And, for the safety of his soul,

To you, my lord, he left the whole.”

“’Twas rightly done,” the bishop said,

And gravely shook his godly head:

“And, that his soul to heaven may go,

My absolution I bestow.”

Now have you heard a truthful lay,

How with rich priests the bishops play;

And Rutebœuf the moral draws

That, spite of kings’ and bishops’ laws,