|
Who studieth now but faire fresshe May? |
| Adoun by olde Januarie she lay, |
| 745 | That sleep til that the coughe hath hym awaked. |
| Anon he preyde hire strepen hire al naked; |
| He wolde of hire, he seyde, han som plesaunce, |
| And seyde hir clothes dide hym encombraunce, |
| And she obeyeth, be hire lief or looth. |
| 750 | But lest that precious folk be with me wrooth, |
| How that he wroghte, I dar nat to yow telle; |
| Or wheither hire thoughte it paradys or helle. |
| But heere I lete hem werken in hir wyse |
| Til evensong rong, and that they moste aryse. |
|
| Who's in brown study now but fair fresh May? |
| Down by old January's side she lay, |
| 745 | Who slept, until the cough awakened him; |
| He prayed her strip all naked for his whim; |
| He would have pleasure of her, so he said, |
| And clothes were an incumbrance when in bed, |
| And she obeyed him, whether lief or loath. |
| 750 | But lest these precious folk be with me wroth, |
| How there he worked, I dare not to you tell; |
| Nor whether she thought it paradise or hell; |
| But there I leave them working in their wise |
| Till vespers rang and they must needs arise. |
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