For that is helplich to defie;
And so wolde I my wordes plie,[871]
That mihten Wraththe and Cheste avale
With tellinge of my softe tale.
Thus dar I make a foreward,
That nevere unto my ladiward
Yit spak I word in such a wise,
Wherof that Cheste scholde arise. 510
This seie I noght, that I fulofte
Ne have, whanne I spak most softe,