¶ How four merchants met 〈…〉 which were of four diverse 〈…〉 … de all to Paris.  
IN the year of our lord 〈…〉 happened that four● 〈…〉 out of diverse countries' 〈…〉 as they were goyne 〈…〉 ●●●●une they met all together and 〈…〉 togyder/ for they were all four going 〈…〉 in France & for company sake they road 〈…〉 unto one in/ & it was about shraftyde in the most joyful time of all the year and their names were called as here followeth. the first was called Courant of Spain/ the second was called Borchart of France/ the third was called johan of Florence/ & the fourth was called Ambrose of jennen. Than by the consent of the other merchants Borcharde of france went unto the host and said. Host now is the meryest time of the year and we be four merchants of four diverse countries & by fortune we met all together in one place & out journey is to Paris. And therefore while we be so met let us make good there together/ & ordain the best meet that ye can get for money against to morrow and bid also some of your best friends that you love most that we may make good there together or that we depart fro hence/ and we shall content you all your money again. And than the host said that he would do it with a good will and than went he and bad many of his good friends and neighbours to dinner and he bought of the best meet that he could get for money and brought it home. And on the morrow he dressed it and made it ready against dinner after the best manner that he could. And when that it was dyner 〈…〉 gests to dinner & the merchants 〈…〉 them welcome. Than bad the mar●●●●●● 〈…〉 that he should bring in the meet & 〈…〉 might go to dinner. And than the 〈…〉 … ill. Than went the host and 〈…〉 meet & set it thereon & pray … 〈…〉 ●estes to them & sit dow● 〈…〉 good cheer all the day long with good honesty 〈…〉 ●as very late with dancing & leaping. And 〈…〉 ●ad done/ the gests took their leave of the marcha●●●●● & thanked them for their good cheer. And than every man departed home to his house. And than came the merchants to the host & prayed him heartily for to come in & thanked him that he had ordered & done all things so well and mannerly.  
  

¶ How two of the merchants/ as johan 〈…〉 and Ambrose of jennen held one another, v. thou●●●● gold guldens.  
when all the merchants & the gests had m●●●●●●●rye together all the day long/ at night t●●● 〈…〉 took their leave of the merchants/ & thanked them for 〈◊〉 good cheer that they had made them/ & so departed every one to their lodging. And when that they were departed every man to their house/ than waxed it late. And than came the host of the house to the merchants & asked them if that they would go sleep/ & they answered unto their host yes. And than took he a candle and brought the merchants into a fair chamber/ where was. iiij. beds richly hanged with costly curtains that every merchant might lie by themself. And when that they were all together in the chamber/ than began they to speak of many things/ some good/ some bad as it lay in their minds. Than said Courant of spain. Sirs we have be all this day merry and made good cheer & every one of us hath a fair wife at home: how far they now at home we can not tell. Than said bourcharde of France to the other merchants. What ask you how they do● They sit by the fyere and make good cheer and eat/ & drink of the best and labour not at all/ & so get they unto them hot blood & than they may take an other lusty young man and do their pleasure with him that we know not of/ for we be oftentimes long from them & for that cause may the lenne a loaf for a need secretly to an other. Than said johan of Florence/ we may all well be called fools & nydeates that trust our wives in this manner as we do: for a woman's heart is not made of so hard a stone but that 〈◊〉 will melt/ for a woman's nature is to be unsteadfast and turneth as the wind doth and careth not for us till the time that we come again. And we labour daily both in wind and rain and put often our lives in to pardy and in adventure on the see for to find them withal & ou● wives sit at home and make good cheer with other good fellows & give them part of the money that we get. And therefore an ye will do after my counsel/ let every one of us take a fair wench to pass the time withal as well as our wife's do/ & they shall know no more of that/ than we know of them. Than said Ambrose of jennen to them. By god's grace that shall I never do while that I live. For I have at home a good & a virtuous woman and a womanly. And I know● 〈…〉 she is not of that disposition/ but that she will eschew 〈◊〉 of all such ill abusions till the time that I come home again. For I know well that she will have none other man but me alone. And if that I should break my wedlock than were I but little worth. Than said john of Florence. Fellow ye set moche price by your wife at home and trust her with all that ye have I will lay with you a wager of. v. thousand guldens if that ye will abide me here I shall depart & ride to jennen & do with your wife my will. Than said Ambrose to johan of Florense. I have delivered to my host. v. thousand guldens to keep/ put ye down as much against it & I shall tarry here till the time that ye return again from jennen/ & if that you by any manner of means can get your pleasure of my wife ye shall have all this money. Than said johan of Florence. I am content/ and than putted he in his hosts hand other. v. thousand guldens against Ambroses' money. And than took he