covetyse_v of_o eye_n /_o and_z concupyscence_n of_o flesh_n in_o the_o which_o three_o that_o wretched_a man_n grete_o delyte_v and_o atte_v the_o last_o they_o lede_v he_o in_o to_o hell_n this_o wytty_n knight_n betoken_v the_o soul_n /_o &_o the_o folysshe_a knight_n betoken_v the_o flesh_n the_o which_o be_v always_o folysshe_a and_o atte_a all_o time_n ready_a to_o do_v harm_n these_o two_o be_v fellow_n and_o knytte_n in_o one_o /_o for_z everyche_a of_o theym_n orynk_v other_o blood_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o shall_v drink_v of_o one_o cup_n either_o joy_n or_o pain_n they_o shall_v have_v after_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n the_o soul_n chese_v all_o the_o way_n of_o penance_n /_o and_z in_o as_o moche_v as_o she_o may_v she_o styre_v the_o flesh_n to_o do_v the_o same_o /_o but_z the_o flesh_n thynk_v never_o what_o be_v to_o come_v after_o /_o &_o therefore_o she_o gooth_v in_o the_o delyte_n of_o this_o world_n and_o flee_v the_o way_n of_o penance_n /_o and_o thus_o the_o soul_n after_o the_o death_n be_v cast_v in_o to_o hell_n /_o and_o the_o flesh_n be_v cast_v in_o to_o the_o dycke_fw-mi /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v in_o to_o the_o grave_n but_o than_o the_o justyce_n come_v /_o that_o be_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n at_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n to_o deem_v all_o mankind_n than_o the_o soul_n shall_v complain_v upon_o the_o flesh_n /_o and_o yâ—_z flesh_n upon_o the_o soul_n but_o than_o the_o justyce_n which_o will_v not_o be_v deceyve_v neither_o by_o prayer_n ne_o by_o price_n shall_v condemn_v the_o soul_n because_o she_o follow_v the_o fragylyte_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o also_o he_o shall_v condemn_v the_o flesh_n because_o it_o will_v not_o byleve_v the_o soul_n /_o wherefore_o lete_fw-la we_o study_n to_o tame_v our_o flesh_n that_o we_o may_v obey_v god_n and_o than_o shall_v we_o have_v everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o dear_a lord_n jesus_n cryste_n amen_n there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v frederyk_n which_o have_v no_o chylderin_n save_o a_o daughter_n to_o who_o this_o emperor_n after_o his_o dyscesse_n byquethe_v all_o his_o empire_n this_o understand_v a_o earl_n that_o dwell_v there_o be_v side_n come_v unto_o this_o young_a maiden_n and_o woo_v she_o and_o styre_v she_o unto_o sin_n all_o that_o he_o mught_v /_o wherefore_o this_o young_a lady_n in_o short_a process_n incline_v to_o the_o earl_n /_o and_o this_o earl_n anon_o lie_v with_o she_o and_o defoyled_a her_o /_o and_z after_o that_o he_o put_v she_o from_o her_o herytage_n and_o chase_v she_o out_o of_o her_o empire_n wherefore_o she_o make_v great_a lamentacyon_n and_o flee_v unto_o the_o realm_n there_o beside_o where_o as_o she_o daily_o weep_v and_o mourn_v it_o befelie_o after_o on_o a_o day_n that_o while_o she_o sit_v mourn_v by_o a_o side_n way_n there_o come_v by_o she_o a_o fair_a knight_n ride_v young_a and_o right_a honest_a upon_o a_o good_a horse_n which_o that_o come_v to_o ward_v she_o a_o swift_a pace_n and_o worshypful_o salute_v she_o and_o ask_v that_o cause_n why_o that_o she_o so_o sore_o mourn_v than_o answer_v she_o and_o say_v my_o reverend_a lord_n i_o be_o a_o emperor_n daughter_n come_fw-mi of_o royal_a kin_n /_o my_o fader_fw-mi be_v deed_n which_o that_o leave_v i_o all_o his_o empire_n by_o cause_n he_o have_v none_o other_o heir_n /_o and_z after_o his_o dyscesse_n a_o earl_n there_o beside_o dysceyve_v i_o and_o take_v from_o i_o my_o maydenhode_n /_o and_z after_o that_o he_o put_v i_o violent_o out_o of_o my_o herytage_n so_o the_o i_o now_o be_o fain_a to_o beg_v my_o breed_n from_o door_n to_o door_n /_o and_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o my_o sorrow_n than_o say_v the_o knight_n /_o fair_a damosel_n i_o have_v great_a compassyon_n on_o thy_o fairness_n and_o of_o thy_o gentylnesse_n /_o therefore_o if_o thou_o will_v grant_v to_o i_o one_o thing_n i_o shall_v fight_v for_o the_o against_o the_o earl_n and_o i_o behote_v unto_o the_o the_o vyctory_n than_o say_v she_o alas_o alas_o i_o have_v no_o thing_n that_o i_o may_v gyve_v unto_o the_o but_o myself_o and_o i_o ask_v no_o more_o of_o the_o say_v the_o knight_n but_o that_o thou_o will_v by_o my_o wife_n and_o love_n no_o man_n so_o moche_v as_o i_o than_o say_v she_o reverent_a sir_n that_o will_v i_o do_v glad_o &_o more_o if_o i_o may_v than_o say_v the_o knight_n i_o will_v in_o certainty_n that_o thou_o shall_v do_v for_o i_o one_o thing_n /_o that_o if_o it_o fortune_n i_o to_o dye_v in_o batayll_n for_o the_o &_o to_o opteyne_v the_o vyctory_n that_o thou_o shall_v take_v my_o bloody_a sherte_n and_o hang_v it_o upon_o a_o perch_n in_o thy_o chambre_n /_o and_o this_o shall_v thou_o do_v for_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o when_o soever_o thou_o behold_v este_fw-la the_o sherte_fw-la thou_o shall_v weep_v for_o i_o the_o second_o be_v that_o what_o soever_o man_n come_v for_o to_o woo_v the_o to_o be_v his_o wife_n /_o than_z thou_o shall_v hasty_o run_v unto_o thy_o chambre_n and_o behold_v my_o bloody_a sherte_n and_o think_v herte_o within_o thyself_o thus_o the_o lord_n of_o this_o sherte_n dye_v for_o my_o love_n in_o batayll_n the_o which_o recover_v my_o herytage_n /_o god_n forbede_v that_o i_o shall_v take_v oony_n other_o man_n after_o he_o dethe_v than_o say_v she_o reverent_a sir_n all_o this_o i_o shall_v fulfylle_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o when_o the_o knight_n hear_v this_o he_o give_v batayll_v against_o the_o earl_n and_o opteyn_v the_o vyctory_n /_o and_o the_o earl_n be_v overcome_v and_o flee_v /_o and_o this_o young_a lady_n be_v bring_v and_o receyve_v again_o in_o to_o her_o herytage_n neverthesse_n this_o knyghte_n be_v deed_o wound_v in_o that_o batayll_n whereof_o he_o die_v /_o but_o or_o he_o die_v he_o byquethe_v his_o bloody_a sherte_n unto_o this_o danjoysell_n desyre_v she_o to_o keep_v her_o promise_n when_o this_o young_a lady_n hear_v of_o he_o dethe_v she_o weep_v sore_o and_o make_v great_a lamentacyon_n for_o his_o dethe_v and_o in_o his_o sherte_n be_v write_v this_o verse_n think_v on_o he_o and_o have_v mind_n /_o that_o to_o the_o be_v so_o kind_n anon_o when_o she_o have_v receyve_v the_o sherte_n she_o hang_v it_o upon_o a_o perch_n in_o her_o chambre_n /_o and_z as_o oftentimes_o as_o she_o behold_v it_o she_o weep_v bytter_o it_o befelle_v not_o long_o after_o that_o the_o state_n of_o her_o empire_n come_v to_o she_o and_o desire_v and_o counseylleo_fw-la she_o for_o to_o take_v a_o husbonde_a /_o but_o than_o she_o go_v unto_o her_o chambre_n &_o behold_v the_o bloody_a sherte_fw-fr /_o than_o wax_v she_o sorrowful_a and_o say_v oftentimes_o alas_o alas_o thou_o suffer_v death_n for_o my_o love_n and_o thou_o also_o recover_v again_o my_o herytage_n /_o god_n forbede_v that_o ever_o i_o shall_v take_v any_o other_o man_n but_o the_o /_o and_z thus_o she_o answer_v every_o man_n that_o come_v to_o she_o and_o so_o they_o go_v away_o unspedde_v and_o she_o end_v her_o life_n in_o pease_n and_o rest_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n /_o and_o this_o daughter_n be_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n make_v atte_a the_o symylytude_n of_o god_n /_o to_o who_o god_n give_v and_o byquethe_v the_o empire_n of_o paradyse_n but_o there_o come_v a_o earl_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o devyl_n &_o styre_v she_o to_o sign_n when_o sheet_n of_o yâ—_z appel_n &_o say_v unto_o she_o thus_o in_o what_o hour_n you_o eat_v of_o that_o appel_n you_o shall_v be_v like_o god_n where_o for_o break_v god_n commandment_n we_o be_v all_o exile_v out_o of_o paradyse_n and_o chase_v unto_o the_o realm_n of_o this_o world_n here_o to_o live_v in_o great_a wretchedness_n /_o like_o as_o the_o psalm_n say_v in_o sudore_fw-la vultus_fw-la tui_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o the_o sweet_a of_o thy_o visage_n thou_o shall_v eat_v thy_o breed_n but_o that_o come_v a_o fair_a young_a knight_n &_o a_o strong_a /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryst_n which_o have_v compassyon_n on_o mankind_n and_o take_v our_o flesh_n and_o our_o blood_n and_o give_v batayll_v to_o the_o devyll_n &_o overcome_v he_o /_o and_o thus_o win_v he_o again_o our_o herytage_n therefore_o late_o we_o do_v as_o this_o young_a lady_n die_v put_v we_o this_o bloody_a sherte_fw-fr /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v yâ—_z mind_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o cryst_n in_o the_o perch_n of_o our_o herte_n &_o think_v we_o how_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n shed_v his_o blood_n for_o sv_v and_o if_o any_o man_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v /_o the_o
vii_o year_n /_o therefore_o dear_a fader_fw-mi i_o beseech_v you_o for_o all_o the_o love_n the_o be_v bytwene_v your_o gracious_a fader_fw-mi hod_z and_z i_o that_o you_o name_v no_o man_n to_o be_v my_o husbonde_n till_o this_o seven_o year_n be_v end_v /_o and_o than_o i_o shall_v be_v ready_a in_o all_o thing_n to_o fulfil_v your_o will_n than_o say_v themperoure_n since_o it_o be_v so_o that_o yâ—_z wylte_n none_o husbonde_a have_v this_o seven_o year_n i_o will_v not_o break_v thy_o vow_n /_o but_o when_o the._n seven_o year_n be_v pass_v thou_o shall_v have_v yâ—_z king_n of_o hungry_a unto_o thy_o hushonde_n and_o than_o themperoure_n send_v forth_o his_o letter_n unto_o the_o king_n of_o hungry_a pra_v he_o if_o it_o may_v please_v he_o to_o abide_v vii_o year_n for_o love_n of_o his_o daughter_n /_o and_o than_o shall_v he_o speed_n of_o his_o intent_n without_o fail_n hereof_o the_o king_n be_v please_v and_o grant_v to_o abide_v and_o when_o this_o vii_o year_n be_v end_v save_o a_o day_n the_o young_a lady_n stand_v in_o her_o chamber_n wyndowe_n and_o weep_v sore_o sa_v thus_o alas_o alas_o to_o morrow_n my_o love_n promise_v to_o be_v with_o i_o again_o from_o the_o holy_a land_n /_o and_z also_o the_o king_n of_o hungry_a will_v be_v here_o to_o morrow_n for_o to_o wed_v i_o accord_v to_o my_o fader_n promise_v /_o and_o if_o my_o love_n come_v not_o atte_a a_o certain_a hour_n than_o be_o i_o utter_o dysceyve_v of_o the_o inward_a love_n of_o he_o when_o the_o day_n come_v yâ—_z king_n array_v he_o toward_o the_o emperor_n with_o a_o great_a company_n to_o wed_v his_o daughter_n and_o be_v ryal_o basene_v and_o array_v in_o purple_a and_o while_n the_o king_n be_v ride_v upon_o his_o way_n there_o come_v a_o knight_n sudden_o ride_v by_o he_o /_o to_o who_o the_o say_v thus_o dear_a friend_n whence_o be_v thou_o and_o whence_o come_v thou_o the_o knight_n answer_v and_o say_v i_o be_o of_o the_o empire_n of_o rome_n and_o now_o be_o come_v late_o fro_o the_o holy_a land_n and_o be_o ready_a to_o do_v you_o seruyce_n such_o as_o i_o can_v and_o as_o they_o ride_v talk_v on_o the_o way_n it_o begin_v to_o rain_v so_o fast_o that_o all_o the_o king_n array_n be_v almoost_n lose_v than_o say_v the_o knight_n /_o my_o lord_n quoth_v he_o you_o have_v do_v folysshy_o for_o as_o moche_v yâ—_z you_o bring_v not_o with_o you_o your_o house_n than_o say_v the_o king_n /_o how_o speak_v thou_o so_o my_o house_n be_v large_a and_o broad_a and_o make_v of_o stone_n and_o mortar_n how_o shall_v i_o than_o bear_v with_o i_o my_o house_n thou_o speake_v to_o i_o like_o a_o foal_n when_o this_o be_v say_v they_o ride_v ferth_a till_o they_o come_v to_o a_o great_a water_n and_o a_o deep_a /_o yâ—_z king_n smite_v his_o horse_n with_o his_o spor_n and_o leap_v in_o to_o the_o water_n too_o that_o he_o be_v almoost_n drown_v when_o the_o knight_n see_v this_o and_o be_v over_o on_o that_o other_o side_n of_o the_o water_n without_o peryll_n /_o he_o say_v to_o the_o king_n /_o you_o be_v in_o peryll_n and_o therefore_o you_o die_v folysshe_o because_o that_o you_o bring_v not_o with_o you_o your_o brydge_v than_o say_v the_o king_n /_o 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 quanty_n te_o 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 /_o therefore_o thou_o sepke_v folyssh_o well_o say_v yâ—_z knight_n my_o folysshenesse_n may_v tear_v the_o to_o wysdome_n when_o the_o king_n have_v ride_v a_o lytell_a ferther_n he_o axe_v of_o the_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 /_o if_o any_o man_n haluste_n to_o eat_v it_o be_v time_n of_o the_o day_n to_o eter_v and_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 dysworshyp_n to_o yond_o but_o great_a honour_n to_o i_o before_o the_o state_n of_o this_o empire_n than_o say_v the_o king_n i_o will_v glad_o eat_v with_o the_o /_o they_z sate_a both_o down_o in_o a_o vine_n gardeyne_a and_o all_o that_o be_v with_o the_o king_n and_o with_o the_o knight_n dine_v and_o when_o the_o dyner_n be_v end_v and_o the_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 folysshe_o for_o that_o you_o lead_v not_o with_o you_o your_o fader_fw-mi and_o your_o mother_n than_o say_v the_o king_n what_o say_v thou_o my_o fader_fw-mi be_v deed_n and_o my_o mother_n be_v old_a and_o may_v not_o travail_v how_o shall_v i_o than_o bring_v they_o with_o i_o /_o therefore_o to_o the_o i_o save_v the_o troth_n a_o folyssh_a man_n than_o thou_o be_v see_v i_o never_o then_o say_v the_o knight_n every_o werke_n be_v praise_v at_o the_o end_n when_o the_o king_n have_v ride_v a_o lytell_a ferther_n and_o be_v nyhan_o the_o themperour_n palay_v the_o knight_n axe_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 yâ—_z young_a lady_n that_o he_o may_v come_v first_o and_o lede_v she_o with_o high_a 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 the_o knight_n i_o shall_v tell_v you_o troth_n /_o this_o day_n vii_o year_n i_o leave_v a_o net_n in_o a_o place_n /_o and_z now_o i_o purpose_v to_o vysyte_n it_o and_o draw_v it_o to_o i_o /_o and_z if_o it_o be_v break_v i_o will_v leave_v it_o /_o and_z if_o it_o be_v hole_n than_o will_v i_o take_v it_o to_o i_o and_o keep_v it_o as_o a_o precyous_a jewel_n /_o &_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 and_o ride_v forth_o /_o and_o the_o king_n keep_v the_o king_n high_a way_n when_o themperoure_n hear_v of_o the_o king_n come_n he_o go_v against_o he_o with_o a_o great_a company_n and_o worshypful_o receyve_v he_o &_o lete_fw-la do_v of_o his_o wete_z clothes_n and_o array_v he_o again_o with_o new_a clothes_n and_o when_o the_o emperor_n and_o the_o king_n be_v set_v to_o mete_v the_o emperor_n die_v he_o all_o the_o cheer_n and_o solace_n that_o he_o coude_fw-fr and_o when_o they_o have_v dine_v that_o emperor_n axe_v tydynge_n of_o yâ—_z 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 the_o way_n there_o come_v a_o knight_n to_o i_o &_o reverent_o salve_v i_o /_o and_o anon_o after_o that_o there_o come_v a_o great_a rain_n and_o confound_v grete_o my_o clothing_n /_o and_o anon_o the_o knight_n say_v /_o sir_n thou_o have_v do_v folysshe_o for_o so_o moche_v thou_o bring_v not_o with_o the_o thy_o house_n than_o say_v themperour_n what_o clothing_n have_v that_o knight_n on_o he_o a_o cloak_n quod_fw-la the_o king_n than_o say_v themperour_n /_o forsooth_o that_o be_v a_o wise_a man_n /_o for_z the_o house_n whereof_o he_o speak_v be_v a_o cloak_n and_o therefore_o he_o say_v to_o you_o that_o you_o die_v folysshe_o by_o cause_n you_o come_v without_o your_o cloak_n /_o for_o if_o you_o have_v bring_v with_o you_o a_o cloak_n than_o have_v your_o clothes_n be_v defoyled_a with_o the_o rain_n than_o say_v the_o king_n when_o we_o have_v ride_v a_o lytel_n ferth_o we_o come_v unto_o a_o deep_a water_n i_o smite_v my_o horse_n with_o the_o spor_n and_o almoo_v i_o be_v drown_v /_o and_z he_o ride_v on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o water_n and_o find_v no_o peryll_n /_o and_o than_o say_v he_o to_o i_o /_o you_o have_v do_v folyssh_o for_o so_o moche_n that_o you_o lead_v not_o with_o you_o your_o brydge_v forsooth_o say_v the_o emperor_n he_o say_v troth_n /_o for_z he_o call_v the_o brydge_v your_o squyre_v which_o shall_v have_v ride_v before_o and_o assay_v the_o depnesse_n of_o the_o water_n than_o say_v the_o king_n we_o ride_v ferther_o more_o and_o atte_a the_o last_o he_o pray_v i_o to_o dine_v with_o he_o /_o and_o when_o we_o have_v dine_v he_o say_v i_o die_v unwesely_a for_o i_o lead_v not_o with_o i_o my_o fader_fw-mi &_o my_o mother_n soth_o say_v themperour_n he_o be_v a_o wise_a man_n &_o say_a troth_n /_o for_z he_o call_v your_o fader_fw-mi and_o your_o mother_n breed_n and_o wine_n and_o other_o vytayle_n than_o say_v the_o king_n we_o ride_v ferthermore_o /_o and_o anon_o after_o he_o ask_v i_o leave_v to_o go_v from_o /_o and_z i_o ask_v dylygent_o whether_o he_o go_v and_o he_o answer_v again_o and_o say_v under_o this_o form_n this_o day_n
/_o 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 /_o &_o thou_o will_v not_o help_v i_o but_o this_o maiden_n of_o her_o gentylnesse_n and_o for_o pyte_n save_v i_o from_o dethe_v and_o delyver_v i_o from_o prison_n therefore_o sothe_o she_o shall_v be_v my_o wife_n /_o wherefore_o he_o wed_v she_o forthwith_o great_a honour_n &_o with_o she_o end_v he_o his_o life_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n the_o young_a man_n that_o be_v take_v with_o the_o rower_n of_o the_o see_v betoken_v all_o mankyned_a which_o be_v take_v with_o the_o devyll_n by_o the_o sin_n of_o our_o fore_n fader_fw-mi adam_n and_o be_v cast_v in_o to_o the_o prison_n of_o belle_fw-fr with_o great_a sorrow_n and_o pain_n his_o fader_fw-mi will_v not_o ransom_n he_o /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o world_n will_v do_v no_o thing_n 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 marry_o /_o 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 condycyon_n he_o delyver_v mankind_n out_o of_o the_o prison_n of_o hell_n when_o he_o come_v fro_o heaven_n &_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 fader_fw-mi the_o which_o betoken_v the_o 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 ihesu_n cryste_n /_o 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 yâ—_z world_n &_o his_o vanyte_n soth_o we_o shall_v fall_v in_o the_o snare_n of_o the_o devyll_n from_fw-mi the_o which_o defend_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n amen_o sometime_o there_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n of_o great_a lyvelode_n name_v alexsander_n /_o yâ—_z which_o above_o all_o virtue_n love_a largess_n /_o wherefore_o he_o ordain_v a_o law_n for_o great_a curiosyte_n that_o no_o man_n under_o pain_n of_o dethe_v shall_v torn_v a_o plaice_n in_o his_o dysshe_n at_o his_o meet_a /_o but_o only_o eete_v white_a side_n &_o not_o the_o black_a /_o &_o any_o man_n will_v attempt_v to_o do_v the_o contrary_n he_o shall_v die_v wtout_fw-fr remedy_n /_o but_o or_o he_o die_v he_o shall_v ask_v three_o bone_n to_o the_o emperor_n what_o so_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 and_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 mete_v he_o be_v serve_v with_o plaice_n /_o and_z he_o which_o be_v hungry_a and_o have_v appetyte_n to_o his_o meet_a /_o and_o after_o he_o have_v eten_v the_o white_a side_n he_o turn_v the_o black_a side_n &_o begin_v to_o eat_v there_o of_o wherefore_o anon_o he_o be_v accuse_v to_o themperour_n because_o he_o have_v offend_v against_o the_o law_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n late_o he_o dye_v accord_v to_o the_o law_n without_o any_o delay_n /_o when_o the_o earl_n soon_o hear_v that_o his_o fader_fw-mi shall_v dye_v anon_o he_o set_v he_o down_o on_o both_o his_o knee_n afore_o themperour_n /_o and_o say_v o_o my_o reverend_a lord_n for_o his_o love_n that_o hinge_n on_o cross_n late_o i_o dye_v for_o my_o fader_fw-mi thenne_n say_v the_o empeour_n it_o please_v i_o well_o that_o one_o dye_v for_o the_o offence_n of_o yâ—_z 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 that_o law_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o i_o may_v have_v three_o petytion_n grant_v or_o i_o die_v the_o emperor_n answer_v and_o say_v /_o ask_v what_o thou_o will_v there_o shall_v no_o man_n say_v 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 hygnesse_n that_o she_o may_v lie_v with_o i_o a_o night_n or_o that_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 defflour_v she_o not_o as_o that_o night_n therefore_o he_o plese_v the_o emperor_n grete_o the_o second_o petition_n this_o i_o ask_v all_o thy_o tresoure_fw-mi /_o and_o anon_o the_o emperor_n grant_v because_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v call_v a_o breek_a of_o own_o law_n and_o when_o this_o earl_n soon_o have_v resceyve_v the_o emperor_n tresoure_n he_o depert_v it_o both_o to_o poor_a man_n and_o rich_a /_o wherefore_o he_o opteyn_v there_o good_a will_n my_o three_o petition_n be_v this_o i_o ask_v my_o lord_n that_o all_o their_o eye_n may_v by_o put_v out_o in_o contynent_a which_o see_v my_o fader_fw-mi et_v of_o the_o black_a plaice_n wherefore_o the_o emperor_n lete_fw-la make_v a_o inquisycyon_n anon_o who_o it_o be_v that_o see_v the_o earl_n turn_v the_o plaice_n /_o and_z they_o that_o see_v he_o turn_v that_o plaice_n /_o 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 we_o hold_v we_o still_o /_o and_o so_o there_o be_v none_o find_v that_o will_v accuse_v he_o /_o when_o this_o earl_n soon_o see_v this_o he_o say_v unto_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 fader_fw-mi /_o therefore_o gyve_v you_o rightful_a jugement_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n for_o so_o moche_n that_o no_o man_n will_v knowledge_n that_o they_o see_v he_o tear_v the_o plaice_n therefore_o i_o will_v not_o that_o thy_o fader_fw-mi shall_v dye_v lo_o the_o soon_o thus_o save_v the_o life_n of_o the_o fader_fw-mi and_o after_o the_o disease_n of_o the_o emperor_n he_o wed_v his_o daughter_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n which_o ordain_v for_o law_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v tear_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 lordshyppe_n by_o covetyse_n and_o falsehede_v the_o earl_n that_o come_v to_z that_o emperor_n betoken_v adam_n our_o fore_n fader_fw-mi which_o come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o damasse_n to_o the_o court_n of_o paradise_n and_o torn_v up_o the_o black_a side_n of_o the_o plaice_n when_o he_o etc_fw-la of_o the_o apple_n /_o wherefore_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v damn_a unto_o everla_a dethe_v and_o eternal_a dethe_v but_o his_o soon_o which_o betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n for_o he_o take_v flesh_n of_o adam_n sing_v this_o proffer_a himself_o wilful_o to_o dye_n for_o he_o the_o fader_fw-mi 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 petycyon_n of_o his_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n the_o first_o be_v this_o that_o 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 /_o and_z bring_v she_o with_o he_o in_o to_o the_o bosom_n of_o heaven_n accord_v to_o the_o word_n of_o osye_n sa_v thus_o dispensabo_fw-la eam_fw-la mihi_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 petycyon_n be_v this_o all_o themperours_n tresoure_n which_o betoken_v the_o tresoure_n of_o heaven_n accord_v to_o this_o scrypture_n situt_o disposint_fw-la micht_n pater_fw-la like_a as_o my_o fader_fw-mi have_v dyspose_v for_o i_o so_o i_o dyspose_v for_o you_o the_o three_o question_n be_v this_o /_o that_o all_o their_o eye_n shall_v be_v put_v out_o /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o 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 sue_v he_o mankind_n and_o lead_v he_o up_o with_o he_o unto_o the_o palayce_n of_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o palayce_n 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 lemicius_n which_o on_o a_o day_n ride_v in_o dysporte_n to_o a_o foreste_n 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 /_o friend_n whence_o come_v thou_o and_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 thenne_n say_v the_o emperor_n thou_o seme_v poor_a /_o 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 thenne_n answer_v
the_o emperor_n hear_v that_o so_o holy_a a_o woman_n be_v in_o such_o a_o nonry_n he_o say_v to_o his_o brother_n thus_o go_v we_o quoth_v he_o dear_a brother_n unto_o this_o holy_a woman_n that_o be_v dwelling_n in_o the_o nourye_n that_o she_o may_v heel_n the_o of_o thy_o lepre_a will_v god_n quoth_v he_o that_o i_o be_v hele_v anon_o the_o emperor_n his_o own_o person_n go_v with_o his_o brother_n towards_o the_o nonery_n and_o when_o that_o the_o nones_n hear_v of_o his_o come_n they_o resceyve_v he_o worshypful_o and_o with_o processyon_n and_o than_o the_o emperor_n enquyre_v of_o the_o pryoresse_n of_o any_o such_o holy_a woman_n be_v among_o they_o that_o coude_fw-fr heel_n seek_v folk_n of_o their_o malady_n the_o pryoresse_n answer_v and_o say_v /_o that_o such_o one_o be_v there_o than_o be_v the_o empress_n call_v forth_o afore_o the_o emperor_n /_o but_z she_o muffle_v her_o face_n as_o well_o as_o she_o coude_fw-fr /_o that_o the_o emperourt_n her_o husband_n shall_v not_o know_v she_o /_o and_z when_o she_o have_v so_o do_v she_o salve_v he_o with_o great_a reverence_n as_o perteyn_v unto_o his_o estate_n /_o &_o he_o again_o in_o like_a wise_n sa_v thus_o o_o go_v de_fw-fr lady_n if_o the_o list_v of_o thy_o grace_n to_o heel_n my_o brother_n of_o his_o lepre_a axe_n of_o i_o what_o thou_o wylte_n &_o i_o shall_v grant_v it_o the_o for_o thy_o reward_v /_o when_o yâ—_z empress_n hear_v this_o she_o look_v about_o she_o &_o see_v there_o the_o emperor_n brother_n stand_v and_o be_v a_o foul_a lepre_fw-fr she_o see_v also_o there_o the_o knight_n that_o slay_v the_o erles_n daughter_n blind_a &_o deaf_a the_o thief_n that_o she_o save_v fro_o the_o galowe_n lame_a &_o also_o the_o master_n of_o the_o ship_n dystraught_a out_o of_o his_o mind_n &_o all_o be_v come_v to_o she_o for_o to_o be_v hele_v of_o their_o sykenesse_n but_o they_o know_v she_o not_o /_o for_z all_z the_o they_o know_v she_o not_o though_o she_o know_v they_o than_o say_v she_o unto_o themperour_n thus_o my_o reverend_a lord_n though_o you_o will_v gyve_v i_o all_o your_o empire_n i_o may_v not_o heel_n your_o brother_n nor_o none_o of_o these_o other_o but_o if_o they_o knowelege_v open_o what_o they_o have_v do_v /_o when_o that_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o torn_v he_o toward_o his_o brother_n &_o say_v to_o he_o brother_n knowelege_v open_o thy_o sin_n before_o all_o these_o man_n that_o thou_o may_v be_v hele_v of_o sekenesse_n anon_o he_o begin_v to_o tell_v how_o he_o have_v live_v his_o life_n /_o but_z he_o tell_v not_o how_o he_o have_v hang_v the_o empress_n in_o the_o foreste_n by_o the_o here_o /_o when_o that_o he_o have_v knoweledged_a all_o that_o he_o lyste_n the_o empress_n say_v sothe_o my_o lord_n i_o will_v glad_o lay_v unto_o he_o my_o medycyne_n but_o i_o wot_v right_a well_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o he_o have_v not_o make_v a_o full_a confessyon_n the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o torned_a he_o toward_o his_o brother_n /_o &_o say_v again_o in_o this_o wise_n what_o evyll_n sorrow_n or_o unhappy_a wretchedness_n be_v in_o the_o fee_v thou_o not_o that_o thou_o be_v a_o foul_a laser_n therefore_o knowelege_v true_o thy_o sin_n that_o thou_o may_v be_v hole_n /_o or_o else_o avoid_v my_o felawshyppe_n for_o ever_o a_o lord_n quod_fw-la he_o i_o may_v not_o tell_v my_o life_n open_o but_o if_o i_o be_v sure_a of_o thy_o grace_n /_o what_o have_v thou_o trespaced_a against_o i_o quoth_v the_o emperor_n his_o brother_n answer_v and_o say_v /_o my_o offence_n against_o the_o be_v grevous_a /_o and_o therefore_o i_o ask_v mercy_n the_o emperor_n think_v not_o of_o the_o empress_n for_o as_o moche_v as_o he_o suppose_v she_o have_v be_v deed_n many_o year_n before_o /_o he_z bad_a his_o brother_n tell_v forth_o what_o he_o have_v offend_v he_o and_o he_o shall_v be_v forgyven_v and_o when_o the_o emperor_n have_v thus_o forgyven_v his_o brother_n he_o begin_v to_o tell_v open_o how_o he_o have_v desire_v the_o empress_n to_o sin_n with_o he_o /_o &_o how_o he_o have_v hang_v she_o by_o the_o here_o in_o the_o forest_n by_o cause_n she_o will_v not_o consent_v to_o he_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o almoost_n wretched_a creature_n the_o vengeance_n of_o god_n be_v fall_v on_o that_o and_o be_v not_o that_o i_o have_v pardon_v the_o thou_o shall_v dye_v the_o foul_a death_n that_o coude_fw-fr be_v thought_n than_o say_v the_o knight_n that_o slay_v the_o earl_n daughter_n i_o wot_v not_o quoth_v he_o of_o what_o lady_n you_o mean_v /_o but_o well_o i_o wot_v that_o my_o lord_n find_v such_o a_o lady_n hang_a by_o yâ—_z here_o in_o foreste_n &_o bring_v she_o home_o to_o his_o castle_n &_o bytoke_v she_o his_o daughter_n in_o keep_a /_o &_o i_o stir_v she_o to_o sign_n with_o i_o as_o moche_v as_o i_o coude_fw-fr but_o she_o will_v not_o consent_v /_o wherefore_o i_o slay_v the_o earl_n daughter_n the_o lay_v with_o she_o and_o when_o that_o i_o have_v so_o do_v i_o put_v the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o the_o lady_n haude_fw-ge that_o the_o earl_n shall_v think_v she_o have_v slay_v his_o daughter_n with_o her_o own_o hand_n /_o &_o than_o be_v she_o exile_v then_v but_o where_o she_o become_v wot_v i_o not_o than_o say_v thief_n i_o wot_v never_o of_o what_o lady_n you_o mean_n but_o well_o i_o wot_v yâ—_z seven_o sergeaunte_n be_v lede_a i_o to_o the_o galowe_n /_o &_o such_o a_o lady_n come_v ride_v by_o &_o buy_v i_o of_o they_o /_o and_z than_o go_v i_o with_o she_o and_o afterward_o i_o betray_v she_o unto_o a_o master_n of_o a_o ship_n such_o a_o lady_n quod_fw-la he_o receyve_v i._o and_o when_o that_o we_o be_v the_o mydde_v of_o the_o see_v i_o will_v have_v lie_v with_o she_o but_o she_o sit_v down_o to_o her_o prayer_n /_o &_o anon_o there_o arise_v such_o a_o tempeste_n that_o the_o ship_n all_o to_o brest_n and_o be_v all_o drown_v save_o ay_o but_o what_o after_o that_o befall_v on_o she_o wot_v i_o not_o ¶_o than_o ctyed_a the_o empress_n with_o a_o high_a voice_n and_o say_v soth_o dear_a friend_n you_o be_v now_o clean_o confess_v /_o wherefore_o now_o will_v i_o lay_v to_o my_o medycyne_n /_o and_o anon_o they_o receyve_v their_o helthe_n /_o when_o the_o lady_n have_v thus_o do_v she_o open_v her_o face_n unto_o the_o emperor_n /_o and_z he_o know_v she_o anon_o and_o run_v to_o she_o &_o brace_v she_o in_o his_o arm_n and_o kyss_v she_o oftentimes_o /_o and_z for_o joy_n weep_v bytter_o sa_v thus_o blyss_v be_v god_n now_o have_v i_o find_v that_o i_o desire_v and_o when_o he_o have_v thus_o say_v he_o lead_v she_o home_o unto_o his_o palyce_n with_o great_a joy_n and_o after_o when_o god_n will_v be_v please_v they_o end_v their_o lyve_n both_o in_o pease_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n jesu_n cryste_n the_o empress_n betoken_v a_o holy_a soul_n the_o emperor_n brother_n betoken_v that_o flesh_n to_o who_o our_o lord_n ihesi_n cryste_n have_v give_v charge_n of_o his_o empire_n /_o but_o most_o prycipal_o to_o the_o soul_n netheles_o yâ—_z wretched_a flesh_n oft_o styre_v the_o soul_n to_o sin_n but_o the_o soul_n which_o love_v god_n above_o all_o thing_n withstandyth_v that_o temptacyon_n and_o call_v to_o she_o /_o her_z goostly_a power_n that_o be_v to_o say_v reason_n will_n understand_v and_o concyence_n and_o make_v theym_a to_o enpryson_n the_o flesh_n which_o be_v dysobedyent_n to_o the_o soul_n in_o the_o prison_n of_o penance_n unto_o the_o time_n he_o obey_v unto_o reason_n in_o all_o thing_n /_o and_o thus_o in_o hope_n of_o mercy_n he_o syn_v again_o who_o holy_a scrypture_n sa_v thus_o maledictus_fw-la homo_fw-la qui_fw-la peccat_fw-la in_o spe_fw-la curse_a be_v that_o man_n that_o syn_v in_o hope_n and_o atte_v the_o last_o the_o soul_n enclyne_v to_o the_o flesh_n and_o let_v he_o of_o the_o prison_n of_o penance_n and_o wassh_v he_o from_o the_o fylthe_n of_o sin_n and_o aray_v he_o with_o good_a virtue_n and_o make_v hymn_n lepe_v oâ—_n the_o palfrey_n of_o charyte_n and_o so_o ryde_v he_o forth_o to_o mete_v our_o lord_n on_o esterday_o but_o alas_o for_o full_a oft_o the_o sinner_n trespace_v against_o the_o holy_a scrypture_n wherefore_o the_o herte_n that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o of_o sinner_n arise_v before_o he_o and_o after_o ren_v great_a hound_n that_o be_v to_o say_v evyll_n thought_n /_o and_o so_o long_o they_o chase_v till_o the_o body_n and_o the_o soul_n be_v leave_v alone_o /_o &_o than_o the_o flesh_n styre_v that_o noble_a soul_n the_o spouse_n of_o almyghty_a god_n unto_o
vii_o year_n say_v he_o leave_v i_o a_o precyous_a net_n in_o a_o prevy_a place_n /_o and_z now_o i_o will_v ride_v and_o vysyte_n it_o /_o &_o if_o it_o be_v break_v or_o to_o tear_v than_o will_v i_o leave_v it_o /_o and_z if_o it_o be_v hole_n as_o i_o leave_v it_o than_o shall_v it_o be_v to_o i_o right_a precyous_a &_o i_o shall_v bear_v it_o with_o i_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o cry_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n and_o say_v o_o you_o my_o knight_n and_o my_o servant_n go_v you_o lyght_o unto_o my_o doughter_n chamber_n for_o sothe_o that_o be_v the_o net_n where_o of_o the_o knight_n speak_v and_o anon_o his_o knight_n and_o his_o servant_n go_v unto_o his_o doughter_n chamber_n &_o find_v she_o not_o /_o the_z foresaid_a knight_n have_v take_v she_o with_o he_o and_o thus_o the_o king_n be_v dysceyve_v of_o the_o damosel_n &_o he_o go_v home_o again_o to_o his_o own_o country_n confound_v ¶_o dear_a friend_n it_o be_v emperor_n be_v our_o blyss_v lord_n jesus_n cryste_n and_o this_o fair_a daughter_n be_v everla_a life_n the_o which_o that_o the_o emperor_n have_v ordain_v for_o king_n knight_n and_o for_o man_n the_o knight_n that_o love_v this_o young_a lady_n be_v every_o good_a crysten_v soul_n which_o hold_v himself_o not_o worthy_a to_o come_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n unto_o such_o joy_n as_o the_o apostle_n say_v non_fw-fr est_fw-fr condign_a passionis_fw-la huius_fw-la temporis_fw-la ad_fw-la futuram_fw-la gloriam_fw-la the_o be_v not_o so_o worthy_a of_o suffer_v to_o come_v unto_o that_o glory_n that_o be_v to_o come_v this_o knight_n go_v seven_o year_n on_o pylgrymage_n /_o like_o as_o a_o good_a crysten_v man_n all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n shall_v labour_n in_o fnlflling_n the_o seven_o werke_n of_o mercy_n by_o this_o king_n that_o come_v wtoute_fw-fr cloak_n in_o the_o rain_n be_v to_o undestande_v the_o mighty_a man_n of_o this_o world_n /_o as_o justyce_n mayres_z &_o balye_n which_o have_v nocloke_n to_o cover_v all_o their_o other_o clothes_n by_o this_o cloak_n be_v undstande_v charyte_v /_o the_o which_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v caritas_fw-la cooperit_fw-la multitudinem_fw-la peccatorum_fw-la charyte_n coverth_n all_o our_o sin_n but_o many_o man_n have_v not_o this_o cloak_n /_o wherefore_o they_o be_v wete_z in_z the_o rain_n of_o pride_n avaryce_n /_o and_o lechery_n this_o king_n be_v also_o almoo_v drown_v for_o by_o cause_n he_o lack_v he_o brydge_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v parfyte_n faith_n for_o we_o see_v daily_o that_o there_o may_v no_o man_n pass_v over_o a_o great_a water_n broad_a and_o horryble_a deep_a wtout_fw-fr a_o brydge_v or_o some_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v able_a for_o to_o bear_v he_o right_o to_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossyble_a for_o to_o please_v god_n /_o and_o thus_o may_v no_o man_n be_v save_v without_o faith_n when_o they_o set_v their_o life_n in_o worldly_a joy_n or_o worde_o help_v more_o than_o in_o the_o help_n of_o almyghty_a god_n which_o be_v mighty_a for_o to_o do_v all_o thing_n /_o wherefore_o he_o say_v himself_o thus_o saluator_fw-la si_fw-la habueritis_fw-la fidem_fw-la sicut_fw-la granum_fw-la sinapis_fw-la poteritis_fw-la et_fw-la ceterus_fw-la if_o he_o have_v faith_n as_o the_o grain_n of_o mustard_n /_o than_o may_v you_o say_v unto_o the_o hill_n go_v thou_o forth_o and_o it_o shall_v go_v but_o many_o of_o we_o now_o a_o day_n have_v to_o over_o feeble_a a_o faith_n &_o therefore_o they_o shall_v sodan_o fall_v in_o the_o clay_n of_o desperacyon_n /_o and_z by_o deed_o sin_n often_o time_n they_o offend_v god_n also_o this_o king_n have_v not_o bring_v with_o he_o his_o fader_fw-mi and_o his_o mother_n by_o the_o father_n which_o be_v cause_n of_o governacyon_n be_v understande_v humylyte_n without_o who_o there_o be_v no_o virtue_n in_o no_n man_n and_o thereto_o accord_v saint_n gregory_n sa_v thus_o si_fw-mi quis_fw-la caeteris_fw-la virtutes_fw-la sine_fw-la humilitate_fw-la congregat_fw-la et_fw-la cete_fw-la he_o that_o gader_v all_o other_o virtue_n without_o humylyte_n be_v like_o a_o man_n that_o cast_v dust_n in_o the_o wound_n his_o mother_n betoken_v hope_n therefore_o he_o that_o will_v opteyne_v everla_a life_n he_o behove_v to_o have_v the_o cloak_n of_o charyte_n /_o brydge_v of_o faith_n a_o fader_fw-mi of_o mekenesse_n /_o and_o a_o mother_n of_o hope_n /_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v spe_fw-la salut_fw-la facti_fw-la sumus_fw-la also_o this_o knight_n go_v the_o straight_o path_n way_n /_o and_o the_o king_n the_o broad_a way_n /_o for_z he_o that_o will_v be_v save_v behove_v to_o go_v a_o straight_o way_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o the_o way_n of_o fast_a /_o alm_n dede_n /_o chastyte_v /_o and_o penance_n /_o of_o the_o which_o way_n speak_v the_o apostle_n ¶_o stricta_fw-la est_fw-la via_fw-la que_fw-la ducit_fw-la ad_fw-la vitam_fw-la eternam_fw-la the_o way_n be_v straight_o that_o lede_v to_o everla_a life_n but_o many_o man_n go_v that_o other_o way_n which_o lede_v to_o hell_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v by_o the_o way_n of_o flesshe_o lust_n and_o such_o man_n go_v out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o everla_a life_n /_o but_o such_o man_n be_v deceyve_v thrughe_o the_o way_n therefore_o study_v we_o to_o walk_v that_o way_n whereby_o we_o may_v opteyne_v everla_a life_n amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a strong_a &_o a_o bataylous_a emperor_n name_v agias_n which_o have_v with_o he_o a_o knight_n who_o man_n call_v gerarde_n which_o be_v a_o doughty_a warryour_fw-mi neverthe_o less_o he_o be_v as_o meek_a as_o a_o lamb_n in_o the_o emperor_n hall_n /_o but_z in_o the_o field_n he_o be_v like_o a_o lion_n this_o emperor_n have_v a_o fair_a daughter_n who_o the_o strong_a and_o mighty_a exle_n of_o palaster_n ravyssh_v dysflour_v neverthesse_n it_o dysplese_v more_o themperour_n the_o dyffoylnge_n of_o his_o daughter_n than_o the_o ravysshing_n /_o wherefore_o he_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o counsel_n and_o say_v dear_a friend_n it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o you_o the_o despite_n &_o violence_n do_v unto_o i_o in_o deflower_a of_o my_o daughter_n and_o therefore_o jaurpose_v to_o gyve_v barayle_a to_o the_o earl_n /_o wherefore_o i_o pray_v you_o to_o be_v ready_a at_o a_o day_n set_v to_o proceed_v with_o i_o to_o batayle_n and_o they_o say_v lord_n we_o ready_a to_o live_v and_o dye_v with_o you_o in_o batayle_n when_o the_o day_n of_o batayll_n come_v they_o meet_v on_o both_o side_n &_o a_o cruel_a hard_a betayle_n be_v give_v on_o both_o side_n /_o &_o all_o that_o be_v of_o themperours_n party_n be_v slay_v and_o as_o themperour_n shall_v have_v be_v byhede_v the_o knight_n gerarde_n put_v himself_o among_o this_o enemy_n before_o themperour_n and_o fight_v manful_o and_o so_o themperour_n escape_v and_o the_o knight_n abode_n and_o slay_v the_o earl_n /_o nevertheless_o this_o knight_n have_v dyverse_a wound_n this_n not_o withstond_v he_o abide_v &_o fight_v styllâ—tyll_o the_o blood_n run_v to_o his_o hely_n and_o when_o his_o enemy_n see_v that_o the_o earl_n be_v slay_v they_o flee_v /_o and_o the_o knight_n with_o his_o people_n follow_v on_o the_o chase_n till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o place_n where_o themperours_n daughter_n be_v and_o lead_v she_o with_o high_a and_o thus_o with_o triumph_n &_o vyctory_n he_o return_v again_o to_o the_o emperor_n for_o the_o which_o vyctory_n and_o getting_a again_o of_o themperours_n daughter_n he_o be_v grete_o praise_v of_o all_o people_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o this_o knight_n have_v to_o do_v in_o themperours_n court_n wherefore_o the_o knyghte_n come_v unto_o themperour_n and_o pray_v he_o meke_o to_o be_v favourable_a in_o his_o cause_n /_o and_o ferthermore_o he_o pray_v he_o to_o do_v that_o reason_n ask_v when_o the_o emperor_n have_v hear_v he_o he_o call_v to_o he_o a_o justyce_n and_o say_v go_fw-mi thou_o and_o do_v justyce_n to_o this_o knight_n and_o that_o /_o that_z yâ—_z law_n will_n and_o whah_o the_o knight_n hear_v this_o he_o cry_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n alas_o alas_o who_o hear_v ever_o such_o a_o thing_n of_o a_o emperor_n /_o thou_o be_v say_v he_o in_o batayle_n where_o thy_o heed_n shall_v have_v be_v smyten_v of_o /_o and_z i_o in_o my_o own_o person_n and_o none_o other_o man_n put_v myself_o in_o jeoperdy_n for_o the_o and_o save_v the_o /_o &_o now_o thou_o have_v assign_v a_o other_o man_n to_o be_v juge_a in_o my_o cause_n /_o alas_o that_o ever_o thou_o be_v bear_v and_o with_o that_o word_n the_o knight_n die_v of_o all_o his_o clothes_n &_o show_v the_o wound_n that_o he_o have_v receyve_v in_o the_o batayle_n unto_o all_o the_o man_n that_o where_o there_o present_a and_o say_v 'loo_o what_o
they_o we_o re_fw-mi glad_a and_o come_v at_o a_o day_n assign_v and_o put_v forth_o their_o pertycyon_n every_o man_n synguler_o to_o the_o emperor_n /_o &_o anon_o their_o pertycyon_n be_v grant_n &_o fulfyl_v in_o so_o moche_v that_o almoo_v all_o the_o empire_n be_v depart_v among_o they_o and_o than_o every_o man_n be_v joyful_a &_o go_v home_o again_o &_o take_v seasyen_v in_o such_o londe_n and_o castle_n as_o that_o the_o emperor_n have_v give_v they_o anon_o after_o the_o poor_a man_n and_o simple_a gadred_a theym_n to_o guider_n &_o thus_o they_o say_v a_o common_a ctye_n be_v make_v the_o all_o man_n both_o poor_a &_o rich_a no_o person_n except_o shall_v come_v unto_o the_o emperor_n palay_n &_o there_o they_o sholhave_v what_o somever_n they_o ask_v and_o the_o rich_a man_n have_v be_v there_o but_o late_a &_o opteyn_v their_o petycyon_n therefore_o go_v we_o now_o &_o wit_v if_o we_o may_v optayne_n any_o good_a of_o the_o emperor_n that_o counsel_n be_v approbate_a and_o allow_v among_o they_o all_o wherefore_o they_o go_v forth_o straight_o till_o they_o come_v unto_o the_o emperor_n palay_n /_o &_o there_o they_o put_v for_o the_o their_o petycyon_n accord_v to_o the_o emperor_n proclamacyon_n and_o when_o that_o the_o emperor_n hear_v theym_a come_v he_o answer_v they_o so_o and_o say_v dear_a friend_n i_o have_v hear_v all_o your_o petycyon_n /_o &_o it_o be_v truth_n that_o my_o proclamacyon_n be_v this_o wise_n as_o that_o every_o man_n indyfferent_o shall_v come_v &_o they_o shall_v have_v their_o petycyon_n but_o the_o rich_a man_n &_o the_o mighty_a man_n hauve_fw-fr ben_fw-mi here_o before_o you_o to_o who_o i_o have_v give_v all_o that_o i_o have_v save_v only_o the_o royalte_n of_o my_o lordeshyppe_n unto_o they_o and_o so_o have_v i_o nothing_o leave_v for_o to_o gyve_v you_o a_o good_a lord_n have_v mercy_n upon_o we_o and_o lete_fw-la we_o not_o go_v void_a agay_n /_o for_z we_o know_v well_o that_o it_o be_v in_o our_o own_o defaute_n that_o we_o come_v not_o rather_o with_o these_o other_o rich_a &_o mighty_a man_n but_o sythen_a that_o it_o be_v so_o we_o ask_v your_o grace_n that_o we_o may_v opteyne_v somewhat_o by_o the_o which_o we_o may_v live_v than_o say_v the_o emperor_n good_a friend_n here_o you_o i_o for_o though_o i_o have_v give_v all_o my_o londe_n /_o rent_n /_o and_o tenemente_n /_o and_o all_z the_o castle_n to_o the_o rich_a man_n which_o come_v before_o you_o nevertheless_o i_o have_v keep_v still_o in_o to_o my_o own_o ande_fw-mi the_o lordeshyp_n over_o theym_n /_o and_o that_o lordeshyp_n i_o gyve_v unto_o you_o so_o they_o shall_v be_v your_o servant_n and_o be_v obedyent_n unto_o you_o all_o and_o when_o the_o poor_a man_n hear_v this_o they_o be_v grete_o glad_v &_o kneel_v low_o down_o unto_o the_o emperor_n &_o thank_v he_o sa_v thus_o lo_o though_o we_o come_v late_o yet_o we_o be_v make_v lord_n over_o all_o these_o other_o and_o with_o this_o they_o take_v their_o leave_n and_o wenunto_o their_o own_o dwelling_n but_o when_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o mighty_a man_n hear_v that_o they_o be_v grete_o meve_v /_o and_o set_v a_o common_a parlyament_n among_o theymselfe_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v speak_v among_o theym_n alas_o alas_o unto_o we_o how_o may_v we_o serve_v theym_a that_o sometime_o be_v but_o churl_n and_o our_o subgette_n in_o all_o manner_n thing_n and_o now_o they_o be_v make_v lord_n over_o us._n therefore_o go_v we_o all_o with_o one_o assent_n to_o themperour_n and_o pray_v we_o he_o of_o remedy_n when_o this_o be_v say_v their_o counsel_n be_v commend_v and_o forth_o they_o weure_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o say_v to_o he_o reverente_a lord_n what_o may_v this_o be_v though_o the_o which_o be_v our_o servant_n be_v make_v our_o lord_n we_o beseech_v you_o meke_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v so_o than_o say_v the_o emperor_n /_o good_a friend_n i_o do_v you_o no_o wrong_n for_o my_o cry_n be_v commune_v that_o what_o soever_o you_o ask_v of_o i_o you_o shall_v opteyne_v your_o petycyon_n /_o and_o you_o ask_v nothing_o of_o i_o but_o londe_n rent_n and_o honour_n and_o all_o that_o have_v i_o grant_v you_o atte_v your_o own_o will_v /_o in_o so_o moche_v that_o i_o keep_v nothing_o for_o myself_o and_o each_o of_o you_o be_v well_o content_a atte_n your_o away_o go_v /_o and_z after_o that_o come_v simple_a man_n and_o poor_a and_o ask_v of_o i_o some_o good_n accord_v unto_o my_o proclamacyon_n /_o and_z i_o have_v nothing_o to_o gyve_v they_o for_o i_o have_v give_v you_o all_o that_o i_o have_v before_o save_v only_o the_o lordeshyppe_n over_o you_o which_o i_o keep_v in_o my_o hand_n /_o and_o when_o the_o poor_a man_n so_o cry_v on_o i_o i_o have_v nothing_o to_o gyve_v they_o save_v only_o the_o lordeshyppe_n over_o you_o and_o therefore_o you_o shall_v not_o blame_v i_o for_o that_o you_o ask_v you_o have_v than_o say_v they_o a_o good_a lord_n we_o pray_v you_o effectual_o of_o your_o counsel_n in_o this_o case_n and_o of_o your_o help_n the_o emperor_n answer_v and_o say_v sir_n if_o you_o will_v werke_v after_o i_o i_o shall_v gyve_v you_o very_o good_a counseyl_n and_o prouffytable_a than_o say_v they_o lord_n we_o be_v ready_a for_o to_o fulfil_v what_o some_o ever_o you_o say_v unto_o we_o for_o our_o prouffyte_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n my_o good_a friend_n you_o have_v of_o i_o both_o londe_n and_o tenemente_n and_o rent_n with_o other_o mevable_a good_n and_o that_o great_a plente_a the_o which_o by_o my_o counsel_n you_o shall_v depart_v with_o the_o poor_a man_n that_o they_o may_v grant_v you_o the_o lordeshyppe_n and_o anon_o these_o great_a rich_a man_n glad_o grant_v to_o this_o and_o depart_v all_o their_o good_n among_o the_o poor_a man_n and_o that_o they_o give_v theym_a again_o the_o lordeshyppe_n over_o they_o like_o as_o they_o have_v of_o the_o rich_a man_n yâ—_z lordship_n over_o they_o /_o &_o thus_o be_v they_o both_o content_a &_o themperour_n be_v great_o commend_v of_o all_o peope_n because_o he_o accord_v to_o both_o yâ—_z party_n so_o wise_o ¶_o by_o this_o emperor_n be_v understande_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryst_n which_o make_v a_o proclamacyon_n by_o his_o prophet_n patryarke_n apostle_n and_o prechour_n that_o every_o man_n both_o poor_a and_o rich_a shall_v come_v and_o ask_v everla_a joy_n &_o without_o doubt_n they_o shall_v opteyne_v their_o petycyon_n but_o the_o rich_a &_o the_o mighty_a man_n ask_v none_o other_o thing_n but_o worldly_a honour_n and_o rychesse_n transytory_n /_o for_o this_o world_n shall_v pass_v and_o all_o this_o covetyse_n /_o wherefore_o he_o give_v theym_a so_o moche_n of_o worldly_a good_n that_o he_o leave_v no_o thing_n to_o himself_o accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n /_o the_o bird_n of_o heaven_n have_v nest_n &_o fox_n in_o earth_n have_v cave_n /_o but_o the_o soon_o of_o god_n have_v no_o thing_n in_o earth_n where_o he_o may_v put_v his_o heed_n the_o poor_a man_n be_v such_o as_o â—e_v meek_a in_o herte_n of_o the_o which_o poor_a man_n speak_v our_o lord_n sa_v thus_o /_o blyss_v be_v the_o poor_a man_n wherte_v /_o for_o why_o thy_o kyndome_n of_o heaven_n be_v they_o /_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v seem_v that_o they_o have_v lorshyppe_n above_o mighty_a man_n of_o this_o world_n therefore_o these_o rich_a man_n ought_v to_o depart_v their_o rychesse_n with_o poor_a man_n accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n sa_v thus_o gyve_v you_o alm_n and_o all_o thing_n shall_v be_v clean_o to_o you_o &_o thus_o may_v you_o gete_v a_o lorshyppe_n in_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o lorshyppe_n i_o beseech_v almyghty_a god_n to_o bring_v we_o amen_o in_o rome_n sometime_o dwell_v a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v domicyan_a which_o have_v two_o doughter_n of_o who_o one_o be_v pass_v fair_a and_o that_o other_o foul_a &_o ough_o to_o behold_v wherefore_o he_o lete_fw-la cry_v thrughe_o all_o his_o empire_n that_o what_o man_n will_v have_v his_o faith_n daughter_n to_o wife_n shall_v have_v no_o thing_n with_o she_o but_o her_o fairness_n and_o who_o that_o wed_v his_o foul_a daughter_n shall_v have_v all_o his_o empire_n after_o he_o dethe_v and_o when_o the_o proclamacyon_n be_v make_v there_o come_v many_o lord_n and_o desire_a to_o wed_v his_o fair_a daughter_n to_o who_o the_o emperor_n answer_v thus_o sir_n quod_fw-la he_o you_o wot_v never_o what_o you_o desire_n right_n well_o you_o know_v that_o if_o yewedde_v she_o you_o shall_v have_v no_o thing_n with_o she_o but_o her_o fairness_n /_o and_o furthermore_o if_o i_o gyve_v she_o to_o one_o of_o you_o and_o not_o to_o another_o than_o will_v you_o stryve_v for_o she_o therefore_o
of_o a_o tree_n the_o which_o break_v bow_n besely_a with_o his_o tooth_n &_o with_o his_o claw_n /_o and_o throw_v theym_a down_o /_o so_o that_o in_o short_a time_n that_o gye_n have_v ladyd_v his_o ass_n /_o and_o when_o the_o ape_n have_v so_o do_v she_o go_v away_o to_o the_o wood_fw-mi /_o and_z gye_a go_v home_o and_o on_o the_o morrow_n gye_n go_v to_o the_o forest_n again_o /_o and_o as_o he_o sit_v bind_v his_o fagotte_n /_o he_o see_v the_o serpent_n that_o he_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o pytte_n come_v toward_o he_o bere_v in_o his_o mouth_n a_o precyous_a stone_n of_o three_o colour_n the_o which_o stone_n yâ—_z serpent_n lete_fw-la fall_n at_o gye_n foot_n and_o when_o she_o have_v so_o do_v she_o kyss_v his_o foot_n /_o and_z than_o go_v her_o way_n this_o gye_n take_v up_o this_o stone_n /_o and_z marvel_v grete_o of_o what_o virtue_n it_o may_v be_v /_o wherefore_o he_o arise_v he_o up_o and_o go_v to_o a_o seller_n of_o precyous_a stone_n name_v peter_n /_o and_z say_v dear_a brother_n i_o i_o pray_v the_o tell_v i_o the_o virtue_n of_o this_o stone_n /_o and_z i_o shall_v reward_v the_o well_o for_o thy_o labour_n /_o when_o this_o stone_n seller_n have_v well_o beholden_a &_o understode_v the_o nature_n of_o this_o stone_n he_o say_v good_a friend_n if_o thou_o list_v to_o sell_v thy_o stone_n i_o shall_v gyve_v the_o /_o therefore_o a_o c._n mark_v â–ª_o than_o say_v gye_a thus_o i_o will_v not_o sell_v my_o stone_n till_o thou_o tell_v i_o true_o that_o virtue_n thereof_o the_o merchant_n answer_v and_o say_v without_o doubt_n this_o stone_n have_v three_o virtue_n /_o the_o first_o virtue_n be_v this_o that_o who_o ber_v this_o stone_n upon_o he_o shall_v have_v joy_n without_o sorrow_n /_o the_o second_o virtue_n be_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v plente_a without_o defaute_fw-la /_o the_o three_o virtue_n be_v he_o shall_v have_v light_n without_o derkenesse_n /_o &_o also_o it_o a_o neither_o virtue_n that_o no_o man_n may_v sell_v it_o but_o for_o so_o moche_n as_o it_o be_v worth_a /_o and_o if_o he_o do_v the_o contrary_a yâ—_z stone_n retorn_v again_o to_o the_o first_o owner_n when_o gye_n hear_v this_o he_o be_v right_a joyefull_a &_o say_v to_o himself_o in_o a_o good_a hour_n i_o drede_v the_o beeste_n out_o of_o the_o pytte_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o his_o gye_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o stone_n be_v make_v pass_v rich_a and_o buy_v great_a possessyon_n /_o and_o lyvelode_v /_o wherefore_o within_o a_o while_n he_o be_v make_v knight_n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o the_o emperor_n have_v knowledge_n how_o sir_n gye_n have_v a_o stone_n of_o such_o virtue_n /_o wherefore_o he_o send_v for_o sir_n gye_n command_v he_o to_o come_v in_o all_o haste_n to_o he_o and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v and_o when_o sir_n gye_n be_v come_v to_o the_o emperor_n the_o emperor_n say_v unto_o he_o thus_o my_o friend_n say_v he_o i_o have_v herd_n or_o this_o that_o sometime_o thou_o be_v in_o great_a poverte_a and_o now_o make_v by_o the_o virtue_n of_o a_o lytell_a stone_n that_o thou_o be_v rich_a therefore_o i_o pray_v the_o that_o thou_o sell_v i_o that_o stone_n sir_n gye_n answer_v and_o say_v that_o may_v not_o i_o do_v for_o so_o long_o as_o i_o have_v that_o stone_n i_o be_o sure_a of_o three_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o joy_n without_o sorrow_n plente_a without_o defaute_fw-la /_o and_o light_v with_o out_o derkenesse_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o attempt_v moche_o egre_o to_o by_o that_o stone_n than_o he_o die_v before_o and_o say_v sir_n gye_a of_o two_o thing_n thou_o must_v cheese_n one_o /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v choose_v whither_o thou_o wylte_n forsake_v this_o empire_n and_o all_o thy_o kynredde_a or_o elles_fw-fr felle_fw-fr i_o thy_o stone_n thaâ—_n say_v sir_n gye_n my_o lord_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v thus_o be_v it_o atte_fw-mi your_o will_n nevertheless_o i_o shall_v â—eell_v you_o the_o peryll_n of_o this_o stone_n for_o if_o you_o pay_v not_o therefore_o as_o it_o be_v worth_a without_o doubt_n it_o will_v come_v to_o i_o again_o than_o say_v the_o emperor_n sothe_o i_o shall_v gyve_v the_o suffycyent_a for_o thou_o shall_v receyve_v of_o i_o a_o thousand_o pound_n therefore_o /_o and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v /_o sit_v gye_n receyve_v the_o money_n and_o go_v home_o on_o the_o morrow_n er_o open_v his_o coffer_n and_o find_v the_o stone_n /_o and_z than_o tell_v he_o to_o the_o lady_n his_o wife_n how_o he_o have_v sell_v the_o stone_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o delyver_v it_o /_o and_z how_o he_o find_v it_o again_o in_o his_o coffer_n than_o say_v the_o lady_n his_o wife_n good_a sir_n in_o all_o the_o haste_n that_o you_o can_v go_v again_o unto_o the_o emperor_n and_o take_v to_o he_o the_o stone_n for_o drede_v that_o he_o be_v not_o wroth_a /_o and_z thoroughe_o malice_n put_v some_o fraud_n in_o we_o thenne_n go_v sir_n sir_n gye_n for_o the_o again_o unto_o the_o emperor_n and_o say_v unto_o he_o in_o this_o wise_n my_o lord_n yesterdaye_v i_o sell_v you_o a_o stone_n /_o which_o it_o may_v please_v you_o i_o will_v fain_o see_v the_o emperor_n go_v for_o the_o stone_n to_o his_o tresoure_n and_o find_v it_o not_o /_o wherefore_o he_o be_v right_a sorowefull_a and_o come_v again_o and_o tell_v sir_n gye_n how_o it_o be_v lose_v than_o say_v gye_n my_o lord_n greve_v you_o noughte_v for_o i_o tell_v you_o yesterdaye_v that_o i_o may_v not_o sell_v it_o but_o if_o i_o have_v the_o value_n thereof_o /_o and_z yesterdaye_o i_o receyve_v a_o thousand_o pound_n of_o you_o therefore_o /_o and_o this_o day_n i_o find_v it_o in_o my_o coffer_n again_o /_o and_o therefore_o if_o i_o have_v not_o bring_v you_o the_o stone_n again_o /_o peradventure_o you_o will_v have_v show_v i_o your_o hevy_a lordeshyppe_n /_o and_z with_o that_o he_o show_v forth_o the_o stone_n /_o wherefore_o the_o emperor_n marvel_v grete_o and_o say_v sir_n gye_a by_o the_o truth_n that_o thou_o owe_v to_o i_o tell_v i_o how_o thou_o come_v by_o this_o stone_n than_o say_v sir_n gye_a by_o my_o faith_n that_o i_o owe_v to_o you_o i_o shall_v tell_v you_o true_o the_o veray_v truth_n as_o touching_n this_o stone_n /_o your_o steward_n which_o be_v promote_v up_o to_o nought_o lete_fw-la make_v many_o deep_a pytte_n in_o your_o foreste_n /_o and_o it_o fortune_v not_o long_o after_o that_o he_o felle_fw-fr in_o one_o of_o theym_n himself_o /_o and_o may_v not_o rise_v again_o for_o depnesse_n of_o the_o pytte_n /_o it_o fortune_v also_o the_o same_o day_n that_o a_o lion_n a_o ape_n and_o a_o serpent_n felle_fw-fr in_o to_o he_o that_o time_n be_v i_o poor_a man_n and_o as_o i_o walk_v in_o the_o foreste_n with_o my_o ass_n for_o to_o gader_fw-mi wood_fw-mi he_o cry_v unto_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v help_v he_o out_o of_o the_o pytte_n and_o save_v he_o from_o the_o dethe_v /_o for_o there_o be_v in_o the_o pytte_n with_o he_o three_o venymous_a beeste_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o lion_n /_o a_o ape_n /_o and_o a_o foul_a serpent_n and_o than_o he_o behyght_n i_o by_o mouth_n to_o promote_v i_o &_o all_o my_o kin_n unto_o great_a rychesse_n and_o when_o that_o i_o hear_v that_o i_o be_v glade_n and_o lete_fw-la down_o a_o cord_n suppose_v to_o have_v draw_v up_o he_o /_o and_o than_o i_o hale_v up_o a_o lion_n and_o after_o that_o i_o draw_v up_o a_o ape_n /_o and_o than_o a_o serpent_n /_o and_o atte_fw-mi last_o your_o stewade_v the_o lion_n give_v i_o ten_o ass_n charge_v with_o marchaundyse_n /_o the_o ape_n give_v i_o woo_v as_o moche_v as_o my_o ass_n may_v here_o /_o and_o the_o serpent_n give_v i_o this_o stone_n that_o i_o have_v sell_v you_o but_o your_o steward_n bete_v i_o and_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 the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o his_o herte_n be_v move_v grete_o against_o the_o stuarde_n wherefore_o he_o call_v he_o and_o examine_v he_o of_o that_o false_a deed_n /_o but_z he_o be_v dumb_a and_o will_v not_o speak_v /_o for_o so_o moche_n that_o he_o coude_fw-fr never_o his_o false_a heed_n deny_v than_o say_v the_o emperor_n o_o wretched_a creature_n /_o unresonable_a bests_n as_o the_o lion_n that_o ape_n and_o the_o serpent_n reward_v he_o for_o his_o good_a heed_n /_o and_z thou_o which_o be_v a_o reasonable_a man_n haste_v beten_v he_o almoo_v to_o dethe_v that_o save_v the_o and_o draw_v the_o out_o of_o the_o pytte_n therefore_o for_o thy_o falshede_v &_o wyckednesse_n i_o juge_v the_o
horse_n back_o /_o so_o that_o there_o with_o the_o empress_n be_v leave_v no_o creature_n save_v only_o the_o emperor_n brother_n /_o which_o sing_v that_o no_o man_n be_v there_o but_o they_o two_o /_o this_z he_o say_v unto_o the_o empress_n 'loo_o lady_n here_o beside_o be_v a_o prevy_a foreste_n and_o long_o it_o be_v ago_o that_o i_o speak_v to_o the_o of_o love_n come_v now_o and_o consent_v unto_o i_o that_o i_o may_v lie_v with_o the._n than_o say_v the_o empress_n a_o foal_n what_o may_v this_o be_v /_o yesterdaye_v i_o delyver_v that_o from_o prison_n upon_o thy_o promise_n in_o hope_n of_o a_o mendement_n and_o now_o thou_o be_v return_v to_o thy_o folly_n again_o /_o wherefore_o i_o say_v now_o to_o the_o as_o i_o have_v say_v before_o there_o shall_v no_o man_n do_v such_o thing_n with_o i_o but_o only_o my_o lord_n the_o emperor_n which_o owe_v of_o very_a duty_n and_o right_a so_o for_o to_o do_v thenne_n say_v he_o /_o if_o thou_o wylte_n not_o consent_v to_o i_o i_o shall_v hang_v the_o here_o upon_o a_o tree_n in_o this_o forest_n where_o no_o man_n shall_v find_v the_o &_o so_o shall_v thou_o dye_v a_o evyll_n dethe_v the_o empress_n answer_v mekely_a and_o say_v though_o thou_o will_v smite_v of_o my_o heed_n and_o put_v i_o to_o dethe_v with_o all_o manner_n turment_v thou_o shall_v never_o have_v thy_o consent_n to_o such_o sin_n /_o when_o he_o hear_v this_o he_o unclothe_v she_o all_o save_o her_o smock_n /_o and_o hinge_n she_o up_o by_o the_o here_o upon_o a_o tree_n and_o tie_v her_o stead_n beside_o she_o /_o and_o so_o ride_v forth_o to_o his_o felawe_n /_o and_o tell_v theym_a that_o a_o great_a hoost_n of_o man_n meet_v he_o and_o take_v the_o empress_n away_o from_o he_o and_o when_o he_o have_v tell_v theym_a this_o /_o they_z make_v great_a sorrow_n â–ª_o it_o befelle_n on_o the_o three_o day_n /_o after_o that_o /_o that_z there_o come_v a_o earl_n to_o hunt_v in_o that_o foreste_n /_o and_o as_o he_o ride_v bete_v the_o brake_n he_o sterte_v a_o fox_n who_o his_o hound_n follow_v fast_a till_o they_o come_v never_o the_o tree_n whereupon_o the_o empress_n be_v hang_v /_o and_o when_o the_o dog_n feel_v the_o savoure_n of_o she_o they_o leave_v the_o fox_n /_o and_o run_v toward_o the_o tree_n as_o fast_o as_o they_o coude_fw-fr the_o earl_n this_o sing_v wonder_v and_o smite_v the_o spur_n into_o his_o horse_n side_n /_o and_o follow_v theym_a till_o he_o come_v where_o as_o the_o body_n be_v henge_v /_o when_o the_o earl_n see_v she_o this_o hang_a /_o he_o marvel_v grete_o /_o for_o so_o moche_v she_o be_v right_a fair_a and_o gracious_a for_o to_o behold_v /_o wherefore_o he_o say_v unto_o she_o in_o this_o manner_n wise_a o_o woman_n who_o be_v thou_o &_o of_o what_o country_n /_o and_o wherefore_o hang_v thou_o here_o in_o this_o manner_n wise_a /_o the_o empress_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o full_o deed_n /_o but_z in_o point_n ready_a for_o to_o dye_v answer_v and_o say_v i_o be_o quod_fw-la she_o a_o strange_a woman_n and_o be_o come_v out_o offer_v country_n /_o but_o how_o i_o come_v hyde_a god_n know_v than_o answer_v the_o earl_n and_o say_v who_o horse_n quoth_v he_o be_v this_o that_o stand_v here_o by_o the_o bind_v to_o this_o tree_n than_o answer_v that_o lady_n and_o say_v that_o it_o be_v she_o when_o the_o earl_n hear_v this_o /_o he_z kuewe_a well_o that_o she_o be_v a_o gentyll_a woman_n /_o and_z come_v of_o some_o noble_a kindred_n /_o wherefore_o he_o be_v the_o rather_o meve_v with_o pyte_n and_o say_v unto_o she_o o_o fair_a lady_n thou_o semeste_v gentyll_a and_o therefore_o i_o purpose_v to_o delyver_v the_o from_o this_o pain_n if_o thou_o if_o thou_o wylte_n promise_v to_o go_v with_o i_o and_o norysshe_v my_o young_a daughter_n /_o and_o teach_v her_o atte_a home_n in_o my_o castle_n /_o for_z i_o have_v no_o child_n but_o only_o her_o /_o and_z if_o thou_o keep_v she_o well_o /_o thou_o shall_v have_v a_o good_a reward_n /_o for_z thy_o labour_n than_o say_v she_o as_o ferforthe_o as_o i_o can_v or_o may_v i_o shall_v fulfil_v thy_o intent_n and_o when_o she_o have_v promise_v he_o thus_o /_o he_o take_v she_o down_o of_o the_o oak_n &_o lead_v she_o home_o to_o his_o castle_n &_o give_v she_o the_o keep_a of_o his_o daughter_n that_o he_o love_v so_o much_o &_o she_o be_v cheryssh_v so_o well_o that_o she_o lie_v every_o night_n in_o the_o earl_n chamber_n and_o his_o daughter_n togyder_n and_o in_o his_o chambre_n every_o night_n there_o brente_a a_o lamp_n the_o which_o hinge_n evyn_v bytwene_v the_o empress_n bed_n and_o the_o earl_n bed_n this_o lady_n bear_v she_o so_o gent_o that_o she_o be_v belove_v of_o every_o creature_n there_o be_v that_o time_n in_o earl_n court_v a_o steward_n which_o love_v moche_v this_o empress_n above_o all_o thing_n /_o and_o oftentimes_o speak_v to_o she_o of_o his_o love_n /_o but_z she_o answer_v he_o ever_o again_o and_o say_v know_v you_o dear_a friend_n for_o certain_a i_o have_v make_v a_o solemn_a vow_n that_o i_o shall_v never_o love_v man_n in_o such_o wise_n but_o only_o he_o who_o i_o be_o grete_o behold_v for_o to_o love_v he_o by_o god_n commandment_n than_o answer_n the_o steward_n and_o say_v thou_o wylte_n not_o than_o consent_n to_o i_o my_o lord_n quoth_v she_o what_o need_v the_o more_o for_o to_o ask_v i_o the_o vow_n which_o i_o have_v make_v true_o shall_v i_o keep_v and_o hold_v be_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n than_o when_o the_o steward_n hear_v this_o he_o go_v his_o way_n in_o great_a wrath_n and_o anger_n think_v within_o himself_o and_o /_o if_o i_o may_v i_o shall_v be_v wrought_v on_o the._n it_o befall_v within_o short_a time_n after_o upon_o a_o night_n that_o the_o earl_n chamber_n door_n be_v forgoten_a and_o left_a unshytte_n which_o the_o steward_n perceyve_v anon_o and_o when_o all_o the_o be_v a_o sleep_v he_o go_v and_o espy_v by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o lamp_n where_o the_o empress_n and_o yâ—_z young_a maid_n lie_v togyder_n and_o with_o that_o /_o draw_v out_o his_o knife_n /_o and_o cut_v the_o throat_n of_o the_o earl_n daughter_n and_o put_v the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o the_o empress_n hand_n she_o be_v a_o sleep_v and_o not_o know_v nothing_o theof_o to_o this_o intent_n that_o the_o earl_n when_o he_o waken_v shall_v see_v the_o knife_n in_o her_o hand_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v think_v that_o she_o have_v cut_v his_o doughter_n shrote_n wherefore_o she_o shall_v be_v put_v unto_o dethe_v for_o his_o defaute_n and_o when_o this_o damosel_n be_v thus_o slay_v and_o the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o the_o empress_n hand_n the_o countess_n awake_v of_o she_o sleep_v and_o see_v by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o lamp_n the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o her_o hand_n wherefore_o she_o be_v almoo_v out_o of_o her_o mind_n and_o say_v to_o the_o earl_n thus_o o_o my_o lord_n anon_o byholde_v in_o yonder_o lady_n hand_n a_o wonderful_a thing_n the_o earl_n awake_v and_o byhelde_v on_o the_o empress_n bed_n and_o see_v the_o bloody_a knife_n as_o the_o countess_n say_v wherefore_o he_o be_v grete_o meve_v and_o cry_v unto_o she_o and_o say_v a_o wake_a woman_n of_o thy_o sleep_v what_o thing_n be_v this_o i_o see_v in_o thy_o hand_n anon_o the_o empress_n thrughe_o his_o cry_n awake_v of_o she_o sleep_v /_o &_o in_o her_o wake_n the_o knife_n fall_v out_o of_o her_o hand_n /_o &_o with_o that_o she_o look_v by_o she_o and_o find_v the_o earl_n daughter_n deed_n by_o her_o side_n and_o all_o the_o bed_n full_a of_o blood_n /_o wherefore_o with_o a_o huge_a cry_n and_o voice_n she_o cry_v alas_o alas_o and_o wellaway_o my_o lord_n daughter_n be_v slay_v she_o cry_v unto_o the_o earl_n with_o a_o piteous_a voice_n and_o say_v a_o my_o lord_n let_v that_o devyll_n be_v put_v to_o the_o moo_v foul_a dethe_v that_o can_v bethink_v the_o which_o have_v slay_v thus_o our_o only_a child_n and_o when_o the_o countess_n have_v say_v thus_o to_o the_o earl_n /_o she_o say_v unto_o the_o empress_n in_o this_o wise_n the_o high_a god_n know_v that_o thou_o myschevous_a woman_n haste_v slay_v my_o daughter_n with_o thy_o own_o hand_n /_o for_z i_o see_v the_o bloody_a knife_n in_o thy_o hand_n /_o and_o therefore_o thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o fowl_n dethe_v thenne_n say_v the_o earl_n in_o this_o manner_n of_o wise_n o_o thou_o woman_n /_o were_z it_o not_o that_o the_o drede_n of_o god_n be_v so_o great_a i_o shall_v cleve_v thy_o boody_a with_o my_o sword_n in_o two_o party_n /_o for_o i_o delyver_v the_o from_o
he_o but_o the_o blyss_v soul_n which_o be_v so_o well-beloved_a with_o god_n will_v not_o forsake_v her_o lord_n and_o consent_n unto_o sin_n /_o wherefore_o the_o wretched_a flesh_n full_a oft_o dispoyl_v she_o of_o all_o clothyne_n this_o be_v to_o say_v of_o all_o her_o virtue_n /_o and_o hang_v she_o up_o by_o the_o here_o on_o a_o oak_n that_o be_v to_o say_v on_o lust_n and_o delight_n /_o and_o there_o she_o hang_v unto_o the_o good_a eâ—le_n come_v that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o a_z dyscrete_a confessoure_n come_v in_o the_o forest_n of_o this_o world_n to_o prithee_o and_o teach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o take_v she_o down_o &_o lede_v she_o forth_o to_o the_o chirche_fw-fr to_o nourysshe_v his_o daughter_n that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o to_o nouryce_o concyence_n with_o werke_n of_o mercy_n the_o earl_n have_v in_o his_o chamber_n a_o lamp_n right_o so_o every_o dyscryte_n confessoure_n or_o precher_n shall_v have_v a_o before_o he_o the_o lamp_n of_o holy_a scrypture_n where_o by_o he_o may_v see_v both_o the_o grevaunce_n and_o profit_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o teching_n of_o virtue_n and_o putting_a away_o of_o vice_n the_o stuarde_n that_o styre_v she_o to_o sin_n /_o be_v not_o else_o but_o pride_n of_o life_n which_o be_v stuarde_n of_o this_o world_n /_o by_o who_o many_o man_n be_v deceyve_v but_o when_o the_o soul_n that_o be_v so_o well-beloved_a with_o cryst_n will_v not_o consent_v to_o the_o sin_n of_o pride_n /_o than_o take_v this_o evil_a stywarde_a the_o knife_n of_o covetyse_n where_o with_o he_o slee_v the_o earl_n daughter_n /_o yâ—_z be_v to_o say_v concyence_n accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n sa_v thus_o gold_n and_o silver_n have_v blind_v the_o eye_n of_o juges_fw-la and_o have_v overthrow_v wise_a man_n so_o that_o equyte_v and_o right_a wysnes_n may_v entre_fw-fr but_z stand_v a_o far_o and_o torn_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 everla_a death_n which_o have_v deserve_v by_o dede_o sin_n therefore_o do_v we_o as_o die_v this_o lady_n /_o 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 and_o soryde_n we_o forth_o all_o haste_n to_o save_v our_o neighbour_n from_o the_o gaious_a of_o deed_o sin_n help_a they_o both_o bodily_a and_o goostly_a as_o solomon_n say_v woe_n 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 helpen_v of_o a_o other_o there_o be_v like_o a_o sure_a cyte_n /_o and_o if_o he_o gyve_v no_o more_o but_o a_o cup_n of_o water_n unto_o he_o in_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 deceyve_v false_o his_o lady_n after_o that_o she_o have_v save_v he_o fro_o hang_a the_o master_n of_o the_o ship_n betoken_v the_o world_n by_o who_o many_o man_n be_v beceyve_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 and_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 unpossyble_a to_o please_v both_o god_n and_o man_n and_o the_o world_n at_o one_o /_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 nonery_n that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o to_o the_o soul_n after_o the_o trouble_n of_o this_o world_n &_o go_v to_o the_o holy_a life_n and_o thâ—_n she_o hele_v all_o manner_n syke_a 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 yâ—_z be_v to_o say_v infect_v with_o dyverse_a sekeness_n which_o this_o lady_n hele_v thrughe_o holy_a life_n but_o the_o soul_n may_v not_o be_v seen_v of_o cryste_n her_o husbonde_n till_o she_o have_v knowelege_v open_o all_o their_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 yâ—_z 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 palyc_n of_o paradyse_n unto_o the_o which_o almyghty_a ihesu_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_o in_o rome_n sometime_o there_o dwell_v a_o mighty_a emerour_n name_v martin_n which_o for_o love_n keep_v with_o he_o his_o broder_n soon_o who_o man_n call_v fulgenctê°_n with_o this_o martin_n dwell_v also_o a_o knight_n that_o be_v stuarde_n of_o his_o empire_n &_o uncle_n unto_o the_o emperor_n which_o envy_a this_o fulgenciê°_n /_o &_o study_v both_o 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 that_o emperor_n &_o say_v my_o lord_n quoth_v he_o i_o which_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 here_o any_o thing_n that_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 need_v utter_a in_o secret_a to_o your_o sordshyp_n bytwene_v we_o ii_o than_o say_v yâ—_z emperor_n good_a friend_n quoth_v he_o say_v what_o thou_o list_v my_o lord_n qd_n the_o stuarde_n fulgenciê°_n your_o cousin_n &_o your_o nigh_o kynnesman_n have_v dyffamed_a you_o wonder_o and_o shameful_o thrughe_v all_o your_o empire_n sa_v that_o your_o brethe_fw-mi stynk_v the_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 almoo_v out_o of_o high_a self_n for_o veray_fw-fr anger_n /_o and_o say_v to_o he_o thus_o /_o i_o pray_v the_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 stuarde_n you_o may_v believe_v i_o for_o i_o perceyve_v a_o sweet_a breath_n in_o my_o day_n thà _fw-la 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 preefe_n the_o stuarde_n answer_v and_o say_v my_o lord_n you_o shall_v right_a well_o understonde_v yâ—_z truth_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 tear_v away_o his_o face_n from_o you_o by_o cause_n of_o your_o brethe_o /_o and_o this_o be_v the_o moost_n veray_fw-fr prefe_n that_o may_v be_v have_v of_o this_o thing_n for_o sothâ—_n say_v the_o emperor_n a_o true_a proof_n can_v not_o be_v have_v of_o this_o thing_n /_o wherefore_o anon_o when_o the_o stuarde_n hear_v this_o /_o he_z go_v to_o fuigencius_n and_o take_v he_o a_o side_n sa_v thus_o dear_a friend_n thou_o be_v my_o kynnesman_n /_o and_z nevewe_a to_o my_o lord_n the_o emperor_n /_o 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 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 rather_o amend_v and_o that_o may_v be_v great_a reprefe_n to_o the._n thenne_n say_v this_o fulgencius_fw-la a_o good_a sir_n for_o his_o love_n that_o die_v on_o the_o cross_n telle_fw-fr i_o why_o my_o lord_n be_v so_o meve_v with_o i_o /_o for_z i_o be_o ready_a to_o amend_v my_o defaute_n in_o all_o that_o i_o may_v /_o and_z for_o to_o be_v rule_v by_o your_o counceyll_n thy_o brethe_fw-mi quod_fw-la the_o stuarde_n stynk_v sore_o that_o his_o drink_n do_v he_o no_o good_a /_o so_o grevous_a unto_o he_o be_v the_o stynk_n of_o thy_o brethe_fw-mi than_o say_v fulgencius_fw-la true_o that_o perceyve_v i_o never_o till_o now_o /_o but_o what_o thynk_v you_o of_o my_o brethe_fw-mi i_o pray_v you_o tell_v i_o that_o truth_n sothe_o quoth_v he_o it_o stynk_v foul_a nevertheless_o he_o byleve_v all_o that_o he_o say_v this_o fulgencius_fw-la be_v right_a sorrowful_a &_o pray_v he_o of_o his_o council_n and_o help_n in_o this_o case_n than_o say_v the_o steward_n if_o thou_o lyste_v for_o to_o do_v by_o my_o council_n i_o shall_v bring_v this_o matter_n to_o good_a conclusion_n therefore_o i_o counceyll_v for_o the_o best_a and_o also_o i_o warn_v the_o that_o when_o thou_o serve_v thy_o lord_n of_o his_o cup_n than_o tear_v away_o thy_o face_n from_o he_o that_o he_o may_v not_o feel_v thy_o brethe_o till_o that_o time_n that_o thou_o haste_v provyde_v the_o for_o some_o remedy_n fulgencius_fw-la thenne_n be_v glad_a and_o swear_v that_o he_o will_v do_v by_o his_o council_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befelle_fw-fr that_o the_o child_n serve_v his_o lord_n as_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o do_v sodeyn_o he_o torn_v his_o face_n from_o the_o lord_n by_o the_o teching_n
chase_v a_o herte_a /_o they_o come_v to_o the_o holowe_v three_fw-mi where_fw-mi the_o child_n lie_v /_o &_o when_o they_o feel_v the_o savoure_n of_o the_o child_n they_o will_v no_o ferde_o go_v the_o earl_n sing_v this_o /_o marvel_v grete_o why_o his_o hound_n abode_n there_o /_o &_o smite_v horse_n w_o e_o his_o spur_n and_o ride_v a_o great_a pace_n till_o he_o come_v to_o they_o and_o when_o he_o come_v unto_o the_o three_fw-mi where_fw-mi in_o the_o child_n be_v close_v &_o look_v in_o at_o a_o hole_n /_o and_o find_v the_o child_n /_o &_o and_o then_o be_v he_o right_a glad_a &_o take_v up_o the_o child_n in_o his_o arm_n full_o lovynge_o /_o &_o bear_v he_o home_o unto_o his_o castle_n /_o sa_n to_o the_o countess_n his_o wife_n lo_o my_o dear_a wife_n this_o day_n by_o fortune_n i_o have_v frunde_v a_o full_a fair_a child_n in_o a_o holowe_v tree_n as_o i_o hunt_v in_o the_o forest_n whereof_o i_o be_o right_a glad_a and_o by_o cause_n that_o i_o gate_n never_o soon_o ne_fw-la daughter_n on_o the_o /_o ne_z thou_o never_o yet_o conceyve_v child_n therefore_o i_o exorte_v the_o that_o thou_o wylte_n feign_v thyself_o travayl_v of_o chyl_v and_o say_v the_o thou_o have_v bear_v this_o child_n the_o councesse_n fulfyl_v w_n e_o gladness_n /_o &_o say_v my_o lord_n your_o will_n shall_v be_v do_v not_o long_o after_o tydynge_n go_v thorughe_v all_o that_o country_n that_o the_o countess_n be_v delyver_v of_o a_o fair_a soon_o /_o wherefore_o they_o make_v great_a joy_n the_o child_n begin_v to_o wax_v /_o and_o be_v right_a well_o belove_v of_o every_o man_n /_o and_z specyal_o of_o the_o earl_n and_o of_o the_o countess_n it_o befall_v after_o when_o the_o child_n be_v xv_o year_n old_a the_o emperor_n make_v a_o solemn_a fee_v to_o all_o his_o lord_n unto_o the_o which_o this_o earl_n be_v call_v /_o and_z at_o the_o day_n assign_v come_v and_z brought_z the_o child_n which_o be_v that_o time_n a_o fair_a squire_n and_o carve_a atte_n the_o board_n before_o the_o earl_n the_o emperor_n behold_v he_o grete_o &_o espy_v the_o token_n in_o forheede_v that_o he_o have_v see_v before_o in_o the_o fosteres_n house_n /_o wherefore_o he_o be_v grete_o meve_v within_o himself_o /_o and_o say_v unto_o the_o earl_n in_o this_o wise_n /_o who_o soon_o be_v this_o quoth_v the_o emperor_n sethely_fw-mi say_v the_o earl_n he_o be_v my_o soon_o than_o say_v the_o emperor_n by_o the_o faith_n and_o truth_n the_o thou_o o_o west_n to_o i_o tell_v i_o the_o truth_n the_o earl_n sing_v that_o he_o may_v not_o excuse_v he_o by_o no_o wise_n but_o that_o he_o must_v needs_o tell_v /_o than_o tell_v he_o he_o all_o togyder_n how_o he_o find_v he_o in_o the_o forest_n in_o a_o holowe_v tree_n this_o hear_a the_o emperor_n almoo_v wax_v out_o of_o himself_o and_o call_v to_o he_o his_o servant_n which_o the_o he_o have_v send_v before_o to_o slay_v that_o child_n and_o when_o they_o come_v he_o make_v they_o to_o swear_v on_o a_o book_n that_o they_o shall_v tell_v the_o troth_n what_o they_o have_v do_v with_o the_o child_n good_a lord_n say_v they_o we_o put_v we_o unto_o thy_o grace_n for_o without_o doubt_n pyte_v so_o meve_v we_o that_o we_o may_v not_o slay_v he_o wherefore_o we_o put_v he_o in_o a_o holowe_v three_fw-mi /_o but_z after_o ward_n what_o befelle_n on_o he_o soch_o we_o know_v not_o and_o in_o his_o stead_n we_o slay_v a_o pygge_n and_o bring_v you_o the_o herte_n thereof_o /_o when_o the_o emperor_n have_v herd_n the_o very_a truth_n of_o this_o matter_n /_o he_o say_v unto_o the_o earl_n this_o young_a man_n quoth_v he_o shall_v abide_v here_o with_o i_o the_o earl_n yâ—_z grant_v though_o it_o be_v grete_o against_o his_o will_n and_o when_o the_o feest_fw-mi be_v end_v /_o every_o man_n take_v his_o leave_n at_o the_o emperor_n and_o go_v whither_o than_o theym_a lyste_n and_o that_o time_n as_o it_o fortune_v the_o empress_n and_o her_o daughter_n solourn_v in_o a_o great_a country_n then_v by_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o berelle_fw-fr not_o long_o after_o the_o emperor_n call_v unto_o he_o that_o young_a squyer_n and_o say_v the_o behove_v quoth_v to_o ride_v unto_o the_o empress_n my_o wife_n with_o my_o letter_n all_o ready_a my_o lord_n say_v he_o i_o be_o for_o to_o fulfil_v your_o will_n anon_o the_o emperor_n lete_fw-la write_v letter_n whereof_o the_o intent_n be_v this_o that_o the_o empress_n shall_v take_v the_o berer_n of_o these_o letter_n &_o let_v he_o be_v draw_v at_o a_o horse_n tail_n /_o &_o after_o that_o she_o shall_v lete_fw-la he_o be_v hang_v till_o he_o be_v deed_n /_o &_o that_o upon_o pain_n of_o death_n /_o when_o the_o letter_n be_v all_o make_v &_o seal_v than_o the_o emperor_n take_v theym_a unto_o the_o young_a squyer_n command_v he_o to_o speed_n he_o her_o journey_n and_o anon_o the_o child_n receyve_v they_o glad_o &_o put_v theym_a sure_a in_o a_o box_n /_o and_o ride_v forth_o upon_o his_o journey_n /_o when_o he_o have_v ride_v three_o day_n or_o four_o on_o his_o journey_n in_o the_o eventyde_n he_o come_v unto_o a_o castle_n where_o as_o a_o knight_n dwell_v and_o pray_v he_o meke_o of_o a_o nyghte_n lodge_a the_o knight_n sing_v and_o behold_v the_o good_a favour_n of_o this_o young_a squyr_n /_o he_o grant_v he_o lodge_a and_o make_v he_o good_a cheer_n and_o well_o to_o fare_v and_o afterward_o bring_v he_o unto_o his_o chambre_n and_o when_o he_o be_v there_o he_o go_v to_o bed_n and_o anon_o be_v on_o sleep_v for_o he_o be_v right_a weary_a of_o his_o journey_n &_o forget_v his_o box_n with_o the_o letter_n lyenge_a open_a in_o his_o chambre_n /_o when_o the_o knight_n see_v the_o box_n he_o open_v it_o and_o find_v the_o letter_n seal_v with_o the_o emperor_n sign_n manuel_n /_o and_o be_v grete_o tempt_v for_o to_o open_v they_o and_o at_o the_o last_o he_o open_v theym_a subrylly_a and_o thenne_n he_o read_v how_o the_o empress_n upon_o pain_n of_o death_n shall_v put_v the_o berer_n of_o theym_n unto_o the_o death_n /_o and_o than_o he_o be_v right_a sorrowful_a and_o say_v within_o himself_o alas_o quoth_v he_o it_o be_v great_a pyre_n for_o to_o slay_v such_o a_o fair_a young_a man_n /_o and_z therefore_o if_o i_o may_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o and_o anon_o the_o knight_n scrape_v away_o that_o writing_a and_o write_v in_o the_o same_o paper_n a_o letter_n sa_v these_o word_n upon_o pain_n of_o dethe_v i_o command_v the_o that_o thou_o take_v the_o young_a squyer_n berer_n of_o these_o letter_n and_o let_v medde_v he_o without_o any_o delay_v unto_o my_o daughter_n and_o you_o with_o all_o the_o honour_n and_o solempnyte_n that_o you_o can_v /_o &_o when_o that_o they_o be_v wed_v /_o that_o you_o take_v he_o in_o honour_n and_o worshyppe_n he_o as_o your_o own_o soon_o and_o that_o he_o keep_v my_o place_n till_o i_o come_v to_o you_o myself_o /_o when_o the_o knight_n have_v thus_o write_v he_o close_v the_o letter_n subtylly_a and_o put_v they_o in_o the_o box_n again_o er_o in_o the_o morning_n the_o chyl_v de_fw-mi arise_v and_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o the_o knight_n and_o ride_v forth_o in_o his_o journey_n /_o and_o come_v the_o three_o day_n to_o the_o empress_n and_o salute_v she_o worshypful_o in_o the_o emperor_n behalf_n /_o and_o tâ—ke_v she_o the_o letter_n /_o &_o when_o thempresse_n have_v rede_v they_o /_o anon_o she_o send_v her_o messenger_n thrughe_o the_o court_n command_v the_o gentylman_n to_o come_v to_o her_o doughter_n wed_v atte_n a_o certain_a day_n assign_v /_o when_o yâ—_z day_n be_v come_v thede_a come_v many_o great_a lord_n /_o and_o anon_o this_o child_n wed_v the_o emperor_n daughter_n with_o great_a honour_n &_o worship_n accord_v to_o the_o tenoure_n of_o the_o letter_n /_o and_z be_v right_a well_o belove_a &_o moo_v honour_v among_o the_o people_n not_o long_o after_o it_o befall_v that_o the_o emperor_n come_v into_o that_o country_n /_o when_o the_o empress_n hear_v of_o her_o lord_n come_n she_o take_v with_o she_o her_o soon_o in_o law_n with_o moche_n other_o peple_n /_o and_o go_v against_o the_o emperor_n to_o welcome_v he_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o child_n lede_a the_o empress_n his_o wife_n he_o be_v grete_o meve_v with_o himself_o /_o and_o say_v o_o thou_o curse_a woman_n for_o thou_o haste_v not_o fulfyl_v my_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v dye_v a_o evyll_n dethe_v a_o lord_n quod_fw-la she_o all_o that_o you_o command_v to_o do_v i_o have_v fulfyl_v nay_o curse_a woman_n it_o be_v not_o so_o for_o i_o write_v to_o