¶ Here beginneth the book of the city of Ladies/ the which book is divided in to three parts. The first part telleth how and by whom the wall and the cloister about the city was made. The second part telleth how and by whom the city was builded within and peopled. The third part telleth how and by whom the high battylmentes of the towers were perfectly made/ and what noble ladies were ordained to devil in the high places and high dungeons. And the first chapter telleth how and by whom and by what moving the said city was made.  
  


  

¶ Here beginneth the table of the first part of this present book.  

¶ The, first chapter telleth how and by whom the city of Ladies was first begun to build. Capitulo. Primo.  
¶ Xpine telleth how three ladies appeared to her/ & how she that went before reasoned with her ●yrste and comforted her of the displeasure that she had Capitulo. Secundo.  
¶ Xpine saith how that the lady that reasoned with her devised what was her propriety & where of she served/ and told her how she should build a city with the help of these three ladies. Ca iij.  
¶ Xpine telleth how the lady devised to her the city that was committed to her to make and that she was stabled to help her to begin the walls and the cloister about/ and after told her her name. Capitulo four  
¶ Xpine telleth how the second lady told her her name/ and whereof she served/ & how she should help her to make the masonry of the city of Ladies. Ca v.  
¶ Also Xpine telleth how the third lady told her what she was and wherefore she served/ and how she would help her to make the high bataylmentes of the towers of her city and to people it with noble ladies. Ca vj.  
¶ Also Xpine telleth how she spoke to the three ladies. Ca seven.  
¶ Here Xpine telleth how by the commandment of dame Reason she began to dig the earth to make the fundament. Ca viij.  
¶ Here Xpine telleth how she digged in the earth which is to understand the questions that she made to Reason/ and how reason answered her Capitulo ix  
¶ Also of the same altrycations and answers. Capitulo ten  
¶ Xpyne demandeth of Reason wherefore it is that women sitteth not in the siege of pleading Capitulo xj  
¶ Also it speaketh of the Empress Nychole/ and after of divers noble queens and princesses of France. Ca xij.  
¶ Of the queen of France which was named Fredegonde. Ca xiij.  
¶ Of altercations and arguments of Xp̄ine to dame Reason. Ca xiv.  
¶ Of the queen Sem●ramys. Ca xv.  
¶ Of the Amozones. Ca xuj.  
¶ Of the queen of Amozonye Thamaris. Ca xvij.  
¶ How the strong Hercules & Theseus went upon the Amozones and how the two ladies Me nalope and Ipolyte had almo●st overcome them Capitulo xviij  
¶ Of the queen Pantassylea how she went to the socours of Troy. Ca xix.  
¶ Of Cenobye queen of Palmurenes. Ca xx.  
¶ Of lily mother of that good knight Thyerrys. Capitulo xxi  
¶ Of the queen of France Fredegonde. Ca xxij.  
¶ Of the maid Camylle. Ca twenty-three.  
¶ Of the queen Ueronycle of Capadoce. Ca xxiv.  
¶ Also of the noble Archemyse queen of Carry. Capitulo xxv  
¶ Of the hardiness of Cleolis. Ca xxuj.  
¶ Xpine demandeth of Reason if ever god list to make a woman so noble to have any understanding of the highness of science. Ca xxvij.  
¶ Of the women that were enlumyned of great sciences and first of the noble maid Corny●ye. Capitulo xxviij  
¶ Of Probe the Roman. Ca xxix.  
¶ Of Sappho poet and phylosophre. Ca thirty.  
¶ Of the maid Manthoa. Ca xxxi.  
¶ Of Medea and another queen named Cyrtes Capitulo xxxij  
¶ Xpine asketh of Reason if there was ever woman that found any thing of herself that was not known before/ and she told her of Nycostrate otherwise called Carmentis. Ca xxxiij.  
¶ Of Mynerue that found many sciences/ and the manner to make Armour of Iron and steel. Capitulo xxxiiij  
¶ Of the right noble queen Seres. Ca xxxv.  
¶ Of the noble queen Ises that found first the craft to make Orchard and to plant plants. Capitulo xxxuj  
¶ Of the great wealth that is come to the world by divers ladies. Ca xxxvij.  
¶ Of the same. Capitulo xxxviij  
¶ Of the maiden Arenye that found the craft to shear sheep/ to dress the wols/ and to make cloth. Ca xxxix.  
¶ Of Pamphyle that found the craft to draw silk of the worms. Ca xl.  
¶ Of Thamar that was a sovereign mistress in the craft of painting/ and of another named Irayne. Ca xlj.  
¶ Also it speak of Semproyne. Ca xlij.  
¶ Also Xpine asketh of Reason if natural prudence be in woman. Ca xliij.  
¶ Also it speaketh of Gay Cyryle. Ca xlv.  
¶ Also it speaketh of the advise of Dydo queen of Cartage. Ca xluj.  
¶ Also it speaketh of Opys. Ca xlvij.  
¶ Also of Lauy●e daughter of the king Latyn.   
¶ Thus endeth the table.   

¶ Here after followeth the Prologue of the printer.  

THe kindly intent/ of every gentleman  
Is the furtherance/ of all gentleness.  
And to procure/ in all that ever he can.  
For to renew/ all noble worthiness.  
This daily is seen/ at our eye express.  
Of noble men/ that do indite and read.  
In books old/ their worthy minds to feed.   

¶ So now of late/ came in my custody.  
This foresaid book/ by Bryan Anslay.  
yeoman of the seller/ with the eight king Henry  
Of gentle women/ the excellence to say  
The which I liked/ but yet I made delay  
It to impress/ for that it is the guise.  
Of people lewd/ their prowess to despise.   

¶ But then I showed/ the foresaid book  
Unto my lord/ the gentle Earl of kent  
And him required/ thereon to look.  
With his counsel/ to put it in to prente  
And he forthwith/ as ever diligent  
Of ladies (abroad) to spread their royal fame.  
Exhorted me/ to print it in his name.   

¶ And I obeying gladly his instance  
Have done my devoir/ of it to make an end  
praying his lordship/ with others that shall chance.  
On it to read/ the faults for to amend.  
If any be/ for I do ●ayne intend.  
Gladly to please. and wilfully remit  
This order rude/ to them that have fress he wythe.   
¶ Thus endeth the prologue.   

  

¶ Here beginneth the first chapter which telleth how & by whom the city of Ladies was first begun to build. Capitulo. Primo.  
AFter the manner that I have moche in usage/ and to that thing which the exercise of my life is most dies posed/ that is to know in the haun ting of study. On a day as I was sitting in my little cell divers books of divers matters about me. Mine intent was at that time to travail and to gather in to my conceit the wayenge of divers sentences of divers auctors by my long time before studied. I dressed my visage toward those foresaid books/ thinking as for the time to leave in peace subtle things/ & to disport me for to look upon some pleasant book of the writing of some poets/ & as I was in this intent I searched about me after some praty book/ & of adventure came a strange book in to my hands that was taken to me to keep/ I opened this book and I saw by the intitulation that it called him Matheolus. Then in laughing because I had not seen him/ and often times I had herd speak of him that he should not speak well of the reverence of women. I thought that in manner of solace I would visit him. And yet I had not looked long on him but that my good mother that bore me called me to the refection of souper whereof the hour was come purposing to see him in the morning/ I left him at that time/ & in the morrow following I sat me again to my study as I died of custom I forgot it not in put my will to effect that came to me the night before to visit the foresaid book of Matheolus. And then I began to read & to proceed in him. But as me seemed the matter was not right pleasant to people that delighted them not in evil saying/ nor it was of no profit to any edifying of virtue/ saying the words & the matters dishonest of which it touched visiting here & there/ & so came to the end I left him & took heed of more higher matters & of more profit/ yet the sight of this foresaid book how be it that he was of none authority it engendered in me a new thought/ which made great marvel to grow in my courage/ & thinking what might be the cause and whereof it might come that so many divers men clerks and others have been and been inclined to say by mouth/ & in their treatise and writings so many slaundres and blames of women and of their conditions & not only one or twain nor this Matheolus/ which among others hath no manner of reputation and treateth in manner of scorn/ but generally in all treatises of phylosphres/ poetes/ and all rethorycyens/ which should be long to rehearse all their names/ speaketh as it were by one mouth and accordeth all in semble conclusion determining that the conditions of women been fully inclined to all vices. These things thinking in me right deeply/ I began to examine myself and my conditions as a woman natural. And in like wise I dyscuted of other women/ whose company I haunted/ as well of princesses and of great ladies as of mean gentle women right great plenty/ which of their graces have told me their pryvytees and straight thoughts to know by my judgement in conscience and with out favour if it it might be true that so many notable men of one and other witnesseth/ yet not withstanding that for things that I might know as long as I have sought and searched I could not perceive that such judgements might be true against the natural conditions or manners of women. I argued strongly against these women saying that it should be to great a thing that so many famous men/ so solemn clerks of so high and great understanding/ so clearly saying in all things as it seemed that should have spoken or written lyengly/ and in so many places that of pain I found any moral volume what so ever that author were that or I had red it to the end but some chapters or certain clauses were of blaming of them. This only short reason made me to conclude that mine understanding/ for his simpleness & ignorance ne could not know my great defaults and semblably of other women that alway it accorded that it was so truly/ and so I reported me more to the judgement of other then to that I felt or know of myself. Thus in this thought was I as a person half from himself/ & there came before me right great foison of dyttyes & proverbs of many divers auctors to the purpose that I remembered in myself one after another/ as it were a well springing. And in conclusion of all I determined that god made a foul thing when he formed woman in meruaylling how so worshipful a work man deigned ever to make one so abominable work which is the vessel as by saying of them & the draft & herbegage of all evil & of all vices Than I being in this thought there sprang in me a great dyspleasannce & sorrow of courage in dispraising myself & all womankind so as if that should be showed in nature/ & I said such words in my'complayntes. Ha' lord god how may that be/ for if I are not in the faith I aught not doubt that thine infinite wisdom & very perfit goodness had nothing made but that all were good/ & fourmest not the thyself woman right singularly & then y● gave her all such inclinations that pleased the that she should have & how may that be that thou should have failed in any thing/ & always see here so many great occasions thus judged determined & concluded against them I can not understand this repugnance/ & if it be so good lord god that it be true that womankind aboundeth in so many abhomy nations as many men witnesseth/ & thou sayest thyself that the witness of many is for'to believe/ by the which I aught not doubt but that it should be true. Alas good lord why hadst thou not made me to be borne in to this world in the mascu line kind/ to that intent that mine inclinations might have been all to have served the the better & that I should not have arred in any thing & might have been of so great perfection as they say that men be/ yet sith it is so that thy debonayrnesse stretch th' not so much toward me/ then spare my negly gence in thy service good lord god/ & be not disposed. For that servant that receiveth least rewards of his lord/ least is bound to his service. Such words & more enough I said right long in my sorrowful thought to god and in my lamentation so as she that by my folly held me right evil content of that that god made me to be borne in to this world in kind of woman.   

¶ Xpine telleth how iii ladies appeared to her/ & how she that went before reasoned with her first and comforted her of the displeasure that she had Capitulo. Secundo.  
AS I was in this sorrowful thought the heed down cast as a shameful person/ the eyes full of tears holding mine hand under my cheek/ lening on the pommel of my chair suddenly I saw come down upon my lap a stremynge of light as it were of the same. And I that was in a dark place i which the son might not shine at the hour start then as though I had been waked of a dream/ and dressing the heed to behold this light fro whence it might come I saw before me standing three ladies crowned of right sovereign reverence. Of the which the shining of their clear faces gave light unto me and to all the place/ there as I was meruaylling neither man nor woman with me considering the door close upon me/ and they thither came doubting least it had been some fantasy for to have tempted me made the sign of the cross in my forehead full of dread. And then she which was the first of the three in laughing began thus to reason with me Dear daughter dread the naught/ for we be not come hither for nothing that is contrary unto thee/ nor to do the to be encumbered/ but for to comfort the as those that have pity of thy trouble/ and to put the out of the ignorance that so moche blindeth thine understanding/ and that thou puttest fro the that thou knowest of very certain s●yence/ to give faith to the contrary to that which thou feelest not/ ne seest not/ ne knowest otherwise than by plurality of strange opinions. Thou resemblest the fool of the which was made a jape which was sleeping in the mylle and whas clothed in the clothing of a woman/ and to make resemblance those that mocked him witnessed that he was a woman/ & so he believed more their false sayings than the certainty of his being. How is it fair daughter/ & where is thy wit become Hast thou forgotten now how the fine gold proveth him in the fornayse that he changeth not his virtue but is more pliant to be brought in to divers fations. And knowest thou not that the most marvelous things be most debatous & most arguous if thou wilt advise thee/ In the same wise to the most high things that ben that is to know the celestial things. Behold if these great philosophers that hath been that thou arguest against thine own kind have determined false and to the contrary of truth/ and as they repugn one against another as thou thyself hast seen in the book of Metaphisike where as Arystotle reproveth their opinions/ and rehearseth the same wise of Plato and of others/ & note this again. If saint Austyne and other doctors of the church have done so/ the same wise Arystotle in some parties all be it that he be called the prince of philosophers and in whom philosophy natural and moral was soveraynely. And it seemeth that trowest that all the words of Phylosophres been articles of the faith of Ihesu christ/ and that they may not are. And as to these poets of which thou speakest knowest not thou well that they have spoken in many things in manner of fables. And do intend so moche to the contrary of that that their sayings showeth. And it may be taken after the rule of grammere the which is named Antyphrasys/ the which intendeth thus as thou knowest well/ ' as one should say sith one is a shrew/ that is to say that he is good/ and so by the contrary. So I counsel the that thou do thy profit of their sayings & thou understand it so what so ever be their intent in such places where as they blame women. And peradventure this same man that is Matheolus in his book understood the same. For there be many things who so taketh them after the letter it should be pure heresy/ and shame to him that saith it/ & not only to him but to others. And the same wise of the romance of the rose on whom is put great faith because of the authority of the maker of the order of marriage which is an holy estate & worshipful & ordained of god. This thing proveth clearly by experience that the contrary is true of the shrewdenesse that they purpose and sith to be in that estate/ to the great charge and blame of women. For who was ever that husband that ever suffered such mastery of his wife that she should have leave to say so many vylanyes and injures as they put upon women that they should say/ I believe what so ever thou hast seen in writing thou sawest it never at the eye. So they be pure losings right shrewdly coloured. Thus I say in concluding my lief friend that folly caused the this present opinion. Now come again to thyself & take thy wit & trouble the no more for such fantasies. For know well that all this evil sayings generally of women hurteth the sayers & not the women.   

¶ Xpine saith how that the lady that reasoned with her devised what was her propriety & where of she served/ and told her how she should build a city with the help of these three ladies. Ca iij.  
THis famous lady saying these words to me with the presence of whom I can not say which of my wits was most undertaken in mine hearing/ in herkening of her worthy words where that my sight was in beholding her great beauty/ her attire/ her reverent port/ & her right worshipful countenance/ & the same wise of the others/ and wist not which of them to behold/ for so much these three ladies resembled either other/ that of pain I might know that one from that other/ but that I should have been deceived. And she of the less authority than that other had her cheer so fierce that whom her eyen beheld was not so hardy/ but that he should be undertaken with great dread. For it seemed that she manased the evil doers. So I was before them standing up from my siege for their reverence beholding them without feigning of any word/ as that person that was so overtaken that could not sown a word. And I had great marvel in my heart thinking who they might be and right gladly if I had durst I would have asked their names and their being/ and what was the signifying of the different septres that each of them held in their right hands which were of right great richesse and wherefore they were come thither/ yet when I had thought me not worthy to reason with them in such demands so high ladies as they appeared unto me I durst in no manner but continued my sight upon them half afeard/ & half assured by the words that I had heard them say/ which hath cast me out of my first thought/ yet that right wise lady that had reasoned with me which knew my thought in spirit as she that hath sight in all things answered to my thought saying thus. Dear daughter know ye that the providence of god that nothing leaveth vain ne cometh not us to estable though that we know celestial things to be & to haunt among the people of this base world to the intent to put in order & to hold in equity the stablementes made by ourself after the will of god in divers offices/ to the which god we three been daughters and of him borne. So it is mine office to redress men and women when they are out of the way to put them again in the right way. And I come to them privily in spirit all covertly/ and I preach them & teach them in showing their error/ and that in which they fail I assign them the causes/ & after I teach them the manner to follow that that is to do/ and how they should flee that that is to be left. And for that I serve to show clearly and make to see in conscience their deeds to every man and woman/ and their proper tatches and defaults/ thou feast me hold in stead of a sceptre this bright glass or mirror that I bear in my right hand know this for truth that there is no person that looketh in this mirror but he may know every creature what he is clearly. O my mirror it is of so great dignity that it is not without great cause that he is so environed of so rich precious stones as thou seest it. For by him these beynges' qualities proportion/ & measures of all things been know ne/ ne without him may nothing be well made nor done/ & for that that thou desirest to know also the offices of mine other two sisters that thou seest here/ to that intent that the witnessing of us may be to the more certain each of them in their own person shall answer of their name and of their propryetes/ yet the cause and the moving of our coming shall be declared by me right here/ I make the to understand that as there shall be done nothing without good cause/ our apperynge is nothing here in vain. For though that we be not commonly in many places and that the knowledge of us cometh not unto all people.  
Nevertheless for the great love the which thou haste for to inquire after things by very long and continual study/ by the which thou dost yield thyself here solitary/ and thou withdrawest the out of the world/ thou haste deserved and thou deservest to be visited and to be comforted of us in thy trouble & sorrow as right a dear friend/ & that thou be made clearly saying those things that defoul & trouble thy courage in the darkness of thought. Also there is a greater cause of our coming and a more special that thou shalt know by our revelation/ so understand to that intent that this error might be destroyed we would that these ladies and all worshipful women might have from hens forth some manner of place to come to or a cloister of defence against all those that would assail them. For the default of which all these foresaid ladies and famous women have long time be left unclosed as a field without hedge without finding of any champion that for their defence might compare sufficiently. Notwithstanding these noble men that by ordinance of right aught to defend them/ which by negligence and no force hath suffered them to be defouled/ by the which it is no marvel though their envious enemies & the outrage of villains assailed them by divers crafts and have had the victory against them in their war for default of defence where is that city so strong that might not soon be taken if there be not found resistance. ¶ Nor so unjust a cause but it might be gotten by continuance of him that pleadeth without party/ right so these simple & debonair ladies to the ensample of patience which god commandeth hath suffered friendly these great injuries that so moche by the mouth of so many & their hands writing have suffered so moche wrong thus they report them to god of their good right/ yet now it is time that their just cause be put out of the hands of Pharaoh. And therefore between us three ladies that thou seest here moved by pity/ we be come to tell the of a certain building made in the manner of a cloister of a city strongly wrought by masons hands & well builded/ which is predestinate to the for to make and to stable it by our help and counsel/ in the which shall none inhabit but only ladies of good fame/ and women worthy of praisings. For to them where virtue shall not be found/ the walls of our city shall be strongly shit.   

¶ Xpine telleth how the lady devyfed to her the city that was committed to her to make and that she was stabled to help her to begin the walls and the cloister about/ and after told her her name. Capitulo four  
THus fair daughter that prerogative is given to the among all other women to make and fortify the city of ladies for the which thou shalt take upon the to make the fundament and perfectly conclude him. And thou shalt receive of us three/ wine and water as of a clear well. And we shall deliver to the matter enough more stronger & more durable than any marbre / and as for Cement there shall be no better than thou shalt have. So shall thy city be right fair without peer and of perpetual during to the world. ¶ Haste thou not red that the king Troy's founded the great city of Troy by the help of Appolo/ minerve/ and Neptune/ which the people at that time trowed them as gods. And also how Cadmus founded the city of Thebes by the ministration of gods. And for all that those cities by space of time were overthrown and been turned in to ruin. But I prophecy to the as verray Sybylle that never this city which thou shalt found shall be brought to naught/ ne shall not fall but always endure in prosperity maulgre all his envious enemies/ though that he be fought withal by many divers assaults/ so she shall never be taken ne overcome. ¶ Sometime the royalme of Amosonye was begun by the ordinance & enterprise of divers women of great courage which despised bondage so as the histories beareth witness. And long time by them it was maintained under sygnyouryes of divers queens right noble ladies the which they chose themself & governed right fair and well/ and by great strength maintained the lordship/ and nevertheless though they were of great might & puissance & that in the time of their domination conquered great part of the orient & all the lands nigh them put them in dread/ & in the same wise the country of Grece doubted them which that time was the four of all countries of the world/ and not for that within process of time the puissance of the royalme by the same manner as it is of all other worldly lordships there is not by den in this time as now but only the same. But this city shall be of moche more stronger building that thou hast to make/ for the which to begin I am committed by the delyberation among us all three ladies together to deliver the mortar durable and without corruption to make the stron foundementes and the great walls all about. And to lift up the high large and great towers and strong castles/ dyked/ bastyled/ and barred as much as it pertaineth to a city of great defence/ and by our devise thou shalt set it in great depnesse to endure the longer/ and after thou shalt lift up the walls so high that all the world shall dread them. Daughter thus I have now told the the causes of our coming to the intent that thou take the more credence to my saying. Now I will that thou learn my name by the sown of that which only thou shalt know that thou hast in me if y● wilt follow mine ordinances a mynystresse in thy need to do it thou might not yestereven. I am named dame Reason/ now advise thee than if thou be in good conduit/ so I say no more to the at this time   

¶ Here Xpine telleth how the second lady told her her name/ and whereof she served/ and how she should help her to make the masonry of the city of Ladies. Ca v.  
When the lady above said had achieved her word or that I had laysoure to answer. The second lady began to answer in this manner I am called rightwiseness which hath my dwelling more in heaven than in earth. But as a son beam/ & a lightning or a shining or god & messangere of his goodness/ I haunt among the just persons and counsel them to do all thing well and to yield to every man that that is his/ and after to say and sustain truth to bere the right of the poor people and Innocentes/ to grieve others by usurpation/ & sustain the renown of them that been accused without cause. I am the shield and defence of the servants of god/ I call on the punition of evil folks/ I make to give and allow to the travayllers/ and I reward the good doers/ and god maketh open his secrets by me to his friends. I am their advocate in heaven. This shining line that thou seest me hold in stead of a sceptre in my right hand is the right rule that departeth the right from the wrong/ and it showeth the difference between good & evil/ who so followeth it shall not go out of the way. This is the staff of peace that reconsyleth the good. And where upon they lean them/ he smiteth and beateth the evil doers/ what should I more say to the. By this line all things are limited and the dignities of him been infinite. So understand that he shall serve the well/ and thou shalt have need of him to measure the building of the city that is committed to the to make/ & of the said city to make the stone work and to make within the high towers and the high palacs to compass the housing and all the mansions/ the streets and places/ and all things covenables to help thee/ and to put sufficient people within the foresaid city/ thus am I come in thine help with my sister Reason/ and this noble lady which thou seest here. Boholde this is mine office. Now dysmaye thou not of the great largeness and long cyrcuyte of the closing of the wall. For by the help of god and of us thou shalt build it and people it right well and fair without leaving of any void thing with fair mansions and strong herbegages   

¶ Here Xpine telleth how the third lady told her what she was and wherefore she served/ and how she would help her to make the high bataylmentes of the towers of her city and to people it with noble ladies. Ca vi.  
AFter this spoke the third lady which said right thus. Xpine right dear friend. I am justice the singular daughter of god/ and my being proceedeth purely of his proper person. My dwelling is in heaven/ in earth/ and in hell. In heaven for the glory of saints and of blessed souls/ In earth for to depart & give every man his portion other of good or of evil as he hath deserved. In hell for the punition of evil people I bow not to no part. For there is no friend/ no fere of great will/ pity/ nor prayer/ threatening nor cruelty that moveth me. Mine office is only for to judge/ depart/ & to make the payment after every man's rightful deserving. I sustain all things in estate/ and without me there may no thing be stablished/ I am in god/ and god is in me/ & we be as one self thing. He that followeth me may not fail. And my way is sure. I teach to every man & woman wholesome understanding if he believe me/ & I teach him to chastise/ to know/ & to reprove himself/ first to do to another that that he would should be done to him/ to depart things without favour to say truth/ to i'll & hate losings/ and to put away all vicious things. This vessel of fine gold that thou seest in my right hand made after the guise of a round measure/ god my father gave it me/ & it serveth to measure to every man his livery of such merit as he aught to have. It is marked with the floure deluce of the trinity/ and he yielded him just to portions there may no man complain of my measure. But these men of the world have other measures which they say dependeth and come th' of mine. But falsely they measure often times under shadow of me/ and there their measure is not alway just/ other it is to large to some▪ or to little to some others. I might hold long tale enough of the proprieties of mine office. But shortly for to say I am an especial among other virtues/ for all they refer them to me. And among us three ladies that thou seest here we be as one self thing/ and we may none of us do without other. And that the first disposeth/ the second ordaineth and putteth it to work. And then I that am the third performeth it and bringeth it to end. Thus am I stabled to help the by the will of us three perfitly to make thy city. And mine office shall be to make the high roffes of thy towers of the mansions and of the herbegages which shall be of fine gold shining bright. And I shall people it of right worthy ladies/ & they shall be such that shall have the prerogative and the honour among these other women as the most excellences. And there I shall yield the by thine own help perfit fortefyenge and closing of strong gates the which I shall go seek in heaven and I shall deliver unto the the keys with mine own hands.   

¶ Here Xpine telleth how she spoke to to the three ladies. Ca seven.  
THese words abovesaid ended which I had hearkened by great intent of these three ladies which had drawn fro me entirely the displeasance that I had before their coming Suddenly I fell down at their feet not only on knees but all flat for their great excellence/ kissing the earth about their feet worshipping them as goddesses. I began myneoryson of praising of them in this wise. O lady of sovereign dignity/ Lanternesse of heaven giving light to all the earth/ wells of paradise/ & the joy of them that been blessed/ whereof is come to your highness such humility that ye have vouched safe to come from your high syeges and shining trones in to the troubled tabernacle & dark of a simple and an ignorant study/ which may not yield covenable thankings to such a benefice/ & which have by the rain of the dew of your sweet words fallen upon me departed & tempered the dryness of mine understanding/ so that it feeleth him now ready to burgyn & put out new plants/ disposed to bear fruit of profitable virtue and delectable smelling/ how shall it be done in me such grace that I shall receive the gift after your word to make & fortify now right in this world such a new city. I am not saint Thomas the apostle that made by divine grace in heaven a rich palace to the king of ynde? Nor my feeble wit can not/ ne knoweth not the craft ne measures/ ne the study nor the pratyke of building/ and if these things by possibility of cunning were now in mine understanding/ where should be taken sufficient strength in my f●ble woman's body to put so great a thing to work/ yet nevertheless my right redoubted ladies how be it that the meruaylling of these new tidings be strange to me I know well that there is nothing impossible as to god and I aught not doubt that what things that ever be taken on hand by the counsel and help of you three/ but that they be well and fair ended. Thus worshipped be god with all my power and you my ladies that so moche have worshipped me that I am sta bled to so noble a commission the which I receive with great gladness. And see here your chamberere ready to obey. Now command after your pleasure.   

¶ Here Xpine telleth how by the commandment of dame Reason she began to dig the earth to make the fundament. Ca viij.  
REason the noble lady then answered & said. Now rise daughter without more abiding/ go we in to the field of scriptures/ there shall be loun dead the city of Ladies in a plain country and fruitful/ there where all fruits & sweet waters been found/ and where the ground aboundeth of all good things. Take the pie coys of thine understanding and dig strong lie/ & make a great dyke about where thou seest the trace of my line. And I shall help the to bear out the earth upon mine own shoulders. And then for to obey to their commandment I dressed me lightly feeling myself by the virtue of them more strong and more light than I was before. So she went before and I after/ and we came in to the foresaid field/ I began to dyke and dig after her sign with the picoys of inquisition/ and my first work was done in this wise. ¶ Madame me thinketh well that ye have said to me before applying to the purpose of that/ that many men have so much blamed and blameth generally the conditions of women/ that the gold the more it is in the fornayce the more it fyneth him/ which is to understand/ that the more they be blamed wrongfully the more increaseth their merit of their praising/ yet I pray you tell me wherefore it is and whence cometh the cause that so many divers auctors have spoken against them in their books sith that I feel now that it is of wrong/ whether that nature incline them/ or if they do it for hate/ and whence riseth the cause. Than she answered thus. Daughter for to give the way to go in more deeper I shall here out this first to be borne out. ¶ Know that it cometh not of nature/ but it is all the contrary. For there is in the world no man so great/ ne so strong as he is of the great love that nature by the will of god putteth between man and woman. But the causes been divers & indifferent that hath moved & moveth many divers men to blame women/ and the same wise the auctors in their books as that thou hast found ¶ For some have done it in god intent/ that is to know/ for to draw again these men that be out of the way/ by the haunting of divers woe men that been vicious and light/ whereof they be assotted/ other to keep them that they be not assotted & to the intent that every man should i'll the life that is lecherous & foul/ they have blamed all women generally for their trowing to do of all abhomy nations. Madame said I then pardon me if I yield you here your word/ then have they done well sith the good intent hath moved them. For it is said that the intent judgeth the man. Fair daughter that is evil taken said she. For ignorance maketh not one to excuse him if he siewe a man in good intent/ & by his foolish trowing then should it be well done/ yet what so ever they be as in that they have used of evil right. For why to do grievance & prejudice to one party to trow to succour another it is no right/ and to blame all the conditions of women to the contrary of truth so as I shall show that by experience. Notwithstan ding they should do it in the intent to withdraw these fools from folly/ & also that if I blame the fire which is right a good element & right necessary because that some men were brent therein. And all so the water for that some men been drowned in it/ & the same wise if one should say of all good things which a man may use both well & evil no man ought to blame them though these fools abuse them. And these points yn haste touched thyself in thy sayings/ yet they that so hath spoken abundantly what so ever was their intent they have taken their purpose upon the large only to come to their intent/ so as he doth that maketh him to cut a long and a large gown of a piece of cloth that cost him naught/ and no man saith the contrary so he taketh and granteth the right of another to his usage/ yet as thou haste said other times enough. If thou should have sought the ways to withdraw these men from folly and to keep them that they labour not in vain to blame the life and the conditions of them the which showeth them vicious and light/ as there is nothing in the world that maketh one more to i'll to say the right truth/ as doth a shrewd woman/ light and cursed as it showeth which is a thing counterfeit & out of her proper condition natural which aught to be simple/ privy/ and honest I consent well that they should have builded so veraynely a good and fair work/ but to blame all where there been so many right excellent I y● that it came never of me but that they failed and fail greatly/ and all they that followeth them So cast out these foul stones ragged and black out of thy work for they shall never serve ne shall not be put i good building of thy city. ¶ Other men have blamed women for other causes/ for to some it is come of their own vices and some be moved for the default of their own ladies others for pure envy/ some others for delectation that of their proper condition hath to say shrewdly Other for to show that they have seen enough of scripture/ and so they grounded them on that that they have found in books & speaketh after those others and allege them for auctors. Those the which it is come of their proper vices been men that have used their youth in the dissolute life & habounded them in many divers loves of divers women. Thus they are borne up by divers causes which taketh no heed of themself & waxeth old in their sins without repentance/ yet take they sorrow to their passed follies & dissolute life that they have led in their tyme. For nature is waxed cold in them which suffereth them not to put their courage to effect after their will that the appetite would without puissance. So they have sorrow when they see that the life that they were wont to call their good time is failed from them & that the young men that been now have the time as they were wont to have. Thus they know not how to put away their sorrow but to blame women by their trowing to do dies pleasance to others. And one saith commonly such old men speak foul and dishonestly so as thou mayst see them/ and properly of Matheolus which confesseth himself that he was old full of will and no power/ & thou mayst prove it true by him that I have said to the. And believe it stably that it is in the same wise of others/ but these old men thus defouled which be as the life of a mesel that may not be heeled of the good ancient men that I have made perfit in virtue in the mouth of whom after their courage all the words been of good ensampre/ honest/ and discrete and which hateth all evil doing & evil saying. And they defame not ne blame nother men ne women/ but hateth all vices in general counseling to i'll them and follow the right way. Those that have been moved by default of their own body been some impotent and dyfformed of their membres that have sharp and malicious understanding. And the sorrow of their impotency can none otherwise avenge them/ but to blame them of whom cometh joy to many by trowing to turn away the pleasance of others when they may not use it in their own person.  
¶ Those that have blamed them by envy been some mischievous men that have seen and known divers women of greater understanding & more noble of condition than they be that blameth them And therefore their great enyvye hath moved them to blame all women/ trowing to withdraw & to make less their worship & praising/ All this that he hath done I wot not what man in his saying that he claimeth title of philosophy in which he travaileth him moche to prove how it pertaineth not that every woman be worshipped moche by man/ and saith that they that maketh so moche of them changeth wrongfully the name of his book/ that is to say of philosophy maketh phylosopholy. But I promise the & affirm that he himself by the bringing forth of that process full of losings that he holdeth maketh a right phylosopholy. Those that of nature are evil sayers/ it is no marvel when they blame every man thought they say evil of women/ & always this I promise the that a man that saith evil wilfully of women it cometh of right great age of courage. For he doth against reason & against kind Against reason in so much that he is right unkind & evil knowing of teh great benefeytes that women hath done to him/ so great that he may not yield them again/ & by so often times & continually that she doth to him of necessity against kind in that that there is no doom be'st ne bird but naturally it loveth dearly their father and mother. So it is a thing out of kind when a reasonable man doth the contrary.  
¶ And so as there is so worthy a work all be it that it be made by a good master but some notwithstanding that they can but little they will counterfeit. There been many that meddle them of enditing/ and they seem that they may not do amiss sith that others have said in their books that that they would say and as that men saith I know some of them that will entremete and meddle for to speak in making of dyttyes of fresh water without salt.  
¶ Such been their writings and their ballads without understanding or feeling/ and speaking of the conditions of women/ or of lords/ or of other peole/ & they can not know themself nor advise their caytyvous inclinations and defaults/ & the simple people which been ignorant as they say that it is the best done thing in the world.   

¶ Here Xpine telleth how she digged in the earth which is to understand the questions that she made to Reason/ any how reason answered her. Capitulo ix  
Now I have arrayed & ordained great work/ so think thou to dig in the earth after the pourtrayenge of my sign. And then to obey her commandment I smote with all my might in this manner. Madame whence came it to Ovid that is of reputation among poets as one of the most sovereign/ notwithstanding that divers clerks say/ and my judgement accordeth to the same always under your correction that Vyrgyle was more to praise & his writings of more spedefulnesse than his which blamed women so much in many of his dyttyes as in the book that he made which is called the craft of love/ & also in other of his volumes.  
¶ Answer. ovid was a subtle man in the craft and science of poetry and had great understanding/ all be it he let his body slip in to all vanity & delight of flesh, not only in one love/ but abandoned himself to all women so as he might. Nor he kept not measure nor truth to no woman/ but haunted this life in his youth as long as he might/ for the which at the last he had the reward and payment that unto such a case pertaineth. That is to know/ slander/ loss of goods and membres/ wherefore in for his great voluptuousness as well in deed as in word counsaylling the young folk to lead the same life he was sent in to exile. Also as it happened after that by favour of some young puissant Romans he was called again fro exile. And he kept him not after from falling again in his evil doing/ whereof he was somewhat punished before. And then he was chafed and dissevered from his membres by his own desert. Thus it is to the purpose that I said to the above. For when he saw that he might not lead the life in the which he was wont to delight him so moche. Then he took on him strongly to blame women by his subtle reasons/ and by that enforced him to dispraise them to others.  
¶ Madame ye say well. But I have seen a book of another auctore Italyen. I suppose of the contrary or of the marches of Costane which calleth him Cecodastoly that saith in a chapter marvelous abominations more than any other such as be not to rehearse of no person that hath understanding.  
¶ Answer. Though Cecodastoly say evil of all women/ Daughter marvel the not for he had all women in hate & displeasance and the same wise by his horrible shrewdenesse he would make them to displease & to be hated of all men. So he was allowed after his merit/ for by the deserving of his cursed vice he was brent in the fire right dishonestly. ¶ Another little book in latin I saw also madame/ that nameth him the secret of women which speaketh of the making of their bodies natural many great defaults ¶ Answer. Thou mayst know by thyself with out any other prove/ that that book was made at volentees & faintly coloured as thou hast red which is an open thing to the that it is drawn all of losings/ & though that some men say that it was arystotyll/ that is not to believe that such a phylo sophre was so charged with so false tales. For by that/ that these women may clearly prove & know that some things that he toucheth be not true/ but very fables/ thus they may conclude that these matters that he treateth of be very losings. But remember'st that it not that he saith at his beginning that I wot not what pope cursed every man that should read it to any woman/ or take it them to read. Madame I remember it well. Than knowest not thou the malicious cause wherefore this jape was given to be believed of bestial men & nice at the beginning of that book. Madame nay but if ye tell it me. It was to that intent that women should not have no knowledge of that book nor of that contained in him. For he that made it knew well that if they red it or heard it red/ that they should know well that it was but trifles so they should have spoken against him & mocked him. Thus would the author that made it mock & beguile the men that should read it by this way. Madame I am remembered that among these other things that he hath said when he hath spoken yn oughe of the impotence imperfection & feebleness which is cause of myss haping of woman's body in the womb of the mother that nature is ashamed/ when she saw that she had formed such a body as a thing imperfect. Ha' the great folly sweet friend & the great blindness out of all reason that moveth or stirreth any man to say it & how nature which is the chambryere of god is she more master than her master almighty god which had the shap of man & woman in his thought when it came to his will to form Adam of the s●yme of the earth in the field of Damas'/ & when he had made him he brought him in to paradise terrestre which was & is the worthiest place of this low world/ & there Adam slept & of one of his rib to that intent that he should love woman as his own fless he formed the body of the woman/ so the most sovereign workman had no shame to make & form the body of woman/ and should nature be ashamed thereof. ¶ Ha' the great some of follies to say that it is true/ and how was she formed I wot not if y● notest it/ she was formed after the image of god. O how durst the mouth say so evil of so noble a print/ but some be so great fools that they trow when they here say that god made man after his image that it be to say of material body. But it is not so/ for god had not then taken the body of man but it is to understand of the soul which is a spirit understanding the which shall endure without end to the likeness of the deite/ the which soul god made & put as good & as worthy & all even to the body of woman as of man. But yet as to the making of the body the woman was made of the most sovereign work man/ and in what place was she made/ In paradise terrestre/ whereof came the foul matter that she was made of. Nay it was of the most noble matter that ever was made that was of the body that god made. Madame after that that I feel of you woman is right a noble thing. But yet Tullyus saith that a man should never serve a woman/ and he that doth it defouleth himself/ for none aught to serve that that is lower than himself. ¶ Answer. He is happy that serveth the virgin that is above all the angels/ and he or she that is most high aught to serve her in whom all virtue aboundeth. Also madame one of the Cathons' saith which that was a great clerk/ that if the world had been without we should have been conversannt with gods. ¶ Answer. Now mayst thou well see the folly of him that men held so sage. For by the encheason of woman men reign th' with god. And if any would say y● man wa● ban●sshed by woman by the cause of dame Ever I say that he hath gotten more high degree by ou● lady Mary than he lost by Eve in so much that the manhood is joined to the godhead & that had not been if the trespass of Eve had not been. So both man and woman aught to lift up themself from that defaute/ & he that worshippeth woman worshyppeth himself. For of so much as man's nature fell more lower by such a creature as woe man/ by woman she is lift up again more higher/ & to be conversant with gods as Caton saith if woman had not be/ he said more truer than he wend/ for he was a paynim/ & among them of that law they understood as well gods to be in hell as in heaven/ that is to know the devils which they called their gods of hell. So it is no jape that men should have been conversant with those gods if our lady Mary had not been.   

¶ Also of the same altrycations and answers. Capitulo ten  
ALso the same Caton saith yet that the woman that pleaseth a man naturally resembleth the rose which is pleasant to see/ but the thorn is under & pricketh ¶ Answer. This Caton saith more truer again than he wend. For every good ho nest woman & of good life aught to be & is one of the pleasantest things that is to se. And always there is the thorn of dread to do amiss & a compunction in her courage which that parteth not fro her. And that maketh her to hold her prive & sitteth still/ & that is it that keepeth her. Many auctors beareth witness madame that women been by nature sinful. Daughter thou hast heard speak of a proverb that saith that that nature giveth may not be taken away. So it should be to great a marvel if they should be so inclined to sin naturally. For the women that loveth her worship nature stirreth them never to come in such places where as that sin that is said of them is used/ as in taverns & other places to that or for that ordained/ & if any man would answer & say that shame keepeth them/ I say that is not true. For it is another thing that keepeth them which is their natural condition which is not so inclined thereto. And I put case that they were so inclined & that shame gave them such resistance contrary to their natural inclination that that virtue and constance should turn them to great worship & praising. And to that purpose remember'st thou not that not long ago that as thou were in a festfull day at the gate of thine house devising one & other with a worshipful damosel thy neighbour. And thou sawest a man come out of a tavern that went talking with another saying/ I have spent thus moche at the tavern/ & my wife shall drink no wine to night. And then thou called him to the and asked the cause why/ and he said to the. For this cause madame. For she hath such a condition that every time that I come from the tavern she asketh me how much I have spent/ & if it be more than xij. pens she will recompense me by the soberness of her mouth/ & that that I have spent to moche & saith that if we both should spend so largely/ our craft should not tournysshe us to our dispense. Madame said I then of that I remember me well. & then she said to me. Thou mayst know by ensamples enough that by nature women been sober/ & those that be not they go out of kind/ for there may not be a more lewder vice in a woma than glodo nigh/ for that vice draweth to him many other vices But y● mayst well see of them great companies & great press in their churches at sermons & at pardons holding their deeds in their hands say enge their prayers. Madame said I that is truth But these men say that they go fresh & jolly to show their beauty & to draw these men to their love ¶ Answer. That should be a thing for ●o believe dear friend if one saw none there but young women & fresh▪ but y● shalt see there for one young woman twenty or xxx old of simple habit to go & haunt the places of devotion. And if devotion be among women it should follow in the same wise that charity fauteth not there/ for they visit the sick & comfort them/ they run to poor people & search th' hospitals & bury the deed bodies. Me seemeth that these be the works of women the which been y●●oue rain traces that god commandeth us to follow. Madame ye say well/ but there is an author saith that women by nature have ill courage & be as children And for that cause children been conversant with them/ & they with the children. ¶ Answer. Doughty ghter if thou take heed to the nature of a child of his condition/ he loveth frendlynesse/ & sweetness And what thing is there in the world more swetter & more amiable than is a woman well set in order. Ha' the cursed people of the devils condition that would have the wealth & virtue of meekness and benignity that is in women turn to evil & in to reproof. For though women love children/ it cometh not of them by the vice of ygno rance/ but it cometh of the sweetness of their condition/ and if they be as children in benignity of that & in that they be well counseled. For so as the gospel recordeth. Ne said not our lord to his apostles when they strived among them which should be most great/ & he called a child and laid his hand on his heed and said. I say you certainly that he that will hold him little & meek as a child shall be most high. For who that meeketh him shall be enhanced/ and he that enhaunceth him shall be put low. Madame men doth me great hurt of one proverb in latin the their prove women by often times which saith weep speak/ and spin/ god hath put in woman. ¶ An swear. Forsooth sweet friend that word is true how be it that he that trowed or said y● in reprove/ it was for them a good hap which by speaking/ weeping/ & spinning have been saved/ thus god put in them such conditions. And against them that so moche reproveth them in the condyon of weeping. I say if that our saviour Ihesu christ to whom no thought is hid and which seethe every courage had known that the tears of women had come only of fragility and simpleness/ the dignity of his great highness had not been so inclined to yield himself tears of the eyen of his worshipful & gloryons body by compassy on when he saw Mary Magdaleyne & Mar●ha her sister weep for the death of their brother Lazare which he raised from the death. O how many great grace's god hath done to women because of their tears. He dispraised not the tears of the foresaid Mary Magdaleyne/ but accepted them in so much that he pardoned her of her sins/ & by the merits of them she is in heaven gloriously Also he put not away those tears of the widow which wept for her deed son y● one bore to the earth. And our lord which is the well of all pity moved of compassion for the tears of her went to ask her/ wherefore weepest thou/ and then anon he raised the child to the life. Other great graces which should be long to tell god hath done to many women for their weeping & alway doth. wherefore I suppose that because of their weeping and their devotion many of them been saved & others also which they pray for. Ne was not saint Austyne the glorious doctor of the church converted to the faith/ because of weeping of his mother. For that same good lady wept with out seizing praying to god that it might please him to enlumyne the heart of her son which was at the time a paynim & out of the believe from the light of the faith. wherefore this good lady went often times to require saint Ambrose that he should pray to god for him/ & than my lady Reason said to me I suppose said she that it should be a thing impossible that so many tears of a woman should be lost. O blessed saint Ambrose thou trowed not that so many tears of a woman should be set at naught/ and that may be answer to men that reprove women that because of their weeping/ of a woman is the holy light in the front of holy church which cleareth & enlumyneth all the church. That is to know saint Austyne. So let men speak no more of y● as now. The same wise truly god put the speaking in woman worshipped be he. For if speech had not been put in them they had been doom/ yet contrary to y● that the proverb which I know not who made it at his pleasure in the reproof of women/ if language of the woman had been so much reprovable & of so little authority as some men would say/ our lord Ihesu Cryst had never vouchsafe safe that so worshipful a mystery as that was of his glorious resurrection which was first announced by woman as he himself commanded to the blessed Mary Magdaleyne to whom he appeared first on Ester day that she should tell it & amnounce it to his disciples & to Peter. O blessed lord Ihesu loved be thou which with other infy nyte gifts & graces that thou hast done & given to woman kind wouldest that woman should be the berer of so high & worshipful tidings well ought these envious men to be still if they advise them well. It was a good hap that the woman of Cananee was so great a speaker which died nought else but cry after our lord Ihesu Cryst going by the streets of Iherusalem saying. Have mercy on me lord for my daughter is sick. But what died our lord god he in whom all mercy ha' bounded & aboundeth/ and to whom it sufficed one only word coming from the heart to have mercy. It seemed that he delighted in many words of the mouth of the woman always perseverant in her prayer/ but wherefore died he it/ It was to prove her steadfastness. For when he heard her liken herself to dogs/ that seemed a little rudely for that she was of a strange law and not of god's law She had no shame to speak well & wisely in saying. Lord it is true that the little dogs eateth the crumbs that falleth from the table of their lord. O right wise woman who hath taught the to speak so. Thou gatest thy cause by thy language issued of good will/ and well it seemed. For our lord bore witness of his own mouth/ returning than unto his apostles saying to thaym that he had not found such faith in Israel and granted unto her request and desire. ¶ Ha' who may some sufficiently the worship in the kind of woman the which the envious men will so dispraise considering that in the heart of a little woman of the kindred of paynims▪ god found more faith than in all the bishops & princes or priests/ or in the people of jews that called themselves the worthy people of god. In such a manner spoke also longly & with great pleating & well for her the woman Samarytane that was come to draw of the water/ where she found Ihesu cryst sitting all weary. O thou blessed godhead conjoined to the worshipful body. How might thou suffer thy holy mouth to open/ and to hold the rain of words of health to this poor & little woman sinner/ the which was not of that law. Truly thou showed well that thou disdained not the devout kind of women. ¶ Ne spoke not wisely the woman that sat at the sermon of our lord Ihesu christ which was so embraced with his holy words/ so as one saith that women may not believe so soon/ yet she spoke at that time/ & than she rose with a great will & said. blessed be that womb that bore the & the paps that thou sowked. ¶ Thus thou mayst understand fair sweet friend that god hath showed that truly he loveth language to be well served. So that aught not to be reproof to them whereof so moche wealth cometh and so little evil/ for no man seethe great prejudice come of their language. ¶ And as to spin/ truly it is gods will that it be kindly to them. For that office is necessary to god's service/ & to the help of every creature reasonable/ without the which work the offices of the world should be maintained in great foulness and uncleanness. So it is great shredenesse to put that in to the reproof of woman that aught to turn them to great honour and praising.   

¶ Xpine demandeth of Reason wherefore it is that women sitteth not in the siege of pleading Capitulo xj  
RIght high and worshipful lady/ your fair reasons satysfyeth right greatly my thought. But yet tell me if it please you the truth/ wherefore is that that these women hold no pleading in the court of justice/ nor they know not of the causes ne doth no judgement. For these men say that it is for they can not/ & that woman that sitteth in the place of justice governeth her shrewdly. Daughter these been but japes & things contrived of that y● one list to say of women But he that would demand the causes and rea sons of all things it should be to much to answer. How be it that Arystotle in in his book of problems yieldeth reason of many things/ & in the same wise in the book of proprieties of things been contained the beynges of divers actions naturals. But as to that fair friend the same wise if it be demanded why god ordained not that these men should do the offices of women/ & the women the offices of men. But the answer is this the as a wise lo●de well ordained stablyssheth his main to do dyveuers offices one one thing/ another another thing/ as so that that one doth another do the not. The same wise god hath ordained man & woman to serve/ & also to help/ comfort/ & hold company one with another every of them in that he is ordained to do/ & hath given to every kind such nature & inclination as to do his office competently pertaining to him/ how be it that man's nature abuseth often times in that that he aught to do. He hath given to men body strong power/ and hardy to go & come & speak/ and for the these men that have that nature learneth the laws/ & aught to put them in execution/ to hold the world in the order of justice. And they be bound that in case that any would not obey to the laws establed by right & reason that they should make them to obey by force of their bodies and by puissance of arms & that the women may not do. For how be it that god hath given them understanding yet they may not use it in that manner for their honest. For it were not convenient that they should go sew them in judgement as these men done. For there been enough that doth it/ for what needeth three men to lift up a farthel that twain may lightly bear it away/ yet if some men would say that women have not sufficient understanding for to learn the laws/ the contrary is made open by experience/ and it appeareth of many women/ as it shall be said here after the which have been right great philosophers & have learned more subtle science and more higher than the laws written by men. And also who would purpose that they have not natural wit in deed of policy & of governance. I give the ensample of many great may stresses that have been in time past/ & also in thy time/ to the intent that thou shouldest know the better my truth them that have been widows which have kept good governance in all their doings after the death of their husband's/ which giveth open experience that a woman that hath understan ding is covenable in all things.   

¶ Here it speaketh of the Empress Nyehole & after of divers noble queens and princesses of France. Capitulo twelve  
TEll me I pray the where was ever that king of great understanding in the deed of policy of governance to keep sovereign justice/ and all so of high magnificence in living that is reode of the right noble Empress Nychole. For not withstanding that in these countries great/ large/ & divers that she had the rule of had been kings of great fame called Pharaons' of whom she was descended. This lady was she that first began to live in her royalme after laws & worldly policy/ & she destroyed the rude manners of living of those countries that she had in governance. And these auctors say the speak th' of her that she amended the rudeness of her people. And she was herytoure of the foresaid Pharaons'/ not only of the little country/ but of the royalme of Arabee of Ethyope and of Egypte/ & of y● I'll Maromye which is right long and large/ and habundaunte of all manner of goods which is closed with the flood of Nile which she go verned by marvelous prudence/ what shall I say more of this lady which had all this wealth but that she was so wise & of such governance the holy scripture speaketh of her great virtue. She herself ordained laws and rights to govern her people. She habounded in great noblesse and richesse more than any man in those days/ & she was profound & expert in scriptures & in. And she had so high a courage that she dysdeyned to be married ne would that no man should have, knowledge of her body.   

¶ Of the queen of France which was named Fredegonde. Ca xiij.  
OF ladies of wise governance I might tell the enough. The queen of France Fredegonde that had been the wife of king Charles notwithstanding she was cruel out of natural law of woman ●et after the death of her husband she governed the royalme of France by great prowess which was at that time in right great balance. For there was left her a son without more herytours of his father the which was called Clothary●/ so there was great deuy●yon among the lords because of governance & upon that there fell great war to the royalme/ yet this lady held continually her son between her arms. And she called & assembled their lords in a counsel & said lords so here your king/ ye have not for gotten the truth/ which always hath been in France/ and now despise him not though he be a child/ for by the help of god he shall increase and when he shall come to age he shall know his good friends and shall reward them after their deserts. So I pray you dysheryte him not wrong fully. And as for me I make you certain that he shall reward them that well and truly maintaineth him that they shall be the better ever after. And so this queen appeased the lords through the which sad governance she died so moche that she drew her son out of his enemies hands and nourished him herself till that he was of age and by her he gate the crown and the worship of the royalme which had never been done but by the great prudence of her.  
¶ And in the same wise one may say of the right wise/ and in all cases good the noble queen Blaunche mother unto Saint Lowes/ which so nobly & prudently governed y●●oyalme of Frail ●o ryll her son were ripe of age/ which was never better governed by man/ & also when he was come to his age by the proof of her wise gouernan̄●e sh● was always thief of his counsel/ and no thing was done without her and also she sewed her ●one alway in battle and in war/ other n● out number I might tell y● to this purpose which I let pass for shortness of time/ yet sith that we be entered to speak of ladies of France without goyenge ferther to seek strange stories. Thou sawest in thy time the noble queen of France jane widow of king Charles the fourth/ yfthou ha' ne it in mind. Advise the great wealth that the fame of this noble lady witnesseth as much in no table ordinance of her court as in manner of lie ve & in sovereign justice. It was never spoken of prince that maintained and kept better in his land that was pertaining to him than this lady died. And the noble lady that was wedded to the duke of Orlynaunce son of king Phylyp resembled her well/ the which in her wydo whode in the which she was long time maintained justice in her country so rightfully that no man might do better. ¶ Also the queen of France dame Blaunche which was wife to king johan maintained her land and governed by great order of right & justice. And what might one say of the worshipful and wise lady the duchess of Anjou some time daughter to the holy Charles de Bloys duke of britain/ and after was wife to the younger brother of the king of France. The which duke was called sith king of Ce●yl how held she under the rod of justice the lands & countries/ as well of Provence as of other that she governed and held in her hand for the right noble children while that they were young/ where was ever clamor or plaint hard of wrong done that this noble lady should do. In the same wise the Countess de la march lady & countess of Vandome & of Castres' which yet is on live/ what might one say of her governance would it not be known how & in what manner her I● styce was maintained/ & she herself as a good & wise lady took heed thereto curyously. And what should I say more/ one might say yn oughe of great ladies/ means/ & less/ in the same wise how they died that that was pertaining to them who so will take heed. It seemeth me that one might see that these noble ladies in their wydo whode have sustained & sufficiently well kept Iurysdyc●yon & right in their lordships as their husbands died that time living & as well loved of their subjects & better. For be it no doubt nor displeasance to men that there been many women that have better understanding than some of these men have/ of the which if their husbands had believed them that they had had such understanding as they had it might have turned them to great profit/ yet though these women commonly meddle them not of the deed of judgement ne pronounce the causes of parties it is to them no force. For by so much they have the less charge to their souls and to their bodies. And how be it that it is a thing necessary for to punish the evil doers and to do right unto every man there been men enough & such officers that they might wyss he that they had never known more than their moders. For if they go all the right way/ god knoweth of the which if there be any fraud their punition is not little.   

¶ Of altercations and arguments of Xp̄ine to dame Reason. Ca xiv.  
CErtes madame ye say right well/ and your reasons been right well sow●yn ge in my courage. But yet though it be so of their understanding is that proved that women have feeble bodies/ tender and not mighty in the deeds of strength/ and by nature they been cowards/ and this is one thing that maketh moche less the degree and authority of the kind of woman/ by the judgement of men. For they will say that in so much as a body is more imperfect in every thing so moche is it abredged and made less of his virtue. And by that that thou followest it/ it is the less for to praise. ¶ Answer. Dear daughter this following is not good nor to be sustained. For without fail one seethe often times that when nature hath restrained any thing from a body that she hath formed/ she rewardeth that body in some other thing of as much valour/ as thus. If a woman be imperfect of shap/ or of beauty/ or of impotency/ or feebleness of membres it is sign that she recompenseth her with some other thing that is more worth than that she hath bereft her. Ensample as it is said of the great phylosophre Arystotle which was right lewd of shap/ one eye higher than that other and of strange visage/ yet though he had any deformyte of body or of shap/ true lie nature recompensed him right greatly in understanding retentive and feeling as it appeareth by this antentyke writings so that recompensing of so great wit was of more valour than though he had a body like unto Absalon. In the same wise one may say of the great Emperor Alexandre that was but little of body yet had he great virtue in his courage as it appeared & so it is by many others. So I promise the fair love that the great & strong body causeth not the virtuous & mighty courage/ but it cometh of a virtuous strength & manners that is given of god/ which granteth to nature to leave to some creatures reasonables more than to some others/ for it is a gift hid in the understanding & in courage/ & not only in the strength of body nor of membres thus we know often times by that the great men enough & of strong membres we see they be latches faylyn goe & recrayed/ & of others that have been little & feeble of body that been hardy & full strong/ & the same wise it is of other virtues/ but as to the hardiness & such strength/ god & nature hath done enough for women in y● that he hath given them impoency. For at the least they been agreeably excused by that default in so moche that they do not these horrible cruelties the wrongs & the great griefs & extortions the which are done to the world because of strength/ so they shall not have such punyssh mentes as such case requireth/ & it should have been right good for the soul's of man that they might have passed the pilgrimage of this world in the feeble body of woman. And truly I say & come again to my purpose that if nature had not given great strength of membres to a woman's body that she recompenseth her right well in that y● there is given to her a more virtuous inclination/ that is to love god/ & to be dreadful naturally to do contrary to his commandments/ & those that do otherwise doth out of kind. But always advise the dear daughter how it seemeth that god list to show all degrees to men though that they say that for as much as women have not all so great stren gthe & hardiness corporal as commonly these men have that they aught not believe that it is for that that all bodily strength and hardiness be shit fro the kind of woman. It appeareth by that that in many women there is showed great courage/ strength & hardiness to undertake all manner of strong things & to accheve them like as died these great men & solemn conquerors of whom there is made so great mention in writings as I shall remember y● here after by ensample. Fair daughter now I have ordained & arrayed for that a pit great and large. And I have borne out upon my shoulders right great burdens of rubrysshe of the earth. And it is time that thou set in these great & strong stones for the fundament of the walls of the city of Ladies. Now take thy trowel & thy plumb with thy line & make the ready to work strong lie the masonry by great diligence. For see here a great and a large stone which I will that it be the first set in the fundament of thy city/ & know it that nature herself hath portrayed it by the signs of astrology for to be allowed in this work. Now draw the a little aback & I shall cast him on.   

¶ Of the queen Semyramys. Ca xv.  
SEmyramys was a woman of right great virtue in deed of great & vycto ryous courage/ in undertaking of entrepryses/ and in haunting of deeds of arms/ the which was so excellent that the people there the which were pay nymes said that for the great might and strength that she had both upon the land/ and upon the see/ that she was sister unto the great god jupiter and daughter to the ancient god Saturnus which they called the god of the land & of the see. This lady was the wife of king Nynus that named the city of Ninyve of his name. And he was so great a couqueroure that by the help of his wife Semyramys which likewise as he road always with him in harnoys/ he conquered the great Babylone & all the land of Assyrye & other countries many. It happened that the lady being yet enough in young age Nynus her husband was slain with an arrow at the assault of a city/ yet when the obsequys & the solompnytees was covenably done of the foresaid king/ the lady never left the exercise of arms/ but more than before by right great courage took upon her to go verne by strength the lordships/ royalmes/ & lands which her husband & she had conquered with the sword/ which lands & royalmes she kept right notably by great discipline of chivalry. So & in such manner she haunted and ac complysshed so many of notable works that no man in vygure and in strength surmounted her This lady in whom abounded right hardy cou rage/ ne doubted no pain/ ne was not afeard of no perils/ but put herself to all things by such excellence that she overcame all her adversaries that had trowed to put her in her wydowhode out of all her conquests. By the which she was so dread & doubted in arms that she kept not only the countries before conquered but with a right great army went upon the land of Ethyope which she overcame by great strength & put it under subjection & joined it to her Empire. From thence she went with a great puissance in to Ind/ and assailed strongly the men of Ind/ to whom there was never man approached to make them war. So she overcame them and put them under her subjection/ & sith she went ferther upon their countries so much that to say shortly that she conque read all the orient which is called the east part of the world which were right great and mighty. This Semyramies enforced & made against the city of Babylone which was founded by Nem brooch and the giants and was set in the field of Semyaar great and of marvelous strength and cyrcuyte/ and so this lady made it more stronger of divers defences/ and let make about large and deep dykes. Semyramys was in a time in her chambre & maidens about her k●mynge her heed. It happened that tidings came y● one of her royalmes began to rebel against her. So she lifted up herself and swore by her puissance that the other tress of her heed should never be tressed which was untressed till the time that she had venged her of that injury and put again that land in to her subjection. So she made an● ne all her men to arm them in a great multitude and went upon these rebels/ & by marvelous strength put them under subjection/ & thus they and all her other subjects dread her that never sith they durst not move a foot to rebel. Of the which noble deed and courageous long time after gave witness a great image made of brass guilt/ richly lift up upon an high pillar in Basilius bylone which represented a princess holding & sword in her hand/ & one of the sides of her heed tressed & that other not. This queen founded & edified of new divers cities & strong places & accon plysshed many other great deeds so much that there was never written of no man of so great courage ne of more marvelous works worthy to be had in mind. It is truth that many blameth her & so she aught of right if she had been of our law of that that she took her own son to husband that she had gotten of Nynus her lord but the causes that moved her to that were two principally/ that one that she would not have had in her Empire none other lady crowned save only herself the which should have been if her son had wedded any other lady/ that other cause was that her seemed no man worthy to have her to his wife save only her owe ne son/ yet was this cause the greater through why the she was somewhat excused in y● that she was not of our law/ for the people lived after the law of nature where one durst do to another without miss taking that which his heart perceived/ or desired. For it is no doubt that if she had thought that it had been evil or that any blame should fall to her thereof but that she had so great and so high courage/ and loved so moche worship/ she would never have done it. Now is the first stone set in the fundament of our city. Now it is convenient from hens forth to set sewyngly stones to the quantity for to advance our building.   

¶ Of the Amozones. Capitulo xvi  
A Land there is toward the end of Europe after the great see that hold th' in all the world/ which land is called Syche or Sychye. It happened sometime that the country by force of war was despoiled of all the young men dwellynge in that country. And when the women of that place saw that they had lost their husband's/ their brethren/ and their kinsmen. And there was none left but old men and children/ they assembled by great courage and took counsel between them and advised the conclusion that from that time forth they would maintain their lordships without any subjection of men and made such a commandment that no manner of man should enter in to their iurysdyc●yon▪ yet for to have lineage they should go in to the nerte country by a certain season of the year/ & then should they turn home again in to their countre. And if they were delivered of any sons they should send them unto their faders. And if they were maid children they would nourish them themself to perform their ordinance. Then they chose two of the most noble ladies among them to be crowned queens of which one was called Lampheto/ that other Marpasye. This do ne they chased out of their country all the mankind that was left both young & old. And after that they armed them and with a great battle all of ladies & of maidens went upon their enemies and wasted all their land by fire and by arms/ and there was none that might resist them and to speak shortly they avenged the death of their friends full notably. And by this way began the women of Syche or of Sychye to bear arms/ the which sith were called Amozonnes/ that is as much to say as unpapped. For that they had such a manner that the noble women when they were little maidens their lift paps were cut of by a certain craft/ for that they should not be cumbered to bear the shield. And to them that were not gentylwomen their right paps were cut away to shoot the more easily. So they went so moche delighting in the craft of arms that they encrea sed by forte right moche their country and their royalmes in so much that their fame went all about as I have here before touched to ye. Then they went in to divers countries each of them leading a great host & died so moche that they conquered a great part of Europe and of the country of Ayfe and put under subjection many divers countries and joined them to their lordships and founded many cities and towns/ and in like wise in Ayse in the city of Ephese which is & long time hath been of great renown. Of these two queens Marpasye died first in a battle then the Amozones crowned her daughter in her place a noble maid and a fair which was named Synoppe which had so great courage & high that all the days of her life she dysdeyned not to be coupled to no man but remained still a maybe all her life. So she had none other love nor charge but only in the exercise of arms/ and in that she had so great pleasunce that she might not be satisfied to assail and conquer lands and royalmes/ & by her her mother was greatly venged in so much that those of that country were slain and put to the sword & wasted all the land and conquered.   

¶ Of the queen of Amozonye Thamaris. Ca xvii.  
THus as thou mayst hear how the Amozones began and maintained long time their lordships right worshipfully. Of the which they made queens by succession one after another if right worshipful ladies which to name by row it might turn the readers to great noyance. So it shall suffice to speak of the pryn cypalles of which there was one called Thama rye right hardy wise & sage by whose wit cautel and strength. Cyrrus the strong and mighty king of pierce was overcome and taken/ which had conquered the great Babylone/ and in the same wise a great part of the world. So he would after many other conquests that he had done go upon the land of Amozones in hope to have put them under his subjection/ whereof it happened as this same wise/ the queen knew by her spies that this same king Cyrrus would come upon her with so great strength of people that aught sufficiently to conquer all the world/ she advised her that it should be impossible to discomfit their host by strength of arms. So it was con venyent to labour by cautel. And then she went this worshipful capitain when she knew that Cyrrus was entered before in to her land/ the which she suffered and let him pass before in to her land without any gain saying/ she made arm all her damoiselles/ and by right good ordinance put them in divers bushments upon the mountaines and in the woods where that Cyrrus might pass none other way. There abode this Thamarys maries right stilly with all her hosts unto the time that Cyrrus and his people were come in to the straight ways in forestes/ and among the craggy roches where through he must needs pass. And then the lady when that she saw time made hastily to blow a trumpet. And then this Cyrrus was right sore abashed which took no heed to himself/ & suddenly saw him assailed in every part. For these ladies that were upon the moun taynes threw down great roches upon them which might go nother forward ne backward for the diversity of the country/ and some of the bushments were before which slew the people down right fervently that would have issued out of the straight passages & might not gather them together for that other bushment that was behind them. So they were smitten a sondre with strong roches to the death all the people/ and Cyrrus taken and by the commandment of the queen left alive and his barons with him/ whom she made to come before her in to a pavilion after the discomfiture/ & for the great wrath that she had to him for one of her maidens that he had slain by the way before/ the would have no mercy of Cyrrus nor of his barons/ but made to smite of their hedes before him. And after that she said to him Cyrrus which by thy cruelties were never saties fyed with the blood of man now thou mayst drink at thy will. And then she made to sinyte of his heed & cast it in to a basyne/ in to & which she had made to gather the blood of his lords. Fair dou ghter & my dear friend these things I bring in remembrance for that affirmeth the matter that I have told the of. Notwithstanding that thou knowest them well/ & thyself hast rehearsed them another time in thy book of the mutation of fortune & in the same wise in thine epistle of Othea. So I shall say to the more yet here after following.   

¶ How the strong Hercules & Theseus went upon the Amozones and how the two ladies Me nal●pe and hippolyte had almost overcome them Capitulo xviij  
WHat should I say more of the strength of their bodies or by the prowess of arms of these ladies of Amozonye/ which by all countries were dread and doubted anon to that of land grece which was far thence. And the tidings when ●e how these ladies seized not to destroy lands and wasted the countries if they would not yield them right soon unto them/ and how they to withstand their enemies. Of this all Grece was afeard doubting that the lands of them should stretch in short tnme unto their country. Then there was in Grece in the flower of his youth Hercules the marvelous strong man which in his time died more marvels of strength than ever man died that was borne of woman/ of whom is made mention in histories. For he fought with giants and Lions/ with serpents and monsters right mer●ayllous and had of all them the victory. And to say shortly he was so strong that never man was like him in strength except Sampson le forte. This Hercules said that it were not good to abide till these ladies of Amorett ●onye came upon them/ but it were moche better to go upon them first/ then for that they let ordain a great navy of ships & assembled a▪ great come pany of young lusty men for to go thither in great haste/ when Theseus the worshipful and wise man which was king of Athenes knew this tidings he said that he should not go without him. And so he assembled a great host with this host of Hercules/ and when they were all assem bled they put them in to the see toward the countre of Amozonye. And when they approached the country Hercules notwithstanding his marvelous strength and hardiness and his great host of people durst not take the port by day ne to come down upon the land/ so much the strength of these amozones was blown about in divers countries that it were marvel to say and believe if there were not so many histories bring witness of them that there hath been so many worshipful men overcome by women. So Hercules and his host abode till the dark night was come. And then when the hour was come every mortal creature aught to take his rest and sleep he and his host leapt a land and entered in to the country/ and began to set fire in cities and towns and slew all the women that took no heed of their coming. In the mean time great was the cry among the people/ then they were not slow to run to their harnoys all manner of women as those that were most hardyest to run among the people toward the see side upon their enemies. ¶ And then there reigned upon these Amozones the queen Orthya the which was a lady of right great worthiness and conquered many lands. And this was the mother of the worshipful queen Pantasylya of whom shall be made mention here after. This queen Orthya was crowned after the chivalrous queen Anthyoppe the which maintained the Amozones in great dys●yplyne of arms & of chivalry/ and was passing wise & hardy in her tyme. So this queen Orthya heard this tidings how the Greeks were come in by night fighting on the land & always slaying the people. Then it was to dame that she was wroth & thought to be avenged upon their male talon/ & anon manasing them that she dread not commanded to make ready all her battle/ there one might see all the ladies busy to run to their harnoys and assembled them about their queen/ & by this time was the clear day come. And then this queen armed herself and abode to put in order her battles and her hosts. Then were there two worshipful maidens of sovereign strength of chivalry and hardiness & wise above many others. Of which y● one was called Manalyppe & that other Ipolyte/ and they were right nigh kin to the queen/ & they abode not only the coming of their queen/ but as fast as they might be armed/ their spears in their hands/ their shell des of strong elemphant hanging upon their necks mounted upon their well running coursers went right fast running toward the port/ and with great heat as those that were supprysed with wrath bearing low their spears bore through the best of the greeks. That is to know Manalyppe toward Hercules/ and Ipolyte to Thesens/ but whether they had wrath or no it appeared well/ for notwithstanding the great strength hardiness & great courage of them so strongly these maidens hurt them/ & by so great encounter each of them beat their knight/ & they also fell on that other side/ but as soon as they might they recovered themself & ran upon them with good swords. O what worship aught these ladies to have that by such two women were beaten two of the best knights that were in all the world/ & this thing should not be credible to be true but that so many antentyke doctors beareth witness of it/ these same doctors meruaylling themself of this adventure in excusing specially Hercules considering his outrageous strength saith that he was beholding to his horse that leapt from the great hurt of the stroke/ for they trowed not if they had been on ●ote but they should have been thrown down/ these two knights were ashamed to be thus beaten of these two maidens. notwithstanding these maidens fought with their swords against these two knights strongly & the battle endured long▪ yet at the last & what me● veil that these maidens were taken/ for there aught not to be like strokes between them. Of this prise they thought them greatly honoured. Hercules & Thesens were gladder than & they had taken a city So they held them in their ships with them to refresh them and to unarm them and thought that they had well employed their will. And when they saw them unarmed and that they were so fair and so seemly then doubled their joy for they took never pray that was to them so agreeable/ and so they kept them with great joy & plea sans. Then came the queen upon the greeks with a great host/ and when the tidings came to her that these two maidens were taken she was marvelously sorrowful/ yet for doubt that they should do any harm to these ladies that were taken if she went upon them she rested as then/ & sent to them by two of her baronnesses and bad them to put to their finance for these two ladies as much as it pleased them and she would send it unto them. Hercules & Theseus received these messageres with great worship and answered them courtoysly/ and if the queen would make a small peace with them/ and both she & her baronnesses should promise that they should never arm them against the Greeks but to be their good friends And the Greeks would promise them in the same wise that they would yield home these two ladies all quite without having any other ransom save their harnoys only/ for that they would have for worship and remembrance for ever of this victory that they had upon these ladies. Then the queen for the desire that she had to have these two damoiselles again/ whom that she loved so more much was constrained to make a peace with the greeks. So was this matter entreated & accorded between them that the queen came to them all unarmed with right a fair company of ladies & maidens in so rich array that they saw never such before/ the greeks met with them and fee stead them and made sure the peace between them and there was moche joy made/ yet not for that it noyed greatly Thesens to deliver Ipolyte for he was smitten with great love. So Hercules prayed and required the queen so moche for him that she granted Thesens to take Ipolyte unto his wife and so should lead her in to his country/ And then were the weddings made worshipful lie/ and after that the Greeks departed/ and Thesens led home hippolyte which had a son after ward that was called Ipolytus which was a knight of great worship and a chosen man among many. And when it was known in grece that that the peace was made they had never greater joy. For there was never no thing that they doubted more.   

¶ Of the queen Pantassylea how she went to the socours of Troy. Ca xix.  
Long time lived this noble queen Orthya/ and in great prosperity held the land of Amozonye and moche increased their puissance and she was right old when she died. Then they crowned after her her noble daughter the right worshipful Pantassylle/ which above all others bore the crown of wit/ of price/ of wisdom and worthiness. This lady was ne ver weary to bear arms ne to fight/ & by her their lordship was increased more than ever it was. For she tested never tyme. So she was so much dread of her enemies that there durst none abide her. This lady was of so high courage that she dysdeyned never to be coupled to man but was a maid all her life. ¶ In her time was the great war of the Greeks against the Trojans/ & for the great fame that flowered through all the world of the right great worship and knighthood of Ector of Troy as of the most manly of the world and of the most excellent in all graces. As it is the usage that gladly every friend would desire to visit his like. Pantassylle which was the thief of all ladies of the world/ and which that herd say continually so great goodness of this worshipful Ector she loved him worshipfully of right great love/ & above all things she desired to see him/ & for to fulfil this desire she departed from her royalme in great haste with right a noble company of ladies and damoiselles of great prowess & right richly armed. So she took her way toward Troy which was not little/ but right far of/ yet it thought not long/ nor travaylable to the heart that loveth well/ & when they came to the port of Troy there arrived this noble pan tassylle/ & yet it was to late for there she found Ector deed which was slain by Achilles dying a wait for him in the battle/ in whom perished the flower of all knighthood of Troy. Then this queen Pantassylle was received with great worship of king Priamus and of the queen Eccuba his wife/ & of all their lords/ but yet she had her heart always on that that she saw never Ector on live/ which caused her that there might nothing rejoice her/ yet the king & the queen which without seizing sorrowed for the death of their son Ector said to her that sith they might not show him to her on live that they would show him to her deed. Then they led her in to the temple where they had made his sepulture the most noble & most rich that ever any history made mency on of/ for it was made in a chapel right rich all of gold & precious stones before the high altar of their god's/ & there sit the body of Ector in a chair which was so bawmed & covered that it seemed visibly that it was on live holding a sword in his hand seeming all way that his fierce visage manased the Greeks clothed in a garment great & large all of tissue embrowdred with precious stones trailing on the earth & covered the parties beneatheth which were plunged in fine balm/ which yielded marvelous sweetness/ there the Troyans held this body in great worship as it had been one of their god's with light of ware clearly brenning/ & there was richesse without number/ & thither they led this queen Pantassylle the which as soon as the chapel was opened & saw the body of Ector kneeled her dough ne salving him as he had been on live/ and after she went near & in beholding the visage she begun to say such words weeping. ¶ Ha' flower and excellence of all knighthood of all the world/ the ground and the ending of all worthiness/ who may no we from hence forth avaunt him after you of any prowess/ or to stretch a sword sith that now is quenche● the light and ensample of so great highness. Alas what hour was borne the arm so cursed that durst by his outrageous courage despoil the world of so great a treasure. ¶ O right noble prince wherefore is my fortune so contrary that I had not been so nigh you when the false traitor that slew you made such a wait upon your person. If I had been there I would have waited upon your person myself/ yet and ye were on live he would believe your death should be revenged. ¶ Ha' what great wrath and sorrow that mine heart feeleth to see you thus without puissance to speak to me whom I defy read so moche to se. Now sith it may none other wise be. I swear by all the high gods that we believe on and promise well and affirm to you my dear lord the while my life shall endure your death shall be venged by me upon the Greeks. Thus kneeling before the body Pantassylle spoke so high that the great company of lords & ladies of the che●alrye that were there might hear her. she and all wept for pity and could full evil depart from thence/ yet at the last kissing the hand with which he held the sword she departed saying. ¶ worthiness of knighthood which seemed you well in ydur life when the representation of your body beareth you witness of so great excel lence/ & anon she departed weeping right tenderly/ and as soon as she might she armed her/ & leapt out of the city with her host right nobly arrayed against the Greeks that were at the siege. And to say shortly of that that she died there without fail if she had lived long she would have done many marvels of arms. So she would not turn homeward but would fight with Pyrrus that was the son of Achilles & was a right manly knight of his hand. & so much she beat him & wounded him that he was almost slain. And with great pay ne he was rescued of his people & as a deed man was borne out of the field/ and the Greeks trowed never that he should escape/ wherefore they made much sorrow/ and if she had hate to the father she showed it well to the son. Nevertheless to make short the tale when she had done there so moche of arms by divers journeys with her people that the Greeks were underneath Pyrrus that was amended of his wounds had marvelous shame and sorrow that he was thus beaten so foul of this woman. So he ordained his people of his host which were of right great prowess that they should attend to none other thing in the battle save only to enclose Pantassyllee between them and to put her from her people/ for he would that she were slain by his own hand & he promised them if they might do thus to give them great gifts. This thing to accomplish the people of Pyrrus put great pain long time or they might happen to do it/ ●or they dread so moche to come nigh her for the great strokes that she gave, yet not for that to come to the conclusion they applied it as those that took no heed to other thing/ & saw in a journey where she died marvelous deeds of arms that it might near hand suffice to Ector if he had been on live/ that by reason she aught to be weary/ & there they enclosed her among them/ & departed her from her battle/ & so sore oppressed her ladies that they might not succour her/ & that notwithstanding by right marvelous virtue and strength she would have defended her/ and than they broke her harnoys & smote of a quarter of her helm. Then Pyrrus when he saw the heed bore by which her yellow here appeared gave her so great a stroke that he cleft in sondre the heed & the brain. And thus ended the worshipful Pantassylle of whom it was great loss to the Trojans and great sorrow to all her country which made great sorrow and lamentation For never sith there reigned none such upon the Amozones. And then they bore the body home in to her own country. ¶ And thus as thou mayst hear began the royalme of women & was maintained by great puissance/ which endured by the space of eight hundred years as thou thyself mayst note and see/ & read by the histories of number which may run sith their beginning till after the conquest of great Alexandre that conquered all the world. In which time it appeared that then the reign & lordship of the Amozones. For the history of him maketh mention how he went in to that royalme and how he was received of the queen & o● the ladies: So was this Alexander long time after the destruction of Troy/ and the same wise more than four hundred years after the foundation of Rome which was long time after the said destruction of Troy. wherefore if thou wilt take the leisure to bring together the high stories and to calcule the times and the number thou shalt find that this royalme and the lord ship of women endured right a long space/ and thou mayst note that in all the lordships that hath been in the world which by the space of so much time hath endured one shall not find more notable princes nor in more quantity ne that hath do ne more natable deeds than were done by the queens and the ladies of that realm.   

¶ Of Cenobye queen of Palmurenes. Ca xx.  
THere were not worshipful women only of these Amozones/ for the valiant Cenobye aught not to be of less fame & worthiness that was queen of palmurenes a lady of noble blood/ issued of Ptholomees kings of egypt. Of this lady was appearing all her youth the great courage and knightly inclination that she had. For as soon as she was strengthened there might no man keep her but that she would leave the dwelling in the towns closed/ in places/ or in royal chambers but to inhabit the woods & forestes in which places she had her sword gurde about her & darts by great diligence tosle the wild beasts/ as hearts and hinds. And after that began to fight with lions/ with bears/ and with many other wild beasts/ and she assailed them without dread & overcame them marvelously. This lady held it for no pain to lie in the woods do ubting nothing upon the hard earth/ in hot and in cold/ ne it grieved her not to trace the straight passages of the forestes/ grave upon the mountains/ dyke in the valays/ running after the beasts. This lady dispraised all carnal love/ & long time refused marriage as she that would keep her virginity/ yet at the last constrained by her kin she took to husband the king of Palmurenes Of great beauty and sovereignly of body & of visage was this noble Cenobye which set but little by her beauty. And fortune was so favourable to her inclination that she consented to have an husband corespondent enough to her condyons. This king which was a knightly man had great lust to conquer by strength of arms all the orient and the empires about him. In this same time Ualeryan August that held the Empire of Rome was taken of Sapore king of Perce. This king of Palmurenes assembled his great host and Cenobye made no great force of the fresshnes of her beauty/ but disposed her to suffer the travail of arms with her husband/ and to were harnoys/ & to be partycypant with him in all labours in the exercise of knighthood. This king that was named Ordonet stabled Herode his son of another woman to conduit one part of his host taking heed against the said Savil poor king of Perce which that time occupied Mesopotame/ after he ordained that on that other part should go upon him Cenobye his wife with another great part of his host. And he himself should go in that other part with the third part of his host. So they departed in such ordinance. But what shall I say/ the end of this matter was such so as thou mayst see by the histories that this lady Cenobye so mightily and by such hardiness & virtue gate divers battles against this king and had the victory/ and by her prowess put Mesopotame under the subjection of her husband/ and besieged Sopore the king of Perce in his own city and took him by strength with his concubines/ and there she con quered great abundance of richesse. ¶ After this victory it happened that her husband was slain by one of his own kins men for envy that he reigned upon him/ yet this lady by noble courage took the possession of the Empire for her children which were yet but young/ and put herself in the see royal as Empress and took thereof the governannct by great virtue and charge and to say all/ so she governed by so great wit & discipline of knighthood/ that Galeryan and Clau diam Emperors of Rome thought that they oc cupyed a part of the orient for the Romans dared never undertake any thing against her. And the same wise the Egyptians ne the Arabyens ne those of Armony but doubted her puissance and her great fyer●enesse and held them content to keep that they had & meddle no ferther. This lady was worshipped of her princes & of her people obeyed and loved and of her knights dread and doubted/ for when she road with her people as oft times it happened she would never speak to them of her host but her harnoys on her back and her helm on her heed/ nor to no battle made her armure to be led in chariot. Notwithstanding other kings used that guise. And always she road upon a well running courser/ & often times she would ride unknown to espy her enemies before her folk. This noble lady Cenobye with that that she passed all other knights of the world that time in discipline and craft of knighthood. ¶ Also she passed all other ladies in noblesse and good conditions of honest life/ and right sober soveraynely in all her demeaning yet notwithstanding she made often times great feestes unto to her barons and to strangers/ and all magnificence was holden with her/ and royal largesse in all things/ and great gifts and fair/ & could well draw people to her love and benevolence/ she was always of a sovereign chastity. For she kept her not only from other men but in the same wise she would not lie with her husband/ but for having of issue/ & that she showed openly by that that she would not lie with him after that she felt her with child/ and to that intent that all that appeared outward should affirm that that was inward/ she would never that any vicious man should haunt her court/ and she would that all they that would desire to stand in her good grace were virtuous and well conditioned/ and she died great honour to people after their worthiness and virtues/ & not only for their richesse or birth/ and she loved much those men that were of sad conditions and proved in knighthood. She lived after a royal custom of an Empress by great magnificence and cost of estate after the manner of pierce/ which was those days the most pontifical custom that was among kings. She was served in vessel of gold and of precious stones/ She was garnyss head of all good array/ and also she gathered great treasures of her own without doing of extortion. and she gave right largely where that it was rea sonable/ for there was never prince of greater largesse nor of more greater magnificence.  
¶ And with these said things one of the highest of her virtues that I shall say to the was learned in letters in those of Egypte and of her own lan guage/ and when she had rest then right diligent lie she took heed to the school and desired to be taught in philosophy by a phylosophre that was named longyne. She knew the latin and the grekysshe letters by the help of which she ordained and put right curyously all her histories under right short words/ and the same wise she would that her children that she nourished were learned in sciences. Now take good heed right dear friend if thou have aught seen of any prince or knight more universal in all the virtues.   

¶ Of lily mother of the good knight Thyerrys. Capitulo xxj  
ANd how that the noble lady lily was not in battle in proper person is she not to be praised as right a noble & worshipful lady in y● that she counsaylling her son Thyerrys the right noble knight made him to turn again in to the battle as thou shalt here. This Tyer res was in his time one of the great princes of the palace of the Emperor of Constantinople/ and was right a fair man and right well proved in the worthiness of knighthood/ and with that by the right good nourishing & counsaylling of his mother was right virtuous and excellently mannered. ¶ It happened that a prince named Odonatre went upon the Romans for to destroy them and all Italy/ and as these romans went to require the foresaid Emperor of Constantinople of his help/ he sent to them this knight Tyerres as for the best knight of chivalry with right a great host of people. So it happened as he fought in battle ordained against this Odonatre the fortune of the battle turned against him in such wise that for dread he was constrained to i'll toward the city of Ravenne/ and when this worshipful & wise mother which took good heed of the battle saw her son i'll she had great and marvelous sorrow/ considering that there might be no greater reproof to a knight than to i'll in battle. Anon the great noblesse of her courage made her to forget all motherly pity in such manner that she had liefer to see the death of her son worshipfully than there should fall to him such a shame. So she ran anon before him & prayed him right tenderly that he should not dishonour him by such fleeing/ but that he should assemble again his host and turn to the battle/ yet he took no charge of these words/ and then the good mother surprised with great wrath lifted up her gown before and said to him/ truly fair son thou hast no place to i'll to but thou turn again in to the womb fro whence thou camest. Then was this Thyerres so ashamed that he left his fleeing & assembled his people again/ & touched again to the battle in the which for the heat that he had of the shame of the words of his mother he fought so strongly that he discomfited his enemies and slew Odonatre/ and so all italy was delivered of their enemies by the wit of this lady where it was like to be utterly destroy ed. So me seemeth that the honour of this victory came more of the mother than of the sone.   

¶ Of the queen of France Fredegonde. Ca xxij.  
OF the queen of France Fredegonde of whom I spoke before was also of great hardiness of that that she died in battle. For as I have touched ho we that she was left widow of king Chylderyke her husband having Clotharye her son at her paps/ and the royalme was assay led with were she said to her barons. Lords ne dread you not for the multitude of our enemies that been come upon us. For I have thought before a wile by the which we shall overcome them if ye will believe me/ I shall leave all feminine dread/ and I shall arm mine heart with the hardiness of a man to that intent to increase the courage of you/ & of all our host by pity of your young prince. So I shall go before having him in mine arms and ye shall follow me and that we have ordained our constable to do/ ye shall do the same. And the barons answered & bade her to command them & with right good heart they would labour it. And then she let make and well ordained her host. sith she put her before well hor said her son between her arms the barons after and all the battles sewing by fair order. And so they road toward their enemies so long till the night was come. And then they entered in to a forest. So the constable cut down an high branch of a tree/ and all the remnant died the same wise and covered all their horses with may & tied bells about some of their necks as men doth to horse that goeth in pastures and in this manner they road together an easy pace till they came nigh the lodgings of their enemies/ and they held high branches and bows of may in their hands. And always the queen went before with hardy courage in warning them by promises and fair words for to do well holding the little king between her arms of which they all had great pity/ and had the more courage to keep his right. And when they thought that they were nigh enough their enemies they rested them. when the dawning of the day began to appear those that made watch of the host of the enemies perceived it & began to say one to another.. See here a great marvel. For yesternight there appeared no wood nor forest nigh us and see now a right great & a thick wood the others that beheld this thing said that it must needs be that the wood had been there long time before for it might be none otherwise but that they have been so beestyss he that they have not perceived it/ and that it was to see that it was a wood/ the bells of the horse that pastured might have made them certain. And so as they devised they thought ne ver on the treachery. suddenly the queens host cast away their branches and then that that seemed to their enemies a wood it appeared knights armed/ so they ran upon them/ and this was done so suddenly that their enemies had no leisure to arm them/ for they were all in their beds. So they went in to their lodgings/ and slew and took them all that they could find/ & thus they had the victory by the wit of this good queen Fredegonde.   

¶ Of the maid Camylle. Ca twenty-three.  
OF women of worship and of knighthood I might tell the enough. The noble maid Camylle was no less worthy than those before said. This Camylle was daughter of the right ancient king of Uoulques named Machabyus and when she was borne her mother died/ and anon after her father was disherited by his own people that rebelled against him/ & so much they troubled him that he was constrained to i'll for saving of his life. So he bore nothing with him save only his young daughter whom he loof so great love. And when he came to pass over a great river that he might not choose but he must needs pass it/ he was in great mischief for that that he could find no counsel to help his little daughter to pass/ and when he had thought enough he took great rinds of trees & made a vessel as it were a little boat. So he put his little daughter within and bound the vessel with good ropes to his arm. And after put it in the river/ & he swiming trailed easily this vessel after him/ and so he and his daughter passed over the water in to the woods/ and there he lived long for he durst not go none other way for dread of his enemies. He nourished his daughter with the milk of wild beasts unto the time that she was well strengthened/ and with the skins of the beasts that he slew he covered both him & his daughter & they had none other bed ne other covering but skins of beasts. And when she was waxed moche she began to war with wild be stes and to slay them with her slings and stones & she would run after so lightly that there might no greyhound do better. And thus she conty nued till she came to her perfit age in which she found herself of a marvelous strength & hardiness/ and than she was informed of her father of the wrong that he had of his subjects. She feeling herself of great strength and right courageous departed from thence and took her to are mes/ and to say shortly she died so moche & applied her purpose that with the help of some of her kinsmen she being alway in her proper person in battles/ died so moche by strength of arms that she conquered again all her country and never left after to pursue the deeds of chivalry/ and she was of so high courage that she deigned never to have husband ne to be coupled to man. And this same Camylle was the maiden that came to the succour of Turnus against Aeneas when he was come down in to italy.   

¶ Of the queen Ueronycle of Capadoce. Ca xxiv.  
THere was a queen in capadoce that was named Ueronycle noble of blood and of courage/ as she that was daughter to the great king Mycrydaces that ruled a great part of the orient/ and wife of king Aryaraces the Capadocyan. This lady continued in her wedowhode in the which wedowhode one of the brethren of her husband assailed her with war to disherit her and her children/ and as it happened during this strife that the uncle slew the two sons of this lady and his own nephews. She was so utterly moved with sorrow that this great wrath made all dread to i'll from her. So she armed herself & with a great host went against her brother in law/ and so she plied her intent that at the last she slew him her own hand & made her chariot to go over him and overcame the battle.   

¶ Of the noble Archemyse queen of Carry. Capitulo xxv  
WHat shall we say less of the noble & the right excellent Archemyse than of other worshipful ladies which was queen of Carry the which abo the widow long after her husband king Mansole the which she loved of so great love that it might never depart from her heart as it appeared so as it shall be devised to the in time and place here after. Her husband left her many fair and great countries in governance yet to govern she never was abashed/ for strength/ in virtue/ sadness of conditions/ & prudente in governance was all in her. So she had with that so great hardiness in deed of knighthood/ & so well kept the discipline of cheu●●rye that she had the victory of many divers battles. And thus the highness of her name was greatly lift up by great praising. For in her wedowhode with that that right nobly she governed the countries she armed her by divers times and in especial two notable deeds/ that one was to keep her country that other was to keep truth & faithful promise. The first was when the foresaid king Mansole her husband was deed/ those of the roads which marched right nigh the royalme of this lady had great envy and disdain that a woman should have the lordship of the royalme of Carry and for that in hope to put her out & to get the land they came upon her with a great army and a great multitude of ships and made her way toward the eyte of da●ycarnase which stood upon the see in an high place called I care which was right a strong place. So there were to this city two gates of which that one was within the city as it were hid and covered and at the entering right straight/ and there might one go and enter in to that palace without saying of them without and of them of the city also. That other common gate was nigh the walls of the city. And when this worshipful and wise Archemyse knew by her spies that her enemies were come she made her people to go to harnoys of whom there were assembled enough and entered in that little gate in to the ships that she ordained to come thither/ yet or she departed she ordained to them of the city which were good and true in whom she trysted well to do such things as she commanded them that when she should make a certain sign that she devised to them that they should make to them of the roads a sign of love and that they should call them upon the walls & should say to them that they would deliver to them the city/ and that they should come boldly/ and that they should do so moche if they might to make them leap out of their ships and to enter in to the market place of the city. And this thing ordained the lady and her host issued out at the little gate and went a little way in to the high see so that her enemies took no heed of them/ and as she had made her sign and knew by the sign of them of the city that the enemies were entered in/ anon she returned by the great gate and took the ships of her enemies and entered in to the city/ and made to assail the men of the Rhodes in every part by her bushments/ and she and her host were before them/ and so slew them all and discomfited them and had the victory. And yet more worshipfully died this noble Archemyse/ for she went after in to the ships of her enemies with all her host/ and went to the Rhodes/ & made to lift up an high sign of victory as though it▪ had been their people that should come again vyctoryously. And when those of that country saw this trowing that it had been their people they were passing joyful/ & let open their port and Archemyse came in and ordained people to keep the port/ and then went straight to the palace and took and slew all the princes. And thus those of the Rhodes were taken which took no heed of themself/ and the lady kept her seized in the foresaid city. And anon after all the hole I'll of Rhodes yielded them unto her.  
And after that she had put all the isle in servage & under tribute she left it garnished with good keepers/ and so returned home/ yet or she departed she let make two images of brass in the city/ of which that one represented the person of Archemyse as overcomer. And that other the city of Rhodes as overcome. ¶ Another notable deed among others that this lady died was this that when it was so that Exerse the king of pierce was come against the Macedonyes and all the land was full of his host both on horse back and on foot and the ryvageful of people and of his ships as he that trowed to destroy all grece. Than the Greeks which had made alliance with this lady Archemyse sent to her to require her of her help/ to the which help she sent not only but like a chivalrous lady came in proper person with right a great host. And so well she kept her place there that to say shortly anon she put her in battle against these men of pierce & discomfited them. And when she had discomfited them upon the land she entered into the ships and was before all others with her navy and nigh the city of Salemyne she gave them battle And as they fought strongly this worshipful archemyse was among the first lords and capitains of her host and comforted them with great boldness saying. Now forth my brethren and good knights and labour so that the worship may be ours/ and deserve ye this day pray sing and worship. And my great treasure shall not be spared unto you/ and to say all she died so moche that in likewise as she discomfited them on the land/ she discomfited them on the water/ And Exerses fled shamefully/ and thus she had people innumerable/ for as many writers of histories beareth witness/ she had so great an host that divers rivers tarried them as she passed. And so had this worshipful lady this noble victory and returned worshipfully in to her country with the diadem of great worship.   

¶ Of the hardiness of Cleolis. Ca xxuj.  
ALso Cleolis the noble Roman was right an hardy woman and a wise. notwithstanding it was not in the war nor in battle. For as it happened ones that the Romans by certain covenants made between them and a king that had been their adversary. It was accorded that by certification of the covenants there was sent to that king to be in hostage the noble maiden Cleolis and other mandens of noble lineage of Rome/ and when this Cleolis had been a great while in the foresaid hoostage. She thought that it was a great hurt to the worship of the city of Rome/ that so many of noble maidens should be holden as prisoners of a strange king. So this Cleolys armed her courage with great hardiness/ and died so moche by fair words & fair promises that she deceived wysele them that had them in keeping & departed from thence by night/ and led her fellows and went so long till they arrived upon the river of Tybre/ and there this Cleolys found in the meadows an horse pasturing. And then she which happily never road before mounted upon this horse/ & without any manner of dread of the deepness of the water put one of her fellows behind her & passed over. And after all that others one after another and so they passed over safe/ and this lady Cleolys led them to Rome & brought them to their friends. The hardiness of this maid was 'gree te praised of them of Rome/ and the same wise the king that had them in hostage praised her greatly & had thereof great solace. And the romans to that intent that there should be a remembrance had of this deed from thence for the. They made make the image of Cleolies which was made in the guise of a maid sitting upon an horse. And they put this image in an high place upon the way by which they went to a temple & there it abode long tyme. Now we have achieved enough as for the fundament of our city. Now we must lift up the high walls all about.   

¶ Xpine demandeth of Reason if ever god list to make a woman so noble to have any understan ding of the highness of science. Ca xxvii.  
THese things of me right well heard I answered to y● lady that spoke to me. Madame truly without fail god showed great marvels in y● strength of these foresaid ladies of the which ye have touched/ yet I pray you to make me wise if it please you/ to the which god hath given them so many graces it pleased to worship the kind of woman to give privilege to any of them of the virtue of high understanding and of great science/ and if they have abyle wit to that. For that I desire to know for y● that men maintain and say that the understan ding of women is but of little taking. ¶ Answer. Daughter by that that I have said here to thou mayst know the contrary of their opyny on/ and for to expound it more plainly I shall give it the first by ensamples. I say to the again and doubt never the contrary that if it were the custom to put the little maidens to the school and that sewyngly were made to learn y● s●yences as they do to the man children/ that they should learn as perfectly/ and they should be as well entered in to the subtyltes of all the arts and sciences as they be/ and peradventure there should be more of them/ for I have touched here tofore by how much that women have the body more soft than that men have/ and less habyle to do divers things by so much they have the understanding more sharp there as they apply it. ¶ Madame be not disposed/ suffer me upon this point if it please you. Certainly men would never suffer this question to pass for truth but if it were openly assoiled. For they would say that one saith commonly these men to understand moche more than the woe men doth. ¶ Answer daughter knowest thou wherefore it is that they understand less. Madame nay but if it please you to tell it me without fail it is for that they haunt not so many divers places ne so many divers things/ but they hold them within their houses/ and it sufficeth them to do their businesses/ and there is nothing that teacheth a creature reasonable so moche as doth the experience of many divers things. Madame and sith that they have the understanding abyle to conceive and to learn as the men have/ wherefore learn they not more. ¶ Answer. For that daughter for it is no need to the comune thine goe that they meddle them of that which is committed to man to do/ as I have said to the before. It sufficeth that they do common office to the which they are ordained/ and that that one judgeth by the experience of that that the women can less than men it is no marvel as it is said before though their understanding be less. Make the a beholding of the people of the low country/ or of the high mountains. Thou shalt find countries enough that the people seem as beasts they be so simple/ and yet it is no doubt that nature hath made them as perfit in all these things as in body and understanding as well as the wisest people/ and the most expert of those that been in good cities or in good towns/ and that is for default of learning. Not withstanding as I have said to the before that of men and women some have better undestranding than some/ for there hath been women of right great cunning and of great understanding. I shall tell the and to our purpose that I told the of the understanding of woe men that they have as sharp wit to learn as men have.   

¶ Of women that were enlumyned of great sciences & first of the noble maid Cornyfye. Ca xxviii.  
COrnyfye the noble maid was sent to the school by her father in manner of scorn/ or of jape with her brother Cornyfycyen when they were young children. But this little maid by mernayllous wit haunted the school so moche that she began to feel the sweet drops of understan ding to learn. So it was no light thing to take away this pleasance from her/ to the which all other women's works put a part/ she applied her in that she might. And thus she occupied her so well by the space of time that she was right a sovereign poet/ and not only in that science but it seemed that she was nourished with the milk and with the doctrine of party te philosophy For she would feel and know of all manner of scy ences that she learned sovereignly in so much that she passed her brother which was right a great poet in all excellent clergy/ & it sufficed her not only the cunning but she put the understanding to work it/ and her hands to the pen in compyling many right notable books/ the which books and dyttyes were in the time of saint Gre gory of great price/ of whom Bocace the Italyen which was a great poet maketh mention in prey sing this woman saith in his book. O right great worship to that woman that hath left woman's works and applieth and giveth her wit to the study of right high cunning. And this Bocace saith furthermore certefyenge the purpose that I said to the of the wits of women. Now been they ashamed saith he as these slow women that so miss trusteth of theyrselfe and of their understanding so as though they were borne in the mountains without understanding what is wealth or worship/ & so dyscourageth themself/ and saith that they be not good to other thing nor profitable but to take men about the neck and to bear & nourish children/ and god hath given them fair understanding if they would apply it in all things that these glorious and excellent men doth/ for if they would study/ the things be nother more ne less but also common to women as to men/ and may by honest labour get them name perpetual/ the which having is agreeable to all worshipful men. Right dear daughter thus mayst thou see how this author Bocace beareth witness of that that I have said to the and how he praiseth and proveth science in woman.   

¶ Of Probe the Roman. Ca xxix.  
OF great excellence in science also was Probe the Romayne wife of Adelphe/ & was crystened. This woman had so notable wit/ and she loved and haunted the school so much that she could sovereignly the. vi●. sciences lyberales and was right a sovereign poet. And by so great labour in studying she haunted the books of poets and in especial of virgil and of his dyttyes that to all purposes she had them all in mind/ the which as in a time she saw by great intent of her wit and of her thought/ and as she took heed of the signifying of them/ It came to her intention that one might after the foresaid books describe all the scripture and the histories of the old testament and of the new by pleasant verses and full of substance the which thing for certain that the author Bocace saith is not without marvel that so high consideration might enter in the brain of woman/ and right a ●rete meruayleas he saith to put it in execution for she right greatly desiring to fulfil her thought put the hand to the work and sometime she ran by the Bucolyques or by Eueydos or by the Georgykes which were the books that Uyrgyle made which been so named/ that is to say/ she visited and red & now of one part she took the hole verse/ now of others some little parts she touched by marvelous craft & subtlety to her purpose/ and so ordinately made hole verses and the letell parts put together & coupled & red in be holding the law/ the craft & the measure of feet and the joining together the verses without faylynge in any part that no man might do better. And by such manner after the beginning of the world she made the beginning of her book in sewing all the histories of the old testament & of the new/ and so came to the sending of the holn ghost to the apostles according all with the books of Uyrgyle so ordinately that who had not knowing of this making would have wend that Uyrgyle had been a prophet or an evangelist together. For the which the foresaid Bocace saith great recommendation & lowing of this woman. For it appeareth openly that she had very knowledge and plain of holy books and holy volumes of divine scripture the which book was known of many great clerks & divines of our tyme. And this noble lady would that this foresaid work made and compounded by great labour Labour should be called Centonyas. And not●● standing that the labour of work as for the greatness aught suffice to the life of a man/ yet she left not till she had made many divers other books right worshipful & excellent. One among all other she made in verses & to be called also Cento nigh because of an hundred verses that been contained therein. Also she took the books of Omerus the poet and the verses by which one might the to the praising of her which knew not one lie the latin letters but also the greeks as parfytely. Of the which lady and of her things that she died Bocace saith that it aught to be great pleasance to all women to here.   

¶ Of Sappho poet and phylosophre. Ca thirty.  
ANd of less cunning than Probe/ was not the noble Sappho/ which was a maid of the city of Mylycene. This Sappho was of right great beauty of body and of visage/ and in manner lie countenance/ and in speech right agreeable & pleasant/ and above all other graces that were given her she passed of high understanding. For she was expert pro●oundely in many divers arts and sciences. And she knew not only letters and writings made by others/ but of herself she found many new things/ and made many divers books & dyttyes/ of whom speaketh ●he poe●● Bornes these fair words of poetyke language Sappho garnished of quick understanding and of brenuing desire by continual study among the beestysshe people and without co●nynge haunted the highness of the mountay ne of ●ernaso/ this is to understand the par●yte study by very hardiness and boldness/ she ac companyed herself with the ix muses not refused that is to say● among the crafts and sciences/ & so entered in the forest of Lawryere full of branches of virtue/ & flowers of divers colours smelling of great sweetness of divers herbs where they rest them and devil/ grammar/ logic/ and the noble rhetoric/ Geometry/ and Arysmetryke and so much she went that she came and arrived in the cave and deepness of Appolyne god of science and cunning/ and found the spring and conduit of Castolyo the well/ and took the wrist of the harne and touched it. So she made great melodies with the nymphs leading the dance/ this is to understand with the rules of Irmony and cords of music. By these things that Bocace saith of her aught to be understand the deepness of her understanding/ and the books that she made of so deep science that the sentences been strong to know & understand to men of great wit and the school after the witness of ancient men endureth unto this day/ and her writings and dyt●yes right notably compounded & made by the lights and ensamples to them that cometh after par●yte writing and e●dytynge. She found many divers manners of making of songs/ and dyttyes' plays/ and weeping complaints and strange lamentations of love right well & in fair order which were named after her name Saphyse/ and of these dyttyes recordeth Crassus that when Plato the great Phylosophre which was master to Arystotle was deed/ one found the books of the writings of Sappho under his bolster of his heed/ and to say shortly of this lady she was of so great excellence of cunning that in the city where she was conversant to the intent that she was most worshipful and that she should be alway in remembrance/ one made to her likeness an image of brass hallowed in the name of her lift of a great height. So was this lady named and counted among all other poets of renown/ of the which as Bocace saith the worships of dyademes & of crowns/ & of mytres of bishops be not greater ne them that hath vyctores and chaplettes of Lauryere and palm. ¶ Leonte that was a greek was a great phyloso phre also/ which durst reprove the Phylosophre Theophrast by pure and true reasons/ which was so greatly named in his days.   

¶ Of the maid Manthoa. Ca xxxj.  
IF the sciences been easy & covenable to women to learn/ know it for truth that the same wise the crafts are not unseen to them & some time in the old law of paynims the people used many divers divinations of that that was to come by the fiyght of birds/ and by the flames of fire. And by the entrails of deed beasts. And that was a proper art or a cunning which they held in great dignity. In this time a maiden was a great mistress which was daughter of Thyryfye/ which was the greatest priest of the city of Thebes so as we call him a bishop/ for in that other laws the bishops were married. This woman that was named Manthea which flou read in the time of king Oedipus' was of so clear and great wit that she knew all the craft of Pyromancye which is for to divine by the flames of fire/ the which art used in the old time those of Chaldee which found it/ and others say th' that Nembroche the giant found it. So there was in her time no man that knew the movinbs of the flames of fire/ the colours and the sow ●e that came out of the fire but she. And also she knee we clearly the veins of beasts/ the throats of bulls and the entrails of all beasts that one would believe that by these crafts often times the spirits were constrained to speak and to give answer of that that one would know. In the time of this lady Thebes was destroyed through the encheason of the two sons of king Oedipus'. Then went this lady to dwell in Asye/ and there she made a temple of the god Apollo the which was sith in great renown. She ended her life in Ita lie/ and of the name of this lady for her great authority there was named a city of the country and yet is Manthoa/ in the which virgil was borne   

¶ Of Medea and another queen named Cyrtes Capitulo xxxij  
MEdea of whom histories enough maketh mention could as moche of craft and cunning as she before rehearsed. She was the daughter of Oaths king of Coloos' and of Per te/ She was right fair of body and of visage/ But in cunning she passed all other women in her time/ she knew the virtues of every divers herb and all manner enchantments that might be made and of any craft that might be learned she was not ignorant by the virtue of a song that she could/ she would make the Air to trouble and the sky to wax dark/ move the winds out of the pits and caves of the earth to make the tempests to rise in the air/ to make waters and great rivers to stand still/ to make venom to make fires without labour to burn any maner thing that she would & all such manner of things she could do/ this was she that made jason to conquer the golden fleece by enchantment.  
¶ Cyrtes also was a queen of a country upon the see which stood upon the entries of italy. This lady could so much of the craft of enchaun tement that there was nothing that she would do/ but she would do it by the virtue of her enchantment/ and by a drink that she would give she would change the bodies of men in to the fygu res of wild beasts and birds. And to witness the same thing it is written in the history of Ulyxes that when he returned after the destruction of Troy trowed to go again in to his country/ of great fortune and woodness of tempests burled his ships here and there by many divers troubles at the last they arrived at the port of the city of this lady Cyrtes. yet this wise ulyxes would not take the land without licence of the queen of the land/ he sent certain of his knights to her for to know if it pleased her that they might take the land. Then this lady trowed that they had been her enemies gave them drink of the drink that she made/ and anon they were transfourmed in to hogs/ but Ulyxes went anon to her/ and died so moche that they were put again in to their own s●ap/ and in the same wise some men say of Dyomede that was another prince of Grece that when he arrived at the port of this lady Cyrtes that she made his knights to be transfygured in to birds which be yet right great & of other shape than other birds been/ and they been right fierce and those of that country call them Dyomedens.   

¶ Xpine asketh of Reason if there was ever woman that found any thing of herself that was not known before/ and she told her of Nycostra te otherwise called Carmentis. Ca xxxiij.  
I Xp̄ine which understood these things of dame reason replied upon that in this manner. Madame I see well that ye might find enough and of great number of women praised in sciences and in craft/ but know ye any that by the ver tue of their feeling and of subtlety of wit have found of themself any new crafts and sciences necessary good and covenable that were never found before nor known/ for it is not so great mastery to follow and to learn after any other science found and common before as it is to find of themself some new thing not accustomed before. ¶ Answer. Ne doubt ye not the contrary my dear friend but many crafts and sciences right notable hath been found by the wit and subtlety of women as much by speculation of understanding the which showeth them by writing as in crafts the showeth them in working of hands and of labour. And of these I shall give the ensamples. And first I shall tell the of Nycostrate which those of italy called Carmentes. This lady was daughter of the king of Archadye named Pallent. She was meruayllous witty & given of god to her of special gifts of understanding. She was a great clerk in the letter of Grece/ and had so much fair and wise speech & worshipful fecund that the poetes being the time that wrote of her feigned in her writings that she was love of the god Mercuryus/ & that she had a son by the foresaid god/ which was of great understanding. This lady by certain chance that happened in the country where she was went out of her country/ her son and great foison of people that followed & went with her/ and with a great navy came in to Italy/ and arrived upon the water of Tybre and there she descended out of her ships. So she went up upon an high hill that she named the mount Palentyne after her father upon the which mount the city of Rome was founded sith. This lady with her son and those that followed her founded a fair castle there. And as this lady had found the men of that country all bestysshe and rude she ordained and wrote certain laws by the which she enjoined them to live by order of right and reason after justice and she was the first that in this country which was sith of so great renown/ & of whom all the laws of right come of the first that establed the laws there. This lady knew by inspiration divine that by the spirit of prophecy among other graces that she had singular specyalte was given to her how this country aught to be in time to come most noble of excellence & of renown above all the countries of the world. So it seemed her that it should be no honest thing that when the highness of the Empire of Rome that all the word aught to lordship and govern that they should use of letters and carectes strange/ and begged of other countries/ and to that intent all so that she would show her wisdom and excellence of wit to the world to come/ she died so moche by her study that she found proper letters dyfferenced from all other nations of the world that is to know the. A. B. C. and the ordinance of latin by putting together of the same letters with the difference of vowelles with all the entering of the science of grammere. The which letters and sciences she took and taught them to her people/ and would that it should be known come munely/ so it was no little science nor little profy table that this woman found. For the subtylnesse of the said science/ and for the great profit and wealth that is come to the world by it one might say that there was never worthier thing found to the world/ and of that benefyse the Italyens have not been unkind & of good right to whom this thing was so marvelous that they had her not only in reputation more than man/ but a goddess. For the which they honoured her with divine worships. And when she was deed they edified and founded a tymple in her name. And it was made and builded at the foot of the foresaid mountain where she dwelled. And to give to this lady a perpetual memory for evermore/ they took many of them their names as after the sciences that she had found/ & also they gave the name of her to divers of their things so as themself of that country for the science of latin which that was found there by that lady they call themself latynes in great worship/ and that more is for that that ita in latin that is to say in french ouy/ and in Englysshe ye/ the sovereign affirmation of this language is latin. And yet it sufficeth not them that this country was called the land of latin/ but they would that all the countries over the mountains which is great & large/ & where there were many divers countries & lordships all was called italy. Of this lady Carmentys dyttyes were called carmen in latin And also the Romans that came a great while sith named one of the gates of the city of Rome Carmentele/ the which names for what manner prosperity that the Romans had sith nother for no highness of Emperors they changed never sith/ so as it appeareth unto this day it endure th' yet. And what wilt thou more fair daughter may there any man say more worship of any man borne of woman/ yet thou trowest not that this craft be only to the world by which many sciences and divers have been found.   

¶ Of Mynerue that found many sciences/ and the manner to make Armour of Iron and steel. Ca xxxiiij.  
Minerva so as thou haste written in other places was maiden of Grece and her surname was Pallas/ this maid was of so great excellence in wit that the lewd people of that country for that that they knew not well of what kindred she was of/ & they saw her do things that had not been before in usage/ said that she was a goddess comen from heaven/ for by so much as they knew not from whence she came the more was to them meruaylable the great cunning of her above all women in her time/ this lady was subtle and of great understanding not only in one thing but soveraynely in all things. She found by her subtylnesse certain letters Grekeysshe that some call them Carectes/ by the which one might put a great tale of divers things in writing in the space of right few letters & of short writing the which abrevyacyons useth the Greeks yet which was right a fair invention and a subtle to find. She found number and manner of a count and to put together sums. She had the spirit so much enlumyned of understanding that she found many crafts and works to make that had never been found before. The craft of wool and to make cloth/ & she found first that ever was advised to shear sheep to tose wool/ to comb & to card it with divers instruments to make it clean/ to make it soft with rods of iron/ to spin at the dysta●●e & after instruments to make the cloth/ & how it should be woven. Also she found the cafte & usage to make oil of fruits of the earth/ of olives & of other fruit to press it & to draw the liquor. ¶ Also she found the craft & the usage to make carts & chariots to bear things easily from one place to another/ & yet died this lady more/ & that seemed more meruaylable for that that it is far fro the nature of woman that she should advise her of such things. For she found the craft & the manner of making of harnoys & armure of iron & of steel the which the knights, & men of arms useth in ba tail with which they cover their bodies and that she t●ke it first to them at Athenes to whom she taught the usage of ordaining hosts in battle & the manner of fighting in order & arrow/ & she found first pipes/ shawms/ & trumps & instruments of mouth. This lady with the great virtue of understanding that she had was alway a virgin/ & for the great chastity that she was of the poetes said in their sayings that wulcan the god of fire had long wrestled with her/ & finally she overcame him & surmounted him/ that is as much to say/ that she overcame the brenning & the concupisbence of the flesh which giveth great default in youth. The people of Athenes had her in great reverence & called her goddess of arms & of knighthood because that she found first the usage. And also they called her goddess of cunning for the great science that habounded in her. ¶ After her death they made to her a temple in Athenes consecrated in her name/ & in that temple they set her image which was in the shap & semblance of a maiden the which image signified wisdom & knighthood/ & so this image had the eyen terrible & cruel for that that knighthood is ordained to execute the rygure of justice/ also it signified that one knew little often times to what end intendeth the intention of a wise man/ she had the heed helmet which betokened that a knight aught to have strength in virtue/ & also it signified that the counsels aught to be covert & secret. She was clothed with an haw berke which betokeneth the puissance of the state of knighthood/ & it betokened also that the wise man aught to be always armed against the moanings of fortune be it well or evil/ she held a shaft or a long spear which was to say that a knight ought to be the staff of justice/ & it signified also that the wise man picketh his dart of a great length. She had hanging at her neck a targe or a shield of crystal which betokened that the knights aught to be alway waking & to see clear upon the defence of the country and of the people Also it signified that unto the wise man all things been brought and made open. In the mids of this targe there was also portrayed the heed of a serpent the which was named Gorgon/ the which heed betokened and signified that a noble and worthy knight aught to be subtle and wily and watching upon his enemies as doth the serpent it was also to understand that the wise man aught to be advised of all malices through which he might be noyed. Also they put a bird in y● one side of this image as for keep it which fleeth by night that men calleth a chough which betokeneth that a knight aught to be as well by night as by day all ready for the defence common if need be. Also it signified that the wise man should wake at every hour upon that that is to him easy to do. This lady was by long time holden by so great reverence/ and so moche went her renown that in many places were stabled & made temples in her name/ and in the same wise long time after that the Romans were in their great puissance put her image among their other gods.   

¶ Of the right noble queen Seres. Ca xxxv.  
CEres which was in the right old days queen of the royalme of Syculyens had a prerogative to find by subtlety of wit first the science and usage of the tilling of the earth & of the tolls that pertaineth thereto. She to her subjects to put together & to make tame the oxen & to accustom them to be coupled in the yoke. She found also the plough & showed them the manner how they should cleave & depart the earth and all the labour y● thereto pertaineth/ & after she taught them to cast the seed upon the earth & to cover it/ & after when the seed was grown & multiplied she showed them how they should reap the corn/ & with beating of flails to put it out of the ears. After she taught them to grind it between two hard stones by craft/ & how they should make mills & she taught them after to make breed of the meal/ & also this lady taught to the people that lived customably as beasts with acorns & hawthorn buries/ & wild apples to use more covenable fedynges/ yet this lady died more for the people of the country that had it of custom to dwell here & there in woods & in wild places & void as beasts made them to assemble by great companies/ & taught them to make towns & cities & houses in the which they should dwell together/ & thus by this lady the world was brought out of the beestysshnesse in to the reasonable life of man. Of this Ceres the poets feigned the tale how her daughter was ravished by Pluto god of hell/ and for the authority of her understan ding and the great wealth that she had procured to the world/ the people of thence worshipped her & called her goddess of corn.   

¶ Of the noble queen I●es that found first the craft to make Orchards and to plant plants. Ca xxxuj.  
THe same wise was Isys of so great te understanding in the deed of labour that she was not only named queen of Egypte but right syguler & special goodness of Egypcyens. Of this Isys speaketh the fable that jupiter loved her and how he transformed her in to a cow/ & after how she came in to her first form which by signifying of her great understanding so as thou haste touched her thyself in thy book of Othea. She found divers manners of letters abreged that she taught the Egyptians and gave them form of their long language to abrege it. This was the daughter of juachus king of Greeks and sister of Phoroneus which was right a wise man/ and this lady went out of Grece for divers things that fell & went in to Egypte with her brother. There she taught among other things the usage of orchards & to graff trees on divers stocks/ & she gave & ordained certain laws and rightful/ and she taught the people of Egypte which lived rudely without ordinance of justice to live by right order/ & to speak shortly she died so moche the living & deed/ they had her in great reverence/ & her renown went through the world in so much that in divers places were made temples and oratoryes in her name. And also at Rome in the time of their highness they made a temple in her name where they ordained sacrifices and offerings & great solemnities in the manner as they of Egypte were accustomed to do for her. The husband of this lady was named Aprys/ which after the arroure of ancient people was son of the god jupiter & of Nyode/ daughter of Phoroneus/ of whom the old histories and poets maketh mention enough.   

¶ Of the great wealth that is come to the world by divers ladies. Ca xxxvij.  
MAdame I have great marvel of y●/ that I have heard you say that so much good should come to the world because of the understanding of woman. And these men say commonly their understanding is as a thing without price and that they have not served ne serveth to the world but for to bear children and spin. ¶ An swear. Now mayst thou well know the great ignorance & they yield no thankings to them from whom they come. And also thou mayst see clearly how god which nothing doth without cause hath will to show to men that he dysprayseth not the woman kind/ ne though that he considereth that in the brain of woman there is so great understanding that not only they been abyle for to learn/ and to withhold the sciences/ but to find of themself all new sciences of so great utility and profit unto the world/ that nothing is more necessary so as thou mayst see of this Carmentes of whom I have spoken to the that found the letters of latin/ to the which god hath been so gracious & so much multiplied the science the this lady found which hath defaced as among us all the letters of Ebrue & of Grew/ & that nigh Europe which containeth a great party & space of the earth useth of these letters of the which there be made & compounded infinite books of volumes of all faculties/ where be put & kept in perpetual memory the acts & deeds of men and the nobles & excellent praysyngees of god & all manner sciences and crafts. So mayst thou conclude that the wealth that this woman hath done is infinite. For by this lady though that they will not know it these men are drawn out of yg noraunce & put in to knowing/ by her they have the craft to send their courages & intentions as far as they will & have knowledge & understanding again of all things that pleaseth them & the same wise to know things passed & present/ and some that are to come. And also by the science of this woman men may make accord and join frendshyppes with persons far fro them and by answers that they gave that one to that other they feel and know their will without saying. And to say shortly all the wealth that cometh of letters may not be told/ for they describe and make to understand and know god & celestial things/ the heavens the see/ the earth all persons and all things/ where was there ever man tha● ever died more good.   

¶ Of the same. Capitulo xxxviij  
ANd also where was there ever man by whom more wealth happened to the world than died by this noble queen Ceres of whom I have spoken of to the before which may not get a name of greater praising as to bring the wild men dwelling in woods as beasts with out law of right to dwell in cities & towns & to teach them to use the right way & to have pourchaced victual of better ●edynge than acorns & wild apples/ that is to know/ whets and corns by the which these men have the body more fair & more clear and the membres more strong & more moving as it were meet more comforta tyfe/ and more covenable to man's nature and the land full of thistles of thorns/ & of bushes evil set to guider and full of wild trees/ she taught to cleanse by labour/ and to sow the seed the which by the labouring of the ground there as it was wild it becometh free & tame to the comune profit/ & so by this lady man's nature receiveth that profit by the which the wild & rude world was changed in to the guise of good cities and towns/ and the slawstring wits & slow/ being in the caves of ignorance were changed and brought again in to highness of contemplation and exersyses covenables/ and she ordained some men to labonre the fields by the which so many cities & town are replenished & sustained/ & some to do other necessary works to live by. ¶ I sys the same wise in orchards/ & gardens who may some the great wealth that she procured t● the world to give the manner to lift up plants and trees and so many good herbes covenable to the nourishing of man. ¶ My nerve also that purveyed by her wit to man's nature so many divers necessary th●nges as clothing of wool which were before clothed with skins of beasts. Also she put them out of pain that they had to bear all their necessary things between their arms from one place to another and ordained and found the manner to make carts and chariots for their succour and to the nobles and knights she found the craft & the usage to make harnoys to cover their bodies for the more surety in the war more fair and stronger and more covenable than they had before which was only with the hides of beasts. ¶ Xpine and I said to her. Ha' madame. Now I perceive by that/ that ye say more than ever I died the great unkindness and uncunning of these men that so much evil saith of women/ for notwithstanding that it should seem that there is cause enough of praising of them by that woman is mother to man/ and all other wealths that one mayese openly that generally women doth to men. Truly I see near the right heap of bevety says and of sovereign largeness that they have received and receive of them. Now let them hold their peas from hens torthe these evil saying clerks of women that have blamed and spoken shrewdly of women in their books and dyttyes and other such/ and let them cast down their eyen for shame of that they have miss said considering the truth which is contrary unto their writing saying this noble lady Carmen is the which by the highness of her understan ding hath taught them as their mistress at the school such a lesson by the which understanding/ they hold them so high and worshipful/ that is to know the noble letters of latin/ yet what shall these nobles and knights say to this thing so moche against right that saith evil generally of all women/ let them refrain their mou these & from hens forth advising the usage, to bear arms in battle/ & to fight in ordinance of the which craft they praise them & hold them great/ & all is come to them by women▪ & generally all men that liveth by breed/ & that liveth in cities and towns by the order of right. And also those that tilleth the land/ have they so much cause to blame women as many of them doth thynkyn goe upon these benefeytes and goodnesses which they have done for them. Forsooth nay. And that by these women/ that is to understand Myverne Ceres/ and Isys there been come to them so many dy●●rs ●elthes & profits/ of the which benefy says they have their life worshipfully & so they live and shall live always. These things been well appealed without fail madame/ but yet it seemeth me that the doctrine of Arystotle which was of right great profit to man's wit & whereof one holdeth of great count and of right/ none of all that other philosophers that ever were there is not of so great profit to the world as have been & been by the doctrine of these foresaid ladies.   

¶ Of the maiden Arenye that found the craft to shear sheep/ to dress the wols/ and to make cloth. Ca xxxix.  
NOt only by these ladies god had lust to purvey to the world many divers things & necessaries/ but also in the same wise by many divers others. So as by a maid of the land of Assye that was named Arenye daughter of ydmuete Cholophone the which was of meruayllous & subtle wit. So moche she laboured her wits that she found first the craft to die wool in to divers colours & to make works in cloth as painters doth/ in the manner that we should call the clotheses of high list and in this craft she was marvelous subtle. And it was she whereof the fable speaketh and saith that she strived with Pallas which become a flee. This woman found another science more necessary. For this was she that found first the manner of Flax & manner of works to make linen cloth/ the which thing seemeth to be right necessary to the world though that some men say that the exercise thereof be reproof to women. This Arenye also found first to make nets and crafts to take birds and fishes and found the craft of fysshynge/ & to take and deceive the strong wild beasts and conies & hares/ & birds with nets which was not known before. So me seemeth that this woe man made no little service to the world by the which sith men have found great profit. ¶ notwithstanding that divers authors and also this Bocace which telleth the foresaid things have said that the world was better when the people lived not but with haws & acorns/ and that they ware but skins of beasts than it hath been sith when that they were taught to use others more delycatyfe/ yet save the reverence of the said author & of all them that shall say that it is prejudice to the world to use such things & that the nourishing of man's body should be found and used I say that in so much that any creature receive th' more of graces & of great gifts of god/ by so moche is he the more beholding to serve him the better/ & that yfony creature use evil of well y● god hath provided for him & granted him to use them well & covenably/ & made them for the usage of man & woman that it cometh of the shrewdenesse and cursedness of them that useth it evil and not that the things of him should not be evil but good to use. Ihesu christ himself in his own person showed it well for he used breed and wine fless he and fyss he/ rob of colour/ of linen/ and of all other things necessary which had not be done if it had been better to use to eat acorns & haws & also he honoured moche the science that Ceres found/ that is to know of breed when it plea said him to give to man & woman his own body in form of breed/ and that they should use it.   

¶ Of Pamphyle that found the craft to draw silk of the worms. Ca xl.  
OF sciences good and profitable found by women/ among others we ought not to forget the noble P●mphy le of the country of Grece. This lady was of right subtle wit in divers works/ and so much delighted to search strange things that she was the first that found the craft of silk. For as she was right subtle and yma gynatyfe she advised her of these worms that maketh silk naturally upon the branches of trees So she took the bothomes that these worms had made and she saw that they were right fair/ & than she took many threads and put them together and twined them/ and than she assayed if this thread would take any fair colour/ and when she had proved all this and saw that it was right a fair thing she took it to make and to weave in to clotheses of silk. For the which thing of the cunning of this woman there is come great beauty and profit to the world multiplied in all conntres. For god is worshipped and served in divers arrays thereof. And the noble robes & ray mentes of prelate's in divine offices been made thereof. And also of emperors kings and princes/ and the same wise the people of some lands useth none other clothing for that they have no wols and they have enough of silk worms.   

¶ Of Thamar that was a sovereign mistress in the craft of painting/ and of another named Irayne. Ca xli.  
WHat wouldest thou I should say if nature of woman be able to find and to learn the speculatyfe sciences and also these hand crafts. The same wise it is empropryed to execute them and put them in work right subtilely when they have learned them. So as it is written of a woman that was named Thamar which was of so great subtlety in the craft and science of painting that in those days while she lived there was no ne such as she was in cunning. This woman as Bocace saith was daughter to Nyton pain tree and was in the time of Olympe. Olympe was a great solemn day so called/ in the which there were made divers plays/ and he that gate it should be granted unto him that he asked it it were a reasonable thing the which feast & plays was done in the honour of jupiter/ & it was hallowed from uj year unto uj year four year free between both/ & Hercules ordained first this feast/ and of the first beginning that it was ordained they made their date. So as doth the christian men of the incarnation of Ihesu christ. This Thamar left all women's works and followed the craft of her father by right great subtelty of wit in the time when Archylans reigned upon the Macedonyes she had singular praising in so moche that they of the country of Ephese that there worshipped the goddess diane made by great charge that this Thamar should paint the image of their goddess/ which they kept long time after in great dignity as a thing made by great subtlety and solemnly painted/ & they showed never this image but at the feast & solemnity of the god desk the which painting as it endured by right great age bore so great witness of the subtlety of this woman that unto this day there is me mory of her wit. In this science of painting there was also a woman of Grece sovereignly which was named Irane that she passed all those that were in her time/ this woman was a disciple of a payntoure called Cracyne the which was a sovereign work man/ yet she was subtle & so much learned in the science that she passed & exce dead her master so meruayllousiy that for the remembrance of her they let make an image which was as a maiden that painted/ & they lift it for ho noure among that other images of sovereign work men of certain works that had been before her. For such custom had these ancient men that they worshipped both men & women that pass other in excellence whereout it were of understanding or of strength or of beauty/ or of any other grace or virtue that for to make their perpetual remembrance they made to set their images in high & worshipful places. ¶ Marcya the Roman that was also a virgin was of right great virtue in noble living/ & in good conditions/ she was also of noble wit in the craft of painting/ this woman wrought by so great craft & so maysterly the she passed all men/ & the same wise Gay & Spolyn that were called the most sovereign payntoures of the world in their time/ she passed them & attained the worship of all that might be known of that science after that that the master said. This Marcya to that intent that the remembrance of the science should show after her among her noble works she made a table by great craft where she painted her figure beholding her in a mirror so properly that every man that saw it judged it to be on live/ the which table right long sith was sovereign kept & she wed to work men as a treasure of solemnity. ¶ Then I said to her madam me by this ensample one may perceive that in the old time these wise people were more worshipped than they be no we/ & the scye nces holdeth in moche more price/ yet to the purpose of that that ye say of women expert in the science of painting. ¶ I know at this day a woman that men calleth Ana stase the is so much expert & learned to make vyny ettes of enlumyning in books & chasing hysto ryes that there is mention made of any work man in the town of Paris/ yet there been such in that town that ben called the soveraynest workmen of the world/ but that she passeth them/ ne that so sweetly maketh flourysshynges as she doth/ and this I know by experience/ for she hath wrought for myself divers things which been holden syngulersbies themself among the vynyettes of other work men. response. Of that I believe the well fair daughter/ for thou mayst find women enough which been well expert in divers things who that would search about in the world/ and yet to the same purpose I shall tell the of a woman of Rome.   

¶ Here it speaketh of Semproyne. Ca xlij.  
SEmproyne of Rome was a woman of great beauty/ yet notwithstanding that the shap of her body & of her visage passed in her time all other women in beauty/ yet she passed & exceeded in excellence of subtlety of her wit/ the which she had so ready that there was nothing so subtle in word nor in work but anon she would have it so holy that she would not fail but as her list she would report it all that she had herd say though it were right a great narration. This lady knew not only the latin letters but the Grekyss he also entirely & wrote them so wittily that it was great marvel to se. Also of speech & fecund & of fair manner so comely & so gentle that by her words & manners she could draw any person to that she would/ if she would or list to provoke them to solace/ or joy/ to weep or to sorrow/ in the same wise she could move every man thereto/ other to hardiness or to any deed of strength/ or to learn any other thing/ she could stir them thereto/ & she had spoken with them. And with that so much she was of manner/ of speech/ and of countenance/ and full of courtoysye/ and of sweetness that one should ne ver be satisfied to behold her/ & here her/ she song so melodiously/ and by great craft played in all instruments sovereignly/ & she could all manner of plays/ and to say shortly she was right able and witty to do all manner of things that mannes wit might comprehend.   

¶ Here Xpine asketh of Reason if natural prudence be in woman. Ca xliij.  
Ixpine yet said to her. Madame truly I see well that it is true that god worshipped be he hath given understanding to woman comprehensyfe in all things to understand/ know/ & to hold/ yet for that that one seethe people enough that have right subtle wit & ready to feel & to understand all that one would show them/ & been so subtle in feeling & retentive that there is no science but that it be open enough to them which by haunting of the school getteth right great clergy. And nevertheless there been many also that be of great reputation among clerks & full of science that have but little wisdom in manners & in worldly governance whereof I have great marvel/ for it is no doubt that the introduction of science teacheth the good conditions & virtues. So I would know right fain of you my lady if it pleased you if the understanding of woman which is enough as me seemeth by your proves & that I see it by taking & retentive in subtle things & sciences as others been/ but I would wite if their understanding be prompt & abyle in things that prudence teacheth/ that is to know to have advise upon that which is best to do/ & of that that aught to be least remembrance of things passed by the which one may be the more expert by that ensample that one have wise sight in governance of present things/ & that one have purveyance upon things to come. These things as me seemeth teacheth prudence.  
¶ Answer thou sayest true daughter/ but this prudence of which thou speakest/ know that it cometh by nature to man & woman to some more/ to some less/ & not to allyke/ how be it that she doth so moche that naturally they been prudent. For thou mayst know that two strengths together been more & more resisting than is every strength by himself. And therefore I say to the that every person that by nature hath prudence/ that is called natural wit/ & with that cunning gotten to that person bringeth him to praising/ of great excellence/ yet such hath one/ as thou thyself hath said/ that another hath not. For that one is the gift of god that other is gotten by long studying/ yet they been both good/ but some sooner shall choose natural wit without science gotten than gotten with science/ and nevertheless upon this preposition there may many oppositions be found/ of the which may spring questions enough/ for one might say that he doth well to choose the more which is most available or profit in the common need/ and it is so that to know sciences it profiteth a singular person and more to all persons by the showing that he doth to others that all should not do of natural wit that he should have. For this natural wit may not endure but during the life of the person that hath it/ and when he dieth his wet dieth with him/ but the science that is gotten endureth perpetually for ever to them that hath it for to know in praising/ and it profiteth unto many people/ in so much that they do teach it unto others/ and maketh books unto them that been to come.  
So their science dieth not with them. So as I may show the by ensample of Arystotle & of others by the which the sciences were brought to the world that profiteth more to the world the cunning go ten of them than doth all the prudence without science gotten of all that men passed or those that ben. Not withstanding that by prudence many divers royalmes & empires hath been well governed and dressed/ yet all these things been failing & goeth with these men/ & science endureth ever. But yet this question I shall leave unassoylled & to determine to others. For it draweth not to the purpose of the strengthing of our city/ and I shall turn again to the question that thou hast made to me/ that is to know if there be natural prudence in woman/ of the which thing I answer y● so that thou mayst know by that that is said to the before. So as thou mayst see generally by the gover nance of them in offices that are put to them to do/ & if thou take heed it shall seem the good. Thou shalt find that to govern their household and to purvey for it in all things after their puissance they been commonly and for the most party right curious quick and diligent in so much that their negligent husband's thinketh that it is great annoyance to them that they busy them so much to do that that pertaineth to them to pour vaye and then they say/ that they would be mistresses and more wise than they. And thus they would turn it in to evil that that many women say to them in good intent & of these wise women speaketh the epistle of Solomon/ of which the substance after our purpose will say that it followeth so.   

¶ The epistle of Solomon in the book of proverbs. Ca xliiij.  
WHo shall find a strong woman that is to say wise/ her husband shall not fault of all good. She is praised of all the country/ & her husband trust th' her well/ for she yieldeth him all well the and prosperity in all times/ she seeketh & pour chaseth wols/ that is to understand work to keep her meinie i profitable works to garnish her husband & she herself put her hands to the business/ and she is as a ship of a merchant that beareth all manner of goods and pouruayeth for breed. She giveth her gifts to them that been worthy/ and those been her counsellors. And all abundance of meets & drinks springeth also to her servants. She considereth the value of a manner or she buy it. And by that work of her wit she hath planted wines with the which her house hold is pouruayed. She girdeth her reins with strength and constance of business/ and her arms been in continual good work she seethe that her business is good & therefore she continueth it And for so moche that the light of her labour shall never be quenched what dark time that cometh She busyeth herself in strong things/ & with that she dispraiseth not women's works but she herself worketh it. She stretcheth her hands to the poor & feeble in their succour/ her house by her purveyance is kept from all manner of coldness of snow & those that she hath to govern been clothed in double robes. She maketh for herself robes of silk of purple of worship & of renown/ & her husband is worshipped when he is set with the first ancient men of the earth. She maketh cloth linen & woollen that she selleth/ & her clothing is strength & worship/ & for that joy perpetual shall be to her/ her mouth speaketh always words of wisdom/ & the law of buxomness is in her tongue. She considereth the provisions of her house/ & she eateth not her breed idle. The conditions of her children showeth that she is their mother/ & the work of them showeth her goodness. The clean raiment of her husband yieldeth her praisings. She is mistress of her daughters in all things though they be great/ she dispraiseth false praisings and vain beauty. Such a woman shall dread our lord & shall be praised. and she shall yield her fruit after her work which praiseth her in all places.   

¶ Here it speaketh of Gay Cyryle. Ca xlv.  
TO the purpose that the epistle of Solomon saith of a wise woman may well be remembered the noble queen Gay Cyryle. This lady was of Rome or of constance/ and married to a king of the Romans. She was of prudence in the deed of governance & right virtuous. And with the great natural wit truth & bounty that she had above all women she was praised to be right a great vyander & of notable purveyance/ & though she were a queen & might well leave to work with her hands/ yet she had the heart alway to profit in some thing & no time to be idle/ but always laboured in some work/ & the same wise she made the ladies & damoiselles about her to labour/ & in especial those that served her. She found the manner to sort wols/ & to make fine cloth & of divers sorts/ & in that she occupied her which is for the time a right honourable thing/ by which this noble lady in all places was praised & worshipped/ by which for the reverence & memory of her the Romans which after increased in right great puissance which in her time were not ordained & maintained the custo me that to the wedding of her daughters when the spouse should enter first in to the house of her husband/ one asked how she should be named/ & she answered Gay/ & that gave to understand that she would follow this same lady in deeds & in works after her puissance.   

¶ Here it speaketh of the advise of Dydo queen of Cartage. Ca xlv●.  
PRudence so as thyself hast said before/ is to have advise & a beholding upon things that one will take on hand how that they should be determined/ and that women should be in such respect advised in great matters. I shall give the yet ensample of some puissant ladies/ & first of Dydo. This Dydo was first named Elyxa/ the cunning of her prudence showed well by her works as I shall tell ye. She founded & edified a city in the land of africa named Cartage of the which she was lady & queen/ & the manner of that founding to get the land & to possede it showed in her great constance/ noblesse & virtue/ without which to have by grace very prudence may not be in any person. The coming of this lady was of them of Fenyce which of the last parties of Egypt came in to the land of Syrye/ & there they founded & builded divers noble towns and cities Among the which people there was a king called Agenor of the which descended by lineage the father of this lady dydo which was named Beel & was king of Fenyce/ & he put the royalme of Cypre under his subjection. This king had one son named Pygynalyon/ & this maiden Dydo with out more children/ & when he came to the death he charged greatly his barons that they should bear to these two children love & truth & so to do they made promise to him. When the king was deed they crowned Pygynalyon his son & wedded Elyxe which was right a fair maid to a duke of the country which was greatest after the king & was called Acerbe city or Cytens. And this Cyteon was the great priest of the temple of Hercules after their law and was a marvelous rich man And so he and his wife loved much together and led a good life. But this king Pygynalyon was of shrewd conditions/ cruel/ & the most covetous person that one might see/ for he could not have so moche but he would covet more Elyxe his sister which knew well his great covetise/ and also she knew well that her husband had great treasure/ and there was great speaking of this richesse/ she counseled and advised him that he should keep him from the king/ and should put his goods in some secret place/ to that intent that the king should not take it away. Cycyens' believed well this counsel yet he kept not well his person from the awaits of the king as she had told him. So the king made him to be slain on a day/ to the intent that he might have his great treasures/ of the which death Elyxe had so great sorrow that she was near hand deed/ and was long time in weeping and wailing/ soro wing piteously her husband and her lord/ cursing her cruel brother that made him to die. But the false king that found a wile of his opinion which was for that that he had found little or naught of the goods of Cytens and bore great rancour to his sister. For he thought that she had hidden the goods. And she which saw well that she was in great peril of her life was warned by her prudence to leave her own country & to go thence. This thing remembered/ she took advise in herself by virtuous courage of that she should do & armed her with stren gthe & constance to put in effect that she would take on hand. So this lady knew well that the king was not welbyloved of his lords/ nor of his people for the great cruelties & extortions that he died/ so she took to her certain lords & citizens/ & also of the common people/ & after that that she had made them swear that they should hold it in counsel such thyngesas she would devise to them she by right fair language began to declare her intent/ so moche that they accorded to go with her/ & there to they made their oath to be true & faithful. So this lady as soon as she might made ready her navy all secretly/ & by night she departed with all her great treasures & foison of people with her & she charged greatly her mariners to employ them to go. Moore greater malice died this lady for she knew well that her brother as soon as he knew of her going would send people after her/ & secretly she made fill great males & great farthels of things of no value/ but they were heavy as it had been great treasure to that intent that in delivering these foresaid males & farthels to them that her brother would send after it should let her pass & not to hurt her going/ which thing came all to the point/ for they were not long, go but great foison of people came from the king sewynge after her to have arrested her but the lady well & wisely spoke to them & said that she went in her pilgrimage/ so they letted her not/ but when this lady saw that this excusation would not advayle she knew well that he would nothing with her but to have her treasure, & she said that she would send it to him with a good will/ and those that knew well that they would do their pain to content the king's appetite & to appease the king/ & then the lady with a sorrowful cheer as though she took sorrow for it made to be delivered all these males & bags to them. And those that trowed verily the they had do ne well their devoir & that they should bring joy full tidings to the king departed from her/ & the queen without making semblant of that thought on her going as soon as she might/ & they went so long by day & by night that they arrived in the isle of Cypre/ & there they refreshed them a lie tell while/ & anon after she took her ships when she had done her oblations unto the gods/ and she brought with her the priest of jovys & his wife & all his household/ & he had divined before that there should come a lady of the parties of Phenyce for the which he should leave his country & should go with her. Thus they went & left behind them the land of Grece & the land of Cecyll in the right hand & they sailed long by the land of Me●ulye so moche that they arrived in Ausryke & there took the land and anon came the people of the country to see the manner & what people they were/ & when they saw the lady & her people they brought plenty of vy●ay les & the lady spoke to them right friendly & said/ that for the great wealth the she had herd say of that coun tree she was come thither to devil there if it pleased them/ & they answered that they would well/ and the lady that made semblant that she would make no great dwelling upon a strange land required them to sell to her upon the see cost so moche land only as the hide of an ox would enclose there to make dwelling places for her & her people/ the which thing was granted to her/ and the covenants & the price sworn between them. The lady then which showed her wit & great prudence made to take an hide of an ox/ & made to cut it by the smallest thongs that might be made & knit them together all on length & after made to stretch it upon the ground all about the see cost which con teyned a marvelous great country of the which thing the sellers were marvelous sore abashed & marveled moche of the cauteyles of this woman & not for that yet they must hold their price▪ & thus this lady gate this land in africa/ & in the said fortaking there was smitten of the heed of an horse/ by the which heed & by the cry & the flight of by'r des they understood after their dyvyning that in that city that should be founded/ there should be in time to come men of war & wise in arms. Then this lady sent anon all about to seek werkemen & opened her treasure & made to build a city/ marvelous great/ fair & strong which she named Cartage/ & the tower of the dungeon she called Byrse which is to say the hide of an ox/ & so as she beganto build her city she heard tidings of her brother which menaced her greatly & all that were in her company for because she had mocked him of the treasoure/ but she answered to the messengers that the treasure was good & fair that she took to bear to her brother/ but that by adventure those that brought it took it away & put in stead of that some false things/ or that it might well be for the vengeance of the death of her husband the gods had no will that he that slew him should rejoice his goods & ther fore they have changed it. But as for the manasing she thought by the help of her gods she should defend her from her brother/ & than she made to call all those that she had brought thither with her & said to them that she would not that they should abide with her against her courage/ ne that by her should come encumbrance to them/ by the which if they would turn home again all or some of them that she would restore them for their labour & send them forth/ & they answered all with one voice that they would live & die with her without parting all the days of their lives. Then departed the messengers, & the lady as much as she might busied her to perform her cited & when it wasal made she or deigned laws to the people for to live after right & justice/ & thus she governed so notably & by great prudence that in all countries went her renown/ & every manspake of her not only for the great virtue that was in her but as much for hardiness of the fair enterprise that she had made/ & for the great prudent governance they changed her name & called her Dydo which is as much to say in latin as Ui rago/ that is to say she that hath virtue & strength of man/ & thus she lived gloriously a great while & longer had done if fortune had been favourable to her/ but as she often times envious to them that been in prosperity dystempered to her an hard draft of drink at the last so as here after in time & place I shall tell the.   

¶ Here it speaketh of Opis. Ca xlvij.  
OPys or Ops that sith was called goddess & mother of gods was of the ancient people/ had in reputation as right a wise woman for that that after the saying of the old histories right prudently & constantly she could hold her content among the prosperities & adversities that happened to her in her tyme. This lady was dou ghter of Urane that was right a puissant man in Grece & of Uesta his wife which was right rude & little knowing of the world/ and this lady Opys or Ops was wedded to Saturnus the king of Crete which was her brother. So this king had a vision that his wife should be delivered of a man child that should slay him/ & for to void this foresaid destiny he ordained that all the men children that the queen should have should be slain/ yet for all that this lady died so moche by her wit which found such cauteyles that she respited her three sons from the death/ that is to know jupiter Neptunus / and Pluto/ and she was greatly worshipped sith/ and her wisdom praised/ and for her understanding/ and for the authority of her children she gate in her time so great voice/ and worship in the world that the lewd people of the countre called her goddess and mother of gods. For her'sones in their living was counted for gods for that they were in some things more knowing then other men that were all as beasts. So there were ordained and sacryfyed temples/ the which opinion the fools kept long time/ and the same wise at Rome in the time of the prosperity of the Romans was this folly/ & then had this goddess in great reverence.   

¶ Of Lavine daughter of the king Latyn. Capitulo xlviij  
LAuyne which was queen of the Larynes had also praising of prudence. This noble lady was descended of this Saturnus king of Crete of whom we have spoken/ & was daughter of the king Latyn/ and after Turnus the king of Turylyens coveted to have her to wife/ but her father which had answer of the gods that she should be given to a lord of Troy which tarried the marriage long time/ notwithstanding that his wife laboured the contrary/ & when Aeneas was arrived in Italy he asked leave of the king Latin to descend upon his land/ but he gave him not only that leave/ but he granted him his daughter in marriage. And for this cause Tur nus moved war against Aeneas in the which was great slaughter & king Turnus was slay ne himself. And Aeneas had the victory and wedded Lavine that had sith a son by him of whom she mas great when Aeneas died. But when it ca●●e that she should be delivered for the great dread that she had that a son that Aeneas had of another woman/ which child was named Asta nyus that for covetise of reygnyge should not slay the child that she was delivered of. She went & was delivered in a wood and gave the child a name julyus Syluyus. This lady would never after be married/ and she governed her in her wydo whode right prudentely/ and maintained the royalme by great wisdom/ and her son in law had her in so great love that he had none evil will against her nor his brother. But after that that he had builded the rite of Alba he went to dwell there/ & Lavine governed the land right wisely till the child was grown/ of the which child came Remus and Romulus which founded Ro me/ and the high Roman princes that came sith. ¶ what wouldest thou that I should say more more dear daughter/ me seemeth that I have brought for the proves enough to mine intent/ that is to understand of that I she we by quick reason & ensample that god hath not had/ ne hath in reprobation the feminine use as these men have/ so as thou seest clearly. And as it hath appeared & yet shall appear by the disposition of mine other two sisters that been here. For well me seemeth that from hens forth it aught to suffice in that that I have made the walls of the cloister of the city of ladies. Now been all things achieved and ordained. Now cometh forth mine other, two sisters/ and by their help and devise let the remanant of the building be performed and made an end by them.   
¶ Here endeth the first part of the book of the city of Ladies.   


¶ Here after followeth the table or rubrysshes of the second party of this book/ which telleth how/ and by whom the city was builded within and peopled.  

¶ Tabula.  
¶ The first chapter speaketh of the ten Sybylles Capitulo. Primo.  
¶ Also of Sybylle Erytee. Capitulo two  
¶ Also of Sybylle Almethea. Ca iij.  
¶ Also of divers ladies. Ca iiij.  
¶ Also of Nycostrate/ and of Cassandra/ and of the queen Basyne. Ca v.  
¶ Of Anthoyne that become Empress. Ca vj.  
¶ Xpine, speaketh to dame rightwiseness. Ca seven.  
¶ Here it beginneth to speak of daughters that loved father & mother & first of Drypetue. Ca viij.  
¶ Also of Isyphyle. Ca ix.  
¶ Also of the virgin Caudyne. Ca x.  
¶ Also of a woman that gave her mother sowke in prison. Ca xj.  
¶ Also rightwiseness saith that she hath achieved the treasourye that it is time to people it. Ca xij.  
¶ Also Xpine asketh of dame right wysnesyf that be true that these books & these men say that the life of marriage is hard to bear for the occasion of women & to their great wrong/ and there answereth rightwiseness & beginneth to speak of the great love of women to their husband's. Ca xiij.  
¶ Also of the queen Ipsytrace. Ca xiv.  
¶ Also of the Empress Tryarye. Ca xv.  
¶ Also of the queen Archemyse. Ca xuj.  
¶ Also of Argive daughter of the king Adrastus' Capitulo xvij  
¶ Also of the noble lady Agryppyne. Ca xviij.  
¶ Also Xpine saith & after rightwiseness answereth giving ensample & of the noble lady july daughter of julyus Cezar/ & wife of the prince Pompee. Ca xix.  
¶ Also of the noble lady tierce Emulyen. Ca xx  
¶ Also of zancyppe wife of the phylosophre Socrates. Ca xxj.  
¶ Of Pompay pauline wife of seneke. Ca xxij.  
¶ Also of the noble Sulpyce. Ca twenty-three.  
¶ Also of divers ladies together that respited their husbands from the death. Ca xxiv.  
¶ Also Xpine saith to dame rightwiseness against them that saith that women can keep no counsel & the answer that she maketh is of Porcya daughter of Catho. Ca xxv.  
¶ To the same purpose of the noble lady Curya. Capitulo xxuj  
¶ yet to the same purpose. Ca xxvij.  
¶ Also proves against that y● some say that a man is a fool that believeth the counsel of his wife & taketh any trust to it/ Xpine asketh of rightwiseness and she answereth her. Ca xxviij.  
¶ Of men to▪ whom it hath well sewed of believing of their wives/ & giveth ensample of divers. Ca xxix.  
¶ Of the great wealth that is come to the world & cometh all day because of women. Ca thirty.  
¶ Also of Judith the noble widow. Ca xxxj.  
¶ Also of the queen, Hester. Ca xxxij.  
¶ Of the ladies of Sabyne. Ca xxxiij.  
¶ Also of Ueturye. Ca xxxiiij.  
¶ Of the queen of France Clotylde. Ca xxxv.  
¶ Also against them that say that it is not good that women learn letters. Ca xxxuj.  
¶ Also Xpine saith to rightwiseness & an answer upon the same against them that say that there been but few women chaste & speaketh of Susan. Ca xxxvij.  
¶ Also of Sarra. Ca xxxviij.  
¶ Also of Rebecca. Ca xxxix.  
¶ Also of Ruth. Ca xl.  
¶ Also of Penolope. Ca xlj.  
¶ Also against them that saith that uneaths fair women been chaste & speaketh of Maryamyre. Ca xlij.  
¶ Also of the same & of Anthoyne wife of Druse Tiber. Capitulo xliij  
¶ Also against them that say that women will be wilfully ravished of men/ ensamples divers/ & first of Lucrece. Ca xliiij.  
¶ Also of the queen of Gausgrees. Ca xlv.  
¶ Of the Sycambres & other maidens. Ca xluj.  
¶ Proves against y● that one saith of the inconstance of women Xp̄ine speaketh & rightwiseness answereth her of the inconstance of divers emperors Capitulo xlvij  
¶ Also of Nero. Ca xlviij.  
¶ Of the emperor Galba and of others. Ca xlix.  
¶ Also of Grysylde marquyse of Saluce a strong woman in virtue. Ca l.  
¶ Also of Florence of Rome. Ca lj.  
¶ Of that wife of Barnabo the Genevoys. Ca lij.  
¶ Also after that that right had told of constant ladies Xp̄ine demanded her if it were true that divers men say that there are but few women praisable in the life of love/ & rightwiseness answereth Capitulo. liij.  
¶ Also of Dydo queen of Cartage to the purpose of stable love in a woman. Ca liiij.  
¶ Also of Medea. Ca lv.  
¶ Also of Tysbe the maid. Ca luj.  
¶ Also of Hero. Ca lvij.  
¶ Also of Sysmonde daughter of the prince of Salerne. Ca lviij.  
¶ Also of Lyzabeth & of other lovers. Ca lix.  
¶ Also of juno & other worshipful ladies. Ca lx  
¶ Also Xpine saith & rightwiseness answereth her against those that saith that women draweth men to them by their jolytees. Ca lxj.  
¶ Of Claudyne woman of Rome. Ca lxij.  
¶ How that he lieth not that saith that some women delighteth them in fair clothing or array. Ca xliij.  
¶ Of queen Blaunche mother of saint Lewes & other good women loved for their virtues. ca lxiiij.  
¶ Also Xpine saith and rightwiseness answereth her against them that say that women by nature are scarce and covetous. Ca lxv.  
¶ Of the rich lady & liberal Buyse. Ca lxuj.  
¶ Of pryncesses & ladies of France. Ca lxvij.  
¶ Also Xpine speaketh to all princesses and to all women. Ca lxviij.   
¶ Here endeth the table.   

¶ Here beginneth the second party of the book of the city of Ladies the which telleth how & by whom the city was builded within and peopled. And the first chapter speaketh of the .v. Sybylles. Capitulo. Primo.  
 
AFter the words of the first lady that was named Reason. The second lady drew her toward me the which was named rightwiseness/ & thus said to me. Dear friend I aught to draw me aback/ nor to bellowe to build & to make the stone work with thy help in circuit of the cloister of the wail now made by my sister Reason of the city of Ladies. Now take thy tolls and come before and tempre thy mortar every corner/ and build on fast with the foot of thy pen. For I shall deliver enough whereof/ & by the virtue of god we shall have good building & high places/ royal & noble mansions of these excellent ladies of great worship and renown che shall be lodged in this city/ & shall abide perpe tually fro hens forth. Then Ixpine hearing the word of this worshipful lady said in this manner/ Right excellent lady see me here all ready. Not we command for my desire is to obey/ & she laid to me thus. Friend behold these fair stones more fairer than any precious stones & shining which I have sought for y● & ordained them, ready to lodge them in the masonry seemeth y● that I have been idle while my sister Reason & you have been busy Or set them a row after my line that thou seest here by the ordinance that I shall tell the. Among the ladies of sovereign dignity may well be put in the row ofhyghnesse's the highly fulfilled of Savil pyence the wise Sybelles the which as old an tentyke auctors put in their writings were ten by number though that some put but ix ¶ O my dear friend take heed here what more worship in deed of revelations died god ever to a prophet that he loved more than he gave and granted to these right noble ladies of whom I speak to the died not he send in to them the holy spirit of prophecy so moche that it seemed not only of that that they said that it should be a pronosty cacyon of time to come/ but it seemed as it were of chronicles of things passed and came so moche that they were clearly understanding in their things written/ & also of the coming of our lord Ihesu Cryst which came right long time after they spoke more clearly as it is found than died all the prophets These ladies used all their lives in maiden hood & dyspraysed pollution/ and all were named Sybelles/ and it is not to understand that it was their proper names/ but Sybelle is to say as knowing the thought of god/ and so they were called for that that they prophesied marvelous things that it was convenient that that they said should come to them of the pure thought of god. So it is a name of office and no proper name. These ladies were borne in divers countries of the world and not all in one time/ and all they prophesied great foison of things to come and in especial of our lord Ihesu Cryst and of his coming/ so as it is said right clearly though that they were all paynims & not of the law of jews which that time was the law of god. ¶ The first was borne in the land of pierce/ & for that she was named Persya. ¶ The second was of Lybye/ and was called Lybyca. ¶ The third of De●phe engendered in the temple of Appolyn/ & was named Delphyca. And this lady preached the destruction of Troy long time before/ & Ovid put many verses of her in his book. ¶ The fourth was of italy & was called Symerya. ¶ The fift was of Babylon and was called Erophyle. This lady answered to them of grece of things that they demand her/ that Troy and ylyon the strong castle should perish by them/ and that Omere should write lesyngly/ also she was called Erytell for that she dwelled in y● I'll/ and there were her books found. ¶ The uj was of the isle of Samos & was called Samya. ¶ The vij was called Cunyana and was borne of ytallye in Cumynys in the land of champagne. ¶ The eight was named Elespontyne & was borne hesponte in the fe●de of Troy & flowered in the temple of the noble authors Solyn & Tyry. ¶ The ix was of Frygya therefore she was named Frygica. This lady spoke moche of the falling of divers lordshyps'/ & she spoke moche of the coming of the false prophet Antecryst ¶ The ten was called Tyburtine/ & by another name Albuyna of whom the writings are much praised for that that she wrote clearly of Ihesu Cryst and notwithstanding that these Sybylles were borne of paynims all they reproved their law/ and blamed them that they worshipped divers god's saying that there is but one god/ & that all their idols were but vain.   

¶ Here it speaketh of Sybyll Erytee. Ca ij.  
Among that other Sybelles' Eryte had the greatest prerogative of wisdom. For of her the virtue was so great by a singular & a special gift of god that she wrote & prophesied divers things to come so clearly that it seemed better to be a gospel than prophecy/ & at the request of the greeks she put their labours clearly in writings/ their ba tails/ & the destruction of Troy that it was never clearer after it was done than it was before. The same wise she descrived and put to guider in few words & true the Empire & the lordship of the Romans/ & their divers adventures long time before that it was come/ & so it seemed better to be a short remembrance of things passed than of things of time to come. And a more greater deed she died & a more marvel/ for she prophesied & opened plainly the secretness of the thought of god that was never opened by the prophets but by figures & dark words and covert. That is to know the holy ghost/ the mystery of the incarnation of the son of god in the maiden Marry. And in her book there was written/ Jesus'/ Ceytos/ Cenyos. Sothor which was to say in english Ihesu Cryst son of god & saviour/ & there was also the life & the works of him/ the treason and the taking & all the scornynges & his death. The resurrection/ the victory/ and the assention/ the coming of the holy ghost to the apostles/ the coming at the day of judgement/ & the same wise that she had said & compounded shortly the mystery of the christian faith/ & not only she told the deeds to come/ that is to say the day of judgement/ the trembling day the earth shall sweet blood/ the king shall come fro heaven that shall judge all the world/ & that both good & evil shall see/ every soul shall take again his body/ & every soul shall have praising after his desert. There richesse shall fail & the false images also/ the fire shall burn both see & land/ & all thing shall perish except the saints loved of god/ there shall be no thing hid/ all shall be open/ & all things shall die/ there shall be weeping & sorrowful people shall strain their teeth for distress The son/ the moan/ the stars shall loose their clearness/ hills & valays shall be made even/ the see & the land & all things shall be brought in equalness The trump of heaven shall call mankind to come to the judgement/ then there shall be great dread & every man shall weep for his folly. Then shall the earth be made new/ kings & princes shall come before the judge which shall give every man after his desert. Fire of brimstone shall depart from heaven which shall fall in to hell. And all these things been contained in xxvij verses that this Sybylle made. For the which merits as Bocace saith and other wise authors which that writeth of her holdeth that she was right well beloved with god/ & that she aught to be honoured more than any other woman after the holy saints of paradise. This woman kept her in vyrgy nyte all the days of her life/ & so it is to presume that she was brought up in all cleanness/ for in an heart evil tatches/ or fouled with vices it may not be that moche light of knowing of things to come might have his being.   

¶ Of the Sybyll Almethea. Ca iij.  
ALmethea that Sybylle was borne as it is said in the land of champagne which is nigh Rome. This lady had all so right especial grace of the spirit of prophecy/ & she was borne as some auctors say in the time of the destruction of Troy/ & lived unto the time of Tarquyne the proud/ & some called her Deiphyle. This lady notwithstanding that she lived a marvelous great age she was a virgin all her life/ & for the great wisdom of her some poets feigned that was loved of Phoebus which they called god of wisdom/ & that by the gift of this Phoebus she gate so much of understanding & lived long/ which is to understand y● for her maidenhead & for that she was loved of god the son of sapience which enlumyned her with the clearness of prophecy by the which she hath said before & written many divers things to come. Over this it is written that she being at the rivage of Bayoule nigh the lake of hell had a noble & a marvelous answer & revelation divine which is written & kept in her name & is in ver Ry med. And though it be right an ancient thing it is yet a great marvel of the greatness & the excellence of this to whom it is well considered & beholden. Some faynynges say that the led Aeneas to hell & brought him again. This woman came to Rome & brought with her ix books the which she presented to cell to Tarquyne the king/ but as he would refuse to take them of the price that she asked she brent three of them in his presence/ & that other day she asked for the other vi books that were left the same price as she asked for the hole ix & swore that if one would not give the same price that she asked anon she would burn three of them/ & the day after that king Tarquyne gave her the same price that she asked first. So these books were well kekte & it was found that they declared clearly the acts that should come unto the Romans/ & the great case that sith hath happened they found written in the said books/ the which singularly be kept in the treasourye of the Emperors as for to receive counsel of them as it were an answer divine▪ ¶ Now take heed here sweet friend how god gave so great grace to a women that she had wit to counsel & advise not only one Emperor in his life/ but to all them that were to come to Rome & all the deeds of the Empire during the world. So tell me I the pray where was there ever a man that should do that/ & y● as a fool not long ago heldest the evil content to be of the kind of such creatures thinking the god would have had it in reprocyon/ of this Sybylle speaketh Uyrgyll in his book all in verses. She ended her days & her tomb was showed long after   

¶ Of dyders ladies prophets. Ca iiij.  
THese foresaid ladies were not only by the gift of god prophetysing to the world/ but there hath been great foison of others i all laws that hath been holden/ for if thou look in the law of jews y● shalt find enough as Delborra which was a woman prophet in the time of judges of Israel/ by the which Delborra the people of god were delivered out of the bondage of the king of Canaan which had holden them in servitude twenty years. ¶ The blessed Elysabeth cousin to our lady was not she a prophet when she said to the blessed maiden that came to visit her/ whence cometh this that the mother of god is come to me/ yet she knew that she was conceived of the holy ghost/ but it was by the spirit of prophecy. ¶ Also my friend the good lady Anne hebrewe that lighted the lamps in the temple had not she the spirit of prophecy as Symeon had the prophet to whom our lady presented Ihu▪ christ on Candelmasse day upon the altar of the temple & the holy prophet knew that it was the saviour of the world/ & took him between his arms/ yet the good lady Anne which went about in the temple doing her office/ anon as she saw the holy virgin holding her son enter in to the temple/ she knew in spirit that it was the saviour of the world/ she k●●●ed down & worshipped him & said with an high voice that it was he that was come to save all the world. Thou shalt find women prophets enough in the law of jews and thou look after them/ & in the christian law as infinite as the saints/ but now pass we over these here/ for that that one might say that god had privileged them by his special gift▪ & let us pass over speaking yet of paynims. ¶ The queen of Saba of who me holy scripture maketh mention that when she that was of sovereign understanding herd speak of the wisdom of Solomon of whom that fame ran by all the world she desired to see him/ & for that that she came out of a corner of the orient one of the last parties of the world/ she left her country & road by the land of Othyope/ & of Egypte by the passages of the reed see/ & by the great deserts of Arabe/ & with a noble company of princes/ lords/ & kny ghtes/ & of many noble ladies with great estate/ & treasure of many precious things/ & arrived in the city of Iherusalem to se & visit the wise Solomon/ & to know if it were true that folk said of him in all the world. So Solomon received her with great worship as it was reason & she was with him a great while & proved his wisdom in many things. Many demands & questions she made to him which were right dark/ and covert/ the which he answered after that she asked so greatly that she said that he might not have so great wisdom by man's wit/ but by the special gift of god. This lady g●●te him many divers precious things among the which there were plants of little trees that yielded liquor & bore balm. The which king Solomon made plant nigh a water called Allephater & commanded that they should be laboured & kept wisely & also she gave him many precious jewels. Of the wisdom of this lady & of her prophecy speaketh many divers scriptures that saith/ that as she was in Iherusalem/ & that Solomon led her for to see the noblesse of the temple that he had made to build. She saw a long board that was couched attravers of a mire & made as a plank to pass over the deepness. Then the body rested in beholding the plank & worshipped it & said/ this plank which is now holden in great foulness and put under the feet shall be yet worshipped above all the trees of the world & garnished with precious stones & treasure of princes/ & upon this sa me plank he shall die that shall bring the jews law to naught. They held this word but for a scorn or a jape but put him away & hid him in the earth in a place where as they trowed that it should never be found/ but that y● god will have kept is well saved. For as well as they could hide it yet it was found at the last in the time of the passion of our lord Ihesu Cryst/ & of this plank was the cross on the which our saviour suffered his passion/ & then was the prophecy made true of this lady.   

¶ Of Nycostrate/ and of others. Ca v.  
THis Nycostrate of whom mention was made before was also a woman prophet/ for as soon as she had passed the flood of Tybre & she with her son evander where histories enough maketh mention was upon the mount Pallentyne she prophesied that upon the hill should be builded a city the most named that ever was in the world/ & should be the chief & sovereign of all lordships world lie/ & to the conclusion that she would be the tyrst that should say a stone/ she builded there a strong castle so as it is said before & there is Rome builded sith and edified. ¶ Also Cassandra the noble maid of Troy daughter to king Priamus of Troy/ & sister to the worshipful Hector/ she was so great a clerk that she knew all the crafts & was also a prophet. For this maid would never take man though it had been a great prince & she had in spirit that that was to come she was ever full of sorrow & heaviness/ & when she saw the great prosperity of Troy so greatly flourished in magnificence before y● the war began between the Trojans & the greeks she made moche sorrow & wept sore beholding the noblesse & richesse of the city/ her fair & worship full brethren & specially the noble Hector that was so worshipful a man she might not hold her peace for the great sorrow that was to come. And when she saw the war begin than began her sorrow/ so she seized not to cry & wail & counseled her father and her brethren to make peace with the greeks or else without fail with the war they should be destroyed/ but they took no charge of all her words nor believed her/ & always as she that greatly plained & of good right this great loss & damage might not be still by the which often times she was beaten of her father & of her brethren the said she was a fool/ but for all that she would not hold her in peace to die therefore ne spared not to speak without seasyn ge. For the which to make her hold her peace they made her to be shit in a chambre to put away her noise from their eeres/ yet it had been better that they had believed her/ for it happened to them as she had told them before. So they believed at the end & then it was to late for them/ & so it happeneth oft times that a fool will never believe a thing till he have it. ¶ Also was it not a marvelous Pronosty cacyon that the queen Basyne made/ that had been the wife of the king of Thoring & sith was wife to Chylderyke the four king of France so as the chronicles containeth it. For the history saith that the night of the wedding of her & of the king chill deryke/ she said to him that he should hold him chaste that night & he should see a marvelous vyspon. And then she said to him anon after that he should rise & go to the door of the chambre and not well that that he should se. The kyuge went thither & it seemed him that he saw great beasts that men call Unycornes/ Leopards/ and lions/ that went & came by the palace/ so he returned again all afeard and demanded the queen what that should signify/ & she answered him that she would tell him in the morning/ and that he should have no dread/ but to go thither again/ & so he died. And it seemed him that he same great bears & wolves that would run one upon another. The queen sent him again the third time/ and him seemed that he saw dogs/ and little beasts/ each of them despising other. And as the king was much adread of this thing. The queen told him the advy zion of the beasts that he had seen/ which signified divers generations of princes that should reign in France that should come of them/ the which their conditions and their deeds should draw after the nature of those beasts that he had seen. So thou mayst clearly see fair love how our lord hath made open often times his secrets to the world by women.   

¶ Here it speaketh of antony that become Empress. Capitulo uj  
THat was no little secret that god showed by revelation of a woman to justynyan/ which was sith Em peroure of Constantinople as the histories telleth. This justynyan was keeper of the treasures & coffers of the Emperor justyne. It happened in a day that as this Iusty nyan was go to disport him in the fields/ and had brought with him to be his comfort a woman that he loved moche which was called Anthony/ and when the hour of night was come & that this justynyan had lust to sleep/ and laid his heed in his lovers lap. And when he was on sleep/ then Anthony saw a great Egle come flyenge over them which pained him to come down to keep the visage of justynyan fro the brenning of the son with his wings. This woman which was wise understood the sygnyfyaunce. And when he was awaked she reasoned with him by fair words and said. Fair sweet love I have loved you moche and love you as him which is the master of my body/ and of my love as ye know well. So it is no reason that a lover well loved of his love aught to deny her nothing. And for that I would require you in reward of my maidenhead/ and of my love but one gift the which though it be right great to me it shall seem to you but right little if ye will grant it me. justynyan answered to his love that she should require him hardly/ and that she should fail of nothing that he might grant her. Then said Anthony. My love the gift that I require of you is this/ that when ye shall be Emperor that ye have not in dispraising your poor love Anthony/ but that she may accompany her with your worship & with your Empire by true marriage/ & so to promise me right anon/ when justynyan had heard the damosel thus speak he began to laugh trowing that she said it in jape. And as he that held it as a thing impossible to hap pen to him promised her that without fail he would take her to his wife when he should be Emperor & so he swore by all his gods/ and than she thanked him heartily/ and in token of this promise she gave him her ring/ and he gave his to her. And anon the began to say. I bring the tidings certainly that thou shalt be Emperor and that it shall be in short tyme. And then they departed. So it passed not long time after that as the Emperor justyne had assembled his host to go upon them of Perce a sickness took him through the which he died. And as after the princes & ba rons were assembled to choose a new Emperor & they might not well accord/ it happened that in manner of despite of another/ they chose justynyan to be Emperor/ the which slewthed not but as soon as he might/ right vigorously with a great host ran upon these Percyens & wan y● ba tail & took the king of Perce & conquered there great good & worship/ & when he was returned home into his palace Anthony his love forgot †hyt† not but did that she might to enter by great subtlety there where he sat in his throne with his princes/ & she kneeled before him & began her reason & said that she was a maid that was come to him to ask right & reason of a man that had betrothed her & had given her his ring & taken hers. The Emperor which yet thought not on her/ answered her and said if that man had betrothed her reason would that he took her/ and if she might prove that she said that she should have right and that he should take her. And then Anthony drew the ring from her finger/ and showed it to him/ and said. Noble Empe roure I may prove it by this ring/ behold it if thou know it. Then the Emperor saw well that he was taken by his words yet not for that he thought to keep his promise. And anon he made her to be led into his chambre to array her in noble garments/ and took her to wife.   

¶ Here Xpine speaketh to rightwiseness. Ca seven.  
MAdame by that that I understand & see openly the great right of women against that of which they be so much accused maketh me to know better from hence forth the wrong of their accusers. And yet I may not hold me still of a common custom that runneth among these men And in the same wise among some women/ that the common custom is this/ that when these women be with child/ and be delivered of a maid child/ the husbands been wroth with it often times and chideth/ for that his wife was not delivered of a son. And their nice wives which aught to have sovereign joy of that/ that god hath safely delivered them/ & thank him with good heart/ they troubled themself also/ for that their house bands been troubled with it. And madame from whence cometh that/ that they be wroth/ be the daughters of more prejudice than the sons/ or be they of less love to their father & mother & less charge to them than be the sons. ¶ Answer. Dear friend for that that thou demandest me the cause whence it cometh I answer the certainly that/ that cometh of right great simpleness and ignorance to them that troubleth them so. Notwithstanding that the pryncypal cause that moveth them thereto is for the cost of their goods that they must unpurse & lay out when they be in the age of marriage. And also some doth it for that they doubt the perils that they may be deceived by evil counsel in simples/ but all these causes in regard be of no reason For as touching the doubt that they do folly/ there been but few/ but they inform their children when they been young and little and that the mother giveth them good ensamples between themself in honest and teaching. For if the mother were of a folly life it should be little ensample to the daughter/ and that she be kept from evil company and holden short in time of youth/ it is the prerogative to good conditions all her life. ¶ Item as to the cost I trow if the father and mother behold well that that the son cost them/ as to make them to learn sciences or craft/ as to hold them in estate and also in superfluous despenses/ in lewd companies/ and in many nycetees/ I trow they should find but little advantage in sons more than in daughters. And the wrath and sorrow that they 'cause often times their faders & moders to have/ as in following of dissolute life & so much grief and cost to their faders & moders I trow it should pass the sorrow that they have for their daughters. ¶ Behold how many sons thou shalt find that have nourished sweetly and meekly their faders and moders in their age/ so as they aught to do. I trow thou shalt find them but thin sown. And though the father and mother make as much of their sons as their goods/ when they be wexen mighty and rich and their father poor they will despise him/ and they will be wroth & shameful when they see him. And if their father be rich they will desire his death to have his good. ¶ All be not such/ but there be many of them/ and when the sons be married/ god knoweth the great covetise that they have always to draw from the father and mother/ and they would not reck though they should die for hunger/ so that they might have al. And where as the mother abideth wedo we and where as they aught to comfort her/ and to be staff and bearer up of her age/ they will cry on her till they have drawn from her that that she hath And if she will not give them enough after their intent they will have no conscience to move plea against her. Of such sons there be enough/ & some daughters haply also. yet if thou take good heed I trow thou shalt find sons more shrewysshe to the father and mother than daughters. And yet I put case that all were good/ it is commonly said the doghters' hold better company to the faders and moders than the sons. And more visiteth/ comforteth/ and keepeth them in their sickness and egg The cause is this/ for that that the sons travaileth more up and down in the world here and there/ and the daughters be more coy and hold them more nigh so as thou mayst see thyself. For notwithstanding that thy brethren were right natural & of great love/ they be go in to the world and thou alone art abiding to keep company with thy good mother the which is a sovereign comfort in her age. And for that I say to the in conclusion that they be more fools that troubleth them and be wroth when they have borne daughters. And for that that upon this purpose thou hast put me/ I will tell the of some women of whom among other the histories writeth/ which were right kind unto their father and mother.   

¶ Here it beginneth to speak of doughtes that loved father and mother/ and first of Drypetrue. Ca viij.  
OF great love to her father was Drypetrue queen of Laodocye/ she was daughter to the great king Mytrydaces And she loved him so much that she followed him in all battles. She was of a strange shape in some things/ for she had a double rue of teeth which was a great deformyte/ but she was of so great love to her father that she ●●te him never nother in prosperity ne i evil fortune And though she were a queen and lady of a great land by the which she might well be at rest and ease in her country/ she was in every place partycy pant of all the pains and travails that her father had in many divers armies there as he was And when he was overcomen of the great Pompee/ she left him never/ but served him by great charge and diligence.   

¶ Of Isyphyle. Ca ix.  
ISyphyle put her in peril of death to save her father/ which was named Thoant and was king of Levydynyens. And as his country rebelled against him and with a great woodness came to the palace to slay the king. Isyphyle anon hid him in one of her coffres. And after she leapt out to appease the people/ but i● availed her nothing/ and as they sought the king all about and might not find him. They put the points of their glaives against Isyphyle and gretel● menaced her of death if she would not tell them o● her father. And with that they promised her if they might know by her where he was/ they would crown her queen/ and they would obey to her. But she which coveted more the life of her father then to be queen/ ne was not afeard for dread of d● the answered them with an hardy courage/ and without sign of any dread/ that without fail he was fled a great while before. And at y● lastfor● that they might not find him/ and that she so surely affirmed them that he was fled/ they believed her and crowned her queen/ & a while she reigned peaceably upon them. And she that a little while had kept her father secretly for dread at the last that by some envious person he might be accused/ put him out by night and sent him by see to another place with great goods/ but as this thing was at the last opened to the untrue citizens they chased their queen Isyphyle out of the royalme & would have slain her if her great goodness had not kept her.   

¶ Of the maid Claudyne. Ca x.  
AS a sign of great love showed the maiden Claudyne to her father/ then when by the good deeds of him/ and by the great victories that he had had in many battles returned him/ & vyctoryously was received at Rome in the sovereign worship that they called the triumph/ which was a right great worship/ in the which they received princes when they returned overcomers of any great deeds. So this same father of Claudyne which was one of the princes of Rome right worshipful being in this honour of triumph was assailed by another of the lords of Rome that hated him. But when Claudyne his dou ghter which was sacred to the gods Besta/ as we say here a religious of some abbey/ and was with the ladies of her order that were go to the procession against this foresaid prince/ so as the custom was/ heard the noise/ and knew that her father was assailed of his enemies. Then the great love that the daughter had to the father made her forget all the simple behaving that a religious woman should have commonly. Also she put back all dread and▪ fere in such manner that anon she leapt forth and went flying through the prece/ and boldly went among the swords that she saw upon her father/ and took him by the throat that she saw next him/ and to her power took strongly upon her to defend her father/ there the prece was so great that anon the meddling was departed. Then as the worshipful Romans had of custo me to set moche by every parson that died any worshipful act of marvel/ praised greatly this may den and gave her great laud of that she had done.   

¶ Here it speaketh of a woman that gave her mother sowke in the prison. Ca xi.  
ORete love also had a woman of Rome to her mother/ of whom the histories speaketh. It happened that the said mother for a certain crime that she was attainted of/ was condemned to perpetual prison. And that none should give her neither meet nor drink/ by the which in this manner she should finish her life. The daughter constray constrained of great love being sorry for this condemnation/ required them that kept the prison of a special grace/ that she might visit her mother every day while she was on live/ to that intent that she might counsel her of patience. And shortly to say/ so moche she employed and prayed/ that the keepers of the prison had pity on her/ and granted her that she should visit her mother every day. But or she should go to her that she bore with her no vytayle. And when this visitation had endured by so many days/ that it was impossible to the jay loures that the woman prisoner might live so long naturally without meet & yet was not deed/ and considered that none other visited her but her daughter/ which they searched right diligently or she should go in to her mother/ they marveled right strongly what that might be. And on a day they spied the mother & the daughter together the which was lately delivered of a child/ & than they saw her give the teat to her mother so much till she had all/ and thus the mother drew milk of the paps of her daughter. And thus the daughter yielded to the mother in her age that that she had taken of her in her youth. This continual diligence & great love of the daughter to the mother moved the jailors to great pity and they reported it to the judges/ then of manly compassion they delivered the mother to the daughter. ¶ Also to the purpose of love of the daughter to the father one may say of the good & wise Grysylde which sith was marquyse of Saluce/ of whom I shall tell hereafter the great virtue/ stableness/ and constance. O how true love hath nature given unto her/ to be so busy to serve her father Janycle so humbly and obeysauntely in his sickness/ and in his age/ that she in her cleanness & virginity/ & in the flower of her youth nourished/ and governed so diligently by the labour/ and the craft of her hands getting/ with great charge and business the poor life of them both. O in a good hour were those daughters borne of such bounty/ and so great love to their father & mother. For notwithstanding that that they do that they aught to do/ yet they get great merit to the soul/ & great praising is given them of the world/ and in the same wise to the sons that been of the condition. ¶ what wouldest thou that I should say more I could tell the ensamples enough of like case but enough sufficeth.   

¶ Here rightwiseness saith that she hath achieved the stone work of the city/ and it is time to people it. Ca xij.  
Now me seemeth right dear friend that our building is well lift up of our city of ladies/ and the high masonry all along the large streets/ and the royal places/ strong buildings of dungeons/ and defensable towers lifted right high that it may be seen a far. So it is time fro henceforth that we begin to people this noble city/ to that intent that she be not waste nor void but inhabited of ladies of great excellence/ for we will none other people. ¶ O how fortunate shall the cytezynes of our city be/ for they shall have no need to have dread nor doubt to be dislodged of their possession by strangers. For this is the propryete of our work that the owners shall not need to be put out. And now there is a new femenyne royalme bygon/ but it is much more worthier than that other was. For it shall need that the ladies lodged here go out of their land for to conceive ne bring forth new heirs to maintain their possession by divers ages fro line to line. For it shall suffice enough for ever of them that we shall put in it now/ for this is the destyne of them/ that they shall never die. And without fail they shall abide in the same age/ beauty/ and fresshnesse/ be they young or o●de that we shall put therein. And when we have peopled it with noble cytezynes. Dame justyne my sister shall come after that shall bring thither the queen/ above all other women most excellent/ accompanied with princesses of great dygny te/ which shall inhabit the most high places & high dungeons. For it is good reason that when the queen shall come thither that she find the city gar nysshed & peopled of noble ladies that should receive her with great worship as their sovereign lady & Empress of all their kind/ yet what citizens shall we put there/ shall they be unstable women or defamed/ certainly nay/ but they shall be all worshipful women & of great authority. For more fair people ne more great array may not be in a city than good women & worshipful. Now rise lief friend/ now put the in business and go before/ and let us seek them.   

¶ Here Xpine asketh of dame rightwiseness if y● be true that these books & these men saith that the life of marriage is hard to bear for the occasion of women & to their great wrong. And rightwiseness answereth & beginneth to speak of the great love of women to their husbands. Ca xiij.  
THen in going to seek the foresaid ladies by the ordinance of dame rightwiseness/ in going I said these words/ ma dame without fail ye & reason have assoiled & concluded so well & so fair my questions & demanndes that I can not reply no more/ & I hold me right well informed of that that I sought. And by you two I have learned enough how all things able aught to be done & learned/ as moche in strength of bodies as in wysdo me of understanding/ & if all virtues be possible to be executed by women. But yet I pray you that ye would tell & certify me/ if it be true that these men say/ & so many auctors beareth witness through the which I am in right a great thought/ that the lie fe of the order of marriage be to men heavy & environed of so great tempest by the blame & importunyte of women & of their ravenous grief/ as it is wry ten in many books/ & people enough witnesseth it. and that they love their husbands and their come pany so little/ that nothing noyeth them so much/ by the which to void such inconveniences/ many have counseled the wise men that they marry not/ certefyenge that few of them be true in their party/ & also walere writeth to Ruphyn/ & Theophrastus in his book saith that no wise man aught to take a wife/ for there is but little love in a woman/ but great charge & jangling. And if the man do it to be the better served & kept in his sickness/ more better & more truly a true servant shall keep him & serve him/ & shall not cost him so moche. And if the woe man be sick the husband is in great sorrow/ & dare not speak one word nigh her. And enough of such things he telleth which should be to long to rehearse/ wherefore I say mine own lady that if these things be true/ these defaults be so great that all the grace & virtues that they may have be brought to naught and quenched. ¶ Answer. Certesdere friend so as that thyself hath said sometime to the pur pose that one may lead a process well at his ease that pleadeth without party. And I promise the that▪ the books that so saith women made them not. But I trow that he that would make a new book that were true of the debates of marriage & that he were informed of the truth one should find other tidings Alas dear friend how many women be there as thou knowest thyself that useth their weary life in the band of marriage by the hardness of their husbands in more greater penance than they were esclaues among the sarazynes. Ha' god how many hard betings without cause & reason/ how many villainous wrongs & outrageous bondages suffereth many of these good and worshipful women which all cry not out an harowe/ and such that die for hunger/ and for misease/ & their husbands been at the tavern/ and in other dissolute places/ and yet the poor women shall be beaten at their coming home/ and that shall be their souper. And to say that these husbands been any thing sorrowful for the sickness of their wives. I pray thee my love where be they. And without that/ that I say more to thee/ thou mayst know well that these slanders said against women who so saith it they were & be things found & said of violence & against truth. For the husbands been masters over the women/ & not the women their maystresses'/ so they would never suffer such authority of their wives But I promise the that all marriages be not maintained in such contents it were great damage. For there been some that liveth in peasyblenesse/ love/ and truth together/ by that that the parties be good & discrete/ and reasonable/ though it be not of evil husbands. There been right good/ worshipful/ and wise/ and that the women that meeteth with them liveth as to the glory of the world in right a good hour for them. And that thou mayst well know by thyself that & thou hadst such one that in thy judgement none other man passed him in all bounty/ peasyblenes/ truth/ & good love of the which the sorrows of that that death took him away from the shall never part from thine heart. And though that I say to thee/ and it is truth there been many good women right evil led by their divers husband's. Know it for truth that there be many divers women/ shrewd cruel/ and cursed/ & without reason. For if I should say that all were good/ lightly I might be proved a liar. But in the less party/ and of that party which be good I meddle me not. For such evil women been as things out of their nature. But for to speak of those that been good/ for that that this Theofrastus of whom thou hast spoken saith/ that also truly and as busily shall a mambe kept in his sickness/ or in his need by his servant as by his wife. A how many good women been there so busy to serve their husbands hole or sick by true love as & they were their gods. I trow that one shall not find but few such servants. And for that that we be entered in to this matter I shall give the many ensamples of great love and truth of women borne to their husband's. And now we be thanked be god returned to our city with a noble company of worshipful women that we shall lodge there. And see here this noble lady & queen Hypsytrace wife sometime of the rich king Mytrydaces for that that she is of old time/ and her valour of great dignity we shall lodge her first in the noble palace that is arrayed for her.   

¶ Here it speaketh of the queen Hypsytrace. Ca xiv.  
How might there be ●ny creature of greater love to another than was the right fair/ good/ and true Hypsytrace to her husband. And it showed well. She was wife of the great king Mytrydaces/ which governed the countries of xxiiij languages. And though it so were that this king was mighty & puissant. The Romans moved right hard war against him/ but in all the time that he laboured by great charges in the battles/ where that ever he went his good wife left him not/ & though that this king after the manner of Barbaryne had divers concubines. Nevertheless this noble lady was always embraced in perfit love/ in such manner that in no wise she suffered not that he should go without her/ where she was oft times in battles with him in peril to loose his royalme and in adventure of his life against the Romans. But when he should go in to a strange region or in to a far country/ or pass the see/ or desires/ and perilous forestes/ he went never but she was all way his right true fellow without departing. For she loved him of so perfit love that she thought that no man should serve her lord so cleanly ne so well as she should. And against that/ that the phylosophre Theofrastus saith touching this matter. This lady for that that she knew that often times kings & princes have false servants/ whereof followeth false service. She as a true lover to that intent that she might minister all necessaries & convenable things to her lord/ though it so be that she suffered great pain she would always follow▪ him/ & for so moche that to such a deed the habit of a woman is not convenable/ nor it is not expedient that a woman so nigh a great king/ & so noble a fyghter in battle should be seen to that intent/ that a man should seem to smite of her yellow heres as gold which to the apparelling of a woman is a thing right well seeming. But with that she spared not the fair fresshnesse of her visage/ but ware her helm/ under the which she was oft times soiled and full of ●wetynge and dust/ and her fair body & soft used the harness and habergyon/ hosed with iron/ and the precious rings & the rich ornaments put a part. In stead of which she bore in her hands/ axes/ hard spears/ bows and arrows▪ stretching answered. And in this manner this noble queen governed her by strength of great love and true/ and thus she changed the tenderness of her fair body and young/ which was wont to be cheryss head softly/ and delicately/ and she lived after the manner of a strong armed knight.  
O saith Bocaca that writeth this story/ what is that that love causeth not one to do when she that had it of custom to live so delicately/ to lie soft/ & to have all things at her ease/ and now demeaned by her free will as it were an hard man and a strong dying day and night in the mountains and valays/ in the deserts/ and in forestes/ often times upon the bore earth for dread of enemies in every side of her wild beasts/ & serpents. But all this was sweet to her/ to be alway nigh her husband/ for to comfort him/ counsel him/ & serve him in all his needs. And yet after when she had suffered to endure long time many hard travails. It happened that her husband was discomfited right cruelly by Pompee prince of the host of the Romans/ so that he was constrained to i'll. yet when he was forsaken of all his own people and left alone/ his good wife left him never/ but running after followed him by hills & valays/ by forestes/ & by many straight passages/ and he which was forsaken of all his friends/ & had no manner of hope/ yet was he comforted by his good wife/ which counseled him sweetly to have hope of better fortune. And the more that he and she were in great tribulation the more she pained herself to do him solace/ & to rejoice him by the sweetness of her/ to the intent to appease his malancoly by goodly plays that she could find by the which things/ and by the great sweetness of her/ so moche she comforted him/ that in every misery that he suffered in all his tribulations she made him so to forget it/ that he said often times that he was not in exile but him seemed that he was right deliciously in his palace with his true spouse.   

¶ Of the empress Tryayre. Ca xv.  
RIght like to the foresaid queen in case and in true love toward her husband was the noble Empress Try air wife of Lucyan Urylyan Empe roure of the Romans. She loved him of so great love/ that she followed him in every place/ and in all battles armed like a knight always right nigh him/ and fought right strong lie/ whereof it happened on a time that this Emperor had war with Uaspasyan because of the lordship of the Empire. And when he should go against a city of Uolques and should do by night that he should enter in to the town he found the people a sleep/ & he went upon them cruelly. But this noble lady Tryayre which all the night had followed her husband and was not far fro him but always desiring that he might have the victory of the battle alway in harnays the sw●rde gird about her/ fighting right fiercely in the rout nigh her husband/ now here/ now there by the darkness of the night having no dread nor fere/ but that she bore her so worshipfully that she had the price of the battle above all others and died many marvels. So it showed well as Bocace saith the great love that she had to her husband in proving the band of marriage that other would so much reprove.   

¶ Of the queen Archemyse. Ca xuj.  
OF ladies that have loved their husbands of great love & showed it in deed I may say yet of the noble lady Archemyse queen of Carry that as it is said before followed the king Mansole her husband in many great battles till he came to the death And she outraged with so great sorrow as much as any creature might bear/ if she showed it well in his life that she loved him well she died no less in the end. For in making all the solempnytes that was in the usage there/ as moche as might be made for a king with great company of princes & of barons made burn the body of her husband/ whereof she herself gathered the ashes quenching them with her tears/ and put them in a vessel of gold. So she seemed that it was no reason that the ashes of him that she had loved so moche should have other scpulture than the heart & the body where the rote of this great love was/ and therefore she drank the foresaid ashes/ by succession of time meddled with her drink/ by little and little till she had taken all/ yet notwithstanding that for the remembrance of him she would let make such a sepulture/ which should be always for him a perpetual memory/ and to make it she spared no treasure/ so she made to seek certain work men that could devise & make marvelous works in building/ that is to know/ Scope/ Bryaxe/ Thymothe/ and Leothayre/ which were work men of great excellence/ and the queen said to them that she would have a sepulture made for the king Mansole her lord/ the most solemn that king or prince might have in the world. For she would that by the marvelous work the name of her husband should endure alway. And they said that they would do it right well. So the queen made them to seek stones of marble enough/ and of jasper of divers colours/ and all that ever they would ask. The end of the work was such/ that the foresaid work men before the city of Elycarnase which is the master city of Carry lifted up a great work of marble stone wrought by entail right nobly.  
And it was made square/ & in every squareness it was of lxiiij foot. And on height an. C. and xl fore And yet it was more marvelous. For all this great building was set upon xxx great pillars of marble. And each of the four work men wrought by strife one with another/ whereof the work was so marvelous that it gave not only remembrance of him that it was made for/ But it was marvel of the subtylnesse of the work men.  
The first work man to perform this work that was called Itrayre made the highness of the sepulture to be lifted up by lx degrees. And after came the sixth work man named Pychys the which wrought a charyote of marble/ and set it in the highness of the building. This work was so marvelous that it was called one of the vij marvels of the world. And in so much that it was made for the king Mansolee/ the work took his name and was called Mansolee. And for that/ that it was the most solemn sepulture that ever was made for king or for prince. All other sepultures of kings and princes have been called sith mansolees. And thus appeared well in deed and in sign that the true love dured all the while she lived.   

¶ Of Argyne daughter of the king Adrastus. Capitulo xvij  
O The great love proved that Argyne had/ daughter to Adrastus' king of Arge toward her husband Polymyte. O what is he that dare say that there is but little love in a woman to ward her husband/ if he consider well this lady. This Polymyte that was the husband of Argyne strived with his brother Ethyocles for because of the lordship of the royalme of Thebes. which perteyved to him by certain covenants that were made between them/ but as Ethyocles would would not in no manner wise grant him the royalme Polymyte his brother moved war against him to the help of whom king Adrastus came with all his power/ yet fortune turned shrewdly against Polymyte which slew his brother/ & his brother him in battle. And the host bode not long on live but only the king Adrastus and slew the third part of his people. But when Argyne knee we that her husband was deed in battle. She departed and all her ladies with her out of the city of Arge/ and forsook her royal see. And of that that she died Bacace saith in this manner. The noble lady Argyne heard say that the body of Polymyte her husband lay unburied among the bodies and caraynes of the common people that there were slain. Anon she full of sorrow left the habit and ●he ornaments/ the noblesse and sweetness of her court to dwell in her chambers worshipfully arrayed/ and with that by great desire/ the brenning of love surmounted and overcame the feebleness and womanly tenderness. And so much she went by her journeys/ till that she came to that place where the battle had been/ on the which way she had no fere of the bushments nor of the way ting of her enemies/ ne was never weary of longnesse of the way. And she came in to the field/ dreading not the cruel beasts ne the great birds sewing the deed bodies/ ne the wicked spirits which after the likeness of divers fowls flieth about deed bodies. And which is a thing more marvelous as Bocace saith/ she doubted not the precept/ nor the commandment of king▪ Creonce which had commanded and made cry upon the pain of losing of their heeds that none should visit nor bury those bodies whose so ever they were. For she was not come thither for to obey to that commandment/ but as soon as she was arrived/ which was about the night/ she left not for no stinking that came out of the caraynes/ but went with a great brenning & a sorrowful courage/ & underset the bodies/ now one/ now another/ seeking for him that she loved so moche/ now here/ now there/ and thus she seized not till that with the light of a little bronde offyre that she held in her hand she knew her right entirely beloved husband/ and so she found that she sought. O said Bocace the marvelous love/ the brenning desire/ and the affection of women. For as the face of her husband for the rustynesse of his harnoys half eaten/ all full of stinking/ all forbledde/ full of dust charged with foulness/ all pale & black which was as at that time unable to be known might be hid from this woman so brennyngly she loved him/ thus the stinking of the body & the foulness of the visage might not let her/ but that she kissed him/ and embraced him straightly between her arms. Notwithstanding the precept/ & commandment of king Creonce/ she spared not but that she cried with an high voice. Alas alas I have found him that I loved so moche/ & than she wept with great plenty of tears. For as she knew by often times kissing his mouth that there was no life in him/ and had washed him with her tears all stinking/ & often times by great cries/ weepings/ & wailings called upon him finably as she saw that the soul was departed fro the body made to light up a great fire so as it was the manner there of burying of kings & of great states/ to that intent that she would do the last & piteous office/ put him in the fire with many sorrowful cries of whom she gathered the ashes right dearly in a vessel of gold And when she had done all this/ as she that would add venture her body to the death for to venge her husband/ died so moche/ & put to such pain with the help of other ladies whereof there was great quam tyte that the walls of the city of Thebes were overthrown/ & gate the town/ & put all to death.   

¶ Of the noble lady Egryppyne. Ca xviij.  
WEll aught to be put among these noble ladies of great love to their husband's the noble lady Egryppyne dou ghter of Mark Egryppyne & of july daughter of the Emperor Octavyan lord of all the world. And as this noble lady was given in marriage to Bermanyce the right noble prince/ well mannered/ wise/ and an increaser and multeplyer of the common profit of Rome. Tybere the Emperor which was of evil conditions/ took such envy of the wealth that he heard of Bermanyce husband of the said lady Egryppyne/ and of that that every man loved him/ that he let make watch upon him & clue him/ of whose doth his good wife had such sorrow that she would in like wise be slain/ and that seemed right well. For she withdrew not to say great villainies to Tybere/ For the which he made her to be beaten & tormented cruelly/ and put her in prison. But as she that the sorrow of her husband might not forget/ loved better the death than the life/ purposed never to eat nor drink/ but this purpose came to the tyrant Tybere to torment her longer/ and would constrain her by torments that she should eat/ but it availed not. So he would by strength make to cast the meet in to the stomach. But she showed well to him that he had puissance to make folk to be slain/ but not to keep them from death if they would. For thus she ended her days.   

¶ Here Xpine speaketh/ and right wysnes answereth giving ensamples of the noble lady july daughter of julyus Cesar/ wife of the prince Pompee. Capitulo xix  
WHen that my lady rightwiseness said to me these words. I replied her in such manner. Madame truly it seem th' me to be great honour to the kind of women to here tell of so many excellent ladies. And among other virtues of them aught to be right agreeable to all people/ that so great love may be in the heart of a woman in the bond of marriage. Now let them sleep and hold their peace this Matheolus and all other janglers that enviously and lyengly have spoken against women. But madame yet me thinketh that the phylosophre Phylostratus of who me I have spoken here above saith that these women hateth their husbands when they be old/ & also that they love not these cunning men that be clerks. For he saith that the charges hat one aught to have in dangers of women/ & the studying of books been contrary together. ¶ Answer. O dear friend hold thy peas/ I have anon found the ensamples contrary to their saying/ by the which we shall hold them as no sayings true. ¶ july was in her time the most noblest of the ladies of Rome daughter of julyus Cesar which was syth Emperor of Rome and of Coruylle his wife coming down fro Aeneas of Troy. This lady was wife of Pompee the great conqueror the which as Bocace saith in overcoming the kings/ in putting down/ in making again of other in putting under subjection divers nations in destroying thieves of the see/ having the favour of Rome of all the kings in the world/ in cretting the lordships/ not only of the lands/ but also of the see and caves by marvelous victories in sovereign worship was than waxed old and sore bruised. But not for that the noble lady july his wife which was but young as yet/ loved him of so great love that she ended her life by a strange adventure. For as it happened in a day that Pompee had devotion to give praising to gods that he had gotten by noble victories and would do sa crefyse after the custom of that country. And as the be'st sacryfyed was upon the altar/ & Pomp as by devotion held him by that one side/ his rob was soiled with the blood issuing out of the wound of the be'st/ wherefore Pomp died of his rob & sent it home by one of his servants/ & for to bring another clean & fresh. So it happened by an evil fortune that he that bore the rob met with july the wife of Pomp the which when she saw the rob of her lord so soiled with blood/ then for that that she knew well that divers times it happened in Rome that to them that were the best/ one would run upon him for envy & slay him wherewith she was surprised suddenly by the sign that she saw of certain believing that it had happened so to her husband by some fortune/ by which such sudden sorrow took her at the heart that as she that would no longer live/ she being great with child fell flat to the earth/ pale and stiff/ & the eyen turned in her heed/ that there might no remedy be had so soon to put her out of that dread/ but that she yielded up the spirit/ which death by reason aught to be great sorrow to the husband. But it was not only preiudycyable to him nor to the Romans/ but it was also to all the world of the time. For if she & her son had lived/ the great were had never been that was sith between julyus Cesar and Pomp/ the which war was preiudycyable to all the lands of the world.   

¶ Of the noble lady tierce Emulyene. Ca xx.  
THe fair and good tierce Emulyene wife of prince Scypyon the first Affrycan hated not her husband also though he were old. This lady was of great prudence & right virtuous/ & as her husband was old/ & she yet fair & young▪ that notwithstanding he lay with a bond woman which was her servant/ & so often it fell that this worshipful lady perceived it. She not withstanding that her heart was sorrowful used the virtue of her great understanding/ and not only of the passion of jealousy. For she dissimuled so wisely that her husband ne none other heard her ne ver speak of it. For she would not tell it to him for that that he should seem that it were shame to him that she should reprove so wise & so great a man as he was & to make mention thereof to o●y other. For the should be a manner of repreffe & losing of the praising so wise a man/ & against the honour of his person/ which had conquered so many royalmes & empires. So she never left him this good lady▪ to serve him truly/ to love him/ and worship him. And when he was deed/ she made the maiden free and wedded her to a free man. ¶ And I Xp̄ine answered. Then truly madame to this purpose the ye say/ I have seen often times women in like case which for any thing that they knew/ would not say though they knew well that their husbanddes had them but in little love/ and yet they loved them/ and made them good cheer/ & relieved them/ and comforted them of whom they had children before. And also I have herd say of a lady of Bry ta'en that lived but late/ & was countess of Coemen which was in the flower of her youth fair above all the ladies. And by her great goodness/ and constance she died the same.   

¶ Of Uancyppe wife of the phylosopre Socrates. Capitulo xxj  
VAncyppe the right noble lady a woman of great cunning and bounty/ so she had to husband the great phylosophre Socrates. And notwithstanding that he was in great age/ & that he had great charge to search and turn the books to purchase for his wife soft things and curious/ the worshipful woman left ne ver to love him/ but trowed that it was so great a thing the excellent understanding/ & the great virtue of him/ and of his constance/ that she had him in sovereign love & reverence. And when this woman knew that her husband was condemned to the death by them of Athenes for that that he blamed them that they worshipped the idols/ & said that there was not but one god that aught to be worshipped & served. This noble lady might not have patience of this thing but fled/ her here hanging about her cheeks/ full of sorrow/ weeping/ & beating at the palace gate where her husband was/ and there she found him among the false judges which had taken to him a venomous drink to shorten his life/ and when it came to the point that Socrates would put the cup to his mou the to drink the venom/ she went to him with a great wrath and razed the cup out of his hand and threw it all together on the earth/ but Socrates reproved her/ & counseled her to have patience/ and comforted her. And when she might not let him in no wise fro that death/ she sorrowed strong lie and said. Ha' what harm and what loss is it/ to make so just a man to die wrongfully & sinfully. And Socrates always comforted her/ & said to her/ that it was better that he should die wrongfully/ then rightfully/ and so he passed. But the sorrow ended not in the heart of her that loved him so much all her life.   

¶ Of Pomp Paulyne/ wife of Seneke Capitulo xxij  
THe right wise phylosophre Seneke notwithstanding that he was right old/ & all his intent was in studying it failed not but that he was well beloved of his wife/ fair & young which was named Pompee Paulyne. All the charge that this noble lady had was to serve him & keep him in peace/ as she that right truly & dearly loved him/ & when she knew that the tyrant emperor Nero to whom he had been master had condemned him to die/ to be drowned in a bain fat/ then as she that become out of herself sorrow/ & as she that would fain die with her husband/ went crying many vylanyes to the tyrant Nero to the intent that he should stretch his cruelty upon her also. But all that availed her not/ so moche she sorrowed the death of her husband/ that she lived not long after. And I Xp̄ine said then to the lady that spoke to me. Certes madame your words hath remembered me/ and drawn to mind many other women/ fair/ and young/ right perfitly loving their husbands/ notwithstanding that they were right feeble & old And in my time I have seen enough that have loved their husbands perfitly/ & hath borne them true love all the while they lived/ & namely the noble daughter of one of the great barons of britain that was given by marriage to the right worshipful constable of France sir Bertram Claquyn/ the which notwithstanding that he was right lewd of shap of his body and old/ this noble lady being in the flower of her youth/ which took heed more to the great price of his virtue then to the fashion of his body loved him of right great love/ so moche that all her life she had plenty of sorrow for his death. And enough of other like I might tell/ which that I let pass for shortuesse of tyme. Answer of that I leave thee right well/ and yet I shall tell thee of more ladies loving their husbands.   

¶ Of the noble Sulpyce. Ca twenty-three.  
SUlpyce was wife of Lentylyus Consulyennole a man of Rome/ whom she loved of so great love as it appeared. For when he should be condemned by the judges of Rome for certain things of which he was blamed to be sent wretchedly into exile/ & there to use his life poor lie. The good lady Sulpyce notwithstanding that she was in Rome of right great richesse/ & might abide in ease & rest loved better to follow her husband in his poverty & exile/ than abide in haboun dance of richesse without him. So she renounced all her heritage/ goods & country/ & died so moche that she stolen away fro her mother & cousins/ which kept her for the same cause that she should not go away. And in an unknown weed died so moche that she went to her husband. Xpine said. Certes madame it seemeth me by y● that ye say of some woe men that I have seen in my time in like case. For of such I have known of whom the husbands have become lyppers/ & that it were convenient that they were departed fro the world and put in sick houses. But their good wives evermore for that that they would not leave them loved better to go with them for to serve them in their sickness/ & to hold them the true faith & promise in marriage than to bide without their husbands well at ease in their houses. And I trow I know one that is young/ fair/ and good/ of whom the husband is had in suspection of such sickness. But as her friends hath warned her/ & preached to her to leave his company/ & to devil with them/ she answered that the days of her life she would not leave him. And if they make it to be proved that he is ataynte of the said malady/ by which it is convenient that he for sake the world that without fail she would go with him. And for that cause her friends have left it to make a proof thereof. Also other women I know that I leave to be named for that that by adventure I should displease them which that have husband's so cursed/ & of so an unordinate life/ that the father & the mother of the woman would that they were deed And doth all that they may for to withdraw the women to them from their shrewd husbands/ but they love better to be beaten with many pains & to be in great poverty/ and subjection with their husbands then for to leave them. And they say to their friends/ ye have given me to him/ with him shall I live and die/ and these things be seen all day/ but all people considereth it not.   

¶ Here it speaketh of divers ladies that respited their husbands fro the death. Ca xxiv.  
OF many women also in the same wise as those before said of great love to their husbands I will tell you yet. ¶ It happened after that/ that jason had been in Coltoes to get the golden fleece/ that some of his knights that he brought with him which were of a country of Grece/ that is called Menudye left their own country and city/ and went to dwell in another city of Grece that is called Lacedemonye/ so they were there greatly received and honoured as much for their ancient noblesse as for their richesse. And there they married the most noblest maidens of the city. And so much they waxed rich and mounted in worship that they lifted up themself in so great pride that they would make a conspiration against the sovereigns of the city/ and so they died to have the lordship. So their imagination was known/ wherefore all were put in prison/ & condemned to the death. ¶ Of this thing their wives were in great sorrows. And they assembled them together as for to make their sorrows. So it was counseled among them if any way might be found how they might deliver their husbands. And in the end this was their conclusion/ that in a night they should array them in lewd gowns/ & they should cover their heeds with mantellesas though they would not be know ne. And in such a wise they went to the prison/ & so much they prayed with weeping & gifts to the keepers of the prison that they would suffer them to go see their husbands. And when they were with their husbands they gave them their lewd gowns & took those gowns that they were clothed in. And sith put them out of the prison/ and the keepers trowed that it were the women that had turned agay ne. And when it came to the day that they should die the keepers brought them to the torment. And when it was seen that they were women each of them had great marvel of their wise cauteyle. So they were greatly praised/ and the cytezynes had pity of their daughters/ so there died none. And so these worshipful women delivered their husbands fro the death.   

¶ Here Xpine speaketh to dame right wysnesayen ste them that saith that women can not keep no counsel. And the answer that she maketh of Porcya. Capitulo xxv  
MAdame I know certainly now & also I have perceived that great is the love/ and the truth that many have had and hath to their husbands And therefore I have great marvel of a language that runneth commonly among these men. And also master Iohn de Meun affirmeth it so strongly in his romance of the rose/ and other auctors also doth it/ that what a man say the to his wife it may not be kept prive/ and that women can not hold their peace. ¶ Answer. Dear friend thou oughtest to know that all women be not wise/ and the same it is of men/ by the which if a man have any wit/ he aught well to advise him what wit his wife hath/ and what goodness or he say any thing that he would have kept close/ for thereof might come folly. But when a man knoweth that he hath a good wife/ wise/ and dies crete/ there is nothing more trusty in the world nor that so moche may comfort a man. For dyscrecy on and secretness are too be commended in any person. And yet to the purpose of women loving their husbands. There was late a man in Rome right notable named Brutus which was married to a gentle woman named Porcya/ this noble Porcya was daughter of Chaton the less which was nephew to great Chaton. Her foresaid husband Brutus felt that his wife was right wise/ secret/ and chaste/ told her his intent/ that he and Cassyen another noble man of Rome were in purpose to slay julyus Cesar at the counsel/ the which thing the wise lady advising the great evil that might come of it with all her puissance counseled him the contrary/ and warned him of the mischief that might fall thereof/ and might not sleep all the night. Then the morrow comen when that the foresaid Brutus went out of his chambre to go to perform his enterprise. The lady which would full fain turn his purpose took a rasor from the barboure as though she would have pared her nails/ and let the rasor fall/ and after made as though she would have taken it up/ and anon she smote herself in the hand/ wherefore her women that saw her so wounded cried so piteously and so strongly that Brutus turned again. And when he saw her hurt he blamed her/ and said that it was not her office to work with a rasor but of the barboure. And she answered him that she had not done it so foolily as he thought. For that that she had done was a purpose to assay how she might slay herself if the enterprise that he had made should turn him to evil. But for all that he would not leave but went anon/ and between him & Cassyen they slew julyus Cesar. And anon after they were exiled and Brutus was slain/ notwithstanding that he was fled out of Rome. But when Porcya his good wife knew that he was deed/ her sorrow was so great that she forsook the joy of her life. And for that that men took away from her/ her knives and all things that she might slay her with. For folks saw well what she would do/ she when te to the fire and took brenning coals and brent her and died. And by this way ended this noble lady Porcya/ which was the most strangest the the that ever any died on.   

¶ And yet of the same matter/ & speaketh of the noble lady Curya. Ca xxuj.  
ANd yet I shall tell the to that purpose against them that say that women can not keep no counsel/ and alway conty nuing the matter of the great love that many women have to their husbands. Curya the noble Roman was of marvelous faith/ constance/ wisdom/ and love toward Quyntus Lucrecyus her husband. For when her said husband/ and other in like wise should be condemned to the death for a certain crime that was put upon them/ & it should come to his know ledge that one sought them to be justified. It happened him so well that they had space to flee. But for the fere that they had to be found/ they went to hide them in caves of wild beasts/ & yet they durst not abide there. But Lucrecyus/ by the good counsel of his wife parted never out of his chamber/ and when they that sought them came there/ she held him between her arms in her bed/ & she hid him so wisely that they never perceived him. And after had him so wisely between the walls of her chambre/ that never none of her m●ynye perceived it ne knew it. And she could so well kepe his counsel by great cautel and wisdom/ that she clothed her in poor clotheses/ her here hanging about her cheeks/ all forwepte/ beating her hands together/ went about by the streets and by the temples and asked all about after her husband and searched if any person knew where her husband was become/ or to what place he was fled For my desire is to be fellow with him in his exile/ and in his miseries. And by this way so wisely she could feign that never man perceived it/ & so she saved him. And with that she comforted her husband full of sorrow. And shortly to say/ so moche she died/ & so much she purchased for him that she delivered him not only from his exile/ but from his death also.   

¶ yet of the same purpose. Ca xxvij.  
ANd for that we be in purpose to tell ensamples against them that say that women can not keep no counsel/ truly I might tell the of enough of them without number. But let it suffice the of one that I shall tell the yet. In the time y● Nero the tyrant and Emperor reigned in Rome/ there were certain men that considered that for the right great mischiefs & cruelties the the said Nero died/ that it should be great wealth & profit to take away the life fro him. So they made conspiration against him/ & were advised to slay him. These same men repaired all to the house of one woman in the which they trusted so moche that they spared not say the deed of their conspiration before her. And as it happened in an evening tide that they were advised to put to effect in the mourning their enterprise they souped with the said woe man/ and they kept them not wisely fro speaking/ by the which by misadventure/ there were so me that heard them/ which for to flatter and to have grace of the Emperor went & told him what they heard them say/ by the which they were not so soon departed from the said woman but that the sergeants of the Emperor came to the woman's house/ but because that they found not the men there that conspired thus the death of the emperor they took the woman and led her before the Emperor which inquired greatly of this matter. But he could never do so moche by giving of great gifts/ nor by promise/ nor by force of torments/ of which he spared none that he might know of this woman what men they were/ ne that she knew any thing of such matters/ and thus this woman was marvelously proved both secret and constant.   

¶ Proves against them that say that a man is but lewd that believeth the counsel of his wife/ or taketh any heed thereto. Ca xxviij.  
MAdame by these reasons that I under stand of you & by that that I see so moche wit & wealth to be in a woman/ I marvel that/ that divers men say/ that these men been lewd fools that believe & giveth credence to the counsel of their wives. ¶ Answer. I have said to the before that all woe men be not wise. But those that have wives/ good/ and wise doth great folly when they believe them not/ so as thou mayst see by that that I have said to the before. For if Brutus had believed Porcy a his wife as for slaying of julyus Cesar he had not be slain himself ne the evil had not happened that fell. And for that that we be entered in to this purpose. I shall tell the of divers to whom it hath happened evil in the same wise that they believed not their wives. And also I shall tell the after of divers to whom it hath well happened/ that they believed their wives. if julyus Cesar of whom we have spoken/ had believed the right wise & good woman/ which by many tokens that she had seen appearing/ that betokened the death of her husband/ and the horrible dream that she had the night before by the which she counseled him to turn his purpose that he should not come at the counsel that day/ if he had not come there/ he had not been slain. Also in the same wise Pomp that had wedded july the daughter of julyus Cesar as I have said before. And after her he wedded another noble lady named Cornelya/ which to the purpose abovesaid loved him so moche that for none evil fortune that happened him would not leave him. And also when he was constrained to i'll by the see after the battle in which he was dyscom fyted by julyus Cesar/ the good lady was always with him/ & bore him company in all his perils And when he arrived in the kingdom of Egypte and that Tholomee the king of that country made semblant by treason that he had joy of his coming/ sent his people before him as though they should receive him with joy/ and that was for to slay him/ the which people said to him that he should enter in to their ships & that he should leave his people to that intent that they might bring their vessels to the port more lightly. But when he would have entered in to their ships his good and wise wife Cornylle counseled him the contrary that he should not go in to any nor to put his people away from him. And when she saw that he would not believe her/ nor do by her counsel/ she would have go in to the ship with him/ but he would not suffer her/ and made her to be holden with strength/ then began her sorrow that never failed after all the days of her life. For he was not far from her/ but she had alway her beholding after him/ and there she saw the traitors murder him within the ship. For the which she would have drowned herself in the see if she had not been kept with strength. ¶ Also as it happened mischievously to Ector of Troy. For as the night before that he was slain Adromatha his wife had a right marvelous vision/ that if Ector went to the battle in the morrow that he should die with out fail/ by the which this lady afraid of this thing/ which was no dream but a marvelous prophecy/ prayed him with joined hands upon her knees before him bearing between her arms his two fair sons that as that day he should not come at the battle. But he despised her words/ thinking that evermore it seemed him that it should be reproof to him/ that for the counsel and words of a woman he should leave to go to the battle/ nother for prayer of father nor mother to whom she had prayed to require him/ would he not leave. whereby it happened him as it is said before. For he was slain by Achilles/ therefore it had been better that he had believed her. ¶ Of case infinite I might tell that of men to whom it happened full evil by divers manners that they dysdeyned not to believe the counsel of their good & wise wives. But if any evil come to them that despiseth their counsels/ those women aught not to be blamed.   

¶ Here it speaketh of them that there is good coming of it that believeth that counsel of their wives/ and giveth ensample of divers ladies. Ca xxix.  
OF them to whom it hath fortuned well by the byl●uynge of the counsel of their wives/ I shall tell the of some and let it suffice the for a proof. So moche I might say that the process should be without end. And let that avail the which is said before of many that may serve to the same purpose. ¶ The Emperor justynyan of whom it is said before had a baron with him that he held him as a fellow/ and loved him as himself/ and was called Bellyfere which was right a worthy knight. So the Emperor had made him master & governor of his chivalry & made him to sit at his table served as himself And to say also he showed him many signs of love that the barons had great envy thereof. In so much that they said to the Emperor/ that he intended to slay him/ and to take the Empire upon him. The Emperor believed this thing to soon & to find the way covertly how that he might make him to die. Then he commanded that he should go fight against a people that was called the Uoendres where as no man might have the better for the great strength that they were of/ when Bellyfere understood this commandment and knew well that the Emperor charged him not with this thing but if he had be fallen out of his grace/ and benevolence. So he was so marvelously sorrowful that he might not be more. And went home to his house. When his wife which was called Antonye/ & was sister to the empress/ saw her husband lie upon his bed pale & pensive/ and the eyes full of tears/ she that had great pity of him demanded him so moche that with great pain he told her'the cause of his sorrow/ & when the lady understood it then she made semblant to be right joyous and comforted him and said Sir have ye none other thing that dyscomforteth you but this. And it is to understand that the faith of Ihesu christ was as yet but right new. And therefore the good lady which was a cry sten woman began to say/ have ye trust in Ihesu christ that was crucified/ and ye shall have the higher hand of your enemies with the help of him. And though the envious would noye you/ ye shall do so much by your worthiness that ye shall yield them liars of that that they say. So believe me well and despise not my words/ and let all your hope be in god/ and I promise you that ye shall over come them. And be well aware that ye show no manner semblant to have any displeasance of this thing/ & that no man see you sorry/ but right joyful/ as he that is well content. And ye shall assemble your host in the hastyest wise that ye may/ & beware also that no man know at what port ye will aryue. And also look that ye have ships ysowe/ and then part your host in to two parts as soon as ye may secretly with one party entering in to Auffryke/ and anon run upon your even myes/ and I shall have that other party of your people with me/ and we shall aryue by the see at an haven. And I tell you that they shall abide to give you battle/ and we shall enter in to that other part in towns & cities/ and we shall put them all to the death/ and bren and destroy all that they find. Bellyfere believed well this counsel of his wife/ so he died as a wise man. For more ne for less that she had said he ordained him on his way/ of the which it came so well to pass/ that he overcame his enemies and put them under subjection/ and took the king of Uoendres/ & so he had this noble voctory by the counsel & wit of his worshipful wife/ and then the Emperor loved him better than ever he died before. ¶ Also king Alexander had not in despite the words of the queen his wife that was daughter of Dayre king of Per se/ when the said Alexander felt that he was 'em poisoned by his servants/ and of the great sorrow we that he felt he would go cast himself in a river to end his life the sooner. And the good lady that went against him though she had right great so row took him/ & comforted him/ & said to him that he should turn again/ & should say him in his bed. And she would speak to his barons/ & would make his ordinance as was pertaining to such a prince. For it should be a great losing of his worship if one might say after that ympacyence had overcome him.. So he believed his wife/ and by her counsel made his ordinances.   

¶ Here it speaketh of the great wealth that is come to the world and every day cometh by the cause of women. Ca thirty.  
MAdame I see infinite wealths come to the world by women. And alway these men say that there is none but it cometh by them. ¶ Answer. Fair friend thou mayst see by that that I have said to the long ago that the contrary that they say is true. For there is no man that may so me the great wealth that is come to the world by women/ and every day cometh I have proved to the by the noble ladies that hath brought to the world sciences and crafts. But if it suffice the not that I have said to that of temporal wealths that been come by them. I shall tell the of that spirituals. O how is every man so unkind that he forgetteth that by women the gate of paradise was opened to us that is by the virgin Mary/ what greater wealth may one desire and that god is made man as I have said to the before. And who may forget the great wealths that the moders do to the children/ and women to all men and to all the world. I pray them that they would not forget the wealths that toucheth of whence they be spiritual. And let us behold in the old law of jews if thou wilt behold the history of Moses to whom god gave the law of the Jews written. Thou shalt find that by a woman that same holy prophet by whom came so many great wealths was despited from death as I shall tell the. ¶ In the time that the jews were in the thraldom of the king of Egypte there should a man be borne of the hebrews that should defend the children of Israel from the bondage of them. So it happened when that Moses' that noble duke was borne of his mother, which durst not nourish him was constrained to put him in a little basket & put him in to the river. So it happened as god would that he should be saved/ y● Chermyche the daughter of king Pharaoh sported her upon the river that time the the basket f●oted upon the water by the which anon she made to take it up for to save that she had gotten. And when she saw that it was a child/ and so fair that no fairer might be seen she had a marvelous great joy. So she made it to be nourished/ and said that it was her child. And for that y● by miracle he would not suck no woman of a strange law/ she made it to suck and to be nourished by a woman of the hebrews. This Moses chosen of god when he was of age/ it was he to whom god gave the law and that drew the children of Israel out of the hands of the Egyptyens/ and passed the reed see & was duke & conduytoure of the children of Israel. And thus came so great wealth to the Jews by the cause of this woman that saved him.   

¶ Of Judith that noble lady. Ca xxxj.  
THe noble lady and widow Judith saved the people of Israel from perysshynge/ in the time that the second Nabugodonosor had sent Holophernes duke of his chivalry upon the jews after that he had conquered the land of Egypte. And as the said Holophernes with a great puissance had besieged the jews in a city/ and also he fared so fowl with them that they might not abide it long/ & had taken away the conduits of water from them/ and all their vytaylles began to fail them. Now the Jews had no hope to have power against him/ and they were as upon the point to be taken of him that menaced them greatly/ wherefore they were in great sorrow. And then they went to their prayers be, seeking almighty god that he would have pity of his people/ and to defend them from their even myes. God heard their prayers/ and as he would save all mankind by a woman/ he would save them and succour them by a woman. In that city was Judith than/ the wise woman which was yet but young and right fair/ but yet more chaste/ & that was better/ she had moche pity of the people that were in such desolation and prayed god night and day that he would succour them. And so as god inspired her in whom she had great trust She advised her of great herdynesse and in a night she commended her to god/ and departed out of the city she and her servant/ and went so moche till that she came to the host of Holophernes And when they that made the watch of the host perceived her great beauty by the light of the moan/ they led her anon to Holophernes/ which received her with great joy/ for that she was so fair and made her to sit by him/ and praised moche her wit/ and her beauty. And in the beholding of her he was greatly embraced with love and by great desire he coveted her. But she that thought otherwise prayed god always in her thought that he would her help to perform that she would do/ and she led Holophernes always forth with fair words till that she saw her time/ when it was come to the third part of the night Holophernes had given a souper to his barons & had well drunken & was well chafed with wine & meet/ and might abide no longer fro bed/ & sent for this good lady Judith that she should come before him. And then he told her his will/ & that time she said nothing contrary to his intent. But she said that she will pray him that for the more honest he would make void his pavilion of all people/ & that he should go first to bed/ & that she would come to him with out fail about midnight when all men slept. And thus he accorded. And the good lady put her to her payers always praying god that he would give hardiness to her womanly heart & fearful to deliver his people fro the fell tyrant/ when Judith thought that Holophernes was on sleep/ she came stilly & her maiden with her/ & hearkened at the door of the pavilion & understood that he slept strongly. Then said the lady go we hardly/ for god is with us. So she entered in & without dread took the sword that she saw at his beds heed & drew him out naked & lift him up with all her strength & smo te of the heed of Holophernes/ without hearing of any body/ & put the heed in her lap/ & as soon as she might she dressed her toward the city so moche that without any letting came to the gate & cried come come & open/ for god is with us. And when she was entered in no man knew the way that was made of this adventure. And on the morrow she hanged the heed upon a perch above the walls & all the people of the city armed them & manfully ran upon their enemies the which were yet in their beds. For they took no heed of them of the city. And when they came in to the pavilion of their duke to make him arise hastily/ & there they found him deed/ & all his people began to sparkle So they slew & took all that they might find. And thus was the people of god delivered fro the hands of Holophernes by Judith the worshipful lady which shall enermore be praised greatly in holy scripture.   

¶ Of the worshipful queen Hester. Ca xxxij.  
BY the noble and wise lady queen Hester god would also deliver his people from the bondage of king Assuere This king Assuere was of great puissance above all other kings in those days. And posseded many royalmes/ and he was a paynim & held the jews in servage And as the king made to seek in all royalmes the most noble maidens/ the most fair/ the best taught for to choose one among them all that might plea see him best to be his wife. And among all others was brought before him/ the noble/ good/ wise/ and fair/ and loved of god/ the maiden Hester that was an Ebrue/ which pleased him most above all others/ and so he wedded her/ and so much he loved her of great love that he would not denay her of nothing that she would require him of. It happened on a time after/ that a false flatterer which was named Naman/ and he exhorted the king against the jews/ that he died so moche that he commanded all about/ where that ever the jews were found that they sholdde be taken. And the queen knew nothing of this/ for if she had known it/ it would have grieved her evil that the people should be so evil entreated. Nevertheless an uncle of hers named Mardocheus which was as chief of the jews made her to know it/ & prayed her that she would remedy it as soon as she might. For the day was short within the which that the sentence of the king should be executed. Of this the queen Hester was right sorry/ so she clothed & arrayed her in the most noblest wise that she might/ and went with her woman as to disport her in a garden where she knew well that the king was at the windows. And when at the turning toward the chambre of the king as though she thought not on him. And she ●awe the king at the windows/ anon she fell down on her knees & saluted him/ & the king to whom it pleased her humility/ & which had great pleasure to behold her great beauty of the which she had enough called her and said to her/ that she should demand what thing she would & she should have it And the queen said to him the she would none other thing but that he should come and dine with her in her chambre/ and that he should bring with him Naman/ and the king granted her. And when three days were passed the king came & dined with her. And he had so agreeable cheer that pleased him well. And then he beheld her countenance/ her worship/ her bounty/ and beauty/ and would not leave her in peace/ but that he should ask some manner great gift. Then she fell down at his feet & in weeping she began to say/ that she would pray him that he would have pity on the people of the jews and that he would not put them to so great mischief sith that he had put her in so great worship. For it was great pity to see her lineage and them of her nation so vylanously to be destroyed And then the king all wroth answered her and said. Mine own lady what is he that durst do it. She answered/ sir Naman your provost make th' it to be done/ which is here present. And to say it shortly/ the king called again his sentence & Naman was hanged which had caused all the to be done. And Mardocheus uncle to the queen was put in his place/ the jews fraunchysed & made most privileged of any other people & most had in worship. And so in the same wise that god would by Judith he died by this noble queen Hester that his people were saved. And believe it not that these two ladies were alone in the holy scripture by whom god would save his people divers times For there benynowe of others which I leave for shortness of time as of Delborra of whom I have spoken above/ which delivered the people fro bondage.   

¶ Of the ladies of Sabyne. Ca xxxiij.  
OF ladies of ancient law of paynims/ also I may tell the of many why the in the same wise were cause of saving of countries/ cities/ & towns But I shall pass over except two ensamples right notable without more/ for all proveth of them. ¶ when Remus & Romulus had founded the city of Rome/ and Romulus had peopled the city/ and fulfilled it of knights and men of arms that he had chosen and assembled after die verse victories that he had/ Romulus wo●de faith ne purchase that they might have wives to the intent that they might have issue that might possess the city and the lordship. But he wist not well how he might do that he and his fellowship might have wives/ and that they were married/ for the kings and the princes/ and the people of the country desired not greatly to have affinity with them for that it seemed them that they were fierce people/ & divers/ & so they would not give them their daughters in marriage. And therefore Romulus advy said of a great cautel made to cry a ●ourney and a jousts by all the countries/ & that it pleased the kings and princes and lords and all other people should bring adyes and damoiselles to ●e the disport of the strange knights. The day of the feast was come/ and great was the assemble what of one side/ what of that other. And thither came great foison of ladies and of maidens to behold the play. And among all others the king of Sabyne had brought with him a fair maidens which was his daughter with all the ladies & gentlewomen of that country that followed her. Thus were the joustes ordained without the city in a fair plain beside an hill. And the ladies were all set by row on high upon the hill. There the knights enforced them one against another to make disport. ¶ For the fair ladies that they saw increased their hearts in strength and hardiness to make knights. And to make the ta●e short when they had run together enough/ & Romulus seemed that it was time to do that they had ordained. He took a great horn of an Holofaunt & began to blow right high. That blowynge and that token they intended well/ and anon left the play/ and all they ran toward the ladies/ and Romulus took the kings daughter for he was greatly smitten with love/ and all that others in the same wise took each of them one/ & anon they set them on their horses and fled toward the city. And they shit the gates right well and surely. There was a great cry and great sorrow we of the faders & moders that their daughters were so taken away with strength, But their weeping availed them not. Romulus made a great feast & wedded his lady/ & so died all that others. Of this sprang great war. For as soon as the king of Sabyne might/ he came with a great host upon the Romans/ but it was no light thing to over come them nor to discomfit them/ for they were right men. The war endured between them u years/ & on a day when both hosts should meet together & this thing was greatly sorrowed of the ladies of the city that there should be so great man slaughter. And when this Romulus was issued out of the city with a great host. The queen assembled to a parliament all the ladies of the city in to a temple/ & than she which was right wise/ good & fair/ began thus to say/ worshipful ladies of Sabyne/ my right dear sisters & fellows/ ye know the ravishing that was done on us by our husbands/ for the which cause our faders & friends ha' th' moved war to our husbands & our husbands against them. So we may not in our part in no manner determine this mortal wars/ nor to be maintained who that ever win the victory/ but it must be great piudyce to us/ for if our husbands be over come it aught to be to us that love them as reason is & that we have children by them/ right great sorrow & desolation/ & that our little children should be or phelynes/ that is to say without faders. And if it happen that our husbands have the victory and that our faders and friends be deed and destroyed/ certes we aught to have great pity that for us there should such mischief happen/ and that that is done may be none other wise. And therefore me seemeth it should be great wealth if the any counsel might be found by us that peace were set in this war. And if it please you to follow me/ & do as I shall do I trow we shall come well to our intent. And all the ladies answered to the words of the queen and said that she should command and they would obey. And then the queen went with her here about her cheeks/ and bore foot/ and all the others died in the same wise. And those that had children bore them between their arms & led them with them/ and there was great foison of children and of women with child. The queen put herself before in this piteous procession and so they came to the field right there as the battle should be the same hour that they began to assemble. And she went to put herself between both hosts with all the company of ladies and gentle women so that they might not assemble. For the queen & all the other ladies kneeled between them crying with an high voice. Faders & friends/ right dear lords/ entirely beloved husband's/ for god's sake make peas/ or else slay us here/ & let us no longer live/ when the husband's saw their wives and their children between their arms It is no doubt that they were greatly abashed and dismayed/ and the same wise to the faders to see their daughters it filled their hertesful of pity by which they looked one upon another & beheld the pity of the ladies which prayed them so meekly/ the which caused both parties to turn all their wrath and malice in to amorous pity as of the sons to the father/ so moche that they were constrained to cast of their harness on both parties/ and to embrace each other/ and to make a final peace. Romulus led the king of Sabyne his father in to the city & greatly worshipped him and all the company. And thus by the wosdome & virtue of this queen and of the other ladies were the Romans and Sabines saved that they be not destroyed.   

¶ Of Uetury the noble lady of Rome. Ca xxxiiij.  
VEtury was a noble lady of Rome/ mother of the right worshipful Ro main named Marcyan a man of virtue and counsel/ subtle/ and ready/ wise & hardy. This worship full knight son of Uetury was sent by the Romans with a great host against the Coryens/ of whom he had the victory/ and took the fortress of Uolques/ for the which victory that he had upon the Coryens/ he was named Coryolus. Of this thing this man was so greatly worshipped that he had all the governance of Rome But as that was a thing right dangerous to govern the people every man after his intent▪  
At the last the Romans were wroth against him and condemned him to be exiled/ and was banished out of Rome. But of that he could right well revenge him. For he went toward the Coryens that he had discomfited before/ and made them to rebel against the Romans/ & they made him their capitain/ & with a great puissance came upon the city of Rome/ & died them moche harm where so ever they went. The romans doubted this matter greatly/ and for the peril which they saw themself in/ they sent messages to them to treat for the peace. But Marcyen disdained not to hear them/ and as often as they sent it availed them not but evermore died them moche harm. So they sent to him the bishops/ & the priests all revested in vestiments praying him right humbly for the peas/ but it availed not. And then the romans wist not what to do/ but they sent ladies of the city to the noble lady Ueturye mother of Marcyen to pray her that she would take the pain to treat for the peace unto her son. Then this good lady Uetury departed out of the city & with her the noblest ladies of the town/ & in this procession she went to her son/ the which soon as a good knight as soon as he knew the coming of his mother descended from his horse & went on foot to meet her/ & received her right humbly as a son aught to do his mother. And then as she began to pray him for the peace he answered that it pertained to the mother to command the son and not to pray. And thus this noble lady led him again to Rome. And by her were the Romans as that time kept from destruction and thus she died alone/ that all the high legates of Rome might not do.   

¶ Of the queen of France Crotylde. Ca xxxv.  
OF great wealths that be come by woe men to behold the spiritualty as I have said to y● before. Crotylde daughter of the king of Burgoyne wife of the strong Clodonne king of France/ was it not she by whom the faith of The sum christ was first brought and spread to the kings and princes of France/ where might there be a better thing done than that was that she died For as she was made light with the faith of our lord. And she was a good lady and an holy. She never seized to commune with her husband & pray him that he would receive the faith/ and be baptized/ but he would not accord to her/ always this lady seized not to pray unto god in weeping and fasting that he would enlumyne the heart of the king/ in so moche that at the last our lord had pity of her afflyc●yon/ & inspired the king in such manner y● as he was once go to do a battle against the king of Almaunce & the discomfiture of the battle came upon him. And then the king Clodon so as god would inspire him lifted up his eyen toward heaven and by great affection said these words. almighty god which that the queen my wife believeth and worshippeth let thine infinite grace shine on me this day to help me in this battle. And I promise the that I shall receive thine holy faith/ he had no sooner said these words but that the deed of the battle turned to him & had the plain victory. Then he yielded thankings to our lord and returned home with great comfort and joy/ and received baptism with the queen and all his barons/ and after all the people. And from that hour unto this day our lord hath stretched his grace so plenteously on us that the faith failed never sith in France/ and all by the prayers of this good lady and holy queen/ ne there was never king heretic worshipped by god as there hath been of divers other kings & Emperors/ the which thing is greatly to be praised in them. And therefore they be called very christian people. If I would tell the all that great wealths that cometh by women the writing should be to great. But yet upon the act that toucheth the spyrytualte/ how many holy martyrs have there been comforted/ harboured/ and refreshed by women/ wives/ and widows. If thou wilt read thou shalt find that it pleased god that all for the most part in their adversities & martyrdoms were comforted by women/ not only the martyrs but also the apostles saint Poule and other/ and in the same wise Ihesu christ was refreshed and comforted by women. ¶ And the frenss he men that have in so great devotion the body of saint Denys a good cause why/ for he brought first the faith in to France/ have not they that blessed body/ and the bodies also of his blessed fellows saint Rust●ke and saint Elenthere through the help of a woman. For the tyrant that made them to be heeded ordained that the bodies should be cast in to the river of Sayne/ and they that should have done it put the bodies in a sack to bear it thither. and they were harboured with a good woman a widow which was named Catule/ the which opened the sack and took out the holy bodies & put in to the sack deed hogs. And buried these holy martyrs as worshipfully as she could in her own house. And set writing over them to the intent that in time to come they should be known And long time after also by a woman there was made first a chapel in the honour of them. That was by my lady saint Gevenyene till unto that time that the good king of France Dangobert founded the church that is now there.   

¶ Here it speaketh against them that say that is not good that women should learn letters. Ca xxxvi.  
AFter these things before said. I Xpine said thus. Madame I see well that many great wealths cometh by women And if any evil have followed by any evil women/ nevertheless it seemeth me that there been many more wealths come by good women/ & in the same wise by wise women/ and by them that have learned sciences/ of whom there is mention made before/ by the which I marvel greatly of the opinion of some men that say/ that they would not in no wise that their daughters or wives or kynneswomen should learn sciences and that it should apayre their conditions. ¶ Answer. Thou mayst see well by that that all the opinions of men be not founded upon reason/ & that they have wrong. For it aught not to be presumed that of knowing the science moral and they that learn virtue the conditions of them aught not to be impaired by that/ but it is no doubt that they nobled thereby & amended/ how is it thought that he that learneth a good lesson of doctrine should enpayre. ¶ This thing is not to say ne to sustain/ I say not that it is good that a man or a woman should study in sciences of sorcery/ or of such as been forbidden. For it is not for naught that the church hath put them out of the common usage/ but that the women apayreth with cunning it is not well to believe. ¶ Quintus Ortencyus was not of the same opinion that was a great rethorycyen in Rome and a so verayne endytoure. The same man had a daughter named Hortence whom he loved moche for the subtylnesse of her wit/ and made her to learn let tres/ and to study in the foresaid science of rethoryke/ whereof she learned so moche that not only as Boca●e saith she resembled her father by wit and good remembrance and in all facultes/ but also of well pronouncing/ and of all order of speaking so well that he passed her in nothing. And to the purpose of that that is said above of wealth that cometh by women. The wealth that cometh by this woman and by her cunning was among other that in the time that Rome was governed by three men/ this woman Hortence took upon her to sustain the causes of women and to demean that that a man durst not take on hand/ that was of certain charges that one would put upon them and on their araymentes in the time of necessities of Rome. And the eloquence of this woman was so fair that she was herd with no less will than her father was/ and gate her cause. ¶ In the same wise to speak of more new time without looking after old histories. Iohsi Andry a solemn legyster of Boloynela Grace/ was not of the same opinion that it was evil that women were lettered/ as to this fair daughter/ and good/ that he loved so much which was named Nouuelle made her to learn letters/ & she had the laws that when he was occupied in any business by the which he might not intend to read the lessons of his scholars he sent Nowelle his daughter in his place to read to the scholars in the thayre/ & to the intent that her beauty should not hurre the thought of them that she taught she had a little curtyne before her▪ & by such manner she fullylled the occupa●yons of her father whom he loved so moche/ that for to put the name of her in remembrance made a notable letter of a book of law that he called it after the name of his daughter Nowelle. So there be not many men that be wise of the opinion above said. ¶ Thy father that was a natural phylosophre had not that opynyo that women should not learn letters/ but in so much that he saw she inclined to learning as thou knowest well he had great pleasure of it. And by the blame of thy mother which by the common opyny on of women thou were tarried in thy youth to enter more in the deepness of sciences. But as the proverb say the/ that nature giveth may not be taken away. So it may not hurt the feeling of cunning that thou hast gathered together the little drops of the which I trow that thou weenest be not of lytell valour/ but thou holdest them in great treasure and without fail thou haste cause And I Xp̄ine answered. Madame that you say is as true as the Pater noster.   

¶ Here Xpine to rightwiseness and she answereth against them that sa●e there be but few women chaste/ and telleth of Susanne. Ca xxxvij.  
MAdame to that that I see that these great wealths & all virtues may be found in women. And whence cometh it that these men say that there be but few women chaste. And if it be so/ all other virtues should be as naught in so moche the chastity should be the most sovereign virtue in a woman. But by that I have heard you say it is all other wise. ¶ Answer. By that that I have said to y● truly and that thou knowest is open enough the contrary. And yet I think to say & alway shall ¶ O of how many worshipful ladies chaste speaketh holy scripture/ which rather chase the death than to break their chastity/ and cleanness of body and of thought/ so as the fair and go Susanne the wife of joachim that was a man of the lineage of jews rich and of great authority. And as upon a time this good lady sported her alone in a garden/ there entered to her two false old priests and required her to sin with them/ and she alway denied them. By which when they saw that their prayer availed not they manased her to accuse her to the justice/ and to put on her that she was found with a young man. And when she heard their manales/ for the custom was there that women found in such case were stoned to the death she said than environed with anguish in every part. If I do not that these men require me I shall have corporal death. And if I do it I offend before the face of my creature. But not for that it is better to be innocent and suffer corporal death then fall by sin in to the wrath of my lord god And then cried Susanne and the people that were within came anon/ and to say shortly so moche witness these false priests made that Susanne was condemned to the death. But god which provided alway for his friends opened the mou the of the profit Danyel which was a young child between the arms of his mother the which when they led Susanne to the judgement with great multitude of people that went weeping after her/ cried & said that the innocent Susanne was judged by great wrong. So she was led home again & the false priests better examined were found by their confession culpable. And the innocent Susanne was delivered and they were judged to the death.   

¶ Of Sarra the wife of Abraham. Ca xxxviij.  
OF the chastity & goodness of Sarra speaketh the bible about the twenty chapter of Genesis. This woman was wife of Abraham the great patriarch Moche good thing is there said of her in holy scripture which that I leave to tell the for shortness. But of her chastity may one say to the purpose that we spoke of before that there been fair women enough that be chaste. For she was of so sovereign beauty that in her time she passed all other women/ so moche that many princes coveted her/ but she was so true that she dysdeyned not to here them. whereof among all the others that coveted her was the king Pharaoh/ in so much that he took her away by strength from her husband. But the great goodness of her which yet passed her beauty desired of god that she loved so tenderly that he would keep her from all manner of vylanyes. And almighty god hearing her petition tormented so moche Pharaoh and his people both of body and of heart by grievous sicknesses and divers visitations/ that he touched her never/ and so was he constrained to yield her again.   

¶ Of Rebecca. Capitulo xxxix  
REbecca the wife of Isaac the Patry ark father of jacob/ was not moche less to praise than the fair & good Sarra. This Rebecca is marvelously praised in holy scripture of divers things. And it is written of her in the xxiiij chapter of the first book of the bible/ that she was so good/ wise/ and honest/ that she was ensample of chastity unto all women that knew her. And with that she bore her marvelously meekly toward her husband/ and so simply that she seemed not that she was a lady/ and therefore the good man Isaac worshipped her/ and loved her marvelously well. ¶ But this good woman Rebecca had of almighty god a better gift than the love of her husband for her great chastity and goodness. ¶ For this noble lady that was so much in the love and in the grace of our lord Ihesu she had it so greatly that notwithstanding she was old & ●arayne god gave her two children in one womb which was jacob and Esau/ of whom came the lineages of Israel.   

¶ Of the noble woman Ruth. Ca xl.  
OF good ladies and chaste I might tell thee/ of which holy scripture maketh mention which I leave for shorten●s Ruth was a noble lady & a good which dessended of the lineage of david the prophet. She was right chaste/ and in likewise in her wydowhode of right great love to her husband as it appeared. For the great love that she had to him when he was deed she forsook her owe ne country/ and nation/ and went to dwell and use her life with the jews of the which lineage her husband came/ and dwelled with his own mother. And to say shortly this noble lady was so good and chaste that there was a book made of her/ and of her life/ in the which these things before said be written.   

¶ Of Penolope wife of Ulyxes. Ca xlj.  
OF chaste ladies paynymes there be found enough right good and worshipful in divers chronicles Penolope the wife of prince Ulyxes was rygh a virtuous lady/ & among other virtues that she had she was greatly praised for her chastity/ & many divers histories maketh mention of her. For this lady all the while the her husband was at the siege before Trope that endured ten years/ she governed her right wisely. And not withstanding that she was required of many kings and princes for because that she was so fair/ she would not hearken to them nor hear them speak. And she was wise & prudent/ & devout to her god's/ & of fair & good behaving. And also after the destruction of Troy she abode her said husband other ten years & men supposed that he was perished in the see. where there were many pestilences. And when he was come home he found her besieged with a king the would have had her by strength in marriage. For her great beauty and chastity/ her husband came in the guise of a pilgrim & inquired of her/ & when he heard good tidings of her/ he was right joyous. And he had great joy of his young son Thelomachus which he left with her right little/ and he found him then perfectly grown. And I Xp̄ine said thus. Madame by y● that I have heard you say/ these foresaid ladies left not to be chaste though they were fair. For many men say that of great pain there be found any fair women chaste. ¶ Answer. Those that so say faileth. For there be/ hath been/ and shall be fair women chaste.   

¶ Here it speaketh against them that say that it is a pain for to find any fair woman chaste. Capitulo xlij  
MAryamyre was a woman of Ebrue daughter of king Arystobolus/ she was of so great beauty that not only in that time men wend that she had passed and exceeded all other women in beauty/ but they judged her that she was rather a celestial image & godly/ than a mortal woman/ and the figure of her was painted in a table and scent to king Anthony of Egypte the which for the great marvel of such beauty said/ & judged that she was daughter of jupiter the god For he would not believe that she might be engen dread by a mortal man. This lady notwithstanding her excellent beauty and that she was tempted and assayed to be had of divers great princes/ & kings. Nevertheless by great virtue & strength of courage she re●ysted all/ & for that she was the more praised & more shining in renown. And yet she was more to praise/ in so much that she was wedded right evil/ that is to know/ to Herode Anthy pater king of jews which was a man of great cruelty/ and also he had made to be slain the brother of this good lady/ for the which cause and many others that he died to her she had him in hate. But for all that she left never to be a good woman and chaste. And yet with this it came to the knowledge of this lady that he had ordained that if he died before her/ that she should he slain anon after to the intent that none other should have the possession of so great beauty after him.   

¶ Also the same purpose of Anthony wife of Dru se Tybere brother of the noble Emperor Nero. Capitulo. xliij  
FOr that that one saith commonly that it is as strong a thing that a fair woman may keep her among young men & courtyours desirous of love without taking/ as it is to be among the flames of fire without brenning/ well she could defend her the fair & good antony wife of Druse Thybere brother of Nero the Emperor. This lady dwelled in the flower of her so verayne beauty & green youth widow of Druse Thybere her husband which his brother Nero had slain with poison/ whereof this noble lady had so great sorrow that she purposed never after to be married/ but to live in chastity/ the which purpose she held as long as she lived so holy that there was never paynim lady that had greater praising of chastity. So she died of this thing so much more to be praised as Bocace saith that in this chastity & contynuence she was abiding among in the court among the young lusty people/ fresh & jolly lovers living court. There she used her life without spot of any blame/ or of any manner of lightness/ the which thing as the author saith is worthy too be lifted up in prayling/ so as of a young woman right excellent in beauty which was the daughter of Mark Anthonye that led his life full sinfully. But not for that the lewd ensamples that she saw/ made her never to fall/ but that she abode always in chastity among the brenning tires/ and it was no little while/ but that she was perseverant till that she died for age. Of such that were fair and chaste living among the worldly people/ and also in court among the young lusty folks/ of ensamples I might find the enough and at this day also/ nor doubt the not but there been many though that the evil tongues listeth for too say shrewdly. ¶ And of such good and chaste ladies leading their lives among these worldly people speaketh valery of this noble and worthy lady Sulpyce/ the which was of great beauty/ and yet she was named the most chaste among all the ladies of Rome.   

¶ Here it speaketh against them that saith that women would be ravished/ and giveth ensamples of divers/ and first it speaketh of the noble and worthy lady Lucrece. wife of Tarquyne Collatyn. Capitulo xliiij  
THen I Xp̄ine said thus. Madame I believe it well that ye say/ and I am sure that there been enough fair women chaste/ and that can keep them from the await of the deceivers/ yet it grieveth me of that that many men say that women would be ravished/ and that it displease th' them not though they say the contrary with their mouth. But it were a great thing to make me to believe it that it were agreeable to them. ¶ Answer. Doubt it not fair friend/ that it is no pleasance to these chaste ladies of heart and thought to be ravished/ but it is to them right great sorrow above all other/ and that it be true there be many of them that have showed it by fair ensamples. As of Lucres the right noble woman of Rome/ sovereign in chastity among all that ladies of Rome wife of the noble Tarquyne Collatyn/ & as Tarquyne the proud son of the king was taken with the love of this lady Lucre's/ and durst not tell it her/ for the great chastity that she was of/ but despaired to come thereto by gifts or prayer. So he thought to come to it by cautel/ he said that he was well beloved with her husband by the which he entered in to her house when it pleased him/ by the which as in a time he would go thither when he knew verily that her husband was not at home/ and she received him right worshipfully as him which she thought was a right good friend to her husband. But Tarquyne which thought all otherwise died so moche that he entered at night in to her chambre/ of the which she was greatly afeard. And to say shortly when he had spoken enough by great promises/ gifts/ and offres that he might do his will with her/ & saw that all availed not/ he took his sword & menaced her to ●lee her if she spoke one word/ but that she should consent to his will/ & she answered that he should ●le her hardly for she loved more to die than to consent. Tarquyne that saw that nothing availed him/ advised him of another great malice/ and said that he would tell it openly that he had found her with one of her servants/ and to say shortly she was so greatly afeard of this thing thinking that folks would soon believe such a thing by the words of him she suffered his strength. But yet might not Lucrece bear patiently this great displeasure/ wherefore when it was day she sent to seek her husband/ and her father and kinsfolk which were the greatest of Rome/ & when they were come to her she told them with great weepings and wailings that which was done to her. And as her husband and kins folks saw her in so great sorrow recomforted her/ she drew a knife that she had under her gown saying/ though it be so that I clear me of this sin/ and I show mine Innocence/ nevertheless I deliver me not from torment/ nor I put me out of pain/ ne fro hens forth there shall never woman live shamed by the ensample of Lucrece. And these things said/ by great strength she fixed the knife in to her breast/ and fell down dying in the sight of her husband and friends. So they ran all as they had been out of themself upon this Tarquyne/ and for this cause all Rome was moved/ and chased the king out of the town & they would have slain his son if they might have fowde him. And never sith there was no king in Rome because of this great outrage done to Lucre's/ & as some say for because of her there was a law made that if any man that ravished a woman should die the which law is convenable and just.   

¶ Of the same purpose of the queen of Gausegres. Capitulo xlv  
WEll to the purpose above said the history maketh mention of the noble queen & wife of Orgyagontes king of Gausegres. It happened in the time when the romans made their great conquests upon strangers that this said king was taken by the said Romans in a battle & his wife with him/ & when they were at their lodging the noble queen which was right fair/ simple & chaste pleased greatly one of that constables of the said host of Rome which had taken the king & her. So he prayed & required her by great offres/ but when he saw that prayers availed him not/ he left of and spoke no more. Then this noble lady had great sorrow for the wrong that this constable died to her/ and she left not to think how she might be revenged. So she ●aryed & dyssyinyled till she saw her time/ and when she saw that the ransom was brought for to deliver her husband and her/ the lady would that this money should be paid to the said constable she being present To whom she said that she would that he should way the gold to the intent that he should have no wrong/ and that he were not deceived. And when she saw that he intended to way the gold & that there was noae of his people about him. The lady took a knife and smote him in the throat and slew him/ and smote of his heed & without any trouble brought it to her husband & told him ho we she had done/ and how she had revenged her wrong.   

¶ yet of the same/ and of the ladies of Sycambres and other maidens. Ca xluj.  
ALso though I may give the ensam bless of married women of whom I might tell the enough of whom the sorrow to be ravished was importable/ I shall tell the of widows and maidens. ¶ Sysponne was a woman of Grece/ and she was taken & ravished with mariners & scommers of the see/ which were enemies to that country/ the which lady as she that was of great beauty was required by them right greatly. And when she saw that she might not escape/ but to be ravished she had this thing in so great abho mynacyon and dyspleasannce that she had liefer to die. And therefore she leapt in to the see/ and was drowned. ¶ Also the Sycambres which now been called Frensshmen assailed on a time among other the city of Rome with a great host & a multitude of people. And in hope that they should have destroyed the city they brought their wives with them and their children. And it happened that the discomfiture turned upon the Sycambres/ when their wives saw that/ they counseled among them that it was better to die in defending their chastity. For they knew that after the usage of war they should be ravished than to be deadly dishonoured. So they made fortresses about them with their chariots and carts & armed them against the Romans/ and they defended them as much as they might and slew many of them/ but at the last they were siayne the most part of them. And those that were left on live prayed with joined hands that they would not touch them in no vylany/ and that they might use the end of their lives in serving in the temple of maidens of the goddess Uesta. But for that that it was not graūted to them they would slay them rather than to be ravished. ¶ Also of maidens in like wise so as of Uyrgyne the noble maid of Rome which the false judge Claudyen trowed to have by cautel & by force/ and when he saw the prayer availed him not/ but she notwithstanding her green youth had liefer to die than to be ravished. ¶ Also there was a city taken in Lombardy by the enemies which that slew the lord. The daughters of the said lord which were right fair in so moche that they thought they should be sold to be ravished/ they pourneyed them of a strange remedy/ for the which they were greatly to praise. For they took the flesh of chekyns raw and put it in their bosoms/ so it was anon corrupt by heat/ whereof it happened that when they that would ravish them came nigh to them and they felt the stink anon they left them saying. O gods how these lom bards stink. But that stinking made them to smell right sweet.   

¶ Proves against that that one speaketh of the inconstance of women. Xpine speaketh & rightwiseness answereth of the inconstance and fragility of divers Emperors. Ca xlvij.  
MAdame ye tell me marvelous constance/ stableness and virtue of the great courage of women/ what might one say more of the most stron guessed men that ever were/ yet above all vices that men and also the books say to be of women crieth all of one voice upon them/ that they be variable/ Inconstaunte/ changeable/ light/ & of frail courage/ bowing as children. Are these men then so constaunnte that they may not vary and it is a great thing to do that so moche accuseth women of inconstance. Certes if they do to much it is right lewd and evil seeming to ask of another a virtue that they can not have themself. ¶ Answer. Fair sweet love haste not thou alway heard say that a fool perceiveth better the little mote in the face of his neighbour than he beholdeth the great beam that hangeth over his own eye. So I shall show the great contradiction in that that these men say so moche of the variance of women. They accord all generally that woe men by nature be right frail/ and yet these men desire that women should be of grtter constance than they can be themself. For those that so calleth themself to be so strong and of so noble condition/ yet they may not hold them from falling in to many right great defaults and sins/ and know well that they miss take/ and they labour so moch● to the women that if any of them fall in any default of which they are the cause/ and by their cautayles they have drawn them thereto by great pain and labour/ yet ●yth they name them so frail they aught in some wise for to support their fragility/ and not to call a little fault a great crime/ yet they list not to support them but maketh and saith many great gryefes' of them/ And they denay not to call them strong/ and constant when they endure their great outrages. And thus at all purposes these men would have the right from them. And of that thou hast spoken enough in thy pistle of the god of love. But to that thou demandest me if these men be so strong & so constant that they have cause to blame other of their constance. If thou behold sith the ages and ancient time unto this day by the books & by that thou haste seen in thine age/ and at all times thou master se it before thine eyes/ not only in simple men/ nor of low estate/ but of the greatest thou mayst know the perfection of their constance/ I will not say absolutely that it is with them so generally as they say of women but as it hath been/ and is in some of them. ¶ And for that that if there be in the courage of men no inconstance but accuse the women of the vice. Take heed now here/ and I shall give the ensamples of the greatest princes and most lifted up in estate/ which is a thing not pertaining to the same vice more than in others without seeking in more ancient ages ¶ where was there ever courage of women so frail/ nor so evil accustomed and less constant than was the Emperor Claudyen. He was so variable that what so ever he ordained in one hour he despised it in another/ and there was never sta blenes found in his word/ he accorded to all coum sail. He caused his wife to be slain by his cruelty/ and after at night he, asked wherefore she came not to bed/ and commanded his servants that he had made smite of their heeds to come & play with him. This Emperor was of so caitiff a courage that he trembled alway/ nor he trusted no body/ I can not tell the all the shrewdenesse of the conditions of this lewd Emperor/ but that he was full of fragility. ¶ Tybere the Emperor what was he more wroth/ all in constance/ all variance/ all slyppernesse was more in him than ever was found in woman.   

¶ Of Nero the cruel Emperor. Ca xlviij.  
ANd Nero that was he/ sith we be entered in the deeds of Emperors. Of this Nero the great varyablenesse appeared. For at the beginning he was good enough and died his pain to please all people. But after he had no refrain of his lechery/ of his ravin/ nor of his cruelty/ and to exercise it the more/ often times he armed him by night and went with his gluttons and his fellows to unthrifty places playing and japing by the streets/ doing all shrewdenes/ & to find occasion to do shrewdly/ he shouldered them that he met/ & if they spoke any word/ other he would wound them or slay them. He broke taverns & doors of lewd houses/ he took women by strength/ whereby he was almost slain once of the husband of a woman that he had ravished. He let make baths for lewdness/ and eat and drank all the night and slept the day. He ordained now one thing now another/ as his folly stirred him to do divers things. All lechery/ all superfluities all pride/ and all manner thoughts of folly was in him/ he haunted all evil/ he loved naughty folks and tormented the good. He was consenting to the death of his father & of his mother/ & when she was deed he made her to be opened to see the place where he was conceived. And when he had seen it/ he said that she was a fair woman when she lived. He slew his wife Octovyene that was right a good woman/ and took another that he loved moche at the beginning/ & after slew her/ he let slay a kins woman of his own because she would not be married to him/ he made to slay his little daughter within the age of vij years because one bore her to play with a duke's sons. He let slay the noble phylosophre Seneke which was his master. For that that he was alway ashamed when he saw him/ he enpoisoned his provost feigning that he would hele him again/ he enpoisoned with meats and drinks all the noble ancient princes and barons of great authority that had great governance/ he made to sie his aunt/ and took her goods/ he made to destroy all the nobles of Rome and put them in exile/ and destroyed their children/ he made a cruel man of Egypte to be accustomed to eat man's fless he raw to the intent that by him he would make men to be eaten quick what shall I say one may not tell the horrible deeds that he died ne gathered together the erueltees of him. He made fire to be cast all about Rome vj. days and uj nights/ and by that pestilence died moche of the people/ he beheld the falling of his tour/ and made great joy/ and song/ He made to slay saint Peter and saint Poule/ and many other martyrs. And in doing these things when he had reigned the space of xiiij years the Romans that had suffered to much rebelled against him/ & he fell in despair and slew himself.   

¶ Of the Emperor and of others. Ca xlix.  
_●I great marvel I have told y● as that it seemeth by adventure of the cursedness of Nero/ and of his fragylytes. But I promise the that the Emperor that succeeded him which was named Galba was but little better if he had lived long/ for his cruelty was out of measure. And with his other vices he was so variable that there was no manner of restraining ne he was never in one estate/ now cruel & without measure/ now to soft and without justice/ negligent/ envious/ and full of suspection/ little loving his princes and his knights/ caitiff/ and fearful of courage covetous above all thing/ he reigned but uj months for he was slain to shorten his cruelties ¶ But Othomy which that succeeded him was no better/ For that some say that women been cutyous. The Emperor was curious and delyca te of his body/ caitiff of courage/ seeking after nothing but his ease foolily large/ a great glutton faint/ lecherous/ a false traitor/ and full of all shrewdenesse/ full of disdain. And the end of him was that he slew himself after that he had reigned three months/ for because that his enemies had the victory of him in battle. ¶ Uyncylyen that succeeded this Othomy was no better but full of cursedness/ I wot not what I shall tell the more and thou trow that I lie/ read the histories of Emperors/ and the process of their lives/ and thou shalt find that there were but few in number that were of good conditions/ rightful & constant/ of the which good was the Emperor Trayane and Tytus. But I promise the that against these two good thou shalt find ten evil. ¶ And in the same wise of the Popes & of people of holy church/ which aught to be more chosen/ but though that at the beginning of christian faith there were saints. sith the Emperor Constantyne gave to the church great revenues and richesses/ the holiness that hath been/ read their gests and crownacles & tell me if they be of the same perfection now/ and now thou mayst see at this day if the world be in amending. And if great stableness have been and great constance in the deeds and counsels as much of temporal princes/ as of spiritual/ it appeareth enough. I shall say to the more I wit not to whom men speak of inconstance/ nor of varaunce of women/ nor how they have no shame to open their mouth when they behold how in the great deeds governed by them/ and not by the women with so moche inconstance & variance as it were the deeds of children/ & how well their purpose and accord abideth that they make in their great counsels. ¶ And I shall tell the all at ones upon these things/ there is none other inconstance nor variance but to do against that the reason teacheth. And a creature reasonable made after the image of god/ and that hath knowledge of that y● inclineth more to sensuality than to reason that is frail/ and the more that the shrewdenesse is great the ferder it is fro reason/ and aught to be called the gre●ter fragility. And I am certain that read all along the histories of whom that ever they are written though philosophers & many auctors have said and affirm that there is so great fragy light in women that thou shalt not find any woe man of so great cursedness as there hath been in great quantity of men. The worst women that thou shalt find in holy scripture was Athalys & jesobell her mother queens of Iherusalem which poursued the children of Israel. Brunchent queen of France/ and some other. But advise the of the cursedness of judas that so mischievously betrayed his good master sweet Jesus' to whom he was apostle that had done him so much good/ and take heed of julyan the apostata. Denys the tyrant. So many of shrewd kings in divers countries/ of false Emperors and Popes/ and other prelate's without faith/ full of covetise/ the antecrystes also and thou shalt find also the men have cause to hold their peas/ and that women have cause to thank god/ and praise him that ha' the put the treasure of so many good souls in the bodies of women. So I shall say no more as now against them by ensamples of the deeds of them that call these women so frail. And I shall tell the of divers women right stable & constant of whom the histories been right good to here of good ensamples.   

¶ Of Grysylde marquis of Saluce a woman of great virtue/ and specially in patience. Ca l.  
written it is that there was a Marquys of Saluce named by name Gautyre sans peer. He was fair of body and a worshipful man/ but right strange of conditions his lords often times counseled him & prayed him that he would marry/ that he might have issue. But it was long time or he would accord to them. At the last he said to them that he would with a good will. If it should be agreeable to them/ that he might take such a woman as he would choose to be married unto/ to the which thing they accorded and made their oath thereto. This marquis haunted often times the disport of hunting and hawkynge in the fields/ in the which among the poor men labourers of that town there dwelled a right poor man impotent & old that was called Janycle/ and was a good true man all his life. This same good man had a daughter of the age o●. xviij years named Grysylde/ which served him by great diligence and found him by the labour of her spinning. The said Marquys which often times passed that way had well advised the good conditions and the honest of this maiden whiwas right fair of body and of visage/ whom he had right greatly in his grace. It happened that the marquis that was accorded with his barons that he should take a wife/ said to them/ that they should assemble at a certain day for the weddings/ & he ordained that all the ladies should be there/ so he let make great array. And at that day as all men & women were assembled before him/ he made all that rout to take their horses/ for to go with him for to fetch home his spouse. So they went right unto the house of Janycle/ and there they met with Grysylde with a pot of water upon her heed which came fro the well. He demanded of her where her father was. And this Grysy●de meekly kneeled down and said unto him that he was at home. Go seek him said he unto her. And when the good man was come/ the Marquys said to him that he would take his daughter by marriage. And ja answered him that he should do his pleasure. So the ladies entered in to the little house and clothed and arrayed the spouse right nobly so as it pertained to the estate of a marquis/ of Robes & of jewels that he had ordained for her. So he led her home & wedded her in his palace. And to make the tale short. This lady bore her so well to every creature that the nobles great and little/ & all the people loved her/ and so well she could behave her with every person that every man held them content/ and she served and cherished her lord so as she aught. This year this lady had a daughter which was taken in great joy. But when she was in age that she was taken fro the paps The marquis made the lady to believe for to prove her constance/ that she disposed the lords that the lineage of her should lordship upon them/ & and therefore he would that the child were slain To this thing which aught to be right hard to every mother. Grysylde answered that the daughter was his own & that he might do his pleasure. So he made the child to be taken to a squire of his the which in making semblant that he came thither to slay the child/ and he bore it secretly to Boloyne lafoy grace to the countess of Payngo which was sister to the marquis to keep and to nourish it. But for all this Grysylde made never semblant of heaviness that trowed her daughter to be slain. Again in the year after the lady was with child and was delivered of a fair son the fade received it with great joy. And yet again the Marquys would assay his wife as he died before/ and said to her that the child must needs be slain to content the lords & his people. And Grysylde answered that if it sufficed not that her child should die/ that she was ready to die if it might please him. So he took the child to the squire in the ●ame wise as he died that other/ and yet she made never semblant of sorrow/ ne said other word/ but that she prayed the squire that when he had slain the child/ that he would hury him/ to the intent that the tender flesh of the child were not eaten with wild beasts/ ne with birds Of this great hardness there appeared never changing cheer in Grysylde. But yet it was no● long after that the Marquys would assay her again when they had been together vij years/ in the which time the good lady had borne her so well that it aught to have sufficed the proving of her virtue when the marquis on a day called her in to his chambre and said to her that he was in point to loose his lordship by his knights and his squires for her. For they had great disdain to hold for their lady and masters the daughter of Janycle So it is convenient if he would appease them that she went home again to her father so as she came thence/ and that he should wed another more gentle woman/ & of more higher blood. To this thing which aught to be right grievous & hard to her/ answered grysylde. My lord I knew well always & oft-times thought the between thy noblesse & magnificence & my poverty might be no proportion nor I thought me not only worthy to be your spouse/ nor also to be the poorest of your house. And now I am ready to return in to the house of my father/ in the which I shall were mine age. And as to my dower that thou hast ordained me to have/ that I aught to have I see it well. Thou knowest well that when thou tookest me out of my father's house thou madest me to be despoiled all naked/ & clothed me again in good robes with the which I came with y●/ ne never other thing of mine own brought I with me/ but faith/ manner/ love/ reverence/ and poverty. So it is reason that I yield to the again thy movable goods. And see here thy rob of which I me despoil/ & so I yield to y● the ring with the which thou didst wed me/ & I yield to the all other rings/ jewels/ clothing/ and array/ by the which I was worshipped & enriched in thy chambre/ all naked out of my father's house I came/ & all naked I shall turn again. Save that it me seemeth a thing unconuenable that this womb in the which the children were that thou hadst engendered should appear all naked before the people For the which if it pleas the & none otherwise I pray the y● for the recompensation of my vygynyte that I brought in to thy palace the which I bear not again that it may please the that there might be left unto me a simple smock with the which I shall cover the womb of thy wife/ sometime Marquyse. And then the Marpuys might not hold him no more from weeping for compassion/ & yet he overcame his courage and ordained that there was brought to her a smock. ¶ Then in the presence of all the knights & ladies Grysylde despoiled her/ & died of her hosen & shoes/ & put of all her ornaments/ and nothing remained but only the smock. Then stretched the rumour all about that the Marquys would depart from his wife & all men and women were come to the palace so rowing greatly of this thing. And Grysylde all naked save her smock/ bore heeded/ and bore foot was set upon an horse/ and with company of lords/ knights/ and ladies/ that all men & women wept cursing the marquis & sorrowed greatly the goodness of the lady/ yet Grysylde never cast teere out of her eyes & was conveyed unto the house of her father/ the which good old man had been always in doubt thinking that his lord should be full every day of so poor a marriage. Then he he ring the noise went to meet with his daughter and brought to her her old cote all to torn which he had kept/ so she clothed her again without showing semblant of any sorrow. And thus dwelled Grysylde with her father a while in such humility & poverty & in serving her father as she was wont/ no sorrow showing outwards nor no heavy countenance was seen in her/ but recom forted her father of his heaviness that he had for to see his daughter to fall from so great highness in to so great poverty. ¶ And when the marquis seemed that he had proved his true spouse enough/ he sent to his sister that she should come to him right nobly accompanied with lords & ladies/ & should bring with her his two young children without making semblant that they were his And he made his barons & sugectes to understand that he would take a new wife/ and wed a right notable lady which his sister had in keeping. So he made to assemble a right fair company of knights and of ladies in his palas that sa me day that his sister should aryue/ And he let make right a fair feast and a great. So he sent to Grysylde and said to her in this manner. Grysylde the maiden that I shall wed shall be here to morrow. And for that I desire that my sister & her company should be right nobly received/ for that that thou knowest my condition/ and how I aught to receive lords and ladies/ and thou knowest the chambers and places/ and to the intent that every person be well lodged after his estate/ and in especial my spouse that shall be. For I will that thou have all the charge/ And all officers shall obey unto the. So think thereon and see that all be well ordained. Grysylde answered and said she would do it with right a good will. And in the morning the company were arrived/ great was there the fceste. And Grysylde left not for her lewd coote/ but that she went with a glad cheer to meet the maiden and new spouse as she trowed/ & making reverence humbly kneeled before her saying welcome my lady and also to the son/ and to all men and women of the come pany/ & thus received them each after their estate right joyously. And though so be that she was in the habit of a poor woman it seemed by her be havour that she was a woman of right great worship/ and of marvelous prudence so much that the strangers marveled them how such fair speech/ and such worshipful might be under so poor an habit. Grysylde had made so well to be ordained all things that there was nothing amiss at the point. But with so good a will drew her nigh this maiden and the son/ that she could not depart from them. The Marquys had made▪ ready all things as for to wed the young maiden. And when it came to the hour to sing the mass. Then came the Marquys and before all he called Grysylde and said to her how seemeth that Grysylde of my new spouse/ is she not fair and goodly. And she answered full goodly. Certainly my lord there may not be found a good liar ne a fairer. But of one thing I will pray y● in good faith and counsel y● that is that thou make her not sorry/ ne prick her not with the needles of which thou hast proved that other. For this is more young and more deliciously nourished/ so parad venture she shall not suffered as that other hath done Then the Marquys hearing the words of Grysylde considering her great stableness strength and constance had great marvel of her virtue/ and pity took him that he had given her to suffer with out saying the contrary. So he began to say thus in the presence of all the people. ¶ Grysylde it aught enough to suffice the proving of thy constance/ of thy very faith/ truth/ and great love/ hobey sans/ & meekness/ well proved toward me. And believe it that there is no man under heaven that by so many proves hath known the love of marriage as I have done in the. And then the Marquys went near her which held down her heed for shame for the great praising that he said to her. So he embraced her uraytely in his arms and kissed her in saying. Thou art mine only spouse/ other weddings shall I never have. This maid that thou thinkest that should be my spouse is thy daughter & mine/ and that other is thy son and mine. So know they all that be here that that I have done hath been to prove my true spouse/ and not to condemn her. And I have made my children to be nourished at Boloyne la grace with my sister/ & not s●ayne them/ now see them here. Then this lady hearing the words of her lord the Marquys fell down flat for joy And when she came to herself she took the children in her arms/ and it was no doubt but her heart had marvelous▪ joy. And all the people wept for joy & pity. There was she grieved more than ever she was before. So she was clothed again and arrayed right richly. So the feast was great & right joyous where every man had great words of the praising of this lady. And they lived together twenty years in great joy and peace. And the marquis made Janycle her father of whom he made no great count before to come to the palace & there he held him in great worship/ he married his children highly & after him his son succeeded by the good will of the lords/ & of the comunes also.   

¶ Of Florence of Rome. Ca lj.  
OF Grysylde Marquyse of Saluce that had enough of virtuous strength/ & constance I have said to y●. Now I shall tell the of the noble Florence Empress of rome which by marvelous patience suffered great adversity/ so as it is written of her in the miracles of our lady. This lady was of sovereign beauty but she was more chaste/ and virtuous. It happened that the Emperor her husband aught to go to a great war right a great way thence. So he left to keep his country/ and his wife/ a brother that he had the which tempted with the enemy after the departing of the Emperor coveted foolily his brother's wife/ & to speak shortly he held her so short that she should accord to his will/ that for dread that after the prayers he would use her by force/ he put her in prison in a strong tour & there she was till the coming of the Emperor when it came that the tidings were brought that the said Emperor was come again/ he made the lady to be taken out of prison/ she not weening that he would complain on her wrongfully & he died it to the intent that she should keep the country while he would go against his brother/ at the arrynge of whom he took all the evil of this good lady/ and the worst that might be said by the which the Emperor that believed him sent his people and ordained that or he should aryue with out making any mention of it that she should be slain. For he would not see her ne find her onlyve. But she meruaylling moche of these tidings prayed so moche to them that were committed to do this thing that they should let her go in an habit unknown. So they granted her her desire. Then this noble lady went & by a strange adventure that happened her/ she was committed to keep a child of a great prince. So it fortuned that the brother of that prince was taken with the love of her/ in so much that after that he had required her enough/ for despite that she would not accord to him/ he slew the young child by her as she slept to the intent to make her to be destroyed. All these adversities which were not little suffered this noble lady the Empress right patiently & by right strong & constant courage. And when she should be led to the place where she should be put to the death as she that some supposed had slain the child such pity came to the lord and to the lady for the fair life and the great ver tues that they had seen in her that their hearts could not suffer her to die/ but they put her in exile. In the which place as she was in great poverty and was right patient & devout toward god & his sweet mother/ she slept on a time after her prayers made to god in a fair green place/ then she had a vision of the blessed virgin Mary that she should gather a certain herb that was under her heed/ and with that herb she should get her living/ in healing all manner of sicknesses. And on a time after by the said herb the lady had heeled so many sick folks/ of whom the renown sprang all about it fortuned that the brother of the prince that had slain the child above said was sick of a great sickness right horribly/ for whom men were sent to fetch this woman to hele him. And when she was come in to his presence she said to him that he might well see that god beat him with his rods/ and that he should confess his sin openly/ & he should be hole/ for otherwise she might not hele him. And then he moved with great contryey on confessed his horrible wickedness/ & how he himself had slain the child through which the good lady was blamed that kept him. The prince was passing wroth with this and would at all times do justice on his brother. But the noble lady prayed him so moche that she appeased him to him/ and than she healed him anon/ and thus this good lady yielded good for evil after the command bement of god. ¶ It happened in the same wise and it tarried not long after/ but that the brother of the Emperor/ by the which Florence was exiled fell in so horrible sickness of the lyppre that he was all stinking. And as the voice went in all the world how there was a woman that would hele all manner of sickness. Anon men were sent out to seek her by the commandment of the Em peroure without any knowledge what she was.  
For he deemed his wife to be deed long before.  
And when she was come before him she said to him that it was convenient that he should confess him openly/ for otherwise he might not be heeled. But as he refused it long time/ at the last he opened all his wickedness that he had done to the Empress/ for the which he wist well that god punished him. This thing heard of the Emperor being passing wroth of that that he trowed that he had made his true spouse to die that he loved so moche would have slain his brother. But the good lady opened herself to the Emperor and made the peace between him and his brother. And thus Florence recovered by the merit of her patyence/ her estate and felicity/ with great joy of the Emperor and of all people.   

¶ Of the wife of Barnabo the Genevoys. Capitulo lij  
TO the purpose yet of women that be constant may well be brought to remembrance the history that Bocace telleth in his book of Cent nowelles how it happened on a time in Paris/ as many merchants lombards and Italyens were together at a souper. In which as they spoke of many things they tell to speak of their wives/ so moche that among others a janevoys that was called Barnabo began greatly to praise his wife of beauty/ of wit/ of chastity above all things/ & of all virtues. So there was another outrageous fellow in the company named Ambrose which said that he was a fool to praise his wife so moche and specially of chastity and that there was none so strong but that one should overcome her by gifts/ by promise/ & fair words/ & so to come to his intent. Of this thing begun a great strife between them twain & it came so far forth that they laid in wager the some of .v. thousand Floryns Barnabo said that/ that other should not lie with his wife for all that he could do And Ambrose laid that he should/ & that he would bryn goe so good a token that it should suffice▪ that other merchants died as much as they could to seas the debate but it availed not. Ambrose departed th●s as soon as he might/ & went to Gene/ & when he came there he inquired greatly of the life of the wife of Bar●abo/ But to say shortly/ so moche he heard record of her great goodness that he lost all his hope that he should never come to his intent whereof he found himself greatly abashed & repentant of his folly. And he advised him of a great malice/ for it grieved his heart right sore to loose so .v. thousand floryns. So he died so moche that he spoke to an old poor woman that repaired oft times to the house of y●, good woman. And gave and promised her so moche that he was put in a great cofre/ and was borne in to the chambre of the said good woman to whom the old poor woman had made to understand that there was much good gear in the cofre/ which was taken her to keep/ and thieves laboured to rob her/ and therefore she prayed her that it might abide a little while in her chambre to be kept till they came home that aught it/ to the which thing the good woman consented with a good will. Ambrose which was in the coffer made such a wait upon the lady by night that he saw her all naked/ and with that went privily out of the cofre and took a girdle & a purse made with the needle that she had wrought by good craft. And after entered in to the cofre again so privily that the lady that slept/ and with her a little daughter that she had felt nothing of it. And when he had been there three days the old poor woman came again to fetch her coffer. Ambrose that had great joy & wend that he had well employed his intent/ went to Parysagayne & reported to her husband before all the company that he had line with his wife at his ease. And first he told him the token of the chambre and of the painting that was in it. After he showed him the purse and the girdle that he knew well/ and said that the had given it to him/ and told him all the fashion of her body/ and that he saw her all naked/ and he told him also that she had a little spot as it were a wart under the lift pap. Then the husband believed stably by the tokens the words of Ambrose/ of which if he were sorry no man marvel And then he paid him and contented him of this u thousand floryns. And as soon as he might he went to Gene. And before that he should aryue he sent expressly to his factor that governed all his doings there/ in whom he trusted above all things the manner how he would that he should slay this woman his wife/ the which the command dement seen made the good woman to mount on horseback/ and made her to believe that he would bring her to her husband. And the good woman which believed him well went with him with great joy. But when they were come into a wood he told her that he must needs slay her by the commandment of his master her husband. And to make the tale short this woman died so much which was so good & so fair & so much she could preach that he let her go so that she should promise him that she should go out of the country. She that was thus escaped went unto a town and died so moche to a good woman that she bought her clothing for a man/ so she cut of her here & she arrayed her in the likeness of a young man. And she died so moche that she put herself with a rich man of Cateloyne named Syguyr Ferant that was come down from his ship to refresh him so she served him so well that he held him conten te marvelously. For he found never so good a servant/ & this same woman called herseite Sagurat Daffynoly. This Saguyr Ferant that went again in to the ship & Sagurat daffynoly with him went so moche by see till he came in to Alexandre/ and there he bought faucons right fair & good/ horse's also. And after that he went toward the sultan of babylon with whom he had good petition/ and when he had biden there a while and the sultan advised well this Sagurat Daffynoly the which served so diligently his master/ and the which seemed to him so fair and gracious that he pleased him marvelously so much that he prayed this Saguyr Ferant that he would give him to him/ and he would make him a great master/ and he granted him against his will. And to say shortly so well this Sagurat Daffynoly served the sultan that he trusted no man so much as he died him/ and was so great master about him that he governed all. It hap pened that in a town of the Sowdans should be a great fair where merchants came of all parties/ the Sowdan ordained Sagurat that he should go in to that town to keep the fair/ & to take heed of his right. And as it happened as god will de that to that fair was come with other Italyens that brought many jewels this false Ambrose above said/ which was greatly enriched with the goods of Barnabo. Sagurat that was lieutenant of the town of the Sowdans was greatly worshipped of all people/ & for he was a great lord and a great master the merchants brought to him every day jewels to sell. So among others there came to him that same Ambrose/ & as he had opened a little coffer full of jewels before Sagurat to the intent that he should see them And in this coffer was the purse & the girdle before said/ by the which as soon as Sagurat saw it he knew it well and took it in his hand & beheld it strongly meruaylling greatly how they might come thither. And Ambrose that but little thought of that adventure began to laugh right fast/ and Sagurat that saw him laugh said to him Friend I suppose that thou laughest of that/ that I muse to behold this woman's thing/ and forsooth it is right fair. And Ambrose answered him My lord it is at your commandment. But I laugh for that that I bethink me of the manner how I had it. So god give me joy said Sagurant I pray the tell me how thou hadst it. By my faith said Ambrose I shall tell you how I gate it/ I had it of a fair gentlewoman that gave it me with whom I lay all a hole night. And moreover beside that I gate five thousand Floryns of good gold for a wager that I died make with the folyss he husband of her that is named Barnabo which durst so lewdly lay it with me that I should not lie with his wife/ and now the unhappy man hath slain her also. But he hath better deserved to be punished than she. For a man may well know that every woman is frail and light to overcome. So there is no man that aught to have affiance in a woman. Then knew Sagurat the cause of the wrath of her husband that she knew never before. But as a right prudent and stable wisely she dissimuled unto the time that it come to the point. So she made semblant to have right great solace of this thing/ & she said to him that he was right a good fellow/ and that he would have him right specially in petition/ & that he would that he should abide and buy merchandise for them both/ and that he would take him enough whereof in his hands. Of that Am brose had great joy. And forth with Sagurat made to deliver him an house. And for to deceive him the better she took him money in his hands And showed him so great sign of love that he was alway with him. And she made him to tell that jape before the sultan to make him to laugh And to say shortly how the thing was determined. So moche Sagurat died and purchased that she died so moche to the jenevoys that were in that country after that that she knew the estate of Baruabo that was fallen in poverty. what for the great finance that he had paid/ and for the great sorrow that he took therefore that Barna bo should come over in to that country by the come mandment of the sultan/ and to make the tale short/ when he was come in to that country he came before the Sowdan. And anon Sagurat made seek after Ambrose. But or he came he had well informed the sultan how Ambrose lied in making his avaunt that he made of this woman. And she prayed him also that in case that the truth come to knowledge that he would punish justly the said Ambrose/ the which thing when Ambrose & Barnabo were come before the sultan/ Sagurat began to say in this manner. Ambrose it pleaseth to our lord that is here that thou tell the jape all along how thou didst get of Barnabo that here is .v. thousand floryns where of thou haste told him by what manner thou died lie with his wife. And then Ambrose changed colour as he to whom the truth might uneaths suffer to cover so an untrue fraud/ for it was to him a sudden thing of the which he took no head. Then he took to him a little manner and answered. My lord it is no force though I tell it not. Barnabo knoweth well enough. I have shame of his shame. And then Barnabo full of sorrow & of shame prayed that he might never here of it more/ and that he would let him leave. But Sagurat answered as in laughing that he should not go/ and that it was convenient that he let him tell it. Then Ambrose which saw that he was constrained began to say all with a trembling voice that he had made Barnabo to understand and all as he had told them. And when he had ended his reason Sagurat asked of Barnabo if it were true that Ambrose had said/ and he answered and said ye without fail. And how said Sagurat be ye well certain that this man here lay with your wife/ for that that he told to you certain tokens/ be you such a be'st that you can not know that by ways enough fraudulently he might know the fashion of her body without dying with her/ and ye have for this cause made your wife to die/ ye are worthy to die yourself for ye have no sufficient proof. Then Barnabo had great dread And then Sagurat that would no longer be still and that her seemed time to speak said to Ambrose False traitor say the truth without making the to be tormented. And the woman of whom y● avauntest the is not yet deed/ but she is not far hens to say the contrary to thy false losings. For y● touched her never. There was a great assemble/ what of lords of the Sowdans as of great foison of lombards which marvelously harkened this thing. And to say it shortly this Ambrose was so led that he confessed before the sultan and all the people all the fraud/ and how he had wrought by covetise to get those .v. thousand Floryns. when Barnabo heard this almost he was out of himself/ for that he wist none other but that his wife was slain. But the good woman came to him and said/ what wouldest thou give him that would yield the thy wife again alive hole and chaste Barnabo answered & said that he would give all that ever he could make in the world. And then she said unto him. Barnabo brother and friend/ how is that thou knowest not her. And as he was abashed that he wist not what he died she unbotened her breast and said to him I am thy dear fellow that thou haste condemned to the death without cause. And then they embraced each other in marvelous great joy. And the sultan and all the people was greatly admeruayled of this thing/ and right greatly pray said the great virtue of this woman/ and they gave her great gifts. And all the goods that was pertaining to Ambrose was given to her/ and he was put unto the death right mischievously/ And right so Barnabo and the good woman his wife turned home again in to their country/ and there they lived together long time after in prosperity and joy.   

¶ Here it showeth how after that/ that rightwiseness had told of these constance/ my lady Xp̄ine asked her if it be true that divers men say that there been but few women true in their amourouse life/ and thereto answered rightwiseness. Capitulo liij  
WHen my lady rightwiseness had told me all these things and enough of others which I leave for shortness So as of Loonce that was a woman of Grece/ the which would never for torments that any man would do to her accuse two men with that which she was acquainted/ but cut of her tongue with her teeth before the judge to put him out of hope that she should tell him by strength of torments. And enough of other ladies & gentlewomen which were of constant courage that they had liefer to drink poison and die/ than to bow against right and truth. And then I said to her/ Madame ye have showed me enough great constance in the courage of women and all other virtues/ that truly there may no more be said of no man. So I marvel me greatly how so many worshipful ladies that have been so wise & so well lettered/ & that have gotten the fair style of enditing & to make fair books hath suffered so long without saying the contrary so many errors to be witnessed against them by divers men when that they knew well that it was of great wrong. ¶ Answer/ my dear friend this question is light enough to assoil/ thou mayst see by that that is said before/ that the great virtues of these ladies of whom I have told y● here above in divers works dyfferenced one from another ententyfely occupied and not all in one self thing. This work was reserved to the to make and not to them/ a to people of good understanding/ the women were praised enough without other writing. And as to the longness of time passed without gain saying all things cometh well to point/ & enough to the beholding of the long world/ how long suffereth god heresies to be in the world against the holy law/ which yet endureth that he hath not destroyed them. So it is of many other things that been suffered long without gain saying & sith they be reproved at the last ¶ Then I Xp̄ine said to her. Madame ye say passing well. But I yield me certain/ that many noises groweth among the evil sayers of this present work/ which will say that if it be true that some women have been/ & been good/ yet they be not so all ¶ Answer. what marvel though they be not all noted/ that of the company of Ihesu christ there were but twelve yet was one right evil/ & these men durst say that all women should be good/ what school the they be than I suppose when all men be perfit that the women shall follow them. ¶ I Xp̄ine answered. Madame now let us leave these questions/ but a little issuing out of terms whereof we have spoken till now/ right gladly I would make you some demands to the same purpose if that I knew that it should not noy you/ for that that the matter though it be founded upon the law of kind/ it cometh not all by the attempering of reason.  
And she answered unto me/ dear friend/ say what thou wilt. For the disciple that asketh of the master aught not to be reproved though he ask that he desireth to know. Madame there runneth in the world a natural law of men to women/ and women to men/ not the law made by the stabling of people/ but by carnal enclynacyon by the which they love each other of right great and strong love by one pleasant time/ & so they know not to what cause ne wherefore such love one of another is fyxed in them. And in this love that is common enough & it is called y● amorous life/ the men say commonly that women though they promise/ there he but fe we abiding in one place/ & of little love. Right subtle & faint/ & all that cometh of the lightness of their courage. And among all other auctors y● accuseth them of that Ovid in his book of the craft of love giveth them right great charge/ & this Ouyde saith & others in the same wise when they have blamed enough the women upon that thing that they put in their books as well of the descyvable conditions of them as of their wickedness that they do it for the common wealth to the intent to advise the men of their cauteyles the better to eschew them/ so as of the serpent which is hid under an herb. So please it you mine own lady to teach me the truth this thing. ¶ Answer. My dear friend as to that that they say that women be deceivable I wot not what I shall say to the more. For thyself hath treated sufficiently enough of this matter/ as well against this Ovid as against others in thine epistle of the god of love. And in the epistles upon the romance of the rose. But upon the point that thou hast touched to me/ that they say that they do yet for the common wealth. I shall show the that it was nothing for that cause/ & see here the reason. The common profit in a city/ or a country/ or in comunalte of people is none other thing but one profit/ & the general wealth is of the which each one hath his part. But the thing that should be done in profit some and not to some/ should be called the private wealth or proper/ & not the comune. And yet that shall do the less good that is taken away from one and given to another. And this thing aught to be called not private wealth or proper/ but right great extortion made to another in favour of the party. So thou mayst see & perceive clearly that they do it favourably & in prejudice of one part to his grief to sustain that other. For they spoke not to the women in advising them that they keep them from the awaits of men. And yet it is a thing right certain often times that they deceive women by their cauteylous & false semblant. And it is no doubt that the women be as well in the number of the creatures earthly as be the men. Then I conclude that they should do for the comune wealth that is to understand of two parts they should have spoken as well to the women that they should beware of the men as they have done to the men to beware of the women. But for to leave to go to question and in following the other/ that is to understand that women be not of so little love there as their hearts is set & that they be more stabler than they say/ it shall suffice to prove it by ensample of them that have persevered unto the death. And first I shall tell the of the noble Dydo queen of Cartage of whom it is spo ken here above of her great valour as thyself ha' the touched other times.   

¶ Here it speaketh of Dydo queen of Cartage to the purpose that love is stable in a woman. Ca liiij.  
SO as it is said above. Dydo queen of Cartage being in her city in joy and peace reigning gloriously come by fortune Aeneas fled from Troy after the destruction of the Duke & capitain of many Trojans cast by divers tempests/ their ships broken/ their victuals failed/ & great loss of people. Desirous of rest weary of roving by the see/ busy to get lodging/ arrived at the port of Cartage/ & as for doubt of mysta king he would not be so hardy to take land with out licence of that of the queen/ but sent to her to know whither it pleased her or no. But the noble lady full of worship and of worthiness which knew well that the Trojans were of more reputation for the time/ then was any nation of the world. And that this Duke Aeneas was of the noble blood royal of Troy. She gave him not only licence that he should take the land/ But she herself with a noble company of lords/ and ladies/ and gentle women came against him unto the see side/ and received him & all his company with great worship/ she led him in to her city and greatly worshipped him/ feested him/ & eased him/ why should I make the tale long. So long Aeneas was there at sojourn/ ease/ and rest/ that he thought but little of all the torments that he had before And so moche was their haunting/ the love which subtilely can set harteson fire made that one to love that other. But after that that experience showed she loved much better Aeneas than he did her. For notwithstanding that he had given to her his faith that he should never take other woman/ but that he should be hers evermore/ he departed after that/ that she had refreshed him with good and ease/ his ships garnished full of treasure and goods/ as she that had not spared her goods there as the heart was wholly set went away without taking leave by night right trey tourously without knowing of her/ and thus he paid his hostess. The which departing was to her so great sorrow of him that she loved so much that she would forsake all joy & her life also. And in deed after that she had wept and wailed enough she cast herself in a great fire that she let make/ and so she brent herself. And others say that she slew herself with the sword of Aeneas. And thus piteously ended the noble queen Dydo the which had been so greatly worshipped that she passed in renown all other women in her tyme.   

¶ Of Medea the true Lover. Ca lv.  
MEdea daughter of the king of Colcos' which had so moche understan ding loved ofto great love and stable jason. This jason was a knight of Grece right manly in arms. He heard tell that in y● I'll of Colcos' which was in the country of which the father of Medea was king/ there was a sheep that seemed as impossible to conquer. And yet it was prophesied that by a knight it should be conquered. jason which understood this thing/ as right desirous to encreas his renown from good to better/ departed from Grece with a great company to the intent to prove him in this conquest. And as he was arrived in the foresaid country of Colcos'/ the king of the land said to him that it was impossible that by the prowess of arms of man the golden fleece might be gotten. For it was a thing made by enchantment/ and y● as many knights as assayed it were perished. So he would not that he should lose his life in such manner. And jason said shortly that sith he had taken the enterprise in hand he would not leave to die therefore. Medea the dou ghter of the king which saw jason of such beauty & o● so great renown/ & of the lineage of a king seemed that he were a good marriage for her/ & that he might the better employ his love to her she thought to keep him from the death. For great pity took her that such a knight should perish so. So she spoke to him long & at laysoure/ & to say shortly she took him charms & enchauntementesas she that could all/ & taught him all the manner how & by what way he should conquer the golden fleece so the jason should promise her to take her to wife without having other/ & to love her truly. But of this promise lied jason. For after that that he was come to his intent he left her for another/ whereof as soon as he had left her she fell in such despair that there was never after joy in her heart   

¶ Of Tysbe the maiden. Ca▪ luj.  
Ovid telleth in his book of Methamorphoseos that in the city of Babylone were two noble & rich Cytezynes right nigh neighbours that the walls of their houses that they dwelled in joined toguder. These two men had two children fair above all others/ that one a son that was named Pyra miss/ and that other a daughter which was named Tysbe. These two children which yet were without malice/ as of the age of vij years loved so parfytely together that they might not abide one from another. And it was their guise alway that every day to rise in the morning together to take their refection of their faders for to go to play with other children of their age to the intent that they might be always together/ & at all their plays one might see them together/ & thus endure till they were waxen great/ & as they grew in age so increased the flames of their love/ so moche that by their haunting they were perceived/ & so some had suspection by the which it was reported to the mother of Tysbe The which took such wrath of this thing that she shit her fast in her chambers/ and said that she would keep her well enough fro the haunting of Pyramys. Of this prison were right sorrowful these two lovers that their weepings & come plaints were right piteous. And so was this sorrow to them right hard for that none of them might see other. This distress endured passing long/ the which made not less their love/ ne made them nothing the slower for so moche as they saw not each other but always increased the heat of their age/ so moche that they were come to the age of xu years. It happened on a day so as fortune would that Thysbe that thought alway in her love all weeping in her chambre beholding the wall that was between the two houses in saying piteously. O thou wall of hard stone which makest the departing between my love and me/ if there were any pity in the thou wouldest cleave in sondre to the intent that I might see him that I have desired so moche. And as she said these words/ she saw by adventure in a corner the wall cleaved by the which she perceived the light of that other part/ and than she digged in the clefte with the pendant of her girdle/ for other tool had she none/ the hole increased so moche the she put through the pendant/ to the intent that Pyramys should perceive it. The which thing happened as by this token these two lovers often times assembled to speak together in the foresaid hole where they made their piteous complaints. And at the last constrained by great love they took counsel that they would steel away by night fro their faders and moders. And that each of them should find other at a well under a white mulberry tree/ where they were wont to play in their youth. And as Tysbe which loved more was the first come to the well abiding her love/ she being afeard of a lion that she heard coming to drink at the well she fled to hide her in a bush there by. And in going she let fall a white coverchefe the which the lion found/ and cast upon it the entrails of beasts that he had devoured/ Pyramys came or that Tysbe durst come out of the bush. And for that he found the coverchefe of Tysbe which he perceived by the moan light charged with the entrails/ trowed verily that his love was devoured. So he had so great sorrow that he slew himself with his sword. And as he was in dying Tysbe came which found him in that point and by the token of the coverchefe that she saw him have in his hand she knew the cause of the evil adventure/ whereof she had such sorrow that she would live no longer. And when she saw that the spirit of her love was out of his body after many great lamentations that she made she slew herself with the same sword.   

¶ Of the good woman Hero. Ca lvij.  
THe noble young woman Hero loved not moche less the Hander than died Tysbe Pyramys. For as this Hander to keep the worship of her loved better to put him in great peril than she should be blamed for him/ to the intent that their love might endure the longer/ without espying of any people/ he took such a manner to see his lady often times. He rose by night from his bed to the intent that no man should know it. And went alone to an arm of the see right large which was called Herles & passed over swiming till he came to a castle named Habydon that stood upon the river in that other side where y● Hero dwelled which abode at a window/ & in the long nights of winter held out a bronde of fire at the wyndo we to the intent that he should come the right way thither. These two lovers continued this life many years till fortune had envy of their solacyous life/ & thought to trouble them. For as it happened on a time of winter that by the woodness of the see the river was full of tempest & passing deep & perilous/ the which tempest during so long without seizing that they thought it right long y● one to see that other which was right noyous to the two lovers and greatly they complained them of the wind & of the tempest that endured so long At the last the Hander whom great desire chased by that that he saw in a night the bronde at the window y● Hero held It seemed him that she called him and he thought great cowardice that he put him not in peril/ & that he went not/ for dread of which he doubted him. And she would fain defend him that he should not go to put him in such peril if she might. Notwithstanding she held out that bronde at adventure to teach him the right way if he would needs do it. So thus happened the unhappy adventure that the Hander put himself in the river & might not strive against the flood of the water which bore him so far that he must needs drown. The good Hero to whom her heart gave as it happened seized never weeping. And when the clear day appeared as she that slept not went agay ne to the window where she had been all the night And she saw the body of her love fleet upon the water nigh the brink. She that would not live no long after cast her in to the see/ & died so moche that she ●oke her love in her arms/ and so died/ and thus she was perished.   

¶ Of Sysmonde daughter of the prince of Salerne. Ca lviij.  
BOcace telleth in the book of Cent Now velles that a prince of Salerne named Cancre had a fair daughter right gentle & courtoys which was named Sysmonde. He loved this daughter of so great love that with great pain he would accord unto the stirring of his lords to mary her to the Earl of champagne. But as she that should not abide long in marriage/ this earl died and the father took her home again to him/ thinking never to mary her again. The lady which was nourished tenderly/ and was right fair/ & in the flower of her youth. And which that knew the will of her father that she should be married again went and advised her among all the servants of her father of a squire the which above all the others though there were great foison of knights and gentle men he seemed to her fair and good/ & worthy to be loved. And so moche that she thought to pass her youth more joy ously to take her pleasance. And long time or she would discover this thing she beheld every day when she sat at her father's table the manner/ countenance/ and conditions of the squire which was named Guyscart so much that from day to day he seemed to her more perfit among all things. By the which she called him on a day before her & said to him in this manner/ Guyscart fair friend the trust that I have in your bounty/ beauty/ & wisdom/ counseleth me to discover to you of divers things that toucheth me right secret the which I would not tell to none other body. But I would or that I tell it you to have your truth that shall never be opened by you. Guyscart an sweared. Madame you need not to doubt that there shall be nothing known by me that ye tell me/ and for that I assure you by my truth. And then said Sysmonde to him/ Guyscarte know it for truth that my pleasance is in a gentleman/ that I love and wyllove/ and for that that I may not well speak to him nor by whom to send him my will. I would that ye were mean of our loves. Now behold if I have great trust in you above all others when I will put mine honour in your hands. And there he set him on his knees and said. Madame I know well that ye have such wit and goodness that ye would not do the thing unconuenable. So I thank you right meekly that ye trust in me more than in another. Now command your good pleasure to me your servant/ and I shall obey to my power and serve him if I knew which he were that were so happy to have the love of a lady of so great worthiness/ as ye are. For certes he hath not failed of a noble love. When Sysmonde that had will to prove him had heard him speak so wisely. Then she took him by the hand and said. Friend Guyscart know it that thou art he that I have chosen for mine one lie love/ and in whom I will take all my pleasance. For me seemeth that the noblesse of thy courage and the good manners of which thou art full yell death the worthy to have an high love. The young man had great joy of this thing & thanked right humbly/ and shortly to say/ long time con tynued their love without that/ the any tidings was felt thereof. But fortune envious of their so lace would no longer suffer these two lovers in joy but turned their disport in to great and bitter sorrow by marvelous adventure. It fortuned in a summer's day that Sysmonde dysported her in a gar dine with her maidens/ at that hour her father that had none other wealth but when he saw her wen te alone in to her chambre to disport him with her. But when he found the windows shit and the curteynes of the bed drawn/ & that there was no body there trowed that she had been a sleep. So he would not awake her but laid him on a little couch/ & there he slept strongly. when Sysmonde thought that she had been long enough in the gardyne she went to her chambre & laid her on her bed as for to sleep/ all her women were voided & shit the door upon her/ not perceiving that her father or any other was there/ & when she saw herself alone she rose from her bed & went to seek Guyscart which was in one of he wardrobes/ & brought him in to her chambre. And so as they devised between them two within the curteyns as they that trowed that they were alone/ the prince awoke & understood that there was a man with his daughter/ he had so great sorrow of the thing that of pain the consideration that he should dishonour his daughter might not keep him▪ but that he had departed them. Nevertheless he suffered & understood well who it was/ & died so moche that he leapt out of the chambre they not knowing of him. And when these two lovers had been enough together Guyscarte departed. But the prince that had made watch upon him/ anon he made him to be ta ken & prisoned him. And after went to his daughter/ & they being alone in the chambre the eyesfull of tears/ and with great sorrow began to say to her. ¶ Sygysmonde I trowed to have in that a dou ghter above all women/ fair/ chaste/ & wise▪ but of so much am I the more overcome to say as though I had trowed the contrary. For if I had not seen it with mine eyes there was nothing that should have made me believe that thou had be sup prised with the love of any man▪ but it had been thine husband. But as of that I am certain the sorrow thereof shall be the torment of mine age. And of that little time that I have to live/ & that which engrudgeth most my wrath is that that I trowed y● to be of more noble courage then any woman borne. And I see well the contrary/ by that y● thou hast taken the to one of the least of mine household. For if thou would have done such a thing/ thou my ghtest have found some of more noblesse & worship in my court then when thou took Guyscart. To whom I trow to yield the sorrow that I have by his cause. For I would that thou know it that I shall make him to die/ & the same would I do by the if I might destroy fro mine heart the love that I have in the more greater than ever father had to his daughter/ which turneth me fro it/ when Sysmonde understood this thing & that her father commanded him to death that she loved so moche she was so sorrowful that she would fain die that hour/ yet by right stable courage & constant cheer with out casting any tears out of her eyes/ though she was disposed to live no longer she answered thus father sith that it is so that fortune hath made that to be known which that I would so fain have covered. I have no need to make no request of you/ except if I wist to ask of you remission & life to him that ye menace of death. I would beseech you to take mine and leave his. For in that that I ask you pardon/ & ye would do to him as ye say I would not ask it. For I will no longer live. For of so much I make you certain that by his death ye shall slay me. But of this thing that moveth you to so great wrath against us/ have ye not cause to take it unto your own blame. For ye that be of fless he have not ye engendered a daughter of fless he & not of stone nor of iron. And ye aught to think though ye be old/ what and how great is the heaviness of youth living in delyces and at ease/ and the prickings which are to pass. And sith that I saw that ye thought never marry me again/ & feeling me young & pricked with lustiness I fell to love this same gentleman and not without a cause/ ne without great delyberation I consented and accorded to mine heart that he desired/ yet or that I advised well the conditions of him perfit in all virtues more than any other of your court/ and that ye may know yourself which have nourished him/ & what other thing is noblesse but virtues/ for it cometh not of fless he & blood which is but dung/ so ye have not cause to say that I have taken me to the least noble of your court/ and thus ye have no cause of wrath toward us/ your own blame considered But at all if ye will take so great punishment of him for that trespass it pertaineth not to be taken but it should be taken of wrong & of sin. But it is more right that I have it which stirred him thereto/ which thought that he aught to have it. For certes it should have been to much in the heart of a villain to have refused a lady of such parentage Aught ye then to employ this trespass all upon him and not upon me. Then the prince departed from Sysmonde. But yet he was not appeased to ward Guyscart/ but in the morning made him to be slain/ & commanded that the heart should be taken out of the body/ the which heart the father put in a right rich cup of gold/ and by a secremessagere sent it unto his daughter/ and he should say that he sent her that present & to enjoy of that thing that she loved most. The messenger came before Sysmonde and made his present and said that he was charged therewith. And she took the cup and opened it/ and anon she knew the adventure. But though she had sorrow inestimable/ she was not dismayed of her high courage/ but made her answer to him in this wise without changing her cheer saying. My friend say to the prince that one thing perceive I well/ that is this/ that to so noble a heart he hath given such a sepulture that pertaineth to him. For other than gold & precious stones aught he not have. Than she stooped over the cup and kissed the heart/ in saying piteously. Ha' right sweet heart herboure of all my pleasure. Cursed be the cruelty of that maketh me to see the in this plight. ye were alway present in mine heart/ and the very eyen of my thought. Now hast thou passed the course of thy noble life by diverse fortunes/ but yet thou hast such asepul ture of thine enemy as thy worthiness hath deserved/ so it pertaineth well that I do mine office that thou be washed & bayned with the tears of her that thou loved so moche/ and thou shalt not fail thereof/ and with that thy soul shall not be long without mine. For that is no reason but that I shall make the company in short time/ yet maugre fortune that hath be to the so contrary/ there is come to the so moche of weal now that my cruel father bathe sent y● to me to th'intent that thou be more worshipped/ and that I speak to the or that I die and that my soul may see thine/ of whom I desire the company above all thing/ for I know well that thy spirit desireth mine/ such words & others enough said Sysinonde so piteous that any person that hard it aught to have great pity of it. And so deeply she wept that it seemed that she had two wells in her heed that ran without ceasing in to the cup without making noise or cry/ but with allow voice kissing alway the heart. The ladies & gentlewomen that were about her had great marvel of this thing/ for they knew nothing of the advenre / ne what was the cause of the great sorrow. So they wept all for pity/ and pained them to recomfort her/ but it availed not/ & in vain they asked her most prive women the cause of her sorrow. And she overcome with marvelous sorrow when she had wept enough said. O right well-beloved heart I have done all mine ossyce that longed to that now there resteth naught to do but to send my soul to make company with thine. And with these words she lift her up and opened an almarye & took out a box where she had put venomous herbs to dissolve in water/ to have it ready when the cause happened. So she cast the water in to the cup where the heart was & without any manner dread drank it all/ & laid her done upon her bed abiding the death holding the cup alway right stratly when that women saw her body change by signs of death/ sorrowing marvelously cursed the father which was go a little while to disport him. And than he came at the hour that the venom by 'gan to stretch about in the veins/ and he full of sorrow of the case that was happened repenting him of that he had done/ began to speak to her by sweet wor destroying to have recomforted her making great sorrow/ & his daughter answered him Cancre reserve thy tears till another time/ for here is no need of them & I desire them not/ thou resemblest the mad man that slew a man & after wept for it/ had it not be better that thou hadst let thy douzter live at pleasance secretly loving a man than to see her hard death by thy cruelty to thy great sorrow. The which death shall make that thing that was secret to appear openly/ & than she might speak no more for her heart broke/ holding the cup right straightly in her hands And anon after her the father died for sorrow. And thus ended Sysmonde the daughter of the prince of Salerne/   

¶ Of Lyzabeth and of other lovers. Ca lix.  
ALso Bocace telleth in the saydbooke of Cent Nowelles that in the city of Messyne in Italy there was a young woman named Lyzabeth/ the which iij. brethren of hers by their covetousness tarried her of marrying. And they had a factor and a governor of all their businesses right fair and a goodly young man which that their father had nourished all his youth. ¶ It happened by the continual frequentation that they had between them they loved each other, and this love continued a while right joyously. But at the last as these brethren perceived as they that would not make great noise for dyshonouring of their sister were advised to slay him. And in deed they led this young man which was named Laurence with them unto a manner of thieves/ & when they were come thither they had him in to a garden and slew him/ and buried him among the trees. And they came home again to their house made them to believe that they had sent this Laurence far in to another coutre in their message. Lyzabeth which loved Laurence of so great love was nothing at hearts ease because she had lost the presence of her love & her heart gave her strangely of this matter so moche that in a time con strained of right love might not suffer no longer but that she a●ked of one other brethren where that Laurence was & why he tarried so long. By the which her brother answered her right tyersly & said/ what pertaineth it to the to know/ & than Ly zabeth perceived certainly that they had slain lau rinse/ for the which she made marvelous sorrow when she was alone/ & she wept all the night right deeply without taking any manner of rest in complaining him that she loved so moche/ & there with she become right sick/ for the which sickness she required her brethren that they would let her go to disport her at their manner without the city a little while/ & when they had granted her she went thither/ & she to whom her heart gave all this adventure went alone in to the gardyne where this Laurence lay deed/ & looking all about she saw where the body was buried by the raising of the new earth/ & than she digged the earth with a pycoys that she found there so moche till she found the body Then embracing the body by great distress made sorrow out of measure. But for so moche that she knew that she might not be long there for fere she should be perceived/ took the body out of the earth and took the heed of her love that her brethren had smitten of/ and knitted it in a coverchefe & buried it in one of her great pots whereon they use to set herbs & plants & an herb above it sweet lie smelling that is called Basylycon. And with this pot she turned home to her house again but she had this pot in so great cherete that she could not part from it but put it in one of her chambre windows in the air. And she watered it with none other water but with the tears of her eyen night and day. And this thing endured no little while as some of these men say women forgetteth lightly/ but it seemed that her sorrow increased from day to day/ & thus was the Basylycon waxed fair & great for the fatness of the earth/ & to tell shortly so moche she led this life upon the pot/ that it happened that some of her neighbours perceived how she wept without seizing at this window upon the pot/ & told to her brethren the marvel of her sorrow. So they were greatly abashed what it might be. And by night stolen away the pot whereof in the morning there began to spring a new noyance when she found not her pot/ & for all grace she requy red that she might have her pot again & she would quite it them though she should give her part of all her other goods/ and said piteously in complaining. Alas in what hour brought my mother me forth in to this world with my cruel brethren the which hateth my simple pleasance/ that they will not leave me a little poor pot of Basylycon which cost them naught nor yield it me again/ & I ask them nothing else for my marriage/ & for my dowry. Alas it is not great the I desire of them/ & thus she let it pass/ but her sorrow never seized so moche that she laid her on a bed & was sore sick. In the which sickness what so ever one offered her she set not by it ne by no joy in the world but only her pot/ & thus she died piteously. And I think not that this thing is a lesynge for there they made a song of the complaint of this geney●womā & of her pot which they sing yet. what shall I tell the more I should hold the to long if I told the the histories of women in such manner of love taken/ which have loved of right great love. ¶ Of another also telleth Bocace of whom the husband made to eat the heart of her love/ which never eat after. The same died the lady of Fayllee which loved the Chastelayne of Coussy by to great love. Also I soude Trystram. Tyamere which loved Hercules so moche that she slew herself when he was deed. So it is no dou bte that there is right great love in a constant woman where she setteth her heart though it be so that there be some women light. ¶ But these piteous ensamples & enough of others that I might tell the aught not to be the cause to move the courage of woe men to put them in this perilous see & damnable of lewd love. For always the end thereof is to them great prejudice in grief of body & goods/ or dishonour in the soul which is most. So they shalldo as wise women which by good wit can eschew & not to give audience to them which with out seizing travaileth them to deceive them in such case.   

¶ Of juno & of other divers ladies of renown. Ca lx.  
Now I have told that of great foison of ladies of the which the histories maketh mention/ but for to say of all the process should be infinite the which I have not taken in hand/ & it suttyseth me without more that I bring forth some in witnessing to say the contrary to that y● thou hast purposed that divers men say. I will tell the in conclusion of some that hath been in the world greatly praised by divers accidents more than by great virtues. ¶ juno daughter of Savil turnus & of Opys after the sayings of poets & the error of paynims was greatly praised above all other women of that law more for her good fortune than for any other excellence. She was sister of jupiter and married unto him whom they called sovereign god/ & for the great richesse & fortune in which she lived & habounded with her husband was reputed as goddess of richesse. And those mad people believed that for her stature that she had after her death that they were the better fortuned/ & they granted to her also the comfort of the rights of marriage/ & by her help the women recovered in praying to her/ and they made temples of her all about/ awters'/ priests/ plays & sacrifices/ & thus was she long worshipped of the greeks and of them of Cartage/ & with that she was brought to Rome after and put in the Capytole in the cell of jupiter her husband. And there she was worshipped of Romans that were lords of the world with many divers ceremonies by long tyme. ¶ Also Europe that was daughter of Agenor king of Phenyce was also greatly praised for that/ that jupiter which loved her named the third part of the world after her name. And it is to know that of the names of divers women hath been divers lands/ cities and towns named so/ as England of a woman that was called Angle/ and so of others.  
¶ jocasta queen of Thebes was praised for her great infortune/ for by misadventure she had wed dead her own sone after that/ that she had slain his own father whereof none of them both knew. And she saw that he despaired when he knew the adventure & after saw him slain between two sons that she had. ¶ Also Meduse or Bargon was praised for her great beauty/ she was daughter of the rich king Porce of whom the Royalme was right abundantly closed with the see. This Me duse as the ancient histories saith was of so marvelous beauty that not only she passed all other women/ but that is a marvelous thing and above nature. She had her countenance so pleasant with her beauty of body and of visage & of her yellow hairs as long threads of gold & crisp that she drew every mortal creature that she beheld to her/ so that she was unmovable to all people. And therefore the fable feigneth that she become a stone. ¶ Helen wife of Menelans/ king of Lacedemoyne daughter of Tyndarus king of Ceballe/ & of Leyda his wife was greatly renowned for her great beauty. And for that that it happened for because of the rauysshynge that Paris made of her which was the cause by the which Troy was destroyed of this queen/ though it be said of the beauty of others/ the histories affirmeth that she was the fairest woman that ever was borne of mother. And therefore these Poetes say that she was engendered of jupiter the great god. ¶ Also Polexene that was the meek daughter of king Priamus was also as fair a maid as is made mention in any hystore/ and with that she was right stable & constant of courage as she showed in receiving the death without vysege or ●here when she was heeded upon the tomb of Achilles/ then she said that it was more agreeable to her to die than to be led in servage. Of others enough I might tell the which that I leave for shortness.   

¶ Here speaketh Xpine/ and rightwiseness answereth against them that women draw men to them by their gayness. Ca lxj.  
Ixpine said thus Madame truly to the purpose above said. The perilous life of folly love to that that I se/ truly it aught to be eschewed of women that have any understanding in so much that it is to them so preiudyable. But there is great blame given to them that delight them to be gay in their array and clothing/ and some say that they do it for to draw these men to their love. ¶ Answer. dear love I shall not excuse them that be curious and quaint of their array For without fail that vice and not little ne no quayntenesse out of estate that pertaineth to every person to bear is not without blame by the which not to excuse the evil/ but to the intent that none charge them to give greater blame/ ne other that it affirmeth not of such women that one seethe fresh and gay. I say to the certainly that it cometh not to all women because of love that they do so/ but it cometh to many as well men as women by right good condycyón and natural inclination that they delight them in freshness/ and in fair habits and rich/ in cleanness/ and in profitable things. And if it come to them by kind it were herd to them to eschew it how be it that it should be the more virtuous. ¶ It is not written of the Apostle saint Barthylme we the which was a right great gentle man/ that notwithstanding that our saviour christ Ihesu preached and teached strongly of poverty & lymplenesse in all manner of things/ yet the blessed apostle all his life aware clotheses of silk frenged about with gold and precious stones/ and it cometh to him of kind to be richly arrayed the which is commonly a curious thing and full of pride/ and yet he sinned not. And some will say that for that cause our lord suffered that for his martyr doom he left his skin/ and was slain. And the senior things that I tell the for to show that no man aught to judge another of conscience for his haby te/ ne for his array. For it pertaineth only to god to be judge of all creatures/ and upon that I shall tell the some ensamples.   

¶ Of Claudyne a woman of Rome. Ca lxij.  
ALso Bocace and Valere telleth that Clau dine which was a noble lady of Rome delighted greatly in fair clothings & delicate. And for that that she was modelycatyfe than the other ladies of Rome/ some presumed shrewdly against her/ & against her chastity to the prejudice of her good name. So it happened in the xu year of the second battle of africa. That the image of Pyssemonde mother of the gods after opinion had been borne fro Rome there were assembled all the noble ladies of Rome to go meet with the image which was put in a ship upon Tybre/ but the mariners might not aryue at the port for all their strength. Then Claudyne which knew well that she was mysbylened of wrong for her fresshnesse she kneeled before the image and made her prayer all on high in saying to the goddess/ that as truly as that she knew that her chastity was hole and not corrupt that she would give her grace that she alone might draw the ship to the haven. And then trusting to her cleanness took her girdle & bound it to the stern of the ship/ and atter drew the ship to the rival as lightly as though all the mariners of the world had been there. And then every body marveled thereof. I have not told that this ensample for the thing that I ween that the image that they as fools and miscreants call a goddess that had might to lift up the prayer of Claudyne but I have told it the for to show the that she that was so gay left not for so moche to be chaste and by that she showed that she had that the truth of her chastity was so courable to her the which helped her and not the goddess.   

¶ How they lie not upon some women for so much though they delight them in fair clothing & array. Ca lxiij.  
ANd those women that would be beloved pain them for the cause to be gay nice and curious. I shall prove the that encheason maketh them not the sooner/ ne the better to be loved of wise men & of worship/ and more sooner and better been these virtuous women honest & simple loved of them that love worship than the most jolyest & fairest. So one might answer me thus/ sith that women draw these men to them by their virtue and honest. It were better that there were fewer good women/ but the reason should be naught worth. For the good and profitable things aught not to be left to be told & to increase for that though the fools abuse them and every man aught to do his devoir as well doing though it fortune the contrary. And that it is so that many women been loved for their virtues and honest. I shall show the ensamples first of divers saints of paradise I might tell the that were coveted of men for their honest. ¶ Lucrece of whom I spoke here above which was ravished/ the great honest of her was cause that Tarquyne loved her more than her beauty. For as her husband was once at a soupere there as this Tarquyne was which ravished her after and divers other knights with them they began to speak of their wives/ and every man said that his was best. But to know the truth & to prove which o● their wives was most worthy to be praised every man went to horse back & went to their houses. And though that they found occupied in the most honest offices & the work were the mo●e of reputation whereof it fortuned that Lucrece among all the other was found the most honestly occupied as right a wise & a good woman clothed in a simple gown among her maidens & her women werkyngein wools & speaking of virtuous things/ & thither came the said Tarquyne son of the king with her house bade which behol ding her great honest/ her simple countenance & her still manner was so amorous of her that it caused him to do the folly that he died a●ter.   

¶ Of queen Blaunche mother of saint Lewes & o● other good women loved for their virtues. Capitulo lxiiij  
THe same wise was loved for her great understanding/ wisdom/ virtue & bounty/ the right noble queen Blaunche mother of saint Lewes of the earl of Champayne not●standynge she had passed the flower of her youth. But this noble earl hearing the queen speak to him with so wise words when he had begun to war against the said said saint Lewes and the good lady spoke to him of it saying that he aught not to do so con sydering the wealths that her son had done to him/ the earl beheld her by great intent meruaylynge him of the great goodness & virtue of her by the which he was so strongly undertaken with her love that he wist not what to say nor do/ ne durst never war against him after. For he knew well that there was so moche wealth in her and of virtue also that he could never do otherwise but accord with him and her. So he suffered fro that hour for the many troubles by lewd desires that constrained him/ yet she answered him by the same. And then when she doubted not that he should never make war to the king but would be all his/ and that she was incertain that heart and body and all that ever he had was submitted to her commandment/ so she loved him all his life after. And he left not for a little wanhope that he might come to her love. So he made his lovely complaints in dyttyes praising greatly his lady. The which goodly dyttyes that he made he put them to a musyeyens to set them in to song right delectably And in his hall at province and also at Troy's he made write them and yet they appear in many places. And thus might I tell the of many other ¶ And I Xp̄ine answered Madame to your purpose in like case I have seen by experience. For I know many virtuous women that by that they have confessed them to me in complaining them to me of the pleasance that they took there they have been more required sith the time that their great beauty and youth hath been past▪ than they were in their great flower whereof they said. Alas what will ye that I say to these men saying in me any countenance of folly by the which they have colour and cause to think that he was of accord to do so great folly. And I perceive now open lie by that that ye say that the great wealth of them hath been cause to make them to love. And it is well contrary to the opyupon of divers folk that say that a good woman that would be chaste shall never be that woman that list to be coveted nor required.   

¶ Xpine asketh & right wysnes answereth against them that say that women by nature been scarce. Capitulo .lxv.  
Reply you I can no more mine own lady/ For my questions been well assoiled. And it seemeth me that ye have enough proved false the evil say enges that so many men say upon women. And also among other vices of women they say that Avarice is a natural thing in them/ but it appeareth not so to me by that that ye say. ¶ An swear. Dear daughter I tell the certainly that Avarice is no more natural in women than in men/ & if there be less god knoweth it. And that thou mayst see by that that by the covetysenesse of divers men there is moche more harm done to the world than by the little covetysenesse of women. But as I have said to the before that the fool knoweth better the little trespass in his neighbour than he doth the great crime of himself. And by that that one seethe often times that women delight them in loving to spin and card such thyngesmen call covetise. But I promise the that there been great foison of them that if they had whereof they would not be scarce ne covetous as of that that should be to their worship. But poor men hold commonly their wines so straight that they must needs keep that they have/ for they wot well it were no light thing to have more. And so there been some people that calleth women scarce/ for that they have married full large wastours of their goods/ & the poor women that knew well that their husband's have spended lewdly that that should find their household & that they & their children dare not compare cheer and may not hold them to speak to their husband's & to counsel them of less despence. So such things is no covetise ne scar senesse but it is a sign of right great prudence/ & such debates one may see often times in marriages by that that such counsaylling pleaseth not to the men/ and by that they give blame to the women of that they aught to praise them of. But that it be true that this vice of Avarice be not in them so as some will say/ It appeareth to alms that with right good will they do daily/ & god knoweth it how many prisoners in the land of the sara●yns how many needy gentlemen & others have been and been all days low in the world comforted & succoured by women & by their goods. ¶ The Ladies of Rome were not scarce when in the time that the city was greatly grieved with war/ by the which all the comune treasure of the town was wasted & spended on men of arms whereof it was great sorrow to the Romans to find the way to have silver to put forth an army which was of force right necessary for them. But the ladies by their own free will & also the widows assembled them & brought all their jewels & all that they had without sparing any thing to the princes of Rome/ & freely took it them of the which thing the ladies were greatly praised/ and afterwards all their jewels & goods were yielded to them again & of good right. For they were the cause of the recovering of Rome.   

¶ Of the rich lady and liberal named Buyse. Capitulo lxuj  
OF the liberality of women also it is written in the deeds of the Romans of the worshipful rich woman Buyse or pauline which was in the land of Puyl le in the time that Hanyball grieved so much the Romans by fire and iron/ that he despoiled almost all Italy of men & of goods It happened that of the great discomfiture of Canes whereof Hanyball had so noble a victory/ many Romans fled that scaped from the battle woun dead and hurt. But this worshipful lady Buyse received all them that she might have anon to the number of ten thousand and gathered them in to her houses/ for she was of great richesse. So she made them to be heeled at her cost and charge/ & succoured them all with her goods so much that by the help and comfort that she died to themthey might turn again to Rome and set up their arms again of the which thing she was right greatly praised. So doubt ye not dear friend that of infinite women/ large courteous/ and/ liberal I might tell the enough. ¶ And also with out seeking more ferther the histories as well of other largesse of ladies I might tell the enough Ne was not the liberality great of the noble lady de la river named Margarete which is yet on live/ and was sometime wife of the lord Burell lord de la power/ and first chambrelayne of the wise king Charles. This lady as she that was alway/ wise/ worshipful and well mannered. It happened in a time among others/ that she being at a great feast where there was great foison of noble ladies and of knights and of gentlemen in great apparel. Then this noble lady which was fair & young as she beheld the noble chivalry that was there thought that there was no cheer among others right a notable knight and of great worship in his living that was called sir Emenyon de Pomyners. This lady left not for so moche that he was a goodly man to have remem brance of him because of his worthiness and bounty/ her thought the more fairer array might not be in a company than notable men & of good fame though that they were old. So she asked greatly where this sir Emenyon was that he was not at that assemble. So it was told her that he was in prison in the castle of Paris for five hundred franks in which he was bound for a viage that he died in arms as he died oft times. Ha' said the noble lady what shame is this to the realm to suffer such a man to be an hour in prison for debt. And than she took the chapellet of gold that she had upon her heed/ right rich and fair/ and put upon her in stead of that a chapellet of periwinkle/ and so she took it to a certain messagere & said. Go and put this chapellet in pledge for that he oweth/ and that he be delivered anon and come heder/ the which thing was done of the which she was greatly praised.   

¶ Of pryncesses & of ladies of France. Ca lxvij.  
ANd I Xp̄ine said thus. Madame sith that ye have remembered this lady that is in my time and are entered to the same purse of ladies of France a biding in that country. I pray you that it please you to say some what of them that ye seem aught to be said/ & yfye think that it be good that they may be harboured in our city. For wherefore aught they to be forgotten as though they were strangers. Answer. Xp̄ine I answer the certainly that I see many of them right virtuous/ and it pleaseth me well that they be of our cytezeynes And first of all shall not be refused/ there the noble queen of France Isabella debavere/ now by the grace of god reigning in whom there was never found no cruelty nor extortion ne none evil vice but always in good love & benignity to her subjects. ¶ Ne aught not greatly to be praised the fair young/ good & wise duchess of Berry wife of duke Iohn late son of king Iohn of France & brother of the wise king Charles/ the which noble duchess bore herself so wisely & chaste in the flower of her youth that all the world praised her of great virtue. what should I say to that of the duchess of orleans wife of Lewes son of Charles the wise king of France late daughter of the duke of milan/ of which prudent lady ye might tell the strong & constaunte courage of great love to her lord/ advised in governance/ Just to every man & wise of her behaviour. ¶ what is there to say of the duchess of Burgoyne wife of duke Iohn son of Phylyp/ late son of king Iohn of France/ was she not right virtuous true to her lord benign in heart/ & in her countenance/ good in conditions & without any vice. ¶ The countess of Cleremount daughter of the duke of Berry above said of his first wife & married to the earl of Cleremount son of the duke of Bourbon abiding the duchy/ is not the tale of her such that pertaineth to be to every high prycesse of the great love of her lord well mannered in all things wise/ & her virtues appe read like to her countenance & honourable port & this is she that in lovest singularly among others as much for her virtues as for the great benefeytes of her/ stretched unto that by charity & good love yn art beholding thereto. The Duchess of Holand & countess of Heynaulte daughter of the above said Phylyp & sister of him that is now/ aught not the lady to be put among the good ladies true in cou rage/ rightwise in governance/ chartable/ & so veraynely devout to god ward/ & to say shortly all good. ¶ The duchess of Burgon/ aught she not to be remembered among the praised ladies/ & right worshipful worthy to be praised in all thyn ges/ what should I say/ I must occupy long time to tell all their great bounties. ¶ The good lady & fair & right a noble woman countess of Saint Poule/ daughter of the duke of Bar/ cousin germayne of the king of France well aught to come in place among others. ¶ Also she that thou lovest well Arm daughter sometime of the Earl of March & sister to him that nowt is which is married to the brother of the queen of France Lewes de bauyere empeyreth not the company of them that have grace & be worthy of pray sing/ for to god & the world her vertuesben accepted. ¶ Of other coum tesses & baronnesses ladies & gentylwomen/ burgesses/ wives & of all estates there been enough both good & fair maugre the evil sayers that god be worshipped which maintain them & amend them that do amiss/ & of this thing doubt not the contrary For I affirm that for certain though that many men as evylsayers & envious say the contrary. & I Xp̄ine answered/ than certes madame this I said of you is to me a sovereign joy. And she answered me. Dear friend now I have sufficiently done mine office in the city of ladies/ as in making the fair palace & ●ayre mansions/ & I have peopled it with nobles great rowtes of all estates which is now fulfilled/ now come my sister justice which shall perform the surplus & so y● shalt be sufficed.   

¶ Xpine speaketh to all pryncesses' ladies/ & to all women. Ca lxviij  
most doubted execellente & worship full princess of France and of every country/ all ladies gentle women/ & generally all women/ which loveth/ loved/ and shall love virtue and good conditions. As much those that been passed as those been now/ & those that are to come/ be ye glad & make joy in our new city/ which thanked be god is all builded for the most part/ & near hand peopled yield ye thanks to god which hitherto hath con duyted mewith great labour & study & would y● a worshipful lodging for a perpetual dwelling as long as the world shall last were made by me in the cloister of a city stablished/ to which I am come hitherto/ hoping to go forth to the conclusion of my work/ by the help & comfort of dame justice/ which after her promise shall be to me help with out being weary till it be closed & all parfytely made. Now pray for me my most doubted ladies.   
¶ Here endeth the second part of this book.   


¶ Here beginneth the table of the third part of this book/ the which speaketh how & by whom the high batylmentes of the towers of the city of Ladies were performed/ & what noble ladies were chosen for to dwell in the high & great palace and high dungeons.  

¶ The first chapter telleth how justice led the queen of heaven to inhabit & lordship in the city of Ladies. Capitulo. Primo.  
¶ Also of the sisters of our Lady and of Mary Magdaleyne. Ca secundo.  
¶ Also of saint Katherine. Ca iij.  
¶ Also of saint Margarete. Ca iiij.  
¶ Also of saint Luce. Ca v.  
¶ Also of saint Martyne. Ca vj.  
¶ Also of another saint Luce. Ca seven.  
¶ Of saint justyne & other virgins. Ca viij.  
¶ Also of the blessed Theodosy●e/ and of saint Barbara/ and saint Doro●he. Ca ix.  
¶ Also the life saint Xpine. Ca x.  
¶ Also of divers saints which saw their children martyred before them. Ca xj.  
¶ Also of saint Maryne the virgin. C. xij.  
¶ Also of the ble●syd Eu●ro●yne. Ca xiij.  
¶ Also of y● blessed anastase & her ●elawes. ca xiv  
¶ Of the three sisters virgins. Ca xv.  
¶ Also of the noble Athalye. Ca xuj.  
¶ Also of saint Affre. Ca xvij.  
¶ Of divers noble ladies which served & herboured the apostles & other divers saints. ca xviij  
¶ Also in the end of this book Xpine speaketh to the ladies. Ca xix.    

¶ Here beginneth the third part of the book of the city of Ladies/ which telleth how and by whom the high bataylementes of the towers were made & performed/ & what noble ladies were chosen to inhabit the high palace and the high dungeons.  
  

¶ The first chapter telleth how justice led the queen of heaven to inhabit and lordship in the city of ladies. Capitulo. Primo.  
ANd then my lady justice drew her toward me in her high manner & said thus. Xpine to say the right way It seemeth me well that after thy possibility with the help of my sisters so that thou hast known to put in work thou hast wrought well and fair in the building of the city of Ladies. And from hence forth it is time that I entremete me of the surplus so as I have promised the. That is to know to bring thither and lodge the most excellent and blessed queen among all women with her noble company so that the city may be lordeshypped and governed by her/ and inhabited with a great multitude of noble ladies of her court and of her me●ny For I see the palace and the high mansions ready and arrayed/ and all the streets covered to receive her and her right honourable and excellent rout and assemble. Now come on then ye pryn cesses/ ladies/ and all women before/ to receive this lady with great worship and reverence. which is not only your queen/ but she which hath domination and lordship above all puissance after here only son that she bore and con ceive of the holy ghost/ and which is the son of god the father. But it is good reason that this most high & excellent princess be meekly prayed by the assemble of all ladies & women that it please her of her great makenesse to dwell here allow among them in their city & congregation without having them in disdain for the regard of her highness toward their lytelnesse. But it needeth not to doubt that her meekness which passeth all others & her benignity more than aungelyke ne will not suffer her to make refuge to dwell & inhabit in the city of ladies above all other women in the palace that my sister ryghwysnesse hath ordained for her which is all made of glory & of praising. Now come on then all women with me & say we thus here. ¶ we salute y● with the same salutation that the angel brought to y●/y● which y● hast most agreeable above all other salutations saying to ye. (ave Maria). All the devout kind of women beseech the meekly that thou abhor not to dwell among them by grace & pity as their defenderesse/ & protectryce/ & keperayenst all the assaults of the enemies & of the world/ & that they may drink of the well of virtues that floweth fro thee/ & to be refreshed/ so that sin & all vice be to them abhomy able. Now then come on our heavenly queen/ temple of god/ sell & cloister of the holy ghost/ habitacle of the trinity/ joy of angels/ Star & redress of them that been out of the right way/ hope of all true believing people. O blessed lady what is he so outrageous that ever dare think or put out of his mouth that the femenyne kind is foul considered thy dignity/ for though all the doings of women were evil/ so passeth & surmounteth the light of thy goodness all the evil that may be. And when god would choose his spouse in thiskind for thine honour right excellent lady. All men aught to be ware/ not only to blame women but to have them in great reverence. ¶ The answer of the blessed queen is thus justice the right welbyloved of my son/ with right good will I shall devil & abide among my sisters and friends the women. For reason/ right wiseness/ and thyself would that I died so/ and nature inclineth me thereto/ for they serve me/ praise me/ and worship me without sea sing. So I am and shall be evermore the heed of the kind of women. For this thing was ever in the thought of god the father preparate/ and ordained in the counsel of the trinity ¶ Then answered justice with all the women/ Lady thankings/ and praysynges be given to the by the in fynyte worlds. Now lady save us/ and pray for us to thy son which nothing the refuseth.   

¶ Of the Sisters of our Lady & of Mary Magdaleyne. Ca secundo.  
Now the empress is lodged with us whether the evil saying janglers will or no. And now aught y● blessed sisters to put in/ & saint Mary Madge daleyne with them/ which made her company without leaving her in the time of the passion of her son right nigh the cross. O the great faith of women & great love which never left the son of god quick nor deed when he was abandonned & forsaken of his apostles/ and it appeared well that god reproved not the love of women as it were a frail thing as some men will say when he put so great love in the heart of y● blessed Mary Magdaleyne & of other ladies as it appe read and that it proved so moche.   

¶ Of saint Katherine the holy virgin. Ca iij.  
TO make company with the virgin queen of heaven/ & princess of the city of Ladies/ we must lodge with her the blessed virgins & holy ladies in showing how god hath proved the kind of women/ by that that the same wise that he given unto men he hath given unto woe men for to understand in their young and tender age for to be constant and strong in suffering horrible martyrdoms for the holy law/ the which been crowned in glory of whom the fair lyvesben of good ensample to here to every every woman above all othher wisdom/ & ther fore they shall be the superlative degree of our city And first as a right excellent y● blessed Katheryn which was daughter of king Costs of Alexander. This blessed virgin was left to be heir of her father in the age of xviij years/ & notably she governed her & her heritage/ she was a crysten woe man & all given to god refusing all other marriages. It happened that in to the city of Alexandre was come the Emperor Maxencyus the which on a day of great solemnity of his gods had made to array great apparel to make solemn sacrifice. Katherine being in her palace heard the noise of beasts that were arrayed to do sacrifice & great noise of instruments/ & as she had sent to know what it was. And it was reported to her that the Emperor was in the temple to do sacrifice anon she went & began to correct the Em peroure of that error by many wise words/ & as she was a great clerk & had learned sciences began to prove by good reasons of philosophy that there was but one god maker of all things/ & that he aught to be worshipped & none other. when that Emperor heard this maiden which was so noble & of so great authority thus speak/ & which that was so fair was all amarveled & wist not what to say but intended to behold her/ so he sent all about to seek philosophers in all the land of egypt/ so there came before him l philosophers which held them right evil content when they knew the cause wherefore they were brought thither. And said that little wit had moved them to travail from so far coutrees for to dispute with a maiden/ and to tell shortly when the day of their dysputac yond was come/ the blessed Katherine led them for the so with arguments/ that they were all overcome and could not assoil her questions for the which the Emperor was pass sing wroth with them/ but all that advayled no thing. For by the grace of god & by the holy words of the virgin they were all converted & confessed the name of Ihesu Cryst/ for the which despite the Emperor made them all to be brent & the holy maiden comforted them in their martyrdom/ and assured them to be received in perpetual glory & prayed god that he would keep them in the very faith. And so by her they were put in the number of the blessed martyrs. And such a miracle god showed in them that the fire never hurt their bodies ne their clotheses but that they bode all hole after the fire was done without losing of any here of their heeds/ but it seemed that all were on live The tyrant Maxencyus which greatly coveted the holy virgin katherine for her beauty began to flatter her that she should turn to his will/ But when he saw that it advayled nothing he turned him to his manasynges and then to tormented and made her to be beaten cruelly and after to put her in prison without visiting of any person the space of twelve days without meet or drink trowing to have made her die for hunger. But the angels of our lord were with her which comforted her & after the twelve days she was brought before the Emperor/ and he saw her more fresh and hole than she was before/ and trowed that she had been visited. So he commanded the keepers of the prison to be tormented/ but Katheryne which had pity on them affirmed that she had no comfort save only from heaven. The Em peroure wist not what hard torments he might make to torment her. And by the counsel of his provost he let make wheels full of rasoures which turned one against another/ & what somever was in the mids was all cut of/ and between these wheels he made put saint Katherine all naked which alway worshipped god with joined hands. Then the angels of god came and defended her/ which broke the wheels with so great strength that all the tourmentoures were slain with them. And when the Empe roures wife understood these marvels that god made for saint Katherine she was converted/ & blamed the Emperor of that that he died/ and than she went and visited the holy virgin in the prison and prayed her that she would pray to god for her. For the which despite the Emperor made to tourmente his wife and to draw of her paps/ and the virgin said to her. Doubt ye not the torments noble queen for this day thou shalt be received in the joy without end. And then the Emperor made his wife to be heeded and a great multitude of people that were converted. The Emperor required Katheryn that she would be his wife/ and when he saw that she was refusing to all his petitions went & gave his sentence that she should b● heeded. And she made her prayer praying for all them that had remembrance on her passion/ and for them that called her name in their tribulations that god might be their help & succour. A voice came fro heaven which said that her prayer was herd. So she made an end of her martyrdom and in stead of blood there ran milk out of her body. And the angels took her holy body & bore it to the mount Synay which is twenty days journey fro thence And there they buried her/ at the which tomb god hath done many miracles which I let pass for shortness. And of the same tomb there runneth oil which healeth many sick men and god anon after punished the Emperor right hor rybly.   

¶ Of saint Margarete. Ca iiij.  
WE shall not forget also the blessed vyr gyne saint Margarete of whom the legend is known full well how she was borne in Antyoche of noble kindred/ introducte in y● faith when she was young of her nouryse/ of whom right humbly she went every day to keep the sheep/ whereof it happened that Olybryus which was steward with the Emperor saw her in going by and coveted her. So he sent to fetch her/ & for that that she would not consent to his will/ and that she told him that she was a christian woe man/ he made her to be strongly tormented/ beaten and prisoned in the which prison for that that she felt her tempted she required that she might see him visibly that so much evil purchased her. And then came an horrible serpent which greatly made her afeard and swallowed her. But she made the sign of the cross and anon the serpent broke/ and after she saw at a corner of the prison a black figure as of a man of Ethyope/ And than Margarete went boldly and conjured him/ and he couched under her feet/ and she set her feet upon his throat/ and he cried with an high voice/ mercy. The prison fulfilled with clearness Margarete was comforted of the angels/ and than she was tormented again before the judge/ the which when he saw that all his admonitions advayled him not/ made her to be tormented more than she was before. But the angels of god came and broke all the torments/ and the virgin leapt away from it all hole/ and there was great foison of people converted. And when the false tyrant saw that he ordained that she was heeded. But she made her orison first/ and prayed unto almighty god for all them that remembered her passion/ and all they that prayed unto her in their trybulacyens/ and for women great with child that almighty god would grawte unto them their petition. And the angel of god came & told her that her prayers were herd and that she should go in the name of god to receive the palm of the victory/ and than she stretched forth her neck and was heeded/ & the angels bore her soul to heaven. ¶ This false Olybryus also made to tourmente the holy virgin named Regyne/ which was right young of the age of xu years for that that she would not accord to him/ and she converted moche people with her holy preaching.   

¶ Of the holy virgin saint Luce. Ca v.  
THe blessed saint Luce which was borne in Rome aught not to be forgotten in our tyranny/ the which was ravished of the king Aceya of Barbary. And when he was in his co●n tree he trowed to have defouled her. Then she by the virtue of god began so to preach unto him that he marveled of her wit and left her & said that she was a goddess & held her in great worship and reverence in his palace. And right reverent lie he established her dwelling for her and her meinie/ and ordained that no man should repair thither to hurt her or trouble her. And she without seizing was in fastings and in orisons & led right an holy life praying for her host▪ that it might please god to enlumyne him with the light of his holy faith/ and her host asked counsel of her in all his doings/ and he took it well what so ever she counseled him/ when he went to the were he prayed her that she would pray to her god for him/ and she blessed him/ and he came again as overcomer of his enemies/ wherefore he would worship her as a goddess & would have made to build a temple for her but she said that he should beware thereof and that there was not but one god/ & that she was a simple sinner and thus she was by the space of twenty years persevering in holy life. So she had it by revelation of our lord that she should return to Rome/ & there she should accomplish the term of her life by martyrdom/ & she told it to the king which was right full of sorrow for it/ and answered her and said. Alas if thou part from me/ mine enemies will assail me/ & I shall loose my good fortune when I shall not have the. And she said to him/ thou king come with me/ and leave thine earthly royalme/ for thou art chosen to possess a more noble kingdom which is without end And he anon left all that he had & went with the holy virgin not as a lord but as a servant And when they were come to rome/ and she was known that she was a christian woman/ she was taken & brought to her martyrdom. Of the which thing the king Aeeya was right sorrowful and ran about and would have revenged her after his power/ if the holy virgin had not bidden him the contrary/ so he wept tenderly and cried that they were cursed people to do so much evil to the holy virgin of god. And when it came that one should smite of the heed of that blessed virgin/ the king went to put his heed by hers/ crying I am a christian man/ & I offer mine heed to Ihesu Cryst god & maker of all thing whom that holy Luce worshippeth. And so they were both heeded together and crowned in glory/ and xij. other with them that were converted by the holy virgin saint Luce whereof the feast of them is hallowed together in the vij calendars of jule   

¶ Of the blessed virgin saint Martyne. Ca vj.  
THe blessed virgin Martyne may not be forgotten. This blessed maid was borne in Rome of right noble kindred. The Emperor would constrain her to be his wife because of her beauty/ and she answered I am a christian woman offered to god alive which delighteth him in chaste bodies and in clean heart/ and to him I do sacrifice and commend me. And for despite of these words the Emperor made her to be led to the temple to constrain her to worship the idols/ and she kneeled down and her eyen toward heaven/ lifting up her joined hands made her orisons to god/ and anon the idols fell down all to torn/ the temple broke/ and the priests of the temple of idols were slain/ and the devil that was in the idol cried & confessed that the holy virgin Martyne was the very servant of god. The tyrant Emperor for to revenge his gods made her to be cruelly tormented/ in the which god appeared to her & comforted her/ and she prayed for them that tormented her so much that they were converted by her merits/ and great foison of people also. Of the which thing the Emperor was worse disposed than before and made her to be tormented more and more of divers tourmentynges and cruel But those that tormented her thought verily that they saw god and his saints before her/ & they asked mercy of her and were converted. And so as she was in orison praying for them a light came round about them/ and a voice was herd from heaven that said I spare you for the love of my right well-beloved Martyne. And then the provost cried to them for that they were converted and said. O fools ye are deceived by this enchantress Martyne. And they answered without dread. Nay thou art deceived by the devil that dwelleth within thee/ for thou knowest not him that made the. And the Emperor wroth out of measure commanded them to be hanged/ & their flesh to be all to torn/ & they receiving martyr doom joyfully praised god. And the Emperor again made martyne to be despoiled all naked & her flesh white as lily that made them abashed for her great beauty/ & when the Emperor which coveted her had long time counseled her/ and saw that she would not obey/ made her to be cut all about/ and out of her wounds there came milk for blood/ and yielded great sweetness & yet he wood on her made to stretch her abroad and razed her with hokes and broke all the body so moche that they that tormented her were all weary and god kept her that she should not die so soon/ to the intent that the tourmentoures might have cause to be converted the which began to cry Emperor we will do no more/ for the angels beateth us with chains. And then there came new tormentoures to torment her and anon they were deed/ and the Emperor confused wist not what to do/ but made her to be stretched to burn her with brenning gr●es/ & alway she glorified our lord/ and there came out of her mouth right great sweetness/ & when the tyrants had tormented her so moche that they were ashamed they cast her in a dark prison And Emenyon the cousin of the Emperor when te to look in to the prison/ and he saw Martyne environed with angels set in a throne right well arrayed and there was great clearness with many divers songs right melodious/ and she held a table of gold in the which there was wry ten. My lord sweet Ihesu cryst so moche by thy works praised in thy blessed saints Emenyon greatly admeruayled of this thing went to tell it to the Emperor which answered that he was deceived by her enchantments/ in the morning the tyrant made her to be taken out of prison/ & every body marveled of that that she was all hole through which many was converted. At the last he made her to be led to the tymple to constrain her to do sacrifice to the false gods. Then the devil began to bray and said/ alas alas I am confounded/ and the holy virgin commanded him to come out and that he should show him in his own lewd likeness/ and anon there came a great thunder with lightening/ that came from heaven and broke the idol and brent the preestes. And then the Emperor was wood with her & made her to be stretched abroad & razed all the flesh of her body with combs of iron/ and she always worshipped god/ and when he saw that she died not he made her to be put to wild beasts to be devoured and a great lion that had not eaten in three days came to her and bowed him to her and lay down by her as it were a little dog and licked her wounds/ & she thanked our lord in saying. blessed be thou almighty god that by thy virtue hast modered the cruelty of wicked beasts. The tyrant wroth with this thing commanded that the lion should be put again in to his cave/ and the lion dressed him by great wrath and made a leap and slew Emenyon the Emperors cousin of the which thing he was right sorrowful and commanded her to be cast in to the fire/ and she being within with a joyful cheer god sent a great wind that put away the fire about her & brent them that tormented her The Emperor commanded that the here of her heed should be cut aways which was right fair and long saying that the enchantments was in her hairs. And the virgin said to him. Thou takest away the hairs which is an ornament of woman/ as the apostle saith/ & god shall put the out of thy reign and poursue y● and thou shalt bide the death with great sorrow and pain. Then he made her to be enclosed in a temple where his gods were/ and nailed the door & sealed it with his own sygnete. And when three days were passed he came again and found his gods all overthrown and the holy virgin playing with angels hole and sound. The Emperor asked her what she had done with his gods/ and she said the virtue of Ihesu christ hath overthrown them and confounded them. And then he commanded that one should cut her throat/ them there was herd a voice that said Martyne virgin for that that thou hast fought for my name thou shalt enter in to my kingdom among my saints. And thou shalt enjoy with me everlastingly. And thus ended the blessed Martyne/ and then came the bishop of Rome with all his clergy & buried the body honourably in the church. And the same day the Emperor Alexander was smitten with such a sorrow that he eat his own flesh & gnewe himself to the death.   

¶ Of saint Luce of Syracuse. Ca seven.  
ANother virgin Saint Luce there was in the city of Syracuse/ and so as she prayed at the sepulture of saint Agace for her mother which was/ she saw saint Agace in a vision in the mids of angels arrayed in precious stones which said to her. Luce my sister devout virgin wherefore requirest thou of me that thou mayst give to thy mother thyself I tell the for certain that so as the city of Cathonyas is lifted up by me/ so shall the city of Syracuse be worshipped by y●. For thou hast arrayed to Ihesu cryst delectable jewels in thy cleanness. Luce rose up/ & her mother was hole/ and she gave all that she had for god's sake/ and after ended her life by martyrdom/ and among other martyrdoms that she had/ the judge menaced her to make her to be led to the place where that lewd women used their life. & there she should be defouled in the despite of her spouse/ & she answered. The soul shall never be defouled without consent of the mind. For if thou make me to be corrupted by force my chastity/ & my victory shall be doubled thereby/ & so as they would lead her to the place above said/ she was so heavy that for no horse nor other beasts that should draw her thither might not be removed & they put cords on her feet to draw her forth but she was so stable as it had been an hill. And at her passing she prophesied that that was to come to the Emperor. ¶ Also the glorious virgin saint Benet borne in rome is worthy of great reverence. She had with her twelve virgins converted by her predication. She desired to increase by preaching the christian religion. So she departed & her come pany and preached and converted moche people with out having any dread for god was with them and by the will of god they were departed in sunder and stretched them in divers countries to that intent that every of them might profit/ and as this holy virgin had converted divers coum tres and increased the faith of our lord/ she ended her life by the palm of martyrdom/ and on the same wise died her holy fellows. ¶ And saint fauste was not of less perfection of the age of xiiij years/ which for that that she would not do sacrifice to the idols/ the Emperor Maxymy on made her to be sawed with a saw of iron But as the ●awyers seized not sawing fro the hour of tierce anon to the hour of noon and they might not entame her/ and they said to her by what virtue hast thou holden us by thine enchantments so long here without doing any thing/ and the holy virgin Fauste began to preach to them of Ihesu Cryst and of his law and so converted them. The Emperor had great indignation hereof and made her to be tormented with divers torments/ and among others he made to nail her heed with a thousand nails like to the helm of a knight/ and she prayed for them that died her persecution. And the provost was converted by that that he saw the heavens open & god sitting with his angels and when saint Fauste was in the cauldron o● water boiling the said provost began to cry. Thou holy servant of god ne go thou not without me and leapt in to the cauldron/ and when the other twain that he had converted saw that they leapt in to the cauldron also/ of which the water boiled right fervently/ and the holy Fauste touched them▪ and they felt no manner of evil. And she said I am in the mids as it were a been beryn goe fruit/ as our lord saith/ where there been two or three assembled in my name I am in the mids of them. And then there was herd a voice from heaven that said. Come to me my blessed virgin the father hath asked for you/ and they that heard this thing yielded up the ghost right joyously.   

¶ Of saint justyne. Ca viii.  
THe holy virgin justyne borne in ●nthyoche young and of sovereign beauty overcame the devil which was called up by the calling of a ●y gromancere that he should do so much that she should consent to the will of a man that was greatly taken with her love/ and left her not in peace. But for that that by prayers nor by promises he could do nothing/ he trowed that the ●eu●ll should help him but it advayled him not/ for the glorious justyne chased the even my divers times which that put him in divers forms to tempt her. But he was overcome of her and went his way confused. And at the last she ended her life by martyrdom and converted the said nygromancere that was called Cypryen and had been a man of right a shrewd life/ but by her he was put in a good life/ and divers others were converted by the signs that god showed in her. ¶ Also y● blessed virgin Eulalye borne in Spay ne of the age of twelve years stolen away from her father and mother that held her in close for that that she never stynted to speak of our lord Ihesu cryst so she fled by night/ and went and cast down the idols of the temples to the earth/ and cried to the judges that died so moche persecution to the martyrs that they were deceived/ and that in that faith she would die/ so she was put in the number of the knights of Ihesu christ/ and had many great torments/ & there was moche people converted by the miracles that god showed to her ¶ Also of another holy virgin that was called Matre which was right sore tormented for the faith of Ihesu christ/ and among her torments she had her paps razed from her body/ and after so as she was in the prison god sent unto her his angel which that established her health/ whereof the provost was greatly abashed.  
But he left not for that/ but that he made her to be greatly tormented of divers pains/ and at the last she yielded up the spirit to god/ and her holy body lieth night the city of Raynes.  
¶ Also the blessed virgin saint Faith suffered martyrdom in her youth/ and had many torments. And our lord crowned her and sent her a crown of precious stones by an angel/ and god showed for her many marvels/ by the which many people were converted. ¶ Also the holy and blessed virgin Marcyenne when one died worship to a false image of an idol/ she took the idol and threw him to the ground and broke him/ for the which cause she was so moche beaten that they left her for deed/ and prisoned in a place▪ in the which place a false minister trowed to have ravished her by night. But by grace devy ne there came a great wall between her and him that he might not go from thence/ the which was seen on the morrow of all the people/ by the which there was moche people converted. This holy & blessed virgin had many divers torments. But alway she preached of the name of Ihesu christ/ and at the last she prayed to god that he would take her unto him. And thus she ended her life in her great torment.  
¶ Also the blessed virgin Saint Eufenye also suffered moche for the name of god/ she was of good kindred & of noble shap of body. The provost Pry since co●●saylled her that she should worship the idols/ and forsake Ihesu christ/ & she by right great arguments answered him so moche that he could not assoil her questions whereof he had so great wrath that he was overcome of a woman/ and made her to be tormented with right grievous and hard torments. But though the body of her were sore bruised her wit always increased and yielded good words full of the holy ghost/ and when she was tormented the angel of god defended her and broke the torment/ and tormented the tourmentoures/ and she with a glad visage went out all hole. The false provost made to heat a fournoys of which the flame stretched out by xl cubytes of height/ and made her to be cast in it and she sang within it praising god right melodiously so high that all people praised her/ & when the fire was all consumed she came out safe & hole. The judge wrother than he was made to bring brenning pynsons to draw out her membres/ but those that should have done it were so afeard that none durst touch her and all the torments were all to broken. So the false tyrant made to bring four lions/ and other two wild beasts but they worshipped her/ and y● blessed virgin desirous to go to her god prayed him that he would take her to him/ and than she ended without touching of any of the wild beasts.   

¶ Of the virgin Theodosyne/ Saint Barbara/ and saint Dorothy. Ca ix.  
THe constance of the martyrdom of the blessed Theodosyne cometh to our purpose well to be remembered This virgin was right noble & of great beauty of the age of xviij years she by marvelous wit disputed with the judge which menaced her to torment her yi she forsook not Ihesu Cryst/ and as she answered by godly words/ he made her to be taken by the here and beaten right sore/ and she said to him. Certes he is a caitiff that would lordship another and can not govern himself. Alas to him that hath great charge to be fulfilled with meats and drinks and hath no thought of the hunger evil for him that would be warmed and will not clothe ne warm those that been evil clothed/ woe be to him that would have rest & travaileth other's evil be it to him that saith all things been his and he hath received them of god/ woe be to him that would that one should do well and he doth all evil. Such worthy words said alway the holy virgin in her torment. ¶ But for that she had sorrow in her heart of the shame of that/ that her shamefast membres appeared openly god sent her a white cloud that covered her al. And Urban the judge menaced her more and more to whom she said. Thou she west none of my meeses of my dinner that is ordained for me. And the tyrant menaced her that he would corrupt her virginity/ to whom she answered. Thou menacest in vain to be corruption in me for god inhabiteth in the clean hearts. The provost more wood than he was made her to be cast in the see an heavy stone about her neck. And she borne up with angels & brought again to the loud singing & bore the stone between her hands/ which weighed moche more than herself. The tyrant made to let go upon her two Leoperdes but they leapt about her making her great cheer. At the last the tyrant that knew not how to do made to smite of her heed/ & the soul departed fro her body visibly in the shape of a white down/ shining bright/ & the same night she appeared to her father & mother more clearer than the son/ crowned with precious stoves accompanied with many virgins holding a cross of gold in her hand/ & said to them. See here what is the joy that ye would have put away from me/ and by that they were converted. ¶ Also in the time of Maxymyan the Emperor flowered in virtues the blessed virgin saint Barbara of noble lineage & sovereignly fair/ her father for because of her beauty had shit her in a tour/ and she had inspiration of the christian faith/ & for that that she might not be baptized of none other she herself took water & baptized her in the name of the father & son & the holy ghost. Her father would have married her right highly and she refused all marriages/ and at the last she told that she was crystened/ and had vowed her virginity unto god/ the father would have slain her for that cause/ and she fled and escaped/ and as her father poursued her to put her to the death/ at the last he found her by the teaching of a shepherd which searched anon both him and his beasts/ and the father led her to the provost the which for that that she disobeyed all his commandments made her to be martyred with many a grievous torment/ and hanged her by the feet/ and she said to him/ caitiff ne seest thou not that the torments doth me no harm/ and he right wroth made her paps to be drawn from her body/ and in that estate made her to be led through the city. And she alway glorified god. But for that that she had shame that her virginal body was seen all naked/ our lord sent her his angel and healed all her wounds/ and covered her body with a white cloth. And when she had been led forth enough one led her again before the provost which was wode when he saw her all hole/ and her face shining bright/ so he made her again to be tormented so moche that he commanded when he could think of no more torments that her heed should be smitten of. And she made her orisons and prayed god that he might be in the help of all them that required her in remembrance and recorded her passion. And when she had all ended her orison and prayer/ there was a voice herd from heaven which said unto her in this wise. Come unto me my right dear well-beloved daughter to rest the in the kingdom of my father and receive thy crown. And that that thou hast required shall be granted to the & so as she was go up upon the hill where she should be heeded Her cruel father smote of her heed himself. And as he came down the hill the fire of heaven brent him all to poudre. ¶ Also y● blessed virgin saint Dorothy the same wise suffered divers martyrdoms in Capadoce. And for that that she would not take no man to husband/ and spoke so moche of her spouse Ihesu Cryst. The master of the scoles which was named Theophylus said to her in mockery when one led her to be heeded/ that at the least when she should be with her spouse that she would send to him of the roses and apples of the garden of her husband/ and she said that she would/ whereof it happened that as soon as she had made an end of her martyrdom right a fair young child as of the age of four years come to Theophylus and brought with him a little pannier full of s●ueraynly fair roses and apples marvelously well smelling and fair/ & said that the virgin Dorothy sent them to him. Then was he greatly amarveled for it was written in the month of February/ so he was converted & after was martyred for the name of Ihesu christ ¶ So of all other saints vyrgynes that been in heaven by constance of martyrdom if I would tell the the history should be right long so as saint Cecyle/ saint Agnes/ saint Agace/ and infinite others/ and if thou wilt have more/ go and behold in the hystoryal mirror and there thou shalt find enough. And I shall tell the yet of Saint Crystyne for that that she is thy godmother/ and is a virgin of great dignity I shall tell the life of her more plain/ which is devout and fair.   

¶ The life of saint Xpine virgin and martyr. Capitulo ten  
THe blessed virgin saint Xpine was of the city of Sire daughter of Urban master of the chivalry/ this lady for her beauty was kept in close by the commandment of her father in a tour/ and she had with her seven maidens. And there her father let make a fair oratory of idols nigh to the chambre of Xpyne to the intent that she should worship them. But she that was so young as of the age of twelve years was inspired of the faith of Ihesu christ and made no force of the idols whereof that maidens marveled and often times they called on her to do oblation. And when she had taken incense so as to make sacrifice to the idols/ she kneeled toward the east at a window and looked toward heaven & incensed the immortal god. And the most part of the night she was at that window beholding the stars and she wailing besought god right devoutly and prayed him that he would be her help against all her adversaries. The maidens which perceived well that her heart was all in Ihesu christ/ kneeled before her often times with joined hands praying that she should not put her intent in a strange god/ but that she would worship the gods of her father and mother/ & if that she were known all they should be destroy ed. Saint Xpine answered that they were deceived by the devil which stirred them to worship so many gods/ and that there was but one. At the last as her father knew that his daughter would not worship the idols he was right sorrowful and reproved her. And she said that with a good will she would offer to god of heaven/ & he trowed that she meant jupiter and was right glad and would have kissed her/ but she c●yed & said/ foul not my mouth. For I will offer mine offering clean to god of heaven/ and of earth/ and of that her father was content. And she went in to her chambre & shit fast the door/ & set her on her knees/ & offered her holy orison to god in weeping/ and the holy angel of our lord came down & comforted her/ & brought her white breed & meet whereof she eat/ for in three days she had no manner of meet nor drink. After that saint Xpine saw at the win dove's many poor christian men begging at the foot of her tour/ and she had nothing to give them/ and she went to seek the Idols of her father which were of gold and silver/ and she brake them all and gave the pieces to the poor men. And when her father knew that thing he beat her right cruelly/ and she told him plainly that he was deceived to worship such false images and that there was but one god in trinity/ the which she confessed/ and other god would she not worship to die therefore/ wherefore he was wood with her/ and made her to be bound with chains/ and led her beating her in divers places/ and after put her in prison/ and he said that he would be judge himself of that cause. So he made her to be brought before him on the morrow and menaced her with all torments/ if she would not worship the idols/ and after that that he sa we well that she would not turn her intent for prayer ne for menaces/ made her to be striped all naked both arms and legs and beaten so much that twelve men were weary of it/ and she asked her father alway if he advised her not/ & he said to her. Daughter natural pity constraineth sore my courage to tourmente the so which art my flesh. But the reverence and the faith that I have to my gods constraineth me to do it for y● that thou dyspysest them. And the holy vyrgyve answered him. Tyrant which I aught not to call father/ but enemy of mine holiness/ torment the flesh hardly that thou haste engendered/ and spare it not. For as for that thou mayst well do at thy pleasure/ but as for the spirit the which was made of my father the which is in heaven thou hast no power in no wise to touch it by no temptation/ for Ihesu cryst my saviour keepeth him. The cruel father more wood than he was made to bring a wheel that he had let make/ and made this holy sweet young maiden to be bound to it/ and to put fire under/ and after made to cast boiling oil great plenty upon her body/ and the wheel turned upon her/ and all to broke her/ but god the sovereign father had pity on his servant sent his angel which broke the wheel all to pieces/ and slew the tourmentoures staunched the fire/ and delivered the virgin hole and sound/ and slew more than a thousand persons that beheld her without pity/ and the angels of god came about her and comforted her. And her father asked her/ tell me who hath taught the all the cursedness. And she answered/ Tyrant without pity/ have not I told the well that my father Ihesu christ hath taught me this patience/ and all the right way in the faith of god alive. And therefore despise I all thy torments. And I shall overcome in the virtue of god all the assaults of the devil. And he overcome & confused made to cast her in right an horrible & a dark prison. And so as she was there thinking on the great mysteries of our lord there came to her three angels with a great light and brought her meet/ and comforted her/ and she yielded thankings to god. Urban wist not what to do with her/ & left not to think before what torments he might do to her/ at the last as all annoy annoyed with her for to be delivered of her made to put a great stone about her neck and throw her in to the see. But anon as they threw her in to the see/ the angels received her/ and she went up on the water with the angels/ and than Xpine prayed our lord Ihesu christ lifting up her eyen to heaven that it might please him that she might receive the holy sacrament of baptism in that same water which she had desired so much to have. And then our lord Ihesu cryst dessended in proper person with a great multitude of angels/ & baptized her and made her after his name Xpine/ and crowned her/ and shining star upon her heed/ and set her on the land. And that same night Urban was tormented with the devil and died mischievously. And in the morning after she was found praying in her faders hall in a corner.  
And thus this blessed Xpine which god would receive by matyrdome which she desired right moche was led again by the tourmentoures in to the prison. ¶ And the new judge named zyon which knew well what was done to her/ made her to come before him & coveted her for her beauty/ but when he saw that all his fair words advayled him not he made her to be tormented again and made to ●ylle a great cauldron full of oil and pitch and a great fire underneath it/ & four men tormented her in the cauldron with great hokes of iron/ and the holy virgin song to god right melodiously and mocked the tourmentoures & menaced them with the pains of hell. And when the cruel judge saw that nothing advayled him he made to hang her in the place before all people by the here of her heed/ which was long and shining like gold. And the woe men came running about her which wept for pity to see so young a maiden tormented/ & cried to the tyrant saying. Thou untrue and cruel man/ how might the heart of a man have such cruelty against a maiden so fair and so tender/ thou art worse than any wild be'st/ & all would have run upon him. Then the judge said to her. Xpine friend thou shalt suffer no more torment/ but come with me/ and let us worship the sovereign god that hath sustained the so moche/ he thought of jupiter which they held for their sovereign god/ but she thought all otherwise.  
Then she said to him/ thou hast right well said and I grant the. And then he made her to be vnhanged and led her to the temple/ and great, foison of people followed them/ when he had brought her before the idols trowing that she would have worshipped them/ she kneeled down behol ding toward heaven/ & made her orison to god and then she rose up and turned her toward the idol and said/ I say to the thou wicked spirit which art in this idol in the name of Ihesu christ that thou come out/ & anon the wicked spirit leapt out & made a great & a fearful noise by the which all were so feared that they fell down to the earth And the judge when he was relieved said. Xp̄ine thou haste moved our god almighty/ but for that that he hath pity on y●/ he is come out that he might see his creature. And she was wroth with that word/ & reproved him strongly that he was so blind that he knew not god's virtue. So she prayed god that the idol should falledowne all to poudre/ the which thing was done/ & by the words and signs of the holy maid there were converted what of men & women more than three thousand. And the judge right sore afeard said. If the king knew that that is done against our god/ by the showing of this Xp̄ine/ he would destroy me mischievously/ and then the judge full of angu ys● he waxed wood and died. ¶ The third judge came after named julyan/ and made to take Xpine and made his avaunt that he would make her to worship the idols. But for all his might that he could do/ he might not make her remove out of the place where she was/ so he let make a great fire about her/ & she bode in that fire three days and three nights/ & there were heard many divers sweet melodyes'/ & the tourmentoures were afeard by the marvelous signs that they saw/ the which things reported to julyan he wend to have waxed wood/ & when the fire was consumed she came out all hole. The judge made serpents to be brought forth & made to cast upon her ii asps & ij great colubres which boat & venomed marvelously/ but these serpents fell down at her feet the the heads inclined toward her without doing her any herme. And then there were other two horrybie serpents let louse upon her and they hanged them at her paps & licked her. And Xpine looked toward heaven and said. I yield the thankings my lord god Ihesu christ which haste made me so worshipfully to be enhanced by the holy virtues that these horrible serpents knoweth thy dignity in me. And this obstinate julyan saying these marvels cried to him that was keeper of the serpents. Art not thou enchanted of Xpine also by the which thou haste no power to move the serpents against her. Then he which doubted the judge trowed to have moved the serpents against her/ and they ran upon him and slew him. And so much every body doubted the serpents that none durst come nigh Xpine/ & she commanded them by the virtue of god that they should go again into their own place without doing any harm to any creature/ & so they died. Then she raised again the deed man to his life which anon cast him at her feet and was converted. And the judge blinded with the devil so as he perceived not the marvelous signs said unto Xpine. Thou hast enough showed thy witch crafts/ and she said to him. Thou man out of wit if thine eyen would see the virtues of god thou shouldest believe them. And then he being passing wroth made to draw her paps out of her body/ and anon there came out milk in stead of blood. And for that that she without seizing named the name of our lord Jesus'/ he made to cut of her tongue/ but she spoke better and clearer after then she died before/ and blessed god in thanking him of his great benefeytes that he died to her. And began to make her orison unto god that it might please him to perform the crown of her martyrdom and to receive her to him. And then there was herd a voice from heaven saying/ Xpine pure and clean the heavens been open for thee/ and the reign without end ready and all the company of saints blesseth god for thee/ for thou hast fro thy youth sustained the name of christ/ & than she praised & glorified god the eyes to ward heaven. The voice was herd again which said. Come Xpine my right well-beloved and chosen daughter/ and receive the palm and perdurable crown and the reward of thy passyonable life in the confession of my name. And the false Julian that heard this voice blamed the tourmentoures that they had not cut the tongue of Xp̄ine more nearer/ so they cut it so nigh that she should not speak so moche as she died of our lord Iesu cryst/ for they took an iron hook and pulled out the tongue/ and cut it anon to the throat. And she took the culpen of the tongue and threw it to the visage of the tyrant/ and smote out his eye/ and said to him as holy as ever she spoke before. Thou cursed tyrant what availeth the to cut of my tongue to the intent that it should not worship god when my spirit shall always worship him & thy spirit shall devil always in cursedness. And for that thou knowest not my word it is good reason that my tongue hath made the blind. Then she which that saw Ihesu christ sitting in the right side of his father ended her martyrdom by two arrows that were shot at her/ one in the side/ that other toward the heart. And a cousin of hers which was converted by her buried her body & wro te her glorious legend. O blessed Xpine and holy maiden & chosen of god I pray the by the holiness whereof god hath made the so worthy to pray for me a sinner named of thy name/ & have pity on me blessed godmoder which haste rejoiced me to have cause to put thine holy legend in my writings the which at the reverence I harecorded a long that it might be agreeable to the and to all women cause of good ensample.   

¶ Of divers saints which y● saw their children martyred before them. Ca xj.  
O what thing in the world is more tender to a motherly heart than to see her child to suffer pain. But for that that I see faith is yet the greatest thing as it appeared to many worshipful women which for the love of Ihesu christ offered their own children to torment. As this blessed Felyx which saw her eight children which were right fair younglings martyred before her/ and comforted and counseled them of patience by motherly words to be stable in the faith. And for the love of god she had forgotten all womanly courage as to the body. And after that when she had offered them all in sacrifice to god she would be sacrified herself unto god by martyrdom.  
¶ Also the blessed julytte in the same wise which had a son named Cyrycus/ she nourished him not only with bodily food but also with spy rytuall. For without seizing she informed him in the faith in such wise that he being right little and young might never be overcome with torment/ ne by fair words that he should for sake the name of Ihesu christ/ but when he was tormented he said with his little clear voice. I am a christian man/ I am a christian man. I thank the our lord Ihesu christ/ and he spoke so openly as it had been a man of xl years of age/ and his good mother comforted him the which was also right cruelly tormented/ and she without sea sing praised our lord and comforted other mar tires/ and spoke of the heavenly joy that they did abide/ and that they should have no dread.  
¶ Also what shall we now say of the marvelous constance and strength that the blessed Blan dine had/ she saw tormented and martyred be fore her her daughter which was of the age of xu years whom she comforted joyously/ & after as a woman should go to her spouse/ she went to put her in torment/ & was so much tormented by multitude of martyrdoms that the tourmen towers were weary of her/ & put her on agrydyrens and roasted her & was alway pricked with pins of iron/ and she alway glorified our lord god/ & so she continued anon to the death. ¶ what should I say to the for to fulfil our city of such meinie. Come on Saint Ursula with all thy xj thousand virgins and blessed martyrs for the name of Ihesu cryst all their heeds smitten of so as they were sent to be married & they arrived in a land of miscreants which would constrain them to forsake the faith of god/ and they chose rather to die than to forsake the name of their saviour Ihesu christ.   

¶ Of saint Maryne the holy virgin. Ca xij.  
OF vyrgynes martyred one might tell a great number/ and the same wise of others that lived in religion/ and in many other holy guises/ and I shall tell the of twain of whom the history is right fair. ¶ A secular man had one only daughter little and young named Maryne/ so he put her in the ward of a cousin of his own/ and entered in religion/ and led right an holy life. And not for that nature drew him to think on his daughter whereof his pain made him to be heavy/ so he was right pensyfe/ and the abbot demanded him the cause of his heaviness so much till he told him that all his thought was upon a daughter of his/ which he had left in the worl the which he might not forget. The abbot bad him that he should go to fetch her/ and that she might be put in to religion with him. So was this maid with her father clothed as a little monk/ and could well keep her close/ and she was of right good discipline. And when she came to the age of xviij years alway persevering from good to better/ the father which had taught her this holy life passed out of this world/ & she abode alone in her faders cell in holy living/ so that the abbot and all other praised her holy conversation/ and wist none other but that she was a man. This abbey was but three miles from a market town So it fortuned that the monks must of necessity go other whiles unto the foresaid market for to buy their necessaries/ whereof it happened divers times that they were nyghted in their coming home ward/ in the winter season after that they had done their business/ so that they must needs lie in the town. And Maryne which was named frere Maryne divers times abode at his course in the foresaid town in a certain hostery where he lodged commonly when he came to the town. So it hap in that time that the daughter of the host was with child. And as she was constrained by her father & mother to tell whose it was she put it upon frer● Maryne where of the father and mother came and complained to the abbot which made him to be sent for & was right sorrowful of this thing. And the holy may den had liefer take the blame upon her than to ex cuse her. And she kneeled weeping and ●ayd/ father pray for me I have sinned and I shall do penance. And then the abbot being right wroth made him to be beaten and tormented/ and put him out of the monastery and defending him the entering again. And he set him on the e●the before the abbey/ & lay there in penance/ & asked of his brethren one morsel of breed once a day & the do● ghter of the hosteler was delivered of a son/ and the mother of her brought this child to Marine before the abbey and there left it. And the holy maiden received him/ and with the morsels of breed that men going in & out gave him nourished this child as though it had been his own/ and on a time after that the brethren moved with pity prayed the abbot that he would receive again frere Maryne to mercy/ and with great pain they constrained him at their prayer. And she had been then .v. years in that penance before the gate of the monastery. And when he was entered in the abbey the abbot commanded him to do all the foul offices of within/ and that he should bryn in water to wash all their necessaries/ and that he should serve all the people of the place. And the holy virgin died it humbly/ & with a good will And within a while after she passed to our lord. And when the brethren had told this to the abbot he said to them. See ye that his syn●e was such that he deserved no pardon. ¶ Nevertheless wash him and bury him far from the abbey And so as they died off his clotheses such as he wore they saw that it was a woman/ then they began to cry and were passing sorry for the great evil and grievance that was done to so holy a creature without cause/ of the which conversation they had great marvel. This thing told to the abbot he was astonied greatly/ and anon he fell down at the fear of the holy body in great weeping/ beating his breast for his blame and crying mercy/ and requiring pardon/ and ordained her sepulture in a chapel within the monastery. thither came all the monks among the which there was one that had but one eye which kneced down and kissed the holy body by great devotion/ and anon his sight was restored to him the same day. ¶ And the woman that bore the child become out of her wist/ and cried on her sin/ and than she was brought unto the ho lie body/ and there she recovered health. And sith almighty god died many miracles for her in the ●ayd place.   

¶ Of the most holy and blessed virgin Eu●ra sign. Capitulo xiij  
THere was a mayde● alexandre named Eufrasyne the which god had given to her father Paffousyen a man of great richesse by the prayers of an holy abbot & of a covent of monks that was nigh him/ when this daughter was waxen much the father would have married her/ but she that was given in purpose to keep her virginity fled clothed in the guise of a man/ & required the abbot that she might be received in to the said abbey/ and made him to believe that she was a young man of the Emperors court which had devotion to be rendered in to that religion. The abbot which sa we his great devotion received him with good will. And when the father might not find his daughter he had marvelous sorrow. So he came to the abbot to tell his great sorrow to find some comfort/ and prayed him and his covent to pray to god that he might have some tidings of her. The abbot comforted him and said that he might not believe that a child given of god by prayer should be perished. Long the abbot & the covent prayed to god for this thing. And as this good man might hear no tidings every day to the abbot to have some comfort in his tribulation the abbot said to him on a day truly I ween not that thy daughter is evil go for if it were so I dame that god would have showed it vuto us or this tyme. But and if thou wilt speak to a child of devotion and prayer the which we have here within which came hither from the emperors court/ and god hath given him so moche of grace that every person that speaketh with him findeth him right well comforted. Paffou syen prayed him that for gods love he might speak with him. And the abbot made the father to be brought to the daughter which he knew not but the daughter knew well the father/ so she was anon full of tears and turned her a part so as though she would end some manner of orison/ & the beauty and the fresshnesse of her visage was greatly impaired by the great abstinence that she died. After she spoke to her father & comforted him & made him certain that he should see his daughter or he died/ and that he should not doubt but that she was in the service of god where ever she were/ and that yet he should have great joy of her The father trowed that he knew that by divine virtue and departed thence right well comforted and said to the abbot that ever sith his daughter departed he had not found to his courage so more the of comfort/ and I am said he fulfilled with the grace of god sith that I shall have tidings of my daughter/ and with that recommending him to the abbot & to the prayers of the brethren he departed. But he might not hold him/ but that he must often times come again to visit the ho lie brother/ and he died nothing but by his counsel. And thus it endured by so long time that this daughter which named herself Synaroch had complete the space of xxxviij year within her cell. And than it pleased god to call her to him & sickness took her. The good man of that right sorrow full came thither/ and when he saw that Synaroche should die he began to cry. Alas where be those sweet words & those promises that y● hast made to me that I should see my daughter. Syna roche passed to god/ and the father was not there when he passed. He held a writing in hand which no man might take out/ the abbot and all the covent came to assay but they died nothing/ upon this the father came thither with great crying/ and great weeping for his good friend which he found deed on whom was all his comfort. and as soon as he approached the corpses to kiss it before all he opened the hand and took to him the writing/ and he took it and red within that it was his daughter/ and that none should touch her body to bury it but only he/ this thing was great marvel to him/ to the abbot/ and to all the covent which greatly praised her holy stableness in virtue. And to the father doubled the weeping in consolation of his life. So he sold all that ever he had/ and rendered him in to the same abbey & there he ended his life. Now I have told the of divers virgins. So I shall tell the of other ladies martyrs right glorious & of holy life.   

¶ Of the blessed lady Anastase and her fellows Ca xiv.  
THere was in the time of the great persecution of the christian people in Rome in the time of Dyoclutan the Emperor. There was in that city right noble lady of great richesse & of great authority which was named Anastase. This lady had marvelous great compassion of the torment that she saw done every day to the martyrs/ and for to comfort them and vysy te them/ she clothed her in the habit of a poor woman/ and went with one maiden unto the prisons where they were/ and comforted them with precious meets and drinks/ and of such as she might. She washed/ and wiped their wounds/ and anointed them with right precious ointments. And she continued so long till she was accused to Publyen/ which was a noble man of Rome which that would have had her to wife/ which waxed wroth with it/ and he made such awaits on her that she durst not come out of her house. And then among other martyrs in the prison there was Saint Gryso go a man of right great excellence/ the which had suffered many divers torments/ and he was sustained of the goods and the visitations of that good and gracious lady Anastase. Unto whom the foresaid saint Grysogone sent covertly divers epistles/ by a good virtuous christian woman/ counselling her of patience/ and in the same wise she sent unto him by the said woman. And at the last so as god would he that held her so short died. And she sold all that she had/ and employed it all in the visitation & sustenance of martyrs. This noble lady had great suit of ladies and of maydyns crystened. And among the others. ¶ There were three maidens sisters of noble lineage which were right familiar with her/ one of these sisters was called Agappe that other Thyonne/ and the third Hyrene. So it came to the knowledge of the Emperor that these noble sisters were crystened/ he sent for them and promised them great gifts & that he would mary them highly if they would forsake the name of Ihesu christ/ and as they made thereof no charge he made them to be beaten/ & after to be put in hard prison in the which prison their holy friend Anastase visited them not sparing night and day and prayed god that he would suffer her to live while her goods endured to the intent that she might employ them all in that holy work. The Emperor commanded Dulcycyon his provost that all the christian people that were in the prisons should be constrained by torments to worship the idols. So the said provost made them for to be brought before him among which were the three sisters. And when the cursed judge saw them he coveted them for their beauty and counseled them in secret wise by fair words and promises that they should accord to him/ and he should deliver them. But as they were all that refusing he put them in to the ward of one that was familiar with him and he made them to be led in to his house and he thought to have them against their will or with their will. And when the night came he went alone without light to the house where he made them to be brought. And as he would go to the place where he heard their voice/ which all the night died no thing but praise god/ He passed by the place where all the vessels of the kechyne were kept. And then he full of the devil & blinded with the spirit of Lechery so as god would he took them by the neck & kissed them straightly sith one & sith another/ and trowed that it had been the maidens. And so much he went thus doing that he was verily weary. And when it was day he went to his people which abode him without/ which when they saw him/ he seemed a figure of the devil so moche he was soiled with fat and coals/ and his gown rent and trailing in the dirt/ so they fled from him all afeard. And when he saw them i'll thus/ and that they despy said him he was marvelously abass●ed/ wherefore it was/ so he thought him that he would go and complain to the Emperor of that y● every man mocked him there as he went and scorned him. And when he was entered into the palas where many abode him in the morning/ then there began a great cry upon him where some beat by with rods/ some shoved him aback saying. Go out of the way thou unhappy and abominable person thou stynkest all about/ some scratched him in the visage/ and some laughed him to scorn/ so he was greatly amarveled what that it might be that he was almost out of his wit. For the devil had closed so his eyen that he might no perceive it/ so he turned him home again unto his house right foul ashamed.  
¶ And then another judge was put in his place/ which made these three blessed virgins to come before him/ and he would make them to worship the idols/ and for that that they would do nothing as his bidding was/ he commanded them to be despoiled all naked/ and so to be beaten/ yet for all their might they might not despoil them/ for their clotheses were so cleaving to them that there might no man put them of/ so he made them to be put in a fire right hot brenning which grieved them nothing. And then they prayed to god that they might end their lives if it pleased him/ so they passed anon to our lord right gloriously. But for to show that it was their will to die/ the fire never brent them nor none of their clotheses/ and when the fire was wasted the bodies of them were found/ the han des joined as hole and fresh as though they had slept. And the blessed lady Anastase which took good heed of them buried them.   

¶ Of saint Theodore the virgin. Ca xv.  
ANother noble fellow had this good Anastase which was named Theo dory/ the which had three young children. This lady for that that she refused marriage of the earl Lencadyne/ and that she would not do sacrifice to the idols there was made many torments for her. And to constrain the better by motherly pity made to torment one of her sons. But by the virtue of the faith which passed nature she comforted him saying/ son ne doubt thou not these torments/ for by them thou shalt go to joy everlasting/ and then the lady was put in prison. A son of the devil came to her to defoul her chastity/ but suddenly he began to bleed at the nose/ and he cried and said that a young fellow had smitten him on the nose with his fist which was with her in the prison. So this lady was tormented/ and at the last they slew her and her three sons which yielded their blessed spirits glorifying god & the blessed Anastase buried them. ¶ Then this holy Anastase had so much haunted the visitation of martyrs that at the last she was taken & imprisoned/ so she might no more vysyre the saints of god/ ne had no meet nor drink. But god which would not that she which so diligently had comforted and refreshed his holy servants to suffer more/ he sent unto her the spirit of her blessed fellow Theodorye with a great light the which set before her a table and she brought with her divers precious refecryens. And kept company with her xxx days/ in the which time was never delivered to her meet nor drink/ and they trowed that she had been deed for hunger/ so she found all alpue and brought before the provost which had great sorrow/ and for that that divers people were converted by the miracle/ he made her to be put in a shyn with other trespassers that were condemned to death. And when they were in the high see/ the mariners to obey that that they were commanded/ broke the ship and went in to another vessel. And then the blessed Theodosyne appeared to them/ and conveyed them by the see a night and a day/ as surely as they had been upon the plain earth/ so moche that she set them in the isle of palm/ in the which I'll there were many bishops & holy men put in exile so they were received there/ with praisings to god & with great joy. And those that were escaped with Anastase were baptized and believed in god. This thing after come to the knowledge of the Emperor he sent to fetch them all both man and woman and child about the number of three hundred/ which he made all to die by divers torments. And the blessed Anastase after many great arguments that she made to the Emperor/ & after divers torments that she had was crowned by martyrdom.   

¶ Of the noble Natalye. Ca xuj.  
NAtalye the noble wife of Adryan prince of the chivalry of the Emperor Maxymyan as she was crystened se cretly in the time that divers crysten people were martyred she heard say that Adryan her husband for whom she prayed god without seizing was suddenly converted in beholding the martyrs tormented/ and had confessed the name of Ihesu christ wherefore the Em perour of that right wroth made him to be put in right an hard prison. The good lady right joyous of the conversion of her husband went anon to the prison to comfort him/ and to pray him to persever in that he had begun/ and kissed the chains with which he was bound weeping for pity & joy/ and counsaylling him great lie that he would have no respect to these earthly joys that endured but a while/ but that he should have before his eyen the great glory that was ordained for him. This holy lady was there long comforting him and all the other martyrs praying god that she might be of their company and prayed them greatly that they should comfort her husband of whom she doubted her that by force of torments he should not change in the stableness of the faith/ she visited every day/ and every day preached him to have stableness/ & many a fair word she spoke to him. But for that that she and divers other ladies visited the holy martyrs the Emperor made to defend that no woman should come in to them. And therefore she clothed her in the guise of a man And when it came to the day of his last martyrdom she was present and wiped his wounds and kissed his blood and prayed him that he would pray to god for her. And thus passed the blessed Adryan/ and she took with her one of his hands that was cut of/ and wrapped it full dearly in a coverchefe as a relic. This holy lady after the death of her husband one would constrain her to be wedded because she was of high lineage fair and rich/ so she was always in orison pray enge god that he would draw her out of the han des of them that would constrain her to be wedded. And then there appeared to her in sleeping the spirit of her husband which comforted her/ and said unto her that she should go in to Coustantynoble to bury the bodies of many martyrs that were there/ and she died so. And when she had been there a while in god's service in vysytynge the holy martyrs imprisoned/ her husband appeared unto her again and said to her/ Sister and friend Chambere of Ihesu christ come on in to glory perpetual for our lord calleth the. And then she awoke/ and anon after she passed to our lord.   

¶ Of the holy and blessed Saint Affra. Capitulo xvij  
AFfra was a woman that lived foolily converted to the faith of Ihesu Cryst and was accused to the judge which said to her. It sufficeth not thee/ the dishonesty of thy body but that thou must fall in error to worship a strange god/ do sacrifice to our gods that they may pardon the And Affra answered/ I shall do sacrifice to my god Ihesu christ that came down for sinners. For his gospel saith that a woman a sinner washed his feet with her tears and had forgiveness And he despised never foolily living woman ne the publycanes sinners but he let them eat with him. The judge said unto her. If thou do no sacrifice thou shalt not be loved of thy ribalds/ ne thou shalt receive no gifts of them. She answered I shall never receive cursed gifts & those that I have gotten untruly I have prayed to the poor people that they will take them and pray for my sins. The judge gave his sentence that saint Affra should be brent sith that she would not do sacrefyse. And when she was delivered to tourmente she worshipped god and said lord god almighty Ihesu cryst which callest sinners to penance receive my martyrdom in good intent in the hour of my passion/ & deliver me fro everlasting fire by this corporal fire that is arrayed to my body/ & the fire being about her she said. Lord Ihesu christ pleaseth the to receive me a poor sinner in sacrifice of thy holy name y● the offered thyself in sacrifice for all the world/ and thou rightful were put on the cross for the unrightful/ and good for the evil doers/ blessed for the cursed/ sweet for the bitter/ clean and innocent from sin to deliver the sinners. To the I offer the sacrifice of my body which liveth and reigneth with the father and the holy ghost by all the world of worlds. And thus ended the blessed Affre for whom our lord hath showed sith many miracles.   

¶ Here telleth justice of divers ladyed which served and lodged the apostles and other saints. Capitulo xviii  
WHat wouldest thou that I say to the more fair Xp̄ine. I might bring to remembrance such ensamples without number. But for that y● thou art adme ruaylled so as thou haste said here before that wherefore all auctors blame women. I say to the that though that thou hast found it in the writings of auctors pay nymes I trow that to that purpose thou shalt find but few in holy legends and in the hysto ryes of Ihesu christ and of his apostles/ and the same wise of all the saints so as thou mayst see/ but a great number thou shalt find of meruayllous constauncè by the grace of god in women/ & good services great charytees that they have do ne and do without feigning/ and by good will to the servants of god both hospytalytees & other good deeds/ so as it is written of Drucyane which was a good lady and a awydowe/ which received to host saint Iohn the evangelist/ she served him of his meet and his drink. And when the said saint johan should be received fro his exile and those of the city made him a great feast Drucyane was borne to be buried which was deed for sorrow that he tarried so long/ & her neigh bowers said to him. johan see here Drucyane thy good hostess which is deed for sorrow for thy long tarrying/ she shall serve that no more. And than saint johan said to her Drucyane rise up and go in to thy house and make ready my refeccy on/ & she rose from death to life. ¶ Also another of the city of Lymoges named Susanne/ she was the first that harboured saint martial which was sent thither by saint Peter to convert the country and died him right moche good.  
¶ Also the good lady Maxymylle buried saint Androwe and took him from the cross/ and doing this she put herself to the peril of death.  
¶ Also the holy maid Euphygene followed by devotion saint Mathewe the evangelist/ and after his death she made to edify for him right a fair church. ¶ Also another good lady was so much taken with the love of saint Poule the apostle that she followed him all about/ and served him by great diligence. ¶ Also in that time of the apostles a noble queen called Helyn/ and it was not she that was mother of Constantyne but another queen of Oblygoys which went to Iherusalem/ in the which there was great scarcete of victuals for the famine that was there. And when she knew that the saints of our lord that were in the city to preach and to convert the people died for hunger she made to buy so much victuals for them that they were pouruayed as long as the dearth lasted. ¶ Also when one lid saint Poule to be heeded by the commandment of Nero a good lady which was called Pautylle that was acostomed to serve him came against him weeping greatly. And saint Poule asked of her a coverchefe that she had upon her heed/ and she took it him whereof the shrewd people that were there mocked him saying for that it was fair that so much she had lost. Saint Poule himself wiped his eyen/ & after when he was deed he sent it again to the woman full of blood wherefore she kept it right richly. And saint Poule appeared to her and said that for so moche that she had done him service in heaven in praying for her/ enough of others in like case I might tell the. ¶ Uaxyllete was a noble lady in the virtue of charity. This lady was married to saint julyan. And in the night of their wedding of one accord they vowed virginity/ and none might think the holy conversation of this woman/ ne the multitude of women and maidens that were saved and drawn to holy life by her holy monition. To say shortly so moche she had of grace in her that our lord spoke to her as she was in dying. ¶ I wot not what I should say more Xpyne my dear love I might tell the without number of ladies of divers estates as well vyrgynes as widows/ or married women/ in whom god hath showed his virtues by marvelous strength and constance/ so be thou sufficed as now. For right well & fair as it seemeth me I have well quit me of mine office in performing of the high bataylementes of thy city. And I have peopled it with excellent ladies/ so as I promised the. And notwithstanding that I name not/ ne may not name all the holy ladies by their names/ which that hath been/ which that been/ and which that shall be/ all may be comprehended in this city of Ladies/ of the which one may say. (¶ Gloriosa dicta sunt de te civitas dei). That is to say/ glorious things been said of the thou city of god. So I yield it to the as a perfit thing well and stably so as I promised the. Now I betake the to god/ and the peace of our high sovereign be everlastingly with the.  
AMEN   

¶ Hear Xpine speaketh unto the ladies in the end of the book. Ca xix.  
My right redoubted ladies worshipped by god now is our city well achieved and made perfit/ in the which all ye that loveth honour/ virtue/ & praising may be lodged with great worship as well those that are passed as those that been now/ and those that be to come.  
For it is founded and made for every woman of worship. And my right dear ladies it is a thing natural to man's heart to rejoice him when he findeth him that he hath the victory of any enterprise/ and that his enemies be confounded So have ye 'cause all ye my ladies to rejoice you now virtuously in god and in good conditions by this new city to see it perfit which may not be only the refuge of all you/ that is to understand of virtuous women/ but also the defence and ward against your enemies and assayllers if ye keep it well. For ye may see that the matter whereof it is made is all of virtue/ and so truly shining that all ye may behold therein and specially in the emfrytayling of this last party/ and the same wise in that which may touch you of other parties. And my dear ladies. So use ye not of this new heritage as these proud people which be come so full of pride when their prosperity increaseth and are mounted in richesse/ but by the ensample of your queen the sovereign virgin which after so great worship that the angel brought to her as to be the mother of the son of god. She so much more meeked her in calling her the hand maiden of god. So my ladies as be it true that the more the virtues been the more ye aught to yell the you humble & benign/ and this city be cause unto you to love good manners/ and to be virtuous and humble. ¶ And have ye not in despite ye ladies that been married to be so subjects to your husband's. For it is not some times best to a creature to be free out of subjection/ & that witnesseth the tongue of our lord god where he saith to Esoras the prophet. Those he saith that use their free will falleth in sin/ and despise their lord/ and defouleth the just people/ and therefore they perish. So be ye humble and pa●yente and the grace of god shall increase in you/ and ye shall be given in praising to the world. For saint Gregory saith that patience is the entry of paradise and the way of Ihesu Cryst. ¶ And amon you vyrgynes in the state of maidenhead/ be ye clean/ simple/ coy/ and without idleness. For the gins of evil men been set against you. So be ye armed with virtuous strength against their cauteyles to eschew their frequentation.  
¶ And to ladies widows be honest in habit & countenance and in word/ devout in deed and in conversation/ prudente in governance/ patient in that where need is/ in meekness & in charity. ¶ And to all generally/ great/ mean/ & little will ye always to be set in defence against the even myes of your worship & chastity. See my ladies how these that accuseth you maketh all them liars that blameth you. And put aback these losen gyers which by divers draughts hurteth and withdraweth that that ye aught to keep so well/ that is to understand your worships. O the lewd love of which they counsel you and stirreth you thereto. flee it for gods love i'll it/ for be ye certain/ though that the semblant be fair it is deceivable/ that at all times the end of it is prejudice to you. And think not the contrary for otherwise it may not be. Remember how they call you frail and false/ and alway they seek engines right strange and deceivable with great pain and travail for to take you so as one do the to take wild beasts. Flee their gins my ladies/ flee their acquaintance under laughing of whom is lapped venom right full of anguish which bringeth one lightly to the death And thus that it please you my right redoubted ladies to draw to the virtues and flee vices to increase and multiply our city/ and ye to rejoice in well doing. And me your servant to be recommended unto you in praying god which by his grace in this world grant me for to live/ and persever in his holy service/ and at the end to be piteous to my great defaults/ and grant both unto you and me the joy which endureevermore.   
AMEN  
¶ Finis.   


¶ Here endeth the third and the last party of the book of the city of Ladies. ¶ Imprinted at London in Paul's chyrchyarde at the sign of the trinity by Henry Pepwell. In the year of our lord. M. CCCCC.xxj. The xxuj day of October. And the twelve year of the reign of our sovereign lord king Henry the eight    

¶ Sancta Trinitas unus deus. 
Henry Pepwell  ¶ Miserere nobis.