I pray you, tel it me in secret wyse;

And I shal kepe it close, on warantyse."

"We been," quod I, "fyve ladies al in-fere,

And gentilwomen foure in company;

Whan they begin to open hir matere,

410

Than shal ye knowe hir wordës by and by;

But as for me, I have non verely,

And so I told Countenaunce here-before;

Al myne aray is blew; what nedeth more?"