Chapter III: Part 3

Somtyme was in the cyte of rome seuen wyse maysters by whome all yᵉ empyre was gouerned [et] ruled. And themperour that than was dyde no thynge or attempte wᵗout the counseyll of them, as they vnderstode that themperour was to them soo inclyned, yᵗ without theym he sholde ordeyne or doo noo thynge. in yᵉ meane tyme they made by theyr arte and connȳg yᵗ themperour sholde clerely se as longe as he was in his palays but anone as he was out of his palays, he was made blynde / [et] that dyde they to the ente_n_t yᵗ they myght the more frely intromytte themself of all thynges that apperteyned to themperour, by yᵉ whiche they gate [et] wanne too theym grete profyte [et] lucre of goodes. [et] after that they had made [et] wroughte that experyment, they coude neuer chaunge it ne fordo it, afterwarde, but themperour abode styl blȳd many yeres. Then the vii maysters made [et] ordeyned throughout thempyre, that yf ony man had dremed a dreme he sholde come vnto them wᵗ a florene of golde or of syluer, [et] they sholde expowne [et] declare vnto them the Interpretacyon of theyr dremes wherby [et] by other vniuste meanes they obteyned moche more substaunce [et] money of yᵉ people than themperour dyde. Soo vpon a tyme whan he sate at the table wᵗ the empresse he began to syghe [et] sorowe in hymselfe. and whan she perceyued that she enquyred dylygently of hym yᵉ cause of his heuynesse [et] doloure. Themperour sayde / sholde not that to me be heuy [et] sorowfull yᵗ I so longe haue been blynde [et] out of my palays / [et] of yᵗ can haue or fynde no remedy. To whome spake thempresse [et] sayd, my lorde here my counseyll [et] it shall neuer repent you yf ye do therafter. In your courte ye haue vii wyse maysters by whome ye [et] all yᵉ empyre is gouerned yf ye nowe beholde [et] marke this in your mȳde / ye shall fynde that they are yᵉ cause of your blyndnesse [et] dysease. [et] yf it be so they are worthy too dye a shamefull deth. Therfore take hede to my coūseyl and aduyse. Sende ye for them [et] shewe vnto them youre dysease [et] infyrmyte, [et] threte them on payne of theyr lyues, yᵗ they sholde fynde a remedy to make you hole of your syknesse [et] blyndnes. This coūseyl pleased the emperour well. [et] anone sent for yᵉ maysters And whā they were come, themperour anone shewed vnto the_m_ his infyrmyte [et] blyndenes. [et] charge them vpon payne [of] deth / yᵗ they sholde seke a rememedy (_sic_) [et] make hym hole therof. Tho answered they, Ye desyre of vs a thi_n_ge that is dyffusyfe [et] harde for vs to do thus shortly but gyue vs respyte [et] dayes [et] in yᵉ tenth day we shall gyue you answere. Themperour was therwith well content [et] pleased. Then yᵉ seuen wyse maysters went to counseyll, how they myght yᵗ best chaunge [et] alter / [et] that in noo maner coude they fynde yᵉ meane howe they myght put awaye yᵉ blyndnes from the Emperour. Wherfore they were all ryght sorowfull. [et] sayde amonge them self, wᵗoute we fynde a remedye we are all but dede men. Soo went they from thens thrugh out al thēpyre [et] sought yf they coude fynde ony remedy or coūseyll therfore. It hapned them vpon a tyme goynge thrugh a cyte, [et] in yᵉ myddes therof they founde chyldren playnge. [et] a[f]ter them came a man wᵗ a talente or florene of golde [et] sayd to them, Good maysters this nyght I haue dremed a dreme, thenterpretacyon therof I wolde fayne knowe. Wherfore I pray you shewe me what it sygnyfyeth [et] take this golde to you. That herde one of yᵉ chyldren yᵗ played amonge yᵉ other [et] sayd too hy_m_, gyue me yᵉ golde [et] not them, [et] I shall expowne thy dreme. The man sayde, I dremed this nyghte yᵗ in the myddes of myn orchyerde was a grete sprynge of water, wherof came many smal spry_n_ges yᵗ al myn orchyerde was full [et] overflowen wᵗ water. The chylde sayd, take a spade [et] dygge in yᵉ same place there as ye thought that yᵉ water outsprange, [et] there shall ye fynde an horde of golde so grete that ye [et] all your chylderne & lynage shall be for euer ryche. The man dyde as yᵉ chylde had shewed hym [et] found ye tresoure accordynge to hys wordes. Tho went yᵉ ma_n_ to yᵉ chylde [et] offred hym a pounde weyght of yᵉ golde yᵗ he had founde for yᵉ interpretacyon of his dreme [et] he wold none receyue but cōmytted hym to yᵉ prayers of yᵉ man. The vii. maysters whan they herde yᵉ chylde so wysely expowne yᵉ dreme, they sayd to hym, gode chylde what is your name he answered [et] sayde I called Merlyne. Then sayd yᵉ maysters, we se clerely grete wysedome in you, we shal shewe vnto you a grete mater, [et] of yᵗ we wolde gladly yᵗ ye coude fynde a remedy. The chylde sayd, shewe me your mater. And they sayd themperour of rome as longe as he is in his palays he hath his syght clere wᵗout ony impedymēt and as sone as he is gone out of his palays he is soo blȳde yᵗ he may not se. Yf ye can now det_er_myne yᵉ cause herof [et] fy_n_de a remedy yᵗ he may be eased [et] haue h[i]s syght ayen ye shall haue grete rewardes [et] honoures of thēperour. The chylde sayd, I know yᵉ cause as wel of his blȳdhede as of yᵉ remedy. They sayd to hy_m_, Come wᵗ vs to themperour [et] ye shal be rewarded so largely yᵗ ye shall be pleased. To whome yᵉ chylde sayd, I am redy to go wᵗ you. And whan they came wᵗ yᵉ chylde before themperour they sayd to hy_m_. Lorde loo here this childe yᵗ we haue brought afore you yᵉ which shal fulfyll your desyre as touchȳge the cause of your blȳdenes as yᵉ recouerȳge of your syghte. Themperour sayd, Good maysters woll ye take it vpon you [et] abyde therby that yᵉ chylde shall do wᵗ me. They all sayd ye, for we be experte in his wysedome. Themperour torned hymself towardes yᵉ chylde and sayde, wyll ye vndertake to tell me the cause of my blindnesse [et] the remedye. The chylde answered [et] sayd, my lorde the emperour lede me in to your bedchamber, [et] there I shal shewe you what is to be done And as he was therin broughte he sayd to yᵉ seruaūtes, take of yᵉ clothes of the bedde, [et] all thapparayle, [et] ye shall se wonders. And as yᵗ was done they sawe a well smokyng yᵗ had vii sprȳges or floodes, the whiche whan thēperour sawe meruayled gretly. yᵉ chyld sayd ye se this wel [et] wᵗout it be quēched ye shal neuer haue your sygt. thēperour sayd, how may yᵗ be. yᵉ chyld sayd, but by one way. Themperour sayde, Shewe vs than the meane, [et] yf it be possyble to me it shall be done, yᵗ I maye recouer ayen my syght as well wᵗout as wᵗin. To whome the chylde sayd my lorde yᵉ vii. sprynges of this well are thyse vii. wyse maysters, yᵉ whiche you [et] your Empyre hythertoo haue trayterously gouerned [et] haue you made blȳde as ye be wᵗoute your palays yᵗ they youre subgettes by extorcyon myght plucke [et] pyll, ye not seynge, but nowe they knowe not yᵉ remedy. Here ye nowe my counseyll. [et] this well shal be quenched [et] extyncte. do stryke of yᵉ fyrste maysters hede [et] anone ye shall yᵉ fyrste sprynge quenched. [et] so by ordre one after an other, tyll yᵗ they are all beheded, [et] anone all the sprynges wᵗ the well shall be vanysshed and gone awaye / [et] ye shall haue ayen your syght as ye had afore. And as this was done [et] fulfylled / the well with the vii. sprynges were vanysshed. And as themperour had his syghte ayen he made the chylde a grete lorde [et] gaue hy_m_ grete habundaūce of goodes. After that spake thempresse, my lorde haue ye this example well perceyued that I haue tolde you. [et] he sayd ye in the best wyse. ye haue recyted a good and a ryall example. Than sayd she, In the same wyse your vii. wyse maysters intende too doo with you, by theyre false narracyons, that your sone may reygne vpon you / that god forbede.

_The Declaratyon of the Example._

This welle is youre sone wherof oute flowen seuen sprynges, that sygnefye the seuen wyse maysters the whiche soone ye maye not destroye withoute the vii. maysters be made feble [et] broughte too noughte that done this well that is your sone wᵗ all his cauyllacyons [et] wyles shal not scape / but lete hym be hanged fyrste leste that he haue helpe of his maysters / [et] forth after co[n]sequently yᵉ vii. maysters. And so ye shall gouerne [et] guyde your empyre in reste [et] peas. Themperour anone cōmaunded his seruauntes to lede his so_n_ to the galowes / whiche they were lothe to do. So was there than a grete multytude of people gadred with grete noyse [et] bewaylynge so that the noyse came to yᵉ eres of yᵉ fourth mayster named Malquydrac. yᵉ whiche lepte vpon his hors / [et] hasted hym to yᵉ palays. So mette wᵗ hym his dyscyple [et] dyde reuerence to hy_m_ / [et] recommaunded hym vnto hym / [et] whan he came before themperour [et] had done his obeysaunce [et] reuere_n_ce as apperteyned. Themperour answered [et] sayde. Lytell thanke haue ye olde cursed caytyfe for yᵉ techȳge of my sone for I delyuered you my sone well spekȳge [et] in all thynge ryght vertuous. And ye haue sent hym a fole dompe / [et] a rybaude / for he wolde haue belayne wᵗ force my wyfe / [et] therfore all ye with him togyder shall be hanged. Tho sayd yᵉ mayster, My lorde I haue not that deserued of you. god knoweth why your sone speketh not. in shorte tyme ye shal perceyue other thȳges. but yᵉ tyme is not yet comen. But in yᵗ ye say he wolde haue oppressed your wyfe, yᵗ is not gospel ne proued, ne for one sy_n_guler p[er]sone ye shold not iuge to deth your sone. yf now for yᵉ wordes of your wyfe ye iuge your sone to dye, it wil be wors to you than to an olde man of his wyfe. [et] that I shall proue. Too whome themperour sayd, Thynke ye to doo with me ye olde dotarde, as somtyme seuen wyse men dyde to an emperour. Therto sayd yᵉ mayster The offence or trespace of one or yet of twenty, may not founde to the rebuke [et] blame of all other, for ouer al the worlde there bee bothe good [et] euyll. But one thynge of a trouth I shall shewe you. that euyll shall come to you yf ye this daye do your sone to deth for the wordes of your wyfe. the whiche I wolde shewe by a notable example. Than sayd the emperoure woll ye that recyte for our lernynge. The mayster sayde, Yf ye wyll calle ayen your sone, [et] kepe hym tyll I haue made recytacyon of the example. [et] than what someuer ye shal thi_n_ke best to done with hym, doo it. I shall reherce this example or elles not. The emperour cōmaunded that he sholde be called ayen and desyred the mayster to say as here after ensueth or foloweth.

_The Example of the Fourthe Mayster._

There was an olde knyght [et] a ryght wyse ma_n_ that longe lyued without wyfe [et] chylde. His frendes came to hym many tymes [et] counseyled and exhorted him that he sholde take a wyfe. The knyght thus counseyled [et] styred by his frendes soo oftymes that at the laste he agreed too theym. And they gaue hym to wyfe the doughter of the prouost of rome that ryche was [et] ryght fayre, whome whan he had seene anone he was made blynde [et] taken in her loue, [et] began to loue her meruaylously wel and whan they had ben a certayne space togyder [et] had no fruyte ne chylde. Upon a tyme in a mornynge it happened that she went to the chyrche where she met wᵗ her moder, [et] saluted her as it behoued. My dere doughter sayd the moder how pleaseth you your maryage [et] your husbonde: she sayd ryght euyll, for ye haue gyuen to me an olde lame man / me in al thȳges dyspleasynge. I wolde ye had that same tyme buryed me, for I had leuer lye [et] ete with a swyne than with hym, and therfore I may no longer thus endure, but I must loue another. Tho sayd yᵉ moder, god forbede that My dere doughter howe longe tyme I haue be with your fader [et] yet hytherto I neuer medled me with suche folysshenes. The doughter sayde, moder it is noo meruayle for ye bothe in your youth met togyder, [et] the one toke solace of the other, [et] I may receyue of hym noo maner of solace corporall for he is colde / [et] vpon yᵉ bed he lyeth as styll as a stone, or as a thyng immouable: The moder answered, yf ye wyll loue another say me what he is. The doughter sayd a preest I wyl loue. to whome yᵉ moder sayd it were better to you [et] lesse syn to loue a knyght or a squyer than a preest. [et] the doughter sayde, If I shold loue a knyght or a gentel squyer in shorte tyme he wolde be wery of me, [et] after yᵗ he wolde do me shame [et] tell it ouer all, [et] so it is not of the preest, for he wyll holde and kepe his owne honoure [et] counseyll as well as mȳn, And also spyrytuell men be more true to theyr loues than the seculer men. The mod_er_ sayd, Here my counseyll [et] it shall be good for you. Olde folkes are wylly [et] fell, tempte your husbonde fyrst [et] yf ye scape hym wᵗout doynge ony harme or smytȳge, than loue the preest. The dought_er_ sayd I maye not so longe abyde. The moder sayd vpon my blessynge abyde tyll ye haue proued hym. The doughter sayde vpon your blessynge I wyll abyde so longe, tyll I haue attempted hy_m_ but fyrst say me how that I shal proue hym. The moder sayde, He hath in his orchyerde a tree whiche he loueth moche. do yᵗ to be smyten downe whyles he is oute at hontynge. [et] ayenst his comynge make hym there a fyre, [et] yf he forgyue it you thā maye surely loue the preest. As she had herde the coūseyl of her moder she went to her house. To whom her husbonde sayd, Where haue ye ben so longe. She answered I haue ben in the chyrche where as I met wᵗ my moder [et] wᵗ her a lytell I haue talked [et] comyned, [et] so began proprely for to dyssymyle. After mydday yᵉ knighte rode out for to hu_n_te. Then she thynkȳge vpon yᵉ counseyll of her moder went to the gardyner [et] sayde to hy_m_. Cut downe this yonge tree newly planted that I may make a fyre therof to warme my lorde withal at his comynge from huntȳge, for it is a grete wynd [et] a ryght sharpe colde. The gardyner sayde, Madame yᵗ wyll I not do, for my lorde loueth better that tre than he dothe all yᵉ other trees neuertheles I shal wel helpe you to gadre wood ynough for to make withall a good fyre but in onywyse this I wyl not hewe downe. She herde that, [et] boldly she toke yᵉ axe from yᵉ gardyner [et] hewed downe the tree her selfe [et] made yᵉ gardyner wᵗ other to bere it home. At euyn whan yᵉ lorde came from huntynge he was sore a colde The lady lete make a grete fyre, [et] went [et] met wᵗ hym, [et] set hym on a stole afore the fyre to warme. And as he a lytell whyle had sytten he perceyued yᵉ odoure of the fyre. [et] called to hym yᵉ gardyner [et] sayd, I fele by this odour yᵗ my newe plante brenneth in the fyre. The gardiner sayde, Lorde it is trewe, my lady your wyfe hath felled it down. The knyght sayd to her god forbede that my plante sholde be cut downe by you. She answered anone [et] sayd, Lorde I haue done it knowyng the weder colde [et] you also colde. [et] therfore I haue ordeyned this fyre for your cōforte. As the knyght yᵗ herde he loked angrely vpon her [et] sayd, O cursed woman, how werest yᵘ so hardy to hewe downe so gentyl a yonge tre yᵉ whiche yᵘ knowest wel yᵗ I loued aboue al other trees As she that herde she began to wepe [et] excuse her selfe [et] sayd My lorde I haue done it for your good [et] prouffyte, [et] ye take it so greuously. [et] began to cry wo wo be to me. Anone as yᵉ knyght sawe ye wepȳge [et] teeres of his wyfe [et] herde her cause he was meued wᵗ mercy saynge to her, Cesse of your wepȳg, [et] beware how yᵗ ye ony more angre or trouble me in ony thȳge / that I loue. The next daye erly in the mornȳge / she went ayen to the chyrchewarde, [et] met wᵗ her moder comȳge ayenst her. [et] they salued eche other. Than yᵉ doughter sayd to her moder, O dere moder I wyll loue the preest, for I haue attempted my lorde as ye coūseyled me / but all for nought, for he anone forgaue it whan he sawe me a lytell wepe. Tho sayd yᵉ moder, though olde men one tyme forgyue / they double the payn vpon an other tyme. [et] therfore I counseyll you yᵗ ye an other tyme attempte hym. Tho sayde the doughter I maye no lenger abyde, for I suffer so moche payn for the loue of yᵉ preest, that wᵗ my tonge I canne not tell, therfore ye shall perdone me I wyll noo more folowe or do after your counseyll. than sayde the moder, for the loue that the chylde sholde haue vnto the moder attempte hym yet ones. [et] for your faders blessynge / and thenne yf ye goo quyte wᵗout ony harme or betinge, loue the preest in the name of god. tho answered yᵉ doughter, it is to me a grete payn so long tyme to abyde. neuertheles for yᵉ blessyng of my fader I shal ons atēpte hym. but say me how I shall begyn. the moder sayd I vnderstande yᵗ he hath a lytell hoūde yᵗ he loueth wel [et] yᵗ kepith his bed. cast yᵉ hoūd wᵗ so grete might afore his face that it dy [et] yf ye scape wᵗout a strype or that he forgyue it lyghtely, in the name of god than loue the preest. Than sayd the doughter, I shall in all thynge doo after your coūseyll, for there is noo doughter lyuynge to day yᵗ wolde more gladly haue yᵉ blessynge of the fader [et] the moder than I. And so she bad her moder fare well / [et] went to her house ayen / [et] that day wᵗ grete importunyte [et] trouble of herte she brought too the nyght. [et] whan the nyghte was comen, she cōmaunded the bed to be couered wᵗ pupure [et] wᵗ clothe of golde the whyles the knyght sate by the fyre. And whan the bed was thus made redy. the lytell hounde as he was accustomed lepte on the bedde [et] she toke hym by the hynder legges, [et] wᵗ a wood [et] a malycyous herte she cast it ayenst the wall yᵗ it lay styll dede. Whan the good olde knyght that sawe / he was merueylously angry. [et] sayd wᵗ a loude voyce too his wyfe, O worste [et] most cruell of all wycked wymmen how coudest yᵘ fynde in thyn herte that lytell gentyll hounde to sle, yᵗ I so moche loued. Lorde sayd she haue ye not sene how the hounde wᵗ his foule fete hath our bed that is soo precyously couered with ryche clothes made foule comynge out of the myre: And the knyghte sayde wᵗ moche anger, knewe ye not yᵗ I loued moche better that lytell hounde than the bed. Whan she herde that, anone she began pytyously to wepe [et] sayd woo be to me that I was borne for all thynge that I doo for the best it is all tourned in to the worste. The knyght wolde not suffre the wepynge and weymentynge of his wyfe. but for that yᵗ he loued her soo moche he sayd to her leue or cesse your wepȳge for I forgyue you it all togyder. And I counseyll you that ye beware how that ye dysplease me from hens forth / [et] they went toogyder to bed. Upon yᵉ morowe she rose vp erly [et] went to the chyrche where as she found her moder / to whome whan she hadde done reuerence as it behoued, She sayd, moder now wyll I loue yᵉ preste, for I haue now attempted the seconde tyme my husbonde [et] all thynges he suffred. The moder sayde, O my dere doughter there is noo cruelte or falshede aboue the cruelte of olde folkes. [et] therfore I coūseyll you yᵗ ye yet ones proue hym. To whom the doughter answered, Moder ye laboure in vayne. for yf ye wyst what [et] how moche payne yᵗ I suffer for yᵉ prestes loue ye sholde rather helpe me yf ye loued me. The moder sayd, Here me doughter this one tyme, [et] I shal neuer let you more. Thȳke howe yᵗ ye haue souked mylke of my brestes: [et] the grete payne that I suffred for you at your byrth. By thyse paynes my dere doughter I desyre of [et] I charge you yᵗ ye denye me not this good petycyon. [et] I promyse to god I shall no more let nor hȳder you of your entente: but rather helpe you therto. / Tho answered yᵉ doughter, it is to me a grete payne to absteyne me [et] forbere my selfe, so longe from the loue of the preest. neuerthelesse for yᵉ grete charges that ye haue layde too me, and also for yᵗ ye haue made a vowe no more for to lette me, but to further me, tell me how I shall attempte hy_m_, [et] I shal ones yet put it in aduenture. The moder sayd, I know well that on sondaye next comyng he entendeth to haue vs all to dyner [et] there shall be your fader [et] I and all your frendes [et] al yᵉ best of the cyte. And whan ye are set in your place [et] all the metes are brought [et] serued vpon the table / faste one of the keyes preuely yᵗ hangeth at your gyrdell in the table clothe [et] than fayne to haue forgoten your knyfe and say thyse wordes openly. Se what a shorte wytte that I am of, I haue forgoten my knyf in my chambre / [et] ryse vp hastely [et] go. [et] yᵉ cloth wᵗ al the metes ye shall caste down [et] ouerthrowe vpon the grounde. And yf ye scape wᵗout payn I make a vowe to god I shall neuer let you after. The doughter sayde yᵗ shall I gladly doo [et] so toke her leue [et] departyd. The feste daye came yᵗ all as the moder sayd were boden. The seruaūtes made redy [et] couered yᵉ table. All were set at yᵉ table. [et] the doughter sate ouer ayenste her lorde. And whan the table was well serued wᵗ metes [et] other thynges as therto belonged / yᵉ lady of the house sayd with an high voyce, se how forgeteful I am of mynd I haue lefte my knyfe in my chamber yᵉ whiche I muste fetche / [et] rose hastely vp and drewe yᵉ clothe with all the mete that was vpon it with her. a_n_d all the golde vessels [et] saltes lay vpon yᵉ groūde. The knyght vexed sore angrye in his herte, but for shame he dyssymyled afore his gestes, [et] cōmaūded on other clene clothe [et] other metes to be brought [et] wᵗ Joy and myrth he solyted [et] meued his gestes to ete and make good chere. so that by hy_m_ they were all gladed. The feste or dyner done they gaue all thankȳges to yᵉ knyght [et] toke theyr leue [et] departed euery man towardes his owne house. Upon yᵉ nexte day in the mornȳge yᵉ knyghte arose erly [et] went to the chyrche [et] herde a masse the which ended went to a barbour [et] sayd too hym, Mayster are ye experte in blode letynge in what vayne yᵗ I wyll desyre you. He sayde, syr I am experte in what vayne yᵗ ye can name in mannes body. The knyghte sayd, I am well contente come on wᵗ me. [et] whan he was comen to his house he entred in to his chamber where his wyfe laye in bed [et] sayd to her Ryse vp shortely. Than sayd she, what shall I do vp thus erly it is not yet nyne the clocke. The knyght sayd, ye muste ryse vp, for ye muste be letten blode on both your armes. she sayd, I was neuer laten blode / [et] shall I nowe blede. Tho sayd yᵉ knyght, that is trouth, [et] therfor ye are a fole. For thȳke ye not yᵗ ye hewe fyrst downe my tree, [et] an other tyme ye kylled my lytell hoūde [et] yesterday ye shamed me afore all our frendes [et] parentes. [et] the fourth is yf I sholde suffer you thus too go forthe ye sholde me for euer confoūde [et] shame. the cause herof I consyder yᵗ ye haue euyll [et] wylde blode wᵗin your body, [et] therfore I wyll that yᵗ corrupte blode shall be drawen out that ye from hensforth shal no more put me to shame [et] angre, and lete to be made a grete fyre. and she stode and cryed and helde vp her hondes towardes the heuen and sayde, My lorde forgyue me this t[r]espace[2] / and haue pyte vpon me at this tyme, and I shal neuer more offende you. The knyghte sayd pray for no mercy, for by the mercy that god hath wroughte, without that thou holdest oute thyn arme strayte I shall sone haue thyn herte blood. and he sayd also to the barbour, smyte harde [et] make a depe hole in her arme, or elles I shall gyue you a grete strype. Than smote yᵉ barbour so sore that the bloode came habundaūtly out. and the knyght wolde not suffer hym to staunche it vnto the tyme that she chaunged coloure in her vysage. And as this was done the knyght had to be stopped or staūche yᵗ vayne. [et] bad yᵉ barbour smyte the vayne vpon yᵉ other arme. Then̄e cryed she wᵗ a loude voyce, My swete husbonde haue compassyon vpon me for now I deye. The knyght answered, my wyfe ye sholde haue afore thought on th[i]s or that ye haue done to me thyse thre euyll tournes or despytes. Then̄e she helde out her left arme. [et] yᵉ barbour smote therin an hole yᵗ the blood came out ryght hudgely. [et] suffred her to blede vnto the tyme that the coloure in her vysage chaunged [et] that she swouned / Than sayd the knyght, now bynde that arme [et] staūche it. [et] sayd to her now goo to bed, [et] studye and thynke hensforth how ye may amende your self or elles I shall draw yᵉ bloode of your herte. And as this was done he gaue the barbour his rewarde and he wente ayen vnto his own house. and the wyfe vnder yᵉ handes of hir maydens nyghe deed was ladde to hyr bedde [et] bad one of hir handmaydens go to hyr moder in all haste [et] say that she come speke with me afore I deye. The moder whan she harde yᵗ she was gladde of yᵉ correctyon of hir doughter [et] hastely came to hyr / the doughter whȳ she herd hyr moder sayd to hir, O my moste swete moder I am almoste dede, for I haue so moche blode bled, yᵗ I byleue yᵗ I shal not scape yᵉ deth. Tho answered yᵉ moder / sayd I not too you that olde men are ryght cruell [et] fell, wyll ye nowe loue the preste. Whiche sayd, The deuyll may the preest confounde [et] shame. I wyl neuer loue other but my husbonde. Than sayde the mayster to themperour, Lorde haue ye vnderstande me. And he answered ryght well, for amonges all other yᵗ euer I haue herde this was the best example. Thre euyll dedes she dyde vnto her husbonde [et] I doute not but yf she had done yᵉ fourth she sholde haue shamed hym for euer. Than sayd yᵉ mayster therfore I counseyll you yᵗ ye beware of your wyfe leste that it happen worse to you. for why yf ye doo to deth your onely sone for her wordes, ye shall be deceyued in yᵉ ende, [et] for euer ye shal forthynke it. The Emperour sayd truly mayster this day my sone shal not dye. The mayster sayd My lorde I thanke you yᵗ ye for min example and my sake this day haue spared your sone.

_The Fyfth Complaynte of the Empresse._

The empresse herȳg yᵗ the chylde was not yet dede apparayled [et] clothed her in her vesture or clothȳge. [et] lete to be ordeyned her waynes [et] cartes / as thoughe she wolde haue gone to her fadʳ home in her coūtre for to haue cōplayned of yᵉ grete shame yᵗ was done vnto her [et] coude haue no remedy herof. The seruaūtes seynge yᵗ went [et] shewed it to themperour yᵗ thempresse was goyng in to her countree. Whan he yᵗ perceyued he went to her saynge, whither are ye goynge, I hoped yᵗ ye had loued me so moche yᵗ in all yᵉ worlde ye sholde haue sought no solace but wᵗ me. To yᵗ she sayd, That is true. [et] therfore I go from you, for I had leuer here of your deth, than to see you dye, wᵗoute doute ye delyte soo moche to here thyse maysters, yᵗ it shall happen vpon you as it dyde to Octauian themperour yᵉ whiche wes so coueytous that ye noble men of the empyre buryed hym quycke [et] fylled his mouth wᵗ molten golde. Themperour sayd, Dere wyf do not that another tyme yᵉ blame to you or to me myght be layde. Than sayd the empresse, truly yᵉ blame is yours for haue ye not promysed me many tymes that your sone sholde dye, [et] yet he lyueth, [et] therfore from hensforth I wyll no more byleue you. Then sayd themperour. It becometh not a kynge euery cause lyghtly too dyscusse, wᵗout aduyse [et] specyally vpon his sone, vpon whome it is not behoueful lyghtly to gyue jugement and therfore I say [et] pray you that ye wyll tell me somwhat by the whiche I may myselfe gouerne, for it is vtter destruccōn of a kynge wᵗout aduyse [et] vndescretly to gyue jugement. She answered [et] sayde, I wyll gladly tell you a notable example, so that from hensforth ye shall not be coueytous or desyrous to here yᵉ maysters. And began to saye in this forme.

_The Fyfth Example of the Empresse._

Octauianus themperour reygned in Rome ryghte ryche [et] coueytous. [et] aboue all thynges he loued golde. The cytezyens yᵗ tyme of Rome dyde moche harme [et] many grete outrages to other nacyons. In soo moche that dyuerse nacyons [et] regyons were meued [et] styred ayenst yᵉ Romayns. In that tyme there was mayster Uirgilius, yᵉ whiche excelled in magique [et] in other scyences all other maysters. The cytezeyens prayed hym that he by his arte [et] connȳge wolde make somwhat by the whiche they of theyr ennemyes myght haue warny_n_g [et] knowlege byfore. Wherby that they myght puruey for themselfe yᵉ better. He lete doo make by his arte and connȳge a toure, [et] aboue vpon yᵉ toure dyde to be set as many ymages as in al the worlde were regyons and prouy_n_ces. and in the myddes of the toure he let to be made and set an ymage, whiche helde in his hande an appell or a grete roūde balle of golde. And euery ymage of the toure helde in his hand a lytell bell, and stode torned lokynge towardes his owne prouynce to hym assygned. And as oftentymes as ony prouynce wolde styre or rebel ayēste the romaynes, so often torned hym the ymage of yᵗ londe [et] range the bell. That herȳge the cytezeyns of Rome armed themselfe [et] to that prouynce yede with all theyr myght for that londe to kepe vnder. And soo was there no londe so grete yᵗ coude wreke them vpo_n_ the romaynes, and therfore were they bedradde and fered ouer all the worlde. After that Mayster Uirgilius[3] made for the solace and conforte of the poor people a lyght that alwaye brende, and by that lyghte he made two bathes, the one of them hote, in the whiche the poore people myghte bathe and wasshe theym / [et] that other colde in the whiche they myghte theymselfe refresshe, and betwyx that lyghte and the bathes he made an ymage standynge, in whos forhede was wryten: He yᵗ smyteth me shall anone haue vengeaunce. This ymage stode there many yeres. At the laste there came a clerke and behelde that ymage [et] radde this wrytynge / and thoughte in hymselfe, what vengeaūce myght he fynde therfore. I byleue better that yf ony man sholde smyte the that thou fyllest there wᵗ to yᵉ erthe, he sholde fynde some tresoure vnder thy sete. [et] therfore is thy wrytynge that no man sholde haue it. [et] the clerke lyfte vp hys hande [et] gaue the ymage a grete stroke yᵗ it fell to yᵉ grou_n_de. [et] anone yᵉ lyght was out. [et] the bathes were vanysshed away, [et] he foūde no tresoure. The poore folke yᵗ perceyuynge were all sorowfull sayenge, cursyd mote he be for euer more yᵗ for his synguler coueytyse hathe destroyed this ymage. [et] vs hathe robbed of so grete solace [et] cōforthe. Here after assembled thre kynges the whiche of yᵉ Romayns had been oppressed [et] suffred greate wronges. [et] went to coūysell wᵗ them of theyr coūysell, how they myght best of yᵉ Romayns be auenged. [et] some of the_m_ sayd. we labour in vayne, as longe as there standyth yᵉ tour wᵗ the ymages we maye no thynge do ayenste theym. To yᵗ counseylle arose vp foure knyghtes and sayd to the kynges, we haue thoughte a goode remedy how we shal destroye the toure wᵗ the ymages and yᵗ to do and brynge aboute we wyll our lyues sette to pledge. Yf that ye wyll do yᵉ coste. Tho sayd yᵉ kynges what coste shall we do. They sayd, we must haue iiii tonnes full of golde. Than sayd yᵉ kynges, take that golde [et] fulfyll youre promyse. The knyghtes toke yᵉ golde [et] went towardes Rome. [et] whan they were thyder come in the nyght wᵗout one of yᵉ yates in the dyche wᵗ water they drowned one of yᵉ tonnes wᵗ the golde. [et] another tonne they drowned by the secōde yate [et] the thyrde tonne by yᵉ thyrde yate. [et] the fourth ton̄ by the fourth yate they drowned. And whan they had thus done erly in the mornynge they entred in to yᵉ cyte at an houre conuenyent whan yᵗ themperour went ouer the marte, they dyde to hym reuerence as it behoued. Themperour seynge them demaunded frome whens they were, or what scyences or what seruyce yᵗ they coude do. Whiche answered, we are of ferre cou_n_trees [et] we be sothsayers so perfyte yᵗ there was neuer thynge so preuely or secretly hydde but yᵗ we shall fȳde it by our dremes. We haue herde that ye laboure [et] haue pleasure in such thynges, and therfore came we to you for to wyte yf ye had ony nede of our seruyce / Themperour sayd, I shall proue you [et] yf it be so yᵗ I fynde you true, ye shall haue of me grete rewardes [et] thanke. they sayde we aske no thynge but yᵉ haluen dele for our rewarde of the golde that by vs shall be foūden. The emperour sayd, I am therwith wel content. And thus had they with the emperour many wordes. At euen whan themperour was goyng to bedde they sayde too hym. My lorde yf it please you this nyghte shall the oldest of vs set his connynge a werke [et] dreme, [et] the thyrde day we shall shewe you his dreme [et] what it sygnefyeth. Themperour sayd goo in goddis name. And they went forth wᵗ grete gladnesse. [et] all yᵗ nyght they passed ouer with derysions [et] myrth vpon truste that they sholde come to a good purpose. whan yᵉ thyrde daye was comen they went erly too themperour. [et] the fyrste of them sayd my lorde pleaseth you to goo with vs without one of yᵉ yates of thy cyte [et] I shall shewe you where as a tonne full of golde is hyd. Themperour sayd, I shall go with you and se yf it be true that ye saye. whan they were comen to the place they drewe out yᵉ tonne that they there afore had put / The emperour whan he that sawe was gladde, and gaue to them theyr parte. Tho sayde the seconde dremer, my lorde this nyght I shal dreme. Themperour sayd, god gyue you a good dreme. yᵉ next nyght came he [et] toke out yᵉ other tonne, and gaue it to themperoure, [et] toke hym his dele. In lyke wyse dyd the thyrde. [et] yᵉ fourth, vpon yᵉ whiche themperour was out of all mesure ioyus [et] glad [et] sayd he had not sene afore soo true [et] experte sothsayers or dremers as they were / Than sayd they al togyder at once as it had ben out of one mouth, my lorde we haue one after another dre_med_ yᵉ whiche as ye haue sene be all true proued. But now yf it please you that we may dreme all togyder this nyghte, we truste that too vs shall bee shewed where we shall fynde a greate quantyte or substaūce of golde [et] of rychesse. the Emperoure sayde god gyue to you a gode dreme yᵗ to me and to you may be proffytable. Unto yᵉ next morowe they came ayen vnto yᵉ Emperoure [et] sayd to hym wᵗ joyouse [et] gladde vysages or coūtenaūces. My lorde we brynge gode [et] proffytable tydynges, for this nyght in our slepes such [et] so grete a tresour is to vs shewed yᵉ whiche yf ye wyll suffre it for to be soughte, ye shall be so moche enryched that in this worlde shall be none to you lyke. Themperour sayd, where sholde yᵉ fynde ye hoorde or tresoure. they sayd, vnder the fundament of the tour yᵗ the ymages standen on. The Emperoure answered, God defend that I sholde for loue of golde destroye that toure wᵗ ymages wherwith yᵗ we of oure ennemyes be defended [et] warned. They sayde too hym ayen, My lorde, Haue ye founde vs in our saynges otherwyse than true [et] ryghtful. Themperour sayd nay. O Lorde sayd they, we with our owne hondes shall gete oute yᵉ gold wᵗout hurtynge of the tour or of yᵉ ymages. And it is expedyent yᵗ secretly in the nyght by vs it be done, for drede of resorte and concours of yᵉ people leste that ye sholde ren in the noyse [et] clamour of theym, and also that they sholde not take that good and golde away from you and vs. The Emperour sayde, Goo in the name of god and doo your beste, as ye well can̄e, and I shall to morowe erly come too you. Tho went they with joye and gladnesse, and in the nyght they were laten in too the toure, and with grete haste and dylygence they vndermynded it. [et] on the next daye erly they mounted vpon theyr horses [et] rode ayen towardes theyr owne countre with ioye [et] glory. And or that they came wᵗout the syght of rome / the toure fell downe. And on the morne ensuynge whan it was fallen / [et] the Senatours it perceyued they sorowed gretely [et] there was a grete sorowe [et] bewaylynge thrughout all yᵉ cyte [et] went to themperour [et] sayd, lorde how maye it be yᵗ this tour is thus fallen, by the whiche we haue alwayes had warnynge afore of our enemyes. He answered [et] sayd, To me came foure fals deceyuers [et] fayned themself to be foure sothsayers [et] yᵗ they coude fynde tresoure hyd in the groūde. And they sayd that vndʳ the fundacyon of yᵉ toure was hydde an vnnumerable sōme of golde yᵉ whiche they sholde well vndermyne wᵗout hurtȳge of the toure or ymages / [et] I gaue fayth to them [et] they haue deceyued me. they answered hy_m_ / ye haue coueyted so moche golde, [et] for your insacyate couetyse we shall be all destroyed. but fyrste your couetyse shall full (_sic_) vpon your selfe. [et] toke [et] ladde hym vnto yᵉ capytoll, [et] layde hym on his bac [et] poured his mouth full of molten golde, sayng to hy_m_ ye haue desyred golde, [et] therfore ye shall dry_n_ke golde [et] after they buryed hym quycke. Not long after that came thenmyes ayenst ye Romayns, [et] ouercame [et] destroyed them al. Than sayd thempresse vnto themperour haue ye my lorde this example well vnderstand [et] he sayd ryght well. Than sayd she, The tour wᵗ the ymages is your body wᵗ your v. wyttes, as long as ye lyue there none so hardy to trouble or make werre vpon you ne vpon your people. That hath your sone ryght well vnderstonde wᵗ his vii. maysters [et] wᵗ theyre false narracyons or fables fynde how they may destroye you, for ye are ouermoche couetyse to here [et] enclyned to them. [et] in so moche yᵗ they shal vndermyne you [et] caste you vnd_e_r fote, [et] brȳge you to nought. The ymages are your fyue wyttes yᵗ be all lost. for they se yᵗ ye be all chyldyshe or folyshe they shall destroy and sle you. [et] your sone shall opteyne your empyre. Thēperour sayd, ye haue recyte to me a good exāple. wherfore it shall not to me happen as it dyde wᵗ yᵉ tour but my sone fyrste this daye shall be hanged. To whome thempresse sayd, yf ye doo so ye shall fare well [et] lyue long. Upon yᵉ nexte day he commaūded hy_m_ to be lad to hangȳge. [et] as he was towardes yᵉ galowes lad, came rydynge ayenst hym vpon an hors his fyfth mayster towardes yᵉ palays. [et] came before themperour [et] saluted hym wᵗ all reuerence / [et] he despysed his salutacyon. [et] put hym in fere of his lyfe. [et] yᵉ mayster sayd My lorde I haue not deserued to dye. [et] ye my salutacyon despyse it is not your honoure. for your sone hath not with vs be of such condycyo_n_s as ye repute hy_m_ for as ye in short tyme shal fynde. [et] that he speketh not is of his his (_sic_) grete wysdome. [et] knowe ye yᵗ he shal well speke as yᵉ tyme comyth, though yᵗ he now speke not, as ye in shorte tyme shall here. But ye saye yᵗ he your wyfe wolde haue shamed. yᵗ byleue not. for so wise a man as he is neuer sholde atte_m_te so shamful a dede. And ye put hym to dethe for your wyues wordes, ye sholde not scape without shame and vengeaunce / In lyke wise as Ypocras scaped not wᵗout vengeaūce for yᵉ deth of Galtenus his cosyne. The emperour sayd that wolde I fayne here and vnderstonde. The mayster sayd, what sholde auayle yᵉ narracyon to tel vnto you for your prouffyte yf in the meane seasone your sone sholde be hanged. [et] therfore yf ye wyll call ayen your sone, and therafter do as ye thynke beste it shall be at your pleasure. Themperour lete call ayen his sone and set him in pryson. And tho began yᵉ mayster too tell vnder this maner as foloweth:

_The Example of the Fyfthe Mayster._

Somtyme there was a famous physycyan named Ypocras ryght connynge, yᵉ which exceded all other in connynge [et] scye_n_ce he had wᵗ hym his neuewe or kynnesman yᵗ was called Galienus, yᵉ whiche he loued moche. This Galien_us_ was of an excellēt wytte [et] applyed all his wytte [et] mynde to lerne of h[i]s vncle the scyence of physyke. Whan Ypocras apperceyued that in as moche as he coude hyde from hym hys conynge ferynge that he sholde excelle hym in yᵗ crafte, for yᵉ grete wytte that he was of. As Galienus this sawe, he studyed [et] excersysed, in soo moche yᵗ in shorte tyme he had perfyte connynge physyke. for the whiche Ypocras enuyed hym moche. It hapned vpo_n_ a tyme therafter, yᵗ the kȳge of Ungary sent his messengers vnto Ypocras that he sholde come vnto hym his sone fer to cure or make hole. Ypocras excused hȳself [et] wolde no goo. but sent his cosyne Galienus wᵗ his wrytynge in the company of yᵉ messengers for to excuse hym. And whan Galienus was comen afore yᵉ kynge he was ryghte worshypfully receyued. but he merueyled why that Ypocras wolde not come. he excused hym saynge that he had many grete thynges too do that he myght not come, but he hath sent me in his stede. [et] wᵗ the helpe of god I shall make hole that childe. That pleased well yᵉ kynge. Galienus went to the chylde. [et] whan he had seene his vryne, and tasted his pounces. he sayd tho (_sic_) the quene. O excellent prynces I pray you here [et] suffer my wordes, [et] tel me who is yᵉ fadʳof this chylde. She sayd, who sholde be his fader but my lorde the kyng. Galienus sayd, I am sure yᵗ he is not the fader. She answered yf ye wyll say yᵗ for a trouth I shall doo your hede to be smytn of. he answered I say yet ones agayn yᵗ this ky_n_ge is not the fader and I am not therfore comen hyther to lese my hede. for I haue no suche rewarde deserued. [et] he was goynge his waye. The quene yᵗ seynge spake. O good mayster yf ye wyl kepe it secrete, [et] not dyscouer me, I shal shewe [et] open vnto you myn herte. The mayster sayd God defende that from me, that I to no persone sholde shewe it. and therfore O noble quene shewe it boldely to me for it shall neuer passe my mouthe after. and I shall your sone ease and make hym hole. She sayde yf ye doo that, ye shall haue of me a good rewarde. [et] therfore here what I shall saye. Of fortune came hyther vnto my lorde, the kyng of Burgondyen, and he was so longe wᵗ me conuersaunt that this chylde by hym I bare. Tho sayd yᵉ mayster, fere ye not, I knewe well that it was so byfore. [et] anone he gaue the chylde to ete beef or of an oxe to dry_n_ke. and the chylde was eased of his infyrmyte. And whan as the kȳge herde that the chylde was quite of his malady he gaue vnto yᵉ mayster a good rewarde. but of the quene he secretly receyued and had a greter gyfte and a specyal thanke and went his waye. And whan that he was comen home, Ypocras his mayster demaunded of hym, haue ye yᵗ chyld heled. [et] he sayd ye. Than asked he hy_m_ what he gaue to hym. [et] he sayd, I gaue hy_m_ fleshe of ox beef to ete, [et] water to dry_n_ke. Tho sayd Ypocras. Than is the moder of that chylde not true too her husbonde. yᵗ is trouth sayd Galienus. Ypocras anone was meued wᵗ enuye, [et] thought in hymselfe yf here be not found a remedy, my scyence shall no more be set by. [et] he shal be named and praysed aboue me. And from that day forthwarde he thought [et] deuysed how he myght slee hym. Uppon a day Ypocras called and sayd come go we to seke and gadre herbes in the gardyne. To whome he sayd mayster I am redy. And whan they were comen in to yᵉ gardyne, Ypocras sayd, I fele that this herbe is ryght vertuous, stoupe downe [et] gadre me of it. Galienus dyde so. and as they went aboute the gardyne, sayd Ypocras now knowe I well by yᵉ odoure of this herbe that it is better [et] precyoser than golde. and therfore stoupe downe to the groūde [et] drawe hym oute wᵗ the rotes for he is ryght moche. Galien_us_ bowed hymself down to plucke vp the herbe. Ypocras drewe out his knyfe [et] kylled hym. After that Ypocras fyll seke to the dethe that yᵉ strengthes of his body fayled hym and dyde as moche as he coude to helpe hymself but it wold not be and as his scolers [et] dyscyples herde of it they went hastely to hy_m_. [et] all that they myght or coude do for the prouffyte of his helthe they dyde / but it auayled hym nothynge. Whan Ypocras that perceyued, he sayd vntoo his scolers. Goo and fetche me a grete tonne and fyll it full vnto the brynkes with water. And whan they had soo done, he sayd too them make nowe therin an hondred hooles, and whan that was doone, there wente none of the water oute. Tho sayd Ypocras. Beholde my moste dere dyscyples, how yᵗ yᵉ vengeaunce of god is fallen vpon me as ye openly may see, for in this tonne are an hondred holes, [et] yet gooth there out not one droppe, ryght so there cometh no vertue out of yᵉ herbes to helpe me. and therfore what ye doo to me it helpeth not, for I must dye. But my dere chyldren yf my neuewe Galienus were now on lyue, he sholde hele me, whom I haue slayne / yᵗ me sore forthynketh. [et] therfore yᵉ vengeaūce of god cometh ouer me. And this sayd he torned hy_m_ to yᵉ wal [et] gaue vp the goost. Tho sayd yᵉ mayster to themperour, My lorde vnderstande ye well what I haue sayd. He answered ye ryght well, what hurte had it bē to hym [et] Galienus had lyued. The mayster answerd it had ben ryght good, for Ypocras at that tyme had not dyed, [et] therfore by yᵉ ryghtwyse Jugement of god his medycynes auayled hy_m_ not. [et] therefore I shewe to you yᵗ it shall happen worse to you, yf yᵗ ye put to deth your sone for yᵉ wordes of your wyfe, which in tyme of necessyte shall assyste [et] socoure you. [et] consyder ye not, yᵗ ye haue after your fyrst wyfe, ye haue wedded this wyfe yᵗ ye now haue. [et] so ye may yᵉ thyrde [et] yᵉ fourthe, [et] neuer shall ye haue of ony of them suche a sone yᵗ shal kepe [et] saue you from peryll. Themperour sayde truly he shal not dye. Tho sayd yᵉ mayster than do ye wysely, [et] I commende you to god, [et] thanke you, yᵗ ye haue this daye for me spared your sone. Themperour sayd I marke this wel yᵗ wy_m_me_n_ are crafty, [et] subtyl, herfore I wyl not for you but for my self saue hy_m_.

_The Syxte Complaynte of the Empresse._