Thanne is myn herte a thief fulofte: (6700*) For there I stonde to beholde[545] The longe nyhtes that ben colde, And thenke on hire that lyth there. And thanne I wisshe that I were 6670 Als wys as was Nectanabus Or elles as was Protheüs, That couthen bothe of nigromaunce In what liknesse, in what semblaunce, Riht as hem liste, hemself transforme: For if I were of such a forme, I seie thanne I wolde fle Into the chambre forto se[546] If eny grace wolde falle, So that I mihte under the palle 6680 [Sidenote: =P. ii. 353=] Som thing of love pyke and stele. And thus I thenke thoghtes fele, And thogh therof nothing be soth, Yit ese as for a time it doth: Bot ate laste whanne I finde That I am falle into my mynde, And se that I have stonde longe And have no profit underfonge, Than stalke I to mi bedd withinne. And this is al that evere I winne 6690 Of love, whanne I walke on nyht: Mi will is good, bot of mi myht Me lacketh bothe and of mi grace; For what so that mi thoght embrace,[547] Yit have I noght the betre ferd. Mi fader, lo, nou have ye herd What I be Stelthe of love have do,[548] And hou mi will hath be therto: If I be worthi to penance I put it on your ordinance.[549] 6700 [Sidenote: Confessor.] Mi Sone, of Stelthe I the behiete, Thogh it be for a time swete, At ende it doth bot litel good, As be ensample hou that it stod Whilom, I mai thee telle nou. [Sidenote: Amans.] I preie you, fader, sei me hou.[550] [Sidenote: Confessor.] Mi Sone, of him which goth be daie Be weie of Stelthe to assaie, In loves cause and takth his preie, Ovide seide as I schal seie, 6710 [Sidenote: =P. ii. 354=] And in his Methamor he tolde A tale, which is good to holde.