A vox gon out of e wode go,

Afingret so, at him wes wo;

He nes neuere in none wise
Afingret erour half so swie.
He ne hoeld nouer wey ne strete,

For him wes lo men to mete;

Him were leuere meten one hen,
en half anoundred wimmen.*. [W. & M. Than half an oundred.]
He strok swie ouer-al,*. [W. & M. all.]
So at he ofsei ane wal;

10

Wiinne e walle wes on hous,

The wox wes ider swie wous;
For he ohute his hounger aquenche,*. [W. & M. aquenche.]
Oer mid mete, oer mid drunche.
Abouten he biheld wel erne;

15

o eroust bigon e vox to erne.

Al fort he come to one walle,
And som er-of wes afalle,*. [W. & M. therof wes a-falle.
And wes e wal ouer-al to-broke,*. [MS. to breke.]
And on at er wes I-loke;*. [W. & M. i-loke.]

20

At e furmeste bruche at he fond,

He lep in, and ouer he wond.

o he wes inne, smere he lou,

And er-of he hadde gome I-nou;*. [W. & M. i-nou.]
For he com in wi-outen leue

25

Boen of haiward and of reue.

On hous er wes, e dore wes ope,
Hennen weren erinne I-crope,*. [W. & M. i-crope, MS. I crope.]
Fiue, at make anne flok,
And mid hem sat on kok.

30

e kok him wes flowen on hey,

And two hennen him seten ney.
"Wox," quod e kok, "wat dest ou are?
Go hom, crist e eue kare!
Houre hennen ou dest ofte shome."

35

"Be stille, ich hote, a godes nome!"*. [MS. agodes.]

Qua e wox, "sire chauntecler,
ou fle adoun, and com me ner.
I nabbe don her nout bote goed,
I have leten ine hennen blod;

40

Hy weren seke ounder e ribe,

at hy ne mitte non lengour libe.
Bote here heddre were I-take;*. [W. & M. i-take, MS. I take.]
at I do for almes sake.

Ich haue hem letten eddre blod,

45

And e, chauntecler, hit wolde don goed.

ou hauest at ilke ounder e splen,
ou nestes neuere daies ten;
For ine lif-dayes be al ago,*. [W. & M. a-go.]
Bote ou bi mine rede do;

50

I do e lete blod ounder e brest,

Oer sone axe after e prest."
"Go wei," quod e kok, "wo e bi-go!
ou hauest don oure kunne wo.
Go mid an at ou hauest noue;

55

Acoursed be ou of godes moue!

For were I adoun bi godes nome!
Ich mite ben siker of ore shome*. [W. & M. owre.]
Ac weste hit houre cellerer,*. [M. wiste.]
at ou were I-comen her.*. [W. & M. i-comen, MS. I comen.]

60

He wolde sone after e onge,

Mid pikes and stones and staues stronge;
Alle ine bones he wolde to-breke;*. [MS. to breke.]
ene we weren wel awreke."
HE wes stille, ne spak namore,

65

Ac he wer aurst wel sore

e urst him dede more wo,
en heuede raer his hounger do.
Ouer-al he ede and sohvte;
On auenture his wiit him brohute,

70

To one putte wes water inne

at wes I-maked mid grete ginne.*. [W. & M. i-maked, MS. I maked.]
Tuo boketes er he founde,
at oer wende to e grounde,
at wen me shulde at on opwinde,*. [W. & M. op|winde, M. omits on.]

75

at oer wolde adoun winde.*. [W. & M. a-doun.]

He ne hounderstod nout of e ginne,
He nom at boket, and lep erinne;
For he hopede I-nou to drinke.*. [W. & M. i-nou, MS. I nou.]
is boket biginne to sinke;*. [W. & M. beginneth.]

80

To late e vox wes biout,*. [W. & M. bi-out.]

o he wes in e ginne I-brout.*. [W. & M. i-brout, MS. I brout.]
I-nou he gon him bi-enche,*. [MS. bi enche.]
Ac hit ne halp mid none wrenche;
Adoun he moste, he wes erinne;-*. [W. & M. A-doun.]

85

I-kaut he wes mid swikele ginne.*. [W. & M. i-kaut.]

Hit mite han iben wel his wille*. [W. & M. i-ben, MS. hani ben.]

To lete at boket hongi stille.

Wat mid serewe and mid drede,
Al his urst him ouer-hede.*. [W. & M. over-hede, MS. ouer hede.]

90

Al us he com to e grounde,*. [W. & M. come.]

And water I-nou er he founde.*. [W. & M. i-nou.]
o he fond water, erne he dronk,
Him oute at water ere stonk,
For hit wes to-eines his wille.*. [MS. to eines.]

95

"Wo wore," qua e vox, "lust and wille,*. [W. & M. quath.]
at ne can me to his mete!*. [M. con.]
ef ich neuede to muchel I-ete,*. [W. & M. i-ete, MS. I ete.]
is ilke shome neddi noue;
Nedde lust I-ben of mine moue.*. [W. & M. i-ben, MS. I ben.]

100

Him is wo in euche londe,

at is ef mid his honde.
Ich am I-kaut mid swikele ginne,*. [W. & M. i-kaut, MS. I kaut.]
Oer soum deuel me broute her-inne.
I was woned to ben wiis,

105

Ac nou of me I-don hit hiis."*. [W. & M. i-don, MS. I don.]

E vox wep, and reuliche bigan.
er com a wolf gon after an
Out of e depe wode bliue,

For he wes afingret swie.

110

Noing he ne founde in al e nite,

Wer-mide his honger aquenche mitte.*. [W., MS. Wer mide, W. & M. aquenche, M.
Wer-mid e.]
He com to e putte, ene vox I-herde;*. [W. & M. i-herde.]
He him kneu wel bi his rerde,*. [W. & M. by.]
For hit wes his neiebore,

115

And his gossip, of children bore.

A-doun bi e putte he sat.
Quod e wolf, "Wat may ben at*. [M. What.]
at ich in e putte I-here?*. [W. & M. i-here.]
Hertou cristine, oer mi fere?

120

Say me so, ne gabbe ou me nout,

Wo haue e in e putte, I-brout?"*. [W. & M. i-brout.]
e vox hine I-kneu wel for his kun,*. [W. & M. i-kneu, MS. I kneu.]
And o eroust kom wiit to him;
For he oute mid soumme ginne,

125

Him-self houpbringe, ene wolf erinne.

Quod e vox, "Wo is nou ere?
Ich wene hit is sigrim at ich here."*. [W. & M. Sigrim.]
"at is so," e wolf sede,
"Ac wat art ou, so god e rede?"

130

"A," quod e vox, "ich wille e telle;

On alpi word ich lie nelle.
Ich am reneuard, i frend,
And if ich ine come heuede I-wend,*. [W. & M. i-wend.]
Ich hedde so I-bede for e,*. [W. & M. i-bade.]

135

at ou sholdest comen to me."

"Mid e?" quod e wolf, "War to?*. [W. & M. war-to.]
Wat shulde ich ine e putte do?"
Quod e vox, "ou art ounwiis,
Her is e blisse of paradiis;

140

Her ich mai euere wel fare,

Wi-outen pine, wiouten kare;
Her is mete, her is drinke,
Her is blisse wiouten swinke;
Her nis hounger neuermo,

145

Ne non oer kunnes wo;

Of alle gode her is I-nou."*. [W. & M. i-nou.]
Mid ilke wordes e volf lou.
"Art ou ded, so god e rede,
Oer of e worlde?" e wolf sede.

150

Quod e wolf, "Wenne storue ou,

And wat dest ou ere nou?

Ne be nout et re daies ago,*. [W. & M. a-go.]

at ou and i wif also,
And ine children, smale and grete,

155

Alle to-gedere mid me hete."*. [MS. to gedere.]

"at is so," quod e vox,
"Gode onk, nou hit is us,
at ihc am to criste vend.
Not hit non of mine frend.

160

I nolde, for al e worldes goed,

Ben ine e worlde, er ich hem fond
Wat shuldich ine e worlde go,
er nis bote kare and wo,
And liuie in fule and in sunne?

165

Ac her be ioies fele cunne;*. [W. & M. joies.]

Her be boe shep and get."
e wolf haue hounger swie gret,
For he nedde are I-ete;*. [W. & M. i-ete, MS. I ete.]
And o he herde speken of mete,

170

He wolde bleeliche ben are.*. [W. & M. i-fere, MS. I fere.]

"A!" quod e wolf, "gode I-fere,
Moni goed mel ou hauest me binome;
Let me adoun to e kome.*. [W. & M. a-doun.]

And al ich wole e for-eue."*. [MS. for eue.]

175

"e," quod e vox, "were ou I-sriue,*. [W. & M. i-srive, MS. I sriue.]
And sunnen heuedest al forsake,
And to klene lif I-take,*. [W. & M. i take, MS. I take.]
Ich wolde so bidde for e,
at ou sholdest comen to me."

180

"TO wom shuldich," e wolfe sede,

Ben I-knowe of mine misdede?*. [W. & M. i-knowe, MS. I knowe.]
Her nis noing aliue,
at me koue her nou sriue.
ou hauest ben ofte min I-fere,*. [W. & M. i-fere, MS. I fere.]

185

Woltou nou mi srift I-here,*. [W. & M. i-here, WS. I here.]

And al mi liif I shal e telle?"
"Nay," quod e vox, "I nelle."
"Neltou," quod e wolf, "in ore,
Ich am afingret swie sore;

190

Ich wot to nit ich wore ded,*. [W. & M. to-nit.]

Bote ou do me somne reed.
For cristes loue be mi prest."
e wolf bey adoun his brest,*. [W. & H. a-doun.]
And gon to siken harde and stronge.

195

"Woltou," quod e vox, "srift ounderfonge,*. [W. & M. ounderfonge.]

Tel ine sunnen on and on,
at er bileue neuer on."
"Sone," quod e wolf, "wel I-faie,*. [W. & M. quad, MS. I fare, W. & M. i-faie.]
Ich habbe ben qued al mi lifdaie;*. [W. & M. lif-daie.]

200

Ich habbe widewene kors,

erfore ich fare e wors.
A ousent shep ich habbe abiten,
And mo, ef hy weren I-writen.*. [W. & M. i-writen, MS. I writen.]
Ac hit me of-inke sore.*. [MS. of inke.]

205

Maister, shal I tellen more?"

"e," quod e vox, "al ou most sugge,*. [W. & M. quad.]
Oer elles-wer ou most abugge."*. [MS. elles wer.]
"Gossip," quod e wolf, "foref hit me,
Ich habbe ofte sehid qued bi e,

210

Men seide at ou on ine liue

Misferdest mid mine wiue;
Ich e aperseiuede one stounde,*. [W. & M. aperseivede.]
And in bedde togedere ou founde.*. [W. & M. to-gedere.]
Ich wes ofte ou ful ney,

215

And in bedde to-gedere ou sey.*. [MS. to gedere ou ley, M. sey.]

Ich wende, al-so ore do,

at ich I-seie were so,*. [W. & M. i-seie, MS. I seie.]

And erfore ou were me lo;
Gode gossip, ne be ou nohut wro."

220

"Vuolf," quod e vox him o,*. [W. & M. quad.]

"Al at ou hauest her bifore I-do,*. [W. & M. i-do, MS. I do.]
In ohut, in speche, and in dede,
In euche oeres kunnes quede,
Ich e foreue at isse nede."

225

"Crist e forelde!" e wolf seide.

"Nou ich am in clene liue,
Ne recche ich of childe ne of wiue.
Ac sei me wat I shal do,
And ou ich may comen e to."
230

"Do?" quod e vox. "Ich wille e lere.

I-siist ou a boket hongi ere?*. [MS. I siist.]
ere is a bruche of heuene blisse,
Lep erinne, mid I-wisse,*. [W. & M. i-wisse, MS. I wisse.]
And ou shalt comen to me sone."

235

Quod the wolf, "at is lit to done."

He lep in, and way sumdel;
at weste e vox ful wel.
e wolf gon sinke, e vox arise;
o gon e wolf sore agrise.*. [W. & M. agrise.]

240

o he com amidde e putte,

e wolfe ene vox opward mette.
"Gossip," quod e wolf, "Wat nou?
Wat hauest ou I-munt? weder wolt ou?"*. [W. & M. i-munt, MS. I munt.]
"Weder, Ich wille?" e vox sede.

245

"Ich wille oup, so god me rede!

And nou go doun, wi i meel,
i biete wor wel smal.
Ac ich am erof glad and blie,
at ou art nomen in clene liue.

250

i soule-cnul ich wille do ringe,*. [W. & M. soul-cnul.]

And masse for ine soule singe."
e wrecche binee noing ne vind,
Bote cold water, and hounger him bind;
To colde gistninge he wes I-bede,*. [W. & M. i-bede, MS. I bede.]

255

Wroggen haue his dou I-knede.*. [W. & M. i-knede, MS. I knede.]
e wolf in e putte stod,
Afingret so at he ves wod.
Inou he cursede at ider him broute;*. [MS. I nou.]
e vox er of luitel route.

260

e put him wes e house ney,

er freren woneden swie sley.

o at hit com to e time,
at hoe shulden arisen Ine,*. [W. & M. ime.]
For to suggen here houssong,

265

O frere ere wes among,

Of here slep hem shulde awecche,
Wen hoe shulden idere recche.
He seide, "Arise on and on,
And kome to houssong heuereuchon."*. [M. hevere uchon.]

270

is ilke frere heyte ailmer;

He wes hoere maister curtiler.
He wes hofurst swie stronge;
Rit amidward here houssonge
Al-hone to e putte he hede;*. [W. & M. Alhone, MS. Al hone.]

275

For he wende bete his nede.

He com to e putte, and drou,
And e wolf wes heui I-nou.*. [W. & M. i-nou, MS. I nou.]
e frere mid al his maine tey
So longe at he ene wolf I-sey!*. [W. & M. i-sey, MS. I sey.]

280

For he sei ene wolf er sitte,

He gradde, "e deuel is in e putte!"
To e putte hy gounnen gon,

Alle mid pikes and staues and ston,

Euch mon mid at he hedde;

285

Wo wes him at wepne nedde.

Hy comen to e putte ene wolf opdrowe;*. [W. & M. op-drowe.]
o hede e wreche fomen I-nowe,*. [W. & M. i-nowe, MS. I nowe.]
at weren egre him to slete
Mid grete houndes, and to bete.

290

Wel and wroe he wes I-swonge,*. [W. & M. i-swonge, MS. I swonge.]
Mid staues and speres he wes I-stounge.*. [W. & M. i-stounge, MS. I stounge.]
e wox bicharde him, mid Iwisse,*. [W. & M. i-wisse, MS. I wisse.]
For he ne fond nones kunnes blisse,
Ne hof duntes foreuenesse. explicit.
295