Then every knight in the kings court
Began to care for ‘his.'

Forth came dame Guénever;
To the mantle shee her ‘hied;'
The ladye shee was newfangle,
But yett shee was affrayd.

When shee had taken the mantle;

She stoode as shee had beene madd:

It was from the top to the toe

As sheeres had itt shread.

One while was it ‘gule;'
Another while was itt greene;
Another while was it wadded:
Ill itt did her beseeme.

335

40

She curst the weaver, and the walker,
That clothe that had wrought;
And bade a vengeance on his crowne,
That hither hath itt brought.

I had rather be in a wood,

Under a greene tree;

Then in king Arthurs court
Shamed for to bee.

V. 32, his wiffe. MS. V. 34, bided. MS.

V. 41, gaule. MS.

Shee had no more left on her,
But a tassell and a threed:

Then every knight in the kings court
Bade evill might shee speed.

Shee threw downe the mantle,
That bright was of blee;
And fast, with a redd rudd,
To her chamber can shee flee.

Craddocke called forth his ladye,
And bade her come in;

Saith, Winne this mantle, ladye,
With a litle dinne.