XX
She threw down the mantle
That bright was of blee,
Fast with a red rudd[168]
To her chamber can she flee.
XXI
Forth came an old Knight
Pattering ore a creede,
And he proferr’d to this little Boy
Twenty markes to his meede;
XXII
And all the time of Christmasse
Willingly to ffeede;
For why[169] this mantle might
Doe his wiffe some need.
XXIII
When shee had tane the mantle
Of cloth that was made,
Shee had no more left on her
But a tassell and a threed:
That every knight in the King’s court
Bade evill might shee speed.
XXIV
She threw downe the mantle,
That bright was of blee,
Fast with a red rudd
To her chamber can she flee.