His daughter is to marry the best and fairest man that can be found.

Gon, and speken of luue-drurye;

And til þat she louen þoucte,[9]

Wom so hire to gode thoucte;

And þat he shulde hire yeue

Þe beste man that micthe liue,

Þe beste, fayreste, the strangest ok:—

Þat dede he him sweren on þe bok.

And þanne shulde he engelond

Al bitechen in-to hire hond.