So hardy was to hir to wryte, and seyde,

1075

That love [it made], or elles moste he dye,

And pitously gan mercy for to crye;

And after that he seyde, and [ley] ful loude,

Him-self was litel worth, and lesse he coude;

155. And that she sholde han his conning excused,

1080

That litel was, and eek he dredde hir so,

And his unworthinesse he ay acused;