Octovian (Cambridge, University Library, MS Ff.2.38)Frances McSparranca. 110 kilobytesMiddle English CompendiumOctC

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1993Octovian, version C / transcribed from Cambridge, University Library, MS Ff.2.38 by Frances McSparranTranscribed from MS, unpublished in this formThe electronic text was created from a transcription of Cambridge, University Library, MS Ff.2.38 by Frances McSparran. Abbreviations have been expanded without notice, but otherwise the text, spelling, capitalization and punctuation are those of the manuscript. It is therefore a transcription and not an edition, and differs in many respects from the edition published for the Early English Text Society by the Oxford University Press, London and New York, 1986.Pagination conforming to that of the EETS edition has been supplied to facilitate comparison with the final edited version of the text.

Front and back matter from printed edition not included.

Editorial notes from printed edition not included in electronic edition.

 1350-1375
Octovian (Cambridge, University Library, MS Ff.2.38) Lines 1 through 100 lytyll & mykyll olde & yonge lystenyth now to my talkynge of whome y wyll yow lythe Jhesu lorde of heuyn kynge grawnt vs all hys blessynge and make vs gladd and blythe sothe sawys y wyll yow mynge of whom þe worde wyde can sprynge yf ye wyll lystyn and lythe yn bokys of ryme hyt ys tolde how hyt befelle owre eldurs olde well oftyn sythe sometyme felle aventure in rome ther was an emperowre in romans as we rede he was a man of grete fauour he leuyd in yoye & gret honour and doghty was in dede in turnament & yn fyght yn the worlde was not a bettur knyght then he was vndur wede octavyan hys name hyght he was a man of moche myght and bolde at euery nede an emperes he had to wyfe the feyrest þat myght bere lyfe these clerkys seyn soo vii yere togedur had þey ben wyth yoye & game þem betwene and othur myrthys moo tho the vii yerys were all goon chylde myght they gete noon that tyme betwene them twoo that aftur hym hys londys schulde welde therfore grete sorowe drewe þem to elde yn herte he was full woo the emperowre on a day in hys bedd as he lay wyth hys lady bryght he behelde hur feyre lere that was bryght os blossom on brere and semely in hys syght a sorowe to hys herte ranne that chylde togedur þey myȝt noon han hys londe to yeue and ryght be hys lady as he sete for woo hys chekys waxe all wete that was so hende a knyght when the lady can hyt see chaunge sche dud hur feyre blee and syghyd wondur sare sche felle on kneys hym agayne and of hys sorowe sche can hym frayne and of hys mekyll care for yf that hyt were yowre wylle yowre counsell for to schewe me tyll of yowre lyuys fare ye wott y am youre worldys fere youre thoght to me ye myght dyskeuyr youre comfort were the mare in hys armes he can hur folde and hys cownsell to hur tolde and of hys hertys wownde now haue we vii yere togedur byn and we no chylde haue vs betwen and here we schall not leue but a stownde y wott not how thys londe schall fare but leue in warre in sorowe and care when we are broght to grownde therfore y haue so mekyll thoght that when y am to bedd broght y slepe but selden sownde than answeryd that lady bryght syr y can yow rede aryght yf yow nothyng to ylle a ryche abbey schall we make for owre dere lady sake and londys geue thertylle sche wyll prey hur sone feyre that we togedur may haue an heyre thys londe to welde at wylle they let make an abbey thoo the lady was wyth chyldren twoo as hyt was goddys wylle wyth chylde waxe the lady thore grete sche was wyth peynys sore that was bothe hende and free tyll tyme felle þat hyt was soo the lady had menchyldren two that semely were to see tythyngys come to the emperowre as he lay in hys towre a gladd man was hee two maydenys þe errande hym broght wythowt gyftys yede they noght eyther he gafe townys three the emperowre was full blyþe of mode to hys chapell swythe he yode and thanked god of hys sonde yerly when the day can sprynge Lines 101 through 200 a preest he dud a masse synge hys modur there he fonde sone sche seyde y am blythe that the emperes schall haue lyue and leue wyth vs in londe but moche sorowe deryth mee that rome schall wrongheyred bee in vnkynde honde modur he seyde why sey ye soo now haue we menchyldren two ythankyd be goddys wylle nay sche seyde sone myne ther ys neuyr neyþyr of þem thyn that lykyth me full ylle for thou myght no chylde haue thy wyfe hath take a cokys knaue that wyll y proue be skylle a sorowe to the emperowrs herte ranne that worde cowde he speke noon but yede awey full stylle to hys chapell forthe he yode and at hys masse stylle he stode as man that was in care the emperowrs modur let calle a knaue and hym behett grete mede to haue a thowsande pownde and mare to the chaumbur the knaue toke þe way there as the emperes in chyldebedd lay all slepte that there were forwhy they had wakyd longe in peynys and in sorowe stronge or sche were delyuyrd thare haste the knaue wyth all thy myght preuely that thou were dyght and that thou were vncladd softly be hur yn thou crepe that þou wake hur not of hur slepe for seke sche ys bestadd hastyly was the knaue vncladd in he went as sche hym badd into the ryche bedde and euyr he drewe hym away for the ryches that he in lay sore he was adredd the emperowrs modur awey went than to hur sone swythe sche wan at masse there as he stode sone sche seyde thou trowest not me now thou mayste the sothe see to the chaumbur wyth hur he yode when he sawe that syght than sorowe to hys herte ranne and nerehonde waxe he wode the knaue he slewe in the bedd the ryche clothys were all bebledd of that gyltles blode euyr lay the lady faste aslepe a dylfull sweuyn can sche mete that was so swete a wyght sche thoght sche was in wyldyrnes yn thornes and in derkenes that sche myght haue no syght there come fleyng ouyr the stronde a dragon all wyth fyre brennand that all the londe was bryght in hys palmes all brennyng bloo vp he toke hur chyldren twoo and away he toke hys flyght when the lady can awake a dylfull gronyng can sche make the lasse was hur care the emperowre toke vp the grome the herre in hys honde he nome the hede smote of thare he caste hyt ageyne into the bedd the ryche clothys were all bebledd of redd golde there they ware the grete treson that þere was wroght the lady slept & wyste hyt noght hur comfort was the mare wordys of thys were spoke no moo tyll the emperes to churche was goo as lawe was in lede the emperowre made a feste y vndurstonde of kyngys that were of farre londe and lordys of dyuers stede the kyng of calabur wythowt lees that the ladys fadur was thethur was he bede all they semblyd on a day wyth myrthe game & wyth play whan the lady to churche yede kyngys dwellyd then all in same there was yoye and moche game at that grete mangery wyth gode metys them amonge harpe pype and mery songe bothe lewte and sawtre when the vii nyght was all goon wyth all kyn welthe in that won Lines 201 through 300 and mery mynstralsy ther was neuyr so ryche a getherynge that had so sory a pertynge i wyll yow telle for why grete dele hyt ys to telle on the ixthe day what befelle lystenyth and ye schall here the emperowre to chaumbur yode all the kyngys abowte hym stode wyth full gladd chere the emperowre seyde there he can stonde soche auenture felle in that londe of a lady in that yere wyth soche a treson was take & teynt he askyd when maner jugement that sche worthy were when the emperowre had hys tale tolde the kyng of calabur answere wolde he wyste not what hyt mente he seyde hyt ys worthy for hur sake wythowt the cyte a fyre to make be ryghtwyse yugement when þe fyre were brennyng faste sche & hur ii chyldren þerin to be caste and to dethe to be brente the emperowre answeryd hym full sone thyn own doghtur hyt hath done y holde to thyn assent there was dele and grete pyte a feyre they made wythowt the cyte wyth brondys brennyng all bryght to the fyre they ledd þat lady thare two squyers hur chyldren bare that semely were in syght in a kyrtull of scarlett redd in the fyre to take hur dedd redy was sche dyght the kyng of calabur made euyll chere for dele he myȝt not stonde hys doghtur nere there wept bothe kynge and knyght the lady sawe no bettur redd but that sche schulde be dedd that day vpon the fylde wyth sory hert the sothe to telle before þe emperowre on kneys sche felle and bothe hur hondys vp helde grawnt me lorde for Jhesu sake oon oryson that y may make to hym that all may welde and sythen on me do yowre wylle what dethe þat ye wyll put me tyll therto y wyll me ȝelde the lady on hur kneys hur sett to Jhesu cryste full sore sche wepte what wondur was hyt þogh she were woo Jhesu sche seyde kynge of blysse thys day thou me rede and wysse and heuene qwene alsoo mary mayden and modur free my preyer wyll y make to thee for my chyldren twoo as thou lett them be borne of mee grawnt that they may crystenyd bee to dethe or that they goo kyngys & qwenys abowte hur were ladys felle in swownyng there and knyghtys stode wepande the emperowre hur lorde stode hur nere the terys tryllyd downe on hys lere full sory can he stande the emperowre spake a worde of pyte dame thy dethe y wyll not see wyth herte nothur wyth hande the emperowre gaf hur leue to goo and wyth hur to take hur chyldren two and flee owt of hys londe the emperowre gaf hur xl pownde of florens that were rownde in yeste as we rede and betoke hur knyghtys twoo and gaf hur þe golde & badd hur goo owt of hys londe to lede the knyghtys the chyldren bare there the hye weyes ware and forthe full swythe they yede the kyngys from the parlement eche man to hys own londe went for sorowe ther hertys can blede tho the lady come to a wyldurnes that full of wylde bestys was the wode was grete and streyght the knyghtys toke hur þere þe chyldren twoo and gaf hur the golde & badd hur goo the way þat lay forthe ryght they badd hur holde þe hye strete for drede of wylde beestys for to mete that mekyll were of myght ageyne they went wyth sory mode the lady aloon forthe sche yode as a wofull wyght Lines 301 through 400 so had sche wepte there beforne that the ryght wey had sche lorne so moche sche was in thoght ynto a wode was veryly thykk there cleuys were & weyes wyck and hur wey fonde sche noght yn a clyff vndur an hylle there sche fonde a full feyre welle in an herber redy wroght wyth olyfe treys was the herber sett the lady sett hur downe & wepte further myght sche noght the lady by the welle hur sett to Jhesu cryste sore sche grett no further myght sche gone lorde kynge sche seyde of heuyn blys thys day þou me rede and wysse full weyle y am of won mary modur maydyn free my preyer wyll y make to the thou mende my sorowfull mone so full y am of sorowe and care that thre dayes are goon & mare that mete ete y noon be that sche had hur chyldren dyght hyt was woxe derke nyght as sche sate be the welle in the erber downe sche lay tyll hyt was dawnyng of the day that fowlys herde sche ȝelle there came an ape to seke hur pray hur oon chylde sche bare away on an hye hylle what wondur was thogh sche were woo the ape bare the chylde hur froo in swownyng downe sche felle in all the sorowe that sche in was there come rennyng a lyenas os wode as sche wolde wede in swownyng as the lady lay hur wodur chylde sche bare away hur whelpys wyth to fede what wondur was þogh sche woo ware the wylde beestys hur chyldyr away bare for sorowe hur herte can blede the lady sett hur on a stone besyde the welle & made hur mone and syghyng forthe sche yede there came a fowle þat was feyre of flyght a gryffyn he was callyd be ryght ouyr the holtys hore the fowle was so moche of myght that he wolde bare a kynght well armyd thogh he ware the lyenas wyth þe chylde vp toke he and into an yle of the see bothe he them bare the chylde slept in þe lyenas mowthe of wele nor wo noþyng hyt knowyth but god kepe hyt from care whan þe lyenas had a fote on londe hastyly sche can vp stonde as a beste þat was stronge & wylde thorow goddys grace þe gryffyn she slowe and sythen ete of the flesche ynowe and leyde hur downe be the chylde the chylde soke the lyenas as hyt goddys wylle was whan hyt the pappys feled and when the lyenas began to wake sche louyd þe chylde for hur whelpys sake and therwyth sche was full mylde wyth hur fete sche made a denne and leyde the lytull chylde theryn and kepte hyt day and nyght and when þe lyenas hungurd sore sche ete of the gryffyn more that afore was stronge and wyght as hyt was goddys owne wylle the lyenas belafte the chylde stylle the chylde was feyre and bryght the lady sett hur on a stone besyde the welle & made hur mone as a wofull wyght Jhesu sche seyde kynge of blys thys day þou me rede and wysse of all kyngys thou art flowre as y was kyngys doghtur & qwene and emperes of rome haue bene of many a ryche towre thorow þe lesyng þat ys on me wroght to moche sorowe y am broght and owt of myn honowre the worldys wele y haue forlorne and my two chyldren be fro me borne thys lyfe y may not dewre lorde the sorowe that y am ynne well y wot hyt ys for my synne welcome be thy sonde to the worlde y wyll me neuyr yeue Lines 401 through 500 but serue the lorde whyll y leue into the holy londe downe be an hylle þe wey she name and to the grekeysch see sche came and walkyd on the stronde beforne hur an hauen þere she sye and a cete wyth towrys hye all redy there sche fonde when sche come to the ryche towne a schyppe sche fonde all redy bowne wyth pylgrymys forthe to fare sche badd the schyppman golde & fee in hys schypp that sche myght bee yf hys wylle ware a bote they sende ouyr the flode to the lady there sche stode a wyght man in hur bare by the maste þey badd hur sytte of hur wo myght noman wytt but euyr sche wept full sare the schypp come be an yle syde the schyppman bade þem þere abyde fresche watur haue we none besyde them was a roche hye a well feyre welle there they sye come strykyng ouyr a stone two men to the londe they sente vp by the streme they wente the welle they fonde anone a lyenas lay in hur denne and was full fayne of þo two men anon sche had them slon so long on ankyr can they ryde the two men for to abyde tyll none was on the day xii men anon can they dyght wyth helmes and hawberkys bryght to londe than wente they they fonde the lyenas denne a manchylde lyeng therynne wyth the lyenas to pley sometyme hyt soke the lyenas pappe and sometyme they can kysse & cleppe for fere they fledd away they yede and tolde what þey sye they fonde on the roche on hye a lyenas in hur denne a manchylde therin lay wyth the lyenas to play and dedd were bothe ther men than spake the lady mylde mercy lordyngys that ys my chylde on londe ye let me renne the bote they sente ouyr the flode to londe allone the lady yode sore wepeyd the schypman than when sche came on the roche on hyght sche ranne whyll sche myght wyth full sory mode the lyenas thorow goddys grace when sche sye the ladyes face debonerly stylle sche stode thorow the myght of mary mylde sche suffurd hur to take vp þe chylde and wyth the lady to þe see she yode when þe schypmen þe lyenas sye the londe durste þey not come nye for feere they were nye wode some hente an oore & some a sprytt the lyenas for to meete owt of ther schyppe to were the lady ynto the schyp wente xxx fote the lyenas aftur sprente ther durste noman hur yn bere there men myght game see xl men lepe ynto the see so ferde of the lyenas they were by the lady þe lyenas downe lay and wyth the chylde can sche play and noman wolde sche dere they drewe vp seyle of ryche hewe the wynde owt of þe hauyn þem blewe ouyr the wanne streme the furste londe that they sye was a cete wyth towrys hye that hyght Jerusalem as glad they were of that syght as fowlys be of day lyght and of the sonne leme when hyt was ebbe & not flode the schypmen & þe lady to londe yode into that ryche realme ouyr all þe cyte wyde and longe of þys lady worde þer spronge that þere on londe was lende how sche had a lyenas broght owt of wyldurnes the kynge aftur hur sende the kynge bad hur lett for noþynge and the lyenas wyth hur brynge Lines 501 through 600 to the castell there nerehonde when þat sche before hym come for the emperyce of ryche rome full well he hur kende the kynge frayned hur of hur fare and sche hym tolde of moche care as a wofull wyght wyth hys quene he made hur to dwelle and maydenys redy at hur wylle to serue hur day and nyght the chylde þat was so feyre & free the kynge let hyt crystenyd bee octauyon he hyght when the chylde was of elde that he cowde ryde & armys welde the kynge dubbyd hym knyght the lyenas that was so wylde sche leuyd wyth the lady mylde hur comfort was the more the lady was wyth the quene wyth myrthe & game þem betwene to couyr hur of hur care eche oon seruyd hur day & nyght to make hur gladd wyth all þer myght tyll hyt bettur ware in Jerusalem can þe lady dwelle and of hur odur chylde y can yow telle that the ape away bare now comyþ þe ape þat was wylde þorow þe forest wyth þe chylde be the holtys hoore as þe ape come ouyr þe strete wyth a knyght can sche meete that chylde as sche bare there faght þe knyȝt wondur longe wyth þe ape þat was so stronge hys swyrde brake he thare the ape then awey ranne the knyȝt þere þe chylde wanne and on hys way can he fare forþe rode þe knyȝt wyth þe chylde þen and yn þe foreste he mett owtlawys x that moche were of myght the knyȝt ȝyt was neuyr so wo for hys swerde was brokyn yn two that he ne myȝt wyth them fyght thogh þe knyȝt were kene & þro the owtlawys wanne þe chylde hym fro that was so swete a wyght the knyȝt was woundyd so þat day vnnethe hys hors bare hym away so delefully was he dyght the owtlawys set þem on a grene and leyde þe lytyll chylde þem betwene the chylde vpon them loghe the maystyr owtlawe seyde then hyt were grete schame for hardy men thys chylde here & we sloghe i rede we bere hyt here besyde to a ryche cyte wyth grete pryde and do we hyt no woghe hyt ys so feyre & gentyll borne that we myȝt haue therforne golde and syluyr ynoghe then ii of þem made þem yare and to þe cyte þe chylde þey bare that was so swete a wyght ther was no man þat the chylde sye but þat þey wepte wyth ther eye so feyre hyt was be syght a burges of parys came þem nere that had be palmer vii yere clement the velayn he hyght lordyngys he seyde wyll ye þys chylde selle ye who wyll vs golde & syluyr telle floryns brode and bryght for xl li þe chylde selle þey wolde clement seyde longe y may hym holde or y hym selle may y swere yow lordyngys be my hode i trowe ye can full lytyll gode soche wordys for to say golde & syluyr ys to me full nede xx li y wyll yow bede and make yow redy paye the chylde þey to clement yolde xx li he them tolde and wente forthe on hys way when clement had þe chylde boght a panyer he let be wroght the chylde yn to lede a nurse he gate hym also into fraunce wyth hym to go the chylde for to fede home he toke the wey full ryght and hastyd hym wyth all hys myght that was hys beste rede burgeys of parys were full fayne many wente clement agayne a sklauyn was hys wede Lines 601 through 700 they callyd clement & kyssyd hym all and broght hym home to hys halle hys wyfe þerof was blythe sche askyd hym the ryght dome how he to the chylde come he tolde hur full swythe in Jerusalem there y hym gete for þere wolde y hym not lete the sothe y wyll the kythe the wyfe answeryd wyth herte mylde hyt schall be myn own chylde and kyssyd hyt many a sythe dame seyde clement whyll y palmer was thys chylde y gate wyth my flesche in the hethen thede into þys londe y haue hym broght forwhy þat þou wylt greue þe noght full ryche schall be thy mede the wyfe answeryd wyth herte fre full welcome syr hyt ys to me full well y schall hym fede and kepe hym wyth my chylde tyll that he come of elde and clothe them yn oon wede clement than was full blythe and let crysten hym full swythe hyt was caryed that nyght in the ieste as hyt ys tolde the ryght name he hym calde florent be name he hyght whan þe chylde was vii yere olde hyt was feyre wyse and bolde the man that redyth aryght thorow þe realme of fraunce wyde & longe of þys chylde the worde spronge so feyre he was be syght euyr the burges and hys wyfe louyd the chylde as ther lyfe to them he was full dere tyll þe chylde was vii yere olde & more the burges set hym to lore to be a chaungere clement toke the chylde oxen two and bad hym to the brygge go to be a bochere to lerne hys crafte for to do and hys kynde was neuyr therto soche games for to lere as florent to the brygge can go dryuyng forthe hys oxen two he sawe a semely syght a squyer as y schall yow telle a jentyll fawcon bare to selle wyth fedurs folden bryght florent to the squyer yede bothe hys oxen he can hym bede for the fawcon lyght the squyer therof was full blythe for to take the oxen swythe and gave hym the fawcon ryght the squyer þerof was full gladd when he þo oxen taken had and hyed owt of syght and florent to fle was full fayne he wende he wolde haue had hys hawk agayne and ranne wyth all hys myȝt home he toke þe ryght way to clementys hows as hyt lay and yn he went full ryght he fedde þe hawke whyll he wolde and sythen he can hys fedurs folde as þe squyer had hym teyȝt clement came yn full sone thefe where haste þou my oxen done that y the begyfte grete dele myȝt men see thore clement bete þe chylde sore that was so swete a wyght wyth odur mete shalt þou not leue but þat þys glede wyll þe yeue neythur day ne nyght as sore beton as þe chylde stode ȝyt he to the fawcon yode hys fedurs for to ryght the chylde þoght wondur thore that clement bete hym so sore and mekely he can pray syr he seyde for crystys ore leue & bete me no more but ye wyste well why wolde ye stonde now & beholde how feyre he can hys fedurs folde and how louely they lye ye wolde pray god wyth all your mode that ye had solde halfe your gode soche anodur to bye the burgeys wyfe besyde stode sore sche rewyd yn hur mode and seyde syr thyn ore for mary loue þat maydyn mylde Lines 701 through 800 haue mercy on owre feyre chylde and bete hym no more let hym be at home & serue vs two and let owre odur sonys go eche day to lore soche grace may god for þe chylde haue wroȝt to a bettur man he may be broght than he a bocher were aftur all thys tyme befelle clement xl pownde can telle into a pawtenere clement toke hyt chylde florent and to the brygge he hym sente hys brothur hyt to bere as þe chylde þorow þe cyte of parys yede he sye where stode a feyre stede was stronge yn eche werre the stede was whyte as any mylke the brydyll reynys were of sylke the molettys gylte they were florent to the stede can gone so feyre an hors sye he neuyr none made of flesche and felle of wordys þe chylde was wondur bolde and askyd whedur he schoulde be solde the penyes he wolde hym telle the man hym louyd for xxx pownde eche peny hole and sownde no lesse he wolde hym selle florent seyde to lytull hyt were but neuyr þe lees þou schalt haue more xl pownde he can hym telle the merchaund þerof was full blythe for to take the money swythe and hastyd hym away chylde florent lepe vp to ryde to clementys hows wyth grete pryde he toke the ryght way the chylde soght noon odur stalle but sett hys stede yn the halle and gaue hym corne and haye and sethyn he can hym kembe & dyght that euery heer lay aryght and neuyr oon wronge lay clement comyth yn full sone thefe he seyde what haste þou done what haste thou hedur broght mercy fadur for goddys pete wyth þe money that ye toke me thys horse haue y boght the burges wyfe felle on kne þore syr mercy sche seyde for crystys ore owre feyre chylde bete ye noght ye may see and ye vndurstode that he had neuyr kynde of þy blode that he þese werkys hath wroght aftur þys hyt was not longe in fraunce felle a werre stronge an c thousande were there ylente wyth schyldys brode & helmys bryȝt men þat redy were to fyght thorowowt þe londe þey went they broke castels stronge & bolde ther myȝt no hye wallys þem holde ryche townys they brente all the kyngys ferre & nere of odur londys þat crysten were aftur were they sente octauyon the emperour of rome to parys sone he come wyth many a mody knyght and oþur kyngys kene wyth crowne all they were to batell bowne wyth helmys & hawberkys bryght in parys a monyth þe oost lay for they had takyn a day wyth the sowdon moche of myght the sowdon wyth hym a gyaunt broȝt the realme of fraunce durste noȝt agenste hym to fyght the sowdon had a doghtur bryght marsabelle that maydyn hyght sche was bothe feyre and fre the feyrest þynge alyue þat was in Crystendome or hethynnes and semelyest of syght to þe kynge of fraunce þe maydyn sende to lye at mountmertrous þere nerehonde from parys mylys thre at mountmertrous besyde borogh larayn that stondyþ ouyr the banke of sayne for auentours wolde sche see the kyng of fraunce þe maydyn hyȝt as he was trewe kyng & knyȝt and swere hur be hys fay that she must sauely come þerto ther schulde no man hur mysdo neythur be nyght ne day the mayde þerof was full blyþe to the castell sche went swythe Lines 801 through 900 and vii nyghtys þere sche lay for sche thoght yoye & pryde to see þe Crystyn knyghtys ryde on fylde them for to play the gyauntys name was aragonour he louyd þat maydyn paramour that was so feyre and free and she had leuyr drawyn bene than yn hur chaumbur hym to sene so fowle a wyght was he the gyaunt came to mountmertrous on a day for to comfort þat feyre may and badd hur blythe bee he seyde lemman or y ete mete the kyngys hed of fraunce y wyll þe gete for oon cosse of the than spake þe mayde mylde of mode to þe gyaunt þere he stode and gaf hym answere the kyngys hed when hyt ys broȝt a kysse wyll y warne þe noght for lefe to me hyt were the gyaunt armyd hym full well bothe yn yron and yn stele wyth schylde and wyth spere hyt was xx fote and two betwyx hys hedd & hys too none hors myȝt hym bere the gyaunt toke the ryȝt way to þe cyte of parys as hyt lay wyth hym went no moo the gyaunt leynyd ouyr the walle and spake to the folkys all wordys kene and thro and bad þem sende hym a knyght to fynde hym hys fylle of fyght or the londe he wolde ouyrgo and he ne wolde leue alyfe man beste chylde ne wyfe but þat he wolde þem brenne & slo all the folke of that cyte ranne that gyaunt for to see at the walle there he stode as farre as they sye hys blee they were fayne for to flee for fere þey were nye wode owt went armyd knyghtys v they þoght to auentour þer lyue the gyaunt thoght hyt gode full hastely he had þem slayne ther came neuyr oon quyk agayne that owt at the yatys yode chylde florent askyd hys fadur clement whodur all that people went that to the yatys dud renne clement tolde florent hys sone soche a gyaunt to þe walle ys come the chylde harkenyd hym then sone but yf he may fynde a man that he may fyght hys fylle vpon thys cyte wyll he brenne and sythen thys londe ouyrgone quykk wyll he leue noon alyue that ys therynne fadur he seyde sadull my stede and lende me some dele of your wede and helpe that y were dyght yf that hyt be goddys wylle i hope to fynde hym hys fylle thogh he be stronge and wyght clement seyde & þou oon worde more speke thys day y wyll thy hedd breke i swere be mary bryght for nothynge fadur wyll y byde to the gyaunt wyll y ryde and proue on hym my myght for sorowe clementys herte nye braste when he on florent hacton caste the chylde was bolde and kene an hawberke aboue let he falle rowsty were the naylys all and hys atyre bedeene clement broght forthe schylde & spere that were vncomely for to were all sutty blakk and vnclene a swyrde he broght the chylde beforne that vii yere afore was not borne ne drawe and that was seene clement the swyrde drawe owt wolde gladwyn hys wyfe schoulde þe scabard holde and bothe faste they drowe when the swyrde owt glente bothe to the erthe they wente there was game ynowe clement felle to a benche so faste that mowth & nose all tobraste and florent stode and loghe hyt ys gode bowrde to telle how they to the erthe felle and clement lay yn swoghe Lines 901 through 1000 chylde florent yn hys onfayre wede when he was armyd on a stede hys swyrde ydrawyn he bare hys ventayle and hys basenett hys helme on hys hedd sett bothe rowsty they were bothe clement and hys wyfe louyd the chylde as þer lyfe for hym þey wept full sore to Jhesu cryste faste can þey bede to sende hym grace well to spede they myght do no more for hys atyre þat was so bryght hym behelde bothe kynge & knyȝt and moche wondur thoght many a skorne there he hent as he thorow the cyte went but therof roght he noght the people to þe wallys can go to see þe batell betwene þem two when þey were togedur broght clement hys fadur wo was he tyll he wyste whych schulde maystyr be gladd was he noght the chylde came to þe yatys sone and bad þe portar them ondone and opyn them full wyde all þat abowt þe chylde stode laghed as they were wode and skornyd hym that tyde euery man seyde to hys fere here comyth an hardy bachelere hym besemyth well to ryde men may see be hys breme bryght that he ys an hardy knyght the gyaunt to abyde the gyaunt vpryght can stonde and toke hys burdon yn hys honde of stele that was vnryde to the chylde smote he so that þe chyldys shylde brake yn two and felle on euery syde the chylde was neuyr ȝyt so wo that hys schylde was brokyn yn two more he thoght to byde to þe gyaunt he smote so sore that hys ryȝt arme flye of þore the blode stremyd wyde clement on þe wallys stode full blythe was he yn hys mode and mende can hys chere sone for that y haue seene thy noble stroke þat ys so kene to me art þou full dere now me thynkyth yn my mode thou haste well besett my gode soche playes for to lere Jhesu that syttyth yn trynyte blesse the fadur that gate the and þe modur þat þe dud bere chylde florent yn hys feyre wede sprange owt as sparkyll on glede the sothe y wyll yow say he rode forthe wyth egur mode to the gyaunt there he stode there was no chyldys play the gyaunt to the chylde smote so that hys hors & he to grounde dud go the stede on kneys lay clement cryed wyth egur mode sone be now of comfort gode and venge the yf thou may as euyll as the chylde farde when he clementys speche harde hys harte beganne to bolde boldely hys swyrde he lawght to the gyaunt soche a strok he raght that all hys blode can colde he hytt the gyaunt on þe schouldur boon that to the pappe the swyrde ranne to grounde can he folde thus hyt was þorow goddys grace the gyaunt swownyd yn that place in geste as hyt ys tolde the kyngys on the wallys stode whan the gyaunt to grounde yode all gladd they were all the people at the chylde loghe how he the gyauntys helme of droghe and hys hedd he smote of there the chylde lepe vpon hys stede and rode awey a gode spede wyth them spake he no more the chylde toke the ryght way to mountmertrous þere the mayde lay and the hedd wyth hym he bare when he came to þe maydyns halle he fonde the boordys couyrde all and redy to go to mete the maydyn that was so mylde of mode Lines 1001 through 1100 in a kyrtull there sche stode and bowne sche was to sete damysell he seyde feyre and free well gretyth thy lemman the of that he the behete here an hedd y haue the broght the kyngys of fraunce ys hyt noght hyt ys euyll to gete the byrde bryght as golde hye when sche the gyauntys hedd sye well sche hyt kende me thynkyth he was trewe of hete the kyngys when he myght not gete hys own that he me sende damysell he seyde feyre & bryght now wyll y haue þat þou hym hyght and ouyr hys sadull he leynyd ofte sythys he kyste that may and hente hur vp and rode away that all the brygge can bende crye & noyse rose yn the towne sone ther was to batell bowne many an hardy knyght wyth sperys longe and schyldys browne florent let the maydyn adowne and made hym bowne to fyght hur skarlet sleue he schare of then he seyde lady be thys ye schall me ken when ye me see by syght soche loue waxe betwene þem two that the lady wepte for wo when he ne wynne hur myght chylde florent yn onfeyre wede sprange owt as sparkyll on glede the sothe for to say many hethen men that stownde in dede he broght to þe grounde there was no chyldys play when florent beganne to fownde wythowt any weme of wownde to parys he toke the way the hethyn men were so fordredd to cleremount wyth þe mayde þey fledd there the sowdon lay in hur fadur pauylon there þey let the maydyn downe and sche knelyd on knee the sowdon was full blythe to hys doghtur he went swythe and kyssyd hur sythys thre he set hur downe on a deyse rychely wythowt lees wyth grete solempnyte sche tolde hur fadur & wolde not layne how araganour þe gyaunt was slayne a sory man was he leue fadur sche seyde thyn ore at mountmertrous let me be no more so nere the crysten to bene in soche auenture y was today that a rybawde had me borne away for all my knyghtys kene ther was no man yn hethyn londe myght sytte a dynte of hys honde the traytur was so preme as oftyn as y on hym thenke y may nodur ete nor drynke so full y am of tene when þe sowdon þes tythyngys herde he bote hys lyppys & schoke hys berde that hodyus hyt was to see he swere be egur countynawns that hange he wolde þe kyng of fraunce and brenne all crystyante i schall neythur leue onlyue man ne beste chylde ne wyue wyth eyen that y may see doghtur go to chaumbur swythe and loke þou make þe glad & blythe avengyd schalt thou be full rychely was þe chaumbur spradd therto was the maydyn ladd wyth maydenys that sche broght on softe seges was sche sett sche myght nodur drynke ne ete so moche on hym sche thoght odur whyle on hys feyre chere and of the colour of hys lere sche myght forgete hym noght stylle sche seyde wyth herte sore allas wyth my lemman þat y ne were where he wolde me haue broght on hur bedd as sche lay to hur sche callyd a may full preuely and stylle the maydyn hyght olyvan the kyngys doghtur of sodam that moost wyste of hur wylle sche seyde olyuan now yn preuyte my councell wyll y schewe the Lines 1101 through 1200 that greuyth me full ylle on a chylde ys all my thoght that me to parys wolde haue broȝt and y ne may come hym tylle olyuan answeryd hyr tho sethyn lady ye wyll do so drede ye no wyght i schall yow helpe bothe nyght & day lady all that euyr y may that he yow wynne myght ȝyt may soche auentour be lady that ye may hym see or thys fourtenyght at mountmertrous y wolde ye were the sothe of hym þere shulde ye here be he squyer or knyght the crysten men were full blythe when þey sye florent onlyue they wende he had be lorne the chylde was set wyth honour betwyx the kyng of fraunce & þe emperour sothe wythowten lees the emperour the chylde can beholde he was so curtes & so bolde but he ne wyste what he was the emperour thoght euyr yn hys mode the chylde was comyn of gentyll blode he thoght ryght as hyt was when the folke had all eton clement had not all forgeton hys purce he openyd thore xxx florens forthe caste he haue here for my sone and me i may pay for no more clement was so curtes & wyse he wende hyt had ben merchandyse the pryde that he sawe thore at clement logh the kyngys all so dud the knyghtys yn þat halle and chylde florent schamyd sore the emperour than spekyth he to florent that was feyre & fre wordys wondur stylle yonge knyght y pray the ys he thy fadur telle þou me the chylde answeryd þertylle syr loue y had neuyr hym to as y schulde to my fadur do in herte ne yn wylle of all the men þat euyr y sye moost yeuyth my herte to yow trewly syr take hyt not yn ylle the emperour let calle clement there he hym sett hym full nere on the hygh deyse he bad hym telle the ryght dome how he to the chylde come the sothe wythowten lees syr þys chylde was take yn a forest from a lady wyth a wylde beest in a grete wyldurnes and y hym boght for xx pownde eche peny hole and sownde and seyde my sone he was the emperour than was full blythe of that tythynge for to lythe and thankyd god almyght the emperour felle on kne full swythe and kyste the chylde an c sythe and worschyppyd god full ryght well he wyste wythowt lees that he hys own sone was all gamyd kyng and knyght the chyldys name was chaungyd wyth dome and callyd hym syr florent of rome as hyt was gode ryght the emperour was blythe of chere the terys traylyd downe on hys lere he made full grete care allas he seyde my feyre wyfe the beste lady that euyr bare lyfe schall y hur see no more me were leuyr then all the golde that euyr was vpon molde and sche alyue wore the emperour gaue clement townys fele to leue yn ryches and yn wele inowe for euyrmore on a nyght as the chylde yn bedd lay he thoght on hys feyre may mekyll was he yn care the chylde had nodur reste ne ro for thoght how he myȝt come hur to and what hym beste ware the chylde þoght for þe maydyns sake a message that he wolde make and to the sowdon fare on the morne he sadulde hys stede and armyd hym yn ryche wede a braunche of olefe he bare Lines 1201 through 1300 hyt was of messengerys the lawe a braunche of olefe for to haue and yn ther honde to bere for the ordynaunce was so messengerys schulde sauely come & go and no man do them dere the chylde toke þe ryght way to cleremount as hyt lay wyth hym hys grete heere at þe halle dore he reynyd hys stede and on hys fete yn he yede a messengere as he were than spake þe chylde wyth hardy mode before the sowdon þere he stode as a man of moche myght the kynge of fraunce me hedur sende and byddya þe owt of hys londe þou wynd thou werryst ageyn þe ryght or he wyll brynge agenste the xxx thousande tolde be thre wyth helmys and hawberkys bryght eche knyȝt schall xxx squyers haue and euery squyer a foteknaue worthe an hethyn knyght than began the sowdon to speke there he sate at hys ryche mete amonge hys knyghtys kene the kyng of fraunce shall welcome be agenste oon he schall haue thre i wot wythowten wene that also fayne are of fyght as fowle of day aftur nyght to schewe ther schyldys schene to proue tomorne be my lay i wyll neuyr set lenger day than schall the sothe be sene than spekyth þe mayde wyth mylde mode to feyre florent there he stode that was so swete a wyght messengere y wolde the frayne whedur he be knyght or swayne that ys so moche of myght that hath my fadurs gyaunt slayne and rauyschyd me fro borogh larayn and slewe there many a knyght thogh sche monyd hym to ylle ȝyt were hyt mykull yn hur wylle to haue of hym a syght lady he seyde nodur lesse nor more than yf hyt myselfe wore syth þou wylt of me frayne thou schalt me knowe yn all þe heere thy sleue y wyll bere on my spere in the batell playne all they wyste therby than that he was the same man that had the gyaunt slayne wythowt ony odur worde all they start fro the borde wyth swyrdys & knyuys drawyn florent sawe none odur bote but þat he muste fyght on fote agenste the sarsyns all and euyr he hyt them amonge where he sawe the thykest thronge full fele dud he them falle some be the armys he nome that all the schouldur wyth hym come the prowdyst yn the halle and some soche bofettys he lente that the hedd fro the body wente as hyt were a balle whan hys swyrde was ybrokyn a sarsyns legge hath he lokyn therwyth he can hym were to the grounde he dud to go vii skore and somedele moo that hethyn knyghtys were the chylde made hym wey full gode to hys stede there he stode tho myght hym no man dere the chylde toke the ryght way to the cyte of parys as hyt lay thorowowt all the heere the crysten men were full blythe when they sye florent come alyue they wende he lorne had bene when he come nye the cyte agenste hym rode kyngys thre and the emperour rode them betwene the folke presyd hym to see euery man cryed whych ys he as they hym neuyr had sene to the pales was he ladd and tolde them how he was bestadd amonge the sarsyns kene lordyngys loke þat ye ben yare to the batell for that fare and redy for to ryde tomorne hyt muste nede be sene Lines 1301 through 1400 whych ys hardy man and kene we may no lenger byde the folke seyde they were blythe to wynde to the batell swythe in herte ys noght to hyde a ryche clothe on borde was spradde to make the chylde blythe & gladd a kynge on aythur syde on the morne when hyt was daylyght the folke can them to batell dyght all that wepyn myght welde there men myght see many a knyght wyth helmys & wyth hawberkys bryght wyth sperys and wyth schylde wyth trumpys and wyth moche pryde boldely owt of the borowe þey ryde into a brode fylde the downe was bothe longe & brode there bothe partyes odur abode and eyther on odur behelde marsabelle the maydyn fre was broght the batell for to see to mountmertrous ouyr seyn florent hur sleue bare on hys spere in the batell he wolde hyt were and rode forthe yn the playne for that men schulde see by than that he was that ylke man that had the gyaunt slayne and also for the maydyn free that sche schulde hys dede see therof sche was fayne that whyle was moche sorowe yn fyȝt when þe batell began to smyte wyth many a greuys wounde fro þe morne þat day was lyght tyll hyt was euyn derke nyght or eythur party wolde fownde florent can euyr among þem ryde and made þere many a sore syde that afore were softe & sownde so moche people to dethe yode that the stedys dud wade yn blode that stremyd on the grounde there men myght see helmys bare hedys þat full feyre ware lay to grounde lyght the crystyn party become so than that þe fylde þey myȝt not wynne all arewyd hyt kynge and knyght florent smote wyth herte gode thorow helme ynto þe hed hyt wode so moche he was of myght thorow godys grace & florent there the crysten men þe bettur were that day yn the fyght the partyes were ydrawe away and takyn was anodur day that þe batell schulde bee florent rode toward borough larayn be the watur banke of seyne moo auenturs for to see the maydyn whyte as lylly flowre lay yn a corner of hur towre that was ferly feyre and free florent sche sye on fylde fare be the sleue that he bare sche knewe that hyt was he then spekyth þe mayde wyth mylde mode to olyuan that be hur stode and knewe hur preuyte olyuan how were beste to do a worde þat y myȝt speke hym to iwysse then wele were me sche seyde lady we two allone wyll be the reuer go there as he may yow see yf he yow loue wyth herte gode he wyll not let for the flode for a full gode stede hath he forthe went the maydyns two be the reuer syde can they goo themselfe allone that tyde when florent sawe þat swete wyght he sprange as fowle dothe yn flyght no lenger wolde he byde the stede was so wondur gode he bare the chylde ouyr the flode hymselfe well cowde ryde grete yoye hyt was to see þem meete wyth clyppyng & wyth kyssyng swete in herte ys not hyde lady he seyde well ys me a worde þat y may speke wyth the so bryght þou art of hewe in all þys worlde ys noon so fre why ne wyll ye crystenyd be and syth of herte be trewe sche seyde yf þat ye myght me wynne i wolde forsake all hethyn kynne Lines 1401 through 1500 as thogh y them neuyr knewe and syth ye wolde me wedde to wyfe i wolde leue yn crysten lyfe my yoye were euyr newe lady he seyde wythowt fayle how were beste yowre counsayle that y yow wynne myght certys ye neuyr wynne me may but hyt were on that ylke day that ye haue take to fyght that ye wolde sende be the flode wyth men þat crafty were and gode a schyppe þat well were dyght whyll þat men are at þat dere dede that whyle myȝt men me awey lede to yowre cyte ryght my fadur hath a noble stede in the worlde ys noon so gode at nede in turnament ne yn fyght yn hys hedd he hath an horne schapon as an vnycorne that selkowth ys be syght syr yf þat ye hym myght wynne there were no man yn hethyn kynne that hym wythstonde myght florent kyste that feyre maye and seyde lady haue gode day holde that ye haue hyght florent ynto the sadull nome and ouyr the reuer soon he come to parys he toke the way he ne stynt ne he ne blanne to clementys hows tyll þat he came hys auenturs to say he tolde hym of the noble stede that gode was at euery nede and of that feyre maye sone seyde clement be doghty of dede and certys þou schalt haue þat stede tomorne yf that y may on the morne when hyt was daylyȝt clement can hymselfe dyght as an onfrely feere he dud hym ynto þe hethen ooste there þe prees was althermoost a sarsyn as thogh he were to the pauylown he can hym wynne there þe sowdon hymselfe lay ynne and breuely can he bere full well he cowde þer speche speke and askyd þem some of ther mete the sowdon can hym here grete dole þe sowdon of hym þoght and soon he was before hym broght and wyth hym can he speke he seyde he was a sarsyn stronge that yn hys oost had be longe and had defawte of mete lorde þer ys noon hethyn lede that so well cowde kepe a ryche stede or othur horsys full grete the sowdon seyde þat ylke tyde yf þou can a stede well ryde wyth me thou schalt be lete they horsyd clement on a stede he sprang owt as sperkull on glede into a feyre fylde all that stodyn on ylke syde had yoye to see hym ryde before the sowdon they tolde when he had redyn coursys iii that all had yoye þat can hym see the sowdon hym behelde downe he lyght full soon and on a bettur was he done full feyre he can hym welde grete yoye þe sowdon of hym þoȝt and bad hys feyre stede forþe be broȝt and clement shall hym ryde when clement was on þat stede he rode away a full gode spede no lenger wolde he byde when he was redy forþe to founde beleue þere he seyde ye heþen hounde for ye haue lorne yowre pryde clement toke the ryght way into parys as hyt lay full blyþe was he that tyde florent sone where art thou that y þe hyght y haue hyt now i haue broght thy stede florent blythe was that day and seyde fadur yf y leue may i wyll the quyte thy mede but to the emperour of rome therwyth y wyll hym present sone to þe pales ye schall hym lede for euyr me thynkyth yn my mode that y am of hys own blode yf hyt so pouerly myght sprede Lines 1501 through 1600 to the pales the stede was ladde and all þe kyngys were full gladd theron for to see the emperour before hym stode rauyschyd herte and blode so wondur feyre was he then spekyth þe chylde of honour to hys lorde the emperour syr thys stede geue y the all that abowte þe chylde stode seyde he was of gentull blode hyt myght noon odur be aftur thys the day was nomyn that þe batell on schulde comyn agenste the sarsyns to fyght wyth trumpys & wyth moche pryde boldely owt of þe borogh þey ryde as men moche of myght florent thoght on the feyre maye to batell wente he not that day a schyppe he hath hym dyght fro mountmertrous þere þe lady lay to parys he broght hur away ne wyste hyt kynge ne knyght that whyle was moche sorowe yn fyȝt when þe batell began to smyght wyth many a grymme gare fro morne þat hyt was daylyght tyll hyt was euyn derke nyght wyth woundys wondur sore forwhy þat florent was not þere the hethyn men þe bettur were the batell venquyscht þey þore or florent to þe felde was comyn emperour & kynge were ynomyn and all that crysten were florent was of herte so gode he rode þorow þem he was wode as wyght as he wolde wede ther was no sarsyn so moche of mayn that myȝt hym stonde wyth strenkyth agayn tyll they had slayne hys stede of florent there was dele ynow how þey hys hors vndur hym slowe and he to grounde yede florent was take yn that fyght bothe emperour kynge & knyght woundyd they can them lede the sarsyns buskyd them wyth pryde into ther own londys to ryde they wolde no lenger dwelle takyn they had syr florawns the emperour & þe kyng of fraunce wyth woundys wondur fele othur crystyn kyngys moo dewkys erlys & barons also that arste were bolde & swelle and ladd them wyth yron stronge hur fete vndur þe hors wombe grete dele hyt ys to telle wyde þe worde sprange of þys chawnce how the sowdon was yn fraunce to warre agenste the ryght in Jerusalem men can hyt here how þe emperour of rome was there wyth many an hardy knyght than spekyth octauyon þe ȝyng full feyre to hys lorde the kyng as chylde of moche myght lorde yf hyt were yowre wylle i wolde wynde my fadur tylle and helpe hym yn that fyght than spekyth þe kyng of moche myȝt full fayre vnto that yong knyght sore hys herte can blede sone þou schalt take my knyghtys fele of my londe that thou wylle wele that styffe are on stede into fraunce wyth the to ryde wyth hors & armys be thy syde to helpe the at nede when þou some doghtynes haste done then may þou shewe þyn errande soone the bettur may thou spede he bad hys modur make hur yare into fraunce wyth hym to fare he wolde no lenger byde wyth hur she ladd the lyenas that sche broȝt owt of wyldurnes rennyng be hur syde there men myght see many a knyght wyth helmys & wyth hawberkys bryght forthe ynto the strete forthe they went on a day the heþyn ooste on the way all they can them meete by the baners that þey bare they knewe þat þey hethyn ware and stylle they can abyde they dyȝt þem wyth brenies bryght Lines 1601 through 1700 and made þem redy for to fyȝt ageyn þem can they ryde they hewe þe flesche fro þe bone soche metyng was neuyr none wyth sorow on ylke syde octauyon þe yong knyght thorow þe grace of god almyght full faste he fellyd ther pryde the lyenas þat was so wyght when she sawe þe yong knyght into the batell fownde sche folowed hym wyth all hur myȝt and faste fellyd þe folke yn fyȝt many sche made onsownde grete stedys downe sche drowe and many heþen men she slowe wythynne a lytull stownde thorow god þat ys of myȝtys gode the crysten men þe bettur stode the hethyn were broȝt to grownde the crysten prysoners were full fayne when þe sarsyns were yslayne and cryed lorde thyn ore he ne stynt ne he ne blanne to þe prysoners tyll þat he wanne to wete what they were the emperour wythowt lees that hys own fadur was bowndon fownde he there the kyng of fraunce & odur moo dewkys erlys and barons also were woundyd wondur sore hys fadur was the furste man that he of bondys to lowse began ye wete wythowten lees and he lowsyd hys brodur floraunce or he dud the kynge of fraunce ȝyt he wyste not what he was be þat hys men were to hym comyn soon they were fro yrons nomyn the pryncys prowde yn prees whan he had done þat noble dede the bettur he oght for to spede to make hys modur pees a ryche cyte was besyde boldely thedur can they ryde to a castell swythe ryche metys were there ydyght kyngys dewkys erlys and knyght all were gladd and blythe syth came octauyon þe yong wyth honour and knelyd before the emperour hys errande for to kythe that ylke tale that he tolde ryche and pore yong and olde glad they were to lythe he seyde lorde yn all þys londe y haue þe soght my modur haue y wyth me broght i come to make hur pees for a lesyng þat was stronge sche was exylyd owt of yowre londe i proue that hyt was lees the emperour was neuyr so blythe he kyssyd that yong knyght swythe and for hys sone hym chees for yoye that he hys wyfe can see vii sythys swownyd he before the hye deyse feyre florent was full blythe of thes tydyngys for to lythe and hys modur to see than spekyth þe lady of honowre to hur lorde the emperour wordys of grete pyte lorde yn all þe sorow þat me was wroght thyn own sone haue y wyth me broght and kepyd hym wyth me thyn odur sone yn a foreste was takyn wyth a wylde beste that was ferly feyre and fre i wot hyt ys godys grace i knowe hym be hys face hyt ys þat yong knyght by the there was moche yoye & game wyth clyppyng & wyth kyssyng same into a chaumbur they yode grete yoye þere was also the metyng of the brethurn two that doghty were yn dede a ryche feste þe emperour made þere of kyngys þat were farre & nere of many londys thede the tale whoso redyth ryght the feste lastyd a fourtenyght in jeste as we rede marsabelle that feyre maye was aftur sente the sothe to say fro parys there sche was crystenyd sche was on a sonday wyth yoye & myrthe & moche play Lines 1701 through 1731 florent to wyfe hur chees soche a brydale þer was there a ryaller þer was neuyr noon here ye wot wythowten lees florent hymselfe can hur wedd and ynto rome sche was ledd wyth pryncys prowde yn prees than hyt befelle on a day the emperour began to say and tolde þe lordys how hyt was the ryche kyngys gaue jugement the emperours modur schulde be brent in a tonne of brasse as swythe as sche þerof harde telle swownyng yn hur chaumbur she felle hur heere of can sche race for schame sche schulde be prouyd false sche schare ato hur own halse wyth an analasse therat all the kyngys loghe what wondur was þowe þer were no swoghe they toke þer leue þat tyde wyth trumpys & wyth mery songe eche oon went to hys own londe wyth yoye and wyth grete pryde wyth game & wyth grete honowre to rome went the emperour hys wyfe & hys sonys be hys syd Jhesu lorde heuyn kynge graunt vs all thy blessyng and yn heuyn to abyde