Wherof that Puile and ek Cartage

With Philosophres wise and grete

Begunne of this matiere trete,[16]

And ate laste in this degre

Ther weren Philosophres thre,

P. ii. 197

To do this thing whiche undertoke,

And therupon thei with hem toke

A gret tresor of gold in cophres,[17]

To Rome and thus these philisophres 2080