Simpkin straight went back and no word said,
But does his business and with the knyghtes played,
Until their meal was fairly, well-made.
But when the meal was over
And the knyghtes weel sated
This John went out, to find his donkey away,
And so he cried: "Hello!" and "Weladay!
Our donkey is lost! Alain, for God's bones
Get to your feet, come out, man, now, at once!
Alas, our donkey's gone and lost!"
This Alain forgot all, meal, and cost,
Clean out of mind was all his cautiousness and care,
"What? Which way did he go?" he cried. "Where?"