[6-text p 426]
¶ ffor which it semed thus / þat of hem two
Line 715
Ther nas but o wyl / for as Walter leste
The same lust was hir plesance also
And god be thanked / al fyl for the beste
Line 718
She shewed wel / for no worldly vnreste
A wif as of hir self no thyng ne sholde
Wille in effect but as hir housbond wolde
Line 721
¶ The sclaundre of Walter / ofte and wyde spradde [folio 184a] [¶ ceperit sensi[m de Waltero] decolor fama [cre|brescere.]]
That of a cruel herte / he wikkedly
ffor he / a poure womman / wedded hadde
Hath mordred / bothe his children pryuely
Line 725
Swich murmur / was among hem comunly
No wonder is / for to the peples ere
Ther cam no word / but þat they mordred were
Line 728
¶ ffor which / wher as his peple ther bifore
Line 729
Hadde loued hym wel / the sclaundre of his diffame
Made hem / that they hym hated therfore
To ben a mordrere / is an hateful name
Line 732
But natheles / for ernest ne for game
He / of his cruel purpos nolde stente
To tempte his wyf / was set al his entente
Line 735
¶ Whan that this doghter /.xij. yer was of age
Line 736
He to the court of Rome / in subtil wise
Enformed of his wil / sente his message
Comaundynge hem / swiche bulles to deuyse
Line 739
As to his cruel purpos / may suffise
How þat the pope / as for his peples reste
Bad hym to wedde / another if hym leste
Line 742
¶ I seye / he bad they sholde contrefete
Line 743
The popes bulles / makyng mencion
That he hath leue / his firste wyf to lete
As by the popes dispensacion
Line 746
