OUR VERNACULAR IN CHAUCER’S TIME.

But rede that boweth down for every blaste

Ful lyghtly cesse wynde, it wol aryse

But so nyle not an oke, when it is caste

It nedeth me nought longe the forvyse

Men shall reioysen of a great emprise

Atchewed wel and stant withouten dout

Al haue men ben the longer there about.—Troylus, ii.