And softëly to her right thus said he: “Mercy, and that ye not discover me: For I am dead if that this thing be kid.” 2907 The pursë hath she in her bosom hid, And went her way; ye get no more of me; But unto January come is she, That on his beddë’s sidë sat full soft. He took her, and he kissed her full oft, And laid him down to sleep, and that anon. She feigned her as that she mustë gon There as ye know that every wight must need; And when she of this bill had taken heed, She rent it all to cloutës 2908 at the last, And in the privy softëly it cast. Who studieth 2909 now but fairë freshë May? Adown by oldë January she lay, That sleptë, till the cough had him awaked: Anon he pray’d her strippë her all naked, He would of her, he said, have some pleasánce;