(370)
¶ Ther was a duke Romayn, clept Cámilus, [¶ Nota bene de generosi|tate & iusticia ducis Camili, & de falsitate cuiusdam Magistri qui pueros habe|bat informan|dum & doctri|nandum.]
Line 2584
Leyde onës seegë vn-to a citee,
ffalisk [Falex R.] namèd, as seiþ valerius,
Of whiche the men of moost auctorite,
And grettest of power and of degre,
Line 2588
To a Maister in þe citee dwellinge,
Bytook hir children, by wey of lernynge.
Line 2590
(371)
¶ What doth me this maister, but on a day
Line 2591
Somme of tho children out of þe tounë [towne R, toun H.] ledde,
The most expert in science, and þe way
Streight to þe Romayn tentës he hym spedde;
And þe duke þus counsailled he, and redde:
Line 2595
"Haueth this children in possessïoun,
And kepith hem in holde and in prisoun;
Line 2597
(372)
¶ "The fadres of hem han in gouernaunce
Line 2598
ffalisk [Falex R.] þe citee, at hir ownë list;
In hy and low, aftir hir ordenance
Is al þing doon: Whan it is to hem [hem R, hym H.] wist,
That ȝe hir children han vndir your fist,
Line 2602
Ye schul wel seen, hir children lyf to saue,
Hem and þe citee schul ye wynne & haue."
Line 2604
(373)
¶ The duke answerde anon to þis traytour: [folio 45a]
Line 2605
"Thogh þou be fals vn-to þyn ownë toun,
And rekkest nat of shame or déshonour,
But per cas for to gete of me guerdoun
Desirest ffaliskës [Falexes R.] déstruccïoun,
Line 2609
Nat were it knyghtly, me to þè consente,
That taken hast so traytourous entente.
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