Who long time wandred through the forest wyde
To finde some issue thence; till that at last
He met a dwarfe that seemed terrifyde
With some late perill which he hardly past,
Or other accident which him aghast;
Of whom he asked, whence he lately came,

And whether now he traveiled so fast :

For sore he swat, and, ronning through that same Thicke forest, was bescracht and both his feet nigh lame.

Now certes, swaine," saide he," such one, I weene, Fast flying through this forest from her fo, A foule ill-favoured foster, I have seene; Herselfe, well as I might, I reskewd tho, But could not stay; so fast she did foregoe, Carried away with wings of speedy feare." "Ah! dearest God," quoth he, "that is great woe, And wondrous ruth to all that shall it heare: But can ye read, sir, how I may her finde, or where?"

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