| 130 |
Anon the feend into his herte ran, |
| And taughte hym sodeynly, that he by slyghte |
| The mayden to his purpos wynne myghte. |
| For certes, by no force, ne by no meede, |
| Hym thoughte he was nat able for to speede; |
| 135 | For she was strong of freends, and eek she |
| Confermed was in swich soverayn bountee, |
| That wel he wiste he myghte hir nevere wynne, |
| As for to maken hir with hir body synne. |
| For which, by greet deliberacioun, |
| 140 | He sente after a cherl, was in the toun, |
| Which that he knew for subtil and for boold. |
| This juge unto this cherl his tale hath toold |
| In secree wise, and made hym to ensure |
| He sholde telle it to no creature, |
| 145 | And if he dide, he sholde lese his heed. |
| Whan that assented was this cursed reed, |
| Glad was this juge, and maked him greet cheere, |
| And yaf hym yiftes preciouse and deere. |
|
| 130 |
At once the Devil into his bosom ran |
| And taught him swiftly how, by treachery, |
| The virgin to his purpose might win he. |
| For truly not to bribery or force |
| Would it avail, he thought, to have recourse, |
| 135 | Since she had many friends, and was so good, |
| So strong in virtue, that he never could |
| By any subtle means her favour win |
| And make her give her body unto sin. |
| Therefore, and with great scheming up and down, |
| 140 | He sent to find a fellow of the town, |
| Which man, he knew, was cunning and was bold. |
| And unto this man, when the judge had told |
| His secret, then he made himself right sure |
| That it should come to ears of no creature, |
| 145 | For if it did the fellow'd lose his head. |
| And when assent to this crime had been said, |
| Glad was the judge, and then he made great cheer |
| And gave the fellow precious gifts and dear. |
|
