In audience he was accused:
And he his dede hath noght excused,
Bot preith the king to don him riht,
And seith, ‘Sire, if I were of miht, 2380
I have an herte lich to thin;
For if the pouer were myn,[1056]
Mi will is most in special
To rifle and geten overal
The large worldes good aboute.
Bot for I lede a povere route