O sterne, O cruel fader that I was!

95

How mighte I have in that so hard an herte?

Allas! I ne hadde y-brought hir [in hir sherte]!

For sorwe of which I wol not live to morwe,

But-if ye lordes rewe up-on my sorwe.

15. For, by that cause [I say no tyme] er now

100

Hir to delivere, I holden have my pees;

But now or never, if that it lyke yow,