And seith, “Dame, for of thin I wole holde his lyf,” 220
a[n]d liȝe;
Thouh he wite no more than a gos wheither he wole live or die.
Anon he wole biginne to blere the wives eiȝe;
He wole aske half a pound to bien spicerie;
The .viij. shillinges sholen up to the win and the ale;
And bringe rotes and rindes bret ful a male
off noht;
Hit shal be dere on a lek, whan hit is al i-wrouht.
Glossary.—205. i-deled, parted.—209. wid unskile, with wrong.—210. here, their.—215. sein, say.—218. lesing, falsehood.—219. he fondeth, he tries.—221. liȝe, lie.—222. gos, goose.—223. eiȝe, eyes.—224. bien, buy.—226. bret ful, broad full, filled up. male, chest, pannier.—228. on a lek, for a leek. (?)