O night, allas! why niltow over us hove,
As longe as whanne [Almena] lay by Iove?
205. O blake night, as folk in bokes rede,
1430
That shapen art by god this world to hyde
At certeyn tymes with thy derke wede,
That under that men mighte in reste abyde,
Wel oughte bestes pleyne, and folk thee chyde,
That there-as day with labour wolde us breste,
1435