The Tradition of Gifting

And then, I did remembre that 'twas also the custom to bestow giftes upon suche as one dyd so desyer, as proceaded from the goodnes of one's hart. So, with my spocke in my mouth and my hand in my purse, I went direct to my maister the forster, and seyde: "Maister, withe thi grete age and thi manjest werk, to whiche suche as I be indebted, here be ten pence for thee and thi wyfe, to but [buy] thee a cupp or a kervest [kerchief], as thee list." His face shone liek the mone nye as high, and he graunted me his blessyng, and gaue me in retour a rosy, of the size and color of Jupiter's ielly. This rosy I dyd to holde my hande, and it was as liek a glocestre to my eyen, as liek a fayer wemen in the mirrour to my herte.

And then, I remembered that it was also the custom to bestow gifts upon those who desired them, as it proceeded from the goodness of one's heart. So, with my words in my mouth and my hand in my purse, I went directly to my master the forester, and said: "Master, with your great age and your majestic work, to which I am indebted, here are ten pence for you and your wife, to buy you a cup or a kerchief, as you wish." His face shone like the moon so high, and he granted me his blessing, and gave me in return a rose, of the size and color of Jupiter's jelly. This rose I held in my hand, and it was as pleasing to my eyes as a fair woman in the mirror is to my heart.