When king Orfeo herd this cas,

O we![94] quath he, allas! allas!

Lever me were to lete[95] mi liif,

Than thus to lese the quen mi wiif,

He asked conseyl at ich man,

Ac no man him help no can.

A morwe the under tide is come

And Orfeo hath his armes y nome,

And wele ten hundred knightes with him,

Ich y armed stout and grim;