forest_n and_o defoul_v she_o of_o she_o maydenhede_v and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v he_o will_v have_v slay_v she_o and_o as_o he_o be_v despoyl_v of_o her_o clothes_n there_o come_v ride_a by_o that_o forest_n a_o curtey_n &_o a_o gentyll_a knight_n which_o hear_v the_o cryenge_a and_o lament_v of_o a_o damosel_n wherefore_o he_o smite_v his_o horse_n with_o his_o spur_n and_o ride_v a_o great_a pace_n in_o to_o the_o forest_n to_o wit_v what_o it_o may_v be_v and_o than_o he_o see_v a_o woman_n stand_v naked_a save_o her_o smock_n &_o than_o say_v the_o knight_n be_v thou_o she_o say_v he_o that_o cry_v so_o lamentable_o than_o answer_v the_o damosel_n and_o say_v you_o soth_o for_o this_o man_n that_o stand_v here_o have_v ravyssh_v i_o and_o defoul_v i_o of_o my_o maydenhede_v and_o now_o he_o will_v slay_v i_o and_o therefore_o he_o have_v despoil_a i_o of_o my_o clothes_n that_o he_o may_v smite_v of_o my_o heed_n for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n gentyll_a knight_n help_v i_o now_o than_o say_v the_o tyrant_n she_o lie_v for_o she_o be_v my_o wife_n and_o i_o have_v find_v she_o in_o avoutry_n with_o a_o other_o man_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v slay_v she_o than_o say_v the_o knight_n i_o byleve_v better_o the_o woman_n than_o the_o for_o lo_o the_o token_n of_o troth_n appear_v open_o in_o her_o visage_n that_o thou_o have_v ravyssh_v hâ—r_n and_o therefore_o will_v i_o fight_v with_o the_o for_o her_o delyveraunce_n and_o anon_o they_o sterte_v together_o and_o fight_v eager_o till_o they_o be_v both_o sore_o wound_v nevertheless_o the_o knight_n optayn_v the_o vyctory_n and_o put_v the_o tyrant_n to_o flight_n than_o say_v the_o knight_n unto_o the_o woman_n 'loo_o i_o have_v suffer_v for_o thy_o love_n many_o sore_a wound_n and_o have_v save_v the_o from_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la death_n wylte_n thou_o therefore_o be_v my_o wife_n that_o i_o desire_v you_o quoth_v she_o with_o all_o my_o herte_n &_o thereupon_o i_o betake_v you_o my_o teouth_n when_o she_o be_v thus_o insure_v than_o say_v the_o knight_n here_o beside_o be_v my_o castle_n go_v you_o thyder_n and_o abide_v there_o till_o i_o have_v vysyte_v my_o trende_n and_o my_o kynnesman_n to_o provyde_v for_o all_o thing_n needful_a for_o our_o w_n for_o i_o purpose_v to_o make_v a_o great_a fee_v for_o thy_o honour_n and_o worship_n my_o lord_n quoth_v she_o i_o be_o ready_a to_o fulfil_v your_o will_n than_o go_v she_o forth_o unto_o the_o castle_n where_o as_o she_o be_v worshypful_o receyve_v and_o the_o knight_n go_v unto_o his_o friend_n for_o to_o make_v he_o ready_a against_o the_o day_n of_o marriage_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n come_v poncyanus_fw-la the_o tyrant_n to_o the_o knights_n castle_n and_o pray_v she_o that_o he_o may_v speak_v with_o she_o than_o come_v she_o down_o from_o the_o castle_n to_o he_o this_o tyrant_n subtyl_o flatter_v she_o and_o say_v gentyll_a love_n if_o it_o please_v you_o to_o consent_v to_o i_o i_o shall_v gyve_v you_o both_o gold_n and_o silver_n and_o great_a rychesse_n and_o i_o shall_v be_v your_o servant_n and_o you_o my_o soverayne_n when_o the_o woman_n hear_v this_o full_a lyght_o she_o be_v deceyve_v through_o his_o flatter_a language_n and_o grant_v he_o to_o be_v his_o wife_n and_o take_v he_o in_o with_o she_o into_o the_o castle_n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o but_o that_o this_o knight_n come_v home_o and_o find_v the_o castle_n gate_n sheâ—â—e_n &_o 〈◊〉_d thereat_o but_o long_o it_o be_v or_o he_o may_v have_v a_o answer_n and_o at_o the_o last_o the_o woman_n come_v and_o demand_v why_o 〈◊〉_d knock_v so_o hard_a at_o the_o gate_n than_o say_v he_o to_o she_o 〈◊〉_d â—ere_z lady_z why_o have_v thou_o so_o soon_o change_v my_o love_n 〈…〉_o comme_fw-fr in_o nay_o soth_o say_v she_o thou_o shall_v not_o 〈…〉_o here_o for_o i_o have_v here_o with_o i_o my_o love_n which_o 〈◊〉_d â—oved_v before_o remember_v quod_fw-la the_o knight_n that_o thou_o give_v i_o thy_o troth_n to_o be_v my_o wife_n and_o how_o i_o save_v the_o from_o death_n and_o if_o thou_o ponder_v not_o thy_o faith_n behold_v my_o wound_n which_o i_o have_v suffer_v in_o my_o body_n for_o thy_o love_n and_o anon_o he_o unclothe_v himself_o naked_a save_o his_o breach_n that_o he_o may_v show_v his_o wound_n open_o but_o she_o will_v not_o see_v they_o ne_o speak_v more_o with_o he_o but_o shette_v fast_o the_o gate_n and_o go_v her_o way_n and_o when_o the_o knight_n see_v this_o he_o go_v to_o the_o justyce_n and_o make_v his_o complain_v to_o he_o prayenge_a he_o to_o gyve_v ryghtwyse_o judgement_n on_o this_o tyrant_n and_o this_o woman_n the_o judge_n call_v they_o before_o he_o and_o when_o they_o be_v come_v the_o knight_n say_v thus_o my_o lord_n quoth_v he_o i_o ask_v the_o benefyte_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v this_o if_o a_o man_n rescowe_n a_o woman_n from_o ravysshing_n the_o recower_n shall_v wed_v she_o if_o he_o list_v and_o this_o woman_n delyver_v i_o from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o tyrant_n therefore_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v she_o to_o my_o wife_n and_o farthermore_o she_o give_v i_o her_o faith_n and_o trough_n to_o wed_v i_o and_o thereupon_o she_o go_v to_o my_o castle_n and_o i_o have_v do_v great_a cost_n against_o our_o w_n and_o therefore_o as_o it_o seem_v i_o she_o be_v my_o wife_n as_o by_o the_o law_n than_o say_v y_o e_o judge_n to_o the_o tyrant_n thou_o know_v well_o that_o this_o knight_n delyver_v she_o from_o thy_o hand_n and_o for_o her_o love_n he_o suffer_v many_o grevous_a wound_n and_o therefore_o 〈◊〉_d thou_o wot_v that_o she_o be_v his_o wife_n by_o the_o law_n if_o 〈…〉_o list_v but_o after_o her_o delyveraunce_n with_o â—â—atering_a speech_n thou_o have_v deceyve_v she_o therefore_o this_o day_n i_o judge_v 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v hang_v than_o say_v the_o judge_n to_o the_o woman_n 〈◊〉_d like_o wise_n o_o woman_n thou_o know_v how_o this_o 〈…〉_o save_v the_o from_o death_n and_o thereupon_o thou_o betoke_v 〈◊〉_d thy_o faith_n and_o troth_n to_o be_v his_o wife_n therefore_o by_o 〈◊〉_d reason_n thou_o be_v his_o wife_n first_o by_o the_o law_n and_o a_o 〈◊〉_d by_o thy_o faith_n and_o troth_n this_o notwythstand_v thou_o consent_v afterward_o to_o the_o tyrant_n and_o bring_v he_o in_o to_o the_o knights_n castle_n and_o shette_v the_o gate_n against_o the_o knight_n a_o will_v not_o see_v his_o wound_n which_o he_o suffer_v for_o thy_o love_n and_o therefore_o i_o judge_v the_o to_o be_v hang_v and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v both_o the_o ravyssher_n and_o she_o that_o be_v ravyssh_v be_v damn_a to_o the_o death_n wherefore_o every_o man_n praise_v the_o judge_n for_o his_o ryghtwyse_a judgement_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n which_o ordain_v for_o a_o law_n that_o if_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v ravyssh_v from_o god_n by_o sin_n the_o saver_n of_o the_o soul_n shall_v wed_v he_o if_o he_o list_v the_o woman_n that_o be_v ravyssh_v betoken_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o be_v ravyssh_v by_o sin_n of_o our_o fore_a father_n adam_n and_o lead_v out_o of_o paradyse_n in_o to_o the_o forest_n of_o this_o wretched_a world_n by_o the_o tyrant_n poncyanus_fw-la which_o betoken_v the_o devyll_n and_o he_o not_o only_o defoul_v she_o by_o lose_v of_o the_o herytage_n of_o heaven_n but_o also_o he_o will_v slay_v she_o with_o everlasting_a pain_n but_o the_o soul_n cry_v with_o a_o high_a voice_n who_o cry_n our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n herd_n this_o cry_n be_v make_v when_o adam_n cry_v after_o y_o e_o oil_n of_o mercy_n 〈…〉_o till_o 〈…〉_o be_v needful_a 〈…〉_o the_o ascencyon_n day_n 〈…〉_o a_o dwelling_n place_n of_o 〈…〉_o shall_v dwell_v after_o the_o day_n 〈…〉_o in_o honour_n and_o glory_n but_o alas_o in_o 〈…〉_o the_o devyll_n and_o beguile_v the_o wretched_a 〈…〉_o sin_n &_o so_o he_o enter_v in_o to_o y_fw-fr e_o castle_n of_o our_o 〈…〉_o shall_v be_v the_o castle_n of_o god_n the_o knight_n i_o 〈…〉_o at_o the_o gate_n of_o our_o herte_n accord_v to_o 〈…〉_o eccesto_fw-it ad_fw-la hostium_fw-la et_fw-la pulso_fw-la lo_o i_o stand_v 〈…〉_o and_o knock_v if_o any_o man_n will_v open_v that_o i_o 〈…〉_o but_o where_o as_o the_o devyll_n be_v god_n may_v not_o entre_fw-fr but_o that_o the_o sinner_n will_v receyve_v he_o by_o penance_n which_o sing_v the_o gentyll_a knight_n jesu_n show_v himself_o naked_a 〈…〉_o 〈…〉_o of_o geâ—â—a_fw-la romanâ—rum_fw-la 〈…〉_o london_n in_o crede_fw-la lane_n by_o 〈…〉_o king_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o 〈…〉_o god_n m._n â—_o luii_o
death_n with_o all_o manner_n of_o turment_n thou_o shall_v never_o have_v i_o to_o consent_v to_o such_o sin_n when_o he_o hear_v this_o he_o unclothe_v she_o all_o save_o her_o smock_n and_o hinge_n she_o up_o by_o the_o hear_v upon_o a_o tree_n and_o â—yed_v her_o stead_n beside_o she_o and_o so_o ride_v forth_o to_o his_o fellow_n &_o tell_v they_o that_o great_a hoost_n of_o man_n meâ—te_v he_o &_o take_v the_o empress_n away_o from_o he_o and_o when_o he_o have_v tell_v they_o this_o they_o make_v all_o great_a sorrow_n it_o befall_v on_o the_o three_o day_n after_o there_o come_v a_o earl_n to_o hunt_v in_o that_o forest_n and_o as_o he_o ride_v beat_v the_o brake_n there_o start_v a_o fox_n who_o his_o hound_n follow_v fast_o till_o they_o come_v never_o the_o tree_n where_o the_o empress_n hinge_n and_o when_o the_o dog_n feel_v the_o savour_n of_o she_o they_o leave_v the_o fox_n &_o run_v toward_o the_o tree_n as_o fast_o as_o they_o coude_fw-fr the_o earl_n sing_v this_o wonder_v great_o and_o spur_v his_o horse_n and_o follow_v they_o till_o he_o come_v where_o as_o the_o empress_n hinge_n when_o the_o earl_n see_v she_o thus_o hang_a he_o marvel_v great_o for_o as_o moche_v as_o she_o be_v right_a fair_a and_o gracious_a to_o behold_v wherefore_o he_o say_v unto_o she_o in_o this_o manner_n wise_n o_o woman_n who_o be_v thou_o and_o of_o what_o country_n and_o wherefore_o hang_v thou_o here_o in_o this_o manner_n wise_n the_o empress_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o full_o deed_n but_o in_o point_n ready_a to_o dye_v answer_v &_o say_v i_o be_o quod_fw-la she_o a_o strange_a woman_n and_o i_o be_o come_v out_o fro_o far_a country_n but_o how_o i_o come_v hither_o god_n know_v than_o answer_v the_o earl_n and_o say_v who_o horse_n be_v this_o that_o stand_v here_o by_o the_o bind_v to_o this_o tree_n than_o answer_v the_o lady_n â–ª_o and_o say_v that_o it_o be_v she_o when_o the_o earl_n hear_v this_o he_o know_v well_o that_o she_o be_v a_o gentylwoman_n and_o come_v of_o some_o noble_a kynrede_n wherefore_o he_o be_v the_o rather_o move_v with_o pyte_n and_o say_v unto_o she_o o_o fair_a lady_n thou_o seme_v of_o gentyll_a blood_n and_o therefore_o i_o purpose_v to_o delyver_v the_o from_o this_o mischief_n if_o thou_o wylte_n promise_v to_o go_v with_o i_o and_o nourysshe_v my_o fair_a young_a daughter_n and_o teach_v she_o at_o home_n in_o my_o castle_n for_o i_o have_v no_o child_n but_o only_o she_o &_o if_o you_o u._fw-mi keep_v she_o well_o thou_o shall_v have_v a_o good_a reward_n for_o thy_o labour_n than_o say_v she_o as_o farforth_o as_o i_o can_v or_o may_v i_o shall_v fulfil_v thy_o intent_n and_o when_o she_o have_v thus_o promise_v he_o he_o take_v she_o down_o of_o the_o tree_n and_o lead_v she_o home_o to_o his_o castle_n and_o give_v she_o the_o keep_a of_o his_o daughter_n that_o he_o love_v so_o moche_n and_o she_o be_v cheryssh_v so_o well_o that_o she_o lie_v every_o night_n in_o the_o earl_n chambre_n &_o his_o daughter_n with_o she_o &_o in_o his_o chambre_n every_o night_n there_o burn_v a_o lamp_n the_o which_o hinge_n bytwene_v y_o e_fw-la empress_n bed_n and_o y_z e_z earl_n bed_n this_o lady_n bear_v she_o so_o gentylly_a that_o she_o be_v belove_v of_o every_o creature_n there_o be_v that_o time_n in_o the_o earl_n court_v a_o steward_n which_o moche_n love_v this_o empress_n above_o all_o thing_n and_o oftentimes_o speak_v to_o she_o of_o his_o love_n but_o she_o answer_v he_o again_o &_o say_v know_v you_o dear_a friend_n for_o certain_a that_o i_o have_v make_v a_o solemn_a vow_n that_o i_o shall_v never_o love_v man_n in_o such_o wise_n but_o only_o he_o who_o i_o be_o great_o behold_v to_o love_n by_o god_n commandment_n than_o say_v the_o steward_n thou_o wylte_n not_o than_o consent_n unto_o i_o my_o lord_n quoth_v she_o what_o need_v the_o any_o more_o to_o ask_v such_o thing_n the_o vow_n that_o i_o have_v make_v true_o shall_v i_o keep_v and_o hold_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o when_o the_o steward_n hear_v this_o he_o go_v his_o way_n in_o great_a wrath_n and_o anger_n think_v within_o himself_o if_o i_o may_v i_o shall_v bewroken_v on_o the._n it_o befall_v upon_o a_o night_n within_o short_a time_n after_o that_o the_o earl_n chambre_n door_n be_v forgoten_a and_o leave_v unshette_v which_o the_o steward_n have_v anon_o perceyve_v and_o when_o they_o be_v all_o a_o sleep_v he_o go_v and_o espy_v by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o lamp_n where_o the_o empress_n and_o the_o young_a maiden_n lie_v togyder_n and_o with_o that_o he_o draw_v out_o his_o knife_n &_o cut_v the_o throat_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o earl_n daughter_n and_o put_v the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o to_o the_o empress_n hand_n she_o be_v a_o sleep_v &_o nothing_o know_v thereof_o to_o the_o intent_n that_o when_o the_o earl_n awake_v he_o shall_v see_v y_o e_fw-la knife_n in_o her_o hand_n &_o that_o he_o shall_v think_v that_o she_o have_v cut_v his_o doughter_n throat_n wherefore_o she_o shall_v be_v put_v to_o a_o shameful_a death_n for_o his_o myschevous_a deed_n and_o when_o this_o damosel_n be_v thus_o slay_v and_o the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o the_o empress_n hand_n the_o countess_n awake_v out_o of_o she_o sleep_v and_o see_v by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o lamp_n the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o the_o empress_n hand_n wherefore_o she_o be_v almoo_v out_o of_o her_o mind_n and_o say_v to_o the_o earl_n o_o my_o lord_n behold_v in_o yonder_o lady_n hand_n a_o wonderful_a thing_n anon_o the_o earl_n awake_v and_o behold_v on_o the_o empress_n bed_n &_o see_v the_o bloody_a knife_n as_o the_o countess_n have_v say_v wherefore_o he_o be_v great_o move_v and_o cry_v to_o she_o and_o say_v awake_v woman_n of_o thy_o sleep_v what_o thing_n be_v this_o that_o i_o se_fw-mi in_o thy_o hand_n anon_o you_o e_o empress_n through_o his_o cry_n awake_v out_o of_o she_o sleep_v and_o in_o she_o wake_v the_o knife_n fall_v out_o of_o her_o hand_n and_o with_o that_o she_o look_v by_o she_o &_o find_v the_o earl_n daughter_n deed_n by_o her_o side_n and_o all_o the_o bed_n full_a of_o blood_n wherefore_o with_o a_o huge_a voice_n she_o cry_v &_o say_v alas_o alas_o &_o wellaway_o my_o lord_n daughter_n be_v slay_v than_o cry_v the_o countess_n unto_o the_o earl_n with_o a_o piteous_a voice_n and_o say_v a_o my_o lord_n let_v that_o devyllysshe_a woman_n be_v put_v to_o the_o moo_v foul_a death_n that_o can_v be_v think_v that_o thus_o have_v slay_v our_o only_a child_n and_o when_o the_o countess_n have_v say_v thus_o to_o the_o earl_n she_o say_v to_o the_o empress_n in_o this_o wise_n the_o high_a god_n know_v that_o thou_o mischevous_a woman_n have_v slay_v my_o daughter_n w_o t_o thy_o own_o hand_n for_o i_o see_v the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o thy_o hand_n and_o therefore_o thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o foul_a death_n than_o say_v the_o earl_n in_o this_o wise_n o_o thou_o woman_n be_v it_o not_o that_o i_o drede_v god_n great_o i_o shall_v cleve_v thy_o body_n with_o my_o sword_n in_o two_o part_n for_o i_o delyver_v the_o from_o hang_a &_o now_o thou_o have_v slay_v my_o daughter_n nevertheless_o for_o i_o thou_o shall_v have_v no_o harm_n therefore_o go_v thy_o way_n out_o of_o this_o ciâ—e_n without_o any_o delay_n for_o if_o i_o find_v the_o here_o this_o day_n thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o evyll_n death_n than_o arise_v this_o woeful_a empress_n and_o do_v on_o her_o clothes_n and_o after_o leap_v on_o her_o palfrey_n &_o road_n toward_o the_o ee_v alone_o without_o any_o safe_a conduyte_o and_o as_o she_o ride_v thus_o mourning_a by_o y_z e_z way_n she_o espy_v on_o the_o left_a side_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o way_n a_o pair_n of_o galous_a and_o seven_o sergeaunte_n lede_v a_o man_n to_o the_o galous_a for_o to_o be_v hang_v wherefore_o she_o be_v move_v with_o great_a pyte_n and_o smite_v her_o horse_n with_o the_o spur_n and_o ride_v to_o they_o prayinge_v they_o that_o she_o may_v buy_v that_o mysdoâ—r_n if_o he_o may_v be_v save_v from_o death_n for_o any_o meed_n than_o say_v they_o lady_n it_o please_v we_o well_o that_o thou_o buy_v he_o anon_o the_o empress_n accord_v with_o they_o &_o pay_v his_o raunsom_n &_o than_o he_o be_v delyver_v thus_o say_v she_o to_o he_o now_o dear_a friend_n be_v true_a till_o thou_o die_v since_o i_o have_v delyver_v the_o from_o dethe_v on_o my_o soul_n quoth_v he_o i_o promise_v you_o ever_o to_o be_v true_a and_o when_o he_o have_v thus_o say_v â–ª_o he_o follow_v the_o lady_n still_o till_o they_o come_v nigh_o a_o cyte_n and_o than_o say_v the_o empress_n 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 open_v they_o full_a subtylly_a and_o than_o he_o read_v how_o the_o empress_n upon_o pain_n of_o dethe_v shall_v put_v the_o bearer_n of_o they_o to_o dethe_v and_o than_o he_o be_v right_a sorrowful_a &_o say_v within_o himself_o alas_o quoth_v he_o it_o be_v great_a pyte_n to_o slay_v such_o a_o fair_a young_a man_n and_o 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 y_z e_z same_z paper_z a_o letter_n sayinge_v these_o word_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n i_o command_v the_o that_o thou_o take_v the_o young_a squyer_n bearer_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o let_v he_o be_v wed_v without_o any_o delay_v unto_o my_o daughter_n and_o you_o with_o all_o the_o honour_n &_o solempnyte_n that_o can_v be_v teach_v and_o when_o they_o be_v wed_v that_o you_o take_v he_o as_o your_o own_o soon_o and_o that_o he_o keep_v my_o room_n till_o i_o come_v unto_o you_o myself_o when_o the_o knight_n have_v thus_o 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