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This sely wydwe, and eek hir doghtres two, |
| 610 | Herden thise hennes crie, and maken wo, |
| And out at dores stirten they anon, |
| And seyn the fox toward the grove gon, |
| And bar upon his bak the cok away; |
| And cryden, "Out! Harrow and weylaway! |
| 615 | Ha! ha! The fox!" and after hym they ran, |
| And eek with staves many another man, |
| Ran Colle, oure dogge, and Talbot, and Gerland, |
| And Malkyn with a dystaf in hir hand, |
| Ran cow and calf, and eek the verray hogges, |
| 620 | So fered they fered for berkyng of the dogges, |
| And shoutyng of the men and wommen eeke, |
| They ronne so, hem thoughte hir herte breeke; |
| They yolleden as feends doon in helle, |
| The dokes cryden as men wolde hem quelle, |
| 625 | The gees for feere flowen over the trees, |
| Out of the hyve cam the swarm of bees, |
| So hydous was the noyse, a! benedicitee! |
| Certes, he Jakke Straw and his meynee |
| Ne made nevere shoutes half so shille, |
| 630 | Whan that they wolden any Flemyng kille, |
| As thilke day was maad upon the fox. |
| Of bras they broghten bemes and of box, |
| Of horn, of boon, in whiche they blewe and powped, |
| And therwithal they skriked and they howped, |
| 635 | It seemed as that hevene sholde falle! |
|
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This simple widow and her daughters two |
| 610 | Heard these hens cry and make so great ado, |
| And out of doors they started on the run |
| And saw the fox into the grove just gone, |
| Bearing upon his back the cock away. |
| And then they cried, "Alas, and weladay! |
| 615 | Oh, oh, the fox!" and after him they ran, |
| And after them, with staves, went many a man; |
| Ran Coll, our dog, ran Talbot and Garland, |
| And Malkin with a distaff in her hand; |
| Ran cow and calf and even the very hogs, |
| 620 | So were they scared by barking of the dogs |
| And shouting men and women all did make, |
| They all ran so they thought their hearts would break. |
| They yelled as very fiends do down in Hell; |
| The ducks they cried as at the butcher fell; |
| 625 | The frightened geese flew up above the trees; |
| Out of the hive there came the swarm of bees; |
| So terrible was the noise, ah ben'cite! |
| Certainly old Jack Straw and his army |
| Never raised shouting half so loud and shrill |
| 630 | When they were chasing Flemings for to kill, |
| As on that day was raised upon the fox. |
| They brought forth trumpets made of brass, of box, |
| Of horn, of bone, wherein they blew and pooped, |
| And therewithal they screamed and shrieked and whooped; |
| 635 | It seemed as if the heaven itself should fall! |
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