He toke his harp and tempred schille,

Þe bli<sse>fulest notes he harped þere

Þat euer ani man yherd wiþ ere;

Ich man liked wele his gle.

Þe steward biheld and gan yse, 530

And knewe þe harp als bliue.

'Menstrel,' he seyd, 'so mot þou þriue,

Where hadestow þis harp, and hou?

Y pray þat þou me telle now.'

'Lord,' quaþ he, 'in vncouþe þede, 535