¶ 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
