That it of hire so befalle,
Than if thei scholden alle spille.
The king, which understod here wille[1576]
Qualiter suadentibus nautis corpus vxoris sue mortue in quadam Cista plumbo et ferro obtusa[1577] que circumligata Appolinus cum magno thesauro vna cum quadam littera sub eius capite scripta recludi et in mare[1578] proici fecit.
And knew here conseil that was trewe,
Began ayein his sorwe newe 1100
With pitous herte, and thus to seie:
‘It is al reson that ye preie.
I am,’ quod he, ‘bot on al one,
So wolde I noght for mi persone