Early English versions of the Gesta Romanorum / edited by Sidney J.H. Herrtage

¶ Declaracio.

Frendes, this Emperour is oure Lord̛ Ihesu crist, that made this law, that every blynde man shuld̛ have an hundred̛ shillynges, that is, every man that synnetℏ of infirmyte, or instigacion̛ of the fende, or of his flessℏ, withe oute doute, yf he enterly sorow for his synne, he shaƚƚ have an hundred̛ shillynges, that is, an hundred̛ old̛ more Ioye; ¶ Iuxta illud, Centiplum accipietis, &c. ¶ Therefore eche man that synnetℏ dedely, is made blynde. Thise men, that comyn̛ to the Taverne to drynke wyne, are synners, that ofte sithes gone to the Taverne of the fende, and̛ drynken̛; so that thei consumen̛ all the vertues that thei resceived̛ in her baptyme; wherfore the deveƚƚ spoyletℏ aƚƚ suche of aƚƚ the goodes that thei have done. And than thei cast lotte, and the lotte of synne falletℏ on hym that is witℏ out rightwisenesse and mercy, and sucℏ one is made blynd̛, that is, a synner most vile, as Iudas

traitour, that betraied̛ crist, witℏ out any suggestion̛; and therfore [leaf 11] he synned̛ the more. ¶ Suche, whan thei come to the Steward̛, that is, the prelate of holy chirche, to aske the hundred̛ shillynges, that is, grace; and he shaƚƚ aunswere as the Steward̛ did̛, ¶ Go thi way, for thou gettest none while thou stondest in dispaire, as Iudas did̛. Therfore studie we aƚƚ, witℏ aƚƚ oure diligence, to please god in aƚƚ thynge, and than we mow have everlastyng mede. Amen.