5
She fetched him meat and drink plenty,
Like a true wedded wife,
And pleased him with that she had,
Whom she loved as her life.
There lay an old wife in that place,
A little beside the fire,
Which William had found of charity
For more than seven yere.
Up she rose, and forth she goes,
Evil mote she speed, therefore;
For she had set no foot on ground
For seven yere before.
She went unto the Justice hall,
As fast as she could hie;
This night, she said, is come to town
William of Cloudeslie.
Thereof the Justice was full fain.
And so was the Sherife also,
Thou shalt not travail, dame, for nought,
Thy meed’s here ere thou go.
They gave to her a right good gowne.
Of scarlate and of graine;
She took the gift, and home she went,
And laid her down agaiyne.
They rais’d the town of merry Carlile,
In all the haste they can;
And came thronging to William’s house
As fast as they might gone.
There they beset that good yeoman,
Around on every side;
William heard great noise of folks
That thitherward fast hyed.
