¶ Here beginneth th'history of the vii wise Masters of rome containing ryghe fair & right joyous narrations. & to the reader right delectable· Somtymen in the city of Rome was an Emperor named Poncianus a man of great wisdom. He took to his wife a kings daughter that fair & goodly was. and to all people gracious & to her husband right dere. and conceived of him and bore him a son named Dyoclesian The child grew & of all people was beloved. And when he was of the age of seven years. his mother th'empress fill soreseke/ feeling herself that she might not live: sent after her lord th'emperor a messenger that he should come without tarrying if ever he would see her on live. And when he was comen she said unto him. O my lord of this infyrmyte may I not escape. Wherefore I humbly require you of a little petition before my death. He answered. Desire what ye will. for I shall nothing deny you. Then said she. After my death ye shall take an other wife as it behoveth. I ask & pray you that she upon my son have no governance or power. but that he be kept and nourished far from her. & that he may get to him cunning and wisdom. The Emperor said. My most dear wife. your petition in all things shall be fulfilled & performed. This said she turned her towards the wall and gave up the ghost & died. Many dayés after the Emperor bewailed & mourned her death. & long time after her burying he showed his heaviness & sorrow. & would in no wise marry or be joyful. depiction of an emperor holding court ¶ How the Emperor to the seven wise masters committed and delivered his son to learn. UPon a time as the emperor lay in his bed he bethought him inwardly upon his son saying in his heart. I have only. but one son/ the which shall be mine heir. It is good whiles he is young that he be set to learn cunning and wisdom by the which he may after my death govern & rule the empire. early when he was risen up from his bed. he let to be called afore him his lords of his counsel. and of them took advise what best therein was to done. And they answered. Lord. in Rome are seven. wise masters they excel and exceed all other men in cunning & lettrature. let them be sent for & and deliver to them your son to nourish & to learn. That understanding the emperor sent his letters sealed with his seal to the seven. masters that they incontinent should come to him without delay. And they anon came before th'emperor. and he demanded them if they knew wherefore that he had sent for them. They answered the cause ne your will we know not/ but if please you to show us your mind & intent we been ready to fulfil it to the uttermost of our powers. To whom the noble Emperor said. I have but one son the which I shall deliver unto you to nourish and to teach. So that by your doctrine & wisdom he may the more wisely guide and govern that empire after my decease. ¶ The first master named Pantyllas' said. Lord deliver too me your son & I shall teach him as much cunning within seven. year as I and all my fellows can Then spoke the second master that named was Lentulus. Sir of long time I have served you. & hitherto I have had no manner reward. I demand nothing else of you but that ye deliver me your son to learn and govern. and I shall make him as cunning within vi year as I & all my fellows be. The third master said that had to name Craton. My lord many times have I been with you upon the se in peril of my life/ & of you have I had no manner of reward. if that I might for my reward obtain that ye would vouchsafe to commit your son under my rule & governance. I should inform him as much within .v. year. if his wit thereto will attain as I and my fellows can. though stood up the fourth master/ that to name had Malquydrac right lean of body & said. My lord call to your remembrance how that I and all my predecessors have served emperors. & have received no manner of reward. wherefore I shall ask none other thing but that ye will deliver me your son to inform & teach/ & I shall make him to take asmuch science & wisdom within four year as I and all my fellows have learned in all our lives. Than spoke the fifth master that was called josephus. lord I am old & many tymꝭ I am called to your counsel/ & that my counsel ye know well hath availed & ꝓfyted you & yet I follow the same. But I desire no more save to deliver me your son & I shall instruct & inform him in as much cunning & science that he within iii year shall profit & wite as much as I & all my fellows. though came forth the sixth master that was named Cleophas which said like the other ꝓmysing to learn & inform the child in all their connynges within two year. The seventh muyster rose up & said. which also desired the child & promised for to learn him within one year the sciences and wisdom of them all. As all this was done. Than the Emperor said my trusty friends I am much bounden to thank you all. and every of you. for that everich of you have so effectually desired my son to nouryssh & learn. If I should now commit him to one and not to an other/ thereof should come the dissension & variance amongs you. Therefore to you all & every of you I commit my son to nourish and to teach. The masters hearing this with great thankynges giving to the Emperor took & received his son. and lad him towards the court of Rome. ¶ Upon the way spoke Craton to his fellows. If we this child should learn within the city of Rome there is so great resort & concourse of people that it should hinder & let him in his learning & fantasyenge. I wot a fair place without room three mile right pleasant & delectable. there let us do make a four square chamber of stone & put him therein & upon the walls of the side let us paint & write the vii arts lyberales. so that the child all times may see & behold therein his doctrine as well as in his book & this advise & counsel pleased them all. and was done according in every point. The masters diligently every day during vii year taught & lettered the child. which masters determined among themself and said/ It is good that we examen our disciple how he is sped in cunning & science. They all accorded to the same. though said master Pancyllas'/ how shall we prove him. Craton said. let every of us as he sleepeth put under every corner of his bed an olive leave. and than we shall know if he perceived or felt any thing or not this done. he waking greatly marueylling lifting up his eyen toward the roof of the chamber fervently. The masters saying that said. Wherefore life ye up your eyen so sharply He answered it is no marvel. for in my sleep I saw the uppermost part of the chamber inclined toward the earth. or under me it was lift up. This hearing the masters said among themself. If this child may live he shall be a man of great cunning & fame. ¶ How the Emperor by the counsel of the great princes & lords of his Empire wedded an other wife. ¶ How th'emperor took an other Wife a bishop marries the emperor to the king of Castille's daughter THe princes and great lords of the Empire in the mean time came to the Emperor & said. My lord ye have only but one son. it is possible that he might happen to die. And therefore it were profitable that ye should wed an other wife to engender and make more children to th'intent that the Empire of Rome be not left without heir. Also ye are so mighty that if it should happen you to get many children ye may promote & advance them all to great dignities and lordships. Thereupon answered th'emperor. It is your counsel that I shall take an other wife than seek me one that is gracious/ pure virgin/ fair and gentle borne. & than shall I follow your counsel and advise. They went & sought and searched many kingdoms and lands. & at the last they found the kings daughter of Castyle that right fair was & beatevouse. & her they gave the Emperor to wife. She behad her so well that anon in her love he was taken so sore that he forgot and put in oblivion all the heaviness & sorrow of of his heart that he had taken for the death of his first wife. And they lived long together without children And as Thempress saw that she might not conceive. For she heard that th'emperor had a son with seven wise masters to learn & nourish to the behouffe ꝓufyte of th'empire. she thought in herself & wished his death. And from that hour forth she imagined how she might conspire his death. It happened on a night as the Emperor lay in his bed. he said to th'empress. My How th'emperor road to meet his sone the emperor meets the seven masters of Rome on horseback in the country When th'emperor perceived that his son was coming upon the way. he road with great joy to meet him. The masters understanding the coming of th'emperor said to the child. It is best that we depart. & in the mean while we may provide how we may save your life. The child said it pleaseth me well that ye so do. but have mind of me in time of my necessity. As they that heard. they took their leave and departed towards the city. The child came after accompanied right honourably. And as he and his father th'emperor were met. for joy & gladness he took him about the neck & kissed him and said. My deer son how is it with you/ is it long sithen that I saw you. He bowed down his heed and and answered no thing. The father had great wonder why that he spoke not. and thought in himself that his masters had him so informed that he riding should not speak. And when they were comen to the palace and were descended from their horses. The father took his son by the hand & lad him in to the hall and set him next him & beheld him & said Say me how it is with your masters. & how they have informed you. for now it is many years sith I saw ●ou. He inclined down his heed & gave none answer. The father said. wherefore speak ye not to me. And when th'empress heard that themperours son was comen she was right joyous and glad. & said I will go to see him. She appareled her with rich vesture & attire. & took with her two of her gentylwymen & How th'empress lad dioclesian in her chamber for to make good cheer. the empress bares her breast to tempt her stepson went there as the emperor was sitting with his son she set her down by the child. & she said to th'emperor is this your son the hath been nourished with the seven wise masters. & he said/ it is my son/ but he speaketh not. She said. deliver to me your son. & if ever he spoke I shall do him speak. though said th'emperor rise & go with her. The son died reverence to the father. as though he said I am ready too accomplish your will. & went with her. ¶ How th'empress lad dioclesian themperours son with her in her chamber for to make good cheer with him the which he withstood. Thempresse's lad him with her in to her chamber & commanded all other to avoid. & set him by her afore her bed & said. O my best beloved dioclesian. I have moche of your person & beauty herd. but now I am glad that I may see you with mine eyen that my heart coveteth & loveth. for I have caused your father to send for you/ that I have solace & joy of your person. Wherefore I without fault give you knowledge that. I for your love unto this day have kept my virginity. Speke to me & let us go bed together. But he gave her no word to answer. She saying that said to him. O good dioclesian have the half of my soul wherefore speak ye not not to me/ or at the least show me some token of love/ what shall I do speak to me. I am ready to fulfil and perform your will. & when she had thus said she embraced him & would have kissed his mouth & he turned his visage from her. & in no wise would consent. though said she again to him. O son wherefore do ye thus with me: behold there is none that may see us. let us together sleep/ & than shall ye well perceive that for your love I have kept my virginity. and he turned his visage from her/ She saying that he was of her ashamed. showed unto him her naked body and breasts and said. behold my son what body I have at your will. give me your consent or else it shall be herd for me to pass with my right mind. He neither with sign ne with countenance of visage showed her any manner of love. but as much as he could withdrew him from her. when she saw that she said. O my most sweet son if it please you not to consent to me ne yet speak. haply for some reasonable cause. Lo here is paper pen & ink if ye will not speak with your mouth than write your will if I any time hereafter may trust in your love or not The child wrote as hereafter followed. O lady god forbid that I should defoul my faders orcheyerde. if I should defoul it: I wot not what fruit I should have of it. I know well one thing that I should sin in the sight of god. & I should ren in the maledictyon of my father. & therefore from henceforth provoke or stir me no more thereto/ When she had that cedule seen & red. she broke it with her teeth: & tore or rend her clothes with her nails to her navel. & her visage all to scratched it was all bloody. & cast from her all the ornaments of her heed & cried with a loud voice: come hither my lord & help me afore that this rude & evil body/ shame & ravish me. How th'empress complained to th'emperor of the shame to her done by his sone. THe Emperor was in his hall and herd the cry & noise of th'empress. he hastily ran towards his chamber & his knights and other of his servants followed him after for to see what there was to done. though began th'empress to cry and to speak to th'emperor thus. O my lord have pity and compassion upon me. behold this young man is not your son. but the foulest ribald & harlot that ever was borne. & a defouler of women. for as ye know well I lad and brought him with me in to my chamber. & should have exhorted and caused him to have spoken I have done asmuch thereto as I can or may. & whiles I with my words exhorted and moved him for to have spoken. he hath endeavoured himself with me to have sinned. & by cause I would not to him consent. but withstood as much as I might for to flee the shame. he my visage hath made all bloody. & my vesture and ornaments of my heed broken & all to torn. as ye may openly see: And if ye had not so soon comen unto my calling/ he had accomplished in me his most foul and worst will. when th'emperor this saw and herd. fulfilled with great malice & woodness/ commanded his servants that they should lead him to the gallows & hang him. And after his lords heard that. said/ Lord ye have no more but this son only. It is not good that ye thus lightly put him to death/ the law is put and ordained for transgressors & misdoers. and if it be so that he must die. let him by the law die least that it be said that th'emperor in his great furor and Ire without law and justice he hath put his only son to death. As th'emperor this herd commanded him to be put in prison unto the time that judgement were given against him. And when th'empress understood that the child was not put to death/ she cried & weeped bitterly & would have no rest when the night was comen the Emperor entered in to his chamber to go to bed. and found his wife weeping & sorrowing. To whom he said. O my most dear lady/ for what cause are ye thus sorrowful. She answered. Know ye not how that your cursed son hath me thus much shame done & offended/ and ye have commanded him too be hanged and yet he lived/ & your word is not performed ne my shame is not wroken. To morrow said th'emperor he shall die by the law. Then said she. shall he so long live. Thenne might it happen to you as it did upon a burgeys of Rome of whom an example is said. The Emperor said I pray you show me that example. That shall I do gladly said the Empress. ¶ The first example of the Empress. this was. The gardyner hearing his master obeyed him. & hew down the tree. And as this was done the young plant all holy perished and came to nought whereof came great harm. for when the poor & the seek people perceived that the tree was so destroyed they cursed all them that were of counsel & helpers thereto/ by the which they all afore time were heeled & cured of their infirmities & maladies. Then said the Empress understand ye what. I have said. yes right well. than said she. I shall declare to you what I have said. The declaration of the Example ¶ This tree my lord betokeneth your most noble person/ that with your counsel and help many poor & seek folk are greatly helped & comforted. And the young imp that under the great tree is up grown is your cursed son that now by his cunning begynnith to grow and studieth how he first may the arms and bows of your might cut of/ and to win too him the land & praising of the people. and over that he imagineth to destroy your person that he may himself reign. But what shall fall than thereof come. all poor and feeble people shall curse all them the which might have destroyed your son & have not done it/ I counsel you whiles ye are in your power & health that ye destroy him lest that the curse of the people fall upon you. though said the Emperor. ye have given me good counsel. To morrow I shall condemn him to the most vilest death that can be thought when the day was come/ the Emperor went & sat in judgement. & commanded his servants that they should lead his son to be hanged with trumpets blowing in to kening of death. And as themperours son was lad through the city. the comen people began too weep & cry alas the only son of th'emperor is lad towards his death/ & therewithal came Pancyllas' riding upon a horse the first master. when the child saw him/ he bowed his heed to him. as though he had said. Have mind upon me when ye come afore my father. see how I am lad to wards the gallows. Than the master said to the servants/ make no haste. for I hope by the grace of god this day to deliver him from the death. Then said all the people. O good master haste you to the palace and save your disciple. he smote his horse with the spurs till he came to the palace/ & kneeled before the Emperor & died him reverence/ To whom th'emperor said. It shall never be to the good. which answered I have deserved a better reward. The Emperor said there liest yu.. for I delivered to the & thy fellows my son well speaking/ & in all thing well mannered. & now he is dompe & that worse is he would have oppressed my wife. therefore this day he shall die. & ye all shall die a shameful death. The master said. O lord as for your son that ye say that he speaketh not. that knoweth god. & without a cause it is not as ye shall understand. And that ye say more/ that he your Empress would have defouled. I shall say you of a troth. he hath been in our company by the space of xvi years & we never could perceive such things by him. And therefore my dear lord I shall show you one thing that if ye put your son to death for the words of your wife. it should happen too you worse than to a knight the which that killed his best grey hound through the words of his wife which saved his son from the death though said th'emperor to the master tell me that example. The master said. Lord that shall I not do/ for afore or I could make an end thereof your son might be deed & then in vain & with out fruit I should rehearse it. but if it please you this notable example to here/ call again her son till to morrow. & as ye think by reason then do with him your pleasure. As th'emperor that heard anon he let the child too be called again & in the mean time be he set him in prison whiles the master should finish his tale. And then he began to say in such manner as followeth. The example of the first master the emperor hears a master's example; through the door, his son is seen surrounded by guards THere was a valiant knight which had only one soon as ye have. The which he loved so moche that he ordained for his keeping three nourysshes. the first should give him suck & feed him the second should wash him & keep him clean. the third should bring him to sleep & to rest. This knight had also a greyhound & a falcon that he also loved right well. The greyhound was so good that he never ran too no game but he took it. & held it till his master came. And if his master disposed him to go to battle. if he should not speed in the battle/ anon as he should mount upon his horse. the greyhound would take the horse tayll in his mouth & draw backward/ & would also cry & howl marvelously loud. By these signs the knight understood if that he should speed in his journey or not. The falcon was so gentle and so hardy that he was never cast of to his pray but he took it. This same knight had great pleasure in jousting & turneing. so that upon a time under his castle he let proclaim a tornement to the which came many good lords and knights. The knight entered in to the tourney. & his lady went with her maidens to see it. And as they went out after went the nourysshes & left the the child dying alone in the cradle in the hall where the greyhound lay nigh the wall. and the hawk or falcon standing upon a perk. In this hall there was a serpent lurking or hid in a hole. to all them of the castle unknown. The which when he felt that they were all absent he put out his heed of his hole. & as he no man saw but the child dying in in the cradle. he went out of his cavern towards the cradle for the child to have slain. The noble falcon saying that. beheld the greyhound that was sleeping/ she made such a noise & rusteling with her wings or feders that the greyhound a work and rose up. and when he saw the serpent nigh the child. anon against him he leapt/ & they both fought so long together. till that the serpent had grievously hurted and wounded the greyhound. that he bled sore. so the the earth about the cradle was all be bled with the blood of the greyhound. The greyhound when that he felt himself so grievously hurted and wounded. start fiercely upon the serpent. and fought sore together and so eagerly. so that between them the cradle was over cast with the child the bottom up ward. And by because the the cradle had four pomelles or feet they saved the child's visage & his life from any hurting falling to wards the earth. & what shall I say more. incontinent thereafter with great pain the greyhound overcame & slew the serpent/ & went & laid him down again in his place & licked his wounds/ And anon after as the jousts & torneye was done. the nourysshes were the first that came in to the castle/ & as they saw the cradle reversed with blood upon the earth environed. and that the greyhound was also bloody. they thought and said amongs themself that the greyhound had slain the child. and they were not so wise as too turn up again the cradle with the child for too have seen what was thereof befallen. But they said/ let us i'll or ren away least that our master put or lay the blame upon us and slay us. And as they were thus away running/ they met with the knights wife. and she said to them wherefore make ye this sorrow/ & whether will ye ren & they said. O lady woe and sorrow be to us and to you why what is there happened. show me. The greyhound they said that our lord & master loveth so moche hath devoured and slain your son/ & lieth by the wall all full of the blood. As the lady this herd she fell to the earth and began to weep and cry piteously: & said alas. O my dear son be ye thus slain & deed. what shall I now make that I have my only son thus lost. her withal came in the knight from the torneye. & beholding his lady thus crying & making sorrow. he demanded her wherefore that she made so great sorrow and lamentacyou. She answered him. O my lord your greyhound that ye love so moche hath slain your only son. & lieth by the wall sacyate with blood of the child. The knight hugely angered went in to the hall. & the greyhound went to him to meet and to fawn as he was wont to do And the knight drew out his sword & with one stroke smote of the hounds heed. and went to the cradle and found his son all hole. and by the cradle the serpent slain. And by divers signs perceived that the hound had fought against the serpent for the salvation of the child. Then with great sorrow & weeping he tore his here and said woe be to me that for the words of my wife I have slain my good greyhound the which hath saved my child's life & hath slain the serpent. Herfore I will put myself to penance & broke his sword in three pieces. and went to wards the holy land. & abode there all the days of his life. Then said the master to th'emperor. Lord understand ye what. I have said. And he answered and said right well. The master said: If that ye do your son to death for the words of your wife. it shall come to you worse than it died too the knight for his greyhound. The Emperor said ye have showed me a fair example. & without doubt this day shall not my son die. though said the master if ye do so ye do wisely. but I thank you that ye have him spared this day for my sake: ¶ The second complaint of the Empress. ¶ When the th'empress herd that the child was not yet deed. She began to weep bitterly & sat her down upon the earth in the ashes & would not hold up her heed. As th'emperor that heard he entered in to the chamber & said to her. O good wife wherefore make ye all this sorrow & trouble yourself so moche. She said demand ye me that know ye not well what great despite & shame that I have suffered of your unhappy son. & have promised me that ye should see justice over him done & yet he liveth of troth. it shall hapne too you as it happened upon a shepherd & a boor. The emperor said. I pray you show me that example for my learning. and she said yesterday I showed one: and I saw none effect that thereof came. too what intent should I now show. Nevertheless I shall this notable example tell & declare unto you/ in this manner here after following. the empress complains to the emperor; his imprisoned son is seen through the doorway THere was sometime an Emperor the which had a great forest/ wherein was a boar that was so cruel & so fell that all men going through the forest he killed and devoured. The emperor was thereof right heavy. and let to proclaim through all his empire. that who soever he was that could slay the boar should have his only daughter too wife. & thereto his Empire after his death. & as this in all places proclaimed was there was not one man found that durst meddle or intromytte. Than was there a shepherd which in himself thought. might I this bore slay & win I should not not only advance myself. but also all my generation & kindred he took his shepherds staff in his hand. and went in to the forest. And as the boor had of him a sight. he drew him to wards the herd man. and he for fere climbed upon a tree. Than the boar began to bite and gnaw the tree/ so that the herd thought shortly that he should have over throw it. This tree was laden with great plenty of fruit The herd gathered and plucked thereof and cast them to the boor. In so much that when he had filled him there with he put and laid him down to sleep. The which perceiving the herd by little & little he descended & with the one hand he clawed the boar. & with the other he held himself on the tree/ & saying that the boor slept sound & fast. drew out his knife and smote that bore to the heart & killed him. & wedded th'emperors daughter to his wife: & aft the death of her father he was made emperor. though said she my lord wot ye not what I have said. He said right well. Then said she. this mighty boar betokeneth your most noble person/ against whom may no man with stand. neither by wisdom ne with strength. This shepherd with his staff is the person of your ungracious son. which with his staff of cunning beginneth to play with you as the herdman clawed the boar and made him to sleep & after killed him. In that same manner the masters of your son by their false fables and narrations claw & gloze unto the time that your son slay you. that he may regne. though said th'emperor god forbid that they should do too me as they died to the boar. & said unto her this day my son shall be hanged. And she answered if ye do so ye do wisely. Than th'emperor the second time sitting in judgement. commanded to lead him to the gallows & hang him. And whiles he was going. the second master came before th'emperor doing him reverence as it is before showed in the coming of the first master. To whom the second master said O my lord th'emperor if ye should do slay your son for the words of your wife it might worse come to you than it died to a knight which for the words of his wife was unjustly put in a pillar. Themperor said. O good master tell me how it happened. And he said my lord I shall not say it but if that ye will do call again your son from the death unto the time that th'example be told. the which if it turn you not from your purpose. your will be fulfilled. The emperor commanded that the child should be called again. And under sorrowful. nevertheless she knocked to have come in. though spoke the knight out of the window. O thou moste evil & unclean wife. now I know & am expert that many a time ye have forsaken my bed & gone and done avowtry. now shall ye stand till the bell be rungen and that the wakers may take you and do with you according to the law. The wife answered. My lord wherefore lay ye that to me. In troth I shall say you I was called by my mothers maiden & fetched in the night. & when I saw that ye slept so sweetly I durst not a wake you because that ye are old. and therefore I took the keys & went to my mother the which is sore seek. that I fear too morrow she must be anointed or aneeled notwithstanding for that I should not you offend or displease I have hasted me again to you & have left her dying in great pain & infirmity. Therefore I pray you for the love of god let me in afore the bell be rungen. The knight answered So shall ye not come in. ye must there abide unto the time that the bell be rungen. & till that the wakers come and take you. Then she said that should be to you & to me: to all our friends & kindred a great shame and rebuke. Therefore at the reverence of almighty god let me come in. Than said he. Have in thy mind evil and false wife how oftentimes ye have forsaken my bed and done avowtry. It is moche better that ye suffer shame and be wail for your sins here in this world. than for too suffer pain in hell. She said again to him I pray you for the love of him that was crucified & died upon the cross have mercy up on me. The knight answered. ye labour all in vain for ye shall not come in. but ye shall tarry the coming the wakers. As she heard that. she said my lord ye know well that by this door standeth a well. if ye let me not come in I shall therein drown myself. rather than all my friends should be shamed for me. Thenne said he. would god that ye had be drowned long afore or ye in my bed came. And as they thus spoke together. the moan went down & was all dark. though said she. if it will none otherwise be I shall drown miselfe. but yet afore as a true christian woman I will make my testament. first I bequeatheth to god & to our lady my soul. my body too be buried in the church of saint Peter & of all other things & goods that god hath sent me. I give unto you to dispose for my soul after your wisdom & discretion. & when she had thus said. she went to the well. & a great stone there being with both her arms she lift up & said. Now I drown myself. & cast the stone down in to the well & went again privily and stood by the door. The knight hearing that noise cried with a loud voice saying/ alas alas my wife is drowned. and hastily came down and ran to the well. And when she saw that the door was open. anon she entered and locked and made fast the gate/ & went up to the chamber & lay & looked out of the window. The knight stood by the well & cried and wept bitterly and said. woe be to me I have now lost my most beloved wife. cursed be the time that. I made fast the door against her. The lady heard that & said. O ye cursed old grysarde. why stand ye there this time on the night. was not my body to you sufficient. wherefore go ye thus every night out to your harlots & whores and leave my bed. As he heard the voice of his wife he was right glad and said Blessed be god that yet she is not drowned. But my good lady wherefore lay ye such things against me. I thought to have chastised you. and therefore I locked the door. ¶ But in no wise I intended your peril/ ye know well what sorrow I made for you when I heard you to have fallen in the well. & therefore I came lightly to have helped you. Thereupon she said. falsely ye lie. I never died such things as ye lay to me. But it appeareth by a common proverb. he that is defectyfe or culpable himself in a sin. he judgeth every man to be in the same. or else the father sought never his son in the oven: but if he had been therein himself. And therefore ye put that to me that ye yourself have oftentimes done & used. but one thing I promyt you. ye shall abide there till the wakers come. & that the bell be rungen that they may lead you before the judges to abide & suffer the law. though said the knight. wherefore lay ye such things to me/ I am old & all my life days I have been conversant in this city. & in this was I never defamed. & therefore let me in that to me ne to yourself ye do no shame. She said. ye speak in vain. It is better that ye forthynke your sins in this world than in hell. Have in mind what the wise man saith. A poor man proud. A rich man a liar. An old man a fool god hateth. So ye be a liar and rich. what need was it too you for too lie upon me. And ye are a fool. for ye had the flower of my youth at your pleasure. and yet ye must run to hoores & harlots. And therefore it is a great grace of god that ye have time and space too forthynke it. lest that ye should perish and be dampened for eurmore. & for that suffer your penance patiently. The knight said. O my best and well beloved lady all though it be so. yet is god merciful. and he asketh no thing of a sinner. but he amend his life and forthynke and do penance for his sins. Now let me come in and I will make amends. She said. Which devil hath made you so good a preacher So come ye not in And as they thus spoke the bell was rungen/ the knight hearing that said. O my most dear lady the bell ryngeth now. suffer me to come in that I be not a shamed for ever. which answered. the rynging of the bell pretendeth the health of your soul take it patiently in your penance. And as this was said come the wakers that about the city went & found the knight standing in the street & said to him. O good man it is not good that ye in this hour of the night stand here. And as she heard the voice of the wakers/ she said. Good fellows venge me on the old cursed horehunter & ribald. for ye know whose daughter & what. I am. This cursed old man is wont every night to leave my bed. & go the to his hoores & harlots. I have long forborn him and would not show it ne complain upon him too my friends. for I trusted that he would have amended his misrule. & it helpeth not. And therefore take him & punish him after the law. the all such old dotards may take example by him. Then the wakers took him & all night chastised him in prison. & on the morn they put him on the pyllery. though said to the Emperor. Lord have ye ynderstonde what I have said & he said right well. though said the master. if ye put to death your son by the excitation of your wife. it shall to you worse come than it did to the knight. The Emperor said she was the worst woman that ever I heard of that so falsely her husband brought to shame & rebuke. I say to you master that for the reason of this example my son shall this day not die. The master said to him. if ye do so than do ye wisely. And that hereafter ye shall joy. & I commend you to god/ & thank you of your patient hearing/ and of the sparing of your son and so he departed. ¶ The third complaint of the Empress ¶ When th'empress heard that the child was not deed she wept bitterly & entered in to her privy chamber/ & tore her skin with her nails. & with loud voice cried & said alas that ever I was borne. & that I so great a kings daughter should thus be entreated & shamed and thereof can have no remedy her gentilwymmen this hearing went & showed it to th'emperor. & he went unto her & comforted her saying. O lady weep not so ne cry not. for it becometh you no thing/ which said/ the love that I have & owe to you maketh me more to sorrow than the contempt of the deed. for why the inward love of your heart hath hitherto prohybite & letted me that I have not returned again in to my country to my father but I fere if I should so do to you it might do harm for he is mighty to honour me with richesses. and too venge my quarrel & despite in such wise that ye & yours might forthynke it Thereto said th'emperor let that go out of your mind. show it not/ for as long as I live I shall never fail you. And she said/ lord I pray god that ye may long live. But I fear me that it shall happen upon you as it died of a knight and of his son that would not bury his faders heed in the chyrcheyerde. and yet his father was for him slain/ Than said th'emperor Show me that example. how that was that he would not bury his faders heed/ She said I shall do it to your profit. ¶ The third example of the Empress ¶ The third example of the Empress. the empress complains to the emperor; his imprisoned son is seen through the doorway THere was in the city of rome a knight that had two daughters & one son. this knight had so great delight in hauntinge jousting and turneing that all thing that he might win & get he laid it and spent it thereupon. In that time was an emperor named octavian. which in richesse of gold & silver exceeded all other kings and princes In so much that he had a tour full of gold. and ordained a knight to have the keeping & charge thereof. This knight that so haunted jousting & other idle games came to so great poverty that he was disposed to sell his heritage. & called to him his son and said. My son it behoveth me of your counsel. for necessity and poverty compelleth me to sell mine heritage. or else for to find all other way by the which I may live. for if I should sell mine heritage. ye & your sisters should perish. The son said. father if ye can find any other mean without selling of the heritage. I should be ready to help you. To whom the father said I am bethought upon a good counsel. Themperor hath a tour full of gold/ by night time let us go thither with instruments and dig and hew through the tour. and let us take of the gold as much as shall suffice us. Thereto answered the son & said. that counsel can not be amended. for it is better of th'emperors gold to take to help us than our heritage to sell They rose up both in a night and went to the tour and with instruments they made there through an hole and took as much gold as they both could carry away at that tyme. The knight paid his debts & haunted again jousts as he died before till all was spent and consumed. In the mean while the keeper of. the treasure went in to the tour & when he saw the treasure stolen. & a great hole made through the wall. he began to wax sore a feared & went to th'emperor and showed how it was befallen. To whom th'emperor said all angrily. What needest thou to show that have I not delivered to the my treasure/ & therefore of the I will ask it. though anon as the keeper heard that went to the tour again. & set afore the hole a great vessel full of pitch meddled with other gums so subtly. that no man might come in at that hole. but that he must needs fall in to that vessel. & if he therein fill he could no more come out of it. Not long after the knight had all the gold consumed and spent & went again with his son to the tour to steel more gold. and as the father went in first. anon he was fallen in the ves with pitch to the neck. & when he saw that he was taken & could not get out he said to his son. follow me not. for if thou dost thou may not escape to be taken. Than the son said. god defend it that I should not help you: for if ye are founden we are all but deed. & if that ye may not be helped by me. I shall seek counsel how that ye may be delivered & helped. The father said/ there is none other counsel. but with thy sword smite of mine heed/ and as my body is found without heed no man shall know me. & so thou and my daughters may escape & avoid this worldly shame & death. The son said. father ye have given the best counsel. For if it were so that any man might perceive any knowledge of you. none of us should escape that death & therefore it is expedient that your heed be smitten of. Anon he drew out his sword & smote of his faders heed & cast it in to a pit. & afterward hid it therein and go and showed to his sisters all the matter. which many days after privily bewailed the death of their father. After this the keeper of the treasure came in to the tour & found a body without any heed. whereof he wondered sore. and showed it to the emperor To whom he said. bind that body at the tail of an horse. & so draw it by all the streets of the city. & diligently take good heed if ye here any cry or weeping. where so ever ye here that he is lord of the house. take all them & with the body draw them to the gallows & hang them. The which themperours servants fulfilled according to his commandment. And as they came against the house of the deed knight. & as the daughters saw body of their deed father. they made a marvelous great shryche & wept piteously & as their brother that herd. anon he wounded himself. grievously in the mouth with a knife. so that great plenty of blood came out of the wound. The officers when the herd that noise & cry entered in to the house. & demanded the cause of their noise & clamour. though anwered the son that I am thus wounded. for when my sisters saw my blood so abundantly go out as ye see. they began to weep and cry. And when the office saw the wound they believed his words. & so deceived went their ways. and hang the body of the knight upon the gallows where it hang long time & his son would neither take his body down from the gallows. ne yet bury his heed the Empress said understand ye what I have said. Themperor said ye right well. ¶ The declaration of the example. ¶ though spoke th'empress. thus my lord I fear me it shallbe of you & of your son. This knight for love of his son was made poor. & first he committed theft & broke the tour. secondary died himself too be heeded. that his children should have no shame. After that soon cast his heed in a dyke. & buried it neither in church nor in chyrcheyerde. his body he suffered to hang still upon the gallows. if that he could not have taken it down in the day he might well have done in the night. In the same manner ye labour night and day that ye may promote your son to honour & riches But without doubt he daily laboureth for your confusion & destruction that he may regne after you in your empire. Therefore I advise you that ye do him to be hanged before or he you destroy. Themperor said ye have showed me a good example. The knights so ne when he had smitten of his faders heed would not bury it. Without doubt my father shall not do so by me but he communded anon his officers that they should lead him to the gallows. & they obeyed his commandment hastily. & as they lad him through the streets the people made great noise & lamentation. alas alas the only son of the emperor is lad again to wards the gallows/ & as they thus lad him. the third master named Craton came riding upon an horse/ & as the child saw him he bowed down his heed to him as though he had said. have mind upon me. The people cried saying. O good master hast you & save your disciple. He smote his horse with spurs & hasted him to the palace. And when he came before th'emperor he honourably salved him. which said. thy coming hither shall never avail thee/ nor it that thou comest for The master said. I hoped in my coming to have be welcome & have had a better reward & not too have be rebuked. The emperor said/ as ye have deserved so shall it be to you. To whom he said. My lord what have I deserved. Themperor said. ye have right well deserved death. For why I delivered to you my son well speaking & well mannered for to inform and teach. & ye have delivered him again too me dompe & a ribald. To whom the master said/ in that ye say he is dumb that I commit to god/ for he maketh the dompe to speak & the deaf to here. But in that ye say that he would have your wife enforced that would I gladly know if any creature have that seen. for there is no malice above the malice of a woman/ and that shall I prove by a good example that women are full of lesynges & deceptions. & if ye put to death your son for the words of your wife/ it shall happen to you as it did to a noble man of his wife & of his pie. the which he loved marvelously. To whom th'emperor said. I you tell me how that women are full of malice & losings/ which said I will not do it/ but if ye first call again your son from the death. & then at your pleasure I shall show th'example. Than th'emperor anon made the child too be called again and put in prison. Than the master began to say this example in this form following. the emperor hears a master's example; through the door, his son is seen surrounded by guards THere was in a city a rich burgeys that had a pie the which he loved so moche that every day be taught her to speak latin & hebrewe. And when that she had learned perfectly. to speak those two languages/ all that she saw & heard. she showed & told to her master. This good man had a fair young wife as ye have/ the which he loved moche. but she contrary loved not him/ because he might not furnish her of such pleasures & lusts as she desired to have. And therefore had she an other fair young man that she loved above her husband. And always as her husband was out of the town about his merchandise & other business to do. and she sent for her best beloved that they might together make good cheer. The pie as she that saw told it to her master. at his home coming. in such wise that the noise ran all over the city of her adultery. whereof her husband many time brauled & chid her. She answered him. ye believe your cursed pie. which as long as she liveth shall always make betwixt us variance & discord. And he said the pie can not lie. for that she seeth & heareth that she telleth me. and therefore I believe her more than you. It fortuned that this good man went in to far countries to do his merchandise. & as soon as was gone his wife sent for her friend & love to solace & make good cheer with him. but he durst not come by day light. but abode to the evening lest that he should be seen & marked of the people. And as the night was comen/ he knocked at the gate: & she was ready & opened it & said. Go in freely for n̄o man shall. see you. & he said I fear me the the cursed pie shall accuse us. for by her is comen great slander upon us through out all the city. enter in she said boldly and fear not. And as he should pass through the hall where the pie was in her cage. she herd him say these words. O my most beloved I fear me greatly of the pie that she shall bewray us. And as the wife heard that she said. Be still fool. it is dark she may not see you. Thenne the py that hearing said If I see the not I here thy voice. & thou dost wrong to my master. for thou sleepest with my mistress. and when my master cometh I shall tell him. The young man hearing that said. Told I not you that the pie should discover us. And the wife said fere no. for this night we shall be avenged upon the pie. And entered in to the chamber & slept to guider that night. About mydnyghte the wife arose. & called to her a maiden and said/ fetch me a ladder & set up too the roof of the house that I may wreak me on the pie. The maid died so and they both went up & made an hole through the covering of the house right over the pie/ and there through cast sand clay stones & water upon the pie. so much that the poor pie was near deed & on the morn the young man went early out at a back door. And when the good man was comen home as his custom was he went & visited his pie and said to her. O pie my well-beloved bird/ say me how thou haste fared the while that I have been out. She said. master I shall tell you tidings that I have herd. your wife as soon as ye were gone by the night time she let a man come in and as I that heard I told him that I would show it to you at your coming home/ that not withstanding she lad him in to your chamber & slept with him all night. ye demanded me also how the I have dove in your absence. And I say you of a troth that I was never so nigh my death as I was that same night with snow hail & rain the fill upon my body. so long during that I was almost left for deed. The wife when she heard that said too her husband. Sir ye believe your pie now may ye here what she saith/ she complaynyth that in the same night there fill so moche snow hail & rain upon her that she was almost deed. & yet there was none of them all that same night. for there was not in a year a fairer ne a clearer night than it was & therefore from henceforth believe her not. though went the good man to his neighbours & demanded of them if that night were any tempest or rain. They auswered that some of them had waked all the night. & in all that year they had not seen a fairer night. though went he to his house & said to his wife. I have founden you in the troth for the night was fair & clear as I understand of your neighbours. ye may now know of a troth said she the py is a liar. with her lesynges she hath sown & made discord betwixt us. & over that I am defamed through the cite by her false lesyngꝭ. than the burgeys went to the pie & said wherefore haste thou made lies & falls tales be betwixt me & my wife. Is this the thank that I have for that meet that I was wont to give thou with mine own hands every day & haste also thereby my wife brought in to great dyffamacyou through all the town. The pie answered. god knoweth that I can not lie for that I saw & heard that have I showed to you. Than said he. thou liest. Haste thou not said unto me that in the same night was hail & snow & rain. that thou hadst nerehonde lost thy life which is false. And therefore from hens forth thou shalt make no more losings ne discord betwixt me and my wife/ & took the pie and broke her neck. As the wife saw that she was right glad & said now have ye done well now may we all our live days live in rest & peace. And when he had slain the pie. he looked up & saw in the top of the house a ladder & a vessel with water sand & stones. and as he that beheld. he perceived the falsehood of his wife. and cried with a loud voice. Woe be too me that for my wives words I have my pie slain and all my solace and joy lost. that why the in all things said to me truth. And as he had thus done anon for sorrow left his merchandise and all his house and went to wards the holy land. and never returned again towards his wife. than the master said to th'emperor. Sir have ye under stand what I have said. he answered right well. the master said. was not that a false & cursed wife that so by her losings caused the pie for to be slain. The emperor said. In truth she was full of falseness. I forthynke greatly the pie. the which for her true saying lost her life Verily I say to you the ye have told, me a fair example therefore this day my son shall not die. though said the master. Sir if ye do so ye do wisely. & I thank you that ye have spared your son. this day for my will. and to god I commend you. ¶ The fourth complaint of the empress. ¶ When th'empress heard that the child was not yet deed. she made great noise & cryings in such. wise that she was herd through the palace & said. Woe be to me that ever I was made Empress would god I had died when I was brought in too these parties when the emperor heard the noise & cry that she made. he entered in to the chamber. & comforted her as much as he might & demanded the cause of her lamentation/ which said. O mine own lord have no wonder though that I be in this great sorrow and agony for I am your wife. & in your company by your son I am shamed. as ye saw me lately all be bled & scratched. & ye have promised me that he should therefore be hanged/ & yet he liveth, wherefore should I not sorrow Themperor answered be content & pleased/ and I shall do justice upon my son to morrow. But in that I forbore him yesterday was at the moving of one of the masters by an example Than said she. Have ye forboren to do justice for one word. were it so for all the world ye should not let to do justice/ & ye say for the example of one master ye have left it. I fear me it shall happen with you & with your masters as upon a time it fortuned too an Emperor with his seven wise masters. ¶ The empeperoure said. I pray you tell me that example. ¶ Shesayd. ¶ To what intent should I labour in vain/ for yesterday I showed you a good example and it availed not. For what somever I show for your honour and profit that the masters of your son torn up and down to your destruction. as in this present example I shall clearly show you. To whom th'emperor said/ O my best beloved lady tell me that example. that by the same I may the better beware/ for though that I respited my sons life for one day/ I shall not therefore give him his life/ for that is differed it is not therefore auferred. And she said. gladly I shall show it for your profit, and began to tell it as here after followeth. the empress complains to the emperor; his imprisoned son is seen through the doorway Sometime was in the city of rome seven wise masters by whom all the empire was governed & ruled. And th'emperor that than was died no no thing or attempt without the counsel of them. as they understood that th'emperor was to them so inclined. that without them he should ordain or do no thing in the mean time they made by their art and cunning that th'emperor should clearly see as long as he was in his palace. but anon as he was out of his palace. he was made blind/ & that died they to the intent that they might the more freely intromytte themselves of all things that appertained to th'emperor. by the which they gate & wan too them great profit & lucre of goods. & after that they had made. & wrought that experymeut. they could never change it ne fordo it. afterward. but th'emperor abode still blind many years. Then the seven masters made & ordained through out th'empire. that if any man had dreamed a dream he should come unto them with a florene of gold or of silver. & they should expone & declare unto them the interpretation of their dreams whereby & by other unjust means they obtained much more substance & money of the people than th'emperor died. So upon a time when he sat at the table with the empress he began to sigh & sorrow in himself. and when she perceived that she inquired diligently of him the cause of his heaviness & dolour Themperor said/ should not that to me be heavy & sorrowful that I so long have been blind & out of my palace/ & of that can have or find no remedy. To whom spoke th'empress & said. my lord here my counsel & it shall never repent you if ye do thereafter In your court ye have seven. wise masters by whom ye & all the empire is governed. if ye now behold & mark this in your mind/ ye shall find that they are the cause of your blindness & disease. & if it be so they are worthy too die a shameful death. therefore take heed to my counsel and advise. Send ye for them & show unto them your disease & infirmity. & threte them on pain of their lives. that they should find a remedy to make you hole of your fyknesse & blindness. This counsel pleased the emperor well. & anon sent for the masters And when they were come. th'emperor anon showed unto them his infirmity & blindness. & charge them upon puyne death/ that they should seek a rememedy & make him hole thereof. though answered they. Ye desire of us a thing that is dyffusyfe & hard. for us to do thus shortly but give us respite & days & in the tenth day we shall give you answer. Themperor was therewith well content & pleased. Then the seven wise masters went to counsel. how they might the best change & alter/ & that in no manner could they find the mean how they might put away the blindness from the Emperor. wherefore they were all right sorrowful. & said among themself. without we find a remedy we are all but deed men. So went they from thence through out all th'empire & sought if they could find any remedy or counsel therefore. It happened them upon a time going through a city. & in the mids thereof they found children playing. & after them came a man with a talent or florene of gold & said to them. Good masters this night I have dreamed a dream. thinterpretation thereof I would fain know. Wherefore I pray you show me what it signifieth & take this gold to you. That heard one of the children that played among the other & said too him. give me the gold & not them. & I shall expone thy dream. The man said. I dreamed this night that in the mids of mine orchyerde was a great spring of water. whereof came many small springs that all mine orchyerde was full & overflown with water. The child said. take a spade & dig. in the same place there as ye thought that the water out sprang. & there shall ye find an hoard of gold so great that ye & all your children & lineage shall be for ever rich The man died as the child had showed him. & found the treasure according to his words. though went the man to the child & offered him a pound weight of the gold the he had found for the interpretation of his dream. & he would none receive but committed him to the prayers of the man. The vii masters when they heard the child so wisely expone the dream. they said to him. good child what is your name he answered & said I called merlin. Then said the masters. we see clearly great wisdom in you. we shall show unto you a great matter. & of that we would gladly that ye could find a remedy. The child said. Show me your matter. And they said th'emperor of rome as long as he is in his palace he hath his sight clear without any impediment And as soon as he is gone out of his palace he is so blind that he may not see. If ye can now determine the cause hereof & find a remedy that he may be eased & have his sight again ye shall have great rewards & honours of th'emperor. The child said. I know the cause as well of his blyndhede as of the remedy. They said to him. Come with us to th'emperor. & ye shall be rewarded so largely that ye shall be pleased. To whom the child said. I am ready to go with you. And when they came with the child before th'emperor. they said to him. Lord loo here this child that we have brought afore you that which shall fulfil your desire as touching the cause of your blindness as the recovering of your sight. Themperor said. Good masters will ye take it upon you & abide thereby that the child shall do with me. They all said ye. for we be expert in his wisdom. Themperor turned himself towards the child and said. will ye undertake to tell me the cause of my blindness & the remedy. The child answered & said. My lord the emperor lead me in to your bedchamber. & there I shall show you what is to be done And as he was there in brought he said to the servants. take of the clothes of the bed. & all thapparel. & ye shall see wonders And as that was done they saw a well smoking that had seven springs or floods. the which when th'emperor saw marveled greatly. the child said ye see this well & without it be quenched ye shall never have your syȝt. th'emperor said. how may that be. the child said. but by one way Themperor said. Show us than the mean. & if it be possible to me it shall be done. that I may recover again my sight as well without as within. To whom the child said. my lord the vii springs of this well are these vii wise masters. the which you & your Empire hitherto have traitorously governed & have you made blind as ye be without your palace that they your subgettes by extortion might pluck & pill. ye not saying. but now they know not the remedy. Here ye now my counsel. & this well shall be quenched & extycte do strike of the first masters heed. & anon ye shall the first spring quenched. & so by order one after an other. till that they are all beheaded. & anon all the springs with the well shall be vanished and gone away/ & ye shall have again your sight as ye had afore. And as this was done & fulfilled/ the well with the vii springs were vanished. And as th'emperor had his sight again he made the child a great lord & gave him great abundance of goods. After that spoke them press. my lord have ye this example well perceived that. I have told you. & he said ye in the best wise. ye have recited a good and a rial example. Than said she. In the same wise your vii wise masters intend too do with you. by their false narrations. that your son may reign upon you/ that god forbid. ¶ The declaration of the example. ¶ This well is your son whereof out flown seven springs. that sygnefye the seven wise masters the which soon ye may not destroy without the. seven. masters be made feeble & brought too nought that done this well that is your son with all his cavillations & wiles shall not scape/ but let him be hanged first lest that he have help of his masters. & forth after cosequently the vii masters. And so ye shall govern & guide your empire in rest & peace. Themperor anon commanded his servants to lead his so to the gallows which they were loath to do. So was there than a great multitude of people gathered with great noise & bewailing so that the noise came to the ears of the fourth master named Malquydrac. the which leapt upon his horse/ & hasted him to the palace So met with him his disciple & died reverence to him/ & recommended him unto him/ & when he came be fore th'emperor & had done his obeisance & reverence as appertained. Themperor answered & said. little thank have ye old cursed caitiff for the teaching of my son for I delivered you my son well speaking & in all thing right virtuous. And ye have sent him a fool dumb/ & a ribald/ for he would have belayne with force my wife/ & therefore all ye with him together shall be hanged though said the master. My lord I have not that deserved of you. god knoweth why your son speaketh not. in short time ye shall perceive other things. but the time is not yet comen. But in the ye say he would have oppressed your wife. the is not gospel ne proved. ne for one singular person ye should not judge to death your son. if now for the words of your wife ye judge your son to die. it will be worse to you than to an old man of his wise. & that I shall prove. Too whom th'emperor said. Think ye to do with me ye old dotard. as sometime seven wise men died to an emperor. Thereto said said the master The offence or trespass of one or yet of twenty. may not found to the rebuke & blame of all other. for over all the world there be both good & evil. But one thing of a troth I shall show you. that evil shall come to you if ye this day do your son to death for the words of your wife. the which I would show by a notable example. Than said the emperor will ye that recite for our learning. The master said. it ye will call again your son. & keep him till I have made recitation of the example. & than what somever ye shall think best to done with him. do it. I shall rehearse this example or else not The emperor commanded that he should be called again/ and desired the master to say as here after ensueth or followeth. ¶ The example of the fourth master. the emperor hears a master's example; through the door, his son is seen surrounded by guards THere was an old knight & a right wise man that long lived without wife & child. His friends came to him many times & counseled and exhorted him that he should take a wife. The knight thus counseled & stirred by his friends so oft-times that at the last he agreed too them. And they gave him to wife the daughter of the provost of rome that rich was & right fair. whom when he had seen anon he was made blind & taken in her love. & began to love her marvelously well and when they had been a certain space together & had no fruit ne child. Upon a time in a morning it happened that she went to the church where she met with her mother. & saluted her as it behoved. My dear daughter said the mother how pleaseth you your marriage & your husband: She said right evil. for ye have given to me an old lame man/ me in all things displeasing. I would ye had that same time buried me. for I had liefer lie & eat with a swine than with him. and therefore I may no longer thus eudure. but I must love an other though said the mother. god forbid that My dear daughter how long time I have be with your father & yet hitherto I never meddled me with such foolishness. The daughter said. mother it is no marvel for ye both in your youth met together. & the one took solace of the other. & I may receive of him no manner of solace corporal for he is cold/ & upon the bed he lieth as still as a stone. or as a thing immovable: The mother answered. if ye will jove an other say me what he is. The daughter said a priest I will love. to whom the mother said it were better to you & less sin to love a knight or a squire than a priest. & the daughter said. If I should love a knight or a gentle squire in short time he would be weary of me. & after that he would do me shame & tell it over all. & so it is not of the priest. for he will hold and keep his own honour & counsel as well as mine. And also spiritual men be more true to their loves than the secular men. The mother said. Here my counsel & it shall be good for you. Old folks are willy & fell tempt your husband first & if ye scape him without doing any harm or smiting. than love the priest. The dought said I may not so long abide. The mother said upon my blessing abide till ye have proved him. The daughter said upon your blessing I will abide so long. till I have attempted him but first say me how that I shall prove him. The mother said. He hath in his orchyerde a tree which he loveth moche. do that to besmyten down whiles he is out at honting. & against his coming make him there a fire. & if he forgive it you than may surely love the priest. As she had heard the counsel of her mother she went to her house. To whom her husband said. Where have ye been so long. She answered I have been in the church where as I met with my mother & with her a little I have talked & comyned. & so began properly for to dyssymyle. After midday the knight road out for to hunt. Then she thinking upon the counsel of her mother went to the gardener & said to him. Cut down this young tree newly planted that I may make a fire thereof to warm my lord withal at his coming from hunting. For it is a great wind & a right sharp cold. The gardener said. Madame that will I not do. for my lord loveth better that tree than he doth all the other trees nevertheless I shall well help you to gather wood enough for to make withal a good fire but in any wise this I will not hew down. She heard that. & boldly she took the axe from the gardener & hewed down the tree herself & made the gardener with other to bear it home. At even when the lord came from hunting he was sore a cold. The lady let make a great fire. & went & met with him. & set him ou a stole afore the fire to warm. And as he a little while had sitten he perceived the odour of the fire. & called to him the gardener & said. I feel by this odour that my new plant brenneth in the fire. The gardener said. Lord it is true. my lady your wife hath felled it down. The knight said to her god forbid that my plant should be cut down by you. She answered anon & said. Lord I have done it knowing the weather cold & you also cold. & therefore I have ordained this fire for your comfort. As the knight that heard he looked angrily upon her & said. O cursed woman how werest thou so hardy to hew down so gentle a young tree the which thou knowest well that I loved above all other trees As she that heard she began to weep & excuse her self & said My lord I have done it for your good & profit. & ye take it so grievously. & began to cry woe woe be to me. Anon as the knight saw the weeping & tears of his wife & heard her cause we was moved with mercy saying to her. Cease of your weeping. & be ware how the ye any more anger or trouble me in any thing/ that I love. The next day early in the morning/ she went again to the chyrchewarde. & met with her mother coming against her. & they salved each other. Than the daughter said to her mother. O dear mother I will love the priest. for I have attempted my lord as ye counseled me/ but all for nought. for he anon forgave it when he saw me a little weep. though said the mother. though old men one time forgive/ they double the pain upon an other tyme. & therefore I counsel you that ye an other time attempt him. though said the daughter I may no longer abide. for I suffer so moche pain for the love of the priest. that with my tongue I can not tell therefore ye shall pardon me I will no more follow or do after your counsel. than said the mother. for the love that the child should have unto the mother attempt him yet once. & for your faders blessyuge/ and then if ye go quite without any harm or betinge. love the priest in the name of god. though answered the daughter. it is to me a great pain so long time to abide. nevertheless for the blessing of my father I shall once atempte him. but say me how I shall begin. the mother said I understand that he hath a little hound that he loveth well & that keepeth his bed. cast the hound with so great might afore his face that it die & if ye scape without a stripe or that he forgive it lightly. in the name of god than love the priest. Than said the daughter. I shall in all thing do after your counsel. for there is no daughter living to day that would more gladly have that blessing of the father & the mother than I. And so she bade her mother far well/ & went to her house again/ & that day with great importunity & trouble of heart she she brought too the night. & when the night was comen. she commanded the bed to be covered with pupure & with cloth of gold the whiles the knight sat by the fire. And when the bed was thus made ready. the little hound as he was accustomed leapt on the bed & she took him by the hinder legs. & with a wood & a malicious heart she cast it against the wall that it lay still deed. When the good old knight that saw/ he was marvelously angry. & said with a loud voice too his wife. O worst & most cruel of all wicked women now couldst thou find in thine heart that little gentle hound to slay. that I so much loved. Lord said she have ye not seen how the hound with his foul feet hath our/ bed that is so preciously covered with rich clothes made foul coming out of the mire: And the knight said with moche anger. knew ye not that I loved moche better that little hound than the bed. when she heard that. anon she began petyously to weep & said woe be to me that. I was borne For all thing that I do for the best it is all turned in to the worst. The knight would not suffer the weeping and weymenting: of his wife. but for that that he loved her so moche he said to her leave or cease your weeping for I forgive you it all together. And I counsel you that ye beware how that ye displease me from hens forth/ & they went toogyder to bed. Upon the morrow she rose up early & went to the church where as she found her mother/ to whom when she had done reverence as it behoved. She said. Mother now will I love the pressed. For I have now attempted the second time my husband & all things he suffered. The mother said. O my dear daughter there is no cruelty or falsehood above the cruelty of old folks. & therefore I counsel you the ye yet once prove him. To whom the daughter answered. Mother ye labour in vain. for if ye wist what & how moche pain the I suffer for the priests love ye should rather help me if ye loved me. The mother said. Here me daughter this one tyme. & I shall never let you more. think how that ye have souked milk of my breasts: & the great pain that I suffered for you at your birth By these pains my dear daughter I desire of & I charge you that ye deny me not this good petition. & I promise to god I shall no more let nor hinder you of your intent: but rather help you thereto/ though answered the daughter. it is to me a great pain to abstain me & forbear myself so long from the love of the priest. nevertheless for the great charges that ye have laid to me. & also for that ye have made a vow no more for to let me. but to further me. tell me how I shall attempt him. & I shall once yet put it in adventure. The mother said. I know well that on sunday next coming he intendeth to have us all to dinner & there shall be your father & I and all your friends & all the best of the city. And when ye are set in your place & all the meats are brought & served upon the table/ fast one of the keys privily that hangeth at your girdle in the table cloth & than fain to have forgotten your knife and say these words openly. See what a short wit that I am of. I have forgotten my knife in my chamber/ & rise up hastily & go & that cloth with all the meats ye shall cast down & overthrow upon the ground. And if ye scape without pain I make a vow to god that I shall never let you after. The daughter said that shall I gladly do & so took her leave & departed. The feast day came that all as the mother said were bodeu. The servants made ready & covered the table. All were set at that table. & the daughter sat over against her lord. And when the table was well served. with meats & other things as thereto belonged/ the lady of the house said with an high voice. See how forgeteful I am of mind I have left my knife in my chamber the which I must fetch/ & rose hastily up and drew the cloth with all the meet that was upon it with her. and all the gold vessels & salts lay upon the ground. The knight vexed sore angry in his heart. but for shame he dissimuled afore his gests. & commanded on other clean cloth & other meats to be brought & with joy and mirth he solyted & moved his gests to eat and make good cheer. so that by him they were all gladded. The feast or dyner done they gave all thankynges to the knight & took their leave & departed every man to wards his own house. Upon the next day in the morning the kny ghte arose early & went to the church & heard a mass the which ended. went to a barber & said too him. Master are ye expert in blood letting in what vain that I will desire you. He said. sir I am expert in what vain that ye can name in man's body. The knight said. I am well content come on with me. & when he was comen to his house. he entered in to his chamber where his wife lay in bed & said to her. Rise up shortly. Than said she. what shall I do up thus early it is not yet nine the clock. The knight said. ye must rise up. for ye must be let blood on both your arms. She said. I was never latin blood/ & shall I now bleed. though said the knight. that is troth. & there for ye are a fool. For think ye not that ye hew first down my tree. & an other time ye killed my little hound & yesterday ye shamed me afore all our friends & parents. & the fourth is if I should suffer you thus too go forth ye should me for ever confound & shame. the cause hereof I consider that ye have evil & wild blood with in your body. & therefore I will that that corrupt blood shall be drawn out that ye from henceforth shall no more put me to shame & anger. and let to be made a great fire. and she stood and cried and held up her hands to wards the heaven and said. My lord forgive me this tespace/ and have pity upon me at this tyme. and I shall never more offend you. The knight said pray for no mercy. for by the mercy that god hath wrought without that thou holdest out thine arm straight I shall soon have thine heart blood. And he said also to the barber. smite hard & make a deep hole in her arm. or else I shall give you a great stripe. Than smote the barber so sore that the blood came abundantly out. and the knight would not suffer him to staunch it unto the time that she changed colour in her visage. And as this was done the knight bad to be stopped or staunch that vain. & bad that barber smite the vain upon. the other arm. Thenne cried she with a loud voice. My sweet husband have compassion upon me for now I die. The knight answered. my wife ye should have afore thought on this or that ye have done to me these three evil turns or despytes. Thenne she held out her left arm. & the barber smote therein an hole that the blood came out right hudgely. & suffered her to bleed unto the time that the colour in her visage changed & that she swooned/ Than said the knight. now bind that arm & staunch it. & said to her now go to bed. & study and think henceforth how ye may amend yourself or else I shall draw the blood of your heart. And as this was done he gave the barber his reward and he went again unto his own house. and the wife under the hands of her maidens nigh deed was lad to her bed & bad one of her handmaidens go to her mother in all haste & say that she come speak with me afore I de ye. The mother when she hard the she was glad of the correction of her daughter & hastily came to her/ the daughter when she herd her mother said to her O my most sweet mother I am almost deed. for I have so moche blood bled. that I believe that I shall not scape the death though answered the mother/ said I not too you that old men are right cruel. & fell. will ye now love the pressed. Which said. The devil may the priest confound & shame. I will never love other but my husband Than said the master to th'emperor. Lord have ye understand me. And he answered right well. For amongs all other that ever I have heard this was the best example. Three evil deeds she died unto her husband. & I doubt not but if she had done the fourth she should have shamed him for ever. Than said the master therefore I counsel you that ye beware of your wife lest that it happen worse to you. for why if ye do to death your only son for her words. ye shall be deceived in the end. & for ever ye shall forthynke it. The Emperor said truly master this day my son shall not die. The master said My lord I thank you that ye for mine example and my sake this day have spared your soon. ¶ The fifth complaint of the Empress ¶ The empress hearing that the child was not yet deed appareled & clothed her in her vesture or clothing. & let to be ordained her veins & carts/ as though she would have gone to her father home in her country for to have complained of the great shame that was done unto her & could have no remedy hereof. The servants saying yt. went & showed it to th'emperor that th'empress was going in to her country. When he that perceived he went to her saying. whither are ye going. I hoped that ye had loved me so moche that in all the world ye should have sought no solace but with me. To that she said. That is true. & therefore I go from you. for I had liefer here of your death. than to see you die. without doubt ye delight so much to here these masters. that it shall happen upon you as it died to Octavian. th'emperor the which wes so covetous that the noble men of the empire buried him quick & filled his mouth with molten gold. Themperor said. dear wife do not that an other time the blame to you or to me might be laid. Than said the empress. truly the blame is yours. for have ye not promised me many times that your son should die. & yet he liveth. & therefore from henceforth I will no more believe you. Then said th'emperor. It becometh not a king every cause lightly too discuss. with out advise. & specially upon his son. upon whom it is not behoveful. lightly to give judgement And ther fore I say & pray you that ye will tell me somewhat by the which I may myself govern. for it is utter destruction of a king without advise & undescretly to give judgement. She answered & said. I will gladly tell you a notable example. so that from henceforth ye shall not be covetous or desirous to here the masters And began to say in this form The fifth example of the Empress. the empress complains to the emperor; his imprisoned son is seen through the doorway Octavianus th'emperor reigned in Rome right rich & covetous. & above all things he loved gold. The cytezyens that time of Rome died much harm & many great out rages to other nations In so much that diverse nations & regions were moved & stirred against the romans. In that time there was master Virgilius. the which excelled in magic & in other sciences all other masters. The cytezeynes prayed him that he by his art & cunning would make somewhat by the which they of their enemies might have warning & knowledge before. Where by that they might purvey for themself the better. He let do make by his art and cunning a tour. & above upon the tour died to be set as many images as in all the world were regions or provinces. and in the mids of the tour he let to be made and set an image. which held in his hand an appell or a great round ball of gold. And every image of the tour held in his hand a little bell. and stood turned looking to wards his own province to him assigned. And as oftentimes as any province would stir or rebel against the romans. so often turned him the image of that lend & range the bell. That hearing the citizens of Rome armed themself & to that province go with all their might for that land to keep under. and so was there no land so great that could wreak them upon the romans, and therefore were they bedradde and feared over all the world. After that master Vlrgilius made for the solace and comfort of the poor people a light that alway brende. and by that light he made two baths the one of them hot. in the which the poor people might bathe and wash them/ & that other cold in the which they might themself refresh. and betwixt that light and the baths he made an image standing. in whose forehead was written. He that smiteth me shall anon have vengeance. This image stood there many years. At the last there came a clerk and beheld that image & read this writing/ and thought in himself. what vengeance might he find therefore. I believe better that if any man should smite the that thou fillest there with to the earth. he should find some treasure under thy feet. & therefore is thy writing that no man should have it. & the clerk lift up his hand & gave the image a great stroke that it fell to the ground. & anon the light was out. & the baths very vanished away. & he found no treasure. The poor folk that perceiving were all sorrowful saying. cursed mote he be for ever more that for his singular covetise hath destroyed this image. & us hath rob of so great solace & comforthe Here after assembled three kings the which of the romans had been oppressed & suffered great wrongs. & went to counsel with them of their counsel. how they might best of the romans be avenged. & some of them said. we labour in vain. as long as there standeth the tower with the images we may no thing do against them. To that counsell arose up four knights and said to the kings. we have thought a good remedy how we shall destroy the tour with the images and that to do and bring about we will our lives set to pledge. if that ye will do that cost. though said the kings what cost shall we do. They said. we must have. iiii tons full of gold. Than said the kings. take that gold & fulfil your promise. The knights took the gold & went towards Rome. & when they were thither come. in the night without one of that yates in the dyche with water they drowned one of the tons with the gold. & an other ton they drowned by the second gate & the third ton by the third gate. & the fourth tun by the fourth gate they drowned. And when they had thus done early in the morning they entered in to the city at an hour convenient when that th'emperor went over the mart. they died to him reverence as it behoved. Themperor saying them demanded from whence they were. or what sciences or what service that they could do. Which answered. we are of far countries & we be soothsayers so perfit the there was never thing so privily or secretly hid. but that we shall find it by our dreams. we have herd. that ye labour & have pleasure in such things. and therefore came we to you for to wite if ye had any need of our service/ Themperor said. I shall prove you & if it be so that I find you true. ye shall have of me great rewards & thank. they said we ask no thing but the haluen deal for our reward of the gold that by us shall be founden. The emperor said. I am therewith well content And thus had they with the emperor many words At even when th'emperor was going to bed they said too him. My lord if it please you this night shall the oldest of us set his cunning a work & dream. & the third day we shall show you his dream & what it signifieth. Themperor said go in God's name. And they weut forth with great gladness. & all that night they passed over with derysions & mirth upon trust that they should come to a good purpose. when the third day was comen they went early too th'emperor. & the first of them said My lord pleaseth you to go with us without one of the yates of thy city & I shall show you where as a ton full of gold is hid Themperor said. I shall go with you and see if it be true that ye say. When they were comen to the place they drew out the ton that they there afore had put/ The emperor when he that saw was glad. and gave to them their part. though said the second dremer. my lord this night I shall dream. Themperor said. god give you a good dream. the next night came he & took out the other ton. and gave it to th'emperor. & took him his deal. In like wise did the third. & the fourth. upon the which th'emperor was out of all measure ioyus & glad & said he had not seen afore so true & expert soothsayers or dreamers as they were/ Than said they all together at ones as it had been out of one mouth. my lord we have one after another dite the which as ye have seen be all true proved. But now if it please you that we may dream all together this night. we trust that too us shall be showed where we shall find a great quantity or substance of gold & of richesse. the Emperor said god give to you a good dream that to me and to you may be profitable Unto the next morrow they came again unto the Emperor & said to him with joyous & glad visages or countenances. My lord we bring good & profitable tidings. for this night in our sleeps such & so great a treasure is to us showed the which if ye will suffer it for to be sought. ye shall be so much enriched that in this world shall be none to you like. Themperor said. where should ye find the hoard or treasure. they said. under the fundament of the tower that the images standen on. The Emperor answered. God defend that I should for love of gold destroy that tour with images wherewith that we of our enemies be defended & warned. They said too him again. My lord. Have ye found us in our sayings otherwise than true & rightful. Themperor said nay. O lord said they. we with our own hands shall get out the gold without hurting of the tower or of the images. And it is expedient that secretly in the night by us it be done. for dread of resort and concourse of the people lest that ye should ren in the noise & clamour of them. and also that they should not take that good and gold away from you and us. The Emperor said. Go in the name of god and do your best. as ye well can. and I shall to morrow early come too you. though went they with joy and gladness. and in the night they were latin in too the tour. and with great haste and diligence they undermynded it. & on the next day early they mounted upon their horses & road again towards their own country with joy & glory. And or that they came without the fight of rome/ the tour fell down. And on the morn ensuing when it was fallen/ & the Senators it perceived they sorrowed greatly & there was a great sorrow & bewailing throughout all the city & went to th'emperor & said. lord how may it be that this tower is thus fallen. by the which we have always had warning afore of our enemies. He answered & said. To me came four false deceivers & & feigned themselves to be four soothsayers & that they could find treasure hid in the ground. And they said that under the foundation of the tour was hid an unnumerable sum of gold. the which they should well undermine without hurting of the tour or images/ & I gave faith to them & they have deceived me. they answered him/ ye have coveted so moche gold. & for your insacyate covetise we shall be all destroyed. but first your covetise shall full upon yourself. & took & lad him unto the capitol. & laid him on his bac & poured his mouth full of molten gold. saying to him ye have desired gold. & therefore ye shall drink gold & after they buried him quick. Not long after that came thenmyes'enemies against the romans. & overcame & destroyed them al. Than said th'empress unto th'emperor have ye my lord this example well understand & he said right well. Than said she. The tower with the images is your body with your .v. wits. as long as ye live there none so hardy to trouble or make were upon you ne upon your people. That hath your son right well understand with his vii masters & with their false narrations or fables find how they may destroy you. for ye are overmuch covetise to here & inclined to them. & in so moche the they shall undermine you & cast you under foot. & bring you to nought. The images are your five wits the be all lost. For these that ye be all chyldyshe or foolish they shall destroy and slay you. & your son shall obtain your empire. Themperour said. ye have recite to me a good example. wherefore it shall not to me happen as it died with the tower but my son first this day shall be hanged. To whom th'empress said. if ye do so ye shall far well & live long. Upon the next day he commanded him to be lad to hanging .. & as he was to wards the gallows lad. came riding against him upon an horse his fifth master to wards the palace. & came before th'emperor & saluted him with all reverence/ & he despised his salutation. & put him in fere of his life. & the master said My lord I have not deserved to die. & ye my salutation despise it is not your honour. for your son hath not with us be of such conditions as ye repute him for. as ye in short time shall find. & that he speaketh not is of his his great wisdom. & know ye that he shall well speak as the time cometh. though the he now speak not. as ye in short time shall here. But ye say that he your wife would have shamed. that believe not. for so wise a man as he is never should attempt so shameful a deed. And ye put him to death for your wives words. ye should not scape without shame and vengeance/ In like wise as hippocras scaped not without vengeance for the death of Galienus his cousin. The emperor said that would I fain here and understand. The master said. what should avail the narration to tell unto you for your profit if in the mean season your son should be hanged. & thersore if ye will call again your son. and thereafter do as ye think best it shall be at your pleasure. Themperor let call again his son and set him in prison. And though began the master too tell under this manner as followeth. ¶ The example of the fifth master. the emperor hears a master's example; through the door, his son is seen surrounded by guards Sometime there was a famous physician named hippocras right cunning. the which exceeded all other in cunning & science he had with him his nephew or kinsman that was called Galienus. the which he loved moche. This Galienus was of an excellent wit & applied all his wit & mind to learn of his uncle the science of physic. When hippocras apperceived that in as much as he could hide from him his cunning fearing that he should excel him in that craft. for the great wit that he was of. As Galienus this saw. he studied & excersysed. in so much that in short time he had perfit cunning physic. for the which hippocras envy him moche. It happened upon a time thereafter. that the king of Ungary sent his messengers unto hippocras that he should come unto him his son for to cure or make hole. hippocras excused himself & would no go. but sent his cousin Galienus with his writing in the company of the messengers for to excuse him. And when Galienus was comen afore the king he was right worshipfully received. but he marveled why that hippocras would not come, he excused him saying that he had many great things too do that he might not come. but he hath sent me in his stead. & with the help of god I shall make hole that child. That pleased well the king. Galienus went to the child. & when he had seen his urine. and tasted his pounces. he said though the queen. O excellent princes I pray you here & suffer my words. & tell me who is the father of this child. She said. who should be his father but my lord the king. Galienus said. I am sure that he is not the father. She answered if ye will say that for a troth I shall do your heed to be smytn of. he answered I say yet once again that this king is not the father and I am not therefore comen hither to lose my heed. for I have no such reward deserved. & he was going his way. The queen that saying fpake. O good master if ye will keep it secret. & not discover me. I shall show & open unto you mine heart. The master said God defend that from me. that I to no person should show it. and therefore o noble queen show it boldly to me for it shall never pass my mouth after. and I shall your son ease and make him hole. She said if ye do that. ye shall have of me a good reward. & therefore here what I shall say. Of fortune came hither unto my lord. the king of Burgondyen. and he was so long with me conversant that this child by him I bore. though said the master. Fere ye not. I knew well that it was so before. & anon he gave the ch●de to eat beef or of an ox to drink. and the child was eased of his infirmity. And when as the king heard that the child was quite of his malady he gave unto the master a good reward. but of the queen he secretly received and had a greater gift and a special thank and went his way And when that he was comen home. hippocras his master demanded of him. have ye the child healed. & he said ye. Than asked he him what he gave to him. & he said. I gave him flesh of or beef to eat. & water to drink. though said hippocras. Than is the mother of that child not true too her husband. that is troth said Galienus. hippocras anon was moved with envy. & thought in himself if here be not found a remedy. my science shall no more be set by. & he shall be named and praised above me. And from that day forthward he thought & devised how he might slay him. Upon a day hippocras called and said come go we to seek and gather herbs in the garden. To whom he said master I am ready. And when they were comen in to the garden. hippocras said. I feel that this herb is right virtuous. stoop down & gather me of it. Galienus died so. and as they went about the garden. said hippocras now know I well by the odour of this herb that it is better & precyoser than gold. and therefore stoop down to the ground & draw him out with the roots for he is right moche. Galienus bowed himself down to pluck up the herb. hippocras drew out his knife & killed him. After that hippocras fill seek to the death that the strengths of his body failed him and died as much as he could to help himself but it would not be and as his scholars & disciples heard of it they went hastily to him. & all that they might or could do for the profit of his health they died/ but it availed him nothing .. ¶ When hippocras that perceived. he said unto his scholars. Go and fetch me a great ton an fill it full unto the brinks with water. And when they had so done. he said too them make now therein an hundred hooles. and when that was done. there went none of the water out. though said hippocras. Behold my most dear disciples. how that the vengeance of god is fallen upon me. as ye openly may see. For in this ton are an hundred holes. & yet gooth there out not one drop. right so there cometh no virtue out of the herbs to help me. and therefore what ye do to me it helpeth not. For I must die But my dear children if my nephew Galienus were now on live. he should hele me. whom I have slain/ that me sore forethinketh. & therefore the vengeance of god cometh over me. And this said he turned him to the wall & gave up the ghost. ¶ though said the master to th'emperor. My lord understand ye well what I have said. He answered ye right well. what hurt had it been to him & Galienus had lived. The master answered it had been right good. for hippocras at that time had not died. & therefore by the rightwise judgement of god his medicines availed him not. & therefore I show to you that it shall happen worse to you. if that ye put to death your son for the words of your wife. which in time of necessity shall assist & succour you. A consider ye not. that ye have after your first wife. ye have wedded this wife that ye now have. & so ye may that third & that fourth. & never shall ye have of any of them such a son the shall keep & save you from peril. Themperor said truly he shall not die. though said the master than do ye wisely. & I commend you to god. & thank you. that ye have this day for me spared your son. Themperor said I mark this well that women are crafty. & subtle. herfore I will not for you but for myself save him. The sixth complaint of the Empress. ¶ When that th'empress had knowledge. she showed herself as a wood or an impatient body that all that saw her or heard her wondered & said to themperor your wife she pineth herself as though she should die Themperor that hearing went to her & said wherefore be ye so heavy. & so impatient. O lord how should I hold it in. when I am the only daughter of a king & your wife. & in your company I have had a great despite & shame. and continually ye have promised me to punish it. but ye perform it not. The emperor said. I wot not what I shall do. ye labour from day to day. to have my son slain. And the masters labour to save his life. and amongs all these I know well that he is my son. but whether the troth is that know I not. Than said she. that is it that I complain that ye believe the masters more than ye do me. Therefore it shall happen to you as died to a king with his steward. Than said. the Emperor. tell that example happily it should move me the sooner to put my son to death. She said. gladly. but I pray you give attendance what I shall say. and began to tell as hereafter ensueth. The sixth example of the Empress. the empress complains to the emperor; his imprisoned son is seen through the doorway THere was a king right proud & marvelously dysformed in his visage in such wise that women him hated & abhorred. This king thought Rome to destroy & the romans to slay. & the bodies of Peter & Poule to take & carry a way. which while he was in this mind he called to him his steward that was right secret with him of his prive counsel and said to him. Seek me a fair woman that this night may sleep with me. The steward answered. My lord ye know well your infirmity & disease. & that no woman will do it without a great sum of money. The king said. think ye that for money I will want one have I not gold & silver enough though it were a thousand florenies I should it gladle give. The steward hearing that was anon smitten with covetise. went too his own wife which was right fair chaste. & of a good kindred. & said to her. O my good wife. my lord desireth & coveteth sore to sleep with a fair & beautevouse woman. & will not forbear it. though that she would ask of him a thousand florenies. and hath commanded me too purvey him of one. And therefore I counsel you that ye to us get that money. The wife said. were it not so that the king so proud and foul of visage were. yet would I not to that evil consent because of the sin against god. The steward answered. & I consent that ye shall do it. & thereto I counsel and command you. and promise you without that ye consent to me herein. ye shall never have good day with me. She hearing that trembled. in so much that for dread she consented to him. The steward that hearing went to the king & said Sir I have found a fair woman & she is comen of a good house. which will not less have than a thousand florenes & in the even she shall come. & early in the morning she must away that she be not seen of the people. The king answered & said. I am well content. when the night was comen the steward lad his wife to the kings bed & made fast the door & go his way. early in the morning the steward arose & went unto the king & said. My lord it shall be day within a while. it is good that ye perform your promise & let the woman go. The king said this woman pleaseth me so well that so soon she shall not depart from me. when the stewerde that heard he departed thence all sorry. uneath he tarried any while but came to the king and said. My lord the morning is comen. therefore let the woman go. lest that she be ashamed. as I have promised her. The king said yet shall she not. go from me. & therefore go out and shut the door again. The steward right sorrowful departed and went up & down with an heavy & an angry heart. till that the fair & the clear day appeared. and than entered again in to the chamber and said. My lord it is clear day. suffer that woman to depart that she be not therewith ashamed. The king answered/ I say to you for a troth she shall not yet depart for her company is to me right pleasant & acceptable. The steward that hearing could no longer forbear ne hold his own counsel. but said unto the king. O my good and gracious lord I beseech you suffer her to depart. for it is mine own wife. The king hearing that said to him. Open the window. & when it was open. the fair & the bright day appeared. he beheld the woman right fair & goodly. perceived that it was the wife of the steward & said to him. O thou most & worst ribald or knave. why hast thou for so little money ashamed & undone thy good & fair wife. & her unto me unwetyngly haste delivered. Therefore haste the & get the out of my realm & never more hereafter come in my sight. for from hens forth if ever I may see the thou shalt die the most shameful & horry blest death that ever can be imagined. When the steward heard that he fled his way & durst not abide & was never so hardy any more to come in to that real me. And the king kept the wife all his live days in great worship. and gave to her plenty of all things that to her behoved & appertained. After that the king let do gather & assemble a great & a mighty army & puissance of men of were. & went to Rome with great might. & besieged the city on all sides. so long till that the romans would have delivered him for to have departed and withdrawn himself from thence the bodies of the holy apostles Petyr & Poule. Than was there in that city seven wise masters as ye now have. by the counsel of whom all the city was guided & governed. And the citizens came too them and said. What shall we do. it behoveth us as that we deliver unto our deadly enemies the bodies of the holy apostles or else the city though answered the first master. I shall with my wisdom & cunning this day the city & the body of the apostles save. & so one after an other promised to do the same everich of them for one day. In like wise as the masters have promised your son. with that the king began to assault the city on all parties. though began the first master to say. & to allege so wisely for to have pease. that the king that day left his assault. making & withdrew him a little. fro the city. & so died all the masters one after an other unto the last. To whom came the burgesses & said. O master ye shall understand that. the king hath made his oath & sworn that to morrow with all his puissance & strength he will have & win the city Or else we must all be in jeopardy too lose our lives. Therefore in aquyting of your promise defend & keep us from danger like as all your fellows afore have done to that answered the master & said be of good comfort & fear not. For too morrow I shall by my cunning show such a work and operations/ that the king with all his puissance and might shall i'll & leave the siege. The next day the king made & gave a great assault too the city. though went the master and endued or clothed himself with a meruayvesture or clothing having therein the feathers or the tails of peacocks and of other fowls of divers colours. and took two bright swords in each hand one. and went there with all and stood upon the highest tour of all the city. and began too move and torn or show himself about on all parts toward the host so that they might all behold & see him. and he held in his mouth the two bright swords that marvelously shined. They without of the kings host that saying said to him. O lord behold upon highest of yonder tour a wonderful thing or figure. Ye I see it well that it is marvelous/ but what it is I know not. They said to him It is Jesus' the god of the christian folk that is come out of heaven us all to slay & destroy with his two swords if we here any longer abide. The king hearing that trembled for fere and said what shall we do there is but one way and that is that we anon go and depart fro hens lest that their god avenge himself upon us. though began the king with all his host to i'll. notwithstanding there was no need. but that they of that master were beguiled & deceived. And when the romans that saw they hastily moved after all armed in good ordinance. & the king with many of his people they killed & destroyed. & also in that manner by great subtlety of the master was the mighty king with his folk overcomen. Then said th'empress to th'emperor. Lord have ye understand what I have said. He said ye. Well in the best wise. She said. have ye no herd what. I have said to you at the beginning of this narration. of the steward that the king trusted so moche. which for lucre of good shamed his own wife. & he for that was driven & banished out of the land. In like wise your son for the desire and appetite that he hath to the empire. intendeth to confound and destroy you. But while ye be in your might & power do with him as the king did with his steward if ye will not put him to death. banyssne him out of your empire. that ye without fere may leave in surety of your live. And have ye not also heard how the king lay before the city of Rome. & how he was by the wise masters dectyved & scorned that he with his folk were killed & slain. In the same wise the seven masters intend to do with you. & by their false wiles and subtleties to deceive you. & in the end to slay you the your son may regne. Thereupon answered th'emperor & said that shall not so be. for my son too morrow shall die. Than commanded his servants that they should lead his son to hanging. And as the folk heard that there was a great noise & a gathering of them and bewailed the death of the only son of th'emperor And as the sixth master heard that. he hasted him too the Emperor & salved him much honourably. & he took it unthankfully. & threatened him or menaced him to die with his son for that he was with them made dompe. and a ribald. the which he had showed upon his wife. The master said. I have deserved no death. with your son. but great & large gifts. for he is not dompe as ye shall here with in three days if he may live so long. and if ye put him too death for words of your wife. than shall I merueyll of your wisdom. & with out doubt it shall happen to you as it sometime happened to a knight that so much allowed the sayings of his wife that he was bound to an horse tail & drawn through out all the city to the gallows. Themperor said for the love of god show me that example that I may the better beware of that peril. That will I not do said the master. without ye do call again your son. Than th'emperor commanded to call his son And the master began afore all the folk to tell in this manner following. ¶ The example of the sixth master. the emperor hears a master's example; through the door, his son is seen surrounded by guards THere was an Emperor of Rome the which had three knights whom he loved above all other. And in that same city was an ancient knight that had wedded a fair young wife as ye do thempress which above all other things he loved. This lady could sing right well. & melodiously & with such sweetness the many drew to her house & desired her company/ It befell upon a season as she sat in her house. the visage turned in to the street that she might see them that went by. & began sweetly tu sing. that all folk delighted for to hear her. By chance came that ways a knight of the emperors court & herd that voice. life up his eyen & beheld her Intentyfly, & anon he was taken in her love. and entered in to her house & fill in communication with her of love. & amongs all other he demanded what he should give her too sleep by him one night She answered an hundred florins. The knight said. tell me when I shall come. & I shall give you an hundred florins. She said when I may have a convenient time I shall send for you. The next day she sang again in the same place. and it fortuned the second knight of th'emperor to come by that same way. the which in likewise was smitten in her love. & also promised her an hundred florins. To whom also she promised to show him a time provided. The third day was the third knight in like wise caught in her love. the which also promised an hundred florins. & she too give him knowledge of the tyme. these three knights have so secretly spoken with that lady that none of them had knowledge of other. The lady the was of malice & cautelous replenished. came to her husband & said. sir I have secret matters too show you. & follow therein my counsel if ye do it: our necessity or poverty ye may largely relieve. The knight said tell it me I shall hold it secret & fulfil it to my power. She said three knights of th'emperors court have been with me one after an other. in such wise the none knoweth of an other counsel. & every of them have offered me an hundred florins might we the three. C. florayns get & no knowledge thereof be had. should it not be to us a great help & our poverty well relieved. The knight said. forsooth yes. & therefore what somever ye counsel me to do I shall follow it. though said she. I shall give you this counsel. when they come with the florins ye shall stand behind the gate with your sword drawn in your hand. & because that every of them cometh alone. ye shall slay one after another. & so we shall have the three. c florins of them without knowledge of any other. The knight answered. O my best beloved wife I fear me that this evil can not be hid. and we should therefore shamefully suffer death if that it were known. She said I shall this work begin. & I shall make thereof a good end. and fear it not. when the knight saw that she was so hardy. it caused him to be the more bold. and she sent for the first knight and he came to her anon with out any tarrying to the gate & knocked. & she asked if he brought the c. florins. and he said ye. I have them here all ready. though let she him in. & anon at the entering in. her husband killed him & so he died the second & the third & in to one secret chamber they drew the bodies of them. when it was thus done the knight said. to his lady. O dear wife if these bodies be found with us. we shall die the most shameful death that can be imagined for it is not possible but that these knights shall be missed in th'emperors court. & great, search & Inquysy on shall be for them made through all this city. where they are become. She said. Sir I have this work begun. & shall make thereof a good end. fear not. as I afore said. This lady had a brother the which had the governance of the watch of the city that on the nyghtis upon streets watched with his fellows She stood at her gate & called her brother & said. O my best brother I have a secret matter the which in confession I shall show you. & therefore come a little within. & when that he was come in. the knight received him friendly & gave him wine to drink. & said. my well beloved brother. this is the cause that I have called you. for of your counsel I have moche need. The brother answered say it boldly to me. & what somever that I may do. to my power. that shall be at your desire without letting. though said she. yesterday came in a knight in good friendship/ but afterward he fill in such words & variance with my husband. that he slew him. & lieth in my chainber. & mine own dear brother we have no man that we may trust but you. & if the body were found by us we should die. & she made mention but of one. the brother said deliver it me in a sack & I shall bear him to the see. she hearing that was full glad thereof. & delivered to him the body of the first knight he took it & went withal a good pace & cast it therein. & as this was done. he came again to his sister & said. give me now of the best wine for ye are of him quite. & she thanked him & went in to her chamber as though she had gone for wine and began to cry with an high voice. the knight that was cast in to the see is come again. As her brother that heard he wondered sore. & said give me him. I shall see if he shall arise again. & took the body of the second knight & wend it had been of the first knight & went in to the see. & with a great stone he drowned him therein. that done. went again unto his sisters house & said. now fill me a cup with good wine. for I have drowned him so deep the he shall never come again she said thanked be god & went again too her chamber & sayned her to fetch wine. & cried with a great voice Alas woe be to me he is risen again and come out of the see. & as her brother heard that with great marvel said. what devil is this knight that I have thus cast in to the water & notwithstanding is comen again. deliver him me the third tyme. & I shall see if he shall come again. though gave she him the third knxght. which he believed had been the first knight. & go without the city to a great forest & made a great fire & cast the knight therein. & when he was almost brent. the brother went thence a little distance to do his need. though came there a knight. that would tied to the city where on the morning they should have a tourney & a justing. & it was cold weather & dark. & was not far fro the city. as that he had a sight of that fire drew thereto & alighted from his horse & warmed him. The waker came & said to him what art yu. The knight said. I am a gentle knight. though spoke the waker & said. thou art no knight but a devil for first I cast the in to the water. the two time with a great stone I drowned the. & the iii time I have put the in this fire supposing that thou hadst be brent. & yet thou standest here. & though he took the knight with his horse & cast them both in to the fire. & after that he went again to his sister & told what had happened him. Now bring me of the best wine. for after the I had breute him I found him again by that fire with his horse. & I have cast them both in the fire. & his sister perceived well that he had brent a knight of the tourney which anon brought him of the best wine abundantly. & after he had well drunken. he went thence. Not long time after that there fill a great debate & contention betwixt the knight & his wife. in such wise that he smote her. which had indignation thereof & waxed. angry & said that many might hear it. O wretch will ye kill me as ye have done the three knights of th emperours. men that hearing laid hands on them. & brought them be fore the emperor & the woman anon knowledged that her husband had slain the three knights of th emperours. & how he took fro them three hundred florins & as it was thus in troth found. both were drawn at an horse tail and hanged upon the gallows. Than said the master to th'emperor. have ye understand what I have said. He answered right well. I say for certain that wife was the worst woman that might be of all women. for she moved & stirred him to murder. & afterward discovered him. The master said. It is without doubt that it shall to you happen worse if ye put to death your son by the advise of your wife. Themperor said. my son shall not die. this day The master that hearing gave thankings to th'emperor. and took leave & went his way. ¶ The seventh complaint of the Empress. ¶ When the empress heard that the son of th'emperor was yet living. as a mad woman she ran to themperor weeping & crying. O unhappy wife what shall I do. alas alas for I must needs slay myself that so am ashamed & no punishment there upon done Themperor answered. God defend you such things to have in mind. but suffer a while. & ye shall have a good end in your cause. She answered. Sir the end shall be evil. for of that shall follow to you great confusion & to me. Themperor said. be still of such things. She said. Lord it shall come to you & your son as it happened to a king & to his steward. Themperor said. I pray you tell me that example. She said. I will gladly tell it. but I fear me that ye will hear me no more. for the next day the seventh master shall speak & save your son from that death as his fellows have done. The second day after this. than your son shall speak of whose words ye shall have & take such joy & delectation that the love berwyxte us shall be holy forgotten & washed away. Themperor said that is impossible to me. for I shall never your love forget, though said she, O my best beloved lord. please it you I shall tell you one example. by the which ye shall be ware before of many perils in time coming. & specially of your cursed son. which intendeth to destroy me by his masters. The emperor said. tell on your example. and the Empress began to tell in this wise ensuing. The seventh example of the Empress: the empress complains to the emperor; his imprisoned son is seen through the doorway THere was sometime a king. the which loved his wife above all thing. in so much that he closed her in a strong castle. & bare the keys of the castle himself. The lady was therefore right heavy & desolate. Now in far parties there was a valiant knight. the which in a night had a dream after this effect For he thought that he saw one of the fayreste queens that might be. the which above all things desired to have her love. that if he might see her walking he should clearly have knowledge of by whom to him great friendship & worship should come. To that queen in the same night by vision of the said knight. it was to her also showed. & yet they had of each other neither knowledge of name neither of fame. when the knight had thus dreamed & seen in his sleep. he thought & determined in his mind that his foot should not rest unto the time till he had found that lady. that to him was showed in his vision. and leapt upon his horse/ and took with him all that to him was necessary for his journey. and road and laboured through diverse regions and lands so long till at the last he came unto the same land. where that the queen was by her husband closed or kept in a strong castle. And when this said knight was come in to the same city. and by a certain season had theri sojourned. it happened on a day as this knight walked by the castle. and knew not that the queen was therein she sat in a window to behold & see the people going by. & among all other she saw the said knight. and knew that he was the same man. that she had dreamed of. And the knight by chance lift up his eyen & perceived the lady sitting in the window. & anon his mind showed him that it was she that he the dreams of had. & he began to sing a song of love. And as she heard yt. she was anon taken with his love. The knight from thenceforth daily went & walked about that castle beholding it over all that if in any manner wise he might get to her too show his mind. The lady perceiving that she wrote a letter & cast it down to him. And when he had seen over the letter. & understood the will of that lady. he began to haunt jousts & tournamentes & died so many great & marvelous acts or deeds. that the name of him came to the king. And as the king heard that he sent after him & said to him. Sir knight I have herd moche honour of you. if it will please you for to abide & to dwell with us. we shall give you large gifts & rewards. The knight answered. O right mighty prince I am your servant. would god that I could do any service to please your magnificence. without taking of reward save one thing afore all other I desire. The king said. show it boldly what thing that it is. The knight said. my lord sithen that it hath pleased you for to take me as your servant & one of your counsel. me seemeth that it were expedient for both our solaces. that I had a place nigh too the wall of the castle: that I might at all times be the more ready at your calling when that ye have need. Thenne the king said I consent it to you make it as ye think it best. though went the knight & hired werkemen & made a fair lodging by the walls of the tour. & when it was all ready. He made a covenant with a workman for to make out of his house a secret way in to the tower & when it was made ready after his intent. he killed the workman by cause he sholbe not discover. & went in to the queen & died to her reverence according & they talked of many things. that at th'end he desired for to sleep by her. which she oftentimes denied. but never yeles she consented to him. After that the queen thought what shall I do. if I should give knowledge hereof unto my husband. thereof should come two evils that one is my shame. & the by adventure he should utterly forsake me & drive me out of his land for ever. & the knight he should slay. for fro that death he could not escape. & therefore it is better that I be still & tell not. The knight after that as of ten-times as it pleased him he went in to the queen. & & died his will with her. And she gave him a ring the which the king had given unto her at their wedding. This knight in every battle and tournament had the victory. wherefore he wus and stood in great favour with the king in so much that he made him his steward. & governor of all his region. & land. ¶ At happened upon a day that the king disposed himself for too go too chase or hunting. and he commanded his steward for too make him ready upon the morrow for too go with him. whereunto he offered himself all ready. ¶ And on the morrow after they entered in to the forest. & all that day they chased. & followed the wild beasts that they were so weary that the king by a fountain sat him down to rest. & the knight by the king. & fill on sleep by him. having the ring upon his finger. the which the king marked & knew. After that the knight perceived that the king had seen the ring. feigned himself seek & said. My lord I feel myself sore seek that if I find not hastily remedy therefore by the means physyke I am but a deed man & therefore I pray you licence me to go home. To whom he said. go my dear friend in god's name. he anon gate on his horse & hasted him to his house. & went to the queen & gave her again the ring. & told her how the king hud marked it & seen it on his finger & prayed her if he made any questions of the ring that he should show it to him. This done he went down again to his lodging. And anon ofter that the king came to the queen & she received him right. lovingly. & after that a little time was passed. the king said. My lady show me where the ring is that I gave to you. I desire to see it. O my lord to what intent at this time desire ye to see it. Than said he. if ye show if not to me incontinent it shall repent you. She rose anon up & went to chest & brought the ring to the king. And as he saw the ring. he was half ashamed & said unto her. O how like is the knights ring unto this ring. which I saw upon his finger. and I believed that it had been my ring. and therefore it was that I asked it of you so hastily after the ring. And of this evil suspicion I yield myself guilty against you my dear lady. in this behalf. for the strength of the tour deceived me. For I think the no man might come therein. but I myself alone. She said. My dear lord. wonder not. for one ring is like an other. for work men make seldom any work. but the other make the same. but god forgive it you that ye have had me suspect. when ye know the strength of the tour. & the keys ye have always by you. & believe no man therewith. After that the knight let ordain a great dinner & said to the king. My lord it is so that my lady in love is come out of my country & I have done to be made a feast or a dinner. & gladly I would pray you that at this time ye will do me honour. & take such meet as is in my house. The king said I shall gladly do you that worship & more. The knight was thereof glad. & by his secret way went to the queen & said to her. My lady this day ye shall come to my house by my privy way. & cloth you in rich clothing after the way of my country. & ye shall sit at the table with the king as my sovereign lady. & make him good there She said as ye will I shall in all things fulfil. & when the hour of meet was come. & the king from the castle was coming to wards the knights house. In the mean time the queen entered by the secret way in to the knights lodging & appareled her after the manner of the knights country. and when the king was entered in to the house. she salved him reverently and received him. and when the king had beholden her he demanded of the knight. what woman is this that is so fair. Then the knight said my lord it is my sovereign lady that now is come out of my country after me. I have tarried long in her service. Then the knight set the king at the table as it behoved. & made the queen to sit by him/ & the king thought that it was his queen. and said within himself. O how like is this woman unto my wife. So the strength of the tour deceived him. that he gave more faith and credence to the knights words than he died unto his own eyen. The queen began for to speak & talk unto the king and to stir him for to eat and drink & to make good cheer. And when as the king heard her voice and speech than he said to himself. O blessed lady. like is this woman unto my queen. in her behaving/ in speech/ in visage/ & in all other things & conditions. and always the strength of the tour failed him. In the end of the mete. the knight prayed his love to sing a song afore the king the which began for to sing a song of love. when as he heard that & knew her voice. he thought is not this my wife. How may it be she. have not I the keys of the tour myself in keeping. and so all the meet time he sat and strofe within himself. though at the last he said unto the knight that he should take up the table for he had some what for too done for why that he sat in such a great thought. and advisement The knight answered and said. My lord ye make no good cheer. ye are full of thoughts. ¶ And if it please you we shall make to you more sport & solace. And the woman said please it you sir king here by us tarry. we shall make you all the sport & solace that we can. like as the queen is in her solace & comfort. He said take away the table. for I may no longer abide Then the knight at the commandment of the king took up the table. & thanked them all. And the king went hastily unto the castle in searching whether that the queen were within or not. And in the mean while the queen went up by her privy way. & put of her uppermost vestures & the king found her in the same clothing that he left her afore. When as the king was entered & so found her. he embraced & kissed her & said unto her. This day I have eaten with my knight and with his love that is come out of his country. and sithen I was borne unto this day mine eyes hath not seen two so like creatures in all thing as she is to you and this meet time I have be so much stirred with diverse things that I could no longer abide there. but that I must come & search whether ye were here or there. though said the queen. Sir how might ye think yt. for ye know well that this tour is fast. & strong enough & that no body can come in nor out without you. for ye alone have always the key. How were it then possible for me to be there. Ye find sometime one man like on other and therefore ye should take none arguments of mysdeming or of suspicion as ye late died of the ring. The king said. that is true and therefore I knowledge myself guilty that. I have mysdemed you. After that came to him the knight & said. My lord I have of long time served your good grace. and now it is time that I return again in to my country & therefore for all the service that I have done unto you I desire of you but one thing to do for me. that my love the which I intend to wed in the face of the church. which hath followed me out of far countries. & her I shall bring thither again as my lawful wife Therefore I beseech and pray your noble grace that ye will do me this honour. that by your own hand ye will give her afore the priest unto me. the which shallbe unto me greet honour and worship when I come in to my country. The king answered. that petition and more if ye desire it. that shall I gladly do and fulfil it. The knight prefixed the day of marriage. To the which day this good king came to the church worshipfully. The priest was ready & stood endued with his vestiments for to solemnyse the matrimony. The knight had the queen all ready appareled in his own house after his manner & had ordained two knights for to lead her to the church. they believing that it had been his paramour: And when they were before in the face of the church the priest said. who shall give this woman unto this knight. than the king said. I shall give her to mine own knight. and took her by the hand & said unto her. O good woman ye are moche like unto my queen. and therefore I love you the better. and also for that ye be my knights wife and shall be of my house and put the queens hand in to the knights hand. a the priest after the manner of the church hath bound & wedded them together. and when all this was finished & done the knight said unto the king Sir my ship that I intend to go in towards my country is all ready to make sail wherefore I humbly beseech highly your most noble grace that it will please you for to accompany my wy thereunto & that ye will advertise & inform her that ye will advertise an inform her that she love me & have me in favour above all other creatures living and the rather for your good excitation & doctrine. then the king with a great multitude of people went with them & accompanied them unto the ship. of whose departing many of them were do launte to the ship. the king began to say unto the queen. my most dear friend. hearken now well unto my counsel and follow it. for it shall be for your honour & profit. My knight hath now here wedded & done to you all the worship that in him is. wherefore look that ye love & honour him above all earthly creatures & that hath god commanded & that ye be too him true & obedient. & as this was said he delivered her unto the knight. saying my blessing go with you both. & our lord keep & conduit you in safety to your country. Then the knight and the queen bowed and inclined down her heads unto that king. & thanked him of all things and they committed him to god. and entered in to the ship and the mariners haled up the sails and say led forth afore the wind so that within a short time the king had lost the sight of the ship. And from thence he went hastily to the castal & missed the queen. & when he found her not/ he was moved in all the parts of his body. & sought all about the tour and searched. till at last he found the hole or the secret way the the knight had made. & as he saw that than cried he and weeped and said. Alas alas this knight in whom I had so great confidence & trust hath taken away my wife was I not a fool that I gave more faith in to his words than I died to mine own eyen. ¶ Than said th'empress. My lord have ye understand what I have said. Themperor said. right well. in the best wise. Then said th'empress. remember how that he trusted the knight & yet he deceived him. In the same manner wise ye have confidence in the. seven wise masters/ and they labour for to destroy me that am your wife. & ye give more faith unto their words than ye do unto your own eyen. for ye have well seen how that your son rent and scratched me. Whereof yet I bear and have the tokens & the marks as ye may see. And also ye know well how that your cursed son hath me ashamed & ye mark not how they defend him in his folly and falsehood. Therefore it is to be dread that it shall happen to you as it died to the king that too you I have spoken of. Themperor said. I believe mine eyen better than their words. & therefore I say you that to morrow I shall do justice of him. On the morrow the Emperor commanded that his son should be hanged. though began again a great noise in and the emperor hears a master's example; through the door, his son is seen surrounded by guards THere was a knight that had a fair young wife whom he entirely loved in so much that he could not be out of her sight. It happened on a time that they played together at the chess. & the knight by chance held a knife in his hand & she playing fortuned to smite her hand upon the knife. that a little blood began to appear. When the knight saw that his wife bled. he sorrowed moche and was sore afeard of his wife that he fell to the ground in a swoon. his wife cast cold water upon his visage. that he a little came again too himself & said lightly call the curate with the holy sacrament for I must die for the blood that I have seen come out of your finger hath smitten the death to my heart. The priest came and houseled him. & anon after he died without any tarrying for whose death there was made great sorrow & bewaylynges and specially of the wife. And after that the obsequys & burying was done according. She went and lay upon the burial or grave and there she made the greatest sorrow of the world. and said that she would never depart from thence but as a turtle dove she would for the love of her husband there abide & die. though went her frenunto her and said what availeth this for his soul to live & die here it is better that ye go to your house & give alms for the love of god & that shall more avail his soul. than in this place to abide. To whom she answered be still ye are evil counselours. Consider not ye how I am fro him separate & departed by his death for a little blood that he saw come out of my hand or finger. & therefore I shall never fro hens depart. Her friends hearing that let make a little house or lodging nigh unto the grave. & put therein all things that to her was necessary & went their ways thinking that within a while she should be weary to be alone. & so desolate from all company & that thereby she should desire again the company of people. In that city was then a laws that when a trespassour or offender against the law were hanged. that the sheriff all that night should watch & keep the body all armed. & if it happened that the body of him hanged were stolen away. the seryf should lose all his land. & his life at the kings pleasure. At happened soon after that the knight was deed a man too be hanged for trepasse that be had done. so that the sheriff after the law of the land all the night watched by the gallows that was not far fro the city. & that church yard was not far from the walls of the same. though became the sheriff so cold that he wist not but to die for cold. without the rather that he might warm him. it was so fervent a cold & so strong a a frost. and he beheld fro thence about him & saw that fire in that chyrcheyerde. & hasted him & came thereto. & when he was come he called & knocked at the little house. The woman spoke who is that that at this hour is knocking at the house of this sorrowful woman. I am the sheriff that so much cold suffereth that without anon ye late me in I shall frese to death. She said. I fear me if that I let you come in ye should show me such words that should cause me for to be more heavier & he said I promise unto you that I shall say no words to your displeasure. Then let she him in. and when he a while had sitten by the fire & was well warmed he said to her. O fair woman with your licence would I fain speak but one word unto you. She answered to him. sir say what it pleaseth you. He said. O lady ye be a fair gentle woman rich & young. were it not better & more convenient for you to dwell at home in your house & to give alms than to destroy & consu me your life here with weepings & cryings. She said sir knight had I known this afore ye had not come herein for I say to you. as I have said too other oftentimes. Ye know well that my husband loved me so well that for a little blood that he saw me bleed on one of my fingers he is deed. wherefore I shall here die for the love of him. As the knight heard this he took leave and wents to the gallows. & when he was there come. he saw that the thief that he left there hanging was stolen & carried a way. & began therefore to wax heavy & full of sorrow. & said. woe is me what shall I do for I have lost my life and all my good. And he going thus full of sorrow & heaviness. & wist not which way to torn him or to go. at the last bethought him to go to that devout & desolate lady. & she we unto her the heaviness of his heart. to wite of that she could give him any good counsel. And when he was thenes come he called. & she axed the cause of his knocking though said he. madame I am the sheriff that was here right no we with you. & I would feign show you the secrets of mine heart. Therefore I pray you for the love of god open the door. and he went in & said to her. O most virtuous lady I come to have your counsel and advice. for ye know well the law of the lands are that when so ever any man is hanged & stolen a way of the gallows. than the sheriff his life and gods be in the kings hands. Now it is happened in the time that I was here with you & warmed me. the theefis stolen a way from the gallows. therefore I pray you for the love of god give me your advice what is me best to do. She answered I have compassion upon you. for by the law ye have lost life & goods to the king Do now after my counsel. & ye shall neither lose life ne gods. He answered therefore I came to you hoping to have good comforth. She said will ye than promise to take me to your wife. the knight answered. would god that ye would do yt. but I fear me lest that ye would disdain so much to humble you too me that am so poor a knight. She said I give you my will thereto. & he gave her again his will & consented too be her knight during his life. though said she. ye know well that such a day my lord was buried which for the love of me died. take him out of his sepulture. & go hang him in stead of the thief. The knight answered lady your counsel is good. though went they together & opened the grave & drew him out. The knight said how shall we now do. by cause or the thief was taken. two of his upper teeth were smitten out. & I fear me if that were perceived I should be deed. She said to him. take a stone and strike out two of his teeth The knight answered. madame that may not do for while he lived he was my well beloved fellow & it should be to me a great rebuke. if I committed so disloyal a deed unto his body being deed. She answered for your love I shall do it. & took a stone & smote out two of his teeth. & said to the sheriff. take him & hang him upon the gallows like to the thief. The knight said I fear me to do it. for the thief in taking of him was wounded in the heed. & he wanted both his ears. & therefore if it were searched & found otherwise. it should be to my utter undoing. Than said she. take out your sword & make him a great wound on his heed. & cut of his ears. O madame god forbid the I do that to the deed body that I loved so well in his life. Than said she. give me your sword & I shall for the love of you do it. & took the sword & smote a manly stroke upon the deed man's forehead. & cut of both his ears. And when she had thus done. said. Now take & hang him without company. & than the knight answered. yet I fear me to hang him. for the thief wanted both his stones. & if that were searched & found without. all our labour were in vain Then said she. I saw never so fearful a man seeing that matter so clear & sure. Take a knife & cut of his slones. And be answered. that may I not do in no wise and therefore I pray you spare me. & ye know well what a man is without his stones. She said for the love of you I shall do it. And took the knife in her hand & cut of husbands stones and to him. now take this churl thus disfigured and hang him up without dread And went forth together and hinge up the body upon the gallows & so was the sheriff delivered out of the kings danger. though said the lady. now be ye quite of all your daungeours & fere & all thy sorrows by my counsel. And therefore I will that ye wed me in the face of the church. The knight said I have made a vow that I shall never wed other as long as ye live. which I will hold. but afterward he said. O thou most shameful & worst woman of all women who would take the to his wife. An honourable & a loving knight was thy husband. which for a little blood that he saw of thy finger shed died now haste thou smitten out two of his teeth. thou haste cut of his ears. & his stones. & thou haste made him a great wound in his heed. what devil would wed thee. & by cause that thou shall never shame more good man. I shall read thee. & drew his sword & with one stroke he smote of her heed. The master. said. My lord have ye understand what I have said. The emperor said. right well. amongs all women was this the worst & the knight rewarded her according. so as she should no more men shame. And th'emperor said more over. O my good master might I once here my son speak I should give no charge of my life. though said the master. To morrow ye shall hear him speak afore you & afore all the lords of th'empire. & he shall show the very troth of all the variance betwixt us & th'empress as I hope. & took his leave of th'emperor & departed. ¶ How that dioclesian themperours son complained on thempress. & how that he excused him of her complaint. ANd after that all the masters assembled together & took their counsel how & in what manner they should bring out the child of prison & lead to the palace. & though they went to the child there as he lay in prison afore the midday his will & his counsel to here. To whom the child said. what that shall please you. shall please me. but in no wise busy you not how that I shall answer. or what I shall say. for with joy I shall answer to all things that shall be demanded of me. when that seven masters heard that they were right glad. & clothed him in purpur & in cloth of gold. & two masters went afore him. & one on his right hand. an other on his lift hand. & the other three followed him after. & afore them all went xxiiii men with diverse instrumentis of music & brought him with great melody and honour to the palace. And when th'emperor heard all this melody. he demanded what it was. Then it was told him. Sir emperor it is your son. that which cometh tofore you & afore all your lords to speak & excuse himself of all things that are laid to his charge/ Themperor said. that is good tidings might I here my son speak. And when the child was come to the palace he ran unto his father & said unto him. hail father & my most honourable. And when th'emperor heard the voice of his son he was so glad that for joy he fell down to the earth. but the child took him lightly up again. and when he was come again to himself. though begun then said the son unto the father. behold this ribald that many a night hath with your wife lain in your chamber in avowtry. & have defouled your bed. & therefore the Empress loved him so well. the which ye knew not. when the Emperor saw yt. he was impatient & wroth. that he commanded that she with the ribald should be brent. the son said. lord father make no haste of that judgement before that I have reproved her of the crime that she laid upon me falsely. & that she untruly & falsely hath complained & lied upon me. though said the father. My deer son I commit all the judgement in to your handis The son answered if she be found false & a liar the law shall judge her. But my dear father when ye sent after me at the instance of her. than I with my masters beheld the stars in the firmament. & there we saw that if I should speak any word within seven days I should have died a shameful death. and therefore that was the cause that I spoke not. And where as the Empress said & put unto me. that I would have oppressed & ravished her. in that she lieth falsely but she did her best to have caused me to do it. And when she in no wise could bring me thereto. she took me paper pen & ink. & bad me write the cause why that I refused her. And when that I had written that I would not do or commit so great & abominable sin. and also would not my faders orchard defoul. though began she to tere her clothes & scratch her visage that it ran on blood. & cried with a loud voice. & committed unto me the crime or blame. And when the Emperor heard this he beheld her with a fell countenance. and said to her in this manner. O thou wretched woman was it not sufficient to fulfil thy foul & lecherous appetite I & thy ribald. but would also have had my son Than fell the Empress to th'emperors foot & she cried him mercy. Then the Emperor said. O thou cursed & most unhappy woman thou askest forgiveness & thou art worthy none to have. for thou haste deserved to die in three manner wise. The first is that thou haste done avowtry. The second is that thou hast provoked and stirred my son to sin & haste to him committed. & laid the crime falsely & untruly. And the third that thou haste every day enticed & provoked. me with thy false tales for to put him to death. & therefore the law shall have the course upon thee. & judge the to the death. Then said the son. father ye know well. that for the losing that she lied upon me. I was daily lad to hanging. But god with the help of my masters hath delivered me. O my most honourable father. it was said unto you by the Empress that I would also by the help of my masters depose you out of your Empire. & that I laboured to destroy you & for to set me in your place. should not ye than have sorrowed. ye have the Empire to govern. & wherefore should I not hold you for my father. God defend that. for of you I have my living. and I shall hold and repute you for my sovereign lord and father during the term of my life. And I will not in any manner deprive you of your honour. but I shall labour and busy myself about the governance of the same. and all your commandments I shall fulfil. in every thing. But it is in like wise as the father cast his son in to the see for too drown him. because he said that he in time coming should be his lord. & yet the son by the help of god was saved. and was made a greater lord than he was. & yet was it no hindrance to the father but profit. Also ye should see & remember that my life & governance shall never hinder you but it shall be to your great solace & joy. Than said the Emperor. blessed be almighty god & the hour that I ever begat you. & deserved to have such a son the I find so wise & good in all things. Tell me now an example by the which I may perfectly thy wisdom under stand. & that mine heart may the better joy in the. Then said the son first command silence to your people that I be not letted in my words till the I have done. And when that it is ended. give sentence with the right wiseness of the law upon me and upon the Empress though commanded the Emperor silence. & the child began to tell in manner as hereafter followeth. ¶ The example of dioclesian the Emperors sone THere was a knight which had but one son that he loved right moche in beginning as ye now all only have me. whom he delivered to a master of far countries to nourish & to learn. the child was of a great wit & prouffyted moche and grew as well in learning as in body. And when he had dwelled with his master seven year. his father desired to see him. & sent letters to him that he should come again in to his country & visit his friends in like wise as ye have sent for me. The child was obedient to his father & came at his commandment of whose coming he joyed moche. for that he was as well grown in his membres as in doctrine. To every man he appeared pleasant and gentylle. It happened upon a day that the father and the mother sitting at the table. & the child serving them. A nightinggale came fleeing afore the window where as they sat. & began for to sing so sweetly that they marveled. And the knight said. O how sweetly this bird singeth. well were him that could understand his song. & could show the interpretation thereof. then the son said. my worshipful father the song of the nightinggale I could well declare. but I fear your displeasure. The father said. say hardly my son the interpretation of the bird. & than ye shall prove whether I shall be angry or not. but I shall mark well the reason of mine anger. & when the son heard that he said. the nightinggale hath said in his song. that I shall become a great lord. that I shall be honoured & worshipped of all men. & namely of my father. the which shall bring the water for to wash in mine hands. and my mother shall hold the towel. The father said thou shall never see that day such service of us to have. nor none such dignity shall follow the. and in great malice & woodenness he took his son upon his shoulders & ran to the see & cast him in it and said. Lie there the interpretatour of the birds song. The child could swim. and swimmed to a land where he was four days with out meet or drink. The fift day there came a ship sailing. and as the child saw that. he called loud to the shypmen & said for the love of god deliver me from the peril of death. The shipmen saw that it was a fair young man they had compassion on him and went with their boat and fet him aboard. and in to far countries with them shey led him. and sold him there to a duke. The child grew goodly and fair. & the duke loved him moche. & had him greatly in his favour. Upon a time the king of that realm let call and assemble all the great lords & noble men of his land to a general counsel. This duke prepared & ordained him to go to the counsel. & marked the wisdom & the wit of the child & took the thylde with him. And when they were all gathered & assembled before the king in his counsel My well-beloved lords & friends said the king. will ye weet the cause wherefore that I have called you to this counsell Then said they all we be all sovereign lord at your commandment. Then the king said. It is a secret matter that I shall show you. if that any man can open it & declare what that it signifieth. I swear & promit unto him by my crown that I shall give too him mine only daughter in marriage. & he shall be my fellow in my realm during my life. & after my death he shall have & possede all the hole kingdom. & the mystery of the counsel is this. Three ravens always follow me where so ever that I go. they leave me not. but cry with such horrible voices. that it is great pain for me to hear them: & to behold their lokynges. & therefore if there be any man the which that knoweth the cause of their following. & can show what they mean by their crying & void them fro me. without doubt I shall fulfil this promise that I have made. & as the king had thus said. there was none found in all the counsel that wist the cause or could move or put away the ravens. Then said the child too the duke. Mylorde think ye that the king will hold his promise or word if I accomplish his will and desire Than the duke said I think he will hold that he hath promised. but will ye that I give the king knowledge of you what ye can do. Then the child said. I will my life set in pledge & I shall perform & make it good that I have said. when the duke heard that he went to the king & said. My lord the king. here is a young man that is right cunning & wise. the which promiseth for to satisfy & fulfil in all things your desire as touching the ravens if ye will fulfil that ye have promised. The king swore by the crown of his kingdom what I have promised in all things shallbe full filled though brought he the child before the king. and when the king saw him he spoke to him. O fair child can ye give answer to my question. The child said My lord ye in the best wise. your question if wherefore that the ravens follow you & horribly cry upon you To which I answer. Upon a time it happened that two ravens a male & a female had brought forth between them the third raven. upon the said se was so great famine & scarsytee of all manner of things that men beasts & fowls died & perished for default. The third raven that time being young in the nest the mother left it seeking where she might best get her living. & came no more to the nest. The male raven saying that with great penury and labour fed the young raven till that he was able to fly and. when the dear tide was passed and gone then the female raven came again too the young raven and would hold felysshyppe and company with him. And as the male raven saw that he would have driven her away. saying thus. that she in his great mischief and necessity left him and his company. and therefore now she should want his company and felysshyppe. She alleged and said that she had in his birth great labour and sorrow. and suffered penury. And therefore of his company she should rather joy than the father. For this my sovereign lord they follow you as king the right judgement which of them both shall have the young raven in their company. and this is the cause of their horrible clamour and noise that they make daily upon you. But my lord had ye hereupon a rigtwise sentence given ye should never more see them or be troubled with their crying. though said the king. for the cause that the mother hath let & forsaken the young raven in his most necessity. it standeth with reason & justice that she shall want & be without his fellowship. And where that she saith & alledgethe that in the bearing & birth of him she had great pain and travail. that helpeth her not. for that pain was turned in to joy as soon as she saw the young raven in the world. But for that the male is the cause of production & generation in every best. & also that he the young raven in his necessity sustained & fed in to the recovering & nourishing of his body. therefore I give for a judgement & for a sentence dyffinityve that the young raven shall abide & hold company with the father and not with the mother. And when the ravens herd this sentence. with a great noise & cry they fl●we up in the air & were no more seen nefounde in all that region. when that this was done the king demanded of the young man wha this name was. He answered I am called Alexander. though said the king. I will have one thing of you. that ye from hens forth shall name & take me & none other for your father but me. for ye shall mary my daughter. and ye shall be possessor of all my realm. The young Alexander abode and dwelled still with the king. and every man had too him favour and love. for he began to haunt and occupy himself in jousts & in tourneys. wherein at all times he had the prise above all other that were in all Egypte. so that his peer or like was not found. & there was not so hard nor so obscure a question put unto him. but that he could assoil it. At that time was there an Emperor named Tytus. that excelled in gentleness courtesy & curposyte of all other emperors kings and princes in the world. In so much that such a fame & noise flew & ran over all the world of it that what so ever he was that would profit in cunning manners or behaving. that he should go to the emperors court And when Alexander herd that he said to the king My most honourable father & lord ye wot well that all the world is full of the fame of th'emperor so that it is delectable to abide & dwell in his court wherefore if it please you my lord & father I would gladly go to his court that I might be wiser & prompter in manners & behaving than I am. Thereupon answered the king. It pleaseth me right well. but I would that ye take with you plenty of gold & silver & other necessaries. so moche that ye mine honour there with may save. & that ye may have also that is to you requisite & behoveful. And also me seemeth it were expedient that ye afore your departing should marry my daughter. though answered Alexander will it please you my lord too spare me at this time & at my coming home again I shall wed her with all honour as to her appertaineth. The king answered. sithen it is your will to go to th'emperors court I licence you and thereto I consent. Alexander took leave of the king. & took with him treasure enough & went to th'emperors court. And when he was come with a fair company. he went afore the Emperor & fell on his knees. and salved him & did him reverence. Themperor rose from his seat imperial and kissed him. & asked of him of whence & what he was. & wherefore he was comen. He answered and said I am son & heir to the king of Egypte. & am come to do service to your most high majesty if it please you to accept me. Themperor said that he was right welcome. & committed him to his steward. and made him his carver. The steward ordained him a fair chamber & purveyed him all things that were necessary to the same. And Alexander behaved him so well & wisely that in short time of all people he was beloved. Not long after that came the kings son of France to do service to th'emperor & to learn nurture. whom th'emperor received honourably and demanded his name & of what kindred he was come. He answered I am son to the king of France. & I have to name berwick your servant. though said the Emperor I have made Alexander my carver. & ye shall be my cup bearer. that all ways ye shall do service afore me at my table. & commanded his steward to assign him a lodging whom he assigned with Alexander in his chamber. These were so like in stature in visage. & in conditions that uneath the one might be discerned fro the other. but that Alexander was more in cunning & lightlier in his deeds than berwick was for Lodwyk was a feminine man & shamefast. & these two young men loved well together. This Emperor had a daughter only named florentine. the which was right fair & gracious. & should be his heir whom he loved entirely. which had a court by herself & servants to her assigned To whom the Emperor every day was accustomed to send from his table of his daints. in tokening of love by the hand of alexander. whereupon the daughter began to have him marvelously in her favour because of his wisdom & his gracious demenure. It happened upon a day alexander at the meet time had such a business that he served not at the table nor none other gave attendance for him in his room. Lodwyk perceived that & served in his stead. And when he had served the Emperor in his last service upon his knee. the Emperor commanded him to bear a dish unto his daughter as he was wont to do. thinking him to be Alexander. though took berwick the dish & go to the palace of the emperors daughter & salved her with great reverence & set the meet afore her. but unto that time he had not seen her she perceived anon that it was not alexander. & said to him in this manner. what is your name. & whose son are ye. & he answered to her & said. Madam I am the kings son of france. & my name is Lodwyk. She said I thank you of your labour. & he took his leave & departed. In the mean time came Alexander to the table. & they fulfilled their service. The dinner done anon Lodwyk went to his bed sore seek. And Alexander apperceiving that went to his chamber & said to him. O my best beloved friend & fellow Lodwyk how is it with you. & what is the cause of your infirmity. He answered him & said. the cause of it I know not but I feel me so seek that I fear me I can not escape the death. Alexander said the cause of your infirmity and disease I know well. For to day when as ye bore the meet unto the emperors daughter. ye beheld her visage & beauty so fervently. that your heart is taken & ravished with her love. Thereupon he answered O Alexander all the physysyans in the world could not more truly judge my sickness. but I fear it shall be my death. Then said Alexander. Be of good comforth & I shall help you unto my power. & go unto the market & bought with his own money a fair cloth set with precious stones. unknowing to berwick & presented it on his behalf unto the maiden. & as she saw that she asked him where he might that costly & precious cloth find to buy. & he said. Madame it is the son of the most christian king that sendeth it unto you for your love. for he but for one sight that he hath had of you is so seek that he lieth upon his bed unto the death. & therefore if ye suffer him to perish ye shall never recover again your honour. though said she. O Alexander would ye this counsel me the I should so lose my virginity. god defend that. & be ye sure Alexander that of such messages ye shall never more have ne win thank. therefore go ye out of my sight & speak no more thereof to me. when Alexander heard that he did his obeisance & departed. the next day Alexander went again to the city & bought a chaplet that was two times more in value than the cloth. and therewith he go to the maidens chamber & gave it to her on the behalf of berwick. And when she saw that costly gift she said unto him in this manner. I marvel of you that so oftentimes as ye have seen and spoken with me. that ye have not done your own erande or spoken for yourself. but for an other. Then he answered. O madame I have not been so disposed. by cause that my birth is not to be compared with yours. And also it happened me never such a case that my heart was so wounded. & he that hath a good fellow is bound for to do him good & true fellowship. and therefore most eccellent princess of your most habundaunte pity have compassion upon him & make him hole that ye have see wounded unto the death that it be not for ever laid unto your cruelty & impyteouse heart. she answered him. go your ways for at this time I will give you none answer thereof. And as he heard yᵉ. he took his leave & departed. And the third day he went unto the market & bought a girdle that three times was more in value & costelyer than the chaplet was. & presented it unto her on the behalf of Lodwyk. And when she saw & beheld the so precious. she said unto Alexander. say to Lodwyk that he come to my chamber about the third hour in the night. and he shall find the door open. & Alexander hearing that he was glad. & went to his fellow and said. My best beloved fellow be ye of good comforth. for I have conquered the maiden unto you. and in this night I shall bring you unto her chamber: And when that was said. he start up as though that he had wakened out of his sleep. & was well revived & for great joy he was made all hole. And the next night following Alexander took berwick & brought him unto the chamber of the lady with whom he was in solace & joy all the night. & fro the time forth all her heart was upon him so that there was but one love betwixt them both. And after that berwick used her oftentimes to visit. so that it came by process of time to the ears of the knights of the court. how that the emperors daughter was known by berwick: & conspired amongs themself how that they might him there with all find. & him to take or slay. as Alexander had knowledge thereof. he armed him to withstand them And when the knights understood that they fearing. Alexander suffered his fellow to go in peace. & Alexander many times put himself in jeopardy for him. he not knowing thereof. but the maid knew it well. In short time after that there came letters to Alexander of the death of the king of Egypt the he should has te come and receive his kingdom with honour & joy. and that showed he anon too the maiden and to Lodwyk. and also of his departing. whereof they were sorrowful & heavy. he said also unto the emperor My most redoubted lord please it you for to understand that I have received letters of the death of my father. wherefore it behoveth me to go & receive the kingdom. & that ye wylll licence me to departed. and for all benefits to done I offer myself & all my gods. & rather than I should by my going away offend or displease you my lord I shall forsake all my realm & all that I have in the world. & abide with you still Then said the Emperor. know ye for certain that of your departing I am right heavy for ye were unto me the best servant that was in all my house. But it becometh not an Emperor to let his servants from their promotions. or advancements. but sooner to promote them unto higher & greater honour. Therefore go ye unto. our treasurer. & he shall deliver you as much gold as ye will have. & in the name of god & with my blessing go in to your country. and thus Alexander had leave of the Emperor & bad fare well. & many of the court were sorrowful of his departing. for of all he was beloved. Lodwyk with the maiden brought him on his way well seven mile. After that Alexander would not suffer them for to go further. then fell they both to the ground for great sorrow & Alexander took & lift them both up again from the earth. & comforted them with fair & sweet words and said. O berwick my most beloved fellow. I warn you that the secrets being betwixt you & my lady. ye hide them & keep them as privily as ye may & take good heed to all things. For I wot an other shall come and be in my stead. that shall envy you of the favour & grace that ye stand in with the Emperor and day & night shall lie in a wait to take you with a fault. & to put you to a rebuke. Then answered lodwyk & said. O Alexander I shall be ware as much as to me is possible. but how shall I now do when I want your company. therefore one thing I shall desire of you that ye will take this ring of me for a remembrance. Then said he I shall for the love of you gladly receive the ring. & yet should I never without the ring forget you. & committed them too god. Then they embraced each other about the neck & kissed. and so departed from other. Not long after the the kings son of Spain named Guydo was received of the Emperor in the room & place of Alexander. to whom the steward assigned Alexander's place & chamber. which was sore against the will of berwick. but he could not amend it. Guydo perceiving that berwick against his will had him in his fellowship. anon he took & had envy against him. so that berwick of a long time for fere of the said Guydo kept him out of the company of the said maid. Nevertheless afterward overcomen with the love of the maiden. sometime haunted & went again to her as he afore time had done. Guydo shortly perceiving awaited so long thereupon. that he the truth knew. and was thereof in surety that the maiden was by berwick known & had accompanied with him. Upon a time it happened the the Emperor stood in his hall & praised greatly Alexander of his gentleness and wisdom. That hearing Guydo said. My lord he is not so much worthy to be commended as ye ween for he hath been a long while a traitor in your house. then th'emperor said tell me how. Guydo said. ye have but one daughter only. the which shall be your heir. and the berwick hath defouled & lain by her by the help of alexander & he goeth to her every night when it pleaseth him. and when the emperor heard that he was sore moved & waxed angry. & it happened berwick upon the same time to come through the hall and when the Emperor saw him he said. what here I of the thou evil and untrue body. if it be found & proved true thou shalt die the most shameful death that can be devised berwick said My lord the emperor what is the cause. Guydo answered. I say & depose here afore my lord against the that thou haste defouled his only daughter. & every night thou ghost to her & dost fornycacyou with her. and that in battle I shall prove & make good upon thy body with my body Then said berwick I am innocent. & not defective in that crime. & falsely thou puttest that and layest upon me. & thereupon I hold the battle. for I trust on god thy falsehood shall come upon thine own heed. Then the Emperor assigned them the day of battle & fighting. That done berwick went unto the maiden & showed to her the cause & the day of battle by the Emperor assigned. and in what manner Guydo had him accused. and said to her. Now it behoveth me to have your counsel. or else I must die for why as ye know it had not availed me to have againsaid the battle without I would have yielded myself guilty. Guydo is strong & hardy in arms that his like is none but alexander. & I am weak & feeble & therefore if I hold the battle against him I am but a deed man. & so shall ye abide shamed & rebuked. Then said she. Do my counsel in that. that ye mistrust yourself. go hastily unto my father. & say to him that ye have received letters. whereby that ye are ascertained that the lord your father is sore seek & lieth upon his deed bed & desireth to see you & speak with your person. & to dispose his kingdom & his gods afore he depart out of this world & desire his licence for the love of your father that ye may go & visit him. & that he will prorogue & length the day of battle whiles the ye may go & come. And when ye have obtained his congye or licence. as hastily as ye may go secretly to the king alexander. & when ye are come to him take him apart & show him the cause of your coming & require him in this your utter extremity that he will us help & aid. and when that berwick had herd this counsel. it pleased him well & died hereafter His leave gotten & longer day or term of battle prefixed and assigned departed & took his journey to wards the realm of Egypte. & never letted day nor night till he came unto king alexanders castle. & when the king alexander had understanding of his coming. he was much glad & went to meet him. & received him honourably. & had wonder of his comynnge though said Lodwyk. O my dear lord & my best beloved friend. my life & my death is in your hands. for as ye said to me afore that I should have an other fellow the which should lie in await to aspye me & too destroy me/ without I save the more wisely to myself: & as long as I might I absented me till that I could no longer. but afterward the kings son of Spain making watch so long on me till that he perceived the truth. & hath accused me unto the Emperor. so that from this day unto the viii day hereafter prefixed it behoveth me to come & fight with him body against body. and as ye know well he is a strong & an hardy man. and I am weak & feeble. & therefore hath florentine counseled me that I should not hide this my charge from you For she knoweth you for a faithful friend. & that ye would not leave us in this necessity. Then said alexander. is there any body that knoweth of your coming unto me for this matter more than florentine. He answered him & said no creature living. for I took leave of the Emperor to go & visit my father dying grievously seek. Then axed alexander him what counsel hath florentine given to you how & in what wise I might help you. He said. O most constant & faithful friend. in this wise she hath counseled me. considering that we be like. that ye should come & do the battle with him. no man shall know you but she and the battle done I shall come again to the court. & ye unto your country. Then he asked when the day should be of the battle. and he said this day viii days then said alexander. if I should this day tarry then can I not come to that day prefixed. Therefore see what I shall do. I have boden all my subjects that to morrow they should come & be at my wedding & bridal. and if I should go than is that day lost/ and if I go not & do the battle than florentine & ye are both undone. what think ye now best for to do when berwick heard that he fell to the earth & began to sigh & sorrow out of measure saying. sorrow and heaviness come to me on all sides. Then said alexander unto him. be of good comfort for I shall not forsake you thus though that I should lose my wife & kingdom but hearken what that I have thought in so much as we are both like: so that the one of us can not be known from the other but we be both together & I am not yet greatly known here. but my barons & other folk shall take you for me. therefore here shall ye abide & tarry & marry my wife in my stead. & hold the feast & bridal. & do in all things as though I were there myself present. except when as ye come to bed with my wife look that ye be there true & faithful: & I shall without tarrying go & take my horse & ride thither as the battle shall be. & if god give me the victory that I may overcome & vanquish your enemy. I shall come again secretly. and ye shall go again to your parties and dwelling place. This done. alexander bad berwick far well. and took his journey towards the emperors court. for to fight and to do the battle with Guydo. & Lodwyk abode in Egypt in the stead of king Alexander. and upon the next morning came berwick as though it had be king Alexander. & solemnly in the face of the church married and spoused Alexander's wife. & held the feast & bridal with great royalty of delicate. & precious meats. plenty of all manner wines. & diverse melodies of instruments of music. and he made great joy & cheer to all the noble men. & to all other people the there was assembled. And when the night. was come. he went to bed with the queen. & laid betwixt him and her a naked sword. whereof she had great wonder. but no thing she said. and also he lay with her every night as long as Alexander was out ¶ The king Alexander at the day that was prefixed & set. came unto the Emperor & said. O most dread sovereign lord it is so that I have left my father right seek. Nevertheless I am come for to defend mine honour & my forward to perform. The Emperor said ye do right well & according to a noble man. & fortune shall favour you in your just & right wysse quarrel. And when the emperors daughter understood that Alexander was comen. anon she sent for him & when as he was come to her she embraced him. & with joy & gladness she kissed him. & blessed the time that she might see him again & demanded him where he that had left her friend and lover berwick Then he showed & declared unto her all the process & how he had left him king in his realm. & took his leave at her. & went in to Lodwykes chamber. & there was no creature that thought otherwise but it was lodwyk. only except florentine. The next day following afore ere Alexander went unto the battle he said unto the Emperor in the presence of Guydo. My most redoubted sovereign lord this Guydo hath falsely & untruly accused me unto your noble grace. that I should be of such aqueyntaunce with your daughter that should be unto the dishonour of your most noble person & hers. & unto that I swear & affirm. by this holy evaungelyes that she was never in any manner by me in such wise known as he hath to you alleged & informed. & that this day with the aid & the help of god I shall prove & make good upon his body. Then said Guydo. yet once I say again & swear by the holy evaungelyes & by all that god hath made that thou haste had knowledge & haste defouled the Emperors daughter. and that I shall make good upon thy heed. where upon they leapt upon their coursers. & fiercely ran together with their spears that they both brake & shivered in pieces. & they drew their swords & fought long together. till at the last Alexander with great might and strength at one stroke smote of Guydoes' heed. and sent it unto the Emperors daughter whereof she was right glad. & bore it unto her father & said. father behold the heed of him that you & me hath falsely defamed. when that the Emperor perceived the victory. anon. he sent for Alexander whom that he believed had been Lodwyk & said. O berwick this day your honour & my daughters ye have saved. ye shall stand & be the more in my grace & favour. & what soever he be that hereafter more defame you he shall for ever stand in my indignation. Alexander answered. god helpeth & saveth them that trusteth in him. & always wreketh the blood undeffectyve or innocent. But now my most redoubted lord of one thing I require you. at my departing fro my father I left him sore seek that it will like you for to licence me to go & see how it standeth with him. & if that it be any thing amended I shall incontinent come again. Then the Emperor said that pleaseth me well. but ye may in no manner wise leave me for fro henceforth I can not be without your presence. Alexander took leave of the Emperor and bade him far well. & road again unto his realm whom when Lodwyk saw he made great cheer. & gladness. & right friendly received him & said. O most true friend of all friends. tell me how ye have done & sped in your journey & need. and what end ye have brought it to. Then said he. Go to the Emperor and serve him as ye have done tofore. I have gotten you more grace and favour of him than ever ye have had afore time & I have also smitten of the heed of your enemy and adversary. Then said lodwyk. ye have not only at this time saved my life but many a times here afore. the which as yet I can not deserve. but god reward you. & so departed & went again unto the Emperor. & there was no man that knew of the absence of Alexander save only berwick. And when as the night was come he went to bed with the queen. & anon he had with her sweet & friendly words & her embraced & kissed. though said she. ye have made this time all to long. that ye have not showed any thing of friendship or love. how may this be. Then said he wherefore say ye that. She said. every night as I was in my bed. ye have laid betwix you & me a naked sword and ye have never tasted or turned you towards me more than now. And when the king herd yt. he thought on the truth of his fellow & said unto her. O my most dear lady & queen. it was not do for none evil will. but for a good probation & for a perpetual love. But she thought in herself that love shall ye never more have of me. but that despite she thought I shall avenge upon the. though was there a Knight that she afore had a little love and favour unto. & she began for to love him more & more. so long till at the last they thought & imagined how they might destroy & slay the king. & therefore they gate poison & poisoned the king. so that if he had not been right strong of complexion he had died thereof but it wrought in him so sore that it caused him to be the most foul and horrible leper or laser that ever was seen upon earth. The lords & noble men of his realm & the queen also saying this despised him & said. that it behoved not a leper to regne upon us. for he should not procure nor engender any fair or clean heirs. And so he was deposed of the dignity royal. & driven out of his realm. ¶ In the mean time died the Emperor of Rome. & Lodwyk wedded the daughter & after that Lodwykes father died. so that berwick reigned both Emperor & king of France at ones. when king alexander herd that he thought in himself. Now my fellow reigneth together upon th'empire & the realm of France. to whom may I better go than to him for whom many times I have adventured my life. and upon a night he rose up & made him ready & took with him his staff & claper. & go toward th'emperors court. and when he was come nigh to the gate. he set him amongs other lasers abiding the giving of the alms. and on a season as the Emperor went out of his palace. all the poor lasers began to ring their clappers. & the good king alexander did like the other but there was none alms given to them. He tarried so long unto the time that th'emperor was set & served at the table. though went king alexander unto the gate & knocked thereat. & the porter asked who was there. alexander answered him I am a poor despised man. but for the love of god I require you that ye torn not your sight fro my visage. and that ye will for the reward of god do my message unto the Emperor. he asked what is the matter. alexander said go & tell him here is a laser that right horrible is to see. the which prayeth him for the love of god & king alexander. that he will grant him this day to eat his alms afore him upon the earth in his hall. The porter said I wonder that ye dare desire that of my lord. for why all the hall is full of lords. & noble men & if they behold you they should all abhor & leave their meet. But for so moche as ye have required me so profoundly for the love of god I shall go & do your erande what so ever happen thereof. & so he go forth afore th'emperor & did his message. when the Emperor herd the porter name alexander the king of egypt. he said to the porter. go bring him in afore me how horrible that so ever his visage be. & ordain him a place afore me. that he may eat his meet afore me in my presence. The porter brought him in anon. & ordained him a place & set him to meet afore the Emperor. & when he was well refreshed he said unto one of the emperors servants. My dear friend do me this erande to the Emperor. say unto him that I pray him for the love of god & king Alexander that he will send me his cup with wine. The servant said for the love of god I shall do it. but I believe it will not be. for if ye once drink of my lords cup. he will no more drink of the same. nevertheless he did the erande Anon as the Emperor heard him name king Alexander. he commanded his cup to be filled of the best wine & bear it unto him. The which wine when he had received it. he put it into his botelle. & took his ring that berwick had given unto him. & put it in to the cup. & sent it again unto the Emperor. and when the Emperor saw the ring. anon he knew it that it was the same that he had given unto Alexander in petition. when that he departed fro him. & thought in his heart that Alexander is deed. or else this man is marvelously come unto the ring. & commanded anon that the laser should not depart unto the time he had spoken with him. for in no wise he could have knowledge of him nor yet reputed him for Alexander. after that the dinner was done & ended. the Emperor took the seek man apart and asked how he came by the ring. Alexander demanded if he knew well the ring. The Emperor said. I know it right well. Alexander said. wot ye also to whom ye have given it Themperor said I wot right well. How is it than said Alexander that ye know not me. for I am Alexander to whom ye have given the same ring. when the Emperor heard yt. he fell down to the ground for sorrow & tore and rent his robes & clothes. & with great sighings and bewailings said. O Alexander ye be the one half of my soul. whehe is your goodly and delicate body that was so fair. that now so unclean & wretchedly is infect he answered. this is me happened for the great fidelity that ye have done to me in my bed. with my wife. when ye laid a naked sword betwixt you & her. wherefore she became wroth & hated me. that she & a knight that afore time she ought her love unto have impoysened me as ye may see. & above that they have driven me out of my realm. & when the Emperor heard that he for love took him about the neck & kissed him & said. O my most entyerlye beloved brother. I sorrow to see you in this great sickness & misery. would god I might die for you but my most dear friend. suffer patiently a little time till that we have sent for all the physicians & wise masters in physic to have their counsell & advise. if there be any remedy or hope of recovering of your health. & if it be possible for to help you. we shall neither spare Empire lordship's nor other good temporal to make you hole & sound. In the mean while he was brought into a fair chamber richly apparel led & appointed of all manner things that were requisite & necessary for his ease & health. & in all haste he sent his messengers by all parties of the world. for the expert & most wise physicians that might be found Of whom within a month were come & assembled before the Emperor xxx the which were right expert & subtle in that science. To whom th'emperor said My well-beloved masters I have a friend that grievously is infect with a lepry. whom I would right fayne were heeled & made sound. & no thing thereon to spare neither gold ne silver ne all the other goods that I have in this world. but I would give it to recover his health. The masters answered & said all that ever is possible to be done by physic that ye shall soon understand after that we have seen the person. & forth with as they had seen him. & perceived the cause & matter of that infirmity they judged it a disease uncurable for all the masters living. and when the Emperor heard that he was right sorry in his heart. & remitted it unto that help of almighty god calling unto him religious men. & poor people. & other devout persons & desired them to pray to god. that he would vouchsafe to make hole his friend the sooner for their good deeds & prayers. and he himself with many other fasted & prayed humbly to almighty god for the health of his friend. Upon a day as king alexander was in his prayers. there came unto him a voice saying If the Emperor will with his own hands slay his two sons. which his wife hath born by him at one burden. & wash thy body with the blood of them. thy body & thy flesh shall be as fair, & as clean as the flesh of the little children, when king alexander had heard this he thought in himself. this vision is not expedient. to beshewed for it is sore against nature that any man should slay his own sons for the recovering of the health of a strange man. The Emperor night & day lay in his prayers with great devotion. & prayed to god for the remedy of king alexander. So that at the last there came a voice unto him & said. how long shall ye thus cry & call upon me when it is openly showed & notefyed unto alexander how that he shall be made hole. The Emperor hearing that went unto alexander & said. Of all friends the best & most true. blessed be the most high god the which never faylethe the call & trust upon him of whom I have knowledge that it is showed unto you how & in what wise that ye may be made hole wherefore I pray you that ye will it openly show unto me that we may joy together. & if ye neve any thing there to that I may do I shall fulfil it unto my power, and for your health give all that I have. alexander said Sir I dare not show to you how that I may be cured or heeled of my malady. for it excedethe & it is a thing against nature for to be done. therefore I will not show it to you. how be it great trust & confidence is in you. The Emperor said alexander trust in me. for what so ever is possible sore to be done for the recovering of your health I shall do it & therefore hide no thing from me. Then said alexander I have of god knowledge that if ye will slay your two sons with your own hands & wash me in their blood I should be hole. & therefore I have not showed it unto you. sor me thinketh it is against nature that the father should slew his own children for the health of a strange man. The Emperor said say not that ye be a strange man. for I love you as I do myself. & therefore if I had ten children I should not spare one alive to have your health. after that that Emperor watched & spied his time when the Empress & all ladies & chambereres were out of the way & when time was he entered into the chamber where as the children slept. & drew out his knife & cut asunder both their throats. & gathered the blood in a vessel. & therein he bathed & washed alexander & when he was so bathed. his body & flesh was as fair & as clean as thought it had been of a young child. Then the emperor had knowledge of his vyfage. & kissed him saying O good alexander now I see you in that same form which I have often times dylected in. blessed be god that ever I had these children. by the whom ye be helped and made hole. & yet wist no man of the death of the children save only the emperor & alexander. & when as the emperor saw that alexander was perfectly heeled. he said unto him. I shall ordain to you an honest company & ye shall go from hens ten mile the next. day send unto me a messenger. & that ye show openly unto me of your coming. and I shall then with all solemnity come & meet you. & ye shall abide with me unto the time that we may otherwise. provide for the recovering of your realm. This counsel pleased alexander right well. & according to the same it was done. For on the next day came the messenger unto the emperor showing him that coming of king alexander & when the empress heard that she was right glad. & said unto the emperor. O my lord have ye not now a cause of great joy. that king alexander whom we of a long time have not seen. and if it please you to go and meet him with your lords and servants. I shall follow you with my ladies & gentylwymen. & yet wist she not the death of her children. Then road they forth with a great company and met with the king alexander and when they met together. with great reverence and honour they received him. and with great gladness and joy they brought him in to the palace. and when the time of dinner was come alexander was set at the table betwixt the emperor & the empress & all the cheer that she could make she did to him. and when the Emperor perceived that. he was right well pleased & said. O mine own florentine I joy above all things that ye do & make to king alexander so good cheer. Then said she. wherefore should I not. is not his coming to us both joy & gladness but more to you my lord. for this dignity that ye are in by him ye are promoted. & many times he hath saved you fro the death. Themperor said than I pray you mine own florentine that ye will take heed to my words that I shall say to you. Saw ye not the foul laser. which the last day sat before our table. and prayed me for the love of god & king alexander that I should give him drink. she said. My lord I saw him well. a more horrible man I never beheld. then said Themperor. I demand now this of you. I put case that he were king alexander & that he in any wise could not be made hole but with the blood of your sons. the which ye in one day krought in to this world. would ye not that their blood. were shed that he might bathe him therein to the intent that by the same he might have perfit health as ye now see him in She said my lord wherefore demand ye me that question. I say & let you have knowledge for truth that if I had ten sons I should gladly slay them with mine own hands to prepare & ordain for him a bain. & should wash him therein mine own self. rather than I should leave him in such peril. for god might well send us more children. but such a true friend were as a thing impossible for us to recover or find. when th'emperor heard this of her. he was well content & pleased in his mind & said. O wife had ye liefer have your children deed than alexander should be in that sickness of lepery. therefore shall I open and show to you now the truth of the matter. That foul laser the which ye saw was alexander that sitteth here. & by that manner he is made hole with the blood of our sons. & they are deed: as the Empress heard yt. she began to sorrow as nature would. all though she had said afore that she had liefer see her children deed than she would suffer alexander in such pain. The nourysshes of the children understanding this. with great crying & weeping went to the nourysshery or chamber of them. & great sorrow & bewailing was made through th'emperors court for his sons. & when the nourysshes came into the chamber. they found the children playing & singing of the most blessed virgin Mary. ave maria gracia plena dns tecum. & though went they again in all haste unto the Emperor & showed him that his sons were living & that about their throats there as they were cut they have a circle of thread of gold. & thereof was great joy & gladness in all the conrte. & gave thankings unto alyghty god & to the blessed virgin marry his mother of the great miracle. after that th'emperor with a great multitude and company of people gathered & assembled went with alexander in to Egypte & set him again into his royalty & possession of his Realm & the queen with the knight which lived together in adultery he did them both to be brent in too powder. And when this was all done. the Emperor had a sister only whom he gave alexander unto his wife. And when king Alexander had all his Realm obtained again & was set in good rest & peace the Emperor went again unto his Empire. & the king Alexander right wisely & maniy governed himself in all his feats & acts so that he overcame all his enemies & rebels. And when he was in all his glory. peas & might. he had thought & mind. upon his father & mother. by whom he was cast into the see. which dwelled in far parties from thence he sent to them a messenger & did them to have knowledge that the king of Egypte upon such a day would be with them to eat & to drink & make good cheer. and when the messenger was come too them. they received him with great joy & with gifts largely to him given sent him again. saying that their services should be ready at all times to do the king pleasure. but that could they never by powerfully deserve that he would vouchsafe to show them the honour. whereto they were not worthy. he for to come to them to eat & to drink & sport him. The messenger went again unto the king. & showed how gladly that they would receive him. & what reward they had given him. & how faithfully they were & ready to do him service at his commandment. where with the king was well content. And when the day was comen that was prefixed. the king with a fair company road toward his faders house. the which as well to the knight his father as to his mother was unknown that he was their son. when the king was come nigh unto his faders castle. the knight road to receive and meet him. & when he come nigh unto the king he descended from his horse & reverenced him: with his knee on the earth. but the king took him up shortly. & commanded him to ascend again upon his horse. & road so together cheek by cheek unto the castle. And when they were come thither the mother came them to mete. & fell upon her knees to the earth & welcomed him gladly. The king took her lovynly up & kissed her right friendly. & she said. My most honourable lord ye do unto us unworthy great honour with the presence of your person moost-honourable. The which we never more can deserve. After that all the meet was all ready. & the time of the day was come to go to dinner. The father came with a basin. & with an ewyr. & the mother with a towel saying. Sire all thing is ready. please it you to wash. & when the king saw that he smiled & said unto himself. Now is the song of the nightinggale true. for my father & my mother should gladly fulfil as I said. if that I myself would thereto consent and suffer them to do it. But he would not suffer them for to do too him such service. saying your age is for to be honoured and worshipped/ & therefore I will not of it. and called unto him one of his servants the which served him thereof. Then said the knight. ye will not suffer us too do it for our honour. for we are not worthy thereto. The king said. have not I said that for your age I forbear you it. when the king was set at the table. he set his mother on the right hand of him & his father on his left side & they as much as they might beheld his visage & countenance. The dinner ended the king entered in to a chamber. & made the knight with his lady to come in to him. & commanded all other to avoid & go out. and when they were thus alone. the king said unto them have ye no children. They answered we have neither son ne daughter. and the king said had ye never none. The knight answered. we have had one son. but he is long agone deed. The king asked of what death died he. The knight said. a natural death: though said the king. if I may otherwise know that he died than are ye found with a default. though asked the knight: My lord wherefore inquire ye thus after our son. The king answered. that do I not without cause. & therefore I will know of what death he died. & if ye will not tell me I shall cause you to die a shameful death. when they heard that they fell too ground upon their knees afore him & asked him mercy & forgiveness of their lives. The king would not suffer them to kneel. but scortly took them up & said. To that intent came I not in to your house to eat your breed & to betray you. but say me the truth & ye shall be saved. for it is given me to understand that ye have put him to death. & if that come in judgement ye must die a shameful death. Than said the knight. lord pardon me my life & I shall show you the very truth. The king said fere not. for I shall do you no harm. though said he. sovereign lord we had a son only that was wise & lettered & right well understand. And upon a time as he stood afore us & served at the table. There came a nightinggale that right sweetly song. whose song he began to interpret and tell us what it meant & said: This bird singeth that I shall become so great & mighty a lord that it shall be to your honour & advaunsement in such wise that ye my father shall be glad to hold the basin with water to wash in my hands. & my mother the towel if that I would suffer it. And when I heard that I was sore moved & took & cast him in to the see for too drown. though said the king what evil might have come to you if he had been made so great & mighty. me thinketh it should have been your honour & profit. The knight said lord it was no reason but a woodness. The king answered: that was a great foolishness of you that ye would do against the ordinance & will of god. But now ye shall know for truth that I am your son that ye cast in to the see. & god of his great mercy & goodness hath saved me. & by his grace hath brought me too this estate & dignity. And the father & mother hearing that with fere & joy replenished fell flat to the ground. whom he lovynly & friendly took up saying fere not. but rather be glad & joyous for ye shall no thing suffer but my exaltation shall be your glory & joy & profit. & kissed both his father & mother with great joy & gladness. though began the meder to weep. Than said the king weep not but be of good cheer for in my realm ye shall be hononred above me during my life. & took them with him in to his realm where they dwelled together in honour & joy. & ended their days with joy & mirth. ¶ Here followeth the application of the example to purpose ¶ Ten said the Emperors son. lord have ye understand what I have said. Themperor said right well. though said the son. My most honourable & redoubted father. all though that god hath given & endued me with wisdom & understanding above many other. the should not be in appayring of your honour & might. but more for the preservation of the same. So in like wise the kings majesty which was no thing to the hindrance of his father. but rather for his worship & profit. for as long as they lived they were honoured in his realm. Than said th'emperor. My deer son I will all hole resign to you th'empire too govern. for I perceive well by your narration that ye have to me declared. that it is best to me & most for mine ease that I leave this business & labour & take me to more rest. for I am old & feeble. The son answered his father. My lord father. so shall it not be. but as long as ye live ye shall have the authority and might of th'empire to do and command as it appertaineth unto an Emperor. but in all business that are labourouse I will always be ready to minister & to serve you according to my duty. of execution & there to be brent. & we judge also & give sentence against the ribald that he shall be quartered & smitten in pieces & his flesh cast unto the hounds. & birds of the air for to devour him. & this sentence was approbate & allowed of all people. ¶ Hereafter in short time died the Emperor. & dioclesian his son governed & ruled th'empire with great wisdom. & held & kept his masters with him in great honour & glory. By whose counsel & wisdom he governed the Empire. that he excelled all his predecessors in richesse & in doing justice & right. And his masters loved him above all other things in the world. So that many times they put themself in great peril & jeopardy of their lives for him. And so they ended their days in great joy & honour. and commended them to almighty god. ¶ Thus endeth the treatise of the seven sages or wise masters of Rome. Enprented in Flete street in the sign of the son. by me Wynkyn de word.