†And seyde, 'sir, [hit am I]'; and com [him neer],

315

†And salued him. Quod he, 'what dostow heer

So nigh myn owne flour, so boldely?

†For it were better worthy, trewely,

[A worm] to neghen neer my flour than thou.'

†'And why, sir,' quod I, 'and hit lyke yow?'

320

†'For thou,' quod he, 'art ther-to nothing able.

*Hit is my relik, digne and delytable,