all he be.

And, William, bring to me your wife, said the queen,
Me longeth her sore to see:
She shall be my chief gentlewoman,
To govern my nursery.

The yeomen thanked them courteously.
To some bishop will we wend,
Of all the sins that we have done,
To be assoyld[76] at his hand.

So forth be gone these good yeomen,
As fast as they might he;[77]
And after came and dwelled with the king,
And died good men all three.

Thus ended the lives of these good yeomen;
God send them eternal bliss.
And all, that with a hand-bow shooteth,
That of heaven they never miss. Amen.

FOOTNOTES:

[35] Clem (Clement) of the cliff.

[36] Called.

[37] Mate.

[38] Pass.

[39] Noon.

[40] Glad.

[41] Red.

[42] Wild.

[43] Pressed.

[44] Condemned.

[45] Hang.

[46] Sorrow.

[47] Redeem.

[48] Part of a song.

[49] Hastened.

[50] Sluggard.

[51] Mad.

[52] Time.

[53] Noon.

[54] Summons to arms.

[55] Fight.

[56] Hindereth.

[57] Lime-tree.

[58] Company.

[59] Might for could.

[60] Fat hart.

[61] Lies.

[62] Quickly.

[63] Disgraced.

[64] Immediately.

[65] Dear.

[66] Rather.

[67] Lies.

[68] The King's foresters.

[69] Slain.

[70] Dress.

[71] Instantly.

[72] An arrow that flies well.

[73] Measured.

[74] Nigh.

[75] God forbid.

[76] Absolved.

[77] Hie.

SIR LANCELOT DU LAKE.

When Arthur first in court began,
And was approved king,
By force of arms great victories won,
And conquest home did bring.

Then into England straight he came
With fifty good and able
Knights, that resorted unto him,
And were of his round table:

And he had jousts and tournaments,
Whereto were many prest,
Wherein some knights did far excell
And far surmount the rest.

But one, Sir Lancelot du Lake,
Who was approved well,
He for his deeds and feats of arms,
All others did excell.

When he had rested him a while,
In play, and game, and sport,
He said he would go prove himself
In some adventurous sort.

He armed rode in forest wide,
And met a damsel fair,
Who told him of adventures great,
Whereto he gave good ear.

Such would I find, quoth Lancelot:
For that cause came I hither.
Thou seem'st, quoth she, a knight full good,
An