The Man of Law's Tale
Folio 44v
2 of 16 folios
This Alla kyng hath swich compassioun
As gentil hert is fulfild of pitee
That from his eyen ran the water doun
Now hastyly do fecche a book quod he
565
And yif that this knyght wol sweren how that she
This womman slow yet wol we vs avyse
Whom that we wol that shal be our Iustyse
A breton book wryten wyth Euangeles
Was fet and on this book he swoor anon
570
She giltyf was and in the meene whiles
An hand him smote vpon the nekkeboon
That doun he fel a tones as a stoon
And bothe his eyen berst oute of his face
In syght of euery body in that place
575
A voys was herd in general audience
And seyde thow hast desclaundred giltlees
The doughter of holy cherche in high persence
Thus hastow doon and yet hold I my pees
Of this maruaille agast was al the prees
580
As mazed folk thei stonden euerychone
For drede of wreche saue custance allone
Grete was the drede and ek the repentance
Of hem that hadden wronge suspessioun
Vpon this sely Innocent Custance
585
And for this miracle in conclusioun
And bi Custance mediacioun
The kyng and many other in that place
Conuerted was thanked be cristes grace
This fals knyght was slayn for his vntrouth
590
Bi Iuggement of alla hastyly
And yet Custance had of his deth gret routh
And aftyr this Iħus of his mercy
Made alla wedden ful solemply
This wholy womman that is so bryght and shene
595
And thus hath crist y mad Custance a quene