234.2 A common form of asseveration = ‘upon my life’; ‘the’ = thrive. Cf. 243.4.

‘Ye be the more welcome,’ sayd Robyn,

‘So ever mote I the!

Fyll of the best wyne,’ sayd Robyn,

‘This monke shall drynke to me.

235.

‘But I have grete mervayle,’ sayd Robyn,

‘Of all this longë day;

I drede Our Lady be wroth with me,

She sent me not my pay.’