The vertuous Lady mild Enters then among them, Being big with child As ever she might be: With distilling tears 65 She looked then upon them; Filled full of fears, Thus replyed she: "Ah, my love and dear! Wherefore stay you here, 70 Refusing me, your loving wife, For an harlot's sake, Which each one will take; Whose vile deeds provoke much strife? Many can accuse her: 75 O my love, O my love, refuse her! With thy lady home return. Her flatteries beleeve not, Come to me, and grieve not; Wantons will thee overthrow." 80 All in a fury then The angry Knight up started, Very furious when He heard his Ladie's speech. With many bitter terms 85 His wife he ever thwarted, Using hard extreams, While she did him beseech. From her neck so white He took away in spite 90 Her curious chain of purest gold, Her jewels and her rings, And all such costly things As he about her did behold. The harlot in her presence 95 He did gently reverence, And to her he gave them all: He sent away his Lady, Full of wo as may be, Who in a swound with grief did fall. 100 At the Ladie's wrong The harlot fleer'd and laughed; Enticements are so strong, They overcome the wise. The Knight nothing regarded 105 To see the Lady scoffed: Thus was she rewarded For her enterprise. The harlot, all this space, Did him oft embrace; 110 She flatters him, and thus doth say: "For thee Ile dye and live, For thee my faith Ile give, No wo shall work my love's decay; Thou shalt be my treasure, 115 Thou shalt be my pleasure, Thou shalt be my heart's delight: I will be thy darling, I will be thy worldling, In despight of fortune's spight." 120