conceive. Then when she heard that the Emperour had a Son with seven wise Maisters to be tostered and taught to the behoof and profit of the Empire, shee thought in herself, and wished his death. And from that howe forth, shee imagined how she 〈◇〉 conspire his destruction. It happened on a night as the Emperor lay in his bed, he said to the Empres: My most deere& best beloved wife, I shall now show& open to you the secrets of my heart, for under the Sun is ther no creature that I love so well as you, and therfore trust in my love. Then said the saire noble Empresse, if it be so as you say, I require of you one little boon or petition. Desire what you will said the Emperour, ●nd all that to me is possible, I shall ●●till and give it to you. Then said ●he Empresse, my right deere Lord, as you know I haue no child by you yet conceived, wherefore I am sore pensive and heavy, but it is shewed me that ye haue one son only, the which is set to the seven wise Masters to be taught and governed, and him hold I and repute for mine own son, wherefore I beseech you that ye will sand for him that I m●● see him and haue consolation of ●●●esence, as though he were mine own Hereupon answered the Emperour it is sixteen yeeres past since that I saw him, your will be fulfilled. Incontinent the Emperor sent unto the seven Maisters a Letter sealed with his secret signet, that vpon pain of death they should bring his son in the Feast of Pentecost or whitsuntide then next following.  

How the seven wise Maisters after the sight of the Emperors letter, would fir● see the course of the Firmament an● Planets, whether it were good to obey his commandment, or not.  
And as the Maisters the letter had red, and had understood the will of the Emperour; in the night they went and beholded the stars of the Firmament, whether it should be expedient to take their journey with the Child after the Emperours will, or not: and they saw clearly in the stars, that if they should lead the child in that time assigned. At the first word that he should speak he should die an evil Death: wherefore they were all right sorrye, and as they beholded another star, they saw, that if they delivered not the child at the day aforesaid, they should loose their heads. Then said one of them, of two evils the least is to be chosen; it is better that all wee die, than that the Child should loose his life, therefore that we may save the childs life, let us go to the Emperour. And as they were thus sorrowful, the Child came down from th● Chamber, and seeing his Masters so heavy, he demanded then the cause of their heaviness; whereupon they answered: Sir, we haue received your Fathers Letters, vpon pain of death that now in this high Feast of Penthecost wee should lead you to your country, whereupon we haue beholden the Firmament, wherein we clearly see and find, that if we within the time before prefixed present you to your Father, At the first word that ye shall pronounce out of your mouth, ye shall bee to the most vilest death condemned. Then said the Child, I must also behold the Firmament with the Stars, and so he did, and found clear in a little star, that if he could abstain from speaking seven days, he should be preserved, and save his life. And after he had seen this, he called his Maisters, and shewed them the Star, and said, behold my deere masters, I see perfectly in the star th● if I abstain myself by the space of vii. dayes I shall save my life. Ye are now vii. Masters the wisest of all the world, it is a little thing to you, that every of you for me one day do answer, and with your wise answer, every of you his day my life may save and keep,& I in the 8. day shall speak for myself, and shall save my life, and all you from peril. As the Maisters had beholden that certain star, they judged in them, that the Child had said troth, saying, almighty God bee thanked, that the wisdom and cunning of our Disciple exceedeth us all. Then said the first master Pantillas, Lord I shall speak for you the first day and save your life. And Lentulus the second master said, I shall for you the second day answer: and so consequently every of them promised to answer for him his day. And this said, they clothed the Child in purple,& leaped to horseback with a faire company, and hasted them with the Child to the Emperour.   

How the Emperour road to meet his son coming from his Study, with pomp and pride.  
WHen the Emperor perceived that his son was coming upon the way, he road with great ioy to meet him. The Masters understanding the coming of the Emperour, said unto the Child, it is best that we depart, that in the mean while wee may provide howe wee may save your life. The Child said, it pleaseth me that you do so, but haue mind on me in time of my necessity: so they took their leave, and departed towards the city, and the Child came after accompanied most honourably. And as he& his Father the Emperour were met, for ioy and gladness he took him about the neck and kissed him and said, my dear son, how is it with you, it is long since that I saw you, he bowed down his head and answered nothing: the Father had great wonder why that he spake not, and thought in himself that his Maisters had him so informed, that he riding should not speak. And when they were come into the palace, and were descended from their horses, the Father took the Son by the hand, and lead him into the hall, and set him next him and beholded him, and said: tell me how it is with your Masters, and how they haue informed you, for now are many yeeres past since I saw you? he inclined down his head and gave no answer: the Father said, wherefore speak ye not to me? And when the Empresse heard that the Emperors son was come, shee was right joyous and glad,& said, I will go see him: shee appareled her with rich attire, and took with her two of her Gentlewomen,& went there as the Emperour was sitting with his son, and sate her down by the Child, and she said to the Emperour, is this your Son that hath been nourished with the seven wise Masters? and he said, it is my son but he speaketh not: she said, deliver to me your son, and if ever he speak, I shall make him to speak: then said the Emperour, rise and go with her; the Son did reverence to the father, as though he said, I am ready to accomplish your will; and so went with her.   

How the Empres lead Dioclesian the Emperours Son with her into her chamber, for to make good cheer with him, the which he withstood.  
THe Empresse lead him with her into her chamber,& commanded all other to avoid,& set him by her afore her bed, and said, O my best beloved Dioclesian, I haue heard much of your person and beauty, but now I am glad that I may see that with mine eyes that my heart coveteth& loveth; for I haue caused your Father to sand for you, that I might haue solace and ioy of your Person. Wherefore I without fault give you knowledge, that I for your love, unto this day haue kept my virginity? speak to me, and let us go to bed together: but he gave her no answer. She seeing that, said to him, O good Dioclesian, which hast the half of my soul, why speak you not to me, or at the least show me some token of love? what shall I do, speak to me I am ready to fulfil and perform your will? and when she had thus said she embraced him, and would haue kissed his mouth, and he turned his visage from her, and in no wise would consent: then said she again to him, O Son wherefore do ye thus with me, let us sleep together, and then shal ye well perceive, that for your love I haue kept my virginity: and he turned his visage from her. She seeing that he was of her ashamed, shewed unto him her naked body and breasts, and said, Behold my Son, what body I haue, is at your will, give me your consent, or else it shall be hard for me to depart hence with my right mind: he neither with sign, nor with countenance of visage shewed her any manner of love, but as much as he could, withdrew himself from her. When shee saw that, shee said, O my most sweet son, if it please not you to consent to me, ne yet speak, perhaps for some reasonable cause, lo here is paper, pen, and ink, then writ your will, whether I may at any time hereafter trust in your love, or not. The Child wrote as hereafter followeth: O Lady, God forbid that I should defile my Fathers Orchard, for I wote not what fruit I should haue of it, I know well one thing, that I should sin in the sight of God, and also run in the malediction of my Father, and therfore from henceforth provoke and stir me no more thereto. When she had seen and red the writing, shee tare it with her teeth, and rent her clothes to her navel, and all to scratched her Visage, until it was all bloody, and cast from her all the ornaments of her head, and cried with a loud voice, come hither my Lords and help me, least that this rude and evil body shane and ravish me.   

How the Empresse complained to the Emperour, of the shane done to her by his son.  
THe Emperour was in the Hall, and hearing the noise and cry of the Empresse, he hastily ran toward his chamber with his Knights and other of his Seruants following him, for to see what was the matter. Then began the Empresse to cry, and to speak to the Emperour in this case: O my Lord, haue pity and compassion vpon me, behold, this young man is not your son, but the foulest ribald& harlot that ever was born, and a defyler of women: for as you know well, I lead and brought him with me into my chamber, and would haue exhorted and caused him to haue spoken. I haue done as much thereto as I can, or may; and whiles I with my words exhorted and moved him for to haue spoken, he hath endeavoured himself with me to haue sinned, and because I would not to him consent, but withstood as much as I might for to fly the shane, he hath made my Visage all bloody, and hath all to torn my Vesture, and Ornaments of my head, as you may openly see, and if ye had not so soon ●ome unto my calling, he had accomplished in me his most foul and wicked appetite. When the Emperour saw and heard this, filled with great malice and woodness, he commanded his Seruants that they should led him to the gallows, and hang him. And when his Lords hard thereof, they said, Lord you haue no more but this son onely, it is not good that ye thus lightly put him to death: the law is ordained for transgressors and misdoers, and if it be so that he must die, let him by the Law die, least that it be said, that the Emperour in his great fury and ire, without Law and Iustice, hath put his onely son to Death. As the Emperour heard this, he commanded him to be put in Prison until the time that Iudgement were given against him. And when the Empresse understood that the child was not put to Death, shee cried and weeped bitterly, and would haue no rest: when the night was come, the Emperor entred into the Chamber to go to bed, and found his wife weeping and sorrowing, to whom he said: O my most deere lady, for what cause are ye sorrowful? shee answered, know you not, how that your accursed son hath done me so much shane,& so dishonoured you, that ye haue commanded him to bee hanged, and yet he liveth, and your word is not performed, neither is my shane revenged. To morrow said the Emperor he shall die by the law: then said shee, shall he so long live? then might it happen to you, as it did to a burgess of room, of whom an example is mentioned: the Emperor said, I pray you show me that example: that shall I do gladly said the Empresse.   

The first Example of the Empresse.  
IN the city of Rome was a burgess, the which had a faire Gardaine, wherein he had standing a noble three, the which every year brought forth fruit of great virtue, for whosoever eat thereof that were sick of any manner of sickness, as of leprosy, or of any other, he should soon be whole and receive his health. It happened upon a day as the burgess went into his Gardaine to visit and see the three, he espied under the three a faire young imp, and called to him the gardener, and said: My friend of his young imp I give thee charge, for I trust of that to plant a better three than this is: the gardener said, I shall it gladly do. Another time the burgess came again into his Gardaine to visit this young Plant, and ii appeared unto him that it grew not so much as it should do, and he said unto the gardener, how may this be? and he said, it is no wonder, for this great three hath so great arms& branches, that the air may not come to the roote of the young three: then said the burgess, cut and hew off the arms and the boughs, that the air may come thereto, the gardener did as he was commanded. The burgess came again at another time for to see this young plant, and thought that it grew never the better, and said to the Gardener, what is it that letteth this Plant to grow now? And then he said, I suppose the height of the old three letteth the sun, that the rain may not come thereto, and therefore it cannot grow. Then said the master unto him, hew down the three by the ground, for I hope of this plant to haue a better than ever that was. The Gardener hearing his master, obeyed him, and hewed down the three, and as soon as this was done, the young Plant all wholly perished, and came to nought, whereof there came great harm: for when the poor and sick people perceived that the three was so destroyed, they cursed all them that were Councellors and helpers thereto, by the which they all aforetime were healed and cured of their infirmities and maledies. Then said the Empresse understand ye what I haue said? He answered, yea, right well: then said she, I shal declare to you the meaning of that which I haue said.   

The Declaration of the Example.  
THis three, my Lord, betokeneth your most noble Person, how that with your council and help, many poor and sick folk are greatly holpen and comforted. And the young imp which is grown under the great three, is your cursed son, that now by his cunning beginneth to grow, and studieth how he first may cut off the arms and boughs of your might,& how to win to him the land and favor of the people, yea and more unnaturally, he imagineth to destroy your person, that he may himself reign, but what shall then ensue thereof? all poor and feeble people shall curse all them, who might haue destroyed your son, and haue not done it, therefore I council you whilst you are in your power, and living, that ye destroy him, least that the curse of the people fall upon you. Then said the Emperour, ye haue given me good council, to morrow I shall condemn him to the most vilest death that can be thought. When the day was come, the Emperour went and sate in iudgement and commanded his Seruants that they should led his son to be hanged with trumpet sounding in token of death. And as the Emperors Son was lead through the city, the common people began to weep and cry, Alas the onely Son of the Emperor is lead towards his death, and therewithal came Pantillas the first master riding upon a Horse: When the Child saw him, he bowed his head to him, as though he had said, haue mind vpon me when you come before my Father, see how I am led towards the gallows: then the master said to the seruants, make no hast, for I hope by the grace of god this day to deliver him from the death: then said all the people, O good master hast you to the Palace,& save your Disciple: he smote the horse with his spurs till he came to the palace, and kneeled before the Emperour and did him reverence. To whom the Emperor said, it shall never bee to thee good, who answered, I haue deserved a better reward: the Emperour said there thou liest, for I delivered him to thee in all things well mamnered, and now he is dumb, and that worse is, he would haue oppressed my Wife, therfore this day he shall die, and ye all shall die a shameful death. The master said, O Lord, as for your son, for so much as he speaketh not, the cause thereof God knoweth, and without cause it is not, as ye shall understand: and where you say that he would haue defiled your Empresse, I shall say to you of a troth, he hath been in our company by the space of 16. yeres, and we never could perceive such abuse by him. And therefore my deere Lord I shall show you one thing, that if you put your son to death for the words of your Wife, it should happen to you worse than to a Knight, the which killed his best Greyhound through the words of his wife, which saved his Son from the Death: then said the Emperour to the master, tell me that example. The Master said, Lord that shall I not do, for before I should make an end therof, your son might be dead, and then in vain and without fruit should I rehearse it: but if it pleaseth you this notable example to hear, call again your Son till to morrow, and as ye think by reason, then do with him your pleasure. As the Emperour heard that, anon he willed the Child to be called again, and in the mean time he set him in prison whiles the master should finish his tale, and then he began to say in this manner as followeth.   

The Example of the first master.  
THere was a valiant Knight, which had one onely son, as you haue, the which he loved so much, that he ordained for his keeping three Nourishers: The first should give him suck and feed him, the second should wash him and keep him clean, and the third should bring him to sleep and rest. This Knight had also a Greyhound and a Fawlcon, which he also loved right well, The Greyhound was so good, that he never ran at any game, but he took it, and held it till his master came. And if his master disposed him to go unto a battle, if he should not speed in the battle, anon as he should amount upon his horse, the greyhound would take the Horse tail in his mouth, and draw backward, and would also cry and howl marvelously loud. By these signs the knight understood whether he should speed in his journey, or not. The falcon was so Gentle and so hardy that he was never cast off his prey, but he took it.  
The same Knight had great pleasure in believing and Tourney, so that vpon a time under his Castle he proclaimed a tournament, to the which came many good Lords& knights. The Knight entred into the Tourney and his lady went with her maidens to see it, and as they went out, after went the Nourishers, and left the Child lying there alone in the Cradle in the Hall, where the greyhound lay nigh the wall, and the hawk or Fawlcon standing vpon a Perch. In this Hall there was a serpent lurking or hid in a hole to al them of the Castle unknown, the which when he perceived that they were all absent, he put his head out of his hole, and when he saw none but the child lying in the Cradle, he went out of his hole towards the Cradle for to haue slain the Child. The noble Fawlcon perceiving that and beholding the Greyhound that was sleeping, made such a noise and rustling with her wings presently, that the greyhound awooke and arose up, and when he saw the Serpent nigh the child, anon against him he leaped, and they both fought so long together, until that the Serpent had grievously hurt and wounded the Greyhound, that he bled so sore, that the earth about the Cradle was all bloody. The Greyhound when that he felt himself so grievously wounded and hurt, start fiercely upon the Serpent& fought so sore together and so eagerly, that between them the Cradle was ouertost with the Child, the bottom upward. And because that the Cradle had four Pomels like feet, falling towards the earth, they saved the Childs life, and his visage from any hurting, what shall I say more? Incontinent thereafter, with great pain the Greyhound overcame and slue the Serpent,& went& laid him down again in his place, and licked his wounds.  
And anon after as the entrusts and Tourney was done, the Nourishers were the first that came into the Castle, and as they saw the Cradle turned upside down on the earth c●●● passed round about with blood, a●● that the Greyhound was also bloody, they thought and said amongst themselves that the greyhound had slain the child, and were not so wise as to turn up the Cradle again with the child, for to haue seen what was thereof befallen. But they said, let us fly or run away, least that our master put or lay the blame vpon us, and slay vs. As they were thus running away, they met with the Knights wife, and she said to them, wherefore make ye this sorrow, and whither will ye run? then said they, O Lady, woe and sorrow be to us and to you, why said shee, what is there happened, show me? the Greyhound, they said, that our Lord& Master loveth so much, hath devoured and slain your Son, and lieth by the wall all full of the blood. As the lady heard this, she fell ●o the earth and began to weep 〈◇〉 cry marvelously, and said, alas O my deere son be ye thus slain and dead, what shall I now do that I haue mine onely son thus lost? herewithal came in the Knight from the Tourney, and beholding his lady thus crying and making sorrow, he demanded other wherefore shee made so great sorrow and lamentation? She answered him, O my lord, your greyhound that ye love so much, hath slain your onely son, and lieth by the wall sac●ate with the blood of the child. The Knight vehemently angered, went into the Hall, and the Greyhound went to meet him, and did fawn as he was wont to do, and the Knight drew out his Sword and with one stroke smote off the Greyhounds head, and then went to the Cradle& found his son all whole, and by the Cradle the Serpent slain, and then by diuers signs he perceived that the Greyhound had fought against the Serpent for the defence of the Child. Then with great sorrow and weeping he tare his hair, and said, wo be to me, that for the words of my Wife, I haue slain my good Greyhound, the which hath saved my Childes life, and hath slain the Serpent: therefore I will put myself to pennance, and so he broke his Sword in three pieces, and went towards the holy Land, and abode there all the dayes of his life. Then said the master to the Emperour, lord understand ye what I haue said, and he answered and said, right well. The master said if that ye do put your Son to death for the words of your Wife, it shall happen to you, worse than it did to the knight for his Greyhound. The Emperour said, ye haue shewed me a faire example, and without doubt this day my son shall not die: then said the master, if ye do fo, ye do wisely, and I thank you that ye haue spared him this day for my sake.   

The Second Complaint of the Empresse.  
WHen that the Empresse heard that the child was not yet dead, shee began to weep bitterly, and sate her down on the earth in ashes, and would not lift up her head: as the Emperour heard that, he entred into the Chamber and said to her, O good wife, wherefore make ye all this sorrow,& trouble yourself so much: she said, ask you that of me? know you not well what great despite& shane I haue suffered of your unhappy son? and how ye haue promised me that you would see Iustice to be therefore executed on him,& yet he liveth? Of troth it shall happen to you as it happened to a shepherd& a Bore. The Emperour said, I pray you show me that example for my learning: shee said, as yesterday I shewed one and saw no good effect that came thereof, to what intent should I now do the like? nevertheless, I shall declare this notable example unto you, as hereafter you shall hear.   

The Second Example of the Empresse.  
THere was sometime an Emperour the which had a great forest, wherein was a Bore which was so cruel and so fell, that men going through the forest, he killed and devoured. The Emperour being therefore right heavy, proclaimed throughout all his Dominions, that whatsoever he was that could slay the Bore, should haue his onely Daughter to Wife, and thereto his Empire after his death: and as this was in all places proclaimed, there was not one man found that durst give the adventure: but there was a shepherd, who thought in himself, might I this Bore overcome and slay, I should not onely advance myself, but also all my generation and kindred. So he took his shepherds staff in his hand and went to the forest. And as the Bore had of him a sight, he drew towards the heardesman, and he for fear climbed vpon a three, then the Bore began to bite and gnaw the three, so that the heard thought shortly that he should haue overthrown it. This three was laden with great plenty of fruit, the Heard gathered and plucked thereof, and cast them to the Bore, insomuch that when he was filled therewith, he laid him down to sleep, the which the heard perceiving, by little and little descended the three, and with the one hand he clawed the Bore, and with the other held himself vpon the three,& seeing that the Bore slept very soundly, he drew out his knife and smote the Bore to the heart and killed him, and so consequently wedded the Emperours Daughter to his Wife, and after the death of her Father, he was made Emperor: then said she my lord wot ye not what I haue said, he said, right well. Then said she, this mighty Bore betokeneth your most Noble Person, against whom may no man withstand, neither by wisdom, nor with strength. This shepherd with his staff, is the Person of your ungracious son who with his staff of cunning beginneth to play with you as the herdsman clawed the Bore, and made him to sleep, and after killed him: in the same maner the Maisters of your son by their false Fables& narrations claw you& gloze with you, until the time that your son slay you, that he may reign. Then said the Emperor, God forbid that they should do to me as he did to the Bore, and said unto her, this day my son shall die, and shee answered, if ye do so, then you do wisely. Then the Emperour the second time sitting in iudgement, commanded to led him to the gallows and hang him, and whilst he was going, the second master came before the Emperour doing him reverence, as before is shewed in the coming of the first master, to whom the second Master said, O my Lord Emperour, if you should so slay your son for the words of your wife, it might worse come to you, than it did to a Knight which for the words of his Wife, was unjustly put upon the pillory: the Emperour said, O good Master tell me how that happened,& he said, My Lord I shall not say it, unless you will call your son from the death until the time that the example bee told, the which if i● turn you not from your purpose ● thē let your will be fulfilled. Then th● Emperor Commanded that the Child should be called back once again. And under this manner that followeth, the second master began to tell   

The Example of the second master.  
IN a city was as ancient knight which wedded a young Wife and a faire as ye haue done, whom he loved above all earthly things. This Knight was a very circumspectly and careful Husband, insomuch that every night he locked in the door with his own hands, and laid the keys under his beds head. And in this city there was a law or custom, that at a ●ertain hour in the night a Bell was used to be rung,& after the ringing of that Bell, if any men or women were ●y the Watchmen found in the Strets, all that night they should be ●ept fast in Prison,& on the morrow ●et vpon a Pillory, that all the people ●ight behold and wonder at them. This foresaid knight had little mind ●or lust to fleshly deeds, for he was old and might not satiate and perform the desires and appetites of his pleasant young wife: Wherefore every night she( having a Paramour, her Husband sleeping) took the keys and went to her love, and when she came home again, all privily she laid the keys under her husbands head, and thus played she many times. So it happened upon a night, that the Knight awaked out from his sleep, and missed his wife, and also the keys under his beds head: whereupon h● arose up and went unto the doors ● and found them open, the which he ● closed and bolted fast within,& the● went up again into his chamber,& looked out at the window towards the street: and when it was neer● day, about the third cocks crow, hi● wife came home from her best beloved and found the door shut and bolte● within, wheeeat she was sorrowful, nevertheless she knocked to haue come in. Then spake the Knight out of the window, O thou most evil and unclean wife, now I know and am full assured, that many a time thou hast forsaken my bed and gone and done adultery, now thou shalt stand until the bell be rung, and that the watchmen may take thee, and do with thee according to the law. The wife answered, my Lord, wherefore lay ye that to me, for in very troth the cause of my being abroad was for no evil, but I was called for by my Mothers maid,& fetched in the night by her, and when I saw you sleep so sweetly, I durst not awake you because ye are old, and therefore I took the keys and went to my mother who is so sore sick, that I fear to morrow shee must be anointed or anneyled: notwithstanding, for that I would not offend you, I haue hasted again to you, and haue left her lying in great pain and infirmity, therefore I pray you for the love of GOD let me in before the Bell ringeth. The Knight answered, ye shall not so come in, ye must there abide unto the time that the Bell ringeth, and until that the Watchmen come and take you: then said she, that should be to you& to me and to all our friends& kindred a great shane and reproach, therfore for the reverence of almighty God let me come in: then said he, haue in thy mine( evil and false wife) how often times thou hast forsaken my bed and done adultery, it is much better that thou suffer shane, and bewail thy sins here in this world, than for to suffer pain in Hell: shee said again to him, I pray you for the love of him that was crucified, and died on the cross, haue pity on me: the Knight answered, thou labourest in vain, for thou shalt not come in, but shalt tarry the coming of the Watchmen. She hearing that, said: My Lord, you know well that by this door standeth a Well, if ye let me not come in, I shall therein drown myself, rather than all me friends should be shamed for me: then said he, would God that thou hadst been drowned long before ever thou camest in my bed. As they thus spake together, the moon went down,& all was dark: then said she, if it will none otherwise be, I shall drown myself, but yet afore, like a true Christian woman, I will make my Testament. First I bequeath to GOD my soul, and my body to be butted in the Church of Saint Peter: and of all other things and goods that GOD hath sent me, I give unto you to dispose for my soul, after your wisdom and discretion. And when shee had thus said, she went to the Well and there lying a great ston, with both her arms, she lift it up and said, now I drown myself, and cast the ston down into the well, and went again privily and stood by the door: the knight hearing the noise, cried with a loud voice, saying: Alas, alas, my wife is drowned, and hastily came down& ran to the well, and when she saw that the door was open, anon she entred in and locked the gate, and went up to the chamber, and lay and looked out of the window: the knight stood by the well and cried and wept bitterly, and said, woe be to me, I haue now lost my most best beloved wife, cursed be the time that I made fast the door against her. The Lady heard that and said, O thou cursed old Greysard, why standest thou there this time of the night, was not my body to thee sufficient? Wherefore go ye thus every night out to your Harlots and your neighbours, and leave my bed? As he heard the voice of his Wife, he was right glad, and said, blessed be God that yet shee is not drowned: but my good lady, wherefore lay you such things against me? I thought to haue chastised you, and therefore I locked the door, but in no wise I intended your peril: ye know well wat sorrow I made for you when I heard you to haue fallen into the well,& therfore I came lightly to haue holpen you. Whereupon she said, thou liest falsely, I never committed such default as thou layest to me, but it appeareth by a common proverb, he that is guilty or culpable himself in a sin, he iudgeth every man to be in the same, or else, the Father never sought his son in the oven, except he had been therein himself: so in like case conceiuest thou a false surmise of me, but one thing I promise thee, thou shalt abide there until the Watchmen come, and the Bell he rung, that they may 〈◇〉 thee before the Iudges to abide and suffer the law. Then said the Knight, wherefore lay you such things to me that am old, impotent, and most vnmeet to delight in such game? I haue been conversant in this city and never was defamed, and therefore let me in, that to me& to yourself ye do no shane. She said, ye speak in vain, it is better that ye forethink your sins rather in this World, than in Hell, haue in mind what the wise man saith, a poor man proud, a rich man a liar, an old man a fool, God hateth: so be ye a fool and rich, what need was it to you for to slander me, and cannot be content when as ye haue the flower of my youth at your pleasure, but yet runnest to Harlots? it is the great grace of God, that you, haue tim●& space to forethink you, least ye should perish and be damned for more sins,& therefore suffer your pennance now patiently. The knight said, O my best beloved lady, although it be so, yet is God merciful, and he asketh nothing of a sinner, but that he amend his life, and forethink himself, and do penance for his sins. Now let me come in& I will make amends: she said, what devill hath made you so good a Preacher, but so come you not in: and as they thus spake the bell rang, then he entreated fervently, saying, now suffer me to come in that I be not ashamed for ever: she answered, the ringing of the Bell pretendeth the health of your soul. And as this was said, came the Watchmen about the City, and found the Knight standing in the street, and said unto him, O good man it is not good that ye stand here in this hour of the night. As she heard the voice of the Watchmen, shee said: good fellowes venge me on that old accursed Whoremonger, for ye know whose Daughter I am this cursed old man is wont every night to leave my bed, and go to his whores and harlots, I haue long forborn him, and would not show it, ne complain upon him to my friends, for I trusted that he would haue amended his misrule,& it helpeth not, and therefore take him and punish him according to the law, that all such old Dotards may take example by him. Then the watchmen took him, and all night chastised him in prison, and on the morrow they set him on the pillory. Now said the master to the Emperor, Lord, haue ye understood what I haue said? and he said, right well. Thē said the master, if you put your son to death by the instigation of your wife, it shall chance to you worse than to the Knight.  
The Emperour said, she was the worst woman that ever I heard off, that so falsely brought her husband to shane and rebuk: I say unto you master, that for the reason of this example my son shall not die this day. The master said unto him, if you do so, then do you wisely, and that hereafter you shall ioy: and so I commit you to God,& thank you of your patient hearing, and for the sparing of your son, and so departed.   

The third Complaint of the Empresse.  
WHen the Empresse heard that the Child was not yet dead, she wept bitterly, and entred into her privy Chamber, and tare her skin with her nails,& with a loud void cried, alas that ever I was born, that I so great a kings daughter should thus be reproached& shamed, and thereof can haue no remedy: her Gentlewomen hearing this went& shewed it to the Emperor,& he went unto her and comforted her, saying, O Lady, weep not so, for it becometh you not. And she answered, the love that I haue and owe unto you, maketh me more to sorrow, than the contempt of the death, for why the inward love of your hart hath hitherto prohibited and letted me that I haue not returned again into my country to my Father, but I fear if I should so do, it might turn you to harm, for he is mighty to honour me with riches, and to reuenge my quarrel& despite in such wise that you might repent it. Whereto said the Emperour, let that pass out of your mind, neither repeat it any more, for as long as I live, I shall never fail you. And she said, Lord I pray God that ye may long live, but I fear me that it shall happen to you as it fell to a Knight& his son that would not bury his Fathers head in the Churchyard, and yet his Father was for him slain: then said the Emperor show me the example how it was that he would not bury his Fathers head: she said, I shall do it to your profit.   

The third Example of the Empresse.  
IN the city of room there was a Knight which had two Daughters and one Son. This Knight had so great delight in hunting, believing& tourney, and all thing that he might win& get, he laid it and spent it thereupon. In that time lived the Emperour name octavian, which in riches of gold and silver exceeded al other kings and Princes, insomuch that he had a Tower full of Gold,& ordained a Knight to haue the keeping& charge therof. This Knight that so haunted believing& other idle games, came to so great poverty, that he was disposed to sell his heritage, and called to him his sone, and said, my Son it behoveth me of your counsel, for necessity and poverty compelleth me to sell mine heritage, or else to find another way by which I may live, for if I should sell mine heritage, ye& your Sisters should perish. The son said, Father if we can find any maner of mean without selling of our heritage, I should be ready to help you. The Father said, I haue bethought me of good council: The Emperour hath a Tower full of gold, let us go by night time thither with instruments, and dig and hue through the tower, and let us take of the gold as much as shall suffice vs. Whereto answered the son and said, that counsel cannot be amended, for it is better to take of the Emperours gold to help us, than to sell our inheritance. So they arose up both on a night,& went to the tower, and with instruments they made a hole through the wall, and took as much gold as they both could carry away at that time, and the knight paid his debts and haunted again entrusts as he did before, until that all was spent and consumed. In the mean while, the keeper of the Treasure went into the Tower, and when he saw the Treasure stolen, and a great hole made through the wall, he began to wax sore afraid,& went to the Emperour and shewed him what was befallen: to whom the Emperor said all angrily, what needest thou to tell me that? haue I not delivered to thee my Treasure, and therefore of thee will I ask it again? As the keeper heard that, he went to the Tower again, and set afore the hole a great vessel full of pitch mingled with other 'gins so subtly, that no man might come in an that hole, but that he must needs fall into that vessel, and then falling thereinto, he could no more get out of it. Not long after, the Knight had consumed and spent all the gold, and went again with his son to the tower to steal more. And as the Father went in first, anon he was fallen into the vessel with pitch up to the neck, and when he saw that he was taken and could not get out, he said to his Son, follow me not, for if thou dost, thou canst not escape by any means: then said the son, God forbid that I should not help you, for if you are found, we are a but dead,& if that ye may not be hopen by me, I shall seek counsel how that you may bee delivered& holpen. The Father said, there is none other counsel but with thy sword smite off my head, and as my body is found without an head, no man shall know me, and so thou and my Daughters may scape and avoid this worldly shane and death. The son said, father ye haue given the best council, for if it were so, that any man might perceive any knowledge of you, none of us should escape that death: and therefore it is expedient that your head bee smitten off: anon he drew out his Sword and smote off his Fathers head and cast it into a pit, and then went and shewed unto his Sisters all the matter, who many dayes after privily bewailed the death of their father. After this, the keeper of the Treasure came into the Tower,& found there a body without any head, whereat he wondered sore, and shewed it to the Emperour, to whom he said, bind that body to the tail of an horse, and so draw it through all the streets of the city, and diligently take good heed if ye heat any cry or weeping: wheresoever ye hear that he is Lord of the house, take all them, and with the body draw them to the gallows and hang them. The which the Emperours seruants fulfilled according to his commandement, and as they came right against the house of the dead Knight, the daughters seeing the body of their dead Father, presently made a marvelous great shriek& went marvelously, and as their brother head that, anon he wounded himself in the mouth with a knife, so that great plenty of blood came out of the wound: the officers when they heard the cry, entred into the house, demanding the cause of their clamour: then answered the Son, they lament because I am thus wounded, for when my sisters saw my blood so abundantly go out, as ye see, they began to weep& cry and when the officers saw the wound, then believed his words,& so deceived, went their ways and hung the Knights body vpon the gallows, where he hung a long time, and his son would neither take his body down from the gallows, nor yet bury his head. The Empresse said, understand ye what I haue said? the emperor said, very well.   

The Declaration of the Example.  
THen spake the Empresse thus, my Lord, I fear it will so chance to you to your son. This Knight for the love of his son was made poor, and first he committed theft,& broke the Tower, secondarily caused himself to be headed, that his Children should haue no shane, after that his son cast his head into a dike, and butted it neither in church nor in churchyard, but suffered his body to hang still upon the gallows: if that he could not haue taken it down in the day, he might well haue done it in the night. In the same manner ye labour night and day, tat ye may promote your son to honour& riches, but without doubt he daily laboureth for your confusion and destruction, that he may reign after you in your Empire. Therfore I aduise you that you cause him to be hanged before he destroy you: the Emperour said, you haue shewed me a good example. The Knights son when he had smitten off his Fathers head, would not bury it: without doubt my son shall not do so by me, but he anon commanded his Officers that they should led him to the gallows, and they all obeyed his commandment hastily, and as they lead him through the Streets, the people made great noise and lamentations, crying alas, alas, the onely Son of the Emperor is lead again toward the gallows: and as they lead him, the third master name Craton, came riding by, and as the Child saw him bowed down his head to him, as though he had said, haue mind vpon me, and the people cried, O good master, hast you, and save your Disciple, and so he road with great speed to the Emperour. And when be came before him, he most humbly saluted him: and said, thy coming hither shall never avail thee, for I think it long to be revenged of thee. The master said, I hoped at my coming to haue been welcome, and haue had a better reward, and not to bee so rebuked. The Emperour said, as ye haue deserved so shall it be to you. To whom he said, My Lord, what haue I deserved? the Emperour said, ye right well deserve death, for I delivered to you my son well speaking, and well mamnered, for to be informed and taught, and ye haue delivered him again to me dumb& a ribald. To whom the Master said, in that you say he is dum, that I commit to god, for he maketh the dumb to speak, and the deaf to hear: but in that you say he would haue enforced your wife, that would I gladly know, if any creature haue seen that, for there is no malice above the malice of a woman,& that shall I prove by a good example, that a woman is full of leasings and deceptions, and if you put to death your son for the words of your wife, it shall happen to you as it did to a rich burgess of his wife and his Pie, the which he loved marvelously. To whom the Emperour said, I pray you tell me how that women are full of malice and leasings: who said, I will not show it, but if you will first call again your son from the death, then at your pleasure I shall show the example. Then the Emperour anon made his son to be called again, and to be put in prison. And the master began to tell the Example in this form following.   

The Example of the third master.  
THere was in a city a rich burgess that had a Pie, the which he loved so much, that every day he taught her to speak latin and Hebrew: and when she had learned very perfitly to speak these two Languages, all that she saw& heard shee shewed and  told to her master. This young man man had a faire young n●●fe as ye haue, the which he loved much, but shee on the contrary loved not him, because he might not furnish her of such pleasures and lusts as she desired to haue, and therefore had shee another faire young man that shee loved above her Husband, and always as her Husband was out of the town about his merchandise and other business, shee sent for her best beloved, that they might make good there together. The Pie as shee espied that,  told it unto her master at his coming home, in such wise, that the noise ran all over the city of her adultery, wherefore her Husband many times brabled and chidde with her: she answered him, ye beleeue your cursed Pie which as long as shee liveth, shall always make betwixt us variance and discord: and he said, the Pie cannot lie, for what shee seeth and heareth, that she telleth me, and therefore I believe her more than you. It tortuned that this man went into far Countries about his merchandise, and assoon as he was gone, his wife sent for her friend and love to solace and make good cheer with him, but he durst not come by day light, but abode till the evening, least he should be seen and marked of the people: and when night was come, he knocked at the gate, and shee was ready& opened it, and said, go in freely, for no man shal see you,& he said, I fear me that the cursed Pie shall accuse us, for by her is come great slander upon us throughout all the city. Enter in she said boldly and fear not, and as they should pass through the Hall where the Pie was in her Cage, shee heard say these words, O my best beloved, I fear me greatly, least that the Pie shall bewray vs. And as the wife heard that, she said, be still fool, it is dark she may not see you. Then the Pie hearing that said, if I see thee not, yet I hear thy voice, and thou dost wrong to my master, for thou sleepest with my mistress, and when my Master cometh I shal tell him. The young man hearing that, said,  told I not you that the Pie should discover vs. And the wife said, fear not, for this night wee shall be avenged on the Pie, and so they entred into the chamber,& slept together that night. About midnight the wife arose and called her maid and said, fetch me a Ladder and set it up to the roof of the house that I may wreak me upon the Pie: the maid did even so, and they both went up and made an hole through the covering of the house, right over against the Pie, and there-through cast sand, day, stones, and water upon the Pie, in so much that the poor Pie was near dead. And on the morrow the young man went early out at the back door: and when the good man was coming home, as his custom was, he went and visited his Pie, and said to her, O Pie my beloved bide, tell me how thou hast fared all the whiles that I haue been out? She said, master I shall tell you tidings that I haue heard: your wife assoon as you were gone, by the night time shee let a man come in, and assoon as I heard that, I  told him that I would show it you at your coming home, yet notwithstanding she lead him into your Chamber, and slept with him al night: you asked me also how that I haue done in your absence, and I say to you of a troth, that I was never so near my death as I was that same night with snow, hail,& rain, that fell vpon me, so long together, that I was almost left for dead. The wife when shee heard that, said to her husband, Sir you beleeue your Pie, now may ye hear what she saith shee complaineth that in the same night, there fell so much snow, haue; and rain vpon her, that shee was almost dead, and yet there was none of them all that same night, for there was not in a year a fairer, nor a clearer night that it was,& therfore from henceforth believe her not: then went the good man to his neighbours, and asked of them, if in that night there were any hail or rain, they answered, that some of them had waked all that night, and in all that year they had not seen a fairer night: thē went he to his house and said to his wife, I haue found you in the troth, for the night was faire and clear, as I understand of your neighbors. You may now know of a troth, said shee, that the Pie is a liar, and with her leasings she hath sown& made discord betwixt us, and moreover I am defamed through the city by her false leasings. Then the burgess went to the Pie, and said, wherefore hast thou made lies and false tales betwixt me and my wife, is this the thank that I haue for the meat that I was wont to give thee with mine own hands every day, and thou hast also thereby brought my wife into great defamation through all the city? The Pie answered, God knoweth I cannot lie, for that I saw and heard, haue I shewed you, then said he, thou liest, hast thou not said that in that same night was hail and snow, and rain, that thou hadst near hand lost thy life, which is false? and therefore from henceforth thou shalt make no more leasings nor discord betwixt me and my wife, and so took the Pie and broke her neck. As the wife saw that, she was glad, and said, now haue ye done well, now may we all our life dayes live in rest and peace. And when he had killed the Pie, he looked up and saw in the top of the house a Ladder, and a vessel with water, sand, and stones, and as he beholded that, he perceived the falsehood of his wife, and cried with a loud voice, woe be unto me, that for my wiue● words I haue killed my Pie, and also my solace& ioy lost, the which in all things said to me troth. And as he had thus done, anon for sorrow he left his merchandise, and all his house, and went towards the Holy land, and never turned again towards his wife. Then the Master said to the Emperour, Sir, haue you understood what I haue said? he answered right well, the master said, was not that a false and cursed wife, that so by her leasings caused the Pie to be killed? The Emperour said, in troth she was full of falseness, it pitieth me greatly to think upon the Pie, the which for her true saying, lost her life. Verily I must say unto you, that you haue  told me a faire example, therefore this day my Son shall not die. Then said the master, Sir you do wisely, and I thank you that you haue spared your son this day for my sake, and so to god I commend you.   

The fourth Complaint of the Empresse.  
WHen the Empresse heard that the child was not yet dead, she made great noise and crying, in such wise that shee was heard through the palace, and said, woe be unto me that ever I was made Empresse, would to God I had dyed when I was first brought into these parts: when the Emperour heard the noise and cry that she made, he presently entred into her Chamber and comforted her as much as he might, and demanded the cause of her lamentation, who said: O my most loving Lord, haue you no wonder, though that I be in this sorrow and agony, for I am your wife, and in your company by your son I am shamed, and ye saw me lately all be bled and scratched, and you haue promised me that he therefore should be hanged, and yet he liveth, wherefore should I not be sorry? the Emperor answered, be content& pleased, and I shall do Iustice vpon my Son to morrow, but in that I forbore him yesterday, was at the motion of one of the Masters, by an example: then said shee, haue ye forbid to do Iustice for one word? were it so for all the world, ye should not let to do Iustice, and ye say for the example of one master you haue stayed it. I fear me it shall happen to you& with your Masters, as vpon a time it fortuned to an Emperor with his seven wise Maisters. The Emperour said, I pray you tell me that same example. Shee said, to what intent should I so labour all in vain? for yesterday I shewed you a good example, and it availed not, and whatsoever I show you for your honour and profit, that the Maisters of your son turn up and down to your destruction, as is this present example I shall clearly show you: to whom the Emperour said, O my best beloved Lady, tell me that example that thereby I may the better beware hereafter, for though that I respite my sons life for one day, I shall not therefore give him his life, for that which is deferred is not therfore forgiven: and she said, gladly I shall show it you for your profit, and began to tell it, as hereafter followeth.   

The Fourth Example of the Empresse.  
SOmetime there was in the city of Rome seven wise Maisters, by whom all the Empire was governed and ruled, and the Emperour that then was, did never attempt any thing without the council of the masters: whereupon, they perceiving that the Emperour was so affencted and inclined to them, that without them he would not ordained or do any thing, divised by their Arte and cunning, that the Emperour should clearly see as long as he was in the palace, but as soon as he was out of the palace, he should become blind: and that did they, to the intent that they might the more freely haue the dealing themselves of all things that appertained to the Emperour, by the which they got and won to them great profit and lucre of goods: and after they had made and wrought the experiment, they could never change it, ne undo it afterward, but the Emperour abode still blind many yeares. And the seven Maisters made and proclaimed throughout the Empire, that if any man had dreamed a dream he should come unto them with a floren of gold or silver,& they would expound and declare unto him the interpretation of his dream: whereby, and by other unjust means, they obtained much more substance and Money of the people, than the Emperour did. So vpon a time when he sat at the table with the Empresse, he began to sigh and sorrow in himself, and when she perceived that, she inquired diligently of him the cause of his heaviness& dolour: the Emperor said, should it not be heavy and sorrowful to me, that I so long haue been blind,& cannot see out of my palace, and yet can haue or find no remedy? To whom spake the Empresse& said Lord hear my counsel, and it shall never repent you if you do thereafter. In your Court you haue seven wise Maisters, by whom ye and all the Empire is governed, if you now behold and mark this in your mind, ye shall find, that they are the cause of your blindness and disease, and if it be so, they are worthy to die a most shameful death, therefore take heed to my council and aduise: first sand for them,& show to them your disease and infirmity, and threaten them on pain of their lives, that they should find some speedy remedy to help you of your sickness and blindness. This council pleased the Emperour well, and anon he sent for the Maisters,& when they were come, the Emperor anon shewed to them his infirmity, and blindness, and charged them on pain of death, that they should presently seek some remedy to ease him thereof. Then answered they, ye desire of us a thing that is difficult and hard to be done thus shortly, but give us respite for ten dayes, and then we shall give you our full answer. The Emperour was therewith well content and pleased: then the seven wise masters went to council how they might restore unto him his sight again, and in no manner of wise could they find the mean how to put away the blindness from the Emperor, wherefore they were all right sorrowful, and said among themselves, without wee find a remedy, wee are all but dead men. So they went from thence throughout all the Empire, and sought if they could find any remedy or council therefore. It happened them upon a time, going through a city, and in the midst thereof, they found Children playing and after them came a man with a talent or floren of gold, and said to them, good Maisters, this night I haue dreamed a dream, the interpretation thereof I would fain know, wherefore I pray you show me what it signifieth,& take this gold to you. That heard one of the Children that played among the other, and said to him: give me the gold and then I shall expound thy dream. The man said, I dreamed this night that in the midst of my Orchard, was a great spring of Water, whereof came many small springs, that all mine orchard was full and overflown with water: the Child said, take a Spade and dig in the same place whereas ye thought that the water sprung out, and there shall ye find and hoard of gold so great, that ye and all your Children and Lyneage shall be for ever rich: the man did as the child had shewed him, and found the Treasure according to his words. Then went the man to the Child and offered him a pound weight of the gold that he had found, for the interpretation of his dream, but he would receive none, but committed him to the prayers of the man. The seven Maisters, when they heard the child so wisely expound the dream, they said to him, good Child what is your name? He answered and said, I am called Marline. Then said the Maisters, wee see surely great wisdom in you, we shall show unto you a strange matter, and of that wee would gladly that ye could find a remedy. The Child said, show unto me your matter: and they said, the Emperour of Rome as long as he is in his palace hath his sight very clear without any impediment, and as soon as he is gone of his palace, he is so blind that he cannot see. Now if ye can find out the cause thereof, and give present remedy whereby he may be eased and haue his sight again, ye shall haue great reward and honour of the Emperor: then answered the child, I know as well the cause of his blindness, as the remedy. They said all unto him, come with us to the Emperour, and ye shall be rewarded so largely, that ye shall be pleased. To whom the child said, I am ready to go with you. And when they came with the child before the Emperour, they said to him: Lord, lo here is the child that we haue brought before you, the which shall fulfil your desires touching the cause of your blindness, and to recovering of your sight: the Emperour said, Good Maisters will you take upon you, and abide thereby, that the child shall perform this attempt? They all said yea, for we be expert in his wisdom. The Emperour turned himself towards the Child and said, will ye undertake to tell me the cause of my blindness, and the remedy? the child answered and said, My Lord the Emperour, lead me into your bed Chamber, and there I shall show you what is to bee done, and as he was therein brought, he said to he Seruants, take of the Clothes of the bed, and all the apparel,& ye shall see wonders. And as that was done they saw a Well smoking that had seven springs or floods, the which when the Emperour saw, he marveled greatly. The Child said, ye see this Well, and without it be quenched, ye shall never haue your sight, the Emperour said how may that bee? the child said, but by one way: the Emperour said, show us then the mean, and if it bee possible to me, it shall be done, that I may recover again my sight, as well without, as within. To whom the Child said, My Lord, the vii. springs of this Well, are these seven wise Maisters, who hitherto haue traitorously governed you and your Empire, and haue made you blind as ye bee without yur palace, that they your subiects by extortion might pill and poule, ye not seeing it. But now they know not the remedy, therefore here you now my counsel, and this Well shall bee quenched and extinct: strike of the first Maisters head, and anon he shall the first spring quench, and so by order one after another, till that they are all beheaded, and anon all the springs with the Well shall be vanished and gone away, and ye shall haue again your sight as ye had before: and when this was done& fulfilled, the well with the seven springs were vanished, And as the Emperor had his sight again, he made the Child a great Lord, and gave him great abundance of goods: and after spake the Empres, my Lord haue ye well perceived this Example that I haue  told you? and he said, yea in the best wise, ye haue recited a worthy and good Example. Then said shee in thy same manner your seven wise Maisters intend to do with you, with their false narrations, that your son may reign over your Empire, which God forbid.   

The declaration of the Example.  
THis Well is your son, whereout floweth vii. springs that signifieth the seven wise Maisters, the which Son ye may not destroy, without the seven wise Maisters bee made feeble and brought to nought: that done, this Well that is your son, with all his whiles shall not escape, but let him be hanged first, least he haue help of his Maisters, and after consequently the seven Maisters, and so you shall govern and guide your Empire in rest and peace. The Emperour anon commanded his Seruants to led his son to the gallows, which they were loathe to do. And there was then so great a multitude of people gathered with great noise and bewailing, that the noise came to the ears of the Fourth Master name Malquidrake, the which leaped upon his horse, and hasted him to the palace. Where he met with his Disciple and did reverence to him and commended him unto him: and when he came before the Emperour, and had done his obeisance and reverence as appertained, the Emperor then answered& said; Little thanks shall you haue ye old cursed Caytysse for so ill teaching of my son. I delivered you my son well speaking,& in all things right virtuous, but you haue sent him home a fool, dumb, and a ribald, for he would haue lain with my wife by force, and therefore all ye with him together shall be hanged. Then said the master, my Lord, I haue not deserved so ill of you. God knoweth why your son speaketh not, in short time you shall perceive other things, but the time is not yet come, but in that you say he would haue oppressed your wife, that is not true, nor proved, neither for one single person should you judge your son to death. If now for the words of your wife, ye judge your son to die, it will be worse to you, than to a certain old man and his wife, and that I shall well prove. To whom the Emperor said, think you to do with me ye old Doters, as sometime seven wise men did to an Emperour. Whereunto said the Maisters, the offence and trespass of one, or yet of Twenty, may not sound to the rebuk and blame of all other, for over all the World there bee both good and evil, but one thing of a troth I shall show to you, that evil shall come to you if you this day put your son to death for the words of your Wife, the which I could show by a notable example. Then said the Emperour, will ye recite that for our learning: the master said, if ye will call again your son, and keep him till I haue made declaration of the Example,(& afterwards as ye shall think good to do with him, do it) then will I rehearse the example, or else not. The Emperour commanded that he should bee called again, and he desired the master to say, as here after followeth.   

The Example of the Fourth master.  
THere was an old Knight( and a right wise man) that lived long without wife or Child.  
His friends came to him many times and counseled and exhorted him, that he should take a wife.  
The Knight thus counseled, and stirred by his Friends so often times, at the last he agreed to them, and they gave him to Wife the Daughter of the provost of room, that was rich and right faire, whom when he had seen, anon he was made blind and taken in her love, and began to love her marvelously well: and when they had been married a certain space together,& had no Child. upon a time in a morning it happened that shee went to the Church, where shee met with her Mother, whom she saluted as it behoved. My deere Daughter said the Mother, how pleaseth you your marriage, and your Husband? shee said, right evil, for ye haue given to me an old lame man to my discontentment in all respects, and I would you had the same time butted me, for I had rather lie and eat with a swine, than with him, and therefore I may no longer thus endure, but I must needs love another: then said the Mother, God forbid that my dear Daughter, how long time haue I been with your Father& yet never hitherto haue I meddled with such foolishness; the daughter said, Mother it is no marvel, for you both met in your youth together,& the one took solace of the other, but I can receive of him no manner of corporal pleasure, for he is could& on the bed he lieth as still as a ston, or as a thing immovable. The mother answered, if you will love another, tell me what he is? the Daughter said, I will love a Priest. To whom the mother said, it were better& less sin for you to love a Knight or a squire, than a Priest: nay, quoth the Daughter, if I should love a Knight or a squire, in short time he would be weary of me, and after that he would do me shane, and so will not the Priest, for he will hold and keep his own honour& counsel, as well as mine, also spiritual men be more true to their loues, that secular men be: the Mother said, hear my counsel, and it will bee good for you. Old folk are wyllie& fell, tempt your husband first,& if ye escape him without doing you harm or smiting, then love the Priest. The Daughter said, I may not so long abide. The Mother said, vpon my blessing abide till ye haue proved him: the Daughter said, upon your blessing I will abide so long till I haue attempted him, but first tell me how that I shall prove him? the Mother said, he hath in his Orchard a three which he loveth much, cause it to be smitten down while he is out at hunting, and against his coming home make him a fire therewith, and if he forgive it you, then may you surely love the Priest. As shee heard that counsel of her Mother, shee heard that counsel of her Mother, shee went home, to whom her Husband said, where haue you been so long? shee answered, I haue been at the Church, where I met with my Mother, and with her I haue a little talked and commumed, and so began properly for to dissemble: after Mid-day the Knight road out for to hunt, then shee thinking upon the counsel of her Mother, went to the gardener, and said to him, cut down this young three newly Planted, that I may make a fire thereof to warm my Lord withall at his coming home from hunting, for it is a great wind and right sharp could: the gardener said, madam that will I not do, for my Lord loveth this three better than he doth all the other Trees, nevertheless I shall well help you to gather wood enough for to make a good fire, but in any wise this I will not hew down. As she heard that, then boldly shee took the Axe from the Gardener, and hewed down the three herself, and made the Gardener with other to bear it home. At evening when her Lord came from hunting, he was very could: and shee made a great fire, and went and met with him, and set him a stool before the fire to warm him: and as he a little while had satin, he perceived the odour of the fire, and called to him the Gardener and said, I feel by this odour, that the new Plant burneth in the fire. The gardener said, Lord it is true, my lady your wife hath felled it down: the Knight said to her, God forbid that my Plant should be cut down by you; shee answered anon and said, Lord I haue done it, knowing the weather could,& you also could, and therefore I haue ordained this fire for your comfort. As the Knight heard that, he looked angrily vpon her, and said, O cursed woman, how wast thou so hardy as to hew down so gentle a young three, the which thou knowest well that I loved above all my other Trees? When he had so said, she began to weep and excuse herself and said, my Lord, I haue done it for your good, and do you take it so grievously, and began to cry woe, woe be to me? anon as the Knight saw the weeping& tears of his wife, and heard her cause, he was moved with pity, and said to her, cease of your weeping, and beware how that ye anger me any more ●or trouble me in any thing that I love. The next day early in the morning, she went again to the church yar●d,& met with her mother coming home, and they saluted each other. Then the Daughter said to the Mother ah deere Mother I will love the Priest, for I haue attempted my Lord, as ye counseled me, but all for nought, for he anon forgave it when he saw me a little weep. Then said the Mother, though old men one time forgiu● they double the pain another time and therfore I counsel you that you yet once again attempt him.  
Then said the Daughter, I may not any longer abide, for I suffer much pain for the love of the Priest, that with my tongue I cannot tel it, therfore ye shall pardon me, I will no more follow or do after yo●● council: then said the mother, for the love that the Child should haue unto the mother, attempt him yet once more for your Fathers blessing, and then if ye go quiter without any harm or bearing, love the Priest in the name of God. Then answered the Daughter it is to me great pain so long time to abide, nevertheless for the blessing of my Father I shal once more attempt him, but tell me how I shall begin? the Mother said, I understand that he hath a little hound that he loveth well& keepeth his bed, cast the hound with so great might before his face against the wall, that it die, and if ye scape without a stripe, or that he forgive you it lightly, then in the name of God, love the Priest. Then said the Daughter, I shall in all things do after your counsel, for there is no Daughter living at this day, that would more gladly haue the blessing of the Father and Mother, that I. And so she bad her Mother farewell, and went to her house again,& that day with great importunity& trouble of heart, shee brought to the night. And when the night was come, shee commanded the bed to be covered with purple and cloth of gold, whiles the Knight sate by the fire:& when the bed was thus made ready, the little hound as he was accustomend leaped vpon the bed, and shee took him by the hinder legs, and with a wood and malicious heart she cast it against the wall that it lay still dead: when the good old Knight saw that, he was marvelously angry, and said with a loud voice to his wife, O thou most cruel and spiteful of all wicked women, how couldst thou find in thine heart to kill that little gentle hound that I loved so much? Lord said show, haue ye not seen how the hound with his feet( coming out of the mire) hath bewrayed our bed that is so preciously covered with rich clothes? and the Knight said with much anger, knew you not that I loved much better my little Hound thou the bed? when she heard that, anon shee began marvelously to weep, and said, woe be to me that ever I was born, for all things that I do for the best, it is all turned into the worst. The Knight would not suffer the weeping and lamenting of his wife, but for that he loved her so much he said unto her, cease your weeping, for I forgive it you altogether, and I counsel you that ye beware how that ye displease me from henceforth, and so they went to bed together.  
upon the morrow shee arose up early and went to the Church where she met with her Mother, to whom, when shee had done reverence as it behoved, shee said, Mother now will I love the Priest, for I haue attempted my Husband the second time, and all things he hath suffered.  
The mother said, O my deere daughter, there is no cruelty or falsehood above the cruelty of old folkes, and therefore I counsel you, that you yet once prove him, unto whom the Daughter answered, Mother ye labour in vain, for if ye wist what and how much pain that I suffer for the Priests love, ye should rather help me, if ye loved me. The Mother said, hear me daughter this one time, and I shall never let you more. think how you haue sucked milk out of my breasts, and the great pain that I suffered for you at your birth: by these pains my dear Daughter I desire and charge you, that ye deny me not this good petition,& I promise to God no more to let you nor hinder you of your intent, but rather to help you thereto: then answered the Daughter it is to me a great pain to abstain me, and to forbear myself so long from the love of the Priest, nevertheless for the great charge that ye haue laid to me, and also for that ye haue made a vow no more for to let me, but to further me, tell me how I shall attempt him,& I shall yet once more give the adventure. The mother said I know well that on Sunday next coming he intendeth to haue us all to dinner, and there shall be your Father and I, and all our friends, with all the best of the City: and when you are set in your place,& all the meats are brought and served upon the table, fasten on the keys privily that hang at your girdle in the table cloth and then do you fain to haue forgotten your knife,& say these words, openly: see what a short wit that I am off, I haue forgotten my knife in my chamber, and then rise up hastily and go, and the Cloth with all the meats ye shall cast down and overthrow vpon the ground, and if ye escape without pain, I make a vower to God, that I shall never let you after. The Daughter said, that shall I gladly do, and so took her leave and departed. The Feast day came,& all as the Mother said were bidden, the seruants made ready and covered the table, all were set at the table& the daughter sat over against her Lord: and when the table was well served with meats and other things thereto belonging, the lady of the house said with a high voice, see how forgetful I am, I haue left my knife in my Chamber, which I must fetch,& so rose up hastily,& drew the cloth with al the meat vpon it with her, and al the gold vessels and salts lay vpon the ground: the Knight waxed sore angry in hart, but he for shane dissembled before his guests, and commanded another clean Cloth, and other meats to be brought, and with ioy and mirth he saluted his guests, to eat& make good cheer, that by him they were all made merry. The Feast or Dinner done, they gave all thanks to the Knight, and took their leaves and departed every man towards his own house: vpon the next day in the morning the Knight arose early and went to the Church, and heard service, after which he went to a barber, and said unto him, Sir, are you expert in blood-letting in what vain that I will desire you? he said, Sir I am expert in what vain that ye can name in a mans body. The Knight said, I am well content come with me,& when he was come to his house, he entred into his chamber where his Wife lay in bed,& said to her rise up shortly, then said shee, what shall I do up so early, it is not yet ix. of the clock? the Knight said, you must rise up, for you must bee letten blood on both your arms: She said, I was never letten blood, and shall I now bleed? then said the Knight that is troth, and therefore ye are a fool: remember ye nor that first ye hewed down my three, and another time ye killed my little hound, and yesterday ye shamed me afore all our friends and Parents, and the fourth is, if I should suffer you thus to go forth, ye should for ever confounded and shane me: the cause hereof I consider, that ye haue evil& wild blood within your body, and therefore I will that the corrupt blood shall be drawn out, that ye from henceforth shal no more put me to shane and anger, and so caused to be made a great fire and she stood& cried,& held up her hands towards heaven, and said, My Lord forgive this trespass, and haue pity upon me at this time and I shall never more offend you. The Knight said, pray for no mercy, for the mercy that God hath wrought towards thee at this present, is this, that except thou holdest out thine arm strait, I shall soon haue thy heart blood,& he said also to the barber, smite hard& make a deep hole in her arm, or else I shall give you a great stripe: then smote the barber so sore that the blood came abundantly out,& the Knight would not suffer him to staunch it, until the time that she changed colour in her visage, and as this was done, he bad it to bee stopped,& willed the barber to smite the vain upon the other arm, then cried she with a very loud voice, My sweet husband, I pray you haue compassion upon me, for now I die: the Knight answered, wife ye should haue thought vpon this before, are you had done some these three evil torments or despites: then she held out her left arm, and then the barber smote therein an hole, that the blood came out right ugly, and he suffered her to bleed unto the time that the colour in her visage changed,& that she swooned: then said the Knight, now bind the arm and staunch it, and said to her now go to bed and study, and think henceforth how you may amend yourself, or else I shall draw the blood of your heart: and as this was done, he gave the barber his reward, and then he went again unto his own house: and his Wife under the hands of her maidens nigh dead, was let to her bed, she bad one of her Maidens go to her Mother in all hast, and say that I desire her to come speak with me before I die: the Mother when she had heard that, was glad of the correction of her Daughter, and came hastily to her. When the Daughter hard her Mother; she said, O my most sweet Mother, I am almost dead, for I haue bled so much blood, that I beleeue I shall not escape the death. Then answered the Mother, said I not unto you, that old men are right cruel and fell, will ye now love the Priest? She said, the divell may the priest confounded and shane, I will never one other but my Husband, thē said the master to the Emperour, Lord haue ye understood me? and he answered, right well, for amongst all other that ever I haue heard, this was the best example. Three evil deeds she did to her husband, and I doubt no● but if shee had done the fourth, shee should haue shamed him for ever. Then said the Master, therfore I counsel you that ye beware of your wife, least it happen worse to you, for why, if you put to death your onely son for her words, you shal be deceived in the end, and for ever ye shall repent it. The Emperour said, truly Master this day my Son shal not die. The master said, my Lord I thank you, that ye for mine example and my sake this day haue spared your son.   

The Fift Complaint of the Empresse.  
THe Empresse hearing that the Child was not yet dead, forthwith appareled herself, and caused her Waynes and Carts to be in a readiness, as though she would haue gone home into her country to her Father, for to haue complained of the great shane that was done unto her, and yet could hau●●o remedy thereof. The Seruants seeing that, went and shewed to the Emperour, that the Empresse was going into her Country: when he perceived that, he went to her saying, whither are you going?  
I hoped that you had loved me so much, that in all the world ye would haue sought no solace but with me. To that she said, that is true,& therfore I go from you, for I had rather hear of your death, than to see you die, without doubt ye delight so much to hear these Maisters, that it shall happen unto you as it did unto octavian the Emperour, the which was so covetous, that the noble men of the Empire butted him quick, and filled his mouth with molten gold. The Emperour said, deere Wife do not so, that another time the blame to you or me might be laid. Then said the Empresse, truly the blame is yours, for haue you not promised me many times that your son should die, and yet he liveth? and therefore from henceforth I will no more believe you. Then said the Emperour, it becometh not a King every cause lightly to discuss without aduise,& especially upon his son, vpon whom it is not meet lightly to give iudgement, and therefore I say and pray you, that ye will tell me somewhat by the which I may govern myself: for it is the utter destruction of a King, with one aduise, and undiscreetly to give Iudgement, she answered and said, I will gladly tell you a notable example, so that from henceforth ye will not bee covetous or desirous to hear the Maisters: and began to say in this form.   

The fift Example of the Empresse  
O Crauianus the Emperour reigned in room right rich and covetous, and above all things he loved gold. The Citizens of Rome that time did much harm, and many great outrages to other Nations, insomuch that diuers Nations and Regions were moved and stirred against the romans. In that time there was master Virgilius the which excelled in magic& in other Sciences all other Maisters: the Citizens prayed him that he by his Art and cunning would devise somewhat by the which they of their enemies might haue warning& knowledge before hand.  
whereby that they might provide for themselves the better. he made by his Art and cunning a tower, and about upon the tower did cause to bee set as many Images as in all the world were Regions and provinces, and in the midst of the tower he let to be made and set, an Image which held in his hand an Apple or a great round ball of gold. And every Image of the tower held in his hand a little bell, and stood turning and looking towards his own province to him assigned: and as often times as any province would stir and rebel against the Romaines, so often turned him the Image of the Land, and rang the Bell: That hearing, the Citizens of room armed themselves, and to that province hastest with all their might, the same to subdue: and so was there no Land so great that could wreak them upon the romans, and therefore were they dread and feared over all the World. Also that master virgil made for the solace and comfort of the poor people, and Light that alway burned,& by that light he made two baths, the one of them hot, in the which the poor people might bath& wash themselves: and the other could, in the which they might themselves refresh. Betwixt that Light and the Baths, he made an Image standing, in whose forehead was written, he that smiteth me, shall anon haue vengeance. The Image stood there many yeares, at the last there came a clerk& beholded the Image,& red this writing,& thought in himself, what vengeance he might find therefore: I believe better that if any man should smite thee, and that thou fallest therewith to the earth, he should find some treasure under thy feet, and therefore is thy writing that no man should haue it. And the clerk lift up his hand and gave the Image a great stroke that it fell on the ground, and anon the light was out, and the baths were vanished away,& he found no Treasure. The poor folk perceiving that, were all sorrowful, saying, cursed might he be for evermore, that for his singular covetousness hath destroyed this Image, and hath robbed us of so great solace and comfort: hereafter assembled three kings, the which of the romans had been oppressed, and suffered great wrongs, and went to counsel with them of their Counsel, how they might best of the Romains be avenged, and some of them said, we labour in vain; as long as there standeth the tower with the Images we may do nothing against them.  
To the counsel arose up four Knights and said to the kings, we haue thought on a good remedy, how ye shall destroy the Tower with the Images,& that to do and bring about, wee will our lives set to pledge it that you will do the cost. Then said the King, what cost shall we do? they said, we must haue four tons of Gou●d. Then said the King, take the Gold and fulfil your promise: the Knights took the gold and went towards room, and when they were thether come, in the night without one of the Gates, in the Ditch with water they drowned one of the tons with the Gold, and another tun they drouned by the second gate, and the third Tun they drowned by the third gate,& the fourth tun by the fourth gate they drowned: and when they had this done, early in the Morning they entred into the city at an hour convenient when the Emperor went over to the Mart, and did him reverence as it behoved The Emperour seeing them, demanded from whence they were, of what science,& what service they could do: they answered, wee are of far Countreys, and Soothsayers so perfect, that there was never thing so privily and secretly hide, but that we shall find it by our dreams. Wee haue heard that ye labour and haue pleasure in such things, and therefore came we unto you to know if ye had any need of our service. The Emperour said, I shall prove you, and if it be so that I find you true, you shall haue of me great rewards& thanks. They said, we ask nothing for our lobours, but the half deal of the gold that by us shall bee found: the Emperour said, I am very well content, and thus they had with the Emperour many words. At even when the Emperour was going to bed, they said unto him, My lord if it please you this night shall the oldest of us set his cunning a work, and dream the third day wee shall show you his dream, and what it signifieth: the Emperor said, go in gods name. And they went forth with great gladness, and all the night they passed over with much ioy and mirth, vpon trust that they should come to a good purpose. When the third day was come, they went early to the Emperour, the first of them said, my Lord, please it you to go with us without one of the gates of the city, and I shall show you where a tun full of gold is hide, the Emperour said I shall go with you and see if it be true that you say. When they were come to the place, they drew out the run that they before there had put, the Emperour when he saw that was glad, and gave to them their part. Then said the second Dreamer, My Lord, this night shall I dream: the Emperour said, God give you a good dream. The next night came, and he took out the other Tun, and gave it to the Emperour, and took also his share, in like wise did the third& the fourth, upon the which the Emperour was out of all measure joyous& glad, and said, he had not seen afore such true& expert Soothsayers or Dreamers as they were, then said they altogether at once, as it had been out of one mouth. My Lord, we haue one after another dreamed, the which as ye haue seen they be al true proved, but now if it please you that wee may dream all together this night, wee trust that to us shal be shewed where we shall find a great quantity and substance of gold and of riches: the Emperour said, God give to you a good dream, which to me and to you may be profitable. On the next morrow they came again unto the Emperour, and said to him with joyous and glad Visages and countenances My Lord, we bring good and profitable tidings, for this night in our sleeps, such& so great Treasure is to us shewed, the which if you will suffer it to be sought, you shall bee so much enriched, that in this World shall bee none like you: the Emperor said, where should wee find this Treasure? they said under the foundation of the Tower that the Images stand upon. The Emperour answered, God defend that I should for love of gold destroy the Tower with Images, wherewith wee of our enemies ye defended and warned: they said to him again, My Lord, haue ye found us in our sayings otherwise than true and rightful. The Emperour said, nay: O Lord said they, we with our own hands shall give out the gold, without hurting of the Tower or the Images. And it is expedient, that secretly in the night, by us it bee done, for dread of resort,& concourse of the people, least that ye should run in the noise and clamours of them, and also that they should not take that good gold away from you and vs. The Emperour said, go in the name of god and do your best, as you well can, and I shall to morrow early come to you. Then went they with ioy and gladness,& in the night they were let into the Tower, and with great hast& diligence they undermined it, and in the next day early they mounted upon their horses, and road again towards their own Country with ioy and glory,& ere that they came without the sight of Rome, the Tower fell down on the morning ensuing. When it was fallen& the Senators it perceived, they sorrowed greatly, and there was great bewailing throughout all the city, and they went to the Emperor and said, lord how may it be that this tower is thus fallen, by the which we haue always had warning afore of our enemies: he answered and said, to me came four false deceivers, and feigned themselves to be Soothsayers, and that they could find Treasure in the ground. And they said, that under the foundation of the Tower was hidden an innumerable sum of gold, the which they should undermine without ●urting of the Tower or the Images, and I gave faith to them, and they haue deceived me. They answered him. ye haue coveted so much gold, and for your satiate covetousness, wee shall be all destroyed, but first your covetousness shall fall upon yourself: they took and lead him to the Capitol, and laid him on his back and poured his mouth full of molten gold, saying to him, you haue desired gold, and therfore ye shall drink gold, and after they butted him quick. Not long after that, came the enemies against the romans, and overcame& destroyed them all. Then said the Empresse unto the Emperor, haue ye my Lord this Example well understood, and he said, right well: then said she, the Tower with the Images is your body and five wits. As long as you do live, there is none so hardy to trouble or make war vpon you, nor vpon your people, that hath your son right well understood, who with his seven Maisters, and with their false narrations of Fables, seek how they may destroy you: for you are over much covetous to hear and incline to them, and insomuch that they shall undermine you, and cast you under foot and bring you to nought. The Images are your five wits, that be all lost. And for as much as you bee so Childish and foolish, they shall destroy and slay you, and your Son shal obtain your Empire. The Emperour said, ye haue recited to me a good example, wherefore it shal not happen to me as it did with the tower, but my son first this day shall bee hanged, to whom the Empresse said, if ye do so, ye shall fare well, and live long. upon the third day, he commanded him to be lead to hanging, and as he was lead towards the gallows, came riding against him upon an Horse, his Fift master towards the palace, and came before the Emperour, and saluted him with all reverence, and he despised his salutation, and put him in fear of his life. And the master said, My lord I haue not deserved to die, and for to despise my salutation, it is not for your honour, for your Son hath not with us been of such conditions as ye repute him, as ye in short time shall find:& that he speaketh not is of his great wisdom,& know ye that he shall well speak as time cometh, though that he now speaketh not, as you in short time shall hear: but ye say that he would haue shamed your Wife, that believe not, for so a wise man as he is, should never attempt so shameful a dead, and if ye put him to death for your wives words, ye should not escape without shane and vengeance like as Ippocras scaped not with out vengeance for the death of Galienus his cousin: the Emperour said, that would I fain hear and understand. Then said the master, what should avail to tell you this narration for your profit if in the mean season your son shall die,& therefore if ye will call again your Son, it shall be done at your pleasure, and after do as you think best. The Emperour bad call again his son,& set him in prison: and then began the master to tell on this manner as followeth.   

The Example of the fift master.  
SOmetime there was a famous physician name Ippocras, right cunning, the which excelled all other in cunning and Science, he had with him his nephew or Kinsman that was called Galienus, the which he loved much: this Galienus was of an excellent wit, and applied all his mind and wit to learn of his uncle the Science of physic. When Ippocras perceived that, in as much as he could, he hide from him his cunning, fearing that he should excel him in that Craft for the great wit that he was of. As Galienus saw this, he studied and exercised, in so much that in short time he had perfect Cunning in physic, for the which Ippocras envy him much. It happened upon a time thereafter, that the King of hungary sand his Messenger unto Ippocras, that he should come unto him for to cure his son: Ippocras excused himself and would not go, but sent his cousin Galienus with his Letters of excuse for his not coming. And when Galienus was come before the king, he was right worshipfully received, but they marveled why that Ippocras would not come, he excused him, saying, that he had many great things to do, and he might not come, but he hath sent me in his stead, and with the help of God I shall make whole the child, that pleased very well the King. Galienus went to the child, and when he had seen his urine, and tasted his pounces, he said to the queen, O excellent princess, I pray you hear and suffer my words, and tell me who is the Father of the Child? shee said, who should be his father but my lord the King? Galienus said, I am sure that he is not the Father, shee answered, if ye will say that for a troth, I shall cause your head to bee smitten off: he answered, I say once again, that this King is not the Father, and I am not therefore come hither to loose my head, for I haue not deserved any such reward, and so was going his way. The queen spake, O good master Galienus, if ye will keep it secret, and not discover me, I shall show and open unto you my heart. The Master said, God defend that from me, that I to any person should show it, and therefore O noble queen show it boldly to me, for it shall never pass my mouth, and afterwards I shall ease& make your Son whole: shee said, if ye do that, ye shall haue a good reward of me,& therefore hear what I shall say. By fortune came hither unto my Lord, the King of burgundy, and he was so long conversant with me, that this child by him I bare: then said the master, fear ye not, I knew that it was so before, and anon he gave the Child to eat beef, or of an ox, and drink, and the Child was ease of his infirmity. And when as the King heard that the child was quiter of his malady, he gave unto the master a good reward, but of the queen he secretly received a great gift and a special thank, and so went this way. And when that he was come home, Ippocras his master demanded of him saying, haue ye beholded the Child? and he said yea, then asked he him what he gave him, flesh or beef to eat, and water to drink. Then said Ippocras the woman of the Child is not true to her husband, that is troth said Gelienus: then Ippocras was moved with envy, and thought in himself, if here be not found a remedy, my Science shall no more be let by, and he shall be name and praised above me. And from that day forward, he bethought him and devised how he might saly him. Vpon a day Ippocras called him and said, come go we to seek and gather herbs in the Garden, to whom he said, master I am ready: and when they were come into the Garden, Ippocras said, I feel that this herb is right virtuous, stoop down& gather me of it, Galienus did so. As they went about the Garden, said Ippocras, now I well perceive the odour of this herb, that it is better and preciouser than gold. and therefore stoop down to the ground,& draw him out with the roots, for it is much worth: Galinues bowed down himself to pull up the herb, and Ippocras drew out his knife and killed him, After that, Ippocras fell sick to death, that the strength of his body failed him, and did as much as he could to help himself, but it would not be, and as the Schollers and Disciples heard of it, they went hastily to him, and all that they might or could do, for the profit of his health, they did, but it availed him nothing.  
When Ippocras this perceived, he said unto his Schollers, go fetch me a great Tun, and fill it full unto the brinkes with water, and when they had so done, he said unto them, make now therein a hundred holes, and when that was also done, there went none of the water out. Then said Ippocras, behold my most deere Disciples how that the vengeance of God is fallen upon me, as ye openly may see, for in this tun are an hundred holes,& yet goeth thereout not one drop: right so there cometh no virtue out of the herbs to help me, and therefore what you do unto me helpeth not, for I must die: but my deere children, if my Nephew Galienus were now alive, he could heal me, whom I haue slain, and that grieveth me sore, and therefore the vengeance of God cometh upon me. And this said, he turned him to the wall& gave up the Ghost. Then said the Master unto the Emperour, my Lord understand ye well what I haue said, he answered, yea right well, what hurt had it been to him, if Galienus had lived?  
The Master answered, it had been right good for Ippocras at that time, had not he dyed,& therefore by right wise iudgement of god, his medicines availed him not,& therefore I shewed to you, that it shall happen worse to you, if that you put to death your son for the words of your Wife, who in time of necessity shall assist and succour you: and consider ye not, that ye haue after your first wife wedded this wife that ye now haue, and so ye may the third and fourth, and never shall ye haue of any of them such a son that shall keep and save you from peril? the Emperour said, truly he shall not die.  
Then said the master, then do ye wisely, and I commend you to God and I thank you, that ye haue this day for me spared your son. The Emperour said, I mark this well, that women are crafty and subtle, therefore I will not for you, but for myself, save him.   

The sixth Complaint of the Empresse.  
WHen as the Empresse had knowledge thereof, shee shewed herself so froward& impattent a body, tha● 〈◇〉 that saw her or heard her, wondr●d and said to the Emperour, your wife she pineth herself, as though she would die. The Emperour hearing thereof, went ot her and said, wherefore bee ye so impatient? she answered, saying, O Lord how should I hold it in when I am the onely Daughter of a King,& your wife?& in your company I haue had a great despite and shane,& continually ye haue promised me to punish him, but ye perform it not. The Emperor said, I wor not what I shall do? ye labour from day to day to haue my son to die: and the Maisters labour to save his life: and amongst all these I know well that he is my son, but where the troth is that I know not. Then said she, this is the cause whereof I complain, that ye beleeue the Maisters, more than you do me, therefore it shal happen to you as it did to a king with his Steward. Then said the Emperor, tel that example, peradventure it may move me the sooner to put my son to death: she said gladly, but I pray you give attendance to what I shall say, and began to tell as hereafter ensueth.   

The sixth Example of the Empresse.  
THere was a king right proud& marvelously deformed in his visage, in such wise, that women hated and abhorred him.  
This King thought to destroy Rome and to slay the Romaines, and to take and carry away the bodies of Peter and paul: who while he was in this mind, called to him his Steward that was right secret with him of his privy council, and said to him, go and seek me a faire woman, that this night may sleep with me. The Steward answered, My Lord, ye know well you infirmity and disease, and that no woman will do evil without a great sum of money. The King said, think ye that for money, I will want one? Haue I not Gold and siliuer enough? though it were a M. florens, I would it gladly give. The Steward hearing that, was anon smitten with covetousness,& went to his own wife which was right faire and chast,& of good kindred, and said to her, O my good Wife, my Lord desireth& coveteth for to sleep with a faire and beautiful woman, and will not forbear it, though that she should ask of him a M. florens, and hath commanded me to provide him of one, and therefore I counsel you, that ye to us get this money: the wife said, were it not so that the King were so proud and foul of visage, yet would I not to that evil consent, for the sin against God. The Steward answered, I consent that ye shall do it, and thereto I counsel and command you,& promise you, that without ye consent to me herein, ye shall never haue good day with me: shee hearing that trembled, insomuch that for dread shee consented to him.  
The Steward then went to the King& said, Sir, I haue found out a faire woman, and she is come of a very good house, which will not less haue than a M. Florens, and in the evening shee shall come, and early in the Morning she must away, that she be not seen of the people: the King answered and said, I am well content. When the night was come, the Steward lead his Wife to the Kings bed,& made fast the door& went his way: early in the Morning the Steward arose and went to the King and said, My Lord, it will bee day within a while, it is good that you perform your promise, and let the woman go: the King said, this woman pleaseth me so well, that so soon shee shall not depart from me. When he heard that, he departed thence all sorry, uniteth he tarried any while, but came to the King again and said, my lord the morning is come, therefore let the woman go as I haue promised her, least that she be ashamed: the King said, yet shal she not go from me,& therfore go out& shut the door again. The Steward right sorrowful departed, and went up and down with an heavy and an angry heart, till that the faire and the clear day appeared, and then he entred again into the chamber& said, my lord it is clear day, suffer the woman to depart, that shee be not therewith ashamed. The King answered, I say to you for a troth, shee shall not yet depart, for her company is unto me right pleasant and acceptable. The Steward hearing that, could no longer forbear nor hold his own council but said to the King, O my good and gracious Lord I beseech you suffer her to depart, for it is my own Wife the King hearing that, said to him, open the window. And when it was open, the faire and bright day appeared, he beholded the woman right faire& goodly, and perceived that it was the wife of the Steward,& said to him, O thou most worst ribald or knave, why hast thou for so little money shamed and undone thy good and faire wife, and her hast delivered unto me unwitting? therefore hast thee and get thee gone out of my realm, and never more hereafter come in my sight, for from henceforth, if ever I may see thee, thou shalt die the most shameful and horriblest death that ever can be imagined. When the Steward heard that, he fled his way, and durst not abide,& was never so hardy any more to come into the realm. And the King kept that Wife all his life time in great worship,& gave to her plenty of all things that to her behoved and pertained.  
After that, the King caused to be gathered and assembled a great& mighty army of puissant men of war, and so he went to room with great might, and besieged the city on all sides, so long until the romans would haue delivered him for to haue departed and withdrawn himself from thence, the bodies of the holy Apostles Peter and paul.  
Then was there in the city seven wise Masters as ye haue now, by the council of whom all the city was guided and governed. And the Citizens came to them and said, what shall we do? it behoveth us that we deliver unto your deadly enemies, the bodies of the holy Apostles, or else the city. Then answered the first master, I shall with my wisdom and cunning this day save the city, and the bodies of the Apostles, and so one after neither promised to do the same: and so every of them for one day, in like wise as the Maisters haue promised your Son. With that the King began to assault the city on all parts: then began the first Master to say and allege so wisely for to haue peace, that the King that day left his assault, and withdrew himself a little from the city, and so did all the Maisters one after another, till the last. unto whom came the Burgesses& say, O master ye shal understand that the King hath made his oath sworn, that to morrow with all his pvissance and strength he will haue& win the city, or else we must all be in jeopardy to loose our lives: therfore in acquitting of your promise, defend and keep us from danger, like as all our Fellowes before you haue hone. Then answered the Master and said, be of good comfort and fear not, for to morrow I shall by my cunning show such a work and operation, that the King with all his pvissance and might shall fly away& leave the Siege. The next day the king made& gave great assault unto the city: then went the Master and clothed himself with marvelous strange vesture, having therein the feathers or the tails of bullocks, and of other Fowles of diuers colours, and took two bright swords in each hand one, and went therwith and stood vpon the highest Tower of all the City, and began to moon and turn of show himself about on all parts towards the Host, so that they might all behold and see him: and he held in his mouth the two bright Swords that marvelously shined, they without of the Kings Host that beholding, said to him, O Lord behold vpon the highest of yonder towers a wounderful thing or a figure, yea I see it well that it is marvelous, but what it is I know not, they said, it is Iesus the God of Christian folk, that is come out of heaven us to slay and destroy with his two swords, if we any longer abide. The King hearing that, trembled for fear, and said what shall we do? there is but one way, and that is, that we anon go and depart from hence, least that their God avenge himself upon us: then began the King with all his Host to lie: notwithstanding there was no need, but that they of the master were beguiled& deceived. And when the Romaines saw that, they hastily pursued after, all armed in good ordinance,& the King with many of his people they killed and destroyed, and also in that manner by great subtlety of the master was the mighty King with his army subdued. Then said the Empresse to the Emperour, Lord ye haue understood what I haue said, he say yea, very well in the best wise. She said, now ye haue heard what I haue said to you at the beginning of this narration of the steward that the King trusted so much, which for covetousness of gold shamed his own wife, and he for that was driven and banished out of the Land: In like manner your Son for the desire& apperite that he hath to the Empire, intendeth to confounded and destroy you. But whiles you be in your might and power, do with him as the King did with his Steward: if ye will not put him to death, banish him out of your Empire, that ye without fear may live in surety of your life. And haue ye not also heard, how the King lay before the city of ROme, and how he was by the wise Masters deceived& scorned, that he with his folk were killed and slain? In the same wise the seven Masters intend to do with you, and by their false wil●ss and subtleties to deceive you, and in the end to slay you, that your son may reign. Whereupon answered the Emperor, and said, that shall not so be, for my son to morrow shall die. Then he commanded his seruants that they should led his son to hanging. When the people heard that, there was a great noise and gathering of them, together bewailing the death of the Emperors son: and as the sixth master heard that, he hasted him to the Emperour, and saluted him honourably, but he took it ●nthankefully, and threatened him that he should die with his son, for that he was with them made dumb, and a Rybaud, which was shewed towards his Wife. The master said, I haue not deserved to die with your Son, but to haue great and large gifts, for he is not dum, as ye shall hear within three dayes if he may live so long: But if you put him to death for the words of your wife, then shall I marvel at your wisdom, and without doubt it shall happen to you, as sometime it happened to a Knight that to much allowed the sayings of his Wife, that he was bound to an Horse tail, and drawn throughout all the city to the gallows. The Emperor said for the love of God show me that example, that I may the better beware of that peril: that will I not do said the Maisters, without you do call again your son: then he commanded to call his son, and the master began as followeth.   

The Example of the sixth master.  
SOmetime there was an Emperor of Rome which had three knights whom he loved above all other. And in the same city was an ancient Knight, that had wedded a faire young Wife, as you do the Empres, which above all other things he loved: this lady could sing right well and melodiously,& with such sweetness, that many drew to her house, and desired her company. It befell vpon a season, as she sat at her house, her Visage turned into the Street, that she might see thē that went by, and began sweetly to sing, that all folk delighted to hear her. By chance came that ways a Knight of the Emperours Court, that heard her voice, and beholding her attentively, he was taken inher love, and entred into her house, and fell in communication with her of love, and amongst all other talk he demanded what he should give her to sleep by her one night, she answered, an Hundred Florens. The Knight said, tell me when I shall come,& I will give you an hundred Florens. She said, when I haue convenient time I shall sand for you: the next day shee sang again in the same, place and it fortuned the second Knight of the Emperour to come by that same way, the which likewise was smitten in her love, and he also promised her a Hundred Florens. To whom also shee promised to show him a time provided. The third day was the third Knight in like wise caught in her love, the which also promised her an Hundred Florens, and shee to give him knowledge of the time. These three Knights haue so secretly spoken with the lady, that none of them had knowledge of other. The lady that was malicious and deceitful, came to her Husband, and said, Sir I haue a secret matter to show you, wherein if you follow my counsel, our necessity and poverty ye may largely relieve. The Knight said, tell it me,& I will hold it secret, and fulfil it to my power: shee said, Three Knights of the Emperours Court haue been with me one after another, in such wise, that none knoweth of anothers council,& every one hath offered me a C. Florens: might we three C. Florens get,& no knowledge thereof detected, should it not be to us a great help, and our pouetie be well relieved? The Knight said forsooth yes,& therfore whatsoever you counsel me to do, I shall follow it. Then said shee, I shall give you this counsel, when they come with the florens, ye shal stand behind the gate with your Sword drawn in your hand, and because that every of them cometh alone, ye shall slay one after another,& so wee shall haue the 3. C. Florens of them without knowledge of any other. The Knight answered, O my best beloved Wife, I fear me that this evil cannot be hide, and wee should therecore shamefully suffer death if that it were known. She said I shall this work begin, and I shall make thereof a good end, and fear it not when the Knight saw that shee was so hardy, it caused him to be the more bold, and shee sent for the first Knight, and he came to her anon without any tarrying, to the gate and knocked, and she asked if he brought the C. Florens,& he said yea, I haue them here already, then let shee him in, and anon in the entering in her husband killed him, and so he did the second, and the third, and into one secret Chamber they drew the bodies of them. When it was thus done, the Knight said unto his lady: O deere Wife, if these bodies be found with us, wee shall die the most shameful death that can bee imagined, for it is not possible but that these Knights shall bee missed in the Emperours Court, and great search and inquisition shall bee for them made throughout all this City, where they are become. She said, sir I haue this work begun,& shall make thereof a good end, fear not as aforesaid. This lady had a Brother, the which had the governance of the wealth of the city, that on the nights watched in the streets with his fellowes, shee stood at her gate and called her brother and said, O my best Brother, I haue a secret matter, the which in confession I shall show you, and therefore come a little within: and when that he was come in, the Lady received him friendly, and gave him Wine to drink and said, my well-beloved brother, this is the cause that I haue called you, for I haue much need of your counsel. The Brother answered, say it boldly unto me, and whatsoever that I may do, to my power, that shall be at your desire without letting: then said shee, yesterday came in a Knight in good friendship, but afterwards he fell into such words and variance with my husband, that he slay him, and he lieth in my Chamber:& mine one deere brother, we haue no man that we may trust but you, and if the body be found by us, wee should die; she made mention but of one, the brother said, deliver him me in a sack,& I shall bear him to the sea: she hearing that, was full glad thereof, and delivered unto him the body of the first Knight, he took it and went withall a good place& cast him therein. And as this was done he came again to his sister and said, give me now of the best wine, for you are of him quit, and she thanked him& went into her Chamber, as though she had gone for wine, and began to cry with an high voice, the Knight that was cast into the sea is come again: as her brother heard that, he woundred sore and said, give me him I shall see if he will rise again,& took the body of the second Knight, supposing it had been of the first Knight,& went to the sea,& with a great ston he drowned him therein: the done, he went again unto his sisters house and said, now fill me a cup with good wine, for I haue drowned him so deep, that he shall never come again, she said thanks be to God, and went again to her Chamber,& feigned her to fetch Wine,& cried with a loud voice, alas woe be to me, he is risen again, and come out of the Sea:& as her brother heard that, with a great marvel said, what devil is this Knight that I haue cast into the water,& notwithstanding is come again? deliver me him the third time, and I shall see if he will come again: then gave she him the third Knight, which he believed had been the first Knight and went without the city to a great forest,& made a great fire& cast the knight therein, and when he was almost burnt, the Brother went thence a little distance to do his need, then came there a Knight that would ride to the city, where in the Morning they should haue a tourney& believing, and it was could weather& dark, he was not far from the city, and when he had a sight of fire, he drew thereto, and lighted from his horse and warmed him. The watchman came and said to him, what art thou? the knight said, I am a gentle Knight: then spake the watchman& said, thou art no knight but a devil, for first I cast thee into the water, the second time with a great ston I drowned thee,& the third time I haue put thee in this fire supposing thou hadst been burnt, and yet thou standest here,& then he took the knight with his horse, and cast them both into the fire. After that he went again to his sister and told what had happened him,& said, now bring me of the best Wine, for after that I had burnt him, I found him again be the fire with a horse, and I haue cast them both in the fire, and by this his sister perceived well that he had burnt a Knight of the tourney: who anon brought him of the best wine abundantly,& after he had well drunken, he went thence. Not long time after there fell a great debate& contention betwixt the knight and his wife in such wise that he smote her, which had indignation thereof, and waxed angry& said that many might hear it, O wretch wilt thou kill me, as thou hast done the three Knights of the Emperors? certain men that hearing, laid hand on thē,& brought thē before the Emperor, and the woman confessed that her husband and had slain three Knights of the emperors,& how he took from them three C. Florens. And as it was thus in troth found, both were drawn at an horse tail,& hanged vpon a gallows. Then said the master to the Emperour, haue you understood what I haue said? he answered, right well, I say for certain, that Wife was the worst woman that might be of all women; for first she moved and stirred him up to murder, and afterward discovered him. The master said, without doubt it shall happen to you worse, if you put to death your son by the aduise of your Wife. The Emperor said, My Son shall not die this day, The master hearing that, gave thankes to the Emperour and took leave, and went this way.   

The seventh Complaint of the Empresse.  
WHen the Empresse heard that the Son of the Emperor was yet living: as a mad woman shee ran to the Emperour weeping and crying, saying, O unhappy woman, alas what shall I do? I must needs slay myself that am so shamed, and no punishment thereupon done: the Emperour answered, God defend, that you should haue mind on such things, but suffer a while& you shall haue a good end of your cause. She answered, sir the end shall be evil, for of that shall follow to you and to me great comfusion. the Emperour said, leave of such talk, she said, Lord it shall come to you and your Son as it happened to a King and to his Steward. The Emperour said, I pray you tell me that example, she said, I will gladly tell it, but I fear me that ye will hear me no more: For the next day, the seventh master shall speak and ●●ue you Son from the death as his fellowes haue done. And the next day after that, your son shall speak, of whose words you shall haue and take such ioy and delectation, that the love betwixt us shall bee wholly forgotten and washed away. The Emperour said that it is impossible to me, for I shall never forget your love.  
Then said she, O my best beloved Lord, if it please you I will tell you one example, by the which ye shall beware before of many perils to come, and especially of your accursed Son, who intendeth to destroy me by his Maisters: the Emperour said, tell on you example: and the Empresse began to tell of this ensuing.   

The seventh Example of the Empresse.  
THere was sometime a King, the which loved his Wife above all things, insomuch that he closed her in a strong Castle, and he bare the keys of the Castle himself, the lady was therfore right heavy, and desolate. Now in far parts there was a valiant knight, the which in the night dreamed after this effect: He thought that he saw one of the fairest queens that might be, whose love above all things he desired to obtain, and that if he might see her walking, he should clearly haue knowledge of her, by whom toward him a great friendship and worship should come. To the queen that same night by vision of the said knight, the li●● was also shewed,& yet they had of each other no knowledge of name, neither of famed: When the knight had thus dreamed and seen in his sleep, he thought and determined in his mind, that his foot should not rest, until the time he had found that lady that to him was shewed in his dream: and so took his Horse, and with him all that was necessary for his journey, and road& went through diuers Regions and lands, so long, 〈◇〉 at the last he came unto the same L●nd where that queen was by her husband closed& kept in a strong Castle. And when this said Knight was come into the same city, and by a certain season had therein sojourned: it happened upon a day as the Knight walked by the Castle, and knew not then that the queen was therein, shee fate in a window to behold and see the people going by, and among all other shee saw the same Knight, and knew that he was the same man that shee had dreaned off: and the Knight by chance lift up his eyes, and perceived the lady sitting in the window,& anon his mind gave him, that it was shee of whom he had dreamed, and she began to sing a song of love. And as he heard that, he was anon taken with her love: the Knight from thenceforth daily went& walked about the castle beholding it all over, if any manner of way he might get to show her his mind. The Lady perceiving that, w●●●● Letter and cast it down to him. And when he had red over the Letter, and understood the will of the lady, he began to haunt entrusts and Tournaments, and so did many great and marvelous acts, that the famed of him came to the King. And as the King heard thereof, he sent after him& said to him, Sir knight, I haue heard much honour of you, if it will please you to abide and dwell with us, wee shall give you large gifts& rewards. The knight answered and said, O right mighty Prince, I am your seruant, would to God that I could do any service to please your Magnificence without taking of any reward, save one thing before all other I desire. The king said, show it unto me boldly what thing it is: the knight answered, My Lord sithence it hath pleased your majesty to take me for your Seruant and one of your noble council, me seemeth that it were very expedient for both our solaces, that I had a place nigh unto the wall of the Castle, that I might at all times bee the more ready at your calling when you haue need. Then the King said, I consent to you, make it as ye think best. Then went the Knight and hired workmen and made a faire lodging by the wales of the Tower, and when it was all ready, he made a covenant with a workman for to make out of his house a secret way into the Court: and when it was made ready after his intent, he killed the workman because he should not discover it, and so went in to the Queen, and did to her reverence accordingly,& they talked of many things, that at the end he desired to sleep by her, which she oftentimes denied, but nevertheless she consented to him. After that, the Queen thought, what shall I do? if I should give knowledge thereof unto my husband, therof would come two evils: the one is my shane, and that peradventure he should utterly forsake me, and drive me out of his land for ever: and the other is, the Knight he would slay, for from death he could not escape, and therefore it is better that I be stil, and tell not. The Knight after that, as often as it pleased him, went in to the queen,& did his will with her, and shee gave him a Ring, the which the King had given to her at her wedding. This knight in every battle and tournament had the Victory, wherefore he was and stood in great favour with the king, so that he made him his Steward, and governor of all his Region and land. It happened upon a day that the king disposed himself to go on hunting, and commanded his Steward to make him ready on the morrow for to go with him, whereto he offered himself all ready. And vpon the Morrow after they entred into the forest,& all this day they chased and followed the wild beasts, that they were so weary, that the King sat him down by a Fountain to rest, and the knight by the King, and fell on sleep by him, having the ring vpon his finger, the which the King marked, and knew. After that the Knight perceived that the King had seen the ring, feigned him sore sick, and said. My Lord, I feel myself so sore sick, that if I do not hastily find some remedy therefore by the means of physic, I am but a dead man, and therefore I pray you give me leave for to go home, unto whom he said, go my deere friend in Gods name: he anon god vpon his horse,& hasted him to his house and went to the queen, and gave her again the Ring, and told her how the King had marked it and seen it on his finger, and prayed her if he made any question of the Ring, that she should show it to him. This done, he went down again to his lodging: and anon after, the King came to the queen, and shee received him right lovingly, and after that a little time was passed, the king said, my lady show me where the Ring is that I gave to you, I desire to see it, shee said O my Lord, to what intent at this time desire you to see it? then said he, if ye show it not to me incontinent, it shall repent you: then she rose up& went to her chest,& brought the Ring to the King,& when he saw it, he was half ashamed, and said unto her: O howe like is the knights Ring to this Ring, which I saw upon his finger, and I believed that it had been mine, and therfore that was the cause why I asked it so hastily of you. And of this ill suspicion I yeld myself guilty against you my deere lady in this behalf, for the strength of the tower deceived me, for I thought that no man might come therein but I myself alone: Shee said, my deere Lord wonder not, for one Ring is like another, and workmen make fi●●dome any work, but that other make the same, but god forgive it you that you haue suspected me, when you know the strength of the Tower, and the keys you haue always by you,& will trust no man therewith. After that the Knight ordained a great diu●r, and said to the King, my Lord it is so that my Lady and love is come out of my country, and I haue caused a diver to be made, and I would pr●y you that at this time ye will do we honour, and take such meat as is in my house. The King said, I shall gladly do to you that worship and more. The Knight was glad thereof, and by his secret way went to the queen and said unto her, my lady thus do, you shall come to my house by my privy way, and cloath you in rich clothing, after the maner of my Country, and you shal sit at the table which my king as my sovereign lady, and make him good cheer: she said, as you will I shall all things fulfil. And when the hour of meat was come, and King from the Castle was commin towards the Knights house, in the mean time the queen entred by the secret way into the knights lodging, and appareled her after the manner of the knights country, and when the King was entred into the house, she saluted and received him reverently, and when that the King had beholden her, he demanded of the Knight what woman is this so faire: then the knight said, my Lord it is my sovereign lady that now is come out of my Country after me, I haue tarried long in her service, then the Knight set the King at the table as it behoved, and made the queen to sit by him, and the King thought that it was his queen and said within himself, O how like is this woman unto my wife? so the strength of the Tower deceived him, that he gave more faith and credence to the Knights words, than he did to his own eyes. The queen began to speak and talk to the king, and to stir him to eat and drink and make good cheer, and as the King heard her voice, then he said unto himself, O blessed Lord, how like is this woman to my queen in her behaviour, speech, visage, and in all other things and conditions? and alway the strength of the Tower failed him. In the end of the feast, the Knight prayed his love to sing a song before the king, and shee began to sing a song of love: When he heard that, he knew her voice, and thought, is not this my wife? how may it be she, haue not I the keys of the Tower myself in keeping? and so all the meat time he sate and strove within himself, then at the last he said unto the Knight that he should take up the Table, for he had somewhat for to do, for he was in great thought and sore troubled in mind. The Knight answered and said, my Lord ye make no good cheer, year full of thoughts: and if it pleause you wee shall make to you some sport and solace. And the woman said, please it you sir King here by us to tarry, wee shall make to you all the sport and solace that wee can, like as the queen in her solace& comfort. He said, take away the table, for I may no longer abide, then the Knight at the commandement of the king, took up the table and thanked them al,& the king went hastily unto the Castle, searching whether the queen were within or not. And in the mean while the queen went up by her privy way,& put off her uppermost Vestures, and the king found her in the same clothing that he left her afore. When as the King was entred and found her, he embraced and kissed her, and said unto her, this day haue I eaten with my Knight and with his love that is come out of his country, and sithence I was born unto this day, mine eyes haue not seen two so like creatures in all things, as shee is to you, and this meat time I haue been so much stirred with diuers things, that I could no longer abide there, but that I must come& search whether ye were here or there: then said the queen, sir how might you think that, for ye know well that this Tower is fast, strong enough, and that no body can come in nor out without you, for ye alone haue always the keys, how were it then possible for me to be there? ye find sometime one man like another, and therefore ye should take some Arguments of misdeeming or of suspicion, as of late you did of the Ring. The King said, that is true,& therefore I knowledge myself guilty that I haue misdeemed you. After that came to him the knight and said, My Lord, I haue of long time served your good Grace, and now it is time that I return again unto mine own country, and therfore for all the service that I haue done unto you, I desire of you but one thing to do for me, that is, that you noble Grace will do me such honor, as to give unto me before the Priest, with your own hand, in the face of the Church, my love, whom I intend to wed, who hath followed me out of far countries, and whom I shall bring thither again as my lawful Wife, the which thing will be unto me great honour and worship when I shall come into mine own Country. The King answered, that petition and more if you desire it of me, will I gladly do and fulfil. Then the Knight prefixed the day of Marriage, at which day this good King came to the Church honourably. The Priest was ready and stood adorned with his vestments, for to solemnize the Matrimony. The Knight had already appareled the queen in his own house, after his Country manner, and had ordained two knights for to lead her to the Church, they believing that it had been his Paramour: and when they were in the face of the Church, the Priest said, who shall give this woman unto this knight, then the king said, I shall give her to mine own knight, and took her by the hand and said unto her, O good woman, you are much like unto my queen, and therefore I love you the better, and also for that you bee my knights Wife, and shall bee of my house, and so put the queens hand into the knights hand: and the Priest after the maner of the Church bound& wedded them together. And when all this was finished and done, the Knight said unto the King, Sir, my ship that I intend to go in towards my Country, is all ready to make sail, wherefore I humbly beseech your most noble Grace, that it will please you for to accompany my wife thereunto, and that ye will advertise and inform her to love me, and haue me in favor above all other creatures living,& the rather for your good exhortation& doctrine. Then the King with a great multitude of people went with them, and accompanied them unto the ship: of whose departing to the ship, many of them were sorrowful. The King began to say unto the queen, my most deere friend, harken now well unto my council and follow it, for it shall bee for your profit: my knight hath now here wedded and done to you all the worship that in him his, wherefore look that ye love and honour him above all earthly creatures, as God hath commanded, and that ye be to him true& obedient, and as this was said, he delivered her unto the Knight saying, My blessing go with you both, and our Lord keep and conduct you in safety to your Country. Then the Knight and the queen bowed and inclined down their heads to the King, and thanked him of all things, and they committed him to God, and entred into the Ship, and the Mariners hoisted up their sails, and sailed forth afore the wind, so that within a short time the King had lost the sight of the Ship, and from thence he went hastily to the Castle, and missed the queen, and when he found her not, he was moved in all the parts of his body, and sought all about the tower and preached till at the last he found the hole of the secret way that the knight had made, and as he saw that he weeping bitterly cried out& said, Alas, alas, this Knight in whom I had so great confidence and trust, hath taken away my Wife, was I not a fool, that I gave more faith unto his words, than I did to mine own eyes. Then said the Empresse My Lord, haue ye understood what I haue said, the Emperor said, well, in the best wise. Then said the Empresse, remember how that he trusted the Knight, and yet he deceived him: In the same maner wise ye haue confidence in the seven wise Masters& they labour for to destroy me that am your Wife, and ye give more faith unto their words, than you do unto your own eyes, for you haue well seen how your son rent and scratched me, wherefore yet I bear and haue the tokens and marks as ye may see, and also know well how that your accursed son hath shamed me, and ye mark not how they defend him in this folly& falsehood, therefore it is to be dread, that it shall happen to you as it did to a king of whom to you I haue spoken. The Emperor said, I beleeue mine eye better than their words, and therefore I say to you, that to morrow I shall do iustice on him: the next day the Emperour commanded that his Son should be hanged. Then began again a great noise and bewailing amongst the common people for the death of the Emperours onely Son. At last when the master heard and perceived that, he ran to the Officers which lead him to the gallows, and said unto them, my deere friends. I pray you make not over great hast, for I think this day with the grace of God to save and deliver him from peril: and from thence the master hasted him towards the Emrerours palace, and reverenced him according to his duty: but the Emperour with great malice and indignation answered to him. nevermore haue ye ioy nor health, for that ye haue sent my son home untaught and dumb, whom I delivered unto you well speaking, therefore shall you all be hanged with him: the master answered, Sir, the time is not long betwixt this and to morrow noon, then by the grace of God, you shall hear him well and wisely speaking, and unto you the troth saying, and that I promise you vpon pain of my life( if you will spare him so long) if you find it not so. Then said the Emperor, if I might hear my son speak, it shall suffice me, I would desire not longer to live. Then the master said, ye shall see and hear al this, if ye will abide this little time, and then shall the dissension be openly known and the strife that hath been betwixt us and the Empresse, and then it shall be ended. And if that ye do not call again your son, but put him to death for your wives words, it shall happen to you worse than it did to a Knight that died for a little blood that he saw his Wife bleed, to whom after she was most unnatural. Then said the Emperor, that example would I fain hear. Then said the Master, let your Son bee called again, and I shall tell you so notable an example, that during your life, ye may beware of the untruth and vnstedfastnesse of women. Then the Emperor said, I shall go call my son again vpon condition that to morrow I shall hear my son speak, as you haue promised me: the master said, do that my Lord, for it shall so be, and began to tell as followeth.   

The Example of the seventh master.  
THere was a Knight that had a faire young Wife, whom he loved entirely, insomuch that he could not be out of her sight. It happened on a time that they played together at chess, and the Knight by chance held a knife in his hand, and shee playing, fortuned to smite her hand on the knife, that a little blood began to appear. When the Knight saw that his Wife bled, he sorrowed much,& was sore afraid of his Wife, that he fel to the ground in aswound, his wife cast could water upon his visage, that he came a little again to himself and said lightly, call the Curate with holy sacrament, for I must die: for the blood that I haue seen come out of your finger, hath smitten death to my heart, the Priest came and comforted him. And anon after he dyed without any tarrying, for whose Death, there was made great sorrow and bewaylings, and specially of his Wife, and after that the Obsequies were finished and do accordingly, shee went and lay upon the grave, and there made the greatest sorrow in the world, and said she should never depart from thence, but as a Turtle done she would for the love of her husband there abide, and die: then went her Friends unto her and said, what availeth this for his soul, to live and die hear, it is better that you go to your house and give alms for the love of God, and that shall more avail your soul, than in this place to abide. To whom she answered be still, ye are evil Councellors, consider ye not how I am from him separated and departed by death for a little blood that he saw come out of my hand or finger? and therefore I shall never from hence depart. Her Friends hearing that, made a little house or lodging nigh unto the grave, and put therein all things that to her was necessary, and went their ways, thinking that within a while she should be weary to bee alone, and so desolate from all company, that thereby shee should desire again the company of people. In the city was there a Law, that if a trespasser, or an offender against the Law were hanged, the sheriff all the night should watch and keep the body armed: and if it happened that the body of him hanged were stolled away, the sheriff should lose his Land, and his life at the kings pleasure. It happened soon after that the Knight was dead, a man should be hanged for trespass that he had done, so that the sheriff after the Law of the land, al the night watched by the gallows, that was not far from the city, and the Churchyard was not far from the same: then began the sheriff to bee so could, that he wist not but to die for could, except that he might speedily warm him, it was so fervent could, and so strong a frost: and by chance he beholding from thence about him and spying a fire in the Churchyard, hasted him and came thereto,& when he was come, he called and knocked at the little house: the woman spake and said, who is that, that at this time knocketh at the house of this sorrowful woman, I am the sheriff that so much suffereth, that without anon ye let me in, I shall frieze to death, shee said, I fear that if I let you in, ye should show me such words that should cause me to be more heavier, and he said, I promise unto you that I shall say no words to your displeasure, then shee let him in, and when he a while had satin by the fire, and was well warmed, he said to her, O faire woman, with your licence would I fain speak but one word unto you. Shee answered to him, Sir, say what it pleaseth you: he said, O lady, you be a faire Gentlewoman, rich, and young, were it not better and more convenient for you to dwell at home in your house and to give alms, that to wast and consume your life here with weeping and crying? she said, Sir knight, had I known this before, you had not come herein, for I say to you, as I haue said to other oftentimes, you know well, that my Husband loved me so well, that for a little blood that he saw me bleed on one of my fingers he is dead, wherefore I shall here die for the love of him: as the Knight heard this, he took leave and went to the gallows,& when he was there come, he saw that the thief that he left there hanging was stolen& carried away& began therefore to wax heavy& fell for sorrow& said, woe is me what shall I do, for I haue lost my life and all my goods? and he going thus full of sorrow and heaviness, wist not which way to turn him, or to go, at the last he bethought him to go to that devout& desolate lady,& show unto her the heaviness of his hear, to wit, if she could give him any good counsel, And when he was thither come, he called, and she asked the cause of his knocking: then said he, madam, I am the sheriff that was right now with you,& I would fain show you the secrets of my heart, therefore I pray you for the love of God open the door:& he went in the said to her, O most virtuous lady, I am come to haue your counsel and aduise, for you know well the laws of the Land are, that whensoever any man is hanged& stolen from off the gallows, then the Sheriffes life and goods be in the kings hands. Now it happened in the time that I was here with you and warmed me, the thief is stolen from the Gallows, therefore I pray you for the love of God, give me your aduise what is best to do: she answered I haue compassion vpon you, for by the Law ye haue lost your life and goods to the King. do now after my council,& ye shal neither lose life nor goods: he answered, therefore I am to you greatly bound, hoping to haue good comfort: she said, will you then promise to take me to your Wife? the knight answered, would God that ye were indeed so minded, but I fear least ye would disdain so much to humble you unto me that am so poor a knight, she said I give you my will thereto,& he gave her again his will, and consented to be her Knight during his life. Then said shee, you know well that such a day my Lord was butted, which for the love of me dyed: take him out of his Sepulchre, and do hang him up in stead of the thief. The Knight answered, lady your counsel is good. Then went they together and opened the grave and drew him out. The Knight said, how shall we now do, because ere the thief was taken, two of his vpper Teeth were smitten out, and I fear me, if that were perceived, I should die the death. She said to him, Take a ston and strike out two of his teeth, the knight answered, madam, that may I not do, for while he lived, he was my well-beloved fellow, and it should be to me a great rebuk, if I should coment to do so disloyal a dead unto his body being dead: shee answered, for your love shall I do it,& took a ston and smote out ii. of his teeth, and said to the sheriff, take him& hang him vpon the gallows like to the thief. The Knight said, I fear me to do it for the thief in taking of him, was wounded vpon his head, and lacked both his ears. And therefore if it were preached and found otherwise, it should be to my utter undoing.  
Then said she, take out your sword and make him a great wound upon his head, and cut off his ears. O Madam, God forbid that I do so to the dead body that I loved so well in his life. Then said shee, give me your sword, and I shall for the love of you do it,& took the sword,& smote a manly stroke vpon the dead mans forehead, and cut off both his ears: and when he had thus done, she said, Now take and hang him, without company, and then the Knight answered yet I fear to hang him, for the thief wanted both his Stones, and if that he were preached& found without, all our labour were in vain: then said she, I saw never so fearful a man seeing the matter so clear and sure, take a knife& cut off his stones, and he answered, that I may not do in any wise, and therefore I pray you spare me, for you know well what a man is without his Stones. She said for the love of you I shall do it, and took the knife in her hand and cut out her husbands stones, and said to him: Now take the churl, thus disfigured,& hang him up without dread: and they went both together and hung the body vpon the gallows, and so was the sheriff delivered of the kings danger. Then said the lady, now ye be quiter of all your dangers, and delivered from all sorrows by my counsel, and therfore I will that ye wed me in the face of the Church: the Knight said, I haue made a vow that I shall never wed other so long as ye live, which I shall hold: but afterward he said, O thou most shameful and worst woman of all women, who would take thee to his Wife? An honourable and a loving Knight was thy Husband, who for a little blood that he saw of thy finger shed, died. Now hast thou smitten out 2. of his Teeth, thou hast cut off his ears and his stones,& thou hast made him a great wound in his head, what divell would wed thee? and therefore thou shalt never shane good man more, I shall rid thee, and drew his sword, and with one stroke he smote off her head. The master said, my Lord, haue ye understood what I haue said: the Emperour said, right well. Amongst all women this was the worst, and the Knight rewarded her accordingly, so that she should no more men shane:& the Emperor said moreover, O my good Master might I once hear my son speak, I should haue no care of my life, Then said the master, to morrow you shall hear him speak afore you, and he shall show the troth of all the variance betwixt us and the Empres as I hope,& took his leave of the Emperour and departed.   

How that Dioclesian the Emperors son complained on the Empresse: and how he excused himself of her Complaint.  
AND after that, all the Masters assembled together,& took their counsel how and in what manner they should bring the Child out of Prison,& led him to the palace,& so they went to the Child there as he lay in Prison, before the mid-day, his Will and counsel for to hear. unto whom the Child said what ye will that shal please me, but in no wise busy yourselves how I shall answer, or what I shall say, for with ioy I shall answer all things that shall be demanded of me. When the seven Masters heard that, they were right glad, and clothed him in Purple, and in cloth of Gold, and two Maisters went before him, and one on his right hand, another on his left hand, and the other three followed after him,& before them all went 12. men with Instruments of music and brought him with great melody and honour to the palace, and when the Emperour heard all this melody, he demanded what is it? then it was told him by the standards by, saying: Sir Emperor, it is your son which cometh before you,& before all your Lords to speak and excuse himself of all things that are laid to his charge. The Emperor said, that is good tidings if I might hear my son speak. And when the Child was come unto the palace, he road to his Father,& said unto him, hail my deere& most royal Father. And when the Emperor heard the voice of his Son, he was so glad, that for ioy he fell down to the earth, but the Child took him up again, and when he was come to himself, thē began the son for to show his matter, and there came so great a multitude of people, and the ioy& noise of them was so great that the Child could not be heard. The Emperour considering that, let money to bee cast upon the Streets, that the people therwith should be occupied, and avoyded out of the palace, that they might the better hear the Child speak, but the folk took no regard at al after the money. The Emperour perceiving that, made to bee commanded silence upon pain of their lives, and when they were all still, the Child began to say, O most dere Father, before that I any thing say, I beseech and pray you, that the Empresse with all her Chambermaydens may come and be present,& the Emperor commanded the Empres with all her Chambermaides to come without stay: she being in great fear came with all her maides,& the Child commanded them to stand before all the people in a row, that he might see them: then said the Child sir, lift up your eyes, and behold the Chambermaid that there standeth in green clothing, whom ye know the Empresse loveth best above all other, whom command ye to be vncloathed unto her naked body afore us al, to see what she is: the Emperour said my deere Son in should shane us all a woman to stand naked before us: he said, if it be a woman it is my shane, and if not, let the shane abide in her. When she was vncloathed, they said all it was a man, and so it appeared in the nether parts, whereat greatly they woondred.   

The Declaration of the complaint of the Emperors son on the Empresse.  
THen said the son unto the Father: Behold this ribald hath many a night lain with your Wife in your Chamber in adultery, and hath defiled your bed, and therefore the Empresse loved him so well, the which you knew not.  
When the Emperour saw that, he was impatient and wrath, so that he commanded that she with the ribald should be burnt: the Son said, Lord father make no hast of the iudgement before I haue reproved her of that crime she laid upon me falsely, and that I haue declared how shee untruly& falsely hath complained& lied vpon me: then said the Father, my deere son I commit all the iudgement into your hands. The son answered, if she be found false& a liar the law shall judge her: but my deere Father, when ye sent after me at the instance of her, then I with my Masters beholded the stars in the firmament and there wee saw, that if I should speak any words within seven daies, I should haue died a shameful death, and therefore that was the cause I spake not. And where the Empresse said, and put unto me that I should haue oppressed and ravished her, shee lieth falsely, but shee did her best for to haue caused me to do it. And when shee in no wise could bring me thereto, she took me paper, pen, and ink, and bad me writ the cause that I refused her, and when that I had written that I would not do or commit such great and abominable sin, and would not my Fathers Orchard defile, then began shee to tear her clothes and scratch her visage, that it ran with blood,& cried with a loud voice, and laid unto me the crime, and blame. When the Emperor hard this, he beholded her with a fell countenance,& said to her in this manner, O thou wretched woman, was it not sufficient to fulfil thy foul and lecherous appetite, thou and thy ribald, but wouldest also haue had my son? Then fel the Empres to the emperours feet, and she cried him mercy: the Emperour said, O thou cursed& most unhappy woman, thou askest forgiveness,& thou hast deserved to die in three manner of ways. The first is, that thou hast done adultery: the second is, that thou hast provoked and stirred my son to sin, and hast to him imputed and laid the crime falsely and vntruely: and the third, that thou hast every day enticed and provoked me with thy false tales to put him to death, and therefore the Law shall haue his course on thee, and judge thee unto death. Thē said the Son, Father ye know well that for the leasing that she laid vpon me, I was daily lead unto hanging, but my Maisters with the help of God hath delivered me. O my most honourable Father, it was said unto you by the Empresse that I would also by the help of my Maisters depose you out of your Empire, and that I laboured to destroy you, and to set myself in your place, should not ye then haue sorrowed? You haue the Empire to govern, and wherefore should I not help you my most deere Father? for from you I haue my living, and I shall hold and repute you for my sovereign Lord and Father during the term of my life, and I will not in any manner deprive you of your honour, but I shall labour and busy myself about the governance of the same, and all your commandments I shall fulfil in every thing: but it is in like wise as the Father that cast his Son into the sea for to drown him because he said that he in time coming should be his Lord, and yet the Son by the help of God was saved and was made a greater Lord than he was, and yet was no hindrance to the Father, but profit, also ye should see& remember that my life& governance shall never hinder you, but it shall bee to your great solace and ioy. Then said the Emperour, blessed be almighty God, and the hour that I ever begot you, and deserved to haue such a Son that I find so wise and good in all things: tell me now an example, by the which I may perfectly understand thy wisdom, and that mine heart may the better ioy in thee. Then said the Son, first command silence to your people, that I bee not letted in my words till that I haue done: and when that is ended, give Sentence with righteousness of the law vpon me, and vpon the Empres. Then commanded the Emperor silence, and the child began to tell in manner as hereafter followeth.   

The Example of Dioclesian the Emperours son.  
THere was a Knight which had but one Son that he loved right dearly in the beginning, as ye now all onely haue loved me, whom he delivered to a master of far countries, to nourish and to learn: the child waxed wise, and profited much, and grew as well in learning as in body,& when he had dwelled with his master vii. yeres, his father desired to see him, and sent Letters to him that he should come again into his Country and visit his friends, in like wise as ye haue sand for me. The Child was obedient to his Father,& came at his commaundenent, at whose coming he joyed much, for that he was as well grown in his members, as in Doctrine, to every man he appeared pleasant and gentle. It happened vpon a day, that the Father and the Mother sitting at the table, and the child serving them, a Nightingale came flying afore the window whereas they sate,& began to sing so sweetly that they marveled,& the Knight said, O how sweetly this bide singeth, well were him that could understand his song,& could show the interpretation thereof: then the Son said, My worshipful Father, the song of the Nightingale I could well declare but I fear your displeasure. The Father said, say boldly my son the interpretatation of the bide,& thē ye shall prove whether I shall be angry or not, but I shall mark well the reason of mine anger: and when the son heard that, he said, the Nightingale had said in his song, that I shall become a great Lord that shallbe honoured and worshipped of all men,& namely of my Father, the which shall bring water for to wash my hands, and my mother shall hold the towel. The Father said, thou shalt never see the day such service of us to haue, nor none such dignity shall follow thee, and in great malice and woodness, he took his son vpon his shoulder, and ran to the Sea, and cast him in and said, lie there the interpreter of the birds song. The Child could swim, and swimmed to a Land where he was four dayes without meate or drink: the fift day there came a ship sailing, and as the Child saw that, he called unto the shipmen and said, for the love of God deliver me from the peril of Death, the shipmen saw that it was a faire young man, they had compassion on him,& went with their boat and fet him aboard,& into far Countreys with them they lead him,& sold him there to a Duke. The Child grew goodly and sayre, and the Duke loved him much, and had him greatly in his favour. Vpon a time the king of that Realm let call an assembly of all the great Lords& Noble men of his Land to a general council. This Duke prepared and ordained him to go to the counsel,& marked the wit and wisdom of the Child, and took the Child with him. And when they were all gathered& assembled before the king in his counsel, My well-beloved Lords& friends said the king, will ye wit the cause wherefore that I haue called you to this counsel? then said they all, we be all( sovereign Lord) at your commandment. Then the King said, it is a secret matter that I shall show you, if that any man can open it, and declare what it signifieth, I swear& promise unto him by my crown, that I will give to him mine only daughter in marriage, and he shall be my fellow in my realm during my life, and after my death he shall haue and possess all my whole kingdom: and the mystery of the counsel is this: three ravens still follow me wheresoever that I go, they leave me not, but cry with such horrible voices that it is great pain for me to hear them, and to behold their looks, therefore if there bee any man which knoweth the cause of their following, and can show what they mean by their crying, and void them away from me, without doubt I shall fulfil this promise that I haue made. And as the King had thus said, there was none found in all the counsel that understood the cause, or could move or put away the ravens. Then said the Child unto the Duke, My Lord think you that the King will hold his promise, if I accomplish his will and desire. Then the Duke said, I think he will perform what he hath promised, but will ye that I give the King knowledge of you what ye can do? Then the Child said, I will my life set in pledge, and I shall perform and make it good what I haue said. When the Duke heard that, he went to the King and said. My Lord the King, here is a young man that is right cunning and wise, the which promiseth for to satisfy and fulfil in all things your desire as touching the ravens, if you will fulfil that which you haue promised: the King swore by the crown of his kingdom, that which I haue promised in all things shall be fulfilled. Then brought he the child before the king, and when the king saw him, he spake unto him, O faire Child, can ye give answer to my Question? the Child said, yea my Lord in the best wise. Your question, wherefore that the ravens follow you, and horribly call vpon you, I answer thereto: upon a time it happened two ravens a Male& a Female, had brought forth between them the third raven, and in that place was so great Famine, and scarcity of all manner of things, that men, beasts and fowles died, and perished for default. The third raven that time being young in the nest, the Mother left it, seeking where she might best get her living, and came no more to the neast: the male raven seeing that, with great penury and labour fed the young raven till he was able to fly, and when the deere time was past and gone, then the Female raven cam again to the young raven, and would hold fellowship and company with him: and as the male raven saw that, he would haue driven her away, saying thus, that shee in his great misery and necessity left him and his company, and therefore now shee should want his company and fellowship. She alleged and said, that shee had in his birth great labour and sorrow, and suffered penury, and therefore of his comapnie she should rather ioy than the Father. For this my sovereign Lord they follow you, asking right Iudgement which of them both shall haue the young raven in their company, and this is the cause of their horrible clamour and noise that they make daily upon you. But my Lord had you hereupon a right wise sentence given, you should never more see them or be troubled with their crying. Then said the king, because that the Mother hath left and forsaken the young raven in his most necessity, it standeth with reason and Iustice, that she shall want& be without his fellowship: and where she saith, that in the bearing and birth of him, shee had great pain& travell, that helpeth her not, for the pain was turned into ioy as soon as she saw the young raven in the world. But for that the Male is the cause of production and generation in every beast,& also because the young raven in his necessity was sustained& fed into the recovering& norishing of his body, by the male, therfore I give for a Iudgement and a sentence diffinitiue, that the young raven shal abide& hold company with the Father, nad not with the Mother. And when the ravens heard this sentence, with great noise& cry they flew up into the air, and were no more seen or found in all that region. When this was done the King demanded of the young man what his name was? he answered, I am called Alexander, then said the King I will haue one thing of you, that ye from henceforth shall name and take me, and none other for your Father, for you shall marry my Daughter,& ye shall be possessor of all my Relame. The young Alexander abode& dwelled still there with the king, and every man had to him favour and love, for he began to haunt& exercise himself in entrusts and Turneys, wherein at all time he had the prise above all other that were in Egypt, so that his peer or like was not found,& there was not so hard nor so obscure a question put vnot him, but that he could assoil it. At that time there was an Emperour name titus, that excelled in gentleness, courtesy, and cruiositie of all other Emperors, Kings,& Princes in the world, insomuch that such famed and noise flew and ran over the world of it, that whatsoever he was that would profit in cunning, manners, or behaviour, that he should go to the Emperors court. And when Alexander heard that, he said to the king, my most honourable Father& Lord, ye wote well the world is full of famed of the Emperor, that it is delectable to abide& dwell in his court, wherefore if it please you my lord and Father, I would gladly go to his court, that I might be wiser& prompter in manners and behaviour than I am. Whereupon answered the King, it pleaseth me right well, but I would that ye take with you plenty of Gold and silver and other necessaries so much that ye mine honour there may save, and that ye may haue also that is to you requisite and necessary. And also me seemeth it were expedient that before your departing you should mary my Daughter.  
Then answered Alexander, will it please you my Lord to spare me at this time, and at my coming home again, I shall wed her with all honour as unto her appertained. The King answered, sithence it is your will to go unto the Emperors Court, I licence you, and thereto I consent. Alexander took leave of the King, and took with him of Treasure abundance, and then he went to the Emperours Court,& when he was come with a faire company, he went afore the Emperor,& fell vpon his knees,& saluted him, and did him reverence. The Emperor rose up from his seat imperial and kissed him, and asked him of whence, and what he was, and wherefore he was come? he answered& said, I am Son& heir to the King of egypt, and am come to do service to your most high majesty, if it please you to accept of me. The Emperour said that he was right welcome, and committed him to his Steward, and made him his carver. The Steward ordained him a faire Chamber,& provided him all things that were necessary to the same, and Alexander behaved himself so well, that in short time he was beloved of all people.  
Not long after that, came the kings son of France to do service to the Emperor,& to learn nurture, him the Emperour received honourably, and demanded his name, and of what kindred he was come? he answered I am son to the King of France, I haue to name lodowick your seruant. Then said the emperor, I haue made Alexander my carver,& ye shall be my Cupbearer that alway ye shall do service afore me at my Table: and commanded his Steward to assign him a lodging, whom he placed with Alexander in his Chamber: these were so like in stature, in visage,& in condition, that vnneth the one might be● discerned from the other, but that Alexander was more cunninger in all his deeds, than was lodowick for he was a Feminine man& shamefast, and these two young men loved well together.  
The Emperour had one onely Daughter name valentine, she was right faire and gracious and should be his heir, whom he loved entirely, shee had a Court by herself and Seruants to her assigned; to her the Emperour every day was accustomend to sand from his Table of his dainties in token of love, by Alexander: insomuch that the Daughter began to haue him marvelously in her favour, because of his wisdom& gracious behaviour. It happened upon a day Alexander at meate time had such business, that he served not at the Table, nor none other gave attendance for him in his room: lodowick perceiving that, served in his room,& as he had served the emperour in his last service on his knee, the Emperor commanded him to bear a dish to his daughter as he was wont to do, thinking him to bee Alexander: then took lodowick the dish& went to the palace of the Emperors daughter, and saluted her with great reverence and set the meat before her, but till that time he had not seen her: she perceived anon that he was not Alexander, and said to him on this manner, what is your name,& whose son are ye? he answered to her and said, madam, I am the kings son of france,& my name is lodowick shee said, I thank you of your labour.& he took his leave& departed: in the mean time came Alexander to the table,& they fulfilled their service. The Dinner done, anon lodowick went to his bed sore sick, and Alexander perceiving that, went to his Chamber, and said to him. O my best beloved friend and fellow lodowick, howe is it with you, and what is the Cause of your infirmity? he answered him and said, the cause I know not, but I feel me so sick that I fear me I cannot escape the death: Alexander said, the cause of your infirmity& disease I know well, for to day as ye did bear the meat to the Emperors Daughter, ye beeheld her visage& beauty so fervently, that your heart is taken and ravished with her love. Whereupon he answered, O Alexander, all the physicians in the world could not more truly judge my sickness, but I fear it will be my death. Then said Alexander, be of good comfort, and I shall help you unto my power, and went unto the Market,& bought with his own money a faire Cloth set with precious Stones, unknowing to lodowick, and presented it in his behalf unto the maiden. As she saw that, she asked him where he had that costly and precious cloth? and he said, madam, of the son of the most Christian King, who sendeth it unto you, for your love, for he, but for one sight that he hath had of you, is so sick that he lieth upon his bed unto the death, and therefore if ye suffer him to perish, ye shall never recover again your honour.  
Then said she, O good Alexander, would you thus counsel me that I should so loose my virginity? god defend that, and bee ye sure Alexander that of such messages ye shall never more win thankes of me, therefore go ye out of my sight, and speak no more thereof to me.: when Alexander heard that, he did obeisance, and departed. The next day Alexander went again to the city, and bought a Chaplet that was two times more in value than the Cloth,& therewith he went to the maidens chamber and gave it to her on the behalf of lodowick. And when shee saw that costly gift, she said unto him in this manner: I marvel of you, that so oftentimes as you haue seen and spoken with me, that you haue not done your own errand in speaking for yourself, but for another. Then answered he, O madam, I haue not been so disposed because my birth is not to be compared with yours, and also it happened me never such a case, that my heart was so wounded, and he that hath a good fellow, is bound for to do him good and true fellowship, and therefore most excellent princess, of your most abundant pity haue compassion on him, and make him whole that you haue so sore wounded to the death, that it be not for ever laid unto your cruelty and hardness of heart. She answered him, go your way for at this time I will give you none answer thereof, and as he heard that, he took his leave and departed. And the third day he went to the Market and bought a girdle, that was more in value and costlier than the Chaplet was, and presented it to her on the behalf of lodowick, and when she saw and beholded that so precious, she said unto Alexander, say to lodowick that he come to my Chamber about the third hour in the night and he shall find the door open: and Alexander hearing that was glad,& went to his fellow and said, my best beloved fellow bee of good comfort, for I haue conquered the maiden to you, and this night I shall bring you unto her Chamber:& when that was said, he started up as though he was wakened out of his sleep,& was well revived, and for great ioy he was made whole: the next night following Alexander took lodowick,& brought him unto the Chamber of the lady, with whom he was in solace& ioy all the night, and from that time forth all her heart was vpon him, so that there was but one love betwixt them both. And after that, lodowick used oftentimes to visit her, so that it came by process of time to the ears of the Knights of the Court, how that the Emperours Daughter was known by lodowick, and conspired amongst themselves how that they might therewith find him, and so to take him and slay him. As Alexander had knowledge thereof, he armed him to withstand them: and when the knights understood that, they fearing Alexander, suffered his fellow for to go in peace. Alexander many times put himself in jeopardy for him, he not knowing thereof, but the maid knew it well. In short time after that, there came letters to Alexander, of the death of the King of egypt, that he should hastily come and receive his kingdom with honour and ioy, and that shewed he anon to the maiden and to lodowick,& also of his departing, whereof they were sorrowful& heavy: he said also unto the Emperor, my most honourable Lord, pleaseth it you for to understand that I haue received Letters of the death of my Father, wherefore it behoveth me to go and receive the kingdom,& that ye will licence me to depart, and for all benefits to me done, I offer myself and all my goods, and rather then I should by my going, any way offend or displease you my Lord, I shall forsake all my realm& al that I haue in the world,& abide with you still. Then said the Emperor, know ye for certain, that of your departing I am right heavy, for ye were the best Seruant that was in al my house, but it becometh not the Emperor to let his Seruants from their promotions or advancements, but sooner to promote them to higher& greater honour. Therfore go you unto our treasurer, and he shall deliver you as much gold as ye will haue, and in the name of God and with my blessing go into your country. And thus Alexander had leave of the Emperour, and bad him farewell, and many of the Court were sorrowful for his departing, for of all he wa beloved. lodowick with the Maiden brought him on his way well vii. miles: after that, Alexander would not suffer them to go further, then fell they both to the ground with great sorrow, and Alexander took and lift them both up again from the earth,& comforted them with faire& sweet words& said: O lodowick my most best beloved fellow, I warn you that the secrets being betwixt you and my lady, ye hid and keep them as privily as ye may, and take good heed to all things, for I wote another shall come and be in my stead that shall envy you of the favour and grace that ye stand in with the emperour,& day and night shall lye in wait to take you with a fault, and to put you to a rebuk: then answered Lodowicke and said, O Alexander I shal beware as much as to me is possible, but how shall I now do, when I want your company? therefore one thing I shall desire of you, that ye take this Ring of me for a remembrance. Then said he, I shall for the love of you gladly receive the Ring,& yet should I never without the Ring forget you,& so committed them to God. Then they embraced each other about the neck and kissed, and so departed from other. Not long after the kings son of spain name Guydo, was received of the Emperor in the room and place of Alexander, to whom the Steward assigned Alexanders place and Chamber, the which was very sore against the will of lodowick, but he could not amend it. Guido, seeing that lodowick against his will had him in his fellowship, anon he had envy against him, so lodowick of a long time for fear of the said Guydo, kept him out of the company of the Maid. nevertheless afterward overcome with the love of the maiden, sometime haunted& went again to her as he before time had done: Guydo shortly perceiving the same, waited so long thereon, that he knew the troth,& was therefore in surety, that the maiden was by lodowick known,& had accompanied with her. Vpon a time it happened that the Emperour stood in his Hall,& praised Alexander of his gentleness and wisdom. Guydo hearing that, said, My Lord he is not so much worthy to bee commended as you ween, for he hath been a long while a traitor in your house. Then the Emperour said, tell me how? Guydo said, ye haue but one daughter onely, the which shall be your heir, and her lodowick hath defiled, and lain by, through the help of Alexander, and he goeth to her every night as it pleaseth him. And so soon as the Emperour heard that, he was sore moved,& began to be angry;& it happened lodowick upon the same time to come through the hall, and as the Emperor saw him he said, what here I of thee thou evil& untrue body? if it be found and proved true, thou shalt die the most shameful death that can be devised. lodowick said, my Lord the Emperor, what is the cause? Guido answered, I say and depose here before my lord against thee, that thou hast defiled his onely Daughter, and every night thou goest to her, and dost Fornication with her, and that in battle I shall prove and make it good upon thy body with my body. Then said lodowick, I am innocent and not infected with the crime, and falsely thou liest vpon me, and thereupon I hold thee battle, and I trust to God thy falsehood shall come upon thine own head. Then the Emperour assigned them the day of Combat. That done lodowick went unto the maiden, and shewed to her the cause,& the day of battle by the Emperour assigned, and in what maner Guydo had him accused, and said to her: Now it behoveth me to haue your counsel, or else I must die, for as you know, it had not availed me to haue gaine-sayd the battle, without I should haue yielded myself guilty: Guydo is strong and hardy, that his like is none but Alexander, and I am feeble, and therefore it I hold the battle against him, I am but a dead man,& so ye shall abide shane& rebuk. Then said she, follow my counsel in that ye mistrust yourself, go hastily unto my Father and say to him, that ye haue received Letters, whereby that ye are assured that the Lord your Father is sore sick,& lieth vpon his death-bed, and desireth to see you& speak with your person, and to dispose his kingdom and his goods before he depart out of this life: and so desire his licence for the love of your Father, that you might go visit him, and that he will prolong and lengthen the day of battle, that in the mean season you may go and come:& when ye haue obtained his licence, as hastily as you may, secretly go to King Alexander, and when ye are come to him, take him apart and show him the cause of your coming, and require him in this your utter extremity that he will help and save vs. And when lodowick had heard her counsel, it pleased him well, and he did thereafter: his leave gotten,& long day and respite of the battle prefixed and assigned, he departed& took his journey towards the realm of Egypt, and never stayed day nor night, till he came unto King Alexanders Castle. And when that King Alexander had understanding of his coming, he was very glad and went to ●eet him, and received him honourably, and had wonder of his coming. Then said lodowick, O my deere Lord and my best beloved friend, my life and my death is in your hands, or as ye said to me before, that I should haue another fellow, that which should lie in wait to espy me, and to destroy me, without I looked the wiselier to myself: so, as long as I night, I abstained me, till I could no longer: but afterwards the Kings son of spain made watch so long over me, until he perceived the truth. In the end he accused me unto the Emperour, so that on the Eight day hereafter from this day, I must be ready& prepare me to fight with him body against body: and as ye know well, he is a very strong and a hardy man, and I am weak and feeble, and therefore hath valentine counseled me that I should not hid this matter from you, for she knoweth you for a faithful Friend, and that ye would not leave us in this necessity. Then said Alexander, is there any body that knoweth of your coming unto me for this matter, more then valentine? he answered him and said no creature living, for I took leave o● the Emperour to go visit my father lying grievously sick. Then asked Alexander him, what counsel hat● valentine given you, how& in wha● wise I might help you? He said, O most constant and faithful friend In this wise she hath counseled me, considering that we be like, that you should come and do the battle with him, and no man shall know you bu● shee, and the battle done, I shal● come again to the Court, and ye t● your Country. Then he asked whe● the day should be of the battle, an● he said, Eight days hence. Then sai● Alexander, if I should this day tarry ●hen I cannot come by the day prefixed. Wherefore see what I shall do, I haue bidded all my Subiects, that ●o Morrow they should come to my wedding, and if I should go? then is ●he day lost; if I go not and do the bat●ell, then valentine, and ye are both ●ndone, what think ye now best for ●o do? When lodowick heard that goody fell to the earth, and began to sigh ●nd sorrow out of measure, saying: ●orrow and heaviness come to me on ●ll sides. Then said Alexander unto ●im, be of good comfort, for I shal not ●orsake you after such a sort, though I should loose my life and kingdom, ●ut hearken what I haue thought: insomuch that we are both like, so that e of us cannot be known from the ●ther and we both together alike,& I ●m not yet greatly known here, but ●y barons& other folk shall take you ●r me, therefore here shall ye abide& tarry and mary my wife in my stea● and hold the feast and bridal, and d● in all things even as though I were there myself present, Except when as ye come to bed with my wife, look that ye be there true and faithful, and I shall without tarrying go● and take my horse and ride thithe● whereas the battle shall be,& if god give me the victory that I may over come& vanquish your enemy, I shal● come again secretly, and ye shall go● again to your best beloved. This done, Alexander bad lodowick fare well, and took his journey towards the Emperors Court for to fight an● do the battle with Guydo, and lodowick tarried in Egypt in the stea● of King Alexander. And upon th● next morning early came Lodowik● as though it had been king Alexande, and there solemnly in the face of th● Church he espoused Alexanders wife and solemnized the marriage Fea● with great royalty of delicates and ●aintie meats, plenty of all man●er of wines, and diuers melodies of Instruments of music, and made great ioy and cheer for the noble men and all other people that were there assembled. And when the night was ●ome he went to bed with the queen ●nd laid between him and her a na●en Sword, whereof shee had great wonder but nothing shee said, and ●o he lay with her every night, as ●onge as Alexander was out. Then king Alexander at the day that was prefixed and set, came unto the Emperour and said, O most sovereign Lord it is so, that I haue left my Father right sick, nevertheless I am come for to defend my Honour, and my promise to perform. The Emperor said, ye do right well,& according to a Noble man, and fortune ●hall favour you in your just and righteous quarrel. And when the Emperours Daughter understood that Alexander was come, anon shee sent for him,& when he was come to her, shee embraced him, and with ioy and gladness shee kist him, and blessed the time that shee might see him again,& demanded of him where he had left her friend and lover lodowick? then he declared unto her all the process, and how he had left him King in his realm: and so took his leave of her,& went to Lodowikes Chamber,& therewas no creature that thought otherwise but it was Lodowik, onely except valentine: the next day following before Alexander went unto the battle, he said unto the Emperor in presence of Guydo, My most redoubted sovereign Lord, this Guido hath falsely and vntruely accused me unto your Noble Grace, that I should bee of such acquaintance with your Daughter, that should bee unto the dishonour of your most Noble person and hers,& unto that I swear and affirm by the holy evangelists, that she was never in such manner of wise by me known, as he hath alleged& informed to you, and that this day with the aid and help of God, I shall prove and make good vpon his body. Then said Guydo, yet once I say again, and swear by the holy evangelists,& by all that God hath made, that thou hast had knowledge& hast defiled the Emperors daughter, and that I shall make good upon thy head. Whereupon they leaped vpon their Coursers, and fircely ran together with their spears, that they both broke and shivered in pieces, and then drew their swords and fought so long together, until at the last Alexander with great might and strength at one stroke smote off Guydoes head, and sent it unto the Emperours Daughter, wheeeof she was right glad, and bare it to her Father, and said, Father, behold the head of him that you and me hath so falsely defamed. When the Emperor perceived the victory, anon he sent for Alexander whom he thought to haue been lodowick and said: O lodowick this day your honour and my daughters ye haue saved, ye shall stand and be to morrow in my grace and favor. and whatsoever he bee that hereafter shall again defame you, he shall for ever stand in my indignation. Alexander said, God helpeth& saveth them that trust in him,& alway wreaketh the blood indefectiue or innocent: but now most undoubted Lord, of one thing I require you: at my departing from my father I left him sore sick, that it will like you for to licence me to go and see how it standeth with him, and if that he be any thing amended, I shall incontinent come again: then the Emperour said, that pleaseth me well, but ye may in no manner wise leave me, for from henceforth I cannot be without your presence. Alexander took leave of the Emperor, and bad him farewell, and road again to his realm, who when lodowick saw, he made great cheer and gladness, and friendly received him and said, O most true friends of all friends, tel me how you haue done and sped in your journey and business, and what end ye haue brought it to? then said he, go to the Emperor and serve as ye haue done before, for I haue gotten you more grace& favour of him, than ever ye had before time, and I haue also smit off the head of your greatest enemy& adversary. Then said lodowick ye haue not onely at this time saved my life, but many times heretofore, the which as yet I cannot discern, but God reward you, and so departed: and went again to the Emperour, and there was no man that knew of the absence of Alexander, save onely lodowick. And when the night was come, he went to bed to the queen. and anon he had with her sweet and friendly words and embraced and kissed her: then said shee, you haue made this time all too long, in that ye haue shewed nothing of friendship or love, how may this be? Then said he, wherefore say ye that, shee said every night as I was in my bed, you haue laid betwixt you& me a naked sword, and ye haue never tasted nor turned you towards me more than now. And when the King heard that, he thought on the truth of his fellow, and said unto her, O my most deere Lady and queen, it was not done for any evil will, but for a good probation, and for a perpetual love: but she thought in herself, that love shall you never more haue of me, but that despite she thought I shall reuenge vpon thee. Then there was a knight that she afore had a little love and favour unto, and shee began for to love him more and more, so long till at the last they thought and imagined how they might destroy and slay the King, and therefore they got poison& poisoned the King, so that if he had not been right strong of complexion, he had dyed thereof, but it wrought in him so sore, that it cause him to be a most fowle and horrible leper, as ever was seen upon the earth. The Lords the Noblemen of his realm, and the queen also seeing this, despised him, and said that it behoved not a leper to reign over us, for he should not procure nor engender any faire or clean heires, and so he was deposed of his dignity royal, and driven out of his realm. In the mean time died the Emperor of Rome, and lodowick married his Daughter, and after that, Lodowikes Father dyed, so that lodowick reigned both Emperor, and King of Fsaunce at once. When King Alexander heard that, he thought in himself, now my fellow reigneth together upon the Empire and realm of france, to whom may I go better than unto him, for whom many times I haue ventured my life? And upon a night he rose up and made him ready,& took with him his staff and clapper, and went toward the Emperors country, and when he was come nigh unto the gate, he sat him among other lazars, expecting the giuing of the alms, and on a sudden as the Emperor went out of his palace, all the poor lazars began to ring their clappers, and the good king Alexander did like to the other, but there was no alms given to them. He tarried so long unto the time that the Emperor was set, and served at the table. Then went King Alexander into the gate, and knocked thereat,& the Porter asked who was there? Alexander answered him, I am a poor despised man, but for the love of God I require you, that you turn not your sight from my Visage, and that you will for the reward of god do my message unto the Emperour he asked what is the matter? Alexander said, go& tell him here is a lazar that is right horrible to see, the which prayeth him for the love of god and King Alexander, that he will grant him, this day to eat his alms before him vpon the earth in his hall. The Porter said, I wonder that ye dare desire that of my Lord? for why, all the hall is full of Lords and Noble men, and if they behold you, they would all abhor and leave their meate: But for as much as you haue required me so lamentably, for the love of god I shall go and do your errand whatsoever happen thereof, and so he went forward and did his message unto the Emperour. When the Emperor hard the Portername Alexander the King of egypt, he said to his Porter, go bring him afore me, how horrible soever that his Visage bee, and ordain him a place before me that he may eat his meate and feed in my presence. The Porter brought him anon,& ordained him a place and set him to meate before the Emperour: and when he was well refreshed, he said unto one of the Emperours servants, My deere friend do me this errand unto the Emperour, say unto him that I pray him for the love of God& King Alexander, that he will sand me his Cup of wine. The seruant said, for the love of God I shall do it, but I beleeue it will not bee, for if ye once drink of my Lords cup, he will no more drink of the same, nevertheless he did the errand. Anon as the Emperour heard him name King Alexander, he commanded his Cup to bee filled of the best wine, and bare it to him, the which Wine when he had received, he put it into his bottle, and took his Ring that lodowick, had given unto him and put it into the Cup, and sent it again to the Emperor. And when the Emperour saw the Ring, anon he knew that it was the same that he had given to Alexander in friendship when he departed from him, and thought in his heart, that Alexander is dead, or else this man is marvelously come to the Ring, and commanded anon that the lazar should not depart till the time that he had spoken with him, for in no wise could he haue any knowledge of him, nor yet repute him for Alexander. After that the Dinner was done and ended, the Emperour took the sick man apart, and asked how he came by the Ring? Alexander demanded if ye knew well the Ring? The Emperour said, I know it right well. Alexander said, wote ye also unto whom you haue given it? The Emperor said, I wote right well: how is it then said Alexander that ye know not me, for I am Alexander, unto whom ye gave the same Ring? when the Emperor heard that he fell to the ground for sorrow,& tare his robes and clothes, and with many great sighings& be wailings said, O Alexander you are the one half of my soul, where is your goodly and delicate body, now so unclean and pitifully infected, that was so faire and pleasant to behold? he answered, this is happened unto me for the great fidelity that you haue done to me in my bed with my Wife, when you laid a naked sword betwixt you and her: wherefore she became wrath and hated me, that she and a Knight that afore time she ought love unto, haue poisoned me as you may see, and moreover they haue driven me out of my realm. And when the Emperor heard that, he for love took him about the neck and kissed him, and said, O my most and entirely beloved Brother, I sorrow to see you in this great sickness and misery, I would to god I might die for you, but my most dear friend suffer patiently a little time till that wee haue sent for all the Phisitians& wise Maisters in physic to haue their counsel and aduise, if there be any remedy or hope of recovering of your health: and if it be possible to help you, wee shall neither spare Empire, Lordship, nor other good temporal, to make you whole and sound. In the mean time he was brought into a faire chamber, richly hanged and appointed of all manner of things that were requisite and necessary for his ease and health, and in all hast he sent his messengers through all parts of the world, for the most expert Phisitians that might be found, Of whom within a month after were come and assembled before the Emperour thirty, which were right expert& skilful in that science, to whom the Emperour said. My well-beloved maisters I haue a friend that is very grievously infected with a foul leprosy, whom I would right fain were healed and made as sound as ever he was, sparing neither for gold ne silver, nor all other goods whatsoever that I haue in all this world, but I would gladly give it to recover his health again. Then answered the Maisters, all that ever is possible to be done by physic, you shall soon understand after that wee haue seen the person: and forthwith as they saw him and perceived the cause of his infirmity, they judged the disease incurable for all the Maisters living. And when the Emperor heard that, he was right sorry in his heart, and committed it unto the help of almithtie god, calling unto him religious men and poor people, and other devout persons, and desired them to pray to god, that he would vouchsafe to make whole his friend the sooner for their good deeds and prayers: and he himself with many other fasted& prayed humbly to almighty God for the health of his friend. Vpon a day as King Alelxander was in his prayers, there came unto him a voice saying, if the Emperour will with his own hands slay his two sons which his wife hath born him at one burden,& wash thy body with the blood of them, then thy flesh shalbe as faire and as clean as the bodies of the little chidrē. When king Alexander had heard this, he thought with himself, this vision is not to be shewed, for it is sore against nature that any man should slay his own son for recovering of the health of a strange man. The Emperor night and day lay in his prayers with great devotion, still ppaying to God for remedy for King Alexander. So that at the las● there came a voice unto him& sayd● how long will ye thus cry and ca● vpon me, when it was openly shewe● unto King Alexander how that he● should be made whole. The Empero● hearing that, went unto Alexande● and said, Of all friends the best an● most true, Blessed bee the most hig● God, the which never faileth them that call and trust on him: Of whom I haue knowledge, that it is shewed unto you, how and in what wise that ye may be made whole, wherefore I pray you that you will openly show unto me, that wee may joy together, and if ye need any thing thereto that I may do, I shall fulfil it unto my power, yea& for your health give all that I haue to. Alexander said, sir I dare not show it to you, how that I may be cured and healed of my malady, for it exceedeth, and it is a thing against nature for to be done, therefore I will not show it to you, how bee it I haue great trust& confidence in you. The emperor said, Alexander trust in me, for whatsoever is possible for to be done for the recovering of your health, I shall of it, and therefore hid nothing from me: then said Alexander, I haue of God knowledge, that if you will slay your 2. sons with your own hands, and wash me in their blood, It ●il be whole, and therefore I haue no●●hewed it unto you, for me think●●h it is against nature, that the Father should slay his own children for the health of a strange man: the Emperour said, say not that ye bee a strange man, for I love you as I love myself,& therfore if I had Ten children, I should not spare one alive to haue your health, After that the emperour watched and espied his time when the Empresse and the Ladies and Chamberers were out of the way, and when ti●e was, he entered