To defende me of þat felonie
Þat he to me gan speke.
¶ No wonder þei y war fordredde.
Þemperour tok boþe our wedde,
As y þe telle may.
For in alle þe court was þer no wiȝt,
Douk, erl, baroun, no kniȝt,
Line 5
Þat durst me borwe þat day,
Þemperour comand anon
Into his prisoun y schuld be don
Wiþ-outen more delay.
Berard [Bernard originally.] went, & sesed mi lond;
Line 10
Mine wiif he wald haue driuen to schond:
Wiþ sorwe sche fled oway. [folio 157a:b]
¶ Þan was ich wiþ sorwe & care
Among min fomen nomen þare,
& don in strong prisoun.
Min frendes token hem to rede,
To þemperour þai bisouȝt & bede
Line 5
To pay for me ransoun.
Þemperour & sir Berard
Deliuerd me bi a forward
& bi þis enchesoun,
Y schuld seche mi felawe Gij,
Line 10
To defende ous of þat felonie
Of þe doukes deþ Otoun. [of toun MS.]
