Than hit was erst. Thus north and southe
Went every [word] fro mouth to mouthe,
And that encresing ever-mo,
As fyr is wont to quikke and go
From a sparke spronge amis,
(990) 2080
Til al a citee brent up is.
And, whan that was ful y-spronge,
And woxen more on every tonge
Than ever hit was, [hit] wente anoon