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

Story.

Lampadius reigned̛ in the Citee of Rome, that was right mercifuƚƚ; wherfore of̘ grete mercy he ordeyned̛ a lawe, that who that were a man-sleer, a Ravenour, an eveƚƚ doer, or a theef̘, and were take, and brought before the domesman, yf he myght sey iij. trouthes, so truly that no man myght agayn̛-sey hem, he shuld̛ have his lyf̘,

witℏ aƚƚ his heritage. ¶ There fille a chaunce aftir, that a knyght whos name was Plebeus, wente to the wode, and aƚƚ that come by the wode, he slougℏ, or spoiled̛ hem of aƚƚ that thei hadden̛. ¶ Whan the Iustice herd̛ this, he sente spies for to take hym; and whan he was take, he was brought before the Iustice. than the Iustice said̛ to hym, "Frende, thou knowest the law; sey iij. trouthes, or els without doute thou shalt be hanged̛ or I ete." ¶ The knyght said̛, "scilence, and I shaƚƚ fulfille the law." whan scilence was made, the knyght said̛, "Frendes, the first trouthe is this, that I shaƚƚ shew to you alle, that aƚƚ the tyme of my lyf̘ I have ben a theef̘, a manqueller, and a Ravenour." Whan the domesman had̛ herde this, he said̛ to hem that stoden aboute, "is it sothe that he saitℏ?" thei said̛, "yee, but yf he had̛ ben̛ an eveƚƚ doer, he shuld̛ haue not ben brought hedir, and therfore it is sothe that he said̛." ¶ Than the domesman asked̛, "Whicℏ is the second̛ trouthe?" he said̛, heryng aƚƚ, "it displeasetℏ me mekeƚƚ, that ever I come hedir." the domesman said̛, "forsothe we beleve the wele; telle vs now the third̛ troutℏ, and thou hast fulfilled̛ the law." ¶ he said̛, "the trouthe is

[leaf 55] this I shaƚƚ shewe to you; And̛ I myght ones scape, I shuld̛ neuer come to this place agayne with my good̛ wille." The domysman̛, when̛ he herde this, seide, "thou haste wisely fulfilled̛ the lawe, and̛ haste sauyd̛ thy lyfe. Go now therefore, and̛ from hensforwarde be a good man, and̛ wil no more offende agaynes god̛ ne the Emperour." then þe knyght wente, and Endid̛ his life in pease.