¶ Here after folow● the history of Gesta-Romanorum.  
  

Sometime there dwelled in Rome a mighty Emperor, which had a fair creature to his doughtar named Atle●ta, whom diverse great lords & many noble knights desired to have to wife. This Atlenta was wonders swift on foot, wherefore such a law was ordained that no man should have her to wife but such as might over run her & take her by strength of foot. And so it befell that many came & ran with her, but she was so swift that no 〈…〉 course of reuning. At the last 〈…〉 Pomeys unto her father & said to him thus 〈◊〉 lord if it might please you to give me your daughter to wife, I will gladly run with her. Than said her father, there is such a law ordained & set, that who so will have her to wife, must first run with her, & if he fail in his course, that he overtake her not, he shall lose his heed, & if it fortune him to overtake her, than shall I wed her unto him. And when the Emperor had told him all the peril that might▪ fall in the winning of her, the knight wilfully granted to abide that jeopardy. Than the knight let ordain him three balls of gold against the running. And when they had begun to renew a little spare, the young lady over ran him, than the knight threw forth before her the first ball of gold. And when the damosel saw the ball she stooped and took it up, and that while the knight wan before her, but that availed little, for when she perceived that, she ran so fast that in short space she gate before him again. And than he threw forth the second hall of gold, and she stooped as she did before to take it up, and in that while the knight wan before her again, which this young damosel saying constrained herself and ran so fast, till at the last she had him at a vantage again, & was afore him, and by that time they were nigh the mark where they should abide, wherefore the knight threw forth the third ball before her, and like as she had done before stooped down to take up the ball, & while she was in taking up the third ball the knight gate afore her, and was first at the mark. And thus was she won.  
¶ By this Emperor is understand the father of heaven; and by this damosel is understand the soul of man, with whom many devils desire to run, and to deceive her through their temptations, but she wythstandeth them mightily and overcometh them. And when they have done their power, and may not speed than make they three balls of gold, and casteth them before her in the three ages of man, that is to say, in youth, in manhood, & in old age. In youth he casteth the ball of lechery before her, that is to say, the desire of the flesh, nevertheless for all this ball oftentimes man overcometh the devil by confession, contrition and satisfaction. The second ball is the ball of pride, the which the devil casteth to man in his manhood, that is to say, in his middle age, but this ball man oftentimes overcometh as he did the first. But let him beware of the third ball, which is the ball of covetise that the devil casteth to man in his old age, which is dreadful. For but if a man may overcome this ball with these other two, he shall lose his honour, that is to say, the kingdom of heaven. For when man brenneth in covetise, he thinketh not on ghostly richesse, for ever his heart is set on woorldly goods, and recketh not of prayers ne of alms deeds, and thus loseth he his heritage, to the which god hath bought him with his pre●yous blood, unto the which our lord jesus christ bring both you & me & all mankind. Amen.  
THere dwelled sometime in Rome a mighty Emperor & a wise named Anselme, which bore in his arms a shield of silver with five reed roses. This Emperor had three sons, whom he loved moche, he had also continual war with the king of egypt, in the which war he lost all his temporal goods, except a virtuous tree. It fortuned after on a day that he gave battle to the said king of egypt, wherein he was grievously wounded. Nevertheless he obtained the victory, notwithstanding he had his deadly wound, wherefore while he lay in point of death he called unto him his eldest son & said. My most dear and well-beloved son, all my temporal richesse I have spent & almost nothing is left me, except a virtuous tree the which standeth in the mids of mine Empire, I give to the all that is under the earth & above the earth of the same tree. O my reverent father (ꝙ he) I thank you moche. Than said th'emperor, call to me my second son. Anon his eldest son greatly gladded of his father's gift called in his brother, and when he came than said th'emperor. My deer son (quoth he) I may not make my testament for as much as I have spent all my goods, except a tree which standeth in mine Empire, of the which tree I bequeatheth to the all that is great and small. Than answered he & said. My reverent father I thank you moche. Than said the Emperor, call to me my third son, and so it was done. And when he was come, the Emperor said. My deer son I must die of these wounds, & I have but only a virtuous tree, of the which I have bequeathed thy brethren their portion, and to the I bequeatheth thy portion, for I will that thou have of the said tree all that is wit & dry. Than said his son. Father I thank you. Soon after that the Emperor had made his bequest he died. And the eldest son anon took season of the tree. When the second brother heard this, he said My brother, by what law or title occupy ye this tree. Dear brother quoth he I occupy it by this title, my father gave me all that is under the earth & above of the said tree, & therefore by reason this tree is mine. Unknowing to the quoth the second brother, he gave me all that is in breed, length & deepness of the said tree, & therefore I have as great▪ right in the tree as thou. This hearing the third son came to them & said. O ye my best beloved brethren, it behoveth you not to strive for this tree, for as much right have I in this tree as ye, for well ye wot by the law, that the last will & testament ought to stand, for soothly he gave me of the said tree all that is wit & dry, & therefore by right the tree is mine, but for as much as your tales been great, & mine also, my counsel is that we be justified by reason, for it is not good nor commendable that any strife or dissension should be among us. Here beside dwelleth a king of reason, for it is not good to strive, go we there unto him, & everich of us lay his right before him and like as he will judge, let us stand to his judgement. Than said his brethren, this counsel is good, wherefore they went all three unto the king of reason, & everich of them singularly showed forth his right unto him, like as it is said before. When the king had ●erde their titles, he rehearsed them all again ●yngularly, first saying to the eldest son thus. Thou sayest for the quoth the king that thy father gave the all that is under the earth & above the earth of the said tree. And to the second brother he bequeathed all that is in breed length & deepness of that tree. And to the third brother he gave all that is wit & dry. And with that he laid the law for them, and said that the last will ought to stand. Now my dear sons, briefly I shall satisfy all your reasons. And when he had thus said, he turned him unto the eldest brother, saying thus. My deer son if the list to abide the judgement, of right the behoveth to be let blood of the right arm. My lord quoth he your will shall be done. Than called the king forth a discrete physician, commanding him to let him blood. When the eldest son was thus let blood, the king said to them all three. My dear sons quoth he where is your father buried. Than answered they & said. Forsooth my lord in such a place. Anon the king commanded to delve up the body, and to draw out a bone of his breast, & to bury the body again, & so it was done. And when the bone was drawn out, the king commanded that it should be laid in the blood of the elder brother, & that it should lie till it had received kindly the blood, & than to be laid in the son & dried, & after that it should be washen with clear water, his servants fulfilled all that he commanded. And when they began to wash the blood vanished clean away. When the king saw this, he said to the second son. It behoveth that thou be let blood as thy brother is. Than said he. My lord thy will shall be fulfilled, & anon he was served like as his brother was in all thing, & when they began to wash the bone, the blood vanished away. Than said the king to the third son. My dear child it behoveth the also to be let blood. He answered & said. My lord it pleaseth me well so to be. When the youngest brother was let blood, & served in all thing like as his two brethren were served before, when the kings servants began to wash the bone, they might neither for washing ne for freting do away the blood of the bone, but ever it appeared bloody. When the king saw this he said. It appeareth openly that this blood without doubt is of the nature of this bone, thou art his true soon, and these other two been bastards, I give to the that tree for evermore.  
¶ Dear friends this Emperor is our lord jesus christ which bore a shield of silver with five reed roses, that is ta say, his body that is so fair so clear & more radiant than any silver, according with psalmist saying thus. Speciosus forma pre filijs hominum. That is to say, he was more special & fairer of shape than all the children of men. By these .v. roses we understand his five wounds, which he suffered for mankind. And by the king of egypt we understand the devil, against whom he fought all the time of his life, & at the last he was slain for mankind. Nevertheless before his death he made his testament to his three sons. By the first to whom he gave of the tree all that was under the earth & above, we shall understand the mighty men & states of this world, to whom he hath given power in earth, in water and in air, so that they be obedient at their will, & all thing under heaven. By the second son to whom he gave the tree in length, breed & deepness, we may understand the witty men of this world, as justices, attorneys and men of law, these men have power in length, breed & deepness upon gentlemen of middle degree, and upon poor men, them to dame & judge as they list. By the third son to whom he gave all that was wit & dry of the tree, we shall understand good christian men, which have & suffer both wet an dry, that is to say, now poverty, now trouble, now solace, now care, now cold, now heat, and all this they receive of god thankfully to have this noble tree that was thus bequeathed them. This tree is the tree of paradise, that is to say, everlasting iaye of heaven which is given to us all, if we will take it thankfully, nevertheless it is heaven in diverse wise, & not equally, for some hath more, & some hath less, after their merits, this notwithstanding every man obtaineth not, therefore it behoveth them to go unto the king of reason, that is to say, unto the father of heaven, that knoweth all thing or they be made. The first sone was let blood and in his blood the bone was wrapped. By this blood we shall understand our meritorious deeds, & by the white & heavy alms deed which is full heavy to them that give alms, nevertheless it maketh the soul white, wherefore when these mighty men give alms, or do a meritorious deed, though it be made dry & stablished with the son, & by the wind of divine predication, nevertheless when the water of pride, envy, wrath, & such other, all the meritorious deeds done before is brought to nought, & the blood, that is to say the alms deeds by the which they should come to everlasting life, beginneth to vanish away. For why as the apostle saith, he that offendeth in one sin, is guilty in all. This blood letter which let them blood is a discrete confessor, though the mighty men of this world do good deeds & fulfil their penance, nevertheless when the water of covetise, that is to say, when the purse is full of money anon they give true judgement, against whom it is written thus. The wisdom of this world is nothing else but folly afore god And against the mighty men of this world speaketh holy scripture and saith. Where be those mighty men which were praised among the birds of heaven, eat and drink, and often descended to hell. The third son of this Emperor is a good christian man, which all the time of his life did good deeds, & lived without pride, envy and lechery, from the bone of such a man the blood may not be washen away, that is to say, his meritorious deeds may not be put away from penance, such a man is the true child of god, of whom our lord speaketh thus. Ye the which have forsaken all thing for me, all, that is to say, ye that have forsaken the will of sin, shall receive an hundred times more, that is to say, ye shall not only receive the tree of paradise, but also the heritage of heaven. These two other sons been bastards, for why, that they behote in their baptism they wrought all the contrary through their wicked living. And therefore he that desireth to obtain the joys of heaven, him behoveth to abide steadfastly in working of good works, and than by reason may he obtain the tree of paradise, unto the which that lord bring us which liveth & reigneth eternally world withouten end. Amen.  
IN Rome there dwelled sometime a noble Emperor named Dyoclesian, which above all worldly goods loved the virtue of charity, wherefore he desired greatly to know what fowl loved her birds best to the intent that he might thereby grow to more perfit charity. It fortuned after upon a day that this Emperor walked to the forest to take his disport, where as he found the nest of a great bird that is called in latin strutio with her bird, the which bird th'emperor took with him, & closed him in a vessel of glass. The mother of this little bird followed after unto the Emperors place, and entered into the hall where her bird was closed. But when she saw her bird and might by no means come to her, ne get her out, she returned again to the forest, & there she abode three days and at the last she returned again to the palace, bearing in her mouth a worm that is called thumare. When she came where her bird was, she let the worm fall upon the glass, through virtue of which worm the glass brake, & the bird escaped & show forth which his mother. When th'emperor saw this, he praised moche the mother of this bird, which so diligently laboured for the deliverance of her bird.  
¶ My friends this Emperor is the father of heaven, which greatly loveth them that been in perfit love & charity. This little bird closed in the glass & taken fro the forest was Adam our forefather, which was exiled fro paradise, and put in the glass, that is to say, in hell. This hearing the mother of the bird, that is to wite, the son of god descended fro heaven & came to the forest of the world, and lived here three days & more, bearing with him a worm, that is to say, manhood according with the psalmist, saying. Ego sum vermis etnon homo. That is to say, I am a worm & no man. This manhood was suffered to be slain among the jews, of whose blood the vessel eternal was broken, and the bird went out, that is to say▪ Adam went forth with his mother the son of god & flew unto heaven.  
Sometime dwelled in Rome a worthy emperor and a wise, which had a fair daughter and a gracious in the sight of every man. This Emperor bethought him on a day to whom he might give his daughter in marriage, saying thus. If I give my daughter to a rich man, & he be a fool than is she lost and if I give her to a poor man & a witty, than may he get his living for him and her by his wisdom. There was that time dwelling in the cite of Rome a philosopher named Socrates, poor & wise, which came to th'emperor & said. My lord displease you not though I put forth my petition before your highness Themperor said, what so ever pleaseth the tell forth Than said Socrates. My lord ye have a daughter whom I desire above all thing. Themperor answered & said. My friend I shall give the my daughter to wife upon this condition, that if she die in thy fellowship after that she be wedded to thee, thou shalt wythouten doutelese thy heed. Than said Socrates. Upon this condition I will gladly take her to be my wife. Themperor hearing this, let call forth all the lords & states of his Empire, and made a great feast at their weddynge. And after the feest Socrates led home his wife to his own house, where as they lived in peace and health long time. But at the last this emperors daughter syckned to death. When Socrates perceived this, he said to himself. Alas and woe to me, what shall I do, and whether shall I flee, if th'emperors daughter that is my wife should die, & for sorrow this Socrates went to a forest there beside & wept bitterly. The while he thus wept & mourned there came an aged man bearing a staff in his hand, & asked the cause of Socrates why he mourned. Socrates' answered and said. I wedded th'emperors daughter upon this condition, that if she died in my fellowship, I should lose my life, now she is syckened unto the death, & I can find no remedy nor help, & therefore I mourn more than any creature can think. Than said the old man be ye comforted, for I shall be your helper, if ye will do after my counsel. In this forest be three herbs, if ye make a drink of the first to your wife, & of the other two a plaester, & if she use this medicynall drink and plaester in due time, without doubt she shall recover to perfit health. Socrates fulfilled all as the old man had taught him. And when his wife had used a while that medicynall drink & pleaster, within short time she was perfitly hole of all her sickness. And when the Emperor heard that Socrates wrought so wisely, and how diligently he laboured for to heal his wife he promoted him to great dyngnyte and worship.  
¶ Dear friends this Emperor is our lord jesus christ his daughter so fair & so gracious is the soul, made at the similitude of god, which is full gracious & glorious in the sight of him & of his angels, while that she is not defouled & abideth in her own proper cleanness. This soul god would not give it to a rich man but to a poor man, that is to say, a man that is made of the slime of the earth. This Socrates is a poor man for why, every man cometh poor and naked in to this world from his mother's belly, & every man taketh his soul in wedlock upon such condition, that if she die in his fellowship by deadly sin, without doubt he shall lose eternal life. Therefore o thou man if thy wife sycken so through deadly sin, do than as Socrates did go unto the forest, that is holy church, and thou shalt find there an old man with a sta●●e, that is a discrete confessor, which shall tell the of these three herbs, for he hath power to bind & to unbind. The first herb is contrition, of whom thou shouldest make thy drink of tears. Ambrose saith that tears washeth away sin, where shame is to knowledge it, and these two other herbs been confession and satisfaction, if these herbs be used in plaester, the sinner without doubt shall receive his health, and his soul shall be delivered from sin, and by all right he shall have everlasting life. Unto the which bring us our lord jesus.  
Sometime there reigned in Rome a mighty Emperor and a wise named frederic, which had an only son, whom he loved moche. This Emperor when he lay at the point of death, he called unto him his son & said. dear son I have a ball of gold which I give the upon my blessing, that thou anon after my death shalt give it to the most fool that thou mayst find. Than said his son. My lord wothout doubt your will shall be fulfilled. Anon this young lord after the death of his father went & sought in many realms & found many reckless fools, because he would satisfy his father's will laboured farther till he came in to a realm where the law was such, that every year a new king was chosen there, & this king had only the guiding of the realm but a year, & at the years end he was deposed & put in exile in an island, where as he should wretchedly finish his life. When themperors son came to this realm the new king was chosen with great honour, & all manner of minstrelsy went afore him, & brought him with great reverence and worship unto his regal seat. And when the Emperors son saw that, he came unto him and salued him reverently & said. My lord loo I give the this ball of gold on my father's behalf. Than said he I pray the tell me the cause why thou givest me this ball. Than answered this young lord and said. My father charged me in his death bed upon pain of forfeyting of his blessing, that I should give this ball of the most fool the I could find, wherefore I have sought many realms, & have found many fools, nevertheless a more fool than thou art found I never, & therefore this is the reason. It is not unknown to the that thou shalt regne but a year, and at the years end thou shalt be exiled into such a place where as thou shalt die a mischievous death, wherefore I hold the for the most fool that ever I found, that for the lordship of a year thou wouldest so wilfully lose thyself, & therefore before all other I have given to the this ball of gold. Than said the king, without doubt thou sayest sooth and therefore when I am in full power of this realm I shall send before me great treasure and richesse wherewith I may live and save myself from my schevous death when I shall be exiled & put down. And so this was done, wherefore at the years end he was exiled, & lived there in peace upon such goods as he had sent before, and he died afterward a good death.  
¶ Dear friends this Emperor is the father of heaven the which byquethed the ball, that is to say, worldly richesse to fools and ydyottes, which savoureth no thing but that is earthly. This Emperors son, that is to say, a preacher and a discrete confessor searched about many realms & lands to show to mysbyleving men & fools their peril. The realm wherein no king might regne but a year is this world. For who so had lived an hundred year, when he cometh to the death him shall seem that he hath lived but the space of an hour, therefore do as the king did, while that ye be in power of life send before you your treasure, that is to say, alms deed & other merytoryus deeds, & certainly when ye be put in exile out of this world, ye shall live in peace, & shall find the mercy of god plentiful, whereby ye shall obtain everlasting life. Unto the which bring us he, that for us died on the road tree. Amen.  
dioclesian reigned in the city of Rome, in whose empire dwelled a noble philosopher, the which let up by his craft an image in the mids of ye●ite of Rome, the which image stretched out his arm & his formest finger, whereupon stood this posy written in latin. Percute hic. Smite here. This image after the death of this philosopher stood still a long time, & many great clerks came thither for to read the superscription that was on the finger, but none of them understood what it mente, wherefore there was great wondering among the people. And at the last a long time after there came a strange clerk out of far countries, & when he saw this image he red the scripture Smite here. And than upon a day when he saw the shadow of the hand, he took a mattock & broke up the ground under the hand where the shadow was, according to the understanding of the superscription, & anon he found an house all of marble underneath the grovode, wherein he entered, & came in to a hall, where he found so moche richesse, so many yewelles, and so great marvels that he never saw ne heard of such nor so many before that time. At the last he saw a board covered, and all manner of things necessary thereto set there upon. He be held farther and saw a carbuncle in a wall that lightened all the house. And anent this carbuncle on that other side stood a man holding in his hand a bow with an arrow ready to shoot. The clerk merualled moche when be saw all these things, and thought in himself, if that I t●ll this forth there will no man believe me, & therefore I will have somewhat of these goods in token of proof. And with that he saw a knife of gold upon the board, which he took & would have put it in his bosom. But anon the archer smote the carbuncle and broke it, wherewith all the hole house was shadowed & made dark. And when the clerk perceived it, he wept more bitterly than any man might think, for he wist not by what way he might go out, for as much as the house was made dark through the breaking of the carbuncle. And that darkness abode still for evermore after. And so fynisshed the clerk his life there in that darkness.  
¶ Dear friends this image so standing is the devil which saith evermore. Smite here. That is to say take heed to earthly ryche●se, & not to heavenly treasure. This clerk that smote with the mattock betokeneth the wise men of this world, as pleaders of the law, attorneys, and other worldly men that ever be smiting what by right & what by wrong, so that they may get the vanities of this world, & in their smiting they find great wonders & marvels, that is to say, they find therein the delights of the world, wherein many men rejoiceth. The carbuncle that giveth light is the youth of man, which giveth hardiness to take their pleasure in worldly richesse. The archer with his arrow is death, which layeth watch anent man to slay him. The clerk that took up the knife is every worldly man that weeneth ever to have all thing at his will. Death smiteth the carbuncle, that is to say youth, strength and power of man, and than lieth he wrapped in darkness of sin▪ in which darkness oftentimes he dieth. Therefore study we to flee the world and his desires, and than shall we be sure to win everlasting life, unto the which jesus bring both you & me. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor named Tytus, a wise man & a discrete, which ordained in his days such a law, that what knight died in his empire, should be buried in his armure, & who so ever presumed to spoil any knights armour after he were deed, he should die without any withstanding or gainsaying. It befell after within few years that a city of the empire was besieged of th'emperors enemies, wherefore that city was in peril of losing▪ for n●ne that was within that city might not defends themself by no manner of craft, therefore great sorrow and lamentation was made through out all the cite. But at the last win few days there came to the cite a young knight and a fair and doughty to do deeds of arms, whom the worthy men of the cite beholding & understanding his doughtynes●●, cried with one voice. O thou most noble knight, we beseech the if it please thy worthiness to help us now at our most need, loo ye may so this city in is peril of losing. Than answered he & said. 〈◊〉 ye not sirs th●● I have none armour, & if I had armour I would gladly defend your city. This ●earynge a mighty man of the city said to him in secret wise. Sir here was sometime & doughty knight which now is deed and buried within this cite ac●or●dynge to the law, & if it please you to take his armure ye might defend this cite & deliver us fro peril, and that shall be honour unto you and profit unto all the empire. When this young knight had herd this, he went to the grave & took the armure & arrayed himself therewith, & fought mightily against his enemies, and at the last he obtained & had the victory, & delivered the cite from peril. And when he had so done, he put the armure again in to the grave. There were some men in the cite that had great indignation and envy at him, because he had obtained the victory, and accused him to the judge, saying thus. Sir a law was made by th'emperor, that who so ever despoiled a deed knight of his armure should die, this young knight found a deed knight & took away his armure, therefore we beseech the that thou proceed in the law against him, as against him that is breker of the law. When the justice heard this, he made the knight to be taken & to be brought a fore him. And when he was examined of this trespass against the law, he said thus. Sir it is written in the law▪ that of two harms the least is to be chosen, it is not unknown to you that this cite was in peril to be lost, & but I had taken this armure I had neither saved you ne the city, therefore me thinketh ye ought rather to honour & worship me for this good deed that I have done, than thus shamefully to reprove me, for I am led as he that is ready to be hanged, and also good sirs an other reason I may lay for mine excuse. He that stealeth or robbeth violently, purposeth not to restore the thing that he robbeth, but it is not thus with me, for though I took the armure of the deed knight for your salvation, when I had obtained the victory I bore it again to the same place, & so the deed knight hath that is his by the law. Than said the justice, a thief that breaketh a house that he may steel & bear away such as he may find, & though he bring again that he hath taken, I ask of the if that the breaking of the house be lawful or not. The knight answered, sometime the breaking of an house may be good, where as it is made in feeble place, which should cause the lord of the house to make his wall stronger, that the thieves after the break not the walls so lightly in avoiding of more harm. Than said the justice, if the breaking of the house be good, nevertheless in that breaking violence is done to the lord of the house. And so though thou didst good with the armure of the deed knight, nevertheless thou didst wrong to the deed knight in taking away his armure. The knight said, I have told you how that of two harms the least is to be chosen, and that harm where through great goodness cometh, ought not to be called harm, but it should rather be called good. For if that any house within the cite were on fire & began to burn, it were more better to throw it to the ground and three or four houses thereby, than they should be set on fire, also whereby all the city might be brent. Right so, if the armure oft the deed knight had not been taken the city and ye all had been lost. And when the justice heard that he answered so well & so reasonably, he might give no judgement against him. But the which had accused this knight slew him, for whose death there was great weeping through out all the city, & his body was worshipfully buried in a nee● tomb.  
¶ Dear friends this Emperor is the father of heaven and this cite is the world, the which is besieged of the devil and deadly sin. And as many as were within this city, were all in peril to be lost. This young knight that came to the city, is our lord jesus christ, which had not the armure of our manhood till he went to the grave, that is to say, to the womb of the glorious virgin Mary: by the annunciation of the angel, saying The holy ghost shall light in the. etc. Lo thou shalt conceive & bear a son. And thus in the womb of the virgin he took the armure of the deed knight, that is to say he took the manhood of Adam ourfore father, & saved the city, that is the world with mankind from peril by his blessed passion which he suffered on the cross, & than he put his armure again in to the grave when his blessed body was buried, but the citizens envy him, that is to say, the jews of jury accused him to pilate, and laid the law against him, saying. If thou suffer him thus, thou art not the Emperor Caesar's friend, we have a law & after the law he ought to die. And thus our lord jesus christ of his enemies was condemned to the death of the cross, & after ascended up to heaven, where our lord jesus bring us all. Amen.  
THere reigned sometime in Rome a mighty Emperor and a wysed named Betolde, which ordained a law, that what woman were taken in anoutry her husband being alive, she should be cast in to perpetual prison. There was that time a knight that had a fair lady to his wife, which did a●outry her husband being alive, & was with child, therefore by the 〈…〉 in prison, where within short time after she was delivered of a fair son. This child grew up till he was vij year old, his mother daily wept heartily. And when the child heard this he said to his mother. O mother why weep ye thus, & for what cause is your body thus tormented. Than said his mother. O thou my sweet son, I have great cause to mourn, and thou also, for above our heads is people walking, & the son shineth in clearness, & great solace have all men that are above us, & we be here continually in such darkness that I may not see thee, ne thou me, alas that ever I conceived the. Than said the son such joy ne such light as ye speak of saw I never, for I was borne here in this darkness, therefore if I had meat and drink enough, here would I live all the days of my life, therefore mother weep ye not, but show me solace. This lamentation that was between the mother and the son, heard th'emperors steward that stood abo●● their heads, whereof he had great compassion, & went unto the Emperor, & kneeling besought him of his grace, that the mother and the son might be delivered out of prison. The Emperor as a merciful lord granted that they should be delivered. Nevertheless if they trespassed so in time to come, they should be punished with double pain, & after that they were delivered, this woman ended her life in that city.  
¶ Dear friends this Emperor is the father of heaven that made this law that what wedded woman, that is to say, what soul that is wedded to our lord & doth adultery, that is to say, deadly sin, should be cast in the prison of hell, therefore a sinful soul hath great cause to weep, for she is departed from light, that is to say, from the joys of heaven. Her son that desired meat & drink, been the mighty men of this world, that say to the prelate's of the church & to the preachers that preach unto them the joys of heaven, that while we may live and have all the solace of the world, we desire none other heaven. The steward that heard their lamentation is our lord jesus, that knoweth all the brevities of our hearts & contrition of our sins, besought the father of heaven for us, that we might be delivered from the prison of sin, & that we might come to everlasting life, to the which bring us our lord jesus. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled an Emperor named Pomper, which above all other things was merciful. This Emperor let cry through our all his empire a great feast, and that poor & rich should come to this feast. And who so ever came to that feast should not only be well fed, but also he should have great gifts. When the herawde had warned all manner of men to come to this feast, at the time there were two poor men dying by the way, that one was lame and that other was blind. This blind man said to the lame man. Alas and woe to me & thee, how shall we do, for th'emperor hath let cry a feast, & who so ever cometh there shall not only be well fed, but also he shall have great gifts, and I am blind, & thou art lame, how shall we do. What said the lame man to the blind man, I shall tell the good counsel, if the wilt do after me, thou shalt let for nothing, I am lame & feeble & may not go, nevertheless I may see, & thou art blind & strong & mayst not see, take thou me upon thy back & bear me, and I shall lead the the right way, & thus shall we both come to th'emperors feast. Than said the blind, after thy counsel let us do, come on my ba●k and I shall bear thee, & thou shalt lead me the right way, & so they did that they came both to that feast, and received great rewards & gifts among other men. And thus ended their lives in peace.  
¶ Dear ●rendes this Emperor is our saviour jesus christ, that let cry a general feast, that is to say, the joys of heaven, unto the which joys he calleth all mankind, & forsaketh ii● man that will come unto him. This lame man betokeneth the prelate's of the church preachers and confessors that have nothing of their own, but liven by teaching and alms of other men. And this blind man betokeneth the lay men which know not the right way to heaven. It behoveth that the blind man, that is to say, the lay men to bear the lame man, that is to say, the prelate's of the church sustaining & feeding them with the tithing of alms and other oblations, than the prelate's be beholden to teach & to inform us the way to heaven, where as we shall not only have a feast, but also great reward and joy, unto the which god bring us all. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled an Emperor named Follyculus, the which was right wise, merciful & rightful in all his works. This Emperor builded in the east a noble city, wherein he put all his treasure & precious stones & richesse to be kept. Unto this city the way was stony & full of brymbles and sharp thorns, & three knights were armed ready to fight with them that would come to that city. Therefore th'emperor ordained that who so ever overcame these knights, should enter the cite, & take at his will of th'emperors treasure. After that this Emperor let make in the northwest a cite wherein he ordained all manner of pain, turmenting, sorrow & mischief, to the which was a broad way, full delectable, growing full of roses & fair lilies, and in that way were three knights, ever waiting if any man came toward the city of the north, to serve him with all manner of delicates and things necessary. And if it fortuned any man to enter within that city, the custom was such that the people should take & bind him hands & f●te and cast him in prison, there to abide the coming of the justice. When this was cried through out all the empire, there were two knights dwelling in a city there beside, one height jonatas, and he was a wise man, that other height Pyrrius, & he was a fool, nevertheless there was between them great love. This jonatas said to Pyrrius. Dear friend there is a common cry made through all lands, that th'emperor hath made a city in the east, wherein he hath put all his treasure, & who so ever may enter that city, shall take of the treasure what him list, therefore my counsel is that we go to the city. Than said Pyrryus, thy counsel is good, & I desire to fulfil it. The wise knight said if it be so that thou wilt follow my counsel, I pray the that faithful friendship may continue between us and in token of love that thou wilt drink my blood, & I shall drink thine, that none of us depart ne fail other in this journey. The foolish knight said, it pleaseth me right well all that ye say, wherefore they were both let blood, and everich of them drank others blood. When this was done they went forth together on their journey, and when they had gone three days journeys toward the city where the treasure was, they came to a place where was two ways, one was sharp, stony & full of thorns, that other way was plain and fair and full of sweetness & delights. Than said the wise knight to his fellow. Dear friend here be two ways, one sharp and thorny, nevertheless if we go this way, we shall come to this cite that is so rich, & there shall we have that we desire. Than said this foolish knight to his fellow. I wonder greatly of you that ye speak such things, for I will rather believe mine eyen than your words, I see here openly, & so do ye, that here is an hard way & full of thorns, & as I have herd say, there be three champions armed in this way, ready to ●yght against all men that go that way toward the cite of the eest, & therefore I will not go that way, but here is (as ye may see) an other way plain and easy to walk in, and in this way there been three knights ready to serve us & give us all manner things necessary to us, and therefore by this way will I go, & not by that other way. Than said the wise knight, certainly if we go by that way, we shall be led in to the city of the north, wherein there is no mercy, but perpetual pain & sorrow, and there shall we be taken & bound and cast in prison. Certainly said the foolish knight, this way is the ready way, & as I believe it is more profitable than the other way. Than went they both forth the fair way, & anon three knights met with them, which received them reverently as for a night, & gave them all manner of thing that was necessary to them. And on the morrow they took their journey forth to ward the city. And when they were within the city, anon the emperors officers met with them & said. Dear friends why come ye hither, in so much that ye know the law of this cite so cruel of long time here before, soothly ye shall be served now after the law. Anon they took the wise knight and bound him and put him in prison▪ and after that they took the foolish knight & bound him fast and kest him in to a dyche. Soon after it befell that the justice came to the city to give judgement on them that had trespassed the law and anon all the prisoners were brought forth before the justice, among whom these two knights were brought forth, one from prison, and that other from the dyche. Than said the wise knight to the justice. Reverend lord I complain of my fellow that is guilty of my death, for when we two came to the two ways whereof that one led to the city in the east, & that other to this city, I told him all the peril of this cite, & the reward of that other city, & he would not believe me, & said to me in this wise. I believe mine own eyen better than thy words, and because he was my fellow, I would not let him go alone in this way, & thus came I with him, wherefore he is cause of my death. Than said the foolish knight, I complain that he is the cause of my death▪ for it is not unknown to you all that I am a fool, & he a wise man, & therefore he should not so lightly have followed my folly, for if he had forsaken this way, I would have followed him, & therefore he is cause of my death. Than said the justice to the wise knight, because that thou with all thy wisdom and great understanding so lightly consented & followed the will of the fool & his folys●he works, & thou fool because thou wouldest not do after the counsel ne fulfil the wholesome words of this wise man & believe him, I give judgement that ye be both hanged for your trespass. And so it was done, wherefore all men praised greatly the justice for his discrete judgement.  
¶ Dear friends this emperor is almighty god, & in the east is the city of heaven, wherein is treasure infinite. And unto this city is an hard way & full of thorns, that is to say, the way of penance, by the which way full few walketh, for it is hard & straight, according to holy scripture, saying thus. Est arta via que ducit ad vitam. It is a straight way that leadeth to everlasting life. In this way been three armed knights, that is to say, the devil, the world, & the flesh, which whom it behoveth us to fight, & to obtain the victory or we may come to heaven. The second city that is in the north is hell. And to this accordeth scripture, saying thus. Ab aquilone pondetur oen malum. Out of the north cometh all evil. Certainly to this city is the way plain & broad, & walled about on every side with all manner delicates, wherefore many men walk by this way. The three knights that giveth to every man going this way what thing them needeth, been these. Pride of life, covetise of eyen, & concupisbence of the flesh, in which three the wretched man greatly delighteth, & at the last they lead him in to hell. This witty knight betokeneth the soul, & the foolish knight betokeneth the flesh, the which is always foolish, & at all times ready to do evil. These two be fellows & knit in one, for everich of them drinketh others blood, that is to say they shall drink of one cup, either joy or pain shall they have after the day of doom. The soul chosech the way of penance, & in as much as, she may she s●ereth the flesh to do the same. But the flesh thinketh never what shall come after, & therefore she goth in the delight of this world, & fleeth the delight of penance. And thus the soul after the death is cast in to hell, & the flesh is cast in to the dyche, that is to say, in to the grave. But than the justice cometh, that is our lord jesus christ at the day of doom to dame all mankind. Than the soul shall complain upon the flesh, & the flesh upon the soul. But when the justice that will not be deceived neither by prayer ne by price, shall condemn the soul because she followed the frailty of the flesh, & also he shall condemn the flesh because it would not believe the soul, wherefore let us study to tame our flesh, that we may obey god, and than shall we have everlasting life Unto the which bring us our lord jesus. Amen.  
THere dwelled sometime in Rome a mighty Emperor named frederic, which had no children save a daughter, though whom this Emperor after his decese bequeathed all his empire. This understanding an earl that dwelt there beside, came unto this young lady & wooed her, & steered her to sin all that he might, wherefore this young lady in short process of time enclyneh to the earl, & this earl anon lay with her & defouled her, & after that he put her from her heritage, and chased her out of her empire, wherefore she made great lamentation, & fled unto a realm there beside, where as she daily wept & mourned. It befell after on a day that while she sat mourning beside a way there came riding by her a fair young knight upon a good horse, which came toward her a great p●ce, & worshipfully salued her, and asked the cause why she mourned so sore. Than answered she & said. My reverend lord, I am an emperors daughter, comen of a royal kin, my father is deed which left me all his empire, because he had none other heir, & after his decese an earl there beside deceived me & took from me my maydenhe●e, & after that he put me violently out of mine heritage, so that now I am fain to beg my breed from door to door, & this is the cause of my sorrow. Than said the knight, fair damosel I have great compassion on thy beauty and on thy gentleness, therefore if thou wilt grant me one thing, I shall fight for the against the earl, and I behote the the victory, Than said she, alas alas, I have nothing that I may give to the but myself. And I ask no more of the said the knight but that thou wouldest be my wife and love no man so much as me. Than said she. Reverend sir that will I do gladly, & more if I might. Than said the knight, I will that thou do for me one thing, that if it fortune me to die in battle for thee, & obtain the victory, thou shalt take my bloody shirt & hang it upon a perch in thy chamber, and this shalt thou do for two things. The first is, that when so ever thou beholdest the shirt, thou shalt weep for me. The second is, that what so ever man come to woo the to be his wife, than shalt thou hastily run unto thy chamber, & behold my bloody shirt, & think heartily within thyself thus. The lord of this shirt died for my love in battle, the which recovered my heritage god forbid that I should take any other man after his death. Than said she. Reverend sir all this I shall fulfil by the grace of god. And when the knight he●de this he gave battle against the earl & obtained the victory and the earl was overcome & fled. And this young lady was brought & received again in to her heritage. Nevertheless this knight was deadly wounded in that battle, whereof he died, but or he died he bequeathed his bloody shirt unto this damosel, desiring her to keep her promise. When this young lady heard of his death, she wept sore & made great lamentation for his death. And in his shirt was written this verse. Think on him & have mind, that to the was so kind. Anon when she had received the shirt, she hanged it upon a perch in her chamber, & as oftentimes as she beheld it, she wept bitterly. It befell not long after that the states of her Empire came to her & desired her to take a husband. But than she went to her chamber & beheld the bloody cherte, than waxed she sorrowful & said oftentimes alas alas thou suffered death for my love, & thou also recovered again mine heritage, god forbid that I should take any other man but the. And thus she answered every man that came to her, & so they went away unsped, and she ended her life in peace and rest. ¶ Dear friends this Emperor is the father of heaven and his daughter is the soul of man, made at the similitude of god, to whom god gave & bequeathed the empire of paradise. But there came an earl, that is the devil and stirred her to sin, when she eat of the apple & said to her thus. In what hour ye ●ate of the apple, ye shall be like gods, wherefore we breaking god's commandment we were all exiled out of paradise, & chased to the realm of this world, here to live in great wretchedness, like as the psalmist saith. In sudore vultus tui. etc. In the sweet of thy visage thou shalt eat thy breed. But than came a fair young knight & a strong that is to say, our lord jesus christ, which had compassion upon mankind, & took our flesh & our blood and gave battle to the devil and overcame him, and thus wan he again our heritage. Therefore let us do as this young lady did, put we this bloody shirt, that is to say, the mind of the passion of christ on the perch of our heart, and think we how ●ur lord jesus christ shed his precious blood for us. And if any man that is to say, the devylt or any other would stir us to sin, anon think we on the passion of christ, & say we thus. I shall take none other but the which hast shed thy blood for me, & thus shall we win everlasting life. Unto the which god bring us all. Amen.  
Sometime dwelled in Rome a mighty Emperor named Apolloninus, which ordained for a law that every man upon pain of death should worship the day of his nativity. This Emperor called to him a clerk that height Uirgyll & said. My dear master there be many heed sins done contrary to the law, therefore I pray the that thou by thy cunning would make some craft whereby I might know who trespasseth against the law privily or pertly. Than said Uirgyll. My reverend lord your will shall be done. Anon this Uirgyll through his craft made an image in the mids of the city of Rome, which dyscevered & told th'emperors messengers who trespassed against the law, & who not. There was that time dwelling in the city of Rome a smith that height Focus, which for no thing would worship the nativity of the Emperor. It befell upon a night as the smith lay in his bed he thought upon the image that had accused so many men before, & dread least the image would accuse him. wherefore he rose & went to the image & said. I make a vow to god if thou accuse me I shall break thy heed And when he had thus said, he went home. The Emperor on the morrow after following sent his messengers to the image as he was wont before, to know & to understand who had trespassed against the law. And to them than said the image, lift up your eyen & behold what is written in my forehead. And than they looked up & saw this posy written. Tempore mutantur homines determinantur. times been changed, & men been worse & worse. For who will say the troth, shall have his heed broken, therefore go ye forth to your lord and tell him all that ye have red & seen. The messengers went forth & told the Emperor all that they had herd & seen. Than said the Emperor, arm yourself and go to the image, & if that ye find any man that hath boasted or threatened the image, bind him hand and foot & bring him to me. Than went the messengers forth to the image & said unto it. Tell us the troth if any man hath threatened thee, and we shall avenge the anon. Than said the image. Take the smith Focus, for he is the man that will not honour the nativity of the Emperor. Anon the messengers led forth that smith before th'emperor, & anon examined him why he kept not the day of themperors nativity in reverence & honour according to the law. Than answered the smith & said. Reverend lord I beseech you that ye will hear mine excuse, & if I answer not reasonably to all manner of points that ye will ask me, I will put me fully to your grace. Than said th'emperor, I shall hear thee, and that that is rightful I shall do. Than said the smith. It behoveth me to have. viij.d. every day in the week, & that I can not get without great labour, & therefore I may in no manner wise keep the day holy day more than other days: Than said the Emperor. Why behoveth it the to have these. viii. d. Than said the smith. I am bound to pay daily. ij.d. and. ii.d. I lend, and. ii.d▪ I lose, and. ii.d. I spend. Than said the Emperor. Tell me more expressly of these. viij.d. Than said the smith. I am bound every day to pay ii.d. to my father, for when I was young, my father spent on me. ii.d. daily, & therefore am I bound to help him, & pay him again his. ii.d. for his sustentation Also. ii.d. I lose on my wife. Than said th'emperor why lesest thou that. ii.d. on thy wife. Than said he, where see ye ever woman but she had one of these points, either she is wilful or contrary to her husband, or of hot complexion, & therefore that I give her I lose Also. ii.d. I lend to my son, wherewith he is sustained, that when I come to age & poverty, that he may pay me again. ii.d. like as I do to my father. Also I spend. ii.d. on my ●elfe in meat & drink, and that is little enough. Than said th'emperor, thou hast answered well & wisely. Not long after it befell that the Emperor died, & this smith Focus was chosen to be Emperor, because he spent his. viii.d. so wisely & so profitably, & thus he ended his life in peace and rest. ¶ Dear friends this emperor is our blessed saviour jesus christ, which ordained by his holy law that every man should worship the sunday. This Virgil that made this image, is the holy ghost, which is set up among us, a preacher to teach virtues, & to reprove vices, & that he should not spare the poor ne the rich. But now if a preacher would say troth against any man, anon he shall be threatened of the enemies of christ, that is to say, by evil men that neither love god nor man, wherefore the preacher may say now a days that posy which was written in the fore heed of the image. times been changed from good to ill, & men been daily worse and worse. For who so would say the truth now a days, shall have his heed broken. Therefore it is need they be armed, that is to say, that every preacher be armed with good deeds in ensample of other, & than it needeth not to dread, in so much that they have god & truth to stand by them, according to the apostles saying. Si deus nobiscum: quis contra nos. If god be with us who may be against us. By this smith Focus is understand every good christian man, which daily should work meritorious deeds, & than ought he to be presented before the heavenly Emperor. This Focus paid. ii.d. to his father, & so we should pay to our father of heaven. ii.d. that is to say, honour & love. For when we were the children of wretchedness & put in bondage, almighty god sent down to the earth his son to redeem us, according to saint Iohn the evangelist, saying. Deus dilexit mundum ut filium suum unigenitum daret pro minido. God loveth the world so well that he would give his only son for the salvation of the world. Also this Focus lente. ii.d. to his son, that is to say, every christian man ought to lend to the son of god our lord christ jesus good will & meritorious deeds in our life, that the may pay us again at the day of doom, when soul & body shall be glorified, & in that he is our brother, & it may well be proved by the text of isaiah, saying thus. ●uer natus est nobis. etc. A child is borne to us. This Focus lost. ii.d. on his wife. Thy wife betokeneth thy flesh, upon whom thou hast lost ij. d. that is to say, unlawful love & consent to sin, for why, the flesh is contrary to the ghost, & ever is ready to harm. This Focus also spent. ij.d. on himself, that is to say, by the first penny ye shall understand penance done, in which the soul greatly delighteth in heaven, and there is glorified. And by the second penny we ought to understand the steadfast abiding in doing of penance, for he that abideth unto the end, shall be saved. And who that spendeth well these two pens, shall obtain everlasting life. Unto the which bring us our lord jesus Chryst. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled a noble Emperor which among all other virtues loved best mercy, wherefore he ordained a law that every blind man should have an hundred shillings by year of his treasure. It befell on a day that there came certain men to a tavern to drink wine, & after that these men had sitten in the tavern three days, the fourth day they were greatly in the taverners debt, and had no money to pay for their wine, wherefore the taverner came to them & charged them that they should not void till they had paid for their wine. Than said one of the drinkers to his fellows. Sirs quoth he, th'emperor hath made such a law that every blind man shall have an hundred shillings of his treasure, therefore let us cast lots among us, & to whom the lot falleth, let his eyen be put out, and so may he go to th'emperors palace & get an hundred shillings. And this greatly rejoiced them, & said that the counsel was right good, wherefore they cast lots among them, & the lot fell on him that gave the counsel, & than his fellows forthwith put out his eyen. And when he was blind, he went to th'emperors palace, & asked of the steward an hundred shillings, according to th'emperors law. Dear friend said the steward, thou mightest see with both thine eyen yesterday, & thou also understandest the law amiss, for the law is made for men that are blind through infirmities, or by the will of god, & yesterday thou hadst thy sight in the tavern, but wilfully thou hast lost thine eyen, therefore go thou to the tavern again to thy fellows & make thy peace & quite thyself, for here getest thou not a farthing. Than went this wretched man forth & told his fellows of the stewards answer, & with that came in the taverner & despoiled them of all their clothes and bet them, & thus drove them which shame out of the city, and so were they never seen there after.  
¶ Dear friends this emperor is our saviour christ which ordained for a law that every blind man should have an hundred shillings of his treasure. This blind man betokeneth every sinner, which sinneth through infirmities, or enticing of the devil, the world & the flesh, which shall receive an hundred shillings, if he be inwardly repentant of his sins, that is to say he shall have an hundred times more joy, according to scripture, saying thus. Centuplum accipietis et vitam eternam possidebitis. Ye shall receive an hundred times more joy, if ye be repentant & turn from sin, & also ye shall have everlasting life. These men that came to the tavern & drank the wine, be sinners, which oftentimes come to the tavern of our adversary the devil and drink, that is to say, they there consume & waste away all ghostly virtues, which they received when they took christendom at the font stone, wherefore the devil our enemy despoileth them & maketh them to lose all their good deeds that ever they wrought before they cast lots, that is to say, the cast among them the custom of sin, & this lot of sin falleth on them that is worshipful & without mercy, & such a man wilfully becometh blind, that is to say, he becometh wilfully a foul sinner, like judas that betrayed our lord without any suggestion or enticing, & therefore such men sin more grievously when they come before the steward, that is to say, before the prelate's of the church, they may not lightly obtain the joys of heaven, for why, they be not in the right way to leave their sin. Therefore study we with all our diligence to please god, that we may obtain everlasting reward. Unto the which bring us our lord jesus. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor named Pylomyus, which had only a daughter a fair damoysel & a gracious in the sight of every man and was named Aglaes'. There was also in themperors palace a gentle knight that loved this lady above all thing in the world. It befell after upon a day that this knight talked with this lady, & uttered in secret wise his desire to her. Than said she courteously, sith ye have uttered to me the brevities of your heart, I shall in like wise for your love utter to you the secrets of my heart, & truly I say that above all other I love you best. Than said the knight, I purpose to visit the holy land, & therefore give me your troth, that this vij year ye shall take none other man, but only for my love to tarry me so long, and if I come not again to this day vii year, take than what man ye like best. And in like wise I shall promise you that within this vij year I shall take no wife. Than said she, this covenant pleaseth me well. When this was said, everich of them betrouthed other, & than this knight took his leave of this lady & went forth to the holy land. Anon after that the Emperor treated with the king of Hungary of marriage for his daughter. Than came the king of Hungary to th'emperors palace to see his daughter, & when he had seen her, he liked marvelously well her beauty and her goodness, so that th'emperor & the king were accorded in all things as touching the marriage, upon the condition that the damosel would consent. Than called th'emperor the young lady to him & said. O my fair daughter I have provided for the that a king shall be thy husband, if the list to assent, therefore tell me what answer thou wilt give to this. Than said she to her father, it pleaseth me well, but of one thing dear father I you beseech if it might please you to grant me for the love of god, I have avowed my chastity only to god for this vij year, therefore dear father I beseech you for all the love that is between your gracious fatherhood & me, that ye name no man to be my husband till these vij year be ended, and than I shall be ready in all things to fulfil your will. Than said th'emperor, sith it is so that thou wilt no husband have these vii year, I will not break thy vow, but when the vii year been passed, thou shalt have the king of Hungary to thy husband. And than th'emperor sent forth his letters to the king of Hungary, praying him if it might please him to abide vii year for the love of his daughter, & than should he speed of his intent without fail. Hereof the king was pleased, and granted to abide. And when these vij year were ended save a day, the young lady stood in her chamber window & wept sore, saying thus. Alas alas as to morrow my love promised to be with me again fro the holy land, & also the king of Hungary to morrow will be here for to wed me, according for my father's promise, & if my love come not at a certain hour, than am I utterly deceived of the inward love of him. When the day came, the king arrayed him toward th'emperor with a great company to wed his daughter, & was royally beseen & arrayed in purple. And while the king was riding on his way there came a knight suddenly riding by him, to whom he said thus. Dear friend whence art thou, & whence comest thou. The knight answered and said, I am of th'empire of Rome, and now am come late fro the holy land, & am ready to do your service such as I can. And as they road talking by the way, it began to rain so fast, that all the kings array was almost loost. Than said the knight. My lord quoth he, ye have done foolishly, for as much as ye brought not which you your house. Than said the king, how speakest thou so, my house is large & broad & made of stones & mortar, how should I than bear with me my house, thou speakest to me like a fool. When this was said they road farther till they came to a great water and a deep, the king smote his horse with his spurs & leapt in to the water, so that he was almost drowned. When the knight saw this, & was over on that other side of the water without peril, he said to the king. Ye were in peril, & therefore ye did foolishly because ye brought not with you your bridge. Than said the king, thou speakest marvelously, my bridge is made of lime & stone, & containeth in quantity more than half a mile, how should I than bear with me my bridge, therefore thou speakest foolishly. Well said the knight, my foolishness may turn the to wisdom. When the king had ridden a little farther, he asked the knight what time of the day it was. Than said the knight, if any man have lust to eat, it is time of the day to eat, & therefore my reverent lord I pray you to take a sop with me, for that is no disworship to you but great honour to me before the states of this Empire Than said the king, I will gladly eat with the. They sat both down in a vine garden, & all that were with the king & with the knight dined. And when dinner was done & that the king had washen, the knight said to the king. My lord quoth he, ye have done foolishly for that ye led not which you your father & your mother. Than said the king, what sayest thou, my father is deed, and my mother is old & may not travail, how should I than bring them with me, therefore to the I say the troth, a folyssher man than thou art saw I never. Than said the knight, every work is praised at the end. When the king had ridden a little farther, & was nigh hand th'emperors palace, the knight asked leave to go from him, for this cause he knew a nearer way to the palace to the young lady, that he might come first and lead her with him. Than said the king, I pray the sir tell me by what place purposest thou to ride. Than said the knight, I shall tell you troth, this day seven. year I left a net in a place, & now I purpose to visit it & draw it to me, & if it be broken I will leave it, & if it be hole than will I take it to me, & keep it as a precious jewel, and when he had said what him list he took his leave of the king & road forth, and the king kept the broad high way. When th'emperor heard of the kings coming, he went against him which a great company, & worshipfully received him, & let do of his wit clothes, & arrayed him again with new clothes. And when th'emperor & the king were set to meat th'emperor did him all the ch●●e & ●●lace that he could. And when they had dined th●mperour asked tidings of the king. My lord said he, I shall tell you what I heard this day by the way. There came a knight to me & reverently valued me, & anon after that there came a great rain, & confounded greatly my clothing, & anon the knight said, sir y● hast done foolishly, for so much thou brought not which the thy house. Than said th'emperor, what clothing had the knight on him. A cloak quod the king. Than said th'emperor, for sooth that was a wise man, for the house whereof he spoke was a cloak & therefore he said to you that ye did foolishly because ye came without your cloak, for if ye had brought with you a cloak, than had not your clothes been defouled with the rain. Than said the king, when we had ridden a lytal farther, we came to a deep water, I smoote my horse with the spurs & almost I was drowned, & he road on the other side of the water & found no peril, & than said he to me, ye have done foolishly, for so moche that ye led not with you your bridge. Forsooth said th'emperor he said troth, for he called the bridge your squires, that should have ridden before & assayed the deepness of the water. Than said the king, we road farther, & at the last he prayed me to dine with him, & when we had dined he said I did unwisely, for I led not with me my father & my mother. soothly said th'emperor he was ● wise man & said troth, for he called your father & mother breed & wine & other victuals. Than said the king we road farther, and anon after he asked me l●ue to go fro me, & I asked diligently whether he went. And he answered again & said. This day vij year I left a net in a privy place, & now I will ride to visit it, & if it be broken or torn, than will I ●eue it, & if it be hole as I left it, than shall it be to me right precious, & I shall bear it with me. When th'emperor heard this he cried with a loud voice & said. O ye my knights and my servants, go ye lightly unto my daughters chamber, for soothly that is the net whereof the knight spoke. And anon his knights and his servants went unto his daughters chamber & found her not, the sore said knight had take her with him. And thus the king was deceived of the damosel, and he went home again to his own country confounded.  
¶ Dear friends this emperor is our lord jesus christ and his fair daughter is everlasting life, the which th'emperor had ordained for kings, knights & other men. The knight that loved this young lady, is every good christian soul, which holdeth himself not worthy to come in the sight of god unto such joy as the apostle saith. Non est condign passionis huius temporis ad futuram gloriam. They be not so worthy of suffering to come unto the glory that is to come. This knight went vii year on pilgrimage, like as a good christian man all the days of his life should labour & travail in fulfilling the vii works of mercy. By this king that came without a cloak in the rain, is to understand the mighty men of this world as justices, Mayres & Baylyes, that have no cloaks to cover all their other clothes. By this cloak is understand charity, as the apostle saith. Charitas cooperit multitudinem pctonrum. charity covereth all our sins. But many men have not this cloak, wherefore they be wit in the rain of pride, avarice & lechery This king also was almost drowned, because he lacked his bridge, that is to say, perfit faith. For we s● daily that there may no man pass over a great water broad & deep without a bridge, or some other thing that is able to bear him. Right so without faith it is impossible to please god. And thus may no man be saved without faith when they set their life in worldly joy or worldly help, more than in the help of god, which is mighty to do all things, wherefore he saith himself thus. salvator si habueritis fidem sicut granum sinapis poteritis. etc. If ye have faith as the grain of mustard than may ye say to the hills, go thou forth & it shall go But many of us now a days hath over feeble faith, & therefore they shall suddenly fall in the clay of desperation, & by deadly syn●e oftentimes they offend god. Also this king had not brought with him his father and his mother. By the father which is cause of generation is understand humility, without whom there is no virtue in no man. And thereto accordeth saint Gregory, saying thus. Si quis ceteris virtutes sine humilitate congregat. etc. He that gathereth all other virtues without humility, is like a man that casteth dust in the wind. His mother betokeneth hope, therefore he that will obtain everlasting life, him behoveth to have the cloak of charity, bridge of faith, a father of meekness, & a mother of hope, as the apostle saith. Spe salui facti sumus. Also this knight went the straight path way, & the king the broad way. For he that will be saved behoveth to go a straight way, that is to say, the way of fasting, alms deeds, chastity & penance. Of the which way speaketh the apostle. Stricta est via que ducit ad vitam eternam. The way is straight the leadeth to everlasting life. But many men go that other way which leadeth to hell, that is to say, by the way of fleshly lust, & such men been gone out of the way of everlasting life, but such men be deceived through the way Therefore study we to walk that way, whereby we may obtain everlasting life. Amen.  
Sometime dwelled in Rome a noble Emperor named Agyas, which had with him a knight called Gerarde, which was a doughty warrior, nevertheless he was as meek as a lamb in the emperors hall, but in the field he was like a lion. This Emperor had a fair daughter, whom the strong and mighty earl of palester ravished & defouled, nevertheless it displeased more th'emperor the defouling of his daughter than the ravishing, wherefore he called unto him his counsel & said. Dear friends it is not unknown to you the despite & violence done to me in defouling of my daughter, & therefore I purpose to give battle to the earl, wherefore I pray you to be ready at a day set to proceed with me in battle. And they said lord we be ready to live & die which you in battle. When the day of battle came, they met on both sides, & a cruel hard battle was given on both sides, & all that were of th'emperors party were slain. And as th'emperor should have been beheaded, the knight Gerard put himself among his enemies before th'emperor & fought manfully, & so th'emperor escaped, and the knight abode and slew the earl. nevertheless this knight had diverse wounds. This not withstanding he abode & fought still till the blood ran down to his heel's. And when his enemies saw that the earl was slain, they ●edde, and the knight with his people followed on the chase till he came to the place where th'emperors daughter was, & led her with him. And thus with triumph & victory he returned again to th'emperor. For the which victory & getting again of th'emperors daughter he was greatly praised of all people. Not long alter it befell that this knight had to do in th'emperors court, wherefore the knight came unto th'emperor & prayed him meekly to be favourable in his cause, & furthermore he prayed him to do the reason asked. When th'emperor had heard him, he called to him a justice and said. Go thou and do justice to this knight, & that that the law will. And when the knight heard this, he cried with a loud voice. Alas alas who heard ever such a thing of an Emperor, thou were said he in battle where thy heed should have been smitten of, and I in mine own person & none other men put myself in jeopardy for the & saved thee, & now thou hast assigned an other man to be judge in my cause, alas that ever thou were borne. And with that word the knight did of all his clothes, & showed the wounds that he had received in the battle unto all the men that were there present, & said. Lo what I have suffered for thee, and I put none other man in my stead, & now thou assygnest an other man in my cause. Forsooth I say to the that I never served such a lord before. When th'emperor heard this, being almost confounded in himself said thus. O dear friend all that thou saith is troth, thou saved me from death thou wonnest my daughter again and for my sake thou hast suffered many wounds. Forsooth it is right that I come down & make an end of thy cause, such as may be honour & joy to the. And than th'emperor laboured busily in this matter, and made thereof an end according to the knights intent, wherefore all men greatly commended the Emperor.  
¶ Dear friends this Emperor may be called every christian man, or else all mankind, which had a fair daughter, that is to say, the soul made to the similitude of god. This earl betokeneth the devil, which ravished and defouled by sin the soul of man through eating of the fruit of the tree knowing good & evil, wherefore all mankind was in servage till a strong & valiant knight came & put himself on the cross between the devil & mankind. For if that had not been we had all been dampened everlastingly, & this knight brought again the foul of man unto the church, wherefore he suffered many great wounds in his body. And now this knight, that is to say, our lord jesus christ hath a matter to do among us, that is to say, to find in us p●rfyte life, wherefore he calleth on us daily that we should be ready at all times, saying thus in the apocalypse iii Ecce sto ad hostium et pulso: si qs mihi aparuerit in troibo et cenabo. That is to say. Lo I stand and knock at the door, if any man will open to me I shall come in & soup with him. But many men doth as this Emperor did, the which gave the ynyght an other judge than himself. But now a days there been some men that will do no penance for the love of him, which assigned no man but himself to fight for us. And therefore against unkind men it shall be said thus Lo he hangeth on the cross despoiled of all his clothing and showeth to us all his wounds that he suffered for us. Be we therefore kind, that we may suffer for his love some penance, and that at the day of doom we may say thus. Have we not done penance in our life. For he that suffereth pain for the love of god, shall receive an hundred times more reward, and also he shall obtain everlasting life, unto the which bring both you and me and all mankind. Amen.  
THere dwelled sometime in Rome a witty Emperor named Pompey, which had a fair daughter called Aglas. This daughter had many virtues above all other women of that Empire. first she was fair & gracious in the sight of every man. She was also swift in running, that no man might overtake her by a great space. When the Emperor understood these two virtues in his daughter, he was right joyful, wherefore he made to proclaim through out all his Empire, that what man poor or rich would run with his daughter, should have her to wife with great riches, if he might over run her & come sooner to the mark than she, & if she over run him & come sooner to the mark than he, his heed should be smitten of. When the states of the empire, as dukes, earls, barons and knights herd this cry, they offered themself one a●ter an other to run with her, but ever this young lady over ran them all, wherefore they lost their heads according to the law. That time there was a poor man dwelling in Rome, which thought within himself I am a poor man and come of poor kindred, there is made a common cry, that what man so ever might over run the emperors daughter by any wise, should be promoted to great honour and richesse, therefore if I might overcome her by any manner way, I should not only be promoted to great honour but also all my kin This poor man provided himself of three jewels, whereby he might win her. first he made a garland of reed roses and of white. Secondly he made a fair girdle of silk craftily wrought. Thirdly he made a purse of silk set full of precious stones, & within the purse was a ball of three colours, and upon this purse was written this posy, who playeth with me, shall never be weary of my play. Than puthe these three things in his bosom, & went forth to the palace gate crying & saying. come forth fair lady come forth, for I am ready to run with you & fulfil the law in all things. When th'emperor herd this, he commanded his daughter to run with him. This young lady went to her chamber window, & when she saw him, she despised him, and said. I have overcomen said she many worthy knights, & now must I run with a churl, nevertheless I shall fulfil my father's commandment Anon the damoysel arrayed her for to run with him And at the last they ran together, & within short space the damaysell went far afore him. When this juggler saw this, he threw forth the garland of flowers before her. And when the damosel beheld & saw that she stooped down & took it up, & set it upon her heed, & that while the juggler went afore her. And when this young damoysel saw this, she wept sore, & for sorrow she threw the garland in a dyche & ran after him diligently, & at the last overtook him, & life up her right hand & gave him a buffet, saying to him thus. Abide thou wretch, it beseemeth not thy fathers son to have me to his wife. And this young lady went before him a great space. And when the juggler saw this, he took out the girdle of his bosom & threw it before her. And when she saw that, lightly she stooped down & took it up & anon gird her therewith, and than the juggler went again before her. And when she saw that, she made great lamentation, & took the girdle with her teeth & tore it in three pieces, & than threw it from her, and than she ran fast after him, & at the last overtook him, & than she took up her hand & gave him a great blow, saying these words. O wretch, weenest thou to overcome me, & with that she ran before him a great space. The juggler was sly & subtle, & abode till that she was almost at the mark, & than he threw forth before her the purse. And when she saw this purse, anon she stooped down & took it up, and opened it, & found the ball, and red the posy, who playeth with me, shall never be weary of my play. And than began she to play, and so long she continued in playing till that the juggler was before her at the mark. And thus he wan the emperors daughter.  
¶ Dear friends this emperor is our ●auyour christ and his fair daughter is man's soul, which was made clean with the water of the holy font, & was also full light to run, that is to say, in virtue while that she is in cleanness, so that no deadly sin might overcome her. This juggler that is come of so whyly blood, is the devil, the which studieth day & night to deceive innocentes. He provideth him of three things. first of the garland which be tokeneth pride by this reason, for why a garland of flowers is not set upon the arm nor upon the foot, but upon the heed, that it may be seen. Right so pride would be seen, against proud men speaketh saint Austyn, saying thus. Quecumque suꝑb●ū videris filium diaboli dicinon dubitetis. That is to say, what proud man that the mayst see, doubt ye not to call him the son of the devil. Do thou therefore as the maiden did, be weep thy sin & draw of the garland of pride and cast it in the dyche of contrition, & so shalt thou give the devil a great buffet & overcome him. But when this juggler, that is to say, our ghostly enemy the devil seeth himself overcome in one sin, than he returneth and tempteth a man in an other sin, & casteth before man the girdle of lechery. But alas there be full many gird with the girdle of lechery, of the which girdle speaketh saint Gregory, saying thus. Gird we our loins with the girdle of chastity, for who so ever is girt with this girdle shall not lose the course of life. Than casteth the juggler forth, that is to say the devil, the purse with the ball. The purse that is open above & close under betokeneth the heart, which evermore should be close under against earthly things, & open above to heavenly joy, & the two strings that openeth & shutteth the purse betokeneth the love of god & of our neighbours. The ball which is round & movable to every part of his difference betokeneth covetise, which moveth ever both in young & in old, & therefore the posy was good and true that was written on the purse, who so playeth with me, that is to say with covetise, they shall never be fulfilled. Therefore saith Seneca. Cum oina p●tam senescunt, sola cupiditas invenescit. When that all sins wax old, than covetise all only waxeth young. Therefore let us take heed that we play not which this ball of covetise, & than without doubt we shall obtain & win the game with the tenes ball in the bliss of heaven that never shall have end. Unto the which bliss bring us he, that shed his blood for us upon the road tree. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled a mighty Emperor & a wise named Theodose, which above all thing loved best melody of harp & huntynge. It befell after upon a day as this Emperor hunted in a forest he heard so sweet a melody of haps that through the sweetness thereof he was almost ravished from himself, wherefore he sought about the forest to find that melody, & at the last he espied at the end of the forest a poor man sitting beside a water playing on a harp so sweetly, that th'emperor before the day heard never so sweet a melody. Than said th'emperor, good friend cometh this melody of thy harp or no. The poor man answered & said. My reverend lord I shall tell you the troth. Beside this water my wife & my child and I have dwelled xxx year, and god hath given me such grace, that when so ever I touch my harp, I make so sweet melody that the fishes of this water come out to my hand, and so I take them, wherewith my wife my child and I been fed daily in great plenty. But alas & wellaway, on the other side of this water there cometh a whysteler & whysteleth so sweetly, that many times the fishes for sake me & go to his whysteling and therefore my reverend lord I beseech you of help against his hissing & whistling. Than said th'emperor, I shall give the good help and counsel, I have here in my purse a golden hook which I shall give the take thou it and bind it fast at the end of a rood, and with the smite thy harp, & when thou seest the fish steer draw them up to the land with that hook, & than his whistling ne hy●syng shall not avail. When the poor man herd this, he rejoiced him greatly, & did all thing as he had taught him. And when this poor man began to touch his harp the fish moved, & than he took them up with his hook, & lived thereby long time, & at the last ended graciously his life in peace and rest. ¶ This Emperor betokeneth jesus christ, which greatly delighteth to hunt the soul of mankind in the forest, that is holy church. He loveth also the melody of the harp, that is to say, he loveth much those that teach the holy word of god. This poor man that sat bithe water side betokeneth the prelate's of the church & the preachers of the word of god, which ought to sit beside the world. & not in the world, that is to say, they should not set their delight in worldly things. The preachers ought to have the harp of holy scripture, wherewith they may praise & honour god, & also therewith draw out of this world the sinners. Therefore saith the psalmist thus Praise ye god in timpanes & crowds, and sing ye to him on the harp & the psalter of ten strenges, But now adays the preacher may say alas, for when I preach & teach holy scripture, the devil cometh & whysteleth so sweetly that the sinners draw to him, & will not hear the word of god, but they turn themself only to the delight of sin. The devil deceiveth also mankind by diverse ways. first in time of preaching he maketh some to sleep, & them that he can not make to sleep, he causeth them to talk & clatter, & them that he can not make to clatter, he maketh them so dull that they may not savour ne understand what the preacher saith, & them that he can not beguile by these means, he putteth in them be synesse, & causeth them to go out of the church. Lo so many ways the devil hath to deceive mankind, & to let the word of god. Therefore every prelate & every preacher behoveth the golden hook of god's grace against this whysteling, by the which grace they may draw sinners out of this world up to heaven, unto the which bring us our lord jesus. Amen.  
THere dwelled sometime in Rome a mighty Emperor & a wise man named Polemus, which had no child save only a daughter, whom he loved so much that daily & nightly he ordained to keep her with armed knights. And above these knights he ordained a master well taught in every cunning for to teach them & to enferme them how they should do. He ordained also a steward for to guide his household. And when all this was done, on a night as he lay in his bed he be thought him that he would go visit the holy land. And than when all thing was ready for his journey according to his purpose, he called unto him his steward & said. Dear friend I purpose to see the holy land, & therefore I leave my daughter in thy keeping, & also I charge the that she lack nothing, but that she have all manner of joy & gladness that pertaineth to a virgin. Secondly I leave in thy keeping five knights that been her keepers, that they lack nothing that to them behoveth. Also I leave to the my greyhound, that thou nourish & feed him as it appertaineth, & if thou fulfil all this that I have said, thou shalt at my coming again receive a great reward. Than said the steward My dear lord in all that I may I shall fulfil your will. When this was said the Emperor took his journey to ward the holy land, and the steward a long time kept well & truly themperors ordinance. But at the last it befell upon a day that this steward had espied this young lady walking alone in an orcheyarde, with whose love he was suddenly taken, wherefore anon against her will he deflowered her. And when he had sinned with her, he gave her ill language & hated her more after than ever he loved her before, & drove her out of the palace, wherefore this damoysel for great poverty and default went fro door to door & begged her breed. But when the knights that were her keepers herd of this they reproved shamefully the steward of that sinful deed. Than the steward waxed wroth, & for great hate that he had in his heart he despoiled the knights of all their goods, & drove them fro the palace. And when they were thus rob & exiled, some for default of goods became thieves, & some manquellers, that through this inconuenyent they wrought great harm. Soon after this there came tidings that th'emperor was arrived in far lands coming homeward. And when the steward heard this, he was greatly troubled and moved in himself, & thus thinking in himself he said thus. This may not be but needs I shall be accused for my trespass that I have done against th'emperors commandment, he is my lord & merciable, therefore better it were that I go & meet with him with all honour & humility, & accuse myself to him, & ask him mercy, than any other should go before to accuse me to my lord of my treason. Than this steward anon did of all his clothes save his breach & his shirt, and took three ropes wish him in his right hand, and bare foot went & met the Emperor. But when th'emperor had espied him coming a far in such a wise, he wondered greatly. And when the steward was come so near that he might speak to th'emperor, he fell down on his knees & salued him reverently. Than said the Emperor, what is befallen the that thou meetest me in this array, for as much as the art my steward thou shouldest have met me which a great company of knights. A my lord quoth he, there is befallen me an heavy case, for the which it behoveth me thus to meet your highness. Than said th'emperor, what case is that that is befallen the. My reverend lord quoth he, it behoveth first your highness to ask of me why I bring with me these three ropes. Than said th'emperor, why bearest thou these three ropes in thy hand in such a wise. Than answered this woeful steward & said. This first cord I bring with me to bind my hands & feet so hard till the blood breast out on every side, for that I have well deserved. The second rope I bring with me ●o draw me by horse tail upon the pavement till that my bones be bare without flesh, for that shall profit me for the great treason that I have done against you. The third rope that I have brought is to hang me with upon an high galous so long that the birds light on my heed & on my body, & feed themselves of my flesh, & these things been due to such trespassers & brekers of the law as I am, & therefore my reverend lord have mercy on me, for I dare not knowledge my trespass till I be certain of thy mercy & pity. Than said th'emperor, I see in the great meekness & contrition, therefore tell forth thy trespass, & soothly thou shalt find mercy & grace. Alas alas than said he, I have defouled thy daughter, & put her out of thy palace, & now for great default she beggeth her breed from door to door. I have also despoiled thy knights of all their goods, & now some of them for default of goods been thieves, & some manquellers, & the master of the knights I have slain. But I have fed thy greyhound with the best as long as I might and tied him with a chain, but at the last he broke his ●hayne & went his way, so that now he runneth about in the country. When th'emperor heard this, he was sore astonied & said. Hast thou defouled my daughter whom I loved so well, & also exiled my knights and slain their master, & the greyhound which I loved best, of whom I gave the charge is gone also, soothly were it not that I had forgiven it thee, & that the meekest thyself so greatly, I should put the to the most vilest death that could be thought. Therefore go thou anon & bring again my daughter, than mayst thou wed her, and if any harm here after befall to her in thy default, than shall I double thy pain. Also bring thou again my knights, & restore to them their goods, & set them in their state and office as they were before. And also seek diligently my greyhound till thou find him and than bind him fast, so that in the here after may be found no default. And when the steward heard this he bowed down his heed & thanked the Emperor of his great mercy. And than he went forth and sought through out all the Empire so long till he had founden the Emperors daughter and the knights, and also they greyhound, and brought them again. And after that wedded the young lady with great honour & joy▪ and also restored again the knights goods. And at the last he ended his life in peace and rest.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth our lord jesus christ His daughter betokeneth the soul of man, made at the similitude of our lord god. And the .v. knights betokeneth the .v. wits, armed with the virtue of baptism to keep▪ the soul. The master of the knights is reason which ought to rule the wits. The greyhound is the flesh of man. The steward betokeneth every man to whom god hath given life and soul to keep under pain of losing everlasting life. But a wretched man remembering that is to come full often corrupteth & defouleth his soul by sin, & driveth her from her palace of heaven, & than goth she from door to door, that is to say, from sin to sin. He despoiled these .v. knights of their goods, that is to say, the .v. wits of their virtues, taking away the lawful sight fro the eyen, exhorting them unlawfully, & also stering the ears to hear slander & backbiting, & so forth of all the other wits, & thus some be made thieves, & some manquellers. The master of these .v. wits is slain when so ever man is ruled by will, & not by reason. The greyhound, that is the flesh, wherein a man delighteth was fed, & bound with the chain of reason, which he breaketh full oft & runneth out, & doth moche harm. The coming again of this Emperor from the holy land betokeneth the coming of our lord jesus christ at the day of doom to dame all mankind. Therefore do we as the steward did, accuse we first ourself of our sins least the devil & the world accuse us, & than it were to late to ask mercy, therefore do we of our clothes betime that is to say, our sinful life, & take we three ropes in our hands. The first rope that should bind our hands and feet, betokeneth the rope of contrition, which not only aught to bind our hands and feet, but also our other membres, both within and without so hard, that the blood braced out on every side, that is to say, that the sin might void. Hereto accordeth Ezechiel saying thus. In quacumque hora egerit penitentiam p●tōrum saluus erit. When so ever the sinful man doth penance he shall be saved. The second cord for to draw the trespacer, is confession, which should draw us from the beginning of our life unto this day by the penance of our mouth unto the time that the flesh be fallen from the bones, that is to say, till the lust of the flesh be turned away by the stones of penance. For in like wise as the stone by nature & kind is hard, right so penance ought to be hard. The third rope that should hang the fellow, is the rope of satisfaction, of which hanging speaketh the apostle, saying. Suspend elegit a ina mea. My soul hath chosen to be hanged. For like as a man is lift up from the ground by hanging, right so a sinner is lift up fro sin toward heaven unto god by the hanging of satisfaction upon this galous, we should hang till the birds of heaven came down, that is to say till the apostles come down to feed us with our good deeds. For there is more joy of one sinner doing his penance a fore the angels of god in heaven. etc. Like as the steward brought again th'emperors daughter. So it behoveth us to seek about by diverse works of mercy, & find our soul that we lost, & bring her again to the church, & rule well our .v. wits, and feed our greyhound as we should, & make our life so clean and pure, that we fall not again to sin for dread that it fortune to us worse, & that we have no leisure to ask mercy again at our need. And if we fulfil all this truly unto to our lives end, without doubt we shall obtain everlasting life. To the which our lord bring us all. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor and a wise named Edfenne, which ordained for a law that who so ever ravished a maid, should be at her will, whether she would put him to death, or that she would have him to her husband. It befell after that a man rauy●shed in a night two fair maidens, the first damosel desired that he should die, & the second desired wedding. The ravisher was taken & ●edde before the judge, that should satisfy both these damoiselles through his wisdom & rightfulness. The first damosel ever desired the death according to the law. Than said the second, I desire him to be my husband, for in like wise as thou hast the law for thee, in like wise I have it for me, & nevertheless my petition is more better than yours, for it is more chartable, therefore me thinketh in my reason that the justice should give sentence with me. Than the justice understanding the great mercy of the second damosel, gave judgement that he should wed her, and so it was done.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth our lord jesus Chryst. The ravisher betokeneth every sinner, which ravisheth god's mercy as often as he defouleth the commandments of god by sin, for the devil may never overcome man but if it be suffered by will. For saint Austyn saith. Non est peccatum nisi sit voluntarium. It is no sin but if it be voluntary. The sinner ravisheth the mercy of god as oft as he hath very contrition. The ravysher also is called afore the justice when the soul is departed from the body, and anon the first damosel (that is the devil) laid against the sinner that he ought to die everlastingly by the law of rightwiseness. But that other maiden (that is christ) laid for her how the mercy of god ought to help by contrition & confession, which is the high way to everlasting life. Unto the which god bring both you & me. Amen.  
Sometime dwelled in Rome a mighty emperor and a rich named Lypodyus, which took to wife a fair virgin & a gentle, and was the king of Assyryens' daughter. This young lady conceived & bore a child, & in the birth of her son she died. And anon after her decese this Emperor wedded an other wife and begat her with child also. And anon after that these children were borne, he sent them both in to a strange land for to be nourished. Than said the mother of the second child. My reverend lord ten years been passed sith I bore my child, and yet saw I him never but once, & that was the first day of his birth, therefore I beseech you my lord to send for him, that I may once rejoice me of his sight. Than said the Emperor, I have an other child by my first wife, & if I send for thy son then must I send for both, & than anon he sent for them. And when they were comen they were passing fair & well nourished, well taught and passing like in all manner things, that unneaths that one might be known fro that other but if it were only of the father. Than said the mother of the second child. A my lord tell me which of these is my son, & he called him her son that he begat on his first wife When th'empress heard this, she gave all her cure to nourish & to eeche him, & despised that other. When the Emperor saw this, he said to his wife. soothly I have deceived thee, for him that the lovest so moche is not thy son but that other is thy son. Than set she all her cure upon the second, & forsook the first. When the Emperor saw this, he said. Truly I have deceived the yet, without doubt this is not thy son, but one of them two is thy son. Than said the mother. A my lord for his love that died on the road tell me without cavillation which of them is my son. The Emperor answered & said, certainly I will not tell you till they be come to manhood, for this reason. first I told you that this was thy son, & him thou nourysshest as thy son and forsookest that other, & when I told you that this was thy son, than the despised the first & cherysshedest the second, therefore I will that thou cherysshe & nourrysshe them both till they come to that the mayst have joy of them. When th'empress heard this▪ she nourished them both a like. And when they were both come to age, th'emperor made a great supper, and before all his gests he told his wife openly which of them was her child. Than rejoiced she greatly, & with her son she ended her life in peace and rest.  
¶ This emperors sons betokeneth those that be chosen to everlasting life, & those the be not chosen. The mother of them is the church that nourisheth them both. Therefore our lord will not that the church should know which be chosen and which be not chosen. For if she knew that, than would she love the one & hate the other, & so should charity be overthrown among us, & should live in discord & strife, but troth at the day of doom shall tell us which of them shall be saved, and which shall be dampened. Therefore pray we in this world that we may come to the everlasting feast in heaven. Unto the which god bring both you & me. Amen.  
Sometime dwelled in Rome a mighty emperor named Polennus, which had three sons whom he loved moche. It befell upon a day when this Emperor lay upon his bed, he bethought him to which of his sons he might give his empire after his decese. Than called he to him his three sons and said. Which of you three that is slowest, shall have mine Empire after my decese. The first sone answered & said. Thine Empire by reason shall be mine, for I am so slow, that if my foot were in the fire, I had liefer that it should be brent than to take it out. Than said the second I am quod he more apt to the Empire than thou, for though there were a rope about my neck wherewith I should be hanged, & if I had a sharp sword in my hand for great sloth that I have I would not put forth my hand to cut the rope in saving of my life. And when these two brethren had said, the third said for him thus. I ought to be emperor before you both for I pass you in sloth, & that will I prove thus I lie upright in my bed, & there droppeth water upon both mine eyen, & for great sloth that I have I mean not my heed neither to the right side of the bed nor to the left side for saving of myself. When the Emperor heard this, he byquethed the Empire unto the youngest son as to the slowest of the brethren.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth the devil, which is lord & father over the church of pride. By the first sone is understand a man that cometh in evil fellowship by whom he falleth in misgovernance, & had liefer to be brent in the fire of sin, than depart from them. The second son betokeneth him that knoweth himself bound with the band of sin, wherewith he is to be hanged on the galous of hell, & is so slothful that he will not cut them away with the lawful sword of confession. By the third son is understand a man that heareth the teaching of the joys of heaven & of the pains of hell, and will not m●●e himself to the right side for love & desire of reward, nor to the lift side to forsake his sins for dread of torment. Such a man without doubt for his sloth shall obtain the realm of hell. From the which realm keep us our lord jesus. Amen.  
THere dwelled sometime in Rome a mighty Emperor named Alexander, the which besieged a city of the king of egypt with a great host, nevertheless this Emperor lost many mighty knights without any hurt of stroke. And thus from day to day his people died suddenly, whereat this Alexander wondered greatly & was full sorrowful thereof in his mind, & anon let call afore him the wisest philosophers that might be found, and prayed them to tell him why his people died thus suddenly without wound. The philosophers answered & said. My lord it is no wonder, for upon the walls of that castle within the cite is a cocatryce, through whose sight your men die, for they been infected with the venom that cometh of his eyen, & anon the die. Than this Alexander asked if there were any remedy against that cocatryce. The philosophers answered and said. My lord there is a good remedy, which is this, let set up a large mirror of clear glass over against this cocatryce between your host & the wall of the city, and when the 〈◊〉 beholdeth himself in the mirror the deed●●●●ture of his venomous sight shall rebound again to himself, and thus he shall die, and your men shallbe saved. The Emperor wrought by the counse●l● of the philosophers, and let set up anon a large mirror of glass, and thus was this cocatryce slain, and the Emperor with his host made an assante to the city, and obtained the victory.  
¶ This Emperor may be, called any christian man, the whyc●●●●ght to gader an host of virtues, for without 〈…〉 more may no man fight ghostly. The city against whom ye shall fight is the world, wherein there is an 〈◊〉 castle, that is to say, vanity of vanities. 〈◊〉 vanitatum. And all vanity, in this vanity standeth th●●●●atryce, that is to say, pride of life, desire of 〈◊〉 ●●istes of flesh, wherefore this pride infectet 〈◊〉, that they die at the last everlastingly Therefore the greatest remedy against this pride, is the consideration of our uncleanness, how we came naked in to this world, & if it be asked why a man is proud, certainly it may be answered thus, for the default of clothing of virtues, what shall we do when we die thus ghostly but set up a poor mirror of conscience, & by that conscience we may consider our will & our bryttylnes as in a glass, where then mayst see thine own default, & if we do thus without doubt the cocatryce, that is pride of life, desire of eyen, & lust of flesh, we shall utterly destroy & obtain the victory of this worldly cite, & than be we s●re to win everlasting life, unto the which god bring ●othe you and me. Amen.  
A Mighty emperor sometime 〈…〉 named Archelaus, the which 〈…〉 wedded a fair young lady, whom a young knight loved, & had to do with her as oft as him list. It befell on a night that this Emperor bethought him in his bed to visit the holy land, wherefore without any more delay he ordained all thing necessary to his journey, & took his leave of th'empress & of the states of th'empire & went toward the holy land. When th'empress heard this, she took the master of the ship & said. If thou wilt consent to me & be true, ask of me what the wilt & thou shalt have it. The master of the ship was smitten with covetise & said. O my dear lady what so ever ye will command me I shall without fail fulfil it, so that ye will reward me for my labour. Than said th'empress, or the do aught for me I shall give the what the list to have, so that thou wilt swear to be true to me and keep my counsel. The master of the ship anon made his oath to be true to her. Than said thempress My lord goth with you in your ship, therefore when he is in the mids of the see, cast him out that he may be drowned, & ye shall obtain your reward without any wythsaying. Than the master of the ship swore a great oath & said. By god after he cometh once win my ship, ye shall never see him more. Than the lady paid him as much gold as he would have, & forth he went to his ship. And within short time after the Emperor take his ship, & when he was in the mids of the see, the master of the ship took th'emperor & threw 'em over board in to the see. Than the master returned again & told the Empress that the Emperor was casten in to the see, whereof she was full glad. This Emperor that thus was cast in to the see had learned in his youth to swim, & swam forth till he saw an island in the see, but ever in his swiming when he was faint & like to have been drowned he prayed god to be his help & wept sore, till at the last he came in to a little island wherein was nothing but lions & lybbardes & diverse other beasts, that swum thither from other lands. When this Emperor had taken land in that isle he espied a young lion fighting with an old lybbarde, & the lion was almost overcomen. The Emperor had great compassion on the lion, & drew out his sword & slew the lybbard. The lion ever from that time forth followed the Emperor, & would not leave him for nothing, but every day that pray that this lion took he brought & laid it afore th'emperors feet, & anon th'emperor smote fire on the flint stone, and boiled the body in the skin, & thus was he fed long time, till at the last as he walked to the see strande he saw a ship come sailing by, & anon which an high voice he cried. And when the shipmen heard this voice they wondered what it might be, wherefore they sailed toward him, & when they were come to him he said Good friends take me with you, & I shall pay you a good freight. And anon they took him in to their ship, & the lion followed him swiming in the see after the ship. And when the lion was in point to have been drowned, the shipmen had pity on him, & took him in to the ship. And when the Emperor came to land he paid his freight, & when he had paid them, he went forth till he came near his own palace, where he heard trumpets & clarions, with all manner of other minstrelsy, & as he hearkened what it might be, there came fro the palace a squire toward him that was of his knowledge, but the squire knew not him, to whom the Emperor said thus. Good friend I pray the tell me what melody is this that I hear. The squire answered & said. The Empress is married this day, and there been all the states of th'empire at her feast, & therefore they make such melody to make her gests merry. Than said th'emperor to the squire, where is her husband that was Emperor before. The squire said that he was gone to the holy land, & was drowned by the way in the see. Than said th'emperor, I pray the sir that thou wouldest do mine erande to th'empress & to the lord that would be her husband, that I may come in to the palace & play afore them which my lion▪ The squire granted to do his erande, & went in & told the lord & the lady that at the gate was a goodly old man that desireth to come in & play with his lion afore you. Than said the new wedded lord, bring him in, & if he be worthy percase he might get his meat for his play When the Emperor with his lion was brought in, the lion anon without any comfort or setting on, ran upon the young knight that was newly married & slew him, & when he had so done, he ran upon the Empress & d●noured her to the hard bones before all the lords of the Empire. And when the states saw this, they were greatly aghast & began to flee. But the emperor with his fair speech comforted them & said. Loo this is the vengeance of god, for this is my wife that hath used adultery long time with this knight that lieth here deed, and she imagined my death with the master of the ship, and here upon the master threw me in to the see, but god saved me fro the death, & because I holp ones the lion at a need, he forsook me never sith, and now as ye see all when I came in to my palace without any comfort of me he hath slain both the avouterers, & therefore understand ye for troth that I am your lord the Emperor Anon when they heard this, they life up their eyen & beheld him, and at the last they knew him for their lord, wherefore they were greatly rejoiced, & praised god for that miracle, which had saved their lord and Emperor. And they lived after in rest and peace.  
¶ By this Emperor ye may understand every christian man that purposeth to visit the holy land, that is to say, to get everlasting life through the works of mercy. But his wife, that is the wretched flesh murmureth against the soul, & loveth better her leman that is deadly sin, than her husband. This Emperor went in to the ship taking his journey toward the holy land, that is to ●aye, he went to holy church which is the way to god. But the wife, that is to say fleshly men accused him to the master of the ship, that is to say, to the prelate's of the church for great meed which oftentimes blindeth the sight of many justices where through many perfit men been cast out of the ship in to the see to be drowned, that is to say, out of the church in to the see of this world. But what shall he do than that is thus casten to be troubled in this world, certainly thus ought he to do, let him learn to swim, that is to say, let him put all his hope in god, & than by his grace he shall come to an island, that is to say, the religion of clean heart, & that he shall love ever the better to keep himself out of this world, and therefore saith saint james thus. A clean religion & vndefy●ed is a precious thing in the sight of god, & he that is in this religion shall find a lion, whom him behoveth to give against the devil. This lion is our lord jesus christ that came of the kindred of Jude, which fighteth ever against the devil, & if a man hath helped this lion at any time, trust well than that he will not forsake him but be with him at all his need, according to the psalmist saying thus. Cum ipso sum in tribulatione. I am with him in trouble. By this lion▪ thou mayst take thy wife, that is to say, thy flesh with penance & ●lee thy sin, & than without doubt thou shalt obtain the Empire of heaven. Unto the which bring us our lord jesus. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled a mighty emperor named Gorgony, which had married a curteys' lady & a fair to his wife. This young lady in due process conceived & bore him a son, a fair child and an amiable. When this child was ten year old, his mother the Empress died. And anon after the Emperor wedded an other wife. This second wife loved in no wise themperors son, but did him all the shame and reproof that she might. When the Emperor perceived this, willing to please his wife, exiled his son out of his empire. And when this child was exiled, he went and learned physic, so that within short time he was a subtle & a co●●ynge phisycyan. It befell soon after that the Emperor his father syckened & was almost deed, wherefore when he herd that his son was such a phisycyan, he sent for him by letters, praying him that he would come to him without any delay. And than the son willing to obey, & fulfil his father's commandment, in all haste came unto him. And when he had seen his father & felt his poulces & his veins, all the sickness he had was soon healed with his medicines from all manner of dangers. Soon after that the Empress his stepmother began to wax sick. And many physicyans said that she would die. And when th'emperor heard this, he prayed his son to help her of her sickness. Than said his son, certainly father I will lay no hand on her. Than the Emperor began to wax wroth & said. If the wilt not obey my commandment thou shalt void my fellowship. His son answered & said, if ye do so dear father, ye do unrightfully, for well ye know that ye exiled me out of your Empire through her suggestion, & mine absence was cause of your sorrow & sickness, & in like wise my presence is cause of her sickness, & therefore I will not meddle with her, & also I will use no more medicines, for oftentimes physycyans been deceived, & therefore I dare not lay hand on her, least men would say (if it fortuned her to die) that I were cause thereof. Than said the Emperor. She hath the same sickness that I had. His son answered & said. Though she have the same sickness, nevertheless ye be not of one complexion. For what so ever I did to you, ye held you content, and when ye saw me come within the palace, ye rejoiced of my coming, & greatly were eased to see him that ye begat. But when my stepmother saw me she swelled for anger and waxed evil at ease, and therefore, if I should speak to her, her sorrow would increase, & if I should touch her, she would be from herself. And also a physician profiteth nought but where as the sick man delighteth in him. And when the child had said, he escaped & went his way.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth every christian man, which is wedded to his christendom at the font stone Forwhan the soul is made the spouse of christ, on whom man begeteth a son, that is reason. But this wife, that is to say, christendom dieth when so ever a man lieth in deadly sin, & after her a man weddeth a stepdame that is to say, wickedness as oftentimes as he is ruled by will, & not by reason, wherefore a man that liveth by fleshly lust oftentimes exyleth reason, & than anon the soul waxeth sick, for the absence of reason is the cause of the sickness of the soul. But when reason that is both ghostly & bodily the physician is bringing again by works of mercy, than anon man is healed of his sickness. But than the stepmother waxeth sick, that is to say, when froward will waxeth sick, than is the flesh oppressed by penance. And therefore study we to oppress our flesh so by penance, that we may come to everlasting joy. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled a mighty emperor named Folemus, which had wedded the kings daughter of Germany, a fair lady & a courteous, which within short time conceived and bore a son. When this child was borne, the states of the Empire came to the Emperor, & everich of them besought the Emperor to nourish his son. The Emperor answered & said. To morrow shall be a tourney, & there shall ye all be, and which of you doth best & obtaineth the victory, shall have the keeping of my son, & if he nourish him well, I shall promote him to great dignity and honour. And if he do the contrary, he shall die the foulest death that can be thought. Than said they. Dear lord all this pleaseth us well. On the morrow when every man was come to the tourney, the states jousted and scarmysshed full manfully long time, till at the last there came a doughty knight named. josyas, that so manfully bore himself among them, that he wan the victory. And anon when all this was done, this josias took the child & led him forth with him. And because this Emperors son should be received in his country, he sent before to his castle, & commanded his officers that it should be dight both without & within, & that the child's bed should be made in the mids of the castle, & also the seven sciences should be painted about the child's bed, that when the child wakened out of his sleep, he might lie in his bed and read his lesson. This knight had a fruitful and a wholesome well by the child's beds side, wherein he used to bathe himself, & the knights wife bare the key of this well and there wss a window that the son might come in and shine. It fortuned on a day that the lady that kept the key left the window open through negligence. And when the lady had so done, there came a bear and saw the window open and went to the well & bathed him therein, of whose bathing the well savoured after for the great heat that was that time, wherefore who so ever drunk thereof waxed leper within short time. And so it fortuned within a little space after that the lord & the lady & all their household were lepers, & not withstandyng it appeared not suddenly. And in the mean time there came a great eagle in at the window where as the Emperors son lay, and bore the child away out of his cradle. And when the knight perceived this, he wept bitterly & said. Alas alas & woe to me wretched creature that ever I was borne, what shall I do, for now I am the son of death, for I am a foul leper, & so is my wife & all my household. And the while he was thus mourning there came to him a phisycyan & said to him Sir if ye will do after my counsel, it shall not repent you. first it behoveth you & your wife and all your household to be let blood, & after that to be bathed and washen clean, & than shall I lay to my medicine And when ye are hole, than shall you & your wife & all your household walk to the mountains and seek the Emperors son, for the eagle hath let him fall in some place. The knight wrought all thing by the counsel of this phisycyan, & anon after was let blood & received the medicine, & than he was all hole & his wife and all his household, wherefore he leapt on his horse, & took with him three squires, & road forth and sought the child. And at the last he found him hole and sound dying in a valley, & than was he greatly rejoiced. And for the great joy & gladness that was in him for the finding of themperors son he made a great feast, & after the feast he led the child home to his father. And when th'emperor saw his son in good health, he was right glad, wherefore he promoted him to great worship, which lived after the long time in great honour and worship, & at the last ended his life in peace & rest.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth the father of heaven, his son betokeneth our lord jesus christ, whom many men desire to nourish at easter when they receive the sacrament. He nourisheth him that best jousteth with the devil and overcometh him through penance. The knight that took this child which him betokeneth a good christian man that fasteth truly and blessedly all the lente before. Therefore do we as the knight did, send we before messengers to dight & to make clean the castle of our heart from all spots of sin by works of mercy, & so shall this child jesus rest & light in the mids of our heart. The well betokeneth mercy, which ought to be next our lord. For who so ever is without mercy & truth may not nourish that blessed child jesu. But it happeneth oft that the knights wife (that is the flesh of man) beareth the key of mercy, and oft leaveth the well open and than cometh the bear (that is the devil) and casteth venom in to the well of mercy, and who that tasteth thereof shall be infected with the lepry of sin. The window wherein the son shineth is the grace of the holy ghost, by whom men live and are comforted ghostly, by this window the eagle cometh in, that is to say, the power of almighty god, and took away the child jesus from the heart of man, & than man hath great cause to weep, but what shall he do when the child is gone but send for a subtle phisycyan, that is to say, a discryte confessor, which shall give him counsel to let him blood & all his household, that is to say, to put out sin through confession of tongue before his ghostly father. Than must he bathe himself with tears of contrition & compunction of tongue, & after that take the medicine of satisfaction, & than shall he be made clean from all manner of sin. And when he hath done thus, he must leap on the palfrey of good life, & ride forth which his three squires, that is to say, fasting, prayer & alms deed, & than without doubt he shall find the child jesus in the valley of humility, & not on a hill that is to say, pride. And if he do thus, doubtless he shall have might and power to nourish that blessed child jesus, for whose nourishing the father of heaven shall promote him unto everlasting joy. Unto the which joy god bring us all. Amen.  
Sometime dwelled in Rome a mighty Emperor named Fulgentius, which governed his people nobly, & loved them so much that he made to proclaim through out all nations, that who so ever would come to him rich or poor at a certain day, should have their petitions what so ever 〈◊〉 were. When the mighty men heard this, they were glad, & came at the day assigned, & every man put forth thayr petitions unto the Emperor, & anon their petitions were granted & fulfilled, in so much that almost all the empire was departed among them. And than every man was joy full & went home again & took s●a sign of such lands & castles as the Emperor had given them, Anon after the poor men gathered them together and said. A common cry was made that all men both poor & rich should come to the Emperors palace, & their they should have what so ever they asked, & the rich men have been there lately and obtained their petitions. Therefore go we now & wite if we may obtain any good of the Emperor. That counsel was approbate & allowed among them all, wherefore they went forth till they came to the emperors palace, & there they put forth their petitions according to th'emperors proclamation. And when the Emperor had heard them, he said to them Dear friends I have heard all your petitions, & it is troth that my proclamation was, that every man indifferently should come & have their petitions, but the rich & mighty men have been here afore you, to whom I have given all that I had, save only the royalty of my lordship, and so have I nothing left to give you. A good lord have mercy upon us, & let us not go void again, for we know well that is our own default that we came not rather with these other rich & mighty men, but sith it is so, we ask your grace that we may obtain somewhat by the which we may live. Than said the Emperor. Good friends though I have given all my lands, rents & tenements, & all the castles to the rich men that came before you. Nevertheless I have kept still in mine own hands the lordship over them, and that lordship I give to you, and so shall they be your servants, & be obedient to you all. And when the poor men heard this, they were greatly rejoiced, & kneeled down to the Emperor & thanked him saying. ●o though we come late, yet we be made lords over all these other, And with this they took their leave and went home again. But when the rich and the mighty men heard that, they were greatly moved, and set a common parliament among themself. And thus it was spoken among them. Alas alas how may we serve them that sometime were but churls & our subjects in all manner things, & now they be made lords over us. Therefore go we all with one assent to th'emperor & pray we him of remedy. When this was said their counsel was commended, & forth they went to the Emperor & said to him. Reverend lord what may this be, those that were our servants be made our lords we beseech you meekly that it may not be so. Than said the Emperor. Good friends I do you no wrong, for my cry was common, that what so ever ye asked of me ye should obtain your petition, & ye asked nothing of me but lands, rents & honours, and all that have I granted you at your own will, in so moche that I kept nothing for myself, & each of you were well content at your away going, & after that came simple and poor men & asked of me some goods according to my proclamation, & I had nothing to give them, for I had given you all that I had, save only the lordship over you, which I kept in my hands, & when the poor men so cried on me, I had nothing to give them, save only the lordship over you, and therefore ye should not blame me, for that ye asked ye had. Than said they. A good lord we pray you effectuously of your counsel in this case, & of your help. The Emperor answered & said, Sirs if ye will work after me, I shall give you good & profitable counsel. Than said they. Lord we be ready to fulfil what so ever ye say to us for our profit. Than said th'emperor. My good friends ye have of me both lands and tenements, with other movable goods, and that great plenty, the which by my counsel ye shall depart with the poor men, that they may grant you the lordship. And anon these rich men gladly granted to this, & departed all their goods among the poor men, & than they gave them again the lordship over them, like as they had of the rich men And thus were they both content, & th'emperor was greatly commended of all the people, because he accorded both the parties so wisely.  
¶ By this Emperor is understand our lord jesus christ, which made a proclamation by his prophets patriarchs, apostles & preachers, that every man both poor & rich should come & ask everlasting joy, and without doubt they shall obtain their petition. But the rich and mighty men asked none other thing but worldly honour & transitory richesse, for this world shall pass & all his covetise, wherefore he gave them so much of worldly goods, that he had nothing left to himself, according to scripture. The birds of heaven have nests, & the foxes in earth have caves; but the son of god hath nothing in earth where he may put his heed. The poor men be such as be meek in heart. Of the which poor men speaketh our lord, saying. Blessed be the poor in heart, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. And if it should seem that they have lordship's above mighty men of this world, therefore these rich men ought to depart their richesse with poor men, according to the scripture, saying thus. give ye alms, & all thing shall be cleave to you. And thus may ye get a lordship in heaven, unto the which lordship I beseech almighty god to bring us all. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled a mighty emperor named Domicyan, which had two daughters of whom one was passing fair, & that other foul & ugly to behold, wherefore he let cry through out all his empire, that what man would have his fair daughter to wife, should have nothing with her but her fairness. And who that wedded his foul daughter, should have all his empire after his death. And when the proclamation was made, there came many lords that desired to wed his fair daughter. though whom the Emperor answered thus. Sirs ꝙ he, ye wot not what ye desire, right well ye know that if ye wed her, ye shall have nothing with her but her fairness, & furthermore if I give her to one of you & not to another, than will ye strive for her, therefore if ye will needs have her & forsake my foul daughter, you behoveth first to just for her, and he that winneth her, shall wed her. Than were the greatest states of the empire greatly rejoiced, & anon only for he love they would just & also fight, wherefore they set a day of battle, & many worthy men were slain on both sides, nevertheless one obtained the victory and wedded that fair lady. The second daughter that was foul and ugly saw this that her sister was wedded with great solemnity mourned & wept daily, wherefore the Emperor her father came to her and said. Dear daughter why mournest thou thus. Alas dear father quoth she, it is no wonder though I mourn, saying my sister wedded with so great honour & gladness, & every man is fain of her, & no man loveth my fellowship, and therefore dear father what I may best do soothly I wot not. Than said the emperor. O my dear daughter, all that is mine is thine and it is not unknown to you that he which wedded thy sister had nothing with her but her fairness, & therefore I shall proclaim in mine own person through all mine Empire, that what man weddeth you, I shall make him sure by letter patent of all mine empire after my death. Than this young lady though she was foul & ugly, nevertheless she rejoiced in the promise of her father, & anon after the proclamation was made, than there came a young knight & a gentle & wedded the lady & after the death of the Emperor he seized all the Empire and was crowned Emperor and she Empress. ¶ This Emperor betokeneth our lord jesus christ which hath two daughters, that one fair & that other foul. That one fair betokeneth this world, which is full fair & delectable to many men. That other foul betokeneth poverty & trouble, whom few men desire to wed. Nevertheless a common cry was made by holy scripture, that who so would have his fair daughter, that is the world, should have nothing with her but her fairness, that is to say, the worldly vany●ees which fade & fall a way like as the fairness of man. But who that will wed the foul daughter, that is to say, wilfully to receive poverty & trouble for god's love, without doubt he shall obtain the empire of heaven, according to scripture, saying. Ye that have forsaken all thing for my love to follow me, shall have everlasting life. Many noble and worthy men have jousted for the fair daughter, that is to say, have fought both by see & by land for this world for covetise of worldly richesse, & at the last there be many slain, for there is nothing here but pride of life, covetise of eyen or of the flesh, where through all the world is put to great mischief. But he that weddeth the fair daughter, that is the world, is he that setteth all his affection & desire in the wrecchednes of this world, & will not for nothing forsake this world, like a wretch & covetous man. But he that weddeth the foul daughter, is a good christian man, which for the love of the kingdom of heaven forsaketh all this world, & not only doth thus but also despiseth himself, bodily obeying unto his sovereigns in all thing. Such a man certainly shall obtain the Empire of heaven. Unto the which jesus christ bring both you and me. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled a mighty emperor named Andromyke, which above all thing loved melody. This Emperor had within his castle a well of such virtue, that who so ever were drunken & drank of the water of that well, should incontinent be fresh again, & be delivered from all manner of drunkenness. There was also dwelling in this emperors court a knight named Ydrony, whom the Emperor loved moche, but oftentimes he was drunken, which vice the emperor hated above all thing. And when this knight perceived himself drunken, than would he go to the well & drink of the water & refresh himself, so that what so ever the Emperor said to him he would answer him so reasonably, that no drunkenness might be seen in him, & for his witty answer he was greatly beloved of the Emperor. Nevertheless his fellows of the court enuyd him moche, & imagined among themself how they might depart the Emperors love fro him. It fortuned on a day that this Emperor went to the forest and heard a nightinggale sing so merely, that oftentimes after he would rise early in the morning, & sometime from his meat & walk to the wode for to hear the sweetness of her song, wherefore many of his men said among themselves. Our lord delighteth so moche in the nyghtyngales' song, that he recketh little of our profit, in so moche that through two things his love is withdrawn from us, that is to say by Ydrony the knight & by the sweet song of the nightinggale. Than said an old knight that was among them. Sirs quoth he, if ye will do by my counsel, I shall deliver you of the knight Ydrony & of the nightinggale without hurt or death. They swore & said, what so ever ye bid us do, we shall anon fulfil which all our heart. When this knight heard this, within a while after he espied this Ydrony droken, wherefore he locked fast the well, & as this knight Ydrony came to refresh himself, he found the well fast locked. The Emperor had a great matter to treat, wherefore in haste he sent for this knight, because of his great wisdom to have his counsel. And when he came before the Emperor he was so drunken that he might not once move his tongue, neither had wit, reason, nor understanding to answer the Emperor to his matter. But when the Emperor saw this, he was greatly grieved, for so moche as he hated that vice, wherefore he commanded anon that from that day forth he should no more be seen within his land upon pain of death. This hearing his foemen greatly were gladded, & said unto the old knight. Now be we delivered of this knight Ydrony, there is no more to do but that we might find the way to be delivered of the nightinggale, in which the Emperor delighteth so moche. Than said this old knight your ears shall hear and your eyen shall see that this nightinggale shallbe destroyed in short time. Not long after this old knight espied that the nightinggale used to sit upon a tree even above the foresaid well, where as her make came & grendred with her, nevertheless in the absence of her make she took oftentimes an other make & did adultery, & when she had thus done, than would she descend to the well and bathe herself, that when her make came, he should feel no savour ne evil odour of that she had done. When the knight had seen this on a time he locked the well, & when the nightinggale would have descended to bathe herself after her auou●ry, she found the well closed, wherefore she flew up to the tree again & mourned sore in her manner, & left of her sweet song. Than came her make & saw that she had trespassed against her nature, he returned again and in short time brought a great multitude of nightingalings which slew his make, & tore her all to pieces And thus was the wise knight put away & the nightinggale slain, & the Emperor put from his pleasure and solace such as he was wont to have.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth our lord jesus christ which loveth greatly the song of perfit devotion, for when we pray we speak which god, & when we read, god speaketh with us. The well that was in the palace betokeneth confession that is in the church, therefore if any man be drunken with sin, let him drink of the well of confession, & without doubt he shall be safe. This ydrony betokeneth every man that wilfully returneth again to sin after his confession, like as a dog that maketh a vomit & casteth out the meat that he hath eaten afore, & after when he is hungry cometh & eateth it again. Nevertheless if a man that hath sinned thus will drink of the well of confession, he shall receive his ghostly strengths. The nightinggale that sat on the tree betokeneth the soul the sitteth on the tree of holy doctrine And her song betokeneth the soul that sitteth on the tree in devout prayers to god. But this soul doth adultery as oftentimes as she consenteth to sin. Nevertheless if she run to confession & bathe her with the water of contrition, god shall love her. But her foemen that be the fiends of hell seeing this that god is so merciful, they stop the well of confession, that is to say, the mouths of them that would shrive themselves, with shame & dread of penance, that they dare not tell forth their sins. And thus been many exiled & put to death everlasting. And therefore study we to bathe our life in the well of confession with the water of contrition, and than may we be sure to come to everlasting life. Unto the which god bring both you and me. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor named Darmes, which had a mighty strong city and strongly walled about, & a bell hanging in the mids of the city, & when so ever this Emperor went to battle without the city, this bell should be rung, but there should no man ring the bell but a virgin. Within short time after it befell that dragons & serpents and many other venomous beasts empoisoned moche people, so that the city was almost destroyed, wherefore the states of the city went with one assent to the Emperor & said. Lord what shall we do, lo our gods & our city is almost destroyed, & ye & we be in peril to perish through these fell beasts that consume us, therefore take we good counsel, or else we are but lost. Than said the Emperor, what say you is best to be done in this matter, and how may we best be defended. Than answered one of the wisest & said. My lord hear my counsel & do thereafter, & ye shall not forethink it, ye have quod he in your place a lion, and set up a cross & hang this lion there upon with nails, & when other venomous beasts see him thus hanging on the cross, they will dread, & so shall they forsake this cite, and we shall be in rest & ease. Than said the Emperor, it pleaseth me well that he be hanged in saving of you. Than took they the lion & hinge him on the cross fast nailed. And other lions & venomous dragons came toward the city & saw the lion thus hanging, they fled away for dread, and durst come no near.  
¶ This emperor betokeneth the father of heaven, the city well walled with the bell in the mids betokeneth the soul walled about which virtues. The bell betokeneth a clean conscience that warneth a man to battle when he should fight against the devil, that he might arm himself before with virtues. The virgin that should ring this bell is reason, the which as a virgin declineth all to rightful cleanness. The venomous dragon that beareth fire betokeneth the flesh of man; which beareth the fire of gluttony & lechery, that which brent. Adam our fore father when he eat of the forbode apple. The venomous beasts that poisoned the men betokeneth the fiends of hell▪ which for the most part hath destroyed mankind. The states of the cite betoken patriarchs & prophets, which besought god of good coū●eyle & remedy that mankind might be 〈◊〉, & anon it was counseled for the best 〈◊〉, that a lion (that is christ) should be hanged upon a cross according to scripture saying thus. Expedi● unus mori●tur homo ꝓ populo et nongens peroat. etc. That is to say. It behoveth a man to die for the people, least all folks be perished. Than took, they christ & hinge him on the cross, for the which the devil dreadeth christian people, and dare not nyth them. And thus, by the grace of god christian men shall come to everlasting bliss. Unto the which bring us he, that for us died on the road tree. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor and a merciful named Menalay, which ordained such a law, that what misdoer w●re taken & put in prison; if he might escape & come to the emperors palace, he should be there safe for all manner felony, treason, or any other trespass that he had done in his life. It was not long after but it befell that a knight trespassed, wherefore he was taken & put in a strong & a dark prison, where he lay long time, & had no l●ght but at a little window, where as scant light shone in that lightened him to eat the simple meat that was brought him by his keeper, wherefore he mourned greatly and made great sorrow that he was thus fast shut up from the sight of men. Nevertheless when the keeper was gone there came daily a nightingale in at that window & sang full sweetly, of whose song this woeful knight oft time was fed with joy, & when this bird seized of her song than would she fly in to the knights bosom and there this knight fed her many a day of the victual that god sent him. It befell after on a day that this knight was greatly desolate of comfort. Nevertheless the bird sat in his bosom eating nuts, & thus he said unto the bird. O good bird I have sustained the many a day, what wilt thou give me now in my desolation to comfort me, remember the well that the art the creature of god, and I also, therefore help me now in my great need. When the bird heard this, she flew forth from his bosom, & tarried from him three days. But the third day she came again, & brought in her mouth a precious stood, & laid it in the knights bosom. And when she had so done, she took her flight & flew from him again. The knight marveled of the stone & of the bird, & therewith he took the stone in his hand & touched his gives & fetters therewith, & anon fell of all his fetters & chains wherewith he was bound. And than he arose & touched the doors of the prison, & anon they opened, & so he escaped & ran fast to the emperors palace. When the keeper of the prison perceived this, he blewe a horn thrice & raised up all the folk of the city, & led them forth crying with an high voice Loath thief is gone, follow we him al. And with that he ran before all his fellows toward the knight, & when he came nigh him, the knight be●● his bow & did shoot an arrow, wherewith he smote the keeper in the lungs and slew him, & than he ran to the palace, where as he found succour according to the law.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth our lord jesus christ which ordained a law that what misdoer, that is to say, what sinner might escape & come to the palace of holy church through confession and contrition should find there perpetual succour & help. This knight betokeneth every sinner that is taken in deadly sin, and judged unto the prison of hell by the law of god, & he is straightly bound with chains of sin, wherefore he weepeth & mourueth daily for his trespass. The keeper of this prison betokeneth the devil that keepeth such a man hard bound in sin, & serveth him which richesse & delights of this world, that he should not escape from him. The bird that singeth so sweetly betokeneth the voice of heaven that saith to the sinner. Revertere revertere sunamitis. Turn again now turn again thou prisoner, that is to say, turn again thou sinner and I shall receive the ●o grace. For when mankind was in limbo patrum which was a certain prison of hell before the coming of Chryst. Than came a bird that is to say, the godhead bearing with him a stone that betokeneth our lord jesus christ, according to holy scripture, saying. Ego sum lapis. etc. I am a stone. The soul of christ descended with the godhead & brought with him all mankind out of the prison of hell, therefore if any of us be in the prison of deadly sin, touch we our sins with the stone, that is to say, with the virtue of our lord jesus christ by confession & contrition, & than withouten doubt the chains of our sins with his stone shall be broken & fall from us, & the doors of heavenly grace shall be opened, and we shall obtain help & succour in the palace of the church. And if the keeper of the prison, that is to say, the devil which is the blower of the horn of pride, lechery, or covetise, steer up any sinners, than turn we again toward him manly & shoot at him the arrow of penance, & withouten doubt he shall flee from us. And than by the grace of god we may obtain the palace of heaven. Unto the which bring us our lord jesus Chryst. Amen.  
THere dwelled sometime in Rome a mighty Emperor & a merciful named Ebolydes. It fortuned on a day that this Emperor walked unto the forest, where as he met suddenly with a poor man, & anon when this Emperor saw him, he was greatly moved with mercy & said. Good friend whence art thou. My sovereign lord quoth he, I am yours & borne in your land, & now I am in great poverty and need. And than said the Emperor, if I knew that the were true in every thing, I should promote the to great riches, therefore tell me what is thy name. My lord ꝙ he I am called Lentyculus, & I behote you my troth & true service, & if I do other wise I submit me to you and to all manner of pain that ye can put me to. When the Emperor heard this, he ꝓmoted him anon unto great richesse, & anon after that he made him a knight & steward of his land. And when he was thus exalted to richesse & honour, he waxed so proud that he despised them that were worthier than he, & despised such as were simple & poor. It was not long after that it befell that this steward road by a forest, where as he met with the foster, & charged him that he should make an hundreth pits in the ground, and cover them over with green grass & small bows, that if wild beasts fortuned to go in the forell that way, that they should then fall in, and so should they be taken & brought to the Emperor. The foster answered & said, sir as ye have said it shall be done. Not long after it fortuned that this steward road to this forest again to see if these pyt●es were made, & as he road he be thought him how great a man & how mighty he was made & how all thing in the Empire obeyed to him and was ready at his will. And as he road thus thinking, he said to himself. There is no 〈◊〉 save only I, and with that he smote his horse with his spur●es, & suddenly he fell in to one of the deep pits that he had ordained before himself for the wild beasts, and for the great deepness thereof he might not arise again by no manner of craft, wherefore he mourned greatly. And anon after him came a hungry lion and fell in to the same pit, & after the lion an ape, and after the ape a serpent. And when the steward was thus walled with these three beasts, he was greatly moved, and dread sore. There was that time dwelling in the city a poor man named Guy, that had no good save only an ass, wherewith daily he carried sticks and fallen wode & such as he could get in the forest, & those he brought to the market and sold them & in this wife he sustained himself & his wife as well as he might. It fortuned that this poor Guy went to this forest as he was wont, and as he came by the deep pit he heard a man cry & say. O dear friend what art thou, for god's sake help me, & I shall quite the so well that thou shalt ever after be the better. When this poor Guy heard that it was the voice of a man, he marveled greatly, & stood still on the pits brink & said. Lo good friend I am come for thou hast called me. Than said the knight, dear friend I am steward of all the emperors lands, & thus by fortune I am fallen in to this pit, & here be with me three beasts, that is to say, a lion, an ape, & an horrible serpent, which I dread most of all, & I wot not of which of them I shall be first devoured, therefore I pray the for god's sake get me a long cord wherewith thou mayst draw me out of this deep pit, and I shall warrant the to make the rich in all thing for ever more hereafter, & but I have the rather help I shall be devoured of these beasts. Than said this poor Guy, I may ful● ill intend to help thee, for I have nothing to live on but that I g●der wode, & carry it to the market to sell, wherewith I am sustained, nevertheless I shall leave my labour & fulfil thy will, & if ye reward me not it shall be great hindrance to me & to my wife. Than the steward made a great oath and said that he would ꝓmote him & all his to great richesse. Than said Guy if thou wilt fulfil thy promise I shall do that ye bid me And with that went again to the city & brought with him a long rope & came to the pit & said. Sir steward lo I let down a rope to thee, bind thyself about the middle therewith, that I may pull the up. Than was the steward glad & said. Good friend let down the rope. And with that he cast the end of the rope down into the pit. And when the lion saw that, he caught the rope & held it fast, & Guy drew the lion up, weening to him he had drawn up the steward, & when he had so done the lion thanked him in his manner & ran to the wode. The second time this Guy let down the rope, the ape leapt to it & caught it fast, & when he was drawn up he thanked Guy as he could & ran to the wode. The third time he let down the rope & drew up the serpent which thanked him & went to the wode. The steward cried with an high voice. O dear friend now am I delivered of three venomous beasts, now let down the cord to me, that I may come up. And this poor Guy let down the rope, & the steward bound himself fast abouthe the middle, & anon Guy drew him up. And when he was thus holp he said to Guy. come to me at three of the clock to the palace, & than I shall make the rich for ever. This poor Guy rejoiced thereof, & went home without any reward. Than his wife demanded him why he gathered no wooed wherewith they might live that day. Than told he her all the process as it befell, how the steward fell in to the pit, & also the lion, the ape, & the serpent, that he had made in the said forest, & how he had helped him out with a cord & saved him from devouring of the three venomous beasts & how he should go to the steward & seethe his reward on the morrow. When his wife heard this, she rejoiced greatly and said. If it shall be so, good sir arise to morrow at a due hour & go to the palace & receive your reward, that we may be comforted thereby. So in the morning Guy arose & went to the palace & knocked at the gate. Than came the porter & asked the cause of his knocking. I pray the quoth this Guy go to the steward and say to him that here abideth a poor man at the gate that spoke with him yesterday in the forest. The porter went in & told the steward as the poor man had said. Than said the steward, go thou again and tell him that he lieth, for yesterday spoke I with no man in the forest, & charge him that he go his way, & that I see him there never after. The porter went forth and told poor Guy how the steward had said, & charged him to go his way. Than was this Guy sorrowful & went home, & when he came home he told his wife how the steward answered him. His wife comforted him in all that she might & said. Sir go ye again & prove him thrice. Than on the morrow this Guy arose & went to the palace again, praying the porter once to do his erande again to the steward. Than the porter answered & said, gladly I will do thine erande, but I dread me sore that it shall be thy hurt. And than went he in & told the steward of the coming of this poor man When the steward heard that, he went out & all to bet this silly Guy, & left him in peril of death. When his wife heard this, she came with her ass & led him home as she might, & all that she had she spent upon surgeons & phisyciens to help him. And when he was perfitly hole, he went to the forest as he was wont for to gader sticks & small wode for his living. And as he went about in that forest he saw a strong lion, driving before him asses that were charged with chaffer and merchandise. This lion drove forth the asses before Guy which dread sore the lion least he would have devoured him, nevertheless when he beheld the lion better, he knew well that he was the same lion that de drew out of the pit. This lion left not Guy till all the asses with the merchandise were entered in to his house, and than the lion did him obeisance & ran to the wode. This Guy obtained these farthels and found great richesse therein, wherefore he made to ꝓclayme in diverse churches if any man had lost such goods, but there was none that challenged them. And when Guy saw this he took the goods, bought therewith house & land, & so was made rich. Nevertheless he haunted the forest as he did before. And after that as he walked in the forest to gader wode he espied the ape in the top of a tree, the which brake bows busily with her tethe & claws▪ & threw them down, so that in short time Guy had laden his ass. And when the ape had so done, she went her way, & Guy went home. And on the morrow Guy went to the forest again, & as he sat binding his faggots, he saw the serpent that he drew out of the pit come toward him, bearing in his mouth a precious stone of the colours, the which stone that serpent let fall at Guyes seat, an 〈…〉 ad so done, she kissed his feet & went her 〈…〉 Guy took up the stone, & marveled greatly 〈◊〉 virtue it might be, wherefore he arose 〈…〉 went to a seller of precious stones named Peter, & said. 〈◊〉 brother I pray ●he tell me the virtue of this p●ecyous stone, & I shall reward the well for thy labour. When this stone seller had well beholden and understood the nature of this stone, he said Good friend if the ly●●●o s●ll thy stone, I shall give the an. C. mark. Than said Guy, I will not sell my stone till thou tell me truly the vertu●●●erof. Than said the merchant, without doubt this none hath three virtues, the first virtue is this, that who so beareth this stone upon him, shall have joy without sorrow, the second virtue is, that he shall have plenty without defante the third virtue is, he shall have light without darkness and it hath also another virtue, that no man may sell it but for as much as it is worth & if he do the contrary the stone returneth again to the first owner. When Guy heard this, he was right joyful, & said to himself, in a good hour I drew these beasts out of the pit. Not long after it befell that this Guy by the virtue of this stone was made passing rich, & bought great possessions & livelihood, wherefore within a while he was made knight. It was not long after the emperor had knowledge how sir Guy had a stone of such virtue, wherefore he sent for sir Guy, commanding him to come to him in all haste, & so he did. And when sir Guy was come to the emperor, the Emperor said to him. My friend I have herd say that sometime thou were in great poverty, & now art made rich by the virtue of a little stone therefore I pray the that thou sell me that stone. Sir Guy answered and said, that may I not do, for so long as I have that stone I am sure of three things, that is to say, of joy without sorrow, plenty without defaute, & light without darkness. When the Emperor heard this he had greater desire to buy that stone than he had before, & said. Sir Guy of two things thou must choose one, that is, chose whether thou wilt forsake this empire and all thy kindred, or else sell me thy stone. Than said sir Guy. My lord if it must needs be thus, be it at your will, nevertheless I shall tell you the peril of this stone, if ye pay not therefore as it is worth, without doubt it will come to me again. Than said the Emperor, soothly I shall give the sufficient, for thou shalt receive of me therefore a thousand pound, & so it was done, sir Guy received the money & went home. On the morrow early he opened his coffer and found the stone, & than he told to the lady his wife how he had sold the stone to the Emperor and delivered it, & how he found it again in his coffer. Than said his wife, good sir in all the haste ye can go again to the Emperor and take him the stone, for dread that he be not wroth, & through malice put some fraud in us. Than went forth sir Guy again to the Emperor & said to him. My lord yesterday I sold you a stone, that which if it please you I would fain se. The Emperor went for the stone to his treasure & found it not, wherefore he was right sorrowful, & came again & told sir Guy how it was lost Than said sir Guy. My lord grieve you not, for I told you yesterday that I might not sell it but if I had the value thereof, & yesterday I received a thousand pound of you therefore, & this day I found it in mi coffer again and therefore if I had not brought you the stone again peradventure ye would have showed me your heavy lordship, & with that he showed forth the stone, whereat the Emperor marveled greatly & said. Sir Guy by thy troth that thou owest to me tell me how thou camest by this stone. Than said sir Guy. By my faith that I own to you I shall tell you the very troth as touching this stone. Your steward that is promoted up of nought let make many deep pits in your forest, & it fortuned not long after that he fell down in to one of them himself, & might not rise again for deepness of the pit, it fortuned also the same day that a lion, an ape & a serpent fell in to the pit with him, that time was I a poor man, & as I walked in to the forest with mine ass for to gather wode he cried to me that I should help him out of the pit, & save him fro death, for there were in the pit with him three venomous beasts, that is to say, a lion, an ape, & a foul serpent, & than he behyght me by mouth to ꝓmote me & all my kin to great richesse And when I heard that, I was glad, and let down a cord, supposing to have drawn up him, & than I haled v● a lion, & after that an ape, & than a serpent, and at the last your steward. The lion gave me ten asses charged with merchandise, the ape gave me as much wode as mine ass might bear, & the serpent gave me this stone that I have sold you, but your steward bet me & wounded me so sore for my good deed, that I was borne home upon mine ass. When the Emperor heard this, his heart was greatly moved against the steward wherefore he examined him of that false deed, but he was dumb & would not speak, for so moche that he could not deny his falsehood. Than said the Emperor. O thou wretched creature, unreasonable beasts, as the lion, the ape, & the serpent rewarded him for his good deed and thou that art a reasonable man hast almost beaten him to death that saved the and took the out of the pit, therefore for thy falsehood & wickedness I judge the to be hanged this day on the gallows, and all thy goods & lands I grant to sir Guy, & also I ordain that sir Guy shall occupy thy place and be steward, and so it was done. When sir Guy was thus rewarded by the Emperor and made steward, he was well beloved of every man as long as he lived, and at the last ended his life with honour and good peace.  
¶ This emperor betokeneth the father of heaven, the poor man betokeneth every man that cometh in to this world feeble & naked from his mother's belly, & at the last is promoted to great richesse & worldly honour, as the psalmist saith. Destercore erigens pauperen. God lifteth up the poor man out of filth, & many such men know neither god ne themselves, but cause to make deep pits, that is to say, unkindness and malice they ordain against simple men, in the which pit the devil causeth them oft to fall, according to a text in Ecclesiastico. Hovean qui alteri facit, ipse incidit in eam. That is to say, who maketh a pit to an other man, oft time he falleth therein himself, which text was well proved by Mardocheus. This Guy that went daily to the forest with his ass to gader wode betokeneth every right full man, dreading god in the forest of this world, that wode that he gathereth betokeneth his mery●oryous works that he carrieth on his ass, which betokeneth the body of man, wherewith his soul may joy & live in the tabernacle of heaven. And as the steward, the lion, the ape & the serpent that fell in to the pit, right so when a sinful man falleth in the pit of sin. The lion of the kindred of Jude (that is jesus christ) descendeth with him as oftentimes as the sinner hath will to come to grace. Therefore saith the psalmist. Cum ipso sum in tribulatione. That is ta say, I am with him in tribulation. This Guy draweth up the lion, that is to say jesus christ out of the pit by the rope of virtues. He drew up the ape also, that is to say contrary will to reason, that he might obey to reason. For of all manner beasts the ape is most like to man, right so among all the strengths of the soul will aught to be likened unto reason, and to obey reason. He drew up also a serpent, by the which is understand penance for two causes. For the serpent beareth in his mouth venom, and his tail is a medicine Right so penance beareth at the beginning bitterness to the doer, nevertheless it is full sweet & medicynable unto the soul at the end, & therefore every rightwise man should draw to him the serpent of penance. And at the last he drew up the steward from the pit of sin, according to Christ'S saying. I am not come only to call rightwise men, but sinners to penance. Also it is written that Seneca which taught an Emperor many lores & virtues of truth, and at the last like this steward caused to slay his master Seneca. Also christ gave power to judas to work miracles, like as he did to other disciples, nevertheless he betrayed him at the last. Right so now a days be many children of Belial which delight more to do harm than good, in especial to them that would ●eche them perfitly both for the soul & for the body. The lion gave to the rightwise man ten asses charged with merchandise, that is to say, our lord jesus christ giveth to every rightwise man ten commandments charged with virtues, by the which he groweth to the richesse of heaven. The ape also gathereth him wooed as oft as the rightful man worketh wilfully the deeds of charity. For wooed is profitable for two things, that is to say, to make fire & to build houses. Right so ●fy●● charity heateth the angel, according to scripture, saying. Quia magis gaudium est angelis. etc. That is to say. More joy is to angels for one sinner doing penance. etc. charity also raiseth the house of heaven against the coming of the soul. The serpent also gave him a stone of three diverse colours, the which he betokeneth our lord jesus christ, whom we seek by penance. Therefore saith saint Jerome in the second table thus. ●ost naufragi●● est premian. That is to say. We should do penance after our trespass. That christ is a stone, may be proved by himself, saying thus. Ego sum lapis vivus. That is to say, I am a living stone. christ hath three colours, which betokeneth that might of the father, the wisdom of the son, & the meekness of the holy ghost. Therefore who that may get this stone, shall have the empire of heaven, & joy without sorrow, & plenty without any default, & light without darkness. Unto which light bring us our lord jesus christ that died for you and me and all mankind. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor named Anselme, which had wedded the kings daughter of Iherusalem, a fair lady and a gracious in the sight of every man, but she was long time with the Emperor or she wa● conceived with child, wherefore the nobles of the Empire were right sorrowful because their lord had none heir of his body begotten. Till at the last it befell that this Anselme walked after supper in an evening in his garden, and bethought himself how he had none heir, and how the king of Ampluy warred on him continually for so moche as he had no soon to make defence in his absence, wherefore he was right sorrowful, & went to his chamber and slept. And at the last him thought he saw a vision in his sleep, that the morning was more clearer than it was wont to be, & that the moan was moche more paler on that one side than on that other. And after he saw a bird of two colours, & by that bird stood two beasts which fed that little bird with their heat, & after that came many more beasts and bowed their heeds toward the bird & went their way. And than came there diverse birds that song so sweetly & so merrily that the Emperor awaked. In the morning early this Anselme remembered his vision & wondered moche what it might signify, wherefore he called to him his philosophers & also the states of his Empire, & told them his dream, charging them to tell him the signifying thereof upon pain of death, & if they told him the true interpretation thereof, he behyght them great reward Than said they. Dear lord tell us your dream, and we shall declare unto you what it betokeneth. Than the Emperor told them from the beginning to the ending as it is afore said. When the philosophers heard this with a glad cheer they answered & said. Lord the dream that ye saw betokeneth good, for the Empire shall be more clearer than it is. The moan that is more pale on the one side than on the other betokeneth the Empress, that hath lost part of her colour through the conception of a son that she hath conceived. The little bird betokeneth the son that she shall bear. The two beasts that fed this bird betokeneth all the wise men & rich men of this Empire shall obey thy son. These other beasts that bowed their heeds to the bird betokeneth that many other nations shall do him homage. The bird the song so sweetly to this little bird betokeneth the romans which shall rejoice and sing because of this birth. Lo this is the very interpretation of your dream. When the Emperor heard this, he was right joyful. Soon after that the Empress travailed & was delivered of a fair son, in whose birth was great joy made without end. When the king of Ampluy herd this, he thought in himself thus. Lo I have warred against the Emperor all the days of my life, and now he hath a son the which will revenge all three wrongs that I have done & wrought against his father when he cometh to full age, therefore it is better that I send to the Emperor and beseech him of truce & peace, that his son may have nothing against me when he cometh to manhood. When he had thus said to himself, he wrote unto the Emperor, beseeching him to have peace. When the Emperor saw that the king of Ampluy wrote to him more for dread than for love, he wrote again to him, that if he would find good & sufficient surety to keep the peace, & bind himself all the days of his life to do him service & homage, & to give him yearly a certain tribute, he would receive him to the peace. When the king had red the tenor of the emperors letters, he called his counsel, praying them to give him counsel how he might best do as touching this matter. Than said they. It is good that ye obey the Emperors will & commandment in all things. For in the first he desireth of you surety for the peace, & as to this we answer thus. Ye have but a daughter, and the Emperor but a son, wherefore let a marriage be made between them, & that may be a perpetual sikerness of the peace. And also he asketh homage & rents which is good to fulfil. And than the king sent his messengers to the Emperor, saying that he will fulfil his intent in all thing, if it might please his highness that his son & the kings daughter might be wedded together. All this pleased well the Emperor, nevertheless he sent again, that if his daughter were a clean virgin from her birth unto that day, he would consent to that marriage. Than was the king right glad, for his daughter was a clean virgin. Therefore when the letters of covenants & sikerness were sealed, the king did do make array a fair ship, wherein he might send his daughter with many noble knights, ladies and great richesse unto the Emperor for to have his son in marriage. And when they were sailing in the see toward Rome, a storm arose so fervently & so horribly that the ship all to braced against a rock of stone, and they were all drowned save only the young lady, which set her hope & her heart so greatly on god, that she was saved. And about three of the clock the tempest ceased, and the lady drove forth over the waves in that broken ship which was cast up again, but an huge whale followed after, ready to devour both the ship & her, wherefore this fair young lady when night came she smote fire with a stone, wherewith the ship was greatly lightened, & than the wale durst not adventure toward the ship for dread of the light. At the cock crowing this young lady was so weary of the great tempest and trouble of the see that she slept, & within a little while the fire was out, & than came the whale & devoured her And when she wakened and understood herself in the whales belly she smote fire, & within a little while she wounded the whale with a knife in many places, and when the whale felt himself wounded, according to his nature began to swim to land. There was that time dwelling in that country an earl that was a noble man named Pyrrys, the which because of recreation walked by the see strande, & as he was walking thus he saw where as the whale was coming toward the land, wherefore he returned home again, & gathered many strong men & women & came thither again, & fought with this whale, & wounded him sore, and as they smote the maiden that was in his belly cried with a high voice & said. O gentle sirs have mercy & compassion on me, for I am a kings daughter & a true virgin from the hour of my birth unto this day. When the earl herd this he wondered greatly, & opened the side of the whale & found the young lady, & took her out. And when she was thus delivered, she told him forthwith by order whose daughter she was, & how she had lost all her goods in the see, & how she should have been married unto the Emperors son. And when the earl heard this he was right glad, wherefore he comforted her the more, & kept her still with him till she was well refreshed. And in the mean time he sent messengers to the Emperor, letting him wite how this kings daughter was saved. Than was the Emperor right glad of her salvation & coming, & had great compassion on her, saying. A good maid for the love of mi soon thou hast suffered moche woe, nevertheless if thou be worthy to be his wife▪ soon shall I prove. And when he had thus said, he let bring forth three vessels, the first was made of pure gold well couched with precious stones without & within, full of deed men's bones, and thereupon was written this posy. Who so chooseth me shall find that he deserveth. The second vessel was made of fine silver, filled with earth & wormds, and the superscription was thus. Who so chooseth me, shall find that his nature desireth. The third vessel was made of lead, full within of precious stones, and thereupon was written this posy. Who so chooseth me, shall find that god hath disposed for him. These three vessels the Emperor showed to the maiden and said. Lo here daughter, these be noble vessels, if thou coz one of these wherein is profit to the & to other, than shalt thou have my son. And if thou chose that wherein is no profit to the nor to none other, soothly thou shalt not wed him. When the maiden saw this, she lift up her hands to god & said. Thou lord which knowest all things, grant me grace this hour so to choose that I may receive the Emperors son. And with that she beheld the first vessel of gold which was forged and graven royally, and red this scripture. Who so chooseth me▪ etc. saying thus. Though this vessel be full precious and made of pure gold, nevertheless I know not what is within, therefore my dear lord this vessel will I not chose. And than beheld she the second vessel that was of clear silver, & red the superscription, who so chooseth me, shall find that his nature desireth. Thinking thus within herself, if I chose this vessel, what is within I know not, but well I wot there shall I find that nature desireth, and my nature desireth the lust of the flesh, and therefore this vessel will I not chose. When she had seen those two vessels & given an answer as touching to them, she beheld the third vessel of lead, & red the superscripcyon, who so chooseth me, shall find that god hath disposed. Thinking within herself, this vessel is not passing rich ne precious without forth, nevertheless the superscription saith, who so chooseth me, shall find the god hath disposed, & without doubt god never disposed any harm, therefore as now I will choose this vessel. When the Emperor saw this he said. O good maiden open thy vessel, for it is full of precious stones and see if that hast well chosen or no. And when this young lady had opened it, she found it full of gold & precious stones, like as the Emperor had told her afore. And than said the emperor. O my dear daughter because thou hast wisely chosen, therefore shalt thou wed my son. And when he had so said, he ordained amaryage and wedded them worthily together with moche joy and honour, & so continued to their lines end.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth the father o● heaven the which was long time without a 〈…〉, wherefore many men were perished and went to h●●l. The Empress conceived when the angel Gabryel● said. Lo thou shalt conceive & bear a child. And than the firmament began to clear when this little child lightened the world with his birth. The moan than began to wax pale when the face of the virgin Mary was over shadowed by virtue of the grace of the holy ghost, & not only her face was thus shadowed, but also her body for she was great with child an other woman, wherefore joseph would have forsaken her privily and gone away. The little bird that came from the one side of the moan betokeneth our lord jesus christ, which at midnight was borne of our lady, wrapped in clothes and laid in an ox stall. The two beasts betokeneth the ore & the ass that joseph brought with him▪ which honoured him in his birth. These other beasts that came from far betokeneth the herds in the field, to whom the angel said thus. Ecce nuncio vobis gandium magnum. Lo I show to you great joy. The birds that song so sweetly betokeneth the angels of heaven which song at his birth this merry song. Gloria in excelsis. joy to god above, and peace to men in earth. The king of Ampluy which held war against the Emperor betokeneth all mankind, that was contrary to god as long as he was in the devils power. But anon when our lord jesus christ was borne he bowed himself to god, & besought him of peace when he received his baptism, for at our baptizing we behote ●o draw only to god, & forsakr the devil & all his pomps This king gave his daughter in marriage to the Emperors son. Right so each of us ought to give his soul in marriage to gods son, for he is ever ready to receive our soul to his spoule, according to scripture saying. ●●sponsabo ipsam mihi. I shall spouse her to me. But or the soul may come to the palace of heaven her behoveth to sail by the see of this world in the ship of good life, but oftentimes there ariseth a tempest in the see, that is to say, the trouble of this world, the temptation of the flesh, & the suggestion of the devil ariseth suddenly & drowneth the virtues that the soul receiveth at the font stone, nevertheless yet falleth she not out of the ship of charity, but keepeth herself surely therein by faith & hope. For as the apostle saith. Spe salui facti sumus. By hope we be saved. For it is impossible to be saved without hope or faith. The great whale that followed the maiden betokeneth the devil, which by night and by day lieth in a wait to overcome the soul by sin, therefore do we as did the maiden, smite we fire of charity & love out of the stone, that is christ according to his saying. Ego sum lapis. I am a stone. And certainly the devil shall have no power to grieve us. Many men begin well as did the maid, but at the last they be weary of their good works, & so sleep they in sin. And anon when the devil perceiveth this he devoureth the sinner in evil thoughts, delights, consent & we●ke. Therefore if any of us feel ourself in such life under the power of the devil, let him do as the maid did, smite the devil with the knife of bitter penance, than kyndell the fire of charity, & without doubt he shall cast the on the land of good life. The earl that came with his servants to slay the whale betokeneth a discrete confessor, which dwelleth beside the see, that is to say, beside the world, & not in the world, that is to say, not drawing to worldly delectations, but ever is ready with good words of holy scripture to slay the denyl and destroy his power, we must all cry with an high voice as did this maiden, knowledging our sins, & than shall we be delivered from the devil and nourished with good works. The Emperor showeth this maiden three vessels, that is to say, god putteth before man life & death, good & evil, & which of these that he chooseth he shall obtain. Therefore saith Samson. Ante hominem mors et vita. Death and life is set before man, chose which him list. And yet man is uncertain whether he be worthy to choose life vefore death. By the first vessel of gold full of deed men's bones we shall understand worldly men, as mighty men & rich, which outward shineth as gold in richesse & pomps of this world. Nevertheless within they be full of deed men's bones, that is to say, the works that they have wrought in this world been deed in the sight of god through deadly sin. Therefore if any man chose such life, he shall have that he deserveth, that is to say, hell. And such men be like tombs that be white & royally painted & arrayed without, & covered with cloth of gold & silk, but within there is nothing but dry bones. By the second vessel of silver we ought to understand the justices & wise men of this world which shine in fair speech, but within they be full of worms and earth, that is to say, their fair speech shall avail them no more at the day of doom than worms or earth, and peradventure less, for than shall they suffer everlasting pain, if they die in deadly sin. By the third vessel of lead full of gold and pecyous stones we ought to understand a simple life & a poor which the chosen men chose, that they may be wedded to our blessed lord jesus christ by humility and obeisance, & such men bear with them precious stones that is to say, meritorious works pleasing to god by the which at the day of doom they be wedded to our lord jesus christ & obtain the heritage of heaven, unto the which bring us he, that died on the road tree. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled a mighty Emperor named Calopodu, which wedded a fair lady to his wife, they were not long together but that this Empress conceived and bore him a son a goodly child and a fair, & when he was of age he was set to school. And when he came to twenty year of age he desired his father's heritage, saying. Dear father ye are an old man, & may not govern your Empire, therefore if it please you to give it me, it shall be to your profit. Than answered the Emperor and said. dear son I dread me sore that when the Empire is in thy power thou wilt not fulfil my will ne my desire. Than answered the empress (for so moche as she loved her son better than her husband) and said. My lord quoth she that may not be, for thou hast but one son, & therefore as I believe he will fulfil thine intent in all thing, and this Empire may help him well, & therefore it is best to grant him the Empire. Than answered the Emperor and said. I will first have of him a letter obligatory, that when so ever he doth any thing against my will, that than I shall deprive him of the Empire without any withstanding. The son granted to this, & let make the obligation, & sealed it. And when this was done, this young Emperor waxed so proud, that he dread neither god nor man, & did very moche harm. But ever his father suffered it patiently for he would not be corrected by no man. Till at the last there fell a great dearth in that Empire, so that many men died for de●aute. This old Emperor was by himself & began to have need, wherefore he went to his son for to have some sustenance, which his son granted & suffered for a while. But within short time his father began to ware syeke, wherefore he called his son, and prayed him to give him a draft of must His son answered & said. That will I not do, for my must is not good for thy complec●yon. Than said the Emperor. I pray the son give me a draft of thy wine. His son answered and said that he should have none, for my wine is not yet fined, & if I touch it, it will trouble, and therefore I will ●●t broche it till it be clear & fined. Than said his father. give me some of thy second ton. That will I not be quod ●e, for that wine is passing mighty & strong, & such wine is not good for a sick man. Than his father prayed him heartily for a draft of the fourth ton. Than answered he & said, thereof get ye none, for it is feeble & without any sustentation, & such wine is not good for you, for it is not comfortable. Than said his father, new good son give me than of the fifth ton. That will I not quoth he, for that ton is full of lies & dregs, & such is not for men nor unneaths for hogs. When his father saw he might get nothing of him, & after was as hole as ever he was, than went he to the king of Iherusalem end made his complaint of his son, and showed him the letter obligatory which his son had ma●●, wherefore his father might put him out of the Empire without any wythsayinge. When the king heard this, he called the Emperors son to answer his father. And when he came he could not answer to his father with no reason, wherefore the king put him from his Empire, and seasoned his father therein again, & so he continued all the days of his life.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth our lord jesus christ according to the psalmist, saying. He is thy father that hath the in possession, & made the of nought. The lo●e betokeyeth man, to whom he gave all the Empire of this world, according to this scripture. Celum celi dno. etc. That is to say. Heaven he hath given our lord and earth to man. Mankind made an obligation unto our lord jesus christ when he received his christendom at the font stone, where he behyght him surety to serve him truly, & to forsake the devil & all his pomps and vainglory. This Emperor began to wax sick on a day, that is to say, our lord jesus christ is troubled as oftentimes as a christian man sinneth & breaketh his commandments, wherefore he thirsteth greatly the help of our soul, & than he asket a draft of the first ton, that is to say, he asketh of man the fyrh age of his childhod to be spent in his service. But a none the wicked man answereth & saith. I may not do so, formy childhod is must, that is to say, it is so tender and so young that it may not attempt so soon to serve god, which is openly false, for the child of a day is not without sin. For saint Gregory saith in his dialogues, that children of .v. years of age put out fiends from the bosoms of their fathers. And when god seeth that he may not have of the must of his childhod, than desireth he the wine of the second ton. Than answereth the wicked man & saith, that his wine is not yet clear enough, that is to say, he is not apt to serve god And when god may not have of the second ton, than asketh he of the third ton, that is to say, of the third ton of his youth. Than answereth the wicked man and saith, that wine is to strong & mighty, and therefore his youth ought to be spent about deeds of this world, and not in penance, which should make him feeble & weak. When god seeth that he may not have of this ton, than asketh he of the fourth ton. And than answereth the wicked man & saith, that an aged man is feeble & may not fast, ne do no hard penance, & if he did, he should be cause of his own death. And than asketh our lord of the fifth ton, that is to say, of his old age when he doth creep & may not go without a staff. But the wicked man excuseth himself & saith that this wine is to feeble to give such a feeble man, for if he should fast one day, it were time on the morrow to make his grave. And when our lord seeth that he may not have of the fifth ton, than asketh he of the sixth ton, that is to say, when a man is blind and may not go to sin no more, yet desireth he of such a man drink, that is to say, the help of his soul. But the wretched man dying in despair saith. Alas alas to me because I served not almighty god my maker & redeemer her in time past while I was in youth & in prosperity, but now there is nothing left but only the lies & the dregs of all wretchedness, therefore what should it avail me now to turn toward god. But for such men we should mourn. Nevertheless god is so merciful, that though he might have no service of man in all his time, yet is he content to have the lies of his ton, that is to say, his good will, though he may not serve him otherwise, & so shall his good will stand him in stead of penance. For in what hour the sinner doth his penance, he shall be saved, as Ezechiel wytne●seth. The apostle saith. Alas alas & wellaway, for there be many that will give no wine, ne none other thing to him, wherefore god shall complain unto the king of Iherusalem, that is to say, to his godhead at the day of doom, & than god & man shall give a sentence defensable against such men, saying. Esurivi et non dedistis. etc. I have hungered, & ye gave me no meat. I have thirsted, and ye gave me no drink. Loo thus shall he rehearse to the the seven works of mercy. And when this is done than shall they be put to everlasting pain, and the rightful men into everlasting bliss, where they shall have joy wythouten end. Unto the which bring us our lord jesus Chryst. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor named Antony, under whose reign the rowers on the see had taken prisoner a mighty man's son of an other region, & brought him to the emperors prison fast bound. When this young man was thus in prison, he wrote to his father for his ransom, but his father would no ransom pay, ne none other thing send to comfort him. This hearing his son, wept sore & might not be comforted for the unkindness of his father This Emperor had a fair daughter which visited every day this prisoner, & comforted him as much as she might. To whom the prisoner answered & said. How shall I be merry, or how may I joy, thus for to lie fast bound in prison from the sight of man, & notwithstanding this, it grieveth me more that my father will not pay my ransom. When this maiden heard this she was moved with pity and said. Dear friend I am sorry for thee, nevertheless if thou wilt grant me one thing, I shall deliver the from this anguish & pain What thing is that quoth he. That thou wilt take me to thy wife. Than said the prisoner, I promise you surely to fulfil your intent and desire, and for the more sikerness I plight you my troth. When he had so done, it was not long after the damosel delivered him out of prison, and fled away with him home to his father's house. When the father saw his son & the maiden together, he asked the cause why he brought her with him. Than said his son. Sir this damosel delivered me out of prison, and therefore she shall be my wife. Than said his father. I will not consent that she shall be thy wife, for two reasonable causes which I shall show the. The first is this, it is not unknown to the that the Emperor her father might have had for thy deliverance great good, and for as much as she was untrue to her own father and true to thee, it seemeth well that thou should not trust long in her, for who is false to her own father, by reason should be very false and untrue to an other man. The second reason is this. The cause why she delivered the out of prison it was neither for pity nor for love, but for fleshly lust that she had to the. For at thy deliverance she made covenant with the to be thy wife, and had of the thy troth, and therefore soon it is not reason that she should be thy wife. The maiden answered to this question & said. As for the first reason which thou layest against me that I should be untrue to my father, that is false, for my father hath plenty of richesse, & thy son is but poor, and therefore I holp him for pity, and for none other cause, and nevertheless thou that art his father would not pay his ransom that he might be delivered out of prison. Loo for this cause I have delivered him, therefore I am kynder to him than thou that art his own father, & he is more beholden to me than to the. Unto that other reason, where as the sayest that I delivered him because of fleshly lust. I answer and say playnli that it is not troth. For all manner of fleshly love is cause of strength, or else of fairness, but thy son is not strong, for his enprysonment hath done away his strength. He is not fair, for by the pain that he hath had in prison he is made low and unlusty to the sight, and therefore pity only moved me to deliver him, and not fleshly lust. Than said the son unto his father. Dear father for as much as I was in peril of death, and wrote unto the that thou wouldest pay my ransom that I might be delivered, and thou wouldest not help me, but this damoysel of her gentleness and for pity hath saved me from death, and delivered me out of prison, and therefore soothly she shall be my wife, wherefore forth with he wedded her with great honour, and with her ended his life.  
¶ Dear friends this Emperor betokeneth the father of heaven. The young man which was taken with the rowers of the see betokeneth all mankind, which was taken with the devil by the sin of our fore father Adam, and was cast in to the prison of hell with great sorrow and pain. His father would not ransom him that is to say, the world would do nothing for him. This fair daughter betokeneth the godhead, which came down from heaven and took manhood of the virgin mary, and so made a ghostly marriage between him and man. And upon this condition he delivered mankind out of this prison of hell when he came fro heaven and forsook the fellowship of angels for to dwell with us in this wretched valley of tears. But the father that betokeneth the world, grudged ever against him, and would not suffer that the soul of man should become the spouse of jesus christ, but that she should always serve him and forsake our lord. Therefore if we follow the world & his vanities, soothly we shall fall in to the snare of the devil. Fro the which defend us our blessed saviour jesus Chryst. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled a noble Emperor of great livelihood named Alexander, the which above all virtues loved the virtue of largesse, wherefore he ordained a law for great curiosity, that no man under pain of death should turn a plaice in his dish at his meat, but only eat the white side, and not the black, and if any man would attempt to do the contrary, he should die without remedy, but or he died he should ask three bones of the emperor what him list (except his life, which should be granted him. It befell after on a day that there came an earl & his son of a strange country to speak with the Emperor. And when this earl was set to meat, he was served with a plaice, and he which was hungry and had an appetite to his meat▪ after he had eaten the white side he turned the black side & began to eat thereof, wherefore anon he was accused to the Emperor, because he had offended against the law. Than said the Emperor. Let him die according to the law without one delay. When the earls son heard that his father should die, anon he set him down on both his knees tofore the Emperor and said. O my reverend lord for his love that hinge upon the cross, let me die for my father. Than said the Emperor. It pleaseth me well that one die for the offence of the law. Than said this earls son, sith it is so that I shall die, I ask the benefits of the law, that is to say, that I may have three petitions granted or I die. The Emperor answered and said. Ask what thou wilt there shall no man say the nay. Than said this young knight. My lord ye have but one daughter, the which I desire of your highness that she may lie with me a night or I die. The Emperor granted, though it were against his will in fulfilling of his law. Nevertheless this knight defouled her not as that night. Therefore pleased he greatly the Emperor. The second petition is this, I ask all thy treasure. And anon the Emperor granted, because he should not be called a breaker of his own law. And when this earls son had received the emperors treasure, he departed it both to poor and rich, wherefore he obtained their good wills. My third petition is this. I ask my lord that all the eyen may be put out incontinent which saw my father eating of the black plaice. Wherefore the Emperor let make an inquisition anon who it was that saw the earl turn the plaice. And they that saw him turn the plaice bethought them and said within themself If we knowledge that we saw him do this trespass than shall our eyen be put out, and therefore it is better that he hold us still. And so there was none found that would accuse him. When the earls son saw this he said to the Emperor. My lord quoth he, ye see that there is no man accuseth my father, therefore give ye rightful judgement. Than said the Emperor. For as much that no man will knowledge that they saw him turn the plaice, therefore I will not that thy father shall die. Lo thus the son saved his father's life, & after the decese of the Emperor wedded his daughter.  
¶ Dear friends this Emperor betokeneth the father of heaven, which ordained a law that no man should turn the black side of the plaice, that is to say, there should no man labour for richesse or lordship by covetise and falsehood. The earl that came to the Emperor betokeneth Adam our for father, which came out of the land of Damasse to the court of paradise and turned up the black side of the plaice when he eat of the apple, wherefore he should have been dampened to everlasting death. But his son that betokeneth our lord jesus Chryst. For he took flesh of Adam, and proffered himself wilfully to die for him. The father of heaven granted that he should go down to die for mankind Nevertheless or he died he asked three petitions of his father of heaven. The first was this, that he might have by him his daughter, which betokeneth the soul of man, and bring her with him into the bosom of heaven, according to the words of Osee, saying. Desponsabo eam michi. That is to say, I shall wed her to my wife. The second petition was this. All the emperors treasure, which betokeneth the treasure of heaven, according to this scripture. Sicut disposuit michi pater. That is to say. Like as my father hath disposed for me, so I dispose for you. The third petition was this, that all their eyen should be put out, that is to say, that the devil which daily accuseth man that he might be put fro the light of heavenly grace. And thus saved he mankind and led him up with him unto the palace of heaven. Unto the which palace bring us our lord jesus. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor named Lemycyus, which on a day road to a forest for to sport him, where as he met suddenly with a poor man, to whom he said thus. Friend whence comest thou, & who art thou. My lord quoth he, I come fro the next city, and your man I am. Than said the Emperor, thou seemest poor, therefore if thou wilt be good and true, I shall promote the to great richesse and honour. Than answered this poor man and said My lord I promise you faithfully to be true to you as long as I live. The Emperor anon made him knight, and gave him great richesse. When he was thus promoted, he waxed so proud that he thought himself more able to be an Emperor than his lord, wherefore he made suggestion to diverse lords of that Empire that he might usurp & take upon him through strength of them to be Emperor. When the Emperor heard this, anon he exiled him and all those that were consenting to him, so that they were put in great wretchedness and sorrow, and than the Emperor ordained other men in their steeds, and gave them all the possessions of the traitors. And when the banished men hard that strangers had taken possession of their land and goods, anon they conspeyred against them, and through treason prayed them to a feast. And they as innocentes thinking no treason, came at the day assigned and were served with five messes, which were poysoded, wherefore as many as tasted of that viteyle died incontinent. When the Emperor heard this, he was greatly moved, and called his counsel to wite what was best to be done of this treason and of their death. Than said the Emperors son. My lord I am your soon, & ye be my father, and therefore I shall give you good counsel and profitable to all men. Not far hens is a little realm, wherein dwelleth a fair maid and a gracious in the sight of every man, which hath an orchard wherein is a well, whereof the water is of such virtue, that if it be cast upon a deed man, anon he shall live again & recover his life. Therefore my lord I shall descend unto that realm and seek that water by the which they that were slain at the feast might rise again to life. And when the Emperor heard this he was greatly rejoiced and said. son thy counsel is good. And anon the Emperors son went in to the said realm, and fell in conceit with the maiden, in so much that he entered in to the garden and assayed of the well. And when he had so done, he made five deep trenches in the ground, in the which the water ran till it came where the deedmen lay buried, and anon when the water touched them, they arose from death to life. And than the Emperors son led them unto his father. And when the Emperor saw this he was right joyful, wherefore he crowned his son with a laureate crown, in token of victory, and so he ended his life in rest and peace.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth the father of heaven. The poor man that was promoted betokeneth Lucifer, the which was made of nought and exalted in the Empire of heaven in so great joy and clearness, that him seemed through his pride that he would be like almighty god, and not only like him but more than almighty god, wherefore the father of heaven expled him and all them that consented unto him to hell, & in their place man was exalted to great joy and honour. The devil saying this, envy him that man should come to such glory and honour, and bad Adam & Eve to a feast when they eat of the apple against god's commandment, and counseled them thus, saying. In what hour ye eat of the apple, ye shall be like gods. And at this cursed feast they were served with five messes that were poisoned, that is to say, their five wits were accorded in eating of the apple, whereof man was infect and died. This hearing the Emperors son moved with mercy came down from heaven in to this world and acqueynted him so well with the blessed virgin Mary, that he found in her the well of manhood, & conjoined it to his godhead, according to scripture. I am the well of life, who drinketh of it shall not thirst. After that he let make five trenches in the ground, that is to say, five wounds in his body, of the which ran both blood and water, whereby all mankind was raised fro death to life, and led them up in to the palace of heaven. Unto the which bring us our blessed saviour jesus Chryst. Amen.  
Sometime in Rome dwelled a mighty emperor named Dunstane, in whose empire dwelled a gentle knight that had two sons. One of his sons wedded himself against his father's will unto a common woman of the bordello. The knight hearing this exiled his son from him. And when he was thus exiled he begot on this woman a son. And soon after that he waxed sick & needful, wherefore he sent messengers to his father, beseeching him of his mercy. This hearing his father, had compassion and rush on him, wherefore he was reconciled. And when he was thus brought again unto his father's grace, he gave his son which he had begotten tofore on this common woman to his father. And he full kindly received it as his son, and nourished it. When his other son heard this, he said to his father. Father quoth he, it seemeth that thou art out of thy right mind, which I will prove by this reason. For he is out of his right mind that receiveth a false heir, & nourisheth him whose father hath done him anguish and disease tofore. For my brother which begat this child hath done the great injury when he wedded the common woman against thy will and commandment, therefore me seemeth that thou art out of thy right mind. Than answered the father and said. Because thy brother is reconciled thou art envious to me & also unkind to thine own brother, willing to put him from my fellowship for evermore, and soothly none unkind man shall have mine heritage but if he be reconciled. But yet thou never reconciled him of his unkindness, for thou might have reconciled him, but thou wouldest not therefore of mine heritage getest thou no part.  
¶ The father of the two brethren betokeneth the father of heaven. And his two sons betokeneth the nature of angels and the nature of man. For man was wedded to a common woman of the bordello when he eat of the apple against the commandment of god, wherefore he was exiled by the father of heaven and put fro the joys of paradise. The son of the common woman betokeneth mankind. This knights son, that is to say Adam began to be needful, for after his sin he was put from joy in to this wretched valley of tears and weeping, according to this scripture. In sudore vultus. etc. In the sweet of thy visage thou shalt eat thy breed. But after by the passion of christ he was reconciled. But the other son that betokeneth the devil was ever unkind, & grudged daily against our reconsyling, saying that by sin we ought not to come unto the heritage of heaven. Unto the which bring us our lord jesus. Amen.  
Sometime dwelled in Rome a mighty Emperor named Donate, which did do make three images, of that which one held out his hand straight unto the people, and had on his finger a ring of gold The second image had a beard of gold. And the third had a mantel of purple, commanding upon pain of death that no man should rob these images of the ring the herd, nor the mantel. It befell afterward upon a time that one Dionyse a tyrant came in to the temple and took away the ring from the first image, the berde from the second, & the mantel from the third. And anon when he had thus done, he was forthwith accused unto the Emperor and brought before him, and was examined of that trespass, why he despoiled the images against the emperors commandment. Than answered this Dionyse and said. My lord it is lawful to answer for myself, where as none will answer for me, when I entered in to the temple the first image held forth his hand straight to me, as who saith, I give the this ring, and therefore I took the ring at the gift of the image. And when I saw the second image having a beard, I thought thus with in myself. I knew sometime the father of this image which had no beard, and now his son hath a beard which is against reason, the son to have a beard and the father none, & therefore I took from him his beard that he should be like his father. After that when I saw the third image closed in a mantel of gold, I thought that a mantel of gold was not behovable to him in winter, for gold is naturally cold, which might because of his death, and therefore I took it from him because it was to cold in winter, and to hot in summer. When Dyonyse had excused him by these reasons, the Emperor answered and said. Thou hast answered wickedly for thyself, what should cause the rather than any other man to despoil these images▪ for as moche as I commanded that no man should take any thing away fro them, and thine own mouth hath condemned the. And anon the Emperor called to him one of his squires, & charged him to smite of his heed, and so it was done.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth almighty god the father of heaven. The three ymagenes betokeneth the poor men, the rich men, & the mighty men of this world. The tyrant Dyonyse betokeneth justices, sheriffs, baylyes, sergeants and catchpoles, and all other offices, which take away from poor men the ring of their fingers, and say thus. I may take that is given me. But when the poor man hath aught to do, he must needs put forth his hand to give whether he will or no, if he shall speed. They take also the ●erde from the rich men, and say thus. This man is richer than his father was, therefore take we his livelihood fro him and make him like his forefather. They take also the mantel of gold from the mighty men, when they see any man of honour and of good living willing to correcke such misdoers, than say they. This man is to cold, for he inclineth nothing to our opinions, and also he is to hot of power in working against us, therefore go we & take from him the mantel of might, and so they accuse him and put him out of office. But certainly all such men stand in peril of everlasting death. From the which save us he, that died for us upon the road tree. Amen.  
THere dwelled sometime in Rome a mighty Emperor named Euas, which had a fair young lady to his wife, upon whom he had begotten a fair son. When the states of the Empire heard this, they came unto the Emperor and besought him to have the keeping of his son. Anon the Emperor sent a sergeant through out the city, saying that in whose house were first found fire and water, the good man of that house should have his son in keeping & to nourish. And than the Emperor made a proclamation that who so ever had his son to keep should nourish him cleanly, and feed him which wholesome meats & drinks And when the child came to age, than should the keeper be promoted to great honour, wherefore many men let make ready fire and water, in hope to have the child. But on the night when every man was a sleep, there came a tyrant named Sulapius that quenched the fire and threw out the water. Nevertheless among all other there was a man named jonathas that laboured so diligently that he kept both day & night fire and water. In a morning early the sergeant at the emperors commandment went through the city & sought in every house for fire and water, but he could find none till he came to jonathas house, where as he found both fire and water ready, wherefore he was brought before the Emperor, and delivered him his son according to his proclamation. When jonathas had the Emperors son he led him home unto his house. And soon after he sent for masons and carpenters, and let make a strong chamber of lime & stone. And when the chamber was made, he sent for painters, and let paint on the wall within the chamber ten images with this posy written above their heeds. Who so defouleth these images shall die a foul death. And than he let draw on the door a galous, and a figure of himself hanging thereupon with this posy written above his heed. So shall he be served that nourisheth the Emperors son amiss. Also he let make a chair of gold, and himself sitting therein crowned with a crown of gold, with this superscription above his heed. Who that nourisheth the emperors son cleanly, thus shall he be honoured. When this was done, oftentimes in his sleep he was tempted to defile these images, but anon he red the superscription above their heeds, & than all the temptations ceased And when the Emperors son was evil kept, than went he to the gallows and red they posy that was written above his own heed, and for dread thereof he kept the child the better, & was diligent to give attendance on him. And when he beheld the chair & himself sitting therein crowned with a crown of gold he was right joyful, thinking to have a good reward for keeping of the Emperors son. When the Emperor heard of his diligent demeanour about his son he sent for him & for his son, thanking him for his well keeping & nourishing of him, and after promoted him to great honour and worship.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth the father of heaven. The Empress betokeneth the blessed virgin mary. The Emperors son betokeneth our lord jesus Chryst. The sergeant that was sent through out the city betokeneth saint johan baptist, which was sent before our lord, to make ready for him, according to holy scripture. Ecce mitte angelum. etc. Lo I fiend mine angel before me. etc. The states that desired the Emperors son to nourish betoken the patriarchs and prophets, which desired greatly to nourish our lord jesus christ, and also to see him, but they might not see him ne nourish him, for fire, & water which should have been cause of their sight, was not with them perfitly. The fire betokeneth the holy ghost, which had not yet appeared in them, for they were not washen with the water of the font. Also ye may understand by the fire perfit charity, and by the water true contrition, which two now a days faileth in many men, & therefore they may not have the little child jesus in their hearts. jonathas that watched so diligently betokeneth every good christian man, which studieth ever to watch in doing of good works, yielding to god for sins the fire of charity, and the water of contrition But aftentymes the tyrant which betokeneth the devil, putteth out the fire of charity fro men's hearts, and casteth out the water of contrition, so that they may not nourish the little child jesus. Therefore let us watch as jonathas did, that we enter not in to temptation. And call we unto us masons, that is to say, discrete confessors, which can make in our hearts a chamber of stone, that is to say, a sure faith and hope Than call we to us painters, that is to say, preachers of god's word, which can paint in our hearts ten images, that is to say ten commandments, which if thou keep and observe daily, without doubt thou shalt be honoured in heaven. And if thou keep well the Emperors son, thou shalt sit in a chair of gold, crowned with a crown of gold. And if that thou nourish him not well, without doubt thou shalt be hanged on the galous of hell. From the which preserve us our blessed saviour jesus. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor named Menaly, which had wedded the kings daughter of Hungary, a fair lady & a gracious in all her works, and specially she was merciful. On a time as the Emperor lay in his bed, he bethought him that he would go visit the holy land. And on the morrow he called to him the Empress his wife & his own only brother, & thus he said. Dear lady I may not ne I will not hide from you the brevities of my heart, I purpose to visit the holy land, wherefore I ordain the principally to be lady and governor over all mine Empire & all my people. And under the I ordain here my brother to be thy steward for to provide all things that may be profitable to mine Empire & to my people. Than said the Empress. Sith it will none otherwise be but that needs ye will go to the holy land, I shall be in your absence as true as any turtle that hath lost her make, for as I believe ye shall not escape thence with your life. The Emperor anon comforted her with fair words and kissed her, and after that took his leave of her and of all other, and so went forth toward the holy land. And anon after that the Emperor was gone, his brother became so proud that he oppressed poor men, & rob rich men, & yet did he worse than this, for daily he s●er●d the Empress to sin with him. But ever she answered again as an holy and a devout woman, and said. I will quod she, never consent to you ne to none other as long as my lord liveth. Nevertheless this knight would not leave by this answer, but ever when he found her alone he made his complaint to her, and steered her by all the ways that he could to sin with him. When this lady saw that he would not cease for no answer ne would not amend himself, when she saw her time she called to her three or four of the worthiest men of the Empire, and said to them thus. It is not unknown to you that my lord the Emperor ordained me principal governor of this Empire, and also he ordained his brother to be steward under me, and that he should do nothing without my counsel, but he doth all the contrary, for he oppresseth greatly poor men, and robbet rich men, and yet he would do worse, if he might have his intent, wherefore I command you in my lords name that ye bind him fast & cast him in prison. Than said they. soothly he hath done many evil deeds sith our lord th'emperor went, therefore be we ready to obey your commandment, but in this matter ye must answer for us to our lord the Emperor. Than said she, dread ye not, for if my lord knew what he hath done as wells I, he would put him to the foulest death that could be thought. Anon these men set hand on him, and bound him fast with iron chains, and put him fast in prison, where as he lay long time after, till at the last it fortuned there came tidings that the Emperor was coming home, and had obtained great worship and victory. When his brother heard of his coming he said. Would to god my brother might find me in prison, for than would he inquire the cause of mine enprysonment of the Empress, & she will tell him all the troth, & how I desyrey her to sin, and so for her I shall have no grace of my brother but lose my life, this know I well, therefore it shall not be so. Than sent he a messenger unto the Empress, praying her for Christ'S passion that she would vouchsafe to come unto the prison door, that he might speak a word or two with her. The Empress came to him, & inquired of him what he would have. He answered & Tayde. O lady have mercy upon me, for if the Emperor my brother find me in this prison, than shall I die with out any remedy. Than said the Empress, if I might know that thou wouldest be a good man & leave thy folly thou shouldest have grace. Than did he promise her sickerly to be true, and to amend all his frespace. When he had thus promised, the Empress delivered him anon, and made him to be bathed and shaven, & arrayed him worshipfully according to his estate, and than she said unto him thus. Now good brother leap on thy stead and come with me, that we may meet my lord. He answered and said. Lady I am ready to fulfil your will and commandment in all things. And than the Empress took him with her & many other knights, and so read forth to meet with the Emperor, and as they road together by the way, they saw where a great heart ran afore them, wherefore every man with such hounds as they had chased him on horseback, so that with the Empress was left no creature, save only the emperors brother, which saying that no man was there but they two, thus he said unto the Empress. Loo lady here beside is a privy forest, and long it is agone that I spoke to the of love, come now and consent unto me that I may lie with the. Than said the Empress All fool what may this be, yesterday I delivered the out of prison upon thy promise, in hope of amendment, and now thou art returned to thy folly again, wherefore I say now to the as I have said before, there shall no man do such thing with me save only my lord the Emperor, which oweth of very duty so for to do. Than said he, if thou wilt not consent to me, I shall hang the here upon a tree in this forest, where no man shall find thee, and so shalt thou die an evil death. The Empress answered meekly and said. Though thou smite of my heed and put me to death with all manner of torment, thou shalt never have me to consent to such sin. When he heard this, he unclothed her all save her smock, and hinge her up by the hear upon a tree, and ●yed her stead beside her, and so road forth to his fellows, & told them that great host of men me●te him, & took the Empress away from him. And when he had told them this, they made all great sorrow. It befell on the third day after there came an earl to hunt in that forest, and as he road beating the brakes there started a fox, whom his hounds followed fast till they came near the tree where the empress hinge And when the dogs felt the savour of her, they left the fox & ran toward the tree as fast as they could. The earl saying this wondered greatly, and spurred his horse and followed them till he came where as the empress hinge. When the earl saw her thus hanging he marveled greatly, for as much as she was right fair and gracious to behold, wherefore he said unto her in this manner wise. O woman who art thou, and of what country, and wherefore hangest thou here in this manner wise. The Empress that was not yet fully deed, but in point ready to die answered & said. I am quod she, a strange woman, and I am come out fro far country, but how I came hither god knoweth. Than answered the earl and said. Whose horse is this that standeth here by the bound to this tree. Than answered the lady▪ and said that it was hers. When the earl heard this, he knew well that she was a gentlewoman, and come of some noble kindred, wherefore he was the rather moved with pity, and said unto her. O fair lady thou seemest of gentle blood, and therefore I purpose to deliver the from this mischief, if thou wilt promise to go with me and nourish my fair young daughter, and teach her at home in my castle, for I have no child but only her, & if thou keep her well thou shalt have a good reward for thy labour. Than said she. As farforth as I can or may, I shall fulfil thine intent. And when she had thus promised him he took her down of the tree and led her home to his castle, and gave her the keeping of his daughter that he loved so moche, and she was cherished so well that she lay every night in the earls chamber & his daughter with her, & in his chamber every night there brent a lamp, the which hinge between the Empress bed and the earls bed. This lady bore her so gently, that she was beloved of every creature. There was that time in the earls court a steward, which moche loved this Empress above all things, and oftentimes spoke to her of his love But she answered him again & said. Know ye dear friend for certain that I have made a solemn vow, that I shall never love man in such wise but only him whom I am greatly beholden to love by god's commandment. Than said the steward. Thou wilt not than consent unto me. My lord quoth she, what needeth the any more to ask such thing, the vow that I have made, truly shall I keep and hold by the grace of god. And when the steward heard this, he went his way in great wrath and anger, thinking within himself, if I may I shall bewroken on the. It befell upon a night within short time after that the earls chamber door was forgotten and left unshut, which the steward had anon perceived. And when they were all a sleep, he went and espied by the light of the lamp where the Empress and the young maiden lay together, and with that he drew out his knife & cut the throat of the earls daughter, and put the bloody knife in to the empress hand she being a sleep & nothing knowing thereof, to the intent that when the earl awaked he should see the knife in her hand, & that he should think that she had cut his daughters throat, wherefore she should be put to a shameful death for his mischievous deed. And when this damosel was thus slain, and the bloody knife in the empress hand, the countess awaked out of her sleep and saw by the light of the lamp the bloody knife in the empress hand, wherefore she was almost out of her mind, and said to the earl. O my lord behold in yonder ladies hand a wonderful thing. Anon the earl awaked and beheld on the empress bed & saw the bloody knife as the countess had said, wherefore he was greatly moved, and cried to her and said. Awake woman of thy sleep, what thing is this that I see in thy hand. Anon the Empress through his cry awaked out of her sleep, and in her waking the knife fell out of her hand, and with that she looked by her & found the earls daughter deed by her side, and all the bed full of blood, wherefore with an huge voice she cried & said Alas alas & wellaway my lords daughter is slain. Than cried the countess unto the earl with a piteous voice and said. A my lord, let that devilish woman be put to the most foul death that can be thought that thus hath slain our only child. And when the countess had said thus to the earl, she said to the Empress in this wise. The high god knoweth that thou mischievous woman hast slain my daughter with thine own hands, for I saw the bloody knife in thy hand, and therefore thou shalt die a foul death. Than said the earl in this wise. O thou woman, were it not that I dread god greatly, I should cleave thy body with my sword in two parts, for I delivered the from hanging, & now thou hast slain my daughter, nevertheless for me thou shalt have no harm, therefore go thy way out of this ci●e without any delay, for if I find the here this day thou shalt die an evil death. Than arose this woeful Empress and did on her clothes, and after leapt on her palfrey & road toward the east alone without any safe conduit. And as she road thus mourning by the way she espied on the left side of the way a pair of galous and seven sergeants leading a man to the galous for to be hanged, wherefore she was moved with great pity and smote her horse with the spurs and road to them praying them that she might buy that mysdo●r, if he might be saved from death for any meed. Than said they Lady it pleaseth us well that thou buy him. Anon the Empress accorded with them & paid his ransom, & than he was delivered. Thus said she to him. Now dear friend be true till thou die, sith I have delivered the from death. On my soul quoth he, I promise you ever to be true. And when he had thus said▪ he followed the lady still till they came nigh a city, and than said the empress to him. Good friend quoth she, go forth thy way afore me of the city and take up for us an honest lodging, for there I purpose to rest a while. This man went forth as she commanded, and took up for her a good lodging & an honest, where as she abode long time. When the men of the city perceived her fairness they wondered greatly, wherefore many of them spoke unto her of unlawful love, but all was in vain, they might no speed in no wise. It fortuned after on a day that there came a shyppefull of merchandise, & arrived in the haven of that city. When the lady heard this she said unto her servant. Go to the ship and see if there be any cloth for mine use. Her servant went forth to the ship, where as he found many precious clothes, wherefore he prayed the master of the ship that he should come in to the cite & speak with his lady. The master granted him, and so he came home to his lady before and warned her of the coming of the master of the ship. Anon after the master of the ship came and saluted the lady worthly. And the lady received him according to his degree, praying him that she might have for her money such cloth as might be profitable for her wearing. Anon he granted that she should have, & soon they were accorded, wherefore the servant went again with the master to the ship. And when they were both within the ship board, the master said to the ladies servant. My dear friend to the I would open my counsel, if I might trust in thee, and if the list to keep my counsel and help me, thou shalt have of me a great reward. Than answered he and said. I shall (quoth he) be sworn unto the on the holy gospels that I shall keep thy counsel & fulfil thine intent, as farforth as I can. Than said the master of the ship, I love thy lady more than I can tell thee, for her fairness is so great, that I would give for the love of her all the gold that I have, and if I may obtain the love of her through thy help, I shall give the what so ever thou wilt desire of me. Than said the ladies servant. Tell me by what means I may best speed. Than said the master of the ship. Go home to thy lady again and tell her that I will not deliver the my cloth but if she come herself, but bring her not to my ship but if the wind be good & able, for than I purpose to lead her away. Thy counsel is good quoth the ladies servant, therefore give me some reward, and I shall fulfil thine intent. And when he had thus received his meed, he went again to his lady, and told her that by no means the master of the ship would not deliver him the cloth but if she came herself. The lady believed her servant and went to the ship. And when she was within the ship board her servant abode without. When the master saw that she was within the ship, & that the wind was good, he drew up the sail and sailed forth. When the lady perceived this, thus she said to the master. O master (quoth she) what treason is this that thou hast done to me. The master answered and said. Madam certainly it is so that I must needs lie with thee, & ●fter wed the. Forsooth quod ●he, I have made a 〈◊〉 that I shall never do such sin but with him unto whom I am bound by right and by the law. soothly quoth he, if ye will not grant me with your good will, I shall cast you out into the mids of the see, & there shall ye die an evil death. If it be so (quoth she) that I must needs consent or else die, than pray I the to array a privy place in the end of the ship, where as I may fulfil thine intent or I die, but first I pray the that I may say my or●yso●s unto the father of heaven, that he may have mercy on me. The master believed her, wherefore he let ordain her a cabon in the end of the ship, and in she goeth & set her down on both her knees and made her prayers, saying in this wife O thou my lord god that hast kept me from my youth in cleanness, keep me now that I be not defouled, so that I may serve the ever with clean heart & mind. When she had thus ended her oreyson, there arose suddenly a great tempest in the see, so that the ship all to braced, and all that were within perished, save the lady that caught a cable and saved herself, and the master of the ship an other, nevertheless she knew not of him, ne he of her, for they were driven to diverse coostes. This lady landed in her own Empire befyde a noury wherein she was worshipfully received, and she lived so holy a life, that god gave her grace to heal sick folk of all manner diseases, wherefore there came moche people to her both crooked, blind and lame, and every man through the grace of god and her holy prayer were healed, wherefore her name was known through diverse regions▪ Nevertheless she was not known as Empress. In the same time the emperors brother (that had hanged her before b● the hear) was smitten with a foul lepry. The knight that slew the earls daughter, and put the bloody knife in her hand, was blind, deaf, and had the palsy▪ The thief that betrayed her to the master of the ship was lame and full of the cramp. And the master of the ship was distraught out of his mind. When the Emperor heard that so holy a woman was in such a nonry, he said to his brother thus. Go we dear brother unto this holy woman that is dwelling in the nonry, that she may heal the of thy lepry. Would to god quoth he that I were healed. Anon the Emperor with his brother went toward the noury. And when the nuns herd of his coming they received him worshipfully with procession. And than the Emperor inquired of the prioress if any such holy woman were among them that could heal sick folk of their diseases. The prioress answered & said that such one was there. Than was the Empress called forth before the Emperor, but she muffled her face as well as she could, that the Emperor her husband should not know her, and when she had so done, she salued him with great reverence as it appertained to his estate. And he again in like wise, saying thus. O good lady, if the list of thy grace to heal my brother of his lepry, ask of me what thou wilt, and I shall grant it the for thy reward. When the Empress heard this, she looked about her & saw there the emperors brother, that was a foul leper. She saw there also the knight that slew the earls daughter blind & deaf The thief that she saved fro the gallows lame and also the master of the ship distraught out of his mind and all were come to her for to be healed of their sickness, but they knew not her, for all that they knew not her, she knew them well. Than said she unto the Emperor thus. My reverend lord, though ye would give me all your Empire I may not heal your brother, nor none of these other, but if they knowledge openly what they have done. When the Emperor heard this, he turned him toward his brother and said unto him. Brother knowledge openly thy sin before all these men that thou mayst be healed of thy sickness. Than anon he began to tell how he had led his life, but he told not how he had hanged the Empress in the forest by the hear. When he had knowledged all that him list, the Empress said. soothly my lord, I would gladly lay unto him my medicine, but I wot right well it is in vain, for he hath not made a full confession. The Emperor hearing this, turned him toward his brother and said again in this wise. What evil sorrow or unhappy wretchedness is in thee, seest thou not that thou 〈◊〉 foul lepre, therefore knowledge thy sin truly that thou mayst be hole, or else avoid my fellowship for evermore. A lord quod he, I may not tell my life openly but if I be first sure of thy grace. What hast thou trespassed against me quoth the Emperor. Than answered his brother and said. Mine offence against the is grievous, and therefore I ask mercy. The Emperor thought not on the Empress, for as much as he supposed that she had been deed many years before, he commanded his brother to tell forth what he had offended him, and he should be forgiven. And when the Emperor had thus forgiven his brother, he began to tell openly how he had desired the Empress to sin with him, and how he had hanged her by the hear in the forest, because she would not consent to him. And when the Emperor heard this, he was almost beside himself, and in his woodness said thus. O thou most wretched creature, the vengeance of god is fallen upon thee, and were it not that I have pardoned the thou shouldest die the most shameful death that could be thought. Than said the knight that clue the earls daughter. I wot not quoth be of what lady ye mean. but well I wot that my lord found on a time such a lady hanging by the hear in the forest, and brought her home to his castle, and betook her his daughter to keep, & steered her as much as I could to sin with me, but she would in no wise consent to me, wherefore I slew the earls daughter that lay with ●er▪ & when I had so done, I put the bloody knife in the ladies hand that the earl should think she had slain his daughter with her own hands, and than was she exiled thence but where she became I wot not. Than said the thief I wot not of what lady ye mean, but well I wot that seven sergeants were leading me to the galous and such a lady came riding by, and bought me of them, and than went I with her, and afterward I betrayed her unto a master of a ship. Such a lady (quod the master of the ship) received I, & when we were in the mids of the see, I would have lain with her, but she sat down to her prayers, and anon there arose such a tempeest that the ship all to braced, & were all drowned save I, but what afterward befell of her wot I not. Than cried the Empress with a high voice & said. soothly dear friends ye are now clean confessed, wherefore I will now lay to my medicine, and anon they received their health. When the lady had thus done, she opened her face unto the Emperor, & he anon knew her, & ran to her & embraced her in his arms & kissed her oftentimes, & for joy wept bitterly saying. Blessed be god, now have I found that I desired. And when he had thus said, he led her home to his palace with great joy, and after when it pleased god, they ended both their lives in peace.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth our lord jesus christ The empress betokeneth a holy soul. The emperors brother betokeneth the flesh, to whom our lord hath given charge of this Empire, but moo●● principally to the soul. Nevertheless the wretched flesh oft sterett the soul to sin. But the soul that loveth god above all things wythstandeth that temptation, & calleth to her, her ghostly power, that is to say, reason, will, understanding & conscience, & maketh them to enpryson the flesh that is disobedient to the ●oule, in the prison of penance, unto that time he obey to reason in all thing And thus in hope of mercy he sinneth again to whom holy scripture saith. Maledictus homo ● peccat in s●e. Cursed be that man that sinneth in hope. And at the last the soul inclineth to the flesh, and letteth him out of the prison of penance, & wasshetht him from the filth of sin, & arrayeth him with good virtues, & maketh him leap on the palfrey of charity, and so rideth forth to meet our lord an ester day. But alas full oft the sinner trespasseth against holy scripture, wherefore the heart, that is to say, the lust of the flesh & of sinners ariseth before him, and after runneth great hounds, that is to say▪ evil thoughts, and so long they chase till the body & the soul be left alone, & than the flesh se steereth that noble soul the spouse of almighty god to him. But the blessed soul that is so well beloved with god, will not forsake her lord & consent to sin, wherefore the wretched flesh full oft despoileth her of all her clothing, that is to say, of all her virtues, & hangeth her up by the hear on an oak, that is to say, on lusts and delights, and there she hangeth unto the good earl cometh, that is to say, a discrete confessor in the forest of this world, to preach & teach the word of god, and taketh her down and leadeth her forth to the church to nourish his daughter, that is to say, to nourish conscience with works of mercy. The earl had in his chamber a lamp, right so every discrete confessor or preacher should have afore him the lamp of holy scripture, whereby he may see both the grievance & the profit of the soul, in teaching of virtues, and putting away of vice. The steward that steereth her to sin is not else but pride of life, which is steward of this world, by whom many men be deceived. But when the soul that is so well beloved with christ, will not consent unto the sin of pride, than taketh this evil steward the knife of covetise, wherewith he slayeth the earls daughter, that is to say, conscience, according to scripture, saying. Gold and silver hath blinded the eyen of judges, & hath overthrown wise men, so that equity and ryghtwys●es might not enter, but stood afar and turned their backs. This lady also bought a man from hanging, that is to say, from everlasting death, which he had deserved by deadly sin. Therefore do we as did this lady, smite we our horse, that is to say, our flesh with the spurs of penance, & so ride we ●orth in all haste to save our neighbour from the galous of deadly sin, helping him both bodily and ghostly, as Solomon saith. Woe be to that man dying in deadly sin, that hath no man to lift him out thereof. Therefore awake thy neighbour and help him. For a brother that is helped of an other is like a sure city, & if he give no more but a cup of cold water to him in the way of help, he shall not lose his reward. But many now a days be full unkind as was this thief, which falsely deceived his lady after that she had saved him from hanging. The master of the ship betokeneth the world, by whom many men be deceived. But nevertheless as oft as a man taketh on him wilfully the charge of poverty, & obeyeth unto the commandments of god, and forsaketh the world, than breaketh the ship. For it is impossible to please god & man and the world at ones. When this lady had escaped the tempest of the see, she went to a nonry, that is to say, the soul after the troubles of this world went to the holy life, & than she healed all manner sick folk, that is to say, every man that is troubled in his soul that is to say, infect with diverse sicknesses that this lady healeth through holy life. But the soul might not be seen of christ her husband, till she had knowledged openly all her .v. wits how she had spent them. But when she had made a pure confession, than the Emperor our lord god her husband knew her, & took her in his arms, & led her home to the palace of heaven. Unto the which almighty god bring us all. Amen.  
IN Rome dwelled sometime a mighty Emperor named Martin, which for love kept with him his brothers son, whom men called Fulgentyus. With this Martin dwelled also a knight that was steward of his Empire and uncle unto the Emperor, which envy this Fulgentius, & studied day & night how he might bring the Emperor & this child at debate, wherefore the steward on a day went unto the Emperor & said. My lord quoth he, I that am your true servant own of duty to warn your highness if I hear any thing that toucheth your honour, wherefore I have hard such things that I must needs utter it in secret unto your lordship between us two. Than said the Emperor. Good friend quoth he, say on what the list. My most dear lord quoth the steward, Fulgentius your cousin and your nigh kinsman hath defamed you wonderfully and shamefully through out all your Empire, saying that your breath stinketh, and that it is death to him to serve you of your cup. Than the Emperor waxed wroth, and was almost beside himself for anger, and said to him thus. I pray the my good friend tell me the very troth if that my breath so stinketh as he saith. My lord quoth the steward, ye may believe me, I never perceived a sweeter breath in my days than yours is. Than said the Emperor, I pray the good friend tell me how I may bring this thing to a good proof. The steward answered and said. My lord quoth he, ye shall right well understand the troth, for to morrow next when he serveth you of your cup, ye shall see that he shall turn away his face from you because of your brethe, and this is the most very proof that may be had of this thing. Forsooth quod the Emperor, a truer proof can not be had of this thing. Wherefore anon when the steward heard this, he went straight to Fulgentius, and took him aside, saying thus. Dear friend thou art my kinsman, and also nenewe unto my lord the Emperor, therefore if thou wilt con me thank I will tell the of the vice whereof my lord the Emperor complaineth oft, and thinketh to put the from him (but if it be the rather amended) and that might be a great reproof to the. Than said this Fulgentius A good sir for his love that died upon the cross tell me why my lord is so sore moved with me, for I am ready to amedde my default in all that I can or may, and for to be ruled by your good and discrete counsel. Thy breath quoth the steward stinketh so sore, that his drink doth him no good, so grievous is unto him the stinking breath of thy mouth. Than said Fulgentyus unto the steward. Truly that perceived I never till now, but what thinketh you of my brethe, I pray you to tell me the very troth. soothly quoth the steward, it stinketh greatly and foul. And this Fulgentius believed all that he said, and was right sorrowful in his mind, and prayed the steward of his counsel and help in this woeful case. Than said the steward unto him. If that thou wilt do by my counsel, I shall bring this mate to a good conclusion, therefore do as I shall tell the. I counsel the for the best and also warn thee, that when thou servest my lord the Emperor of his cup, that than thou turn thy face away from him, so that he may not feel thy stinking breathe, unto the time that thou hast provided the of some remedy therefore. Than was Fulgentyus right glad, and swore to him that he would do by his counsel. Not long after it befell that this young man Fulgentyus served his lord as he was wont to do, and therewith suddenly he turned his face from his lord as the steward had taught him. And when the Emperor perceived the avoiding of his heed, he smote this young Fulgentius on the breast with his foot, and said to him thus. O thou naughty rybawde, now see I well it is true that I have herd of thee, and therefore go thou anon out of my sight, that I see the no more in this place. And with that this young Fulgentyus wept full sore, and avoided the place and went out of his sight. And when this was so done, the Emperor called unto him his steward and said. How may I put this rybawde from the world that thus hath defamed me. My most dear lord quoth the steward, right well ye shall have your intent. For here beside within these three mile ye have bryckmakers, which daily make great fires for to brenne brick, and also they make lime, therefore my lord send to them this night, and charge them upon pain of death, that who so ever cometh to them first on the morrow, saying to them thus. My lord commandeth you to fulfil his will, that they take him and cast him in the furnaces with the stones, and this night command ye this Fulgentius that he go early in the morning to your workmen, and that he ask them whether they have fulfilled your will or not, and than shall they according to your commandment cast him in the fire, and thus shall he die an evil death. soothly quoth the Emperor thy counsel is good, therefore call to me that rybaude Fulgentyus. And when this young man was come to the Emperor, he said to him thus. I charge the upon pain of death that thou rise early in the morning and go to the brenners of lime and brick, and that thou be with them before the son rise three miles from this house, and charge them on my behalf that they fulfil my commandment, or else they shall die a shameful death. Than said this Fulgentius. My lord if god ●ende me my life I shall fulfil your will, though I should go to the worlds end. When Fulgentyus had this charge, he could not sleep for thought, but that he must arise early for to fulfil his lords commandment. The Emperor about midnight sent a messenger on horseback unto his brick makers, commanding them upon pain of death, that who so ever came to them first in the morning, saying unto them the emperors commandment (which is before rehearsed) that they should take him & cast him in to the fire and burn him to the bare bones. The bryckmakers answered & said it should be done. And than the messenger road home again, and told the Emperor that his commandment should be fulfilled. early in the morning following Fulgentyus arose and arrayed him towards his way, and as he went he heard a bell ring to mass, wherefore he went to that church for to hear mass, and after the elevation of the blessed sacrament he fell a sleep, & there he slept a long while, so that the priest ne none other might awake him. The steward desiring inwardly to hear of his death and how he did, about one of the clock he went unto the workmen and said to them thus. Sirs quoth he have ye done the emperors commandment or not. They answered him again and said. Nay soothly we have not yet done his commandment, but anon it shall be done. And with that they set hands on him. Than cried the steward with an high voice & said. Good sirs save my life, for the Emperor commanded that Fulgentyus should be put to death. Than said they, the messenger told not us so, but he bade us tha who so ever came first to us in the morning, saying as is before rehearsed, that we should take him and cast him in to the farneys and burn him to ashes. And with that word they threw him in to the fire. And when he was brent, Fulgentyus came to them and said. Good sirs have ye done my lords commandment. Ye soothly said they, and therefore go ye again to the Emperor and tell him so. Than said Fulgentius For Christ'S love tell me that commandment. We had in commandment said they upon pain of death, that who so ever came to us first in the morning, and said like as thou hast said, that we should take him and cast him in to the furnaces. But afore the came the the which bring us our lord jesus Chryst. Amen.  
THere dwelled sometime in Rome a mighty Emperor named Delphinus, which had no children save only a daughter, which was a fair creature, and greatly beloved of her father. As this Emperor walked upon a day on hunting in the forest, suddenly he road forth out of his way, and lost his men, wherefore he was greatly discomforted, ●or he wist not whether he road, ne in what place he was, till at the last when he had ridden thus all the day alone, in the evening he saw a house, and thither he road a great pace, and knocked at the gate. Anon the good man of the house heard him, and asked the cause of his knocking, and what he would have. Dear friend quoth the Emperor, lo it is night as ye may see, therefore I desire you of lodging for the love of god. When he had thus said, the good man of the house unware that he was the Emperor, answered thus and said. Good friend quoth he I am the emperors foster, and have plenty of venison and other vyteylles for you. When the Emperor heard this, he was right glad in his mind, nevertheless he told him not that he was the Emperor. And than the foster opened the gate, and received him as worshipfully as he could, & set him to his supper, and served him honestly. And when he had supped, the foster brought him to his chamber, and when time was he went to bed. In the same night it befell that the fosters wife was travailing of child in an other chamber fast by, and was delivered that same night of a fair son. And as the Emperor lay in his bed sleeping, him seemed he heard a voice saying to him thrice these words. Take, take, take. And with that he awoke, and marveled greatly what it might be, saying to himself thus. A voice bydde●h me take, take, take, what shall I take. And anon he fell a sleep again, and the second time he heard a voice, saying unto him these words. Yield, yield, yield. And with that he wakened again, and wondered greatly, saying unto himself. What may this signify. first I heard a voice that said, take, take, take, and nothing I received. And right now I heard another voice that said, yield, yield, yield, what should I yield. And as he lay thus thinking in himself he fell a sleep again. And than he heard the third voice, saying these words thrice. Flee, flee, flee, for this night is a cyylde borne that after thy decese shall be Emperor. When the Emperor heard this, he wakened and wondered greatly what it might be. In the morning early following the Emperor arose, and called to him the foster & said. Dear friend I pray the that thou wilt tell me if any child be borne this night to thy knowledge. My wife quoth the foster this night is delivered of a fair son. I pray the said the Emperor, show me thy son. When the Emperor had seen the child, he saw a token in the child's visage, whereby he might know him an other time, and than he said to the foster thus. Dear friend knowest thou who I am. Nay soothly quoth the foster, for I saw you never before this time, as far as I am remembered, nevertheless it seemeth that ye should be a gentleman. Than answered the Emperor and said. I am quod he the Emperor your lord, whom ye have lodged this night, wherefore right heartily I thank you. This hearing the foster fell down upon both his knees at his feet, and besought him of mercy, if that he had offended his highness in any thing praying him of forgiveness. Than answered the Emperor & said. dread the not, for I thank the heartily of thy good cheer, & thy son that was borne to night I will have for to nourish & bring up in my court and to morrow I shall send for him. A my gracious lord quoth the foster, it is not agreeable that such a noble Emperor should nourish the child of his subject and servant, nevertheless your will be fulfilled, for when your messengers come I shall deliver them my son. When this was said, the Emperor took his leave and road home toward his palace. And when he was come home, he called unto him such servants as he trusted best, and said to them thus. Go ye quoth he unto my foster, with whom I was lodged this night in the forest, and receive of him his son, of which his wife was delivered this night, and upon pain of death I command you that ye flee him by the way, and cast his flesh to the dogs, but bring with you the heart to me. And but ye fulfil my commandment, ye shall die the most foulest death that can be thought. Anon his servants went to the forest and received the fosters soon, and brought him with them. And when they were come near unto the palace, one of them said. How shall we do that we may fulfil our lords commandment in slaying of this child. Some answered & said that the child should be slain, and some would have saved his life, and while they strove thus among themself, one of them that was most merciful said unto the other. O my good friends hear my counsel, and ye shall not forethink it. If we murder this innocent child we shall greatly offend almighty god, therefore here be young pigs, sle●we one of them, and than may we bear with us his heart, and present it unto the Emperor, saying that it is the heart of the child, and thus shall we not shed the child's blood. Than said they, thy counsel is good, but what shall we do with the child. Good friends quoth he, let us wrap him in some clothes & lay him in some hollow tree, for peradventure god will help him and save his life. And when he had thus said, they did gladly after his counsel in all things, and slew the pig, & went their way and bare home with them the pigs hert● to the Emperor, saying unto him thus. Loo gracious lord we have slain the child as ye commanded us, and with that they showed him the pigs heart. The Emperor supposing that it had been the child's heart, took it & kest it in to the fire, despyteously saying. Loo that is the heart of him which should have been Emperor after me. Loo what is to believe in dreams & visions, which be nought else but fantasies and vain things. The second day after that the child was put in to the hollow tree, th●re came an earl for to hunt in the forest, and as his hounds chased an heart they came to this hollow tree where the child lay, and when they felt the savour of the child, they would go no farther. The earl saying this marveled greatly why his hounds abode there, and smote his horse with the spurs and road a great pace till he came to them. And when he came unto the tree wherein the child was laid, he looked in at an hole & saw there the child dying, and than was he right glad, and took up the child in his arms full lovingly, and bore him home unto his castle, saying unto the countess his wife. Loo my dear wife, this day by fortune I have ●ounde a full fair child in an hollow tree as I hunted in the forest, whereof I am right glad. And because that I never begat son ne daughter on thee, ne thou never yet conceived a child, therefore I exhort the that thou wilt feign thyself travailing of child, and say that thou hast borne this child. The countess fulfilled right gladly the earls will and desire, and said. My most dear lord, your will in this thing shall be done. Not long after this tidings went through out all that country that the countess was delivered of a fay●e son, wherefore every man made great joy. The child began to grow and was right well beloved of every man, and most specially of the earl and of the countess. It befell after when the child. was xu year of age, the Emperor made a solemn feast unto all the lords of his Empire unto the which feast this earl was called. And at the day assigned he came and brought the child with him which was at that time a fair young squire, & carved at the board before the earl. The Emperor greatly beheld him, and espied the token in his foreheed which he had seen before in the fosters house▪ wherefore he was greatly moved & vexed within 〈…〉 and said unto the earl in this wise. Whose sone is this soothly said the earl, he is my son. Than said the Emperor. By the faith and troth that thou owest unto me, tell me the troth. The earl saying that he might not excuse himself by no manner wise, but that needs he must tell him the truth, than told he him all together, how he had found him in the forest in an hollow tree. This hearing the Emperor, was almost out of his right mind for anger, and called unto him his servants which he had sent before to slay the child. And when they came before him, he made them for to swear upon a book that they should tell him the troth what they had done with the child. Gracious lord said they, we put us unto your grace & goodness, for without doubt, pity so moved us, that we might not ●lee him, and than we put him in an hollow tree, but what afterward befell of him, soothly we know not, and in his stead we slew a pig, and brought you the heart thereof. When the Emperor had herd the very truth of this matter, he said unto the earl. This young man quoth he, shall abide here with me. The earl anon granted, though it was greatly against his will. And when the feast was ended, every man took his leave at the Emperor, and went where as them list. And at that time it fortuned that the Empress & her daughter sojourned in a great country far fro thence by the commandment of the Emperor. It befell not long after the Emperor called unto him that young squire and said. The behoveth quoth he, to ride unto the Empress my wife with my letters. I am ready at your commandment my lord said he, to fulfil your desire. Anon the Emperor let write letters, whereof the intent was this. That the Empress should take the bearer of these letters, and let him be drawn at a horse tail, and after that she should let him be hanged till he were deed, and that upon pain of death. When the letters were all made and sealed, than the Emperor took them unto the young squire, commanding him to speed him on his journey. And anon the young squire received them gladly, and put them sure in a box, and road forth on his journey. When he had ridden three or four days on his journey, in an evening he came unto a castle where as dwelled a knight, and prayed him meekly of a nights loading. The knight saying and beholding the good favour of this young squire, he granted him lodging, & made him good cheer and well to far, and afterward brought him unto his chamber. And when he was there he went to bed, and anon fell on sleep, for he was full weary of his journey, and forgot his box with the letters dying openly in his chamber. When the knight saw the box, he opened it, & found the letters sealed with the emperors sign manuel, and was greatly tempted to open them, and at the last he opened them full subtilely, and than he red how the Empress upon pain of death should put the bearer of them to death, and than he was right sorrowful, & said within himself. Alas quoth he, it is great pity to slay such a fair young man, and therefore if I may, it shall not be so. And anon the knight scraped away that writing and wrote in the same paper a letter saying these words. Upon pain of death I command the that thou take the young squire bearer of these letters, and let him be wedded without any delay unto my daughter and yours, with all the honour & solemnity that can be taught, and when they be wedded that ye take him as your own son, and that he keep my room till I come unto you myself. When the knight had thus written, he closed the letters subtilely & put them in to the box again. early in the morning the young squire arose and hastily made him ready, and took his leave of the knight, and road forth on his journey, and the third day after he came unto the Empress, and salued her right worshipfully in the emperors behalf, and took her the letters. And when the Empress had red them, anon she sent her messengers through the country, commanding the states and gentlemen to come unto her daughters wedding at a certain day assigned. When they day was come thither came many great lords and ladies, and anon this young squire wedded the emperors daughter with great honour and worship, according to the tenor of the letters, and was right well beloved and most honoured among the people. Not long after it befell that the Emperor came in to that country. And when the Empress heard of her lords coming, she took with her her son in law with moche other people, and went against the Emperor for to welcome him. When the Emperor saw this young squire leading the Empress his wife, he was greatly moved within himself, and said. O thou cursed woman, because thou hast not fulfilled my commandment, thou shalt die an evil death. A my dear lord quoth she, all that ye commanded me to do I have fulfilled. Nay cursed 〈◊〉 man said the Emperor, it is not so, for I wrote to the that thou shouldest put him to death, and now I see him alive. My lord quoth the Empress, saving your grace ye wrote to me that I should give him your daughter to wife, and that on pain of death, in witness whereof loo here your letters with your own seal manuel. When the Emperor heard this, he wondered greatly and said. Is he wedded than to my daughter. Ye soothly said the Empress, long agone which great solemnity and worship, and as I believe your daughter is with child. Than said the Emperor. O thou lord jesus christ, it is great folly to s●●yne against thine ordinance, therefore sith it is so, thy will must needs be fulfilled. And with that he took his son in law in his arms & kissed him, which after his death was Emperor, and ended his life in rest and peace.  
¶ This Emperor may betoken Herode, or else every sinner, which walked alone without troth, till he came to the fosters house, that is to say, the church which is the house of god. This Herode would have slain this child jesus, wherefore he sent messengers to seek him, according to the scripture of saint matthew, telling how he commanded the three kings to seek him, and bring him tidings again where he was that he might come & worship him also, but this said he not for love, but for deceit. The foster betokeneth josep our ladies husband which kept him. But when the messengers came, that is to say, when the three kings came, they slew him not, but worshipped him on their knees, and left him in the hollow tree of his godhead. The earl that came & foude this child betokeneth the holy ghost, which warned joseph by the angel in his sleep, that he should take our lady and her son and flee in to the land of egypt. This morality may be understand of yer wy●e. This Emperor may betoken a sinner that walketh in the forest of this world seeking vanities and nought else unto the time he come to the house of god, and there he is received benignly of the prelate of the church, if he will obey the commandments of god. But many of us now a days sleepeth in the church when they observe not the works of mercy, and therefore ought they to dread the voices which I have rehearsed by the first take, that may be understand the great benefit that he gave the when he put in the a soul, made at his own similitude. By the second take is understand the son of the father of heaven, which was borne of the blessed virgin Mary. By the third take is understand the same son of god, which died upon the cross. By the first yield is understand, that we ought to yield our soul unto almighty god as clean & as fair as he gave it us after the washing of our baptism. By the second yield is understand, that we ought daily to yield honour and worship and love unto almighty god. By the third yield is understand that we ought to yield to god true confession, contrition and satisfaction. The first flee betokeneth sin which we should flee. The second flee betokeneth the world which we should flee for the great falsehood & temptations that been therein. The third flee betokeneth everlasting pain, the which we ought to flee through meritorious works, by the which we may come the rather unto everlasting joy and bliss. Unto the which bring us our lord jesus. Amen.  
THere dwelled sometime in Rome a mighty Emperor named Sauracinus, which ordained for a law, that who so ever ravished a virgin should die, & if she were rescued, than he that rescued her should have her to wife, if him list, and he would not wed her, than should she be guided and wedded by his counsel. It befell upon a day that a tyrant named Poncianus would ravish a virgin, & led her with him into a forest, and defouled her of her maidenhead. And when he had so done, he would have slain her, and as he was despoyling of her clothes there came riding by that forest a courteous & a gentle knight which heard the crying, and lamenting of a damosel, wherefore he smote his horse with his spurs, and road a great pace in to the forest, to wite what it might be. And than he saw a woman standing naked save her smock, & than said the knight. Art thou she (said he) that cried so lamentably. Than answered the damosel and said. Ye soothly, for this man that standeth here hath ravished me and defouled me of my maidenhead, and now he would slay me, and therefore he hath despoiled me of my clothes that he might smite of my heed, for the love of god gentle knight help me now. Than said the tyrant. She lieth, for she is my wife, and I have found her in adultery with an other man, and therefore I will slay her. Than said the knight. I believe better the woman than thee, for lo the tokens of troth appear openly in her visage that thou hast ravished h●r, and therefore will I fight with the for her deliverance. And anon they start together and fought eagerly till they were both sore wounded. Nevertheless the knight obtained the victory, and put the tyrant to flight. Than said the knight unto the woman. Loo I have suffered for thy love many sore wounds, and have saved the from the death, wilt thou therefore be my wife. That I desire you quoth she with all my heart, & thereupon I betake you my teouth. When she was thus insured, than said the knight. Here beside is my castle go ye thither and abide there till I have visited my trendes and my kinsmen, to provide for all things needful for our wedding, for I purpose to make a great feast for thine honour and worship. My lord quoth she, I am ready to fulfil your will. Than went she forth unto the castle, where as she was worshipfully received. And the knight went unto his friends for to make him ready against the day of marriage. In the mean while came Poncyanus the tyrant to the knights castle, and prayed her that he might speak with her. Than came she down from the castle to him. This tyrant subtilely flattered her, and said. gentle love if it please you to consent to me, I shall give you both gold and silver and great richesse, and I shall be your servant, and ye my sovereign. When the woman heard this, full lightly she was deceived through his flattering language, and granted him to be his wife, and took him in with her into the castle. It was not long after but that this knight came home, and found the castle gate she●●e & 〈◊〉 thereat, but long it was or he might have an answers And at the last the woman came and demanded why 〈◊〉 knocked so hard at the gate. Than said he to her. 〈◊〉 ●ere lady why hast thou so soon changed my love 〈…〉 come in. Nay soothly said she, thou shalt not 〈…〉 here, for I have here with me my love which 〈◊〉 ●oued before. Remember quod the knight that thou gave me thy troth to be my wife, and how I saved the from death, and if thou ponder not thy faith, behold my wounds which I have suffered in my body for thy love. And anon he unclothed himself naked save his breach, that he might show his wounds openly. But she would not see them, ne speak more with him, but shut fast the gate and went her way. And when the knight saw this, he went to the justice and made his complaint to him, praying him to give rightwise judgement on this tyrant and this woman. The judge called them before him, and when they were come, the knight said thus. My lord quoth he, I ask the benefits of the law, which is this. If a man rescue a woman from ravishing, the recower shall wed her if him list, and this woman delivered I from the hands of the tyrant, therefore I ought to have her to my wife, and furthermore she gave me her faith and trough to wed me, and thereupon she went to my castle, and I have done great cost against our wedding, and therefore as it seemeth me she is my wife, as by the law. Than said the judge to the tyrant. Thou knowest well that this knight delivered her from thy hands, and for her love he suffered many grievous wounds, and therefore 〈◊〉 thou wottest that she is his wife by the law, if 〈…〉 list. But after her deliverance with ●●aterynge speech thou hast deceived her, therefore this day I judge 〈◊〉 to be hanged. Than said the judge to the woman 〈◊〉 like wise. O woman thou knowest how this 〈…〉 saved the from death, and thereupon thou betokest 〈◊〉 thy faith and troth to be his wife, therefore by 〈◊〉 reasons thou art his wife, first by the law and a 〈◊〉 by thy faith and troth. This notwithstanding thou consented afterward to the tyrant, and brought him in to the knights castle, and shut the gate against the knight, an would not see his wounds which he suffered for thy love, and therefore I judge the to be hanged. And so it was done, both the ravisher and she that was ravished were dampened to the death, wherefore every man praised the judge for his rightwise judgement.  
¶ This Emperor betokeneth the father of heaven which ordained for a law, that if the soul of man were ravished from god by sin, the saver of the soul should wed him, if him list. The woman that was ravished betokeneth the soul of man, which was ravished by sin of our fore father Adam, and led out of paradise in to the forest of this wretched world by the tyrant Poncyanus, which betokeneth the devil, and he not only defouled her by losing of the heritage of heaven, but also he would slay her with everlasting pain. But the soul cried with an high voice, whose cry our lord jesus christ herd. This cry was made when Adam cried after the oil of mercy. 〈…〉 till 〈…〉 was needful, 〈…〉 the ascension day 〈…〉 a dwelling place of 〈…〉 should dwell after the day 〈…〉 in honour and glory. But alas in 〈…〉 the devil and beguiled the wretched 〈…〉 sin, & so he entered in to the castle of our 〈…〉 should be the castle of god. The knight I 〈…〉 at the gate of our heart, according to 〈…〉 Eccesto ad hostium et pulso. Lo I stand 〈…〉 and knock, if any man will open that I 〈…〉 But where as the devil is, god may not enter, but y● the sinner will receive him by penance, which saying the gentle knight jesus, showed himself naked 〈…〉   

〈…〉 of Ge●●a Roman●rum, 〈…〉 London in Crede lane, by 〈…〉 King. In the year of our 〈…〉 god. M. ●. LUII.