V
Now lith[662] and lysten, gentylmen,
That of myrthes loveth to here:
Two of them were single men,
The third had a wedded fere[663].
VI
Wyllyam was the wedded man,
Muche more then was hys care:
He sayde to hys brethren upon a day,
To Carleile he would fare;
VII
For to speke with fayre Alyce his wife,
And with hys chyldren thre.
‘By my trouth,’ sayde Adam Bel,
‘Not by the counsell of me:
VIII
‘For if ye go to Carleile, brother,
And from thys wylde wode wende,
If that the Justice may you take,
Your lyfe were at an ende.’—
IX
‘If that I come not to-morowe, brother,
By pryme[664] to you agayne,
Truste you then that I am taken,
Or else that I am slayne.’