The king, which hath his Ere leid,

And lieveth al that evere he herde,

Unto here tale thus ansuerde,

And seith that levere him is to chese

Hise children bothe forto lese,

Than him and al the remenant

Of hem whiche are aportenant

Unto the lond which he schal kepe:

And bad his wif to take kepe 4320

P. ii. 272