so might he have layd on to moche: evermore grounded vertue
sheweth th'entent fro within. And trewly, I wot wel, for her goodnesse
and vertue, thou hast desyred my service to her plesance
wel the more; and thy-selfe therto fully hast profered.'
100
'Good lady,' quod I, 'is vertue the hye way to this knot that
long we have y-handled?'
'Ye, forsoth,' quod she, 'and without vertue, goodly this knot
may nat be goten.'
'Ah! now I see,' quod I, 'how vertu in me fayleth; and I, as