Of eloquence was never founde

So swete a sowninge facounde,

Ne trewer tonged, ne scorned lasse,

Ne bet coude hele; that, by the masse

I durste swere, thogh the pope hit songe,

930

That ther was never through hir tonge

Man ne woman gretly harmed;

As for hir, [ther] was al harm hid;

Ne lasse flatering in hir worde,