Besides the rigid enactments of the law, and the anathemas of divines, other and gentler means were from time to time resorted to as warnings from that sin of dress which seems inherent in our nature, or as inducements to a more becoming one. We quote a specimen of both:-- "There was a lady whiche had her lodgynge by the chirche. And she was alweye accustomed for to be longe to araye her, and to make her freshe and gay, insomuch that it annoyed and greued moche the parson of the chirche, and the parysshens. And it happed on a Sonday that she was so longe, that she sent to the preeste that he shod tarye for her, lyke as she had been accustomed. And it was thenne ferforthe on the day. And it annoyed the peple. And there were somme that said, How is hit? shall not this lady this day be pynned ne wel besene in a Myrroure? And somme said softely, God sende to her an evyll syght in her myrroure that causeth us this day and so oftymes to muse and to abyde for her. And thene as it plesyd God for an ensample, as she loked in the myrroure she sawe therein the Fende, whiche shewed hymselfe to her so fowle and horryble, that the lady wente oute of her wytte, and was al demonyak a long tyme. And after God sente to her helthe. And after she was not so longe in arayeng but thanked God that had so suffered her to be chastysed."[99] The 'Garment of Gude Ladyis' is a lecture of a most beguiling kind, and an exquisite picture. "Wald my gud lady lufe me best, And wirk after my will, I suld ane garment gudliest Gar mak hir body till. "Of he honour suld be her hud, Upoun hir heid to weir, Garneist with governance so gud, Na demyng[100] suld hir deir.[101] "Hir kirtill suld be of clene constance, Lasit with lesum lufe, The mailyeis[102] of continwance For nevir to remufe. "Her gown suld be of gudliness, Weill ribband with renowne, Purfillit[103] with plesour in ilk place, Furrit with fyne fassoun.[104] "Her belt suld be of benignitie, About hir middill meit; Hir mantill of humilitie, To tholl[105] bayth wind and weit. "Hir hat suld be of fair having[106], And her tepat of trewth, Hir patelet[107] of gude pansing, Hir hals-ribbane of rewth. "Hir slevis suld be of esperance, To keip hir fra dispair; Hir gluvis of the gud govirnance, To hyd hir fingearis fair. "Hir schone suld be of sickernes[108] In syne that scho nocht slyd; Hir hois of honestie, I ges, I suld for hir provyd. "Wald scho put on this garmond gay, I duret sweir by my seill, That scho woir nevir grene nor gray That set hir half so weill." FOOTNOTES: [95] Lady's Magazine. [96] Bugg--buge, lamb's furr.--Dr. Jamieson. [97] Ancassin and Nicolette. [98] The first instance in which the name of this stone is found.--Miss Lawrence. [99] The Knyght of the Toure. [100] _Demyng_--censure. [101] _Deir_--dismay.