And axeth him hou that mai be.

‘Nou be mi trouthe I not,’ quod he, 5100

‘Bot I dar swere upon a bok,

That to my Marchant I it tok,[327]

And he it hadde whan I wente:

So knowe I noght to what entente

It is nou hier, bot it be grace.[328]

Forthi tomorwe in other place

I wole it fonde forto selle,

And if it wol noght with him duelle,