Generydes was brought owt of the Iayle,
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ffull sore aferd as it was noo mervall;
And ther he stode before them euerychone,
Right in this wise the Sowdon sayde anon:
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'This felaw her, this yong man that ye see,
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Generydes,' he saide, 'that is his name;
he was suerly the man that plesid me,
Wenyng to me that he hadde be the same;
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Butte now he hath don me an vtter shame,
ffor he hath done my doughter villanye,
And layne be hir I sey yow certenly.
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I saw hym speke with hir in secrete wise,
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Wherefore I wote it may non other be;
And I shall wele aquyte hym his seruice,
ffor he shall dye therfore, now trostith me;
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That other may ensampyll take and see,
To be ware how they in suche case
here afterward offende in eny place.'
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With that anon answerd Generides:
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'My lord,' quod he, 'if ye cause me to dye,
Ye do me wrong, I take god to my witnesse;
And wele I wote ther is no reasone whye,
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ffor in this poynt I am no thyng gilty,
And that I shall make good, I yow ensure,
On knyght or Squyer whill my lyff endure.'
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Whanne the Sowdon had hard all that he seid;
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'Trowist thu to fyght,' quod he, 'as in this case?
Nay think it not, thy bost shall sone be layde,
ffor thu shalt [dye] to morow withoute grace,
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And what that euer be withynne this place,
That wolle for the entrete in eny wise,
he shall not spede I yow promysse.
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