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

Story.

A maydyn̛ there was myghty and̛ riche, that had̛ a kyngdome Endewed̛ with aƚƚ goodes, and̛ myghty. that sawe an Enviouse kyng̘, and̛ fuƚƚ of giles, and̛ thought to putt here oute of here kyngdome; nere the lese he wiste wele, that he myght not ouerecome hire, ne make here blynde be giftes. but he was besy with gile, and̛ come to hire with a fayned̛ frendship; and̛ so prively he begiled̛ here, and̛ with fraude ouercome here, and̛ vnrightfully caste hire oute of this kyngdome. Than the maydyn̛ levid̛ longe in pouerte and̛ wrechidnesse, wantyng̘ vertue and̛ richesse, and̛ myght not come agayne to hire heritage. But the sone of a kyng̘ moste

myghty loued̛ that maydyn̛, and̛ was sterid̛ with pite, and̛ wedded̛ that maydyn, that he had̛ longe loued̛, that he myght bryng̘ the maydyn̛ agayne to here heritage, be victorie of bataylle, that she had̛ [leaf 57] vnrightfully loste. Therfore in batayle agaynes the tyraunte he laughte, and̛ gladly was woundid̛; neuer the lese he was a noble ouercomere, and̛ seide to his spouse, that he moste deye in batayle, ande so haue the victorie. And̛ so the maydyn̛ rose oute of the bedde of wrechidnesse and̛ pouerte, and̛ had̛ hire kyngdome; and̛ toke the cote-armour of hire housbonde, that was aƚƚ be-spryngeld̛ with blode, and̛ hange it in hire prevey chambre, that it myght be aƚƚ

wey redy to hire sight̘. Afterwarde, be processe of tyme, come to hire noble men, for to wedde here. She answerid̛, and̛ seide, that hire housbonde had̛ shewed̛ to here so many tokens of loue, that neuer she shuld̛ take othere housbonde. and̛ if it happenyd̛ any tyme that hire mynde for frealte begone to bowe, be delectacion̛, Anone she rose vp, and̛ wente into here Chambyre, and̛ behelde the cote-armour of hire housbonde, that was be-spryngelid̛ with blode; and̛ wepte for the dethe of here housbond̛, for grete loue; and̛ so aƚƚ þe wille of weddyng̘ sesid̛.