Al that we clayme, we clayme it but of right.
Yif they say nay let preve it out by ffight. [200]
We wil vs grounde not vpon womanhede.
Fy on hem, cowardes. When hit komethe to nede,
We clayme maystrye by prescripcyoun,
Be long tytle of successyoun
Frome wyff to wyff, which we wol not leese.
Men may weel gruchche, but they shal not cheese.
Custume is vs for nature and vsaunce
To set oure housbandes lyf in gret noysaunce.
Humbelly byseching nowe at oon worde
Vn to oure liege, and moost souerein lord, [210]
Vs to defende of his regallye,
And of his grace susteenen oure partye,
Requering the statuyt of olde antiquytee
That in youre tyme it may confermed bee.

The complaynte of the lewed housbandes wt the cruwell aunswers of theyre
wyves herde, the kyng yivethe ther vpon sentence and iugement.

This noble Prynce, moost royal of estate,
Having an eyeghe to this mortal debate,
First aduerting of ful hyeghe prudence,
Wil vnavysed gyve here no sentence
With oute counseylle of haste to procede
By sodeyne doome, for he takythe heede [220]
To eyther partye as iuge indifferent,
Seing the paryll of hasty iugement.
Pourposithe him in this contynude stryffe
To gif no sentence ther of diffynytyff