The Man of Law's Tale
Folio 50v
14 of 16 folios
Tho preyde she hir housebond mekely
In relyf of hir longe pitous pyne
That he wold prey hir fadyr specially
That of his magestee he wold enclyne
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To vouche safe som day wyth him to dyne
She preyde him eke he sholde bi no weye
Vn to hir fadyr no worde of hir seye
Som men wolde seyn how that the child maurice
Doth this message vnto this Emperour
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But as I gesse Alla was nat so nyce
To him that was of so souereyne honour
As he that is of cristen folk the flour
Sent any child but it is bet to deme
He went him self and so it may wel seme
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This Emperour hath graunted gentilly
To come to dyner as he him bisought
And wel rede I he loked bisyly
Vpon this child and on his doghter thoght
Alla goth to his Inne and as him ought
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Arrayde for the feest in euery wyse
As ferforth as his konnyng may suffice
The morwe cam and alla gan him dresse
And ek his wyf this Emperour to mete
And forth thei ryde in ioy and gladnesse
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And whan she saugh hir fadyr in the strete
She lighteth doun and falleth him to fete
Fader quod she your yonge child Custance
Is now ful clene out of your remembrance
I am your doughter Custance quod she
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That whilom ye han sent vnto surrye
It am I fader that in the salt see
Was putte allone and dampned for to dye
Now good fadyr mercy I yow crye
Sende me no moore vnto noon hethenesse
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But thonketh my lord here of his kyndenesse