Hii sholde gon to the Holi Lond and maken there her res,
And fihte there for the croiz, and shewe the ordre of knihte,
And awreke Jhesu Crist wid launce and speir to fihte 250
and sheld;
And nu ben theih liouns in halle, and hares in the feld.
Glossary.—229. wod, mad.—231. ȝeve, if.—232. evele mote he the! ill may he thrive!—234. don, do.—235. doth, causeth. sethe, to boil.—236. tit, touches. leof, dear (i. e. have he ever so much desire).—238. nis noht, is nothing.—241. freth, wood.—247. strut and stuntise, strife and debate(?).—248. her res, their assault, onset.—249. croiz, cross.—250. awreke, revenge.
Knihtes sholde weren weden in here manere,
After that the ordre asketh also wel as a frere;
Nu ben theih so degysed and diverseliche i-diht,