And gan to humme, and seyde, 'so I trowe.'

1200

'Aquyte him wel, for goddes love,' quod he;

'My-self to medes wol the lettre [sowe],'

And held his hondes up, and sat on knowe,

'Now, goode nece, be it never so lyte,

Yif me the labour, it to sowe and plyte.'

1205

173. 'Ye, for I can so wryte,' quod she tho;

'And eek I noot what I sholde to him seye.'