Page:History of the Emperor Manalay, and his virtuous wife (2).pdf/17

Rh quoch she) what treason is this thou haft done to me? The master answered and said, Madam, certainly it is so that I must needs lie with thee; and afterwards espouse thee. O good ir, quoth she, I have made a vow, that I shall never do such a thing but. with him unto whom I am bound by right and by the law. Soothly (quoth me) if you will not grant it me with your good will, I will cast you out unto the midst of the sea, and there shall you die an evil death: If it be so (quoth she) that I must needs con- Sent, or else die; first, I pray thee, to prepare a private place in the end of the ship, whereas, I may fulfil thine intent ere I die, and also, I pray thee, that I may say my prayers unto the Father of Heaven, that he may have mercy on me.

The master believed her, wherefore he did ordain her a cabbin in the end of the ship, wherein she kneeled down on both her knees; and male her prayer, saying on this wise, thou my Lord God, thou hast kept me from my youth in cleanness, keep me now that I be not desloured, so that I may