Story.
Antonius was a wise Emperour̛ regnyng in the cite of Rome; the which ordeyned̛ for a law, þat what tyme ther̛ was any fyre in þat cite, ther̛ shuld̛ be a bideƚƚ y-ordeined for to avaite hit, and to make an higℏ proclamacion̛ in þe cite, seying, "O! there is fire in suche a place in þe cite; hy you to ryng your bellis, and þat aƚƚ þe yates of þe cite wer̛ stekid! Hit happid þat there was oon, þat thougℏt for to spoile þe cite, & þerfore seid to his seruauntȝ, "Dere Frendis, if̘ we set fire in the cite, anon þere shalbe made a cry, and men shal arme hem, & ayenstond vs; anon̛ the yatis shulbe shit; and þerfore I wold̛ we had better counseiƚƚ in þis cas, how þat we mygℏt recouere this cite, withoute crying or makyng of noise." then spake oon, & seid, "My lord, ye shul haue good counseiƚƚ; let vs pesibly [leaf 160, col. 2] Entre the cite, and abide there as by space of iij. daies; and let vs cry a feste, and we shul make a drynke of suche a vertue, that euery man that drynketh þerof̘ shal slepe anon aftir; and when thei beth on slepe, we shuƚƚ haue oure desire, withoute shedyng of blode." "This is good counseiƚƚ," quod he. And þerfore this knygℏt with his meyne entrid þe citee; and thei bedde aƚƚ men to feste, & made suche a drynke; and anon̛ as men dronke on this drynke, thei slept anon̛. And while thei slept, thei entred̛ the cite, and spoiled̛ hit; and aftir that thei set hit on fire, the which brend aƚƚ vp; but aƚƚ maner of men̛ were in suche pligℏt, that þere was [none] to crye; "fire is in the cite; go ryng your̛ bellis, and steke the ȝatis!"