23. Thus seyde I never er now to womman born;
For god myn herte as wisly glade so,
I lovede never womman here-biforn
[As paramours] ne never shal no mo.
And, for the love of god, beth not my fo;
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Al can I not to yow, my lady dere,
Compleyne aright, for I am yet to lere.
24. And wondreth not, myn owene lady bright,
Though that I speke of love to you thus blyve;