God sende mo swich thornes [on to pyke]!

1275

183. Pandare, which that stood hir faste by,

Felte [iren hoot], and he bigan to smyte,

And seyde, 'nece, I pray yow hertely,

Tel me that I shal axen yow a lyte.

A womman, that were of his deeth to wyte,

1280

With-outen his gilt, but for hir lakked routhe,

Were it wel doon?' Quod she, 'nay, by my trouthe!'