Waltier hir gladith, and hir sorwe slakith, cheers, sorrow Sche rysith up abaisshed from hir traunce, abashed And every wight hir joy and feste makith, everybody Til sche hath caught agayn hir continaunce; countenance Wauter hir doth so faithfully plesaunce, comforts her That it was daynté for to see the cheere dainty Bitwix hem tuo, now thay be met in feere. company These ladys, whan that thay hir tyme save, their, saw Han taken hir, and into chambre goon, have And strippen hir out of hir rude arraye, And in a cloth of gold that brighte schon, shone With a coroun of many a riche stoon crown, stone Upon hir heed, they into hallo hir broughte, And ther sche was honoured as hir oughte. she ought to be Thus hath this pitous day a blisful ende; For every man and womman doth his might best This day in mirth and revel to despende, Til on the welken schon the sterres brighte; welkin For more solempne in every mannes sighte stately, man’s This feste was, and gretter of costage, greater, cost Than was the revel of hir mariage. “O young, O dear, O tender children mine, Your hapless mother thought in all her wo That cruel beasts of prey and foul vermine Had slain you both; but God had mercy--lo! He and your loving father will’d it so That you should be preserved:” and said no more, But suddenly fell fainting on the floor. And in her swoon so closely holdeth she Her new-found children in a strong embrace. That those around unclasp not easily The fingers which so firmly interlace: O! many a tear on many a pitying face Ran down in token of deep sympathy-- Scarce could they bear to watch her agony. Walter consoleth her as she awaketh: She riseth up bewildered from her trance: Each presseth round about and merry maketh Until she hath recovered countenance. With kisses and with loving word and glance Walter doth cheer her--sweet it was to see The joy they felt--united happily. And when they saw their time, these ladies gay Unto a chamber led her forth with them, And stript her out of all her rude array, And in apparel bright with many a gem Clad her, and, crownëd with a diadem Upon her head, they brought her to the hall, Where she was meetly honoured of them all. Thus hath this piteous day a blissful end, Till every man and woman in the rout Striveth the day in mirth and glee to spend, Till in the darken’d sky the stars shone out; For greater and more sumptuous, without doubt, This revel was--and there was more to pay-- Than the rejoicings on her marriage-day.