Til it befell, as it is told,

In wynter, whan the dai is cold,

This wif was fro the welle come,

Wher that a pot with water nome

Sche hath, and broghte it into house,

And sih how that hire seli spouse

Was sett and loked on a bok

Nyh to the fyr, as he which tok 660

His ese for a man of age.

And sche began the wode rage,