This king of kingës proud was and elate; He ween’d 4081 that God, that sits in majesty, Mightë him not bereave of his estate; But suddenly he lost his dignity, And like a beast he seemed for to be, And ate hay as an ox, and lay thereout In rain, with wildë beastës walked he, Till certain time was y-come about.

And like an eagle’s feathers wax’d his hairs, His nailës like a birdë’s clawës were, Till God released him at certain years, And gave him wit; and then with many a tear He thanked God, and ever his life in fear Was he to do amiss, or more trespace: And till that time he laid was on his bier, He knew that God was full of might and grace.