As mochel joye sende thee this day

255

As ever yet he any lover sende!'

Thus took the Nightingale her leve of me.

I pray to god, he alway with her be,

And joye of love he sende her evermore;

And shilde us fro the Cukkow and his lore;

260

For ther is noon so fals a brid as he.

Forth she fley, the gentil Nightingale,