She curst the weaver, and the walker,[18] That clothe that had wrought; And bade a vengeance on his crowne, 55 That hither hath itt brought.
I had rather be in a wood, Under a greene tree; Then in king Arthurs court Shamed for to bee. 60
Kay called forth his ladye, And bade her come neere; Saies, Madam, and thou be guiltye, I pray thee hold thee there.
Forth came his ladye 65 Shortlye and anon; Boldlye to the mantle Then is shee gone.
When she had tane the mantle, And cast it her about; 70 Then was shee bare 'Before all the rout.'[19]
Then every knight, That was in the kings court, Talked, laughed, and showted[20] 75 Full oft att that sport.
Shee threw downe the mantle, That bright was of blee; Fast, with a red rudd, To her chamber can[1] shee flee. 80
Forth came an old knight Pattering ore a creede, And he proferred to this litle boy Twenty markes to his meede;
And all the time of the Christmasse 85 Willinglye to ffeede; For why this mantle might Doe his wiffe some need.
When she had tane the mantle, Of cloth that was made, 90 Shee had no more left on her, But a tassell and a threed: Then every knight in the kings court Bade evill might shee speed.
Shee threw downe the mantle, 95 That bright was of blee; And fast, with a redd rudd, To her chamber can[21] shee flee.
Craddocke called forth his ladye, And bade her come in; 100 Saith, Winne this mantle, ladye, With a litle dinne.
Winne this mantle, ladye, And it shal be thine, If thou never did amisse 105 Since thou wast mine.
Forth came Craddockes ladye Shortlye and anon; But boldlye to the mantle Then is shee gone. 110
When shee had tane the mantle, And cast itt her about, Upp att her great toe It began to crinkle and crowt:[22] Shee said, bowe downe, mantle, 115 And shame me not for nought.
Once I did amisse, I tell you certainlye, When I kist Craddockes mouth Under a greene tree; 120 When I kist Craddockes mouth Before he marryed mee.
When shee had her shreeven, And her sines shee had tolde; The mantle stoode about her 125 Right as shee wold:
Seemelye of coulour Glittering like gold: Then every knight in Arthurs court Did her behold. 130
Then spake dame Guénever To Arthur our king; She hath tane yonder mantle Not with right, but with wronge.[23]
