XXV

In dreȝ droupyng of dreme draueled þat noble,

As mon þat watȝ in mornyng of mony þro þoȝtes,

How þat destiné schulde þat day [dyȝt] his wyrde,

At þe grene chapel, when he þe gome metes,

& bi-houes his buffet abide, with-oute debate more;

Bot quen þat comly he keuered his wyttes,

Swenges out of þe sweuenes, & swareȝ with hast.

Þe lady luflych com laȝande swete,

Felle ouer his fayre face, & fetly him kyssed;

He welcumeȝ hir worþily, with a wale chere;

He seȝ hir so glorious, & gayly atyred,

So fautles of hir fetures, & of so fyne hewes,

Wiȝt wallande Ioye warmed his hert;

With smoþe smylyng & smolt þay smeten in-to merþe,

Þat al watȝ blis & bonchef, þat breke hem bi-twene,

& wynne,
Þay lanced wordes gode,
Much wele þen watȝ þer-inne,
Gret perile bi-twene hem stod,
Nif mare of hir knyȝt mynne.