IX

‘Do not I give you meat?’ he says,
‘Do not I give you fee?
How daur you stop my errand
When that I bid you flee?’

X

This little man John one while he yode[342],
Another while he ran;
Until he came to John Steward’s castle
I wis he never blan[343].

XI

He ask’d no porter’s leave, but ran
Up hall and bower free,
And when he came to John Steward’s wife,
Says, ‘God you save and see!

XII

‘I come, I am come from Childe Maurice—
A message unto thee!
And Childe Maurice he greets you well,
And ever so well from me,

XIII

‘And as it falls as oftentimes
As knots be knit in a kell,
Or merchantmen go to leeve Londòn
To buy ware or to sell;