That they han maad bokës of hir diffame,

In which they lakken wommen and hir werkes

And speken of hem greet repreef and shame,

And causëlees yive hem a wikked name.

195

Thus they despysed been on every syde,

And sclaundred, and bilowen on ful wyde.

The sory bokes maken mencioun

How they betrayden, in especial,

Adam, David, Sampsoun, and Salamoun,