Disciplina Clericalis/Tale 8
VIII[1] The Husband Deceived by Means of a Sheet.
"It is saide that suche oon went on pilgremage and committed his wif vnto his stepmoder.[2] Whiche wif loved another and shewed it vnto hir moder, whiche even moeved for hir doughter yaf a favour to the lover and cald hym and bigan to talke[3] apart with hym and with the doughter to feede and to feeste. And in their feestyng came the husbond to the dore and knocked. And the wif arisyng hid the lover and after that opened the doore, whiche after he was entred [he] bad array his bedde for he wold rest hym, insomoche that he was wery. The wif Was troubled and in doubte what she shuld do. The Moder seeyng that saide vnto the doughter: 'Ne haastow nat to arraie his bedde til we han shewed to thy husbond the lynnen that we han made.' And thold wif drewe out the lynnen as moche as she mgyht to a corner and toke hir doughter another end to another corner. Whiche lynnen [was] so stretched and lift vp in height. And so was the husbond mocked and bijaped til the lovier that was hid went out at the doore. Than saide thold wif vnto hir doughter: 'Stretche this lynnen vpon thi husbondes bedde, forwhi myn handis and thyn han made (f. 123b) it and woven it.' To whom the husbond saide: 'And thow, lady or dame, canstow array suche lynnen?' 'O sone, moche have I made and arraied in this maner.' In this maner is the husbond disceived of his wif."[4]
To this the disciple: "What I have heard is wonderful; but I wish thou wouldest give me more advice, for the more I consider the nature of those women the more I am concerned about my own protection." The master replied: "To this end I will tell you a third tale and then our exempla will suffice for thy instruction." The disciple: "If it please thee."