And the lady turned and said: tell me in what way the enemies of God have a share in my tunic.
He answered: lady, I will tell you. Do you remember when you went to a certain feast, where the other women were more regarded than you because of your ugly tunic? And you returned [[90]]and showed yourself cross to your husband? And he promised to buy you a tunic with his first earnings? And a few days afterwards, a burgher came to borrow ten marks, at a usury of two, whereon you urged your husband to do this? So from this ungodly gain does your tunic come. Tell me, lady, if I have erred in aught.
Certainly, sir, in naught have you erred, answered the lady. And God forbid that such an ungodly tunic should remain upon me.
And before the whole crowd she doffed it, and begged Merlin to take it and deliver her from such grievous peril.
[1] cotta. This antiquated form has survived in the cotta which priests put on during certain religious ceremonies of the Catholic Church. [↑]
XXVII
Here it is told of a great Moaddo who was insulted
A great Moaddo[1] went one day to Alexandria, and was going about his business when another man came behind him, and pronounced many [[91]]insulting words, and made much mock of him, to which he did not reply a word.