to dote.'

'Trewly,' quod I, 'that have ye maked, and that ever wol

I rue.'

'Wottest thou not wel,' quod she, 'that every shepherde ought

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by reson to seke his sperkelande sheep, that arn ronne in-to

wildernesse among busshes and perils, and hem to their pasture

ayen-bringe, and take on hem privy besy cure of keping? And

though the unconninge sheep scattred wolde ben lost, renning to

wildernesse, and to desertes drawe, or els wolden putte hem-selfe