The Seconde Complaynte of the Empresse.

Whan y^t thempresse herde y^t the chylde was not yet deede, she began to wepe bytterly ⁊ sate her downe vpon the erthe in ye asshes ⁊ wolde not holde vppe her heed. As themperour that herde he entred in to y^e chāber ⁊ sayd to her, O good wyfe wherfore make ye all this sorowe ⁊ trouble your selfe so moche. She sayd demaunde ye me that knowe ye not well what grete despyte ⁊ shame y^t I haue suffred of your vnhappy sone, ⁊ haue promysed me y^t ye shold se iustyse ouer hȳ done ⁊ yet he lyueth, of trouth it shall hapne too you as it happened vpon a shepeherde and a boore. The emperour sayd, I praye you shewe me that exāple for my lernynge. and she sayd yesterday I shewed one: and I sawe none effecte that therof came, too what entente sholde I now shewe. Neuertheles I shal this notable example telle ⁊ declare vnto you / in this maner hereafter folowynge.