| | At the begynnynge of this firste viage | |
| | That cruel marce hath slayn this mariage | |
| | O infortunat ascendant tortuous | |
| 205 | Of whiche the lord is helples falle allas | |
| | Out of his angil in to the thirde hous | |
| | O Marce occitaser as in this caas | |
| | O feble mone vnhappy be thy paas | |
| | Thow knettist the there thou art not resceyued | |
| 210 | There thou art wel fro then art thou weyuyd | |
| | Imprudent Emperour of Rome allas | |
| | Was ther no philisophir in thy toun | |
| | Is no tyme bettir than anothir in this caas | |
| | Of viages is ther non election | |
| 215 | Namely to folk of hygh condicion | |
| | Not whan a rote is of a birthe y knowe | |
| | Allas we been to lewd and ellis to slowe | |
| | To shippe is brought this woful fayre mayde | |
| | Solempuly with euery circumstaunce | |
| 220 | Now Ihesu crist be with you alle she sayde | |
| | Ther is nomore but far wel fayre Custaunce | |
| | She pynyth her self to make good contenaunce | |
| | And forth I lete here saylle in this manere | |
| | And turne ayen I wol to my matere | |
| 225 | The moder of the sowdan welle of vicis | |
| | Aspyed hath her sonys playn entent | |
| | How he wolde lete his olde sacrificis | |
| | And right anon she for her counsel sent | |
| | And they be come to knowe what she ment | |
| 230 | And whan assemblid was this folk in fere | |
