[But for all his riding ne’er sped he
To fetch help to our Queene;]
He co’ld find noe man in the south countrỳ
‘Wo’ld fight with the knight soe keene.
XXVII
The second messenger shee sent forth,
Rode far into the east;
But—blessèd be God ’made sunn and moone!—
He sped then all of the best.
XXVIII
As he rode then by one river side,
There he mett with a little Child;
He seemèd noe more in a man’s likenesse
Than a child of four yeeres old.
XXIX
He ask’d the messenger how far he rode;
Loth he was him to tell;
The little one was offended att him,
Bade him adieu, farewell.
XXX
Said, ‘Turne thou againe, thou messenger,
Greete our Queen well from me;
When bale[63] is at hyest, boote[64] is at nyest—
Helpe enough there may bee.