_Elianor_ my wife, my duches only deare, I knowe not howe, but as the nature is Of women all, aye curious to enquire Of thinges to come (though I confesse in this Her fault not small) and that shee did amisse, By witche’s skill, which sorcery some call, Would knowe of thinges which after should befall. 38. And for that cause made her selfe acquainted With mother _Madge_, called the witch of _Eye_, And with a clerke that after was attaynted, _Bolenbroke_ hee hight, that learned was that way, With other moe, which famous were that day, As well in science called mathematicall, As also in magique [and] skill supernaturall. 39. These cunning folkes shee set on worke to knowe The time how long the king should liue and raygne, Some by the starres, and some by deuills[723] belowe, Some by witchcraft sought knowledge to attayne, With like fancies, friuolous, fond, and vayne, Whereof though I knewe least of any man, Yet by that meane my mischiefe first began. 40. Yet besides this there was a greater thing, How shee in waxe, by councell of the witch, An image made, crowned like a king, With sword in hand, in shape and likenes syche As was the king, which daily they did pitch Against a fire, that as the waxe did melt, So should his life consume away vnfelt. 41. My duchesse thus accused of this cryme, As shee that should such practise first begin, My part was then to yeelde vnto the time, Geuing her leaue to deale alone therein: And since the cause concerned deadly sinne, Which to the clergie onely doth pertayne, To deale therein I playnely did refrayne. 42. And suffered them her person to ascite Into their courtes, to aunswere and appeare, Which to my hart was sure the greatest spight That could be wrought, and touched mee most neare, To see my wife, and lady leefe and deare, To my reproch, and playne before my face, Entreated so, as one of sort most base. 43. The clergie then examining her cause, Conuinced[724] her, as guilty in the same, And sentence gaue, according to their lawes, That shee and they whom I before did name Should suffer death, or els some open shame: Of which penaunce my wife by sentence had To suffer shame, of both the two, more bad. 44.