[6-text p 136]
ffor in þe sterres clerer þan is þe glas
Is writen god wot / who so cowde it rede/
The deþ of euery man wiþouten drede
Line 196
¶ In sterres many a wynter þer biforn
Was write þe deth of Ector Achilles [¶ Ceptra pharonei fratrum discordia Thebe flamma pnetontis deucalionis aque in stellis priami species audacia turni sensus vlixeu herculeus que vigor.]
Of Pompe Iulius or þei were born
The stryf of Thebes and of hercules/
Line 200
Of Sampson Turnus and of Socrates
The deth/ but mennes wittes ben so dulle
That no wight can wel rede it atte fulle
Line 203
This Sowdon for his priuey counseil sente
And schortly of þis mater for to pace
he haþ to hem declared his entente
And seide hem certein but if he might haue grace
Line 207
To haue Custance wiþinne a litel space
he nas but ded and charged hem in hye
To schapen for his lyf som remedye
Line 210
¶ Diuerse men diuerse þinges seiden
The argumentes casten vp and doun
Many a sotil reson forþ þey leyden
They speken of Magique and abusion
Line 214
But fynally as in conclusion
They can not seen in þat non auantage
Ne in non oþer weye saf mariage
Line 217
¶ Than saugh þey þer in such difficulte
By way of reson for to speke al playn
By cause þat þer was such diuersite [folio 77a]
Bitwen here boþe lawes þat þei sayn
Line 221
They trowe þat no cristne prince wolde fain
Wedde his child vnder oure lawes so sweete
That vs was taught by mahon oure prophete
Line 224
