|
"Nay," quod this somonour, "that shal nat bityde! |
260 | I am a yeman, knowen is ful wyde; |
| My trouthe wol I holde, as in this cas. |
| For though thou were the devel Sathanas, |
| My trouthe wol I holde to my brother, |
| As I am sworn, and ech of us til oother, |
265 | For to be trewe brother in this cas; |
| And bothe we goon abouten oure purchas. |
| Taak thou thy part, what that men wol thee yive, |
| And I shal myn; thus may we bothe lyve. |
| And if that any of us have moore than oother, |
270 | Lat hym be trewe, and parte it with his brother." |
|
|
"Nay," said the other, "that shall not betide; |
260 | "I am a bailiff, known both far and wide; |
| My promise will I keep in this one case. |
| For though you were the devil Sathanas, |
| My loyalty will I preserve to my dear brother, |
| As I have sworn, and each of us to other, |
265 | That we will be true brothers in this case; |
| And let us both about our business pace. |
| Take your own part, of what men will you give, |
| And I will mine; and thus may we both live. |
| And if that either of us gets more than other, |
270 | Let him be true and share it with his brother." |
|