[There are no line-numbers or breaks between the paragraphs in the MS. Tyrwhitt's breaks are kept here to prevent slight differences in the Six Texts throwing out many lines.]
[Lansdowne MS 851, on leaf 192.]
[2157] A ȝonge man whilom called Mellibe. Mihte. & riche be-gate vpon his wyf. þat called was. Prudence. a douhter which was cleped Sapience.//
[2158] vpon a daie fel þat he for his disporte is went in to þe feldes him to pley; [2159] His wife & eke his douhter haþe he laft wiþ-in his hous. of whiche þe dores were fast yschett. [2160] Foure of his olde foos haue it aspied. And setten ledders to þe walles of his hous. & be þe wyndows entred [2161] & beten his wif & wounded his douhter with .v. mortale woundes in .v. sundre places [2162] ¶ This is to seye. in here fete in hire hondes in hire eres & in hire nose & in hire mouþe. And laften hir for dede & wenten here wey.
[2163] ¶ Whan. Mellibeus returned was aȝein in to his hous. & sauhe al þis meschief ¶ He ylike a mad man rentynge his cloþes gan to wepe & crye.
[2164] Prudens his. [folio 192b] ¶ Prudence his wif as ferforþ as sche dorst. be-souht him of his wepeinge for to stinte [2165] ¶ Bot not for-þi he gan to wepe & crie. euer þe lengeer þe more.
[2166] þis noble wif prudence remembreþ her on þe sentence of Ouide. In his boke þat cleped is þe remedie of loue. where he seiþe. [2167] He is a. foole þat distorbleþ þe modere for to wepe in þe deþe of hir childe. til sche haue wepped hire fil as for certeine time. [2168] Than schal a man done his diligence wiþ amyable wordes. hir to recomford. & to preier her of
