THE TALE（第4页）

andtakekeep*ofthatishallyousayn;*heed

ofalletreason，sovreignpestilence

iswhenawightbetrayethinnocence.

yefathers，andyethersekealso，

thoughyehavechildren，beitoneor，

yoursisthechargeofalltheirsurveyance，**supervision

whilethattheybeunderyourgovernance.

beware，thatbyexampleofyourliving，

orbyyournegligenceinchastising，

thattheynotperishforidarewellsay，

ifthattheydo，yeshallitdearabeye.**payfor，sufferfor

underashepherdsoftandnegligent

thewolfhathmanyasheepandlambto-rent.

sufficethisexamplenowashere

forimustturnagaintomymattere.

thismaid，ofwhichitellmytaleexpress，

shekeptherself，herneedednomistress;

forinherlivingmaidensmighteread，

asinabook，evrygoodwordanddeed

thatlongethtoamaidenvirtuous;

shewassoprudentandsobounteous.

forwhichthefameoutsprangoneveryside

bothofherbeautyandherbounte*wide:*goodness

thatthroughthelandtheypraisedhereachone

thatlovedvirtue，saveenvyalone，

thatsorryisofothermannesweal，

andgladisofhissorrowandunheal*—*misfortune

thedoctormakeththisdescriptioun.—

thismaidenonadaywentinthetown

towardatemple，withhertherdear，

asisofyoungemaidensthemannere.