Trouble at an Inn

	I came to a choice town

	followed by my handsome page-boy.

	Fine merry expense, an excellent place for dinner,

4	I took a pretty dignified public lodging,

	I was a proud / fine young man,

	and I had some wine.

	I spotted a fair slender maid

8	in the house, my one fair sweetheart.

	I set my mind entirely upon

	my slender darling, colour of the rising sun,

	I bought roast and expensive wine,

12	(not to show off) [for] me and the beauty over there.

	Young men love playing games,

	I called the girl, a modest maid, to [me on] the bench,

	and we had a very grand dinner,

16	greater than a wedding feast.

	I whispered (I was a bold diligent man,

	that's for sure) two alluring words.

	After the obstacle was cleared

20	by the whispering (close fate),

	I made an agreement (love was not idle / easy)

	to come to the lovely girl

	when the crowds had gone

24	to sleep; she was a dark-browed beauty.

	When everyone except me and the girl

	had gone to sleep (exceedingly piteous),

	I tried most adeptly to make my way

28	to the girl's bed, [but] it turned out disastrously.

	I had a nasty fall making a commotion there,

	there were no good feats.

	I hurt my shin (my poor leg!),

32	I didn't jump safely, above the ankle,

	on the edge of a stupid shrill stool,

	because of the inn-keeper.

	I hit my forehead (excessive desire is bad),

36	where I ended up, without any free leap,

	frequent confusion of wild crashing,

	on the end of the table,

	where there was a loose basin now

40	and a noisy brass pan.

	The table fell, a heavy piece,

	and the two trestles and all the utensils.

	The pan let out a clang,

44	it could be heard a long way behind me.

	The basin boomed (I was a vain man)

	and the dogs barked.

	It's easier to get up awkwardly

48	(foolish wickedness) than swiftly.

	I came up (it was a remorseful tale)

	— Welshmen love me! —

	by thick walls where there were

52	three Englishmen in one stinking bed

	worrying about their three packs,

	Hickin and Jenkin and Jack.

	The churlish slobber-chops

56	(cruel hate) hissed to the [other] two:

	'There's a Welshman, fierce deceitful commotion,

	roaming around here most cunningly;

	he's a thief, if we allow it,

60	watch out, keep clear of him.'

	The inn-keeper roused up all the host,

	and it was a woeful tale.

	Nine at a time they searched for me

64	scowling all around me,

	whilst I, covered in painful bruises,

	kept quiet in the darkness.

	I prayed, not in fearless fashion,

68	in hiding, like one afraid,

	and through the power of dear sincere prayer,

	and through the grace of Jesus,

	I got back (sleepless confusion)

72	without any gain to my own lair.

	I escaped (thank goodness that saints are close by),

	I beg to God for forgiveness.