¶ The Prologe / of the Somnours tale. [[on lf78, bk]]
This Somnour in his Stiropes / hye he stood
Vp-on this frere / his herte was so wood
That lyk an Aspen lief / he quook for Ire
¶ Lordynges quod he / but o thyng I desire
Line 1668
I yow biseke / that of youre curteisye
Syn ye han herd / this false frere lye
As suffreth me / I may my tale telle
This frere bosteth / that he knoweth helle
Line 1672
And god it woot that it is litel wonder
ffreres and feendes / been but lyte a sonder
ffor pardee / ye han ofte tyme herd telle [folio 79a]
How that a frere / rauysshed was to helle
Line 1676
In Spirit ones / by avisioun
And as an Aungel / ladde hym vp and down
To shewen hym / the peynes þat ther were
In al the place / say he nat a frere
Line 1680
Of oother folk / he say ynowe in wo
Vn-to this Angel / spak the frere tho
¶ Now Sire quod he / han freres swich a grace
That noon of hem / shal come to this place
Line 1684
¶ Yis quod this Aungel / many a Milioun
And vn-to Sathanas / he ladde hym doun
And now hath Sathanas / seith he a tayl
Brodder / than of a Carryk is the sayl
Line 1688
Hold vp thy tayl / thow Sathanas quod he
Shewe forth thyn ers / and lat the frere se
Where is thee nest of freres / in this place
And er þat / half a furlong wey of space
Line 1692
