Page:The fables of Aesop, as first printed by William Caxton in 1484, with those of Avian, Alfonso and Poggio. Vol 2.djvu/297



Noble man was omtyme / whiche had a wyf moche chate and was wonder fayr / This noble man wold haue go on pylgrimage to Rome / and lefte his wyf at home / by caue that he knewe her for a chate and a good woman /   ¶ It happed on a daye as he wente in to the toun A fayre yonge man was epryed of her loue / and took on hym hardynes / and requyred her of loue / and promyed to her many grete yeftes / But he whiche was good had leuer deye than to conente her therto / wherfore the yonge man deyde almoote for orowe / to the whiche felawe came an old woman / whiche demaunded of hym the caue of his ekenee / And the yonge man manyfeted or decouered vnto her alle his courage and herte / akynge help and counceylle of her / And the old woman wyly and malycious ayd to hym / Be thow gladde and Joyous / and take good courage / For wel I halle doo / and brynge aboute thy faytte / in oo moche thow halt haue thy wyll fulfylled / And after thys the old bawde wente to her hows /