“But God wot,” quoth this senator also, “So virtuous a liver in all my life I never saw, as she, nor heard of mo’ Of worldly woman, maiden, widow or wife: I dare well say she haddë lever 1709 a knife Throughout her breast, than be a woman wick’, 1710 There is no man could bring her to that prick. 1711

Now was this child as like unto Constance As possible is a creature to be: This Alla had the face in remembránce Of Dame Constance, and thereon mused he, If that the childë’s mother were aught she 1712 That was his wife; and privily he sight, 1713 And sped him from the table that he might. 1714