'But consider,' he said. He sat himself by the fireside upon a stool, being minded to avoid temptation.
'I would have your magistership forget the rogues that be without,' she said.
'They were a nightmare's tale,' he said.
'Yet forget them not too utterly,' she answered. 'For I am of some birth. My father had seven horses and never followed the plough.'
'Oh buxom one!' he answered. 'Of a comfortable birth and girth thou art. Yet with thee around my neck I might not easily climb.'
'Magister,' she said, 'whilst thou climbest in London town thy wife will bide in Paris.'
'Consider!' he said. 'There is in London town a fair, large maid called Margot Poins.'
'Is she more fair than I?' she asked. 'I will swear she is.'
He tilted his stool forward.
'No; no, I swear it,' he said eagerly.