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128

And mix him in this great emprise,

For much he fears that you despise

And hate him.

We beseech, O sire,

That you abate some deal your ire,

And give consent that he may be

Accounted of the barony,

With Abstinence, his loving friend.

Thereto, quoth Love, my will I bend,

Henceforth shall he be called my man,

Let him approach.

He thither ran.

IS thus agreed, False-Seeming then,

That thou should’st join my loyal men,

To give our friends thy powerful aid,

And guard them lest they be betrayed.

’Tis thine, so far as in thee lies,

To help them, and their enemies

To grieve and injure, thou shall be

The King of Ribalds under me;