Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/464

290 And yet he loveth none at all, But where as ever his chanc-e fall. And nath-e-less to say a sooth The cause why that he so doth, Is for to steal a heart or two, Out of the church ere that he go. And as I said it here above, All is that sacrilege of love, For well may be that he stealeth away. That he never after yield may. "Tell me for this, my son, anon, Hast thou done sacrilege, or none, As I have said in this mannèr?" "My father, as of this matter, I will you tellen readily What I have done; but tru-e-ly I may excus-e mine intent That I never yet to church went In such mannér as ye me shrive, For no woman that is alive. The cause why I have it laft , May be, for I unto that craft, Am nothing able for to steal, Though there be women not so fele.