Classic Poem

The Argument of the following discourse of Lady
Barbaraes vertuous behaviours . A Boemian
knight, named Ulrico, married a vertuous lady,
called Barbara. Ulrico, being a little nipt with
povertie, woulde faine have supplyed his want by
service in the warres, which adventure he long
delayed through the jealous suspicion of his wives
behaviour: notwithstanding, his imaginations
quieted by the direction of a cunning
negromancer, named Pollacco, hee craved
intertainment of the king of Hungarie: the king
(vouchsafing his request) imployed him in the
warres against the Turke. The warres ended,
Ulrico (laden with honour) returned unto the
kings court, where one day the lord Alberto, the
lord Udislao, and he, reasoned of womens
behaviours. The Hungarian barons helde opinion,
there was no woman so chaste but might be won
to wantonnesse: Ulrico (in his ladies behalfe)
reasoned to the contrarie. In the end, they grewe
into this heate of argument, that both the lordes
wagered their landes to his, that if he durst abyde
the triall, that the one of them within two
monethes woulde obtaine bodily delight with his
wife. Ulrico accepted of their lay, the wager
beeing set downe in writing: the king and queene
were both witnesses of the match. Alberto gave
the first adventure in these loving affaires to
winne her to wantonnesse. The lady, finding his
humour, by policies (as a theefe that sought to
rob her honour) caused him to be imprisoned;
where, to bridle his wanton affections, she made
him to spin for his victuals. Alberto (in hope of
libertie) discovered to the lady the whole wager,
and how that the lord Udislao would come about
that enterprise; who in very deede shortly visited
her castle; whome she likewise made foorth
comming, and in penaunce of his offence, hee
reelde the thread Alberto spon. The king and
queene, hearing of their successe, had the lady in
high estimation, awarded Ulrico the lande, and
banished the barons for their slaunderous
opinion.