Thow schall cum no nere þe kyng,
Bot if þou grante me myn askyng,
Be hym þat me dere bouȝht.
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The thyrd parte of þe kynges gyfte
Y wyll haue, be my thryfte,
Or els go truse þe oute!"
Syr cleges stode and be-thouȝt hym þan:
"And I schuld parte be-twyx thre men,
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My-selue schuld haue no-thyng.
ffor my traueyll schall I not gete,
Bot if it be a melys mete."
Thus thouȝht hym sore syȝeng.
He seyd: "Herlot, has þou no tong?
Line 355
Speke to me and tary not long
And grante me myn askyng,
Or with a staff I schall þe twake
And bete þi ragges to þi bake
And schofe þe out hedlyng!"
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Syr cleges saw non oþer bote,
Hys askyng grante hym he mote,
And seyd with syȝhyng sore:
"What þat euer þe kyng rewerd,
Ȝe schall haue þe thyrd parte,
Line 365
Wheþer it be lesse our more."
When sir cleges had seyd þat word,
The stewerd and he wer a-corde
And seyd to hym no more.
