Chapter IV: Part 4

Whan that thempresse had knowledge, she shewed her selfe as a wode or an Impacyent body yᵗ all that sawe her or herde her wondred [et] sayd to themperour your wyfe she pyneth her self as though she sholde deye. Themperour that heryng went to her [et] sayd wherfore be ye so heuy, [et] so impacyent. O lorde how shold I holde it in, whan I am the only doughter of a kyng [et] your wyfe, [et] in your company I haue had a grete despyte [et] shame, and contynually ye haue promysed me to punysshe it, but ye perfourme it not. The emperour sayd, I wote not what I shal do. ye laboure from day to day to haue my sone slayne, and the maysters labour to saue his lyfe. And amonges al thyse I know well that he is my sone, but whether the trouth is that knowe I not. Than sayd she, that is it yᵗ I complayne that ye beleue the maysters more than ye do me. Therfore it shall happen to you as dyde to a kyng with his stewarde. Than sayd the Emperoure, tell that example, happely it sholde meue me the soner to put my sone to deth. She sayde, gladly, but I praye you gyue attendaunce what I shall saye, and began to tel as hereafter ensueth.

_The Syxte Example of the Empresse._

There was a kyng ryght proude [et] merueylously dyfformed in his vysage in suche wyse that wȳmen hym hated [et] abhorred. This kynge thought Rome to destroye [et] the romaynes to slee, [et] yᵉ bodyes of Peter [et] Poule to take [et] cary awaye, whiche while he was in this my_n_de he called to hy_m_ his stewarde that was ryght secrete wᵗ hym of his pryue counseyll and sayd to hym. Seke me a fayre woman yᵗ this nyghte may slepe wᵗ me. The stewarde answered, My lorde ye knowe wel your infyrmyte [et] dysese, [et] yᵗ no woma_n_ wyll doo it wᵗout a grete somme of money. The ky_n_ge sayd, thynke ye yᵗ for money I wyll want one, haue I not golde [et] syluer ynough though it were a thousande florenys I sholde it gladle gyue. The stewarde herynge yᵗ was anone smyten wᵗ couetyse, went too his owne wyfe whiche was ryght fayre, chast, [et] of a gode kynrede, [et] sayde to her, O my good wyfe, my lorde desyreth [et] coueyteth fore to slepe wᵗ a fayr [et] beauteuouse woman, [et] wyll not forbere it, though yᵗ she wold aske of hym a thousande florenys, and hath commaunded me too puruey hym of one. And therfore I counseyll you that ye to vs gete that money. The wyfe sayde, were it not so that the kynge so proude and foule of vysage were, yet wolde I not to that euyl consente bycause of the synne ayenst god. The stewarde answered, [et] I consente that ye shal do it, [et] therto I cou_n_seyl and cōmaunde you, and promyse you wᵗoute that ye co_n_sente to me herin, ye shall neuer haue good daye wᵗ me. She heryng that trembled, in so moche that for drede she consented to hym. The stewarde yᵗ herynge went to the kynge [et] sayd Syr I haue founde a fayre woman [et] she is comen of a good house, whiche wil not lesse haue than a thousande florenes [et] in the euin she shall come, [et] erly in the morny_n_g she must away that she be not seen of the people. The kynge answered [et] sayd, I am well content. whan the nyght was comen the stewarde lad his wyfe to yᵉ kynges bed and made faste the dore [et] yede his waye. Erly in the morny_n_ge the stewarde arose [et] went vnto yᵉ kynge [et] sayd. My lord it shall be daye wᵗin a whyle, it is good that ye performe your promise [et] let the woman go. The kyng sayd this woman pleseth me so well yᵗ so sone she shall not departe from me. whan the stewarde that herde he departed thens al sory. unneth he taryed ony whyle but came to the kynge and sayd. My lorde the mornynge is comen, therfore let the woman goo, leste yᵗ she be ashamed, as I have promysed her. The kyng sayd yet shall she not go from me. [et] therfore goo out and shet the dore ayen. The stewarde ryght sorowfull departed and wente vp [et] downe with an heuy [et] an angry herte, tyll that the fayre [et] the clere daye appered, and than entred ayen in to the chamber and sayd. My lorde it is clere daye, suffre that woman to departe that she be not therwith ashamed. The kynge answered/ I saye to you for a trouth she shall not yet departe for her co_m_pany is to me ryght pleasau_n_t [et] acceptable. The stewarde yᵗ hery_n_ge coude no lenger forbere ne holde his owne cou_n_seyll, but sayd vnto yᵉ kyng. O my good and gracyous lorde I beseche you suffre her to departe for it is myn owne wyfe. The kynge herynge that sayd to hym. Open yᵉ wyndowe. [et] whan it was open, the fayre [et] and the bryght day appered. he behelde the woman ryght fayre and goodly. perceyued yᵗ it was yᵉ wyfe of the stewarde [et] sayd to hym. O thou moste [et] worste rybaude or knaue, why haste thou for so lytell money ashamed [et] vndone thy good [et] fayre wyfe. [et] her vnto me vnwetyngly haste delyuered. Therfore haste yᵉ [et] gete the out of my realme [et] neuer more herafter come in my syghte, for frome hensforth yf euer I may se the thou shalt dye yᵉ moost shamefull [et] horryblest dethe that euer canne be ymagyned. Whan yᵉ stewarde herde yᵗ he fled his waye [et] durste not abyde [et] was neuer so hardy ony more to come in to that realme. And yᵉ ky_n_ge kepte yᵉ wyfe al hys lyuedayes in grete worshyp, and gaue to hyr plente of all thynges that to her behoued [et] appertayned. After that the kynge lete do gadre [et] assemble a grete [et] a myghty armye [et] puyssau_n_ce of men of werre. [et] went to Rome with grete myght, [et] besyeged the cyte on all sydes, so long tyll that the Romayns wolde haue delyuered hym for to haue departed and withdrawen hymself from thens the bodyes of the holy apostles Petyr [et] Poule. Than was there in yᵉ cyte seuen wyse maysters as ye nowe haue, by the cou_n_seyll of whome all the cyte was gyded [et] gouerned. And the cytezeyns came too theym and sayd. what shall we do, it behoueth vs as that we delyuere vnto oure dedely ennemyes the bodyes of the holy apostles or elles ye cyte. Tho answered yᵉ fyrste mayster. I shall wᵗ my wysdome [et] connynge this day yᵉ cyte [et] yᵉ body of the apostles saue. [et] so one after another promysed to doo yᵉ same, eueryche of theym for one daye. In lyke wyse as yᵉ maysters haue promysed your sone. wᵗ that yᵉ kynge began to assaute the cyte on all partyes. Tho began yᵉ fyrste mayster to saye, [et] to alledge so wysely for to haue pease, yᵗ yᵉ kynge that day lefte his assaute makynge [et] withdrewe hym a lytyll fro the cyte. [et] soo dyde all the maysters one after an other vnto the laste. To whome came yᵉ burgeyses [et] sayd. O mayster ye shall vnderstande that yᵉ kynge hath made his othe [et] sworne that to morowe wᵗ al his puyssaunce [et] strength he wyll haue [et] wynne the cyte. Or elles we muste all be in jeoperdye too lese our lyues. Therfore in aquytynge of your promyse defende [et] kepe vs from daunger lyke as all your felowes afore haue done. to that answered yᵉ mayster [et] sayd be of good comforte [et] fere not, for too morowe I shall by my connynge shewe suche a werke and operacyons / that the kyng with all his puissaunce and myght shal fle [et] leue the syege. The nexte daye the kynge made [et] gaue a grete assaute too the cyte. Tho went the mayster and endued or clothed hymselfe with a meruayvesture or clothynge hauynge therin the fethers or yᵉ tayles of pecockes and of other foules of dyuers coloures. and toke two bryght swerdes in eche hande one. and went there with all and stode vpon the hygheste toure of all the cyte. and began to meue and torne or shewe hymselfe aboute on all partes towarde the oste so that they myght all beholde [et] se hym. and he helde in his mouthe the two bryght swerdes yᵗ merueylously shyned. They wᵗout of yᵉ kynges hoost that seyeng sayd to hym. O lorde beholde vpon hyghest of yonder toure a wonderfull thynge or fygure. Ye I se it wel yᵗ it is merueylous / but what it is I knowe not. They sayd to hym It is Jhesus the god of yᵉ crysten folke yᵗ is come out of heuen vs al to sle [et] destroye wᵗ his two swerdes yf wee here ony lenger abyde. The kynge herynge that trembled for fere and sayde what shall we do, there is but one way and that is that we anone go and departe fro hens leste that theyr god auenge hvmselfe vpon vs. Tho began yᵉ kynge wᵗ all his oste to fle, notwithstondȳge there was no nede. but yᵗ they of yᵉ mayster were begyled [et] deceyued. And whan yᵉ romaynes yᵗ sawe they hastely moued after al armed in good ordynaunce. [et] the kynge wᵗ many of his people they kylled and destroyed, [et] also in that manere by grete subtylte of yᵉ mayster was yᵉ myghty kynge wᵗ his folke ouercomen. Then sayd thempresse to themperour, Lorde haue ye vnderstande what I haue sayde. He sayd ye, well in yᵉ beste wyse. She sayd, haue ye no herde what I haue sayd to you at the begynnynge of this narracyon, of the stewarde that the kynge trusted so moche, which for lucre of good shamed his owne wyfe, [et] he for that was dryuen [et] banysshed out of the londe. In lyke wyse your sone for the desyre and appetyte that he hath to the empyre, entendeth to co_n_founde and destroye you. But while ye be in your myght [et] power do with hym as yᵉ kynge did wᵗ his stewarde yf ye wyll not put hym to deth, banysshe him out of your empyre, yᵗ ye without fere may leue in surete of your lyue. And haue ye not also herde how yᵉ kyng lay before ye cyte of Rome, [et] howe he was by the wyse maysters dec[e]yued [et] scorned yᵗ he with his folke were kylled [et] slayne. In the same wyse yᵉ seuen maysters entende to do wᵗ you. [et] by theyr false wyles and subtyltees to deceyue you, [et] in the ende to sle you yᵗ your sone may regne. Therupon answered themperour [et] sayd that shall not so be, for my sone too morowe shal deye. Than commau_n_ded his seruaūtes that they sholde lede his sone to hangynge. And as the folke herde that there was a grete noyse [et] a gaderynge of theym and bewayled the dethe of yᵉ only sone of themperour. And as yᵉ syxte mayster herde that, he hasted hym too the Emperour [et] salued hym moche honourably, [et] he toke it vntha_n_kfully, [et] thretned hym or menaced him to dye wᵗ his sone for that he was wᵗ them made dompe, and a rybaude, yᵉ whiche he had shewed vpon his wyfe. The mayster sayd. I haue deserued no deth wᵗ your sone, but grete [et] large gyftes, for he is not dompe as ye shall here wᵗin thre dayes yf he may lyue soo longe. and yf ye put hym too deth for wordes of your wyfe, than shall I merueyll of your wysdome. [et] without doute it shall happen to you as it somtyme happened to a knyght that so moche alowed the saynges of his wyfe that he was bounde to an horse tayle [et] drawen thrugh out all the cyte to the galowes. Themperour sayde for the loue of god shewe me that example that I may the better beware of that peryl. That wyl I not doo sayd the mayster, wᵗout ye do cal ayen your sone. Than themperour commau_n_ded to call his sone. And the mayster began afore al the folke to tel in this maner folowynge.

_The Example of the Syxte Mayster._

There was an Emperour of Rome the whiche had thre knyghtes whom he loued aboue al other. And in that same cyte was an au_n_cyent knyght yᵗ had wedded a fayre yonge wyfe as ye do thempres whiche aboue al other thy_n_ges he loued. This lady coude synge ryht wel, [et] melodyously [et] wᵗ suche swetnes yᵗ many drewe to her house [et] desyred her company / It befell vpo_n_ a season as she sate in her house, yᵉ vysage torned in to the strete yᵗ she myght se them that we_n_t by. [et] began swetely tu synge, yᵗ all folke delyted for to here her. By chaunce came that wayes a knyght of yᵉ Emperours courte [et] herde that voyce, lyft vp his eyē [et] behelde her Intentyfly [et] anone he was taken in her loue, and entred in to her house [et] fyll in communycacyon wᵗ her of loue. [et] amonges al other he demau_n_ded what he sholde gyue her too slepe by hym one nyght. She answered an hondred floreyns. The knyght sayde, tell me whan I shall come, [et] I shall gyue you an hondred floreyns. She sayd whan I may haue a conuenyent tyme I shal sende for you. The nexte day she sange ayen in the same place, and it fortuned the seco_n_de knyght of themperour to come by that same way, the whiche in lykewyse was smyten in her loue, [et] also pr_o_mysed her an hondred floreyns. To whom also she promysed to shewe hym a tyme prouyded. The thyrd day was the thyrd knyght in lyke wyse caught in her loue, the whiche also promysed an ho_n_dred floreyns, [et] she too gyue hym knowelege of the tyme. Thyse thre knyghtes haue so secretly spoken with that lady yᵗ none of them had knowlege of other. The lady yᵗ was of malyce [et] cautelous replenysshed, came to her husbonde [et] sayd, syr I haue secrete maters too shewe you, [et] folowe therein my counseyll yf ye do it, our necessite or pouerte ye may largely releue. The knyght sayd tel it me I shal holde it secrete [et] fulfyl it to my power. She sayde thre knyghtes of thēperours court haue ben wᵗ me one after an other in suche wyse yᵗ none knoweth of an other counseyll. [et] euery of them haue offred me an hondred floreyns, myght we yᵉ thre c florayns gete [et] no knowlege therof be had sholde it not be to vs a grete helpe [et] our pouerte well releued. The knyght sayd, forsoth yes, [et] therfore what someuer ye cou_n_seyl me to do I shall folowe it. Tho sayd she, I shall gyue you this counseyll. whan they come with the floreyns ye shall stande behynde yᵉ yate wᵗ your swerde drawen in your hande. [et] bycause yᵗ euery of them comethe alone, ye shall sle one after another, [et] so we shal haue the three c floreyns of them without knowlege of ony other. The knyght answered. O my best beloued wif I fere me that this euyll can notte be hydde, and we sholde therfore shamefully suffre dethe yf that it were knowen. She sayd I shall this werke begynne. [et] I shall make therof a good ende, and fere it not. wha_n_ the knyght sawe that she was so hardy it caused hym to be the more bolde. and she sent for the fyrst knyght and he came to hyr anone with oute ony taryenge to the yate [et] knocked, [et] she askyd yf he brought yᵉ c floreyns. and he sayd ye, I haue theym here all redy. Tho lete she hy_m_ in. [et] anone at yᵉ entrynge in, her husbonde kylled hym [et] so he dyde yᵉ seconde [et] the thyrde [et] in to one secrete chamber they drewe the bodyes of them. Whan it was thus done yᵉ knyght sayd to his lady. O dere wyfe yf thyse bodyes be founde wᵗ vs, we shall dye yᵉ moost shamefull deth yᵗ can be ymagyned for it is not possyble but yᵗ thyse knyghtes shall be myssed in themperours courte. [et] grete serche [et] Inquysyon shall be for them made thrugh all this cyte, where they are become. She sayde, Syr I haue this werke begonne, [et] shal make therof a good ende, fere not, as I afore sayd. This lady had a brother the whiche had the gouernau_n_ce of the watche of yᵉ cyte that on yᵉ nyghtis vpon stretes watched wᵗ his felowes. She stode at her gate [et] called her brother [et] sayde. O my best brodʳ I haue a secrete mater the whiche in co_n_fessyon I shal shewe you. [et] therfore come a lytyll withi_n_, [et] whan yᵗ he was come in, the knyght receyued hym frendly [et] gaue hym wyne to drynke. [et] sayd, my well beloued broder, this is yᵉ cause yᵗ I haue called you, for of your cou_n_seyll I haue moche nede. The broder answered say it boldely to me, [et] what someuer yᵗ I may do, to my power, yᵗ shall be at your desyre wᵗout letty_n_ge. Tho sayd she, yesterdaye came in a knyght in good frendshyp / but afterwarde he fyll in suche wordes [et] varyaunce wᵗ my husbonde, yᵗ he slewe hym, [et] lyeth in my chamber. [et] myn owne dere broder we haue noo man that we may truste but you. [et] yf yᵉ body were fou_n_de by vs we sholde dye. [et] she made mencyon but of one. yᵉ brother sayd delyuer it me in a sacke [et] I shall bere hy_m_ to yᵉ see. she herynge yᵗ was full glad thereof, [et] delyuered to hy_m_ the body of yᵉ fyrste knyght. he toke it [et] went wᵗall a good pase [et] cast it therin. [et] as this was done, he came ayen to his syster [et] sayde, gyue me nowe of the beste wyne for ye are of hym quyte. [et] she thanked hy_m_ [et] went in to as though she had gone for wyne and began to crye wᵗ an hygh voyce, yᵉ knyghte that was caste in to the see is come ayen. As her brother yᵗ herde he wondred sore, [et] sayde gyue me hym. I shall se yf he shall aryse ayen. [et] toke the body of the seconde knyght [et] wende it had ben of the fyrst knyght [et] went to the see, [et] wᵗ a grete stone drowned hym therin. yᵗ done, went ayen vnto his systers house [et] sayde, nowe fyll me a cuppe with good wyne, for I haue drowned hym so depe yᵗ he shall neuer come ayen. she sayd thanked be god [et] went ayen too her chamber [et] fayned her to fetche wyne. [et] cryed with a grete voyce. Alas wo be to me he is rysen ayen and come out of yᵉ see. [et] as her brother herde that with grete meruaylle sayd. what deuyll is this knyght that I haue thus caste in to yᵉ water [et] notwithstandynge is comen ayen. Delyuer hy_m_ me yᵉ thyrde tyme, [et] I shall se yf he shall come ayen. Tho gaue she hym yᵉ thyrde knxght (_sic_), whiche he byleued had ben yᵉ fyrste knyght, [et] yede wᵗoute ye cyte to a grete foreste [et] made a grete fyre [et] caste the knyght therin. [et] whan he was almost brente, yᵉ brodʳ went thens a lytel dystau_n_ce to do his nede. Tho came there a knyght yᵗ wolde ryde to yᵉ cyte where on yᵉ morny_n_ge they sholde haue a tourneye [et] a Justy_n_g. [et] it was colde weder [et] derke, [et] was not fer fro yᵉ cyte. As yᵗ he had a syght of that fyre drewe therto [et] alyghted from his horse [et] warmed hy_m_. The waker came [et] sayd to hy_m_ what arte yᵘ. The knyght sayd I am a gentyl knyghte. Tho spake yᵉ waker [et] sayd, yᵘ arte no knyght but a deuyll for fyrste I caste ye in to the water, the ii tyme wᵗ a grete stone I drowned the, [et] the iii tyme I haue put yᵉ in this fyre supposynge yᵗ yᵘ haddest be brente. [et] yet yᵘ standest here, [et] tho he toke yᵉ knyght wᵗ his hors [et] cast them both in to the fyre. [et] after yᵗ he went aye_n_ to his syster [et] tolde what had hapned hy_m_. Nowe bry_n_ge me of yᵉ beste wyne, for after yᵗ I had brente hym I fou_n_de hym ayen by yᵉ fyre wᵗ his horse, [et] I haue caste them both in the fyre. [et] his syster perceyued well yᵗ he had brent a knyght of the tourney whiche anone broughte hy_m_ of yᵉ best wyne habu_n_dau_n_tly. [et] after he had wel dronken he went thens. Not longe tyme after that there fyll a grete debate [et] co_n_tencōn betwyx the knyghte [et] his wyfe, in such wyse yᵗ he smote her. which had indygnacyon therof [et] waxed angry [et] sayd that many myght here it, O wretche wyll ye kylle me as ye haue done the thre knyghts of themperours. men yᵗ herynge layde handes on them, [et] brought them before yᵉ emperour [et] yᵉ woman anone knowleged yᵗ hyr husbonde had slayne the thre knyghtes of themperours [et] how he toke fro them thre hondred floreyns [et] as it was thus in trouth fou_n_de, bothe were drawen atte an horse tayll and hanged vppon the galowes. Than sayd yᵉ mayster to themperour, haue ye vnderstande what I haue sayd. He answered ryghte well. I saye for certayne that wyfe was yᵉ worste woman that myght be of all wymme_n_, for she moued [et] styred hy_m_ to murdre, [et] afterwarde dyscouered hym. The mayster sayd, It is wᵗoute doubte yᵗ it shall to you happen worse yf ye put to deth your sone by yᵉ aduyse of your wyfe. Themperour sayd, my sone shall not dye this day. The mayster yᵗ herynge yaue thankynges to themperour, and toke leue [et] went his waye.

_The Seuenth Complaynte of the Empresse._

Whan the empresse herde yᵗ the sone of themperour was yet lyuynge, as a mad woman she ranne to themperour wepynge [et] cryenge. O vnhappy wyfe what shall I doo. alas alas for I muste nedes sle myselfe yᵗ so am ashamed [et] no punysshement there vpon done. Themperour answered, God defende you suche thy_n_ges to haue in mynde, but suffer a whyle, [et] ye shall haue a good ende in your cause. She answered, Syr yʳ ende shall be euyll, for of yᵗ shal folowe to you grete co_n_fusyon [et] to me. Themperour sayd, be styl of such thy_n_ges. She sayd, Lorde it shall come to you [et] your sone as it happened to a kynge [et] to his stewarde. Themperour sayd I praye you tell me that example. She sayde I wyll gladly tell it, but I fere me that ye wyl here me no more, for yᵉ next day yᵉ seue_n_th mayster shal speke [et] saue your sone from yᵉ deth as his felowes haue done. The seconde day after this then your sone shal speke, of whoos wordes ye shal haue [et] take svche joy [et] delectacyon yᵗ the loue betwyxte vs shall bee holy forgeten [et] wasshed away. Themperour sayd that is Impossyble to me, for I shal neuer your loue forgete. Tho sayd she, O my best beloued lorde, please it you I shal tel you one example, by yᵉ whiche ye shall beware before of many perylles in tyme comynge, [et] specyally of your cursed sone, whiche entendeth to destroy me by his maysters. The emperour sayd, tell on your example. and the Empresse began to tell in this wyse ensuynge.

_The Seuenth Example of the Empresse._

There was somtyme a kyng, the whiche loued his wyfe aboue all thynge. in so moche that he closed her in a stronge castell, [et] bare yᵉ keyes of the castel hymselfe. The lady was therfore ryght heuy [et] desolate. Now in ferre partyes there was a valyaunte knyght yᵉ whiche in a nyght had a dreme after this effecte. For he thought that he sawe one of the fayreste quenes yᵗ myght be. yᵉ which aboue all thynges desyred to haue her loue. yᵗ yf he myghte se her walkynge he sholde clerely haue knowlege of, by whome to hym grete frendshyp [et] worship sholde come. To yᵉ quene in yᵉ same nyght by vysyon of the sayd knyght, it was to her also shewed. [et] yet they hadde of eche other neyther knowlege of name neyther of fame. Whan yᵉ knyght had thus dremed [et] seen in his slepe, he thought [et] determyned in his mynde that his fote sholde not reste vnto yᵉ tyme tyll he had founde that lady, yᵗ to hym was shewed in his vysyon. and lepte vpon his horse / and toke with hym all that to hym was necessarye for his journey. and rode and laboured thrughe dyuerse regyons and londes soo longe tyll at the last he came vnto the same londe, where that the quene was by her husbonde closed or kepte in a stronge castel. And wha_n_ this sayd knyght was come in to yᵉ same cyte, and by a certayne season had there soiourned, it happened on a day as this knyght walked by the castell, and knewe not yᵗ yᵉ quene was therin she sate in a wy_n_dowe to beholde [et] see yᵉ people goynge by. [et] amonge all other she sawe the sayd knyght, and knewe that he was the same man that she had dremed of. And yᵗ knyght by chaunce lyfte vp his eyen [et] perceyued yᵉ lady syttyng in the wyndowe. [et] anone his minde shewed hym yᵗ it was she yᵗ he the dremes of had. [et] he began to synge a songe of loue. And as she herde yᵗ she was anone taken wᵗ his loue. The knyghte from thensforth dayly went [et] walked aboute yᵉ castell beholdynge it ouer all yᵗ yf in ony maner wyse he myght gete to her too shewe his mynde. The lady perceyuy_n_ge that she wrote a letter [et] cast it downe to hym. And whan he had sene ouer yᵉ letter, [et] understode yᵉ wyll of that lady, he began to haunte Joustes [et] tournamentes [et] dyde so many gret [et] merueylous actes or dedes, that yᵉ name of hym came to the kynge. And as the kynge herde that he sent after hym [et] sayd to hym, Syr knyght I haue herde moche honour of you. yf it wyll please you for to abyde [et] to dwell wᵗ vs, we shall gyue you large gyftes [et] rewardes. The knyght answerd, O ryght myg[h]ty prynce I am your seruaunte, wolde god yᵗ I coude do ony seruyse to please your magnyfycence, wᵗout takynge of rewarde saue one thyng afore all other I desyre. The kynge sayd, shewe it boldely what thynge yᵗ it is. The knyght sayd, My lorde sythen yᵗ it hath pleased you for to take me as your seruau_n_t [et] one of youre counseyll, me semeth that it were expedyent for bothe our solaces, that I hadde a place nyghe too the wall of the castell: that I myght at all tymes be the more redy at your callynge whan that ye haue nede. Then̄e the kynge sayd I consente it to you make it as ye thy_n_ke it beste. Tho wente the knyght [et] hyred werkeme_n_ [et] made a fayre logynge by yᵉ walles of yᵉ toure. [et] wha_n_ it was all redy, He made a couenau_n_t wᵗ a werkeman for to make out of his house a secret way in to yᵉ tour [et] whan it was made redy after his entente, he kylled yᵉ werkeman by cause he sholde not dyscouer. [et] went in to yᵉ quene [et] dyde to her reuerence accordy_n_g [et] they talked of many thynges, yᵗ at thende he desyred for to slepe by her, which she oftentymes denyed, but neueryᵉles she co_n_sented to hy_m_. After yᵗ yᵉ quene thought what shall I do, yf I sholde gyue knowlege herof vnto my husbo_n_d, therof sholde come two euyls yᵉ one is my shame, [et] yᵗ by auenture he sho[l]de vtterly forsake me [et] dryue me out of his londe for euer, [et] yᵉ knyght he sholde sle, for fro yᵉ dethe he coude not escape, [et] therfore it is better yᵗ I be styll [et] tell not. The knyght after yᵗ as oftentymes as it pleased hym he went in to the quene, [et] dyde his wyll with her. And she gaue hym a rynge the whiche yᵉ kyng had gyuen vnto her at theyr weddynge. This knyght in euery batayll and tournamēadde the vyctory wherfore he was and stode in grete fauour with the kynge insomoche that he made hy_m_ his stewarde [et] gouernoure of al his Regyon [et] lond. ¶ It happened vppon a daye that the kynge dysposed hym selfe for too goo too chase or huntynge, and he commaunded his stewarde for too make hym redy vppon the morowe for too goo with hym, whertoo he offred hym selfe all redy. ¶ And on the morowe after they entred in to yᵉ forest, [et] all that daye they chased, [et] folowed yᵉ wylde bestes that they were so wery that yᵉ kynge by a fontayne sate hy_m_ downe to reste. [et] yᵉ knyghte by yᵉ kynge, [et] fyll on slepe by hym, hauynge yᵉ ry_n_ge vpon his fynger, yᵉ whiche the kynge marked [et] knewe. After yᵗ the knyght perceyued yᵗ the kynge had sene the rynge, fayned hymself seke [et] sayd, My lorde I fele my selfe sore seke [et] yf I fynde not hastely remedy therfore by the meanes [of] physyke I am but a dede ma_n_ [et] therfore I pray you lycence me to go home. To whome he sayd, go my dere frend in goddes name. he anone gate on his horse [et] hasted hy_m_ to his house, [et] wente to the quene [et] gave her ayen yᵉ rynge, [et] tolde her how yᵉ kynge had marked it [et] sene it on his fynger, [et] prayed her yf he made ony questyons of yᵉ rynge yᵗ [s]he sholde shewe it to hy_m_. This done, he went downe ayen to his lodgy_n_ge. And anone after yᵗ the kynge came to the quene [et] she receyued hym ryght louy_n_gly, [et] after yᵗ a lytyl tyme was passed, the kyng sayd, My lady shew me where yᵉ ryng is that I gaue to you, I desyre to se it. O my lorde to what entente at this tyme desyre ye to se it. Than sayd he, yf ye shewe it not to me Inco_n_tyne_n_t it shall repente you. She rose anone vp [et] went to [her] cheste [et] brought the ry_n_ge to yᵉ kynge. And as he sawe yᵉ rynge he was half ashamed, [et] sayd vnto her, O howe lyke is the knyghtes rynge vnto this rynge, whyche I sawe vpon his fynger, and I bileued that it had ben my rynge, and therfore it was that I asked it of you so hastely after the rynge. And of this euyll suspecyon I yelde my selfe gylty ayenst you my dere lady, in this behalfe, for yᵉ strength of the toure deceyued me, for I thy_n_ke yᵗ noo man myght come therin, but I myself alone. She sayde, My dere lorde, wondʳ not for one rynge is lyke an other, for werke men make seldome ony werke, but yᵉ other make the same, but god forgyue it you that ye haue had me suspect whan ye knowe the strength of yᵉ toure, [et] the keyes ye haue alway by you, [et] byleue no man therwᵗ. After yᵗ the knyght lete ordeyn̄ a grete dyner [et] sayd to the ky_n_ge, my lorde it is so that my lady in loue is come out of my countre [et] I haue done to be made a feste or a dyner. [et] gladly I wolde pray you that at this tyme ye wyll doo me honour, [et] take suche mete as is in my house. he kynge sayd I shal gladly do you yᵗ worshypp [et] more. The knight was therof glad, [et] by his secrete way went to the quene [et] sayd to her, My lady this day ye shal come to my house by my preuy way, [et] clothe you in ryche clothynge after the way of my cou_n_tre, [et] ye shal syt at the table wᵗ the kynge as my souerayne lady, [et] make hy_m_ good there. She sayd as ye wyll I shall it all thȳges fulfyll, [et] whan the houre of mete was come, [et] the ky_n_ge from the castell was comyng towardes the knyghtes house, In the meane tyme the quene entred by the secrete way in to the knyghtes lodgynge [et] apparayled her after the maner of the knyghtes countre. and whan the kynge was entred in to the house, she salued hym reuerently and receyued hym. and whan the kynge hadde beholden her he demaunded of the knyghte, what woman is this that is so fayr. Then yᵉ knyght sayd my lorde it is my souerayne lady that now is come out of my cou_n_tre after me. I haue taryed longe in her seruyce. Then the knyght set the kynge att yᵉ table as it behoued. [et] made the quene to syt by hym / [et] the kynge thoughte that it was his quene, and sayd wᵗin hymself, O how lyke is this woman vnto my wyfe. So yᵉ strength of the toure deceyued hym, that he gaue more fayth and credence to yᵉ knyghtes wordes than he dyde vnto his owne eyen. The quene began̄e for to speke [et] talke vnto the kynge and to styre hym for to ete and drynke [et] to make good chere. And wha_n_ as the kynge herde her voyce and speche than he sayd to hymselfe, O blessed lady, lyke is this woman vnto my quene, in her behauyng / in speche / in vysage / [et] in all other thy_n_ges [et] condycyons. and alwayes yᵉ strengthe of the toure fayled hym. In the ende of yᵉ mete, yᵉ knyghte prayed his loue to synge a songe afore yᵉ kyng the whiche began for to synge a songe of loue. whan as he herde that [et] knewe her voyce, he thought is not this my wyfe. How may it be she. haue not I the keyes of yᵉ toure my selfe in kepynge. and soo all the mete tyme he sate and strofe within hymselfe. Tho att the laste he sayde vnto the knyght that he sholde take vp the table for he hadde somwhat for too done for why that he sate in suche a grete thought, and aduysemēt. The knyght answered and sayde, My lorde ye make noo good chere, ye are full of thoughtes. And yf it please you we shall make to you more sporte [et] solace. And the woman sayd please it you syr kynge here by vs tarye. we shall make you all the sporte [et] solace that we can, lyke as yᵉ quene is in her solace [et] conforte. He sayd take away the table, for I may no lenger abyde. Then the knyght at the commaundement of yᵉ kynge toke vp the table, [et] thanked theym all. And yᵉ kynge wente hastely vnto the castell in serchynge whether yᵗ the quene were wᵗin or not. And in the meane whyle the quene went vp by her preuy way, [et] put of her vppermost vestures [et] the kynge founde her in the same clothynge that he lefte her afore. Whan as the kynge was entred [et] so founde her, he embraced [et] kyssed her [et] sayd vnto her. This day I haue eten wᵗ my knyghte and wᵗ his loue that is come out of his cou_n_tree, and sythen I was borne vnto this day myn eyen hath not sene two so lyke creatures in al thyng as she is to you and this mete tyme I haue be soo moche styred with dyuerse thy_n_ges yᵗ I coude no lenger abyde there, but yᵗ I muste come [et] serche whether ye were here or theyre. Tho sayd yᵉ quene, Syr how myght ye thynke yᵗ, for ye knowe well yᵗ this toure is fast, [et] stronge ynoughe [et] that no body can come in nor out wᵗout you, for ye alone haue alwayes the keye. How were it then possyble for me to be there. Ye fynde somtyme one man lyke on other and therfore ye sholde take none argumētes of mysdemyng or of suspycion, as ye late dyde of the rynge. The kynge sayd, that is true and therfore I knowlege my selfe gylty that I haue mysdemed you. After that came to hym yᵉ knyght [et] sayd, My lorde I haue of long tyme serued your good grace, and now it is tyme that I retourne ayen in to my countre [et] therfore for all the seruyce yᵗ I haue done vnto you I desyre of you but one thynge to do for me. yᵗ my lorde ye whiche I entende to wedde in the face of the chyrche, which hath folowed me out of ferre countrees, [et] her I shall brynge thyder ayen as my laweful wyfe. Therfore I beseche and praye your noble grace that ye wyll do me this honour, that by your owne honde ye wyll gyue her afore the preest vnto me, the whiche shallbe vnto me greete honour and worshyp whan I come into my countree. The kynge answered, yᵗ petycyon and more yf ye desyre it that shall I gladly doo and fulfyll it. The knyght prefyxed the daye of maryage. To the whiche daye this good kynge came to the chyrche worshypfully. The preest was redy [et] stode indued wᵗ his vestymentes for to solemnyse the matrymonye. The knyght had the quene all redy apparayled in his owne house after his maner [et] had ordeyned two knyghtes for to lede her to the chyrche, they byleuynge that it had ben his paramour. And whan they were before in the face of yᵉ chyrche yᵉ preest sayd, who shall gyue this woman vnto this knyght. Then the ky_n_ge sayd, I shall gyue her to myn owne knyght. and toke her by the hande [et] sayd vnto her, O good woman ye are moche lyke vnto my quene, and therfore I loue you the better, and also for that ye be my knyghtes wyfe and shall be of my house. and putte the quenes hande in to yᵉ knyghtes hand. and yᵉ preest after yᵉ maner of the chyrche hath bounde [et] wedded them togyder. and whan all this was fynysshed [et] done the knyghte sayd vnto yᵉ kyng, Syr my shyp yᵗ I entende to go in towardes my countre is all redy to make sayle wherfore I humbly beseche hyghly your moost noble grace that it wyl please you for to accompany my wy[fe] therunto [et] that ye wyll aduertyse [et] enfourme her[4] that she loue me [et] haue me in fauoure aboue all other creatures lyuynge, and the rather for your gode excytacyon [et] doctryne. Thenne the kynge with a grete multytude of people went with theym [et] accompanyed theym vnto the shyppe of whoos departynge many of them were dolaunte to the shyppe. the kynge began to say vnto the quene, my moost dere frende, herken now well vnto my counseyll and folowe it, for it shall be for your honour [et] proufyte. My knyght hath now here wedded [et] done to you al yᵉ worshypp yᵗ in hym is. wherfore loke yᵗ ye loue [et] honour hym aboue all erthly creatures [et] yᵗ hath god commaunded [et] that ye be too hym true [et] obedyent. [et] as this was sayd he delyuered her vnto yᵉ knyght saynge my blessyng go wᵗ you both, [et] our lorde kepe [et] conduyte you in sauete to your cou_n_tre. Then the knyght and the quene bowed and enclyned down̄ her hedes vnto yᵉ kynge. [et] thanked hym of all thyngs and they commytted hym to god and entred in to the shyppe and the maryners haled up the sayles and sayled forth afore the wynde soo that wᵗin a short tyme the kyng had lost yᵉ syght of the shyp. And from the_n_s he went hastely to yᵉ castell [et] myssed the quene. [et] wha_n_ he founde her not / he was meued in all the partes of his body. [et] sought all about yᵉ toure and serched, tyll at laste he founde yᵉ hole or yᵉ secrete way yᵗ the knyght had made. [et] as he saw that, than cryed he and weped and sayd, Alas alas this knyght in whom I hadde so grete confydence [et] truste hath taken away my wyfe, was I not a fole yᵗ I gaue more fayth in to his words then I dyde to myne owne eyen. Than sayd thempresse, My lorde haue ye vnderstand what I haue sayde. Themperour sayd ryght wel in yᵉ best wyse. Then sayd thempresse, remember how yᵗ he trusted the knyghte [et] yet he deceyued hy_m_. In the same manere wyse ye haue confydence in the seuen wyse maysters / and they laboure for to destroye me that am your wyfe. [et] ye gyue more fayth vnto theyr wordes than ye do vnto your owne eyen. for ye haue well sene how yᵗ youre sone rente and scratched me. Wherof yet I bere and haue the tokens [et] the markes as ye may see. And also ye knowe well how that your cursed sone hath me ashamed [et] ye marke not howe they defende hym in his foly and falshede. Therfore it is to be dradde yᵗ it shall happen to you as it dyde to the kynge that too you I haue spoken of. Themperour sayd, I byleue myn eyen better than theyr wordes. [et] therfore I say you yᵗ to morowe I shall do justyce of hym. On yᵉ morowe the Emperour commaunded that his sone sholde be hanged. Tho began ayen a grete noyse in and [bewailing amongst the common people for the death of the Emperor's only son. At last when the seventh master heard it, he ran immediately unto the officers, which were leading him to the gallows, and said: My friends, I pray you not to make overmuch haste but stay your hands a while, for I think this day (with the help of the Almighty God) to save him from all perils; and from thence the master hasteth himself to the Emperor's Palace, and did him reverence according to his accustomed duty. But the Emperor with great indignation made him this answer: Never more have you any joy in this world, for that you have sent my son home untaught and dumb, whom I delivered unto you well speaking, for which cause you shall all be put to death with him. The master answered: O most noble Emperor, the time is not long betwixt this and tomorrow noon; then (by the grace of God) you shall hear him speak discreetly, and shall declare the truth of all things, and this I promise you he will perform to the full, upon pain of my life, if you will spare him so long a time; if you find it not so, then take my life and the lives of us all. Then said the Emperor: If I might but hear my son speak, it would give me sufficient content, and I would not desire longer to live. Then answered the master: All this and more you shall hear and see, and confess it to be true, if you will but abide this little time: and then the strife that hath been betwixt us and the Empress will clearly be decided. And if you suffer him to be put to death through the words of your most ungodly wife, I tell you of a truth it shall happen worse to you than it did to a knight that died for a little blood that he saw his wife to bleed, to whom afterwards she was most unnatural. Then said the Emperor: That example I would fain hear. Then said the master: Let your son be called again, and I shall tell you so notable an example that during your life you may beware of the unsteadfastness of woman. Then the Emperor said: I shall go call my son again upon condition that tomorrow I shall hear him speak as you have promised. The master said: Do that, my lord, for it shall so be. And began to tell as followeth.]

_The Example of the Seuenth Mayster._