IX.
"I am netherit ane Owll thus be Natur,
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Lykar a fule than a fowle in figur and face;
Bysyn of all birdis that euer body bure, [Byssym.]
Withoutin causs or cryme kend in this case.
I haue appelit to ȝour presence, preciouss and pur,
Askis helpe in till haist at ȝour halyness, [To ask.]
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That ȝe wald cry apon Crist, that all has in cur,
To schape me a schand bird in a schort space;
And till accuss Natur, this is no nay;
Thus, throw ȝour halyness, may ȝe
Make a fair foule of me,
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Or elles dredles I de
Or myne end daye."
X.
"Off thi deid," quoth the Pape, "pite I haife,
Bot apon Natur to pleyne, it is perrell; [of Nature.]
I can nocht say sudanelye, so me Crist saif,
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Bot I sall call my cardinallis and my counsall,
Patriarkis and prophetis, of lerit the laif; [ourelerit all the lawe.]
Thay salbe semblit full sone, that thow se sall."
He callit on his cubicular within his conclaif,
That was the proper Pape Iaye, provde in his apparale; [Papingo.]
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Bad send for his secretar, and his sele sone,
That was the Turtour trewest,
Ferme, faithfull and fast, [fest.]
That bure that office honest,
And enterit but hone.
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XI.
The Pape commandit but hone to wryte in all landis,
Be the said secretar, that the sele ȝemyt,
For all statis of kirk that wnder Crist standis,
