v all_o his_o frespace_n when_o he_o have_v thus_o promise_v the_o empress_n delyver_v he_o anon_o and_o make_v he_o to_o be_v bathe_v and_o shave_v &_o array_v he_o worshypful_o accord_v to_o his_o estate_n and_o than_o she_o say_v unto_o he_o thus_o now_o good_a brother_n lepe_v on_o thy_o stead_n and_o come_v with_o i_o that_o we_o may_v mete_v my_o lord_n he_o answer_v and_o say_v lady_n i_o be_o ready_a to_o fulfil_v your_o will_n and_o commandment_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o than_o the_o 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wherefore_o i_o say_v now_o to_o the_o as_o i_o have_v say_v before_o there_o shall_v no_o man_n do_v such_o thing_n with_o i_o save_v only_o my_o lord_n the_o emperor_n which_o owe_v of_o very_a duty_n so_o for_o to_o do_v than_o say_v he_o if_o thou_o wylte_n not_o consent_n to_o i_o i_o shall_v hang_v the_o here_o upon_o a_o tree_n in_o this_o forest_n where_o no_o man_n shall_v find_v the_o and_o so_o shall_v thou_o dye_v a_o evyll_n death_n the_o empress_n answer_v mekely_a and_o say_v though_o thou_o smite_v of_o my_o heed_n and_o put_v i_o to_o
anon_o you_o e_o young_a squyer_n receyve_v they_o glad_o and_o put_v they_o sure_o in_o a_o box_n and_o ride_v forth_o on_o his_o journey_n when_o he_o have_v rydden_v three_o or_o four_o day_n on_o his_o journey_n in_o a_o evening_a he_o come_v unto_o a_o castle_n where_o as_o dwell_v a_o knight_n and_o pray_v he_o meke_o of_o a_o night_n lode_v the_o knight_n sing_v and_o behold_v the_o good_a favour_n of_o this_o young_a squyer_n he_o grant_v he_o lodge_a &_o make_v he_o good_a cheer_n and_o well_o to_o fare_v and_o afterward_o bring_v he_o unto_o his_o chambre_n and_o when_o he_o be_v there_o he_o go_v to_o bed_v and_o anon_o fall_v on_o sleep_v for_o he_o be_v full_a weary_a of_o his_o journey_n and_o forget_v his_o box_n with_o the_o letter_n lyenge_a open_o in_o his_o chambre_n when_o the_o knight_n see_v the_o box_n he_o open_v it_o &_o find_v the_o letter_n seal_v with_o the_o emperor_n sign_n manuel_n and_o be_v great_o tempt_v to_o open_v they_o and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o 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write_v he_o close_v the_o letter_n subtylly_a &_o put_v they_o in_o to_o the_o box_n again_o er_o in_o the_o morning_n the_o young_a squyer_n arise_v and_o hasty_o make_v he_o ready_a and_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o the_o knight_n and_o ride_v forth_o on_o his_o journey_n and_o the_o three_o day_n after_o he_o come_v unto_o the_o empress_n and_o salew_v her_o right_a worshypful_o in_o the_o emperor_n behalf_n and_o take_v she_o the_o letter_n and_o when_o the_o empress_n have_v read_v they_o anon_o she_o send_v her_o messenger_n through_o the_o country_n command_v the_o state_n and_o gentylman_n to_o comme_fw-fr unto_o her_o doughter_n wed_v at_o a_o certain_a day_n assign_v when_o they_o day_n be_v come_v thyder_n come_v many_o great_a lord_n and_o lady_n and_o anon_o this_o young_a squyer_n wed_v the_o emperor_n daughter_n with_o great_a honour_n and_o worship_n accord_v to_o the_o tenoure_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o be_v right_a well_o belove_a and_o moo_v honour_v among_o y_o e_o people_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o the_o emperor_n come_v in_o to_o that_o country_n and_o when_o y_a e_o empress_n hear_v of_o her_o lord_n come_v she_o take_v with_o she_o her_o soon_o in_o law_n with_o moche_n other_o people_n and_o go_v against_o y_o e_o emperor_n for_o to_o welcomme_v he_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o young_a squyer_n lede_a the_o empress_n his_o wife_n he_o be_v great_o move_v within_o himself_o and_o say_v o_o thou_o curse_a woman_n because_o thou_o have_v not_o fulfyl_v my_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o evyll_n death_n a_o my_o dear_a lord_n quoth_v she_o all_o that_o you_o command_v i_o to_o do_v i_o have_v fulfyl_v nay_o curse_a 〈◊〉_d man_n say_v the_o emperor_n it_o be_v not_o so_o for_o i_o write_v to_o the_o that_o thou_o shall_v put_v he_o to_o death_n and_o now_o i_o see_v he_o alyve_a my_o lord_n quoth_v y_o e_fw-la empress_n save_v your_o grace_n you_o write_v to_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v gyve_v he_o your_o daughter_n to_o wife_n and_o that_o on_o pain_n of_o death_n in_o wytnes_n whereof_o loo_n here_o your_o letter_n with_o your_o own_o seal_n manuel_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o wonder_v great_o and_o say_v be_v he_o wed_v than_o to_o my_o daughter_n you_o soth_o say_v the_o empress_n long_o ago_o which_o it_o great_a solempnite_a and_o worship_n and_o as_o i_o byleve_v your_o daughter_n be_v with_o child_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n o_o thou_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n it_o be_v great_a folly_n to_o sâ—â—yne_v against_o thy_o ordinance_n therefore_o since_o it_o be_v so_o thy_o will_n must_v needs_o be_v fulfyl_v and_o with_o that_o he_o take_v his_o soon_o in_o law_n in_o his_o arm_n &_o kyss_v he_o which_o after_o his_o death_n be_v emperor_n and_o end_v his_o life_n in_o rest_n and_o peace_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n may_v betoken_v herode_fw-la or_o else_o every_o sinner_n which_o walk_v alone_o without_o troth_n till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o foster_v house_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o chyrche_n which_o be_v the_o house_n of_o god_n this_o herode_fw-la will_v have_v slay_v this_o child_n jesu_n wherefore_o he_o send_v messenger_n to_o seek_v he_o accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n of_o saint_n mathewe_n tell_v how_o he_o command_v you_o e_o three_o king_n to_o seek_v he_o and_o bring_v he_o tydynge_n again_o where_o he_o be_v you_o to_o he_o may_v come_v &_o worship_n he_o also_o but_o this_o say_v he_o not_o for_o love_n but_o for_o deceit_n the_o foster_n betoken_v josep_n our_o lady_n husband_n which_o keep_v he_o but_o when_o the_o messenger_n come_v that_o be_v to_o say_v when_o the_o three_o king_n come_v they_o slay_v he_o not_o but_o worshyp_v he_o on_o their_o knee_n and_o leave_v he_o in_o the_o holowe_v tree_n of_o he_o godhede_v the_o earl_n that_o come_v &_o foude_v this_o child_n betoken_v the_o holy_a goost_n which_o warn_v joseph_n by_o the_o angel_n in_o his_o sleep_v that_o he_o shall_v take_v our_o lady_n and_o she_o soon_o and_o flee_v in_o to_o the_o land_n of_o egypte_n this_o moralyte_n may_v be_v understande_v of_o your_o wyâ—e_n this_o emperor_n may_v betoken_v a_o sinner_n that_o walk_v in_o the_o forest_n of_o this_o world_n seek_v vanytee_n and_o nought_o else_o unto_o the_o time_n he_o come_v to_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o there_o he_o be_v receyve_v benygne_o of_o the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chyrche_n if_o he_o will_v obey_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n but_o many_o of_o we_o now_o a_o day_n slepe_v in_o the_o chyrche_n when_o they_o observe_v not_o the_o werke_n of_o mercy_n and_o therefore_o ought_v they_o to_o drede_v the_o voice_n which_o i_o have_v rehearse_v by_o y_z e_z first_o take_v that_o may_v be_v understande_v the_o great_a benefit_n that_o he_o give_v the_o when_o he_o put_v in_o the_o a_o soul_n make_v at_o his_o own_o symylytude_n by_o the_o second_o take_v be_v understande_v the_o soon_o of_o the_o father_n of_o heaven_n which_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o bless_a virgyn_v mary_n by_o the_o 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unto_o everlasting_a joy_n and_o bliss_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n amen_n there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v sauracinus_fw-la which_o ordain_v for_o a_o law_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o ravyssh_v a_o virgyn_v shall_v dye_v &_o if_o she_o be_v rescow_v than_o he_o that_o rescow_v she_o shall_v have_v she_o to_o wife_n if_o he_o list_v and_o he_o will_v not_o wed_v she_o than_o shall_v she_o be_v guide_v and_o wed_v by_o his_o counseyle_n it_o befall_v upon_o a_o day_n that_o a_o tyrant_n name_v poncianus_fw-la will_v ravysshe_v a_o virgyn_v &_o lead_v she_o with_o he_o into_o a_o
of_o y_z e_z come_v of_o this_o poor_a man_n when_o y_a e_o steward_n hear_v that_o he_o go_v out_o &_o all_o to_o bet_fw-mi this_o silly_a guy_n &_o leave_v he_o in_o peryll_n of_o death_n when_o his_o wife_n hear_v this_o she_o come_v w_z t_z her_o ass_n &_o lead_v he_o home_o as_o she_o may_v &_o all_o y_z t_z she_o have_v she_o spend_v upon_o surgyens_n &_o phisyciens_fw-fr to_o help_v he_o and_o when_o he_o be_v perfyt_o hole_n he_o go_v to_o the_o forest_n as_o he_o be_v wont_v for_o to_o gader_fw-mi stycke_n &_o small_a wood_fw-mi for_o his_o lyve_a and_o as_o he_o go_v about_o in_o that_o forest_n he_o see_v a_o strong_a lion_n dryve_v before_o he_o ass_n that_o be_v charge_v with_o it_o chaffer_v and_o marchaundyse_n this_o lion_n drive_v forth_o the_o ass_n before_o guy_n which_o dread_n sore_o the_o lion_n least_fw-mi he_o will_v have_v devour_v he_o nevertheless_o when_o he_o behold_v the_o lion_n better_o he_o know_v well_o that_o he_o be_v the_o same_o lion_n y_o it_o de_fw-mi draw_v out_o of_o the_o pyt_n this_o lion_n leave_v not_o guy_n till_o all_o y_z e_z ass_n with_o the_o marchaundyse_n be_v enter_v in_o to_o his_o house_n and_o than_o the_o lion_n do_v he_o obeisance_n &_o run_v to_o y_fw-es e_fw-es wood_fw-mi this_o guy_n obtain_v these_o fardel_n and_o find_v great_a rychesse_n therein_o wherefore_o he_o make_v to_o ê“clayme_v in_o dyverse_a chyrche_n if_o any_o man_n have_v lose_v such_o good_n but_o there_o be_v none_o that_o challenge_v they_o and_o when_o guy_n see_v this_o he_o take_v the_o good_n buy_v therewith_o house_n &_o land_n &_o so_o be_v make_v rich_a nevertheless_o he_o haunt_v the_o forest_n as_o he_o do_v before_o and_o after_o y_z t_z as_o he_o walk_v in_o the_o forest_n to_o gader_fw-mi wood_fw-mi he_o espy_v the_o ape_n in_o the_o top_n of_o a_o tree_n the_o which_o brake_n bow_v besy_o with_o she_o tethe_fw-mi &_o claw_n â–ª_o &_o throw_v they_o down_o so_o that_o in_o short_a time_n guy_n have_v lade_v his_o ass_n and_o when_o the_o ape_n have_v so_o do_v she_o go_v her_o way_n &_o guy_n go_v home_o and_o on_o the_o morrow_n guy_n go_v to_o the_o forest_n again_o &_o as_o he_o sit_v bind_v his_o fagotte_n he_o see_v the_o serpent_n that_o he_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o pyt_n comme_fw-fr toward_o he_o bear_v in_o his_o mouth_n a_o precyous_a stone_n of_o the_o colour_n the_o which_o stone_n y_z t_z serpent_n let_v fall_v at_o guyes_n sete_n a_o 〈…〉_o ad_fw-la so_o do_v she_o kyss_v his_o foot_n &_o go_v she_o 〈…〉_o guy_n take_v up_o the_o stone_n &_o marvel_v great_o 〈◊〉_d virtue_n it_o may_v be_v wherefore_o he_o arise_v 〈…〉_o go_v to_o a_o seller_n of_o precyous_a stone_n name_v peter_n &_o say_v 〈◊〉_d brother_n i_o pray_v â—he_n tell_v i_o the_o virtue_n of_o this_o pâ—ecyous_a stone_n &_o i_o shall_v reward_v the_o well_o for_o thy_o labour_n when_o this_o stone_n seller_n have_v well_o beholden_a and_o understode_v the_o nature_n of_o this_o stone_n he_o say_v good_a friend_n if_o the_o lyâ—â—â—o_v sâ—ll_z thy_o stone_n i_o shall_v gyve_v the_o a_o c._n mark_n than_o say_v guy_n i_o will_v not_o sell_v my_o stone_n till_o thou_o tell_v i_o true_o the_o vertuâ—â—â—erof_o than_o say_v the_o merchant_n without_o doubt_n this_o none_o have_v three_o virtue_n the_o first_o virtue_n be_v this_o that_o who_o so_o bear_v this_o stone_n upon_o he_o shall_v have_v joy_n without_o sorrow_n the_o second_o virtue_n be_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v plente_a wtout_fw-fr defante_fw-fr the_o three_o virtue_n be_v he_o shall_v have_v light_n wtout_fw-fr darkness_n and_o it_o have_v also_o another_o virtue_n that_o no_o man_n may_v sell_v it_o but_o for_o as_o moche_v as_o it_o be_v worth_a &_o if_o he_o do_v the_o contrary_a the_o stone_n return_v again_o to_o y_z e_z first_o owner_n when_o guy_n hear_v this_o he_o be_v right_a joyful_a &_o say_v to_o himself_o in_o a_o good_a hour_n i_o draw_v these_o beeste_n out_o of_o the_o pyt_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o this_o guy_n by_o the_o virtue_n of_o this_o stone_n be_v make_v pass_a rich_a &_o buy_v great_a possessyon_n &_o lyvelode_n wherefore_o wtin_n a_o while_n he_o be_v make_v knight_n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o y_o e_o emperor_n have_v knowledge_n how_o sir_n guy_n have_v a_o stone_n of_o such_o virtue_n wherefore_o he_o send_v for_o sir_n guy_n command_v he_o to_o come_v to_o he_o in_o all_o haste_n &_o so_o he_o do_v and_o when_o sir_n guy_n be_v come_v to_o y_fw-fr e_o emperor_n the_o emperor_n say_v to_o he_o my_o friend_n i_o have_v herd_n say_v that_o sometime_o thou_o be_v in_o great_a poverte_a &_o now_o be_v make_v rich_a by_o y_z e_z virtue_n of_o a_o lytel_n stone_n therefore_o i_o pray_v the_o that_o thou_o sell_v i_o that_o stone_n sir_n guy_n answer_v and_o say_v y_o it_o may_v i_o not_o do_v for_o so_o long_o as_o i_o have_v that_o stone_n i_o be_o sure_a of_o three_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o joy_n without_o sorrow_n plente_a wtout_fw-fr defaute_fw-fr &_o light_v wtout_fw-fr derknes_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o have_v great_a desire_n to_o buy_v that_o stone_n than_o he_o have_v before_o &_o say_v sir_n guy_n of_o two_o thing_n thou_o must_v choose_v one_o that_o be_v choose_v whether_o thou_o will_v forsake_v this_o empire_n and_o all_o thy_o kynrede_n or_o else_o sell_v i_o thy_o stone_n than_o say_v sir_n guy_n my_o lord_n if_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v thus_o be_v it_o at_o your_o will_n nevertheless_o i_o shall_v tell_v you_o the_o peryll_n of_o this_o stone_n if_o you_o pay_v not_o therefore_o as_o it_o be_v worth_a wtout_fw-fr doubt_n it_o will_v come_v to_o i_o again_o than_o say_v y_o e_o emperor_n soth_o i_o shall_v gyve_v the_o suffycyent_a for_o thou_o shall_v receyve_v of_o i_o therefore_o a_o thousand_o pound_n &_o so_o it_o be_v do_v sir_n guy_n receyve_v the_o money_n &_o go_v home_o on_z y_z e_z morrow_n er_o he_o open_v his_o coffer_n and_o find_v the_o stone_n &_o than_o he_o tell_v to_o the_o lady_n his_o wife_n how_o he_o have_v sell_v the_o stone_n to_o y_z e_z emperor_n and_o delyver_v it_o &_o how_o he_o find_v it_o again_o in_o his_o coffer_n than_o say_v his_o wife_n good_a sir_n in_o all_o y_fw-es e_fw-es haste_v you_o can_v go_v again_o to_o the_o emperor_n and_o take_v he_o the_o stone_n for_o drede_v that_o he_o be_v not_o wroth_a &_o through_o malice_n put_v some_o fraud_n in_o us._n than_o go_v forth_o sir_n guy_n again_o to_o the_o emperor_n &_o say_v to_o he_o my_o lord_n yesterday_o i_o sell_v you_o a_o stone_n y_z t_z which_o if_o it_o please_v you_o i_o will_v fain_v se._n the_o emperor_n go_v for_o the_o stone_n to_o his_o treasour_n &_o find_v it_o not_o wherefore_o he_o be_v right_a sorrowful_a &_o come_v again_o &_o tell_v sir_n guy_n how_o it_o be_v lose_v than_o say_v sir_n guy_n my_o lord_n greve_v you_o not_o for_o i_o tell_v you_o yesterday_o that_o i_o may_v not_o sell_v it_o but_o if_o i_o have_v the_o value_n thereof_o &_o yesterday_o i_o receyve_v a_o thousand_o pound_n of_o you_o therefore_o &_o this_o day_n i_o find_v it_o in_o mi_fw-mi coffer_n again_o and_o therefore_o if_o i_o have_v not_o bring_v you_o the_o stone_n again_o peraventure_fw-fr you_o will_v have_v show_v i_o your_o hevy_a lordship_n &_o with_o that_o he_o show_v forth_o the_o stone_n whereat_o the_o emperor_n marvel_v great_o &_o say_v sir_n guy_n by_o thy_o troth_n that_o thou_o owe_v to_o i_o tell_v i_o how_o thou_o come_v by_o this_o stone_n than_o say_v sir_n guy_n by_o my_o faith_n that_o i_o owe_v to_o you_o i_o shall_v tell_v you_o y_fw-mi e_fw-it very_a troth_n as_o touching_n this_o stone_n your_o steward_n that_o be_v ê“mote_v up_o of_o nought_o let_v make_v many_o deep_a pytte_n in_o your_o forest_n &_o it_o fortune_v not_o long_o after_o that_o he_o fall_v down_o in_o to_o one_o of_o they_o himself_o &_o may_v not_o rise_v again_o for_o depnesse_n of_o the_o pyt_n it_o fortune_v also_o the_o same_o day_n that_o a_o lion_n a_o ape_n &_o a_o serpent_n fall_v in_o to_o the_o pyt_n w_o t_z he_o that_o time_n be_v i_o a_o poor_a man_n &_o as_o i_o walk_v in_o to_o the_o forest_n with_o my_o ass_n for_o to_o gather_v wood_fw-mi he_o cry_v to_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v help_v he_o out_o of_o the_o pyt_n &_o save_v he_o from_o death_n for_o there_o be_v in_o the_o pyt_n with_o he_o three_o venymous_a beeste_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o lion_n a_o ape_n &_o a_o foul_a serpent_n &_o than_o he_o behyght_n i_o by_o mouth_n to_o ê“mote_v i_o &_o all_o my_o kin_n to_o
great_a rychesse_n and_o when_o i_o hear_v that_o i_o be_v glad_a and_o let_v down_o a_o cord_n suppose_n to_o have_v draw_v up_o he_o &_o than_o i_o hale_v uâ—_n a_o lion_n &_o after_o that_o a_o ape_n &_o than_o a_o serpent_n and_o at_o the_o last_o your_o steward_n the_o lion_n give_v i_o ten_o ass_n charge_v with_o t_o marchaundyse_n the_o ape_n give_v i_o as_o moche_v wood_fw-mi as_o my_o ass_n may_v bear_v &_o the_o serpent_n give_v i_o this_o stone_n y_z t_z i_o have_v sell_v you_o but_o your_o steward_n bet_fw-mi i_o &_o wound_v i_o so_o sore_o for_o my_o good_a deed_n that_o i_o be_v bear_v home_o upon_o my_o ass_n when_o y_a e_o emperor_n hear_v this_o his_o herte_n be_v great_o move_v against_o y_o e_o steward_n wherefore_o he_o examine_v he_o of_o that_o false_a deed_n but_o he_o be_v dumb_a &_o will_v not_o speak_v for_o so_o moche_n y_fw-mi t_z he_o can_v not_o deny_v his_o falshede_v than_o say_v y_o e_o emperor_n o_o thou_o wretched_a creature_n unreasonable_a beeste_n as_o the_o lion_n the_o ape_n &_o the_o serpent_n reward_v he_o for_o his_o good_a deed_n and_o thou_o that_o be_v a_o reasonable_a man_n have_v almost_o beat_v he_o to_o death_n that_o save_v the_o and_o take_v the_o out_o of_o the_o pyt_n therefore_o for_o thy_o falshede_v &_o wickedness_n i_o judge_v the_o to_o be_v hang_v this_o day_n on_o the_o galowe_n and_o all_o thy_o good_n &_o land_n i_o grant_v to_o sir_n guy_n &_o also_o i_o ordain_v that_o sir_n guy_n shall_v occupy_v thy_o place_n and_o be_v steward_n and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v when_o sir_n guy_n be_v thus_o reward_v by_o the_o emperor_n and_o make_v steward_n he_o be_v well_o belove_v of_o every_o man_n as_o long_o as_o he_o live_v and_o at_o y_z e_z last_v end_v his_o life_n with_o honour_n and_o good_a peace_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n the_o poor_a man_n betoken_v every_o man_n that_o come_v in_o to_o this_o world_n feeble_a &_o naked_a from_o his_o mother_n belly_n &_o at_o y_z e_z last_z be_v promote_v to_o great_a rychesse_n &_o worldly_a honour_n as_o the_o psalmyst_n say_v destercore_fw-la erigens_fw-la pauperen_fw-mi god_n lift_v up_o the_o poor_a man_n out_o of_o fylthe_n &_o many_o such_o man_n know_v neither_o god_n ne_o themselves_o but_o cause_n to_o make_v deep_a pytte_n that_o be_v to_o say_v unkyndnes_n and_o malice_n they_o ordain_v against_o simple_a man_n in_o the_o which_o pyt_n y_fw-fr e_o devyll_n cause_v they_o oft_o to_o fall_v accord_v to_o a_o text_n in_o ecclesiastico_fw-la hovean_fw-la qui_fw-la alteri_fw-la facit_fw-la ipse_fw-la incidit_fw-la in_o eam_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v who_o make_v a_o pyt_n to_o a_o other_o man_n oft_o time_n he_o fall_v therein_o himself_o which_o text_n be_v well_o prove_v by_o mardocheus_n this_o guy_n that_o go_v daily_o to_o y_z e_z forest_n w_z to_o his_o ass_n to_o gader_fw-mi wood_fw-mi betoken_v every_o right_a full_a man_n dread_v god_n in_o y_z e_z forest_n of_o this_o world_n y_z t_z wood_fw-mi that_o he_o gader_v betoken_v his_o meryâ—oryous_a werke_n that_o he_o carri_v on_o his_o ass_n which_o betoken_v y_o e_o body_n of_o man_n wherewith_o his_o soul_n may_v joy_n &_o live_v in_o y_z e_z tabernacle_n of_o heaven_n and_o as_o the_o steward_n the_o lion_n the_o ape_n &_o the_o serpent_n that_o fall_v in_o to_o the_o pyt_n right_a so_o when_o a_o sinful_a man_n fall_v in_o y_z e_z pyt_n of_o sin_n the_o lion_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o kynrede_n of_o jude_n that_o be_v jesu_n chryst_n descend_v with_o he_o as_o oftentimes_o as_o the_o sinner_n have_v will_n to_o come_v to_o grace_v therefore_o say_v the_o psalmyst_n cum_fw-la ipso_fw-la sum_fw-la in_o tribulatione_fw-la that_o be_v ta_o say_v i_o be_o with_o he_o in_o tribulation_n this_o guy_n draw_v up_o y_o e_o lion_n y_o it_o be_v to_o say_v jesu_n chryst_n out_o of_o the_o pyt_n by_o the_o rope_n of_o virtue_n he_o draw_v up_o y_o e_o ape_n also_o that_o be_v to_o say_v contrary_a will_n to_o reason_n y_z t_z he_o may_v obey_v to_o reason_n for_o of_o all_o manner_n beeste_v the_o ape_n be_v most_o like_a to_o man_n right_a so_o among_o all_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o soul_n will_v aught_o to_o be_v liken_v unto_o reason_n and_o to_o obey_v reason_n he_o draw_v up_o also_o a_o serpent_n by_o the_o which_o be_v understande_v penance_n for_o two_o cause_n for_o the_o serpent_n bear_v in_o his_o mouth_n venym_n and_o his_o tail_n be_v a_o medicine_n right_o so_o penance_n bear_v at_o the_o beginning_n bytternes_n to_o the_o doer_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v full_a sweet_a &_o medicynable_a unto_o the_o soul_n at_o y_fw-fr e_o end_n &_o therefore_o every_o ryghtwyse_a man_n shall_v draw_v to_o he_o the_o serpent_n of_o penance_n and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o draw_v up_o the_o steward_n from_o the_o pyt_n of_o sin_n accord_v to_o chryste_n say_v i_o be_o not_o come_v only_o to_o call_v ryghtwyse_o man_n but_o sinner_n to_o penance_n also_o it_o be_v write_v that_o seneca_n which_o teach_v a_o emperor_n many_o lore_v &_o virtue_n of_o truth_n and_o at_o the_o last_o like_o this_o steward_n cause_v to_o slay_v his_o master_n seneca_n also_o chryst_n give_v power_n to_o judas_n to_o werke_v miracle_n like_a as_o he_o do_v to_o other_o dyscyple_n nevertheless_o he_o betray_v he_o at_o the_o last_o right_o so_o now_o a_o day_n be_v many_o child_n of_o belial_n which_o delyte_n more_o to_o do_v harm_n than_o good_a in_o especyall_a to_o they_o y_fw-mi it_o will_v â—eche_v they_o perfyt_o both_o for_o the_o soul_n &_o for_o the_o body_n the_o lion_n give_v to_o the_o ryghtwyse_a man_n ten_o ass_n charge_v with_o marchaundyse_n that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n gyve_v to_o every_o ryghtwyse_a man_n ten_o commandment_n charge_v with_o virtue_n by_o the_o which_o he_o grow_v to_o y_z e_z rychesse_n of_o heaven_n the_o ape_n also_o gader_v he_o woo_v as_o oft_o as_o the_o rightful_a man_n werk_v wilful_o y_o e_z dede_n of_o charite_n for_o woo_v be_v profitable_a for_o two_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o make_v fire_n &_o to_o build_v house_n right_o so_o â—fyâ—â—_n charite_n heat_v the_o angel_n accord_v to_o scrypture_n say_v quia_fw-la magis_fw-la gaudium_fw-la est_fw-la angelis_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v to_o say_v more_o joy_n be_v to_o angel_n for_o one_o sinner_n do_v penance_n etc._n etc._n charite_n also_o reyse_v the_o house_n of_o heaven_n against_o the_o come_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o serpent_n also_o give_v he_o a_o stone_n of_o three_o dyverse_a colour_n the_o which_o he_o betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n who_o we_o seek_v by_o penance_n therefore_o say_v saint_n jerome_n in_o the_o second_o table_n thus_o â—ost_o naufragiâ—â—_n est_fw-la premian_n that_o be_v to_o say_v we_o shall_v do_v penance_n after_o our_o trespass_n that_o chryst_n be_v a_o stone_n may_v be_v prove_v by_o himself_o say_v thus_o ego_fw-la sum_fw-la lapis_fw-la viws_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o be_o a_o lyve_n stone_n chryst_n have_v three_o colour_n which_o betoken_v y_o it_o may_v of_o the_o father_n the_o wysdome_n of_o the_o soon_o &_o the_o mekenes_n of_o the_o holy_a goost_n therefore_o who_o that_o may_v gete_v this_o stone_n shall_v have_v the_o empire_n of_o heaven_n &_o joy_n without_o sorrow_n &_o plente_fw-la wtout_fw-fr any_o defaute_n &_o light_v without_o darkness_n unto_o which_o light_n bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n that_o die_v for_o you_o and_o i_o and_o all_o mankind_n amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v anselme_n which_o have_v wed_v y_o e_o king_n daughter_n of_o iherusalem_n a_o fair_a lady_n and_o a_o gracious_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o every_o man_n but_o she_o be_v long_o time_n with_o the_o emperor_n or_o she_o waâ—_n conceyve_v with_o child_n wherefore_o the_o noble_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o empire_n be_v right_a sorrowful_a because_o their_o lord_n have_v none_o heir_n of_o his_o body_n beget_v till_o at_o the_o last_o it_o befall_v that_o this_o anselme_n walk_v after_o supper_n in_o a_o evening_a in_o his_o gardeyn_a and_o bethink_v himself_o how_o he_o have_v none_o heir_n and_o how_o the_o king_n of_o ampluy_fw-fr war_v on_o he_o contynual_o for_o so_o moche_n as_o he_o have_v not_o soon_o to_o make_v defence_n in_o his_o absence_n wherefore_o he_o be_v right_a sorrowful_a &_o go_v to_o his_o chambre_n and_o slepte_v and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o think_v he_o see_v a_o vysyon_n in_o his_o sleep_v that_o y_o e_o morning_n be_v more_o clerer_n than_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v &_o that_o the_o moan_n be_v moche_n more_o pale_a on_o that_o one_o side_n than_o on_o that_o other_o and_o after_o he_o see_v