I blame him thus, that he consider’d not In timë coming what might him betide, But on his present lust 2443 was all his thought, And for to hawk and hunt on every side; Well nigh all other carës let he slide, And eke he would (that was the worst of all) Weddë no wife for aught that might befall.

Only that point his people bare so sore, That flockmel 2444 on a day to him they went, And one of them, that wisest was of lore (Or ellës that the lord would best assent That he should tell him what the people meant, Or ellës could he well shew such mattére), He to the marquis said as ye shall hear.