"--
He took his leave of his brethren two,
And to Carlisle he is gone.
There he knocked at his own wind-ow
Shortly and anon.
"Where be you, fair Alice, my wife?
And my children three?
Lightly let in thine husb-and,
William of Cloudeslie."--
"Alas," then saide fair Al-ice,
And sigh-ed wondrous sore,
"This place hath been beset for you,
This half-e year and more."
"Now am I here," said Cloudeslie,
"I would that I in were;--
Now fetch us meat and drink enough,
And let us make good cheer."
She fetched him meat and drink plent-y,
Like a true wedded wife,
And pleas-ed him with that she had,
Whom she loved as her life.
There lay an old wife in that place,
A little beside the fire,
Which William had found of charity
Mor-e than seven year;
Up she rose, and walked full still,
Evil mote she speed therefore:
For she had not set no foot on ground
In seven year before.
She went unto the justice hall,
As fast as she could hie:
"This night is come unto this town
William of Cloudeslie."
Thereof the Justice was full fain,
And so was the Sheriff also;
"Thou shalt not travel hither, dame, for nought,
Thy meed thou shalt have, ere thou go.
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