“Why,” quoth the Sompnour, “ride ye then or gon In sundry shapes and not always in one?” “For we,” quoth he, “will us in such form make, As most is able our prey for to take.” “What maketh you to have all this laboúr?” “Full many a causë, levë Sir Sompnoúr,” Saidë this fiend. “But all thing hath a time; The day is short and it is passed prime, And yet have I won nothing in this day; I will intend 2201 to winning, if I may, And not intend our thingës to declare: For, brother mine, thy wit is all too bare To understand, although I told them thee. But for 2202 thou askest why laboúrë we: For sometimes we be Goddë’s instruments And meanës to do his commandëments, When that him list, upon his creatures, In divers acts and in divérs figúres: Withoutë him we have no might, certain, If that him list to standë thereagain.