Home then pricked Syr Cauline,
As light as leafe on tree;150
I-wys he neither stint ne blanne,
Till he his ladye see.
Then downe he knelt upon his knee,
Before that lady gay:
"O ladye, I have bin on the Eldridge hills;155
These tokens I bring away."
"Now welcome, welcome, Syr Cauline,
Thrice welcome unto mee,
For now I perceive thou art a true knighte,
Of valour bolde and free."160
"O ladye, I am thy own true knighte,
Thy hests for to obaye;
And mought I hope to winne thy love!"—
No more his tonge colde say.
The ladye blushed scarlette redde,165
And fette a gentill sighe:
"Alas! syr knight, how may this bee,
For my degree's soe highe?
"But sith thou hast hight, thou comely youth,
To be my batchilere,170
Ile promise, if thee I may not wedde,
I will have none other fere."
Then shee held forthe her liley-white hand
Towards that knighte so free;
He gave to it one gentill kisse,175
His heart was brought from bale to blisse,
The teares sterte from his ee.
"But keep my counsayl, Syr Cauline,
Ne let no man it knowe;
For, and ever my father sholde it ken,180
I wot he wolde us sloe."
From that daye forthe, that ladye fayre
Lovde Syr Cauline the knighte;
From that daye forthe, he only joyde
Whan shee was in his sight.185