THE SERPENT.
Natura serpentis. j a.
AN wirm is o werlde,
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wel man it knoweð,
Neddre is te name:
ðus he him neweð,
ðanne he is forbroken and forbroiden,
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and in his elde al forwurden.
Fasteð til his fel him slakeð,
ten daies fulle,
ðat he is lene and mainles
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and iuele mai gangen;
he crepeð cripelande forð,
his craft he ðus kiðeð,
Sekeð a ston ðat a ðirl is on,
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Narwe, buten he nedeð him,
Nimeð vnneðes ðurg,
for his fel he ðer leteð;
his fles forð crepeð,
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walkeð to ðe water-ward,
wile ðanne drinken.
Oc he speweð or al ðe uenim
ðat in his brest is bred
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sro his birde time,
drinkeð siðen inog,
and tus he him neweð.
ij a.
Ðanne ðe neddre is of his hid naked,
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and bare of his brest atter,
If he naked man se
ne wile he him nogt neggen,
oc he fleð fro him
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als he fro fir sulde.
If he cloðed man se,
cof he waxeð,
For up he rigteð him
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