'And now I am ycome to the,
In al my bestë [[best C., St.]] feythful wyse,
forto profre my seruyse.'
Line 24524
Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]
"Ma dame," quod I, "as it is due,
my lust is gretly you to sue;
but, for my gretë febilnesse,
which me restreyneth by distresse,
Line 24528
And, þees massagers [[messengers St.]] also
Causen that I may not go.
And if ye wold, of your goodnesse,
Doon your gretë besynesse
Line 24532
Thes massagers [[thes messengers St.]] to putte away, [folio 304b]
I wolde (withoutë [[without C., St.]] mor delay)
folwe, in al my best entent,
to gon at your comandëment."
Line 24536
Misericord: [[St., om. C.]]
'Truely (nouther nygh nor ferre)
I may not voydë nor differre
the massagers [[messengers St.]] from thy presence;
but I shal do my diligence,
Line 24540
with my cordë, thè tenbrace,
and to lede thè to the place [Stowe folio 377a]
which called is the Fermerye.
the massagers [[St., om. C.]] her fastë by,
Line 24544
I ha no myght hem to coharte,
to maken hem fro thè departe.
til that deth hym-silf assaille,
tabiden on the, they wil not faylle.'
Line 24548
Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]
Than anoon Myserycorde
gan tenbrace me in hir corde.
and the oldë, bothë tweyne,
Were present, and dide her peyne
Line 24552
to brynge me to my bed anoon,
and list not from me fer [[for St.]] to goon.
and therwith-al, ánoon ryght
I gan to feblen of my myght
Line 24556
mor and mor, erly and late,
til the porter at the gate
