In that thou mayst, thy lady for to see;

This statut was of old antiquitee.

505

An officer of high auctoritee,

Cleped Rigour, made us swere anon:

He nas corrupt with parcialitee,

Favour, prayer, ne gold that cherely shoon;

'Ye shall,' quod he, 'now sweren here echoon,

510

Yong and old, to kepe, in that †ye may,