2Who that did make a city upon Soar,
3Caerleyre, in which he did most dwell and wone,
4Leicester is now called, but wherefore
5I wot not why, but Leirecestre afore
6I trow it hight. We leave out "R," this letter,
7For lighter speech to make the language sweeter.
9So after time that he had reignèd long
10In all honor and high prosperity,
11And fall'n in age, he set him them among.
12To the eldest with voice he spake and ronge,
13Imagining how that they might be proved,
14Which of them three that best and most him loved.
16How well she did him love he prayed her say.
17She answered him again then with a wile,
18Well better than her own life in good fay;
19Of which he was so pleased to his pay
20That he her granted fully forto advance
21With sufficient part of his inheritance.
23He askèd so, to whom she said anon,
24"Father, I love you right, so as I owe,
25More than all this whole earthly world alone."
26"Daughter," he said, "as true as any stone,
27The third part of my realm so shalt thou have;
28Thou say'st so well I may no more thee crave."
30He askèd then right on that same avise,
31Who answered him with all benignity,
32Right in this form and as she could devise
33"You as my father I love without quaintise
34And as much as ye be worth of richesse
35So much I love you father and shall doubtless."