The Monk's Tale
Folio 195r
12 of 23 folios
Al thogh that nero were vicius
As any feend that lieth ful low a doun
Yet he as telleth vs swetonius
380
This wide world had in subieccioun
Both Est and West North and septemtrioun
Of Rubyes Saphires and of perles white
Were al his clothes bronden vp and doun
For he in gemmes greetly gan delite
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Moore delicat moore pompous of array
Moore proude was neuer Emperour than he
That ilke cloth that he had wered o day
Aftyr that tyme he nolde it neuer see
Nettes of gold threed hadde greet plentee
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To fysshen in Tybre whan him list pleye
Hise lustes were al law in his decree
For fortune as his frende him wolde obeye
He Rome brende for his delicacie
The Senatours he slow vpon a day
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To here how that men wolde wepe and crie
And slow his brother and bi his sustere lay
His moder he made in pitous array
For he hir wombe slitte to bi holde
Where he conceyued was so weylawey
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That he so litel of his moder tolde
No teer out of his xxn for that sighte
Ne cam but seide a fxxx wommas was she
Greet wonder is how that he coude or myghte
Be domesman of hir deed beautee
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The wyn to bryngen him comaunded he
And dranke anon / noon other wo he made
Whan myght is ioyned vnto cruelte
Allas to depe wol the venym wade
In youth a maister had this Emperour
410
To teche him lettrure and curtesye