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 three_o take_v be_v understande_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 understande_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o yield_v our_o soul_n unto_o almyghty_a god_n as_o clean_a &_o as_o fair_a as_o he_o give_v it_o we_o after_o the_o washing_n of_o our_o baptysme_n by_o the_o second_o yield_v be_v understande_v that_o we_o ought_v daily_o to_o yield_v honour_n and_o worship_n and_o love_n unto_o almyghty_a god_n by_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la three_o yield_v be_v understande_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o yield_v to_o god_n true_a confessyon_n contrycyon_n and_o satisfaccyon_n the_o first_o flee_v betoken_v sin_n which_o we_o shall_v flee_v the_o second_o flee_v betoken_v the_o world_n which_o we_o shall_v flee_v for_o the_o great_a falshede_v &_o temptacyon_n that_o be_v therein_o the_o three_o flee_v betoken_v everla_a pain_n the_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o flee_v through_o merytoryous_a work_n by_o the_o which_o we_o may_v come_v the_o rather_o 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
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
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
fulfil_v what_o so_o ever_o you_o say_v to_o we_o for_o our_o profit_n than_o say_v themperour_n my_o good_a friend_n you_o have_v of_o i_o both_o land_n and_o tenemente_n with_o other_o movable_a good_n and_o that_o great_a plente_a the_o which_o by_o my_o counseyle_n you_o shall_v depart_v w_z t_o the_o poor_a man_n that_o they_o may_v grant_v you_o the_o lordship_n and_o anon_o these_o rich_a man_n glad_o grant_v to_o this_o &_o depart_v all_o their_o good_n among_o the_o poor_a man_n &_o than_o they_o give_v they_o again_o the_o lordship_n over_o they_o like_a as_o they_o have_v of_o y_z e_z rich_a man_n and_o thus_o be_v they_o both_o content_n &_o themperour_n be_v great_o commend_v of_o all_o the_o people_n because_o he_o accord_v both_o the_o party_n so_o wise_o ¶_o by_o this_o emperor_n be_v understande_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n which_o make_v a_o proclamacyon_n by_o his_o ê“phete_n patriarch_n apostle_n &_o precher_n that_o every_o man_n both_o poor_a &_o rich_a shall_v come_v &_o ask_v everla_a joy_n and_o without_o doubt_n they_o shall_v optayne_n their_o petition_n but_o y_o e_o rich_a and_o mighty_a man_n ask_v none_o other_o thing_n but_o worldly_a honour_n &_o transytory_a rychesse_n for_o this_o world_n shall_v pass_v &_o all_o his_o covetyse_n wherefore_o he_o give_v they_o so_o moche_v of_o worldly_a good_n that_o he_o have_v nothing_o leave_v to_o himself_o accord_v to_o scripture_n the_o bird_n of_o heaven_n have_v nest_n &_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la fox_n in_o earth_n have_v cave_n but_o y_o e_o soon_o of_o god_n have_v nothing_o in_o earth_n where_o he_o may_v put_v his_o heed_n the_o poor_a man_n be_v such_o as_o be_v meek_a in_o herte_n of_o the_o which_o poor_a man_n speak_v our_o lord_n say_v bless_a be_v the_o poor_a in_o herte_n for_o the_o kyngdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v they_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v seem_v that_o they_o have_v lordshyps_n above_o mighty_a man_n of_o this_o world_n therefore_o these_o rich_a man_n ought_v to_o depart_v their_o rychesse_n with_o poor_a man_n accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n say_v thus_o gyve_v you_o alm_n &_o all_o thing_n shall_v be_v cleve_v to_o you_o and_o thus_o may_v you_o gete_v a_o lordship_n in_o heaven_n unto_o y_fw-es e_fw-es which_o lordship_n i_o beseech_v almyghty_a god_n to_o bring_v we_o all_o amen_n sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v domicyan_a which_o have_v two_o doughter_n of_o who_o one_o be_v pass_v fair_a &_o that_o other_o foul_a &_o ugly_a to_o behold_v wherefore_o he_o let_v cry_n through_o out_o all_o his_o empire_n that_o what_o man_n will_v have_v his_o fair_a daughter_n to_o wife_n shall_v have_v nothing_o with_o to_o she_o but_o her_o fayrne_n and_o who_o that_o wed_v his_o foul_a daughter_n shall_v have_v all_o his_o empire_n after_o his_o death_n and_o when_o the_o proclamacyon_n be_v make_v there_o come_v many_o lord_n y_o t_o desire_v to_o wed_v his_o fair_a daughter_n though_o who_o the_o emperor_n answer_v thus_o sir_n ê™_n he_o you_o wot_v not_o what_o you_o desire_v right_a well_o you_o know_v that_o if_o you_o wed_v she_o you_o shall_v have_v nothing_o with_o to_o she_o but_o her_o fayrne_n &_o farthermore_o if_o i_o gyve_v she_o to_o one_o of_o you_o &_o not_o to_o another_o than_o will_v you_o stryve_v for_o she_o therefore_o if_o you_o will_v needs_o have_v she_o &_o forsake_v my_o foul_a daughter_n you_o behove_v first_o to_o just_a for_o she_o and_o he_o that_o wyn_v she_o shall_v wed_v she_o than_o be_v the_o great_a state_n of_o y_z e_z empire_n great_o rejoice_v &_o anon_o only_o for_o he_o love_v they_o will_v just_a &_o also_o fight_v wherefore_o they_o set_v a_o day_n of_o batayle_n &_o many_o worthy_a man_n be_v slay_v on_o both_o side_n nevertheless_o one_o optayn_v the_o victory_n and_o wed_v that_o fair_a lady_n the_o second_o daughter_n that_o be_v foul_a and_o ugly_a see_v this_o that_o her_o sister_n be_v wed_v with_o it_o great_a solempnite_a mourn_v &_o weep_v daily_o wherefore_o the_o emperor_n her_o father_n come_v to_o she_o and_o say_v dear_a daughter_n why_o mourn_v thou_o thus_o alas_o dear_a father_n quoth_v she_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n though_o i_o mourn_v sing_v my_o sister_n wed_v with_o so_o great_a honour_n &_o gladness_n &_o every_o man_n be_v fain_o of_o she_o &_o no_o man_n love_v my_o felawshyp_n and_o therefore_o dear_a father_n what_o i_o may_v best_o do_v soth_o i_o wot_v not_o than_o say_v the_o emperor_n o_o my_o dear_a daughter_n all_o y_z t_z be_v i_o be_v thy_o and_o it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o you_o that_o he_o which_o wed_v thy_o sister_n have_v nothing_o with_o to_o she_o but_o her_o fayrne_n &_o therefore_o i_o shall_v proclaim_v in_o my_o own_o ê‘sone_n through_o all_o my_o empire_n that_o what_o man_n w_v you_o i_o shall_v make_v he_o sure_o by_o letter_n patent_n of_o all_o my_o empire_n after_o my_o death_n than_o this_o young_a lady_n though_o she_o be_v foul_a &_o ugly_a nevertheless_o she_o rejoice_v in_o y_fw-es e_fw-es promise_v of_o her_o father_n &_o anon_o after_o the_o proclamacyon_n be_v make_v than_o there_o come_v a_o young_a knight_n &_o a_o gentyll_a &_o wed_a y_o e_o lady_n &_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o emperor_n he_o seize_v all_o the_o empire_n and_o be_v crown_v emperor_n and_o she_o empress_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n which_o have_v two_o doughter_n that_o one_o fair_a &_o that_o other_o foul_a that_o one_o fair_a betoken_v this_o world_n which_o be_v full_a fair_a &_o delectable_a to_o many_o man_n that_o other_o foul_a betoken_v poverte_a &_o trouble_n who_o few_o man_n desire_v to_o wed_v nevertheless_o a_o common_a cry_n be_v make_v by_o holy_a scripture_n that_o who_o so_o will_v have_v his_o fair_a daughter_n that_o be_v the_o world_n shall_v have_v nothing_o with_o she_o but_o her_o fayrne_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o worldly_a vanyâ—ees_n which_o fade_v &_o fall_v a_o way_n like_o as_o the_o fayrne_n of_o man_n but_o who_o that_o will_v wed_v the_o foul_a daughter_n that_o be_v to_o say_v wilful_o to_o receyve_v poverte_a &_o trouble_v for_o god_n love_n without_o doubt_n he_o shall_v optayne_n y_fw-fr e_o empire_n of_o heaven_n accord_v to_o scrypture_n say_v you_o that_o have_v forsake_v all_o thing_n for_o my_o love_n to_o follow_v i_o shall_v have_v everlasting_a life_n many_o noble_a and_o worthy_a man_n have_v iu_v for_o the_o fair_a daughter_n that_o be_v to_o say_v have_v fight_v both_o by_o see_v &_o by_o land_n for_o this_o world_n for_o covetyse_n of_o worldly_a rychesse_n &_o at_o the_o last_o there_o be_v many_o slay_v for_o there_o be_v nothing_o here_o but_o pride_n of_o life_n covetyse_v of_o eye_n or_o of_o the_o flesh_n where_o through_o all_o the_o world_n be_v put_v to_o great_a mischief_n but_o he_o that_o w_v the_o fair_a daughter_n that_o be_v y_fw-fr e_o world_n be_v he_o that_o set_v all_o his_o affeccyon_n &_o desire_n in_o the_o wrecchednes_n of_o this_o world_n &_o will_v not_o for_o nothing_o forsake_v this_o world_n like_o a_o wretch_n &_o covetous_a man_n but_o he_o that_o w_v the_o foul_a daughter_n be_v a_o good_a chrysten_v man_n which_o for_o the_o love_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o kyngdom_n of_o heaven_n forsake_v all_o this_o world_n &_o not_o only_o do_v thus_o but_o also_o despyse_v himself_o bodily_a obey_v unto_o his_o soverayne_n in_o all_o thing_n such_o a_o man_n certain_o shall_v optayne_n the_o empire_n of_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o jesu_n chryst_n bring_v both_o you_o and_o i_o amen_n sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v andromyke_a which_o above_o all_o thing_n love_v melody_n this_o emperor_n have_v within_o his_o castle_n a_o well_o of_o such_o virtue_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o be_v drunken_a &_o drink_v of_o the_o water_n of_o that_o well_o shall_v incontynent_a be_v fresh_a again_o &_o be_v delyver_v from_o all_o manner_n of_o drunkenness_n there_o be_v also_o dwelling_n in_o this_o emperor_n court_n a_o knight_n name_v ydrony_n who_o y_o e_z emperor_n love_a moche_n but_o oftentimes_o he_o be_v drunken_a which_o vice_n the_o emperor_n hate_v above_o all_o thing_n and_o when_o this_o knight_n perceyve_v himself_o drunken_a than_o will_v he_o go_v to_o the_o well_o &_o drink_v of_o the_o water_n &_o refresshe_a himself_o so_o that_o what_o so_o ever_o the_o emperor_n say_v to_o he_o he_o will_v answer_v he_o so_o reasonable_o that_o no_o drunkenness_n may_v be_v seen_v in_o he_o &_o for_o his_o wytty_n answer_v he_o be_v great_o belove_v of_o the_o emperor_n nevertheless_o his_o fellow_n of_o the_o court_n enuyd_v he_o moche_n &_o ymagyne_v among_o themselves_o how_o they_o may_v depart_v y_z e_o
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
and_o bring_v before_o he_o and_o be_v examine_v of_o that_o trespass_n why_o he_o despoil_v the_o ymage_n against_o the_o emperor_n commandment_n than_o answer_v this_o dionyse_n and_o say_v my_o lord_n it_o be_v lawful_a to_o answer_v for_o myself_o where_o as_o none_o will_v answer_v for_o i_o when_o i_o enter_v in_o to_o the_o temple_n y_fw-fr e_fw-la first_o image_n hold_v forth_o his_o hand_n straight_o to_o i_o as_o who_o say_v i_o gyve_v y_fw-fr e_fw-la this_o ring_a and_o therefore_o i_o take_v the_o ring_a at_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o image_n and_o when_o i_o see_v the_o second_o image_n have_v a_o berde_n i_o think_v thus_o with_o in_o mi selfe_o i_o know_v sometime_o the_o father_n of_o this_o image_n which_o have_v no_o berde_n and_o now_o his_o soon_o have_v a_o berde_n which_o be_v against_o reason_n the_o soon_o to_o have_v a_o berde_n and_o the_o father_n none_o &_o therefore_o i_o take_v from_o he_o his_o berde_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v like_o his_o father_n after_o that_o when_o i_o see_v the_o three_o image_n close_v in_o a_o mantel_n of_o gold_n i_o think_v that_o a_o mantel_n of_o gold_n be_v not_o behovable_a to_o he_o in_o winter_n for_o gold_n be_v natural_o cold_a which_o may_v because_v of_o his_o death_n and_o therefore_o i_o take_v it_o from_o he_o because_o it_o be_v to_o cold_a in_o winter_n and_o to_o hot_a in_o summer_n when_o dyonyse_n have_v excuse_v he_o by_o these_o reason_n the_o emperor_n answer_v and_o say_v thou_o have_v answer_v wycked_o for_o thyself_o what_o shall_v cause_v the_o rather_o than_o any_o other_o man_n to_o despoil_v these_o ymage_n â–ª_o for_o as_o moche_n as_o i_o command_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v take_v any_o thing_n away_o from_o they_o and_o thy_o own_o mouth_n have_v condemn_v the._n and_o anon_o the_o emperor_n call_v to_o he_o one_o of_o his_o squyer_n &_o charge_v he_o to_o smite_v of_o his_o heed_n and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v almyghty_a god_n the_o father_n of_o heaven_n the_o three_o ymagenes_n betoken_v the_o poor_a man_n the_o rich_a man_n &_o the_o mighty_a man_n of_o this_o world_n the_o tyrant_n dyonyse_n betoken_v iustyce_n sheryffe_n baylye_n sergeaunte_n and_o catchpolle_n and_o all_o other_o office_n which_o take_v away_o from_o poor_a man_n the_o ring_a of_o their_o finger_n and_o say_v thus_o i_o may_v take_v that_o be_v give_v i_o but_o when_o the_o poor_a man_n have_v aught_o to_o do_v he_o must_v needs_o put_v forth_o his_o hand_n to_o gyve_v whether_o he_o will_v or_o no_o if_o he_o shall_v speed_n they_o take_v also_o the_o â—erde_n from_o the_o rich_a man_n and_o say_v thus_o this_o man_n be_v rycher_n than_o his_o father_n be_v therefore_o take_v we_o his_o lyvelode_n from_o he_o and_o make_v he_o like_o his_o fore_n father_n they_o take_v also_o the_o mantel_n of_o gold_n from_o the_o mighty_a man_n when_o they_o see_v any_o man_n of_o honour_n and_o of_o good_a lyve_a willing_n to_o correcke_n such_o mysdoer_n than_o say_v they_o this_o man_n be_v to_o cold_a for_o he_o enclyne_v nothing_o to_o our_o opynyon_n and_o also_o he_o be_v to_o hot_a of_o power_n in_o werk_v against_o we_o therefore_o go_v we_o &_o take_v from_o he_o the_o mantel_n of_o may_v and_o so_o they_o accuse_v he_o and_o put_v he_o out_o of_o offyce_v but_o certain_o all_o such_o man_n stand_v in_o peryll_n of_o everlasting_a death_n from_o the_o which_o save_v we_o he_o that_o die_v for_o we_o upon_o the_o road_n tree_n amen_n there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v euas_fw-la which_o have_v a_o fair_a young_a lady_n to_o his_o wife_n upon_o who_o he_o have_v beget_v a_o fair_a soon_o when_o the_o state_n of_o the_o empire_n hear_v this_o they_o come_v unto_o the_o emperor_n and_o beseech_v he_o to_o have_v the_o keep_a of_o his_o soon_o anon_o the_o emperor_n send_v a_o sergeaunt_n through_o out_o the_o cyte_n sayinge_v that_o in_o who_o house_n be_v first_o find_v fire_n and_o water_n the_o good_a man_n of_o that_o house_n shall_v have_v his_o soon_o in_o keep_a &_o to_o nourysshe_n and_o than_o the_o emperor_n make_v a_o proclamacyon_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o have_v his_o soon_o to_o keep_v shall_v nourysshe_v he_o cleanly_a and_o feed_v he_o which_o it_o holsom_a meat_n &_o drink_v and_o when_o the_o child_n come_v to_o age_n than_o shall_v y_z e_o keeper_n be_v promote_v to_o great_a honour_n wherefore_o many_o man_n let_v make_v ready_a fire_n and_o water_n in_o hope_n to_o have_v the_o child_n but_o on_o the_o night_n when_o every_o man_n be_v a_o sleep_v there_o come_v a_o tyrant_n name_v sulapius_fw-la that_o quench_a y_o e_o fire_n and_o throw_v out_o the_o water_n nevertheless_o among_o all_o other_o there_o be_v a_o man_n name_v jonathas_n that_o labour_v so_o diligent_o that_o he_o keep_v both_o day_n &_o night_n fire_n and_o water_n in_o a_o morning_n er_o the_o sergeaunt_n at_o the_o emperor_n commandment_n go_v through_o the_o cyte_n &_o seek_v in_o every_o house_n for_o fire_n and_o water_n but_o he_o coude_fw-fr find_v none_o till_o he_o come_v to_o jonathas_n house_n where_o as_o he_o find_v both_o fire_n and_o water_n ready_a wherefore_o he_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o emperor_n and_o delyver_v he_o his_o soon_o accord_v to_o his_o proclamacyon_n when_o jonathas_n have_v the_o emperor_n soon_o he_o lead_v he_o home_o unto_o his_o house_n and_o soon_o after_o he_o send_v for_o mason_n and_o carpenter_n and_o let_v make_v a_o strong_a chambre_n of_o lime_n &_o stone_n and_o when_o the_o chambre_n be_v make_v he_o send_v for_o painter_n and_o let_v paint_v on_o the_o wall_n within_o the_o chambre_n ten_o ymage_n with_o this_o posy_n write_v above_o their_o heed_v who_o so_o defoul_v these_o ymage_n shall_v dye_v a_o foul_a death_n and_o than_o he_o let_v draw_v on_o the_o door_n a_o galous_a and_o a_o fygure_n of_o himself_o hang_a thereupon_o with_o this_o posy_n write_v above_o his_o heed_n so_o shall_v he_o be_v serve_v that_o nouryssh_v the_o emperor_n soon_o amiss_o also_o he_o let_v make_v a_o chair_n of_o gold_n and_o himself_o sytting_a therein_o crown_v with_o a_o crown_n of_o gold_n with_o this_o superscripcyon_n above_o his_o heed_n who_o that_o nouryssh_v the_o emperor_n soon_o cleanly_a thus_o shall_v he_o be_v honour_v when_o this_o be_v do_v oftentimes_o in_o his_o sleep_v he_o be_v tempt_v to_o defile_v these_o ymage_n but_o anon_o he_o read_v the_o superscrypcyon_n above_o their_o heed_v &_o than_o all_o the_o temptacyon_n seace_v and_o when_o the_o emperor_n soon_o be_v evyll_n keep_v than_o go_v he_o to_o the_o galowe_n and_o red_a they_o posy_n that_o be_v write_v above_o his_o own_o heed_n and_o for_o drede_v thereof_o he_o keep_v the_o child_n the_o better_a &_o be_v dylygent_a to_o gyve_v attendance_n on_o he_o and_o when_o he_o behold_v the_o chair_n &_o himself_o sytting_a therein_o crown_v with_o it_o a_o crown_n of_o gold_n he_o be_v right_o joyful_a think_n to_o have_v a_o good_a reward_n for_o keep_a of_o the_o emperor_n soon_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v of_o his_o diligent_a demeanour_n about_o his_o soon_o he_o send_v for_o he_o &_o for_o his_o soon_o thank_v he_o for_o his_o well_o keep_a &_o nourysshing_n of_o he_o and_o after_o promote_v he_o to_o great_a honour_n and_o worship_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v y_o e_o father_n of_o heaven_n the_o empress_n betoken_v the_o bless_a virgyn_v marye_n the_o emperor_n soon_o betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst._n the_o sergeaunt_n that_o be_v send_v through_o out_o the_o cyte_n betoken_v saint_n johan_n baptyst_n which_o be_v send_v before_o our_o lord_n to_o make_v ready_a for_o he_o accord_v to_o holy_a scripture_n ecce_fw-la mitte_fw-la angelum_fw-la etc._n etc._n lo_o i_o fiend_n my_o angel_n before_o i_o etc._n etc._n the_o state_n that_o desire_v the_o emperor_n soon_o to_o nourysshe_v betoken_v the_o patriarch_n and_o ê“phete_n which_o desire_v great_o to_o nourysshe_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n and_o also_o to_o see_v he_o but_o they_o may_v not_o see_v he_o ne_fw-fr nourysshe_v he_o for_o fire_n &_o water_n which_o shall_v have_v be_v cause_n of_o their_o sight_n be_v not_o with_o they_o perfyt_o the_o fire_n betoken_v the_o holy_a goost_n which_o have_v not_o yet_o appear_v in_o they_o for_o they_o be_v not_o wasshen_v w_z t_o the_o water_n of_o the_o font_n also_o you_o may_v understande_v by_o the_o fire_n perfyte_n charyte_n and_o by_o the_o water_n true_a contricyon_n which_o then_o now_o a_o day_n fail_v in_o many_o man_n &_o therefore_o they_o may_v not_o have_v the_o lyttel_n child_n jesus_n in_o their_o herte_n jonathas_n that_o watch_v so_o dylygent_o betoken_v every_o good_a chrysten_v
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
in_o the_o forney_n with_o the_o stone_n and_o this_o night_n command_v you_o this_o fulgentius_n that_o he_o go_v er_o in_o the_o morning_n to_o your_o werkman_n and_o that_o he_o ask_v they_o whether_o they_o have_v fulfyl_v your_o will_n or_o not_o and_o than_o shall_v they_o accord_v to_o your_o commandment_n cast_v he_o in_o the_o fire_n and_o thus_o shall_v he_o dye_v a_o evyll_n death_n soth_o quoth_v the_o emperor_n thy_o counseyle_n be_v good_a therefore_o call_v to_o i_o that_o rybaude_fw-la fulgentyus_fw-la and_o when_o this_o young_a man_n be_v come_v to_o the_o emperor_n he_o say_v to_o he_o thus_o i_o charge_v y_fw-fr e_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n that_o thou_o rise_v er_o in_o the_o morning_n and_o go_v to_o the_o brenner_n of_o lime_n and_o brycke_n and_o that_o thou_o be_v with_o they_o before_o y_o e_o son_n rise_v three_o mile_n from_o this_o house_n and_o charge_v they_o on_o my_o behalf_n that_o they_o fulfil_v my_o commandment_n or_o else_o they_o shall_v dye_v a_o shameful_a death_n than_o say_v this_o fulgentius_n my_o lord_n if_o god_n â—ende_v i_o my_o life_n i_o shall_v fulfil_v your_o will_n though_o i_o shall_v go_v to_o the_o world_n end_n when_o fulgentyus_fw-la have_v this_o charge_n he_o coude_fw-fr not_o sleep_v for_o thought_n but_o that_o he_o must_v arise_v er_o for_o to_o fulfil_v his_o lord_n commandment_n the_o emperor_n about_o mydnyght_n send_v a_o messenger_n on_o horsbacke_n unto_o his_o brycke_n maker_n command_v they_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o come_v to_o they_o first_o in_o the_o morning_n sayinge_v unto_o they_o the_o emperor_n commandment_n which_o be_v before_o rehearse_v that_o they_o shall_v take_v he_o &_o cast_v he_o in_o to_o the_o fire_n and_o brenne_n he_o to_o the_o bare_a bone_n the_o bryckmaker_n answer_v &_o say_v it_o shall_v be_v do_v and_o than_o the_o messenger_n ride_v home_o again_o and_o tell_v the_o emperor_n that_o his_o commandment_n shall_v be_v fulfyl_v er_o in_o the_o morning_n follow_v fulgentyus_fw-la arise_v and_o array_v he_o towards_o his_o way_n and_o as_o he_o go_v he_o hear_v a_o bell_n ring_v to_o mass_n wherefore_o he_o go_v to_o that_o chyrche_n for_o to_o hear_v mass_n and_o after_o the_o elevacyon_n of_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n he_o fall_v a_o sleep_v &_o there_o he_o slepte_v a_o long_a while_n so_o that_o the_o priest_n ne_v none_o other_o may_v awake_v he_o the_o steward_n desyre_v inward_o to_o hear_v of_o his_o death_n and_o how_o he_o do_v about_o one_o of_o the_o clock_n he_o go_v unto_o the_o workman_n and_o say_v to_o they_o thus_o sir_n quoth_v he_o have_v you_o do_v the_o emperor_n commandment_n or_o not_o they_o answer_v he_o again_o and_o say_v nay_o soth_o we_o have_v not_o yet_o do_v his_o commandment_n but_o anon_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v and_o with_o that_o they_o set_v hand_n on_o he_o than_o cry_v the_o steward_n with_o a_o high_a voice_n &_o say_v good_a sir_n save_o my_o life_n for_o the_o emperor_n command_v that_o fulgentyus_fw-la shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n than_o say_v they_o the_o messenger_n tell_v not_o we_o so_o but_o he_o bid_v we_o tha_z who_o so_o ever_o come_v first_o to_o we_o in_o the_o morning_n say_v as_o be_v before_o rehearse_v that_o we_o shall_v take_v he_o and_o cast_v he_o in_o to_o the_o farney_n and_o brenne_n he_o to_o ash_n and_o with_o that_o word_n they_o throw_v he_o in_o to_o the_o fire_n and_o when_o he_o be_v brente_a fulgentyus_fw-la come_v to_o they_o and_o say_v good_a sir_n have_v you_o do_v my_o lord_n commandment_n you_o soth_o say_v they_o and_o therefore_o go_v you_o again_o to_o the_o emperor_n and_o tell_v he_o so_o than_o say_v fulgentius_n for_o chryste_n love_v tell_v i_o that_o commandment_n we_o have_v in_o commandment_n say_v they_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o come_v to_o we_o first_o in_o the_o morning_n and_o say_v like_a as_o thou_o have_v say_v that_o we_o shall_v take_v he_o and_o cast_v he_o in_o to_o the_o forney_n but_o afore_o the_o come_v the_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst._n amen_o there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v delphinus_n which_o have_v no_o child_n save_v only_o a_o daughter_n which_o be_v a_o fair_a creature_n and_o great_o belove_v of_o her_o father_n as_o this_o emperor_n walk_v upon_o a_o day_n on_o hunt_v in_o the_o forest_n sodeyn_o he_o ride_v forth_o out_o of_o his_o way_n and_o lose_v his_o man_n wherefore_o he_o be_v great_o disconfort_v â—or_a he_o wist_v not_o whether_o he_o ride_v ne_o in_o what_o place_n he_o be_v till_o at_o the_o last_o when_o he_o have_v rydden_v thus_o all_o the_o day_n alone_o in_o the_o evening_a he_o see_v a_o house_n and_o thyder_v he_o ride_v a_o great_a pace_n and_o knock_v at_o the_o gate_n anon_o the_o good_a man_n of_o the_o house_n hear_v he_o and_o ask_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o knock_n and_o what_o he_o will_v have_v dear_a friend_n quoth_v the_o emperor_n lo_o it_o be_v night_n as_o you_o may_v see_v therefore_o i_o desire_v you_o of_o lodge_a for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n when_o he_o have_v thus_o say_v the_o good_a man_n of_o the_o house_n unware_a that_o he_o be_v the_o emperor_n answer_v thus_o and_o say_v good_a friend_n quoth_v he_o i_o be_o the_o emperor_n foster_n and_o have_v plente_a of_o venyson_n and_o other_o vyteylles_n for_o you_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o be_v right_a glad_a in_o his_o mind_n nevertheless_o he_o tell_v he_o not_o that_o he_o be_v the_o emperor_n and_o than_o the_o foster_n open_v the_o gate_n and_o receyve_v he_o as_o worshypful_o as_o he_o coude_fw-fr &_o set_v he_o to_o his_o supper_n and_o serve_v he_o honest_o and_o when_o he_o have_v sup_v the_o foster_n bring_v he_o to_o his_o chambre_n and_o when_o time_n be_v he_o go_v to_o bed_v in_o the_o same_o night_n it_o befall_v that_o the_o foster_v wife_n be_v travayl_v of_o child_n in_o a_o other_o chambre_n fast_o by_o and_o be_v delyver_v that_o same_o night_n of_o a_o fair_a soon_o and_o as_o the_o emperor_n lie_v in_o his_o bed_n sleep_a he_o seem_v he_o hear_v a_o voice_n say_v to_o he_o thryes_fw-mi these_o word_n take_v take_v take_v and_o with_o that_o he_o awake_v and_o marvel_v great_o what_o it_o may_v be_v sayinge_v to_o himself_o thus_o a_o voice_n byddeâ—h_v i_o take_v take_v take_v what_o shall_v i_o take_v and_o anon_o he_o fall_v a_o sleep_v again_o and_o the_o second_o time_n he_o hear_v a_o voice_n sayinge_v unto_o he_o these_o word_n yield_v yield_v yield_v and_o with_o that_o he_o waken_v again_o and_o wonder_v great_o sayinge_v unto_o himself_o what_o may_v this_o sygnyfye_v first_o i_o hear_v a_o voice_n that_o say_v take_v take_v take_v and_o nothing_o i_o receyve_v and_o right_a now_o i_o hear_v another_o voice_n that_o say_v yield_v yield_v yield_v what_o shall_v i_o yield_v and_o as_o he_o lie_v thus_o think_v in_o himself_o he_o fall_v a_o sleep_v again_o and_o than_o he_o hear_v the_o three_o voice_n sayinge_v these_o word_n thrye_n flee_v flee_v flee_v for_o this_o night_n be_v a_o cyylde_n bear_v that_o after_o thy_o decese_n shall_v be_v emperor_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o waken_v and_o wonder_v great_o what_o it_o may_v be_v in_o the_o morning_n er_o follow_v the_o emperor_n arise_v and_o call_v to_o he_o the_o foster_n &_o say_v dear_a friend_n i_o pray_v the_o that_o thou_o wylte_n tell_v i_o if_o any_o child_n be_v bear_v this_o night_n to_o thy_o knowledge_n my_o wife_n quoth_v the_o foster_n this_o night_n be_v delyver_v of_o a_o fair_a soon_o i_o pray_v the_o say_v the_o emperor_n show_v i_o thy_o soon_o when_o the_o emperor_n have_v seen_v the_o child_n he_o see_v a_o token_n in_o the_o chyldes_n visage_n whereby_o he_o may_v know_v he_o a_o other_o time_n and_o than_o he_o say_v to_o the_o foster_n thus_o dear_a friend_n know_v thou_o who_o i_o be_o nay_o soth_o quoth_v the_o foster_n for_o i_o see_v you_o never_o before_o this_o time_n as_o far_o as_o i_o be_o remember_v nevertheless_o it_o seem_v that_o you_o shall_v be_v a_o gentylman_fw-mi than_o answer_v the_o emperor_n and_o say_v i_o be_o quod_fw-la he_o the_o emperor_n your_o lord_n who_o you_o have_v lodge_v this_o night_n wherefore_o right_a herte_o i_o thank_v you_o this_o hear_v the_o foster_n fall_v down_o upon_o both_o his_o knee_n at_o his_o foot_n and_o beseech_v he_o of_o mercy_n if_o that_o he_o have_v offend_v his_o highness_n in_o any_o thing_n prayinge_v he_o of_o forgyvenes_n than_o answer_v y_o e_o emperor_n &_o say_v drede_v the_o not_o for_o i_o thank_v the_o hertely_fw-mi of_o
thy_o good_a cheer_n &_o thy_o soon_o that_o be_v bear_v to_o night_n i_o will_v have_v for_o to_o nourysshe_v &_o bring_v up_o in_o my_o court_n and_o to_o morrow_n i_o shall_v send_v for_o he_o a_o my_o gracious_a lord_n quoth_v the_o foster_n it_o be_v not_o agreeable_a that_o such_o a_o noble_a emperor_n shall_v nourysshe_v the_o child_n of_o his_o subgecte_n and_o servant_n nevertheless_o your_o will_n be_v fulfyl_v for_o when_o your_o messenger_n come_v i_o shall_v delyver_v they_o my_o soon_o when_o this_o be_v say_v the_o emperor_n take_v his_o leave_n and_o ride_v home_o toward_o his_o palay_n and_o when_o he_o be_v come_v home_o he_o call_v unto_o he_o such_o servant_n as_o he_o trust_v best_a and_o say_v to_o they_o thus_o go_v you_o quoth_v he_o unto_o my_o foster_n with_o who_o i_o be_v lodge_v this_o night_n in_o the_o forest_n and_o receyve_v of_o he_o his_o soon_o of_o which_o his_o wife_n be_v delyver_v this_o night_n and_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n i_o command_v you_o that_o you_o flee_v he_o by_o the_o way_n and_o cast_v his_o flesh_n to_o the_o dog_n but_o bring_v with_o you_o the_o herte_n to_o i_o and_o but_o you_o fulfil_v my_o commandment_n you_o shall_v dye_v the_o moo_v foul_a death_n that_o can_v be_v think_v anon_o his_o servant_n go_v to_o the_o forest_n and_o receyve_v the_o foster_v soon_o and_o bring_v he_o with_o they_o and_o when_o they_o be_v come_v never_o unto_o the_o palay_n one_o of_o they_o say_v how_o shall_v we_o do_v that_o we_o may_v fulfil_v our_o lord_n commandment_n in_o sle_v of_o this_o child_n some_o answer_v &_o say_v that_o the_o child_n shall_v be_v slay_v and_o some_o will_v have_v save_v his_o life_n and_o while_o they_o strive_v thus_o among_o themselves_o one_o of_o they_o that_o be_v moo_v merciful_a say_v unto_o the_o other_o o_o my_o good_a friend_n hear_v my_o counseyle_n and_o you_o shall_v not_o forthynke_v it_o if_o we_o murder_v this_o innocent_a child_n we_o shall_v great_o offend_v almyghty_a god_n therefore_o here_o be_v young_a pygge_n sleâ—we_v one_o of_o they_o and_o than_o may_v we_o bear_v with_o we_o his_o herte_n and_o present_v it_o unto_o the_o emperor_n sayinge_v that_o it_o be_v the_o herte_n of_o the_o child_n and_o thus_o shall_v we_o not_o shede_v the_o chyldes_n blood_n than_o say_v they_o thy_o counseyle_n be_v good_a but_o what_o shall_v we_o do_v with_o the_o child_n good_a friend_n quoth_v he_o let_v we_o wrap_v he_o in_o some_o clothes_n &_o lie_v he_o in_o some_o holowe_v tree_n for_o peraventure_fw-fr god_n will_v help_v he_o and_o save_v his_o life_n and_o when_o he_o have_v thus_o say_v they_o do_v glad_o after_o his_o counseyle_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o slay_v the_o pygge_n &_o go_v their_o way_n and_o bare_a home_n with_o they_o the_o pygges_n hertâ—_n to_o the_o emperor_n sayinge_v unto_o he_o thus_o 'loo_o gracious_a lord_n we_o have_v slay_v the_o child_n as_o you_o command_v we_o and_o with_o that_o they_o show_v he_o the_o pygge_n herte_fw-fr the_o emperor_n suppose_v that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o chyldes_n herte_n take_v it_o &_o ke_v it_o in_o to_o the_o fire_n despyteous_o sayinge_v 'loo_o that_o be_v the_o herte_n of_o he_o which_o shall_v have_v be_v emperor_n after_o i_o 'loo_o what_o be_v to_o byleve_v in_o dremes_n &_o vysyon_n which_o be_v nought_o else_o but_o fantasye_n and_o vain_a thing_n the_o second_o day_n after_o that_o the_o child_n be_v put_v in_o to_o the_o holowe_v tree_n thâ—re_o come_v a_o earl_n for_o to_o hunt_v in_o the_o forest_n and_o as_o his_o hound_n chase_v a_o heart_n they_o come_v to_o this_o holowe_v tree_n where_o the_o child_n lie_v and_o when_o they_o feel_v the_o savour_n of_o the_o child_n they_o will_v go_v no_o far_o the_o earl_n sing_v this_o meruayl_v great_o why_o his_o hound_n abode_n there_o and_o smite_v his_o horse_n with_o the_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 tree_n wherein_o the_o child_n be_v lay_v he_o look_v in_o at_o a_o hole_n &_o see_v there_o the_o child_n lyenge_a and_o than_o be_v he_o right_a glad_a and_o take_v up_o the_o child_n in_o his_o arm_n full_a lovyng_o and_o bear_v he_o home_o unto_o his_o castle_n sayinge_v unto_o the_o countess_n his_o wife_n 'loo_o my_o dear_a wife_n this_o day_n by_o fortune_n i_o have_v â—ounde_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 y_z e_z forest_n whereof_o i_o be_o right_a glad_a and_o because_o that_o i_o never_o beget_v soon_o ne_o daughter_n on_o the_o ne_o thou_o never_o yet_o conceyve_v a_o child_n therefore_o i_o exhort_v the_o that_o thou_o wylte_n feign_v thyself_o travayl_v of_o child_n and_o say_v that_o thou_o have_v bear_v this_o child_n the_o countess_n fulfyl_v right_a glad_o the_o earl_n will_v and_o desire_n and_o say_v my_o moost_n dear_a lord_n your_o will_n in_o this_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v not_o long_o after_o this_o tydynge_n go_v through_o out_o all_o that_o country_n that_o the_o countess_n be_v delyver_v of_o a_o fayâ—e_n soon_o wherefore_o every_o man_n make_v great_a joy_n the_o child_n begin_v to_o grow_v and_o be_v right_a well_o belove_v of_o every_o man_n and_o moo_v 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 xu_o year_n of_o age_n the_o emperor_n make_v a_o solemn_a fee_v unto_o all_o y_z e_z lord_n of_o his_o empire_n unto_o the_o which_o fee_v this_o earl_n be_v call_v and_o at_o the_o day_n assign_v he_o come_v and_o bring_v the_o child_n w_o t_z he_o which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n a_o fair_a young_a squyer_n &_o carve_v at_o the_o board_n before_o the_o earl_n the_o emperor_n great_o behold_v he_o and_o espy_v the_o token_n in_o his_o foreheed_n which_o he_o have_v seen_v before_o in_o the_o foster_v house_n â–ª_o wherefore_o he_o be_v great_o move_v &_o vex_v within_o 〈…〉_o and_o say_v unto_o the_o earl_n in_o this_o wise_n who_o soon_o be_v this_o soth_o say_v the_o earl_n he_o be_v my_o soon_o than_o say_v y_o e_o emperor_n by_o the_o faith_n and_o troth_n that_o thou_o owe_v unto_o i_o tell_v i_o the_o troth_n the_o earl_n sing_v that_o he_o may_v not_o excuse_v himself_o by_o no_o manner_n wise_a but_o that_o needs_o he_o must_v tell_v he_o the_o truth_n than_o tell_v he_o he_o all_o together_o how_o he_o have_v find_v he_o in_o the_o forest_n in_o a_o holowe_v tree_n this_o hear_n the_o emperor_n be_v almoo_v out_o of_o his_o right_a mind_n for_o anger_n and_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o servant_n which_o he_o have_v send_v before_o to_o slay_v y_z e_o child_n and_o when_o they_o come_v before_o he_o he_o make_v they_o for_o to_o swear_v upon_o a_o book_n that_o they_o shall_v tell_v he_o the_o troth_n what_o they_o have_v do_v with_o the_o child_n gracious_a lord_n say_v they_o we_o put_v we_o unto_o your_o grace_n &_o goodness_n for_o without_o doubt_n pyte_n so_o move_v we_o that_o we_o may_v not_o â—lee_v he_o and_o than_o we_o put_v he_o in_o a_o holowe_v tree_n but_o what_o afterward_o befall_v of_o he_o soth_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 when_o the_o emperor_n have_v herd_n the_o very_a truth_n of_o this_o matter_n he_o say_v unto_o y_z e_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 anon_o grant_v though_o it_o be_v great_o against_o his_o will_n and_o when_o the_o fee_v be_v end_v every_o man_n take_v his_o leave_n at_o the_o emperor_n and_o go_v where_o as_o they_o list_v and_o at_o that_o time_n it_o fortune_v that_o the_o empress_n &_o her_o daughter_n sojourn_v in_o a_o great_a country_n far_o fro_o then_v by_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o befall_v 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 he_o to_o ride_v unto_o the_o empress_n my_o wife_n with_o my_o letter_n i_o be_o ready_a at_o your_o commandment_n my_o lord_n say_v he_o to_o fulfil_v your_o desire_n anon_o the_o emperor_n let_v 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 bearer_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o let_v he_o be_v draw_v at_o a_o horse_n tail_n and_o after_o that_o she_o shall_v let_v he_o be_v hang_v till_o he_o be_v deed_n and_o that_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n when_o the_o letter_n be_v all_o make_v and_o seal_v than_o the_o emperor_n take_v they_o unto_o the_o young_a squyer_n command_v he_o to_o speed_n he_o on_o his_o journey_n and_o
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