Ofgood Women hâve befounde many one

1. « Byb is probably a misprint for byd = bide, stay or foregather. » Alfr. A. Huth.

l52 AN INTERLOCUCYON BETWYXT MAN AND WOMAN

Whiche hâve ben chast and holy yyrgyns pure,

And that out of Goddes lan>es never hath gone; 1 35

Wherefore in heven now sayntys be they sure.

The Man.

35. But now ofeyyll there be so many, Theyr kynde encreaseth styll every day y From eyyl into worse : sofast they multyplye

That wolde the deyyll had one to cary th'other arvay. 1 40

The Woman.

36. One vyrgyn another for Goddis love hath martyr ed By compulsyon ofMan, as Scrypture hath exprest, That in a day .xj. thousand dyed;

Wherefore to dy spray se women ye do not best.

The Man.

37. Consyderyng the evyll which ofwomen hâve corne, 145 Howfalse they be, how cursed and cruell,

One ought toflye them and from them to ronne,

For well happyishe that mththemdothnotmell.

The Woman.