And [grette] him, as I best coude.

Debonairly, and no-thing loude,

He sayde, 'I prey thee, be not wrooth,

520

I herde thee not, to sayn the sooth,

Ne I saw thee not, sir, trewely.'

'A! goode sir, no fors,' quod I,

I am right sory if I have ought

Destroubled yow out of your thought;

525