A endurer, to tel you in wordës few,

490

With grete letters, the better I hem knew.

Thus as we stode, a dore opened anon;

A gentilwoman, semely of stature,

Beringe a mace, cam out, her-selfe aloon;

Sothly, me thought, a goodly crëature!

495

She spak nothing to lowde, I you ensure,

Nor hastily, but with goodly warning: