Che. Sche Wol Noght In The Wodes Duelle, For Sche Wolde Openliche Telle; And Ek For That Sche Was A Spouse, Among The Folk Sche Comth To House, To Do Thes Wyves Understonde The Falshod Of Hire Housebonde, 6020 That Thei Of Hem Be War Also, For Ther Ben Manye Untrewe Of Tho. Thus Ben The Sostres Briddes Bothe, And Ben Toward The Men So Lothe, That Thei Ne Wole Of Pure Schame Unto No Mannes Hand Be Tame; For Evere It Duelleth In Here Mynde Of That Thei Founde A Man Unkinde, And That Was False Tere S. If Such On Be Amonges Ous 6030 I Not, Bot His Condicion Men Sein In Every Region Withinne Toune And Ek Withoute Nou Regneth Comunliche Aboute. And Natheles In Remembrance I Wol Declare What Vengance The Goddes Hadden Him Ordeined, Of That The Sostres Hadden Pleigned: For Anon After He Was Changed And From His Oghne Kinde Stranged, 6040 A Lappewincke Mad He Was, And Thus He Hoppeth On The Gras, And On His Hed Ther Stant Upriht A Creste In Tokne He Was A Kniht; And Yit Unto This Dai Men Seith, A Lappewincke Hath Lore His Feith And Is The Brid Falseste Of Alle. Bewar, Mi Sone, Er Thee So Falle; For If Thou Be Of Such Covine, To Gete Of Love Be Ravine 6050 Thi Lust, It Mai Thee Falle Thus, As It Befell Of Tere S. Mi Fader, Goddes Forebode! Me Were Levere Be Fortrode With Wilde Hors And Be Todrawe, Er I Ayein Love And His Lawe Dede Eny Thing Or Loude Or Stille, Which Were Noght Mi Ladi Wille. Men Sein That Every Love Hath Drede; So Folweth It That I Hire Drede, 6060 For I Hire Love, And Who So Dredeth, To Plese His Love And Serve Him Nedeth. Thus Mai Ye Knowen Be This Skile That No Ravine Don I Wile Ayein Hir Will Be Such A Weie; Bot While I Live, I Wol Obeie Abidinge On Hire Courtesie, If Eny Merci Wolde Hir Plie. Forthi, Mi Fader, As Of This I Wot Noght I Have Don Amis: 6070 Bot Furthermore I You Beseche, Som Other Point That Ye Me Teche, And Axeth Forth, If Ther Be Auht, That I Mai Be The Betre Tauht. Whan Covoitise In Povere Astat Stant With Himself Upon Debat Thurgh Lacke Of His Misgovernance, That He Unto His Sustienance Ne Can Non Other Weie Finde To Gete Him Good, Thanne As The Blinde, 6080 Which Seth Noght What Schal After Falle, That Ilke Vice Which Men Calle Of Robberie, He Takth On Honde; Wherof Be Water And Be Londe Of Thing Which Othre Men Beswinke He Get Him Cloth And Mete And Drinke. Him Reccheth Noght What He Beginne, Thurgh Thefte So That He Mai Winne: Forthi To Maken His Pourchas He Lith Awaitende On The Pas, 6090 And What Thing That He Seth Ther Passe, He Takth His Part, Or More Or Lasse, If It Be Worthi To Be Take. He Can The Packes Wel Ransake, So Prively Berth Non Aboute His Gold, That He Ne Fint It Oute, Or Other Juel, What It Be; He Takth It As His Proprete. In Wodes And In Feldes Eke Thus Robberie Goth To Seke, 6100 Wher As He Mai His Pourpos Finde. And Riht So In The Same Kinde, My Goode Sone, As Thou Miht Hiere, To Speke Of Love In The Matiere And Make A Verrai Resemblance, Riht As A Thief Makth His Chevance And Robbeth Mennes Good Aboute In Wode And Field, Wher He Goth Oute, So Be Ther Of These Lovers Some, In Wylde Stedes Wher Thei Come 6110 And Finden There A Womman Able, And Therto Place Covenable, Withoute Leve, Er That Thei Fare, Thei Take A Part Of That Chaffare: Yee, Though Sche Were A Scheperdesse, Yit Wol The Lord Of Wantounesse Assaie, Althogh Sche Be Unmete, For Other Mennes Good Is Swete. Bot Therof Wot Nothing The Wif At Hom, Which Loveth As Hir Lif 6120 Hir Lord, And Sitt Alday Wisshinge After Hir Lordes Hom Comynge: Bot Whan That He Comth Hom At Eve, Anon He Makth His Wif Beleve, For Sche Noght Elles Scholde Knowe: He Telth Hire Hou His Hunte Hath Blowe, And Hou His Houndes Have Wel Runne, And Hou Ther Schon A Merye Sunne, And Hou His Haukes Flowen Wel; Bot He Wol Telle Her Nevere A Diel 6130 Hou He To Love Untrewe Was, Of That He Robbede In The Pas, And Tok His Lust Under The Schawe Ayein Love And Ayein His Lawe. Which Thing, Mi Sone, I Thee Forbede, For It Is An Ungoodly Dede. For Who That Takth Be Robberie His Love, He Mai Noght Justefie His Cause, And So Fulofte Sithe For Ones That He Hath Be Blithe 6140 He Schal Ben After Sory Thries. Ensample Of Suche Robberies I Finde Write, As Thou Schalt Hiere, Acordende Unto This Matiere. I Rede Hou Whilom Was A Maide, The Faireste, As Ovide Saide, Which Was In Hire Time Tho; And Sche Was Of The Chambre Also Of Pallas, Which Is The Goddesse And Wif To Marte, Of Whom Prouesse 6150 Is Yove To These Worthi Knihtes. For He Is Of So Grete Mihtes, That He Governeth The Bataille; Withouten Him May Noght Availe The Stronge Hond, Bot He It Helpe; Ther Mai No Knyht Of Armes Yelpe, Bot He Feihte Under His Banere. Bot Nou To Speke Of Mi Matiere, This Faire, Freisshe, Lusti Mai, Al One As Sche Wente On A Dai 6160 Upon The Stronde Forto Pleie, Ther Cam Neptunus In The Weie, Which Hath The See In Governance; And In His Herte Such Plesance He Tok, Whan He This Maide Sih, That Al His Herte Aros On Hih, For He So Sodeinliche Unwar Behield The Beaute That Sche Bar. And Caste Anon Withinne His Herte That Sche Him Schal No Weie Asterte, 6170 Bot If He Take In Avantage Fro Thilke Maide Som Pilage, Noght Of The Broches Ne The Ringes, Bot Of Some Othre Smale Thinges He Thoghte Parte, Er That Sche Wente; And Hire In Bothe Hise Armes Hente, And Putte His Hond Toward The Cofre, Wher Forto Robbe He Made A Profre, That Lusti Tresor Forto Stele, Which Passeth Othre Goodes Fele 6180 And Cleped Is The Maidenhede, Which Is The Flour Of Wommanhede. This Maiden, Which Cornix Be Name Was Hote, Dredende Alle Schame, Sih That Sche Mihte Noght Debate, And Wel Sche Wiste He Wolde Algate Fulfille His Lust Of Robberie, Anon Began To Wepe And Crie, And Seide, "O Pallas, Noble Queene, Scheu Nou Thi Myht And Let Be Sene, 6190 To Kepe And Save Myn Honour: Help, That I Lese Noght Mi Flour, Which Nou Under Thi Keie Is Loke." That Word Was Noght So Sone Spoke, Whan Pallas Schop Recoverir After The Will And The Desir Of Hire, Which A Maiden Was, And Sodeinliche Upon This Cas Out Of Hire Wommanisshe Kinde Into A Briddes Like I Finde 6200 Sche Was Transformed Forth Withal, So That Neptunus Nothing Stal Of Such Thing As He Wolde Have Stole. With Fetheres Blake As Eny Cole Out Of Hise Armes In A Throwe Sche Flih Before His Yhe A Crowe; Which Was To Hire A More Delit, To Kepe Hire Maidenhede Whit Under The Wede Of Fethers Blake, In Perles Whyte Than Forsake 6210 That No Lif Mai Restore Ayein. Bot Thus Neptune His Herte In Vein Hath Upon Robberie Sett; The Bridd Is Flowe And He Was Let, The Faire Maide Him Hath Ascaped, Wherof For Evere He Was Bejaped And Scorned Of That He Hath Lore. Mi Sone, Be Thou War Therfore That Thou No Maidenhode Stele, Wherof Men Sen Deseses Fele 6220 Aldai Befalle In Sondri Wise; So As I Schal Thee Yit Devise An Other Tale Therupon, Which Fell Be Olde Daies Gon. King Lichaon Upon His Wif A Dowhter Hadde, A Goodly Lif, A Clene Maide Of Worthi Fame, Calistona Whos Rihte Name Was Cleped, And Of Many A Lord Sche Was Besoght, Bot Hire Acord 6230 To Love Myhte Noman Winne, As Sche Which Hath No Lust Therinne; Bot Swor Withinne Hir Herte And Saide That Sche Wolde Evere Ben A Maide. Wherof To Kepe Hireself In Pes, With Suche As Amadriades Were Cleped, Wodemaydes, Tho, And With The Nimphes Ek Also Upon The Spring Of Freisshe Welles Sche Schop To Duelle And Nagher Elles. 6240 And Thus Cam This Calistona Into The Wode Of Tegea, Wher Sche Virginite Behihte Unto Diane, And Therto Plihte Her Trouthe Upon The Bowes Grene, To Kepe Hir Maidenhode Clene. Which Afterward Upon A Day Was Priveliche Stole Away; For Jupiter Thurgh His Queintise From Hire It Tok In Such A Wise, 6250 That Sodeinliche Forth Withal Hire Wombe Aros And Sche Toswal, So That It Mihte Noght Ben Hidd. And Therupon It Is Betidd, Diane, Which It Herde Telle, In Prive Place Unto A Welle With Nimphes Al A Compainie Was Come, And In A Ragerie Sche Seide That Sche Bathe Wolde, And Bad That Every Maide Scholde 6260 With Hire Al Naked Bathe Also. And Tho Began The Prive Wo, Calistona Wax Red For Schame; Bot Thei That Knewe Noght The Game, To Whom No Such Thing Was Befalle, Anon Thei Made Hem Naked Alle, As Thei That Nothing Wolden Hyde: Bot Sche Withdrouh Hire Evere Asyde, And Natheles Into The Flod, Wher That Diane Hirselve Stod, 6270 Sche Thoghte Come Unaperceived. Bot Therof Sche Was Al Deceived; For Whan Sche Cam A Litel Nyh, And That Diane Hire Wombe Syh, Sche Seide, "Awey, Thou Foule Beste, For Thin Astat Is Noght Honeste This Chaste Water Forto Touche; For Thou Hast Take Such A Touche, Which Nevere Mai Ben Hol Ayein." And Thus Goth Sche Which Was Forlein 6280 With Schame, And Fro The Nimphes Fledde, Til Whanne That Nature Hire Spedde, That Of A Sone, Which Archas Was Named, Sche Delivered Was. And Tho Juno, Which Was The Wif Of Jupiter, Wroth And Hastif, In Pourpos Forto Do Vengance Cam Forth Upon This Ilke Chance, And To Calistona Sche Spak, And Sette Upon Hir Many A Lak, 6290 And Seide, "Ha, Nou Thou Art Atake, That Thou Thi Werk Myht Noght Forsake. Ha, Thou Ungoodlich Ypocrite, Hou Thou Art Gretly Forto Wyte! Bot Nou Thou Schalt Ful Sore Abie That Ilke Stelthe And Micherie, Which Thou Hast Bothe Take And Do; Wherof Thi Fader Lichao Schal Noght Be Glad, Whan He It Wot, Of That His Dowhter Was So Hot, 6300 That Sche Hath Broke Hire Chaste Avou. Bot I Thee Schal Chastise Nou; Thi Grete Beaute Schal Be Torned, Thurgh Which That Thou Hast Be Mistorned, Thi Large Frount, Thin Yhen Greie, I Schal Hem Change In Other Weie, And Al The Feture Of Thi Face In Such A Wise I Schal Deface, That Every Man Thee Schal Forbere." With That The Liknesse Of A Bere 6310 Sche Tok And Was Forschape Anon. Withinne A Time And Therupon Befell That With A Bowe On Honde, To Hunte And Gamen Forto Fonde, Into That Wode Goth To Pleie Hir Sone Archas, And In His Weie It Hapneth That This Bere Cam. And Whan That Sche Good Hiede Nam, Wher That He Stod Under The Bowh, Sche Kneu Him Wel And To Him Drouh; 6320 For Thogh Sche Hadde Hire Forme Lore, The Love Was Noght Lost Therfore Which Kinde Hath Set Under His Lawe. Whan Sche Under The Wodesschawe Hire Child Behield, Sche Was So Glad, That Sche With Bothe Hire Armes Sprad, As Thogh Sche Were In Wommanhiede, Toward Him Cam, And Tok Non Hiede Of That He Bar A Bowe Bent. And He With That An Arwe Hath Hent 6330 And Gan To Teise It In His Bowe, As He That Can Non Other Knowe, Bot That It Was A Beste Wylde. Bot Jupiter, Which Wolde Schylde The Moder And The Sone Also, Ordeineth For Hem Bothe So, That Thei For Evere Were Save. Bot Thus, Mi Sone, Thou Myht Have Ensample, Hou That It Is To Fle To Robbe The Virginite 6340 Of A Yong Innocent Aweie: And Overthis Be Other Weie, In Olde Bokes As I Rede, Such Robberie Is Forto Drede, And Nameliche Of Thilke Good Which Every Womman That Is Good Desireth Forto Kepe And Holde, As Whilom Was Be Daies Olde. For If Thou Se Mi Tale Wel Of That Was Tho, Thou Miht Somdiel 6350 Of Old Ensample Taken Hiede, Hou That The Flour Of Maidenhiede Was Thilke Time Holde In Pris. And So It Was, And So It Is, And So It Schal For Evere Stonde: And For Thou Schalt It Understonde, Nou Herkne A Tale Next Suiende, Hou Maidenhod Is To Commende. Of Rome Among The Gestes Olde I Finde Hou That Valerie Tolde 6360 That What Man Tho Was Emperour Of Rome, He Scholde Don Honour To The Virgine, And In The Weie, Wher He Hire Mette, He Scholde Obeie In Worschipe Of Virginite, Which Tho Was Of Gret Dignite. Noght Onliche Of The Wommen Tho, Bot Of The Chaste Men Also It Was Commended Overal: And Forto Speke In Special 6370 Touchende Of Men, Ensample I Finde, Phyryns, Which Was Of Mannes Kinde Above Alle Othre The Faireste Of Rome And Ek The Comelieste, That Wel Was Hire Which Him Mihte Beholde And Have Of Him A Sihte. Thus Was He Tempted Ofte Sore; Bot For He Wolde Be Nomore Among The Wommen So Coveited, The Beaute Of His Face Streited 6380 He Hath, And Threste Out Bothe Hise Yhen, That Alle Wommen Whiche Him Syhen Thanne Afterward, Of Him Ne Roghte: And Thus His Maidehiede He Boghte. So Mai I Prove Wel Forthi, Above Alle Othre Under The Sky, Who That The Vertus Wolde Peise, Virginite Is Forto Preise, Which, As Thapocalips Recordeth, To Crist In Hevene Best Acordeth. 6390 So Mai It Schewe Wel Therfore, As I Have Told It Hier Tofore, In Hevene And Ek In Erthe Also It Is Accept To Bothe Tuo. And If I Schal More Over This Declare What This Vertu Is, I Finde Write Upon This Thing Of Valentinian The King And Emperour Be Thilke Daies, A Worthi Knyht At Alle Assaies, 6400 Hou He Withoute Mariage Was Of An Hundred Wynter Age, And Hadde Ben A Worthi Kniht Bothe Of His Lawe And Of His Myht. Bot Whan Men Wolde His Dedes Peise And His Knyhthode Of Armes Preise, Of That He Dede With His Hondes, Whan He The Kinges And The Londes To His Subjeccion Put Under, Of Al That Pris Hath He No Wonder, 6410 For He It Sette Of Non Acompte, And Seide Al That May Noght Amonte Ayeins O Point Which He Hath Nome, That He His Fleissh Hath Overcome: He Was A Virgine, As He Seide; On That Bataille His Pris He Leide. Lo Nou, My Sone, Avise Thee. Yee, Fader, Al This Wel Mai Be, Bot If Alle Othre Dede So, The World Of Men Were Sone Go: 6420 And In The Lawe A Man Mai Finde, Hou God To Man Be Weie Of Kinde Hath Set The World To Multeplie; And Who That Wol Him Justefie, It Is Ynouh To Do The Lawe. And Natheles Youre Goode Sawe Is Good To Kepe, Who So May, I Wol Noght Therayein Seie Nay. Mi Sone, Take It As I Seie; If Maidenhod Be Take Aweie 6430 Withoute Lawes Ordinance, It Mai Noght Failen Of Vengance. And If Thou Wolt The Sothe Wite, Behold A Tale Which Is Write, Hou That The King Agamenon, Whan He The Cite Of Lesbon Hath Wonne, A Maiden Ther He Fond, Which Was The Faireste Of The Lond In Thilke Time That Men Wiste. He Tok Of Hire What Him Liste 6440 Of Thing Which Was Most Precious, Wherof That Sche Was Dangerous. This Faire Maiden Cleped Is Criseide, Douhter Of Crisis, Which Was That Time In Special Of Thilke Temple Principal, Wher Phebus Hadde His Sacrifice, So Was It Wel The More Vice. Agamenon Was Thanne In Weie To Troieward, And Tok Aweie 6450 This Maiden, Which He With Him Ladde, So Grete A Lust In Hire He Hadde. Bot Phebus, Which Hath Gret Desdeign Of That His Maiden Was Forlein, Anon As He To Troie Cam, Vengance Upon This Dede He Nam And Sende A Comun Pestilence. Thei Soghten Thanne Here Evidence And Maden Calculacion, To Knowe In What Condicion 6460 This Deth Cam In So Sodeinly; And Ate Laste Redyly The Cause And Ek The Man Thei Founde: And Forth Withal The Same Stounde Agamenon Opposed Was, Which Hath Beknowen Al The Cas Of The Folie Which He Wroghte. And Therupon Mercy Thei Soghte Toward The God In Sondri Wise With Preiere And With Sacrifise, 6470 The Maide And Hom Ayein Thei Sende, And Yive Hire Good Ynouh To Spende For Evere Whil Sche Scholde Live: And Thus The Senne Was Foryive And Al The Pestilence Cessed. Lo, What It Is To Ben Encressed Of Love Which Is Evele Wonne. It Were Betre Noght Begonne Than Take A Thing Withoute Leve, Which Thou Most After Nedes Leve, 6480 And Yit Have Malgre Forth Withal. Forthi To Robben Overal In Loves Cause If Thou Beginne, I Not What Ese Thou Schalt Winne. Mi Sone, Be Wel War Of This, For Thus Of Robberie It Is. Mi Fader, Youre Ensamplerie In Loves Cause Of Robberie I Have It Riht Wel Understonde. Bot Overthis, Hou So It Stonde, 6490 Yit Wolde I Wite Of Youre Aprise What Thing Is More Of Covoitise. With Covoitise Yit I Finde A Servant Of The Same Kinde, Which Stelthe Is Hote, And Mecherie With Him Is Evere In Compainie. Of Whom If I Schal Telle Soth, He Stalketh As A Pocok Doth, And Takth His Preie So Covert, That Noman Wot It In Apert. 6500 For Whan He Wot The Lord From Home, Than Wol He Stalke Aboute And Rome; And What Thing He Fint In His Weie, Whan That He Seth The Men Aweie, He Stelth It And Goth Forth Withal, That Therof Noman Knowe Schal. And Ek Fulofte He Goth A Nyht Withoute Mone Or Sterreliht, And With His Craft The Dore Unpiketh, And Takth Therinne What Him Liketh: 6510 And If The Dore Be So Schet, That He Be Of His Entre Let, He Wole In Ate Wyndou Crepe, And Whil The Lord Is Faste Aslepe, He Stelth What Thing As Him Best List, And Goth His Weie Er It Be Wist. Fulofte Also Be Lyhte Of Day Yit Wole He Stele And Make Assay; Under The Cote His Hond He Put, Til He The Mannes Purs Have Cut, 6520 And Rifleth That He Fint Therinne. And Thus He Auntreth Him To Winne, And Berth An Horn And Noght Ne Bloweth, For Noman Of His Conseil Knoweth; What He Mai Gete Of His Michinge, It Is Al Bile Under The Winge. And As An Hound That Goth To Folde And Hath Ther Taken What He Wolde, His Mouth Upon The Gras He Wypeth, And So With Feigned Chiere Him Slypeth, 6530 That What As Evere Of Schep He Strangle, Ther Is Noman Therof Schal Jangle, As Forto Knowen Who It Dede; Riht So Doth Stelthe In Every Stede, Where As Him List His Preie Take. He Can So Wel His Cause Make And So Wel Feigne And So Wel Glose, That Ther Ne Schal Noman Suppose, Bot That He Were An Innocent, And Thus A Mannes Yhe He Blent: 6540 So That This Craft I Mai Remene Withouten Help Of Eny Mene. Ther Be Lovers Of That Degre, Which Al Here Lust In Privete, As Who Seith, Geten Al Be Stelthe, And Ofte Atteignen To Gret Welthe As For The Time That It Lasteth. For Love Awaiteth Evere And Casteth Hou He Mai Stele And Cacche His Preie, Whan He Therto Mai Finde A Weie: 6550 For Be It Nyht Or Be It Day, He Takth His Part, Whan That He May, And If He Mai Nomore Do, Yit Wol He Stele A Cuss Or Tuo. Mi Sone, What Seist Thou Therto? Tell If Thou Dedest Evere So. Mi Fader, Hou? Mi Sone, Thus,- If Thou Hast Stolen Eny Cuss Or Other Thing Which Therto Longeth, For Noman Suche Thieves Hongeth: 6560 Tell On Forthi And Sei The Trouthe. Mi Fader, Nay, And That Is Routhe, For Be Mi Will I Am A Thief; Bot Sche That Is To Me Most Lief, Yit Dorste I Nevere In Privete Noght Ones Take Hire Be The Kne, To Stele Of Hire Or This Or That, And If I Dorste, I Wot Wel What: And Natheles, Bot If I Lie, Be Stelthe Ne Be Robberie 6570 Of Love, Which Fell In Mi Thoght, To Hire Dede I Nevere Noght. Bot As Men Sein, Wher Herte Is Failed, Ther Schal No Castell Ben Assailed; Bot Thogh I Hadde Hertes Ten, And Were Als Strong As Alle Men, If I Be Noght Myn Oghne Man And Dar Noght Usen That I Can, I Mai Miselve Noght Recovere. Thogh I Be Nevere Man So Povere, 6580 I Bere An Herte And Hire It Is, So That Me Faileth Wit In This, Hou That I Scholde Of Myn Acord The Servant Lede Ayein The Lord: For If Mi Fot Wolde Awher Go, Or That Min Hand Wolde Elles Do, Whan That Myn Herte Is Therayein, The Remenant Is Al In Vein. And Thus Me Lacketh Alle Wele, And Yit Ne Dar I Nothing Stele 6590 Of Thing Which Longeth Unto Love: And Ek It Is So Hyh Above, I Mai Noght Wel Therto Areche, Bot If So Be At Time Of Speche, Ful Selde If Thanne I Stele May A Word Or Tuo And Go My Way. Betwen Hire Hih Astat And Me Comparison Ther Mai Non Be, So That I Fiele And Wel I Wot, Al Is To Hevy And To Hot 6600 To Sette On Hond Withoute Leve: And Thus I Mot Algate Leve To Stele That I Mai Noght Take, And In This Wise I Mot Forsake To Ben A Thief Ayein Mi Wille Of Thing Which I Mai Noght Fulfille. For That Serpent Which Nevere Slepte The Flees Of Gold So Wel Ne Kepte In Colchos, As The Tale Is Told, That Mi Ladi A Thousendfold 6610 Nys Betre Yemed And Bewaked, Wher Sche Be Clothed Or Be Naked. To Kepe Hir Bodi Nyht And Day, Sche Hath A Wardein Redi Ay, Which Is So Wonderful A Wyht, That Him Ne Mai No Mannes Myht With Swerd Ne With No Wepne Daunte, Ne With No Sleihte Of Charme Enchaunte, Wherof He Mihte Be Mad Tame, And Danger Is His Rihte Name; 6620 Which Under Lock And Under Keie, That Noman Mai It Stele Aweie, Hath Al The Tresor Underfonge That Unto Love Mai Belonge. The Leste Lokinge Of Hire Yhe Mai Noght Be Stole, If He It Syhe; And Who So Gruccheth For So Lyte, He Wolde Sone Sette A Wyte On Him That Wolde Stele More. And That Me Grieveth Wonder Sore, 6630 For This Proverbe Is Evere Newe, That Stronge Lokes Maken Trewe Of Hem That Wolden Stele And Pyke: For So Wel Can Ther Noman Slyke Be Him Ne Be Non Other Mene, To Whom Danger Wol Yive Or Lene Of That Tresor He Hath To Kepe. So Thogh I Wolde Stalke And Crepe, And Wayte On Eve And Ek On Morwe, Of Danger Schal I Nothing Borwe, 6640 And Stele I Wot Wel May I Noght: And Thus I Am Riht Wel Bethoght, Whil Danger Stant In His Office, Of Stelthe, Which Ye Clepe A Vice, I Schal Be Gultif Neveremo. Therfore I Wolde He Were Ago So Fer That I Nevere Of Him Herde, Hou So That Afterward It Ferde: For Thanne I Mihte Yit Per Cas Of Love Make Som Pourchas 6650 Be Stelthe Or Be Som Other Weie, That Nou Fro Me Stant Fer Aweie. Bot, Fader, As Ye Tolde Above, Hou Stelthe Goth A Nyht For Love, I Mai Noght Wel That Point Forsake, That Ofte Times I Ne Wake On Nyhtes, Whan That Othre Slepe; Bot Hou, I Prei You Taketh Kepe. Whan I Am Loged In Such Wise That I Be Nyhte Mai Arise, 6660 At Som Wyndowe And Loken Oute And Se The Housinge Al Aboute, So That I Mai The Chambre Knowe In Which Mi Ladi, As I Trowe, Lyth In Hir Bed And Slepeth Softe, Thanne Is Myn Herte A Thief Fulofte: For There I Stonde To Beholde The Longe Nyhtes That Ben Colde, And Thenke On Hire That Lyth There. And Thanne I Wisshe That I Were 6670 Als Wys As Was Nectanabus Or Elles As Was Prothe S, That Couthen Bothe Of Nigromaunce In What Liknesse, In What Semblaunce, Riht As Hem Liste, Hemself Transforme: For If I Were Of Such A Forme, I Seie Thanne I Wolde Fle Into The Chambre Forto Se If Eny Grace Wolde Falle, So That I Mihte Under The Palle 6680 Som Thing Of Love Pyke And Stele. And Thus I Thenke Thoghtes Fele, And Thogh Therof Nothing Be Soth, Yit Ese As For A Time It Doth: Bot Ate Laste Whanne I Finde That I Am Falle Into My Mynde, And Se That I Have Stonde Longe And Have No Profit Underfonge, Than Stalke I To Mi Bedd Withinne. And This Is Al That Evere I Winne 6690 Of Love, Whanne I Walke On Nyht: Mi Will Is Good, Bot Of Mi Myht Me Lacketh Bothe And Of Mi Grace; For What So That Mi Thoght Embrace, Yit Have I Noght The Betre Ferd. Mi Fader, Lo, Nou Have Ye Herd What I Be Stelthe Of Love Have Do, And Hou Mi Will Hath Be Therto: If I Be Worthi To Penance I Put It On Your Ordinance. 6700 Mi Sone, Of Stelthe I The Behiete, Thogh It Be For A Time Swete, At Ende It Doth Bot Litel Good, As Be Ensample Hou That It Stod Whilom, I Mai Thee Telle Nou. I Preie You, Fader, Sei Me Hou. Mi Sone, Of Him Which Goth Be Daie Be Weie Of Stelthe To Assaie, In Loves Cause And Takth His Preie, Ovide Seide As I Schal Seie, 6710 And In His Methamor He Tolde A Tale, Which Is Good To Holde. The Poete Upon This Matiere Of Stelthe Wrot In This Manere. Venus, Which Hath This Lawe In Honde Of Thing Which Mai Noght Be Withstonde, As Sche Which The Tresor To Warde Of Love Hath Withinne Hir Warde, Phebum To Love Hath So Constreigned, That He Withoute Reste Is Peined 6720 With Al His Herte To Coveite A Maiden, Which Was Warded Streyte Withinne Chambre And Kept So Clos, That Selden Was Whan Sche Desclos Goth With Hir Moder Forto Pleie. Leuchotoe, So As Men Seie, This Maiden Hihte, And Orchamus Hir Fader Was; And Befell Thus. This Doughter, That Was Kept So Deere, And Hadde Be Fro Yer To Yeere 6730 Under Hir Moder Discipline A Clene Maide And A Virgine, Upon The Whos Nativite Of Comelihiede And Of Beaute Nature Hath Set Al That Sche May, That Lich Unto The Fresshe Maii, Which Othre Monthes Of The Yeer Surmonteth, So Withoute Pier Was Of This Maiden The Feture. Wherof Phebus Out Of Mesure 6740 Hire Loveth, And On Every Syde Awaiteth, If So Mai Betyde, That He Thurgh Eny Sleihte Myhte Hire Lusti Maidenhod Unrihte, The Which Were Al His Worldes Welthe. And Thus Lurkende Upon His Stelthe In His Await So Longe He Lai, Til It Befell Upon A Dai, That He Thurghout Hir Chambre Wall Cam In Al Sodeinliche, And Stall 6750 That Thing Which Was To Him So Lief. Bot Wo The While, He Was A Thief! For Venus, Which Was Enemie Of Thilke Loves Micherie, Discovereth Al The Pleine Cas To Clymene, Which Thanne Was Toward Phebus His Concubine. And Sche To Lette The Covine Of Thilke Love, Dedli Wroth To Pleigne Upon This Maide Goth, 6760 And Tolde Hire Fader Hou It Stod; Wherof For Sorwe Welnyh Wod Unto Hire Moder Thus He Saide: "Lo, What It Is To Kepe A Maide! To Phebus Dar I Nothing Speke, Bot Upon Hire I Schal Be Wreke, So That These Maidens After This Mow Take Ensample, What It Is To Soffre Her Maidenhed Be Stole, Wherof That Sche The Deth Schal Thole." 6770 And Bad With That Do Make A Pet, Wherinne He Hath His Douhter Set, As He That Wol No Pite Have, So That Sche Was Al Quik Begrave And Deide Anon In His Presence. Bot Phebus, For The Reverence Of That Sche Hadde Be His Love, Hath Wroght Thurgh His Pouer Above, That Sche Sprong Up Out Of The Molde Into A Flour Was Named Golde, 6780 Which Stant Governed Of The Sonne. And Thus Whan Love Is Evele Wonne, Fulofte It Comth To Repentaile. Mi Fader, That Is No Mervaile, Whan That The Conseil Is Bewreid. Bot Ofte Time Love Hath Pleid And Stole Many A Prive Game, Which Nevere Yit Cam Into Blame, Whan That The Thinges Weren Hidde. Bot In Youre Tale, As It Betidde, 6790 Venus Discoverede Al The Cas, And Ek Also Brod Dai It Was, Whan Phebus Such A Stelthe Wroghte, Wherof The Maide In Blame He Broghte, That Afterward Sche Was So Lore. Bot For Ye Seiden Nou Tofore Hou Stelthe Of Love Goth Be Nyhte, And Doth Hise Thinges Out Of Syhte, Therof Me Liste Also To Hiere A Tale Lich To The Matiere, 6800 Wherof I Myhte Ensample Take. Mi Goode Sone, And For Thi Sake, So As It Fell Be Daies Olde, And So As The Poete It Tolde, Upon The Nyhtes Micherie Nou Herkne A Tale Of Poesie. The Myhtieste Of Alle Men Whan Hercules With Eolen, Which Was The Love Of His Corage, Togedre Upon A Pelrinage 6810 Towardes Rome Scholden Go, It Fell Hem Be The Weie So, That Thei Upon A Dai A Cave Withinne A Roche Founden Have, Which Was Real And Glorious And Of Entaile Curious, Be Name And Thophis It Was Hote. The Sonne Schon Tho Wonder Hote, As It Was In The Somer Tyde; This Hercules, Which Be His Syde 6820 Hath Eolen His Love There, Whan Thei At Thilke Cave Were, He Seide It Thoghte Him For The Beste That Sche Hire For The Hete Reste Al Thilke Day And Thilke Nyht; And Sche, That Was A Lusti Wyht, It Liketh Hire Al That He Seide: And Thus Thei Duelle There And Pleide The Longe Dai. And So Befell, This Cave Was Under The Hell 6830 Of Tymolus, Which Was Begrowe With Vines, And At Thilke Throwe Faunus With Saba The Goddesse, Be Whom The Large Wildernesse In Thilke Time Stod Governed, Weere In A Place, As I Am Lerned, Nyh By, Which Bachus Wode Hihte. This Faunus Tok A Gret Insihte Of Eolen, That Was So Nyh; For Whan That He Hire Beaute Syh, 6840 Out Of His Wit He Was Assoted, And In His Herte It Hath So Noted, That He Forsok The Nimphes Alle, And Seide He Wolde, Hou So It Falle, Assaie An Other Forto Winne; So That His Hertes Thoght Withinne He Sette And Caste Hou That He Myhte Of Love Pyke Awey Be Nyhte That He Be Daie In Other Wise To Stele Mihte Noght Suffise: 6850 And Therupon His Time He Waiteth. Nou Tak Good Hiede Hou Love Afaiteth Him Which Withal Is Overcome. Faire Eolen, Whan Sche Was Come With Hercules Into The Cave, Sche Seide Him That Sche Wolde Have Hise Clothes Of And Hires Bothe, That Ech Of Hem Scholde Other Clothe. And Al Was Do Riht As Sche Bad, He Hath Hire In Hise Clothes Clad 6860 And Caste On Hire His Gulion, Which Of The Skyn Of A Leoun Was Mad, As He Upon The Weie It Slouh, And Overthis To Pleie Sche Tok His Grete Mace Also And Knet It At Hir Gerdil Tho. So Was Sche Lich The Man Arraied, And Hercules Thanne Hath Assaied To Clothen Him In Hire Array: And Thus Thei Jape Forth The Dai, 6870 Til That Her Souper Redy Were. And Whan Thei Hadden Souped There, Thei Schopen Hem To Gon To Reste; And As It Thoghte Hem For The Beste, Thei Bede, As For That Ilke Nyht, Tuo Sondri Beddes To Be Dyht, For Thei Togedre Ligge Nolde, Be Cause That Thei Offre Wolde Upon The Morwe Here Sacrifice. The Servantz Deden Here Office 6880 And Sondri Beddes Made Anon, Wherin That Thei To Reste Gon Ech Be Himself In Sondri Place. Faire Eole Hath Set The Mace Beside Hire Beddes Hed Above, And With The Clothes Of Hire Love Sche Helede Al Hire Bed Aboute; And He, Which Hadde Of Nothing Doute, Hire Wympel Wond Aboute His Cheke, Hire Kertell And Hire Mantel Eke 6890 Abrod Upon His Bed He Spredde. And Thus Thei Slepen Bothe Abedde; And What Of Travail, What Of Wyn, The Servantz Lich To Drunke Swyn Begunne Forto Route Faste. This Faunus, Which His Stelthe Caste, Was Thanne Come To The Cave, And Fond Thei Weren Alle Save Withoute Noise, And In He Wente. The Derke Nyht His Sihte Blente, 6900 And Yit It Happeth Him To Go Where Eolen Abedde Tho Was Leid Al One For To Slepe; Bot For He Wolde Take Kepe Whos Bed It Was, He Made Assai, And Of The Leoun, Where It Lay, The Cote He Fond, And Ek He Fieleth The Mace, And Thanne His Herte Kieleth, That There Dorste He Noght Abyde, Bot Stalketh Upon Every Side 6910 And Soghte Aboute With His Hond, That Other Bedd Til That He Fond, Wher Lai Bewympled A Visage. Tho Was He Glad In His Corage, For He Hir Kertell Fond Also And Ek Hir Mantell Bothe Tuo Bespred Upon The Bed Alofte. He Made Him Naked Thanne, And Softe Into The Bedd Unwar He Crepte, Wher Hercules That Time Slepte, 6920 And Wende Wel It Were Sche; And Thus In Stede Of Eole Anon He Profreth Him To Love. But He, Which Felte A Man Above, This Hercules, Him Threw To Grounde So Sore, That Thei Have Him Founde Liggende There Upon The Morwe; And Tho Was Noght A Litel Sorwe, That Faunus Of Himselve Made, Bot Elles Thei Were Alle Glade 6930 And Lowhen Him To Scorne Aboute: Saba With Nimphis Al A Route Cam Doun To Loke Hou That He Ferde, And Whan That Thei The Sothe Herde, He Was Bejaped Overal. Mi Sone, Be Thou War Withal To Seche Suche Mecheries, Bot If Thou Have The Betre Aspies, In Aunter If The So Betyde As Faunus Dede Thilke Tyde, 6940 Wherof Thou Miht Be Schamed So. Min Holi Fader, Certes No. Bot If I Hadde Riht Good Leve, Such Mecherie I Thenke Leve: Mi Feinte Herte Wol Noght Serve; For Malgre Wolde I Noght Deserve In Thilke Place Wher I Love. Bot For Ye Tolden Hier Above Of Covoitise And His Pilage, If Ther Be More Of That Lignage, 6950 Which Toucheth To Mi Schrifte, I Preie That Ye Therof Me Wolde Seie, So That I Mai The Vice Eschuie. Mi Sone, If I Be Order Suie The Vices, As Thei Stonde Arowe, Of Covoitise Thou Schalt Knowe Ther Is Yit On, Which Is The Laste; In Whom Ther Mai No Vertu Laste, For He With God Himself Debateth, Wherof That Al The Hevene Him Hateth. 6960 The Hihe God, Which Alle Goode Pourveied Hath For Mannes Fode Of Clothes And Of Mete And Drinke, Bad Adam That He Scholde Swinke To Geten Him His Sustienance: And Ek He Sette An Ordinance Upon The Lawe Of Moi5Ses, That Though A Man Be Haveles, Yit Schal He Noght Be Thefte Stele. Bot Nou Adaies Ther Ben Fele, 6970 That Wol No Labour Undertake, Bot What Thei Mai Be Stelthe Take Thei Holde It Sikerliche Wonne. And Thus The Lawe Is Overronne, Which God Hath Set, And Namely With Hem That So Untrewely The Goodes Robbe Of Holi Cherche. The Thefte Which Thei Thanne Werche Be Name Is Cleped Sacrilegge, Ayein The Whom I Thenke Alegge. 6980 Of His Condicion To Telle, Which Rifleth Bothe Bok And Belle, So Forth With Al The Remenant To Goddes Hous Appourtenant, Wher That He Scholde Bidde His Bede, He Doth His Thefte In Holi Stede, And Takth What Thing He Fint Therinne: For Whan He Seth That He Mai Winne, He Wondeth For No Cursednesse, That He Ne Brekth The Holinesse 6990 And Doth To God No Reverence; For He Hath Lost His Conscience, That Though The Prest Therfore Curse, He Seith He Fareth Noght The Wurse. And Forto Speke It Otherwise, What Man That Lasseth The Franchise And Takth Of Holi Cherche His Preie, I Not What Bedes He Schal Preie. Whan He Fro God, Which Hath Yive Al, The Pourpartie In Special, 7000 Which Unto Crist Himself Is Due, Benymth, He Mai Noght Wel Eschue The Peine Comende Afterward; For He Hath Mad His Foreward With Sacrilegge Forto Duelle, Which Hath His Heritage In Helle. And If We Rede Of Tholde Lawe, I Finde Write, In Thilke Dawe Of Princes Hou Ther Weren Thre Coupable Sore In This Degre. 7010 That On Of Hem Was Cleped Thus, The Proude King Antiochus; That Other Nabuzardan Hihte, Which Of His Crualte Behyhte The Temple To Destruie And Waste, And So He Dede In Alle Haste; The Thridde, Which Was After Schamed, Was Nabugodonosor Named, And He Jerusalem Putte Under, Of Sacrilegge And Many A Wonder 7020 There In The Holi Temple He Wroghte, Which Baltazar His Heir Aboghte, Whan Mane, Techel, Phares Write Was On The Wal, As Thou Miht Wite, So As The Bible It Hath Declared. Bot For Al That It Is Noght Spared Yit Nou Aday, That Men Ne Pile, And Maken A