[Sidenote: He heard the maiden sing a new song. So did the four beasts and the elders “so sad of cheer.”] Nauþeles þaȝ hit schowted scharpe, & ledden loude al-þaȝ hit were. A note ful nwe I herde hem warpe, To lysten þat watȝ ful lufly dere, 880 As harporeȝ harpen in her harpe, Þat nwe songe þay so{n}gen ful cler. In sou{n}ande noteȝ a gentyl carpe, Ful fayre þe modeȝ þay fonge i{n} fere 884 Ryȝt byfore godeȝ chayere, & þe fowre besteȝ þat hy{m} obes, & þe alder-men so sadde of chere, Her songe þay songen neu{er} þe les; 888 [Sidenote: This assembly was like the Lamb, spotless and pure.] Nowþe-lese non watȝ neu{er} so quoy{n}t, For alle þe crafteȝ þat eu{er} þay knewe. Þat of þat songe myȝt sy{n}ge a poy{n}t, Bot þat meyny þe lombe þay swe, 892 For þay arn boȝt fro þe vrþe aloynte. As newe fryt to god ful due & to þe gentyl lombe hit arn amoy{n}t, As lyk to hym self of lote & hwe, 896 For neu{er} lesy{n}g ne tale vn-trwe, Ne towched her tonge for no dysstresse. Þat moteles meyny may neu{er} remwe, Fro þat maskeleȝ mayster neu{er} þe les.” 900 [Sidenote: [Fol. 51b.]] [Sidenote: The father replies to the maiden. He says he is but dust and ashes. He wishes to ask one question,] “Neuer þe les let be my þonc,” Q{uod} I, “my perle þaȝ I appose, I schulde not tempte þy wyt so wlonc, To krysteȝ chambre þat art Ichose, 904 I am bot mokke & mul amo{n}g, & þ{o}u so ryche a reken rose, & bydeȝ here by þys blysful bonc Þer lyueȝ lyste may neu{er} lose, 908 Now hynde þat sympelnesse co{n}eȝ enclose, I wolde þe aske a þy{n}ge expresse, & þaȝ I be bustwys as a blose Let my bone vayl neu{er} þe lese. 912 [Headnote: THE ABODE OF CHRIST’S BRIDES.] XVI. [Sidenote: whether the brides have their abode in castle-walls or in manor. Jerusalem, he says, in Judea. But the dwelling of the brides should be perfect.] Neuer þe lese cler I yow by-calle If ȝe con se hyt be to done, As þ{o}u art gloryo{u}s w{i}t{h}-outen galle, W{i}t{h}-nay þ{o}u neu{er} my ruful bone. 916 Haf ȝe no woneȝ i{n} castel walle, Ne man{er} þer ȝe may mete & won? Þ{o}u telleȝ me of I{e}r{usa}l{e}m þe ryche ryalle, Þer dauid dere watȝ dyȝt on trone, 920 Bot by þyse holteȝ hit con not hone Bot in Iudee hit is þ{a}t noble note; As ȝe ar maskeleȝ vnder mone, Yo{ur} woneȝ schulde by wyth-outen mote. 924