serve: Thus with one voice we trowë, though we sterve.”
Almachius, that heard of this doíng, Bade fetch Cecilie, that he might her see; And alderfirst, lo, this was his askíng; “What manner woman artë thou?” quoth he. “I am a gentle woman born,” quoth she. “I askë thee,” quoth he, “though it thee grieve, Of thy religion and of thy believe.”
“Ye have begun your question foolishly,” Quoth she, “that wouldest two answérs conclude In one demand? ye askë lewëdly.” Almach answér’d to that similitude, “Of whencë comes thine answering so rude?” “Of whencë?” quoth she, when that she was freined, “Of consciénce, and of good faith unfeigned.”
Almachius saidë; “Takest thou no heed Of my powér?” and she him answer’d this; “Your might,” quoth she, “full little is to dread; For every mortal mannë’s power is But like a bladder full of wind, y-wis; For with a needle’s point, when it is blow’, May all the boast of it be laid full low.”