Io. Gower de confession Amantis.  
¶ Imprinted at London in Fleetstreet by Thomas Berthelette Printer to the kings grace, AN. M.D.XXXII.  
CUM PRIVILEGIO.   

❧ EPIGRAMMA AUTORIS IN SWM LIBRUM.  
Torpor, hebes sensus, schola parva, labor minimusque  
Causant, quo minus ipse minora canam.  
Qua tum Engisti lingua canit insula Bruti,  
Anglica Carmente metra iuvante loquar.  
Ossibus ergo carens, quae conterit ossa loquelis,  
Absit, et interpres stet procul, oro, malus.   

¶ To the reder.  
IN time paste when this work was printed, I can not very well conject, what was the cause thereof, the prologue before was clean altered. And by that mean it would seem, that Gower did compile it at the request of the noble duke Henry of Lancastre. And all though the books that be written, be contrary, yet I have followed therein the print copy, for as much as it may serve both ways, and because most copies of the same work are in print: but yet I thought it good to warn the reder, that the written copies do not agree with the printed. Therefore sir I have printed here those same lines, that I find in the written copies. The which alteration ye shall perceive began at the xxiij line in the prologue, and goth forth on, as ye see here following.  

¶ In our english I think make  
A book for king Rychardes' sake;  
To whom belongeth my ligeance,  
with all mine hearts obeisance,  
In all that ever a lyege man  
Unto his king may done or can,  
So farforth I me recommaunde  
To him, which all me may command;  
Preyende unto the high reign,  
which causeth every king to reign,  
That his corone long stand.  
¶ I think and have it understand  
As it befell upon a tide,  
As thing which should tho betide,  
Under the town of new Troy,  
which took of Brute his first joy,  
In Themse, when it was flowende,  
As I by boat came rowende:  
So as fortune her time set  
My lyege lord perchance I met:  
And so befell as I came nigh,  
Out of my boat, when be me sigh,  
He bade me come into his barge.  
And when I was with him at large,  
amongs other things saide  
He hath this charge upon me laid,  
And bade me do my business  
That to his high worthiness  
Some new thing I should book,  
That he himself it might look  
After the form of my writing.  
And thus upon his commanding  
Mine heart is well the more glad  
To write so as he me bad:  
And eke my fear is well the lass,  
That none envy shall compass  
(without a reasonable wite)  
To feign and blame that I write.  
A gentle heart his tongue stilleth  
That it malice none distilleth  
But praiseth that is to be praised:  
But he that hath his word unpeysed  
And handleth out kronge any thing,  
I pray unto the heaven king  
From such tongues he me shield.  
And nevertheless this world is wild  
Of such jangling and what befall,  
My kings hest shall not fall;  
That I in hope to deserve  
His thank, ne shall his will observe:  
And else were I nought excused.   

For that thing may nought be refused  
what that a king himself bit.  
For thy the simplest of my wit  
I think (if that it may avail)  
In his service to travail,  
Though I sickness have upon hand,  
And long have had, yet will I fond  
So as I made my behest,  
To make a book after his hest;  
And write in such a manner wise  
which may be wisdom to the wise,  
And play to 'em that list to play.  
But in proverb I have herd say,  
That who that well his work beginneth  
The rather a good end be winneth.   

And thus the prologue of my book  
After the world, that whilom took,  
And eke somedeal after the new,  
I will begin for to new.   
¶ And thus I say for these lxx lines, there be as many other printed, that be clean contrary unto these both in sentence and in meaning. And furthermore there were let out in divers places of the work lines and columns, ye and sometime whole padges; which caused, that this most pleasunt and easy auctor could not well be perceived: for that and changing of words, and misord●ynge of sentences, would have mased his mind in reading, that had been very 〈◊〉 learned: and what can be a greater 〈◊〉 ●he unto a noble author? And 〈◊〉 p●●ise worthily unto you the great 〈◊〉 of this author, I know my ●●●●ght moche unable; ye shall your ●●●we ●●eine, when ye shall see him 〈◊〉 as I can) set forth in his own ●●ppe and likeness. And this the mean 〈◊〉 I may be bold to say, that if we 〈◊〉 ●e●er have seen his cunning 〈…〉 the which even at the full do 〈…〉 that a clerk he was, the wor●● 〈◊〉 ●●oste famous and excellent 〈…〉 ●●●er, that he wrote in the 〈…〉 m●●te special work, that is 〈…〉 and Creseyde, do suffi●●● 〈◊〉 the same, where he saith:  
〈◊〉 G●wer, this book I direct 〈…〉 the philosophical Strode: 〈…〉 ●●●te, there need is, to correct 〈◊〉 your be●ignites and zeles good.  
〈◊〉 ●he which noble work, and many 〈…〉 the said Chausers, that never 〈◊〉 ●●fore imprinted, & those that very ●●we m●n knew, and fewer had them, ●●●●we of late put forth together in a 〈◊〉 ●●●ume. By the which words of 〈◊〉, we may also understand, that 〈◊〉 Gower were both of one self 〈◊〉 ●●th excellently learned, both great friends together, and both a like ende●oured themself and employed their time ●o well and so virtuously, that they did not only pass forth their lives here ●yght honourably; but also for their so doing, so long (of likelihood) as letters shall endure & continue, this noble royalme shall be the better, over and beside their honest fame and renown. And thus when they had gone their journey; the one of them, that is to say, Iohn Gower prepared for his bones a resting place in the monastery of saint mary Oueres, where somewhat after the old fashion he lieth right sumptuously buried with a garland on his heed, in token that he in his life days flourysshed freshly in literature and science. And the same monument, in remembrance of him erected, is on the north side of the foresaid church, in the chapel of saint Iohn, where he hath of his own foundation a mass daily song. And more over he hath an obyte yearly done for him within the same church/ on friday after the feast of the blessed pope saint Gregory.  
Beside on the wall where as be lieth there be painted three virgins with crowns on their deeds/ one of the which is written Charity/ and she holdeth this device in her hand.  
En toy qui es fitz de dieu le pere  
Sawe soit, que gist souz cest pier.  
¶ The second is written Mercy, which holdeth in her hand this device: 
O bone Iesu fait ta mercy  
All alme, dont le corpse gist icy.   
¶ The third of them is written Pite, which holdeth in her hand this device following.  
Pur t● Pite jesus regard,  
Et met cest alme in sauue guard.  
¶ And there by hongeth a table, wherein appeareth that who so ever praith for the soul of Iohn Gower, he shall so oft as he so doth, have a thousand and five handred days of pardon.  
The other lieth huryed in the monastery of saint Peter's at westminster in an isle on the south side of the church. On whose souls, and all christian, jesus have mercy. Amen.   

The table.  

The contents of the prologue.  

❧ How Iohn Gower in the xvi year of king richard the second began to make this book. folio i  
¶ Of the state of royalmes temporally the same year. fo. eodem.  
Of the estate of the clergy the time of Robert Gylbonense, naming himself Clement than Antipope. fo. ij.  
¶ Of thestat of the common people. fo. iij.  
¶ How some blame fortune, some the influence of the planets for things that chance. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the image, that Nabugodonosor law in his sleep, which had a heed of gold, a breast of silver, a belly of brass, legs of iron, and feet half iron & half earth. fo. iij.  
¶ The interpretation of the same dream, and how the world was first of gold, and after always worse and worse. fo. eod.  
¶ The apostles words concerning the end of the world. fo. vi.  
¶ The mutability of things. fo. eodem.  
¶ How man by the matter of his complexion is divided, and of the division of the body and soul: and how Adam divided from the state of innocence was dejected out of Paradyse fo. eodem.  
¶ How the people through the world except Noah and his, for division were drowned. fo. eodem.  
¶ The division of languages, and a token of the worlds end. fo. seven.  
¶ Of the harper Arion. fo eodem.   
Thus endeth the prologue.   

¶ The contents of the first book.  

¶ first the author nameth this work Confessio Amantis, wherein is descrived not only the love human, but also of all other living beasts natural. fo. seven.  
¶ How cupid smote Iohn Gower with a fiery dart, and wounded him, that Venus commised him to Genius her pressed to here his confession. fo. viii.  
¶ How the lover kneeling, praith Genius to appose him in his confession. fo. eo.  
¶ The words of Genius the priest upon the lovers confession. fo. ix.  
¶ How the lover doth make his confession principally of two of his five wits. fo. eodem.  
¶ How Actaeon for looking upon Diane was turned into an heart. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of Phorcus and his three daughters which had but one eye, and how Perseus slew them. fo. eodem.  
¶ How the serpent, that beareth the Carbuncle, stoppeth his ears, when he is enchanted. fo. x.  
¶ How Vlixes escaped fro the meri●●●dens by stopping of his cares. fo. eo●.  
¶ Of the seven deadly sins, of whom the first is Pride, which hath divers spices, the first of them is hypocrisy, the whose property the confess. declareth fo. xi.  
¶ How some innocent women are deceived fraudulentely through hypocrisy. fo eodem.  
¶ How a knight of Rome named Mundus, which by his feigned hypocrisy, and mean of two false priests, defouled one Pauline the most chaste wife of Rome. fo. xii.  
¶ how by the colour of sacrifice and feigned hypocrisy Troy was won and destroyed by the greeks. fo. xiii.  
Of the second spice of pride named inobedience. fo. xiv.  
¶ Of two vices longing to inobedience called mumur & complaint. fo. xv.  
¶ How the noble knight Florence, nephew to the emperor, by his obedience restored the kings daughter of Cicile to her right shape fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the third spice of pride/ which is called surquidry fo. xviii.  
¶ Of the presumption, which deceiveth the lovers, when they think themself most sure fo. eodem.  
¶ How the knight Campaneus for his surquidry was brent by fire at the siege of Thebes fo. eodem.  
¶ How the king of hungry humbled him to pour men, whereof his brother rebuked him, & how the king by his great semidome chastised his brother. fo. nineteen.  
¶ How Narcissus ennamored on his 〈◊〉 beauty spilled himself. fo. xx.  
〈◊〉 Of the forth spice of pride, named ●●●●tance fo. xxi.  
〈◊〉 ●●●ge Albine through his foolish 〈…〉 was ●●ayne of his own wife 〈◊〉 ●●●em.  
〈…〉 the fift spice of pride called Vain 〈◊〉 fo. xxiii.  
〈…〉 Nabugodonosor for his pride, 〈◊〉 he was in his most glory, was of 〈…〉, & transformed in to a beast 〈◊〉 ●●y. fo. eodem.  
〈◊〉 How a prudent king demanded iii 〈…〉 one of his knights upon his 〈◊〉 ●hich were assoiled by the knygh 〈…〉, whom the king for her 〈◊〉 married fo. xxv.    

The contentis of the second book.  

¶ Of the sin of Envy, and of his spi●●●, & ●●●●t of that that is called Sorrow 〈◊〉 other man's wealth fo. xxvii.  
¶ How Polyphemus for envy slew 〈◊〉, & how he would have ravished ●●●●hee, whom Neptunus saved from him fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the second spice of envy, called joy of an other man's sorrow fo. xxviii.  
¶ Of the Covetous and Envious man fo. xxix.  
¶ Of the third spice of envy named Detraction fo. eodem.  
¶ How Constance th'emperors daughter of Rome was sent to the sudden of Surrey, and of her marvelous adventures there fo. xxxi.  
¶ How Constance arrived in England, and how she converted Hermegilde to the faith fo. eodem,  
¶ How a young man was amorous on Constans, & of the mischiefs deed that he therefore did fo. eodem.  
¶ How king Allee was converted to the faith and wedded Constans. fo. xxxii.  
¶ How Constance was delivered of a fair son, whom they named Maurice, & of the great treason of the kings mother fo. eodem.  
¶ How Constance was again put on the see, and two year after arrived in Spain among Saracens, and how at last her ship was driven among the Roman flit fo. xxxiii.  
¶ How king Allee took wretch on his mother for her treason fo. xxxiiii.  
¶ How king Allee went to Rome on pilgrimage, where he fond his wife & his child fo. eodem.  
¶ How Constance beknowleged her to her father th'emperor fo. xxxv.  
¶ How Maurice was constituted heir of the empire of Rome, & how king all returned in to England, where within ii year after he died fo. xxxvi.  
¶ Of the envy and detraction between Persyus and Demetrius the two sons of king Philip of Macedon, and how that one caused that other to be slain fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the fourth spice of Envy, which is called dissimulation fo. xxxviii.  
¶ How Nessus deceived Hercules & Deianeira at a river, & of the shirt that was the death of Hercules fo. xl.  
¶ Of the fift spice of envy called Supplantation fo. eodem  
¶ How Agamemnon supplanted Achilles, and Diomedes Troilus. fol. xli.  
¶ Of Geta & Amphitrion. fo. eodem.  
¶ How an emperors son of Rome was supplanted by his fellow, of the soudans' daughter, by telling to him his counsel. fo. eodem.  
¶ How Pope Boniface fraudulentely supplanted Celestine his predecessor, & how afterward he was taken by the french king and put in prison, where be endured great hunger and thirst, and at last died most wretchedly. fo. xliij.  
¶ The prophecy of jochim the abbot. fo. xliiij.  
¶ How joab, capiteyne of the booste of David, slew Abner, and how Achitofell, for envy that he had, that Cusy was preferred afore him, benge himself. fo. eodem.  
¶ The description of envy. fo. eodem.  
¶ How the virtue of charity is against envy, and how Constantine th'emperor was healed of his leper. fo. xlv.    

The contents of the third book.  

¶ Of the sin of ire, and of his five spices, of which the first is called melancholy. fo. xlvij.  
¶ How Machareus the son of Aeolus the king, got his sister Canace with child. fo. xlviij.  
¶ How Tiresias was transformed into the shap of a woman. fo. xlix.  
¶ Of the second spice of ire, named chest or strife, and what harm cometh thereof. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the noble virtue Patience, with an example of Socrates & his wife. fo. l.  
¶ How Tiresias was ordained judge between jupiter and juno in a strife between 'em. fo. li.  
¶ How the crow that was white became black. fo. eodem.  
¶ why jupiter cut of the tongue of Lara. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of hate the third spice of ire. fo. lij.  
¶ How Nauplus revenged him on the greeks, for that his son Palamedes was slain traitorously at the siege of Troy. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of conteke and homicide, which be the fourth & fift spices of wrath. fo. liij.  
¶ The answer of Diogenes to Alexander. fo. liiij.  
¶ The history of Pyramus and Thysbe, and how each slew themself for love. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the vengeance, that Athamas and Demophon purposed to do in their country, after they returned from Troy and how by the wisdom of the prudent Nestor, they were pacified. fo. eod.  
¶ How Clytaemnestra by the counsel of Egisthus, slew her husband king Agamemnon, & how his son Horestes took vengeance thereof. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the movers of war, which not only do cause homicide, but also desolation of all the world. fo. lix.  
¶ How the greeks made war in to every country, that was rich and fertile, but because Archady was balayne and poor, it abode still in peace. fo. lx.  
¶ Of the answer that the see rover made, when he was taken and brought before king Alexander. fo. eodem.  
¶ An example of king Alexander, and of his unleeful wars which n●t withstanding he conquered all the world, he was by death subdued. fo. lxi.  
¶ How light forgiveness doth cause offence. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the nature of a bird, the which hath a visage like to a man. fo. eodem.  
¶ An example of pite, how beneficial it is to mankind. fo. lxij.    

¶ The contents of the fourth book.  

¶ Of the sin of sloth, and of his spices, of the which the first is called Latchesse. fo. lxiij.  
¶ How Aeneas left Dido behind him at Carthage, and how she show herself. fo. eodem.  
¶ The epistoll that Penelope wrote to Ylixes in blaming him for his latches and long tarrying at Troy fo. eodem  
¶ How the ingenious work that Gros test was about vii year was through laches of a moment all lost fo. lxiiii.  
¶ Of the latches of the five foolish virgin's fo. eodem  
¶ Of a spice of Sloth called Pusyllanimite fo. eodem.  
¶ Of Pygmalion and his image that he made in ivory fo. lxv.  
¶ How the king Lygdus daughter was transformed in to a man fo. eodem  
¶ Of the vice Foryettylnes' fo. lxvi.  
¶ Of Demophon and Phillis, & how 〈◊〉 ●●nge herself for love. fo. lxvii.  
¶ Of the vice of Negligence fo. lxviii.  
¶ ●owe Phaeton lad his father's cart; ●●●we through negligence be set all 〈◊〉 world a fire. fo. eodem  
●●we Dedalus and Icharus his son 〈…〉 the air. fo. eodem.  
¶ 〈…〉 sp●ce of sloth called idle 〈…〉 fo. nineteen.  
〈…〉 the king of Armenis daughter 〈…〉 ●●me a company of the fairy 〈◊〉 whom road a lady alone that ca● 〈◊〉 horse haliers fo. lxx.  
〈…〉 avowed to sacrifice to god 〈…〉 came to welcome him home 〈◊〉 was his own daughter, that 〈…〉 bewail her virginity fo. lxxi.  
〈…〉 for the cause of love valiant ex●●● of ●hiualrye should not be left at 〈◊〉 tyme. fo. lxxii.  
〈…〉 Achilles' for the love of Polixe●● 〈◊〉 to do arms at Troy, fo. eodem  
〈…〉 Vlyxes was taken by the gre●●●● to go to Troy, and what wren● 〈◊〉 ●ought to tarry at home with his 〈◊〉 fo. lxxiii.  
¶ How Pro●●eselaus setting his widow 〈…〉 I'll apart, had liefer die honourably at Troy, than abide at home ●●ydelnes fo. eodem.  
¶ How king Saul, not withstanding that Samuel and the Phytones told him he should be slain, preferred chyvalry, and went to battle fo. eodem.  
¶ How Chiro a centaur encouraged Achilles in youth to be hardy fo. lxxiiii.  
¶ How Hercules for love of Deianeira conquered Achilous' fo. eodem.  
¶ How Penthesilea the queen of Amazons came to Troy for Hector's sake, and there did deeds of arms fo. eodem  
¶ how for the fame of chivalry Philimenis came to Troy and got to have three maidens sent him yearly from the royalme of Amazons fo. lxxv.  
¶ How Aeneas by his conquest got the love of Lavine, and the realm of italy fo. eodem.  
¶ How Gentleness is oft preferred, and what gentleness is fo. lxxvi.  
¶ Of the diligence of our predecessors and their doctrine fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the three stones that the philosophers made, that is to say, Vegeta, Animal, and mineral. fo. lxxvii.  
¶ Of somnolence, which is chamberlain to Sloth fo. lxxviii.  
¶ Of king Leix and Alceon his wife, which leapt in to the see and dreynte herself for her husbands sake fo. lxxix.  
¶ How Lephalus by watching gate Aurora his love fo. lxxx.  
¶ How Io was transformed into a Low, and put to the keeping of Argus by juno, and how Mercurius slew him fo. lxxxi.  
¶ Of the last spice of sloth, called Tristresse which causeth wanhope fo. eo.  
¶ How Iphis the son of Theucer loved a maid, and how when he could not get her love he hinge himself at her father's gate, and how the gods therefore turned the maid in to an hard stone fo. lxxxii.    

☞ The contentis of the fift book.  

¶ Of Lovetise & Avarice, which is the rote of all evils, & of his spices fo. lxxxiii.  
¶ How Meda the king of Frige undiscreetly desired, that every thing the which he touched, might be turned in to gold fo. lxxxiiii.  
¶ Of the vice of jealousy fo. lxxxvi.  
¶ How Vulcanus took Venus his wife a bed with Mars, whom to see, he called all the God's, and they for his labour laughed him to scorn fo. lxxxvii.  
¶ Of the false sects of gods, & how they first began by the paynim fo. eodem.  
¶ The pistol sent by the king of Brag man's to king Alexander fo. xci.  
¶ The first culture or worshipping of idols fo. eodem.  
¶ The second that fond out images. fo. xcii.  
¶ The third image fo. eodem  
¶ Of the jews synagogue, the which failed when the church of christ began fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the christian faith fo. xciii.  
¶ How Thoas the high pressed of the Temple of minerve, was corrupted with gold, and how he turned his face a side wittingly, while Antenor took away the Palladium. fo. eodem.  
¶ A notable saying of saint Gregory touching the increase of the Christian faith fo. xciiii.  
¶ Of the spice of avarice that is called covetise fo. eodem.  
¶ A great and notable example of the Covetous emperor of Rome calledde Crassus. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of them that serve princes and grudge at their reward fo. xcvi.  
¶ How th'emperor Fredrick heard two pour men strive, of which the one said, that he may well be rich, whom the king will, and the other said, he who that god will, shall be rich, and how th'emperor made a proof thereof fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the kings steward that shamefully fold his wife for covetousness of money fo. xcviii.  
¶ Of the spices of Avarice called false witness and perjury fo. xcix.  
¶ How Thetis clothed Achilles her son in a maids clothing, and sent him to king linseed, where he lay with his daughter, & got her with child & bow at last he was perceived fo. eodem  
¶ How jason won the flees of gold, and after falsely forsook Medea for love of Creusa fo. ci.  
¶ How Medea by her artemagik made old Aeson that was jasons father young again fo. cv.  
¶ How the golden flees came first in to the isle of Colchos fo. cvi  
¶ Of the spice of avarice, which is called usury fo. cvii  
¶ How juno avenged her upon Echo for her bawdry fo. cviii  
¶ Of the spice of avarice, that is called scarceness fo. cix.  
¶ How the Roman niggard called Babione was deceived of his fair love Viola, by the liberality and gentleness of Croceus. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of that monstrous spice of avarice, the which is called Ingratitude or unkindness fo. cx.  
¶ How unkindly Adrian the Senator of Rome quit the kindness of the pour man called Bardus, which saved his life fo. eodem.  
¶ How unkindly and falsely duke Theseus quit the great kindness of the young lady Ariadne fo. cxii.  
¶ Of the spice of avarice, the which is called ravin, the whose mother is called Extortion fo. cxiii.  
¶ How Thereus ravished Philomene, and how her sister Progne's and she did revenge it fo. eodem  
¶ Of the spice of avarice, that is called Theft fo. cxvi.  
¶ How Neptune would have ravished the fair virgin Cornix, & how she was preserved from him by Pallas. fo. cxvii.  
¶ How jupiter transformed himself in to the likeness of a maiden, and so ravished Calisto. fo. eodem.  
¶ what the fair young man Phirinus did, to th'end that he would keep his chastity fo. eodem.  
¶ A commendation of virginity fo. cxviii.  
¶ How the emperor Valentinian rejoiced more, that he had subdued his flesh, & kept himself a virgin, than of all his other victories fo. eodem  
¶ Of the spice of Covetousness, called secret theft fo. cxix.  
¶ How Phoebus defouled the maid Leucothea, and how her father therefore buried her quick fo. cxx.  
¶ How Hercules changed raiment with his love jole, & how thereby Fau●●● was dsceyved and came to bed to Hercules fo. cxxii.  
¶ Of the spice of covetise called Sa●●lege fo. eodem.  
¶ Of three great Capytaines that com●●● sacrilege fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the writing that the hand wrote 〈◊〉 wall in the time of Balthasar 〈◊〉 fo. cxxiii.  
¶ Of ●●●ke in Rome that was called 〈…〉 which committed sacrylege 〈…〉 conscience fo. eodem.  
〈◊〉 ●owe Paris king Priamus son, 〈◊〉 ●●ly ravished in the temple of 〈◊〉 ●ayre Helen king Menalay 〈◊〉 & how he led her away with 〈◊〉 fo. cxxiiii.  
¶ Of the virtue the which is called 〈◊〉, that standeth between Libe●●●● and Prodigalyte fo. cxxvi.    

The contentis of the sixth book.  

¶ Of the sin of Glotonny, and of 〈◊〉 spices that long thereto, Dronkeship and Delycacy fo. cxxvii.  
¶ Of jupiters' two tons fo. cxxx.  
¶ How Bacchus being destitute of drink for him and his host, prayed unto jupiter, and how he was satisfied to his mind fo. eodem.  
¶ How Trystram was of love drunk on Bell I sold fo. eodem.  
¶ How the drunken centaurs ravished the fair Ipotacia the same day that Pirithous wedded her fo. eodem.  
¶ How Galba and Vitellus two gentlemen of Spain for there riot were judged to death, and how they cheese to die being drunken fo. eodem  
¶ Of that spice of gluttony. that is called Delycacy fo. eodem  
¶ The evangelical example of Dives & Lazar against the delicate fo. cxxxii.  
¶ The delicate sight in love fo. cxxxii.  
¶ The delight of the ear in love fo. cxxxiii  
¶ The delicate thought in love fo. eodem  
¶ The delicacy of Nero fo. eodem.  
¶ How Delicacy and drunkenness provoke carnal concupiscence fo. cxxxiiii.  
¶ The names of books and authors, that wrote as well of natural as cursed magic. fo. eodem.  
¶ How Ulysses returning home from the syge of Troy/ arrived in the isle of Cilli, where dwelled the great witch Circe's, on whom he begat a son that after slew him fo. cxxxv.  
¶ How Nectanabus by his art magic deceived Olimpias king Philippe of Macedones wife, while be was absent, and on her goat Alexander the great Conqueror, and how he was afterward of his own son the same Alexander slain fo. cxxxvii.  
¶ How Zorastes the first finder of art magic, laughed at his birth, & how the king of Surrie slew him fo. cxl.    

☞ The contentis of the vii book.  

¶ Of the doctrine of Aristotel, which he taught Alexander, and how philosophy is divided into three parts. fo. eodem  
¶ Of Theoryke the first part of philosohie/ the which is departed upon three, that is to say Theology, physic, and Mathematic, first of Theology. fo. eo.  
¶ Of essencia, which is th●● manner wise f●●odem.  
¶ Of the second part of theoric called physic fo. eodem  
¶ Of the third part of theoric called Mathematic which containeth in it four sciences, the first of them is Arithmetic. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of Music the second part of Mathematic fo. eodem  
¶ The third spice of Mathematic, which is called Geometry. fo. eodem  
¶ The creation of the four elements, & of their properties fo. cxlii.  
¶ Of the earth the first element fo. eo.  
¶ Of the water the second element fo. eo  
¶ Of the air the third element fo. eodem  
¶ How the air is divided into three periferiis fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the first periferi of th'air fo. eodem  
¶ Of the second periferi of th'air. fo. eo  
¶ Of the third periferi of their fo. eod  
¶ Of the fleinge fires in the air by night, and of their names fo. eodem  
¶ Of the fire the forth element fo. cxliij.  
¶ Of the four complexions in man, & first of Melancholy fo. eodem.  
¶ Of phlegmatic complexion fo. eodem  
¶ Of sanguine complexion fo. eodem.  
¶ Of choleric complexion fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the four mansions that the four complexions have in man's body fo. eodem  
¶ wherefore the stomach serveth fo. eod  
¶ How the earth after noah's flood was divided in to three parts fo. cxliiii.  
¶ Of the see called Oceanum fo. eodem  
¶ Of the fift element, which as the philosopher saith, containeth within his circuit, all things under heaven, and is called Orbis fo. eodem  
¶ Of the fourth spice of Mathematik called astronomy, with the which as fellow, astrology is counted, and of the seven. planets, fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the Moon the first planet. fo. cxlv.  
¶ Of the second planet called Mercury. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of Venus the third planet. fo. eod.  
¶ Of the Son, which reynninge in the mids of the planets, is the chief of all the stars fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the sons char, and the divers apparel thereof fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the fift planets which is called Mars, fo. cxlvi.  
¶ Of the sixth planet, which is called jupiter, fo. eodem.  
¶ O● the seventh planet called Saturn, which is biher than the other fo. eo  
¶ Of the xii signs fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the first sign called Aries fo. eo.  
¶ Of Taurus the two sign. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of Gemini the third sign. fo. eod.  
¶ Of Cancer the fourth sign fo. eod.  
¶ Of the fift sign called Leo fo. eodem  
¶ Of the sixth sign called Virgo fo. eo.  
¶ Of the vii sign called Libra fo. eo.  
¶ Of the viii sige called Scorpio fo. eo  
¶ Of the ix sign called sagittari fo. eo  
¶ Of the ten sign called Capricorn fo eo  
¶ Of the xi sign called aquary fo. eo.  
Of the xii sign called Pisces fo. cxlviii  
¶ Of the doctrine that Nectanabus taught Alexander, and of xu principal stars with their stones & Herbs fo. eo.  
¶ The names of the authors, that compiled books of Astronomy. fo. cxl●●.  
¶ Of the second part of philosophy called Rhetoric, and of the two spices thereof Grammar and Logic fo. eodem  
¶ The eloquence of julius Cesar in Catilins' cause. fo. cl.  
¶ Of the third part of philosophy called practic & of the three spices thereof Ethic, Economic, and policy fo. eodem  
¶ five special rules of policy belonging to a prince fo. cli.  
¶ The question of Darius, whether was stronger, a king, wine, or a woman fo. eodem  
¶ An example of the force of love, between Cirus king of pierce, and Apemen his concubine fo. clii.  
¶ The great troth and fidelity of the noble Alcestis, wife to king Admete fo. eo.  
¶ Of the second policy belonging to a kings majesty, which Aristotel calleth Largesse fo. eodem.  
¶ How a king should flee the vice of prodigalite. fo. eodem.  
¶ A notable example of julius Cesar to encourage a prince to be liberal to them that well deserve it fo. cliii.  
¶ An example of king Antigonus, how a prince should use discrete moderation in gifts fo. eodem.  
¶ How the state of a king ought to be supported of his true lieges. fo. eodem.  
¶ How after Arystotel, the prodigalite 〈◊〉 a prince causeth commune poverty fo. eodem.  
¶ How flatterers in princes courts do 〈◊〉 three manner wise fo. eodem.  
¶ How Aristippus reproved Diogenes, 〈◊〉 he would not dwele in court, & 〈◊〉 Diogenes answered him again. fo. cliiii.  
¶ How Dante the poet answered a 〈◊〉. fo. eodem.  
¶ A notable example against flattery, 〈◊〉 ●●me that the romans used in 〈◊〉 ●●mphe of then emperor fo. eodem  
〈◊〉 An other custom against flattery, 〈…〉 romans used when their Em 〈…〉 intromsed fo. clu  
〈…〉 some that make themself wise 〈…〉 fools in th'end fo. eodem.  
〈◊〉 why ●●tterours should rather be dry 〈◊〉 of court than receive any re●●● 〈◊〉 of a prince fo. eodem.  
¶ How● king Achas refused the true 〈◊〉 ●●phesie of Michee, and to his destru●● 〈◊〉 credence to the false flattering ●●●phet Zedechias fo. eodem.  
¶ The third policy that most specially ●●●●geth unto a king is called justice. fo. clvi.  
¶ How a kings majesty should not only be armed with might and strength but also with good laws fo. eodem  
¶ The great justice of Maximine the emperor. fo. clvii.  
¶ The noble saying of Caius Fabricius, the which would not be corrupted with gold fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the great justice of Conradus the emperor fo. eodem  
¶ Of him that slew himself for the love of justice. fo. eodem.  
¶ How Cambices the king of pierce, caused a corrupt judge to be slain quick fo. clviii.  
¶ what they were, that first invented and made laws, and specially of Lycurgus, which preferred the common wealth before his own. fo. eodem.  
¶ The fourth Policy belonging to a king, which is called Pite fo. clix.  
¶ How a knight that was judged to the death by Alexander, appealed from the kings ire unto his pite. fo. eodem  
¶ A notable talk of a jew that went a foot and a pagan, that road, through a wilderness fo. eodem  
¶ Of the great pite of king Codrus, which to save his people cheese to be slain himself. fo. clx.  
¶ How Pompeius after he bad take the king of armeny, he let him go quite, saying, It is more noble to make a king, than to depose a king fo. ●●●  
¶ Of the great cruelty of Leontiu● to ●ustinian fo. clxi.  
¶ Of the cruel invention of the bull of brass, and how Berillus the inventor was the first that was tormented therein fo. eodem.  
¶ How the tyrannous Denyse, that gave men to his horses to eat, was himself at last devoured of horses. fo. eodem  
¶ How the tyrant Lichaon, for that he made men to eat men was turned in to a wolf fo. eodem  
¶ The nature of the Lion fo. clxii.  
¶ How the cruel king of pierce, for that he slew without pite those that he conquered, he was at last cruelly slain himself fo. eodem.  
¶ How like as a prince ought not to be to cruel, so be should not be over faint hearted and fearful fo. clxiii.  
¶ Of the stont stomached Achilles, and the faint hearted Thersites fo. eodem  
¶ How Gedeon, with three hundred men of war over came five kings, in the whose host were. lxxxx. thousand men fo. eodem.  
¶ How a king is bound of right to slay the adversaries to justice fo. clxiiii.  
¶ How king David at his last end commanded his son Solomon, that he should slay joab without any remission. fo. eodem  
¶ How Solomon desiring of god to have wise doom to govern his people, obtained therewith plenty of all things folio eodem.  
¶ How Lucius the emperor being flattered of his conselours, was told the troth of his fool fo. eodem  
¶ How Roboas by inclining to young counsel, and refusing of old, lost ten parts of his kingdom fo. eodem  
¶ whether were better a wise prince with evil counsel, or a foolish prince with good counsel, fo. clxvi.  
¶ Of Antonius, which by example of Scipio, said, he had leaver to save o 〈…〉 his own people, than slay an. L. of 〈◊〉 ●emes fo. eodem  
¶ Of ●he fift policy belonging to a prince called chastity fo. eodem.  
¶ How a prince to rejoice his mind ought some time to behold beautiful women. fo. clxvii.  
¶ How Sardanapaulus became all womanliche, whereby he was subdued, and lost his realm fo. eodem.  
¶ How king David, for the love of women left not of the exercise of knighthood. fo. eodem.  
¶ How Cirus the king of pierce could not subdue the Lydes, till by disobeyed be caused them to fall to likings of fleshly lusts fo. eodem  
¶ How Amoleche by counsel of Balaam sent feyre women to the hebrews which were cause, that the hebrews were overcome and discomfit fo. clxviii.  
¶ How Solomon was overcome with carnal concupiscence, and how by then ticiment of his concubines, he did worship false gods. fo. eodem.  
¶ How Achias the prophet showed before unto jeroboas the son of Nabal, that after salomon's death he should reign over ten tribes of Israel fo. eodem  
¶ How arrows the son of Tarquin by a false imagination deceived and subdued the Gabiens fo. clxix.  
¶ How and under what manner arrows ravished Lucrece fo. eodem  
¶ How the worthy knight Virginius slough his own daughter, because she should not lose her virginity fo. clxxii.  
¶ A right notable example bow the delight and lust in marriage ought to be moderate, by the seven husbands of Sara the daughter of Raguelis, which were slain the first night of their marriage by a fiend called Asmodius, And how Thoby was preseruedde by the counseile of the angel Raphael fo. eodem    

❧ The contentis of the eight book.  

¶ How some in loves cause do against nature as in their kindred and sy●rede both contrary to the laws of reason and of the church fo. clxxiii.  
¶ How Caius Calygula lay by his own three sisters, and afterward exiled them. And how Amon also against kind ravished his own sister T●amar the which deed he dear a bought afterwards fo. clxxiiii.  
¶ How Loth lay by his own two daughters and goat on them two sons of the which the one was called Moab and the other Amon fo. clxxv.  
¶ A wretched example of a king named Antiochus, which defouled his own daughter, and of the problem that he put to them, that desired to have her unto wife fo. eodem.  
¶ How Appolyn of tire came to Antioch, and desired the kings daughter and how he assoiled the kings problem. fo eodem.  
¶ what the question was, that the king Antiochus put to them that desired to have his daughter. fo. clxxvi.  
¶ How Appolyn for fear of the great and cruel king Antiochus, fled away and durst not abide in his own proper country fo. clxxvii.  
¶ How the king Antiochus sent a ●●●ht privily to tire to slay Appolyne 〈◊〉 poison. fo. eodem.  
¶ How Appolyn arrived in the haven of ●ha●●● and was lodged with Stran●●●●. fo. eodem.  
¶ How one Hilcane a citizen of tire 〈◊〉 ●o Tharse, and how he knew Ap●●●●● and warned him of Antiochus 〈◊〉, and how Appolyn therefore for 〈◊〉 ●●●rfe, and sailed to Pentapolyn, 〈◊〉 ●●we he did behave himself 〈◊〉 fo. clxxvij.  
¶ How the kings daughter of Pen●●●● loved Appolyn and forsook all 〈◊〉 ●●r his sake that offered to mary 〈◊〉 ●●d how at last he married 〈◊〉 fo. eodem.  
¶ How Appolinus wife travailed on the 〈◊〉 and how she there died, and of the great calamities that fell to him afterward. fo. clxxix.  
¶ How Appolyn delivered his daughter to nurse, and of the wretched chances that she had. fo. clxxx.  
¶ Of the dole and bevynes that Appol●● made when he thought his daughter had been deed, and how at last he sonde her. fo. clxxx. iij.  
¶ How Apolyn met with his wife that he for dead before had cast in to the see. fo. clxxxiiij.  
¶ How Apolin took wretch on Strangulio and Dionyse his wife for their falsehood. fo. eodem.  
¶ How the lover for a final conclusion of his confession, desired counsel of his confessor. fo. clxxxv.  
¶ How finally Genius enjoineth the lover these things, that be bolsome for him. fo. eodem.  
¶ The controversy that fell between the confessor and the lover in the end of his confession fo. clxxxvi.  
¶ The form of a supplication that Genius in the lovers behalf delivered to Venus. fo eodem.  
¶ The answer that Venus made to the same supplication, after she had received it. fo. clxxxvij.  
¶ How Venus scorneth them, which that in their old age set their hearts to be lovers. fo. eodem.  
¶ How the mocking exhortation of Venus had almost slain the lover for sorrow. fo. eodem.  
¶ The names of the jolly lovers both young and old that came to comfort this lover in his deadly pain. fo eodem.  
¶ How cupid when he had searched the bowels of the lover, and fond that he was wetheredde away by age, drew out of him his fiery dart. fo. clxxxix.  
¶ How the state of man is compared to the months of the year. fo. Lxc.  
¶ Here in the end he maketh a recapitulation on that, that he promised, touching loves cause, in the beginning of the book: for he concludeth, that all delectation of love out of charity, is nothing. fo. Lxci.    
¶ Thus endeth the table of this work entitled Gower de Confession Amantis.   

¶ To the most victorious/ and our most gracious sovereign lord king Henry the viii king of England and of France/ Defender of the faith/ and lord of Ireland. etc.  
PLutarke writeth/ when Alexander had discomfit Darius the king of pierce/ among other jewels of the said kings there was found a curious little chest of great value/ which the noble king Alexander beholding/ said: This same shall serve for Homer. which is noted for the great love and favour/ that Alexander had unto learning. But this I think verily/ that his love and favour thereto/ was not so great as your graces: which caused me/ most victorious/ and most redoubted sovereign lord/ after I had printed this work/ to devise with myself/ whether I might be so bold to present your highness with one of them/ and so in your graces name put them forth. your most high and most princely majesty abashed and clean discouraged me so to do/ both because the present (as concerning the value) was far to simple/ as me thought/ and because it was none other wise my act/ but as I took some pain to print it more correctly than it was before. And though I should say/ that it was not moche greater pain to that excellent clerk the moral Iohn Gower to compile the same noble work/ than it was to me to print it/ no man will believe it/ without conferring both the printiss/ the old and mine together. And as I stood in this basshement/ I remembered your incomparable Clemency/ the which/ as I have myself sometime seen/ most graciously accepteth the slender gifts of small value/ which your highness perceived were offered with great and loving affection/ and that not only of the nobuls and great estates/ but also of your mean subjects: the which so moche boldeth me again/ that though I/ of all other/ am your most humble subject and servant/ yet my heart giveth me/ that your highness/ as ye are accustomed to do/ will of your most benign nature consider/ that I would with as good will/ if it were as well in my power/ give unto your grace the most goodliest and largest cite of all the world. And this more over I very well know/ that both the nobuls and commons of this your most noble royalme/ shall the sooner accept this book/ the gladlier read it/ and be the more diligent to mark and bear away the moral doctrines of the same/ when they shall see it come forth under your graces name/ whom they with all their very hearts so truly love & dread/ whom they know so excellently well learned/ whom they ever find so good/ so just/ and so gracious a prince. And who so ever in reading of this work/ doth consider it well/ shall find/ that it is plentifully stuffed and furnished with manifold eloquent reasons/ sharp and quick arguments/ and examples of great authority/ persuading unto virtue/ not only taken out of the poets/ orators/ historywryters/ and philosopher's/ but also out of the holy scripture. There is to my doom/ no man/ but that he may by reading of this work get right great knowledge/ as well for the understanding of many & divers authors/ whose reasons/ sayings/ & histories are translated in to this work/ as for the plenty of english words and vulgars/ beside the furtherance of the life to virtue. which old english words and vulgars no wise man/ because of their antiquity/ will throw aside. For the writers of later days/ the which began to loath and hate these old bulgars/ when they themself would write in our english tongue/ were constrained to bring in/ in their writings/ new terms (as some call them) which they borrowed out of latin french/ and other languages/ which caused/ that they that understood not those languages/ from whence these new vulgars are fet/ could not perceive their writings. And though our most allowed old authors did otherwhile use to borrow of o●her languages/ either because of their metre/ or else for lack of a feet english word/ yet that ought not to be a precedent to us/ to heap them in/ where as needeth not/ and where as we have all ready words approved and received/ of the same effect and strength. The which if any man want/ let him resort to this worthy old writer Iohn Gower/ that shall as a lantern give him light to write counnyngly/ and to garnish his sentencis in our vulgar tongue. The which noble author/ I prostrate at your graces feet/ most lowly present/ and beseech your highness/ that it may go forth under your graces favour. And I shall ever pray: God that is almighty preserve your royal majesty in most long continuance of all wealth/ honour/ glory/ and grace infinite. Amen.   

Prologus.  

¶ Hic in primis declarat joannes Gower quam ob causam presentem fibellun composuit & finaliter compfevit, An. regni regis Ric. secundi 16.  

❧ Of them/ that written us to fore  
The books dwell: and we therefore  
Ben taught of that was written though/   

For thy good is/ that we also  
In our time among us here  
Do write of new some matter  
Ensampled of the old wise:  
So that it might in such a wise  
(when we be deed and else where)  
believe to the worlds ere  
In time coming after this.  
And for men say (and sooth it is)  
" That who that all of wisdom write  
" It dulleth oft a man's wit  
" To him that shall it all day read:  
For thilk cause (if that ye read)  
I will go the middle weigh,  
And write a book between the twey;  
Somewhat of lust/ and somewhat of lore:  
That of the lass/ or of the more  
Some man may like of that I write.  
And for that few men indite  
In our english/ for to make  
A book for Englondes sake  
The year xvi of king Richard.  
what shall bifalle here afterward  
God wot/ for now upon this tide  
Men see the world on every side  
In sundry wise so diversed,  
That it well nigh stant all reversed.   

Als for to speak of time ago.  
The cause why it changeth so  
It needeth nought to specify;  
The thing so open is at the eye  
That every man it may behold.  
And nevertheless by days old  
when that the books weren liefer,  
" writing was beloved ever  
" Of them that weren virtuous  
For here in earth among us  
If no man write how it stood;  
The price of them that were good  
Should as who saith a great party  
Be lost: so for to magnify  
The worthy princes/ that though were,  
The books shown here and there;  
whereof the world ensampled is:  
And though that diden then amiss  
Through tyranny and cruelty,  
Right as they stonden in degree  
So was the writing of the work.  
Thus I which am a borel clerk  
Purpose for to write a book  
After the world that why lome took  
Long time in old days passed:  
But for men say it is now lassed  
In were plight than it was though  
I think for to touch also  
The world/ which neweth every day,  
So as I can/ so as I may:  
Though I sickness have upon hand  
And long have had/ yet will I fond  
To write/ and do my business;  
That in some party (so as I guess)  
The wise man may be advised:  
For this prologue is so assised  
That it to wisdom all belongeth.  
That wise man that it undertongeth,  
He shall draw in to remembrance  
" The fortune of the worlds chance;  
" The which no man in his person  
" May know but the god alone.  
when the prologue is so dispended  
The book shall afterward be ended  
" Of love/ which doth many a wonder,  
" And many a wise man hath put under:  
And in this wise I think to treat  
Toward them/ that now be great,  
Between the virtue and the vice;  
which longeth unto this office.  
But for my wits been to small  
To tell every man's tale;  
This book upon amendment  
To stand at his commandment  
(with whom mine heart is of accord)  
I send unto mine own lord  
which of Lancastre is Henry named:  
The high god hath him proclaimed  
Full of knighthood and all grace.  
So would I now this work embrace  
with whole trust and whole believe.  
God grant I moat it well achieve.   
●●●●as preteritum praesens fortuna beatum  
〈◊〉, et antiquas vertit in orb mas.  
〈…〉 ●●rer●m concors dilectio pacem,  
complices hominis nuncia mentis erat.  
〈◊〉 a●●olor tunc temporis aura refulsit,  
〈◊〉 planç cuncque fuere ●●ae  
N●●●que latens odium ●ultum depingit amoris,  
〈…〉 sub fi●ta tempus ad arma tegit.  
〈…〉 ●●a●●s mutabile cameliontis  
〈…〉 ●●egnis sunt nova iura novis.  
〈…〉 ●p●uerant solidissima, sicque per orbem  
●●●cantur, n●● eo contra quietis habent.   

〈…〉 ●e●●co●e, ut dicunt, secundum tem●●●● 〈…〉 ●●icet tempore regio Ri●●● 〈…〉 secund●, Anno regni 〈◊〉 ●●●to decimo.  
¶ If I shall draw in to my mind  
〈◊〉 ●●me passed than I find  
〈◊〉 ●●●ide stood in all his wealth  
〈…〉 the life of man in health  
〈…〉 pl●nte though was richesse  
〈◊〉 the fortune though was prowess  
〈…〉 knighthood in pries by name  
〈…〉 the wide worlds fame  
〈…〉 chronicles is yet withhold  
〈…〉 ●●we th● was hold  
〈…〉 ●●●●●●ge o● regalye  
〈…〉 ●●d all the barony  
〈◊〉 ●●pped was in his estate  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 es knew no debate  
〈◊〉 people stood in obeisance  
〈◊〉 the rule of governance  
〈◊〉 ●●●●s with rightwiseness keste  
〈◊〉 ●arite though stood in rest  
〈◊〉 ●●●●nes heart the courage  
〈◊〉 ●●●wed then in the visage  
〈◊〉 ●●●de was like to the conceit  
〈◊〉 semblant of deceit  
〈◊〉 was there unenuied love  
〈◊〉 was virtue set above  
A●●●●ce was put under foot  
Now sta●te the crope under the rote  
The world is changed overall  
And thereof most in special  
That love is fall in to discord  
And that I take in to record  
Of every land for his party  
The comen voice/ which may not lie  
Nought upon one but upon all  
Is that men now clepe and call  
And say/ that reigns been divided  
In stead of love is hate guided  
The were will no peace purchase  
And law hath take her double face  
So that justice out of the way  
with rightwiseness is gone away  
And thus to look on every half  
Men seen the sore without salve  
which all the world hath overtake  
There is no reign of all out take  
For every climate hath his deal  
After the turning of the wheel  
which blind fortune overthroweth  
whereof the certain no man knoweth  
The heaven wot what is to done  
But we that dwell under the moan  
stand in this world upon a were  
And namely but the power  
Of them that been the worlds guides  
with good counsell on all sides  
Been kept upright in such a wise  
That hate break nought thassise  
Of love/ which is all the chief  
To keep a reign out of mischief  
For all reason would this  
That unto him/ which the heed is  
The membres buxom shall bow  
And he should eke their troth allow  
with all his heart/ and make them cheer  
For good counsel is good to here  
All though a man be wise himself  
yet is the wisdom more of twelve  
And if they stand both in one  
To hope it were then anon  
That god his grace would send  
To make of thilk were an end  
which every day now groweth new  
And that is greatly for to rue  
In special for Christ's sake  
which would his own life forsake  
Among the men to yeven peace  
But now men tell nevertheless  
That love is from the world departed  
So stant the pees yneven parted  
with them that lyven now a days  
But for to look at all assays  
To him/ that would reason seche  
After the comen worlds speech  
It is to wonder of thilk were  
In which none wot who hath the were  
For every land himself deceiveth  
And of disease his part receiveth  
And yet take men no keep  
But thilk lord/ which all may keep  
To whom no counsel may be hid  
Upon the world/ which is betide  
amend that/ whereof men plain  
with true hearts and with plain  
And reconsele love again  
As he/ which is king sovereign  
Of all the worlds governance  
And of his high purveyance  
Affirm piece between the lands/  
And take their cause in to his bonds  
So that the world may stand appeased  
And his godheede also be pleased  
Quas coluit Moses vetꝰ, aut novus ipse joannes,  
Hesternas leges vix colit ista dies.  
Sic prius Ecclesia bina virtute polita  
Nunc magis inculta pallet u●taque via.  
Pacificam Petri naginam mucro resumen  
Horruit ad Christi verba cruoris iter.  
Nunc tamen assiduo gladium de sanguine tinctum  
Vibrat avaricia lege repent sacra.  
Sic lupus est pastor, pat hostis, mors miserator,  
Praedoque largitor, pax, et in orb timor.   

¶ De statu cferi ut dicunt secundum spunasia, videlicet tempore Roberti Gisbonensi●/ qui nomen Clementis fortitus est sibi tunc Antipape.  

¶ To think upon the days old  
The life of clerks to behold  
Men say how that they were though  
Ensample/ and rule of all though  
which of wisdom the virtue sosughten  
Unto the god first they besoughten  
As to the substance of their school  
That they ne should not befole  
Her wytre upon none earthly works  
which were again the estate of clerks  
And that they mighten flee the vice  
which Simon hath in his office  
whereof he taketh gold in bond  
For thilk time (I understand)  
The lumbarde made none eschaunge  
The bisshopryches for to change  
Ne yet a letter for to send  
For dignity/ ne for provend  
Or cured/ or without cure  
The church key in adventure  
Of arms and of brigantaylle  
Stood no thing then upon battle  
To fight or for to make chest  
It thought them then not honest  
But of simplicity and patience  
They maden then no defence   

The court of worldly regallie  
To them was then no bayllie  
The vain honour was nought desired  
which hath the proud heart fired  
The humility was tho withhold  
And pride was a vice hold   

Of holy church the largesse/  
gave then and did great alms  
To pour men that had need  
They were eke chaste in word and deed  
whereof the people ensample took  
Their lust was all upon the book  
Or for to preach or for to pray  
To wysse men the right way  
Of such as stood of troth unlered  
Lo thus is Peter's bargestered  
Of them that thilk time were  
And thus came first to man's ere  
The faith of Christ and all good  
Through them that then were good  
And sober/ and chaste/ and large & wise  
And now (men sayne) is other wife  
Simon the cause hath undertake  
The worlds sword in hand is take  
And that is wonder nevertheless  
when Christ himself hath bided peace  
And set it in his testament   

How now that holy church is went  
Of that their law posytife  
Hath set to make were and strife  
For wordli goods/ which may not last  
God wot the cause to the last  
Of every right and wrong also  
But while the law is ruled so  
That clerks to the were intend  
●●o● how that they shall amend  
The woeful world in other things  
To make peace between kings  
After the law of charity  
which is the proper duty  
Belonged unto the priesthood  
But 〈◊〉 it thinketh to manhood.  
The heaven is for the world is nigh  
And vain glory is eke so sly  
which covetise hath now withhold  
That they none other thing behold  
But only that they mighten win  
〈◊〉 thus the wars they begin  
〈…〉 the holy church is taxed  
〈…〉 ●he point as it is axed  
〈…〉 goth to the battle  
〈…〉 christ might not avail  
〈◊〉 them right by other way  
〈…〉 sword the church kaye  
〈…〉 and the holy bede  
〈…〉 ●●rge and every stead  
〈…〉 stand upon the faith  
〈…〉 care leythe  
〈…〉 the quarrel  
〈…〉 be the worlds hele  
〈…〉 the pestilence  
〈…〉 ●●th ●●pelled patience  
〈…〉 in special  
〈…〉 bewed overall  
〈…〉 when they be grieved  
〈…〉 ●gorie be believed  
〈…〉 the books writ/  
〈…〉 somdele for to wit  
〈…〉 of thilk prelacy  
〈…〉 is nought of company  
〈…〉 werke as it is founded  
〈…〉 ●●de or else be confounded  
〈…〉 only for Christ's sake  
〈…〉 ●ure for to take  
〈…〉 for pride of thilk estate  
〈◊〉 a name of a prelate  
He shall by reason do profit  
In holy Church upon the plight  
That he hath set his conscience  
But in the worlds reverence  
Th●● be of such many glad  
wha● they to thilk estate be made  
Nought for the merit of the charge  
But for they would hem self discharge  
Of poverty/ and become great/  
And thus for pomp and for beycte  
The scribe and eke the pharisee  
Of Moses upon the see  
In the chair on high been set  
whereof the faith is oft let  
which is betake them to keep  
In Christ's cause all day they sleep  
But of the world is nought foryete  
For well is him/ that now may get  
office in court to be honoured  
The strong coffer hath all devoured  
Under the key of avarice  
The treasure of the benefice  
whereof the pour shulden cloth  
And eat/ and drink/ and house both  
The charity goth all ynknowe  
For they no greyne of pite sow  
And sloth keepeth the library  
which longeth to the seintuarye  
To study upon the worlds lore  
Sufficeth nought without more  
Delicacy his sweet tooth  
Hath suffered so that it fordothe  
Of abstinence all that there is  
And for to looken over this  
If Ethna burn in the clergy  
All openly to man's eye  
At avignon th'experience  
Thereof hath given an evidence  
Of that men seen them so divided  
And yet the cause is nought decided/  
But it is said/ and ever shall  
between two stools is the fall  
when that men wenen best to sit   

In holy church of such a slit  
Is for to rue unto us all  
God grant it moat well befall  
Towards him which hath the troth  
But oft is seen/ that moche sloth  
when men been drunken of the cup  
Doth moche harm/ when the fire is up  
But if somwho the flame staunch  
And so to speak upon this branch  
which proud envy hath made to spring  
Of schism causeth for to bring  
This new sect of lollardye  
And also many an beresye  
Among the clerks in themself  
It were better dyke and delve  
And stand upon the right faith  
Than know all that the bible saith  
And err/ as some clerks do  
Upon an hand to wear a shoe  
And set upon the foot a glove  
Acordeth not to the behove  
Of reasonable man's use  
If men behelden the vertuse  
That Christ in earth taught here  
They should not in such manner  
Among them/ that be hold wise  
The papacy so desguyse/  
Upon divers election  
which stant after th'affection  
Of sundry lands all about  
But when god will/ it shall wear out  
For truth moat stand at last  
But yet they argumenten fast  
Upon the pope/ and his estate  
whereof they fallen in great debate  
This clerk said ye/ that other nay  
And thus they drive forth the day  
And each of them himself amendeth  
Of worlds good: but none intendeth  
To that/ which comen profit were  
They sayen/ that god is mighty there  
And shall ordain/ what he will  
There make they none other skill  
where is the peril of the faith/  
But every clerk his heart leyth  
To keep his world in special  
And of the cause general  
which unto holy church longeth  
Is none of them that underfongeth  
To shapen any resistance/  
And thus the right hath no defence  
But there I love/ there I hold  
Lo thus to broke is Christ's fold  
whereof the flock without guide  
Devoured is on every side  
In lack of them/ that be unware  
shepherds/ which their wittis beware  
Upon the world in other half  
The sharp prick in stead of salve  
They usen now/ whereof the bele  
They hurt of that they should hele  
what sheep/ that is full of wulle  
Upon his back they tose and pull  
while there is any thing to pill  
And though there be none other skill  
But only for they would win  
They leave nought/ when they begin  
Upon their act to proceed  
which is no good shepherds deed  
And upon this/ also men say  
That fro the lose/ which is plain  
In to the briars they forcatche  
Here of for that they wolden lache  
with such duresse/ and so bereave  
That shall upon the thorns leave  
Of wool/ which the briar hath tore  
whereof the sheep been all to tore  
Of that the herds make them lose  
Lo how they feign chalk for cheese  
For though they speak and teach w●●●  
They done themself thereof no deal  
For if the wolf come in the weigh  
Their ghostly staff is then a weigh  
whereof they should their flock defend  
But if the pour sheep offend  
In any thing/ though it be light  
They been all ready for to smite  
And thus how ever that they tale  
The strokes fall upon the small  
And upon other that been great  
Them lacketh heart for to beat  
So that under the clerks law  
Men seen the merell all mysdrawe  
I will not say in general  
For there be some in special  
In whom that all virtue dwelleth  
And tho been/ as the apostle telleth  
Qui vocantur a deo tanquam Aaron  
That god of his election  
Hath cleped to perfection  
In the manner as Aaron was  
They be nothing in thilk case  
Of Simon/ which the folds gate  
Hath let/ and goth in other gate  
But they gone in the right weigh  
¶ There been also some (as men say)  
That followen Simon atte heel's  
●hose ●●r●● goth upon wheels  
Of cou●●●se and worlds pride  
A●● holy church goth beside  
w●●che showeth outward a visage  
〈…〉 is nought in the courage  
For 〈◊〉 men look in holy church  
〈◊〉 the word/ & that they work  
There is a full great difference  
〈◊〉 patchen us in audience  
〈◊〉 man shall his soul impair  
〈…〉 but a cherry feyre  
〈◊〉 worlds good so as they tell  
〈…〉 sayen there is an hell  
〈◊〉 unto man's sin is due  
〈…〉 us therefore eschew  
〈…〉 is and do the good  
〈…〉 their words understood  
〈◊〉 ●●th they would do the same  
〈◊〉 between earnest and game  
〈…〉 to ●ueth otherwise  
〈…〉 they devise  
〈…〉 is thilk deed  
〈…〉 to cloth and feed  
〈◊〉 soak and for to part  
〈…〉 good but they depart  
〈◊〉 ●ought fro that they have  
〈…〉 good is to save  
〈…〉 and with abstinence  
〈…〉 the continence  
〈…〉 for to speak of that  
〈…〉 thrike body fat  
〈◊〉 with dainty meats keep  
〈◊〉 soft for to sleep  
〈◊〉 hath elis of is will  
〈…〉 shall stand still  
〈…〉 ●●●les I can not say  
〈…〉 ●●ter that I myssay  
〈◊〉 ●nd of this/ how ever it stand  
〈◊〉 and will nought understand  
〈◊〉 thereof have I nought to done  
〈◊〉 that made first the moan  
〈◊〉 ●●ghe god of his goodness  
I● thereof cause he it redress  
But what that any man can accuse  
This may reason of truth excuse  
The vice of them that been ungood  
Is 〈◊〉 repreefe unto the good  
〈◊〉 every man his own works  
Shall bear/ and thus as of the clerks  
The good men been to commend  
And all these other god amend  
For they be to the worlds eye  
The mirror of exemplary  
To reulen and taken heed  
Between the men/ and the godhead   
Vulgar is populus regali lege subactus  
Dum jacet ut mitis digna subibit onus:  
Si caput extollat, et lex sua frena relaxat,  
Vt sibi nelle jubet, tygridis instar habet.  
Ignis a●ua dominans duo sunt pietate carentes,  
I● a tamen plebis est violenta magis.   

¶ De statu plebis/ ut dicunt/ secundum accidentia mutabifia.  
Now for to speak of the common  
It is to dread of that fortune  
which hath befall in sundry lands  
But oft for default of bonds  
All suddenly/ ere it be wist  
A tun/ when his lie aryst  
To breaketh/ and runneth all about  
which else should nought gone out  
And eke full oft a little scar  
Upon a bank/ ere men be ware  
Let in the stream/ which with great pain  
If any man it shall restrain  
where law faileth/ error groweth  
He is not wise/ who that ne troweth  
For it hath proved oft ere this  
And thus the common clamour is  
In every land/ where people dwelleth  
And each in his complaint telleth  
How that the world is my swent  
And thereupon his argument  
giveth every man in sundry wise  
But what man would himself advise  
His conscience/ and nought my suse  
He may well at the first excuse  
His god/ which ever stant in one  
In him there is default non  
So must it stand upon us self  
Nought only upon ten ne twelve  
But plenerly upon us all  
For man is cause of that shall fall   

¶ Nota contra hoc/ quod asiqui sortem Fortune/ asiqui influentiam planetarum ponunt/ per quod (vi dicitur) rerum eventue necessario contingit/ sed potius dicendum est/ quod ea que nos prosye ra et adversa in hoc mundo vocamus/ secundum merita et demerita hominum/ digno dei judicio proveniunt.  
¶ And netbeles yet some men write  
And say fortune is to wite/  
And some men hold opinion  
That it is constellation/  
which causeth all that a man doth  
God wot of both which is sooth/  
The world/ as of his proper kind  
was ever untrue/ and as the blind  
Improperly he deemeth fame  
He blameth/ that is nought to blame  
And praiseth/ that is nought to praise  
Thus when he shall the things poise  
There is deceit in his balance  
And all is that the variance  
Of us/ that should us better advise  
For after that we fall and rise  
The world ariste/ and falleth with all  
So that the man is over all  
His own cause of weal and woe  
That we fortune clepe so  
Out of the man himself it groweth  
And who that other wise troweth/  
Behold the people of Israel  
For ever/ while they didden well  
Fortune was them debonair  
And when they didden the contrary  
Fortune was contrary end  
So that it proveth weal at end  
why that the world is wonderful  
And may no while stand full/  
Though that it seem weal bescyn/  
For every worlds thing is vain  
And ever goth the wheel about/  
And ever stant a man in doubt/  
Fortune stant no while still  
So bathe there no man his will  
Als far as any man may know  
There lasteth no thing but a throw  Boetius. 
O quam duscedo human vite musta amaritudine aspersa eft.  
¶ The world stante ever upon debate  
So may be siker none estate/  
Now here/ now there/ now to/ now fro  
Now up/ now down/ the world goth so  
And ever hath done/ and ever shall  
whereof I find in special  
A tale written in the bible  
which must needs be credible  
And that as in conclusion/  
saith/ that upon division  
Stant/ why no worlds thing may last  
Till it be drive to the last  
And fro the first reign of all  
Unto this day how so befall  
Of that the reigns be movable  
The man himself hath be culpable  
which of his governance  
Fortuneth all the worlds chance  
Prosper et adversus obliquo tramite versus  
Immundus mundus decipit omne genus  
Mundus in eventu versatur, ut alea ca●u,  
Quam celer in ludis iactat avara manus  
Sicut imago viri variantur tempora mundi,  
Statque nihil firmum praeter amare deum.   

¶ Hic in prologo tractat de staiva illa/ quā●ey Nabugodonosor viderat in fomm●/cu●a capu● aureum/ pectus argenteum/ vente● enens, 〈◊〉 ferrer/ pedum vero quedam pa●● ferica ●ch●● fictifis videbatur: fub qua memororu di● 〈◊〉 secundum Damefis expositionem hu●us 〈◊〉 variatio figurabatur.  
¶ The high almighty purucyaunce  
In whose eterne remembrance  
From first was every thing present  
He hath his prophecy sent  
In such a wise/ as thou shalt here  
To Daniel of this matter  
How that this world shall torn & wend  
Till it be fall unto his end  
whereof the tale tell I shall  
In which is betokoned all  
¶ As Nabugodonosor slept  
A sweven him took/ the which he kept  
Till on the morrow he was arise  
For thereof he was sore agryse  
Till Daniel his dream he told  
And prayed him fair/ that he would  
A reed what it token may  
And said/ a bed where I lay  
Me thought I seyghe upon a stage  
where stood a wonder strange image  
His bead with all the neck also  
They were of fine gold both two  
His breast his shoulders/ and his arms  
were all of silver/ but tharmes  
The womb and all down to the knee  
Of b●as they were upon to see  
His legs they were made all of steel  
So were his feet also somedeal  
And somedele part to them was take  
Of ●●rthe which men pots make  
The ●●ble mingled was with the strong  
So might it not stand long   

〈…〉 de quodam sapide grandi, qui 〈…〉 ●●edatur ab excesso m● 〈…〉 cortues, in same quasi 〈…〉 penitus contri●it.  
¶ And though me thought/ that I sigh  
〈…〉 from an bill an high  
〈…〉 of sudden adventure  
〈…〉 of this figure  
〈…〉 stone all to broke was  
〈…〉 ●●●er the steel and bras  
〈…〉 powder brought  
〈…〉 ●●●ed in to nought   

〈…〉 ●●●●tione sommi, et pri● 〈…〉 ●urei.  
〈…〉 was the swenen which he had  
〈…〉 auo●e a●●d  
〈◊〉 him that figure strange  
〈◊〉 ●eth how the world shall change  
〈◊〉 glass worth and lass  
〈◊〉 to nought all over pass  
〈…〉 and heed that weren gold  
〈…〉 how that betoken should  
〈◊〉 thy world a noble a rich  
To which none after shall be lyche  
Depectore argenteo.  
¶ Of ●●er that was over forth  
〈…〉 a world of la e worth.  
De ventre eneo.  
¶ And after that the ●ombe of bras  
●oken of a were world it was  
The which steel he saw afterward  
A world betokeneth more hard  
De tibeiss ferreis'  
¶ But yet the worst of every deal  
Is last/ that when of earth and steel  
He saw the feet departed so  
For that betokeneth moche woe   

¶ De significatione pedum, que ex duabus materus discordantibus ad inuseē divisi extiterunt.  
¶ when that the world divided is  
It mote algate fare amiss  
For earth/ which mingled is with steel  
To gydre may not last we'll  
But if that one that other waste  
So moat it needs fall at the last   

¶ De sapide statuam confringente.  
The stone/ which from that bylly stage  
He saw down fall on that image  
And hath it in to powder broke  
That sweven hath Daniel unloke  
And said/ that it is gods might  
which when men ween most upright  
To stand/ shall them over cast  
And that is of this world the last  
And then a new shall begin  
From which a man shall never twin  
Or all to pain/ or all to peace  
That world shall last endless.   

¶ Hic seribit, quasiter huius seculi regna bariso mutationibus, preut in dicta statua figurabatur, secundum temporum diftinetiones sensibiliter hactenus duminuuntur.  
¶ Lo thus exponed Daniel  
The kings sweven fair and well  
In babylon the city  
where that the wisest of Laldee  
He couden wit what it mente  
But be told all the hole intent  
As in party it is befall  
Of gold the first regne of all   

¶ De seculo aureo, quod in capite statue designatum est a tempore in suis Nabugodonosoria regis Casdee usque in regmi Cyri regis Persaril.  
was in that kings time tho  
And last many days so  
There/ whiles that the monarchy  
Of all the world in that party  
To Babylone was subject  
And held him still in such a plight  
Till that the world began diverse  
And that was/ when the king of pierce  
which Lyrus height/ again the peace  
Forth with his son Lambyses  
Of babylon all that Empire  
Right as they would themself desire  
Put under in subjection  
And took it in possession  
And slain was Balthasar the king  
which lost his reign/ & all his thing   

¶ De seculo argented/ quod in pectore designatum est a tempore ipsius regis Cyri usque in regnum Alexandri regis Macedon.  
¶ And thus when they had it won  
The world of silver was begun  
And that of gold was passed out  
And in thus wise it goth about  
In to the reign of Darius  
And than it fell to pierce thus  
There Alexander put them under  
which wrought of arms many a wonder  
So that the monarchy left  
with greeks/ and their estate up left  
And Persiens' gone under foot  
So suffer they/ that needs moat   

¶ De seculo eneo, quod in venfte designatum est a tempore ipsius Alexandri usque in regnum Iulu Romanorum imperatoris.  
¶ And though the world began of bras  
And that of silver ended was  
But for the time thus it last  
Till it befell/ that at last  
This king/ when that his day was come  
with strength of death was overcome  
And nevertheless yet or he died  
He shope his reign to divide  
To knights/ which him had served  
And after that they have deserved  
gave the conquests/ that he wan  
whereof great were though began  
Among them/ that the reigns had  
Through proud envy/ which them lad  
Till it befall again them thus  
The noble Lesar julius  
which tho was king of Rome land  
with great battle/ and strong hand  
All Grece/ pierce/ and Chaldee  
won/ and put under: so that he  
Not all only of th'orient  
But all the march of th'occident  
Governeth under his Empire  
As he that was whole lord and sire  
And held through his chivalry  
Of all the world the monarchy  
And was the first of that honour  
which taketh name of Emperor   

¶ De seculo ferreo, quod in tibiis designatum est a tempore Iulu Cesaris usque in regnum Caro si magni regis Francorum.  
¶ where Rome than would assail  
There might no thing contrevayle  
But every country must obey  
though goth the reign of brass away  
And comen is the world of steel  
And stood above upon the wheel  
As steel is hardest in his kind  
Above all other/ that men find  
Of metals/ such was Rome though  
The mightiest/ and last so  
Long time among the romans  
Till they become so vylayns  
That the emperor Leo  
with constance his son also  
The patrimony/ and the richesse  
which to Sylvester in pure alms  
The first Constantinus left  
From holy church they bereft  
But Adryan/ which pope was  
And saw the mischief of this case  
Goth in to France for to plain  
And prayeth the great Charlemagne  
For Christ'S sake/ and soul hele  
That he would take the quarrel  
Of holy church in his defence  
And Charles/ for the reverence  
Of god/ the cause hath undertake  
And with his host the way hath take  
Over the mounts of lombardy  
Of Rome/ and all the tyranny  
with bloody sword he overcome  
And the city with strength nome  
In such a wise/ and there he wrought  
That holy church again he brought  
In to franchise/ and doth restore  
The pope's lust and give him more  
And thus when he his god hath served/  
He took as he hath well deserved  
The diadem and was corouned  
Of Rome and thus was abandoned  
th'empire/ which came never again  
In to the hand of no Roman  
But a long time it stood still  
Under the Frenss he kings will  
Till that fortune her wheel so lad  
That afterward the Lombard's it had  
●●t by the sword but by the sufferance  
〈…〉 that though was king of France  
〈◊〉 Carl calvus cleped was  
〈◊〉 he resigned in this case  
〈…〉 of Rome unto Lowies  
〈…〉 which a lumbarde is  
〈…〉 last in to the year  
〈…〉 and of Berenger   

〈…〉 ●m temporibus ad simi 〈…〉 ●●pso et diviso, quod 〈…〉 cum imperi● Roma● 〈…〉 pervenerat tem● 〈…〉. Nam ab eorum 〈…〉 A●●mam imperatorium ad● 〈…〉 so●tum quendam 〈…〉 Ot●●nem nomine subli 〈…〉.  
¶ 〈…〉 upon dissension  
〈…〉 and in division  
〈…〉 themself that were great  
〈…〉 they lost the beyete  
〈…〉 hip and of worlds peace  
〈…〉 proverb nevertheless  
〈…〉 ●yne full seldom is that wealth  
〈…〉 his own estate in health  
〈◊〉 that was in the lombards seen  
〈◊〉 common strife was them between  
〈…〉 covetise/ and thorough envy  
That every man drough his party  
which might lead any rout  
within bourgh and eke without  
The common right hath no fellow  
So that the governance of law  
was lost: and for necessity  
Of that they stood in such degree  
All only through division  
Them needeth in conclusion  
Of strange lands help beside  
And thus for they themself divide  
And standen out of rule uneven  
Of Almaigne princes seven  
They chosen in this condition  
That upon their election  
th'empire of Rome should stand  
And thus they left it out of hand  
For lack of grace/ and it forsook  
That almains upon them took  
And to confermen their estate  
Of that they stoden in debate  
They token the possession  
After the composition  
Among themself/ and there upon  
They made an Emperor anon  
whose name (the chronicle telleth)  
was Oaths/ and so forth it dwelleth  
From thilk day yet unto this  
th'empire of Rome hath be and is  
To thalmains/ and in this wise  
As to fore ye have herd devise  
How Daniel the sweven expoundeth  
Of that image/ on whom he foundeth  
The world/ which afterward should fall  
Comen is the last token of all  
Upon the feet of earth and steel  
So stant the world now every deal  
Departed which began right though  
when Rome was divided so  
And that is for to rue sore  
For alway sith more and more  
The world empeyreth every day  
whereof the sooth show may  
At Rome first if we begin  
The wall and all the city within  
Stante in ruin/ and in decays  
The field is where was the palace  
The town is waste/ and over that  
If we behold thilk estate  
which whilom was of the romans  
Of knighthood/ and of citizens  
To poise now with that before  
The chaff is take from the corn/  
And so to speak of Rome's might  
Vnnethes' stante theridamas ought upright  
Of worship/ or of worlds good  
As it before time stood  
And why the worship is away  
If that a man the sooth shall say  
The cause hath been division  
which mother of confusion  
Is/ where she cometh overall  
Nought only of the temporal  
But of the spiritual also  
The deed proveth it is so  
And hath do many a day ere this  
Through venom/ which that meddled is  
In holy church of earthly thing  
For Christ himself maketh knowlegig  
That no man may together serve  
God and the world/ but if he swerver  
froward that one/ and stand unstable  
And Christ's word may not be fable  
The thing so open is at the eye  
It needeth nought to specify  
Or speak aught more in this matter  
But in this wise a man may lere  
How that the world is gone about  
The which well nigh is were our  
After the form of that figure  
which Daniel in his scripture  
Expowned/ as tofore is told  
Of brass/ of silver/ and of gold  
The world is passed/ and agone  
And now upon his old tone  
It stant of brutel earth and steel  
The which accordene never a deal  
So moat it needs swerver aside  
As thing/ the which men seen divyde   

¶ Hic dicit, secundum apostolum, quod nos sumus, in quos fines seculi devenerunt.  

¶ The apostle writeth unto us all  
And saith/ that upon us is fall  
th'end of the world/ so may we know  
This image is nigh overthrow  
By which this world was signified  
That whilom was so magnified  
And now is old/ and feeble/ and vile  
Full of mischief/ and of peril  
And stante divided eke also  
Like to the feet/ that were so  
As I told of the statue above  
And thus men say for lack of love  
where as the land divided is  
It more algate far amiss.   

And now to look on every side  
A man may see the world divide  
The wars been so general  
Among the Christian overall  
That every man now seeketh wretch  
And yet these clerks alday preach  
And say/ good deeds may none be  
which stante nought upon charity   

I not how charity should stand  
where deadly were is taken on hand  
But all this woe is cause of man  
The which that wit and rese● can  
And that in token and in witness  
That ilk image bare likeness  
Of man/ and of none other beast  
For first unto the man's hest  
was every creature ordained  
But afterward it was restrained  
when that he fell/ they fellen eke  
when he wax seek/ they wexen seek  
For as the man hath passion/  
Of sickness in comparison  
So suffren other creatures  
Lo first the heavenly figures    

¶ Hic scribit, quod ex divisionis passione singu●● creati detrimentum corruptibise pat●int●r.  
¶ The son and moan eclypsen both  
And been with man's sin wroth  
The purest air for sin aloft/  
Hath been and is corrupted full oft  
Right now the high winds blow  
And anon after they been low  
Now cloudy/ and now clear it is  
So may it proven well by this  
A man's sin is for to hate  
which maketh the welkin to debate  
And for to see the property  
Of every thing in his degree  
beneath forth among us here  
All stante a like in this matter  
The see now ebbeth/ & now it floweth  
The land now welkith/ & now it groweth  
Now been the trees with leaves green  
Now they be bare and no thing seen  
Now be there lusty summer flowers  
Now be there stormy winter showers  
Now be the days/ now be the nights  
So ●●ant there no thing all upryghtes  
Now it is light now it is dark  
And thus stant all the worlds work  
After the disposition  
Of man and his condition  
For thy Gregory in his moral  
Sey●h that a man in special  
The ●●●e world is properly  
And that he proveth readily  
For man of soul reasonable  
〈…〉 angel resemblable  
〈…〉 to best he hath feeling  
〈…〉 to trees he hath growing  
〈…〉 been and so is he  
〈…〉 his proper quality  
〈…〉 as telleth the Clergy)  
〈…〉 in his party  
〈…〉 this little world mistorneth  
〈…〉 world all overturneth  
〈…〉 the see the firmament  
〈…〉 all judgement  
〈…〉 man and make him war  
〈…〉 himself stant out of heart  
〈…〉 ●●●●●nt stant out of accord  
〈…〉 w●se as I record)  
〈…〉 is cause of all woe  
〈…〉 ●●lde is divided so  
〈…〉 the gospel saith)  
〈…〉 upon an other layeth  
〈…〉 the reign all over throw  
〈…〉 may every man well know  
〈…〉 a●o●en all  
〈…〉 which maketh the world fall  
〈…〉 hath do/ sith it began  
〈…〉 first prove upon a man.   

¶ 〈…〉 ●ue c●m●se●ionis materia 〈…〉 m● mortasis existat.  
¶ The which for his complexion  
〈◊〉 made upon division  
Of cold/ hot/ moist/ and dry  
He mo●e by verray kind die  
For the contrary of his estate  
Stant evermore in such debate  
Till that a part he overcome  
There may no final peas be nome  
But otherwise if a man were  
Made all together of one matter  
without interruption  
There should no corruption  
Engendre upon that unity  
But for there is diversity  
within himself/ he may not last  
But in a man yet over this  
Full great division there is  
Through which that he is ever in strife  
while that him last any life   

¶ Quod homo ex corporis et anime condicione divisus, sicut saluacionis, ita damnacionis aptitudinem ingreditur.  
¶ The body/ and the soul also  
Among them been divided so  
That what thing that the body hateth  
The soul loveth and debateth  
But nevertheless full oft is seen  
Of were/ which is them between  
The feeble hath won the victory  
And who so draweth in to memory   

¶ Quasiter Adil a statu innocentie divisus a paradiso voluptatis in terram suboris peccator proiectus est.  
what hath befall of old and new  
He may that were sore rue  
which first began in paradies  
For there was proved/ what it is  
And what disease there it wrought  
For thilk were tho forth brought  
The vice of all deadly sin  
Through which division came in   

¶ Quasiter popusi per universum orbem a cultura dei divisi, No cum sua sequesa dum taxat exceptis, dilunio interierunt.  
Among the men in earth here  
And was the cause and the matter  
why god the great floods send  
Of all the world and made an end  
But No/ with his felauship  
which only weren safe by ship  
And over that through sin it come  
That Nembroth such price nome   

¶ Quasiter in edification Turris Babisonis, quam in dei contemptum Nembroth erexit singna prius hebraica in varias singuas raefica vindicta dividebatur.  
¶ when the tour Babylon on height  
Let make, as he that would fight  
Ayene the high gods might  
whereof divided anon right  
was the language in such intent  
There wist none what other meant  
So that they might nought proceed  
And thus it stant of every deed  
where sin taketh the case on bond  
It may upright not long stand  
For sin of her condition  
Is mother of division.   

¶ Quasiter mundus/ quin in statu divisionis quasi cetidianus presenti rempore vexatur fsagessis a lapide supu●mente/ id est a divina potencia usque ad resolucionem omnis carnis subito conteretur.  

¶ And token when the world shall fail  
For so saith Christ without fail  
That nigh upon the worlds end  
Peace and accord away shall wend  
And all charity shall cease  
Among the men, and hate increase  
And when these tokens been befall  
All suddenly the stone shall fall  
As Daniel it hath beknow  
which all this world shall overthrow  
And every man shall then arise  
To joy or else to ivise  
where that he shall for ever dwell  
Or straight to heaven/ or straight to hell.   

In heaven is peace and all accord  
But hell is full of such discord  
That there may be no love day  
For thy good is while a man may  
Echone to set peace with other  
And loven as his own brother  
So may be win worlds wealth  
And afterward his soul health.    

¶ Hic narrat exemplum de concordia et unitate inter homines provocanda? Et dicit qualun, quidam Arton nuper citharista ex sui cantus cithare que consona mesodiam tante virtutis extiterat, ut ipse no solum virum cum viro/ sed etiam feonem cum cerua/ lupum cum hagno/ canem cum sepore (ipsum audientes) unanimiter absque ulla discordia ad iniucem pacificavit.  

¶ But would god that now were one  
An other such as Arione  
which had an harp of such temprure  
And thereto of so good measure  
He song, that he the beasts wild  
Made of his note tame and mild  
The hind in peace with the lion  
The wolf in peace with the motton  
The hare in peace stood with the hound.  
And every man upon this ground  
which Arion that time heard  
As well the lord as the shepherd  
He brought them all in good accord  
So that the common with the lord  
And lord with the common also  
He set in love both two  
And put away melancholy.   

That was a lusty melody  
when every man with other lough  
And if there were such one now  
which could harp as he did.  
He might avail in many a stead  
To make peace, where now is hate  
For when men thinken to debate  
I not what other thing is good  
But where that wisdom waxeth wood  
And reason turneth in to rage's  
So that measure upon outrage  
Hath set this world, it is to dread  
For that bringeth in the common deed  
which stant at every man's door  
But when the sharpness of the spore  
The horse side smiteth to sore  
It grieveth oft. And now no more  
As for to speak of this matter  
which none, but only god may steer  
So were it good at this ride  
That every man upon his side  
Besought/ and prayed for the peace  
which is the cause of all increase  
Of worship, and of worlds wealth  
Of hearts rest/ and soul's health  
without peace stand nothing good.  
For th● to Christ/ which shed his blood  
For peace byseketh all men  
Amen Amen Amen, Amen.   
Explicit prologus.  
〈…〉 ●mor naturae legibus orbem  
〈…〉 ●nanimes concitat esse feras.  
〈…〉 mund princeps amore esse videtur,  
Cuius eager dives pauper et omnis opes.  
〈…〉 pares amor et fortunaque c●cas,  
〈…〉 insidias ●ertit uterque rotas.  
〈…〉 ●gra salus, vexata quies, pius error,  
〈…〉, ●ulnus dulce, sna●e malum.    

〈…〉 ●●●fe go f●●●●iatum hactenus ex● 〈…〉 ne condicionis divisio chari● 〈…〉 super●uit/ intendit et auctor ad 〈…〉 libellum ●●cuius nomen Confessio 〈…〉 ●●●cu●●tur) componere de illo amore 〈…〉 humanum genus sed et cuncta 〈…〉 ●●uralite● subucumtur. ¶ Incipir liber primus.  
_● May not stretch up to the heaven  
Mine hand ne set all in even  
This world, which ever is in balance  
〈◊〉 not in my suffisance  
〈…〉 things to compass  
〈…〉 mo●e let it over pass  
〈…〉 upon other things  
〈…〉 the style of my writings  
〈…〉 day forth I think change  
〈◊〉 speak of thing is not so strange  
〈…〉 every kind hath upon hand  
〈◊〉 whereupon the world mote stand  
〈◊〉 ●●●th done sith it began  
〈◊〉 ●hall while there is any man  
〈◊〉 ●●at is love of which I mean  
〈…〉 as after shall be seen  
〈◊〉 ●●che there can no man him rule  
〈…〉 law is out of reule  
〈◊〉 of to moche or of to light  
〈◊〉 ●●ygh is every man to wite  
〈◊〉 ruthless there is no man  
In all this world so wise, that can  
Of love temper the measure  
But as it falleth in adventure  
For wit ne strength may not help  
And which else would him yelp  
Is rathest thrown under foot  
There can no wight thereof do boat  
For yet was never such covin  
That couth ordain a medicine  
To thing/ which god in law of kind  
Hath set, for there may no man find  
The right salve for such a sore  
It hath and shall be evermore  
That love is master, where he will  
There can no life make other skill  
For where as himself list to set  
There is no might, which him may let  
But what shall fallen at last  
The sooth can no wisdom cast  
But as it falleth upon chance  
For if there ever was balance  
which of fortune stant governed  
I may well leave as I am learned  
That love hath that balance on hand  
which will no reason understand  
For love is blind, and may not see  
For thy may no certeynte  
Beset upon his judgement  
But as the wheel about went  
He giveth his grace's undeserved  
And fro that man/ which hath him served  
Full oft he taketh away his fees  
As he that playeth at the dies  
And thereupon what shall befall  
He not, till that the chance fall  
where he shall lose or he shall win  
And thus full oft men begin  
That if they wisten what it meant  
They would change all their intent.  

¶ Hic quasi in psona alioril/ quos amor assigat/ fingens se auctor esse, amantem/ varias corum passiones varus huius sibri-distinctionibus per singula scribere proponit.  
¶ And for to prove it is so  
I am myself one of though  
which to this school am underfang  
For it is sooth go not long  
As for to speak of this matter  
I may you tell/ if you will here  
A wonder hap, which me befell  
That was to me both hard and fell  
Touching of love and his fortune  
The which me liketh to commune  
And plainly for to tell it out  
To them that lovers be about  
from point to point I will declare  
And written of my woeful care  
My woeful day my woeful chance  
That men mow take remembrance  
Of that they shall here after read  
For in good faith this would I read  
That every man ensample take  
Of wisdom/ which is him betake  
And that he wot of good apprise  
To teach it forth/ for such emprise  
Is for to praise: and therefore I  
will write and show all openly  
How love and I togedre met  
whereof the world ensample fet  
May after this/ when I am go  
Of thilk unsely jolly woe  
whose rule stant out of the weigh  
Now glad/ and now gladness away  
And yet it may not be withstand  
For aught that men may understand  
Non ego Sampsonis vires, non Herculis arma  
Vinco, sum sed ut hij victus amore pari,  
Vt discant alij docet experiencia facti,  
Rebus in ambiguis quae s●●t habenda via,  
Devius ordo ducit temtata pericla sequentem,  
Insiruit a tergo me simul ille cadat.  
Me quibus ergo Venus casus laqueavit amantem,  
Orbis in exemplum scribere tendo palam.   

¶ Hic declarat materia dicens qualiter Cupido quod dignito iaculo, sui cordis memoriam gravi uscere perforavit, quod Venus percipiens ipsum ut dicit, quasi in mortis articuso spasmatum, ad confitendu se Genio sacerdoti super amoris causa sic seminiwm speciasiter commendavit.  

¶ Upon the point that is befall  
Of love/ in which that I am fall  
I think tell my matter  
Now hearken who that will it here  
Of my fortune bow that it feared  
This endyrday/ as I forth feared  
To walk/ as I you tell may  
And that was in the month of may  
when every bride hath chose his make  
And thinketh his mirths for to take  
Of love/ that he hath achieved  
But so was I nothing relieved  
For I was further fro my love  
Than earth is from the heaven above  
And for to speak of any speed  
So wist I me none other rede  
But as it were a man forsake  
Unto the wood my way 'gan take  
Not for to sing with the birds  
For when I was the wood amids  
I fond a soot green plain  
And there I 'gan my woe complain  
wishing and weeping all mine one  
For other mirths made I none  
So hard me was that ilk throw  
That oft scythes overthrow  
To ground I was without breath  
And ever I wished after death  
when I out of my pain awoke  
And cast up many a piteous look  
Unto the heaven/ and said thus   

O thou cupid/ O thou Venus  
Thou god of love/ and thou goddess  
where is pity? where is meekness?  
Now doth me plainly live or die  
For certes such amalydye  
As I now have/ and long have had  
It might make a wise man mad  
If that it should long endure  
O venus queen of loves cure  
Thou life/ thou lust/ thou man's hele  
Behold my cause/ and my quarrel  
And give me some part of thy grace  
So that I may find in this place  
If thou be gracious or none  
And with that word I saw anon  
The king of love/ and queen both  
But he that king with eyen wroth  
His cheer a wayward fro me cast  
And forth he passed at the last  
But nevertheless or he forth went  
A fiery dart me thought he sent  
And threw it through mine heart rote  
In him fond I none other boat  
For longer list him note to dwell  
But she/ which is the source and well  
Of weal and woe/ that shall betide  
To them that loven at that tide  
Abode, but for to tell here,  
She cast on me no goodly cheer;  
Thus nevertheless to me she said   

what art thou son: and I abraid  
Right as a man doth out of sleep  
And thereof she took right good keep  
And bade me nothing be adread  
But for all that I was not glad  
For I ne saw no cause why  
And oft she asked what was I  
I said a caitiff that lieth here  
what would ye my lady dear?  
Shall I be hole/ or else die?   

She said/ tell me thy malady  
what is thy sore/ of which thou pleinest  
●e hide it nought/ for if thou feynest  
I can do the no medicine   

Madam I am a man of thine  
〈◊〉 in thy court have long served  
●●d ask that I have deserved  
〈◊〉 weal after my long wo.  
And she began to louvre tho  
And said there be many of you  
●●tours: and so may be that thou  
〈◊〉 right such one/ and by feyntise  
●●●ste that thou haste me do service  
●nd nevertheless she wist weal  
〈◊〉 word stood on an other wheel  
without any feyterye  
But agate of my malady  
The had me tell and say her truth   

Madam if ye would have ruth  
quoth I, then would I tell you  
〈◊〉 forth (quoth she) and tell me how  
Show me thy sickness every deal  
Madam that can I do we'll  
Be so my life thereto will last  
with that her look on me she cast  
And said in aunter if thou live  
●y will is first/ that thou be shrive  
And nevertheless how that it is  
I wot myself/ but for all this  
Unto my priest/ which cometh anon  
I will thou tell it one and one  
Both of thy thought/ and all thy work   

O Genius mine own clerk  
Come forth/ & here this man's shrift  
(Quod Venus tho) and I uplyfte  
My heed with that/ and 'gan behold  
The self priest/ which as she would  
was ready there/ and set him down  
To here my confession   
Confessus Genio si sit medicina salutis  
Experiar morbis, quos tulit ipsa Venus.  
Lesa quidem ferro medicantur membra saluti,  
Raro tamen medicum vulnus amoris habet.   

¶ Hic dicit qualiter Genio pro confessore sedenti provolutus amans ad confitendum se flexis ge nibus incuruatur, supplicans tamen/ ut ad fui sensus informationem confessor iffe in dicendis opponere sibi benignus dignaretur.  

¶ This worthy priest/ this holy man  
To me spekend thus began  
And said: Benedicite  
My son of the felycite  
Of love/ and eke of all the woe  
Thou shalt be shrive of both two  
what thou ere this for loves sake  
Haste felt/ let nothing be forsake  
Tell plainly/ as it is befall   

And with that word I 'gan down fall  
On knees with good devotion  
And with full great contrition  
I said than: Dominus  
Myn holy father Genius  
So as thou haste experience  
Of love/ for whose reverence  
Thou shalt me shrive at this time  
I pray the let me not mystyme  
My shrift/ for I am destourbed  
In all mine heart/ and so conturbed  
That I ne may my wits get  
So shall I much thing foryete.  
But if thou wolte my sin oppose  
From point to point/ than I suppose  
There shall nothing be left behind  
But now my wits be so blind  
That I ne can myself teach.  
though he began anon to preach  
And with his words debonair  
He said to me soft and fair   

In this place I am set here  
Thy shrift to oppose and here  
By Venus the Goddess above  
whose priest I am touch end of love    

¶ Sermo Genii sacerdotis super confessione ad amantem.  
¶ But nevertheless for certain skill  
I moat algate/ and needs will  
Nought only make my speakings  
Of love/ but of other things  
That touchen to the cause of vice  
For that belongeth to th'office  
Of priests/ whose order that I bear  
So that I will nothing forbear  
That I the vices one and one  
Ne shall the show everichone  
whereof thou might take evidence  
To rule with thy conscience  
But of conclusion final  
Conclude I would in special  
For love/ whose servant I am  
And why the cause is that I am  
So think I to do both two  
first that mine order longeth to  
The vices for to tell on rue  
But next above all other show  
Of love I will the properties  
How that they stand by degrees  
After the disposition  
Of Venus'/ whose condition  
I must follow as I am hold  
For I with love am all withhold  
So that the less I am to wite  
Though I now con but a light  
Of other things/ that been wise  
I am not taught in such a wise  
For it is nought my common use  
To speak of vices/ and vertuse  
But all of love/ and of his lore  
For Venus' books of no more  
Me techen neither text ne gloze  
But for as much as I suppose  
It sit a priest to be well thewde  
And shame it is/ if he be lewd  
Of my priesthood after the form  
I will thy shrift so inform  
That at the last thou shalt hear  
The vices/ and to thy matter  
Of love I shall them so remove  
That thou shalt know what they move  
For what a man shall axe or sayen  
Touchend of shrift/ it moat be plain  
It needeth nought to make it quaint  
For troth his words will not peinte  
That I will axe of the for thy  
My son it shall be so plainly  
That thou shalt know & understand  
The pointis of shrift how that they stand  
Visus et auditus fragiles sunt ostia mentis,  
Quae vitiosa manus claudere nulla potest.  
Est ibi larga via, graditur qua cordis ad ●ntrū,  
Hostis et ingrediens fossa talenta rapit.  
Haec mibi confessor Genius primordia profert,  
Dum sit in extremis vita remorsa malis.  
Nunc tamen ut Poterit faeminina loquela fateri,  
Verba per os timide conscia mentis agam.   

¶ Hic confessio amantis, cui de duobus praecipue quinque sensibus, hoc est de visu et auditu confessor pre ceteris opponit.  
¶ between the life and death I heard  
This priests tale ere I answered  
And than I prayed him for to say  
His will: and I it would obey  
After the form of his apprise  
though spoke he to me in such wise  
And bad me that I should me shrive  
As touchende of my wits five  
And shape/ that they were amended  
Of that I had them my spended  
For though be properly the gates  
Through which/ as to the heart algates  
Cometh all thing unto the feyre  
which may the man's soul impair  
And now is this matter brought in  
My son I think first begin  
To wit/ how that thine eye hath stand  
The which is (as I understand)  
The most principal of all  
Through whom that peril may befall  
And for to speak in loves kind  
Full many such a man may find  
which ever cast about their eye  
To look/ if that they might aspye  
Full oft thing/ which them ne toucheth  
But only that their hearts soucheth  
In byndringe of another wight  
And thus full many a worthy knight  
And many a lusty lady both  
Hath be full oft sith wroth  
So that an eye is as a thief  
To love and doth full great meschiefe  
And also for his own part  
Full oft thilk fiery dart  
Of love which that ever brenneth  
Through him in to the heart runneth  
And thus a man's eye first  
Himself grieveth alder wert  
And many a time that he knoweth  
Unto his own harm it groweth  
My sone hearken now for thy  
A tale to be ware thereby  
Thine eye for to keep and ward  
So that it pass nought his ward   

〈◊〉 s●●t Confessor exemplum de visu ab 〈…〉, dicens, qualiter Actaeon God 〈…〉 The barum nepos, dum in quadam fo●●●● 〈…〉 causa spaciarit, accidit, ut ipse 〈◊〉 fontem nemorosa arborum puschritu●●mentūsupernemens, vidit ibi Dianan 〈…〉 nudan in flumine bafneantem, qu● 〈…〉 ●ituens ●●uses suos a muliabri nudi 〈…〉 euert●●e volebat/ unde indigna 〈…〉 ce●●● figuram transformavit.  

¶ ●●●de telleth in his book  
●●●ample touchend of misloke  
And saith how whilom there was one  
A worthy lord which Actaeon  
〈◊〉 ●hete and he was Cousin nigh  
〈◊〉 h●m that Thebes first on high  
By set which king Cadme height   

This Actaeon/ as he well might  
A 〈◊〉 all other cast his cheer  
And used it from year to year  
with hounds and with great bornes  
Among the woods/ and the thorns  
To make his hunting/ and his chase  
where him best thought in every place  
To find game in his way  
There road he for to hunt and play   

So him befell upon a ride  
On his hunting as he can ride  
In a forest alone he was  
He saw upon the green grass  
The fair flowers fresh spring  
He herd among the leaves sing  
The throstel/ with the nightinggale  
Thus (ere he wist) in to a dale  
He came/ where was a little plain  
All round about/ well beseyne  
with bushes green/ and cedars buy  
And there within he cast his eye  
A mids the plain he saw a well  
So fair there might no man tell  
In which Diana naked stood  
To bathe and play her in the flood  
with many nymphs/ which her serveth  
But he his eye away ne swerveth  
From her/ which was naked all  
And she was wonder wroth with all  
And him/ as she which was goddess  
forhis hope anon/ and the likeness  
She made him taken of an heart  
which was tofore his hounds start  
That rone besily about  
with many an horn/ and many a rout  
That maden moche noise and cry  
And at the last unhappily  
This heart his own hounds slough  
And him for vengeance all to drough  
¶ Lo now my son what it is  
A man to cast his eye amiss  
which Actaeon hath dear about  
Beware for thy/ and do it nought  
For oft/ who that heed took  
Better is to wink than to look  
And for to proven it is so  
ovid the Poet also  
A tale (which to this matter  
Acordeth) saith/ as thou shalt here    

¶ Hic ponit aliud exempfun de eodem, ubi dicit, quod quid Turrian princeps nomine Forcus, tres progenuit filias Gorgones a vulgo nuncupatas, que uno partu exorte, deformitatem monstrorun serpentinan obtinuerunt, quibus cum in etatem pervenerant, talis destinata fuerit natura, quod quicumque in eas aspiceret, in lapidem fubito mutabatur, et sic quam plures incaute respicientes, visis illis perierunt, sed Perseus miles clipeo Palladis/ gladioque Mercurij munitus, eas extra montem Atlantis cohabitantes aio audaci absque sui periculo interfecit  
¶ In Methamor. it telleth thus  
How that a lord/ which Forcus  
was hot/ had daughters three  
But upon their nativity  
such was the constellation  
That out of man's nation  
from kind they be so miswent  
That to the likeness of a serpent  
They were both/ and that one  
Of them was cleped Stellybone  
That other sister Suryale  
The third (as telleth in the tale)  
Medusa height/ and nevertheless  
Of common name Gorgones  
(In every country there about  
As monsters/ which that men doubt)  
Men clepe them/ and but one eye  
Among them three in purparty  
They had/ of which they might see  
Now hath it this/ now hath it she  
After that cause and need it lad  
By throws each of them it had  
A wonder thing yet more amiss  
There was/ whereof I tell all this  
what man on them his cheer cast  
And them beheld/ he was als fast  
Out of man in to a stone  
Forshape/ and thus full many one  
deceived were/ of that they would  
Misloke/ where they ne should  
But Perseus/ that worthy knight  
whom Pallas/ of her great might  
Halpe/ and took him a shield thereto  
And eke the god Mercury also  
Lent him a sword: he as it fill  
Beyond Athlans the high hill  
These monsters sought/ & there he fond  
diverse men of thilk land  
Through sight of them mistorned were  
Standing as stones here and there  
But he (which wisdom and prowess  
Hath of the god and the goddess)  
The shield of Pallas 'gan embrace  
with which he covereth safe his face  
And Mercurius sword out he drough  
And so he bore him/ that he slough  
These dreadful monsters all three  

Confessor.  

¶ Lo now my son advise the  
That thou thy sight not misuse  
Cast not thin eye upon Meduse  
That thou be turned in to stone  
For so wise man was never none  
But if he will his eye keep  
And take of foul delight no keep  
That he with lust nis oft nome  
Through strength of love/ & overcome   

Of misloking how it hath feared  
As I have told/ now hast thou heard  
My good son take good heed  
And over this I the rede  
That thou beware of thine hearing  
which to the heart the tydinge  
Of many a vanity hath brought  
To tarry with a manes thought  
And nevertheless good is to here  
Such thing/ whereof a man may lere  
That to virtue is accordant  
And toward all the remnant  
Good is to torn his ere fro  
For else but a man do so  
Him may full oft mysbefalle  
I read ensample amongs all  
whereof to keep well an ear  
It ought put a man in fear     

¶ Hic confessor exemplum narrat/ ut non ab auris exauditione fatua animus deceptus inuol●atur. Et dicit qualiter ille serpens, qui aspis vocatur, quendam preciosissimun lapidem nomine ca● bunculun, in sue frontis medio geftans, contra verba incantantis aurem unam terre affigendo prema, & aliam sue caude stimulo firmissime obturat.  
¶ A serpent/ which that aspidis  
Is cleped/ of his kind hath this  
That he the stone noblest of all  
The which that men Carbuncle call  
beareth in his heed above on high  
For which when that a man by slight  
(The stone to win/ & him to daunt)  
with his carecte him would enchant  
Anon as he perceiveth that  
He layeth down his one ear all plat  
Unto the ground/ and halt it fast  
And eke that other ear als fast  
He stoppeth with his tail so sore  
That he the words/ alas or more  
Of his enchantment ne heareth  
And in this wise himself he skyereth  
So that he hath the words wayved  
And thus his ear is nought deceived   

¶ Aliud exemplum super eodem qualiter rex Vlix es cum a bello Troiano versus Greciam navigio remiaret, et prope issa monstra a maxima, Syrenes' micu●ata, angefica voce canorans ipsum vē●●rum adversitate navigare oporteret, omnium nautarum suorum aures obturari coegit.  
¶ In other thing who that recordeth  
Like unto this sample acordeth  
which in the tale of Troy I find  
sirens of a wonder kind  
Ben monsters/ as the books tell  
And in the great see they dwellen  
Of body both and of visage  
Like unto women of young age  
Up fro the navel on high they be  
And down beneath (as men may see)  
They bear of fishes the figure  
And over this of such nature  
They be● that with so sweet a steven  
Like to the melody of heaven  
In women's voice they sing  
with notes of so great liking  
Of such measure/ of such music  
whereof the ships they beswyke  
That passen by the costs there  
For w●an the shipmen lay an ear  
Unto the voice in there advice  
They ween it be a paradise  
which after is to them an hell  
For reason may not with them dwell  
when they the great lusts here  
They can not their ships steer  
So easily upon the note  
They hearken and in such wise assote  
That they their right course and weigh  
For●ete and to their ear obey  
And saylen/ till it so befall  
That they in to the peril fall  
where as the ships been to draw  
And they be with the monsters slawe  
But fro this peril nevertheless  
with his wisdom king Vlyxes  
Escapeth and it over passeth  
For he to fore the hand compasseth  
That no man of his company  
Hath power unto that folly  
His care for no lust to cast  
For he then stopped als fast  
That none of them may hear them sing  
So when they come forth sailing  
There was such governance on bond  
That the monsters have withstand  
And slough of them a great party  
Thus was he safe with his navy  
This wise king through governance  

Confessor.  
¶ Hereof my son in remembrance  
Thou might ensample taken here  
As I have told/ and what thou here  
Be well aware/ and give no credence  
But if thou see more evidence  
For if thou wouldest take keep  
And wisely couthest ward and keep  
Thine eye and ear/ as I have spoke  
Than hadst thou the gates stoke  
From such folly/ as cometh to win  
Thine hearts wit/ which is within  
whereof that now thy love exceedeth  
Measure/ and many a pain breedeth  
But if thou couthest set in rule  
though two/ the three were i'the to rule  
For thy as of thy wits five  
I will as now no more shrive  
But only of these ilk two  
Tell me therefore if it be so  
Hast thou thine eye ought mystbrowe   

Amans.  
¶ My father ye/ I am beknow  
I have them cast upon Meduse  
Thereof I may me nought excuse  
Mine heart is grown in to stone  
So that my lady there upon  
Hath such a print of love grave  
That I can nought myself save   

Opponit Confessor  
¶ what saist thou son/ as of thin ere  
My father I am guilty there  
For when I my lady here  
My wit with that hath lost his steer  
I do nought as Vlyxes deed  
But fall anon upon the stead  
where as I see my lady stand  
And there I do you understand  
I am to pulled in my thought  
So that of reason leaveth nought  
whereof that I may me defend.   

Confessor.  
¶ My good son god the amend  
For as me thinketh by thy speech  
Thy wits be right far to seche  
As of thine ear/ and of thine eye  
I will no more specify  
But I will asken over this  
Of other thing how that it is  
Celsior est aquilaque leone forcior ille,  
Quem tumor elati cordis ad alta mover.  
Sunt species quinque, quibus est superbia ductrix  
Clamat et in multis mundus adheret eyes.  
Laruando faciem ficto pallore subornat.  
Fraudibus hypocrisis mellea verba suis.  
Sicque pios animos quam saepe ruit muliebres  
Ex humili verbo sublatitante dolo.    

¶ Hic foquitur, quod septem sunt peccata moria fia, quorum caput superbia varias speties habet, & earum prima hypocrisis dicitur, cuius proprietatem secundum vitium Confessor amanti declarat.  
¶ My son/ as I shall the inform  
There been yet of another form  
Of deadly vices seven applied  
whereof the heart is often plied  
To thing/ which after shall him grieve  
The first of them thou shalt believe  
Is pry●● 〈◊〉 ●●che is principal  
And ha●● with him in special  
ministers five full diverse  
Of which as I the shall rehearse  
The first is said hypocrisy  
If thou art of his company  
Tell forth my son/ & shrine the clean  

Amans  
¶ I wot not father what ye mean/  
But this I would you beseech  
That ye me by somwey teach  
what is to be an hypocrite  
And than if I be for to wite  
I will beknowned/ as it is   

Confessor  
¶ My son/ an hypocrite is this  
A man which feigneth conscience  
As though it were all innocence  
without/ and is not so within  
And doth/ so for he would win  
Of his desire the vain estate  
And when he cometh anon there at  
He showeth than/ what he was  
The corn is turned in to grass  
That was a Rose/ is than a thorn  
And he that was a lamb before  
Is than a wolf: and thus malice  
Under the colour of justice  
Is had/ and as the people telleth  
These orders wyten where he dwelleth  
As he that of her counsel is  
And thilk word/ which they ere this  
Forsoken/ he draweth in again  
He clotheth riches (as men say)  
Under the simplest of poverty  
And doth to seem of great desert  
Thing/ which is little worth within  
He saith in open/ fie/ to sin  
And in secret there is no vice  
Of which that he nies a nurse  
And ever his cheer is sober and soft  
And where he goth he blesseth oft  
whereof the blind world he dretcheth  
But yet all only he ne stretcheth  
His rule upon religion  
But next to that condition  
In such as clepe them holy church  
It showeth eke how he can work  
Among the wide furred hodes  
To get them the worlds goods  
And themself been thilk same  
That setten moste the world in blame  
But yet in contrary of their lore  
There is nothing they loven more  
So that feming of light they work  
The deeds/ which are inward dark  
And thus this double hypocrisy  
with is devout apparancye  
A vizor set upon his face.  
whereof toward the worlds grace  
He seemeth to be right well thewed  
And yet his heart is all besbrewed  
But nevertheless he stant believed  
And hath his purpose oft achieved  
Of worship/ and of worlds wealth  
And taketh it/ as who saith by stealth  
Through coverture of his fallas  
And right so in semblable case  
This vice hath eke his officers  
Among these other seculars  
Of great men/ for of the small  
As for to account he set no tale  
But they that passen the common  
with such him liketh to common  
And where he saith/ he will succour  
The people/ there he will devour  
For now a day is many one  
which speaketh of Peter and of Iohn  
And thinketh judas in his heart  
There shall no worlds good astart  
His hand: and yet he giveth alms  
And fasteth oft/ and heareth mess  
with mea culpa which he saith  
Upon his breast full oft he layeth  
His hand and cast upward his eye  
As though Christ's face he seie  
So that it seemeth at sight  
As he alone all other might  
Rescue with his holy deed  
But yet his heart in other stead  
Among his beads most devout  
Goth in the worlds cause about  
how that he might his waryson  
E●●rese and in comparison/    

¶ 〈◊〉 ●●at confessor cum amante super iffa hypo 〈…〉 amoris facie frandufenter satitando 〈…〉 f●cticus credusas sepissime dece 〈…〉 ●●tia.  
¶ There been lovers of such a sort  
That feign them an humble port  
And all is but hypocrisy  
which with deceit and flattery  
Hath many a worthy wife beguiled  
For when he hath his tongue a filed  
with soft speech/ and with losing  
Forthwith his false piteous looking  
He would make a woman ween  
To gone upon the feyre green  
when that she falleth in the mire  
For if he may have his desire  
how so falleth of the remnant  
He holt no word of covenant  
But or the time that he speed  
There is no sleygthe at thilk need  
which any loves faytour may  
That he ne put it in assay  
As him belongeth for to done  
The colour of the reyny Moon  
with medicine upon his face  
He set/ and than he asketh grace  
As he/ which hath sickness feigned  
when his visage is so desteyned  
with eye up cast on her he seeketh  
And many a countenance he piketh  
To bringen her in to believe  
Of thing/ which that he would achieve  
whereof he beareth the pale hew  
And for he would seem true  
He maketh him sick/ when he is heyle  
But when he beareth lowest sail  
Than is he swyfteste to beguile  
The woman/ which that ilk while  
Set upon him faith or credence  
¶ My son if thou thy conscience  
Entamed haste in such a wise  
In shrift thou the might advise  
And tell it me/ if it be so  

Amans  

¶ Mine holy father certes no  
As for to feign such sickness  
It needeth nought: for this witness  
I take of god/ that my courage  
Hath been more sick than my visage  
And eke this may I well avow  
So low couth I never bow  
To feign humility without  
That me ne list better lout  
with all the thoughts of mine heart  
For that thing shall me never asterte  
I speak as to my lady dear  
To make her any feigned cheer  
God wot well there I lie nought  
My cheer hath been such as my thought  
For in good faith this leaveth weal  
My will was better a thousand deal  
Than any cheer that I couth   

But sire if I have in my youth  
Done other wise in other place  
I put me thereof in your grace  
For this excusen I ne shall  
That I have else over all  
To love and to his company  
Be plain without hypocrisy  
But there is one/ the which I serve  
All though I may no thank deserve  
To whom yet never unto this day  
I said only ye or nay  
But if it so were in my thought  
As touchend other say I nought  
That I nam somdele for to wite  
Of that ye clepe an hypocrite    

Confessor.  
¶ My son it sit well every wight  
To keep his word in troth upright  
Towards love in all wise  
For who that would him well advise  
what hath befall in this matter  
He should nought with feigned cheer  
deceive love in no degree  
To love is every heart free  
But in deceit if that thou feyneste  
And thereupon thy lust atteyneste  
That thou haste won with thy wile  
Though it the like for a while  
Thou shalt it afterward repent  
And for to proven mine intent  
I find ensample in a chronic  
Of them that love so biswyke    

¶ Quod hypocrisia sit in amore periculosa narrat exemplum, qualiter sub regno Tiberij imperatoris quidam miles nomine Mundus, qui Romanorum dux militie tunc prefuit, dominam Paulinam pulcher rimam castitatis que famosissunam mediantibus duobus falsis presbiteris in Templo Ifys domini sui se esse fingens sub ficte sanctitatis hipocrisi nocturno tempore vitiavit, unidem dux in exisium, presbiteri in mortem ob sui criminis enormitatem damnati extiterant.  

¶ It befall by old days thus  
whilom the emperor Tiberius  
The monarch of Rome lad  
There was a worthy roman had  
A wife, and she Paulina height  
which was to every man's sight  
Of all the city the fairest  
And as men saiden eke the best   

It is and hath been ever yet  
That so strong is no man's wit  
which through beauty ne may be draw  
To love, and stand under the law  
Of thilk boar freile kind  
which maketh the hearts eyen blind  
where no reason may be communed  
And in this wise stood fortuned  
This tale, of which I will mean   

This wife/ which in her lusts green  
was fair and fresh and tender of age  
She may not let the courage  
Of him, that will on her assote  
There was a duke, and he was hot  
Mundus, which had in his bayllye  
To lead the chavalrye  
Of Rome: and was a worthy knight  
But yet he was nought of such might  
The strength of love to withstand  
That he ne was so brought to hand  
That maugre whether he will or no  
This young wife he loveth so  
That he hath put all his assay  
To win thing/ which he ne may  
Get of her grant in no manner  
By yefte of gold/ ne by prayer  
And when he saw, that by no meed  
Toward her love he might speed  
By sleight feigned than he wrought  
And thereupon he him bethought  
How that there was in the city  
A temple of such authority  
To which, with great devotion  
The noble women of the town  
Most commonly a pilgrimage  
Gone for to pray thilk image  
which the goddess of childing is  
And cleped was by name isis  
And in her temple than were  
(To rule and to minister there  
After the law/ which was tho)  
above all other priests two  
This duke, which thought his love get  
Upon a day them two to meet  
Hath bid: and they come at his hest  
where they had a rich feast  
And after meet in privy place  
This lord, which would his thank purchase  
To each of them gave than a gift  
And spoke so by way of shrift  
He drough them in to his covin  
To help and shape how pauline  
After his lust deceive might  
And they their truths both plight  
That they by night her should win  
Into the temple, and be therein  
Shall have of her all his intent  
And thus accorded forth they went   

Now list through which hypocrisy  
Ordained was the treachery  
whereof this lady was deceived  
These priests hadden well conceived  
That she was of great holiness  
And with a counterfeit simplesse  
which hid was in a falls courage  
Feigned an heavenly message  
They come, and said unto her thus  
pauline, the God Anubus  
Hath sent us both present here  
And saith, he will to the appear  
By nights time himself alone  
For love he hath to thy person  
And thereupon he hath us bid  
That we in isis Temple a stead  
Honestly for the purvey  
where thou by night as we the say  
Of him shalt take a vision  
For upon thy condition  
The which is chaste and full of faith  
Such price (as he us told) he layeth  
That he will stand of thin accord  
And for to bear hereof record  
He send us hither both two   

Glad was her innocence though  
Of such words/ as she herd  
with humble cheer, and thus answered  
And said, that the gods will  
She was all ready to fulfil  
That by her husbands leave  
She would in isis Temple at eve  
Upon her god's grace abide  
To serven him the nights tide   

The priests though gone home again  
And she goth to her sovereign  
Of gods will/ and as it was  
She told him all the plain case  
whereof he was deceived cke  
And bad, that she her should meek  
All hole unto the god's hest  
And thus she/ which was all honest  
To godward, after her intent  
At night unto the temple went  
where that the false priests were  
And they receiven her there  
with such a token of holiness  
As though they seen a goddess  
And all within in privy place  
A soft bed of large space  
They had made, and encorteyned  
where she was afterward engyned  
But she, which all honour supposeth  
The false priests than opposeth  
And asketh by what observance  
She might most/ to the pleasance  
Of god/ that nights rule keep  
And they her bidden for to sleep  
Lyggend upon the bed a loft  
For so they saiden/ still and soft  
God Anubus her would awake  
The counsel in this wise take  
The priests fro this lady gone  
And she that wist of guile none  
In the manner as it was said  
To sleep upon the bed, is laid  
In hope that she should achieve  
Thing, which stood than upon believe  
fulfilled of all holiness  
But she hath failed as I guess  
For in a closet fast by  
The duke was hid so privily  
That she him might not perceive  
And he that thought to deceive  
Hath such array upon nome  
That when he would unto her come  
It should seemen at her eye  
As though she verily se●e  
God Anubus/ and in such wise  
This hypocrite/ of his quaintise  
awaiteth ever till she slept  
And than out of his place he crept  
So still, that she nothing heard  
And to the bed stalking he feared  
And suddenly, ere she it wist  
Beclypt in arms he her kissed  
whereof in womannyss he dread  
She work, and nyste what to read  
But he/ with soft words mild  
Comforteth her/ and saith/ with child  
He would her make in such a kind  
That all the world shall have in mind  
The worship of that ilk son  
For he shall with the gods won  
And been himself a god also   

with such words, and with more  
The which he feigneth in his speech  
This ladies wit was all to seche  
As she, which all troth weeneth  
But he, that all untruth meaneth  
with blind tales so her lad  
That all his will of her he had  
And when him thought it was enough  
Again the day he him withdrew  
So privily, that she ne wist  
where he become, but as him list  
Out of the temple he goth his way  
And she began to bid and pray  
Upon the bare ground knelende  
And after that made her offrende  
And to the priests yefts great  
She gave, and homeward by the street  
The duke her met, and said thus   

The mighty god, which Anubus  
Is hot, he save the pauline  
For thou art of his discipline  
So holy, that no man's might  
may do, that he hath do to night  
Of thing, which thou hast ever eschewed  
But I his grace have so pursued  
That I was made his leutenaunt  
For thy by way of covenant  
From this day forth I am all thine  
And if the like to be mine  
That stand upon thine one will   

She heard this tale, and bore it still  
And home she went as it befell  
Into her chamber, and there she fill  
Upon her bed to weep and cry  
And said, O dark hypocrisy  
Through whose dissimulation  
Of false imagination  
I am thus wickedly deceived  
But that I have it apperceived  
I thank unto the gods all  
For though it once be befall  
I shall never eft while that I live  
And thilk avow to god I give  
And thus wepende she complaineth  
Her fair face and all distyneth  
with woeful tears her eye  
So that upon this agony  
Her husband is in come  
And saw how she was overcome  
with sorrow/ & asketh her what her eileths  
And she with that herself beweileth  
well more than she did afore  
And said, alas wifehood is lore  
In me/ which whilom was honest  
I am none other than a beast  
Now I defouled am of two   

And as she might speak tho  
Ashamed with a piteous onde  
She told unto her husband  
The sooth of all the hole tale  
And in her speech, dead and pale  
She swouneth well nigh to the last  
And he her in his arms fast  
Upheld, and oft swore his oath  
That he with her is nothing wroth  
For well he wot she may there nought  
But nevertheless within his thought  
His heart stood in a sorry plight  
And said, he would of that despite  
Be avenged, how so ever it fall  
And sent unto his friends all   

And when they were comen in fere  
He told them upon this matter  
And asketh them, what was to done  
And they advised were soon  
And said: It thought them for the best  
To set first his wife in rest  
And after plain to the king  
Upon the matter of this thing   

though was his woeful wife comforted  
By all ways, and disported  
Till that she was somedeal amended  
And thus they a day or two dispended  
The third day she goth to plain  
with many a worthy citezeine  
And he with many a citezeine   

when the emperor it heard sayn  
And knew the falseheed of the vice  
He said he would do justice  
And first he let the priests take  
And for they should it not forsake  
He put them in to question  
But they of the suggestion  
Ne could not a word refuse  
But for they would themself excuse  
The blame upon the duke they laid  
But there ayene the counsel said  
That they be nought excused so  
For he is one and they be two  
And two have more wit than one  
So thilk excusement was none  
And over that was said them eke  
That when men would virtue seek  
Men should it in the priests find  
Their order is of so high a kind  
That they be divisers of the weigh  
Yet thy if any man forswey  
Through them, they be not excusable  
And thus by law reasonable  
Among the wise judges there  
And ●●●●tes both damned were  
So that the privy treachery  
〈◊〉 under false hypocrisy  
〈…〉 all openly showed  
〈…〉 a man them hath beshrewed  
〈…〉 the priests weren deed  
〈…〉 of thilk horrible deed  
〈…〉 ●●●ghten purge, & thilk image  
〈…〉 was the pilgrimage  
〈…〉 out, and also fast  
〈…〉 the Tiber they it cast  
〈…〉 ●●ner it hath defied  
〈…〉 the temple purified  
〈…〉 of thilk horrible sin  
〈…〉 ●s that time do therein  
〈…〉 point such was the device  
〈…〉 duke was otherwise  
〈…〉 with love was bestead  
〈…〉 was nought so hard lad  
〈…〉 put reason away  
〈…〉 ●ought see the right weigh  
And o● this cause he was respited  
〈◊〉 that the death him was acquitted  
〈…〉 ●ll that he was exiled  
Y●● he his love had so beguiled  
●hat he shall never come again  
y●● h● that is to troth unpleyne  
He may not failen of vengeance   

And eke to take remembrance  
Of that hypocrisy hath wrought  
On other half men shulden nought  
To lightly leave all that they here  
But than should a wiseman steer  
The ship, when such winds blow  
For first though they begin low  
At end they be nought movable  
But all to broke mast and cable  
So that the ship with sudden blast  
(when men lest ween) to overcast  
As now full often a man may see  
And of old time how it hath be  
I find a great experience  
whereof to take an evidence  
Good is, and to beware also  
Of the peril or him be woe    

¶ Hic usterius ponit exemplum de issa etiam hipocrisia/ que inter virum et virum deciptens periculo sissima consistit/ Si narrat qualiter G●eci in obsidione civitatis Troy, cum ipsam vi apprehendere nullatenus potuerut, fallaci animo cum Troianis pacem ut dicunt pro perpetuo statuebant: et super hoc quendam equm mire grassionis de ere fabricatum ad sacrificandum in tempso Minerue confingentes.  

Of them that been so dark within  
At Troy also if we begin  
Hypocrisy it hath betrayed  
For when the greeks had all assayed  
And fond that by no battle  
Ne by no siege it might avail  
The town to win through prowess  
This vice feigned of simplesse  
Through sleight of Cale as & of Cryse  
It wan by such a manner wise   

An horse of brass they let do forge  
Of such entail, and of such a forge  
That in this world was never man  
That such an other work began  
The crafty workman Epius.  
It made, and for to tell thus  
The greeks that thoughten to beguile  
The king of Troy in thilk while  
with Antenor, and with Ence  
That were both of the city  
And of the counsel the wisest  
The richest/ and the mightiest  
In prive place so they treat  
with fair behests and yefts great  
Of gold/ that they than have engined  
together/ and when they be covined  
They feign for to make peace  
And under that never the less  
They shopen the destruction  
Both of the king, and of the town  
And thus the false peace was take  
Of them of Grece and undertake  
And thereupon they fond away  
where strength might not away  
That sleight should help than  
And of an inch a large span  
By colour of the peace they made  
And tolden how they were glad  
Of that they standen in accord  
And for it shall been of record  
Unto the king the greeks saiden  
By way of love, and thus they prayden  
As they that would his thank deserve  
A sacrifice unto minerve  
(The peace to keep in good intent)  
They must offer, or that they went.   

The king counseled in the case  
By Antenor and Aeneas  
Thereto hath given his assent  
So was the plain truth blended  
Through counterfeit hypocrisy  
Of that they shoulden sacrify  
The greeks under the holiness  
Anon with all business  
Their horse of brass let fair dight  
which was to seen a wonder sight  
For it was trapped of himself  
And had of small wheels twelve  
Upon the which men enough  
with craft toward the town it drougb  
And goth glystrende against the son  
though was there joy enough begun  
For Troy in great devotion  
Came also with procession  
Against this noble sacrifice  
with great honour, and in this wise  
Unto the gates they it brought  
But of their entry when they sought  
The gates weren all to small  
And thereupon was many a tale  
But for the worship of minerve  
To whom they comen for to serve  
They of the town which understood  
That all this thing was done for good  
For peace, whereof that they be glad  
The gates that Neptunus made.  
A thousand winter there to fore  
They have anon to broke and tore  
The strong walls down they bet  
So that in to the large street  
This horse with great solemnite  
was brought within the city  
And offered with great reverence  
which was to Troy an evidence  
Of love and peace for evermore.   

The greeks token leave though  
with all the hole felaushyppe  
And forth they wenten in to ship  
And crossen sail, and made 'em yare  
Anon as though they wolden fare  
But when the black winter night  
(without moan or star light)  
Bederked hath the water strand  
All privily they gone to land  
Full armed out of the navy  
Simon, which was made their espy  
within Troy, as was conspired  
when time was a token fired  
And hath with that their way holden  
And comen right as they wolden  
There as the gate was to broke  
The purpose was full take and spoke  
ere any man may take keep  
while that the city was a sleep  
They slowen all that was within  
And token what they mighten win  
Of such good as was suffissant  
And brenden up the remnant  
And thus come out the treachery  
which under false hypocrisy  
was hid, and they that weaned peace  
though mighten find no release  
Of thilk sword, which all devoureth  
Full oft and thus the sweet soureth  
when it is know to the taste  
He spylleth many a word in waste  
That shall with such a people treat  
For when he weeneth most beyete  
Than is he shape most to lose  
And right so if a woman cheese  
Upon the words, that she heareth  
Some man when he most true appeareth  
Than is be forthest fro the troth  
But yet full oft, and that is routh  
They speeden, that be most untrue  
And loven every day a new  
whereof the life is after loath  
And love hath cause to be wroth  
But what man his lust desireth  
Of love, and thereupon conspireth  
with words feigned to deceive  
He shall not fail to receive  
His pain, as it is oft seen.   

Confessor.  
¶ For thy my son, as I the mean  
It fit the well to take heed  
That thou eschew of thy manhood  
hypocrisy, and his semblant  
That thou ne nought be deceivant  
To make a woman to believe  
Thing, which is not in thy believe  
〈◊〉 such faint hypocrisy  
O● 〈◊〉 is all the treachery  
Through which Love is deceived oft  
〈◊〉 f●●●ed semblant is so soft  
〈◊〉 ●●hes love may beware  
〈◊〉 thy son, as I well dare  
●●●ge the to flee that vice  
●●at many a woman hath made nice  
〈◊〉 look thou deal not with all.   

Amans.  
〈◊〉 father no more I shall.   

Confessor.  
Now son keep, that thou hast swore  
●or this that thou haste herd before  
〈◊〉 ●●yd, the first point of pride  
〈…〉 upon that other side  
〈◊〉 ●●yue and speak over this  
Touchande of pride yet there is  
The point second I the behote  
which Inobedience is hot.  
〈◊〉 quam frangi melius reputatur, et olle  
〈…〉 ●●ad cacabium pugna ●alere nequit.  
〈…〉 lex hoim, neque lex divina valebit  
〈◊〉, multotiens cord reflectit amor.  
〈◊〉 fle●tir amor, non est flectendus ab ullo,  
●●rigor●ilius plus elephaute riget.  
D●●●●●tur amor, poterit quos scire rebels,  
●●●●ibus sortem prestat habere rudem.  
Sed qui sponte sui subicit se cordis amore,  
Frangit in adversis omnia fata pius.    

¶ H●c loquitur de secunda a specie superbie/ que In●●edi●ng dicitur. Et primo illins vicii natura simpliciter declarat. Et tractat cōfequēter super iffa inobedientia/ que in curia Cupidinis exosa amoris cam ex sua i'd sillitate sepissime retardat.  
¶ This vice of inobedience  
(Again the rule of conscience)  
All that is humble he disalloweth  
That he toward his god ne boweth  
After the laws of his hest  
Not as a man, but as a beast  
which goeth upon his lusts wild  
So goth this proud vice unmild  
That he disdaineth all law  
He not what is to be fellow  
And serve may be not for pride  
So is he led on every side  
And is that self/ of whom men speak  
which will not bow, or that he break  
I not if love might him ply  
For else for to justify  
His heart, I not what might avail  
For thy my son of such entail  
If that thine heart be disposed  
Tell out and let it nought be glossed  
For if that thou unbuxom be  
To love, I not in what degree  
Thou shalt thy good word achieve  
¶ My father ye shall well believe  
The young whelp, which is affayted  
Hath not his master better awaited  
To couch/ when he saith go low  
That I anon/ as I may know  
My lady will me bow more  
But other while I grudge sore  
Of some things/ that she doth  
whereof that I will tell sooth  
For of two points I am bethought  
That though I would I might nought  
O beye unto my ladies best  
But I dare make this behest  
safe only of that ilk two  
I am unburome of no more.  

Confessor  

what been tho two, tell on quod he  
My father this is one, that she  
Commandeth me my mouth to close  
And that I should her nought appose  
In love, of which I oft preach  
And plenarly of such a speech  
forbear, and suffer her in peace  
But that ne might I nevertheless  
For all this world obey I iwis  
For when I am there, as she is  
Though she my tales mought allow  
Ayene her will yet moat I bow  
To seche, if that I might have grace  
But that thing may I not embrace  
For aught that I can speak or do  
And yet full oft I speak so  
That she is wroth, and saith be still  
If I that be'st shall fulfil  
And thereto been obedient  
Than is my cause fully shent  
For speechless may no man speed  
So wot I not what is to read  
But certes I may nought obey  
That I ne might algates say  
Some what, of that I would mean  
For ever it is a lyche green  
The great love, which I have  
whereof I can not both save  
My speech, and this obedience  
And thus full oft my silence  
I break: and is the first point  
whereof that I am out of point  
In this, and yet it is no pride   

Now then upon that other side  
To tell my disobeisance  
Full sore it stant to my grievance  
And may not sink in to my wit  
Full oft time she me bit  
To leaven her, and cheese a new  
And saith, if I the sooth knew  
how far I stand from her grace  
I should love in an other place  
But thereof will I disobey  
For also well she might say  
So take the moan, there it sit  
As bring that into my wit  
For there was never rooted tree  
That stood so fast in his degree  
That I ne stand more fast  
Upon her love/ and may not cast  
Mine heart away, all though I would  
For god wot though I never should  
Seen her with eye after this day  
yet stout it so, that I ne may  
Her love out of my breast remue  
This is a wonder retinue  
That maugre where she will or none  
Mine heart is evermore in one  
So that I can none other cheese  
But whether that I win or lose  
I moat her loven till I die  
And thus I break as by that weigh  
Her beasts, and her commaundynges  
But truly in none other things  
For thy my father what is more  
Touchande unto this ilk lore  
I you beseech, after the form  
That ye plainly me would inform  
So that I may mine heart reule  
In loves cause after the rule.   
Murmur in adversis ita concipit ille superbus,  
Pena quod ex bina sort purget cum.  
O bina fortunae cum spes in amore resistu,  
Non sine mentali murmur plangit amans.    

¶ Hic loquitur de murmur et planctu/ qui super omnes afios inobedientie secretiores/ ut ministri issi beseruiant.  
¶ Toward this vice/ of which we treat  
There been yet fifty of thilk estrete  
Her name is murmur and complaint,  
There can no man her cheer paint.  
To set a glad semblant therein  
For though fortune make them win  
yet grutchen they/ and if they lose  
There is no way for to cheese  
whereof they might stand appeased  
So been they commonly diseased  
There may no wealth ne poverty  
Attemprens them to the desert  
Of buxomness by no wise  
For oft time they despise  
The good fortune as the bad  
As they no man's reason had  
Through pride/ whereof they been blind  
And right of such a manner kind  
There be lovers, that though they have  
Of love all that they would crave  
yet will they grutchen by some weigh  
That they would not to love obey  
Upon the troth, as they do should  
And if them lacketh, that they would  
Anon they fall in such a pain  
That ever unbuxomly they plain  
Upon fortune, and curse and cry  
That they will not her hearts ply  
To suffer, till it better fall  
For thy if thou amongs all  
Hast used this condition  
My son, in thy confession  
Now tell me plainly, what thou art  

Amans.  
¶ My father I beknow a part  
So as ye tolden here above  
Of murmur/ and complaint of love  
That for I see no speed commend  
Against fortune complaynende/  
I am as who saith evermore  
And eke full oft time also  
when so as that I see and here  
Of heavy word/ or heavy cheer  
Of my lady, I grudge anon  
But words dare I speak none  
whereof she might be displeased  
But in mine heart I am diseased  
with many a mumur/ god it wot  
Thus drink I in mine own swote  
And though I make no semblant  
Mine heart is all disobeisaunt  
And in this wise I me confess  
Of that ye clepe unbuxomnes  
Now tell what your counsel is   

Confessor.  
¶ My son as I the read this  
what so befall of other weigh  
That thou to loves hest obey  
As far as thou it might suffice  
For oft sith in such a wise  
Obedience in love availeth  
where all a man's strength faileth  
whereof if thou list to wit  
In a chronicle as it is writ  
A great ensample thou mayst find  
which now cometh to my mind    

¶ Hic contra amori inobedientes ad commendatienem obediency confessor super codem exemplum ponit, ubi dicit/ quod cum quidam regis Secilie silia in sue inventucis floribus pulcherrime ex ●uis Noverce incantationibus in vetulam turpissimam transformata extitit/ Florencius tunc imperatoris Claubii/ nepos/ mile's in army s●rennuissimus amorosisque legibus intendens/ ex sun obedientia in pulchritudinem priftinā reformami.  

¶ There was whilom by days old  
A worthy knight, as men told  
He was nephew to the emperor  
And of his court a courteour  
wyfeles he was, Florent he hight  
He was a man/ that much might  
Of arms he was desirous  
chivalrous and amorous  
And for the fame of worlds speech  
Strange adventures would he seche  
He road the marches all about  
And fell a time/ as he was out  
Fortune, which may every thread  
To break and knit of man's speed  
Shaped, as this knight road in apace  
That he by strength taken was  
And to a castle they him lad  
where that he few friends had  
For so it fell that ilk stound  
That he hath with a deadly wound  
(Fyghtende) his own hand slain  
Branchus, which to the captain  
was son and heir, whereof been wroth  
The father and the mother both  
That knight Branchus was of his bond  
The worthiest of all his land  
And fain they would do vengeance  
Upon Florent, but remembrance  
That they took of his worthiness  
Of knighthood, and of gentleness  
And how he stood of colynage  
To th'emperor, made them assuage  
And durst not slain him for fear  
In great desputeson they were  
Among themself, that was the best  
There was a lady (the slyest  
Of all that men knew tho)  
So old) she might unneaths go  
And was graundame unto the deed  
And she with that began to read  
And she said, she would bring him in  
That she shall him to death win  
All only of his own grant  
Through strength of very covenant  
without blame of any wight  
Anon she sent for this knight  
And of her son she aleyde  
The death/ and thus to him she said.   

Florent how so thou be to wite  
Of Branchus death, men shall respite  
As now to take avengement  
Be so thou stand in judgement  
Upon certain condition  
That thou unto a question  
which I shall ask, shalt answer  
And over this thou shalt eke swear  
That if thou of the sooth fail  
There shall none other thing avail  
That thou ne shalt thy death receive  
And for men shall the not deceive  
That thou thereof mightest been advised  
Thou shalt have day and time assysed  
And leave, safely for to wend  
Be so that at thy days end  
Thou come again with thine advice   

This knight, which worthy was & wise  
This lady prayeth, that he may wit  
And have it under seals writ  
what question it should be  
For which be shall in that degree  
stand of his life in jeopardy   

with that she feynethe company  
And saith Florent, on love it hongeth  
All that to mine asking longeth  
what all women most desire  
This will I ask, and in th'empire  
where thou haste most knowledging  
Take counsel of this asking.   

Florent this thing hath undertake  
The time was set, and day take  
Under his seal he wrote his oath  
In such a wise, and forth be goeth  
Home to his emes court again  
To whom his adventure plain  
He told, of that is him befall  
And upon that they were all  
The wisest of the land assent  
But nevertheless of one assent  
They might not accord plat  
One said this, an other that  
After the disposition  
Of natural complexion  
To some woman it is pleasance  
That to another is grievance  
But such a thing in special  
which to them all in general  
Is most pleasant, and most desired  
Above all other/ and most conspired  
Such one can they not find  
By constellation, ne by kind  
And thus Florent with out cure  
Must stand upon his adventure  
And is all shape unto the lyere  
And as in default of his answer  
This knight hath leaver for to die  
Than break his troth and for to lie  
In place where he was sworn  
And shapeth him gone again therefore.  
¶ when time come he took his leave  
That longer would he not believe  
And prayeth his eme he be not wroth  
For that is a point of his oath  
He saith, that no man shall him wreak  
Though afterward men here speak  
That he peradventure die  
And thus he went forth his weigh  
Alone/ as a knight adventurous  
And in his thought was curious  
To wit, what was best to do  
And as he road alone so  
And came nigh there he would be  
In a forest there under a tree  
He saw where sat a creature  
A loathly womanniss he figure  
That for to speak of flesh and bone  
So foul yet saw he never none  
This knight beheld her readily  
And as he would have passed by  
She cleped him, and bade him abide  
And he his bors' head aside  
though turned, and to her he road  
And there he hoved, and abode  
To wit what she would mean  
And she began him to bemene  
And said: Florent by thy name  
Thou haste on hand such a game  
That if thou be not better advised  
Thy death shapen is, and devised  
That all the world ne may the save  
But if that thou my counsel have  
Florent when he this tale heard  
Unto this old wight answered  
And of her counsel he her prayed  
And she again to him thus said   

Florent if I for the so shape  
That thou through me thy death escape  
And take worship of thy deed  
what shall I have to my meed?   

what thing (quoth he) that thou would axe  
I bid never a better tax  
Quod she, but first or thou be sped  
Thou shalt me leave such a wed  
That I will have thy troth on hand  
That thou shalt be mine husband   

Nay (said Florent) that may not be  
ride than forth thy weigh, quoth she  
And if thou go forth without rede  
Thou shalt be sickerly dead   

Florent behyght her good enough  
Of land, of rent, of park, of plough  
But all that counteth she at nought   

though fell this knight in much thought  
Now goth he forth, now cometh again  
He wot not what is best to say  
And thought as he road to and fro  
That chose he moat one of the two  
Or for to take her to his wife  
Or else for to lose his life  
And than he cast his advantage  
That she was of so great an age  
That she may live but a while  
And thought to put her in an isle  
where that no man her should know  
Till she with death were overthrow  
And thus this young lusty knight  
Unto this old lothly wight  
though said: If that none other chance  
May make my deliverance  
But only thilk same speech  
which as thou seist thou shalt me teach  
Have here mine hand, I shall the wed  
And thus his troth he layeth to wed  
with that she frounceth up the brow  
This covenant will I allow  
She saith, if any other thing  
But that thou haste of my teaching  
From death thy body may respite  
I will the of thy, troth acquit  
And else by none other weigh  
Now hearken me what I shall say  
¶ when thou art come into the place  
where now they maken great menace  
And upon thy coming abide  
They will anon the same tide  
Oppose the of thine answer  
I wot thou wilt no thing forbear  
Of that thou weenest be thy best  
And if thou mightst so find rest  
well is, for than is there no more  
And else this shall be my lore  
That thou shalt say upon this mould  
That all women liefest would  
Be sovereign of man's love  
For what woman is so above  
She hath as who saith, all her will  
And else may she nought fulfil  
what thing were her liefest have   

with this answer thou shalt save  
Thyself, and other wise nought  
And when thou hast thy end wrought  
Come here again thou shalt me find  
And let nothing out of thy mind.   

He goth him forth with heavy cheer  
As he that not in what manner  
He may this worlds joy attain  
For if he die, he hath a pain  
And if he live, he moat him bind  
To such one, which of all kind.  
Of women is the unsemlyeste  
Thus wot be not, what is the best  
But be him life, or be him loath  
Unto the castle forth he goth  
His full answer for to give  
Or for to die, or for to live  
Forth with his counsel came the lord  
The things stoden of record  
He sent up for the lady soon  
And forth she came that old moan  
In presence of the remnant  
The strength of all the covenant  
though was rehearsed openly  
And to Florent she bade for thy  
That he shall tell his advice  
As he that wot, what is the price   

Florent saith all that ever he couth  
But such word came there none to mouth  
That he for yefte, or for behest  
Might any wise his death areste  
And thus he tarrieth long and late  
Till this lady bad algate  
That he shall for the doom final  
give his answer in special  
Of that she had him first opposed   

And than he hath truly supposed  
That he him may of nothing yelp  
But if so be though words help  
which as the woman hath him taught  
whereof he hath an hope caught  
That he shall be excused so  
And told out plain his will tho   

And when that this matron heard  
The manner how this knight answered  
She said, ha treason woe the be  
That haste thus told the privity  
which all woman most desire  
I would that thou were a fire  
But nevertheless in such a plight  
Florent of his answer is quite  
And tho began his sorrow new  
For he moat gone/ or be untrue  
To her, which his truth had  
But he, which all shame dread  
Goth forth in stead of his penance  
And taketh the fortune of his chance  
As he, that was with troth affayted.   

This old wight him hath awaited  
In place, where as he her left   

Florent his woeful heed up lift,  
And saw this vecke where that she sit  
which was the loathest wight  
That ever man cast on his eye  
Her nose baas, her brows high  
Her eyen small, and deep set  
Her cheeks been with tears wet  
And ryvelyn, as an empty skin  
Hanging down unto the chin  
Her lips shrunken been for age  
There was no grace in her visage  
Her front was narrow, her locks hoar  
She looketh forth, as doth a more  
Her neck is short, her shoulders courbe  
That might a man's lust disturb  
Her body great, and no thing small  
And shortly to describe her all  
She hath no lieth without a lack  
But like unto the will sack  
She proffereth her unto this knight  
And bade him, as he hath behyght  
(So as she hath been his warrant)  
That he her held covenant  
And by the bridle she him seseth  
But god wots how that she him pleaseth  
Of such words, as she speaketh  
Him thinketh well nigh his heart breaketh  
For sorrow, that he may not i'll  
But if he would untrue be.   

Look how a sick man, for his hele  
Taketh baldemoyn with the cancle  
And with the myrrh taketh the sugar  
Right upon such a manner lucre  
Stant Florent, as in this diet  
He drinketh the bitter with the sweet  
He meddleth sorrow with lykenge  
And liveth so, as who sayeth, dying  
His youth shall be cast away  
Upon such one, which as the weigh  
Is old, and lothly overall  
But need he mote, that need shall  
He would algate his troth hold  
As every knight thereto is hold  
what hap so ever him is be fall  
Though she be the foulest of all  
yet to honour of womanhed  
Him thought he should taken heed  
So that for pure gentleness  
As he her couth best address  
In rags, as she was to tore  
He set her on his horse tofore  
And forth he taketh his weigh soft   

No wonder though he sigheth oft  
But as an owl fleeth by night  
Out of all other birds sight  
Right so this knight on days broad  
In close him held, and shope his road  
On nights time, till the tide  
That he come there, he would abide  
And privily, without noise  
He bringeth this foul great coyse  
To his castle, in such a wise  
That no man might her shape advice  
Till she in to the chamer came  
where he his privy counsell name  
Of such men as he most trust  
And told them, that he needs must  
This beast wed to his wife  
For else had he lost his life  
The prive women were assent  
That shoulden been of his assent  
Her rags they anon of draw  
And as it was that time law  
She had bathe, she had rest  
And was arrayed to the best  
But with no craft of combs broad  
They might her door locks should  
And she ne would not be shore  
For no counsel, and they therefore  
with such a tire, as though was used  
Ordeynen, that it was excused  
And had so craftily about  
That no man might seen them out   

But when she was fully arrayed  
And her a tire was all assayed  
though was she fouler unto see  
But yet it may none other be  
They were wedded in the night  
So woebegone was never knight  
As he was than of marriage  
And she began to play and rage  
Is who saith, I am well enough  
But he thereof nothing ne lough  
For she took than cheer on hand  
And clepeth him her husband  
And saith: My lord go we to bed  
For I to that intent the wed  
That thou shalt be my worlds bless  
And proffereth him with that to kiss  
As she a lusty lady were  
His body might well be there  
But as of thought, and of memory  
His heart was in purgatory  
But yet for strength of matrimony  
He might make non essonye  
That he ne might algates ply  
To go to bed of company   

And when they were a bed naked  
with out sleep he was awaked  
He turneth on that other side  
For that he would his eyen hide  
From looking of that foul wight  
The chamber was all full of light  
The courteyns were of sendal thine  
This new bride, which lay within  
Though it be nought with his accord  
In arms she beclept her lord  
And prayed as he was turned fro  
He would him torn ayenward tho  
For now she saith we be both one  
But he lay still as any stone  
And ever in one she spoke and prayed  
And bade him think/ on that he said  
when that he took her by the hand.   

He herd, and understood the bond  
How he was set to his penance  
And as it were a man in trance  
He turneth him all suddenly  
And saw a lady lay him by  
Of eighteen winter age  
which was the fairest of visage  
That ever in all this world he sigh  
And as he would have take her nigh  
She put her hand, and by his leave  
Besought him, that he would leave  
And saith, for to win or lose  
He mote one of two things cheese  
where he will have her such on night  
Or else upon days light  
For he shall not have both two  
And he began to sorrow though  
In many a wise, and cast his thought  
But for all that yet could he nought  
devise himself, which was the best  
And she that would his heart rest  
Prayeth, that he should cheese algate  
Till at the last long and late  
He said: O ye my lives he'll  
Say what ye list in my quarrel  
I not what answer I shall give  
But ever while that I may live  
I will, that ye be my mistress  
Fo● I can not myself guess  
which is the best unto my choice  
Thus grant I you mine holl voice  
Cheese for us both/ I you pray  
And what as ever that ye say  
Right as ye will/ so will I.  
¶ My lord, she said, grant mercy  
For of this word, that ye now say  
That ye have made me sovereign  
My destiny is overpassed  
That never here after shall be lassed  
My beauty, which that I now have  
Till I be take in to my grave  
Both night and day, as I am now  
I shall all weigh be such to you  
The kings daughter of Cecyle  
I am, and fell but sith a while  
As I was with my father late  
That my stepmother for an hate  
which toward me she hath begun  
Forshope me, till I had won  
The love, and the sovereignty  
Of what knight, that in his degree  
All other passeth of good name  
And as men say ye been the same  
The deed proveth it is so  
Thus am I yours for evermore   

Thomas was pleasance and joy enough  
Echone with other played and lough  
They live long, and well they feared  
And clerks, that this chance heard  
They written it in evidence  
To teach how that obedience  
May well fortune a man to love  
And set him in his lust above.  
As it befell unto this knight   

Confessor  

For thy my son, if thou do right  
Thou shalt unto thy love obey  
And follow her will by all weigh   

Mine holy father so I will  
For ye have told me such a skill  
Of this ensample now tofore  
That I shall evermore therefore  
Here afterward mine observance  
To love, and to his obeisance  
The better keep, and over this  
Of pride if there ought else is  
whereof that I me shrive shall  
what thing it is in special  
My father asketh I you pray.    

Confessor.  
Now list my son, and I shall say  
For yet there is surquidry  
which stante with pride of company  
whereof that thou shalt here anon  
To know if thou have guilt or none  
Upon the form as thou shalt here  
Now understand well the matter.  
Omnia scire putat, sed se presumpcio nescit,  
Nec sibi cousimile quem putat esse parem.  
Qui magis astutus reputat se vincere bellum,  
In laqueos Veneris forcius ipse cadit.  
Sepe (cupido virum, ●ibi qui presumit, amantem  
Fallit, ere in vacuas spes redit ipsa vias.    

¶ Hic loquitur de tercia specie superbie, que presumpcio dicitur, cuius naturam primo secundum vitium confessor simpliciter declarat.  
surquidry is thilk vice  
Of pride, which the third office  
Hath in his court, and will not know  
The troth, till it overthrow  
Upon his fortune and his grace  
Cometh Had I wist full oft a place  
For he doth all his thing by guess  
And voideth all sickerness  
None other counsel good him seemeth  
But such as himself deemeth  
For in such wise as he compasseth  
His wit alone all other passeth  
And is with pride so through sought  
That he all other set at nought  
And weeneth of him seluen so  
That such as he is there be no more  
And thus he would bear a price  
So fair, so seemly, nor so wise  
above all other, and nought for thy  
He saith not one's grant mercy  
To god, which all grace sendeth  
So that his wits he despendeth  
Upon himself, as though there were  
No god, which might avail there  
But all upon his own wit  
He stant/ till he fall in the pit  
So far, that he may not arise.   

¶ Hic tractat confessor cum amante super illa saltem presumptione, ex cuius superbie quem plures fatui amantes, cum maioris certitudinis in amore spem sibi promittunt inexpediti citius destituuntur.  
And right thus in the same wise  
The vice upon the cause of love  
So proudly set the heart above  
And doth him plainly for to ween  
That he to loven any queen  
Hath worthiness, and suffisance  
And so without purveyance  
Full oft he heweth up so high  
That chips fallen in his eye  
And eke full oft he weeneth this  
There as he nought beloved is  
To be beloved all there best  
Now son telleth what so the lest  
Of this, that I have told the here  

Amans.  

Ha father be nought in a were  
I trow there be no man less  
Of any manner worthiness  
That halt him lass worthy than I  
To be beloved, and not for thy  
I say in excusing of me  
To all men, that love is free  
And certes that may no man werne  
For love is of himself so darn  
It luteth in a man's heart  
But that ne shall not me asterte  
To ween for to be worthy  
To love, but in her mercy   

But fire of that ye would mean  
That I should other wise ween  
To be beloved, than I was  
I am beknow, as in this case    

Confessor.  
My good son tell me how   

Amans.  

Now list, and I will tell you  
My good father how it is   

Full oft it hath befall or this  
Through hope, that was not certain  
My weening hath be set in vain  
To trust in thing, that help me nought  
But only of mine own thought  
For as it seemeth, that a bell  
Like to the words that men tell  
Answerith: right so no more ne less  
To you my father I confess  
Such will my wit hath over set  
That what so hope me behete  
Full many a time I ween it soothe  
But finally no speed it doth  
Thus may I tell, as I can  
weening beguileth many a man  
So hath it me, right well I wot  
For if a man would in a boat  
(which is without bottom) row  
He must needs overthrow  
Right so weening hath fared by me  
For when I wend next have be  
(As I by my weening cast)  
Than was I fortheste at last  
And as a fool my bow unbend  
when all was failed, that I wend  
For thy my father, as of this  
That my weening hath gone amiss  
Touchend to surquidry  
Yeve me my penance or I die  
But if ye would in any form  
Of this matter a tale inform  
which were again this vice set  
I should far well the bet     

¶ Hic ponit confessor exemplum contra illos/ qui suis viribus presumentes debisiores efficiuntur, Et narrat qualiter ille Campaneus miles in armis probatissimus de sua presumens audacia invocationem ad superos tempore necessitatis ex vecordia tm et non aliter primitus provenisse asseruit, unde in obsidione civitatis Thebarum/ cum ipse quodam die coram suis hostibus ad debellandum se obtulit/ ignis de ceso subito super veniens ipsum armatil totaliter in cineres combussit.  
My son in all manner wise  
surquidry is to despise  
whereof I find write thus  
The proud knight Campaneus  
He was of such surquidry  
That he through his chivalry  
Upon himself so much trust  
That to the gods him ne lust  
In no quarrel to beseech  
But said, it was an idle speech  
which cause was of pure dread  
For lack of heart, and for no need  
And upon such presumption  
He held this proud opinion  
Till at the last upon a day  
About Thebes, where be lay  
when it of siege was beleyne  
This knight, as the chronic sayen  
In all man's sight there  
when he was proudest in his gear  
And thought nothing might him dear  
Full armed with his shield and spear  
As be the city would assail  
God took himself the battle  
Against his pride, and fro the sky  
A fiery thunder suddenly  
He send, and him to powder smote  
And thus the pride, which was hot  
when he most in his strength wend  
was brent, and lost withouten end  
So that it proveth well therefore  
The strength of man is soon lore  
But if that he it well govern  
And over this a man may learn  
That eke full oft time it grieveth  
what that a man himself believeth  
As though it should him well beseem  
That he all other men can dame  
And hath foryete his own vice  
A tale of them that be so nice  
And feign themself to be so wise  
I shall the tell in such a wise  
whereof thou shalt ensample take  
That thou no such thing undertake.   

¶ Hic loquitur confessor contra illos, qui de sua scientia presumentes aliorum condiciones dividicantes indiscrete redarguunt/ Et narrat exemplum de quodam principe regis Hungarie germano/ qui cum fratrem suum pauperibus in publico vidit humiliatum/ ipsum redarguendo in contrarium edocere presumabat/ sed rex omni sapiencia prepollens/ ipsum sic incante presumentem ad humilitatis memoriam teribili providentia mitius castigavit.  

¶ I find upon Surquedry  
Now that whilom of hungary  
By old days was a king  
wise, and honest in all thing  
And so befell upon a day  
And that was in the month of May  
As thilk time it was usance  
This king, with noble purveyance  
Hath for himself his char arrayed  
wherein he would ride amayed  
Out of the city for to play  
with lords, and with great noblay  
Of lusty folk that were young  
where some played, and some song  
And some gone, and some ride  
And some prick her horse aside  
And brydlen them now in now out  
The king his eye cast about  
Till he was at last ware  
And saw coming again his char  
Two pylgremes of so great age  
That like unto a dry image  
That weren pale and fade hewed  
And as a bush, which is besnewed  
Their beards weren hoar and white  
There was of kind but a light  
That they ne semen fully dead  
They come to the king, and bede  
Some of his good pure charity  
And he with great humility  
Out of his char to ground leapt  
And them in both his arms kept  
And kyst them both foot and hand  
Before the lords of his land  
And give them of his good thereto  
And when he hath this deed do  
He goth into his char again  
though was mumur, though was disdain   

though was complaint on every side  
They saiden of their own pride  
Echone till other, what is this?  
Our king hath do this thing amiss  
So to abbess his royalty  
That every man it might see  
And humbled him in such a wise  
To them that were of none emprise   

Thus was it spoken to and fro  
Of them, that were with him tho  
All privily behind his back  
But to himself no man spoke  
The kings brother in presence  
was thilk time, and great offence  
He took thereof, and was the same  
Above all other, which most blame  
Upon his lyege lord hath laid  
And hath unto the lords saide  
Anon, as be may time find  
There shall nothing be left behind  
That he will speak unto the king  
Now list what fell upon this thing  
They were merry, and fair enough  
Echone with other played and lough  
And fellen in to tales new  
Now that the fresh flowers grew  
And how the green leaves sprung  
And how that love among the young  
Began the hearts than wake  
And every bird hath chose his make  
And thus the Mays day to th'end  
They lead, and home again they wend   

The king was not so soon come  
That when he had his chamber nome  
His brother ne was ready there  
And brought a tale unto his ear  
Of that he did such ashame  
In hindering of his own name  
when he himself so would dretche  
That to so vile a power wretch  
Him deigneth show such simplesse  
Against the state of his noblesse  
And saith, he shall it no more use  
And that he moat himself excuse  
Toward his lords everichone   

The king stood still as any stone  
And to his tale an ear he laid  
And thought more than he said  
But nevertheless to that he heard  
well courteously the king answered  
And told, it should been amended  
And thus when that their tale is ended  
All ready was the board and cloth  
The king unto his souper goth  
Among the lords, to the hall  
And when they hadden souped all  
They token leave, and forth they go  
The king bethought himself tho  
How he his brother may chastie  
That he through his surquidry  
Took upon hand and to dispraise  
humility, which is to praise  
And thereupon gave such counsel  
Toward his king/ which was unheyle  
whereof to be the better lered  
He thinketh to maken him afered   

It fell so, that in thilk daw  
There was ordained by the law  
A Trump, with a stern breath  
which was cleped the trump of death  
And in the Court, where the king was  
A certain man, this trump of brass  
Hath in keeping, and thereof serveth  
That when a lord his death deserveth  
He shall this dreadful trump blow  
Tofore his gate, and make it know  
How that the judgement is give  
Of death, which shall not be forgive   

The king when it was night anon  
This man assent, and bade him gone  
To trompen at his brother's gate  
And he, which mote done algate  
Goth forth, and doth the kings best   

This lord, which heard of this tempest  
That he tofore his gate blewe  
though wist he by the law and knew  
That he was sekerly dead  
And as of help he wist no rede  
But send for his friends all  
And told them how it is befall   

And they him ask cause why  
But he the sooth not for thy  
Ne wist, and there was sorrow though  
For it stood thilk time so  
This trump was of such sentence  
That there again no resistance  
They could ordain by no weigh  
That he ne moat algate die  
But if so that he may purchase  
To get his lyege lords grace  
Their wits thereupon they cast  
And been appointed at last.   

This lord a worthy lady had  
Unto his wife, which also dread  
Her lords death, and children five  
Between 'em two they had alive  
That weren young, and tender of age  
And of stature, and of visage  
Right fair and lusty on to see   

though casten they, that he and she  
Forth with their children on the morrow  
As they that were full of sorrow  
All naked but of smock and shirt  
To tender with the kings heart  
His grace should go to seche  
And pardon of the death beseech   

Thus passen they that woeful night  
And early when they saw it light  
They gone them forth in such a wise  
As thou tofore hast herd devise  
All naked, but their shirts one  
They wept, and made moche moon  
Their here hanged about their ears  
with sobbing, and with sorry tears  
This lord goth then an humble pas  
That whilom proud and noble was  
whereof the city sore a flight  
Of them that sawen thilk sight  
And nevertheless all openly  
with such weeping, and with such cry  
Forth with his children/ and his wife  
He goth to pray for his life   

Unto the court when they be come  
And men therein have hied nome  
There was no wight, if he them sye  
From water might keep his eye  
For sorrow, which they maden tho.   

The king supposeth of this woe  
And feigneth, as he nought ne wist  
But nevertheless at his uprist  
Men told him, how it feared  
And when that he this wonder heard  
In hast he goth in to the hall  
And all at ones down they fall  
If any pite may be found  
The king, which seeth them go to ground  
Hath asked them what is the fere  
why they be so despoiled there   

His brother said, A lord mercy  
I wot none other cause why  
But only that this night full late  
The trump of death was at my gate  
In token that I should die  
Thus we be come for to prey  
That ye my worlds death respite.   

Ha fool how thou art for to wite  
The king unto his brother said  
That thou art of so little frayed  
That only for a trumps sown  
Hath gone despoiled through the town  
Thou, and thy wife in such manner  
Forth with thy children that been here  
In sight of all men about  
For that thou sayest, thou art in doubt  
Of death, which stant under the law  
Of man, and man may it withdraw  
So that it may perchance fail  
Now shalt thou not for thy marvel  
That I down from my char alight  
when I beheld to fore my sight  
In them that were of so great age  
Mine own death through their image  
which god hath set by law of kind  
whereof I may no boat find  
For well I wot, such as they be  
Right such am I in my degree  
Of flesh, and blood, and so shall they  
And thus though I that law obey  
Of which that kings be put under  
It ought be well the less wonder  
Than thou, which art without need  
For law of land in such a dread  
which for to account is but a jape  
As thing, which thou might overscape  
For thy my brother after this  
I read that sithen, that so is  
That thou canst dread a man so sore  
dread god with all thine heart more  
For all shall die, and all shall pass  
As well a lion as an ass  
As well a beggar as a lord  
Towards death in one accord  
They shall stand, and in this wise  
The king with his words wise  
His brother taught, and all forgive   

Confessor.  
For thy my son if thou wilt live  
In virtue, thou must vice eschew  
And with low heart humblesse sew  
So that thou be not surquedous   

Amans.  
My father I am amorous  
whereof I would you beseech  
That ye me by some way teach  
which might in loves cause stand   

Confessor.  
My son thou shalt understand  
In love, and other things all  
If that surquedry fall  
It may to him not well betide  
which useth thilk vice of pride  
which turneth wisdom to weening  
And soothfastness into losing  
Through foul imagination  
And for thine enformation  
That thou this vice as I the rede  
Eschew shalt a tale I read  
which fell whilom by days old  
So as the clerk ovid told.    

¶ Hic in speciali tractat Confessor cum Amante contra illos/ qui de propria formositate presumentes amorem multeris dedignantur, Et narrat exemplum/ qualiter cuiusdam principis filius 〈◊〉 mine Narcissus estino tempore/ cum ipse venationis causa quendam ce ruum solus cum suis canibus exagitaret, in gravem sitim incurrens necessitate compulsus ad bibendum de quodam font 〈◊〉 inclinquit: ubi ipse faciem svam pulchei rimam in aqua percipiens putabat se per hoc illam N●●●ham/ quam poet Echo vocant in flumine ●●●am suis oculis conspexisse/ de cuius amore 〈…〉 laqueatus/ ut ipsam ad se de font ex● 〈◊〉 pluribus blandicus adulabatur/ sed cum 〈◊〉 n●●●●tenus perficere potuit, pre nimio lan● deficiens contra lapides ibidem adjacent 〈◊〉 exuerberans cerebrum effudit.  

There was whilom a lords son  
which of his pride a vice won  
Hath caught that worthy to his lyche  
As sechen all the worlds rich  
There was no woman for to love  
So high he set himself above  
Of stature, and of beauty both  
That him thought all women loath  
〈◊〉 was there no comparison  
As toward his condition   

This young lord Narcissus height  
No strength of love bow might  
His heart, which is unafyled  
〈◊〉 at last he was beguiled  
〈◊〉 of the god's purveyance  
〈◊〉 tell him on a day perchance  
That he in all his proud fare  
Unto the forest 'gan to far  
Among other, that there were  
To hunt, and disport him there  
And when he came in to the place  
where that he would make his chase  
The hounds were within a throw  
Vncoupled, and the bornes blow  
The great heart anon was found  
with swift feet set on the ground  
And be with spore in horse side  
Him hasteth fast for to ride  
Till all men be left bebind  
And as he road under a lined  
Beside a roche, as I the tell  
He saw where sprung a lusty well   

The day was wonder hot withal  
And such a thirst was on him fall  
That he must other die or drink  
And down he light, and by the brink  
He tied his bors unto a branch  
And laid him low for to staunch  
His thirst: And as he cast his look  
Into the well and heed took  
He saw the like of his visage  
And wend there were an image  
Of such a nymph, as though was faith  
whereof that love his heart assay  
Began, as it was after seen  
Of his sotie, and made him ween  
It were a woman, that he sigh  
The more that he came the well nigh  
The near came she to him again  
So wist he never what to say  
For when he wept, he saw her weep  
And when he cried, he took good keep  
The same word she cried also  
And thus began the new woe  
That whilom was to him so strange  
though made him love an hard eschange  
To set his heart, and to begin  
Thing, which he might never win  
And ever among he 'gan to lout  
And prayeth, that she to him come out  
And other while he goth a far  
And other while he draweth near  
And ever he fond her in o place  
He weepeth, he crieth, he asketh grace  
There as he might get none  
So that again a roche of stone  
As he that knew none other read  
He smote himself till he was dead  
whereof the Nymphs of the wells  
And other that there weren else  
Unto the woods belongende  
The body/ which was dead lyggende  
For pure pity, that they have  
Under grave they begrave  
And than out of his sepulture  
There sprung anon peradventure  
Of flowers such a wonder sight  
That men ensample take might  
Upon the deeds, which he deed  
And though was seen in other stead  
For in the winter fresh and fair  
The flowers been, which is contrair  
To kind, and so was the folly  
which fell of his surquidry   

Thus he, which love had in disdain  
wert of all other was beseyne  
And as he set his price most high  
He was lest worthy in loves eye  
And most be iaped in his wit  
whereof the remembrance is yet  
So that thou might ensample take  
And eke all other for h●● sake.   

Amans  
My father as touchende of me  
This vice I think for to flee  
which of his weening ever troweth  
And namelich of thing, which groweth  
In loves cause, or well or woe  
yet pryded in me never so  
But would god that grace send  
That toward me my lady wend  
As I towards her ween  
My love should so beseen  
There should go no pride a place  
But I am far fro thilk grace  
And for to speak of time now  
So moat I suffer, I pray you  
That ye will ask on other side  
If there be any point of pride  
whereof it needeth me to be shrine   

Confessor.  
My son god it the forgive  
if thou have any thing misdo  
Touchend of this: but evermore  
There is another yet of pride  
which never could his words hide  
That he ne would himself avaunt  
There may nothing his tongue daunt  
That he ne clappeth as a bell  
whereof if thou wilt that I tell  
It is behovely for to here  
So that thou might thy tongue steer  
Toward the world/ and stand in grace  
which lacketh oft in many a place  
To him that can not sit still  
which else should have all his will  
Magniloque propriam minuit iactantie lingue,  
Famam quam stabilem firmat honore silens,  
Ipse sui laudem meriti non percipit, unde  
Se sua per verba iactat in orb palam,  
Est que viri culpa iactantia, que rubifactas  
In muliere reas causat habere genas.    

¶ Hic loquitur de quarta specie superbie, que iactantia dicitur/ ex cuius natura causatur, ut homo de se ipso testimonium perhibens/ svarum virtutum merita de laud in culpam transfert et suam famam cum extollere vellet, illam ꝓprio ore subvertit. Sed et Venus in amorie causa de isto vicio maculatos a sua curia super omnes alios abhorrens expellit/ et eorum multiloquium verecundia detestatur/ unde Confessor Amanti opponens materiam plenius declarat.  
¶ The vice cleped avauntance  
with pride hath take his acqueintance.  
So that his own price he lasseth  
when he such measure overpasseth  
That he his own herald is  
That first was well, is than amiss  
That was thank worthy, is than blame  
And thus the worship of his name  
Through pride of his avauntry  
He turneth into villainy  
I read, how that this proud vice  
Hath thilk hunt in his office  
Through which the blasts that he bloweth  
The man's same he overthroweth  
Of virtue which should else spring  
Unto the worlds knowledging  
But he fordothe it all to sore  
And right of such manner lore  
There been lovers/ for thy if thou  
Art one of 'em, tell and say how  
when thou hast taken any thing  
Of loves yeste or ouche or ring  
Or took upon the for the cold  
Some goodly word that the was told  
Of friendly cheer, or token, or letter  
whereof thine heart was the better  
Of that she sent the greeting  
Hast thou for pride of thy liking  
Made thine avaunt, where as the list?  

Amans  
I would father that ye wist  
My conscience lieth not here  
yet had I never such matter  
whereof mine heart might amend  
Not of so much as she send  
By mouth, and said/ great him well  
And thus for that there is no deal  
whereof to make mine avaunt  
It is to reason accordant  
That I may never, but I lie  
Of love make avauntry  
I wot not what I should have do  
If that I had encheason so  
As ye have said here many one  
But I fond cause never none  
But danger, which me wellnigh slough  
Thereof I couth tell enough  
And of none other avantaunce  
Thus needeth me no repentance  
Now asketh further of my life  
For hereof am I not giltyfe  
¶ My son I am well paid with all  
For wit it well in special  
That love of his very justice  
Above all other again this vice  
It all ●●mes most debateth  
with all his heart: and most it hateth  
And eke in all manner wise  
〈◊〉 ●●●●trye is to despise  
As by ensample thou might wit  
which I find in the books writ    

¶ 〈…〉 confessor exemplum contra illos/ 〈…〉 sua in a●mis probitate/ vel de suo in 〈…〉 causa desidetio completo se iactant/ Et 〈…〉 ●●●●iter Albinus primus rex Longo bat 〈◊〉 cum ipse quendam alium regem nomine 〈◊〉 ●●dum in bell morientem triumphasset/ 〈…〉 capitis defuncti auferens ciphum ex ea 〈…〉 ●t auro circum●gatū in sue victory me●●● 〈◊〉 ●●●ricari constituit/ insuper et ipsius Gur 〈…〉 Resemundam rapiens/ maritali 〈◊〉 ●●●nigem sibi copilavit. unde ipso Al●●● 〈◊〉 ●●ste● coram sui regni nobilibus in suo re●●● 〈◊〉 fedente dicti Gurmundi ciphum in●●● 〈◊〉 ad se inter epulas affetri jussit/ quem sumot●m v●ori sue regine porrexit dicens. Bibe cum pa●●● tuo/ quod et ipsa huiusmodi operis ●●nara fecit. quo facto rex statim super his que ●●prius gesta fuerant cunctis audientibus per singu●● se ●actauit. Regina vero cum talia audiffet animo celato factum abhorens in mortem dni sui regis circumspecta industria conspiravit. Ipsum que auxiliantibus Glodesida et Helmege brem fu● secuto tempore inter fecit/ cuins mortem dux ravenensis tam in corpus regine quam svorum fautorum postea vindicavit.  

¶ Of them, that we lombards now call  
Albinus was the first of all  
which bare crown of Lombary  
And was of great chivalry  
In war against divers kings  
So fell among other things  
That he that time a war had  
with Gurmund, which the Geptes lad  
And was a mighty king also  
But nevertheless it fell him so  
Albinus slough him in the field  
Theridamas halpe him neither spear ne shield  
That he ne smote his heed of than  
whereof he took away the pan  
Of which he said he would make  
A cup, for Gurmundes sake  
To keep and draw in to memory  
Of his battle the victory  
And thus when he the field had won  
The land anon was ouerronne  
And seized in his own hand  
where he Gurmundes daughter fond  
which maid Rosamunde height  
And was in every man's sight  
A fair fresh a lusty one  
His heart fill to her anon  
And such a love on her he cast  
That he her wedded at the last  
And after that long time in rest  
with her he dwelleth, and to the best  
They love each other wonder weal  
But she, which keepeth the blind wheel  
Venus, when they be most above  
In all the hottest of her love  
Her wheel she turneth, and they fell  
In the manner, as I shall tell  
This king, which stod in all his wealth  
Of peace, of worship, and of health  
And felt him on no side grieved  
As he that hath his world achieved  
though thought he would a fest make  
And that was for his wives sake  
That she the lords of the feast  
(That were obeissant to his hest)  
May know: and so forth there upon  
He let ordain, and sent anon  
By letters, and by messengers  
And warned all his officers  
That every thing be well arrayed  
The great steeds were assayed  
For jousting, and for tornement  
And many a perled garment  
Embrouded was again the day  
The lords in their best array  
Be comen at the time set  
One jousteth well, an other bet  
And other while they tourney  
And thus they cast care away  
And token lusts upon hand  
And after thou shalt understand  
To meet into the kings hall  
They comen, as they be hidden all  
And when they were set and served  
Than after, as it was deserved  
To them, that worthy knights were  
So as they setten here and there  
The price was given, and spoken out  
Among the heraudes all about  
And thus beneath, and eke above  
All was of arms and of love  
whereof about at bourdes  
Men had many sundry words  
That of the mirth, which they made  
The king himself began to glade  
within his heart, and took a pride  
And saw the cup stand a side  
which made was of Gurmundes head  
As ye have hard, when he was deed  
And was with gold and rich stones  
Beset and bound for the nonce  
And stood upon a foot on hight  
Of borned gold, and with great slight  
Of werkmenshyp it was by grave  
Of such work, as it should have  
And polished was eke so clean  
That no sign of the skull was seen  
But as it were a gripes eye   

The king bad bear his cup away  
which stood before him on the board  
And set thilk, upon his word  
¶ The skull is fet, and wine therein  
whereof he bad his wife begin  
Drink with thy father, dame he said  
And she to his bidding obeyed  
And took the skull, and what her list  
She drinketh, as she, which nothing witted  
what cup it was: and than all out  
The king in audience about  
Hath told, it was her father's skull  
So that the lords know shall  
Of his battle a sooth witness  
And made avant through what prows  
He hath his wives love won  
which of the skull hath so begun  
though was there much pride aloft  
They speaken all, and she was soft  
Thynkende on thilk unkind pride  
Of that her lord, so nigh her side  
Auanteth him, that he hath slain  
And picked out her father's brain  
And of the skull hath made a cup  
She suffered all till they were up  
And tho she hath sickness feigned  
And goth to chamber, & hath compleined  
Unto a maid, which she trust  
So that none other wyghte it wist  
This maid Glodesyde is hot  
To whom this lady hath by hot  
Of ladyship all that she can  
To avengen her upon this man  
which did her drink in such a plight  
Among them all for despite  
Of her, and of her father both  
whereof her thoughts been so wroth  
She saith, that she shall not be glad  
Till that she see him so be bestead  
That he no more make avaunt  
And thus they fell in covenant  
That they accordene at the last  
with such wiles, as they cast  
That they will get of their accord  
Some orped knight to slay this lord  
And with this sleight they begin  
How they Helmege might win  
which was the kings botyler  
A proud and a lusty bachelor  
And Glodesyde he loveth hot  
And she to make him more assote  
Her love granteth, and by night  
They shape how they together might  
A bed meet: and done it was   

The same night, and in this case  
The queen herself, the night second  
went in her stead, and there she fond  
A chamber dark without light  
And goth to bed to this knight  
And be to keep his observance  
To love, doth his obeisance  
And weeneth it be Glodesyde  
And she than after lay a side  
And asketh him, what he hath do  
And who she was, she told him tho  
And said Helmege, I am the queen  
Now shall thy love well beseen  
Of that thou haste thy will wrought  
Or it shall sore been about  
Or thou shalt work, as I the say  
And if thou wilt by such a way  
Do my pleasance, and hold it still  
For ever I shall be at thy will  
Both I, and all mine heritage  
¶ Anon the wild loves rage  
In which no man him can govern  
Made him, that he can not werne  
But fell all whole to her assent  
And thus the wheel is all miswent  
The which fortune hath upon hand  
For how that ever it after stand  
They shope among them such a wile  
The king was deed within a while  
So styly came it not about  
That they ne been discovered out  
So that it thought them for the best  
To i'll, for there was no rest  
And thus the treasure of the king  
They truss, and much other thing  
And with a certain felauship  
They fled, and went away by ship  
And held their night course from then  
Till that they comen to Rauenne  
where they the dukes help sought  
And he, so as they him besought  
A place granteth for to dwell  
But after, when he hard tell  
Of the manner, how they have do  
The duke let shape for them so  
That of a poison, which they drunk  
They hadden that they han beswunke   

And all this made avaunt of pride  
Good is therefore a man to hide  
His own price. for if he speak  
He may lyghtelyche his thank break  
In arms lieth none avantance  
To him, which thinketh his name advance  
And be renowned of his deed  
And also who that thinketh to speed  
Of love, he may not him avaunt  
For what man thilk vice baunte  
His purpose shall full oft fail  
In arms be that will travail  
Or else loves grace attain  
His loose tongue he moat restrain  
which beareth of his honour the key   

For thy my son in all weigh  
Take right good heed of this matter   

I thank you my father dear  
This school is of a gentle lore  
And if there be aught else more  
Of pride, which I shall eschew  
Now asketh forth, and I will show  
what thing, that ye me will inform   

Confessor.  
My son yet in other form  
There is a vice of pride's lore  
which like an hawk, when he will sore  
Fleeth up on high in his delyces  
After the liking of his vices  
And will no man's reason know  
Till he down fall, and overthrow  
This vice vainglory is hot  
whereof my son I the by hot  
To treat and speak in such a wise  
That thou the might better advise.  
Gloria perpetuos pregnat mundana dolores,  
Qui tamen est vanus gaudia vana cupit.  
Eius amiciciam, quem gloria tollit inanis,  
Non sine blandicijs planus habebit homo.  
Verbis compositis qui scit strigila re favellum,  
Scandere fallata iura valebit eques.  
Sic in amore magis qui blanda subornat in ore  
Verba, per hoc bravium ꝙ nequit, alter habet.  
Et tamen ornatos cantus, varios que paratus,  
Leta que corda suis legibus optat amor.    

¶ Hic loquitur de quinta specie superbie/ que Inanis gloria vocatur. Et eiusdem victi naturam primo describene super eodem in amorie causa Confessor amanti consequenter opponit.  
The proud vice of vainglory  
Remembreth nought of purgatory  
His worlds joys been so great  
Him thinketh of beven no beyete  
This lives pomp is all his pes  
yet shall he die nevertheless  
And thereof thinketh he but a light  
For all his lust is to delight  
In new things, proud and vain  
As farforth as he may attain  
I trow, if that he might make  
His body new, he would take  
A new form, and leave his old  
For what thing, that he may behold  
The which to common use is strange  
Anon his old guise change  
He will, and fall thereupon  
Like unto the Chameleon  
which upon every sundry hew  
That he beholt, he moat new  
His colour, and thus unadvised  
Full oft time he stant disguised  
More ioylife than the bird in may  
He maketh him ever fresh and gay  
And doth all his array disguise  
So that of him the new guise  
Of lusty folk all other take  
And eke he can carols make  
Roundel, ballad, and verelay  
And with all this, if that he may  
Of love get him advantage  
Anon he waxed of his courage  
So over glad, that of his end  
He thinketh there is no death commend  
For he hath than at all tide  
Of love such manner pride  
Him thinketh his joy is endless.  

Confessor.  
Now shrive the son in goddess peace  
And of thy love tell me plain  
if that thy glory hath be so vain   

Amans.  

My father as touchend of all  
I may not well, ne noughten shall  
Of vain glory excuse me  
That I ne have for love be  
The better addressed and arrayed  
And also I have oft assayed  
Roundel, ballads, and vyrelay  
For her, on whom mine heart lay  
To make, and also for to paint  
Carollies with my words quaint  
To set my purpose aloft  
And thus I sang themforth full oft  
In hall, and eke in chamber about  
And made merry among the rout   

But yet ne feared I not the bet  
Thus was my glory in vain beset  
Of all the joy that I made  
For when I would with her glade  
And of her love songs make  
She said, it was not for her sake  
And list not my songs here  
Ne wyten, what the words were  
So for to speak of mine array  
yet could I never be so gay  
Ne so well make a song of love  
whereof I might been above  
And have encheason to be glad  
But rather I am oft adread  
For sorrow, that she saith me nay  
And nevertheless I will not say  
That I name glad on other side  
For fame, that can nothing hide  
All day will bring unto mine ere  
Of that men speaken here and there  
How that my lady beareth the price  
How she is fair, how she is wise  
How she is womanlyche of cheer  
Of all this thing when I may here  
what wonder is though I be fain  
And eke when I may here say  
tidings of my ladies he'll  
All though I may not with her deal  
yet am I wonder glad of that  
For when I wot her good estate  
As for that time I dare well swear  
None other sorrow may me dear  
Thus am I gladded in this wise  
But father of your lores wise  
Of which ye be fully taught  
Now tell me if ye think aught  
That I thereof am to wite   

Of that there is, I the acquit  
My son, he said, and for thy good  
I will that thou understood  
For I think upon this matter  
To tell a tale, as thou shalt here  
How that again this proud vice  
The high god, of his justice  
Is wroth, and great vengeance doth  
Now hearken a tale, which is sooth  
Though it be nought of loves kind  
A great ensample thou shalt find  
This vain glory for to i'll  
which is so full of vanity.   
human generis cum sit tibi gloria maior,  
●epe sub●sse solet proximis ille polor,  
〈◊〉 e●●a graves descensus sepe subibit  
〈◊〉 humilis stabile molle que firmat iter.  
〈◊〉 innumeris nolutat fortuna per orbem,  
Cum magis alta petis inferora time.    

〈…〉 confessor exemplum contra vicium 〈…〉, narran● qualiter Nabugodono● 〈◊〉 ●asde●rum cum ipse in omni sui mages● 〈…〉 cess●or extitiffet, deus eius superbiam 〈…〉 ipsum extra formam homine 〈…〉 fenum commedentem transmutavit. 〈…〉 ●●tenum penitens cum ipse potency 〈…〉 misertus deus ipsum in su● regni 〈…〉 ●●ta san●tate ●mendatum graciosius 〈◊〉.  

There was a king, that much might  
which Nabugodonosor height  
Of whom that I spoke here tofore  
Yet in the bible this name is boar  
For all the world in th'orient  
was hole at his commandment  
As than of kings to his lyche  
was none so mighty, ne so rich  
To his empire, and to his laws  
As who saith, all in thilk daws  
were obeissant, and tribute bear  
As though he god of earth were  
with strength he put kings under  
And wrought of pride many a wonder  
He was so full of vainglory  
That he ne had no memory  
That there was any god but he  
For pride of his prosperity  
Till that the high king of kings  
which seeth and knoweth all things  
whose eye may nothing asterte  
The privities of man's heart  
They speaken and sown in his ere  
As though they loud winds were  
He took vengeance of his pride  
But for he would a while abide  
To look, if he would him amend  
To him afore token he send  
And that was in his sleep by night   

This proud king a wonder sight  
Had in his sweven, there be lay  
Him thought upon a merry day  
As he beheld the world about  
A tree full grow be saw there out  
which stood in the world amids even  
whose height 'straught up to the heaven  
The leaves weren fair and large  
Of fruit it bear so ripe a charge  
That all men it might feed  
He saw also the bows spread  
Above all earth, in which were  
The kind of all birds there   

And eke him thought he saw also  
The kind of all beasts go  
Under the tree about round  
And fedden them upon the ground   

As he this understood and sigh  
Him thought he heard a voice on high  
Cryende, and said above all  
Hew down this tree, and let it fall  
The leaves let defoul in haste  
And do the fruit destroy and waste  
And let of shreden every branch  
But at rote he let it staunch  
when all his pride is cast to ground  
The rote shall be fast bound  
And shall no man's heart bear  
But every lust he shall forbear  
Of man, and like an ox his meet  
Of grass he shall purchase and eat  
Till at the water of the heaven  
Hath washen him by times seven  
So that he thorough know aright  
what is the hevenlyche might  
And be made humble to the will  
Of him, which may all save & spill   

This king out of his sweven abraide  
And he upon the morrow it said  
Unto the clerks, which he had  
But none of them the foth aradde  
was none his sweven couth undo  
And it stood thilk time so  
This king had in subjection  
Jude, and of affection  
above all other one Danyel  
He loveth, for be couth well  
divine, that none other couth  
To him were all things couth  
As he it had of god's grace  
He was before the kings face  
Assent and boden, that he should  
Upon the point the king of told  
The fortune of his sweven expound  
As it should afterward be found   

when Danyel this sweven heard  
He stood long time, or be answered  
And made a wonder heavy cheer   

The king took heed of his manner  
And had him tell that he wist  
As he, to whom he much trust  
And said, he would not be wroth   

But Danyel was wonder loath  
And said upon thy foe men all  
Sir king thy sweven moat fall  
And nevertheless touchend of this  
I will the tell, how it is  
And what disease is to the shape  
God wot if thou it shalt escape   

The high tree, which thou hast seen  
with less and fruit so well beseen  
The which stood in the world amids  
So that the beasts and the birds  
Governed were of him alone  
Sir king betokeneth thy person  
which stand above all earthly things  
Thus reignen under the the kings  
And all the people unto the louteth  
And all the world thy person doubteth  
So that with vain honour deceived  
Thou haste the reverence waived  
From him, which is thy king above  
That thou for dread ne for love  
wilt nothing known of thy god  
which now for the hath made a rod  
Thy vain glory, and thy folly  
with great pains to chastye   

And of the voice thou heardest speak  
which bad the bows for to break  
And hew and fell down the tree  
That word belongeth unto the  
Thy reign shall be over throw  
And thou despoiled for a throw  
But that the rote should stand  
By that thou shalt well understand  
There shall abide of thy regne  
A time again when thou shall regne   

And eke of that thou heardest say  
To take a man's heart away  
And set there a bestial  
So that he like an ox shall  
Pasture, and that he be byreyned  
By times seven, and sore pained  
Till that be know his God's mights  
Than shall he stand again upryghtes  
All this betokeneth thine estate  
which now with god is in debate  
Thy man's form shall be lassed  
Till seven year been over passed  
And in the likeness of a beast  
Of grass shall be thy royal feast  
The wether shall upon the rain  
And understand, that all this pain  
which thou shalt suffer thilk tide  
Is shape all only for thy pride  
Of vain glory, and of the sin  
which thou hast long stonden inn.   

So upon this condition,  
Thy sweven hath exposition  
But ere this thing befall in deed  
amend thee, this would I read  
give and depart thine alms  
Do mercy forth with rightwiseness  
Beseech and pray the high grace  
For so thou might thy peace purchase  
with god, and stonden in good accord   

But pride is loath to lose his lord  
And will not suffer humility  
with him to stand in no degree  
And when a ship hath lost his steer  
Is none so wise, that may him steer  
again the waves in a rage  
This proud king in his courage  
Humylite hath so forlese  
That for no sweven (he saw tofore)  
Ne yet for all that Danyell  
Him hath counseled every deal  
He let it pass out of his mind  
Through vainglory, and as the blind  
He seeth no weigh, ere him be woe  
And fell within a time so  
As he in Babyloyne went  
The vanity of pride him hent  
His heart aros of vain glory  
So that he drough in to memory  
His lordship and his regal  
with words of surquidry   

And when that he him most avaunteth  
That lord, which vainglory daunteth  
All suddenly, as who saith treys  
where that he stood in his palace  
He took him from the men's sight  
was none of them so ware, that might  
Set eye, where he become  
And thus was be from his kingdom  
In to the wild forest draw  
where that the mighty god's law  
Through his power did him transform  
from man in to a beasts form  
And like an ox under the foot  
He grazeth as he needs more  
To gotten him his lives food   

though thought him cold grass good  
That whilom eat the hot spices  
Thus was he turned from delyces  
The wine, which he was wont drink  
He took then of the wells brink  
Or of the pit, or of the slough  
It thought him then good enough  
Instede of chambers well arrayed  
He was than of a bush well apaid  
The hard ground he lay upon  
For other pylowes had he non  
The storms, and the rains fall  
The winds blow upon him all  
He was tormented day and night  
such was the high gods might  
Till seven year an end took  
Upon himself though 'gan be look  
In stead of meet, grass and streys  
In stead of hands, long cleys  
In stead of man, a best like  
He saw, and than he 'gan to sick  
For cloth of gold and of perry  
which him was wont to magnify  
when he beheld his cote of heres  
He wept, and with full woeful tears  
Up to the heaven he cast his cheer  
wepend, and thought in this manner  
Though he no words might win  
Thus said his heart, and spoke within   

O mighty god, that all hast wrought  
And all might bring again to nought  
Now know I, but all of the  
This world hath no prosperity  
In thine aspect been all alike  
The power man and eke the rich  
without the there may no wight  
And thou above all other might  
O mighty lord toward my vice  
Thy mercy meddle with justice  
And I will make a covenant  
That of my life the remnant  
I shall it by the grace amend  
And in thy law so dispend  
That vain glory I shall eschew  
And bow unto thine hest, and sew  
Humylite, and that I vow  
And so thynkend he 'gan down bow  
And though him lack voice of speech  
He 'gan up with his feet areche  
And waylend in his bestly steven  
He made his plaint unto the heaven  
He kneeleth in his wise, and brayeth  
To seche mercy, and assayeth  
His god, which made him nothing strange  
when that he saw his pride change  
Anon as he was humble and tame  
He fond toward his god the same  
And in a twinkling of a look  
His man's form again he took  
And was reform to the reign  
In which that he was wont to reign  
So that the pride of vain glory  
Ever afterward out of memory  
He let it pass, and thus is showed  
what is to been of pride unthewed  
again the high god's law  
To whom no man may be fellow  
For thy my son take good heed  
So for to lead thy manhood  
That thou ne be not like a best  
But if thy life shall been honest  
Thou must humblesse take on hand  
For than might thou syker stand  
And for to speak it other wise  
A proud man can no love assize  
For though a woman would him please  
His pride can not been at ease  
There may no man to much blame  
A vice, which is for to blame  
For thy men shoulden nothing hide  
That might fall in blame of pride  
which is the worst vice of all  
whereof, so as it was befall  
The tale I think of a cronic  
To tell, if that it may the like  
So that thou might humblesse sew  
And eke the vice of pride eschew  
whereof the glory is false and vain  
which god himself hath in disdain  
That though it mount for a throw  
It shall down fall and overthrow.   
Est virtus humilis, per quam deus altus ad ima  
Se tulit, et nosire inscera carnis habet.  
Sic humilis supereft, et amor sibi subditur ois,  
Cuius habet nulla sort superbus opem,  
Odit cum terra, celum deiecit et ipsum,  
Sedibus inferni stat que receptus ibi.   

¶ Hic narrat confessor exemplum contra super●●am, Et dicit/ que nuper quidam rex famous prudency cuidam misiti suo super fribus questionibus, ut inde certitudinis responsionem daret sub pena capitasis sententy terminum presixit. Primo quid minoris indigentie ab inhabitantibus orbem auxisium mains obtinuit. Secundo quid maioris meriti continens minoris expense reprisas exiguit. Tercio quid omnia bona diminuens ex sin proprietate nihil penitus vasuit. Quarun vero questionum quedam virgo dicti militis sifia nomine patris sofutionem aggrediens tafiter regi respondit. Ad primam dixit/ quod terra nullius indiget/ quam in adiuuare cotidianis laboribus omnes intendunt. Ad secundam dixit/ que humilitas omnibus virtutibus prevafet/ que tamen nullius prodigalitatis expensis mensuram excedit. Ad terciam dixit/ que superbia omnia tam corporis quam anime bona devastans maiorum expensarum excessus inducit.  

A King was whilom young & wise  
The which of his wit set great price  
Of deep imaginations  
And strange interpretations  
Problems and demands eke  
His wisdom was to find and seek  
whereof he would in sundry wise  
Opposen them, that weren wise  
But none of them it might bear  
Upon his word to give answer  
Out taken one, which was a knight  
To him was every thing so light  
That also soon as he them heard  
The kings words he answered  
what thing the king him axe would  
There anon the troth he told  
The king somedeal had an envy  
And thought he would his wits ply  
To set some conclusion  
which should be confusion  
Unto this knight, so that the name  
And of wisdom the high fame  
Toward himself he would win  
And thus of all his wit within  
This king began to study and muse  
what strange matter he might use  
The knights wits to confound  
And at last he hath it found  
And for the knight anon he sent  
That he shall tell/ what he meant  
Upon the points of the matter  
Of questions as thou shalt hear   

The first point of all three  
was this: what thing in his degree  
Of all this world hath need lest  
And yet men help it all their most.   

The second is: what most is worth  
And of costage is lest put forth   

The third is: which is of most cost  
And lest is worth, and goeth to lost.   

The king these three demands asketh  
To the knight this law he taxeth  
That he shall gone and come again  
The third week and tell him plain  
To every point, what it amounteth  
And if so be, that he miscounteth  
To make in his answer a fail  
There shall none other thing avail  
The king saith, but he shall be dead  
And lose his goods, and his heed.   

This knight was sorry of this thing  
And would excuse him to the king  
But he ne would him not forbear  
And thus the knight of his answer  
Goth home to take advisement  
But after his intendment  
The more he cast his wit about  
The more he stant thereof in doubt  
though wist he well the kings heart  
That he the death ne should asterte  
And such a sorrow hath to him take  
That gladshyppe he hath all forsake  
He thought first upon his life  
And after that upon his wife  
Upon his children eke also  
Of which he had daughters two  
〈◊〉 ●●gest of them had of age  
〈…〉 year, and of visage  
〈◊〉 was right fair, and of stature  
〈◊〉 to an heavenly figure  
〈◊〉 of manner, and of goodly speech  
Though men would all lands seek  
They should not have found her like  
〈…〉 her father sorrow and sick  
A●d w●st not the cause why  
〈…〉 she to him privily  
〈…〉 was, where he made his moan  
〈…〉 garden all him one  
〈…〉 knees she 'gan down fall  
〈◊〉 humble heart, and to him call  
〈◊〉 said: O good father dear  
〈◊〉 make ye thus heavy cheer  
〈◊〉 I wot nothing, how it is  
And well ye know father this  
what adventure that you fell  
ye might it saufly to me tell  
your I have oft heard you said  
That ye such trust have on me laid  
That to my sister ne to my brother  
In all this world ne to none other  
ye durst tell a pryuete  
So well my father as to me  
For thy my father I you pray  
Ne casteth nought that heart away  
For I am she, that would keep  
your honour: and with that to weep  
Her eye may not be forbore  
She wisheth for to be unborn  
ere that her father so mystryst  
To tell her, of that he wist  
And ever among mercy she cried  
That he ne should his counscile hide  
From her, that so would him good  
And was so nigh flesh and blood  
So that with weeping at last  
His cheer upon his child he cast  
And sorrowfully, to that she prayed  
He told his tale, and thus he said   

The sorrow daughter, which I make  
Is not all only for my sake  
But for the both, and for you all  
For such a chance is me befall  
That I shall ere this third day  
Lese all that ever I lose may  
My life, and all my good thereto  
Therefore it is, I sorrow so  
what is the cause alas, quoth she?  
My father, that ye shoulden be  
Dead, and destroyed in such a wise   

And he began the points devise  
which as the king told him by mouth  
And said her plainly, that he couth  
Answer to no point of this   

And she, that heareth how it is  
Her counsel gave, and said though  
My father, sin it is so  
That ye can see none other weigh  
But that ye must needs die  
I would pray you of o thing  
Let me go with you to the king  
And ye shall make him understand  
How ye my wits for to fond  
Have laid your answer upon me  
And telleth him in such degree  
Upon my word ye will abide  
To life or death what so betide  
For yet perchance I may purchase  
with some good word the kings grace  
your life and eke your good to save  
For oft shall a woman have  
Thing, which a man may not areche   

The father herd his daughters speech  
And thought there was no reason in  
And saw, his own life to win  
He couth done himself no cure  
So better he thought in adventure  
To put his life, and all his good  
That in the manner as it stood  
His life incerteyne for to lose  
And thus thynkende he 'gan to cheese  
To do the counsel of this maid  
And took the purpose, which she said   

The day was come, & forth they gone  
Unto the court they come anon  
where as the king in his judgement  
was set, and hath this knight assent  
Arrayed in her best wise  
This maiden with her words wise  
Her father led by the hand  
In to the place, where he fond  
The king, with other which he would  
And to the king knelende he told  
As he informed was tofore  
And prayeth the king, that he therefore  
His daughters words would take  
And saith, that he will undertake  
Upon her words for to stende.   

though was there great marvel on hand  
That he, which was so wise a knight  
His life upon so young a wight  
Beset would in jeopardy  
And many it helden for folly  
But at last nevertheless  
The king commandeth been in peace  
And to this maid he cast his cheer  
And said, he would her tale here  
And bad her speak: and she began.   

My lyege lord so as I can  
Quod she, the points, which I heard  
They shall of reason been answered.   

The first I understand is this  
what thing of all the world it is  
which men most help, & hath lest need  
My lyege lord this would I read  
The earth it is, which evermore  
with man's labour is bego  
As well in winter as in may  
The man's hand doth what he may  
To help it forth, and make it rich  
And for thy men it delve and dyche  
And earen it with strength of plough  
where it hath of himself enough  
So that his need is at lest  
For every man, bird, and beast  
Of flower, and grass, and rote, & rind  
And every thing by weigh of kind  
Shall starve, and earth it shall become  
As it was out of earth nome  
It shall to earth turn again  
And thus I may by reason say  
That th'earth is most needles  
And most men help it nevertheless  
So that my lord touchande of this  
I have answered how that it is.  
¶ That other point I understood  
which most is worth, and most is good  
And costeth least a man to keep  
My lord if ye will take keep  
I say it is humility  
Through which the high trinity  
As for desert of pure love  
Unto mary from above  
Of that he knew her humble intent  
His own son adown he sent  
Above all other, and her he cheese  
For that virtue, which that bodeth pes  
So that I may by reason call  
humility most worth of all  
And lest it costeth to maintain  
In all the world, as it is say.   

For who that hath humblesse on hand  
He bringeth no wars in to land  
For he desireth for the best  
To certain every man in rest.  
¶ Thus with your high reverence  
Me thinketh that this evidence  
As to this point, is suffissant  
And touchende of the remnant  
which is the third of your askynges  
what lest is worth of all things  
And costeth most, I tell it Pride  
which may not in the heaven abide  
For Lucifer, with them that fell  
Bare Pride with him in to hell  
There was pride of to great cost  
when he for pride hath heaven lost  
And after that in Paradyse  
Adam for pride lost his price  
In middle earth. And eke also  
Pride is the cause of all woe  
That all the world ne may suffice  
To staunch of pride the reprise   

Pride is the heed of all sin  
which wasteth all, and may not win  
Pride is of every miss the prick  
Pride is the worst of all wycke  
And costeth most, and lest is worth  
In place where he hath his forth   

Thus have I said that I will say  
Of mine answer, and to you pray  
My lyege lord of your office  
That ye such grace, and such justice  
Ordain for my father here  
That after this, when men it here  
The world thereof may speak good.  
¶ The king, which reason understood  
And hath all herd how she hath said  
was inly glad, and so well paid  
That all his wrath is over go  
And he began to look though  
Upon this maiden in the face  
In which he fond so mochel grace  
That all his price on her he laid  
In audience and thus he said   

My fair maiden well ye be  
Of thine answer, and eke of the  
Me liketh well, and as thou wilt  
For●eue be thy father guilt  
And if thou were of such lineage  
That thou to me were of parage  
And that thy father were a peer  
As he is now a bachylere  
So siker as I have a life  
Thou shouldest then be my wife  
But this I say nevertheless  
That I will shape thine increase  
what worlds good that thou wolte crave  
Axe of my yeft, & thou shalt have   

And she the king with words wise  
kneeling thanketh in this wise   

My lyege lord god moat you quite  
My father here hath but a light  
Of waryson, and that he wend  
Had all be lost, but now amend  
He may well through your noble grace   

with that the king right in his place  
Anon forth in that fresh heat  
An earldom, which than of escheat  
was late fall in to his hand  
Unto this knight, with rent and land  
Hath you, and with his chartre seized  
And thus was all the noise appeased.   

This maiden, which sat on her knees  
Tofore the kings charitees  
comen death, and saith evermore  
My lyege lord right now tofore  
ye said, and it is of record  
That if my father were a lord  
And peer unto these other great  
ye wolden for nought else let  
That I ne should be your wife  
And thus wot every worthy life  
A kings word moat need be hold  
For thy my lord, if that ye would  
So great a charity fulfil  
God wot it were well my will  
For he, which was a bachylere  
My father is now made a peer  
So whence as ever that I came  
An earls daughter now I am.   

This young king, which poised all  
Her beauty, and her wit withal  
As he, which was with love hent  
Anon thereto gave his assent  
He might not the place asterte  
That she nis lady of his heart  
So that he took her to his wife  
To hold, while that he hath life  
And thus the king toward his knight  
Accords him, as it is right.   

And over this good is to wite  
In the cronic as it is write  
This noble king, of whom I told  
Of spain by the days old  
The kingdom had in governance  
And as the book maketh remembrance  
Alphons was his proper name.   

The knight also, if I shall name  
Dom Petro height, and as men tell  
His daughter wise Petronelle  
was cleped, which was full of grace  
And that was seen in thilk place  
where she her father out of tene  
Hath brought, & made herself a queen  
Of that she hath so well disclosed  
The points, whereof she was opposed   

Confessor.  
Lo now my son as thou might here  
Of all this thing to my matter  
But one I take, and that is pride  
To whom no grace may betide  
In heaven he fell out of his stead  
And Paradyse him was forbid  
The good men in earth him hate  
So that to bell he moat algate  
where every virtue shall be waived  
And every vice be received  
But Humblesse is all other wise  
which most is worth, and no reprise  
It taketh again, but soft and fair  
If any thing stant in contrair  
with humble speech it is redressed  
Thus was this young maid blessed  
The which I spoke of now tofore  
Her father's life she got therefore  
And wan withal the kings love  
For thy my son if thou wilt love  
It sit the well to leave pride  
And take Humblesse on thy side  
The more of grace thou shalt get   

Amans.  
¶ My father I will not foryete  
Of this that ye have told me here  
And if that any such manner  
Of humble port may love appaye  
Here afterward I think aslay  
But now forth over I beseech  
That ye more of my shrift seek   

Confessor.  
¶ My good son it shall be do  
Now hearken and lay an ear to  
For as touchende of pride's fare  
Als farforth as I can declare  
In cause of vice, in cause of love  
That hast thou plainly heard above  
So that there is no more to say  
Touchende of that, but other weigh  
Touchende envy I think tell  
which hath the proper kind of hell  
without cause to misdo  
Toward himself, and other also  
Here afterward as understand  
Thou shalt the spices, as they stand.    
Explicit liber primus.   

¶ Hic in secundo libro tractat de invidia/ et eius speciebus/ quarum dolor alterius gaudii prima nuncupatur/ cuius conditionem/ secundum vitium Confessor primitus describens amanti, quatenus amorem concernit, super eodem consequenter opponit.  
¶ Incipit liber Secundus.  

Inuidiae culpa magis est attrita dolore.  
Nam sua mens nullo tempore laeta manet.  
Quo gaudent alii, dolet ille, nec unus amicus  
Est, cui de puro commoda velle facit.  
Proximitatis honor sua corda veretur, et omnis  
Est sibi laetitia sic aliena dolour,  
Hoc etenim vitium quam sepe repugnat amanti,  
Non sibi, sed reliquis, dum favet ipsa Venus.  
Est amor ex propria motu fantasticus, & quae  
Gaudia fert alijs credit obesse sibi.   

Now after pride the second  
There is, which many a woeful stound  
Towards other beareth about  
within himself, and not without  
For in his thought he brenneth ever  
when that he wot an other liefer  
Or more virtuous than he  
which passeth him in his degree  
Thereof he taketh his malady  
That vice is cleped hot envy  
For thy my son if it be so  
Thou art, or hast been one of tho  
As for to speak in loves case  
If ever yet thine heart was  
Sick of an other man's bele?  
¶ So god advance my quarrel  
My father ye a thousand sith  
when I have seen another blithe  
Of love, and had a goodly cheer  
Ethna, which brenneth year by year  
was than nought so hot as I  
Of thilk sore: for which privily  
Mine hearts thought within brenneth  
The ship, which on the waves runneth  
And is forstormed and forblowe  
Is not more pained for a throw  
Than I am than, when I see  
Another, which that passeth me  
In that fortune of loves gift   

But father this I tell in shrift  
That no where but in a place  
For who that lose or find grace  
In other stead, it may nought grieve  
But thus ye may right well believe  
Toward my lady, that I serve  
Though that I west for to starve  
Mine heart is full of such folly  
That I myself may not chasty  
when I the court see of Cupid  
Approach unto my lady side  
Of 'em, that lusty been and fresh  
Though it avail them not a resshe  
But only that they been of speech  
My sorrow is than not to seche  
But when they rownen in her ere  
Than groweth all my most fere  
And namely when they talen long  
My sorrow than be so strong  
Of that I see them well at ease  
I can not tell my disease  
But sire as of my lady self  
Though she have wowers ten or twelve  
For ne mistrust I have of her  
〈◊〉 grieveth nought: for certes sir  
I 〈◊〉 in all this world to seche  
〈◊〉 woman, that in deed and speech  
〈◊〉 cetter advise her, what she doth  
Ne better, for to say a sooth  
〈◊〉 her honour at all tide  
〈◊〉 yet get her a thank beside  
〈◊〉 bretheles I am beknow  
Thy when I see at any throw  
〈◊〉 if I may it here  
That she make any man good cheer  
Though I thereof have not to done  
My thought will entermete him soon  
For though I be my seluen strange  
Envy maketh mine heart change  
That I am sorrowfully be stade  
Of that I see another glade  
with her, but of other all  
Of love what so may befall  
Or that he fail, or that he speed  
Thereof take I but little heed  
Now have I said my father all  
As of this point in special  
As ferforthly as I have wist  
Now asketh further what you list  
¶ My son ere I ask any more  
I think somedeal for thy lore  
Tell an example of this matter  
Touchende envy, as thou shalt here   

write in civil this I find  
Though it be not the hounds kind  
To eat chaff, yet will he werne  
An ox, which cometh to the barn  
Thereof to taken any food  
And thus who that it understood  
It stant of love in many a place  
who that is out of loves grace  
And may himself not avail  
He would an other should fail  
And if he may put any let  
He doth all that he may to let  
whereof I find, as thou shalt wit  
To this purpose a tale writ.   

¶ Hic ponit confessor exemplum contra isto● saltem/ qui in amoris causa altorum gandiis invidentes ne quaquam per hoc fibi ipsis proficiunt. Et narrat qualiter quidam invines miles nomine Acis/ quem Galathea Nimpha puscherrima toto cord peramavit/ cum ipsi sub quadam rupe juxta fitus maris colloquium advinicem habuerunt/ Polyphemus gigas concussa rupe magnam inde partem super caput Acis ab alto proiiciens, ipsum per invidiam interfecit. Et cum ipse super hoc dictam Galatheam rapere voluisset, Neptunus gigante obsistens/ ipsam inuiolatam salva custodia preseruanit. Sed et du miserti corpus Acis defucti in fontem aque dulcissime subito transmutarunt  

¶ There been of such more than twelve  
That be not able as of themself  
To get love, and for envy  
Upon all other they aspye  
And for them lacketh, that they would  
They keep that none other should  
Touchend of love his cause speed  
whereof a great ensample I read  
which unto this matter accordeth  
As Ovid in his book recordeth  
How Polyphemus, whilom wrought  
when that he Galathe besought  
Of love, which he may not latch  
That made him for to wait & watch  
By all ways how it feared  
Till at the last he knew and heard  
How that an other had leave  
To love there, as he moat leave  
As for to speak of any speed  
So that he knew none other rede  
But for to waiten upon all  
Till he may see the chance fall  
That he her love might grieve  
which he himself may not achieve   

This Galathe, saith the poet  
Above all other was unmeet  
Of beauty, that men than knew  
And had a lusty love and true  
A bachelor in his degree  
Right such an other as was she  
On whom she hath her heart set  
So that it might nought be let  
For yeft ne for no behest  
That she ne was all at his best  
This young knight Acis was hot  
which her ageynwarde also hot  
All only loveth, and no more  
Hereof was Polyphemus woe  
Through pure envy, and ever aspyde  
And waiteth upon every side  
when he together might see  
This young Acis with Galathe   

So long he waiteth to and fro  
Till at the last he found 'em two  
In prive place, where they stood  
To speak and have her words good  
The place, where as he them sigh  
It was under a bank, nigh  
The greatses, and he above  
Stood and beheld the lusty love  
which each of them till other made  
with goodly cheer and words glade  
That all his heart hath set a fire  
Of pure envy, and as a vyre  
which flieth out of a mighty bow  
Away he fled for a throw  
As he that was for love wooed  
when that he saw how it stood   

This Polypheme a giant was  
And when he saw the sooth case  
how Galathe him hath forsake  
And Acis to her love take  
His heart may it not forbear  
That he ne roareth as a bear  
And as it were a wild beast  
In whom no reason might areste  
He ran Ethna the hill about  
where never yet the fire was out  
fulfilled of sorrow and great disease  
That he saw Acis well at ease  
Till at the last he him bethought  
As he, which all envy sought  
And turneth to the bank again  
where he with Galathe hath say  
That Acis, whom he thought grieve  
Though he himself may not relieve   

This giant with his rude might  
Part of the bake he shofe down right  
The which even upon Acis fill  
So that with falling of this hill  
This Polyphemus Acis slough  
whereof she made sorrow enough  
And as she fled from the land  
Neptunus took her by the hand  
And kept her in so fast a place  
from Polypheme and his menace  
That he with his false envy  
He might attain her company  
This Galathe, of whom I speak  
That of herself may not be wreak  
without any semblant feigned  
She hath her loves death complained  
And with her sorrow, and with her woe  
She hath the gods moved so  
That they of pity and of grace  
Have Acis in the same place  
There he lay dead, into a well  
Transformed, as the books tell  
with fresh streams, and with clear  
As he whilom with lusty cheer  
was fresh, his love for to queme  
And with this rude Polypheme  
For his envy and for his hate  
They were wroth, and thus algate   

My son thou might understand  
That if thou wolte in grace stand  
with love, thou must leave envy  
And as thou wilt for thy party  
Toward thy love stand free  
So must thou suffer another be  
what so befall upon thy chance  
For it is a unwise vengeance  
which to none other man is lief  
And is unto himself grief.   

Amans.  
My father this ensample is good  
But how so ever that it stood  
with Polyphemus love as though  
It shall not stand with me so  
To worchen any felony  
In love, for no such envy  
For thy if there ought else be  
Now asketh forth, in what degree  
It is, and I me shall confess  
with shrift unto your holiness.  
Vita sibi solito mentalia gaudia livor  
Dum videt alterius damna doloris agit.  
●●●dus obridet hody fletus aliorum,  
●●●●s cui proprios craftina fata parent.  
〈◊〉 amore pari stat sort iocosus amantes,  
Cum vidit illusos invidus ille quasi.  
〈◊〉 in vacuum speret tamen ipse levamen,  
A ●●●ius casu lapsus et ipse simul.    

¶ H●● segnitur confessor de secunda specie inui●● 〈◊〉 g●udium afterius doloris dicitur/ Et 〈◊〉 ●●●dem vicu materiam tractans amantis 〈◊〉 ●●am super eodem usterius inveftigat.  

My good son yet there is  
A vice r●uers unto this  
which envious taketh his gladness  
Of that he seeth the heaviness  
Of other men. For his welfare  
〈◊〉 when he wot another care  
〈◊〉 that an other hath a fall  
He thinketh himself aryst with all  
Such is the gladshyppe of envy  
In worlds thing, and in party  
Full oft times eke also  
In loves cause it stan● right so  
If thou my son haste joy had  
when thou an other saw ungladde  
shrive the thereof. My father yis  
I am byknowen unto you this  
Of these lovers that loven strait  
And for that point, which they covet  
Be● pursuauntes from year to year  
In loves court, when I may here  
How that they climb upon the wheel  
And when they ween all shall be weal  
They been down throw at last  
Than am I fed of that fast  
And laugh, of that I see them louvre  
And thus of that they brew sour  
I drink sweet, and am well eased  
Of that I wot they been diseased   

But this which I you tell here  
Is only for my lady dear  
That for none other, that I know  
Me reacheth not who overthrow  
Ne who that stand in love upright  
But be he squire, be he knight  
which to my lady ward pursueth  
The more he loseth of that he seweth  
The more me thinketh that I win  
And am the more glad within  
Of that I wot him sorrow endure  
For ever upon such adventure  
It is a comfort as men say  
To him, the which is woe beseyne  
To seen an other in his pain  
So that they both may complain  
where I myself may not avail  
To seen an other man's travail  
I am right glad if he be let  
And though I far not the bet  
His sorrow is to mine heart a game  
when that I know it is the same  
which to my lady stant inclined  
And hath his love not termined  
I am right joyful in my thought  
If such envy grieveth aught  
As I beknow me culpable  
ye that be wise and reasonable  
My father telleth your advise   

Confessor.  
My son envy in to no prise  
Of such a form I understand  
Ne might by no reason stand  
For this envy hath such a kind  
That he will set himself behind  
To hinder with another wight  
And gladly lose his own right  
To make another lose his  
And for to know how it so is  
A tale lyche to his matter  
I think tell, if thou wilt here  
To show properly the vice  
Of this envy, and the malice    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra illum/ qui sponte sui ipsius detrimentum in alterius penam maiorem patitur/ Et narrat/ quod cum jupiter angelum suum in forma hominis/ ut hominum condiciones exploraret ab excelso in terram misit/ contigit/ ꝙ ipse angelus duos homines/ quorum unus cupidus et alter invidus erat, itinet ando spacio quasi unius diei commitabatur. Et cum sero factum esset Angelus eorum noticie se ipsum tunc manifestans dixit/ ꝙ quid quid alter eorum ab ipso donari sibi peci erit, illud statim obtinebit/ ꝙ et socio suo secum comitanti affirmat duplicandum. Super quo cupidus impeditus avaricia, sperans sibi divicias carpete duplicatas primo petere recusavit. Quod cum invidus animi adverteret naturam sui vicii concernens ita ut socius suus utroque sumine privare tur, se ipsum monoculum fieri constantur primus ab Angelo postulabat. Et sic unius invidia alterius avariciam maculanit.  

Of jubiter thus I find ywrite  
How whilom that he would wite  
Upon the pleyntes, which he hard  
Among the men, how that it feared  
As of her wrong condition  
To do justification  
And for that cause down he sent  
An Angel, which about went  
That he the sooth know may   

So it befell upon a day  
This angel, which him should inform  
was clothed in a man's form  
And overtook, I understand  
Two men, that wenten over land  
Through which he thought to aspye  
His cause, and goth in company   

This Angel with his words wise  
Opposeth 'em in sundry wise  
Now loud words and now soft  
That made 'em to desputen oft  
And each of 'em his reason had  
And thus with tales be 'em lad  
with good examination  
Till he knew the condition  
what men they were both two  
And saw well at last though  
That one of 'em was covetous  
And his fellow was envious  
And thus, when he hath knowledging  
Anon he feigned departing  
And said he moat algate wend  
But hearken now what fell at end  
For than he made 'em understand  
That he was there of gods sonde  
And said them for the kyndship  
That they have done him felauship  
He would do some grace again  
And bad that one of 'em should say  
what thing is him liefest to crave  
And he it shall of yefte have  
And over that eke forth with all  
He saith that other have shall  
The double of that his fellow asketh  
And thus to them his grace he taxeth  
The covetous was wonder glad  
And to that other man he bad  
And saith, that he first axe should  
For he supposeth, that he would  
Make his axinge of worlds good  
For than he knew well, how it stood  
If that himself by double weight  
Shall after take, and thus by sleight  
By cause that he would win  
He bad his fellow first begin   

This envious, though it be late  
when that he saw be moat algate  
Make his axinge first, he thought  
If he worship or profit sought  
It shall be double to his fere  
That would he cheese in no manner  
But than he showeth what he was  
Toward envy, and in this case  
Unto this angel thus he said  
And for his yefte this be prayed  
To make him blind on his own eye  
So that his fellow no thing sye   

This word was not so so ne spoke  
That his one eye anon was look  
And his fellow forth with also  
was blind on both his eyen two  
though was that other glad enough  
That one wept, and that other lough  
He set his one eye at no cost  
whereof that other two hath lost  
Of thilk ensample, which fell though  
Men tell now full oft so  
The world empeyreth commonly  
And yet wot none the cause why  
For it accordeth nought to kind  
Mine own harm to seche and find  
Of that I shall my brother grieve  
I might never well achieve   

what sayst thou son of this folly?  
My father, but I should lie  
Upon the point, which ye have said  
yet was mine heart never laid  
But in this wise, as I you told  
But evermore if that ye would  
Ought else to my shrift say  
Touch and envy, I would pray   

My son that shall well be do  
Now hearken and lay thine care to.   
I●●●e pars est detractio pessima, pestem  
Qu● magis infamem flatibus oris agit.  
L●●gua venenato sermone repercurit auris,  
Sic v●in alterius scandala fama volat.  
Mortibus a tergo, quos inficit ipsa fideles,  
〈◊〉 ignori sepe salute carent.  
〈◊〉 generosus amor linguam conseruat, ut cius  
〈◊〉 ●um, quod loquitur nulla sinistra gerat.   

¶ 〈◊〉 ●●●tat Confessor de tercia specie invidie, 〈◊〉 ●●tio dicitur, cuius morsus vipereos lesa 〈◊〉 ●●ma deplangit.  

●ouchend as of envious brood  
I ●●te not one of all good  
●ut nevertheless such as they be  
〈◊〉 there is one, and that is he  
●●che cleped is Detractyon  
〈◊〉 to confirm his action  
〈◊〉 hath withhold Malcbouche  
〈◊〉 tongue neither pill ne crouch  
〈◊〉 h●re, so that he pronounce  
A pleyde good word without frounce  
where behind a man's back  
〈◊〉 though he praise, he fint some lack  
which of his tale is ay the last  
That all the price shall overcaste  
And though there be no cause why  
yet w●ll be jangle, not for thy  
As he which hath the herauldye  
Of 'em, that usen for to lie   

For as the nettle, which up runneth  
The fresh red rose brenneth  
And maketh him fade, and pale of hew  
Right so this falls envious hew  
In every place, where he dwelleth  
with false words, which he telleth  
He turneth praising in to blame  
And worship in to worlds shame  
Of such losing, as he compasseth  
Is non so good, that he ne passeth  
Between his teeth: and is backbyted  
And through his false tongue endited   

Like to the Sharnebudes kind  
Of whose nature this I find  
That in the hottest of the day  
when comen is the merry may  
He spret his wing, and up he fleeth  
And under all about he seeth  
The fair lusty flowers spring  
But thereof hath he no liking  
where he seeth of any best  
The filth, there he maketh his feast  
And there upon he will alight  
There liketh him none other sight   

Right so this jangler envious  
Though he a man se virtuous  
And full of good condition  
Thereof maketh he no mention  
But else be it not so light  
whereof that he may set a wite  
There runneth he with open mouth  
Behind a man, and maketh it couth  
But all the virtue, which he can  
That will he bide of every man  
And openly the vice tell  
As he, which of the school of hell  
Is taught, and fostered up with envy  
Of household, and of company  
where that he hath his proper office  
To set on every man a vice  
How so his mouth be comely  
His word sit evermore a wry  
And saith the worst that he may   

And in this wise now a day  
In loves court a man may here  
Full oft plain of this matter  
That many envious tale is stired  
where that it may not be answered  
But yet full oft it is believed  
And many a worthy love is grieved  
Through backbiting of false envy  
¶ If thou have made such ianglary  
In loves court my son ere this  
shrive the thereof. My father yis  
But wite ye how: not openly  
But otherwhile privily  
when I my dear lady meet  
And think how that I am not meet  
Unto her high worthiness  
And eke I see the business  
Of all this young lusty rout  
which all day preesen her about  
And each of them his time a waiteth  
And each of them his tale affayteth  
All to deceive an innocent  
which will not be of her assent  
And for men say unknown unkiste  
Her thome she holt in her fift  
So close within her own hand  
That there winneth no man land  
She loveth not all that she heareth  
And thus full oft herself she skiereth  
And is all ware of HAD I WIST  
But for all that mine heart a ryste  
when I these common lovers see  
That would not hold 'em to three  
But well nigh loven over all  
Mine heart is envious with all  
And ever I am adread of guile  
In aunter if with any wile  
They might her innocence enchant  
For thy my words oft I haunt  
Be hynden 'em so as I dare  
whereof my lady may beware  
I say what ever cometh to mouth  
And were I would, if that I couth  
●or when I come unto her speech  
And that I may inquire and seche  
Of such deceit, I tell it all  
And ay the worst in special  
So fain I would that she wist  
How little they been for to tryst  
And what they would, & what they meant  
So as they be of double intent  
Thus toward hem, that wick mean  
My wicked word was ever green   

And nevertheless the sooth to tell  
In certain if it so befell  
That alder truest man ybore  
To choose among a thousand score  
which were all fully for to tryst  
My lady loved, and I it wist  
yet rather than he should speed  
I would such tales spread  
To my lady, if that I might  
That I should all his love unright  
And thereto would I do my pain  
For certes though I should feign  
And tell, that was never thought  
For all this world I might nought  
To suffer an other fully win  
There as I am yet to begin  
For be they good, or be they bad  
I would none my lady bad  
And that me maketh full oft aspye  
And usen words of envy  
And for to make them bear a blame  
And that is but of thilk same  
The which unto my lady draw  
For ever on them I rounge and gnaw  
And hinder hem all that ever I may  
And that is soothly for to say  
But only to my lady self  
I tell it nought to ten ne twelve  
Thereof I will me well advise  
To speak or jangle in any wise  
That toucheth to my lady name  
The which in earnest and in game  
I would savin to my death  
For me had liefer to lack breath  
Than speak of her name amiss   

Now have ye herd touchend of this  
My father in Confession  
And therefore of detraction  
In love, that I have my spoke  
Tell how ye will it shall be wroke  
I am all ready for to bear  
My pain, and also to forbear  
what thing that ye will allow  
For who is bounden, he must bow  
So will I bow unto your best  
For I dare make this behest  
That I to you have nothing hid  
But told right as it is betide  
And otherwise of no myspeche  
My conscience for to seche  
I can not of envy find  
That I my spoke have, aught behind  
whereof love ought be myspayde  
Now have ye heard, and I have said  
what will ye father, that I do?  
¶ My son do no more so  
But ever keep thy tongue still  
Thou might the more have thy will  
For as thou sayst thy seluen here  
My lady is of such manner  
So wise, so aware in all thing  
It needeth of no bakbiting  
That thou thy lady miss inform  
For when she knoweth all the form  
How that thyself art envious  
Thou shalt not be so gracious  
As thou peraventure shouldest be else  
There will no man drink of the wells  
which (as he wot) is poison in  
And oft such as men begin  
Towards other, such they find  
That set 'em oft far behind  
when that they wenen be before  
〈◊〉 good son and thou therefore  
〈◊〉, and leave thy wick speech  
〈…〉 hath fallen oft wretch  
〈◊〉 many a man before this time  
〈…〉 so will his hands lime  
〈◊〉 must be the more unclean  
〈…〉 a mote shall be seen  
〈…〉 well not clean else there  
〈◊〉 that should every wise man fere  
〈◊〉 who so will another blame  
〈◊〉 ●keth oft his own shame  
〈◊〉 ●lles might be right still  
〈◊〉 if that it be thy will  
〈…〉 upon amendment  
〈◊〉 of great intendment  
〈◊〉 tell for thy sake  
〈◊〉 thou might ensample take    

〈…〉 confessor c●ntra iftos in amoris 〈…〉 suus obloqui●s aliena fo● 〈…〉 et narrat ●xemplum de Con● 〈…〉 Rome Imperatoris Filia omnui 〈…〉 fam●●issima/ob●●us amorem Solda● 〈…〉, ut eam in uxorem ducere posset, 〈…〉 promisit/ enius accepta cauci● 〈…〉 ●●●●g● tunc pape dicta fifta una cum 〈…〉 dinalibus, alus que Rome proceribus 〈…〉 mari●agu causa navigio honorifice 〈…〉 que lamen ●ōloquentium postea 〈…〉 ●●us varus modis absque sui culpa doso 〈◊〉 fata multiplic●ter passa est.  

A worthy knight in Christ's law  
Of great Rome, (as is the saw)  
The sceptre had for to right  
Tybery Constantyn he height  
whose wife was cleped italy.  
But they together of progeny  
No children had but a maid.  
And she the god so well apaid,  
That all the wide worlds fame  
Spoke worship of her good name.  
Constance, as the chronic saith  
She height: and was so full of faith,  
That the greatest of Barbarye  
Of 'em, which use marchandye  
She hath converted, as they come  
To her upon a time in Rome  
To shown such thing, as they brought.  
which worthily of 'em she bought.  
And over that in such a wise  
She hath 'em with her words wise  
Of Christ's faith so full informed.  
That they thereto been all conformed  
So that baptism they receiven  
And all her false gods weyven.  
¶ when they been of the faith certain  
They gone to barbary again  
And there the Sultan for hem sent  
And asketh 'em to what intent  
They have her first faith forsake.   

And they, which had undertake  
The right faith to keep and hold  
The matter of her tale told  
with all the hole circumstance   

And when the Sultan of constance  
Upon the point that they answered  
The beauty and the grace heard  
As he, which than was to wed  
In all hast his cause sped  
To send for the marriage  
And furthermore with good courage  
He saith, be so he may her have  
That Christ, that came this world to save  
He will believe, & thus recorded  
They been on either side accorded  
And there upon to make an end  
The sultan his hostage send  
To Rome, of princes sons twelve  
whereof the father in himself  
was glad, and with the Pope advised  
Two Cardinals he hath assised  
with other lords many more  
That with his daughter they should go  
To see the sultan be converted    

¶ Qualiter adveniente Constantia in Barbariam matter soldani huiusmodi nuptias perturbare volens, filium suum una cum dicta Constantia/ cardinalibus que et alus Romanie prima die ad convinium invitavit, Et convescentibus illis in mensa, ipsum soldanum, omnes que ibidem preter Constantiam Romanos ab insidus latitantibus subdole detractione interfeci procuravit, ipsamque Constantiam in quadam nani absque gubernaculo positam per altum mare ventorum flatibus agitandam in exisium dirigi solum constituit.  

But that which never was well hearted  
Envy though began to travail  
In disturbance of this spousal  
So privily that none was ware  
The mother, which the soldan bare  
was than alive, and thought this  
Unto herself: If it so is  
My son him wed in this manner  
Than have I lost my joys here  
For mine estate shall so be lassed   

Thynkend thus she hath compassed  
By sleight how that she may beguile  
Her son, and fill within a while  
Between 'em two when that they were  
She feigned words in his ear  
And in this wise 'gan to say   

My son, I am by double way  
with all mine heart glad and blithe  
For that myself have oft sith  
Desired thou wolte (as men saith)  
receive and take a new faith  
which shall be forthring of thy life  
And eke so worshipful a wife  
The daughter of an emperor  
To wed it shall be great honour  
For thy my son I you beseech  
That I such grace might areche  
when that my daughter come shall  
That I may than in especial  
So as me thinketh honest  
Be thilk, which the first feast  
Shall make unto her welcomming   

The soldan granteth her asking  
And she thereof was glad enough  
For under that anon she drough  
with false words that she spoke  
Covyn of death behind his back  
And thereupon her ordinance  
She made so, that when Constance  
was comen forth with the Romans  
Of clerks and of citizens  
A rich feast she hem made  
And most when they weren glade  
with false covin, which she had  
Her close envy though she spread  
And all though, that hadden be  
Or in apperte or in prive  
Of counsel to the marriage  
She slough them in a sudden rage  
Endelonge the board as they been set  
So that it might not be let  
Her own son was not quite  
But died upon the same plight   

But what the high god will spare  
It may not for the peril misfare  
This worthy maiden, which was there  
Stood than, as who saith, deed for fere  
To see the feast, how that it stood  
which all was turned in to blood  
The dyss he forth with the cup & all  
Be bled they weren over all  
She saw 'em die on every side  
No wonder though she wept & cried  
Making many a woeful moan  
when all was slain but she all onne   

This old fiend, this Sarazyn  
Let take anon this constantyn  
with all the good she thither brought  
And hath ordained as she thought  
A naked ship without steer  
In which the good, and her in fere  
Vytaled full for years five  
where that the wind it would dayve  
She put upon the waves wild    

¶ Qualiter navis cum Constantia in parts Anglie, que tunc pagana fuit prope Humber sub quo dam Castello regis, qui tunc Allee vocabatur post triennium applicuit, quam quidam miles no mine Elda dicti castelli tunc custos et navi let suscipiens, uxori sue Hermyngylde in enstodiam honorifice commendavit.  

But he, which all things may shield  
Three year, till that she cometh to land  
Her ship to steer hath take on hand  
And in Northumberlonde arriveth  
And happeth than, that she driveth  
Under a castle with the flood  
which upon Humber bank stood  
And was the kings own also  
The which Allee was cleped though  
A Saxon, and a worthy knight  
But he believeth not aright   

Of this castle was castelleyne  
Elda the kings chamberlain  
A knightly man after his law  
And when he saw upon the wawe  
The ship drivend alone so  
He had anon men shoulden go  
●●se, what it be token may  
●his was upon a summer day  
●he ship was looked and she found   

E●da within a little stound  
I● wist and with his wife anon  
●●warde this young lady gone  
where that they fond great riches  
B●● she her would not confess  
w●●n they her asken, what she was  
〈◊〉 nevertheless upon the case  
〈◊〉 of the ship with great worship  
They took her in to fellowship  
As they that weren of her glade  
B●● she no manner joy made  
But sorroweth sore, of that she fond  
No christendom in thilk land  
But else she hath all her will  
And thus with them she dwelleth still  
Dame Hermegyld, which was the wife  
Of Elda, lyche her own life  
Constance loveth, and it fell so  
Spekende all day between 'em two  
Through grace of god's purveyance  
This maiden taught the creance  
Unto this wife so perfectly  
Upon a day that fast by  
In presence of her husband  
where they go walkende on the strand  
A blind man, which came their lad  
Unto this wife cryende he bad  
with both his hands up, and prayed  
To her, and in this wise he said   

O Hermegylde, which Christ's faith  
Informed, as Constance saith  
received haste: give me my sight   

Upon this word her heart aflyght  
Thynkende what was best to done  
But nevertheless she she heard his bone  
And said, in trust of Christ's law  
which done was on the cross and slawe  
Thou blind man behold and see   

with that to god upon his knee  
Thankende he took his sight anon  
whereof they marvel every eachone  
But Elda wondereth most of all  
This open thing which is befall  
Concludeth him by such away  
That he the faith most needs obey.    

¶ Qualiter quidam invenis miles in amorem Constantie exardeseens, pro eo ꝙ ipsa sibi consentire nolint, eam de morte Hermegylde, quam ipse noctanter interfecit, verbis detractorne accufaint/ sed angelus domini ipsu sic detrahentem in mayilla subito percutiens/ non solum pro mendaci comprobavit, sed ●etu mortali post ipsine confessionem penitus interfecit.  

Now list what fell upon this thing  
This Elda forth unto the king  
A morrow took his weigh and road  
And Hermegylde at home abode  
Forth with Constance well at ease   

Elda, which thought his king to please  
As he, that than unwedded was  
Of Constance all the plain case  
As goodly as he couth, told   

The king was glad, and said he would  
Come thither in such a wise  
That he him might of her advice  
The time appointed forth withal  
This Elda trust in special  
Upon a knight whom from childhood  
He had up draw in to manhood  
To him he told all that he thought  
whereof that after him forthought  
And nevertheless at thilk tide  
Unto his wife he had him ride  
To make ready all thing  
against the coming of the king  
And saith that he himself tofore  
Thinketh for to come, and bod therefore  
That he him keep, and told him when   

This knight road forth his weigh than  
And sooth was, that of time passed  
He had in all his wit compassed  
how be Constance might win  
But he saw though no speed therein  
whereof his lust began to bate  
And that was love, is than hate  
Of her honour he had envy  
So that upon his treachery  
A losing in his heart he cast  
Till he come home, he hygheth fast  
And doth his lady to understand  
The message of her husband  
And thereupon the long day  
They setten things in array  
That all was as it should be  
Of every thing in his degree  
And when it came into the night  
This wise her hath to bed dight  
where that this maiden with her lay   

This false knight upon delay  
Hath tarried till they were asleep  
As he that will time keep  
His deadly works to fulfil  
And to the bed he stalketh still  
where that he wist was the wife  
And in his hand a razor knife  
He bore, with which her throat he cut  
And privily the knife he put  
Under that diere beds lyde  
where that Constance lay beside   

Elda come home the same night  
And still with a privy light  
As he that would not awake  
His wife, he hath his weigh take  
In to the chamber: and there lyggende  
He fond his dead wife bledende  
where that Constance fast by  
was fall asleep: and suddenly  
He cried aloud, and she awoke  
And forth withal cast a look  
And saw this lady bleed there  
whereof swooned dead for fear  
She was: and still as any stone  
She lay, and Elda thereupon  
In to the Castle clepeth out  
And up start every man about  
In to the chamber forth they went.   

But he which all untruth meant  
This false knight among them all  
Upon the thing, which is befall  
Seith: that Constance hath do this deed  
And to the bed with that he go  
After the falseheed of his speech  
And made him there for to seche  
And fond the knife, where he it laid  
And than he cried, and thus he said   

Lo see the knife all bloody here  
what needeth more in this matter  
To ask? and thus her innocence  
He slandereth there in audience  
with false words, which he feigneth  
But yet for all that ever he plaineth  
¶ Elda no full credence took  
And happened that there lay a book  
Upon the which, when he it sigh  
This knight hath sworn: & said on high  
That all men might it wite  
Now by this book, which is here writ  
Constance is gyltyfe well I wot  
with that the hand of heaven him smote  
In token of that he hath forswore  
There he was both his eyen lore  
Out of his heed the same stound  
They start, and so they were found   

A voice was herd, when that they fell  
which said: O damned man to hell  
Lo thus hath god thy slander wroke  
That thou again Constance hath spoke  
Be know the sooth ere that thou die  
And he told out his felony  
And start forth with his tale anon  
In to the ground, where all gone  
This dead lady was begrave   

Elda which thought his honour save  
All that he may, restraineth sorrow.    

¶ Qualiter rex Allee ad fidem Christi conversus baptismum recepit: et Constantiam super hoc leto animo despensavit que till qualis vel unde fuit alicui nullo modo falebatur, Et cum infra breve postea a domino fuo inpregnata fuisset, ipse ad debellandum cum feotis iter arripuit, et ibidem super guerras aliquandiu permansit.  

¶ For he the second day at morrow  
The king came, as they were accorded  
And when it was to him recorded  
what god hath wrought upon this chance  
He took it in to remembrance  
And thought more than he said  
For all his hole heart he laid  
Upon Constance: and said he should  
For love of her, if that she would  
baptism take, and Christ's faith  
Believe: and over that he saith  
He would her wed: and upon this  
Assured each to other is   

And for to make short tales  
There came a bishop out of wales  
from Bangor: and lucy he height  
which through the grace of god almight  
The king, with many other more  
He christened: and between 'em two  
He hath fulfilled the marriage  
But for no lust, ne for no rage  
She told him never what she was.   

And nevertheless upon this case  
●he king was glad, how so it stood  
Y●● well he wist and understood  
●he was a noble creature   

The high maker of nature  
H●● hath visited in a throw  
That it was openlyche know  
She was with child by the king  
●herof above all other thing  
〈◊〉 ●hanked god, and was right glad  
And fell that time he was bestead  
Upon a were, and must ride  
〈◊〉 while he should there abide  
〈◊〉 left at home to keep his wife  
S●●he as he knew of holy life   

●●da forth with the bishop eke  
And he with power go to seek  
Ayene the Scots for to fond  
The were, which he took on hand.    

¶ 〈…〉 ●egia Constantin infantem masculit 〈…〉 ●●tismo Mauritium vocant, rege ab●● 〈…〉 eft, Sed in●●da matter regis Do●●●● 〈…〉 super ●sio fo●to condolens, mendacibus re●● ce●tifica●●t, 〈◊〉 ●●or su● demoniaci & non huma●● gener●●●uo●●a monsiruosum fantasma foco geniture ad●●●● produ●it, huiusmodique detracto ribus adversus Constantiam procuravit, que ipsa in navem, qua prius venerat/ iterum ad exisium uno cum suo partu remissa desolabatur.  

¶ The time set of kind is come  
This lady hath her chamber nome  
And of a son borne full  
whereof that she was joyful  
She was delivered safe and soon   

The bishop, as it was to done  
gave him baptism, and Moris calleth  
And thereupon as it befalleth  
with letters written of record  
They sent unto her lyege lord  
That keepers weren of the queen  
And he, that should go between  
The messenger to Knaresburgh  
which town he should pass through  
Rydende came the first day  
The kings mother there lay  
whose right name was Domylde  
which after all the cause spylde  
For he, which thank deserve would  
Unto this lady goeth and told  
Of his message, how it feared  
And she with feigned joy it heard  
And gave him yefts largely  
But in the night all privily  
She took the letters, which he had  
from point to point and over rad  
As she, that was through out untrue  
And let do write other new  
In stead of 'em: and thus they speak.    

¶ Prima fitsera in commendacionem constancy ab episcopo Regi missa per Domisdam in contrarium fassata.  

¶ That thou with us be not wroth  
Though we such thing, as is the loath  
Upon our troth certify  
Thy wife, which is of fairy  
Of such a child delivered is  
From kind, which stant all amiss  
But for it should not be say  
we have it kept out of the way  
For dread of pure worlds shame  
A poor child, and in the name  
Of thilk, which is so mysbore  
we took, and thereto we be swore  
That none, but only thou and we  
Shall know of this privity  
Morys it hat, and thus men ween  
That it was borne of the queen  
And of thine own body get   

But this thing may not be foryete  
That thou ne send us word anon  
what is thy will thereupon.  
¶ This letter, as thou hast herd devise  
was counterfeit in such a wise  
That no man should it apperceive  
And she, which thought to deceive  
It leyth, where she that other took   

This messenger, when he awoke  
And wist nothing how it was  
Arose and road the great pas  
And took his letters to the king  
And when he saw this wonder thing  
He maketh the messenger no cheer  
But nevertheless in wise manner  
He wrote again, and gave him charge  
That they ne suffer not at large  
His wife to go but keep her still  
Till they have herd more of his will  
¶ This messenger was yeftles  
But with his letter nevertheless  
Or be him lief or be him loath  
In all haste again he goeth  
By Knaresburgh, and as he went  
Unto the mother his intent  
Of that he fond toward the king  
He told, and she upon this thing  
saith, that he should abide all night  
And made him feast and cheer aright  
Feigned as though she could him thoke  
But he with strong wine which he drunk  
Forth with the travail of the day  
was drunk: asleep and while he lay  
She hath his letters oversaye  
And form in an otherway  
Therewas a new letter write.    

¶ Secunda fetiera per regem episcopo remissa a Domisda iterum fassata.  

¶ which he saith: I do you for to wit  
That through the counsel of you two  
I stand in point to be undo  
As he, which is a king deposed  
For every man it hath supposed  
How that my wife Constance is faith  
And if that I feign any delay  
To put her out of company  
The worship of my regal  
Is lore: and over this they tell  
Her child shall not among 'em dwell  
To claymen any heritage  
So can I see none advantage  
But all is lost, if she abide  
For thy to look on every side  
Toward the mischief as it is  
I charge you, and bid this  
That ye the same ship victual  
In which, that she took arryvayle  
Therein and putteth both two  
Herself forth with her child also  
And so forth brought in to the deep  
Betaketh her the see to keep  
Of four days time I set  
That ye this thing no longer let  
So that your life be not forfeit.  
¶ And thus this letter counterfeit  
The messenger, which was unware  
Upon the kings half bare  
And where he should it hath betake   

But when that they have heed take  
And rad, that written is within  
So great a sorrow they begin  
As they her own mother ●eyen  
Brenne in a fire before their eyen  
There was weeping and there was woe  
But finally the thing is do  
Upon the see they have her brought  
But she the cause wist nought  
And thus upon the flood they won  
This lady with her young son  
And than her hands to the heaven  
She 'straught: and with a mild steven  
Knelende upon her bare knee  
She said: O high majesty  
which seest the point of every troth  
Take of thy woeful woman routh  
And of this child, which I shall keep  
And with that word she began to weep  
Swooned as dead, and there she lay  
But he, which all things may  
Comforteth her, and at last  
She looketh, and her eyen cast  
Upon her child, and said this   

Of me no manner charge it is  
what sorrow I suffer, but of the  
Me thinketh it is great pity  
For if I starve thou must die  
So moat I needs by that weigh  
For motherheed, and for tenderness  
with all mine hole business  
Ordain me for thilk office  
As she, which shall be thy nurse   

Thus was she strengthened for to stand  
And though she took her child in hand  
And gave it souke, and ever among  
She wept, and otherwhile song  
Lo rock with her child asleep  
And thus her own child to keep  
She hath under the god's cure.    

〈…〉 Constancy post biennium in 〈…〉 sup●●●●ris inter Sarazeno● 〈…〉 mani●us dens ipsam con●●●● 〈…〉 ●●●era●●t.  

¶ And so fell upon adventure  
〈◊〉 thy●ke year hath made his end  
〈…〉, so as it most wend  
〈…〉 of wind which god hath give  
〈…〉 was into spain drive  
〈…〉 under a castle wall  
〈…〉 it an heathen admyralle  
〈…〉 and he a steward bad  
〈…〉 which all was bad  
〈…〉 and a renegade  
〈…〉 to took, in what estate  
〈…〉 was comen: and there he fond  
〈…〉 with a child upon her hand  
〈…〉 lady, where she was a one  
〈◊〉 take good heed of the person  
〈…〉 the was a worthy wight  
〈…〉 ●●●ght he would upon the night  
〈…〉 her at his own will  
〈…〉 the ship he kept her still  
That no man saw her that day.   

A● god's will and thus she lay  
Unknown, what her shall betide  
And tell to that by nights tide  
This knight without fellowship  
Hath take a boot, and came to ship  
And thought of her his lust to take  
And swore, if she him danger make  
That certainly she should die  
She saw there was none other weigh  
And said he should her well comfort  
That he first look out at port  
That no man were nigh the stead  
which might know, what they deed  
And than he may do what he would  
He was right glad, that she so told  
And to the port anon be feared.   

She prayeth god, and he her herd  
And suddenly he was out throw  
And dreynt, and though began to blow  
wind movable fro the land  
And thus the mighty gods hand  
Her hath conveyed, and defended  
And when three year been full dispended.    

¶ Qualiter Navicula Constan●ie quodam die ꝑ altum mare vagans inter copiosam namun multudinem dilapsa est. quarum Arcennius Romanorum conful, dux, et capitaneus ipsam ignotam suscipiens usque ad Romam fecum perduxit, ubi equalemuxori sue Elene permansuran reverenter affociavit, nec non et eiusdem filjum Mauricium in omni habundantia quasi proprium educavit.  

¶ Her ship was drive upon a day  
where that a great navy lay  
Of ships, all the world at ones  
And as god would for the nonce  
Her ship goth in among 'em all  
And stint not, ere it be by fall  
And hath that vessel under getes  
which master was of all the fleet  
But there it resteth and abode  
This great ship on anchor road  
The lord come forth, and when he sigh  
That other lig on board so nigh  
He wondereth, what it might be  
And bad men to go in and se  
This lady though was crope a side  
As she that would her seluen hide  
For she newyst, what they were  
They sought about, and fond her there  
And broughten up her child and her  
And thereupon this lord to sper  
Began, fro whence that she came  
And what she was: Quod she, I am  
A woman woefully bestead  
I had a lord, and thus he bad  
That I forth with my little son  
Upon the waves should won  
But why the cause wot I nought  
But he which all things wrought  
yet ay I thank him of his might  
My child and me so kept upright  
That we be safe both two   

This lord her asketh evermore  
How she believeth, and she saith  
I leave and trust in Christ's faith  
which died upon the rood tree   

what is thy name though quoth he?  
My name is Coust she him said  
But furthermore for nought he prayed  
Of her estate to know plain  
She would him nothing else say  
But of her name, which she feigned  
All other things she restrained  
That o word more she ne told   

This lord than asketh if she would  
with him abide in company  
And said, he came from barbary  
To Rome ward, and home he went   

though she supposeth what it meant  
And saith she would with him wend  
And dwell unto her lives end  
Be so it be to his pleasance  
And thus upon her acquaintance  
He told her plainly as it stood  
Of Rome how that the gentle blood  
In Barbarye was betrayed  
And thereupon he hath assayed  
By war, and take such vengeance  
That none of thilk alliance  
By whom the treason was compassed  
Is from the sword alive passed   

But of constance how it was  
That couth he know by no case  
where she became, so as be said   

Her ere unto his word she laid  
But further made she no cheer   

And nevertheless in this matter  
It happened that ilk time so  
This lord, with whom she should go  
Of Rome was the senator  
And of her father the emperor  
His brother daughter hath to wife  
which hath her father eke on live  
And was Salustes cleped though  
His wife Eleyne height also  
To whom constance was cousin.   

Thus to the seek a medicine  
Hath god ordained of his grace  
That forth in the same place  
This senator his troth plight  
For ever, while he live might  
To keep her in worship, and in wealth  
Be so that god will give her health   

This lady, which fortune him send  
And thus by ship forth say lend  
Her & her child to Rome be brought  
And to his wife though he besought  
To take her in to company  
And she, which couth of courtesy  
All that a good wife should con  
was inly glad, that she hath won  
The fellowship of so good one  
This emperors daughter Custe  
Forth with the daughter of Saluste  
was kept, but no man readily  
knew, what she was: and not for thy  
They thoughten well she had be  
In her estate of high degree  
And every life her loveth we'll    

¶ Qualiter rex Alle ini●a pace cum Sco●●● a guerris rediens, et non inventa uxore sua causam exilu diligencius perscrutans, cum matrem suam Domildam inde culpubilem sciniffet, ipsam in igne proiciens conburi fecit.  

¶ Now hark thilk unstable wheel  
which ever turneth, went about  
The king all, while he was out  
(As thou to fore haste heard the case)  
deceived through his mother was  
But when that he come home again  
He asketh of his chamberlain  
And of the bishop eke also  
where they the queen had do  
And they answered: there he bad  
And have him thilk letter rad  
which he them sent for warrant  
And told him plainly as it stante  
And sayne, it thought 'em great pity  
To see a worthy one as she  
with such a child, as there was boar  
So suddenly to be forlese  
He asketh 'em, what child it were  
And they him said, that no where  
In all the world, though men it sought  
was never woman, that forth brought  
A fairer child, than it was one   

And than he asketh 'em anon  
why they ne hadden written so  
They tolden, so they hadden do   

He said nay. They saiden yis  
The letter showed, read it is  
which they forsoken every deal  
though was it understand weal  
That there is treason in the thing  
The messenger tofore the king  
was brought, and suddenly opposed  
〈◊〉 thing hath yet supposed  
〈◊〉 wel● began to say  
〈◊〉 no where upon the way  
〈◊〉 but only in a stead  
〈…〉 why that he so deed  
〈◊〉 he went to and fro  
〈◊〉 ●●●●esburgh by nights two  
〈◊〉 age's mother made him dwell   

〈…〉 the king it herd tell  
〈◊〉 his heart he wy●●e als fast  
〈…〉 which his mother cast  
〈◊〉 thought he would not abide  
〈◊〉 right in the same tide  
〈…〉 and road anon  
〈◊〉 in there ride many one  
〈…〉 alburgh, and forth they went  
〈◊〉 the fire, which thunder hent  
〈◊〉 a rage, as faith the book  
His mother sodeneche he took  
And said unto her in this wise   

O 〈◊〉 of hell in what guise  
〈…〉 deseruede for to die  
That haste so falsely put a weigh  
with treason of thy backbiting  
The truest, at my knoleching  
Of wives, and the most honest?   

But I will make this by hest  
It shall be venged or I go  
And let a fire do make tho  
And bad men for to cast her in  
But first she told out all the sin  
And bid 'em all for to wite  
How she the letters had write  
From point to point, as it was wrought  
And though she was to death brought  
And brent tofore her sons eye  
whereof these other, which it sye  
And herden how the cause stood  
Seyne, that the judgement is good  
Of that her son her hath so served  
For she it had weal deserved  
Through treason of her false tongue  
which through the land was after song  
Constance and every wight compleineth  
But he, whom all woe dystreyneth  
This sorrowful king was so bestead  
That he shall never more be glad  
He saith eftsoons for to wed  
Till that he wist how that she sped  
which had been his first wife  
And thus his young unlusty life  
He driveth forth to as he may.    

¶ Qualiter post sapsum xii annorum rex Assee absoluciovis causa Romam proficiens, vxor●m suam constanciam una cum filio suo divina proindencia ibidem setus invenit.  

¶ Till it besel upon a day  
when he his wars had achevede  
And thought he would be relevede  
Of soul he'll upon the faith  
which he hath take, than he saith  
That he to Rome in pilgrimage  
would go, where Pope was Pelage  
To take his absolution  
And upon this condition  
He made Edwin his leutenaunt  
which beyre was apparent  
That he the land in his absence  
Shall rule, and thus by providence  
Of all things well by gone  
He took his leave, and forth is gone  
¶ Elda, which tho was with 'em there  
ere they fullyche at Rome were  
was sent tofore to purucye  
And he his guide upon the weigh  
In help to been his herbegeour  
Hath axed, who was Senator  
That he his name might ken   

Of Lapodoce, he said, Arcenne  
He byght: and was a worthy knight   

To hem goth Elda though forth right  
And told him of his lord tydinge  
And prayed, that for his coming  
He would assign him herbergage  
And be so did of good courage.  
¶ when all is do, that was to done  
The king himself came after soon   

This Senator when that be come  
To Lust, and to his wife at home  
Hath told, bow such a king Alle●  
Of great array to the Light  
was come, and Lust upon his tale  
with heart close, and colour pale  
A swoon fell, and he meruaylleth  
So suddenly what thing her aileth  
And caught her upand when she work  
She fygheth with a piteous look  
And feigneth sickness of the see  
But it was for the king Allee  
For joy, which was in her thought  
That god him hath to town brought   

This king hath spoke with the pope  
And told all that he couth grope  
what grieveth in his conscience  
And than he thought in reverence  
Of his estate, ere that he went  
To make a feast, and thus he sent  
Unto the Senator, to come  
Upon the morrow, and other some  
To sit with him at meet   

This tale hath Lust not foryete  
But to Morys, her son told  
That be upon the morrow should  
In all that ever he couth and might  
Be present in the kings sight  
So that the king him oft sye   

Morys tofore the kings eye  
Upon the morrow, where he sat  
Full oft stood, and upon that  
The king his cheer upon him cast  
And in his face him thought als fast  
He saw his own wife Lonstance  
For nature, as in resemblance  
Of face, him liketh so to cloth  
That they were of a suit both   

The king was moved in his thought  
Of that be seeth, & knoweth it nought  
This child be loveth kindly  
And yet he wot no cause why  
But well he sigh and understood  
That be toward Arcenne stood  
And asketh him anon right there  
if that this child his son were   

He said ye, so I him call  
And would it were so by fall  
But it is all in other wise   

And though began be to devise  
How he the child's mother fond  
Upon the see from every land  
within a ship was sterles  
And how this lady helpless  
Forth with her child he hath forth draw  
The king hath understand his saw  
The child's name and asketh tho  
And what the mother height also  
That he him would tell he prayed   

Morys this child is hot he said  
His mother hat Lust, and this  
I not what manner name it is   

But Allee wist well enough  
whereof somedeal smylend he lough  
For Lust in Saxon is to sayne  
Coustance upon the word roman   

But who that couth specify  
what tho fell in his fantasy  
And how his wit about runneth  
Upon the love, in which he brenneth  
It were a wonder for to here  
For he was neither there ne here  
But clean out of himself away  
That he not what to think or faith  
So fain he would it were she  
whereof his hearts privity  
began the war of ye and nay  
The which in such balance lay  
That countenance for a throw  
He lost, till he might know  
The sooth: but in his memory  
The man, which lieth in purgatory  
Desireth not the heaven more  
That he ne longeth also sore  
To wit, what him shall betide   

And when the boards were aside  
And every man was rise about  
The king hath waived all the rout  
And with the Senator alone  
He spoke, and prayed him of a bone  
To see this Custe where she dwelleth  
At home with him, so as he telleth   

The Senator was well apaid  
This thing no longer was delayed  
To see this Lust goth the king  
And she was warned of the thing  
And with Eleyne forth she came  
●ycne the king, and he though name  
Good heed, and when he sigh his wife  
inone with all his hearts life  
He caught her in his arms, and kissed  
was never wight that sigh ne wist  
A man that more joy made  
whereof they weren all glad  
which herd tell of this chance   

〈◊〉 king though with his wife Constance  
〈◊〉 had a great part of his will  
〈…〉 for a time still  
〈…〉 and made him well at case  
〈…〉 ●ou●h he never please  
〈…〉 wife that she would him say  
〈…〉 estate the truth plain  
〈…〉 country that she was bore  
〈◊〉 what she was, and yet therefore  
〈◊〉 all his wit he hath done seek   

〈◊〉 as they lay in bed, and speak  
〈◊〉 prayeth him, and counscileth both  
〈◊〉 for the worship of hem both  
〈…〉 thought it were honest  
〈◊〉 an honourable feast  
〈…〉 he went) in that city  
where the Emperor himself shall be   

He granted all that she him prayed  
But as men in that time said  
Thy●●● Emperor from that day  
That first his daughter went a way  
He was than after never glad  
But what that any man him bad  
〈◊〉 grace, for his daughter sake  
That grace would he nought forsake  
And thus full great almeste he deed  
whereof he had many a bede    

¶ 〈◊〉 Constantia, que antea per fofum 〈…〉 su●pences omnes incognitam se ce●●●●●unt ●●mum pa●●●suo imperatori se ipsam 〈…〉 manifesta●●i, Quod cum rex A●●ee scivisset, una cum universa Romanorum multitudine inestimabi●i gaudio admirantes cunctipotentem landarunt.  

¶ This Emperor out of the town  
within a ten mile enuyroune  
where as it thought him for the best  
Hath sundry places for to rest  
And as fortune would though  
He was dwellend at one of though   

The king Allee forth with th'assent  
Of Custe his wife hath thither sent  
Morice his son, as he was taught  
To th'emperor, and he goth 'straught  
And in his father half he sought  
As he which his lordship sought  
That of his high worthiness  
He would do so great meekness  
His own town to come and see  
And y●ue a time in the city  
So that his father might him get  
That he would once with him eat   

This lord hath granted his request  
And when the day was of the feast  
In worship of the Emperor  
The king, and eke the Senator  
Forth with her wines both two  
with many a lord and lady more  
On horse riden him again  
Till it befell upon a plain  
They sigh, where he was commend   

with that constance anon preyend  
Spoke to her lord, that he abide  
So that I may tofore ride  
To been upon his bien venu  
The first, which shall him salu  
And thus after her lords grant  
Upon a mule white amblaunt  
Forth with a few road this queen  
They wondered, what she would mean  
And riden after a soft pas  
But when this lady comen was  
To th'emperor, in his presence  
She said aloud in audience   

My lord my father well you be  
And of this time that I see  
your honour, and your good bele  
which is the help of my quarrel  
I thank unto the gods might   

For joy his heart was aflyght  
Of that she told in remembrance  
And when he wist, it was constance  
was never father half so blithe  
wepend be kissed her oft sith  
So was his heart all overcome  
For though his mother were come  
From death to life out of the grave  
He might no more wonder have  
Than he hath, when that he her sigh  
with that her own lord come nigh  
And is to th'emperor obeyed   

And when the fortune is bewreyed  
How that constance is come about  
So hard an heart was none out  
That he for pity though ne wept   

Arcenius, which her fond and kept  
was than glad of that is fall  
So that with joy among 'em all  
They riden in at Rome gate   

This Emperor thought all to late  
Till that the pope were come  
And of though lords send some  
To pray him, that he will haste  
And he came forth in all haste  
And when that be this tale heard  
How wonderly this chance feared  
He thanked god of his miracle  
To whose might may be none abstable   

The king a noble feast hem made  
And thus they were all glad   

A perlement or that they went  
They setten unto this intent  
To put Rome in full espeyre  
That Moris was apparent heir  
And should abide with 'em still  
For such was all the lands will    

¶ Qualiter Mauricius cum imperatore, v● heres imperu remansit, et rex Affee et Constantia in Angliam regressi sunt.  

¶ when every thing was fully spoke  
Of sorrow & quaint was all the smoke  
though took his leave all the kynye  
And with full many a rich thing  
which thmperour him bad give  
He hath a glad life for to live  
For be constance hath in his hand  
which was the comfort of his land  
For when that he come home again  
There is no tongue that might say  
what joy was that ilk stound  
Of that he hath his queen found  
which first was sent of gods sonde  
when she was driven upon the strand  
By whom the misbelieve of sin  
was left, and Christ'S faith came inn  
To hem that whilom were blind  
But he, which hindereth every kind    

¶ Quafiter rex Alle in Anglia post biennium human carnis resofucionem subiens nature debitum persofuit, post cuius obitum Constancia cum patre suo Rome se transtulit moraturam.  

¶ And for no gold may be forbought  
The death commend ere he besought  
Took with this king such acqueyntance  
That he with all his retenaunce  
Ne myhht not defend his life  
And thus he parteth from his wife  
which than made sorrow enough  
And thereupon her heart droughe  
To leave england for ever  
And go where she had liefer  
To Rome, whence that she came  
And thus of all the land she name  
Her leave, and goth to Rome again  
And after that the books say  
She was not there but a throw  
when death of kind hath overthrow  
Her worthy father, which men said  
That between her arms died  
And afterward the year suende  
The god of her hath made an end  
And fro this worlds fairy  
Hath take her in to company  
¶ Morys her son was coroned  
which so farforth was abandoned  
To Christ's faith, that men him call  
Morys the chrystnest of all   

And thus the wheel meaning of love  
was at last set above  
And so, as thou haste herd tofore  
The false tongues were lore  
which upon love would lie  
For thy touchend of this envy  
which longeth unto bakbiting  
Be ware thou make no losing  
In hundring of another wight  
And if thou would be taught aright  
what mischyfe bakbiting doth  
By other weigh a tale soothe  
Now might thou here next sewend  
which to this vice is acordend    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra istos detractores, qui in alterius vitupertum mendatia confingentes dissamacionem fieri procurant. Et narrat qualiter Perseus, Philippi regis Macedonu filius Demetrio fratri suo ob evis probitatem invidens/ composito detractionis mendacio ipsum apud patrem suum mortaliter accusavit. dicens ipse non solum patrem/ sed et totum Macedonii regnum Romanis hostibus pro ditorie vendidisset, quem super hoc in judicium producens ●testions que indicibus auro suborna●●●, quamvis falsissime morte condempnatum 〈◊〉 quo defuncto eciam et pater infra breve 〈…〉 ●ortuus est. Et sic Perseo successive regna●te deus huiusmodi detractionis invidiam ab●●●●●●s 〈◊〉 sum cum universa suorum pugnatorun 〈…〉 extra Danubii fluuium ab Aemilo 〈◊〉 ●●norum Consul, enentu bellico inter●●● 〈…〉. Ita quod ab illo die Macedonii 〈◊〉 penitus destructa Romano Imperio 〈…〉 deseruivit/ et eins detractio/ quam 〈◊〉 a●ium conspiranerat/ in sui ipsius diffama 〈◊〉 pre ●erpetno dinulgata consistit.  

¶ In a chronic, as thou shalt wit  
A great ensample I find writ  
which I shall tell upon this thing   

Philip of Macedony the king  
Two sons had by his wife  
whose fame yet in Grece is rife  
Demetrius the first brother  
was hot, and Perseus that other   

Demetrius men saiden though  
The better knight was of the two  
To whom the land was attendant  
As he which heir was apparent  
To regne after his father's day   

But that thing, which no water may  
Quench in this world, but ever brenneth  
In to his brother's heart it runneth  
The proud envy of that he sigh  
His brother should climb on high  
And he to him might then obey  
That may he suffer by no weigh  
with strength durst he no thing fond  
So took he losing upon hand  
when he sigh time, and spoke thereto  
For it befell that time so  
His father great wars had  
with Rome, which he strait lad  
Through mighty hand of his manhood  
As he which hath enough knighthood  
And oft hem had sore grieved  
But ere the were were achieved  
As he was upon ordinance  
At home in Grece, it fell perchance  
Demetrius, which oft about  
Rydend was, stood that time out  
So that this pierce in his absence  
which bore the tongue of pestilence  
with false words, which he feigneth  
Upon his own brother plaineth  
In privity behind his bake  
And to his father thus he spoke  
¶ My dear father I am hold  
By weigh of kind, as reason would  
That I fro you shall nothing hide  
which might torn in any side  
Of your estate into grievance  
For thy mine hearts obeisance  
Toward you I think keep  
For it is good ye take keep  
Upon a thing, which is me told  
My brother hath us all sold  
To hem of Rome: and you also  
For than they be hot him so  
That he with them shall regne in pes  
Thus hath he cast for his increases  
That your estate shall go to nought  
And thus to prove shall be brought  
So farforth, that I undertake  
It shall not well mow be forsake  
¶ The king upon his tale answered  
And said: If this thing, which he herd  
Be sooth, and may be brought to prove:  
It shall not be to his behove  
which so hath shapen us the worst  
For he himself shall be the ferste  
That shall be deed, if that I may   

Thus afterward upon a day  
when that Demetrius was come  
Anon his father hath him nome  
And bad to his brother pierce  
That he his tale shall rehearse  
Of thilk treason, which he told   

And he which all untruth would  
Counseyleth, that so high a need  
Be treated, where as it may speed  
In common place of judgement  
The king thereto gave his assent  
¶ Demetrius' was put in hold  
whereof that Perseus was bold  
Thus stood the troth under the charge  
And the falseheed goth at large  
which through behest hath overcome  
The greatest of the lords some  
That privelyche of his accord  
They stand, as witness of record   

The judge was made favourable  
Thus was the law deceivable  
So farforth that the troth fond  
Rescous none: and thus the land  
Forth with the king deceived were  
The guiltless was dampened there  
And deyde upon accusement  
But such a false conspirement  
Though it be prive for a throw  
God would not it were unknown  
And this was afterward well proved  
In him, which hath the death controved  
Of that his brother was so slain   

This Perseus was wonder fain  
As he, that was heir apparent  
Upon the reign expectaunt  
whereof he wax so proud and vain  
That he his father in disdain  
Hath take: and set at none account  
As he, which thought him to surmount  
That where he was first debonair  
He was though rebel and contrary  
And not as heir, but as a king  
He took upon him in all thing  
Of malice and of tyranny  
In contempt of Regalye  
Lyvende his father: and so wrought  
That when the father him bethought  
And sigh to whether side it drough  
Anon he wist well enough  
How pierce after his false tongue  
Hath so th'envious bells rung  
That he hath slain his own brother  
whereof as than he knew none other  
But suddenly the judge he nome  
which corrupt sat upon the doom  
In such a wise, and hath him pressed  
That he the soothe him hath confessed  
Of all that hath be spoke and do   

More sorry, than the king was though  
was never man upon this mould  
And thought in certain, that he would  
Vengeance take upon this wrong   

But the other party was so strong  
That for the law of no statute  
There may no right be execute  
And upon this division  
The land was turned up so down  
whereof his heart is so distraught  
That he for pure sorrow hath caught  
The malady, of which nature  
Is quaint in every creature  
¶ And when this king was passed thus  
This false tonged Perseus  
The regiment hath underfang   

But there may nothing stand long  
which is not upon troth grounded  
For god, which all thing hath bounded  
And sigh the falseheed of his guile  
Hath set him but a little while  
That he shall reign upon depose  
For suddenly right as the rose  
So suddenly down he fell.  
¶ In thilk time so it befell  
This new king, of new pride  
with strength shope him for to ride  
And said he would to Rome fast  
whereof he made a busy haste  
And hath assembled him an host  
In all that ever he might most  
what man that might weepen bear  
Of all he would none forbear  
So that it might not be numbered  
The folk which after were encumbered  
Through him, that god would overthrow   

Anon it was at Rome know  
The pomp, which that pierce lad  
And the Romans that time had  
A consul, which was cleped thus  
By name, Paulus Emilius  
A noble, a worthy knight withal  
And he, which chief was of 'em all  
This were on hand hath undertake   

And when he should his leave take  
Of a young daughter, which was his  
She wept: and he what cause it is  
Her asketh: and she him answered  
That Perseus is dead: and he it heard  
And wondereth what she mean would  
And she upon childhood him told  
That pierce her little hound is dead.   

with that he pulleth up his heed  
And made right a glad visage  
And said, how that was a presage  
Touchende to that other pierce  
Of that fortune him should adverse   

He saith for such a prenostyke  
most of an hound was to him like  
For as it is an bounds kind  
To berke upon a man behind  
Right so behind his brother's back  
(with false words, which he spoke)  
He hath do slain, and that is routh   

But he, which hateth all untruth  
The high god it shall redress  
●or so my daughter prophetess  
Y●●●h with her little hounds doth  
●●●keneth: and thus forth he ge  
Comforted of this evidence  
with the Romans in his defence  
again the Greeks that been comende   

This Perseus as nought seende  
This mischief which that him abode  
with all his multitude road  
And prided him upon this thing  
Of that he was become a king  
And how he had his reign get  
That he hath all the right foryetes  
which longeth unto governance   

whereof through god's ordinance  
It fell upon the winter tide  
That with his host he should ride  
Over Danuby thilk flood  
which all be frossen than stood  
So hard, that he wend weal  
To pass, but the blind wheel  
which turneth oft, ere men be aware  
Thilk ice, which that the horsemen bare  
To brake, so that a great party  
was dreynt of the chivalry  
The rearward it took away  
Came none of 'em to land drey  
¶ Paulus this worthy knight roman  
By his aspye it heard sayne  
And hasteth him all that he may  
So that upon that other day  
He came, where he this host beheld  
And that was in a large field  
where the banners been displayed   

He hath anon his men arrayed  
And when that he was embattled  
He goth, and hath the field assailed  
And slough, and took all that he fond  
whereof the macedony land  
which through king Alexander honoured  
Long time stood: was tho devoured  
To pierce and all that infortune  
They wite, so that the common  
Of all the land his heir exile  
And he dispeyred for the while  
Disguised in a poor weed  
To Rome goth: and there for need  
The craft, which thilk time was  
To worken in latoun, and in bras  
He learneth for his sustenance  
such was the sons purveyance  
And of his father it is said  
In strong prison that he was laid  
In Albe, where that he was dead  
For hunger and default of bread   

The hound was token and prophecy  
That lyche an hound he should die  
which lyche was of condition  
when he with his detraction  
Bark on his brother so behind   

Confessor.  
To what profit a man may find  
which hyndre will an other wight  
For thy with all thine hole might  
My son, eschew thilk vice   

Amans.  
My father else were I nice  
For ye therefore so well have spoke  
That it is in mine heart look  
And ever shall: but of envy  
If there be more in his bailye  
Towards love, say me what  
¶ My son as guile under the hat  
with sleights of a Tregetour  
Is hid, envy of such colour  
Hath yet the fourth deceivant  
The which is cleped falls semblant  
whereof the matter, and the form  
Now hearken, and I the shall inform  
Nil bilinguis aget, nisi duplo concinat ore,  
Dumque diem loquitur nox sua vota tegit.  
Vultus habet lucem tenebias mens, sermo salutem  
Actus sed morbum dat suus esse gravem.  
Pax tibi quam spondet, magis est prenostica guerre  
Commoda si dederit, disce subesse dolum.  
Quod pater esse fides in eo fraus estque politi  
Principium pacti finis habere negat,  
O quem condicio talis de●ormat amantem  
Qui magis apparens est in amore nihil.    

¶ Hic tractat Conffessor super quarta specie in●●●●e/ que Dissimulacio dicitur, cuius vustus quanto maioris amicicie apparenciam oftendit/ ●●●te subtisioris dosi fallacias ad decipiendum m●n● maginatur.  

¶ Of false semblant if I shall tell  
Above all other it is the well  
Out of the which deceit floweth  
There is no man so wise, that knoweth  
Of thilk flood, which is the tide  
He how he should himselfen guide  
To take safe passage there  
And yet the wind to man's ere  
Is soft, and as it seemeth out  
It maketh clear weather all about  
But thought it seem, it is not so  
For falls S●mblaunt hath ever more  
Of his counsel in company  
The dark untrue hipocrysye  
whose word discordeth to his thought  
For thy they been to guider brought  
Of one coven, of one house hold  
As it shall after this be told  
Of falls semblant it needeth nought  
To tell of old ensamples ought  
For all day in experience  
A man may see thilk evidence  
Of fair words, which he heareth  
But yet the barge envy steereth  
And halt it ever fro the land  
which falls semblant with ore in hand  
It roweth, and will not arrive  
But let it on the waves drive  
In great tempest, and great debate  
whereof that love and his estate  
Empeyreth: And therefore I read  
My son that thou i'll and dread  
This vice: and what that other sayn  
Let thy semblant be true and plain   

For falls semblant is thilk vice  
which never was without office  
where that envy thinketh to guile  
He shall be for that ilk while  
Of prive counsel messagere  
For when his semblant is most clear  
Than is he most dark in his thought  
Thought men him see they know him nought  
But as it showeth in the glass  
Thing which therein never was  
So showeth it in his visage  
That never was in his courage  
Thus doth he all his thing by sleight  
¶ Now lay thy conscience in weight  
My good son, and shrive the here  
If thou were ever customer  
To falls semblant in any wise.  
¶ For ought I can me yet advise  
My good father certes no  
If I for love have done so  
Now asketh, I would pray you   

For else I wots never how  
Of falls semblant that I have guilt  
¶ My son and sethin that thou wilt  
That I shall ask, gab nought  
But tell, if ever was thy thought  
with false semblant and Coverture  
To wit of any creature  
How that he was with love lad  
So were he sorry, were he glad  
when that thou wystyst how it were  
All that he rouneth in thine ere  
Thou toldest forth in other place  
To setten him fro loves grace  
Of what woman that the best list  
There as no man his counsel wist  
But thou, by whom he was deceived  
Of love, and from his purpose waived   

And thoughtest that his disturbance  
Thine own cause should advance  
As who saith, I am so selce  
There may no man's privity  
Ben heeled half so well as mine  
Art thou my son of such engine  
Tell on? My good father nay  
As for the more part I say  
But of somedeal I am beknow  
That I may stand in thilk row  
Among 'em, that slaundres use  
I will not me thereof excuse  
That I with such colour ne stain  
when I my best semblant feign  
To my fellow till that I wot  
All his counsell both cold and hot  
For by that cause I make him cheer  
●●ll I his love know, and here  
And if so be mine heart soucheth  
〈◊〉 ought unto my lady toucheth  
〈◊〉 that he will me tell  
〈…〉 I run unto the well  
〈…〉 water in the fire  
〈…〉 his car amid the mire  
〈…〉 I have his counsel know  
〈…〉 sith I overthrow  
〈…〉 he weeneth best to stand  
〈◊〉 this I do you understand  
〈…〉 man love else where  
〈…〉 my lady be nought there  
〈…〉 tell, I will it hide  
〈…〉 no word escape aside  
〈…〉 disobeyed of no semblant  
〈…〉 b●cke I no covenant  
〈…〉 ●●keth ●at in other place  
〈…〉 no man of his grace  
〈…〉 to be inquisitife  
〈◊〉 ●●●we an other man's life  
where that he love, or love nought  
That toucheth nothing to my thought  
〈…〉 it passeth through mine care  
〈…〉 as a thing that never were  
〈…〉 foryete, and laid beside   

〈◊〉 if it touch on any side  
My lady, as I have ere spoken  
My ne●●es been nought than looken   

For certes when that betyt  
My will mine heart, and all my wit  
Ben fully set to hearken and spear  
●hat any man will speak of her   

Thus have I feigned company  
Full oft, for I would aspye  
what thing it is, that any man  
Tell of my worthy lady can  
And for two causes I do this  
The first cause whereof is  
If that I might hearken and seek  
That any man of her mysspeke  
I will excuse her so fully  
That when she wist it inderly  
Mine hope should be the more  
To have her thank for evermore   

That other cause, I you assure  
Is, why that I by coverture  
Have feigned semblant oft time  
To them that passen all day byme  
And been lovers as well as I   

For this I ween truly  
That there is of 'em all none  
That they ne loven every eachone  
My lady. For sothelyche I leave  
And durst setten it in prove  
Is none so wise that should asterte  
But he were lustles in his heart  
For why, and he my lady sye  
Her visage, and her goodly eye  
But he her loved, ere he went  
And for that such is mine intent  
That is the cause of mine aspye  
why that I feign company  
And make fellow over all  
For gladly would I known all  
And hold me covert alway  
That I full oft ye or nay  
Ne list answer in any wise  
But feigning semblant as the wise  
And hearken tales till I know  
My ladies lovers all arrow  
And when I here, how they wrought  
I far as though I heard nought  
And as I no word understood  
But that is nothing for her good  
For leaveth well, and sooth is this  
That when I know all how it is  
I will but forthren hem alyte  
But all the worst I can indite  
I tell it unto my lady plat  
For furthering of mine own estate  
And hinder them all that ever I may   

But for all that yet dare I say  
I find unto myself no boat  
All though mine heart needs more  
Through strength of love all that I here  
Discover unto my lady dear  
For in good faith I have no might  
To hele fro that sweet wight  
If that it toucheth her any thing  
But this wot well the heaven king  
That sithen first the world began  
Unto none other strange man  
Ne feigned I semblant ne cheer  
To wite or ask of his matter  
Though that he loveth ten or twelve  
when it was nought my ladies self  
But if he would ask any rede  
Alonlyche of his own heed  
How he with other loves feared  
His tales with mine ears I heard  
But to mine heart came it nought  
Ne sank no depper in my thought  
But held counsel, as I was bid  
And told it never in other stead  
But let it passen, as it come   

Now father say, what is thy doom  
And how thou wilt, that I be pained  
For such semblant as I have feigned.  
¶ My son if reason be well poised  
There may no virtue be unpreysed  
Ne vice none be set in prise   

For thy my son, if thou be wise  
Do no viser upon thy face  
which as will not thine heart embrace  
For if thou do, within a throw  
To other men it shall be know  
So might thou lightly fall in blame  
And lose a great part of thy name   

And nevertheless in this degree  
Full oft time thou might see  
Of such men, as now a day  
This vice setten in assay  
I speak it for no man's blame  
But for to warn thee, the same   

My son as I may here talk  
In every place where I walk  
I not, if it be so or none  
But it is many days gone  
That I first heard tell this  
How false semblant hath be, and is  
Most commonly from year to year  
with them that dwell among us here  
Of such as we Lombard's call  
For they been the slyest of all  
So as men say in town about  
To feign and show thing without  
which is reverses to that within  
whereof that they full oft win  
when they by reason should lose  
They been the last, and yet they cheese  
And we the first, and yet behind  
we gone, there as we shoulden find  
The profit of our own land   

Thus gone they free without bond  
To done her profit all at large  
And other men bear all the charge  
Of Lombard's unto this covin  
(which all lands con engine)  
May false semblant in especial  
Be likened: for they over all  
where that they think for to dwell  
Among themself, so as they tell  
first been informed for to lere  
A craft, which cleped is Facrere   

For if Facrere come about  
Than afterward him stant no doubt  
To void with a subtle hand  
The best goods of the land  
And bring chaff, and take corn  
where as Facrere goth before  
In all his weigh he fynt no let  
That door can none usher shut  
In which he list to take entre   

And thus the counsel most secre  
Of every thing Facrere knoweth  
which in to strange place he bloweth  
where as he wot it may moste grieve   

And thus Facrere maketh believe  
So that full oft he hath deceived  
Ere that he may been apperceived  
Thus is this vice for to dread  
Fr who these old books read  
Of such ensamples as we are  
Him ought be the more ware  
Of all though that feign cheer  
whereof thou shalt a tale hear    

¶ Hic p●nit Confessor exemplum contra iftos, ●ui suon diffimulate benivosentie specuso alios in amore defrandant, Et narrat quafiter Hercules cum ipse quoddam flunium enius vada non nonit cum D●●●nyra transmeaie proposuit/ supueniens ●essus g●gas ob amicitiam Hercusis, ut dixit ●●●nyram ●n usnas suas suscipiens, trans ripam 〈◊〉 ver duxit. Et statim cum ad litus pervenisset qu● ci●o currete potuit, ipsam tanquam propriam in prei●ud●●im Herculis asportare fugiens cona●●t●r. Pe● quod non sosum ipsi sed etiam Hercusi ●●rt●e eventum fortuna postmodum causavit.  

¶ Of false semblant, which is believed  
Full many a worthy wight is grieved  
And was long time or we was boar  
To the my son I will therefore  
A tale tell, of falls semblant  
which falseth many a covenant  
And many a fraud of false counsel  
There be hongend upon his sail  
And that aboughten guiltless  
Both De●anyre, and Hercules  
〈◊〉 which in great disease fell  
Through false semblant, as I shall tell  
¶ when Hercules within a throw  
〈◊〉 hath his heart throw  
Upon this fair De●anyre  
It tell him on a day desire  
Upon a river as be stood  
That pass he would over the flood  
without boat, and with him lead  
His love, but he was in dread  
〈◊〉 appetite of that sweet wight  
〈◊〉 he knew not the ford aright   

There was a giant than nigh  
which Nessus height: & when he sigh  
This Hercules and De●anire  
within his heart he 'gan conspire  
As he which through his treachery  
Hath Hercules in great envy  
●●iche he bore in his heart look  
And than he thought it shall be wroke  
But he ne durst nevertheless  
●●●ne this worthy Hercules  
●all● in debate, as for to fight  
But f●yned semblant all by sleight  
Of friendship, and of all good  
And cometh, where as they both stood  
And maketh 'em all the cheer be can  
And saith, that as her own man  
He is all ready for to do  
what thing be may: and it fell so  
That they upon his semblant trust  
And asken him, if that he wist  
what thing hem were best to done  
So that they mighten safe and soon  
The water pass, he and she.   

And when Nessus the privity  
knew of her heart, what it meant  
As he, that was of double intent  
He made 'em right a glad visage  
And when he heard of the passage  
Of him and her, he thought guile  
And feigneth Semblant for a while  
To done 'em pleasance and service  
But he thought all an other wise  
¶ This Nessus with his words sly  
gave such counsel tofore her eye  
which seemed outward profitable  
And was within deceivable  
He had 'em of the streams deep  
That they beware, and take keep  
So as they know not the pass   

But for to help in such a case  
He saith himself, that for her ease  
He would, if that it might 'em please  
The passage of the water take  
And for this lady undertake  
To bear her to that other strand  
And safe to set her up a land  
And Hercules may then also  
The weigh know, how he shall go  
¶ And thereto they accorden all  
But what as after shall befall  
well paid was Hercules of this  
And this giant also glad is  
And took this lady up aloft  
And set her on his shoulder soft  
And in the flood began to wade  
As he, which no grudging made  
And bore her over safe and sound  
But when be stood on dry ground  
And Hercules was far behind  
He set his troth all out of mind  
who so thereof be lief or loath  
with Deianyre forth he goth  
As he that thought to dissever  
The company of hem for ever   

when Hercules thereof took heed  
As fast as ever he might him speed  
He hieth after in a throw  
And happeneth that he had a bow  
The which in all hast he bend  
As he that would an arrow send  
which he tofore had envenomed  
He hath so well his shot tymed  
That he him through the body smette  
And thus the false wight he let   

But list now, such a felony  
when Nessus wist he should die  
He took to Deianyre his shirt  
which with the blood was of his heart  
Through out distained over all  
And told how she it keep shall  
And privily to this intent  
That if her lord his heart went  
To love in any other place  
This shirt be saith hath such a grace  
That if she may so mochel make  
That he the shirt upon him take  
He shall all other let in vain  
And turn unto her love again  
¶ who was though glad but Deianyre?  
Her thought her heart was on a fire  
Till it was in her coffer look  
So that no word thereof was spoke.  
¶ The days gone the years pass  
The hearts waxed lass and lass  
Of 'em, that be to love untrue  
This Hercules with heart new  
His love hath set on Eolen  
And thereof spoken all men   

This Eolen, this fair maid  
was (as men thilk time said)  
The kings daughter of Euryce  
And she made Hercules so nice  
Upon her love, and so assote  
That he him clotheth in her cote  
And she in his was clad full oft  
And thus feblesse is set aloft  
And strength was put under foot  
There can no man thereof do boat  
when Deianyre hath herd this speech  
There was no sorrow for to seche  
Of other help wot she none  
But goth unto her coufer anon  
with wepend eye, and woeful heart  
She took out thilk unhappy shirt  
As she that wend well to do  
And brought her work about so  
That Hercules this shirt on deed  
To such intent, and as she was bid  
Of Nessus, so as I said ere  
But thereof was she nought the ner  
As no fortune may be waived  
with false Semblant she was deceived   

Than when she wend best have won  
She lost all that she hath begun  
For thilk shirt unto the bone  
His body set a fire anon  
And cleaveth so, it may not twin  
For the venom, that was therein   

And he than as a wild man  
Unto the high wood he ran  
And as the clerk Ovid telleth  
The great trees to ground he felleth  
with strength of his own might  
And made an huge fire upright  
And leapt himself therein at ones  
And brent himself both flesh & bones  
which thing came through false semblant  
That falls Nessus the Geant  
Made unto him, and to his wife  
whereof that he hath lost his life  
And she sorry for evermore.  
¶ For thy my son ere the be woe  
I read, be well were therefore  
For when so great a man was lore  
It ought to give a great conceit  
To warn all other of such deceit   

Grant mercy father, I am aware  
So fer, that I no more dare  
Of falls semblant take acquaintance  
But rather I will do penance  
That I have feigned chereer this  
Now asketh forth, what so there is  
Of that belongeth to my shrift  
My son yet there is the fift  
which is conceived of envy  
And clepend is Supplantarye  
Through whose compassement and guile  
Full many hath lost his while  
In love, as well as other wise  
Here after as I shall devise   
Inuidus alterius est supplantator honoris  
Et tua quo vertat culmina subtus arat.  
Est opus occultum, qnsi quae latet anguis in herba,  
Quod fac●t, et subita sort nociws adest.  
Sic tubtilis amans alium supplantat amantem.  
Et capit occult, quod nequit ipse palam  
Sepeque supplantans in plantam plantat amoris,  
Quod putat in propriis alter habere bonis.   

¶ Hic fractat Conffessor de quinta specie Inuidie, que surplantacio dicitur, cuius cultor priusonam ve●cipiatur alien dignitatis et officii mult●●●ne intrusor existens.  

¶ The vice of Supplantation  
with many a falls collation  
which he conspireth all unknown  
Full oft time hath overthrow  
The worship of another man  
So well no life await can  
Ayene his sleight for to cast  
That he his purpose at the last  
He hath, ere that it be withset  
But me●te of all his heart is set  
In court, upon these great offices  
Or dignities and benifyces  
Th●s goth he with his sleight about  
To hinder, and shove another out  
A ●●tenden with his slyghe compass  
Instede there another was  
And so to set himself in  
He reacheth not be so he win  
Of that another man shall lose  
A●d thus full oft chalk for cheese  
He changeth with full little cost  
whereof another hath the lost  
And be the profit shall receive  
For his fortune is to deceive  
A●d for to change upon the wheel  
His woe with other men's weal  
Of that another man availeth  
His own estate thus he up haileth  
And taketh the bird to his beyete  
where other men the bussbes beat   

My son and in the same wise  
There be lovers of such emprise  
That shapen hem to be relieved  
where it is wrong, to be achieved  
For it is other man's right  
which he hath take day and night  
To keep for his own store  
Toward himself for evermore  
And is his proper by the law  
which thing that asketh no fellow  
If love hold his convenant  
But they that worchen by supplant  
yet wolden such a man supplant  
And take a part of thilk plant  
which he hath for himself set  
And so full oft is all unknet  
That some man weeneth be right fast  
For Supplaunt with his sly cast  
Full oft happeneth for to mow  
Thing, which another man hath sow  
And maketh common of property  
with sleight, and with subtlety  
As men may sen from year to year  
Thus cleymeth he the boat to steer  
Of which another master is  
¶ For thy my son if thou ere this  
Haste been of such profession  
discover thy Confession  
Hast thou supplanted any man?  
¶ For aught that I you tell can  
Mine holy father as of deed  
I am withouten any dread  
And gilteles: but of my thought  
My conscience excuse I nought   

For were it wrong or were it right  
Me liketh no thing but might  
That I ne would long ere this  
Of other man's love iwis  
By weigh of supplantatyon  
Have mad appropriation  
And hold that I never nought  
Though it another man forthought   

And all this speak I but of one  
For whom I let all other gone  
But her I may not overpass  
That I ne might alway compass  
We wrought not by what quaintise  
So that I might in any wise  
From such, that my lady serve  
Her heart make for to swerver  
without any part of love  
For by the gods all above  
I would it might so befall  
That I alone should hem all  
Supplant, and weld her at my will  
And that thing may I nought fulfil  
But if I should strength make  
And that dare I nought undertake  
Though I were as was Alysander  
For thereof might rise a slander  
And certes that shall I do never  
For in good faith yet had I liefer  
In my simplesse for to die  
Than work such supplantarye   

Of other wise I will not say  
That if I fond a siker way  
I would as for conclusion  
work after supplantation  
So high a love for to win   

Now father, if that this be sin  
I am ready to redress  
The guilt, of which I me confess.  
¶ My good son as of supplant  
The dare not dread tant ne quant  
As for no thing that I have herd  
But only that thou haste misferde  
Thynkend: and that me liketh nought  
For god beholt a man's thought   

And if thou understood in sooth  
In loves cause what it doth  
A man to be a supplantour  
Thou wouldest for thine own honour  
By double way take keep   

first for thine own estate to keke  
To be thyself so well be thought  
That thou supplanted were nought   

And eke for worship of thy name  
Towards other do the same  
And suffer every man have his  
But nevertheless it was and is  
That in await at all assays  
Supplant of love in our ways  
The leef full oft for the liver  
Forsaketh, and so it hath done ever  
Ensample I find thereupon    

¶ Qualiter Agamemnon de amore Breffeide Achillem, et Diomedes de amore Criseide Troilum supplantavit.  

¶ At Troy how that Agamemnon  
Supplanted the worthy knight  
Achilles, for that sweet wight  
which named was Brisseida   

And also of Cryseyda  
whom Troilus to love chose  
Supplanted hath Diomedes    

¶ Qualiter Amphitrium socium suum Getam qui Alemenam peramavit, seipsum loco alterius cautelo sa supplantacione substituit.  

¶ Of Geta and Amphitryone  
That whilom were both as one  
Of friendship and of company  
I read how that Supplantarye  
In love, as it betid tho  
Beguiled hath one of 'em two  
For this Geta, that I of mean  
To whom the lusty fair Alemene  
Assured was by weigh of love  
when he best wend have been above  
And sykerest of that he had  
Cupid so the cause lad  
That while he was out of the weigh  
Amphitrion her love away  
Hath take, & in this form he wrought   

By night unto the chamber he sought  
where that she lay: and with a wile  
He counterfeiteth for the while  
The voice of Geet, in such a wile  
That made her of her bed arise  
wenende, that it were he  
And let him in: and when they be  
To guider a bed in arms fast  
This Geta came than at last  
Unto the door, and said undo  
And she answered, and bad him go  
And said, how that a bed all warm  
Her life lay naked in her arm  
She wend, that it were sooth   

Lo what supplant of love doth  
This Geta forth beiaped went  
And yet ne wist he, what it meant  
Amphitrion him hath supplanted  
with sleight of love, and her enchanted  
And thus put every man out other  
The ship of love hath lost his rother  
So that he can no reason steer  
And for to speak of this matter  
Touchende love, and his supplant  
A tale, which is accordant  
Unto thine care I think inform  
Now hearken, for this is the form.    

¶ 〈◊〉 amoris causa contra fraudem detractio●●●● 〈◊〉 Confessor exemplum/ Et narrat de 〈◊〉 Romani imperatoris filio/ qui probitates 〈◊〉 ●um super omnia exercere affectans, nescient 〈◊〉 ●●ita mare in parts Persie ad defer●●●●dum Sosdan● super guerras cil solo misite 〈…〉 suo ignotus se transtulit, Et cum 〈…〉 fama super altes ibidem celsior 〈…〉 contigit ut in quodam bello contra 〈…〉 Egipti 〈◊〉, sosdanus a sagitia mor●● 〈…〉 priusquam moreretur quendam 〈…〉 su●●●tetissimi●●to nobili Romano 〈…〉 qualiter filia sua sub pattern 〈…〉 vinculo advirata est. ꝙ quicumque 〈…〉 e● afferret, ipsum in coningen pre● 〈…〉 Defuncto autem Soldan● 〈…〉 ●ayre dicitur, itinerantes' 〈…〉 suo ●●uius misteru 〈…〉 n●●tanter a bursa demini 〈…〉 que audivit usui 〈…〉 appsicivit 〈◊〉 sic sir 〈…〉 Soldanis filta, 〈…〉.  

¶ Of thilk city chief of all  
w●●●e men the noble Rome call  
〈…〉 set to Christ's faith  
〈…〉, as the cronic saith  
〈◊〉 srour, the which it lad  
〈…〉 that he no wars had  
〈…〉 thing disobeysaunt  
〈…〉 to Rome appertenant  
〈…〉 was turned in to rest  
〈◊〉 it thought 'em for the best  
〈…〉 it thought nothing so  
And that was only unto though  
〈◊〉 heart stood upon knighthood  
〈◊〉 most of all his manhood  
〈◊〉 worthy son of the emperor  
〈◊〉 would been a warrior  
〈◊〉 that was chivalrous  
Of worlds fame and desirous  
Began his father to beseech  
That he the wars might seche  
In strange marches for to ride   

His father said he should abide  
And would grant him no leave  
But he which would nought believe  
A knight of his, to whom he tryst  
Right even as he thought and list  
He took and told him his courage  
That he purposeth a viage  
If that fortune with him stand  
He said, that he would fond  
The great see to pass unknown  
And there abide for a throw  
Upon the wars to travail   

And to this point without fail  
This knight when he hath heard his lord  
Is sworn, & stant of his accord  
And they that both young were  
So that in privy counsel there  
They been assented for to wend  
And thereupon to make an end  
Treasure enough with hem they token   

And when the time is best they looken  
That suddenlike in a galley  
from Rome land they went their weigh  
And landed upon that other side  
The world sell so that ilk tide  
which ever his haps hath diverse  
The great Sultan than of pierce  
Ayene the caliph of Egypte  
A were, which that him beclypte  
Hath in a march costeaunt  
And he which was a pursuivant  
worship of arms to attain  
This Roman an one let ordain  
That he was ready every deal  
And when he was arrayed weal  
Of every thing, which him belongeth  
'Straught unto Rayre his weigh he tongeth  
where he the sultan than land  
And asketh, that within his land  
He might him for the were serve  
As he which will his thank deserve  
The soldan was right glad withal  
And well the more in special  
when that he wist he was roman  
But what he was else incertain  
That might he wite by no way  
And thus the knight of whom I say  
Toward the soldan is belefte  
And in the marches now and eft  
where that the deadly wars were  
He wrought such knighthood there  
That every man spoke of him good  
And thilk time so it stood  
This mighty Sultan by his wife  
A daughter hath, that in this life  
Men said there was none so feyre  
She should been her father's beyre  
And was of years ripe enough  
Her beauty many an heart drough  
To bow to that ilk law  
From which no life may be withdraw  
And that is love, whose nature  
Set life and death in a venture  
Of 'em, that knighthood undertake   

This lusty pain hath overtake  
The heart of this roman so sore  
That to knighthood more and more  
Prowess avaunteth his courage  
Lyche to the lion in his rage  
From whom that all beasts flee  
Such was this knight in his degree  
where he was armed in the field  
Theridamas durst none abide his shield  
Great price upon the wars he had  
But she, which all the chance lad  
Fortune shope the marches so  
That by th'assent of both two  
The Sultan and the caliph eke  
battle upon a day they seek  
which was in such a wise set  
That longer should it not be let  
They made 'em strong on every side  
Tnd when it drough toward the tide  
That the battle should be  
The Sultan in great privity  
A gold ring of his daughter took  
And made her swear upon a book  
And eke upon the gods all  
That if fortune so befall  
In the battle that he die  
That she shall thilk man obey  
And take him to her husband  
which thilk same ring to hand  
Her should bring after his death   

This hath she swore, & forth he ge  
with all the power of his land  
Unto the march, where he fond  
His enemy full embattled  
¶ The Sultan hath the field assailed  
They that been hardy soon assemblen  
whereof the dreadful hearts tremblen  
That one slecth, and that other starveth  
But above all his price deserveth  
This knightly roman, where he road  
His deadly sword no man abode  
Ayene the which was no defence  
Egypte fled in his presence  
And they of pierce upon the chase  
Pursuen, but I not what grace  
Befell, an arrow out of a bow  
All suddenly within a throw  
The Sultan smote, and there he lay  
The chas is left for thilk day  
And he was boar in to a tent  
¶ The Sultan sigh how that it went  
And that he should algates die  
And to this knyht of Romanye  
As unto him whom he most trust  
His daughters ring that none it wist  
He took, and told him all the case  
Upon her oath what token it was  
Of that she should been his wife   

when this was said, the hearts life  
Of this Sultan departeth soon  
And thereupon, as was to done  
The deed body well and fair  
They carry till they come at Kayre  
There he was worthelyche begrave   

The lords, which as wolden save  
The regne, which was desolate  
To bring it in to good estate  
A parliament they set anon   

Now hearken what fell thereupon  
This young lord this worthy knight  
Of Rome, upon the same night  
That they a morrow treat should  
Unto his bachelor he told  
His counsel, and the ring with all  
He showeth, through which he shall  
He saith, the kings daughter wed  
For so the ring was laid to wed  
He told, in to her father's hand  
That with what man that she it fond  
She should him take unto her lord  
And thus, he saith, stant of record  
But no man wot who hath this ring   

This bachylere upon this thing  
His ere and his intent laid  
And thought more, than he said  
And feigneth with a falls visage  
That he was glad: but his courage  
was all set in another wise   

These old philosophers wise  
They written upon thilk while  
That he may best a man beguile  
In whom the man hath most credence   

And this befell in evidence  
Toward this young lord of Rome  
His bachelor, which had tome  
when that his lord by night slept  
This ring, the which his master kept  
Out of his purse away be deed  
And put another in the stead   

A morrow when the court is set  
The young lady was forth fet  
To whom the lords done homage  
And after that of marriage  
They treten, and asken of her will   

But she which thought to fulfil  
〈◊〉 ●aders best in this matter  
〈◊〉 openly, that men may here  
The charge which her father bad   

though was this lord of Rome glad  
And drough toward his purse anon  
But all for nought, it was a gone  
His bachilor it hath forth draw  
And ●●keth thereupon the law  
〈…〉 him hold covenant  
Th● t●ken was so suffisant  
●●at it ne might be forsake   

And nevertheless his lord hath take  
Quarelle again his own man  
But for no thing that ever he can  
He might as than nought be herd  
So that his claim his unanswerde  
And he hath of his purpose failed   

This bachelor was tho counseled  
And wedded, and of thilk empire  
He was crowned lord and fire  
And all the land him hath received  
whereof his lord, which was deceived  
Ascknes, ●r the third morrow  
conceived hath of deadly sorrow  
And as he lay upon his death  
There while him lasteth speech & breath  
He send for the worthiest  
Of all the land, and eke the best  
And told 'em all the sooth though  
That he was son and heir also  
Of th'emperor of great Rome  
And how that they to guider come  
This knight, and he right as it was  
He told 'em all the plain case   

And for that he his counsel told  
That other hath all that he would  
And he hath failed of his meed  
As for the good he taketh none heed  
He saith, but only of the love  
Of which he wend have be above  
And thereupon by letter write  
He doth his father for to wite  
Of all the matter bow it stood  
And than with an bertely mode  
Unto the lords he besought  
To tell his lady how he bought  
Her love, of which another gladdeth  
And with that word his hew fadeth  
And said, adieu my lady sweet  
The life hath lost his kindly bete  
And he lay still as any stone  
whereof was sorry many one  
But none of all so as she  
¶ This falls knight in his degree  
Arrested was, and put in hold  
For openly when it was told  
Of the treason, which is befall  
Throughout the land they saiden all  
If it be sooth, that men suppose  
His own untruth him shall depose  
And for to seche an evidence  
with honour, and great reverence  
whereof they mighten know an end  
To th'emperor anon they send  
The letter, which his son wrote   

And when that he the sooth wot  
To tell his sorrow is endless  
But yet in haste nevertheless  
Upon the tale, which he beard  
His steward in to pierce feared  
with many a worthy Roman eke  
His lyege traitor for to seek   

And when they thither come were  
This knight him hath confessed there  
How falsely that he hath him bore  
whereof his worthy lord was lore   

though saiden some, be should die  
But yet they founden such a weigh  
That he shall not be deed in pierce  
And thus the skills been diverse  
By cause that he was coroned  
Of that the land was abandoned  
To him, all though it were unright  
There is no pain for him dight  
But to this point and to this end  
They grant well, that he shall wend  
with the romans to Rome again  
And thus accorded full and plain  
They quick body with the deed  
with leave take, forth they lead  
where that supplant hath his juice  
whereof that thou the might advise  
Upon this information  
Touchend of supplantation  
That thou my son do not so   

And for to take heed also  
what supplaunt doth in other half  
There is no man can find a salve  
plainly to belen such a sore  
It hath and shall been evermore  
when pride is with envy joint  
He suffereth no man in good point  
where that he may his honour let  
And thereupon if I shall set  
Ensample in holy church I find  
How that supplant is not behind  
God wot if that it now be so   

For in Cronycke of time a go  
I find a tale concordable  
Of supplant, which that is no fable  
In the manner as I shall tell  
So as whilom the things fell    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra istos in causa dignitatis adquirende supplantatores. Et narrat qualiter papa Bonifacins predecessorem suum Cefestinum a papatu contractata circumuencione fraudufenter supplantavit/ Sed qui potentes a fede deponit hunismo di supplanta cionis fraudem non sustinens, ipsum sic in sublime exaltatum postea in profundi carcerie mice ilam proici/ fame que siti cruciari, nec non et ab h●me bite gaduiis deforosa morte supplantari permifit.  

At Rome as it hath oft salle  
The vyker general of all  
Of 'em that leaven Cristes' faith  
His last day, which none with saith  
Hath shut, as to the worlds eye  
whose name, if I shall specify  
He height Pope Nycholas  
And thus when that he passed was  
The cardinal's, that wolden save  
The form of law in the conclave  
Gone for to cheese a new pope  
And after that they couth grope  
Hath each of 'em said his intent  
Till at last they assent  
Upon an holy clerk recluse  
which full was of ghostly vertuse   

His patience, and his simplesse  
Hath set him in to high noblesse  
Thus was he pope canonized  
with great honour, and intronysed  
And upon chance, as it is fall  
His name Celestyn men call  
which notified was by bull  
To holy church: and to the full  
In all lands magnified   

But every worship is envy  
And that was thilk time seen  
For when this pope, of whom I mean  
was chose, and other set be side   

A Cardinal was thilk tide  
which the papate hath long desired  
And thereupon greatly conspired  
But when be sigh fortune is failed  
For which long time he hath travailed  
That ilk fire, which Ethna brenneth  
Through out his woeful heart runneth  
which is resembled to envy  
whereof Supplaunt and treachery  
Engendered is. And nevertheless  
He feigneth love, he feigneth pes  
Outward he doth the reverence  
But all within his conscience  
Through false imagination  
He thought Supplantation  
And thereupon a wonder wile  
He wrought. For at thilk while  
It fell so, that of his lineage  
He had a Clergon young of age  
whom he hath in his chamber affaited   

This cardinal his time hath waited  
And with his words sly and quaint  
The which he couth wisely paint  
He shope this clerk, of which I tell  
Toward the Pope for to dwell  
So that within his chamber a night  
He lay: and was a privy wight  
Toward the Pope on nights tide  
May no man i'll, that shall be tied   

This cardinal, which thought guile  
Upon a day, when he hath while  
This young clerk unto him took  
And made him swear upon aboke  
And told him what his will was  
And forth with all a Trump of bras  
He hath him take, and bade him this  
Thou shalt he said, when time is  
Away to, and take right good keep  
when that the Pope is fast a sleep  
〈◊〉 that none other man be nigh  
And than that thou be so fly  
●●●●gh out the Trump in to his ere  
〈◊〉 as though a voice it were  
〈◊〉 twne of such prolation  
〈◊〉 he his meditation  
〈◊〉 may make, and understand  
A though it were of gods soude   

〈…〉 this wise thou shalt say  
〈…〉 do thilk estate away  
〈…〉 of which he stant honoured  
〈◊〉 had his soul be succoured  
〈◊〉 thelke worship at the last  
〈◊〉, which shall ever last  
¶ ●●is clerk, when he hath herd the form  
〈◊〉 he the pope should inform  
〈◊〉 of the Cardinal his leave  
〈◊〉 ●oth him home, till it was eve  
〈◊〉 p●yuely the trump he head  
〈◊〉 that the pope was a bed  
A●d at the midnight, when he knew  
The Pope slept, than he blewe  
within his Trump through the wall  
And told, in what manner he shall  
His papacy leave, and take  
His first estate. And thus awake  
This holy Pope he made thrice  
whereof divers fantasies  
Upon his great holiness  
within his heart he 'gan impress   

The pope full of Innocence  
conceiveth in his conscience  
That it is god's will, he cese  
But in what wise he may release  
His high estate, that wot he nought   

And thus within himself he thought  
He bore it still in his memory  
Till he came to the consistory  
And there in presence of 'em all  
He asketh: if it so befall  
That any Pope cease would  
how that the law it suffer should   

They setten all still, and herd  
was none, which to the point answered  
For to what purpose that it meant  
There was no man knew his intent  
But only he, which shop the guile   

This cardinal the same while  
All openly with words plain  
saith: if the Pope will ordain  
That there be such a law wrought  
Than might he cease, and else nought   

And as he said, done it was  
The pope anon upon the case  
Of his papal authority  
Hath made and yone the decree  
And when the law was confirmed  
In due form, and all affirmed  
This innocent, which was deceived  
His papacy anon hath waived  
Renounced and resigned eke  
That other was no thing to seek  
But underneath such a jape  
He hath so for himself shape  
That how as ever it him beseem  
The mitre, with the diadem  
He hath through supplementation  
And in his confirmation  
Upon the fortune of his grace  
His name was cleped Boniface   

Under the vizor of envy  
Lo thus was hid the treachery  
which hath beguiled many one  
But such counsel there may be none  
which treason, when it is conspired  
That it his like the spark fired  
Up in the roof, which for a throw  
lieth hid, till when the winds blow  
It blazeth out on every side   

This Boniface, which can nought hide  
The treachery of his supplant  
Hath openly made his avaunt  
How he the papacy hath won  
But thing which is with wrong begun  
May never stand well at end  
where pride shall the bow bend  
He sheteth full oft out of the weigh  
And thus the pope, of whom I say  
when that he stood on high the wheel  
He can not suffer himself be we'll  
Envy, which is loveless  
And pride, which is lawless  
with such tempests made him err  
That charity goth out of her  
So that upon misgovernance  
Against Lewis the king of France  
He took quarrel of his outrage  
And said, he should done homage  
Unto the church bodily   

But he that wist no thing why  
He should do so great service  
After the world in such a wise  
withstood the wrong of that demand  
For nought the Pope may command  
The king will not the pope obey   

This pope though by all weigh  
That he may work of violence  
Hath sent the bull of his sentence  
with cursing, and interdict   

The king upon this wrongful plight  
To keep his reign from servage  
counseled was of his baronage  
That might with might shall be with stand  
Thus was the cause take on hand  
And saiden, that the papacy  
They would honour and magnify  
In all that ever is spiritual  
But the ilk pride temporal  
Of Boniface in his person  
Ayene that ilk wrong alone  
They wolden stand in debate  
And thus the man, and nought the state  
The frenss he shopen by her might  
To grieve: And fell there was a knight  
Sire Guillam de Langaret  
which was upon this cause set  
And thereupon he took a rout  
Of men of arms, and road out  
So long, and in a w●yte he lay  
That he espied upon a day  
The pope was at Auygnon  
And should ride out of the town  
Unto Poursorge, the which is  
A castle in province of his   

Upon the weigh and as he road  
This knight, which hoved and abode  
Embuisshed upon horsbake  
All suddenlike upon him broke  
And hath him by the bridle seized  
And said: O thou, which hast diseased  
The court of France by thy wrong  
Thou shalt sing a new song  
Thine interdict, and thy sentence  
Again thine own conscience  
Here after thou shalt feel and grope   

we plain nought again the pope  
For thilk name is honourable  
But thou, which haste be deceivable  
And treacherous in all thy work  
Thou Boniface, thou proud clerk  
My sleder of the papacy  
Thy false body shall abye  
And suffer, that it hath deserved  
¶ Lo thus this supplantor was served  
For they him lad in to France  
And setten him to his penance  
within a tour in hard bonds  
where he for hunger both his hands  
Eat of: And died, god wot how  
Of whom the writing is yet now  
registered as a man may here  
which speaketh and saith in this manner  
¶ Thy entry like a fox was sly  
Thy reign also with pride on high  
was lyche the lion in his rage  
But at the last of thy passage  
Thy death was to the hounds like   

Such is the letter of his chronic  
Proclaimed in the court of Rome  
whereof the wise ensample nome  
And yet as farforth as I dare  
I read all other men beware  
And that they look well algate  
That none his own estate translate  
Of holy church in no degree  
By fraud ne subtlety   

For thilk honour which Aaron took  
Shall none receive, as saith the book  
But he beeleped, as he was   

what shall I thinken in this case  
Of that I here now a day?  
I not: but he which can and may  
By reason both and by nature  
The help of every man's cure  
He keep Simon fro the fold.    

¶ Nota de prophecia Ioachim abbatis.  
¶ For joachim, thilk abbot told  
How such days shulden fall  
That comonlyche in places all  
〈◊〉 chapman of such mercery  
●●to fraud, and with supplantary  
So many shulden by and sell  
〈◊〉 he ne may for shame tell  
〈◊〉 ●oule a sin in man's ere  
B●t god forbid, that it were  
〈◊〉 our days, that he saith  
〈◊〉 if the clerk be aware his faith  
〈◊〉 ●●●pin anhode at such a feyre  
●●●●●menaunt mote needs impair  
〈…〉 that to the world belongeth  
〈◊〉 when that holy church wrongeth  
〈◊〉 what other thing shall right  
〈◊〉 ●etheles at manes sight  
〈…〉 for to be preferred  
〈◊〉 conscience so differed  
That no man looketh to the vice  
which is the mother of malice  
A●d that is thilk falls envy  
which causeth many a treachery  
〈◊〉 where he may another see  
That is more gracious than he  
It shall not stonden in his might  
But if he hinder such a wight  
And that is well nigh over all  
This vice is now so general   

¶ Qualiter Ioab priceps milicie David invidie 〈◊〉 Abner subdole interfecit. Et qualiter etiam Achi●●fell ob hoc, quod Cusi in Consilio Absalon 〈◊〉 catu●, accensus invidia laqueo se suspendit.  

¶ Envy thilk unhap in drough  
when joab by deceit slough  
Abner, for dread he should be  
with king David such as was he   

And through envy also it fell  
Of thilk false Achitofelle  
For his counsell was not achieved  
But that he saw Cusy believed  
with Absalon, and him forsake  
He hang himself upon a stake  
¶ Senecke witnesseth openly  
How that envy properly  
Is of the court the common wench  
And halt tavern for to schence  
That drink, which maketh the heart brenne  
And doth the wit about run  
By every weigh to compass  
How that he might all other pass  
As he which through unkyndshyp  
envieth every felauship  
So that thou might well know & see  
There is no vice such as he   

first toward god abominable  
And to mankind unprofitable   

And that by words but a few  
I shall by reason prove and show.   
Inuidie stimulus sine causa ledit abortus,  
Nam sine temptante crimine crimen habet.  
Non est huius opus temptare Cupidims archun,  
Dumque facies Veneris Ethnica flamma vo●a●,  
Absque rubore gene pallor quas fuscus obūb●at,  
Frigida naturae cetera membra docent.   

¶ Hic deseribit Confessor naturam invidie iam in amore quam aliter secundum proprietatem vicum.  

Gnuye if that I shall describe  
He is not shapely for to wife  
In earth among the women here  
For there is in him no matter  
whereof he might do pleasance   

first for his heavy countenance  
Of that he seemeth ever ungladde  
He is not able to be bad  
And eke he brenneth so within  
That kind may no profit win  
whereof he should his love please  
For thilk blood, which should have case  
To regne among the moist veins  
Is dry of thilk unkyndely pains  
Through which envy is fired ay   

And this by reason prove I may  
That toward love Envy eye nought  
And other wise if it besought  
Upon what side as ever it fall  
It is the wert vice of all  
which of himself hath most malice  
For understand that every vice  
Some cause hath, whereof it groweth  
But of envy no man knoweth  
From whence he came, but out of hell   

For thus the wise clerks tell  
That no sprite but of malice  
By weigh of kind upon a vice  
Is tempted, and by such a way  
Envy hath kind put a way  
And of malice hath his stirring  
whereof he maketh his bakbytinge  
And is himself thereof diseased  
So may there be no kind pleased  
For ay the more that he envieth  
The more again himself he plyeth  
Thus stant Envy in good espeyre  
To been himself the devils heir  
As he which is the next lyche  
And forthest from the heaven rich  
For there may he never won  
¶ For thy my good dear son  
If thou wilt find a siker weigh  
To love: put envy away  
¶ mine holy father reason would  
That I this vice eschew should   

But yet to strength my courage  
If that ye would in advantage  
Thereof set a recover  
It were to me a great desire  
That I this vice might flee  
¶ Now understand my son, & see  
There is physic for the seek  
And virtues for the vices eke  
who that the vices would eschew  
He mote by reason than sew  
The virtues. For by thilk weigh  
He may the vices done away  
For they together may not dwell  
For as the water of the well  
Of fire abateth the malice  
Right so virtue fordoth the vice   

Ayene Envy is charity  
which is the mother of pity  
That maketh a man's heart tender  
That it may no malice engender  
In him, that is inclined thereto  
For his courage is tempered so  
That though he might himself relieve  
yet would he not another grieve  
But rather for to do pleasance  
He beareth himself the grievance  
So fain he would another ease  
whereof my son for thine ease  
Now hearken a tale, which I read  
And understand it well I read.    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum de vertute Chatitatis contra invidiam/ Et narrat de Constantino Esene filio, qui cum Imperu Romani dignitaiem obtenuerat, a morbo leper infectus medici pro sanitate recuperanda ipsum in sanguine puerororum masculo rum balneare proposuer●t, sed cum innumera multitudo matrum cum fu●●e huiusmodi medicina causa in circuitu palac●i affuisset/ Imperator que eorum gemitus & elamores percepisset, charitate motus ingemiscens sic a● O vere eft ipse dominus, qui se facit servum pietatis. Et his dictis statum suum cunctipote●●s medele committens, sui ipsius mordum ●acius quam infancium mortem benignius elegit, unde ipse qui antea paganus et leprosus extiterat, ex unda baptismatis tenatus utrinusque materie tant corporis quam anime divino miraculo consecutus est salutem.  

Among the books of latin  
I find it writ of Constantyne  
The worthy emperor of Rome  
Such infortunes to him come   

when he was in his lusty age  
The leper caught in his visage  
And so forth over all about  
That he ne might riden out  
So left he both shield and spear  
As he that might him not bestere  
And held him in his chamber close  
Through all the world the fame arose   

The great clerks were assent  
And come at his commandment  
To tret upon this lords he'll  
So long they together deal  
That they upon this medicine  
Appoynten him, and determine  
That in the manner as it stood  
They would him bathe in child's blood  
within seven winter age  
For as they say, that should assuage  
The leper, and all the violence  
which that they know of accidence  
And not by weigh of kind is fall  
And thereto they accordene all  
As for final conclusion  
And tolden her opinion  
To th'emperor: And he an one  
His counsel took, and thereupon  
with letters, and with seals out  
They send in every land about  
The young children for to seche  
whose blood, they said, should be leech  
For th'emperors malady   

There was enough to weep and cry  
Among the moders, when they heard  
How woefully this cause fir  
But nevertheless they mote how  
And thus women there come enough  
with children soukend on the teat  
Th●● were many tears let   

But were 'em life, or were 'em loath  
The women and the thyldrens both  
Into the palace forth he brought  
with many a sorry hearts thought  
〈◊〉 hem which of her body bore  
The children had: and so forlore  
〈◊〉 a while should see  
〈◊〉 moders weep in her degree  
And many of 'em a swoon fall   

The young babies crieden all  
This noise arose, this lord it heard  
And looked out, and how it feared  
He saw: and as who said abraid  
O●●e of his sleep, and thus he said.   

O thou divine purveyance  
which every man in the balance  
Of kind hast form to be lyche  
The poor is boar as is the rich  
And dieth in the same wise   

Upon the fool upon the wise  
sickness and bele enter common  
May none eschew that fortune  
which kind hath in her law set  
Her strength and beauty been beset  
To every man a lyche free  
That she preferreth no degree  
As in the disposition  
Of bodily complexion   

And eke of soul reasonable  
The poor child is boar as able  
To virtue, as the kings son  
For every man his own won  
After the lusts of his assay  
The vice or virtue cheese may  
Thus stand all men fraunchysed  
But in estate they been devised  
To some worship and richesse  
To some poverty and distress  
One lordeth, an other serveth  
But yet as every man deserveth  
The world giveth not his yefts here   

But certes he hath great matter  
To be of good condition  
which hath in his subjection  
The men, that been of his semblance   

And eke he took his remembrance  
How he that made law of kind  
would every man to law bind  
And bad a man, such as he would  
Toward himself, right such he should  
Toward an other done also  
¶ And thus this worthy lord as though  
Set in balance his own estate  
And with himself stood in debate  
And thought how it was not good  
To see so mochel man's blood  
Be spylte, by cause of him alone   

He saw also the great moan  
Of that the mother were ungladde  
And of the woe the children made  
whereof that his heart tendereth  
And such pity within engendereth  
That him was liefer for to cheese  
His own body for to lose  
Than see so great a murder wrought  
Upon the blood, which gilteth nought   

This for the pity, which he took  
All other leches he forsook  
And put him out of adventure  
Allonly to god's cure  
And saith, who that will master be  
He moat be servant to pite  
So farforth he was overcome  
with charity, that he hath nome  
His counsel, and his officers  
And bad unto his treasurers  
That they his treasure all about  
Depart among the poor rout  
Of women, and of children both  
whereof they might hem feed and cloth  
And safely tournen home again  
without loss of any greyne   

Through charity thus he dispendeth  
His good, whereof he amendeth  
The poor people, and countrevayleth  
The harm, that he hem so travaileth   

And thus the woeful nights sorrow  
To joy is turned on the morrow   

All was thanking, all was blessing  
which erst was weeping and cursing   

These women gone home glad enough  
Echone for joy on other lough  
And prayed for this lords hele  
which hath released the quarrel  
And hath his own will forsake  
In charity for god's sake   

But now hereafter thou shalt hear  
what god hath wrought in this matter  
As he that doth all equity  
To him that wrought charity  
He was ayenewarde charitous  
And to pite he was piteous  
For it was never know yet  
That charity goeth unaquyt   

The night when he was laid to sleep  
The high god, which would him keep  
Saint Peter & saint Poule him send  
By whom he would his leper amend  
They two to him slepende appear  
from god, and said in this manner:   

O Constantyn for thou hast served  
pity, thou hast pite deserved  
For thy thou shalt such pite have  
That god through pite will the save  
Thou shalt so double he'll find  
first for thy bodelyche kind  
And for thy woeful soul also  
Thou shalt be hole of both two  
And for thou shalt not the despair  
Thy leper shall no more impair  
Till thou wilt send thereupon  
Unto the mount of Celyon  
where Sylvester and his clergy  
To guider dwellen in company  
For dread of thee, which many a day  
Hast been a so to Christ's lay  
And hast destroyed, to mochel shame  
The prechours of his holy name  
But now thou hast somedeal appeased  
Thy god, and with good deed pleased  
That thou thy pity haste bewared  
Upon the blood, which thou hast spared  
For thy to thy salvation  
Thou shalt have information  
such as Sylvester shall the teach  
The needeth of none other leche   

This Emperor, which all this herd  
Grant mercy lord he answered  
I will do so as ye me say  
But of one thing I would pray  
what shall I tell unto Sylvester  
Of your name or of your ester?   

And they him told what they height  
And forth with all out of his sight  
They passen up in to the heaven  
And be awoke out of his sweven  
And clepeth, and men come anon  
And told his dream: and thereupon  
In such a wise as he him telleth  
The mount, where Sylvester dwelleth  
They have in all haste sought  
And founden he was, & with hem brought  
To th'emperor, which to him told  
His sweven, and else what he would   

And when Silvester hath herd the king  
He was right joyful of this thing  
And him began with all his wit  
To techen upon holy writ   

first how mankind was forlese  
And how the high god therefore  
His son send from above  
which borne was for man's love   

And after of his own choice  
He took his death upon the croys   

And how in grave he was beloke  
And how that he hath hell broke  
And took 'em out, that were him leave  
And for to make us full believe  
That he was very god's son  
Ayene the kind of man's won  
Frodeth he rose the third day  
And when he would, as he well may  
He styghe up to his father even  
with flesh and bloudin to the heaven   

And right so in the same form  
In flesh and blood he shall reform  
when time cometh, the quick & deed  
At thilk woeful day of dread  
where every man shall take his doom  
As well the master as the groom   

The mighty kings retinue  
That day may stand of no value  
with worldly strength to defend  
For every man might than intend  
To stand upon his own deeds  
And ●●ue all other men's needs   

That day may no counsel avail  
The pi●dour and the plea shall fail  
〈◊〉 ●entence of that ilk day  
〈◊〉 none appeal set in delay  
●●ere may no gold the judge ply  
●●at been shall the sooth try  
〈◊〉 setten every man upright  
As well the plough man as the knight   

The l●nde man, the great clerk  
Shall stand upon his own work  
〈◊〉 such as he is found though  
S●che shall he be for evermore  
There may no pain be released  
There may no joy been increased  
〈◊〉 endless as they have do  
He shall receive one of two  
¶ Thus Syluestre with his saw  
The ground of all the new law  
with great devotion he preacheth  
F●● point to point and plainly teacheth  
Unto this heathen emperor  
And saith: the high creator  
Hath undersonge his charity  
Of that he wrought such pite  
when he the children had on hand   

Thus when this lord hath understand  
Of all this thing how that it feared  
Unto Syluestre he than answered  
with all his whole heart, and saith  
That he is ready to the faith  
And so the vessel, which for blood  
was made, Syluestre, there it stood  
with clean water of the well  
In all haste he let do fell  
And set Constantyne therein  
All naked up to the chin  
And in the while it was begun  
A light, as though it were a son  
from heaven in to the place come  
where that he took his christendom  
And ever among the holy tales  
Like as they weren fishes scales  
They fellen from him now and eft  
Till that there was nothing belefte  
Of all this great malady  
For he that would him purify  
The high god hath made him clean  
So that there left nothing seen   

He hath him cleansed both two  
The body and the soul also   

though knew this emperor in deed  
That Christ's faith was for to dread  
And send anon his letters out  
And let do cryen all about  
Upon pain of death, that no man waive  
That he baptism ne receive  
After his mother queen Eleyne  
He send, and so between him twain  
They treaten, that the city all  
was christened, and she forth with all   

This emperor, which hele hath found  
within Rome anon let found  
Two churches, which he did make  
For Peter and for Paul's sake  
Of whom he had a vision  
And give thereto possession  
Of lordship, and of worlds good  
But how so that his will was good  
Toward the Pope and his franchise  
yet hath it proved otherwise  
To see the working of the deed  
For in cronic thus I read  
Anon as he hath made the yeft  
A voycee was herd on high the left  
Of which all Rome was adread  
And said, this day venom is shed  
In holy church of temporal  
which meddleth with the spiritual  
And how it stant of that degree  
yet may a man the sooth se  
God may amend it, when he will  
I can thereto none other skill  
But for to go there I began  
How charity may help a man  
To both worlds, I have said  
And if thou have an ear laid  
My son thou might understand  
If charity be take on hand  
There followeth after much grace  
For thy if that thou wilt purchase  
How that thou might envy flee  
Acqueynt the with charity  
which is the virtue sovereign  
¶ My father I shall do my pain  
For this ensample which ye told  
with all mine heart I have withhold  
So that I shall for evermore  
Eschew envy well the more   

And that I have or this misdo  
give me my penance or I go  
And over that to my matter  
Of shrift, while ye sitten here  
In privity between us fifty  
Now ask, what there is I pray   

Confessor.  

¶ My good son, and for thy lore  
I will the tell, what is more  
So that thou shalt the vices know  
For when they be to the full know  
Thou might hem well the better eschew  
And for this cause I think few  
The form both and the matter  
As now sewende thou shalt hear  
which vice stant next after this   

And when thou wost, how that it is  
As thou shalt bear my devise  
Thou might thyself better advice.     
Explicit liber secundus.   

¶ Hic in tercio libro tractat super quinque speciebus ire, quarum prima melancolia dicitur/ cuinvitium Confessor primo describens amati/ super codem consequenter opponit.  
¶ Incipit liber tertius.  

Ira suis paribus est par furijs Acherontis,  
Quo furor ad tempus nil pietatis haber,  
Ira melancolicos animos perturbat, ut équo  
jure sui pondus nulla s●atéra tenet.  
Omnibus in causis gravat ira inter amantes  
Illa magis facili sort gravamen agit.  
Est ubi vir discors leviterque repugnat amori,  
Saepe loco ludi fletus ad ora venit.   

IF thou the vices list to know  
My son it hath not be unknown  
From first that men their swords ground  
That there nis none upon this ground  
A vice foreign fro the law  
whereof that many a good fellow  
Hath be distraught by sudden chance  
And yet to kind no pleasance  
It doth: but where he most achieveth  
His purpose most to kind he grieveth  
As he, which out of conscience  
Is enemy unto patience  
And is by name one of the seven  
which oft hath set the world uneven  
And cleped is the cruel ire  
whose heart is evermore on fire  
To speak amiss, and to do both  
For his servants been ever wroth  
¶ My good father tell me this  
what thing is ire? Son it is  
That in our english wrath is hot  
which hath his words ay so hot  
That all a man's patience  
Is fired of the violence  
For he with him hath ever five  
Servants, that helpen him to strive   

The first of 'em melancholy  
Is cleped, which in company  
An honderde times in an hour  
will as an angry beast sour  
And no man wot the cause why   

My son shrive the now for thy  
Hast thou be melancholyen?  
¶ My father ye by saint Iulyen  
But I untrue words use  
I may me not thereof excuse  
And all maketh love well I wot  
Of which mine heart is ever hot  
So that I burn as doth a gleed  
For wrath, that I may not speed  
And thus full oft a day for nought  
(safe onlyche of mine own thought)  
I am so with my seluen wroth  
That how so that the game goth  
with other men I am not glad  
But I am well the more ungladde  
For that is other men's game  
It turneth me to pure grame  
Thus am I with myself oppressed  
Of thought, which I have impressed  
That all waking I dream and meet  
That I alone with her meet  
And pray her of some good answer  
But for she would not gladly swear  
She saith me nay withouten oath  
And thus wax I within wroth  
That outward I am all afraid  
And so distempered, and so esmayed   

A thousand times on a day  
There soundeth in mine ears nay  
The which she said me tofore  
Thus be my wits all forlore  
〈◊〉 ●●●nely when I begin  
●●●cken with myself within  
How many years been agone  
〈◊〉 I have truly loved one  
And never took of her other heed  
And ever a lyche for to speed   

〈…〉 the more I with her deal  
〈◊〉 that my hap, and all my heal  
〈◊〉 thinketh is ay the longer the far  
〈…〉 ●●●ngeth my gladship out of err  
〈◊〉 of my wits been impaired  
And I, as who saith, all dispcired  
For ●●●tly when that I muse  
And think, how she will me refuse  
I am with anger so bestead  
〈◊〉 this world might I be glad  
〈◊〉 for the while that it lasteth  
〈◊〉 so down my joy it casteth  
And by the further that I be  
(when I ne may my lady see)  
The more I am ready to wrath  
That for the touching of a lath  
Or for the turning of a stre  
I wood as doth the wild see  
And ●m so melancholious  
That there nies servant in mine house  
Ne none of tho, that be about  
That each of 'em ne stant in doubt  
And wenen, that I should rave  
For anger, that they see me have  
And so they wonder more and lass  
That they seen it overpass   

But father, if it so betide  
That I approach at any tide  
The place, where my lady is  
And than her liketh ywys  
To speak a goodly word unto me  
For all the gold that is in Rome  
Ne couth I after that be wroth  
But all mine anger over goeth  
So glad I am of the presence  
Of her, that I all offence  
Foryete, as though it were nought  
So over glad is my thought   

And nevertheless, the sooth to tell  
Ayenewarde if it so befell  
That I at thilk time sye  
On me, that she my seaste her eye  
Or that she list not look  
And I thereof good heed took  
Anon into my first estate  
I turn, and am with that also mate  
That ever it is a lyche wycke  
And thus mine hand again the prick  
I hurt, and have done many a day  
And go so forth as I go may  
Full oft biting on my lip  
And make unto myself a whip  
with which in many a chele and heat  
My woeful heart is so to beat  
That all my wits been unsoft  
And I am wroth, I not how oft  
And all it is melancholy  
which groweth on the fantasy  
Of love, that me will not lout  
So bear I forth an angry snout  
full many times in a year   

But father now ye sitten here  
In loves stead, I you beseech  
That some ensample ye me teach  
whereof I may myself appease   


Confessor,  
¶ My son for thine hearts ease  
I shall fulfil thy prayer  
So that thou might the better lere  
what mischief that this vice steereth  
which in his anger nought forbeareth  
whereof that after him forethinketh  
when he is sober, and that he thinketh  
Upon the folly of his deed  
And of this point a tale I read.    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra istos/ qui cum vires amoris non sunt realiter experti contra alios amantes melancolica severitate ad it acnndian vindict provocantur, Et narrat qualiter rex ●olus filium nomine Machareum et filiam nomine Canacem habuit/ qui cum ab infantia usque pubertaiem invicem fuerant educati, Cupido tandem cum ignito iaculo amborum cordis desideria amorose penetravit/ ita ꝙ natura Canacis cooperant a fratre suo inpregnata par turit, super quo pater intollerabilem inventutis concupiscentiam ignorans/ nimiaque furoris melancolia preventus/ dictam filiam cum partu delorisissimo casu interfeci dividicavit.  

¶ There was a king, which Aeolus  
was hot: and it befell him thus  
That he two children had fair  
The son cleped was Machayre  
The daughter eke Canace height  
By day both and eke by night   

while they be young of common won  
In chamber they together won  
And as they shoulden played 'em oft  
Till they be grown up aloft  
In the youth of lusty age  
when kind assaileth the courage  
with love, and doth him for to bow  
That he no reason can allow  
But halt the laws of nature  
For whom that love hath under cure  
As he is blind himself, right so  
He maketh his client blind also  
In such manner, as I you tell  
As they all day together dwell  
This brother might it not asterte  
That he with all his hole heart  
His love upon his sister cast  
And so it fell hem at the last  
That this Machayre with Canace  
when they were in a privy place  
Cupyde ba● hem first to kiss  
And after she, which is maystrysse  
In kind, and teacheth every life  
without law positife  
Of which she taketh no manner charge  
But keepeth her laws all at large  
Nature took 'em in to lore  
And taught 'em so, that overmore  
She hath 'em in such a wise daunted  
That they were, as who saith, enchanted  
And as the blind an other leadeth  
And till they fall nothing dreadeth  
Right so they had none in sight  
But as a bird, which will a light  
And seethe the meat, and not the net  
which in deceit of him is set  
These young folk no peril sye  
But all was liking in her eye  
In that they fell upon the chance  
where wit hath lore his remembrance  
So long they together assemble  
The womb arose, & she 'gan to tremble  
And held her in her chamber close  
For dread it should be disclose  
And come unto her father's care  
whereof the son had also fere  
And feigneth cause for to ride  
For long durst he not abide  
In aunter if men will say  
That he his sister hath forleyne  
For yet she had it not be know  
whose was the child at thilk throw   

Machayre goth, Canace abyt  
The which was not delivered yet  
But right soon after that, she was  
¶ Now list and hearken a woeful case  
The sooth, which may not been hid  
was at last know and kid  
Unto the king, how that it stood  
And when that he it understood  
Anon into melancholy  
As though it were a frenzy  
He fell, as he which nothing couth  
How maysterfull Love is in youth  
And for he was to love strange  
He would not his heart change  
To be benign and favourable  
To Love, but unmerciable  
Between the wawe of wood and wroth  
In to his daughters chamber he goeth  
And sye the child was late bore  
whereof he hath his oath swore  
That she it shall full sore abye  
And she began mercy to cry  
Upon her bare knees, and prayed  
And to her father thus she said   

Have mercy father, think I am  
Thy child, and of thy blood I came  
That I misdeed, youth it made  
And in the bloods bade me wade  
where that I saw no peril though  
But now it is befall so  
Mercy my father, do no wretch   

And with that word she lost speech  
And fell down swooned at his foot  
As she for sorrow needs more   

But his horrible cruelty  
That might attempt no pity  
Out of her chamber forth he went  
All full of wrath in his intent  
And took the counsel in his heart  
That she shall not the death asterte  
And he, which is melancolyen  
Of patience hath not lain  
whereof he may his wrath restrain  
And in this wild wood pain  
when all his reason was untame  
A knight he cleped by his name  
And took him, as by weigh of sand  
A naked sword, to bear on hand  
And said him, that he should go  
And tell unto his daughter so  
In the manner as he him bade  
How she that sharp swords blade  
receive should, and do withal  
So that she wot where to she shall   

Forth in message goth this knight  
Unto this woeful young wight  
This sharp sword to her he took  
whereof that all her body quoke  
For well she wist what it meant  
And that it was to thilk intent  
That she her seluen should slay  
And to the knight she said ye  
Now that I wot my father's will  
That I shall in this wise spill  
I will obey me thereto  
And as he will it shall be do  
But now this thing may be none other  
I will a letter unto my brother  
So as my feeble hand may write  
with all my woeful heart indite   

She took a pen on hand though  
from point to point and all the woe  
As farforth as herself it wot  
Unto her deadly friend she wrote  
And told how that her father's grace  
She might for nothing purchase   

And over that as thou shalt here  
She wrote and said in this manner  
¶ O thou my sorrow, and my gladness  
O thou my hele, and my sickness  
O thou my wanhope, and my trust  
O thou my disease, and all my lust  
O thou my we'll, O thou my woe  
O thou my friend, O thou my foe  
O thou my love, O thou my hate  
For the mote I be dead algate  
Thilk end may I not asterte  
And yet with all mine whole heart  
while that there lasteth me any breath  
I will the love unto my death   

But of o thing I shall the prey  
If that my little son die  
Let him be buried in my grave  
Beside me, so shalt thou have  
Upon us both remembrance  
For thus it standeth of my grievance  
Now at this time, as thou shalt wit  
with tears, and with ink write  
This letter I have in cares cold   

In my right hand my pen I hold  
And in my left my sword I keep  
And in my barm there lieth to weep  
Thy child & mine, which sobbeth fast  
Now am I come unto my last  
Fare well: for I shall soon die  
And think how I thy love abye   

The pommel of the sword to ground  
She set: and with the point a wound  
Through out her heart anon she made  
And forth with all pale and fade  
She fell down deed fro there she stood  
The child lay bathende in her blood  
Out rolled from the mother barm  
And for the blood was boat & warm  
He basketh him about therein  
There was no boat for to win  
For which he can no pity know   

The king came in the same throw  
And saw how that his daughter died  
And how this baby all bloody cried  
But all that might him not suffice  
That he ne bad to do juice  
Upon the child, and bear him out  
And seche in the forest about  
Some wild place that it were  
To cast him out of hand there  
So that some best him may devour  
where as no man him shall socure   

All that he bad was done in deed  
A who hard ever sing or read  
Of such a thing, as though was do  
But he, which lad his wrath so  
Hath know of love but a light  
But for all that he was to wite  
Through his sudden melancholy  
To do so great a felony.  
¶ For thy my son, how so it stand  
By this case thou might understand  
That if thou ever in cause of love  
Shalt dame, and thou be so above  
That thou might lead it at thy will  
Let never through thy wrath spill  
which every kind should save   

For it sit every man to have  
Reward to love and to his might  
Against whose strength may no wight   

And sith an heart is so strained  
The reddour ought to be restrained  
To him that may bet away  
when he mote to nature obey  
For it is said thus overall  
That needs more, that needs shall  
Of that a life doth after kind  
whereof he may no boat find  
what thing nature hath set in law  
There may no man's might withdraw  
And who that worcheth there again  
Full oft time it hath be sayen  
There hath befall great vengeance  
whereof I find a remembrance.    

¶ Hic narrat qualiter Tiresias in quodam monte duos serppentes invenit pariter commiscentes quos cum virga percussit, Irati dil ob hoc, & naturam impedivit, ipsum contra naturam a forma virili immuliebrem transmutarunt.  

¶ ovid after the time though  
Told an ensample, and said so  
How that whilom Tiresyas  
As he walkend goth  
Upon an high mounteyne, he sigh  
Two serpents in his wey● nigh  
And they so, as nature hem taught  
Assembled were, and he tho caught  
A yard, which he bore on hand  
And thought, that he would fond  
To let 'em, and smote 'em both  
whereof the god's weren wroth  
And for he hath destourbed kind  
And was so to nature unkind  
Vnkyndelyche he was transformed  
That he, which erst a man was form  
In to a woman was forshape  
That was to him an angry jape  
But for that he with anger wrought  
His anger angerlyche he bought   

Confessor.  

¶ Lo thus my son ovid hath write  
whereof thou might by reason wite  
More is a man than such a best  
So might it never been honest  
A man to wrathen him to sore  
Of that another doth the lore  
Of kind, in which is no malice  
But only that it is a vice  
And though a man be reasonable  
yet after kind he is movable  
To love, where he will or none  
Think thou my son thereupon  
And do melancholy away  
For love hath ever his lust to play  
As he which would no life grieve.    

Amans.  
¶ My father that I may well leave  
All that ye tell, it is skill  
Let every man love, as he will  
Be so it be not my lady  
For I shall not be wroth there by  
But that I wrath and fare amiss  
Alone upon myself it is  
That I with both love and kind  
I am so bestead, that I can find  
No weigh, how I it may asterte  
which stant upon mine own heart  
And toucheth to none or her life  
Sauf only to that sweet wife  
For whom, but if it be amended  
My glad days been dispended  
That I myself shall not forbear  
The wrath, which I now bear  
For thereof is none other lyche  
Now asketh forth I you beseech  
Of wrath, if there ought else is  
whereof to shrive. Son yis  
〈…〉 litem, que linguae frena resoluens,  
〈…〉 infames currit ubique vias.  
〈…〉 mitrix quos educat ista loquaces,  
〈…〉 a latere linquit habere vagos  
〈…〉 agens tacit no qui celet ore,  
〈…〉 ●●ptan carpit amoris iter.    

〈…〉 super secunda specie ire 〈…〉 ex cuius conturelus innumerosa 〈…〉 tam in amoris causa quni aliter 〈…〉 sepissime exorta est.  

OF wrath the second is chest  
which hath the winds of tempest  
To keep, and many a sudden blast  
He bloweth, whereof been aghast  
〈◊〉 ●hat desyren pes and rest  
H● is that ilk ungodly este  
〈◊〉 many a lusty love hath twynned  
〈◊〉 heareth ever his mouth unpinned  
〈◊〉 ●hat his lips been unloke  
And his courage is all to broke  
That every thing, which he can tell  
It springeth up as doth a well  
w●●che may no man of his streams hide  
B●● runneth out on every side  
S● boylen up the foul saws  
That chest wot of his fellows  
For as a sieve keepeth Ale  
R●ght so can chest keep a tale  
All that he wot, he will disclose  
And speak ere any man oppose   

As a city without wall  
where men may gone out overalle  
withouten any resistance  
So with his crooked eloquence  
He speaketh all, that he wot with in  
whereof men lose more than win  
For often time of his chydinge  
He bringeth to house such tiding  
That maketh were at beds bede  
He is the leveyn of the breed  
which soureth all the past about  
Men ought well such one to doubt  
For ever his bow is ready bent  
And whom he hit, I tell him shent  
If he may pierce him with his tongue  
And eke so loud his bell is rung  
That of the noise, and of the son  
Men ferens him in all the town  
well more than they done of thunder  
For that is cause of more wonder  
For with the winds which he bloweth  
Full oft sith he over throweth  
The cities, and the policy  
That I have heard the people cry  
And eachone said in his degree   

Ha wick tongue woe thou be  
For men say, that the hard bone  
All though himself have none  
A tongue breaketh it all to pieces  
He hath so many sundry spices  
Of vice, that I may not well  
Descrive 'em by a thousand deal   

But when that he to chest falleth  
Full many a wonder thing befalleth  
For he ne can no thing forbear   

Now tell my son thine answer  
If it hath ever so betide  
That thou at any time hast chid  
Toward thy love. father nay  
Such chest yet unto this day  
Ne made I never, god forbid  
For ere I sing such a creed  
I had liefer to be lewd  
For than were I all beshrewed  
And worthy to be put a back  
with all the sorrow upon my back  
That any man ordain couth  
But I spoke never yet by mouth  
That unto chest might touch  
And that I durst right well vouch  
Upon herself, as for witness  
For I wot of her gentleness  
That she me would well excuse  
That I no such things use  
And if it should so betide  
That I algates must chide  
It might not be to my love  
For so yet never was I above  
For all this wide world to win  
That I durst any word begin  
By which she might have be amoved  
And I of chest also reproved  
But rather if it might her like  
The best words would I pike  
which I couth in mine heart cheese  
And serve 'em forth in stead of cheese  
For that is helpelyche to defy  
And I would so my words ply  
That myghten wrath and chest avail  
with telling of my soft tale  
Thus dare I make a forward  
That never unto my lady ward  
yet spoke I word in such a wise  
whereof that chest should arise  
Thus say I not, that I full oft  
Ne have, when I spoke most soft  
Parca's said more than enough  
But so well halt no man the plough  
That he ne balketh other while  
Ne so well can no man affyle  
His tongue, that sometime in rape  
Him may some light word overscape  
And yet ne meaneth he no chest   

But that I have again her best  
Full oft spoke, I am beknow  
And how my will is that ye know  
For when my time cometh about  
That I dare speak, and say all out  
My long love, of which she wots  
That ever in one alike hot  
Me grieveth: than all my disease  
I tell: and though it her displease  
I speak it forth, and nought ne leave  
And though it be beside her leave  
I hope and trow nevertheless  
That I do not again the pes  
For though I tell her all my thought  
She wots well, that I chide nought   

Men may the high god beseech  
And he will here a man's speech  
And he not wroth of that he saith  
So giveth it me the more faith  
And maketh me hardy sooth to say  
That I dare well the better prey  
My lady, which a woman is  
For though I tell her that ere is  
Of love, which me grieveth sore  
Her ought not be wroth the more  
For I without noise or cry  
My plaint make all buxomly  
To putten all wrath away  
Thus dare I say unto this day  
Of chest, in earnest or in game  
My lady shall me no thing blame  
But oft time it bath betide  
That with my seluen I have chid  
That no man couth better chide  
And that hath been at every tide  
when I came to myself alone  
For than I made a privy moan  
And every tale by and by  
which as I spoke to my lady  
I think and poise in my balance  
And draw in to my remembrance  
And than, if that I find a lack  
Of any word, that I my spoke  
which was to much in any wise  
Anon my wits I despise  
And make a chiding in mine heart  
That any word me should asterte  
which as I should have holden in  
And soforth after I begin  
And look if there was else aught  
To speak, and I ne spoke it nought  
And than if I may seche and find  
That any word be left behind  
which as I should more have spoke  
I would upon myself be wroke  
And chide with myself so  
That all my wit is over go   

For no man may his time lore  
Recover: and thus I am therfoe  
So over wroth in all my thought  
That I myself chide all to nought  
That for to moche, or for to light  
Full oft I am myself to wit  
But all that may me not avail  
with chest though I me travail  
But owl on stoke, and stoke on owl  
The more that a man defoul  
Men wot well which hath the wrose  
And so to me nis worth a kerse  
But turneth unto mine own heed  
Though I tell, that I were deed  
would ever chide in such a wise  
Of love, as I to you devise  
¶ But father now ye have all herd  
In this manner how I have fir  
Of chest, and of dissension  
give me your absolution   

Confessor.  
¶ My son if that thou wystest all  
what chest doth in special  
To love, and to his welwyllinge  
Thou wouldest fleen his knowlegeing  
For who that most can speak fair  
And learn to be debonair  
Is most acordende unto love  
Fair speech hath oft brought above  
Full many a man, as it is know  
which else should have been right low  
And failed much of his will  
For thy hold thy tongue still  
And let thy wit thy will rest  
So that thou fall not in chest  
which is the sours of great distance  
And take in to remembrance  
If thou might get patience  
which is the leech of all offence  
As tell us the old wise    

¶ Paciencia est vindicta omnium iniuriarum.  

For when nought else may suffice  
By strength, ne by man's wit  
Than patience it over sit  
And over cometh at last   

But he may never long last  
which will not bow ere that he break  
Take heed son of that I speak   

Amans.  

¶ My father of your goodly speech  
And of the wit, which ye me teach  
I thank you with all mine heart  
For that word shall me never astart  
That I ne shall your words hold  
Of patience, as ye me told  
Als farforth as mine heart thinketh  
And of my wrath it me forethinketh   

But father if ye forth with all  
Some good ensample, in special  
Me wolden teach of some chronic  
It should well mine heart like  
Of patience for to here  
So that I might in my matter  
The more unto my love obey  
And putten my disease away     

¶ Hic ponit Confessor Exemplum de paciencia in amore contra lites habenda, Et narrat qualiter Vxor Socratis ipsum quodam die musty sermonibus litigavit, Sed cum ipse absque ulla responsione omnia probra pacienter sustulit/ indignata Vxor quandam ydriam plenam aque/ quam in manu tenebat, super caput viri sui subito effudit, dicens: Euigila et loquere/ qui respondens tunc ait. O vere iam scio/ et expertus sum, quod post ventorum rabiem sequuntur imbres. Et isto modo litis contumeliam sua paciencia devicit.  

Confessor.  

My son a man to buy hympes  
Behoveth suffer as Socrates'  
Ensample left, which is write  
And for thou shalt the sooth wite  
Of this ensample, what I mean  
All though it be now little seen  
Among the men thilk evidence  
Yet he was upon patience  
So set, that he himself assay  
In thing, which might him most mispay  
Desireth, and a wicked wife  
He weddeth, which in sorrow and strife  
against his ease was contrary  
But he spoke ever soft and fair  
Till it befell, as it is told  
In winter, when the day is cold  
This wife was fro the well come  
where that a pot with water nome  
She hath, and brought it in to house  
And saw how that her silly spouse  
was set, and looked on a book  
Nigh to the fire, as he which took  
His ease, as for a man of age  
And she began the wood rage  
And asketh him, what devil he thought  
And bore on hand, that him ne wrought  
what labour that she took on hand  
And saith, that such an husband  
was to a wife not worth a stre   

He said neither nay ne ye  
But held him still, and let her chide  
And she, which may herself not hide  
Began within for to sweet  
And that she brought in fro the well  
The water pot she hent a loft  
And bad him speak, and he all soft  
Sat still, and nought a word answered   

And she was wroth, that he so fir  
And asketh him, if he be deed  
And all the water on his heed  
She poured out, and bade him a wake  
But he, which will not forsake  
His patience, than spoke  
And said, how that he fond no lake  
In no thing which she had do  
For it was winter time tho  
And winter, as by weigh of kind  
which stormy is, as men it find  
first maketh the winds for to blow  
And after that within a throw  
He raineth, and the water gates  
Vndoth, and thus my wife algates  
which is with reason well beseyn  
Hath made me both wind and rein  
After the season of the year   

And than he set him ner the fire  
And as he might his clothes dried  
That he no more o word ne said  
whereof he got him somedeal rest  
For that him thought was for the best  
¶ I not if thilk ensample yet  
Acordeth with a man's wit  
To suffer, as Sosacrates deed  
And if it fall in any stead  
A man to lose so his gall  
Him aught among the women all  
In loves court, by judgement  
The name bear of patient  
To give ensample to the good  
Of patience how that it stood  
That other men it might know    

Amans.  
¶ And son if thou at any throw  
Be tempted against patience  
Take heed upon this evidence  
It shall percase the less grieve   

Amans.  

¶ My father so as I believe  
Of that shall be no manner need  
For I will take so good heed  
That ere I fall in such assay  
I think eschew, if that I may   

But if there be aught else more  
whereof I might take lore  
I pray you, so as I dare  
Now telleth, that I may beware  
Some other tale of this matter    

Confessor.  

¶ Son it is ever good to lere  
whereof thou might thy word restrain  
Ere that thou fall in any pain   

For who that can no counseyl hide  
He may not fail of woe beside  
which shall befall, ere he it wite  
As I find in the books write     

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum quod de alterius lite intromittere cavendum est. Et narrat qualiter jupiter cum junone super quadam que sitione litigabant/ videlicet utrum vir an mulier in amoris concupiscentia feruencius ardebat: super quo Tiresiam eorum judicem constituebant Et qui ille contra junonem in dicte litis causa sentenciam diffinivit, irata de ipse deum amborum oculorum lumme claritatis absque remissione privauit.  

Confessor.  

¶ Yet came there never good of strife  
To seche in all a man's life  
Though it begin on pure game  
Full oft it turneth in to grame  
And doth grievance on some side  
whereof the great clerk ovid  
After the law, which was tho  
Of jupiter and of juno  
Maketh in his books mention  
How they fell at dissension  
In manner as it were a board  
As they began for to word  
Among hem self in privity  
And that was upon this degree   

which of the two more amorous is  
Or man or wife, And upon this  
They might not accord in one  
And took a judge thereupon  
which cleped is Tyresyas  
And bade him demen in this case   

And he without advisement  
Avene juno gave judgement   

This gods, upon his answer  
was wroth, and would not forbear  
But took away for evermore  
The light from both his eyen two   

when jupiter this hurt hath seen  
Another benefit there again  
He gave, and such a grace him doth  
That for he wist be said soothe  
A ●oth sayer he was for ever   

But yet that other were liefer  
●●ue had the looking of his eye  
Than of his word the prophecy   

But how so that the loath went  
〈◊〉 was the cause, of that he hent  
So great a pain bodily  
¶ 〈◊〉 son be thou ware there by  
And hold thy tongue still close  
For who that hath his word disclose  
〈◊〉 he wite what he mean  
〈◊〉 full oft nigh his tene  
〈◊〉 loseth full many time grace  
〈◊〉 that he would his thank purchase   

And over this my son dear  
〈◊〉 other men, if thou might here  
〈◊〉 privyte, what they have wrought  
〈◊〉 counseyl, and discover it nought  
For chest can no counsel hele  
Or be it woe or be it weal  
And take a tale in to thy mind  
The which of old ensample I find.     

¶ 〈…〉 Confessor exemplum contra illos, 〈…〉 causa allterius consilium revelare 〈…〉. Et narrat, qualiter quedam avis tunc 〈…〉 ●●mine Cornus, consilium domine sue 〈…〉 denudavit: unde contigit non so● 〈…〉 Coronidem interfect, sed et Coruum, 〈…〉 tanquam nix albus fuit, in piceum co●●rem pro perpetou transmutari.  

Phoebus, which maketh the days light  
A love he had, which though byght  
Coronis, whom aboven all.  
He pleaseth. But what shall befall  
Of love, there is no man knoweth  
But as fortune her haps throweth  
So it befell upon a chance  
A young knight took her acquaintance  
And had of her all that he would  
But a falls bird, which she hath hold  
And kept in chamber of pure youth  
Dyscoverith all that ever he couth   

The birds name was as though  
Coruus, the which was than also  
well more white than any swan  
And he the shrew all that he can  
Of his lady to Phoebus said   

And he for wrath his sword out braid  
with which Coromde anon he slough  
But after, him was woe enough  
And took full great repentance  
whereof in token and remembrance  
Of 'em, which usen wick speech  
Upon this bird he took his wretch  
That there he was snow white tofore  
Ever afterward coal black therefore  
He was transformed, as it showeth  
And many a man yet him beshreweth  
And clepe him in to this day  
A Raven, by whom yet men may  
Take evidence, when he crieth  
That some my shap it signifieth  
Beware therefore, and say the best  
If thou wilt be thyself in rest  
My good son, as I the rede    

¶ Hic soquitur super eodem, Et narrat qualiter Lara Nimpha eo quod jupiter juturnam abulteravit/ junoni jonis uxori secretum revelavit. Qua propter jupiter ira commotus singua Laris prins abscisa/ ipsam postea in profundum Acherontis exulem pro perpetuo mancipavit.  

¶ Lo in another place I read  
Of thilk Nymph, which Lara height  
For she the privity by night  
(How jupiter lay by juturne)  
Hath told: god made her overturn   

Her tongue he cut, and in to hell  
For ever he sent her for to dwell  
As she that was not worthy here  
To been of love a chambrere  
For she no counsel couth bele   

And such a days be now feel  
In loves court, as it is said  
That let her tongues gone unteyde   

My son be thou none of though  
To jangle, and tell tales so  
And namely that thou ne chide  
For chest can no counsel hide  
For wrath said never weal  
¶ My father sooth is every deal  
That ye me teach: and I will hold  
The rule, which I am hold  
To flee the chest, as ye me bid  
For well is him, that never chid   

Now tell me forth if there be more  
As touching unto wraths lore.   
Daemonis est odium, quasi scriba cui dabit ira  
Materiam scripti cordis ad antra sui.  
Non laxabit amor, odii quem frena restringunt  
Nec secreta sui juris adire scivit.   

¶ Hic tractat Confessor de tercia specie ire, que odium dicitur: cuius natura omnes ire inimicitias ad mentem reducens issas usque ad tempus vindic te, vefut scriba demonis in cordis papiro commemorandas inserit.  

¶ Of wrath yet there is an other  
which is to chest his own brother  
And is by name cleped hate  
That suffereth not within his gate  
That there come other love or peace  
For he will make no release  
Of no debate which is befall  
Now speak if thou art one of all  
That with this vice hath he withhold  
¶ As yet for aught that ye me told  
My father I not what it is  
¶ In good faith son I trow yis  
¶ My father nay but ye me lere  
¶ Now list my son & thou shalt here   

Hate is a wrath, not shewende  
But of long time gatherende  
And dwelleth in the heart looken  
Till he see time to be wroken  
And than he showeth his tempest  
More sudden than the wild beast  
which wot nothing, what mercy is   

My son art thou known of this?  
¶ My good father, as I ween  
Now wot I somedeal what ye mean  
But I dare safely make an oath  
My lady was me never loath   

I will not swear nevertheless  
That I of bate am guiltless  
For when I to my lady ply  
from day to day, and mercy cry  
And she no mercy on me layeth  
But short words to me saith  
Though I my lady love algate  
though words moat I needs hate  
And would they were all dispent  
Or so far out of land went  
That I never after should hem here  
And yet love I my lady dear  
Thus is there hate, as ye may see  
Between my ladies word, and me  
The word I hate, and her I love  
what so shall me betide of love   

But furthermore I will me shrive  
That I have hated all my live  
These janglers, which of her envy  
Ben ever ready for to lie  
For with her false compassement  
Full often they have made me shent  
And hindered me full oft time  
when they no cause wist byme  
But onlyche of her own thought  
And thus full oft have I bought  
The lie, and drunk not of the wine  
I would her hap were such as mine  
For how so that I be now shrive  
To hem may I nought foryeve  
Till I see 'em at debate  
with love, and with mine estate  
They mighten by her own dame  
And look how well it should hem queme  
To hinder a man, that loveth sore  
And thus I hate 'em evermore  
Till love on 'em would done his wretch  
For that shall I always beseech  
Unto the mighty cupido  
That he so much would do  
(So as he is of love a god)  
To smite 'em with the same rod  
with which I am of love smitten  
So that they might know and wyten  
How byndring is a woeful pain  
To him, that love would attain  
Thus ever on 'em I wait and hope  
Till I may seen 'em leap a lope  
And halten on the same sore  
which I do now for evermore  
I would than do my might  
So for to stonden in her light  
That they ne shulden have away  
To that, they wolden put away  
I would hem put out of the stead  
from love, right as they me deed  
with that they speak of me by mouth  
So would I do, if that I couth  
Of 'em, and thus so god me save  
Is all the hate, that I have  
Toward the janglers every deal  
I would all other feared weal  
Thus have I father, said my will  
Say forth now for I am still  
¶ My son of that thou hast me said  
I hold me nought fully paid  
That thou wolte haten any man  
To that accorden I ne can  
Though he have hindered the tofore  
But this I tell the therefore  
Thou might upon my benison  
well haten the condition  
Of the janglers, as thou me toldest  
But furthermore, of that thou wouldest  
Hempskirk byndre in any other wise  
Such hate is ever to despise   

For thy my son I would the rede  
That thou draw in by friendly heed  
That thou ne might not do by hate  
So might thou get love algate  
And set the my son in rest  
For thou shalt find it for the best  
And over this so as I dare  
I read, that thou be right ware  
Of other men's hate about  
which every wise man should doubt  
For hate is ever upon await   

And as the fisher on his bait  
Sleeth, when he seeth the fishes fast   

So when he seeth time at last  
That he may work an other woe  
Shall no man turn him therefro  
That hate nill his felony  
Fulfil and feign company   

yet nevertheless for false semblant  
Is toward him of covenant  
withhold, so that under both  
The privy wrath can him clothe  
That he shall seem a great believe  
But aware the well, that thou ne leave  
All that thou seest afore thine eye  
Soas the Gregoys whilom sye  
The book of Troy who so read  
There may he find ensample in deed    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra illos/ qui cum ire sue odium apart vindicare non possint, ficta dissimulatione vindictam subdole assequentur. Et narrat, quod cum Palamides princeps Grecorum in obsidione Troy a quibusdam suis emulis proditorie interfectus fuisset/ paterque suus rex Nauplus in patria sua tunc existens/ huiusmodi eventus certitudinem scivisset: grecoes in sui cordis odium super omnia recollegit, unde contigit, ꝙ cum greci devicta Troia per altum mare versus Greciam navigio remeantes obscurrissimo noctis tempore nimia ventorum tempestate iactabantur, rex Nauplus in terra sua contra litus maris/ ubi maiora saxorum eminebant pericula super cacumina moncium, grandissimos noctanter fecit ignes/ quos greci aspicientes saluum portum ibidem invenire certissime putabant/ Et teri am aproximantes diruptis navibus magna pars grecorum periclitabatur.  

Son after the destruction  
when Troy was all beat down  
And slain was priamus the king  
The gregoys, which of all this thing  
Ben cause, tornen home again  
There may no man his hap withseyne  
It hath been seen, and felt full oft  
The hard time after the soft   

By see as they forth homeward went  
A rage of great tempest him hent   

juno let bend her party bow  
The sky wax dark, the wind 'gan blow  
The fiery welkin began to thunder  
As though the world should all asunder   

From heaven out of the water gates  
The reyny storm fell down algates  
And all her tacle made unwieldy  
That no man might himself bewelde   

There may men her shipmen cry  
That stood in aunter for to die   

He that behind sat to steer  
May not the for stern here  
The ship arose again the waves  
The lodesman hath lost his laws  
The see on beat on every side  
They nysten what fortune abide  
But set 'em well in god's will  
where he hem would save or spill  
And it fell thilk time thus  
There was a king, which Nauplus  
was hot: and be a son had  
At Troy, which the gregoys lad  
As he that was made prince of all  
Till that fortune let him fall  
His name was Palamydes  
But through an hate nevertheless  
Of some of 'em, his death was cast  
And he by treason overcaste  
His father, when he heard it tell  
He swore, if ever his time fell  
He would him venge if that he might  
And thereto his avow he height  
And thus this king through prive hate  
Abode upon a wait algate  
For he was not of such emprise  
To avengen him in open wise   

The fame, which goth wide where  
Maketh know, how that the greeks were  
homeward with all the felauship  
from Troy upon the see by ship   

Nauplus when he this understood  
And knew the tides of the flood  
And saw the wind blow to the land  
A great deceit anon he fond  
Of privy bate, as thou shalt hear  
whereof I tell all this matter   

This king the wether 'gan behold  
And wist well, they moten hold  
Her course endelonge the march right  
And made upon the dark night  
Of great shydes and of blocks  
Great ●●●e again the great rocks  
To show upon the hills high  
So that the fleet of grece it sigh  
And so fell right as he thought  
This fleet, which an haven sought  
The bright fires saw a far  
And they been drawn ner and ner  
And wend well, and understood  
How all that fire was made for good  
To show where men should aryve  
And thitherward they hasten belive  
In semblant (as men say) is guile  
And that was proved thilk while  
The ship, which wend his help accroch  
Drofe all to pieces on the roche  
And so there diden ten or twelve  
There might no man help himself  
For there they wenden death escape  
withouten help her death was shape  
Thus they that comen first tofore  
Upon the rocks been forlore  
But through noise, and their cry  
The other were ware thereby  
And when the day began to row  
though mighten they the sooth know  
That where they wend friends find  
They fond friendship all behind   

The land than was soon waived  
where that they hadden be deceived  
And took 'em to the high see  
Thereto they saiden all ye  
from that day forth, & where they were  
Of that they have assayed there   

Confessor.  

¶ My son whereof thou might avise  
How fraud stant in many wise  
Among 'em, that guile think  
There is no scrivener with his ink  
which half the fraud write can  
That stant in such a manner man   

For thy the wise men ne demen  
The things after that they semen  
But after that they know and find   

The mirror showeth in his kind  
As he had all the world within  
And is in sooth nothing therein  
And so fareth hate for a throw  
Till he a man hath overthrow  
Shall no man know by his cheer  
which is avaunt, and which is arere  
For thy my son think on this  
¶ My father so I will iwis  
And if there more of wrath be  
Now ask forth pure charity  
As ye by your books know  
And I the sooth shall beknow.   
Qui cohibere manum nequit, et sic spem eius  
Naribus hic populo sepe timendas erit  
Saepius in luctum Venus et sua gaudia transfert  
Cumque suis thalamis talis amicus adest.  
Est amor amplexu non ictibus alliciendus  
Frangit amicitias impetuosa manus.    

¶ Hic tractat Confessor super quarta et quinta specie ire/ que impetuositas & homicidium dicuntur: sed primo de impetuositate specialiter tractare intendit, cuius natura spm in naribus gefiando ad omnes ●re mociones in vindicta parata pacientiam nullatenus observat.  

¶ My son thou shalt understand  
That yet toward wrath stand  
Of deadly vices other two  
And for to tell her names so  
It is Contecke and Homicide  
That be together on every side   

Contecke, as the books sayne  
Foolehast hath to his chamberlain  
By whose counsel all unadvised  
Is patience most despised  
Till Homicide with 'em meet  
from Mercy they be all unmeet  
And thus been they the worst of all  
Of 'em, which unto wrath fall  
In deed both, and eke in thought  
For they accomten their wrath nought  
But if there be shedding of blood  
And thus lyche to a beast wood  
They known not the god of life  
Be so they have other sword or knife  
Her deadly wrath for to wreak  
Of pity list 'em not to speak  
None other reason they ne fonge  
But that they been of might strong   

But ware him well in other place  
where every man behoveth grace  
But there I trow it shall him fail  
To whom no mercy might avail  
But wroughten upon tyranny  
That no pite ne might hem ply   

Now tell me son. My father what?  
If thou hast be culpable of that  
¶ My father nay, Christ me forbid  
I speak onlyche of the deed  
Of which I was never culpable  
without cause reasonable   

But this is not to my matter  
Of shrift why we sitten here  
For we be set to shrive of love  
As we begun first above  
And nevertheless I am beknow  
That as touchende of loves throw  
when I my wits overwende  
Mine hearts contecke hath none end  
But ever stant upon debate  
To great disease of mine estate  
As for the time that it lasteth  
For when my fortune overcasteth  
Her wheel, & is to me so strange  
And that I see she will not change  
Than cast I all the world about  
And think how I at home in doubt  
Have all my time in vain spended  
And see not how to be amended  
But rather for to be impaired  
As he that is well nigh despaired  
For I ne may nothing deserve  
And ever I love, and ever I serve  
And ever I am a lyche near  
Thus, for I stand in such a were  
I am, as who saith, out of her  
And thus upon myself I were  
I bring, and put out all peace  
That I full oft in such a rees  
Am weary of mine own life  
So that of contecke, and of strife  
I am beknow and have answered  
As ye my father now have herd  
Mine heart is wonderly begun  
with counsel, whereof wit is one  
which hath reason in company  
Again the which stant party  
will, which hath Hope of his accord  
And thus they bringen up discord  
wit and reason counsaylen oft  
That I mine heart should soft  
And that I should V V Y L remue  
And put him out of retinue  
Or else hold him under foot  
For as they say, if that he moat  
His own rule have upon hand  
There shall no wit been understand  
Of hope, also to tell this  
That over all where that he is  
He set the heart in jeopardy  
with wishing and with fantasy  
And is not true of that he saith  
So that in him there is no faith   

Thus with reason and wit advised  
Is will and hope all day despised   

Reason saith, that I should leave  
To love, where there is no leave  
To speed: and will saith there again  
That such an heart is to villain  
which dare not love, till that he speed  
Let Hope serve at such a need   

He saith eke, where an heart sit  
All whole governed upon wit  
He hath this lives lust forlese   

And thus mine heart is all to tore  
Of such a contecke, as they make  
But yet I may not W Y L forsake  
That he nies master of my thought  
Or that I speed, or speed nought  
¶ Thou dost my son against the right  
But love is of so great a might  
His law may no man refuse  
So might thou the better excuse   

And nevertheless thou shalt be learned  
That W Y L should be governed  
Of reason more than of kind  
whereof a tale writ I find.    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum quod omnis impetuosa voluntas sit discretionis moderamine gubernanda. Et narrat qualiter Diogenes/ qui motus animi sui rationi subiugaverat, regem Alexandrum sub isto facto sibi opponente plemus informanit.  

¶ A philosopher of which men told  
There was whilom by days old  
And Dyogenes than he height  
So old he was, that he ne might  
The world travail, and for the best  
He shope him for to take his rest  
And dwell at home in such a wise  
That nigh his house he let devise  
Endelonge upon an axle tree  
To set a ton in such degree  
That he it might turn about  
whereof one heed was taken out  
For he therein sit should  
And turn himself as he would  
And take the air, and see the heaven  
And dame of the planets seven  
As he, which couth mochel what   

And thus full oft there he sat  
To muse in his philosophy  
Sole without company  
So that upon a morrow tide  
A thing, which should tho betide  
when he was set, there as him list  
To look upon the son aryst  
whereof the property he sigh  
It fell, there came riding nigh  
King Alysaunder, with a rout  
And as he cast his eye about  
He sigh this ton: and what it meant  
He would wit, and thither sent  
A knight, by whom he might it know  
And he himself that ilk throw  
Abode, and hoveth there still   

This knight, after the kings will  
with spore made his horse to gone  
And to the ton he came anon  
where that he fond a man of age  
And he him told the message  
such as the king him had bid  
And asketh why in thilk stead  
The ton stood: and what he was  
And he, which understood the case  
Sat still, and spoke no word again  
The knight bade speak: & saith, Vyleyn  
Thou shalt me tell, ere that I go  
It is thy king, which asketh so   

My king, quoth he, that were unright  
what is he than, saith the knight?  
Is he thy man? that say I nought  
Quoth he, but this I am bethought  
My man's man how that he is   

Thou liest false churl iwis  
The knight him said & was right wroth  
And to the king again he goth  
And told him, how this man answered   

The king when he this tale herd  
Bad that they should all abide  
For he himself would thither ride   

And when he came tofore the Ton  
He hath his tale thus begun   

All heyl he saith, what man art thou  
Quoth he? Such one, as thou seest now   

The king, which had words wise  
His age would nought despise  
But saith: My father I the pray  
That thou me wilt the cause say  
How that I am thy man's man   

Sire king, quoth he, that I can  
if thou wilt. yes, saith the king   

Quod he, this is the sooth thing  
Sith I first reason understood  
And knew what thing was evil & good  
The will, which of my body moveth  
whose works that the god reproveth  
I have restrained ever more  
Of him, that stant under the lore  
Of reason, whose subject he is  
So that he may not done amiss  
And thus by weigh of covenant  
WYL is my man, and my servant  
And ever hath be, and ever shall  
And thy will is thy principal  
And hath the lordship of thy wit  
So that thou couthest never yet  
Take a day rest of thy labour   

But for to be a Conqueror  
Of worlds good, which may not last  
Thou highest ever a lyche fast  
where thou no reason haste to win  
Thus thy will is cause of sin  
And is thy lord to whom thou servest  
whereof thou little thank deservest   

The king, of that he thus answered  
was nothing wroth: but when he herd  
The high wisdom which he said  
with goodly words thus be prayed  
That be him would tell his name   

I am, quoth he that ilk same  
which men Dyogenes call   

though was the king right glad with all  
For he had herd oft to fore  
what man he was, so that therefore  
He said: O wise Diogene  
Now shall thy great wit be seen  
For thou shalt of my yefte have  
what worlds thing thou woltecrave  
Quod he, than hove out of my son  
And let it shine in to my Ton  
For thou bynemest me thilk gift  
which lieth not in thy might to shift  
None other good of the me needeth   

The king/ whom every country dreadeth  
Lo thus he was informed there  
whereof my son thou might lere  
How that thy will shall nought believed  
where it is nought of wit relieved  
And thou hast said thyself ere this  
How that thy will thy master is  
Through which thine hearts thought within  
Is ever of conteke to begin  
So that it is greatly to dread  
That it no bomycyde breed   

For love is of a wonder kind  
And hath his wits oft blind  
That they fro man's reason fall  
But when that it is so befall  
That will shall the courage lead  
In loves cause it is to dread  
whereof I find ensample write  
which is behoveful that thou wite.    

¶ Hic in a moris causa ponit Confessor exemplum contra issos/ qui in sua dampna nimis accelerantes ex impetuositate se ipsos muftociens offendunt. Et narrat qualiter Piramus cum ipse Tisbe amicam suam in foco inter eosdem deputa to tempore adventus sui promptam non invenit, animo impetuoso se ipsum pre dolore extracto gladio mortaliter transfodit. que postea infra breve beniens cum ipsum sic mortaum invenisset/ eciam et illa in sue ipsius mortem impetuose festmans eiusdem gsadii cuspide sui cordis intima per medium penetravit.  

¶ I read a tale, and telleth this  
The city which Semiramis  
Enclosed hath with wall about  
Of worthy folk with many a rout  
was inhabited here and there  
Among the which two there were  
above all other noble and great  
Dwellend though within a street  
So nigh together as it was seen  
There was nothing hem between  
But woo to woo, and wall to wall  
This o lord hath in specyalle  
A son, a lusty bachylere  
In all the town was none his peer  
That other had a daughter eke  
In all the land for to seek  
Men wisten no●e so fair as she  
And fell for as it should be  
This fair daughter nigh this son  
As they together than won  
cupid hath so things shape  
That they ne might his hands escape  
That he his fire on hem ne caste  
whereof her hearts he overcaste  
To follow thilk lore and jew  
which never man yet might eschew  
And that was love, as it is happened  
which hath her bertes so betrapped  
That they by all ways seche  
How that they might win a speech  
Her woeful pain for to lysse   

who loveth well, it may not miss  
And namely when thereben two  
Of one accord, how so it go  
But if that they some weigh find  
For love is ever of such a kind  
And hath his folk so well affayted  
That how so that it be awaited  
There may no man the purpose let  
And thus between 'em two they set  
An hole upon a wall to make  
Through which they have her counsel take  
At all times, when they might   

This fair Maid 'tis be height  
And he, whom she loved hot  
was Pyramus by name hot  
So long her lesson they recorden  
Till at the last they accordene  
By nights time for to wend  
Alone out fro the towns end  
where was a well under a tree  
And who came first or she or he  
He should still there abide  
So it befell the nights tide  
This maid, which disguised was  
All privily the soft pace  
Goth through the large town unknown  
Till that she came within athrowe  
where that she liked for to dwell  
At thilk unhappy fresh well  
which was also the forest nigh  
where she commend a lion sigh  
In to the field to take his prey  
In haste: and she though fled away  
(So as fortune should fall)  
For fere, and let her wympell fall  
nigh to the well upon therbage   

This wild lion in his rage  
A beast, which he found there out  
Hath slain, and with his bloody snout  
(when he hath eaten, what he would)  
To drink of thilk streams cold  
Come unto the well, where he sonde  
The wympill, which out of her hand  
was fall, and he it hath to draw,  
Be bled about, and all forgnawe  
And than he 'straught him for to drink  
Upon the fress he wells brink  
And after that out of the plain  
He turneth to the wood again   

And Tisbe durst not remove  
But as a bird, which were en mewe  
within a buss he she kept her close  
So still, that she not arose  
Unto herself and plaineth ay   

And fell, while that she there lay  
This Pyramus came after soon  
Unto the well, and by the moan  
He fond her wympyl bloody there   

Cam never yet to man's ere  
Tiding, ne to man's sight  
marvel, which so sore a flight  
A man's heart, as it though deed  
To him, which in the same stead  
with many a woeful complaining  
began his hands for to wring  
As he, which deemeth sickerly  
That she be deed: and suddenly  
His sword all naked out he breyde  
In his fool haste, and thus he said   

I am cause of this felony  
So it is reason, that I die   

And she is deed by cause of me  
And with that word upon his k●e  
He fell, and to the gods all  
Unto the heaven he 'gan to call  
And prayed, sin it was so  
That he may not his love as tho  
Have in this world, that of her grace  
He might her have in other place  
For here would he not abide  
He saith: but as it shall betide  
The pommel of his sword to ground  
He set, and through his heart a wound  
He made up to the bare hylte  
And in this wise himself spylte  
with his foolhaste, and death he name  
For she within a while came  
where he lay deed upon his knife  
So woeful yet was never life  
As Tysbe was, when she him sigh  
She might not one word on high  
Speke, for her heart shut  
That of her life no pries she set  
But deed swooning down she fell  
Till afterward it so befell  
That she out of her trauns awoke  
with many a woeful piteous look  
Her eye alway among she cast  
Upon her love, and at the last  
She caught breath, and said thus:   

O thou which art cleped venus'  
Goddess of love: and thou cupid  
which loves cause haste for to guide  
I wot now well, that ye be blind  
O● thilk unhap, which I now find  
Only between my love and me  
This Pyramus which here I see  
●●●●end, what hath he deserved?  
Yo● he thine hest hath kept and served  
And was young, and I both also  
All is why do ye with us so?   

Ye set our hearts both a fire  
And made us such thing desire  
whereof that we no skill couth  
But thus our fresh lusty youth  
without joy is all despended  
which thing may never be amended  
For as for me this will I say  
That me is liefer for to die  
Than live after this sorrowful day   

And with this word where as he lay  
Her love in arms she embraceth  
Her own death and so purchaseth  
That now she wept, & now she kissed  
Till at the last, or she it wist  
So great a sorrow is to her fall  
which overgoth her wits all  
And she, which might not asterte  
The swords point against her heart  
She set, and fell down thereupon  
whereof that she was deed anon  
And thus both on a sword bledend  
They were found deed lyggend.  
¶ Now thou my son hast herd this tale  
Beware that of thine own bale  
Thou be not cause in thy foolhaste  
And keep that thou thy wit ne waste  
Upon thy thought in adventure  
whereof thy lives forfeiture  
May fall: and if thou have so thought  
ere this, tell on, and hide it nought  
¶ My father upon loves side  
My conscience I will not hide  
How that for love of pure woe  
I have been oft be moved so  
That with my wishes, if I might  
A thousand times, I you plight  
I had starven in a day  
And thereof I me shrive may  
Though love fully me ne slow  
My will to die was enough  
So am I of my will culpable  
And yet she is not merciable  
which may me give life and bele  
But that her list not with me deal  
I wot by whose counsel it is  
And him would I long time ere this  
(And yet I would and ever shall)  
Sleen and destroy in especial  
The gold of nine kings lands  
Ne should him save fro mine bonds  
In my power if that he were  
But yet him stant of me no fere  
For nought that ever I can menace  
He is the hinderer of my grace  
Till he be deed I may not speed  
So moat I needs taken heed  
And shape how, that he were away  
If I thereto may find a weigh  
¶ My son tell me now for thy  
which is that mortal enemy  
That thou manacest to be deed.  
¶ My father it is such a quede  
That where I come, he is tofore  
And doth so, that my cause is lore  
¶ what is his name? Hit is Danger  
which is my ladis counseyler  
For I was never yet so sly  
To come in any place nigh  
where as she was by night or day  
That Danger ne was ready ay  
with whom for speech ne for meed  
yet might I never of love speed   

For ever this find I soothe  
All that my lady saith or doth  
To me, Danger shall make an end  
And that maketh all mi world miswende  
And ever I ask his help: but he  
May be well cleped Sans pity  
For ay the more I to him bow  
The less be will my tale allow  
He hath my lady so englewed  
She will not, that he be remewed  
For ever he hongeth on her seyl  
And is so privy of counsel  
That ever when I have aught bede  
I find Danger in her stead  
And mine answer of him I have  
But for no mercy, that I crave  
Of mercy never a point I had  
I find his answer ay bad  
That worse might it never be   

And thus between Danger and me  
Is ever were till he die  
But might I been of such mastery  
That I Danger had overcome  
with that were all my joy come  
Thus would I wonde for no sin  
Ne yet for all this world to win  
If that I might find a sleight  
To lay all my state in weight  
I would him fro the Court desever  
So that he come ayenewarde never  
Therefore I wish, and would fain  
That he were in some wise slain  
For while he stant in thilk place  
Ne get I not my lady's grace  
Thus hate I deadly thilk vice  
And would he stood in none office  
In place, where my lady is  
For if be do, I wot well this  
That other he shall die or I  
within a while, and not for thy  
On my lady full oft I muse  
How that she may herself excuse  
For if that I die in such a plight  
Me thinketh she might not be quite  
That she ne were an bomycyde  
And if it should so betide  
(As god forbid it should be)  
By double weigh it is pity  
For I, which all my will and wit  
Have give, and served ever yet  
And than I should in such a wise  
In rewarding of my service  
Be deed: Me thinketh it were routh   

And furthermore I tell troth  
She that hath ever be well named  
were worthy than to be blamed  
And of reason to be appealed  
when with one word she might have he●  
A man: and suffereth him to die  
A who saw ever such a weigh?  
A who saw ever such distress?  
without pity gentleness  
without mercy womanhead  
That will so quite a man his meed  
which ever hath be to love true.  
¶ My good father if ye rue  
Upon my tale, tell me now  
And I will stint and hearken you  
¶ My son attempre thy courage  
From wrath, and let thine heart assuage  
For who so will him underfonge  
He may his grace abide long  
Or he of love be received  
And eke also but if it be waived  
There might mochel thing befall  
That should make a man to fall  
from love: that never afterward  
Ne durst he look thitherward   

In hard ways men gone soft  
And ere they climb advise them oft  
And men seen all day, that rape rueth   

And who so wicked ale breweth  
Full oft he moat the worse drink   

Better it is to fleet than to sink  
Better it is upon the bridle chew  
Than if he fell, and overthrew  
The horse, and stykked in the mire   

To cast water in the fire  
Better is, than burn up all the howes   

The man which is malicious  
And foolhasty: full oft he falleth  
And selden is, when love him calleth  
For thy better is suffer a throw  
Than to be wild, and over throw   

suffrance hath ever be the best  
To wysen him that secheth rest   

And thus if thou wilt love speed  
My son suffer, as I the rede   

what may the mous again the cat?  
And for thilk cause I ask that  
who may to love make a were  
That he ne hath himself the were   

Love asketh peace, and evershall  
And who that fighteth most withal  
Shall best conquer of his emprise  
For this they tell that been wise  
which is to strive, and have the wrose  
To hasten, is nought worth a kerse  
Thing, that a man may not achieve   

That may not well be done at eve  
It mote abide till the morrow  
N● hast not thine own sorrow  
My son, and take this in thy wit  
He hath not lost that well abitte   

Ensample, that it falleth thus  
Thou might well take of Pyramus  
when he in haste his sword out drough  
And on the point himself slough  
For love of Tisbe, pitously  
For he her wimple fond bloody  
And wend a beast had her slain  
where as him ought be right fain   

For she was safe right beside  
But for he would not abide  
This meschyefe fell. For thy beware  
My son, as I the warn dare  
Do thou no thing in such a rees  
For sufferance is the well of peace  
Though thou to loves court pursue  
yet sit it well, that thou eschew  
That thou the court not overhast  
For so thou might thy time waste  
But if thine hap thereto be shape  
It may not help for to rape  
Therefore attemper thy courage  
Foolhast doth none advantage  
But oft it set a man behind  
In cause of love, and I find  
By old ensamples as thou shalt here  
Touchend of love in this matter.    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor Exemplum contra illos qui in amoris causa nimia festinatione concupiscentes tardius expediunt, Et narrat qualiter pro eo quod Phebus quandam virginem pulcher rimam nomine Daphnem nimia amoris acceleratione insequebatur/ Iratus Cupido cor Phebi sagitta aurea ignita ardencius vulneravit, Et econtra cor Daphne quadam sagitta plumbea/ que frigidissima fuit/ sobrius perforavit/ Et sic quanto magis Phebus ardencior in amore Daphnem persecutus est, tanto magis ipsa frigidior Phebi concupiscenciam toto cord fugitina dedignabatur.  

¶ A maiden whilom there was one  
which Daphne's height: & such was none  
Of beauty than, as it was said  
Phoebus his love hath on her laid  
And thereupon to her he sought  
In his foolhast, and so besought  
That she with him no rest had  
For ever upon her love he grad  
And she said ever unto him nay  
So it beselle upon a day   

cupid, which hath every chance  
Of love, under his governance  
sigh Phoebus hasten him so sore  
And for he should him haste the more  
And yet not speeden, at last  
A dart throughout his heart he cast  
which was of gold, and all a fire  
That made him many fold desire  
Of love more than he deed   

To Daphne eke in the same stead  
A dart of lead he cast and smote  
which was all cold and no thing hot   

And thus Phoebus in love brenneth  
And in haste about runneth  
To look, if that he might win   

Thus was he ever to begin  
For ever away fro him she fled  
So that he never his love sped  
And for to make him full believe  
That no foolhast might achieve  
To get love in such degree  
This Daphne in to a laurel tree  
was turned, which is ever green  
In token, as yet it may be seen  
That she shall dwell a maiden still  
And Phoebus failen of his will  
By such ensamples as they stand  
My son thou might understand  
To hasten love is thing in vain  
when that fortune is there again  
To take where a man hath leave  
Good is: and else he moat leave  
For when a man's haps failen  
There is no haste may avaylen  
¶ My father grant mercy of this  
But while I see my lady is  
No tree: but hold her own form  
There may me no man so inform  
To whedyr part fortune wend  
That I unto my lives end  
Ne would her serve evermore   

Confessor  

¶ My son sith it is so  
I say no more, but in this case  
Beware, how it with Phoebus was   

Nought only upon loves chance  
But upon every governance  
which falleth unto man's deed  
Foolhast is ever for to dread  
And that a man good counseyl take  
Ere he his purpose undertake   

For counseyl put foolhast a weigh.  
¶ Now good father I you prey  
That for to wysse me the more  
Some good ensample upon this lore  
ye would me tell, of that is writ  
That I the better might wit  
How I foolhast should eschew  
And the wisdom of counseyl sew  
¶ My son that thou might inform  
Thy patience upon the form  
Of old ensamples as they fell  
Now understand, what I shall tell.     

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra illos qui nimio furori accensi vindictam Ire sue ulira quam decet consequi affectant. Et narrat qualiter Athemas et Demephon Reges, cum ipsi a bello Troiano ad propria remeassent, et asuis ibidem pacifice recepti non fuissent, congregato aliunde pugnatorum exercitu regiones suas non solum incendio vastare sed et omnes in eisdem habitantes a minimo usque admaiorem in perpetnam vindicte memoriam gladio interficere feruore iracun die proposuerunt: Sed rex Nestor, qui senex et sapiens fuit/ tractatus inter ipsos renges et eorum regna ●●ta pace huiusmodi impetuositatem initius pacificavit.  

¶ when noble Troy was byleyn  
And overcome, and home again  
The gregoys turned from the siege  
The kings fond her own lyege  
In many place, as men said  
That hem forsook and dysobeyde  
Among the which fell this case  
To Demephon and Athemas  
That were kings both two  
And both were served so  
Her lieges would not hem receive  
So that they mote algates weive  
To seche land in other place  
For there fond they no grace  
whereof they token 'em to read  
And soughten friends at need  
And each of hem assureth other  
To help as to his own brother  
To vengen hem of thilk outrage  
And win again her heritage   

And thus they ride about fast  
To gotten 'em help: and at last  
They hadden power suffisant  
And maden than a covenant  
That they ne should no life save  
Ne priest, ne clerk, ne lord, ne knave  
Ne wife, ne child of that they find  
which beareth visage of man's kind  
So that no life shall be succoured  
But with the deadly sword devoured  
In such foolhast her ordinance  
They shapen for to do vengeance   

when this purpose was wist & know  
Among there host, though was their blow  
Of words many a speech about   

Of young men the lusty rout  
were of this tale glad enough  
There was no care for the plough  
As they that were foolhastyfe  
They been accorded to the strife  
And said, it may not be to great  
To vengen hem of such forfeit   

Thus saith the wild unwise tongue  
Of 'em, that there weren young   

But Nestor, which was old & bore  
The salve saw tofore the sore  
As he that was of counsel wise  
So that anon by his advise  
There was a privy counsel nome  
The lords been together come   

This Demephon and Anthemas  
Her purpose tolden, as it was  
They setten all still and herd  
was none but Nestor him answered  
He bad 'em, if they would win  
They shoulden see, ere they begin  
Her end: and set her first intent  
That they hem after ne repent  
And asketh 'em this question  
To what final conclusion  
They wolden Regne kings there  
If that no people in land were?   

And saith, it were a wonder wyerd  
To ●een a king becomen an hyerd  
where no life is but only best  
under the legiance of his hest  
For who that is of man no king  
The remnant is as no thing   

He forth eke, if they purpose bold  
To 〈◊〉 the people, as they two would  
when they it might not restore  
A●●●●ce it should abidge sore  
〈…〉 the wild beasts won  
where whilom dwelled man's son  
An● for that cause he bade 'em treat  
A d stint of though manaces great  
Better is to win by fair speech  
He saith, than such vengeance seek   

For when a man is most above  
Him needeth most to get him love.  
¶ when Nestor hath this tale said  
Ayene him was no word withsayde  
It thought 'em all he said weal  
And thus fortune her deadly wheel  
From were turneth in to peace  
But forth they wenten nevertheless  
And when the countries hard sayen  
How that her kings be beseyne  
Of such a power as they lad  
was none so bold, that hem ne dread  
And for to seche peace and gryth  
They send and prayed anon forthwith  
So that the kings been appeased  
And every man's heart is eased  
All was foryete, and not recorded  
And thus they been together accorded   

The kings were again received  
And peace was take, and wrath waived  
And all through counseyl, which was good  
Of him that reason understood  
¶ By this ensample son attempre  
Thine heart, and let no will dystempre  
Thy wit: and do no thing by might  
which may be do by love and right   

Foolhast is cause of much woe  
For thy my son do not so  
And as touchend of Homycyde  
which toucheth unto loves side  
Full oft it falleth unadvised  
Through will which is not well assised  
when wit and reason been away  
And that foolhast is in the weigh  
whereof hath fall great vengeance  
For thy take in to remembrance  
To love in such a manner wise  
That thou deserve no juice   

For well I wot, thou might not let  
That thou ne shalt thin heart set  
To love, where thou wilt or none  
But if thy wit be overgone  
So that it torn unto malice  
There wot no man of thilk vice  
what peril that there may befall  
whereof a tale amongs all  
which is great pity for to here  
I think for to tell here  
That thou such murder micht withstood  
when thou the tale hast understand.    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra illos qui ob sue concupiscency desiderium Homicide efficiuntur. Et narrat qualiter Clytemnestra uxor Regis Agamemnonis cum ipse a bello Troiano domi rediffet consilio Egisti/ quem adultera peramavit, sponsum suum in cubili dormientem sub noctis silencio trucidabat. cuius mortem fisius eius Horestes tunc iunioris etatis postea diis admonitus crudelissima severitate vindicavit.  

¶ Of Troy at thilk noble town  
whose same stant yet of renown  
And ever shall to man's ere  
The siege last long there  
Ere that the greeks it might win  
while Priamus was king therein  
But of the greeks, that lain about  
Agamemnon lad all the rout  
This thing is known overall  
But yet I think in special  
To my matter thereupon  
Tell in what wise Agamemnon  
Through chance, that may not be weived  
Of love untrue was deceived   

An old saw is: who that is sly  
In place were he may be nigh  
He maketh the far leef, loath  
Of love and thus full oft it goth   

There while Agamemnon bataylleth  
To win Troy, and it assaileth  
From home and was long time there  
Aegisthus drough his queen near  
And with the leisure, which he had  
This lady at his will he lad  
Clytennestre was her right name  
She was thereof greatly to blame  
To love there it may not last  
But fell to mischief at last   

For when this noble worthy knight  
From Troy came the first night  
That he at home a bed lay  
Aegisthus long ere it was day  
As this Clytenestre him had assent  
And weren both of one assent  
By treason slough him in his bed   

But mourder, which may not been head  
Sprung out to every man's ear  
whereof the land was full of fear  
¶ Agamemnon hath by this queen  
A son, and that was after seen  
But yet as than he was of youth  
A babe, which no reason couth  
And as god would, it fell him thus  
A worthy knight Taltibius  
This young child hath in keeping  
And when he heard of this tiding  
Of this treason of this misdeed  
He 'gan within himself to dread  
In aunter if this false Egiste  
Upon him come, ere he it wist  
To take and mourther, of his malice  
This child, which he hath to nurse  
And for that cause in all haste  
Out of the land he 'gan him haste  
And to the king of Crete he 'straught  
And him this young lord betaught  
And prayed him for his father's sake  
That he this child would undertake  
And keep him till he be of age  
So as he was of his lineage  
And told him over all the case  
How that his father mourthred was  
And how Aegisthus, as men said  
was king, to whom the land obeyed.  
¶ And when Idomeneus the king  
Hath understanding of this thing  
which that this knight him hath told  
He made sorrow many fold  
And took the child unto his ward  
And said, he would him keep & ward  
Till that he were of such a might  
To handle a sword, and be a knight  
To vengen him at his own will  
And thus Horestes dwelleth still  
Such was the child's right name  
which after wrought much shame  
In vengeance of his father's death  
The time of years overgeth  
That he was man of breed & length  
Of wit, of manhood, and of strength  
A fair person amongs all  
And he began to clepe and call  
As he, which come was to man,  
Unto the king of Crete than  
Prayende that he would him make  
A knight, and power with him take  
For longer would he not believe  
He saith, but prayeth the king of leave  
To gone and cleyme his heritage  
And venge him of thilk outrage  
which was unto his father do  
The king assenteth well thereto  
with great honour, & knight him maketh  
And great power to him betaketh  
And 'gan his journey for to cast  
So that Horestes at last  
His leave took, and forth he goth  
As he that was in his heart wroth  
His first plaint to be mean   

Unto the city of Athene  
He goth him forth, and was received  
So there was be nought deceived   

The duke, and though that weren wise  
They proferen hem to his service  
And he him thonketh of their proffer  
And said himself he would gone offer  
Unto the gods for his speed  
And all men give him read  
So goth he unto the temple forth  
Of yefts, that be mochel worth  
His sacrifice, and his offering  
He made: and after his asking  
He was answered, if that he would  
His estate recover, than he should  
Upon his mother do vengeance  
So cruel, that the remembrance  
Thereof might evermore abide  
A●● he that was an homicide  
●●d of her own lord mourdrice   

H●●●stes, which of thilk office  
〈◊〉 nothing glad, and than he prayed  
V●●o the gods there, and said  
〈◊〉 they the judgement devise  
●●we he shall take the juice   

And thereupon he had answer  
T●●t he her paps should of tear  
〈◊〉 of her breast, his own hands  
A●● for ensample of all lands  
〈◊〉 ●o●s she should be to draw  
〈◊〉 hounds had her bones gnaw  
●●●●out any sepulture  
〈◊〉 was a woeful adventure   

And when Horestes hath all herd  
〈◊〉 that the gods have answered  
●●rth with the strength, which he lad  
The duke and his power he had  
And to a city forth they gone  
The which was cleped Cropheone  
where as Phoicus was lord and fire  
which proffereth him withouten hire  
His help, and all that he may do  
As he that was right glad thereto   

●o grieve his mortal enemy  
And told him certain cause why  
How that Egyste in marriage  
His daughter whilom of full age  
Forlay, and afterward forsook  
when he Horestes mother took   

Men sayne old sin new shame  
Thus more and more arose the blame  
Ayene Egyste on every side   

Horestes with his host to ride  
Began, and Phoicus with him went  
I trow Egyst shall him repent  
They riden forth unto Mycenae  
There lay Clytemnestre thilk queen  
The which Horestes mother is  
And when she heard tell of this  
The gates were fast shut  
And they were of her entry let  
Anon this city was without  
Beleyne, and seged all about  
And ever among they it assail  
from day to night, and so travail  
Till at last they it won  
though was there sorrow enough begun   

Horestes did his mother call  
Anon tofore the lords all  
And eke tofore the people also  
To her and told his tale tho  
And said: O cruel beast unkind  
How mightest thou in thine heart find  
For any lust of loves draft  
That thou accordest to the slaught  
Of him, which was thine own lord  
Thy treason stant of such record  
Thou might thy works not forsake  
So moat I for my father sake  
Vengeance upon thy body do  
As I commanded am thereto   

unkindly for thou hast wrought  
Vnkyndelyche it shall be bought  
The son shall the mother slay  
For that whilom thou saidest ye  
To that thou shouldest nay have said  
And he with that his hands hath laid  
Upon his mother breast anon  
And rend out from the bare bone  
Her paps both, and cast away  
amids in the cart way  
And after took the dead cors  
And let it be draw away with horse  
Unto the hound, unto the Raven  
She was none other wise graven   

Aegisthus which was else where  
tidings comen to his ear  
How that Mycenes was beleyne  
But what was more, herd be not sayne  
with great menace and mochel boast  
He drough power, and made an host  
And came in the rescous of the town   

But all the sleight of this treason  
Horestes wist it by a spy  
And of his men a great party  
He made ambusshement abide  
To wait on him in such a tide  
That he ne might her hand escape  
And in this wise, as he hath shape  
The thing befell, so that Egyst  
was take, ere he himself it wist  
And was brought forth his hands bond  
As when men have a traitor fond  
And though that were with him take  
which of treason were overtake  
together in one sentence fall  
But false Egyste above 'em all  
was deemed to divers pain  
The wert that men couth ordain  
And so after by the law  
He was unto the gybet draw  
where he above all other hongeth  
As to a traitor it belongeth   

The fame with her swift wings  
About fleeth, and bare tidings  
And made it couth in all lands  
How that Horestes, with his hands  
Clytemnestre his own mother slough   

Some sayen, he did well enough  
And some sayen, he did amiss  
divers opinions there is  
That she is deed they speaken all  
But plainly how it is befall  
The matter in so little throw  
In sooth there might no man know  
But they that weren at the deed   

And commonlyche in every need  
The wert speech is rathest herd  
And lived, till it be answered   

The kings, and the lords great  
Begun Horestes for to threat  
To putten him out of his reign  
He is not worthy for to reign   

The child, which slough his mother so  
They said, and thereupon also  
The lords of common assent  
The time set of parliament   

And to athens king and lord  
together come of one accord  
To know how that the sooth was  
So that Horestes in this case  
They senden after, and he come  
¶ King Menelay the words nome  
And asketh him of this matter  
And he, that all it might here  
answered, and told his tale at large  
And how the gods in his charge  
Commanded him in such a wise  
His own hand to do juice  
with this tale a duke arose  
which was a worthy knight of lose  
His name was Menestheus  
And said unto the lords thus   

The wretch, which Horestes deed  
It was thing of the gods bid  
And nothing of his cruelty  
And if there were of my degree  
In all this place such a knight  
That will say, it was no right  
I will it with my body prove  
And thereupon he cast his glove  
And eke this noble duke a laid  
Full many an other skill and saide  
She had well deserved wretch   

first for the cause of spouse breach  
And after wrought in such a wise  
That all the world it ought agryse  
when that she for so foul a vice  
was of her own lord mourdrice   

They sitten all still and heard  
But thereto was no man answered  
It taught 'em all, he said skill  
There is no man with say it will  
when they upon the reason musen  
Horestes all they excusen  
So that with great solemnity  
He was unto his dignity  
received, and coroned king   

And though befell a wonder thing  
Egyona when she it wist  
which was the daughter of Egyste  
And sister on the mother side  
To this Horest, at thilk tide  
when she heard, how her brother sped  
For pure sorrow, which herled  
That he ne had been exiled  
She hath her own life beguiled  
Anon, and hinge herself though  
It hath and shall be evermore  
To mourtherwho that will assent  
He may not fail to repent   

This false Egyona was one  
which to mourther Agamemnon  
gave her accord, and her assent  
So that by god's judgement  
Though none other man it would  
She took her juice, as she should  
And as she to an other wrought  
Vengeance upon herself she thought  
And hath of her unhappy wit  
A mourther with a mourther quit  
such is of mourther the vengeance.  
¶ For thy my son in remembrance  
●f this ensample take good heed  
For who that thinketh his love speed  
with mourther, be shall with worlds shame  
Himself & eke his love shame  
¶ My father of this adventure  
which ye have told, I you assure  
My heart is sorry for to here  
But only for I would lere  
what is to done, and what to leave   

And over this by your leave  
That ye me would tell I pray  
If there be leeful any weigh  
without sin a man may slay  
¶ My son in sundry wise ye  
what man that is of Traytorye  
Of murder, or else robbery  
At teynt, the judge shall not let  
But he shall fleen of pure det  
And doth great sin if that he wonde   

For who that law hath upon hand  
And spareth for to do justice  
For mercy: doth not his office  
That he his mercy so bewareth  
when for one shrew, which he spareth  
A thousand good men be grieveth  
with such mercy who that believeth  
To please god: he is deceived  
Or else mote reason be waived   

The law stood or we were bore  
How that a kings sword is boar  
In sign, that he shall defend  
His true people: and make an end  
Of such, as wolden hem devour  
¶ Lo thus my son to succour  
The law, and common right to win  
A man may slay without sin  
And do thereof a great alms  
So for to keep rightwiseness   

And over this for his country  
In time of were, a man is free  
Himself, his house, and eke his land  
Defend with his own hand  
And sleen, if be may no bet  
After the law, which is set.  
¶ Now father than I you beseech  
Of 'em, that deadly wars seche  
In worlds cause, and sheden blood  
If such an homicide is good?   

Confessor.  

¶ My son upon thy question  
The troth of mine opinion  
(Als farforth as my wit arecheth  
And as the plain law teacheth)  
I would the tell in evidence  
To rule with thy conscience   
Quod ●reat ipse deus, necat hoc homicida creatum  
Vltor et humano sanguine spargit humum  
Vt pecoris sic est hominis cruor heu modo fusus  
Victa jacet pietas, et furor urget opus  
Angelus in terra pax dixit, et ultima Christi  
Verba sonent pacem quam modo guerra fugat.    

¶. Hic sequitur contra motoresguerre, que non solum homicidii sed universi mundi desolationis matter existit.  

¶ The high god of his justice  
The ilk foul horrible vice  
Of homicide he hath forbid  
By Moses, as it was bid   

when goddess son was also bore  
He sent his angel down therefore  
whom the shepherds herden sing  
Pees to the men of well-willing  
In earth among us here   

So for to speak in this matter  
After the law of charity  
There shall no deadly were be  
And eke nature it hath defended  
And in her law peace commended  
which is the chief of man's wealth  
Of man's life, of man's health   

But deadly were hath his covin  
Of pestilence, and of famine  
Of poverty, and of all woe  
whereof this world we blamen so  
which now the were hath underfoot  
Till god himself thereof do boat  
For all thing, which god hath wrought  
In earth, were it bringeth to nought   

The church is brent, the priest is slain  
The wife, the maid is eke forlayne  
The law is lore, and god unserved  
I not what meed he hath discerned  
That such wars leadeth inn   

If that he do it for to win  
first to account his great cost  
Forth with the folk that he hath lost  
As to the worlds reckoning  
There shall he find no winning   

And if be do it to purchase  
The heaven, meed of such a grace  
I can nought speak nevertheless  
Christ hath commanded love and peace  
And who that worcheth the reverses  
I trow his meed is full divers  
And sithen than that we find  
That wars in her own kind  
Ben toward god of no desert  
And eke they bringen in poverty  
Of worlds good, it is marvel  
Among the men what it may eyle  
That they a pees ne connen set  
I trow sin be the let  
And every meed of sin is death  
So wot I never how it ge  
But we, that be of o believe  
Among ourself this would I leave  
That better it were peace to cheese  
Than so by double weigh lose  
¶ I not if that it now so stand  
But this a man may understand  
who that these old books readeth  
That covetise is one, which leadeth  
And brought the first wars inn   

At Grece if that I shall begin  
There was it proved how it stood  
To pierce, which was full of good  
They maden were in special  
And so they didden over all  
where great richesse was in land  
So that they left nothing stand  
Vnwerred, but only Archade.    

¶ Nota ꝙ greci omnem terram fertilem debellabant, sed tantum Archadiam pro eo ꝙ pauper et sterilis fuit, pacifice dimiserunt.  

¶ For there they no wars made  
Because it was barren and pour  
whereof they might nought recover  
And thus poverty was forbore   

He that nought had nought hath lore  
But yet it is a wonder thing  
when that a rich worthy king  
Or lord, what so he be  
will ask and claim property  
In thing, to which he hath no right  
But only of his great might  
For this may every man well wite  
That both kind and law write  
Expressly stonden there again  
But he moat needs somewhat say  
All though there be no reason inn  
which secheth cause for to win  
For wit, that is with will oppressed  
when covetise him hath addressed  
And all reason put away  
He can well find such a weigh  
To were, where as ever him liketh  
whereof that he the word entriketh  
That many a man of him complaineth  
But yet always some cause he feigneth  
And of his wrongful heart he deemeth  
That all is well, what ever him seemeth  
Be so that he may win enough  
For as the true man to the plough  
Only to the gaining intendeth  
Right so the warrior dispendeth  
His time, and hath no conscience   

And in this point for evidence  
Of 'em that such wars make  
Thou might a great ensample take  
How they her tirrannye excusen  
Of that they wrongeful wars usen  
And how they stand of one accord  
The soldier forth with the lord  
The poor man forth with the rich  
As of courage they been lyche  
To make wars and to pill  
For lucre: and for none other skill  
whereof a proper tale I read  
As it whilom befell in deed    

¶ Hic declare at per exemplum contra istos prin●●es seu altes quoscilque illicit guerre motores/ Et narrat de quodam pirata in partibus mari●is speliatore notissimo/ qui cum captus fuisset, et in judicium coram rege Alexandro productus et de latricino accusatus dixit/ O Alexander vere ●uia cum paucis socus spoliorum causa naves tantum e●pforo/ ego latruncusus vocor. in auten quia cum infinita beffatorum muftitudine vniuer fam t●rram subiugando spofiafti, Imperator dichtal. Ita ꝙ statue tuus a statu meo differt/ sed ●●●em animo conditionem pa●isem habemus. 〈◊〉 ●ander vero enis audatiam in responsione. 〈◊〉 bans ipsum penes se familiarem retinuit. Et 〈◊〉 ●●●lic●s●s beffatori complacnit.  

❧ Of him whom all this earth dread  
when he the world so overladde  
Through were, as it fortuned is  
King Alysaunder I read this  
how in a march, where he lay  
It fell perchance upon a day  
A Rover of the see was nome  
which many a man bade overcome  
And slain, and take her good away  
This pillar, as the books say  
A famous man in sundry stead  
was of the works, which he deed   

This prisoner afore the king  
was brought: & thereupon this thing  
In audience he was accused  
And he his deed hath nought excused  
And prayed the king to done him right  
And said. Sire if I were of might  
I have an heart lyche unto thine  
For if thy power were mine  
My will is most in especial  
To rifle, and get over all  
The large worlds good about  
But for I lead a power rout  
And am, as who saith, at mischief  
The name of pillar and of these  
I bear, and thou which routs great  
Might lead, and take thy beyete  
And dost right, as I would do  
Thy name is nothing cleped so  
But thou art named emperor  
Our deeds been of one colour  
And in effect of one desert  
But thy richesse and my poverty  
They be not taken even lyche  
And nevertheless he that is rich  
This day, to morrow he may be poorer  
And in contrary also recover  
A poor man to great riches   

Men say for thy let rightwiseness  
Be poised even in the balance  
¶ The king his hardy countenance  
Beheld: & his words wise  
And said unto him in this wise   

Thine answer I have understand  
whereof my will is, that thou stand  
In my service, & still abide   

And forth with all the same tide  
He hath him term of life withhold  
The more & for he should been hold  
He made him knight, & gave him land  
which afterward was of his hand  
An orped knight in many a stead  
And great prowess of arms deed  
As the Cronykes it recorden  
And in this wise they accordene  
The which of condition  
Be set upon destruction   

such captain such retinue  
But for to see what issue  
The king befalleth at the last  
It is great wonder that men cast  
Her heart upon such wrong to win  
where no beyete may been inn  
And doth disease on every side  
But when reason is put a side  
And will governeth the courage   

The falcon which fleeth ramage  
And suffereth no thing in the weigh  
whereof that he may take his prey  
Is not more set upon ravin  
Than thilk man, which his covin  
Hath set in such a manner wise  
For all the world may nought suffice  
To will, which is not reasonable    

☞ Hic secundum gefta Alexandri de guerris illicitis ponit Confessor exemplum/ dicens: quod quamuis Alexander sua potentia totius mundi victor, subingarat imperium, ipse tandem mortis victoria subiugatus/ cunctipotentis sententiam evadere non potuit.  

❧ whereof ensampele concordable  
Lyche to this point, of which I mean  
was upon Alysander seen  
which had set all his intent  
So as fortune with him went  
That reason might him not govern  
But of his will he was so stern  
That all the world he overran  
And what him list he took and won   

In Ind the superior  
when that he was full conqueror  
And had his wilful purpose won  
Of all this earth under the son  
This king homeward to Macedoyne  
when that he came to Babyloyne  
And wend most in his empire  
(As he which was whole lord and sire)  
In honour for to be received  
Most sodenlyche he was deceived  
And with strong poison envenomed  
And as he hath the world mystimed  
Not as he should with his wit  
Not as he would, it was acquyt  
Thus was he slain, that whilom slough  
And he, which rich was enough  
This day, to morrow had nought  
And in such wise as he hath wrought  
In disturbance of worlds peace  
His were he fond than endless  
In which for ever discomfit  
He was. Lo now for what profit  
Of were it helpeth for to ride  
For covetise and worlds pride  
To slay the worlds men about  
As beasts, which gone there out  
For every life, which reason can  
Aught well to know, that a man  
Ne should through no tyranny  
Lyche to this other beasts die  
Till kind would for him send  
I not how he it might amend  
which taketh a weigh for evermore  
The life, that he may not restore   

For thy my son in all weigh  
Be well advised I the prey  
Bf slaught, ere that thou be culpable  
without cause reasonable  
¶ My father understand it is  
That ye have said: but over this  
I pray you tell me nay or ye  
To pass over the great see  
To war and slay the Sarasyn  
Is that the law? Son mine  
To preach, and suffer for the faith  
That have I herd, the gospel saith  
But for to slay, that here I nought  
Christ with his own death hath bought  
All other men, and made 'em free  
In token of perfit charity  
And after that he taught himself  
when he was deed these other twelve  
Of his apostles went about  
The holy faith to preach out  
whereof the death in sundry place  
They suffer, and so god of his grace  
The faith of Christ hath made arise  
But if they would in other wise  
By were have brought in the creance  
It had yet stand in balance  
And that may proven in the deed  
For what man the Cronyckes read  
From first that holy church hath weived  
To preach, & hath the sword received  
whereof the wars been begun  
A great party of that was won  
To Christ's faith, stant now miswent  
God do thereof amendment  
So as he wot, what is the best   

But son if thou wilt live in rest  
Of conscience well assysed  
Ere that thou slay, be well advised  
For man, as tell us the clerks  
Hath god above all earthly works  
Ordained to be principal  
And eke of soul in special  
He is made lyche to the godhead  
So sit it well to taken heed  
And for to look on every side  
Ere that thou fall in homicide  
which sin is now so general  
That it well nigh stant overall  
In holy church, as else where  
But all the while it is so there  
The world mote need fare amiss  
For when the well of pity is  
Through covetise of worlds good  
Defoulled with shedding of blood  
The remanant of tolke about  
Vnne the stonden in any doubt  
To were each other, and to slay  
So is it all not worth a stre  
The charity, whereof we prechen  
For we do no thing as we techen   

And this the blind conscience  
Of pes hath lost thilk evidence  
which Chryst upon this earth taught  
Now may men see murder & manslaught  
L●che as it was by days old  
when men the sins bought and sold    

〈…〉 ●●●tas venie occasionem prebet delinquendi.  

In Grece afore Christ's faith  
I read as the Cronycke saith  
Touchend of this matter thus  
In thilk time how Peleus  
His own brother Phocus slough   

But for he had gold enough  
●o y●ue, his sin was dispensed  
with gold, whereof it was compensed  
Acastus which with Venus was  
Her priest, assoiled in that case  
All were there no repentance   

And as the book maketh remembrance  
It telleth of Medee also  
Of that she slough her sons two  
Egeus in the same plight  
Hath made her of her sin quite   

The son eke of Ampbyoras  
whose right name Almeus was  
His mother slough Eryphele  
But Achiloo the priest and he  
So as the books it recorden  
For certain some of gold accordene  
That thilk honorable sinful deed  
Assoiled was: and thus for meed  
Of worlds good it falleth oft  
That homicide is set aloft  
Here in this world, but after this  
There shall be know, how that it is  
Of 'em that such things wyrche  
And how also that holy church  
let such sins pass quite  
And how they would hem self acquit  
Of deadly wars, that they make   

For who that would ensample take  
The law, which is naturel  
By weigh of kind showeth well  
That homicide in no degree  
(which werreth again charity)  
Among the men should not dwell   

For after that the books tell  
To seche in all the world rich  
Men shall not find upon his lich  
A best for to take his prey  
And sithen kind hath such away  
Than is it wonder of a man  
which kind hath, and reason can  
That he will either more or lass  
His kind and reason overpass  
And slay that is to him semblable  
So is the man not reasonable  
Ne kind, and that is not honest  
when he is worse than a beast    

☞ Nota secundum Solinum contra homicidias de natura a cuiusdam avis faciem ad similitudinem humanam habentis/ que cum de ureda sua hominem juxta fluuium occiderit videritque in aqua similem sibi occisum statim pre dolore moritur.  

☞ Among the books, which I find  
Solynus speaketh of a wonder kind  
And saith of fowls there is one  
which hath a face of blood and bone  
Like to a man in resemblance  
And if it fall so parchance  
As he, which is a foul of prey  
That he a man find in his way  
He will him slay, if that he may  
But afterward the same day  
when he hath eaten all his fell  
And that shall be beside a well  
In which he will drink take  
Of his visage and the make  
That he hath slain, anon he thinketh  
Of his misdeed, and it forethinketh  
So greatly, that for pure sorrow  
He liveth not till on the morrow   

By this ensample it may well sew  
That man shall homicide eschew  
For ever is mercy good to take  
But if the law it hath forsake  
And that justice is there again  
Full ofttyme I have hard sayne  
amongs 'em that wars haden  
But they somewhile her cause lead  
By mercy, when they might have slain  
whereof that they were after fain   

And son, if that thou wilt record  
The virtue of Misericorde  
Thou sigh never thilk place  
where it was used, lack grace  
For every law, and every kind  
The man's wit to mercy bind  
And namely the worthy knights  
when that they stonden most uprightes  
And been most mighty for to grieve  
They shoulden thenne most relieve  
Tim, whom they mighten overthrow  
And by ensample may men know    

☞ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum de pietate contra homicidium in guerris/ habenda, Et narrat qualiter Achilles una cum filio suo contra regem Mesee, qui tunc Theucer vocabatur/ belmolum inierunt, Et cum Achilles dictum regem in bello ꝓstratum occidere voluisset Thelaphus pietate tu● ipsum clipeo cooperiens veniam pro rege a patre postulavit pro quo facto, ipse rex adhuc vinens Thephalum regni sui heredem libera vo luntate constituit.  

¶ He may not failen of his meed  
That hath mercy. For this I read  
In a chronic I find thus  
when Achilles with Telaphus  
His son, toward Troy were  
It fell 'em ere they come there  
Ayene Theucer the king of Mese  
To make war, and for to sese  
His land, as they that wolden reign  
And Theucer put out of his reign   

And thus the marches they assail  
But Theucer gave to 'em bataille  
They fought on both sides fast  
But so it happeneth at last  
This worthy greek this Achilles  
The king among all other ches  
As he that was cruel and fell  
with sword in hand on him he fell  
And smote him with a deaths wound  
That he unhorced fell to ground   

Achilles upon him alight  
And would anon, as he well might  
Have slain him fulliche in the place  
But Thephalus his father's grace  
For him besought, and for pity  
prayeth, that he would let him be  
And cast his shield between 'em two   

Achilles asketh him why so  
And Thephalus his cause told  
And saith, that he is much hold  
For whilom Theucer in a stead  
Great grace and succour to him deed  
And saith, that he him would acquit  
And praythe his father to respite   

Achles though withdrough his hand  
But all the power of the land  
when that they saw her king thus take  
They fled, and hathen the field forsake   

The greeks unto the chaas fall  
And for the most part all  
Of that cowtre the lords great  
They took and won a great beyete  
And anon after this victory  
The king, which had memory  
Upon the great mercy thought  
which thelaphus taward him wrought  
And in presence of all the land  
he took him fair by the hand  
And in this wise he 'gan to say   

My son I moat by double weigh  
Love and desire thine increases  
first for thy father Achilles  
whyl●●● full many a day ere this  
when I should have fare amiss  
Rescouse did in my quarrel  
And kept all mine estate in hele  
How so there fall now distance  
Among us, yet remembrance  
I have of mercy, which he deed  
As than: and thou now in this stead  
Of gentleness, and of franchise  
Hast do mercy the same I guess  
So will I not, that any time  
Be lost, of that thou haste do him  
For how so this fortune fall  
yet stant my trust above all  
For the mercy which I now find  
That thou wilt after this be kind  
And for that such is mine espeyr  
And for my son and for mine heir  
I the receive, and all my land  
I give and sese in to thine hand   

And in this wise they accord  
The cause was misericord  
The lords do her obeisance  
To Thelaphus, and purveyance  
was made, so that he was coroned  
And thus was mercy reguerdoned  
w●c●e he to Theucer did tofore   

To this ensample is made therefore  
That thou might take remembrance  
〈…〉, and when thou seest a chance  
〈◊〉 other men's passion  
〈◊〉 ●●te and compassion  
And l●t no thing to the be leef  
which to another man is grief   

And after this if thou desire  
〈◊〉 ●●●nde a●en the vice of Ire  
〈◊〉 the with patience  
〈◊〉 take in to thy conscience  
〈◊〉 to be thy governor  
〈◊〉 ●halt thou feel no rancour  
〈◊〉 thine heart shall debate  
with homicide, ne with hate  
y●t ●heste or melancholy  
〈◊〉 ●halt be soft in company  
without contecke or foolhast  
For ●i●es might thou long waste  
Thy time, ere that thou have thy will  
Of love, for the wedir still  
Men praise, and blame the tempests  
¶ My father I will do your hests  
And of this point ye have me taught  
Toward myself the better sought  
I th●nke be, while that I live  
But for as much as I am shrive  
Of wrath, and all his circumstance  
●●ne what ye list to my penance  
And ask further of my life  
if otherwise I be gyltyf  
Of any thing, that toucheth sin  
¶ My son, ere we depart a twin  
I shall behind no thing leave  
¶ My good father by your leave  
Than asketh forth what so you lift  
For I have in you such a tryfte  
As ye that be my soul hele  
That ye fro me nothing will hele  
For I shall tell you the truth  
¶ My son art thou culpable of sloth  
In any point, which to him long h●  
¶ My father of thou points me longeth  
To wite plainly, what they mean  
So that I may me shrive clean.  
¶ Now hark, I shall the points devise  
And understand well mine apprise   

For shrift stant of no value  
To him, that will him nought virtue  
To leave of vices the folly  
For word is wind, but the mastery  
Is, that a man himself defend  
Of thing, which is not to commend  
whereof been few now a day  
And nevertheless so as I may  
Make unto thy memory know  
The points of sloth, thou shalt know    
☞ Explicit liber tercius. ❧   

☞ Hic in quarto libro loquitur confessor de speciebus Accidie quarum primam tardacionem vocat, cuius condicionem pertractans Amanti, super hoc consequenter opponit.  
☞ Incipit liber quartus. ❧  

Dicunt accidiam fore nutricem viciorum  
Torpet et in cuntis tarda que leuta bonis  
Que sieri possent hody transfert piger in cras  
Furatoque prius hostia claudit equo.  
Poscenti tardo negat emolumenta Cupido  
Sed Venus in celeri ludit amore viti.   

Upon the vices to proceed  
After the cause of man's deed  
The first point of sloth I call  
Lachesse, and is the chief of all  
And hath this properly of kind  
To leaven all thing behyned  
Of that he might do now here  
He tarrieth all the long year  
And evermore he saith, To morrow  
And so he will his time borrow  
And wisheth after, God me send  
That when he weeneth to have an end  
Than is he forthest to begin  
Thus bringeth he many a meschiefe in  
Unware, till that he be mescheved  
And may not than be relieved   

And right so neither more ne less  
It stant of love, and of lachesse  
Some time he sloutheth on a day  
That he never after get may   

Now son as of this ilk thing  
If thou have any knowledging  
That thou to love hast done ere this  
¶ Tell on, My good father yiss  
As of laches I am beknow  
That I may stand upon his row  
As I that am clad of his suit  
For when I thought my pursuit  
To make, and thereto set a day  
To speak unto that sweet may  
Lachesse had abide yet  
And bare on hand it was no wit  
Ne time, for to speak as though  
Thus with his tales to and fro  
My time in tarrying he drough  
when there was time good enough  
He said another time is better  
Thou shalt now senden her a letter  
And percase write more plain  
Than thou by mouth durstest sayn   

Thus have I let time slide  
For sloth, and kept not my tide  
So that laches with his vice  
Full oft hath made my wit so nice  
That what I thought to speak or do  
with tarrying he held me so  
Till when I would, and might nought  
I not what thing was in my thought  
Or it was dread, or it was shame  
But ever in earnest and in game  
I wot there is long time passed  
But yet is not the love lassed  
which I unto my lady have  
For though my tongue is slow to crave  
At all time, as I have bid  
Mine heart stant ever in o stead  
And asketh besylyche grace  
The which I may not yet embrace  
And god wot that is maulgre mine  
For this I wot right well afyn  
My grace cometh so seld about  
That is the sloth, which I doubt  
More than of all the remanant  
which is to love appartenaunte   

And thus as touchende of lachesse  
As I have told, I me confess  
To you my father, I beseech  
That furthermore ye will me teach  
And if there be to my matter  
Some goodly tale for to here  
How I may do lachesse away  
That ye it would tell, I prey  
¶ To wysse the my son and read  
Among the tales, which I read  
An old ensample thereupon  
Now hearken, and I will tell on   

☞ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra istos qui in amoris causa tardantes delinquunt. Et narrat qualiter Dido regina Cartaginis Ened. ab incendus troy fugitinum in amorem fuum gavisa suscepit/ qui cum postea in parts Italy a Cartagine bellaturum se transtulit, nimiam que ibidem moram faciens/ tempus redditus sui ad Didonem ultra modum tardavit/ ipsa intolle●abili dolore concussa sui cordis intima gladio transfodit.  

A●ayne lachessein loves case  
I find, how whilom Aeneas'  
Home Anchyses to son had  
with great navy, which he lad  
From Troy, arriveth at Cartage  
wherefore a while his herbergage  
He took, and it betided so  
with her, which was a queen though  
Of the city, his acquaintance  
He won, whose name in remembrance  
Is yet, and Dido she was hot  
which loveth Aeneas so hot  
Upon the words, which he said  
That all her heart on him she laid  
And did all holy, what he would  
But after that, as it be should  
From thence he goth toward italy  
By ship, and there his arrival  
Hath take, and shope him for to ride   

But she, which may not long abide  
The hot pain of loves throw  
Anon within alytel throw  
A letter unto her knight hath write  
And did him plainly for to wite  
If he made any tarrying  
To dretche of his again coming  
That she ne might him feel and see  
She should stand in such degree  
As whilom stood a swan tofore  
Of that she had her make lore  
For sorrow a feather in to her brain  
She shoof, and hath herself slain   

As king Menander in a lay  
Th● sooth hath fond, where she lay  
Spraulend with her wings fifty  
As she which should than die  
For love of him, which was her make.   

And so shall I do for thy sake  
Th●●●nene said, well I wot   

Lo to Ence thus she wrote  
with many another word of complaint  
But he which had his thoughts faint  
Towards love, and full of sloth  
His time let, and that was ruth  
For she, which loveth him tofore  
Desireth ever more and more  
And when she saw him tarry so  
Her heart was so full of woe  
That compleynend manifold  
She hath her own tale told  
Unto herself, and thus she spoke   

A who fond ever such a lack  
Of sloth in any worthy knight?  
Now wot I well my death is dight  
Through him, which should have be my life  
But for to stinten all this strife  
Thus when she sigh none other boat  
Right even unto her heart rote  
A naked sword anon she threfte  
And thus she got herself rest  
In remembrance of all slow  
whereof my son thou might know  
How taring upon the need  
In loves cause, is for to dread  
And that hath Dido sore about  
whose death shall ever be bethought   

And evermore if I shall seche  
In this matter another speech  
In a chronic I find write  
A tale, which is good to wite.    

¶ Hic loquitur super eodem, qualiter Penolope Vlixem maritum suum in obsidione troy diucius morantem ob ipsius ibidem tardacionem epistola sua redarguit.  

☞ At Troy when king Vlyxes  
Upon the siege among the pres  
Of 'em, that worthy knights were  
Abode long time still there  
In thilk time a man may see  
How goodly that Penelope  
which was to him his true wife  
Of his lachesse was plaintiff  
whereof to Troy she him send  
Her will by letter, thus spekende:   

My worthy love, and lord also  
It is and hath be ever so  
That where a woman is alone  
It maketh a man in his person  
The more hardy for to woo  
In hope that she would bow  
To such thing, as his will were  
while that her lord were else where   

And of myself I tell this  
For it so long passed is  
Sith first that ye from home went  
That well nigh every man is went  
To there I am, while ye be out  
Had made and each of 'em about  
which love can, my love secheth  
with great prayer, and me beseecheth  
And some maken great menace  
That if they might come in place  
where that they might her will have  
There is no thing me should save  
That they ne would worch things  
And some tell me tidings  
That ye been deed: and some sayen  
That certainly ye been beseyne  
To love a new, and leave me  
But how as ever that it be  
I thank unto the gods all  
As yet for aught, that is befall  
May no man do my cheeks read  
But nevertheless it is to dread  
That lachesse in continuance   

Fortune might such a chance  
which no man after should amend  
¶ ' Lo thus this lady compleynende  
A letter unto her lord hath write  
And prayed him, that he would wite  
And think, how that she was all his  
And that he tarry not in this  
But that he would his love acquit  
To her ayenewarde, and not write  
But come himself in all haste  
That he none other paper waste  
So that he keep, and hold his troth  
without let of any sloth  
¶ Unto her lord and love liege  
To Troy where the great siege  
was laid, this letter was conveyed  
And he which wisdom hath purueid  
Of all that to reason belongeth  
with gentle heart it underfongeth  
And when he hath it over rad  
In part, he was right inly glad  
And eke in part he was diseased  
But love his heart hath so through seized  
with pure imagination  
That for for none occupation  
which be 'gan take on other side  
He may not flit his heart aside  
For that his wife him had informed  
whereof he hath himself conformed  
with all the will of his courage  
To shape and take the voyage  
Homeward, what time that he may  
So that him thinketh of a day  
A thousand year till he may see  
The visage of Penelope  
which he desireth most of all   

And when the time is so befall  
That Troy was destroyed, and brent  
He made no delayment  
But goth him home in all high  
where that he fond tofore his eye  
His worthy wife in good estate  
And thus was sese the debate  
Of love, and sloth was excused  
which doth great harm, where it is used  
And hindereth many a cause honest.    

¶ Nota ad huc de quodam Astrologo super eodem, qui quoddam opus ingeniosum quasi ad complementum septennios perducens unius momenti tardacione omni sui operis diligentiam penitus frustravit.  

¶ For of the great clerk Grostest  
I read how busy that he was  
Upon the clergy an heed of bras  
To forge and make it for to tell  
Of such things as befell  
And seven years business  
He laid, but for the lachesse  
Of half a minute of an hour  
from first he began labour  
He lost all that he had do   

And other while it fareth so  
In loves cause, who is slow  
That he without under the woo  
By night stant full oft a cold  
which might, if that he had would  
His time kept, have be within.    

¶ Nota ad huc contra taidationem de virginibus fatuis, que nimiam moram facientes intrante sponso ad nupcias/ cum ipso non introierunt.  

¶ But sloth may not profit win  
But he may sing in his Carole  
How late ware came to the dole  
where he no good receive might  
And that was proved well by night  
〈◊〉 of the maidens five  
〈◊〉 thilk lord came for to wife  
〈◊〉 that her oil was away  
To light him lamps in his weigh  
Her sloth brought it so about  
from him that they be shut without   

whereof my son be thou ware  
Als farforth as I tell dare  
For sloth must been awaited  
And if thou be not well affayted  
In love, to eschew flouthe  
My some for to tell truth  
Thou might not of thyself been able  
To win love, or make it stable  
All though thou mightest love achieve  
¶ My father that I may well leave  
But me was never assigned place  
where yet to get any grace  
Ne me was no such time appointed  
For than I would I were unjointed  
Of every limb that I have  
And I ne should keep and save  
Mine hour both, and eke my stead  
If my lady it had bid  
But she is otherwise advised  
Than grant such a time assised  
And nethelesse of my lachesse  
There b●th by no default I guess  
Of time lost, in that I might   

But yet her liketh not alight  
Upon no lure, which I cast  
Fo●●y the more I cry fast  
The less her liketh for to here   

So for to speak of this matter  
I seek, that I may not find  
I haste, and ever I am behind  
And wot not, what it may amount  
But father upon mine account  
which ye been set to examine  
Of ●hayfte after the discipline  
Say what your best counsel is.  
¶ My son my counsel is this  
How so it stand of time ago  
Do forth thy business so  
That no lachesse in the be found  
For sloth is mighty to confound  
The speed of every man's work  
For many a vice, as saith the clerk  
There hungen upon slouthes' lap  
Of such as make a man mishap  
To plain and tell of Had I wist  
And thereupon if that the list  
To know of slouthes' cause more  
In special yet overmore  
There is a vicefull grievable  
To him, which is thereof culpable  
And stant of all virtues bore  
Here after as I shall declare   
Qui nihil attemptat, nihil expedit, oreque mut●  
Munus amicitie ●ur sibi raro capit  
Est modus in verbis, sed ei qui parcit amori  
Verba referre sua novifavet ullus amor.   

¶ Hic loquitur Confessor de quadam specie Accidie/ que pusillanimitas dicta est/ cuius imaginativa formido neque virtutes aggredi, neque vicia fugere audet/ sicque utriusque vite tam active quam contemplative premium non attingit.  

❧ Touchende of sloth in his degree  
There is yet pusillanimite  
which is to say in this language  
He that hath little of courage  
And dare no man's work begin  
So may he nought by reason win  
For who that nought dare undertake  
By right he shall no profit take  
But of this vice the nature  
Dare nothing set in adventure  
Him lacketh both word and deed  
whereof he should his cause speed  
He will no manhood understand  
For ever he hath dread upon hand  
All is peril, that he shall say  
Him thinketh the wolf is in the way  
And of imagination  
He maketh his excusation  
And feigneth cause of pure dread  
And ever he faileth at need  
Till all be spylte, that he with dealeth  
He hath the sore, which no man healeth  
The which is cleped Lack of heart  
Though every grace about him start  
He will not once steer his foot  
So that by reason lose he mote  
That will not aunter for to win   

And so forth son, if we begin  
To speak of love and his service  
There been truants in such a wise  
That lacken heart, when best were  
They speaken of love, and right for fear  
They waxen dumb, and dare not tell  
without sown, as doth the bell  
which hath no clapper for to chime  
And right so they, as for the time  
Been herteles without speech  
Of love, and dare nothing eseche  
And thus they lose, and win nought  
For thy my son if thou art aught  
Culpable, as touchende of this sloth  
shrive the thereof, and tell me troth.  
¶ My father I am all beknow  
That I have been one of the slow  
As for to tell in loves case  
Mine heart is yet, and ever was  
Although the world should all to break  
So fearful, that I dare not speak  
Of what purpose that I have nome  
when I toward my lady come  
But let it pass and over go  
¶ My son do no more so  
For after that a man pursueth  
To love so fortune seweth  
Full oft, and giveth her happy chance  
To him, which maketh continuance  
To prey love, and to beseech  
As by ensample I shall the teach.    

☞ Hic in amoris causa loquitur contra pusilla nimes, Et dicit/ ꝙ amans, pro timore verbis obtumescere non debet, sed concinnando preces sui amoris expeditionem tutius prosequatur/ Et ponit Confessor exemplum, qualiter Pigmalion pro eo ꝙ preces continuavit, quandam imaginem eburneam, cuius pulchritudinis concupiscentia illaqueatus extitit, in carnem et sanguinem ad latus suum tranformatam sentiit.  

¶ I find, how whilom there was one  
whose name mass Pigmalyone  
which was a lusty man of youth  
The works of entail he couth  
Above all other men as tho  
And through fortune it fell him so  
As he, whom love shall travail  
He made an image of entail  
Lyche to a woman in semblance  
Of feature, and of countenance  
So fair yet never was figure  
Right as a lives creature  
She seemeth, for of ivor white  
He hath it wrought of such delight  
She was rody on the cheek  
And red on her lips eke  
whereof that he himself beguileth  
For with a goodly look she smileth  
So that through pure impression  
Of his imagination  
with all the heart of his courage  
His love upon this fair image  
He set: and her of love prayed  
But she no word ayenewarde said  
The long day what thing he deed  
This image in the same stead  
was ever by, that at meat  
He would her serve, and prayed her eat  
And put unto her mouth the cup  
And when the board was taken up  
He hath her unto his chamber nome  
And after when the night was come  
He laid her in bed all naked  
He was forwepte, he was forwaked  
He kissed her cold lips oft  
And wisheth, that they were soft  
And oft he rowneth in her ear  
And oft his arm now here now there  
He laid, as he her would embrace  
And ever among he asketh grace  
As though she wist what it meant  
And thus himself he 'gan torment  
with such disease of loves pain  
That no man might him more pain  
But how it were of his penance  
He made such countenance  
From day to night, and prayed so long  
That his prayer is underfang  
which Venus of her grace heard  
By night, and when that he wert feared  
And it lay naked in his arm  
The cold image he felt warm  
Of flesh and bone, and full of life   

Lo thus he wan a lusty wife  
which obeisaunt was at his will  
And if he would have hold him still  
And nothing spoke, he should have failed  
But for he hath his word travailed  
And durst speak, his love he sped  
And bade all that he would abed  
For ere they went than a two  
A knave child between 'em two  
They gate, which was after hot  
Paphus, of whom yet hath the note  
A certain isle, which Paphos  
Men clepe, and of his name it rose   

By thts ensample thou might find  
That word may work above kind  
For thy my son if that thou spare  
To speak, lost is all thy fare  
For sloth bringeth in all woe   

And over this to look also  
The god of love is favourable  
To hem, that been of love stable  
And many a wonder hath befall  
whereof to speak amongs all  
If that ye list to taken heed  
Thereof a solemn tale I read  
which I shall tell in remembrance  
Upon the sort of loves chance    

〈◊〉 Hic venit exemplum super eodem qualiter 〈◊〉 L●gdus uxori sue Thelacuse pregnanti mina●atur ●q●si filiam pareret/ infans occideretur. ou● tamen postea cum filiam ediderat, Isis dea part●s tunc presens filiam nomine Iphi appellari 〈◊〉 more masculi educare admonuit, quam 〈◊〉 filium credens/ ipsam in maritagium filie 〈◊〉 principis etate solita copulanit/ Sed cum 〈◊〉 debitum sui comugu, unde foluere non ha● 〈◊〉 in sui advitorium interpellebat, qui su● 〈◊〉 miserti femineum genus in masculinum 〈…〉 nature in Iphe per ●ia transmutarili.  

THe king Lygdus upon a strife  
Spoke unto Thelacuse his wife  
which than was with child great  
He swore it should nought be let  
That if she have a daughter bore  
That it ne should be forlese  
And slain, whereof she sorry was  
So it befell upon this case  
when she delivered should be  
I●●s by night in privity  
● which of childing is the goddess)  
Came for to help in that distress  
Till that this lady was all small  
And had a daughter forth with all  
which the goddess in all weigh  
Bad keep, and that they should say  
It were a son: and thus Iphis  
They named him, and upon this  
The father was made for to ween  
And thus in chamber with the queen  
This Iphis was forth draw tho  
And clothed, and arrayed so  
Right kings as a son should  
Till after, as fortune it would  
when it was of a ten year age  
Him was betake in marriage  
A duke's daughter for to wed  
which jaunte height, and oft a bed  
These children lay, she and he  
which of one age both be  
So that within time of years  
Together, as they been play feres  
Lyggende abed upon a night  
Nature, which doth every wight  
Upon her law for to muse  
constraineth 'em, so that they use  
Thing, which to hem was all unknow  
whereof Cupyde thilk throw  
Took pite for the great love  
And let do set kind above  
So that her law may been used  
And they upon her lust excused  
For love hateth nothing more  
Than thing, which stant against the lore  
Of that nature in kind hath set  
For thy Cupyde hath so beset  
Her grace upon this adventure  
That be accordant to nature   

when that he sigh his time best  
That each of hem hath other kest  
Transformeth Iphe into a man  
whereof the kind love he won  
Of lusty youngth, jante his wife  
And though they led a merry life  
which was to kind none offence   

And thus to take an evidence  
It seemeth love is welwyllende  
To hem, that been contynuende  
with busy heart to pursue  
Thing, which that is to love due  
whereof my son in this matere  
Thou might ensample taken here  
That with thy great business  
Thou might attain the richesse  
Of love, that there be no sloth  
¶ I dare well say by my troth  
Als far as my wit can seche  
My father, as for lack of speech  
But so as I me shrofe tofore  
There is none other time lore  
whereof there might be obstacle  
To let love of his miracle  
which I beseech day and night  
But father so as it is right  
In form of shrift to be know  
what thing belongeth to the slow  
your fatherhood I will prey  
If there be further any weigh  
Touchende unto this ilk vice  
¶ My son ye, of this office  
There serveth one in special  
which lost hath his memorial  
So that he can no wit withhold  
In thing, which he to keep his hold  
whereof full oft himself he grieveth  
And who that most upon him leaveth  
when that his wits been so weyved  
He may full lightly be deceived.   
Mentibus oblitus alienis labitur ille,  
Quem probat accidia non meminisse sui.  
Sic amor incautus, qui uon memoratur ad horas  
Perdit, et offendit, quod cuperare nequit.   

¶ Hic tractat Confessor de vitio oblivionis/ quam matter eius Accidia ad omnes virtutum memorias, necnon et in amoris causa immemorem se constituit.  

¶ To serve Accidie in his office  
There is of sloth an other vice  
which is cleped Foryettylnes  
That nought may in his heart impress  
Of virtue, which reason hath set  
So clean his wits be foryete  
For in telling of his tale  
No more his heart than his male  
Hath remembrance of thilk form  
whereof he should his wit inform  
As than, and yet ne wot why  
Thus is his purpose nought for thy  
Forlore, of that he would abide  
And scarcely if he seeth the third  
To love of that he had meant  
Thus many a lover hath be shent  
Tell on further, hast thou been one  
Of 'em, that hath sloth begun?  
¶ ye father oft it hath been so  
That when I am my lady fro  
And think untoward her draw  
Than cast I many a new law  
And all the world turn up so down  
And so record I my lesson  
And write in my memorial  
what I to her tell shall  
Right all the matter of my tale  
But all nis worth a nut shalt  
For when I come there she is  
I have it all foryete iwis  
Of that I thought for to tell  
I can not than unneaths spell  
That I wend alther best have red  
So sore of her I am adredde   

For as a man that suddenly  
A ghost beholdeth so far I  
So that for fear I can nought get  
My wit: but I myself foryete  
That I wot never, what I am  
Ne whither I shall, ne when I came  
But muse, as be that were amazed  
Lyche to the book, in which is razed  
The letter, and may nothing be radde  
So been my wits overladde  
That what as ever I thought have spoken  
It is out of mine heart stoken  
And stand, as who saith, dumb & deefe  
That all nies worth an ivy lief  
Of that I wend well have said  
And at last I make abraid  
Last up mine heed, and look about  
Right as a man, that were in doubt  
And wot not, where he shall become  
Thus am I oft all overcome  
There as I wend best to stand   

But after when I understand  
And am in other place alone  
I make many a woeful moan  
Unto myself, and speak so  
¶ A fool, where was thine heart though  
when thou thy worthy lady sye  
were thou afered of her eye?  
For of her bond there is no dread  
So well I know her woman heed  
That in her is no more outrage  
Than in a child of three year age   

why hast thou dread of so good one  
whom all virtue hath begun  
That in her is no violence  
But goodlihead, and innocence  
without spot of any blame   

A nice heart, fie for shame  
A coward heart of love unlered  
whereof art thou so sore afered?  
That thou thy tongue sufferest frese  
And wolte thy good words lose  
when thou hast fond time and space  
How shouldest thou deserve grace?  
when thou thyself darest ask none  
But all thou hast foryete anon   

And thus dispute in loves lore  
But help ne find I nought the more  
But stumble upon mine own train  
And make an eking of my pain  
For ever when I think among  
How all is on myself along  
I say, O fool of all fools  
Thou farest as he between two stoles  
That would sit, and goth to ground  
It was, ne never shall be found  
Between Foryettylnes and dread  
That man should any cause speed   

And thus mine holy father dear  
Toward myself, as ye may here  
I plain of my foryettylnes  
But else all the business  
That may be take of man's thought  
My heart taketh and is through sought  
To thinken ever upon that sweet  
withouten sloth I you byhete   

For what so fall or weal or woe  
That thought foryete I nevermore  
w●●●e so I laugh, or so I louvre  
Not half a minute of an hour  
Ne might I let out of my mind  
But if I thought upon that hende  
Thereof me shall no sloth let  
Till death out of this world me fet  
All though I had on such a ring  
As Moses, through his enchanting  
Sometime in ethiop made  
when that he Tharbys wedded had  
which ring bare of oblivion  
The name, and that was by reason  
That where on a finger it sat  
Anon his love he so foryate  
As though he had it never know  
And so it fell that ilk throw  
when Tharbis had it on her hand  
No knowledging of him she fond  
But all was clean out of memory  
As men may read in his story  
And thus he went quite away  
That never after thilk day  
She thought, that there was such one  
All was foryete, and overgone   

But in good faith so may not I  
For she is ever fast by  
So nigh, that she mine heart toucheth  
That for no thing that sloth voucheth  
I may foryete her lief ne loath  
For over all where as she goth  
Mine heart followeth her about  
Thus may I say withouten doubt  
For bet, for were, for aught, for nought  
She passeth never fro my thought  
But when I am there, as she is  
Mine heart, as I you said ere this  
Sometime of her is sore adread  
And sometime is overgladde  
All out of rule, and out of space  
For when I see her goodly face  
And think upon her high pries  
As though I were in paradise  
I am so ravished of the sight  
That speak unto her I ne might  
As for the time, though I would  
For I ne may my wit unfold  
To find o word of that I mean  
But it is all foryete clean  
And though I stand there a mile  
All is foryete for the while  
A tongue I have/ and words none  
And thus I stand, and think alone  
Of thing, that helpeth oft nought  
But what I had afore thought.  
To speak, when I come there  
It is foryete, as nought ne were  
And stand amazed, and assoted  
That of no thing, which I have noted  
I can not than a note sing  
But all is out of knowledging   

Thus what for joy, and what for dread  
All is forgotten at need  
So that my father of this sloth  
I have you said the plain troth  
ye may it, as ye list, redress  
For thus stant my forgetfulness  
And eke my pusyllanymite  
Say now forth, what ye list, to me  
For I will only do by you  
¶ My son I have well herd, how thou  
Hast said, and that thou must amend  
For love his grace will not send  
To that man, which dare ask none  
For this we known everichone  
A man's thought without speech  
God wot, and yet that men beseech  
His will is: for without bedis  
He doth his grace in few stedis  
And what man that foyete himself  
Among a thousand be not twelve  
That will him take in remembrance  
But let him fall, and take his chance  
For thy pull up a busy heart  
My son, and let no thing asterte  
Of love fro thy business  
For touching of forgetfulness  
which many a love hath set behind  
A tale of great ensample I find  
whereof it is pity to wite  
In the manner as it is write.    

☞ Hic in amoris causa contra obliuiosos ponit Confessor exemplum, qualiter Demophon versus bellum Troianum itinerando a Philli de Rodipea regina non tantum in hospicium/ sed etlam in amorem gaudio magno susceptus eft, qui postea ab ipsa troy descendens rediturum infra certum tempus fidelissime se compromisit sed quia huiusmodi promissiones diem statutum post modum oblitus est, Phillis oblivionem Demephontis lacrimis primo deplangens/ tandem cordula collo suo cerculigata se mortuam suspedit.  

❧ King Demophon when he by ship  
To troye ward with felauship  
Seylend goth upon his weigh  
It happeneth him at Rodepeye  
As Aeolus him had blow  
To land, and rested for a throw  
And fell that ilk time thus  
That the daughter of Lycurgus  
which queen was of the country  
was sojourned in that city  
within a castle nigh the strand  
where Demophon came up to land  
Phylles she height, and of young age  
And of stature, and of visage  
She had all that her best beseemeth   

Of Demophon right well her quemeth  
when he was come, and made him cheer  
And he that was of his manner  
A lusty knight, ne might asterte  
That he ne set on her his heart  
So that within a day or two  
He thought, how ever that it go  
He would assay the fortune  
And 'gan to commune  
with goodly words in her ere  
And for to put her out of fere  
He swore, and hath his troth plight  
To be for ever her own knight   

And thus with her he still abode  
There, while his ship on anchor rood  
And had enough of time and space  
To speak of love, and seek grace   

This lady herd all that he said  
How he swore, and how he prayed  
which was and an enchantment  
To her, that was as an Innocent  
As though it were truth and faith  
She leaveth all, that ever he faith  
And as her fortune should  
She granteth him, all that he would   

Thus was he for the time in joy  
Till that he should go to Troy  
But though she made much sorrow  
And he his troth laid to borrow  
To come, and if that he live may  
again, within a month day  
And thereupon they kysten both  
But were him leef or were him loath  
To ship he goth, and forth he went  
To Troy, as was his first intent   

The days go the month passeth  
Her love increaseth, and his lassethe  
For him she lost sleep and meet  
And he his time hath all foryete  
So that this woeful young queen  
which wore not what it might mean  
A letter sent, pnd prayed him come  
And saith how she is overcome  
with strength of love, in such a wise  
That she not long may suffice  
To lyven out of his presence  
And put upon his conscience  
The truth, which he hath behote  
whereof she loveth him so hot  
She saith, that if he longer let  
Of such a day, as she him set  
She should starven in his sloth  
which were a shame unto his troth   

This letter is forth upon her sonde  
whereof somedeal comfort on hand  
She took, as she that would abide  
And waiteth upon that ilk tide  
which she hath in her letter write   

But now is pity for to wite  
As he did erst, so he forgot  
His time estsone, and over sat  
But she, which might not do so  
The tide owayteth evermore  
And cast her eye upon the see  
Sometime nay, sometime ye  
Sometime he came, sometime nought  
Thus she disputeth in her thought  
And wot not, what she think may  
But fastened all the long day  
She was, in to the dark night  
And though she hath do set up light  
In a lantern on high aloft  
Upon a tour, where she goth oft  
In hope, that in his coming  
He should see the light brenning  
whereof he might his ways right  
To come, where she was by night  
But all for nought, she was deceived  
For Venus hath her hope waived  
And showed her upon the sky  
How that the day was fast by  
So that within a little throw  
The days light she might know  
Th● she beheld the see at large  
And when she sigh there was no barge  
He ship, als far as she may ken  
D●●ne fro the tower she 'gan to run  
In to an herber all her own  
where many a wonder woeful moan  
She made, that no life it wist  
As she, which all her joy mist  
That now she swouneth, now she plaineth  
And all her face she dysteyneth  
with tears, which as of a well  
The streams from her eyen fell  
So as she might and ever in one  
She cleped upon Demephoon  
And said: Alas thou slow wight  
There was never such a knight  
That so through his ungentilnesse  
Of sloth and of forgetfulness  
Against his truth breaketh his steven   

And though her eye up to the heaven  
She cast, and said: O thou unkind  
Here shalt thou through thy sloth find  
(If that the list to come and see)  
A lady deed for love of the  
So as I shall my selue-spylle  
whom, if it had be thy will  
Thou mightest save well enough   

with that upon a green bough  
A saint of silk, which she there had  
She knit: and so herself she lad  
That she about her white swear  
Hit did, and hinge herself there   

whereof the gods were amoved  
And Demephon was reproved  
That of the god's providence  
was shape such an evidence  
Ever afterward again the slow  
That Phyllis in the same throw  
was shape in to a nute tree  
That all men it might see  
And after Phyllis Phylberd  
This tree was cleped in the yard  
And yet for Demophon to shame  
In to this day it beareth the name  
This woeful chance how that it feared  
Anon as Demephon it heard  
And every man it had in speech  
His sorrow was not tho to seek  
He 'gan his sloth for to ban  
But it was all to late then  
¶ Lo thus my son might thou wite  
Ayene this vice how it is write  
For no man may the harms guess  
That fallen through forgetfulness  
whereof that I thy shrift have herd  
But yet of sloth how it hath fir  
In other wise I think oppose  
If thou have guilt, as I suppose   
Dum plantare licet, cultor qui negligit ortum  
Si desint fructus, imputat ipse sibi.  
Preterite ista dies bona, nec valebit illa secunda.  
Hoc caret exemplo lentus amore suo.   

☞ Her tractat Confessor de viciis negligency, cuius condicio Accidiam amplectens omnes aries sciencia tom in amoris causa que aliter ignominiosa pretermittens, cum nullum poterit eminete remedium sui ministerii diligenciam ex post facto in vacuum attemptare presumit.  

❧ Fulfilled of slouthes exemplair ❧  
There is yet one his secretayr  
And he is cleped Negligence  
which will not look his evidence  
whereof he may beware tofore  
But when he hath his cause lore  
Than is he wise after the hand  
when help may no manner bond  
Than at first would he bind  
Thus evermore he stant behind  
when he the thing may not amend  
Than is he ware, and saith at end   

A would god I had know  
whereof beiaped with a mow  
He goth, for when the great stead  
Is stole, than he taketh heed  
And maketh the stable door fast  
Thus ever he pleyth an after cast  
Of all that he shall say or do  
He hath a manner eke also  
Him list not learn to be wise  
For he set of no virtue prise  
But as him liketh for the while  
So feeleth he fulofte guile  
when that he weeneth sicker to stand   

And thus thou might well understand  
My son, if thou art such in love  
Thou might not come at thine above  
Of that thou wouldest well achieve.  
¶ Mine holy father as I leave  
I may well with safe conscience  
Excuse me of negligence  
Towards love in all wise  
For though I be none of the wise  
I am so truly amorous  
That I am ever curious  
Of 'em, that can best inform  
To known and wyten all the form  
what falleth unto loves craft  
But yet ne fond I nought the haste  
which might unto the blade accord  
For never herd I man record  
what thing it is, that might avail  
To win love, without fail  
yet so far couth I never find  
Man, that by reason ne by kind  
Me couth teach such an art  
That he ne failed of a part   

And as toward mine own wit  
contrive I couth never yet  
To find any sickerness  
That me might other more or less  
Of love make for to speed  
For leaveth well withouten dread  
That if there were such away  
As certainly as I shall die  
I had it learned long a go  
But I wot well there is none so  
And nevertheless it may well be  
I am so rude in my degree  
And eke my wits been so dull  
That I ne may nought to the full  
Attain unto so high a lore  
But this I dare say overmore  
All though my wit ne be not strong  
It is not on my will along  
For that is busy night and day  
To learn all that he learn may  
How that I might love win  
But yet I am as to begin  
Of that I would make an end  
And for I not, how it shall wend  
That is to me my most sorrow  
But I dare take god to borrow  
As after mine intendment  
None other wise negligent  
Than I you say, have I not be  
For thy pure saint charity  
Tell me my father, what you seemeth  
¶ In good faith son well me quemeth  
That thou thyself haste thus acquit  
Toward this, in which no wight  
Abide may for in an hour  
He lest all that he may labour  
The long year: so that men say  
what ever he doth, it is in vain  
For through the sloth of negligence  
There was yet never such science  
Ne virtue which was bodily  
That nies destroyed, and lost thereby  
Ensample, that it hath be so  
In book I find write also.    

☞ Hic contra vicium negligencie ponit Confessor exemplum. Et narrat/ quod cum Phaeton filius Solis currum patris sui per aera regere deliverat, admo nitus a patre, ut equos ne deui●rent equa manu diligencius refrenaret, ipse con filium patris sua negligencia pretiriens, equos cum curru nimis basse errare permisit/ unde non solum incendio orbem inflammavit, sed et ipsum de cu●●u cadentem in quoddam fluuium demergi a● interitum causavit.  

❧ Phoebus', which is the son hot  
That shineth upon earth hot  
And causeth every lives health  
He had a son in all his wealth  
which Phaeton height: & he desireth  
And with his mother he conspyreth  
The which was cleped Clemene  
For help and counsel, so that he  
His fathers cart lead might  
Upon the fair days light  
And for this thing they both prayed  
Unto the father: And he said  
He would well, but forth with all  
Three points he had in special  
Unto his son in all wise  
That he him should well advise  
And take it as by weigh of lore   

〈◊〉 first was, that he his horse to sore  
T●●pryke: And over that he told  
●●at he the reins fast hold   

And also that he be right ware  
In what manner he leadeth his char  
That he mistake not his gate  
But upon au●sement algat  
He should bear a syker eye  
That he to low, ne to high  
His cart drive, at any throw  
whereof that he might overthrow   

And thus by Phoebus' ordinance  
Took Phaeton in to governance  
The sons cart, which he lad  
But he such vain glory had  
Of that he was set upon high  
That he his own estate ne sigh  
Through negligence, and took none head  
So might he well not long speed  
For he the horse withouten law  
The cart let about draw  
where as him liketh, wanton  
That at the last suddenly  
For he no reason would know  
This fiery cart he drove to low  
And fireth all the world about  
whereof they weren all in doubt  
And to the god for help crieden  
Of such unhaps, as betiden   

Phoebus which saw the negligence  
How Phaeton again his defence  
His char hath drive out of the weigh  
ordaineth, that he fell away  
Out of the cart in to the flood  
And dreint: lo now how it stood  
with him, that was so negligent  
That fro the high firmament  
For that he would go to low  
He was anon down overthrow   

In high estate it is a vice  
To go to low, and in service  
It grieveth, for to go to high  
whereof a tale in Poesy    

☞ Exemplum super eodem de Icharo filio Dedali in carcere Minotauri existent, cui Dedalus, ut inde evolaret alas componens firmiter iniunxit, ne nimis alte propter solus ardorem ascenderet, quod Icharus sua negligencia post ponens cum altius sublimatus fuisset subito ad terram corruens expiravit.  
☞ I find, how whilom Dedalus  
which had a son, and Icharus  
He hight, & though him thought loath  
In such prison they were both  
with mynotaurns, that about  
They mighten no where wenden out  
So they begunnen for to shape  
How they the prison might escape  
This Dedalus, which fro his youth  
was taught, and many crafts couth  
Of feathers, and of other things  
Hath made to flee divers wings  
For him, and for his son also  
To whom he gave in charge tho  
And had him think thereupon  
How that his wings been set on  
with wax: and if he took his flight  
To high, all suddenlike he might  
Make it to melt with the son  
And thus they have her flight begun  
Out of the prison fair and soft  
And when they weren both aloft  
This Icharus began to mount  
And of the counsel none account  
He set, which his father taught  
Till that the son his wings caught  
whereof it melt, and from the height  
withouten help of any flight  
He fell to his destruction  
And liche to that condition  
There fallen oftimes feel  
For lack of governance in weal  
Als well love as other weigh.  
¶ Now good father I you prey  
If there be more in this matter  
Of sloth, that I might here  
¶ My son as for thy diligence  
which every man's conscience  
By reason should rule and keep  
If that the list to take keep  
I will the tell above all  
In whom no virtue may befall  
which giveth unto the vices rest  
And is of sloth the slowest.  
Absque labore vagus vir inurilis ocia plectens  
Nescio quid presens vita valebit ei.  
Non amor in ta● misero viget, imo valoris  
Qui faciunt opera clamat habere suos.   

☞ Hic loquitur Confessor super illa specie accidie, que Ocium dicitur/ cuius condicio in virtutum cultura nullius occupacionis diligenciam admittens/ cuiuscumque expedicionem cause non attigit.  

❧ Among these other of slouthes kind  
which all labour set be hind  
And hateth all business  
There is yet one, which idleness  
Is cleped: and is the nurse  
In man's kind of every vice  
which secheth cases many fold  
In winter doth he nought for cold  
In summer may be nought for heat  
So wether that he trese or sweet  
Or be he in, or be he out  
He will been idle all about  
But if he play aught at dies  
For who as ever take fees  
And thinketh worship to deserve  
There is no lord whom he will serve  
As for to dwell in his service  
But if it were in such a wise  
Of that he seeth peraventure  
That by lordship and by coverture  
He may the more stand still  
And use his Idleness at will  
For he ne will no travail take  
To ride for his ladis sake  
But liveth all upon his wishes  
And as a cat would eat fishes  
without witting of his clees  
So would he do, but nevertheless  
He faileth oft of that he would  
¶ My son if thou of such a mould  
Art made, now tell me plain thy shrift  
¶ Nay father god I give a yift  
That toward love, as by wit  
All idle was I never yette  
Ne never shall, while I may go  
¶ Now son tell me than so  
what hast thou done of besyshyp  
To love, and to the ladyship  
Of her, which thy lady is?  
¶ My father ever yet ere this  
In every place, in every stead  
what so my lady hath me heed  
with all mine heart obedient  
I have there to be diligent  
And if so is that she bid nought  
what thing that than in to my thought  
Cometh first, of that I may suffice  
I bow, and proffer my service   

Sometime in chamber, sometime in hall  
Right so as I see the times fall  
And when she goth to here mass  
That time shall nought overpass  
That I ne approach her lady heed  
In aunter if I may her lead  
Unto the chapel and again  
Than is not all my weigh in vain  
Somdele I may the better fare  
when I, that may not feel her bare  
May lead her clothed in mine arm  
But after ward it doth me harm  
Of pure imagination  
For than this collation  
I make unto my seluen oft  
And say: O lord how she is soft  
How she is round, how she is small  
Now would god, I had her all  
without danger at my will  
And than I sick, and sit still  
Of that I see my busy thought  
Is turned idle in to nought  
But for all that let I ne may  
when I see time another day  
That I ne do my business  
Unto my ladies worthiness  
For I thereto my wit affayte  
To see the times and await  
what is to done, and what to leave  
And so when time is, by her leave  
what thing she bit me done, I do  
And where she bit me gone, I go  
And when her list to clepe, I come  
Thus hath she fullyche overcome  
Mine idleness till I starve  
So that I mote her needs serve  
For as men say, need hath no law  
Thus mote I needily to her draw  
I serve, I bow, I look, I lout  
Mine eye followeth her about  
what so she will, so will I  
when she will sit, I kneel by  
And when she stout, than will I stand  
And when she taketh her work on hand  
Of giving, or of embrouderye  
Than can I not but muse and pry  
Upon her fingers long and small  
And now I think, and now I tale  
And now I sing, and now I sick  
And thus my countenance I pike  
And if it fall, as for a time  
Her liketh nought abide byme  
But busy en her on other things  
Than make I other taryenges  
To drive forth the long day  
For me is loath depart away  
And than I am so simple of port  
That for to feyn some disport  
I play with her little hound  
Now on the bed, now on the ground  
Now with the birds in the cage  
For there is none so little page  
Ne yet so simple a chamberere  
That I ne make 'em all cheer  
And all for they should speak weal  
Thus mow ye see my busy whel  
That goth not ydelyche about   

And if her list to riden out  
On pilgrimage, or other stead  
I come, though I be not bid  
And take her in mine arm aloft  
And set her in her saddle soft  
And so forth lead her by the bridal  
For that I would not been idle  
And if her list to ride in char  
And that I may thereof beware  
Anon I shape me to ride  
Right even by the chares side  
And as I may, I speak among  
And other while I sing a song  
which Ovid in his bokees made  
And said: O what sorrows glad  
O which wolull prosperity  
Belongeth to the propirte  
Of love? who so will him serve  
And there fro may no man swerver  
That he ne moat his law obey   

And thus I ride forth my weigh  
And am right busy overall  
with heart, and with my body all  
As I have said you here tofore  
My good father tell therefore  
Of idleness if I have guilt  
¶ My son but thou tell wilt  
Ought else, than I may now here  
Thou shalt have no penance here  
And nevertheless a man may see  
How now a days that there be  
Full many of such hearts slow  
That will not besyen 'em to know  
what thing love is: till at last  
That he with strength hem overcast  
That maulgre hem they moat obey  
And done all idleship away  
To serve well and besyliche   

But son thou art none of such  
For love shall the well excuse  
But otherwise if thou refuse  
To love thou might so percase  
Been idle, as sometime was  
A kings daughter unadvised  
Till that cupid her hath chastised  
whereof thou shalt a tale here  
Accordaunt unto this matere    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra istos, qui amoris occupationem omittentes/ gravioris infortunii casus expectant/ Et narrat de quadam Armenie regis filia, que huiusmodi conditionis in principio inventutis ocio sapersiftens/ mirabili postea visione castigata in amoris obsequium pre ceteris efficitur.  

¶ Of armeny I read thus  
There was a king, which Herupus  
was hot: and he a lusty maid  
To daughter had, and as men said  
Her name was Rosiphele  
which tho was of great renome  
For she was both wise and feyre  
And should be her father's heir  
But she had one default of sloth  
Towards love, & that was routh  
For so well couth no man say  
which might set her in the weigh  
Of loves occupation  
Through none imagination  
That school would she not know   

And thus she was one of the slow  
As of such hearts business  
Till when Venus the goddess  
which loves court hath for to reule  
Hath brought her in to better rule  
Forth with Cupyde, & with his might  
For they marvel of such a wight  
which tho was in her lusty age  
Desireth nouther marriage  
Ne yet the love of paramours  
which ever hath been the common course  
Among 'em, that lusty were  
So was it after showed there  
For he that high hearts loweth  
with fiery dart, which he throweth   

cupido, which of love is god  
In chastising hath made a rod  
To drive away her wantonness  
So that within a while I guess  
She had on such a chance spourned  
That all her mode was overturned  
which first she had of slow manner  
For this it fell/ as thou shalt here.   

when come was the month of may  
She would walk upon a day  
And that was ere the son aryst  
Of women but a few it wist  
And forth she went privily  
Unto the park was fast by  
All soft walkende on the grass  
Till she came there the land was  
Through which there ran a great river  
It thought her fair: and said here  
I will abide under the shaw  
And bad her women to withdraw  
And there she stood alone still  
To think what was in her will   

She sigh the sweet flowers spring  
She heard glad fowls sing  
She sigh beasts in her kind  
The buck, the do, the heart, the hind  
The males go with the femele  
And so began there a quarrel  
Between love and her own heart  
From which she couth not asterte   

And as she cast her eye about  
She sigh clad in one suit a rout  
Of ladies, where they comen ride  
A long under the wood side  
On fair ambulende horse they set  
That were all white, fair and great  
And everichone ride on side   

The saddles were of such a pride  
with pearls and gold so well begun  
So rich sigh she never none  
In kyrtels and in copes rich  
They were clothed all alyche  
Departed even of white and blue  
with all lusts, that she knew  
They were embroudred over all  
Her bodies weren long and small  
The beauty of her fair face  
There may none earthly thing deface  
Corownes on their heeds they bear  
As each of 'em a queen were  
That all the gold of Croesus' hall  
The least coronal of all  
Might not have bought, after the worth  
Thus comen they ridend forth   

The kings daughter, which this sigh  
For pure abasshe drew her adrigh  
And held her close under the bough  
And let 'em still ride enough  
For as her thought in her avise  
To hem that were of such a price  
She was not worthy to ask there  
from when they come, or what they were  
But liefer than this worlds good  
She would have wist how it stood  
And put her heed a little out  
And as she looked her about  
She saw comende under the lined  
A woman upon an horse behind  
The horse, on which she road was black  
All lean, and galled upon the back  
And halted, as he were encloyed  
whereof the woman was annoyed  
Thus was the horse in sorry plight  
And for all that a star whit  
amids in her front she had  
Her saddle eke was wonder bad  
In which the woeful woman sat  
And nevertheless there was with that  
A rich bridle for the nonce  
Of gold, and precious stones  
Her cote was somedeal to tore  
About her middle twenty score  
Of horse halters, and well more  
There hangen that time though   

Thus when she came the lady nigh  
T●●● took she better heed, and sigh  
The woman was right fair of face  
All though her lacked other grace  
And so ●his lady, there she stood  
Bethought her well and understood  
That this, which came rydende though  
tidings couth tell of though  
which as she sigh tofore ride  
And put henforth, and prayed abide  
And said? A sister let me here  
what been they, that riden now here  
And been so richly arrayed?   

This woman which come so dismayed  
answered with full soft speech  
And said: Madam I shall you teach  
These are of tho, that whilom were  
Servants to love, and troth bear  
There as they had their hearts set  
Far well. For I may not be let  
Madam I go to my service  
So must I haste in all wise  
For thy madame give me leave  
I may not long with you leave   

A good sister yet I prey  
Tell me why ye be so beseye  
And with these halters thus begun?  
¶ Madam, whilom I was one  
That to my father had a king  
But I was slow, and for no thing  
Me list not to love obey  
And that I now full sore abeye  
For I whilom no love had  
My horse is now feeble and bad  
And all to tore is mine array  
And every year this fresh may  
These lusty ladies ride about  
And I must needs sew her rout  
In this manner, as ye now see  
And truss her halters forth with me  
And am but her horse knave  
None other office I ne have  
Hempskirk thinketh I am worthy no more  
For I was slow in loves lore  
when I was able for to lere  
And would not the tales here  
Of 'em, that couth love teach  
¶ Now tell me than I you beseech  
wherefore that rich bridle serveth  
with that away her cheer she swerveth  
And 'gan to weep/ and thus she told   

This bridle, which ye now behold  
So rich upon mine horse heed  
Madam afore ere I was deed  
when I was in my lusty life  
There fell in to mine heart a strife  
Of love, which me overcome  
So that thereof heed I nome  
And thought I would love a knight  
That last well a fortnight  
For it no longer might last  
So nigh my life was at last   

But now at last to late ware  
That I ne bad him loved are  
For death came so hast byme  
Ere I thereto had any time  
That it ne might been achieved  
But for all that I am relieved  
Of that my will was good thereto  
That love suffereth it be so  
That I shall such a bridle were  
Now have ye heard all mine answer  
To god madame I you betake  
And warneth all for my sake  
Of love, that they be nought idle  
And bid 'em think upon my bridle   

And with that word all suddenly  
She passeth, as it were a sky  
All clean out of the ladies sight  
And tho for fear her heart aflyght  
And, said to herself, alas  
I am right in the same case  
But if I live after this day  
I shall amend if I may  
And thus homeward this lady went  
And changed all her first intent  
within her heart, and 'gan to swear  
That she no halters would bear  
¶ Lo son, here might thou take heed  
How idleness is for to dread  
Namelyche of love, as I have write  
For thou might understand and wit  
Among the gentle nation  
Love is an occupation  
which for to keep his lusts save  
Should every gentle heart have  
For as the lady was chastised  
Right so the knight may be advised  
which idle is, and will not serve  
To love, he may percase deserve  
A greater pain than she had  
when she about with her lad  
The horse halters, and for thy  
Good is to be ware thereby  
But for to loken above all  
These maidens, how so it fall  
They should take ensample of this  
which I have told forsooth it is   

My lady Venus, whom I serve  
what woman will her thank deserve  
She may not thilk love eschew  
Of paramours, but she moat sew  
Cupydes law, and nevertheless  
Men seen such love seld in peace  
That it nies ever upon aspye  
Of tangling/ and of false envy  
Full oft meddled with disease  
But thilk love is well at ease  
which set is upon marriage  
For that dare shown the visage  
In all places openly  
A great marvel it is for thy  
how that a maid will let  
That she her time ne beset  
To haste unto thilk feast  
whereof the love is all honest  
Men may recover loss of good  
But so wise a man yet never stood  
which may recover time ylore  
So may a maiden well therefore  
Ensample take, of that she straungeth  
Her love, & long or that she changeth  
Her heart upon her lusts green  
To marriage, as it is seen  
For thus a year, two, or three  
She left, ere that she wedded be  
while she the charge might bear  
Of children, which the world forbear  
Ne may, but if it should fail  
But what maiden that in her spousaile  
would tarry, when she take may  
She shall perchance an other day  
Be let, when that her levest were  
whereof a tale unto thine ear  
which is culpable upon this deed  
I think tell of that I read.    

☞ Hic ponit exemplum super eodem: Et narrat de filia Jepte/ que cum ex sui patris voio in holocaustum deo occidi et offerri deberet, ipsa pro eo/ quod virgo fuit, et prolem ad augmentationem populi dei nondum genuisset xl dierum spacium, ut cum suis sodalibus virginibus suam defleret virginitatem priusquam moreretur/ in exemplum asiorum a patre postulavit.  

¶ Among the jews, as men told  
There was whilom by days old  
A noble duke, which Jepte height  
And fell, he should go to fight  
Again Amon the cruel king  
And for to speak upon this thing  
within his heart he made a vow  
To god, and said: A lord, if thou  
wolte grant unto thy man victory  
I shall in token of thy memory  
The first life, that I may see  
Of man or woman, where it be  
Anon as I come home again  
To thee, which art god sovereign  
Sleen in thy name, and sacrify  
And thus with his chivalry  
He goth him forth, so as he should  
And wan all that he win would  
And overcame his foemen all   

May no man know that shall fall  
This duke a lusty daughter had  
And fame, which the worlds sprad  
Hath brought unto this ladies ear  
How that her father hath do there  
She waiteth upon his coming  
with dancing, and with carolling  
As she that would be tofore  
All other, and so she was therefore  
In masphat at her father's gate  
The first: and when he cometh there at  
And sigh his daughter, he to brayed  
His clothes, and wepende he said   

* O mighty god among us here  
Now wot I that in no manner  
This worlds joy may be plain  
I had all that I couth sayne  
Ayene my foemen by thy grace  
So when I came toward this place  
There was no gladder man than I  
But now my lord all suddenly  
My joy is turned in to sorrow  
For I my daughter shall to morrow  
To hew and burn in thy service  
To loving of thy sacrifice  
Through mine avow, so as it is   

The maiden when she wist of this  
And saw the sorrow her fatheer made  
So as she may with words glade  
Comforted him, and had him hold  
His covenant, as he was behold  
Towards god, as he behyght  
But nevertheless his heart aflyght  
Of that she saw her death comende  
And than unto the ground knelende  
Tofore her father she is fall  
And saith, so as it is fall  
Upon this point, that she shall die  
Of one thing first she would him pray  
That forty days of respite  
He would her grant, upon this plight  
That she the while may bewep  
Her maidenhead, which she to keep  
So long hath kept, and not be set  
whereof her lusty youth is let  
That she no children hath forth draw  
In marriage after the law  
So that the people is not increased  
But that it might be released  
That she her time hath lore so  
She would by his leave go  
with other maidens to complain  
And afterward unto the pain  
Of death, she would come again   

The father heard his daughter say  
And thereupon of one assent  
The maidens were anon assent  
That shoulden with this maiden wend   

So for to speak unto this end  
They gone the downs and the dales  
with weeping, and with woeful tales  
And every wight her maidenhead  
Complaineth upon thilk need  
That she no children had boar  
whereof she hath her youth lore  
which never she recover may  
For so fell, that her last day  
was come, in which she should take  
Her death, which she may not forsake  
Lo thus she died a woeful maid  
For thilk cause, which I said  
As thou hast understand above  
¶ My father as toward the love  
Of maidens for to tell truth  
ye have thilk vice of sloth  
Me thinketh right wonder well declared  
That ye the women have not spared  
Of 'em that tarryen so behind   

But yet it falleth in my mind  
Toward the men, how that ye speak  
Of 'em that will no travail seek  
In cause of love upon desert  
To speak in words so covert  
I not what travail that ye meant  
¶ My son and after mine intent  
I will the tell, what I thought  
How whilom men her loves bought  
Through great travail in strange lands  
where that they wrought with her hands  
Of arms many a worthy deed  
In sundry places, as men may read.   
Quem, ꝓbat armorum ꝓbitas Venus apꝓbat er quem  
Torpor habet reprobum, reprobat illa virum,  
Vecors segnicies insignia nescit amoris,  
Nam piger ad bravium tardius ipse venit.   

☞ Hic loquitur, quod in amoris causa militie probitas ad armorum laboris exercitium nullatenus torpescat.  

¶ That every love of pure kind  
Is first forth draw, well I find  
But nevertheless yet over this  
Desert doth so, that it is  
The rather had in many place  
For thy who secheth loves grace  
where that these worthy women are  
He may not then himself spare  
Upon his travail for to serve  
whereof that he may thank deserve  
where as these men of arms be  
Sometime over the great see  
So that by land, and eke by ship  
He moat travail for worship  
And make many hasty roads  
Sometime in Pruys, sometime in Rhodes  
And some time in to Tartarye  
So that these heralds on him cry  
Vaylant vaylant, lo where he goth  
And than he giveth 'em gold & cloth  
So that his fame might spring  
And to his ladies ear bring  
Some tiding of his worthiness  
So that she might of his prowess  
Of that she heard men record  
The better unto his love accord  
And danger put out of her mood  
when all men recorden good  
And that she wot well for her sake  
That be no travail will forsake   

My ●●●ne of this travail I mean  
Now shrive thee: for it shall be seen  
If thou art idle in this case  
¶ My father ye, and ever was  
For as me thinketh truly  
That every man doth more than I  
As of this point, and if so is  
That I have aught done so ere this  
It is so little of account  
As who saith, it may not amount  
To win of love his lusty gift   

For this I tell you in shrift  
That me were liefer her love win  
Than Raire, and all that is therein   

And for to slay the heathen all  
I not what good there might fall  
So much blood though there were shed  
This find I writ how Christ bade  
That no man other should slay  
what should I win over the see  
If I my lady lost at home?  
But pass they the salt foam  
To whom Christ bade they shoulden preach  
To all the world, and his faith teach  
But now they rucken in her nest  
And resten, as hem liketh best  
In all the sweetness of delyces  
Thus they defenden us the vices  
And sitten hem self all amid  
To slay and fight, they us bid  
Him whom they should, as the book saith  
Conuerten unto Christ's faith  
But hereof have I great marvel  
How that they should me bid travail  
A saracen if I slay shall  
I slay the soul forth withal  
And that was never Christ's lore  
But now hoo thereof, I say no more   

But I will speak upon my shrift  
And to cupid I make a yefte  
That who as ever price deserve  
Of arms I will love serve  
As though I should hem both keep  
Als well yet would I take keep  
when it were time to abide  
And for to travail, and for to ride  
For how as ever a man labour  
cupid appointed hath his hour    

¶ Hic allegat Amans in sui excusatione qualiter Achilles apud Troiam propter amorem Polixene arma sua per aliquod tempus dimisit.  

¶ For I have herd tell also  
Achilles left his arms so  
Both of himself, and of his men  
At Troy or Polyxens  
Upon her love when he fell  
That for no chance that befell  
Among the greeks or upor down  
He would nought ayene the town  
Been armed for the love of her  
And so me thinketh leave sir  
A man of arms may him rest  
Sometime in hope for the best  
If he may find a were near  
what should I than go so far?  
In strange lands many a mile  
To ride, and lose at home there while  
My love, it were a short beyete  
To win chaff, and lose wheat  
But if my lady bide would  
That I for her love should  
Travail, me thinketh truly  
I might flee through out the sky  
And go through out the deep see  
For all ne set I not a stre  
what thank that I might else get  
what helpeth a man have meet  
where drink lacketh on the board  
what helpeth any man's word  
To say how I travail fast  
where as me faileth at last  
That thing, which I travail fore  
O in good time were he bore  
That might attain such a meed  
But certes if I might speed  
with any manner business  
Of worlds travail than I guess  
There should me none idelshyp  
Depart from her ladyship   

But this I see on days now  
The blind god I wot not how  
cupido, which of love is lord  
He set the things in discord  
That they that lest to love intend  
Full oft he will hem give and send  
most of his grace, and thus I find  
That he that should go behind  
Goth many a time far tofore  
So wot I not right well therefore  
On whether board that I shall seyle  
Thus can I nought myself counsel  
But all I set on adventure  
And am, as who saith, out of cure  
For aught that I can say or do  
For evermore I find it so  
The more business & lay  
The more that I kneel and pray  
with good words, and with soft  
The more I am refused oft  
with business, and may not win  
And in good faith that is great sin  
For I may say of deed and thought  
That idle man have I be nought  
For how as ever that I be deslayde  
yet evermore I have assayed  
But though my business last  
All is but idle at last  
For when theffect is idleness  
I not what thing is business  
Say what availeth all the deed  
which nothing helpeth at need  
For the fortune of every fame  
Shall of his end bear a name   

And thus for aught is yet befall  
An idle man I will me call  
And after mine intendment  
But upon your amendment  
Mine holy father, as you seemeth  
My reason and my cause deemeth  
¶ My son I have herd of thy matter  
Of that thou hast the shriven here  
And for to speak of idle far  
Me seemeth that thou tharst not care  
But only that thou might not speed  
And thereof son I will the rede  
Abide, and haste not to fast  
Thy deeds been every day to cast  
Thou nost, what chance shall betide  
Better is to wait upon the tide  
Than row against the streams strong  
For though so be the think long  
Percase the revolution  
Of henen, and thy condition  
Ne be not yet of one accord  
But I dare make this record  
To Venus, whose priest that I am  
That sithen that I hither came  
To here, as she me bad, thy life  
whereof thou else be gyltyfe  
Thou might hereof thy conscience  
Excuse, and of great diligence  
which thou to love hast so dispended  
Thou oughtest well to be commended   

But if so be that there ought fail  
Of that thou slouthest to travail  
In arms for to be absent  
And for thou makest an argument  
Of that thou saidest here above  
How Achilles through strength of love  
His arms left for a throw  
Thou shalt an other tale know  
which is contrary, as thou shalt wit   

For this a man may find write  
when that knighthood shall be weired  
Lust may not than be preferred  
The bed must than be forsake  
And shield and spear on hand take  
which thing shall make 'em after glad  
when thy be worthy knights made  
whereof, so as it cometh to hand  
A tale thou shalt understand  
How that a knight shall arms sew  
And for the while his ease eschew.    

❧ Hic dicit ꝙ amoris delectamento postposito miles arma sua preferre debet, Et ponit exemplum de Vlyxe, cum ipse a bello Troiano propter amorem Penelope remanere domi voluisset, Nau plus pater Palamidis cum tantis sermonibus allocutus est, ꝙ Vlixes thoro sue coniugis relicto lobores armorum una cum afiis troy magnanimis subibat.  

❧ Upon knighthood I read thus  
How whilom the king Nauplus  
The father of Palamydes  
Came for to preyen Vlyxes  
with other Gregois eke also  
That he with hem to Troy go  
where that the siege should be   

Anon upon Penelope  
His wife, whom that he loveth hot  
Thynkend, would hem nought behote  
But he shope then a wonder wile  
How that he should hem best beguile  
So 〈…〉 might dwell still  
At ho●e, and wield his love at will  
whereof early the morrow day  
Out of his bed, where that he lay  
when he was up, he 'gan to far  
In to the field, and look and stare  
As he which feigneth to be wood  
He took a plough, where that it stood  
wherein anon in stead of ox's  
He let do yoken great Foxes  
And with great salt the land be sew   

But Nauplus, which the cause knew  
Ayene the sleight, which he feigneth  
Another sleight anon ordaineth  
And fell that time Vlyxes had  
A child to son, and Nauplus read  
How men that son take should  
And set him upon the mould  
where that his father held the plough  
In thilk forough, which he though drough  
For in such wise he thought assay  
How it Vlyxes should pay  
If that he were wood or none   

The knights for this child forth gone  
Telemachus anon was fet  
To fore the plough and even set  
where that his father should drive  
But when he saw his child as belive  
He droof the plough out of the weigh  
And Nauplus though began to say  
And hath half in a ●ape cried   

O Vlyxes thou art espied  
what is all this thou wouldest mean?  
For openlyche it is now seen  
That thou hast feigned all this thing  
which is great shame to a king  
when that for lust of any sloth  
Thou wylt●n a quarrel of truth  
Of arms thilk honour forsake  
And dwell at home for loves sake  
For better it were honour to win  
Than love, which liking is in  
For thy take worship upon hand  
And else thou shalt understand  
These other worthy kings all  
Of Grece, which unto the call  
Towards the will be right wrath  
And grieve the perchans' both  
which shall be to the double shame  
Most for the hindering of thy name  
That thou for sloth of any love  
Shalt so thy lusts set above  
And leave of arms the knighthood  
which is the price of thy manhood  
And ought first to be desired   

But he which had his heart fired  
Upon his wife, when he this herd  
Nought one word there again answered  
But turneth home haluing ashamed  
And hath within himself so tamed  
His heart that all the sotie  
Of love for chivalry  
He left, and be him leef or loath  
To Troy forth with hem he goth  
That he him might not excuse  
Thus stant it, if a knight refuse  
The lust of arms to travail   

There may no worlds ease avail  
But if worship be with all  
And that hath she wed overall  
For it sit well in all wise  
A knight to been of high emprise  
And putten all dread away  
For in this wise I have herd say.    

〈◊〉 narrat super ●odem, qualiter Laodomia 〈…〉 v●or vo●ens ipsum a bello 〈…〉 secunt retinere fatatam sibi mortem in 〈◊〉 Tr●●e prenunciavit. sed ipse miliciam poci 〈…〉 affectans, Troiam adut ubi sue mor● 〈…〉 perpetue laudis Cronicam ademit.  

❧ The worthy knight Prothesalay  
On his passage where he lay  
Toward Troy thilk siege  
She which was all his own lyege  
●●●domye his lusty wife  
which for his love was pensive  
As he which all her heart had  
Upon a thing, whereof she dread  
A letter, for to make him dwell  
from Troy, send him, thus to tell  
How she hath asked of the wise  
Touchend of him in such a wise  
That they have done her understand  
Toward other how so it stand  
The destiny it hath so shape  
That he shall not the death escape  
In caas that he arrive at Troy   

For thy as to her worlds joy  
with all her heart she him prayed  
And many another cause alleyde  
That he with her at home abide   

But he hath cast her letter a side  
As he which though no manner heed  
Took of her wommanlyche dread  
And forth he goth, as nought ne were  
To Troy, and was the first there  
which londeth, and took arryvayle  
For him was liefer in the battle  
He saith, to deyen as a knight  
Than for to live in all his might  
And be reproved of his name   

Lo thus upon the worlds fame  
knighthood hath ever yet beset  
which with no cowardies is let.    

☞ Adhuc super eodem qualiter Rex Saul, n● obstante ꝙ Samuelem a Phitonissa fuscitatum et conturatil vesponsum, ꝙ ipse in bello moreretur, accepisset: hosts tamen suos aggrediens milicie famam cuntis huius vit● blandementis preposuit.  

❧ Of king Saul also I find ♣  
when Samuel out of his kind  
Through that the Phitones hath lered  
In samary, was arreared  
Long time after that he was deed  
The king Saul him asketh rede  
If that he shall go fight or none   

And Samuel him said anon  
The first day of the battle  
Thou shalt be slain without fail  
And jonathas thy son also   

But how as ever it fell so  
This worthy knight of his courage  
Hath undertake the viage  
And would nought his knighthood let  
For no peril he couth set  
whereof that both his son and he  
Upon the Mount of Gelboe  
Assemblen with her enemies  
For they knighthood of such a pries  
By old days than belden  
That they none other thing behelden  
And thus the father for worship  
Forth with his son of fellowship  
Through lust of arms weren deed  
As men may in the bible read  
They whose knighthood is yet in mind  
And shall be to the worlds end    

❧ Hic loquitur, ꝙ miles in suis primordiis ad audaciam pronocari debet. Et narrat qualiter Chiro Centaurus Achillem, qui secum ab infan cia in montem Peleon educavit, ut audax efficere tur, primitus edocuit, quod cum ipse venacionibus ibidem insifteret, leones, et tigrides, huinsmodique animalia sibi resistentia, et nulla alia fugitiva agitaret, et sic Achilles in inventute animatus famosissime militie probitatem postmodum ad optanit.  

ANd for to looken overmore  
It hath and shall been evermore  
That of knighthood the prowess  
Is grounded upon hardiness  
Of him that dare well undertake  
And who that would ensample take  
Upon the form of knights law  
How that Achilles was forth draw  
with Chiro, which Centaurus height  
Of many a wonder here he might  
For it stood thilk time thus  
That this Chiro this Centaurus  
within a large wilderness  
where was lion and leonesse  
The lepard, and the Tiger also  
with heart, and hind, buk, and do  
Had his dwellenge, as though befylle  
Of Peleon upon the hill  
whereof was than much speech  
There hath Chiro this child to teach  
what time he was of twelve year age  
wherefore to maken his courage  
The more hardy by other weigh   

In the forest to hunt and play  
when that Achilles' walk would  
Centaurus bad that he ne should  
After no best make his chas  
which would fleen out of his place  
As book and do, and heart and hind  
with which he may no were find  
But tho, that wolden him withstand  
There should be with his dart on hand  
Upon the Tiger and the lion  
Purchase and make his venison  
As to a knight is acordaunt  
And thereupon a covenant  
This Chiro with Achilles set  
That every day without let  
He should seche a cruel best  
Or slay or wounden at the lest  
So that he might a token bring  
Of blood upon his home coming  
And thus of that Chiro him taught  
Achilles such an heart caught  
That he no more a lion dread  
when he his dart on hand had  
Than if a lion were an ass  
And that hath made him for to pass  
All other knights of his deed  
when it came the great need  
As it was afterward well know.  
¶ Lo thus my son thou might know  
That the courage of hardiness  
Is of knighthood the prowess  
which is to love suffisant  
above all the remnant  
That unto loves court pursue   

But who that would no sloth eschew  
Upon knighthood and not travail  
I not what love him should avail  
But every labour asketh why  
Of some reward, whereof that I  
Ensamples couth tell enough  
Of 'em that toward love drough  
By old days, as they should  
¶ My father thereof here I would  
¶ My son it is will reasonable  
In place, which is honourable  
If that a man his heart set  
That than he for no sloth let  
To do what longeth to manhood   

For if thou wilt the books read  
Of Lancelot, and other more  
There might thou seen, how it was tho  
Of arms, for they would attain  
To love, which withouten pain  
May not be get of idleness  
And that I take to witness  
An old Cronycke in special  
The which in to memorial  
As write for his loves sake  
How that a knight shall undertake.    

☞ Hic dicet, ꝙ miles priusqua amoris amplexu dignus efficiatur, eventus bellicos victoriosus amplectere debet/ et narrat qualiter Hercules et Achelous propter Deianiram Calidonie regis filiam singulare duellum ad invicemnierunt/ cuins victor Hercules existens armorum meritis amorem virginis laudabiliter conquestavit.  

☞ There was a king, which Oenone's  
was hot, and he under peace  
Held Calydonye in his empire  
And had a daughter Deyanyre  
Men wist in thilk time none  
So fair a wight, as she was one  
And as she was a lusty wight  
Right so was than a noble knight  
To whom Mercury father was  
This knight the two pilers of bras  
The which yet a man may find  
Set up in the desert of Ind  
That was the worthy Hercules  
whose name shall been endless  
For the marvels, which he wrought   

This Hercules the love sought  
Of Deyanyre, and of this thing  
Unto her father, which was king  
He spoke touchend of marriage   

The king knowend his high lineage  
And dead also his mights stern  
To him ne durst his daughter werne  
And nevertheless, this he him saide  
How Achilous', ere he, first prayed  
To wedden her: and in accord  
They stood, as it was of record   

But for all that, this he him granteth  
That which of 'em, that other daunteth  
In arms, him she should take  
And that the king hath undertake   

This Achilous' was a giant  
A subtle man, a deceivant  
which through magic and sorcerye  
couth all the world of recherye  
And when that he this tale heard  
How upon that the king answered  
with Hercules he must fight  
He trusteth nought upon his sleight  
All only, when it cometh to need  
But that, which voideth all dread  
And every noble heart steereth  
The love, that no life forbeareth  
For his lady, whom he desireth  
with hardiness his heart fireth  
And sent him word without fail  
That he will take the battle   

They setten day, they chosen field  
The knights covered under shield  
To guider come at time set  
And each one is with other met  
It fell they fought both on foot  
There was no stone, there was no rote  
which might let hem the weigh  
But all was void and take away   

They smitten strokes but a few  
For Hercules, which would show  
His great strength, as for the nonce  
He start upon him all at ones  
And caught him in his arms strong   

This giant wot, he may not long  
Endure under so hard bonds  
And thought he would out of his bonds  
By sleight, in some manner, escape  
And as he couth himself forshape  
In likeness of an adder he slipped  
Out of his hand, and forth he skipte  
And oft, as he that fight wool  
He turneth him in to a bowl  
And 'gan to belwe in such a son  
As though the world should all go down  
The ground he sporneth, & he traunceth  
His large horns he advanceth  
And cast 'em here and there about   

But he, which stant of 'em no doubt  
awaiteth well when that he came  
And him by both bornes name  
And all at ones he him cast  
Unto the ground, and held him fast  
That he ne might with no sleight  
Out of his hand getes upon height  
Till he was overcome, and yold  
And Hercules hath what he would   

The king him granted to fulfil  
His asking at his own will  
And she, for whom he had served  
Her thought he hath her well deserved   

And thus with great desert of arms  
He won him for to lig in arms  
As he which hath it dear about  
For otherwise should he nought    

❧ Nota de penthefilea Amazonie regina, que Hectoris amore colligata/ contra Pirrum Achillis filium apud Troiam arma ferre eciam personaliter non recusavit.  
And over this if thou wilt here  
Upon knighthood of this matter  
How love and arms been acquainted  
A man may see both write and painted  
So farforth, that Penthesyle  
which was the queen of Femyne  
The love of Hector for to seek  
And for th'honour of arms eke  
To Troy came with spear and shield  
And road herself in to the field  
with maidens armed all aroute  
In rescus of the Town a bout  
which with the greeks was belein.   

☞ Nota qualiter Philimenia propter milicie famam a finibus terre in defensionem troy veniens tres puellas a regno Amazonie quolibet anno percipiendas sibi et heredibus suis imperpetuum ea de causa habere promeruit.  

❧ from Paphlagonie & as men sayn ♣  
which stant upon the worlds end  
That time it liked eke to wend  
Philimenis, which was king  
To Troy, and came upon this thing  
In help of thilk noble town  
And all was that for the renown  
Of worship and of worlds fame  
Of which he would bear a name  
And so he did, & forth with all  
He won of love in special  
A fair tribute for evermore  
For it fell thilk time so  
Pyrrus the son of Achilles  
This worthy queen among the pres  
with deadly sword sought out, & fond  
And slough her with his own hand  
whereof this king of Paphlagonye  
Penthesyle of Amazonie  
where she was queen, with him lad  
with such maidens as she had  
Of 'em that were left alive  
Forth in his ship, till they aryve  
where that the body was begrave  
with worsyp, and the women save   

And for the goodshyp of this deed  
They graunten him a lusty meed  
That every year, for his truage  
To him and to his heritage  
Of maidens fair he shall have three  
And in this wise sped he  
which the fortune of arms sought  
with his travail his ease he bought  
For other wise he should have failed  
If that he had nought travailed    

☞ Nota pro eo quod Eneas regem Turnum in bello devicit non solum amorem Lavine/ sed et regnum Italie sibi subiugaium obtinuit.  

☞ Aeneas' eke within italy  
He had he won the battle  
And done his might so busily  
Ayene king Turn his enemy  
He had nought Lavine won  
But for he hath him over run  
And got his pries, he got her love   

By these ensamples here above  
Lo now my son, as I have told  
Thou might well see, who that is bold  
And dare travail, and undertake  
The cause of love, he shall be take  
The rather unto loves grace  
For comonlyche in worthy place  
The women loven worthiness  
Of manhood and of gentleness  
For the gentiles be most desired  
¶ My father but I were inspired  
Through lore of you, I wot no weigh  
what gentleness is for to say  
whereof to tell I you beseech  
¶ The ground my son for to seche  
Upon this definition  
The worlds constitution  
Hath set the name of gentleness  
Upon the fortune of richesse  
which of long time is fall in age  
Than is a man of high lineage  
After the form as thou shalt here  
But no thing after the matter   

For who that reason understand  
Upon richesse it may not stand  
For that is thing, which faileth oft  
For he that stant to day aloft  
And all the world hath in his wones  
To morrow he falleth all at ones  
Out of riches in to poverty  
So that thereof is no desert  
which gentleness maketh abide  
And for to look on other side  
How that a gentleman is boar  
Adam, which was all tofore  
with Eve his wife, as of 'em two  
All was alike gentle though  
So that of generation  
To make declaration  
There may no gentleness be  
For to the reason if we see  
Of man's birth the measure  
It is so common to nature  
That it giveth every man alike  
As well to the poor as to the rich  
For naked they been bore both  
The lord no more hath for to cloth  
As of him that ilk throw  
Than hath the poorest of the row  
And when they shall both pass  
I not of 'em which hath the lass  
Of worlds good, but as of charge  
The lord is more for to charge  
when god shall his account here  
For he hath had his lusts here  
But of the body which shall die  
All though there be divers weigh  
To death, yet is there but one end  
To which that every man shall wend  
As well the beggar as the lord  
Of one nature of one accord   

She which our old mother is  
The earth, both that and this  
receiveth, and alyche devoureth  
That she do nouther part favoureth  
So were I nothing after kind  
where I may gentiles find  
For lack of virtue lacketh of grace  
whereof richesse in many place  
when men best ween for to stand  
All suddenly goth out of hand  
But virtue set in the courage  
There may no world be so salvage  
which might it take and done away  
Till when that the body die  
And than he shall be ryched so  
That it may fail nevermore  
So may that well be gentyl●●se  
which giveth so great a sikerness  
For after the condition  
Of reasonable intention  
The which out of the soul groweth  
And the virtue fro vice knoweth  
whereof a man the vice escheweth  
without sloth, and virtue seweth  
That is a very gentle man  
And nothing else, which he can  
Ne which he hath, ne which he may   

But for all that yet now a day  
In loves court to taken heed  
The poor virtue shall not speed  
where that the rich vice wooeth  
For seld it is, that love alloweth  
The gentle man withouten good  
Though his condition be good   

But if a man of both two  
Be rich and virtuous also  
Than is he well the more worth  
But yet to put himself forth  
He must done his business  
For neither good, ne gentleness  
May helpen hem, which idle be   

But who that will in his degree  
Travail so, as it belongeth  
It happeth oft, that he fongeth  
worship, and ease both two  
For ever yet it hath be so  
That love honest in sundry weigh  
profiteth: for it doth away  
The vice: and as the books say  
It maketh courteous of the vileyne  
And to the coward hardyesse  
It giveth: so that the very prowess  
Is caused upon loves reule  
To him that can manhood reule  
And eke toward the womanhead  
who that thereof will taken heed  
For though the better affayted be  
In every thing, as men may see  
For love hath ever his lusts green  
In gentle folk, as it is seen  
which thing there may no kind arrest   

I trow that there is no beast  
If he with love should acqueynt  
That he ne would make it quaint  
As for the while, that it last  
And thus I conclude at last  
That they been idle, as me seemeth  
which unto thing, that love deemeth  
For slouthen, that they shoulden do   

And over this my son also  
After the virtue morail eke  
To speak of love if I shall seek  
Among the holy books wise  
I find writ in such a wise    

☞ Nota de amore charitatis ubi dicit qui non diliget/ manet in morte.  

who loveth not, as here is deed  
For love above all other is heed  
which hath the virtues for to lead  
Of all that unto man's deed  
Belongeth. For of idleship  
He hateth all the fellowship  
For sloth is ever to despise  
which in disdain hath all apprise  
And that acordeth nought to man  
For he that wit and reason can  
It sit him well, that he travail  
Upon such thing, which might avail  
For idleship is nought commended  
But every law it hath defended  
And in ensample thereupon  
The noble wise Solomon  
which had of every thing insight  
saith: As the birds to the flight  
Been made, so the man is boar  
To labour, which is nought forbore  
To hem, that thinken for to thrive   

For we, which are now a live  
Of 'em that busy whilom were  
(As well in school as else where)  
Now every day ensample take  
That if it were now to make  
Thing, which that they first founden out  
It should not be brought about   

Her lives than were long  
Her wits great, her mights strong  
Her hearts full of business  
whereof the worlds readiness  
In bopy both, and in courage  
Stant ever upon his advantage  
And for to draw in to memory  
Her names both, and her history  
Upon the virtue of her deed  
In sundry books thou might read   
Expedit de manibus labour, ut de coridianis  
Actibus ac vita vivere poscit homo,  
Sed qui doctrina causa fert meute labores  
Praevalet, et merita perpetuata parat.   

☞ Hic loquitur contra ociosos quoscumque, et maxime contra istos, qui excellentis prudency ingenium habentes absque fructu operum torpescunt. Et ponit exemplum de diligencia predecessorum, qui ad tocius humani generis doctrinam et auxilium suis continuis laboribus et studus gracia mediant divina artes et sciencias primitus invenerunt.  

❧ Of every wisdom the perfect ♣  
The high god of his spirit  
gave to men in earth here  
Upon the form and the matter  
Of that he would make 'em wise  
And thus came in the first apprise  
Of books, and of all good  
Through 'em, that whilom understood  
The lore, which to hem was give  
whereof these other, that now live  
Ben every day to learn new  
But ere the time that men few  
And that the labour forth it brought  
There was no corn, though men it sought  
In none of all the fields out  
And ere the wisdom came about  
Of 'em, that first the books write  
This may well every wise man wite  
There was great labour eke also   

Thus was none idle of the two  
That on the plough hath undertake  
with labour, which the hand hath take   

That other took to study and muse  
As he which would not refuse  
The labour of his wits all  
And in this wise it is befall  
Of labour, which that they begun  
we be now taught, of that we con  
Her business is yet to seen  
That it stant ever alike green  
All be it so the body die  
The name of hem shall never away  
In the chronic as I find  
Cham, whose labour is yet in mind  
was he, which first the letters fond  
And wrote in hebrewe with his hand  
Of natural philosophy  
He fond first also the clergy  
Cadmus the letters of gregoys  
first made upon his own chose   

Theges of thing, which shall befall  
He was the first angur of all   

And Philemon by the visage  
Fond to describe the courage   

Claudius, Esdras, and Sulpices  
Termegis, Pandulpho, and Frigidilles  
Menander Ephiloquorus  
Solinus, Pandas, and josephus  
The first were of enditours  
Of old chronic, and eke auctors   

And Heredot in his science  
Of metre, of rhyme, and of cadence  
The first was, which men note   

And of music also the note  
In man's voice or soft or sharp  
That fond jubal, and of the harp  
The merry sown, which is to like  
That fond Paulius forth with physic   

Z●uzis fond first the portraiture  
And Promotheus the sculpture  
After what form that hem thought  
The resemblance anon they wrought   

A●b●ll in iron and in steel  
Fond first the forge, & wrought it weal  
And jadahel, as saith the book  
first made net, and fishes took   

Of hunting eke be fond the chase  
which now is know in many place  
A tent of cloth with cord and stake  
He set up first, and did it make   

Herconius of cokerye  
first made the delycacie  
The craft minerve of wool fond  
And made cloth her own hand   

And Delbora made it of line  
The women were of great engine   

But thing which giveth meet & drink  
And doth the labour for to swink  
To till the lands, and set the wines  
whereof the corn and the wines  
B●n sustenance to mankind  
In old books as I find  
Saturnus of his own wit  
Hath found first: and more yet  
Of chapmenhode he fond the weigh  
And eke to coygne the money  
Of sundry metal, as it is  
He was the first man of this  
But how that metal came a place  
Through man's wit and gods grace  
The rout of philosopher's wise  
Contreveden by sundry wise  
first for to get it out of mine  
And after for to try and fine   

And also with great diligence  
They fond thilk experience  
which cleped is Alconomy  
whereof the silver multiply  
They made, and eke the gold also  
And for to tell how it is so  
Of bodies seven in special  
with four spirits joint withal  
Stant the substance of this matter  
The bodies, which I speak of here  
Of the planets been begun  
The gold is titled to the son  
The moan of silver hath his part  
And Iron that stand upon Mart  
The lead after Saturn groweth  
And jubiter the brass bestoweth  
The copper set is to Venus  
And to his part Mercurius  
Hath the quick silver, as it falleth  
The which after the book it calleth  
Is first of thilk four named  
Of spirits, which been proclaimed  
And the spirit, which is second  
In Sal Armonyake is found  
The third spirit Sulphur is  
The fourth sewende after this  
Arcennicum by name is hot  
with blowing and with fires hot  
In these things, which I say  
They worchen by divers way  
For as the philosopher told  
Of gold and silver they been hold  
Two principal extremities  
To which all other by degrees  
Of the metals been accordant  
And so through kind resemblant  
That what man couth away take  
The rust, of which they woxen black  
And the savour of the hardness  
They shoulden take the likeness  
Of gold or silver perfectly  
But for to work it sickerly  
Between the corpse and the spirit  
ere that the metal be perfit  
In seven forms it is set  
Of all: and if one be let  
The remnant may not avail  
But other wise it may nought fail  
For they, by whom this art was found  
To every point a certain bound  
Ordeynen, that a man may find  
This craft is wrought by weigh of kind  
So that there is no fallace inn  
But what man that this work begin  
He moat await at every tide  
So that nothing be left a side   

first of the distillation  
Forth with the congellation  
solution, Dissension  
And keep in his intention  
The point of sublymation ❧  
And forth with Calcination  
Of very approbation  
Do that there be fyxation  
with temperate hetes of the fire  
Till he the perfit Elyxer  
Of thilk philosopher's stone  
May get, of which that many one  
Of philosophers, whilom write  
And if thou wilt the names wite  
Of thilk stone with other two  
which as the clerks maden tho  
So as the books it recorden  
The kind of 'em I shall recorden.    

❧ Nota de tribus lapidibus/ quod philosophi composuerunt: quorum primus que lapis vegetabilis, qui sanitatem conseruat/ Secundus dicitur lapis Animalis, que membra et virtutes sensibiles fortificat, Tertius dicitur lapis minerals/ que omnia metalla purificat/ et in suum perfectum naturali potencia deducit.  

¶ These old philosopher's wise  
By weigh of kind in sundry wise  
Thy stones made through clergy  
The first I shall specify  
was cleped Vegetabilis  
Of which the proper virtue is  
To man's heal for to serve  
As for to keep and to preserve  
The body fro sickness all  
Till death of kind upon him fall   

The second stone I thee behote  
Is lapis Animalis hot  
The whose virtue is proper, and couth  
For ear, and eye, nose, and mouth  
whereof a man may here and see  
And smell, and taste in his degree  
And for to feel, and for to go  
It helpeth a man of both two  
The wits five he underfongeth  
To keep, as it to him belongeth   

The third stone in special  
By name is cleped Mineral  
which the metals of every mine  
Attempreth, till that they been fine  
And pureth 'em by such a weigh  
That all the vice goth a weigh  
Of rust, of stink, and of hardness  
And when they been of such cleanness  
This mineral, so as I find  
Transformeth all the first kind  
And maketh 'em able to conceive  
Through his virtue, and receive  
Both in substance and in figure  
Of gold and silver the nature  
For they two been thextremities  
To which after the properties  
Hath every metal his desire  
with help and comfort of the fire  
Forth with this stone, as it is said  
which to the son and moan is laid  
For to the red, and to the white  
This stone hath power to profit  
It maketh multiplication  
Of gold, and the fyxation  
It causeth, and of his habit  
He doth the work to be parsyte  
Of thilk Elyxer which men call  
Alconomy, as is befall  
To 'em, that whilom were wise  
But now it stant all otherwise  
They speaken fast of thilk stone  
But how to make it, now wot none  
After the sooth experience  
And nevertheless great diligence  
They setten up thilk deed  
And spyllen more than they speed  
For always they find a let  
which bringeth in poverty and debt  
To hem, that rich were tofore  
The loss is had, the lucre is lore  
To get a pound they spenden five  
I not how such a craft shall thrive  
In the manner as it is used  
It were better be refused  
Than for to worchen upon ween  
In thing, which stant not as they ween  
But not for thy who that it knew  
The science of himself is true  
Upon the form, as it was founded  
whereof the names yet be grounded  
Of 'em, that first it founden out  
And thus the fame goth all about  
To such as soughten business  
Of virtue, and of worthiness  
Of whom if I the names call  
Hermes was one the first of all  
To whom this art is most applied  
Geber thereof was magnified  
And Ortolan, and Moryens  
Among the which is Avicen  
which fond and wrote a great party  
The practic of Alconomy  
whose books plainly, as they stand  
Upon this craft, few understand  
But yet to putten 'em in assay  
There been full many now a day  
That known little what they mean  
It is not one to wite, and ween  
Inform of words they it treat  
But yet they failen of beyete  
For of to moche, or of to light  
There is algate found a wite  
So that they follow not the line  
Of the partyte medicine  
which grounded is upon nature  
But they that written the scripture  
Of Greek, Arabe, and Chaldee  
They were of such authority  
That they first founden out the weigh  
Of all that thou hast heard me say  
whereof the cronic of her lore  
Shall stand in price for evermore  
But toward our marches here  
Of the Latyns, if thou wolte here  
Of 'em that whilom virtuous  
were, and thereto laborious  
Carment made of her engine  
The first letters of latin  
Of which the tongue roman came  
whereof that Aristarchus nam  
Forth with Donat and Dyndymus  
The first rule of school, as thus  
How that latin shall be componed  
And in what wise it shall be swooned  
That every word in his degree  
Shall stand upon congruity   

And thilk time at Rome also  
was Tullius Cicero  
That writeth upon Rhetoric  
How that men should her words pike  
After the form of eloquence  
which is, men say, a great prudence  
And after that out of hebrewe  
Jerome, which the language knew  
The bible, in which the law is closed  
In to latin he hath transposed   

And many an other writer eke  
Out of Chaldee, Arabe, and Greek  
with great labour the books wise  
Translateden, and otherwise  
The latyns of 'em self also  
Her study at thilk time so  
with great travail of school took  
In sundry form for to look  
That we may take her evidence  
Upon the lore of the science  
Of crafts both, and of clergy  
Among the which in poesy  
To the lovers O vyde wrote  
And taught, if love be to hot  
In what manner it should akele,  
¶ For thy my son if that thou feel  
That love wring the to sore  
Behold O vyde, and take his lore  
¶ My father if they might speed  
My love, I would his books read  
And if they techen to restrain  
My love, it were an idle pain  
To learn a thing, which may not be  
For lyche unto the green tree  
If that men take his rote away  
Right so mine heart should die  
If that my love be withdraw  
whereof touchende unto this saw  
There is but only to pursue  
My love, and idelshyp eschew.  
¶ My good son soothe to say  
If there be siker any weigh  
To love, thou hast said the best  
For who that will have all his rest  
and do no travail at need  
It is no reason that he speed  
In loves cause for to win  
For he, which dare nothing begin  
I not what thing he should achieve   

But over this thou shalt believe  
So as it sit the well to know  
That there been other vices slow  
which unto love do great let  
If thou thine heart upon 'em set.   
Perdit homo causam linquens sua iura sopori  
Et quasi dimidium pars sua mortis habet  
Est in amore vigil Venus, et ꝙ habet vigilanti.  
Obsequium thalamis fert vigilata suis.   

☞ HIC loquitur de Sompnolencia/ que Accidie Cameraria dicta est/ cuins natura semimortua alicuius negotii vigilius observari sopori sero torpore recusat, unde quatenus amorem concernit Confessor Amanti diligentius opponit.  

¶ Toward the slow progeny  
There is yet one of company  
And he is cleped somnolence  
which doth to Sloth his reverence  
As he which is his chamberlain  
That many an honderde time hath lein  
To sleep, when he should wake  
He hath with love truce take  
That wake who so wake will  
If he may couch adown his bill  
He hath all wooed what him list  
That oft he goth to bed unkyst  
And saith, that for no druery  
He will not leave his sluggardy   

For though that no man it would allow  
To sleep liefer than to woo  
Is his manner, and thus on nights  
when he seeth the lusty knights  
Revelen, where these women are  
Away be sculketh as an hare  
And goeth to bed, and layeth him soft  
And of his sloth he dreameth oft  
How that he sticketh in the mire  
And how he sitteth by the fire  
And claweth on his bare shanks  
And how he climbeth up the banks  
And falleth in the slades deep  
But than who so take keep  
when he is fall in such a dream  
Right as a ship against the stream  
He routeth with a sleepy noise  
And brustleth as a monks froyse  
when it is throw in to the pan  
And otherwhile seld when  
That he may dream a lusty sweven  
Him thinketh as though he were in heaven  
And as the world were wholly his  
And than he speaketh of that and this  
And maketh his exposition  
After his disposition  
Of that he would, & in such a wise  
He doth to love all his service  
I not what thank he shall deserve  
But son if thou wolte love serve  
I read that thou do not so  
¶ A good father certes no  
I had leaver by my troth  
Ere I were set on such a sloth  
And bear such a sleepy snout  
Both eyen of my heed were out  
For me were better fully die  
Than I of such sluggardye  
Haddit any name, god me shield  
For when my mother was with child  
And I lay in her womb close  
I would rather Atropos  
which is goddess of all death  
Anon as I had any breath  
Me had fro my mother cast   

But now I am nothing aghast  
I thank god: for Lachesis  
Ne Cloto, which her fellow is  
Me shopen no such destiny  
when they at my nativity  
My werdes setten as they would  
But they me shopen that I should  
Eschew of sleep the truandyse  
So that I hope in such a wise  
To love for to be excused  
That I no somnolence have used   

For certes father Genius  
yet unto now it hath be thus  
At all time if it befall  
So that I might come and dwell  
In place there my lady were  
I was not slow ne sleepy there  
For than I dare well undertake  
That when her list on nights wake  
In chamber, as to carole and dance  
Me think I may me more advance  
●f I may gone upon her hand  
Than if I win a kings land  
For when I may her hand beclyp  
with such gladness I dance and skip  
Me thinketh I touch not the floor  
The roe, which runneth on the moor  
Is than nought so light as I  
So mow ye wyten all for thy  
That for the time sleep I hate  
And when it falleth other gate  
So that her liketh not to dance  
But on the dies to cast a chance  
O● ask of love some demand  
O● else that her list command  
To read and here of Troilus  
R●ght as she would, so or thus  
I am all ready to consent  
And if so is, that I may hent  
Sometime among a good leisure  
So as I dare of my desire  
I tes●e a part: but when I dreye  
Anon she biddeth me go my weigh  
And ●●ith: it is far in the night  
And I swear, it is even light  
But as it falleth at last  
There may no worlds joy last  
So moat I needs fro her wend  
And of my watch make an end  
And if she than heed took  
How pytouslyche on her I look  
when that I shall my leave take  
Her aught of mercy for to slake  
Her danger, which saith ever nay   

But he saith often, Have good day  
That loath is for to take his leave  
Therefore while I may believe  
I tarry forth the night along  
For it is nought on me along  
To sleep, that I soon go  
Till that I moat algate so  
And than I bid, god hearse  
And so down knelende on my knee  
I take leave, and if I shall  
I kiss her, and go forth withal  
And other while, if that I door  
Ere I come fully at door  
I turn again and feign a thing  
As though I had lost a ring  
Or somewhat else, for I would  
Rysse her eftsone, if I should  
But selden is, that I so speed  
And when I see, that I moat need  
Depart, I depart, and than  
with all my heart I curse and ban  
That ever sleep was made for eye  
For as me thinketh I might dry  
without sleep to waken ever  
So that I should not dissever  
from her, in whom is all my light  
And than I curse also the night  
with all the will of my courage  
And say, Away thou black image  
which of thy dark cloudy face  
Makest all the worlds light deface  
And causest unto sleep away  
By which I moat now gone away  
Out of my lady's company   

O sleepy night I the defy  
And would that thou lay in press  
with proserpine the goddess  
And with Pluto the bell king  
For till I see the day spring  
I set sleep nought at a rysshe  
And with that word I sigh & wish  
And say: A why ne were it day  
For yet my lady than I may  
Behold, though I do no more  
And este I think furthermore  
To some man how the night doth ease  
when he hath thing, that may him please  
The long night is by his side  
where as I fail, and go beside  
But sleep, I not whereof it serveth  
Of which no man his thank deserveth  
To get him love in any place  
But is an hyndrer of his grace  
And maketh him deed as for a throw  
Right as a stoke were overthrow  
And so my father in this wise  
The sleepy nights I despise  
And ever a mids of my tale  
I think upon the nightinggale  
which sleepeth not by weigh of kind  
For love, in books as I find  
Thus at last I go to bed  
And yet mine heart lieth to wed  
with her, where as I came fro  
Though I depart, he will not so  
There is no lock may shut him out  
Him needeth nought to gone about  
That pierce may the hard wall  
Thus is he with her overall  
That be her leef, or he it loath  
In to her bed mine heart goth  
And softly taketh her in his arm  
And feeleth how that she is warm  
And wisheth that his body were  
To feel, that he feeleth there   

And thus myself I torment  
Till that the deed sleep me hent  
But than by a thousand score  
well more than I was tofore  
I am tormented in my sleep  
But that I dream is not on sheep  
For I ne think nought on wull●  
But I am dretched to the full  
Of love, that I have to keep  
That now I laugh, and now I weep  
And now I lose, and now I win  
And now I end, and now begin  
And other while I dream, and meet  
That I alone with her meet  
And that danger is left behind  
And than in sleep such joy I find  
That I ne bede never awake   

But after, when I bede take  
And shall arise upon the morrow  
Than is all turned in to sorrow  
Nought for the cause I shall arise  
But for I met in such a wise  
And at last I am bethought  
That all is vain and helpeth nought  
But yet me thinketh by my will  
I would have lay, and sleep still  
To meeten ever of such a sweven  
For than I had a sleepy heaven   

Confessor.  
¶ My son and for thou tellyst so  
A man may find of time a go  
That many a sweven hath be certain  
All be it so, that some men say  
That swevens been of no credence  
But for to show in evidence  
That they full oft soothe things  
Be token, I think in my writings  
To tell a tale thereupon  
which fell by old days gone    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum qualiter somnia pre●●stice veritatis quandoque certitudinem figurant. Et narrat ꝙ cum Ceix rex Troicinie pro reformatione fratris sui Dedalionis in ancipitrem trans mutati peregre proficiscens in mari longins a patria dimersus fuerat, juno mittens Iridem miciam suam in parts Chimerie ad domum somni jussit, ꝙ ipse Alcione dicti regis uxori huius rei eventum per somnia certificaret. Quo facto Alciona rem perscrutans corpus mariti sui, ubi super fluctus mortuus iactabatur, invenit: que pro do fore anguftiata cupiens corpus amplectere, in all tum mare super ipsum prosiliit, unde du miserti amborum corpora in aves, que adhuc Alciones dicte sunt, subito converterunt.  

❧ This find I written in poesy  
Ceyx the king of Trocenye  
Had Alceon to his wife  
which as her own hearts life  
Him loveth, and he had also  
A brother, which was cleped though  
Daedalian, and he  
from kind of man forshape was  
In to a goshawk of likeness  
whereof this king great heaviness  
Hath take: and thought in his courage  
To gone upon a pilgrimage  
In a strange region  
where he hath his devotion  
To done his sacrifice, and prey  
If that he might in any weigh  
Towards the gods find grace  
His brothers he'll to purchase  
So that he might be reform  
Of that he had been transformed  
To this purpose, and to this end  
This king is ready for to wend  
As he which would go by ship  
And for to done him felauship  
His wife unto the se him brought  
with all her heart, and him besought  
That he the time here would said  
when that he thought come again   

within, he saith, two months day  
And thus in all the haste he may  
He took his leave, and forth he saileth  
wepend, and she herself bewaileth  
And turneth home there she came fro   

But when the months were ago  
The which he set of his coming  
And that she herd no tiding  
There was no care for to seche  
whereof the gods to beseech  
though she began in many wise  
And to juno her sacrifice  
Above all other most she deed  
And for her lord she hath so heed  
To wit and know how that he fir  
That juno the gods her herd  
Anon, and upon this matter  
She had Iris' her massagyer  
To sleeps house that she shall wend  
And bid him, that he make an end  
By sweven, and shown all the case  
Unto this lady, how it was   

This Iris' fro the high stage  
(which undertake hath the message)  
Her reyny cope did upon  
The which was wonderly begun  
with colours of divers hew  
An hundred more than men it knew  
The heaven lyche unto a bow  
She bend, and she came down low  
The god of sleep where that she fond  
And that was in a strange land  
which marcheth upon Chimerye  
For there, as saith the poesy  
The god of sleep hath made his house  
which of entaylle is marvelous   

Under an hill there is a cave  
which of the son may not have  
So that no man may know aright  
The point between the day and night  
There is no fire, there is no spark  
There is no door, which may charke  
whereof an eye should unshut  
So that inward there is no let   

And for to speak of that without  
There stant no great tree nigh about  
whereon there might crow or pie  
A light? for to clepe or cry  
There is no cock to crow day  
Ne best none, which noise may  
The hill, but all about round  
There is growend upon the ground  
Popy, which beareth the seed of sleep  
with other herbs such an heap  
A still water for the nonce  
Rennend upon the small stones  
which height of Lethe's the river  
Under that hill in such manner  
There is, which giveth great appetite  
To sleep, and thus full of delight  
sleep hath his house, And of his couch  
within his chamber if I shall touch  
Of Hebenus that sleepy tree  
The boards all about be  
And for he should sleep soft  
Upon a feather bed aloft  
He lieth with many a pillow of down  
The chamber is strewed up and down  
with swevens many a thousand fold  
Thus came Iris in to this hold  
And to the bed, which is all black  
She goth, and there with sleep she spoke  
And in this wise as she was bid  
The massage of juno she deed  
Full oft her word she rehearseth  
Ere she his sleepy ears pierceth  
with much woe, but at last  
His slomerend eyen he upcasted  
And said her, that it shall be do  
whereof among a thousand though  
within his house, that sleepy were  
In special he cheese out there  
Three, which shoulden do this deed   

The first of hem, so as I read  
was Morpheus, the whose nature  
Is for to take the figure  
Of that person that him liketh  
whereof that he full oft entryketh  
The life, which sleep shall by night  
And Ithecus that other height  
which hath the voice of every son  
The cheer, and the condycioun  
Of every life what so it is   

The third sewend after this  
Is Panthasas, which may transform  
Of every thing the right form  
And change it in another kind  
Upon 'em three, so as I find  
Of swevens stant all th'apparence  
which other while is evidence  
And other while but a jape  
But nevertheless it is so shape  
That Morpheus by night alone  
Appeareth until Alccone  
In likeness of her husband  
All naked deed upon the strand  
And bow he dreynt in special  
These other two it shown all  
The tempest of the black cloud  
The wood see, the winds loud  
All this she met, and seeth him dyen  
whereof that she began to cryen  
Slepend a bed there she lay  
And with that noise of her affray  
Her women sterten up about  
which of her lady were in doubt  
And asken her, how that she feared  
And she right as she sigh and heard  
her sweven hath told 'em every deal  
And they it halsen all we'll  
And say, it is a token of good  
But till she wist how that it stood  
She hath no comfort in her heart   

Upon the morrow and up she start  
And to these (where as she met  
The body lay) without let  
She drough: & when that she came nigh  
Stark deed his arms spread she sigh  
Her lord, fletende upon the wawe  
whereof her wits be withdraw  
And she which took of death no keep  
Anon forth leapt in to the deep  
And would have caught him there arm  
This infortune of double harm  
The gods from the heaven above  
Beheld, and for the truth of love  
which in this worthy lady stood  
They have upon the salt flood  
Her dreynt lord and her also  
From death to life turned so  
That they been shapen in to birds  
Swymmend upon the wawe amids  
And when she saw her lord lyvend  
In likeness of a bird swymende  
And she was of the same sort  
So as she might do disport  
Upon the joy, which she had  
Her wings both abroad she spread  
And him both, so as she may suffice  
Beclypte and kissed in such a wise  
As she was whilom wont to do  
Her wings for her arms though  
She took, and for her lips soft  
Her hard bill, and so full oft  
She fondeth in her beards form  
If that she might herself conform  
To do the pleasance of a wife  
As she died in that other life  
For though she had her power lore  
Her will stood, as it was tofore  
And serveth him so as she may  
whereof in to this ilk day  
together upon the see they won  
where many a daughter and son  
They bringen forth of birds kind  
And for men shoulden take in mind  
This Alceon the true queen  
Her birds yet as it is seen  
Of Alceon the name bear  
¶ Lo thus my son it may the steer  
Of swevens for to take keep  
For oft time a man a sleep  
May see, what after shall betide  
For thy it helpeth at some tide  
A man to sleep as it belongeth  
But sloth no life underfongeth,  
which is to love appertenant  
¶ My father upon the covenant  
I dare well make this avow  
Of all my life in to now  
Als farforth as I can understand  
yet took I never sleep on hand  
when it was time for to wake  
For though mine eye it would take  
Mine heart is ever there again  
But nevertheless to speak it plain  
All this that I have said you here  
Of my waking, as ye may here  
●t toucheth to my lady sweet  
For other wise I you byhete  
In strange place when I go  
Me list no thing to wake so  
For when the women listen play  
And I her see not in the way  
Of whom I should mirth take  
Me list not long for to wake  
But if it be for pure shame  
Of that I would eschew a name  
That they ne should have cause none  
To say, A lo where such one  
That hath forlese his countenance  
And thus among I sing and dance  
And feign lust, there none is  
For oft sith I feel this  
Of thought, which in mine heart falleth  
when it is night mine heed appallyth  
And that is for I see her nought  
which is the waker of my thought   

And thus as tymelyche as I may  
F●lo●t●▪ when it is broad day  
I 〈◊〉 of all these other leave  
And go my weigh: and they believe  
That seen per case her loves there  
A●d I go forth as nought ne were  
V●to my bed, so that alone  
I may there lig, sigh, and groan  
●●d wysshen all the long night  
〈◊〉 that I see the days light  
I not if that be somnolence  
But upon your conscience  
Mine holy father deemeth ye  
¶ My son I am well paid with the  
Of sleep, that thou the sluggardye  
By night in loves company  
Eschew haste, and do thy pain  
So, that thy love dare not plain   

For love upon his lust wakened  
Is ever, and would that none end  
whereof the long night is set  
whereof that thou beware the bet  
To tell a tale I am bethought  
How love and sleep accordene nought    

❧ Hic dicit, ꝙ vigilia in amantibus/ et non sompnolencia laudanda est. Et ponit exemplum de Cephalo filio Phebi/ qui nocturno silencio auroram amicam suam diligencius amplectene Solem et Lunam interpellabat/ videlicet ꝙ sol in circulo ab oriente distantiori currum cum luce sua retardaret, et quod Luna sphera sua longissima orbem circuens, noctem continuaret/ ita ut ipsum Cephalam amplexibus Aurore volutum priusquam dies illucesceret suis deliciis adquiescere diutius permittere dignarentur.  

❧ For love who that list to wake  
By night, he may ensample take  
Of Shafalus, when that he lay  
with Aurora the sweet may  
In arms all the long night  
But when it drough toward the light  
That he within his heart sye  
The day, which was the morrow nigh  
Anon unto the Son he prayed,  
For lust of love: and thus he said   

O Phoebus, which the days light  
Governest till that it be night  
And gladdest every creature  
After the law of thy nature  
But nevertheless there is a thing  
which onlyche to thy knowledging  
Belongeth, as in privity  
To love, and to his duty  
which asketh not to be a pert  
But in silence, and in covert  
Desireth for to be beshadyd  
And thus when that the light is faded  
And vesper showeth him aloft  
And that the night is long and soft  
Under the clouds dark and still  
Than hath this thing most of his will  
For thy unto thy mights high  
As thou, which art the days eye  
Of love and might no counseyl hide  
Upon this dark nights tide  
with all mine heart I the beseech  
That I pleasance might seche  
with her, which lieth in mine arms  
withdraw the banner of thine arms  
And let thy lights been unborn  
And in the sign of Capricorn  
The house appropered to Saturn  
I prey thee, that thou wilt sojourn  
where been the nights dark and long  
For I my love have underfang  
which lieth here by my side naked  
As she which would been awaked  
And me list no thing for to sleep  
So were it good to take keep  
Now at this need of my prayer  
And that the like for to steer  
Thy fiery ●art, and so ordain  
That thou thy swift horse restrain  
Low under earth in occident  
That they toward th'orient  
By sercle go the long weigh   

And eke to the diane I prey  
which cleped art of thy noblesse  
The nights moon, and the Goddess  
That thou to me be gracious  
And in Cancro thine own house  
Ayene Phoebus in opposite  
stand at this time, and of delight  
Behold Venus with a glad eye  
For than upon astronomy  
Of due constellation  
Thou makest prolifycation  
And dost that children been beget  
which grace if that I might get  
with all mine heart I will serve  
By night, and thy vygylle observe   

Lo thus this lusty Shafalus  
Prayed unto Phebe, and to Phoebus  
The night in length for to draw  
So that he might do the law  
In thilk point of loves best  
which cleped is the nights feast  
with outen sleep of sluggardye  
which Venus out of company  
Hath put away, as thilk same  
which lustles fer from game  
In chamber doth full oft woe  
A bed, whean it falleth so  
That love should been awaited   

But sloth, which is evil affayted  
with sleep hath made his retinue  
That what thing is to love due  
Of all his debt he payeth none  
The wot not how the night is gone  
Ne how the day is come about  
But only for to sleep and rout  
Till high midday, that he arise  
But Shafalus did otherwise  
As thou my son hast herd above  
¶ My father who that hath his love  
A bed naked by his side  
And would than his eyen hide  
with sleep, I not what man is he  
But certes as touchend of me  
That fell me never yet ere this  
But other while when so is  
That I may catch sleep on hand  
Lyggend alone, than I fond  
To dream a merry sweven or day  
And if so fall, that I may  
My thought with such a sweven please  
Me think I am somdele at ease  
For I none other comfort have  
So needeth nought that I shall crave  
The sons cart for to tarry  
Ne yet the Moon, that she carry  
Her course a long upon the heaven  
For I am nought the more in even  
Towards love in no degree  
But in my sleep yet than I see  
Somewhat in sweven of that me liketh  
which afterward mine heart entryketh  
when that I find it other wise  
So wot I not of what service  
That sleep to man's case doth  
¶ My son certes thou sayest soothe  
But only that it helpeth kind  
Sometime in Physyk as I find  
when it is take by measure  
But he which can no sleep measure  
Upon the rule as it belongeth  
Fulofte of sudden chance he fongeth  
Such infortune, that him grieveth   

But who these old books leaveth  
Of somnolence how it is write  
There may aman the sooth wite  
If that he would ensample take  
That other while is good to wake  
whereof a tale in Poesy  
I think for to specify    

☞ HIC loquitur in amoris causa contra istos, qui sompnolencie dediti, ea que servare tenentur, amittunt, Et narrat quod cum Io puella pulcherrima a junone in vaccant transformata, et in Argi custodiam sic deposit fuisse superueniens Mercurius Argum dormien tem occidit, ut ipsam vaccam a pastura rapiens, quo voluit/ fecum perduxet.  

☞ Ovid telleth in his saws  
Hawe jupiter by old days  
Lay by a maid, which Io  
was cleped, whereof that juno  
His wife was wroth, and the goddess  
Of Io turned the likeness  
In to a Cow to go there out  
The large fields all about  
And get her meet upon the green  
And thereupon this high queen  
Betook her Argus for to keep  
For he was seldom wont to sleep  
And yet he had an hundred eyen  
And all alike well they syen  
Now hearken how that he was beguiled   

Mercury, which was all affyled  
This Cow to steel he came disguised  
And had a pipe well devised  
Upon the notes of music  
whereof he might his ears like  
And over that he had affayted  
His lusty tales, and awaited  
His time: and thus in to the field  
He came, where Argus he beheld  
with ●o, which beside him went  
with that his pipe anon he hent  
And g●n to pipe in his manner  
Thyrge, which was sleepy for to here  
And in his piping ever among  
He told him such a lusty song  
That he the fool hath brought a sleep  
There was none eye that might keep  
His heed, which Mercury of smote  
And forth with all anon foot hot  
He stole the cow, which Argus kept  
And all this fell for that he slept   

Ensample it was to many more  
That much sleep doth oft woe  
when it is time for to wake  
For if a man this vice take  
In somnolence, and him delight  
Men should upon his door write  
His epitaph, and on his grave  
For he to spill, and nought to save  
Is shaped, and though he were deed  
¶ For thy my son hold up thin heed  
And let no sleep thine eye englue  
But when it is to reason due  
¶ My father as touchend of this  
Right so as I you told, it is  
That oft a bed, when I should  
I may not sleep, though I would  
For love is ever fast byme  
which taketh none heed of one time  
For when I shall mine eyen close  
Anon my heart he will oppose  
And hold his school in such a wise  
Till it be day that I arise  
That seld it is when that I sleep  
And thus fro somnolence I keep  
Mine eye, and for thy if there be  
Aught else more in this degree  
Now ask forth. ¶ My son yis  
For sloth, which as mother is  
The forth drawer and the nurse  
To man of many a dreadful vice  
Hath yet another last of all  
which many a man hath made to fall  
where that he might never arise  
whereof for thou the shalt advise  
Ere thou so with thyself misfare  
what vice it is, I will declare.   
Nil fortuna invat, ubi desperacio ledit.  
Quo desiccat humor non viridescit humus  
Magnanimus sed amor spem ponit, et inde salutem  
Cousequitur, ꝙ ei prospera fata favent.   

☞ Hic loquitur super ultima specie accidie, que Trifticia sive desperacio dicitur, cuius obstinata condicio tocius consolacionis spem deponens ali cuius remedii, quo liberari poterit, fortunam sibi evenire impossibile credit.  

☞ when sloth doth all that he may  
To drive forth the long day  
Till he become to the need  
Than at last upon the deed  
He looketh how his time is lore  
And is so woebegone therefore  
That he within his thought conceiveth  
tristesse, and so himself deceiveth  
That he wanhope bringeth inn  
where is no comfort to begin  
But every joy him is delayed  
So that within his heart afraid  
A thousand time with one breath  
wepende he wisheth after death  
when he fortune fynt adverse  
For than he will his hope rehearse  
As though his world were all forlore  
And saith, alas that I was boar  
How shall I live? how shall I do?  
For now fortune is thus my foo  
I wot well god me will not help  
what should I than of joy yelp  
where there no boat is of my care  
So overcast is my welfare  
That I am shapen all to strife  
Alas that I near of this life  
Ere I be fullyche overtake  
And thus he will his sorrow make  
As god him might not avail  
But yet ne will he not travail  
To help himself at such a need  
But sloutheth under such a dread  
which is affirmed in his heart  
Right as he might nought asterte  
The worlds woe, which he is inn   

Also when he is fall in sin  
Him thinketh he is so far culpable  
That god will not be merciable  
So great a sin to foryeve  
And thus he leaveth to be shrive  
And if a man in thilk throw  
would him counsel, he would not know  
The sooth, though a man it find  
For tristesse is of such a kind  
That for to maintain his folly  
He hath with him obstinacy  
which is within of such a sloth  
That be forsaketh all the troth  
And will to no reason bow  
And yet he can not allow  
His own skill, but of heed  
Thus dwyneth he, till he be deed  
In hindering of his own estate  
For where a man is obstinate  
wanhope falleth at last  
which may not long after last  
Till sloth make of him an end  
But god wot whither he shall wend  
¶ My son and right in such manner  
There be lovers of heavy cheer  
That sorowen more, than is need  
when they be tarried of her speed  
And can not themself read  
But losen hope for to speed  
And stinten love to pursue  
And thus they faden hide and hew  
And lustles in her hearts wax  
Hereof it is, that I would axe  
If thou my son art one of though  
¶ A good father it is so  
Out take o point, I am beknow  
For else I am overthrow  
In all that ever ye have saide  
My sorrow is evermore unteyde  
And secheth over all my veins  
But for to counsel of my pains  
I can no boat do thereto  
And thus withouten hope I go  
So that my wits been impaired  
And I am, as who saith despaired  
To win love of thilk sweet  
without whom, I you behete  
Mine heart, that is so bestead  
Right inly, never may be glad  
For by my troth I shall not lie  
Of pure sorrow, which I dry  
For that she saith she will me nought  
with dretching of mine own thought  
In such a wanhope I am fall  
That I ne can uneaths call  
As for to speak of any grace  
My ladies mercy to purchase  
But yet I say nought for this  
That all in my default it is  
That I am never yet in stead  
when time was, that I me bid  
Ne said, and as I durst told  
But never fond I, that she would  
For ought she knew of mine intent  
To speak a goodly word assent   

And nevertheless this dare I say  
That if a sinful would prey  
To god of his forgiveness  
with half so great a business  
As I have do to my lady  
In lack of asking of mercy  
He should never come in hell  
And thus I may you soothly tell  
safe only that I cry and bid  
I am in tristesse all amid  
And fulfilled of desperaunce  
And thereof give me my penance  
Mine holy father, as you liketh  
¶ My son of that thine heart seeketh  
with sorrow might thou not amend  
Till love his grace will the send  
For thou thine own cause empeirest  
what time as thou thyself despeirest  
I not what other thing availeth  
Of hope, when the heart faileth  
For such a sore is incurable  
And eke the gods been vengeable  
And that a man may right well frede  
These old books who so read  
Of thing, which hath befall ere this  
Now here, of what ensample it is.    

☞ HIC narrat qualiter Iphis/ regis Theucer filius eb amorem cuiusdam puelle nomine Ara●arathen, quam neque donis aut precibus vin●●●●●tuit/de●perans ante patris ipsius puelle 〈◊〉 nectanter see suspendit, under dii commoti, 〈◊〉 ●nellum in lapidem durissimam transmut●●nt quam rex Theucer una cum filio suo apud S●●●num in Templo veneris pro perpetua 〈◊〉 morta sepeliri et locari fecit.  

¶ whilom by old days far  
Of Mo●e was the king Theucer  
which had a knight to son Iphis  
Of love and he so mastered is  
That he hath set all his courage  
As to regard of his lineage  
Upon a maid of low estate  
But though he were a potestate  
Of worlds good, he was subject  
To love, and put in such a plight  
That he exceedeth the measure  
Of reason, that himself assure  
He can nought. For the more he prayed  
The lass love on him she laid  
He was with love unwise constrained  
And she with reason was restrained  
The lusts of his heart he seweth  
And she for dread, shame escheweth  
And as she should, took good heed  
To save and keep her womanhead  
And thus the thing stood in debate  
Between his lust, and her estate  
He gave, he send, he spoke by mouth  
But yet for aught that ever he couth  
Unto his speed he fond no weigh  
So that he cast his hope away  
within his heart he 'gan despair  
From day to day, and so empeire  
That he hath lost all his delight  
Of lust, of sleep, of appetite  
That he through strength of love lasseth  
His wit, and reason overpasseth  
As he which of his life ne wrought  
His death upon himself he sought  
So that by night his weigh he name  
There wist none, where he became  
The night was dark, there shone no moan  
Tofore the gates he came soon  
where that this young maid was  
And with this woeful word, alas  
His deadly pleyntes he began  
So still, that there was no man  
It heard: and than he said thus  
O thou cupid, O thou Venus  
Fortuned by whose ordinance  
Of love, is every man's chance  
Ye known all mine hole heart  
That I ne may your hands astart  
On you is ever that I cry  
And you deigneth not to ply  
Ne toward me your ear incline  
Thus for I see no medicine  
To make an end of my quarrel  
My death shall be in stead of hele   

Ha thou my woeful lady dear  
which dwellest with thy father here  
And sleepest in thy bed at ease  
Thou wottest nothing of my disease  
How thou, and I be now unmeet  
A lord, what sweven shalt thou meet?  
what dreams hast thou now on hand?  
Thou sleepest there, and I here stand  
Though I no death to the deserve  
Here shall I for thy love starve  
Here shall I a kings son die  
For love, and for no felony  
whether thou thereof have joy or sorrow  
Here shalt thou see me deed to morrow  
O hard heart above all  
This death, which shall to me fall  
For that thou would not do my grace  
It shall be told in many place  
That I am deed for love and troth  
In thy default, and in thy sloth  
Thy danger shall to many more  
Ensample be for evermore  
when they the woeful death record  
And with that word he took a cord  
with which upon the gate tree  
He hinge himself, that was pite.   

The morrow came the night is gone  
Men come out, and sigh anon  
where that this young lord was deed  
There was an house without rede  
For no man knew the cause why  
There was weeping, there was cry   

This maiden, when she it heard  
And sigh this thing how it mysferde  
Anon she wist what it meant  
And all the cause how it went  
To all the world she told it out  
And preyeth to hem, that were about  
To take of her the vengeance  
For she was cause of thilk chance  
why that this kings son is spylt  
She taketh upon herself the gilt  
And is all ready to the pain  
which any man her would ordain  
But if any other would  
She saith, that herself she should  
Do wretch with her own hand  
Through out the world in every land  
That every life thereof shall speak  
How she herself it should wreak  
She weepeth, she crieth, she swouneth oft  
She cast her eyen up aloft  
And said among full pitously  
O god, thou wost that it am I  
For whom Iphis is thus beseyne  
Ordain so, that men may say  
A thousand winter after this  
How such a maiden did amiss  
And as I did, do to me  
For I ne did no pite  
To him, which for my love is lore  
Do no pite to me therefore  
And with this word she fell to ground  
A swoon, and there she lay astounde   

The gods, which her pleyntes herd  
And sigh how woefully she feared  
Her life they took away anon  
And shopen her into a stone  
After the form of her image  
Of body both, and of visage  
And for the marvel of this thing  
Unto the place came the king  
And eke the queen, and many more  
And when they wisten it was so  
As I have told it here above  
How that Iphis was dead for love  
Of that he had be refused  
They helden all men excused  
And wondren upon the vengeance  
And for to keep remembrance  
This fair image maiden lyche  
with company noble and rich  
with torches, and great solemnity  
To salamine the City  
They lead & carry forth withal  
This dead corpse, and say it shall  
Beside thilk image have  
His sepulture, and be begrave   

This corpse and this image thus  
In to the city to Venus  
where that goddess her temple had  
Together both two they lad  
This ilk image as for miracle  
was set upon an high pinnacle  
That all men it might know  
And under that they maden low  
A tomb rich for the nonce  
Of marble and eke of jaspre stones  
wherein that Iphis was beloken  
That evermore it shall be spoken  
And for men shall the sooth wite  
They have her ephitaphe write  
As thing, which should abide stable  
The letters graven in a table  
Of marble were, and said this  
Here lieth, which slough himself, Iphis  
For love of Araxarathen  
And in ensample of the women  
That suffren men dyen so  
Her form a man may seen also  
How it is turned flesh and bone  
In to the figure of a stone  
He was to nesshe, and she to hard  
Beware for thy here afterward  
ye men and women both two  
Ensampleth you of that was tho.  
¶ Lo thus my son as I the say  
It grieveth by divers way  
In despair a man to fall  
which is the last branch of all  
Of sleep, as thou hast heard devise  
whereof that thou thyself advise  
Good is ere that thou be deceived  
where that the grace of hope is waived  
¶ My father how so that it stand  
Now have I plainly understand  
Of stouthes' court the property  
whereof touchende in my degree  
For ever I think to beware  
But over this so as I dare  
with all mine heart I you beseech  
That ye me would inform and teach  
what there is more of your apprise  
In love als well as otherwise  
So that I may me clean shrive  
¶ My son while thou art alive  
And hast also thy full mind  
Among the vices, which I find  
There is yet one such of the seven  
which all this world hath set uneven  
And causeth many a wrong  
where he the cause hath underfang  
whereof hereafter thou shalt hear  
The form both, and the matter.    
¶ Explicit liber quartus.   

¶ Hic in quinto libro intendit Confessor tractare de avaritia, que omnium malorum radix esse dicitur, necnon de eiusdem vicii speciebus, et primum ipsuis auaritie naturam describit.  
¶ Incipit liber quintus.  

Of ●●at avaricia naturae legibus, et quae  
Largus amor poscit, strictius illa netat.  
Om●● quod est nimium, viciosum dicitur aurum  
Ve●●ia sicut oves servat avarus opes.  
Non decet, ut soli seruabitur aes, sed amori  
Debet homo solam solus habere suam.   

first when the high god began  
This world, and that the kind of man  
was fall into no great encre●  
For worlds good was though no pres  
But all was set to the common  
They speaken than of no fortune  
Or for to lose or for to win  
Till Avarice brought it in  
And that was when the world was wox  
Of man, of horse, of sheep, of ox  
And that men known the money  
though went peace out of the weigh  
And were came on every side  
which all love laid aside  
And of common his proper made  
So that in stead of shovel and spade  
The sharp sword was take on hand  
And in this wise it came to land  
whereof men made dyches deep  
And high walls for to keep  
The gold, which avarice encloseth  
But all to little him supposeth  
Though he might all the world purchase  
For what thing, that he may embrace  
Of gold, of cattles, or of land  
He let it never out of his hand  
But get him more, and halt it fast  
As though the world should ever last  
So is he lyche unto the hell  
For as these old books tell  
what cometh there in lass or more  
It shall depart nevermore  
Thus when he hath his coffer looken  
It shall not after been unstoken  
But when him list to have a sight  
Of gold, how that it shineth bright  
That he thereon may look and muse  
For otherwise he dare not use  
To take his part or less or more  
So is he poor, and overmore  
Him lacketh, that he hath enough  
An ox draweth in the plough  
Of that himself hath no profit  
A sheep right in the same plight  
His wool beareth, but on a day  
An other taketh the flees away  
Thus hath he, that he nought ne hath  
For he thereof his part ne hath  
To say how such a man hath good  
who so that reason understood  
It is unproperlyche said  
That good hath him, & halt him tayde  
That he ne gladdeth nought withal  
But is unto his good a thrall  
And a subject thus serveth be  
where that he should master be  
Such is the kind of thavarous   

My son as thou art amorous  
Tell if thou far of love so  
¶ My father as it seemeth no  
That avarous yet never I was  
So as ye setten me the case  
For as ye tolden here above  
In full possession of love  
yet was I never here tofore  
So that me thinketh well therefore  
I may excuse well my deed  
But of my will withouten dread  
If I that treasure might get  
It should never be foryete  
That I ne would it fast hold  
Till god of love himself would  
That death us should depart a two  
For leaveth well, I sove her so  
That even with mine own life  
If I that sweet lusty wife  
Might once welden at my will  
For ever I would hold her still  
And in this wise taketh keep  
If I her had, I would her keep  
And yet no friday would I fast  
Though I her keep and held fast  
Fie on the bags in the ●●st  
I had enough, if I her kyst  
For certes if she were mine  
I had her liefer than a mine  
Of gold: for all this worlds rich  
Ne might me make so rich  
As she that is so inly good  
I set nought of other good  
For might I get such a thing  
I had a treasure for a king  
And though I would it fast hold  
I were than well behold  
But I might pipe now with lass  
And suffer that it over pass  
Not with my will, for thus I would  
Ben avorous if that I should  
But father I heard you say  
How the avarous hath yet some weigh  
whereof he may be glad. For he  
May, when him list, his treasure see  
And grope, and feel it all about  
But I full oft am shut theroute  
There as my worthy treasure is  
So is my life liche unto this  
That ye me tolden here to fore  
How that an ox his yoke hath boar  
For thing that should him not avail  
And in this wise I me travail  
For who that ever hath the welfare  
I wot well that I have the care  
For I am had, and nought ne have  
And am, as who saith, loves 〈◊〉  
Now dame in your own thought  
If this be avarice or nought  
¶ My son I have of the no wonder  
Though thou to serve be put under  
with love, which to kind accordeth  
But so as every book recordeth  
It is to kind no pleasance  
That men above his sustenance  
Unto the gold shall serve, and bow  
For that may no reason avow  
But avarice nevertheless  
If he may gotten his increases  
Of gold, that would he serve and keep  
For he taketh of nought else keep  
But for to fill his bags large  
And all is to him but a charge  
For he ne parteth nought withal  
But keepeth it, as servant shall  
And thus though that he multiply  
His gold, without treasury  
He is, for man is nought amended  
with gold, but if it be dispended  
To man's use, whereof I read  
A tale, and take thereof good heed  
Of that befell by old tide  
As telleth us the clerk Ovid.   

☞ HIC loquitur contra istos avaros, of narrai qualiter Mida rex Frigie Cillenun Baccbi sacerdotem, quem rustici vinculis ferreis alligarunt, dissoluit, et in hospicium suum benignissime recollegit: pro quo Bacchus quodcunque munus rex exigere vellei, donari concessit. unde rex avatitia ductus/ ut quicquid tangeret, in aurum converteretur, indiscrete petiit.  

¶ Bacchus, which is the god of wine  
Accordant unto his divine  
A priest, the which Cillenus hight  
He had, and fell so, that by night  
This priest was drunk, & goth a strayed  
whereof the men were evil apaid  
In Frygelonde, where as he went  
But at last a churl him hent  
with strength of other fellowship  
So that upon his drunkeshyp  
They bounden him with chains fast  
And forth they lad him also fast  
Unto the king, which height Myde  
But he that would his vice hide  
This courteous king took of him heed  
And bad, that men should him lead  
In to a chamber for to keep  
Till he of leisure had sleep  
And thus this priest was soon unbound  
And upon a couch fro the ground  
To sleep he was laid soft enough  
And when he work, the king him drough  
To his presence, and did him cheer  
So that this priest in such manner  
while that him liketh, there he dwelleth  
And all this he to Bacchus telleth  
when that he came to him again   

And when that Bacchus' hard sayen  
How Myde hath done his courtesy  
Him thinketh, it were a villainy  
But he reward him for his deed  
So as he might of his godhead  
Unto this king this god appeareth  
And clepeth, and that other heareth  
This god to Myde thonketh fair  
Of that he was so debonair  
Toward his priest, and had him say  
what thing it were, he would prey  
He should it have of worlds good   

This king was glad, and still stood  
And was of his asking in doubt  
And all the world he casteth about  
what thing was best for his estate  
And with himself stood in debate  
Upon three points, which I find  
Ben liefest unto man's kind  
The first of hem it is delight  
The two been worship and profit  
And than he thought, if that I crave  
delight, though I delight may have  
delight shall passen in my age  
That is no syker advantage  
For every joy bodily  
Shall end in woe, delight for thy  
will I not cheese, and if I worship  
Ask, & of the world lordship  
That is an occupation  
Of proud imagination  
which maketh an heart vain within  
There is no certain for to win  
For lord and knave is all one weigh  
when they be boar, and when they day   

And if I profit ask would  
I● not in what manner I should  
Of worlds good have sikerness  
For every these upon richesse  
awaiteth, for to rob and steel  
Such good is cause of harms feel  
And also though a man at ones  
Of all the world within his wones  
The treasure might have every deal  
yet had he but one man's deal  
Toward himself, so as I think  
Of clothing, and of meat and drink  
For more out take vanity  
There hath no lord in his degree   

And thus upon these points diverse  
diversly he 'gan rehearse  
what point him thought for the best  
But plainly for to get him rest  
He can no syker way cast  
And nevertheless yet at last  
He fell upon the covetise  
Of gold, and than in sundry wise  
He thought, as I have said tofore  
How treasure may be soon lore  
And had an inly great desire  
Touchende of such recover  
How that he might his cause avail  
To get him gold withouten fail  
within his heart and thus he praiseth  
The gold, & faith, how that he poiseth  
above all other metal most  
The gold, he saith, may lead an host  
To make were again the king  
The gold put under all thing  
And set it when him list above  
The gold can make of hate love  
And were of peace: and right of wrong  
And long to short, and short to long  
without gold may be no fest  
Gold is the lord of man and best  
And may hem both buy and sell  
So that a man may soothly tell  
That all the world to gold obeyeth   

For thy this king to Bacchus preyth  
To grant him gold, but he exceedeth  
Measure, more than him needeth  
Men tell, that the malady  
which cleped is hydropsye  
Resembled is unto this vice  
By way of kind of Avarice  
The more hidropsy drinketh  
The more him thrsteth: for him thinketh  
That he may never drink his fill  
So that there may no thing fulfil  
The lusts of his appetite  
And right in such a manner plight  
Stant ever Avarice, and ever stood  
The more he hath of worlds good  
The more he would it keep strait  
And ever more and more covet  
And right in such condition  
without good discretion  
This king with Avarice is smitte  
That all the world it might wit  
For he to Bacchus than prayed  
That thereupon his hand he layed  
It should through his touch anon  
Become gold, and thereupon  
This god him granteth, as he bad   

though was this king of Fryge glad  
And for to put it in assay  
with all the haste that he may  
He toucheth that, he toucheth this  
And in his hand all gold it is  
The stone, the tree, the leef, the grass  
The flower, the fruit all gold it was  
Thus toucheth he, while he may last  
To go: but hunger at last  
Him took so, that he moat need  
By weigh of kind his hunger feed  
The cloth was laid, the board was set  
And all was forth tofore him set  
His dyssh, his cup, his drink, his meet  
But when he would or drink or eat  
Anon as it his mouth came nigh  
It was all gold, and than he sigh  
Of Avarice the folly  
And he with that began to cry  
And prayed Bacchus to foryeve  
His guilt, and suffer him for to live  
And be such, as he was tofore  
So that he were nought forlese  
This god which herd of this grievance  
Took ruth wpon his repentance  
And had him go forth readily  
Unto a flood was fast by  
which Paceole then height  
In which als fast as ever he might  
He should him wash overall  
And said him than that he shall  
Recover his first estate again   

This king right as he herd sayne  
In to the flood goth fro the land  
And wash him both foot and hand  
And so forth all the remanant  
As him was set in covenant  
And than he sigh marvels strange  
The flood his colour 'gan to change  
The gravel with the small stones  
To gold they torn both atones  
And he was quite of that he had  
And thus fortune his chance lad  
And when he sigh his touch away  
He goth him home the right weigh  
And liveth forth as he did er  
And put all avarice a far  
And the riches of gold despiseth  
And saith, that meet and cloth sufficeth   

Thus hath this king experience  
How fools done the reverence  
To gold, which of his own kind  
Is lass worth than is the rind  
To sustenance of mars food  
And than he made laws good  
And all his thing set upon skill  
He bid his people for to till  
Her land, and live under the law  
And that they should also forth draw  
Bestayl, and seek none increase  
Of gold, which is the breach of peace  
For this a man may find write  
To fore the time, ere gold was smite  
In coin, that men the florin knew  
There was well nigh noman untrue  
though was there shield ne spear  
Ne deadly weepen for to here  
though was the town withouten wall  
which now is closed over all  
though was there no brocage in land  
which now taketh every cause on hand  
So may men know, how the florayn  
was mother first of malengyn  
And bringer in of all were  
whereof this word stant out of her  
Through the counseyl of avarice  
which of his own proper vice  
Is as the hell wonderful  
For it may nevermore be full  
That what as ever cometh therein  
A weigh ne may it never win  
¶ But son mine do thou not so  
Let all such avarice go  
And take thy part of that thou hast  
I hid not that thou do waste  
But hold largesse in his measure  
And if thou see a creature  
which through poverty is fall in need  
Yeue him some good: for this I read  
To him that will not yeven here  
what pain he shall have else where  
There is a pain among all  
beneath in hell, which men call  
The woeful pain of Tantaly  
Of which I shall the readily  
devise how men therein stand  
In hell thou shalt understand  
There is a flood of thilk office  
which serveth all for avarice  
what man that stand shall therein  
He stant up even to the chin   

Above his heed also there hongeth  
A fruit, which to that pain longeth  
And that fruit toucheth ever in one  
His overlip, and thereupon  
Such thirst and hunger him affayleth  
That never his appetite ne faileth  
But when he would his hunger feed  
The fruit withdraweth him at need  
And though he have his heed on high  
The fruit is ever alike nigh  
So is the hunger well the more  
And also though him thirst sore  
And to the water bow a down  
The flood in such condition  
Aualeth, that his drink areche  
He may not, lo now which a wretch  
That meet and drink is him so couth  
And yet there cometh none in his mouth  
Lyche to the pains of this flood  
Stant Avarice in worlds good  
He hath enough, and yet him needeth  
For his scarceness it him forbiddeth  
And ever his hunger after more  
travaileth him alike sore  
So is he pained overall  
For thy thy goods forth withal  
My son look thou dispend  
whereof thou might thyself amend  
Both here, and eke in other place  
And also if thou wolte purchase  
To be beloved, thou must use  
Largesse: for if thou refuse  
To give for thy loves sake  
It is no reason that thou take  
Of love, that thou wouldest crave  
For thy if thou wolte grace have  
Be gracious and do largesse  
Of Avarice, and the sickness  
Eschew above all other thing  
And take ensample of Myde the king  
And of the flood of hell also  
where is enough of all woe  
And though there were no matter  
But only that we finden here  
Men ought Avarice eschew  
For what man thilk vice sew  
He get himself but little rest  
For how so that the body rest  
The heart upon the gold travaileth  
whom many a nights dread assaileth  
For though he lig a bed naked  
His heart is evermore awaked  
And dreameth, as he lieth to sleep  
How busy that he is to keep  
His treasure, that no these it steel  
Thus hath he but a woeful weal  
And right so in the same wise  
If thou thyself wilt we'll advise  
There be lovers of such enough  
That will unto reason bow  
If so be they come above  
when they been masters of her love  
And that they shoulden be most glad  
with love, they been most bestead  
So fain they would it holden all  
That her heart, her eye is overall  
And wenen every man be thief  
To steel away that hem is lief  
Thus through her own fantasy  
They fallen in to jealousy   

Than hath the ship to broke his cable  
with every wind and is mevable  
¶ My father for that ye now tell  
I have herd ofttyme tell  
Of jealousy, but what it is  
yet understood I never or this  
wherefore I would you beseech  
That ye me would inform and teach  
what manner thing it might be.  
¶ My son that is hard to me  
But nevertheless as I have herd  
Now hearken, and thou shalt be answered.    

❧ Nota de Zelotipia, cuius fantastica suspicio amorem quemuis fidelissimum multociens sine causa corruptum imaginatur.  

❧ Among the men lack of manhood  
In marriage upon wishode  
Maketh that a man himself deceiveth  
whereof it is, that he conceiveth  
That ilk uneasy malady  
The which is cleped jealousy  
Of which if I the property  
Shall tell, after the nycete  
So as it worcheth on a man  
A fever it is cotidian  
which every day will come about  
where so a man be in or out  
At home if that a man will won  
This fever is than of common won  
Most grievous in a man's eye  
For than he maketh him tote and pry  
where so as ever his love go  
She shall not with her little to  
My step, but he seeth it all  
His eye is walkend overall  
where that she sing, or that she dance  
He seeth the least countenance  
If she look on a man a side  
Or with him rowne at any tide  
Or that she laugh, or that she louvre  
His eye is there at every hour  
And when it draweth to the night  
If she than be without light  
Anon is all the game shent  
For than he set his parliament  
To speak it when he cometh to bed  
And saith: if I were now to wed  
I would never have wife  
And so he turneth in to strife  
The lust of loves duty  
And all upon diversity   

If she be fresh, and well arrayed  
He saith her banner is displayed  
To clepe in gests by the way  
And if she be not well heseye  
And that her list not to be glad  
He beareth on hand that she is mad  
And loveth not her husband  
He saith, he may well understand  
That if she would his company  
She should then afore his eye  
Show all the plesyre, that she might  
So that by day ne by night  
She not what thing is for the best  
But liveth out of all rest  
For what as ever him list to said  
She dare not speak o word again  
But weepeth, and holt her lips close  
She may well write, Sans repose  
The wife, which is to such one married  
Of all women be he waryed  
For with his fever of jealousy  
His each days fantasy  
Of sorrow is ever alike green  
So that there is no love seen  
while that him list at home abide  
And when so is he will out ride  
Than hath he ready his aspye  
Abiding in her company  
A jangler, an evil mouthed one  
That she ne may no whether gone  
Ne speak one word, ne once look  
But he ne will it wend, and croak  
And torn after his own intent  
Though she no thing but honour meant  
when that the lord cometh hom again  
The jangler must somewhat sayne   

So what without and what within  
This fever is ever to begin  
For where he cometh, he can not end  
Till death of him hath made an end  
For though so be, that he ne here  
Ne see, ne wite in no manner  
But all honour and womanhead  
Thereof the jealous taketh none heed  
But as a man to love unkind  
He cast his n1 and as the blind  
And fynt default, where is none  
As who so dreameth on a stone  
How he is laid, and groaneth oft  
when he lieth on his pillow soft  
So is there nought but strife and chest  
when love should make his fest  
It is great thing if he her kiss  
Thus hath she lost the nights bliss  
For at such time he grudgeth ever  
And beareth on hand, there is a lever  
That she would another were  
In stead of him abed there  
And with though words, and with more  
Of jealousy, he turneth her fro  
And lieth upon that other side  
And she with that draweth her aside  
And there she weepeth all the night   

A to what pain she is dight  
That in her youth hath so beset  
The bond, which may not been unknet  
I wot the time is oft cursed  
That ever was the gold unpursed  
The which was laid upon the book  
when that all other she forsook  
For love of him, but all to late  
She plaineth: for as than algate  
She moat forbear, and to him bow  
Though he ne will it nought allow  
For man is lord of thilk feyre  
So may the woman but impair  
If she speak aught again his will  
And thus she beareth her pain still   

But if this Fever a woman take  
She shall be well more hard shake  
For though she both see and here  
And find, that there is no matter  
She dare but to herself plain  
And thus she suffereth double pain  
¶ Lo thus my son, as I have write  
Thou might of jealousy wite  
His fever, and his condition  
which is full of suspection  
But whereof that this fever groweth  
who so these old books troweth  
There may he find how it is  
For they us teach, and tell this  
How that this fever of jealousy  
Somdel it groweth of sotie  
Of love, and somedeal of untrust  
For as a sekman lest his lust  
And when he may no savour get  
He hateth than his own meet   

Right so this feverous malady  
which caused is of fantasy  
Maketh the jealous in feeble plight  
To lose of love his appetite  
Through feigned information  
Of his imagination  
But finally to taken heed  
Men may well make a lykelyhede  
between him, which is avarous  
Of gold, and him that is jealous  
Of love: in o degree  
They stand both, as seemeth me  
That one would have his bags still  
And nought departen with his will  
And dare not for the thieves sleep  
So fain he would his treasure keep  
That other may not well be glad  
For evermore he is adread  
Of these lovers, that gone about  
In aunter, if they put him out  
So have they both little joy  
As well of love, as of money  
¶ Now hast thou son of my teaching  
Of jealousy a knowledging  
That thou might understand this  
from whance he cometh, and what he is  
And eke to whom that he is like  
Beware for thy thou be not sick  
Of thilk fever, as I have spoke  
For it will in himself be wroke   

For love hateth no thing more  
As men may find by the lore  
Of 'em, that whilom were wise  
How that they speak in many wise  
¶ My father sooth is that ye say  
But for to look there again  
Before this time how it is fall  
whereof there might ensample fall  
To such men as been jealous  
In what manner it is grievous  
Right fain I would ensample hear  
¶ My good son at thy prayer  
Of such ensamples as I find  
So as they comen now to mind  
Upon this point of time agone  
I think for to tell one.    

❧ HIC ponit Confessor exemplum contra istos maritos, quos Zelotipia maculavit, Et narrat qualiter Vulganus cuius uxor Venus extitit, suspecionem inter ipsam & Martem concipiens eorum gestus diligētins explorabat, unde contigit, ꝙ cum ipse quadam vice ambos inter se pariter amplexantes in lecto nudos invenit, et exclamans omnem cetum deorum et dearum ad tantum spectaculum convocavit/ super quo tamen derisum pocius quam remedium a tota cohorte consecutus est.  

❧ Ovid wrote of many things  
Among the which, in his writings  
He told a tale in poesy  
which toucheth unto jealousy  
Upon a certain case of love   

Among the gods all above  
It fell at thilk time thus  
The god of fire, which Vulganus  
Is hot, and hath a craft forth with  
Assigned for to be the smith  
Of jupiter, and his figure  
Both of visage and of stature  
Is loathly, and malgracyus  
But yet he hath within his house  
As for the liking of his life  
The fair Venus to his wife  
But Mars, which of battles is  
The god, an eye had unto this  
As he which was chivalrous  
It fell him to be amorous ♣  
And thought it was great pity  
To see so lusty one as she  
Be coupled with so lourd a wight  
So that his pain day and night  
He did, if he her win might  
And she that had a good insight  
Toward so noble a knightly lord  
In love fell of his accord  
There lacketh nought but time & place  
That he nis sycker of her grace   

But when two hearts fallen in one  
So wise a wait was never none  
That at sometime they ne meet  
And thus this fair lusty sweet  
with Mars hath oft company  
But thilk unkind jealousy  
which evermore the heart opposeth  
Maketh Vulcanus, that he supposeth  
That it is not well overall  
And to himself he said, he shall  
Aspye better, if that he may  
And so it fell upon a day  
That he this thing so slightly led  
He fond hem both two a bed  
All warm, eachone with other naked  
And he with craft all ready maked  
Of strong chains hath hem bound  
As he together hem had found  
And left 'em both lygge so  
And 'gan to clepe and cry though  
Unto the gods all about  
And they assembled in a rout  
Come all at ones for to see  
But none amends had he  
But was rebuked here and there  
Of 'em, that loves friends were  
And saiden that he was to blame  
For if there fell him any shame  
It was through his misgovernance  
And thus he lost countenance  
This god, and let his cause fall  
And they to scorn him laughen all  
And losen Mars out of his hands  
whereof these earthly husbands  
For ever might ensample take  
If such a chance 'em overtake  
For Vulcanus his wife bewrayed  
The blame upon himself he laid  
whereof his shame was the more  
which ought for to be a lore  
For every man, that liveth here  
To reulen him in this matter  
Though such an hap of love asterte  
yet should he not appoint his heart  
with jealousy of that is wrought  
But feign, as though he wist it nought  
For if he let it over pass  
The slander shall be well the lass  
And he the more in ease stand  
For this thou might well understand  
That where a man shall needs lose  
The lass harm is for to cheese   

But jealousy of his untryst  
Maketh that full many an harm aryste  
which ciles should not arise  
And if a man would him advise  
Of that befell to Vulcanus  
H●m ougth of reason think thus  
That sith a god was thereof shamed  
w●● should an erthyly man be blamed  
T● take upon him such a vice  
For thy my son in thine office  
Beware, that thou be nought jealous  
which oft time hath shent the house  
¶ My father this ensample is hard  
How such thing to the hevenward  
Among the gods might fall  
For there is but o god of all  
which is the lord of heaven and hell  
But if it like you to tell  
How such gods come aplace  
y● might mochel thank purchase  
For I shall be well taught withal  
¶ My son it is thus overall  
with 'em, that stonden misbelieved  
That such gods been believed  
In sundry place, in sundry wise  
amongs 'em, which be unwise  
There is betaken of credence  
whereof that I the difference  
In the manner, as it is writ  
Shall do the plainly for to wit.   
Mentibus illusis signantur templa deorum  
unde deos caecos nacio caeca colit.  
Nulla creaturi racio facit esse creatum  
Equiparans ꝙ ad huc Iura pagana fovent.   

¶ Quia secundum poetarum fabulas in huiusmodi lib eli locis quampluribus nomina et gestus deorum falsorum intitulantur/ quorum infidelitas, ut Cristianis clarius innotescat/ intendit de ipsorum origine secundum varias pagana rum fectas scrib ere consequenter Et primo de fecta Caldeorum tractare proponit.  

❧ ere christ was boar among us here  
Of the beliefs, that though were  
In four forms thus it was  
They of Chaldee, as in this case  
Had a believe by 'emself  
which stood upon the signs twelve  
Forth eke with the planites seven  
which as they sighen upon the heaven  
Of sundry constellation  
In her imagination  
with sundry kerse and portraiture  
They made of gods the figure   

In thelements, and eke also  
They hadden a believe tho  
And all was that unreasonable  
For the elements been serviceable  
To man: And oft of accidence  
As men may see the experience  
They been corrupt by sundry weigh  
So may no man's reason say  
That they been god in any wise  
And eke of men hem well advise  
The son and move eclipsen both  
That be 'em lef, or be 'em loath  
They suffer, and what thing is posyble  
To been a god is inpossible  
These elements been creatures  
So been these heavenly figures  
whereof may well be justified  
That they may not be defied  
And who that taketh away the honour  
which due is to the creator  
And giveth it to the creature  
He doth to great a forfeiture  
But of Chald●● nevertheless  
Upon this faith though it be less  
They hold affirmed the creance  
So that of hell the penance  
As folk, which stant out of believe  
They shall receive, as we believe.   

Of the Caldens so in this wise  
Stant the believe out of assize  
But in Egypte worst of all  
The faith is false, how so it fall  
For they divers beasts there  
Honour, as though they gods were  
And nevertheless yet forth withal  
Three gods most in special  
They have forth with a goddess  
In whom is all her sickerness  
though gods be yet cleped thus  
Orus, Typhon, and Isirus  
They were brethren all three  
And the goddess in her degree  
Her sister was, and Isis' height  
whom Isirus forlay by night  
And held her after as his wife  
So it befell, that upon strife  
Typhon hath Isire his brother slain  
which had a child, to son O rain  
And he his fathers death to heart  
So took, that it may nought asterte  
That he Typhon after ne slough  
when he was ripe of age enough  
But yet the Egyptians trow  
For all this error, which they know  
That these brethren been of might  
To set and keep Egypt upright  
And overthrow, if that hem like  
But Isis, as saith the cronic  
from Grece in to Egypte came  
And she than upon hand name  
To teach 'em for to sow and ere  
which no man knew tofore there  
And when the Egyptians sye  
The fields full afore her eye  
And that the land began to greyne  
which whilom had be barren  
For the earth bore after the kind  
His due charge, this I find  
That she of hearth the goddess  
Is cleped, so that in distress  
The women thereupon childing  
To her clepe, and her offering  
They bearen, when that they been light  
Lo how Egypt all out of sight  
From reason stant in misbelieve  
For lack of lore as I believe.    

☞ De secta Grecorum.  
¶ Among the greeks out of the weigh  
As they that reason put away  
There was, as the cronic saith  
Of misbelieve an other faith  
That they her gods, and goddesses  
As who saith token all to guesses  
Of such as weren full of vice  
To whom they made sacrifice   

❧ NOTA qualiter Saturnus deorum summus appellatur.  

¶ The high god, so as they said  
To whom they worship laid  
Saturnus hight, and king of Crete  
He had be, But of his seat  
He was put down, as he which stood  
In frenzy, and was so wood  
That fro his wife, which Rea height  
His own children he to plight  
And eat 'em of his common won  
But jupiter, which was his son  
And of full age his father bond  
And kit of with his own hand  
His genitals, which also fast  
In to the deep see he cast  
whereof the greeks affirm and say  
Thus, when they were cast away  
Came Venus forth by weigh of kind  
And of Saturn also I find  
How afterward in to an isle  
This jupiter him did exile  
where that he stood in great mischief  
Lo which a god they maden chief  
And sithen that such one was he  
which stood most high in his degree  
Among the gods, thou might know  
These other, that been more low  
Been little worth, as it is found   

jupiter deus deliciarum.  
For jupiter was the second  
which juno had unto his wife  
And yet a lecher all his life  
He was, and in adultery  
He wrought many a treachery  
And for he was so full of vices  
They cleped him god of delyces  
Of whom if thou wolte more wite  
Ovid the poet hath write  
But yet her stars both two  
Saturn and jupiter also  
They have, although they been to blame  
Attytled to her own name.  
¶ Mars was an other in that law  
The which in Dace was forth draw  
Of whom the clerk Vegetius  
wrote in his book, and told thus  
How he in to Italy came  
And such fortune there he name  
That he a maiden hath oppressed  
which in her order was professed  
As she, which was the prioress  
In Vestes temple the goddess  
So was she well the more to blame  
Dame Ilya this lady name  
Men clepe, and eke she was also  
The kings daughter, that was though  
which Mynitor by name height  
So that again the laws right  
Mars thilk time upon her that  
Remus and Romulus begat  
which after, when they come in age  
Of knighthood, and of vassellage  
Italy all whole they overcome  
And founden the great Rome  
In arms and of such emprise  
They weren, that in thilk wise  
Her father Mars for the marvel  
The god is cleped of battle   

They weren his children both two  
Through 'em he took his name so  
There was none other cause why  
And yet a star upon the sky  
He hath unto his name applied  
In which that he is signified  
¶ And other god they hadden eke  
To whom for counsel they beseek  
The which was brother to Venus  
Apollo men him clepe thus  
He was an hunt upon the hills  
There was with him no virtue else  
whereof that any books carp  
But only that he couth harp  
which when he walked over land  
Full oft time he took on hand  
To get him with his sustenance  
For lack of other purveyance  
And otherwhile of his falsehood  
He feigneth him to con a reed  
Of thing, which afterward should fall  
whereof among his sleights all  
He hath the lewd folk deceived  
So that the better he was received   

Lo now through what creation  
He hath deifycation  
And cleped is the god of wit  
To such as be the fools yet.  
¶ An other god, to whom they sought  
Mercury height, and him ne wrought  
what thing he stolen, ne whom ne slough  
Of sorcery he couth enough  
That when he would himself transform  
Full oft time he took the form  
Of woman, and his own left  
So did he well the more theft  
A great speaker in all things  
He was also, and of losings  
An author, that men wisten none  
An other such as he was one   

And yet they maden of this thief  
A god, which was unto 'em lief  
And cleped him in though believes  
The god of merchants, and of thieves  
But yet a star upon the heaven  
He hath of planets seven  
¶ But Vulcanus, of whom I spoke  
He had a courbe upon the back  
And thereto he was hip halt  
Of whom thou understand shalt  
He was a shrew in all his youth  
And he none other virtue couth  
Of craft to help himself with  
But only that he was smith  
with jupiter, which in his forge  
divers things made him forge  
So wot I not for what desire  
They clepe him the god of fire.  
¶ King of Cecile Hippolytus  
A son had, and Aeolus  
He height, and of his fathers grant  
He held by weigh of covenant  
The governance of every isle  
which was longende unto Sicyle  
Of 'em that fro the land foreign  
Lay upon the wind all plain  
And fro thilk isles in to the land  
Full oft came the wind to bond  
And after the name of him for thy  
The winds cleped Eoly  
They were, & be the god of wind  
Lo now how this believe is blind.  
¶ The king of Crete jupiter  
The same, which I spoke of oer  
Unto his brother, which Neptune  
was hot, it list him to commune  
part of his good, so that by ship  
He made him strong of the lordship  
Of all the see in though parties  
where that he wrought his tirrannyes  
And the strange isles about  
He won, that every man hath doubt  
Upon his march for to sail  
For he anon hem would assail  
And rob, what thing that they ladden  
His safe conduit, but if they hadden  
whereof the comen voice aroos  
In every land, that such a loos  
He caught, all near it worth a stre  
That he was cleped of the see  
The god by name, and yet he is  
with him, that so believe amiss   

This Neptune eke, was thilk also  
which was the first founder though  
Of noble Troy, and he for thy  
was well the more let by  
¶ The loresman of the shepherds  
And eke of 'em that netherdes  
was of Archade, and height Pan  
Of whom hath spoke many a man  
For in the wood of Novarigne  
Enclosed with the trees of pygne  
And on the mount of Parysie  
He had of beasts the bailye  
And eke beneath the valley  
where thilk river, as men may say  
(which Ladon hight) made his course  
He was the chief of governors  
Of hem, that kepten tame beasts  
whereof they maken yet the feasts  
In the city of Stymphalydes  
And forth withal yet nevertheless  
He taught men the forth drawing  
Of bestayle, and eke the making  
Of oxen, and of horse the same  
How men hem should ride & tame  
Of fowls eke, so as we find  
Full many a subtile craft of kind  
He fond, which no man knew tofore   

Men did him worship eke therefore  
That be the first in thilk land  
was, which the melody fond  
Of reeds, when they weren ripe  
with double pipes, for to pipe  
Thereof he gave the first lore  
Till afterward men couth more  
To every craft of man's help  
He had a ready wit to help  
Through natural experience  
And thus the nice reverence  
Of fools, when that he was deed  
The foot was turned to the heed  
And clepe him god of nature  
For so they maden his figure  
¶ An other god, so as they feel  
which jupiter upon Semele  
Begat in his adultery  
whom for to hide his lechery  
That none thereof shall take keep  
In a mountain for to keep  
which Dyon hight, & was in Jude  
He sent, in books as I find  
And he by name Bacchus height  
which afterward, when that he might  
A wastor was, and all his rent  
In wine and bordello he dispent  
But yet all were he wonder bad  
Among the greeks a name be bad  
They cleped him the god of wine  
And thus a glutton was divine.  
¶ There was yet Esculapius  
A god in thilk time as thus  
His craft stood upon surgery  
But for the lust of lechery  
That he to Daires daughter drough  
It fell, that jupiter him slough  
And yet they made him nought for thy  
A god, and wist no cause why  
In Rome, he was long time so  
A god among the Romans though  
For as he said of his presence  
There was destroyed a pestilence  
when they to the isle of Delphos went  
And that Apollo with him sent  
This Esculapius his son  
Among the Romans for to won  
And there he dwelt for a while  
Till afterward in to that isle  
From when he came, ayene he turneth  
where all his life that he sojourneth  
Among the greeks, till that he died  
And they upon him than laid  
His name, and god of medicine  
He hat, after that ilk line.  
¶ An other god of Hercules  
They made, which was nevertheless  
A man, but that he was so strong  
In all this world that broad and long  
So mighty was no man, as he  
marvels twelve in his degree  
As it was couth in sundry lands  
He did with his own hands  
●geyne giants and monsters both  
The which horrible were and loath  
But he with strength him overcame  
whereof so great a price he name  
That they him clepe amongs all  
The god of strength, and to him call  
And yet there is no reason inn  
For he a man was full of sin  
which proved was upon his end  
For in a rage himself he brende  
And such a cruel man's deed  
Accords nothing with godhead.  
¶ They had of gods yet an other  
which Pluto hight, & was the brother  
Of jupiter, and he for youth  
with every word, which came to mouth  
Of any thing, when he was wroth  
He would swear his common oath  
By Lethen, and Phlegeton  
By Cochetus, and Acheron  
The which after the books tell  
Ben the chief floods of hell  
By Segne, and Styge be swore also  
That been the deep pits two  
Of hell, the most principal  
Pluto these oaths over all  
Swore, of his common customaunce  
Till it befell upon a chance  
That he for jupyters sake  
Unto the gods let do make  
A sacrifice, and for that deed  
One of the pits for his meed  
In hell, of which I spoke of ere  
was granted him/ and thus be there  
Upon the fortune of this thing  
The name took of hell king  
¶ Lo these gods, and well more  
Among the greeks they had tho  
And of goddesses many one  
whose names thou shalt here anon  
And in what wise they deceyven  
The fools, which her faith receiven.   

Mater dearum.  

¶ So as Saturn is sovereign  
Of false gods, as they say  
So is Cybele of goddesses  
The mother, whom without guesses  
The folk preyn, honour, and serve  
As they, the which her law observe  
But for to known upon this  
From when she came, and what she is  
Berecynthia the country height  
where she came first to man's sight  
And after was Saturnus wife  
By whom three children in her life  
She bore, and they were cleped though  
juno, Neptunus, and Pluto  
The which of nice fantasy  
The people would deify  
And for her children were so  
Cybele than was also  
Made a goddess, and they her call  
The mother of the gods all  
So was that name bore forth  
And yet the cause is little worth  
¶ A voice unto Saturn told  
How that his own son him should  
Out of his reign put away  
And he because of thilk weigh  
That him was shape such an hate  
Cybele his wife began to hate  
And eke her progeny both  
And thus while that they were wroth  
By Philyra upon a day  
In his adultery he lay  
On whom he jupiter begat  
And thilk child, was after that  
which wrought all that was prophesied  
As it tofore is specified  
So when that jupiter of Crete  
was king, a wife unto him meet  
The daughter of Cybele be took  
And that was juno, saith the book  
Of his deifycation  
After the false opinion  
That have I told, so as they mean  
And for this juno was the queen  
Of jupiter, and sister eke  
The fools unto her seek  
And said, that she is the goddess  
Of reigns both, and of richesse  
And eke she, as they understand  
The water Nymphs hath in hand  
To leaden at her own best  
And when her list the sky tempest  
The reynbowe is her messagere  
Lo which a misbelieve is here  
That she goddess is of the sky  
I wot none other cause why  
¶ another goddess is minerve  
To whom the greeks obey and serve  
And she was nigh the great lay.  
Of Triton found, where she lay  
A child for cast, but what she was  
There knew no man the sooth case  
But in Africa she was laid  
In the manner as I have saide  
And carried from that ilk place  
Into an isle far in Trace  
The which Pallene then height  
where a norice her kept and dight  
And after for she was so wise  
That she fond first in her advice  
The cloth making of will and line  
Men saiden, that she was divine  
And the goddess of sapience  
They clepe her in that credence  
¶ Of the goddess/ which Pallas  
Is cleped, sundry speech was  
One saith her father was Pallaunt  
which in his time was a giant  
A cruel man, a bataylous  
An other saith, how in his house  
She was the cause why he died  
And of this Pallas some eke said  
That she Martes wife was, and so  
Among the men that were tho  
Of misbelieve in the riot  
The goddess of battle she hot  
was, and yet she beareth the name  
Now look how they be for to blame.  
¶ Saturnus after his exile  
From Crete came in great peril  
Into the lands of italy  
And there he did great marvel  
whereof his name dwelleth yet  
For he fond of his own wit  
The first craft of plough tilling  
Of earring, and of corn sowing  
And how men should set wines  
And of the grapes make wines  
All this he taught, and it fell so  
His wife, the which came with him though  
was cleped Ceres by name  
And for she taught also the same  
And was his wife that ilk throw  
As it was to the people know  
They made of Ceres a goddess  
In whom her tylthes yet they bless  
And say that Triptolemus  
Her son goth amongs us  
And maketh the corn good cheap order  
Right as her list from year to year  
So that this wife, because of this  
Goddess of corn cleped is.  
¶ King jupiter, which his liking  
whilom fulfilled in all thing  
So privily about he lad  
His lust, that be his will had  
Of Latona, and on her that  
diane his daughter he begat  
Unknown of his wife juno  
But afterward she knew it so  
That Latona for dread fled  
Into an isle, where she hid  
Her womb, which of child aroos  
Thilk isle was cleped Deloos'  
In which Dyana was forth brought  
And kept so, that her lacketh nought  
And after when she was of age  
She took none heed of marriage  
But out of man's company  
She took her all to venery  
In forest and in wilderness  
For there was all her business  
By day, and eke by nights tide  
with arrows broad under the side  
And bow in hand, of which she slough  
And took, all that her list enough  
Of beasts, which been chaceable  
whereof the cronic of this fable  
Saith, that the gentiles most of all  
worship her, and to her call  
And the goddess of high hills  
Of green trees, of fresh wells  
They clepe her, in that believe  
which that no reason may achieve.  
¶ Proserpina which daughter was  
Of Ceres, befell this case  
while she was dwelling in Cecyle  
Her mother in that ilk while  
Upon her blessing, and her hest  
Bad, that she should been honest  
And s●re for to weave and spin  
And dwell at home, and keep her inn  
But she cast all that lore away  
And as she went her out to play  
To gather flowers in a plain  
And that was under the mountain  
Of Ethna, fell the same tide  
Than Pluto came the way ride  
And suddenly, ere she was ware  
He took her up into his char  
And as they riden in the field  
Her great beauty he beheld  
which was so pleasant in his eye  
That for to hold in company  
He wedded her, and held her so  
To be his wife for evermore   

And as thou hast tofore heard tell  
How he was cleped god of bell  
So is she cleped the goddess  
Because of him ne more ne less  
¶ Lo thus my son, as I the told  
The greeks whilom by days old  
Her gods had in sundry wise  
And through the lore of her apprise  
The Romans held eke the same  
And in worship of her name  
To every god in special  
They made a temple forth withal  
And eke of her years day  
Attytled had, and of array  
The temples weren than ordained  
And eke the people was constrained  
To come and done her sacrifice  
The priests eke in her office  
Solemn made thilk feasts  
And thus the greeks like to beasts  
That men in stead of god honour  
which might nought hem self succour  
while that they were alive here  
And over this as thou shalt here  
¶ The greeks (fulfilled of fantasy)  
Sayne eke, that of the hills high  
The gods been in special  
But of her name in general  
They hoten all Satiry  
¶ There been of nymphs properly  
In the believe of 'em also  
O reads they saiden though  
Attytled been to the mountains   

And for the woods in demeynes  
To keep, though been Dryads  
Of fresh wells Naiades  
And of the nymphs of the see  
I find a tale in property  
How Dorus whilom king of grece  
which had of infortune a piece  
His wife forth with his daughter all  
So as the haps should fall  
with many a gentlewoman there  
Dreynt in the salt see they were  
whereof the greeks that time saiden  
And such a name upon him layden  
Nereydes that they been hot  
The nymphs which that they note  
To reign upon the streams salt   

Lo now if this believe halt  
But of the nymphs as they tell  
In every place where they dwell  
They been all ready obeissant  
●s damoiselles attendant  
To though gods, whose service  
They moat obey in all wise  
whereof the greeks to 'em beseek  
with them that been goddesses eke  
And have in 'em a great credence  
And yet without experience  
safe only of illusion  
which was to hem damnation   

For men also that were deed  
They hadden gods as I read  
And though by name Manes hyghten  
To whom full great honour they dyghten  
So as the greeks law saith  
which was again the right faith  
¶ Thus have I told a great party  
But all the whole progeny  
Of gods in that ilk time  
To long it were for to rhyme  
But yet of that, which thou hast herd  
Of misbelieve, how it hath feared  
There is a great diversity  
¶ My father right so thinketh me  
But yet one thing I you beseech  
which stant in all men's speech  
The god, and the goddess of love  
Of whom ye nothing here above  
Have told, ne spoken of her fare  
That ye me would now declare  
How they first come to that name  
¶ My son I have left it for shame  
Because I am her own priest  
But for they stand nigh thy breast  
Upon the shrift of thy matter  
Thou shalt of 'em the sooth here   

And understand now well the case  
Venus Saturnus daughter was  
which all danger put away  
Of love, and fond to lust a weigh  
So that of her in sundry place  
divers men fell in to grace  
And such a lusty life she lad  
That she divers children had  
Now one by this, now one by that  
Of her it was that Mars begat  
A child, which cleped was Armene  
Of her also came Andragene  
To whom Mercury father was  
Anchyses begat Aeneas  
Of her also, and Herycon  
Byten begat, and thereupon  
when that she sigh there was none other  
By jupiter her own brother  
She lay, and he begat cupid  
And thilk son upon a tide  
when he was come unto his age  
He had a wonder fair visage  
And fond his mother amorous  
And he was also lecherous  
So when they were both alone  
As he which eyen had none  
To see reason/ his mother kissed  
And she also that nothing wist  
But that/ which unto his lust belongeth  
To been her lover him underfongeth  
Thus was he blind/ and she unwys  
But nevertheless this cause it is  
which Cupid is the god of love  
For he his mother durst love  
And she, which thought her lusts fond  
divers loves took on hand  
well more than I the tell here  
And for she would herself hear  
She made common that disport  
And set a law of such a port  
That every woman might take  
what man her list, and nought forsake  
To be as common as she would  
She was the first also, which told  
That women should her body sell   

Semyramys so as men tell  
Of Venus kept thilk apprise   

And so did in the same wise  
Of Rome fair Neabolye  
which sold her body to Regoly  
She was to every man fellow  
And held the lust of thilk law  
which Venus of herself began  
whereof that she the name wan  
why men her clepe the goddess  
Of love, and eke of gentleness  
Of worlds lust, and of pleasance  
¶ See now the foul myscreaunce  
Of greeks in thilk time though  
when Venus took her name so  
There was no cause under the moan  
Of the which they hadden tho to done  
Of well or woe where so it was  
That they no token in that case  
A god to help or a goddess  
whereof to take my witness.     

¶ Nota de epistola Dindimi regis Bragmanno●um Alexandro magno directa, ubi dicit, ꝙ Greci 〈◊〉 ad corporis conseruacionem ꝓ sigulis membris singulos deos specialiter appropriari credunt.  
¶ The king of Bragmans Dyndymus  
wrote unto Alysander thus  
In blaming of the greeks faith  
And of the misbelief he saith  
How they for every member hadden  
A sundry god, to whom they spradden  
Her arms, and of help besoughten  
¶ Mynerue for the heed they soughten  
For she was wise, and of a man  
The wit and reason which he can  
Is in the cells of the brain  
whereof they made her sovereign  
¶ Mercury, which was in his daws  
A great speaker of false laws  
On him the keeping of the tongue  
They laid, when they speak or song  
¶ For Bacchus was a glutton eke  
H● in for the throat they byseke  
That he it would washen oft  
with foo●e drinks and with soft  
¶ The god of shoulders and of arms  
was Hercules, for he in arms  
The mightiest was to fight  
To him the limbs they behyght  
¶ The god whom they clepe Mars  
The breast to keep hath for his part  
For with the heart in his image  
That he address to his courage  
¶ And of the gall the goddess  
For she was full of hastiness  
Of wrath, and light to grieve also  
They made, and said, it was juno  
¶ cupid which the brand of fire  
Bare in his hand, he was the sire  
Of the stomocke, which boileth ever  
whereof the lusts been the liefer  
¶ To the goddess Cereres  
which of the corn gave her increases  
Upon the faith that though was take  
The wombs cure was betake  
¶ And Venus through the lechery  
For which they her deify  
She kept all down the remnant  
To thilk office appertinaunt.   

¶ Nota de prima Idolorum cultura/ que ex tribus precipne statuis exorta est/ quarum prima fuit illa/ quam in filii sui memoriam quidam Princeps nomine Cirophanes a sculptore Promotheo fabricari constituit.  

¶ Thus was dyspers in sundry wise  
The misbelieve as I devise  
with many an image of entaylle  
Of such as might hem not avail  
For thy without lives cheer  
Vnmyghty be to see, or here  
Or speak, or do, or else feel  
And yet the fools to hem kneel  
which is her own hand work  
A lord how this believe is dark  
And fer fro reasonable wit  
And nevertheless they done it yet   

That was this day a ragged tree  
To morrow upon his majesty  
Stant in the Temple well beseyne  
How might a man's reason sayne  
That such a stock may help or grieve?  
But they, that been of such believe  
And unto such gods call  
It shall to him right so befall  
And faylen at most need  
But if the list to taken heed  
And of the first image wite  
Petronius thereof hath write  
And eke Nygargarus also  
And they affirm and write so  
That Promotheus was tofore  
And fond the first craft therefore  
And Cyrophanes, as they tell  
Through counsel, which was take in hell  
In remembrance of his lineage  
Let setten up the first image   

Of Cyrophanes saith the book  
That he for sorrow, which he took  
Of that he sigh his son deed  
Of comfort knew none other rede  
But let do make in remembrance  
A fair image of his semblance  
And set it in the market place  
which openly to fore his face  
Stood every day, to done him ease  
And they that than wolden please  
The father, should it obey  
when that they comen thilk weigh.    

¶ Secunda statuta fuit illa/ quam ad sui patris Beli culturam, rex Ninus fieri et adorari decrevit, Et sic de nomine Beli postea Bel et Belzebub Idolum accrevit.  
¶ And of Nynus king of Assyre  
I read, how that in his Empire  
He was next after the second  
Of 'em, that first images found  
For he right in semblable caas  
Of Belus, which his father was  
From Nembroth in the right line  
let make of gold and stones fine  
A precious image rich  
After his father evenlyche  
And thereupon a law he set  
That every man of pure debt  
with sacrifice, and with truage  
Honour should thilk image  
So that within time it fell  
Of Belus came the name of Belle  
Of Bel came Beelzebub, and so  
The misbelieve went tho.   

¶ Tercia statuta fuit illa, que ad honorem Apis Regis Grecorum sculpta fuit, cui postea nomen Serapis iuponentes ipsum quasi deum pagani coluerunt.  

¶ The third image next to this  
when the king of Grece Apys  
was deed, they made a figure  
●n resemblance of his stature   

Of this king Apys saith the book  
That Serapys his nome took  
In whom through long continuance  
Of misbelieve a great creance  
They hadden, and the reverence  
Of sacrifice and of incense  
To him they made, and as they tell  
Among the wonders, that befell  
when Alexander fro Candace  
Cam rydend in a wild place  
Under an hill a cave he fond  
And Candalus, which in that land  
was boar, and was Candaces son  
Him told, how that of common won  
The gods were in thilk cave  
And he that would assay and have  
A knoweleygnge, if it be sooth  
Light of his bors, and in he goeth,  
And fond therein, that he sought  
For through the fiends sleight him thought  
Among other gods more  
That Serapys spoke to him though  
whom he sigh there in great array  
And thus the fiend from day to day  
The worship of idolatry  
Drough forth upon the fantasy  
Of 'em, that were than blind  
And couthen nought the troth find  
Thus haste thou herd in what degree  
Of Grece, Egypte, and Chaldee  
The misbelieve whilom stood  
And how so they be not good  
Ne true, yet they sprungen out  
whereof the wide world about  
His part of misbelieve took  
Till so befell, as saith the book  
That god a people for himself  
Hath chose, of the lineages twelve  
whereof the sooth readily  
As it is written in Genesy  
I think tell in such a wise  
That it shall be to thine a prise.    

¶ De hebreorum seu judeorum secta, quorum Sinogoga, ecclesia Cristi superueniente, defecit.  

¶ After the flood, fro which Noah  
was safe, the world in his degree  
was made as who saith new again  
Of flower, of fruit of grass, of greyn  
Of be'st, of bird, and of mankind  
which ever hath be to god unkind  
For not withstanding all the fare  
Of that this world was made so bare  
And afterward it was restored  
Among the men was nothing mored  
Toward god of good living  
But all was turned to liking  
After the flesh, so that foryete  
was he, which gave hem life and meet  
Of heaven and earth creator  
And thus came forth the great error  
That they the high god ne knew  
But maden other god's new  
As thou hast herd me said tofore  
There was no man that time bore  
That he ne had after his choice  
A god, to whom ye gave his voice  
whereof the misbelieve came  
In to the time of Abraham  
But he fond out the right weigh  
How only men should obey  
The high god, which weldeth all  
And ever hath done, and ever shall  
In heaven, in earth, and eke in hell  
There is no tongue his might may tell  
This patriarch to his lineage  
Forbade, that they to none image  
incline should in no wise  
But her offrende and sacrifice  
with all the hole hearts love  
Unto the mighty god above  
They shoulden give, and to no more  
And thus in thilk time though  
Began that sect upon this earth  
which of beliefs was the ferthe  
Of rightwiseness it was conceived  
So must it needs be received  
Of him, that all right is in  
The high god, which would win  
A people unto his own faith  
On Abraham the ground he layeth  
And made him for to multiply  
In to so great a progeny  
That they Egypte all over sprad   

But Phaaro with wrong him lad  
In servitude again the peace  
Till god let send Moses  
To make the deliverance  
And for his people great vengeance  
He took, which is to here a wonder  
The king was slain, the land put under  
God bade the reed se devyd  
which stood upright on every side  
And gave unto his people away  
That they on foot it passed dry  
And gone so forth in to desert  
where for to keep 'em in covert  
The days when the son brent  
A large cloud 'em over went  
And for to wyssen 'em by night  
A fiery pillar him alight  
And when that they for hunger plain  
The mighty god began to rain  
Manna fro heaven down to ground  
whereof that each of hem hath fund  
His fod, such right as him list  
And for they should upon him tryst  
Right as who set a ton a brooch  
He pierced the hard roche  
And sprung out water all at will  
That man and best hath drunk his fill  
And afterward he gave the law  
To Moses, that hem withdraw  
They should not fro that he had  
And in this wise they be lad  
Till they took in possession  
The lands of promission  
where that Caleph and joshua  
The marches upon such degree  
Departen after the lineage  
That each of 'em as heritage  
His pourpartye hath underfang  
And thus stood this believe long  
which of prophets was governed  
And they had eke the people learned  
Of great honour, that should hem fall  
But at most need of all  
They fayleden, when Chryst was bore  
But how that they her faith have lore  
It needeth nought to tell all  
The matter is so general  
¶ when lucifer was best in heaven  
And aught most have stand in even  
Towards god he took debate  
And for that he was obstinate  
And would nought to troth incline  
He fell for ever in to ruin  
¶ And Adam eke in paradies  
when he stood most in all his pries  
After the state of Innocence  
Again the god broke his defence  
And fell out of his place away  
And right by such manner weigh  
The jews in her best plight  
when that they should most perfit  
Have stand upon the prophecy  
though fellen they to most folly  
And him, which was fro heaven come  
And of a maid his flesh hath nome  
And was among 'em bore and fed  
As men that wolden nought be sped  
Of god's son, with o voice  
They hinge and slough upon the croys  
whereof the perfit of her law  
from than forth hem was withdraw  
So that they stand of no merit  
But in truage as folk subgect  
without property of place  
They lyven out of god's grace  
Dyspers in all lands out  
And thus the faith is come about  
That wylome in the jews stood  
which is nought parfytelych good   

To speak as it is now befall  
There is a faith above all  
In which the truth is comprehended  
whereof that we been all amended.    

¶ De fide Christiana, in qua perfect legis complementum, summi mistirii sacramentum, nostreque sal nacionis fundamentum ifallibiliter consiftere creditur.  

¶ The high almighty majesty  
Of rightwiseness, and of pity  
The sin, which that Adam wrought  
when he sigh time again he bought  
And send his son fro the heaven  
which man's soul hath set in even  
And hath his grace reconciled  
From which the man was first exiled  
And in himself so sore fall  
Upon the point which is befall  
That he ne might himself arise  
¶ Gregory saith in his apprise  
It helpeth nought aman be bore  
If god's son were unborn  
For than through the first sin  
which Adam whilom brought us in  
There shulden all men be lost  
But Chryst restoreth thilk lost  
And bought it with his flesh and blood  
And if we thinken, how it stood  
Of thilk ransom, which he paid  
As saint Gregory it wrote and said  
All was behovely to the man  
For that, whereof his woe began  
was after cause of all his wealth  
when he, which is the well of health  
The high creator of life  
Upon the need of such a strife  
So would he for his creature  
Take on himself the forfeiture  
And suffer for the man's sake   

Thus may no reason well forsake  
That thilk sin original  
Ne was the cause in special  
Of man's worship at last  
which shall withouten end last  
For by that cause the godhead  
Assembled was with the manhood  
In the virgin, where he nome  
Our flesh, and very man become  
Of bodily fraternity  
whereof the man in his degree  
Stant more worth, as I have told  
Than he stood erst by many fold  
Through baptism of the new law  
Of which Chryst lord is and fellow  
Through virtue of his might  
which in Mary was alight  
To bydge man's soul again  
And this believe is so certain  
So full of grace and of virtue  
That what man clepeth to jesus  
In clean life forth with good deed  
He may not failen of heaven meed  
So that it stonte upon believe  
That every man may well achieve  
which taken hath the right faith  
For else, as the gospel saith  
Salvation there may be none  
And for to preach thereupon  
Chryst had to his apostles all  
The whose power as now is fall  
On us, that been of holy church  
If we the good deeds worch  
For faith, but if there be good deed  
th'apostle faith, is worth no meed  
¶ Now were it good, that thou for thy  
which through baptism propyrly  
Art unto Christ'S faith professed  
Beware that thou be not oppressed  
with antichrists lollardy  
For as the jews prophecy  
was set of god for advantage  
Right so this new tapynage  
Of lolardye goth about  
To set Christ'S faith in doubt  
The saints, that were us tofore  
By whom the faith was first up boar  
That holy church stood relieved  
They ought better be believed  
Than these, which that men know  
Not holy, though they feign & blow  
Her lollardye in men's ere  
But if thou wilt live out of fere  
Such new lore I read eschew  
And hold forth right the weigh, & sew  
As thine ancestors' did ere this  
So shalt thou nought believe amiss  
christ wrought first, and after taught  
So that his deed the word araught  
He ●afe ensample in his parson  
And we the words have alone  
Like to the tree with leaves green  
Upon the which no fruit is seen.    

❧ ●ta ꝙ tum Anibenor palladium Troy a 〈◊〉 A●●●erue abstulit, Thoas ibidem sum● 〈◊〉 d●●●uro corruptus oculos avertit, et 〈◊〉 quasi non videns scienter fieri permisit.  

❧ The priest Thoas, which of Minerva  
The temple had for to serve  
And the Palladyon of Troy  
Kept under key: for money  
Of Antenor, which he hath nome  
Hath suffered Antenor to come  
And the Palladyon to steel  
●herof the worship and the weal  
Of the Troyans' was overthrow   

But Thoas at same throw  
when Antenor this jewel took  
wynkend cast away his look  
For a deceit, and for a wile  
As he that should himself beguile  
He hid his eyen fro the sight  
And wend well, that he so might  
Excuse his false conscience  
I wot not if thilk evidence   

Now at this time in her estates  
Excuse might the prelate's  
Knowend how that the faith discresyth  
And all moral virtue cesseth  
whereof that they the keys here  
But yet hem liketh not to steer  
Her ghostly eye for to see  
The world in his adversity  
They will no labour undertake  
To keep that hem is betake   

christ died himself for the faith  
But now our fearful prelate saith  
The life is sweet, and that he keepeth  
So that the faith unholpe slepyth  
And they unto her ease entenden  
And in her lust her life dispenden  
And every man do what him list  
Thus stant this world fulfilled of mist  
That no man seeth the right weigh  
The words of the church key  
Through myshandling been miswreint  
The worlds wawe hath well-nigh dreint  
The ship, which Peter hath to steer  
The form is kept, but the matter  
Transformed is in other wise  
But if they weren ghostly wise  
And that the priests were good  
As they by old days stood  
It were than little need  
Among the men to taken heed  
Of that they hearen pseudo tell  
which now is come for to dwell  
To sow Cockyl with the corn  
So that the tilth is nigh forlorn  
which Chryst sew first his own hand  
Now stant the Cockylle in the land  
where stood whilom the good greyne  
For the prelate's now, as men say  
For slouthen that they should till  
And that I trow be the skill  
when there is lack in 'em above  
The people is straunged to the love  
Of troth, in cause of ignorance  
For where there is no purveyance  
Of light, men erren in the dark  
But if the prelate's wolden work  
Upon the faith, which they us teach  
Men shoulden nought her way seek  
without light as now is used  
Men see the charge all day, refused  
which holy church hath undertake.    

¶ Gregorius. Quando Petrus cum judea/ Andreas cum Achia, Thomas cum India/ et Paulus cum gente venient, quid dicemus nos moderni, quorun fossun talentum ꝓ nichilo computabitur.  

¶ But who that would ensample take  
Gregory upon his O melye  
again the sloth of Preclacye  
complaineth him, and thus he saith   

when Peter, father of the faith  
At doomsday shall with him bring  
judeam, which through his preaching  
He won, and Andrew with Achay  
Shall come his debt for to pay  
And Thomas eke with his beyete  
Of Ind, and Poule the routs great  
Of sundry lands to present  
And we fulfilled of land & rend  
which of this world we holden here  
with void hands shall appear  
Touchende our cure spiritual  
which is our charge in special  
I not what thing it may amount  
Upon thilk end of our account  
which Christ himself is auditor  
which taketh none heed of vein honour  
The office of the Chauncellery  
Or of the kings treasury  
Ne for to write, ne for to tail  
To warrant may not than avail  
The world, which now so well we trow  
Shall make us than but a mow  
So pass we without meed  
That we none otherwise speed  
But as we read, that he sped  
The which his lords besaunt head  
And thereupon got none increase  
But at his time nevertheless  
what other man his thank deserve  
The world so lusty is to serve  
That we with him been all accorded  
And that is wist and well recorded  
Through out this earth in all lands  
Let knights win with her bonds  
For our tongues shall be still  
And stand upon the fleshes will  
It were a travail for to preach  
The faith of Christ, as for to teach  
The folk paynim, it will not be  
But every prelate hold his see  
with all such as he may get  
Of lusty drink/ of lusty meat  
whereof the body fat and full  
Is unto ghostly labour dull  
And slough to handle thilk plough  
But else we been swift enough  
Toward the worlds avarice  
And that is as a sacrifice  
which after that th'apostle saith  
Is openly again the faith  
Unto the idols you and granted  
But nevertheless as it is now haunted  
And virtue changed into vice  
So that largesse is avarice  
In whose chapter now we treat  
¶ My father this matter is beat  
So far/ that ever while I live  
I shall the better heed give  
Unto myself by many weigh  
But over this now would I pray  
To wite what the branches are  
Of avarice, and how they far  
Als well in love as otherwise.  
¶ My son and I the shall devise  
In such a manner as they stand  
So that thou shalt understand.   
Agros iungit agris Cupidus domibus domosque  
Possidiat totam sic quasi solus humum  
Solus et innumeros mulierum spirat amores  
Vt sacra millenis sit sibi culta Venus.   

☞ Hic tractat Confessor super illa spetie avaritie, que cupiditas dicitur/ quam in amoris causa pertractans amanti super hoc opponit.  

¶ Dame avarice is nought soleyne  
which is of gold the capiteyne  
But of her court in sundry wise  
After the school of her apprise  
She hath of servants many one  
whereof that covetise is one  
which with the large world about  
To seche thadvantages out  
where that he may the profit win  
To avarice and bringeth it inn  
That one halt, & that other draweth  
There is no day which hem bedaweth  
No more the son than the moan  
when there is any thing to done  
And namely with covetise  
For he stant out of all assize  
Of reasonable man's fare  
where he purposeth him to far  
Upon his lucre, and his beyete  
The small path, the large street  
The furlong, and the long mile  
All is but one for thilk while  
And for that he is such one hold  
Dame avarice him hath with hold  
As he which is the principal  
Outward for he is over all  
A purue our, and an espy  
For right as of an hungry py  
The storve beasts been awaited  
Right so is covetise affayted  
To look where be may purchase  
For by his will be would embrace  
All that this wide world beclyppeth  
But ever be somewhat overhyppeth  
That he may nought all fulfil  
The lusts of his greedy will  
But where it falleth in a land  
That covetise in mighty hand  
Is set, it is full hard to feed  
For than he taketh none other heed  
But that he may purchase and get  
His conscience hath all foryete  
And not what thing it may amount  
That be shall afterward account  
But as the Luce in his degree  
Of tho, that less been than he  
The fishes greedily devoureth  
So that no water hem succoureth  
Right so no law may rescue  
from him, that will not right allow  
For where that such one is of might  
His will shall stand in stead of right  
Thus been the men destroyed full oft  
Till that the great god aloft  
Ayene so great a covetise  
Redress it in his own wise   

And in example of all though  
I find a tale written so  
The which for it is good to lere  
Hereafterwarde thou shalt here.    

¶ Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra magnates cupidos/ Et narrat de Crasso Romanor● Imperatore qui turrimin qua speculum Virgi●● Rome fixum extiterat, doloso circumuentus cupiditate evertit, unde non solum sui ipsius perdicionem sed tocius civitatis intollerabilem damnum contingere causavit.  

¶ when Rome stood in noble plight  
Virgile, which was though perfect  
A mirror made of his clergy  
And set it in the towns eye  
Of marbre on a pillar without  
That they by thirty mile about  
By day and eke also by night  
In that mirror behold might  
Her enemies/ if any were  
with all her ordinance there  
which they again the city cast  
So that while thilk mirror last  
Theridamas was no land, which might achieve  
with were Rome for to grieve  
whereof was great envy tho  
And it fell that ilk time so  
That Rome had wars strong  
again Carthage, and stood long  
The two cities upon debate  
Carthage sigh the strong estate  
Of Rome, in thilk mirror stand  
And thought all privily to fond  
To overthrow it by some wile  
And Hannibal was thilk while  
The prince and leader of Carthage  
which had set all his courage  
Upon knighthood in such a wise  
That he by worthy and by wise  
And by none other, was counseled  
whereof the world is yet marveled  
Of the masteries that he wrought  
Upon the marches, which he sought   

And fell in thilk time also  
The king of Puyle, which was though  
Thought again Rome to rebel  
And thus was take the quarelle  
how to destroy the mirror   

Of Rome though was emperor  
Crassus, which was so covetous  
That he was ever desirous  
Of gold to get the pillage  
whereof that Puyle, and eke Carthage  
with philosopher's wise and great  
Begin of this matter to treat  
And at last in this degree  
There was philosophers three  
To do this thing which undertook  
And thereupon they with hem took  
A great treasure of gold in cotres  
To Rome, & thus these philosophers  
together in company went  
But no man wist what they meant   

when they to Rome come were  
So privily they dwelled there  
As they that thoughten to deceive  
was none, that might of hem perceive  
Till they in sundry steeds have  
Her gold under the earth begrave  
In two treasures that to behold  
They should seem as they were old  
And so forth than upon a day  
All openly in good array  
To th'emperor they hem present  
And tolden, it was her intent  
To dwell under his service   

And he him asketh in what wise  
And they him told in such a plight  
That each of 'em had a spirit  
The which slepende a night appeareth  
And hem by sundry dreams lereth  
After the world that hath betid  
Under the ground if ought be hid  
Of old treasure at any throw  
They shall it in her sweven know  
And upon this condition  
They sayn, what gold under the town  
Of Rome is hid, they will it find  
There shall nought be left behind  
Be so that he the balue deal  
Him grant, & he assenteth weal  
And thus came sleight for to dwell  
with covetise as I the tell   

This emperor bad readily  
That they be lodged fast by  
where he his own body lay   

And when it was at morrow day  
That one of 'em saith, that he met  
where he a gold board shall set  
whereof this emperor was glad  
And thereupon anon he bade  
His minors for to go, and mine  
And he himself of that covin  
Goth forth withal, and at his hand  
The treasure ready there he fond  
where as they said it should be  
And who was than glad but be?  
¶ Upon that other day second  
They have an other gold hoard fond  
which the second master took  
Upon his sweven, and undertook  
And thus the sooth experience  
To th'emperor gave such credence  
That all his trust, and all his faith  
So sykerlyche on 'em he layeth  
Of that he fond him so relieved  
That they be perfectly believed  
As though they were gods three  
Now hearken the subtylite.  
The third master should meet  
which as they saiden was unmeet  
Above 'em all, and couth moste  
And he without noise or boast  
All privelyche, so as he would  
Upon the morrow his sweven told  
To the emperor right in his ear  
And said him, that he wist were  
A treasure was, so plenteous  
Of gold/ and eke so precious  
Of jewels, and of rich stones  
That it to all his horse at ones  
It were a charge suffissant   

This lord upon this covenant  
was glad, and asketh where it was   

The master said under the glass  
He told him eke as for the mine  
He would ordain such engine  
That they the work should underset  
with timber, and without let  
Men may the treasure safely delve  
So that the mirror by himself  
without empeirement shall stand  
All this the master upon hand  
Hath undertake in all weigh   

This lord, which had his wit away  
And was with covetise blended  
Anon thereto gave his assent  
And thus to mine forth withal  
The timber set up over all  
whereof the pillar stood upright  
Till it befell upon a night  
These clerks, when they were ware  
How that the timber only bore  
The pillar, where the mirror stood  
Her sleight no man understood  
They go by night unto the mine  
with pitch, with sulphur, & with rosyne  
And when the cite was a sleep  
A wild fire in to the deep  
They cast among the timber work  
And so forth while the night was dark  
disguised in a poor array  
They passeden the town or day  
And when they comen upon an hill  
They sighen how the mirror fill  
whereof they made joy enough  
And each of 'em with other lough  
And said: Lo what covetise  
May do, with hem that he not wise?  
And that was proved afterward  
For every land to Romewarde  
which had be subject tofore  
when this mirror was so forlese  
And they the wonder heard say  
Anon begun disobey  
with wars upon every side  
And thus hath Rome lost his pride  
And was defouled over all   

For this I find of Hanyball  
That be of Romans in a day  
when he hem fond out of array  
So great a multitude slough  
That of gold rings, which he drough  
Of gentle hands, that been dead  
Busshelles full three, I read  
He filled/ and made a bridge also  
That he might over Tiber go  
Upon the corpse that deed were  
Of the Romans, which he slough there  
¶ But now to speak of the juice  
The which after the covetise  
was take upon this emperor  
For he destroyed the mirror  
It is a wonder for to here  
The Romaynrs maden a chair  
And set her emperor therein  
And saiden, for he would win  
Of gold the superfluite  
Of gold he should such plenty  
receive, till he said bo  
And with gold, which they had tho  
Boylende hot within a pan  
Into his mouth they pour then   

And thus the thirst of gold was quaint  
with gold, which had been attaint  
¶ whereof my son thou might here  
when covetise hath lost the steer  
Of reasonable governance  
There falleth oft great grievance  
For there may he no worse thing  
Than covetise about a king  
If it in his person be  
It doth the more adversity  
And if it in his counsel stand  
It bringeth all day mischief to hand  
Of common harm and if it grow  
within his court it will be know  
For than shall the king be pilled  
The man, which hath his land tilled  
awaiteth nought more readily  
The harvest, than they greedily  
Ne make than ward and watch  
where they the profit mighten catch  
And yet full oft it falleth so  
As men may seen among 'em though  
That he, which most coveteth fast  
Hath least advantage at last  
For when fortune is there again  
Though he covet, it is in vain  
The haps been nought all lyche  
One is made poor, an other rich  
The court to some it doth profit  
And some been ever in one plight  
And yet they both alike sore  
covet, but fortune is more  
Unto that one part fanourable  
And though it be nought reasonable  
This thing may a man seen all day  
whereof that I the tell may  
After ensample in remembrance  
How every man may take his chance  
Or of richesse, or of poverty  
How so it stand of the desert  
Here is nought every thing acquit  
For oft a man may see this yet  
That who best doth, lest thonk shall have  
It helpeth nought the world to crave  
which out of rule and of measure  
Hath ever stand in adventure  
As well in court, as else where  
And how in old days there  
It stood so as the things fell  
I think a tale for to tell.    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum contra illos, qui in domibus regum sernientes, pro eo ꝙ ipsi secundum eorum cupiditatem promoti non existunt/ de regio seruitio quamuis in eorum defectu indiscrete murmurant.  

¶ In a cronic this I read  
About a king, as must need  
There was knights and squires  
Great rout, and eke officers  
Some of long time him had served  
And thoughten, that they have deserved  
advancement, and gone without  
And some also been of the rout  
That comen but a while agone  
And they advanced were anon   

These old men upon this thing  
So as they durst again the king  
Among hem self compleynen oft  
But there is nothing said so soft  
That it ne cometh out at last  
The king it wist, anon als fast  
As he which was of high prudence  
He shope therefore an evidence  
Of 'em that plainen in the case  
To know in whose default it was  
And all within his own intent  
That no man wist what it meant   

Anon be let two cofres make  
Of one semblance, of one make  
So lyche, that no life thilk throw  
That one may fro that other know  
They were in to his chamber brought  
But no man wot why they be brought  
And nevertheless the king hath bid  
That they be set in privy stead  
As he that was of wisdom sly  
when he thereto his time sigh  
All priveliche, that none it wist  
His own bonds that one kyst  
Of fine gold/ and of fine perye  
The which out of his treasury  
was take, anon he field full  
That other coffer of straw and mull  
with stones moved he field also  
Thus be they full both two   

So that erelyche upon a day  
He had within/ there he lay  
There should to fore his bed  
A board up set, and fair spread  
And than he let the cofres fet  
Upon the board and did 'em set  
He knew the names well of though  
The which again him grudged so  
Both of his chamber, and of his hall  
Anon and sent for 'em all  
And said to 'em in this wise:  
¶ There shall no man his hap despise  
I wot well ye have long served  
And god wot what ye have deserved  
But if it is along on me  
Of that ye unavaunced be  
Or else if it belong on you  
The sooth shall be proved now  
To stop with your evil word  
Lo here two coffers on the board  
Cheese which you list of both two  
And wyteth well, that one of though  
Is with treasure so full begun  
That if ye hap thereupon  
Ye shall be rich men for ever  
Now cheese & take which you is liefer  
But be well aware, ere that ye take  
For of that one I undertake  
There is no manner good therein  
whereof ye might profit win  
Now goth together of one assent  
And maketh your advisement  
For but I you this day advance  
It stant upon your own chance  
All only in default of grace  
So shall be show in this place  
Upon you all well afyne  
That no default shall be mine   

They knelen all, and with one voice  
The king they thanken of this choice  
And after that they up arise  
And gone a side, and hem advice  
And at last they accord  
whereof her tale to record  
To what issue they been fall  
A knight shall speak for hem all  
He kneeleth down to the king  
And saith, that they upon this thing  
Or for to win, or for to lose  
Been all advised for to cheese   

though took this knight a yard on hand  
And goth there as the coffers stand  
And with th'assent of everichone  
He layed his yard upon one  
And saith the king, how thilk same  
They cheese in reguerdon by name  
And preith him that they might it have   

The king, which would his honour save  
when he hath herd the common voice  
Hath granted 'em her own choice  
And took 'em thereupon the key  
But for he would it were say  
what good they have, as they suppose  
He had anon the coffer unclose  
which was fulfilled with straw & stones  
Thus be they served all at ones   

This king than in the same stead  
Anon that other coffer undid  
where as they sawen great richesse  
well more than they couthen guess   

Lo, saith the king, now may ye see  
That there is no default in me  
For thy myself I will acquit  
And beareth ye your own wite  
Of that fortune hath you refused   

Thus was this wise king excused  
And they left of her evil speech  
And mercy of her king beseech.    

¶ Nota de diviciarum accidencia/ ubi narrat, qualiter Fredericus Romanorum imperator duos ●anperes andivit litigantes, quorum unus dixit Bene potest ditari, quem rex vult ditare. Et alius dixit quem deus vult ditare dives erit/ que rex cum ad experimenton postea probata fuiffet, ill equi deum innocabat pastellum auto plinum sortit●● est, alius vero caponis pastellum sort preelegit.  

❧ Somdele to this matter like  
I find a tale, how Frederyke  
Of Rome that time Emperor  
Heard, as he went. a great clamour  
Of two beggars upon the weigh  
That one of 'em began to say   

Halord well may the man be rich  
whom that a king list to rich   

That other said no thing so  
But he is rich, and well bego  
To whom that god will send weal  
And thus they maden words feel  
whereof this lord hath heed nome  
And did hem both for to come  
To the payleys, where he shall eat  
And bad ordain for her meet  
Two pasteys, which he let do make  
A capon in that one was bake  
And in that other for to win  
Of florins all that may within  
He let do put a great riches  
And even as lyche as man may guess  
Outward they were both two   

This beggar was commanded though  
He that which held him to the king  
That he first cheese upon this thing   

He saw 'em, but he felt 'em nought  
So that upon his own thought  
He cheese the capon, and forsook  
That other, which his fellow took  
But when he wist how that it feared  
He saith aloud, that men it heard  
Now have I certainly conceived  
That he may lightly be deceived  
That trysteth unto man's help  
But well is him, that god will help  
For he stant on the syker side  
which else should go beside  
I see my fellow well recover  
And I moat dwell still poor   

Thus spoke the beggar his intent  
And power he came, and power he went  
Of that he hath richesse sought  
His infortune it would nought  
So may it show in sundry wise  
Between fortune and covetise  
The chance is cast upon a dee  
But yet a man may full oft see  
Enough of such nevertheless  
which ever put 'em self in pres  
To get 'em good, and yet they fail  
¶ And for to speak of this entail  
Touchende of love in thy matter  
My good son as thou might here  
That right as it with though men stood  
Of infortune of worlds good  
As thou hast me heard tell above  
Right so full oft it stant by love  
Though thou covet it evermore  
Thou shalt have no deal the more  
But only that, which is the shape  
The remanant is but a jape  
And nevertheless enough of though  
There been, that now coveite so  
That where as they a woman see  
ye ten or twelve though there be  
The love is now so unadvised  
That where the beauty stant assised  
The man's heart anon is there  
And rouneth tales in her ere  
And saith, how that he loveth strait  
And thus he set him to covet  
And hundred though he saw a day  
So would he more than he may  
So for the great covetise  
Of sotie and fool emprise  
In each of 'em he fynt somewhat  
That pleaseth him, or this or that  
Some one, for she is white of skin  
Some one, for she is noble of kin  
Some one, for she hath a rody cheek  
Some one, for that she seemeth meek  
Some one, for she hath eyen grey  
Some one, for she can laugh and play  
Some one, for she is long and small  
Some one, for she is light and tall  
Some one, for she is pale and bleche  
Some one, for she is soft of speech  
Some one, for that she is camused  
Some one, for she hath not be used  
Some one, for she can dance and sing  
So that some thing of his liking  
He fynt: and though no more he feel  
But that she hath a little hele  
It is enough, that he therefore  
Her love, and thus an hundred score  
while they be new, he would he had  
whom he forsaketh, she is bad  
The blind man no colour deemeth  
But all is one right as him seemeth  
So hath his lust no judgement  
whom covetise of love blended  
Him thinketh, that to his covetise  
How all the world ne may suffice  
For by his will he would have all  
If that it might so befall  
Thus is he common as the street  
I set nought of his beyete.   

My son haste thou such covetise?  
¶ Nay father such love I despise  
And while I live shall done ever  
For in good faith yet had I liefer  
Than to covet in such away  
To been for ever till I die  
As poor as job, and loveless  
Out taken one; for haveless,  
His thonkes is no man a live.  
For than a man should all unthryve  
There ought no wise man covet  
The law was not set so strait  
For thy myself with all to save  
Such one there is I would have  
And none of all this other more  
¶ My son of that thou wouldest so  
I am not wroth, but over this  
I will the tell, how it is  
For there be men, which other wise  
Right only for the covetise  
Of that they seen a woman rich  
There will they all her love affyche  
Nought for the beauty of her face  
Ne yet for virtue ne for grace  
which she hath else right enough  
But for the park and for the plough  
And other things, which thereto longeth  
For in none other wise hem longeth  
To love, but if they profit find  
And if the profit be behind  
Her love is ever less and less  
For after that she hath richesse  
Her love is of proportion  
If thou hast such condition   

My son tell right as it is  
¶ mine holy father nay ywys  
condition such have I none  
For truly father I love one  
So well, with all mine hearts thought  
That certes though she had nought  
And were as power as Medea  
which was exiled for Creusa  
I would her nought the less love  
Ne though she were at her above  
As was the rich queen Candace  
which to deserve love and grace  
To Alysander, that was king  
●afe many a worthy rich thing  
Or else as Panthasylee  
which was the queen of Femyne  
And great richesse with her name  
when she for love of Hector came  
To Troy, in rescous of the town  
I am of such condition  
●hat though my lady of herself  
were also rich, as such twelve  
I ●●nth not, though it were so  
No better love her, than I do  
●or I love in so plain a wise  
That for to speak of covetise  
As for poverty, or for richesse  
Thy love is neither more ne less  
Fo● in good faith I trow this  
So covetous no man there is  
For why, and he my lady sye  
That he through looking of his eye  
He should have such a struck within  
That for no gold he might win  
He should nought her love asterte  
But if he left there his heart  
Be so it were such a man  
That couth skill of a woman  
For there be men so rude some  
when they among the women come  
They gone under protection  
That love and his affection  
Ne shall not take 'em by the sleeve  
For they been out of that believe  
Him lusteth of no lady cheer  
But ever thynkend there and here  
where as the gold is in the coffer  
And will none other love proffer  
But who so wot, what love amounteth  
And by reason trulyche acompteth  
Than may he know, and taken heed  
That all the lust of woman heed  
which may been in a lady's face  
My lady hath, and eke of grace  
If men should yeven her apprise  
They may well say, how she is wise  
And sober, and simple of countenance  
And all that to good governance  
Belongeth of a worthy wight  
She hath plainly: for thilk night  
That she was boar, as for the nonce  
Nature set in her at one's  
beauty with bounty so beseyn  
That I may well affirm and say  
I saw yet never creature  
Of comely heed, and of feature  
In any kings region  
Be lyche her in comparison  
And thereto, as I have you told  
Yet hath she more a thousand fold  
Of bounty, and shortly to tell  
She is pure heed and well  
And mirror, and ensample of good  
who so her virtues understood  
Me thinketh it ought enough suffice  
withouten other covetise  
To love such one, and to serve  
which with her cheer can deserve  
To be beloved better iwies  
Than she that richest is  
And hath of gold a mylyon  
such hath be mine opinion  
And ever shall, But nevertheless  
I say nought she is haveless  
That she nis rich, and well at ease  
And hath enough, wherewith to please  
Of worlds good, whom that her list  
But one thing I would well ye wist  
That never for no worlds good  
Mine heart unto her ward stood  
But only right for pure love  
That wot the high god above  
Now father what say ye thereto?  
¶ My son I say it is well do  
For take of this right good believe  
what man that will himself relieve  
To love, in any other wise  
He shall well find his covetise  
Shall sore grieve him at last  
For such a love may not last  
But now men say in our days  
Men maken but a few assays  
But if the cause be richesse  
For thy the love is well the less  
And who that would ensamples tell  
By old days as they fell  
Than might a man well understand  
Such love may not long stand  
Now hearken son, & thou shalt here  
A great ensample of this matter    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum contra istos/ qui non propter amorem sed propter divicias sponsalia fumunt. Et narrat de quodam regis Apulie Se nescalo/ qui non solum propter pecuniam uxorem duxit, sed eciam pecunie commercis uxorem sibi desponsatum vendidit.  

¶ To treat upon the case of love  
So as we to●d here above  
I find write a wonder thing   

Of Puyle whilom was a king  
A man of high complexion  
And young, but his affection  
After the nature of his age  
was yet not fall in his courage  
The lust of woman for to know  
So it betid upon a throw  
This lord fell in to great sickness  
physic hath done the business  
Of sundry cures many one  
To make him whole, and thereupon  
A worthy master, which there was  
give him counsel uhon this case  
That if he would have perfit hele  
He should with a woman deal  
Atress he, a young, a lusty wight  
To done him company a night  
For than he said him readily  
That he shall be all hole there by  
And other wise he knew no cure   

The king which stood in a venture  
Of life and death for medicine  
Assented was and of covin   

His steward whom he trusteth well  
He took and told him every deal  
How that this master had said  
And thereupon he hath him prayed  
And charged upon his legiance  
That he do make purveyance  
Of such one as be covenable  
For his pleasance, and delitable  
And bad him, how that ever it stood  
That he shall spare for no good  
For his will is right well to pay   

The steward said, he would assay  
¶ But now here after thou shalt wite  
As I find in the books write  
what covetise in love doth   

This steward, for to tell sooth  
amongs all the men on alive  
A lusty lady hath to wife  
which nevertheless for gold he took  
And nought for love, as saith the book  
A rich merchant of the land  
Her father was, and he her fond  
So worthily, and such richesse  
Of worlds good, and such largesse  
with her he gave in marriage  
That only for thilk advantage  
Of good, the steward hath her take  
For lucre, and nought for loves sake  
And that was afterward well seen  
Now hearken, what it will mean   

The steward in his own heart  
Sigh that his lord may not asterte  
His malady, but he have  
A lusty woman him to save  
And though he would give enough  
Of his treasure, whereof he drough  
Great covetise in to his mind  
And set his honour far behind   

Thus he whom gold hath overset  
was trapped in his own net  
The gold hath made his wits lame  
So that sechende his own shame  
He runneth in the kings ear  
And said him, that he wist where  
A gentle and a lusty one  
though was, and thither would he gone  
But he moat give yefts great  
For but it be through great beyete  
Of gold, he said he should not speed   

The king him bad upon the need  
That take an hundred pound he should  
And give it, where that he would  
Be so it were in worthy place  
And thus to stand in loves grace  
This king his gold hath abandoned  
And when this tale was full rouned  
The steward took the gold, and went  
within his heart and many a went  
Of covetise than he cast  
whereof a purpose at last  
Ayene love, and again his right  
He took, and said how thilk night  
His wife shall lig by the king  
And goth thynkende upon this thing  
Toward his inn till he came home  
In to the chamber, and than he nome  
His wife, and told her all the case  
And she, which red for shame was  
with both her hands to him prayed  
K●●lende and in this wise said  
That she to reason, and to skill  
In what thing that he bid will  
Is ready for to done his best  
But this thing that were not honest  
That he for gold her should sell   

And he though with his words fell  
Forth with his ghastly countenance  
Saith, that she shall done obeisance  
And follow his will in every place  
And thus through strength of his menace  
Her innocence is overladde  
whereof she was so sore adread  
That she his will mote need obey  
And thereupon was shape a weigh  
That he his own wife by night  
Hath out of all men's sight  
So privily that none it wist  
Brought to the king, which as him list  
May do with her what he would  
For when she was there as she should  
with him a bed under the cloth  
The steward took his leave, and goth  
In to the chamber fast by  
But how he slept, that wot not I  
For he sigh cause of jealousy  
¶ But he which hath the company  
Of such a lusty one as she  
Him thought that of his degree  
There was no man so well at ease  
She doth all that she may to please  
So that his heart all whole she had  
And thus this king his joy lad  
Till it was nigh upon the day   

The steward than where she lay  
Cam to the bed, and in this wise  
Hath bid she should arise   

The king saith nay, she shall not go  
The steward said nothing so  
For she moat gone ere it be know  
And so I swore, at thilk throw  
when I her fet to you here   

The king his tale would not here  
And saith how that he hath her bought  
For thy she shall depart nought  
Till he the bright day behold  
And caught her in her arms fold  
As be which list for to play  
And bad his steward gone away  
And so he did again his will  
And thus his wife a bed still  
Lay with the king the long night  
Till that it was high son light  
But who she was he knew nothing   

though came the steward to the king  
And prayed him without shame  
In saving of her good name  
He might leaden home again  
This lady, and told him plain  
How that it was his own wife   

The king his ere unto this strife  
Hath laid: and when that he it heard  
well nigh out of his wit he feared  
And said: A caitiff most of all  
where was it ever or this befall  
That any Cokarde in this wise  
Betook his wife for covetise  
Thou hast both her and me beguiled  
And eke thine own estate reviled  
whereof that buxom unto the  
Here after shall she never be  
For this avow to god I make  
After this day/ if I the take  
Thou shalt be hanged and to draw  
Now look anon thou be withdraw  
So that I see the never more   

This steward that dread him sore  
with all the haste that he may  
And fled away the same day  
And was exiled out of land  
¶ Lo there a nice husband  
which thus his wife hath lost for ever  
But nevertheless she had a lever  
The king her weddeth and honoureth  
whereof her name she succoureth  
which erst was lost through covetise  
Of him, that lad her other wise  
And hath himself also forlore   

My son be thou ware therefore  
where thou shalt love in any place  
That thou no covetise embrace  
The which is not of loves kind  
But for all that a man may find  
Now in this time of thilk rage  
Full great disease in marriage  
when venom meddleth with the sugar  
And marriage is made for lucre  
Or for the lust, or for the heel  
what man that shall with other deal  
He may not fail to repent.  
¶ My father such is mine intent  
But nevertheless good is to have  
For good may oft time save  
The love, which should else spill  
But god, which wot my hearts will  
I dare well take to witness  
yet was I never for richesse  
Be set with marriage none  
For all mine heart is upon one  
So freely, that in the person  
Stant all my worlds joy alone  
I ask neither park ne plough  
If I her had, it were enough  
Her love should me suffice  
withouten other covetise  
Lo now my father, as of this  
Touchend of me, right as it is  
My shrift I am be know plain  
And if ye will aught else sayne  
Of covetise if there be more  
In love, agropeth out the sore   
Fallere cum nequeat, propria vir fraud subornat  
Testes sit ꝙ eye vera retorta fides  
Sicut agros cupidus dum querie amans mulieres  
Vult testes falfos falsus habe●● fuos.  
Non sine vindicta periurus abibit in eyes  
Visu qui cordis intima cuncta videt.  
Fallere periuro non est laudanda puellam  
Gloria sed falso conditionis opus.   

☞ HIC tractat super illis avaricie speciebus/ que falsum testimonium et periurium nuncupantur, quorum fraudulenta circumuentio tam in cupiditatis quam in amoris causa sui desiderit propositum, quam sepe fallaciter attingit.  

❧ My son thou shalt understand  
How covietses hath yet on hand  
In special two counselors  
That been also his procurers  
The first of hem is false witness  
which ever is ready to witness  
what thing his master will him hot  
Perjure is the second hot  
which spareth nought to swear an oath  
Though it be false, and god be wroth  
That one shall false witness bear  
That other shall the thing forswear  
when he his charged on the book  
So what with heap, & what with croak  
They make her master oft win  
And will not know, what is sin  
For covetise: and thus men say  
They make many a falls bargeyn  
There may no true quarrel arise  
In thilk quest of thilk assize  
where as they two the people inform  
For they keep ever o manner form  
That upon gold her conscience  
They found/ and take her evidence  
And thus with false witness and oaths  
They win 'em meet, drink, & clothes   

Right so there be, who that hem knew  
Of these lovers full many untrue  
Now may a woman find enough  
That each of 'em, when he shall woo  
Anon he will his hand down lie  
Upon a book, and swear and say  
That he will faith ●nd troth bear  
And thus he proffereth him to swear  
To serven ever till be die  
And all is very treachery  
For when the sooth himself trieth  
The more he sweareth, the more he lieth  
when he his faith maketh all thermest  
Than may a woman trust him lest  
For till he may his will achieve  
He is no longer for to leave  
Thus is the troth of love exiled  
And many a good woman beguiled   

And eke to speak of false witness  
There been now such many I guess  
That lyche unto the provisors  
They make he her privy procurators  
To tell how there is such a man  
which is worthy to love, and can  
All that a good man should con  
So that with losing is begun  
The cause, in which they will proceed  
And also siker as the creed  
They make of that they known false  
And thus full oft about the half  
Love is of false men embraced  
But love, which is so purchased  
Come afterward to little prise  
For thy my son, if thou be wise  
Now thou hast heard this evidence  
Thou might thine own conscience  
Oppose, if thou hast be such one  
¶ Nay god wot father I am none  
Ne never was, for as men saith  
when that a man shall make his faith  
His heart and tongue must accord  
For if so be that they discord  
Than is he falls, and else nought  
And I dare say, as of my thought  
In love, it is not discordable  
Unto my word, but accordable  
And in this wise father I  
May right well swear, and saufly  
That I my lady love well  
For that accordeth every deal  
It needeth nought to my sooth saw  
That I witness should draw  
Into this day, for ever yet  
Ne might it sink in to my wit  
That I my counsel should say  
To any wight or me hewreye  
To sechen help in such manner  
But only for my lady dear  
And though a thousand men it wist  
That I her love, and than hem list  
with me to swear/ and to witness  
yet were that no false witness  
For I dare unto this troth dwell  
I love her more, than I can tell  
Thus am I father guiltless  
As ye have herd, and nevertheless  
In your doom I put it all  
¶ My son wite in special  
It shall not commonlyche fail  
All though it for a time fail  
That falls witness his cause speed  
Upon the point of his falsehood  
It shall well afterward be kid  
whereof so as it is betid  
Ensample of such things blind  
In a cronic write I find.    

❧ HIC PONIT exemplum de iffis, qui falsum testificantes, amoris innocentiam circumueniunt/ Et narrat qualiter Thetis Achillem filium suum ad o lscentem muliebri vestitum apparatu afferens esse puellam inter regis Lithomedis filias ad educandum produxit, Et sic Achilles decepto rege filie sue Deidamie soci● et cubicularia effectus super ipsam Pirrum genuit, qui postea mire probitatis miliciam affecutus mortem patris sui apud Troiam Polixent Tirrannice vindicavit.  

¶ The goddess of the see Thetis  
She had a son, and his name is  
Achilles, whom to keep and ward  
while he was young, and in to ward  
She thought him saufly to betake  
As she, which dread for his sake  
Of that was said of prophecy  
That he at Troy should die  
when that the city was beleyne  
For thy so as the books say  
She cast her wit in sundry wise  
How she him might so desguyse  
That no man should his body know  
And so befell that ilk throw  
while that she thought upon this deed  
There was a king, which linseed  
was hot, and he was well begun  
with fair daughters many one  
And dwelt far out in an isle   

Now shalt thou here a wonder wile  
This queen, which the mother was  
Of Achilles, upon this case  
Her son, as a maiden were  
Let clothen in the same gear  
which longeth unto womanhead  
And he was young, and took none bede  
But suffereth all that she him deed  
whereof she hath her women bid  
And chargeth by her oaths all  
How so it afterward befall  
That they discover nought this thing  
But feign and make a knowledging  
Upon the counsel, which was nome  
In every place where they come  
To tell and to witness this  
How he her lady's daughter is  
And right in such a manner wise  
She had they should her don service  
So that Achilles underfongeth  
As to a young lady belongeth  
Honour, service, and reverence  
For Thetys' with great diligence  
Him hath so taught, and so affayted  
That how so that he were awaited  
with sober, and goodly countenance  
He should his womanhead advance  
That none the sooth know might  
But that in every man's sight  
He should seem a pure maid  
And in such wise, as she him said  
Achilles, which that ilk while  
was young, upon himself to smile  
Began, when he was so beseyn  
And thus after the books say  
with fret of pearl upon his heed  
All fresh between the white and red  
As he which tho was tender of age  
Stood the colour in his visage  
That for to look upon his cheek  
And seen his chyldy manner eke  
He was a woman to behold  
And than his mother to him told  
That she him had so begun  
By cause that she thought gone  
To Lichomede at thilk tide  
where that she said, be should abide  
Among his daughters for to dwell   

Achilles h●●d his mother tell  
And wist no ●ght the cause why  
And nevertheless full buxomly  
He was ready to that she had  
whereof his mother was right glad   

To linseed and forth they went  
And when the king knew her intent  
And saw this young daughter there  
And that it came unto his ere  
Of such record, of such witness  
He had right a great gladness  
Of that he both sigh and herd  
As he that wot not how it feared  
Upon the counseyl of the need  
But for all that king linseed  
Hath toward him his daughter take  
And for Thetys' his mother sake  
He put her in to company  
To dwell with Deydamye  
His own daughter the eldest  
The fairest, and the comeliest  
Of all his daughters, which he had   

Lo thus Thetys' the cause lad  
And left there Achilles feigned  
As be, which hath himself restrained  
In all that ever be may and can  
O ute of the manner of a man  
And took his womanysshe cheer  
whereof unto his bedfere  
Deydamye he hath by night  
where kind would himself right  
After the Philosophers sayn  
There may no wight be there again  
And that was thilk time seen  
The long nights hem between  
Nature, which may not forbear  
Hath made 'em both for to steer  
They kyssen first, and overmore  
The high weigh of loves lore  
They gone, and all was done in deed  
whereof lost is the may denhede  
And that was afterward well know  
For it befell that ilk throw  
At Troy, where the siege lay  
Upon the cause of Menelay  
And of his queen dame Eleyne  
The gregoys badden much pain  
All day to fight, and to assail  
But for they might nought avail  
So noble a city for to win  
A privy counsel they begin  
In sundry wysewhere they treat  
And at last among the great  
They fellen unto his accord  
That Phorceus of his record  
which was an Astronomyen  
And eke a great magicien  
Should of his calculation  
Screbe of constellation  
How they the city mighten get   

And he which had nought foryete  
Of that belongeth to a clerk  
His study set upon this work  
So long his wit about he cast  
Till that he fond out at last  
But if they hadden Achilles  
Her were shall be endless  
And over that he told 'em plain  
In what manner he was beseyne  
And in what place he shall be found  
S● to at within a little stound  
Vl●●es forth with diomed  
Upon this point to linseed  
Agamemnon together sent   

But Vlyxes, ere he forth went  
which was one of the most wise  
Ordained hath in such a wise  
That he the most rich array  
whereof a woman may be gay  
with him be took manifold  
And overmore, as it is told  
An harnoys as for a lusty knight  
which burned was as silver bright  
O● sword, of plate, and cke of mail  
As though he should do battle  
He took also with him by ship  
And thus together in fellowship  
Forth gone this diomed and be  
In hope till they mighten see  
The place, where Achilles is   

The wind stood than nought amiss  
But every topsail coal it blewe  
Till Vlyxes the marches knew  
where linseed his reign had   

The styresman so well him lad  
That they be comen safe to land  
where they gone out upon the strand  
In to the burgh, where that they found  
The king, and he which hath facounde  
Vlyxes did the message   

But the counsel of his courage  
why that he came, he told nought  
But underneath he was bethought  
In what manner he might aspie  
Achilles from Deidamye  
And fro these other, that there were  
Full many a lusty lady there  
¶ They played 'em there a day or two  
And as it was fortuned so  
It fell that time in such a wise  
To Bacchus that a sacrifice  
These young ladies shoulden make  
And for the strange men's sake  
That comen fro the siege of Troy  
They maden well the more joy  
There was revel, there was dancing  
And every life, which couth sing  
Of lusty women in the rout  
A fresh carol hath song about  
But for all this yet nevertheless  
The greeks unknown of Achilles  
So weren, that in no degree  
They couthen wite, which was he  
Ne by his voice, ne by his pace   

Vlyxes than upon the caas  
A thing of high prudence hath wrought  
For thilk array, which he hath brought  
To give among the women there  
He let do fetten all the gear  
Forth with a knights harnoys eke  
In all the country for to seek  
Men shoulden nought a fairer see  
And every thing in his degree  
Endelonge upon a board he laid  
So linseed and than he prayed  
That every lady cheese should  
what thing of all that she would  
And take it as by way of yeft  
For they him self it should sheft  
He said after her own will.   

Achilles than stood nought still  
when he the bright helm beheld  
The sword, the hauberke, & the shield  
His heart fell thereto anon  
Of all that other would he none  
The knights gear he underfongeth  
And thilk array, which that belongeth  
Unto the women he forsook  
And in this wise, as saith the book  
They known than which he was  
For he goth forth the great paas  
In to the chamber, where he lay  
Anon, and made no delay  
He armeth him in knightly wise  
That better can no man devise  
And as fortune should fall  
He came so forth tofore hem all  
As he, which tho was glad enough  
But linseed nothing lough  
when that he sigh, how that it feared  
For than he wist well and heard  
His daughter had be forleyn  
But that he was so overseyn  
The wonder overgoth his wit  
For in Cronike is written yet  
Thing, which shall never be foryete  
How that Achilles hath beget  
Pytrus upon Deydame  
whereof came out the treachery  
Of false witness, when he said  
How that Achilles was a maid  
But that was nothing seen though  
For he is to the siege go  
Forth with Vlyxes and diomed  
¶ Lo thus was proved in the deed  
And fully spoke at thilk while  
If o woman an other beguile  
where is there any sekyrnesse  
when Thetis which was than the goddess  
Daydamye hath so beiaped  
I not how it shall been escaped  
with the women, whose innocence  
Is now all day through such credence  
deceived oft, as it is seen  
with men, that such untruth mean  
For they been sly in such a wise  
That they by sleight and by queyntise  
Of false witness bryngyn inn  
That doth 'em oft for to win  
That they be not worthy thereto   

For thy my son do not so  
¶ My father as of false witness  
The troth, and the manner express  
Touchende of love, how it hath feared  
As ye have told, I have well heard  
But for ye saiden other wise  
How thilk vice of covetise  
Hath yet periur of his accord  
If that you list of some record  
To tell an other tale also  
In loves cause of time ago  
what thing it is to be forswore  
I would prey you therefore  
whereof I might ensamble take.  
¶ My good son and for thy sake  
Touchende of this I shall fulfil  
Thine asking, at thine own will  
And the matter I shall declare  
How the women deceived are  
when they so tender hearts bear  
Of that they here men so swear  
But when it cometh unto thassay  
They find it falls another day  
As jason did unto Medee  
which stante yet of authority  
In token, and in memorial  
whereof the tale in special  
Is in the book of Troy writ  
which I shall do the for to wit    

❧ Hic in amoris caufa ponit exemplum contra periuros, Et narrat qualiter Iason priusquam ad Insulam Colchos pro aureo vellere ibidem conquestando transmearet, in amorem et coningium Medee regis Othonis filie juramento firmius se aftrinxit, sed suo postea completo negotio cil ips● secum navigio in Cretiam perduxisset, ubi illum senectam patris sui Efonis in floridam inuentutem mirabili scientia reformavit, Ipse Iason fidei sue ligamento, aliis que beneficiis post positis, dictam Medeam pro quadam Crensa regis Creontis filia periurus dereliquit.  

¶ In grece whilom was a king  
Of whom the fame and knowledging  
By leaveth yet, and Peleus  
He hight: but it fell him thus  
That his fortune her wheel so lad  
That he no child his own had  
To reignen after his decease  
He had a brother nevertheless  
whose right name was Aeson  
And he the worthy knight jason  
Begat, the which in every land  
All other passed of his hand  
In arms, so that he the best  
was named, and the worthiest  
He sought worship over all  
Now hearken, and I the tell shall  
An adventure that he sought  
which afterward full dear he bought.  
¶ There was an isle, which Colchos  
was cleped, and thereof aroos  
Great speech in every land about  
That such marvel was none out  
In all the wide world no where  
As though was in that isle there  
There was a sheep, as it was told  
The which his flees bare all of gold  
And so the gods had it set  
That it ne might away be fet  
By power of no worlds wight  
And yet full many a worthy knight  
It had assayed, as they dorst  
And ever it fell 'em to the worst  
But he that would it nought forsake  
But of his knighthood undertake  
To do, what thing thereto belongeth  
This worthy jason sore alongeth  
To see the strange regions  
And know the conditions  
Of other marches, where he went  
And for that cause his hole intent  
He set Colchos for to seche  
Cnd thereupon he made a speech  
To Peleus his eme the king  
And he well paid was of that thing  
And shope anon for his passage  
Such as were of his lineage  
with other knights, which he cheese  
with him he took: and Hercules  
which full was of chivalry  
with jason went in company  
And that was in the month of may  
when cold storms were away  
The wind was good, the ship was yare  
They took her leave, and forth they far  
Toward Colchos, but on the weigh  
what hem befell, is long to say  
How Laamedon the king of Troy  
which ought well have made 'em joy  
when they to rest a while him prayed  
Out of his land he them congeyde  
And so befell the dissension  
which after was destruction  
Of that city, as men may here  
But that is nought to my matter  
But thus the worthy folk gregoys  
From that king, which was not curtois  
And fro his land with seyl updrawe  
They went 'em forth, and many a saw  
They made, and many a great menace  
Till at last in to that place  
which as they sought, they arrive  
And striken sail, and forth as belive  
They senten unto the king, and tolden  
who weren there, and what they wolden  
¶ O etes which was then king  
when that he heard this tiding  
Of jason, which was comen there  
And of these other, what they were  
He thought done 'em great worship  
For they anon come out of ship  
And straight unto the king they went  
And by the hand jason he hent  
And that was at the palace gate  
So far the king came on his gate  
Toward jason to done him cheer  
And he, whom lacketh no manner  
when he the king sigh in presence  
gave him again such reverence  
As to a kings state belongeth  
And thus the king him underfongeth  
And jason in his arm he caught  
And forth in to the hall he 'straught  
And there they sat, and speak of things  
And jason told him though tidings  
why he was come, and fair him preide  
To hast his time, & the king thus said   

jason thou art a worthy knight  
But it lieth in no man's might  
To done, that thou art come fore  
There hath been many a knight forlese  
Of that they wolden it assay   

But jason would not him esmaye  
And said: of every worlds cure  
Fortune stant in adventure  
Paranter well, paranter woe  
But how as ever that it go  
It shall be with mine bond assayed   

The king though held him not well paid  
For he the greeks sore dread  
In aunter if jason ne sped  
He might thereof bear a blame  
For though was all the worlds fame  
In grece, as for to speak of arms  
For thy he dread him of his harms  
And 'gan to preach, and to prey   

But jason would not obey  
But said, he would his purpose hold  
For aught that any man him told   

The king when these words heard  
And sigh how that this knight answered  
Yet for he would make him glad  
After Medea gone he bade  
which was his daughter: and she came   

And jason which good heed name  
when he her sigh, again her goth  
And she, which was him nothing loath  
welcomed him in to that land  
And soft took him by the hand  
And down they setten both same  
She had heard spoken of his name  
And of his great worthiness  
For thy she 'gan her eye impress  
Upon his face, and his stature  
And thought how never creature  
was so welfarende, as was he  
And jason right in such degree  
Ne might not withhold his look  
But so good heed on her he took  
That him ne thought under the heaven  
Of beauty sigh he never her even  
with all that tell to womanhead  
Thus each of other token heed  
Though there no word was of record  
Her hearts both of one accord  
Ben set to love, but as though  
There mighten be no words more   

The king made him great joy & feast  
To all his men he gave an hest  
So as they would his thank deserve  
That they should all jason serve  
while that he would there dwell  
And thus the day, shortly to tell  
with many mirths they dispent  
Till night was come, and though they went  
Echone of other took his leave  
when they no longer myghten leave  
I not how jason that night sleep  
But well I wot, that of the sheep  
For which he came in to that i'll  
He thought but a little while  
All was Medea that he thought  
So that in many wise he sought  
His wit wakened/ ere it was day  
Some time ye, some time nay  
Some time thus, some time so  
As he was stired to and fro  
Of love, and eke of his conquest  
As he was hold of his behest   

And thus he rose up by the morrow  
And took himself saint Iohn to borrow  
And said he would first begin  
At love, and after for to win  
The flees of gold, for which he come  
And thus to him good heart he nome  
¶ Medea right in the same wise  
Till day came, that she must arise  
Lay, & bethought her all the night  
How she that noble worthy knight  
By any way might wed  
And well she wist, if he ne sped  
Of thing/ which he had undertake  
She might herself no purpose take  
For if he died of his battle  
She must than algate fail  
To gotten him, when he were deed  
Thus she began to set read  
And turn about her wits all  
To look how that it might fall  
That she with him had a leisure  
To speak and tell of her desire   

And so it fell the same day  
That jason, with that sweet may  
To geher set, and hadden space  
To speak, and he besought her grace  
And she his tale goodly herd  
And afterward she him answered  
And said: jason as thou wilt  
Thou might be safe, thou might be spilled  
For wite well, that never man  
But if he couth, that I can  
Ne might that fortune achieve  
For which thou comest: but as I leave  
If thou wilt hold covenant  
To love of all the remnant  
I shall thy life and honour save  
That thou the flees of gold shalt have   

He said: All at your own will  
Madam I shall truly fulfil  
Your hest, while my life may last   

Thus long he prayed, and at last  
She granteth, and behyght him this  
That when night cometh, & it time is  
She would him send certainly  
Such one, that should him privily  
Alone in to her chamhre bring   

He thanketh her of that tiding  
For of that grace is him begun  
Him thinketh all other things won  
¶ The day made end, & lost his sight  
And comen was the dark night  
The which all the days eye blended   

jason took leave, & forth he went  
And when he came out of the prees  
He took to counsel Hercules  
And told him, how it was betid  
And prayed it should well been hid  
And that he would look about  
The whiles that he should be out  
Thus as he stood, and heed name  
A maiden fro Medes came  
And to her chamber jason led  
where that he fond ready to bed  
The sayrest, and the wisest eke  
And she with simple cheer and meek  
when she him sigh, waxed all ashamed  
though was her tale new entamed  
For sickerness of marriage  
She fet forth a rich image  
The which was the figure of jubitere  
And jason swore, and said there  
That also wis god him help  
That if Medea did him help  
That he his purpose might win  
They should never part a twin  
But ever while him last life  
He would her hold for his wife  
And with that word they kystend both  
And for they should hem unclothe  
There come a maiden in her wise  
She did 'em both full service  
Till that they were in bed naked  
I wot that night was well bewaked  
They hadden both what they would  
And than at leisure she him told  
And 'gan fro point to point inform  
Of this battle, and all the form  
The which that he should find there  
when he to that isle come were  
She said, at entry of the pas  
How Mars, which god of arms was  
Hath set two oxen stern and stout  
That casten fire and flame about  
Both at mouth and at nase  
So that they setten all on blaze  
what thing that passeth 'em between  
And furthermore upon the green  
There goth the flees of gold to keep  
A serpent which may never sleep  
Thus who that ever it should win  
The fire to stop he moat begin  
The which that though fierce beasts cast  
And daunt he mote hem at last  
So that he may hem yoke and drive  
And there upon he als belive  
The serpent with such strength assail  
That he may slain him by battle  
Of the which he must the teeth outdraw  
As it belongeth to that law  
And than he must the oxen yoke  
Till they have with a plough to broke  
A forow of loud, in which a row  
The teeth of thadder he must sow  
And thereof shall arise knights  
well armed at all rights  
Of hem is nought to taken heed  
For each of 'em in hastibede  
Shall other slay with deaths wound  
And thus when they be brought to ground  
And go so forth, and take his prey  
Than must he to the gods pray   

But if he fail in any wise  
Of that ye hear me devise  
There may be set non other weigh  
That he ne might algates die  
Now have I told the peril all  
I will you tell forth withal  
(Quod Medea to jason tho)  
That ye shall known ere ye go  
again the venom and the fire  
what shall be the recover  
But sir for it is nigh day  
Ariseth up, so that I may  
deliver you, what thing I have  
That may your life and honour save   

They were both loath to rise  
But for they were both wise  
Up they risen at last  
jason his clothes on him cast  
And made him ready right anon  
And she her shi●● did upon  
And cast on her a mantel close  
withouten more, and than aros  
though took she forth a rich tie  
Mad all of gold and of perye  
Out of the which she took a ring  
The stone was worth all other thing  
She said, whiles he would it were  
There might no peril him dear  
In water may it not be dreynte  
where as it cometh the fire is quaint  
It daunteth eke the cruel hest  
There may none quad that man arrest  
where so he be on see or land  
That hath this ring upon his hand   

And over that she 'gan to say  
That if a man will been unsayne  
within his hand hold close the stone  
And he may invisible gone   

The ring to jason she betaught  
And so forth after she him taught  
what sacrifice he should make  
And 'gan out of her coffer take  
Him thought an heavenly figure  
which all by charm and by conjure  
was wrough, & eke it was through writ  
with names, which he should wite  
As she him taught tho to read  
And had him as he would speed  
without rest of any while  
when he were landed in that isle  
He should make his sacrifice  
And read his carecte en the wise  
As she him taught on knes down bend  
Three scythes towered orient  
For so should he the gods please  
And win himself much ease   

And when he had it thrice radde  
To open a box she him bad  
That she there took him in present  
And was full of such oignement  
That there was fire ne venom none  
That should fastenen him upon  
when that he were anoint withal  
For thy she taught him how he shall  
Anoint his arms all about  
And for he should nothing doubt  
She took him than a manner glue  
The which was of so great virtue  
That where a man it should cast  
It should bind anon so fast  
That no man might it done away  
And that she had by all way  
He should into the mouths throw  
Of the two oxen that fire blow  
Thereof to stop the malice  
The glue shall serve of that office  
And over that her oignement  
Her ring, and her enchantment  
Ayene the serpent should him were  
Till he him slay with sword or spear  
And than he may safely enough  
His oxen yoke in to the plough  
And the teeth sow in such wise  
Till he the knights see arise  
And each of other down be laid  
In such a manner as I have said  
¶ Lo thus Medea for jason  
ordaineth, and prayeth thereupon  
That he nothing foryete should  
And eke she prayeth him that he would  
when he hath all his arms done  
To ground kneel, and thank anon  
The gods, and so forth by ease  
The flees of gold he should sese  
And when he had it sese so  
That than he were soon ago  
without any tarrying   

when this was said into weeping  
She fell, as she that was through nome  
with love, and so porth overcome  
That all her world on him she set  
But when she sigh there was no let  
That he moat needs part her fro  
She took him in her arms two  
An honderde times and 'gan him kiss  
And said: O all my worlds bliss  
My trust, my lust, my life, mine hele  
To been thine help in this quarrel  
I pray unto the gods all  
And with that word she 'gan down fall  
Of swoon, and he her up name  
And forth with that the maiden came  
And they to bed anon her brought  
And than jason her besought  
And to her saide, in this manner   

My worthy lusty lady dear  
Comforteth you, for by my troth  
It shall not fallen in my sloth  
That I ne will throughout fulfil  
your hests, at your own will  
And yet I hope to you bring  
within a while such tiding  
The which shall make us both game  
¶ But for he would keep her name  
when that he wist it was nigh day  
H● said, adieu my sweet may  
And forth with him he name his gear  
which as she had take him there  
And 'straught unto his chamber went  
A●d goth to bed, and sleep him hent  
And lay, that no man him a work  
For Hercules' heed of him took  
〈◊〉 it was vnd●rne high and more  
A●d than he 'gan to sigh sore  
And suddenly he brayed of sleep  
〈◊〉 they than took of him keep  
〈◊〉 ●hamberleins been soon there  
And maden ready all his gear  
And he arose, and to the king  
He went, and said, how to that thing  
For which he came, he would go  
The king thereof was full woe  
And for he would him fain withdraw  
He told him many a dreadful saw  
But jason would it nought record  
And at last they accord  
when that he would nought abide  
A boat was ready at tide  
In which this worthy knight of grece  
Full armed up at every piece  
To his battle, which belongeth  
Took sore in hand, & sore him longeth  
Till he the water passed were  
¶ when he came to that isle there  
He set him on his knees down 'straught  
And his carecte, as he was taught  
He rad, and made his sacrifice  
And sith anoint him in that wise  
As Medea him hath bid  
And than arose up fro that stead  
And with the glue the fire he quaint  
And anon after he attaint  
The great serpent, and him slough  
But erst he had sorrow enough  
For that serpent made him travail  
So hard and sore of his battle  
That now he stood, and now he fell  
For long time it so befell  
That with his sword and with his spear  
He might not the serpent dear  
He was so sherded all about  
It hueld all edge toll without  
He was so rude and hard of skin  
There might no thing go there in  
venom and fire together he cast  
That he jason sore a blast  
And if it ne were his ointment  
His ring, and his enchantment  
which Medea took him before  
He had with that worm be lore  
But of virtue, which thereof came  
jason the dragon overcame  
And he anon the teeth out drough  
And set his oxen in his plough  
with which he broke a piece of land  
And sew it with his own hand  
though might he great marvel see  
Of every tooth in his degree  
Sprung up a knight with spear & shield  
Of which anon right in the field  
Echone slough other, and with that  
jason Medea not forgot  
On both his knees he 'gan down fall  
And gafe thank to the godddes all   

The flees he took, and goeth to hot  
The son shineth bright and hot  
The flees of gold shone forth with all  
The water glysterd overall  
Medea wept/ and sighed oft  
And stood upon a tower aloft  
All privily within herself  
There herd it not nen ne twelve  
She prayed, and said: O god him speed  
The knight, which hath my maidenhede  
And aye she looketh toward the isle  
But when she sigh within a while  
The flees glistering again the son  
She said: O lord all is ywonne  
My knight the field hath overcomen  
Now would god, he were comen  
O lord god I would he were in land   

But I dare take this on hand  
If that she had wings two  
She would have flown to him though  
Straight there he was unto the hot  
The day was clear, the son hot  
The greeks were in great doubt  
The while that her lord was out  
They wist not what should betide  
But waited ever upon the tide  
To see what end should fall   

There stooden eke the nobles all  
Forth with the common of the town  
And as they looken up and down  
They were waren within a throw  
where came the hot, which they well know  
And syngh how jason brought his prey  
And though they gaven all say  
And crieden all with o steven   

O where was ever under the heaven  
So noble a knight, as jason is?  
And well nigh all saiden this  
That jason was a fair knight  
For it was never of man's might  
The flees of gold so for to win  
And thus tell they begin   

with that the king came forth anon  
And sigh the flees, how that shone  
And when jason came to the land   

The king himself took his hand  
And kissed him, & great joy him made   

The greeks weren wonder glade  
And of that thing right meri hem thought  
And forth with hem the fles they brought  
And each on other 'gan to lygh  
But well was him that might nigh  
To see there of the property  
And thus they passen the city  
And gone unto the paleis 'straught   

Medea, which forgot her nought  
was ready there, and said anon  
welcome, O worthy knight jason  
She would have kyst him wonder fain  
But shame turned her again  
It was nought the manner as tho  
For thy she dorste nought do so  
She took her leave, and jason went  
Into his chamber, and she him sent  
Her maiden, to seen how he feared  
The which when that he sigh & heard  
How that he had faren out  
And that it stood well all about  
She told her lady what she wist  
And she for joy, her maiden kiss  
The baths weren then arrayed  
with herbs tempered and assayed  
And jason was unarmed soon  
And did, as it befell to done  
Into his bathe, he went anon  
And wyss he him clean as any bone  
He took a sop, and out he came  
And on his best array he name  
And kempt his heed, when he was clad  
And goth him forth all merry and glad  
Right 'straught in the kings hall  
The king came with his knights all  
And made him glad welcoming   

And he hem told though tiding  
Of this and that, how it befall  
when that he won the sheeps fell   

Medea when she was after sent  
Come soon to that parliament  
And when she might jason see  
was none so glad of all as she  
There was no joy for to seche  
Of him made every man a speech  
Some man said one, some said other  
But though he were god's brother  
And might make fire and thunder  
There might be no more wonder  
Than was of him in that city  
Echone taught other this is he  
which hath in his power within  
That all the world ne might win  
Lo here the best of all good  
Thus they saiden, that there stood  
And eke that walkende up & down  
Both of the court, and of the town   

The time of souper came anon  
They wysshen, and thereto they gone  
Medea was with jason set  
though was there many a dainty fet  
And set tofore hem on the board  
But none so liking as the word  
which was there spoke among 'em two  
So as they dorst speak tho  
But though they had little space  
Yet they accordene in that place  
How jason should come at night  
when every torch and every light  
were out, and than other things  
they speak aloud for supposinges  
Of 'em that stooden there about  
For love is evermore in doubt  
For if it be wisely governed  
Of 'em that been of love learned   

when all was done, that dissh and cup  
And cloth, and board, and all was up  
They wake, while hem list to wake  
And after that they leave take  
And gone to bed for to rest  
And when him thought for the best  
That every man was fast on sleep  
jason, that would his time keep  
Both forth stalking all privily  
Unto the chamber, and readily  
There was a maid, which him kept  
Medea work, and no thing slept  
But nevertheless she was a bed  
And he with all hast him sped  
And made him naked, and all warm  
Anon he took her in his arm  
what need is for to speak of ease  
Him list each other for to please  
So that they had joy enough  
And though they setten, when and how  
That she with him away shall steel  
with words such and other feel   

when all was treated to an end  
jason took leave, and 'gan forth wend  
unto his own chamber in pes  
There wist it none but Hercules  
¶ He slepet, and rose when it was time  
And when it fell towards prime  
He took to him such as he trust  
In secre, that none other wist  
And told 'em of his counsel there  
And said, that his will were  
That they to ship had all thing  
So privily in the evening  
That no man might her deed aspie  
But though that weren of company  
For he will go without leave  
And longer will he nought believe  
But he ne would at thilk throw  
The king or queen should it know   

They said all this shall well be do  
And jason trust well thereto  
¶ Medea in the mean while  
which thought her father to beguile  
The treasure, which her father had  
with her all privily she lad  
And with jason at time set  
Away she stolen, and fond no let  
And 'straught she goth her unto ship  
Of grece with that fellowship  
And they anon drough up the sail  
And all that night this was counsel  
But early when the son shone  
Men sigh, that they were agone  
And come unto the king, and told   

And he the sooth know would  
And asketh where his daughter was   

There was no word, but out alas  
She was a go, the mother wept  
The father as a wood man leapt  
And 'gan the time for to wary  
And swore his oath he would no ttary  
That with Calyphe, and with galeye  
The same course, the same weigh  
which jason took, he would take  
If that he might him overtake   

To this they saiden all ye  
Anon as they weren at the see  
And all, as who saith at one word  
They gone within ships board  
The sail goth up, & forth they 'straught  
But none exploit thereof they caught  
And so forth they tournen home again  
For all that labour was in vain   

jason to grece with his prey  
Goth through the see the right way   

when he there come, and men it told  
They maden joy young and old   

Aeson when that he wist of this  
How that his son comen is  
And hath achieved that he sought  
And home with him Medea brought  
In all the wide world was none  
So glad a man as he was one   

Together been these lovers though  
Till that they had sons two  
whereof they weren both glade  
And old Aeson great joy made  
To seen the increases of his lineage  
For he was of so great an age  
That men awayten every day  
when that he should gone away   

jason, which sigh his father old  
Upon Medea made him bold  
Of art magic, which she couth  
And prayeth her, that his father's youth  
She would make ayenewarde new  
And she that was toward him true  
Behyghte him, that she would it do  
when that she time sigh thereto  
But what she did in that matter  
It is a wonder thing to here  
But yet for the novelrye  
I think tell a great party    

❧ Nota quibus medicamentis Essonem senet tute decrepitum, ad sue inventutis adolescenciam prudens Medea reduxit.  

¶ Thus it befell upon a night  
when there was nought but star light  
She was vanished, right as her list  
That no wight, but herself wist  
And that was at midnight tide  
The world was still on every side  
with open heed, and foot all bare  
Her here to sprad she 'gan to far  
Upon her clothes gyrte she was  
All speechless upon the grass  
She glode forth as an adder doth  
None other wise she ne goth  
Till she came to the fresh flood  
And there a while she withstood  
thrice she turned her about  
And thrice eke she 'gan down lout  
And in the flood she weet her here  
And thrice on the water there  
She gaspeth with a dretching onde  
And though she took her speech on hand  
first she began to clepe and call  
Upward unto the stars all  
To wind, to air, to see, to land  
She prayed, and eke held up her hand  
To Echates and 'gan to cry  
which is the goddess of Sorcery  
She said, helpeth at this need  
And as ye maden me to speed  
when jason came the flees to seche  
So help me now, I you beseech  
with that she looketh, and was ware  
Down fro the sky there came a char  
The which dragons about drowe  
And though she 'gan her heed down bow  
And up she styghe, and fair and well  
She drofe forth by char and wheel  
Above in the air among the skies  
The land of Crete, in though parties  
She sought, and fast 'gan her high  
And thereupon the hulles high  
Of Othryn, and Olymphe also  
And eke of other hulles more  
She fond, and gethereth herbs snote  
She pulleth up some by the rote  
And many with a knife she sheareth  
And all in to her chaar she beareth   

Thus when she hath the hulles sought  
The floods there foryate she nought  
Erydyan, and Amphrysos  
Peneyee, and eke Sperceydos  
To hem she went, and there she nome  
Both of the water, and of the foam  
The sonde, and eke the small stones  
which as she cheese out for the nonce  
And of the red see a part  
That was behovelyche to her art  
She took, and afterward that about  
She sought sundry sedes out  
In fields, and in many griefs  
And eke a part she took of leaves  
But thing, which might her most avail  
She fond in Crete & in thessaile  
In days, and nights nine  
To make with this medicine  
She was purveyed of every piece  
And turneth homeward in to grece  
Before the gates of Aeson  
Her char she let away to gone  
And took out first that was therein  
For though she thought to begin  
Such thing, as seemeth impossible  
And made herself invisible  
As she that with the air enclosed  
And might of no man be disclosed  
She took up turfs of the land  
without help of man's hand  
And heeled with the green grass  
Of which an Altar made there was  
Unto Echates the goddess  
Of art magic and mistress  
And eft an other to invent  
As she which did her whole intent  
Thomas took she feldwodde, and vervain  
Of herbs been not better twain  
Of which anon without let  
These altars been about set  
Two sundry pits fast by  
She made, and with that hastily  
A wether, which was black she slough  
And out thereof the blood she drough  
And did in to the pits two  
warm milk, she put also thereto  
with honey meynt, and in such wise  
She 'gan to make her sacrifice  
And cried and prayed forth withal  
To Pluto the god infernal  
And to the queen proserpine  
And so she sought out all the line  
Of 'em that longen to that craft  
Behind was no name laft  
And prayed 'em all, as she well couth  
To grant Aeson his first youth   

This old Aeson brought forth was tho  
Away she bade all other go  
Upon peril, that might fall  
And with that word they wenten all  
And left there them two alone  
And though she began to gasp, and gone  
And made signs many one  
And said her words thereupon  
And with spelling, and her charms  
She took Aeson in both her arms  
And made him for to sleep fast  
And him upon her herbs cast  
The black wether though she took  
And hew the flesh, as doth the cook  
On either altar part she laid  
And with the charms that she said  
A fire down from the sky alight  
And made it for to bren light  
And when Medea saw it burn  
Anon she 'gan to start and run  
The fiery altars all about  
There was no best, which goth out  
More wild, than she seemeth there  
About her shoulders hinge her here  
As though she were out of her mind  
And turneth in to another kind  
though lay there certain wood cleft  
Of which the pieces now and eft  
She made 'em in the pits wet  
And put 'em in the fiery heat  
And took the bronde with all the blaze  
And thrice she began to raze  
About Aeson, there as he slept  
And eft with water/ which she kept  
She made a circle about him thrice  
And eft with fire of sulphur twice  
Full many another thing she deed  
which is not written in the stead  
But she ran up so and down  
She made many a wonder son  
Sometime lyche unto the cock  
Sometime unto the Laverocke  
Sometime cacleth as an hen  
Sometime speaketh as done the men  
And right so as her jargon strangeth  
In sundry wise her form changeth  
She seemeth fair, and no woman  
Forth with the crafts that she can  
She was as who saith, a goddess  
And what her list more or less  
She did, in books as we find  
That passeth over man's kind  
But who that will of wonders here  
what thing she wrought in this matter  
To make an end of that she 'gan  
Such marvel herd never man  
¶ Appointed in the new moan  
when it was time for to done  
She set a cauldron on the fire  
In which was all the hole a tire  
where on the medicine stood  
Of juse, of water, and of blood  
And let it boil in such a plight  
Till that she sigh the spume white  
And though she cast in rind, and rote  
And seed, and flower, that was for boat  
with many an herb, and many a stone  
whereof she hath there many one  
And eke Cimpheius, the serpent  
To her hath all her scales lent  
Chelidre her gave her adders skin  
and she to boil cast 'em in  
And part eke of the borned owl  
The which men here on nights howl  
And of a raven, which was told  
Of nine hundred winter old  
She took the heed, with all the bill  
And as the medicine it will  
She took hereafter the bowel  
Of the se foul, and for the bele  
Of Aeson with a thousand more  
Of things, that she had tho  
In that cauldron to guider as belive  
She put, and took than of olive  
A dry branch hem with to steer  
The which anon 'gan flower and bear  
And wax all fresh, and green again  
when she this virtue had say  
She let the leeste drop of all  
Upon the bare flower down fall  
Anon there sprung up flower and grass  
where as the drop fall was  
And wax anon all meadow green  
So that it might well be seen   

Medea than knew and wist  
Her medicine is for to tryst  
And goeth to Aeson there he lay  
And took a sword was of assay  
with which a wound upon his side  
She made, that there out may slide  
The blood within, which was old  
And seek and trouble, feeble, and cold  
And though she took unto his use  
Of herbs of all the best juse  
And poured it in to his wound  
That made his veins full and sound  
And though she made his wounds close  
And took his hand and up he rose  
And though she gave him drink a draft  
Of which his youth again he caught  
His heed, his heart, and his visage  
Lyche unto twenty winter age  
His hoar heres were away  
And lyche unto the fresh may  
when passed been the cold showers  
Right so recovereth he his flowers.  
¶ Lo what might any man devise  
A woman show in any wise  
More heartily love in any stead  
Than Medea to jason deed  
first she made him the flees to win  
And after that from kith and kin  
with great treasore with him she stolen  
And to his father forth with all  
His eld hath turned in to youth  
which thing none other woman couth  
But how it was to her a quit  
The remembrance dwelleth yet  
¶ King Peleus his eme was deed  
jason bare crown on his heed  
Medea hath fulfilled his will  
But when he should of right fulfil  
The troth, which to her afore  
He had in the isle of Colchos swore  
though was Medea most deceived  
For he an other hath received  
which daughter was to king Creon  
Creusa she height, and thus jason  
As he that was to love untrue  
Medea left, and took a new  
But that was afterward so a bought  
Medea with her art hath wrought  
Of cloth of gold a mantel rich  
which seemeth worth a kings rich  
And that was unto Creusa sent  
In name of yefte, and of present  
For systerhode hem was between  
And when that young fresh queen  
That mantyl lapped her about  
Anon thereof the fire sprang out  
And brent her both flesh and bone  
though came Medea to jason  
with both her sons on her hand  
And said: O thou of every land  
The most untrue creature  
Lo this shall be thy forfeiture  
with that she both his sons slough  
Before his eye, and he out drough  
His sword, & would have slain her tho  
But farewell she was ago  
Unto Pallas the court above  
where as she plaineth upon love  
As she that was with that goddess  
And he was left in great distress  
¶ Thus might thou see, what sorrow it doth  
To swear Turrian oath, which is not sooth  
In loves cause namely  
My son be well aware for thy  
And keep, that thou be not forswore  
For this, which I have told tofore  
ovid telleth every deal  
¶ My father I may leave it weal  
For I have heard it oft say  
How jason took the flees away  
From Colchos, But yet heard Inought  
By whom it was first thither brought  
And for it were good to here  
If that you list at my prayer  
Go tell I would you beseech.  
¶ My son, who that will it seche  
In books he may find it write  
And nevertheless, if thou wilt wite  
In the manner as thou hast prayed  
I shall the tell, how it is saide.    

☞ NOTA QVALITERAV●●●m ●ellus in parts insule Colchos primo de 〈◊〉. Athamas rex Neiphylen habuit coningen, 〈◊〉 Phri●um et Helen genuit, Mortua au●●m Neiphylen Athamas Innovem regis Cad●●●●●m postea in uxorem duxit, que more no●●●●e dictos infantes in tantum recollegit odium, que ambos in mari proicipenes regem procuracy end juno compaciens quendam Arietem ●●●ndem aureo veftitum vellere ad litus natan t●m definanit, super cuiu ● dorsum pueros ap●●● iu●it/ quo facio Aries super undas regressus cum solo Phrixo sibi adhereute, in Colchos ●●●sicuit, ubi Iuno dictum Arietem cum solo ●●●ere/ prout in aliis canitur cronicis, sub are ●a custodia collocavit.  

¶ The fame of thilk sheeps fell  
which in Colchos, as it befell  
was all of gold, shall never die  
whereof I think for to say  
How it came first in to that isle   

There was a king in thilk while  
Towards grece, and Athamas  
The chronic of his name was  
And had a wife, which Niphylen height  
By whom, so as fortune it dight  
He had of children young two  
¶ Frixus the first was of tho  
A knave child, right fair with all  
A daughter eke, the which men call  
Helle, he had by his wife   

But for there may no man's life  
Endure upon this earth here  
This worthy quen, as thou might here  
Ere that the children were of age  
Took of her end the passage  
with great worship and was begrave  
what thing it liketh god to have  
It is great reason to be his  
For thy this king, so as it is  
with great sufferance it underfongeth  
And afterward, as him belongeth  
when it was time for to wed  
A new wife he took to bed  
which Ino hight, and was a maid  
And eke the daughter, as men said  
Of Cadme, which a king also  
was hold in thilk days tho.  
¶ when Ino was the kings make  
She cast, how that she might make  
These children to her father loath  
And shope a wile again 'em both  
which to the king was all unknown   

A year or two she let do sow  
The land with sudden wheat about  
where of no corn may springen out  
And thus by sleight, and by covin  
Aros the dearth, and the famine  
Through out the land in such a wise  
So that the king a sacrifice  
Upon the point of this distress  
To Ceres, which is the goddess  
Of corn, hath shape him for to give  
To look, if it may be foryeve  
The mischief, which was in his land  
But she, which knew tofore the hand  
The circumstance of all this thing  
again the coming of the king  
In to the temple, hath shape so  
Of her accord, that all though  
which of the temple priests were  
Have said, and full declared there  
Unto the king, but if so be  
That he deliver the country  
Of Phryxus, and of Helle both  
with whom the gods been so wroth  
That while though children be within  
Such tilth shall no man begin  
whereof to get him any corn  
Thus was it said, thus was it sworn  
Of all the priests, that there are  
And she, which causeth all this fare  
saide eke thereto, what that she would  
And every man than after told  
So as the queen had 'em prayed.   

The king, which hath his ere laid  
And leaveth all, that ever he heard  
Unto her tales thus answered  
And saith, that liefer is him to cheese  
His children both for to lose  
Than him, and all the remanant  
Of 'em, which are appertenant  
Unto the land, which he shall keep  
And bade his wife to take keep  
In what manner is best to done  
That they delivered were soon  
Out of this world, and she anon  
Two men ordaineth for to gone  
But first she made 'em for to swear  
That they the children should bear  
Unto the see, that none it know  
And hem therein both throw   

The children to the see been lad  
where in the wise, as Ino bade  
These men be ready for to do  
But the goddess, which juno  
Is boat, appeareth in the stead  
And hath unto the men forbid  
That they the children nought ne slay  
But bad hem look in to the see  
And taken heed of that they sighen  
There swum a sheep tofore her eyen  
whose flees of burned gold was all  
And this goddess forth with all  
Commandeth, that without let  
They should anon the children set  
Above upon the sheeps back  
And all was do, right as she spoke  
whereof the men gone home again   

And fell so, as the books say  
Helle the young maiden though  
which of the see was woe bego  
For pure dread her heart hath lore  
That fro the sheep, which hath her boar  
As she that was swounende faint  
She fell, and hath herself adreynt  
with Phrixus & this sheep forth swum  
Till be to the isle of Colchos came  
where juno the goddess he fond  
which took the sheep unto the land  
And set it there in such a wise  
As thou tofore hast herd devise  
whereof came after all the woe  
why jason was forswore so  
Unto Medee, as it is spoke.  
¶ My father who that hath to broke  
His troth, as ye have told above  
He is not worthy for to love  
Ne be beloved, as me seemeth  
But every new love quemeth  
To him, that newefangle is  
And nevertheless now after this  
If that you list to taken heed  
Upon my shrift to proceed  
In loves cause again the vice  
Of covetise and avarice  
what there is more, I would wite  
¶ My son this I find write  
There is yet one of thilk brood  
which only for the worlds good  
To make a treasure of money  
Put all conscience away  
whereof in thy confession  
The name and the condition  
I shall here afterward declare  
which maketh one rich, an other bare.   
Plus capit usura sibi, quam debetur, et illud  
Fraud collocata saebe latenter agit.  
Sic amor excessus quam saepe suos ut avarus  
Spirat et unius tres capit ipse loco.   

¶ Hic tractat de illa specie Auaricie, que usura dicitur, cuius creditor in pecunia tantum numerata plus quam sibi de iure debetur incrementum lucri adauger.  

¶ Upon the bench syttende on high  
with Avarice usure I sigh  
Full clothed of his own suit  
which after gold maketh chase & suit  
with his brocours, that run about  
Lyche unto ratches in a rout  
Such lucre is none above ground  
which is not of though ratches found  
For where they see beyete start  
That shall hem in no wise asterte  
But they it drive in to the net  
Of lucre, which Usure hath set   

Usure with the rich dwelleth  
To all that ever he buyeth and selleth  
He hath ordained of his sleight  
Measure double, and double weight  
Outward he selleth by the lass  
And with the more he maketh his tasse  
whereof his house is full within  
He reacheth nought be so he win  
Though that there lose ten or twelve  
His love is all toward himself  
And to none other but he see  
That he may win such three  
For where he shall aught give or leanly  
He will ayenward take a been  
There he hath lent the small peses  
And right so there been many of these  
Lovers, that though they love alyte  
That scarcely would it weigh a mite  
yet would they have a pound again  
As doth usure in his bargain  
But certes such usure unlyche  
It falleth more unto the rich  
Als well of love, as of beyete  
Than unto 'em, that been nought great  
And as who saith been simple and poor  
For selden is, when they recover  
But if it be through great desert  
And nevertheless men see poverty  
with pursuit of countenance  
Full oft make a great chevaunce  
And take of love his advantage  
For with the help of his brocage  
That maken seem where is nought  
And thus full oft is love bought  
For little what, and mochel take  
with false weights that thy make  
¶ Now son of that I said above  
Thou wottest what usure is of love  
Tell me for thy what so thou wilt  
If thou thereof hast any guilt?  
¶ My father nay for aught I here  
For of though points ye tolden here  
I will you by my troth assure  
My weight of love, and my measure  
Hath be more large/ and more terteyne  
Than ever I took of love again  
For so yet couth I never of slight  
To take again by double weight  
Of love more than I have give  
For also wis mote I be shrive  
And have remission of sin  
As so yet couth I never win  
Ne yet so much soothe to say  
That ever I might have half again  
Of so full love, as I have lent   

And if mine hap were so well went  
That for the hole I might have half  
My thinketh I were a goddess half  
For where usure would have double  
My conscience is not so trouble  
I bid never as to my deal  
But of the hole an haluen deal  
That is none excess, as me thinketh  
But nevertheless it me forethinketh  
For well I wot, that will not be  
For every day the better I see  
That how so ever I give or lean  
My love in place that I mean  
For aught that ever I axe or crave  
I can nothing ayenewarde have   

But yet for that I will not let  
what so befall of my beyete  
That I ne shall give and leanly  
My thought and all my love so clean  
That toward me shall nought believe  
And if she of her good leave  
Reward would me nought again  
I wot the last of my bargeyne  
Shall stand upon so great a lost  
That I may never more the cost  
Recover in this world till I die  
So that touchende of this party  
I may me well excuse, and shall  
And for to speak forth withal  
If any brocour for me went  
That point come never in mine intent  
So that the more me marveleth  
what thing it is, my lady aileth  
That all mine heart, and all my time  
She hath, and do ne better him   

I have heard said, that thought is free  
And nevertheless in privity  
To you my father, that been here  
Mine hole shrift for to bear  
I dare mine heart well disclose  
Touchende usury, as I suppose  
which, as ye tell, in love is used  
My lady may not been excused  
That for o looking of her eye  
Mine hole heart till I die  
with all that ever I may and can  
She hath me won to her man  
whereof me thinketh, good reason would  
That she somedeal reward should  
And give a part, there she hath all  
I not what fall hereafter shall   

But in to now yet dare I say  
her list never give again  
A goodly word in such a wise  
whereof mine hope might arise  
My great love to recompense  
I not how she her conscience  
Excuse will of this measure  
By large weight, and great measure  
She hath my love, and I have nought  
Of that, which I have dear about  
And with mine heart I have it paid  
But all this is aside laid  
And I go loveless about  
Her ought stand in full great doubt  
Till she redress such a sin  
That she will all my love win  
And giveth me not to live by  
Nought all so moche, as grant mercy  
her list to say, of which I might  
Some of my great pain alight  
But of this point, lo thus I far  
As he that payeth for his chaffer  
And buyeth it dear, and yet hath none  
So moat he needs pour gone   

Thus buy I dear, and have no love  
That I ne may nought come above  
To win of love none increase  
But I me will ne the lose  
Touchende usure of love acquit  
And if my lady be to wite  
I pray to god such grace her send  
That she by time it moat amend  
¶ My son of that thou hast answered  
Touchende usure, I have all herd  
How thou of love haste wonnen small  
But that thou tellest in thy tale  
And thy lady thereof accusyst  
Me thinketh these words thou misusest  
For by thine own knowledging  
Thou sayest, how she for one looking  
Thy hole heart fro the she took  
She may be such, that her o look  
Is worth thine heart many fold  
So hast thou well thine heart sold  
when thou hast that is more worth  
And eke of that thou tellest forth  
How that her weight of love uneven  
Is unto thine, under the heaven  
Stonden ever in even that balance  
which stont in loves governance  
such is the statute of his law  
That though thy love more draw  
And poise in the balance more  
though might not ask again therefore  
Of duty, but all of grace  
For love is lord in every place  
There may no law him justify  
By reddour/ ne by company  
That he ne will after his will  
whom that him liketh save or spill  
To love a man may well begin  
But whether he shall les or win  
That wot no man, till at last  
For thy covet not to fast  
My son, but abide thine end  
Percase all may to good wend  
But that thou hast me told and said  
Of o thing I am right well paid  
That thou by sleight, ne by guile  
Of no brocour, hast otherwhile  
Engyned love, of such deed  
Is sore venged as I read.    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum contra istos maritos, qui ultra id quod proprias habent uxores, ad nove voluptatis in crementum, alias multeres superf●ne lucrari non verentur. Et narrat qualiter Iuno vindictam suam in Echo in huiusmodi mulierum lucris adquirendis de consilio mariti sui jonis mediatrix exstiterat.  

¶ Broker's of love, that dceyven  
No wonder is though they receiven  
After the wrong, that they deserven  
For whom as ever that they serven  
And do pleasance for a while  
yet at the last her own guile  
Upon her own heed descendeth  
The which god of his vengeance sendeth   

As by ensample of time ago  
A man may find, it hath be so   

It sell some time, as it was seen  
The high goddess and the queen  
juno though had in company  
A maiden full of treachery  
For she was ever in accord  
with jupiter, that was her lord  
To get him other loves new  
Through such brocage, & was untrue  
All other wise than him needeth  
But she, the which no shame dreadeth  
with quaint words, and with sly  
Blent in such a wise her lady's eye  
As she, to whom that juno tryst  
So that thereof she nothing wist   

But so privy may be nothing  
That it ne cometh to knowleching  
Thing done upon the dark night  
Is after known on days light   

So it befell, that at last  
All that this sly maiden cast  
was over cast, and overthrow  
For as the sooth mote be know  
To juno it was done understand  
In what manner her husband  
with false brocage hath taken usure  
Of love, more than his measure  
when he took other than his wife  
whereof this maid was gyltife  
which had been of his assent  
And thus was all the game shent  
She suffered him, as she moat need  
But the brocour of his misdeed  
She, which her counseile gave thereto  
On her is the vengeange do  
For juno with her words hot  
This maiden, which Echo was hot  
Reproveth, and saith in this wise:   

O traitress, of which service  
Hast thou thine own lady served  
Thou hast great pain well deserved  
Thy sly words for to paint  
with flattery, that is so quaint  
Towards me, that am thy queen  
whereof thou madest me to ween  
That my husband true were  
when that he loveth else where  
All be it so, him needeth nought  
But upon the it shall be bought  
The which art privy to tho doings  
And me full oft of thy losings  
deceived haste: now is the day  
That I thy while quite may  
And for thou hast to me counciled  
That my lord hath with other dealt  
I shall the set in such a kind  
That ever unto the worlds end  
All that thou hearest, thou shalt tell  
And clap it out, as doth a bell  
And with that word she was forshape  
There may no vice her mouth escape  
what man that in the world crieth  
withouten fail Echo replieth  
And what word/ that him lust to say  
The same word she saith again  
Thus she, which whilom had leave  
To dwell in chamber, mot believe  
In woods and on bills both  
For such brocage as wives loath  
which doth her lords hearts change  
And love in other places strange   

For thy if ever it so befall  
That thou my son amongs all  
Be wedded man, hold that thou hast  
For than all other love is waste  
O wife shall well to the suffice  
And than if thou for covetise  
Of love wouldest ask more  
Thou shouldest done again the lore  
Of all hem that true be  
¶ My father as in this degree  
My conscience is nought accused  
For I no such brocage have used  
whereof that lust of love is won  
For thy speaketh forth, as ye begun  
Of avyryce upon my shrift  
¶ My son I shall the branches shift  
By order as they been set  
On whom no good is well beset.   
Pro verbis verba, minius pro munere reddi  
Conuenit, ut pondus equa stateta gerat  
Propterea Cupido non da● sua dona cupido.  
Nam qui nulla serit, gramina nulla mete●.   

¶ Hic tractat auctor super illa specie Auaricie, que parcimonia dictiur, cuius natura tengx aliqualem sue substamntie porcionem, aut deo aut hominibus participate nullatenus consentit.  

¶ Blind Avarice of his lineage  
For council, and for cousinage  
To be withhold again largesse  
Hath one, whose name is said scarceness  
The which is keeper of his house  
And is so throughout avarous  
That be no good let out of hand  
Though god himself it would fond  
Of yeast should he no thing have  
And if a man it would crave  
He must then fail need  
where god himself may not speed   

And thus scarceness in every place  
By reason may no thank purchase  
And nevertheless in his degree  
Above all other most prive  
with avarice stant be this  
For he governeth that there is  
In each estate of his office  
After the rule of thilk vice  
He taketh, he keepeth, he halt, he bynt  
That lighter is to flee the flint  
Than get of him in ba●d or neysshe  
Only the value of a reysshe  
Of good in helping of an other  
Nought though it were his own brother  
For in the case of yefte and love  
Stant every man for him alone  
Him thinketh of his unkyndshype  
That him needeth no fellowship  
By so the bag and be accorden  
Him rycheth nought what men recorden  
Of him, he it evil or good  
For, ●ll his tru●●e is on his good  
So that alone be falleth oft  
when he best weeneth stand aloft  
Als well in love as other wise  
For love is ever of some repryse  
To him that will his love hold  
For thy my son, as thou art hold  
Touchende of this tell me thy shrift  
Hast thou be scarce or large of gift  
Unto thy love to whom thou servest  
For after that thou well deservest  
Of gyften, thou might be the bet  
For that good hold I well be set  
For which thou might the better fare  
Than is no wisdom for to spare  
For thus men say in every need  
He was wise, that first made meed  
For where as meed may not speed  
I not what helpeth other deed  
Full oft be faileth of his game  
That will with ydellbonde reclaim  
His hawk/ as many a nice doth  
For thy my son tell me sooth  
And saith the troth, if thou hast be  
Unto thy love or scarce, or fire?  
¶ My father it hath stand thus  
That if the treasure of Croesus  
And all the gold of octavian  
Forth with the richesse of Indian  
Of pearls and of rich stones  
were all together mine at ones  
I set it at no more account  
Than would a bare straw amount  
To give it her all in a day  
Be so that to that sweet may  
It might like more or less  
And thus because of my largesse  
ye may well understand and leave  
That I shall nought the worse achieve  
The purpose, which is in my thought  
But yet I gave her never nought  
Ne thereto durst a proffer make  
For well I wot, she will nought take  
And give will she nought also  
She is eschew of both two  
And this I trow be the skill  
Towards me, for she ne will  
That I have any cause of hope  
Nought als moche as a drop  
But toward other as I may see  
She taketh and giveth in such degree  
That as by weigh of frendelyhede  
She can so keep her womanhead  
That every man speaketh of her weal  
But she will take of me no deal  
And yet she wot well, that I would  
give, and do both, what I should  
To please her in all my might  
By reason this wot every wight  
For that may by no weigh asterte  
There she is master of the heart  
She moat poe master of the good  
For god wo●e well, that all my mode  
And all mine heart, and all my thought  
And all my good, while I have aught  
Als freely as god hath it give  
It shall be hers, while I live  
Right as her list, herself command  
So that it needeth no demand  
To ask of me, if I have be scarce  
To love, for as to though parse  
I will answer, and say no  
¶ My son that is right well do  
For often time of scarcenesss  
It hath be seen, that for the less  
Is lost the more, as thou shalt here  
A tale, like to this matter.    

¶ HIC LOQVITUR CON●●● 〈◊〉/ qui ●uaricia stricti largitatis bene ●ici● 〈◊〉 amoris causa confundunt. Et ponit exemplum qua●it●●● Croceus largus et hilaris Babionem ●●arum et tenacem de amore Viol/ que pul●herrima fuit/ donis largissimis circumuenit.  

☞ Scarceness and love accord never  
For every thing is well the liefer  
when that a man hath bought it dear  
And for to speak in this matter  
For sparing of a little cost  
Full oft time a man hath lost  
The large cote for the hood  
what man that scarce is of his good  
And will not give, he shall nought take  
with gift a man may undertake  
The high god to please, and quenie  
with gift a man the world may dame  
For every creature bo●e  
If thou him give, is glad therefore  
And every gladshyp as I find  
Is comfort unto loves kind  
And causeth oft a man to speed  
So was he wise, that first gave meed  
For meed keepeth love in house  
But where the men be covetous  
And sparen for to give a part  
They known nought Cupydes art  
For his fortune, and his apprise  
disdaineth all covetise  
And hateth all nygardye  
And for to look of this party  
A sooth ensample/ how it is so  
¶ I find write of Babio  
which had a love at his menage  
There was no fairer of her age  
And height Viola by name  
which full of youth/ and full of game  
was of herself/ and large and free  
But such an other church as be  
Men wisten nought in all the land  
And had affayted to his hand  
His servant/ the which Spodius  
was hot: and in this wise thus  
The worlds good of suffisance  
was had/ but liking and pleasance  
Of that belongeth to richesse  
Of love stood in great distress  
So that this young lusty wight  
Of thing, which fell to loves right  
was evil served over all  
That she was though bego withal  
Till that Cupyde and Venus eke  
A medicine for the seek  
Ordain wolden in this case  
So as fortune than was  
Of love upon the destiny  
It fell right, as it should be  
A fresh, a free/ a friendly man  
That nought of avarice can  
which Croceius by name height  
Toward this sweet cast his sight  
And there she was came in in presence  
She sigh him large of dispense  
And amorous and glad of cheer  
So that her liketh well to here  
The goodly words, which he said  
And thereupon of love he prayed   

Of love was all that he meant  
To love and for she should assent  
He gafe her gifts ever among  
But for men say, that meed is strong  
It was well seen at thilk tide  
For as it should of right betide  
This Vyola largesse hath take  
And the niggard she hath forsake  
Of Babio she will no more  
For he was grutchende evermore  
There was with him none other fare  
But for to pinch, & for to spare  
Of worlds muck, to get increases  
So goth the wretch loveless  
Beiaped for his scarsite  
And be that large was and free  
And set his heart to dispend  
This Croceius his bow bend  
which Venus took him for to bold  
And shot as oft as ever he would  
¶ Lo thus departeth love his law  
That what man will nought be fellow  
To give and spend, as I the tell  
He is nought worthy for to dwell  
In loves court to be relieved  
For thy my son, if it be lieved  
Thou shalt be large of thy dispense  
¶ My father in my conscience  
If there be any thing amiss  
I would amend it after this  
Toward my love namely  
¶ My son well and readily  
Thou sayest, so that well paid withal  
I am, and further if I shall  
Unto thy shrift specify  
Of avarice the progeny  
what vice sueth after this  
Thou shalt have wonder how it is  
Among the folk in any reign  
That such a vice might reign  
which is commune at all assays  
As men may find now a days.   
Cuncta creatura deus, et qui cuncta creavit  
Damnant ingrati dicta que facta viri.  
Non dolour a long stat, quo sibi talis amicam  
Traxit, et in sine deserit esse suam.   

¶ Hic loquitur supra illa aborta specie avaricie, que ingratitudo dicta est cuius condicioni non solum creator, sed etiam cuncte creature abhominabilem detestantur.  

¶ The vice like unto the fiend  
which never yet was man's friend  
And cleped is unkyndeshyp  
Of coven, and of fellowship  
with avarice he is withhold  
Him thinketh he should nought been hold  
Unto the mother, which him bore  
Of him may never man beware  
He will not know the merit  
For that he would it not acquit  
which in this world is mochel used  
And few been thereof excused  
To tell of him is endless  
And thus I say nevertheless  
where as this vice cometh to land  
There taketh no man his thank on bond  
Though he with all his might serve  
He shall of him no thank deserve  
He taketh what any man will give  
But while he hath o day to live  
He will nothing reward again  
He grudgeth for to give a greyne  
where he hath take a barn full  
That maketh a kind heart dull  
To set his trust in such petition  
There as he fynt no kyndeshyp   

And for to speak words plain  
Thus here I many a man complain  
That now on days thou shalt find  
At need, few friends kind  
what thou hast done for 'em tofore  
It is forgotten, as it were lore  
The books speaken of this vice  
And tell, how that god of his justice  
By way of kind and eke nature  
And every lyvis creature  
The law also, who that it can  
They damn an unkind man  
¶ It is all one, to say unkind  
As thing, which done is again kind  
For it with kind never stood  
A man to yield evil for good  
For who that would taken heed  
A be'st is glad of a good deed  
And loveth thilk creature  
After the law of his nature  
And which doth him ease, & for to see  
Of this matter authority  
Full oft time it hath befall  
whereof a tale among us all  
which is of old ensamplarie  
I think for to specify.    

¶ Hic narrat quod bestie in fuis beneficiis hominem ingratum naturaliter precellunt. Et ponit Exemplum de Adriano Rom̄ senatore, qui in qua dam foresta venationibus infistens, dum predā●●●sequeretur in cifternam profundam nescia fa●●●● corruit, ubi super perveniens quidam pauper ●●mine Bardus inmissa cordula putans hominem extravi●●e, primo Simeam extraxit, Secundo s●●●entem, Certio Adrianum, qui pauperem des●●●●ens aliquid ei pro benefacto reddere recusa●●●. Sed tam serpens quam simea gratuita be●●●●entia ipsum singulis donis remuneraverunt.  

¶ To speak of an unkind man  
I find, how whilom Adryan  
Of Rome, which a great lord was  
Upon a day as he  
To wood in his hunting went  
●t happeneth at a sudden went  
After the chase as he pursueth  
Through hap, which no man escheweth  
He fell unware in to a pit  
where that it might not be let  
The pit was deep, and he fell low  
That of his men none might know  
where he became, for none was nigh  
which of his fall the mischief sigh  
And thus alone there he lay  
Clepende, and criende all the day  
For succour and deliverance  
Till again eve it fell perchance  
A while or it began to night  
A power man, which Bardus height  
Come forth walkende with his ass  
And had gathered him a tasse  
Of green sticks and of dry  
To sell, whom that would hem buy  
As he, which had no livelihood  
But when he might such a load  
To town with his ass carry  
And as it fell him for to tarry  
That ilk time nigh the pit  
And hath the truss fast knit  
He heard a voice, which cried dim  
And he his ere to the brim  
Hath laid, and heard it was a man  
which said: O help here Adrian  
And I will yeven half my good   

The power man this understood  
As he that would gladly win  
And to this lord, which was within  
He spoke and said: if I the save  
what sikernesses shall I have  
Of covenant, that afterward  
Thou wilt me give such reward  
As thou behyghtest now before?   

That other hath his oaths swore  
By heaven, and by the gods all  
If that it might so befall  
That he out of the pit him brought  
Of all the goods, which he ought  
He shall have even haluen deal   

This Bardus saide, he would weal  
And with this word his ass anon  
He let untruss/ and thereupon  
Down goth the cord in to the pit  
To which he hath at end knit  
A staff, whereby he said, he would  
That Adryan him should hold   

But it was though per chance fallen  
In to that pit was also fallen  
An ape, which at thilk trow  
when that the cord came down low  
And suddenly thereto he skypte  
And it in both his arms clypte  
And Bardus with his ass anon  
Him hath up draw, and he is gone  
But when he sigh it was an ape  
He wend all had been a jape  
Of fairy, and sore him dread  
And Adryan eft soon gradde  
For help, and cried and prayed fast  
And he eft soon his cord cast  
But when it came unto the ground  
A great serpent it hath by wound  
The which Bardus anon up drough  
And than him thought welynough  
It was fantasyne that be herd  
The voice, and he thereto answered  
what wight art thou in god's name  
I am (quod Adryan) the same  
whose good thou shalt have even half  
Quoth Bardus than a gods half  
The third time assay I shall  
And cast his cord forth withal  
In to the pit, and when it came  
To him, this lord of Rome it name  
And thereupon him hath addressed  
And with his hand full oft blessed  
And than he had to Bardus hale  
And he, which understood his tale  
Between him and his ass all soft  
Hath drawn, and set him up a loft  
without harm all easily  
He saith not one's grant mercy  
But 'straught him forth in to the city  
And let this power Bardus be  
And nevertheless this simple man  
His covenant, so as he can  
Hath asked, and that other said  
If it so be that he upbraid  
Of aught, that hath be spoke or do  
It shall be venged of him so  
That him were better to be deed   

And he can tho no other read  
But on his ass again he cast  
His truss, and hieth homeward fast   

And when that he came home to bed  
He told his wife, how that he sped   

But finally to speak aught more  
Unto this lord, he dread him sore  
So that one word he durst ne sayne  
And thus upon the morrow again  
In the manner, as I record  
Forth with his ass, and with his cord  
To gather wood, as he did ere  
He goth, and when that he came ner  
Unto the place, where he would  
He 'gan his ape anon behold  
which had gathered all about  
Of sticks here and there a rout  
And laid hem ready to his hand  
whereof he made his truss and bond  
From day to day. and in this wise  
This ape profreth his service  
So that he had of wood enough  
Upon a time and as he drough  
Toward the wood, he sigh beside  
The great ghastly serpent glide  
Till that she came in his presence  
And in her kind a reverence  
She hath him do, & forth withal  
A stone more bright than a Crystal  
Out of her mouth to fore his way  
She let down fall, and went away  
For that he shall not be adread   

though was this power Bardus glad  
Thankende god, and to the stone  
He goth, and taketh it up anon  
And hath great wonder in his wit  
How that the be'st him hath a quit  
where that the man's son hath failed  
For whom he had most travailed  
But all he put in gods hand  
And turneth home, and what he fond  
Unto his wife he hath it showed  
And they that were both lewd  
Acorden, that he should it sell   

And he no longer would dwell  
But forth anon upon the tale  
The stone he profreth to the sale  
And right as he himself it set  
The jeweller anon forth fet  
The gold, and made his payment  
Thereof was no delayement  
Thus when this stone was bought & sold  
homeward with joy many fold  
This Bardus goth, and when he came  
Home to his house, and that he name  
His gold out of his pours within  
He fond his stone also therein  
whereof for joy his heart played  
Unto his wife and thus he said  
¶ Lo here my gold, lo here my stone  
His wife hath wonder thereupon  
And asketh him how that may be   

Now by my troth I not quoth be  
But I dare swear upon a book  
Unto my merchant I it took  
And he it had, when I went  
So know I nought to what intent  
It is now here, but it be god's grace  
For thy to morrow in other place  
I will it fond for to sell  
And if it will not with him dwell  
But creep in to my purse again  
Than dare I safely swear and say  
It is the virtue of the stone   

The morrow came, and he is gone  
To seche about in other stead  
His stone to sell, and so he deed  
And left it with his chapman there  
But when that he came else where  
In presence of his wife at home  
Out of his purse and that he nome  
His gold fond, his stone withal  
And thus it fell him overall  
where he it sold in sundry place  
Such was the fortune and the grace  
But so well may nothing be hid  
That it his at last kid   

This fame goth about Rome  
So farforth that the words come  
●o the emperor justynyan  
And he let send for the man  
And asked him, how that it was   

And Bardus told all the case  
How that the worm, and eke the best  
Al though they made no behest  
His travail hadden well aquyt  
But he, which had man's wit  
And made his covenant by mouth  
And swore thereto all that he couth  
To part and give half his good  
Hath now foryete how that it stood  
As he, which will no troth hold   

This emperor all that he told  
Hath herd, and thilk unkindness  
He said, he would himself redress  
And thus in court of judgement  
This Adryan was than assent  
And the quarrel in audience  
Declared was in the presence  
Of the emperor and many more  
whereof was much speech tho  
And great wondering among the press   

But at last nethelese  
For the party, which hath plained  
The law hath deemed, and ordained  
By 'em, that were advised weal  
That he shall have the haluen deal  
Throughout of Adryans' good   

And thus of thilk unkind blood  
Stant the memory unto this day  
where that every wise man may  
Ensamplen him, and take in mind  
what shame it is, to been unkind  
again the which, reason debateth  
And every creature it hateth   

For thy my son in thy office  
I read flee that ilk vice  
For right as the chronicle saith  
Of Adryan how he his faith  
Foryate for worlds covetise  
Full oft in such a manner wise  
Of lovers now a man may see  
Full many that unkind be  
For well byhote, and evil last  
That is her life, for at last  
when that they have her will do  
Her love is after soon ago   

what sayest thou son to this case  
¶ My father I will say alas  
That ever such a man was boar  
which when he hath his troth swore  
And hath of love what he would  
That he at any time should  
Ever after in his heart find  
To seen fall and to be unkind   

But father as touchend of me  
I may not stand in that degree  
For I took never of love why  
That I ne may go thereby  
And do my profit else where  
For any speed I find there  
I dare well thinken all about  
But I ne dare not speak it out  
And if I dorst, I would plain  
That she, for whom I suffer pain  
And love her ever a lyche hot  
That neither give ne byhote  
In rewarding of my service  
Hit list her in no manner wise  
I will not say, that she is kind  
And for to say, she is unkind  
That dare I not by god above  
which deemeth every heart of love  
He wot, that on mine own side  
Shall none unkindness abide  
If it shall with my lady dwell  
Thereof dare I no more tell  
Now good father as it is  
Tell me, what thinketh you of this  
¶ My son of that unkyndshyp  
The which toward thy ladysshyp  
Thou pleynest/ for she will the nought  
Thou art to blamen of thy thought  
For it may be, that thy desire  
Though it burn ever/ as doth the fire  
Percase to her honour mysset  
O rels time come nought yet  
which stant upon thy destiny  
For thy my son, I read thee  
Think well, what ever the befall  
For no man hath his lusts all  
But as thou toldest me before  
That thou to love art nought forswore  
And hast done no unkindness  
Thou might thereof thy grace bless  
And leave nought that continuance  
That there may be none such grievance  
To love, as is unkyndshyppe  
whereof to keep thy worship  
So as these old books tale  
I shall the tell, a ready tale  
Now hearken, and be well aware thereby  
For I will tell it openly.    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum contra viros amori ingratos. Et narrat qualiter Theseus Aegei filius consilio fultus Adriane regis Minos filie in domo, que Laborinthus dicitur, Minotaurum vicit, unde Theseus Adriane sponsalie certissime promittens/ ipsam una cum Phedra sorore sua a Creta secum navigio duxit Sed statim postea oblito gratitudinis beneficio Adriadnam ipsum saluantem in insula Chion spretam post tergum re fiquit. Et Phedram Athenis sibi sponsatam ingratus coronavit.  

¶ Minos, as tell the poet  
The which whilom was king of Crete  
A son had, and Androchee  
He height, and so befell that be  
Unto Athenes for to lere  
was sent, and so he bore him there  
For that he was of high lineage  
Such pride he took in his courage  
That he foryeten hath the schools  
And in riot among the fools  
He did many things wrong  
And used thilk life so long  
Till at last of that he wrought  
He fond the mischief, which he sought  
whereof it fell, that he was slain  
His father, which it heard sayne  
was wroth, and all that ever he might  
Of men of arms he him dight  
A strong power, and forth he went  
Unto Athenis, where he brent  
The plain country all about  
The cities stood of him in doubt  
As they that no defence had  
again the power, which he lad   

Egeus, which was there king  
His counsel took upon this thing  
For he was than in the city  
So that of peace in to treat  
between Minos and Egeus  
They fell, and been accorded thus  
That king Minos fro year to year  
receive shall as thou shalt here  
Out of athens for truage  
Of men, that were of mighty age  
Parson's nine: of which he shall  
His will done in special  
For vengeance of his sons death  
None other grace there ne ge  
But for to take the juice  
And that was done in such a wise  
Upon which stood a wonder case  
For that time so it was  
whereof that men yet read and sing  
King Minos had in his keeping  
A cruel monster, as saith the jest  
For he was half man and half best  
And Minotaurus he was hot  
which was begotten in a riot  
Upon Pasyphae his own wife  
whiles he was out upon the strife  
Of that great siege of Troy  
But she, which lost hath all joy  
when that she sigh this monster bore  
Bad men ordain anon therefore  
And fell that ilk time thus  
There was a clerk, one Dedalus  
which had been of her assent  
Of that her lord, was so miswent  
And he made of his own wit  
whereof the remembrance is yet  
For Mynotaure such a house  
That was so strong, and marvelous  
That what man that within went  
There was so many a sundry went  
That he ne should nought come out  
But gone amazed all about  
And in this house to lock and ward  
was Minotaurus put in ward  
That what life, that therein came  
Or man or be'st be overcame  
And slough, and fed him thereupon  
And in this wise many one  
Out of Athenis for truage  
Devouted weren in that rage  
For every year they shopen hem so  
They of Athenis ere they go  
Toward that ilk woeful chance  
As it was set in ordinance  
Upon fortune her lot they cast  
Till that Theseus at last  
which was the kings son there  
amongs other that there were  
In thilk year, as it befall  
The lot upon his chance fell  
He was a worthy knight withal  
And when he sigh his chance fall  
H●●erde as though he took none heed  
But all that ever he might speed  
with him/ and with his fellowship  
Forth in to Crete he goth by ship  
where that the king Minos he sought  
And proffereth all that he him ought  
Upon the point of her accord   

This stern king, this cruel lord  
Took every day one of the nine  
And put him in to the discipline  
Of Mynotaure to be devoured   

But Theseus was so favoured  
That he was kept till at last  
And the mean while he cast  
what thing him were best to do  
And fell/ that Ariadne though  
which was the daughter of Minos  
And had heard the worthy los  
Of Theseus, and of his might  
And sygh he was a lusty knight  
Her whole heart on him she laid   

And he also of love her prayed  
So farforth, that they were alone  
And she ordaineth, that anon  
In what manner she should him save  
And shope so, that she did him have  
A clue of thread, of which within  
first at door he shall begin  
with him to take that one end  
Than when he would ageynward wend  
He might go the same weigh   

And over this so as I say  
Of pitch she took him a pelote  
The which he should in to the throat  
Of Mynotaure cast right  
such weepen also for him she dight  
That he by reason may not fail  
To make an end of his battle  
For she him taught in sundry wise  
Till he was know of thilk emprise  
How he this best should quelle  
And thus shortly for to tell  
So as this maiden him had taught  
Theseus with his monster fought  
And smote of his heed, the which be nam  
And by the thread, so as he came  
He goth again, till he were out  
So was great wonder all about   

Minos the tribute hath releced  
And so was all the were seced  
Between athens and hem of Crete   

But now to speak of that sweet  
The whose beauty was without wan  
This fair maiden Adryan  
when that she sigh Theseus sound  
was never yet upon this ground  
A gladder wight than she was though   

Theseus dwelled a day or two  
where that Minos great cheer him did  
Theseus in a prove stead  
Hath with this maiden spoke & rouned  
That she to him was abandouned  
In all that ever she couth  
So that her lusty youth  
All privily between him fifty  
The first flower he took away  
For he so fair though behyght  
That ever while he live might  
He should her take for his wife  
And as his own bertes life  
He would her love, and troth here   

And she which might not forbear  
So sore loveth him again  
That what as ever he would say  
with all her heart she it leaveth  
And thus his purpose he achevyth  
So that assured of his troth  
with him she went, & that was routh   

Phedra her young sister eke  
A lusty maid, a sober, a meek  
fulfilled of all courtesy  
For susterhode and company  
Of love, which was 'em between  
To see her sister be made a queen  
Her father left, and forth she went  
with him, which all his first intent  
Forgot within a little throw  
So that it was all over throw  
when she best wend it should stand  
The ship was blown fro the land  
wherein that they sailend were   

This Ariadne had mochel fere  
Of that the wind so loud blewe  
As she which of these ne knew  
And prayed for to rest a while  
And so fell, that upon an isle  
which Chio height, they been driven  
where he to her leave hath give  
That she shall land and take her rest  
But that was nothing for her best  
For when she was to land brought  
She which that time thought nought  
But all troth, and took no keep  
Hath laid her soft for to sleep  
As she which long hath been forwatched  
But certes she was evil matched  
And far from all loves kind  
For more than the best unkind  
Theseus, which no troth kept  
while that this young lady slept  
fulfilled of all unkyndshyp  
Hath all forgotten the goodshyp  
which Ariadne him had do  
And had unto the shipmen though  
Hale up the sail, and nought abide  
And forth he goeth the same tide  
Toward Athenis, and her on land  
He left, which lay nigh the strand  
Slepend, till that she awoke  
But when that she cast up her look  
Toward the strand, & sigh no wight  
Her heart was so sore aflyght  
That she ne wist what to think  
But drough her to the water brink  
where she beheld the see at large  
She sigh no ship, she sigh no barge  
Als farforth as she might ken  
Ha lord, she said, which a senne  
As all the world shall after here  
Upon this woeful woman here  
This worthy knight hath done and wrought  
I wend I had his love bought  
And so deserved at need  
when that he stood upon his dread  
And eke the love, he me behyght  
It is great wonder, how he might  
Towards me now been unkind  
And so to let out of his mind  
Thing, which he said his own mouth  
But after this, when it is couth  
And draw to the worlds fame  
It shall been hindering of his name  
For well he wot, and so wot I  
He gave his truth bodily  
That he mine honour should keep  
And with that word she 'gan weep  
And sorroweth more than enough  
Her fair tresses she to drough  
And with herself she took such a strife  
That she between the death and life  
Swounende lay full oft among  
And all was this on him along  
which was to love unkind so  
whereof the wrong shall evermore  
stand in cronic of remembrance  
And eke it asketh a vengeance  
To be unkind in loves case  
So as Theseus than was  
All though he were a noble knight  
For he the law of loves right  
Forfeited hath in all way  
That Ariadne he put away  
which was a great unkind deed  
And after that, so as I read  
Phedra, the which his sister is  
He took in stead of her, and this  
Fell afterward to mekell tene  
For thilk vice, of which I mean   

Vnkyndshyp where it falleth  
The truth of man's heart it palleth  
That he can no good deed acquit  
So may be stand of no merit  
Towards god, and eke also  
Men call him the worlds foe  
For he no more than the fiend  
Unto none other man is friend  
But all toward himself alone   

For thy my son in thy person  
This vice above all other flee  
¶ My father as ye teach me  
I think to do in this matter   

But over this I would fain here  
whereof I shall me shrive more  
¶ My good son as for thy lore  
After the rule of covetise  
I shall the property devise  
Of every vice by and by  
Now hearken, and be well were thereby.   
〈◊〉 ex ●lara res tollit luce rapina  
Floribus et juncta virgine mella capit.   

¶ H●c tractat super illa specia cupida que rapina 〈◊〉 ●atur, cuius matter extorcio ipsam ad des●●●●ndū magnatum curiis specialius commendavit.  

¶ In the lineage of avarice  
My son yet there is a vice  
His right name it is ravin  
which hath a rout of his covin  
ravin among the masters dwelleth  
And with his servants as men telleth  
Extortion is now withhold  
ravin of other men's fold  
Maketh his lardyr, and payeth nought  
For where as ever it may be sought  
In his house there shall no thing lack  
And that fulofte abyeth the pack  
Of power men that dwell a bout  
Thus stant the common people in doubt  
which can do none amendment  
For when him faileth payment  
ravin maketh non other skill  
But taketh by strength all that he will  
So been there in the same wise  
Lovers, as I the shall devise  
That when nought else may avail  
Anon with strength they assail  
And get of love the sesyne  
when they see time by ravin   

For thy my son shrive the here  
If thou hast been a Ravynere  
Of love. ¶ Certes father no  
For I my lady love so  
For though I were as was Pompey  
That all the world me would obey  
Or else such as alexander  
I would nought do such a slander  
It is no good man which so doth  
¶ In good faith son thou sayest sooth  
For he that will of purveyance  
By such a weigh his lust advance  
He shall it after sore abye  
But if these old ensamples lie  
¶ Now good father tell me one  
So as ye connen many one  
Touchende of love in this matere  
¶ Now list my son & thou shalt here  
So as it hath be befall ere this  
In loves cause how that it is  
A man to take by ravin  
The prey which is feminyne.    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum contra istos in amoris causa raptores, Et narrat qualiter Pandyon tex Athen ii filias vez Prognen & Philomenan habuit: Progne autem regi Tracie Therreo desponsata contigit, quod cum Tereus ad instantiam uxoris sue Philomenam de Athen in Traciam sororie visitationis causa secum quadam vice perduceret in concupiscentiam Philomene tanta seneritate in Itinere dilapsus est, quod ipse non solum sue violentia rapine virginitatem eius oppressit, sed et ipsius linguam, ne factum detegeret forcipe mitula nit, unde imperpetue memory ceonicam tanti raptoris austeritatem miro ordine dii postea vindicarunt.  

¶ There was a rial noble king  
A rich of all worlds thing  
which of his proper inheritance  
Athenis had in governance  
And who so thinketh thereupon  
His name was king Pandion   

Two daughters had he by his wife  
The which he loved as his life  
The first daughter Progne height  
And the second, as she well might  
was cleped fair Philomene  
To whom fell after much tene  
The father of his purveyance  
His daughter Progne would avarice  
And ga●e her unto marriage  
A worthy king of high lineage  
A noble knight eke of his hand  
So was he kid in every land  
Of Trace he height Thereus  
The clerk ovid telleth thus  
This Thereus his wife home lad  
A lusty life with her he had  
Till it befell upon a tide  
This Progne, as she lay him beside  
Bethought her, how that it might be  
That she her sister might see  
And to her lord her will she said  
with goodly words and him prayed  
That she to her might go  
And if it liked him not so  
That than he would himself wend  
Or else by some other send  
which might her dear sister great  
And shap● 〈◊〉 that they might meet   

Her lord● anon to that he heard  
give his accord, and thus answered   

I will (said he) for thy sake  
The weigh after thy sister take  
Myself, and bring her, if I may   

And she with that, there as she lay  
Bigan him in her arms clip  
And kissed 〈◊〉 with her soft lip  
And said▪ sire grant mercy  
And he love after was ready  
And took his leave for to go   

In sorry time did he so  
This Thereus goth forth to ship  
And with him his felaushyppe  
By see the right course he name  
Unto the country till he came  
where Philomene was dwelling  
And of her sister the tiding  
He rolled, and though they weren glad  
And much joy of him they made  
The father and the mother both  
To leave her daughter were loath  
But if they were in presence  
And nevertheless at reverence  
Of him that would himself travail  
They would nought he should fail  
And that they prayed, give her leave  
And she that would not believe  
In all hast made her iare  
Toward her sister for to far  
with Thereus, and forth she went  
And he with his hole intent  
when she was fro her friends go  
Assottith of her love so  
That his eye might he not withhold  
That he ne must on her behold  
And with the sight 'gan desire  
And set his own heart a fire  
And fire, when it to tow approacheth  
To him anon the strength accrocheth  
Till with his heat it be devoured  
The tow ne may not be souccoured  
And so the tyrant ravener  
when that she was in his power  
And he thereto saw time and place  
As he that lost hath all grace  
Forgot, he was a wedded man  
And in a rage on her he ran  
Right as a wolf, that taketh his prey   

And she began to cry and pray  
O father, o mother dear  
Now help. but they ne might it here  
And she was of to little might  
Defence again so rude a knight  
To make, when he was so wood  
That he no reason understood  
But held her under in such wise  
That she ne might not arise  
But lay oppressed and diseased  
As if a Gous' hawk had feysed  
A bird, which durst not for fere  
Remue, and thus this tyrant there  
By cast her such thing, as men sayen  
May never more be yoleden again  
And that was the virginity  
Of such ravin it was pity   

But when she to herself come  
And of her mischief heed nome  
And knew, how that she was no maid  
with woeful heart thus she said   

O thou of all men the wert  
where was there ever man that derst  
Do such a deed, as thou hast do  
That day shall fall, I hope so  
That I shall tell out all my fill  
And with my speech I shall fulfil  
The wide world in breed and length  
That thou hast done to me by strength  
If that I among the people dwell  
Unto the people I shall it tell  
And if I be within wall  
Of stones closed, than I shall  
Unto the stones clepe and cry  
And tell 'em thy felony  
And if I to the woods wend  
There shall I tell all and end  
And cry it to the birds out  
That they shall here it all about   

For I so loud it shall rehearse  
That my voice shall the heaven pierce  
That it shall sown in gods ere  
A false man, where is thy fere?  
O more cruel than any be'st  
How hast thou holden thy behest?  
which thou unto my sister madest  
O thou, which all love ungladest  
And art ensample of all untrue  
Now would god my sister knew  
Of thine untruth, how that it stood   

And he than as a lion wood  
with his unhappy bonds strong  
He caught her by the tresses long  
with the which he bond both her arms  
That was a feeble deed of arms  
And to the ground anon her cast  
And out he clippeth also fast  
Her tongue with a pair of shears  
So what with blood & what with tears  
Out of her eyen, and out of her mouth  
He made her fair face uncouth  
She lay swooning unto the death  
There was uneath any breathe  
But yet when he her tongue refte  
A little part thereof be left  
But she withal no word may sown  
But chitre, and as a bird iargowne  
And nevertheless that wood hound  
Her body bend up fro the ground  
And sent her there, as by his will  
She should abide in prison still  
For ever more, but now take heed  
what after fell of this misdeed  
when all this mischief was befall  
This Thereus, that foul him fall  
Unto his country home he tigh  
And when he come his palace nigh  
His wife already there him kept  
when he her sigh anon he wept  
And that he did for deceit  
For she began to ask him strait  
where is my sister: and he said  
That she was deed, and Progne abraide  
As she that was a woeful wife  
And stood between her death and life  
Because she heard such tiding  
But for she sigh her lord weeping  
She wend nought but all troth  
And had well the more routh  
The pearls were tho forsake  
To her, and black clothes take  
As she that was gentle and kind  
In worship of her sisters mind  
She made a rich interment  
For she fond none amendment  
To sighen or to sob more  
So was there guile under the gore  
Now leave we this king and queen  
And torn again to Phylomene   

As I began to tell erst  
when she came in to prison ferst  
It thought a kings daughter strange  
To make so sudden a change  
from wealth/ unto so great a woe  
And she began to think though  
Though she by mouth nothing prayed  
within her heart thus she said   

O thou almighty jupiter  
That high sittest/ and lookest far  
Thou sufferest many a wrongful doing  
And yet it is not thy willing  
To the there may nothing been hid  
Thou wost/ how it is betide  
I would I had not be boar  
For than had I nought forlese  
My speech and my virginity  
But good lord all is in the  
when thou thereof wolte do vengeance  
And shape my deliverance  
And ever among this lady wept  
And thought that she never kept  
To be a worlds woman more  
And that she wisheth evermore  
But oft unto her sister dear  
Her heart speaketh in this manner  
And said: O sister if ye knew  
Of mine estate, ye would rue  
I trow, and my deliverance  
ye would shape and do vengeance  
On him/ that is so falls a man  
And nevertheless, so as I can  
I will you send some tokening  
whereof ye shall have knowledging  
Of thing I wot that shall you loath  
The which you toucheth, and me both  
And tho within a while as tyte  
She wafe a cloth of silk all white  
with letters and imagery  
In which was all the felony  
which Thereus to her hath do  
And lapped it together tho  
And set her signet thereupon  
And sent it unto Progne anon  
The messenger, which forth it bore  
what it amounted is nought ware  
And nevertheless to Progne he goth  
And privily taketh her the cloth  
And went again right as be came  
The court of him none bede name  
¶ when Progne of Philomene heard  
She would know how that it feared  
And openeth that the man hath brought  
And wots thereby, what hath be wrought  
And what mischief there is befall  
In swoon though she 'gan down fall  
And eft arose, and 'gan to stand  
And eft she taketh the cloth on hand  
Beheld the letters and thimages  
But at last, of such outrages  
She said weeping is nought the boat  
And sweareth, if that she leave mote  
It shall be venged other wise  
And with that she 'gan her advice  
How first she might unto her win  
Her sister, that no man within  
But only they, that were swore  
It should know, and shope therefore  
That Thereus nothing it wist  
And yet right as her seluen list  
Her sister was delivered soon  
Out of prison, & by the moan  
To Progne she was brought by night   

when each of other had a sight  
In chamber there they were alone  
They maden many a piteous moan  
But Progne most of sorrow made  
which sigh her sister pale and fade  
And speechless, and dishonoured  
Of that she had be deflowered  
And eke upon her lord she thought  
Of that he so untruly wrought  
And had his espousayle broke  
She maketh avow it shall be wroke  
And with that word she kneeleth down  
weeping in great devotion  
Unto Cupyde and to Venus  
She prayed, and said than thus   

O ye, to whom no thing astart  
Of love may, for every heart  
ye know, as ye that been above  
The god and the goddess of love  
ye wyten well, that ever yet  
withal my will, and all my wit  
Sith first ye shope me to wed  
That I lay with my lord a bed  
I have been true in my degree  
And ever thought for to be  
And never love in other place  
But all only the king of Trace  
which is my lord, and I his wife  
But now alas this woeful strife  
That I him thus ageynward find  
The most untrue, and most unkind  
That ever in ladies arms lay  
And well I wot that he ne may  
Amend his wrong, it is so great  
For to little of me he let  
when he mine own sister took  
And me that am his wife forsook   

Lo thus to Venus and cupid  
She prayed, and furthermore she cried  
Unto Apollo the highest  
And said: O mighty god of rest  
Thou do vengeance of this debate  
My sister and all her estate  
Thou wost, & how she hath forlese  
Her maidenhead, and I therefore  
In all the world shall bear a blame  
Of that my sister hath ashame  
That Thereus to her I sent  
And well thou wost/ that mine intent  
was all for worship and for good  
O lord that givest the lives food  
To every wight, I pray the here  
These woeful sisters, that been here  
And let us nought to the been loath  
we been thine own women both   

Thus plaineth Progne/ & asketh wretch  
And though her sister lack speech  
To him that all things wot  
Her sorrow is not the less hot   

But he/ that then herd them two  
Him ought have sorrowed evermore  
For sorrow, which was 'em between  
with signs plaineth Philomene  
And Progne saith/ it shall be wreak  
That all the world thereof shall speak   

And Progne though sickness feigned  
whereof unto her lord she plained  
And preith, she moat her chamber keep  
And as her liketh wake & sleep  
And he her granteth to be so  
And thus together been they two  
That would him but a little good  
Now hearken hereafter/ how it stood  
Of woeful auntres that befall   

These sisters, that been both fell  
And that was not on 'em along  
But only on the great wrong  
which Thereus had 'em do  
They shopen for to venge 'em though   

This Thereus by Progne his wife  
A son hath, which as his life  
He loveth, and I this he height  
His mother wist well she might  
Do Thereus no more grieve  
Than slay his child, which was so leave  
Thus she that was as who saith mad  
Of woe, which hath her overladde  
without insight of motherheed  
Forgot pity, and lost dread  
And in her chamber privily  
This child without noise or cry  
She slough, and hew him all to pieces  
And after with divers spieses  
The flesh, when it was so to hew  
She taketh, and maketh thereof a sew  
with which the father at his meet  
was served, till he had him eat  
That he ne wist, how that it stood  
But thus his own flesh and blood  
Himself devoureth again kind  
As he that was to fore unkind  
And than ere that he were arise  
For that he should been agryse  
To shown him the child was deed  
This Philomene took the heed  
Between two dishes/ and all wroth  
though came forth the sisters both  
And setten it upon the board  
And Progne than began the word  
And saide: O wert of all wykke  
Of conscience whom no prykke  
May steer, lo what thou hast do  
Lo here been now we sisters two   

O ravener lo here thy prey  
with whom so falsely on the weigh  
Thou hast thy tyranny wrought  
Lo now it is some deal about  
And better it shall: for of thy deed  
The world shall ever sing and read  
In remembrance of thy defame  
For thou to love hast done such shame  
That it shall never be forget   

with that he start up fro the meet  
And shove the board in to the flore  
And caught a sword anon, and swore  
That they should of his hands die   

And they unto the god's cry  
Began, with so loud a steven  
That they were herd unto heaven  
And in the twinkling of an eye  
The gods, that the mischief say  
Her forms changed all three  
Each of 'em in his degree  
was turned in to a birds kind  
Dyverselyche as men may find  
After the state that they were in  
Her forms were set a twin  
And as it telleth in the tale  
The first in to a nightinggale  
was shape, and that was Philomene  
which in the winter is not seen  
For than be the leaves fall  
And naked been the bushes all  
For after that she was a brydde  
Her will was ever to be hid  
And for to dwell in prive place  
That noman should see her face  
For shame, which may not be lassid  
Of thing that was tofore passed  
when that she lost her maydenhed  
Forever upon her womanhead  
(Though that the gods would her change)  
She thinketh, and is the more strange  
And holt her close the winter day  
But when the winter goth away  
And that nature the goddess  
will of her own free largesse  
with herbs, and with flowers both  
The fields, and the meadows cloth  
And eke the woods, and the griefs  
Ben bylled all with green leaves  
So that a brydde her hide may  
Between March, Apryl, and May  
She that the winter held her close  
For pure shame and nought aros  
when that she sigh the bows thick  
And that there is no bare stick  
But all his hid with leaves green  
To wood cometh this Philomene  
And maketh her first yers' flight  
where as she singeth day and night  
And in her song all openly  
She maketh her plaint & saith: O why  
why ne were I yet a maid?  
For so this old wise said  
which understood, what she meant  
Her notes been of such intent  
And eke they said, how in her song  
She maketh great joy & mirth among  
And s●yth: ba now I am a brydde  
He now my face may been hid  
Though I been lost my maidenhead  
Shall no man see my cheeks read   

Thus meddleth she with joy woe  
And with her sorrow mirth also  
So that of loves malady  
She maketh divers melody  
And saith: love is a woeful bliss  
A wisdom, which can no man wysse  
A lusty fever, a wound soft  
This note she rehearseth oft  
To hem/ which understand her tale   

Now have I of this nightinggale  
which erst was cleped Philomene  
Told all that ever would mean  
Both of her form, and of her note  
whereof men may the story note   

And of her sister Progne I find  
How she was turned out of kind  
In to a swallow swift of wing  
which eke in winter lieth swooning  
There as she may no thing be seen  
But when the wood is waxen green  
And ●omen is the summer tide  
Tha fleeth she forth, & ginneth to chide  
And chetereth out in her language  
what falsehood is in marriage  
And telleth in a manner speech  
Of Thereus the spouse breach  
She will not in the woods dwell  
For she would openlych tell  
And eke for that she was a spouse  
Among the folk she cometh to house  
To do these wives understand  
The falsehood of her husband  
That they of hem beware also  
For there be many untrue of though   

Thus been the sisters birds both  
And been toward the men so loath  
That they ne will for pure shame  
To no man's hand be tame  
For ever it dwelleth in her mind  
Of that they fond a man unkind  
And that was false Thereus  
If such one be among us  
I note but his condition   

Men say in every region  
within town and eke without  
Now reigneth commonly about  
And natheless in remembrance  
I will declare/ what vengeance  
The gods hadden him ordained  
Of that the sisters hadden plained  
For anon after he was changed  
And from his own kind straunged  
A lapwynke made he was  
And thus he hoppeth on the grass  
And on his heed there stont up right  
A crest, in token of a knight  
And yet unto this day, men saith  
A lapynke hath lost his faith  
And is the bird falsest of all   

Beware my son ere the so fall  
For if thou be of such covin  
To get of love by ravin  
Thy lust: it may the fall thus  
As it befell to Thereus  
¶ My father god forbid  
Me were liefer be fortrede  
with wild horses/ and to draw  
Ere I again love and his law  
Did any thing, or loud or still  
which were not my ladies will   

Men say, that every love hath dread  
So followeth it, that I her dread  
For I her love, and who so dreadeth  
To please his love and serve him needeth  
Thus may ye know by this skill  
That no ravin done I will  
again her will, by such a weigh  
But while I live, I will obey  
Abiding on her courtesy  
If any mercy would her ply   

For thy my father, as of this  
I wot nought I have do amiss  
But furthermore I you beseech  
Some other point that ye me teach  
And asketh forth if there be aught  
That I may be the better taught.   
〈◊〉 ut ex spoliis grandi quam saepe tumultu  
Quo graditur, populus latro perurget iter:  
M● amor ex casu poterit quo capere praedam  
Sil●cus est aptus, cetera nulla timet.   

¶ Hic loquitur super illa cupiditatis specie, quam lurtum vocant, cuius ministri alienius legis offen same non meiventes tam in amoris causa quam aliter suam quam sepe conscientiam offendunt.  

¶ when covetise in pour estate  
Stont with himself upon debate  
Through lack of his misgovernance  
That he unto his sustenance  
Ne can no nother way find  
To get him good: than as the blind  
which seeth nought, what shall after fall  
That ilk vice, which men call  
Of Robbery, he taketh on hand  
whereof by water and by land  
Of thing, which other men beswynke  
He getteth him cloth, meet, and drink  
Him retcheth nought, what he begin  
Through theft, so that he may win  
For thy to make his purchaas  
He lieth awaytende on the paas  
And what thing that he seeth there pass  
He taketh his part, or more or lass  
If it be worthy to be take  
He can the pakkes well ransack  
So privily beareth none about  
His gold, that he ne fynt it out  
Or other jewel what it be  
He taketh it as his proprete  
In woods, and in fields eke  
Thus robbery goth to seek  
where as he may his purchas find   

And right so in the same kind  
My good son as thou might here  
To speak of love in the matter  
And make a very resemblance  
Right as a thief maketh his chevesance  
And robbeth men's goods about  
In wood and field, where he goth out   

So been there of these lovers some  
In wild steeds where they come  
And finden there a woman able  
And thereto place covenable  
withouten leave ere that they far  
They take a part of that chaffer  
Ye though she were a shepeherdesse  
Yet will the lord of wantonness  
Assay, all though she be unmeet  
For other men's good is sweet  
But thereof wot nothing the wife  
At home, which loveth as her life  
Her lord, and sit all day wishing  
After her lords home coming  
But when that he cometh home at e●e  
Anon he maketh his wife believe  
For she nought else should know  
He telleth her, how his hunt hath blow  
And how his bounds have well run  
And how there shone a merry son  
And how his hawks flown weal  
But he will tell her never a deal  
How he to love untrue was  
Of that he rob in the pas  
And took his lust under the shaw  
again love, an again his law   

The which thing my son I the forbid  
For it is an ungodly deed  
For who that taketh by robbery  
His love, he may not justify  
His cause: and so fuloft sith  
For ones that he hath been blithe  
He shall be after sorry thrice  
Examples for such robberies  
I find written as thou shalt here  
Acordende unto this matter.    

¶ HIC LOQVITUR CONtra istos in amoris causa predones, qui cum suam furtiue concupiscenciam aspirant, fortuna in contrarium operatur, Et narrat, quod cum Neptunus quandam virginem nomine Cornicem solam juxta mare deambulantem opprimere suo furto voluisset, superueniens Pallas ipsam de manibus eius virginitate seruata gracius liberavit.  

☞ I read how whilom was a maid  
The fairest, as ovid said  
which was in her time tho  
And she was of the chamber also  
Of Pallas, which is the goddess  
And wife to Mars, of whom prowess  
Is you to these worthy knights  
For he is of so great mights  
That he governeth the battle  
withouten him may nought avail  
The strong bond, but he it help  
There may no knight of arms yelp  
But he fight under his banner  
But now to speak of my matter  
This fair fresh lusty may  
Alone as she went on a day  
Upon the strand for to play  
There came Neptunus in the way  
which hath these in governance  
And in his heart such pleasance  
He took, when he this maiden sigh  
That all his heart aros on high  
For he so sodenlyche unware  
Beheld the beauty, that she bore  
And cast anon within his heart  
That she him shall no way astart  
But if be take in advantage  
From thilk maid some pillage  
Nought of the broochs ne the rings  
But of some other small things  
He thought part, ere that he went  
And her in both his arms bend  
And put his hand toward the cofre  
where to rob he made a proffer  
That lusty treasure for to steal  
which passeth other goods feel  
And cleped is the maydenheed  
which is the flower of womanheed   

This maid, which Cornyr by name  
was hot, dreading all shame  
Sigh, that she might nought debate  
And well she wist, he would algate  
fulfil his lust of robbreie  
Anon began to weep and cry  
And said: O Pallas noble queen  
Show now thy might, & let be seen  
To keep and save mine honour  
Help that I lose nought my flower  
which now under thy key is look   

That word was not so soon spoke  
when Pallas shaped recovyre  
After the will and the desire  
Of her, which a maid was  
And suddenly upon this case  
Out of her womanlyche kind  
In to a birds likeness I find  
She was transformed forth withal  
So that Neptunus' nothing stall  
Of such thing that he would have stole   

with feathers black as any coal  
Out of his arms in a throw  
She flegh before his eyen a crow  
which was to her a more delight  
To keep her maidenhead white  
Under the weed of feathers black  
In pearls white than forsake  
That no life may restore again   

But this Neptune his heart in vain  
Hath upon robbery set  
The bride is iflowe, and he was let  
The fair maid is him escaped  
whereof for ever he was beiaped  
And scorned of that he hath lore  
¶ My son be thou ware therefore  
That thou no maydenheed steel  
whereof men see diseses feel  
So as I shall the yet devise  
Another tale thereupon  
which fell by old days gone.    

¶ HIC ponit exemplum contra istos in causa ●●●ginitatis lose predones, et narrat quod cum Calisto regis Lichaonis mire pulchritudinis filia suam virginitatem Diane conseruandam castissima v●nisset, Et in siluam/ que Tegea dicitur, inte●●●●us ibidem nymphas moraturan se transtu●●●●et, jupiter virgins castitatem subtili furto sur●●●●us, quendam filium, qui postea Archas no●●natus est, ex ea genuit, unde juno in Cafistonā●●●●ns eius pulchritudinem in vrse turpissime ●●●●mitatem subito transfiguravit.  

¶ King Lichaon upon his wife  
A daughter had, a goodly life  
And cleave maiden of worthy fame  
Calistona whose right name  
was cleped, and of many a lord  
She was besought, but her accord  
To love might no man win  
As she/ which hath no lust therein  
But swore within her heart, and said  
That she will ever been a maid  
wherefore to keep herself in peace  
with such as Amadriades  
were cleped woodmaydens tho  
And with the nymphs eke also  
Upon the spring of fresh wells  
She shope to dwell, and no where else  
And thus came this Calistona  
Into the wood of Tegea  
where she virginity behight  
Unto Diane, and thereto plight  
Her troth upon the bows green  
To keep her maidenhead clean  
which afterward upon a day  
was privelyche stole away  
For jupiter through his queintyse  
From her it took in such a wise  
That suddenlike forth withal  
Her womb arose/ and she to swall  
So that it might not be hid  
And thereupon it is betid  
That diane, which it heard tell  
In prive place unto a well  
with Nymphs all a company  
was come, and in a ragery  
She said, that she hath would  
And had that every maiden should  
with her all naked hath also  
And tho began the privy woe  
Calistona wax red for shame  
But they that knew not the game  
To whom no such thing was befall  
Anon they made 'em naked all  
As they nothing would hide  
But she withdrew her ever aside  
And nevertheless in the flood  
where that Dyana herself stood  
She thought to come unperceived  
But thereof she was all deceived  
For when she came a little nigh  
And that Dyana her womb sigh  
She said: away thou foul be'st  
For thine estate is not honest  
This chafed water for to touch  
For thou hast take such a touch  
which never may been hole again  
And thus goth she, which was forleine  
with shame, and the Nymphs fled  
Till when that nature her sped  
That of a son, which Archas  
was named, she delivered was   

And though juno, which was the wife  
Of jupiter (wroth and hastyfe  
In purpose for to do vengeance)  
Came forth upon thilk chance  
And to Calistona she spoke  
And set upon her many a lack  
And said: a now thou art take  
That thou thy work might not forsake  
A thou ungodly hypocrite  
Thou art greatly for to wite  
But now thou shalt full sore abye  
That ilk stealth of mycherye  
That thou hast both take and do  
whereof thy father Lychao  
Shall not be glad, when he it wot  
Of that his daughter was so hot  
That she hath broken her chaste vow  
But I the shall chastise now  
Thy great beauty shall be turned  
Through which that thou hast be mestorned  
Thy large front, thy eyen grey  
I shall hem change in other way  
And all the feature of thy face  
In such a wise I shall deface  
That every man the shall forbear  
with that the likeness of a bear  
She took, and was forshapen anon  
within a time and thereupon  
Befelle, that with a bow in bond  
To hunt and game for to fond  
In to that wood goth to play  
Her son Archas, and in his way  
It happeth that this here came  
And when that he good heed name  
where that be stood under the bough  
She knew him well, & to him drough  
For though she had her form lore  
The love was nought lost therefore  
which kind hath set under his law  
when she under the wood shaw  
Her child beheld, she was so glad  
That she with both her arms spread  
As though she were in womanhood  
Toward him come, and took none heed  
Of that he bore a bow bent  
And he with that an arrow hath bend  
And 'gan to teyse it in his bow  
As he that can none other know  
But that it was a beast wild   

But jupiter, which would shield  
The mother, and the son also  
ordaineth for 'em both two  
That they for ever were save   

But thus my son thou might have  
Ensample, how that it is to flee  
To rob the virginity  
Of a young innocent away  
And over this by other weigh  
In old books as I read  
Such robbery is for to dread  
And namlyche of thilk good  
which every woman that is good  
Desireth for to keep and hold  
As whilom was by days old  
For if thou here my tale weal  
Of that was though/ thou might somedeal  
Of old ensamples taken heed  
How that the flower of maidenhead  
was thilk time hold in pris  
And so it was, and so it is  
And so it shall for ever stand  
And for thou shalt it understand  
Now hearken a tale next sewende  
How may denbede is to commend.    

¶ Hic loquitur de virginitatis commendatione, ubi dicit, quod nuper Imperatores ob tanti status dignitatem virginibus cedebant in via.  

¶ Of Rome among the gests old  
I find, how that Valery told  
That what man was though emperor  
Of Rome, he should done honour  
To the virgin, and in the weigh  
where he her meet, he should obey  
In worship of virginity  
which was though a great dignity  
Nought onelyche of the women though  
But of the chaste men also  
It was commended overall  
And for to speak in special  
Touchend of men ensample I find    

¶ Hic loquitur qualiter Phirinus inuenum Rome pulcherimus/ ut illesam sud virginitate conseruaret, ambos oculos ernens vultus sui decorem abho minabilem constituit.  

¶ Phirinus which was of man's kind  
Above all other the fairest  
Of Rome, and eke the comeliest   

That well was her which him might  
Behold/ and have of him a sight  
Thus was be tempted oft sore  
But for he would be no more  
Among the women so coveted  
The beauty of his face streyted  
He hath, and put out both his eyen  
That all women/ which it say  
That afterward of him ne wrought  
And thus his maydenheed he bought   

So may I prove well for thy  
Above all other under the sky  
That maidenhead is for to praise  
who that the virtues would poise  
which, as the apocalypsis recordeth  
To Christ in heaven best accordeth  
So may it show well therefore  
As I have told it here tofore  
In heaven, and eke in earth also  
It is except to both two  
Out of his flesh a man to live  
Gregory hath this ensample give  
And saith: it shall rather be told  
Lyche to an angel many fold  
Than to the life of man's kind  
There is no reason for to find  
But only through the grace above  
In flesh without fleshly love  
A man to live chaste here  
And nevertheless a man may here  
Of such/ that have been ere this  
And yet there been, but for it is  
A virtue, which is selden won  
Now I this matter have begun  
I think tell over more  
which is my son for thy lore  
If that the list to taken heed  
To treat upon the maydenheed   
Vt ●osa de spinis spineto prevalet orta  
Et ●ilii flores cespite plura valent:  
Sic sibi virginitas carnis sponsalia vincit  
Aeternos flaetus quae fine labe parit.  

The book saith, that a man's life  
Upon knighthood in war and strife  
Is set among his enemies  
The frail flesh, whose nature is  
Ay ready for to spurn and fall  
The first foman is of all  
For thilk war is ready ay  
It warreth night, it warreth day  
So that a man hath never rest  
For thy is thilk knight the best  
Through might & grace of gods sonde  
which that battle may withstand  
whereof yet dwelleth the memory  
Of 'em, that some time the victory  
Of thilk deadly war hadden  
The high prowess, which they lead  
whereof the soul stood amended  
Upon this earth it is commended    

¶ Hic loquitur, qualiter Valentinianus imperator eum ipse octo genarius plures provincias Romano Imperio belliger sub iugavit, dixit se super omnia magic gandere de eo/ quod contra sue carn●● concupiscentiam victoriam optinuisset/ nam et ipse virgo oibu● diebus vite sue castissimus ꝑmansun.  

¶ An emperor by old days  
There was, and he at all assays  
A worthy knight was of his hand  
There was none such in all the land  
But yet for all his vassellage  
He stood unwedded all his age  
And in cronic as it is told  
He was an hundred winter old  
But when men would his deeds poise  
And his knighthood of arms praise  
Of that he did with his hands  
when he the kings of the lands  
To his subjection put under  
Of all that preise hath he no wonder  
For he it set of none account  
And said, all that may not amount  
Ayens a point which he hath nome  
That he his flesh hath overcome  
He was a virgin/ as he said  
On that battle his pries he laid  
¶ Lo now my son advise the  
¶ The father all this may well be  
But if all other deed so  
The world of men were soon a go  
And in the law a man may find  
How god to man by weigh of kind  
Hath set the world to multiply  
And who that will him justify  
It is enough to do the law  
And nevertheless your good saw  
Is good to keep, who so may  
I will nought there again say nay  
¶ My son take it as I say  
If maidenhead be take away  
without laws ordinance  
It may not fail of vengeance   

And if thou wolte the sooth wyten  
Behold a tale, the which is written  
How that the king Agamemnon  
when he the city of Lesbon  
Hath won, a maiden there he fond  
which was the fairest of the land  
In thilk time, that men wist  
He took of her what him list  
Of thing which was most precious  
whereof that she was dangerous  
This fair maid cleped is  
Chryseys the daughter of Chrisys  
which was that time in special  
Of thilk temple principal  
where Phoebus had his sacrifice  
So was it well the more vice   

Agamemnon was than in way  
To Troywarde, and took a weigh  
This maiden, which he with him lad  
So great lust in her he had   

But Phoebus, which hath great dysdein  
Of that his maiden was forlein  
Anon as he to Troy came  
Vengeance upon this deed he name  
And sent a common pestilence   

They sosughten than her evidence  
And maden calculation  
To know in what condition  
This death came in so suddenly   

And at last readily  
The cause and eke the man they fond  
And forth with all the same stound  
Agamennon opposed was  
which hath known all the case  
Of the folly which he hath wrought  
And thereupon mercy they sought  
Toward the god in sundry wise  
with prayer and with sacrifice  
The maiden home again they send  
And give her good enough to spend  
For ever whiles she would live  
And thus the sin was forgive  
And all the pestilence seced   

Lo what it is to be encrecid  
Of love/ which is ill won  
It were better nought begun  
Than take a thing without leave  
which thou most after needs leave  
And yet have m●●gre forth with all  
For thy to robben overall  
In loves cause if thou begin  
I not what ease thou shalt win  
¶ My son be well aware of this  
For thus of robbery it is  
¶ My father your examplary  
In loves cause of robbery  
I have it right well understand  
But over this how so it stand  
yet will I wite of your apprise  
what thing is more of covetise   
Insidiando latens tempus rimatur et lioram  
Fur quibus occulto tempore furta parat:  
Sic amor insidiis vacat et sub tegmine ludos  
Prendere furtivos nocte favente quear.   

¶ Hîc tractat super illa cupiditatis specie, que secretum latrocinium dicitur/ citius natura cusio die rerum nesciente ea que cupit/ tam per diem quam per noctem absque strepitu claneulo furatur.  

☞ with covetise yet I find  
A servant of the same kind  
which stealth is hot/ and mycherie  
with him is ever in company  
Of whom if I shall tell sooth  
He stalketh as a peacock doth  
And taketh his prey so covert  
That no man wot it in apart  
For when he wot the lord from home  
Than will he stalk about and come  
And what thing he fynt in his weigh  
when that he seeth the men away  
He stealeth it and goth forth withal  
That thereof no man know shall  
And eke full oft he goth a night  
without moan or star light  
And with his craft the door unpiketh  
And taketh therein what him liketh  
And if the door be so shut  
That he be of his entry let  
He will in at the window creep  
And while the lord is fast a sleep  
He stealeth, what thing him best list  
And goth his weigh ere it be wist  
Full oft also by light of day  
Yet will he steal, and make assay  
Under the cote his hand he put  
Till he the man's pure have cut  
And ryfely that he fynt therein  
And thus he auntreth him to win  
And heareth an horn & nought ne bloweth  
For no man of his counsel knoweth  
what he may get of his mitching  
It is all bill under the wing  
And as an hound that goth to fold  
And hath there take what he would  
His mouth upon the grass be wipeth  
And so with feigned cheer him slypeth  
That what as ever of sheep be strangle  
There is no man thereof shall jangle  
And for to know who it deed  
Right so doth stealth in every stead  
where as him list his prey take  
He can so well his cause make  
And so well feign and so well gloze  
That there ne shall no man suppose  
But that he were an innocent  
And thus a man's eye he blended  
So that this craft & may remove  
withouten help of any move   

There be lovers of that degree  
which all her lust in privity  
As who saith gotten all by stealth  
And oft atteynen to great wealth  
And for the time that it lasteth  
For love awaiteth ever/ and casteth  
How he may steel, and catch his prey  
when he thereto may find a way  
For be it night, or be it day  
He taketh his part, when that he may  
And if he may no more do  
yet will he steel a cusse or two  
¶ My son what sayest thou thereto  
Tell if thou didst ever so  
My father how? ¶ My son thus  
If thou hast stole any cusse  
Or other thing/ which thereto longeth  
For no man such thieves bongeth  
Tell on for thy, and saith the troth  
¶ My father nay/ and that is routh  
For by my will, I am a thief  
But she, that is to me most lief  
yet durst I never in privity  
Nought ones take her by the knee  
To steal of her, or this, or that  
And if I durst I wot well what  
And nevertheless but if I lie  
By stealth ne by robbery  
Of love, which fell in my thought  
To her did I never nought  
But as men say, where heart is failed  
There shall no castle be assailed  
But though I had hearts ten  
And were as strong as all men  
If I be not mine own man  
And dare not usen, that I can  
I may myself not recover  
Though I be man never so poor  
I bear an heart, and hire it is  
So that me faileth wit in this  
How that I should of mine accord  
The servant lead against the lord  
For if my foot would awhere go  
Or that my hand would else do  
what that my heart is there ayeyne  
The remanant is all in vain  
And thus me lacketh all well  
And yet ne dare I nothing steel  
Of thing, which longeth unto love  
And eke it is so high above  
I may not well thereto areche  
But if so be a time of speech  
Full seld, if than I steel may  
A word or two, and go my way  
Betwixt her high estate and me  
comparison there may none be  
So that I feel, and well I wot  
All is to heavy and to hot  
To set on hand without leave  
And thus I mote algate leave  
To steel that I may not take  
And in this wise I moat forsake  
To be a thief again my will  
Of thing, which I may not fulfil   

For that serpent, which never slept  
The flees of gold so well ne kept  
In Colchos, as the tale is told  
That my lady a thousand fold  
Nys better ȝemed, and bewaked  
where she be clothed/ or be naked  
To keep her body night and day  
She hath awardeyn ready ay  
which is so wonderful a wight  
That him ne may no man's might  
with sword ne with no weapon daunt  
Ne with no sleight of charm enchant  
whereof be might be made tame  
And Danger is his right name  
which under lock, and under key  
That no man may it steel away  
Hath all the treasure ynder fonge  
That unto love may belong  
The lest looking of her eye  
May not be stole, if he it say  
And who so grudgeth for so lyt  
He would soon set a wite  
On him, that would steel more  
And that me grieveth wonder sore  
For this proverb is ever new  
That strong locks maken true  
Of 'em that wolden steel and pike  
For so well can there no man slyke  
By him ne by no other mean  
To whom Danger will give or lean  
Of that treasure he hath to keep  
So though I would stalk and creep  
And wait on eve, and eke on morrow  
Of Danger shall I nothing borrow  
And steel well ne may I nought  
And thus I am right well bethought  
while Danger stont in his office  
Of stealth, which ye clepe a vice  
I shall be guilty never more  
Therefore I would he were ago  
So far, that I never of him herd  
How so that afterward it feared  
For than I might yet percas  
Of love make some purchas  
By stealth, or by some other way  
That now fro me stont fer away   

But father as ye told above  
who stealth goth a night for love  
I may not well that point forsake  
That oft times I ne wake  
On nights, when that other sleep  
But how, I pray you take keep  
when I am lodged in such a wise  
That I by night may arise  
At some window and looken out  
And see the housing all about  
So that I may the chamber know  
In which my lady, as I trow  
lieth in her bed, and sleepeth soft  
Than is mine heart a thief full oft  
For there I stand and behold  
The long nights/ that been cold  
And think on her, that lieth there  
And than I wish, that I were  
Als wise as was Nectavabus  
Or else as was Protheus  
That couthen both of Nigronance  
In what likeness in what semblance  
Right as him list himself transform  
For if I were of such a form  
I say than I would flee  
In to her chamber for to see  
If any grace would fall  
So that I might under the pall  
Some thing of love pike and steel  
And thus I think thoughts feel  
And though there of no thing be sooth  
yet ease as for a time it doth  
But at last when I find  
That I am fall in to my mind  
And see/ that I have stand long  
And have no profit underfang  
Than stalk I to my bed within  
And this is all that ever I win  
Of love, when I walk on night  
My will is good, but of my might  
Me lacketh both/ and of my grace  
For who so that my thought embrace  
yet have I nought the better feared  
My father Lo, now have ye heard  
what I by stealth of love have do  
And how my will hath be thereto  
If I be worthy to penance  
I put it to your ordinance  
¶ My son of stealth I the behete  
Though it be for a time sweet  
At end it doth but little good  
As by ensample how that it stood  
whilom, I may the tell now  
¶ I pray you father tell me how  
¶ My son of him, which goth thy day  
By weigh of stealth to assay  
In loves cause, and taketh his prey  
ovid said, as I shall say  
And in his Methamor he told  
A tale, which is good to hold.    

¶ Hic in amoris causa super isto latrocinio, quod de nocte contingit/ ponit exemplum. Et narrat, quod cum Leucothea Orcami filia in cameris sub arcta matris custodia virgo presernabatur, Phoebus eius pulchritudinem concupiscens in conclave bomus elata luce subintrans, virgins pudiciciam matre obsente defloravit, unde ipsa inpregnata iratus pater filiam suam ad sepeliendum vinam effodit, ex cuius tumulo florem quem solsequium vocant, dicunt tunc consequenter primitus accrevisse.  

¶ The poet, upon this matter  
Of stealth, wrote in this manner  
Venus, which hath the law in hand  
Of thing, which may not be withstand  
As she, which the treasure to ward  
Of love, hath within her ward  
Phoebus to love hath so constrained  
That he without rest is pained  
with all his heat to covet  
A maiden/ which was warded strait  
within chamber, and kept so close  
That selden was/ when she discloos  
Goth with her mother for to play  
Leuchothea, so as men say  
●his maiden height, and Orchamus  
Her father was: and befell thus  
This daughter, that was kept so dear  
And had be fro year to year  
Under her mother's discipline  
A clean maid, and a virgin  
Upon the whose nativity  
Of comely heed, and of beauty  
Nature hath set all that she may  
That lyche unto the fress he may  
which other months of the year  
Sourmounteth: so without pere  
was of this maiden the feature  
whereof Phoebus out of measure  
her loveth, and on every side  
awaiteth, if so may betide  
That he through any sleight might  
Her lusty maidenhead unright  
The which were all his worlds wealth   

And thus lurking upon his stealth  
In his await so long he lay  
Till it befell upon a day  
That he through out her chamber wall  
Came in all sodeynlych, and stall  
That thing, that was to him so lief  
But woe the while, he was a thief  
For Venus, which was enemy  
Of thilk loves mychery  
Discoverith all the plain case  
To Clymene, which than was  
Toward Phoebus his concubine   

And she to let the covin  
Of thilk love, deadly wroth  
To plain upon this maid she goth  
And told her father how it stood  
whereof for sorrow well nigh wood  
Unto her mother thus he said:  
Lo what it is to keep a maid?  
To Phoebus dare I nothing speak  
But upon her it shall be wreak  
So that these maidens after this  
Mowe take ensample, what it is  
To suffer her maidenhead be stole  
whereof that she the death shall thole  
And bad with that, to make a pit  
wherein he hath his daughter set  
As he that will no pity have  
So that she was all quick begrave  
And deide anon in his presence  
But Phoebus, for the reverence  
Of that she had been his love  
Hath wrought, through his power above  
That she sprung up out of the mould  
In to a flower, was named gold  
which stonte governed of the son   

And thus when love is evil won  
Full oft it cometh to repentayle  
¶ My father that is no marvel  
when that the council is bewreyed  
But oft time love hath played  
And stolle many a prive game  
which never yet came in to blame  
what that the things weren hid  
But in your tale as it betydde  
Venus discovereth all the case  
And eke also broad day it was  
when Phoebus such a stealth wrought  
whereof the maid in blame he brought  
That afterward he was so lore  
But for ye saiden now to fore  
How stealth of love goth by night  
And doth his things out of sight  
Thereof me lust also to here  
A tale lyche to the matter  
whereof I might ensample take  
¶ My good son for thy sake  
So as it befell by days old  
And so as the poet it told  
Upon the nights mycherye  
Now hearken a tale of poesy    

¶ HIC PONIT EXEMPLUM super eodem, quod de nocte contingit. Et narrat qualiter Hercules cum jole in quadam spelunca nobili, Thophis dicta, sub monte Tmolo, ubi silva Batchi est, ●ospicio pernoctarunt. Et cum ipsi variis lectis seperatim iacentes dormierunt, contigit lectum Herculis vestimentis jole, ●ectum que Iole pelle le onis, qua Hercules induebatur, operari: super quo Faunus a silva descendens speluncam subintravit, temptans si forte cum jole sue concupiscentie voluptatem, nesciente Hercule furari posset. Et cum ad lectum Herculis muliebri palpata vest ex casu pervenisset, putans Iolen fuisse, cubiculum nudo corpore ingreditur: quem senciens Hercules manibus apprehensum ipsum ad terram ita fortiter allisit, ut impotens sui corporis effectus usque mane ibidem requievit, Vbi Saba cum Nym phis siluestribus superueniens ipsum sic illusum deridebat.  

¶ The mightiest of all men  
when Hercules with jolen  
which was the love of his courage  
together upon a pilgrimage  
Toward Rome shoulden go  
It fell 'em by the way so  
That they upon a day a cave  
within a roche founden have  
which was rial and glorious  
And of entail curious  
By name, and Thophis it was hot  
The son shone though wonder hot  
As it was in the summer tide   

This Hercules, which by his side  
Hath jolen his love there  
when they at thilk cave were  
He said, he thought it for the best  
That she her for the beat rest  
All thilk day, and thilk night  
And she that was a lusty wight  
It liketh her all that he saide  
And thus they dwell yet and played  
The long day, and so befell  
This cave was under the hill  
Of Tmolus, which was begrowe  
with wines, and at thilk throw  
Faunus with Saba the goddess  
By whom the large wilderness  
In thilk time stood governed  
were in a place, as I am learned  
nigh by, which Bacchus wooed height   

This Faunus took a great insight  
Of jolen, that was now nigh  
For when that he her beauty sigh  
Out of his wit he was assoted  
And in his heart it hath so noted  
That he forsook the Nymphs all  
And said, he would, how so it fall  
Assay an other for to win  
So that his heart thought within  
He set, and cast, how that it might  
Of love pike away by night  
That he by day in other wise  
To steel might not suffice  
And thereupon his time he awaiteth  
Now take good heed how love affaireth  
Him, which with all is overcome  
Fair jolen when she was come  
with Hercules in to the cave  
She said him, that she would have  
His clothes of, & hers both  
And each of 'em should other cloth  
And all was do right as she bade  
He hath her in his clothes clad  
And cast on her his golion  
which of the skin of a lion  
was made, as he upon the weigh  
It slough, and over this to play  
She took his great mace also  
And knit it at her girdle though  
So was she lyche the man arrayed  
And Hercules than hath assayed  
To clothen hem in her array  
And thus they jape forth the day  
Till that her souper ready were  
And when they hadden souped there  
They shopen hem to go to rest  
And as it thought 'em for the best  
They bade, as for thilk night  
Two sundry heads should be dight  
For they together lig nolde  
By cause that they offer would  
Upon the morrow her sacrifice  
The servants didden her office  
And sundry beds made anon  
wherein that they to rest gone  
Each by 'em self in sundry place   

Fair jolen hath set the mace  
Besides her beds heed above  
And with the clothes of her love  
She hylled all her bed about  
And he, which nothing had in doubt  
Her wimple wonde about his cheek  
Her kirtle, and her mantel eke  
Abroad upon his bed he spread  
And thus they slepen both a bed  
what of travail, what of wine  
The servants like to drunken swine  
Began for to rout fast  
This Faunus, which his stealth cast  
was than comen to the cave  
And fond they were all save  
without noise, and in he went  
The dark night his sight blended  
And yet it happened him to go  
where jolen a bed though  
was laid alone for to sleep  
But for he would take keep  
whose bed it was, he made assay  
And of a lion, where he lay  
The cote he found, and eke he feeleth  
The mace, and than his heart keleth  
That there durst he not abide  
But stalketh upon every side  
And sought about with his hand  
That other bed till that he fond  
where lay bewympled a visage  
though was he glad in his courage  
For he her kirtle fond also  
And eke her mantel both two  
Bespredde upon the bed aloft  
He made him naked than, and soft  
Into the bed unware he crept  
where Hercules that time slept  
And wend well it were she  
And thus in stead of jole  
Anon he profreth him to love  
But he, which felt a man above  
This Hercules him threw to ground  
So sore, that they have him found  
Lyggende there upon the morrow  
And though was nought a little sorrow  
That Faunus of himself made  
But else they were all glade  
And lough him to scorn about  
Saba with Nymphs all a rout  
Came down to look, how that it feared  
And when that they the sooth heard  
He was beiaped overall  
¶ My son be thou ware with all  
To seche such mycheryes  
But if thou have the better aspyes  
In aunter if the so betide  
As Faunus did thilk tide  
whereof thou might be shamed so  
¶ mine holy father certes no  
But if I had right good leave  
Such mycherye I think leave  
My faint heart will not serve  
For maugre would I not deserve  
In thilk place, where I love  
But for ye tolden here above  
Of covetise and his pillage  
If there be more of that lineage  
which toucheth to my shrift I pray  
That ye thereof me would say  
So that I may the vice eschew  
¶ Son if I by order show  
The vices as they stand a row  
Of covetise, thou shalt know  
There is yet one, which is the last  
In whom there may no virtue last  
For he with god himself debateth  
whereof that all the heaven him hateth   
Sacrilegus tantum furto loca sacra prophanat  
Vt sibi sint agri, sic domus alma dei,  
Nec locus est, in quo non temptat amans, ꝙ amat  
Si quae posse nequit, carpere velle capit.   

¶ Hic tractat super ultima Cupiditatis specie, que sacrilegium dicitur, cuius furum ea que altissimo sanctificantur bona depredans ecclesie tantum spoliis insidiatur.  

¶ The high god, which all good  
Purveyed hath for man's food  
Of clothes and of meet and drink  
Bade Adam, that he should swink  
To gotten him his sustenance  
And eke he set an ordinance  
Upon a law of Moses  
That though a man be haveless  
yet shall be not by theft steel  
But now a days there been feel  
That will no labour undertake  
But what they may by stealth take  
They hold it sykerlyche won  
And thus the law is ouerronne  
which god hath set, and namely  
with 'em that so untruly  
The goods rob of holy church  
The theft, which they than wyrche  
By name is cleped sacrilege  
Again the whom I think allege  
Upon the points as we been taught  
Stont sacrilege, and else nought  
The first point is for to say  
when that a thief shall steel away  
The holy thing from holy place   

The second is if he purchase  
By way of theft unholy thing  
which he upon his knowleyginge  
From holy place away took  
The third point, as saith the book  
Is such, as where as ever it be  
In wood, in field, or in city  
Shall no man steel by no wise  
That hallowed is to the service  
Of god, which all things wot  
But there is neither cold ne hot  
which he for god or man will spare  
So that the body may well far  
And that he may the world escape  
The heaven him thinketh is but a jape  
And thus the sooth for to tell  
He riseleth both book and bell  
So forth with all the remnant  
To gods house appertinaunte  
where that he should bid his bede  
He doth his theft in holy stead  
And taketh what thing he fynt therein  
For when be seeth, that he may win  
He wondeth for no cursidnesse  
That been breaketh the holiness  
And doth to god no reverence  
For be hath lost his conscience  
That though the pressed therefore corpse  
He saith, he fareth not the worse  
And for to speak it other wise  
what man that lasseth the franchise  
And taketh of holy church his prey  
I not what beads he shall pray  
when he fro god, which hath yive all  
The purparty in special  
which unto Christ himself is due  
By nemeth, he may not well eschew  
The pain coming afterward  
For he hath made his forward  
with sacrilege for to dwell  
which hath his heritage in hell    

¶ Hic tractat praecipue de tribus sacrilegis, quorum unus fuit Antiochus, altar Nabuzardan, tertius Nabugodonosor.  
¶ And if we read of th'old law  
I find write in thilk law  
Of princes, how there weren three  
Culpable sore in this degree  
That one of 'em was cleped thus  
The proud king Antiochus  
That other Nabuzardan height  
which of his cruelty behyght  
The temple to destroy and waste  
And so he did in all haste  
The third, which was after shamed  
was Nabugodonosor named  
And he Jerusalem put under  
Of sacrilege and many a wonder  
There in the holy temple he wrought  
which Balthasar his heir about.   

☞ Nota de scripta in pariete tempore regis Balthasar que fuit, Mane Techel Phares.  

¶ when Mane Techel Phares write  
was on the wall, as thou might wite  
So as the bible it hath declared  
But for all that it is nought spared  
yet now a day, that men ne pylle  
And maken argument and skill  
To sacrilege as it belongeth  
For what man that there after longeth  
He taketh none heed what he doth  
And if a man shall tell sooth  
Of guile, and of subtlety  
Is none so sly in his degree  
To feign a thing for his beyete  
As is this vice of which I treat  
He can so priviliche pike  
He can so well his words slyke  
To put away suspicion  
That in his excusation  
There shall no man default find   

And thus full oft men be blind  
That stonden of his word deceived  
Ere his queintise be perceived  
But nevertheless yet other while  
For all his stealth, and all his guile  
Of that he would his work forsake  
He is attaint, and overtake  
whereof thou shalt a tale read.    

☞ HIC LOQVITUR DE 〈◊〉 ●ni laruata conscientia sacrilegium sibi licere ●●●●●nt. Et narrat, quod cum quidam Lucius ●●●●cus famosus et imperatori notus deum 〈◊〉 Aro●●mem in Templo Rome de anulo suo, 〈◊〉 et barba aurea spoliasset/ ipse tandem ●●●●ebensus, ei coram imperatore accusatus, ●●●ter se excusando eit: Anulum a deo recepi, 〈◊〉 ●se digito protenso ex sua largitate anu●●m l●nc gratiose mihi obtulit, pallium ex lamine a reo constructum tuli: quia aurum maxime ●●●●eresum et frigidum naturaliter consistit. 〈◊〉 nec in estate, propter, pondus nec in hyeme 〈◊〉 te● frigus ad dei vestes utile fuit: barbam a 〈…〉 Qui ipsum patri suo assimulare volui. 〈◊〉 et Apollo stetit absque barba/ innenis appa●●t. Et ●ic ea que gessi non ex furto sed ex hone●ate processisse manifest declaram.  

¶ ere Rome came to the creance  
Of Christis faith it fell perchance  
Cesar, which tho was emperor  
Him list for to done honour  
Unto the temple Apollinis  
And made an image upon this  
The which was cleped Apollo  
was none so rich in Rome though   

Of plate of gold a herd he had  
The which his breast all over spread   

Of gold also without fail  
His mantel was of large entail  
Be set with perrey all about  
Forth right he 'straught his finger out  
Upon the which he had a ring  
To seen it was a rich thing  
A fine carbuncle for the nonce  
Most precious of all stones   

And fell that time in Rome thus  
There was a clerk one Lucius  
A courtier, a famous man  
Of every wit somewhat he can  
Out take that him lacketh reule  
His own estate to guide and rule  
How so it stood of his speaking  
He was not wise in his doing  
But every riot at last  
might needs fall, and may not last  
After the need of his desert  
So fell this clerk in poverty  
And wist not how for to rise  
whereof in many a sundry wise  
He cast his wits here and there  
He looketh nigh, he looketh far  
Till on a time that he come  
Into the temple, and heed nome  
where that the god Apollo stood  
He sigh the riches, and the good  
And thought he would by some weigh  
The treasure pick and steel away  
And thereupon so sleyghly wrought  
That his purpose about he brought  
And went away unaperceved  
Thus hath the man his god deceived  
His ring, his mantel, and his beard  
As he which nothing was afeard  
All privily with him he bore  
And when the wardens were ware  
Of that her god despoiled was  
Hempskirk thought it was a wonder case  
How that a man for any weal  
Durst in so holy place steel  
And namely so great a thing  
This tale came unto the king  
And was through spoken overall  
But for to know in special  
what manner man hath do the deed  
They soughten help upon the need  
And maden calculation  
whereof by demonstration  
The man was found with the good  
In judgement and when he stood  
The king hath asked of him   

Say thou unsilly Lucius  
why hast thou done this sacrilege?   

My lord if I the cause allege  
Quoth he again, me thinketh this  
That I have do nothing amiss  
Three points there been, which I have do  
whereof the first point stant so  
That I the ring have take away  
Unto that point this will I say  
when I the god beheld about  
I sigh/ how he his hand 'straught out  
And proffered me the ring to give  
And I, which would gladly live  
Out of poverty, through his largesse  
It underfange, so that I guess  
And thereof am I nought to wite   

And overmore I will me quite  
Of gold that I the mantel took  
Gold in his kind, as saith the book  
Is heavy both and cold also  
And for that it was heavy so  
Me thought it was no garment  
Unto the god convenient  
To clothen him the summer tide  
I thought upon that other side  
How gold is cold, and such a cloth  
By reason ought to be loath  
In winter time for the chele  
And thus thynkende thoughts feel  
As I mine eye about cast  
His large beard than at last  
I sigh, and thought anon therefore  
How that his father him before  
which stood upon the same place  
was berdles, with a youngly face  
And in such wise, as ye have herd  
I took away the sons beard  
For that his father had none  
To make 'em lyche, and here upon  
I ask for to be excused  
¶ Lo thus where sacrilege is used  
A man can feign his conscience  
And right upon such evidence  
In loves cause if I shall treat  
There been of such small and great  
If they no leisure find else  
They will not wonde for the belles  
Ne though they see the priest at mass  
That will they leten overpass  
If that they find her love there  
They stand and tell in her ere  
And ask of god none other grace  
while they been in that holy place  
But ere they gone some advantage  
There will they have, and some pillage  
Of goodly words, or of behest  
Or else they take at lest  
Out of her hand a ring or glove  
So nigh the weather they will hove  
As who saith she shall not foryet  
Now I this token of her have get   

Thus hallow they the high feast  
Such theft may no church areste  
For all is leeful that hem liketh  
To whom that else it myslyketh  
And eke right in the self kind  
In great cities men may find  
This lusty folk, that make 'em gay  
And wait upon the holy day  
In churches, and in mynstres eke  
They gone the women for to seek  
And where that such one goth about  
To fore the fairest of the rout  
where as they sitten all a rue  
There will he most his body show  
His crooked kempt, and thereupon set  
An ouche, with a chapelet  
Or else one of green leaves  
which late come out of the griefs  
All for he should seem fresh  
And thus he looketh on his flesh  
Right as an hawk, which hath a sight  
Upon the fowl, there he shall light  
And as he were a fairy  
He showeth him to for her eye  
In holy place where they sit  
Al for to make her hearts flit   

His eye no where will abide  
But look and pry on every side  
On her and her, as him best liketh  
And other while a 'mong he seeketh   

thinketh one of 'em that was for me  
And so there thinken two or three  
And yet he loveth none of all  
But where as ever his schaunce fall  
And nevertheless to say a sooth  
The cause why that he so doth  
Is for to steel an heart or two  
Out of the church ere that he go  
And as I said it here above  
All is that sacrilege of love  
For well may be that he stealeth away  
That he never after yield may   

Tell me for thy my son anon  
Hast thou do sacrilege or none  
As I have said in this manner  
¶ My father as of this matter  
I will you tell readily  
what I have do, but truly  
I may excuse mine intent  
That I never yet to church went  
In such manner as ye me shrive  
For no woman that is on live  
The cause why I have it last  
May be, for I unto that craft  
Am nothing able for so steel  
Though there be women not so feel  
But yet will I not say this  
when I am there my lady is  
In whom lieth holy my quarrel  
And she to church/ or to chappele  
will go to matins or to mess  
That time I wait well and guess  
●o church I come, and there I stand  
A●● though I take a book on hand  
〈◊〉 countenance is on the book  
〈◊〉 toward her is all my look  
〈◊〉 is fall, that I pray  
Unto my god, an somewhat say  
Of pater noster, or of crede  
〈◊〉 is for that I would speed  
So that my bede in holy church  
There might some miracle wirche  
●y ladies heart for to change  
which ever hath he to me so strange  
So that all my devotion  
And all my contemplation  
with all mine heart and my courage  
Is only set on her image  
And ever I wait upon the tide  
If she look any thing aside  
That I me may of her advice  
Anon I am with covetise  
So smite, that me were lief  
To be in holy church a thief  
But not to steel a vestment  
For that is nothing my talon  
But I would steel, if that I might  
A glad word, or a goodly sight  
And ever my service I profere  
And namely when she will gone offer  
For than I lead her, if I may  
For somewhat would I steel away  
when I beclyppe her on the waist  
Yet at lest I steel a taste  
And other while grant mercy  
She saith and so win I thereby  
A lusty touch, a good word eke  
But all the remanant to seek  
Is fro my purpose wonder far  
So may I say, as I said err  
In holy church if that I woo  
My conscience I would allow  
Be so that up amendment  
I might get assignment  
where, for to speed in other place  
Such sacrilege I hold a grace   

And thus my father sooth to say  
In church right as in the way  
If I might aught of love take  
Such handsel have I nought forsake  
But finally I me confess  
There is in me no holiness  
while I her see in holy stead  
And yet for aught that ever I deed  
No sacrilege of her I took  
But if it were of word or look  
Or else if that I her frede  
when I toward offering her lead  
Take thereof what I take may  
For else bear I nought away  
For though I would aught else have  
All other things been so save  
And kept with such a privilege  
That I may do no sacrilege  
God wot my will nevertheless  
Though I must needs keep peace  
And maugre mine so let it pass  
My will thereto is not the lass  
If I might other wise away   

For thy my father I you pray  
Tell what you thinketh thereupon  
〈◊〉 I thereof have guilt or none  
¶ Thy will my son is for to blame  
The remanant is but a game  
That I have the told as yet  
●ut take this lore in to thy wit  
That all thing hath time and stead  
The church serveth for the bede  
The chamber is of an other speech  
But if thou wystest of the wretch  
How sacrilege it hath about  
Thou wouldest better be bithought  
And for thou shalt the more amend  
A tale I will on the dispend    

¶ Hic in amoris causa super istius vicii articulo ponit exemplum, Et narrat pro eo quod Parys Priami regis filius Helenam Menelai uxorem in quadam Grecie Insula a templo Veneris sacriligus abduxit, illa troy famosiffima obsidia ꝑ universa orbis climita diwlgata praecipue cansabat, ita quod huiusmodi sacrilegium non solum ad ipsius regis Pitami, omniumque fuorum interitum/ sed ad perpetuam urbis desolacionem vindicte fomitem ministrabat.  

¶ To all men, as who saith, know  
It is, and in the world through blow  
How that of Troy Lamedon  
To Hercules, and to jason  
when toward Colchos out of Grece  
By se seylend upon a piece  
Of land of Troy rest prayed  
But he wrothfully comeyde  
And for they found him so villain  
when they came into grece again  
with power, that they get might  
Towards Troy they hem dight  
And there they took such vengeance  
whereof stant yet the remembrance  
For they destroyed king and all  
And leften but the brent wall  
The greeks of Trojans many slow  
And prisoners they took enough  
Among the which there was one  
The kings daughter Lamedon  
Essiona the fair thing  
which unto Thelamon the king  
By Hercules, and by th'assent  
Of all the whole parliament  
was at his will give & granted  
And thus hath Grece Troy daunted  
And home they turn in such manner  
But after this, now shalt thou here  
The cause why this tale I tell  
Upon the chances that befell  
¶ King Lamedon, which deide thus  
He had a son one Priamus  
which was nought thilk time at home  
But when he heard of this he come  
And fond how the city was fall  
which he began anon to wall  
And made there a city new  
That they, which other lands knew  
though saiden that of lime and stone  
In all the world so fair was none  
And on that o side of the town  
The king let make Ilium  
That high tour, that strong place  
which was adread of no menace  
Of quarcle, nor of none engine  
And though men wolden make a mine  
No man's craft it might approach  
For it was set upon a roche  
The walls of the town about  
Hempskirk stood of all the world no doubt  
And after the proportion  
Six gates were there of the town  
Of such a form, of such entail  
That hem to see was great marvel  
The dyches weren broad & deep  
A few meirit might keep  
From all the world, as seemeth tho  
But if the god's weren foe  
Great prees unto that city drough  
So that there was of people enough  
Of burgeys that therein dwellen  
There may no mans tongue tell  
How that city was rich and good.  
¶ when all was made, & all well stood  
King Priamus though him bethought  
what they of grece whilom wrought  
And what was of her sword devoured  
And how his sister deshonoured  
with Thelamon away was lad  
And tho thynkende he waxed unglad  
And set anon a parliament  
To which the lords were assent  
In many a wise there was spoke  
How that they mighten been a wroke  
But at the last nevertheless  
They saiden all, accord and peace  
To setten every part in rest  
It thought 'em than for the best  
with reasonable amendment  
And thus was Antenor forth sent  
To ask Esyona again  
And witten what they would say   

So passeth he the see by barge  
To grece, for to say his charge  
The which he said readily  
Unto the lords by and by  
But where he spoke in grece about  
He heard not but words stout  
And namelyche of Thelamon  
The maiden would he not foregone  
He said for no manner thing  
And had him gone home to his king  
For there gate he none amend  
For aught he couth do or send   

This Antenor again goth home  
Unto his king, and when he come  
He told, in grece of that be herd  
And how that Thelamon answered  
And how they were at her above  
That they will neither peace ne love  
But every man shall done his best  
But for men sayen, that night hath rest  
The king bithought him all that night  
And early when the day was light  
He took his council of this matter  
And they accord in this manner  
That he withouten any let  
A certain time should set  
A parliament to been advised  
And in this wise it was advised  
Of parliament he set a day  
And that was in the month of May  
This Priamus had in his yght  
A wife, and Hecuba she byght  
By whom that time eke had he  
Sons five, and daughters three  
Besyden hem and thirty more  
And weren knights also tho  
But not upon his wife beget  
But else where he might hem get  
Of women, which he had know  
Such was the world that ●ilke th●●●●  
So that he was of children rich  
So thereof was no man him lyche   

Of parliament the day was come  
There been lords all and some  
though was pronounced and purposed  
And all the cause was 'em disclosed  
How Antenor in grece feared  
They sitten all still and heard  
And though spoke every man about  
There was alleged many a doubt  
And many a proud word spoke also  
But for the most part as though  
They wisten, not what was the best  
Or for to war, or for to rest  
But he that was without fere  
Hector among the lords there  
His tale told in such a wise  
And said: Lords ye been wise  
Ye known this/ as well as I  
Above all other most worthy  
Stant now in grece the manhood  
Of worthiness and of knighthood  
For who so will it well agrope  
To hem belongeth all Europe  
which is the third part even  
Of all the world under the heaven  
And we be but of folk a few  
So were it reason for to eschew  
The peril, ere we fall therein  
Better is to leave than begin  
Thing, which as may not been achieved  
He is not wise/ that find him grieved  
And doth so, that his grieve be more  
For who that looketh all tofore  
And will not see, what is behind  
He may full oft his harms find  
wycke is to strive, and have the worse  
we have encheason for to corpse  
This wot I well, and for to hate  
The greeks, but ere that we debate  
with 'em, that been of such a might  
It is full good, that every wight  
Be of himself right well bethought  
But as for me thus say I nought  
For while that my life will stand  
If that ye take were in hand  
Fall it to the best, or to the wert  
I shall my seluen be the ferst  
To greven hem, what ever I may  
I wool not once say nay  
To thing, which that your council deemeth  
For unto me well more it quemeth  
The were certes than the peace  
But this I say nevertheless  
As me belongeth for to say  
Now shape ye the best way  
¶ when Hector hath said his advice  
Next after him though spoke Paris  
which was his brother, and allayed  
what him best thought, thus he said   

Strong thing it is to suffer wrong  
And suffer shame is more strong  
But we have suffered both two  
And for all that yet have we do  
what so we might to reform  
The peace, when we in such a form  
Sent Antenor, as ye well know  
And they her great words blow  
Upon her wrongful deeds eke  
And who that will not himself meek  
To peace, and list no reason take  
Men sayne reason will him forsake  
For in the multitude of men  
Is not the strength, for with ten  
It hath be seen in true quarrel  
Ayene an bonderd false, deal  
And had the better of god's grace  
Thus hath befall in many place  
And if it like unto you all  
I will assay how so it fall  
Our enemies if I may grieve  
For I have caught a great believe  
Upon a point I will declare   

This ender day as I 'gan far  
To hunt unto the great heart  
which was tofore mine hounds start  
And every man went on his side  
Him to pursue, and I to ride  
Began to chase, and sooth to say  
within a while out of my way  
I road, and nyst where I was  
And sleep me caught, and on the grass  
Beside a well I layed me down  
To sleep, and in a vision  
To me the god Mercury came  
Goddesses three with him he name  
Minerva, Venus, and juno  
And in his hand an apple though  
He held of gold, with letters write  
And this he did me to wite  
How that they put 'em upon me  
That to the fairest of 'em three  
Of gold that apple should I give  
with each of 'em, though was I shrive  
And each one fair me behyght  
But Venus said, if that she might  
That apple of my yefte get  
She would it nevermore foryete  
And said, how that in grece land  
She would bring in to mine hand  
Of all this earth the fairest  
So that me thought it for the best  
To her and give the apple though  
Thus hope I well, if that I go  
That she for me will so ordain  
That they matter for to plain  
shul have, or that I come again  
Now have ye herd, that I will say  
Say ye, what stant in your avys  
And every man though said his  
And sundry causes they record  
But at last they accord  
That Paris shall to grece wend  
And thus the parliament took end,  
¶ Cassandra when she heard of this  
The which to Paris sister is  
Anon she 'gan to weep and weyle  
And said alas, what may us eyle  
Fortune with her blind wheel  
Ne will nought let us stand weal  
For this I dare well undertake  
That if Paris his way take  
As it is said, that he shall do  
we been for ever than undo  
The which Cassandra then height  
In all the world as it beareth sight  
In books, as men find write  
Is that Sibille, of whom ye wite  
That all men yet clepe sage  
when that she wist of this voyage  
How Paris shall to grece far  
No woman might worse fare  
Ne sorrow more than she did  
And right so in the same stead  
feared Helenus, which was her brother  
Of prophecy and such another  
And all was hold but a jape  
So that the purpose, which was shape  
Or were 'em lief, or were 'em loath  
was hold: and in to Grece goth  
This Paris, with his retenance  
And as it fell upon his chance  
Of Grece he londeth in an isle  
And him was told, the same while  
Of folk/ which he began to freyne  
though was in thyle queen Heleyne  
And eke of countries there about  
Of ladies many a lusty rout  
with much worthy people also  
And why they comen thither though  
The cause stood in such a wise  
For worship and for sacrifice  
That they to Venus' wolden make  
As they tofore had undertake  
Some of good will, and some of bihest  
For than was her by he fest  
within a temple, which was there   

when Paris wist, what they were  
Anon he shope his ordinance  
To gone to done his obeisance  
●o Venus, on her holy day  
A●d did upon his best array   

with great richesses he him behongeth  
〈◊〉 to such a lord belongeth  
He was nought armed nevertheless  
B●t as it were in land of peace  
And thus he goth forth out of ship  
A●d taketh with him his fellowship  
〈◊〉 such manner, as I you say  
Unto the temple he held his way  
¶ Tiding/ which goth overall  
To great and small forth withal  
Come to the queens ere, and told  
How Paris came, and that he would  
Do sacrifice to Venus  
And when she heard tell thus  
She thought/ how that it ever be  
That she will him abide and see   

Forth cometh Paris with glad visage  
In to the temple on pilgrimage  
where unto Venus the goddess  
He giveth, and offereth great richesse  
And prayeth her, that he pray would   

And than aside he 'gan behold  
And see, where that this lady stood  
And he forth in his fresh mode  
Goth there she was, & made her cheer  
As he well couth in his manner  
That of his words such pleasance  
She took, that all her aqueyntance  
Als farforth as the heart lay  
He stolen/ ere that he went away  
So goth he forth, and took his leave  
And thought anon, as it was eve  
He would done his sacrilege  
That many a man should it abedge  
when he to ship again was come  
To him he hath his counsel nome  
And all devised the matter  
In such a wise, as thou shalt here   

within night all privily  
His men he warneth by and by  
That they be ready armed soon  
For certain thing, which is to done  
And they anon been ready all  
And eachone other 'gan to call  
And went 'em out upon the strand  
And took a purpose there a land  
Of what thing that they wolden do  
Toward the temple and forth they go   

So fell it of devotion  
Heleyne in contemplation  
with many an other worthy wight  
was in the temple and work all night  
To bid and pray unto th'image  
Of Venus, as was than usage  
So that Paris right as him list  
In to the temple ere they it wist  
Came with his men all suddenly  
And all at ones set askry  
In 'em, which in the temple were  
For though was moche people there  
But of defence was no boot  
So suffren they, that suffer more   

Paris unto the queen went  
And her in both his arms bent  
with him, and with his fellowship  
And forth they here her unto ship  
Up goth the sail, and forth they went  
And such a wind fortune hem sent  
Till they the haven of Troy caught  
where out of ship anon they 'straught  
And gone 'em forth toward the town  
The which came with procession  
Ayene Paris, to seen his prey  
And every man began to say  
To Paris, and to his fellowship  
All that they couthen of worship  
was none so little man in Troy  
That he ne made mirth and joy  
Of that Paris had wonnen Heleyne  
But all that mirth is sorrow and pain  
To Helenus, and to Cassandre  
For they it tolden shame and slander  
And loss of all the common grace  
That Paris out of holy place  
By stealth hath take a man's wife  
whereof he shall lose his life  
And many a worthy man thereto  
And all the city be for do  
which never shall be made again  
And so it fell, right as they say  
The sacrilege, which he wrought  
was cause, why the greeks sought  
Unto the town, and it belay  
And wolden never part away  
Till what by sleight, & what by strength  
They had it wonnen in breed and length  
And brent/ and slain, that was within   

Now see my son such a sin  
Is sacrilege in holy stead  
Beware therefore, and bid thy bede  
And do nothing in holy church  
But that thou might by reason work   

And eke take heed of Achilles  
when be unto his love cheese  
Polixena, that was also  
In holy temple of Apollo  
which was the cause why he dyede  
And all his lust was laid aside   

And Troilus upon Crescyde  
Also his first love laid  
In holy place, and how it feared  
As who saith, all the world it heard  
Forsake he was for diomed  
such was of love his last meed  
For thy my son I would read  
By this emsample as thou might read  
Seche else where thou wilt thy grace  
And ware the well in holy place  
what thou to love do or speak  
In aunter if it so be wreak  
As thou hast heard me tell tofore  
And take good heed also therefore  
Upon the form of avarice  
More than of any other vice  
I have divided in parties  
The branches, which of companies  
Through out the world in general  
Be now the leders over all  
Of covetise, and of perjury  
Of false brocage, and of usury  
Of scarceness, and of unkyndeshyp  
which never drough to fellowship   

Of robbery and of prive stealth  
which due is for the worlds wealth   

Of ravin and of sacrilege  
which maketh the conscience agrege  
All though it may riches attain  
It flowereth but it shall not greyne  
Unto the fruit of rightwiseness  
But who that would do largesse  
Upon the rule, as it is you  
So might a man in troth live  
Toward his god, and eke also  
Toward the world for both two  
Largesse awaiteth as belongeth  
To neither part, that he ne wrongeth  
He keepeth himself, he keepeth his friends  
So stant he safe to both his ends  
That he exceedeth no measure  
So well he can himself measure  
whereof my son thou shalt wite  
So as the philosophe hath write.   
Prodigus et parcus duo sunt extremaque largus  
Est horum medius plebis in ore bonus.   

¶ Nota hic de virtute largitatis que ad oppositum avaricie inter duo extrema videlicet percimoniam et prodigalitem specialiter consistit.  

¶ Betwyx the two extremities  
Of vice, stont the properties  
Of virtue, and to prove it so  
Take avarice, and take also  
The vice of prodigalite  
Betwyx him liberality  
(which is the virtue of largesse)  
Stant, and governeth his noblesse  
For though two vices in discord  
stand ever, as I find of record  
So that between her two debate  
Largesse ruleth his estate  
For in such wise as avarice  
As I tofore have told the vice  
Through straight holding, & through scarceness  
Stant contrary to largesse  
Right so stant prodigalite  
reverses, but nought in such degree  
For so as avarice spareth  
And for to keep his treasure careth  
That other all his own and more  
Ayene the wise man's lore  
giveth and dispendeth here and there  
So that him reacheth never where  
while he may borrow, he will dispend  
Till at last he saith, I wend  
But that is spoken all to late  
For than is poverty at gate  
And taketh him even by the sleeve  
For erst will he no wisdom leave  
And right as avarice is sin  
That would his treasure keep & win  
Right so is prodigalite  
But of largesse in his degree  
which even stant between the two  
The high god and man also  
The virtue each of hem commendeth  
For he him seluen first amendeth  
That over all his name spreadeth  
And to all other, where it needeth  
He giveth his good in such a wise  
That he maketh many a man arise  
which else should fall low  
Largesse may not been unknown  
For what land that he reigneth inn  
It may not fail for to win  
Through his desert love and grace  
where it shall fail in other place  
And thus between to much and light  
Largesse, which is nought to wite  
Holt ever forth the middle way  
But who that will torn away  
From that, to prodigalyte  
Anon he leaveth the property  
Of virtue, and goth to the vice   

For in such wise as Avarice  
leaveth for scarceness his good name  
Right so that other is to blame  
which through his waste mesur exceedeth  
For no man wot what harm it breedeth  
while that a man hath good to give  
with great rowtes he may leave  
And hath his friends overall  
And everich of him tell shall  
The while he hath his full pack  
They say: a good fellow is jacke  
when it faileth at last  
Anon his price they overcast  
For than is there none other law  
But jacke was a good fellow  
when they him pour and needy see  
They let him pass, and fair well he  
All that he wend of company  
Is than turned to folly   

But now to speak in other kind  
Of love, a man may such find  
That where they come in every rout  
They cast and waste her love about  
Till all her time is overgone  
And than have they love none  
For who that loveth overall  
It is no reason, that he shall  
Of love have any property  
For thy my son advise the  
If thou of love hast be to large  
For such a man is not to charge  
And if it so be, that thou hast  
dispended all thy time in waist  
And set thy love in sundry place  
Though thou the substance of thy grace  
Less at the last it is on wonder  
For he that put him seluen under  
As who saith, common over all  
He loseth the love special  
Of every one, if she be wise  
For love shall 'nough bear his prize  
By reason/ when it passeth one  
So have I seen full many one  
That were of love weal at ease  
which after fell in great disease  
Through waist of love, that they spent  
In sundry places where they went.   

Right so my son I ask of the  
If thou with prodigalite  
Hast here and there thy love wasted?  
¶ My father nay, but I have tasted  
In many a place, as I have go  
And yet love I never one of though  
But for to drive forth the day  
For leaveth well, my heart is ay  
withouten more for evermore  
All upon one, for I no more  
Desire, but her love alone  
So make I many a prive moan  
For well I feel I have dispended  
My long love, and not amended  
My speed: for ought I find yet  
If this be waste unto your wit  
Of love and prodigalite  
Now good father deemeth ye  
But of o thing I will me shrive  
That I shall for no love thrive  
But if herself will me relieve.  
¶ My son that I may well leave  
And nevertheless me seemeth so  
For aught that thou hast yet misdo  
Of time, which thou hast spended  
It may with grace been amended  
For thing which may be worth the cost  
Perchance is neither waste ne lost  
For what thing stant on adventure  
That can no worlds creature  
Tell in certain, how it shall wend  
Till he thereof may seen an end  
So that I note as yet therefore  
If thou my son hast won or lore  
For oft time, as it is seen  
when summer hath lost all his green  
And is with winter waste and bare  
That him is left nothing to spare  
All is recovered in a throw  
The cold winds overblow  
And stilled been the sharp showers  
And sodeinlyche again his flowers  
The summer happeneth, and is rich  
And so percase thy grace is lyche.   

My son though thou be now poor  
Of love: yet thou might recover  
¶ My father certes grant mercy  
ye have me taught so readily  
That ever while I live shall  
The better I may be ware with all  
Of thing, which ye have said ere this  
But evermore how that it is  
Toward my shrift, as it belongeth  
To wit of other points me longeth  
whereof that ye me wolden teach  
with all my heart I you beseech.    
Explicit liber quintus.   

☞ HIG IN SEXTO LIBRO tractare intendit de illo capitali vicio, quod gula dicitur, nec non et eiusdem duabus solummodo speciebus, videlicet ebrietate et delicacia/ ex quibus human concupiscency oblectamentum habund ancive augmentatur.  
¶ Incipit liber Sextus.  

Est gula, que nostrum maculavit prima parentum  
Ex verito pomo quo dol et omnis homo,  
Haec agit, ut corpus animae contraria spi●●●  
Quo caro fit crassa, spiritus atque macer.  
Intus et exterius si quae virtutis habentur  
Potibus ebrietas conviciata ruit.  
Mersa sapore labis, q̄ Bacchus inebriat hospes,  
Indignata Venus oscula raro premit.   

THe great sin original  
which every man in general  
Upon his birth hath enuennomed  
In paradies it was mystimed  
when Adame of thilk apple boat  
His sweet morsel was to hot  
which deadly made the mankind  
And in the books as I find  
This vice, which so out of rule  
Hath set us all, is cleped Gule  
Of which the branches been so great  
That of 'em all I will not treat  
But onlyche as touchende of two  
I think to speak and of no more  
whereof the first is drunkship  
which beareth the cup fellowship  
Full many a wonder doth that vice  
He can make of a wysman nice  
And of a fool, that him shall seem  
That he can all the law dame  
And give every judgement  
which longeth to the firmament  
Both of the star, and of the moan  
And thus he maketh a great clerk soon  
Of him, that is a lewd man  
There is no thing, which he ne can  
while he hath drunkship on hand  
He knoweth the see, he knoweth the strand  
He is a noble man of arms  
And yet no strength is in his arms  
There he was strong enough tofore  
with drunkship it is forlese  
And all is changed his estate  
And waxeth anon so feeble and mate  
That he may neither go ne come  
But all together he is benumb  
The power both of hand & foot  
So that algate abide he moat  
And all his wits he foryete  
The which is to him such a let  
That he wot never, what he doth  
He which is false, ne which is sooth  
Ne which is day, ne which is night  
That the time he knoweth no wight  
That he ne wot so moche as this  
what manner thing him seluen is  
Or he be man, or he be beast  
That hold I right a sorry feast  
when he, that reason understood  
So sodeinlyche is wax wood  
Or else lyche the dead man  
which neither go ne speak can  
Thus oft he is to bed brought  
But yet woteth he where he lieth nought  
Till he arise upon the morrow  
And than he saith: O which a sorrow  
It is for to be drynkeles  
So that half drunk in such a rees  
with dry mouth be start him up  
And saith: bails sa the cup  
That made him lose his wit at eve  
Is than a morrow all his believe  
The cup is all that ever him pleaseth  
And also that him most diseseth  
It is the cup whom he serveth  
which all cares from him kerneth  
And all bales to him bringeth  
In joy he weepeth, in sorrow he singeth  
For drunkship is so divers  
It may no while stand invers  
He drinketh the wine, but at last  
The wine drinketh him, & bynt him fast  
And layeth him drunk by the wall  
As him, which is his bond thrall  
And all in his subjection  
And lyche to such condition  
As for to speak it otherwise  
It falleth that the most wise  
Ben other while of love adoted  
And so biwhapped and assoted  
Of drunken men, that never yet  
was none, which half so lost his wit  
Of drink, as they of such things do  
which cleped is the jolly woe  
And wexen of her own thought  
So drunk, that they know nought  
what reason is, or more or less  
Such is the kind of that sickness  
And that is not for lack of brain  
But love is of so great a main  
That where he taketh a heart on hand  
There may nothing his might withstand  
The wise Solomon was nome  
And strong Samson overcome  
The knightly David him ne might  
Rescue, that he with the sight  
Of Bersabe ne was bestade   

Virgile also was overlade  
And Aristotle was put under  
¶ For thy my son it is no wonder  
if thou be drunk of love among  
which is above all other strong  
And if so is, that thou so be  
Tell me thy shrift in privity  
It is no shame of such a thewe  
Of young man to be dronkelewe  
Of such physic as I can a part  
And as me seemeth by that art  
Thou shouldest by phisonomye  
Be shapen to that malady  
Of love drunk, and that is ruth  
¶ A holy father all is truth  
That ye me tell, I am be know  
That I with love am so bethrowe  
And all my heart is so through sunk  
That I am verylyche drunk  
And yet I may both speak and go  
But I am overcome so  
And turned fro myself so clean  
That oft I wot not what I mean  
So that excusen I ne may  
My heart fro the first day  
That I came to my lady kythe  
I was never yet sober sith  
where I her see, or see her nought  
with musing of mine own thought  
Of love, which my heart assaileth  
So drunk I am, that my wit faileth  
And all my brain is overturned  
And my manner so mystorned  
That I foryete all that I can  
And stand like a mased man  
That oft when I should play  
It maketh me draw out of the way  
In sullen place by myself  
As doth a labourer to delfe  
which can no gentylmans' cheer  
Or else as a lewd frere  
when he is put to his penance  
Right so lose I my countenance  
And if it needs so betide  
That I in company abide  
There as I must dance and sing  
The hove dance and carolling  
Or for to go the new foot  
I may not well have up my foot  
If that she be not in the way  
For than is all my mirth away  
And wax anon of thought so full  
whereof my limbs been so dull  
I may unneaths gone the pas  
For thus it is, and ever it was  
when I on such thoughts muse  
The lust and mirth, that men use  
when I see not my lady byme  
All is foryete for the time  
So farforth, that my wits change  
And all lusts fro me straungen  
That they say all truly  
And swear, that it am not I  
For as the man, which oft drinketh  
The wine, that in his stomach sinketh  
waxeth drunk, and witless for a throw  
Right so my lust is overthrow  
And of mine own thought so mate  
I wax, that to mine estate  
There is no limb will me serve  
But as a drunken man I swerver  
And suffer such a passion  
That men have great compassion  
And everich by himself marveleth  
what thing it is, that me so aileth  
Such is the manner of my woe  
which time that I am her fro  
Till eft again that I her see  
But than it were a nycete  
To tell you how that I far  
For when I may upon her stare  
Her womanhood, her gentleness  
Mine heart is full of such gladness  
That overpasseth so my wit  
That I wot never where it sit  
But am so drunken of that sight  
Me thinketh, that for the time I might  
Right start through the whole wall  
And than I may well, if I shall  
Both sing and dance, and leap about  
And hold forth the lusty rout  
But nevertheless it falleth so  
Full oft that I fro her go  
Ne may, but as it were a stake  
I stand/ advisement to take  
And look upon her fair face  
That for the while out of the place  
For all the world ne might I wend  
Such lust cometh than into my mind  
So that without meet and drink  
Of lusty thoughts, which I think  
Me thinketh I might stonden ever  
And so it were to me liefer  
Than such a sight for to leave  
If that she would give me leave  
To have so much of my will  
And thus thinkende I stand still  
without blenchinge of mine eye  
Right as me thought that I say  
Of paradies the most joy  
And so there while I me reioy  
Unto mine heart a great desire  
The which is hotter than the fire  
All sodenlyche upon me runneth  
That all my thought within brenneth  
And am so farforth overcome  
That I note where I am become  
So that among though hearts strong  
In stead of drink I underfong  
A thought so sweet in my courage  
That never pyement ne vernage  
was half so sweet for to drink  
For as I would, than I think  
As though I were at mine above  
For so through drunk I am of love  
That all that my soty deemeth  
Is sooth, as than it to me seemeth  
And while I may though thoughts keep  
Me thinketh as though I were a sleep  
And that I were in god's barm  
But when I see mine own harm  
And that I suddenlike awake  
Out of my though, and heed take  
How that the sooth stant in deed  
Than is my sickerness in dread  
And joy turneth in to woe  
So that the heat is all ago  
Of such soty, as I was inn  
And than againward I begin  
To take of love a new thirst  
which me grieveth all there worst  
For than cometh the blanch Fever  
with chele, and maketh me so to chever  
And so it coldeth at mine heart  
That wonder is, how I asterte  
In such a point that I ne die  
For certes there was never key  
Ne frozen is upon the wall  
More inly cold, than I am all  
And thus suffer I the hot chele  
which passeth other pains feel,  
In cold I bren, and freeze in heat  
And than I drink a better-swete  
with dry lip, and eyes weet  
Lo thus I temper my diet  
And take a draft of such releases  
That all my wit is herteles  
And all my heart there it sit  
Is, as who saith witoute wit  
So that I prove it by reason  
In making of comparison  
There may no difference be  
Betwyx a drunken man and me  
But all the wert of everichone  
Is ever, that I thirst in one  
The more that my heart drinketh  
The more I may, so that me thinketh  
My thirst shall never be acquaint  
God shield, that I be not dreynt  
Of such a superfluite  
For weal I feel in my degree  
That all my wit is overcast  
whereof I am the more aghast  
That in default of ladyship  
Perchance in such a drunkship  
I may be dead, ere I beware   

For certes father this I dare  
Beknowe, and in my shrift tell  
But I a draft have of that well  
In which my death is and my life  
My joy is turned in to strife  
That sober shall I never worth  
But as a drunken man for worth  
So that in land, where I far  
The lust is lore of my welfare  
As he that may no boat find   

But this me thinketh a wonder kind  
As I am drunk of that I drink  
Of these thoughts that I think  
Of which I find no releases  
But if I might nevertheless  
Of such a drink as I covet  
So as me lust have o receit  
I should assobre and far we'll  
But so fortune upon her wheel  
On high me deigneth not to set  
For evermore I find a let   

The botiler is not my friend  
which hath the key by the bend  
I may well wish, and that is waste  
For well I wot so fresh a taste  
(But if my grace be the more)  
I shall assay nevermore   

Thus am I drunk of that I see  
For tasting is defended me  
And I can not my seluen staunch  
So that my father of this branch  
I am gylyfe, to tell troth.  
¶ My son that me thinketh routh  
For love drunk is the mischief  
Above all other the most chief  
If he lusty thought assy  
which may his sorry thirst allay  
As for the time yet it lesseth  
To him, which other joy misseth   

For thy my son above all  
Think well, how so it the befall  
And keep thy wits that thou hast  
And let 'em not be drunk in waist   

But nevertheless there is no wight  
That may withstand loves might  
But why the cause is, as I find  
But that there is diverse kind  
Of love drunk why men plaineth  
After the court, which all ordaineth  
I will the tell the manner  
Now list my son, and thou shalt here   

¶ Hic narrat secundum poetam, qualiter in suo cellario duo dolia jupiter habet, quorum primum figuoris dulcissimi/ secundum amarissimi plenum ronsistit, ita quod ille/ cui fatata est prosperitas de dulci potabit, Alter vero cui adversabitur poculum gustabit amarum.  

¶ For the fortune of every chance  
After the god's purveyance  
To man it groweth from above  
So that the speed of every love  
Is shape there, ere it befall  
For jupiter above all  
which is of gods sovereign  
Hath in his seller, as men fain  
Two tons full of love drink  
That maketh many a heart sink  
And many an heart also to fleet  
Or of the sour, or of the sweet  
That one is full of such pyement  
which passeth all intendment  
Of man's wit, if he it taste  
And maketh a ioylyfe heart in haste   

That other bitter as the gall  
which maketh a man's heart pall  
whose dronkeship is a sickness  
Through feeling of the bitterness  
cupid is botyler of both  
which to the lief, and to the loath  
giveth of the sweet, and of the sour  
That some laugh, and some louvre  
But for so moche as he blind is  
Full oft time he goth amiss  
And taketh the bad for the good  
which hindereth many a man's food  
without cause, and forthereth eke  
So been there some of love seek  
which ought of reason to be bull  
And some comen to the dole  
In hap, and as hem self lest  
Drink, undeserved of the best   

And thus this blind botiler  
giveth of the trouble in stead of cheer  
And eke cheer in stead of trouble  
Lo how he can the hearts trouble  
And maketh men drunk all upon chance  
without law of governance  
If he draw of the sweet ton  
Than is the sorrow all over run  
Of love drunk, & shall nought grieven  
So to be drunk every even  
For all is than but a game  
But when it is nought of the same  
And be the better ton draweth  
Such drunkship an heart gnaweth  
And feebleth all a man's thought  
That better him were have drunk nought  
And all his bree have eaten dry  
For than he loseth his lusty weigh  
with dronkeship, and wot not whither  
To go, the ways been so slydre  
In which he may percas so fall  
That he shall break his wits all  
And in this wise men been drunk  
After the drink they have drunk   

But all drinken not ylyke  
For some shall sing, & some shall sick  
So that it me nothing meravyleth  
My son of love that the aileth   

For I well know by thy tale  
That thou hast drunken of the dwale  
which bitter is, till god the send  
Such grace, that thou might amend   

But son thou shalt bid and pray  
In such a wise, as I shall say  
That thou the lust well attain  
Thy woeful thurstes to restrain  
Of love, and taste the sweetness  
As Bacchus did in his distress  
when bodelyche thirst him hent  
In strange lands, where he went.    

¶ Nota hic qualiter potus aliquando sicienti precibus adquiritur, Et narrat exemplum/ quod cum Bacchus de quodam bello ab Oriente repatrians in quibusdam Lybie partibus alicuius generis potum non invenit/ fusis ad jonem precibus/ apparuit/ ei aries, qui terra pede percussit/ statim que fons emanavit/ et sic potum petenti peticio prevaluit.  

¶ This Bacchus son of jupiter  
was hot, and as he went far  
By his father's assignment  
To make a were in Orient  
And great power with him he lad  
So that the higher hand he had  
And victory of his enemies  
And turneth homeward with his prize  
In such a country which was drey  
A meschiefe fell upon the weigh  
As he road with his company  
Nigh to the strands of Lybie  
There might they no drink find  
Of water, nor of other kind  
So that himself, and all his host  
were for default of drink almost  
Destroyed: and than Bacchus prayed  
To jupiter, and thus he said  
O high father, that seest all  
To whom is reason, that I shall  
Beseech, and pray in every need  
Behold my father, and take heed  
This full thirst, that we be inn  
To staunch, and grant us for to win  
And safe unto the country far  
where that our lusty loves are  
waytende upon our home coming  
And with the voice of his praying  
which herd was to the gods high  
He sigh anon tofore his eye  
A wether, which the ground hath spurned  
And where he hath it overturned  
There sprung a well fresh and clear  
whereof his own botylere  
After the lusts of his will  
gave every man to drink his fill  
And for this ilk great grace  
Bacchus upon the same place  
A rich temple let arere  
which ever should stand there  
To thrusty men in remembrance   

For thy my son after this chance  
It sit the well to taken heed  
So for to pray upon thy need  
As Bacchus prayed for the well  
And think, as thou hast heard me tell  
How grace he gradde, & grace he had  
He was no fool, that first so rad  
For selden get a dumb man land  
Take that proverb, and understand  
That words been of virtue great  
For thy to speak thou ne let  
And ask, and prey early and late  
Thy thirst to quench, and think algate  
The botiller/ which beareth the key  
Is blind, as thou hast heard me say  
And if it might so betide  
That he upon the blind side  
Parca's the sweet ton a reached  
Than shalt thou have a lusty draft  
And wax of love drunk sober   

And thus I read thou assobre  
Thine heart, in hope of such a grace  
For drunkship in every place  
To whether side that it turn  
Doth harm, & maketh a man to spurn  
And oft fall in such a wise  
where he percas may nought arise    

¶ Hic de amoris ebrietate ponit exemplum, qualiter Tristrans ob potum, quem Brangweyn in vani ei porrexit de amore bell Isolde inebriatus extitit.  
¶ And for to look in evidence  
Upon the sooth experience  
So that it hath befall ere this  
In every man's mouth it is  
How Trystram was of love drunk  
with bele I sold when they drunk  
The drink, which Brangweine hem betok  
ere that king Mark his eme her took  
To wife, as it was after know  
And eke my son, if thou wilt know  
As it hath fallen over more  
In loves cause, and what is more  
Of drunkship for to dread  
As it whilom befell in deed  
whereof thou might the better eschew  
Of drunken men that thou ne sew  
The company in no manner  
A great ensample thou shalt here   

¶ Hic de periculis ebrietatis causa in amore contingentibus narrat/ quod cum Perithous illam pulcherrimam Ipotatiam in uxorem duceret/ quosdam qui Lentauri vocabantur/ inter alios vicinos ad nupcias invitanit, qui vino imbuti/ none nupte formocitatem aspicientes, duplici ebrietate a mensa Ipotaciam a Peritho marioto suo impetu rapuerunt.  

¶ This find I write in poesy  
Of thilk fair Ipotasye  
Of whose beauty there as she was  
Spoke every man, and fell percase  
That Perythous so him sped  
That he to wife her should wed  
whereof that he great joy made  
And for he would his love glad  
again the day of marriage  
By mouth both, and by message  
His friends to the fest be prayed  
with great worship and as men said  
He hath this young lady spoused   

And when that they were all housed  
And set and served at meet  
There was no win, which may beget  
That there ne was plenty enough  
But Bacchus thilk ton drough  
whereof by way of drunkship  
The greatest of the fellowship  
were out of reason over take  
And Venus, which also hath take  
The cause most in special  
Hath give him drink forth with all  
Of thilk cup, which exciteth  
The lust, wherein a man delighteth   

And thus by double weigh drunk  
Of lust that ilk fiery fonke  
Hath made been, as who saith, half wood  
That they no reason understood  
Ne to none other thing they sayen  
But her, which to fore her eyen  
was wedded thilk same day  
That fresh wife, that lusty may  
Of her it was all that they thoughten  
And so farforth her lusts saughten  
That they, which named were  
Centauri at the feast there  
Of one assent, of one accord  
This young wife maugre her lord  
In such a rage away forth lead  
As they, which none insyght hadden  
But only to her drunken fare  
which many a man hath made misfare  
In love, als well as other weigh  
whereof, if I shall more say  
Upon the nature of this vice  
Of custom, and of exercise  
The man's grace, how it fordoth  
A tale, which was whilom sooth  
Of fools, that so drunken were  
I shall rehearse unto thine ere    

¶ Hic loquitur specialiter contra vicium illorum/ qui nimia potacione ex consuetudine ebriosi efficiuntur, Et narrat exemplum de Galba et Vitello qui potentes in Hispania principes fuerunt, sed ipse cotidiane ebrietatis potibus assuetii, tanta vicinis intulerunt enormia/ quod tandem toto conclamante populo, pena sententie capitalis in eos iudicialiter diffinita est, qui prinsquam morerentur ut penam mortis alleviarent, spontanea vim ebrietate sopiti, quasi porci semimortui gladio interierunt.  

¶ I read in a chronicle thus  
Of Galba, and of Vitellus  
The which of Spain both were  
The greatest of all other there  
And both of o condition  
After the disposition  
Of gluttony, and dronkshyp  
That was a sorry fellowship  
For this thou might well understand  
That man may well not long stand  
which is wine drunk of common use  
For he hath lore the virtues  
whereof reason should him doth  
And that was seen upon hem both  
Men say, there his no evidence  
whereof to know a difference  
Between the drunken and the wood  
For they be never nother good   

For where that wine doth wit a weigh  
wisdom hath lost the right weigh  
That he no manner vice dreadeth  
No more than a blind man thredeth  
His needle, by the son light  
No more is reason than of might  
when be with drunkship is blended  
And in this point they weren shent  
This Galba both and eke Vytelle  
Upon the cause, as I shall tell  
whereof good is to take heed  
For they two through her dronkenhede  
Of witless excitation  
Oppressed all the nation  
Of Spain: for all foul usance  
which done was of continuance  
Of 'em, which all day drunk were  
There was no wife ne maiden there  
what so they were, or fair or foul  
whom they ne taken to defoul  
whereof the land was often woe  
And eke in other things more  
They wroughten many a sundry wrong  
But how so that the day be long  
The dark night cometh at last  
God would nought, they shoulden last  
And shope the law in such a wise  
That they through doom to the juice  
B● damned for to be forlore  
But they, that had be tofore  
Inclined to all drunkenness  
Her end than bare witness  
For they in hope to assuage  
The pain of death upon the rage  
That they lass shulden feel  
Of wine let fill full a meele  
And drunken till so was befell  
That they her strengths losen all  
withouten wit of any brain  
And thus they been half deed slain  
That hem ne grieveth but a light  
¶ My son if thou be for to wit  
In any point, which I have said  
whereof thy wits been unteyde  
I read clepe 'em home again  
¶ I shall do father as ye say  
Als farforth as I may suffice  
But well I wot, that in no wise  
The drunkship of love away  
I may remue by no weigh  
It stant nought upon my fortune  
But if you list to common  
Of the second gluttony  
which cleped is delicacy  
whereof ye spoke here tofore  
Beseech I would you therefore  
¶ My son as of that ilk vice  
which of all other is the nurse  
And stant upon the retinue  
Of Venus, so as it is due  
The property how that it fareth  
The book hereafter now declareth   
Deliciae cum diviciis sunt iura potentum.  
In quibus orta Venus excitat ora gulae  
Non sunt deliciae tales, que corpora pascunt,  
Ex quibus impletus gaudia venture agit.  
Qui completus amor maiori munere gaudet.  
Cum data deliciis mens in aman te fatur.   

☞ HIC tractat super illa specie gule que delicatia nuncupatur, cuius mollicies volupivose carni personis praecipue potentibus queque compla centia corporaliter ministrat.  
¶ Of this chapter, in which we treat  
There is yet one of such diet  
To which no poor may attain  
For all is passed as payndemayne  
And sundry wine and sundry drink  
whereof that he will eat and drink  
His cooks been for him affayted  
So that his body is awaited  
That him shall lack no delight  
Als farforth as his appetite  
sufficeth to the meats hot  
whereof the lusty vice is hot  
Of Gule the delicacy  
which all the whole progeny  
Of lusty folk hath undertake  
To feed, while that he may take  
richesse, whereof to be found  
Of abstinence he wot no bound  
To what profit it should serve  
And yet physic of his conserve  
Maketh many a restrauration  
Unto his recreation  
which would be to Venus lief  
Thus for the point of his relief  
The cook, which shall his meat array  
But he the better his mouth assay  
His lords thank shall oft lose  
Ere he be served to the cheese  
For there may lack not so light  
That he ne fyut anon a wite  
But his lust be fully served  
There hath no wight his thank desued  
And yet for man's sustenance  
To keep and hold in governance  
To him that will his hele get  
Is none so good, as common meet  
For who that looketh on the books  
It saith, confection of Cooks  
A man him should well advise  
How he it took, and in what wise  
For who that useth, that he knoweth  
Full selden sickness on him groweth  
And who that useth meats strange  
Though his nature impair & change  
It is no wonder life son  
when that he doth again his won  
For in sickness this I find  
Usage is the second kind  
In love, als well as other weigh  
For as these holy books say  
The bodily delyces all  
In every point how so they fall  
Unto the soul done grievance  
And for to take in remembrance  
A tale accordant unto this  
which of great understanding is  
To man's soul reasonable  
I think tell, and is no fable   

¶ HIC PONIT EXEMPLUM contra iftos delicatos, et narrat de divite et Lazaro, quorum gefta in evangelio Lucas evidentius describit.  

¶ Of Christis word, who will it read  
How that this vice is for to dread  
In thevangile it telleth plain  
which mote algate be certain  
For Christ himself it beareth witness  
And though the clerk, and the clergesse  
In latin tongue, it read and sing  
yet for the more knowledging  
Of truth, which is good to wit  
I shall declare, as it is wriie  
In english, for thus it began  
¶ christ saith, there was a rich man  
A mighty lord of great estate  
And he was eke so delicate  
Of his clothing, that every day  
Of purpre and bice he made him gay  
And eat and drank thereto his fill  
After the lusts of his will  
And he, which all stood in delice  
And took none heed of thilk vice   

And as it should so betide  
A power lazar upon a tide  
Came to the gate, and axed meet  
But there might he nothing get  
His deadly hunger for to staunch  
For he, which had his full paunch  
Of all lusts at board  
Ne deigneth not to speak a word  
Onlyche a crumb for to give  
whereof this power might leave  
Upon the yeft of his alms  
Thus lay this power in great distress  
A cold and hongred at the gate  
For which he might go no gate  
So was he woefully beseen  
And as these holy books say  
The hounds comen fro the hail  
where that this sick man was fall  
And as he lay there for to die  
The wounds of his malady  
They lycken, for to done him ease  
But he was full of such disease  
That he may not the death escape  
But as it was that time shape  
The soul fro the body passeth  
And he, whom nothing overpasseth  
The high god up to the heaven  
Him took, where he hath set him even  
In Abraham's barm on high  
where he the heavens joy sigh  
And had all that he have would  
And fell as it befall should  
This rich man the same throw  
with sudden death was overthrow  
And forth withouten any went  
Unto the bell 'straught he went  
The fiend in to the fire him drough  
where that he had pain enough  
Of flame, which that ever brenneth  
And as his eye about runneth  
Toward the heaven he cast his look  
where that he sigh, and heed took  
How lazar set was in his see  
Als far as ever he might see  
with Abraham, and than he prayed  
Unto the patriarch, and said  
Send lazar down fro thilk seat  
And do, that he his finger wet  
In water, so that he may drop  
Upon my tongue for to stop  
The great heat, in which I burn   

But Abraham answered then  
And said to him in this wise    

Solomon. Qui obturat aures suas ad clamorē●●●●●rum, ipse clamabit, et non exaudictur.  

¶ My son, thou the might avise  
And take in to thy remembrance  
How lazar had great penance  
while he was in that other life  
But thou in all thy lust jolly  
The bodily delices soughtest  
For thy so as thou than wroughtest  
Now shalt thou take thy reward  
Of deadly pain here afterward  
In hell, which shall ever last  
And this lazar now at last  
This worlds pain is ouerronne  
In heaven and hath his life begun  
Of joy, which is endless   

But that thou preydest nevertheless  
That I shall lazar to the send  
with water on his finger end  
Thine hot tongue for to keel  
Thou shalt no such graces feel  
For to that foul place of sin  
For ever, in which thou shalt be inn  
Cometh none out of this place thither  
Ne none of you may comen hither  
Thus be ye parted now a two   

The rich againward cried though  
O Abraham, sith it so is  
That lazar may nought do me this  
which I have axed in this place  
I would pray an other grace  
For I have yet brethren five  
That with my father been a live  
together dwellende in one house  
To whom, as thou art gracious  
I pray that thou wouldest send  
Lazar, so that he might wend  
To warn 'em, how the world is went  
That afterward they be not shent  
Of such pains as they dry  
Lo this I pray, and this I cry  
How I may not myself amend   

The patriarch anon sewende  
To this prayer answered Nay  
And said him, how that every day  
His brethren might know and here  
Of Moses on earth here  
And of prophets other more  
what hem was best: and he saith no  
But if there might a man arise  
From death to life in such a wise  
To tell 'em, how that it were  
He said than of pure fere  
They shoulden well beware thereby   

Quod Abraham, nay sikerly  
For if they now will not obey  
To such, as teach 'em the weigh  
And all day teach, and all day tell  
how that it stant of heaven and hell  
They will not then taken heed  
Though it befall so in deed  
That any dead man were arreared  
To been of him no better lered  
Than of an other man on live  
¶ If thou my son canst descrive  
This tale, as Christ himself it told  
Thou shalt have cause to behold  
To see so great an evidence  
whereof the sooth experience  
Hath showed openlyche at eye  
That bodily delicacy  
Of him, which giveth none alms  
Shall after fall in great distress  
And that was seen upon the rich  
For he ne would unto his lyche  
A cromme yeven of his breed  
Than afterward when he was deed  
A drop of water him was werned  
Thus may a man's wit be learned  
Of 'em, that so delights taken  
when they with death been overtaken  
That erst was sweet is, than sour  
But he that is a governor  
Of worlds joy, if he be wise  
within his heart he set no prize  
Of all the world, and yet he useth  
The good, that he nothing refuseth  
As he, which lord is of the things  
The ouches, and the rich rings  
The cloth of gold, and the perry  
He taketh, and yet the delicacy  
He leaveth, though he were all this  
The best meet, that there is  
He eateth, and drinketh the best drink  
But how that ever he eat or drink  
Delicacy he put away  
As he, which goth the right weigh  
Nought only for to feed and cloth  
His body, but his soul both  
But they that taken other wise  
Her lusts, been none of the wise  
But now a day a man may see  
The world so full of vanity  
That no man taketh of reason heed  
Or for to cloth, or for to feed  
But all is set unto the vice  
To new and changen his delice   

And right so changeth his estate  
He that of love is delicate  
For though he had to his hand  
The best wife of all the land  
Or the fairest love of all  
yet would his heart on other fall  
And think 'em more delicious  
Than he hath in his own house   

Men say it is now oft so  
Auyse 'em well, they that so do  
And for to speak in other way  
Full oft time I have herd say  
That he, which hath no love achieved  
Him thinketh that he is not relieved  
Though that his lady make him cheer  
So as she may in good manner  
Her honour, and her name save  
But he the surplus might have  
Nothing withstanding her estate  
Of love more delicate  
He set her cheer at no delight  
But if he have all his appetite   

My son if it with the be so  
Tell me? ¶ Mine holy father no  
For delicate in such a wise  
Of love, as ye to me devise  
Ne was I never yet gyltyfe  
For if I had such a wife  
As ye speak of, what should I more  
For than I would never more  
For lust of any womanhead  
My heart upon none other feed  
And if I did, it were a waste  
But all without such repast  
Of lust, as ye me told above  
Of wife, or yet of other love  
I fast, and may no food get  
So that for lack of dainty meet  
Of which an heart may be fed  
I go fasting to my bed   

But might I gotten as ye told  
So much, that my lady would  
Me feed with her glad semblant  
Though me lack all the remnant  
yet should I somdele been abeched  
And for the time well refreshed   

But certes father she ne doth  
For in good faith to tell sooth  
I trow, though I should starve  
She would not her eye swerver  
My heart with one goodly look  
To feed, and thus for such a coke  
I may go fasting evermore  
But if so is, that any woe  
May feed a man's heart we'll  
Thereof I have at every meal  
Of plenty more that enough  
But that is of himself so tough  
My stomach may it not defy  
Lo such is the delicacy  
Of love, which my heart feedeth  
Thus have I lack of that me needeth  
But for all this yet nevertheless  
I say not, I am guiltless  
That I somedeal am delicate  
For else were I fully mate  
But if that I some lusty stound  
Of comfort and of ease found  
To take of love some repast  
For though I with full taste  
The lust of love may not feel  
Mine hunger otherwise I keel  
Of small lusts, which I pike  
And for a time yet they like  
If that ye wisten, what I mean  
¶ Now good son shrive the clean  
Of such dainties as been good  
whereof thou takest thine heart food  
¶ My father I shall you rehearse  
How that my fodes been diverse  
So as they fallen in degree  
One feeding is of that I see  
An other is, of that I here  
The third, as I shall tell here  
●t groweth of mine own thought  
And else should I live nought  
For whom that faileth food of heart  
He may nought well the death asterte.    

Nota qualiter visus in amore se continet delicatus.  

¶ Of sight is all my first food  
Through which mine eye of all good  
Hath that to him is accordant  
A lusty food suffisant  
when that I go toward the place  
where I shall see my lady's face  
Mine eye, which is loath to fast  
beginneth anon to hunger so fast  
That him thinketh of an hour three  
Till I there come, and he her see  
And than after his appetite  
He taketh a food of such delight  
That him none other dainty needeth  
Of sundry sights he him feedeth   

He seeth her face of such colour  
That fresher is than any flower   

He seeth her front is large and plain  
without frounce of any greyne   

He seeth her eyen lyche an heaven  
And seeth her nose strait and even   

He seeth her rudde upon the cheek  
And seeth her red lips eke   

Her chin accordeth to the face  
All that he seeth is full of grace   

He seeth her neck round and clean  
Therein may no bone be seen   

He seeth her hands fair and white  
For all this thing without wite  
He may see naked at lest  
So is it well the more feast  
And well the more delicacy  
Unto the feeding of the eye   

He seeth her shap forth with all  
Her body round, her middle small  
So well begun with good array  
which passeth all the lust of may  
when he is most with soft showers  
Full clothed in his lusty flowers   

with such sights by and by  
Mine eye is fed, but finally  
when he the port and the manner  
Seeth of her womannysshe cheer  
Than hath he such delight on hand  
Him thinketh he might still stand  
And that he hath full suffisance  
Of livelihood, and of sustenance  
As to his part for evermore  
And if it thought all other so  
from then would he never wend  
But there unto the worlds end  
He would abide, if that he might  
And feeden him upon the sight.   

For though I might stonden aye  
In to the time of domes day  
And look upon her ever in one  
yet when I should fro her gone  
Mine eye would, as though he fast  
Ben hunger starven also fast  
Till eft again that he her say  
Such is the nature of mine eye.   

There is no lust so deyntefull  
Of whlche a man should not be full  
Of that the stomach underfongeth  
But ever in one mine heart longeth  
For look, how that a goshawk tireth  
Right so doth he/ when that he pyreth  
And tooteth on her womanhead  
For he may never fully feed  
His lust, but ever a lyche sore  
Him hungereth, so that he the more  
Desireth to be fed algate  
And thus mine eye is made the gate  
Through which the dainties of my thought  
Of lust been to mine heart brought   

Right as mine eye with his look  
Is to mine heart a lusty cook  
Of loves food delicate    

¶ Qualiter auris in amore delectatur.  

¶ Right so mine ear in his state  
where as mine eye may not serve  
Can well mine hearts thank deserve  
And feeden him fro day to day  
with such deintes, as he may   

For thus it is, that over all  
where as I come in special  
I may here of my lady price  
I here one say, that she is wise  
An other saith, that she is good  
And some men say, of worthy blood  
That she is come, and is also  
So fair, that no where is none so  
And some men praise her goodly cheer  
Thus every thing, that I may here  
which soundeth to my lady good  
Is to mine ear a lusty food.   

And eke mine ear hath over this  
A dainty feast, when so is  
That I may here her seluen speak  
For than anon my fast I break  
On such words, as she saith  
That full of troth, & full of faith  
They been, and of so good disport  
That to mine ear great comfort  
They done, as they that been delices  
For all the meats and the spices  
That any Lumbarde couth make  
Ne been so lusty for to take  
Ne so farforth restauratyfe  
I say as for mine own life  
As been the words of her mouth.  
For as the winds of the south  
Ben most of all debonair  
So when her lust to speak fair  
The virtue of her goodly speech  
Is verily mine hearts leche.   

And if it so befall among  
That she carole upon a song  
when I it here, I am so fed  
That I am fro myself so led  
As though I were in paradise  
For certes as to mine avys  
when I here of her voice the steven  
Me thinketh it is a bliss of heaven  
And eke in otherwise also  
Full oft time it falleth so  
Mine ere with a good pitaunce  
Is fed, of reading of romance  
Of ydoyne, and of Amadas  
That whilom were in my case  
And eke of other many a score  
That loveden long, ere I was boar  
For when I of her loves read  
Mine ere with the tale I feed  
And with the lust of her histoire  
Sometime I drew in to memoire  
how sorrow may not ever last  
And so hope cometh in at last  
when I none other food know  
And that endureth but a throw  
Right as it were a cherry feast  
But for to counten at lest  
As for the while yet it eseth  
And somedeal of my heart appeseth  
For what thing to my ere spreadeth  
which is pleasant, somedeal it eseth  
with words such as he may get  
My lust in stead of other meet.   

Lo thus my father as I you say  
Of lust, the which mine eye hath say  
And eke of that my ere hath herd  
Full oft I have the better feared  
And though two bringen in the third  
The which hath in mine heart amid  
His place take, to array  
The lusty thoughts, which assay  
I mote, and namelyche on nights  
when that me lacketh all sights  
And that mine hearing is away  
Than is he ready in the weigh  
My rear souper for to make  
Of which my hearts food I take.    

Qualiter cogitatus impressiones leticie imaginativas cordibus inferit amantum.  

¶ This lusty cook's name is hot  
Thought, which hath ever his pots hot  
Of love boylend on the fire  
with fantasy, and with desire  
Of which ere this full oft be fed  
Mine heart, when I was a bed  
And than he set upon my board  
Both every sight, and every word  
Of lust, which I have herd or sayen  
But yet is not my fest all plain  
But all of woldes, and of wishes  
Thereof have I my full dishes  
But as of feeling, and of taste  
Yet might I never have o repast.   

And as I have said tofore  
I lick honey of the thorn  
And, as who saith, upon the bridle  
I chew, so that all is idle  
As in effect the food I have  
But as a man, that would him save  
when he is sick, by medicine  
Right so of love the famine  
I fond in all that ever I may  
To feed and drive forth the day  
Till I may have the great fest  
which all my hunger might arrest.   

Lo such been my lusts three  
Of that I think, and here, and see  
I take of love my feeding  
with out tasting or feeling  
And as the plover doth of the heir  
I live, and am in good espeyre  
That for none such delicacy  
I trow I do no gluttony  
And nevertheless to your avys  
Mine holy father, that been wis  
I recommande mine estate  
Of that I have been delicate.  
¶ My son I understand weal  
That thou hast told here, every deal  
And as me thinketh by thy tale  
It been delights wonder small  
whereof thou takest thy loves food  
But son if that thou understood  
what is to be delicious  
Thou wouldest not be curious  
Upon the lust of thine estate  
To been to hot or delicate  
whereof that thou reason exceed  
For in the books thou might read  
If man's wisdom shall be sewed  
It ought well to been eschewed  
As well by reason as b● kind  
Of old ensamples as men find.    

¶ Hic loquitur de delicacia Neronis, qui corpora libus delicus magis adherens, spiritualia gandia minus obtinuit.  

¶ That man that would him well avise  
delicacy is to despise  
when kind accordeth not withal  
whereof ensample in special  
Of Nero whilom may be told  
which against kind manifold  
His lusts took, till at last  
That god him would all overcaste  
Of whom the cronic is so plain  
Me lust no more of him to say  
And nevertheless for gluttony  
Of bodily delycacy  
To know his stomach how it feared  
Of that no man tofore heard  
which he within himself bethought  
A wonder subtile thing he wrought   

Three men upon election  
Of age, and of complexion  
Lyche to himself by all way  
He took towards him to play  
And eat and drank as well as he  
Thereof was no diversity  
For every day when that they eat  
To fore his own board they seat  
And of such meat as he was served  
All though they had it not deserved  
They token service of the same  
But afterward all thilk game  
was into woeful earnest turned  
For when they were thus sojourned  
within a time at after meet  
Nero, which had not foryete  
The lusts of his freel estate  
As he which all was delicate  
To know thilk experience  
The men let come in his presence  
And to that one the same tide  
A courser, that he should ride  
Into the field, anon he had  
whereof this man was wonder glad  
And goth to prick and prance about  
That other, while that he was out  
He laid upon his bed to sleep   

The third, which he would keep  
within his chamber fair and soft  
He goeth now up now down full oft  
walking a pace, that he ne slept  
Till be which on the courser leapt  
was comen fro the field again.  
Nero than as books say  
These men did done take all three  
And slough hem, for he would see  
The whose stomach was best defied.   

And when he hath the sooth tried  
He found, that he, which goth the pas  
Defied best of all was  
which afterward he used aye  
And thus what thing unto his pay  
was most pleasant, he left none  
with any lust he was begun  
whereof the body might glade  
For he no abstinence made  
But most of all earthly things  
Of women unto the likings  
Nero set all his hole heart  
For that lust him should not asterte   

when that the thirst of love him caught  
where that him list he took a draft  
He spareth neither wife ne maid  
That such another, as men said  
In all this world was never yet  
He was so drunk in all his wit  
Through sundry lusts, which he took  
That ever, while there is a book  
Of Nero men shall read and sing  
Unto the worlds knowledging.   

My good son as thou hast herd  
For ever yet it hath so feared  
Delycacy in loves case  
without reason is and was.  
For where that love is heart set  
Him thinketh, it might be no bet  
All though it be not fully j.  
The lust of love is ever sweet.   

Lo thus together of fellowship  
Delycacy and dronkshyp  
(whereof reason stant out of her)  
Have made many a man err  
In loves cause most of all  
For than how so that ever it fall  
wit can no reason understand  
But let the governance stand  
To will, which than waxeth so wild  
That he can not himself shield  
From the peril, but out of fere  
The way he secheth here and there  
Him retcheth not upon what side  
For oft time he goth beside  
And doth such thing without dread  
whereof him aught well to dread  
But when that love assoteth sore  
It passeth all men's lore.  
what lust it is, that he ordaineth  
There is no man's might restraineth.  
And of god taketh he none heed  
But lawless withouten dread  
His purpose for he would achieve  
Against the points of the believe  
He tempteth heaven, earth, and hell  
Here afterward as I shall tell.   
Dum stimulai amor, quic quid jubet orta voluptas  
Auder, et aggreditur nulla timenda timens  
Omne quod astra queunt lierbarū sive potestas,  
Seu vigor inferni singula temptat amaus.  
Quod nequid ipse, deo mediant, parare sinistrum,  
Daemonis hoc magica credulus arte parat.  
Sic sibi non curat ad opus quae retia tendit.  
Dummodo nudatam prendere posset anem.   

¶ Hic tractat, qualiter ebrietas et delicacia omnis pudicicie contrarium infligantes inter alia ad carnalis concupiscencie promocionem sortilegio magicam requirunt.  
who dare do thing, which love ne dare?  
To love is every law unware  
But to the laws of his best  
The fish, the fowl, the man, the be'st  
Of all the worlds kind lowteth  
For love is he, which nothing doubteth  
In man's heart where it sit  
He counteth nought toward his wit  
The woe, no more than the weal  
No more the heat, than the chele  
No more the wet, than the dry  
No more to live, than to die  
So that tofore ne behind  
He seeth no thing, but as the blind  
without insight of his courage  
He doth marvels in his rage  
To what thing that he will him draw  
There is no god, there is no law  
Of whom that he taketh any heed  
But as baiarde the blind stead  
Till he fall in the ditch a mid  
He goeth there no man will him bid  
He stant so farforth out of rule  
There is no wit, that may him reule  
And thus to tell of him in sooth  
Full many a wonder thing he doth  
That were better to be lafte  
Among the which is witch craft  
That some men clepe sorcery  
which for to win his drewry  
with many a circumstance he useth  
There is no point, which he refuseth.   

¶ Nota de autorum nec non et librorum tam nat●● alis quam execrabilis magice nominibus.  

¶ The craft, which that Saturnus found  
To make pikes in the sound  
That Geomance cleped is  
Full oft he useth it amiss  
And of the flood his ydromance  
And of the fire the pyromance  
with questions each one of though  
He tempteth oft. and eke also  
Aeromance in judgement  
To love be bringeth of his assent  
For these crafts as I find  
A man may do by way of kind  
Be so, it be to good intent  
But he goth all another went  
For rather ere he should fail  
with ●y gromance he would assail  
To make his incantation  
with boat subfumygation  
Thilk art, which spatula is hot  
And used is of common rote  
Among pains, which that craft eke  
Of which is auctor Thosez the greek  
He wercheth one and one by row  
Razel is not to him unknown  
The Salamones Candarye  
His Ideac, his Eutonye  
The figure of the book withal  
Of Balamuz, and of Ghenball  
The seal, and thereupon th'image  
Of Thebith, for his advantage  
He taketh: and some what of Gybere  
which helpliche is to this matter  
Babylla to her sons seven  
which hath renounced to the heaven  
with Cernes both square and round  
He traceth oft upon the ground  
Making his invocation  
And for full information  
The school, which Honorius  
wrote, he pursueth, and lo thus  
magic he useth for to win  
His love, and spareth for no sin.   

And over that of his soty  
Right as he secheth sorcery  
Of 'em that been magycyens  
Right so of the naturyens  
Upon the stars from above  
His weigh he secheth unto love  
Als far as he hem understandeth  
In many a sundry wise he fondeth  
He maketh image, he maketh sculpture  
He maketh writing, he maketh figure  
He maketh his calculations  
He maketh his demonstrations  
His hours of astronomy  
He keepeth, as for that party  
which longeth to the inspection  
Of love, and his affection  
He would in to the hell seek  
The devil himself to beseech  
If that he wist for to speed  
To get of love his lusty meed  
where that he hath his heart set  
He bid never far bet  
Ne wit of other heaven more  
My son if thou of such a lore  
Hast been ere this, I read the leave.  
¶ Mine holy father by your leave  
Of all that ye have spoken here  
which toucheth unto this matter  
To tell sooth right as I ween  
I wot not o word, what ye mean  
I will not say, if that I couth  
That I nolde in my lusty youth  
Beneath in hell and eke above  
To win with my ladies love  
Done all that ever that I might.  
For thereof have I none insyght  
where afterward that I am become  
So that I won and overcome  
Her love, which I most covet.  
¶ My son that goeth wonder strait  
For this I may well tell sooth  
There is no man, which so doth  
For all the craft that he can cast  
That he ne buyeth it at last  
For often he that will beguile  
Is guyled with the same guile  
And thus the guyler is beguiled  
As I find in a book compiled  
To this matter an old histoire  
The which cometh now to my memoire  
And is of great ensamplarye  
Ayene the vice of sorcery  
whereof none end may be good  
But how whilom thereof it stood  
A tale, which is good to know  
To the my son I shall biknowe.    

¶ Nota contra istos ob amoris causam sortilegos, ubi narrat in exemplum, quod cum Vlixes a subversione Troy repatriare navigio voluisset, ipsum in Insula Cilli, ubi illa expertissima maga nomine Cyrces regnavit, contigit applicuisse, quem ut in sui amoris concupiscentiam exardesceret, Circe's omnibus suis incantationibus vincere conabatur: Vlixes tamen Magica potentior ipsam in amore subegit, Ex qua filium nomine Telegonum genuit, qui postea patrem suum interfecit, et sic contra fidei naturam genitus contra generationis naturam patricidium operatus est.  

¶ Among him, which at Troy were  
Vlixes at the siege there  
was one by name in special  
Of whom yet the memorial  
Abideth, for while there is a mouth  
For ever his name shall be couth   

He was a worthy knight and a king  
And clerk knowende of every thing  
He was a great Rethorien  
He was a great magicien  
Of Tullius the rhetoric  
Of king Zorastes the magic  
Of Ptolemy th'astronomy  
Of Plato the philosophy  
Of Daniel the sleepy dreams  
Of Neptune eke the water streams  
Of Solomon and the proverbs  
Of Macer all the strength of herbs  
And the physic of hippocras  
And lyche unto Pythagoras  
Of surgery he knew the cures  
But some what of his adventures  
which shall to my matter accord  
To the my son I will record.   

This king, of which thou hast herd sayn  
From Troy as he goth home again  
By ship, he found the see diverse  
with many a windy storm reverse  
But he through wisdom, which he shapeth  
Full many a great peril escapeth  
Of which I think tell one  
How that maugre the needle and stone  
wind drive he was all suddenly  
Upon the strands of Cylly  
where that he must abide a while  
Twain queens weren in that isle  
Calypso named and Cyrces'  
And when they heard, how Vlyxes  
Is landed there upon the rive  
For him they senden also belive.   

with him such as he would he nam  
And to the court to 'em he came   

These queens were as two goddesses  
Of art magic sorceresses  
That what lord cometh to that rivage  
They make him love in such a rage  
And upon him assote so  
That they will have, ere that he go  
All that he hath of worlds good  
Vlyxes well this understood  
They couth moche, he couth more  
They shape and cast against him sore  
And wrought many a subtile wile  
But yet they might him not beguile  
But of the men of his navy  
They two forshope a great party  
May none of hem withstand her hests  
Some part they shopen in to beasts  
Some part they shopen in to fowls  
To bears, tigers, apes, oules  
Or else by some other weigh  
There might nothing hem disobey  
Such craft they had above kind  
But that art couth they not find  
Of which Vlyxes was deceived  
That he ne hath hem all waived  
And brought 'em in to such a rote  
That upon him they both assote  
And through the science of his art  
He took of 'em so well his part  
That he begat Circe's with child  
He kept him sober, & made 'em wild  
He set himself so above  
That with her good, and with her love  
who that thereof belief or loath  
All quite in to his ship he goeth.   

Circe's to swolle both sides  
He left, and waiteth on the tides  
And 'straught throughout the salt foam  
He taketh his course, & cometh him home  
where as he found Penelope  
A better wife there may none be  
And yet there been enough of good  
But who that her goodship understood  
●●o first that she wifehood took  
●●we many loves she forsook  
And how she bore her all about  
There whiles that her lord was out  
He might make a great avant  
Among all the remanant  
That she, one of all the best  
well might he set his heart in rest   

This king when he her fond in hele  
For as he couth in wisdom deal  
●e couth she in woman bede  
And when she sigh withouten dread  
〈◊〉 ●●rde upon his own ground  
That he was come safe and sound  
In all this world ne might be  
A gladder woman than was she  
¶ The fame, which may nought be hid  
Throughout the land is soon kid  
Her king is comen home again  
There may no man the full sayen  
how that they weren all glade  
So much joy of him they made  
The presents every day been newed  
He was with yefts all bisnewed  
The people was of him so glad  
That though none other man him bad  
T●llage upon 'em self they set  
And as it were of pure debt  
They give her goods to the king  
This was a glad home welcoming   

Thus hath Vlyxes what he would  
His wife was such as she be should  
His people was to him subject  
Him lacketh nothing of delight    

¶ Horatius, Omnia sunt hominum tenni pendentia filo.  

¶ But fortune is of such a flight  
That when a man is most on height  
She maketh him rathest for to fall  
There wot no man what shall befall  
The haps over man's heed  
Ben honged with a tender thread  
That proved was on Vlyxes  
For when he was most in his peace  
Fortune 'gan to make him were  
And set his wealth out of her   

Upon a day as he was merry  
As though there might him no thing derye  
when night was come, he goth to bed  
with sleep and both his eyen fed  
And while he slept, he met a sweven  
Him thought he sigh a statu even  
which brighter than the son shone  
A man it seemed was it none  
But yet it was a figure  
Most lyche to mannyssh creature  
But as of beauty hevenlych  
It was most to an angel lyche  
And thus between angel and man  
Beholden it this king began  
And such a lust took of the sight  
That fain he would, if that he might  
The form of that figure embrace  
And goth him forth toward that place  
where he sigh that image tho  
And taketh it in his arms two  
And it embraceth him again  
And to the king thus 'gan it say.   

Vlyxes understand well this  
The token of our acquaintance is  
Here afterward to mochel tene  
The love that is us between.  
Of that we now such joy make  
That one of us the death shall take  
when time cometh of destyne  
It may none otherwise be.   

Vlixes the began to pray  
That this figure would him say  
what wight he is, that saith him so.   

This wight upon a spear though  
A pencil, which was well begun  
Embroudred, showeth him anon  
Three fishes all of o colour  
In manner as it were a tour  
Upon the pencil were wrought.   

Vlyxes knew this token nought  
And prayeth to wite in some party  
what thing it might signify  
A sign it is, the wight answered.  
Of an empire, and forth he feared  
All suddenly, when he that said.   

Vlyxes out of sleep abraid  
And that was right again the day  
That longer slepen he ne may.   

Men say, a man hath knowledging  
Save of himself, of all thing.  
His own chance no man knoweth  
But as fortune it on him throweth.  
was never yet so wise a clerk  
which might know all god's work  
Ne the secret, which god hath set  
Ayene a man, may not be let.   

Vlyxes though that he be wise  
with all his wit in his advice  
The more that he his sweven accounteth  
The less he wot, what it amounteth  
For all his calculation  
He seeth no demonstration  
As plainly for to know an end  
But nevertheless how so it wend  
He dread him of his own son  
That maketh him well the more astone  
And shope therefore anon withal  
So that within castle wall  
Thelemachus his son he shut  
And on him strong ward he set  
The sooth farther he ne knew  
Till that fortune him overthrew   

But nevertheless for sickerness  
where that he might wit & guess  
A place strongest in his land  
There let he make of lime and sonde  
A strength, where he would dwell  
was never man yet heard tell  
Of such an other, as it was  
And for to strength him in that case  
Of all his land the sykerest  
Of servants, and the worthiest  
To keepen him within ward  
He set his body for to ward  
And made such an ordinance  
For love, ne for aqueintance  
That were it early, were it late  
They should let in at gate  
No manner man, what so betid  
But if so were himself it bid  
¶ But all that might him not avail  
For whom fortune will assail  
There may be no such resistance  
which might make a man defence  
All that shall be mote fall algate.   

This Cyrces', which I spoke of late  
On whom Vlyxes hath beget  
A child, though he it have foryete  
when time came, as it was won  
She was delivered of a son  
which cleped is Telegonus   

This child when he was borne thus  
About his mother to full age  
That he can reason and language  
In good estate was draw forth  
And when he was so mochel worth  
To stonden in a man's stead  
Circe's his mother hath him bid  
That he shall to his father go  
And told him all together though  
what man he was, that him begat   

And when Thelegonus of that  
was ware, and hath full knowledging  
How that his father was a king  
He prayeth his mother fair this  
To go, where that his father is  
And she him granteth, that he shall.  
And made him ready forth with all   

It was that time such usance  
That every man the cogysaunce  
Of his country bare in his hand  
when he went in to strange land.  
And thus was every man therefore  
well know, where that he was boar  
For espial and mystrowynges  
They did than such things  
That every man might other know.   

So it befell in that throw  
Telegonus as in this case  
Of his country the sign was  
Three fishes, which he should here  
Upon the pynon of a spear  
And when that he was thus arrayed  
And hath his barneys all assayed  
That he was ready everydeal  
His mother bade him, far weal  
And said him, that he should swith  
His father griete a thousand sith.   

Telegonus his mother kissed  
And took his leave, and where he witted  
His father was, the way name  
Till he unto Nachaie came  
which of that land the chief city  
was cleped, and there asketh he  
where was the king, & how he feared  
And when that he the sooth heard  
where that the king Vlixes was  
Alone upon his horse great pas  
He rood him forth, and in his hand  
He bore the sygnall of his land  
with fishes three, as I have told  
And thus he went unto that hold  
where that his own father dwelleth  
The cause why he came, he telleth  
Unto the keepers of the gate  
And would have comen in there ate  
But shortly they him said nay  
And he als fair as ever he may  
Besought, and told 'em of this  
How that the king his father is   

But they with proud words great  
Began to menace and threte  
But he go fro the gate fast  
They wolden him take and set fast   

From words unto strokes thus  
They fell, and so Telegonus  
was sore hurt, and well nigh deed  
But with his sharp spears heed:  
He maketh defence, how so it fall  
And won the gate upon 'em all  
And hath slain of the best five  
And they ascryden als belive  
Through out the castle all about  
On every side men come out  
whereof the kings heart afflight  
And he with all the hast he might  
Aspere caught, and forth he goeth  
As he that was right wood for wroth  
He sigh the gates full of blood  
Telegonus, and where he stood  
He sigh also, but he ne knew  
what man it was, but to him threw  
His spear, and he start out a side  
But destiny, which shall betide  
Befell that ilk time so  
Telegonus knew nothing though  
what man it was, that to him cast  
And while his own spear last  
with all the sign thereupon  
He cast unto the king anon  
And smote him with a deadly wound.   

Vlixes fell anon to ground  
though every man, the king the king  
Be 'gan to cry, and of this thing  
Telegonus which sigh the caas  
On knes he fell, and said alas  
I have mine own father slain  
Now would I die wonder fain  
Now slay me, who that ever will  
For certes it is right and skill.  
He crieth, he weepeth, he saith therefore  
Alas that ever was I bore  
That this unhappy destiny  
So woefully cometh in by me   

This king, which yet hath life enough  
His heart again unto him drough  
And to that voice an ear he laid  
And understood all that he said  
And 'gan to speak, and said on high   

Bring me this man: & when he sigh  
Telegonus, his thought he set  
Upon the sweven, which he met  
And asketh, that he might see  
His spear, on which the fishes three  
He sigh upon the pencil wrought  
though wist he well, it faileth nought  
And bad him, that he tell should  
From whence he came, and what he would   

Telegonus in sorrow and woe  
So as he might, told tho  
Unto Vlyxes all the case  
How that Cyrces' his mother was  
And so forth said him every deal  
How that his mother griete him weal  
And in what wise she him sent.   

though wist Vlyxes what it meant  
And took him in his arms soft  
And all bledend kissed him oft  
And said: Son while I live  
This infortune I the forgive   

After his other son in hast  
He sent, and he began him haste  
And came unto his father tyte.  
But when he sigh him in such plight  
He would have run upon that other  
Anon, and slain his own brother  
Ne had been that Vlyxes  
Between hem made a cord and peace  
And to his heir Thelemachus  
He bade, that he Telegonus  
with all his power should keep  
Till he were of his wounds deep  
All hole, and than he should him give  
Land, where upon he might live.   

Thelemachus when he this herd  
Unto his father he answered  
And saide: he would done his will.   

So dwell they together still  
These brethren, and the father starveth   

Lo whereof sorcery serveth  
Through sorcery his lust he won  
Through sorcery his woe began  
Through sorcery his love he cheese  
Through sorcery his life he lose  
The child was get in sorcery  
The which did all his felony  
Thing which was again kind wrought  
Vnkyndlyche it was a bought  
The child his own father slough  
That was unkyndshyp enough.   

For thy take heed how that it is  
So for to win love amiss  
which endeth all his joy in woe  
For of this art I find so  
That hath be do for loves sake  
whereof thou might ensample take  
A great chronic Imperial  
which ever in to memorial  
Among the men, how so it wend  
Shall dwell/ to the worlds end    

☞ HIC narrat exemplum super eobem, qualiter Nectanabus de Egipto in Macedoniam laxatiuus Olimpiadem Philippi regis ibidem tunc absentis uxorem arte magyca decipiens, cum ipsa concubuit/ magnumque ex ea Alexandrum sortelegus genuit, qui naius postea cum ad erudiendit sub custodia. Nectanabi commendatus fuisset, ipsum Nectanabum patrem suum ab altitudine cuiusdam turris in fossam profundam precipiens inter fecit, Et sic sortilegus pro suo sortilegio infortunii sortem sortitus est.  

¶ The high creator of things  
which is the king of all kings  
Full many wonder worlds chance  
Let slide under his sufferance  
There wot no man the cause why  
But he, the which is almighty  
And that was proved whilom thus  
when that the king Nectanabus  
which had Egypte for to lead  
But for he sigh tofore the deed  
Through magic of his sorcery  
whereof he couth a great party  
His enemies to him comende  
From whom he might him not defend  
Out of his own land he fled  
And in the wise, as he him dread  
It fell, for all his witchcraft  
So that Egypte him was bereft  
And he disguised fled away  
Byshyp, and held the right way  
To Macedoyne, where that he  
arriveth at the chief city.  
Three yeomen of his chamber there  
All only for to serve him were  
The which he trusteth wonder weal  
For they were true as any steel  
And happeneth, that they with him lad  
part of the best good he had  
They take lodging in the town  
After the disposition  
where as him thought best to dwell  
He asketh than, and heard tell  
how that the king was out go  
Upon a were he had tho  
But in that city than was  
The queen, which Olympias  
was hot, and with solemnity  
The feast of her nativity  
As it befell, was than hold  
And for her lust to be behold  
And praised of the people about  
She shope her for to riden out  
At after meat all openly  
Anon all men were ready  
And that was in the month of May.  
This lusty queen in good array  
was set upon a mule white  
To seen it was a great delight  
The joy that the city made.  
with fresh things, and with glade  
The noble town was all behonged  
And every wight was sore alonged  
To see this lusty lady ride.  
There was great mirth on all side  
where as she passeth by the street  
There was full many a timber beat  
And many a maid carolende.  
And thus through out the town plaiend  
This queen unto the plain road  
where that she hoved and abode  
〈◊〉 see divers games play  
●he lusty folk just and journey  
And so forth every other man  
which play couth, his play began  
〈◊〉 please with this noble queen.   

Nectanabus came to the green  
amongs other, & drough him nigh  
〈◊〉 when that he this lady sigh  
●nd of her beauty heed took  
●e couth not withhold his look  
●o s● nought else in the field  
But stood, and only her beheld.   

Of his clothing, and of his gear  
He was unlyche all other there  
So that it happeneth at last  
The queen upon him her eye cast  
And knew, that he was strange, anon   

But he beheld her ever in one  
without blenching of his cheer.   

She took good heed of his manner  
And wondereth, why he did so  
And bad men should for him go.   

He came, and did her reverence.  
And she him asketh in silence  
From whence he came, and what he would   

And he with sober words told.  
He saith: Madam a clerk I am  
To you and in message I came  
The which I may not tell here  
But if it liketh you to here  
It moat be said so privily  
where none shall be, but ye and I.   

Thus for the time he took his leave.  
The day goeth forth till it was eve  
That every man moat leave his work  
And she thought ever upon this clerk  
what thing it is, that he would mean  
And in this wise abode the queen  
And overpasseth thilk night  
Till it was on the morrow light  
She send for him, and he came  
with him his Astrolabe he name  
with points and circles marvelous.  
which was of fine gold precious   

And eke the heavenly figures  
wrought in a book full of peyntures  
He took this lady for to show  
And told of each of 'em by rue  
The course and the condition.   

And she with great affection  
Sat still and heard what he would.   

And thus when he seeth time, he told  
And feigneth with his words wise  
A tale, and saith in such a wise.   

Madame but a while a go  
where I was in Egypte tho  
And radde in school of this science  
It fell in to my conscience  
That I unto the temple went  
And there with all my whole intent  
As I my sacrifice deed  
One of the goddess hath me bid  
That I you warn privily  
So that ye make you ready  
And that ye be nothing aghast  
For he such love hath to you cast  
That ye shall been his own dear  
And he shall be your bedfere  
Till ye conceive and be with child.  
And with that word she wax all mild,  
And somedeal red became for shame,  
And asketh him the god's name  
which so will done her company.   

And he said Amos of Luby/  
And she saith, that may I not leave  
But if I see a better prove.   

Madame, quod Nectanabus  
In token that it shall be thus  
This night for enformation  
ye shall have a vision  
That Amos shall to you appear  
To show and teach in what manner  
The thing shall afterward befall  
ye oughten well above all  
To make joy of such a lord.  
For when ye be of one accord  
He shall a son of you beget  
which with his sword shall win & get  
The wide world in length and breed.   

All earthly kings shall him dread  
And in such wise I you behote  
The god of earth he shall be hot.   

If this be sooth, though quoth the queen  
This night (thou seyest) it shall be seen  
And if it fall in to my grace  
Of god Amos that I purchase  
To take of him so great worship  
I will do the such ladyship  
whereof thou shalt for evermore  
Be rich, And he her thanketh tho  
And took his leave, and forth he went.   

She wist little, what he meant  
For it was guile and sorcery  
All that she took for prophecy.   

Nactanabus through out the day  
when he came home, where as he lay  
His chamber he himself betook  
And overturneth many a book  
And through the craft of artemage  
Of wax he forged an image  
He looketh his equations  
And eke the constellations   

He looketh the conjunctions  
He looketh the receptions  
His sign, his hour, his ascendent  
And draweth fortune of his assent  
The name of queen Olympias  
In thilk image written was  
A mids in the front above.   

And thus to win his lust of love  
Nectanabus this work hath dight  
And when it came within night  
That every wight is fall a sleep  
He thought he would his time keep  
As he, which hath his hour appointed.  
And than first he hath anointed  
with sundry herbs that figure  
And thereupon he 'gan conjure  
So that through his enchantement   

This lady, which was innocent  
And wist nothing of this guile  
Met, as she slept thilk while  
How fro the heaven came a light  
which all her chamber made light  
And as she looketh to and fro  
She sigh, her thought, a dragon tho  
whose scherdes shinen as the son  
And hath his soft pass begun  
with all the cheer that he may  
Toward the bed there as she lay  
Till he came to the beds side  
And she lay still, and nothing cried  
For he did all his things fair  
And was courteis, and debonair  
And as he stood her fast by  
His form he changeth suddenly  
And the figure of man he nome  
To her and in to bed he come  
And such thing there of love he wrought  
whereof, so as her than thought  
Through likeness of this god Amos  
with child anon her womb aros  
And she was wonder glad withal.   

Nectanabus, which causeth all  
Of this metred the substance  
when he seeth time his nygromance  
He stint, and nothing more saide  
Of his carecte, & she abreyde  
Out of her sleep, and leaveth weal  
That it is sooth than every deal  
Of that this clerk her had told  
And was the glader many fold  
In hope of such a glad metrede  
which after shall befall in deed   

She longeth sore after the day  
That she her sweven tell may  
To this gilour in privity  
which knew it also well as she   

And nevertheless on morrow soon  
She left all other thing to done  
And for him sent: and all the case  
She told him pleynely, as it was  
And said: how than well she wist  
That she his words might tryst  
For she fond her avision  
Right after the condition  
which he her had told tofore  
And prayed him heartily therefore  
That he her hold covenant  
So forth of all the remanant  
That she may through his ordinance  
Towards god do such pleasance  
That she wakened might him keep  
In such wise, as she met a sleep.   

And he that couth of guile enough  
when be this herd, for joy he lough  
And saith: Madam it shall be do  
But this I warn you thereto  
This night, when that he cometh to play  
That there be no life in the way  
But I, that shall at his liking  
Ordain so for his coming  
That ye ne shall not of him fail.   

For this madame I you counsel  
That ye it keep so prive  
That no wight else, but we three  
Have knowledging, how that it is  
For else might it far amiss  
If ye did aught, that should him grieve.   

And thus he maketh her to believe  
And feigneth under guile faith  
But nevertheless all that he saith  
She troweth: and ayene the night  
She hath within her chamber dight  
where as this guyler fast by  
Upon this god shall privily  
Await, as he maketh her to ween.   

And thus this noble gentle queen  
when she most trysted, was deceived.  
¶ The night came, & the chamber is weived  
Nectanabus hath take his place  
And when he sigh time and space  
Through the deceit of his magic  
He put him out of man's like  
And of a dragon took the form  
As he, which would him all conform  
To that she saw in swevener this.  
And thus to chamber come he is   

The queen lay a bed, and sigh  
And hopeth ever, as he came nigh  
That he god of Luby were  
So hath she well the less fere   

But for he would her more assure  
yet eft he changeth his figure  
And of a wether the likeness  
He took in sign of his noblesse  
with large horns for the nonce  
Of fine gold and rich stones.   

A crown on his heed he bare  
And sodeinlyche, ere she was ware  
As he, which all guile can  
His form he turneth in to man  
And came to bed, and she lay still  
where as she suffereth all his will  
As she, which wend not misdo.  
But nevertheless it happeneth so  
All though she were in part deceived  
yet for all that she hath conceived  
The worthiest of all kithe  
which ever was tofore or sith  
Of conquest, and of chivalry  
So that through guile and sorcery  
There was that noble knight begun  
which all the world hath after won   

Thus fell the thing, which fall should  
Nectanabus hath that he would  
with guile he hath his love sped  
with guile he came in to the bed  
with guile he goeth him out again  
He was a shrewd chamberlain  
So to beguile a worthy queen  
And that on him was after seen.  
But nevertheless the thing is do  
This falls god was soon go  
with his deceit, & held him close  
Till morrow came, that he arose  
And tho, when time and leisure was  
The queen told him all the case  
As she, that guile none supposeth  
And of two points she him apposeth.   

One was, if that this god no more  
will come again: and overmore  
How she shall stonden in accord  
with king Philip her own lord  
when he cometh home, & seeth her groan  
¶ Madam, he saith, let me alone  
As for the god I undertake  
That when it liketh you to take  
His company at any throw  
If I a day tofore it know  
He shall be with you on the night  
And he is well of such a might  
To keep you from all blame.  
For thy comfort you madame  
There shall none other cause be.  
Thus took he leave, and forth goth he.  
And though began be for to muse  
How he the queen might excuse  
Toward the king, of that is fall  
And found a craft amongs all  
Through which he hath a se foul daunted  
with his magic, and so enchanted  
That he flew forth, when it was night  
Unto the kings tent right  
where that he lay amid his host.   

And when he was a sleep most  
with that the se foul to him brought  
An other charm, which he wrought  
At home within his chamber still.  
The king he turneth at his will  
And maketh him for to dream and see  
The dragon and the privity  
which was between him and the queen.  
And over that he made him ween  
In sweven, how that the god Amos  
when he up fro the queen aros  
Took forth a ring, wherein a stone  
was set and grave thereupon  
A son, in which when he came nigh  
A lion with a sword he sigh.  
And with that prente, as he so met  
Upon the queens womb he set  
A seal, and goth him forth his way  
with that the sweven went a way.  
And though began the king a wake  
And sigh for his wives sake  
where as he lay within his tent  
And hath great wonder, what it mente.   

with that he hasted him to rise  
Anon and sent after the wise.  
Among the which there was one  
A Clerk, his name is Amphyon  
when he the kings sweven herd  
what it betokeneth he answered  
And saith, as sickerly as the life  
A god hath lain by thy wife  
And got a son, which shall win  
The world, and all that is within.   

As the lion is king of beasts  
So shall the world obey his beasts  
which with his sword shall all be won  
Als far as shineth any son.   

The king was doutife of this doom  
But nevertheless when that be come  
again into his own land  
His wife with child great be found  
He might not himselfen steer  
That he ne made her heavy cheer.  
But he which couth of all sorrow  
Nectanabus upon the morrow  
Through the deceit of Nygromaunce  
Took of a dragon the semblance  
And where the king sat in his hall  
Cam in rampende among 'em all  
with such a noise and such a roar  
That they aghast were all so sore  
As though they should die anon  
And nevertheless he grieveth none  
But goth toward the dais on buy  
And when he came the queen nigh  
He stint his noise, and in his wise  
To her he profreth his service  
And lay his heed upon her barm  
And she with goodly cheer her arm  
About his neck ayenewarde laid  
And thus the queen with him played  
In sight of all men about  
And at last be 'gan to lout  
And obeisance unto her make  
As he that would his leave take.  
And suddenly his lothly form  
In to an eagle be 'gan transform  
And flew, and set him on a rail  
whereof the king had great marvel  
For there he pruneth him and piketh  
As doth an hawk, when him well liketh  
And after that himself he shaken  
whereof that all the hall quoke  
As it a terremote were.  
They saiden all, god was there  
In such a rees and forth he fly.  
¶ The king, which all this wonder sigh  
when he came to his chamber alone  
Unto the queen made his moan  
And of foryeves he her prayed.  
For than he knew well, as he said  
She was with child with a god.   

Thus was the king without rod  
Chastised, and the queen excused  
Of that she had been accused.   

And for the greater evidence  
yet after that in the presence  
Of king Philip, and other more  
when they yode in the fills though  
A pheasant came before her eye  
The which anon, as they her say  
Fleende, let an neye down fall  
And it to broke tofore hem all.   

And as they token thereof keep  
They sigh out of the shell creep  
A lytell serpent on the ground  
which rampeth all about round  
And in again he will have won  
But for the brenning of the son  
It might not, and so be deide.  
And thereupon the clerks saide   

As the serpent, when it was out  
went environ the shell about  
And might not torn in again  
So shall it fall in certain   

This child the world shall environ  
And above all, the corone  
Him shall befall, and in his young age  
He shall desire in his courage  
when all the world is in his hand  
To turn again unto the land  
where he was boar, and in his weigh  
Homeward he shall with poison die.   

The king, which all this sigh & herd  
From that day forth, how so it feared  
His jealousy hath all foryete  
But he, which hath the child beget  
Nectanabus in privity  
The time of his nativity  
Upon the constellation  
awaiteth, and relation  
Maketh to the queen, how she had do  
And every hour appointeth so  
That no minute thereof was lore.  
So that in due time is boar  
This child: and forthwith thereupon  
There fell wonders many one  
Of teremote universele.   

The son took colour of steel  
And lost his light, the winds blue  
And many strengths overthrew   

These his proper kind changeth  
And all the world his form strangeth   

The thunder with his fiery leaven  
So cruel was upon the heaven  
That every earthly creature  
though thought his life in adventure.  
The tempest at last sesseth  
The child is kept, his age encreceth:  
And Alisaunder his name is hot  
To whom Calystre and Arystote  
To techen him philosophy  
Entenden: and astronomy  
(with other things, which he couth  
Also to teach him in his youth)  
Nectanabus took upon hand  
But every man may understand  
Of sorcery, how that it wend  
It wool himself prove at end  
And namely for to beguile  
A lady/ which without guile  
Supposeth truth all that she heareth  
But often he, that evil steereth  
His ship is dreint therein a mid  
And in this case right so betid  
Nectanabus upon a night  
when it was fair and star light  
This young lord lad upon high  
A 'bove a tower, where as he sigh  
The stars such as he acounteth  
And saith, what each of hem amounteth  
As though he knew of all thing  
yet hath he no knowlechinge  
what shall unto himself befall   

when he hath told his words all  
This young lord than him apposeth  
And asketh, if that he supposeth  
what death he shule himself die.   

He saith, or fortune is away  
And every star hath lost his won  
Or else of mine own son  
I shall be slain, I may not i'll   

Thought Alysaunder in privity  
Hereof this old dotard lieth.  
Ander that other aught aspyeth  
All sodeinlyche his old bones  
He shofe over the wall at ones  
And saith him: Lie down there a part  
whereof now serveth all thine art?  
Thou knew all other men's chance  
And of thyself hast ignorance  
That thou hast said amongs all,  
Of thy person is not befall.  
¶ Nectanabus which hath his death  
yet whiles him lasteth life and breathe  
To Alysaunder he spoke, and said:  
That he with wrong blame on him leid.  
from point to point and all the case  
He told, how he his son was.   

though be, which sorry was enough  
Out of the ditch his father drough  
And told his mother, how it feared  
In counsel, and when she it heard  
And knew the tokens, which he told  
She nyst what she say should  
But stood abashed, as for the while  
Of this magic, and all the guile.  
She thought, how that she was deceived  
That she hath of a man conceived  
And wend a god it had he.  
But nevertheless in such degree  
So as she might her honour save  
She shope the body was begrave.   

And thus Nectanabus about  
The sorcery, which he wrought  
Though he upon the creatures  
Through his caretes and figures  
The mastery and the power had  
His creator to nought him lad  
again whose law his craft he useth  
when he for lust his god refuseth  
And took him to the devils craft  
Lo what profit is him belafte?  
That thing through which he wend have stand  
First him exiled out of land  
which was his own, and from a king  
Made him to be an underling  
And sithen to deceive a queen  
That turneth him to mochel tene  
Through lust of love he got him hate  
That end couth he nought abate  
His old sleights, which he cast  
young Alisandre him overcast.   

His father, which him mysbegat  
He slough, a great mishap was that  
But for omys, an other miss  
was yold, and so full oft it is.   

Nectanabus his craft miswent  
And so it mysfell him, ere he went  
I not what helpeth that clergy  
which maketh a man to do folly  
And namelyche of Nygromance  
which stont upon the myscreance.    

¶ Nota qualiter rex Zorastes statim cum ab utero matris sue nasceretur gaud●o magno risit, in quo pronosticum doloris subsequentis signum figurabatur. Nam et ipse detestabilis artis magice primus fuit inventor, quem postea rex Surrie dira morte trucidavit, et sic opus operarium consumpsit.  

¶ And for to see more evidence  
Zorastes, which th'experience  
Of art magic ferst forth drough  
Anon as he was boar he lough  
which token was of woe suing.  
For of his own controvinge  
He fond magik, and taught it forth  
But all that was him little worth  
For of Surry a worthy king  
Him slew, and that was his ending.  
But yet through him this craft is used  
And he through all the world excused  
For it shall never well achieve  
That stont not right with the believe  
But liche to wool is evil spun  
who loseth himself hath little won  
And end proveth every thing.  
¶ Saul, which was of jews king  
Up pain of death forbade this art  
And yet he took thereof his part.   

The phitonysse in Samary  
gave him counsel by sorcery  
which after fell to much sorrow  
For he was slain upon the morrow.  
To con mochel thing it helpeth  
But of to much no man yelpeth.   

So for to look on every side  
magic may not well betide.   

For thy my son I will the rede  
That thou of these ensamples dread  
That for no lust of earthly love  
Thou seek so to come above  
whereof as in the worlds wonder  
Thou shalt for ever be put under.  
¶ My good father grant mercy  
For ever I shall beware thereby  
Of love what me so befall  
Such sorcery above all  
From this day forth I shall eschew  
That so ne will I not pursue  
My lust of love for to seche.  
But this I would you beseech  
Beside that me stant of love  
As I you herd speak above  
How Alysandre was betaught  
Of Arystotle, and so well taught  
Of all that to a king belongeth  
whereof my heart sore longeth  
To wite what it would mean.  
For by reason I would ween  
But if I heard of things strange  
Yet for a time it should change  
My pain, and lisse me somdele.  
¶ My good son thou sayest weal  
For wisdom how that ever it stand  
To him that can it understand  
Doth great profit in sundry wise  
But touchend of so high a prise  
which is not unto Venus know  
〈◊〉 may it not myself know  
which of her court am all forth draw  
And can no thing but of her law.   

But nevertheless to know more  
As well as thou, me longeth sore  
And for it helpeth to commune  
All be they nought to me common  
The schools of philosophy  
Yet think I for to specify  
In books as it is comprehended  
whereof thou mightest been amended.  
For though I be not all counninge  
Upon the form of this writing  
Some part thereof yet I have herd  
In this matter how it hath fir.    
☞ Explicit liber sextus.   

❧ QVIA OMNIS DOCTRIna bona humano regimini salutem confert/ In hoc septimo libro ad instantiam amantis languidi intendit Genius illam, ex qua philosophi et Astrologi philosophy doctrinam regem Alexandrum imbuerunt secundum aliquid declarare. Dividit enim philosophiam in tres parts/ quarum prima Theorica/ secunda Rhetorica, tertia Practica nuncupata est, de quarum condicionibus subsequenter per singula tractabit.  
☞ Incipit liber Septimus ❧  

Omnibus in causis sapiens doctrina salutem  
Consequitur, nec habet quis nisi docttus open.  
Naturam superat doctrina viro quod et ortus  
Ingenij docilis non dedit, ipsa dabit.  
Non ita discretus hominum per climata regnat  
Quin magis ut sapiat, indiget ipse scholae.   

I Genius the priest of love  
My son as thou hast prayed above  
That I the school shall declare  
Of Aristotle, and eke the fare  
Of Alysaunder, bow he was taught  
I am somdele thereof distraught  
For it is not the matter  
Of love, why we sitten here  
To shrive so as Venus bad  
But nevertheless for it is glad  
So as thou sayest for thine apprise  
To here of such things wise  
whereof thou might thy time lysse  
So as I can, I shall the wysse  
For wisdom is at every throw  
Above all other thing to know  
In loves cause and else where  
For thy my son unto thine ear  
Though it be not in the register  
Of Venus, yet of that calistre  
And Aristotle whilom write  
To Alysaunder, thou shalt wite  
But for the lores been divers  
I think first to the rehearse  
The matter of philosophy  
which Aristotle of his clergy  
wise and expert in the science  
Declared thilk intelligence  
As of the points principal   

whereof the first in special  
Is Theoryke, which is grounded  
On him, which all the world hath founded  
which comprehended all the lore.   

And for to looken overmore  
Next of science the second  
Is Rhetoric, whose facounde  
Above all other is eloquent.  
To tell a tale in judgement  
So well can no man speak as he.  
The last science of the three  
It is practic, whose office  
The virtue trieth fro the vice  
And teacheth upon good thews  
To i'll the company of shrews  
which stant in disposition  
Of man's free election.   

Practyke informeth eke the rule  
how that a worthy king shall rule  
His realm, both in were and peace.   

Lo thus dane Aristoteles  
These three sciences hath divided  
And in nature also decided  
whereof that each of 'em shall serve.   

The first which is the conserve  
And keeper of the remanant  
As that, which is most suffissant  
And chief of the philosophy.  
If I thereof shall speciphye  
So as the philosopher told  
Now bark, & keep that thou it hold.   
Prima creatorem dat scire scientia summum.  
Qui capit, agnoscit, sufficit illud ei.  
Plura viros quandoque juuat nescire, sed illud,  
Quod vidit ex pediens sobrius ille sapit.  

¶ HIC TRACTAT DE PRIma part philosophy, que theorica dicitur/ cuius natura triplici dotata est sciencia/ scilicet Theologia, Phisica, et Mathematica, Sed primo illam partem Theologice declarabit.  

¶ Of Theoryk principal  
The philosopher in special  
The propirtes hath determined  
As thilk which is enlumined  
Of wisdom, and of high prudence  
Above all other in his science  
And stant departed upon three  
The i frst of which in his degree  
Is cleped in philosophy  
The science of Theology  
That other named is physic  
The third is said Mathematic.   

theology is that science  
which unto man giveth evidence  
Of thing, which is not bodily  
whereof men know readily  
The high almighty trinity  
which is o god in unite  
withouten end and beginning  
And creature of all thing  
Of heaven, of earth, and of hell  
whereof as old books tell  
The philosopher in his reason  
wrote upon this conclusion  
And of his writing in a clause  
He clepeth god the first cause  
which of himself is thilk good  
withouten whom nothing is good  
Of which that every creature  
Hath his being, and his nature.  
After the being of the things  
There been three forms of beynges    

¶ Nota quod triplex dicitur assencia. Prima temporanea, que incipit & definite: Secunda perpetua, que incipit/ et non definite/ Tercia sempiterna/ que nec incipit, nec definite.  

¶ Thing which began, and end shall  
That thing is cleped temporal  
There is also by other way  
Thing, which began & shall not they  
As souls, that been spiritual  
Her being is perpetual.   

But there is one above the son  
whose time never was begun  
And endless shall ever be  
That is the god, whose majesty  
All other things shall govern  
And his being is sempitern.   

The god, to whom all honour  
Belongeth, he is creature.  
And other been his creatures,  
He commandeth the natures  
That they to him obey all.  
withouten him, what so befall  
Her might is none, and he may all  
The god was ever and ever shall  
And they begun of his assent.   

The times all been present  
To god, and to hem all unknown  
But what him liketh, that they know  
Thus both an angel and a man  
The which of all, that god began  
Ben chief, not gods might  
And he stont endless up right.   

To this science been prive  
The clerks of divinity  
The which unto the people preach  
The faith of holy church and teach  
which in one ●as upon believe  
Stant more than they can prove  
By weigh of argument sensible  
But nevertheless it is credible  
And doth a man great meed have  
To him that thinketh himself to save  
Theology in such a wise  
Of high science and high aprise  
●●oue all other stant unlike  
And is the first of theoric.    

¶ 〈◊〉 de secunda part Theorice, que Phisica 〈◊〉.  
¶ Physic is after the second  
Through which the philosopher hath fond  
To teach sundry knowlechynges  
Upon the bodelyche things  
Of man, of be'st, of herb, of stone  
Of f●●he, of fowl, of everyone  
That been of bodily substance  
The nature and the circumstance.  
Through this science it is full sought  
Which vaileth & which vaileth nought.   

〈…〉 tercia part Theorice/ que Mathe●●● 〈◊〉, ●uius condicio quaruor in se contin 〈◊〉 ●●●gencias, scilicet Arithmeticam, Musicā●●●●●me●●●m/ et Astronomiam, Sed primo de 〈…〉 natura dicere intendit.  
¶ The third point of Theoryk  
which cleped is Mathematyk  
Divided is in sundry wise  
And ●rant upon divers apprise  
The ferst of which is Arthmetik  
And the second is said Music  
The therd is eke Geomatry  
Also the forth astronomy.  
¶ Of Arthmetyk the matter  
As that of which a man may lere  
what Algorysme in number amounteth  
when that the wise man accounteth  
After the formel proprete  
Of Algorismes a, b, c.  
By which multiplication  
Is made, and diminution  
Of sums by th'experience  
Of this art, and of this science.   

¶ Nota de musica, que secunda par● artis mathematice dicitur.  
¶ The second of mathematic  
which is the science of music  
That teacheth upon armony  
A man to maken melody  
By voice and son of instrument  
Through notes of accordment  
The which men pronounce aloft  
Now sharp notes, and now soft  
Now high notes, and now low  
As by Gam ut, a man may know  
which teacheth the prolation  
Of note, and the condition.   

¶ Nota de tertia specie artis Mathematice/ qud Geometriam vocant.  

¶ Mathematyke of his science  
Hath yet the third intelligence  
Full of wisdom and of clergy  
And cleped is Geometry  
Through which a man hath the sleight  
Of length, of breed, of depth, of height  
To know the proportion  
By very calculation  
Of this science: and in this wise  
These old philosophers wise  
Of all this worlds earth round  
How large, how thick was the ground  
Contrived by the experience  
The Cercle, and the circomference  
Of every thing unto the heaven  
They setten point and measure even.   

Mathemetike above the earth  
Of high science above the ferth  
which speaketh upon Astronomy  
And teacheth of the stars buy  
Beginning upward fro the moan  
But first, as it was for to done  
This Aristotle in other thing  
Unto this worthy young king  
The kind of every element  
which stant under the firmament  
How it is made, and in what wise  
From point to point be 'gan devise.   
Quatuor omnipotens elementa creavit origo:  
Quatuor et venti partibus ora dabat.  
Nostra que quadruplici complectio sort creature.  
Corpore sic que suo stat variatus homo.   

¶ Hic traciat de creatione quatuor elementorum scilicet terre, aque, aeris, et ignis, Nec non et de eorum naturis nam et singulis ꝓprietates singula attribituntur.  

¶ Tofore the creation  
Of any worlds station  
Of heaven, of earth, or eke of hell  
So as these old books tell  
As son to fore the song is set  
And yet they been together knet:  
Right so the high purveyance  
though had under his ordinance  
A great substance, a great matter  
Of which he would in his manner  
These other things make and form  
For yet withouten any form  
was that matter universal  
which hight Ilem in special.   

Of Ilem as I am informed  
These elements been made and form.   

Of Ilem clementes they hot  
After the school of Aristote  
Of which if more I shall rehearse  
Four elements there been diverse.    

☞ Nota de terra, quod est primum elementum.  
¶ The first of hem, men earth call  
which is the lowest of 'em all:  
And in his form is shape round  
Substantial, strong, sad, and sound  
As that, which made is suffisant  
To bear up all the remanant.  
For as the point in a compass  
Stant even amids, right so was  
This earth set, and shall abide  
That it may swerver to no side.  
And hath his centre after the law  
Of kind: and to that Centre draw  
Desireth every worlds thing:  
If there ne were no letting.   

¶ Nota de aqua, quod est secundum elementum.  

¶ Above the earth keepeth his bound  
The water, which is the second  
Of elements: and all without  
It environeth th'earth about.   

But as it showeth nought for thy  
The subtile water mightily  
Though it be of himself soft  
The strength of the earth passeth oft.   

For right as veins been of blood  
In man, right so the water flood  
Therth of his course maketh full of veins  
Als well the hills as the pleines:  
And that a man may seen at eye.  
For where the hills been most high  
There may men well streams find.  
So proveth it by way of kind  
The water higher than the land.  
And over this now understand    

¶ Nota de aera, quod est tertium elementum.  
air is the third of elements  
Of whose kind his aspirementes  
Taketh every lyvysshe creature  
The which shall upon earth endure.  
For as the fish if it be dry  
might in default of water die  
Right so without air on live  
No man, ne be'st, might thrive  
The which is made of flesh and bone  
There is out take of all none.   

¶ Nota quod aer in tribus periferiss dividitur.  
¶ This air in periferis three  
Divided is of such degree:  
beneath is one, and one amid  
To which above is the third.  
And upon the divisions  
There been divers oppressions  
Of moist, and eke of dry also  
which of the son both two  
Ben draw, and haled upon buy  
And maken clouds in the sky  
And showed is at man's sight  
whereof by day, and eke by night  
After the times of the year  
Among us upon earth here  
In sundry wise things fall   

¶ Nota de prima aeris periferia.  
¶ The first periferye of all  
Engendereth mist, and overmore  
The dews, and the frosts bore  
After thilk interstition  
In which they take impression.   

☞ Nota de secunda aeris periferia.  
¶ From the second, as books say  
The moist drops of the rain  
Descenden in to the middle earth  
And tempreth it to seed and earth  
And doth to spring grass and flower  
And oft also the great shower  
Out of such place it may be take  
That it the form shall forsake  
Of rain, and in to snow be turned  
And eke it may be so sojourned  
In sundry places up aloft  
That in to hail it turneth oft.   

¶ Nota de tertia aeris periferia.  
¶ The third of air, after the law  
Through such matter as is up draw  
Of dry thing, as it is oft  
Among the clouds upon loft  
And is so close, it may not out:  
Than is it chased sore about  
Till it to fire and leyte fall  
And than it breaketh the clouds all  
The which of so great noise craken  
That they the fearful thunder maken.  
The thunder stroke smit, ere it leyte  
And yet men seen the fire and leyte  
The thunder stroke ere that men here.  
So may it well be proved here  
In thing, which showed is fro far  
A man's eye is there nerre  
Than is the sound to man's ear  
And nevertheless it is great fear  
Both of the stroke, and of the fire  
Of which is no recoverire  
In place where that they descend  
But if god would his grace send.   

¶ Nota qualiter ignes, quos motantur in ae●e discurrere videmus secundum varias apparentie formas varia gesta ni nomina, quorum primus Assub, Secondus Capra saliens, tertius Eges, Et quarius Daali in libris philosophorum nuncupa●ns est.  

¶ And for to speaken over this  
In this part of the air it is  
That men full oft seen by night  
The fire in sundry form alight:  
Sometime the fire drake it seemeth  
And so the lewd people it deemeth.  
Sometime it seemeth as it were  
A star, which that glideth there.  
But it is neither of the two  
The philosopher telleth so,  
And saith: that of impressions  
Through divers exaltations  
Upon the cause and the matter  
Men seen diverse form appear  
Of fire, the which hat● bondry name.  
Assub, he saith, is thilk same  
The which in sundry place is found  
when it is fall down to ground  
So as the fire it hath aneled  
Like unto slime, which is congealed.   

Of exaltation I find  
Fire kengled of the same kind  
But it is of an other form  
whereof, if that I shall conform  
The figure unto that it is  
These old clerks tell this:  
That it is like a goat skyppende  
And for that it is such semende  
It is hot Capra saliens.   

And eke these Astronomyens  
An other fire also by night  
which showeth him to man's sight  
They clepe Eges, the which brenneth  
Like to the currant fire, that runneth  
Upon a cord, as thou haste seen  
when it with powder is so beseen  
Of sulphur, and other things more.   

There is another fire also  
which seemeth to a man's eye  
By nights time, as though there fly  
A●ragon brenning in the sky  
And that is cleped properly  
Daily, whereof men say full oft:  
Lo where the fiery drake a loft  
Fleeth up in th'air: and so they de●en.  
But why the fires such semen  
Of sundry form to behold  
The wise philosopher told  
So as to fore it hath been herd.  
Lo thus my son it hath feared  
Of air, the due proprete  
In sundry wise thou might see.  
And how under the firmament  
It is eke the third element  
which enuyroneth both two  
The water and the land also.    

☞ Nota de igne, quod est quartum elementum.  

¶ And for to tell over this  
Of elements, which the forth is  
That is the Fire in his degree  
which environeth tother three  
And is without moist all dry.  
But list now, what saith the clergy.  
For upon 'em, that I have said  
The creator hath set and laid  
The kind and the complexion  
Of all men's nation.   

Four elements sundry there be  
Lyche unto which of that degree  
Among the men there been also  
Complexions four, and no more:  
whereof the philosopher treateth  
That he nothing behind letteth  
And saith, how that they been diverse  
So as I shall to the rehearse.    

❧ Nota hic qualiter secundum naturam quatuor elementorum, quatuor in humano corpore complexiones scilicet Melancolia, Flengma, Sanguis, et Colera naturaliter constituuntur, unde primo de Melancolia dicendum est.  

❧ He which naturith every kind  
The mighty god, so as I find  
Of man, which is his creature  
Hath so divided the nature:  
That none till other well accordeth.  
And by the cause it so discordeth  
The life, which feeleth the sickness  
May stand upon no likernesse.  
¶ Of th'earth, which is cold and dry  
The kind of man Melancolye  
Is cleped, and that is the first  
The most ungoodlyche, and the worst.   

For unto loves work on night  
Him lacketh both will and might.  
No wonder is in lusty place  
Of love though he lose grace.  
what man hath that complexion  
Full of imagination  
Of deeds, and of wrathful thought  
He fretteth him seluen all to nought.    

☞ De complexione fleugmatis.  
¶ The water, which is moist & cold  
Maketh phlegm, which is manifold  
Foryetel, slow, and weary soon  
Of every thing, which is to done.  
He is of kind suffissant  
To hold love his covenant:  
But that him lacketh appetite  
which longeth unto such delight.   

❧ De complexione sanguinis.  
what man that taketh his kind of thair  
He shall be light, he shall be fair.  
For his complexion is blood  
Of all there is none so good  
For he hath both will and might  
To please and pay love his right  
where as he hath love undertake  
wrong is, if that he forsake.   

☞ De complexione colere.  
¶ The first of his condition  
Appropreth the complexion  
whose properties been dry and hot  
which in a man is collar hot  
It maketh a man been engynous  
And swift of foot, and eke irous.  
Of conteke, and fool hastiness  
He hath a right great business  
To think on love and little may  
Though he be hot well a day  
On night when that he will assay  
He may full evil his debts pay   

❧ Nota qualiter quatuor complexiones quatuor in homine habitationes divisim possident.  
☞ After the kind of th'element  
Thus stant a man's kind went  
As touchend his complexion  
Upon sundry division  
Of dry, of moist, of chele, of beat  
And each of 'em his own seat  
appropered hath within a man.  
And first to tell as I began   

☞ Splen domus melancholy.  
The splen is to melancholy  
Assigned for berbyrgery. ❧   

☞ Pulmo domus flengmatis.  
¶ The moist phlegm, with the cold  
Hath in the longs for his hold  
Ordained him a proper stead  
To dwell there as he is bid.   

❧ Epar domus sanguinis. ❧  
¶ To the sanguine complexion  
Nature of his inspection  
A proper bous hath in the liver  
For his dwelling made deliver.   

☞ Fel domus colere. ❧  
¶ The dry collar, with his bete  
By weigh of kind his proper seat  
Hath in the gall, where be dwelleth  
So as the philosopher telleth   

☞ Nota de stomacho, qui una cum aliis cordi s●ec●alius deseruit.  

¶ Now over this is for to wite  
As it is in physic write  
Of liver, of long, of gall, of spleen  
They all unto the heart bene  
Servants, and each in his office  
Entenden to done him service  
As he which is chief lord above.  
The liver maketh him for to love  
The long giveth him weigh of speech  
The gall serveth to do wretch  
The splen doth him to laugh and pl●y  
when all uncleanness is a way.  
Lo thus hath each of 'em his deed  
To susteynen hem and feed.   

In time of recreation  
Nature hath increation  
The stomach for a common koke  
Ordained so, as saith the book.   

The stomach cook is for the ball  
And boileth meet for hem all  
To make 'em mighty for to serve  
The heart, that he shall nought starve.   

For as a king in his empire  
Above all other is lord and sire:  
So is the heart principal  
To whom reason in special  
Is give, as for the governance.  
¶ And thus nature his purveyance  
Hath made for man to lyven here.  
But god, which hath the soul dear  
Hath form it in other wise,  
That can no man pleynely devise.  
But as the clerks us inform  
That lyche to god it hath a form.  
Through which figure, & which likeness  
The soul hath many an high noblesse  
Appropried to his own kind.  
But of her wits been made blind  
All onelyche of this ilk point  
That her abiding is conjointe  
Forth with the body for to dwell.  
That one desireth toward bell  
That other upward to the heaven  
So shall they never stand in even.  
But if the flesh be overcome  
And that the soul have holly nome  
The governance: and that is seld  
while that the flesh him may bewelde   

All earthly thing, which god began  
was only made to serve man.  
But he the soul all only made  
Him seluen for to serve and glade.  
All other beasts that men find  
They serven unto her own kind.  
But to reason the soul serveth  
whereof the man his thank deserveth  
And get him with his works good  
The perdurable lives food.    

☞ Hic laquitur vlterin● de diuisione terre: que post diluuium tribus filiis Noe in tres partes scilicet Asiam, Affricam/ et Europam dividevatur.  

¶ Of what matter it shall be told  
A tale liketh many fold  
The better, if that it be spoke plain  
Thus think I for to turn again  
And tell plenerly therefore  
Of the earth, whereof now tofore  
I spoke, and of the water eke  
So as these old books speak  
And set properly the bound  
After the form of Mappamounde  
Through which the ground by purparties  
Departed is in three parties  
That is Asye, Africa, Europe  
The which under the heaven cope  
Begrypeth all this earth round  
As far as stretcheth any ground.  
But after that the high wretch  
The water ways let out seche  
And overgo the hills buy  
which every kind made die  
That upon middle earth stood  
Out take No, and his blood  
His sons, and his daughters three  
They were save, and so was he.  
Her names, who that read right  
Sem, Cam, japhet, the brethren height  
And when thilk almighty bond  
withdrough the water fro the land  
And all the rage was away:  
And earth was the man's way:  
The sons three, of which I told  
Right after that hem self would  
This world depart they begun.   

Asia, which lay to the son  
Upon the march of Orient  
was granted by common assent  
To Sem, which was the son eldest  
For that party was the best  
And double, as much as other two.  
And was that time bounded so  
where as the flood, which men Nile calleth  
Departed fro his course, and falleth  
In to the see Alexandryne  
There taketh Asye first sesyne  
Towardeth west, and over this  
Of Canabim, where the flood is  
In to the great see rennende  
from that in to the worlds end  
eastward Asye it is algates  
Till that men comen to the gates  
Of paradies, and there ho.   

And shortly for to speak it so  
Of Orient in general  
within his bound Asye hath all.    

¶ De Africa et Europa.  

¶ And than upon that other side  
westward, as it fell thilk tide  
The brother, which was hot Cam  
Unto his part africa nam.   

japhet Europe though took he  
Thus parten they the world on three.   

But yet there been of lands feel  
In Occident, as for the chele  
In orient as for the heat  
which of the people be forlete  
As land desert, that is unable  
For it may not been habitable.    

¶ Nota de mare, quod magnum Oceanum dicitur.  

¶ The water eke hath sundry bound  
After the land, where it is found  
And taketh his name of thilk lands  
where that it runneth on the strands.   

But thilk se, which hath no wane.  
Is cleped the great Ocean:  
Out of which arise and come  
The high bloods all and some.  
Is none so little well spring  
which there ne taketh his beginning  
And lyche a man that lacketh breath  
By weigh of kind, so it gethe  
Out of the see, and in again  
The water as the books say.    

¶ Nota hic secundum philosophum de quinto elemento, quod omnia sub celo creata infra suum ambitum continet, cui nomen orbis specialiter appropriatum est.  

¶ Of elements the properties  
How that they standen by degrees  
As I have told, now might thou here  
My good son all the matter  
Of earth, of water, air, and fire.  
And for thou sayest, that thy desire  
Is for to weten overmore  
The form of Aristotle's lore.  
He saith in his intendment  
That yet there is an element  
Above the four, and is the fift  
Set of the high gods gift:  
The which that Orbis cleped is.  
And thereupon he telleth this  
That as the shell bull and sound  
Encloseth all about round  
what thing within a neye belongeth:  
Right so this Orbis underfongeth  
These elements everichone  
which I have spoke of one and one.   

But over this now take good heed  
My son: for I will proceed  
To speak upon Mathematyke  
which grounded is on Theoryke.   

The science of astronomy  
I think for to specify  
without which to tell plain  
All other science is in vain  
Toward the school of earthly things.  
For as an eagle with his wings  
Fleeth above all that men find  
So doth this science in his kind.   
Lege planetarum magis inferiora reguntur  
〈◊〉 ●ed interdum regula fallit opus.  
〈◊〉 ●d●ante deo, sapiens dominabitur astris,  
〈◊〉 nec immerito quod novitatis agunt.   

☞ Hic soquitur de artis Mathematice quarta 〈◊〉, que astronomia nuncupatur, cui eciam Asti●●ogia socia connumeratur, Sed primo de se●●em planetis, que inter astra potenciores existunt, I●● piendo a luna seorsum tractare intendit.  

¶ beneath upon this earth here  
Of all things the matter  
As tell us they, that been learned  
Of thing above it stont governed  
That is to say of the planets  
The cheles both, and eke the hetes.  
The chances of the world also  
That we fortune clepe so  
Among the men's nation  
All is through constellation  
whereof that some man hath the weal:  
And some men have diseses feel  
In love as well as other things.   

The state of realms, and of kings  
In time of peace, in time of were  
It is conceived of the star.  
And thus saith the naturien  
which is an Astonomyens.  
But the divine saith other wise  
That if men were good and wise  
And pleasant unto the godhead  
They should not the stars dread.   

For one man, if him well befall  
Is more worth than be they all  
Towards him, that weldeth all.  
But yet the law original  
which he hath set in the natures  
Mot worchen in the creatures  
That thereof may be none obstacle  
But if it stand upon miracle  
Through prayer of some holy man.   

And for thy so as I began  
To speak upon astronomy  
As it is write in the clergy  
To tell how the planets far  
Some part I think to delare  
My son unto thin audience.   

Astronomy is the science  
Of wisdom and of high coninnge  
which maketh a man have knowleching  
Of stars in the fermament  
Figure, circle, and movement  
Of each of 'em in sundry place:  
And what between 'em is of space  
How so they move or stand fast  
All this it telleth to the last.   

Assembled with astronomy  
Is eke that ilk astrology  
The which in judgement accounteth  
Th'effect, what every star amounteth.  
And how they causen many a wonder  
To the climates, that stand 'em under.   

And for to tell it more plain  
These old philosopher's sayen  
That Orbis, which I spoke of ere  
Is that, which fro th'earth a far  
Behold, and firmament it call  
In which the stars standen all.  
Among the which in special  
planets seven principal  
There been, that man's sight deemeth:  
By thorizon, as to us seemeth.  
And also there been signs twelve  
which have her circles by 'emself  
Compassed in the Zodiac:  
In which they have her places take.  
And as they stonden in degree  
Her circles more or less be  
Made after the proportion  
Of the earth, whose condition  
Is set, to be fundament  
To sustain up the firmament.   

And by this skill a man may know  
The more that they standen low  
The more been the circles lass  
That causeth why that some pass  
Her due course tofore an other.  
But now my lief dear brother  
As thou desirest for to wite  
what I find in the books write  
To tell of the planets seven  
How that they stand upon the heaven:  
And in what point that they been in  
Take heed: for I will begin:  
So as the philosopher taught  
To Alysaunder and it be taught  
whereof that he was fully taught  
Of wisdom, which was him betaught.    

¶ Nota hic de prima planeta/ que aliis inferior luna dicitur.  
¶ beneath all other stont the Moon  
The which hath with the see to done  
Of floods high, & ebbs low  
Upon his change it shall be know.  
And every fish, which hath a shell  
might in his governance dwell  
To wax and wane in his degree  
As by the moan a man may see  
And all that stont upon the ground  
Of his moisture, it moat be found.  
All other stars, as men find  
Ben shynende of her own kind  
Out take only the moan light  
which is not of himself bright  
But as he taketh it of the son.  
And yet he hath nought all full won  
His light, that he nis somdell dark  
But what the let is of that work  
In Almagest it telleth this.  
The moans circle so low is  
whereof the son out of his stage  
Ne seth him not with full visage  
For he is with the ground beshaded  
So that the moan is somedeal faded  
And may not fully shine clear.  
But what man under his power  
Is boar, he shall his place change  
And seche many lands strange.  
And as of this condition  
The moans disposition  
Upon the land of Alemayne  
Is set, and eke upon Britain  
which now is cleped England  
For they travail in every land.   

☞ De secunda planeta, que Mercurine dicitur.  

¶ Of the planets the second.  
Above the moan hath take his bond  
Mercury: and his nature is this  
That under him who that borne is  
In book he shall be studious  
And in writing curious  
And slow and lustles to travail  
In thing, which else might avail  
He loveth ease, he loveth rest  
So is be not the worthiest.  
But yet with somedeal business  
His heart is set upon richesse.   

And as in this condition  
Th'effect and disposition  
Of this planet, and of his chance  
Is most in Borgoyne, and in France.    

☞ De tercia planeta/ que Venus dicitur.  

¶ Next to Mercury as wool befall  
Stont that planet, which men call  
Venus: whose constellation  
Governeth all the nation  
Of lovers, where they speed or none.  
Of which I trow thou be one.   

But whetherward thin haps wend  
Shall this planet show at end  
As it hath do to many more.  
To some well, to some wo.  
And nevertheless of this planet  
The most party is soft and sweet.   

For who that thereof taketh his birth  
He shall desire joy and mirth  
gentle courteous and debonair  
To speak his words soft and fair  
such shall he be by weigh of kind.  
And overall where he may find  
pleasance of love, his heart boweth  
with all his might and there he wooeth.  
He is so forforth amorous  
He not what thing is vicious.  
Touchend love for that law  
There may no manner man withdraw  
The which Veneryen is boar  
By weigh of kind, And therefore  
Venus of love the goddess  
Is cleped, but of wantonness  
The climate of her lechery  
Is most common in lombardy.    

¶ 〈◊〉 de sole, qui medio planetarum residens, ●●●●rum principatum obtinet.  
❧ Next unto this planet of love  
The bright son stont above  
which is the hinderer of the night  
And fortherer of the days light:  
As he which is the worlds eye  
Through whom the lusty company  
Of fowls by the morrow sing:  
The fresh flowers spread and springe  
The high tree the ground beshadeth  
And every man's heart gladdeth  
And for it is the heed planet  
How that he sitteth in his seat  
Of what richesse, of what nobleye  
These books tell: and thus they say.   

❧ Nota de curru solis, necnon de v●rio eiusdem apparatu,  

¶ Of gold glistrende spoke and wheel  
The son his cart hath fair and we'll  
In which he sit, and is coroned  
with bright stones environed:  
Of which if that I speak shall  
There be tofore in special  
Set in the front of his corone  
Three stones, which no person  
Hath upon earth, and the first is  
By name cleped Licuchis.  
That other two cleped thus  
Astrices and Ceraunus  
In his corone, and also behind  
By old books as I find  
There been of worthy stones three  
Set each of 'em in his degree  
whereof a Crystal is that one  
which that corone is set upon.  
The second is an adamant.  
The third is noble and avenaunt  
which cleped is Idriades  
And over this yet nevertheless  
Upon the sides of the work  
After the writing of the clerk.  
There sitten five stones more  
The Smaragdine is one of though  
jaspis and Elitropius  
And Vendides and jacinctus.  
Lo thus the corone is beset  
whereof it shineth well the bet  
And in such wise his light to spread  
Sit with his Diadem on heed  
The son shynende in his cart  
And for to lead him swithe and smart  
After the bright days law  
There been ordained for to draw  
Four horse his char, and him withal  
whereof the na●●● tell I shall.  
Eritheus the first is hot  
The which is red and shineth hot  
The second Acteos the bright  
Lamps the third courser hight  
And Philogeus is the ferth  
That bringen light unto this earth  
And gone so swift upon the heaven  
In four and twenty hours even  
The cart with the bright son  
They draw, so that over run  
They have under the circles buy  
All mid earth in such an buy.   

And thus the son is over all  
The chief planet imperial  
Above him and beneath him three  
And thus between hem runneth he  
As he that hath the middle place  
Among the seven: and of his face  
Ben glad all earthly creatures  
And taken after the natures  
Her ease and recreation.  
And in his constellation  
who that is boar in special  
Of good will and of liberal  
He shall be found in all place  
And also stonden in much grace  
Toward the lords for to serve  
And great profit and thank deserve.   

And over that it causeth yet  
A man to be subtle of wit  
To worch in gold, and to be wise  
In every thing, which is of prize.  
But for to speaken in what cost  
Of all this earth he reigneth most  
As for wisdom it is in grece  
where is appropered thilk spece.    

☞ Nota de quinta planeta/ que Mars dicitur.  

☞ Mars the planet bataillous  
Next to the son glorious  
Above stant, and doth meruailles  
Upon the fortune of battles.   

The Conquerors by days old  
were unto this planet hold.  
But who that his nativity  
Hath take upon the propirte  
Of Martis disposition  
By weigh of constellation  
He shall be fers and full hastyfe  
And desirous of were and strife.   

But for to tell ridily  
In what climate most commonly  
That this planet hath his effect.  
Said is, that he hath his aspect  
Upon the holy land so cast  
That there is no peace steadfast.    

☞ Nota de sexta planeta/ que jupiter dicitur.  
¶ Above Mars upon the heaven  
The sixth planet of the seven  
Stant jupiter the delicate  
which causeth peace, and no debate.  
For he is cleped the planet  
which of his kind soft and sweet  
Attempreth all that to him longeth.  
And whom this planet underfongeth  
To stand upon his regiment  
He shall be meek and patient  
And fortunate to marchandye  
And lusty to delicacy  
In every thing, which he shall do.  
This jupiter is cause also  
Of the science of light works  
And in this wise tell clerks  
He is the planet of delyces.  
But in Egypte of his offices  
He reigneth most in special  
For there been lusts over all  
Of all that to this life befalleth.  
For there no stormy weather falleth  
which might grieve man or be'st  
And eke the land is so honest  
That it is plenteous and plain  
There is no idle ground in vain  
And upon such felicity  
Stant jupiter in his degree.   

¶ De septima planeta, que reliquis celcior Saturnus dictus est.  

¶ The highest, and above all  
Stant that planet, which men call  
Saturnus, whose complexion  
Is cold, and his condition  
Causeth malice and cruelty  
To him, whose nativity  
Is set under his governance.  
For all his works been grievance  
And enemy to man's hele  
In what degree that he shall deal.  
His climate is in orient  
where that he is most violent.  
¶ Of the planets by and by  
How that they stand upon the sky  
from point to point as thou might here  
was Alysander made to lere.   

But over this touchende his lore  
Of thing, that they him taughten more  
Upon the schools of clergy  
Now hearken the philosophy.    

☞ POST QVAM DICTUM est de septem planetis, quibus sigule septimane dies singulariter attitulantur dicendum est iam de duo decim signis, per que twelve menses anni variis temporibus effectus varios assequuntur.  
¶ He which departeth day fro night  
That one dark, and that other bright  
Of seven days made a week  
A month of four weeks eke  
He hath ordained in his law.  
Of mouths twelve, and eke forthdraw  
He hath also the long year.  
And as he set of his power  
Accordaunt to the days seven  
planets seven upon the heaven  
As thou tofore hast herd devise  
To speak right in such a wise  
To every month by himself  
Upon the heaven, of signs twelve  
〈◊〉 hath after his ordinal  
Assigned one in special  
whereof so as I shall rehersen  
〈◊〉 tides of the year diversen.  
But plainly for to make it know  
Now that the signs sit a row  
〈◊〉 after other by degree  
In substance and in property  
The Zodiac comprehendeth  
〈◊〉 his circle, and it appendeth.   

〈◊〉 ●●IA HIC de primo signo, quod aries 〈…〉 mensis specialiter Marc● appropria●●●●●. 〈…〉 in primo produxit adesse creata.  

¶ And as it saith in almageste  
Of stars twelve upon this be'st  
●en set, whereof in his degree  
The womb hath two, the heed hath three  
The tail hath seven, and in this wise  
As thou might hear me devise  
Stant Aries, which hot and dry  
Is of himself, and in party  
He is the receipt and the house  
Of mighty Mars the bataylous.  
And overmore eke as I find  
The creature of all kind  
Upon this sign first began  
The world, when that hem de man  
And of this constellation  
The very operation  
availeth, if a man therein  
The purpose of his work begin.  
For than he hath of property  
Good speed and great felicity.   

The twelve months of the year  
Attitled under the power  
Of these twelve signs stand  
whereof that thou shalt understand  
This Aries out of the twelve  
Hath March attitled for himself  
when every bird shall cheese his make  
And every adder, and every snake  
And every reptyle, which may move  
His might assayeth for to prove  
To crepen out ayeine the son  
when vere his season hath begun.    

☞ Secundum signu dicitur Taurus, cuius mensis est Aprilis. Quo prius occultas invenit herba vias.  
¶ Taurus the second after this  
Of signs, which figured is  
Unto a boolle dry and cold  
And as it is in books told  
He is the house appertinaunt  
To Venus' somedeal discordant.  
This boolle is eke with stars set  
Through which he hath his horns knet  
Unto the tail of Aries  
So is he not there sterreles.  
Upon his breast eke eyghten  
He hath, and eke as it is seen  
Upon his tail stand other two  
His month assigned eke also  
Is Aueryl, which of showers  
Ministereth weigh unto the flowers.   

☞ Tercium signum dicitur Gemini, cuius mensis Maius est. Quo volucrum cantus gaudet de floribus ortis,  

¶ The third sign is Gemini  
which is figured readily  
Liche to two twins of man kind  
That naked stand: And as I find  
They been with stars well bigo  
The heed hath part of thilk t●o  
That sh●● upon the boolles tail  
So be● they both of a parayle.   

But of the wo●●●e of Gemini  
Ben five stars not for thy.  
And eke upon the ●●ete bentwey  
So as these old 〈◊〉 feye  
That wise Ptholomeus wrote  
His propremonthe well I wot  
Assigned is the lusty May  
wha● every brydde upon his lay  
among the green leaves swageth  
And love of his poynture stingeth  
After the laws of nature  
The youth of every creature.    

☞ Quarium signum Cancer dicitur/ cuius mensis jumus est. Quo falcat pratis pabula tonsor equis.  
❧ Cancer after the rule and space  
Of signs halt the forth place.  
Like to the crab he hath semblance  
And hath unto his retimaunce  
Xvi. stars, whereof ten  
So as these old wise men  
Discrive, he heareth on him tofore  
And in the middle two before  
And four he hath upon his end  
Thus goeth he stirred in his kende.  
And of himself is moist and cold  
And he is the proper house and hold  
which appertaineth to the moan  
And doth what longeth him to done.  
The month of june unto this sign  
Thou shalt after the rule assign.   

❧ Quintum signum Leo dicitur/ cuius mensis Inlius est. Quo magis ad terras expandit Lucifer ignis.  
¶ The fifth sign is Leo hot  
whose kynbe is shape dry and hot  
In whom the son hath herbergage  
And the semblance of his image  
Is a lion, which in bayllye  
Of stars hath his purpartye  
The four, which as Cancer hath  
Upon his end Leo hath.  
Upon his heed and than nest  
He hath eke four upon his breast.  
And 〈◊〉 upon his tail behind  
In 〈◊〉 books as I find.  
His proper mouth is jule by name:  
In which men played ma●● a game.   

¶ Septum signum Virgo dicitur, cuius mensis Augustus est. Quo nacuata prius pubes replet horrea messis.  
¶ After Leo, Virgo the next  
Of signs cleped is the sext:  
whereof the figure is a maid  
And as the philosopher said  
She is the wealth, and the rising  
The lust, the joy, and the liking  
Unto Mercury: and sooth to say  
She is with stars well be say  
whereof Leo hath lent her one  
which set on high her heed upon  
Her womb hath .v. her●ete also  
Have other five: and ever more  
Touchende as of complexion  
By kyndley disposition  
Of dry and cold this maiden is.  
And for to tell over this  
Her mouth, thou shalt understand  
when every field hath corn in hand  
And many a man his back hath plied  
Unto to this sign is August applied.   

¶ Septimum signum Libra dicitur, cuius mensis September est. Vinea quo Bacchum pressa liquore colit.  
¶ After Virgo to reckon in even  
Libra sit in the number of seven  
which hath figure and resemblance  
Unto a man, which a balance  
beareth in his hand, as for to weigh  
In book and as it may be say:  
divers stars to him longeth  
whereof o● heed he underfongeth  
First three, and eke his womb hath two,  
And down beneath viii other more.  
This sign is hot and moist both  
The which things be not loath  
Unto Venus, so that aloft  
She resteth in his house full oft  
And eke Saturn often hied  
Is in the sign and magnified.  
His proper month is said Septembre  
which giveth men cause to remember  
If any sore be left behind  
Of thing, which grieve may to kind.   

☞ De●aū signum Scorpio dicitur/ cuius mensi● Octobris eft. Floribus exclusis hyems qui ianitor extat.  
¶ Among the signs upon height  
The sign, which is numbered eight  
Is Scorpio, which as selon  
Fygured is a Scorpion.  
But for all that yet nevertheless  
Is Scorpio not sterlesse.  
For Libra granteth him his end  
Of viii stars, where he wend  
The which upon his heed assysed  
He beareth, and eke there been devised  
Upon his womb stars three  
And viii upon his tail hath he.  
which of his kind is moist and cold  
And unbehovely many fold.  
He harmeth Venus and empeyreth  
But Mars unto his house repeyreth  
But ware when they together dwellen.  
His proper month is, as men tell  
Octobre, which bringeth the kalende  
Of winter, that cometh next suende.   

❧ Nonum signum sagittarius dicitur/ cuius men s●● s●● nembris eft. Quo multum bibulo linquit sua nomina vino.  

¶ The ix sign in Novembre also  
which followeth after Scorpio  
Is cleped Sagittarius  
The whose figure is marked thus.  
A monster with a bow on hand  
On whom that sundry stars stand  
Thilk viii of which I spoke tofore  
The which upon the tail been lore  
Of Scorpio the heed all fair  
Be spreaden of the sagittaire  
And viii of other stonden even  
Upon his womb, and other seven  
There stonden upon his tail behind  
And he is hot and dry of kind.  
To jupiter his house is fire  
But to Mercury in his degree  
(For they be not of one assent)  
He worcheth great empeirement.   

This sign hath of his property  
A month, which of duty  
After the season that befalleth  
The plough ox in winter stalleth.  
And fire in to the hall he bringeth  
And thilk drink, of which men singeth  
He turneth must in to the wine  
Than is the larder of the swine  
That is november which I mean  
when that the leef hath lost his green.    

❧ Decimum signum Capricornius dicitur/ cuius mensis decembris est. Ipse diem navo noctem que giganti figurat.  
¶ The tenth sign dry and cold  
The which is Capricornus told  
Unto a goat hath resemblance  
For whose love, and whose aqueintance  
within his house to sojourn  
It liketh well unto Saturn.  
But to the Moon it liketh nought  
For no profit is there wrought  
This sign as of his proprete  
Upon his heed hath stars three  
And eke upon his womb two  
And fifty upon his tail also.  
december after the years forms  
So as the books us informs  
with days short and nights long  
This ilk sign hath underfang.   

¶ Vndecimum signum Aquarius dicitur cuius mensis januarius eft. Quo lanus vultum duplum convertit in annum.  
¶ Of though that sitten upon the heaven  
Of signs in the number eleven  
Aquarius hath take his place  
And stant well in Saturnus grace:  
which dwelleth in his herbergage  
But to the son he doth outrage.  
This sign is verily resembled  
Lyche to a man, which halt assembled  
In either hand a water spout  
whereof the streams rennen out.  
He is of kind moist and hot  
And he that of the stars wot  
Saith, that he hath of stars two  
Upon his heed, and have of though  
That Capricorn hath on his end.  
And as the books maken mind  
That Ptholomeus made himself  
He hath he on his womb twelve:  
And two upon his end stand.  
Thou shalt also this understand  
The frosty cold Janivere  
when comen is the new year  
That janus with double face  
In his thair hath take his place  
And looketh upon both sides  
Some deal toward the winter tides  
Some deal toward the year suende  
That is the month belongende  
Unto this sign, and of his dole  
He giveth the first primrole.   

¶ Duodecimum signum Piscis dicitur, cuius mensis Februarius est. Quo plunie torrens ●parum concitat amnes.  

¶ The twelve which is last of all  
Of signs, Piscis men it call,  
The which, as telleth the scripture  
beareth of two fishes the figure.  
So is he cold and moist of kind.  
And eke with stars as I find  
Be set in sundry wise, as thus  
Two of his end Aquarius  
Hath lent, unto his heed, and two  
This sign hath of his own also  
Upon his womb: and over this  
Upon his end also there is  
A number of twenty stars bright  
which is to seen a wonder sight  
Toward this sign in to his house  
Comth jupiter the glorious  
And Venus eke with him acordeth  
To dwellen, as the book recordeth.  
The month unto this sign ordained  
Is Februar, which is bereigned.  
And with londflodes in his rage  
At fords letteth the passage.  
¶ Now hast thou heard the proprete  
Of signs, but in his degree  
Albumazare yet over this  
saith, so as the earth parted is  
In four: right so been devised  
The signs twelve, and stand assizes  
That each of 'em in his party  
Hath hi● climate to justify  
whereof the first regiment  
Toward the part of Orient  
From Antioch, and that country  
Governed is of signs three:  
That is Cancer, Virgo, Leo.  
And toward th'occident also  
From Armeny, as I am learned  
Of Capricorn it stant governed  
Of Piscis and Aquarius.  
And after 'em I find thus  
southward fro Alysander forth  
though signs, which most been worth  
In governance of that Doaire  
Libra they been and Sagittaire  
with Scorpio, which is conjoint  
with 'em to stand upon that point  
Of Constantynople the cite  
(So as these books tell me)  
The last of this division  
Stant untoward septemtrion  
where as by weigh of porueance  
Aries hath the governance  
Forth with Taurus and Gemini  
Thus been the signs properly  
Divided, as it is rehearsed  
whereof the lands been diversed.   

Lo thus my son, as thou might here  
was Alysaunder made to lere  
Of 'em, that weren for his lore.  
But now to looken overmore  
Of other stars how they far  
I think hereafter to declare  
So as king Alysaunder in youth  
Of him that such signs couth  
Informed was tofore his eye  
By night upon the stars sye.    

☞ HIC tractat super doctrina Nectanabi dum ipse iuuenem Alexandrum instruxit de illis praecipue quindecim stellis/ una cum carum sapidibus et herbis, que ad artis Magice naturalis operacionem specialius conveniunt.  
¶ Upon sundry creation  
Stant sundry operation  
Some worcheth this, some worcheth that  
The fire is hot in his estate  
And brenneth what he may attain.  
The water may the fire restrain  
The which is cold and moist also  
Of other thing it fareth right so  
Upon the earth among us here  
And for to speak in this manner  
Upon the heaven as men may find  
The stars been of sundry kind  
And worchen many sundry things  
To us, that been her underlings.  
Among the which forth withal  
Nectanabus in special  
which was an Astronomyen  
And eke a great magician  
And undertake hath thilk emprise  
To Alisandre in his apprise  
As of magic naturele  
To know, informeth him somedeal  
Of certain stars what they mean  
Of which he saith there been fifteen.  
And sondrily to everichone  
A grass belongeth and a stone:  
whereof men worchen many a wonder  
To set thing both up and under.   

❧ ●●●ma stella vocatur Aldeboran, cuius la●●● Ca●●nne●lus, et herba anabulla est.  
¶ To tell right as he began  
The first star Aldeboran  
The clearest and the most of all  
By right name men it call  
which lyche is of condition  
To Mars, and of complexion  
To Venus, and hath thereupon  
Carbunculum his proper stone.  
His herb is annabulla named  
which is of great virtue proclaimed.   

¶ Secunda stella vocatur Clota, feu Pliades, c●●●s lapis Christallum, et herba feniculus est.  
¶ The second is not vertules  
Clota, or else Plyades  
It hate, and of the moans kind  
He is: and also this I find  
He taketh of Mars complexion  
And lyche to such condition.  
His stone appropered is Crystal.  
And eke his herb in special  
The virtuous yenel it is.   

¶ Tertia stella vocatur Algol, cuius lapis D●●mans, et herba heleborum nigtum est.  
¶ The third, which cometh after this  
Is hot Algos the clear read  
which of Saturn as I may read  
His kind taketh, and eke of jove  
Complexion to his behone.  
His proper stone is Diamant  
which is to him most acordant.  
His herb, which is him betake  
Is hot Eleborum the black.   

Quarta stella vocatur Alhaiot, cuius lapis Saphirus, et herba Marrubium est.  
¶ So as it falleth upon lot  
The fourth star is Alhaiotte  
which in the wise as I said ere  
Of Saturn and of jupiter  
Hath take his kind and there upon  
The Saphir is his proper stone  
Marrubium his herb also  
The which accordene both two.   

☞ Quinta stella vocatur Canis maior/ cuius lapis Berillus/ et herba savina est,  
¶ And Canis mayor in his like  
The fifth star is of magic  
The whose kind is venerien  
As saith this astronomien.  
His proper stone is said Berille  
But for to work and to fulfil  
Thing, which to this science falleth  
There is an herb, which men calleth  
Saveyne, and that behoveth need  
To him, that will his purpose speed.   

¶ Sexta stella vocatur canis minor, cuius lapis Achatis, et herba primula est.  
¶ The sixth sewende after this  
By name canis minor is.  
The which star is Mercurial  
By weigh of kind, and forth withal  
As it is wry ten in the cart  
Complexion he taketh of Mart  
His stone and herb as saith the school  
Been Achates and Primerole   

¶ Septima stella vocatur Arial, cuius lapis g●●gonza, et herba celidonia est.  
¶ The seventh star in special  
Of this science is Ariall  
which sundry nature underfongeth.  
The stone, which ꝓpre unto him longeth  
Gorgonza properly it hight.  
His herb also, which he shall right  
Upon the working as I mean  
Is Celidone fresh and green.   

¶ Octava stella vocatur Ala corui, cuius lapis honochinus, et herba lappacia est,  
¶ Star Ala corui upon height  
Hath take his place in number of eight  
which of his kind moat perform  
The will of Mart and of Saturn.  
To whom Lappacia the great  
Is herb, but of no beyete.  
His stone is Honochinus hot  
Through which men worchen great riot.   

¶ Nona stella vocatur Alaezel, cuius lapis Smaragdus, et herba salgea est.  
¶ The ninth star fair and we'll  
By name is hot Alaezele  
which taketh his proper kind thus  
Both of Mercury and of Venus.  
His stone is the green emerald  
To whom is given many a laud.  
Saulge is his herb appertynant  
above all the remanant.   

¶ Decima stella vocatur Almareth, cuius lapis jaspis, et herba plantago est.  
¶ The tenth star is Almareth  
which upon life and upon death  
Through kind of jupiter and Mart  
He doth what longeth to his part.  
His stone is jaspe, and of plantain  
He hath his herb sovereign.   

¶ Vndecima stella vocatur venenas, cuius lapis Adamas, et herba cicorea est.  
¶ The star eleventh is Venenas  
The whose nature is, as it was  
Take of Venus, and of the Moon  
In thing, which he hath for to done  
Of Adamaunt is that perry  
In which he worcheth his mastery.  
Thilk herb also, which him befalleth  
Cicorea the book him calleth.   

¶ Duodecima stella vocatur Alpheta, cuius lapis Topasion, et herba rosameri.  
¶ Alpheta in the number set  
And is the twelve star yet  
Of Scorpio, which is governed  
And taketh his kind as I am learned  
And hath his virtue in the stone  
which cleped is Topasione.  
His herb proper is rosemaryne  
which shapen is for his covin.   

¶ Tertiadecima stella vocatur Cor Scorpionis, cuius lapis Serdis, et herba Astrologia est.  
☞ Of these stars, which I mean  
Cor Scorpionis is threttene  
The whose nature Mart and jove  
Have given unto his bihove.  
His herb is astrology  
which followeth his astronomy  
The stone which that this star allowth  
Is Sardis, which unto him bowth.   

¶ Quartadecima stella vocatur botercadent, cuius lapis Crisolitus, et herba saturea est.  
¶ The star which stant next the last  
Nature of him this name cast  
And clepe him Botercadent  
which of his kind obedient  
Is to Mercury and to Venus.  
His stone is called Crisolitus.  
His herb is cleped Satureye  
So as these old books say.   

¶ Quintadecima stella vocatur cauda scorpionis, cuius lapis Calcidonis, et herba maiorana est.  
¶ But now the last star of all  
The tail of Scorpio men call  
which to Mercury and to Saturn  
By weigh of kind more return  
After the preparation  
Of due constellation.  
The calcidone unto him longeth  
which for his stone he underfongeth  
Of maioran his herb is grounded.  
Thus have I said how they been founded  
Of every star in special  
which hath his herb and stone withal  
As Hermes in his books old  
witness beareth, of that I told.   

¶ Nota hic de auctoribus illis, qui ad astronomy scientiam pre ceteris studiosius intendentes libros super hoc distinctis nominibus composuerunt.  

¶ The science of astronomy  
which principal is of clergy  
To dame between woe and we'll  
In things that been naturele  
They had a great travail on bond  
That made it first been understand  
And they also, which overmore  
Her study set upon this lore  
They weren gracious and wise  
And worthy for to bear a prize.  
And whom it liketh for to weet  
●f hem that this science write.   

One of the first, which it wrote  
Alter No, it was Nembrote  
To his disciple Ichonyton  
And made a book forth thereupon,  
The which Megastre cleped was.   

another auctor in this case  
●s ●●●hel, the which men note  
His book is Abbateneyth boat.   

D●●e Ptolemy is not the least  
which maketh the book of Almagest.  
And Altraganus doth the same  
whose book is Cathenus by name.  
Gebus and Alpetragus eke  
Of palmistry, which men seek  
The books made, And over this  
Full many a worthy clerk there is  
That written upon this clergy  
The books of Altemetry.  
Planemetry and eke also,  
which as belongeth both two  
So as they bene naturiens  
Unto these astronomyens  
Men say that Abraham was one.  
But whether that be wrote or none  
That find I not, and Moses  
Eke was an other: but Hermes  
Above all other in his science  
He had a great experience.  
Through him was many a star assised  
whose books yet been authorized.  
I may not known all though  
That written in the time though  
Of this science, but I find  
Of judgement by way of kind  
That in one point they all accorden  
Of stars, which they recorden  
That men may see upon the heaven.   

There been a thousand stars even  
And two and twenty to the sight  
which been of 'em self so bright  
That men may dame what they be  
The nature and the proprete.   

Now hast thou hard in such awise  
These noble philosopher's wise  
Enformden this young king  
And made him have a knowelechinge  
Of thing which first to the party  
Belongeth of philosophy  
which theoric cleped is  
As thou tofore hast herd ere this.  
But now to speak of the second  
which Aristotle hath also found  
And teacheth how to speak fair  
which is a thing full necessayre  
To counterpoise the balance  
where lacketh other suffisance.   
Compositi pulcra sermones verba placere.  
Principio poterunt vera ꝙ fine placent  
Herba lapis, sermo, tria sunt virtute repleta.  
Vis tum ex verbi pondere pulcra facit.   

¶ Hic tractat de secunda part philosophy, cuius nomen Rhetorica facundos efficit. Loquitur etiam de eiusdem duabus speciebus, scilicet Grammatica et Logica, quarum doctrina Rhethor sua verba perornat.  

¶ Above all earthly creatures  
The high maker of natures  
The word to man hath you alone  
So that the speech of his person  
Or for to lose, or for to win  
The hearts thought, which is withinne  
May show, what it would mean  
And that is no where else seen  
Of kind with none other be'st.  
So should he be the more honest  
To whom god gave so worthy a gift  
And look well that he ne shift  
His words to none wicked use.  
For word, the teacher of vertuse  
Is cleped in philosophy.  
whereof thouchende this party  
Is Rhetoric the science  
appropered to the reverence  
Of words, that been reasonable.  
And for this art shall be vailable  
with goodly words for to like  
It hath Grammar, it hath logic  
That serven both unto the speech.   

Grammar first hath for to teach  
To speak upon congruyte.   

logic hath eke in his degree  
Between the truth and the falsehood  
The plain words for to shed:  
So that nothing shall go beside  
That he the right ne shall decide  
whereof full many a great debate  
Reform is to good estate  
And peace sustained up aloft  
with easy words and with soft  
where strength should let it fall.   

The philosopher amongs all  
For thy commendeth this science  
which hath the rule of eloquence.  
In stone and grass virtue there is  
But yet the books tell this  
That word above all earthly things  
Is virtuous in his doings  
where so it be to evil or good.  
For it the words seemen good  
And been well spoke at man's ere.  
when that there is no truth there  
They done full oft full great deceit.  
For when the word to the conceit  
Discordeth in so double a wise  
Such Rhetoric is to despise  
In every place, and for to dread.   

For of Vlixes thus I read  
As in the book of Troy is found  
His eloquence, and his fecund  
Of goodly words, which he told  
Hath made, that Antenor him sold  
The town, which he with treason won.  
word hath beguiled many a man.   

with word the wild be'st is daunted.  
with word the serpent is enchanted.  
Of words among the men of arms  
Been wounds heeled with the charms.  
where lacketh other medicine  
word hath under his discipline  
Of sorsery the characts.  
The words been of sundry sects  
Of evil, and eke of good also.  
The words maken of friend foe  
And fo of friend, and peace of were  
And were of peace, and out of her  
The word the worlds cause entryketh  
And reconcileth who on him liketh.  
The word under the cope of heaven  
Set every thing or odd or even.  
with word the high god is pleased.  
with word the words been appeased.  
The soft word the loud stilleth  
where lacketh good the word fulfilleth  
To make amends for the wrong.  
when words medlen with the song  
It doth pleasance well the more.  
But for to look upon this lore  
How Tullius his Rhetoric  
Compouneth, there a man may pike  
How that he shall his words set.  
How he shall lose, how he shall knet  
And in what wise he shall pronounce  
His tale plain without frounce  
whereof ensample if thou wilt seche  
Take heed and read whilom the speech.    

¶ Nota de eloquentia julii in causa Catilme contra Syllanum, et alios tunc urbis roman continentes.  

¶ Of julius, and Cicero  
which consul was of Rome though  
Of Cato eke, and Syllene  
Behold the words hem between.   

when the treason of Catiline  
Discovered was, and the covin  
Of 'em, that were of his assent  
was know and spoke in parliament  
And asked how, and in what wise  
Men should done him to juwyse   

Syllanus first his tale told  
To troth and as he was behold  
The common profit for to save  
He said how treason should have  
A cruel death. And thus they speak.  
The Consul both and Cato eke  
And saiden, that for such a wrong  
There may no pain be to strong.  
But julius with words wise  
His tale told all other wise  
As be which would his death respite  
And foundeth how he might excite  
The judges through his eloquence  
from death to torn the sentence  
And set her hearts to pity.  
Now tolden they, now told he  
They speaken plain after the law,  
But he the words of his saw  
Coloureth in an other weigh  
Spekende and thus between the twey  
To treat upon this judgement  
Made each of 'em his argument.  
whereof the tales for to here  
There may a man the school lere  
Of Rhetoric the eloquence  
which is the second of science  
Touchende to philosophy  
whereof a man shall justify  
His words in disputeson  
And knit upon conclusion  
His argument in such a form  
which may the plain truth inform  
And the subtle cautel abate  
which every true man shall debate.   
Practica quecunque statum pars terria philosophy,  
Ad regimen recte ducit in orb viae,  
Sed quanto maior rex est, tanto magis ipsum  
Ex schola concernit, quo sua regna regit.   

¶ Hic tractat de tertia part philosophy, que practica vocatur: cuius species sunt tres, scilicet Et●ica, Economia, et Politica, quarum doctrina regia magestas in suo regimine ad honoris magnificentiam per singula dirigitur.  

¶ The first, which is theoryke  
And the second Rhetoryke  
Sciences of philosophy  
I have 'em told as in party  
So as the philosopher it told,  
To Alysandre: and now I would  
Tell of the third, what it is  
The which practic cleped is.   

practic stont upon three things  
Toward the governance of kings:  
whereof the first Etyke is named  
The whose science stant proclaimed  
To teach of virtue thilk rule  
How that a king himself shall rule  
Of his moral condition  
with worthy disposition.  
Of good living in his person  
which is the chief of his corone.  
It maketh a king also to learn  
How he his body shall govern.  
How he shall wake, how he shall sleep  
How that he shall his hele keep.  
In meet, in drink, in clothing eke  
There is no wisdom for to seek  
As for the rule of his person  
The which that this science all one  
Ne teacheth, as by weigh of kind  
That there is nothing left behind.   

That other thing which to practic  
Belongeth is Economyke  
which teacheth thilk honesty  
Through which a king in his degree  
His wife and child shall rule and gye  
So forth withal the company  
which in his household shall abide  
And his estate on every side  
In such manner for to lead  
That he his household ne myslede.   

Practic hath yet the third apprise  
which teacheth how and in what wise  
Through his purueide ordinance  
A king shall set in governance  
His realm: and that is Policy  
which longeth unto regalie  
In time of were, in time of peace  
To worship and to good increases  
Of clerk, of knight, and of merchant  
And so forth all the remanant  
Of all the common people about  
within borgh and eke without  
Of 'em that been artificers  
which usen crafts and mysters  
●hose ●rte is cleped Mechanyke  
And though they be not all like  
yet nevertheless how so it fall  
O law moat govern 'em all  
Or that they lose, or that they win  
After the state that they been inn.  
¶ Lo thus this worthy young king  
was fully taught of every thing  
which might give intendment.  
Of good rule, and good regiment.  
To such a worthy prince as he.  
But of very necessity  
The philosopher him hath betake  
five points, which he hath undertake  
To keep and hold in observance  
As for the worthy governance  
which longeth to his regaly  
After the rule of policy.   
Moribus ornatus regit hic, qui regna moderna  
Certius expectat sceptra futura poli.  
Et quia veredica virtus supereminet omnes,  
Regis ab ore boni fabula nulla sona●.   

❧ Hic secundum policiam tractare intendi● praecipue super quinque regularum articulis, que ad principis regimen obseruande specialius existunt/ quarum prima veritas nuncupatur, per quam veredicus sit ser●o regie ad omnes.  

¶ To every man belongeth lore  
But to no man belongeth more  
Than to a king, which hath to lead  
The people, for his kyngheed  
He may hem both save and spill  
And for it stont upon his will  
It sit him well to be advised  
And the virtues, which are assised  
Unto a kings regiment  
To take in his intendment.  
whereof to tell as they stand  
Hereafterwarde now will I fond.  
Among the virtues one is chief  
And that is troth, which is life  
To god, and eke to man also  
And for it hath been ever so  
Taught Aristotle as he well couth  
To Alysaunder how in his youth  
He should of troth thilk grace  
with all his whole heart embrace  
So that his word be true and plain  
Toward the world: and so certain  
That in him be no double speech.  
For if men should truth ●eche  
And find it not within a king  
It were an unsyttende thing.  
The word is token of that within.  
There shall a worthy king begin  
To keep his tongue and to be true  
So shall his price been ever new.  
advise him every man tofore  
And be well aware, ere he be swore.  
For afterward it is to late  
If that he would his word debate.  
For as a king in special  
Above all other is principal:  
Of his power, so should he be  
Most virtuous in his degree.  
And that may well be signified  
By his corone and specified.  
¶ The gold betoketh excellence  
That men should done him reverence  
As to her liege sovereign.   

The stones, as the books say  
Commended been in triple wise.   

first they been hard, and thilk assize  
Betokeneth in a king constance.  
So that there shall no variance  
Be found in his condition.   

And also by description  
The virtue, which is in the stones  
A very sign is for the nonce  
Of that a king shall be honest  
And hold truly his behest  
Of thing, which longeth to kingheed.   

The bright colour, as I read  
which is in the stones shining  
Is in figure betokening  
The cronic of this worlds fame  
which stante upon his good name.   

The circle, which is round about  
Is token of all the land about  
which stant under his hierarchy  
That he it shall well keep and guy.  
And for that truth how so it fall  
Is the virtue sovereign of all  
That longeth unto regiment  
A tale, which is evident  
Of truth in commendation  
Toward thine information  
My son hereafter thou shalt here  
Of a chronic in this matter.    

¶ Hic narrat qualiter Darius filius Itapsis soldanus Persie a tribus suis cubicularibus, quorum nomina Harpages/ Monachas/ et Zorobabel, dicta sunt nomina questionis sigillatim interrogatie, utrum rex aut mulier, aut vinum maioris fortitudinis vim optineret/ Ipsis vero varia opinione respondentibus, Zorobabel ultimus asserit quod mulier sui amoris complacentia tam regis quam vini potenciam excellit, Addidit insuper finali conclusioni dicens, quod veritas super onnia vincit. Cunis responsio ceteris landabilior acceptabatur.  

☞ As the chronic it doth rehearse  
A soldan whilom was of pierce  
which Dares height, and Itapsis  
His father was: and sooth it is  
Of his lineage as by discente  
The regne of thilk empire he bent.   

And as he was himself wise  
The wise men be held in prize:  
And sought 'em out on every side  
That toward him they should abide.  
Among the which three there were  
That must service unto him here  
As they which in his chamber lighen  
And all his council herd and sighen.  
Her names been of strange note  
Harpages was the first hot  
And Monachas was the second  
Zorobabel, as it is found  
In the chronic was the third.   

This Sultan what so him betide  
To 'em be tryst most of all  
whereof the case is so befall.  
This lord, which hath conceits deep  
Upon a night when he hath sleep  
As he which hath his wit disposed  
Touchend a point hem hath opposed.   

The kings question was this  
Of things three which strongest is  
The wine, the woman, or the king  
And that they should upon this thing  
Of her answer avised be  
He give 'em fully days three  
And hath bihote hem by his faith  
That who the best reason saith,  
He shall receive a worthy meed.   

Upon this thing they token heed  
And stooden in disputesion:  
That by divers opinion  
Of arguments, that they have hold  
Harpages first his tale told  
And said, how that the strength of kings  
Is mightiest of all things.  
For king hath power over man.  
And man is he/ which reason can  
As he which is of his nature  
The most noble creature  
Of all though that god hath wrought  
And by that skill it seemeth nought  
He saith, that any earthly thing  
May be so mighty as a king.   

A king may spill, a king may save  
A king may make a lord a knave  
And of a knave a lord also,  
The power of a king stont so  
That he the laws overpasseth.  
what he will make less, he lasseth.  
what he will make more, he moreth.  
And as a gentle faucone soreth  
He fleeth, that no man him reclameth.  
But be alone all other tameth.  
And stante himself of law fire.   

Lo thus a kings might, saith he,  
(So as his reason can argue)  
Is strongest, and of most value.  
¶ But Manachas saith other wise  
That wine is of the more mpryse  
And that he showeth by this way.   

The wine full oft taketh away  
The reason fro the man's heart.   

The wine can make a cripple start  
And a deliver man unwieldy.  
It maketh a blind man to beheld  
And a bright eyed seem dark.  
It maketh a lewd man a clerk  
And fro the clerk the clergy  
It taketh away, and cowardy  
It turneth in to hardiness  
Of avarice it maketh largesse   

The wine maketh eke the good blood  
In which the soul, which is good  
Hath chosen her a resting place  
while that the life her wool embrace.   

And by this skill Monathas  
Answered hath upon this case  
And saith, that wine by weigh of kind  
Is thing, which may the hearts bind  
weal more than the regal.   

zorobabel for his party  
Seid as him thought for the best  
That women been the mightiest.   

The king and the vynour also  
Of women comen both two.  
And eke he said: how that manhood  
Through strength unto the womanhood  
Of love where he will or none  
Obey shall, and thereupon  
To show of women the mastery  
A tale which he sigh with eye  
As for ensample he told this.    

¶ Nota hic de vigore amorie, qui inter Cirum regem Persarum et Apemen Besazis filiam ipsius regis cōcubinam spectant tota curia experiebatur.  

¶ How Apemen, of Besasis  
which daughter was, in the paleis  
Sittende upon his high this  
when he was hottest in his ire  
Toward the great of his empire  
Cyrus the king tyrant she took  
And only with her goodly look  
She made him debonair and meek  
And by the chin, and by the cheek  
She loggeth him right as her list  
That now she iapeth, and now she kissed,  
And doth with him what ever her liketh  
when that she loureth, than he seeketh  
And when she gladeth, he is glad,  
And thus this king was overlad  
with her, which his leman was.   

Among the men is no solas  
If that there be no woman there  
For but if that the woman were  
This worlds joy were away.  
This is truth, that I you say.  
To knighthood and to worlds fame  
They make a man to dread shame  
And honour for to be desired.   

Through the beauty of hem is fired  
The dart, of which cupid throweth  
whereof the jolly pain groweth  
which all the world hath underfoot.   

A woman is the man's boat  
His life, his ●eth, his woe, his weal.  
And this thing may be showed weal  
How that women been good and kind  
For in ensample thus I find.    

¶ Nota de fidelitate coniugis, qualiter Alcesta uxor Adineti/ ut maritum suum vivificaret seipsan morti spontance subegit.  

¶ when that the duke Admetus lay  
sick in his bed that every day  
Men waiten, when he should they  
Alcestis his wife goth for to pray  
As she which would thank deserve  
with sacrifice unto Minerva  
To wite answer of the goddess  
How that her lord of his sickness,  
whereof he was so woe beseyne  
Recover might his hele again.   

Lo thus she cried, and thus she prayed  
Till at last a voice her said,  
That if she would for his sake  
The malady suffer and take  
And die herself, he should live.   

Of this answer Aleest hath give  
Unto minerve great thonking  
So that her death, and his living  
She cheese with all her hole intent  
And thus accorded home she went.  
In to the chamber when she came  
Her husband anon she name  
In both her arms, and him kissed.  
And spoke unto him, what her list.  
And thereupon within a throw  
The good wife was overthrow  
And died, and he was whole in hast.  
So may a man by reason taste  
How next after the god above  
The troth of women and the love,  
In whom that all grace is found  
Is mightiest upon this ground  
And most behovely manifold.   

Lo thus zorobabel hath told  
The tale of his opinion  
But for final conclusion  
what strongest is of earthly things  
The wine, the women, or the kings  
He saith, that truth above 'em all  
Is mightiest, how ever it fall.   

The truth how so it ever come  
May for nothing been overcome.  
It may well suffer for a throw  
But at last it shall be know.  
The proverb is, who that is true  
Him shall his while never rue.  
For how so that the cause wend  
The truth is shameless at end.  
But what thing that is troutheles  
It may not well be shameless.  
And shame hindereth every wight.   

So proveth it, there is no might  
without truth in no degree.  
And thus for truth of his decree  
●●robabel was most commended.  
whereof the question was ended  
●nd be received hath his meed.  
For truth, which to man's need  
Is most behovelyche over all.  
For thy was truth in special  
The first point in observance  
Be take unto the governance  
Of Alysandre, as it is said:  
For thereupon the ground is laid  
Of every kings regiment  
〈◊〉 thing, which most convenient  
I● for to set a king in even  
Both in this world, and eke in heaven.   
〈…〉 ne tangat regis corda:  
〈◊〉 enim spoliis excoriatur humus.  
〈◊〉 colit largum nolutans per saecula regem,  
Dona tamen licius sunt moderanda modis.   

¶ Hic iractat de regie magestatis secunda policia: 〈◊〉 Aristoteles largitatem vocat, cuius virtute 〈◊〉 ●●lum propulsata anaricia, regis nomen ma●●●●cum extollatur, sed et sui subdicionum diui●●●m ●●●undantia ●ocundiores efficiuntur.  

¶ next after truth the second  
In policy as it is found  
which serveth to the worlds fame  
In worship of a kings name  
Largesse it is, whose privilege  
There may no avarice abrege.   

The worlds good was first commune  
But afterward upon fortune  
was thilk common profit cessed  
For when the people stood encressed  
And the lineages woxen great  
Anon for singular beyete  
Drough every man to his party  
whereof come in the first envy  
with great debate and wars strong  
And last among the men so long  
Till no man wist, who was who,  
Ne which was friend, ne which so  
Till at last in every land  
within 'em self the people fond  
That it was good to make a king,  
which might appesen all this thing  
And give right to the lignages  
In parting of her heritage's.  
And eke of all her other good.   

And thus above 'em all stood  
The king upon his regal,  
As he which hath to justify  
The worlds good fro covetise.   

So sit it well in all wise  
A king between the more and less  
To set his heart upon largesse  
Toward himself, and eke also  
Toward his people: and if not so:  
That is to say: if that he be  
Toward himself large and free,  
And of his people take and pill:  
Largesse by no weigh of skill  
It may be said, but avarice  
which in a king is a great vice.    

¶ Nota super hoc quod Aristot ad Alexandrum exemplificavit de exactionibus regis Chaldeorun.  

¶ A king behoveth eke to i'll  
The vice of prodigalite  
That he measure in his expense  
So keep, that of indigence  
He may be safe: for who that needeth  
In all his work the were he speedeth.   

As Aristotle upon Chaldee  
Ensample of great authority  
Unto king Alysaunder taught  
Of thilk folk, that were unsought  
Toward her king for his pillage,  
whereof he bad in his courage  
That he unto three points intend  
where that he would his good dispend.   

first should be look how that it stood  
That all were of his own good  
The yeves, which he would give  
So might he well the better live.   

And eke he must taken heed  
If there be cause of any need  
which ought for to be defended  
Ere that his goods been dispended.   

He moat eke as it is befall  
amongs other things all  
See the decertes of his men  
And after that they been of ken,  
And of estate, and of merit  
He shall hem largelych acquit,  
Or for the war, or for the pease  
That none honour fall in discrease  
which might torn in to diffame,  
But that he keep his good name  
So that he be not hold unkind.  
For in cronike a tale I find  
which speaketh somedeal of this matter  
Herafterwarde as thou shalt here.    

Hic secundum gesta julii exemplum ponit, qualiter rex suorum militum, quos ꝓbos agnoverit, indigentiam largitatis sue beneficiis relevare tenetur.  

¶ In Rome to pursue his right  
There was a worthy pour knight  
which came alone for to say  
His cause, when the court was plain,  
where julius was in presence  
And for him lacketh of dispense  
There was with him none advocate  
To make plea for his estate.   

But though him lack for to plead  
Him lacketh nothing of manhood.  
He wist well his purse was poor  
But yet be thought his right recover,  
And openly poverty allayed  
To the emperor, and thus he said.   

O julius lord of the law  
Behold my counsel is withdraw  
For lack of gold, to thine office  
After the law of justice  
Help, that I had counsel here  
Upon the truth of my matter.   

And julius with that anon  
Assigned him a worthy one.  
But he himself no word ne spoke.   

This knight was wroth, & fond a lake  
In the emperor: and said thus.   

O thou unkind julius  
when thou in thy battle were  
Up in Aufrike, and I was there  
My might for thy rescous I did  
And put no man in my stead.  
Thou wost what wounds there I had  
But here I find the so bad  
That the ne list to speak o word  
Thine own mouth, or of thine board  
To give a floreyn me to help  
How should I than me be yelp  
from this day forth of thy largesse  
when such a great unkindness  
Is found in such a lord, as thou?   

This julius knew well mow  
That all was sooth, which he him told  
And for he would not been hold  
Unkind, he took his cause on hand,  
And as it were of gods sonde  
He gave him good enough to spend  
For ever unto his lives end.   

And thus should every worthy king  
Take of his knights knowledging  
when that he sigh they hadden need.  
For every service asketh meed.   

But other, which have not deserved  
Through virtue, but of iapes served  
A king shall not deserve grace  
Though he be large in such a place.    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum de rege Antigono/ qualiter dona regia secundum maius et miuu●/ equa discrecione moderanda sunt.  

¶ It sit well every king to have  
Discretion, when men him crave  
So that be may his gift wite  
whereof I find a tale write  
How Cinichus a power knight  
A some, which was over might  
Prayed of his king Antigonus.   

The king answered to him thus  
And said, how such a yefte passeth  
His power estate: and than he lasseth  
And asketh but a little penny  
if that the king would yevehym any   

The king answered, it was to small  
For him, which was a lord ryalle  
To give a man so little thing.  
It were unworship in a king.   

By this ensample a king may lere  
That for to give is in manner.  
For if a king his treasure lasseth  
with out honour and thankless passeth.  
when he himself will so beguile,  
I not who shall complain his while  
Ne who by right him shall relieve.  
But nevertheless this I believe  
though help with his own land  
Belongeth every man his hand  
To set upon necessity.   

And eke his kings rialte  
Mote every lyege man comfort  
with good and body to support  
when they see cause reasonable.  
For who that is not entendable  
To hold up right his kings name  
Him aught for to be to blame.    

¶ Nota hic secundum Aristotelem qualiter princi●um prodigalitas paupertatem inducit communem.  
❧ Of policy and over more  
To speak in this matter more  
So as the philosopher told  
A king after the rule is hold  
To modify, and to address  
His yefts upon such largesse  
That he measure nought exceed.   

☞ Sal. Sic aliis benefacito, ut tibi non nocias.  
¶ For if a king fall in to need  
It causeth oft sundry things  
which are ungodly to the kings.  
what man will not himself measure  
Men seen fulofte, that measure  
Him hath forsake: and so doth he  
That useth prodigalite  
which is the mother of poverty  
whereof the lands been desert  
And namely when thilk vice  
Above a king stant in office  
And hath with hold of his party  
The covetous flattery  
which many a worthy king deceiveth  
Ere he the fallace perceiveth  
Of 'em, that serven to the gloze.  
For they that con please and gloze  
Ben as men tell the notices  
Unto the fostering of the vices  
whereof full oft nevertheless  
A king is blamed guiltless.   

¶ Qualiter in principum curiis adulatores triplici gravitate offendunt.  
¶ A philosopher as thou shalt here  
Spoke to a king of this matter  
And said him well how that flatours  
Coulpable were of three errors.  
One was toward the god's buy  
That weren wrath of that they sye  
The mischief which befall should  
Of that the falls flatour told  
Toward the king. An other was.  
when they by sleight and by fallas  
Of feigned words, make him ween  
That black is white, and blue is green  
Touchende of his condition.  
For when he doth extortion  
with many an other vice more  
Men shall not find one of though  
To grudge or speak there again,  
But holden up his oil, and say:  
That all is well, what ever he doth.  
And thus of falls they maken sooth  
So that her kings eye is blended  
And wot not how the world is went.  
The third error is harm common  
with which the people moat common  
Of wrongs, that they bringen inn.  
And thus they werchen triple sin  
That been flatours about a king.  
There might be no worse thing  
About a kings regalye  
Than is the vice of flattery.  
And nevertheless it hath been used  
That it was never yet refused  
As for to speak in court rial.  
For there it is most special  
And may not long be forbore.  
But when this vice of hem is boar  
That should the virtues forth bring  
And truth is turned to losing.  
It is, as who saith against kind  
whereof an old ensample I find.   

¶ Hic loquitur super eodem, et narrat, ꝙ est Di●genes et Aristippus philosophi a scholis Athen, ad Cartaginem, unde orti fuerunt, renertissent, Aristippus Curie principis sui familiaris adhef●: Diogenes vero in quodam mansuinculo suo study vocane permansit: et contigit, ꝙ cum ipse quodam die ad finem orti sui super ripam herbas quas ele gerat, ad ofera lavasset, Superuenit ex casu Aristippus, dixitque ei: O Diogenes, certe si principi tuo placere scires, tu ad olera tua lavanda non indigeres. Cui ille respondit: O Aristippe, Certe si tu olera tua lavare scires, te in ulandiciis et adulationibus principi tuo servire non oporteret.  

¶ Among these other tales wise  
Of philosophers in this wise  
I read how whilom two there were  
And to the school for to lere  
Unto Athenes fro Cartage  
Her friends when they were of age  
Hempskirk send: and there they studen long  
Till they such lore have underfang,  
That in her time they surmount  
All other men: that to account  
Of 'em was though the great fame.   

The first of 'em his right name  
was Diogenes than hot  
In whom was found no riot.   

His fellow Aristippus height  
which much couth, & mochel might.  
But at last sooth to say  
They both turnen home again  
Unto Cartage, and school let.  
This Diogenes no beyete  
Of worlds good, or lass or more  
Ne sought for his long lore  
But took him only for to dwell  
At home: and as the books tell  
His house was nigh to a river  
Beside a bridge as thou shalt here.  
There dwelleth he, and taketh his rest  
So as it thought him for the best  
To study in his philosophy  
As he, which would so defy  
The worlds pomp on every side.   

But Aristippe his book a side  
Hath laid: and to the court he went  
where many a wile, and many a went  
with flattery and words soft  
He cast and hath compassed oft  
How he his prince might please.  
And in this wife be gate him ease.  
Of vain honour and worlds good.  
The lands rule upon him stood.   

The king of him was wonder glad.  
And all was do, what thing he had  
Gothe in the court, and eke without  
with flattery be brought about  
His purpose of the worlds work,  
which was again the state of clerk.  
So that philosophy he left  
And to riches himself up left.   

Lo thus had Aristyppe his will.  
But Diogenes dwelt still  
At home, and looked on his book  
He sought not the worlds croak  
For vain honour, ne for richesse,  
But all his hearts business  
He set to be virtuous.  
And thus within his own house  
He lyuch to the suffisance  
Of his having, and fell perchance  
This Diogene upon a day  
And that was in the month of May  
when that these herbs been wholesome  
He walketh for together some  
In his garden, of which his ioutes  
He thought to have, and thus abouts  
when he hath gathered what him liketh  
He set him than down and piketh  
And wish his herbs in the flood  
Upon the which his garden stood  
Nigh to the bregge as Itolde ere  
And happeneth while he sitteth there  
Cam Aristippus by the street  
with many bors and routs great  
And 'straught unto the bregge he road  
where that he boved and abode  
For as he cast his eye nigh  
His fellow Diogene he sigh  
And what he deed he sigh also  
whereof he said to him tho.   

O Deogene god the speed  
It were certes little need  
To sit here and wortes pike  
If thouthy prince couldst like  
So as I can in my degree.  
O ●ristippe (again quoth he)  
If that thou couldst so as I  
Thy wortes pick truly,  
It were as little need or lass  
That thou so worldly will compass  
with flattery for to serve  
whereof thou thinkest for to deserve  
Thy princes thank, and to purchase  
How thou might stand in his grace  
For getting of a little good.  
If thou wilt take in to thy mode  
Reason: thou might by reason dame  
That so thy prince for to queme  
Is not to reason accordant  
But it is greatly discordant  
Unto the schools of Athene.   

Lo thus answered Diogene  
again the clerks flateye  
But yet men say thessamplerye  
Of Aristyppe is well received  
And thilk of Diogene is waived.  
Office in court, and gold in coffer  
Is now, men sayne, the philosopher  
which hath the worship in the hall.   

But flattery passeth all  
In chamber whom the court advanceth.  
For upon chylke lot it chuanceth  
To be beloved now a day.    

❧ Nota exemplum cuiusdam poet de Italia ou● Dantes vocabatur.  

¶ I not if it be ye or nay.  
How Dante the poet answered  
To a flattrour, the tale I heard   

Upon a strife between 'em two  
He said him, there been many more.  
Of thy servants than of mine.  
For the poet of his covin  
Hath none, that will him cloth and feed   

But a flatour may rule and lead  
A king with all his land about.  
So stant the wise man in doubt  
Of 'em, that to folly drew.  
For such is now the comen law  
And as the common voice it telleth  
where now that flattery dwelleth  
In every land under the lonne  
There is full many a thing begun  
which were better to be left  
That hath be showed now and eft.   

But if a prince him would rule  
Of the romans after the reule  
In thilk time as it was used  
This vice should be refused  
whereof the princes been assoted.  
But where the plain troth is noted  
There may a prince well conceive  
That he shall nought himself deceive  
Of that he heareth words plain.  
For him there nought by reason plain.  
That warned is, oer hem he woe  
And that was fully proved so.  
when Rome was the worlds chief  
The sooth sayer though was lief  
which would not the troth spare  
But with his word, plain and bare  
To th'emperor his sothes told  
As in chronic it is withhold  
Here afterward as thou shalt here  
Acordend unto this matter.    

☞ Hic eciam contra vicium adulationis ponit exemplum: et narrat, ꝙ cum nuper Romanorum imperator contra suos hostes victoriam optmuisset, et cum palma triumphi in urbem redire debuisset, ne ipsum inanis glory altitudo superextolleret, licitum suit pro illo die quod unus quisque priora, que sue condicionie agnosceret, in aures suas ap●cius exclamaret: ut sic gaudium cum dolore com pesceret, et adulantum voces, si que fuerant, pro minimo computaret.  

❧ To see this old ensamplarye  
That whilom was no flattery  
Toward the he princes, well I find  
whereof so as it comthe to mind  
My son a tale unto thin ere  
(while that the worthy princes were  
At Rome) I think for to tell.   

For when the chances so befell  
That any emperor as though  
Victory had upon his foo  
And so fort came to Rome again  
Of triple honour he was certain  
whereof that he was magnified.   

The first, as it is specyfied,  
was, when he came thilk tide  
The chart, in which he should ride  
Four white steeds should it draw.   

Of jupiter by thilk law  
The cote he should were also.  
His prisoners eke shulden go  
endlong the char on either hand.  
And all the noblesse of the land  
Tofore and after with him come  
Rydend, and broughten him to Rome  
In token of his chivalry.  
And for none other flattery.  
And that was showed forth with all.  
where he sat in his char ryalle  
Beside him was a rybaud set  
which had his word so beset  
To th'emperor in all his glory  
He said: take in to memory  
For all this pomp, and all this pride  
Let no justice gone a side  
But know thyself, what so befall  
For men seen often time fall  
Thing, which men wend syker stand.  
Though thou victory have on hand  
Fortune may not stand alway:  
The wheel perchance another day  
May turn, and thou over throw  
There lasteth no thing but a throw.   

with these words and with more  
This ryhaulde, which sat with him though  
To th'emperor his tale told.  
And overmore what ever he would  
Or were it evil, or were it good  
So plainly as the troth stood  
He spareth not, but speaketh it out.  
And so might every man about  
The day of that solemnity  
His tale tell as weal as he  
To th'emperor all openly.  
And all was this the cause why  
That while he stood in his noblesse  
He should his vanity repress  
with such words as he heard.    

☞ HIC PONIT EXEMPLUM super codem/ et narrat/ ꝙ eodem die quo imperator intonisatus in palacio suo regio ad conninium in maiori leticia fedisset/ ministri sui sculptores procederant alta voce dicentes: O imperator dic nobis, cuius form, et ubi tumbam sculpture tue faciemus: ut sic morte remorsus huius vite blandicias obtemperaret.  

¶ Lo now how thilk time feared  
Toward so high a worthy lord.  
For this I find eke of record  
which the cronic hath authorized  
what emperor was intronized  
The first day of his corone  
where he was in his royal throne  
And held his fest in the paleis  
Sittende upon his high this  
withal the lust that may be get  
when he was gladest at his meet  
And every minstrel had pleide  
And every dissour had said  
what moste was pleasant to his ere:  
Than at last came in there  
His masons, for they should crave  
where that he would he begrave  
And of what stone his sepulture  
They shoulden make, & what sculpture  
He would ordeigne thereupon.   

though was there flattery none  
The worthy prince to beiape  
The king was otherwise shape  
with good counsel: and otherwise.  
They were 'em self than wise  
And understoden well and known  
when such soft winds blewen  
Of flattery in to her ear  
They setten nought her hearts there  
But when they heard words feigned  
The plain troth it hath disdained  
Of 'em that weren so discrete  
though took the flatterer no heyete  
Of him, that was his prince tho  
And for to proven it is so  
A tale, which befell in deed  
In a cronic of Rome I read.    

Hic inter alia gesta Cesaris narrat unum exemplum praecipue contra illos, qui cum in aspectu principis aliis sapienciores apparere vellent, quandoque tamen similate sapiency talia committunt, per que ceteris stulciores in fine comprobantur,  

¶ Cesar upon his royal throne  
where that he sat in his person  
And was highest in all his price.  
A man, which would make him wise  
Fell down knelende in his presence  
And did him such a reverence  
As though the high god it were.   

Men hadden great marvel there  
Of the worship, which he deed.   

This man aros fro thilk stead  
And forth with all the same tide  
He goth him up, and by his side  
He set him down, as peer and peer  
And said: If thou that fittest here  
Art god, which all things might  
Than have I worshipped a right  
As to the god: and other wise  
If thou be not of thilk assize  
But art a man, such as am I  
Than may I sit the fast by,  
For we be both of o kind.   

Cesar answered, and said: O blind  
Thou art a fool, it is well seen  
Upon thyself. For if thou ween  
I be a god, thou dost amiss  
●o sit, where thou seest god is.  
And if I be a man also  
Thou hast a great folly do  
when thou to such one, as shall die  
The worship of thy god alweye  
Hast yeven so unworthily.   

Thus may I prove readily  
Thou art not wise. And they that heard  
How wisely that the king answered  
It was to hem a new lore  
whereof they dreaden him the more.  
And brought nothing to his ere  
But if it truth and reason were.  
So been there many in such a wise  
That paynen words to be wise  
And all is very flattery  
To him, which can it well aspye.    

¶ Nota qualiter isti circa principem adulatores ●●●nus a curia expelli quam ad regie magestatis mune●a acceptari policia suadente, deberent.  
¶ The kind flaterour can not love  
But for to bring himself above.  
For how that ever his master far  
So that himself stand out of care  
Him retcheth nought. And thus full oft  
deceived been with words soft  
The kings, that been innocent.  
whereof as for chastement  
The wise philosopher said:  
what king that so his treasure laid  
Upon such folk, he hath the less  
And yet ne doth he no largesse  
But harmeth with his own hand  
Himself, and eke his own land.  
And that many a sundry weigh.  
whereof if that a man shall say  
As for to speak in general  
where such thing falleth over all  
That any king himself misreule  
The philosopher upon his reule  
In special a cause set  
which is and ever hath be let  
In governance about a king  
Upon the meschiefe of the thing  
And that, he saith, is flattery:  
whereof tofore as in party  
what vice it is, I have declared.  
For who that hath his wit bewared  
Upon a flatour to believe  
when that he weeneth best achieve  
His good world, it is most fro.  
And for to proven it is so  
Ensamples there be many one  
Of which if thou wolte know one  
It is behovely for to here  
what whilom fell in this matter.   

¶ Hic loquitur ulterius de consilio adulantum quo rum fabulis principis aures organizate veritatis auditum capere nequeunt, Et narrat exemplum de rege Achab, que pro eo/ quod ipse propheci●● fidelis Michee recusavit/ blandicus/ que adulantis Zedechie adhesit, rex Syrie Benedab in campo bellator ipsum divino judicio denictum interfecit.  

¶ Among the kings in the bible  
I find a tale, and is credible,  
Of him that whilom Achab height  
which had all Israel to right.  
But who that could gloze soft  
And flatter, such he set aloft  
In great estate, and made 'em rich  
But they that speaken words liche  
To truth, and would it not forbear  
For hem was none estate to bear  
The court of such took none heed,  
Till at last upon a need  
That Benedab king of Surry  
Of Israel a great party  
which Ramoth Galaad was hot  
Hath seized: and of that riot  
He took counsel in sundry wise  
But not of him, that weren wise.   

And nevertheless upon this case  
To strengthen him, for josephas  
which than was king of judee  
He send for to come, as he  
which through friendship and alliance  
was next to him of acquaintance.  
For joram son of josaphath  
Achabs' daughter wedded hath  
which height fair Goodelye.   

And thus came into Samary  
King josaphat, and he found there  
The king Achab: and when they were  
together spekende of this thing,  
This josaphat saith to the king  
How that he would gladly here  
Some true prophet in this matter  
That he his counsel might give  
To what point it shall be drive.   

And in that time so befell  
There was such one in Israel  
which set him all to flattery  
And he was cleped Sedechy:  
And after him Achab hath sent.  
And he at his commandment  
Tofore him came: and by a sleight  
He hath upon his heed on height  
Two large horns set of brass.  
As he which all a flattrour was,  
And goth rampende as a lion  
And cast his horn up and down:  
And bad men been of good espcire  
For as the horns persen the air  
He saith, withouten resistance  
So wist be well of his science  
That Benedab is discomfit.   

when S●dechy upon this plight  
Hath told this tale unto his lord  
Anon they were of his accord  
Prophets false many more  
To bear up oil, and all though  
Affermen that, which he hath told:  
whereof the king Achab was bold  
And gave hem yefts all about.   

But josaphat was in great doubt  
And beine phantom all that he heard.  
Prayende Achab how so feared  
If there were any other man  
The which of prophecy can  
To hear him speak ere that they gone.  
Quod Achab than, there is one  
A brothel, which Much as height.  
But he ne cometh nought in my sight  
For he hath long in prison lain  
Him liked never yet to seyen  
A goodly word to my pleasance.  
And nevertheless at thine instance  
He shall come out: and than he may  
Say, as he said many a day.  
For yet he said never weal.   

though josaphat began some deal  
To gladden him in hope of truth.  
And bade withouten any sloth  
That men him should fet anon.   

And they that were for him gone  
when that they comen where he was  
They tolden unto Mycheas  
The manner how that Sedechye  
Declared hath his prophecy.  
And thereupon they prayen him fair  
That he will say no contrary  
whereof the king may be displeased.  
For so shall every man be eased.  
And he may help himself also.   

Mycheas upon truth though  
His heart set, and to 'em saith:  
All that belonged to his faith  
(And of none other feigned thing)  
That will he tell unto the king  
As far as god hath give him grace.  
Thus came this prophet in to place  
where he the kings will herd.  
And he thereto anon answered,  
And said unto him in this wise:   

My liege lord for my service  
which true hath stand ever yet  
Thou haste with prison me acquit.  
But for all that I shall not gloze  
Of truth as far as I suppose.  
And as touchende of thy battle  
Thou shalt not of the sooth fail.   

For if it like the to here  
As I am taught in that matter  
Thou might it understand soon.  
But what is afterward to done  
Advice thee, for this I see  
I was tofore the throne on high  
where all the world me thought stood,  
And there I heard and understood  
The voice of god with words clear  
Axende, and said in this manner:  
In what thing may I best beguile  
The king Achab, and for a while  
Upon this point they speaken fast.  
though said a spirit at last  
I undertake this emprise.   

And god him asketh in what wise.  
I shall (qd he) deceive and lie  
w●●h flaterende prophecy  
In such mouths, as he leaveth.  
And be, which all thing achieveth  
●ad him go forth, and do right so.   

And over this I sigh also  
The noble people of Israel  
Disperses, as sheep upon an hill  
without a keeper unarrayed  
And as they wenten about astrayed  
I heard a voice unto 'em say:   

Goth home in to your house again  
Till I for you have better ordained.   

quoth Sedechi thou hast feigned  
This tale, in angringe of the king  
And in a wrath upon this thing  
He smote Miche upon the cheek.   

The king him hath rebuked eke  
And every man upon him cried.   

Thus was he shent on every side  
A yene and in to prison lad  
For so the king himself had.  
The troth might nought been herd  
But afterward as it hath feared  
The deed proveth his intent  
Achab to the battle went  
where Benedab for all his shield  
Him slough, so that upon the field  
His people goth about a stray.  
But god, which all things may  
So doth, that they no mischief have.   

Her king was deed/ and they be save  
And home again in goddess peace  
They went, and all was found says  
That Sedechye hath said tofore.   

So sit it well a king therefore  
To love them, that troth mean  
For at last it will be seen  
That flattery is no thing worth.   

But now to my matter forth  
As for to speaken over more  
After the philosopher's lore  
The third point of policy  
I think for to specify.   
Propter transgressos leges statuuntur in orb,  
Vt vivant justi regis honore viri.  
Lex sine justice, populum sub principis umbra  
Deviat, ut rectum nemo videbit iter.   

☞ Hic tractat de tercia principum legis policia, que justicia nominata est cuius condicio legibus in corupta unicuique quod suum est equo pondere distribuit.  

❧ what is a land, where men be none?  
what been the men, which are alone  
without a kings governance?  
what is a king in his ligeance  
where that there is no law in land?  
what is to take law on hand  
But if the judges been true?   

These old worlds with the new  
who that will take in evidence  
There may he see experience  
what thing it is to keep law  
Through which wrongs be withdraw  
And rightwiseness stante commended  
whereof the regnes been amended.   

For where the law may commune  
The lords forth with the common  
Each hath his proper duty.  
And eke the kings rialte  
Of both his worship underfongeth  
To his estate as it belongeth:  
which of his high worthiness  
Hath to govern rightwiseness,  
As he which shall the law guide.   

And nevertheless upon some side  
His power stant above the law  
To give both and to withdraw  
The forset of a man's life.  
But things, which are excessise  
Again the law, he shall not do  
For love, ne for hate also.    

¶ Imperatoriam magestatem non solum army sed etiam legibus oportet esse armatam.  

¶ The mights of a king be great.  
But yet a worthy king shall let  
Of wrong to done, all that he might.  
For he which shall the people right  
It sit well to his regal  
That he himself first justify  
Towards god in his degree.  
For his estate is else free  
Toward all other in his person  
Save only to the god alone  
which will himself a king chastise  
where that none other may suffice.   

So were it good to taken heed  
That first a king his own deed  
Between the virtue and the vice  
Redress, and than of his justice  
To set in even the balance  
Towards other in governance  
That to the power, and to the rich  
His laws mighten stonden lyche.  
He shall except no person.  
But for he may not all him one  
In sundry places do justice  
He shall of his rial office  
with wise consideration  
Ordain his deputation  
Of sube judges, as been learned  
So that his people be governed  
By 'em, that true been and wife.  
For if the law of covetise  
Be set upon a judges hand:  
woe is the people of thilk land.  
For wrong may not himselfen hide.  
But else on that other side  
If law stand with the right  
The people is glad, & stont upright.  
where as the law is reasonable  
The common people stant menable.  
And if the law torn amiss  
The people also mystorned is.    

❧ Nota hic de justicia Maximmi imperatoria/ qui cum alicuius prouincie custodem sibi constituere volebat/ primo de sui nonumis fama proclamacione facta ipsius condicionem diligencius investigabat.  
❧ And in ensample of this matter  
Of Maxymyn a man may here  
Of Rome which was emperor.  
That when he made a governor  
By weigh of substitution  
Of province or of region,  
He would first inquire his name  
And let it openly proclaim  
what man he were, or evil or good.  
And upon that his name stood  
Inclined to virtue or to vice  
So would he set him in office:  
Or else put him all away.  
Thus held the law his right weigh  
which fond no let of covetise  
The world stood than upon the wise  
As by ensample thou might read  
And hold it in the mind I read.   

¶ Hic ponit exemplum de judicibus incorruptis: et narrat qualiter Caius Fabri●nis nuper Rome consul autumn a Sampnitibus sibi oblatum renuit dicene/ quod nobilus est aurum possiden●es dominio subiugare/ quam ex auri cupiditate dominu libertatem amittere.  

¶ In a chronic I find thus.  
How that Cayus Fabrycius  
which whilom was consul of Rome  
By whom the laws go and come.  
when the Samuytes to him brought  
A some of gold, and him besought  
To done 'em favour in the law.  
Toward the gold he 'gan him draw  
whereof in all men's look  
part up in his hand he took  
which to his mouth in all haste  
He put it for to smell and just  
And to his eye and to his ere.  
But he ne found no comfort there.  
And than be 'gan it to despise  
And told unto 'em in this wise:   

I not what is with gold to thrive  
when none of all my wits five  
find savour ne delight therein.  
So is it but a nice sin  
Of gold to been to covetous.  
But he is rich and glorious  
which hath in his subjection  
though men, which in possession  
Ben rich of gold, and by this skill  
For he may all day when he will  
Or be 'em lose or be 'em loath  
justice done upon hem both.   

Lo thus he said, and with that word  
He threw tofore hem on the board  
The gold out of his hand anon.  
And said 'em, that he would none.  
So that he kept his liberty  
To do justice and equity.  
without lucre of such richesse.  
There been now few of such I guess  
For it was thilk times used  
That every judge was refused  
which was not friend to common right,  
But they that wolden stand up right  
For truth only to do justice  
Preferred were in thilk office  
Lo dame and judge common law  
which now men say is all withdraw.  
● To set a law and keep it nought  
There is no common profit sought.   

But above all nevertheless  
The law which is made for peace  
Is good to keep for the best.  
For that setteth all men in rest.    

¶ Hic narrat de justicia nuper Conradi imperato 〈◊〉 cuius tempore alicuius reverencia person 〈◊〉 se● precum internencione quacunque vel au●●●empcione legum statuta commutari seu redi ●●●●●tenus potuerunt.  
¶ The rightful emperor Conrade  
To keep peace such law made  
That none within the city  
In disturbance of unity  
Durst once moven a matter.  
For in his time as thou might hear  
what point that was for law set  
It should for no good be let  
To what person that it were  
And this brought in the common fere  
why every man the law dread  
For there was none, which favour bad.   

¶ Nota exemplum de constantia judicis, ubi narrat de Carmidotiro Rome nuper consul, qui cum sui statuti legem nescius offendisset/ Romani que super hoc penam sibi remittere voluissent, ipse pro pria manu/ ubi nullus alius in ipsum vindex fuit/ sui criminis vindictam executus est.  

❧ So as these old books sayne  
I find write, how a roman  
which consul was of the pretoyre  
whose name was Carmidotoire  
He set a law for the peace  
That none but he be wepenles  
Shall came into the counsel house.  
And else as malicious  
He shall be of the law deed.   

To that statute, and to that rede  
Accorden all, it shall be so  
For certain cause, which was tho.   

Now list what fill thereafter lone.  
This Consul had for to done  
And was in to the fields ride.  
And they him had long abide  
That lords of the counsel were,  
And for him send, and he came there  
with sword begyrde, and hath foryete  
Till he was in the counsel seat.  
was none of 'em that made speech  
Till he himself it would seche.  
And fond out the default himself.  
And than he said unto the twelve  
which of the senate weren wise.  
I have deserved the juice  
In haste that it were do.   

And they him saiden all no  
For well they wist it was no vice:  
when he ne thought no malice  
But onelyche of a little sloth  
And thus they leften as for routh  
To do justice upon his guilt  
For that he should not be spylte.  
And when he sigh the manners how  
They would him save, he made anowe  
with manful heart, and thus he said.  
That Rome should never abraid  
His heirs, when he were of daw  
That her ancestor broke the law.  
For thy er that they weren ware  
Forthwith the same sword he bore  
The statute of his law kept.  
So that all Rome his death bewepte.    

☞ Nota quod falsi judices mortis pena pwienbi sunt. Narrat enim qualiter Cambices rex Per sarum quendam indicem coruptum excoriari vinum fecit, eiusque pelle cathedram iudicialem operiri constituit. Ita quod filius suus super patris pellem postea pro tribunali seffurus, judicii equitatem eui dencius memoraretur.  

❧ In other place also I read  
where that a judge his own deed  
Ne will nought venge of law broke  
The king hath himself wroke.  
The great king, it which Cambyses  
was hot, a judge lawless  
He fond, and in to remembrance  
He did upon him such vengeance.   

Out of his skin he was beflayne  
All quick: and in that wise slain  
So that his skin was shape all meet  
And nailed on the same seat  
where that his son should sit  
Advice him if he would flit  
The law for the covetise  
There saw be ready his juise.   

Thus in default of other judge  
The king moat otherwhile judge  
To holden up the right law.  
And for to speak of the old daw  
To take ensample of that was though  
I find a tale written also,  
How that a worthy prince is hold  
The laws of his land to hold.   

first for the high god's sake  
And eke for that him is betake  
The people for to guide and lead  
which is the charge of his king heed.    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum de principibus illis/ non solum legem statuentes illam conservant/ sed ut commune bonum adangeant, propriam facultatem diminuunt. Et narrat, quod cum Atheum principe subditos suos in omni prospiritatis habundantia divites et vnanimes congruis legibus stare fecisse volens, ad utilitatem reipublice leges if las firmnis obserniari peregre profecissise finxit, sed prive iuramentuus solemn a legiis suis sub hac forma exegit, quod ipsi usque in reditum suum seges suas nullatenus infringerent, quibus iuratis peregrinationem suam in exilium absque reditu perpetuo delegaust,  

¶ In a cronic I read thus  
Of the rightful Lycurgus  
which of Athenes prince was  
how be the law in every case,  
whereof he should his people rule  
Hath set upon so good a rule  
In all this world that cite none  
Of law was so well begun,  
Forthwith the truth of governance  
There was among 'em no distance  
But every man hath his increases.  
There was without were peace,  
without envy love stood  
richesse upon the common good  
And not upon the singular  
Ordained was, and the power  
Of 'em, that weren in estate  
was safe, whereof upon debate  
There stood nothing, so that in rest  
Might every man his heart rest.   

And when this noble rightful king  
Sigh how it feared of all this thing  
whereof the people stood in ease  
He which for ever would please  
The high god, whose thank be sought  
A wonder thing than he bethought  
And shope, if that it might be  
How that his law in the cite  
Might afterward for ever last.  
And thereupon his wit he cast  
what thing him were best to say  
That he his purpose might attain.  
A parliament and thus he set  
His wisdom where that he be set  
In audience of great and small  
And in this wise he told his tale:  
¶ God wot, and so ye woten all  
Here afterward how so it fall  
yet in to now my will hath be  
To do justice and equity  
In fordring of common profit  
such hath been ever my delight,  
But of one thing I am be know  
The whiles my will is that ye know.   

The law/ which I took on hand  
was all together of gods sonde  
And no thing of mine own wit,  
So moat it need endure yet  
And shall do longer, if ye will.  
For I will tell you the skill.   

The god Mercurius, and no man  
He hath me taught, all that I can  
Of such laws as I made,  
whereof that ye been all glad  
It was the god, and nothing I  
which did all this: And now for thy  
He hath commanded of his grace  
That I shall come in to a place  
which is foreign out in an isle  
where I moat tarry for a while  
with him to speak and he hath bid.  
For as he saith, in thilk stead  
He shall me such things tell,  
That ever while the world shall dwell  
Athenes shall the better fare.  
B●t first ere that I thither fare  
For that I would that my law  
amongs you ne be withdraw  
There whiles that I shall be out  
For thy to setten out of doubt  
B●●h you and me, thus will I pray  
That ye me would assure and say  
with such an oath, as ye will take,  
That each of you shall undertake  
My laws for to keep and hold.   

They saiden all, that they would.  
And there upon they swore there oath  
That fro that time, that he goeth  
〈◊〉 he to 'em be come again  
They should his laws well and plain  
In every point keep and fulfil.  
Thus hath Lycurgus his will:  
And took his leave, and forth he went.  
But list now well to what intent  
Of rightwiseness be did so.   

For after that he was ago  
He shope him never to be found  
So that Athenis, wyiche was bound  
Never after should be releced  
Ne thilk good law seced  
which was for common profit set.  
And in this wise he hath it knit.  
He which the common profit sought  
The king his own estate ne wrought   

To do profit to the common  
He took of exile the fortune  
And left of prince thilk office  
Only for love and for justice  
Through which he thought, if that he might  
For ever after his death, to right  
The cite, which was him betake  
whereof men ought ensample take  
The good laws to advance  
with 'em which under governance  
The laws have for to keep  
For who that would take keep  
Of 'em that first laws found  
Als far as lasteth any bound  
Of land, her names yet been know.  
And if it like the to know  
Some of her names, how they stand  
Now hearken, & thou shalt understand.    

☞ Hic ad eorum laudem, qui iustitie causa leges statuerunt aliquorum nomina specialius commemorat.  

¶ Of every benfite the merit  
The god himself it will acquit.  
And eke full oft it falleth so  
The world it will acquit also  
But that may not been even lyche  
The god he giveth the heaven rich,  
The world yefth only but a name  
which stont upon the good fame  
Of 'em that done the good deed.  
And in this wise double meed  
receiven they, that done well here  
whereof if that the list to here  
After the fame as it is blow  
There might thou well the sooth know  
How thilk honest business  
Of 'em, that first for rightwiseness  
Among the men the laws made  
May never upon this earth fade  
For ever while there is a tongue  
Her name shall be red and song  
And hold in the cronic writ  
So that the men it shullen wite  
To speaken good, as they well oughten  
Of 'em, that first the laws sosughten  
In fo●drynge of the worlds peace  
Unto the Hebrews was Moses  
The first: and to the Egypciens  
Mercurius: and to Troiens  
first was Numa Pompilius  
To Athenes Lycurgus  
gave first the law unto gregoys.  
Foroneus hath thilk voice  
And Romulus of romans:  
For such men that been vilayns  
The law in such a wise ordaineth  
That what man to the law plaineth  
Be so the judge stand upright  
He shall be served of his right.  
And so farforth it is befall  
That law is come among us all.  
God leave it moat well been hold  
As every king thereto is hold.   

For thing, which is of kings set  
with kings ought it not be let.  
what king of law taketh no keep  
By law he may no royalme keep.   

Do law away, what is a king?  
where is the right of any thing  
If that there be no law in land?  
This aught a king well understand  
As he which is to law swore  
That if the law be forlese  
withouten execution,  
It maketh a land turn up so down  
which is unto the king a slander.  
For thy unto king alexander  
The wise philosopher bad  
That he himself first be lad  
Of law, and forth than over all  
To do justice in general.  
That all the wide land about  
The justice of his law doubt:  
And than shall be stand in rest.  
For thereto law is one the best  
Above all other earthly thing  
To make a liege dread his king.   

But how a king shall get him love  
Toward the high god above  
And eke among the men in earth  
This next point, which is the ferthe  
Of Aristotle's lore, it teacheth  
whereof who that the school secheth  
what policy that it is  
The book rehearseth after this.   
Nil rationis habens, ubi uelle tyrannica regna  
Stringit amor populi, transiet exul ibi:  
Sed pietas, regnum quae conseruabit in aeuum  
Non tantum populo, sed placet illa deo.   

¶ Hic tractat de quarta principum regiminis policia, que pietas dicta est, per quam principes erga populum misericordes effecti, misericordiam altissimi gratius consequuntur.  

¶ It needeth not, that I delate  
The price, which praised is algate  
And hath been ever, and ever shall,  
whereof to speak in special  
It is the virtue of Pite  
Through which the high majesty  
was stired, when his son alight  
And in pity the world to right  
Took of the maid flesh & blood:  
Pite was cause of thilk good  
whereof that we been all save.  
well ought a man pite to have  
And the virtue to set in price  
when he himself, which is all wise  
Hath showed, why it shall be praised.  
Pite may not be counterpoised  
Of tyranny with no poise,  
For pity maketh a king courtesy  
B in his word, and in his deed.   

It sit well every lyege dread  
His king, and to his best obey.  
And right so by the same weigh  
It sit a king to be piteous  
Toward his people and gracious  
Upon the rule of governance,  
So that he work no vengeance  
which may be cleped cruelty.   

justice, which doth equity  
Is dreadful, for he no man spareth.  
But in the land where pite fareth  
The king may never fail of love  
For pity through the grace above  
So as the holy book affirmed.  
His reign in good estate confirmed   

th'apostle james in this wise  
saith, what man should do juise  
And hath not pity forth with all  
The doom of him, which deemeth all  
He may himself full sore dread  
That him shall lack upon the need  
To find pity, when he would.  
For who that pity will behold  
It is a point of Christ's lore.  
And for to looken overmore  
It is behovely, as we find  
To reason and to law of kind.   

Cassodore in his aprise telleth  
The reign is safe, where pite dwelleth.   

And Tullyus his tale avoweth  
And saith, what king to pite boweth  
And with pite stont overcome/  
He hath that shield of grace nome  
which the kings giveth victory.  
¶ Of Alysaunder in his histoyre  
〈◊〉 read, how he a worthy knight  
Of sudden wrath and not of right  
For judged hath: and he appelleth.  
And with that word the king quareleth  
And saith, None is above me.   

That wot I well my lord (quoth he)  
From thy lordship appeal I nought  
But fro thy wrath in all my thought  
To thy pity stant mine appeal.   

The king, which understood him weal  
Of pure pity gave him grace.   

And eke I read in other place  
Thus said whilom Constantyne.  
what emperor that is incline  
To pity for to be servant  
Of all the worlds remnant  
He is worthy to been a lord.  
¶ In old books of record  
Thus find I write of ensamplaire  
●●a●an the worthy debonair  
By whom that Rome stood governed.  
Upon a time, as he was learned  
Of that he was to familiar  
He said unto that counsellor,  
That for to be an emperor  
His will was not for vain honour,  
Ne yet for reddour of justice  
But if he might in his office  
His lords and his people please  
Him thought it were a greater ease  
with love her hearts to him draw  
Than with the dread of any law.  
For when a thing is done for doubt  
Full oft it cometh the were about.  
But where a king is pietous  
He is the more gracious  
That much thrift him shall tied  
which elliss should torn a side.    

Qualiter judeus pedester cum paganos equi tante iteneravit prr desertum, et ipsum de fide sua interrogavit.  

☞ To do pity, support, and grace  
The philosopher upon a place  
In his writenge of days old  
A tale of great ensample told  
Unto the king of Macedoyne,  
How between Cayr and Babyloyne  
when comen is the summer heat  
It happeneth two men for to meet  
As they should enter in a paas  
where that the wilderness was,  
And as they went forth spekende  
Under the large woods end,  
That o man asketh of that other,  
what man art thou my lief brother?  
which is thy creance and thy faith?   

I am paynim, that other saith.  
And by the law, which I use  
I shall not in my faith refuse  
To loven all men ylyche  
The power both and eke the rich.  
when they be glad I shall be glad,  
And sorry when they been bestead.  
So shall I live in unite  
with every man in his degree.  
For right as to myself I would  
Right so toward all other should  
Be gracious and debonair.  
Thus have I told the soft & fair  
My faith, my law, and my creance.  
And if the list for acquaintance  
Now tell, what manner man thou art.  
And he answered upon his part  
I am a jew, and by my law  
I shall to no man be fellow  
To keep him troth in word ne deed  
But if he be without dread  
A very jew right as am I.  
For else I may truly  
bereave him both life and good.   

The paynim heard, and understood  
And thought it was a wonder law.   

And thus upon their sundry saw  
Talkende both forth they went.  
The day was hot, the son brent,  
The paynim road upon an ass  
And of his cattles more and lass  
with him a rich truss he lad.   

The jew which all untruth had  
And went upon his feet beside  
Bethought him how he might ride,  
And with his words sly and wise  
Unto the paynim in this wise  
He said: O now it shall be seen  
what thing it is, thou wouldest mean.  
For if thy law be certain  
As thou hast told, I dare well say  
Thou wilt behold my distress  
which am so full of weariness  
That I ne may uneath go,  
And let me ride a mile or two.  
So that I may my body ease.   

The paynim would him not displease  
Of that he spoke, but in pite  
It list him for to know and see  
The plaint, which that other made  
And for he would his heart glade  
He light, and made him nothing strange  
Thus was there made a new change.  
The paynim goth, the jew aloft  
was set, upon his ass soft.  
So gone they forth carpende fast  
On this, on that, till at last  
The paynim might go no more  
And prayed unto the jew therefore  
To suffer him ride a little while.  
The jew, which thought him to beguile  
Anon road forth the great pace  
And to the paynim in this case  
He said: Thou hast do thy right  
Of that thou hadst me behyght  
To do succour upon my need  
And that accordeth to the deed  
As thou art to the law hold.   

And in such wise, as I the told  
I think also for my party  
Upon the law of jewerie  
To work and do my duty.  
Thin ass shall go forth with me  
with all thy good, which I have seized  
And that I wot thou art diseased  
I am right glad, and not my spayde.  
And when he hath these words said  
In all haste he road away.   

This paynim wot none other way  
But on the ground he kneeleth even  
His hands up to the heaven,  
And said: O hibe soothfastness  
That lovest all rightwiseness  
Unto thy doom lord I appeal  
Behold and dame my quarrel  
with umble heart I the beseech  
The mercy both and eke the wretch  
I set all in thy judgement.  
And thus upon his marrement  
This paynim hath made his preiere.  
And than he rose with dreary cheer  
And goth him forth, and in his gate  
He cast his eye about algate  
The jew if that he might see.  
But for a time it might not be,  
Till at last again the night  
So as god would he went a right  
As he, which held the high weigh.  
And than he sigh in a valley  
where that the jew lyggende was  
All bloody deed upon the grass  
which strangled was of a lion.  
And as he looked up and down  
He fond his ass fast by  
Forth with his harness readily  
All hole and sound as he it left  
when that the jew it him bereft.  
whereof he thanked god knelende.   

Lo thus a man may know at end  
How the piteous, pity deserveth.  
For what man that to pity serveth  
As Aristotle it beareth witness  
God shall his foemen so redress  
That they shall aye stand under foot.  
Pity men sayen is thilk rote  
whereof the virtues sprengen all.  
what infortune that befall  
In any land, lack of pity  
Is cause of thilk adversity.  
And that alday may show at eye  
who that the world discreetly sye.   

Good is that every man therefore  
Take heed of that is said tofore.  
For of this tale, and other enough  
These noble princes whilom drowe  
Her evidence and her apprise,  
As men may find in many wife  
who that these old books read.  
And though they been in earth deed  
Her good name may nought die  
For pite, which they would obey  
To do the deeds of mercy.  
And who this tale readily  
Remembreth, as Aristotle it told  
He may the will of god behold  
Upon the point as it was ended  
whereof that pity stood commended  
which is to charity fellow,  
As they that keepen both o law.    

¶ ●●ta hic de principis pietate erga populum/ 〈…〉 quod cum Codrus tex Athenis contra ●●rences bellum gerere deberet, consulto 〈◊〉 Apo●ine responsum accepit, quod unum de 〈◊〉 vide●●cet aut seipsum in prelio interfici, 〈◊〉 populum suum sasuare, aut seipsum saluum fieri 〈◊〉 ●●●●um interfici eligere oporteret/ Super 〈◊〉 ●●●etote motus plebisque sue magis quam 〈…〉 salutem affectans/ mortem sibi 〈…〉/ Et sic bellum aggrediens pro vita 〈◊〉 solus interut.  

¶ Of pite for to speak plain  
which is with mercy well beseyne  
Full oft he will himself pain  
To keep an other fro the pain.  
For char●● the mother is  
Of pite, which nothing amiss  
Can suffer, if he it may amend.  
It sit to every man lyvende  
To be piteous, but none so weal  
As to a king which on the wheel  
Fortune hath, set above all.   

For in a king, if so befall  
That his pitch farm and stable  
To all the land it is vaillable  
Only through grace of his person.  
For the pite of him alone  
May all the large royalme save,  
So sit it well a king to have  
pity. For this Valery told  
And said: how that by days old  
Codrus, which was in his degree  
King of Athenes the city  
A were he had ayeinst Dorrence  
And for to take his evidence  
what shall befall of the battle  
He thought he would him first counsel  
with Apollo, in whom he trust  
Through whose answer thus he wist  
Of two points, that he might cheese  
Or that he would his body lose  
And in battle himself die:  
Or else the second weigh  
To seen his people discomfit.   

But he/ which pite hath perfit  
Upon the point of his believe  
The people thought to relieve,  
And cheese himself to be deed.   

where is now such another heed  
which would for the limbs die?   

And nevertheless in some party  
It ought a kings heart steer  
That he his lyege men forbear.  
And eke toward his enemies  
Full oft he may deserve prise  
To take of pity remembrance  
where that he might do vengeance.  
For when a king hath the victoire  
And than he draw in to memoire  
To do pity in stead of wretch,  
He may not fail of thilk speech  
whereof ariste the worlds fame  
To give a prince a worthy name.    

☞ HIC PONIT EXEMPLUM de victoriosi principis pietate erga adversarios suos, Et narrat/ quod cum Pompeius Romanorum Imperator regem Armenie adversarium suum in bello victum cepisset/ captumque vinculis alligatum Rome tenuisset tyrannidis iracundie stimulo postponens, pietatis mansuetudinem operatus est: dixit enim, quod nobilius est regem facere quam deponere. super quo dictum regem absque ulla redemptione non solum a vinculis absoluit/ sed ad sui regni culmen gratuita voluntate coronatum restituit.  

¶ I read how whilom that Pompey  
To whom that Rome must obey  
A war had in jeopardy  
Against the king of armeny  
which of long time had him grieved  
But at last it was achieved  
That he this king discomfit had  
And forth with him to Rome lad  
As prisoner, where many a day  
In sorry plight and pour he lay.  
The corone on his heed deposed  
within walls fast enclosed.   

And with full great humility  
He suffereth his adversity.   

Pompey sigh his patience  
And took pite with conscience  
So that upon his high deys  
To fore all Rome in his palace,  
As he that would upon him rue  
let give him his corone new  
And his estate all full and plain  
Restoreth of his reign again.  
And said: it was more goodly thing  
To make than undone a king  
To him, which power had of both.   

Thus they that weren both wroth  
Accorden hem to final peace.  
And yet justice nethelees  
was kept, and in nothing offended.  
whereof Pompey is yet commended.  
There may no king himself excuse  
But if justice he keep and use,  
which for to eschew cruelty  
He moat attempre with pite.   

Of cruelty the felony  
Engendered is of tyranny  
Ayene the whose condition  
God is himself the champion.  
whose strength no man may withstand.  
For ever yet it hath so stand  
That god a tyrant over lad.  
But where pite the reign lad  
There might no fortune last  
which was grievous, but at last  
The god himself it hath redressed.  
pity is thilk virtue blessed  
which never let his master fall.  
But cruelty though it so fall  
That it may reign for a throw  
God will it shall be over throw  
whereof ensamples been enough  
Of 'em, that thilk merell drowe.    

☞ Hic loquitur contra illos, qui tirannica potestate principatum optinentes, iniqiutatis sue malicia gloriantur, Et narrat in exemplum, qualiter Leontius tirannus pium Iustintanum non solum & solio imperatorie magestatis fraudulenter expulsit, sed ut ipse inhabilis ad regnit in aspectu plebis efficiretur naso et labris abscisis, ipsum tirannice mutilavit: deus tamen, qui super omnia pius est, Tiberio superueniente una cum adiutorio Therbellis Bulgarie regis justinianum interfecto Le ontio, ad imperium restitui misericorditer ꝓcuravit.  

¶ Of cruelty I read thus  
when the tyrant Leoncyus  
was to th'empire of Rome arrived  
From which he hath with strength prived  
The piteous justinian  
As he which was a cruel man  
His nose of and his lips both  
He cut, for he would him loath  
Unto the people, and make unable.  
But he which all is merciable  
The high god ordaineth so  
That he within a time also  
when he was strongest in his ire  
was shoven out of his empire.   

Tiberius' the power had  
And Rome after his will he lad.   

And for Leonce in such a wise  
ordaineth that he took juise  
Of nose and lips both two  
For that he did another so  
which more worthy was than he.   

Lo which a fall hath cruelty  
And pite was set up again.  
For after that the books say  
Therbellis king of Bulgarie  
with help of his chivalry  
justinian hath unprisonned  
And to th'empire again coroned.    

❧ Hic loquitur ulterius de crudelitate Siculi tyranni, necnon et de Berillo eiusdem consiliario/ qui ad tormentum populi quendam taurit eneum tirannica coniectura fabricari constituit/ in quo tum ipse prior proprio crimine illud exigente usque ad sui interitus expirationem iudicialiter for quebatur.  

¶ In a cronic I find also  
Of Siculus, which was eke so  
A cruel king like the tempest  
The whom no pite might arrest.  
He was the first, as books say  
Upon the see, which fond galley  
And let 'em make for the were  
As he, which all was out of herre  
from pite and misericorde.  
For thereto couth be not accord,  
But whom he might slay, he slough  
And thereof was he glad enough.  
He had of council many one  
Among the which there was one  
By name, which Berillus height  
And he bethought him, how he might  
Unto this tyrant do liking.  
And of his own imagining  
let forge and make a bull of brass,  
And on the side cast there was  
A door where a man may in  
when he his pain shall begin  
Through fire, which that men put under.  
And all this did be for a wonder.  
That when a man for pain cried  
The bull of brass, which gapeth wide  
It should seem, as though it were  
A bellowing in a man's ere  
And not the crying of a man.  
But he, which all sleights can  
The devil, that lieth in hell fast  
Him that it cast hath overcast  
That for a trespass, which he deed  
He was put in the same stead.  
And was himself the first of all  
which was in to that pain fall  
That he for other men ordaineth.  
There was no man that him compleineth.   

Of tyranny and cruelty  
By this ensample a king may see  
Himself, and eke his council both  
How they been to mankind loath  
And to the god abominable.  
Ensamples that been concordable  
I find of other princes more  
As thou shalt here of time ago.    

¶ Nota hic de Diony sio tyranno, qui mire crudium tatis severitate etiam hospites suos ad devorandum equis fuis tribuit, cui Hercules tandem super veniens victum impium impietate sua pari morte conclusit.  
¶ The great tyrant Dionyse  
which man's life set of no prize  
Unto his horse full oft be gave  
The men, in stead of corn and chafe,  
So that the horse of thilk stood  
Devoureden the man's blood  
Till fortune at last came  
That Hercules him overcame.  
And he right in the same wise  
Of this tyrant took the juise  
As he till other men hath do  
The same death he died also  
That no pite him hath socourde  
Till he was of his horse devoured.   

¶ Nota hic de consimili Lichaontis tirannia, qui tarnes hoim hominibus in suo hospicio ad vescendum dedit, cuius formam condicioni simlem coequans ipm inlupum transformavit.  

¶ Of Lychaon also I find  
How be again the law of king  
His host slough, and in to meet  
He made her bodies to be eat  
with other men within his house.   

But jupiter the glorious  
which was commened of this thing  
Vengeance upon this cruelkinge  
So took, that he fro man's form  
In to a wolf he let transform.  
And thus the cruelty was kid  
which of long time he had hid.  
¶ A wolf he was than openly  
The whose nature privily  
He had in his condition.  
And unto this conclusion  
That tyranny is to despise  
I find ensample in sundry wise  
And namelyche of 'em full oft  
The whom fortune hath set aloft  
Upon the wars for to win  
But how so that the wrong begin  
Of tyranny it may nought last  
But such as they done at last  
To other men, such on hem falleth.  
For ayene such pite calleth  
Vengeance to the god above.  
For who that hath no tender love  
In saving of a man's life  
He shall be found so gyltyfe  
That when he would mercy crave  
In time of need be shall none have.    

¶ Nota qualiter leo hominibus stratis percit.  

¶ Of the nature this I find  
The fires lion in his kind  
which goth rampende after his prey  
If he a man find in his way  
He will him sleyen, if he withstand.  
But if the man couth understand  
To fall anon tofore his face  
In sign of mercy and of grace  
The lion shall of his nature  
restrain his Ire in such measure  
As though it were a beast tamed  
And torn away halfing ashamed  
That he the man shall nothing grieve.  
How should than a prince achieve  
The worlds grace, if that he would  
Destroy a man, when he is yold,  
And stante upon his mercy all?   

But for to speak in special  
There have be such, and such there be  
Tyrants, whose hearts no pity  
May to no point of mercy ply  
That they upon her tyranny  
Ne gladden 'em the men to slay.  
And as the rages of the see  
Been unpitous in the tempest:  
Right so may no pite areste  
Of cruelty the great ultrage  
which the tyrant in his courage  
Engendered hath, whereof I find  
A tale, which cometh now to mind.    

¶ Hic loquitur precipu● contra tyrannos illos, qui cum in bello vincere possunt, humani sanguini● effusionem saturari nequeunt: et narrat in exemplum de quodam Persarum rege, cuius nomen Spartachus erat, qui pre ceteris tunc in oriente bellicosus et victoriosus, quoscumque gladio vincer● poterat/ absque psetate interfici constituit. Sebastian tandem sub manu Thomiris Marsegittarum regine in bello captus, ꝙ a diu quesivit, severitatem pro severitate finaliter invenit. Nam et ipsa quoddam vas de sanguine Persarum plenum ante se afferre decrevit, in quo caput tyrām usque ad mor tem mergen● dixit: O tyrannorum crudelissime semper esn●iens sanguinem sitisti, ecce iam ad saturitatem sanguinem bibe.  

¶ I read in old books thus  
There was a duke, which Spartachus  
Men clepe, and was a warrior,  
A cruel man a conqueror  
with strong power, the which he lad.  
For this condition he had  
That where him happeneth the victoire  
His lust and all his most gloire  
was for to slay, and not to save.  
Of ransom would he no good have  
For saving of a man's life,  
But all goeth to the sword and knife  
So lief him was the man's blood.  
And nevertheless yet thus it stood  
So as fortune about went  
He fell right heir, as by descent  
To Pers, and was coroned king.  
And when the worship of this thing  
was fall: and he was king of Pers  
If that they weren first divers  
The tyrannies, which he wrought  
A thousant fold well more he sought  
Than afterward to do malice  
Till god vengeance again the vice  
Hath shape: For upon a tide  
when he was hieste in his pride  
In his rancour, and in his heat  
Ayene the queen of Mersagete  
which Thomiris that time height  
He made were all that he might.  
And she which would her land defend  
Her own son again him send  
which the defence hath undertake  
But he discomfit was and take.  
And when this king him had in hand  
He will no mercy understand  
But did him slay in his presence.   

The tiding of this violence  
when it came to the mother's ear,  
She send anon ay wide where  
To such friends as she had  
A great power till that she lad.  
In sundry wise, & though she cast  
How she this king may overcast.   

And at last accorded was  
That in the danger of a pas  
Through which this tyrant should pass  
She shope his power to compass  
with strength of men, by such a weigh  
That he shall not escape away.   

And when she had thus ordained  
She hath her own body feigned  
For fere as though she would flee  
Out of her land. And when that he  
Hath herd, how that this lady fled  
So fast after the chase he sped  
That he was found out of array.  
For it betid upon a day  
In to the paas when he was fall  
The cubusshementes to breaken all  
And him beclipte on every side  
That flee ne might be not aside.  
So that there weren deed and take  
Two hundred thousand for his sake  
That weren with him of his host.  
And thus was laid the great booste  
Of him, and of his tyranny.  
It halpe no mercy for to cry  
To him, which whilom did none.  
For he unto the queen anon  
was brought: & when that she him sye  
This word she spoke, and said on high:   

O man, which out of man's kind  
Reason of man hast left behind  
And lived worse than a beast  
whom pity might none areste  
The man's blood to shed and spill:  
Thou hadst never yet thy fill.  
But now the last time is come  
That thy malice is overcome  
As thou till other men hast do  
Now shall be do to the right so.   

though bad this lady that men should  
A vessel bring, in which she would  
See the vengeance of his juise,  
which she began anon devise  
And took the princes, which he lad  
By whom his chief council he had,  
And while hem lasteth any breath  
She made 'em bleed to the death  
Into the vessel where it stood.  
And when it was fulfylde of blood  
She cast this tyrant therein  
And said him: Lo thus might thou win  
The lusts of thine appetite.  
In blood was whilom thy delight  
Now shalt thou drinken all thy fill.  
And thus onelyche of gods will  
He which that would himself strange  
To pite, fond mercy so strange,  
That he without grace is lore.   

So may it well show the more  
That cruelty hath no good end,  
But pite how so that it wend  
maketh that god is merciable  
If there be cause reasonable  
why that a king shall be piteous  
But else if he be doubtous  
To sleen in cause of rightwiseness  
It may be said no pytousnesse.  
But it is pusyllanimyte  
which every prince should flee.  
For if pite measure exceed  
knighthood may not alway proceed  
To do justice upon the right.  
For it belongeth to a knight  
As gladly for to fight as rest  
To set his lyege people in rest  
when that the war upon 'em falleth.  
For 'em be mote, as it befalleth  
Of his knighthood, as a lion  
Be to the people a champion  
without any pite feigned.  
For if manhood be restrained  
Or be it peace, or be it war  
justice goth all out of her  
So that knighthood is set behind.  
¶ Of Aristotle's lore I find  
A king shall make good visage  
That no man know of his courage  
But all honour and worthiness.  
For if a king shall upon guess  
without ver●y cause dread  
He may be lyche to that I read.  
And though that be like a fable  
Then saumple is good and reasonable    

❧ Hic loquitur secundum philosophum diceus, quod sicut non decet principes tyrannica impetuositate esse crudeles, it a nec decet timorosa pufillanimitate esse vecordes.  

❧ As it by old days fill  
I read whilom that an hill  
Up in the lands of Archade  
And wonder dreadful noise it made.  
For so it fell that ilk day  
This hill on his childing lay.  
And when the throws on him come  
His noise liche the day of doom  
was fearful in a man's thought  
Of things, which that they see nought  
But well they herden all about  
The noise, of which they were in doubt  
As they that wenden to be lore  
Of thing, which than was unborn.  
The near this hill was upon chance  
To take his deliverance  
The more unbuxomly he cried.  
And every man was fled a side  
For dread, and left his own house.  
And at last it was a mouse  
The which was boar, and to nurse  
By take: and though they held 'em nice  
For they withouten cause dread.   

Thus if a king his heart lad  
with every thing that he shall here  
Full oft he should change his cheer  
And upon fantasy dread  
when that there is no cause of dread.    

¶ Nota hic secundum Horacium de magnanimo Iacide et pusillanimo Thersite.  

¶ Horace to his prince told  
That him were liefer, that he would  
Upon knighthood Achilles sew  
In time of war, than eschew  
So as Thersites did at Troy.   

Achilles' all his hole joy  
Set upon arms for to fight.  
Thersites sought all that he might  
Unarmed for to stand in rest.  
But of the two it was the best  
That Achilles upon the need  
Hath do, whereof his knyghtlyhede  
Is yet commended overalle.   

King Solomon in special  
Saith: As there is a time of peace  
So is a time nevertheless  
Of were: in which a prince algate  
Shall for the common right debate  
And for his own worship eke.  
But it behoveth not to seek  
Only the were for worship  
But to the right of his lordship,  
which he is hold to defend  
might every worthy prince intend  
Between the simplesse of pity  
And the fool hast of cruelty.  
where stonte the very hardiness  
There moat a king his heart address.  
when it is time, to forsake  
And when time is, also to take  
The deadly wars upon hand  
That he shall for no dread wonde  
If rightwiseness be withal.  
For god is mighty over all  
To further every man's truth  
But it be through his own sloth,  
And namely the kings need  
It may not fail for to speed.  
For he stante one for 'em all  
So moat it well the better fall.  
And well the more god favoureth  
when he the common right succoureth.  
And for to see the sooth in deed  
Behold the bible, and thou might read  
Of great ensamples many one  
whereof that I will tell one.    

¶ Hic dicit/ quod princeps iusticie causa bellum nullo modo timere debet. Et narrat qualiter dux Gedeon cum solis trecentis viris quinque reges scilicet Madianitarum, Amalechitarum/ Amoitanorum, Amoreorum et jebuseorum, cum eorit excercitu, qui ad nonaginta milia numeraius eft/ gracia cooperant divina, victoriose in fugam convertit.  

☞ Upon a time as it befell  
Against Jude and Israelle  
when sundry kings come were  
In purpose to destroy there  
The people/ which god kept tho,  
And stood in thilk days so  
That Gedeon, which should lead  
The god's folk/ took him to read  
And send in all the land about  
Till he assembled hath a rout  
with xxx thousand of defence  
To fight and make resistance  
again the which hem would assail.  
And nevertheless that one battle  
Of three/ that weren enemies  
was double more than was all his  
whereof that Gedeon him dread  
That he so little people had.  
But he which all thing may help  
where that there locketh man's help  
To Gedeon his angel sent  
And bade/ ere that he further went,  
All openly that he do cry  
That every man in his party  
which would after his own will  
In his delight abide still  
At home in any manner wise  
For purchase, or for covetise,  
For lust of love, or lack of heart  
He should nought about start  
But hold him still at home in peace.  
whereof upon the morrow he lees  
well twenty thousand men and more  
The which after the cry been go.   

Thus was with him but only left  
The third part, and yet god eft  
His angel send, and said this  
To Gedeon: If it so is  
That I thine help shall undertake  
Thou shalt yet less people take  
By whom my will is that thou speed.  
For thy to morrow take good heed  
Unto the flood when ye be come  
what man that hath the water nome  
Up in his hand, and lappeth so  
To thy part cheese out all tho  
And him which weary is to swink,  
Upon his womb and lieth to drink,  
Forsake and put 'em all away  
For I am mighty all weigh  
where as me list my help to show  
In good men, though they be few.   

This Gedeon a waiteth weal  
Upon the morrow, and every deal  
As god him bad, right so he deed.  
And thus there left in that stead  
with him three hundred, and no more  
The remanant was all ago.  
whereof that Gedeon marveleth  
And thereon with god counseleth  
plaining, as farforth as he dare.   

And god, which would he were ware  
That he should speed upon his right  
Hath bid him go the same night  
And take a man with him to here  
what shall be spoke in this matter  
Among the heathen enemies,  
So may he be the more wise,  
what afterward him shall befall.   

This Gedeon amongs all  
Phara, to whom he tryst most  
By night took toward thilk host  
which lodged was in a valley  
To here what they wolden say.  
Upon his foot and as he feared  
Two saracens spekende he heard  
Quod one, arede my sweven aright  
which I met in my sleep to night.   

Me thought I sigh a barley cake  
which fro the hill his weigh hath take  
And come rollende down at ones,  
And as it were for the nonce  
Forth in his course, so as it ran  
The kings tent of Madyan,  
Of Amaleche, of Amorie  
Of A money, and of jebuseye  
And many another tent more,  
with great joy as me thought though  
It threw to ground and over cast  
And all his host so sore aghast  
That I awoke for pure dread.   

This sweven can I well arede  
Quoth the other sarazen anon,   

The barley cake is Gedeon  
which fro the hill done suddenly  
Shall come, and set such a skrye  
Upon the kings, and us both  
That it shall to us all loath.  
For in such dread he shall us bring  
That if we haden flight of wing,  
The weigh one foot in despair  
we shall love, and flee in the air.  
For there shall nothing him withstand   

when Gedeon hath understand  
This tale, he thonketh god of all,  
And privelyche again he stalle  
So that no life him hath perceived.  
And than he hath fully conceived  
That he shall speed: & thereupon  
The night sewend he shope to gone  
This multitude to assail.   

Now shalt thou here a great marvel  
with what wisdom that he wrought.  
The little people, which he brought  
was none of 'em that he ne hath  
A pot of earth, in which he hath  
A light brenning in a cresset,  
And each of 'em eke a trumpet  
Bare in his other hand beside.   

And thus upon the nights tide  
Duc Gedeon when it was dark  
ordaineth him unto his work,  
And parted than his folk in three  
And chargeth 'em, that they ne flee.  
And taught 'em how they should askry  
All in o voice par company.  
And what word they should eke speak,  
And how they should her pots break  
Echeone with other when they heard  
That he himself first so feared.  
For when they came into the stead  
He bade 'em do right as he deed.   

And thus stalkende forth a pace  
This noble duke when time was  
His pot to brake, & loud ascryde  
And though they break on every side.  
The trump was nought for to seek,  
He blewe, and so they blewen eke  
with such a noise among 'em all  
As though the heaven should fall.   

The hill unto her voice answered.  
This host in the valley it heard  
And sigh how that the bylle a light  
So what of hearing and of sight  
They caught such a sudden fere  
That none of 'em be left there.  
The tents holly they forsook  
That they none other good ne took  
But only with her body bore  
They fled, as doth the wild hare.  
And ever upon the hill they blewe  
Till that they sigh time and knew  
That they be fled upon the rage.   

And when they wist their advantage  
They fill anon upon the chase.  
Thus might thou see how gods grace  
Unto the good men availeth  
But else oft time it faileth  
To such as be not well disposed.  
This tale needeth not to be glossed  
For it is openly showed  
That god to him that been well thewed  
Hath give & granted the victoire  
So that thensample of this histoire  
Is good for every king to hold.   

First in himself that he behold  
if he be good of his living  
And that the folk, which he shall bring  
Be good also, for than he may  
Be glad of many a merry day  
In what that ever he hath to done.  
For he which sit above the moan  
And all thing may spill and speed  
In every case, and every need  
His good king so well adresseth  
That all his foo men he represseth.  
So that there may no man him dear.  
And also well he can forbear  
And suffer a wicked king to fall  
In hands of his foemen all.    

¶ Hic dicit, quod ubi et quando causa et tempus requirunt, princeps illos sub potestate sua/ quos iusticie adversarios agnoverit, occidere de iure te netur. Et narrat in exemplum, qualiter pro eo, quod Saul regem Agag in bello devicium juxta Samuelis consilium occidere noluit/ ipse divino judicio non solum a regno Israel prinatus/ sed et heredes sui pro perpetuo exheredati sunt.  

❧ Now furthermore if I shall say  
Of my matter, and turn again  
To speak of justice and Pite  
After the rule of ryalte.   

This may a king well understand  
knighthood moat be take on hand  
when that it stont upon the need  
He shall no rightful cause dread  
No more of were than of peace  
If he will stand blameless.  
For such a cause a king may have  
Better it is to slay than save.  
whereof thou might ensample find  
The high maker of mankind  
By Samuel to Saul bad  
That he shall nothing been adread  
Again king Agag for to fight.  
For this the godhead him behyght  
That Agag shall be overcome.   

And when it is so farforth come  
That Saul hath him discomfit  
The god had make no respite  
That he ne should him slay anon.  
But Saul let it overgone  
And did not the god's best.   

For Agag made a great behest  
Of ransom, which he would give  
King Saul suffereth him to live  
And feigneth pite forth withal.  
But he which seeth & knoweth all  
The buy god, of that he feigneth  
To Samuel upon him plaineth  
And send him word: for that he left  
Of Agag that he ne bereft  
The life, he shall not only die  
Himself, but fro his regal  
He shall be put for evermore  
Nought he, but eke his heir also  
That it shall never come again.    

¶ 〈◊〉 ●●●●at ulteriꝰ super eodem, qualiter David 〈◊〉 extremes justice causa ut Ioab occideretur, ab 〈◊〉 ●lla remissione filio suo Salomoni iniunxit.  

¶ Thus might thou see the sooth plain  
That of to moche, and of to light  
Upon the princes stant the wite.  
But ever it was a kings right  
To do the deeds of a knight.  
For in the hands of a king  
The death and life is all othing  
After the laws of justice.   

To sleen it is a deadly vice,  
But if a man the death deserve.   

And if a king the life preserve  
Of him, which ought for to die  
He seweth not the ensamplarie  
which in the bible is evident  
how david in his testament,  
when he no longer might leave  
Unto his son in charge hath give  
That he joab shall slay algate.   

And when david was gone his gate  
The young wise Salomone  
His father's hest did anon,  
And slew joab in such a wise  
That they that herden the juice  
Ever after dredden him the more  
And god was eke well paid therefore  
That be so would his heart ply  
The laws for to justify.  
And yet he kept forth withal  
pity, so as a prince shall  
That he no tyranny wrought.  
He fond the wisdom, which he sought  
And was so rightful nevertheless  
That all his life he stood in peace  
That he no deadly wars had.  
For every man his wisdom dread.  
And as he was himself wise  
Right so the worthy men of prise  
He hath of his counsel with hold  
For that is every prince hold  
To make of such his retinue  
which wise been: and remue  
The fools. For there is nothing,  
which may be better about a king  
Than counsel, which is the substance  
Of all a kings governance.    

¶ Hic dicit, quod populum sibi commissum bene regere super omnia principi laudabilius est. Et narrat in exemplum, qualiter pro eo quod Solomon, ut populum bene regeret, ab altissimo sapientiam specialius postulavit, omnia bona pariter cum illa sibi habundancius advenerunt.  

¶ In Solomon a man may see  
what thing of most necessity  
Unto a worthy king belongeth.   

when he his kingdom underfongeth  
God had him cheese what he would,  
And said him, that he have should  
what he would ask, as of o thing.   

And he which was a new king  
Forth thereupon his boon prayed  
To god, and in this wise said:  
O king by whom that I shall reign  
Yeve me wisdom, that I my reign  
Forth with the people, which I have  
To thine honour may keep and save.   

when Solomon his boon hath taxed,  
The god of that which he hath axed  
was right well paid, & granteth soon  
Not all only that he his boon  
Shall have of that, but of richesse  
Of hele, of peace, of high noblesse  
For with wisdom at his askynges  
which stant above all other things.    

¶ Hic dicit secundum Salomonem, quod regie magestatis imperium ante omnia sano consilio dirigendum eft.  
¶ But what king will his reign save  
first him behoveth for to have  
After the god and his believe  
Such counsel, which is to believe  
Full field of troth, and rightwiseness  
But above all in his noblesse  
Between the reddour and pity  
A king shall do such equity  
And set the balance in even  
So that the high god of heaven  
And all the people of his nobleye  
Lowenge unto his name say.  
For most above all earthly good  
where that a king himself is good  
It helpeth: for in other weigh  
If so be that a king forsweye   

¶ Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.  
Full oft ere this it hath be say  
The comen people is overlain  
And hath the kings sin about  
All though the people agylte nought.  
Of that the king his god mysserueth  
The people taketh, that he deserveth  
Here in this world, but else where  
I not how it shall stand there  
For thy good is a king to trust  
first to himself, as he ne wist  
None other help but god alone,  
So shall the rule of his person  
within himself through providence  
Ben of the better conscience.  
And for to find ensample of this  
A tale I read, and soothe it is.   

¶ Hic de Lucio imperatore exemplum ponit, qualiter princepa sui nominis famam a secretis consilariis sapienter investigare debet, et si quid in ea sinistrum invenerit, provisa discretione ad dexteram convertat.  

❧ In a cronic it telleth thus  
The king of Rome Lucyus  
within his chamber upon a night  
The steward of his house a knight  
Forth with his chamberlain also  
To counsel had both two  
And stooden by the chymne  
together spekende all three.  
And happeth that the kings fool  
Sat by the fire upon a stole  
As he that with his babble played  
But yet he heard all that they said  
And thereof took they no heed.  
The king hem asketh what to read  
Of such matter as came to mouth.   

And they him told, as they couth.  
when all was spoke, of that they meant  
The king with all his whole intent  
Then at last hem asketh this  
what king men tell that he is:  
among the folk touching his name  
Or it be pries or it be blame  
Right after that they herden say  
He had 'em for to tell it plain,  
That they no point of sooth forbear  
By thilk faith, that they him bear.   

The steward first upon this thing  
Gafe his answer unto the king  
And thought gloze in this matter  
And said, als far as he can here  
His name is good, and honourable.  
Thus was the steward favourable  
That he the troth plain ne told.   

The king than asketh, as he should,  
The chamberlain of his advice.   

And he that was subtile and wise  
And somedeal thought upon his faith  
Him told, how all the people saith  
That if his counsel were true  
They wist than well and knew  
That of himself he should be  
A worthy king in his degree.  
And thus the counsel he accuseth  
In party and the king excuseth.   

The fool, which heard of all this case  
what time as gods will was  
Sigh, that they saiden not enough  
And hem to scorn both lough.  
And to the king he said though   

Sir king if that it were so  
Of wisdom in thine own mode  
That thou thyself were good  
Thy council should not be bad.  
The king thereof marvel had  
when that a fool so wisely spoke  
And of himself fond out the lack  
within his own conscience.  
And thus the folis evidence  
which was of god's grace inspired  
maketh that good council was desired.   

He put away the vicious  
And took to him the virtuous.   

The wrongful laws been amended  
The lands good is well dispended  
The people was no more oppressed  
And thus stood every thing redressed.  
For where a king is proper wise  
And hath such as himself is  
Of his council/ it may not fail  
That every thing ne shall avail.  
The vices than gone away  
And every virtue bolt his weigh  
whereof the high god is pleased  
And all the lands folk esed.   

For if the common people cry  
And than a king list not to ply  
To here, what the clamore would.  
And other wise than he should  
disdaineth for to done 'em grace,  
It hath be seen in many place  
There hath be fall great contrair  
And that I find of ensamplaire.    

❧ Hic dicit quod seniores magis experti ad ●●●ne●●●e consilium admittendi pocius existunt/ Et narrat/ qualiter pro eo quod Roboas Salomonis filius et heres senium sermonibus renuncians, dicta invenum preelegit/ de duodecim tribus Israel a domino suo decem penitus amisit/ et sic cum duabus tantummodo illusus postea regnavit  

❧ After the death of Salomone  
when thilk wise king was gone  
And Roboas in his person  
receive should the corone,  
The people upon a parliament  
Auysed were of one assent  
And all unto the king they prayed  
with common voice and thus they said:   

Our liege lord we the beseech  
That thou receive our humble speech  
And grant us, which that reason will  
Or of thy grace/ or of thy skill,  
Thy father while he was alive  
And might both grant and prive  
Upon the works which he had  
The common people straight lad  
when he the temple made new.  
Thing which men never afore knew  
He brought up than of his tallage  
And all was under the visage  
Of works, which he made tho.  
But now it is befall so  
That all is made right, as he said  
And he was rich when he died.  
So that it is no manner need  
If thou thereof wilt taken heed  
To pillen of the people more  
which long time hath be grieved sore.   

And in this wise as we the say  
with tender heart we the prey,  
That thou release thilk debt  
which upon us thy father set.  
And if the like to done so  
we been thy men for evermore  
To gone and comen at thine hest.   

The king, which heard this request  
Saith, that he will been advised,  
And hath thereof a time assised  
And in the while as he him thought  
Upon this thing council he sought.  
And first the wise knights old  
To whom that he his tale told  
Counceyllen him in this manner,  
That he with love, and with glad cheer  
Foryeve and grant all that is asked  
Of that his father had tasked.  
For so he may his regne achieve  
with thing which shall hem little grieve.   

The king him herd, and over passeth  
And with this other his wit compasseth  
That young were, and nothing wise  
And they these old men despise  
And saiden: Sir it shall be shame  
For ever unto thy worthy name  
If thou ne keep not thy right  
(while thou art in thy young might)  
which that thine old father gate  
But say unto the people plate  
That while thou livest in thy land  
The least finger of thine hand  
It shall be strenger over all  
Than was thy father's body all.  
And thus also shall be thy tale  
If he hem smote with rods small  
with scorpions thou shalt hem smite.  
And where thy father took a light  
Thou thinkest take michel more  
Thus shalt thou make 'em dread sore  
The great heart of thy courage,  
So for to hold 'em in servage.   

This young king him hath conformed  
To done as he was last informed  
which was to him his undoing.  
For when it came to the speaking  
He hath the young counsel hold  
That he the same words told  
Of all the people in audience.   

And when they herden the sentence  
Of his malice, and the menace  
Anon tofore his own face  
They have him utterly refused  
And with full great reprove accused  
So they began for to rave  
That he himself was fain to save.  
For as the wild wood rage  
Of winds maketh the see savage  
And that was calm bringeth to wawe,  
So for default and grace of law  
The people is stired all at ones  
And forth they gone out of his wones  
So that of the lineages twelve  
Two tribus only by 'em self  
with him abiden, and no more.  
So were they for evermore  
Of no return without espeire  
Departed fro the rightful heir  
Of Israel, with comen voice  
A king upon her own choice  
Among hem self a anon they make  
And have her young lord forsake.  
A power knight jeroboas  
They took, and left Roboas  
which rightful beyre was by dissent,  
Lo thus the young cause went  
For that the counsel was not good  
The reign fro the rightful blood  
Ever afterward divided was.  
So may it proven by this case  
That young counseyl, which is to warm  
Or men beware doth oft harm.  
Old age for the counsel serveth  
And lusty youngth his thank deserveth  
Upon the travail which he doth.  
And both for to say a fothe  
By sundry cause for to have  
If that he will his reign save  
A king behoveth every day  
That one can, and that other may  
Be so the king hem both rule  
Or else all goth out of rule.    

¶ Nota questionem cuiusdam philosophi/ utrum regno convenientius foret principem cum malo consilio optare sapientem, quam cum sano consilio ipsum eligere insipientem.  

¶ And upon this matter also  
A question between the two  
Thus written in book I fond.  
where it be better for the land  
A king himself to be wise  
And so to bear his own prise  
And that his counsel be not good.  
Or otherwise if it so stood  
A king if he be vicious  
And his counsel be virtuous  
It is answered in such a wise  
That better it is that they be wise  
By whom that the counsel shall gone  
For they been many, and he is one  
And rather shall an one man  
with false counsel, for aught he can  
From his wisdom be made to fall  
Than he alone should hem all  
from vices unto virtue change  
For that is well the more strange.   

For thy the land may well be glad  
whose king with good counsel is lad  
which set him unto rightwiseness  
So that his high worthiness  
Between the reddour and pity,  
Doth mercy forth with equity.  
A king is holden over all  
To pity, but in special  
To hem, where he is most behold  
They should his pite most behold  
That been the lieges of the land  
For they been ever under his hand  
After the god's ordinance  
To stand upon his governance.    

¶ ●●●a ad huc precipne de principum erga suos 〈…〉 deb●ta ●ietate, legitur enim qualiter An 〈…〉 Sci●●●ne exēp●ificatus, dixit, quod mal●er v●●m de populo sibi commisso virum saluare, c●●●●en●● ex hostibus alienigenis in bello perdere.  

☞ Of th'emperor Antonius  
I find, bow that he said thus:  
How him were liefer for to save  
One of his liges, than to have  
Of enemies an hundred deed.  
And thus he learned as I read  
Of Scipio, which had be  
Consul of Rome, and thus to see  
divers ensamples how they stand  
A king which hath the charge on hand  
The common people to govern  
If that he will, he may well learn.  
Is none so good to the pleasance  
Of god, as is good governance.  
And every governance is due  
To pity thus I may argue  
That pity is the foundemente  
Of every kings regiment.  
If it be meddled with justice  
They two remeven all vice  
And been of virtue most vailable  
To make a kings royalme stable.   

Lo thus the four points tofore  
In governance as they be boar  
Of troth first and of largesse  
Of pity, forth with rightwiseness  
I have 'em told, and over this  
The first point, so as it is  
Set of the rule of policy  
whereof a king shall modify  
The fleshly lusts of nature,  
Now think I tell of such measure  
That both kind shall be served  
And eke the law of god observed.   
Corporis et mentis regem decet omnis honestas,  
Nominis ut famam nulla libido ruat.  
Omne quod est liominis effeminate illa voluptas  
Sit nisi magnanimi cordis ut obstat ei.   

¶ Hic tractat secundum Aristotelem de quinta principum policia, que castitatem concernit, cuius honestas impudicicie molus obtemperans tam corporis quam anime mundiciciam specialius preseruat.  
❧ The male is made for the femele  
But where as one desireth feel  
That needeth nought by weigh of kind.  
For when a man may ready find  
His own wife, what should he seche  
In strange places to beseech  
To borrow another man's plough  
when he hath gear at home enough  
Affayted at his own hest  
And is to him well more honest  
Than other thing, which is unknown.  
For thy should every good man know  
And think, how that in marriage  
His troth plight/ lieth in mortgage  
which if he break, it is falsehood  
And that discordeth to manhood  
And namely toward the great  
whereof the books all treat  
So as the phylosophre teacheth  
To Alysaunder, and him by teacheth  
The lore how that he shall measure  
His body: so that no measure  
Of fleshly lust he should exceed.  
And thus forth if I shall proceed  
The fift point/ as I said ere  
Is chastity, which seld where  
Cometh now a days in to place.  
And nevertheless but it be grace  
Above all other in special  
Is none that chaste may been all.  
But yet a kings high estate  
which of his order as a prelate  
Shall be anoint and sanctified.  
He moat be more magnified  
For dignity of his corone  
Than should another low person  
which is not of high emprise.  
Therefore a prince him should advise  
Ere that he fell in such riot  
And namely that he ne assote  
To change for the womenhed  
The worthiness of his manhood.   

¶ Nota de doctrina Aristotelis, qualiter priceps ut animi sui locunditatem provocet, mulieres formosas crebro aspicere debet: caveat tamen ne mens voluptuosa torpescens ex carnis fragilitate in vicium dilabatur.  

¶ Of Aristotle I have well radde  
How he to Alysaunder bad,  
That for to gladden his courage  
He should beholden the visage  
Of women, when that they been fair,  
But yet he set an examplayre  
His body so to guy and rule  
That he ne pass mot the rule  
whereof that he himself beguile.  
For in the woman is no guile  
Of that a man himself by wapeth  
when he is own wit beiapeth  
I can the woman well excuse.  
But what man will upon hem muse  
After the foolish Impression  
Of his imagination,  
within himself the fire he bloweth  
whereof the woman nothing knoweth  
So may she nothing be to wite.   

For if a man himself excite  
To drench, and will nought forbear.  
The water shall no blame bear.   

what may the gold though men coveit?  
If that a man will love strait  
The woman hath him nothing bound  
If he his own heart wound  
She may not let the folly,  
And though so fill of company  
That he might any thing purchase  
Yet maketh a man the first chase.  
The woman fleeth, and he purseweth  
So that by weigh of skill it sueth  
The man is cause bow so befall  
That he full oft sith is fall,  
where that he may not well arise.   

And nevertheless full many wise  
Befooled have 'em self ere this,  
As now a days yet it is  
Among the men and ever was  
The strong is febleste in this caas.   

It sit a man by weigh of kind  
To love, but it is not kind  
A man for love his wit to lose.   

For if the month of jule shall frese  
And that December shall be hot,  
The year mistorneth well I wot.   

To seen a man from his estate  
Through his soty effeminate  
And leave that a man shall do  
It is as hose above the shoe  
To man, which ought not to be used.  
But yet the world hath oft accused  
Full great princes of this deed  
How they for love him self misled  
whereof manhood stood behind  
Of old ensamples as men find.    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum, qualiter pro eo quod Sardanapallus Assiriorum princeps muliebri oblectamento effeminatus sue concupiscentie torporem quasi ex consuetudine adhibebat, ab Arbacto rege medorum super hoc infidiante in sui feruoris maiori voluptate subitis mutationibus extinctus eft.  
❧ These old gests tell thus  
That whilom Sardanapallus,  
which held all hole in his empire  
The great kingdom of Assyre  
was through the sloth of his courage  
Fall in to the ilk fiery rage  
Of love/ which the men assoteth  
whereof himself he so ryoteth,  
And waxeth so farforth womannysshe  
That again kind, as if a fish  
Abide would upon the land  
In women such a lust he fond  
That he dwelt ever in chamber still  
And only wrought after the will  
Of women, so as he was bid,  
That seldom when in other stead  
If that he would wenden out,  
To seen how that it stood about.  
But there he kissed/ and there he played,  
They taughten him a lace to brayed  
And weave a purse, and to enfyle  
A pearl: And fell thilk while  
One Arbactus the prince of Mede  
Seeth the king in womanhead  
was fall fro chivalry  
And gate him help, and company  
And wrought so, that at last  
This king out of his reign he cast,  
which was undone for ever more.  
And yet men speaken of him so  
That it is shame for to bear  
For thy to love is in manner.   

☞ Nota qualiter david amans mulieres propter hoc probitatem armorum non minus excercint.  
¶ King David had many a love.  
But nevertheless always above  
knighthood he kept in such a wise  
That for no fleshly covetise  
Of lust to lig in ladies arms  
He l●●te not the lust of arms.  
For where a prince his lusts sueth  
That he the war not pursueth  
when it is time to been armed,  
His country stant full oft harmed  
when the enemies be wax bold  
That they defente none behold  
Full many a land hath so be lore  
As men may read oft time afore  
Of 'em that so her cases sosughten  
which after they full dear aboughten.   

¶ 〈◊〉 ●●uitur qualiter regnum lasciuie volupta 〈…〉 de facili vincitur: Et ponit exemplum 〈◊〉 rege Persarum, qui cum Lidos mira pro 〈◊〉 fiteninssimos, sibique in bello adversantes 〈◊〉 ●●do vincere potuit/ cum ipsis tandem pa●●●●●●tatum dissimilans concordiam finalem stabi●● 〈◊〉, super quo Lydi postea per aliquod tem 〈◊〉 armis insoluti sub pacis tempore voluptatibus ●ntendebant. Quod Cyrus percipiens in eos armatus subito irruit, ipsos que inde sensibiles vin●●ns suo imperio tributarios subiugavit.  

¶ To much ease is nothing worth  
For that setteth every vice forth  
And every virtue put a back  
whereof price turneth in to lack.  
As in cronylie I may rehearse  
which telleth, how the king of pierce  
That Lyrus height, a war had  
against the people, which he dread.  
Of a country, which Lydos height.  
But yet for aught that he do might  
As in battle upon the war  
He had of 'em always the war.  
And when he sigh, and wist it weal  
That he by strength wan no deal.  
Than at last he cast a wile  
This worthy people to beguile  
And took with 'em a feigned peace  
which should lasten endelees  
So as he said in words wise,  
But he thought all in other wise.  
For it betid upon the caas  
when that this people in rest was  
They token eses many fold,  
And worlds ease as it is told  
By way of kind is the nurse  
Of every lust, which toucheth vice.   

Thus when they were in lusts fall  
The wars been forgotten all.  
was none, which would the worship  
Of arms, but in idleship  
They putten business away  
And took 'em to dance and play.  
But most above all other things  
They token 'em to the likings  
Of fleshly lusts, that chastity  
received was in no degree,  
But every man doth what him list.   

And when the king of Pers it wist  
That they unto folly entenden  
with his power, when they least wenden  
More suddenly than doth the thunder  
He came, for ever and put 'em under.  
And thus hath lechery lore  
The land, which had be tofore  
The best of hem, that were tho.    

¶ Nota qualiter facta bellica luxus infortunate. Et narrat/ quod cum rex Amolech hebrtis sibi insultantibus resistere nequit/ consilio Balaam mulieres regni sui pulcherrimas in castro hebreorum misit/ qui ab ipsis contaminati sunt.  

¶ And in the bible I find also  
A tale like unto this thing  
How Ameleche the paynim king  
when that he might by no weigh  
Defend his land, and put away  
The worthy people of Israel.  
This saracen, 〈◊〉 it befell  
Through the counsel of Balaam  
A rout of fair women name  
That lusty were, and of young age  
And bad hem go to the lineage  
Of these hebrews: & forth they went  
with eyen grey, and brows bend  
And well arrayed everichone.  
And when they comen were anon  
among thebrews was none in sight  
But catch who that catch might  
And each of 'em his lusts sought  
which after they full dear about.  
For grace anon began to fail  
That when they comen to battle  
Than afterward in sorry plight  
They were take and discomfit.  
So that within a little throw  
The might of hem was overthrow  
That whilom were wont to stand,  
Till Phynees the cause on hand  
Hath take, this vengeance last:  
But than it ceased at last.  
For god was paid, of that he deed  
For where he fond upon a stead  
A couple, which mysferred so  
Throughout he smote 'em both two  
And let 'em lig in men's eye  
whereof all other, which hem sye  
Ensampled hem upon the deed  
And prayden unto the godhead  
Her old sins to amend  
And he which would his mercy send  
Restored 'em to new grace.   

Thus may it show in sundry place  
Of chastity how the cleanness  
Accords to the worthiness  
Of men of arms over all.  
But most of all in special  
This virtue to a king belongeth.  
For upon his fortune it hongeth  
Of that his land shall speed or spill  
For thy but if a king his will  
From lusts of his flesh restrain  
again himself he maketh a train.  
Into the which if that he slide  
Him were better go beside.   

For every man may understand  
How for a time that it stand  
It is a sorry lust to like  
whose end maketh a man to sick  
And turneth joys in to sorrow.  
The bright son by the morrow  
Beshyneth not the dark night  
The lusty youngth of man's might  
In age but it stand weal  
Mystorneth all the last wheel.    

¶ Hic loquitur qualiter principum irregulata voluptas eos a semita recta multotiens deniare compellit, Et narrat exemplum de Salomone, qui ex sue carnis concupiscentia victus, mulierum blandimentis in sui scandalum deos alienos colere presumebat.  
¶ That every worthy prince is hold  
within himself to behold  
To see the state of his person  
And think, how there be joys none  
Upon this earth made to last:  
And how the flesh shall at last  
The lusts of his life forsake:  
Him ought a great ensample take  
Of Solomon, whose appetite  
was wholly set upon delight  
To take of women the pleasance,  
So that upon his ignorance  
The wide world marveleth yet  
That he, which all men's wit  
In thilk time hath overpassed  
with fleshly lusts was so tassed  
That he which led under the law  
The people of god, himself withdraw  
He hath fro god in such a wise  
That he worship and sacrifice  
For sundry love in sundry stead  
Unto the false god's deed.  
This was the wise Ecclesiaste  
The fame of whom shall ever last  
That he the mighty god forsook  
again the law when he took  
His wives, and his concubines  
Of 'em that were saracens,  
For which he did idolatry.  
For this I read of his soty  
She of Sydoyne so him lad  
That he knelende his arms spread  
To astratchen with great humblesse  
which of her land was the goddess.  
And she that was of Moabyte  
So farforth made him to delight  
Through lust, which all his wit devoreth  
That he Thamos her god honoureth.  
another Amonyte also  
with love him hath assoted so  
Her god Moloche that with incense  
He sacreth, and doth reverence  
In such a wise as she him bad.  
Thus was the wisest overlad  
with blind lusts, which he sought.  
But he it afterward about.   

¶ Nota hic qualiter Achias propheta in signum, 〈◊〉 regnum post mortem Salomonie ob eius ●●●catum a suo herede dimineretur, pallium suum in due decim partes scidit, unde decem parts Ie●● 〈◊〉 filio Nabal, qui regnaturus postea successit, 〈◊〉 to de●tribuit.  

❧ For Achias solenites  
which was prophet, ere his deces,  
while he was in his lusts all  
Betokeneth what shall after fall.  
For on a day, when that he met  
jeroboam the knight he great  
And had him, that he should abide  
To here what him shall betide.  
And forth withal Achyas cast  
His mantel of, and also fast  
He cut it in to pieces twelve  
whereof two parties unto himself  
He kept, and all the remnant  
As god hath set his covenant  
He took unto jeroboas  
Of Nabal which the son was,  
And of the kings court a knight  
And said him, such is gods might.  
As thou hast seen departed here  
My mantel, right in such manner  
After the death of Solomon  
God hath ordained thereupon  
This reign than he shall divide  
which time eke thou shalt abide,  
And upon that division  
The reign as in proportion  
As thou hast of my mantel take,  
Thou shalt receive I undertake.   

And thus the son shall abye  
The lusts and the lechery  
Of him, which now his father is,   

So for to taken heed of this  
It sit a king well to be chaste,  
For else he may lightly waste  
Himself, and eke his reign both  
And that aught every king to loath.  
O which a sin violent  
whereof so wise a king was shent  
That he vengeance of his person  
was not enough to take alone,  
But afterward, when he was passed  
It hath his heritage lassed,  
As I more openly to fore  
The tale told: And thus therefore  
The philosopher upon this thing  
write, and counseled to a king,  
That he the forfeit of luxure  
Shall temper and rule of such measure,  
which he to kind suffissant  
And eke to reason accordant.  
So that the lusts ignorance  
Because of no misgovernance  
Through which that he be overthrow  
As he that will no reason know.  
For but a man's wit he swerved  
when kind is dulyche served  
It ought of reason to suffice.  
For if it fall him otherwise  
He may the lusts sore dread.  
¶ For of Anthony thus I read  
which of Severus was the son  
That he his life of common won  
gave holy unto thilk vice,  
And oft time he was so nice  
whereof nature her hath complained  
Unto the god, which hath disceyned  
The work which Anthony wrought  
Of lust, which he full sore about.  
For god his forfete hath so wroke  
That in cronic it is yet spoke.  
But for to take rememembraunce  
Of special misgovernance  
Through covetise and injustice  
Forth with the remnant of vice,  
And namelyche of lechery  
I find write a great party  
within a tale, as thou shalt here  
which is th'ensample of this matter.    

¶ Hic loquit he Tarquinio Rome nuper impatore/ necnon et de eiusdem filio noie arrows/ qui oim vic●orum varietate: repleti tam in hoys quam in mulieres in number scelera perpetrarunt.  

¶ So as these old gests say  
The proud tyrannysshe Romeyne  
Tarqvinius, which was than king  
And wrought many a wrongful thing.  
Of sons he had many one,  
Among the which arrows was one  
Lyche to his father in manners,  
So that within a few years  
with treason and with tyranny  
They won of land a great party  
And token heed of no justice,  
which dew was to her office  
Upon the rule of governance,  
But all that ever was pleasance  
Unto the fleshes lust, they took.  
And fill so, that they undertook  
A were, which was nought achieved  
But often time it had 'em grieved  
again a folk, which than height  
The Gabyens, and all by night  
Thus arrows when he was at home  
In Rome a privy place he nome  
within a chamber, and heat himself  
And made him wounds ten or twelve  
Upon the back, as it was seen.  
And so forth with his hurts green  
In all the haste that he may  
He road, and came that other day  
Unto Gabye the cite  
And in he went: and when that he  
was know, anon the yates were she●,  
The lords all upon him set  
with draw swords upon bond.  
And arrows would hem not withstand,  
And said I am here at your will  
As lief it is that ye me spill  
As if mine own father deed.  
And forth within that same stead  
He prayed 'em that they would see  
And told 'em in what degree  
His father, and his brethren both  
which as he said weren wroth,  
Him had beaten and reviled  
And out of Rome for ever exiled,  
And thus he made 'em to believe  
And said: if that he might achieve  
His purpose, it shall well be yold  
By so that they him help would.   

when that the lords had seen  
How woefully he was beseen  
They took pite of his grieve.  
But yet it was 'em wonder leave  
That Rome him had exiled so.   

The Gabyens by counsel though  
Upon the gods made him swear  
That he to hem shall troth here  
And strength hem with all his might.   

And they also him hath behyght  
Too helpen him in his quarrel.  
They shope than for his hele  
That he was bathed and anoint  
Till that he was in lusty point,  
And what he would than he had  
That he all whole the cite lad  
Right as he would himself devise  
And than he thought him in what wise  
He might his tyranny show,  
And took to his counsel a shrew  
whom to his father forth he sent.  
And in his message he though went  
And prayed his father for to say  
By his advice and find a weigh  
How they the cite might win  
while he stood so well therein.   

And when the messenger was come  
To Rome, and hath in counsel nome  
The king: it fell perchance so  
That they were in a garden though  
This messenger forth with the king.  
And when he had told the thing  
In what manner that it stood:  
And that Tarquinus understood  
By the message, how that it feared,  
Anon he took in hand a yard  
And in the garden as they gone  
The lily crops one and one,  
where that they weren sprungen out  
He smote of, as they stood about:  
And said unto the messengere,   

Lo this thing, which I do now here  
Shall be in stead of thine answer.  
And in this wise as I me bear  
Thou shalt unto my son tell.   

And he no longer would dwell  
But took his leave, & goth withal  
Unto his lord, and told him all,  
How that his father had do.   

when arrows heard him tell so  
Anon be wist what it meant,  
And thereto set all his intent  
Till he through fraud & treachery  
The princes heeds of Gaby  
Hath smitten of, & all was won,  
His father came tofore the son  
In to the town with the Romeyns  
And took and slew the citezeyns  
without reason or pite,  
That he ne spareth no degree.  
And for the speed of his conquest  
He let do make a rich feast  
with a solemn sacrifice  
In Phoebus' temple, And in this wise  
when the Romeynes assembled were  
In presence of 'em all there  
Upon the altar when all was dight  
And that the fires were a light  
From under the altar suddenly  
An hideous serpent openly  
Cam out, and hath devoured all  
The sacrifice, and eke withal  
The fires quaint: and forth anon  
So as be came, so is he gone  
In to the deep ground ayeyne,  
And every man began to say:  
A lord, what may this signify?  
And thereupon they pray and cry  
To Phoebus, that they mighten know  
The cause: & he the same throw  
with ghastly voice, that all it heard  
The romans in this wise answered  
And said, how for the wickedness  
Of pride, & of unrightwiseness  
That Tarquyne and his son hath do  
The sacrifice is wasted so  
which might not been acceptable  
Upon such sin abominable.  
And over that yet he hem wysseth  
And saith, which of 'em first kisseth  
His mother, he shall take wretch  
Upon the wrong: & of that speech  
They been within her hearts glad  
Though they outward no semblance made   

There was a knight, which Brutus hight  
And he with all the haste he might  
To ground fill, and there he kissed  
But none of 'em the cause wist  
But wend that he had spourned  
Perchance, and so was overturned.  
But Brutus all an other meant  
For he knew well in his intent  
How th'earth of every man's kind  
Is mother: but they weren blind  
And sigh not so far as he.  
But when they leften the cite  
And comen home to Rome again  
Than every man, which was Romeyne  
And mother hath, to her he bend  
And kiss/ and each of 'em thus wend  
To be the first upon the chance  
Of Terquyne for to do vengeance  
So as they herden Phoebus' sayen.  
But every time hath his certain,  
So must it needs than abide  
Till afterward upon a tide    

¶ Hic narrat, quod cum Tarqvinius in obsidione civitatis Ardee, ut eam destrueret intentus fuit, arrows filius eius Romam secreto adiens in domo collatini hospitatus est, ubi de nocte illam castissimam dommam Lucreciam imaginata fraud vi oppressit, unde illa pre dolore mortuo, ipse cum Tarquinio patre suo, tota clamanie Roma/ imꝑm exilium delegati sunt.  

❧ Tarquinus made unskilfully  
A were, which was fast by  
again a town with walls strong  
which Ardea was cleped long  
And cast a siege there about  
That there may no man passen out.   

So it befell upon a night  
arrows, which had his souper dight  
Apart of the chivalry  
with him to sup in company  
Hath bid: and when they comen were  
And set at supper there  
Among her other words glad  
arrows a great speaking made,  
who had though the best wise  
Of Rome, and thus began a strife,  
For arrows saith, he hath the best.  
So ianglen they withouten rest  
Till at last one Collaryne  
A worthy knight, and was cousin  
To arrows, said him in this wise,   

It is, qd he, of none emprise  
To speak a word, but of the deed  
whereof it is to taken heed.  
Anon for thy this same tide  
Lepe on thy horse, and let us ride,  
So may we know both two  
unwarely what our wives do,  
And that shall be a true assay.   

This arrows saith not one's nay,  
On horseback anon they leapt  
In such manner and nothing slept  
Rydende forth till that they come  
All privily within Rome  
In strange place & down they light,  
And take a chamber out of sight.   

They be disguised for a throw  
So that no life should 'em know.  
And to the palace first they sought  
To see what thing these ladies wrought  
Of which arrows made a vaunt  
And they by'r sigh of glad semblant  
All full of mirths and of boards.  
But among all other words  
She spoke not of her husband.  
And when they had all understand  
Of thilk place what hem list,  
They gone 'em forth that none it wist.   

Beside thilk gate of bras  
Collaces' which cleped was,  
where Collatyn hath his dwelling  
There founden they at home sitting  
Lucrece his wife all environed  
with women, which were abandoned  
To werche, & she wrought eke withal  
And bad hem haste, and said it shall  
Be for mine husbands were  
which with his shield & with his spear  
Lieth at siege in great disease,  
And if it should him not displease  
Now would god, I had him here.  
For certes till that I may here  
Some good tiding of his estate  
My heart is ever upon debate.  
For so as all men witness  
He is of such an hardiness  
That he can not himself spare,  
And that is all my most care,  
when they the walls should assail.  
But if my wishes might avail  
I would it were a groundeles pit  
By so the siege were unknyt,  
And I my husband sye.  
with that the water in her eye  
Arose, that she ne might it stop,  
And as men seen the dew bedroppe  
The leaves, and the flowers eke:  
Right so upon her white cheek  
The woeful salt tears fell.   

when Collatyne hath heard her tell  
The meaning of her true heart,  
Anon with that to her he start  
And said: Lo my good dear  
Now is he come to you here  
That ye most loven as ye say.   

And she with goodly cheer again  
Beclypt him in her arms small.  
And the colour, which erst was pale  
To beauty than was restored,  
So that it might not be mored.   

The kings son, which was nigh  
And of this lady heard and sigh  
The things, as they been befall,  
The reason of his wits all  
Hath lost: for love upon his part  
Cam than, & of his fiery dart  
with such a wound him hath through smite  
That he must needs feel & wite  
Of thilk blind malady  
To which no cure of surgery  
Can help, but yet nevertheless  
At thilk time he held his peace  
That he no countenance made  
But openly with words glade,  
So as he could in his manner  
He spoke, and made friendly cheer  
Till it was time for to go.  
And Collatyne with him also  
His leave took, so that by night,  
with all the baste that they might,  
They riden to the siege again.   

But Arous was so woe bysein  
with thoughts, which upon him run  
That he all by the broad son  
To bed goth, not for to rest  
But for to think upon the best,  
And the fairest forth with all  
That ever be sigh, or ever shall  
So as him thought in his courage  
where he portreyed her image.   

first the features of her face  
In which nature had all grace  
Of womanly beauty beset,  
So that it might not be bet.  
And how her yellow here was tressed  
And her attire so well addressed.  
And how she wept, all this he thought.  
And how she spoke, & how she wrought  
That he foryeten hath no deal  
But all it liketh him so we'll  
●●at in the word nor in deed  
H● lacked nought of womanhead.   

And thus this tyrannyss be knight  
w●s suppled, but not half aright  
For he none other heed took  
But that he might by some croak  
All though it were again her will,  
The lusts of his flesh fulfil,  
which love was not reasonable.  
For where honour is removable  
It ought well to be advised.  
But he which hath his lust assysed  
●ith medlid love and tyranny  
Hath found upon his treachery  
A weigh, which he thinketh to hold,  
And saith: fortune unto the bold  
Is favourable for to help.   

And thus within himself to yelp  
As he which was a wild man  
Upon his treason he began.  
And up he start, and forth he went  
On horseback, but his intent  
There knew no wight, and he name  
The next way, till he came  
Unto Collocea the gate  
Of Rome, and it was somedeal late  
Right even upon the son set.  
And he which had shape his net  
Her innocence to betrappe,  
And as it should though mishap  
As privily as ever he might  
He road, and of his horse alight  
Tofore Collatynes Inn  
And all frendelyche goth him in,  
As he that was cousin of house.   

And she, which is the good spouse  
Lucrece, when that she him sigh  
with goodly cheer drew him nigh  
As she, which all honour supposeth  
And him, so as she dare, opposeth  
How it stood of her husband.   

And he though did her understand  
with tales feigned in this wise  
Right as he would himself devise.  
whereof he might her heart glad  
That she the better cheer made.  
when she the glad words heard  
How that her husband feared.  
And thus the truth was deceived  
with sly treason, which was received  
To her, which mente all good.  
For as the feasts than stood  
His souper was right well arrayed  
But yet he hath no word assayed  
To speak of love in no degree.  
But with covert subtylite  
His friendly speeches he affayteth  
And as the tiger his time a waiteth  
In hope for to catch his pray.   

when that the boards were away  
And they have souped in the hall  
He saith, that sleep is on him fall  
And pray, he moat go to bed.  
And she with all haste sped  
So as her thought it was to done  
That every thing was ready soon.  
She brought him to his chamber tho  
And took her leave, and forth is go  
In to her own chamber by,  
And she that wend certainly  
Have had a friend, and had a foe  
whereof fill after much wo.   

This tyrant though he lie soft  
Out of his bed aroos full oft  
And goeth about, and laid his ere  
To hearken, till that all were  
To bed gone, and slepten fast.  
And than upon himself he cast  
A mantle, and his sword all naked  
He took in hand, and she unwaked  
A bed lay: but what she met  
God wot, for he the door unshut  
So privily, that none it heard,  
The soft paas and forth he feared  
Into the bed, where that she slept,  
All suddenly and in he crept.  
And her in both his arms took,  
with that this worthy wife awoke  
which through cholera of womanhed  
Her voice hath lost for pure dread  
That one word speak she ne dare.  
And eke he bade her to beware.  
For if she made noise or cry  
He said, his sword lay fast buy  
To slay her, and her folk about.  
And thus he brought her heart in doubt  
That like a lamb, when it is ceased  
In wolves mouth, so was diseased  
Lucrece, which he naked fond  
whereof she swooned in his hand  
And, as who saith, lay deed oppressed.  
And be which all him had addressed  
To lust, took than what him list  
And goth his weigh, that none it witted  
In to his own chamber again,  
And cleped up his chamberlain  
And made him ready for to ride.  
And thus this lecherous pride  
To horse leapt, and forth he road.  
And she which in her bed abode  
when that she wist he was agone  
She cleped after light anon  
And up aroos long ere the day  
And cast away her fresh array,  
As she which hath the world forsake  
And took upon the clothes black.  
And ever upon continuing  
Right as men see a well springe,  
with eyen full of woeful tears  
Her here hanging about her eeres  
She wept, and no man wist why.  
But yet among full pitouslye  
She prayed, that they nolden dretche  
Her husband for to fetch,  
Forthwith her father eke also.  
Thus be they comen both two  
And Brutus came with Collatyne  
which to Lucrece was cousin,  
And in they wenten all three  
To chamber/ where they might see  
The woofullest upon this mould,  
which wept, as she to water should.   

The chamber door anon was stoke  
Ere they have aught unto her spoke.  
They see her clothes all disguised  
And how she hath herself despised  
Her here hanging unkemte about.   

But nevertheless she 'gan to lout  
And kneel unto her husband.   

And he would fain have understand  
The cause, why she fared so.  
with soft words asked though/   

what may you be my good sweet?  
And she, which thought herself unmeet  
And the lest worth of women all  
Her woeful cheer let down fall  
For shame, and could unneaths look,  
And they thereof good heed took  
And prayden her in all way  
That she ne spare for to say  
Unto her friends, what her aileth.  
why she so sore herself bewaileth  
And what the sooth would mean.   

And she which hath her sorrow green  
Her woe to tell then assayed/  
But tender shame her word delayed,  
That sundry times as she mente  
To speak, upon the point she stente.  
And they her bidden ever in one  
To tell forth/ and there upon  
when that she sigh she must need  
Her tale between shame and dread  
She told, not without pain.   

And he which would her woe restrain  
Her husband, a sorry man  
Comforteth her all that he can  
And swore, and eke her father both  
That they with her be not wroth  
Of that is do against her will,  
And prayden her to be still  
For they to her have all foryeve.   

But she which thought not to leave  
Of 'em will no forgiveness,  
And said: of thilk wickedness  
which was to her body wrought  
All were it so she might it nought  
Never afterward the world ne shall  
reproven her: and forthwithall,  
Or any man thereof be ware,  
A naked sword, the which she bore  
within her mantel privily,  
Between her bonds suddenly  
She took, & through her heart it throng  
And fill to ground, & ever among,  
when that she fill, so as she might  
Her clothes with her hand she right  
That no man downward fro the knee  
Should any thing of her see.   

Thus lay this wife honestly  
Although she died woefully.   

though was no sorrow for to seek.  
H●r husband and her father eke  
A swoon upon the body fell.  
There may no man's tongue tell  
In which anguish that they were.   

But Brutus, which was with 'em there  
●●warde himself his heart kept  
And to Lucrece anon be leapt,  
The bloody sword and pulleth out  
And swore the gods all about,  
That he thereof shall do vengeance.  
And ●he though made a countenance  
Her deadly eye and at last  
I● thonking as it were up cast,  
And so beheld him in the wise  
while ●he to look may suffice.   

And Brutus with a manly heart  
Her husband hath made up start  
Forth with her father eke also  
In all haste and said 'em though  
That they anon without let  
A bear for the body fet.  
Lucrece & thereupon bledend  
He laid, and so forth out cryend  
He goth unto the market place  
Of Rome: and in a little space  
Through cry the cite was assembled  
And every man's heart trembled  
when they the sooth heard of the c●s,  
And there upon the counsel was  
Take, of the great and of the small.  
And Brutus told 'em all the tale.  
And thus came in to remembrance  
Of sin the continuance  
which arrows had do tofore.  
And eke long time ere he was boar  
Of that his father had do  
The wrong came in to place though  
So that the comen clamour told   

The new shame of sins old.  
And all the town began to cry:  
Away away the tyranny  
Of lechery and covetise.   

And at last in such a wise  
The father in the same while  
Forth with the son they exile  
And taken better governance.  
But yet an other remembrance  
That rightwiseness and lechery  
Accorden not in company  
with him that hath the law on hand  
That may a man well understand  
As by a tale thou shalt wite  
Of old ensample as it is write.    

¶ Hic ponit exemplum super eodem, qualiter Linius Virginius dux exercitus Romanorum unicam filiam pul●herrimam habens cum quodam nobili viro nomine Ilicio, ut ipsam in uxorem duceret finaliter concordavit. Sed interim Appius Claudius Imperator virginis formositatem, ut eam violaret concupiscens occasiones/ quibus matrimonii impedire, ipsam que ad sui usum apprehendere posset, subdola conspiratione fieri coniectavit, et cum propositum sui desiderii producti● fa●sis testibus in judicio, Imperator habere debuisset: pater tunc ibidem presens extracio gladio filie sue pectus mortali vulnere per medium tranfodit, dicens malo michi de filia mea virginem habere mortuam, quam in sui scandalum meretricem servare vinentem.  

❧ At Rome when Appius  
whose other name was Claudius  
was governor of the city  
There fill a wonder thing to see  
Touchend a gentle maid, as thus:  
whom Lyvius Virgnius  
Begeten had upon his wife  
Men saiden, that so fair a life  
As she, was not in all the town  
This fame which goth up and down  
To Claudius came in his ere  
whereof his thought anon was there  
which all his heart hath set a fire  
That he began the flower desire  
which longeth unto maidenhead  
And send, if that he might speed  
The blind lusts of his will.  
But that thing he might not fulfil  
For she stood upon marriage  
A worthy knight of great lineage  
(Ilycius which than height)  
Accorded in her father's sight  
was, that he should his daughter wed.  
But ere the cause were fully sped  
Her father, which in Romanye  
The ledinge of the chivalry  
In governance hath undertake  
Upon a were, which was take  
Gothe out with all the strength he had  
Of men of arms which he lad.  
So was the marriage left  
And stood upon accord till eft.   

The king, which heard tell of this  
How that this maid ordained is  
To marriage, thought another  
And had thilk time a brother  
which Marcus Claudius was hot,  
And was a man of such riot  
Right as the king himself was,  
They two together upon this caas  
In council founden out the weigh  
That Marcus Claudius shall say  
How she by weigh of covenant  
To his service apurtenaunte  
was whole, and to none other man.  
And there upon he saith he can  
In every point witness take  
So that she shall it not forsake.   

when that they had shape so  
After the law which was though  
while that her father was absent  
She was summoned and assent  
To come in prsence of the king,  
And stood in answer of this thing.   

Her friends wisten all weal  
That it was falsehood every deal  
And comen to the king, and saiden  
Upon the common law and prayden  
So as this noble worthy knight  
Her father for the common right  
In thilk time, as was befall  
Lay for the profit of them all  
Upon the wild fields armed  
That he ne should not been harmed  
Ne shamed, while that he were out.  
And thus they preyden all about   

For all the clamour that he heard  
The king upon his lust answered  
And gave hem only days two  
Of respite: for he wend though  
That in so short a time appear  
Her father might in no manner.   

But as thereof he was deceived  
For Lyvyus had all conceived  
The purpose of the king tofore,  
So that to Rome again therefore  
In all hast he came rydende  
And left upon the field lyggende  
His boost, till that he came again.   

And thus this worthy capiteyne  
Appeared ready at his day.  
where all that ever reason may  
By law in audience he doth  
So that his daughter upon sooth  
Of that Marcus her had accused  
He hath tofore the court excused.   

The king, which saw his purpose fail  
And that no sleight might avail  
Encumbered of his lusts blind  
The law turneth out of kind,  
And half in wrath as though it were  
In presence of 'em all there  
deceived of concupiscence  
gave for his brother the sentence:  
And bade him, that he should cese  
This maid, and make him well at ease.  
But all within his own intent  
He wist how that the cause went.  
Of that his brother hath the wite  
He was himself for to wite.  
But thus this maiden had wrong  
which was upon the king along  
But again him was none apele  
And that the father wist weal.  
whereof upon the tyranny  
That for the lust of lechery  
His daughter should be deceived  
And that Ilicius was waived  
Untruly fro the marriage:  
Right as a lion in his rage  
which of no dread set account  
And not what pite should amount,  
A naked sword he pulled out  
The which amongs all the rout  
He threst through his daughter side,  
And all aloud thus he cried:   

Lo take her there thou wrongful king  
For me is liefer upon this thing  
To be the father of a maid  
Though she be deed, than if men said  
That in her life she were shamed  
And I thereof were evil named.   

though bad the king men should areste  
His body, but of thilk hest  
Like to the chased wild bore  
The bounds when he feeleth sore  
To throw, and goth forth his weigh:  
In such a wise for to say  
This worthy knight with sword in hon  
His weigh made, & they him wonde  
That none of 'em his strokes kept,  
And thus upon his horse he leapt  
And with his sword dropping all blood  
which within his daughter stood,  
He came there as the power was  
Of Rome, and told 'em all the case:  
And said 'em: that they might lere  
Upon the wrong of this matter  
That better it were to redress  
At home the great unrightwysenesse,  
Than for to war in strange place  
And lose at home her own grace.   

For thus stant every man's life  
In jeopardy for his wife  
And for his daughter, if they be  
Passing an other of beauty.   

Of this marvel which they sye  
So apparent afore her eye  
Of that the king hath him mysbore  
Her oaths they have all swore  
That they will stand by the right.   

And thus of one accord upright  
To Rome at ones home again  
They torn, and shortly for to say  
This tyranny came to mouth  
And every man saith, what he couth,  
So that the privy treachery  
which set was upon lechery  
Cam openly to man's ere,  
And that brought in the comen fere  
That every man the peril dread  
Of him, that so hem overlad.  
For they or that were worse fall  
Through comen counsel of 'em all  
They have her wrongful king deposed.  
And him, in whom it was supposed  
The council stood of his le●ynge  
By law unto the doom they bring,  
where they receiven the penance  
That longeth to such governance.   

And thus the unchaste was chastised  
whereof they might been advised  
That should afterward govern  
And by this evidence learn  
How it is good a king eschew  
The lust of vice, and virtue sew.    

¶ Hic inter alia castitatis regimen concernentia loquitur/ quomodo matrimonium/ cuius status sacramentum quasi continentiam equiperans etiam honest delectationis regimine moderari decet, Et narrat in exemptum qualiter pro eo quod illi septem viri/ qui Sarre Raguelis filie magis propter concupiscentiam quam propter matrimonium voluptuose nupserunt, unus post alium omnes prima nocte a demone Asmodeo sigillatim ingulati interierunt.  
¶ To make an end in this party  
which toucheth to the policy  
Of chastity in special.  
As for conclusion final,  
That every lust is to eschew  
By great ensample I may argewe.  
How in rages a town of Mede  
There was a maid, and as I read  
Sara she hight, and Raguelle  
Her father was: and so befell  
Of body both and of visage  
was none so fair of the lineage  
To seche among 'em all, as she,  
whereof the rich of the city  
Of lusty folk, that couden love  
Assoted were upon her love  
And axen her for to wed.  
One was which at last sped  
But that was more for liking  
To have his lust, than for wedding,  
As he within his heart cast  
which him repenteth at last.  
For so it fell the first night  
when he was to the bed ●yght  
As he/ which nothing god beseecheth  
But all only his lusts fecheth.  
A bed ere he was fully warm  
And would have take her in his arm  
Asmode, which was a fiend of hell  
And serveth as the books tell  
To tempt a man in such a wise  
was ready there, & thilk emprise  
which he hath set upon delight  
He vengeth than in such a plight  
That be his neck hath writhe a two.  
This young wife was sorry though  
which wist nothing what it meant.  
And nevertheless yet thus it went  
Not only for this first man  
But after right as he began  
Six other of her husbands  
Asmode hath take in to his hands  
So that they all a bed deyde  
when they her hand toward her layed,  
Nought for the law of marriage  
But for that ilk fiery rage  
In which that they the law exceed.  
For who that would take heed  
what after fill in this matter  
There might be well the sooth here  
when she was wedded to Thoby,  
And Raphael in company  
Hath taught him, how to be honest.  
Asmode won nought at thilk feast  
And yet Thoby his will had,  
For he his lust so goddely lad  
That both law & kind is served  
whereof he hath himself preserved  
That he fill not in the sentence,  
Of which an open evidence  
Of this ensample a man may see  
That when liking in the degree  
Of marriage may forsweye,  
well ought him then in other weigh  
Of lust to be the better advised.  
For god the law hath assysed  
As well to reason as to kind,  
But he the beasts would bind  
Only to laws of nature,  
But to the man's creature  
God gave him rason forth withal  
whereof that he nature shall  
Upon the causes modify  
That he shall do no lechery.  
And yet he shall his lusts have  
So been the laws both save  
And every thing put out of slander,  
As whilom to king Alysaunder  
The wise philosopher taught  
when he his first lore caught,  
Not only upon chastity  
But upon all honest.  
whereof a king himself may taste  
How true, how large, how just, how chaste  
Him aught of reason for to be  
Forth with the virtue of pite.  
Through which he may great thank deserve  
Toward his god, that he preserve  
Him, and his people in all wealth  
Of peace, richesses, honour, and health  
Here in this world, and else eke.  
My son as we tofore speak,  
In shrift, so as thou me seydest  
And for thine ease as thou me preydest  
Thy love throws for to lysse  
That I the would tell and wysse  
The form of Aristotle's lore  
I have it saide, and somedeal more  
Of other ensamples, to assay  
If I thy pains might allay  
Through any thing, which I can say.  
¶ Do weigh my father, I you pray  
Of that ye have unto me told  
I thank you a thousand fold.  
The tales sounden in mine ere  
But yet my heart is else where,  
I may myself not restrain  
That I name ever in loves pain.  
Such lore could I never get  
which might make me foryete  
O point, but if so were I slept  
That I my tides ay ne kept  
To think on love, and on his law  
That heart can I not withdraw.  
For thy my good father dear  
Leave, and speak of my matter  
Lovehend of love as we begun  
If that there be aught over run  
Or ought foryete, or left behind  
which falleth unto loves kind  
whereof it needeth to be shrine  
Now asketh, so that while I live  
I might amend, that is amiss.  
¶ My good dear son yis  
Thy ●hryfte for to make plain  
The●e is yet more for to lain  
Of love, which is unadvised.  
But for thou shalt been well advised  
Unto thy shrift as it belongeth  
A point, which upon love bongeth  
And is the last of all though,  
I will the tell, and than ho.   
¶ Explicit liber septimus.   

❧ ●●ff quam ad instantiam amantie confessi ●●●essor Genius super hic que Aristoteles regem Ale●●drum edocuit, una cum aliarum cronicarum exemples seriose tractavit: iam ultimo in isto octa●o ●●lumine ad confessionem in amoris causa reg●●diens tractare proponit, super hoc quod non nullo primordia nature ad libitum voluptuose consequentes, nullo humano rationis arbitrio seu ●cclesie legum impositione a suis excessibus debite refrenantur, unde quatenus amorem concernit, amantis conscientiam pro finali sue confessioni● materia Gemne rimari conatur.  
❧ INCIPIT LIBER OCTAWS.  

Q●● favet ad vicium uetus haec modo regula confert:  
●e●noue contra qui doce●ordo placet.  
●●us amor dudum non dum sua lumina caepit  
Quo Venus impositum devia fallititer.   

THe mighty god, which unbegonne  
Stout of himself, & hath begun  
All other things at his will:  
The heaven him list to fulfil  
Of all joy, where as he  
Sat entronysed in his see,  
And hath his angels him to serve,  
(Such as him liketh to preserve:)  
So that they mow nought forsweye,  
But lucifer he put away  
with all the rout apostasyed  
Of 'em that been to him allied,  
which out of heaven in to hell  
from angels in to fiends fell:  
where that there nies no joy of light,  
But more dark than any night;  
The pain shall been endless:  
And yet of fires nevertheless  
There is plenty; but they been black,  
whereof no sight may be take.   

Thus when the things been befall,  
That Lucyfers court was fall  
where deadly pride hem hath conveyed:  
Anon forthwith it was purneyed  
Through him which all things may.   

He made Adam the sixth day,  
In paradise and to his make  
Him liketh Eve also to make;  
And had 'em crece and multiply,  
For of the man's progeny  
which of the woman shall be boar,  
The number of angels, which was lore  
when they out of the bliss fell,  
He thought to restore and fill  
In heaven thilk holy place  
which stood the void upon his grace,   

But (as it is well wist and know)  
Adam and Eve but a throw  
(So as it should of hem betide)  
In Paradyse at thilk tide  
Ne dwelten, and the cause why  
write in the book of Genesye  
(As who saith) all men ha●e herd,  
How Raphael the fiery sword  
In bond ●oke, and drove 'em out  
To gete●er lives food about  
Upon this woeful earth here.   

Me●odre saith to this matter  
(As he by revelation  
It had upon a vision;  
How that Adam and Eve also  
Virgins comen both two  
In to the world, and were ashamed:  
Till that nature hath 'em reclaimed  
To love, and taught 'em thilk lore  
That first they kissed, and over more  
They done, that is to kind due:  
whereof they hadden fair issue.   

A son was the first of all,  
And Cain by name they him call:  
Abel was after the second.  
And (in the geste as it is found)  
Nature so the cause lad,  
Two daughters eke dame Eve had:  
The first cleped Calmana  
was, and that other Delbora.  
Thus was mankind to begin.  
For thy that time it was no sin  
The sister to take the brother  
when that there was of choice non other.  
To Cain was Calmana betake,  
And Delbora hath Abel take:  
In whom was get natheless  
Of worlds folk the first increases.  
Men sayn that need hath no law.  
And so it was by thilk daw:  
And last unto the second age,  
Till that the great water rage  
Of Noah (which was said the flood)  
The world, which than in sin stood,  
Hath dreinte, out take lives eight.  
though was mankind of little weight.   

Sem, Cam, japhet, of these three  
That been the sons of Noah,  
The world of man's nation  
In to multiplication  
was restored new again  
So farforth (as these books say)  
That of 'em three, and her issue  
There was so large a retinue  
Of nations seventy and two:  
In sundry place each one of though  
The wide world have inhabited.  
But (as nature hem hath excited)  
They took than little heed  
The brother of the sister heed  
To wed wives, till it came  
In to the time of Abraham  
when the third age was begun;  
The need though was oueronne/  
For there was people enough in land.  
Than at first it came to bond  
That systerhode of marriage  
was turned in to cousinage:  
So that after the right line  
The cousin weddeth the cousin.  
For Abraham ere that be died  
This charge upon his servant laid,  
To him and in this wise spoke  
That he his son Isaac  
Do wed for no worlds good  
But only to his own blood.   

whereof the servant (as he had)  
when he was deed, his son hath lad  
To Bathuel, where he Rebecke  
Hath wedded with the white neck:  
For she (he witted well and sigh)  
was to the child cousin nigh.   

And thus (as Abraham hath taught)  
when Isaac was god bytaught  
His son jacob did also.  
And of Laban the daughters two,  
which was his eme, he took to wise;  
And gate upon hem in his life,  
Of her first which hight Lie  
six sons of his progeny:  
And of Rachel two sons eke.  
The remnant was for to seek,  
That is to sayne of four more▪  
whereof he gate on Bala two,  
And of Zelpha he had eke fifty.  
And these twelve (as I the say)  
Through providence of god himself,  
Ben said the patriarchs twelve:  
Of whom as afterward befell  
The tribus twelve of Israel  
Engendered were and been the same  
That of hebrews the hadden name.  
which of Libred in alliance  
For ever kepten thilk usance  
Most commonly till Christ was boar,  
But afterward it was forlese  
Among us that been baptized:  
For of the law canonized  
The pope hath bode to the men  
That none shall wedden of his kin  
Ne the second ne the third.  
But though that holy church bid  
So to restrain marriage,  
There been yet upon loves rage  
Full many of such now a day  
That taken where they take may.  
" For love, which is unbeseyn  
" Of all reason (as men say)  
Through sotie, and through nycete  
Of his voluptuousity,  
He spareth no condition  
Of kin/ ne yet relegion;  
But as a cock among the hens,  
Or as a stalon in the fens  
which goth among all the stood;  
Rig●t so can he no more good/  
But taketh what thing cometh next to hand.   

My son thou shalt understand  
That such delight is for to blame.  
For thy if thou hast been the same  
●o love in any such manner,  
Tell forth thereof, and shrive the here?  
¶ My father nay (god wots the sooth)  
My feyre is not in such a both:  
So wild a man yet was I never  
That of my kin or leave or lever  
●e lust love in such a wise.  
And eke I not for what emprise  
I should assote upon a nun;  
For though I had her love won,  
It might into no price amount;  
So thereof set I none account.  
ye may well ask of this and that;  
But soothly (for to tell plat)  
In all this world there is but one  
The which my heart hath over gone:  
I am toward all other fire.  
¶ Full well my son now I see  
Thy word berte ever upon o place.  
But yet thereof thou hast a grace  
That thou the might so well excuse  
Of love, such as some men use,  
So as I spoke of now tofore.  
For all such time of love is lore,  
And like unto the bitter sweet,  
For though it think a man first sweet,  
He shall well feelen at last  
That it is sour, and may not last.  
For as a morcel envenomed:  
So hath such love his lust mistymed.  
And great ensamples many one  
A man may find thereupon.   

¶ Hic loquitur contra illos/ quos Venus full de siderii feruore inflammane, ita incestuosos efferit, ut neque propriis sororibus parcunt. Et narrat ex emplum qualiter pro eo quod Gain Caligula tres sorores suas virgines coitu illicito opressit; deus tanti sceleris peccatum non ferens, ipsum non solum ab impio, sed a vita justicia vindicem privauit/ Narrat eciam aliud exemplum super eodem qualiter Amon filius david fatui amoris concupiscencia preventus/ sororem suam Thamar a sue virginitatis pudicicia inuitam defloravit/ propter quod et ipse a fraire suo Absolon postea inte● fectus, peccatum fue mortis precio invitus redemit.  
❧ At Rome first if we begin,  
There shall I find how of this sin  
An emperor was for to blame  
Gaius Caligula by name,  
which of his own sisters three  
Byreste the virginity.  
And when he had 'em so forleyn,  
(As he which was all vyleyn)  
He did 'em out of land exile.  
But afterward within a while  
God hath by refte him in his y●e  
His life, and eke his large empire.  
And thus for liking of a throw  
For ever his lust was overthrow.  
¶ Of this soty also I find,  
Amon his sister again kind  
(which hight Thamar) he forleye,  
But he that lust another day  
About, when that Absalon  
His own brother (there upon)  
Of that be had his sister shent,  
Took of that sin vengement,  
And slough him with his own hand.  
And thus unkind, unkind fond.   

¶ Hic narrat qualiter Lot● duas filias fu●● ip●●● cōs●encientibus carnali copula cognovit, duas ꝙ ex eis filios sci●●●z Moab & Amon progeniut: quorum postea generatio prana et exusperans contra populum dei in terra saltim promissionis vario granamine quam s●piu● insultabat.  
¶ And for to see more of this thing,  
The bible maketh a knowledging  
(whereof thou might take evidence)  
Upon the sooth experience  
when Loathes wife was overgone  
And shape unto the salt stone,  
(As it is spoke unto this day)  
By both his daughters than he lay:  
with child he made 'em both great,  
Till that nature 'em would let  
And so the cause about lad  
That each of 'em a son had.  
Moab the first, and the second  
Amon; of which (as it is fond)  
came afterward to great increases  
Two nations: and nevertheless  
" For that the stocks were not good  
" The branches mighten not been good.  
For of the false Moabites  
Forth with the strength of Amonytes,  
Of that they were first mysget,  
The people of god was oft upset  
In Israel and in judee:  
(As in the bible a man may see.)  
¶ Lo thus my son (as I the say)  
Thou might thyself be besay  
Of that thou hast of other herd.  
For ever yet it hath so feared  
Of loves lust, if so befall  
That it in other place fall  
Than it is of the law set.  
He which his love hath so beset  
might afterward repent him sore.  
" And every man is others lore.  
" Of that befell in time ere this  
" The present time (which now is)  
" May been informed, how it stood;  
" And take that him thinketh good,  
" And leave that, which is nought so.  
But for to look of time ago  
How lust of love exceedeth law,  
It ought for to be withdraw:  
For every man it should breed,  
And namelyche in his syhrede,  
which turneth oft to vengeance,  
whereof a tale in remembrance  
(which is a long process to here)  
I think for to tell here.  
Omnibus est communis amor● sed immoderatos  
Quae facit excessus, non reputatur amans.  
Sors tamen unde Venus attractat corda videre  
Quae rationis erunt, non ratione sinit.   

¶ Hic loquitur adhur contra incestuosos aniantum coitus/ Et narrat mirabile exemplum de magno rege Antiocho, qui uxore mortua propriam filiam violavit; et quia filie matrimonium penes alios impedire voluit, tale ab eo exiit edictum, quod si quis eam in uxorem peterit, nisi quoddam problema questionis, quam ipse rex proposuerat/ veraciter solueret, capitali sentencia puniretur, super quo veniens tandem discretus invenis princepe Tyri Appolius questionem soluit/ Nec tamen filiam habere potuit/ sed rex indignatus ipsum propter hoc in mortis odium recoliegit. unde Appolinus a fancy regis fugiens quam plura, prout inferius intitulantur, propter amorem pericula possus est.  

¶ Of a cronic in days gone  
The which is cleped Panteone,  
In loves cause I read thus.  
How that the great Antiochus,  
Of whom that Antioch took  
His first name (as saith the book):  
was coupled to a noble queen,  
And had a daughter 'em between.  
But such fortune came to hand,  
" That death (which no king may withstood,  
" But every life it moat obey)  
This worthy queen took away.   

The king which made mochel moan,  
though stood (as who saith) all him one  
without wife: but nevertheless  
His daughter, which was peerless  
Of beauty, dwelled about him still.  
" But when a man hath wealth at will  
" The flesh is freel, & falleth oft,  
And that this maid tender & soft  
which in her father's chamber dwelt,  
within a time wist and felt.  
For liking of concupiscence  
without insight of conscience  
The father so with lusts blent,  
That he cast all his whole intent  
His own daughter for to spill.  
The king hath leisure at his will,  
with strength and when he time say  
The young maiden he forleye.  
And she was tender, and full of dread,  
She couth not her maidenhead  
Defend; and thus she hath forlese  
The flower, which she hath long boar.  
It helpeth not all though she weep;  
For they that should her body keep  
Of women, were absent as than.  
And thus this maiden goeth to man:  
The wild father thus devoureth  
His own flesh, which none succoureth.  
And that was cause of much care.   

But after this unkind fare  
Out of the chamber goeth the king.  
And she lay still, and of this thing  
within herself such sorrow made:  
There was no wight, that might her glad  
For fere of thilk horrible vice.   

with that came in the nurse  
which fro chyldhode her had kept,  
And asketh, if she had slept,  
And why her cheer was unglad.   

But she, which hath been overlad  
Of that she might not be wreak,  
For shame couth unnethiss speak:  
〈◊〉 nethelesse mercy she prayed  
with weeping eye, and thus she said.   

Alas my sister well away  
That ever I sigh this ilk day.  
Thing which my body first begat  
In to this world, onelych that  
My worlds worship hath bereft.  
with that she swouneth now and eft,  
And ever wisheth after death,  
So that wellnigh her lacketh breath.   

That other (which her words heard)  
In comforting of her answered,  
To let her fathers foul desire  
She wist no recoveryre.  
" when thing is do, there is no boat:  
" So suffren they that suffren might.  
There was none other, which it wist.  
Thus hath this king all that him list  
Of his liking and his pleasance:  
And last in such a continuance,  
And such delight he took there in  
Him thought that it was no sin:  
And she durst him no thing withseye.   

" But feign, which goeth every weigh  
" To sundry reigns all about:  
The great beute telleth out  
Of such a maid of buy parage:  
So that for love of marriage  
The worthy princes come and fiend;  
As they, which all honour wend,  
And knew no thing, how that it stood.   

The father when he understood  
That they his daughter thus besought;  
with all his wit he cast and sought  
How that he might find a let;  
And such a statute than he set,  
And in this wise his law taxeth:  
That what man his daughter asketh,  
But if he couth his question  
Assoil upon suggestion  
Of certain things, that befell,  
The which he would unto him tell,  
He should in certain lose his heed.   

And thus there were many deed/  
Her heeds standing on the gate,  
Till at last long and late  
For lack of answer in this wise,  
The remanant, that weren wise,  
Eschewden to make assay.    

¶ De adventu Appolini in Antiochiam/ ubi ipse filiam regis Antiochi in uxorem postulavit.  

❧ Till it befell upon a day  
Appollynus the prince of tire  
which hath to love a great desire:  
(As he which in his high mode  
was liking of his hot blood,  
A young, a fresh, a lusty knight:)  
As he lay musing on a night  
Of the tidings, which he heard,  
He thought assay how that it feared.  
He was with worthy company  
Arrayed, and with good navy  
To ship he goeth; the wind him driveth,  
And saileth, till that he arriveth  
safe in the port of antioch.  
He londeth, and goeth to approach  
The kings court, and his presence.   

Of every natural science  
which any clerk him couth teach,  
Him couth enough: and in his speech  
Of words he was eloquent.  
And when he sigh the king present,  
He prayeth, he moat his daughter have.   

The king again began to crave;  
And told him the condition,  
How first unto his question  
He moat answer, and fail nought:  
Or with his bead it shall be bought.  
And he him asketh, what it was.    

¶ Questio regis Antiochi: scelere vehor, materna carne vescor, quero patrem meum matris mee virum, uxoris mee filium.  

¶ The king declareth him the case  
with stern word and stordy cheer,  
To him and said in this manner.   

with felony I am up bore:  
I eat, and have it not forlese,  
My moders flesh; whose husband  
My father for to seche I fond,  
which is the son eke of my wife:  
Hereof I am inquisytyfe.  
And who that can my tale save  
All quite he shall my daughter have:  
Of his answer and if he fail  
He shall be deed withouten fail.  
For thy my son (quoth the king)  
Be well advised of this thing  
which hath thy life in ieopartye.   

Appollynus for his party  
when he that question had herd;  
Unto the king he hath answered,  
And hath rehearsed one and one  
The points, and said thereupon.   

The question, which thou hast spoke  
(If thou wilt, that it be unloke)  
It toucheth all the privity  
Between thine own child and thee,  
And stonte all whole upon you two.   

The king was wonder sorry tho;  
And thought, if that he said it out  
Then were he shamed all about.  
with sly words and with fell,  
He saith: My son I shall the tell.  
Though that thou be of little wit  
It is no great marvel as yet:  
Thine age may it not suffice.  
But look well thou nought despise  
Thine own life. for of my grace  
Of thirty days full a space  
I grant thee, to been advised.  
And thus with leave and time assysed  
This young prince forth he went;  
And understood well what it mente  
within his heart (as he was lered)  
That for to make him afered  
The king his time hath so delayed.  
whereof he dread and was amayed  
Of treason that he die should,  
For he the king his south told.  
And suddenly the nights tide  
(That more would he nought abide)  
All privily his barge he hent,  
And home again to tire he went.  
And in his own wit he said;  
For dread if he the king bewrayed,  
He knew so well the kings heart,  
That death ne should he nought asterte,  
The king him would so purse we.  
But he that would his death eschew,  
And knew all this tofore the hand:  
Forsake he thought his own land,  
That there would he not abide.  
For well he knew that on some side  
This tyrant of his felony  
By some manner of treachery  
To grieve his body will not leave.    

¶ De fuga Appollini per mare a regno suo.  

¶ For thy withouten taking leave  
As privelyche as they might  
He goeth him to the see by night:  
Her ships that been with wheat laden  
Her takyl ready though they maden,  
And haileth sail, and forth they far.   

But for to tell of the care  
That they of tire began tho  
when that they witted he was ago,  
It is a pity for to here.  
They losten lust, they losten cheer;  
They took upon 'em such penance:  
There was no song, there was no dance:  
But every mirth and melody,  
To hem was then a malady:  
For unlust of that adventure  
There was no man which took tonsure:  
In deadly clothes they him cloth:  
The baths and the stews both  
They shut in by every weigh:  
There was no life which lust play,  
Ne take of any joy keep.  
But for her lyege lord to weep:  
And every wight saith (as he couth;)  
Alas the lusty flower of youth  
Our prince, our heed, our governor  
Through whom we stonden in honour,  
without the common assent  
That suddenly is fro us went.   

Such was the clamour of 'em all.    

¶ Qualiter Thaliartus miles ut Appolinum 〈…〉 ●●caret, ab Antiocho in Tirum missus, 〈…〉 n●n invento Antiochiam rediit.  

¶ But see we now what is befall  
Upon the first tale plain,  
And turn we thereto again.  
¶ Antiochus the great sire  
which full of rancour and of ire  
His heart heareth (so as ye heard)  
Of that this prince of tire answered:   

He had a fellow bachelor  
which was his privy counseyler,  
And Thaliart by name he height;  
The king a strong poison him dight  
within a box, and gold thereto;  
In all haste and bade him go  
Straight unto tire, and for no cost  
Ne spare, till he had lost  
The prince, which he would spill.  
And when the king hath said his will,  
This Taliart in a galley  
with all the haste he took his weigh.  
The wind is good, they seyleth belive  
Till he took land upon the rive  
Of tire; and forth with all anon  
Into the borough be 'gan to gone,  
And took his inn and bode a throw.  
But for he would nought be know,  
Disguised than he goth him out.  
He sigh the weeping all about:  
And asketh, what the cause was.   

And they him told all the case,  
How suddenly the prince is go.  
And when he sigh, that it was so,  
And that his labour was in vain,  
Anon he turneth home again.  
And to the king when he came nigh  
He told of that he heard and sigh,  
How that the prince of tire is fled:  
So was be come again unsped.   

The king was sorry for a while:  
But when he sigh, that with no wile  
He might achieve his cruelty;  
He stint his wrath, and let him be.    

¶ Qualiter Appolinus in portu Tharsis applicuit; ubi in hospicio cuiusdam magni viri nomine Strangulionis hospitatus est.  

¶ But over this now for to tell  
Of adventures that befell  
Unto this prince, of which I told.   

He hath his right course forth hold  
By stone and needle, till he came  
To Tharse; and there his land be nam.   

A bourgeys rich of gold and fee  
was thilk time in that cite  
which cleped was Stranguillio,  
His wife was Dionisie also.   

This young prince (as saith the book)  
with him his herbergage took.   

And it befell that cite so  
Before time, and than also,  
Through strong famine, which been lad,  
was none, that any wheat had.   

Appolynus, when that he heard  
The mischief how the cite feared;  
All frelyche of his own gift  
His wheat among hem for to shift  
(The which by ship he had brought)  
He gave, and took of 'em right nought.  
But sithen first this world began  
was never yet to such a man  
More joy made, than they him made.  
For they were all of him so glade;  
That they for ever in remembrance  
Made a figure in resemblance  
Of him, and in a common place  
They set it up: so that his face  
Might every manner man behold,:  
So as the city was behold,  
It was of ●aton over guilt.  
Thus hath he nought his yeft spylte.    

☞ Qualiter Hellicanus civis Tyri Tharsim ●entens Appollinum de insidiis Anthiochi prenunciavit.  
¶ Upon a time with a rout  
This lord to play goeth him out,  
And in his way of tire he met  
A man, which on his knees him great,  
And Hellican by name he height:  
which prayed his lord to have insight  
Upon himself: and said him thus,  
How that the great Antiochus  
awaiteth, if that he might him spill.  
That other thought/ & held him still,  
And thanked him of his warning:  
And bade him tell no tiding  
when he to tire came home again,  
That he in Tharse him had say.   

¶ Qualiter Appollinus portum Tharsis relinquens, cum ipse per mare navigio securiorem quesivit, superueniente tempestate navis cum omnibpreter ipsum solum in eadem contentis juxta Pen tapolim periclitabatur.  
" ¶ Fortune hath ever be muable,  
" And may no while stand stable:  
" For now it hieth, now it loweth;  
" Now stant upright, now overthroweth;  
" Now full of bliss, and now of bale.  
As in the telling of my tale  
Here afterward a man may lere:  
which is great routh for to here.  
¶ This lord, which would done his best,  
within himself hath little rest;  
And thought he would his place change  
And seek a country more strange.  
Of Tharsyens his leave anon  
He took, and is to ship gone.  
His course he name with sail up draw:  
where as fortune doth the law,  
And showeth (as I shall rehearse)  
How she was to this lord diverse,  
The which upon the see she ferketh.  
The wind aroos, the wether derketh,  
It blewe, and made such tempest,  
None anchor may the ship arrest,  
which hath to broken all his gear.  
The shipmen stood in such a fere,  
was none that might himself bestere,  
But ever await upon the lere  
when that they shulden drench at ones,  
There was enough within the wones  
Of weeping/ and of sorrow tho.  
The young king maketh much woe  
So for to see the ship travail:  
But all that might him nought avail.  
The mast to brake, the sail to roof,  
The ship upon the wawes' droofe,  
Till that they see the lands cost.  
though made a vow the lest and most,  
Be so they mighten come a loud.  
But (he which hath the se on hand)  
Neptunus would nought accord:  
But all to broke cable and cord  
Ere they to land might approach;  
The ship to clave upon a roche,  
And all goth down in to the deep.  
But he that all thing may keep  
Unto this lord was merciable,  
And brought him save upon a table  
which to the land him hath upbore:  
The remnant was all forlore.  
Thereof he made much moan.   

¶ Qualiter Appolinus nudus super litus iaciabatur/ ubi quidam piscator ipsum suo collobio vestiens ad urbem Pentapolim direxit.  

¶ Thus was this young lord alone  
All naked in a pour plight.  
His colour, which was whilom white,  
was than of water fade and pale:  
And eke he was so sore a cale,  
That he witted of himself no boat:  
It help him no thing for to mote  
To get again that he hath lore,  
But she which hath his death forlese,  
Fortune (though she will not yelp)  
All suddenly hath sent him help  
when him thought all grace away.  
There came a fisher in the weigh,  
And sigh a man there naked stand:  
And when that he hath understand  
The cause, he hath of him great routh,  
And only of his poor troth:  
Of such clothes as he had  
with great pite this lord he clad.  
And he him thonketh as he should;  
And saith him, that it shall be yold  
If ever he get his state again:  
And prayth, that he would him say  
If nigh were any town for him.   

He said ye, Pentopolym,  
where both king and queen dwellen▪  
when he this tale heard tell  
He gladdeth him; and 'gan beseech  
That be the weigh him would teach.  
And he him taught: and forth he went,  
And prayed god with good intent  
To send him joy after his sorrow.  
It was nought passed yet mydmorowe.    

¶ Qualiter Appollino Pentapolim adveniente 〈◊〉 ●●gnas● per urbem publice ꝓclamatus est.  

¶ Than afterward his weigh he name,  
where soon upon the none he came.  
He ●te such as he might get.  
And forth anon when he had eat  
He goth to see the town about;  
And came there as he fond a rout  
Of young lusty men withal.  
And (as it should tho befall)  
That day was set of such assize  
That they should in the lands guise  
(As was herd of the people say)  
Her common game than play.  
And cried was, that they should come  
Unto the game all and some  
Of 'em that been deliver and wight,  
To do such mastery as they might.  
They made 'em naked (as they should)  
For so that ilk game would;  
And it was the custom, and use  
amongs 'em, was no refuse.  
The flower of all the town was there,  
And of the court also there were;  
And that was in a large place  
Right even before the kings face  
which Arthescates than height:  
The play was played rig●● in his sight.  
And who most worthy was of deed  
receive he should a certain meed,  
And in the cite ber● a price.   

Appolynus, which ware and wise  
Of every game couth an end,  
He thought assay, how so it wend:    

¶ Qualiter Appollinus ludum gignasil vint●●●, in aula regis ad cenam honorifice ceptus est.  
¶ And fill among 'em into game.  
And there he wan him such a name,  
So as the king himself accounteth  
That he all other men surmounteth,  
And bore the price above 'em all.  
The king bad, that in to his hall  
At supper time he should be brought.  
And he came than (and left it nought)  
without company alone.  
was none so seemly of person,  
Of visage, and of limbs both,  
If that he had what to cloth.  
At supper time nevertheless  
The king amids all the pres  
Let clepe him up among 'em all,  
And bad his marshal of his hall  
To setten him in such degree  
That he upon him might see.  
The king was son set and served.  
And he which had his prize deserved,  
After the kings own word,  
was made begin a middle board,  
That both king and queen him sye.  
He set, and cast about his eye,  
And saw the lords in estate;  
And with himself wax in debate  
Thynkende what he had lore:  
And such a sorrow he took therefore,  
That he sat ever still, and thought,  
As he which of no meet wrought.   

¶ Qualiter Appollinus in cena recumbens, nihil comedit, sed doloroso vultu, submisso capite, maxime ingemescebat, qui tandem a filia regis confortatus Citheram plectens cunctis audientibus/ citherando ultra modum complacuit.  

¶ The king beheld his heaviness:  
And of his great gentleness  
His daughter, which was fair & good,  
And at the board bifore him stood,  
(As it was thilk time usage):  
He bade to go on his message,  
And fond for to make him glade.  
And she did as her father bade:  
And goth to him the soft paas;  
And asketh whence, and what he was;  
And praith he should his thought I leave.   

He saith, madame by your leave  
My name is hot Appolynus;  
And of my riches it is thus,  
Upon the see I have it lore;  
The country, where as I was boar,  
where that my land is, and my rent,  
I left at tire; when that I went  
The worship there, of which I ought,  
Unto the god I there betought.  
And thus together as they two speak  
The tears ran down by his cheek.  
The king (which thereof took good keep)  
Had great pite to see him weep;  
And for his daughter send again,  
And prayed her fair, and 'gan to say  
That she no longer would dretche,  
But that she would anon forth fetch  
Her harp, and done all that she can  
To glad with that sorry man.   

And she (to done her father's hest)  
Her harp fet, and in the feast  
Upon a chair (which they fet)  
Herself next to this man she set.  
with harp both and eke with mouth  
To him she did, all that she couth  
To make him cheer; and ever he sigheth:  
And she him asketh, how him liketh.   

Madam certes well, he said.  
But if ye the measure played,  
which (if you list) I shall you lere,  
It were a glad thing for to here.  
A leave sir, though quoth she,  
Now take the harp, and let me se  
Of what measure that ye mean.   

though prayeth the king, though prayeth the queen  
Forth with the lords all arewe  
That he some mirth would show.   

He taketh the harp, and in his wise  
He tempreth, and of such assize  
Synginge he harpeth forth with all,  
That as a voice celestial  
Hempskirk thought it swooned in her ere  
As though that it an angel were:  
They gladden of his melody.  
But most of all the company  
The kings daughter (which it heard;  
And thought eke of that he answered,  
when that it was of her opposed)  
within her heart hath well supposed  
That he is of great gentleness.  
His deeds been thereof witness  
Forthwith the wisdom of his lore:  
It needeth not to seche more:  
He might not have such manner  
Of gentle blood but if he were.   

when he hath harped all his fill  
(The kings hest to fulfil;)  
A weigh goth disshe, a way goth cup,  
Down goth the board, the cloth was up,  
They risen, and gone out of hall.    

¶ Qualitur Appollinus cum rege pro filia sua erudienda retentus est.  

¶ The king his chamberlain let call,  
And bad, that he by all weigh  
A chamber for this man purvey  
which nigh his own chamber be.  
It shall be do my lord quoth he.   

Appollynus (of whom I mean)  
though took his leave of king and queen,  
And of the worthy maid also.  
which prayed unto her father tho,  
That she might of the young man  
Of the sciences, which he can,  
His lore have. And in this wise  
The king her granteth her apprise  
So that himself thereto assent.  
Thus was accorded ere they went  
That he with all that ever he may  
This young fair fresse he may  
Of that he couth should inform.  
And full assented in this form  
They token leave as for that night.    

¶ Qualiter filia regis Appollinum ornato apparatu vestiri fecit. Et ipse ad puelle doctrinam in quam pluribus familiariter intendebat, unde placata puella in ●●orem Appollini exardescens/ infirmabatur.  

¶ And when it was on morrow right  
Unto this young man of tire,  
Of clothes, and of good attire,  
with gold and silver to dispend  
This worthy young lady send:  
And thus she made him well at ease.  
And be with all that he can please  
Her serveth well and fair again:  
He taught her, till she was certain  
Of harp, cytole, and of riot  
with many a tewne, and many a note  
Upon music, upon measure;  
And of her harp the temprure  
He taught her eke, (as he well couth.)   

" But (as men say, that frele is youth)  
with leisure and continuance  
This maid fill upon a chance  
That love hath made him a quarrel  
again her youngth fresh and frele:  
That (inaugre where she would or nought)  
She moat with all her hearts thought  
Lo love and to his law obey.  
And that she shall full sore obey:  
For she wot never what it is.  
But ever among she feeleth this,  
touching upon this man of tire  
Her heart is hot as any fire,  
And otherwhile it is a cale;  
Now is she reed, now is she pale  
Right after the condition  
Of her imagination.  
But ever (among her thoughts all)  
She thought (what so may befall,  
Or that she laugh or that she weep)  
She would her good name keep  
For fere of womannysshe shame.   

But (what in earnest what in game)  
She stant for love in such a plight  
That she hath lost all appetite  
Of meet and drink, of nights rest,  
As she that note what is the best;  
But for to think all her fill  
She held her oft times still  
within her chamber, & goth not out.   

The king was of her life in doubt  
which wist nothing what it meant.    

¶ Qualiter tres filu principum filiam regis sigillat●m in uxorem suis supplicationibus postularent.  

¶ But fill a time, as he out went  
To walk, of princes sons three  
There came, and fill to his knee;  
And each of 'em in sundry wise  
Besought, and proffereth his service,  
So that he might his daughter have.  
The king (which would her honour save)  
Saith, she is sick; and of that speech  
though was no time to beseech:  
But each of 'em to make a bill  
He had, and write his own will,  
His name, his father, and his good:   

And when she wist how that it stood,  
And had her bills overseyne,  
They shoulden have answer again.  
Of this counsel they weren glad:  
And written (as the king hem had)  
And every man his own book  
Into the kings hand betook.  
And he it to his daughter send;  
And prayed her for to make an end,  
And writ again her own hand  
Right as she in her heart fond.    

☞ Qualiter filia regis omnibus aliis relictis Appollinum in maritum preelegit.  

¶ The bills weren well received.  
But she hath all her loves waived:  
And thought though was time and space  
To put her in her father's grace:  
And wrote again, and thus she said.   

" The shame, which is in a maid,  
" with speech dare not be unloke,  
" But in writing it may be spoke.  
So write I to you father thus;  
But if I have Appollynus,  
Of all this world (what so betide)  
I will non other man abide.  
And certes if I of him fail,  
I wots right well without fail  
ye shall for me be doughterles.  
This letter came, and there was press  
Tofore the king/ there as he stood.  
And when that he it understood  
He gave hem answer by and by:  
But that was done so privily  
That none of others counsel wist.  
They took her leave, and where hem list  
They went forth upon their weigh.    

¶ Qualiter rex et regina in maritagium filie sue cum Appolino consencierunt.  

¶ The king ne would nought bewray  
The council for no manner high;  
But suffereth till be time sye.   

And when that he to chamber is come  
He hath unto council nome  
This man of tire, and let him se  
The letter, and all the privyte  
The which his daughter to him sent.   

And he his knee to ground bent,  
And thonketh him and her also.  
And ere they went then a two  
with good heart, and with good courage  
Of full love and full marriage  
The king and he be hole accorded.  
And after, when it was recorded  
Unto the daughter, how it stood,  
The yeft of all this worlds good  
Ne should have made her half so blithe.  
And forth with all the king als swith  
(For he will have her good assent)  
Hath for the queen her mother sent.   

The queen is come: & when she heard  
Of this matter how that it feared,  
She sigh debate, she sigh disease  
But if she would her daughter please:  
And is thereto assented full.  
(which is a deed wonderful.)   

For no man knew the sooth case  
(But he himself) what man he was;  
And nevertheless (so as hem thought)  
His deeds to the soothe wrought,  
That he was come of gentle blood;  
Him lacketh nought but worlds good.  
And as thereof is no despair:  
For she shall be her father's heir;  
And he was able to govern.  
Thus will they not the love werne  
Of him and her in no wise;  
But all accorded they devise  
The day and time of marriage.  
" where love is lord of the courage  
" Him thinketh long, ere that he speed.  
But at last unto the deed    

¶ Qualiter Appolinus filie regis nupsit/ et prima noci● cum ea concubiens ipsam inpregnavit.  
¶ The time is come; and (in her wise)  
with great offering and sacrifice  
They wed, and make a great feast;  
And every thing was right honest  
within house, and eke without:  
It was so done, that all about  
Of great worship, and great noblesse,  
There cried many a man largesse  
Unto the lords high and loud.  
The knights, that be young & proud,  
They just first, and after dance:  
The day is go, the nights chance  
Hath darked all the bright son,  
This lord (which hath his love won)  
Is go to bed with his wife:  
where as they lead a lusty life,  
And that was after somedeal seen.  
For (as they pleyden 'em between)  
They get a child between 'em two,  
To whom fell after much wo.   

¶ Qualiter ambassiatores a Tyro in quadam navi Pentapolim venientes mortem regis Antiochi Appolino nunciaverunt.  

¶ Now have I told of the spousayles▪  
But for to speak of the marvels  
which afterward to 'em befell,  
It is a wonder for to tell,  
¶ It fell a day they riden out  
The king, and queen, and all the rout  
To pleyen 'em upon the strand:  
where as they seen toward the land  
A ship sailing of great array.  
To know what it mean may  
Till it be come they abide.  
Than see they stand on every side  
endlong the ships board to show  
Of penounceals a rich rue.   

They asken, whence the ship is come:  
from tire anon answered some.   

And over this they saiden more:  
The cause why they comen fore  
was for to seche, and for to find  
Appollynus, which is of kind  
Her lyege lord▪ and he appeareth.  
And of the tale (which he heareth)  
He was right glad: for they him told  
That for vengeance (as god it would)  
Antiochus (as men may wite)  
with thunder and lightning is forsmite:  
His daughter hath the same chance.  
So been they both in o balance.   

For thy our lyege lord we say  
In name of all the land, and prey,  
That left all other thing to done,  
It like you to come soon  
And see your own lyege men  
with other that been of your ken,  
That lyven in longing and desire  
Till ye be come again to tire.   

This tale after the king it had,  
Pentapolyn all oversprad:  
There was no joy for to seche.  
For every man it had in speech,  
And saiden all of one accord:  
A worthy king shall been our lord:  
That thought us first an bevynes  
Is shape us now to great gladness.  
Thus goth the tiding over all.    

¶ Qualiter Appolino cum uxore sua imprlgnata 〈◊〉 ve●sus Tirum navigantibus, contigit 〈…〉 mortis articulo angustiatam, in navi filiam 〈◊〉 ●●●ta Tha●sis vocabatur, parere.  

¶ But need he moat, that need shall.  
Appolynus his leave took,  
●o god and all the land betook  
with all the people long and broad:  
That he no longer there abode▪  
¶ The king and queen sorrow made:  
But yet somedeal they were glad  
O● such thing, as they heard tho.  
And thus between the weal and woe  
To ship he goth, his wife with child  
The which was ever meek and mild,  
And would not depart him fro:  
(Such love was between 'em two.)   

Lichorida for her office  
was take, which was a norice,  
To wend with this young wife:  
To whom was shape a woeful life.  
within a time (as it betid,)   

when they were in the see amid,  
Out of the north they see a cloud,  
The storm arose, the winds loud  
They blewen many a dreadful blast,  
The welkin was all overcaste,  
The dark night the son hath under,  
There was a great tempest of thunder,  
The moan, and eke the stars both  
In black clouds they hem cloth,  
whereof their bright look they hide,   

This young lady wept and cried,  
To whom no comfort might avail,  
Of child she began travail  
where she lay in a cabin close.  
Her woeful lord fro her arose,  
And that was long or any morrow,  
So that in anguish and in sorrow  
She was delivered all by night,  
And deyde in every man's sight.  
¶ But nevertheless for all this woe  
A maid child was boar tho.    

Qualiter Appolinus mortem uxoris sue planxit  
¶ Appolynus when he this knew,  
For sorrow a swoon he overthrew  
That no man wist in him no life.  
And when he work, be said: a wife,  
My joy, my lust, and my desire,  
My wealth, and my recoverire,  
why shall I live, and thou shalt die?  
Ha thou fortune I the defy,  
Now hast thou do to me thy wert.  
A tr●ste/ why ne wilt thou berst  
That forth with her I might pass?  
My pains were well the lass.  
In such weeping, and such cry  
His deed wife, which lay him buy,  
A thousand scythes he her kissed.  
was never man that saw ne wist  
A sorrow, to his sorrow lyche.  
was ever among upon the lyche.  
He fill swooning, as he that thought  
His own death, which he sought  
Unto the gods all above  
with many a piteous word of love.  
But such words as though were,  
Heard never no man's ear,  
But only thilk, which he said.  
The master shipman came and prayed  
with other such, as been therein,  
And sayne; that he may nothing win  
again the death; but they him read  
He be well aware, and take heed.  
" The see by weigh of his nature  
" receive may no creature,  
" within himself (as for to hold)  
" The which is deed. For thy they would  
(As they counseylen all about)  
The deed body casten out.  
For better it is (they saiden all)  
That it of her so befall,  
Than if they shoulden all spill.   

¶ Qualiter suadentibus nautis corpus uxoris sue mortue in quadam cista plumbo et ferro obtusa/ que circumligata Appolinus cum magno thesauro una cum quadam littera sub eius capite scripta recludi, in mar●proici fecit.  

¶ The king (which understood her will,  
And knew her counsel that was true)  
Began again his sorrow new  
with piteous heart, and thus to say;  
It is all reason that ye prey.   

I am (qd be) but one alone:  
So would I not for my person,  
There fell such adversity.  
But when it may no better be,  
Doth than thus upon my word.  
Let make a coffer strong of board  
That it be firm with lead and pitch.  
Anon was made a coffer such  
All ready brought unto his hand.  
And when he saw, and ready fond  
This coffer made, and well englued:  
The deed body was besewed  
In cloth of gold, and laid therein.  
And for he would unto her win  
Upon some cost a sepulture:  
Under her heed (in adventure)  
Of gold he laid sums great,  
And of jewels strong beyete  
Forth with a letter, and said thus.    

¶ Copia littere capiti uxoris sue supposite.  

¶ I king of tire Appolynus  
Doth all men for to wite  
That here & see this letter write:  
That helpless without rede  
Here lieth a kings daughter deed,  
And who that happeth her to find  
For charity take in his mind,  
And do so, that she be begrave  
with this treasure, which he shall have.   

Thus when the letter was full spoke,  
They have anon the coffer stoke,  
And bounden it with iron fast,  
That it may with the waves last,  
And stoppen it by such a weigh  
That it shall be within dry,  
So that no water might it grieve.  
And thus in hope, and good believe  
Of that the corpse shall well aryve,  
They cast it over board as belive.    

¶ Qualiter Appolinus, uxoris sue corpore in mare proiecto, Tyrum relinquens cursum suum versus Tharsim navigio dolens arripuit.  
¶ The ship forth on the waves went.  
The prince hath changed his intent,  
And saith; he will not come at tire  
As than, but all his desire  
Is first to saylen unto Tharse.  
The windy storm began to scarce,  
The son aryst, the weather cleareth,  
The shipman, which behind steereth,  
when that he saw the winds sought,  
Towards Tharse his course he 'straught.   

¶ Qualiter corpus predicte defuncte super litus apud Ephesim quidam medicus nomine Cerimon cum aliquibus suis discipulis invenit, quod in hospicium portans, et extra cistam ponens, spiraculo vite in ea adhuc invento, ipsam plene sanitati restituit.  

¶ But now to my matter again,  
(To tell as old books say,)  
This deed corpse (of which ye know)  
with wind and was forth throw  
Now here, now there; till at last  
At Ephesym the see upcasted  
The coffer, and all that was therein.  
Of great marvel now begin  
May here, who that sitteth still.  
" That god will save may not spill.  
Right as the corpse was throw a land,  
There came walking upon the strand  
A worthy clerk, and surgyen,  
And eke a great physician,  
Of all the land the wisest one,  
which hight master Cerimone.  
There were of his disciples some.  
This master is to the coffer come,  
He poiseth there was somewhat in:  
And had 'em here it to his in,  
And goeth himself forth with all.  
" All that shall fall, fall shall.   

They comen home, and tarry nought:  
This coffer in to his chamber is brought.  
which that they find fast stoke:  
But they with craft it have unloke.  
They looken in: where as they found  
A body deed, which was y wound  
In cloth of gold (as I said ere:)  
The ●resour eke they founden there  
Forthwith the letter, which they read.  
And though they token better heed.  
Vnsowed was the body son.  
As he that knew, what was to done,  
This noble clerk with all haste  
Began the veins for to taste;  
And saw her age was of youth:  
And with the crafts, which he couth,  
He sought and fond a sign of life.  
with that this worthy kings wife  
Honestly they token out,  
And maden fires all about,  
They laid her on a couch soft;  
And with a sheet warmed oft  
Her cold breast began to beat/  
her derte also to slack and beat;  
This maysten hath her every joint  
with certain oil and balsam anoint;  
And put a liquor in her mouth,  
which is to few clerks couth:  
So that she covereth at last.  
And first her eyen up she cast;  
And when she more of strength caught,  
Her arms both forth she 'straught,  
Held up her hand, and pytouslye  
She spoke, and said, where am I?  
where is my lord, what world is this?  
As she that wot not how it is.   

But Cerymon the worthy leech  
answered anon upon her speech,  
And said: madame ye been here  
where ye be save, as ye shall here  
Here afterward; for thy as now  
My council is comforteth you.  
For trysteth well (without fail)  
There is no thing, which shall you fail  
That aught of reason to be do.  
Thus passen they a day or two.    

¶ Qualiter uxor Appolini sanata/ domum religionis peciit/ ubi sacro velamine munita castam omni tempore vovit.  

❧ They speak of nought (as for an end)  
Till she began somedeal amend,  
And wist herself, what she mente.  
though (for to know her hole intent)  
This master asketh all the caas,  
How she came there, and what she was.   

How I came here, wot I nought  
Quoth she: but well I am bethought  
Of other things all about  
from point to point, & told him out  
As ferforthly as she it wist.   

And he her told how in a chyste  
The see her threw upon the land,  
And what treasure with her he fond,  
which was all ready at her will,  
As he that shope him to fulfil  
with all his might, what thing he should.   

She thonketh him, that he so would;  
And all her heart she discloseth,  
And saith him well that she supposeth  
Her lord be dreynt, her child also.  
So saw she nought but all wo.  
whereof as to the world no more  
Ne will she torn, and prayeth therefore  
That in some temple of the city  
To keep and hold her chastity  
She might among the women dwell.  
when he this tale heard tell  
He was right glad; & made her known  
That he a daughter of his owen  
Hath, which he will unto her yeve  
To serve, while they both live  
In stead of that, which she hath lost:  
All only at his own cost,  
She shall be rendered forth with her.   

She saith, grant mercy leave sir,  
God quite it you, there I ne may.  
And thus they drive forth the day  
Till time came, that she was hole.  
And though they took her counsel hole  
To shape upon good governance,  
And made a worthy purveyance  
again day, when they be veiled.  
And thus when that they were counciled,  
In black clothes they them clothe  
The daughter and the lady both,  
And yold 'em to religion.  
The feast, and the profession,  
After the rule of that degree  
was made with great solemnity  
where as Diane is sanctified.  
Thus stant this lady justified  
In order where she thinketh to dwell.    

¶ Qualiter Appolinus Tharsim navigans, filiam svam Thaisim Strangulioni et Dionisie uxori sue educandum commendauit●et deinde Tyrum adiit, ubi cum inestimabili gandio a suis receptus est.  

¶ But now ageynwarde for to tell  
In what plight that her lord stood in.   

He saileth, till that he may win  
The haven of Tharse (as I said ere.)  
And when he was arrived there  
though was it through the cite know;  
Men might see within a throw  
(As who saith) all the town at ones  
They come again him for the nonce  
To yeven him the reverence,  
So glad they were of his presence.   

And though he were in his courage  
diseased, yet with glad visage  
He made 'em cheer; and to his inn  
where he whilom sojourned in,  
He goth him 'straught, & was received.  
And when the prees of people is waived  
He taketh his boost unto him tho,  
And saith: My friend Strangulio  
Lo thus, and thus it is befall.  
And thou thyself art one of all  
Forthwith thy wife, which I most tryst.  
For thy (if it you both list)  
My daughter Thayse by your leave  
I think shall with you believe  
As for a time: and thus I pray  
That she be kept by all way:  
And when she hath of age more,  
That she be set to books lore.  
And this avow to god I make,  
That I shall never for her sake  
My beard for no liking shave  
Till it befall, that I have  
In covenable time of age  
Beset her unto marriage   

Thus they accord, and all is well.  
And for to resten him somedeal,  
As for a while he there sojourneth;  
And than he taketh his leave, & turneth  
To ship, and goth him home to tire:  
where every man with great desire  
awaiteth upon his coming.   

But when the ship came in sailing,  
And perceiven that it is he;  
was never yet in no cite  
Such joy made, as they though made:  
His heart also began to glade  
Of that he seeth his people glad.   

Lo thus fortune his hap hath lad,  
In sundry wise he was travailed.  
But how so ever he be assailed  
His latter end shall be good.    

¶ Qualiter Thaisis una cum Philotenna Strangulionis et Dionysie filia, omnis scientie et honestatis doctrina imbuta est: sed et Thaisis Philotennam precellens in odium mortale per invidiam a Dionysia recollecta est.  

¶ And for to speak how that it stood  
Of Thaise his daughter, where she dwelleth.  
In Tharse (as the cronic telleth)  
She was well kept, she was well looked,  
She was well taught, she was well boked;  
So well she sped her in her youth  
That she of every wisdom couth●  
That for to seche in every land  
So wise an other no man fond,  
Ne so well taught at man's eye.  
" But woe worth ever false envy.  
For it befell that time so  
A daughter hath Strangulio  
which was cleped Philotenne.  
" But fame (which will ever run)  
Came all day to her mother's care,  
And saith; where ever her daughter were  
with Thaise set in any place,  
The common voice, the common grace  
was all upon that other maid,  
And of her daughter no man said.   

who was wroth but Dionyse than?  
Her thought a thousand year till when  
She might be of Thayse wreak  
Of that she heard folk so speak.  
And fill that ilk same tide  
That deed was true Lichoryde  
which had be servant to Thaise,  
So that she was the worse at ease.  
For she hath than no service  
But only through this Dionyse  
which was her deadly enemy.  
Through pure treason and envy  
She that of all sorrow can  
though spoke unto her bondman  
which cleped was Theophilus,  
And made him swear in counseyl thus;  
That he such time as she him set  
Shall come Thayse for to fet,  
And lead her out of all sight  
where that no man her help might,  
Upon the strand nigh the see,  
And there he shall this maiden slay.   

This churl's heart is in a trance  
As he which dread him of vengeance  
when time cometh an other day:  
But yet durst he not say nay;  
But swore, and said he should fulfil  
Her beasts at her own will.    

Qual●ter Dionys●a Thaisim ut occideret, Theo●●ise 〈◊〉 suo tradidit, qui cum noctanter longius 〈◊〉 ●●●●sam ꝓpe litus maris interficere ꝓpo●●●●●●rate ibidem latitantee Thaisim de manu 〈◊〉 eri●puerunt/ ipsam que usque civitatem ●●te●enam ducentes, cuidem Leonino scortorum ●●tē magistro vendiderunt.  

¶ The treason andeke time is shape,  
So fell that this cherlysshe knape  
Hath lad this maiden where he would  
Upon the strand, and what she should  
She was adread; and he out brayed  
A rusty sword, and to her said,  
Thou shalt be deed: alas qd she  
why shall I so? Lo thus quoth he  
My lady Dionyse hath bid  
Thou shalt be murdered in this stead.   

This maiden though for fere shryght;  
And for the love of god all might  
She preyth, that for a little stound  
She might kneel upon the ground  
Toward the heaven for to crave  
Her woeful soul that she may save.   

And with this noise and with this cry,  
Out of a barge fast by  
which hid was there on scomer fare,  
Men sterten out, and weren ware  
Of this fellow: and he to go.  
And she began to cry tho,  
A mercy help for god's sake.  
In to the barge they her take  
As thieves should, and forth they went.  
Upon the see the wind hem hent,  
And (maugre where they would or none)  
Tofore the weather forth they gone,  
There help no sail, there help none ore:  
Forstormed, and forblowen sore  
In great peril so forth they drive,  
Till at last they arrive  
At Mytelene the cite.  
In haven safe and when they be  
The master shipman made him boon,  
And goth him out in to the town,  
And proffereth Thayse for to sell.   

One Leonyn it heard tell  
which master of the bordel was;  
And had him go a ready pas  
To fetchen her: and forth he went,  
And Thayse out of his barge he bent,  
And to the bordeler her he sold.  
And that he by her body would  
Take advantage, let do cry  
That what man would his lechery  
Attempt upon her maidenhead  
Lay down the gold, & he should speed.   

And thus when he hath cried it out  
In sight of all the people about:    

¶ Qualiter Leoninus Thaisi ad lupanar destinavit, ubi dei gratia preventa, ipsius virginitatem nullus violare potuit.  

¶ He lad her to the bordello tho.  
No wonder though she were wo.  
Clos in a chamber by herself  
Each after other ten or twelve  
Of young men in to her went.  
But such a grace god her scent;  
That for the sorrow, which she made,  
was none of 'em, which power had  
To done her any villainy.   

This Leonyn let ever aspye,  
And waiteth after great beyete:  
But all for nought: she was forlete,  
That no man would there come.   

when he thereof hath heed nome,  
And knew, that she was yet a maid;  
Unto his own man he said,  
That he with strength again her leave,  
though should her maidenhead bereave.  
This man goth in but so it feared  
when be her woeful pleyntes heard,  
And he thereof hath take keep;  
Him list better for to weep  
Than do aught else to the game.  
And thus she kept herself fro shame.  
And kneeled down to the earth & prayed  
Unto this man, and thus she said:   

If so be, that thy master would  
That I his good increases should,  
It may not fall by this weigh,  
But suffer me to go my weigh  
Out of this house, where I am in,  
And I shall make him for to win  
In some place else of the town,  
Be so it be of religiowne  
where that honest women dwele.  
And thus thou might thy master tell  
That when I have a chamber there;  
Let him do cry ay wide where  
what lord, that hath his daughter dear,  
And is in will that she shall lere  
Of such a school that is true:  
I shall her teach of things new  
which that none other woman can  
In all this land, and the this man  
Her tale hath herd, he goth again,  
And told unto his master plain,  
That she hath saide, and thereupon  
when that he saw beyete none  
At the bordello because of her;  
He had his man go and spir  
A place, where she might abide:  
That he may win upon some side  
By that she can: but at least  
Thus was she safe of this tempest.    

¶ Qualiter Thaisis a lupanari virgo liberata, inter sacras mulieres hospicium habens, scientias, quibus edocta fuit, nobiles regni puellas ibidem edocebat.  

¶ He hath her fro the bordello take:  
But that was not for god's sake;  
But for the lucre, as she him told.   

Now comen (though, that comen would)  
Of women in her lusty youth  
To here and see, what thing she couth.  
She can the wisdom of a clerk,  
She can of any lusty work,  
which to a gentle woman longeth:  
And some of 'em she underfongeth  
To the cytole, and to the harp:  
And whom it liketh for to carp  
proverbs and demands sly,  
An other such they never sye  
which that science so well taught,  
whereof she great gifts caught  
That she to Lyonyn hath won.  
And thus her name is so begun  
Of sundry things, that she teacheth;  
That all the land to her secheth  
Of young women, for to lere.    

¶ Qualiter Theophilus ad Dionisiam mane rediens affirmavit se Thaisim occidisse super quo Dionysia vn● cum Strangulione marito suo dolorem in publico confingentes, exequias et sepulturam honorifice, quantum ad extra subdola coniectatione fieri constituerunt.  

¶ Now let we this maiden here:  
And speak of Dionyse again,  
And of Theophyle the villain,  
(Of which I spoke of now tofore  
when Thayse should have be forlore)  
This false churl to his lady  
when he came home, all privily  
He saith: Madam slay I have  
This maid Thayse, and is begrave  
In privy place, as ye me heed:  
For thy madame taketh heed  
And keep counsel, how so it stand.  
This fiend (which hath this understand)  
was glad, and weeneth it be sooth.  
Now see hereafter how she doth.   

She weepeth, she crieth, she complaineth:  
And of sickness (which she feigneth)  
She saith, that Thaise suddenly  
By night is deed, as she and I  
together lain nigh my lord.  
She was a woman of record,  
And all is leaved, that she saith.  
And for to give a more faith,  
Her husband, and eke she both  
In black clothes they him cloth,  
And make a great interment.  
And for the people shall be blended,  
Of Thayse as for the remembrance  
●●ter the rial old usance  
A tomb of laton noble and rich  
with an image unto her lyche  
begging above thereupon  
They made, and set it up anon.   

Her ●●itaphe of good assize  
was write about: and in this wise  
It spoke, O ye that this behold,  
L● here lieth she, the which was hold  
The fairest, and the flower of all,  
whose name Thaysis men call.   

The king of tire Appolynus  
Her father was, now lieth she thus.  
●ourtene year she was of age  
●handeth her took to his voyage.    

¶ Qu●liter Appolinus in regno suo apud Tyrant 〈…〉 parliamentum fieri constituit.  

¶ Thus was this false treason hid,  
which afterward was wide kid,  
As by the tale a man shall here,)  
But (to declare my matter)  
To tire I think turn again,  
And tell, (as the cronykes say,)   

when that the king was comen home,  
And hath left in the salt foam  
His wife (which he may not foryete;)  
For he some comfort would get  
He let summon a parliament,  
To which the lords weren assent,  
And of the time he hath been out,  
He seeth the things all about:  
And told 'em eke how he hath fare  
while he was out of land far;  
And prayed 'em all to abide,  
For he would at same tide  
Do shape for his wives mind,  
As he that would not be unkind.   

Solemn was that ilk office,  
And rich was the sacrifice,  
The feast rially was hold:  
And thereto was he well behold.  
For such a wife as he had one  
In thilk days was there none.    

¶ Qualiter Appolinus post parliamentum Thasim pro Thaise filia sua querenda adiit, qua ibidem non inventa abinde navigio recessit.  

when this was done, them he him thought  
Upon his daughter; and besought  
Such of his lords, as he would,  
That they with him to Tharse should  
To set his daughter Thaise there;  
And they anon all ready were.  
To ship they gone; and forth they went  
Till they the haven of Tharse bend,  
They land; and fail of that they seek  
By coverture and sleight of speech.  
This false man Strangulio  
And Dionyse his wife also,  
(That he the better trow might)  
They lad him to have a sight,  
where that her tomb was arrayed:  
The lass yet he was myspayde.   

And nevertheless (so as he durst)  
He curseth, and saith all the worst  
Unto fortune, as to the blind,  
which can no syker weigh find;  
For him she neweth ever among  
And meddleth sorrow with his song.  
But sith it may no better be  
He thonketh god, and forth goth he  
Sailing toward tire again.  
But suddenly the wind and rain  
Began upon the see debate,  
So that he suffer moat algate    

¶ Qualiter navis Appollini ventis agitata potum urbis Mitelene in die quo festa Neptuni celebrari consifeverunt/ applicuit. sed ipse pro dolore Thaisis filie sue quam mortuam reputabat, in fundo navis obscuro iacens sumen videre noluit.  

❧ The law, which Neptune ordaineth.  
whereof full oft time he plaineth,  
And held him well the more dismayed  
Of that he hath tofore assayed.  
So that for pure sorrow and care  
Of that he seeth this world so far,  
The rest he leaveth of his cabin;  
That (for the council of no man)  
again therein he nolde come:  
But hath beneath his place nome,  
where he weeping alone lay,  
There as be saw no light of day.   

And thus tofore the wind they drive,  
Till long and let they arrive  
with great distress (as it was seen)  
Upon this town of Mytelene,  
which was a noble cite tho.  
And happeneth thilk time so  
The lords both, and the common  
The high feasts of Neptune  
Upon the strand at rivage.  
(As it was custom and usage  
Solempnelych they be sight.   

when they this strange vessel sigh  
Come in/ and hath his sail availed,  
The town thereof hath spoke and taled.    

¶ Qualiter Atenagoras urbis Mitelene princeps navim Appolini investigans, ipsum sic contristatum nihil que respondentem consolari satagebat.  

¶ The lord, which of that city was,  
whose name is Atenagoras,  
was there; and said, he would see  
what ship it is, and who they be  
That been therein: and after son,  
(when that he sigh it was to done)  
His barge was for him arrayed,  
And he goeth forth, and hath assayed.  
He fond the ship of great array:  
But what thing it a mownte may,  
He sigh they maden heavy cheer,  
But well him thinketh by the manner  
That they been worthy men of blood;  
And asketh of 'em, how it stood.  
And they him tell all the caas,   

How that her lord fordryve was,  
And which a sorrow that he made,  
Of which there may no man him glad.  
He prayeth that he her lord may see.  
But they him told it may not be;  
For he lieth in so dark a place  
That there may no wight see his face.   

But for all that (though hem be loath)  
He fond the ladder, and down he goeth  
And to him spoke, but none answer  
again of him ne might he bear  
For aught that he can do ere say,  
And thus he goeth him up again.    

¶ Qualiter precepto principis, ut Appolinum consolaretur, Thaisis cum cithera sua ad ipsum in obscuro navis, ubi iacebat, producta est.  

¶ though was there spoke in many wise  
Amongst 'em, that weren wise,  
Now this, now that; but at last  
The wisdom of the town thus cast  
That young Thayse was assent.  
For if there be amendment  
To glad with this woeful king,  
She can so much of every thing  
That she shall glad him anon.   

A messenger for her is gone,  
And she came with her harp in hand  
And said 'em, that she would fond  
By all the ways, that she can,  
To glad with this sorry man.  
But what he was, she wist nought.  
But all the ship her hath besought  
That she her wit on him dispend  
In aunter if he might amend:  
And say; it shall be well acquit.   

when she hath understonden it  
She goeth her down, there as he lay;  
where that she harpeth many a lay,  
And like an angel song with all.  
But he no more than the wall  
Took heed of any thing he heard.   

And when she saw that he so feared,  
She falleth with him unto words,  
And telleth him of sundry boards,  
And asketh him demands strange.  
whereof she made his heart change:  
And to her speech his ere he laid,  
And hath marvel, of that she said.  
For in proverb, and in problem  
She spoke; and had he should dame  
In many a subtile question.  
But he for no suggestion  
which toward him she could steer,  
He would not one word answer.  
But (as a mad man) at last  
His heed weeping away he cast,  
And half in wrath he had her go.  
But yet she would not do so,  
And in the dark forth she goeth  
Till she him toucheth and he wroth,  
And after her with his hand  
He smote, and thus when she him fond  
diseased, courteisly she said;  
E●oy my lord, I am a maid:  
And if ye wist, what I am,  
And out of what lineage I came,  
Ye would not be so salvage.  
with that he sobreth his courage,    

¶ 〈◊〉 sicut deus destinavit paterfilian inven 〈…〉.  

¶ And put away his heavy cheer.  
〈◊〉 of 'em two a man may lere  
what is to be so sib of blood.  
〈◊〉 wist of other how it stood,  
And yet the father at last  
His heart upon this maid cast,  
A hath her loveth kindly:  
And yet he wist never why;  
〈◊〉 all was know or that they went.  
your god wot her hole intent  
Her hearts both anon discloseth.  
This king unto this maid opposeth,  
And asketh first, what is her name,  
And where she learned all this game,  
And of what kin she was come.  
And she that hath his words nome,  
Answereth, & saith: my name is Thayse  
That was sometime well at ease.  
In Charse I was forthdrawe & fed:  
There I learned, till I was sped  
Of that I can my father eke  
I not where that I should him seek:  
He was a king men told me.  
My mother dreynt in the see.  
from point to point all she him told  
That she hath long in heart hold,  
And never durst make her moan  
But only to this lord alone;  
To whom her heart can not he'll  
Turn it to woe, turn it to weal,  
Turn it to good, turn it to harm.   

And he though took her in his arm:  
But such a joy as he though made  
was never seen thus been they glade  
That sorry hadden be toforne.  
from this day fortune hath sworn  
To set him upward on the wheel.  
" So goth the world, now woe, now weal.    

¶ Qualiter Athenagoras Appolinum de navi in hospicium honorifice recollegit, et Thaisim/ patre consensciente, in uxorem duxit.  

¶ This king hath found new grace,  
So that out of his dark place,  
He goth him up in to the light;  
And with him came that sweet wight  
His daughter Thayse and forth anon  
They both into the cabin gone,  
which was ordained for the king;  
And there he did of all his thing,  
And was arrayed rially:  
And out he came all openly,  
where Athenagoras be fond  
which was lord of all the land.  
He prayeth the king to come and see  
His castle both, and his cite.  
And thus they gone forthall in fere  
This king, this lord, this maiden dear.  
This lord though made 'em rich feast  
with every thing, which was honest,  
To please with this worthy king:  
There lacketh 'em no manner thing.  
But yet for all his noble array  
wifeless he was unto that day,  
As he that yet was of young age.   

So fell there in to his courage  
" The lusty woe, the glad pain  
" Of love, which no man restrain  
" Yet never might as now tofore.  
This lord thinketh all this world lore  
But if the king will done him grace.  
He waiteth time, he waiteth place,  
Him thought his heart would to break  
Till he may to this maid speak,  
And to her father eke also  
For marriage, and it fell so,  
That all was done, right as he thought,  
His purpose to an end he brought;  
She wedded him as for her lord,  
Thus been they all of one accord.    

¶ Qualter Appolinus una cum filia et eius marito navim ingredients a Mitilena usque Tharsim cursum proposuerunt: sed Appolinus in sompnis admottus versus Ephesim, ut ibidēin templo Dia ne sacrificaret, vela per mare divertit.  

¶ when all was done right as they would,  
The king unto his son told  
Of Tharse thilk trayterye;  
And said, how in his company  
His daughter and him seluen eke  
Shall go vengeance for to seek.   

The ships were ready son.  
And when they saw it was to done,  
without let of any went  
with sail up draw forth they went  
Toward Tharse upon the tide.  
But he that wot, what shall betide,  
The high god, which would him keep;  
when that this king was fast a sleep  
By nights time he hath him bid  
To sail unto another stead,  
To Ephesym he bade him draw  
And (as it was that time law)  
He shall do there his sacrifice:  
And eke he bade in all wise  
That in the temple amongst all  
His fortune, as it is befall  
touching his daughter, and his wife,  
He shall be know upon his life.   

The king of this avision  
Hath great imagination  
what thing it signify may.  
And nevertheless when it was day  
He bade cast anchor, and abode.  
And while that he on anchor road,  
The wind, that was tofore strange,  
Upon the point began to change,  
And turneth thither, as it should.  
though knew he well, that god it would:  
And bade the master make him yare,  
Tofore the wind for he would far  
To Ephesym; and so he deed.  
And when he came in to the stead  
where as he should land, he londeth;  
with all the haste he may and fondeth  
To shapen him in such a wise,  
That he may by the morrow arise  
And done after the mandment  
Of him, which hath him thither sent.  
And in the wise that he thought  
Upon the morrow so he wrought.  
His daughter, and his son he nome,  
And forth to the temple he come  
with a great rout in company,  
His yefts for to sacryfye.   

The citizens though herden say  
Of such a king, that came to pray  
Unto diane the goddess:  
And left all other business,  
They comen thither for to see  
The king and the solemnity.    

¶ Qualiter Appolinus Ephesim in templo Dia ne sacrificans/ uxorem suam ibidem velatam in venit, qua secum assumpta navim, versus Tyril regressus est.  

¶ with worthy knights environed  
The king himself hath abandoned  
To the temple in good intent.  
The door is up, and in he went,  
where as with great devotion  
Of holy contemplation  
within his heart he made his shrift.  
And after that a rich gift  
He offereth with great reverence.  
And there in open audience  
Of 'em that stooden all about,  
He told 'em, and declareth out  
His hap, such as him is befall  
There was no thing foryete of all.  
His wife (as it was god's grace)  
which was professed in the place  
As she that was abbess there;  
Unto his tale hath laid her ere,  
She knew the voice, and the visage:  
For pure joy as in a rage  
She 'straught to him all at ones,  
And fell a swoon upon the stones/  
whereof the temple flore was paved.  
She was anon with water laved  
Till she came to herself again;  
And than she began to say:   

A blessed be the high sonde  
That I may see my husband  
which whilom he, and I were one.   

The king with that knew her anon,  
And took her in his arm, and kyst:  
And all the town this son it wist.  
though was there joy manifold:  
For every man this tale hath told  
As for miracle, & weren glade.  
But never man such joy made  
As doth the king which hath his wife.  
And when men heard how that her life  
was saved, and by whom it was,  
They wondered all of such a case:  
Through all the land arose the speech  
Of master Cerimon the leech,  
And of the cure which he deed.  
The king himself though hath heed  
〈◊〉 seek the queen forth with him  
〈◊〉 ●he the town of Ephesym  
〈◊〉 leave, and go where as they be:  
〈◊〉 never man of his degree  
Hath do to hem so michel good.  
And he his profit understood,  
And granteth with 'em for to wend.  
And thus they maden there an end:  
And token leave, and gone to ship  
〈◊〉 had the hole fellowship.    

¶ Qualiter Arcelinus una cum uxore et filia 〈…〉 ●●●l●e●●t.  
¶ This king (which now hath his desire)  
Saith he will hold his course to tire.  
They hadden wind at will tho,  
with topsail cool, and forth they go:  
And stricken never till they come  
To Lyre where as they have nome,  
And ●●nden hem with mochel bliss;  
There was many a mouth to kiss,  
Each one welcometh other home.  
But when the queen to land come  
And Thayse her daughter by her side,  
The which joy was thilk tide  
There may no mans tongue tell:  
They saiden all, here cometh the well  
Of all womannysshe grace.  
The king hath take his royal place,  
The queen is in to chamber go.  
There was great fest arrayed tho:  
when time was they gone to mete.  
All old sorrows been foryete,  
And gladden 'em with joys new,  
The discoloured pale hew  
Is now become a ruddy cheek,  
There was no mirth for to seek:   

¶ Qualiter Appolinus Athenagord cum Thase uxore sua super Tyrum coronari fecit.  

¶ But every man hath what he would.  
The king (as he well could and should)  
maketh to his people right good cheer.  
And after soon (as thou shalt here)  
A parliament he had summoned,  
where he his daughter hath coroned  
Forth with the lord of Mitelene,  
That one is king, that other queen.   

And thus the father's ordinance  
This land hath set in governance:  
And said, that he would wend  
To Tharse, for to make an end  
Of that his daughter was betrayed.  
whereof were all men well paid,  
And said, how it was for to done.  
The ships weren ready soon.    

¶ Qualiter Appolinus a Tyro per mare versus Tharsim iter arripiens, vindictam contra Strangulionem et Dionisiam uxorem suam ꝓ inviria, quam ipsi ta●si filie sue italerunt, iudicialiter affecutus est.  

¶ A strong power with him he took.  
Upon the sky he cast his look  
And sigh the wind was covenable:  
They hale up anchor with the cable,  
They seyle on high, the steer on hand,  
They seylen, till they come a land  
At Tharse nigh to the cite.   

And when they wisten it was he,  
The town hath done him reverence.   

He telleth 'em the violence  
which the traitor Strangulio  
And Dionise him had do  
touching his daughter, (as ye heard.)  
And when they wist, how it feared,  
As he which peace and love sought,  
Unto the town this he besought  
To done him right in judgement.   

Anon they weren both assent,  
with strength of men and comen soon.  
And (as hem thought it was to done)  
attain they weren by the law,  
And deemed so hanged and draw  
And brent, and with wind to blow,  
That all the world it might know.  
And upon this condition  
The doom in execution  
was put anon without fail.  
And every man hath great marvel  
which heard tell of this chance;  
And thonked gods purveyance  
which doth mercy forth with justice.  
Slain is the mordrer, and the mordrice  
Through very troth of rightwiseness:  
And through mercy save is simplesse  
Of her, whom mercy preserveth.  
" Thus hath he well, that well deserveth.    

¶ Qualiter Artestrate Pentapolim rege mortuo, ipsi de regno epistolas super hoc Appolino direx erunt. unde Appolinus una cum uxore sua ibidem advenientes ad decus imperii cum magno gaudio coronati sunt.  

☞ when all this thing is done & ended,  
This king (which loved was & friended)  
A letter hath, which came to him  
By ship fro Pentapolym;  
In which the land hath to him writ  
That he would understand and wite  
How in good mind and in good peace  
Deed is the king Artestrates:  
whereof they all of one accord  
Him prayden (as her lyege lord)  
That be the letter will receive  
And come, his reign to receive  
which god hath give him, and fortune:  
And thus besought the common  
Forthwith the great lords all.   

This king sigh how it is befall:  
from Tharse and in prosperity  
He took his leave of that city  
And goeth him in to ship again.  
The wind was good, these was plain,  
Him needeth not a ryffe to slake  
Till they Pentapolym have take.  
The loud which heard of that tydinge,  
was wonder glad of his coming,  
He resteth him a day or two;  
And took his council to him tho  
And set a time of parliament;  
where all the land of one assent  
Forthwith his wife have him croned,  
where all good him was forsoned.   

Lo what it is to be well grounded.  
For he hath first his love founded  
Honestly as for to wed,  
Honestly his love he sped,  
And had children with his wife,  
And as him list he led his life.  
And in ensample his life was write  
That all lovers mighten wit  
How at last it shall be seen  
Of love what they wolden mean.   

For see now on that other side  
Antiochus with all his pride  
which set his love unkindly,  
His end had suddenly  
Set again kind upon vengeance,  
And for his lust hath his penance.  
¶ Lo thus my son might thou ler●  
what is to love in good manner,  
And what to love in other wise.  
" The meed ariseth of the service,  
Fortune though she be not stable,  
yet at sometime is favourable  
To hem, that been of love true.  
But certes it is for to rue  
To see love again kind fall:  
For that maketh sore a man to fall,  
(As thou might of tofore read.)  
For thy my son I would the rede  
To let all other love a weigh,  
But if it be through such away  
As love and reason would accord.  
For else if that thou discord  
And take lust as doth a beast,  
Thy love may nought been honest.  
For (by no skill that I find)  
Such lust is nought of loves kind.    

¶ Confessio amantis/ unde pro finali conclusione consilium confessoris impetrat.  

¶ My father how so that it stand  
Your tale is herd, and understand.  
As thing, which worthy is to here  
Of great ensample and great matter  
whereof my father god you quite.   

But in this point myself acquit  
I may right well, that never yet  
I was assoted in my wit  
But only in that worthy place,  
where all lust and all grace  
Is set, if that Danger ne were  
But that is all my most fere.  
I not what ye fortune acoumpte.  
But what thing Danger may amount  
I wots well: for I have assayed.  
For when mine heart is best arrayed  
And I have all my wit through sought  
Of love to beseech her aught  
For all that ever I sick may  
I am concluded with a nay.  
That o syllable hath over throw  
A thousand words on a row  
Of such as I best speak can  
Thus am I but a lewd man.   

But father, for ye been a clerk  
Of love, and this matter is dark  
And I can ever longer the lass,  
(But yet I may not let it pass)  
Your hole council I beseech  
That ye me by some weigh teach,  
what is my best, as for an end.  
¶ My son unto the troth wend  
Now will I for the love of the  
And let all other trifles be.    

❧ Hic super amoris causa finita confession, 〈◊〉 Genius ea/ que sibi salubrius expedi 〈◊〉 consilio finaliter iniungit.  

¶ The more that the need is buy  
The more it needeth to be sly  
To him which hath the need on hand  
I have well herd and understand  
My son, all that thou hast me seyed:  
And eke of that thou hast me prayed  
Now at this time that I shall  
As for conclusion final  
Counceyl upon thy need set,  
So think I finally to knit  
Thy cause, there it is to broke  
And make an end of that is spoke.  
For I behight the that gift:  
first when thou come under my shrift  
That though I toward Venus were  
Yet spoke I such words there  
That for the priesthood, which I have  
Mine order, and mine estate to save  
I said, I would of mine office  
To virtue more than to vice  
incline, and teach the my lore.  
For thy to speaken overmore  
Of love, which the may avail.   

Take love, where it may avail.  
For as of this, which thou art in  
By that thou seest it is a sin,  
And sin may no price deserve,  
whithoute price and who shall serve  
I note what profit might avail.  
This followeth it, if thou travail  
where thou no profit haste ne price,  
Thou art toward thyself unwise  
And sith thou mightest lust attain,  
Of every lust the end is pain.  
And every pain is good to flee,  
So is it wonder thing to see,  
why such a thing shall be desired  
The more that a stock is fired  
The rather in to ash it turneth.  
The foot, which in the weigh sporneth  
Full oft his heed hath overthrow  
Thus love is blind, and can not know  
where that he goeth, till he be fall.  
For thy but if it so befall  
with good council that he be lad  
Him ought for to be a dread.  
For council passeth all thing  
To him, which thinketh to been a king  
And every man for his party  
A kingdom hath to justify.  
That is to say his own doom.  
If he misrule that kingdom  
He loseth himself, that is more  
Than if he lost ship and ore  
And all the worlds good with all.  
For what man that in special  
Hath not himself he hath not else.  
No more the pearls than the shells  
All is to him of o value  
Though he had all his retinue  
The wide world right as he would  
when he his heart hath not with hold  
Toward himself, all is in vain  
And thus my son I would say  
As I said er, that thou arise  
ere that thou fall in such awyse  
That thou ne might thyself recover  
For love which that blind was ever  
maketh all his servants blind also,   

My son and if thou have been so  
Yet is it time to withdraw  
And set thine heart under that law  
The which of reason is governed  
And not of will: and to be learned  
ensample thou hast many one  
Of now and eke of time a gone,  
That every lust is but a while  
And who that will himself beguile  
He may the rather be deceived.   

My son now thou hast conceived  
Somewhat of that I would mean  
Here afterward it shall be seen  
If that thou leave upon my lore.  
For I can do to the no more  
But teach thee, the right weigh  
Now cheese, if thou wilt live or die.    

¶ Hic loquitur de controversia, que inter confessorem et amantem in fine confessionis versabatur  

¶ My father so as I have heard  
Your tale, but it were answered  
I were much for to blame.  
My woe to you is but a game,  
That feeleth not of that I feel.  
The feeling of a man's hele  
May not be likened to the heart,  
I nought though I would a start  
And ye be free from all the pain  
Of love, whereof I me plain,  
It is right easy to command.  
The heart/ which fire goeth on the launde  
Not of an ox what him aileth,  
It falleth oft a man marveleth  
Of that he seeth another fare.  
But if he knew himself the fare  
And felt it, as it is in sooth,  
He should do right as he doth  
Or else worse in his degree.  
For well I wot and so do ye  
That love hath ever yet been used,  
So moat I need been excused.   

But father if ye would thus  
Unto Cupyde and to Venus  
Be friendly toward my quarrel  
So that my heart were in hele  
Of love, which is in my breast  
I wot well than a better pressed  
was never made to my behove,  
But all the while that I haue  
In none certain between the two,  
I not where I to well or woe  
Shall torn: that is all my dread,  
So that I not what is to read.  
But for final conclusion  
I think a supplication  
with plain words and express  
write unto Venus the goddess,  
The which I pray you to bear  
And bring again a good answer.   

though was between my pressed and me  
Debate, and great perplexite.  
My reason understood him weal  
And knew it was soothe every deal  
That he hath said, but not for thy  
My will hath no thing set there by  
For touching of so wise a port  
It is unto love no disport.  
Yet might never man behold  
Reason, where love was withhold.  
They be not of o governance.   

And thus we fellen in distance  
My pressed and I, but I spoke fair  
And through my words debonair  
Than at last we accorden  
So that he saith, he will accorden  
To speak, and stand on my side  
To Venus both and to cupid,  
And bade me write, what I would.  
And said me truly that he should  
My letter here unto the queen.  
And I sat down upon the green  
fulfilled of loves fantasy  
And with the tears of mine eye  
In stead of ink, I 'gan to write  
The words, which I will indite.  
Unto Cupyde and to Venus  
And in my letter I said thus.    

☞ Hic tractat formam cuiusdam supplicatio nis, quam ex part amantis per manus Genii sa cerdotis sui, Venus sibi porrectam acceptabat.  

❧ The woeful pain of loves malady  
again the which may no physic avail  
My heart hath so be wapped with sotie  
That where so that I rest or travail  
I find it ever ready to assail  
My reason, which can not him defend  
Th● seek I help whereof I might amend   

first to nature if that I me complain  
There find I bow that every creature  
Sontime a year hath love in his demayne  
So that the little wren in his measure  
Have of kind love under his cure  
And I but one desire, which I miss  
So but I, hath every kind his bliss   

The reason of my wit it overpasseth  
Of that nature teacheth me the weigh  
To love, & yet no certain she compasseth  
How shall I speed & thus between the twey  
I stand, and not if I shall live or die  
For though reason again my will debate  
〈◊〉 ●ay not flee, that I ne love algate.   

Upon myself this ilk tale come  
How whilom Pan, which is the god of kind  
●●th love wrestled, & is overcome  
For ever I wrestle, & ever I am behind  
That I no strength in all my heart find  
whereof that I may stonden any throw  
So for my wit with love is overthrow   

whom needeth help, he mote his help crave  
Or helpless he shall his need spill  
plainly throughout my wits all I have  
But none of hem can help after my will  
And also well I might sit still  
As pray unto my lady of any help  
Thus wot I not whereof myself to yelp   

Unto the great jove and if I bid  
To do me grace of thilk sweet ton  
which under key, in his seller● 〈◊〉  
Lieth couched, that fortune is overcome  
But of the bitter cup I have bego●●●  
I not how oft, & thus I find no game  
For ever I ask, & ever it is the same.   

I see the world stand ever upon change  
Now winds loud, now the weather soft  
I may seek the great moan chaune  
And thing which now is low is eft aloft  
The dreadful wars in to pes full oft  
They torn, & ever is Danger in o place  
which will change his will to do me grace   

But upon this the great clerk Ovid  
Of love when he maketh his remembrance  
He saith: there is the blind god Cupid  
The which hath love under governance  
And in hand with many a fiery lance  
He wondeth oft, where he will not hele  
And that somedeal is cause of my quarrel   

ovid eke saith, that love to perform  
Stant in the bond of Venus the goddess,  
But when she taketh council with Saturn  
There is no grace, & in that time I guess  
Began my love, of which mine heaviness  
Is now & ever shall, but if I speed  
So wots I not myself what is to read.   

For thy to you cupid & Venus both  
with all my hearts obeisance I pray  
If ye were at first time wroth  
when I began to love, I you say  
Now stint, and do this fortune away  
So that Danger which stont of retynew  
with my lady, his place may remove   

O thou Cupyde god of loves law  
That with thy dart burning haste set a fire  
My heart, do that wound bewithdraw  
Or give me salve, such as I desire  
For service in thy court withouten hire  
To me, which ever hath kept thin best  
May never be to loves law honest,   

O thou gentle Venus loves quen●  
without guilt thou dost on me thy wrech  
Thou wot●●t my pain is over alich green  
For love, & yet I may i● not ●reche  
Thus would I for my last word beseech  
That thou ●y love acquit, as I deserve  
Or else do me plainly for to starve.    

¶ Hic loquitur, qualiter Venus accepta amantis supplicacione, indilate ad singula respondit.  

¶ when I this supplication  
with good deliberation  
In such a wise as ye now wite  
Had after mine intent write  
Unto Cupyde and to Venus  
This priest, which hight Ge●●yus  
It took on bond to present,  
On my message and forth he went  
To Venus, for to wit her will  
And I bod in the place still  
And was there but a little while  
Not full the mountaunce of a mile  
when I beheld, and suddenly  
I sigh where Venus stood me by.  
So as I might, under a tree  
To ground I fell upon knee  
And preyed her for to do me grace,  
She cast her cheer upon my face  
And as it were baluing a game  
She asketh me, what was my name.  
Madam I said, johan Gower.   

Now johan, quoth she, in my power  
Thou must as of thy love stand  
For I thy bill have understand  
In which to Cupyde and to me  
Somdele thou hast complained thee  
And somedeal to nature also,  
But that shall stand among you two,  
For thereof have I not to done,  
For nature is under the moan  
mistress of every lives kind.  
But if so be that she may find  
Some holy man, that will withdraw  
Her kindly lust again her law,  
But seld when it falleth so  
For few men there been of tho.   

But of these other enough there be  
which of her own nycite  
again nature and her office  
delighten 'em in sundry vice  
whereof that she full oft hath plained  
And eke my court it hath disdained  
And ever shall: for it receiveth  
None such, that kind so deceiveth.   

For all onelyche of gentle love  
My court stont, all courts above  
And taketh nought into retinue  
But thing, which is to kind dew  
For else it shall be refused  
whereof I hold the excused.  
For it is many days gone  
That thou among 'em were one  
which of my court hast be withhold  
So that the more I am behold  
Of thy disease to commune  
And to remove that fortune  
which many days hath the grieved.  
But if my counsel may believed  
Thou shalt be eased or thou go  
Of thilk unsilly jolly woe,  
whereof thou sayest thine heart is fired.  
But as of that thou hast desired  
After the sentence of thy bill,  
Thou must thereof done at my will  
And I thereof me will advise:  
For be thou hole, it shall suffice  
My medicine is not to seek  
The which is wholesome to the seek  
Not all perchance as ye it would  
But so as ye by reason should,  
Accordaunt unto loves kind.  
For in the plight, which I the find  
So as my court it hath awarded  
Thou shalt be duly rewarded.  
And if thou wouldest more crave  
It is no right that thou it have.   
Qui cupit id, que habere nequit, sua tempora ꝑdit,  
Est ubi non posse velle, salute carer.  
Non aestatis opus gelidis hirsuta capillos  
Cum calor abcessit aequiparabit hyems.  
Sicut habet maius non dat naturae decembri  
Nec poterit compar floribus esse lutum.  
Sic neque decrepita senum juvenile voluptas  
Floret in obsequium, quod Venus ipsa petit.  
Conueniens ignur foret, ut qd cana senectus  
Attigit, ulterius corpora casta colant.   

Hic contra quoscumque viros inveteratos amoris cōcupiscentiam affectantes loquitur Venus, huiusque amantis confessi supplicationem quasi deridens, ipsum pro eo ꝙ senescit, debilis est, multis exhortationibus insufficientem redarguit.  

¶ Venus which stant without law  
In none certain, but as men draw  
Of Ragman upon the chance  
She layeth no poise in the balance,  
But as her liketh for to weigh  
The true man full oft away  
She put, which hath her grace bede  
And set an untrue in his stead.   

Lo thus blindly the world she deemeth  
In loves cause as to me seemeth,  
I not what other men would said,  
But I algate am so beseyne  
●nd stand as one amongst all  
w●●che am out of her grace fall,  
breeds take no witness  
〈◊〉 she, which said is the goddess  
〈◊〉 whether part of love it wend  
Hath set me for a final end  
The point whereto that I shall hold.  
F●● when she hath me well behold  
●aluynge of scorn she said thus:  
Thou wost well that I am Venus  
which all only my lusts seche.  
〈◊〉 well I wot though thou beseech  
My love, lusts been there none  
which I may take in thy person.  
For loves lust and locks door  
I● chamber accorden nevermore.  
And though thou feign a young courage  
I● showeth well by thy visage  
That old grysell is no sole  
There been full many years stole,  
●●to thee, and such other more  
That outward feign youth so  
And been within of poor assay.  
My heart would, and I ne may  
Is nought beloved now a days,  
E● thou make any such assays  
To love, and fail upon thy feet  
Better is to make a beau retreat.  
For though thou mightest love attain  
Yet were it but an idle pain  
when thou art not suffisaunte,  
To hold love his covenant,   

For thy take home thy heart again  
That thou travail not in vain  
whereof my court may be deceived.  
I wot, and have it well conceived  
How that thy will is good enough.  
But more behoveth to the plough  
whereof the lacketh as I trow  
So sit it well, that thou beknow  
Thy feeble estate ere thou begin  
Thing, where thou might none end win.  
what bargeyn should a man assay  
when that him lacketh for to pay?   

My son if that thou well bethought  
This toucheth thee, foryete it nought,  
The thing is turned in to was  
The which was whilom green grass  
Is weathered hay, as time now  
For thy my council is that thou  
Remember well, how thou art old.    

☞ Qualiter super derisoriam Veneris exhortacionem contristatus amans quasi mortuus in te●ram coruit, ubi ut sibi videbatur, Cupidinem cum innumera multitudine nuper amantum varus turmis assistenciam conspiciebat.  

¶ when Venus hath her tale told  
That I bethought was all about  
And wist well withouten doubt  
That there was no recoverire  
And as a man the blaze of fire  
with water quencheth, so feared I,  
A cold me caught suddenly  
For sorrow that my heart made  
My deadly face pale and fade  
Became, and swoon I fell to ground.  
And as I lay the same stound  
Ne fully quick, ne fully deed  
Me thought I saw tofore mine heed  
cupid with his bow bent  
And like unto a parliament  
which were ordained for the nonce  
with him came all the world atones  
Of gentle folk, that whilom were  
Lovers, I saw 'em all there  
Forth with Cupyde in sundry rowtes.  
Mine eye I cast all abouts  
To know among 'em who was who  
I sigh where lusty youngth tho  
As he which was a captain,  
Before all other upon the plain  
Stood with his rout well begun.  
Her deeds kempt, and thereupon  
Garlands, not of one colour,  
Some of the leaf, some of the flower.  
And some of great pearls were.  
The new guise of Beme was there  
with sundry things well devised  
I see, whereof they be queyntysed  
It was all lust, that they with feared.  
There was no song that I ne herd  
which unto love was touching.  
Of Pan, and all that was liking  
As in piping of melody  
was herd in thilk company  
So loud, that on every side  
It thought that all the heaven cried  
In such accord, and such a sown  
Of humbarde, and of clariowne,  
with cornemuse, and shalmele,  
That it was half a man's hele  
So glad a noise for to here.   

And as me thought in this manner  
All fresh I sigh 'em spring & dance  
And do to love her entendaunce  
After the lust of yongthes' best  
There was enough of joy and fest.  
For ever among they laugh and play  
And put Care out of the weigh  
That he with him ne sat ne stood.  
And over this I understood  
So as mine ere might areche  
The most matter of her speech    

¶ De nominibus illorum nuper amantum qui tune amanti spasmato aliqui invenes, aliqui senes apparnerunt. Senes autem praecipue tam erga deunquam deam amoris pro sanitate amantis recuparanda multiplicatis precibus misericorditer inflabant.  

It was of knyghtode & of arms.  
And what it is to lig in arms  
with love, when it is achieved  
There was Tristram, which was beloved  
with hele I sold: and Lancelot  
Stood with Gonnor: and Galahot  
with his lady: & as me thought  
I saw where jason with him brought  
His love, which Creusa height.  
And Hercules, which mochel might,  
was there, bearing his great mace.  
And most of all in thilk place  
He paineth him to make cheer  
with jolen, which was him dear.  
Theseus though he were untrue  
To love, as all women knew,  
Yet was he there nevertheless  
with Phedra, which to love he chose,  
Of grece eke there was Thelamon  
which fro the king Laomedon  
At Troy his daughter rest away.  
Eseonen, as for his prey  
which take was, when jason came  
from Colchos, and the cite nam  
In vengeance of the first hate  
That made 'em after to debate  
when Pryamus the new town  
Hath made, and in a vysiowne  
Me thought that I sigh also  
Hector forth with his brethren two  
Himself stood with Penthasilee  
And next to him I might see  
where Paris stood with fair Helen  
which was his joy sovereign.  
And Troilus stood with Creseyde  
But ever among though he played  
By semblant he was heavy cheered.  
For diomed, as him was lered  
Claimeth to be his partynere.  
And thus full many a bachelor  
A thousand more than I can say  
with youngth I sigh there well beseyne  
Forth with her loves glad & blithe.   

And some I sigh, which oft sith  
Compleynen 'em in otherwise.  
Among the which I saw Narcyse,  
And Pyramus, that sorry were.  
The worthy greek also was there  
Achilles, which for love died.  
Agamemnon eke as men seyed  
And Menelay the king also  
I sigh, with many an other more  
which hadden be fortuned sore  
In loves cause: And overmore  
Of women in the same case  
with hem I sigh where Dido was  
Forsake which was with Aene.  
And Philis eke I might see  
whom Demephon deceived had.  
And Ariadne her sorrow lad  
For Theseus her sister took  
And her unkindly forsook.   

I sigh there eke among the prees  
Compleyninge upon Hercules  
His first love Deianyre  
which set him afterward a fire.   

Medea was there eke, and plaineth  
Upon jason, for that he feigneth  
●●●hout cause and took a new  
The said, fie on all untrue.   

I sigh there Deidamie  
which had lost the company  
Of achilles', when diomed  
〈◊〉 proye him set upon the need.  
Among these other upon the green  
〈◊〉 also the woeful queen  
●●●patras, which in a grave  
〈◊〉 serpents hath herself begrave  
A●●q●●cke, and so she was to tore  
●or sorrow of that she had lore  
A●tony, which her love hath be.   

A●d forth with her I sigh Thy she  
〈◊〉 be on thes harp swords point  
〈◊〉 love died in sorry point.  
〈◊〉 as my near it might know  
〈◊〉 ●ayde, woe worth all slow.   

The pleint of Proigne and Philomene  
〈◊〉 heard I what it would mean,  
〈◊〉 Thereus of his untruth  
●ndyd 'em both, & that was ruth.   

And next to him I saw Canace  
which for Machayr her father's grace  
●●th lost, and died in woeful plight.   

And as I sigh in my spirit  
The thought among other thus  
The daughter of king Priamus  
Pol●●ena, whom Pyrrus slough  
was there, and made sorrow enough:  
As she which died guiltless  
For love, and yet was loveless.   

And for to take the disport  
I saw there some of other port,  
And that was Circe's, and Calypse  
That couthen do the moan clypse,  
Of men and change the likeness,  
Of artmagik sorceress  
They held in hand many one  
To love, whether they would or none.   

But above all that there were  
Of women I saw four there  
whose name I heard most commended.  
By hem the court stood all amended.  
For where they comen in presence  
Men diden 'em the reverence  
As though they had been goddesses  
Of all the world, or empresses.  
And as me thought, an ere I laid  
And heard, how that these other said,   

Lo these been the four wives  
whose faith was proved in her lives  
For in ensample of all good  
with marriage so they stood  
That fame, which no great thing hideth  
Yet in chronic of hem abideth.   

Penolope that one was hot  
whom many a knight hath loved hot  
while that her lord Vlyxes lay  
Full many a year and many a day  
Upon the great siege of Troy:  
But she, which hath no worlds joy  
But only of her husband  
while that her lord was out of land  
So well she kept her womanhead  
That all the world thereof took heed  
And namlyche of 'em in Grece.   

That other woman was Lucrece  
wife to the roman Collatyne.  
And she constrained of Tarquyne  
To thing, which was against her will  
She would not her seluen still  
But died only for dread of shame  
In keeping of her good name  
As she which was one of the best.   

The third wife was hot Alceste  
which when Admetus should die  
Upon his great malady  
She prayed unto the gods so  
That she receiveth all the woe  
And died herself, to give him life  
See where this were a noble wife.   

The fourth wife, which I there sigh  
I heard of 'em that were nigh  
How she was cleped Alceone  
which Ceix her lord alone  
And to no more her body kept  
And when she sigh him drench, she leapt  
Into the waves, where he swum  
And there a se foul she became  
And with her wings she him besprad  
For love that she to him had.   

Lo these four weren though  
which I sigh as me thought tho  
Among the great company  
which love had for to gye.  
But youth, which in special  
Of loves court was marchal,  
So busy was upon his lay  
That he none heed, where he lay  
Hath take, And than as I beheld  
We thoughc I sigh upon the field  
where Eld came a softte pace  
Toward Venus, there as she was  
with him great company he lad  
But not so feel as youth had.  
The most part were of great age  
And that was seen in her visage  
And not for thy so as they might  
They made 'em yongely to the sight  
But yet I heard no pipes there  
To make mirth in man's ere  
But the music I might know  
For old men, which swooned low  
with harp, and lute, and with cytole  
The hove dance, and the carole  
In such a wise as love hath bid  
A soft paas they dance and trede,  
And with the women otherwhile  
with sober cheer among they smile.  
For laughter was there none on high.  
And nevertheless full well I fie  
That they the more quaint it made  
For love, in whom they weren glad  
And there me thought I might see  
The king david with Bersabe  
And Solomon was not without  
Passing an hundredth in a rout  
Of wives and of concubines,  
●ewes eke and saracenes  
To him I sight all intendaunt,  
I not where he were suffisant.  
But nevertheless for all his wit  
He was attached with that writ  
which love with his hand enseleth  
From whom none earthly man appealeth  
And over this, as for no wonder  
with his lion, which he put under  
with Dalida Samson I knew  
whose love his strength all overthrew.  
I saw there Arystotle also  
whom that the queen of Grece also  
Hath bridled, that in thilk time  
She made him such a sylogesyme  
That he foryate all his logic  
Theridamas was none art of his practic  
Through which it might been excluded  
That he ne was fully concluded  
To love, and did his obeisance.   

And eke Virgile of acquaintance  
I sigh, where he the maiden prayed  
which was the daughter, as men said  
Of th'emperor whilom of Rome.  
Sorts and Plato with him come  
So did O vyde the poet,  
I thought than how love is sweet  
which hath so wise men reclaimed  
And was myself the lass ashamed  
Or for to lose or for to win  
In the mischief that I was in.  
And thus I lay in hope of grace.  
And when they comen to the place  
where Venus stood, and I was fall  
This old men with one voice all  
To Venus' prayden for my sake.  
And she that might not forsake  
So great a clamour, as was there  
let pity come in to her ere  
And forth with all unto cupid  
She prayeth, that he upon his side  
Me would through his grace send  
Some comfort, that I might amend  
Upon the caas, which is befall.  
And thus for me they prayden all  
Of 'em that weren old about  
And eke some of the young rout  
And of gentiles and pure troth  
I heard 'em tell, it was great ruth  
That I withouten help so feared  
And thus me thought I lay and herd    

¶ Hic tractat, qualiter Cupido amantis senectute confracti viscera perscrutans, ignita sue concupiscentie tela ab eo penitus extraxit, quem Venus postea absque calore percipiens/ vacuum reliquit, Et sic tandem provisa senectus rationem invocans, hominem interiorem perprins amore infatuatum mentis sanitati plenius restauravit.  

¶ cupid which may hurt and he'll  
In loves cause, as for my hele  
Upon the point which him was prayed  
Cam with Venus, where I was laid  
Swounend upon the green grass  
And as me thought anon there was  
On every side so great prees  
That every life began to prees  
I wots not well how many score  
such as I spoke of now tofore  
Lovers, that comen to behold  
But most of 'em that were old  
They stoden there at thilk tide  
To see what end shall be tied  
Upon the cure of my soty.  
though might I here great party  
Spekende, and each his own advice  
Hath told, one that, another this.  
But among all this I heard  
They weren woe, that I so feared  
And saiden that for no riot  
An old man should not assote.  
For as they tolden readily  
There is in him no cause why,  
But if he would himself be nice,  
So were he well the more nice.  
And thus desputen some of tho  
And some saiden no thing so  
But that the wild loves rage  
In man's life forbeareth none age  
while there is oil for to fire  
The lamp is lightly set a fire  
And is full herd ere it be quaint  
But only if he be some saint  
which god preserveth of his grace.  
And thus me thought in sundry place  
Of 'em that walken up and down  
There was divers opinion.  
And so for a while it last  
Till that cupid to the last  
Forthwith his mother full advised  
Hath determined and devised  
Unto what point he will descend  
And all this time I was lyggende  
Upon the ground tofore his eyen,  
And they that my disease syen  
Supposen nought I should live  
But he, which would then give  
His grace, so as it may be  
This blind god, which may not see  
Hath groped, till that he me fond.  
And as he put forth his hand  
Upon my body, where I lay  
Me thought a fiery launcegaye  
which whilom through my heart he cast  
He pulleth out, and also fast  
As this was do, Cupyde name  
His weigh, I not where he became  
And so did all the remnant  
which unto him was entendaunt  
Of 'em that in a vision  
I had a revelation  
So as I told now tofore.  
But Venus went nought therefore  
Ne Genius/ which thilk time  
Aboden both fast bime,  
And she which may the hearts bind  
In loves cause, & eke unbind,  
Ere I out of my trance aroos,  
Venus which held a box close,  
And would not I should die,  
Took out, more cold then any key,  
An ointment: and in such point  
She hath my wounded heart anoint,  
My temples, and my reins also.  
And forth with all she took me though  
A wonder mirror for to hold,  
In which she had me to behold  
And take heed, of that I say.  
wherein anon my hearts eye  
I cast, and saw my colour fade,  
Mine eyen dim, and all unglade,  
My cheeks thin, and all my face  
with eld I might see deface,  
So riveled, and so woe beseen  
That there was no thingeful ne plain.   

I saw also mine heart's hore,  
My will was tho to see no more  
On which for there was no pleasance.  
And then into my remembrance  
I drew mine old days passed  
And as reason it hath compassed.    

¶ Quod status hominis mensibus anni equiperatur.  

¶ I made a likeness of myself  
Unto the sundry months twelve  
whereof the year in his estate  
Is made, and stant upon debate,  
That like to other none accordeth  
For who the times well recordeth,  
And than at March if he begin  
when that the lusty year cometh in  
Till that August be passed & September  
The mighty youngth he may remember  
In which the year hath his deduite  
Of grass, of lief, of flower, of fruit  
Of corn, and eke the wyny grape  
And afterward the time is shape  
To frost, to snow, to wind, to rain  
Till eft that March be come again.  
The winter will no summer know  
The green lief is overthrow,  
The clothed earth is than bore  
Despoiled is the summer far,  
That erst was heat, is than chele,  
And thus thynkende thoughts feel  
I was out of my swoon afraid,  
whereof I sigh my wits strayed  
And 'gan to clepe 'em home again.  
And when reason it heard say,  
That loves rage was away,  
He came to me the right weigh:  
And hath removed the sotie  
Of thilk unwise fantasy,  
whereof that I was wont to plain,  
So that of thilk fiery pain  
I was made sober, and hole enough.   

Venus beheld me than, and lough  
And asketh, as it were in game,  
what love was? & I for shame,  
Ne wist, what I should answer  
And nevertheless I 'gan to swear.  
That by my troth, I knew him nought  
So far it was out of my thought,  
Right as it had never be.  
¶ My good son, though qd she,  
Now at this time I leave it weal  
So goth the fortune of my wheel.  
For thy my counsel is thou leave.  
¶ Madam, I said, by your leave  
Ye wyten well, and so wot I  
That I am unbehovely  
Your court, fro this day, for to serve.  
And for I may no thank deserve.  
And also for I am refused  
I pray you to be excused.  
And n●theles as for to last  
while that my wits with me last  
Touchende my confession  
I axe an absolution  
Of Genius, ere that I go.  
¶ The priest anon was ready tho  
And said: Son as of thy shrift  
Thou hast full pardon, and foryefte,  
Foryete it thou, and so will I.  
¶ My holy father grant mercy  
Quod I to him, and to the queen  
I fill on knees upon the green,  
And took my leave for to wend.  
But she that would make an end  
As thereto, which I was most able  
A pair of beads black as sable  
She took, and hang my neck about.  
Upon the gaudees all without  
was write of gold, pure reposer  
Lo thus she said, Iohn Gower  
Now thou art at last cast  
Thus have I for thine ease cast  
That thou of love no more seche.  
But my will is, that thou beseech  
And pray hereafter for the peace,  
And that thou make a plain releases  
To love, which taketh little heed  
Of old men upon the need,  
when that the lusts been away,  
For thy to the nies but o weigh  
In which let reason be thy guide.  
For he may soon himself mysgyde,  
That seeth not the peril tofore.   

My son be well aware therefore,  
And keep the sentence of my lore,  
And tarry thou my court no more:  
But go there virtue moral dwelleth.  
There been thy books, as men telleth  
which of long time thou haste write.   

For this I do the well to wite  
If thou thine hele will purchase,  
Thou might not make suit and chase  
where that the game is not provable,   

It were a thing unreasonable  
A man to be so oversaye.  
For thy take heed of that I say.  
For in the law of my common  
we be nought shape to commune  
Thyself and I never after this.  
Now have I saide all that there is  
Of love, as for thy final end  
adieu, for I moat fro the wend.  
And great well Chaucer, when ye meet  
As my disciple and my poet.  
●or in the flowers of his youth  
In sundry wise, as he well couth  
〈◊〉 ●●ces, and of songs glade,  
The which he for my sake made,  
〈◊〉 ●onde fulfilled is over all  
whereof to him in special  
Above all other I am most hold.  
For thy now in his days old  
●hou shalt him tell this message,  
That ●e upon his latter age  
To ●ette an end of all his work,  
As he which is mine own clerk  
To make his testament of love,  
As thou hast done thy shrift above  
So that my court it may record.  
¶ ●radame I can me well accord  
〈◊〉 I, to tell as ye me bid.  
〈◊〉 with that word it so betydde  
〈◊〉 of sight all suddenly  
Enclosed in a stirred sky,  
Venus, which is the queen of love,  
was take in to her place above,  
More wist I not where she became.  
And thus my leave of her I name.   

And forth with all that same tide  
Her priest, which would not abide  
C●●me be lief or me be loath  
Out of my sight forth be goth.  
And I was left withouten help,  
So wist I not whereof to yelp  
But that only I had lore  
My time, and was sorry therefore.   

And thus bewhaped in my thought  
when all was turned in to nought  
I stood amazed for a while,  
And in myself I 'gan to smile,  
Thynkende upon the beads black  
And how they were me betake  
For that I should bid and pray.  
And when I saw none other way  
But only that I was refused,  
Unto the life, which I had used  
I thought never torn again.  
And in this wise sooth to say  
Homeward a soft pas I went  
where that with all mine hole intent  
Upon the point, that I am shrive  
I think bid, while I live.   
Parce precor Christ, populus quo gaudeat iste  
Anglia ne triste subeat rex sum refiste  
Corrige quosque status fragiles absolve reatus:  
unde deo gratus vigeat locus iste beatus.  

¶ He which within days seven  
This large world, forth with the heaven  
Of his eternal providence  
Hath made, and thilk intelligence  
In man's soul reasonable  
Hath shape to be perdurable:  
whereof the man of his feature  
Above all earthly creature  
After the soul is immortal,  
To thilk lord in special,  
As he which is of all things,  
The creator, and of the kings  
Hath the fortunes upon hand,  
His grace and mercy for to fond  
Upon my bare knees I pray  
That he this land in syker way  
will set upon good governance.   

For if men take in remembrance  
what is to live in unite,  
There is no state in his degree  
That ne ought to desire pes  
without which it is no les  
To seche and look in to the last  
There may no worlds joy last.  
¶ first for to look the clergy,  
Him ought well to justify  
Thing, which belongeth to their cure,  
As for to pray, and to procure  
Our peace, toward the heaven above,  
And eke to set rest and love  
Among us on this earth here.  
For if they wrought in this manner  
After the rule of charity,  
I hope that men shoulden see  
This land amend: and over this  
To seche and look how that is  
Touchende of the chivalry  
which for to look in some party  
Is worthy for to be commended  
And in some part to be amended,  
That of her large retinue  
The land is full of mayntenue,  
which causeth that the common right.  
In few countries stont upright.   

Extortion, contecke, ravin  
with hold been of that covin.  
All day men here great complaint  
Of the disease, of the constraint,  
whereof the people is sore oppressed  
God grant it moat be redressed.  
For of knighthood th'order would  
That they defend and keep should  
The common right, and the fraunchise  
Of holy church in all wise:  
So that no wicked man it dear,  
And thereof serveth shield and spear.  
But for it goth now other way  
Our grace goth the more away.  
And for to looken overmore  
whereof the people pleynen sore  
Toward the laws of our land  
Men sayn, that troth hath broke his bond  
And with brocage is gone away,  
So that no man see the weigh  
where, for to find rightwiseness.   

And if men seek sickerness  
Upon the lucre of marchandye  
Compassement and treachery  
Of singular profit to win  
Men sayne is cause of much sin,  
And namely of division,  
which many a noble worthy town  
From wealth, and fro prosperity  
Hath brought to great adversity.  
So were it good to be all one  
For mochel grace thereupon  
Unto the cities should fall,  
which might avail to us all.  
If these estates amended were  
So that the virtues stoden there,  
And that the vices were away  
Me thinketh I durst than say  
This lands grace should arise.   

But yet to look in otherwise  
There is estate, as ye shall here,  
Above all other on earth here,  
which hath the land in his balance,  
To him belongeth the legiance  
Of clerk, of knight, of man of law  
Under his hand is all forth draw  
The merchant and the labourer,  
So stant it all in his power  
Or for to spill, or for to save,  
But though that he such power have  
And that his mights been so large,  
He hath 'em nought withouten charge,  
To which that every king is sworn.  
So were it good, that he therefore  
first unto rightwiseness intend,  
whereof that he himself amend  
Toward his god, and leave vice,  
which is the chief of his office.  
And after all the remnant  
He shall upon his covenant  
Govern, and lead in such a wise,  
So that there be no tyrannyse,  
whereof that he his people grieve:  
Or else may he nought achieve  
That longeth to his regal.  
For if a king will justify  
His land, and hem that been within,  
first at himself he moat begin  
To keep and rule his own estate,  
That in himself be no debate  
Toward his god: for otherwise  
There may none earthly king suffice  
Of his kingdom the folk to lead,  
But he the king of heaven dread.  
For what king set him upon pride,  
And taketh his lust on every side,  
And will not go the right weyt,  
Though god his grace cast away  
No wonder is, for at last  
He shall well wit, it may not last  
The pomp which he secheth here.  
But what king that with humble cheer  
After the law of god escheweth  
The vices, and the virtues seweth:  
His grace shall be suffisant  
To govern all the remnant  
which longeth to his duty.  
So that in his prosperity  
The people shall not be oppressed  
whereof his name shall be blessed  
For ever: and be memoryalle.    

❧ Hic in fine recapitulat super hoc, quod in 〈…〉 libri promisit se in amoris causa speciali 〈…〉 ●●taturum, concludit enim, quod omnis amo 〈…〉 extra charitatem nichil est, qui ma● 〈◊〉 ●aritate, in deo manet.  

¶ And now to speak as in fynalle  
To ●chende that I undertook  
In english for to make a book  
which stant between earnest and game,  
I have it made, as thilk same  
which ask for to be excused,  
An● that my book be not refused  
Of ●●red men, when they it see  
For lack of curiosity.  
For thilk school of eloquence  
Belongeth not to my science  
Upon the form of Rhetoric  
My words for to paint and pike  
As Tullius sometime wrote,  
●ut this I know, and this I wot,  
That I have done my true pain  
●●to rude words, and with plain  
In all that ever I couth and might,  
This book to write, as I behyght.  
So as sickness it suffer would,   

And also for my days old  
That I am feeble and impotent  
I wot not how the world is went.  
So pray I to my lords all  
Now in mine age/ how so befall  
That I mote stonden in their grace.  
For though me lack to purchase  
Her worthy thank, as by desert▪  
Yet the simplesse of my poverty  
Desireth for to do pleasance  
To hem, under whose governance  
I hope siker to abide.  
But now upon my last tide  
That I this book have made and writ  
My muse doth me for to wite  
And saith, it shall be for my best  
From this day forth to take rest,  
That I no more of love make,  
which many a heart hath overtake  
And overturned as the blind  
from reason in to law of kind.  
where as the wisdom goeth away  
And can not see the right weigh,  
How to govern his own estate:  
But every day stante in debate  
within himself, and can not leave.   

And thus for thy my final leave  
I take now for evermore  
without making any more  
Of love, and of his deadly bele,  
which no physician can heel.  
For his nature is so divers  
That it hath ever some travers  
Or of to much/ or of to light,  
That plainly may no man delight,  
But if him fail or that or this,  
But thilk love which that is  
within a man's heart affirmed  
And stante of charity confirmed:  
Such love is goodly for to have,  
Such love may the body save,  
Such love may the soul amend,  
The high god such love us send  
Forthwith the remnant of grace,  
So that above in thilk place  
where resteth love/ and all peace  
Our joy may be endelees.    
AMEN. ☞ Thus endeth De confession Amantis.