CVI
‘Thy day is broke,’ said the Justice,
‘Land gettest thou none.’—
‘Now, good Sir Justice, be my friend,
And fend[778] me of my fone[779]!’
CVII
‘I am held with the Abbot,’ said the Justice,
‘Both with cloth and fee.’—
‘Now, good Sir Sheriff, be my friend!’
‘Nay, nay, not I,’ said he.
CVIII
‘Now, good Sir Abbot, be my friend,
For thy courtesy,
And hold my landès in thy hand
Till I have made thee gree[780]
CIX
‘And I will be thy true servànt
And truly servè thee,
Till ye have four hundred pound
Of money good and free.’
CX
The Abbot sware a full great oath,
‘By Him that died on tree,
Get thy landès where thou mayst,
For thou gettest none of me!’