So kenly fro þe kyngeȝ kourt to kayre al his one,

Er þe halidayeȝ holly were halet out of toun?

"For soþe sir," quod þe segge, "ȝe sayn bot þe trawþe

A heȝe ernde & a hasty me hade fro þo woneȝ,

For I am sumned my selfe to sech to a place,

I wot2 in worlde wheder warde to wende, hit to fynde;

I nolde, bot if I hit negh myȝt on nwȝeres morne,

For alle þe londe in-wyth Logres, so me oure lorde help!

For-þy, sir, þis enquest I require yow here,

Þat ȝe me telle with trawþe, if euer ȝe tale herde