to_o be_v hang_v this_o day_n on_o the_o galowe_n /_o &_o all_o thy_o good_n &_o londe_n i_o grant_v unto_o gye_a /_o &_o also_o i_o ordain_v that_o sir_n gye_n shall_v occupy_v thy_o place_n &_o be_v stuarde_n &_o so_o it_o be_v do_v when_o sir_n gye_n be_v thâ—_n reward_v by_o the_o emperor_n and_o make_v stuarde_n he_o be_v well_o bylove_v of_o every_o man_n long_o time_n /_o and_z at_o the_o last_o end_v his_o life_n with_o honour_n and_o good_a pease_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v yâ—_z fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n the_o poor_a man_n betoken_v every_o man_n the_o which_o come_v in_o to_o this_o world_n feeble_a and_o naked_a from_o his_o moder_n bely_v /_o and_z at_o the_o last_o be_v promote_v to_o great_a rychesse_n and_o worldly_a honour_n as_o the_o salmist_n say_v de_fw-fr stercore_fw-la erigens_fw-la pauperent_fw-la god_n lift_v up_o the_o poor_a man_n out_o of_o filth_n /_o and_o many_o such_o man_n know_v neither_o god_n ne_o himself_o but_o make_v himself_o to_o make_v deep_a pytte_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v unkyndenesse_n and_o malice_n they_o ordain_v against_o simple_a man_n in_o the_o which_o pytte_n the_o devyll_n cause_v they_o oft_o time_n to_o fall_v accord_v to_o a_o text_n in_o yâ—_z â—â—cctiastico_fw-la foveam_fw-la qui_fw-la alteri_fw-la facit_fw-la ipse_fw-la incidit_fw-la in_o eam_fw-la /_o that_o say_v thus_o /_o who_o make_v a_o pytte_n to_o another_o man_n oftyme_o he_o fall_v therein_o himself_o /_o the_o which_o text_n be_v well_o prove_v by_o mardochy_n /_o and_o anon_o this_o gye_n that_o go_v daily_o to_o yâ—_z forest_n with_o his_o ass_n to_o gader_fw-mi wood_fw-mi betoken_v every_o rightful_a man_n dread_a god_n in_o the_o foreste_n of_o this_o world_n the_o wood_fw-mi that_o he_o gader_v betoken_v his_o merytory_a werke_n that_o he_o carry_v on_o his_o ass_n which_o betoken_v yâ—_z body_n of_o man_n wherewith_o his_o soul_n may_v joy_n and_o live_v in_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o heaven_n and_o as_o that_o stuarde_n /_o the_o lion_n /_o the_o ape_n /_o and_o the_o serpent_n that_o fall_v in_o to_o the_o pytte_n right_o so_o when_o a_o fynfull_a man_n fall_v in_o the_o pytte_n of_o fynne_n true_a lion_n of_o the_o kindred_n of_o jude_n that_o be_v god_n almyghty_a descend_v with_o he_o as_o often_o time_n as_o the_o sinner_n have_v wylle_v to_o come_v to_o grace_n therefore_o say_v the_o salmist_n thus_o â—um_fw-la ipso_fw-la sum_fw-la in_o trybulacyone_n that_o be_v for_o to_o say_v i_o be_o with_o he_o in_o trybulacyon_n this_o gye_n draw_v up_o the_o lion_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v almyghty_a god_n out_o of_o the_o pytte_n by_o the_o rope_n of_o virtue_n he_o draw_v up_o the_o ape_n also_o that_o be_v to_o say_v contrary_a will_n to_o reason_n that_o he_o may_v obey_v unto_o reason_n for_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o beeste_n the_o ape_n be_v moo_v like_a unto_o man_n right_o so_o among_o all_o the_o strengthnesse_n of_o soul_n will_v owe_v namely_o to_o be_v liken_v to_o reason_n and_o to_o â—bey_v reason_n he_o draw_v up_o also_o a_o serpent_n by_o the_o which_o be_v understand_v penance_n for_o two_o cause_n for_o the_o serpent_n ber_v in_o his_o mouth_n venym_fw-mi /_o and_z his_o tail_n be_v a_o medycyne_n right_o so_o penance_n ber_v at_o the_o beginning_n bitterness_n unto_o the_o doer_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v full_a sweet_a and_o medycynable_a unto_o the_o soul_n at_o the_o end_n and_o therefore_o every_o right_a wise_a man_n shall_v draw_v unto_o he_o the_o serpent_n of_o penance_n and_o atte_v the_o last_o he_o draw_v up_o the_o steward_n from_o the_o pytte_n of_o sin_n accord_v unto_o cryste_n sa_v thus_o i_o be_o not_o come_v only_o to_o call_v to_o i_o rightful_a /_o but_o sinner_n unto_o penance_n also_o it_o be_v write_v that_o seneca_n call_v senck_n that_o teach_v a_o emperor_n many_o lore_v and_o virtue_n of_o truth_n and_o at_o the_o last_o like_o this_o steward_n he_o lete_fw-la slay_v his_o master_n senek_n also_o cryste_n give_v power_n unto_o judas_n to_o werke_v miracle_n like_o as_o he_o die_v unto_o other_o dyscyple_n nevertheless_o he_o bytray_v he_o atte_n the_o last_o right_o so_o now_o a_o day_n be_v many_o child_n of_o bellyall_a which_o delyte_v more_o to_o do_v harm_n than_o good_a in_o especyall_a to_o theym_v that_o will_v teach_v theym_a in_o parfyte_n both_o for_o soul_n /_o and_z for_o body_n the_o lion_n give_v unto_o the_o rightful_a man_n ten_o ass_n charge_v with_o marchaundyse_n that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n gyve_v unto_o every_o rightful_a man_n ten_o commandment_n charge_v with_o virtue_n by_o the_o which_o he_o grow_v in_o to_o the_o rychesse_n of_o heaven_n ¶_o the_o ape_n also_o gadr_v he_o woo_v as_o oft_o as_o the_o rightful_a man_n worch_v wilful_o the_o dede_n of_o charyte_n for_o woo_v be_v profitable_a for_o two_o thing_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o make_v fire_n &_o to_o build_v a_o house_n right_o so_o perfyte_n charyte_n hete_v the_o angel_n both_o accord_v to_o yâ—_z scrypture_n sa_v thus_o qui_fw-fr ma_fw-fr magis_fw-la gaudium_fw-la est_fw-la angelis_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v to_o say_v more_o joy_n be_v to_o angel_n for_o one_o sinner_n do_v penance_n etc._n etc._n charyte_n also_o aray_v the_o house_n of_o heaven_n against_o the_o come_n of_o yâ—_z soul_n the_o serpent_n also_o give_v he_o a_o stone_n of_o three_o dyverse_a manner_n of_o colour_n the_o which_o betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n who_o we_o seek_v by_o penance_n therefore_o say_v saint_n jerome_n in_o the_o second_o table_n thus_o â—ost_o naufragium_fw-la est_fw-la premiam_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v we_o shall_v do_v penance_n after_o our_o trespaa_v that_o cryste_n be_v a_o stone_n may_v be_v prove_v by_o himself_o sa_v thus_o eâ—go_fw-la sum_fw-la lapis_fw-la viws_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o be_o a_o stone_n of_o life_n cryste_n have_v three_o colour_n which_o by_o token_v the_o may_v of_o the_o fader_fw-mi the_o wysdome_n of_o the_o soon_o /_o and_o the_o mekenesse_n of_o holy_a goost_n therefore_o who_o that_o may_v gete_v this_o stone_n shall_v have_v the_o empire_n of_o heaven_n /_o and_o joy_n without_o sore_n and_o plente_a without_o any_o manner_n defaute_fw-la /_o and_o light_v without_o derkenesse_n unto_o the_o which_o light_n bring_v we_o our_o lord_n jesus_n cryste_n that_o die_v for_o the_o and_o i_o and_o all_o mankind_n amen_n amen_o amen_o for_o saint_n charyte_v sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n which_o be_v name_v anselme_n which_o wed_v the_o king_n daughter_n of_o jerusalem_n a_o fair_a lady_n and_o a_o gracious_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o every_o man_n /_o but_z she_o be_v long_o time_n with_o the_o emperor_n or_o she_o be_v conceyve_v with_o child_n /_o wherefore_o the_o noble_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v right_a sorowefull_a because_o their_o lord_n have_v none_o heir_n of_o his_o own_o boody_a bygoten_a till_o atte_v the_o last_o it_o befelle_n that_o this_o anselm_n walk_v after_o souper_n on_o a_o night_n in_o his_o gardeyne_a /_o and_o â—ythoughte_v himself_o how_o he_o have_v none_o heir_n and_o how_o the_o king_n of_o ampluy_fw-fr war_v on_o he_o contynual_o for_o so_o moche_n that_o he_o have_v no_o soon_o to_o make_v defence_n in_o his_o absence_n /_o wherefore_o he_o be_v right_a sorowefull_a and_o go_v to_o his_o chamber_n and_o slepte_v â–ª_o and_o atte_v the_o last_o he_o think_v he_o see_v a_o vysyon_n in_o his_o sleep_v that_o the_o morning_n be_v more_o clear_a thenne_n it_o be_v wont_a for_o to_o be_v and_o that_o the_o moan_n be_v moche_n more_o pale_a on_o that_o one_o side_n then_o on_o that_o other_o side_n and_o after_o he_o see_v a_o bird_n of_o two_o colour_n and_o by_o that_o bird_n stand_v two_o beeste_n which_o feed_v that_o lytel_n bird_n with_o their_o hete_n /_o and_z after_o that_o come_v many_o mo_z bests_n and_o bow_v their_o hede_n toward_o the_o bird_n &_o go_v their_o way_n and_o than_o there_o come_v dyverse_a bird_n that_o song_n so_o swete_o and_o so_o shyll_a that_o the_o emperor_n awake_v in_o the_o morning_n eâ—ly_o this_o anselme_n remember_v his_o vysyon_n and_o wonder_a moche_n what_o it_o may_v sygnyfye_v /_o wherefore_o he_o call_v unto_o he_o his_o philosopher_n and_o also_o that_o state_n of_o his_o empire_n and_o tell_v theym_v his_o dream_n charge_a theym_n to_o tell_v he_o the_o sygnyfyenge_a thereof_o upon_o the_o pain_n dethe_v and_o if_o they_o tell_v he_o the_o true_a interpretacyon_n thereof_o â–ª_o he_o behote_v theym_a great_a reward_n than_o say_v they_o lord_n telle_fw-fr we_o your_o dream_n and_o we_o shall_v declare_v unto_o you_o what_o it_o betoken_v thenne_fw-fr the_o emperor_n tell_v theym_a from_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o end_n like_o as_o it_o be_v
gesta_fw-la romanorum_fw-la sometime_o there_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o puyssaunte_a emperor_n which_o have_v a_o daughter_n a_o fair_a creature_n and_o be_v name_v atlenta_n who_o dyverse_a and_o many_o knight_n and_o other_o great_a lord_n desire_v she_o to_o their_o wyf_v this_o atlenta_fw-la be_v win_v derswyfte_a of_o foot_n /_o wherefore_o such_o a_o law_n be_v ordain_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v have_v she_o to_o wife_n but_o such_o as_o may_v over_o run_v she_o and_o take_v she_o by_o strength_n of_o foot_n and_o so_o it_o befall_v that_o many_o come_v &_o run_v with_o she_o /_o but_z she_o be_v so_o swift_a that_o no_o man_n may_v overtake_v she_o by_o course_n of_o renning_a at_o the_o last_o there_o come_v a_o knight_n name_v pomeys_n unto_o she_o fader_fw-mi &_o say_v to_o he_o thus_o /_o my_o lord_n if_o it_o may_v please_v you_o to_o gyve_v i_o your_o daughter_n to_o wife_n i_o will_v glad_o run_v with_o she_o than_o say_v she_o fader_fw-mi there_o be_v such_o a_o law_n ordain_v and_o set_v that_o who_o so_o will_v have_v she_o to_o wife_n must_v first_o renew_v which_o her_o /_o and_o if_o he_o fail_v in_o his_o course_n that_o he_o overtake_v she_o not_o he_o shall_v lose_v his_o heed_n /_o and_o if_o it_o fortune_n he_o to_o overtake_v she_o than_o shall_v i_o wed_v she_o unto_o he_o /_o and_o when_o the_o king_n have_v tell_v he_o all_o the_o peryll_n that_o may_v fall_v in_o the_o wynning_a of_o her_o /_o the_o knight_n wilful_o grant_v to_o abide_v that_o jeopardy_n than_o the_o knight_n lete_fw-la ordain_v he_o three_o ball_n of_o gold_n against_o the_o renning_a and_o when_o they_o have_v begin_v to_o run_v a_o lytel_n space_n the_o young_a lady_n over_o run_v he_o /_o than_o the_o knight_n throw_v forth_o before_o she_o the_o first_o ball_n of_o gold_n and_o when_o the_o damosel_n see_v the_o ball_n she_o stoop_v and_o take_v it_o up_o /_o and_o that_o while_o the_o knight_n waune_n before_o she_o but_o that_o avayl_v lytell_fw-mi /_o for_o when_o she_o have_v that_o perceyve_v 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 ball_n of_o gold_n /_o and_z she_o stoop_v as_o she_o die_v before_o to_o take_v it_o up_o /_o &_o in_o that_o while_n the_o knight_n win_v before_o she_o again_o /_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 and_o be_v afore_o he_o and_o by_o that_o time_n they_o be_v nyghe_a the_o mark_n where_o they_o shall_v abide_v /_o wherefore_o the_o knight_n throw_v the_o three_o ball_n forth_o before_o she_o /_o and_z 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 and_o the_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 stand_v /_o &_o thus_o be_v she_o win_v ¶_o by_o this_o emperor_n be_v understande_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n /_o and_o this_o maiden_n be_v understande_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n with_o who_o many_o devylles_n desyren_n to_o run_v /_o and_o to_o dysceyve_v she_o thorugh_v their_o temptacyon_n /_o but_z she_o with_o stand_v theym_n myght_o &_o overcome_v he_o /_o and_o when_o he_o have_v do_v his_o power_n /_o and_z may_v not_o speed_n than_o mark_v the_o three_o ball_n of_o gold_n /_o and_o cast_v they_o before_o she_o in_o the_o three_o age_n of_o man_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v /_o in_o youth_n /_o in_o manhood_n /_o and_z 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 flesh_n /_o nevertheless_o for_o all_o this_o ball_n often_o time_n man_n overcome_v the_o devyll_n by_o confessyon_n contrycyon_n penance_n and_o satysfaccyon_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 /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o his_o myddell_a age_n /_o but_o this_o ball_n man_n oftentimes_o overcome_v as_o he_o die_v the_o first_o but_o late_o he_o beware_v of_o the_o three_o ball_n which_o be_v the_o ball_n of_o coveryse_n that_o the_o devyll_n cast_v unto_o man_n in_o his_o old_a age_n that_o be_v full_a dredefull_a for_o but_o if_o a_o man_n may_v overcome_v this_o ball_n with_o this_o other_o two_o than_o he_o shall_v less_o his_o honour_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n for_o when_o man_n bren_v in_o covetyse_n he_o thynk_v not_o on_o goostly_a rychesse_n for_o ever_o his_o herte_n be_v set_v in_o worldly_a good_n and_o reck_v not_o of_o prayer_n ne_o of_o alm_n dede_n /_o and_o thus_o lese_v he_o his_o herytage_n to_o the_o which_o god_n have_v buy_v he_o with_o his_o precyous_a blood_n unto_o that_o which_o jesus_n bring_v you_o and_o i_o and_o all_o mankind_n amen_o there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wise_n name_v ancelme_v which_o bear_v in_o his_o arm_n a_o shield_v of_o silver_n with_o fyve_o reed_n cosy_n this_o emperor_n have_v three_o son_n who_o he_o love_v moche_v /_o he_o have_v also_o contynuall_a war_n with_o the_o king_n of_o egypt_n /_o 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 batayll_v unto_o the_o say_v king_n of_o egypt_n wherein_o he_o be_v grevous_o wound_v nevertheless_o he_o opteyn_v the_o vyctory_n notwithstanding_o he_o have_v his_o dede_o wound_n /_o 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 /_o my_o moo_v deer_n &_o well-beloved_a soon_o all_o my_o temporal_a rychesse_n i_o have_v exspend_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 and_o above_o the_o earth_n of_o the_o same_o tree_n o_o my_o reverend_a fader_fw-mi quod_fw-la he_o i_o thank_v you_o moche_n than_o say_v themperoure_n call_v to_o i_o my_o second_o soon_o anon_o his_o elder_a soon_o grete_o glad_v of_o his_o faders_n gift_n call_v in_o his_o brother_n /_o and_o when_o he_o come_v than_o say_v themperour_n /_o my_o dear_n soon_o quoth_v he_o i_o may_v not_o make_v my_o testament_n for_o so_o moche_n that_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 gyve_v &_o byquethe_v to_o the_o all_z that_o be_v great_a and_o small_a than_o answer_v he_o and_o say_v my_o reverend_a fader_fw-mi i_o thank_v you_o moche_n than_o say_v themperoure_n call_v to_o i_o my_o three_o soon_o /_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 this_o sekenesse_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 byquethe_v thy_o bretherin_o their_o porcyon_n and_o to_o the_o i_o byquethe_v thy_o procyon_n /_o for_z i_o will_v yâ—_z thou_o have_v of_o the_o say_a tree_n all_o that_o be_v be_v &_o dry_v than_o say_v his_o soon_o fader_fw-mi god_n thank_v you_o soon_o after_o that_o the_o emperor_n have_v make_v his_o byquest_n he_o dey_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 this_o herd_n he_o say_v brother_n my_o by_o what_o law_n or_o title_a occupy_v thou_o this_o tree_n dear_a brother_n quoth_v he_o i_o occupy_v by_o this_o title_a /_o my_o fader_fw-mi give_v i_o all_o the_o be_v unde_fw-la earth_n and_o above_o of_o the_o say_a tree_n and_o therefore_o by_o reason_n this_o tree_n be_v my_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 that_o say_v tree_n /_o and_z therefore_o i_o have_v as_o great_a right_a in_o the_o tree_n as_o thou_o this_o hear_v the_o three_o soon_o come_v unto_o theym_n &_o say_v o_o you_o my_o best_a belove_a brother_n it_o behove_v you_o not_o to_o stryve_v for_o this_o tree_n /_o for_z as_o moche_n right_a have_v i_o in_o this_o tree_n as_o you_o /_o for_o well_o you_o wot_v by_o the_o law_n that_o the_o last_o will_n &_o testament_n ought_v to_o stand_v /_o for_o sothe_o he_o give_v i_o of_o the_o say_a tree_n all_o that_o is_z wete_z and_o dry_a and_o therefore_o by_o right_a the_o tree_n be_v my_o /_o but_z for_o as_o moche_v as_o your_o tale_n be_v great_a and_o i_o
man_n which_o smit_v ever_o what_o by_o right_a what_o by_o unryght_a that_o they_o may_v gete_v the_o vanytee_n of_o this_o world_n /_o &_o in_o their_o smyte_a they_o find_v great_a wondres_n and_o maruayllesse_a /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o find_v therein_o the_o delyce_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o many_o man_n rejoice_v the_o carbuncle_n that_o gyve_v light_n 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 with_o his_o arowe_n be_v death_n which_o lay_v watch_n against_o man_n to_o sle_v he_o the_o clerk_n which_o take_v up_o the_o knife_n be_v a_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 the_o death_n smyet_v the_o carbuncle_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o youth_n strength_n and_o power_n of_o man_n /_o and_z than_o lie_v he_o wrap_v in_o derkenesse_n of_o sin_n in_o the_o which_o derkenesse_n oftimes_o he_o die_v therefore_o study_n we_o to_o flee_v the_o world_n and_o his_o desire_n that_o and_o than_o be_v we_o sure_a to_o win_v everla_a life_n /_o unto_o the_o which_o ihesu_n bring_v you_o and_o i_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v tytus_fw-la a_o wise_a man_n &_o dyscrete_a which_o ordain_v in_o his_o day_n such_o a_o law_n yâ—_z 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 &_o who_o soever_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 dies_z wtout_fw-fr any_o withstond_n or_o sa_v it_o befall_v after_o within_o few_o year_n that_o a_o cyte_n of_o that_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_v /_o for_o none_o that_o wass_n within_o that_o cyte_n may_v not_o defend_v themselves_o by_o no_o manner_n of_o craft_n /_o therefore_o great_a sorrow_n and_o lamentacyon_n be_v unyversall_a thrught_v out_o the_o cyte_n but_o at_o the_o last_o within_o few_o day_n there_o come_v to_o the_o cyte_n a_o young_a knight_n and_o a_o full_a fair_a and_o doughty_a to_o do_v deed_n of_o arm_n who_o the_o worthy_a man_n of_o the_o cyte_n behold_v and_o understond_v his_o doughtynes_n cry_v with_o one_o voice_n o_o thou_o moo_v 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 atte_a our_o moost_n need_n /_o lo_o you_o may_v see_v this_o rite_n be_v in_o peryll_n of_o lose_v than_o answer_v he_o and_o say_v /_o se_fw-es you_o not_o sery_n that_o i_o have_v no_o armour_n /_o and_o if_o i_o have_v armour_n i_o will_v glad_o defend_v your_o cyte_n this_o hear_v a_o mighty_a man_n of_o the_o cyte_n he_o say_v to_o high_a in_o secret_a wise_n sir_n here_o be_v sometime_o a_o doughty_a knight_n which_o now_o be_v deed_n &_o bury_v within_o this_o cyte_n accord_v unto_o the_o law_n /_o and_o if_o it_o please_v you_o to_o take_v his_o armour_n you_o may_v defend_v this_o cyte_n and_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 prouffyte_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 unto_o that_o grave_n &_o take_v his_o armour_n and_o array_v himself_o therewith_o &_o faughte_v mygte_o against_o his_o enemy_n /_o and_z at_o the_o last_o he_o opteyn_v and_o have_v the_o vyctorye_n and_o delyver_v the_o cyte_n from_o peryll_n and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v he_o put_v the_o armour_n again_o in_o to_o the_o grave_n there_o be_v some_o man_n in_o the_o cyte_n that_o have_v great_a indygnacyon_n &_o envy_n upon_o he_o because_o that_o he_o opteyn_v the_o vyctorye_n and_o accuse_v he_o unto_o the_o juge_a sa_n thus_o sir_n a_o law_n be_v make_v by_o themperoure_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o dyspoyl_v a_o deed_n knight_n of_o his_o armour_n shall_v dye_n this_o young_a knyghte_n find_v a_o deed_n man_n and_o take_v away_o his_o armour_n therefore_o we_o beseech_v the_o that_o thou_o proceed_v in_o the_o law_n against_o he_o as_o against_o he_o that_o be_v breker_fw-mi of_o the_o law_n when_o yâ—_z justyce_n hear_v this_o he_o make_v the_o knight_n to_o be_v take_v and_o to_o be_v bring_v afore_o high_a 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 that_o of_o two_o harm_n the_o least_fw-mi harm_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v it_o be_v not_o unknowen_a to_o you_o that_o this_o cyte_n be_v in_o peryll_n like_a to_o have_v be_v lose_v /_o and_o but_o i_o have_v take_v this_o armour_n i_o have_v nouth_o save_v you_o ne_o the_o cyte_n /_o therefore_o as_o i_o thynk_v you_o ought_v rather_o to_o honour_n i_o for_o this_o good_a deed_n that_o i_o have_v do_v to_o you_o than_o thus_o shameful_o to_o reprove_v i_o /_o for_z i_o be_o lad_n as_o he_o that_o be_v ready_a to_o be_v hang_v /_o 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_o that_o stelethe_v or_o rob_v violent_o purpose_v not_o to_o restore_v the_o thing_n that_o he_o rob_v /_o but_o it_o be_v not_o thus_o with_o i_o /_o for_o though_o i_o take_v the_o armour_n of_o the_o deed_n knyghte_v for_o your_o saluacyon_n /_o when_o i_o have_v opteyn_v the_o vyctory_n i_o bear_v it_o again_o to_o the_o same_o place_n and_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 and_o bear_v away_o such_o as_o he_o may_v find_v and_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 /_o 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 thief_n after_o that_o break_v not_o the_o wall_n so_o lyght_o in_o void_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 break_n 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 the_o deed_n knight_n neverthesse_n thou_n do_v wrong_v to_o the_o deed_n knight_n in_o take_v away_o his_o armour_n the_o knight_n say_v i_o have_v tell_v you_o now_o that_o of_o two_o harm_n the_o least_fw-mi be_v for_o to_o be_v choose_v and_o that_o harm_n where_o thrughe_o great_a goodness_n come_v ought_v not_o for_o to_o be_v call_v harm_n /_o but_o it_o shall_v be_v rather_o call_v good_a for_o if_o that_o ovy_n house_n within_o the_o cyte_n be_v on_o fire_n and_o begin_v for_o too_o brenne_n it_o be_v more_o better_a too_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 the_o cyte_n may_v be_v burn_v right_o so_o if_o the_o armure_n of_o the_o deed_n knyghte_n have_v not_o be_v take_v of_o the_o cyte_n and_o all_o you_o have_v be_v lose_v and_o when_o the_o justyce_n hard_a that_o he_o answer_v so_o well_o and_o so_o reasonable_o he_o may_v gyve_v no_o jugement_n against_o he_o but_o they_o which_o that_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_a through_o all_o the_o cyte_n /_o &_o his_o body_n be_v worshypful_o bury_v in_o a_o new_a tomb_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 cyte_n be_v the_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 peryll_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 out_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n which_o have_v not_o the_o armour_n of_o our_o manhood_n till_o he_o go_v unto_o the_o grave_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o glorious_a vyrgyn_v mary_n by_o the_o annunciacyon_n of_o the_o angel_n sa_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 the_o deed_n knight_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o take_v the_o manhood_n of_o adam_n our_o form_n fader_fw-mi and_z save_v the_o cyte_n that_o be_v that_o world_n with_o man_n kind_n from_o peryll_n by_o his_o blyss_v passion_n which_o he_o suffer_v on_o the_o cross_a /_o &_o than_o he_o put_v
his_o armure_n again_o in_o to_o the_o grave_n when_o his_o blyss_v body_n be_v bury_v /_o but_o the_o cytezyn_n envy_a he_o /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o jew_n &_o the_o paynym_n of_o jewrye_n accuse_v he_o to_o pilot_n and_o lay_v the_o law_n afore_o they_o against_o he_o sa_v /_o if_o thou_o suffer_v he_o thus_o thou_o be_v not_o friend_n to_o cesar_n themperour_n /_o we_o have_v a_o law_n &_o after_o that_o law_n he_o ought_v to_o dye_v /_o &_o thus_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n of_o his_o enemy_n be_v damn_a to_o death_n hang_a on_o the_o cross_n bury_v in_o his_o grave_n arise_v the_o three_o day_n from_o death_n to_o life_n and_o after_o ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o ihesu_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_n there_o regn_v sometime_o in_o the_o cyte_v of_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n &_o a_o wise_n name_v betolve_v which_o ordain_v a_o law_n that_o what_o woman_n be_v take_v in_o avoutry_n her_o husbonde_n be_v a_o live_v that_o she_o shall_v be_v cast_v in_o to_o perpetuell_a prison_n there_o be_v that_o time_n a_o knight_n which_o have_v a_o fair_a lady_n to_o his_o wife_n which_o die_v avoutry_n under_o her_o husbonde_n &_o be_v with_o child_n therefore_o by_o the_o law_n she_o be_v put_v in_o prison_n /_o 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 seven_o year_n old_a /_o 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 thus_o o_o mother_n why_o weep_v you_o thus_o /_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 morn_n &_o thou_o also_o /_o for_z above_o our_o hede_n be_v the_o walk_v of_o people_n and_o the_o son_n shine_v in_o his_o clerenesse_n /_o &_o great_a solace_n have_v all_o man_n that_o be_v above_o we_o /_o &_o we_o be_v here_o contynual_o in_o such_o derkenes_n that_o i_o may_v not_o see_v the_o ne_fw-fr thou_o i_o /_o alas_o /_o alas_o /_o that_o ever_o i_o conceyve_v the._n than_o say_v the_o soon_o /_o such_o joy_n ne_o such_o light_n as_o thou_o speake_v of_o saw_n i_o never_o ne_v yet_o perceyve_v /_o for_z i_o be_v bear_v here_o in_o this_o derkenesse_n therefore_o if_o i_o have_v mete_v 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 unto_o i_o solace_n the_o while_n the_o lamentacyon_n be_v bytwene_v the_o mother_n and_o the_o soon_o /_o themperours_n stywarde_a stand_v above_o their_o hede_n &_o hear_v all_o their_o mourn_a /_o wherefore_o he_o have_v great_a conpassyon_n of_o they_o and_o go_v unto_o the_o emperor_n and_o kneling_n be_v seek_v he_o of_o his_o grace_n for_o the_o mother_n and_o the_o soon_o /_o that_o they_o may_v be_v delyver_v of_o prison_n the_o emperor_n as_o a_o merciful_a lord_n grant_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v delyver_v neverthesse_n if_o they_o tresspase_v 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 &_o after_o that_o they_o be_v delyver_v this_o woman_n end_v herlyfe_n in_o that_o cyte_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n which_o make_v this_o law_n that_o what_o wed_a woman_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v what_o soul_n which_o be_v wed_v to_o our_o lord_n do_v advoutrye_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v deed_o sin_n shall_v be_v cast_v in_o the_o prison_n of_o hell_n /_o 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 fro_o light_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v from_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n she_o soon_o that_o desire_a meet_a &_o drink_v be_v the_o mighty_a man_n of_o this_o world_n which_o sayen_v to_o the_o prelate_n of_o that_o chirche_n and_o to_o the_o prechour_n which_o prithee_o unto_o they_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n /_o that_o while_o we_o may_v live_v and_o have_v all_o the_o solace_n of_o the_o world_n we_o desire_v none_o other_o joy_n of_o heaven_n the_o stuarde_n which_o hear_v their_o lamentacyon_n be_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n the_o which_o know_v all_o the_o prevytee_n of_o our_o herte_n and_o contrycyon_n of_o out_o sin_n beseech_v the_o fader_fw-mi 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 and_o that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o everla_a life_n /_o unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o derelorde_n jesus_n amen_n in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o emperor_n name_v pomper_v which_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v mercyful_a this_o emperor_n lete_fw-la cry_n thoroughe_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 heraude_n have_v warn_v all_o manner_n of_o man_n to_o come_v to_o this_o fee_a att_o the_o time_n there_o be_v two_o feeble_a man_n lyenge_a by_o the_o way_n and_o the_o one_o be_v lame_a and_o yâ—_z other_o be_v blind_a this_o blind_a man_n say_v unto_o the_o lame_a man_n alas_o and_o woe_n to_o i_o and_o the_o how_o shall_v we_o do_v /_o for_o themperoure_n have_v lete_fw-la cry_n a_o fee_a and_o who_o so_o eâ—er_n come_v thereto_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v well_o feed_v but_o also_o he_o shall_v have_v right_a great_a gift_n /_o and_z i_o be_o blind_a and_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 counsel_n /_o if_o thou_o will_v do_v after_o i_o thou_o shall_v let_v for_o no_o thing_n i_o be_o lame_a and_o feeble_a and_o may_v not_o go_v nevertheless_o i_o may_v see_v /_o and_z thou_o be_v strong_a and_o blind_a and_o may_v not_o see_v /_o take_z thou_o i_o upon_o thy_o back_n and_o bear_v i_o and_o i_o shall_v lede_v the_o /_o the_z right_a way_n and_o thus_o shall_v we_o both_o come_v to_o the_o emperor_n feest_fw-la than_o say_v the_o blind_a man_n after_o thy_o good_a counceyll_n i_o do_v /_o come_z on_o my_o back_n and_o i_o shall_v bear_v the_o and_o thou_o shall_v lede_v i_o the_o right_a way_n /_o and_o so_o they_o do_v that_o both_o of_o theym_n come_v to_o that_o fee_a and_o receyve_v great_a reward_n and_o gift_n among_o other_o man_n /_o and_o thus_o end_v their_o lyve_n in_o pease_n ¶_o dear_a friend_n this_o emperor_n be_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cry_v the_o which_o lete_fw-la cry_v a_o general_a fee_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n /_o unto_o the_o which_o joy_n he_o call_v all_o mankind_n and_o forsake_v no_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 prechour_n and_o confessor_n which_o that_o have_v no_o thing_n of_o theyrowne_n 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 lay_v man_n which_o know_v not_o the_o right_a way_n unto_o heaven_n it_o behove_v that_o the_o blind_a man_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v the_o lie_v man_n to_o bear_v the_o lame_a man_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chirche_n susteyn_v and_o fee_a theym_n with_o the_o tything_n of_o alm_n and_o other_o oblatyon_n /_o than_o the_o prelate_n be_v behold_v to_o teach_v and_o infourme_v we_o the_o way_n toward_o heaven_n where_o as_o we_o shall_v not_o only_o have_v a_o fee_v but_o also_o great_a joy_n and_o reward_v /_o to_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v we_o thereto_o amen_n sometime_o in_o rome_n dwell_v a_o emperor_n name_v folliculus_n yâ—_z which_o be_v right_n wise_a merciful_a and_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 when_o rein_v he_o put_v all_o his_o tresoure_n and_o precyous_a stone_n /_o and_z riches_n to_o be_v keep_v /_o unto_o this_o cyte_n be_v the_o way_n stony_a and_o full_a of_o brymble_n &_o sharp_a thorn_n /_o &_o three_o knight_n be_v arm_v ready_a to_o fight_v with_o theym_n that_o will_v come_v to_o that_o cyte_n therefore_o themperour_n ordain_v that_o who_o soever_o overcome_v these_o knight_n shall_v entre_fw-fr the_o cyte_n and_o take_v at_o his_o will_n of_o themperours_n tresoure_n after_z yâ—_z this_o emperor_n lete_fw-la make_v in_o the_o northewe_v a_o cyte_n wherein_o he_o ordain_v all_o manner_n of_o pain_n torment_v sorrow_n and_o myscheef_n to_o the_o which_o be_v a_o broad_a way_n full_a delectable_a grow_a full_a of_o rose_n and_o fail_v lelye_n
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
heed_n and_o thank_v the_o emperor_n of_o his_o great_a mercy_n and_o than_o he_o go_v forth_o and_o seek_v thorughe_o out_o all_o the_o empire_n so_o long_o till_o he_o have_v find_fw-mi themperours_n daughter_n /_o and_o the_o knight_n and_o also_o the_o grehounde_n and_o bring_v theym_n again_o and_o after_o that_o wed_a the_o young_a lady_n with_o great_a honour_n and_o joy_n /_o and_o also_o restore_v again_o the_o knights_n good_n /_o and_z atte_a the_o last_o he_o end_v his_o life_n in_o pease_n and_o in_o rest_n amen_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryst_n his_o daughter_n betoken_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n make_v at_o the_o symylytude_n of_o our_o lord_n god_n and_o the_o u_o knight_n betoken_v the_o u_o wytte_n arm_v with_o the_o virtue_n of_o baptyme_o to_o keep_v yâ—_z soul_n the_o master_n of_o the_o knight_n be_v reason_n which_o ought_v to_o govern_v the_o wyrte_n the_o grehounde_n be_v the_o flesh_n of_o man_n the_o steward_n betoken_v every_o man_n to_o who_o god_n have_v give_v life_n and_o soul_n to_o keep_v under_o pain_n of_o lose_v of_o everla_a life_n but_o a_o wretched_a man_n not_o remember_v that_o be_v to_o come_v full_a often_o corrupt_v and_o defoyled_a his_o soul_n by_o sin_n and_o dryve_v she_o from_o the_o palay_n of_o heaven_n /_o and_o than_o goothe_v she_o fro_o door_n to_o door_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v from_o sin_n to_o sin_n he_o dyspoyl_v these_o fyve_o knight_n of_o their_o good_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o fyve_o wytte_n of_o their_o virtue_n take_v away_o the_o lawful_a sight_n from_o the_o even_a and_o exortyngetheym_a unlawful_o /_o and_o also_o styre_v his_o eere_n to_o here_o slander_n and_o bachyte_v and_o so_o forth_o of_o all_o other_o wytte_n and_o thus_o some_o be_v make_v thief_n and_o some_o manqueller_n the_o master_n of_o these_o fyve_o wytte_n be_v slay_v when_o soever_o man_n be_v rule_v by_o will_n and_o not_o by_o reason_n the_o grehounde_n /_o that_o be_v the_o flesh_n wherein_o a_o man_n delyte_v be_v feed_v and_o bind_v with_o the_o chain_n of_o reason_n which_o he_o breke_v full_a often_o and_o ren_v out_o and_o do_v moche_n harm_n the_o come_n again_o of_o this_o emperor_n from_o the_o holy_a land_n betoken_v the_o come_n of_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n at_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n to_o deem_v all_o mankind_n therefore_o do_v we_o as_o the_o steward_n die_v accuse_v first_o ourselves_o of_o our_o sin_n least_o the_o devyll_n and_o the_o world_n accuse_v we_o and_o than_o it_o be_v to_o late_o to_o axe_n mercy_n /_o therefore_o do_v we_o of_o our_o clothes_n by_o time_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o synful_a life_n /_o and_o take_v we_o three_o rope_n in_o our_o ande_fw-mi the_o first_o rope_n that_o shall_v bind_v our_o ande_fw-mi and_o foot_n betoken_v the_o rope_n of_o contrycyon_n which_o not_o only_o aught_o to_o bind_v our_o ande_fw-mi and_o foot_n but_o also_o our_o other_o membre_n both_o within_o and_o without_o so_o hard_a that_o the_o blood_n brace_v out_o on_o every_o side_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o sin_n may_v void_a her_o to_o accord_v ezechiel_n sa_v thus_o inquacunâ—â—_n hora_fw-la egerit_fw-la penytenciam_fw-la peccatoâ—_n saluus_fw-la erit_fw-la when_o someneâ—_n the_o sinful_a man_n do_v penance_n he_o shall_v be_v save_v the_o second_o cord_n for_o to_o draw_v the_o trespasser_n be_v confessyon_n which_o shall_v draw_v we_o from_o the_o beginning_n of_o our_o life_n unto_o this_o day_n by_o the_o penance_n of_o our_o mouth_n unto_o the_o time_n that_o the_o flesh_n be_v fall_n from_o the_o bone_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v till_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n be_v torn_v away_o by_o the_o stone_n of_o penance_n for_o in_o like_a wise_n as_o the_o stone_n by_o nature_n and_o by_o kind_n be_v hard_a and_o right_a so_o penance_n ought_v for_o to_o be_v hard_a and_o the_o three_o rope_n which_o shall_v hang_v the_o fellow_n be_v the_o rope_n of_o satysfaccyon_n of_o which_o hang_a speak_v the_o apostle_n and_o say_v suspend_v elegit_fw-la anima_fw-la mea_fw-la my_o soul_n have_v choose_v to_o be_v hang_v for_o like_a as_o a_o man_n be_v lyfte_v up_o from_o the_o ground_n by_o hang_a right_o so_o a_o sinner_n be_v lift_v up_o from_o sin_n toward_o heaven_n unto_o god_n by_o the_o hang_a of_o satysfaccyon_n upon_o this_o galous_a we_o shall_v hang_v till_o the_o bird_n of_o heaven_n come_v down_o /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v till_o the_o apostle_n come_v down_o for_o to_o feed_v we_o with_o our_o good_a dede_n for_o there_o be_v more_o joy_n of_o one_o sinner_n do_v his_o penance_n afore_o the_o angel_n of_o god_n in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n like_a as_o the_o steward_n bring_v again_o themperours_n daughter_n so_o it_o behove_v we_o for_o to_o seche_v about_o by_o dyverse_a werke_n of_o mercy_n &_o find_v our_o soul_n which_o we_o lose_v and_o bring_v she_o again_o to_o the_o church_n and_o govern_v well_o our_o fyve_o wytte_n /_o &_o fe_o dde_v our_o grehounde_n as_o shall_v &_o make_v our_o life_n so_o clean_a and_o pure_a the_o we_o fall_v not_o again_o in_o sin_n for_o drede_v if_o it_o fortune_n we_o worse_o and_o that_o we_o have_v no_o layser_n for_o to_o ask_v mercy_n again_o at_o our_o need_n and_o if_o we_o fulfil_v all_o this_o true_o till_o our_o lyves_n end_n without_o doubt_n we_o shall_v opteyne_v everla_a lyf_v unto_o the_o which_o our_o lord_n bring_v we_o all_o amen_o in_o rome_n dwell_v sometime_o a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o wise_n name_v edfenne_n /_o the_o which_o ordain_v for_o law_n the_o who_o someever_n ravyssh_v a_o maid_n shall_v be_v at_o she_o will_v /_o whether_o she_o will_v put_v he_o to_o death_n or_o that_o she_o will_v have_v he_o to_o her_o husband_n it_o befelle_v after_o on_o a_o day_n that_o a_o man_n ravyssh_v upon_o a_o night_n two_o maiden_n /_o the_o first_o damosel_n desire_v that_o she_o shall_v dye_v /_o &_o the_o second_o desire_v wed_v the_o ravyssher_n be_v take_v and_o lead_v before_o the_o inge_n that_o shall_v satysfye_v to_o the_o these_o damoysel_n thrughe_v his_o wysdome_n and_o ryghtfulnesse_n the_o first_o maid_n ever_o desire_v the_o dethe_v accord_v to_o the_o law_n and_o than_o say_v the_o second_o and_o i_o desire_v he_o for_o to_o be_v my_o husband_n /_o for_z like_o wise_a as_o thou_o haste_v the_o law_n for_o the_o /_o in_z like_o wise_n i_o have_v it_o for_o i_o and_o nevertheless_o my_o petytion_n be_v more_o and_o better_a than_o you_o for_o it_o be_v more_o chary_a table_z /_o therefore_o i_o thynk_v in_o my_o reason_n that_o the_o justyce_n shall_v gyve_v sentence_n with_o i_o than_o the_o justyce_n understand_v the_o great_a mercy_n of_o the_o second_o maiden_n give_v jugement_n that_o he_o shall_v wed_v she_o and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n the_o ravyssh_a beketoneth_n every_o sinner_n which_o ravysshed_a god_n mercy_n as_o often_o as_o he_o dyffoyl_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n by_o sin_n /_o for_o the_o devyll_n may_v never_o overcome_v man_n but_o if_o it_o be_v suffer_v by_o will_n for_o saint_n austyn_n say_v non_fw-fr est_fw-fr peccatum_fw-la nisi_fw-la sit_fw-la voluntarium_fw-la it_o be_v no_o sin_n but_o if_o it_o be_v voluntary_a the_o sinner_n ravyssh_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n as_o oft_o as_o he_o have_v very_a contrycon_n the_o ravyssher_n also_o be_v call_v afore_o the_o justyce_n when_o the_o soul_n be_v depart_v from_o the_o body_n /_o &_o anon_o the_o first_o damosel_n the_o be_v the_o devyll_n lord_n against_o the_o sinner_n that_o ought_v to_o dye_v everlastynge_o by_o the_o law_n of_o ryghtwysnesse_n but_o that_o other_o maiden_n that_o be_v cryste_n lay_v for_o her_o yâ—_z mercy_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o help_v by_o contrycyon_n and_o confessyon_n which_o be_v the_o high_a way_n to_o everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o god_n bring_v both_o you_o and_o i_o amen_n sometime_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o rich_a name_v lypodyus_fw-la which_o take_v to_o his_o wife_n a_o fair_a virgyn_v and_o a_o gentyll_a and_o be_v the_o king_n of_o assyryens_n daughter_n this_o young_a lady_n conceyve_v and_o bear_v a_o child_n /_o and_z in_o the_o birth_n of_o she_o soon_o she_o die_v and_o anon_o after_o her_o dyscesse_n this_o emperor_n wed_v a_o other_o wife_n &_o beget_v she_o with_o child_n also_o and_o anon_o after_o the_o these_o chylderne_a be_v bear_v he_o send_v they_o both_o in_o to_o strange_a land_n for_o to_o be_v nouryssh_v than_o say_v the_o mother_n of_o the_o second_o child_n my_o reverente_a lord_n x._o year_n be_v pass_v sythen_a i_o bear_v my_o child_n &_o yet_o see_v i_o he_o
make_v after_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n come_v and_o gendr_v with_o she_o nevertheless_o the_o absence_n of_o she_o make_v she_o take_v oft_o time_n another_o make_v &_o dye_a avoutry_n /_o and_o when_o she_o have_v this_o do_v than_o will_v she_o descend_v to_o the_o welle_v /_o and_o bathe_v his_o self_n that_o when_o her_o make_n come_v he_o shall_v feel_v no_o savoure_n /_o ne_o evyll_n odour_n of_o that_o she_o have_v do_v /_o when_o the_o knight_n have_v seen_v this_o on_o a_o time_n he_o lock_v yâ—_z well_o /_o and_z when_o the_o nyghtyngale_n will_v have_v descend_v to_o bathe_v herself_o after_o her_o avoutry_n she_o find_v the_o well_o close_v wherefore_o she_o flee_v up_o to_o the_o tree_n again_o and_o mourn_v sore_o in_o her_o manner_n and_o leave_v of_o her_o sweet_a song_n than_o come_v she_o make_v and_o see_v that_o she_o have_v trespass_v against_o her_o nature_n he_o go_v again_o /_o and_z in_o short_a time_n he_o bring_v again_o a_o great_a multytude_n of_o nyghtyngale_n which_o slay_v his_o make_n and_o â—are_v she_o in_o small_a gobette_v /_o and_o thus_o be_v the_o wise_a knight_n put_v away_o and_o the_o nyghtyngale_n slay_v /_o and_o the_o emperor_n put_v and_o delyver_v from_o his_o pleasure_n and_o great_a solace_n such_o as_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o have_v ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n the_o which_o love_v grete_o the_o song_n of_o perfyte_n devocyon_n for_o when_o we_o pray_v we_o speak_v with_o god_n and_o when_o we_o rede_v god_n speak_v with_o us._n the_o welle_v that_o be_v in_o the_o palay_n betoken_v confessyon_n that_o be_v in_o the_o chirche_n therefore_o if_o any_o man_n be_v drunken_a with_o sin_n /_o lete_fw-la he_o drink_v on_o the_o welle_v of_o confessyon_n /_o and_z with_o out_o doubt_n he_o shall_v be_v safe_a this_o ydrony_n betoken_v every_o man_n that_o wilful_o torn_v again_o unto_o sin_n after_o his_o confessyon_n /_o like_o as_o a_o dog_n which_o make_v a_o voment_n and_o cast_v out_o the_o meet_a that_o he_o have_v eten_v before_o /_o and_z after_o when_o he_o be_v hungry_a come_v &_o et_v it_o again_o nevertheless_o if_o a_o man_n that_o have_v sin_v thus_o will_v drink_v of_o the_o welle_v of_o confessyon_n he_o shall_v receyve_v his_o goostly_a strength_n the_o nyghtyngale_n that_o sit_v on_o the_o tree_n betoken_v yâ—_z soul_n that_o syt_v on_o a_o tree_n of_o holy_a doctrine_n and_o her_o song_n betoken_v the_o soul_n that_o syt_v on_o the_o tree_n in_o the_o devoute_a prayer_n to_o god_n but_o this_o soul_n do_v avoutry_n as_o oft_o time_n as_o she_o consent_v to_o sin_n nevertheless_o if_o she_o run_v to_o confessyon_n and_o bathe_v she_o with_o the_o water_n of_o contrycyon_n god_n shall_v love_v she_o but_o her_o toteman_n which_o betoken_v the_o send_v of_o hell_n sing_v this_o that_o god_n so_o merciful_a /_o they_o stop_v the_o welle_v of_o confessyon_n /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o mouth_n of_o man_n that_o will_v shryve_v theym selfe_o /_o with_o shame_n and_o with_o drede_n of_o their_o penance_n that_o they_o dare_v not_o tell_v forth_o their_o sin_n to_o their_o confessyon_n and_o thus_o be_v many_o exile_v and_o put_v to_o dethe_v everla_a and_o therefore_o study_v we_o to_o bathe_v our_o life_n in_o the_o welle_v of_o confessyon_n with_o the_o water_n of_o contrycyon_n /_o and_o than_o may_v we_o be_v sure_a to_o come_v to_o everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o i_o pray_v god_n bring_v both_o you_o and_o i_o amen_o there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v darme_n which_o have_v a_o mighty_a strong_a cyte_n and_o well_o &_o strong_a wall_v about_o and_o a_o belle_fw-fr hang_a in_o the_o mydde_v of_o the_o cyte_n and_o when_o so_o ever_o this_o emperor_n go_v to_o batayle_n without_o the_o cyte_n this_o belle_fw-fr shall_v be_v ring_v /_o but_o there_o shall_v no_o man_n ring_v the_o belle_fw-fr but_o a_o vyrgyn_v /_o wthin_o short_a time_n after_o it_o befelle_v that_o dragon_n and_o serpent_n and_o many_o other_o venomous_a beeste_n empoysen_v moche_n people_n so_o that_o the_o cyte_n be_v almoost_n destroy_v wherefore_o the_o state_n of_o that_o cyte_n go_v by_o one_o assent_n to_o the_o emperor_n /_o and_o say_v lord_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v lo_o our_o good_n /_o &_o our_o cyte_n be_v destroy_v and_o you_o and_o we_o both_o in_o peryll_n to_o be_v peryssh_v thrughe_o these_o felle_fw-fr beeste_n that_o consume_v us._n therefore_o take_v we_o good_a counceyll_n or_o else_o we_o ben_fw-mi all_o lose_v than_o say_v the_o emperor_n what_o say_v you_o be_v best_a to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o mater_fw-la /_o and_o how_o may_v we_o best_o be_v defend_v than_o answer_v one_o of_o they_o that_o be_v wise_a and_o say_v my_o lord_n here_o my_o counceyll_n and_o do_v thereafter_o and_o you_o shall_v not_o for_o think_v it_o /_o you_o have_v quod_fw-la he_o in_o your_o place_n a_o lion_n /_o and_o set_v up_o a_o cross_n and_o hang_v this_o lion_n thereupon_o with_o nail_n &_o when_o other_o venymous_a beeste_n see_v he_o thus_o hang_a on_o the_o cross_n they_o will_v drede_v and_o so_o shall_v they_o forsake_v this_o cyte_n /_o and_z we_o shall_v be_v in_o rest_n and_o ease_n than_o say_v yâ—_z emperor_n it_o please_v i_o well_o that_o he_o be_v hang_v in_o save_v of_o you_o than_o take_v they_o the_o lion_n and_o hang_n high_a on_o yâ—_z cross_v fast_a nail_v and_o other_o lion_n &_o venymous_a dragon_n come_v toward_o the_o cyte_n and_o see_v that_o lion_n thus_o hang_a they_n flee_v away_o for_o drede_n /_o &_o dare_v come_v no_o never_a ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n the_o cyte_n well_o wall_v with_o the_o belle_fw-fr in_o the_o mydde_v betoken_v yâ—_z soul_n wall_a about_o with_o virtue_n the_o bell_n betoken_v a_o clean_a conscyence_n which_o warn_v a_o man_n to_o batayll_v when_o he_o shall_v fight_v against_o the_o devyll_n that_o he_o may_v arm_v himself_o before_o with_o virtue_n the_o vyrgyn_v that_o shall_v ring_v this_o bell_n be_v reason_n the_o which_o as_o a_o vyrgyn_v declyne_v all_o to_o right_a full_a clennesse_n the_o venymous_a dragon_n that_o ber_v fire_n betoken_v the_o flesh_n of_o man_n which_o ber_v yâ—_z fire_n of_o glotonye_n and_o lechery_n yâ—_z which_o burn_v adam_n our_o forme_v fader_fw-mi when_o he_o eat_v of_o the_o forboden_a appell_n the_o venymous_a beeste_n that_o poyson_v thus_o the_o man_n betoken_v the_o fende_v of_o hell_n which_o for_o the_o moo_v part_n have_v destroy_v mankind_n the_o state_n of_o the_o cyte_n betoken_v patryarke_n and_o prophet_n which_o beseech_v god_n of_o good_a counceyll_n and_o remedy_v that_o mankind_n may_v be_v save_v and_o anon_o it_o be_v counseyl_v for_o yâ—_z best_a remedy_n that_o a_o lion_n that_o be_v cryste_n shall_v be_v hang_v upon_o a_o cross_n accord_v to_o yâ—_z scrypture_n sa_v in_o this_o wise_n â—xpedit_fw-la unus_fw-la morâ—atur_fw-la homo_fw-la pro_fw-la populo_fw-la et_fw-la non_fw-la gens_fw-la â—eat_n etc._n etc._n that_o be_v for_o to_o say_v it_o behove_v a_o man_n to_o dye_v for_o the_o people_n less_o all_o folk_n be_v peryssh_v than_o take_v they_o cry_v &_o hinge_n he_o on_o the_o cross_a /_o for_o yâ—_z which_o the_o devyil_fw-fr drede_v crysten_v man_n and_o dare_v not_o neyghe_a theym_n and_o thus_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n crysten_v man_n shall_v come_v to_o everla_a bliss_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o he_o /_o that_z for_o we_o die_v on_o yâ—_z ride_v three_fw-mi amen_o there_o dwell_v sometime_o in_o yâ—_z cyte_v of_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n and_o a_o merciful_a which_o be_v name_v menelaus_n which_o ordain_v such_o a_o law_n that_o what_o mysdoer_n be_v take_v and_o bring_v in_o to_o prison_n if_o he_o may_v escape_v and_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 felon_n /_o treason_n /_o or_o trespass_n that_o he_o have_v do_v in_o his_o life_n tyme._n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o but_o it_o befelle_n that_o a_o knight_n trespass_v wherefore_o he_o be_v take_v and_o in_o prison_n strong_a and_o derke_v where_o as_o he_o have_v be_v long_o time_n and_o have_v no_o light_n but_o at_o a_o lytell_a wyndowe_n where_o as_o a_o scant_a light_n shine_v in_o that_o lyghtn_v he_o to_o eat_v the_o simple_a meet_a that_o be_v bring_v unto_o he_o by_o his_o keeper_n wherefore_o he_o mourn_v grete_o and_o make_v great_a sorrow_n that_o he_o be_v thus_o shette_v up_o fast_a from_o that_o sight_n of_o man_n nevertheless_o when_o that_o keeper_n be_v go_v there_o come_v daily_o a_o nyghtyngale_n in_o at_o that_o wyndowe_n /_o and_o sange_fw-fr right_a swete_o of_o who_o song_n this_o woeful_a knyghyt_n oft_o
/_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
this_o poor_a man_n and_o say_v my_o lord_n i_o promise_v you_o my_o faith_fw-mi the_o fullly_n for_o to_o be_v true_a unto_o you_o as_o long_o as_o that_o i_o live_v the_o emperor_n anon_o make_v he_o knight_n and_o give_v high_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 for_o to_o be_v a_o emperor_n than_o his_o lord_n /_o wherefore_o he_o make_v suggestyon_n unto_o dyvers_a lord_n of_o that_o empire_n that_o he_o may_v usurp_v and_o take_v upon_o hy_o thrughe_o strengthe_n of_o theym_a to_o be_v emperor_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o anon_o he_o exile_v he_o and_o all_o though_o that_o be_v consent_v to_o he_o so_o that_o they_o be_v put_v in_o great_a wretchedness_n &_o sorrow_n and_o than_o the_o emperor_n ordain_v other_o man_n in_o their_o stead_n and_o give_v theym_v all_o the_o possessyon_n of_o the_o traitor_n and_o of_o there_o felawshyppe_n and_o when_o the_o banysshed_a man_n hear_v that_o stranger_n have_v take_v possessyon_n in_o their_o land_n and_o good_n anon_o they_o conspire_v against_o he_o &_o thrughe_v treason_n pray_v theym_a unto_o a_o feeste_n /_o and_z they_o as_o innocent_n think_v no_o treason_n come_v at_o the_o day_n assign_v /_o and_o be_v serve_v with_o fyve_o mease_n /_o which_o be_v enpoyson_v /_o wherefore_o as_o many_o as_o taste_v of_o that_o vytayll_n die_v in_o contynent_a /_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o /_o he_z be_v grete_o move_v and_o call_v his_o counceyll_n to_o wit_v what_o be_v best_a to_o be_v do_v of_o this_o treason_n and_o of_o their_o dethe_v than_o say_v the_o emperor_n soon_o my_o lord_n i_o be_o your_o soon_o /_o and_o you_o be_v my_o fader_fw-mi /_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v gyve_v you_o good_a ceunsell_n and_o profitable_a to_o all_o man_n not_o far_o hen_n be_v a_o lytell_a realm_n wherein_o dwell_v a_o fair_a maiden_n and_o gracious_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o every_o man_n which_o have_v a_o orcherde_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o welle_v /_o whereof_o the_o water_n be_v of_o such_o virtue_n /_o that_o if_o it_o be_v cast_v upon_o a_o deed_n man_n /_o anon_o he_o shall_v live_v again_o and_o recover_v his_o life_n therefore_o my_o lord_n i_o shall_v descend_v unto_o the_o realm_n and_o seek_v that_o water_n by_o the_o which_o they_o that_o be_v slay_v at_o the_o fee_a may_v rise_v again_o to_o life_n and_o when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o /_o he_z be_v grete_o glad_v and_o say_v soon_o thy_o council_n be_v right_a good_a and_o anon_o the_o emperor_n soon_o go_v in_o to_o the_o say_a realm_n and_o felle_n in_o conceit_n of_o the_o maiden_n in_o so_o moche_v that_o he_o enter_v in_o to_o the_o gardyne_n and_o say_v of_o the_o welle_v and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v he_o make_v fyve_o deep_a trench_n in_o the_o ground_n in_o the_o which_o the_o water_n run_v till_o it_o come_v where_o the_o deed_n man_n lie_v bury_v /_o and_o anon_o when_o the_o water_n touch_v theym_a they_o arise_v from_o dethe_v to_o life_n /_o and_o thenne_fw-fr the_o emperor_n soon_o lead_v theym_n unto_o his_o fader_fw-mi and_o when_o the_o emperor_n see_v this_o he_o be_v right_n joy_n full_a /_o wherefore_o he_o crown_v his_o soon_o with_o a_o lauryate_a crown_n in_o token_n of_o vyctorye_n /_o and_o so_o he_o end_v his_o life_n in_o pease_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v that_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n the_o poor_a man_n that_o be_v promote_v betoken_v lucyfer_n yâ—_z which_o be_v make_v of_o nought_o be_v exalt_v in_o the_o empire_n of_o heaven_n in_o so_o great_a joy_n and_o clerenesse_n that_o he_o seem_v thrughe_v his_o pride_n that_o he_o will_v be_v like_o almyghty_a god_n /_o and_o not_o only_o like_o himself_o but_o also_o more_o than_o almyghty_a god_n /_o wherefore_o the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n exile_v he_o and_o all_o theym_n that_o consent_v unto_o he_o to_o hell_n /_o and_z in_o their_o place_n man_n be_v exalt_v to_o great_a joy_n and_o honour_n the_o devyll_n sing_v this_o envy_a he_o that_o man_n shall_v come_v to_o such_o glory_n and_o honour_n /_o &_o bad_a adam_n and_o eue._n unto_o a_o fee_a when_o they_o eat_v of_o the_o apple_n against_o god_n commandment_n /_o and_o counceyl_v they_o thus_o sa_v in_o what_o hour_n he_o eat_v of_o the_o apple_n you_o shall_v be_v like_o god_n and_o in_o this_o curse_a feest_n they_o be_v serve_v with_o fyve_o mease_n the_o which_o be_v enpoyson_v /_o that_o be_v to_o say_v /_o their_o fyve_o wytte_n be_v accord_v in_o et_v of_o that_o apple_n whereof_o man_n be_v infect_a and_o dye_v this_o hear_a the_o emperor_n soon_o meve_v with_o mercy_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n in_o to_o this_o world_n and_o acquaint_v he_o so_o well_o with_o the_o blyss_v vyrgyne_n mary_n that_o he_o find_v in_o she_o the_o well_o of_o man_n hod_z and_o conjoin_v it_o to_o he_o godhede_v accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n i_o be_o the_o well_o of_o life_n who_o drynk_v on_o it_o shall_v not_o thurste_v after_o that_o he_o lete_fw-la make_v fyve_o trench_n in_o the_o ground_n /_o that_o be_v to_o lay_v fyve_o wound_n in_o his_o body_n of_o the_o which_o run_v both_o blood_n &_o water_n whereby_o all_o mankind_n be_v reyse_v fro_o dethe_v to_o life_n /_o and_o so_o he_o lead_v theym_a up_o in_o to_o the_o palyce_n of_o heaven_n unto_o the_o which_o our_o blyss_v lord_n jesus_n cryste_n that_o shed_v his_o blood_n upon_o the_o road_n tree_n for_o the_o and_o i_o and_o all_o mankind_n amen_o amen_o amen_o for_o saint_n charyte_v sometime_o there_o dwell_v in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n the_o which_o be_v name_v dunstane_n in_o who_o empire_n dwell_v a_o gentyll_a knight_n the_o which_o have_v two_o son_n one_o of_o his_o say_a son_n wed_v himself_o astayn_v his_o fader_n will_v to_o a_o comune_a woman_n of_o the_o bordello_n the_o knight_n hear_v this_o exile_v his_o soon_o from_o he_o and_o when_o he_o be_v thus_o exile_v he_o beget_v on_o this_o woman_n a_o soon_o /_o and_o soon_o after_o that_o he_o wax_v seek_v and_o needful_a wherefore_o he_o send_v messenger_n to_o his_o fader_fw-mi beseeching_n he_o of_o his_o mercy_n this_o hear_a his_z fader_fw-mi have_v compassyon_n and_o ruth_n of_o he_o wherefore_o he_o be_v reconsyle_v and_o when_o he_o be_v thus_o bring_v again_o to_o his_o fader_n grace_v /_o he_o give_v his_o soon_o which_o he_o have_v beget_v afore_o of_o this_o nedeful_a woman_n to_o his_o fader_fw-mi and_o he_o kind_o receyve_v it_o as_o his_o soon_o and_o noryssh_v it_o when_o his_o other_o soon_o hear_v this_o he_o say_v to_o be_v fader_fw-mi fader_fw-mi quod_fw-la he_o it_o seem_v that_o thou_o be_v out_o of_o thy_o right_a mind_n the_o which_o i_o preve_v by_o this_o reason_n for_o he_o be_v out_o of_o his_o mind_n that_o receyve_v a_o false_a heir_n /_o &_o nouryssh_v he_o /_o who_o fader_fw-mi have_v do_v he_o anguysshe_v &_o disease_n afore_o but_o my_o brother_n which_o beget_v this_o child_n have_v do_v the_o great_a injury_n when_o that_o he_o wed_v the_o comune_a woman_n against_o thy_o will_n and_o commandment_n therefore_o i_o seem_v that_o thou_o be_v out_o of_o thy_o right_a mind_n thenne_n answer_v the_o fader_fw-mi and_z say_v by_o cause_n that_o thy_o brother_n be_v reconsyle_v thou_o be_v envious_a to_o i_o and_o also_o unkind_a to_o thy_o own_o brother_n /_o willing_n for_o to_o put_v he_o from_o my_o felawshyp_n for_o ever_o more_o &_o sothe_o none_o unkind_a man_n shall_v have_v my_o herytage_n but_o if_o that_o he_o be_v reconsyle_v but_o yet_o thou_o be_v never_o reconsyle_v of_o his_o unkyndnesse_n for_o thou_o may_v have_v reconsyle_v he_o but_o thou_o will_v not_o /_o therefore_o of_o my_o herytage_n get_v est_fw-fr thau_fw-fr no_o part_n ¶_o the_o fader_fw-mi of_o the_o two_o brother_n betoken_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n and_o this_o two_o son_n betoken_v that_o nature_n of_o angel_n and_o nature_n of_o man_n for_o man_n be_v wed_v unto_o a_o comune_a woman_n of_o the_o bordelle_n when_o he_o eat_v of_o the_o apple_n against_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n wherefore_o he_o be_v exile_v by_o that_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n and_o put_v fro_o the_o joy_n of_o paradise_n the_o soon_o of_o the_o comune_a woman_n hetoken_v mankind_n this_o knight_n soon_o that_o be_v to_o say_v adam_n begin_v to_o be_v needful_a /_o for_z after_o his_o sin_n he_o be_v put_v from_o joy_n in_o to_o this_o wretched_a valley_n of_o tear_n and_o weep_a accord_v to_o this_o scrypture_n in_o sudore_fw-la vultus_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 after_o by_o the_o passion_n of_o cryste_n he_o
the_o that_o thou_o shall_v put_v he_o to_o death_n &_o now_o i_o see_v high_o alyve_a my_o lord_n quoth_v she_o safe_a your_o grace_n you_o write_v to_o i_o â—_o i_o shall_v gyve_v he_o your_o daughter_n to_o wife_n /_o and_o that_o on_o pain_n of_o death_n in_o wytnesse_n whereof_o lo_n here_o be_v your_o seal_n &_o your_o letter_n with_o your_o own_o seal_n when_o the_o emperor_n hear_v this_o he_o wonder_v great_o &_o say_v be_v he_o wed_v than_o to_o my_o daughter_n you_o soth_o say_v the_o empress_n long_o ago_o with_o great_a solempnyte_v /_o and_o as_o i_o believe_v your_o daughter_n be_v with_o child_n than_o say_v the_o emperor_n o_fw-fr thou_o lord_n ihesu_n it_o be_v great_a folly_n to_o stryve_v against_o thy_o ordinance_n /_o therefore_o since_o it_o be_v so_o thy_o will_n must_v â—e_v fulfyl_v /_o &_o with_z yâ—_z he_o take_v his_o soon_o in_o law_n in_o his_o arm_n and_o kyss_v he_o which_o after_o his_o dethe_v be_v emperor_n and_o end_v his_o life_n in_o rest_n and_o pease_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n may_v betoken_v herod_v or_o else_o every_o sinner_n which_o walk_v alone_o without_o truth_n /_o till_z he_o come_v to_o the_o foster_v house_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o chirche_n which_o be_v the_o house_n of_o god_n this_o herode_fw-la will_v have_v slay_v this_o child_n ihesu_n /_o wherefore_o he_o send_v messenger_n to_o seek_v he_o accord_v to_o the_o scrypture_n of_o saint_n mathewe_n telling_n how_o he_o command_v the_o three_o king_n to_o seche_v he_o &_o bring_v he_o tydynge_n again_o where_o he_o be_v the_o he_o may_v come_v &_o worship_n he_o /_o but_o this_o say_v he_o not_o for_o love_v but_o for_o dysceyte_n the_o foster_n betoken_v joseph_n our_o lady_n husbonde_a which_o keep_v he_o /_o but_o when_o the_o messenger_n come_v that_o be_v to_o say_v when_o the_o three_o king_n come_v they_o slay_v he_o not_o but_o on_o their_o knee_n worshyp_v he_o &_o leave_v he_o in_o the_o holowe_v three_fw-mi of_o his_o god_n heed_n the_o earl_n that_o come_v and_o find_v this_o child_n betoken_v the_o holy_a goost_n which_o warn_v joseph_n by_o the_o angel_n in_o his_o sleep_v that_o he_o shall_v take_v our_o lday_n and_o she_o soon_o and_o flee_v in_o to_o the_o land_n of_o egypte_n this_o moralyte_n may_v be_v understonde_v in_o other_o this_o emperor_n may_v betoken_v a_o sinner_n that_o walk_v in_o the_o forest_n of_o this_o world_n seching_n vanyte_v /_o &_o not_o else_o unto_o the_o time_n he_o come_v unto_o the_o house_n of_o god_n &_o there_o he_o be_v receyn_v benyngne_o of_o the_o prelate_n of_o the_o chirche_n if_o he_o will_v obey_v the_o commanndemente_n of_o god_n but_o many_o of_o we_o now_o a_o day_n slepe_v in_o the_o chirche_v when_o they_o observe_v not_o the_o werke_n of_o mercy_n and_o therefore_o they_o ought_v to_o drede_v the_o voice_n which_o i_o have_v rehearse_v by_o the_o first_o take_v yâ—_z may_v be_v understonde_v yâ—_z great_a benefit_n yâ—_z he_o give_v the_o when_o he_o put_v in_o the_o a_o soul_n make_v at_o his_o own_o symylytude_n the_o second_o take_v be_v unâ—stonde_v the_o soon_o of_o the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n /_o which_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o blyss_v &_o holy_a virgyn_v marry_v by_o the_o three_o take_v be_v unâ—stonde_v the_o same_o soon_o of_o god_n which_o die_v upon_o the_o cross_n by_o the_o first_o yield_v be_v to_o unâ—stonde_v the_o we_o ought_v to_o yield_v our_o soul_n unto_o almyghty_a god_n as_o clean_o /_o &_o as_o fair_a as_o he_o give_v it_o unto_o we_o after_o the_o washing_n of_o our_o baptyme_n by_o the_o second_o yield_v be_v for_o to_o understande_v that_o we_o ought_v daily_o to_o yield_v honour_n /_o and_o worshyppe_n and_o love_n unto_o god_n the_o three_o yield_v be_v understonde_v that_o we_o yield_v to_o he_o true_a confessyon_n /_o contrycyon_n &_o satysfaccyon_n the_o first_o flee_v betoken_v sin_n which_o we_o shall_v flee_v the_o second_o betoken_v the_o world_n that_o we_o shall_v flee_v for_o the_o great_a fallsehede_v and_o temptacyon_n that_o be_v therein_o the_o three_o flee_v betoken_v everla_a pain_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o flee_v through_o â—erytory_a werke_n by_o the_o which_o we_o may_v come_v the_o rather_o to_o everla_a joy_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n amen_o there_o dwell_v sontyme_o in_o rome_n a_o mighty_a emperor_n name_v sauracinus_fw-la which_o ordain_v for_o law_n that_o who_o so_o ever_o ravyssh_v a_o vyrgy_n shall_v dye_v /_o &_o if_o she_o be_v rescue_v /_o than_z he_o that_o rescue_v she_o shall_v have_v she_o to_o wife_n if_o he_o list_v /_o and_z he_o will_v not_o wed_v she_o than_o shall_v she_o gyde_v &_o be_v wed_v by_o his_o counceyll_n it_o befelle_v upon_o a_o day_n that_o a_o tyrant_n name_v poncianus_fw-la have_v ravyssh_v a_o vyrgyn_v and_o lead_v her_o with_o he_o to_o a_o forest_n and_o deflower_v she_o of_o her_o maydenhode_n and_o when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v he_o will_v have_v slay_v she_o /_o and_o as_o he_o be_v despoyl_v her_o clothes_n there_o come_v ride_v by_o that_o foreste_n a_o gentyl_o knight_n which_o hear_v yâ—_z cryenge_a of_o a_o damoysel_n therefore_o he_o smite_v his_o horse_n with_o his_o spur_n and_o ride_v a_o great_a pace_n into_o the_o foreste_n to_o wit_v what_o it_o may_v be_v and_o thenne_n he_o see_v a_o woman_n stand_v naked_a save_o her_o smock_n /_o &_o than_o say_v the_o knight_n be_v thou_o now_o she_o quoth_v he_o that_o cry_v so_o than_o answer_v the_o maid_n and_o say_v you_o sothe_o quoth_v she_o /_o &_o this_o man_n that_o stand_v here_o have_v ravyssh_v i_o and_o defoyled_a my_o maydenhode_n and_o now_o he_o will_v slay_v i_o /_o &_o therefore_o he_o have_v dyspoyl_v i_o of_o my_o clothes_n that_o he_o may_v smite_v of_o my_o heed_n /_o for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n gentyll_a knight_n help_v i_o now_o than_o say_v the_o tyrant_n she_o lie_v quoth_v he_o for_o she_o be_v my_o wife_n and_o i_o have_v find_v here_o in_o avoutry_n with_o a_o other_o man_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v slay_v she_o than_o say_v the_o knight_n i_o boil_v we_o better_v the_o woman_n than_o the_o /_o for_z lo_o the_o tokenes_n of_o troth_n appear_v open_o in_o her_o visage_n that_o thou_o have_v ravyssh_v she_o and_o therefore_o will_v i_o fyghte_v with_o the_o for_o her_o delyveraunce_n and_o anon_o they_o sterte_v togyder_n and_o foughte_v egre_o till_o they_o be_v both_o sore_o wound_v nevertheless_o the_o knight_n opteyn_v the_o vyctorye_n and_o put_v the_o tyrant_n to_o the_o flight_n than_o say_v the_o knight_n unto_o the_o woman_n 'loo_o i_o have_v suffer_v for_o thy_o love_n many_o sore_a wound_n and_o have_v save_v the_o from_o the_o death_n wylte_n thou_o thou_o therefore_o be_v my_o wife_n that_o i_o desire_v quoth_v she_o with_o all_o my_o herte_n &_o thereupon_o i_o take_v you_o my_o truth_n when_o she_o be_v thus_o ensuer_v the_o knight_n than_o say_v /_o here_o beside_o be_v my_o castle_n /_o go_v you_o thyder_n and_o abide_v there_o till_o i_o have_v besyte_v my_o friend_n &_o my_o kynnesman_n to_o provyde_v for_o all_o thing_n nedeful_a for_o our_o w_n for_o i_o purpose_v to_o make_v a_o great_a fee_v for_o thy_o honour_n and_o worshyppe_n my_o lord_n quoth_v she_o i_o be_o ready_a to_o fulfil_v thy_o will_n theme_n go_v she_o forth_o to_o the_o castle_n where_o as_o she_o be_v worshypful_o receyve_v and_o the_o knight_n go_v unto_o his_o friend_n to_o make_v he_o ready_a against_o the_o day_n of_o marriage_n in_o the_o mean_a wile_n come_v poncianus_fw-la the_o tyrant_n to_o the_o knight_n castle_n &_o pray_v she_o that_o he_o may_v speak_v with_o she_o than_o come_v she_o down_o from_o the_o castle_n to_o he_o this_o tyrant_n subtyl_o flatter_v she_o and_o say_v gentyll_a love_n if_o it_o list_v you_o to_o consent_v to_o i_o i_o shall_v gyve_v you_o both_o gold_n and_o silver_n and_o great_a rychesse_n and_o i_o shall_v be_v your_o servant_n and_o you_o my_o sovereyne_a /_o when_o the_o woman_n hear_v this_o /_o dysceyve_v she_o be_v thrughe_v his_o flatter_a and_o grant_v he_o to_o be_v his_o wife_n and_o take_v he_o in_o with_o she_o in_o to_z the_o castle_n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o but_o that_o this_o knight_n come_v home_o &_o find_v the_o castle_n gate_n shut_v &_o knock_v thereat_o /_o but_o long_o he_o be_v or_o he_o may_v have_v answer_v /_o and_z atte_a the_o last_o the_o woman_n come_v &_o demand_v why_o he_o knock_v so_o hear_v than_o say_v he_o o_o dear_a lady_n have_v yâ—_z change_a so_o soon_o my_o love_n /_o let_v i_o come_v in_o nay_o soth_o say_v she_o thou_o shall_v not_o come_v here_o for_o i_o have_v here_o w_z e_z
i_o my_o love_n which_o i_o love_v before_o remember_v yâ—_z quod_fw-la the_o knight_n that_o thou_o give_v i_o thy_o truth_n to_o be_v my_o wife_n /_o &_o how_o i_o save_v the_o from_o death_n /_o &_o if_o thou_o ponder_v not_o thy_o faith_n behold_v my_o wound_n which_o i_o have_v suffer_v in_o my_o body_n for_o the_o love_n and_o anon_o he_o unclothe_v himself_o naked_a save_o his_o breach_n the_o he_o may_v show_v his_o wound_n open_o /_o but_z she_o will_v not_o see_v they_o ne_fw-fr speak_v more_o w_z e_z high_z but_o shut_v fast_o the_o gate_n &_o go_v her_o way_n /_o when_o the_o knight_n see_v this_o he_o go_v to_o the_o justyce_n &_o make_v his_o complain_v pra_v high_a to_o gyve_v ryghtwys_o jugement_n on_o this_o tyrant_n &_o this_o woman_n the_o juge_a call_v they_o before_o he_o /_o &_o when_o they_o be_v come_v this_o say_v this_o knight_n my_o lord_n quoth_v he_o i_o ask_v the_o benefyte_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v this_o /_o if_o a_o man_n rescue_v a_o woman_n from_o ravysshing_n the_o rescuer_v shall_v wed_v she_o if_o he_o list_v and_o this_o woman_n delyver_v i_o fro_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o tyrant_n therefore_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v her_o /_o &_o forthermore_o she_o give_v i_o her_o truth_n &_o faith_n to_o wed_v i_o and_o thereupon_o she_o go_v to_o my_o castle_n /_o &_o i_o have_v do_v great_a cost_n against_o our_o w_n /_o &_o therefore_o as_o it_o seem_v i_o she_o be_v my_o wyf_v as_o by_o the_o law_n than_o say_v the_o juge_a unto_o the_o tyrant_n thou_o know_v well_o the_o this_o knight_n delyver_v she_o from_o thy_o hand_n &_o for_o her_o love_n suffer_v many_o smart_n wound_n &_o therefore_o well_o thou_o wot_v the_o she_o be_v his_o wife_n by_o the_o law_n that_o the_o hy_o list_v but_o after_o her_o delyveraunce_n w_o e_o flater_n ing_v speech_n thou_o have_v dysceyve_v she_o /_o therefore_o this_o day_n i_o juge_fw-fr the_o to_o he_o hang_v than_o say_v the_o juge_a to_o the_o woman_n in_o like_a wise_n o_o woman_n thou_o know_v how_o this_o knight_n save_v yâ—_z from_o death_n &_o thereupon_o thou_o take_v high_o thy_o faith_n to_o be_v his_o wife_n /_o therefore_o by_o two_o reason_n thou_o be_v his_o wife_n /_o first_o by_o the_o law_n /_o &_o after_o by_o thy_o faith_n this_o notwithstanding_o yâ—_z consent_v afterward_o to_o yâ—_z tyrant_n and_o bring_v he_o in_o to_o the_o knights_n castle_n &_o shut_v the_o gate_n against_o the_o knyghte_n and_o will_v not_o see_v his_o wound_n which_o he_o suffer_v for_o thy_o love_v /_o and_o therefore_o i_o jugey_n e_o to_o be_v hang_v and_o so_o it_o be_v do_v /_o both_o the_o ravyssher_n and_o she_o that_o be_v ravyssh_v be_v damn_a to_o the_o dethe_v /_o wherefore_o every_o man_n praise_v the_o juge_a for_o his_o ryghtwy_n jugement_n ¶_o this_o emperor_n betoken_v the_o fader_fw-mi of_o heaven_n which_o ordain_v for_o law_n that_o if_o the_o jowl_n of_o man_n be_v ravyssh_v from_o god_n by_o sin_n /_o the_o saver_n of_o the_o soul_n shall_v wed_v high_a if_o he_o lyste_v the_o woman_n that_o be_v ravyssh_v betoken_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o be_v ravyssh_v by_o sin_n of_o our_o fore_n fader_fw-mi adam_n and_o lead_v out_o of_o paradyse_n and_o lead_v in_o to_o the_o foreste_n of_o this_o wretched_a world_n by_o the_o tyrant_n poncyanus_n which_o betoken_v the_o devyll_n and_o he_o not_o only_o deflower_v she_o but_o by_o lose_v of_o herytage_n of_o heaven_n /_o but_o also_o he_o will_v slay_v she_o with_o everla_a pain_n but_o the_o soul_n cry_v with_o a_o high_a voice_n /_o who_o cry_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cyrste_v herd_n this_o cry_n be_v make_v when_o adam_n cry_v after_o oil_n of_o mercy_n and_o patriarch_n and_o prophet_n cry_v for_o remedy_n sa_v o_o thou_o highness_n of_o the_o ee_a and_o so_o for_o the_o vysyte_n thou_o us._n etc._n etc._n the_o knight_n betoken_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n which_o come_v from_o heaven_n and_o faught_n with_o the_o tyrant_n /_o that_o be_v for_o to_o sayethe_v devyll_n /_o and_o both_o they_o be_v sore_o wound_v for_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n cryste_n be_v wound_v in_o his_o flesh_n /_o and_o the_o devyll_n in_o his_o lordshyppe_n /_o wherefore_o the_o woman_n /_o that_z be_v to_o say_v the_o soul_n give_v her_o truth_n unto_o almyghty_a god_n when_o that_o she_o become_v crysten_v sa_v that_o i_o forsake_v the_o devyll_n and_o all_o his_o pride_n /_o and_o byleve_v in_o god_n the_o fader_fw-mi almyghty_a than_o ordain_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n a_o marriage_n bytwene_v he_o and_o she_o with_o the_o seven_o secramente_n of_o the_o chirche_v whereof_o may_v be_v make_v a_o strong_a castle_n against_o the_o devyll_n also_o our_o lord_n command_v the_o soul_n to_o keep_v she_o still_o in_o the_o castle_n of_o virtue_n till_o he_o go_v unto_o his_o friend_n to_o provyde_v the_o be_v nedeful_a /_o that_o be_v to_o lay_v our_o lord_n ihesu_n on_o the_o assencyon_n day_n ascend_v to_o heaven_n to_o array_n for_o she_o a_o dwelling_n place_n of_o everla_a joy_n where_o as_o we_o shall_v dwell_v after_o the_o day_n of_o doom_n with_o our_o lord_n god_n in_o honour_n and_o glory_n but_o alas_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n come_v the_o devyll_n &_o beguile_v the_o wretched_a soul_n by_o a_o deed_o sin_n &_o so_o he_o enter_v in_o to_o the_o castle_n of_o our_o herte_n which_o shall_v be_v the_o castle_n of_o god_n the_o knight_n ihesu_n knock_v at_o the_o gate_n of_o our_o herte_n accord_v to_o this_o scrypture_n â—â—cce_fw-fr sto_z ad_fw-la hostium_fw-la et_fw-la pulso_fw-la lo_o i_o stand_v at_o the_o door_n and_o knock_v /_o if_o any_o man_n will_v open_v that_o i_o may_v entre_fw-fr in_o /_o but_z where_o the_o devyll_n be_v /_o god_n may_v not_o entre_fw-fr but_o if_o the_o sinner_n will_v receyve_v he_o by_o penance_n /_o which_o sing_v the_o gentyll_a ihesu_n show_v himself_o naked_a hang_a on_o the_o cross_n that_o we_o may_v see_v his_o bloody_a wound_n which_o he_o suffer_v for_o we_o that_o we_o sinner_n shall_v be_v the_o rather_o mindful_a of_o his_o lone_n for_o from_o the_o crown_n of_o his_o heed_n unto_o the_o sole_a of_o his_o foot_n /_o was_z left_a none_o place_n hole_n place_n therefore_o say_v the_o ê“phet_n ysaye_v attendite_fw-la et_fw-la videte_fw-la si_fw-la est_fw-la dolour_n sicut_fw-la dolour_n meus_fw-la /_o etc._n etc._n byholde_v and_o see_v if_o any_o sorrow_n be_v like_o my_o sorrow_n therefore_o be_v he_o a_o wretched_a man_n the_o will_v not_o be_v convert_v for_o all_o this_o unto_o his_o lord_n god_n but_o lie_v still_o in_o deed_o sin_n /_o wherefore_o when_o he_o be_v call_v afore_o the_o high_a inge_n he_o shall_v be_v damn_a to_o everla_a dethe_v therefore_o study_n we_o to_o open_v the_o door_n of_o our_o herte_n with_o merytory_n werke_n unto_o almyghty_a god_n /_o and_o than_o without_o doubt_n we_o shall_v opteyne_v everla_a life_n unto_o the_o which_o bring_v we_o our_o lord_n ihesu_n which_o have_v mercy_n on_o we_o amen_o ¶_o thus_o end_v the_o book_n of_o gesta_fw-la romanorum_fw-la emprynt_v at_o london_n in_o flete_n street_n by_o i_o wynkyn_n de_fw-fr worde_n