Welmore than sche dede afore,

And seide, ‘Helas, wifhode is lore

In me, which whilom was honeste,[324]

I am non other than a beste,

Now I defouled am of tuo.’

And as sche myhte speke tho,

P. i. 75

Aschamed with a pitous onde

Sche tolde unto hir housebonde 980

The sothe of al the hole tale,