Walter William Skeat

“ And swor her that he fond her suster deed; 2345
For which this sely Progne hath swich wo,
That ny her sorweful herte brak a-two; (120)
And thus in teres lete I Progne dwelle,
And of her suster forth I wol yow telle.
⁠This woful lady lerned had in youthe 2350
So that she werken and enbrouden couthe,
And weven in her stole the radevore
As hit of women hath be woned yore. ”

“ Her dombe suster sitting hath she founde, (150)
Weping in the castel her aloon.
Allas! the wo, the compleint, and the moon
That Progne upon her dombe suster maketh! 2380
In armes everich of hem other taketh,
And thus I lete hem in hir sorwe dwelle.
⁠The remenant is no charge for to telle,
For this is al and som, thus was she served,
That never harm a-gilte ne deserved 2385
Unto this cruel man, that she of wiste.
Ye may be war of men, yif that yow liste. ”

“ Maugree her heed, by strengthe and by his might.
Lo! here a dede of men, and that a right! (100)
She cryeth 'suster!' with ful loude stevene,
And 'fader dere!' and 'help me, god in hevene!'
Al helpeth nat ”