Thus he did remain In wastfull great expences, Till it bred his pain, And consumed him quite. When his lands were spent, 125 Troubled in his sences, Then he did repent Of his late lewd life. For relief he hies, For relief he flyes 130 To them on whom he spent his gold: They do him deny, They do him defie; They will not once his face behold. Being thus distressed, 135 Being thus oppressed, In the fields that night he lay; Which the harlot knowing, Through her malice growing, Sought to take his life away. 140 A young and proper lad They had slain in secret For the gold he had, Whom they did convey By a ruffian lewd 145 To that place directly, Where the youthful Knight Fast a sleeping lay. The bloody dagger than, Wherewith they kill'd the man, 150 Hard by the Knight he likewise laid, Sprinkling him with blood, As he thought it good, And then no longer there he stayd. The Knight, being so abused, 155 Was forthwith accused For this murder which was done; And he was condemned That had not offended; Shamefull death he might not shun. 160 When the Lady bright Understood the matter, That her wedded Knight Was condemn'd to dye, To the King she went 165 With all the speed that might be, Where she did lament Her hard destiny. "Noble King!" quoth she, "Pitty take on me, 170 And pardon my poor husbands life; Else I am undone, With my little son: Let mercy mitigate this grief." "Lady fair, content thee; 175 Soon thou wouldst repent thee, If he should be saved so: Sore he hath abus'd thee, Sore he hath misus'd thee; Therefore, Lady, let him go." 180