‘Who, sire? my lord? ye, ye, withouten lye,
He can of murthe, and eek of Iolitee 600
Nat but ynough; also sir, trusteth me,
And ye him knewe as wel as do I,
Ye wolde wondre how wel and craftily (50)
He coude werke, and that in sondry wyse.
He hath take on him many a greet empryse, 605
Which were ful hard for any that is here
To bringe aboute, but they of him it lere.
As homely as he rit amonges yow,
If ye him knewe, it wolde be for your prow;
Ye wolde nat forgoon his aqueyntaunce 610
For mochel good, I dar leye in balaunce
[529: T. 16080-16117.]
Al that I have in my possessioun.
He is a man of heigh discrecioun, (60)
I warne you wel, he is a passing man.’