be_v write_v in_o my_o foreheed_n and_o than_o they_o look_v up_o &_o see_v this_o posy_n write_v tempore_fw-la mutantur_fw-la homines_fw-la determinantur_fw-la time_n ben_fw-mi change_v &_o man_n be_v worse_o &_o worse_o for_o who_o will_v say_v the_o troth_n shall_v have_v his_o heed_n break_v therefore_o go_v you_o forth_o to_o your_o lord_n and_o tell_v he_o all_o that_o you_o have_v red_a &_o seen_v the_o messenger_n go_v forth_o &_o tell_v y_o e_o emperor_n all_o that_o they_o have_v herd_n &_o seen_v than_o say_v y_o e_o emperor_n arm_n yourself_o and_o go_v to_o the_o image_n &_o if_o that_o you_o find_v any_o man_n that_o have_v boast_v or_o threten_v the_o image_n bound_v he_o hand_n and_o foot_n &_o bring_v he_o to_o i_o than_o go_v the_o messenger_n forth_o to_o y_z e_z image_n &_o say_v unto_o it_o tell_v we_o y_fw-es e_o troth_n if_o any_o man_n have_v threten_v the_o and_o we_o shall_v avenge_v the_o anon_o than_o say_v the_o image_n take_v the_o smyth_n focus_n for_o he_o be_v the_o man_n that_o will_v not_o honour_v the_o natyvyte_n of_o the_o emperor_n anon_o the_o messenger_n lead_v forth_o that_o smyth_n before_o themperour_n &_o anon_o examine_v he_o why_o he_o keep_v not_o the_o day_n of_o themperour_n nativyte_o in_o reverence_n &_o honour_n accord_v to_o the_o law_n than_o answer_v the_o smyth_n &_o say_v reverend_a lord_n i_o beseech_v you_o that_o you_o will_v hear_v my_o excuse_n &_o if_o i_o answer_v not_o reasonable_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o point_n y_o t_o you_o will_v ask_v i_o i_o will_v put_v i_o full_o to_o your_o grace_n than_o say_v themperour_n i_o shall_v hear_v the_o and_o that_o that_o be_v rightful_a i_o shall_v do_v than_o say_v the_o smyth_n it_o behove_v i_o to_o have_v viij.d_n every_o day_n in_o the_o week_n &_o that_o i_o can_v not_o gete_v without_o great_a labour_n &_o therefore_o i_o may_v in_o no_o manner_n wise_n keep_v y_z e_o day_n holy_a day_n more_o than_o other_o day_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n why_o behove_v it_o the_o to_o have_v these_o viij_o d_o than_o say_v y_o e_o smyth_n i_o be_o bind_v to_o pay_v daily_o ij.d_n and_z ii.d_n i_o lend_v and_o ii.d_n â–ª_o i_o less_o and_o ii.d_n i_o spend_v than_o say_v the_o emperor_n tell_v i_o more_o express_o of_o these_o viij.d_n than_o say_v the_o smyth_n i_o be_o bind_v every_o day_n to_o pay_v ii.d._n to_o my_o father_n for_o when_o i_o be_v young_a my_o father_n spend_v on_o i_o ii.d_n daily_o &_o therefore_o be_o i_o bind_v to_o help_v he_o &_o pay_v he_o again_o his_o ii.d_n for_o his_o sustentacyon_n also_o ii.d_n i_o less_o on_o my_o wife_n than_o say_v themperour_n why_o lese_a thou_o that_o ii.d_n on_o thy_o wife_n than_o say_v he_o where_o see_v you_o ever_o woman_n but_o she_o have_v one_o of_o these_o point_n either_o she_o be_v wylfull_a or_o contrary_a to_o her_o husband_n or_o of_o hot_a compleccyon_n &_o therefore_o that_o i_o gyve_v she_o i_o less_o also_o ii.d_n i_o lend_v to_o my_o soon_o wherwyth_o he_o be_v sustain_v that_o when_o i_o come_v to_o age_n &_o poverte_a that_o he_o may_v pay_v i_o again_o ii.d_n like_o as_o i_o do_v to_o my_o father_n also_o i_o spend_v ii.d_n on_o my_o â—elfe_n in_o meat_n &_o drink_v and_o that_o be_v lytell_fw-mi enough_o than_o say_v themperoure_n thou_o have_v answer_v well_o &_o wise_o not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o the_o emperor_n die_v &_o this_o smyth_n focus_n be_v choose_v to_o be_v emperor_n because_o he_o spend_v he_o viii.d_n so_o wise_o &_o so_o profitable_o &_o thus_o he_o end_v his_o life_n in_o peace_n and_o rest_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v our_o bless_v savyour_fw-mi jesu_n chryst_n which_o ordain_v by_o his_o holy_a law_n y_o it_o every_o man_n shall_v worship_n the_o sondaye_n this_o virgil_n that_o make_v this_o image_n be_v the_o holy_a goost_n which_o be_v set_v up_o among_o we_o a_o precher_n to_o teach_v virtue_n &_o to_o reprove_v vice_n &_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o spare_v the_o poor_a ne_fw-fr y_fw-fr e_fw-la rich_a but_o now_o if_o a_o precher_n will_v say_v troth_n against_o any_o man_n anon_o he_o shall_v be_v threten_v of_o the_o enemy_n of_o chryst_n that_o be_v to_o say_v by_o evyll_n man_n that_o neither_o love_n god_n nor_o man_n wherefore_o the_o precher_n may_v say_v now_o a_o day_n that_o posy_n which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o before_o heed_n of_o the_o image_n time_n ben_fw-mi change_v from_o good_a to_o ill_a &_o man_n be_v daily_o worse_o and_o worse_o for_o who_o so_o will_v say_v the_o truth_n now_o a_o day_n shall_v have_v his_o heed_n break_v therefore_o it_o be_v need_v they_o be_v arm_v that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o every_o precher_n be_v arm_v w_n to_o good_a dede_n in_o ensample_n of_o other_o &_o than_o it_o need_v not_o to_o drede_v in_o so_o moche_v that_o they_o have_v god_n &_o truth_n to_o stand_v by_o they_o accord_v to_o y_z e_z apostle_n sayenge_a si_fw-mi deus_fw-la nobiscum_fw-la quis_fw-la contra_fw-la nos_fw-la if_o god_n be_v with_o we_o who_o may_v be_v against_o us._n by_o this_o smyth_n focus_n be_v understande_v every_o good_a chrysten_v man_n which_o daily_o shall_v werke_v merytoryous_a dede_n &_o than_o ought_v he_o to_o be_v present_v before_o the_o heavenly_a emperor_n this_o focus_n pay_v ii.d_n to_o his_o father_n &_o so_o we_o shall_v pay_v to_o our_o father_n of_o heaven_n ii.d_n that_o be_v to_o say_v honour_n &_o love_n for_o when_o we_o be_v the_o child_n of_o wretchedness_n &_o put_v in_o bondage_n almyghty_a god_n send_v down_o to_o the_o earth_n his_o soon_o to_o redeem_v we_o accord_v to_o saint_n john_n the_o evangelyst_n sayenge_a deus_fw-la dilexit_fw-la mundum_fw-la ut_fw-la filium_fw-la suum_fw-la unigenitum_fw-la daret_fw-la pro_fw-la minido_fw-la god_n love_v the_o world_n so_o well_o that_o he_o will_v gyve_v his_o only_a soon_o for_o the_o saluacyon_n of_o the_o world_n also_o this_o focus_fw-la lent_fw-la ii.d_n to_o his_o soon_o that_o be_v to_o say_v every_o chrysten_v man_n ought_v to_o lend_v to_o y_fw-es e_fw-es soon_o of_o god_n our_o lord_n chryst_n jesu_n good_a will_n &_o merytoryous_a dede_n in_o our_o life_n that_o the_o may_v pay_v we_o again_o at_o y_z e_z day_n of_o doom_n when_o soul_n &_o body_n shall_v be_v gloryfy_v &_o in_o that_o he_o be_v our_o brother_n &_o it_o may_v well_o be_v prove_v by_o y_z e_z text_n of_o esaie_n say_v thus_o â—uer_fw-fr natus_fw-la est_fw-la nobis_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o child_n be_v bear_v to_o us._n this_o focus_n lose_v ii.d_n on_o his_o wife_n thy_o wife_n betoken_v thy_o flesh_n upon_o who_o thou_o have_v lose_v ij_o d_o that_o be_v to_o say_v unlawful_a love_n &_o consent_v to_o sin_n for_o why_o the_o flesh_n be_v contrary_a to_o y_z e_z goost_n &_o ever_o be_v ready_a to_o harm_v this_o focus_n also_o spend_v ij.d_n on_o himself_o y_z t_z be_v to_o say_v by_z y_z e_z first_o penny_n you_o shall_v understande_v penance_n do_v in_o which_o the_o soul_n great_o delyte_v in_o heaven_n and_o there_o be_v gloryfy_v and_o by_o the_o second_o penny_n we_o ought_v to_o understande_v the_o steadfast_a abide_n in_o do_v of_o penance_n for_o he_o that_o abide_v unto_o the_o end_n shall_v be_v save_v and_o who_o that_o spend_v well_o these_o two_o pen_n shall_v optayne_n everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst._n amen_o sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o noble_a emperor_n which_o among_o all_o other_o virtue_n love_v best_o mercy_n wherefore_o he_o ordain_v a_o law_n that_o every_o blind_a man_n shall_v have_v a_o hondr_v shyllynge_v by_o year_n of_o his_o treasour_n it_o befall_v on_o a_o day_n that_o there_o come_v certain_a man_n to_o a_o tavern_n to_o drink_v wine_n &_o after_o that_o these_o man_n have_v sytten_v in_o the_o tavern_n three_o day_n the_o four_o day_n they_o be_v great_o in_o the_o taverner_n debt_n and_o have_v no_o money_n to_o pay_v for_o their_o wine_n wherefore_o the_o taverner_n come_v to_o they_o &_o charge_v they_o y_z t_z they_o shall_v not_o void_a till_o they_o have_v pay_v for_o their_o wine_n than_o say_v one_o of_o y_z e_z drynker_n to_o his_o fellow_n sir_n quoth_v he_o themperour_n have_v make_v such_o a_o law_n that_o every_o blind_a man_n shall_v have_v a_o hondr_v shyllynge_v of_o his_o treasour_n therefore_o let_v we_o cast_v lot_n among_o we_o &_o to_o who_o the_o lot_n fall_v let_v his_o eye_n be_v put_v out_o and_o so_o may_v he_o go_v to_o themperours_n palay_n &_o gete_v a_o hondr_v shyllynge_v and_o this_o great_o reioyse_v they_o &_o say_v that_o the_o counseyle_n be_v right_a good_a wherefore_o they_o cast_v lot_n among_o they_o &_o the_o
we_o may_v obey_v god_n and_o than_o shall_v we_o have_v everlasting_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n amen_n there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v frederyke_v which_o have_v no_o child_n save_o a_o daughter_n though_o who_o this_o emperor_n after_o his_o decese_n bequeath_v all_o his_o empire_n this_o understand_v a_o earl_n that_o dwelte_v there_o beside_o come_v unto_o this_o young_a lady_n &_o woo_v she_o &_o stere_v she_o to_o sin_n all_o that_o he_o may_v wherefore_o this_o young_a lady_n in_o short_a process_n of_o time_n enclyneh_a to_o the_o earl_n &_o this_o earl_n anon_o lay_v with_o she_o &_o defoul_v she_o &_o after_o that_o he_o put_v she_o from_o her_o herytage_n and_o chase_v she_o out_o of_o her_o empire_n wherefore_o she_o make_v great_a lamentacyon_n &_o flee_v unto_o a_o realm_n there_o beside_o where_o as_o she_o daily_o weep_v &_o mourn_v it_o befall_v after_o on_o a_o day_n that_o while_o she_o sit_v mourn_v beside_o a_o way_n there_o come_v ride_a by_o her_o a_o fair_a young_a knight_n upon_o a_o good_a horse_n which_o come_v toward_o she_o a_o great_a pâ—ce_n &_o worshypful_o salew_v she_o and_o ask_v the_o cause_n why_o she_o mourn_v so_o sore_o than_o answer_v she_o &_o say_v my_o reverend_a lord_n i_o be_o a_o emperor_n daughter_n come_v of_o a_o royal_a kin_n my_o father_n be_v deed_n which_o leave_v i_o all_o his_o empire_n because_o he_o have_v none_o other_o heir_n &_o after_o his_o decese_n a_o earl_n there_o beside_o deceyve_v i_o &_o take_v from_o i_o my_o maydenheâ—e_n &_o after_o that_o he_o put_v i_o violent_o out_o of_o my_o herytage_n so_o that_o now_o i_o be_o fain_a to_o beg_v my_o breed_n from_o door_n to_o door_n &_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o my_o sorrow_n than_o say_v the_o knight_n fair_a damosel_n i_o have_v great_a compassyon_n on_o thy_o beaute_n and_o on_o thy_o gentylnes_n therefore_o if_o thou_o wylte_n grant_v i_o one_o thing_n i_o shall_v fight_v for_o the_o against_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la earl_n and_o i_o behote_v the_o the_o victory_n than_o say_v she_o alas_o alas_o i_o have_v nothing_o y_o it_o i_o may_v gyve_v to_o the_o but_o myself_o and_o i_o ask_v no_o more_o of_o the_o say_v the_o knight_n but_o that_o thou_o will_v be_v my_o wife_n and_o love_n no_o man_n so_o moche_v as_o i_o than_o say_v she_o reverend_n sir_n that_o will_v i_o do_v glad_o &_o more_o if_o i_o may_v than_o say_v the_o knight_n i_o will_v that_o thou_o do_v for_o i_o one_o thing_n that_o if_o it_o fortune_n i_o to_o dye_v in_o batayle_n for_o the_o &_o opteyne_v the_o victory_n thou_o shall_v take_v my_o bloody_a sherte_n &_o hang_v it_o upon_o a_o perch_n in_o thy_o chambre_n and_o this_o shall_v thou_o do_v for_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v y_z t_z when_o so_o ever_o thou_o behold_v the_o sherte_n thou_o shall_v weep_v for_o i_o the_o second_o be_v that_o what_o so_o ever_o man_n come_v to_o woo_v the_o to_o be_v his_o wife_n than_o shall_v thou_o hasty_o run_v unto_o thy_o chambre_n &_o behold_v my_o bloody_a sherte_n &_o think_v herte_o within_o thyself_o thus_o the_o lord_n of_o this_o sherte_n dye_v for_o my_o love_n in_o batayle_n the_o which_o recover_v my_o herytage_n god_n forbede_n that_o i_o shall_v take_v any_o other_o man_n after_o his_o death_n than_o say_v she_o reverend_n sir_n all_o this_o i_o shall_v fulfil_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o when_o y_a e_o knight_n heâ—de_v this_o he_o give_v batayle_n against_o the_o earl_n &_o obtain_v the_o victory_n and_o y_o e_o earl_n be_v overcome_v &_o flee_v and_o this_o young_a lady_n be_v bring_v &_o receyve_v again_o in_o to_o her_o herytage_n nevertheless_o this_o knight_n be_v deed_o wound_v in_o that_o batayle_n whereof_o he_o die_v but_o or_o he_o die_v he_o bequeath_v his_o bloody_a sherte_n unto_o this_o damosel_n desyre_v she_o to_o keep_v her_o promise_n when_o this_o young_a lady_n hear_v of_o his_o death_n she_o weep_v sore_o &_o make_v great_a lamentacyon_n for_o his_o death_n and_o in_o his_o sherte_n be_v write_v this_o verse_n think_v on_o he_o &_o have_v mind_n that_o to_o y_fw-fr e_o be_v so_o kind_n anon_o when_o she_o have_v receyve_v the_o sherte_n she_o hang_v it_o upon_o a_o perch_n in_o her_o chambre_n &_o as_o oftentimes_o as_o she_o behold_v it_o she_o weep_v bytter_o it_o befall_v not_o long_o after_o that_o the_o state_n of_o her_o empire_n come_v to_o she_o &_o desire_v she_o to_o take_v a_o husband_n but_o than_o she_o go_v to_o her_o chambre_n &_o behold_v the_o bloody_a cherte_n than_o wax_v she_o sorrowful_a &_o say_v oftentimes_o alas_o alas_o thou_o suffer_v death_n for_o my_o love_n &_o thou_o also_o recover_v again_o my_o heritage_n god_n forbede_n that_o i_o shall_v take_v any_o other_o man_n but_o the._n and_o thus_o she_o answer_v every_o man_n that_o come_v to_o she_o &_o so_o they_o go_v away_o unsped_a and_o she_o end_v her_o life_n in_o peace_n and_o rest_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n and_o his_o daughter_n be_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n make_v at_o the_o similitude_n of_o god_n to_o who_o god_n give_v &_o bequeath_v the_o empire_n of_o paradyse_n but_o there_o come_v a_o earl_n y_o it_o be_v the_o devyl_n and_o styre_v she_o to_o sin_n when_o she_o eat_v of_o the_o apple_n &_o say_v to_o she_o thus_o in_o what_o hour_n you_o â—ate_z of_z y_z e_z apple_n you_o shall_v be_v like_o god_n wherefore_o we_o breaking_a god_n comaundement_n we_o be_v all_o exile_v out_o of_o paradyse_n &_o chase_v to_o the_o realm_n of_o this_o world_n here_o to_o live_v in_o great_a wretchedness_n like_v as_o the_o psalmyst_n say_v in_o sudore_fw-la vultus_fw-la tui_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o the_o sweet_a of_o thy_o visage_n thou_o shall_v eat_v thy_o breed_n but_o than_o come_v a_o fair_a young_a knight_n &_o a_o strong_a that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n which_o have_v compassyon_n upon_o mankind_n &_o take_v our_o flesh_n &_o our_o blood_n and_o give_v batayle_n to_o the_o devyl_n and_o overcome_v he_o and_o thus_o win_v he_o again_o our_o herytage_n therefore_o let_v we_o do_v as_o this_o young_a lady_n do_v put_v we_o this_o bloody_a sherte_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o mind_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o passion_n of_o chryst_n on_o the_o perch_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o think_v we_o how_o â—ur_n lord_n jesu_n chryst_n shed_v his_o precyous_a blood_n for_o us._n and_o if_o any_o man_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o devylt_n or_o any_o other_o will_v stir_v we_o to_o sin_n anon_o think_v we_o on_o y_o e_o passion_n of_o chryst_n &_o say_v we_o thus_o i_o shall_v take_v none_o other_o but_o the_o which_o have_v shed_v thy_o blood_n for_o i_o &_o thus_o shall_v we_o win_v everlasting_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v apolloninus_fw-la which_o ordain_v for_o a_o law_n that_o every_o man_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n shall_v worship_n the_o day_n of_o his_o nativite_fw-la this_o emperor_n call_v to_o he_o a_o clerk_n y_fw-mi t_z hyght_n uirgyll_n &_o say_v my_o dear_a master_n there_o be_v many_o heed_n sin_v do_v contrary_a to_o the_o law_n therefore_o i_o pray_v the_o that_o thou_o by_o thy_o cunning_a will_v make_v some_o craft_n whereby_o i_o may_v know_v who_o trespace_v against_o y_o e_o law_n pryvely_a or_o pert_o than_o say_v uirgyll_n my_o reverend_a lord_n your_o will_n shall_v be_v do_v anon_o this_o uirgyll_n through_o his_o craft_n make_v a_o image_n in_o the_o mydde_v of_o the_o cyte_n of_o rome_n which_o dyscever_v &_o tell_v themperours_n messenger_n who_o trespaced_a against_o the_o law_n &_o who_o not_o there_o be_v that_o time_n dwell_v in_o y_z e_z cyte_n of_o rome_n a_o smyth_n that_o hyght_n focus_n which_o for_o no_o thing_n will_v worship_n the_o natyvyte_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o befall_v upon_o a_o night_n as_o the_o smyth_n lie_v in_o his_o bed_n he_o think_v upon_o the_o image_n that_o have_v accuse_v so_o many_o man_n before_o &_o dread_v least_fw-mi the_o image_n will_v accuse_v he_o wherefore_o he_o rise_v &_o go_v to_o the_o image_n &_o say_v i_o make_v a_o vow_n to_o god_n if_o thou_o accuse_v i_o i_o shall_v break_v thy_o heed_n and_o when_o he_o have_v thus_o say_v he_o go_v home_o the_o emperor_n on_o the_o morrow_n after_o follow_v send_v his_o messenger_n to_o the_o image_n as_o he_o be_v wont_v before_o to_o know_v &_o to_o understande_v who_o have_v trespaced_a against_o the_o law_n and_o to_o they_o than_o say_v the_o image_n lyfte_v up_o your_o eye_n &_o behold_v what_o
which_o hang_v speak_v the_o apostle_n say_v suspend_v elegit_fw-la a_o ina_fw-la mea_fw-la my_o soul_n have_v choose_v to_o be_v hang_v for_o like_a as_o a_o man_n be_v lyfte_v up_o from_o the_o ground_n by_o hang_a right_a so_o a_o sinner_n be_v lyfte_v up_o from_o sin_n toward_o heaven_n unto_o god_n by_o the_o hang_a of_o satisfaccyon_n upon_o this_o galous_a we_o shall_v hang_v till_o the_o bird_n of_o heaven_n come_v down_o y_o it_o be_v to_o say_v till_o the_o apostle_n come_v down_o to_o feed_v we_o with_o our_o good_a dede_n for_o there_o be_v more_o joy_n of_o one_o sinner_n do_v his_o penance_n a_o before_o the_o angel_n of_o god_n in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n like_a as_o the_o steward_n bring_v again_o themperours_n daughter_n so_o it_o behove_v we_o to_o seek_v about_o by_o dyverse_a werke_n of_o mercy_n &_o find_v our_o soul_n y_o it_o we_o lose_v &_o bring_v she_o again_o to_o the_o chyrche_n &_o rule_v well_o our_o u_o wytte_n and_o feed_v our_o greyhounde_n as_o we_o shall_v &_o make_v our_o life_n so_o clean_a and_o pure_a that_o we_o fall_v not_o again_o to_o sin_n for_o drede_v that_o it_o fortune_n to_o we_o worse_o &_o y_o it_o we_o have_v no_o leyser_n to_o ask_v mercy_n again_o at_o our_o need_n and_o if_o we_o fulfil_v all_o this_o true_o unto_o to_o our_o lyves_n end_n wtout_fw-fr doubt_n we_o shall_v optayne_n everlasting_a life_n to_z y_z e_z which_o our_o lord_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wise_n name_v edfenne_n which_o ordain_v for_o a_o law_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o ravyssh_v a_o maid_n shall_v be_v at_o her_o will_n whether_o she_o will_v put_v he_o to_o death_n or_o y_z t_z she_o will_v have_v he_o to_o her_o husband_n it_o befall_v after_o that_o a_o man_n ravyâ—shed_v in_o a_o night_n two_o fair_a maiden_n y_fw-fr e_fw-la first_o damosel_n desire_v that_o he_o shall_v dye_v &_o the_o second_o desire_a wedding_n the_o ravyssher_n be_v take_v &_o â—edde_v before_o the_o judge_n that_o shall_v satisfy_v both_o these_o damoyselle_n through_o his_o wysdome_n &_o ryghtfulnes_n the_o first_o damosel_n ever_o desire_v the_o death_n accord_v to_o the_o law_n than_o say_v the_o second_o i_o desire_v he_o to_o be_v my_o husband_n for_o in_o like_a wise_n as_o thou_o have_v the_o law_n for_o the_o in_o like_a wise_n i_o have_v it_o for_o i_o &_o nevertheless_o my_o petycyon_n be_v more_o better_a than_o you_o for_o it_o be_v more_o charytable_a therefore_o i_o thynk_v in_o my_o reason_n that_o the_o justice_n shall_v gyve_v sentence_n with_o i_o than_o the_o justice_n understand_v the_o great_a mercy_n of_o the_o second_o damosel_n give_v judgement_n that_o he_o shall_v wed_v she_o and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst._n the_o ravyssher_n betoken_v every_o sinner_n which_o ravyssh_v god_n mercy_n as_o often_o as_o he_o defoul_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n by_o sin_n for_o the_o devyl_n may_v never_o overcomme_v man_n but_o if_o it_o be_v suffer_v by_o will_n for_o saint_n austyn_n say_v non_fw-fr est_fw-fr peccatum_fw-la nisi_fw-la sit_fw-la voluntarium_fw-la it_o be_v no_o sin_n but_o if_o it_o be_v voluntary_a the_o sinner_n ravyssh_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n as_o oft_o as_o he_o have_v very_a contricyon_n the_o ravysher_n also_o be_v call_v afore_o the_o justyce_n when_o y_a e_o soul_n be_v depart_v from_o the_o body_n and_o anon_o the_o first_o damosel_n that_o be_v the_o devyll_n lay_v against_o the_o sinner_n that_o he_o ought_v to_o dye_v everlastyng_o by_o y_z e_z law_n of_o ryghtwysnes_n but_o that_o other_o maiden_n that_o be_v chryst_n lay_v for_o she_o how_o y_a e_o mercy_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o help_v by_o contricyon_n &_o confessyon_n which_o be_v y_z e_z high_a way_n to_o everlasting_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v both_o you_o &_o i_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o rich_a name_v lypodyus_fw-la which_o take_v to_o wife_n a_o fair_a vyrgyn_v &_o a_o gentyll_a and_o be_v the_o king_n of_o assyryens_n daughter_n this_o young_a lady_n conceyve_v &_o bear_v a_o child_n &_o in_o the_o birth_n of_o she_o soon_o she_o die_v and_o anon_o after_o her_o decese_n this_o emperor_n wed_v a_o other_o wife_n and_o beget_v she_o with_o child_n also_o and_o anon_o after_o that_o these_o child_n be_v bear_v he_o send_v they_o both_o in_o to_o a_o strange_a land_n for_o to_o be_v nouryssh_v than_o say_v the_o mother_n of_o the_o second_o child_n my_o reverend_a lord_n ten_o year_n be_v pass_v since_o i_o bear_v my_o child_n and_o yet_o see_v i_o he_o never_o but_o once_o &_o that_o be_v the_o first_o day_n of_o his_o birth_n therefore_o i_o beseech_v you_o my_o lord_n to_o send_v for_o he_o that_o i_o may_v once_o rejoice_v i_o of_o his_o sight_n than_o say_v y_o e_o emperor_n i_o have_v a_o other_o child_n by_o my_o first_o wife_n &_o if_o i_o send_v for_o thy_o soon_o then_o must_v i_o send_v for_o both_o &_o than_o anon_o he_o send_v for_o they_o and_o when_o they_o be_v come_v they_o be_v pass_a fair_a &_o well_o nouryssh_v well_o teach_v and_o pass_v like_a in_o all_o manner_n thing_n that_o unnethe_n that_o one_o may_v be_v know_v from_o that_o other_o but_o if_o it_o be_v only_o of_o the_o father_n than_o say_v the_o mother_n of_o y_z e_z second_o child_n a_o my_o lord_n tell_v i_o which_o of_o these_o be_v my_o soon_o &_o he_o call_v he_o she_o soon_o that_o he_o beget_v on_o his_o first_o wife_n when_o thempresse_n hear_v this_o she_o give_v all_o her_o cure_n to_o nourysshe_v &_o to_o eeche_v he_o &_o despyse_v that_o other_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o he_o say_v to_o his_o wife_n soth_o i_o have_v deceyve_v the_o for_o he_o that_o y_z e_z love_v so_o moche_n be_v not_o thy_o soon_o but_o that_o other_o be_v thy_o soon_o than_o set_v she_o all_o her_o cure_n upon_o the_o second_o &_o forsake_v the_o first_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o he_o say_v true_o i_o have_v deceyve_v the_o yet_o without_o doubt_n this_o be_v not_o thy_o soon_o but_o one_o of_o they_o two_o be_v thy_o soon_o than_o say_v y_o e_o mother_n a_o my_o lord_n for_o his_o love_n that_o die_v on_o y_o e_o ride_v tell_v i_o without_o cavellacyon_n which_o of_o they_o be_v my_o soon_o the_o emperor_n answer_v &_o say_v certain_o i_o will_v not_o tell_v you_o till_o they_o be_v comme_fw-fr to_o manhood_n for_o this_o reason_n first_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o this_o be_v thy_o soon_o &_o he_o thou_o nourysshe_v as_o thy_o soon_o and_o forsoke_v that_o other_o &_o when_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o this_o be_v thy_o soon_o than_o you_o e_o despyse_v the_o first_o &_o cherysshede_v the_o second_o therefore_o i_o will_v that_o thou_o cherysshe_v &_o nourrysshe_v they_o both_o till_o they_o come_v to_o that_o y_z e_z may_v have_v joy_n of_o they_o when_o thempresse_n hear_v this_o â–ª_o she_o nouryssh_v they_o both_o a_o like_a and_o when_o they_o be_v both_o comme_fw-fr to_o age_n themperour_n make_v a_o great_a supper_n and_o before_o all_o his_o gest_n he_o tell_v his_o wife_n open_o which_o of_o they_o be_v her_o child_n than_o rejoice_v she_o great_o &_o with_o she_o soon_o she_o end_v her_o life_n in_o peace_n and_o rest_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n son_n betoken_v those_o y_o to_o be_v choose_v to_o everlasting_a life_n &_o those_o y_fw-es e_fw-es be_v not_o choose_v the_o mother_n of_o they_o be_v the_o chyrche_n y_fw-fr t_o nouryssh_v they_o both_o therefore_o our_o lord_n will_v not_o y_o it_o the_o chyrche_n shall_v know_v which_o be_v choose_v and_o which_o be_v not_o choose_v for_o if_o she_o know_v that_o than_o will_v she_o love_v y_z e_o one_o &_o hate_n y_fw-fr e_o other_o &_o so_o shall_v charyte_v be_v overthrow_v among_o we_o &_o shall_v live_v in_o discord_n &_o strife_n but_o troth_n at_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n shall_v tell_v we_o which_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o which_o shall_v be_v damn_a therefore_o pray_v we_o in_o this_o world_n that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o the_o everla_a feest_n in_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v both_o you_o &_o i_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v polennus_n which_o have_v three_o son_n who_o he_o love_v moche_n it_o befall_v upon_o a_o day_n when_o this_o emperor_n lie_v upon_o his_o bed_n he_o bethink_v he_o to_o which_o of_o his_o son_n he_o may_v gyve_v his_o empire_n after_o his_o decese_n than_o call_v he_o to_o he_o his_o three_o son_n and_o say_v which_o of_o you_o three_o y_o it_o be_v slow_a shall_v have_v my_o empire_n after_o
of_o man_n which_o bear_v the_o fire_n of_o glotony_n &_o lechery_n y_z t_z which_o burn_v adam_n our_o fore_a father_n when_o he_o eat_v of_o the_o forboden_a apple_n the_o venymous_a beast_n that_o poison_v the_o man_n betoken_v the_o fende_v of_o hell_n â–ª_o which_o for_o y_z e_z moost_n part_n have_v destroy_v mankind_n the_o state_n of_o the_o cite_v betoken_v patriarch_n &_o prophet_n which_o beseech_v god_n of_o good_a counâ—eyle_n &_o remedy_v that_o mankind_n may_v be_v 〈◊〉_d &_o anon_o it_o be_v counseyl_v for_o the_o best_a 〈◊〉_d that_o a_o lion_n y_z t_z be_v chryst_n shall_v be_v hang_v upon_o a_o cross_n accord_v to_o scripture_n say_v thus_o expediâ—_fw-la unus_fw-la moriâ—tur_fw-la homo_fw-la ê“_n populo_fw-la et_fw-la nongens_fw-la peroat_n etc._n etc._n that_o be_v to_o say_v it_o behove_v a_o man_n to_o dye_v for_o the_o people_n least_fw-mi all_o folk_n be_v peryssh_v than_o take_v they_o chryst_n &_o hinge_n he_o on_o y_o e_o cross_n for_o the_o which_o the_o devyll_n drede_v christen_v people_n and_o dare_v not_o nyth_v they_o and_o thus_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n chrysten_v man_n shall_v come_v to_o everlasting_a bliss_n unto_o y_z e_z 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 in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o merciful_a name_v menalay_n which_o ordain_v such_o a_o law_n that_o what_o mysdoer_n wâ—re_v take_v &_o put_v in_o prison_n if_o he_o may_v escape_v &_o come_v to_o the_o emperor_n palay_n he_o shall_v be_v there_o safe_a for_o all_o manner_n felony_n treason_n or_o any_o other_o trespass_n that_o he_o have_v do_v in_o his_o life_n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o but_o it_o befall_v you_o to_o a_o knight_n trespaced_a wherefore_o he_o be_v take_v &_o put_v in_o a_o strong_a &_o a_o dark_a prison_n where_o he_o lay_v long_a time_n &_o have_v no_o lâ—ght_n but_o at_o a_o little_a wyndowe_n where_o as_o scant_o light_v shine_v in_o that_o lyghtn_v he_o to_o eat_v the_o simple_a meat_n y_o it_o be_v bring_v he_o by_o his_o keeper_n wherefore_o he_o mourn_v great_o and_o make_v great_a sorrow_n that_o he_o be_v thus_o fast_o shette_v up_o from_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n nevertheless_o when_o the_o keeper_n be_v go_v there_o come_v daily_o a_o nightyngale_n in_o at_z y_z t_z wyndowe_n &_o sing_v full_a swete_o of_o who_o song_n this_o woeful_a knight_n oft_o time_n be_v feed_v with_o joy_n &_o when_o this_o bird_n seize_v of_o her_o song_n than_o will_v she_o fly_v in_o to_z y_z e_z knight_n bosom_n and_o there_o this_o knight_n feed_v she_o many_o a_o day_n of_o the_o vytayle_n that_o god_n send_v he_o it_o befall_v after_o on_o a_o day_n that_o this_o knight_n be_v great_o desolate_a of_o comfort_n nevertheless_o the_o bird_n sit_v in_o his_o bosom_n eat_v nut_n &_o thus_o he_o say_v unto_o the_o bird_n o_o good_a bird_n i_o have_v sustain_v the_o many_o a_o day_n what_o wylte_n thou_o gyve_v i_o now_o in_o my_o desolacyon_n to_o comfort_v i_o remember_v the_o well_o that_o y_z e_z art_n the_o creature_n of_o god_n and_o i_o also_o therefore_o help_v i_o now_o in_o my_o great_a need_n when_o the_o bird_n hear_v this_o she_o fly_v forth_o from_o his_o bosom_n &_o tarry_v from_o he_o three_o day_n but_o the_o three_o day_n she_o come_v again_o &_o bring_v in_o her_o mouth_n a_o precyous_a stand_v &_o lay_v it_o in_o the_o knights_n bosom_n and_o when_o she_o have_v so_o do_v she_o take_v her_o flight_n &_o fly_v from_o he_o again_o the_o knight_n marvel_v of_o y_fw-fr e_o stone_n &_o of_o the_o bird_n &_o therewith_o he_o take_v the_o stone_n in_o his_o hand_n &_o touch_v his_o gyve_n &_o fetter_n therewith_o &_o anon_o fall_v of_o all_o his_o fetter_n &_o chain_n wherw_v to_o he_o be_v bind_v and_o than_o he_o arise_v &_o touch_v the_o door_n of_o the_o prison_n &_o anon_o they_o open_v &_o so_o he_o escape_v &_o run_v fast_o to_o y_z e_z emperor_n palay_n when_o the_o keeper_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o prison_n perceyve_v this_o he_o blue_v a_o horn_n thrice_o &_o reyse_v up_o all_o the_o folk_n of_o the_o cyte_n &_o lead_v they_o forth_o cryenge_a with_o a_o high_a voice_n loath_a thief_n be_v go_v follow_v we_o he_o al._n and_o with_o that_o he_o run_v before_o all_o his_o fellow_n toward_o the_o knight_n &_o when_o he_o come_v nigh_o he_o y_z e_z knight_n beâ—â—_n his_o bow_n &_o do_v shote_v a_o arowe_n wherw_o to_o he_o smite_v the_o keeper_n in_o y_z e_z lung_n and_o slay_v he_o &_o than_o he_o run_v to_o y_z e_z palay_n where_o as_o he_o find_v socour_n accord_v to_o the_o law_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n which_o ordain_v a_o law_n that_o what_o mysdoer_n that_o be_v to_o say_v what_o sinner_n may_v escape_v &_o come_v to_o the_o palay_n of_o holy_a chyrche_n through_o confessyon_n and_o contricyon_n shall_v find_v there_o ê‘petuall_a socour_n &_o help_v this_o knight_n betoken_v every_o sinner_n that_o be_v take_v in_o deed_o sin_n and_o judge_v unto_o the_o prison_n of_o hell_n by_o y_z e_z law_n of_o god_n &_o he_o be_v strayt_o bind_v w_o t_o chain_n of_o sin_n wherefore_o he_o wepe_v &_o mouru_v daily_o for_o his_o trespass_n the_o keeper_n of_o this_o prison_n betoken_v the_o devyll_n that_o keep_v such_o a_o man_n hear_v bind_v in_o sin_n &_o serve_v he_o which_o it_o rychesse_n &_o delight_n of_o this_o world_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o escape_v from_o he_o the_o bird_n that_o singe_v so_o swete_o betoken_v the_o voice_n of_o heaven_n that_o say_v to_o the_o sinner_n revertere_fw-la revertere_fw-la sunamitis_fw-la turn_v again_o now_o turn_v again_o thou_o prisoner_n that_o be_v to_o say_v turn_v again_o thou_o sinner_n and_o i_o shall_v receyve_v the_o â—o_o grace_n for_o when_o mankind_n be_v in_o limbo_n patrum_fw-la which_o be_v a_o certain_a prison_n of_o hell_n before_o the_o come_n of_o chryst._n than_o come_v a_o bird_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o godhede_v bear_v with_o he_o a_o stone_n that_o betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n accord_v to_o holy_a scrypture_n say_v ego_fw-la sum_fw-la lapis_fw-la etc._n etc._n i_o be_o a_o stone_n the_o soul_n of_o chryst_n descend_v with_o it_o the_o godhede_v &_o bring_v with_o he_o all_o mankind_n out_o of_o the_o prison_n of_o hell_n therefore_o if_o any_o of_o we_o be_v in_o the_o prison_n of_o deed_o sin_n touch_v we_o our_o sin_n with_o the_o stone_n that_o be_v to_o say_v with_o the_o virtue_n of_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n by_o confessyon_n &_o contricyon_n &_o than_o wtouten_a doubt_n the_o chain_n of_o our_o sin_n with_o his_o stone_n shall_v be_v break_v &_o fall_v from_o we_o &_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la door_n of_o heavenly_a grace_n shall_v be_v open_v and_o we_o shall_v optayne_n help_v &_o socour_v in_o the_o palay_v of_o y_fw-fr e_o chyrche_fw-fr and_o if_o the_o keeper_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o prison_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o devyll_n which_o be_v the_o blower_n of_o the_o horn_n of_o pride_n lechery_n or_o covetyse_v steer_v up_o any_o sinner_n than_o turn_v we_o again_o toward_o he_o manly_a &_o shote_v at_o he_o y_z e_z arowe_n of_o penance_n &_o without_o doubt_n he_o shall_v flee_v from_o us._n and_o than_o by_o y_z e_z grace_n of_o god_n we_o may_v optayne_n the_o palay_n of_o heaven_n unto_o y_z e_z 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 &_o a_o mercyful_a name_v ebolyde_v it_o fortune_v on_o a_o day_n that_o this_o emperor_n walk_v unto_o the_o forest_n where_o as_o he_o meet_v sodeyn_o with_o a_o poor_a man_n &_o anon_o when_o this_o emperor_n see_v he_o he_o be_v great_o move_v with_o mercy_n &_o say_v good_a friend_n whence_o be_v thou_o my_o soverayn_a lord_n quoth_v he_o i_o be_o you_o &_o bear_v in_o your_o land_n &_o now_o i_o be_o in_o great_a poverte_a and_o need_n and_o than_o say_v the_o emperor_n if_o i_o know_v that_o y_o e_o be_v true_a in_o every_o thing_n i_o shall_v promote_v the_o to_o great_a riches_n therefore_o tell_v i_o what_o be_v thy_o name_n my_o lord_n ê™_n he_o i_o be_o call_v lentyculus_fw-la &_o i_o behote_v you_o my_o troth_n &_o true_a seruyce_n &_o if_o i_o do_v other_o wise_n i_o submyt_v i_o to_o you_o and_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o pain_n that_o you_o can_v put_v i_o to_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o ê“mote_v he_o anon_o unto_o great_a rychesse_n &_o anon_o after_o y_z t_z he_o make_v he_o a_o knight_n &_o steward_n of_o his_o land_n and_o when_o he_o be_v thus_o exalt_v to_o rychesse_n &_o honour_n he_o wax_v so_o proud_a y_fw-mi to_o he_o despyse_v they_o
rower_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o see_v betoken_v all_o mankind_n which_o be_v take_v with_o the_o devyll_n by_o the_o sin_n of_o our_o fore_a father_n adam_n and_o be_v cast_v in_o to_o the_o prison_n of_o hell_n with_o great_a sorrow_n and_o pain_n his_o father_n will_v not_o ransom_n he_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o world_n will_v do_v nothing_o for_o he_o this_o fair_a daughter_n betoken_v the_o godhede_v which_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o take_v manhood_n of_o the_o vyrgyn_v marye_n and_o so_o make_v a_o goostly_a marriage_n bytwene_v he_o and_o man_n and_o upon_o this_o condicyon_n he_o delyver_v mankind_n out_o of_o this_o prison_n of_o hell_n when_o he_o come_v fro_o heaven_n and_o forsake_v the_o felawshyp_n of_o angel_n for_o to_o dwell_v with_o we_o in_o this_o wretched_a valley_n of_o tear_n but_o the_o father_n that_o betoken_v y_fw-mi e_z world_n grutched_a ever_o against_o he_o and_o will_v not_o suffer_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n shall_v become_v the_o spouse_n of_o jesu_n chryst_n but_o that_o she_o shall_v always_o serve_v he_o and_o forsake_v our_o lord_n therefore_o if_o we_o follow_v the_o world_n &_o his_o vanytee_n soth_o we_o shall_v fall_v in_o to_o the_o snare_n of_o the_o devyll_n from_fw-mi the_o which_o defend_v we_o our_o bless_v savyour_fw-mi jesu_n chryst._n amen_n sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o noble_a emperor_n of_o great_a lyvelode_n name_v alexander_n the_o which_o above_o all_o virtue_n love_v y_o e_o virtue_n of_o largess_n wherefore_o he_o ordain_v a_o law_n for_o great_a curiosite_a that_o no_o man_n under_o pain_n of_o death_n shall_v turn_v a_o plaice_n in_o his_o dysshe_n at_o his_o meat_n but_o only_o eat_v the_o white_a side_n and_o not_o the_o black_a and_o if_o any_o man_n will_v attempt_v to_o do_v the_o contrary_a he_o shall_v dye_v without_o remedy_n but_o or_o he_o die_v he_o shall_v ask_v three_o bone_n of_o the_o emperor_n what_o he_o list_v except_o his_o life_n which_o shall_v be_v grant_v he_o it_o befall_v after_o on_o a_o day_n that_o there_o come_v a_o earl_n &_o his_o soon_o of_o a_o strange_a country_n to_o speak_v with_o the_o emperor_n and_o when_o this_o earl_n be_v set_v to_o meat_n he_o be_v serve_v with_o a_o plaice_n and_o he_o which_o be_v hungry_a and_o have_v a_o appetyte_n to_o his_o meat_n ▪_o after_o he_o have_v eat_v y_o e_o white_a side_n he_o turn_v the_o black_a side_n &_o begin_v to_o eat_v thereof_o wherefore_o anon_o he_o be_v accuse_v to_o the_o emperor_n because_o he_o have_v offend_v against_o the_o law_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n let_v he_o dye_v accord_v to_o the_o law_n without_o one_o delay_n when_o the_o earl_n soon_o hear_v that_o his_o father_n shall_v dye_v anon_o he_o set_v he_o down_o on_o both_o his_o knee_n tofore_o the_o emperor_n and_o say_v o_o my_o reverend_a lord_n for_o his_o love_n that_o hinge_n upon_o the_o cross_n let_v i_o dye_v for_o my_o father_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n it_o please_v i_o well_o that_o one_o dye_v for_o the_o offence_n of_o the_o law_n than_o say_v this_o earl_n soon_o since_o it_o be_v so_o that_o i_o shall_v dye_v i_o ask_v the_o benefyte_n of_o the_o law_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o i_o may_v have_v three_o peticyon_n grant_v or_o i_o die_v the_o emperor_n answer_v and_o say_v ask_v what_o thou_o wylte_n there_o shall_v no_o man_n say_v the_o nay_o than_o say_v this_o young_a knight_n my_o lord_n you_o have_v but_o one_o daughter_n the_o which_o i_o desire_v of_o your_o highness_n that_o she_o may_v lie_v with_o i_o a_o night_n or_o i_o die_v the_o emperor_n grant_v though_o it_o be_v against_o his_o will_n in_o fulfylling_n of_o his_o law_n nevertheless_o this_o knight_n defoul_v she_o not_o as_o that_o night_n therefore_o please_v he_o great_o the_o emperor_n the_o second_o peticyon_n be_v this_o i_o ask_v all_o thy_o treasour_n and_o anon_o the_o emperor_n grant_v because_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v call_v a_o breke_a of_o his_o own_o law_n and_o when_o this_o earl_n soon_o have_v receyve_v y_o e_z emperor_n treasour_n he_o depart_v it_o both_o to_o poor_a and_o rich_a wherefore_o he_o optayn_v their_o good_a wylle_n my_o three_o peticyon_n be_v this_o i_o ask_v my_o lord_n that_o all_o y_fw-mi e_z eye_n may_v be_v put_v out_o incontynent_a which_o see_v my_o father_n eat_v of_o the_o black_a plaice_n wherefore_o the_o emperor_n let_v make_v a_o inquisicyon_n anon_o who_o it_o be_v that_o see_v the_o earl_n turn_v y_fw-fr e_o plaice_n and_o they_o that_o see_v he_o turn_v the_o plaice_n bethink_v they_o and_o say_v within_o themselves_o if_o we_o knowledge_n that_o we_o see_v he_o do_v this_o trespass_n than_o shall_v our_o eye_n be_v put_v out_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v better_a that_o he_o hold_v we_o still_o and_o so_o there_o be_v none_o find_v that_o will_v accuse_v he_o when_o the_o earl_n soon_o see_v this_o he_o say_v to_o the_o emperor_n my_o lord_n quoth_v he_o you_o see_v that_o there_o be_v no_o man_n accuse_v my_o father_n therefore_o gyve_v you_o rightful_a judgement_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n for_o as_o moche_v that_o no_o man_n will_v knowledge_n that_o they_o see_v he_o turn_v the_o plaice_n therefore_o i_o will_v not_o y_z t_z thy_o father_n shall_v dye_v lo_o thus_o the_o soon_o save_v his_o father_n life_n &_o after_o the_o decese_n of_o the_o emperor_n wed_v his_o daughter_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n which_o ordain_v a_o law_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v turn_v the_o black_a side_n of_o the_o plaice_n that_o be_v to_o say_v there_o shall_v no_o man_n labour_n for_o rychesse_n or_o lordship_n by_o covetyse_n and_o falshede_v the_o earl_n that_o come_v to_o the_o emperor_n betoken_v adam_n our_o for_o father_n which_o come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o damasse_n to_o the_o court_n of_o paradyse_n and_o turn_v up_o the_o black_a side_n of_o the_o plaice_n when_o he_o eat_v of_o the_o apple_n wherefore_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v damn_a to_o everla_a death_n but_o his_o soon_o that_o betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst._n for_o he_o take_v flesh_n of_o adam_n and_o proffer_v himself_o wilful_o to_o dye_v for_o he_o the_o father_n of_o heaven_n grant_v that_o he_o shall_v go_v down_o to_o dye_v for_o mankind_n nevertheless_o or_o he_o die_v he_o ask_v three_o peticyon_n of_o his_o father_n of_o heaven_n the_o first_o be_v this_o y_z t_z he_o may_v have_v by_o he_o his_o daughter_n which_o betoken_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o bring_v she_o with_o he_o into_o the_o bosom_n of_o heaven_n accord_v to_o y_z e_z word_n of_o osee_n say_v desponsabo_fw-la eam_fw-la michi_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o shall_v wed_v she_o to_o my_o wife_n the_o second_o peticyon_n be_v this_o all_o the_o emperor_n treasour_n which_o betoken_v the_o treasour_n of_o heaven_n accord_v to_o this_o scrypture_n sicut_fw-la disposuit_fw-la michi_fw-la pater_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v like_a as_o my_o father_n have_v dispose_v for_o i_o so_o i_o dyspose_v for_o you_o the_o three_o petycyon_n be_v this_o that_o all_o their_o eye_n shall_v be_v put_v out_o that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o devyll_n which_o daily_o accuse_v man_n that_o he_o may_v be_v put_v from_o the_o light_n of_o heavenly_a grace_n and_o thus_o save_v he_o mankind_n and_o lead_v he_o up_o with_o he_o unto_o the_o palay_n of_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o palay_v bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v lemycyus_fw-la which_o on_o a_o day_n ride_v to_o a_o forest_n for_o to_o sport_v he_o where_o as_o he_o meet_v sodeyn_o with_o a_o poor_a man_n to_o who_o he_o say_v thus_o friend_n whence_o come_v thou_o &_o who_o be_v thou_o my_o lord_n quoth_v he_o i_o come_v fro_o the_o next_o cyte_n and_o your_o man_n i_o be_o than_o say_v the_o emperor_n thou_o seme_v poor_a therefore_o if_o thou_o wylte_n be_v good_a and_o true_a i_o shall_v promote_v the_o to_o great_a rychesse_n and_o honour_n than_o answer_v this_o poor_a man_n and_o say_v my_o lord_n i_o promise_v you_o faithful_o to_o be_v true_a to_o you_o as_o long_o as_o i_o live_v the_o emperor_n anon_o make_v he_o knight_n and_o give_v he_o great_a rychesse_n when_o he_o be_v thus_o promote_v he_o wax_v so_o proud_a that_o he_o think_v himself_o more_o able_a to_o be_v a_o emperor_n than_o his_o lord_n wherefore_o he_o make_v suggestyon_n to_o dyverse_a lord_n of_o that_o empire_n that_o he_o may_v usurp_v &_o take_v upon_o he_o through_o strength_n of_o they_o to_o be_v emperor_n when_o y_a e_o emperor_n hear_v this_o anon_o he_o exile_v he_o and_o all_o those_o that_o be_v consent_v to_o he_o
anon_o you_o e_o young_a squyer_n receyve_v they_o glad_o and_o put_v they_o sure_o in_o a_o box_n and_o ride_v forth_o on_o his_o journey_n when_o he_o have_v rydden_v three_o or_o four_o day_n on_o his_o journey_n in_o a_o evening_a he_o come_v unto_o a_o castle_n where_o as_o dwell_v a_o knight_n and_o pray_v he_o meke_o of_o a_o night_n lode_v the_o knight_n sing_v and_o behold_v the_o good_a favour_n of_o this_o young_a squyer_n he_o grant_v he_o lodge_a &_o make_v he_o good_a cheer_n and_o well_o to_o fare_v and_o afterward_o bring_v he_o unto_o his_o chambre_n and_o when_o he_o be_v there_o he_o go_v to_o bed_v and_o anon_o fall_v on_o sleep_v for_o he_o be_v full_a weary_a of_o his_o journey_n and_o forget_v his_o box_n with_o the_o letter_n lyenge_a open_o in_o his_o chambre_n when_o the_o knight_n see_v the_o box_n he_o open_v it_o &_o find_v the_o letter_n seal_v with_o the_o emperor_n sign_n manuel_n and_o be_v great_o tempt_v to_o open_v they_o and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o open_v they_o full_a subtylly_a and_o than_o he_o read_v how_o the_o empress_n upon_o pain_n of_o dethe_v shall_v put_v the_o bearer_n of_o they_o to_o dethe_v and_o than_o he_o be_v right_a sorrowful_a &_o say_v within_o himself_o alas_o quoth_v he_o it_o be_v great_a pyte_n to_o slay_v such_o a_o fair_a young_a man_n and_o therefore_o if_o i_o may_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o and_o anon_o the_o knight_n scrape_v away_o that_o writing_a and_o write_v in_o y_z e_z same_z paper_z a_o letter_n sayinge_v these_o word_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n i_o command_v the_o that_o thou_o take_v the_o young_a squyer_n bearer_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o let_v he_o be_v wed_v without_o any_o delay_v unto_o my_o daughter_n and_o you_o with_o all_o the_o honour_n &_o solempnyte_n that_o can_v be_v teach_v and_o when_o they_o be_v wed_v that_o you_o take_v he_o as_o your_o own_o soon_o and_o that_o he_o keep_v my_o room_n till_o i_o come_v unto_o you_o myself_o when_o the_o knight_n have_v thus_o write_v he_o close_v the_o letter_n subtylly_a &_o put_v they_o in_o to_o the_o box_n again_o er_o in_o the_o morning_n the_o young_a squyer_n arise_v and_o hasty_o make_v he_o ready_a and_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o the_o knight_n and_o ride_v forth_o on_o his_o journey_n and_o the_o three_o day_n after_o he_o come_v unto_o the_o empress_n and_o salew_v her_o right_a worshypful_o in_o the_o emperor_n behalf_n and_o take_v she_o the_o letter_n and_o when_o the_o empress_n have_v read_v they_o anon_o she_o send_v her_o messenger_n through_o the_o country_n command_v the_o state_n and_o gentylman_n to_o comme_fw-fr unto_o her_o doughter_n wed_v at_o a_o certain_a day_n assign_v when_o they_o day_n be_v come_v thyder_n come_v many_o great_a lord_n and_o lady_n and_o anon_o this_o young_a squyer_n wed_v the_o emperor_n daughter_n with_o great_a honour_n and_o worship_n accord_v to_o the_o tenoure_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o be_v right_a well_o belove_a and_o moo_v honour_v among_o y_o e_o people_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o the_o emperor_n come_v in_o to_o that_o country_n and_o when_o y_a e_o empress_n hear_v of_o her_o lord_n come_v she_o take_v with_o she_o her_o soon_o in_o law_n with_o moche_n other_o people_n and_o go_v against_o y_o e_o emperor_n for_o to_o welcomme_v he_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o young_a squyer_n lede_a the_o empress_n his_o wife_n he_o be_v great_o move_v within_o himself_o and_o say_v o_o thou_o curse_a woman_n because_o thou_o have_v not_o fulfyl_v my_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o evyll_n death_n a_o my_o dear_a lord_n quoth_v she_o all_o that_o you_o command_v i_o to_o do_v i_o have_v fulfyl_v nay_o curse_a 〈◊〉_d man_n say_v the_o emperor_n it_o be_v not_o so_o for_o i_o write_v to_o the_o that_o thou_o shall_v put_v he_o to_o death_n and_o now_o i_o see_v he_o alyve_a my_o lord_n quoth_v y_o e_fw-la empress_n save_v your_o grace_n you_o write_v to_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v gyve_v he_o your_o daughter_n to_o wife_n and_o that_o on_o pain_n of_o death_n in_o wytnes_n whereof_o loo_n here_o your_o letter_n with_o your_o own_o seal_n manuel_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o wonder_v great_o and_o say_v be_v he_o wed_v than_o to_o my_o daughter_n you_o soth_o say_v the_o empress_n long_o ago_o which_o it_o great_a solempnite_a and_o worship_n and_o as_o i_o byleve_v your_o daughter_n be_v with_o child_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n o_o thou_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n it_o be_v great_a folly_n to_o sâ—â—yne_v against_o thy_o ordinance_n therefore_o since_o it_o be_v so_o thy_o will_n must_v needs_o be_v fulfyl_v and_o with_o that_o he_o take_v his_o soon_o in_o law_n in_o his_o arm_n &_o kyss_v he_o which_o after_o his_o death_n be_v emperor_n and_o end_v his_o life_n in_o rest_n and_o peace_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n may_v betoken_v herode_fw-la or_o else_o every_o sinner_n which_o walk_v alone_o without_o troth_n till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o foster_v house_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o chyrche_n which_o be_v the_o house_n of_o god_n this_o herode_fw-la will_v have_v slay_v this_o child_n jesu_n wherefore_o he_o send_v messenger_n to_o seek_v he_o accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n of_o saint_n mathewe_n tell_v how_o he_o command_v you_o e_o three_o king_n to_o seek_v he_o and_o bring_v he_o tydynge_n again_o where_o he_o be_v you_o to_o he_o may_v come_v &_o worship_n he_o also_o but_o this_o say_v he_o not_o for_o love_n but_o for_o deceit_n the_o foster_n betoken_v josep_n our_o lady_n husband_n which_o keep_v he_o but_o when_o the_o messenger_n come_v that_o be_v to_o say_v when_o the_o three_o king_n come_v they_o slay_v he_o not_o but_o worshyp_v he_o on_o their_o knee_n and_o leave_v he_o in_o the_o holowe_v tree_n of_o he_o godhede_v the_o earl_n that_o come_v &_o foude_v this_o child_n betoken_v the_o holy_a goost_n which_o warn_v joseph_n by_o the_o angel_n in_o his_o sleep_v that_o he_o shall_v take_v our_o lady_n and_o she_o soon_o and_o flee_v in_o to_o the_o land_n of_o egypte_n this_o moralyte_n may_v be_v understande_v of_o your_o wyâ—e_n this_o emperor_n may_v betoken_v a_o sinner_n that_o walk_v in_o the_o forest_n of_o this_o world_n seek_v vanytee_n and_o nought_o else_o unto_o the_o time_n he_o come_v to_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o there_o he_o be_v receyve_v benygne_o of_o the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chyrche_n if_o he_o will_v obey_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n but_o many_o of_o we_o now_o a_o day_n slepe_v in_o the_o chyrche_n when_o they_o observe_v not_o the_o werke_n of_o mercy_n and_o therefore_o ought_v they_o to_o drede_v the_o voice_n which_o i_o have_v rehearse_v by_o y_z e_z first_o take_v that_o may_v be_v understande_v the_o great_a benefit_n that_o he_o give_v the_o when_o he_o put_v in_o the_o a_o soul_n make_v at_o his_o own_o symylytude_n by_o the_o second_o take_v be_v understande_v the_o soon_o of_o the_o father_n of_o heaven_n which_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o bless_a virgyn_v mary_n by_o the_o 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
¶_o here_o after_o folowâ—_n the_o history_n of_o gesta-romanorum_a sometime_o there_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n which_o have_v a_o fair_a creature_n to_o his_o doughtar_n name_v atleâ—ta_n who_o dyverse_a great_a lord_n &_o many_o noble_a knight_n desire_v to_o have_v to_o wife_n this_o atlenta_n be_v wounder_n swift_a on_o foot_n wherefore_o such_o a_o law_n be_v ordain_v y_o it_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 &_o take_v she_o by_o strengthe_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 but_o she_o be_v so_o swift_a that_o no_o 〈…〉_o course_n of_o reun_v at_z y_z e_z last_o 〈…〉_o pomey_n unto_o her_o father_n &_o say_v to_o he_o thus_o 〈◊〉_d 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 her_o father_n there_o be_v such_o a_o law_n ordain_v &_o set_v that_o who_o so_o will_v have_v she_o to_o wife_n must_v first_o run_v with_o she_o &_o if_o he_o fail_v in_o his_o course_n y_z t_z he_o overtake_v she_o not_o he_o shall_v less_o his_o heed_n &_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 and_o when_o the_o emperor_n have_v tell_v he_o all_o the_o peryll_n that_o may_v â–ª_o fall_v in_o y_z e_z wynning_a of_o she_o the_o knight_n wilful_o grant_v to_o abide_v that_o ieopardye_o than_o the_o knight_n let_v 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 renew_v a_o lyttel_n spare_v the_o young_a lady_n over_o run_v he_o than_o you_o e_o knight_n throw_v forth_o before_o her_o the_o first_o ball_n of_o gold_n and_o when_o the_o damosel_n see_v y_fw-fr e_o bal_n she_o stoop_v and_o take_v it_o up_o and_o that_o while_o the_o knight_n win_v before_o she_o but_o that_o avayl_v little_a for_o when_o she_o perceyve_v that_o she_o run_v so_o fast_o that_o in_o short_a space_n she_o gate_n before_o he_o again_o and_o than_o he_o throw_v forth_o the_o second_o hall_n of_o gold_n and_o she_o stoop_v as_o she_o do_v before_o to_o take_v it_o up_o and_o in_o that_o while_n the_o knight_n win_v before_o she_o again_o which_o this_o young_a damosel_n sing_v constrain_v herself_o and_o run_v so_o fast_o till_o at_o the_o last_o she_o have_v he_o at_o a_o vantage_n again_o &_o be_v afore_o he_o and_o by_o that_o time_n they_o be_v nigh_o the_o mark_n where_o they_o shall_v abide_v wherefore_o y_a e_o knight_n throw_v forth_o y_o e_fw-la three_o ball_n before_o she_o and_o like_a as_o she_o have_v do_v before_o stoop_v down_o to_o take_v up_o the_o ball_n &_o while_o she_o be_v in_o take_v up_o the_o three_o ball_n the_o knight_n gate_n afore_o she_o and_o be_v first_o at_o the_o mark_n and_o thus_o be_v she_o win_v ¶_o by_o this_o emperor_n be_v understande_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n and_o by_o this_o damosel_n be_v understande_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n with_o who_o many_o devylles_n desire_n to_o run_v and_o to_o deceyve_v she_o through_o their_o temptacyon_n but_o she_o wythstand_v they_o myghty_o and_o overcom_v they_o and_o when_o they_o have_v do_v their_o power_n and_o may_v not_o speed_n than_o make_v they_o three_o ball_n of_o gold_n and_o cast_v they_o before_o she_o in_o the_o three_o age_n of_o man_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o youth_n in_o manhood_n &_o in_o old_a age_n in_o youth_n he_o cast_v the_o ball_n of_o lechery_n before_o she_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o desire_n of_o the_o flesh_n nevertheless_o for_o all_o this_o ball_n oftentimes_o man_n overcom_v the_o devyll_n by_o confessyon_n contrycyon_n and_o satisfaccyon_n the_o second_o ball_n be_v the_o ball_n of_o pride_n the_o which_o the_o devyll_n cast_v to_o man_n in_o his_o manhood_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o his_o middle_a age_n but_o this_o ball_n man_n oftentimes_o overcom_v as_o he_o do_v y_o e_fw-la first_o but_o let_v he_o beware_v of_o the_o three_o ball_n which_o be_v y_fw-fr e_o ball_n of_o covetyse_n that_o the_o devyll_n cast_v to_o man_n in_o his_o old_a age_n which_o be_v dredefull_a for_o but_o if_o a_o man_n may_v overcomme_v this_o ball_n with_o these_o other_o two_o he_o shall_v less_o his_o honour_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_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 heart_n be_v set_v on_o woorldly_a good_n and_o reck_v not_o of_o prayer_n ne_o of_o alm_n dede_n and_o thus_o lese_v he_o his_o herytage_n to_o y_z e_z which_o god_n have_v buy_v he_o with_o his_o preâ—yous_a blood_n unto_o the_o which_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n bring_v both_o you_o &_o i_o &_o all_o mankind_n amen_n there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n &_o a_o wise_n name_v anselme_n which_o bear_v in_o his_o arm_n a_o shield_v of_o silver_n w_o t_o fyve_o reed_n rose_n this_o emperor_n have_v three_o son_n who_o he_o love_v moche_n he_o have_v also_o contynuall_a war_n with_o the_o king_n of_o egypte_n in_o the_o which_o war_n he_o lose_v all_o his_o temporal_a good_n except_o a_o virtuous_a tree_n it_o fortune_v after_o on_o a_o day_n that_o he_o give_v batayle_n to_o y_z e_z say_v king_n of_o egypte_n wherein_o he_o be_v grevous_o wound_v nevertheless_o he_o opteyn_v the_o vyctory_n notwythstand_v he_o have_v his_o deed_o wound_n wherefore_o while_o he_o lie_v in_o point_n of_o death_n he_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o elder_a soon_o &_o say_v my_o moost_n dear_a and_o well-beloved_a soon_o all_o my_o temporal_a rychesse_n i_o have_v spend_v &_o almoo_v nothing_o be_v leave_v i_o except_o a_o virtuous_a tree_n the_o which_o stand_v in_o the_o mydde_v of_o my_o empire_n i_o gyve_v to_o the_o all_o that_o be_v under_o the_o earth_n &_o above_o y_fw-fr e_o earth_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o same_o tree_n o_o my_o reverend_a father_n ê™_n he_o i_o thank_v you_o moche_n than_o say_v themperour_n call_v to_o i_o my_o second_o soon_o anon_o his_o elder_a soon_o great_o glad_v of_o his_o father_n gift_n call_v in_o his_o brother_n and_o when_o he_o come_v than_o say_v themperour_n my_o deer_n soon_o quoth_v he_o i_o may_v not_o make_v my_o testament_n for_o as_o moche_v as_o i_o have_v spend_v all_o my_o good_n except_o a_o tree_n which_o stand_v in_o my_o empire_n of_o the_o which_o tree_n i_o bequethe_v to_o the_o all_o that_o be_v great_a and_o small_a than_o answer_v he_o &_o say_v my_o reverend_a father_n i_o thank_v you_o moche_n than_o say_v y_o e_o emperor_n call_v to_o i_o my_o three_o soon_o and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v and_o when_o he_o be_v come_v the_o emperor_n say_v my_o deer_n soon_o i_o must_v dye_v of_o these_o wound_n &_o i_o have_v but_o only_o a_o virtuous_a tree_n of_o the_o which_o i_o have_v bequeath_v thy_o brother_n their_o porcyon_n and_o to_o the_o i_o bequethe_v thy_o porcyon_n for_o i_o will_v that_o thou_o have_v of_o the_o say_a tree_n all_o that_o be_v wete_z &_o dry_v than_o say_v his_o soon_o father_n i_o thank_v you_o soon_o after_o that_o y_z e_z emperor_n have_v make_v his_o bequest_n he_o die_v and_o the_o elder_a soon_o anon_o take_v season_n of_o the_o tree_n when_o the_o second_o brother_n hear_v this_o he_o say_v my_o brother_n by_o what_o law_n or_o tytel_n occupy_v you_o this_o tree_n dear_a brother_n quoth_v he_o i_o occupy_v it_o by_o this_o title_a my_o father_n give_v i_o all_o that_o be_v under_o the_o earth_n &_o above_o of_o the_o say_a tree_n &_o therefore_o by_o reason_n this_o tree_n be_v i_o unknow_v to_o the_o quoth_v the_o second_o brother_n he_o give_v i_o all_o that_o be_v in_o breed_n length_n &_o depnes_n of_o the_o say_a tree_n &_o therefore_o i_o have_v as_o great_a â–ª_o right_a in_o y_z e_z tree_n as_o thou_o this_o hear_n the_o three_o soon_o come_v to_o they_o &_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 for_o as_o moche_v right_a have_v i_o in_o this_o tree_n as_o you_o for_o well_o you_o wot_v by_o y_z e_z law_n that_o the_o last_o will_n &_o testament_n ought_v to_o stand_v for_o soth_o he_o give_v i_o of_o the_o say_a tree_n all_o that_o be_v wete_z &_o dry_a &_o therefore_o by_o right_a the_o tree_n be_v i_o but_o for_o as_o moche_v as_o your_o tale_n be_v great_a &_o i_o also_o my_o counseyle_n be_v that_o we_o be_v iustyfy_v by_o reason_n for_o it_o be_v not_o good_a nor_o commendable_a that_o any_o strife_n or_o dyssencyon_n shall_v be_v among_o us._n here_o beside_o dwell_v a_o king_n of_o
and_o his_o soul_n shall_v be_v delyver_v from_o sin_n and_o by_o all_o right_a he_o shall_v have_v everlasting_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n sometime_o there_o regn_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wise_n name_v frederyke_v which_o have_v a_o only_a soon_o who_o he_o love_v moche_n this_o emperor_n when_o he_o lie_v at_o the_o point_n of_o death_n he_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o soon_o &_o say_v there_o soon_o i_o have_v a_o ball_n of_o gold_n which_o i_o gyve_v the_o upon_o my_o blessing_n that_o thou_o anon_o after_o my_o death_n shall_v gyve_v it_o to_o the_o moo_v fool_n that_o thou_o may_v find_v than_o say_v his_o soon_o my_o lord_n wothout_n doubt_n your_o will_n shall_v be_v fulfyl_v anon_o this_o young_a lord_n after_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n go_v &_o seek_v in_o many_o realm_n &_o find_v many_o recheles_a fool_n because_o he_o will_v satysfye_v his_o father_n will_n labour_v far_o till_o he_o come_v in_o to_o a_o realm_n where_o the_o law_n be_v such_o that_o every_o year_n a_o new_a king_n be_v choose_v there_o &_o this_o king_n have_v only_o the_o guide_n of_o y_z e_z realm_n but_o a_o year_n &_o at_o the_o year_n end_n he_o be_v depose_v &_o put_v in_o exile_n in_o a_o ylande_n where_o as_o he_o shall_v wretched_o fynysshe_v his_o life_n when_o themperour_n soon_o come_v to_o this_o realm_n the_o new_a king_n be_v choose_v with_o it_o great_a honour_n &_o all_o manner_n of_o mynstralsye_n go_v afore_o he_o &_o bring_v he_o with_o great_a reverence_n and_o worship_n unto_o his_o regal_a sete_n and_o when_o the_o emperor_n soon_o see_v that_o he_o come_v unto_o he_o and_o salew_v he_o reverent_o &_o say_v my_o lord_n loo_n i_o gyve_v the_o this_o ball_n of_o gold_n on_o my_o father_n behalf_n than_o say_v he_o i_o pray_v the_o tell_v i_o the_o cause_n why_o thou_o gyve_v i_o this_o ball_n than_o answer_v this_o young_a lord_n and_o say_v my_o father_n charge_v i_o in_o his_o death_n bed_n upon_o pain_n of_o forfeyt_v of_o his_o bless_v that_o i_o shall_v gyve_v this_o ball_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o moost_n fool_n y_fw-fr e_o i_o coude_fw-fr find_v wherefore_o i_o have_v seek_v many_o realm_n &_o have_v find_v many_o fool_n nevertheless_o a_o more_o fool_n than_o thou_o be_v find_v i_o never_o &_o therefore_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o the_o that_o thou_o shall_v regne_fw-la but_o a_o year_n and_o at_o the_o year_n end_n thou_o shall_v be_v exile_v into_o such_o a_o place_n where_o as_o thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o myschevous_a death_n wherefore_o i_o hold_v the_o for_o the_o moo_v fool_n that_o ever_o i_o find_v that_o for_o the_o lordship_n of_o a_o year_n thou_o will_v so_o wilful_o less_o thyself_o &_o therefore_o before_o all_o other_o i_o have_v give_v to_o the_o this_o ball_n of_o gold_n than_o say_v the_o king_n without_o doubt_n thou_o say_v sothe_o and_o therefore_o when_o i_o be_o in_o full_a power_n of_o this_o realm_n i_o shall_v send_v before_o i_o great_a treasoure_n and_o rychesse_n wherwyth_o i_o may_v live_v and_o save_v myself_o from_o my_o schevous_a death_n when_o i_o shall_v be_v exile_v &_o put_v down_o and_o so_o this_o be_v do_v wherefore_o at_o the_o year_n end_n he_o be_v exile_v &_o live_v there_o in_o peace_n upon_o such_o good_n as_o he_o have_v send_v before_o and_o he_o die_v afterward_o a_o good_a death_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n the_o which_o byquethe_v the_o ball_n that_o be_v to_o say_v worldly_a rychesse_n to_o fool_n and_o ydyotte_n which_o savour_v no_o thing_n but_o that_o be_v erthly_a this_o emperor_n soon_o that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o precher_n and_o a_o discrete_a confessor_n search_v about_o many_o realm_n &_o land_n to_o show_v to_o mysbyleve_a man_n &_o fool_n their_o peryll_n the_o realm_n wherein_o no_o king_n may_v regne_fw-la but_o a_o year_n be_v this_o world_n for_o who_o so_o have_v live_v a_o hondred_a year_n when_o he_o come_v to_o the_o death_n he_o shall_v seem_v that_o he_o have_v live_v but_o the_o space_n of_o a_o hour_n therefore_o do_v as_o the_o king_n do_v while_o that_o you_o be_v in_o power_n of_o life_n send_v before_o you_o your_o treasour_n that_o be_v to_o say_v alm_n deed_n &_o other_o merytoryu_v dede_n &_o certain_o when_o you_o be_v put_v in_o exile_n out_o of_o this_o world_n you_o shall_v live_v in_o peace_n &_o shall_v find_v y_z e_o mercy_n of_o god_n plentefull_a whereby_o you_o shall_v optayne_n everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o he_o that_o for_o we_o die_v on_o the_o road_n tree_n amen_n dioclesyan_a regn_v in_o the_o cyte_n of_o rome_n in_o who_o empire_n dwell_v a_o noble_a philosopher_n y_z e_z which_o let_v up_o by_o his_o craft_n a_o image_n in_o the_o mydde_v of_o yeâ—ite_v of_o rome_n the_o which_o image_n stretch_v out_o his_o arm_n &_o his_o forme_v fynger_n whereupon_o stand_v this_o posy_n write_v in_o latyn_a percute_fw-la hic_fw-la smite_n here_o this_o image_n after_o the_o death_n of_o this_o philosopher_n stand_v still_o a_o long_a time_n &_o many_o great_a clerk_n come_v thyder_n for_o to_o rede_n the_o superscripcyon_n that_o be_v on_o y_z e_z fynger_v but_o none_o of_o they_o understode_v what_o it_o ment_fw-la wherefore_o there_o be_v great_a wonder_v among_o the_o people_n and_o at_o the_o last_o a_o long_a time_n after_o there_o come_v a_o strange_a clerk_n out_o of_o far_o countree_n &_o when_o he_o see_v this_o image_n he_o red_a y_o e_o scripture_n smite_n here_o and_o than_o upon_o a_o day_n when_o he_o see_v the_o shadow_n of_o the_o hand_n he_o take_v a_o mattock_n &_o break_v up_o y_o e_o ground_n under_o the_o hand_n where_o the_o shadow_n be_v accord_v to_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o superscripcyon_n &_o anon_o he_o find_v a_o house_n all_o of_o marble_n undernethe_v the_o grovode_n wherein_o he_o enter_v &_o come_v in_o to_o a_o hall_n where_o he_o find_v so_o moche_n rychesse_n so_o many_o yewelle_n and_o so_o great_a meruayle_n that_o he_o never_o see_v ne_o hear_v of_o such_o nor_o so_o many_o before_o that_o tyme._n at_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la last_o he_o see_v a_o board_n cover_v and_o all_o manner_n of_o thing_n necessary_a thereto_o set_v there_o upon_o he_o be_v hold_v far_a and_o see_v a_o carbuncle_n in_o a_o wall_n that_o lyghten_v all_o y_o e_o house_n and_o anent_o this_o carbuncle_n on_o that_o other_o side_n stand_v a_o man_n hold_v in_o his_o hand_n a_o bow_n with_o a_o arowe_n ready_a to_o shote_v the_o clerk_n merualled_a moche_n when_o be_v see_v all_o these_o thing_n and_o think_v in_o himself_o if_o that_o i_o tâ—ll_v this_o forth_o there_o will_v no_o man_n byleve_v i_o &_o therefore_o i_o will_v have_v somewhat_o of_o these_o good_n in_o token_n of_o proof_n and_o with_o that_o he_o see_v a_o knife_n of_o gold_n upon_o y_o e_o board_n which_o he_o take_v &_o will_v have_v put_v it_o in_o his_o bosom_n but_o anon_o the_o archer_n smite_v the_o carbuncle_n and_o break_v it_o wherwyth_o all_o the_o hole_n house_n be_v shadow_v &_o make_v dark_a and_o when_o y_a e_o clerk_n perceyve_v it_o he_o weep_v more_o bytter_o than_o any_o man_n may_v think_v for_o he_o wist_v not_o by_o what_o way_n he_o may_v go_v out_o for_o as_o moche_v as_o the_o house_n be_v make_v dark_a through_o the_o break_n of_o the_o carbuncle_n and_o that_o darkness_n abide_v still_o for_o evermore_o after_o and_o so_o fynissh_v the_o clerk_n his_o life_n there_o in_o that_o darkness_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o image_n so_o stand_v be_v the_o devyll_n which_o say_v evermore_o smite_n here_o that_o be_v to_o say_v take_v heed_n to_o erthly_a rycheâ—se_n &_o not_o to_o heavenly_a treasour_n this_o clerk_n that_o smite_v with_o the_o mattock_n betoken_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o this_o world_n as_o pleder_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o law_n attorney_n and_o other_o worldly_a man_n that_o ever_o be_v smyte_v what_o by_o right_a &_o what_o by_o wrong_n so_o y_z t_z they_o may_v gete_v the_o vanytee_n of_o this_o world_n &_o in_o their_o smyte_a they_o find_v great_a wonder_n &_o meruayle_n that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o find_v therein_o the_o delight_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o many_o man_n rejoice_v the_o carbuncle_n that_o gyve_v light_v be_v the_o youth_n of_o man_n which_o gyve_v hardynes_n to_o take_v their_o pleasure_n in_o worldly_a rychesse_n the_o archer_n w_o t_o his_o arowe_n be_v death_n which_o lay_v watch_n anent_o man_n to_o slay_v he_o the_o clerk_n that_o take_v up_o y_o e_o knife_n be_v every_o worldly_a man_n that_o wen_v ever_o to_o have_v all_o thing_n at_o his_o will_n death_n
smit_v the_o carbuncle_n that_o be_v to_o say_v youth_n strength_n and_o power_n of_o man_n and_o than_o lie_v he_o wrap_v in_o darkness_n of_o sin_n â–ª_o in_o which_o darkness_n oftentimes_o he_o die_v therefore_o study_v we_o to_o flee_v the_o world_n and_o his_o desire_n and_o than_o shall_v we_o be_v sure_a to_o win_v everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o jesu_n bring_v both_o you_o &_o i_o amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v tytus_fw-la a_o wise_a man_n &_o a_o dyscrete_a which_o ordain_v in_o his_o day_n such_o a_o law_n that_o what_o knight_n die_v in_o his_o empire_n shall_v be_v bury_v in_o his_o armure_n &_o who_o so_o ever_o presume_v to_o spoil_v any_o knight_n armure_v after_o he_o be_v deed_n he_o shall_v dye_v without_o any_o withstand_v or_o gaynsay_n it_o befall_v after_o within_o few_o year_n that_o a_o cyte_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o empire_n be_v besyege_v of_o themperours_n enemy_n wherefore_o that_o cyte_n be_v in_o peryll_n of_o lose_a â–ª_o for_o nâ—ne_n that_o be_v within_o that_o cyte_n may_v not_o defend_v themselves_o by_o no_o manner_n of_o craft_n therefore_o great_a sorrow_n and_o lamentacyon_n be_v make_v through_o out_o all_o y_fw-es e_fw-es cite_v but_o at_o the_o last_o win_v few_o day_n there_o come_v to_o the_o cite_v a_o young_a knight_n and_o a_o fair_a and_o doughty_a to_o do_v dede_n of_o arm_n who_o the_o worthy_a man_n of_o the_o cite_v behold_v &_o understand_v his_o doughtynesâ—â—_n cry_v w_n t_o one_o voice_n o_o thou_o most_o noble_a knight_n we_o beseech_v the_o if_o it_o please_v thy_o worthiness_n to_o help_v we_o now_o at_o our_o most_o need_n 'loo_o you_o may_v so_o this_o cyte_n in_o be_v peryll_n of_o lose_v than_o answer_v he_o &_o say_v 〈◊〉_d you_o not_o sir_n thâ—â—_n i_o have_v none_o armure_v &_o if_o i_o have_v armure_v i_o will_v glad_o defend_v your_o cyte_n this_o â—earing_v a_o mighty_a man_n of_o the_o cyte_n say_v to_o he_o in_o secret_a wise_n sir_n here_o be_v sometime_o &_o doughty_a knight_n which_o now_o be_v deed_n and_o bury_v within_o this_o cite_v acâ—orâ—ding_v to_o the_o law_n &_o if_o it_o please_v you_o to_o take_v his_o armure_n you_o may_v defend_v this_o cite_v &_o delyver_v we_o from_o peryll_n and_o that_o shall_v be_v honour_n unto_o you_o and_o profit_n unto_o all_o the_o empire_n when_o this_o young_a knight_n have_v herd_n this_o he_o go_v to_o the_o grave_n &_o take_v y_o e_o armure_n &_o array_v himself_o therewith_o &_o fight_v myghty_o against_o his_o enemy_n and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o opteyn_v &_o have_v the_o vyctory_n &_o delyver_v y_o e_o cite_v from_o peryll_n and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v he_o put_v the_o armure_n again_o in_o to_o the_o grave_n there_o be_v some_o man_n in_o the_o cite_v that_o have_v great_a indignation_n and_o envy_n at_o he_o because_o he_o have_v opteyn_v the_o vyctory_n and_o accuse_v he_o to_o the_o judge_n say_v thus_o sir_n a_o law_n be_v make_v by_o themperour_n y_z t_z who_o so_o ever_o despoil_v a_o deed_n knight_n of_o his_o armure_n shall_v dye_v this_o young_a knight_n find_v a_o deed_n knight_n &_o take_v away_o his_o armure_n therefore_o we_o beseech_v y_z e_o that_o thou_o proceed_v in_o the_o law_n against_o he_o as_o against_o he_o y_o it_o be_v breker_fw-mi of_o y_fw-fr e_o law_n when_o the_o justyce_n hear_v this_o he_o make_v y_z e_z knight_n to_o be_v take_v &_o to_o be_v bring_v a_o before_o he_o and_o when_o he_o be_v examine_v of_o this_o trespass_n against_o the_o law_n he_o say_v thus_o sir_n it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n â–ª_o that_o of_o two_o harm_n the_o least_fw-mi be_v to_o be_v choose_v it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o you_o that_o this_o cite_v be_v in_o peryll_n to_o be_v lose_v &_o but_o i_o have_v take_v this_o armure_n i_o have_v neither_o save_v you_o ne_o the_o cyte_n therefore_o i_o thynk_v you_o ought_v rather_o to_o honour_v &_o worship_n i_o for_o this_o good_a deed_n that_o i_o have_v do_v than_o thus_o shameful_o to_o reprove_v i_o for_o i_o be_o lead_v as_o he_o that_o be_v ready_a to_o be_v hang_v and_o also_o good_a sir_n a_o other_o reason_n i_o may_v lay_v for_o my_o excuse_n he_z y_z t_z stele_v or_o rob_v violent_o purpose_v not_o to_o restore_v y_z e_o thing_n that_o he_o rob_v but_o it_o be_v not_o thus_o with_o i_o for_o though_o i_o take_v the_o armure_n of_o the_o deed_n knight_n for_o your_o saluacyon_n when_o i_o have_v opteyn_v the_o victory_n i_o bear_v it_o again_o to_o y_z e_z same_o place_n &_o so_o the_o deed_n knight_n have_v that_o be_v he_o by_o the_o law_n than_o say_v the_o justyce_n a_o thief_n that_o breke_v a_o house_n that_o he_o may_v steel_n &_o bear_v away_o such_o as_o he_o may_v find_v &_o though_o he_o bring_v again_o that_o he_o have_v take_v i_o ask_v of_o the_o if_o that_o the_o break_n of_o the_o house_n be_v lawful_a or_o not_o the_o knight_n answer_v sometime_o the_o break_n of_o a_o house_n may_v be_v good_a where_o as_o it_o be_v make_v in_o feeble_a place_n which_o shall_v cause_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o house_n to_o make_v his_o wall_n strong_a that_o the_o thief_n after_o y_z e_z break_v not_o the_o wall_n so_o lyght_o in_o avoid_v of_o more_o harm_n than_o say_v the_o justyce_n if_o the_o break_n of_o the_o house_n be_v good_a nevertheless_o in_o that_o breaking_a violence_n be_v do_v to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o house_n and_o so_o though_o thou_o do_v good_a with_o the_o armure_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o deed_n knight_n nevertheless_o thou_o do_v wrong_v to_o the_o deed_n knight_n in_o take_v away_o his_o armure_n the_o knight_n say_v i_o have_v tell_v you_o how_o that_o of_o two_o harm_n the_o least_fw-mi be_v to_o be_v choose_v and_o that_o harm_n where_o through_o great_a goodness_n come_v ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v harm_n but_o it_o shall_v rather_o be_v call_v good_a for_o if_o that_o any_o house_n within_o the_o cite_v be_v on_o fire_n &_o begin_v to_o brenne_n it_o be_v more_o better_a to_o throw_v it_o to_o the_o ground_n and_o three_o or_o four_o house_n thereby_o than_o they_o shall_v be_v set_v on_o fire_n also_o whereby_o all_o y_o e_o cyte_n may_v be_v brente_a right_o so_o if_o the_o armure_n oft_o y_a e_o deed_n knight_n have_v not_o be_v take_v the_o cyte_n and_o you_o all_o have_v be_v lose_v and_o when_o the_o justyce_n hear_v y_o it_o he_o answer_v so_o well_o &_o so_o reasonable_o he_o may_v gyve_v no_o judgement_n against_o he_o but_o the_o which_o have_v accuse_v this_o knight_n slay_v he_o for_o who_o death_n there_o be_v great_a weep_v through_o out_o all_o the_o cyte_n &_o his_o body_n be_v worshypful_o bury_v in_o a_o neeâ—_n tombe_fw-fr ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n and_o this_o cite_v be_v y_fw-fr e_o world_n the_o which_o be_v besyege_v of_o the_o devyll_n and_o deed_o sin_n and_o as_o many_o as_o be_v within_o this_o cyte_n be_v all_o in_o peryl_n to_o be_v lose_v this_o young_a knight_n that_o come_v to_o the_o cyte_n be_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n which_o have_v not_o the_o armure_n of_o our_o manhood_n till_o he_o go_v to_o the_o grave_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o the_o womb_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o glorious_a vyrgyn_v mary_n by_o the_o annunciacyon_n of_o the_o angel_n sayinge_v the_o holy_a goost_n shall_v light_v in_o the._n etc._n etc._n lo_o thou_o shall_v conceyve_v &_o bear_v a_o soon_o and_o thus_o in_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o vyrgyn_v he_o take_v the_o armure_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o deed_n knight_n that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o take_v the_o manhood_n of_o adam_n ourfore_o father_n &_o save_v the_o cyte_n that_o be_v the_o world_n with_o mankind_n from_o peryll_n by_o his_o bless_a passion_n which_o he_o suffer_v on_o the_o cross_n &_o than_o he_o put_v his_o armure_n again_o in_o to_z y_z e_z grave_n when_o his_o bless_a body_n be_v bury_v but_o y_z e_z cytezyn_n envy_a he_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o jew_n of_o jury_n accuse_v he_o to_o pilot_n and_o lay_v the_o law_n against_o he_o say_v if_o thou_o suffer_v he_o thus_o thou_o be_v not_o the_o emperor_n caesar_n friend_n we_o have_v a_o law_n &_o after_o y_o e_o law_n he_o ought_v to_o dye_v and_o thus_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n of_o his_o enemy_n be_v condemn_v to_o the_o death_n of_o the_o cross_n &_o after_o ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n where_o our_o lord_n jesu_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n there_o regn_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wyse_v name_v betolde_v which_o ordain_v a_o law_n that_o what_o woman_n be_v take_v in_o anoutry_n her_o husband_n be_v alyve_a she_o
shall_v be_v cast_v in_o to_o ê‘petuall_a prison_n there_o be_v that_o time_n a_o knight_n that_o have_v a_o fair_a lady_n to_o his_o wife_n which_o do_v aâ—outry_n her_o husband_n be_v alyve_a &_o be_v with_o child_n therefore_o by_o y_z e_o 〈…〉_o in_o prison_n where_o within_o short_a time_n after_o she_o be_v delyver_v of_o a_o fair_a soon_o this_o child_n grow_v up_o till_o he_o be_v vij_o year_n old_a his_o mother_n daily_o weep_v herte_o and_o when_o the_o child_n hear_v this_o he_o say_v to_o his_o mother_n o_o mother_n why_o weep_v you_o thus_o &_o for_o what_o cause_n be_v your_o body_n thus_o turment_v than_o say_v his_o mother_n o_o thou_o my_o sweet_a soon_o i_o have_v great_a cause_n to_o mourn_v and_o thou_o also_o for_o above_o our_o hede_n be_v people_n walk_v &_o you_o e_o son_n shine_v in_o clearness_n &_o great_a solace_n have_v all_o man_n y_o it_o be_v above_o we_o &_o we_o be_v here_o contynual_o in_o such_o darkness_n that_o i_o may_v not_o see_v the_o ne_o thou_o i_o alas_o that_o ever_o i_o conceyve_v the._n than_o say_v y_o e_o soon_o such_o joy_n ne_o such_o light_n as_o you_o speak_v of_o see_v i_o never_o for_o i_o be_v bear_v here_o in_o this_o darkness_n therefore_o if_o i_o have_v meat_n and_o drink_n enough_o here_o will_v i_o live_v all_o the_o day_n of_o my_o life_n therefore_o mother_n weep_v you_o not_o but_o show_v i_o solace_v this_o lamentacyon_n that_o be_v bytwene_v the_o mother_n and_o the_o soon_o hear_v themperours_n steward_n that_o stand_v aboâ—â—_n their_o hede_n whereof_o he_o have_v great_a compassion_n &_o go_v unto_o y_z e_o emperor_n &_o knel_v beseech_v he_o of_o his_o grace_n that_o the_o mother_n and_o the_o soon_o may_v be_v delyver_v out_o of_o prison_n the_o emperor_n as_o a_o merciful_a lord_n grant_v y_o it_o they_o shall_v be_v delyver_v nevertheless_o if_o they_o trespaced_a so_o in_o time_n to_o come_v they_o shall_v be_v punyssh_v with_o double_a pain_n &_o after_o that_o they_o be_v delyver_v this_o woman_n end_v her_o life_n in_o that_o cyte_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n that_o make_v this_o law_n that_o what_o wed_a woman_n that_o be_v to_o say_v what_o soul_n that_o be_v wed_v to_o our_o lord_n &_o do_v avoutry_n that_o be_v to_o say_v deed_o sin_n shall_v be_v cast_v in_o y_z e_z prison_n of_o hell_n therefore_o a_o sinful_a soul_n have_v great_a cause_n to_o weep_v for_o she_o be_v depart_v from_o light_n that_o be_v to_o say_v from_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n her_o soon_o that_o desire_a meat_n &_o drink_v be_v the_o mighty_a man_n of_o this_o world_n that_o say_v to_o the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chyrche_n &_o to_o the_o precher_n y_fw-fr t_z prithee_o unto_o they_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n that_o while_o we_o may_v live_v and_o have_v all_o y_o e_o solace_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o world_n we_o desire_v none_o other_o heaven_n the_o steward_n that_o hear_v their_o lamentacyon_n be_v our_o lord_n jesu_n that_o know_v all_o the_o prevytee_n of_o our_o herte_n &_o contricyon_n of_o our_o sin_n beseech_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n for_o we_o that_o we_o may_v be_v delyver_v from_o the_o prison_n of_o sin_n &_o that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o everlasting_a life_n to_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n amen_n sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o emperor_n name_v pomper_n which_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v mercyful_a this_o emperor_n let_v cry_n through_o our_o all_o his_o empire_n a_o great_a fee_v and_o that_o poor_a &_o rich_a shall_v come_v to_o this_o fee_a and_o who_o so_o ever_o come_v to_o that_o fee_a shall_v not_o only_o be_v well_o feed_v but_o also_o he_o shall_v have_v great_a gift_n when_o the_o herawde_n have_v warn_v all_o manner_n of_o man_n to_o come_v to_o this_o fee_a at_z y_z e_z time_n there_o be_v two_o poor_a man_n lyenge_a by_o the_o way_n that_o one_o be_v lame_a and_o that_o other_o be_v blind_a this_o blind_a man_n say_v to_o the_o lame_a man_n alas_o and_o woo_v to_o i_o &_o the_o how_o shall_v we_o do_v for_o themperour_n have_v let_v cry_v a_o fee_a &_o who_o so_o ever_o come_v there_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v well_o feed_v but_o also_o he_o shall_v have_v great_a gift_n and_o i_o be_o blind_a &_o thou_o be_v lame_a how_o shall_v we_o do_v what_o say_v the_o lame_a man_n to_o the_o blind_a man_n i_o shall_v tell_v the_o good_a counseyle_n if_o y_o e_o wylte_n do_v after_o i_o thou_o shall_v let_v for_o nothing_o i_o be_o lame_a &_o feeble_a &_o may_v not_o go_v nevertheless_o i_o may_v see_v &_o thou_o be_v blind_a &_o strong_a &_o may_v not_o see_v take_v thou_o i_o upon_o thy_o back_n &_o bear_v i_o and_o i_o shall_v lede_v the_o the_o right_a way_n &_o thus_o shall_v we_o both_o come_v to_o themperours_n feest_n than_o say_v the_o blind_a after_o thy_o counseyle_n let_v we_o do_v comme_fw-fr on_o my_o baâ—k_n and_o i_o shall_v bear_v the_o &_o thou_o shall_v lede_v i_o the_o right_a way_n &_o so_o they_o do_v that_o they_o come_v both_o to_o that_o fee_v and_o receyve_v great_a reward_n &_o gift_n among_o other_o man_n and_o thus_o end_v their_o lyve_n in_o peace_n ¶_o dear_a â—rendes_n this_o emperor_n be_v our_o savyour_fw-mi jesu_n chryst_n that_o let_v cry_v a_o general_a fee_v that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n unto_o y_fw-es e_fw-es which_o joy_v he_o call_v all_o mankind_n &_o forsake_v iiâ—_o man_n that_o will_v come_v unto_o he_o this_o lame_a man_n betoken_v the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chyrche_n precher_n and_o confessor_n that_o have_v nothing_o of_o their_o own_o but_o lyven_v by_o teching_n and_o alm_n of_o other_o man_n and_o this_o blind_a man_n betoken_v the_o lay_n man_n which_o know_v not_o the_o right_a way_n to_o heaven_n it_o behove_v that_o the_o blind_a man_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_z lie_z man_n to_o bear_v the_o lame_a man_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chyrche_n susteyn_v &_o feed_v they_o with_o the_o tthe_a of_o alm_n and_o other_o oblacyon_n than_o the_o prelate_n be_v behold_v to_o teach_v &_o to_o inform_v we_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n where_o as_o we_o shall_v not_o only_o have_v a_o fee_a but_o also_o great_a reward_n and_o joy_n unto_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o emperor_n name_v follyculus_fw-la the_o which_o be_v right_a wise_n merciful_a &_o rightful_a in_o all_o his_o werke_n this_o emperor_n build_v in_o the_o ee_v a_o noble_a cyte_n wherein_o he_o put_v all_o his_o treasour_n &_o precyous_a stone_n &_o rychesse_n to_o be_v keep_v unto_o this_o cyte_n the_o way_n be_v stony_a &_o full_a of_o brymble_n and_o sharp_a thorn_n &_o three_o knight_n be_v arm_v ready_a to_o fight_v with_o they_o that_o will_v come_v to_o that_o cyte_n therefore_o themperour_n ordain_v that_o who_o so_o ever_o overcome_v these_o knight_n shall_v entre_fw-fr the_z cite_v &_o take_v at_o his_o will_n of_o themperours_n treasour_n after_o that_o this_o emperor_n let_v make_v in_o the_o northwest_n a_o cite_v wherein_o he_o ordain_v all_o manner_n of_o pain_n turment_v sorrow_n &_o mischief_n to_o y_z e_z which_o be_v a_o broad_a way_n full_a delectable_a grow_a full_a of_o rose_n &_o fair_a lily_n and_o in_o that_o way_n be_v three_o knight_n ever_o wait_v if_o any_o man_n come_v toward_o the_o cyte_n of_o the_o north_n to_o serve_v he_o with_o all_o manner_n of_o delycate_n and_o thing_n necessary_a and_o if_o it_o fortune_v any_o man_n to_o entre_fw-fr within_o that_o cyte_n the_o custom_n be_v such_o that_o the_o people_n shall_v take_v &_o bind_v he_o hand_n &_o fâ—te_n and_o cast_v he_o in_o prison_n there_o to_o abide_v the_o come_n of_o the_o justyce_n when_o this_o be_v cry_v through_o out_o all_o the_o empire_n there_o be_v two_o knight_n dwelling_n in_o a_o cyte_n there_o beside_o one_o hyght_n jonatas_n and_o he_o be_v a_o wise_a man_n that_o other_o hyght_n pyrrius_fw-la &_o he_o be_v a_o fool_n nevertheless_o there_o be_v bytwene_v they_o great_a love_n this_o jonatas_n say_v to_o pyrrius_fw-la dear_a friend_n there_o be_v a_o common_a cry_n make_v through_o all_o land_n that_o themperoure_n have_v make_v a_o cyte_n in_o the_o ee_a wherein_o he_o have_v put_v all_o his_o treasour_n &_o who_o so_o ever_o may_v entre_fw-fr that_o cyte_n shall_v take_v of_o the_o treasour_n what_o he_o list_v therefore_o my_o counseyle_n be_v that_o we_o go_v to_o y_fw-fr e_o cyte_n than_o say_v pyrryus_fw-la thy_o counseyle_n be_v good_a &_o i_o desire_v to_o fulfil_v it_o the_o wise_a knight_n say_v if_o it_o be_v so_o that_o thou_o wylte_n follow_v my_o
house_n thou_o speake_v to_o i_o like_o a_o fool_n when_o this_o be_v say_v they_o ride_v far_o till_o they_o come_v to_o a_o great_a water_n and_o a_o deep_a the_o king_n smite_v his_o horse_n with_o his_o spur_n &_o leap_v in_o to_o y_fw-fr e_o water_n so_o that_o he_o be_v almoost_n drown_v when_o the_o knight_n see_v this_o &_o be_v over_o on_o that_o other_o side_n of_o the_o water_n wtout_fw-fr peryll_n he_o say_v to_o y_z e_z king_n you_o be_v in_o peryll_n &_o therefore_o you_o do_v folyssh_o because_o you_o bring_v not_o with_o you_o your_o brydge_v than_o say_v the_o king_n thou_o speake_v meruaylous_o my_o brydge_v be_v make_v of_o lime_n &_o stone_n &_o contain_v in_o quantite_n more_o than_o half_a a_o mile_n how_o shall_v i_o than_o bear_v with_o i_o my_o brydge_v therefore_o y_fw-mi u._fw-mi speake_v folyssh_o well_o say_v the_o knight_n my_o folysshnes_n may_v turn_v the_o to_o wysdome_n when_o the_o king_n have_v rydden_v a_o little_a far_o he_o ask_v you_o e_o knight_n what_o time_n of_o the_o day_n it_o be_v than_o say_v the_o knight_n if_o any_o man_n have_v lust_n to_o eat_v it_o be_v time_n of_o the_o day_n to_o eat_v &_o therefore_o my_o reverend_a lord_n i_o pray_v you_o to_o take_v a_o sop_n with_o i_o for_o that_o be_v no_o disworshyp_n to_o you_o but_o great_a honour_n to_o i_o before_o y_z e_z state_n of_o this_o empire_n than_o say_v y_o e_o king_n i_o will_v glad_o eat_v with_o the._n they_o sit_v both_o down_o in_o a_o vine_n gardyn_v &_o all_o y_o it_o be_v with_o the_o king_n &_o with_o the_o knight_n dine_v and_o when_o dyner_n be_v do_v &_o that_o y_o e_o king_n have_v wasshen_v the_o knight_n say_v to_o the_o king_n my_o lord_n quoth_v he_o you_o have_v do_v folyssh_o for_o that_o you_o lead_v not_o which_o to_o you_o your_o father_n &_o your_o mother_n than_o say_v the_o king_n what_o say_v y_o u_o my_o father_n be_v deed_n and_o my_o mother_n be_v old_a &_o may_v not_o travail_v how_o shall_v i_o than_o bring_v they_o with_o i_o therefore_o to_o the_o i_o say_v y_fw-fr e_fw-la troth_n a_o folyssh_a man_n than_o thou_o be_v see_v i_o never_o than_o say_v the_o knight_n every_o werke_n be_v praise_v at_o the_o end_n when_o y_a e_o king_n have_v rydden_v a_o little_a far_o &_o be_v nigh_o hand_n themperours_n palay_n the_o knight_n ask_v leave_v to_o go_v from_o he_o for_o this_o cause_n he_o know_v a_o near_a way_n to_o the_o palay_n to_o the_o young_a lady_n y_z t_z he_o may_v come_v first_o and_o lede_v she_o with_o he_o than_o say_v the_o king_n i_o pray_v the_o sir_n tell_v i_o by_o what_o place_n purpose_v thou_o to_o ride_v than_o say_v y_o e_o knight_n i_o shall_v tell_v you_o troth_n this_o day_n seven_o year_n i_o leave_v a_o net_n in_o a_o place_n &_o now_o i_o purpose_v to_o visyte_n it_o &_o draw_v it_o to_o i_o &_o if_o it_o be_v break_v i_o will_v leave_v it_o &_o if_o it_o be_v hole_n than_o will_v i_o take_v it_o to_o i_o &_o keep_v it_o as_o a_o precyous_a jewel_n and_o when_o he_o have_v say_v what_o he_o list_v he_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o the_o king_n &_o ride_v forth_o and_o the_o king_n keep_v the_o broad_a high_a way_n when_o themperour_n hear_v of_o the_o king_n come_v he_o go_v against_o he_o which_o it_o a_o great_a company_n &_o worshypful_o receyve_v he_o &_o let_v do_v of_o his_o wete_z clothes_n &_o array_v he_o again_o with_o new_a clothes_n and_o when_o themperour_n &_o the_o king_n be_v set_v to_o meat_n themperour_n do_v he_o all_o y_o e_o châ—â—e_n &_o â—â—lace_n that_o he_o coude_fw-fr and_o when_o they_o have_v dine_v thâ—mperour_n ask_v tydynge_n of_o the_o king_n my_o lord_n say_v he_o i_o shall_v tell_v you_o what_o i_o hear_v this_o day_n by_o y_z e_z way_n there_o come_v a_o knight_n to_o i_o &_o reverent_o value_v i_o &_o anon_o after_o that_o there_o come_v a_o great_a rain_n &_o confound_v great_o my_o clothing_n &_o anon_o the_o knight_n say_v sir_n y_fw-es â—_o have_v do_v folysh_o for_o so_o moche_v thou_o bring_v not_o which_o it_o the_o thy_o house_n than_o say_v themperour_n what_o clothing_n have_v y_fw-fr â—_o knight_n on_o he_o a_o cloak_n quod_fw-la the_o king_n than_o say_v themperour_n for_o sothe_o that_o be_v a_o wise_a man_n for_o the_o house_n whereof_o he_o speak_v be_v a_o cloak_n &_o therefore_o he_o say_v to_o you_o that_o you_o do_v folyssh_o because_o you_o come_v wtout_o your_o cloak_n for_o if_o you_o have_v bring_v with_o it_o you_o a_o cloak_n than_o have_v not_o your_o clothes_n be_v defoul_v with_o the_o rain_n than_o say_v y_o e_o king_n when_o we_o have_v rydden_v a_o lytal_a far_o we_o come_v to_o a_o deep_a water_n i_o smoote_v my_o horse_n w_o t_o the_o spur_n &_o almoo_v i_o be_v drown_v &_o he_o ride_v on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o water_n &_o find_v no_o peryll_n &_o than_o say_v he_o to_o i_o you_o have_v do_v folyssh_o for_o so_o moche_n y_fw-mi â—_o you_o lead_v not_o with_o you_o your_o brydge_v forsooth_o say_a themperour_n he_o say_v troth_n for_o he_o call_v the_o brydge_v your_o squyer_n y_o it_o shall_v have_v rydden_v before_o &_o assay_v the_o depnes_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o water_n than_o say_v the_o king_n we_o ride_v far_o &_o at_o the_o last_o he_o pray_v i_o to_o dine_v with_o he_o &_o when_o we_o have_v dine_v he_o say_v i_o do_v unwyse_o for_o i_o lead_v not_o w_z t_z i_o my_o father_n &_o my_o mother_n soth_o say_v themperour_n he_o be_v â—_o wise_a man_n &_o say_a troth_n for_o he_o call_v your_o father_n &_o mother_n breed_v &_o wine_n &_o other_o vytayle_n than_o say_v y_o e_o king_n we_o ride_v far_o and_o anon_o after_o he_o ask_v i_o lâ—ue_v to_o go_v from_o i_o &_o i_o ask_v dylygent_o whether_o he_o go_v and_o he_o answer_v again_o &_o say_v this_o day_n vij_o year_n i_o leave_v a_o net_n in_o a_o prevy_a place_n &_o now_o i_o will_v ride_v to_o vysyte_n it_o &_o if_o it_o be_v break_v or_o tear_v than_o will_v i_o â—eve_v it_o &_o 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 themperour_n hear_v this_o he_o cry_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n &_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 chambre_n for_o soth_o that_o be_v the_o net_n whereof_o y_a e_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 chambre_n &_o find_v she_o not_o the_o sore_o say_v knight_n have_v take_v she_o with_o he_o and_o thus_o the_o king_n be_v deceyve_v of_o the_o damosel_n and_o he_o go_v home_o again_o to_o his_o own_o country_n confound_v ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n and_o his_o fair_a daughter_n be_v everlasting_a life_n the_o which_o themperour_n have_v ordain_v for_o king_n knight_n &_o other_o man_n the_o knight_n that_o love_v this_o young_a lady_n be_v every_o good_a christian_a 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 y_z e_z apostle_n say_v non_fw-fr est_fw-fr condign_a passionis_fw-la huiê°_n temporis_fw-la ad_fw-la futuram_fw-la gloriam_fw-la they_o be_v not_o so_o worthy_a of_o suffer_v to_o come_v unto_o the_o glory_n that_o be_v to_o come_v this_o knight_n go_v vii_o year_n on_o pylgrymage_n like_v as_o a_o good_a chrysten_v man_n all_o y_z e_z day_n of_o his_o life_n shall_v labour_v &_o travail_n in_o fulfylling_a the_o vii_o werke_n of_o mercy_n by_o this_o king_n y_fw-fr â—_o come_v wtout_fw-fr a_o cloak_n in_o the_o rain_n be_v to_o understande_v the_o mighty_a man_n of_o this_o world_n as_o justyce_n mayres_z &_o baylye_n that_o have_v no_o cloak_n to_o cover_v all_o their_o other_o clothes_n by_o this_o cloak_n be_v understande_v charite_n as_o the_o apostle_n say_v charitas_fw-la cooperit_fw-la multitudinem_fw-la pctonrum_fw-la charyte_n cover_v all_o our_o sin_n but_o many_o man_n have_v not_o this_o cloak_n wherefore_o they_o be_v wete_z in_z y_z e_z rain_n of_o pride_n avaryce_n &_o lechery_n this_o king_n also_o be_v almoost_n drown_v because_o he_o lack_v he_o brydge_v that_o be_v to_o say_v perfyte_n faith_n for_o we_o sâ—_n daily_o that_o there_o may_v no_o man_n pass_v over_o a_o great_a water_n broad_a &_o deep_a without_o a_o brydge_v or_o some_o other_o thing_n y_o it_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v he_o right_o so_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossyble_a to_o please_v god_n 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 worldly_a help_n more_o than_o in_o the_o help_n of_o god_n which_o be_v mighty_a to_o do_v all_o thing_n 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 etc._n etc._n if_o you_o have_v faith_n as_o y_z e_z grain_n of_o mustard_n than_o may_v you_o say_v to_o y_z e_z hill_n go_v thou_o forth_o &_o it_o shall_v go_v but_o many_o of_o we_o now_o a_o day_n have_v over_o feeble_a faith_n &_o therefore_o they_o shall_v sodeyn_o fall_v in_o the_o clay_n of_o desperacyon_n &_o by_o deed_o synâ—e_v oftentimes_o they_o offend_v god_n also_o this_o king_n have_v not_o bring_v with_o he_o his_o father_n and_o his_o mother_n by_o the_o father_n which_o be_v cause_n of_o generation_n be_v understande_v humylite_a without_o who_o there_o be_v no_o virtue_n in_o no_o man_n and_o thereto_o accord_v saint_n gregory_n sayinge_v thus_o si_fw-mi qis_v caeteris_fw-la virtutes_fw-la sine_fw-la humilitate_fw-la congregat_fw-la etc._n etc._n he_o that_o gader_v all_o other_o virtue_n without_o humilite_n be_v like_o a_o man_n that_o cast_v dust_n in_o y_z e_z wound_n his_o mother_n betoken_v hope_n therefore_o he_o that_o will_v optayne_n everlasting_a life_n he_o behove_v to_o have_v the_o cloak_n of_o charyte_n brydge_v of_o faith_n a_o father_n of_o mekenes_n &_o a_o mother_n of_o hope_n as_o y_z e_z apostle_n say_v spe_fw-la salui_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 the_o king_n the_o broad_a way_n for_o he_o that_o will_v be_v save_v behove_v to_o go_v a_o straight_o way_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o way_n of_o fast_a alm_n dede_n chastyte_n &_o penance_n of_o the_o which_o way_n speak_v the_o apostle_n stricta_fw-la est_fw-la via_fw-la que_fw-la ducit_fw-la ad_fw-la vitam_fw-la eternan_n the_o way_n be_v straight_o y_fw-mi e_o lede_v to_o everlasting_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 that_o be_v to_o say_v by_z y_z e_z way_n of_o flesshly_a lust_n &_o such_o man_n be_v go_v out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o everla_a life_n but_o such_o man_n be_v deceyve_v through_o y_fw-es â—_o way_n therefore_o study_v we_o to_o walk_v that_o way_n whereby_o we_o may_v optayne_n everla_a life_n amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o noble_a emperor_n name_v agyas_n which_o have_v with_o he_o a_o knight_n call_v gerarde_n which_o be_v a_o doughty_a warryour_fw-mi nevertheless_o he_o be_v as_o meek_a as_o a_o lamb_n in_o the_o emperor_n hall_n but_o in_o y_z e_z 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 earl_n of_o palester_n ravyssh_v &_o defoul_v nevertheless_o it_o displease_v more_o themperour_n y_fw-fr e_o defoul_v of_o his_o daughter_n than_o the_o ravysshing_n wherefore_o he_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o counseyle_n &_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 to_o i_o in_o defoul_v of_o my_o daughter_n &_o therefore_o i_o purpose_v to_o gyve_v batayle_n to_o the_o earl_n 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 in_o batayle_n and_o they_o say_v lord_n we_o be_v ready_a to_o live_v &_o dye_v which_o it_o you_o in_o batayle_n when_o the_o day_n of_o batayle_n come_v they_o meet_v on_o both_o side_n &_o a_o cruel_a hard_a batayle_n be_v give_v on_o both_o side_n &_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 gerard_n put_v himself_o among_o his_o enemy_n before_o themperour_n &_o fight_v manful_o &_o so_o themperour_n escape_v and_o the_o knight_n abode_n and_o slay_v the_o earl_n nevertheless_o this_o knight_n have_v dyverse_a wound_n this_n not_o withstand_v he_o abide_v &_o fight_v still_o till_o the_o blood_n run_v down_o to_o his_o heel_n and_o when_o his_o enemy_n see_v that_o y_fw-fr e_o earl_n be_v slay_v they_o â—edde_v and_o the_o knight_n with_o his_o people_n follow_v on_o you_o â—_o chase_n till_o he_o come_v to_o y_z e_z place_n where_o themperours_n daughter_n be_v &_o lead_v she_o with_o he_o and_o thus_o with_o triumph_n &_o vyctory_n he_o return_v again_o to_o themperour_n for_o you_o â—_o which_o victory_n &_o get_a again_o of_o themperours_n daughter_n he_o be_v great_o praise_v of_o all_o people_n not_o long_o alter_v 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 knight_n come_v unto_o themperour_n &_o pray_v he_o meke_o to_o be_v favourable_a in_o his_o cause_n &_o farthermore_o he_o pray_v he_o to_o do_v y_z e_z rayson_fw-mi ask_v when_o themperour_n have_v hear_v he_o he_o call_v to_o he_o a_o justice_n and_o say_v go_v thou_o and_o do_v justice_n to_o this_o knight_n &_o that_o that_o the_o law_n will_v and_o when_o y_a e_o knight_n hear_v this_o he_o cry_v w_n to_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 thou_o be_v say_v he_o in_o batayle_n where_o thy_o heed_n shall_v have_v be_v smytten_v of_o and_o i_o in_o my_o own_o person_n &_o none_o other_o man_n put_v mi selfe_o in_o jeopardy_n for_o the_o &_o save_v the_o &_o now_o thou_o have_v assign_v a_o other_o man_n to_o be_v judge_n in_o my_o cause_n alas_o that_o ever_o y_fw-mi u._fw-mi be_v bear_v and_o with_o y_o t_o word_n the_o knight_n do_v of_o all_o his_o clothes_n &_o show_v y_o e_o wound_n that_o he_o have_v receyve_v in_o the_o batayle_n unto_o all_o y_z e_z man_n that_o be_v there_o present_a &_o say_v lo_o what_o i_o have_v suffer_v for_o the_o and_o i_o put_v none_o other_o man_n in_o my_o stead_n &_o now_o thou_o assygne_v a_o other_o man_n in_o my_o cause_n forsooth_o i_o say_v to_o y_z e_z that_o i_o never_o serve_v such_o a_o lord_n before_o when_o themperour_n hear_v this_o be_v almoost_n confound_v in_o himself_o say_v thus_o o_o dear_a friend_n all_o that_o thou_o say_v be_v troth_n thou_o save_v i_o from_o death_n thou_o won_a my_o daughter_n again_o and_o for_o my_o sake_n y_fw-mi u._fw-mi have_v suffer_v many_o wound_n forsooth_o it_o be_v right_a that_o i_o come_v down_o &_o make_v a_o end_n of_o thy_o cause_n such_o as_o may_v be_v honour_n &_o joy_n to_o the._n and_o than_o themperour_n labour_v besy_o in_o this_o mater_fw-la and_o make_v thereof_o a_o end_n accord_v to_o y_z e_z knight_n intent_n wherefore_o all_o man_n great_o commend_v the_o emperor_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n may_v be_v call_v every_o chrysten_v man_n or_o else_o all_o mankind_n which_o have_v a_o fair_a daughter_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o soul_n make_v to_o the_o symilytude_n of_o god_n this_o earl_n betoken_v y_o e_o devyll_n which_o ravyssh_v and_o defoul_v by_o sin_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n through_o eat_v of_o the_o fruit_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o tree_n know_v good_a &_o evyll_n wherefore_o all_o mankind_n be_v in_o seruage_n till_o a_o strong_a &_o valyaunt_a knight_n come_v &_o put_v himself_o on_o the_o cross_a bytwene_n the_o devyll_n &_o mankind_n for_o if_o that_o have_v not_o be_v we_o have_v all_o ben_fw-mi dampen_v everlastyng_o &_o this_o knight_n bring_v again_o the_o foul_a of_o man_n unto_o y_z e_o chyrche_fw-fr wherefore_o he_o suffer_v many_o great_a wound_n in_o his_o body_n and_o now_o this_o knight_n that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n have_v a_o matter_n to_o do_v among_o we_o that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o find_v in_o we_o pâ—rfyte_n life_n wherefore_o he_o call_v on_o we_o daily_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v ready_a at_o all_o time_n say_v thus_o in_o the_o apocalypse_n iii_o ecce_fw-la sto_z ad_fw-la hostium_fw-la et_fw-la pulso_fw-la si_fw-la q_n mihi_fw-la aparuerit_fw-la in_o troibo_fw-la et_fw-la cenabo_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v lo_o i_o stand_v and_o knock_v at_o the_o door_n if_o any_o man_n will_v open_v to_o i_o i_o shall_v come_v in_o &_o soup_v with_o he_o but_o many_o man_n do_v as_o this_o emperor_n do_v the_o which_o give_v you_o e_o ynyght_n a_o other_o judge_n than_o himself_o but_o now_o a_o day_n there_o be_v some_o man_n that_o will_v do_v no_o penance_n for_o the_o love_n of_o he_o which_o assign_v no_o man_n but_o hymfelfe_n to_o fight_v for_o us._n and_o therefore_o against_o unkind_a man_n it_o shall_v be_v say_v thus_o lo_o he_o hang_v on_o y_o e_o cross_n despoil_a of_o all_o his_o clothing_n and_o show_v to_o we_o all_o his_o wound_n y_o it_o he_o suffer_v for_o us._n be_v we_o therefore_o kind_n that_o we_o may_v suffer_v for_o his_o love_n some_o penance_n and_o that_o at_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n we_o may_v
covetyse_v all_o only_o wax_v young_a therefore_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n y_fw-fr t_o we_o play_v not_o which_o it_o this_o bal_n of_o covetyse_n &_o than_o without_o doubt_n we_o shall_v optayne_n &_o win_v the_o game_n with_o y_o e_o tenes_fw-fr ball_n in_o y_z e_z bliss_n of_o heaven_n y_o it_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 road_n tree_n amen_n sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o mighty_a emperor_n &_o a_o wise_n name_v theodose_n which_o above_o all_o thing_n love_v best_a melody_n of_o harp_n &_o hunting_a it_o befall_v after_o upon_o a_o day_n as_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 through_o the_o swetnes_n thereof_o he_o be_v almoost_n ravysh_v from_o himself_o wherefore_o he_o seek_v about_o the_o forest_n to_o find_v that_o melody_n &_o at_o the_o last_o he_o espy_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o forest_n a_o poor_a man_n syt_v beside_o a_o water_n play_v on_o a_o harp_n so_o swete_o that_o themperour_n before_o y_z e_z day_n hear_v never_o so_o sweet_a a_o melody_n than_o say_v themperour_n good_a friend_n come_v this_o melody_n of_o thy_o harp_n or_o no._n the_o poor_a man_n answer_v &_o say_v my_o reverend_a lord_n i_o shall_v tell_v you_o y_fw-fr e_o troth_n beside_o this_o water_n my_o wife_n &_o my_o child_n and_o i_o have_v dwell_v xxx_o year_n and_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 y_z e_z fish_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 wherwyth_o my_o wife_n my_o child_n and_o i_o be_v feed_v daily_o in_o great_a plenty_n but_o alas_o &_o wellaway_o on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o this_o water_n there_o come_v a_o whysteler_n &_o whystele_v so_o swete_o that_o many_o time_n the_o fish_n for_o sake_n i_o &_o go_v to_o his_o whystel_v and_o therefore_o my_o reverend_a lord_n i_o beseech_v you_o of_o help_n against_o his_o hyssing_n &_o whystel_n than_o say_v themperour_n i_o shall_v gyve_v the_o good_a help_n and_o counseyle_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 y_z e_o take_v thou_o it_o and_o bind_v it_o fast_o at_o the_o end_n of_o a_o rood_n and_o with_o y_fw-es e_fw-es smite_v thy_o harp_n &_o when_o y_o you_o see_v the_o fysshe_n steer_v draw_v they_o up_o to_o the_o land_n with_o that_o hoke_z &_o than_o his_o whystel_n ne_o hyâ—sing_v shall_v not_o avayle_v when_o y_a e_o poor_a man_n herd_n this_o he_o reioyse_v he_o great_o &_o do_v all_o thing_n as_o he_o have_v teach_v he_o and_o when_o this_o poor_a man_n begin_v to_o touch_v his_o harp_n y_fw-fr e_o fysshe_v move_v &_o than_o he_o take_v they_o up_o with_o his_o hoke_z &_o live_v thereby_o long_o time_n &_o at_o the_o last_o end_v gracyous_o his_o life_n in_o peace_n and_o rest_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v jesu_n chryst_n which_o great_o delyte_v to_o hunt_v the_o soul_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o forest_n that_o be_v holy_a chyrche_n he_o love_v also_o the_o melody_n of_o the_o harp_n that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o love_v moche_v those_o y_o it_o teach_v the_o holy_a word_n of_o god_n this_o poor_a man_n that_o sit_v bithe_a water_n side_n betoken_v the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chyrche_n &_o the_o precher_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o word_n of_o god_n which_o ought_v to_o sit_v beside_o the_o world_n &_o not_o in_o the_o world_n y_o it_o be_v to_o say_v they_o shall_v not_o set_v their_o delyte_n in_o worldly_a thing_n the_o precher_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o harp_n of_o holy_a scrypture_n wherw_o to_o they_o may_v praise_v &_o honour_n god_n &_o also_o therewith_o draw_v out_o of_o this_o world_n y_z e_z sinner_n therefore_o say_v y_o e_o psalmist_n thus_o praise_v you_o god_n in_o timpane_n &_o crowd_n and_o sing_v you_o to_o he_o on_o the_o harp_n &_o the_o psalter_n of_o ten_o strenge_n but_o now_o adays_o the_o precher_n may_v say_v alas_o for_o when_o i_o prithee_o &_o teach_v holy_a scripture_n the_o devyll_n come_v &_o whystele_v so_o swete_o that_o y_z e_z sinner_n draw_v to_o he_o &_o will_v not_o hear_v 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 deceyve_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 they_o that_o he_o can_v not_o make_v to_o sleep_v he_o cause_v they_o to_o talk_v &_o clatter_n &_o they_o that_o he_o can_v not_o make_v to_o clatter_v he_o make_v they_o so_o dull_a that_o they_o may_v not_o savour_n ne_o understande_v what_o the_o precher_n say_v &_o they_o that_o he_o can_v not_o beguile_v by_o these_o mean_n he_o put_v in_o they_o be_v synesse_n &_o cause_v they_o to_o go_v out_o of_o the_o chyrche_n lo_o so_o many_o way_n the_o devyll_n have_v to_o deceyve_v mankind_n &_o to_o let_v y_z e_o word_n of_o god_n therefore_o every_o prelate_n &_o every_o precher_n behove_v y_z e_z golden_z hoke_z of_o god_n grace_n against_o this_o whystel_v by_o y_z e_z which_o grace_n they_o may_v draw_v sinner_n out_o of_o this_o world_n up_o to_o heaven_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 &_o a_o wise_a man_n name_v polemus_n which_o have_v no_o child_n save_v only_o a_o daughter_n who_o he_o love_v so_o moche_v that_o daily_a &_o nyght_o he_o ordain_v to_o keep_v she_o with_o arm_a knight_n and_o above_o these_o knight_n he_o ordain_v a_o master_n well_o teach_v in_o every_o cunning_a for_o to_o teach_v they_o &_o to_o enferme_v they_o how_o they_o shall_v do_v he_o ordain_v also_o a_o steward_n for_o to_o guide_v his_o household_n and_o when_o all_o this_o be_v do_v on_o a_o night_n as_o he_o lie_v in_o his_o bed_n he_o be_v think_v he_o y_o it_o he_o will_v go_v vysyte_n the_o holy_a land_n and_o than_o when_o all_o thing_n be_v ready_a for_o his_o journey_n accord_v to_o his_o purpose_n he_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o steward_n &_o say_v dear_a friend_n i_o purpose_v to_o see_v the_o holy_a land_n &_o therefore_o i_o leave_v my_o daughter_n in_o thy_o keep_n &_o also_o i_o charge_v the_o that_o she_o lack_v nothing_o but_o that_o she_o have_v all_o manner_n of_o joy_n &_o gladness_n that_o pertain_v to_o a_o vyrgyn_v second_o i_o leave_v in_o thy_o keep_n fyve_o knight_n that_o be_v her_o keper_n that_o they_o lack_v nothing_o y_o it_o to_o they_o behove_v also_o i_o leave_v to_o the_o my_o greyhounde_n that_o thou_o nourysshe_v &_o feed_v he_o as_o it_o appertain_v &_o if_o you_o u._fw-mi fulfil_v all_o this_o that_o i_o have_v say_v thou_o shall_v at_o my_o come_n again_o receyve_v a_o great_a reward_n than_o say_v y_o e_o steward_n my_o dear_a lord_n in_o all_o y_z t_z i_o may_v i_o shall_v fulfil_v your_o will_n when_o this_o be_v say_v the_o emperor_n take_v his_o journey_n to_o ward_v the_o holy_a land_n and_o the_o steward_n a_o long_a time_n keep_v well_o &_o true_o themperour_n ordinance_n but_o at_o the_o last_o it_o befall_v upon_o a_o day_n that_o this_o steward_n have_v espy_v this_o young_a lady_n walk_v alone_o in_o a_o orcheyarde_n with_o who_o love_n he_o be_v sodeyn_o take_v wherefore_o anon_o against_o she_o will_v he_o deflower_v she_o and_o when_o he_o have_v sin_v with_o she_o he_o give_v her_o ill_a language_n &_o hate_v she_o more_o after_o than_o ever_o he_o love_v she_o before_o &_o drive_v she_o out_o of_o y_z e_z palay_n wherefore_o this_o damoysel_n for_o great_a poverte_a and_o defaute_n go_v fro_o door_n to_o door_n &_o beg_v she_o breed_v but_o when_o the_o knight_n that_o be_v her_o kepers_n herd_n of_o this_o they_o reprove_v shameful_o the_o steward_n of_o y_fw-fr t_o synful_a deed_n than_o the_o steward_n wax_v wroth_a &_o for_o great_a hate_n that_o he_o have_v in_o his_o herte_n he_o despoil_v you_o e_o knight_n of_o all_o their_o good_n &_o drive_v they_o from_o the_o palay_n and_o when_o they_o be_v thus_o rob_v &_o exile_v some_o for_o defaute_n of_o good_n become_v thief_n &_o some_o manqueller_n that_o through_o this_o inconuenyent_n they_o wrought_v great_a harm_n soon_o after_o this_o there_o come_v tydynge_n that_o themperour_n be_v arryve_v in_o far_a land_n come_v homeward_o and_o when_o the_o steward_n hear_v this_o he_o be_v great_o trouble_v and_o move_v in_o himself_o &_o thus_o think_v in_o himself_o he_o say_v thus_o this_o may_v not_o be_v but_o needs_o i_o shall_v be_v accuse_v for_o
great_a rychesse_n and_o when_o i_o hear_v that_o i_o be_v glad_a and_o let_v down_o a_o cord_n suppose_n to_o have_v draw_v up_o he_o &_o than_o i_o hale_v uâ—_n a_o lion_n &_o after_o that_o a_o ape_n &_o than_o a_o serpent_n and_o at_o the_o last_o your_o steward_n the_o lion_n give_v i_o ten_o ass_n charge_v with_o t_o marchaundyse_n the_o ape_n give_v i_o as_o moche_v wood_fw-mi as_o my_o ass_n may_v bear_v &_o the_o serpent_n give_v i_o this_o stone_n y_z t_z i_o have_v sell_v you_o but_o your_o steward_n bet_fw-mi i_o &_o wound_v i_o so_o sore_o for_o my_o good_a deed_n that_o i_o be_v bear_v home_o upon_o my_o ass_n when_o y_a e_o emperor_n hear_v this_o his_o herte_n be_v great_o move_v against_o y_o e_o steward_n wherefore_o he_o examine_v he_o of_o that_o false_a deed_n but_o he_o be_v dumb_a &_o will_v not_o speak_v for_o so_o moche_n y_fw-mi t_z he_o can_v not_o deny_v his_o falshede_v than_o say_v y_o e_o emperor_n o_o thou_o wretched_a creature_n unreasonable_a beeste_n as_o the_o lion_n the_o ape_n &_o the_o serpent_n reward_v he_o for_o his_o good_a deed_n and_o thou_o that_o be_v a_o reasonable_a man_n have_v almost_o beat_v he_o to_o death_n that_o save_v the_o and_o take_v the_o out_o of_o the_o pyt_n therefore_o for_o thy_o falshede_v &_o wickedness_n i_o judge_v the_o to_o be_v hang_v this_o day_n on_o the_o galowe_n and_o all_o thy_o good_n &_o land_n i_o grant_v to_o sir_n guy_n &_o also_o i_o ordain_v that_o sir_n guy_n shall_v occupy_v thy_o place_n and_o be_v steward_n and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v when_o sir_n guy_n be_v thus_o reward_v by_o the_o emperor_n and_o make_v steward_n he_o be_v well_o belove_v of_o every_o man_n as_o long_o as_o he_o live_v and_o at_o y_z e_z last_v end_v his_o life_n with_o honour_n and_o good_a peace_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o father_n of_o heaven_n the_o poor_a man_n betoken_v every_o man_n that_o come_v in_o to_o this_o world_n feeble_a &_o naked_a from_o his_o mother_n belly_n &_o at_o y_z e_z last_z be_v promote_v to_o great_a rychesse_n &_o worldly_a honour_n as_o the_o psalmyst_n say_v destercore_fw-la erigens_fw-la pauperen_fw-mi god_n lift_v up_o the_o poor_a man_n out_o of_o fylthe_n &_o many_o such_o man_n know_v neither_o god_n ne_o themselves_o but_o cause_n to_o make_v deep_a pytte_n that_o be_v to_o say_v unkyndnes_n and_o malice_n they_o ordain_v against_o simple_a man_n in_o the_o which_o pyt_n y_fw-fr e_o devyll_n cause_v they_o oft_o to_o fall_v accord_v to_o a_o text_n in_o ecclesiastico_fw-la hovean_fw-la qui_fw-la alteri_fw-la facit_fw-la ipse_fw-la incidit_fw-la in_o eam_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v who_o make_v a_o pyt_n to_o a_o other_o man_n oft_o time_n he_o fall_v therein_o himself_o which_o text_n be_v well_o prove_v by_o mardocheus_n this_o guy_n that_o go_v daily_o to_o y_z e_z forest_n w_z to_o his_o ass_n to_o gader_fw-mi wood_fw-mi betoken_v every_o right_a full_a man_n dread_v god_n in_o y_z e_z forest_n of_o this_o world_n y_z t_z wood_fw-mi that_o he_o gader_v betoken_v his_o meryâ—oryous_a werke_n that_o he_o carri_v on_o his_o ass_n which_o betoken_v y_o e_o body_n of_o man_n wherewith_o his_o soul_n may_v joy_n &_o live_v in_o y_z e_z tabernacle_n of_o heaven_n and_o as_o the_o steward_n the_o lion_n the_o ape_n &_o the_o serpent_n that_o fall_v in_o to_o the_o pyt_n right_a so_o when_o a_o sinful_a man_n fall_v in_o y_z e_z pyt_n of_o sin_n the_o lion_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o kynrede_n of_o jude_n that_o be_v jesu_n chryst_n descend_v with_o he_o as_o oftentimes_o as_o the_o sinner_n have_v will_n to_o come_v to_o grace_v therefore_o say_v the_o psalmyst_n cum_fw-la ipso_fw-la sum_fw-la in_o tribulatione_fw-la that_o be_v ta_o say_v i_o be_o with_o he_o in_o tribulation_n this_o guy_n draw_v up_o y_o e_o lion_n y_o it_o be_v to_o say_v jesu_n chryst_n out_o of_o the_o pyt_n by_o the_o rope_n of_o virtue_n he_o draw_v up_o y_o e_o ape_n also_o that_o be_v to_o say_v contrary_a will_n to_o reason_n y_z t_z he_o may_v obey_v to_o reason_n for_o of_o all_o manner_n beeste_v the_o ape_n be_v most_o like_a to_o man_n right_a so_o among_o all_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o soul_n will_v aught_o to_o be_v liken_v unto_o reason_n and_o to_o obey_v reason_n he_o draw_v up_o also_o a_o serpent_n by_o the_o which_o be_v understande_v penance_n for_o two_o cause_n for_o the_o serpent_n bear_v in_o his_o mouth_n venym_n and_o his_o tail_n be_v a_o medicine_n right_o so_o penance_n bear_v at_o the_o beginning_n bytternes_n to_o the_o doer_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v full_a sweet_a &_o medicynable_a unto_o the_o soul_n at_o y_fw-fr e_o end_n &_o therefore_o every_o ryghtwyse_a man_n shall_v draw_v to_o he_o the_o serpent_n of_o penance_n and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o draw_v up_o the_o steward_n from_o the_o pyt_n of_o sin_n accord_v to_o chryste_n say_v i_o be_o not_o come_v only_o to_o call_v ryghtwyse_o man_n but_o sinner_n to_o penance_n also_o it_o be_v write_v that_o seneca_n which_o teach_v a_o emperor_n many_o lore_v &_o virtue_n of_o truth_n and_o at_o the_o last_o like_o this_o steward_n cause_v to_o slay_v his_o master_n seneca_n also_o chryst_n give_v power_n to_o judas_n to_o werke_v miracle_n like_a as_o he_o do_v to_o other_o dyscyple_n nevertheless_o he_o betray_v he_o at_o the_o last_o right_o so_o now_o a_o day_n be_v many_o child_n of_o belial_n which_o delyte_n more_o to_o do_v harm_n than_o good_a in_o especyall_a to_o they_o y_fw-mi it_o will_v â—eche_v they_o perfyt_o both_o for_o the_o soul_n &_o for_o the_o body_n the_o lion_n give_v to_o the_o ryghtwyse_a man_n ten_o ass_n charge_v with_o marchaundyse_n that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n gyve_v to_o every_o ryghtwyse_a man_n ten_o commandment_n charge_v with_o virtue_n by_o the_o which_o he_o grow_v to_o y_z e_z rychesse_n of_o heaven_n the_o ape_n also_o gader_v he_o woo_v as_o oft_o as_o the_o rightful_a man_n werk_v wilful_o y_o e_z dede_n of_o charite_n for_o woo_v be_v profitable_a for_o two_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o make_v fire_n &_o to_o build_v house_n right_o so_o â—fyâ—â—_n charite_n heat_v the_o angel_n accord_v to_o scrypture_n say_v quia_fw-la magis_fw-la gaudium_fw-la est_fw-la angelis_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v to_o say_v more_o joy_n be_v to_o angel_n for_o one_o sinner_n do_v penance_n etc._n etc._n charite_n also_o reyse_v the_o house_n of_o heaven_n against_o the_o come_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o serpent_n also_o give_v he_o a_o stone_n of_o three_o dyverse_a colour_n the_o which_o he_o betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n who_o we_o seek_v by_o penance_n therefore_o say_v saint_n jerome_n in_o the_o second_o table_n thus_o â—ost_o naufragiâ—â—_n est_fw-la premian_n that_o be_v to_o say_v we_o shall_v do_v penance_n after_o our_o trespass_n that_o chryst_n be_v a_o stone_n may_v be_v prove_v by_o himself_o say_v thus_o ego_fw-la sum_fw-la lapis_fw-la viws_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o be_o a_o lyve_n stone_n chryst_n have_v three_o colour_n which_o betoken_v y_o it_o may_v of_o the_o father_n the_o wysdome_n of_o the_o soon_o &_o the_o mekenes_n of_o the_o holy_a goost_n therefore_o who_o that_o may_v gete_v this_o stone_n shall_v have_v the_o empire_n of_o heaven_n &_o joy_n without_o sorrow_n &_o plente_fw-la wtout_fw-fr any_o defaute_n &_o light_v without_o darkness_n unto_o which_o light_n bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n that_o die_v for_o you_o and_o i_o and_o all_o mankind_n amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v anselme_n which_o have_v wed_v y_o e_o king_n daughter_n of_o iherusalem_n a_o fair_a lady_n and_o a_o gracious_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o every_o man_n but_o she_o be_v long_o time_n with_o the_o emperor_n or_o she_o waâ—_n conceyve_v with_o child_n wherefore_o the_o noble_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o empire_n be_v right_a sorrowful_a because_o their_o lord_n have_v none_o heir_n of_o his_o body_n beget_v till_o at_o the_o last_o it_o befall_v that_o this_o anselme_n walk_v after_o supper_n in_o a_o evening_a in_o his_o gardeyn_a and_o bethink_v himself_o how_o he_o have_v none_o heir_n and_o how_o the_o king_n of_o ampluy_fw-fr war_v on_o he_o contynual_o for_o so_o moche_n as_o he_o have_v not_o soon_o to_o make_v defence_n in_o his_o absence_n wherefore_o he_o be_v right_a sorrowful_a &_o go_v to_o his_o chambre_n and_o slepte_v and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o think_v he_o see_v a_o vysyon_n in_o his_o sleep_v that_o y_o e_o morning_n be_v more_o clerer_n than_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v &_o that_o the_o moan_n be_v moche_n more_o pale_a on_o that_o one_o side_n than_o on_o that_o other_o and_o after_o he_o see_v
these_o that_o he_o choose_v he_o shall_v optayn_n therefore_o say_v samson_n ante_fw-la hominem_fw-la mors_fw-la et_fw-la vita_fw-la death_n and_o life_n be_v set_v before_o man_n choose_v which_o he_o list_v and_o yet_o man_n be_v uncerteyn_a whether_o he_o be_v worthy_a to_o choose_v life_n vefore_o death_n by_o the_o first_o vessel_n of_o gold_n full_a of_o deed_n man_n bone_n we_o shall_v understande_v worldly_a man_n as_o mighty_a man_n &_o rich_a which_o outward_a shine_v as_o gold_n in_o rychesse_n &_o pomp_n of_o this_o world_n nevertheless_o within_o they_o be_v full_a of_o deed_n man_n bone_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o werke_n y_fw-fr t_z they_o have_v wrought_v in_o this_o world_n be_v deed_n in_o y_z e_z sight_n of_o god_n through_o deed_o sin_n therefore_o if_o any_o man_n choose_v such_o life_n he_o shall_v have_v y_z t_o he_o deserve_v that_o be_v to_o say_v hell_n and_o such_o man_n be_v like_a tomb_n that_o be_v white_a &_o royal_o paint_v &_o array_v without_o &_o cover_v with_o cloth_n of_o gold_n &_o silk_n but_o wtin_n there_o be_v nothing_o but_o dry_a bone_n by_o y_fw-fr e_fw-la second_o vessel_n of_o silver_n we_o ought_v to_o understande_v the_o justyce_n &_o wise_a man_n of_o this_o world_n which_o shine_n in_o fair_a speech_n but_o within_o they_o be_v full_a of_o worm_n and_o earth_n that_o be_v to_o say_v their_o fair_a speech_n shall_v avayle_v they_o no_o more_o at_o y_fw-fr e_o day_n of_o doom_n than_o worm_n or_o earth_n and_o peraventure_fw-fr less_a for_o than_o shall_v they_o suffer_v everla_a pain_n if_o they_o die_v in_o deed_o sin_n by_o the_o three_o vessel_n of_o lede_n full_a of_o gold_n and_o pecyous_a stone_n we_o ought_v to_o understande_v a_o simple_a life_n &_o a_o poor_a which_o the_o choose_a man_n choose_v that_o they_o may_v be_v wed_v to_o our_o bless_a lord_n jesu_n chryst_n by_o humilite_n and_o obeisance_n &_o such_o man_n bear_v with_o they_o precyous_a stone_n that_o be_v to_o say_v merytoryous_a werke_n please_v to_o god_n by_o the_o which_o at_o y_z e_z day_n of_o doom_n they_o be_v wed_v to_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n &_o optayne_n y_fw-fr e_o herytage_n of_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o he_o y_z t_z dye_v on_o y_z e_z road_n tree_n amen_n sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v calopodu_n which_o wed_v a_o fair_a lady_n to_o his_o wife_n they_o be_v not_o long_o togyder_v but_o that_o this_o empress_n conceyve_v and_o bear_v he_o a_o soon_o a_o goodly_a child_n and_o a_o fair_a &_o when_o he_o be_v of_o age_n he_o be_v set_v to_o school_n and_o when_o he_o come_v to_o twenty_o year_n of_o age_n he_o desire_v his_o father_n herytage_n sayinge_v dear_a father_n you_o be_v a_o old_a man_n &_o may_v not_o govern_v your_o empire_n therefore_o if_o it_o please_v you_o to_o gyve_v it_o i_o it_o shall_v be_v to_o your_o profit_n than_o answer_v the_o emperor_n and_o say_v there_o soon_o i_o drede_v i_o sore_o that_o when_o the_o empire_n be_v in_o thy_o power_n thou_o wylte_n not_o fulfil_v my_o will_n ne_o my_o desire_n than_o answer_v the_o empress_n for_o so_o moche_n as_o she_o love_v she_o soon_o better_a than_o her_o husband_n and_o say_v my_o lord_n quoth_v she_o that_o may_v not_o be_v for_o thou_o have_v but_o one_o soon_o &_o therefore_o as_o i_o byleve_v he_o will_v fulfil_v thy_o intent_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o this_o empire_n may_v help_v he_o well_o &_o therefore_o it_o be_v best_o to_o grant_v he_o the_o empire_n than_o answer_v the_o emperor_n and_o say_v i_o will_v first_o have_v of_o he_o a_o letter_n obligatory_a that_o when_o so_o ever_o he_o do_v any_o thing_n against_o my_o will_n that_o than_o i_o shall_v depryve_v he_o of_o the_o empire_n without_o any_o withstand_v the_o soon_o grant_v to_o this_o &_o let_v make_v the_o obligacyon_n &_o seal_v it_o and_o when_o this_o be_v do_v this_o young_a emperor_n wax_v so_o proud_a that_o he_o dredde_v neither_o god_n nor_o man_n &_o do_v very_o moche_n harm_n but_o ever_o his_o father_n suffer_v it_o pacyent_o for_o he_o will_v not_o be_v correct_v by_o no_o man_n till_o at_o the_o last_o there_o fall_v a_o great_a derthe_n in_o that_o empire_n so_o that_o many_o man_n dye_v for_o deâ—aute_n this_o old_a emperor_n be_v by_o himself_o &_o begin_v to_o have_v need_n wherefore_o he_o go_v to_o his_o soon_o for_o to_o have_v some_o sustenance_n which_o his_o soon_o grant_v &_o suffer_v for_o a_o while_n but_o within_o short_a time_n his_o father_n begin_v to_o ware_n syeke_v wherefore_o he_o call_v his_o soon_o and_o pray_v he_o to_o gyve_v he_o a_o draught_n of_o must_v his_o soon_o answer_v &_o say_v that_o will_v i_o not_o do_v for_o my_o must_v be_v not_o good_a for_o thy_o complecâ—yon_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n i_o pray_v the_o soon_o gyve_v i_o a_o draught_n of_o thy_o wine_n his_o soon_o answer_v and_o say_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v none_o for_o my_o wine_n be_v not_o yet_o fyne_v &_o if_o i_o touch_v it_o it_o will_v trouble_v and_o therefore_o i_o will_v â—â—t_n broche_z it_o till_o it_o be_v clear_a &_o fyne_v than_o say_v his_o father_n gyve_v i_o some_o of_o thy_o second_o ton_n that_o will_v i_o not_o be_v quod_fw-la â—e_n for_o that_o wine_n be_v pass_v mighty_a &_o strong_a &_o such_o wine_n be_v not_o good_a for_o a_o sycke_n man_n than_o his_o father_n pray_v he_o herte_o for_o a_o draught_n of_o the_o four_o ton_n than_o answer_v he_o &_o say_v thereof_o gete_v you_o none_o for_o it_o be_v feeble_a &_o wtout_fw-fr any_o sustentacyon_n &_o such_o wine_n be_v not_o good_a for_o you_o for_o it_o be_v not_o comfortable_a than_o say_v his_o father_n new_a good_a soon_o gyve_v i_o than_o of_o the_o fyfth_o ton_n that_o will_v i_o not_o quoth_v he_o for_o that_o ton_n be_v full_a of_o lie_n &_o dregs_n &_o such_o be_v not_o for_o man_n nor_o unnethe_n for_o hog_n when_o his_o father_n see_v he_o may_v gete_v nothing_o of_o he_o &_o after_o be_v as_o hole_n as_o ever_o he_o be_v than_o go_v he_o to_o the_o king_n of_o iherusalem_n end_v make_v his_o complaint_n of_o his_o soon_o and_o show_v he_o the_o letter_n obligatory_a which_o his_o soon_o have_v maâ—â—_n wherefore_o his_o father_n may_v put_v he_o out_o of_o the_o empire_n without_o any_o wythsayinge_v when_o the_o king_n hear_v this_o he_o call_v you_o e_o emperor_n soon_o to_o answer_v his_o father_n and_o when_o he_o come_v he_o coude_fw-fr not_o answer_v to_o his_o father_n with_o no_o reason_n wherefore_o the_o king_n put_v he_o from_o his_o empire_n and_o season_v his_o father_n therein_o again_o &_o so_o he_o continue_v all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n accord_v to_o the_o psalmist_n say_v he_o be_v thy_o father_n that_o have_v the_o in_o possessyon_n &_o make_v the_o of_o nought_o the_o loâ—e_n betokey_v man_n to_o who_o he_o give_v all_o the_o empire_n of_o this_o world_n accord_v to_o this_o scripture_n celum_fw-la celi_fw-la dno_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v to_o say_v heaven_n he_o have_v give_v our_o lord_n and_o earth_n to_o man_n mankind_n make_v a_o obligacyon_n unto_o our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n when_o he_o receyve_v his_o chrystendome_n at_o y_fw-fr e_o font_n stone_n where_o he_o behyght_n he_o surety_n to_o serve_v he_o true_o &_o to_o forsake_v y_z e_o devyll_n &_o all_o his_o pomp_n and_o vaynglory_n this_o emperor_n begin_v to_o wax_v sycke_n on_o a_o day_n that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n jesu_n chryst_n be_v trouble_v as_o oftentimes_o as_o a_o chrysten_v man_n syn_v &_o breke_v his_o commandment_n wherefore_o he_o thur_v great_o the_o help_n of_o our_o soul_n &_o than_o he_o asket_n a_o draught_n of_o the_o first_o ton_n that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o ask_v of_o man_n the_o fyrh_n age_n of_o his_o chyldhode_n to_o be_v spend_v in_o his_o seruyce_n but_o a_o none_o the_o wicked_a man_n answer_v &_o say_v i_o may_v not_o do_v so_o formy_z chyldhode_n be_v must_v that_o be_v to_o say_v it_o be_v so_o tender_a and_o so_o young_a that_o it_o may_v not_o attempt_v so_o soon_o to_o serve_v god_n which_o be_v open_o false_a for_o the_o child_n of_o a_o day_n be_v not_o without_o sin_n for_o saint_n gregory_n say_v in_o his_o dialogue_n that_o child_n of_o u_o year_n of_o age_n put_v out_o fende_v from_o the_o bosom_n of_o their_o father_n and_o when_o god_n see_v that_o he_o may_v not_o have_v of_o y_fw-fr e_o must_v of_o his_o chyldhode_n than_o desire_v he_o the_o wine_n of_o y_z e_z second_o ton_n than_o answer_v the_o wicked_a man_n &_o say_v that_o his_o wine_n be_v not_o yet_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
silver_n have_v blind_v the_o eye_n of_o judge_n &_o have_v overthrow_v wise_a man_n so_o that_o equite_v and_o ryghtwysâ—es_n may_v not_o entre_fw-fr but_o stand_v aferre_v and_o turn_v their_o back_n this_o lady_n also_o buy_v a_o man_n from_o hang_a that_o be_v to_o say_v from_o everlasting_a death_n which_o he_o have_v deserve_v by_o deed_o sin_n therefore_o do_v we_o as_o do_v this_o lady_n smite_v we_o our_o horse_n that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o flesh_n with_o the_o spur_n of_o penance_n &_o so_o ride_v we_o â—orth_o in_o all_o haste_n to_o save_v our_o neighbour_n from_o the_o galous_a of_o deed_o sin_n help_a he_o both_o bodily_a and_o goostly_a as_o solomon_n say_v woe_n be_v to_o that_o man_n lyenge_a in_o deed_o sin_n that_o have_v no_o man_n to_o lyfte_v he_o out_o thereof_o therefore_o awake_v thy_o neighbour_n and_o help_v he_o for_o a_o brother_n that_o be_v holpen_v of_o a_o other_o be_v like_o a_o sure_a cyte_n &_o if_o he_o gyve_v no_o more_o but_o a_o cup_n of_o cold_a water_n to_o he_o in_o the_o way_n of_o help_n he_o shall_v not_o lose_v his_o reward_n but_o many_o now_o a_o day_n be_v full_a unkind_a as_o be_v this_o thief_n which_o false_o deceyve_v his_o lady_n after_o y_a to_o she_o have_v save_v he_o from_o hang_v the_o master_n of_o y_fw-fr e_o ship_n betoken_v y_o e_o world_n by_o who_o many_o man_n be_v deceyve_v but_o nevertheless_o as_o oft_o as_o a_o man_n take_v on_o he_o wilful_o the_o charge_n of_o poverte_a &_o obey_v unto_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o forsake_v the_o world_n than_o breke_v the_o ship_n for_o it_o be_v impossyble_a to_o please_v god_n &_o man_n and_o the_o world_n at_o one_o when_o this_o lady_n have_v escape_v the_o tempest_n of_o the_o see_v she_o go_v to_o a_o nonry_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o soul_n after_o y_z e_z trouble_n of_o this_o world_n go_v to_o the_o holy_a life_n &_o than_o she_o heal_v all_o manner_n sycke_n folk_n that_o be_v to_o say_v every_o man_n that_o be_v trouble_v in_o his_o soul_n that_o be_v to_o say_v infect_a with_o dyverse_a syckness_n that_o this_o lady_n heal_v through_o holy_a life_n but_o the_o soul_n may_v not_o be_v seen_v of_o chryst_n her_o husband_n till_o she_o have_v knowlege_v open_o all_o her_o u_o wytte_v how_o she_o have_v spend_v they_o but_o when_o she_o have_v make_v a_o pure_a confessyon_n than_o you_o e_o emperor_n our_o lord_n god_n her_o husband_n know_v she_o &_o take_v she_o in_o his_o arm_n &_o lead_v she_o home_o to_o the_o palay_n of_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o almyghty_a god_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v martin_n which_o for_o love_n keep_v with_o he_o his_o brother_n soon_o who_o man_n call_v fulgentyus_fw-la with_o this_o martin_n dwell_v also_o a_o knight_n that_o be_v steward_n of_o his_o empire_n and_o uncle_n unto_o the_o emperor_n which_o envy_a this_o fulgentius_n &_o study_a day_n &_o night_n how_o he_o may_v bring_v the_o emperor_n &_o this_o child_n at_o debate_n wherefore_o the_o steward_n on_o a_o day_n go_v unto_o the_o emperor_n &_o say_v my_o lord_n quoth_v he_o i_o that_o be_o your_o true_a servant_n owe_v of_o duty_n to_o warn_v your_o highness_n if_o i_o hear_v any_o thing_n y_o it_o touch_v your_o honour_n wherefore_o i_o have_v hear_v such_o thing_n that_o i_o must_v needs_o utter_v it_o in_o secret_a unto_o your_o lordship_n bytwene_v we_o two_o than_o say_v the_o emperor_n good_a friend_n quoth_v he_o say_v on_o what_o the_o list_v my_o moost_n dear_a lord_n quoth_v the_o steward_n fulgentius_n your_o cousin_n and_o your_o nigh_o kynsman_n have_v defame_v you_o wonderful_o and_o shameful_o through_o out_o all_o your_o empire_n sayinge_v that_o your_o breath_n stynk_v and_o that_o it_o be_v death_n to_o he_o to_o serve_v you_o of_o your_o cup._n than_o the_o emperor_n wax_v wroth_a and_o be_v almoo_v beside_o himself_o for_o anger_n and_o say_v to_o he_o thus_o i_o pray_v the_o my_o good_a friend_n tell_v i_o the_o very_a troth_n if_o that_o my_o breath_n so_o stynk_v as_o he_o say_v my_o lord_n quoth_v the_o steward_n you_o may_v byleve_v i_o i_o never_o perceyve_v a_o sweet_a breath_n in_o my_o day_n than_o you_o be_v than_o say_v the_o emperor_n i_o pray_v the_o good_a friend_n tell_v i_o how_o i_o may_v bring_v this_o thing_n to_o a_o good_a proof_n the_o steward_n answer_v and_o say_v my_o lord_n quoth_v he_o you_o shall_v right_a well_o understande_v the_o troth_n for_o to_o morrow_n next_o when_o he_o serve_v you_o of_o your_o cup_n you_o shall_v see_v that_o he_o shall_v turn_v away_o his_o face_n from_o you_o because_o of_o your_o brethe_fw-mi and_o this_o be_v the_o moost_n veray_fw-fr proof_n that_o may_v be_v have_v of_o this_o thing_n forsooth_o quod_fw-la the_o emperor_n a_o true_a proof_n can_v not_o be_v have_v of_o this_o thing_n wherefore_o anon_o when_o the_o steward_n hear_v this_o he_o go_v straight_o to_o fulgentius_n and_o take_v he_o aside_o sayinge_v thus_o dear_a friend_n thou_o be_v my_o kynsman_n and_o also_o nenewe_v unto_o my_o lord_n the_o emperor_n therefore_o if_o thou_o wylte_n con_v i_o thank_v i_o will_v tell_v the_o of_o the_o vice_n whereof_o my_o lord_n the_o emperor_n complain_v oft_o and_o thynk_v to_o put_v the_o from_o he_o but_o if_o it_o be_v the_o rather_o amend_v and_o that_o may_v be_v a_o great_a reprofe_n to_o the._n than_o say_v this_o fulgentius_n a_o good_a sir_n for_o his_o love_n that_o die_v upon_o the_o cross_n tell_v i_o why_o my_o lord_n be_v so_o sore_o move_v with_o i_o for_o i_o be_o ready_a to_o amedde_v my_o defaute_n in_o all_o that_o i_o can_v or_o may_v and_o for_o to_o be_v rule_v by_o your_o good_a and_o dyscrete_a counseyle_n thy_o breath_n quoth_v the_o steward_n stynk_v so_o sore_o that_o his_o drink_n do_v he_o no_o good_a so_o grevous_a be_v unto_o he_o the_o stynk_n breath_n of_o thy_o mouth_n than_o say_v fulgentyus_fw-la unto_o the_o steward_n true_o that_o perceyve_v i_o never_o till_o now_o but_o what_o thynk_v you_o of_o my_o brethe_fw-mi i_o pray_v you_o to_o tell_v i_o the_o very_a troth_n soth_o quoth_v the_o steward_n it_o stynk_v great_o and_o foul_a and_o this_o fulgentius_n byleve_v all_o that_o he_o say_v and_o be_v right_a sorrowful_a in_o his_o mind_n and_o pray_v the_o steward_n of_o his_o counseyle_n and_o help_v in_o this_o woeful_a case_n than_o say_v the_o steward_n unto_o he_o if_o that_o thou_o will_v do_v by_o my_o counseyle_n i_o shall_v bring_v this_o mate_n to_o a_o good_a conclusion_n therefore_o do_v as_o i_o shall_v tell_v the._n i_o counseyle_v the_o for_o y_z e_z best_o and_o also_o warn_v the_o that_o when_o thou_o serve_v my_o lord_n the_o emperor_n of_o his_o cup_n that_o than_o thou_o turn_v thy_o face_n away_o from_o he_o so_o that_o he_o may_v not_o feel_v thy_o stynk_n brethe_v unto_o the_o time_n that_o thou_o have_v provyde_v the_o of_o some_o remedy_n therefore_o than_o be_v fulgentyus_fw-la right_a glad_o and_o swear_v to_o he_o that_o he_o will_v do_v by_o his_o counseyle_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o this_o young_a man_n fulgentyus_fw-la serve_v his_o lord_n as_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o do_v and_o therewith_o sodeyn_o he_o turn_v his_o face_n from_o his_o lord_n as_o the_o steward_n have_v teach_v he_o and_o when_o the_o emperor_n perceyve_v the_o avoid_n of_o his_o heed_n he_o smite_v this_o young_a fulgentius_n on_o the_o breast_n with_o his_o foot_n and_o say_v to_o he_o thus_o o_o thou_o naughty_a rybawde_n now_o see_v i_o well_o it_o be_v true_a that_o i_o have_v herd_n of_o the_o and_o therefore_o go_v thou_o anon_o out_o of_o my_o sight_n that_o i_o see_v the_o no_o more_o in_o this_o place_n and_o with_o that_o this_o young_a fulgentyus_fw-la weep_v full_o sore_a and_o avoid_v the_o place_n and_o go_v out_o of_o his_o sight_n and_o when_o this_o be_v so_o do_v the_o emperor_n call_v unto_o he_o his_o steward_n and_o say_v how_o may_v i_o put_v this_o rybawde_n from_o the_o world_n that_o thus_o have_v defame_v i_o my_o moost_n dear_a lord_n quoth_v the_o steward_n right_a well_o you_o shall_v have_v your_o intent_n for_o here_o beside_o wythyn_a these_o three_o mile_n you_o have_v bryckmaker_n which_o daily_o make_v great_a fire_n for_o to_o brenne_fw-fr brycke_n and_o also_o they_o make_v lime_n therefore_o my_o lord_n send_v to_o they_o this_o night_n and_o charge_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 on_o the_o morrow_n sayinge_v to_o they_o thus_o my_o lord_n command_v you_o to_o fulfil_v his_o will_n that_o they_o take_v he_o and_o cast_v he_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