But these, ech yere, woll raunsom hem

Maysterfully, more than doth he;

Hir seles, by yerë, better be

Than is the kinges in extend;

Hir officers han gretter fee;

660

But this mischeef [may] god amend!

For who-so woll prove a testament

Thát is natt all worth ten pound,

He shall paye for the parchëment