XXX.

Then she takes her leave.

Thenne lachche3 ho hir leue, & leue3 hym þere,

For more myrþe of þat mon mo3t ho not gete;

When ho1 wat3 gon, sir G. gere3 hym sone,

Rises, & riches hym in araye noble,

Lays vp þe luf-lace, þe lady hym ra3t,

Hid hit ful holdely, þer he hit eft fonde;

Syþen cheuely to þe chapel choses he þe waye,

Preuely aproched to a prest, & prayed hym þere

Þat he wolde lyfte2 his lyf, & lern hym better,

How his sawle schulde be saued, when he schuld seye heþen.

Þere he schrof hym schyrly, & schewed his mysdede3,

Of þe more & þe mynne, & merci beseche3,

& of absolucioun he on þe segge calles;

& he asoyled hym surely, & sette hym so clene,

As dome3-day schulde haf ben di3t on þe morn.

& syþen he mace hym as mery among þe fre ladyes,

With comlych caroles, & alle kynnes ioye,

As neuer he did bot þat daye, to þe derk ny3t,

with blys;

Vche mon hade daynte þare,

Of hym, & sayde Iwysse,

Þus myry he wat3 neuer are,

Syn he com hider, er þis.

1 he, in MS. 2 lyste (?).