So many men as in hir tyme hir knewe,

And yet she dyed not so sodeynly;

For I have sought hir ever ful besily

Sith first I hadde wit or mannes mynde;

35

But she was deed, er that I coude hir fynde.

Aboute hir herse ther stoden lustily,

Withouten any wo, as thoughte me,

Bountee parfit, wel armed and richely,

And fresshe Beautee, Lust, and Iolitee,