XXXV.
Adulterium. Adultera vxor non est
tenenda.
We rede how þat one þat hight Genulphus in Frawnce, boght a weƚƚ, & he was a wed man̛ & he was a holie man [MS. repeats, & a wed man.] ; & when̛ he come home in-to Burgundie þer he dwelte, he fand̛ same weƚƚ sprongen̛ in his garthen̛. So on̛ a day, þis Genulphus [Lat. MSS., Gangulphus, Gengolphus.] & his wife walkid̛ samen in þer garthyn̛ & sett þaim down̛ be þe weƚƚ; & he reprovid̛ hur for avowtrie, & said̛ it was tellid̛ hym̛ at a noder man̛ held hur beside hym̛; & sho denyed̛ it & said̛ nay. Than̛ he said̛ vnto hur; "Bare þine arm̛ & take vp a little stone in þe bothom̛ of þis weƚƚ, & if þine arm̛ com̛ vp vnhurte I saƚƚ trow at þou ert innocent of þis at is put on̛ [MS. repeats, on.] the." And sho trowed at sho had bene sekur enogℏ, & showid̛ in hur arm̛ in-to þe weƚƚ. And when̛ sho drew it oute, it was as it had bene scaldid̛ with þe fyre. And