To þe wod he went away.

1 MS. nnorsel. 2 bi-forere, in MS. 3 casteȝ (?). 4 trayveres (?). 5 to to, in MS.

XXIV.

Then was it fine sport to listen to the hounds,

Thenne watȝ hit lif vpon list to lyþen þe houndeȝ,

When alle þe mute hade hym met, menged to-geder,

Suche a sorȝe at þat syȝt þay sette on his hede,

As alle þe clamberande clyffes hade clatered on hepes;

Here he watȝ halawed, when haþeleȝ hym metten,

Loude he watȝ ȝayned, with ȝarande speche;