Page 386
[ LXIX. ]
(HOW A RICH MAN WAS PUNISHED FOR ROBBING A POOR WIDOW.)Addit. MS. 9066.
[leaf 67 back (cont'd)]
In a tyme there was a riche man̛ leuyng̘, that had̛ mych good̛, and̛ many bestes; and̛ beside hym dwelled̛ a pore wedowe, that had̛ but oon̛ Fatte cowe, that was the substance of here leuyng̘. this riche man̛ sawe this cowe was fayre, and̛ fatte, and̛ likyng̘ to his Eye. Anone he bade his man go feche the cowe, and̛ sle here, and̛ dight here to his mete. his man̛ did̛ so; and̛ when his mayster was sette to mete, and̛ serued̛ hym therwith, Anone the riche man Cutte a morseƚƚ of the fleshe, and̛ put it in his mouthe, and̛ wolde haue Etyn̛ it; and̛ alse swithe he was strangled̛ with the same morseƚƚ. and̛ the deuyƚƚ was redye, and̛ had̛ his soule to helle; for the prophete seith, wo shaƚƚ be Robbers and̛ revers of̘ pore mennes goodes, for they shuƚƚ to heƚƚ, aye [leaf 68] there to dwelle, but they amende hem or they deye. Here men may se what pereƚƚ it is to be a robbere of othere mennes goodes! &c.