¶ The xi fable is of the herte / of the ſheep & of the wulf
He thynge which is promyſed by
force & for decde is not to be
hold / wherof eſope reherceth ſuche
a fable of a hert which in the
preſence of a wulf demūaded of
a ſheep that she ſhold paye a buſſhel of corn /
And the wulf commaūded to the Ihcep to paye
hit/ And whanne the day of payment was come
the herte came and demaunded of the ſheep his
corn And the ſheep ſayd to hym / the
conenaunces[errata 1]
and pactyons made by drede and force oughte
not to be holden / For it was force to me beynge
to fore the wulf to promytte & graunte to gyue
to the that whiche thou neuer leneſt to me / And
therfor thow ſhalt haue ryght nought of me /
wherfore ſomtyme it is good to make promiſſe
of ſome thynge for to eſchewe gretter dommage
or loſſe / For the thyngs whiche are done by
force haue none fydelyte