299 Of the Widow and the grene Asse.
A Certeyne Widow being weary of leading a single lyfe, desired to mary, but she durst not, bycause shée feared the mocking of the people, which reported euill of those that were twice ma∣ried: but hir godmother shewed her by this pol∣licie, how lightly rumors are to be regarded: she commaunded hir to take the white Asse she had, and cause him to be paynted gréene, and then to leade him through euery streate, which thing at the first sight was so wondred at, that not only childrē, but also old men, moued with this strange Wonder, followed the Asse, to behold him, which being dayly led through the citie, they ceased too wonder at. Then sayde hir godmother, the like shall happen to thée, for if thou mary, thou shalte for a fewe dayes bée a byworde to the peo∣ple, but within a while after, there shall not be a word spoken of it.