He tolde his tale and thus he seide:

‘The sorwe, dowhter, which I make

Is noght al only for my sake,

Bot for thee bothe and for you alle:

For such a chance is me befalle,

That I schal er this thridde day

Lese al that evere I lese may, 3180

Mi lif and al my good therto:

Therfore it is I sorwe so.’

‘What is the cause, helas!’ quod sche,[506]