A. NOW SPRINGS THE SPRAY. Lincoln's Inn MS. Hale 135 (about 1300).

Nou sprinkes þe sprai,

Al for loue icche am so seek

Þat slepen I ne mai.

Als I me rode [þis endre] dai

Seih I hwar a litel mai

Bigan to singge:

'Þe clot him [clingge]!

Wai es him i louue-longinge

Sal libben ai!' 10

Nou sprinkes, &c.

Son icche herde þat mirie note,

Þider I drogh;

I fonde hire in an herber swot

Vnder a bogh,

With ioie inogh. 15

Son I asked: 'Þou mirie mai,

Hwi sinkestou ai?'

Nou sprinkes, &c.

Þan answerde þat maiden swote

Midde wordes fewe:

'Mi lemman me haues bihot 20

Of louue trewe:

He chaunges anewe.

Yiif I mai, it shal him rewe

Bi þis dai.'

Nou sprinkes, &c.

4 [Þis endre] dai als I me rode MS.; corr. Skeat.

5 [playinge]] indistinct.

8 [clingge]] clingges MS.