But hear my story—When your love was known 590
For this our child—she is, in fact, our own—
Then, first debating, we agreed at last
To seek my lord, and tell him what had past.”
“To tell the earl?”
“Yes, truly, and why not?
And then together we contrived our plot.”
“Eternal God!”
“Nay, be not so surprised,—
In all the matter we were well advised;