'Blynne, burne, of þy bur, bede me no mo!

I haf a stroke in þis stede withoute stryf hent, 255

And if þow recheȝ me any mo, I redyly schal quyte,

And ȝelde ȝederly aȝayn—and þer to ȝe tryst—

and foo.

Bot on stroke here me falleȝ—

Þe couenaunt schop ryȝt so 260

<Schapen> in Arþureȝ halleȝ—

And þerfore, hende, now hoo!'

The haþel heldet hym fro, and on his ax rested,