covetyse_v of_o eye_n /_o and_z concupyscence_n of_o flesh_n in_o the_o which_o three_o that_o wretched_a man_n grete_o delyte_v and_o atte_v the_o last_o they_o lede_v he_o in_o to_o hell_n this_o wytty_n knight_n betoken_v the_o soul_n /_o &_o the_o folysshe_a knight_n betoken_v the_o flesh_n the_o which_o be_v always_o folysshe_a and_o atte_a all_o time_n ready_a to_o do_v harm_n these_o two_o be_v fellow_n and_o knytte_n in_o one_o /_o for_z everyche_a of_o theym_n orynk_v other_o blood_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o shall_v drink_v of_o one_o cup_n either_o joy_n or_o pain_n they_o shall_v have_v after_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n the_o soul_n chese_v all_o the_o way_n of_o penance_n /_o and_z in_o as_o moche_v as_o she_o may_v she_o styre_v the_o flesh_n to_o do_v the_o same_o /_o but_z the_o flesh_n thynk_v never_o what_o be_v to_o come_v after_o /_o &_o therefore_o she_o gooth_v in_o the_o delyte_n of_o this_o world_n and_o flee_v the_o way_n of_o penance_n /_o and_o thus_o the_o soul_n after_o the_o death_n be_v cast_v in_o to_o hell_n /_o and_o the_o flesh_n be_v cast_v in_o to_o the_o dycke_fw-mi /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v in_o to_o the_o grave_n but_o than_o the_o justyce_n come_v /_o that_o be_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n at_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n to_o deem_v all_o mankind_n than_o the_o soul_n shall_v complain_v upon_o the_o flesh_n /_o and_o yâ—_z flesh_n upon_o the_o soul_n but_o than_o the_o justyce_n which_o will_v not_o be_v deceyve_v neither_o by_o prayer_n ne_o by_o price_n shall_v condemn_v the_o soul_n because_o she_o follow_v the_o fragylyte_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o also_o he_o shall_v condemn_v the_o flesh_n because_o it_o will_v not_o byleve_v the_o soul_n /_o wherefore_o lete_fw-la we_o study_n to_o tame_v our_o flesh_n that_o we_o may_v obey_v god_n and_o than_o shall_v we_o have_v everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o dear_a lord_n jesus_n cryste_n amen_n there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v frederyk_n which_o have_v no_o chylderin_n save_o a_o daughter_n to_o who_o this_o emperor_n after_o his_o dyscesse_n byquethe_v all_o his_o empire_n this_o understand_v a_o earl_n that_o dwell_v there_o be_v side_n come_v unto_o this_o young_a maiden_n and_o woo_v she_o and_o styre_v she_o unto_o sin_n all_o that_o he_o mught_v /_o wherefore_o this_o young_a lady_n in_o short_a process_n incline_v to_o the_o earl_n /_o and_o this_o earl_n anon_o lie_v with_o she_o and_o defoyled_a her_o /_o and_z 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 and_o flee_v unto_o the_o realm_n there_o beside_o where_o as_o she_o daily_o weep_v and_o mourn_v it_o befelie_o after_o on_o a_o day_n that_o while_o she_o sit_v mourn_v by_o a_o side_n way_n there_o come_v by_o she_o a_o fair_a knight_n ride_v young_a and_o right_a honest_a upon_o a_o good_a horse_n which_o that_o come_v to_o ward_v she_o a_o swift_a pace_n and_o worshypful_o salute_v she_o and_o ask_v that_o cause_n why_o that_o she_o so_o sore_o mourn_v than_o answer_v she_o and_o say_v my_o reverend_a lord_n i_o be_o a_o emperor_n daughter_n come_fw-mi of_o royal_a kin_n /_o my_o fader_fw-mi be_v deed_n which_o that_o leave_v i_o all_o his_o empire_n by_o cause_n he_o have_v none_o other_o heir_n /_o and_z after_o his_o dyscesse_n a_o earl_n there_o beside_o dysceyve_v i_o and_o take_v from_o i_o my_o maydenhode_n /_o and_z after_o that_o he_o put_v i_o violent_o out_o of_o my_o herytage_n so_o the_o i_o now_o be_o fain_a to_o beg_v my_o breed_n from_o door_n to_o door_n /_o and_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o my_o sorrow_n than_o say_v the_o knight_n /_o fair_a damosel_n i_o have_v great_a compassyon_n on_o thy_o fairness_n and_o of_o thy_o gentylnesse_n /_o therefore_o if_o thou_o will_v grant_v to_o i_o one_o thing_n i_o shall_v fight_v for_o the_o against_o the_o earl_n and_o i_o behote_v unto_o the_o the_o vyctory_n than_o say_v she_o alas_o alas_o i_o have_v no_o thing_n that_o i_o may_v gyve_v unto_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 by_o 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 reverent_a 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 in_o certainty_n that_o thou_o shall_v do_v for_o i_o one_o thing_n /_o that_o if_o it_o fortune_n i_o to_o dye_v in_o batayll_n for_o the_o &_o to_o opteyne_v the_o vyctory_n that_o thou_o shall_v take_v my_o bloody_a sherte_n and_o hang_v it_o upon_o a_o perch_n in_o thy_o chambre_n /_o and_o this_o shall_v thou_o do_v for_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o when_o soever_o thou_o behold_v este_fw-la the_o sherte_fw-la thou_o shall_v weep_v for_o i_o the_o second_o be_v that_o what_o soever_o man_n come_v for_o to_o woo_v the_o to_o be_v his_o wife_n /_o than_z thou_o shall_v hasty_o run_v unto_o thy_o chambre_n and_o behold_v my_o bloody_a sherte_n and_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 batayll_n the_o which_o recover_v my_o herytage_n /_o god_n forbede_v that_o i_o shall_v take_v oony_n other_o man_n after_o he_o dethe_v than_o say_v she_o reverent_a sir_n all_o this_o i_o shall_v fulfylle_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o when_o the_o knight_n hear_v this_o he_o give_v batayll_v against_o the_o earl_n and_o opteyn_v the_o vyctory_n /_o and_o the_o earl_n be_v overcome_v and_o flee_v /_o and_o this_o young_a lady_n be_v bring_v and_o receyve_v again_o in_o to_o her_o herytage_n neverthesse_n this_o knyghte_n be_v deed_o wound_v in_o that_o batayll_n whereof_o he_o die_v /_o but_o or_o he_o die_v he_o byquethe_v his_o bloody_a sherte_n unto_o this_o danjoysell_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 he_o dethe_v she_o weep_v sore_o and_o make_v great_a lamentacyon_n for_o his_o dethe_v and_o in_o his_o sherte_n be_v write_v this_o verse_n think_v on_o he_o and_o have_v mind_n /_o that_o to_o the_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 and_z as_o oftentimes_o as_o she_o behold_v it_o she_o weep_v bytter_o it_o befelle_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 and_o desire_v and_o counseylleo_fw-la she_o for_o to_o take_v a_o husbonde_a /_o but_o than_o she_o go_v unto_o her_o chambre_n &_o behold_v the_o bloody_a sherte_fw-fr /_o than_o wax_v she_o sorrowful_a and_o say_v oftentimes_o alas_o alas_o thou_o suffer_v death_n for_o my_o love_n and_o thou_o also_o recover_v again_o my_o herytage_n /_o god_n forbede_v that_o ever_o i_o shall_v take_v any_o other_o man_n but_o the_o /_o and_z thus_o she_o answer_v every_o man_n that_o come_v to_o she_o and_o so_o they_o go_v away_o unspedde_v and_o she_o end_v her_o life_n in_o pease_n and_o rest_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n /_o and_o this_o daughter_n be_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n make_v atte_a the_o symylytude_n of_o god_n /_o to_o who_o god_n give_v and_o byquethe_v the_o empire_n of_o paradyse_n but_o there_o come_v a_o earl_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o devyl_n &_o styre_v she_o to_o sign_n when_o sheet_n of_o yâ—_z appel_n &_o say_v unto_o she_o thus_o in_o what_o hour_n you_o eat_v of_o that_o appel_n you_o shall_v be_v like_o god_n where_o for_o break_v god_n commandment_n we_o be_v all_o exile_v out_o of_o paradyse_n and_o chase_v unto_o the_o realm_n of_o this_o world_n here_o to_o live_v in_o great_a wretchedness_n /_o like_o as_o the_o psalm_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 that_o come_v a_o fair_a young_a knight_n &_o a_o strong_a /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryst_n which_o have_v compassyon_n on_o mankind_n and_o take_v our_o flesh_n and_o our_o blood_n and_o give_v batayll_v to_o the_o devyll_n &_o overcome_v he_o /_o and_o thus_o win_v he_o again_o our_o herytage_n therefore_o late_o we_o do_v as_o this_o young_a lady_n die_v put_v we_o this_o bloody_a sherte_fw-fr /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v yâ—_z mind_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o cryst_n in_o the_o perch_n of_o our_o herte_n &_o think_v we_o how_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n shed_v his_o blood_n for_o sv_v and_o if_o any_o man_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v /_o the_o
vii_o year_n say_v he_o leave_v i_o a_o precyous_a net_n in_o a_o prevy_a place_n /_o and_z now_o i_o will_v ride_v and_o vysyte_n it_o /_o &_o if_o it_o be_v break_v or_o to_o tear_v than_o will_v i_o leave_v it_o /_o and_z if_o it_o be_v hole_n as_o i_o leave_v it_o than_o shall_v it_o be_v to_o i_o right_a precyous_a &_o i_o shall_v bear_v it_o with_o i_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o cry_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n and_o say_v o_o you_o my_o knight_n and_o my_o servant_n go_v you_o lyght_o unto_o my_o doughter_n chamber_n for_o sothe_o that_o be_v the_o net_n where_o of_o the_o knight_n speak_v and_o anon_o his_o knight_n and_o his_o servant_n go_v unto_o his_o doughter_n chamber_n &_o find_v she_o not_o /_o the_z foresaid_a knight_n have_v take_v she_o with_o he_o and_o thus_o the_o king_n be_v dysceyve_v of_o the_o damosel_n &_o he_o go_v home_o again_o to_o his_o own_o country_n confound_v ¶_o dear_a friend_n it_o be_v emperor_n be_v our_o blyss_v lord_n jesus_n cryste_n and_o this_o fair_a daughter_n be_v everla_a life_n the_o which_o that_o the_o emperor_n have_v ordain_v for_o king_n knight_n and_o for_o man_n the_o knight_n that_o love_v this_o young_a lady_n be_v every_o good_a crysten_v soul_n which_o hold_v himself_o not_o worthy_a to_o come_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n unto_o such_o joy_n as_o the_o apostle_n say_v non_fw-fr est_fw-fr condign_a passionis_fw-la huius_fw-la temporis_fw-la ad_fw-la futuram_fw-la gloriam_fw-la the_o be_v not_o so_o worthy_a of_o suffer_v to_o come_v unto_o that_o glory_n that_o be_v to_o come_v this_o knight_n go_v seven_o year_n on_o pylgrymage_n /_o like_o as_o a_o good_a crysten_v man_n all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n shall_v labour_n in_o fnlflling_n the_o seven_o werke_n of_o mercy_n by_o this_o king_n that_o come_v wtoute_fw-fr cloak_n in_o the_o rain_n be_v to_o undestande_v the_o mighty_a man_n of_o this_o world_n /_o as_o justyce_n mayres_z &_o balye_n which_o have_v nocloke_n to_o cover_v all_o their_o other_o clothes_n by_o this_o cloak_n be_v undstande_v charyte_v /_o the_o which_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v caritas_fw-la cooperit_fw-la multitudinem_fw-la peccatorum_fw-la charyte_n coverth_n all_o our_o sin_n but_o many_o man_n have_v not_o this_o cloak_n /_o wherefore_o they_o be_v wete_z in_z the_o rain_n of_o pride_n avaryce_n /_o and_o lechery_n this_o king_n be_v also_o almoo_v drown_v for_o by_o cause_n he_o lack_v he_o brydge_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v parfyte_n faith_n for_o we_o see_v daily_o that_o there_o may_v no_o man_n pass_v over_o a_o great_a water_n broad_a and_o horryble_a deep_a wtout_fw-fr a_o brydge_v or_o some_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v able_a for_o to_o bear_v he_o right_o to_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossyble_a for_o to_o please_v god_n /_o and_o thus_o may_v no_o man_n be_v save_v without_o faith_n when_o they_o set_v their_o life_n in_o worldly_a joy_n or_o worde_o help_v more_o than_o in_o the_o help_n of_o almyghty_a god_n which_o be_v mighty_a for_o to_o do_v all_o thing_n /_o wherefore_o he_o say_v himself_o thus_o saluator_fw-la si_fw-la habueritis_fw-la fidem_fw-la sicut_fw-la granum_fw-la sinapis_fw-la poteritis_fw-la et_fw-la ceterus_fw-la if_o he_o have_v faith_n as_o the_o grain_n of_o mustard_n /_o than_o may_v you_o say_v unto_o the_o hill_n go_v thou_o forth_o and_o it_o shall_v go_v but_o many_o of_o we_o now_o a_o day_n have_v to_o over_o feeble_a a_o faith_n &_o therefore_o they_o shall_v sodan_o fall_v in_o the_o clay_n of_o desperacyon_n /_o and_z by_o deed_o sin_n often_o time_n they_o offend_v god_n also_o this_o king_n have_v not_o bring_v with_o he_o his_o fader_fw-mi and_o his_o mother_n by_o the_o father_n which_o be_v cause_n of_o governacyon_n be_v understande_v humylyte_n without_o who_o there_o be_v no_o virtue_n in_o no_n man_n and_o thereto_o accord_v saint_n gregory_n sa_v thus_o si_fw-mi quis_fw-la caeteris_fw-la virtutes_fw-la sine_fw-la humilitate_fw-la congregat_fw-la et_fw-la cete_fw-la he_o that_o gader_v all_o other_o virtue_n without_o humylyte_n be_v like_o a_o man_n that_o cast_v dust_n in_o the_o wound_n his_o mother_n betoken_v hope_n therefore_o he_o that_o will_v opteyne_v everla_a life_n he_o behove_v to_o have_v the_o cloak_n of_o charyte_n /_o brydge_v of_o faith_n a_o fader_fw-mi of_o mekenesse_n /_o and_o a_o mother_n of_o hope_n /_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v spe_fw-la salut_fw-la facti_fw-la sumus_fw-la also_o this_o knight_n go_v the_o straight_o path_n way_n /_o and_o the_o king_n the_o broad_a way_n /_o for_z he_o that_o will_v be_v save_v behove_v to_o go_v a_o straight_o way_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o the_o way_n of_o fast_a /_o alm_n dede_n /_o chastyte_v /_o and_o penance_n /_o of_o the_o which_o way_n speak_v the_o apostle_n ¶_o stricta_fw-la est_fw-la via_fw-la que_fw-la ducit_fw-la ad_fw-la vitam_fw-la eternam_fw-la the_o way_n be_v straight_o that_o lede_v to_o everla_a life_n but_o many_o man_n go_v that_o other_o way_n which_o lede_v to_o hell_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v by_o the_o way_n of_o flesshe_o lust_n and_o such_o man_n go_v out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o everla_a life_n /_o but_o such_o man_n be_v deceyve_v thrughe_o the_o way_n therefore_o study_v we_o to_o walk_v that_o way_n whereby_o we_o may_v opteyne_v everla_a life_n amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a strong_a &_o a_o bataylous_a emperor_n name_v agias_n which_o have_v with_o he_o a_o knight_n who_o man_n call_v gerarde_n which_o be_v a_o doughty_a warryour_fw-mi neverthe_o less_o he_o be_v as_o meek_a as_o a_o lamb_n in_o the_o emperor_n hall_n /_o but_z in_o the_o field_n he_o be_v like_o a_o lion_n this_o emperor_n have_v a_o fair_a daughter_n who_o the_o strong_a and_o mighty_a exle_n of_o palaster_n ravyssh_v dysflour_v neverthesse_n it_o dysplese_v more_o themperour_n the_o dyffoylnge_n of_o his_o daughter_n than_o the_o ravysshing_n /_o wherefore_o he_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o counsel_n and_o say_v dear_a friend_n it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o you_o the_o despite_n &_o violence_n do_v unto_o i_o in_o deflower_a of_o my_o daughter_n and_o therefore_o jaurpose_v to_o gyve_v barayle_a to_o the_o earl_n /_o wherefore_o i_o pray_v you_o to_o be_v ready_a at_o a_o day_n set_v to_o proceed_v with_o i_o to_o batayle_n and_o they_o say_v lord_n we_o ready_a to_o live_v and_o dye_v with_o you_o in_o batayle_n when_o the_o day_n of_o batayll_n come_v they_o meet_v on_o both_o side_n &_o a_o cruel_a hard_a betayle_n be_v give_v on_o both_o side_n /_o &_o all_o that_o be_v of_o themperours_n party_n be_v slay_v and_o as_o themperour_n shall_v have_v be_v byhede_v the_o knight_n gerarde_n put_v himself_o among_o this_o enemy_n before_o themperour_n and_o fight_v manful_o and_o so_o themperour_n escape_v and_o the_o knight_n abode_n and_o slay_v the_o earl_n /_o nevertheless_o this_o knight_n have_v dyverse_a wound_n this_n not_o withstond_v he_o abide_v &_o fight_v styllâ—tyll_o the_o blood_n run_v to_o his_o hely_n and_o when_o his_o enemy_n see_v that_o the_o earl_n be_v slay_v they_o flee_v /_o and_o the_o knight_n with_o his_o people_n follow_v on_o the_o chase_n till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o place_n where_o themperours_n daughter_n be_v and_o lead_v she_o with_o high_a and_o thus_o with_o triumph_n &_o vyctory_n he_o return_v again_o to_o the_o emperor_n for_o the_o which_o vyctory_n and_o getting_a again_o of_o themperours_n daughter_n he_o be_v grete_o praise_v of_o all_o people_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o this_o knight_n have_v to_o do_v in_o themperours_n court_n wherefore_o the_o knyghte_n come_v unto_o themperour_n and_o pray_v he_o meke_o to_o be_v favourable_a in_o his_o cause_n /_o and_o ferthermore_o he_o pray_v he_o to_o do_v that_o reason_n ask_v when_o the_o emperor_n have_v hear_v he_o he_o call_v to_o he_o a_o justyce_n and_o say_v go_fw-mi thou_o and_o do_v justyce_n to_o this_o knight_n and_o that_o /_o that_z yâ—_z law_n will_n and_o whah_o the_o knight_n hear_v this_o he_o cry_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n alas_o alas_o who_o hear_v ever_o such_o a_o thing_n of_o a_o emperor_n /_o thou_o be_v say_v he_o in_o batayle_n where_o thy_o heed_n shall_v have_v be_v smyten_v of_o /_o and_z i_o in_o my_o own_o person_n and_o none_o other_o man_n put_v myself_o in_o jeoperdy_n for_o the_o and_o save_v the_o /_o &_o now_o thou_o have_v assign_v a_o other_o man_n to_o be_v juge_a in_o my_o cause_n /_o alas_o that_o ever_o thou_o be_v bear_v and_o with_o that_o word_n the_o knight_n die_v of_o all_o his_o clothes_n &_o show_v the_o wound_n that_o he_o have_v receyve_v in_o the_o batayle_n unto_o all_o the_o man_n that_o where_o there_o present_a and_o say_v 'loo_o what_o
to_o be_v hang_v this_o day_n on_o the_o galowe_n /_o &_o all_o thy_o good_n &_o londe_n i_o grant_v unto_o gye_a /_o &_o also_o i_o ordain_v that_o sir_n gye_n shall_v occupy_v thy_o place_n &_o be_v stuarde_n &_o so_o it_o be_v do_v when_o sir_n gye_n be_v thâ—_n reward_v by_o the_o emperor_n and_o make_v stuarde_n he_o be_v well_o bylove_v of_o every_o man_n long_o time_n /_o and_z at_o the_o last_o end_v his_o life_n with_o honour_n and_o good_a pease_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v yâ—_z fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n the_o poor_a man_n betoken_v every_o man_n the_o which_o come_v in_o to_o this_o world_n feeble_a and_o naked_a from_o his_o moder_n bely_v /_o and_z at_o the_o last_o be_v promote_v to_o great_a rychesse_n and_o worldly_a honour_n as_o the_o salmist_n say_v de_fw-fr stercore_fw-la erigens_fw-la pauperent_fw-la god_n lift_v up_o the_o poor_a man_n out_o of_o filth_n /_o and_o many_o such_o man_n know_v neither_o god_n ne_o himself_o but_o make_v himself_o to_o make_v deep_a pytte_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v unkyndenesse_n and_o malice_n they_o ordain_v against_o simple_a man_n in_o the_o which_o pytte_n the_o devyll_n cause_v they_o oft_o time_n to_o fall_v accord_v to_o a_o text_n in_o yâ—_z â—â—cctiastico_fw-la foveam_fw-la qui_fw-la alteri_fw-la facit_fw-la ipse_fw-la incidit_fw-la in_o eam_fw-la /_o that_o say_v thus_o /_o who_o make_v a_o pytte_n to_o another_o man_n oftyme_o he_o fall_v therein_o himself_o /_o the_o which_o text_n be_v well_o prove_v by_o mardochy_n /_o and_o anon_o this_o gye_n that_o go_v daily_o to_o yâ—_z forest_n with_o his_o ass_n to_o gader_fw-mi wood_fw-mi betoken_v every_o rightful_a man_n dread_a god_n in_o the_o foreste_n of_o this_o world_n the_o wood_fw-mi that_o he_o gader_v betoken_v his_o merytory_a werke_n that_o he_o carry_v on_o his_o ass_n which_o betoken_v yâ—_z body_n of_o man_n wherewith_o his_o soul_n may_v joy_n and_o live_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o heaven_n and_o as_o that_o stuarde_n /_o the_o lion_n /_o the_o ape_n /_o and_o the_o serpent_n that_o fall_v in_o to_o the_o pytte_n right_o so_o when_o a_o fynfull_a man_n fall_v in_o the_o pytte_n of_o fynne_n true_a lion_n of_o the_o kindred_n of_o jude_n that_o be_v god_n almyghty_a descend_v with_o he_o as_o often_o time_n as_o the_o sinner_n have_v wylle_v to_o come_v to_o grace_n therefore_o say_v the_o salmist_n thus_o â—um_fw-la ipso_fw-la sum_fw-la in_o trybulacyone_n that_o be_v for_o to_o say_v i_o be_o with_o he_o in_o trybulacyon_n this_o gye_n draw_v up_o the_o lion_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v almyghty_a god_n out_o of_o the_o pytte_n by_o the_o rope_n of_o virtue_n he_o draw_v up_o the_o ape_n also_o that_o be_v to_o say_v contrary_a will_n to_o reason_n that_o he_o may_v obey_v unto_o reason_n for_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o beeste_n the_o ape_n be_v moo_v like_a unto_o man_n right_o so_o among_o all_o the_o strengthnesse_n of_o soul_n will_v owe_v namely_o to_o be_v liken_v to_o reason_n and_o to_o â—bey_v reason_n he_o draw_v up_o also_o a_o serpent_n by_o the_o which_o be_v understand_v penance_n for_o two_o cause_n for_o the_o serpent_n ber_v in_o his_o mouth_n venym_fw-mi /_o and_z his_o tail_n be_v a_o medycyne_n right_o so_o penance_n ber_v at_o the_o beginning_n bitterness_n unto_o the_o doer_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v full_a sweet_a and_o medycynable_a unto_o the_o soul_n at_o the_o end_n and_o therefore_o every_o right_a wise_a man_n shall_v draw_v unto_o he_o the_o serpent_n of_o penance_n and_o atte_v the_o last_o he_o draw_v up_o the_o steward_n from_o the_o pytte_n of_o sin_n accord_v unto_o cryste_n sa_v thus_o i_o be_o not_o come_v only_o to_o call_v to_o i_o rightful_a /_o but_o sinner_n unto_o penance_n also_o it_o be_v write_v that_o seneca_n call_v senck_n that_o teach_v a_o emperor_n many_o lore_v and_o virtue_n of_o truth_n and_o at_o the_o last_o like_o this_o steward_n he_o lete_fw-la slay_v his_o master_n senek_n also_o cryste_n give_v power_n unto_o judas_n to_o werke_v miracle_n like_o as_o he_o die_v unto_o other_o dyscyple_n nevertheless_o he_o bytray_v he_o atte_n the_o last_o right_o so_o now_o a_o day_n be_v many_o child_n of_o bellyall_a which_o delyte_v more_o to_o do_v harm_n than_o good_a in_o especyall_a to_o theym_v that_o will_v teach_v theym_a in_o parfyte_n both_o for_o soul_n /_o and_z for_o body_n the_o lion_n give_v unto_o the_o rightful_a man_n ten_o ass_n charge_v with_o marchaundyse_n that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n gyve_v unto_o every_o rightful_a man_n ten_o commandment_n charge_v with_o virtue_n by_o the_o which_o he_o grow_v in_o to_o the_o rychesse_n of_o heaven_n ¶_o the_o ape_n also_o gadr_v he_o woo_v as_o oft_o as_o the_o rightful_a man_n worch_v wilful_o the_o dede_n of_o charyte_n for_o woo_v be_v profitable_a for_o two_o thing_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o make_v fire_n &_o to_o build_v a_o house_n right_o so_o perfyte_n charyte_n hete_v the_o angel_n both_o accord_v to_o yâ—_z scrypture_n sa_v thus_o qui_fw-fr ma_fw-fr magis_fw-la gaudium_fw-la est_fw-la angelis_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v to_o say_v more_o joy_n be_v to_o angel_n for_o one_o sinner_n do_v penance_n etc._n etc._n charyte_n also_o aray_v the_o house_n of_o heaven_n against_o the_o come_n of_o yâ—_z soul_n the_o serpent_n also_o give_v he_o a_o stone_n of_o three_o dyverse_a manner_n of_o colour_n the_o which_o betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n who_o we_o seek_v by_o penance_n therefore_o say_v saint_n jerome_n in_o the_o second_o table_n thus_o â—ost_o naufragium_fw-la est_fw-la premiam_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v we_o shall_v do_v penance_n after_o our_o trespaa_v that_o cryste_n be_v a_o stone_n may_v be_v prove_v by_o himself_o sa_v thus_o eâ—go_fw-la sum_fw-la lapis_fw-la viws_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o be_o a_o stone_n of_o life_n cryste_n have_v three_o colour_n which_o by_o token_v the_o may_v of_o the_o fader_fw-mi the_o wysdome_n of_o the_o soon_o /_o and_o the_o mekenesse_n of_o holy_a goost_n therefore_o who_o that_o may_v gete_v this_o stone_n shall_v have_v the_o empire_n of_o heaven_n /_o and_o joy_n without_o sore_n and_o plente_a without_o any_o manner_n defaute_fw-la /_o and_o light_v without_o derkenesse_n unto_o the_o which_o light_n bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n cryste_n that_o die_v for_o the_o and_o i_o and_o all_o mankind_n amen_n amen_o amen_o for_o saint_n charyte_v sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n which_o be_v name_v anselme_n which_o wed_v the_o king_n daughter_n of_o jerusalem_n a_o fair_a lady_n and_o a_o gracious_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o every_o man_n /_o but_z she_o be_v long_o time_n with_o the_o emperor_n or_o she_o be_v conceyve_v with_o child_n /_o wherefore_o the_o noble_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v right_a sorowefull_a because_o their_o lord_n have_v none_o heir_n of_o his_o own_o boody_a bygoten_a till_o atte_v the_o last_o it_o befelle_n that_o this_o anselm_n walk_v after_o souper_n on_o a_o night_n in_o his_o gardeyne_a /_o and_o â—ythoughte_v himself_o how_o he_o have_v none_o heir_n and_o how_o the_o king_n of_o ampluy_fw-fr war_v on_o he_o contynual_o for_o so_o moche_n that_o he_o have_v no_o soon_o to_o make_v defence_n in_o his_o absence_n /_o wherefore_o he_o be_v right_a sorowefull_a and_o go_v to_o his_o chamber_n and_o slepte_v â–ª_o and_o atte_v the_o last_o he_o think_v he_o see_v a_o vysyon_n in_o his_o sleep_v that_o the_o morning_n be_v more_o clear_a thenne_n it_o be_v wont_a for_o to_o be_v and_o that_o the_o moan_n be_v moche_n more_o pale_a on_o that_o one_o side_n then_o on_o that_o other_o side_n and_o after_o he_o see_v a_o bird_n of_o two_o colour_n and_o by_o that_o bird_n stand_v two_o beeste_n which_o feed_v that_o lytel_n bird_n with_o their_o hete_n /_o and_z after_o that_o come_v many_o mo_z bests_n and_o bow_v their_o hede_n toward_o the_o bird_n &_o go_v their_o way_n and_o than_o there_o come_v dyverse_a bird_n that_o song_n so_o swete_o and_o so_o shyll_a that_o the_o emperor_n awake_v in_o the_o morning_n eâ—ly_o this_o anselme_n remember_v his_o vysyon_n and_o wonder_a moche_n what_o it_o may_v sygnyfye_v /_o wherefore_o he_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o philosopher_n and_o also_o that_o state_n of_o his_o empire_n and_o tell_v theym_v his_o dream_n charge_a theym_n to_o tell_v he_o the_o sygnyfyenge_a thereof_o upon_o the_o pain_n dethe_v and_o if_o they_o tell_v he_o the_o true_a interpretacyon_n thereof_o â–ª_o he_o behote_v theym_a great_a reward_n than_o say_v they_o lord_n telle_fw-fr we_o your_o dream_n and_o we_o shall_v declare_v unto_o you_o what_o it_o betoken_v thenne_fw-fr the_o emperor_n tell_v theym_a from_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o end_n like_o as_o it_o be_v
horse_n back_o /_o so_o that_o there_o with_o the_o empress_n be_v leave_v no_o creature_n save_v only_o the_o emperor_n brother_n /_o which_o sing_v that_o no_o man_n be_v there_o but_o they_o two_o /_o this_z he_o say_v unto_o the_o empress_n 'loo_o lady_n here_o beside_o be_v a_o prevy_a foreste_n and_o long_o it_o be_v ago_o that_o i_o speak_v to_o the_o of_o love_n come_v now_o and_o consent_v unto_o i_o that_o i_o may_v lie_v with_o the._n than_o say_v the_o empress_n a_o foal_n what_o may_v this_o be_v /_o yesterdaye_v i_o delyver_v that_o from_o prison_n upon_o thy_o promise_n in_o hope_n of_o a_o mendement_n and_o now_o thou_o be_v return_v to_o thy_o folly_n again_o /_o wherefore_o i_o say_v now_o to_o the_o as_o i_o have_v say_v before_o there_o shall_v no_o man_n do_v such_o thing_n with_o i_o but_o only_o my_o lord_n the_o emperor_n which_o owe_v of_o very_a duty_n and_o right_a so_o for_o to_o do_v thenne_n say_v he_o /_o if_o thou_o wylte_n not_o consent_v to_o i_o i_o shall_v hang_v the_o here_o upon_o a_o tree_n in_o this_o forest_n where_o no_o man_n shall_v find_v the_o &_o so_o shall_v thou_o dye_v a_o evyll_n dethe_v the_o empress_n answer_v mekely_a and_o say_v though_o thou_o will_v smite_v of_o my_o heed_n and_o put_v i_o to_o dethe_v with_o all_o manner_n turment_v thou_o shall_v never_o have_v thy_o consent_n to_o such_o sin_n /_o when_o he_o hear_v this_o he_o unclothe_v she_o all_o save_o her_o smock_n /_o and_o hinge_n she_o up_o by_o the_o here_o upon_o a_o tree_n and_o tie_v her_o stead_n beside_o she_o /_o and_o so_o ride_v forth_o to_o his_o felawe_n /_o and_o tell_v theym_a that_o a_o great_a hoost_n of_o man_n meet_v he_o and_o take_v the_o empress_n away_o from_o he_o and_o when_o he_o have_v tell_v theym_a this_o /_o they_z make_v great_a sorrow_n â–ª_o it_o befelle_n on_o the_o three_o day_n /_o after_o that_o /_o that_z there_o come_v a_o earl_n to_o hunt_v in_o that_o foreste_n /_o and_o as_o he_o ride_v bete_v the_o brake_n he_o sterte_v a_o fox_n who_o his_o hound_n follow_v fast_a till_o they_o come_v never_o the_o tree_n whereupon_o the_o empress_n be_v hang_v /_o and_o when_o the_o dog_n feel_v the_o savoure_n of_o she_o they_o leave_v the_o fox_n /_o and_o run_v toward_o the_o tree_n as_o fast_o as_o they_o coude_fw-fr the_o earl_n this_o sing_v wonder_v and_o smite_v the_o spur_n into_o his_o horse_n side_n /_o and_o follow_v theym_a till_o he_o come_v where_o as_o the_o body_n be_v henge_v /_o when_o the_o earl_n see_v she_o this_o hang_a /_o he_o marvel_v grete_o /_o for_o so_o moche_v she_o be_v right_a fair_a and_o gracious_a for_o to_o behold_v /_o wherefore_o he_o say_v unto_o she_o in_o this_o manner_n wise_a o_o woman_n who_o be_v thou_o &_o of_o what_o country_n /_o and_o wherefore_o hang_v thou_o here_o in_o this_o manner_n wise_a /_o the_o empress_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o full_o deed_n /_o but_z in_o point_n ready_a for_o to_o dye_v answer_v and_o say_v i_o be_o quod_fw-la she_o a_o strange_a woman_n and_o be_o come_v out_o offer_v country_n /_o but_o how_o i_o come_v hyde_a god_n know_v than_o answer_v the_o earl_n and_o say_v who_o horse_n quoth_v he_o 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 that_o lady_n and_o say_v that_o it_o be_v she_o when_o the_o earl_n hear_v this_o /_o he_z kuewe_a well_o that_o she_o be_v a_o gentyll_a woman_n /_o and_z come_v of_o some_o noble_a kindred_n /_o wherefore_o he_o be_v the_o rather_o meve_v with_o pyte_n and_o say_v unto_o she_o o_o fair_a lady_n thou_o semeste_v gentyll_a and_o therefore_o i_o purpose_v to_o delyver_v the_o from_o this_o pain_n if_o thou_o if_o thou_o wylte_n promise_v to_o go_v with_o i_o and_o norysshe_v my_o young_a daughter_n /_o and_o teach_v her_o atte_a home_n in_o my_o castle_n /_o for_z i_o have_v no_o child_n but_o only_o her_o /_o and_z if_o thou_o keep_v she_o well_o /_o thou_o shall_v have_v a_o good_a reward_n /_o for_z thy_o labour_n than_o say_v she_o as_o ferforthe_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 promise_v he_o thus_o /_o he_o take_v she_o down_o of_o the_o oak_n &_o lead_v she_o home_o to_o his_o castle_n &_o give_v she_o the_o keep_a of_o his_o daughter_n that_o he_o love_v so_o much_o &_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 chamber_n and_o his_o daughter_n togyder_n and_o in_o his_o chambre_n every_o night_n there_o brente_a a_o lamp_n the_o which_o hinge_n evyn_v bytwene_v the_o empress_n bed_n and_o the_o earl_n bed_n this_o lady_n bear_v she_o so_o gent_o that_o she_o be_v belove_v of_o every_o creature_n there_o be_v that_o time_n in_o earl_n court_v a_o steward_n which_o love_v moche_v this_o empress_n above_o all_o thing_n /_o and_o oftentimes_o speak_v to_o she_o of_o his_o love_n /_o but_z she_o answer_v he_o ever_o again_o and_o say_v know_v you_o dear_a friend_n for_o certain_a 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 grete_o behold_v for_o to_o love_v he_o by_o god_n commandment_n than_o answer_n the_o steward_n and_o say_v thou_o wylte_n not_o than_o consent_n to_o i_o my_o lord_n quoth_v she_o what_o need_v the_o more_o for_o to_o ask_v i_o the_o vow_n which_o i_o have_v make_v true_o shall_v i_o keep_v and_o hold_v be_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n than_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 and_o /_o if_o i_o may_v i_o shall_v be_v wrought_v on_o the._n it_o befall_v within_o short_a time_n after_o upon_o a_o night_n that_o the_o earl_n chamber_n door_n be_v forgoten_a and_o left_a unshytte_n which_o the_o steward_n perceyve_v anon_o and_o when_o all_o the_o be_v 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 yâ—_z young_a maid_n lie_v togyder_n and_o with_o that_o /_o draw_v out_o his_o knife_n /_o and_o cut_v the_o throat_n of_o the_o earl_n daughter_n and_o put_v the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o the_o empress_n hand_n she_o be_v a_o sleep_v and_o not_o know_v nothing_o theof_o to_o this_o intent_n that_o the_o earl_n when_o he_o waken_v shall_v see_v the_o knife_n in_o her_o hand_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v think_v that_o she_o have_v cut_v his_o doughter_n shrote_n wherefore_o she_o shall_v be_v put_v unto_o dethe_v for_o his_o defaute_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 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 her_o 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 thus_o o_o my_o lord_n anon_o byholde_v in_o yonder_o lady_n hand_n a_o wonderful_a thing_n the_o earl_n awake_v and_o byhelde_v on_o the_o empress_n bed_n and_o see_v the_o bloody_a knife_n as_o the_o countess_n say_v wherefore_o he_o be_v grete_o meve_v and_o cry_v unto_o she_o and_o say_v a_o wake_a woman_n of_o thy_o sleep_v what_o thing_n be_v this_o i_o see_v in_o thy_o hand_n anon_o the_o empress_n thrughe_o his_o cry_n awake_v of_o she_o sleep_v /_o &_o in_o her_o wake_n the_o knife_n fall_v out_o of_o her_o hand_n /_o &_o with_o that_o she_o look_v by_o she_o and_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 /_o wherefore_o with_o a_o huge_a cry_n and_o voice_n she_o cry_v alas_o alas_o and_o wellaway_o my_o lord_n daughter_n be_v slay_v she_o cry_v 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 devyll_n be_v put_v to_o the_o moo_v foul_a dethe_v that_o can_v bethink_v the_o which_o have_v slay_v thus_o 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 /_o she_o say_v unto_o the_o empress_n in_o this_o wise_n the_o high_a god_n know_v that_o thou_o myschevous_a woman_n haste_v slay_v my_o daughter_n with_o thy_o own_o hand_n /_o for_z i_o see_v the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o thy_o hand_n /_o and_o therefore_o thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o fowl_n dethe_v thenne_n say_v the_o earl_n in_o this_o manner_n of_o wise_n o_o thou_o woman_n /_o were_z it_o not_o that_o the_o drede_n of_o god_n be_v so_o great_a i_o shall_v cleve_v thy_o boody_a with_o my_o sword_n in_o two_o party_n /_o for_o i_o delyver_v the_o from_o
the_o emperor_n hear_v that_o so_o holy_a a_o woman_n be_v in_o such_o a_o nonry_n he_o say_v to_o his_o brother_n thus_o go_v we_o quoth_v he_o dear_a brother_n unto_o this_o holy_a woman_n that_o be_v dwelling_n in_o the_o nourye_n that_o she_o may_v heel_n the_o of_o thy_o lepre_a will_v god_n quoth_v he_o that_o i_o be_v hele_v anon_o the_o emperor_n his_o own_o person_n go_v with_o his_o brother_n towards_o the_o nonery_n and_o when_o that_o the_o nones_n hear_v of_o his_o come_n they_o resceyve_v he_o worshypful_o and_o with_o processyon_n and_o than_o the_o emperor_n enquyre_v of_o the_o pryoresse_n of_o any_o such_o holy_a woman_n be_v among_o they_o that_o coude_fw-fr heel_n seek_v folk_n of_o their_o malady_n the_o pryoresse_n answer_v and_o say_v /_o that_o such_o one_o be_v there_o than_o be_v the_o empress_n call_v forth_o afore_o the_o emperor_n /_o but_z she_o muffle_v her_o face_n as_o well_o as_o she_o coude_fw-fr /_o that_o the_o emperourt_n her_o husband_n shall_v not_o know_v she_o /_o and_z when_o she_o have_v so_o do_v she_o salve_v he_o with_o great_a reverence_n as_o perteyn_v unto_o his_o estate_n /_o &_o he_o again_o in_o like_a wise_n sa_v thus_o o_o go_v de_fw-fr lady_n if_o the_o list_v of_o thy_o grace_n to_o heel_n my_o brother_n of_o his_o lepre_a axe_n of_o i_o what_o thou_o wylte_n &_o i_o shall_v grant_v it_o the_o for_o thy_o reward_v /_o when_o yâ—_z empress_n hear_v this_o she_o look_v about_o she_o &_o see_v there_o the_o emperor_n brother_n stand_v and_o be_v a_o foul_a lepre_fw-fr she_o see_v also_o there_o the_o knight_n that_o slay_v the_o erles_n daughter_n blind_a &_o deaf_a the_o thief_n that_o she_o save_v fro_o the_o galowe_n lame_a &_o also_o the_o master_n of_o the_o ship_n dystraught_a out_o of_o his_o mind_n &_o all_o be_v come_v to_o she_o for_o to_o be_v hele_v of_o their_o sykenesse_n but_o they_o know_v she_o not_o /_o for_z all_z the_o they_o know_v she_o not_o though_o she_o know_v they_o than_o say_v she_o unto_o themperour_n thus_o my_o reverend_a lord_n though_o you_o will_v gyve_v i_o all_o your_o empire_n i_o may_v not_o heel_n your_o brother_n nor_o none_o of_o these_o other_o but_o if_o they_o knowelege_v open_o what_o they_o have_v do_v /_o when_o that_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o torn_v he_o toward_o his_o brother_n &_o say_v to_o he_o brother_n knowelege_v open_o thy_o sin_n before_o all_o these_o man_n that_o thou_o may_v be_v hele_v of_o sekenesse_n anon_o he_o begin_v to_o tell_v how_o he_o have_v live_v his_o life_n /_o but_z he_o tell_v not_o how_o he_o have_v hang_v the_o empress_n in_o the_o foreste_n by_o the_o here_o /_o when_o that_o he_o have_v knoweledged_a all_o that_o he_o lyste_n the_o empress_n say_v sothe_o my_o lord_n i_o will_v glad_o lay_v unto_o he_o my_o medycyne_n but_o i_o wot_v right_a well_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o he_o have_v not_o make_v a_o full_a confessyon_n the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o torned_a he_o toward_o his_o brother_n /_o &_o say_v again_o in_o this_o wise_n what_o evyll_n sorrow_n or_o unhappy_a wretchedness_n be_v in_o the_o fee_v thou_o not_o that_o thou_o be_v a_o foul_a laser_n therefore_o knowelege_v true_o thy_o sin_n that_o thou_o may_v be_v hole_n /_o or_o else_o avoid_v my_o felawshyppe_n for_o ever_o a_o lord_n quod_fw-la he_o i_o may_v not_o tell_v my_o life_n open_o but_o if_o i_o be_v sure_a of_o thy_o grace_n /_o what_o have_v thou_o trespaced_a against_o i_o quoth_v the_o emperor_n his_o brother_n answer_v and_o say_v /_o my_o offence_n against_o the_o be_v grevous_a /_o and_o therefore_o i_o ask_v mercy_n the_o emperor_n think_v not_o of_o the_o empress_n for_o as_o moche_v as_o he_o suppose_v she_o have_v be_v deed_n many_o year_n before_o /_o he_z bad_a his_o brother_n tell_v forth_o what_o he_o have_v offend_v he_o and_o he_o shall_v be_v forgyven_v and_o when_o the_o emperor_n have_v thus_o forgyven_v his_o brother_n he_o begin_v to_o tell_v open_o how_o he_o have_v desire_v the_o empress_n to_o sin_n with_o he_o /_o &_o how_o he_o have_v hang_v she_o by_o the_o here_o in_o the_o forest_n by_o cause_n she_o will_v not_o consent_v to_o he_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o almoost_n wretched_a creature_n the_o vengeance_n of_o god_n be_v fall_v on_o that_o and_o be_v not_o that_o i_o have_v pardon_v the_o thou_o shall_v dye_v the_o foul_a death_n that_o coude_fw-fr be_v thought_n than_o say_v the_o knight_n that_o slay_v the_o earl_n daughter_n i_o wot_v not_o quoth_v he_o of_o what_o lady_n you_o mean_v /_o but_o well_o i_o wot_v that_o my_o lord_n find_v such_o a_o lady_n hang_a by_o yâ—_z here_o in_o foreste_n &_o bring_v she_o home_o to_o his_o castle_n &_o bytoke_v she_o his_o daughter_n in_o keep_a /_o &_o i_o stir_v she_o to_o sign_n with_o i_o as_o moche_v as_o i_o coude_fw-fr but_o she_o will_v not_o consent_v /_o wherefore_o i_o slay_v the_o earl_n daughter_n the_o lay_v with_o she_o and_o when_o that_o i_o have_v so_o do_v i_o put_v the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o the_o lady_n haude_fw-ge that_o the_o earl_n shall_v think_v she_o have_v slay_v his_o daughter_n with_o her_o own_o hand_n /_o &_o than_o be_v she_o exile_v then_v but_o where_o she_o become_v wot_v i_o not_o than_o say_v thief_n i_o wot_v never_o of_o what_o lady_n you_o mean_n but_o well_o i_o wot_v yâ—_z seven_o sergeaunte_n be_v lede_a i_o to_o the_o galowe_n /_o &_o such_o a_o lady_n come_v ride_v by_o &_o buy_v i_o of_o they_o /_o and_z than_o go_v i_o with_o she_o and_o afterward_o i_o betray_v she_o unto_o a_o master_n of_o a_o ship_n such_o a_o lady_n quod_fw-la he_o receyve_v i._o and_o when_o that_o we_o be_v the_o mydde_v of_o the_o see_v i_o will_v have_v lie_v with_o she_o but_o she_o sit_v down_o to_o her_o prayer_n /_o &_o anon_o there_o arise_v such_o a_o tempeste_n that_o the_o ship_n all_o to_o brest_n and_o be_v all_o drown_v save_o ay_o but_o what_o after_o that_o befall_v on_o she_o wot_v i_o not_o ¶_o than_o ctyed_a the_o empress_n with_o a_o high_a voice_n and_o say_v soth_o dear_a friend_n you_o be_v now_o clean_o confess_v /_o wherefore_o now_o will_v i_o lay_v to_o my_o medycyne_n /_o and_o anon_o they_o receyve_v their_o helthe_n /_o when_o the_o lady_n have_v thus_o do_v she_o open_v her_o face_n unto_o the_o emperor_n /_o and_z he_o know_v she_o anon_o and_o run_v to_o she_o &_o brace_v she_o in_o his_o arm_n and_o kyss_v she_o oftentimes_o /_o and_z for_o joy_n weep_v bytter_o sa_v thus_o blyss_v be_v god_n now_o have_v i_o find_v that_o i_o desire_v and_o when_o he_o have_v thus_o say_v he_o lead_v she_o home_o unto_o his_o palyce_n with_o great_a joy_n and_o after_o when_o god_n will_v be_v please_v they_o end_v their_o lyve_n both_o in_o pease_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n cryste_n the_o empress_n betoken_v a_o holy_a soul_n the_o emperor_n brother_n betoken_v that_o flesh_n to_o who_o our_o lord_n ihesi_n cryste_n have_v give_v charge_n of_o his_o empire_n /_o but_o most_o prycipal_o to_o the_o soul_n netheles_o yâ—_z wretched_a flesh_n oft_o styre_v the_o soul_n to_o sin_n but_o the_o soul_n which_o love_v god_n above_o all_o thing_n withstandyth_v that_o temptacyon_n and_o call_v to_o she_o /_o her_z goostly_a power_n that_o be_v to_o say_v reason_n will_n understand_v and_o concyence_n and_o make_v theym_a to_o enpryson_n the_o flesh_n which_o be_v dysobedyent_n to_o the_o soul_n in_o the_o prison_n of_o penance_n unto_o the_o time_n he_o obey_v unto_o reason_n in_o all_o thing_n /_o and_o thus_o in_o hope_n of_o mercy_n he_o syn_v again_o who_o holy_a scrypture_n sa_v thus_o maledictus_fw-la homo_fw-la qui_fw-la peccat_fw-la in_o spe_fw-la curse_a be_v that_o man_n that_o syn_v in_o hope_n and_o atte_v the_o last_o the_o soul_n enclyne_v to_o the_o flesh_n and_o let_v he_o of_o the_o prison_n of_o penance_n and_o wassh_v he_o from_o the_o fylthe_n of_o sin_n and_o aray_v he_o with_o good_a virtue_n and_o make_v hymn_n lepe_v oâ—_n the_o palfrey_n of_o charyte_n and_o so_o ryde_v he_o forth_o to_o mete_v our_o lord_n on_o esterday_o but_o alas_o for_o full_a oft_o the_o sinner_n trespace_v against_o the_o holy_a scrypture_n wherefore_o the_o herte_n that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o of_o sinner_n arise_v before_o he_o and_o after_o ren_v great_a hound_n that_o be_v to_o say_v evyll_n thought_n /_o and_o so_o long_o they_o chase_v till_o the_o body_n and_o the_o soul_n be_v leave_v alone_o /_o &_o than_o the_o flesh_n styre_v that_o noble_a soul_n the_o spouse_n of_o almyghty_a god_n unto_o
gesta_fw-la romanorum_fw-la sometime_o there_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o puyssaunte_a emperor_n which_o have_v a_o daughter_n a_o fair_a creature_n and_o be_v name_v atlenta_n who_o dyverse_a and_o many_o knight_n and_o other_o great_a lord_n desire_v she_o to_o their_o wyf_v this_o atlenta_fw-la be_v win_v derswyfte_a of_o foot_n /_o wherefore_o such_o a_o law_n be_v ordain_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v have_v she_o to_o wife_n but_o such_o as_o may_v over_o run_v she_o and_o take_v she_o by_o strength_n of_o foot_n and_o so_o it_o befall_v that_o many_o come_v &_o run_v with_o she_o /_o but_z she_o be_v so_o swift_a that_o no_o man_n may_v overtake_v she_o by_o course_n of_o renning_a at_o the_o last_o there_o come_v a_o knight_n name_v pomeys_n unto_o she_o fader_fw-mi &_o say_v to_o he_o thus_o /_o my_o lord_n if_o it_o may_v please_v you_o to_o gyve_v i_o your_o daughter_n to_o wife_n i_o will_v glad_o run_v with_o she_o than_o say_v she_o fader_fw-mi there_o be_v such_o a_o law_n ordain_v and_o set_v that_o who_o so_o will_v have_v she_o to_o wife_n must_v first_o renew_v which_o her_o /_o and_o if_o he_o fail_v in_o his_o course_n that_o he_o overtake_v she_o not_o he_o shall_v lose_v his_o heed_n /_o and_o if_o it_o fortune_n he_o to_o overtake_v she_o than_o shall_v i_o wed_v she_o unto_o he_o /_o and_o when_o the_o king_n have_v tell_v he_o all_o the_o peryll_n that_o may_v fall_v in_o the_o wynning_a of_o her_o /_o the_o knight_n wilful_o grant_v to_o abide_v that_o jeopardy_n than_o the_o knight_n lete_fw-la ordain_v he_o three_o ball_n of_o gold_n against_o the_o renning_a and_o when_o they_o have_v begin_v to_o run_v a_o lytel_n space_n the_o young_a lady_n over_o run_v he_o /_o than_o the_o knight_n throw_v forth_o before_o she_o the_o first_o ball_n of_o gold_n and_o when_o the_o damosel_n see_v the_o ball_n she_o stoop_v and_o take_v it_o up_o /_o and_o that_o while_o the_o knight_n waune_n before_o she_o but_o that_o avayl_v lytell_fw-mi /_o for_o 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to_o say_v in_o his_o myddell_a age_n /_o but_o this_o ball_n man_n oftentimes_o overcome_v as_o he_o die_v the_o first_o but_o late_o he_o beware_v of_o the_o three_o ball_n which_o be_v the_o ball_n of_o coveryse_n that_o the_o devyll_n cast_v unto_o man_n in_o his_o old_a age_n that_o be_v full_a dredefull_a for_o but_o if_o a_o man_n may_v overcome_v this_o ball_n with_o this_o other_o two_o than_o he_o shall_v less_o his_o honour_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n for_o when_o man_n bren_v in_o covetyse_n he_o thynk_v not_o on_o goostly_a rychesse_n for_o ever_o his_o herte_n be_v set_v in_o worldly_a good_n and_o reck_v not_o of_o prayer_n ne_o of_o alm_n dede_n /_o and_o thus_o lese_v he_o his_o herytage_n to_o the_o which_o god_n have_v buy_v he_o with_o his_o precyous_a blood_n unto_o that_o which_o jesus_n bring_v you_o and_o i_o and_o all_o mankind_n amen_o there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wise_n name_v ancelme_v 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the_o three_o soon_o come_v unto_o theym_n &_o say_v o_o you_o my_o best_a belove_a brother_n it_o behove_v you_o not_o to_o stryve_v for_o this_o tree_n /_o for_z as_o moche_n right_a have_v i_o in_o this_o tree_n as_o you_o /_o for_o well_o you_o wot_v by_o the_o law_n that_o the_o last_o will_n &_o testament_n ought_v to_o stand_v /_o for_o sothe_o he_o give_v i_o of_o the_o say_a tree_n all_o that_o is_z wete_z and_o dry_a and_o therefore_o by_o right_a the_o tree_n be_v my_o /_o but_z for_o as_o moche_v as_o your_o tale_n be_v great_a and_o i_o
she_o see_v this_o purse_n anon_o she_o stoop_v down_o &_o take_v it_o up_o /_o and_o anon_o she_o open_v it_o and_o find_v the_o ball_n and_o red_a the_o poise_n who_o so_o play_v with_o i_o of_o my_o play_n he_o shall_v not_o be_v fulfyl_v and_o than_o begin_v she_o to_o play_v /_o and_o so_o long_o she_o continue_v in_o pla_v till_o that_o the_o jougeloure_n be_v afore_o she_o at_o the_o mark_n /_o and_o thus_o he_o win_v the_o emperor_n daughter_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v our_o blyss_v lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n /_o and_z his_o fair_a daughter_n be_v man_n soul_n which_o be_v make_v clean_o with_o the_o water_n of_o the_o holy_a fonte_fw-la and_o be_v also_o full_o light_v to_o run_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o in_o virtue_n while_o that_o she_o be_v in_o clennes_n so_o that_o no_o deed_o sin_n may_v overcome_v she_o this_o jogeler_n that_o be_v come_v of_o so_o wily_a blood_n be_v yâ—_z devyll_n the_o which_o study_v day_n and_o night_n to_o dysceyve_v innocent_n /_o he_o provyde_v he_o of_o three_o thing_n /_o first_o of_o the_o garland_n which_o betake_v n_v pride_n by_o this_o reason_n for_o why_o a_o garland_n of_o flower_n it_o not_o set_v upon_o the_o arm_n nor_o upon_o the_o foot_o /_o but_z upon_o the_o heed_n that_o it_o may_v be_v seen_v right_o so_o pride_n will_v be_v seen_v /_o against_o proud_a man_n speak_v the_o holy_a man_n saint_n austyn_n sa_v thus_o quecumque_fw-la superbium_fw-la videris_fw-la filium_fw-la diaboli_fw-la dici_fw-la non_fw-la dubitetis_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o what_o proud_a man_n that_o thou_o may_v see_v doubt_n you_o not_o to_o call_v he_o the_o soon_o of_o the_o devyll_n /_o do_v yâ—_z therefore_o as_o the_o maiden_n die_v by_o weep_v thy_o sin_n and_o thrawe_n of_o the_o garland_n of_o pride_n and_o cast_v it_o in_o the_o dytche_n of_o contrycyon_n /_o and_o so_o shall_v thou_o gyve_v the_o devyll_n a_o great_a buffet_n and_o overcome_v he_o but_o when_o this_o jougeloure_n /_o that_o be_v to_o 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of_o god_n &_o of_o our_o neyghboure_n the_o ball_n which_o be_v round_o and_o mevable_a to_o every_o part_n of_o his_o dyffrence_n betoken_v covetyse_v which_o move_v ever_o both_o in_o young_a and_o in_o old_a /_o and_o therefore_o the_o poise_n be_v good_a and_o true_a that_o be_v write_v on_o the_o purse_n /_o who_z so_o play_v with_o i_o /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v with_o covetyse_n /_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v fulfyl_v therefore_o say_v senecke_n cum_fw-la omne_fw-la peccata_fw-la senescunt_fw-la sola_fw-la cupiditas_fw-la iwenescit_fw-la when_o that_o all_o sin_n waxen_a old_a than_o covetyse_v all_o only_o wax_v young_a therefore_o late_o we_o take_v heed_n that_o we_o play_v not_o with_o this_o ball_n of_o covetyse_n /_o &_o than_o without_o doubt_n we_o shall_v opteyne_v and_o win_v the_o game_n with_o the_o tenes_fw-fr ball_n in_o the_o bliss_n of_o heaven_n that_o never_o shall_v have_v end_n unto_o the_o which_o bliss_n bring_v we_o he_o that_o shed_v his_o blood_n for_o we_o upon_o the_o robe_n tree_n amen_n sometime_o in_o room_n dwell_v a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wise_n name_v theodose_v which_o above_o all_o thing_n love_v best_a melody_n of_o harp_n and_o hunting_a it_o befelle_v after_o upon_o upon_o a_o day_n while_o this_o emperor_n hunt_v in_o a_o forest_n he_o hear_v so_o sweet_a a_o melody_n of_o harp_n that_o thrughe_v the_o swetnes_n thereof_o he_o be_v almoost_n ravyssh_v from_o himself_o /_o wherefore_o he_o seek_v about_o the_o forest_n to_o find_v that_o melody_n /_o and_z at_o the_o last_o he_o aspy_v in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o forest_n a_o poor_a man_n sytting_a beside_o a_o water_n pla_v on_o a_o harp_n so_o swete_o that_o themperour_n before_o that_o day_n hear_v never_o so_o sweet_a a_o melody_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n good_a friend_n come_v this_o melody_n of_o thy_o harp_n or_o none_o the_o poor_a man_n answer_v and_o say_v /_o my_o reverend_a lord_n i_o shall_v tell_v you_o the_o troth_n beside_o this_o water_n my_o wife_n and_o my_o child_n and_o i_o have_v dwell_v thirty_o year_n &_o god_n have_v give_v i_o such_o grace_n that_o when_o so_o ever_o i_o touch_v my_o harp_n i_o make_v so_o sweet_a melody_n that_o the_o fysshe_n of_o this_o water_n come_v out_o to_o my_o hand_n and_o so_o i_o take_v they_o wherewith_o my_o wife_n my_o child_n and_o i_o be_v feed_v daily_o in_o great_a plente_fw-la but_o alas_o and_o welawaye_o on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o this_o water_n there_o come_v a_o whysteler_n and_o whystele_v so_o swetelye_o that_o in_o many_o day_n my_o fysshe_n forsake_v i_o and_o gooth_n to_o his_o whystel_a /_o and_o therefore_o my_o reverend_a lord_n i_o beseech_v you_o of_o help_n against_o his_o hyss_v and_o whystel_v than_o say_v themperour_n /_o i_o shall_v gyve_v good_a help_n and_o counsel_n i_o have_v here_o in_o my_o purse_n a_o golden_a hoke_z which_o i_o shall_v gyve_v the_o /_o take_z thou_o it_o and_o bind_v it_o fast_a atte_n the_o end_n of_o a_o rod_n and_o with_o that_o smite_v thy_o harp_n /_o and_o when_o thou_o see_v the_o fysshe_n stir_v draw_v they_o up_o to_o the_o land_n with_o that_o hoke_z and_o than_o his_o whysteling_n ne_o hyss_v shall_v not_o avayll_v when_o the_o poor_a man_n hear_v this_o he_o reioyse_v he_o grete_o and_o die_v all_o thing_n like_o as_o the_o emperor_n have_v teach_v he_o /_o and_o when_o this_o poor_a man_n begin_v to_o touch_v his_o harp_n the_o fysshe_n meve_v /_o and_o than_o he_o take_v theym_a up_o with_o his_o hoke_z and_o live_v thereby_o long_o time_n /_o &_o at_o the_o last_o end_v gracyous_o his_o life_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v ihesu_n cryste_n which_o grete_o delyte_v for_o to_o hunt_v the_o soul_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o foreste_n the_o be_v holy_a chirche_n he_o love_v also_o the_o melody_n of_o the_o harp_n /_o the_o be_v to_o say_v /_o he_z love_v moche_n to_o teach_v the_o holy_a word_n of_o theology_n this_o poor_a man_n that_o sit_v by_o the_o water_n side_n betoken_v the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chirche_n /_o and_o the_o precher_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o ought_v to_o sytte_n beside_o the_o world_n and_o not_o in_o the_o world_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o shall_v not_o set_v his_o delyte_n in_o worldly_a thing_n this_o precher_n ought_v to_o have_v yâ—_z harp_n of_o holy_a scrypture_n wherewith_o he_o may_v praise_v &_o honour_n god_n /_o &_o also_o therewith_o draw_v out_o of_o this_o world_n the_o sinner_n therefore_o say_v the_o psalmyst_n thus_o praise_v you_o god_n in_o tympan_n and_o crowd_n and_o sing_v you_o to_o he_o on_o the_o harpeâ—_n &_o the_o psauter_n of_o x._o strenge_n but_o now_o a_o day_n the_o precher_n may_v say_v alas_o /_o for_o when_o i_o prithee_o &_o teach_v holy_a scrypture_n /_o the_o devyll_n come_v &_o whystele_v so_o swete_o that_o the_o sinner_n draw_v to_o he_o and_o will_v not_o here_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o they_o turn_v themselves_o only_o to_o the_o delyte_n of_o sin_n the_o devyll_n dysceyve_v also_o mankind_n by_o dyverse_a way_n first_o in_o time_n of_o preaching_n he_o make_v some_o to_o sleep_v /_o and_z theym_a that_o he_o can_v not_o make_v sleep_v he_o cause_v &_o put_v in_o theym_a to_o clater_n and_o to_o talk_v /_o and_z theym_a that_o he_o can_v not_o make_v to_o clater_n he_o make_v theym_a so_o dulle_a that_o they_o may_v not_o savour_n ne_o understonde_v what_o the_o precher_n say_v /_o &_o theym_fw-mi that_o he_o can_v not_o beguile_v in_o these_o mean_v he_o put_v in_o theym_a besyne_n and_o cause_v theym_a to_o go_fw-mi out_o of_o the_o chirche_n 'loo_o so_o many_o way_n the_o devyll_n have_v
heed_n and_o thank_v the_o emperor_n of_o his_o great_a mercy_n and_o than_o he_o go_v forth_o and_o seek_v thorughe_o out_o all_o the_o empire_n so_o long_o till_o he_o have_v find_fw-mi themperours_n daughter_n /_o and_o the_o knight_n and_o also_o the_o grehounde_n and_o bring_v theym_n again_o and_o after_o that_o wed_a the_o young_a lady_n with_o great_a honour_n and_o joy_n /_o and_o also_o restore_v again_o the_o knights_n good_n /_o and_z atte_a the_o last_o he_o end_v his_o life_n in_o pease_n and_o in_o rest_n amen_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryst_n his_o daughter_n betoken_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n make_v at_o the_o symylytude_n of_o our_o lord_n god_n and_o the_o u_o knight_n betoken_v the_o u_o wytte_n arm_v with_o the_o virtue_n of_o baptyme_o to_o keep_v yâ—_z soul_n the_o master_n of_o the_o knight_n be_v reason_n which_o ought_v to_o govern_v the_o wyrte_n the_o grehounde_n be_v the_o flesh_n of_o man_n the_o steward_n betoken_v every_o man_n to_o who_o god_n have_v give_v life_n and_o soul_n to_o keep_v under_o pain_n of_o lose_v of_o everla_a life_n but_o a_o wretched_a man_n not_o remember_v that_o be_v to_o come_v full_a often_o corrupt_v and_o defoyled_a his_o soul_n by_o sin_n and_o dryve_v she_o from_o the_o palay_n of_o heaven_n /_o and_o than_o goothe_v she_o fro_o door_n to_o door_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v from_o sin_n to_o sin_n he_o dyspoyl_v these_o fyve_o knight_n of_o their_o good_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o fyve_o wytte_n of_o their_o virtue_n take_v away_o the_o lawful_a sight_n from_o the_o even_a and_o exortyngetheym_a unlawful_o /_o and_o also_o styre_v his_o eere_n to_o here_o slander_n and_o bachyte_v and_o so_o forth_o of_o all_o other_o wytte_n and_o thus_o some_o be_v make_v thief_n and_o some_o manqueller_n the_o master_n of_o these_o fyve_o wytte_n be_v slay_v when_o soever_o man_n be_v rule_v by_o will_n and_o not_o by_o reason_n the_o grehounde_n /_o that_o be_v the_o flesh_n wherein_o a_o man_n delyte_v be_v feed_v and_o bind_v with_o the_o chain_n of_o reason_n which_o he_o breke_v full_a often_o and_o ren_v out_o and_o do_v moche_n harm_n the_o come_n again_o of_o this_o emperor_n from_o the_o holy_a land_n betoken_v the_o come_n of_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n at_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n to_o deem_v all_o mankind_n therefore_o do_v we_o as_o the_o steward_n die_v accuse_v first_o ourselves_o of_o our_o sin_n least_o the_o devyll_n and_o the_o world_n accuse_v we_o and_o than_o it_o be_v to_o late_o to_o axe_n mercy_n /_o therefore_o do_v we_o of_o our_o clothes_n by_o time_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o synful_a life_n /_o and_o take_v we_o three_o rope_n in_o our_o ande_fw-mi the_o first_o rope_n that_o shall_v bind_v our_o ande_fw-mi and_o foot_n betoken_v the_o rope_n of_o contrycyon_n which_o not_o only_o aught_o to_o bind_v our_o ande_fw-mi and_o foot_n but_o also_o our_o other_o membre_n both_o within_o and_o without_o so_o hard_a that_o the_o blood_n brace_v out_o on_o every_o side_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o sin_n may_v void_a her_o to_o accord_v ezechiel_n sa_v thus_o inquacunâ—â—_n hora_fw-la egerit_fw-la penytenciam_fw-la peccatoâ—_n saluus_fw-la erit_fw-la when_o someneâ—_n the_o sinful_a man_n do_v penance_n he_o shall_v be_v save_v the_o second_o cord_n for_o to_o draw_v the_o trespasser_n be_v confessyon_n which_o shall_v draw_v we_o from_o the_o beginning_n of_o our_o life_n unto_o this_o day_n by_o the_o penance_n of_o our_o mouth_n unto_o the_o time_n that_o the_o flesh_n be_v fall_n from_o the_o bone_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v till_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n be_v torn_v away_o by_o the_o stone_n of_o penance_n for_o in_o like_a wise_n as_o the_o stone_n by_o nature_n and_o by_o kind_n be_v hard_a and_o right_a so_o penance_n ought_v for_o to_o be_v hard_a and_o the_o three_o rope_n which_o shall_v hang_v the_o fellow_n be_v the_o rope_n of_o satysfaccyon_n of_o which_o hang_a speak_v the_o apostle_n and_o say_v suspend_v elegit_fw-la anima_fw-la mea_fw-la my_o soul_n have_v choose_v to_o be_v hang_v for_o like_a as_o a_o man_n be_v lyfte_v up_o from_o the_o ground_n by_o hang_a right_o so_o a_o sinner_n be_v lift_v up_o from_o sin_n toward_o heaven_n unto_o god_n by_o the_o hang_a of_o satysfaccyon_n upon_o this_o galous_a we_o shall_v hang_v till_o the_o bird_n of_o heaven_n come_v down_o /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v till_o the_o apostle_n come_v down_o for_o to_o feed_v we_o with_o our_o good_a dede_n for_o there_o be_v more_o joy_n of_o one_o sinner_n do_v his_o penance_n afore_o the_o angel_n of_o god_n in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n like_a as_o the_o steward_n bring_v again_o themperours_n daughter_n so_o it_o behove_v we_o for_o to_o seche_v about_o by_o dyverse_a werke_n of_o mercy_n &_o find_v our_o soul_n which_o we_o lose_v and_o bring_v she_o again_o to_o the_o church_n and_o govern_v well_o our_o fyve_o wytte_n /_o &_o fe_o dde_v our_o grehounde_n as_o shall_v &_o make_v our_o life_n so_o clean_a and_o pure_a the_o we_o fall_v not_o again_o in_o sin_n for_o drede_v if_o it_o fortune_n we_o worse_o and_o that_o we_o have_v no_o layser_n for_o to_o ask_v mercy_n again_o at_o our_o need_n and_o if_o we_o fulfil_v all_o this_o true_o till_o our_o lyves_n end_n without_o doubt_n we_o shall_v opteyne_v everla_a lyf_v unto_o the_o which_o our_o lord_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_o in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wise_n name_v edfenne_n /_o the_o which_o ordain_v for_o law_n the_o who_o someever_n ravyssh_v a_o maid_n shall_v be_v at_o she_o will_v /_o whether_o she_o will_v put_v he_o to_o death_n or_o that_o she_o will_v have_v he_o to_o her_o husband_n it_o befelle_v after_o on_o a_o day_n that_o a_o man_n ravyssh_v upon_o a_o night_n two_o maiden_n /_o the_o first_o damosel_n desire_v that_o she_o shall_v dye_v /_o &_o the_o second_o desire_v wed_v the_o ravyssher_n be_v take_v and_o lead_v before_o the_o inge_n that_o shall_v satysfye_v to_o the_o these_o damoysel_n thrughe_v his_o wysdome_n and_o ryghtfulnesse_n the_o first_o maid_n ever_o desire_v the_o dethe_v accord_v to_o the_o law_n and_o than_o say_v the_o second_o and_o i_o desire_v he_o for_o to_o be_v my_o husband_n /_o for_z like_o wise_a as_o thou_o haste_v the_o law_n for_o the_o /_o in_z like_o wise_n i_o have_v it_o for_o i_o and_o nevertheless_o my_o petytion_n be_v more_o and_o better_a than_o you_o for_o it_o be_v more_o chary_a table_z /_o therefore_o i_o thynk_v in_o my_o reason_n that_o the_o justyce_n shall_v gyve_v sentence_n with_o i_o than_o the_o justyce_n understand_v the_o great_a mercy_n of_o the_o second_o maiden_n give_v jugement_n that_o he_o shall_v wed_v she_o and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n the_o ravyssh_a beketoneth_n every_o sinner_n which_o ravysshed_a god_n mercy_n as_o often_o as_o he_o dyffoyl_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n by_o sin_n /_o for_o the_o devyll_n may_v never_o overcome_v man_n but_o if_o it_o be_v suffer_v by_o will_n for_o saint_n austyn_n say_v non_fw-fr est_fw-fr peccatum_fw-la nisi_fw-la sit_fw-la voluntarium_fw-la it_o be_v no_o sin_n but_o if_o it_o be_v voluntary_a the_o sinner_n ravyssh_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n as_o oft_o as_o he_o have_v very_a contrycon_n the_o ravyssher_n also_o be_v call_v afore_o the_o justyce_n when_o the_o soul_n be_v depart_v from_o the_o body_n /_o &_o anon_o the_o first_o damosel_n the_o be_v the_o devyll_n lord_n against_o the_o sinner_n that_o ought_v to_o dye_v everlastynge_o by_o the_o law_n of_o ryghtwysnesse_n but_o that_o other_o maiden_n that_o be_v cryste_n lay_v for_o her_o yâ—_z mercy_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o help_v by_o contrycyon_n and_o confessyon_n which_o be_v the_o high_a way_n to_o everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v both_o you_o and_o i_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o rich_a name_v lypodyus_fw-la which_o take_v to_o his_o wife_n a_o fair_a virgyn_v and_o a_o gentyll_a and_o be_v the_o king_n of_o assyryens_n daughter_n this_o young_a lady_n conceyve_v and_o bear_v a_o child_n /_o and_z in_o the_o birth_n of_o she_o soon_o she_o die_v and_o anon_o after_o her_o dyscesse_n this_o emperor_n wed_v a_o other_o wife_n &_o beget_v she_o with_o child_n also_o and_o anon_o after_o the_o these_o chylderne_a be_v bear_v he_o send_v they_o both_o in_o to_o strange_a land_n for_o to_o be_v nouryssh_v than_o say_v the_o mother_n of_o the_o second_o child_n my_o reverente_a lord_n x._o year_n be_v pass_v sythen_a i_o bear_v my_o child_n &_o yet_o see_v i_o he_o
they_o we_o re_fw-mi glad_a and_o come_v at_o a_o day_n assign_v and_o put_v forth_o their_o pertycyon_n every_o man_n synguler_o to_o the_o emperor_n /_o &_o anon_o their_o pertycyon_n be_v grant_n &_o fulfyl_v in_o so_o moche_v that_o almoo_v all_o the_o empire_n be_v depart_v among_o they_o and_o than_o every_o man_n be_v joyful_a &_o go_v home_o again_o &_o take_v seasyen_v in_o such_o londe_n and_o castle_n as_o that_o the_o emperor_n have_v give_v they_o anon_o after_o the_o poor_a man_n and_o simple_a gadred_a theym_n to_o guider_n &_o thus_o they_o say_v a_o common_a ctye_n be_v make_v the_o all_o man_n both_o poor_a &_o rich_a no_o person_n except_o shall_v come_v unto_o the_o emperor_n palay_n &_o there_o they_o sholhave_v what_o somever_n they_o ask_v and_o the_o rich_a man_n have_v be_v there_o but_o late_a &_o opteyn_v their_o petycyon_n therefore_o go_v we_o now_o &_o wit_v if_o we_o may_v optayne_n any_o good_a of_o the_o emperor_n that_o counsel_n be_v approbate_a and_o allow_v among_o they_o all_o wherefore_o they_o go_v forth_o straight_o till_o they_o come_v unto_o the_o emperor_n palay_n /_o &_o there_o they_o put_v for_o the_o their_o petycyon_n accord_v to_o the_o emperor_n proclamacyon_n and_o when_o that_o the_o emperor_n hear_v theym_a come_v he_o answer_v they_o so_o and_o say_v dear_a friend_n i_o have_v hear_v all_o your_o petycyon_n /_o &_o it_o be_v truth_n that_o my_o proclamacyon_n be_v this_o wise_n as_o that_o every_o man_n indyfferent_o shall_v come_v &_o they_o shall_v have_v their_o petycyon_n but_o the_o rich_a man_n &_o the_o mighty_a man_n hauve_fw-fr ben_fw-mi here_o before_o you_o to_o who_o i_o have_v give_v all_o that_o i_o have_v save_v only_o the_o royalte_n of_o my_o lordeshyppe_n unto_o they_o and_o so_o have_v i_o nothing_o leave_v for_o to_o gyve_v you_o a_o good_a lord_n have_v mercy_n upon_o we_o and_o lete_fw-la we_o not_o go_v void_a agay_n /_o for_z we_o know_v well_o that_o it_o be_v in_o our_o own_o defaute_n that_o we_o come_v not_o rather_o with_o these_o other_o rich_a &_o mighty_a man_n but_o sythen_a that_o it_o be_v so_o we_o ask_v your_o grace_n that_o we_o may_v opteyne_v somewhat_o by_o the_o which_o we_o may_v live_v than_o say_v the_o emperor_n good_a friend_n here_o you_o i_o for_o though_o i_o have_v give_v all_o my_o londe_n /_o rent_n /_o and_o tenemente_n /_o and_o all_z the_o castle_n to_o the_o rich_a man_n which_o come_v before_o you_o nevertheless_o i_o have_v keep_v still_o in_o to_o my_o own_o ande_fw-mi the_o lordeshyp_n over_o theym_n /_o and_o that_o lordeshyp_n i_o gyve_v unto_o you_o so_o they_o shall_v be_v your_o servant_n and_o be_v obedyent_n unto_o you_o all_o and_o when_o the_o poor_a man_n hear_v this_o they_o be_v grete_o glad_v &_o kneel_v low_o down_o unto_o the_o emperor_n &_o thank_v he_o sa_v thus_o lo_o though_o we_o come_v late_o yet_o we_o be_v make_v lord_n over_o all_o these_o other_o and_o with_o this_o they_o take_v their_o leave_n and_o wenunto_o their_o own_o dwelling_n but_o when_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o mighty_a man_n hear_v that_o they_o be_v grete_o meve_v /_o and_o set_v a_o common_a parlyament_n among_o theymselfe_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v speak_v among_o theym_n alas_o alas_o unto_o we_o how_o may_v we_o serve_v theym_a that_o sometime_o be_v but_o churl_n and_o our_o subgette_n in_o all_o manner_n thing_n and_o now_o they_o be_v make_v lord_n over_o us._n therefore_o go_v we_o all_o with_o one_o assent_n to_o themperour_n and_o pray_v we_o he_o of_o remedy_n when_o this_o be_v say_v their_o counsel_n be_v commend_v and_o forth_o they_o weure_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o say_v to_o he_o reverente_a lord_n what_o may_v this_o be_v though_o the_o which_o be_v our_o servant_n be_v make_v our_o lord_n we_o beseech_v you_o meke_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v so_o than_o say_v the_o emperor_n /_o good_a friend_n i_o do_v you_o no_o wrong_n for_o my_o cry_n be_v commune_v that_o what_o soever_o you_o ask_v of_o i_o you_o shall_v opteyne_v your_o petycyon_n /_o and_o you_o ask_v nothing_o of_o i_o but_o londe_n rent_n and_o honour_n and_o all_o that_o have_v i_o grant_v you_o atte_v your_o own_o will_v /_o in_o so_o moche_v that_o i_o keep_v nothing_o for_o myself_o and_o each_o of_o you_o be_v well_o content_a atte_n your_o away_o go_v /_o and_z after_o that_o come_v simple_a man_n and_o poor_a and_o ask_v of_o i_o some_o good_n accord_v unto_o my_o proclamacyon_n /_o and_z i_o have_v nothing_o to_o gyve_v they_o for_o i_o have_v give_v you_o all_o that_o i_o have_v before_o save_v only_o the_o lordeshyppe_n over_o you_o which_o i_o keep_v in_o my_o hand_n /_o and_o when_o the_o poor_a man_n so_o cry_v on_o i_o i_o have_v nothing_o to_o gyve_v they_o save_v only_o the_o lordeshyppe_n over_o you_o and_o therefore_o you_o shall_v not_o blame_v i_o for_o that_o you_o ask_v you_o have_v than_o say_v they_o a_o good_a lord_n we_o pray_v you_o effectual_o of_o your_o counsel_n in_o this_o case_n and_o of_o your_o help_n the_o emperor_n answer_v and_o say_v sir_n if_o you_o will_v werke_v after_o i_o i_o shall_v gyve_v you_o very_o good_a counseyl_n and_o prouffytable_a than_o say_v they_o lord_n we_o be_v ready_a for_o to_o fulfil_v what_o some_o ever_o you_o say_v unto_o we_o for_o our_o prouffyte_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n my_o good_a friend_n you_o have_v of_o i_o both_o londe_n and_o tenemente_n and_o rent_n with_o other_o mevable_a good_n and_o that_o great_a plente_a the_o which_o by_o my_o counsel_n you_o shall_v depart_v with_o the_o poor_a man_n that_o they_o may_v grant_v you_o the_o lordeshyppe_n and_o anon_o these_o great_a rich_a man_n glad_o grant_v to_o this_o and_o depart_v all_o their_o good_n among_o the_o poor_a man_n and_o that_o they_o give_v theym_a again_o the_o lordeshyppe_n over_o they_o like_o as_o they_o have_v of_o the_o rich_a man_n yâ—_z lordship_n over_o they_o /_o &_o thus_o be_v they_o both_o content_a &_o themperour_n be_v great_o commend_v of_o all_o peope_n because_o he_o accord_v to_o both_o yâ—_z party_n so_o wise_o ¶_o by_o this_o emperor_n be_v understande_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryst_n which_o make_v a_o proclamacyon_n by_o his_o prophet_n patryarke_n apostle_n and_o prechour_n that_o every_o man_n both_o poor_a and_o rich_a shall_v come_v and_o ask_v everla_a joy_n &_o without_o doubt_n they_o shall_v opteyne_v their_o petycyon_n but_o the_o rich_a &_o the_o mighty_a man_n ask_v none_o other_o thing_n but_o worldly_a honour_n and_o rychesse_n transytory_n /_o for_o this_o world_n shall_v pass_v and_o all_o this_o covetyse_n /_o wherefore_o he_o give_v theym_a so_o moche_n of_o worldly_a good_n that_o he_o leave_v no_o thing_n to_o himself_o accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n /_o the_o bird_n of_o heaven_n have_v nest_n &_o fox_n in_o earth_n have_v cave_n /_o but_o the_o soon_o of_o god_n have_v no_o thing_n 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 â—e_v meek_a in_o herte_n of_o the_o which_o poor_a man_n speak_v our_o lord_n sa_v thus_o /_o blyss_v be_v the_o poor_a man_n wherte_v /_o for_o why_o thy_o kyndome_n of_o heaven_n be_v they_o /_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v seem_v that_o they_o have_v lorshyppe_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 sa_v thus_o gyve_v you_o alm_n and_o all_o thing_n shall_v be_v clean_o to_o you_o &_o thus_o may_v you_o gete_v a_o lorshyppe_n in_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o lorshyppe_n i_o beseech_v almyghty_a god_n to_o bring_v we_o amen_o in_o rome_n sometime_o 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 and_o that_o other_o foul_a &_o ough_o to_o behold_v wherefore_o he_o lete_fw-la cry_v thrughe_o all_o his_o empire_n that_o what_o man_n will_v have_v his_o faith_n daughter_n to_o wife_n shall_v have_v no_o thing_n with_o 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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 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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 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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