(598)
¶ Of fool largessë wole I talke a space;
Line 4180
How it befil, I not in what contree,
But þere was oon named Iohn of Canace, [This story, under different forms, was a very common one in the Middle Ages. One version will be found in my Latin stories, p. 28 . . . . the story of King Lear and his daughters is another version.—T. Wright, De Reg., p. 199.]
A richë man, & two douȝtres had he,
That to two worthy men of a Citee
Line 4184
He wedded [wedden R.] leet; and þerë was gladnesse
And reuel, morë than I can expresse.
Line 4186
(599)
¶ The fadir, his doughtres and hir husbondes [folio 73b]
Line 4187
Loued ful wele, and had hem leef & dere;
Tyme to tyme he ȝaf hem with his hondes
Of his goode passyngly; & þei swich chere
Him made, & were of so plesant manere
Line 4191
Þat he ne wist how be bettre at ese,
Þei couden hym so wele cheryssh & please.
Line 4193
(600)
¶ ffor he as mochil hauntid in partie
Line 4194
Hir house, as þat he did his ownë house;
Þei held hym vp so with her flaterye,
That of dispens he was outragëous,
And of goodë þei were ay desirous;
Line 4198
Al þat þei axed, haden þei redy;
Þei [And they R.] euer weren on hym right [right, om. R H.] gredy.
Line 4200
(601)
7 Þis sely man contynued his outráge,
Line 4201
Tyl al his goodë was disshid [wasted R.] & goone;
And when þei felt his dispenses a-swage,
Thei wax to him vnkyndë right [right R, om. H.] anone;
ffor after haddë [hade R, had H.] he cherishing none,
Line 4205
Thei wery weren of his companye:
And he [And he R, He H.] was wyse, and shope a remedye.
Line 4207
