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

[ XXIV. ]
(HOW AN UNFAITHFUL WIFE WAS CURED OF HER PASSION.)Addit. MS. 9066.

[leaf 35 back (cont'd)]

Story.

PRomius reigned̛ in Rome, that had̛ a faire wyf̘; the whiche, whan she stode ones in a wyndowe of the Casteƚƚ, she saw ij. knyghtes in a medow vndir the Casteƚƚ [fightynge] to-gedre; the one knyght was right faire, in so mekeƚƚ that the lady was taken̛ in his love. ¶ Whan the bataile was done, the knyght that the lady loved̛ so wele, had̛ the victorie; the lady for love be-gan to langour. ¶ The Emperour was right hevy, and sent anon̛ for leches, forto see the state of the lady; and thei seiden̛, "there is none other sikenesse in her, but that she lovetℏ some man over mekeƚƚ." ¶ The Emperour said̛ to his wyf̘, "I pray the, name hym that thou lovest more than me." ¶ She said̛, "that faire knyght I love so mekeƚƚ, that but I have his love, I shaƚƚ be dede." ¶ Than the Emperour said̛ to the leches, "I pray you, that ye save her lyf̘." Thei seid̛, "there is no way, but one slee that knyght that had̛ the victorye, and anoynte her witℏ his blood̛." ¶ Thei slowe the knyght, and anoynted̛ her; and anon̛ the temptacion̛ seased̛, and she was hole of her sikenesse.

Declaracio.

Frendes, this Emperour is Adam, the first [leaf 36] Fadir. ¶ The wyf, that was so faire, it is his soule. the ij. knyghtes that foughten̛, was god and the aungeƚƚ. The fightyng was, whan the aungeƚƚ wold̛ be like god̛, and aboue god̛; but god̛ had̛ the victorie. ¶ This sawe the quene, that is, the soule, and anon̛ she brente in the love of god̛; wherfore she was sike, in so mekeƚƚ that she shuld̛ dye. But the myghty knyght, that is, crist, is slayn̛, and witℏ his blood̛ we are an-oynted̛, and are made hole.