Incipit fabula. [on leaf 102, back]
Whilom þere was dwelinge in myne contre
An Arche-deken a man of hihe degre
That boldely dide execucion
In poneschinge of fornicacione
Line 1304
Of whiche craft and eke of baudrye
Of diffamacion and avowtrie
Of cherche reues and of testamentes
Of contractes and of lac of sacramentes
Line 1308
Of vsury and of Simony also
Bot certes Lychoures dede he grettest woo
Thei scholden singe if þei wer hente
And smale tiþers weren fowle schente
Line 1312
If any person wolde vpon hem pleine
There myht a-stert him no pecuniale peyne
For smale tiþes and eke smale offringe
He maade þe peple spitusly to singe
Line 1316
For or þe bischop cauht hem wiþ his hoke
Thei were in þe Arche-decanes boke
And þan hadde he þoruhe his Iurdictione
Power to done on hem Correctione
Line 1320
He had a somnoure redy to his hand
A slyhere boye was none in yngelande
For Sotely he had his especiaile
That tauht him where he myht availe
Line 1324
He couþe spare of lychours one or tuo
To techen him to foure · and twenty mo
ffor þouhe þis somnour woode were as an hare
To tel his harlotry .I. wil nouȝt spare
Line 1328
