7479   And sayde hem: 'What cas maketh yow
7480   To come into this place now?'
7481   'Sir,' seyde Strained-Abstinaunce,
7482   'We, for to drye our penaunce,
7483   With hertes pitous and devoute,
7484   Are commen, as pilgrimes gon Aboute;
7485   Wel nigh on fote alway we go;
7486   Ful dusty been our heles two;
7487   And thus bothe we ben sent
7488   Thurghout this world that is miswent,
7489   To yeve ensample, and preche Also.
7490   To fisshen sinful men we go,
7491   For other fisshing ne fisshe we.
7492   And, sir, for that charitee,
7493   As we be wont, herberwe we crave,
7494   Your lyf to amende; Crist it save!
7495   And, so it shulde you nat displese,
7496   We wolden, if it were your ese,
7497   A short sermoun unto you seyn.'
7498   And Wikked-Tonge answerde Ageyn,
7499   'The hous,' quod he, 'such as ye see,
7500   Shal nat be warned you for me,
7501   Sey what you list, and I wol here.'
7502   'Graunt mercy, swete sire dere!'