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Thus seith the kyng that knoweth youre wikkednesse. |
| And Jhesus, filius Syrak, as I gesse, |
| Ne speketh of yow but seelde reverence. |
1040 | A wylde fyr and corrupt pestilence |
| So falle upon youre bodyes yet to-nyght! |
| Ne se ye nat this honurable knyght, |
| By cause, allas that he is blynd and old, |
| His owene man shal make hym cokewold. |
1045 | Lo, where he sit, the lechour, in the tree! |
| Now wol I graunten, of my magestee, |
| Unto this olde, blynde, worthy knyght |
| That he shal have ayen his eyen syght, |
| Whan that his wyf wold doon hym vileynye. |
1050 | Thanne shal he knowen al hire harlotrye, |
| Bothe in repreve of hire and othere mo." |
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| Thus spoke the king that knew your wickedness; |
| And Jesus son of Sirach, as I guess, |
| Spoke of you seldom with much reverence. |
1040 | A wild fire and a rotten pestilence |
| Fall on your bodies all before tonight! |
| Do you not see this honourable knight, |
| Because, alas! he is both blind and old, |
| His own sworn man shall make him a cuckold; |
1045 | Lo, there he sits, the lecher, in that tree. |
| Now will I grant, of my high majesty, |
| Unto this old and blind and worthy knight, |
| That he shall have again his two eyes' sight, |
| Just when his wife shall do him villainy; |
1050 | Then shall he know of all her harlotry, |
| Both in reproach to her and others too." |
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