I mai noght longe with you leve.’

‘Ha, goode Soster, yit I preie,

Tell me whi ye ben so beseie

And with these haltres thus begon.’

‘Ma Dame, whilom I was on

That to mi fader hadde a king;

Bot I was slow, and for no thing

Me liste noght to love obeie,

And that I now ful sore abeie. 1390

For I whilom no love hadde,