Previous: From The Man of Law's Tale, lines 505-532: Constance's ship runs ashore and she finds asylum

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540 In al that lond no Cristen dorste route, Alle Cristen folk been fled fro that contree Thurgh payens that conquereden al aboute The plages of the North by land and see. To Walys fledde the Cristyanytee 545 Of olde Britons, dwellynge in this ile; Ther was hir refut for the meene-while.

540 In all that land no Christian dared speak out All Christians having fled from that country, For pagan men had conquered all about The regions of the north, by land and sea; To Wales was fled the Christianity 545 Of the old Britons dwelling in this isle; That was their refuge in the wild meanwhile.

But yet nere cristene Britons so exiled That ther nere somme that in hir privetee Honoured Crist, and hethen folk bigiled, 550 And ny the castel swiche ther dwelten three; That oon of hem was blynd, and myghte nat see, But it were with thilke eyen of his mynde, With whiche men seen, after that they ben blynde.

Yet ne'er were Christian Britons so exiled But some of them assembled, privately, To honour Christ, and heathen folk beguiled; 550 And near the castle dwelt of such men three. But one of them was blind and could not see, Except with the inner optics of his mind, Wherewith all men see after they go blind.

Bright was the sonne as in that someres day, 555 For which the constable and his wyf also And Custance han ytake the righte way Toward the see, a furlong wey or two, To pleyen, and to romen, to and fro, And in hir walk this blynde man they mette, 560 Croked and oold, with eyen faste yshette.

Bright was the sun upon that summer's day 555 When went the warden and his wife also, And Constance, down the hill, along the way Toward the sea, a furlong off, or so, To frolic and to wander to and fro; And in their walk on this blind man they came, 560 With eyes fast shut, a creature old and lame.

"In name of Crist," cride this olde Britoun, "Dame Hermengyld, yif me my sighte agayn." This lady weex affrayed of the soun, Lest that hir housbonde, shortly for to sayn, 565 Wolde hir for Jesu Cristes love han slayn, Til Custance made hir boold, and bad hir wirche The wyl of Crist, as doghter of his chirche.

"In name of Christ!" this blind old Briton cried, "Dame Hermengild, give me my sight again." But she was frightened of the words, and sighed, Lest that her husband, briefly to be plain, 565 Should have her, for her love of Jesus, slain; Till Constance strengthened her and bade her work The will of God, as daughter of his church.

The constable weex abasshed of that sight, And seyde, "What amounteth all this fare!" 570 Custance answerde, "Sire, it is Cristes myght, That helpeth folk out of the feendes snare." And so ferforth she gan oure lay declare, That she the constable, er that it were eve Converteth, and on Crist maketh hym bileve.

The warden was confounded by that sight, And asked: "What mean these words and this affair?" 570 Constance replied: "Sir, it is Jesus' might That helps all poor folk from the foul devil's snare." And so far did she our sweet faith declare That she the constable, before 'twas eve, Converted, and in Christ made him believe.

575 This constable was no-thyng lord of this place Of which I speke, ther he Custance fond; But kepte it strongly many wyntres space Under Alla, kyng of al Northhumbrelond, That was ful wys and worthy of his hond 580 Agayn the Scottes, as men may wel heere;- But turne I wole agayn to my mateere.

575 This constable, though not lord of that place Where he'd found Constance, wrecked upon the sand, Had held it well for many a winter's space, For Alla, king of all Northumberland, Who was full wise and hardy of his hand 580 Against the Scots, as men may read and hear, But I will to my tale again- give ear.

Next: From The Man of Law's Tale, lines 582-602: Another conspiracy