†'Madame,' quod he, 'hit is so long agoon

†That I yow knew so charitable and trewe,

435

†That never yit, sith that the world was newe,

†To me ne fond I better noon than ye.

That, if that I wol save my degree,

†I may ne wol nat warne your requeste;

Al lyth in yow, doth with him what yow leste

440

†And al foryeve, with-outen lenger space;