POmpeius in the Cite of rome reigned̛, a fuƚƚ wise man, and̛ amonge othere vertues he was right mercyfuƚƚ; wherfore he did̛ Crie throw oute his Empire a feste, that euery man̛ rich and̛ pore shuld̛ come to the feste, and̛ aƚƚ þat comen to the feste shuld̛ not only be fedde, but he shuld̛ haue many giftes. when the bediƚƚ had̛ proclamed̛ this throw oute aƚƚ the Empire, there were that tyme twoo feble men̛ lyeng̘ by the way; oon̛ was halte, and̛ the tothere blynde. The blynde man̛ saide to þe Crokyd̛, "Alas!" he saide, "woo is the and̛ me; how mow we do? The Emperour hathe do criecried̛ a grete feste generaƚƚ to aƚƚ and̛ who that Euer comyth thiddere, he shaƚƚ not only haue a feste, but also many giftes. I am blynde, and̛ thou arte Crokyd̛ and̛ feble, and̛ may not go; and̛ I may wele se, and̛ thou arte stronge and̛ myghty, and̛ may not se." he seide, "thou croked̛ man̛, thou shalte take me on thi back, and̛ bere me, and̛ I wil lede the by the right way." and̛ so they didden̛, and̛ comen̛ bothe to the feste, and̛ ressayued̛ grete mede amonge other; and̛ so they endid̛ here life in pease.

Frendes, this Emperour is oure lorde Ihesu criste, the which hathe done crie a feste generaƚƚ, that is, the Ioye and̛ the blisse of þe kyngdome of heuyn̛; to the which Ioye he hathe called̛ aƚƚ mankynde, for he denyes it to none that wil come to hym. Be the halte and̛ croked̛ are vndirstondyn̛ prelates of holy chirche, prechours, and̛ confessours, abbottes and̛ prioures. thes are halte, for they han no thing̘ in propre, in alse mych as they lyuen̛ ofte sithes of almes of othere. Be the blynde we shuƚƚ vndirstonde the lewde men̛, that are blynde, for they know not the right way. therfore if thes ij. wil come to the feste of the kyngdome of heuyn̛, It behouys that the blynde, that is, the lewde men̛, bere the halte men; tho be the prelates of the chirche, and̛ othere men̛ of holy chirche, sustenyng̘ hem be tythes and̛ oblacions, and̛ othere almese. And̛ prelates, and̛ other men̛ of holy chirche, are holdyn̛ for to teche hem, and̛ Enfourme hem the way towarde heuyn̛, where is not al only a feste for a tyme, But there we shuƚƚ haue many preciouse giftes; Tho be the Ioyes and̛ blisses that neuer shaƚƚ haue Ende. to the which bryng̘ vs oure lorde Ihesu criste, to þe feste riaƚƚ þat is in heuyne, withouten Ende!

Teucippus reigned̛ in the Citee of Rome, the whiche amonge other vertues that he had̛, he was mercifuƚƚ; wherfore of grete mercy he ordeyned̛ a law, that every blynde man shuld̛ have an hundred̛ shelynges of his tresoure. ¶ It fille on a tyme, that xxiiij. men come to the Citee, for to drynke wyne; and aƚƚ thei went into a Taverne, and there satte drynkyng iij. daies or iiij. tille thei hadde dronken̛ more wyne than they had̛ money to paye. ¶ Than the Taverner̛ asked̛ hem for his wyne, and said̛, "none of̘ you shaƚƚ go, tille that I be paid̛." ¶ Than said̛ one of the drynkers, "Wille yewe have a good̛ counsaile?" And they said̛, "Ye, I pray the." Than he said̛, "ye know aƚƚ wele everychone, that the Emperours law is, that every blynde man shaƚƚ have an hundred̛ shelynges of the Emperours tresorye. ¶ Therfore cast we lotte amonge vs, and lette se vpone whom the lotte shaƚƚ falle, and his bothe eyen̛ lette be put out; and so he may go to the paleys, and after the law aske in the tresorye of the Emperour an hundred̛ shillynges; ¶ And witℏ tho hundred̛ shillynges we may acquyte vs aƚƚ." Whan his felawes hadde herde this, thei were right glad̛, and saiden, "this is right a good̛ counsaile." ¶ And so anon̛ thei cast lotte, and the lotte fille vpon hym that gafe the counsaile; and so his felishippe put out his eyen̛. And whan he was blynd̛, one of his felawes lad̛ him to the paleys; and than he asked̛ of the Steward̛ an hundred̛ shillynges, as the law was. ¶ The Steward̛ said̛, "Frende, yisterday thou sawe clere i-noughe, and thou knowest not how the law is made. The law was ordeyned̛ only for men, that of infirmyte or of goddes sonde were made blynde, and not for suche as have dronken̛ out her eyen̛ in the Taverne; wherfore go thi way, for here thou shalt have no money." ¶ The wrecched̛ blynd̛ man went to his felawes, and told̛ hem this aunswere of the Steward̛. ¶ Whan the Taverner̛ had̛ herd̛ this, he spoyled̛ hem aƚƚ out of her clothes; and so with grete confusion̛ thei went out of the Citee, and were no more sayn̛.

Frendes, this Emperour is oure Lord̛ Ihesu crist, that made this law, that every blynde man shuld̛ have an hundred̛ shillynges, that is, every man that synnetℏ of infirmyte, or instigacion̛ of the fende, or of his flessℏ, withe oute doute, yf he enterly sorow for his synne, he shaƚƚ have an hundred̛ shillynges, that is, an hundred̛ old̛ more Ioye; ¶ Iuxta illud, Centiplum accipietis, &c. ¶ Therefore eche man that synnetℏ dedely, is made blynde. Thise men, that comyn̛ to the Taverne to drynke wyne, are synners, that ofte sithes gone to the Taverne of the fende, and̛ drynken̛; so that thei consumen̛consuaren all the vertues that thei resceived̛ in her baptyme; wherfore the deveƚƚ spoyletℏ aƚƚ suche of aƚƚ the goodes that thei have done. And than thei cast lotte, and the lotte of synne falletℏ on hym that is witℏ out rightwisenesse and mercy, and sucℏ one is made blynd̛, that is, a synner most vile, as Iudas traitour, that betraied̛ crist, witℏ out any suggestion̛; and therfore he synned̛ the more. ¶ Suche, whan thei come to the Steward̛, that is, the prelate of holy chirche, to aske the hundred̛ shillynges, that is, grace; and he shaƚƚ aunswere as the Steward̛ did̛, ¶ Go thi way, for thou gettest none while thou stondest in dispaire, as Iudas did̛. Therfore studie we aƚƚ, witℏ aƚƚ oure diligence, to please god in aƚƚ thynge, and than we mow have everlastyng mede. Amen.

ANcelyne reigned̛ in the Citee of Rome, a fuƚƚ wise man, that in the endes of his Empire made a Casteƚƚ, and ordeyned̛ there a Steward̛, Biddyng hym, vpon on payn̛ of dethe, to kepe wele the Casteƚƚ. The Stewarde kept it wele a liteƚƚ while, and after that, omitted agayn̛ agayns the Emperours wille he lost the Casteƚƚ. ¶ The Emperour, whan he had̛ omitted herd̛ that, he was right wrothe; and called̛ to hym his counsaile, and treted̛ therof̘, how and in by what way he myght gete the casteƚƚ oute of his enemyes handes. ¶ There a-rose a knyght, and said̛, "Sir, there are iij. waies, that is, the way of wisedom̛, the and the way of strengthe, and the way of love. So it is now, that in thi Empire are iij. knyghtes; ¶ *The first knyght is the strengest man of your̛ Empire, and strengest of men; and one beretℏ a golden̛ sheld̛, witℏ a lyon̛; ¶ The Second̛ knyght is wisedome, and beretℏ a silver̛ sheld̛, with a pecok̘; ¶ The thirde knyght is is right a wondir amerous amerous passingly, and lovetℏ loues you passyng wele, and he omitted beretℏ a golden̛ sheld̛, witℏ a white dove. ¶ Sir omitted, by my counsaile, send̛ after omitted thise iij. knyghtes to recover rescu the casteƚƚ; and yf it be so that *the strengest strenght may not *gete it omitted, wisedome shaƚƚ; and yf wisedome may not, love shaƚƚ wynne it." ¶ The Emperour, whan he had̛ omitted herd̛ this, it pleased̛ hym wele; and called̛ to hym thise iij. knyghtes, and said̛, "Frendes, we I have herd̛ of you grete praisynges praysyng, and it is knowen to you of the this foresaid̛ casteƚƚ, that is lost; Therfore I sende you iij. to wynne agayn̛ the Casteƚƚ out of the handes of myn̛ enemyes, by cause the first of you is a stronge werriour̛, The second̛ best counseilour̛, and the thirde the omitted sotelest enserchour. ¶ Gothe therfor̛ to fight, and I shaƚƚ yeld̛ to you worthi mede." The knyghtes, whan they herd̛ had herd this, thei armed̛ hem, and toke her way to go; and so thei ridden̛ ryde iij. daies, tille thei come to a forest; and as they entred̛ the forest, *there was omitted a Nyghtyngale sange passyng fulle swetly vpon on a tree. ¶ Than said̛ wisedome the knyght to his felawes, "heretℏ *me, for I omitted vndirstond̛ right wele the *Nyghtyngale songe nyghtyngalys song; her song is not els but she omitted shewetℏ to vs, that in the forest are theves many, that have herd̛ of oure comyng, for to recover̛ the casteƚƚ, and thei purpose for omitted to sle destroy vs." ¶ Than said̛ the stronge knyght, "for my strengthe I am hedir sent; therfore here omitted I shaƚƚ defende you by my strengthe." Tho than said̛ the wise knyght to his felawes, "and as thou wilte defende vs by thi omitted strengthe, Right so I shaƚƚ defende you by my wisedome." Than said̛ the thirde knyght, "I am not stronge, ne wise, as ye are; god be my helper!" ¶ Whan thei hadde thus said̛, anon̛ thei entred̛ the forest, and sone the malefactours mette hem. the stronge knyght began myghtily to fight, and for to defende hym; hem and a quareƚƚ come from an arblast arowblast and smote hym in the stomak̘, and slougℏ hym. ¶ The wise knyght, whan he had̛ seen this that, than omitted he began to allegge resons, and shew to hem wisedome; but omitted thei *toke no kepe therof̘ gaf no grete heryng to his resons, but one smote hym to the hert, and he dyed̛. ¶ That saw the thirde knyght, and sent an arowe to the maister theef̘, and smote hym thurgℏ by the myddes; and so he dyed̛. ¶ The other theves sawe that, [and fled.] supplied from Cambridge MS. the knyght folowed̛ hem vnto the Casteƚƚ that was lost; and whan he founde the yates open, he went in, and aƚƚ that were *ther in ther he slougℏ, and the baner of the Emperour̛ he sette above an higℏ, in the towre. ¶ Whan the Emperour̛ herd̛ this omitted, that the knyght had̛ thus so myghtily and wisely recovered̛ recurid the casteƚƚ, he promoted̛ hym to grete richesse; the whicℏ aƚƚ his lyf̘ aftir *wisely and omitted myghtily governed̛ aƚƚ that he had̛, and so ended̛ his lyf̘ in pease.

CIclides reigned̛ in Rome Emperoure, in whos Empire were ij. knyghtes, one olde, another̛ yonge. The olde knyght hadde wedded̛ a yonge woman, mayde and the yonge knyght *Had̛ wedded̛ omitted an olde woman; and thise ij. knyghtes dwelled̛ nere to-gedre. It *Happened̛ this happed that the yonge knyght sawe ones the wyf̘ of his felaw, the olde knyght, and anon̛ omitted he was take omitted in the love of her, and thought, it were more honest that I shuld̛ have sucℏ a wyf̘, *and my felaw to have suche a wyf̘ as I have omitted. ¶ This yonge knyght spake so to the yonge lady, that she consented̛; but she was kept so streight omitted, that in omitted no wise thei myght not omitted come to-gedre, for to fulfille her wille in feble dede. ¶ It fille so omitted, that the lady was wonte ofte sithes to rise, and go to her chambre wyndow, for to here the yonge knyght, how meryly he songe. And before the wyndowe was a figge-tree, vpon the whiche a Nyghtyngale songe swetely. The lady *a-roose on nyghtes rose a-nyghtes for to here his songe. The olde knyght, whan he had̛ perseived̛ that, he said̛ to his wyf, "Telle me for what cause thou risest so ofte on in nyghtes, out of thi bedde?" ¶ She said̛, "sir̛, there is a nyghtyngale, that syngetℏ every alle nyght fulle swetely, and for to here his songe I rise out of̘ my the bedde *a nyghtes." at nyght ¶ Whan the knyght had̛ omitted herde that, he toke a bowe and an arowe, and slougℏ the Nyghtyngale; and toke out the harte, and gaf̘ it to his wyf̘, and said̛, "Se, *Here is his hert the hard of hym that songe so merely, for whos songe thou aroose so ofte; from hens forward̛ thou shalt rest in thi bedde." ¶ The yonge knyght, whan he herde that the Nyghtyngale was slayn̛, he thought *in his hert, "and with in hym selfe, Yf he wist how moche I loved̛ his wyf̘, he wold̛ do to me as he did̛ to the Nyghtyngale, but it shaƚƚ not be so." ¶ Than he armed̛ hym, and went entred into the house of the olde knyght, and slougℏ hym; and omitted anon̛ after after that his wyf̘ died̛; and than he wedded̛ the olde knyghtes wyf̘, and afterward̛ ended̛ his lyf̘ in pease.

Iouinianus reigned̛ in the Cite of omitted Rome, that was a riche man in temporaltees, and in omitted possessions. ¶ On a nyght as he lay in his bedde, he thought in his hert, and saide, "Whether̛ ther be any other omitted god̛ but I?" and atte morow, whan he *a-roose out ryse of his bedde, he called̛ to hym his knyghtes and his Squyers, and said̛ to hem, ¶ "Frendes, bethe be ye to-day redy, for I wille wole passim. go hunte." *And whan thei had̛ dyned̛, thei wente to hunte omitted. And as the Emperour̛ rode by the way, he caught toke a grete hete; the hete was so grete, that he thought that omitted he shuld̛ dye, but yf he had̛ refresshyng of watir. But anon aroose rose a blak̘ grete blake clovde, so derke and thikke, that it departed̛ hym from aƚƚ his folke; *and than omitted he loked̛ before hym, and saw a watir. he smote the horse withe the sporres, and come to the watir; and alighted̛ lightyd downe of his horse, and did̛ of his clothes, and went into the watir, for to refressℏ fresshe hym of the omitted hete. ¶ And whan he was in the watir, there come a man in his likenesse, that he saw not, and did̛ on his clothes, and went vp on his the horse, and rode to the paleys peple of the Emperour, and there omitted was resceived̛ of aƚƚ the peple *as Emperour̛ as the Emperour; and went to the palys. And omitted the Emperour, that was in the watir, whan he was wele coled̛, he went out of the watir; ¶ and omitted when he come to lond̛, he founde neither his the clothes nor ne his horse; and so omitted naked̛ he loked̛ aboute alle about, and saw no man. Than he wept bitterly, and said̛ witℏ a gret voice, "Allas! allas! what shaƚƚ I do?" And while he sorowed̛ thus, he saide in his hert; ¶ "Here nerthande nere hand dwelleth a knyght, that I made a omitted knyght. I shaƚƚ go to him, and shew to omitted hym my disease; and I shaƚƚ have clothes of hym, and so I shaƚƚ go home to my paleys." Than he went to the knyghtes house, and knokked̛ atte at the gate. Whan the porter herd̛ the knokkyng, he asked̛ what he wold̛? he saide, he I wold̛ come in anon̛. and whan the porter saw hym naked̛, he saide to hym, "What art thou?" he said̛, "your̛ lord̛, the Emperour̛." The Porter saide, "thou liest, ¶ for a liteƚƚ before thou the come, the Emperour come here away omitted withe his meyne; and thou saidist sayst that omitted thou art the Emperour; thou shalt come before my lord̛." Anon̛ And anone the Porter brought hym before his lord̛; the Emperour knew wele the knyght, but the knyght in on no wise had̛ knowyng of hym. Than said̛ the Porter, "Sir, this rebavde saitℏ that omitted he is Emperour." he said̛, "ye omitted, so I am, witℏ out doute; and the I made knyght." ¶ The knyght said̛, "thou liest, harlotte, for a liteƚƚ before the omitted the Emperour passed̛ here for-bye; and for thou saiest, that omitted thou art Emperour, thou shalt not passe vnponysshed̛." ¶ Anon he made hym be scourged̛, tille the blood̛ ranne out; and put hym out of his house. ¶ Whan the Emperour was thus scourged̛, In the Addit. 9066 MS, two lines are repeated here by carelessness of the scribe. he wept bitterly, and thought witℏ in hym self̘, and said̛, "allas! allas! omitted what may this be?" than he said̛ to hym self̘, "Here nere nere hand dwelletℏ an Erle, that is my most counseillour, the whiche I have promoted̛ to grete dignite. I shaƚƚ go to hym, and shew to hym my grete myserye, that I may have of hym some clothes." and so he wente to his the place. ¶ Whan he come to the *Erles gate place of the erle, he knokked̛. The porter asked̛ hym the cause of his the knokkyng. "Open̛ the gate," he saide, "for I am the Emperour̛ *that knokketℏ on knok at the gate." The porter, whan he herd̛ this, he opened̛ the gate; and whan he saw hym naked̛, he said̛, "O! thou Ribavde, to what presumpcion̛ art thou come, that thou namest the the omitted Emperour! It and it is but a liteƚƚ while ago, that the Emperour was here witℏ my lord̛, and toke mete; and so he omitted went to his paleys, witℏ multitude myche multytude of peple; and for thou saist that thou art the Emperour̛, thou shalt go to my lord̛, and there thou shalt aunswere of thyn̛ thi presumpcion̛. ¶ Whan he was brought before the Erle, he knew wele the Erle, but the Erle knew not hym. Whan the Erle herd̛, that omitted he nempned̛ namyd hym self̘ the omitted Emperour, he said̛ to hym, "Say, thou rebavde, whi saiest thou that thou art the Emperour?" he saide, "for sothe so I am the omitted Emperour̛, and your̛ thi lord̛; and I have promoted̛ the to grete dignite, and I omitted have ordeyned̛ the one of my counseilours; by *thise tokens this token, — ¶ in the last parliament we were treted̛ of sucℏ nedes." The Erle hadde mervaile *of his speche, but omitted neverthelesse he yave no faithe to hym, for he had̛ no knowleche knowyng of hym; but anon̛ he comaunded̛ him to prison̛, *and there to be kept omitted iij. daies, *witℏ out to be with out mete or and drynk̘; and after this, for to go out of his Erledome, on payn̛ of his hede. and so it was done. ¶ Whan the Emperour̛ was thus omitted put out witℏ confusion̛, he wept bitterly, and said̛, "Allas! Allas! what shaƚƚ I now do? no man knowes me. *Now wille I go I shalle go to my paleys, *to se omitted yf any of my men knowetℏ know me, or the Emperesse my wyf̘." ¶ Than he went to his paleys; and *there come ayenst hym rynnyng a grete paas a Greyhound̛ that he loved̛ wele and a grehound, that he loued myche, ran to hym a grete pace, and wold̛ have omitted slayn̛ hym, but yf omitted he hadde *the sonner̛ sone cried̛ *for help omitted, and men for pitee delyvered̛ hym from the Greyhound̛. ¶ The Emperour hadde mervaile of̘ this, and went to the gate, and ronge atte on the gate. The porter̛ come, and opened̛ the gate, and asked̛ hym whi he knokked̛ on the gate? he said̛, "frende, knowest thou me not?" and omitted he said̛, "no." He said̛ agayn̛, "I am your the Emperour, and thou berest my liveray." The porter said̛, "Thou liest, harlot; The Emperour sittetℏ atte at the mete, and beside hym the Emperesse, witℏ dukes and Erles." ¶ He said̛, "frend̛, for goddes love, yf it like you, wille wole ye go on my behalf̘ to the Emperesse, and say in her ere by thise tokens, that no man *knowith vpon knowis on erthe but she and I, that I stonde naked̛ atte at the gate, and that am her husbond̛, and Emperour̛, that she sende my me clothes, that I may entre my paleys." ¶ The Porter toke aƚƚ his wordes in scorne; neverthelesse scornyngly he went to the Emperesse, and prively rowned̛ he rownyd in her ere, and told̛ her the emperice aƚƚ omitted the prive tokens that he had̛ herd̛. ¶ *The Emperesse omitted, whan she herd̛ this, mervailed̛ she merueylyd gretly, and said̛ to the Emperour, that satte by her, "Sir̛, I shalle shew you mervaile merueylys. there is an harlot atte at the gate, that seietℏ he is Emperour̛, and my husbond̛; and he omitted sendetℏ to me by the porter aƚƚ omitted oure prive tokens, that ye and I have done from our yonge age bitwene vs." ¶ The Emperour, whan he herd̛ this, he bad̛ *he shuld̛ hym be brought in. Whan he was brought in, he knew aƚƚ men omitted, but no man knew hym. ¶ The Emperour said̛, that satte atte at the borde, "Say me, rebavde, whi omitted namest thou the for Emperour̛?" he said̛, "ye, sir̛." he that satte at the borde said̛ to aƚƚ his lordes of his courte, "In the faitℏ that ye owe to me seitℏ, whether *this man be he is Emperour, or I?" ¶ They saiden̛, "this is an vnsavery question̛; this rebavde we saw never before to-fore, but of youre persone of longe tyme we are certayn̛." ¶ The Emperour said̛ to his servauntes, "Take take hym this harlotte, and draw hym at the horse-taile, on the pament, by cause he wold̛ have the Empire emperice *from me omitted, whan he saide that omitted he was Emperour. ¶ Also I wille, yf he of false presumpcion̛ any more entremete hym of the Empire, that he be put to a foule deehe." ¶ Than *the turmentours thei, at the biddyng of the Emperour̛, drew hym on the pament, at the horse-taile; and afterward̛ shamfully put hym out of the Citee. whan he was put out, and confused̛, he wept bittirly, saiyng in his hert, "Allas! Allas! that ever I was born̛, for now I wote not what I shaƚƚ do, ne whether to go!" ¶ Anon̛ he thought, "what have I do ayenst agayns passim god̛, that I am thus put out of myne Empire, and no man knoweth me?" while he thought this in his hert, it come to his mynde, that ones he as he lay in his bedde, and he said̛, "Is there any god but I?" ¶ "O! lord̛ god̛, this is the cause of myn̛ offence. I shaƚƚ go to my confessour, and be clene clenly confessed̛ of my synnes synne." ¶ Ther̛ was that tyme an hermyte, that he was wonte to be confessed̛ at; and he went to his Selle, and called̛ *the hermyte. Anon̛ omitted the hermyte come herd, and asked̛ who was ther̛? he said̛, "vndo the dorre, for omitted I am the Emperour, that have for to shew to you my prive counsaile." Anon̛ the hermyte opened̛ the dorres dore; and whan he saw hym, witℏ a grete hast he shitte the dorres dore agayn̛, and said̛, "thou art not the omitted Emperour, but rather a the deveƚƚ." ¶ The Emperour̛ herd̛ this, wept and wepte fast, and said̛, "Allas!" omitted I am vnhappy an vnhappy man, yit I pray the, for the love of god̛, here my confession̛, *and lette me stond̛ witℏ out the dorre beyng the dore shit." The hermyte said̛, "for the love of god̛ I shaƚƚ gladly here the." ¶ Anon̛ the Emperour witℏ teres was confessed̛, how he was proude ayenst god̛, and what he had̛ thought and said̛. And whan he was assoiled̛, the hermyte *kneled̛ and kissed̛ opynd the wyndow, and knew him sothely for the Emperour, and kyssed &c. hym for ioye. ¶ Than the Emperour said̛, "Now say me trewly, whether thou hast knowyng of me, or thou doutest yit?" The hermyte said̛, "witℏ outen̛ doute I know the for verrey Emperour̛, and for my lord̛; but as longe as thou were in synne, I had̛ no none knowyng of the." ¶ Than the Emperour̛ said̛, "I pray the, yf thou have any clothes, lene lende me some, for to hille me witℏ, and so I shaƚƚ *go to my paleys, and I shaƚƚ omitted se yf any man have yet haue knowyng of me." ¶ The hermyte said̛, "My reverent lord̛, suche clothes as I have I wille gladly take you; and I hope witℏ outen doute, that aƚƚ men shaƚƚ know you; but what he is that occupietℏ your place dignyte, vtterly I wote not." ¶ Than omitted the Emperour, whan he was clad̛, he went to the paleys, and knokked̛ at the gate. the porter opened̛ the gate; and whan he saw the Emperour, he fille a-downe doune on his knee, and said̛, "My reverent lord̛, I mervaile haue merueyle by what way ye went out, For I have stond̛ here *aƚƚ this day omitted, and saw you not." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "knowest thou me?" "ye, lord̛, "he said̛, "of a longe tyme I have know you; but but yet yisterday here was an harlot, and went into the halle, and said̛ he was Emperour̛." ¶ Whan the porter had̛ thus said̛, the Emperour went into the halle. *Aƚƚ his omitted knyghtes and other men, whan thei sawe hym, worshipfully thei saluted̛ hym; and eche man did̛ hym worshippe, as thei were wont to do to omitted the Emperour̛. ¶ The *other̛ Emperour tother was in the chambre that tyme, witℏ the Empresse. whan thei herd̛ noise in the halle, he said̛ *vnto his to the chamberlayn̛, "Go and omitted wete what this that noyse is." Whan he come, and saw the Emperour in the halle, he had̛ mervaile; and went ayene omitted fast in to the chambre, and said̛, "A! my worshipfuƚƚ lord̛, in the halle is a faire man, that saitℏ he that he is Emperour̛, and in aƚƚ thynges thyng he is like you, that there is no man in the world̛ *that coude kan deme verrely whiche of you is Emperour." ¶ The Emperour̛ herd̛ this, and bad̛ the Empresse "go forthe, and se what he is, and come telle me." ¶ The Empresse went, and loked̛, and mervailed̛ gretly wonder gretly; and went fast swythe into the chambre agayn̛. "O! Sir, what I shaƚƚ say vtterly I wote not, in as moche mykylle as I wote notwhiche of you is my lord̛, for ye are so like." ¶ The Emperour, that was in the chambre, said̛, "I shaƚƚ go forthe and se hym." Whan thei he come into the halle, thei stoden̛ to-gedre; and there was no man in the halle that coude deme which of hem was verry Emperour. ¶ Than said̛ the Emperour, that come out of the chambre, "worshipfuƚƚ Sires and Frendes, witℏ outen̛ doute this is your̛ lord̛ and Emperour the Emperor; this is he that I made to be draw at the horse-taile, and none of̘ you knew him; and this is the cause skylle. ¶ hit *be-felle ones fille so that he was over thus provde ayenst god̛; and therfor̛ god̛ cast hym downe omitted out of his Empire, tille he had̛ made a-setℏ to god̛. And I was boden̛ of god̛ to kepe his stede, that the Empire shuld̛ not perissℏ. And I am an aungeƚƚ of god̛, that hatℏ haue kept the Empire, as ye *sene, tille have sene, vntylle he were reconsiled̛ to of god̛. and now pease is made witℏ god̛; Therfor̛ taketℏ hym omitted to your lord̛." ¶ whan this was said̛, the aungeƚƚ was out of her sight. The Emperour̛, whan he saw this, he *yelded̛ thankyngis yeld thankyng to god̛, that so had̛ saved̛ hym. After this he was devoute to god̛, and ended̛ his lyf̘ in pease.

Frendes, to vnderstond̛ gostly, This Emperour is every cristen̛ man, that is myghty and riche, and for habundaunce of richesse and of myght raisethe hym self̘ ayenst god̛, as he that obeyetℏ not to goddes wille, neither to his preceptes, but walketℏ by þe forest of this world, huntyng aboute worldly vanytees. ¶ But ofte sithe ther risetℏ a derke clowde in a temptacion̛ of the fende, that suche one departetℏ hym from aƚƚ his peple, that is, from aƚƚ the werkes of mercy, and taketℏ a grete hete, that is, delectacion̛ of synne; and so he puttetℏ of his clothes, that ben̛ his good̛ vertues, the whiche he resceived̛ in his baptyme, and gotℏ into the watir, That is, flesshly affeccions, in the whiche a synner delitetℏ hym moche. ¶ But whan a man bethynketℏ him of his synne, he begynnetℏ to flee by contriccion̛, but yit he fyndetℏ not his clothes; tho be the vertues, the whiche he hatℏ lost by his synne. ¶ Wherfor̛ he gothe to the knyghtes house, that is, reason̛; but reason̛ betitℏ hym, as ofte as he manly stondetℏ agayn̛ synne, For withstondyng of synne is paynfuƚƚ; and reason̛ vndirtaketℏ hym that he hathe offended̛ god̛, and lost heven, and purchasid̛ helle payn̛. ¶ Than after, whan he come to the house [o]f Part of the margin of leaf 7, back, seems to have been written on a loose slip, which was then removed, so that beginings of some of the lines lack the first letters; these are in square brackets. the Erle, that is, to his conscience, anon̛ it grucchetℏ ayenst hym, and puttetℏ hym to prison̛, That is, he involves hym in grete sorowes and diseases of hert, for his synne, tille he come to the way of helthe. For whan a man hathe do synne, his conscience grucchetℏ; as the appostle saitℏ, Aƚƚ that is done ayenst conscience, edefietℏ Helle. ¶ Than he gothe to his owne paleys, that is, to his owne hert, and thynketℏ what and how moche he hatℏ offended̛ ayenst god̛, and may not be resceived̛; for by synne god̛ is put out of the hert. ¶ And the [e]mpresse, that is, holy chirche, to the whiche he shuld̛ be wedded̛, [kn]owetℏ not a synner, tille he be at the horse-taile, by the [p]ament, That is, thou owest to have in mynde, fro the begynyng of thi lyf̘ vnto this tyme, ¶ what that is, how, and̛ where, and for what cause, and how ofte thou hast offended̛ god̛; and so rynne to the hermyte, that is, a secrete confessour, and shew to hym how thou hast offended̛ god̛. And so it folowetℏ, that thou may recover, and gete agayn̛ thi clothes, that are the vertues, that is lost by synne; and go to the paleys of holy chirche, where the porter, that is, the prelat, shaƚƚ take the in. and god̛ shaƚƚ open̛ to the the dorre of the kyngdome of heven, whan thou diest; ¶ And aƚƚ thyn̛, that ben the aungels of god̛, shaƚƚ there know the; and there thou shalt reigne in the hevenly Empire; to the whiche bryng vs the Emperour̛ of heven̛ Ihesu crist! Amen.

Lampadius reigned̛ in the Citee of Rome, that was right mercifuƚƚ; wherfore of̘ grete mercy he ordeyned̛ a lawe, that who that were a man-sleer, a Ravenour, an eveƚƚ doer, or a theef̘, and were take, and brought before the domesman, yf he myght sey iij. trouthes, so truly that no man myght agayn̛-sey hem, he shuld̛ have his lyf̘, witℏ aƚƚ his heritage. ¶ There fille a chaunce aftir, that a knyght whos name was Plebeus, wentethat went to the wode, and aƚƚalle alle that come by the wode, he slougℏ, or spoiled̛ hem of aƚƚ that thei hadden̛. ¶ Whan the Iustice herd̛ this, he sente spies for to take hym; and whan he was take, he was brought before the Iustice. than the Iustice said̛ to hym, "Frende, thou knowest the law; sey iij. trouthes, or els without doute thou shalt be hanged̛ or I ete." ¶ The knyght said̛, "scilence, and I shaƚƚ fulfille the law." whan scilence was made, the knyght said̛, "Frendes, the first trouthe is this, that I shaƚƚ shew to you alle, that aƚƚ the tyme of my lyf̘ I have ben a theef̘, a manqueller, and a Ravenour." Whan the domesman had̛ herde this, he said̛ to hem that stoden aboute, "is it sothe that he saitℏ?" thei said̛, "yee, but yf he had̛ ben̛ an eveƚƚ doer, he shuld̛ haue not ben brought hedir, and therfore it is sothe that he said̛." ¶ Than the domesman asked̛, "Whicℏ is the second̛ trouthe?" he said̛, heryng aƚƚ, "it displeasetℏ me mekeƚƚ, that ever I come hedir." the domesman said̛, "forsothe we beleve the wele; telle vs now the third̛ troutℏ, and thou hast fulfilled̛ the law." ¶ he said̛, "the trouthe is this I shaƚƚ shewe to you; And̛ I myght ones scape, I shuld̛ neuer come to this place agayne with my good̛ wille." The domysman̛, when̛ he herde this, seide, "thou haste wisely fulfilled̛ the lawe, and̛ haste sauyd̛ thy lyfe. Go now therefore, and̛ from hensforwarde be a good man, and̛ wil no more offende agaynes god̛ ne the Emperour." then þe knyght wente, and Endid̛ his life in pease.

Frendes, this Emperour is oure lorde Ihesu Criste, that ordeyned̛ this lawe, that Euery brekere of goddis grace, that is, a synner that dothe dedly synne, shuld̛ be brought before the domysman̛, that is to say, a discrete confessour, and̛ telle to hym the trouthe, so trewe, that the sayeng̘ atte day of dome mow not be agayne-seide; and̛ than, with oute doute he shaƚƚ haue Euerlastyng̘ lyfe, with aƚƚ the heritage of the kyngdome of hevyn̛. The firste trouthe is, I am̛ a thefe, that is, I am̛ suche a synner, and̛ wrappid̛ and̛ knytte in suche synnes; tellyng̘ hem oute to his gostly fadir. The seconde trouthe is, it displeasith me the waye of contricion̛, that I haue so mekille offendid̛ god̛, for the which I owe to come hiddere. The thrid̛ is, that if I myght ones scape, be the waye of satisfaccion̛, I shaƚƚ neuer torne agayne to synne. And̛ if he do þis, with outyn̛ doute he shaƚƚ haue Euerlastyng̘ life. to the which bryng̘ vs that mercyfuƚƚ lorde Ihesu Criste! Amen &c.

Sardonius reigned̛ *in the Citee of Rome omitted, that had̛ a o doughtir, that hight Eulopia, that was right faire, and gracious to mannes sight; also he had̛ a faire yerde, that he mekeƚƚ loved̛. wherfore many noble men come forto have his doughtir to wyf, for her fairnesse and gentilenesse; and aƚƚ that come, must go into the that yerde, before he shuld̛ wedde the doughtir. ¶ But aƚƚ that went into the yerde, come never out, ne no man wist where thei become. ¶ There was that tyme a famous knyght of ferre countre, that hight Tirius, that thought with in hym self̘, "how may this be, that so many *ben̛ that omitted gone to the Emperours paleys, for to haue his doughtir, and aƚƚ that gone into the yerde gardene are never seen after! witℏ oute doute I shaƚƚ go to the paleys," The knyght said̛, "[and] supplied from Cambridge MS, which omits *I shalle* I shaƚƚ assaye that mervaile." ¶ The knyght went to the paleys, and was worshipfully resceived̛; and whan mete the mete was done, he said̛ to the Emperour, "My reuerent lord̛, many men speken̛ mekeƚƚ omitted of̘ the fairenesse of your doughtir, and of her goodnesse, and that she is so semly, for there is none like her in erthe; and therfore I am come to you, and that yf it liked̛ to omitted youre reuerent dignyte, forto have her to wyf̘." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "Frende, *is it knowen̛ it is ought know to you the law of the paleys? I haue a faire gardeyn̛, and he that wille haue my doughtir, he omitted must go first into my gardeyn̛, or that omitted he wedde her." The knyght said̛, "this liketℏ me wele; but, lord̛, first I wold̛ wole aske you of you a peticion̛, that I myght ones se the maiden̛, and speke witℏ her a few wordes." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "I graunt you your̛ peticion̛." The knyght went into the Chambre, to the maiden̛; and whan he saw her, he *was a-marvailed̛ merveylyd of her fairenesse; and curtesly he saluted̛ her, and said̛, ¶ "O! goode maiden̛, help me now at this tyme, for your reuerence; for I am come fro ferre countrees. but many before me haue come, for to haue you to wyf̘, ¶ But first, aftir the statute of the paleys, thei wenten̛ into the gardeyn̛, and never aftir were thei seen. Therfore, yf it liked̛ you, I aske of you counsaile and help in this partie, that I may gone go passim into the gardeyn̛ suerly, and witℏ outen harme, and come out." ¶ The maiden̛ said̛, "my omitted dere frend̛, ye are welcome to me, and redy I am in aƚƚ thyng to *obeye to be at my Fadirs wille, for to yeve me to whom he wille. and ye aske me an harde thyng, to delyuere you from fro the perile of the gardeyn̛, and for to ascape scape it, that I may not do; But I shaƚƚ yeve you an holsome counsaile. ¶ here nere hand̛ is a forest, in the whiche dwelletℏ a faire lady, the whiche is called̛ the lady of solace, in *as moche as also mych that she grauntetℏ and yevetℏ to every man that is desolate an holsome counsaile in his nede, and solace. Go therfore to this forest, and of the lady of solace aske remedie of your peticion̛, and ye shuƚƚ fynde comfort." The knyght herd̛ this, and went into the Forest, Criyng *and saying omitted, "where is the lady of solace?" he loked̛ aferre omitted, and saw a faire place and a lykyng; and went thedir, and sette hym downe in the myddes. and while he satte so, came in ij. faire maidens, of the whiche one had̛ a faire basyn̛, witℏ watir, the that other maiden̛ had̛ a towayle; and said̛ to the knyght, ¶ "O! goode sir, the lady of solace, lady of this forest, sent vs to you, that ye shuld̛ first wassℏ your fete, and than shuƚƚ ye gone withe vs to the paleys of the lady of solace." the knyght wasshed̛ his fete in the basyn̛, and wyped̛ hem witℏ the towaile, and went with the maidens to the paleys; and whan he entred̛ had entred, he mervailed̛ gretly omitted of the werk̘ of the place, that is it was so noble and soteƚƚ, for he had̛ never seen none so precious. and whan he saw the lady, he mervailed̛ of her fairenesse; wherfore he was ravisshed̛ in her love, and said̛ his erand̛. ¶ Than the lady said̛ to hym, "Frend̛, I am called̛ the lady of solace, in that I socoure aƚƚ that be desolate, in her ther nede; and therfore thou art welcome, and I shaƚƚ fuƚƚ-fille thi peticion̛. ¶ Have here of me a clew of threde; and whan thou entrest the gardeyn̛ of the Emperour, bynde atte at the entre of the dore dore with in the begynnyng of the clew, and alway hold̛ the clew in thi hand̛, and so shalt thou go by the threde into the gardeyn̛, as by a lyne. and in what houre thou lesest the threde of the clew, thou shalt not fynde the goyng out of the gardeyn̛, but by a felle lyon̛ thou shalt lose thi lyf; and so did̛ aƚƚ before the. ¶ But thou must arme the, and *thi armour thyn armes must be anoynted̛ witℏ an oynement most able for this skille, for nedes thou must fight witℏ the lyon̛, after thou art entred̛ into the gardeyn̛. and whan thou art gretly oppressed̛ by the lyone oppressyd in the bataile, go fro hym; and whan the lyon̛ se sethe that, witℏ his tethe he shaƚƚ take thyn̛ arme armour, or thi fote; and yf thyn̛ armour be wele anoynted̛ witℏ the oynement, it shaƚƚ confounde his tethe, in so mekeƚƚ that he shaƚƚ not not mow to fight ayenst the no omitted more. ¶ *Than draw But drawe out thi swerd̛ and slee the lyon̛. in aƚƚ this way alway hold̛ wele omitted the clew of threde witℏ the; and after the dethe of the lyon̛, thou shalt fynde iij. men, that shaƚƚ lede the out of the way right way, yf thei mow; and therfore beware diligently of theire her sleightes. and yf thou be in grete nede, crie to me, and I shaƚƚ socoure the, but yf there be any omitted more defaute in on thi side." ¶ whan the knyght herd̛ had herd this, he was right glad̛, and went to the Emperour, and profered̛ hym self̘ to go into the gardeyn̛. the Emperour said̛, "that liketℏ lykes me wele." The knyght armed̛ hym, and anoynted̛ his armour The passage set apart here (marked in the XML with TEI 'Q' tags) was written inadvertently twice in the MS, with several variations, which in some instances agree with the readings in the Cambridge MS. witℏ the oynement; anoyntment and whan he come at the entre of the gardeyn̛, he toke out omitted the clewe of thred̛ out of his purse, and bounde it fast into at the dore and went forthe, as by a omitted lyne, in to the gardeyn̛. and whan the lyon̛ saw hym, witℏ aƚƚ his myght he come to the knyght; and in as also mekeƚƚ as hethei myght, he witℏ-stode hym; And whan he was wery of fightyng, he withdrew hym a liteƚƚ fro the lyon̛. and anon̛ the lyon toke hym by the arme, wherfore his tethe of the oynement were so glewed̛, in so mekeƚƚ that he myght not helpe hym self̘. ¶ Whan the knyght perseived̛ this, he drew his swerd̛, and witℏ aƚƚ his myght he went to the lyon̛; and the more the lyon̛ witℏ his tethe and witℏ his clawes touched̛ the his armour̛, the lesse he myght help hym self̘, for the oynement. the knyght perseived̛ this, and smote of the lyons hede, and went away fro hym; and was so glad̛ of the victorie of the lyon̛, that he lost the clewe of threde, and wold̛ have gone out of the gardeyn̛, for to *have wedded̛ wedde the Emperours doughtir. ¶ And as he went he saw vij. trees, fuƚƚ of faire leves, that were delectable delitable to the omitted sight; and he gadred̛ so many braunches of of the frute of the trees, that he myght not bere hem. Than come iij. men to hym, and that ledde hym out of the right way; and in the goyng out of the gardeyn̛, he fille in a depe pitte, and was nye drowned̛, for gretnesse of his burthyn̛ burdone, and so saw he shuld̛ haue perisshed̛; and cried̛ with an hie voice, and seid̛, ¶ "Allas! A! lady of solace, help me now in this grete nede!" anon̛ the lady was witℏ at hym, and seid̛, "O! thou wrecche, *I said̛ sayde I not to the, that yf thou lost the clewe of threde, thou sholdest never fynde the goyng out of the gardeyn̛? Lo! yit I shaƚƚ left the out of the pitte; and go seke the in the gardeyn̛, tille thou haue founde the threde, and than anon̛ thou shalt fynde the goyng out." Whan this was said̛, the lady was out of his sight. ¶ The knyght, whan he saw that he was delyuered̛ out of the pitte, he went about the gardeyn̛, *and sought to seke, and founde the Clewe of threde, and went by the threde tille he come at the dore of the gardeyn̛, [where he bond the threde; and went out of the gardene,] supplied from Cambridge MS and went to the Emperour. ¶ And whan the Emperour sawe this hym, he yaf̘ his doughtir to hym to wyf̘, by cause he had̛ wisely ascaped̛ scaped the travaile. The knyght than lad̛ his wyf to his owne countre, and ended̛ his lyf in pease.

Frendes, this Emperour is our lord̛ Ihesu crist. The faire doughtir is the blissed̛ lyf, that is, everlastyng Ioye, that many desiren̛. ¶ But he that wille haue this doughter, first he must entre into the gardeyn̛ of this world̛, and fight agayn̛ the lyon̛, that is, the deveƚƚ, and ouer-come hym; but many entren̛, for aƚƚ that are born̛ entren̛ into the gardeyn̛ of this world̛, but fewe fynde the comyng out, by cause thei are first slayn̛ by dedely synne. ¶ And yf thou wilte be siker, do as the knyght did̛, that come fro ferre countrees; Go into the forest, that is, holy chirche, and crie for the lady of solace, that is, the blissed̛ virgyn̛ marie, that is conforture of alle desolate, in every nede; ¶ For he that turnetℏ hym to her witℏ a pure hert, she is redy for to help hym. ¶ The two maidens, witℏ the basyn̛ and the towaile, are mekenesse and charitee, that are ij. maidens of the glorious virgyn̛, by whos counsaile thou shalt wassℏ thi fete, that is, to put away flesshly affeccions in the basyn̛ of holy doctryne, and make the white and clene witℏ the towaile, that is, witℏ the benefice of absolucion̛ and so shalt thou fynde the lady of solace, by the whiche thou shalt fynde remedie. ¶ The clewe of threde is the lawe of god̛, of the whiche gotℏ out the threde, that ben the vij. sacramentes of holy chirche. Therfore [whan first] thou entrest into the gardeyn̛ of this world̛, bynd̛ fast the threde in the baptyme, whan thou forsakest the deveƚƚ and aƚƚ his pride, and bynd̛ the alone to god̛, to be his servaunte; and so thou must go into the world̛, first by baptyme, the second̛ by confirmacion̛, the third̛ by confession̛, and so of the other sacramentes. and witℏ out doute and thou lose this, thou shalt be in grete perile, and no good̛ goyng out thou shalt fynde; for dethe of synners is worst. ¶ Also the behouetℏ to be armed̛ agayn̛ the lyon̛ witℏ the armour of cristen man, That is, the vij. werkes of mercy. ¶ The oynement, þat confoundetℏ the tethe of the lyon̛, is almesdede; For as the prophete seitℏ, as watir sleketℏ fire, so almesdede sleketℏ synne; the whiche is most confusion̛ of the deveƚƚ. And yf thou arme the thus, thou maist smyte of the devels hede, that is, his power of noying. ¶ Aftir this the knyght sawe vij. delectable trees to loke on, the whiche betoken̛ the vij. dedely synnes, of the whicℏ ofte sithe wrecched̛ man gadretℏ so grete a burthon̛, that he may not bere it, ne lifte it, that is, of his synnes, ne go fro grace to grace. ¶ Than come iij. kepers of this gardeyn̛, that are iij. enemyes, that is, the flessℏ, the world̛, and the fende. thise bryngetℏ a man in many synnes, and maketℏ hym to dwelle ther in, vnto the goyng out of̘ the gardeyn̛, that is, vnto the goying out of the soule fro the body; than is it drowned̛ in the pitte of helle, for the gretnesse of the burthon̛ of his synnes. ¶ Therfore thou wrecched̛ man, yf thou be in suche perile, crie fast to our lady of solas, that is, to the blissed̛ virgyn̛ marie, that is more redy to help synfuƚƚ men and women out of the pitte of synne than thei are for to crie to her; for she is so good̛, and so fulle of mercy, that she woƚƚ leve none vnholpen̛ that crietℏ to her hertly, and is in wille to leve synne. ¶ And seke also diligently the clewe of threde, that is, the vertues the whiche thou behitest god̛ in thi baptyme, the whiche by synne thou hast lost; and witℏ out doute, yf thou fynde the vertues, thou shalt haue a good̛ goyng out of the world̛, [and] whan thi soule shaƚƚ go out of thi body, than shaƚƚ it go to the blisse of heven̛. To the whiche bryng vs our lord̛ Ihesu crist, that for loue of mannes soule wolde suffre his bitter passion̛, thurgℏ the praier of his dirworthe modir, and of aƚƚ seyntes in blisse! Amen.

POmpeius reigned̛ in Rome, that had̛ a faire doughtir, that hight̘highe Aglaes. This doughtir had̛ ij. vertues passyng aƚƚ other omitted women of his Empire. The first was, she was faire and gracious to aƚƚ folke; The second̛ was, she was swiftest in rynnyng, that no man myght over-take her by a grete space, but ever that she come first to the marke that was sette by they ranne to the Emperour̛. ¶ Whan he had̛ omitted perseived̛ thise ij. vertues in of his doughtir, he was right glad̛; and he omitted did̛ make a crie thurgℏ out his Empire, that yf any man wold̛ rynne witℏ his doughtir, and come rathest rather to the marke than she, he shuld̛ have her to wyf, witℏ infinite goodes; and yf any man ranne witℏ the maiden̛ mayde, and yf omitted she come sonner̛ to the marke than he, than shuld̛ he lese his hede. ¶ *There were omitted dukes, Barons, and knyghtes of the Empire *that herden̛ this hard the crie, and *anon̛ thei came sone ther come mony and profered̛ *hem to rynne witℏ the maiden̛ the mayde to renne; so that eche man ranne witℏ the maiden̛ mayde passim one after another̛, and the maiden̛ mayde passim over-ranne hem aƚƚ, and so aƚƚ thei omitted losten her hedes, as the law wold̛. ¶ Than was there a man in Rome, that thought witℏ in hym self̘, "I am poore, and *no gentile man borne, and omitted of a omitted vile bloode brought forthe; and *the crie is ther is a [cry] made, that omitted yf any man omitted by any cautele *can over-rynne ovircome the maiden̛ in rynning, he shaƚƚ be promoted̛ vnto to grete richesse. ¶ And therfor omitted yf I may by any sleight or cautele over-come her, I shuld̛ not only alle only be promoted̛, but I myght helpe aƚƚ my kynrede." ¶ Than he ordeyned̛ hym self̘ thre of iij. cavteles; The first was a Garlond̛ of Rede Roses *and white, wele araied̛ omitted; The second̛ was a Girdeƚƚ of silke, wele harneysed̛; The third̛ was a purse of silke, *sotelly arrayed̛ alle sotely wrought witℏ precious stones, and in the purse was omitted a balle of iij. colours, and on the balle was this scripture written, he that shaƚƚ pleye witℏ me, shaƚƚ never be fuƚƚ of my playe. ¶ Thise iij. he put in his bosome, and went vnto the palays gate, crying, "come, maiden̛, come, for I am redy to rynne witℏ the." ¶ whan the Emperour hadde herd̛ this his voice, he bad̛ his doughtir to *make her rynne with hym. The mayde, whan she sawe hym, she dyspysed hym in her hert, and sayde, "Many noblemen haue I overcome, and nowe shalle I rynne, with such an harlot!" Anone the mayde made her redy to rynne; and so omitted thei ronne to-gedre, and in shorte a lytylle tyme the maiden̛ ronne before hym. This wyly man, whan he sawe that, he cast the Garlond̛ before her the mayde. The maiden, when she saw the Garlond̛, she stouped̛, and toke vp the Garlond̛ from the erthe, and sette it on her hede; and had̛ grete likyng of̘ the Garlond̛, and *taried̛ tille so abode, that this sligℏ man was ferre ronne wele before. ¶ Whan the maiden̛ sawe that, she wept bitterly, and cast the Garlond̛ in a depe dike; and *than she omitted ranne swiftly after hym, and *over-toke hym, and lifte vp her right honde, and gaf̘ omitted hym a buffet, and badde hym, "abide, wrecche!" and said̛, "it is nought semely, that thi fadirs sone shuld̛ have me to wyf̘." and omitted than she ranne before hym right fast. ¶ Than sawe this sleighsleight man, and drew a Girdeƚƚ out of his bosome, and cast it before the maiden̛. She sawe the Girdeƚƚ, and toke it vp, and girte her witℏ the Girdeƚƚ and hadde so moche delite of the Girdeƚƚ, that he was before a grete way. ¶ The maiden̛, whan she sawe that, she sorowed̛, and gnewe toke the Girdeƚƚ witℏ her tethe, and brake it on iii. peces; and ranne after hym omitted strongly, and toke hym, and gaf̘ hym a another buffette, and said̛, "Trowest thou, wrecche, to over-come me?" and anon̛ she ranne before afore hym. ¶ This The Iogeler̛ was wyly, and cast the purse before *her. The maiden̛ the mayde. She saw the purse, and opened̛ it; and founde a balle, and radde the scripture on of the balle; ¶ That was this, who He that playetℏ witℏ me, shaƚƚ never be fuƚƚ of my playe. And she beganne to play witℏ the Balle, and so longe she played̛ witℏ the Balle, that the Iogeler̛ came before her to the marke; and so he had̛ her to be his omitted wyf̘.

Frendes, this Emperour̛ is oure lord̛ Ihesu Crist; the faire doughtir is the soule, made by likenesse of god̛. She is swifte in rynnyng to gode vertues, while she dwelletℏ in her Innocence, that no man, that is to sey, no-dedly synne, may overcome her. ¶ This wyly man, this Iogeler̛, that is comen̛ of vile bloode, is the deveƚƚ, that aƚƚ way studies to brynge downe Innocentes in to synne. ¶ First he ordeyned̛ hym of iij. cavteles, that is, a Garlond̛, by the whiche we shaƚƚ vndirstond̛ pride, for this reason̛. A Garlond̛ is not put on the arme, nor on the foote, but vpon the hede, that it may be sayn̛. ¶ Right so the proude man wold̛ be seen alway, and therfore thei maken̛ hem self̘ gaye; ¶ And therfore agayn̛ proude men speketℏ seynt Austyn̛, and seietℏ, whan thou seest a proude man, doute not but that he is the devels sone. Therfore do thou as the maiden̛ did̛; wepe for thi synne, and put downe the Garlond̛ of pride, and̛ put it in the diche of contriccion̛, and so thou shalt yeve the deveƚƚ a buffette, and overcome hym. ¶ Than the deveƚƚ seetℏ that he is overcome in one synne, Than he temptetℏ hym witℏ another; and than he cast before man or woman the Girdeƚƚ of̘ lechery. Who so is girte witℏ this Girdeƚƚ he levetℏ the course of̘ goode lyf̘, and so is overcome of the deveƚƚ; ¶ For the appostle seitℏ, There is no goode werke witℏ oute chastite. do Therfore as the maiden̛ did̛; devoide the Girdeƚƚ in iij. parties, that is, into praier, fastyng, and almesdede; And than thou shalt overcome the deveƚƚ. ¶ The purse witℏ the Balle is open above, and shitte bynetℏ, and it betokenetℏ thyn̛ hert, that alway owitℏ to be shitte by-nethe, that is, to thise erthely thynges, and openopen it above to hevenly thynges. The strenges of the purse to open̛ and to shitte betokenetℏ the love of god̛, and of our Eme-cristen̛. The Balle, that is rounde, and is cast from one to another, betokenetℏ Covetise, that is, aƚƚ way stered̛, as well in olde and yonge; therfore it hatℏ a superscripcion̛, the whiche is this, he that shaƚƚ playe witℏ me, shaƚƚ never be fuƚƚ of my playe, That is, Covetise, that no man shaƚƚ never be fuƚƚ therof̘. ¶ And therfore Senek̘ seitℏ, whan alle synnes wexe olde, Covetise alone wexetℏ yonge. ¶ And therfore studie we not for to playe withe the balle of Covetise, as the maiden̛ did̛, for whi? yf we forsake worldly thynges, that are transitorye and passyng forthe before god̛, we mowe come to everlastyng blisse in heven. Amen.

There was a man̛ that had̛ a sone, and̛ sterid̛ his sone to gete hym̛ frendes, while his fadir was alyve. the sone saw thre neghbores, that he thought to hym̛ shuld̛ be necessarie. he askid̛ of oon̛, how he myght by his frendship? He seide, "I am̛ rich Enoughe, but me nedes werkmen̛; if thou wilte bynde the to my werke, I wil be thy frende." he bownde hym, and̛ wrought longe tyme greuously for hym. Afterward̛ he asked̛ of anothere the same, and̛ he saide, he was but pore, but and̛ he wolde gyfe hym̛ mekiƚƚ, he wolde be his frende. and̛ so he did̛, for ofte sithe he fedde hym̛, and̛ gafe hym large giftes. Also he askid̛ of the thrid̛, how he myght by his frendship? He answerid̛, and̛ seide, he had̛ no nede of̘ moneye ne of werkmen̛, but he shaƚƚ faƚƚ downe to his fote, and̛ do hym homage, and̛ do to hym as to his lorde, as a seruaunte shuld̛ do, and̛ than he shuld̛ be his frende. and̛ he did̛ so. whan̛ this was done, the sone seide to his fadire, that he had̛ iij. frendes. The Fadir bade hym̛ saye to his frende, that he was outelawed̛ of the kyng̘ for treason̛; and̛ so he shuld̛ prove his frendes of helpe. The sonne come to the fyrste frende, and̛ asked̛ helpe of his disese; and̛ when̛ he had̛ herde that he had̛ done a cryme agaynes the kyng̘the kyng̘ the kyng̘, he seide, "This I shaƚƚ do to the, I shaƚƚ caste oute of myn̛ house the traytoure of the kyng̘, and̛ I shaƚƚ take what I may of þi goodes." The seconde frende seide, "the kynges traytoure I shaƚƚ lede to prisoun̛, and̛ there shaƚƚ I sette hym faste by the fete, in a depe pitte." The thrid̛ seide, "I shaƚƚ lede the kynges traytoure to the galowes, and̛ there shaƚƚ I hange hym̛ vppe." The sone come home, and̛ tolde his fadire what his frendes had̛ seide. The fadir seide, "sone, thou haste no frende; for the fyrste frende is a frende of name, The seconde is a frende atte mete, The thrid̛ is an̛ Enemy at nede." than̛ seide the fadir, "sone, go to my frende alone that I haue, þat is, the sone of god̛, Ihesu Criste, and̛ telle hym̛ thy cause." The sonne did̛ so. Thanne his faders frende saide, "if̘ thou haue any thefte, bryng̘ it to me, and̛ if it be treason̛, putt it to me; and̛ I shaƚƚ dey for the." Than̛ thishe this was demyd̛ a frende alone, amonge aƚƚ other.

POlemius reigned̛ in Rome, that had̛ but oo doughtir, that was to aƚƚ men gracious, the whiche the fadir loved̛ *mekeƚƚ. ¶ And so this Emperour in so mych that he ordeyned̛ v. knytes to kepe wele his doughtir bothe day and nyght; and over on the knyghtes he ordeyned̛ a maister of dyverse artes, that shuld̛ he sholde enforme the knyghtes how thei myght kepe wele *this maiden̛ the mayde. Also the Emperour̛ hadde a Greyhound̛, that he loved̛ loued mych; and toke hym to omitted the maister of the knyghtes, that he shuld̛ have hym in kepyng. ¶ He made also a Steward̛ in his house. Whan aƚƚ this was was done and ordeynd̛, as he lay ones in his bedde, he thought he wolde visite desyre the holy lond̛. ¶ And whan he hadde had done and ordeyned̛ aƚƚ thyng for his Iornay way, he called̛ to hym his Steward̛, and said̛ to hym, "Frende, I wille wole passim go to the holy lond̛, and first I leve to the my doughtir, for to kepe as myn̛ owne hert; and I omitted comaunde the, that she she haue defaute of none no thyng, but *to have omitted aƚƚ Ioye and gladnesse, as longetℏ it fallyth to a maiden̛ mayde for omitted to have. ¶ Also the v. knyghtes I leve to the, that are kepers of my doughtir̛, and that none of hem have defaute. ¶ Also that thou norissℏ my Greyhound̛ grehoundys, as *is necessary for hym it is necessarious for hem; and yf thou do this trewly, as I have said̛, thou shalt have grete mede whan I come agayn̛." The Steward̛ said̛, "In Syr, in as moche as I may, I shaƚƚ fulfille youre wille." ¶ Whan this was said̛, the Emperour toke his way to the holy lond̛, *and the Steward̛ kept the ordenaunce a while after the Emperour was gone The stuard whan he saw this, the Emperour was gone, a while he kept his ordenauns. ¶ But omitted it *befelle vpon̛ fille on a day, that the Steward̛ saw *the maiden̛ this mayde walke in the gardeyn̛, and anon̛ omitted he was taken̛ in her love; wherfore anon̛, agayn̛ her wille, he defouled̛ her. ¶ Whan he hadde synned̛ witℏ her̛, he had̛ her more in hate than he before loved̛ her; her with all his hert wherfore he put her out of the paleys. Than the maiden̛ mayde passim, for grete defaute, begged̛ from dorre to dorre her̛ mete. ¶ The knyghtes, that were the kepers, *whan thei perceyved̛ this omitted, thei blamed̛ the Steward̛ for his dede. ¶ Whan *the Steward̛ he had̛ herd̛ her vndirtakyng vndurakyng, he dispoyled̛ the knyghtes of aƚƚ her goodes, and put hem out of the paleys *of the Emperour̛; and omitted afterward̛ some of the knyghtes were theves grete theves, for defaute; and some were robbers and ravenours, and did̛ mekeƚƚ wikkednesse. ¶ Whan the maister wist of this, he blamed̛ sharply the Steward̛, bothe for the doughtir and for the knyghtes. anon̛ the Steward̛ for angre slougℏ the maister of̘ the knyghtes. ¶ After Anone this the Steward̛ herd̛ tydynges, that the Emperour was comyng homeward̛. than he *was aferde gretly ferid grete witℏ in hym self̘, and thought, "it may not be, but I shaƚƚ be accused̛ of my trespasse; and I *know wele wele inowe my lord̛ the Emperour is mercifuƚƚ. ¶ It is better to me *that I omitted witℏ mekenesse go to go agayn̛ hym, and accuse my self̘, and aske his mercy, before that other *gone and go shew my trespace to my lord̛." ¶ The Steward̛ anon̛ put of aƚƚ his clothes, oute take his sherte, and his breche; and threthe cordes he toke in his right honde, and bare foote he wente to mete the Emperoure. ¶ And omitted whan the Emperour̛ sawe him aferre in suche araye, he mervailed̛. the Steward̛, whan his the lord̛ come nere nere hym, he kneled̛ downe, and saluted̛ hym. ¶ The Emperour said̛, "how is it witℏ the, that in suche forme thou comest ayenst ayene me?" ¶ "My lord̛," he said̛, "there is fallen̛ agaynst agayne me a grevous caase." The emperour̛ said̛, "What is that?" "A! my lord̛, ye he seyde, ye must aske me omitted first whi y bere thise iij. cordes in myn̛ hande." The Emperour̛ said̛, "Whi berest thou tho iij. cordes in thyn̛ hande?" "Sir," he said̛, "the first corde is to bynde me hande and foote, so longe and so strongely, vnto the bloode gone go out on every either ether parte, for I have wele deserved̛ it; ¶ The seconde corde omitted is for to drawe me witℏ omitted on the pament, so longe, tille the stones departe the flessℏ from the bones body; for this payne is to me omitted profite, for the trespasse that I have done agayns agayne you; ¶ The thirde corde is to hange me witℏ omitted on the Gebet, so longe, *tille the vnto briddes of heven come downe, and sitte on my hede, and my on my body, and fille hem on of my flessℏ; for this payn̛ longetℏ to trespassours suche as I am. Therefore, Mi gracious lord̛, have mercy on me, for I dare not shew shew to you my trespasse, tille I *have grace be certified of your mercy. And than." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "*I yeve the grace I se thi grete mekenes and contricione, therfore telle me thi trespas, for thou shalte fynde mercy." ¶ Than omitted the Steward̛ said̛, "allas! allas! I have defouled̛ youre doughtir, and put her out of youre paleys, and for for grete defaute she seketℏ her brede from dorre to dorre. ¶ Also the knyghtes I have dispoyled̛, wherfore for defaute some are theves, and some *are ravenours grete robbers; ¶ and the maister of the knyghtes I have slayn̛. But the Greyhound̛ I have fedde right wele, and omitted in as moche as I myght, and bound̛ hym omitted by a chayne; but he brake the chayne, and rynnetℏ aboute the countre." ¶ Whan the Emperour had̛ omitted herde this, he was gretely stered̛ witℏ in hym self̘, and said̛, "hast thou corrupt my doughtir, that I love so moche; and put out my knyghtes, and slayn̛ the maister of the knyghtes, and that I loved̛ leest, that is, the Greyhound̛, to hym thou toke grete kepe? *And I had̛ Had I not before forgeven the, and so mekeƚƚ have loved̛ thi self̘, I shuld̛ have condempned̛ the to the most foule detℏ. ¶ Therefore go anon̛, and brynge agayn̛ my doughtir, for thou shalt have her to wyf̘; and yf *she falle in ther falle any eveƚƚ thurgℏ in thi defaute from omitted hens forward̛, I shaƚƚ double thi payne. ¶ Go also, and bryng agayn̛ my knyghtes to her first dignyte, and yeld̛ hem agayn̛ aƚƚ that thou hast taken̛ from hem; and the maister also. ¶ And seke diligently the Greyhound̛, tille thou have founde hym; and than bynde hym fast, that from *hens forward̛ hens forthe ware no defaute be founde in the of aƚƚ thise." ¶ The Steward̛, whan he had̛ omitted herd̛ this, he lowted̛ downe, and thanked̛ *the Emperour hym of his grete mercy; and went than thurgℏ aƚƚ the Empire, and *so he omitted sought, and brought agayn̛ the doughtir witℏ *grete worshipp; ¶ and brought agayn̛ omitted the knyghtes *to aƚƚ her goodes; and the greyhounde and than omitted wedded̛ the *doughtir, and doughtur with grete worship; and restoryd agayne to the knyghtes ther goodes that he had take away, and so lived̛ in pease aƚƚ *her lyf̘ tyme his lyfe aftir.

Frendes, this Emperour is our̛ lorde Ihesu crist. The faire doughtir is the soule, made to the likenesse of god̛. The v. knyghtes are oure v. wittes, armed̛ by the vertu of oure baptyme; thise are yeven̛ to kepe þe soule. The maister of knyghtes is Reson̛, that owetℏ to rewle the wittes; The Greyhounde is the flessℏ. ¶ The Steward̛ is every man, to whom is yeven̛ a soule to kepe of god̛, vpon̛ payn̛ of ever̛ lastyng dethe. ¶ But wrecched̛ man thynkes not of thinges that are to come, but ofte sithes defouletℏ the soule witℏ synne, and put her out of the paleys; and she gothe from doorre to dorre, that is, from synne vnto synne. ¶ And the v. knyghtes, that are the v. wittes, that were put out, and made theves and ravenours, that is, sight, that seetℏ vnlefuƚƚ thynges, and [heryng, that] gladly heretℏ lesynges and sclaunderynges; and thus of aƚƚ the other wittes. ¶ And the maister of the wittes is Reson̛, whiche is slayn̛ whan man is rewled̛ by wille, and not by reson̛; and whan wille is rewled̛ by reson̛, than is the maister Reson̛ brought alyve agayn̛. ¶ But the Greyhounde is the flessℏ, whiche is deyntely fedde, and bounden̛ with the cheyne of lust; the whicℏ he ofte breketℏ, and getetℏ hym many evels. ¶ But wetetℏ wele, the Emperour is to come, that is, oure lord̛, to the dome. do thou therfore as the steward̛ did̛, and make satisfaccion̛; and thou owest to thynk̘ that the world̛ and the fende shuƚƚ accuse the but yf̘ thou first rynne to god̛, as the Steward̛ did̛, and make satisfaccion̛ for thi synne. ¶ First do of thi clothes, that is, thyn̛ olde eveƚƚ lyf̘, and bere iij. cordes in thi honde. the first corde is to bynde the witℏ; this corde is contricion̛, the whiche owetℏ not to bynde alone the handes and feete, but aƚƚ the membres, witℏ in forthe and witℏ oute, so longe and so strongely, vnto the bloode, that is synne, go out to every parte; For as the appostle saitℏ, ¶ In what houre a synner̛ sorowetℏ for his synnes, he shaƚƚ be sauf̘. ¶ The second̛ corde is to drawe the witℏ; that is confession̛, that owetℏ to drawe the from the begynnyng of thi lif̘ vnto this day, by the pament of thy mouthe, so longe, vnto thi flessℏ, that is, delectacion̛ of flessℏ, be departed̛ by thethi stones of penaunce; ¶ For as the stone is harde, so is penaunce harde to the doer̛. ¶ The third̛ corde is to hange the witℏ, that is, on the Gebet of satisfaccion̛; Of the whicℏ hangyng̘ speketℏ the appostle, and saitℏ, My soule hatℏ chosen̛ hangyng; for as a man by hangyng is lifte vp from the erthe, Right so a synner is lifte vp from synne to god̛, by hangyng of satisfaccion̛. and he owetℏ to hange so longe, vnto the briddes of heven̛, that be the aungels of god̛, come downe, and be fulfilled̛ of his flessℏ, that is, of the good̛ werkes; ¶ For it is more gretter Ioye to the aungels in heven of a synner̛ that dothe penaunce for his synne, than of other that nedetℏ no penaunce. ¶ The Steward̛ brought agayn̛ the doughtir by sekyng aboute. So behovetℏ the to goo aboute by dyverse werkes of mercy, tille thou fynde thi soule that thou hast lost, and brynge her agayn̛ to holy chirche. and rewle wele thi wittes v. and fede the greyhound̛ mesurably, that is, rewle wele thi flessℏ in mete and drynke, and amende thi lyf̘ from hens forward̛ in alle thynges, lest it falle worse to the afterward̛; and yf thou leve wele thi lyf̘, thou shalt have blisse witℏ outen ende. Amen.

CEsar was a wise Emperoure Regnynge in the citee of Rome; the wiche had̛ a forest, in þe whiche he made to be plontid̛ & sette many vynis and̛ trees. And̛ he made ouer this forest a stiward̛, named̛ Ionathas, a wise man̛ & a Redy; the whiche he chargeyd, vp gret peyne, that he shulde kepe wele switche thinge as he had̛ I-sette in that forest. And̛ this Ionathas entirid̛ into this office, and̛ kepte it wel & wisly, til a cas felle, that a sweyne enterid̛ into hit, and̛ wrotidewrotithe, and̛ shent the yonge plantis, that wer̛ nulye sette. Anon̛ as the keper saw this harme, he hente of the Swynis tayle; and̛ þe swyne yede oute ayene, with a grete crye. Neuertheles hit com ayene the next day, and̛ did̛ mor̛ harme than he dud̛ afore; and̛ then Ionathas smote of his lyfte er̛; and̛ the swyne Ranne oute, with a gret crye. but yit, not withestondinge þis, It come ayene the thirde day aftir; and̛ then Ionathas smote of his right er̛; and̛ euer he Ranne ayene, with an orible crijnge, as he did̛ afore. but yit it wolde not leve þere bye, but come a-yene in the Fourtℏ daye, and̛ did̛ moo ivelis; and̛ tho Ionathas tooke a spere, and̛ smote him thorow the ij. sidis; & sent the body to the Cook of the Emperoure, and̛ comaundid̛ that he shulde araye hit for the Emperours mete. And̛ when̛ the Emperour was sette to mete, he was servid̛ of that sweyne; and̛ thenne the Emperoure askid̛ of his sarvaunt, wher̛ the herte was þerof, for the lovid̛ the herte of euery beste more than he did̛ al the bodye. Aftir þenne the servaunt Ran̛ into the kechin, and̛ askid̛ wher̛ the harte was of the hogge; for he saide, the Emperoure askid̛ þere aftir. the Coke had̛ I-ete hit afor̛, for it was fatte & likynge; and̛ þerfore he bad̛ the sarvaunt sey, to the lorde that the hogge had̛ non̛ herte. And̛ the sarvaunt yede, & tolde the Emperour that the hog hadde noon̛ harte. "Þat may not be," quod̛ the Emperoure, "for ther is no best but hit have an herte; & therfore byd̛ him sende hit me, in peyne of lyfe." Þenne þei yede to the kechin, and̛ bad̛ that he shulde sende the herte, in peyne of dethe. "A!" quod the Coke, "sey to him, þat but yf I preve þat þat I seye by good Resoune, ellis I put me to his wille & dom̛." when the Emperour̛ harde this, he assignid̛ a day of aunsweringe. when the day come, the coke come, and̛ saide with a gret woys afore alle men, "worshipful lordes, this day is the daye of aunsweringe; and̛ furst I put vn to yow, that the swyne had̛ non herte, ¶ and̛ þat by this Resoune; euery thowte comithe fro the herte, & þerefore what savorithe good̛ or evil, hit be-houithe that he think hit by the harte." "Al this is sothe," quod̛ the Emperoure. "And̛ now shaƚƚ I shewe by Resons, that he had̛ none harte; for he Enterid̛ in to your̛ foreste, and̛ þere þe forster kit of his tayle; and̛ ther-for̛, yf he had̛ had̛ an̛ harte, he wolde have thought on̛ that loste; butand but that he did̛ not, for he entired̛ in to the forest ayene, and̛ then the forster smote of his lyfte Er̛; yf he had̛ had̛ an̛ herte, he wolde have thowte on̛ that lost; but yit dude he not, for he come a-yene the thirde tyme, and̛ then̛ he loste his Right Er̛; and̛ yf ther had̛ be an harte on̛ him, he wolde have thovte on̛ that lost of the twoo Eris, and̛ of the tayle; but he dude not, for he come ayene, and̛ dude so muche harme, that the forster slowhe him with his sper̛, & sent him to me to dyte for youre dynere."

DEre frendes, þis Emperoure is oure lorde Ihesu Criste; the forest is holy chirche, in the whiche bethe plantid̛ the comaundementes of god̛; the forster is dethe, that sparithe no man̛; the swyne is a synner, that enterithe in to holy chirche, and̛ foylithe the comaundementes of god̛, ne sethe hem not in no place. Þenne it is seide to the forster̛, that he cut of his tayle, scil. deþe comythe to some of thi blode, wher thorow thow shuldeste be ware, and̛ amend̛ thi lyfe, or he smytithe of the tayle, scil. takeþe awey þi Richesse, wherby thow shuldeste be smyten̛, & turne to the knowleche of god̛. Also the secounde tyme he cuttithe awey the lyfte er̛, scil. dethe takithe fro the þi broþer, or thi sustre, for thi conuersioun̛ and̛ amendement; and̛ he takithe a-wey thi rite Er̛, when he takithe a-wey thi sone, or þi douter, or thi wyf, that thow most lovest, for thow shuldest a-mende the. neuerþeles al thes puneshynges takithe god̛ in a wrecchid̛ man̛, but yit we vncorrigible wrecchis conne not sece of oure synnynge. Whenne god̛ seeþ þat, he comaundithe dethe to sle him; and̛ he sendithe the body to the Cooke, scil. þe deuil, for to swolewe him, & dite him in helle. And̛ when the Emperoure shall sitte at mete, scil. at the last dome, then he wolle aske the harte, scil. þe soule; For Crist lovithe mor̛ a soule than al the worlde. then in the day of dome shalle the wikid̛, cook, scil. the devil, stonde aduersari ayensteayense vs, and̛ alegge, þat þe synner hathe non̛ herte, scil. no soule,— —"þe whiche shold̛ have y-be obedient to god̛, but he was euere Obedient to me, & neuer to þe, and̛ þerefore, Iuge, deme þis soule to be myn̛, and̛ to be dampnid̛, for it is Right; for as aftin tyme as þou scorgediste him with thi punyshementes, for to make him to obeye to thi commaundmentes, he wolde neuer, but Encline to me, and̛ tel Right nowte of thi preceptes." And̛ þerfore late vs be ware of the cursid̛ cooke, and̛ love we the blessid̛ Emperoure. Qui cum Patre &c.

CEsar was Emperour̛ of Rome, that had̛ a forest, in the whicℏ he hadde omitted planted̛ vynes, and other dyuerse trees many; and he ordeyned̛ over his forest a a wyse man Steward̛, whos name was Ionatas, biddyng hym, vpon on grete payn̛, to kepe the vynes and the plantes. ¶ It felle afterward̛ after this ordenaunce of the this Emperour, that Ionatas toke in the cure of the forest; *and vpon̛ but on a day there entred̛ a swyne, and the new plantes in the forest he wroted̛. ¶ Whan Ionatas sawe sye the Swyne entre, he cutte of his taile; and the Swyne made a a grete crie, and went ran out. [Neuertheles he entred agayne, and dyd myche harme in the forest. Whan Ionatas saw that, he kytte of his left ere. The hogge made a grete crye, and went out.] supplied from Cambridge MS ¶ And omitted notwithstondyng this, he entred̛ agayn̛ tyme the thirde day. That saw Ionatas, and cutte of his right ere, the whiche witℏ an orryblea noble correction supplied from Cambridge MS crie yode out. ¶ Yit the fourth day *the swyne he entred̛ the forest, and did̛ many harmes. ¶ Whan Ionatas sawe that the hogge wold̛ not be ware, he smote hym thurgℏ witℏ his spere, and slougℏ hym, and delyuered̛ the his body to the Cooke, for to arraye the next day to the Emperours mete. ¶ But whan the Emperour was served̛ of this his swyne, he asked̛ of omitted his servauntes, "Where is was the hert of this the swyne?" be cause the Emperour̛ loved̛ the hert best most of any beest, and more than aƚƚ the beest body. ¶ The servauntes asked̛ of the Coke where the hert of the Swyne was, for the lord̛ asked̛ there after. The Coke, *whan he whych had̛ araied̛ the hert, he sawe it was *good̛ and omitted fatte, and ete it, and said̛ *to the servauntes omitted, "Say Seyth to the Emperour, that the hogge hade no hert." The servauntes said̛ to the Emperour̛, *that the hogge had̛ no hert the answere of the coke. The emperour said̛, "it may not be; and therfore say to hym, vpon̛ on payn̛ of detℏ, that he send̛ me the hert of the swyne, for there is no beest in aƚƚ the world̛ witℏ oute an hert." ¶ The seruauntes *went to the Cooke, and said̛, vpon̛ seyde to the coke on payn̛ of detℏ, he shuld̛ sende the Emperour the hert. He said̛, "sey Seyth to my lord̛, but yf I preve *myghtily by clere clerly by myghty resons, that the swyne had̛ no hert, I put me fully to his wille, to do witℏ me what as he wolle." ¶ The Emperour, whan he herd̛ this, he assigned̛ a day of aunswere. whan the day was comen̛, the Coke witℏ an higℏ voice said̛ before aƚƚ men, "¶ My lord̛, this is the day of myn̛ aunswere. First I shaƚƚ shew you that the Swyne had̛ no herte; this is the reson̛. Every thought cometℏ from the hert, Therfor̛ every if eny man or best feletℏ fele good̛ or eveƚƚ; it folowetℏ of necessite that by this the hert thynketℏ." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "That is troutℏ trew. Than said̛ the Coke, "now shaƚƚ I shew by resons, that the swyne had̛ no hert. First he entred̛ the forest, and the Steward̛ cutte of̘ his taile. Yf he had̛ hadde omitted an hert, he shuld̛ have thought on his taile that was lost; but he thought not ther vpon on, for efte sones he entered̛ the forest, and the forster kitte of his lifte ere. yf he had̛ hadde an hert, he shuld̛ have thought on his lifte ere, but he thought not, ¶ For the third̛ tyme he entred̛ the forest. that saw the forster, and cutte of his right ere; where wherfor yf he had̛ had̛ an hert, he shuld̛ have thought that he had̛ lost his taile, and bothe his eres, and never shuld̛ have gone agayn̛ *no more omitted, wher̛ he had̛ so many evels. ¶ But yit the fourthe tyme he entred̛ the forest; the Steward̛ sawe that, and slougℏ hym, and delyuered̛ hym to omitted me, to araye to your mete. ¶ Here mow ye se, lord̛ lordes, that I have shewed̛ by worthi resons, that the swyne had̛ no hert." And thus scaped̛ the Coke.

Frendes, this emperour is our lord̛ Ihesu crist. the forest is holy chirche; the plantes are the holy sacramentes, that are ordeyned̛ ther in, and goddes comaundementes. ¶ The Steward̛ is dethe, the whicℏ sparetℏ none. The Swyne is a synner, the whicℏ defouletℏ the sacramentes, and goddes preceptes, ne kepetℏ hem not, as he shuld̛ do. God seetℏ that, and biddetℏ the forster, that is, dethe, that he cutte of his taile. this taile is thi kynnesman, or thi speciaƚƚ frend̛, the whicℏ detℏ sleetℏ, that thou shuldest amende thi lyf̘; or els he dothe away thi taile, that is, thithe richesse. ¶ Also he dothe away thi lyft ere, that is, thi brother, or thi Sustir, that thou shuldest amende the. ¶ And thou do not, he dothe away thi right ere, that is, he sleetℏ thi sone, or thi doughtir, or thi wyf̘, that thou shuldest amende thi lyf̘. ¶ But ofte sithe wrecched̛ man, thougℏ he suffre aƚƚ this, yit he dothe many synnes ayenst god̛, and so he is vncurable. ¶ God, whan he seetℏ this, he biddetℏ detℏ slee hym, and take him to the Coke, that is, the deveƚƚ, the whicℏ swolwitℏ the hert, that is, the soule, in the paynes of helle. ¶ But whan the day of dome cometℏ, than god shaƚƚ sitte in his dome, and wold̛ have the hert, that is, the soule; for he lovetℏ more one soule than aƚƚ the world̛; For the soule he yaf̘ his precious blood̛, whicℏ he wold̛ not yeve for aƚƚ the world̛. ¶ In that dome shaƚƚ stonde our aduersarie, that is, the fende, the shrewd̛ coke, agayn̛ the synner̛; and he shaƚƚ allegge, that the synfuƚƚ man hatℏ none hert, that is, no soule, the whicℏ shuld̛ obeye to god in aƚƚ thynges. ¶ Than shaƚƚ the deveƚƚ sey, "he was obedient to me, and to his god inobedient; therefore, rightfuƚƚ domesman, deme hym myn̛, to be dampned̛ witℏ me; for many a tyme thou hast scourged̛ hym, that he shuld̛ obeye to thy comaundementis, But that he wold̛ not, but to me obeyed̛." wo shaƚƚ be to hym, that so shaƚƚ be founden̛ at the day of dome! Therfore studie we so to lede our lyf̘, that we mow come to everlastyng blisse. Amen.

PElliculus reigned̛ in Rome, the whicℏ made a lawe, that yf a woman had̛ done advowtry vndir her husbond̛, yf he myght lawfully preve it, he shuld̛ be departed̛ from her, and afterward̛ be redy in every bataile of̘ the Emperour̛; and yf he had̛ the victory, the first day he shuld̛ have iiij. worshippes, and the second̛ day he shuld̛ suffre iiij. shames, lest he shuld̛ be over provde of his worshippes. ¶ There was that tyme a knyght, whos name was called̛ omitted Accaron, that had̛ a faire wyf̘; and she loved̛ another man inordynately. ¶ It befille fille ones, that this the knyght her husbond̛ went out of court the cuntre, for nedes that omitted he had̛ to do be do. ¶ Whan the that other knyght, Amasius, *that the lady loved̛ omitted, perseived̛ saw that, he come on a nyght to her house, that he myght fulfille his lust witℏ the lady. ¶ there were than omitted in the house iij. Cokkes, that certayn̛ tymes *of the nyght omitted crowed̛ song. ¶ whan the lady was *abedde, she leyde in bedde, and herd̛ the first Cokke synge. She said̛ to her maiden̛, mayde "what seitℏ the Cokke in his songe?" *"for sothe," she said̛ The mayde seyde, "The cok seyth in his song, that, "thou doest thi lord̛ wronge." She said̛ *to her maide omitted, "I *wille that wole the Cokke be slayn̛ anon̛;" and so he was. ¶ After that, the second̛ Cokke songe. the lady said̛ to her maide, "what syngetℏ this the Cokke?" "this Cokke seitℏ She seyde "THe cok syngeth, 'my felaw for his sotℏ saw, hatℏ lost lore his lyf̘, and lietℏ fuƚƚ lawe.'" the lady said̛, "I *wille that wole the Cokke have the quede; and for his songe he shaƚƚ be dede." ¶ The third̛ Cokke songe sone aftir that, and omitted the lady seid̛ to her maiden̛ mayde passim, "what seitℏ the Cokke "in his song" added in Cambridge MS.?" she said̛, "the Cokke seitℏ thus, 'here, and se, and hold̛ the stille, and tha thou may have aƚƚ omitted thy wille.'" ¶ Than omitted the lady said̛, "I wille not slee that Cokke." and so that Cokke had̛ his lyf̘. ¶ After that, the knyght her husbond̛ come home, and herd̛ playnly how the Cokkes were slayn̛. he went to the Emperour, and asked̛ a omitted devorce, by cause his wyf̘ was founde prouyd in advowtrye. ¶ And whan the devorce was made, the Emperour said̛ vnto to the knyght, "now the behovetℏ byhoues, after the lawe, to go to my bataile." The knyght said̛, "it That liketℏ me wele, But what shaƚƚ the lawe yeve hym that hatℏ the victorye in in the bataile; that wold̛ I know." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "whan he cometℏ that is overcomer of the bataile, he shaƚƚ first have iiij. worshippes. the first worshippe is this omitted, that he shaƚƚ sitte in a chare, and iiij. white stedes shaƚƚ draw it to the paleys. The second̛ worshippe *is, that alle is this, alle the malefactours shuƚƚ folow his chare, and omitted her handes *shaƚƚ be omitted bounde be-hynde hem. ¶ The thirde worshippe is, that thei shuƚƚ do on hym *Iubiter̛ clothe Iubiters clothyng *of worshippe, and aƚƚ men shaƚƚ knele before hym omitted. The fourthe worshippe is this omitted, that day he shaƚƚ sitte by the Emperours side. ¶ But the second̛ day he shaƚƚ suffre iiij. diseases, that is, he shaƚƚ be taken̛ as a theef̘, and shamfully ledde be led to the omitted prison̛, and be dispoyled̛ *of Iubiter Iubiters clothyng, and as a fole he shaƚƚ be holden̛ of aƚƚ men hem; *and so he shaƚƚ have omitted, that went to the bataile, and had̛ the victorie." ¶ The Emperour̛ seyng his pacience grete paciens and meknesse, promoted̛ hym to grete richesse; and so in pease he omitted ended̛ his lyf̘.

Frendes, this Emperour is the Emperour of heven̛, that made a lawe, that yf a wyf had̛ done avowtrye, that is, thi flessℏ, yf it be in dedely synne, or have done avowtrye, thou owest for to be departed̛ from it, that is, from flesshly affeccions; For by dedely synne man is cast into helle. ¶ Therfore our lorde wille, that after thi flessℏ have done avowtrye by dedly synne, that thou put this self̘ to bataile of penaunce, that wilfully thou suffre none thyng that are put to the. ¶ The knyght, of whom the wyf had̛ done avowtrye, and slayn̛ the Cokkes, for sothe he was the sonne of god̛, that wedded̛ mannes soule; and she, by synne of our first fadir Adam, was avowterer̛. ¶ The first cokke, that is slayn̛, are the prophetes, that prechen̛ ayenst synne. ¶ The Second̛ cokke are the appostels and martirs, that were slayn̛ for the trouthe. ¶ The thirde Cokke ar̛ prelates and prechours, that in thise daies dare not ne wille not sey the trouthe, but flattre the peple. wo shaƚƚ be to sucℏ at domesday! ¶ The knyght, that had̛ the worshippe, is crist; For whan crist sawe that so many evels were wrought by synne, he yaf̘ bataile to the deveƚƚ. ¶ The first day, that was on̛ Palme sonday, foure fold̛ worshippes were done vnto hym. ¶ First he satte in a chare, that was, vpon an asse; and iiij. white horse were iiij. Cardenaƚƚ vertues, that aƚƚ way were witℏ hym. ¶ The second̛ worshippe was that, that aƚƚ the malefactours folowed̛ hym; that was the multitude of peple that was before and behynde, goyng criyng, "our lord̛ save vs!" ¶ The thirde worshippe was, that Iubiter coote was done on hym, that is, the Iewes casten̛ in the way clothes and floures, and did̛ hym worshippe. ¶ The fourthe worshippe was, that he satte at the Emperours table; so he satte in Ierusalem amonge the doctours. ¶ But afterward̛ on good̛ friday, agayn̛ his iiij. worshippes thei didden̛ to hym iiij. diseases. agayn̛ the firste worshippe, that [he] satte on the Asse, They token̛ hym as he had̛ ben̛ a theef̘. Agayn̛ the second̛ worshippe, that thei comen̛ agayn̛ hym witℏ reverence, Afterward̛ thei ladde hym shamfully to Cayphas house. Agayn̛ the thirde worshippe, [that] thei did̛ on hym Iubiter cote, Forsothe thei dispoyled̛ hym of aƚƚ his clothes. ¶ Agayn̛ the iiij. worshippe, that he satte at the table of the Emperour, thei put hym on the crosse, and spette in his face, and gaf̘ hym buffettis, and eyseƚƚ and galle. ¶ Therefore suffre we here some payn̛ for his love, by the whiche we mow come to hym, whan we shaƚƚ passe oute of the world̛. ¶ Amen.

GOdfridus regnid̛ a wise Emperour in the cetee of Rome, & he had̛ childerin̛ that he louid̛ moche. And̛ when he laye on̛ his dethe-bed, he callid̛ to him his eldest sonne, and̛ saide to him, "Der̛ sone, the heritage that my fadir lefte & biquathe to me, holly I yeve hit to the." Aftir that he clepid̛ the secounde sone, and̛ saide to him, "Der̛ sone, I have certeyne possessions, londis and̛ tenementes, þat come of my purchaspurchus, & þerfor, sone, I yeve [the] al tho, and̛ alle oþer that I have, with oute my heritage." And̛ he made the thirde to be callid̛, & seide to him, "sone, I have noo mevable goodes to yeve the, but only þe ieweƚƚIwelle, scil. a presious Ringe, a gay broche, & a Riaƚƚ clothe; and̛ thes iij. I bequethe the. And̛ the vertu of the Ringe is this, that who so euer ber̛ hit vp-on̛ him, he shalle have love of al men̛ The vertu of the broche is this, that who so euere ber̛ hit vpon̛ his brest, late him thinke what he wolle, and̛ he shalle mete þerwith at his likynge; And̛ the vertu of the clothe is swiche, that lete a man sitte vppon̛ hit, & he shalle be in what partye of the worlde he wolle desire. &, sone, I yeve the thes iij. and̛ I charge the, that þou go to scole, for thow shalt by thes iij. gete gode I-nowhe." when this was seyde, he turnid̛ his body to the walle, and̛ yelde vp þe gost. The childerin with the moder Reuerently buryed̛ him, and̛ gret lamentacion̛ was made for his dethe. Then the Eldest sone occupied̛ his eritage; the Secounde sonne al þe purchas. And̛ the Emperes saide to the yongest sone, "Þi fadir yaf to the a Ringe, & a broche, & a clothe; here I take to the the Ringe, that thow go to scole, & lerne; and̛ yf þou do welle, þow shalte be myn owne der̛ harte." Þe yonge sone receyvid̛ the Ringe; and̛ his name was Ionathas; and̛ he yede to an vniuersite, and̛ þere he lernid̛, in a mervelous maner. And̛ as he walkid̛ in a certeyne day þer in the citee, þer mette with him a faire woman̛; & whenne Ionathas sawe hir, he was I-storid̛ to an̛ vnlawfuƚƚ maner of love, & spake to hir ther of. She grauntid̛ him, & he lay withe hir al nyght; and̛ aftir helde hir stille to his store. And̛ thorow vertu of the Ringe he hadde getyn̛ love of al the vniuersite; he made gret festes, and̛ no thinge him lackid̛, for they lovid̛ him so moche, that for his love they yeve him I-nowe. This woman̛, that was his leman̛, hiȝt felicia; and̛ she had̛ gret marvayle þat he had̛ alle thinges to his luste, and̛ at his wille, & for she covde fynde nere ner peny with him. So in a nyght, as þei lay to-geder in bed̛, she saide to him, "worshipfull sir, ye have I-had̛ my maydinhode, and̛ ye shulle have me as longe as I live; and̛ as ye coveyte me to be Redye to youre wille, I pray yow tellithe me a petucion̛ that I shalle aske of yow, scil. how ye make so many festes, & havithe so muche goode, & havithe no tresoure ne mony, þat I can se?" Þenne saide he, "yf so be that I telle þe my counseiƚƚ, I trowe þat þow woldest discouer me." "Nay, sir, god̛ forbede," quod̛ she, "þat euer I shuld̛ do that traytorye to yowe!" Þenne said̛ he, "My fadir hathe biquethe to me this Ringe, þat þow seist me have on̛ my finger; and̛ hit haþe swiche a vertu, that he that berithe hit on̛ his finger, shalle have love of alle men, and̛ so al men̛ lovithe me therfore so moche, þat what so euer I aske of hem þei yevithe me." And̛ then saide she, "sir, whi wolde thow neuer telle me þis or nowe, for perilis that myght falle?" "whi?" quod̛ Ionathas, "what perile myght falle?" Þenne saide felicia, "Þou goste ofte tyme in the towne, & þer thow myȝtest les hit by some chavnse; And̛ for to lese swiche a Iewelle, hit wer̛ grete harme & periƚƚ; and̛ þerfore, der̛ birde, leve me that Ringe, & I shalle kepe it." Ionathas yaff goode credense to hir wordes, & toke hir the Ringe. and̛ when hit was so I-don̛, þe love of the peple bygan to turne fro him, ne þer was noon that wolde eny mor̛ yeve him, as þei dud̛ afore. And̛ when̛ he perceyvid̛ that, & þat the cause was for he bare not the Ringe, he turnid̛ ayene to his lemman, and̛ saide to hir, that she shulde deliuer hit to him ayene. And̛ thenne she be-ganne to feyne a lesynge, and̛ saide with a loude crie, "Alas! my cheste is I-broke, and̛ the Ringe is borne a-wey!" Þenne Ionathas was hili mevid̛, and̛ saide, "alas! womman̛, þat euer I saw the!" And̛ she be-ganne to wepe, & to make [grete sorow]; and̛ Ionathas sawe that, & saide, "wepe not, for god̛ hathe holpin me hedir to;" & he trowid̛ hir Right welle. So he wente to his contre, & come to his modir. whenne þe Empresse Sawe him, she saide to him, "Der̛ sonne whi ert thow come hom so soone fro thi studie?" Þenne seide Ionathas, "A! modir, I have lost my Rynge, by cause that I toke hit to my lemman̛." Thenne answerd̛ þe modir, "sone, I have ofte tyme saide to the, that thow sholdeste be ware of womman̛; and̛ now I wolle take the thi broche, but loke that thow lese not hit." Ionathas Resseyuid̛ þe broche, & fastenid̛ hit vppon̛ his brest, and̛ yede to the vniuersite, as he dude afor̛. And̛ so, thorowe vertu of the broche, he gate al thinge that he wolde coveite towchinge wordly goodes, In so muche that the damiselle hadde grete marvayle of hit; & þerfore bothe nyght and̛ day she lay aboute him to seye the sothe, how that he made so gret festes, and̛ hadde so deyntefulle metis, but he wolde not telle hir longe tyme. but the shrewe wepte siȝid̛, & saide, "Þou trowest not me, I see wel; & I wolle bynde my lyf to the, to kepe þi counseiƚƚ, & thi Iewel eke, yf þou haddist eny." Ionathas trowid̛ hir wordes, and̛ tolde hir the vertu of the broche. Þenne she wepte mor̛ faste, & wolde not be stille; & þen̛ saide he, "Woman̛, whi wepist thow, and̛ for what cavse sorowest þou?" "for I trowe," quod̛ she, "þat þow wolte lese thi broche, and̛ thenne thow lesist al thi thryfte." Þenne saide he, "What wolte thow counsaile me in this cas?" Þenne she saide, "I counseille the, that þou take hit me to kepe." "I trowe," quod̛ he, "that þou wolte lese hit, as thow loste my Ringe." "I-wisse," quod̛ she, "Rathir shalle the sowle parte from̛ my bodye or I lese hit." Ionathas vndir a grete triste tooke hir þe broche; and̛ sone aftir the godes bygon̛ to fayle. thenne Ionathas entirid̛ in to the chaumbr̛, and̛ she began̛ to crye, as she dude afor̛ and̛ saide, "Allas! þe broche is I-stole; I wolle now for woo slee nowe my self!" she drowe oute a knyf, & Feynid̛ as she wolde have smetin̛ hir selfe. Thenne Ionathas trowid̛ that she wolde have slayne hir selve; he toke the knyf from hir, & saide, "damiselle, I pray the, leve thi wepinge, for I foryeve it the al to-gedir." Anon̛ by cause of nede he turnid̛ home ageyne, and̛ visitid̛ his moder. And̛ whenne his moder sawe him, she seide to him̛, "sey, sone, hast thowe lost thi broche, as þow didest thi Ringe?" & he saide, "the woman̛ that had̛ þe Ringe, hadde the broche in the same maner;" but what worthe of hit he ne knew, as he saide. Þenne þe modir beinge IveleIwele apayde withe him, she saide, "sonne, þou wotist welle I have now no mor̛ of thyne but a clothe, & þerfore her̛ it is; ches þou wher̛ þow wolte kepe it, or̛ leve it her̛. but, sone, I warnid̛ the to be ware of womenwome." And̛ Ionathas seide thenne ayene, "Soþely, modir, yf so be that the clothe be lost, I shalle neuer mor̛ thenne loke þe in the face." Þenne she deliuerid̛ to him the clothe, and̛ he yede ayene to scole. & soone aftir his vnthrifti lemman mette withe him, as she dude afor̛, and̛ she made him gode chere, & kiste him; and̛ he dide as thowhe he hadde no Iewel. whenne he was in his hostelle, sone he leyde the clothe vndir him, and̛ bad̛ his leman̛ sitte downe biside him vppon̛ the clothe; & she knewe not of the vertu of the clothe; and̛ a-noon̛ Ionathas thovte, "lorde! yf we wer̛ now in fer contrees, wher neuer man come afore this!" And̛ thenne withe the same thovte þey wer̛ bothe Reysid̛ vp to-gedir, in to the ferrest coste of the worlde, with the clothe with hem. And̛ whenne the woman̛ sawe þat, she saide, "alas! what do we her̛?" "Her̛ we bethe nowe," quod̛ he, "and̛ her̛ I shalle leve the, and̛ bestes shulle devoure the, for that thow hast I-holdyn̛ my Rynge, & my broche." "A! sir, mercy," quod̛ she, "for sothely yf thow wolte brynge me ayene to the citee, I shalle yeve to the þi Ringe and̛ thi broche, with outen̛ anye ayene-stondynge; and̛ but yf I do in dede þat I seye, I wolle bynde me to the foulest dethe." Ionathas trowid̛ hir, & saide, "loke nowe, that þou neuer do trespas mor̛, for yf thow do, þou shalt dye." And̛ thenne she saide to him, "for the love of god̛ tel me now how we come hedir?" Þenne saide he, "the vertu of the clothe is, that who so euere sittithe þer vpon̛, shalle be in what coste of the worlde he wolle desire to be ynne." And̛ then̛ he saide, "for soþe, I hadde leuer slepe then al þe worldes goode, as me thinkithe; and̛ þerefore, I pray the, ley forthe þi sherte, þat I may ligge down̛, and̛ have a litle slepe." she dude so, & he leyde downe his hede in hir shirte, and̛ byganne stronglye to slepe. Þenne she heringe his grete slepe, she drow the parti of the clothe that was vndir him vn to hir; & þenne she thowte, "lord̛! yf I wer̛ now wher̛ that I was to-day!" and̛ anon̛ sodenly she was browte to the same plase; & Ionathas lay stille slepinge. whenne he wakid̛, he sawe neiþere clothe, ne woman̛; he wepte bitterly, and̛ saide, "Alas! alas! what shalle I nowe do I wot neuere; and̛ I am̛ worthi al this bale, for I tolde to the woman̛ al my counseiƚƚ." he lokid̛ abowte on̛ euerye side, and̛ sawe no thinge but wilde bestes, and̛ briddis fleing in the heir̛; and̛ of hem he hadde grete drede in herte. And̛ he Rose vp, and̛ yede by a certeyne [pathe], but he wiste neuer to what place. and̛ as he yede, þer was a water in his weye, ouer the whiche he moste nedis goo; and whenne he Enterid̛ into the water, it was so hote, þat hit brende of the fleshe fro þe boone of his legges, for hit drowe a-wey alle the fleshe that it towchid̛. And̛ Ionathas hadde þer a crewette, and̛ fillid̛ hit of that water. tho he yede forthe, tille he saw a tree fulle of frute; and̛ þere he gaderid̛ frewte, & ete, thorow the whiche he was made a foule lepre. And̛ þoo for sorowe he fel down̛, & seide, "Cursid̛ be the day wher̛ in I was borne, and̛ also the hourhonour in whicℏ I was conseyvid̛ in my modir!" Aftir this he Rose, & yede, and̛ sawe the secounde water; and̛ dradde for to entr̛. neuerþeles he enterid̛ in, & as the fyrste water drowe of the fleshe of his feet, so the secounde water Restorid̛ hit ayen̛. And̛ he filde a cruet þer with, & bare the frute with him also. And̛ as he yede forthe, he sawe the secounde frewte afer, and̛ for he hungerid̛, he yete of that frute, and̛ anon̛ he was clansid̛ of alle his lepr̛; and̛ toke of the frute with him, and̛ liuid̛ welle withe sustenaunce þereof. Þenne he sawe a feire casteƚƚ, and̛ in the circuite a-boute ful of hedis of lechis. And̛ as he come ny to the casteƚƚ, þere mette [him] ij. squiers, and̛ þei seid̛ to him, "Der̛ frende, whens erte thowe?" "I am̛," quod̛ he, "a leche of fer contrees hennys." Þenne saide þei, "Þe kynge of this casteƚƚ is a lepr̛ man, & manye lechis comithe to him, and̛ vndirtakithe to hele him, vp peyne of hir hedis, and̛ þei havithe y-faylid̛ euerychone; and̛ þer̛ for̛ thow maiste see hir hedis sitte in the wallis of the castelle. and̛ þere fore we telle the for certeyne, yf þow vndirtake my lorde, and̛ not hele him, þou shalte lese þy lyfe." Þenne saide he, "yis, I shalle hele him." tho he was browte [to] him, and̛ he yaf the kynge of his frewte to ete, & also he yafe him of his secounde water to drynke, and̛ anon̛ the kynge was hole; & he yaf to Ionathas Riche yiftes, and̛ fair̛, plentefully, & mo be-hite him, yf he wolde abyde withe him, but he wolde not assent to dwelle withe him. And̛ eche day he vsid̛ to go vnto the see-syde, þat was þerin, to aspie yf ther wer̛ enye shippe, that myght bringe him home. & at the laste, in a certeyne day þere come toward̛ xxx. shippis, and̛ alle in a morow reysid̛ þere. Þenne Ionathas enquerid̛ amonge hem, yf eny shippe wer̛ þere Redy for to go to swiche a londe, wher as he havntid̛ scole. At the last he founde a shippe redy, þat wolde to the same contree. Þenne Ionathas was gladde, and̛ enterid̛ into the shippe, aftir that he hadde take leve of the kynge. Sone aftir that he was come to the citee, þere as was his leman̛; but þer was noon̛ that had̛ knowleche of him, for longe tyme, that he had̛ be devourid̛ with wilde bestes. whenne Ionathas was in the citee, a-noon̛ he toke cure of Syke peple, & he helid̛ alle; and̛ by that tyme his leman̛ was þe Richeste of that citee, by vertu of the Rynge, & of the broche, and̛ of the clothe, but she was gretly turmentid̛ withe sikenesse. And̛ whenne [she] harde telle, that sucℏ a sotiƚƚ leche was come to the citee, anoon̛ she made messagers to go for him, & that he wolde vouchesaffe to hele hir of hir sykenesse. Ionathas come to hir, & þere he fonde his lemman̛ on̛ bed̛; and̛ he knewe hir welle, but she knew not him. And̛ whenne he hadde I-seyne hir vryne, he seide to hir, "worthi ladye, thow haste oo sekenesse that may not be helid̛ but by oo way; and̛ yf þow wolt preve that wey, þowe may be helid̛." then seide she, "I am Redy to do what so euer þow comaundist, so that I be hole ther by." Ionathas saide to hir, "Þou moste be clene I-shriven; & yf þou have withe-drawe owte fro eny man̛ with wronge, thow moste Restor̛ hit ayene, and̛ thenne I shalle warante the to be hole; and̛ ellis my medicinis wolle not stonde in stede." and̛ so by cause that she was grevousely holde withe sekenesse, she made an opyn̛ confession̛ afore al men̛, how þat she had̛ deseyvid̛ the sonne of the Emperoure, as hit is seide afor̛, and̛ how she lefte him at the Ende of the worlde. Thenne seide he, "Wher̛ ben̛ the iij. Iewellis þat þou withe-drew fro him, scil. þe Ringe, þe broche, & the Clothe?" And̛ she tolde him, that thei wer̛ at hir beddis fete, in a chest. "and̛ þerefor̛," she saide, "open̛ þe cheste." And̛ þere he fonde as she saide, with gret Ioye to him; & he toke the Ringe, & put hit on̛ his fynger; he sette the broche on̛ his breste; and̛ toke the clothe vndir his arme. And̛ he toke hir drinke of his Firste cruet, scil. of that water that drow awey the fleshe of his fete, and̛ yaf hir to Ete of that frute that made him lepr̛; and̛ whenne she hadde Resseyvid̛ hit, she was in swiche a likenesse, that no man̛ wolde no lenger abide with hir, and̛ in that grete angr̛ she yede vp the sprite. thenne aftir hir dethe, Ionathas turnid̛ home to his contree, with gret Ioye, beryng with hime the ringe, þe broche, & the clothe; and̛ in goode pes Endid his lyf.

DEre frendes, þis Emperoure is oure lord̛ Ihesu Criste, that hathe iij. sonnes. by the firste sone we must vndirstonde angelis, to whome god̛ hathe yevin swiche confirmacion̛ and̛ grace, þat they may not synne; for aftir that aungels weer̛ falle don̛, god̛ so confermid̛ hem, that thei dwelle stille after, that þey myght not synne aftir. by the secounde sonne vndirstonde prophetes, to whom̛ god̛ yaf þe olde lawe of moyses; the whicℏ law was mevable, for it was chavngid̛ by the advent of Criste. And̛ to the thirde sone, scil. a Cristen man̛, heand he yaf iij. ieweƚƚ, a Ringe, a broche, & a clothe. By the Ringe we muste vndirstonde feithe, for that owithe to be Rounde like a Ringe, and̛ with oute eny ¶ twartynge; and̛ he that hathe the Ringe of feithe, withe oute eny dowte he shalle have the love of god̛ and̛ of aungles; and̛ þerefore seithe oure savioure, Si habueritis fidem, sicut granum sinapis, ¶ &c. ut supraut cw, þis is to seye, yf ye have feithe, as the seed̛ or as the greyne of synevey, as is saide befor̛. and̛ þerefor̛ he that hathe þe Ringe of Feithe, vereliche he shalle have al thinges to his likinge. Also he yaf to the Crysten̛ man a broche, scil. the holy goste, in his herte; & þerfore it is seyde, Mittam vobis spiritum paraclitum, & suggeret vobis omnia quecumque dixero vobis, þis is to sey, I shalle sende to yow the holy gost, the whiche shaƚƚ shew in yow all goodis whicℏ I shall seye to yowe. And̛ ther-for yf we have the holy goste in oure hertes, withe oute dowte we shulle have al thinge that shall be prophitable to oure soulis. Also he yaf to [the] Cristin man̛Christiman a presious clothe. the clothe is perfite charite, the whiche god̛ shewithe for vs & to vs in the cros; for he louyþe vs so muche, that he offirde him selfe to dye for vs, for to bringe vs to the place that we desire for to come to, scil. to heuene. and̛ therfor̛ who so wille sitte on the clothe of perfiteperfe charite, withe oute dowte he may be translatid̛. Ionathas may be callid̛ euery Cristen̛ man þat is fallyn̛ to synne. thenne his leman̛ metithe with him, scil. his wrecchid̛ fleshe, þat stirithe him to synne; and̛ than he lesithe the Ringe of feithe, that he Reseyvid̛ in baptisme; And̛ þenne the broche, scil. þe holy gost, fleithe from̛ him, for synne; and̛ the clothe, scil. charite, is drawin̛ fro him as ofte tyme as he assentithe to synne; and̛ so the wrecchid̛ man̛ is lefte withe oute helpe amonge the wylde bestes, scil. the devil, þe wordle, & the fleshe; and̛ thenne it is gretlye to sorow. Þerfore, man, do as dude Ionathas; arys fro thi slepe of synne, for thow hast slepte to longe in the slepe of carnalite; and̛ þerfor̛ hit is wretin thus, ¶ Surge qui dormis, & illuminabit te Christus, þis is to sey, Arys þou þat slepest, and̛ Criste þe shalle liȝtny. Þenne whenne þoư ert vp Risen fro slepe of synne, and̛ art I-litenyd̛, & mayste see, entre in to the water that wolle have of the fleshe fro the boone, scil. penaunce, the w[h]iche putitheputthe awey fleshelyche affeccions. Aftir he Etithe the frute of Sharpenesse, the whiche chaungithe þe cher̛, in maner of a lepr̛ man; as it is wretinwetin of Crist, ¶ Vidimus eum non habentem speciem neque decorem, þis is to seye, We saw him not having shappe ne fairnesse. so of the soule, that is in bitternesse for his synnes; and̛ ther̛for̛ in figur̛ a sowle is seide to be blak, þoȝ hit be wel I-shape. Aftir he entrithe þe secounde water, that is I-callid̛ holly comunynge, that is aftir penaunce; and̛ þerfor̛ seithe oure sauioure, ¶ Ego sum fons vite; qui biberit ex aqua hac, non sicietsciet in eternum, this is to sey, I am þe welle of lyfe; and̛ he that drinkithe of this water, shalle not thirstetruste. Aftir þat, he etithe of the fruyt of the secounde tree, the w[h]iche Restorithe al that was loste; whenne that he is glorefijd̛ in euerlasting lyfe, aftir that he hathe helide the kynge, scil. þe soule. & so he entrithe in to the shippe of holy chirche, and̛ gothe to his lemman̛, scil. his fleshe, & Rechithe to hir the water of contrucion̛, and̛ the frute of penaunce, and̛ of sharpnesse, for the whiche the fleshelyche affeccions deyethe; & so by penaunce he takithe of hit his lost goodes, and̛ so he gothe to his contree, scil. to the kyngdom̛ of hevene. To the whiche he vs brynge, that is kynge Euerlastinge! Amen.

GOdfridus reigned̛ in Rome, and that had̛ iij. sonnes, the whicℏ he loved̛ mekeƚƚ myche. Whan he laye in on his dethe-bedde, and shuld̛ dye, he called̛ first to hym his eldest sone, and said̛ to hym, "My sone, aƚƚ the myn heritage, the whicℏ my fadir lefte hathe left to me, holicℏ omitted I leve and yeve it omitted to the." ¶ After that, he called̛ to hym his second̛ sone, and said̛ seyde to hym, My sone, dyverse londes and tenementis I have bought, and *theym̛ aƚƚ tho I yeve to omitted the, what so evir̛ thei be, that longe not to the heritage." ¶ Than he called̛ to hym the thirde sone, and said̛ to hym, "My omitted sone, I have *none mevables no mevable goodes that I may yeve to the, But I have iij. Iewelx, that I bequethe to omitted the, that is, a precious rynge, and a a cocous broche, and a precious clothe. The vertu of the Rynge is this, that who so bere berith it, shaƚƚ have the love of aƚƚ men. ¶ And omitted the vertu of the broche is this, yf that if any man or woman bere it on his brest, let hym *desire what goodes that he wille have of temporaƚƚ goodes, and he shaƚƚ have hem think that is plesing to hym, and anone he shalle fynd it. ¶ The vertu of the clothe is this that, who so *ever have it, and omitted sittitℏ theron̛, lette hym thynke in on what partye of the world̛ he wolle wolde be, and he anone he shaƚƚ be there. Tho iij. Iewelx omitted I bequetℏ to omitted the, and I bid̛ the, that thou go to the scole; for by thise iij. Iewelx omitted thou shalt have gete the I- noughe." ¶ Whan the fadir An whan he had̛ thus this said̛, he turned̛ hym to the walle, and died̛. ¶ The first sone *toke and omitted occupied̛ his the heritage, ¶ And the Second̛ sone had̛ ocupied aƚƚ that was purchased̛. ¶ The Empresse called̛ to her her her yongest sone, and said̛, "My sone, iij. thynges thi fadir hatℏ left the, that is *to sey omitted, A Rynge, A Broche, and a Clothe. And omitted I take the the Rynge, that thou go to the omitted scole; but be wele omitted ware of womans companye; and sonne omitted, yf thou lerne wele, thou shalt be to me a welbeloved̛ sone." ¶ The yonge sone omitted Ionathas toke the Rynge, and went to the vniuersite; and there *he lerned̛ and omitted profited̛ wondirly. ¶ It befelle fille on a day, as omitted he went in the a strete of the towne, he mette right with a faire woman. Whan Ionatas *had̛ seen saw her, he was take in her love. Anon̛ he spake spake to her of inordynate love, and she consented̛ to hym; and *he slept witℏ her, and held̛ her witℏ hym omitted, by the omitted vertu of the Rynge; *and also omitted he had̛ love of aƚƚ the unyversite. he made dyverse festes, and omitted of no thyng he defauted̛ had defaute; and men loved̛ hym so mekeƚƚ myche, that for his love men thei yaf̘ hym I-now. ¶ Amasie, his love, had̛ mekeƚƚ mych wondir that he was I-fedde fedde so deyntely, and had̛ aƚƚ thynge omitted at his omitted hande, and she sawe no no thing ne peny witℏ hym. ¶ On a nyght, as they laye in in a bedde to-gedre, She said̛, "a! *my gentile omitted sir, ye have my maydenhode; and as longe as I lyve I shaƚƚ be at your wille. ¶ I pray you, that ye wille wole passim graunte me a liteƚƚ peticion̛, yf it like you. how *gete ye ye gete so mekeƚƚ mych good̛, and maken̛ so many feestis, and I se you have no peny ne tresour̛?" ¶ He said, "happely and if I tell the the trouthe, thou woldest shodyst be-wreye *my counsaile me." She said̛, "god̛ for-bede *that of me shuld̛ be done me, that I sholde do suche a trespasse ayenst agayne you!" ¶ Than he said̛, "my fadir lefte me the this Rynge that is on my fyngre, the whiche hatℏ sucℏ a vertu, that who so ever bere it, shaƚƚ have love the loue of aƚƚ folke. therfore aƚƚ folke loven me, in so mekeƚƚ myche, that what *so ever omitted I aske of hem, thei graunte it me." ¶ Than said̛ she, "A! my sir̛, whi told̛ not ye me *this before of this byfore hand, for periƚƚ that myght falle." ¶ "what periƚƚ," he said̛, "myght *that be falle?" ¶ She said̛, "Ye go ofte sithes sythe in diuerse felishippe; happely and happyly ye myght lese the Rynge, and it *were grete pite is perille to lese sucℏ a precious omitted Ieweƚƚ. therfore, my *good̛ sir̛ dere love, take me the Ryng, and I shaƚƚ kepe it as my lyf̘." and omitted Ionatas loved̛ her wele omitted, and toke her the Rynge, for omitted to kepe. ¶ Sone after that as the Rynge was from hym, the love of men began to faile agayn̛ hym, and thei omitted wold̛ no lenger yeve hym as thei did̛ before. ¶ Whan omitted he perseived̛ that, *he knew wele omitted it was for *cause that omitted he bare not the rynge; and *than he omitted said̛ to his love, that she shuld̛ take hym the rynge. She *a-rose vp rose, and went into her chambre, and fayned̛ a lesyng; and said̛ witℏ a grete crye, "Allas! allas! my coffre is broken̛, and the Rynge born̛ away!" ¶ Whan Ionatas herd̛ that, he was gretly stered̛ in hym self̘, and said̛, "wo be the tyme that ever I saw the!" She anon omitted began̛ to wepe, and made shew to hym grete sorow. ¶ Ionatas loved̛ leuyd her, *and had̛ pitee omitted, and said̛ seyd to here, "Wepe not, for god shaƚƚ yit helpe me." ¶ Than he went to the Empresse, his modir; and whan she saw hym, she said̛, "O! my sone, whi art thou omitted come so sone from scole?" "*O! dere He syede, "O! my dere modir, I have lost my Rynge, by cause I toke it my to my love." ¶ She said̛, "O! my sone, ofte sithes I said̛ the to the, that thou shuldest sholde beware of womans company. Now I take the the broche, and beware from hens forward̛ that thou lese it not." ¶ Ionatas toke the Broche, and̛ fastned̛ fastyd it on his brest, and went agayn̛ to to the scole. ¶ Anon his love mette hym, and made hym grete chere. Ionatas fayned̛ aƚƚ thyng, but yit he held̛ festes as he did̛ before; for omitted what so ever omitted he wold̛ thynke as vnto omitted temporaƚƚ goodes, he had̛ hem, as omitted by vertu of the broche. his love mervailed̛ as she did̛ before; and nyghtes and daies she asked̛ hym of hym *and praied̛ hym, she myght have knowlecℏ how he fared̛ that he sholde shew her the trouthe, how and where [he] had, that he ferde so wele, and praied̛ aƚƚ omitted other to *his fest festes, *and had̛ no goodes omitted. ¶ *In no wise he wold̛ He wold not telle her of a longe tyme. ¶ Than alway she wept, and said̛, "allas! allas! thou lovest me not, ne trustest me not, *for yf thou woldest if ye wolde telle me the omitted sothe, I wold̛ bynde *my lyf me that I shuld̛ wold never lese youre Ieweƚƚ." whan Ionatas herd̛ this that, he leved̛ her wele omitted, and told̛ her of the vertu of the broche. ¶ Whan she herd̛ this, she wept bitterly. Ionatas seid̛ *to her omitted, "whi wepest thou thus?" She seid̛, "I drede me, *that ye shuƚƚ lest ye sholl lese your broche; than and than shuƚƚ ye lese a grete Iewayle vertu." he said̛, "what *wold̛ ye woldest thou counsaile me to do *ther witℏ omitted?" She said̛, "that ye shuƚƚ take it to omitted me to kepe." ¶ he said̛, "I drede, that thou shuldest lese it the broche, as thou diddest the Rynge." She said̛, "forsothe, dethe shaƚƚ first take *me, bothe my soule and my soul fro my body, *rather than or I shuld̛ lese the broche." ¶ Ionatas *loved̛ her wele, and omitted toke her the broche to kepe. anon̛ *as it was delyuered̛ from hym, his after that goodes failed̛ *sore, and than omitted he asked̛ the her the Broche agayn̛ omitted; and anon̛ omitted she went into her chambre, and cried̛, "allas! allas! and wele away! the broche is away take away. I wille sle my self̘ for sorow!" ¶ Ionatas herd̛ this, and ranne fast omitted to her, trowyng that she wold̛ sle her self̘; and toke the knyf̘ from her, and said̛, "make not suche a omitted sorow, for omitted I foryeve the aƚƚ *this trespasse." ¶ And than omitted anon folowyng omitted he went *the secondethirde tyme vnto to his contre, and visite his modir, the Empresse. whan she sawe hym, she said̛, "O! my sone, how is it witℏ the? hast thou lost thi broche, as thou diddest hast thi rynge?" he said̛, "ye, modir; ¶ The woman the whiche resceived̛ the rynge, she so she hatℏ the Broche also omitted; and what *she hatℏ done is do withe hem I wote never." ¶ The Empresse said̛, "my sone, thou knowest wele that I have now omiited but one o Ieweƚƚ, that is, the a precious clothe. now thou maist may chese, whether thou wilt kepe it, or lese it. I have oft sithes said̛ to the, that thou shuldest be ware of womans wyles." he said̛, "a! swete modir, I shaƚƚ never se your face and if I lese this the clothe." ¶ *he toke the clothe of his modir omitted, and went ayene to the scole. ¶ Anon̛ his as his love come ayenst agayne hym, and made *to hym omitted grete myrthe; *he went fortℏ omitted, and liteƚƚ said̛. ¶ Whan he come to his Inne, he spredde the clothe vndirnethe hym, and toke witℏ hym ij. smale botels of wyne, and also omitted brede *he toke witℏ hym omitted; ¶ And *than he omitted said̛ to his love, that she shuld̛ *come, and omitted sitte by hym. She knew nat the vertu of the clothe, and sette her downe by hym on the clothe. ¶ Anon̛ Ionatas thought, "I wold̛ we were bothe as we sitte in the *forest, and in the omitted *ferthest parties ferrest party of the world̛, where never man come." whan he had̛ thought thus this, they were bothe take vp in the clothe, and sette in the ferthest partie of the world̛. ¶ The woman, whan she perseived̛ this, she cried̛, "allas! allas! omitted how are we sette here?" ¶ he said̛, "here I shaƚƚ leve the alone, and wylde bestes shaƚƚ devowre the, for thou *kepest from me hast kept with the my Broche and my Rynge." ¶ She said̛, "good̛ A! goode sir, have mercy on me; and yf ye thou bryng me to the Citee there I was to day, I shaƚƚ yeve you the broche and the rynge; And but I fulfiƚƚ this, I bynd̛ me to the most foule dethe that ye wille kan put me to." ¶ Ionatas yave feitℏ to vnto her wordes, and said̛ to her, ¶ "Be ware that thou trespasse no more from hens forward̛, for yf thou do, thou shalt be dede. ¶ She said̛, "nay, certes I shaƚƚ never trespasse ayenst more agayns you. but, swete sir, *I pray you omitted, telle me how we are sette here? ¶ he said̛, "the vertu of the clothe is this, that who that so sittetℏ thereon, he shaƚƚ be in what partie of the world̛ that omitted he desiretℏ to be." ¶ whan this was said̛, "I have," he said̛, "a wondir grete wille to slepe; Streccℏ out thi skirthe skyrt, that I may rest *me thereon, and slepe and slepe theronne a while." ¶ And omitted anon the woman damselle was redy, and toke his hede into her skirthe, and he began strongely for omitted to slepe. She beheld̛ that omitted, and drew away softly a parte of the clothe that was vndre hym every dele; and than omitted she thought, "wolde god that I were were now there as I was *this day to-day atte morow morne!" and omitted anon̛ she was sette in the same place; and Ionatas left there slepyng. ¶ And whan he was awaked̛ of his slepe, *he loked̛ aƚƚ aboute; and whan he sawe omitted and founde neither the woman ne the clotℏ, he wept bitterly, and said̛, "¶ Allas! allas! what shaƚƚ I now omitted do, *for I wote not ne wote I neuer whether̛ to fle; forfro this disease I have wele deserved̛, synne sethe I shewed̛ aƚƚ my counsaile *to the woman omitted." ¶ he loked̛ aƚƚ aboute, and sawe not but briddes in the eyer̛ fleyng, and wyld̛ bestes rynnyng by hym, of the whicℏ sight he was gretely adred̛ aferde. ¶ he rose, and went fortℏ by a pathe, but to what place or whetherward̛ he wist not. ¶ Whan he had̛ thus longe gone, he come to a watir, over the whicℏ he must wade; and whan he had̛ omitted entred̛ in omitted the watir, it was right hote, *and, as that hym thought, it departed̛ partyd the flessℏ from the bone. ¶ Whan Ionatas felt this, he toke his boteƚƚ, and filled̛ it fuƚƚ of this watir. Than he went fortℏ, and sawe a tree fuƚƚ of frute. he went vp, and gadred̛ therof̘, and ete it omitted. anon̛ he was made a foule lepre, wherof̘ for sorow he fille downe to the erthe, and said̛, ¶ "The day mot perissℏ in the whicℏ I was born̛, and the houre in the whicℏ I was conseyved̛ in omitted of my modir!" ¶ After this sorow he rose vp omitted, and toke of the frute, and walked̛, ¶ And whan he had̛ walked̛ a goode while, he saw the second̛ watir, and he dred̛ to for to passe thurgℏ. but whan he sawe none other passage, he went in, and waded̛ over; and as the first watir departed̛ the flessℏ from the bone fete, Right so the second̛ watir restored̛ hym agayn̛, wherof wherfor he filled̛ his other boteƚƚ of that watir. And whan he had̛ gone awhile, he saw another tree, and faire frute theron; and omitted he was gretly an hungred̛, and ete of the frute, and anon̛ he was hole of *aƚƚ the spice of omitted the lepre; and *than he omitted toke witℏ hym of the that frute, and went forthe in strengtℏ of that mete. ¶ After that he saw a Casteƚƚ, that was right faire, fuƚƚ of hedes of men aƚƚ aboute. ¶ And whan he come nere the Casteƚƚ, there come men ayenst agayne passim hym, and said̛, "Frende, teƚƚ vs what thou art?" he said̛, "I am a leche of ferre countrees." ¶ Than omitted thei said̛ *vnto hym omitted, "the kynge of this provynce is a lepre; and many leches have *ben here afore come byfore the, and saiden̛ to the kyng, vpon payn̛ of her hedes, thei shuld̛ hele hym; and aƚƚ thei failed̛, *as thou maist se by her Behold and se the hedes, *that stonde omitted aboute the Casteƚƚ. And therfore be ware or thou vndirtake hym." ¶ he said̛, "I shaƚƚ hele hym." and omitted anon̛ he was brought before into the kynge, and yaf̘ he gaf hym of the frute of the second̛ tree for to ete, and of the second̛ watir to for to drynke. ¶ And anon̛ as the kyng had̛ resceived̛ this the medecyne, he was hole of aƚƚ his lepre; and yaf̘ to Ionatas mekeƚƚ mych goode, and more behight hym and if he wold̛ have more, and bad̛ hym omitted dwelle witℏ hym. ¶ But omitted Ionatas wold̛ not On no wyse dwelle witℏ hym, but every day he went to the see side, that was nere the Casteƚƚ, for to aspie yf he myght se any shippes ship, that myght lede hym to his countre. ¶ So omitted at the last he sawe xxx. shippes comyng toward̛ the Casteƚƚ, and alle thei toke haven ayenst even̛; and than thether he went, and asked̛ spiryd of the shippe men yf any eny ship shuld̛ saile into to his countre. ¶ At the last he founde one that wold̛ go to that Citee, in omitted the whiche was is an vniuersite. ¶ Ionatas, whan he herd̛ that, he was glad̛, and made *a covenaunt comenaunt witℏ hym, and toke his leve leve of the kyng. And whan he hadde leve, he entred̛ in omitted the shippe; and after that omitted many daies he come to the Citee where his love was, that haddle begyled̛ hym; and there was no man that hym knew, for his longe tyme beyng out; for omitted his love had̛ went wend, that he had̛ be devowred̛ of wilde bestes. ¶ Whan Ionatas had̛ entered̛ the Citee, he had̛ the cure of many the sike men, and aƚƚ he heled̛ anon̛ of her sikenesse siknesses. ¶ That tyme his love was the ricchest of the Citee, by the omitted vertu of the Rynge, Broche, and Clothe; but she was greved̛ of with a grete sikenesse. therfore omitted whan she herd̛ that sucℏ a soteƚƚ lecℏ was comen̛ to the Citee, and heled̛ aƚƚ *maner men omitted of her sikenesse, ¶ She sent messangers to hym, *and praied̛ hym omitted that he wold̛ fouchesauf̘ to visite suche a lady. ¶ Ionatas went witℏ the messangers, and founde his love, that was in her bedde; whom he knew fuƚƚ wele, but she his love knew hym not. ¶ Whan he had̛ seen her watir, and felt her pounce pous, he said̛, "my dere lady, ye have a speciaƚƚ sikenesse, the whicℏ may not be heled̛ but by one o way; and yf̘ ye wille assaye that way, ye may mow be hole." ¶ She said̛, "what so ever thou seiest to me that I may do, I shaƚƚ do it, so that I may be hole." ¶ Ionatas said̛, "ye must openly be confessed̛; yf ye have taken̛ away wrongfully from any man any thinge, *se that ye delyuere and yelde it sone agayn̛, and than omitted ye shaƚƚ be hole, or and els my medecyne wille not availe." ¶ She in her omitted grete sikenesse began̛ to telle before aƚƚ, how she hadde disceived̛ Ionatas, the Emperour̛ sone, and how she had̛ left hym in the vtter fyrthest partie of the world̛. ¶ Whan Ionatas had̛ herd̛ this, he said̛ *to her omitted, "where are tho iij. Iewelx, that omitted ye toke from the clerk̘?" She said̛, "In a Cheste at my beddes fete; open it, and se *it, that omitted I lye not, in this grete necessitee." ¶ Ionatas opened̛ the chest, and found mekeƚƚ mych tresour̛, but he hadde liteƚƚ Ioye therof; but toke anon̛ tho the iij. Iewelx, and the rynge he put on his fyngre, the Broche on his brest, and the clothe vndre his arme. and than he toke he helde and yaf̘ her drynke of the first boteƚƚ water, that is, of the watir that departed̛ the flessℏ from the bone, ¶ And also he yaf̘ her of the *first frute froyte of the fyrst tre, by the whicℏ he hym self̘ was made lepre. And whan she had̛ eten̛ of the frute, and dronken̛ of the watir, anon̛ her bely opened̛, and aƚƚ her guttes went out; and so witℏ grete payne dissese she died̛. ¶ Ionatas seyng her dede, witℏ Ioye he wente to his countre, beryng witℏ hym the Rynge, the Broche, and the clothe; and after he omitted ended̛ his lyf in pease.

Frendes, this Emperour is oure lord̛ Ihesu crist, that hathe iij. sonnes. ¶ By the first sonne is vndirstond̛ Aungeƚƚ, to the whicℏ god yave suche enformacion̛, that thei mow not synne; for after that lucifer̛ synned̛, as by pride, there felle many aungels, save thei that cleved̛ fast to god, that first are confermed̛. ¶ By the second̛ sone are vndirstond̛ patriarkes and prophetes, to the whicℏ god yaf̘ the olde lawe, that was mevable, for it was chaunged̛ by the comyng of crist. ¶ To the thirde sone, that is, cristen man, he yaf iij. Iewelx, that is, a Rynge, a broche, and a clothe. ¶ By the rounde Rynge we shuƚƚ vndirstond̛ feitℏ, that owetℏ to be rounde, witℏ out foryetyng. ¶ And he that hatℏ the rynge of verrey feitℏ, that have the love of god and of aungels; therfor our lord̛ seitℏ, he that hatℏ so moche faitℏ as a mustard̛ sede, shaƚƚ remeve hilles. ¶ Therfor he that hatℏ the Rynge of verrey feitℏ shaƚƚ have aƚƚ thyng at his wille. ¶ Also he yaf̘ to the Cristen̛ man a broche, that is, the holy gost; therfore he seid̛, "I shaƚƚ send̛ to you thatalle that shaƚƚ teche you aƚƚ that I have seid̛ to you." and yf we have the holy gost in oure hert, witℏ outen doute we shaƚƚ have aƚƚ goodes that is profitable to heltℏ of our soule. ¶ Also he gaf̘ to cristen̛ man the thirde Ieweƚƚ, that is, a precious clothe. this clothe is perfite charitee, that oure lord̛ shewed̛ to vs on̛ the crosse; for he loved̛ vs so mekeƚƚ, that he offred̛ hym self̘ to detℏ for vs, that he shuld̛ lede vs thedir where we desire to be, and that is in heven̛. ¶ Therfore who so ever desiretℏ to sitte on perfite charitee, witℏ outen doute he shaƚƚ be translated̛ from this world̛ to heven. ¶ Ionatas may wele be called̛ a Cristen man, that is fallen̛ in synne. ¶ Amasie rynnetℏ to hym, that is, his flessℏ, that drawetℏ hym to synne; and so he losetℏ the rynge of perfite feitℏ, that he resceived̛ in his baptyme. ¶ Also the Broche, that is, the holy gost, fleigℏ away from hym. ¶ Also the clothe is draw from hym, that is, perfite charitee, aƚƚ so ofte as he assentetℏ to dedely synne; and so wrecched̛ man is left witℏ out helpe amonge wilde bestes, that is, amonge the deveƚƚ, the world̛, and the flessℏ, that is gretly for to sorow. ¶ Do than therfore as Ionatas did̛; Ryse out of synne, for thou hast slept to longe in the skirte of the flesshly lustes; as it is written, "thou hast slept in synne; arise, and crist shaƚƚ lighten̛ the, so that thou shalt be saved̛." ¶ Sampson̛ slept in the skirte of dalyda, and lost his strengtℏ. he arose, and entred̛ the watir, that is, the watir of penaunce, that departitℏ the flessℏ, that is, flesshly affeccions. ¶ Than he ete of the frute of sharpnesse, that chaungetℏ his semblaunt to the likenesse of a lepre; as it is redde of crist, we saw hym as a man that had̛ no chere, but as a lepre. So it is of the soule that is in bittirnesse for the synnes that he hatℏ done. ¶ wherfore it is said̛ in figure of the soule, I am blak̘, but I am semely and faire, that is to sey, I am blak̘ in body, but I am faire in soule. ¶ Than he went into the second̛ watir, that restored̛ hym. ¶ This watir is comvnyon aftir penaunce; wherfor̛ our̛ saviour seitℏ, "I am the welle of lyf̘; he that drynketℏ of this watir, he shaƚƚ not thrist after." he thanthat etetℏ of the frute of the tre the second̛, that restored̛ aƚƚ that was lost, that is, whan aƚƚ is glorified̛ in ever lastyng lyf̘. ¶ Also he cured̛ the kyng, that is, his reson̛, and so he entred̛ the shippe of holy chircℏ, and to his love, that is, the flessℏ, he gaf̘ the watir of contricion̛, and the frute of penaunce and of sharpnesse, [by] the whicℏ the flessℏ, that is, the affeccion̛ of flesshly lust, is slayn̛. and so a man getitℏ by penaunce goodes that are lost by synne, and gotℏ to his countrey, that is, the kyngdome of heven. to the whicℏ brynge vs Ihesu crist, that bought vs witℏ the price of his precious blood̛! Amen.

Eulopius reigned̛ in *the Citee of omitted Rome, the whiche amonge aƚƚ vertues loved̛ mekeƚƚ myche love and acorde; and where *that was cissime and debate amonge any as eny debate was, he labored̛ for to make accorde, that good̛ accorde shold̛ be had̛. ¶ There were that tyme ij. knyghtes, one of the contre of Baldok̘, and the other tother of lombardie, that loved̛ wele omitted to-gedre, and neither nother of hem sawe never other, but by messangers betwixe hem; so that the knyght of lumbardie, what so maner he had̛ of marchaundise *and of or other thynges there he dwelled̛, he sent by messangers to his felaw, the knyght in Baldok̘; and the knyght of Baldok̘ on in the same maner, aƚƚ the marchaundise in his land̛ that myght not be founden̛ in lombardie, he sent to hym. ¶ The knyght of lombardie on a tyme, as he laye in his bedde, he þought, "I have suche a frende in Baldok̘, to whom I have sent many giftes, and he to me gretter; I shaƚƚ go and se hym or that I dye." and so he went to the land̛ of Baldok̘, and come to the house of his felawe, that he had̛ never sene afore. ¶ The *knyght his knyghtes felaw, whan he herd̛ of his comyng, he was right Ioyfuƚƚ, and toke hym aboute the nekke, and kissed̛ hym, and wept for ioye, and said̛, "thou art welcome to me, half̘ my soule!" and [he] abode witℏ hym as longe as he wold̛. and whan he had̛ I-be byd there certayn̛ daies, he sawe a right faire maiden̛ mayde passim in his house; and anon̛ he was taken̛ in her love, in so mekeƚƚ mych that omitted he laye in his bedde, and neither ete ne dranke. ¶ His felawe come to hym, and said̛, "¶ O! dere omitted frende, for what cause arte thou thou thus turmented̛ in thi soule?" he said̛, "there is a maiden̛ in thi this house, the whicℏ I love mekeƚƚ so myche, that I shaƚƚ dye but yf I have her." ¶ The other tother said̛, "take comforte *to the omitted, and be stronge, for yf ther be any in my house that thi soule desiretℏ, witℏ out doute thou shalt have her." ¶ Anon̛ he shewed̛ to hym *the womenwoman, to take her alle the women of the hous, out take her that he desired̛. than seid̛ the sike knyght, "amonge aƚƚ thise is not she that my soule lovetℏ." Than he shewed̛ to hym the maiden̛ that he loved̛. whan he saw her, he seid̛, "this is same is she, in the whiche is my dethe and my lyf̘." ¶ The knyght said̛, "forsothe this maiden̛ is of a omitted noble kynrede, the whiche I have norisshed̛ fro her yongthe, that she shold̛ be my wyf̘; Neverthelesse thou arte come to me fro ferre countrees, forfro love that longe hathe ben betwixe vs; I shaƚƚ yeve her to omitted the to wyf̘, witℏ many richesse rychesses that I shulde resceive witℏ her, by the whiche aƚƚ omitted thi kynrede may be the better." ¶ The sike knyght, whan he herd̛ this, he arose rose vp anon̛ out of his bedde hole, and said̛, "O! dere frende, god̛ quyte the, for mekeƚƚ myche thou hast done for me ofte sithes! how may I yeld̛ *the aƚƚ omitted the benefetis that þou hast done to me, vtterly I wote never̛!" ¶ Anon̛ he did̛ crie a grete fest for the weddyng; and there come many to the weddyng, and token̛ mete. ¶ Whan the fest was done, the knyght toke his leve, and wente to lumbardie witℏ his wyf̘, and grete richesse; wherfore he was made right riche, and aƚƚ his,--the whiche richesse he brought fro Baldok̘. and his wyf was wonderly loved̛ of aƚƚ, and brought hym forthe a faire sone. ¶ It fille aftirward̛, that the knyght of Baldok̘ come to grete poverte, in so mekeƚƚ myche that he had̛ not wherof̘ that he myght lyve. he thought, "it is better to me now for to goo to lumbardie to my frende, the omitted whiche I promoted̛ to grete richesse, and gaf̘ hym a wyf, and aƚƚ way loved̛ hym, that he may socoure me in my poverte, than for to lyve leue here in grete myserie and wrecchednesse." he went alone into lumbardie as a poore man, for he had̛ liteƚƚ to spende by the way; And whan he come into to lumbardie, he entred̛ a Citee, in the whiche the *knyght his knyghtes frend̛ dwelled̛ in omitted; and whan he entred̛ the Citee, it was nyght, and derke. ¶ he thought witℏ in hym self̘, "it is nyght, and my *clothyng is clothes bene nought precious for a knyght, and also I am bare foote. yf I go now to the house of my felaw, he shaƚƚ vnnethe have knowyng of me, for derknesse of the nyght; it shaƚƚ not be so." ¶ he loked̛ aboute, and sawe a parissℏ chirche; and wente into to the chircℏ yerd̛, and atte at the entre of the chirche he rested̛ hym. and as he lay and slept, ij. men foughten̛ to-gedre, and the that one slougℏ the that other; and he that slougℏ hym ranne out of the chirche yerd̛, and yode his way. ¶ In shorte tyme after, a grete clamour rose was in the Citee, and a rumour, that þe man-sleer was ronne to the chirche yerd̛ omitted. [Anone a multitude of peple ran to the chirche yarde,] supplied from Cambridge MS and founde no man but the knyght, atte at the entre of the chirche liyng. ¶ One said̛ to hym, "where is the man-sleer?" he said̛, "I am he; take me, and hange me on the gebette." he said̛ thus, for he had̛ lever dye, than live in poverte. ¶ Thei layed̛ hondes on hym, and led̛ hym to prison̛. *The next That other day he was demed̛ to the dethe, and ledde to the galous; and many folowed̛ folowdyn hym, ¶ Amonge the whiche was the knyght, his felaw. and whan he had̛ enterly beholden̛ hym, he said̛ witℏ in hym self̘, "what is this! witℏ oute doute this is my felaw, the knyght of Baldok̘!" *thei ledden̛ hym That thei lede to the galouse. ¶ Anon̛ he cried̛ witℏ an hie voice, "abide!" Abideth abide! omitted he slowe not the man, but it is I." Thei heryng this that, laied̛ hondes on hym, and brought hym to the galouse. ¶ Than was he there, amonge other, that slow the man, and thought witℏ in hym self̘, "I am gilty of the dethe, *and yf I suffre thise ij. Innocenteinnocentes knyghtes to of thes ij. innocent knyghtes; and I suffre hem goo to the dethe, it may not be but but that god shaƚƚ take some vengeaunce on me. It is better *forto I be aknow of my synne here openly, and take my penaunce, than for to suffre thise omitted Innocentes for omitted to perissℏ." Than witℏ an hye voice he cried̛, "spare hem! spare hem! for thei are Innocentes, and I am gilty, for I slow *the man hym witℏ myn̛ myne owne handes, and thei slow hym not; take me, and hange me on the gibbette!" ¶ Moche peple, whan thei herd̛ this, thei wondred̛; and omitted anon̛ thei laied̛ hondes on hym; *and aƚƚ the peple turned̛ agayn̛ witℏ hym, and the ij. knyghtes, and seid̛ to the domesman, "¶ Sir, we mervaile of this And alle the peple merveylyd of thes iij. men. The first knyght was aknow that he slew the man; The second̛ said̛, nay, but he slow hym; The thirde seid̛, that the ij. knyghtes were Innocentes, and he hym self̘ slow hym withe his owne omitted handes; and therfore we are turned̛ agayn̛, to for to here a verrey dome trouthe, what is for to done of this thynge." ¶ The domesman seid̛ to the first knyght of Baldok̘, "¶ Frend̛, whi saidest seyst thou, *that thou omitted slow the man?" he said̛, "forsothe I shaƚƚ say you the omitted trouthe. I was somtyme a riche knyght, and a worthi man, and many I held̛ witℏ me, and I omitted susteyned̛; but witℏ in few yeres I come to grete poverte, in so mekeƚƚ myche that I have no thynge to spend̛, but seke my brede fro dore to dorre. therfore whan I thynk̘ on my ryalte nobley and richesse, and now considre my grete poverte, I had̛ lever than grete mede goode I were take omitted out of the this world̛; and omitted therfore I said̛, I slew the man, that I shold̛ the rather sonner perissℏ and be dede." ¶ Than seid̛ the domesman to the second̛ knyght, "whi saidest seyst thou, that omitted thou slew the man?" he said̛, "forsothe I shaƚƚ shew the you the trouthe. this knyght promoted̛ me to grete dignitye and richesse, and gaf̘ me a wyf̘, ¶ wherfore I love hym as mekeƚƚ myche as my self̘; therfore whan *he went I saw him go to the dethe, I cried̛ witℏ an hie voice, that I slow the man, that he myght be saved̛, and and I desired̛ for his love for omitted to dye." ¶ The domesman seid̛ than to the third̛ man, "whi seidest seyst thou, that omitted thou slow slowyst the man?" "¶ Sir He seyde, Syr, I shaƚƚ telle you the verrey trouthe. I slow the man, witℏ out doute; and whan I saw *that thise men went to dethe thes. ij. go to the, I thought in my hert, it may not be but that god̛ is rightfuƚƚ, and aƚƚ thynge seetℏ, and *wille somtyme wole sone take vengeaunce of on me, for omitted by cause I slow the rightfuƚƚ man; and also yf I shold̛ suffre thise Innocentes be slayn̛ for my dede, it shold̛ be to me a grevous synne. ¶ Therfore it is better now omitted to me to be a-know the trouthe before aƚƚ, and save the Innocentes fro fro the dethe, than *everlastyng to everlastyngly dampne my self̘. and therfore I said̛ the trouthe, that witℏ myn̛ owne hand̛ handes I slow the man." ¶ The domesman seid̛, "frend̛, sithen it is so, that thou hast shewed̛ the trouthe, and that thou slow the man, and hast saved̛ the Innocentes fro the dethe, thou shalt not be dede, but thou shalt have thi lyf̘, witℏ aƚƚ thi heritage." wherfore aƚƚ men praised̛ the domesman, that so mercyfuƚƚ mercyfully did̛ witℏ the man-sleer.

CEsar in the Citee of Rome reigned̛, a fuƚƚ wise man, that toketokene a *faire maiden̛ right fayre mayde to wyf̘, the kynges doughtir of Sire, by the whiche he had̛ a fulle faire childe. ¶ The child̛, [whan he] supplied from Cambridge MS was come to a omitted lawfuƚƚ age, he made sleightes and wyles, how he myght put his Fadir to dethe. the fadir mervailed̛ gretly grete of the sone, and went to the Empresse, and praied̛ her to telle hym, wheþer he were his sone, and goten̛ of hym. ¶ She herd̛ this, and was gretly greved̛, that he asked̛ suche a thyng of her. she affermed̛ witℏ an othe, that she was never knowen̛ of none omitted other man but of hym, and that he was his Fadir, and he is thi omitted lawfuƚƚ sonne. ¶ The Emperour herd̛ this, and mekely spake to his sone, and said̛, "O! good̛ sone, I am thi Fadir, that gate the, and [by me] supplied from Cambridge MS thou come into this world̛, by way of generacion̛, and thou shalt be myn̛ heire. why woldest thou sle me? and I have norisshed̛ the, and aƚƚ that is myn̛ is thyn̛thyne is myne. I pray the, cease the of thi this wikkednesse, and sle me not, for yf and if thou do, it is to the a omitted grete synne afore god̛." ¶ The sone toke [no] supplied from Cambridge MS hede to his Fadirs saiyng, but fro day to day his malice encreased̛; and strengthed̛ hym aƚƚ way to sle his fadir. ¶ Whan the Fadir sawe this, he went into a deserte place, and ledde witℏ hym his sone, beryng a swerd̛ in his hond̛; and toke it to his sone, and said̛, "My sone, slee me here, for here is a prive place, and lesse sclaundre shaƚƚ be to the here to slee me, than in other another place." ¶ The sone herd̛ this, and anon̛ cast the swerd̛ from hym; and kneled̛ before his fadir mekely I-noughe, and asked̛ hym omitted mercy, Saiyng, to *hym, "have mercy on me his fader "A! fader, have mercy on me, have mercy on me, for I have synned̛, and do to me from hens forward̛ as it liketℏ the." ¶ Anon̛ the Fadir kissed̛ hym, and was right glad̛; and lad̛ hym witℏ hym to home to his paleys. and aftir the dethe of the fadir, the sone reigned̛; and so in pease and rest he omitted ended̛ his lyf̘.

Dere Frendes, this Emperour is oure lord̛ Ihesu crist; The fadirsone is eche cristen̛ man; the Empresse is holy chirche. But ofte sithes the sone, that is, an eveƚƚ cristene man, [is] froward̛ and contrary to god̛, for he obeyetℏ not the comaundement. he asketℏ of holy chirche yf he be verrely his sone; and holy chirche aunsweretℏ, and seitℏ, "ye, sir, of me heye toke baptyme, and therefore he is his sone." ¶ Crist by prelates and prechours enformetℏ vs, that we shuld̛ leve synne, and that we be not contrarie to his preceptes; but he speketℏ to vs, and seitℏ turne to me, thou synnefuƚƚ wrecche, and I shaƚƚ take the. but the synfuƚƚ man wille not bow, for wordes ne for betynges; ¶ wherfore our lord̛ Ihesu ledetℏ hym in to deserte, that is, for his synne Adam, the first Fadir, was take out of paradice in to deserte of this world̛, and bare witℏ hym the swerd̛ of goddes rightwisenesse, that is, that he shold̛ dye for synne that he had̛ done; for yf synne had̛ not be done, dethe shold̛ not have ben̛. Now hathe the sone the swerd̛ of power, by the whiche the sone of god̛ shuld̛ dye; as it is written̛, thou shuld̛ not have power in me, but yf it were yeven to the fro above. ¶ O! how many are yit that crucifien̛ crist by her synne! ¶ Do þou therfore as the Emperours sone did̛; Cast fro the the swerd̛ of wikkednesse, and knele, that is, meke the, in the way of penaunce, and afore god, thou shalt fynde grace; and so in pease thou shalt ende thi lyf, and purchace the everlastyng kyngdome of heven. to the whiche bryng vs he, that for oure synne dyed̛ on the roode! Amen.

POlemyus Remulus in the citee of Rome reigned̛, a fuƚƚ wise man, that toke to wyf the kynges doughtir of Trunce, that *was a faire woman; the whiche omitted conseyved̛, and had̛ a faire sone. ¶ That herd̛ the wise men, and went to the Emperour, and omitted eche by hem self̘ asked̛ the child̛ to norissℏ. ¶ he said̛, "to-morow shaƚƚ be a turnement, and ye shuƚƚ aƚƚ be there; and who so dothe best amonge of you shaƚƚ and shalle have the victorie, and he shaƚƚ have my sone to norissℏ, vndir this forme, That [if] supplied from Cambridge MS he norissℏ wele my sone, and heand he shaƚƚ be promoted̛ to grete dignyte, or els I shaƚƚ condempne hym to the most foule dethe." ¶ "O! sir," said̛ the knyghtes, "this liketℏ vs wele." and on the morow thei were aƚƚ gadred̛ in to the turnement, and plaied̛. and there was one a worthy knyght amonge hem, that had̛ the victorie, whos name was Iosias. anon̛ And anone he toke the child̛, and ledde it witℏ hym; and sent messangers before hym omitted to his casteƚƚ, and did̛ make aƚƚ clene witℏ in and witℏ out, and for to array the bedde of the childe, in the myddes. he And he did̛ paynte the omitted vij. artes aboute the bed̛, so that whan the child̛ *was waked̛ from were wakenyd fro slepe, he myght se the vij. artes, and have delite in hem. ¶ This knyght than omitted had̛ a vertuous welle beside *his bedde the bedde of the childe, in the whiche welle the child̛ was wont to be bathed̛. ¶ Aboue this welle alone there was a wyndow, by the whiche the sonne shone in; and one was assigned̛ to kepe the kaye of the welle, and that was the knyghtes wyf̘. ¶ It happed̛ ones, that the lady lefte the dore open, *and a Bere wente in Ther was a bere that saw the dore opyne, and weny hym in, and bathed̛ hym omitted in the welle, of whos bathyng aƚƚ the watir was enfecte witℏ venyme. whan the Bere had̛ done, he wente his way; and sone aftir come the lord̛ and the lady, and dronken̛ bothe of the watir welle, and went out. and omitted aftir hem tasted̛ of the watir aƚƚ the meyne, for the weddir was hote; wherfore alle that dronken̛ of the watir were made lepers, as wele the lord̛ as the lady, and aƚƚ other. never the lesse the lepre appered̛ not anon̛. ¶ But sone aftir entred̛ a grete Egle by the wyndow, and And an egle toke away his child̛ out of his bedde, and bare it awaye witℏ hym. and whan the knyght perseived̛ this, he wepte bitterly, and said̛, "Allas! allas! whi was I born̛? I am the sone of̘ dethe, and a lepre, and my wyf̘ also, and aƚƚ my meyne!" and whan he was thus in this his grete hevynesse and desolacion̛, there come to hym a leche, and said̛, "¶ Do "A! do aftir my counsaile, and after thou shalt not for-thynk̘ the dede. first thou shalt be lette blood̛, witℏ thi wyf, and aƚƚ thi meyne, and be bathed̛; and than shaƚƚ I laye to medecynes other medycynes. and afterward̛, *whan thou art hole omitted, thou shalt go by hilles and dales, witℏ aƚƚ thi meyne, for to seke the child̛; for it may not be but that the omitted Egle hathe lette the child̛ in some place falle from hym." ¶ The knyght wrought in aƚƚ thyng *by the counsaile of the leche omitted; and whan he had̛ take medecyne after after his bledyng, he was made clene of aƚƚ his lepre, and his wyf, and aƚƚ his meyne. ¶ Than he went vpon his stede, witℏ iij. squyers, for to seke the child̛, and in a valeye vale he found̛ the child̛ hole and sounde; the whiche was more glad̛ of the fyndyng þan hert may thynk̘, and for grete omitted ioye he made a grete fest, and so he ledde the child̛ to the Emperour. ¶ whan the Emperour saw the child̛, he was right glad̛, and promoted̛ the knyght to grete thynges; and so omitted ended̛ his lyf in pease.

This Emperour, frendes, is the Fadir of heven̛. the child̛ is our lord̛ Ihesu crist, the whiche many desire for to norissℏ, and namly in Esterne tyme, whan thei have resceived̛ contricion̛. Neverthelesse he that beres hym in the turnement, that is, he that dothe best penaunce, and over-cometℏ the deveƚƚ, shaƚƚ have the child̛ Ihesu to norissℏ. ¶ The knyght, that resceived̛ the child̛, is a good̛ cristen̛ man, that wele and holely hathe fasted̛ aƚƚ lenton̛. therfor do thou as the knyght did̛; send̛ for messangers, tho be meritorie werkes, vnto the casteƚƚ of thyn̛ hert, that it be clensed̛ of aƚƚ spottes of synne; and so the child̛ Ihesu shaƚƚ lye in the myddes of thyn̛ hert. ¶ The welle is mercy, that owetℏ to be beside the child̛ Ihesu; for he that is witℏ oute mercy and charitee, shaƚƚ not norissℏ the child̛ Ihesu. ¶ But ofte sithe the wyf̘, that is, the flessℏ, that beretℏ the keye of chastite, levethethat levethe the dore open̛, by the whiche ofte sithe the Bere entrethe, that is, the deveƚƚ, and puttithe venyme in the welle of mercy; and therfore the husbond̛ and the wyf̘, that is, the flessℏ, and reson̛, and aƚƚ the membres, that tasten̛ of that venyme of synne, are enfected̛, and made lepres. ¶ And the wyndow, by the whiche the light entred̛, is the grace of the holy gost, by the whiche a man livetℏ gostly, and is comforted̛. ¶ By this wyndow entretℏ an Egle, that is, the myght of god̛, that taketℏ away the child̛ Ihesu out of thyn̛ hert; and so hathe man grete herte and matir of sorowyng. what is than for to do? ¶ For sothe for to send̛ aftir a soteƚƚ leche, that is, a discrete confessour, that shaƚƚ yeve the counsaile for to blede, and aƚƚ thy meyne, that is, that thou put out alle thi synne by the vayne of thi tonge before thi confessour; and than shalt thou be bathed̛ by teres of confession̛, conpunccion̛, and contriccion̛ and after that thou shalt have a liteƚƚ medecyne of satisfaccion̛, and so thou shalt be made hole fro aƚƚ spices of the lepre of synne. ¶ Than assend̛ vp on the stede of good̛ lyf̘, witℏ iij. Squyers, that is, fastynge, praiyng, and almesse-dede; and yf thou do thus, witℏ outen doute thou shalt wele mow norissℏ the swete child̛ Ihesu, for the whicℏ norisshyng the Fadir of heven̛ shaƚƚ yeve the ever-lastynge kyngdome of heven̛. to the whiche bryng vs that child̛ Ihesus! amen.

Theobaldus in the Citee of Rome Reigned̛, that ordeyned̛ a lawe, that no man, on payn̛ of dethe, shuld̛ wedde a wyf for any fairenesse or gentilenesse, but alone alle only for richesse; and yf any the man were poore, and the woman riche, the woman shuld̛ not take hym, but but if he were as riche as she. ¶ There was that tyme a gentile knyght; but he was poore, and had̛ no wyf̘. he went by dyuerse reames regnes and castels, for to fynd̛ a wyf̘; atte and at the last he found̛ a faire lady and a riche, that had̛ right many richesse. ¶ The knyght said̛ to her, "O! my dere lady, is it nought oght pleasyng to you to take me to be omitted your husbond̛, or nought none?" She said̛, "thou knowest the lawe. *The law omitted is this thus ordeyned̛, that a man shaƚƚ not take a woman, ne a omitted woman a man, but yf thei haue bothe omitted goodes like mekeƚƚ myche. Go therfore, and gete the as many goodes as I have, and than thou shalt have me to wyf̘." he herd̛ this, and went away hevy, and enterly thought how and by what way he might gete good̛. ¶ Atte At the last he herd̛ telle, that omitted there was a duk̘ in ferre countrees, that was blynd̛ *fro his birthe, that and was right riche. whan he herd̛ this, he went to his casteƚƚ, and thought witℏ in hym self̘ how he myght sle the duk̘; but on the day men were *aƚƚ way omitted redy for omitted to kepe the duk̘, and on the nyght he had̛ a liteƚƚ hounde, þat aƚƚ way barked̛ whan he herd̛ any noise, in so *mekeƚƚ þat myche that ther no man myght come to the dukes bedde, but that the duk̘ shuld̛ be wakened̛ warned by the berkyng of the dogge, and so behe warned̛ of his Enemyes. ¶ whan the knyght sawe this, he said̛ witℏ in hym self̘, "on a the day I may not sle hym, for armed̛ men; there is none other help to me but sle to sle the hound̛, and þan I hope to fulfille my purpose." ¶ It happed̛ on a nyght, the that the knyght entred̛ the Chambre of the duk̘ prively, and *anon̛ the dogge began to barke the dogge berked not. *the knyght shotte an arow, and slow the hound̛. the duk̘ herd̛ not the dogge barke, and wende aƚƚ thing had̛ ben in pease, and slept. The knyght toke his swerd̛ omitted and slow he slew the duk̘ slepyng, and aƚƚ his goodes he toke away witℏ hym; and went to the lady, and said̛, ¶ O! my dere lady, now are oure goodes even̛; now is there none excusacion̛ on thi side, but thou shalt take me to thyn̛ husbond̛." ¶ She said̛, "telle me me that, how in so shorte tyme thou hast goten̛ gete so many goodes?" he said̛, "I have slayn̛ a duk̘, and *have taken̛ take away his alle his goodes." She said̛, "yit oo thyng I wille aske of the, before omitted or *that ye thou wedde me. Go one ones to nyght to the grave of the dede dede man; *and þou shalt lye beside the grave, and what thou shalt here there, thou shalt truly telle me omitted." The knyght said̛, "I shaƚƚ do that thou desirest." ¶ The knyght armed̛ hym, and went to the tombe of the dede man, and there he was aƚƚ nyght. and at mydnyght there come a voice, and said̛, ¶ O! thou duk̘, that here lietℏ lyest, what askest thou of me, that I may graunt the?" he said̛, "rightfuƚƚ domesman Crist, graunte me my peticion̛. I aske of the no thynge but vengeaunce for of my blood̛, that I am vnrightfully slayn̛ for my richesse." ¶ The voice said̛, "this day xxx. wyntir thou shalt fynde vengeaunce." whan the knyght herd̛ this, he was right sory; and went to the lady, and shewed̛ *to her omitted aƚƚ that he hade herd̛. ¶ The lady, whan she had̛ omitted herd̛ this, she thought witℏ in her self̘, that the tyme of xxx. wyntir was a good̛ longe space, and assented̛ to have take the knyght to her husbond̛; and alle the tyme of xxx. wynter thei lived̛ witℏ Ioye and gladnesse, *and grete myrthe omitted. ¶ Whan the tyme of xxx. wyntir come nere, The knyght made a stronge casteƚƚ, and on the dore *he wrote was wryte openly thise wordes verses that folowen̛. ¶ Cum fero langorem, fero religionis amorem;

¶ wise men, whan thei had̛ omitted red̛ thise verses, thei mervailed̛, and many saiden̛, "we pray the, that thou wilte expowne expownde to vs the cause of this scripture." he said̛, "poore I was, and sorow I had̛ for my poverte, and therfore I had̛ me in aƚƚ thynges as a Religious man in symplesse; and afterward̛, whan I was omitted wex hole of the sikenesse of poverte, the mynde of god went from me, and for sorow of poverte I shewed̛ meto me a meke lambe to my wyf̘, whan I wedded̛ her, and was witℏ in a crueƚƚ wolf̘. and yit I loved̛ her so mekeƚƚ mych for richesse, that I slow the duk̘ traitoursly. whan this was done, *fro the grave at the grave fro aboue I herd̛ a voice, that said̛, "at xxx. wyntirs ende the blood̛ of hym that is slayn̛ shaƚƚ be venged̛." and I told̛ my wyf̘ what the voice said̛. ¶ Notwithstondyng this, she toke me to her husbond̛, and bothe we ladde our lyf with ioye. but the xviij. day aftir this tyme day shaƚƚ ende the tyme of xxx. wyntir. ¶ Therfore I pray you aƚƚ, *that ye to be witℏ me in my fest." thei said̛, "We graunte; and than the voice we shuƚƚ prove, that spake to theme from aboue." ¶ The day of the fest is comen̛, and omitted a grete multitude *is gadred̛ omitted of peple. whan thei were sette, and served̛ *atte borde omitted witℏ dyverse mynstralcies mynstralles of musik̘, and sondry messes of metes, a brid̛ coloured̛ witℏ dyverse coloures come in atte at the wyndow, and began to syng swetely and merveillously. ¶ The knyght, that was lord̛ of the fest and of the Casteƚƚ, *diligently listened̛, and said̛ omitted, "I trowe that this bridde betokenetℏ bytokene some eveƚƚ to me." ¶ he toke a bowe and an arow, and before hem aƚƚ he slow the brid̛; and anon̛ the erthe opened̛, and swolowed̛ in the casteƚƚ, witℏ the knyght and the ladie, and witℏ omitted aƚƚ that were *ther in with in. In the whiche place is a fuƚƚ depe watir, in the whiche may no thyng dwelle ne nor abide, but it falle to the grounde.

worshipfuƚƚ frendes, this Emperour is our lord̛ Ihesu crist, that made this law, that no man shuld̛ wedde a woman, but yf heshe hade as moche as shehe, that is to sey, god̛ wille, and biddes that we be not wedded̛ to a woman, but to hym alone, for he is habundaunt in richesse, and for he is kyng of kynges, and lord̛ of lordes; ne that woman, that is, the godhede, take none but yf he be habundaunt in richesse, that is, in good̛ werkes and vertues. and the knyght that went by kyngdomes and Castels, for to seke a wyf̘ in richesse, ¶ Forsothe it is every worldly man, that gothe aboute the world̛ by dyuerse places, to be norisshed̛ in delites of richesse. this woman, þat is, the flessℏ, wille not assent fully to man, vnto she have richesse, that is, delite of the flesℏ in dede. and what are the thynges that the flessℏ desiretℏ? forsothe for to ete wele, drynke swetely, and to grete delicate thynges, and for to haue no disease agayn̛ the flessℏ. ¶ But wrecched̛ man þynketℏ not before of thynges that are to come, but slow the duke, that is, reson̛, that owetℏ to rewle the flessℏ. ¶ The armed̛ men, that kept the duk̘ on day, it are vertues that he toke in the house of baptyme, whan he forsoke the fende, and drew to crist. But the lyteƚƚ hounde, that berked̛ on nyghtes, is thi conscience, that aƚƚ way grucchetℏ ayenst vices. the conscience is slayn̛ whan the flessℏ is over-come in delites, and the sprite put vndir; and so is the duk̘ slayn̛, that is, reson̛, by the whicℏ man shuld̛ be rewled̛. ¶ But now it is to se, what is the voice that cemetℏ down̛ fro above? forsothe it is the voice of god̛, that speketℏ to synfuƚƚ men in holy scripture by ysae, that seitℏ, ¶ Wo be to you that risen̛ erlyyerely for to folow dronknesse, and that Ioynen̛ houses to houses, and are wise in youre sight! thise it are þat haten̛ the soules, and wedden̛ flesshly lust. ¶ Suche one is gretely to drede; for the brid̛, that is, holy scripture, every day syngetℏ to vs, and to a synfuƚƚ soule that is, turne agayn̛, synfuƚƚ wrecche, that is, turne agayn̛, thou wrecched̛ soule, þat we may behold̛ the, That is, that I, god, be-holde þe, witℏ the fadir, and þe sone, and the holy gost, and that we may see the to our symylitude, in the same fairenesse that we made þe. ¶ But man contrarious to god̛, saveretℏ not þise thynges, but shetetℏ to hym an arow of synne, and in as mekeƚƚ as in hym is, he puttetℏ efte sones crist on the crosse, and reisetℏ vp to hym self̘ a Casteƚƚ of pride; and so the erthe of helle is opened̛, and suche one witℏ aƚƚ his synnes devowretℏ. ¶ Therfore studie we so to tame our flessℏ, and please god̛, that we may come to everlastyng mede. to the whiche bryng vs and lede vs the hie and myghty lord̛ Ihesus! Amen.

Olympyus reigned̛ in the Citee of Rome, a fuƚƚ wise man, that toke a maiden̛ mayde to wyf̘, that conseived̛, and bare a child̛. There was that tyme a law made, that every woman in her purificacion̛, the whiche gotℏ to chirche, shuld̛ write iij. notable wordes in onne the chirche-dorre, to edificacion̛ of the peple; whan this were done seid, she shuld̛ go home witℏ solempnyte. ¶ It hapned̛ happede, that the Empresse shuld̛ be purified̛, and went into the temple; and after the purificacion̛ thise wordes that folowen̛ were written̛ on the chirche-dore, ¶ I am a kynge rewlyng the world̛; the world̛ is aƚƚ myne at myne. It *befelle aftirward̛ fille after, that a noble lady and a gentile shuld̛ go to chirche, *to be purified̛ omitted, witℏ trumpes and dyverse maner maners of Mvsike. ¶ whan the Empresse sawe this, anon̛ she said̛, "loo! this woman witℏ so omitted grete solempnyte gothe to be purified̛; it shaƚƚ not be so, but I shaƚƚ be avenged̛ vengyd on her." ¶ Anon̛ she ordeyned̛ ordened hire of ii. serpentes. The lady, whan she wasshulde purified̛, and shuld̛ go home, she did̛ write on the chirche-dore, I am a child̛; I souke my mylke at my omitted modirs tetes, and I omitted live clenly. whan this was done, she went home, and made a grete fest to aƚƚ. ¶ whan the fest was done, the Empresse sent to her a messanger, that she shuld̛ come to her. The lady went to her. ¶ anon̛ whan she was omitted entred̛ the chambre of the Empresse, worshipfully she saluted̛ *the Empresse here. ¶ Than omitted said̛ the Empresse, "wotest thou whi I send̛ for the?" *she said̛, "naye, my lady." than seid̛ the Empresse omitted, "I have .ij. smale sonnes to be norisshed̛, the whiche I shaƚƚ take to the; do of thi clothes wilfully, or thou shalt agayn̛ thi wille, for I desire *to se omitted my sonnes on thi tetes." the lady said̛, " Wherewere are your liteƚƚ children̛?" she shewed̛ to her .ij. foule omitted serpentes. ¶ Than said̛ the lady *to the Empresse, "for the love of god omitted have mercy on me, and slee me not, for I wille wole passim bye my lif̘ of you *rather than to be thus or I sholde be dede." ¶ The Empresse said̛, "Thou laborest in vayn̛, for thou shalt norissℏ me thise ij. children̛." and anon̛ she put hem to her pappes; and than she bad̛ her that here clothes shuld̛ be put on her agayn̛. and the thirde day after she died̛, as omitted by fretyng of the addres, of whos dethe was ther was made *grete sorow a grete dole in the Cite.

Frendes, this Emperour is a deveƚƚ that toke a wyf, that is, wikkednesse, vpon the whiche he gate a sone. wherfore he made a lawe, that every woman, that is to sey, the flessℏ, after that it is clensed̛ of synne, he must write in the dorre of his hert some notable thyng, that may please hym; and the scripture is this, ¶ Alle thougℏ I a synner be confessed̛, yit the deveƚƚ wille that he have a wille to turne agayn̛ to synne. and that is agayn̛ the saiyng of seint Petre, as a hounde gotℏ to his fomet, so dothe a synner that gotℏ agayn̛ to his synne. ¶ The Empresse wrote in the dorre of synnefuƚƚ men, I am a kyng rewlyng the world̛ and the world̛ is aƚƚ myne, that is to sey, alle myne hert is the world̛, and the world̛ is aƚƚ myn̛, and no thyng to god̛. ¶ The lady, that went aftir to the chirche witℏ trumpes, is a man that gotℏ witℏ good̛ vertues, not alle only to be purified̛ of aƚƚ his synnes, but that in no wise from hens forward̛ he declyn̛ to synne agayn̛. And therfore it is written̛ in the dorre of thyn̛ hert, ¶ I am a sowkyng child̛, that is, vnto synne, and hangyng at the tetes of feitℏ and hope, the whiche are ij. tetes of cristen̛ men, by the whiche we now draw to mylke of good̛ vertues. wherfore witℏ outen feitℏ it is vnpossible to be saved̛. ¶ Also by feitℏ we are made sauf̘, after the appostels wordes. The Empresse, the wyf of the deveƚƚ, that is, wikkednesse, hathe Envie to suche a man, and seitℏ, thou shalt norrissℏ me ij. sones, that are ij. serpentes, the whiche are, pride of lyf̘, and concupiscence of flessℏ; for the whiche two, ofte sithe man is slayn̛ gostly. ¶ Therfore stodie we so to please god̛ in aƚƚ thyng, that we may come to ever lastyng Ioye witℏ outen̛ ende. Amen.

INclides in the Citee of Rome Reigned̛, a fuƚƚ wise man, and aboue aƚƚ thyng he was mercyfuƚƚ. It happed̛ ones as he walked̛ by a forest, he mette witℏ a poore man. ¶ The Emperour, whan he sawe met with hym, he was stered̛ witℏ mercy, and seid̛, "of whens art thou?" he said̛, "sir, I am your man, and of your lond̛ born̛, and I am poore and nedy." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "yf I wist that thou were trew, I shuld̛ shalle promote the to richesse; telle me, what is thi name?" he said̛, "lenticulus is my name, and I wille wole passim be trew vnto to you; and yf omitted I do otherwise, I bynde me to in aƚƚ payn̛." whan the Emperour had̛ herd̛ this, he promoted̛ hym; and sone after he omitted made hym knyght, and ordeyned̛ hym steward̛ of *his Empire the Emperour. ¶ Whan he was thus I-lifte lifte vp, his hert was enhaunsed̛ in with pride, *passyng aƚƚ syngulery, so that alle that were worthier than he; he dispised̛ the symple, and the poore he dispoyled̛ and robbed̛. ¶ On a tyme whan as he rode by a forest, he comaunded̛ the forster forsters to make an hundred̛ pittes right depe in the forest, and hille hem witℏ swete herbes; and that yf it happed̛ þat the bestes ronne by the forest, thei shuld̛ falle into the pittes. he Thei said̛, "sir, thi wille shaƚƚ be do done." ¶ After this this than it happed̛, that the *bestes ronne, and the omitted Steward̛ rode to the forest, for to see the pittes; and as he rode, he thought, "I am right grete, for aƚƚ *thyng are thinges ben at my biddyng. Is there any god but I?" And he smote the horse witℏ the sporres, and fille into one of the pittes, that before he had̛ ordeyned̛; and myght not out. ¶ And sone aftir hym fille a lyon̛ into the same pitte; ¶ *And aftir the lyon̛ fille omitted an Ape; and *aftir the Ape omitted a Serpent. whan the Steward̛ was thus vnbesette byset witℏ thise iij. omitted bestes, he was right sory. ¶ There was that in that tyme in the Citee a poore man, whos name was Guy, that had̛ no thynge but an Asse, that every day was wonte to go to the forest, for to gadre stikkes, and to charge his asse, and to lede to the market for omitted to selle; and so susteyned̛ hym self̘ and his wyf̘. ¶ And as Guy went in to omitted the forest, he herd̛ the Steward̛ out of the pitte seiyng, "O! dere frend̛, what so ever thou art, here me, and it that shaƚƚ be to the ever wele." ¶ Guy, whan he herd̛ a the voice of a man, he stode beside the pitte, and seid̛, "lo! I am here, for thou called̛ me." ¶ Than said̛ the knyght, "I am the omitted Steward̛ of the Emperour, and omitted in this pitte are witℏ me a lyon̛, an Ape, and a serpent; and I wote not whiche of thise shaƚƚ first devowre me. therfore, for goddes love, draw with a long cord draw me out, and I shaƚƚ wele promote the, For but I sone have help, of thise iij. bestes I shaƚƚ be devowred̛." ¶ Guy seid̛, "this is herd̛ to for me to do, for I have right nought, but that omitted I gadre stikkes, and selle hem, and therof̘ am I susteyned̛. But I shaƚƚ fulfille do your wille, and yf omitted I have nought of you, it shaƚƚ be *harme to me my harme." ¶ The Steward̛ seid̛, "by the help helthe of the Emperour, thou the and aƚƚ thyne to-morow I shaƚƚ promote to grete richesse." ¶ Guy seid̛, "I shaƚƚ do that thou biddest." he went to the Citee, and bought brought a longe corde, and stode on by the pitte side, and lette downe the corde, and said̛, "Steward̛, come vp by the corde." ¶ Whan the lyon̛ The lyon when he sawe the corde, he sterte therto, and held̛ it strongly. Guy wend̛ he had̛ drawen̛ vp the knyght, and but he drewe vp the lyon̛; and omitted whan the lyon̛ was drawen̛ vp, he lowted̛ to hym, and ranne to the wode. [Then the second tyme he lete downe the corde. The ape saw that, and lepe therto, and so he was drawne vp; and thankyd hym on his maner, and went to the wode. The iij. tyme he let don̛ the corde. The serpent saw that, and stert therto, and was drawyn vp; and lowtyd to hym, and went to the wode.] supplied from Cambridge MS ¶ Than the steward̛ seid̛, "now am I delyuered̛ of iij. thes iij. bestes, lette downe now the corde to me, that I may assend̛." and so it was done. he knytte it fast about his arse, and Guy drew hym out. ¶ And than said̛ seyd to hym the knyght, "come to-morow at none to the my paleys, and omitted I shaƚƚ make the riche for ever." ¶ Guy was Ioyfuƚƚ, and went home voide. his wyf asked̛ whi he had̛ gadred̛ no stikkes, of the whiche thei myght lyve that day. he told̛ her how he had̛ delyuered̛ the Steward̛ out of the pitte; and the that next day folowyng he shuld̛ yeve hym worthi mede. ¶ his wyf was glad̛, and said̛, "lette vs be of good̛ comfort; therfore rise the day and the houre, and go to the man for the reward̛." ¶ On the that other day he went to the paleys, and spake to the porter, and said̛, "I pray the, go to the Steward̛, and telle hym, that omitted the man is here witℏ the whiche he spake yistirday." ¶ The porter went to the knyght, and said̛ the herand̛ *and the message omitted. The knyght said̛, "none spake witℏ me; lette hym go his way, that I se hym not." *the porter bad̛ him go his way. ¶ whan omitted Guy herd̛ this, he was sory, and went home, and told̛ his wyf aƚƚ *the matir that was fallen. his wyf comforted̛ hym in omitted aƚƚ that she myght, and said̛, "go Gothe to hym another tyme, and assaye." ¶ he went another day tyme to the paleys, and praied̛ the porter to spede his nedes. the porter went at his praiyng prayer to the steward̛, and shewed̛ to hym the comyng of the pore man. the Steward̛, whan he herd̛ this, he went and bete him, and lefte hym halfe on lyve. ¶ his wyf herd̛ that, and come to hym, and put hym on his asse, and ledde hym home; and that she had̛, she spended̛ vpon it on medecynes, and so he was made hole. Than he went agayn̛ to the wood̛ witℏ his asse, for to gadre stikkes. ¶ It fille on a day, whan Guy went to the wood̛, he sawe a lyon̛, and before hym .x. asses chargede witℏ dyuerse chaffare. The lyon̛ brought hem aƚƚ before hym. Guy was aferde, but whan he hade wisely behold̛ *the lyon̛ omitted, he knew wele it was the lyon̛, *the whiche that he drew out of the pitte, And whan aƚƚ the Asses were entred̛ into his house, the lyon̛ enclyned̛ his hede, and went ayene so went to the woode. ¶ Guy opened̛ the pakkes, and founde moche merchaundise. he went, and did̛ enquere spere in chirches kyrkes and markettes, yf that if any man hadde lost chaffare witℏ asses, that omitted he shuld̛ come to hym; but there was none found̛. Notwithstondyng And notwithstondyng thise richesse, he went agayn̛ to the woode, for to gadre stikkes, witℏ his asse. ¶ It happed̛ on a day as he went to the woode, he sawe the Ape, that he drew oute of the pitte, in the croppe of a tree, brekyng stikkes witℏ his handes, and witℏ his tethe; and cast downe as many stikkes as he neded̛, to lade witℏ his Asse, and wente home. ¶ Another day tyme he *went to the wood̛, and he omitted sawe a-ferre a serpent, beryng in his mouthe a stone of .iij. colours, the whiche he gaf̘ hym, and wente agayne *to the woode omitted. ¶ Guy had̛ wondir of *the stone this, and wente to a lapydarye, to aske of what vertu it was. he aunswered̛, and said̛, it hadde .iij. vertues. ¶ The first vertu is this omitted; he that *have this hathe it, shaƚƚ have ioye witℏ out hevynesse. ¶ The second̛ is, he shaƚƚ have habundaunce habundaunce of good witℏ out defaute. ¶ The thirde is, he shaƚƚ have light witℏout derknesse. also he that *hatℏ it, and omitted shaƚƚ selle it, but yf he have as moche as it is worthe, it shaƚƚ come home omitted agayn̛ to hym." ¶ Guy, whan he herd̛ had herd this, he said̛ was right glad, and seyde, "in a good̛ tyme I drewe the bestes out of the pitte!" by the vertu of this the stone he gate moche good̛, and in so moche, that he was made a knyght, and gate many possessions. ¶ Anon̛ aftir this omitted, it was no counsaile, but it was shewed̛ to the Emperour, that Guy had̛ a stone of grete vertu. ¶ The Emperour sent to hym a messanger, that he shuld̛ sone come to hym, *at a certayn̛ day in to a certen place. ¶ Guy, whan he was come, the Emperour said̛ to hym, "Frend̛, I have herd̛ said̛, that some tyme thou ye were in grete pouerte, and now by the vertu of a stone *thou arte ye be made riche. I pray the, selle me that stone." ¶ he said̛, "sir, y may not, for I am certayn̛, that as als longe as I have the stone, I *shaƚƚ be am siker of iij. thynges. ¶ The firste is, I shaƚƚ have Ioye without hevynesse. The second̛ is, habundaunce witℏ oute defaute. The thirde is, light without derknesse." ¶ The Emperour, whan he had̛ herd̛ this, he was more covetouse of the stone, and said̛ to hym, "chese of ij. thynges, other thou shalt out of my Empire, witℏ aƚƚ thi progenye, or thou shalt selle me the stone." ¶ "Sir," he seid̛, "I were lothe to offende you; and therfore, yf ye wille bye the stone, I shaƚƚ fulfille your wille. but first I shaƚƚ shewe you the perile of the stone. ¶ Sir omitted, but yf ye yeve me as moche therfore as it is worthe, witℏ outen doute the stone shaƚƚ come come home ayene to me." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "I shaƚƚ yeve the sufficiantly, for thou shalt have of me a thousand̛ pounde marc." Guy toke the money of hym, and delyuered̛ hym the stone. atte morow Guy opened̛ his chest huch, and founde the stone, and told̛ his wyf of the chaunce. ¶ She seid̛, "oo! sir, go fast to agayn to the Emperour, and take hym agayn̛ the stone, lest he put to vs gyle or fraude." ¶ Guy wente to the Emperour, and said̛, "Sir, yisterday I sold̛ to you a stone; I wold̛ gladly se it." the Emperour went to his tresorye, and found̛ not the stone. he come forthe hevy vnto Guy, and said̛, he that he had̛ lost the stone. ¶ Than said̛ Guy, "sir, be not hevy, for I said̛ to you before, that I myght not selle the my stone vnto I had̛ resceived̛ the valew. lo! here your is your thousand̛ mark̘, that ye gaf̘ me for the stone, For I this day found̛ it the stone in my chest huche; and happely *but yf I had̛ had not I brought it the stone to you ayene, *ye wold̛ have shewed̛ me myne on me lightly ye shold put offence." ¶ The Emperour, whan he sawe the stone, he mervailed̛, and said̛, "By the faithe thou owest to me, say how thou camest come by the stone?" ¶ Guy said̛, "by the faitℏ that I owe to you, I shaƚƚ telle you the trouthe. youre steward̛, that ye promoted̛ of fro nought, did̛ make many depe pittes in your forest. and he omitted, as he rode *vnavised̛, fille on a day onauysyd, he fylle into one the one, and myght not come out, for the pitte was depe. It happed̛ wele omitted, that after̛ hym fille a lyon̛, an Ape, and a Serpente, into the same pitte. and I was that tyme poore, and wente vnto in to the Forest witℏ my Asse, for to gadre stikkes; and as I wente, he cried̛ *to me omitted, that I shuld̛ help hym out of the pitte, and frofor perile of dethe, by cause he was amonge suche the perillous bestes. and trewly he hight to me witℏ an othe, that he shuld̛ promote me and aƚƚ my progeny to richesse. ¶ And omitted whan I herd̛ this, I gate me a longe rope, and lette it into the pitte, and trowed̛ I shuld̛ draw hym to me; and I drewe vp the lyon̛, and aftir hym the Ape, and than the Serpent; *and atte at the last I drewe vp the Steward̛. ¶ The lyon̛ yaf̘ me .x. asses charged̛ witℏ dyuerse marchaundise; The Ape yaf̘ me stikkes, as many as myn̛ Asse myght bere; The serpent yaf̘ me this precious Stone, the whiche I have sold̛ to you; but the Steward̛ bete me, and wounded̛ me greuously, þat I was born̛ home on myn̛ asse." ¶ The Emperour, whan he herd̛ this, he was gretly stered̛ in hym self̘ agayn̛ the Steward̛, and sent for hym; ¶ And whan he was come, the Emperour vndirtoke hym omitted of the cryme wrong that he did̛ to Guy; and he stode stille, and aunswered̛ not, for he myght not denye deuoyde it. ¶ Than said̛ the Emperour, "O! thou wrecche, vnresonable bestes, as the lyon̛, the Ape, and the Serpent, yelded̛ hym mede, because he drew hem out of the pitte vnpraied̛; and thou, that art a omitted resonable man, and for his good̛ purpose that delyuered̛ the fro thi the detℏ, for his mede thou bete hym omitted nere to the dethe. ¶ For the this whiche dede I deme the this day to be hanged̛ *on the Gibbette omitted, and aƚƚ thi londes I yeve to Sir Guy; and in thi stede I make hym Steward̛." ¶ Whan the Steward̛ was hanged̛ on the Gibbette, Sir Guy ocupied̛ his place, the whiche was loved̛ of aƚƚ, and so in pease ended̛ his lyf̘.

Anceline reigned̛ in the Citee of Rome, that toke a faire maiden̛ to wyf̘ and thei lived̛ to-gedre longe tyme, and she conseived̛ not, wherfore the lordes of the Empire were mekeƚƚ desolate. ¶ It befelle on a nyght aftir souper, that the Emperour walked̛ in his gardeyn̛, 2and thought many thynges in hym self̘, and of that he had̛ none heire of his body, and for that the kyng of pule werred̛ vpon his Empire alway. ¶ whan it was nyght the Emperour went into his chambre, to his bede, and had̛ a dreme vndir this forme. ¶ In the mornyng he sawe the firmament in more clernesse than it was wonte to be, and the mone in it self̘ was more pale in the one partie than in the other. ¶ Than went out a liteƚƚ Bridde, coloured̛ witℏ double coloures, and beside the bridde ij. Bestes, the whicℏ norisshed̛ togedre the bridde witℏ her hete. after that come dyuerse other bestes, and bowed̛ her hedes to the bridde. than dyuerse briddes come to-gedre, and songe so swetely, that the Emperour was waked̛ of his slepe. ¶ Than the Emperour called̛ to hym dyvynours, and the wisest men of aƚƚ his Empire, and said̛ to hem, "I sawe a dreme; seitℏ amonge you the interpretacion̛ thereof̘, and ye shaƚƚ haue grete mede of me, or els ye shuƚƚ be dede." ¶ Thei seid̛, "sir̛, telle vs the dreme." The Emperour̛ told̛ hem the dremedremes as is before said̛. ¶ And than thei anon̛ witℏ a glad̛ chere said̛, "Sir, the dreme is good̛. ¶ The firmament, that is and was in more clernesse, is the Empire, that from hens forward̛ shaƚƚ be put in more rest. ¶ The mone, that was more pale, is the Empresse, that for concepcion̛ is more discoloured̛. The liteƚƚ bridde, that went out, betokenetℏ a right faire sone, that she shaƚƚ bryng forthe, whan tyme come. The two bestes, by the whiche the bridde was norisshed̛, are alle wise men and riche, that shuƚƚ obeye to the child̛ in alle thyng. the bestes, that bowed̛ her hedes to hym, are moche other folke, the whiche yit did̛ no homage to your sone; and in aƚƚ thynge they shaƚƚ be vndir fote. ¶ The briddes, that songen̛ so meryly, is aƚƚ the Empire of Rome, that shaƚƚ Ioye the birthe of the child̛." ¶ The Emperour was gretly gladed̛ of her interpretacion̛. After this the Empresse brought forthe a child̛. ¶ whan the kyng of pule herd̛ this, he thought witℏ in hym self̘, "I have longe hold̛ werre ayenst the Emperour; It may not be, but whan the sone shaƚƚ come to lawfuƚƚ age, it shaƚƚ be tolde hym that I have alway foughten̛ ayenst his fadir. now he is a child̛, ¶ Therfore it is now better to me to be in pease, that whan he cometℏ to age, he have no thynge ayenst me." ¶ The kyng anon̛ wrote to the Emperour for pease. The Emperour seyng that he did̛ this because of drede more than for love, ¶ he wrote agayn̛ to hym, and said̛, If that he wold̛ make hym suerte of pease, and bynde hym self̘ to hym in servage, and do to hym homage, and yeld̛ the rentes, he shuld̛ take hym to pease. ¶ The kyng called̛ to hym his counsaile, and told̛ hem what the Emperour said̛. Than the wise men said̛, "It is good̛ to fulfiƚƚ the Emperours wille in aƚƚ thyng. First he asketℏ of you suerte; To that we say, ye haue a faire doughtir, and the Emperour̛ hatℏ a sone; lette matrymonye be made betwixe hem, and so pease to be made withe outen̛ ende. ¶ Also the Emperour asketℏ homage and rentes; it is good̛ to fulfiƚƚ hem." ¶ Than the kyng sent messangers to the Emperour, that he wold̛ fulfiƚƚ his wille in aƚƚ thynge, and that he wold̛ yeve his doughtir to his sone, to be his wyf̘. ¶ The Emperour sent agayn̛, and seid̛, "yf thi doughtir be a maiden̛ from her birthe to this day, he wold̛ consent that his sone shuld̛ haue her." ¶ The doughtir was a maiden̛. the kyng her fadir anon̛ made redy a shippe, and put her ther̛ in, witℏ knyghtes and ladies, for to lede her to the Emperour. ¶ Whan thei were in the shippe sailyng, there arose on hemhym a grete tempest, that aƚƚ were drowned̛, oute take the maiden̛, for she put a grete hope in god̛. and agenst Even̛ the tempest seased̛. anon̛ ¶ A grete whale folowed̛ the shippe, for to devowre the maiden̛; and she was sore aferde; and whan it was nyght she smote fire of the stone, and made a grete fire; and as longe as the nyght lasted̛, the whale durst not come nere the shippe. ¶ But aboute the tyme of the nyght whan the cokke crewe, the maiden̛ wexe slepie, and sore vexed̛, and fille on slepe; and while she slept the fire went out, and the maiden̛ was swalowed̛ witℏ in the whale. and the maiden̛, while she satte in the whales bely, she made a fire witℏ in, and witℏ her knyf̘ she wounded̛ the whale, of the whiche he toke the dethe; and anon̛ he swamme to lond̛. ¶ It befeƚƚ so that tyme, there was an Erle, whos name was Perius, dwellyng by the see; and as he went to the see side warde, he sawe a grete whale comyng to lond̛. than he bad̛ aƚƚ his strengest men go smyte the whale on every side. ¶ Whan the maiden̛ witℏ in herd̛ the strokes, she cried̛ witℏ an higℏ voice, ¶ "O! ye gentiƚ men, have mercy on me, for I am a kynges doughtir, and a maiden̛ sethe my birtℏ!" ¶ The Erle, whan he herd̛ this, sore mervailed̛, and opened̛ the whale, and drew the maiden̛ out. than the maiden̛ told̛ hem how it was witℏ her. ¶ whan the Erle herd̛ this, he was glad̛, and held̛ the maiden̛ witℏ hym a certayn̛ tyme, tille she was comforted̛. than he sent her to the Emperour. ¶ whan he had̛ herd̛ how she ascaped̛ the see, he had̛ of her grete pite, and said̛, ¶ "O! good̛ maiden̛, thou hast suffred̛ many aduersitees for love of my sone; neverthelesse I shaƚƚ prove, whether thou be worthi to be my sonnes wif̘ or not." ¶ Than the Emperour did̛ make iij. vessels. ¶ The first vesseƚƚ was of pure gold̛ and precious stones, and witℏ in it was fuƚƚ of ded̛ mennes bones; and witℏ oute was this scripture, he that shaƚƚ chese me, In me shaƚƚ fynde that he hatℏ deserved̛. ¶ The second̛ vesseƚƚ was of pure siluer and of precious stones, and fuƚƚ of erthe; and witℏ out this scripture, he that shaƚƚ chese me, In me shaƚƚ fynde that his nature desiretℏ. ¶ The thirde vesseƚƚ was of lede, and fuƚƚ of nobils and precious stones witℏ in; and witℏ out was this scripture, he that shaƚƚ chese me, in me shaƚƚ fynde that god̛ hatℏ disposed̛ for hym. ¶ Thise iij. vessels the Emperour shewed̛ to the maiden̛, and said̛, "thise are iij. noble vessels; yf thou chese one of thise, in the whicℏ is profite and availe, thou shalt have my sone; and yf thou chese that is not profitable to hym, ne to none other, thou shalt not have my sone." ¶ The maiden̛, whan she sawe the vessels, she lift vp her hondes to god̛, and said̛, ¶ "Thou, lord̛, that alle thynge knowest, graunte me grace so to chese, that of the Emperours sone I may have Ioye!" ¶ Than she beheld̛ the first vesseƚƚ, and redde the superscripcion̛, and said̛, "what have I deserved̛ to have so precious a vesseƚƚ? what is witℏ in I wote never vtterly; Neverthelesse it shynetℏ witℏ out of fyne gold̛." Than she said̛, "this vesseƚƚ in no wise wille I chese." ¶ Than she loked̛ on the second̛ vesseƚƚ, and redde the scripture that was ther̛ on, he that chesetℏ me, shaƚƚ fynde that his nature desiretℏ. ¶ She thought in her self̘, "If I chese this, I wote not what is witℏ in But that nature desiretℏ. Nature desiretℏ alway delectacion̛ of flessℏ, therfore this vesseƚƚ in no wise I wille chese." ¶ Afterward̛ she loked̛ on the thirde vesseƚƚ, that was of lede, and that was fuƚƚ of nobles and precious stones; and she redde the scripture, that was this, he that chesetℏ me, in me shaƚƚ fynde that god̛ hathe disposed̛. ¶ She thought witℏ in her self̘, "this vesseƚƚ is not mekeƚƚ precious, and neverthelesse the scripture seitℏ, he that chesetℏ me, in me shaƚƚ fynde that god hatℏ disposed̛; And it is in certayn̛ god ordeyned̛ never eveƚƚ therfore this vesseƚƚ I wolle chese." ¶ The Emperour, whan he herd̛ this, he said̛, "O! goode maiden̛, open the vesseƚƚ, that we mow se yf thou have wele chosen̛." whan it was open̛, it was fuƚƚ of gold̛ and precious stones. ¶ Than he said̛, "O! good̛ maiden̛, thou hast wisely chosen̛, therfore thou shalt have my sone." and so he ordeyned̛ the day of the weddyng, in the whiche was grete Ioye. ¶ And after the dissease of the Fadir, the sone reigned̛ as Emperour, and endid̛ his lyf̘ in pease.

Frendes, this Emperour̛ is the fadir of heven̛, that longe before the sone toke flesshe, for the whiche many perisshed̛prechede, in as mekeƚƚ as thei went to helle before the Incarnacion̛ of Ihesu crist. ¶ The Empresse, that conseivid̛ a sone, is blissed̛ mary. The firmament, that was put in more clerenesse, Illumynetℏ the world̛ by concepcion̛ of goddes sone. The pale mone is the face of the blissed̛ virgyne mary, that was shadowed̛ witℏ the holy gost. ¶ The liteƚƚ bridde, that went out of the one partie, forsothe is crist. The ij. bestes were the Oxe and the Asse. The bestes, that come from ferre countre, are the herdemen, to the whiche the Aungeƚƚ seid̛, ¶ "Behold̛, I shew to you grete Ioye, for this day is born̛ the savyour of the world̛." ¶ The briddes, that songe so swetly, are the aungels of god̛, that songen̛, Ioye be to god̛ above and pease to men, of good̛ wille in the erthe. ¶ The kyng of pule is aƚƚ mankynd̛, that whan he was in the power of the fend̛, man was contrarye to god̛. ¶ But whan our lord̛ was born̛, anon̛ man enclyned̛ to god̛, and sente for to have pease, whan eche of vs asketℏ baptyme. ¶ Also the kyng yaf̘ his doughtir to the sone of the Emperour̛ in Matrymonye. So crist is redy to take thi soule to his spouse, but before or thou come to the paleys of heven̛, thou behovest to passe the see of this world̛, in a bote of holy lyf̘. but whan thou art in thi bote, there arisetℏ a grete tempest, that is, tribulacion̛ of the world̛, temptacion̛ of the flessℏ, and suggestion̛ of the fende, that drownetℏ ofte sithes the vertues *and the grace that thou resceivest in thi baptyme; for that thou shalt in no maner falle out of the shippe of charite. ¶ Also the grete whale, that folowed̛ the maiden̛, is By an oversight of the scribe, nearly four lines are repeated here, but with some variations difficult to account for if the MS was merely a transcript. Thus for 'shippe' he writes 'bote', and for 'maner' he has 'wise.' The repetition is given in the text, the words firstly written are as follows: "that thou resceivest in the baptyme not for that in no wise falle not out of the bote of charitee ¶ The grete whale that folowede the maidene is" the deveƚƚ, that nyght and day is besy to drowne the soule in synne. do thou therfore as the maiden̛ did̛; Smyte fire of charite of the stone, that is, of crist, and the deveƚƚ shaƚƚ not noye the. ¶ But many begynne wele like the maiden̛, but afterward̛ thei were wery of good̛ werkes, and slepen̛ in synnes; and anon̛ the deveƚƚ swolowetℏ the synner. ¶ If thou fele thi self̘ in suche lif̘, that is, in the power of the fende, do as the maiden̛ did̛; witℏ the knyf̘ of bitter penaunce smyte the deveƚƚ, and̛ light vp fire of charitee, and he shaƚƚ cast the to lond̛ of good̛ lyf̘. ¶ The Erle, that come witℏ his servauntes to sle the whale, Is a discrete confessour, dwellyng by the see, that is, the world̛, the whiche is redy witℏ wordes of holy writte for to slee the deveƚƚ, that is, for to put away his power, and to delyver hym fro the. ¶ Do thou therfore as the maiden̛ did̛, Cryng witℏ an higℏ voise, beyng a-know of thi synnes to thi confessour; and so maist thou be norisshed̛ in good̛ werkes from the power of the deveƚƚ, and be sent to the kyngdom̛ of heven̛. ¶ The Emperour shewed̛ the maiden̛ iij. vessels, that is, god̛ puttetℏ before man lyf and dethe, goode and Eveƚƚ; whiche he chesetℏ, that he shaƚƚ have. ¶ wherfore Salamon̛ seitℏ, before manmannes is lyf and dethe; that liketℏ hym shaƚƚ be geven̛ hym; neverthelesse we wote not whether we be worthi lyf̘ or dethe. ¶ By the first vesseƚƚ of gold̛, fuƚƚ of dede mennes bones, we shaƚƚ vndirstond̛ the world̛ or worldly men, as are thise riche men that shynen̛ witℏ out as gold̛, but witℏ in thei are fulle of dede mennes bones, that is, aƚƚ the werkes that thei have done in this world̛ thei are dede as vnto god̛, by her dedely synnes. If thou may chese suche lyf̘, than shalt thou fynde as thou hast deserved̛, and that is helle. suche are like gay sepulcres, that witℏ oute are araied̛ right faire, and that somtyme witℏ clothes of silke and of gold̛ are covered̛ and hilled̛, but witℏ in thei are but drye bones. ¶ By the second̛ vesseƚƚ of siluer we shuƚƚ vndirstonde domysmen, wisemen, and myghty men of the world̛, that shynen̛ in her speche as it were siluer, but witℏ in thei are wormes and erthe. ¶ By the third vesseƚƚ of lede we shulle vndirstond̛ a symple lyf̘, that are tho that are goddes chosen̛ children̛; for thei chosen̛ a symple vesture, and a meke, and are subiecte to obedience for god̛. ¶ Sucℏ beren̛ precious stones, that be meritorie werkes, pleasyng to god̛, for the whiche at the day of dome thei shuƚƚ be wedded̛ to god̛, and shaƚƚ have the heritage of the kyngdome of heven̛. to the whiche god̛ brynge vs! Amen.

DOnatus reigned̛ in Rome, that did̛ make in the Temple iij. ymages. One had̛ his hand̛ strecched̛ forthe to the peple, and on his fynger a gold̛ ryng. The That other ymage had̛ a golden̛ berde; ¶ And the third̛ had̛ a manteƚƚ of *purpure and purpille and of gold̛. ¶ whan the ymages were made, the Emperour comaunded̛, that no man shuld̛ dispoile spoyle the ymages, on payn̛ of hangyng and drawyng, ne to omitted hem do no disease, that is, to take a-way the Rynge, the Berde, ne the Manteƚƚ. ¶ It fille on a day tyme, that a Tyraunte, whos name was called̛ omitted Dynnys, wente into the Temple, and toke away the Rynge fro the first ymage, and the Berde fro the second̛ ymage, and the Manteƚƚ from fro passim the thirde. Anon̛ he was take, and brought before the Emperour, and̛ was accused̛ of the trespasse, that he had̛ spoyled̛ the ymages. ¶ "Sir," he said̛, "it is lefuƚƚ to me to aunswere. Whan I first entred̛ the temple, the Image put forthe first omitted to me his hande, as he had̛ said̛, Take this Rynge *of my gifte; and therfore I toke the Rynge omitted. And aftir that, I sawe the second̛ ymage have a goldyn̛ berde; and I þought in my hert, that I knew his Fadir, that had̛ never no a goldyn̛ Berde, and that it *was ayenst is agayne kynde, that the sone shuld̛ be hyer than the Fadir; and therfore I toke fro hym the Berde, that he shuld̛ be like his Fadir. ¶ And aftir afterward I sawe the thirde ymage, witℏ that had a Manteƚƚ of purpure purpille and gold̛; and I thought, that in wyntir a golden̛ manteƚƚ shuld̛ be cold̛, and therfore the ymage neded̛ not the manteƚƚ in cold̛ wyntir, ne in Somer, For it is hevy; and therfore I toke a-way the golden manteƚƚ." ¶ Than omitted the Emperour said̛, "wikkedly thou hast aunswered̛, whi thou shuldest more robbe the ymage ymages than *any other man, sithen̛ other men sholde, sethe I comaunded̛, vpon̛ on payn̛ of dethe, that no man shuld̛ do to omitted hem no grevaunce; thi moutℏ hatℏ condempned̛ thi self̘." ¶ The Emperour called̛ one of his Squyers, and seid̛, "go fast, and smyte of his hede." and so it was done. do

Frendes, this Emperour is the Fadir of heven̛, that reised̛ vp the iij. ymages in the temple of this world̛, ¶ That is, poore men, wise men, and myghty men. ¶ The Tyraunt, the Theefe, is Iustices, Sherefis, and Baillies, that taken̛ a-way fro the poore men the golden̛ rynge, that is, her goodes, and sayen̛, "may I not take it, whan he yevetℏ it me?" ¶ For whan the poore man hathe ought to do, nylle he wille he, he shaƚƚ put fortℏ his honde for to yeve hem, yf he wolle spede. ¶ Also thei taken̛ a-way the golden̛ berd̛, that is, whan thei sene a man gadre richesse, or have grace, Anon̛ thei sayen̛, "se this chorle wille be more than his fadir! Take we fro hym the Berde of richesse, for it is I-nougℏ to hym to be like his Fadir." ¶ Also by the golden̛ manteƚƚ is vndirstond̛ man in dignyte, that gladly the smale correctes. the malefactours conspiren̛ and sayn̛, he is over cold̛, or seyn̛, he is over hote by covetise, or over sterne by myght; wherfore suche one thei accusen̛, and for his offence thei dampnen̛ hym. and aƚƚ suche eveƚƚ doers dyen̛ an eveƚƚ dethe.