ABSTRACT

Of Rome, for hir1 horrible doynges; Of the laste kynge Tarquinius As sayth Ovyde, and Titus Lyvius. But for that cause telle I nat this story, But for to preyse, and drawen to memory The verray wife, the verray trewe Lucresse, That for hir wifehode, and hir stedfastnesse, Nat only that these payens hir com[m]ende, But he that y-cleped is in oure legende The grete Austyne11 hath grete compassyoun r6go Of this Lucresse that starf at Rome toun. And in what wise I wol but shortly trete, And of this thynge I touche but the grete. 1

Whan Ardea beseged was aboute With Romaynes, that ful sterne were and stoute, Ful Ionge lay the sege, and lytel wroghte, So that they were halfe ydel, as hem thoghte. And in his pley Tarquinius the yonge Gan for to jape, for he was lyghte of tonge, And sayde that hyt was an ydellyfe, 1 700 No man dide ther no more than his wife. 'And lat us speke of wives that is best; Preise every man his owne, as him lest, And with oure speche let us ease oure herte.'