And your biheest [I] take at gree,

That ye so goodly prefer me;

To you it cometh of greet fraunchyse,

That ye me prefer your servyse.'

3005

Than aftir, ful deliverly,

Through the breres anoon wente I,

Wherof encombred was the hay.

I was wel plesed, the soth to say,

To see the botoun fair and swote,