University of Virginia Library

Þan went forþ Gij þe gode,
Nas neuer man of his mode
Þat better him werd in his ende.
Er he out of þat fiȝt gan wende
Ȝete he slouȝ on of her felawe.
In lasse while he hadde [him] y-slawe,
Þen men schold sigge a pater-noster.
Y telle it ȝou bi Peter þe apostel
Þat neuer swiche nas y-seye non.
When he haþ ouer-comen ichon
Wel long he werþ him þat day.
When he no lenge doure ne may
Þan seyd he to hem anon:
‘Þe deuel biteche ich ȝou ichon,
& namliche Otus of Pauie,
Þat haþ y-don ous þis felonie;
& ȝif ich a ȝer libbe may
He schal it abigge, for soþe to say.’
Þan is he gon oway ful ȝernne,
So þat he com to a water sterne.
In he him dede, & ouer he goþ.
Alle þai wondred þer-of, for soþ.
Non no durst after him wende
For drencheing at her liues ende.
Oȝain þan þai ben y-come
To þe douke Otus alle and some,
& telden him wel sone anon
Þat Gij was ouer þe water y-gon.
Þe douke Otous is now wel sori,
For Gij is schaped so oway,
& swore bi god & seyn Gelen
Neuer eft nold he louen his men,
For þat hii leten him oway fle:
Gret wille he hadde him to sle;
Ac Gij him werd wiþ mani wrenche:
Hope of fole may of-blenche.
‘Sir douk Loer,’ seyd Otoun,
‘Y-schaped is þe felle Gyoun.
To Paui ichil now gon,
& spouse þi douhter anon:
Riche bridal ichil maki.
Wiþ me schal Herhaud & Tirri;
Þer þai schul be don in prisoun:
Schul þai neuer come to raunsoun.
Dye þai schul wiþ miche wo.
& ȝete to ȝer ichil now go
Wiþ min men to sechen Gij,
What he be nome, sikerly.
Alle þis oþer prisouns wiþ þe go,
& þine wil wiþ hem þou do.’