Thanne were ther yonge povre knyghtes
Who challenged the knave
Willful they were and cunnig in their play,
And boldly they chuckled,
They'd risk their neck,
And make of Simpkin a cokewold
That he not steal another elect.

John was the oon, and Aleyn that oother;
This Aleyn maketh redy al his gere,
And on a donkey they cast off.
With good swerd and with buckler by their syde.
John knew the wey, - hem nedede no gyde, -
And at the Whit House they dropped their sacks
Aleyn spak first, "Al hayl, Simpkin, y-fayth!
Hou fares thy faire doghter and thy wyf?"