¶ The fyrst fable is of the ſubtylyte of the woman for to deceyue her huſbond
He cautele or falſhede of the woman is wonder merueyllous / as it appiereth by this fable / Of a marchaūt whiche was wedded of newe vnto a fayre and yong woman / the whiche marchaunt wente ouer the ſee for to bye & ſelle / and for to gete ſomwhat for to lyue honeſtly / And by cauſe that he dwellyd to longe / his wyf ſuppoſed that he was dede / And therfore ſhe enamoured her ſelf with another man / whiche dyd to her mykle good / as for to haue doo make and bylde vp his hows of newe the whiche had grete nede of reparacion / and alſo he gaf to her all new utenſyles to kepe houſhold / And within a long tyme after the departyng of the marchaunt he came ageyne in to his hows whiche he ſawe newe bylded / & ſawe dyſſhes pottes / pannes / and ſuche other houſhold / wherfore he demaunded of his wyf how and in what maner ſhe had ſoūde the facion and the mean for to haue repayred ſo honeſtly his hows / And ſhe anſuerd that it was by the grace of god / And