Full wonder blisseful was that rather age,

When mortal men couthe holde hem-selven[[22]] payed

To fede hem-selve[[23]] with-oute suche outerage,

With mete that trewe feeldes[[24]] have arrayed;

With acorne thaire hunger was alayed,

And so thei couthe sese thaire talent;

Thei had[den] yit no queynt[e] craft assayed,

As clarry for to make ne pyment[[25]].

To de[y]en purpure couthe thei noght be-thynke,

The white flees, with venym Tyryen;