[6-text p 136]
ffor in the sterres / clerer than is glas
Is writen god woot who so koude it rede
The deeth of euery man / with outen drede
Line 196
¶ In sterres / many a wynter / ther biforn [
Ceptra phoronei / fratrum discordia Thebefflammam Phetontis Decalionis aqueIn stellis Priami species audacia TurniSensus vlixeus / herculeusque vigor.] Was writen the deeth / of Ector / Achilles Of Pompei / Iulius / er they were born The stryf of Thebes / and of Hercules Line 200 Of Sampson / Turnus / and of Socrates The deeth / but mennes wittes been so dulle That no wight kan wel rede it atte fulle Line 203
¶ This Sowdan / for his priuee conseil sente
And shortly / of this matere for to pace
He hath to hem / declared his entente
And seyde hem certein / but he myghte haue grace
Line 207
To han Custaunce / with Inne a litel space
He nas but deed / and charged hem in hye
To shapen / for his lyf som remedye
Line 210
¶ Diuerse men / diuerse thynges seyden
They argumenten / casten vp and doun
Many a subtil reson / forth they leyden
They speken of Magyk / and Abusioun
Line 214
But finally / as in conclusioun
They kan nat seen / in that noon Auauntage
Ne in noon oother wey / saue mariage
Line 217
¶ Thanne sawe they ther Inne / swich difficultee [folio 115a]
By wey of reson / for to speke al playn
By cause / þat ther was swich diuersitee
Bitwene hir bothe lawes / þat they sayn
Line 221
They trowe / þat no cristen Prince wolde fayn
Wedden his child / vnder oure lawes swete
That vs was taught by Mahoun oure prophete
Line 224
