As ferforth as hit in my power lay,

[Unreprovable] unto my wyfhood ay,

The same wolde I felen, lyf or deeth.

And thilke covenant, whyl me lasteth breeth,

I wol fulfille, and that shal wel be [sene];

695

Was never unto hir love a trewer quene.'

And with that word, [naked], with ful good herte,

Among the serpents in the pit she sterte,

And ther she chees to han hir buryinge.