325

I fare as doth the song of Chaunte-pleure.
For now I pleyne, and now I pleye, 321
I am so mased that I deye,
Arcite hath born awey the keye
Of al my worlde, and my good aventure!
For in this worlde nis creature
Wakinge, in more discomfiture
Then I, ne more sorow endure;
And if I slepe a furlong wey or tweye,
Than thinketh me, that your figure
Before me stant, clad in asure,
To profren eft a newe assure
For to be trewe, and mercy me to preye.

The longe night drye, And on the day And of al this recche.

6.

330

this wonder sight I

for this afray I dye, 334

right noght, y-wis, ye

I.

Captivity.

YOUR yen two wol slee me sodenly,

I may the beautè of hem not sustene,
So woundeth hit through-out my herte
kene.

And but your word wol helen hastily
My hertes wounde, whyl that hit is grene,
Your yen two wol slee me sodenly,
I may the beautè of hem not sustene.

6

Sin I fro Love escaped am so fat,

I never thenk to ben in his prison lene;
Sin I am free, I counte him not a bene.
He may answere, and seye this or that; 30
I do no fors, I speke right as I mene.
Sin I fro Love escaped am so fat,

I never thenk to ben in his prison lene. Love hath my name y-strike out of his sclat,

And he is strike out of my bokes clene 35 For ever-mo; +ther is non other mene. Sin I fro Love escaped am so fat,

I never thenk to ben in his prison lene ; Sin I am free, I counte him not a bene. 39