Becausë that he was her neighëbour, And was a man of worship and honoúr, And she had knowen him of timë yore, 3271 They fell in speech, and forth aye more and more Unto his purpose drew Aurelius; And when he saw his time, he saidë thus: “Madam,” quoth he, “by God that this world made, So that I wist it might your heartë glade, 3272 I would, that day that your Arviragus Went over sea, that I, Aurelius, Had gone where I should never come again; For well I wot my service is in vain. My guerdon 3273 is but bursting of mine heart. Madamë, rue upon my painë’s smart, For with a word ye may me slay or save. Here at your feet God would that I were grave. 3274 I havë now no leisure more to say: Have mercy, sweet, or you will do me dey.” 3275