Page:Wife of Beith (5).pdf/4

 Go haste you then unto your cell,

My way is only unto heaven.

That way is by the gates of hell,

If you intend there for to go,

Go dame I will not you compel,

But I with you will go also.

Then down they went a right steep hill,

Where smoke and darkness did abound

And pitch and sulphur burned still,

With yells and cries hills did resound.

The fiend himself came to the gate,

And asked him where he had been;

Do you not know and have forgot,

Seeking this wife could not be seen.

Good dame said he will be here

I pray you then tell me your name;

The wife of Beith since that you speer,

But to come in I were to blame,

I will not have you then good dame

For you were mistress of the flyting,

If once within this gate you come,

I will be troubled with your biting.

Cummer go back and let me be,

Here are too many of your rout;

For women lewd like unto thee,

I cannot turn my foot about.

Sir thief I say I shall bide out,

But gossip thou wast ne'er to me;

For to come in, I'm not so stout,

And of my biting thou'st be free;