Joseph. Benedicite, I cannot undyrstande
What oure Prince of Prestes doth men,
That every man xuld come and brynge with hym a whande,
Abyl to be maryed, that is not I, so mote I then.
I have be maydon evyr, and evyr more wele ben,
I chaungyd not ȝet of alle my long lyff;
And now to be maryed sum man wold wen,
It is a straunge thynge an old man to take a ȝonge wyff.
But nevyr the lesse no doute of we must forth to towne,
Now neybores and kynnysmen lete us forth go: