_He._ If that ye went, ye should repent; For in the forest now I have purveyed me of a maid Whom I love more than you: Another more fair than ever ye were I dare it well avow; And of you both each should be wroth With other, as I trow: It were mine ease to live in peace; So will I, if I can: Wherefore I to the wood will go, Alone, a banished man. XXVI _She._ Though in the wood I understood Ye had a paramour, All this may nought remove my thought, But that I will be your’: And she shall find me soft and kind And courteis every hour; Glad to fulfil all that she will Command me, to my power: For had ye, lo, an hundred mo, Yet would I be that one: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. XXVII _He._ Mine own dear love, I see the prove That ye be kind and true; Of maid, of wife, in all my life, The best that ever I knew. Be merry and glad; be no more sad; The case is changèd new; For it were ruth that for your truth Ye should have cause to rue. Be not dismayed, whatsoever I said To you when I began; I will not to the green-wood go; I am no banished man. XXVIII _She._ These tidings be more glad to me Than to be made a queen, If I were sure they should endure; But it is often seen When men will break promise they speak The wordis on the splene[448]. Ye shape some wile me to beguile, And steal from me, I ween: Then were the case worse than it was, And I more wo-begone: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. XXIX _He._ Ye shall not nede further to drede: I will not disparàge You (God defend), sith you descend Of so great a linàge. Now understand: to Westmoreland, Which is my heritage, I will you bring; and with a ring, By way of marriàge I will you take, and lady make, As shortly as I can: Thus have you won an Earle’s son, And not a banished man. XXX _Here may ye see that women be In love meek, kind, and stable; Let never man reprove them than, Or call them variable; But rather pray God that we may To them be comfortable; Which sometime proveth such as He loveth, If they be charitable. For sith men would that women should Be meek to them each one; Much more ought they to God obey, And serve but Him alone._ FOOTNOTES: [439] never a dele = never a bit. [440] than = then. [441] in fere = in company, together. [442] rede I can = counsel I know.