Hath taried til thei were aslepe,

As he that wolde his time kepe

His dedly werkes to fulfille;

And to the bed he stalketh stille,

Wher that he wiste was the wif,

And in his hond a rasour knif 830

He bar, with which hire throte he cutte,

And prively the knif he putte

Under that other beddes side,[589]

Wher that Constance lai beside.