the_o that_o thou_o shall_v put_v he_o to_o death_n &_o now_o i_o see_v high_o alyve_a my_o lord_n quoth_v she_o safe_a your_o grace_n you_o write_v to_o i_o â—_o i_o shall_v gyve_v he_o your_o daughter_n to_o wife_n /_o and_o that_o on_o pain_n of_o death_n in_o wytnesse_n whereof_o lo_n here_o be_v your_o seal_n &_o your_o letter_n with_o your_o own_o seal_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o wonder_v great_o &_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 with_o great_a solempnyte_v /_o and_o as_o i_o believe_v your_o daughter_n be_v with_o child_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n o_fw-fr thou_o lord_n ihesu_n it_o be_v great_a folly_n to_o stryve_v against_o thy_o ordinance_n /_o therefore_o since_o it_o be_v so_o thy_o will_n must_v â—e_v fulfyl_v /_o &_o with_z yâ—_z he_o take_v his_o soon_o in_o law_n in_o his_o arm_n and_o kyss_v he_o which_o after_o his_o dethe_v be_v emperor_n and_o end_v his_o life_n in_o rest_n and_o pease_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n may_v betoken_v herod_v or_o else_o every_o sinner_n which_o walk_v alone_o without_o truth_n /_o till_z he_o come_v to_o the_o foster_v house_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o chirche_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 ihesu_n /_o 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 telling_n how_o he_o command_v the_o three_o king_n to_o seche_v he_o &_o bring_v he_o tydynge_n again_o where_o he_o be_v the_o he_o may_v come_v &_o worship_n he_o /_o but_o this_o say_v he_o not_o for_o love_v but_o for_o dysceyte_n the_o foster_n betoken_v joseph_n our_o lady_n husbonde_a which_o keep_v he_o /_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 on_o their_o knee_n worshyp_v he_o &_o leave_v he_o in_o the_o holowe_v three_fw-mi of_o his_o god_n heed_n the_o earl_n that_o come_v and_o find_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 lday_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 understonde_v in_o other_o 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 seching_n vanyte_v /_o &_o not_o else_o unto_o the_o time_n he_o come_v unto_o the_o house_n of_o god_n &_o there_o he_o be_v receyn_v benyngne_o of_o the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chirche_n if_o he_o will_v obey_v the_o commanndemente_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 chirche_v when_o they_o observe_v not_o the_o werke_n of_o mercy_n and_o therefore_o they_o ought_v to_o drede_v the_o voice_n which_o i_o have_v rehearse_v by_o the_o first_o take_v yâ—_z may_v be_v understonde_v yâ—_z great_a benefit_n yâ—_z 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 the_o second_o take_v be_v unâ—stonde_v the_o soon_o of_o the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n /_o which_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o blyss_v &_o holy_a virgyn_v marry_v by_o the_o three_o take_v be_v unâ—stonde_v the_o same_o soon_o of_o god_n which_o die_v upon_o the_o cross_n by_o the_o first_o yield_v be_v to_o unâ—stonde_v the_o we_o ought_v to_o yield_v our_o soul_n unto_o almyghty_a god_n as_o clean_o /_o &_o as_o fair_a as_o he_o give_v it_o unto_o we_o after_o the_o washing_n of_o our_o baptyme_n by_o the_o second_o yield_v be_v for_o to_o understande_v that_o we_o ought_v daily_o to_o yield_v honour_n /_o and_o worshyppe_n and_o love_n unto_o god_n the_o three_o yield_v be_v understonde_v that_o we_o yield_v to_o he_o true_a confessyon_n /_o contrycyon_n &_o satysfaccyon_n the_o first_o flee_v betoken_v sin_n which_o we_o shall_v flee_v the_o second_o betoken_v the_o world_n that_o we_o shall_v flee_v for_o the_o great_a fallsehede_v and_o temptacyon_n that_o be_v therein_o the_o three_o flee_v betoken_v everla_a pain_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o flee_v through_o â—erytory_a werke_n by_o the_o which_o we_o may_v come_v the_o rather_o to_o everla_a joy_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n amen_o there_o dwell_v sontyme_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v sauracinus_fw-la which_o ordain_v for_o law_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o ravyssh_v a_o vyrgy_n shall_v dye_v /_o &_o if_o she_o be_v rescue_v /_o than_z he_o that_o rescue_v she_o shall_v have_v she_o to_o wife_n if_o he_o list_v /_o and_z he_o will_v not_o wed_v she_o than_o shall_v she_o gyde_v &_o be_v wed_v by_o his_o counceyll_n it_o befelle_v upon_o a_o day_n that_o a_o tyrant_n name_v poncianus_fw-la have_v ravyssh_v a_o vyrgyn_v and_o lead_v her_o with_o he_o to_o a_o forest_n and_o deflower_v she_o of_o her_o maydenhode_n and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v he_o will_v have_v slay_v she_o /_o and_o as_o he_o be_v despoyl_v her_o clothes_n there_o come_v ride_v by_o that_o foreste_n a_o gentyl_o knight_n which_o hear_v yâ—_z cryenge_a of_o a_o damoysel_n therefore_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 into_o the_o foreste_n to_o wit_v what_o it_o may_v be_v and_o thenne_n he_o see_v a_o woman_n stand_v naked_a save_o her_o smock_n /_o &_o than_o say_v the_o knight_n be_v thou_o now_o she_o quoth_v he_o that_o cry_v so_o than_o answer_v the_o maid_n and_o say_v you_o sothe_o quoth_v she_o /_o &_o this_o man_n that_o stand_v here_o have_v ravyssh_v i_o and_o defoyled_a my_o maydenhode_n and_o now_o he_o will_v slay_v i_o /_o &_o therefore_o he_o have_v dyspoyl_v i_o of_o my_o clothes_n that_o he_o may_v smite_v of_o my_o heed_n /_o 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 quoth_v he_o for_o she_o be_v my_o wife_n and_o i_o have_v find_v here_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 boil_v we_o better_v the_o woman_n than_o the_o /_o for_z lo_o the_o tokenes_n of_o troth_n appear_v open_o in_o her_o visage_n that_o thou_o have_v ravyssh_v she_o and_o therefore_o will_v i_o fyghte_v with_o the_o for_o her_o delyveraunce_n and_o anon_o they_o sterte_v togyder_n and_o foughte_v egre_o till_o they_o be_v both_o sore_o wound_v nevertheless_o the_o knight_n opteyn_v the_o vyctorye_n and_o put_v the_o tyrant_n to_o the_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 the_o death_n wylte_n thou_o thou_o therefore_o be_v my_o wife_n that_o i_o desire_v quoth_v she_o with_o all_o my_o herte_n &_o thereupon_o i_o take_v you_o my_o truth_n when_o she_o be_v thus_o ensuer_v the_o knight_n than_o say_v /_o here_o beside_o be_v my_o castle_n /_o go_v you_o thyder_n and_o abide_v there_o till_o i_o have_v besyte_v my_o friend_n &_o my_o kynnesman_n to_o provyde_v for_o all_o thing_n nedeful_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 worshyppe_n my_o lord_n quoth_v she_o i_o be_o ready_a to_o fulfil_v thy_o will_n theme_n go_v she_o forth_o to_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 to_o make_v he_o ready_a against_o the_o day_n of_o marriage_n in_o the_o mean_a wile_n come_v poncianus_fw-la the_o tyrant_n to_o the_o knight_n castle_n &_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 list_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 sovereyne_a /_o when_o the_o woman_n hear_v this_o /_o dysceyve_v she_o be_v thrughe_v his_o flatter_a 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 in_o to_z 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 &_o find_v the_o castle_n gate_n shut_v &_o knock_v thereat_o /_o but_o long_o he_o be_v or_o he_o may_v have_v answer_v /_o and_z atte_a the_o last_o the_o woman_n come_v &_o demand_v why_o he_o knock_v so_o hear_v than_o say_v he_o o_o dear_a lady_n have_v yâ—_z change_a so_o soon_o my_o love_n /_o let_v i_o come_v in_o nay_o soth_o say_v she_o thou_o shall_v not_o come_v here_o for_o i_o have_v here_o w_z e_z
i_o my_o love_n which_o i_o love_v before_o remember_v yâ—_z quod_fw-la the_o knight_n that_o thou_o give_v i_o thy_o truth_n to_o be_v my_o wife_n /_o &_o how_o i_o save_v the_o from_o death_n /_o &_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 the_o love_n and_o anon_o he_o unclothe_v himself_o naked_a save_o his_o breach_n the_o he_o may_v show_v his_o wound_n open_o /_o but_z she_o will_v not_o see_v they_o ne_fw-fr speak_v more_o w_z e_z high_z but_o shut_v fast_o the_o gate_n &_o go_v her_o way_n /_o when_o the_o knight_n see_v this_o he_o go_v to_o the_o justyce_n &_o make_v his_o complain_v pra_v high_a to_o gyve_v ryghtwys_o jugement_n on_o this_o tyrant_n &_o this_o woman_n the_o juge_a call_v they_o before_o he_o /_o &_o when_o they_o be_v come_v this_o say_v this_o knight_n 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 /_o if_o a_o man_n rescue_v a_o woman_n from_o ravysshing_n the_o rescuer_v shall_v wed_v she_o if_o he_o list_v and_o this_o woman_n delyver_v i_o fro_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o tyrant_n therefore_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v her_o /_o &_o forthermore_o she_o give_v i_o her_o truth_n &_o faith_n to_o wed_v i_o and_o thereupon_o she_o go_v to_o my_o castle_n /_o &_o i_o have_v do_v great_a cost_n against_o our_o w_n /_o &_o therefore_o as_o it_o seem_v i_o she_o be_v my_o wyf_v as_o by_o the_o law_n than_o say_v the_o juge_a unto_o the_o tyrant_n thou_o know_v well_o the_o this_o knight_n delyver_v she_o from_o thy_o hand_n &_o for_o her_o love_n suffer_v many_o smart_n wound_n &_o therefore_o well_o thou_o wot_v the_o she_o be_v his_o wife_n by_o the_o law_n that_o the_o hy_o list_v but_o after_o her_o delyveraunce_n w_o e_o flater_n ing_v speech_n thou_o have_v dysceyve_v she_o /_o therefore_o this_o day_n i_o juge_fw-fr the_o to_o he_o hang_v than_o say_v the_o juge_a to_o the_o woman_n in_o like_a wise_n o_o woman_n thou_o know_v how_o this_o knight_n save_v yâ—_z from_o death_n &_o thereupon_o thou_o take_v high_o thy_o faith_n to_o be_v his_o wife_n /_o therefore_o by_o two_o reason_n thou_o be_v his_o wife_n /_o first_o by_o the_o law_n /_o &_o after_o by_o thy_o faith_n this_o notwithstanding_o yâ—_z consent_v afterward_o to_o yâ—_z tyrant_n and_o bring_v he_o in_o to_o the_o knights_n castle_n &_o shut_v the_o gate_n against_o the_o knyghte_n and_o will_v not_o see_v his_o wound_n which_o he_o suffer_v for_o thy_o love_v /_o and_o therefore_o i_o jugey_n e_o to_o be_v hang_v and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v /_o both_o the_o ravyssher_n and_o she_o that_o be_v ravyssh_v be_v damn_a to_o the_o dethe_v /_o wherefore_o every_o man_n praise_v the_o juge_a for_o his_o ryghtwy_n jugement_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n which_o ordain_v for_o law_n that_o if_o the_o jowl_n of_o man_n be_v ravyssh_v from_o god_n by_o sin_n /_o the_o saver_n of_o the_o soul_n shall_v wed_v high_a if_o he_o lyste_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_n fader_fw-mi adam_n and_o lead_v out_o of_o paradyse_n and_o lead_v in_o to_o the_o foreste_n of_o this_o wretched_a world_n by_o the_o tyrant_n poncyanus_n which_o betoken_v the_o devyll_n and_o he_o not_o only_o deflower_v she_o but_o by_o lose_v of_o herytage_n of_o heaven_n /_o but_o also_o he_o will_v slay_v she_o with_o everla_a pain_n but_o the_o soul_n cry_v with_o a_o high_a voice_n /_o who_o cry_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cyrste_v herd_n this_o cry_n be_v make_v when_o adam_n cry_v after_o oil_n of_o mercy_n and_o patriarch_n and_o prophet_n cry_v for_o remedy_n sa_v o_o thou_o highness_n of_o the_o ee_a and_o so_o for_o the_o vysyte_n thou_o us._n etc._n etc._n the_o knight_n betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n which_o come_v from_o heaven_n and_o faught_n with_o the_o tyrant_n /_o that_o be_v for_o to_o sayethe_v devyll_n /_o and_o both_o they_o be_v sore_o wound_v for_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n be_v wound_v in_o his_o flesh_n /_o and_o the_o devyll_n in_o his_o lordshyppe_n /_o wherefore_o the_o woman_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v the_o soul_n give_v her_o truth_n unto_o almyghty_a god_n when_o that_o she_o become_v crysten_v sa_v that_o i_o forsake_v the_o devyll_n and_o all_o his_o pride_n /_o and_o byleve_v in_o god_n the_o fader_fw-mi almyghty_a than_o ordain_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n a_o marriage_n bytwene_v he_o and_o she_o with_o the_o seven_o secramente_n of_o the_o chirche_v whereof_o may_v be_v make_v a_o strong_a castle_n against_o the_o devyll_n also_o our_o lord_n command_v the_o soul_n to_o keep_v she_o still_o in_o the_o castle_n of_o virtue_n till_o he_o go_v unto_o his_o friend_n to_o provyde_v the_o be_v nedeful_a /_o that_o be_v to_o lay_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n on_o the_o assencyon_n day_n ascend_v to_o heaven_n to_o array_n for_o she_o a_o dwelling_n place_n of_o everla_a joy_n where_o as_o we_o shall_v dwell_v after_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n with_o our_o lord_n god_n in_o honour_n and_o glory_n but_o alas_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n come_v the_o devyll_n &_o beguile_v the_o wretched_a soul_n by_o a_o deed_o sin_n &_o so_o he_o enter_v in_o to_o the_o castle_n of_o our_o herte_n which_o shall_v be_v the_o castle_n of_o god_n the_o knight_n ihesu_n knock_v at_o the_o gate_n of_o our_o herte_n accord_v to_o this_o scrypture_n â—â—cce_fw-fr sto_z ad_fw-la hostium_fw-la et_fw-la pulso_fw-la lo_o i_o stand_v at_o the_o door_n and_o knock_v /_o if_o any_o man_n will_v open_v that_o i_o may_v entre_fw-fr in_o /_o but_z where_o the_o devyll_n be_v /_o god_n may_v not_o entre_fw-fr but_o if_o the_o sinner_n will_v receyve_v he_o by_o penance_n /_o which_o sing_v the_o gentyll_a ihesu_n show_v himself_o naked_a hang_a on_o the_o cross_n that_o we_o may_v see_v his_o bloody_a wound_n which_o he_o suffer_v for_o we_o that_o we_o sinner_n shall_v be_v the_o rather_o mindful_a of_o his_o lone_n for_o from_o the_o crown_n of_o his_o heed_n unto_o the_o sole_a of_o his_o foot_n /_o was_z left_a none_o place_n hole_n place_n therefore_o say_v the_o ê“phet_n ysaye_v attendite_fw-la et_fw-la videte_fw-la si_fw-la est_fw-la dolour_n sicut_fw-la dolour_n meus_fw-la /_o etc._n etc._n byholde_v and_o see_v if_o any_o sorrow_n be_v like_o my_o sorrow_n therefore_o be_v he_o a_o wretched_a man_n the_o will_v not_o be_v convert_v for_o all_o this_o unto_o his_o lord_n god_n but_o lie_v still_o in_o deed_o sin_n /_o wherefore_o when_o he_o be_v call_v afore_o the_o high_a inge_n he_o shall_v be_v damn_a to_o everla_a dethe_v therefore_o study_n we_o to_o open_v the_o door_n of_o our_o herte_n with_o merytory_n werke_n unto_o almyghty_a god_n /_o and_o than_o without_o doubt_n we_o shall_v opteyne_v everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n which_o have_v mercy_n on_o we_o amen_o ¶_o thus_o end_v the_o book_n of_o gesta_fw-la romanorum_fw-la emprynt_v at_o london_n in_o flete_n street_n by_o i_o wynkyn_n de_fw-fr worde_n
chase_v a_o herte_a /_o they_o come_v to_o the_o holowe_v three_fw-mi where_fw-mi the_o child_n lie_v /_o &_o when_o they_o feel_v the_o savoure_n of_o the_o child_n they_o will_v no_o ferde_o go_v the_o earl_n sing_v this_o /_o marvel_v grete_o why_o his_o hound_n abode_n there_o /_o &_o smite_v horse_n w_o e_o his_o spur_n and_o ride_v a_o great_a pace_n till_o he_o come_v to_o they_o and_o when_o he_o come_v unto_o the_o three_fw-mi where_fw-mi in_o the_o child_n be_v close_v &_o look_v in_o at_o a_o hole_n /_o and_o find_v the_o child_n /_o &_o and_o then_o be_v he_o right_a glad_a &_o take_v up_o the_o child_n in_o his_o arm_n full_o lovynge_o /_o &_o bear_v he_o home_o unto_o his_o castle_n /_o sa_n to_o the_o countess_n his_o wife_n lo_o my_o dear_a wife_n this_o day_n by_o fortune_n i_o have_v frunde_v a_o full_a fair_a child_n in_o a_o holowe_v tree_n as_o i_o hunt_v in_o the_o forest_n whereof_o i_o be_o right_a glad_a and_o by_o cause_n that_o i_o gate_n never_o soon_o ne_fw-la daughter_n on_o the_o /_o ne_z thou_o never_o yet_o conceyve_v child_n therefore_o i_o exorte_v the_o that_o thou_o wylte_n feign_v thyself_o travayl_v of_o chyl_v and_o say_v the_o thou_o have_v bear_v this_o child_n the_o councesse_n fulfyl_v w_n e_o gladness_n /_o &_o say_v my_o lord_n your_o will_n shall_v be_v do_v not_o long_o after_o tydynge_n go_v thorughe_v all_o that_o country_n that_o the_o countess_n be_v delyver_v of_o a_o fair_a soon_o /_o wherefore_o they_o make_v great_a joy_n the_o child_n begin_v to_o wax_v /_o and_o be_v right_a well_o belove_v of_o every_o man_n /_o and_z specyal_o of_o the_o earl_n and_o of_o the_o countess_n it_o befall_v after_o when_o the_o child_n be_v xv_o year_n old_a the_o emperor_n make_v a_o solemn_a fee_v to_o all_o his_o lord_n unto_o the_o which_o this_o earl_n be_v call_v /_o and_z at_o the_o day_n assign_v come_v and_z brought_z the_o child_n which_o be_v that_o time_n a_o fair_a squire_n and_o carve_a atte_n the_o board_n before_o the_o earl_n the_o emperor_n behold_v he_o grete_o &_o espy_v the_o token_n in_o forheede_v that_o he_o have_v see_v before_o in_o the_o fosteres_n house_n /_o wherefore_o he_o be_v grete_o meve_v within_o himself_o /_o and_o say_v unto_o the_o earl_n in_o this_o wise_n /_o who_o soon_o be_v this_o quoth_v the_o emperor_n sethely_fw-mi say_v the_o earl_n he_o be_v my_o soon_o than_o say_v the_o emperor_n by_o the_o faith_n and_o truth_n the_o thou_o o_o west_n to_o i_o tell_v i_o the_o truth_n the_o earl_n sing_v that_o he_o may_v not_o excuse_v he_o by_o no_o wise_n but_o that_o he_o must_v needs_o tell_v /_o than_o tell_v he_o he_o all_o togyder_n how_o he_o find_v he_o in_o the_o forest_n in_o a_o holowe_v tree_n this_o hear_a the_o emperor_n almoo_v wax_v out_o of_o himself_o and_o call_v to_o he_o his_o servant_n which_o the_o he_o have_v send_v before_o to_o slay_v that_o child_n and_o when_o they_o come_v he_o make_v they_o to_o swear_v on_o a_o book_n that_o they_o shall_v tell_v the_o troth_n what_o they_o have_v do_v with_o the_o child_n good_a lord_n say_v they_o we_o put_v we_o unto_o thy_o grace_n for_o without_o doubt_n pyte_v so_o meve_v we_o that_o we_o may_v not_o slay_v he_o wherefore_o we_o put_v he_o in_o a_o holowe_v three_fw-mi /_o but_z after_o ward_n what_o befelle_n on_o he_o soch_o we_o know_v not_o and_o in_o his_o stead_n we_o slay_v a_o pygge_n and_o bring_v you_o the_o herte_n thereof_o /_o when_o the_o emperor_n have_v herd_n the_o very_a truth_n of_o this_o matter_n /_o he_o say_v unto_o the_o earl_n this_o young_a man_n quoth_v he_o shall_v abide_v here_o with_o i_o the_o earl_n yâ—_z grant_v though_o it_o be_v grete_o against_o his_o will_n and_o when_o the_o feest_fw-mi be_v end_v /_o every_o man_n take_v his_o leave_n at_o the_o emperor_n and_o go_v whither_o than_o theym_a lyste_n and_o that_o time_n as_o it_o fortune_v the_o empress_n and_o her_o daughter_n solourn_v in_o a_o great_a country_n then_v by_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o berelle_fw-fr not_o long_o after_o the_o emperor_n call_v unto_o he_o that_o young_a squyer_n and_o say_v the_o behove_v quoth_v to_o ride_v unto_o the_o empress_n my_o wife_n with_o my_o letter_n all_o ready_a my_o lord_n say_v he_o i_o be_o for_o to_o fulfil_v your_o will_n anon_o the_o emperor_n lete_fw-la write_v letter_n whereof_o the_o intent_n be_v this_o that_o the_o empress_n shall_v take_v the_o berer_n of_o these_o letter_n &_o let_v he_o be_v draw_v at_o a_o horse_n tail_n /_o &_o after_o that_o she_o shall_v lete_fw-la he_o be_v hang_v till_o he_o be_v deed_n /_o &_o that_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n /_o when_o the_o letter_n be_v all_o make_v &_o seal_v than_o the_o emperor_n take_v theym_a unto_o the_o young_a squyer_n command_v he_o to_o speed_n he_o her_o journey_n and_o anon_o the_o child_n receyve_v they_o glad_o &_o put_v theym_a sure_a in_o a_o box_n /_o and_o ride_v forth_o upon_o his_o journey_n /_o when_o he_o have_v ride_v three_o day_n or_o four_o on_o his_o journey_n in_o the_o eventyde_n he_o come_v unto_o a_o castle_n where_o as_o a_o knight_n dwell_v and_o pray_v he_o meke_o of_o a_o nyghte_n lodge_a the_o knight_n sing_v and_o behold_v the_o good_a favour_n of_o this_o young_a squyr_n /_o he_o grant_v he_o lodge_a and_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_n and_o anon_o be_v on_o sleep_v for_o he_o be_v right_a weary_a of_o his_o journey_n &_o forget_v his_o box_n with_o the_o letter_n lyenge_a open_a in_o his_o chambre_n /_o when_o the_o knight_n see_v the_o box_n he_o open_v it_o and_o find_v the_o letter_n seal_v with_o the_o emperor_n sign_n manuel_n /_o and_o be_v grete_o tempt_v for_o to_o open_v they_o and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o open_v theym_a subrylly_a and_o thenne_n he_o read_v how_o the_o empress_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n shall_v put_v the_o berer_n of_o theym_n unto_o the_o death_n /_o and_o than_o he_o be_v right_a sorrowful_a and_o say_v within_o himself_o alas_o quoth_v he_o it_o be_v great_a pyre_n for_o to_o slay_v such_o a_o fair_a young_a man_n /_o and_z therefore_o if_o i_o may_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o and_o anon_o the_o knight_n scrape_v away_o that_o writing_a and_o write_v in_o the_o same_o paper_n a_o letter_n sa_v these_o word_n upon_o pain_n of_o dethe_v i_o command_v the_o that_o thou_o take_v the_o young_a squyer_n berer_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o let_v medde_v he_o without_o any_o delay_v unto_o my_o daughter_n and_o you_o with_o all_o the_o honour_n and_o solempnyte_n that_o you_o can_v /_o &_o when_o that_o they_o be_v wed_v /_o that_o you_o take_v he_o in_o honour_n and_o worshyppe_n he_o as_o your_o own_o soon_o and_o that_o he_o keep_v my_o place_n till_o i_o come_v to_o you_o myself_o /_o when_o the_o knight_n have_v thus_o write_v he_o close_v the_o letter_n subtylly_a and_o put_v they_o in_o the_o box_n again_o er_o in_o the_o morning_n the_o chyl_v de_fw-mi arise_v and_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o the_o knight_n and_o ride_v forth_o in_o his_o journey_n /_o and_o come_v the_o three_o day_n to_o the_o empress_n and_o salute_v she_o worshypful_o in_o the_o emperor_n behalf_n /_o and_o tâ—ke_v she_o the_o letter_n /_o &_o when_o thempresse_n have_v rede_v they_o /_o anon_o she_o send_v her_o messenger_n thrughe_o the_o court_n command_v the_o gentylman_n to_o come_v to_o her_o doughter_n wed_v atte_n a_o certain_a day_n assign_v /_o when_o yâ—_z day_n be_v come_v thede_a come_v many_o great_a lord_n /_o and_o anon_o this_o child_n wed_v the_o emperor_n daughter_n with_o great_a honour_n &_o worship_n accord_v to_o the_o tenoure_n of_o the_o letter_n /_o and_z be_v right_a well_o belove_a &_o moo_v honour_v among_o the_o people_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o the_o emperor_n come_v into_o that_o country_n /_o when_o the_o empress_n hear_v of_o her_o lord_n come_n she_o take_v with_o she_o her_o soon_o in_o law_n with_o moche_n other_o peple_n /_o and_o go_v against_o the_o emperor_n to_o welcome_v he_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o child_n lede_a the_o empress_n his_o wife_n he_o be_v grete_o meve_v with_o himself_o /_o and_o say_v o_o thou_o curse_a woman_n for_o thou_o haste_v not_o fulfyl_v my_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o evyll_n dethe_v a_o lord_n quod_fw-la she_o all_o that_o you_o command_v to_o do_v i_o have_v fulfyl_v nay_o curse_a woman_n it_o be_v not_o so_o for_o i_o write_v to_o