& here be-gynneth þe Tale
[Sloane 1685, on leaf 130, back.]
[No gaps between the stanzas in the MS.]
There ys at þe weste syde of Itayle
Line 57
Doun at þe root of vesulus þe cold
A lusty playne habundaunt of vitayle
Where many a Toun þou mayste be-holde
Line 60
þat founded were in tyme of eldres old
And many an oþer/ delectable siȝt/
And Saluce þis noble cuntre hiȝt
Line 63
¶ A marquis whilom was in þat londe
Line 64
As were his worþi eldres hym be-fore
And obeisaunt and redy to his honde
Were alle his legees bothe lesse & more
Line 67
Thus in delyte he lyued and hath done ȝore
By-loued and drad þurgh fauoure & fortune
Bothe of his lordes and of his comune
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// þere with he was as to speke of lynage
Line 71
þe gentelest/ yborne of alle lumbardy
A fayre person and stronge and yonge of age
And fulle of honour/ and curtesye
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discrete y-nouȝe his contrey for to guye
Saue in some thenges he was to blame
And Walter was þis yonge lordes name
Line 77
¶ I blame hym þus þat he considerith nouȝt/
Line 78
In tyme comynge what myȝt be-tyde
But on his luste present was alle his þouȝt
And forto hauke and hunte on euery syde
Line 81
Wele nyeȝ alle oþere cures let he slyde
And eke he ne wolde þat was worste of alle
Wedde no wyf for ouȝte þat myȝt be-falle
Line 84
