Till that Dan John rode unto his abbay. The morrow came, and forth this merchant rideth To Flanders-ward, his prentice well him guideth, Till he came unto Bruges merrily. Now went this merchant fast and busily About his need, and buyed and creanced; He neither played at the dice, nor danced; But as a merchant, shortly for to tell, He led his life; and there I let him dwell.
The Sunday next the merchant was y-gone, To Saint Denís y-comen is Dan John, With crown and beard all fresh and newly shave, In all the house was not so little a knave, Nor no wight ellës that was not full fain For that my lord Dan John was come again. And shortly to the point right for to gon, The fairë wife accorded with Dan John, That for these hundred francs he should all night Havë her in his armës bolt upright; And this accord performed was in deed. In mirth all night a busy life they lead, Till it was day, that Dan John went his way, And bade the meinie “Farewell; have good day.” For none of them, nor no wight in the town, Had of Dan John right no suspicioún; And forth he rodë home to his abbay, Or where him list; no more of him I say.