In ȝonge ȝer, for he ȝerned ȝelpyng to here,
Thaȝ hym wordeȝ were wane, when þay to sete wenten;
Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond.
Gawan watȝ glad to be-gynne þose gomneȝ in halle,
Bot þaȝ þe ende be heuy, haf ȝe no wonder;
For þaȝ men ben mery in mynde, quen þay han mayn drynk,
A ȝere ȝernes ful ȝerne, & ȝeldeȝ neuer lyke,
Þe forme to þe fynisment foldeȝ ful selden.
For-þi þis ȝol ouer-ȝede, & þe ȝere after,
& vche sesoun serlepes sued after oþer;