And thei him seiden, that naghere,

In al the world thogh men it soghte,[636]

Was nevere womman that forth broghte

A fairer child than it was on.

And thanne he axede hem anon,

Whi thei ne hadden write so:

Thei tolden, so thei hadden do. 1250

He seide, ‘Nay.’ Thei seiden, ‘Yis.’

The lettre schewed rad it is,

Which thei forsoken everidel.