And all the souls were playing at racket.

None other rackets they had in hand,

Save every soul a good fire-brand;

Wherewith they play’d so prettily,

That Lucifer laugh’d merrily.

And all the residue of the fiends

Did laugh thereat full well like friends.

But of my friend I saw no whit,

Nor durst not ask for her as yet.

Anon all this rout was brought in silence,