Peter Alphonse

“ Ther were ii manchauntis in Rome of the whiche that oon had a wif, a chast [2] and a faire womman. Forsoth that other no trustifeith had in no womman. Whan and wherfor sumtyme whan and other wern disceived of wymmens [3] lightnes [4] he joied [5] ; he forsoth of the trust and feith of his wif ageynsaide that other, of the whiche thei [6] put in plegge al their possessioun: this that he shuld corrupt hir withyn xv daies, he forwhi as with this condicioun stidefastly kept: that the husbond shuld nat warne or tel his wif of this covenaunt. ”

“ As admynistratrice of al the Realme the kynges Rentis wern infinytily multiplied bi his providence. Than themperour of Rome dede; his yong sone whan he Empired in the (f. 137b) Empire, herd of the sapient wisdam [11] of hym of Alisaunder, sent hym to Rome. [He] peased thempire, Restored soft and easy lawes in to the friendship of themperour and the Citezeins and the provynce with his high merites, nat puttyng hymsilf any symulacioun or token vnto his traitour. Bi hap and fortune [she] fond hir husbond among poore folk most porest and dide hym to be nurisshed. ”

“ She therfor busied with al maner of lightnes as with nothyng lad nor huyred, bi hir footemayde or seruaunt with yiftes corrupt she was disceived. Forsoth she had a Ryng that is to of hir first husbondes yift [7] above al possessiouns most diere. ”