XXVII.

1792

"Þat is a worde," quod þat wyȝt, "þat worst is of alle,

Bot I am swared for soþe, þat sore me þinkkeȝ;

Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach heþen,

I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may þat much louyes."

Sykande ho sweȝe doun, & semly hym kyssed,

& siþen ho seueres hym fro, & says as ho stondes,

"Now, dere, at þis de-partyng, do me þis ese,

Gif me sumquat of þy gifte, þi gloue if¹ hit were,

Þat I may mynne on þe mon, my mournyng to lassen."

"Now Iwysse," quod þat wyȝe, "I wolde I hade here

Þe leuest þing for þy luf, þat I in londe welde,

For ȝe haf deserued, forsoþe, sellyly ofte

More rewarde bi resoun, þen I reche myȝt,

Bot to dele yow for drurye, þat dawed bot neked;

Hit is not your honour to haf at þis tyme

A gloue for a garysoun, of Gawayneȝ gifteȝ,

& I am here [on] an erande in erdeȝ vncouþe,

& haue no men wyth no maleȝ, with menskful þingeȝ;

Þat mislykeȝ me, ladé, for luf at þis tyme,²

Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille,

ne pine."

"Nay, hende of hyȝe honours,"

Quod þat lufsum vnder lyne,

"Þaȝ I hade oȝt³ of youreȝ,

Ȝet schulde ȝe haue of myne."

¹ of, in MS. ² tyne, in MS. ³ noȝt (?).