¶ A. C. merry Talys.   


〈…〉 anothe 〈…〉 do it after in the same bed. 〈…〉  
¶ Of 〈…〉 his shoes to clout. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of 〈…〉 woman's tongue was lightest meet of dygession. fo. iii.  
¶ Of the woman th●●●●lowed her fourth husbands hearse & wept. fo. eode.  
¶ Of the woman that ●●y● her wooer came to late. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the mylner with the golden thumb. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the horseman of Ireland that prayed a Oconer for to hang up by the frere. 〈…〉 fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the priest that said neither corpus meus nor ●●rpum meum fo. eodem.  
¶ Of two freres where of the one loved not the ele heed, nor the other the tail. 〈…〉 fo. iiii.  
¶ Of the welsh man that shrove him for breaking of his fast on the friday. 〈…〉 fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the merchant of London that did put nobles in his mouth in his ●ethe bed. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the mylner the stolen the nuts of the tailor that stolen a sheep. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the four elements where they should soon be found. fo. v.  
¶ Of the woman that poured the pottage in the judges male fo. vi.  
¶ Of the wedded men that came to heaven to claim their heritage. fo. eode.  
¶ Of the merchant that charged his son to find one to sing for his soul. 〈…〉 fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the maid washing clothes and answered the frere fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the three wise men of Gotam. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the grey frere that answered his penitent. fo. seven.  
¶ Of the gentleman that bore the siege board on his neck. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the m●●chantes wise the said she would take a nap at sermon. fo. eode.  
¶ Of the woman that said & she lived another year she would have a cockoldes hat of her own. ●o. viii.  
¶ Of the gentlyman the wished his to the in the gentylwomans tail. fo. eode.  
¶ Of the welshman that confessed him 〈…〉 had slain a frere. fo. eode.  
¶ Of the we 〈…〉 that could not get but a little male. fo. eodem.  
¶ Of the gentle woman that said to a gentle man ye have a beard above and none beneath. fo. eodem.  
Of the frere that said our lord fed five. M. people with. three fishes. fo. viii.  
Of the frankelyn that wold● have had the frere gone. foe ix.  
Of the priest that said our lady was not so curious a woman fo. ix.  
Of the good man that said to his wife he had evil far fo. ix.  
Of the frere that bade his child make a latin. fo. ix.  
Of the gentleman that asked the frere for his beaver fo. ix.  
Of the iii men that chase the woman. fo. ix.  
Of the gentleman that taught his cook the we 〈…〉 for 〈…〉 fo. ix.  
Of the gentleman that p●mysed the scholar of oxforde● 〈…〉 typet fo. x.  
Of master skelton that brought the bishop of Nor●●●. two. 〈…〉  
Of the yeoman of guard that said he would beat the carter. fo. xi.  
Of the plowmannies son that said he saw one make ● gos● to 〈…〉 te/ 〈…〉.  
Of the maids answer that was with child 〈…〉  
Of the servant that rymyd with his master 〈…〉  
Of the welshman that delivered the letter to the ape fo. xii.  
Of him that sold right nought fo. xii  
Of the frere that told the three chyldres fortunes fo. xi  
Of the boy that bore the frere his master's money fo. xiii  
Of Phylyp spencer the bochers' man fo ●iii  
Of the courtear and the carter fo. xiii  
Of the youngman that prayed his fellow to teach him his pater noster fo. xiii.  
Of the frere that preached in rhyme exponing the ave maria fo. xiii.  
Of the curate that preached the articles of the Crede fo. xiiii.  
Of the frere that preached the ten commandments fo. xiiii.  
Of the wife that bade her husband e●e the candle first fo. xiiii.  
Of the man of laws sons answer fo. xiiii.  
Of the frere in the pulpit that bade the woman leave her babeling fo. xiiii.  
Of the welshman that cast the scotte into the see fo. xv.  
Of the man that had the doom wife. fo. xv.  
Of the proctor of arches that had the little wife fo. xv.  
Of ii nuns that were shriven of one pressed fo. xv.  
Of the esquyer that should have been made knight fo. xvi.  
Of the penitent that said the sheep of god have mercy upon me fo. xvi.  
Of the husband that said he was Iohn daw fo. xvi.  
Of the scholar of oxford that proved by sovestry. two. chickens. three fo. xvi.  
Of the frere that stolen the poding fo. xvii.  
Of the frankelyns some that cam● to take ordres fo. xvii.  
Of the husband man that lodged the frere in his own bed fo. xvii.  
Of the ●●ste that would say 〈…〉 gospel for a groat 〈…〉.  
Of the courtear that dy● cast the frere over the boat fo. ●●●.  
Of the frere that preached what men's souls were fo. xvii.  
Of the husband that cried ble wnder the bed fo. xviii.  
Of the shoemaker that asked the colyer what tidings in hell fo. xviii.  
Of saint peter that cried cause bob fo. xviii.  
Of him that adventured body and soul for his prince fo. xviii.  
Of the parson that stolen the mylners elys fo. xviii.  
Of the welsh 〈◊〉 that saw one. xl.s. better than god fo. xviii.  
Of the frere t●● said oy●●ge for the hogs soul fo. xviii.  
Of the parson 〈◊〉 said mass of requten for 〈…〉 ule fo. nineteen.  
Of 〈…〉 said ride apace y 〈◊〉 have rain fo. nineteen.  
Of 〈…〉 shall have never a penny/ fo. nineteen.  
Of 〈…〉 said his wife and he agreed well. fo. xx.  
Of the 〈…〉 laid Comede episcope. fo. xx.  
Of the 〈◊〉 that stolen the pot fo. xx.  
Of master whytyntons dream/ fo. xx.  
Of the priest that killed his horse called modicum. fo. xx.  
Of the welshman that stolen the englysshmans cock. fo. xx.  
Of him that brought a bottle to a pressed. fo. xx.  
Of the endytement of jesus of Nazareth. fo. xx.  
Of the frere that preached against them that road on the sunday/ fo. xxi.  
Of the one brother that found a purse. fo. xxi.  
Of the answer of the masters to the maid. fo. xxi.  
Of the northern man that was all heart/ fo. xxi.  
Of the burning of old Iohn. fo. xxii.  
Of the courtier that eat the hot rustarde/ fo. xxii.  
Of the three points belonging to a shrewd wife/ fo. xxii.  
Of the man that painted the lamb upon his wife's belly. fo. xxii.    

A Certain Curate in the country there was that 〈…〉 in the pulpit of the ten commandments/ say 〈…〉 there were ten commandments the cuety man 〈…〉 keep/ and he that broke any of them committed 〈…〉 sin how be it he said that sometime it was 〈…〉 sometime venial/ But when it was deed 〈…〉 venial there were many doubts therein. 〈…〉 a youngman a mad fellow that came seldom to church/ and ha 〈…〉 sermons or none in all his life answered him than shorcely 〈…〉 vayl master person that ye say there be so many commandments 〈…〉 ●●ny doubts/ for I never hard tell but of two commandments that 〈…〉 command me to you & command me fro you Nor I never hard tell 〈…〉 doubts but twain that is to say doubt the candle and doubt the fire A 〈…〉 answer all the people fell a laughing/  
¶ By this tale a man may well perceive that they that be brought up 〈…〉 out letuing or good manner shall never be but rude and bestely all th●● 〈…〉 they have good natural wits.   

A wife there was which had appointed her prenties to come to h● 〈…〉 in the night which servant had long wooed her to have his p●● 〈…〉 which according to the ap●yntement came to her bed side in the 〈…〉 her husband dying by her & when she perceived him there she cough 〈…〉 by the hand and held him fast & incontinent wakened her husband 〈…〉 Sir it is so ye have afals and an untrue servant which is wylliam yo●● 〈…〉 ●●tys and hath long woyd me to have his pleasure and because I coul● 〈…〉 avoid his inportunate request I have appointed him this night to in 〈…〉 in the garden in the herber and if ye will array yourself in mine ar● 〈…〉 go thither ye shall see the proof thereof and than ye may rebuke him as ye 〈…〉 best by your discretion/ this husband thus advertised by his wife p●●● 〈…〉 him his wives raiment & went to the herber and when he was gone th●● 〈…〉 prenties can in to bed to his masters wherefore a season they were both c●● 〈…〉 & pelsyd each other by the space of an hour or ii but when she thought ty●● 〈…〉 tientēt she said to the prentyse Now go thy way into the herber & meet hy 〈…〉 take a good waster in thy hand & say thou did it but to prove whether I 〈…〉 a good woman or no & reward him as thou thinkyst best This prenties doy● 〈…〉 his master's council went in to the herber where 〈◊〉 his master in hi● 〈…〉 appell & said. A thou harlot art thou comen hither now I see well if 〈…〉 falls to my mast thou wouldest be a strong hore but I had liefer thou 〈…〉 than I would do him so traitorous a ded therefore I shall give the so●●. 〈…〉 andes for I am thy master and not thy masters/ nay whore quod 〈…〉 thou art but an harlot & I did but to prove the & smote him again 〈…〉 quod the master I beseech the no more for I am not she for I am thy 〈…〉 or I have a beard/ & there with he spared his hand & felt his beard 〈…〉 the prentice I cry you mercy/ & then the master went vn●o his wife & ●●e asked him how he had sped and he answered I iwis wife I have been shrewdly betyn how be it I have cause to be glad for I thank god I 〈…〉 true a wife and as true a servant as any man hath in england 〈…〉 By th●● tale ye may see that it is not wisdom for a man to be ruled ●●lwa●● cethies wifes council   

〈◊〉 fortuned that in a market town in the count of Suffolk there was a stage play in the which play one called Iohn adroyns which 〈◊〉 dwelled in another village ii mile from thence played the devil And when the play was done this Iohn adroyns in the evyning departed fro the said market town to go home to his own house and because he hao there no change of clothing he went forth in his dyvylls aprell which in the way coming home ward came thorough a waren of conies be loging to a gentleman of the village where he himself dwelled At which time it fortuned a pressed a vicar of a church thereby with ii or iii other unthrifty fellows had brought with than a horse a hay & ● feret to th'intent there to get conies & when the feret was in the earth and the hay set over the path way where this Iohn adjoins should come this priest & his other fellows saw him come in the dyvyls' raiment considering that they were in the dyvyls' service & stealing of conies & supposing it had been the devil in deed for fere ran away This Iohn adroyns in the dyvyls' raiment and because it was somewhat dark saw not the hay but went forth in haste 〈…〉 lid thereat & fell down that with the fall he had almost broken his nek But when he was a little revived he looked up & spied it was a hay to catch conies & looked further & saw that they ran away for fere of him/ & saw a horse tied to a bush laden with conies which they had taken & he took the horse & the hay and leapt upon the horse & road to the gentylmannies place that was lord of the waren to the intent to have thank for taking such a pr●y And when he came/ knocked at the gates To whom anon one of the gentylmannies servants asked who was there/ and suddenly opened the gate and assoon as he perceived him in the devils raiment was suddenly abashed and spared the door again/ and went in to his master/ and said and swore to his master that the devil was at the gate/ and would come in The gentleman hearing him say so called another of his servants and had him go to the gate to know who was there/ This second servant came to the gate durst not open it/ but asked with loud voice who was there this Iohn Adroyns in the dyvyls' apar●● 〈◊〉 sweared with a high voice and said Tell thy master I must needs speak with him or I go This second servant hearing 〈…〉 the devil in deed that is at the gate ly●tynge upon 〈…〉 soul's, and be lykelyho●● he income for your soul pur● 〈…〉 your soul/ and if he had yoar soul I ween he should 〈…〉 man than marvelously abashed, called his ch●●layne 〈…〉 dell be ●ight and get holy water & went to th● gate 〈…〉 vantes as durst go with him/ where the chaplain wit 〈…〉 juration said. In the name of the father, son, and ho 〈…〉 and charge the in the holy name of god, to tell me 〈…〉 comest hither. ¶ This Iohn Adroynes in the deny 〈…〉 them begin to conjure, after such manner said. Nay 〈…〉 me for I am a good devil, I am Iohn Adroynes your 〈…〉 in this town, the that played the devil to day in the play 〈…〉 my master a dozen or two of his own conies that were stolen in 〈…〉 and their horse and their hay, and made them for fear to run 〈…〉 when they hard him thus speak, by his voice knew him we 〈…〉 and opened the gate & let him come in. And so all the foresaid fe 〈…〉 was turned to mirth and disport.  
¶ By this tale ye may see that men fear many times more than they need, which hath caused men to believe that sperytes and devils ha●e been seen in divers places, when it hath been nothing so.   

THere was a rich man which lay fore sick in his bed to fore his eldest son came to him and beseeched him do gyu blessing, to whom the father said/ son thou shalt ha●● blessing & mine, & because thou hast been ever good of conditions I 〈◊〉 quethe the all my land, to whom he answered & said, nay father I tri●● live & occupy them yourself full well by god's grace. soon after ca●● son to him like wise & desired his blessing, to whom the father sa●● thou hast be ever kind & gentle I give that god's blessing & mine. I bequeatheth the all my movable goods, to whom he answered and 〈◊〉 father I trust you shall live and do well & spend & use your goods 〈◊〉 〈…〉 en may wen perceive that young people that 〈…〉 their friends counsel in youth in times 〈…〉 ●●ullende.   

〈…〉 of a●●● oyntaunce were appointed to lie with a gen●● 〈…〉 one night/ the one not knowing of the other at dy●● 〈…〉 ¶ This first at his hour appointed came, and in the 〈…〉 to lose a ring. The second gentleman when he 〈…〉 tuned to find the same ring/ and when he had 〈…〉 parted. And two or three days after the first gentyl●● 〈…〉 age on the others finger and challenged it of him/ and he 〈…〉 and bad him tell where he had lost it: and he said in such a 〈…〉 ans bed. Than quoth the other and there found I it. And the 〈…〉 would have it, and the other said he should not. Than they agreed 〈…〉 by the n●xte man that they did mete. And it fortuned them to 〈…〉 he husband of the said gentle woman, and desired him of his 〈…〉 ●ent, she wing him all the hole matter. Than quoth he by my iud●● 〈…〉 that aught the sheets should have the ring. Than quoth they and 〈…〉 odd judgement you shall have the ring.   

〈…〉 Vniversyte of Oxeforde, there was a scholar that delighted much 〈…〉 peke eloquent english and curious terms/ and came to the 〈…〉 o with his shoes which were picked before (as they used that 〈…〉 have them clouted, and said this wise. Cobbler I pray the set 〈…〉 angyls and two semi circles upon my subpedytales, and I shall 〈…〉 thy labour. The cobeler because he understood him not half 〈…〉 ●ered shortly and said. Sir your eloquence passeth mine intelly●● 〈…〉 But I promise you if he meddyll with me, the clouting of your 〈…〉 ll cost you three pens.  
By this tale men may learn that it is folly to study to speak 〈…〉 suently before them that be rude and unlearned.   

A Certain artificer in london there was which was sore 〈…〉 could not well digest his meat to whom a physician 〈…〉 him council & said that he must use to eat metis the belig 〈…〉 gestyon & small birds as sparrows swallows & spe●yally that by'r 〈…〉 called a wagtail whose flesh is marvelous light of digestion 〈…〉 bird is ever moving & stirring The sekeman her●nge the phelition say so answered him & said/ Sir if that be the cause that hose birds be light of digestion. Than I know a meet much lighter of digestion than other sparrow swallow or wagtail & that is my wyue● to 〈◊〉 for it is never in rest but ever moving and sterring.  
¶ By this tale ye may learn a good general rule of physic.   

A woman there was which had had four husb●ndys It fourtuned all so that this fourth husband died & was brought to ●●yrche upon the bear/ whom this woman followed & made great moan & waxed very sorry in so much that her neighbours thought she would swoon & die for sorrow/ wherefore one of her gossips came to her & spoke to her in her ere & bade her for gods sake comfort herself & refrain that lamentation or else it would hurt her and peradventure put her in jeopardy of herlife To whom this woman answered and said I iwis good gosyp I have great●ause to morn if ye knew all for I have buried iii husbands bysyde this man but I was never in the case that I am now/ for there was not one of them but when the I followed the corpse to church yet I was sure of another husband before the corpse came out of my house & now I am sure of no nother husband & therefore ye may be sure I have great cause to be sad & heavy.  
A ¶ By this tale ye may see that the old proverb is true that it is as great pity to see a woman weep as a goose to go barefoot.   

Nother woman there was that knelyo at the mass of requiem while the corpse of her husband lay on the bear in the church. To whom a yongeman came & spoke with her in her ere as though it had been for some matter concerning the funerallies/ how be it he spoke of on such matter but only wowyd her the he might be her husband/ to whom she answered & said thus Sir by my truth I am sorry the ye come so late for I am sped all ready For I was made sure yester day to another man.  
A ¶ By this tale ye may perceive that women oft times be wise & loath to lose any tyme.   

Merchant that thought to deride a mylner said unto the mylner sitting among company/ Sir I have hard say that every true mylner that tollyth truly hath a gylden thumb/ the myllner answered & said it was true Than quoth the merchant I pray the let me see thy thumb & when the mylner she wyd his thumb the merchant said I can not perceive that thy thumb is gilt but it is as all other men's thumbs be/ to whom 〈…〉 answered and said/ Sir truth it is that my thumb is gilt 〈…〉 t ye have no power to see it for there is a property ever incident 〈…〉 hat he that is acockolde shall never have power to see it.  
Ne which was called Oconer an yrysshe lord took an horseman 〈…〉 prisoner that wis one of his great enimies/ which for any request or intretyt hat the horanan made gave judgement that he should inconrynent be hanged & made a frere to shrive him & bade him make hem ready to die. This frere that shr●ue him examined him of divers sins & asked him among other which were the gretteste sins the everhe did this horse man answered & said one of the greatest acts that ever I did which I now most repent is that when I took Oconer the last week in a church & there I might have burned him church & all and because I had conscience & pity of brenning of the church I tarried the time so long the oconer escaped/ & that same deferring of brenning of the church and so long tarrying of that time is one of the worst acts that ever I did whereof I must repent This frere perceuynge him in that mind said peace in the name of god & change thy mind & die in charity or else thou shalt never come in heaven/ na● 〈◊〉 that horseman I will never change the mind what so ever shall com● to my soul this frere perceiving him thus still continue his mind can to oconer & said sir in the name of god have some pity upon this anannies soul & let him not die now till he be in a better mind/ For yf●e die now he is so far out of charity the utterly his soul shall be dampened/ & showed him what mind he was in & all the hole matter as is before showed. This horseman hearing the frere thus entreat for him said to O●●oner thus oconer thou seest well by this man's report the if I die now I am out of charity & not ready to go to heaven/ & so it is the I 〈◊〉 enough out of charity in deed but thou seest well that this frere is a good man and he is now well disposed & in charity/ & he is ready to go to heaven & so am not I therefore I pray the hang up this frere while that he is ready to go to heaven/ & let me tarry till another time that I may be in charity & ready & meet to go to heaven This Oconer hearing this mad answer of him spared the man and for gave him his lice at that season.  
¶ By this ye may see that he that is in danger of his enemy the hath no pite he can do no better but show to him the uttermost of his malicious mind which that he beareth to ward him.   

THe archdekyn of Essex the had been long in authority in a time of visitation when all the presties appeared before him called aside three of the young presties which were accused that thy could not well say their divine service/ & asked of them when they said mass whether they said corpus meus or corpum meum The first priest said the hasayd corpus meus. The second said the he said corpun meum. And than he asked of the third how he said/ which answered and said thus/ ¶ Sir beca●● is so great a doubt and divers men be in divers opinions/ therefore because would be sure I would not offend when I come to the place I leave it clen● out and say nothing therefore/ wherefore the bishop than openly rebuked them all three. But divers that were present thought more default in hym●● cause he himself beforetime had admitted them to be presties.  
By this tale ye may se that one ought to take heed how he rebukyh an other lest it torn most to his own rebuke.   

Two freres sat at a gentylmans' table which had before him on a fast ungday an ele and cut the head of the ele and laid it upon one o● the freres trenchars/ but the frere because he would have had of the middle part of the ele said to the gentleman he loved no ele heads/ this gentleman also cut the tail of the ele and laid it on the other freres trenchar he like wise because he would have had of the middle part of the ele said he loved no ele tails/ This gentleman perceuynge that gave the tail to him that said he loved not the head/ and gave the head to him that said he loved not the tail/ And as fore the middle part of the ele he eat part himself and part be nave to other folk at the table/ wherefore these freres for anger would eat never a morsel/ and so they for all their craft and subtlety were not only deceived of the best morsel of the ele/ but thereof had no part at all.  
By this ye see that they that covet the best part sometime therefore lose the mean part and all.   

A welshman dwelling in a wild place of wales came to his curate in the time of lente and was confessed/ and when his confession was in manner at the end the curate asked him and he had any other thing to say that grieved his conscience which sore abashed answered no word a great while/ at last by exhortation of his ghostly father he said that there was one thing in his mind that greatly grieved his conscience which he was ashamed to utter/ for it was so grievous that he trowed god would never forgive him to whom the curate answered and said that god's mercy was above all/ & bade him not despair in the mercy of god/ for what so ever it was if he were repentant that god would forgive him/ ¶ And so by long exhortation at the last he showed it and saide thus/ ¶ Sir it happened once that as my wife was making a cheese upon a friday I would fain have said whether it had been salt or fresh and took a little of the whey in my hand and put it in my mouth and or I was aware part of it went down my throat against my will and so I broke my fast to whom the curate said and if there be non other thing I warrant god shall forgive thee/ So when he had well comforted him with the mercy of god the curate prayed him to answer a quest 〈◊〉 and to tell him truth/ and when the welshman had promised to tell the truth the curate said that there were robberies and murders done nigh 〈…〉 ●ere he dwelt and divers men found slain & asked him when thee 〈…〉 ntyage to any of them. to whom he answered and said yes/ & said 〈…〉 ye to many of them & did help to rob and to slay divers of them 〈…〉 urate asked him why he did not conffesse him thereof the welshman answered and saiden he took that for no sin for it was a custom amongst them that when any boty came of any rich merchant riding that it was but a good neighbour deed one to help another when one called another/ & so they took that but for good fellowship and neyghbourhod.  
¶ Here may ye see that some have remorse of conscience of small venial sin is ●fere not to do oret offences without shame of the worled or dread of god & as common prove be is they stumble at a straw & leap over a block.   

A Rich covetous merchant there was that dwelled in london which ever gathered money & could never find in his heart to spend aught upon himself nor upon no man else/ which fell sore sick/ and as he lay on his death bed had his purse dying at his beddys' heed/ and had such a love to his money that he put his hand in his purse & took out thereof ten or. xii.ii. in no 〈…〉 and put them in his mouth/ And because his wife and other perceived ●●ym very sy●e & like to die they exorted him to be confessed and brought the ●urate unto him which when they had caused him to say Benedicite the curate bade him cry god mercy & show to him his sins Than this seyck man begun to say I crey god mercy I have offended in the seven. deadly sins & broken the ten commandments/ and because of the gold in his mouth he muffled so in his speech that the curate could not well understand him/ wherefore the curate asked him what he had in his mouth that letted his speech/ I iwis master person quod the sick man muffeling I have nothing in my mouth but a little money because I wots not whether I shall go I thought I would take some spending money withme for I wots not what need I shall have thereof And incontinent after that saying died before he was confessed or repentant that any man could perceive/ and so by likelihood went to the devil.  
By this tale ye may see that they that all their lives will never do charity to their neighbours/ that god in time of their death will not suffer them to have grace of repentance.   

THere was a certain rich husband man in a village which loved nuts marvelously well and set trees of filberts & other nut trees in his orchard/ and nourished them well all his life/ & when he died he made his executors to make promise to berry with him in his grave a bag of nuts or else they should not be his executors/ which executors for fere of losing of their comes fulfilled his mind and did so/ It happened chat the same night after that he was buried there was a mylner in ●●●hyte cote came to this man's garden to the intent to steel a bag of nuts & in the way he met with a tailor in a black cote an unthrift of his 〈◊〉 yntance & shew●● him his intent This tailor like wise showed him that he intended the sa●● time to steel a sheep/ and so they both there agreed to go forward eue●● man severally with his purpose and after the they anointed to make god 〈◊〉 re cehe wyt● other and to meet again in the church porch/ and he the came first to tarry for ●he other/ ¶ This mylner when he had speed of his nutties came furst to the ●hyrch porch and there tarried for his fellow and the mean while sat still there and knakked nuts. It fortuned than the sexton of the church because it was about ix of the cloak came to ring curfue and when he looked in the porch and saw one all in white knakking nuts/ he had went it had been the deed man rysyn out of his grave knakking the nuts that were buried with him and ran home again in all haste and told to a krepyll that was in his house what he had seen/ This crepyll thus hearing him rebuked the sexton and said the if he were able to go he would go thither & conjure the spirit/ by my truth quoth the sexton and if thou darest do that I will here the on my neck & so they both agree/ the sexton took the cripple on his nek & ca in to the chyrchyarde again and the mylner in the porch saw one coming bearing a thing on his neck had went it had been the tailor coming with the sheep and rose up to meet them/ and as he came toward them he asked & said Is he fat/ is he fat/ the sexton hearing him say so/ for fere cast the crepull down and said fat or leanly take him as he is/ and ran away/ and the cripple by miracle was made hole and ran away as fast as he or faster/ This mylner perceiving that they were two and the one ran after an other thought that one had spied the talyer stealing the sheep and that he had run after him to have taken him/ and fearing the one had spied him also stealing the nuts he for fear left his nuts behind him and as secretly as he could ran home to his mill ¶ And anon after that he was gone the talyer came with the stolen sheep upon his neck to the church porch to seek the mylner and when he found there the nut shalys he supposed that his fellow had been there & gone home as he was in deed wherefore he took up the sheep again on his neck and went toward the mill ¶ But yet during this while the sexton which ran a way went not to his own house but went to the parysh presties chamber/ and showed him how the spirit of the man was risen out of his grave knacking nuts as ye have hard before/ wherefore the priest said that he would go coninre him if the sexton would go with him/ & so they both agreed the priest ●yd on his surplice and a stole about his neck and took holy water with him & ●nn with the sexton toward the church/ and as soon as he entered in the church yard/ The talyer with the white sheep on his neck intending as I before have showed you to go down to the mill met with them & had went 〈◊〉 it the priest in his surplice had been the m●lner in his white cote & said to him by god I have him I have him mea●yuge by the sheep that he had stolen/ the priest 〈…〉 ●ynge the 〈…〉 o all in black and a white thing on his nek had went 〈…〉 been the devil bearing away the spirit of the deed man that was buried 〈…〉 an away as fast as he could taking the way down toward the myl● & 〈…〉 erten ronning after him This tailor sey●● one following him had wet that one had followed the mylner to have done him some hurt aut thought he would follow if need were to help the milner and went forth till he ca●● to the mill 〈…〉 knocked at the mill door/ the mylner being within asked who was there 〈…〉 ayler answered and said by god I have caught one of them & made him sure and tied him fast by the legs meaning by the sheep that he had stolen and there had on his neck tied fast by the legs. But the mylner hearing him say that he had him tied fast by the legs had went it had been the constable that had taken the tailor for stealing ●f the sheep and had tied him by the legs and ferid that he had come to have taken him also for stealing of the nuts/ wher fore the mylner opened a back door and ran away as fast as he could. The tailor hearing the back door opening went on the other side of the mill and there saw the mylner ronning away and stood there a little while musing with the sheep on his neck Then was the parish priest and the sexton standing there under the mylhouse hiding them for fere and saw the tailor again with the sheep on his nek had wend still it had been the devil with the spirit of the deed man on his nek and for fere ran away/ but because they knew not then ground well/ the pressed leapt into a ditch almost over the head/ like to be drownyde that he cried with a loud voice help help. Than the tailor looked about and saw the mylner run away and the sexton another way and hard the pressed cry help had went it had been the constable with a great company crying for help to take him and to bring him to prison for stealing of the sheep wherefore he threw down the sheep and ran away another way as fast as he could/ and so every man was afferd of other without cause.  
¶ By this ye may see well it is folly for any man to fere a thing to 〈…〉 noche till that these some proof or cause.   

IN the old world when all thing could speak the four elements met together for many things which they had to do because they must meddle always one with another: and had communication to guider of divers matters/ and by cause they could not conclude all their matters at that season they appointed to break communication for that time & to meet 〈…〉 another time/ therefore each one of them showed to other where their 〈◊〉 mo●c abiding was and where their fellows should find them if need should require and first the earth said brethren ye know well as for me I am ꝑmanenr always and not removable therefore ye may be sure to have me always whey ye list. The wather said if ye list to seek me ye shall be sure ever for to have me under a toft of green rushes or else in a woman's eye. The wind say if ye list to speak with me ye shall be sure to have me among aspyn levys or else in a woman's tongue Then quoth the fire if any of you lie to seek me/ ye shall ever be sure to find me in a flint stone or else in a wmans' heart  
¶ By this tale ye may learn aswell the propert of the iiii. elements as the proprete is of a woman   

There was a justice but late in the ream of england called mast Vavesor a very homely man & rude of conditions & loved never to spend much money/ This master Vavysour toad on a time in his circuit in the north country where he had agreed with the sheriff for a certain some of money for his charges thorough the 〈◊〉 so that at every inn & lodging this master vavesour paid for his own● costs It fortuned so the when he can to a certain lodging he commanded 〈◊〉 Turpyn his servant to see the he used good husbandry & to save such 〈◊〉 gesas were left & to carry it with him to serve him at the next baytynge● This turpyn doing his master commandment took the broken bred broken meet & all such thing the was left & put it in his masters cloth sak 〈◊〉 wife of the house perceiving the he took all such fragmenties & victual with him the was left & put it in the cloth sak/ she brought up the podage that was left in the pot & when turpyn had turned his bake a little aside she poured. the podage in to the cloth sake which ran upon his rob of scarlet & other of his garments & rayed than veryevyll the they were much hurt therewith/ This turpyn sodneynly turned him & saw it reviled the wife therefore & ran to his master and told him what she had done/ wherefore master Vavesor incomtinent called the wife & said to her thus/ Thou drab qudd he what hast thou done why hast thou poured the pottage in my cloth sake & marred my raiment & gear Osyr quoth the wife I know well year a judge of the realm and I perceive by you: your mind is to do right & to have that is your owen & your mind is to have all thing with you the have paid for both broken meet and other things the is left & so it is reason the ye have & therefore because your servant hath taken the broken meet & put it in your cloth sack I have therein put the pottage that by left because ye have well & truly paid for them if I should keep any thing from you that ye have papyed for peradventure ye would trouble me in the law another tyme.  
¶ Here ye may see that he that playeth the niggard to much some time it turneth him to his own loss.   

A Certain wedded man there was which when he was dede●am what to heaven gates to saint peter and said he came to claim his badheretage which he had deserved Saint Peter asked him he he was/ & he said a wedded man/ anon Saint peter opened the gates & the him to come in & said he was worthy to have his heritage because had had much trouble & was worthy to have a crown of glory. And after 〈◊〉 another man the claimed heaven & said to/ saint Peter he had ●ade ii wives to whom Saint peter answered & said come In for thou art ●orthy to have a double crown of glory for thou hast had double trouble at ye●ist there came the third claiming his heritage & said to saint peter the 〈◊〉 had had iii wives and desired to come In/ what quod Saint Peter thou hast been once in trouble & thereof delivered/ & that wylligly woldyit be troubled again & yet again thereof delivered/ & for all that could not beware the third time/ but interest willingly in trouble again therefore go thy 〈◊〉 ye to hell for thou shalt never come in heaven for thou art not worthy.  
¶ This tale is a warning to them that have been twice in paryll to be ware how they come therein the third tyme.   

A Rich merchant of london there was that had one son the was 〈…〉 what unthrifty therefore his father upon his death bed called him to him & said he knew well the he had been unthrifty how be it if he knew he would amond, his conditions he would make him his executor & leave him his goods so that he would promise him to pray for his soul & to find one daily to sing for him which thing to perform his son there made a faithful promise/ After the this man made him his executor & died But after the his son kept such riot the in short time he had wasted & spent all & had nothing left but a hen and a cock that was his faders It fortuned than the one of his Frendys came to him & said he was sorry the he had wasted so much & asked him how he would proforme his promise made to his father that he would keep one to sing for him This youngman answered & said by god yet I will perform my promise/ for I will keep this same cock alive still & he will know every day & so he shall sing every day for my faders soul & so I will perform my promise well enough.  
¶ By this ye may see that it is wisdom for a man to do good deeds himself while he is here & not to trust to the prayer & promise of his executors.   

THere was a maid stood by a reverses side in her smoke washing clothes/ And as she stooped oft-times her smock cleaved between her buttokkes/ By whom there came a frere saying her and said in sport/ Maid maid take heed for baiard bites on the bridle Nay wis master frere quod the maiden he doth but wipe his mouth and wenyth ye will come and kiss him.  
¶ By this ye may see that woman's answer is never to seek.   

A Certain man there was dwelling in a town called Gotam that A went to affair iii mile for to buy sheep/ and as he came over a bridge 〈◊〉 he met with one of his neighbours and told him whether he went & asked him which way he would bring them/ which said he would bring them over the same bridge/ nay quod the other man but thou shalt not/ by god meal upon a hor●e a neighbour or theirs and 〈…〉 was the cause of their variance which thanshe 〈…〉 matter and cause as ye have hard ¶ This third man the mylner 〈…〉 for to rebuke them by a tamylyer example and took his sack of 〈…〉 his horse back & opened it and poured all the meal in the sack ou●● the 〈…〉 dge into the running river whereby all the meal was lost and sayce thu● by my truth neighbour because ye strive for driving over the bridge those sheep which be not yet bought nor wot not where they be me thinketh therefore 〈…〉 as moche wit in your heads as there is meal now in 〈…〉  
¶ This tale showeth you that some man taketh 〈…〉 men wisdom when he is but a fool himself. 〈…〉   

A Man there was that came to confess him to a 〈…〉 him that he had lain with a young gentle 〈…〉 asked him in what place/ and he said it was it 〈…〉 all night long in a soft warm bed the frere hearing 〈…〉 this and said/ Now by sweet saint francis then waste though 〈…〉   

A Chandeler being a widower dwelling at holborn 〈…〉 done had a fair daughter/ whom a young gentleman of 〈…〉 in woyd sore to have his pleasure of her/ which by long iure to her made at the last granted him and pointed him to come upon a night to her faders house in the evening & she would convey him into her chamber secretly which was an inner chamber within her faders chamber/ So according 〈…〉 the department all thing was performed so that he lay with her all 〈…〉 & made good cheer tell about four a clock in the morning/ at which 〈…〉 it fortuned this young gentleman fell a coughing/ which ram upon 〈…〉 sore that he could not refrain. This wench than ferig her father the lay in the next 〈…〉 chamber bade him go put his heed in the draft lest that her father should 〈…〉 him/ which after her council rose in his shirt and so did/ but than because of the savour of the draft it caused him to cough much more & louder that the wenchies father herd it/ and asked of his daughter what man it was that coughed in her chamber she answered & said no body but ever this youngman coughed still more & more/ whom the father hearing said by god's body hore thou liest I will see who is there and rose out of his bed/ This wench perceived her father rising came to the gentleman and said take heed sir to yourself for my father cometh/ ¶ This gentleman suddenly therewith abass hid would have pulled his heed out of the draught hole which was very straight for his heed that hc pulled the siege board up therewith/ and hanging about his neck ran upon the father being an old man & gave him a great fall and bare 〈…〉/ which when they see this 〈…〉 start aside and threw down the cart with coals and dre 〈…〉 & broke the cart rope whereby the coals fell out some in one place an● 〈…〉 another/ and after the horses broke their trasies and ran some to 〈…〉 the thfelde & some toward newgate that the colly as ran after them and was in hour and more or ever he could get his hor●e to guider again/ by which time the people of the street were risen and came to the 〈…〉 strawyn with coals every one for his part gathered up 〈…〉 part of the coals were gone or the colyar had got his hor 〈…〉 while the gentleman went through saint Andrew's 〈…〉 Inn/ and there met with the sexton coming 〈…〉 mas/ which when he saw the gentleman in the 〈…〉 with the draft board about his neck had wend 〈…〉 alas alas a sprit & run back again to his house almost at 〈…〉 was almost out of his wit that he was the worse a 〈…〉 his gentleman than because davys inn gates were not open 〈…〉 side & leapt over the garden wall/ but in leaping the draft board 〈…〉 him that he fell down into the garden & had almost broken his neck and there he say still till that the principal came into the garden/ which ●●han he saw him lie there had went some man had be slain and there cast 〈…〉 ●●uer the wall and durst not come nigh him till he had called up his company 〈…〉 when many of the gentleman were come to gether/ looked well upon 〈…〉 and knew him & after relieved him/ but the board that was about his 〈…〉 ●aused his head so to swell that they could not get it of till they were 〈…〉 to cut it of with hatchetties/ Thus was the wench well iaped/ and for fere she ran from her father/ her faders arm was hurt/ the colyar lost his coals the sexton was almost out of his wit/ & the gentleman had almost broke his neck.   

A Marchantys wife there was in bow parysh in london some what A stepped in age to whom her maid came on a sunday in lente after dinner and said master quoth she they ring at saint Thomas of acres for there shall be a sermon preached anon/ to whom the masters answered and said marry goddies blessing have thy heart for warning me there of & because I slept not well all this night I pray the bring my stole with me for I will go thither to look whether I can take a nap there while the priest is preaching.  
¶ By this ye may see that many one goth to church as much for other things as for devotion.   

in a while 〈…〉 they were 〈◊〉 rowed and they 〈…〉 ding to do strer her council came to one of he 〈…〉 medicine was taught her for her pyggys' and 〈…〉 bands hat/ which answered angrily and 〈…〉 Drab I have none for my husband is 〈…〉 and so like wise every woman answered 〈…〉 fro many of them in anger and scolding/ 〈…〉 she came again to her gossips all angrily 〈…〉 to borrow a cockoldes hat and I can get none 〈…〉 I will have one of mine own and be out 〈…〉 By this tale a man maylerne that it is 〈…〉 trust more to his own store than to his 〈…〉   

A gentleman & gentlewoman sat to guider talking 〈…〉 had great pain in one of his teeth and happened to say 〈…〉 man thus/ I iwis masters I have a tooth in my heed which 〈…〉 ry sore/ wherefore I would it were in your tail/ She hearing him 〈…〉 thus/ in good faith sir if your tooth were in my tail it could 〈…〉 good/ but if there be any thing in my tail that can do your tooth 〈…〉 would it were in your tooth/ 〈…〉  
¶ By this ye may see that a woman's answered is seldom to seek   

IN the time of lente a welshman came to be confessed of his curate which in his confession said that he had killed a frere to w●ome the curate said he could not assoil him/ yes quod the welchm●● if thou 〈◊〉 west all thou wouldest assoil me well enough/ & when the cura●●● 〈◊〉 cominan did him to show him all the case he said thus/ marry there w●●● ii freres & I might have slain thembothe if I had list but I let the one scape/ therefore master curate set the tone against the t'other & than the offence is not so great but ye may assoil me well enough.  
¶ By this ye may see that divers men have so ●uyll and large conscience the they think if they do one good d●●e or refrayr 〈◊〉 doing of one cuyll sin the ye it satysfacc●● for other 〈…〉 and ofencies.   

THere was a company of gentlyman in northamptom 〈…〉 went to hunt for dear in the porlews in the goslet beside 〈…〉 ford Among wh●●h gentylmen there was one which had a 〈…〉 man to his serve 〈◊〉 a good archer/ which when they came to a Rascal but ever he let 〈…〉 ●nd took no heed to them. ¶ 〈◊〉 within an hour after he saw come ryth 〈…〉 the high way a man of the country which had a boget hanging a 〈…〉 ●●yll bow/ And when this welshman had es●●ed him he bade him 〈…〉 began to draw his bow and bade him deliver that little male that h● 〈…〉 at his sadyll bow/ This man for fere of his life was glad to deliver 〈…〉 boget/ and so did and than road his way and was glad he was so 〈…〉 and when this man of the country was gone this welshman was very 〈…〉 and went incontinent to seek his may 〈◊〉 and at the last found 〈…〉 ●●yth his company/ and when he saw him 〈…〉 to him and said 〈…〉 Master by cottes plut and her nail I have 〈…〉 yonder this two houries and I cold see never a male but a little male that a man had hanging at his saddle bow/ & thet I have gotten and lo here it is/ and took his master the boget which he had taken away from the foresaid man/ for the which deed both the master and the servant were after ward in great trouble.  
¶ By this ye may learn it is great folly for a master to put a servant to that business whereof he can nothing skill and wherein he hath not been used   

A young gentleman of the age of twenty year somewhat disposed to mirth and gave on a time talked with agentylwoman which was right wise and also merry/ this gentlewoman as she talked with him happened to look upon his beard/ which was but young and somewhat gromen upon the over lip/ & but little grown beneath as all other young monnys beards commonly use to grow and said to him thus/ Sir ye have a 〈…〉 none beneath/ & he hearing her say so/ said in sport/ masters ye have a beard beneath & none above/ marry quod she than set the tone against the t'other/ which answer made the gentlyman so abashed that he had not one word to answer/   

THere was a certain white frere which was a very glutton and a great ●●ggyn which had an ungracious boy that ever followed him an bare his cloak and what for the freres gluttony and for his ●horlyss●●es the boy where he went cowlde scant get meat 〈…〉 'nough for the frere would eat almost all himself/ ¶ But on a 〈…〉 steer made a sermone in the country where in he touched very many 〈…〉 which christ did afore his passion among which he specially 〈◊〉 the miracle which christ did in feeding five thousand people with five Louis of breed and with iii little fish and this frere's boy which carried not greatly for his Pla〈…〉 his master was so great a chu●● 〈…〉 that all the church hard and said 〈…〉 friars there/ which answer made 〈…〉 that for shame. the frere 〈◊〉 out of the 〈…〉 he than departed out of the 〈◊〉 that the 〈…〉  
¶ By this ye may see that it is hone● 〈…〉 departed with such as he hath to than 〈…〉   

A Rich fraynklyn dwellyn in the count 〈…〉 house of whom he could never be rid an 〈…〉 space 〈◊〉 a senyght & would never deꝑt wher● 〈…〉 weary of him/ on a time/ as he & his wife and this frere 〈…〉 feigned himself very angry with his wife In somuch 〈…〉 her. This frere perseyving well what they meant said 〈…〉 I have been here this sevenyght when ye were friends & 〈…〉 fortenyght longer but I will see you friends again or I 〈…〉 ving that he could no good nor would not departed by none 〈…〉 swerved him shortly & said by god frere but thou shalt abid 〈…〉 and took him by the shoulders and thrust him out of the doors 〈…〉  
¶ By this ye may see that he that will learn no good by example 〈…〉 manner to him showed is worthy to be taught with open rebt 〈…〉   

IN the town of bottelley dwelled a mylner which had a 〈…〉 homely wench to his daughter/ whom the curate of the n●xte town loved/ and as the fame went had her at his pleasure/ ¶ But on a time this curate preached of these curious wives now a days/ & whether it were for the nonies or whether it came out at all adventuries he happ●nyd to say thus in his sermon/ ¶ ye wives ye be so curious in all your work that ye wots not what ye mean/ but ye should follow our lady. For our lady was nothing so curious as ye be/ but she was a good homely wench like the mylners daughter of Botteley. At which saying all the ꝑishons made great laughing/ and specially they that knew that he loved that same wench.  
¶ By this ye may see it is great folly for a man the is suspected with any ●●on to praise or to name the same parson openly lest it bring him in further selaunder.   

A Frere limitor come into a poor man's house in the country and because this poor man thought this frere might do him some good he therefore thought to make him good there But because his wife would dress him no good meet for cost/ he therefore at dyner time said thus By god wife because thou didst dress me no good meet to my dinner were it not for master frere/ thou shouldest have half a dofyn stripes. Nay sir quod 〈◊〉 frere I pray you spare not for me/ wherewith the wife was angry and 〈◊〉 at supper she caused them to far worse 〈…〉 ●cstys if they will have any 〈…〉 ●he house.   

〈…〉 he were well lernyde yet he was 〈…〉 which had a Gentylmannies son 〈…〉 teach him to speak latin. This frere 〈…〉 in the fo●●rey/ and because this frere 〈…〉 know that this child had meetly well spent 〈…〉 been with him/ he bade this child to make in 〈…〉 the cloister. This child half astonied because 〈…〉 this latin so shortly answered at all adventures 〈…〉 ambulant. 〈…〉 ●yme a good old gentlyman being a lawyer came to lo● 〈…〉 me and as he can he happened to overtake a frere which 〈…〉 chryft and went alone without his beaver wherefore this 〈…〉 frere where was his beaver that should keep him compa 〈…〉 contrary to his religion to go alone/ and it would cause 〈…〉 ●●ym to be some apostata or some unthrift By god sir quod the 〈…〉 maundeth him unto your mastership/ why quoth the gentyl●● 〈…〉 him not/ than (quoth the frere to the gentleman) ye are the 〈…〉 for him/ 〈…〉 this tale ye may see that he that giveth counsel to any unthryt 〈…〉 heath him his duty shall have oft-times but a mock for his labour 〈…〉 re gentlemen came into an Inn where a fair woman was tap 〈…〉 ●fter wherefore as these three sat there making merry each of them kissed her and made good pastime & pleasure howbeit one spoke merley & said I can not see how this gentlewoman is able to make pastime & pleasure to us all three except that she were departed in three parts/ ¶ By my truth quoth one of them if that she might be departed than I would choose for my part her head and her fair face that I my ghte always kiss her/ Than quoth the second I would have the breast and heart for there lieth her love/ 〈…〉 quod the third than there is nothing left for me but the loynies/ buttockys and legs & I am content to have it for my part/ And when these gentlemen had passed the time there by the space of one hour or ii they took their leave & were going away but 〈◊〉 they went the third man which had chosen the belly & the buttockies did kiss the tapyster & bad her farewell/ what quoth the first man that had chosen the fere & the mouth why dost thou so/ thou dost me wrong to kiss my part that I have chosen of her/ O quod the other I pray ●he be not angry for I am content that thou shalt kiss my part for it/   

IN essex there dwelled a merry gentleman which had a coke called Thomas that was greatly diseased with the tothake ● complained to his master thereof which said he had a book of made is and said he would look up his book to see whether he could find any medicine therein for it and so send one of his daughters to his study for his book/ and incontinent looked upon it a long season/ and than said thus to his coke. Thomas quot he here is a medesyn for your tothake and it is a charm but it will do you up good except ye kneel on your knees & ask it for sent charity This man glad to be released of his pain kneeled and said master for seit charity let me have that medicine. Than quoth this gentleman kneel on your knees and say after me/ which kneeled down and said after him as he bade him ¶ This gentleman began and said thus. The son on the sunday, The son on the sunday quod thomas. The moan on the monday/ the moan on the monday. The trinity on the tewsyday the trinity on the tewsday The wit on the wednesday the wit on the wednesday. The holy holy thursday/ the holy holy thursday And all that fast on friday & all that fast on friday Shyte in thy mouth on saturday. This Thomas coke hearing his master thus mocking him in ●● angrer start up and said by God's body mocking churl I will never do the service more. And went forth to his chamber to get his gear together to th'intent to have gone thence by & by but what for the anger that he took with his master for the mok that he gave him/ & what for labour that he roke together his gear so shortly together/ the pain of the tothake went from him in contance that his master came to him and made him to tarry still/ and told him that his charm was the cause of the ease of the pain of the tothake.  
¶ By this tale ye may fh that anger oft-times putteth away the bodily pain/   

A Skoler of oxford latley made master of art came in to the city of london and in Paul'S met with the said merry gentleman of essex which was ever disposed to play many merry pageanties with whom before he had been of familiar accoyntaunce and prayed him to give him a sercenet typet/ This gentleman more liberal of promise than of gift grauntyn him he should have one if he would come to his lodging to the sin of the bull without bishops gate in the next morning at vi of the cloak. This skoler thanked him and for that night departed to his lodging in fleet street/ and in the morning early as he pointed came to him to the sign of the bull/ And as this gentlyman saw him he bade him go with him in toche city and he should be sped anon which incontinent went together till he came in to saint Laurence church in the jury where the gentleman espied a pressed rave 〈…〉 to mass and told the scholar that yonder is the press that hath the typet for you and bade him kneel down in the pew and he should speak to him for it and incontinent this gentleman went to the priest and said. Sir here is a ●●●ler a kynnysman of mine greatly diseased with the chyncough. I pray you when mass is done give him iii ●raughtys of your chales. The priest granted him and turned him to the ske●●r and said Sir I shall serve you as soon as I have said mass The skoler than tarried still and herd the mass trusting than when the mass was done that the pres●e would give him his typet of sarsenet. This gentleman in the mean while departed out of the church This pressed when mass was done put wine in the chales. And came to the ●koler kneeling in the pew proffering him to drink of the chales/ this scholar looked upon him and mused & said why master person wherfor●●fer ye me the chales mary quod them priest for the gentleman told me ye were ●ysseayd with the chyncough & prayed me therefore that for amedecyne yemight drink of the chales Nay by saint ma●●●●od the scholar he promised me ye should deliver me a typet of sarsenet/ 〈◊〉 ●od the priest he spoke to me of no typet but he desired me to give you drink of the chales for the chyncough/ By God's body quod the scholar he is as he was ever wont to be but a mokking wretch and ever I live. I shall quite him and so departed out of the church in great anger.  
¶ By this tale ye may perceive it is no wisdom for a man to trust to a man 〈◊〉 do a thing that is contrary to his old accustomed conditions   

AT fortunid there was a great variance between the bishop of Norwych & one master Skelton a poyet lauryat In so much that the bishop commanded him that he should not come in his gates This master skelton did absent himself for a long season. But at the last he thought to do his duty to him & studied ways how he might obtain the bysshopies favour/ & determined 'em self that he would come to him with some present & humble himself to the bishop and got a couple of pheasants and ca●●●o the byshuppies place & required the porter he might come in to speak with my lord. This porter knowing his lords pleasure would not suffer him to come in at the gates wherefore this master skelton went on the baksyde to seek some other way to come in to the place. But the place was motyd that he cold see no way to come over except in one place where there lay a long tree over the mot in manner of a bridge that was fallyn down with wind/ wherefore this master skelton went a long upon the tree to come over and when he was almost over his foot slipped for lak of sure foting & fell in to the mote up to myddyll: but at the last he recovered himself and aswell as he could dried himself again/ and suddenly came to the bishop being in his hall than lately risen from dyner/ which when he saw skleton coming suddenly said to him why thow●aytyfe I warned the thou shuldies never come in at my gaty● and charged my porter to keep the out ¶ Forsooth my lord quoth skelton though ye gave such charge/ and though your gates by never so surely kept yet it is no more possible to keep me out of your doors than to keep out crows or pies for I came not in at your gates but I came over the mote the I have be● almost drowned for my labour/ and showed his clothes how evil he was arrayed/ which caused many that stood thereby to laugh apace/ Than quod Skelton if it like your lordship I have brought you a dish to your supper a couple of pheasants. Nay quod the bishop I defy the & thy Fesanties also and wrech as thou art pike the out of my how●e for I will none of thy gift How 〈…〉 ton than considering that the bishop 〈◊〉 ●ym ●o●e ●o o●●e, ●ayd to●● of his familiars thereby, that though it were 〈◊〉 to be christened a fool/ it was moche worse to be confirmed a fool of inch a bishop/ for the n●● of confirmation must needs abide. Therefore he ●magened how he my●● avoid that confirmation/ & mused a 〈◊〉 ●nd at the last said to the ●●shope thus/ if your lordeshype knew their ●mes of these pheasants ye wol● content to take them, why caytefe quoth the bishop hastily and angrey●●● be their names/ ywys my lord quoth Skelton this 〈◊〉 is called 〈◊〉 which is in prim●●● the first/ & this is called O that is 〈◊〉 ●●us the 〈◊〉 for th●●ore pla●● 〈◊〉 standing of my mind/ if to 〈◊〉 your 〈…〉 to ta●●●●em, I 〈…〉 this alpha is the first that 〈…〉 this 〈◊〉 the last 〈…〉 ill give you while. I live 〈…〉 swer● 〈…〉 laughter, and, all th●● 〈…〉 to be good ●●de 〈…〉 conceyces/ at 〈…〉 went the 〈…〉 unto his 〈…〉  
¶ By th' 〈…〉 eytes' doth 〈…〉   

A good than to 〈…〉 and melancholy. 〈…〉 yeoman of the kings 〈…〉 a village beside 〈…〉 had a very fair young w●fe/ & ●●●●home a carter of the town 〈…〉 low resorted and ●ay● with her ●●●ers times when her husba●● 〈…〉 openly known that all the town spoke thereof/ 〈…〉 nan of the town well a●quoint●d with this yeoman 〈…〉 such a carter had ●●●●e by his wife. To who● 〈…〉 swore by godde goody if he ●●ette with him it 〈…〉 quoth the young 〈◊〉 if ye go straight even now 〈…〉 way ye 〈…〉 lamb driving a cart laden with hay toward Lon 〈…〉 where 〈…〉 of guard incontinent road after this carter, & with 〈…〉 rte space 〈…〉 him and knew him well ynoughe● and incontinent 〈…〉 he carter 〈…〉 said thus. Sirrah I understand that thou dost 〈…〉 night with my wife when I am from home. This carted being no 〈…〉 afraid of him answered ye marry what than. what than quoth the ye● 〈…〉 arde/ by g●●●es heart hadst thou not told me truth I would have 〈…〉 heed. And 〈◊〉 the yeoman of guard returned and no hurt done no 〈…〉 nor proffered.  
¶ By this ye 〈◊〉 see that the greatest crackers sometime when it cometh to the proof be most cowards.   

A fool there was that dwelled with a gentleman in the country which was called a great tyrant and an extortioner. But this fool loved his master marvelously because he cherished him so well. I 〈◊〉   

〈…〉 go to hell/ by my trou●● quoth che fool for I will go with my master/ & I 〈…〉 sure my master shall go 〈◊〉 hell/ For every man saith he shall go to the devil 〈…〉 and therefore I will go thither with him/   

THere was a certain pl●●●ans son of the country of the age of xvi years that never coni● 〈◊〉 among company but always went to 〈…〉 plough & husbandry 〈◊〉 time this young lad went to a wedding 〈…〉 with his f●der where he see one lute upon a lute/ & when he can home 〈…〉 nygt 〈…〉 asked him what sport he had at wedding This 〈…〉 by my troth mother quoth he there was one that brought 〈…〉 mes and tickled her so upon the neck that shecreky● the 〈…〉 hard goose creak in my life.   

〈…〉 house in london there was a maid which was 〈…〉 to whom the master of the house came and that 〈…〉 her 〈…〉 the father of the child/ To whom the 〈…〉 ●wered for●●● 〈…〉/ why quoth the master it is not 〈…〉 ●ble but some ma● 〈…〉 father thereof/ To whom the maid 〈…〉 masters why 〈…〉 a child without a man as well as 〈…〉 ●ay eggs without a cock.  
〈…〉 may ye see it is hard to ●ynde a wom●●●●ithout a● excuse.   

〈…〉 ●entylman there was dwelling nigh king 〈…〉 ●ynge in the country wit●●is seruawr whi●● 〈…〉 qu●●kyst fellow/ But to 〈◊〉 always sadly by 〈…〉 Words/ 〈◊〉 master said to 〈…〉 so s●●dly I would ha●● the tell me some 〈…〉 time with/ by 〈◊〉 ●uch master quoth he I can tell 〈…〉 quod master canst 〈◊〉 not sing/ no by m● truth quoth 〈…〉 never sing in all my life/ quod the master cast thou 〈…〉 my 〈…〉 master quo●●● I can not but if ye will begin to 〈…〉 follow 〈…〉 as I can/ by my troth quoth the master that is well 〈…〉 will be 〈…〉 to make a ry●●e let me see h●●● well thou canst follow 〈…〉 while and then began to time thus/ Many 〈…〉 in temmies and so do mine. ¶ ●●n quod the servant/ And many 〈…〉 by other men's wives and so 〈◊〉. I by thyne● what dost thou 〈…〉 the master/ by my truth master n●thynge quoth he but make 〈…〉 but qu●d the master I charge the 〈◊〉 why thou sayette forsooth 〈…〉 quod he for nothing in the world out to make up your time/ Than quoth the master/ if thou do●st fornothing else I am content. So the master for gave him his saying all though he said truth peradventure. 〈…〉 voure to his servant/ and commanded his 〈◊〉 at shortly to 〈…〉 answer. This welshman came to the chief 〈◊〉 place/ & 〈…〉 an ape sitting there in a cote made for him as they use to 〈…〉 disport. This welshman did of his ca●pe ●●nd made curtsy● 〈…〉 said. My master recommendeth him to 〈◊〉 lord your 〈…〉 him here a letter. This ape took this 〈◊〉 & opened it and 〈…〉 after looked upon the man making many mocks and 〈…〉 ties of apes is to do. This welshman because ●e vnd●●● 〈…〉 again to his master according to his commaunde●● 〈…〉 delivered the letter unto my lord chief justice son 〈…〉 in a furred cote. Anon his master asked him what 〈…〉 said he gave him an answer, but it was other french 〈…〉 stood him not. But sir quoth he ye need not to fear 〈◊〉 sav●●, 〈…〉 nance so moche that I warrant you he will do your 〈…〉 lord 〈◊〉 ther. This gentleman in trust thereof ma●e 〈…〉 For lac●●●●herof his servant that had done the felony●, 〈…〉 after w●● rained at the kings bench and cast and afterward ●anged 〈…〉 this ye may see that every wise man ought to take heed that 〈…〉 ●●sshe servant upon a hasty message that is a matter 〈…〉   

〈…〉 ●owe there was which proffered a dagger to sell to a fe 〈…〉 which answered him and said that he had right nought 〈…〉 therefore/ wherefore the other said that he should have his da● 〈…〉 ●●dicyon that he should give and deliver unto him/ Therefore 〈…〉 days after right nought, or else forty shylly●iges 〈◊〉 money/ whe●●● 〈…〉 other was content. This bargain thus agreed he that should 〈…〉 right nought took no thought until such time that the day 〈…〉 drew nigh. At the which time he began to imagine how he might 〈…〉 this man right nought: And first of all he thought on a feather/ a 〈…〉 lyness point/ and such other/ but nothing could he devise but that it was somewhat/ wherefore he came home all sad and pe●●tyfe for sorrow of le●ynge of his xl shillings/ and could neither sleep nor tak● rest/ whereof his wife being aggrieved, demanded the cause of his heu●nes which at the last after many denayes told her all/ well fyr quoth she let me here with alone/ and get ye forth a town and I shall handle this matter 〈◊〉 enough. This man following his wife's counsel went forth of the 〈…〉 This man be●●ge glad thrust his hand in it supposing to have 〈…〉 ●●ynges of money and thrust his hand thorough it up to the 〈…〉 the wife than ●●yr what have ye there. Marry quoth he right 〈…〉 she than have 〈◊〉 your bargain and than thy husband 〈…〉 for his dagge●●●●●ordynge to his promise.  
〈…〉 se that oftentimes a woman's wit at an extremity 〈…〉 than a man's.   

〈…〉 ●●tayne lymyttour which wents a lymytting to a cer●●●● 〈…〉 ●herein dwelled a certain rich man, of whom he ne●●●● 〈…〉 she value of an halfpenny/ yet he thought he would go thy 〈…〉 assay them. And as he went thitherward the wife stan/ 〈…〉 per●●●yuynge him coming a far of/ thought that he 〈…〉 the●/ and by and by ran in and bad her children standing 〈…〉 asked for her say she was not within. The frere 〈…〉 suspected the cause and came to the door and asked for 〈…〉 children as they were bidden, said that she was not within/ ●han stood he still looking on the children/ and at the last he 〈…〉 him 〈◊〉 ●ldyste and bad him let him see his hand/ & when he 〈…〉 hand/ O Iesu quod he what fortune for the is ordained. 〈…〉 ●●econde son to see his hand/ and his hand seen the frere said. 〈…〉 for the is prepared/ Than looked he in the third son 〈…〉 quod be thy destiny is hardest of all/ & therewith went he his 〈…〉 th●se things, suddenly ran out and called the frere aga●● 〈…〉 him to 〈…〉/ and after to sit down, and set before 〈…〉 that she had/ And when he had well eaten & drunken she 〈…〉 all her the destinies of her children/ which at the last after many 〈…〉 her that the first should be a beggar/ the second a thief/ the thy 〈…〉 ●●ouncyde/ which she hearing fell down in a soon and took it gre●●● 〈…〉 The frere comforted her and said that though these were their 〈…〉 here might be remedy had/ than she besought him of his counsel/ thing 〈◊〉 the frere ye m●st make the eldest that shallbe a beggar a frere, and the 〈◊〉 ●hat shallbe a these a man of law/ and the third that shallbe an homicyd●●● physician.  
¶ By this tale ye may learn that they that w●ll come to the spe●●● o● presence of any person for their own cause they must first ●●deuer themself to show such matters as those persons most 〈…〉.   

〈…〉 went the man 〈…〉 and said, sir thy master biddeth the give me xl pens/ I will ne●● quoth the boy/ than called the man which an high voice to the frere and said yr he sayeth he will not/ than quoth them frere beat him/ and when th● boy hard his master say so he gave the man xl pens.  
¶ By this ye may see it is folly for a man to say ye or nay to a 〈◊〉, except he knew surely what the matter 〈◊〉   

A Certain bocher dwelynge in say●● N●colas Flessham●●les in L●ndon called Poule, had a servant called Peter. Thy●● Pe●er ●n 〈◊〉 sunday was at the church hearing mass, & 〈◊〉 o● us fellow 〈…〉 name was philip spencer was sent to call him at the 〈…〉 his master. So it happened at the time that the curat● 〈…〉 inh●● sermon touched many authorities of the holy scrip 〈…〉 all the words of the epistle of saint Poule and phylyppenses 〈…〉 be ●nat only bound to believe in christ, but also to suffer for Chrysten sake and sa●● 〈◊〉 words in the pulpit. what sayeth Poule and Philyppenses to this. This young man that was called philip Spenser had went he had spoken of him, answered shortly and said/ marry sir he bade Peter come home and take his part of a poding, for he should go for a calf anon. The curate hearing this was abashed and all the audience made great laughter.  
¶ By this tale ye may learn that it is no token of a wise man to give a sudden answer to a question before he know surely what the matter is.   

THere came a courtier by a carter, the which in derysy● 〈◊〉 the carters back, legs, & other membres of his body meru●yl●●sly, whose jesting the carter perceived and said/ he had another property than the courtier espied in him/ and when the courtier had demanded what it should be/ he looked aside over his shoulder upon the courtier and said thus. Lo sir this is my property/ I have a wall eye in my heder/ for I never look over my shulder this wise, but lightly espy a knave.  
¶ By this tale a man may see that he that useth to divide & moc●● 〈◊〉 folks is sometime himself more deryded and mocked.   

A young man of the age of twenty year rude & unlearned in the time of 〈…〉 to his curate to be confessed, which when he was of his life 〈…〉 and examined/ could not say his Pater noster; wherefore his ●●nfestoure exhorted him to learn his Pater noster, and showed him what an holy & goodly prayer it was/ and the effect ●●erof/ and the vii petitions therein contained 〈…〉 always and help us as we have and 〈…〉 y● have 〈…〉 .v. Dunitte: 〈◊〉 forgive us our sins done to the ●s we forgive th●n. that trespass against us. The vi Et ne nos. Let us not be ouer●o●●●● 〈…〉 emptacyon. The vii Sed libera. etc. But deliver us from all 〈…〉 And th●n his confessor after this exposition to him made in 〈…〉 in penance to fast every friday breed and water till he had his 〈…〉 and sufficiently learned. This young man meekly accepting his penance 〈◊〉 departed and came home to one of his companions and said 〈…〉 So ●tis 〈◊〉 my ghostly father hath given me in penance to 〈…〉 water till I can say my Pater noster. Therefore 〈…〉 Pater noster/ and by my truth I shall therefore teach 〈…〉 that shall be worth twenty of it.  
〈…〉 ye may learn to know the effect of the holy prayer of 〈…〉.   

A L●erta 〈…〉 there was which upon our Lady day the Annuncya●ion 〈◊〉 a sermon in the white freres in London/ and began his antet●●●●, his wise. ave maria gracia plena dominus tecum. etc. These words quoth the frere were spoken by the angel Gabryell to our● lady when she conceived christ/ which is as much to say in our mother tongue, as all hail Mary well thou be the son of ●od is with the. And furthermore the angel said/ thou shalt conceive a●● here a son. And thou shal●e call his ●aine jesum/ and Elyzabeth thy sweet cousin, she shall conceive the swet● saint Iohn. And so proceeded still in his sermon in such fond rhyme, that divers a●d many gentlemen of the court that were there, began to smile and laugh●. ●he frere that perceyung said thus. Masters I pray you hark I shall tell you a narration. There was once a young pre●st that was not all the best clerk said mass & red a colelt thus. Deus qui vigenti filii tui. etc. wherefore he should have said vnige●●ti filii tui. etc. And after when mass was done there was such a gentleman as one of you are now the had herd this mass came to the prsest and said thus, Sir I pray you tell me how many 〈◊〉 had god alm ghty/ qd the priest why ask you that. Marry sir quoth the gentle 〈◊〉 suppo●e he had twenty sons/ for ye said right now, Deus qui viginti f●●tu●. The priest perceiving how that he derided him/ answered him sh●●●●ly and said thus/ how many sons so ever ●od almighty had/ I 〈◊〉 that thou art none of them/ for thou scornyst the word of god/ And so said the frere in the pulpit, No more are ●e none of the children of god/ for ye scorn & laugh at me now that preach t you the word of god/ which 〈…〉 & 〈…〉 holiest matter that is by fond pronuncyation & ●tteraūs may be 〈◊〉/ nor shall not edytye to the audience. Therefore every process would be v●●eryd with words & countenance convenient to the matter ¶ Also yet by this tale they that be unlearned ni the latin tongue may know the ●e●tence of the ave Maria.   

IN a wyllage in warwick shire there was a parysh priest all though he were no great clerk nor graduate of the unynersyte/ yet he ●rechid to his paryshons upon a s●●aday/●●claryng to th●● xii. articles of the Crede. Showing them that ●he furst 〈◊〉 was to be●●●● god the father almighty maker of heaven and earth. 〈◊〉 T● bele●●● 〈◊〉 christ his only son our lord coequal with the fa●●●● in all ●yngys 〈…〉 to the deyte. The third that he was conceived 〈…〉 Born ●f the virgin Mary. The fourth that he suffered death 〈…〉 pilate/ and that he was crucified deed and buried/ The fift that 〈…〉 to h●● and fet out the good souls that were in faith & hope/ and tha●● 〈…〉 rose from death to life. The sixth he ascended into heaven to ●he right 〈◊〉 of god the father where he●●●ccyht. The seventh that he shall come at the day of doom to judge both us that be 〈◊〉 and them that be deed The eight to belue in the holy ghost eqaoll god w●●●h the father and the son The ninth in the holy church Catholyk and in the 〈◊〉 communion of saints. The tenth In the remyssy on of sins. The le●●nth In the resurrection general of the body & soul The twel●th/ in everlasting life that god shall reward them th●●●e good/ And say 〈◊〉 his par●shons further that these articles ye be boun●● to believe 〈◊〉 they ●●●trewe of ●uctoryte/ ¶ And if you believe not me/ th●●● for a more su●●te and ●uff●cyent ●ucto●yte/ go your way to coventry & 〈◊〉 y● shall see them 〈…〉 corpus cristi play.  
¶ By redyn●e of this tale they that understand 〈◊〉 latin may lerue to 〈…〉 articles of the faith.   

〈…〉 of the grey freres in London 〈◊〉 preached in a cer●●●la● 〈◊〉 in the country in the time or limitation/ & had 〈…〉 mon which he had learned by 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉/ The first to believe in one 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 above all 〈…〉 to swear not in vane by him nor none of 〈…〉 from worldly operation on the 〈◊〉 thou and 〈…〉 thou hast cherg/ The fourth to ●●●ur thy parents 〈◊〉 to ●●pe the 〈◊〉 their necessity. The fift to slay no man in deed nor will/ nor for no ha●●● hurt his body nor good name. The 〈◊〉 to do no fornication actual/ 〈◊〉 by no unleeful thought to desire no fleshly delectation/ The seventh to 〈◊〉 nor deprive no man's goods by the●●● 〈…〉 desire thy neighbours wife for thine own appetite unlawfully. 〈◊〉 because this frere had preached this sermonde so often/ one that had heard it bef●●e told the freres servant that his master was called frere Iohn ten commandments wherefore this servant showed the frere his master thereof, and advyset 〈◊〉 to preach some sermon of some other matter, for it grieved him to here his master so derided, and to be called frere Iohn ten commandments/ for every man knoweth what ye will ●ay as soon as ever ye begin, because ye have preached it so oft/ why than quoth the frere I am sure thou knowest well which ●●e the ten commandments ●hat hast heard them so oft declared/ ye 〈◊〉 the seruau●●●e that I do. Than qd the frere I pray the rehearse them 〈◊〉 now. A 〈◊〉 quod the servant these be they. Pride, covetous, sloth, envy, wr●●●●●l●●ony, and Lechery.  
¶ By 〈…〉 ale ye may learn to know the ten ●●maund●●mentes 〈…〉. deadly sins.   

THe husband's 〈◊〉 said foe his wife thus wise/ by this 〈…〉 I dreamed this night that I was cockecolde. To whom she 〈…〉 said husband. By this breed ye are none. Than said he, 〈…〉 the breed. She answered and said to her husband 〈◊〉 eat you the ●●●●dell for you swore first.  
¶ By this a man may see that a woma● 〈…〉   

A woman demanded a 〈…〉 ●nto a man 〈…〉 ●●awe of what craft his 〈…〉 which thy 〈…〉, his father was a ●●actye man of law.  
¶ By this tale a man may perceive that sometime ●●raduenture ydnge. In●●centes speak truly vnaduy●ed.   

IN a certain parrysshe church in London after the old ●●●udable & accustomed manner, there was a frere minor all though he were not the best clerk nor could not make the best sermondes/ yet by the licence of the curate he there preached to the parysshons. Among the which audience there was a wife at th●● time little disposed to contemplation talked with 〈…〉 of hers of o●her femenyne tales so loud/ the the frere hard, and some what was perturbed therewith. To whom therefore openly the frere spoke and said. Th●u woman there in the tawny gown, hold thy peace and leave thy babe●●●g●●, 〈◊〉 troublest the word of god. This woman therewith suddenly abas●●ed because the frere spoke to her so openly the 〈◊〉 ●he people her beheld, answered shortly & said. I beshrew his hearten the ba●eleth more of us two. At the which seeing the people did laugh because they fe●●e but little fruit in his sermon. ¶ By this tale a man may learn to be w●re how he openly rebuketh any other and in what audience lest it torn to his own reproof. 〈…〉 they took many great interpry●es and many 〈◊〉, and many prisoner's 〈◊〉 other realms that were their enemies. Among the which they happened on a season to take a Scots sheep, and divers Scots they ●●ewe and took prisoners/ among whom there was a welshman that had one of the scots prisoners and bad him that he should do of his harness/ which to do the Scotte was very loath/ how be it for 〈◊〉 at the last he pulled it of with an evil will and said to the welshman, & if thou wilt 〈◊〉 my harness take it there, and cast it over the board into the see. 〈◊〉 ascheman saying that said/ by Cottes blut and her nail, I shall make 〈◊〉 it again and took him by the legs and cast him after over the bord● 〈…〉.  
¶ By this tale a man may learn that he that is 〈…〉 aught to forsake his own will, and follow his 〈◊〉 and co●mundement that so hath subjection over him, les●●● turn to h●s great hurt and damage.   

THere was a man that married a woman which had 〈…〉 beauty/ how be it she had such an impediment of nature that 〈◊〉 was domme and could not speak/ which thing made him to be 〈◊〉 pen●syfe and sad/ wherefore upon a day as he walked alone right 〈◊〉 heart, thinking upon his wy●●. There came one to him and asked him what was the cause of his heaviness, which answered that it was only because his wife was borne domme. To whom this other said I shall show the son a remedy and a medicine (therefore that is thus). Go take an aspen leaf and lay it under her tongue this night she being a slep●, and I warrant the that she shall speak on the morrow/ which man being glad of this medicine prepared therefore, and gathered aspen leaves/ wherefore he laid three of them ●nder her tongue when she was a sleep. And on the morrow when he himself awaked, he penurous to know how his medicine wrought being in bed with her, he demanded of her how she did/ and suddenly she answered and said, I beshrew your heart for wakening me so early/ and so by the virtue of that medicine she was restored to her speech: But in conclusion her speech so increased day by day, and she was so cursed of condition that every day she b●●uled and chid with her hushande, so moche that at the last he was more ●e●ed and had much more trouble and disease with her shrewd words than he had before when she was doom/ wherefore as he walked another time 〈◊〉 he happened to meat again with the same person that taught 〈…〉 I pray you teach me a medicine to modify her that she speak not so moche. This other answered and said thus. Sir I am a devil of hell/ but I am one of them that have lest power there. All be it yet I have power to make a woman to speak/ ●ut and if a woman begin once to speak/ I nor all the devils in hell that have the mo●● power be not able to make a woman to be still, nor to cause her to leave her speaking.  
¶ By this tale ye may note that a man oft times desireth and co/ veteth t●●oche that thing that oft turneth to his displeasure.   

ONe asked a p●●actour of the arches lately before married, why he chose hym●● little a wife/ which answered because he had a text saying 〈◊〉 thus. E 〈◊〉 bus malis minus malus est eliendum, that is to say in english/ among evil things the lest is to be chosen.  
●N the time of Lente there came two nuns to saint Iohnns in London because of the great pardon there to be confessed. Of the which nuns, the one was a young lady and the other was old. This young ●ady chose first her confessor, and confessed her that she had sinned in Lethery. The confessor asked with whom it was/ she said it was with a lusty 〈◊〉 gallant. He demanded where it was/ she said in a pleasant green herber, he asked further when it was. She said in the merry month of may. Than said the confessor this wise/ a fair young lady with a lusty galant, in a pleasant herber and in the merry month of May ye did but your kind/ now by my truth god forgive you and I do, and so she departed. And incontinent the old nun met with her, asking her how she liked her con 〈◊〉/ which said he was the best ghostly father that ever she had, and the most easiest in penance giving. For comfort whereof this other nun went to the same confessor, and shrove her likewise the she had sinned in Lechery. And he demanded with whom, which said with an old frere/ he asked where, she said in her old cloister. He asked what season, she said in Lente. Than the confessor said, and old hore to lie with an old frere in her old cloister, and in the holy time of Lente/ by cocks body if god forgive thee, yet will I never forgive the. which words caused her to depart all sad and sore abashed.  
¶ By this tale men may learn that a vicious act is more abominable in one person than in another, in one season than in another, and in one place than in an other.   

〈…〉 to blow/ a young squire of England rydyinge on a ●ul●● courser, of why●● horse the noise of the trumpets so pricked the ●●urage that the squire cou● not him retain/ so that against his will he ran upon his enemies which squire saying none other remedy set●e hi● spear in the rest, and road through the thickest of his enemies 〈◊〉 all conclusion had good fortune and saved himself alive without hurt/ and the 〈◊〉 yonste folowe● and had the victory. And ofter when the 〈…〉 this kynge Edward called the squire/ and 〈…〉 would make him knight because he valyauntely was the mant●a● day 〈…〉 courageous 〈◊〉 ●ake adventured first upon their enemies' 〈◊〉 ●home the squire thus answered, if it like your grace to ma●ke 〈…〉 fore/ I beseech you to make my horse knight and na●●mn 〈…〉 his deed and not mine/ and full sore against my wy●● 〈…〉 were the king hearing refrained to promote him to the order of 〈…〉 puring him in manner but for a coward/ and ever after fauo●●● 〈…〉 be lisse therefore.  
¶ By this tale a man may learn how it is wysedo● 〈…〉 in good credence to keep him therein, and in no wise to, 〈…〉, self to moche.   

A young man late married to a wife thought it was good pole●●e to get the mastery of her in the beginning. Came to her the pot seething over the fire, all though the meat therein were not enough/ suddenly commanded her to take the pot fro the fire/ which answered and 〈◊〉, that the meat was not ready to eat. And he said again I will have it taken of for my pleasure. This good woman loath yet to offend him, set the pot beside the fire as he bad. And anon after he commanded her to set the pot behind the door, & she said again ye be not wise therein. But he precisely said it should be so as he bade. And she gently again did his commandment. This man yet not satiffyed commawnded her to set the pot a high upon the hen roast/ what qd the wife I trow ye be mad. And he fyerslye than commanded her to set it there or else he said she should repent it. She somewhat afraid to move his patience took a ladder & set it to the roast, and went herself up the ladder and took the pot in her hand praying her husband than to hold the ladder fast for sliding which so did. And when the husband looked up and saw the pot stand there on height he said thus. Lo now standeth the pot there as I would have it. This wife hearing 〈…〉   

AL●●tayne confessor in the holy time 〈…〉 say daily for his pen●●ure this prayer. Agnus ●e● miserere me●, which was as much th' say ●nengly she as the lamb of god have mercy upon me. This penitence accepting his penance departed/ and that time twelve month after came agay●●e 〈◊〉 confessed of the same confessor which demau●●ed of him whether he had fulfilled his penance that he him enjoined the last 〈…〉 say he thus, ye sir I thank god I have fulfilled it. For I have sa●●●hu●●●●daye in the morning and so daily/ the sheep of god have mercy 〈◊〉 me. To whom the confessor said. 〈◊〉 ●ad the say Agnus 〈…〉 mei, that is the lamb of god have merc● 〈…〉: ye sir quod 〈…〉 ye say truth that was the last year. But now it is a tw●●le● 〈…〉 it is a sheep by this tyme. Therefore I must needs say no 〈…〉 of ●od have mercy upon me.  
〈…〉 ye may perceive that if holy scripture be exponed 〈…〉 lay people only in the literal sense. Peradventure it shall 〈…〉 little good.   

I 〈…〉 divers to be in communication, among whom there was a 〈…〉 a parish priest/ and one Iohn Daw a parisshon of his which. ●. had communication more busy than other in this manner. This pre●st thought that one might not by feeling know one from another in the dark. Iohn daw his parysshone of the contrary opinion laid with his curate for a wager xl pence/ whereupon the parish priest willing to prove his wager went to this Iohn daws house in the evening and suddenly gate 〈◊〉 to bed with his wife where when he began to be somewhat busy/ she feeling his crown said shortly with a loud voice/ by god thou art not Iohn daw. That hearing her hushand● answered, thou sayest truth wife I am here Iohn daw. Therefore master person give me the money for ye have lost your xl pence.  
¶ By this tale ye may learn to perceive that it is no wisdom for a man for the covetous of winning of any wager to put in jeopardy a thing that may turn him to greater displeasure.   

A Rich Frankelyn in the country having by his wise but one ●ylde and no more, for the great affection that he had to his said child found hyin at Oxford to school by the space of ii or iii year. This young scholar in a vocation time for his disport came home to his father 〈◊〉 fortuned afterward on a night, the father, the mother, and the said young scholar 〈…〉 in the dish 〈◊〉 three chekyns. Marry said the father that would I fayne●e. The scholar took one of the chekyns in his 〈◊〉 and said. Lo here is one chicken, and incontinent he took both the chekyns in his hand io●ntely and said, here is ii chekyns/ and one and ii maketh iii Ergo here is iii chekyns. Than the father took one of the chekyns to himself & gave another to his wife & said thus. Lo I will have one of the ●hekyns to my part, & thy mother shall have another, and because of thy good argument thou share have the third to thy supper, for thou gettyst no more meat here at this time/ which promise the father kept and so the scholar went without his supper.  
¶ By this tale men may see that it is great f●●ly to put one to scole● learn any subtle science which hath no nature, ●●wytre.   

A Frere of London there was that on a sunday in six morning yearly in the summer season came fro London to Barnette t● make a co●●cyon/ & was there an hour before high mass began, and because he would come to the church honestly/ he went first to an ale house there to wipe his shoes and to make himself cleanly. In the which house there were podynges to sell/ and divers folks there breaking their fast and eating podynges. But the frere broke his fast in a secret place in the same house. This frere soon after came to the church, and by licence of the curate entered into the pulpit to make a collation or sermon. And in his sermon there he rebuked sore the manner of them that used to break their fast on the sunday before high mass & said it was called the devils black breakfast. And with that word speaking as he did cast his arms out to make his countenance, there fell a poding out of his sleeve/ which he himself had stolen a little before in the same ale house/ and when the people saw that and specially they that broke their fast there the same morning and knew well that the wife had complained how she had one of her podynges stolen/ they laughed so moche at the frere that he incontinent went down out of the pulpit for shame.  
¶ By this tale a man may see that when a preacher doth rebuke any sin or vice wherein he is known openly to ●●egyltie himself/ such preaching shall little edify to the people.   

A Certain scholar there ●as intending to be made a pre●●, which had neither great 〈◊〉 nor learning came to the byss●oppe to take orders/ whose foolishness the bishop perceiving b●●●use he was a rich man's son wold● not very strongly appose him but asked him this 〈…〉 scholar to departed and came home to his father & showed him the cause of the hindrance of his orders. His father being angry at his folisshenes' thought to teach hy● the solution of this question by a familiar example, and called his spanless before him and said thus. Thou knowest well Colle my dog hath these iii whelps, ryg, trygge, and tryboll. Must not all my dogs needs be sire to tryboll. Than quoth the scholar by god father ye said truth let me alone now, ye shall see my do well enough the next tyme. wherefore on the mo●● we he went to the bishop again and said he could soil his question. Than said the bishop, Noye had three sons, Sem, Came, and japhete. Now tell m● who was japhetes father, marry sir quoth the scholar 〈◊〉 your l●●deshyppe colle my father's dog.  
¶ 〈…〉 tale a man may learn that it is but lost time to teach a 〈◊〉 thing which hath no wit to perceive it.   

IT fortuned so that a frere late in the evening desired ●●dgynge of a poor man of the country, the which for lack of other lodging glad to harborowe the frere lodged him in his own bed. And after he and his wife. The frere being a sleep came and lay in the same bed. And in the morning after the poor man rose and went to the market leaving the frere in the bed with his wife/ And as he wen●e he smiled and laughed to himself. wherefore his neighbours demanded of him why he so smiled/ he answered and said I laugh to think how shamefast the frere shallbe when he waketh, whom I left in bed with my wife.  
¶ By this tale a man may learn that he that overshoteth himself doth foolishly, yet he is more fool to show it openly.   

Sometime there dwelled a priest in Stretforde upon avyne of small learning which undevoutly sang mass, and oftentimes twice on one day/ so it happened on a time after his second mass was done in short space not a mile from Stretforde/ there met with him divers merchant men which would hau● hard mass/ and desired him to sing mass and he should hau● a groat, which answered them and said. Sirs I will say mass no more th●s day/ but I will say you two gospels for one groat, and that is ●ogge cheap ● mass in any place in England.  
¶ By this tale a man may see that they that be rude and unlearned regard but little the merit and goodness of holy prayer.   

〈…〉 the frere 〈◊〉 so drowned and gone, say 〈…〉 heart thou shouldest have tarried and foug●●● 〈…〉 hast caused me lose an halfpenny for my fare.  
¶ By this tale a man may see that 〈…〉 and cruel company, shall lose that 〈…〉 passion upon his neighbour 〈…〉   

A preacher in pulpit which preached the wo●● 〈…〉 matters spoke of men's souls, ●nd said 〈…〉 subtle that a thousand souls might dance. 〈…〉 man's finger. Among which audience there was a 〈…〉 concey●● 〈…〉 of small devotion that answered and said thus. Ma●●ter ●ortour 〈…〉 thousand souls may dance on a man's nail, 〈…〉 we you then ●he● shall the pyper stand.  
¶ By this tale a man may see that it is but folly to show or 〈◊〉 virtue to them that have no pleasure nor mind therto● 〈…〉   

IN London there was a certain artificer having a feyre ●●fe to whom a lusty galant made pursuit to accomplish his pleasure. This woman denying showed the matter unto her husband, which moved there with bad his wife to appoint him a time to come secretly to lie with her all night/ And with great cracks and oaths swore, that against his life except coming he would be ready harnessed & would put him m●a●●pardye of his coming/ he would make him a great amends. This night was them appointed/ at which time this courtier came at his hour & entered in at the chamber, and set his two handesworde down and said these words Stand show there thou sword the death of three men. This husband dying under the bed it hatneys hearing these words lay still for fere. The courtier anon gate him to bed with the wife about this prepensed business. And within an hour 〈◊〉 two the husband being weary of dying began to remove him. The courtier that hearing asked the wife what thing that as that removed unde● the bed, which excusing the matter said it was a●●●tell sheep the 〈◊〉 ●●ont● daily to go about the house. And the husband that hearing a 〈◊〉 ●●●yed ble a● it had been a sheep. And so in conclusion when the courtier 〈◊〉 his tym● he rose and kissed the wife & took his leave and departed. 〈◊〉 soon as h● was gone the husband arose, and when the wife looked on and somewhat ●basshed began to make as●●d countenance and said/ alas sir why did 〈◊〉 〈…〉  
〈…〉 the is not wise that will put his con●●dence 〈…〉 crackers which oft times will do but ly● 〈…〉 point.   

〈…〉 in his shop that saw a colyer come by, 〈…〉 because he was so black/ and asked him what 〈…〉 and how the devil fared. To whom the 〈…〉 when I saw him last/ for he was riding 〈…〉 souter to pluck on his boats.  
〈…〉 may see that he that useth to deride other folks, is sometime 〈◊〉 more deryded and mocked.   

I find 〈◊〉 among old gests how god made saint Peter porter of 〈…〉 that god of his goodness soon after his passion suffered 〈◊〉 men to come to the kingdom of heaven with small deserving, at 〈…〉 time 〈◊〉 was in heaven a great company of welchemen, which with their 〈◊〉 babbling troubled all the other. wherefore god said to saint Peter 〈◊〉 the was weary of them, and that he would fain have them out of heaven To whom saint Peter said, Good lord I warrente you that shallbe shortly done/ wherefore saint Peter went out of heaven gates and cried which a loud voice, cause bob. That is as much to say, as roasted these/ which thing the welchemen hearing ran out of heaven a great pace. And w●an saint Peter saw them all out he suddenly went into heaven and locked the door and so sparred all the welchemen out.  
¶ By this y● may see that it is no wysdo●● or a man to love or to set his mind to much upon any delicate or worldly pleasure whereby he shall lose the celestial and eternal joy.   

Two knights there were which went to a standing field with their prince/ but one of them was confessed before he went/ but the other went into the fell● without shrift or repentance. afterward this prime 〈◊〉 the field ●had the victory that day/ wherefore he that was con●●ssed came ●o the prince and asked an office and said that he had deserved it, ●r he ●ad d●ne good service and adventured that day as ●arre ●s any man in ●e field to whom the other that was unconfessed answer●● and said. Nay the mass I am more worthy to have a reward than he/ for he adventured 〈◊〉 his body for your sake, for he durst not go to th● field till he was confessed/ 〈…〉 he had left few or none behind him/ wherefore 〈…〉 & wist not 〈…〉 said 〈…〉 would/ & the next 〈…〉 that some curates that look full holy 〈◊〉 but 〈…〉.   

A welshman on a time went to church to 〈…〉 to come in 〈◊〉 farryng time when he had 〈…〉 he went home where one of his fellows asked him 〈…〉 alimighty to day which answered & said nay but I 〈…〉  
¶ By this ye may see that they be 〈…〉 devotion to prayer and vertew.   

Upon a time certain women in the country were 〈…〉 and mock a frere a limitour that used moche to 〈…〉 whereupon one of them a lytll before that the frere came 〈…〉 & for dysport laid it under the board after the manner of a corpse 〈…〉 frere it was her good man and dylyrd him to say dirige for his 〈…〉 fore the frere and his fellow began. Placebo and Dirige/ and so 〈…〉 the service full devoutly/ which the wives so hearing could not 〈…〉 themself from laughing/ and went in to a little parlour to lawgh● 〈…〉 at their pleasure. These freris somewhat suspected the cause and 〈…〉 that the women were ware looked/ under the boide and spied that 〈…〉 hog suddenly took it between them and ba●e it homedard as fast as they● 〈…〉 The women seeing that ran after the frere & cried come again maeste● 〈…〉 come again and let it alone/ nay by my faith qoud the frere he is 〈…〉 of ours and therefore he must needs be buried in our cloister an● 〈…〉 the freres gate the hog.  
¶ By this ye may see that they that use to deride and mok other 〈…〉 time it tornyth to their own loss and damage.   

A Certain priest there was that dwelled in the country which was 〈…〉 very well learned Therefore on Ester even he sent his boy to 〈…〉 of the next town that was ii mile from thence to know 〈…〉 he should sing on the morrow. This boy came to the said priest and 〈…〉 may●ers errand to him. Then quoth the priest tell thy master that 〈…〉 〈…〉 should sing on the morrow. By my troth 〈…〉 forgotten it/ but he bade me tell you it began 〈…〉 I trow thou sayest truth for now I remem 〈…〉/ for god almighty died upon good fry/ 〈…〉 soul.  
〈…〉 one fool sendeth another fool on his 〈…〉 is foolishly sped.   

〈…〉 which had studied the judicials of astronomy/ 〈…〉 riding by the way which came by a herdinan and 〈…〉 how far it was to the next town/ sir quod the herd 〈…〉 past a mile and an half but six quoth he ye need to ride 〈…〉 a shower of rain or ye come thither what quoth the scholar/ 〈…〉 herdman but ye shall find it so The skoler then road forth 〈…〉 had riden half a mile further there fell a good shower of 〈…〉 was well washed & wet to the skin the sokler then turned 〈…〉 road to the herdman and desired him to tech him that conn●●●● 〈…〉 the herdman I will not tech you my cunning for nought than 〈…〉 de him. xl. shyllyngys' to teach him that cunning the herd 〈…〉 he had received his money said thus Sir see you not yonder 〈…〉 with the white face yes quoth the skoler. surely quoth the herdman 〈…〉 daunsith and holdeth up her tail ye shall have a shower of rain with 〈…〉 an hour after.  
¶ By this ye may see that the cunning of herdsmen & she pards as touching alterations of weders is more sure than the judicials of Astronomy/   

IN a certain town there was a rich man that lay on his death bed at point of death which charged his executors to deal for his soul a certain some of money in pence and on this condition that gyd them as they would answer afore God that every poor man that came to them and told a true tale should have a penny and they that said a false thing should have none/ and in the dole time there came one which said that god was a good man/ quod the executors thou shalt have a penny for thou sayst crouth. Anon came another and said the devil was a good man quod the executou●● there thou liest therefore thou shalt have near a penny. At last came one to the executors and said thus ye shall give me near a penny which words made the executors amassed and took advysment whither theobald A 〈…〉 how he agreed with his wife, for he said 〈…〉 she could never agree, by god quoth the other 〈…〉 I pray the how so. Marry qd the other I shall tell 〈…〉 merry, & when I am sad she is sad/ for when I go 〈…〉 to go from her and so is she/ & when I 〈…〉   

ON the time of visitation a bishop 〈…〉 and had got many children/ prepared 〈…〉 what rule he kept, which priest had a 〈…〉 and by her had two or three small children in short 〈…〉 shops comining he prepared a room to hide 〈…〉 over in the roof of his hall. And when the bishop 〈…〉 in the same hall having ten of his own children about 〈…〉 could speak little latin or none, had the bishop in 〈…〉 Comode episcope. This woman in roof of the house hear 〈…〉 so, had went he had called her bidding her come Ede, and 〈…〉 and said/ shall I bring my children with me also. The byssh●●● 〈…〉 this said in sport, uxor tua sicut vitis abundans in lateribu● 〈…〉 The priest than half amassed answered and said. filii tui sicut 〈…〉 rum in circuitu mense tue.  
¶ By this ye may see that they that have but small learning sometime speak truly unadvised.   

ON ash wednesday in the morning was a curate of a church which, had made good cheer the night afore & sitten up late/ and came to the church to here confession, to whom there came a woman/ and among other things she confessed her that she had stolen a pot. But than because of great watch that this priest had, he there suddenly fell a sleep. And when this woman saw him not willing to hear her, she rose and went her way. And anon an other woman kneeled down to the same priest and began to say Benedicite/ wherewith this priest suddenly awaked weening she had been the other woman & said all angrily/ what art thou now at Benedicite again, tell me what didst thou when thou hadst stolyn the pot.  
soon after one master whyttington had builded a college on a night as he slept he dreamed that he sat in his church & many folks there also/ And further he dreamed the he saw our lady in the same church with a glass of goodly ointment in her hand going to one asking him what he had done for ●●●●ke, which said that he had said our ladies sauter every day/ wherefore she gave him a little of the oil. And anon she went to another, 〈…〉 college and was very g●a●●e 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉. 〈…〉 him, she asked him what he had suffered for her 〈…〉 greatly abashed because he had nothing to 〈…〉 that for all the great deed of building of 〈…〉 that goodly ointment.  
〈…〉 to suffer for god's sake is more 〈…〉 give great goods.   

〈…〉 appointed to go on visitation to a priests 〈…〉 have the priest do but little cost upon him, 〈…〉 little meat, saying thus in latin. Preparas 〈…〉 priest which understood him not half well had 〈…〉/ wherefore he thought to obtain the bishops 〈…〉 the bishops coming killed his horse that was 〈…〉 the bishop and his servants eat part/ which 〈…〉 knew afterward was greatly displeased.  
〈…〉 this ye may see that many a fool doth moche cost in making 〈…〉 dinners, which hath but little thank for his labour.   

〈…〉 dwelling in England fortuned to steel an Englysshemans' 〈…〉 set it on the fire to seethe/ wherefore this englysheman suspecting 〈…〉 welshman, came to his house & saw the cock seething on the fire and 〈…〉 thus. Sir this is my cock. Marry qd the welshman & 〈…〉 shalt have thy part of it. Nay qd the englyssheman that 〈…〉. By cottes blut and her nail qd the welshman if her be not enough now, her will be enough anon for her hath a good fire under her.   

Certain of vicars of Paul's disposed to be merry on a sunday at high mass time, sent another mad fellow of their acquointaunce unto a foolish drunken priest to give him a bottle/ which man met with the priest upon the top of the stairs by the chancel door and spoke to him and said thus. Sir my master hath sent you a bottle to put your drink in because he can keep none in your brains. This priest therewith being very angry/ all suddenly took the bottle and with his foot flang it down into the body of the church upon the gentlemen's heed.   

A Certain jury in the county of Myddelsex was enpaneld for the king to enquere of all endytementes, murders, and felony●s. The persons of this panel were foolish covetous and unlearned/ for who so ever would give them a groat, they would assyne & verify 〈◊〉 whether it were true or false without any proof or evidence/ wherefore one that was 〈…〉 ●yn as was 〈…〉 which bill when it was presented into the 〈…〉 said openly before all the people. Lo sirs 〈…〉 presented by any inquest/ for here they have 〈…〉 ling of an ass/ which when the people hard it, 〈…〉 & to wonder at the foolishness & shameful periur● 〈…〉  
¶ By this ye may see it is great apparel to 〈…〉 equest which be foolish and have but 〈…〉   

IN a certain parrysshe a frere preached/ & 〈…〉 that road on the sunday, ever looking upon 〈…〉 spurred ready to ride. This man perceyuy● 〈…〉 him suddenly half in anger, answered the frere 〈…〉 moche against them that ride on the sunday/ for 〈…〉 on Palm sunday, as thou knowest well it is written 〈…〉 whom the frere suddenly answered and said thus. But 〈…〉 thereof, was he not hanged on the friday after/ which 〈…〉 in the church fell on laughing.   

THere was a certain man that had two sons 〈…〉 For the eldyst was lusty and quick and used 〈…〉 walk into the fills. Than was the younger slow and 〈…〉 to lie in his bed as long as he might. So on a day the elder 〈…〉 roseerly & walked into the fills, & there by fortune he found a 〈…〉 & 〈◊〉 it home to his father. His father when he had it went 〈…〉 to his 〈◊〉 yet dying then in his bed, & said to him. O thou sloga●● quoth he, sayst thou not thine eldest brother how he by his early rising had found a purse with money, whereby we shall be greatly helped all our life/ while thou slugging in thy bed dost thou no good but sleep. He than wist not what to say, but answered shortly and said/ father quod he if he that hath lost the purse and money had line in his bed that same time that he lost it as I do now, my brother had found no purse nor money to day.  
¶ By this ye may see that they that be accustomed in vice & sin will alway find one excuse or other to cloak therewith their vice and vnthryfty●s.   

A Certain wife there was which was somewhat fair and as all women be that be fair was somewhat proud of her beauty/ and as she and her maid sat together she as one that was desirous to be praised said to her thus. I faith jone how thinkest thou/ am I not a fair wife/ yes by my troth masters qd she, ye be the fairest that ever was except 〈…〉 place, which lord than had 〈…〉 lord than asked this Northern man 〈…〉 scions qd the northern man the I dare, for I 〈…〉 retained him into his service. So after it 〈…〉 go fight with his enemies with whom also 〈…〉 shortly was smitten in the heel with an arrow, 〈…〉 down almost deed, wherefore one of his fellows 〈…〉 all heart and for so little a stroke in the he'll now 〈…〉 he answered and said, by god's sale I as 〈…〉 helies, and all. Therefore ought not one to fear when 〈…〉.   

〈…〉 sown there was a wife somewhat aged that had buried 〈…〉 whose name was called Iohn/ whom she loved so ten/ 〈…〉, that after his death she caused an image of timber 〈…〉 and person as like to him as could be/ which image 〈…〉 her bed, and every night she caused her maid to 〈…〉 and lay it in her bed and called it old Iohn. This 〈…〉 prentice whose name was Iohn/ which Iohn would fain 〈…〉 masters, not for no great pleasure, but only for her good 〈…〉 rich. wherefore he imagined how he might obtain his 〈…〉 speak to the maid of the house and desired her to lay him in his 〈…〉 for one night in stead of the picture/ and promised her a 〈◊〉 re●●rde for her labour. which maid over night wipped the said young man in a sheet and laid him in his masters bed as she was wont to lay the picture. This widow was wont every night before she slept and divers times when she waked to kiss the said picture of old Iohn. wherefore the said night she kissed the said young man, believing that she had kissed the picture. And he suddenly start and took her in his arms, and so well pleased her than/ that old Iohn from thence forth was clean out of her mind, and was content that this young Iohn should lie with her still all that night/ and that the picture of old Iohn should lie still under the bed for a thing of nought. ¶ After this in the morning this widow intending to please this young Iohn which had made her so good pastime all the night, bad her maid go dress some good meet for their breakfast to feast therewith her young Iohn. This maid when she had long sought for wood to dress the said meet, told her master the she could find no wood the was dry except only the picture of old Iohn the lieth under the bed/ 〈…〉 and from thence forth young Iohn occupy 〈…〉   

A Certain merchant & a 〈…〉 at dyner having a hot costard 〈…〉 somewhat homely of manner 〈…〉 in his mouth which was so hot that it 〈…〉 chant looking on him thought that he had 〈…〉 he wept/ this curtear not willing to be 〈…〉 mouth with the hot costard answered & said sir 〈…〉 a brother which did a certain offence wherefore he 〈…〉 think now upon his death it maketh me to weep/ 〈…〉 had said true and anon after the merchant was disposed to 〈…〉 & put a spoonful of it in his mouth & brent his mouth also the 〈…〉 this courtear the ꝑseyving spoke to the merchant & said sir 〈…〉 why do ye weep now. The merchant ꝑseyvid how he had 〈…〉 & said/ Marry quoth he I weep because thou wast not 〈…〉 there was hanged.   

A young man the was desirous to have a wife came to a company 〈…〉 losofers which were gadirid to gider reqrig them to give 〈…〉 on how he might choose him sich a wife the were no shrew. 〈…〉 with great study & delyberacon detmminid & showed this man the thes 〈…〉 points wherbi he should sure know if a woman were a shrew/ The 〈…〉 is that if a woman have a shrid voice it is a great token the she is a shrew 〈…〉 point is the if a womā●aue a sharp nose than most commonly she is a 〈…〉 in point is the never do●hmis the if she were kerchefl ye may be sure she is a shrew.   

A Cunning paint there was dowelling in london which had a fair young wife & for thigl the he had to do went over see but because he was somewhat jealous he prayed his wife to be content the he might paint a lamb upon her belly & prayed her it might remain there till he came home again wherewith she was content aft which lamb so paintid he departed & soon after the a lusti young merchant a bachelor/ came & wo●d his wife & obteinid her favour so that she was content he should lie with her which resortid to her and had his pleasure oftiml & on a time he took a penfeil & to the lamb he paintid ii hornl wening to the wife the he had but refreshid the old pain●tīg than at the last about a year after her husban can home again & the first night he lay with his wife looked upon his wifl belly ● saw the ii horns paintid there he said to his wife that some other body had be be●yther & made a new painting for the picture the he paintid had no horns & this hath horns to whom this wife shortly   

〈…〉 of a. ¶ merry 〈…〉 the sign of 〈…〉 gate next.  
johannes. Rastell  
¶ Cum privilegio, Regali.