Section 1 (Fragment I, Group A)
    Here bygynneth the book of the tales of Caunterbury.
1. 0001      Whan that Aueryll with his shoures soote
1. 0002  The droghte of March hath perced to the roote
1. 0003  And bathed euery veyne in swich lycour
1. 0004  Of which vertu engendred is the flour,
1. 0005  Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth
1. 0006  Inspired hath in euery holt and heeth
1. 0007  The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne
1. 0008  Hath in the ram his half-cours yronne,
1. 0009  And smale foweles maken melodye
1. 0010  (That slepen al the nyght with open iye)
1. 0011  So priketh hem nature in hir corages,
1. 0012  Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrymages
1. 0013  And palmeres for to seeken straunge strondes
1. 0014  To ferne halwes kouthe in sondry londes,
1. 0015  And specially from euery shyres ende
1. 0016  Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende
1. 0017  The holy blisful martir for to seke
1. 0018  That hem hath holpen whan that they weere seeke.
1. 0019    Bifel that in that sesoun on a day
1. 0020  In Southwerk at the Tabard as I lay
1. 0021  Redy to weenden on my pilgrymage
1. 0022  To Caunterbury with ful deuout corage,
1. 0023  At nyght was come into that hostelrye
1. 0024  Wel xxix in a compaignye
1. 0025  Of sondry folk, by auenture yfalle
1. 0026  In felaweshipe. And pilgrymes weere they alle
1. 0027  That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde.
1. 0028  The chambres and the stables weeren wyde
1. 0029  And wel we weeren esed at the beste.
1. 0030  And shortly whan the sonne was to reste,
1. 0031  So hadde I spoken with hem euerichoon
1. 0032  That I was of hir felaweshipe anon.
1. 0033  And maade forward erly for to ryse            f.2v
1. 0034  To take oure wey ther as I yow deuyse.
1. 0035    But nathelees while I haue tyme and space
1. 0036  Er that I ferther in this tale pace,
1. 0037  Me thynketh it acordant to resoun
1. 0038  To telle yow al the condicioun
1. 0039  Of eech of hem so as it seemed me,
1. 0040  And whiche they weere and of what degree
1. 0041  And eek in what array that they weere inne.
1. 0042  And at a knyght thanne wol I first bigynne.
1. 0043    A knyght ther was, and that a worthy man,
1. 0044  That fro the tyme that he first bigan
1. 0045  To ryden out he loued chiualrye,
1. 0046  Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisye.
1. 0047  Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre
1. 0048  And therto hadde he ryden, no man ferre,
1. 0049  As wel in cristendom as hethenesse --
1. 0050  And euere honured for his worthynesse.
1. 0051  At Alisaundre he was whan it was wonne.
1. 0052  Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne
1. 0053  Abouen alle nacions in Pruce.
1. 0054  In Lectow hadde he reysed and in Ruce,
1. 0055  No cristen man so ofte of his degree.
1. 0056  In Gernade at the seege eek hadde he be
1. 0057  At Algizir and ryden in Belmarye.
1. 0058  At Lyeys was he and at Satalye






1. 0059  Whan they weere wonne. And in the Grete See
1. 0060  At many a noble ariuee hadde he bee.
1. 0061  At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene
1. 0062  And foghten for oure feyth at Tramyssene
1. 0063  In lystes thryes and ay slayn his foo.
1. 0064  This ilke worthy knyght hadde been also
1. 0065  Somtyme with the lord of Palatye
1. 0066  Agayn another hethen in Turkye --
1. 0067  And eueremoore he hadde a souereyn prys.
1. 0068  And thogh that he weere worthy, he was wys
1. 0069  And of his poort as meke as is a mayde.
1. 0070  Ne neuere yet no vileynye he sayde
1. 0071  In al his lyf vnto no manere wight.
1. 0072  He was a verray, parfit, gentil knyght.
1. 0073  But for to tellen yow of his array             f.3
1. 0074  Hise hors weere goode, but he ne was nat gay.
1. 0075  Of fustian he wered a gypoun
1. 0076  Al bismotered with his haubergeon,
1. 0077  For he was laate comen from his viage
1. 0078  And wente for to doon his pilgrymage.
1. 0079    With hym ther was his sone, a yong squyer,
1. 0080  A louere and a lusty bachiler
1. 0081  With lokkes crulle as they weere leyd in presse.
1. 0082  Of xx yeer he was of age I gesse.
1. 0083  Of his stature he was of euene lengthe
1. 0084  And wonderly delyuere and of greet strengthe.
1. 0085  And he hadde been somtyme in chiuachye
1. 0086  In Flaundres, in Artoys and Picardye
1. 0087  And born hym wel, as in so litel space,
1. 0088  In hope to stonden in his lady grace.
1. 0089  Embrouded was he as it weere a meede
1. 0090  Al ful of fresshe floures white and reede.
1. 0091  Syngynge he was or floytynge al the day.
1. 0092  He was as fressh as is the monthe of May.
1. 0093  Short was his gowne with sleues longe and wyde.
1. 0094  Wel koude he sitte on hors and faire ryde.
1. 0095  He koude songes wel make and endite,
1. 0096  Iuste and eek daunce and wel portreye and write.
1. 0097  So hoote he loued that by nyghtertale
1. 0098  He slepte namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale.
1. 0099  Curteys he was, lowely and seruysable
1. 0100  And carf biforn his fader at the table.
1. 0101    A yeman he hadde and seruantz namo
1. 0102  At that tyme, for hym liste ryde so.
1. 0103  And he was clad in coote and hood of greene.
1. 0104  A sheef of pecok-arwes bright and keene
1. 0105  Vnder his belt he bar ful thriftily.
1. 0106  Wel koude he dresse his takel yemanly,
1. 0107  His arwes drowped noght with fetheres lowe.
1. 0108  And in his hand he bar a myghty bowe.
1. 0109  A not-heed hadde he with a broun visage.
1. 0110  Of wodecraft koude he wel al the vsage.
1. 0111  Vpon his arm he bar a gay bracer
1. 0112  And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler
1. 0113  And on that oother syde a gay daggere
1. 0114  Harneysed wel and sharp as poynt of spere;    f.3v
1. 0115  A cristofre on his brest of siluer sheene;
1. 0116  An horn he bar, the bawdryk was of greene.
1. 0117  A forster was he soothly as I gesse.
1. 0118    Ther was also a nonne, a prioresse,
1. 0119  That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy;
1. 0120  Hir gretteste ooth was but by seint Loy.
1. 0121  And she was clepyd madame Eglentyne.
1. 0122  Ful wel she soong the seruyce dyuyne
1. 0123  Entuned in hir nose ful semely.
1. 0124  And Frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly
1. 0125  After the scole of Stratford-at-the-Bowe
1. 0126  For Frenssh of Parys was to hire vnknowe.
1. 0127  At mete wel ytaught was she withalle.
1. 0128  She leet no morsel from hir lyppes falle
1. 0129  Ne wette hir fyngres in hir sauce deepe;
1. 0130  Wel koude she carye a morsel and wel keepe
1. 0131  That no drope fille vpon hir brist.
1. 0132  In curteisye was set muchel hir list.
1. 0133  Hir ouer-lyppe wyped she so cleene
1. 0134  That in hir coppe ther was no ferthyng seene
1. 0135  Of grece, whan she dronken hadde hir draghte.
1. 0136  Ful semely after hir mete she raghte.
1. 0137  And sikerly she was of greet desport
1. 0138  And ful plesaunt and amyable of port,
1. 0139  And peyned hire to countrefete chiere
1. 0140  Of court and been estatlich of manere
1. 0141  And to been holden digne of reuerence.
1. 0142  But for to speken of hir conscience,
1. 0143  She was so charitable and so pitous
1. 0144  She wolde wepe if that she sawe a mous
1. 0145  Caught in a trappe, if it weere deed or bledde.
1. 0146  Of smale houndes hadde she that she fedde
1. 0147  With rosted flessh or mylk and wastel-breed.
1. 0148  But soore wepte she if oon of hem weere deed
1. 0149  Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte;
1. 0150  And al was conscience and tendre herte.
1. 0151  Ful semely hir wympel pynched was.
1. 0152  Hir nose tretez, hir eyen greye as glas,
1. 0153  Hir mouth ful smal and therto softe and reed,  f.4
1. 0154  But sikerly she hadde a fair forheed,
1. 0155  It was almoost a spanne brood I trowe,
1. 0156  For hardily she was nat vndergrowe.
1. 0157  Ful fetys was hir cloke as I was war.
1. 0158  Of smal coral aboute hir arm she bar
1. 0159  A peyre of bedes gauded al with greene,
1. 0160  And theron heeng a brooch of gold ful sheene
1. 0161  On which was first writen a crowned A
1. 0162  And after Amor vincit omnia.
1. 0163    Another nonne with hire hadde she,
1. 0164  That was hire chapeleyne, and preestes thre.
1. 0165    A monk ther was, a fair for the maystrye,
1. 0166  An outrydere that louede venerye,
1. 0167  A manly man to been an abbot able.
1. 0168  Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable.
1. 0169  And whanne he rood, men myghte his brydel heere
1. 0170  Gyngle in a whistlynge wynd as cleere
1. 0171  And eek as loude as dooth the chapel-belle.
1. 0172  There as this lord is kepere of the selle,
1. 0173  The rule of seint Maure or of seint Beneyt
1. 0174  By cause that it was oold and somdeel streyt,
1. 0175  This ilke monk leet oolde thynges pace
1. 0176  And heeld after the newe world the space.
1. 0177  He yaf noght of that text a pulled hen
1. 0178  That seith that hunterys been none holy men
1. 0179  Ne that a monk whan he is recchelees
1. 0180  Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees,
1. 0181  This is to seyn a monk out of his cloystre;
1. 0182  But thilke text heeld he nat worth an oystre.
1. 0183  And I seyde his opynyon was good.
1. 0184  What sholde he studie and make hymseluen wood
1. 0185  Vpon a book in cloystre alwey to poure
1. 0186  Or swynke with his handes and laboure
1. 0187  As Austyn bit? How shal the world be serued?
1. 0188  Lat Austyn haue his swynk to hym reserued.
1. 0189  Therfore he was a prykasour aryght.
1. 0190  Grehoundes he hadde as swift as fowel in flyght.
1. 0191  Of prikyng and of huntyng for the haare
1. 0192  Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spaare.
1. 0193  I saugh his sleues purfiled at the hond       f.4v
1. 0194  With grys and that the fyneste of a lond.
1. 0195  And for to festne his hood vnder his chyn
1. 0196  He hadde of gold wroght a ful curious pyn;
1. 0197  A loue-knotte in the gretter ende ther was.
1. 0198  His heed was balled that shoon as any glas
1. 0199  And eek his face as he hadde been enoynt.
1. 0200  He was a lord ful fat and in good poynt;
1. 0201  Hise eyen steepe and rollynge in his heed
1. 0202  That stemed as a fourneys of a leed;
1. 0203  Hise bootes souple, his hors in greet estaat.
1. 0204  Now certeynly he was a fair prelat.
1. 0205  He was nat paale as is a forpyned goost,
1. 0206  A fat swan loued he best of any roost.
1. 0207  His palfrey was as broun as any berye.
1. 0208    A frere ther was, a wantowne and a merye,
1. 0209  A lymytour, a ful solempne man.
1. 0210  In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan
1. 0211  So muche of daliaunce and fair langage.
1. 0212  He hadde maked ful many a mariage
1. 0213  Of yonge wommen at his owene cost.
1. 0214  Vnto his ordre he was a noble post.
1. 0215  Ful wel biloued and famylier was hee
1. 0216  With frankeleyns oueral in his contree
1. 0217  And eek with worthy wommen of the town
1. 0218  For he hadde power of confessioun,
1. 0219  As seyde hymself, moore than a curaat
1. 0220  For of his ordre he was licenciaat.
1. 0221  Ful swetely herde he confessioun
1. 0222  And plesant was his absolucioun.
1. 0223  He was an esy man to yeue penaunce
1. 0224  Ther as he wiste to haue a good pitaunce,
1. 0225  For vnto a poure ordre for to yeue
1. 0226  Is signe that a man is wel yshryue.
1. 0227  For if he yaf, he dorste make auaunt
1. 0228  He wiste that a man was repentaunt,
1. 0229  For many a man so hard is of his herte
1. 0230  He may nat weepe thogh that he soore smerte.
1. 0231  Therfore in stede of wepynge and preyeres
1. 0232  Men moote yeue siluer to the poure freres.
1. 0233  His typet was ay farsed ful of knyues          f.5
1. 0234  And pynnes for to yeuen faire wyues.
1. 0235  And certeynly he hadde a murye noote,
1. 0236  Wel koude he synge and pleyen on a roote.
1. 0237  Of yeddynges he bar outrely the prys.
1. 0238  His nekke whit was as the flour-de-lys.
1. 0239  Therto he stroong was as a champioun.
1. 0240  He knew the tauernes wel in euery town
1. 0241  And euery hostiler and tappestere
1. 0242  Bet than a lazer or a beggestere,
1. 0243  For vnto swich a worthy man as he
1. 0244  Acorded nat as by his facultee
1. 0245  To haue with syke lazers aqueyntaunce.
1. 0246  It is nat honeste, it may noght auaunce
1. 0247  For to deelen with no swich poraille,
1. 0248  But al with riche and sellerys of vitaille
1. 0249  And oueral ther as profit sholde aryse.
1. 0250  Curteys he was and lowely of seruyse,
1. 0251  Ther was no man nowheer so vertuous.
1. 0252  He was the beste beggere of his hous,
1. 0253  And yaf a certeyn ferme for the graunt:
1. 0254  Noon of his bretheren cam ther in his haunt.
1. 0255  For thogh a wydwe hadde noght a sho,
1. 0256  So plesant was his In principio
1. 0257  Yet wolde he haue a ferthyng er he wente.
1. 0258  His purchaas was wel bettre than his rente.
1. 0259  And rage he koude as it weere right a whelp.
1. 0260  In louedayes koude he muchel help
1. 0261  For there he was nat lyk a cloystrer
1. 0262  With a threedbare cope as is a poure scoler,
1. 0263  But he was lyk a maister or a pope.
1. 0264  Of double worstede was his semycope
1. 0265  And rounded as a belle out of the presse.
1. 0266  Somwhat he lypsed for his wantownesse
1. 0267  To make his Englyssh sweete vpon his tonge,
1. 0268  And in his harpyng whan that he hadde songe
1. 0269  Hise eyen twynkled in his heed aryght
1. 0270  As doon the sterres in the frosty nyght.
1. 0271  This worthy lymytour was cleped Huberd.
1. 0272    A marchant was ther with a forked berd
1. 0273  In motlee, and hye on hors he sat.            f.5v
1. 0274  Vpon his heed a Flaundryssh beuere-hat,
1. 0275  His bootes clasped faire and fetisly.
1. 0276  Hise resons he spak ful solempnely
1. 0277  Sownyng alwey th'encrees of his wynnyng.
1. 0278  He woolde the see weere kept for any thyng
1. 0279  Bitwixen Myddelburgh and Orewelle.
1. 0280  Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle;
1. 0281  This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette.
1. 0282  Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette
1. 0283  (So estaatly was he of his gouernaunce)
1. 0284  With his bargaynes and with his cheuysaunce.
1. 0285  For soothe he was a worthy man withalle;
1. 0286  But sooth to seyn I noot how men hym calle.
1. 0287    A clerc ther was of Oxenford also
1. 0288  That vnto logyk hadde longe ygo.
1. 0289  As leene was his hors as is a rake
1. 0290  And he was noght right fat I vndertake
1. 0291  But looked holwe and therto sobrely.
1. 0292  Ful threedbaare was his ouereste courtepy
1. 0293  For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice
1. 0294  Ne was so worldly for to haue office,
1. 0295  For hym was leuere haue at his beddes heed
1. 0296  Twenty bookes clad in blak or reed
1. 0297  Of Aristotle and his philosophye
1. 0298  Than robes riche or fithele or gay sautrye.
1. 0299  But al be that he was a philosophre
1. 0300  Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre.
1. 0301  But al that he myghte of his frendes hente
1. 0302  On bookes and on lernynge he it spente,
1. 0303  And bisily gan for the soules preye
1. 0304  Of hem that yaf hym wherwith to scoleye.
1. 0305  Of studye took he moost cure and moost heede.
1. 0306  Noght oo word spak he moore than was neede
1. 0307  And that was spoke in forme and reuerence;
1. 0308  And short and quyk and ful of heigh sentence,
1. 0309  Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche.
1. 0310  And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche.
1. 0311    A sergeaunt of lawe waar and wys
1. 0312  That often hadde been at the Parvys
1. 0313  Ther was also, ful ryche of excellence.        f.6
1. 0314  Discreet he was and of greet reuerence.
1. 0315  He seemed swich, hise wordes weeren so wyse.
1. 0316  Iustice he was ful often in assise
1. 0317  By patente and by pleyn commissioun.
1. 0318  For his science and for his heigh renoun
1. 0319  Of fees and robes hadde he many oon.
1. 0320  So greet a purchasour was nowher noon.
1. 0321  Al was fee symple to hym in effect,
1. 0322  His purchasyng myghte nat been infect.
1. 0323  Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas
1. 0324  And yet he seemed bisyer than he was.
1. 0325  In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle
1. 0326  That from tyme of kyng William weere falle.
1. 0327  Therto he koude endite and make a thyng,
1. 0328  Ther koude no wight pynchen at his writyng,
1. 0329  And euery statut koude he pleyn by roote.
1. 0330  He rood but hoomly in a medlee coote
1. 0331  Girt with a ceynt of sylk with barres smale.
1. 0332  Of his array telle I no lenger tale.
1. 0333    A frankeleyn was in his compaignye.
1. 0334  Whit was his berd as is the dayesye,
1. 0335  Of his complexcion he was sangwyn.
1. 0336  Wel loued he by the morwe a sop in wyn.
1. 0337  To lyuen in delyt was euere his wone,
1. 0338  For he was Epicurus owene sone
1. 0339  That heeld opynyon that pleyn delit
1. 0340  Was verray felicitee parfit.
1. 0341  An housholdere and that a greet was hee,
1. 0342  Seint Iulyan he was in his contree.
1. 0343  His breed, his ale was alweys after oon,
1. 0344  A bettre envyned man was neuere noon.
1. 0345  Withouten bake mete was neuere his hous
1. 0346  Of fressh fissh and flessh, and that so plentevous
1. 0347  It snewed in his hous of mete and drynke.
1. 0348  Of alle deyntees that men koude bithynke
1. 0349  After the sondry sesons of the yeer
1. 0350  So chaunged he his mete and his soper.
1. 0351  Ful many a fat partrych hadde he in muwe
1. 0352  And many a breem and many a luce in stuwe.
1. 0353  Wo was his cook but if his sauce weere        f.6v
1. 0354  Poynaunt and sharp and redy al his geere.
1. 0355  Hys table dormaunt in his halle alway
1. 0356  Stood redy couered al the longe day.
1. 0357  At sessions ther was he lord and sire,
1. 0358  Ful ofte tyme he was knyght of the shire.
1. 0359  An anlaas and a gipser al of sylk
1. 0360  Heeng at his girdel whit as morne-mylk.
1. 0361  A shirreue hadde he been and countour.
1. 0362  Was nowheer swich a worthy vauasour.
1. 0363    An haberdasshere and a carpenter,
1. 0364  A webbe, a dyere and a tapycer,
1. 0365  And they weere clothed alle in oo lyueree
1. 0366  Of a solempne and a greet fraternytee.
1. 0367  Ful fressh and newe hir geere apyked was.
1. 0368  Hir knyues weere chaped noght with bras,
1. 0369  But al with siluer wroght ful cleene and wel
1. 0370  Hir girdles and hir pouches euery del.
1. 0371  Wel seemed eech of hem a fair burgeys
1. 0372  To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys.
1. 0373  Euerych for the wisdom that he kan
1. 0374  Was shaply for to been an alderman,
1. 0375  For catel hadde they ynogh and rente
1. 0376  And eek hir wyues wolde it wel assente --
1. 0377  And ellis certeyn they weere to blame.
1. 0378  It is ful fair to been yclepyd madame
1. 0379  And goon to vigilies al bifore
1. 0380  And haue a mantel realliche ybore.
1. 0381    A cook they hadde with hem for the nones
1. 0382  To boille the chiknes with the marybones
1. 0383  And poudre-marchaunt tart and galyngale.
1. 0384  Wel koude he knowe a draghte of London ale.
1. 0385  He koude rooste and seethe and broille and frye,
1. 0386  Maken mortreux and wel bake a pye.
1. 0387  But greet harm was it as it thoughte me
1. 0388  That on his shyne a mormal hadde he.
1. 0389  For blankmanger that maade he with the beste.
1. 0390    A shipman was ther wonyng fer by weste,
1. 0391  For aught I woot he was of Dertemouthe.
1. 0392  He rood vpon a rouncy as he kouthe
1. 0393  In a gowne of faldyng to the knee.             f.7
1. 0394  A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he
1. 0395  Aboute his nekke vnder his arm adown.
1. 0396  The hoote somer hadde maad his hewe al brown.
1. 0397  And certeynly he was a good felawe.
1. 0398  Ful many a draghte of wyn hadde he drawe
1. 0399  Fro Burdeuxward whil that the chapman sleep.
1. 0400  Of nyce conscience took he no keep.
1. 0401  If that he faught and hadde the hyer hond,
1. 0402  By watre he sente hem hoom to euery lond.
1. 0403  But of his craft to rekene wel his tydes,
1. 0404  His stremys and his daungers hym bisydes,
1. 0405  His herberwe and his moone, his lodmenage,
1. 0406  Ther was noon swich from Hull to Cartage.
1. 0407  Hardy he was and wys to vndertake.
1. 0408  With many a tempest hadde his beerd been shake.
1. 0409  He knew alle the hauenes as they weere
1. 0410  Fro Gootlond to the Cape of Fynysteere
1. 0411  And euery cryke in Britaigne and in Spaigne.
1. 0412  His barge yclepyd was the Mawdelayne.
1. 0413    With vs ther was a doctour of phisyk.
1. 0414  In al this world ne was ther noon hym lyk
1. 0415  To speken of phisyk and of surgerye.
1. 0416  For he was grounded in astronomye
1. 0417  He kepte his pacient a ful greet deel
1. 0418  In houres by his magyk natureel;
1. 0419  Wel koude he fortunen the ascendent
1. 0420  Of hise ymages for his pacient.
1. 0421  He knew the cause of euery maladye,
1. 0422  Weere it of hoot or coold or moyste or drye
1. 0423  And where it engendred and of what humour.
1. 0424  He was a verray, parfit practisour.
1. 0425  The cause yknowe and of his harm the roote,
1. 0426  Anoon he yaf the sike man his boote.
1. 0427  Ful redy hadde he hise apothecaryes
1. 0428  To senden hym his drogges and his letuaryes,
1. 0429  For eech of hem maade oother for to wynne,
1. 0430  Hir frendshipe was noght newe to bigynne.
1. 0431  Wel knew he the oolde Esculapyus
1. 0432  And Discorides and eek Rufus,
1. 0433  Olde Ypocras, Haly and Galyen                 f.7v
1. 0434  Serapion, Razis and Avycen,
1. 0435  Auerroys, Damascien and Constantyn,
1. 0436  Bernard and Gatesden and Gilbertyn.
1. 0437  Of his diete mesurable was hee
1. 0438  For it was of no superfluytee,
1. 0439  But of greet norissynge and digestible.
1. 0440  His studye was but litel on the Bible.
1. 0441  In sangwyn and in pers he clad was al,
1. 0442  Lyned with taffata and with sendal.
1. 0443  And yet he was but esy of dispence,
1. 0444  He kepte that he wan in pestilence.
1. 0445  For gold in phisyk is a cordial,
1. 0446  Therfore he loued gold in special.
1. 0447    A good-wyf was ther of bisyde Bathe,
1. 0448  But she was somdel deef and that was scathe.
1. 0449  Of clooth-makynge she hadde swich an haunt
1. 0450  She passed hem of Ipres and of Gaunt.
1. 0451  In al the parysshe wyf ne was ther noon
1. 0452  That to the offrynge bifore hire sholde goon.
1. 0453  And if ther dide, certeyn so wrooth was shee
1. 0454  That she was out of alle charitee.
1. 0455  Hir couerchiefes ful fyne weere of grownd.
1. 0456  I dorste swere they weyeden ten pownd
1. 0457  That on a Sonday weeren vpon hir heed.
1. 0458  Hir hosen weeren of fyn scarlet reed
1. 0459  Ful streyte yteyd and shoes ful moyste and newe.
1. 0460  Boold was hir face and fair and reed of hewe.
1. 0461  She was a worthy womman al hir lyue.
1. 0462  Housbondes at chirche-dore she hadde fyue
1. 0463  Withouten oother compaignye in yowthe--
1. 0464  But therof nedeth noght to speke as nowthe.
1. 0465  And thries hadde she been at Ierusalem.
1. 0466  She hadde passed many a straunge strem.
1. 0467  At Rome she hadde been and at Boloyne,
1. 0468  In Galyce at seint Iame and at Coloyne.
1. 0469  She koude muchel of wandrynge by the weye:
1. 0470  Gat-tothed was she soothly for to seye.
1. 0471  Vpon an amblere esily she sat
1. 0472  Ywympled wel, and on hir heed an hat
1. 0473  As brood as is a bokeler or a targe,           f.8
1. 0474  A foot-mantel aboute hir hypes large,
1. 0475  And on hir feet a peyre of spores sharpe.
1. 0476  In felaweshipe wel koude she laughe and carpe.
1. 0477  Of remedies of loue she knew parchaunce
1. 0478  For she koude of that art the olde daunce.
1. 0479    A good man was ther of religioun
1. 0480  And was a poure person of a toun,
1. 0481  But riche he was of holy thoght and werk.
1. 0482  He was also a lerned man, a clerk
1. 0483  That Cristes gospel trewely wolde preche.
1. 0484  His parisshens deuoutly wolde he teche.
1. 0485  Benygne he was and wonder diligent
1. 0486  And in aduersitee ful pacient,
1. 0487  And swich he was proeued ofte sythes.
1. 0488  Ful looth weere hym to cursen for his tythes,
1. 0489  But rather wolde he yeuen out of doute
1. 0490  Vnto his poure parisshens aboute
1. 0491  Of his offrynge and eek of his substaunce.
1. 0492  He koude in litel thyng haue suffisaunce.
1. 0493  Wyd was his parisshe and houses fer asonder,
1. 0494  But he ne lafte noght for reyn ne thonder
1. 0495  In siknesse nor in meschief to visite
1. 0496  The ferreste in his parisshe muche and lyte
1. 0497  Vpon his feet and in his hond a staf.
1. 0498  This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf
1. 0499  That first he wroghte and afterward he taughte.
1. 0500  Out of the gospel he tho wordes caughte
1. 0501  And this figure he added eek therto:
1. 0502  That if gold ruste what sholde iren do?
1. 0503  For if a preest be foul in whom we truste
1. 0504  No wonder is a lewed man to ruste;
1. 0505  And shame it is (if a preest take keep)
1. 0506  A shiten sheperde and a clene sheep.
1. 0507  Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yiue
1. 0508  By his clennesse how that his sheep sholde lyue.
1. 0509  He sette noght his benefice to hyre
1. 0510  And leet his sheep encombred in the myre
1. 0511  And ran to Londoun vnto seint Poules
1. 0512  To seeken hym a chauntrye for soules
1. 0513  Or with a breetherede to been withhoolde      f.8v
1. 0514  But dwelte at hoom and kepte wel his foolde
1. 0515  So that the wolf ne maade it noght myscarye.
1. 0516  He was a sheepherde and noght a mercenarye.
1. 0517  And thogh he hooly weere and vertuous
1. 0518  He was noght to synful men despitous
1. 0519  Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne,
1. 0520  But in his techyng discreet and benygne.
1. 0521  To drawen folk to heuene with fairnesse
1. 0522  By good ensample, this was his bisynesse
1. 0523  But it weere any persone obstynaat,
1. 0524  Whatso he weere of heigh or lowe estaat,
1. 0525  Hym wolde he snybben sharply for the nonys.
1. 0526  A bettre preest I trowe ther nowher noon ys.
1. 0527  He wayted after no pomp and reuerence
1. 0528  Ne maked hym a spyced conscience,
1. 0529  But Cristes loore and hise apostles twelue
1. 0530  He taughte, but first he folwed it hymselue.
1. 0531    With hym ther was a plowman, was his broother,
1. 0532  That hadde ylad of donge ful many a foother,
1. 0533  A trewe swynkere and a good was he
1. 0534  Lyuynge in pees and parfit charitee.
1. 0535  God loued he best with al his hoole herte
1. 0536  At alle tymes thogh hym gamed or smerte
1. 0537  And thanne his neighebore right as hymselue.
1. 0538  He wolde thresshe and therto dyke and delue
1. 0539  For Cristes sake for euery poure wight
1. 0540  Withouten hyre, if it laye in his myght.
1. 0541  His tythes payde he ful faire and wel
1. 0542  Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel.
1. 0543  In a tabard he rood vpon a mere.
1. 0544    Ther was also a reue and a millere,
1. 0545  A somonour and a pardoner also,
1. 0546  A maunciple and myself. Ther weere namo.
1. 0547  The millere was a stout carl for the nones,
1. 0548  Ful byg he was of brawen and eek of bones.
1. 0549  That proeued wel, for oueral ther he cam
1. 0550  At wrastlynge he wolde haue alwey the ram.
1. 0551  He was shortshuldred, brood, a thikke knarre.
1. 0552  Ther was no dore that he noolde heue of harre
1. 0553  Or breke it at a rennynge with his heed.       f.9
1. 0554  His beerd as any sowe or fox was reed
1. 0555  And therto brood as thogh it weere a spaade.
1. 0556  Vpon the cop right of his nose he haade
1. 0557  A werte and theron stood a tuft of heerys
1. 0558  Reede as the bristles of a sowes eerys.
1. 0559  Hise nose-thirles blake weere and wyde.
1. 0560  A swerd and a bokeler baar he by his syde.
1. 0561  His mouth as greet was as a greet fourneys.
1. 0562  He was a ianglere, a golyardeys,
1. 0563  And that was moost of synne and harlotryes.
1. 0564  Wel koude he stelen corn and tollen thryes,
1. 0565  And yet he hadde a thombe of gold pardee.
1. 0566  A whit coote and a blew hood wered hee.
1. 0567  A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne
1. 0568  And therwithal he broghte vs out of towne.
1. 0569    A gentil maunciple was ther of a temple,
1. 0570  Of which achatours myghte take exemple
1. 0571  For to been wyse in byynge of vitaille,
1. 0572  For wheither that he payde or took by taille
1. 0573  Algate he wayted so in his achaat
1. 0574  That he was ay biforn and in good staat.
1. 0575  Now is nat that of god a ful greet grace
1. 0576  That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace
1. 0577  The wysdom of an heep of lerned men.
1. 0578  Of maistres hadde he mo than thryes ten
1. 0579  That weeren of lawe expert and curious,
1. 0580  Of whiche ther weere a dozeyne in that hous
1. 0581  Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond
1. 0582  Of any lord that is in Engelond
1. 0583  To make hym lyue by his propre good
1. 0584  In honour dettelees, but if he weere wood,
1. 0585  Or lyue as scarsly as hym lyst desire,
1. 0586  And able for to helpen al a shire
1. 0587  In any caas that myghte falle or happe.
1. 0588  And yet this maunciple sette hir aller cappe.
1. 0589    The reue was a sclendre, coleryk man.
1. 0590  His beerd was shaue as neigh as euer he kan,
1. 0591  His heer was by his eerys ful rownd yshorn,
1. 0592  His top was dokked lyk a preest byforn.
1. 0593  Ful longe weere hise legges and ful leene,    f.9v
1. 0594  Ylik a staf ther was no calf yseene.
1. 0595  Wel koude he keepe a gerner and a bynne:
1. 0596  Ther was noon auditour koude on hym wynne.
1. 0597  Wel wiste he by the droghte and by the reyn
1. 0598  The yeldynge of his seed and of his greyn.
1. 0599  His lordes sheep, his neet, his dayerye,
1. 0600  His swyn, his hors, his stoor and his pultrye
1. 0601  Was hoolly in this reues gouernynge,
1. 0602  And by his couenant yaf the rekenynge,
1. 0603  Syn that his loord was twenty yeer of age.
1. 0604  Ther koude no man brynge hym in arrerage.
1. 0605  Ther nas baillyf, hierde nor oother hyne
1. 0606  That he ne knew his sleyghte and his couyne.
1. 0607  They weere adrad of hym as of the deeth.
1. 0608  His wonyng was ful faire vpon an heeth,
1. 0609  With greene trees shadwed was his place.
1. 0610  He koude bettre than his lord purchace.
1. 0611  Ful riche he was astoored pryuely.
1. 0612  His lord wel koude he plesen subtilly
1. 0613  To yeue and leene hym of his owene good
1. 0614  And haue a thank and yet a coote and hood.
1. 0615  In youthe he lerned hadde a good mister,
1. 0616  He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter.
1. 0617  This reue sat vpon a wel good stot
1. 0618  That was a pomely gray and highte Scot.
1. 0619  A long surcote of pers vpon he haade
1. 0620  And by his syde he baar a rusty blaade.
1. 0621  Of Northfolk was this reue of which I telle
1. 0622  Bisyde a town men clepyn Baldeswelle.
1. 0623  Tukked he was as is a frere aboute
1. 0624  And euere he rood the hyndreste of oure route.
1. 0625     A somonour was ther with vs in that place
1. 0626  That hadde a fyr-reed cherubynnes face,
1. 0627  For sawceflewm he was with eyen narwe.
1. 0628  And hoot he was and lecherous as a sparwe,
1. 0629  With scaled browes blake and pyled berd.
1. 0630  Of his visage children weere aferd.
1. 0631  Ther nas quyksiluer, lytarge ne brymstoon,
1. 0632  Borace, ceruce ne oille of tartre noon
1. 0633  Ne oynement that wolde clense and byte        f.10
1. 0634  That hym myghte helpen of his whelkes whyte
1. 0635  Nor of the knobbes sittynge on his chekes.
1. 0636  Wel loued he garlek, oynons and eek lekes
1. 0637  And for to drynke strong wyn reed as blood.
1. 0638  Thanne wolde he speke and crye as he were wood.
1. 0639  And whan that he wel dronken hadde the wyn
1. 0640  Thanne wolde he speke no word but Latyn.
1. 0641  A fewe termes hadde he, two or thre,
1. 0642  That he hadde lerned out of som decree,
1. 0643  No wonder is, he herde it al the day.
1. 0644  And eek ye knowe wel how that a iay
1. 0645  Kan clepen Watte as wel as kan the pope.
1. 0646  But whoso koude in oother thyng hym grope
1. 0647  Thanne hadde he spent al his philosophie,
1. 0648  Ay questio quid iuris wolde he crye.
1. 0649  He was a gentil harlot and a kynde,
1. 0650  A bettre felawe sholde men noght fynde.
1. 0651  He wolde suffre for a quart of wyn
1. 0652  A good felawe to haue his concubyn
1. 0653  A twelf monthe and excusen hym at the fulle.
1. 0654  Ful pryuely a fynch eek koude he pulle.
1. 0655  And if he foond owher a good felawe
1. 0656  He wolde techen hym to haue noon awe
1. 0657  In swich caas of the ercedeknes curs
1. 0658  But if a mannes soule were in his purs,
1. 0659  For in his purs he sholde ypunysshed be.
1. 0660  'Purs is the ercedeknes helle,' seyde he,
1. 0661  But wel I woot he lyed right in dede.
1. 0662  Of cursyng oghte ech gilty man drede
1. 0663  For curs wol sle right as assoillyng sauyth.
1. 0664  And also war hym of a significauit.
1. 0665  In daunger hadde he at his owene gyse
1. 0666  The yonge gerles of the diocise
1. 0667  And knew hir conseil and was al hir reed.
1. 0668  A gerland hadde he set vpon his heed
1. 0669  As greet as it were for an alestake.
1. 0670  A bokeler hadde he maad hym of a cake.
1. 0671    With hym ther rood a gentil pardoner
1. 0672  Of Rouncyual, his freend and his comper,
1. 0673  That streight was comen fro the court of Rome.
1. 0674  Ful loude he soong: 'Com hyder, loue, to me.'
1. 0675  This somonour baar to hym a styf burdoun,    f.10v
1. 0676  Was neuere trompe of half so greet a soun.
1. 0677  This pardoner hadde heer as yelow as wex
1. 0678  But smothe it heeng as dooth a stryke of flex.
1. 0679  By ounces henge his lokkes that he hadde
1. 0680  And therwith he his shuldres ouerspradde,
1. 0681  But thynne it lay by colpons oon and oon.
1. 0682  But hood for iolitee wered he noon
1. 0683  For it was trussed vp in his walet.
1. 0684  Hym thoughte he rood al of the newe iet,
1. 0685  Discheuelee saue his cappe he rood al bare.
1. 0686  Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an hare.
1. 0687  A vernycle hadde he sowed vpon his cappe,
1. 0688  His walet biforn hym in his lappe
1. 0689  Bretful of pardoun comen from Rome al hoot.
1. 0690  A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot.
1. 0691  No berd hadde he ne neuere sholde haue,
1. 0692  As smothe it was as it were late yshaue.
1. 0693  I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare.
1. 0694  But of his craft fro Berwyk into Ware
1. 0695  Ne was ther swich another pardoner.
1. 0696  For in his male he hadde a pilwebeer
1. 0697  Which that he seyde was oure lady veyl.
1. 0698  He seyde he hadde a gobet of the seyl
1. 0699  That seint Peter hadde whan that he wente
1. 0700  Vpon the see til Iesu Crist hym hente.
1. 0701  He hadde a cros of laton ful of stones
1. 0702  And in a glas he hadde pigges bones.
1. 0703  But with thise relykes whan that he foond
1. 0704  A poure person dwellyng vpon lond,
1. 0705  Vpon a day he gat hym moore moneye
1. 0706  Than that the person gat in monthes tweye.
1. 0707  And thus with feyned flaterye and iapes
1. 0708  He made the person and the peple his apes.
1. 0709  But trewely to tellen at the laste
1. 0710  He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste.
1. 0711  Wel koude he rede a lesson and a storie,
1. 0712  But alderbest he soong an offertorie
1. 0713  For wel he wiste whan that soong was songe
1. 0714  He moste preche and wel affyle his tonge
1. 0715  To wynne siluer as he ful wel koude.          f.11
1. 0716  Therfore he soong the muryerly and loude.
1. 0717    Now haue I toold yow soothly in a clause
1. 0718  Th'estaat, th'array, the nombre and eek the cause
1. 0719  Why that assembled was this compaignye
1. 0720  In Southwerk at this gentil hostelrye
1. 0721  That highte the Tabard, faste by the Belle.
1. 0722  But now is tyme to yow for to telle
1. 0723  How that we baren vs that ilke nyght
1. 0724  Whan we weere in that hostelrye alyght,
1. 0725  And after wol I telle of oure viage
1. 0726  And al the remenant of oure pilgrymage.
1. 0727  But first I pray yow of youre curteisye
1. 0728  That ye n'arette it noght my vileynye,
1. 0729  Though that I pleynly speke in this matere
1. 0730  To telle yow hir wordes and hir cheere
1. 0731  Ne thogh I speke hir wordes proprely.
1. 0732  For this ye knowen also wel as I,
1. 0733  Whoso shal telle a tale after a man
1. 0734  He moot reherce as neigh as euere he kan
1. 0735  Euerich a word if it be in his charge,
1. 0736  Al speke he neuer so rudeliche and large,
1. 0737  Or ellis he moot telle his tale vntrewe
1. 0738  Or feyne thyng or fynde wordes newe.
1. 0739  He may noght spare althogh he weere his brother.
1. 0740  He moot as wel seye o word as another.
1. 0741  Crist spak hymself ful brode in holy writ
1. 0742  And wel ye woot no vileynye is it.
1. 0743  Ek Plato seith, whoso kan hym rede,
1. 0744  The wordes mote be cosyn to the dede.
1. 0745  Also I pray yow to foryeue it me
1. 0746  Al haue I nat set folk in hir degree
1. 0747  Here in this tale as that they sholde stonde.
1. 0748  My wit is short ye may wel vnderstonde.
1. 0749    Greet cheere made oure hoost vs euerichon
1. 0750  And to the souper sette he vs anon.
1. 0751  He serued vs with vitaille at the beste,
1. 0752  Strong was the wyn and wel to drynke vs leste.
1. 0753  A semely man oure hoost was withalle
1. 0754  For to been a marchal in an halle.
1. 0755  A large man he was with eyen stepe,          f.11v
1. 0756  (A fairer burgeys was ther noon in Chepe),
1. 0757  Boold of his speche and wys and wel ytaught
1. 0758  And of manhode hym lakked right naught.
1. 0759  Eke therto he was right a murye man.
1. 0760  And after souper pleyen he bigan
1. 0761  And spak of murthe amonges othere thynges,
1. 0762  Whan that we hadde maad oure rekenynges,
1. 0763  And seyde thus: 'Now, lordes, trewely
1. 0764  Ye been to me right welcome hertely,
1. 0765  For by my trouthe if that I shal nat lye
1. 0766  I seigh noght this yeer so murye a compaignye
1. 0767  At ones in this herberwe as is now.
1. 0768  Fayn wolde I doon yow myrthe wiste I how.
1. 0769    'And of a myrthe I am right now bithoght
1. 0770  To doon yow ese and it shal coste noght.
1. 0771  Ye goon to Caunterbury, god yow spede.
1. 0772  The blisful martir quyte yow youre mede.
1. 0773  And wel I woot as ye goon by the weye
1. 0774  Ye shapen yow to talen and to pleye,
1. 0775  For trewely confort ne murthe is noon
1. 0776  To ryde by the weye domb as stoon.
1. 0777  And therfore wol I maken yow desport,
1. 0778  As I seyde erst, and doon yow som confort.
1. 0779  And if yow liketh alle by oon assent
1. 0780  For to stonden at my iuggement
1. 0781  And for to werken as I shal yow seye
1. 0782  Tomorwe whan ye ryden by the weye,
1. 0783  Now by my fader soule that is deed
1. 0784  But ye be murye I wol yeue yow myn heed.
1. 0785  Hoold vp youre hondes withouten moore speche.'
1. 0786    Oure conseil was nat longe for to seche.
1. 0787  Vs thoughte it was nat worth to make it wys
1. 0788  And graunted hym withouten moore avys
1. 0789  And bade hym seye his voirdit as hym leste.
1. 0790    'Lordynges,' quod he, 'now herkneth for the beste
1. 0791  But taketh it noght I pray yow in desdeyn.
1. 0792  This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn,
1. 0793  That ech of yow to shorte with oure weye
1. 0794  In this viage shal tellen tales tweye
1. 0795  To Caunterburyward, I mene it so,             f.12
1. 0796  And homward he shal tellen othere two
1. 0797  Of auentures that whilom haue bifalle.
1. 0798  And which of yow that bereth hym best of alle,
1. 0799  That is to seyn that telleth in this cas
1. 0800  Tales of best sentence and moost solas,
1. 0801  Shal haue a souper at oure aller cost
1. 0802  Here in this place sittynge by this post
1. 0803  Whan that we come agayn fro Caunterbury.
1. 0804  And for to make yow the moore mury
1. 0805  I wol myself goodly with yow ryde
1. 0806  Right at myn owene cost and be your gyde.
1. 0807  And whoso wole my iuggement withseye
1. 0808  Shal paye al that we spende by the weye.
1. 0809  And if ye vouchesauf that it be so
1. 0810  Tel me anoon withouten wordes mo
1. 0811  And I wol erly shape me therfore.'
1. 0812    This thyng was graunted and oure othes swore
1. 0813  With ful glad herte. And preyden hym also
1. 0814  That he wolde vouchesauf for to do so
1. 0815  And that he wolde been oure gouernour
1. 0816  And of oure tales iuge and reportour,
1. 0817  And sette a souper at a certeyn prys,
1. 0818  And we wol ruled been at his deuys
1. 0819  In heigh and logh. And thus by oon assent
1. 0820  We been acorded to his iuggement.
1. 0821  And thervpon the wyn was fet, anoon
1. 0822  We dronken and to reste wente echon
1. 0823  Withouten any lenger taryynge.
1. 0824    Amorwe whan that day bigan to sprynge
1. 0825  Vp roos oure hoost and was oure aller cok,
1. 0826  And gadred vs togydres in a flok
1. 0827  And forth we ryden a litel moore than pas
1. 0828  Vnto the Wateryng-of-Seint-Thomas.
1. 0829  And there oure hoost bigan his hors areste
1. 0830  And seyde: 'Lordes, herkneth if yow leste.
1. 0831  Ye woot youre forward, and it yow recorde.
1. 0832  If euensong and morwesong acorde
1. 0833  Lat se now who shal telle the firste tale.
1. 0834  As euere mote I drynke wyn or ale,
1. 0835  Whoso be rebel to my iuggement               f.12v
1. 0836  Shal paye for al that by the wey is spent.
1. 0837  Now draweth cut er that we ferrer twynne.
1. 0838  He which that hath the shorteste shal bigynne.
1. 0839  Sire knyght,' quod he, 'my mayster and my lord,
1. 0840  Now draweth cut for that is myn acord.
1. 0841  Cometh neer,' quod he, 'my lady prioresse,
1. 0842  And ye, sire clerc, lat be youre shamefastnesse,
1. 0843  Ne studieth noght. Ley hond to, euery man.'
1. 0844    Anoon to drawen euery wight bigan.
1. 0845  And shortly for to tellen as it was,
1. 0846  Were it by auenture or sort or cas,
1. 0847  The sothe is this the cut fil to the knyght
1. 0848  Of which ful blithe and glad was euery wight.
1. 0849  And telle he moste his tale as was resoun
1. 0850  By forward and by composicion
1. 0851  As ye han herd. What nedeth wordes mo?
1. 0852  And whan this goode man saugh that it was so,
1. 0853  As he that wys was and obedient
1. 0854  To kepe his forward by his free assent,
1. 0855  He seyde: 'Syn I shal bigynne the game,
1. 0856  What, welcome be the cut in goddes name.
1. 0857  Now lat vs ryde and herkneth what I seye.'
1. 0858  And with that word we ryden forth oure weye.
1. 0859  And he bigan with right a murye cheere
1. 0860  His tale anoon and seyde as ye may heere.

Here bigynneth the knyghtes tale.

1. 0861  Whilom as olde stories tellen vs,
1. 0862  Ther was a duc that highte Theseus;
1. 0863  Of Atthenes he was lord and gouernour
1. 0864  And in his tyme swich a conquerour
1. 0865  That gretter was ther noon vnder the sonne.
1. 0866  Ful many a riche contree hadde he wonne.
1. 0867  What, with his wysdom and his chiualrye
1. 0868  He conquered al the regne of Femenye
1. 0869  That whilom was ycleped Scithia;
1. 0870  And wedded the queene Ypolita
1. 0871  And broghte hire hom with hym in his contree
1. 0872  With muchel glorie and greet solempnitee,
1. 0873  And eek hir yonge suster Emelye.
1. 0874    And thus with victorie and with melodye
1. 0875  Lete I this noble duc to Atthenes ryde,
1. 0876  And al his hoost in armes hym bisyde.
1. 0877  And certes if it nere to long to heere,
1. 0878  I wolde haue toold fully the manere
1. 0879  How wonnen was the regne of Femenye
1. 0880  By Theseus and by his chiualrye;
1. 0881  And of the grete bataille for the nones
1. 0882  Bitwixen Atthenes and Amazones
1. 0883  And how asseged was Ypolita,
1. 0884  The faire, hardy queene of Scithia;
1. 0885  And of the feste that was at hir weddynge,
1. 0886  And of the tempest at hir hom-comynge.
1. 0887  But al that thyng I moot as now forbere,
1. 0888  I haue, god woot, a large feeld to ere
1. 0889  And wayke been the oxen in my plogh.
1. 0890  The remenant of the tale is long ynogh.
1. 0891  I wol nat letten eek noon of this route;
1. 0892  Lat euery felawe telle his tale aboute
1. 0893  And lat se now who shal the souper wynne.
1. 0894  And ther I lefte I wol ayein bigynne.

    Incipit narracio

1. 0895    This duc of whom I make mencion,
1. 0896  Whanne he was come almoost to the town
1. 0897  In al his wele and in his mooste pryde,
1. 0898  He was war as he caste his eye asyde
1. 0899  Wher that ther kneled in the heighe weye
1. 0900  A compaignye of ladyes, tweye and tweye,
1. 0901  Ech after oother, clad in clothes blake.
1. 0902  But swich a cry and swich a wo they make
1. 0903  That in this world nys creature lyuynge
1. 0904  That herde swich another waymentynge.
1. 0905  And of this cry they nolde neuere stenten
1. 0906  Til they the reynes of his brydel henten.
1. 0907    'What folk been ye that at myn hom-comynge
1. 0908  Perturben so my feste with cryynge?'
1. 0909  Quod Theseus. 'Haue ye so greet envie
1. 0910  Of myn honour that thus compleyne and crye?
1. 0911  Or who hath yow mysboden or offended?
1. 0912  And telleth me if it may been amended
1. 0913  And why that ye been clothed thus in blak.'
1. 0914    The eldeste lady of hem alle spak,
1. 0915  Whan she hadde swowned with a deedly cheere
1. 0916  That it was routhe for to seen and heere.
1. 0917  She seyde: 'Lord, to whom fortune hath yiuen
1. 0918  Victorie and as a conquerour to lyuen,
1. 0919  Noght greueth vs youre glorie and youre honour,
1. 0920  But we biseken mercy and socour.
1. 0921  Haue mercy on oure wo and oure distresse.
1. 0922  Som drope of pitee thurgh thy gentillesse
1. 0923  Vpon vs wrecched wommen lat thow falle.
1. 0924  For certes, lord, ther is noon of vs alle
1. 0925  That she ne hath been a duchesse or a queene.
1. 0926  Now be we caytyues as it is wel seene,
1. 0927  Thanked be fortune and hir false wheel
1. 0928  That noon estaat assureth to been weel.
1. 0929  Now certes, lord, to abiden your presence
1. 0930  Heere in this temple of the goddesse Clemence
1. 0931  We haue been waytynge al this fourtenyght.
1. 0932  Now help vs, lord, syth it is in thy myght.
1. 0933    'I, wrecche which that wepe and waille thus,
1. 0934  Was whilom wyf to kyng Cappaneus
1. 0935  That starf at Thebes, cursed be the day.
1. 0936  And alle we that been in this array
1. 0937  And maken al this lamentacioun,
1. 0938  We losten alle oure housbondes at that town
1. 0939  Whil that the sege theraboute lay.
1. 0940  And yet now the olde Creon, weylaway
1. 0941  That lord is now of Thebes the citee,
1. 0942  Fulfild of ire and of iniquitee,
1. 0943  He for despit and for his tyrannye,
1. 0944  To doon the dede bodyes vileynye
1. 0945  Of alle oure lordes whiche that been slawe
1. 0946  Hath alle the bodyes on an heep ydrawe
1. 0947  And wol nat suffren hem by noon assent
1. 0948  Neyther to been yburyed nor ybrent,
1. 0949  But maketh houndes ete hem in despit.'
1. 0950    And with that word withouten moore respit
1. 0951  They fillen gruf and cryden pitously:
1. 0952  'Haue on vs wrecched wommen som mercy
1. 0953  And lat oure sorwe synken in thyn herte.'
1. 0954    This gentil duc doun from his courser sterte
1. 0955  With herte pitous, whan he herde hem speke.
1. 0956  Hym thoughte that his herte wolde breke
1. 0957  Whan he saugh hem so pitous and so maat
1. 0958  That whilom weren of so greet estaat.
1. 0959  And in hise armes he hem alle vp hente
1. 0960  And hem conforteth in ful good entente,
1. 0961  And swoor his ooth, as he was trewe knyght,
1. 0962  He wolde doon so ferforthly his myght
1. 0963  Vpon the tiraunt Creon hem to wreke
1. 0964  That al the peple of Grece sholde speke
1. 0965  How Creon was of Theseus yserued
1. 0966  As he that hadde his deeth ful wel disserued.
1. 0967    And right-anoon withouten moore abood
1. 0968  His baner he desplayeth and forth rood
1. 0969  To Thebesward, and al his oost bisyde.
1. 0970  No neer Atthenes wolde he go ne ryde
1. 0971  Ne take his ese fully half a day,
1. 0972  But onward in his wey that nyght he lay.
1. 0973  And sente anoon Ypolita the queene
1. 0974  And Emelye, hir yonge suster sheene,
1. 0975  Vnto the town of Atthenes to dwelle;
1. 0976  And forth he ryt. Ther nys namoore to telle.
1. 0977  The rede statue of Mars with spere and targe
1. 0978  So shyneth in his white baner large
1. 0979  That alle the feeldes glitren vp and doun;
1. 0980  And by his baner born was his penoun
1. 0981  Of gold ful ryche, in which ther was ybete
1. 0982  The mynotaur which that he wan in Crete.
1. 0983  Thus ryt this duc, thus ryt this conquerour,
1. 0984  And in his oost of chiualrye the flour,
1. 0985  Til that he cam to Thebes and alighte
1. 0986  Faire in a feeld ther as he thoghte fighte.
1. 0987    But shortly for to speken of this thyng,
1. 0988  With Creon which that was of Thebes kyng
1. 0989  He faught and slow hym manly as a knyght
1. 0990  In pleyn bataille, and putte the folk to flyght.
1. 0991  And by assaut he wan the citee after
1. 0992  And rente adoun bothe wal and sparre and rafter.
1. 0993  And to the ladyes he restored agayn
1. 0994  The bones of hir freendes that were slayn
1. 0995  To doon obsequies as was tho the gyse.
1. 0996  But it weere al to long for to deuyse
1. 0997  The grete clamour and the waymentynge
1. 0998  That the ladyes made at the brennynge
1. 0999  Of the bodies, and the grete honour
1. 1000  That Theseus the noble conquerour
1. 1001  Dooth to the ladys whan they from hym wente;
1. 1002  But shortly for to telle is myn entente.
1. 1003    Whan that this worthy duc, this Theseus,
1. 1004  Hath Creon slayn and wonne Thebes thus,
1. 1005  Stille in that feeld he took al nyght his reste,
1. 1006  And dide with al the contree as hym leste.
1. 1007  To ransake in the taas of bodies dede
1. 1008  Hem for to strepe of harneys and of wede
1. 1009  The pilours diden bisynesse and cure
1. 1010  After the bataille and disconfiture.
1. 1011  And so bifel in the taas they founde,
1. 1012  Thurghgirt with many a greuous, blody wownde,
1. 1013  Two yonge knyghtes liggynge by and by,
1. 1014  Bothe in oon armes wroght ful richely.
1. 1015  Of whiche two Arcita highte that oon
1. 1016  And that oother knyght highte Palamon.
1. 1017  Nat fully quyk ne fully deed they weere.
1. 1018  But by hir cote-armures and by hir geere
1. 1019  The heraudes knewe hem best in special
1. 1020  As they that weren of the blood roial
1. 1021  Of Thebes and of sustren two yborn.
1. 1022  Out of the taas the pilours han hem torn
1. 1023  And han hem caryed softe vnto the tente
1. 1024  Of Theseus, and he ful soone hem sente
1. 1025  To Atthenes to dwellen in prisoun
1. 1026  Perpetuelly. He nolde no raunsoun.
1. 1027  And whan this worthy duc hath thus ydoon,
1. 1028  He took his oost and hom he ryt anoon
1. 1029  With laurer corouned as a conquerour.
1. 1030  And there he lyueth in ioye and in honour
1. 1031  Terme of his lyf. What nedeth wordes mo?
1. 1032  And in a tour in angwissh and in wo
1. 1033  Dwellen this Palamon and eek Arcite
1. 1034  For eueremoore. Ther may no gold hem quyte.
1. 1035    This passeth yeer by yeer and day by day
1. 1036  Til it fil ones in a morwe of May
1. 1037  That Emelye, that fairer was to seene
1. 1038  Than is the lilie vpon his stalke greene
1. 1039  And fressher than the May with floures newe,
1. 1040  For with the rose colour stroof hir hewe
1. 1041  (I noot which was the fairer of hem two),
1. 1042  Er it were day, as was hir wone to do,
1. 1043  She was arysen and al redy dight
1. 1044  For May wol haue no slogardye a nyght.
1. 1045  The seson pryketh euery gentil herte
1. 1046  And maketh it out of his sleep to sterte,
1. 1047  And seith: 'Arys and do thyn obseruance.'
1. 1048  This maketh Emelye haue remembrance
1. 1049  To doon honour to May and for to ryse.
1. 1050  Yclothed was she fressh for to deuyse;
1. 1051  Hir yelow heer was broyded in a tresse
1. 1052  Bihynde hir bak, a yerde long I gesse.
1. 1053  And in the gardyn at the sonne vpriste
1. 1054  She walketh vp and doun, and as hir liste
1. 1055  She gadreth floures party white and rede
1. 1056  To make a subtil gerland for hir hede.
1. 1057  And as an aungel heuenysshly she soong.
1. 1058    The grete tour that was so thikke and strong,
1. 1059  Which of the castel was the chief dongeon
1. 1060  (Ther as the knyghtes weren in prison
1. 1061  Of whiche I tolde yow and tellen shal),
1. 1062  Was euene ioynant to the gardyn wal
1. 1063  Ther as this Emelye hadde hir pleyyng.
1. 1064  Bright was the sonne and cleer in that mornyng.
1. 1065  And Palamon, this woful prisoner,
1. 1066  As was his wone by leue of his gailler
1. 1067  Was risen and romed in a chambre an heigh,
1. 1068  In which he al the noble citee seigh
1. 1069  And eek the gardyn ful of braunches greene,
1. 1070  Ther as the fresshe Emelye the sheene
1. 1071  Was in hir walk and romed vp and down.
1. 1072    This sorweful prisoner, this Palamon,
1. 1073  Gooth in the chambre romyng to and fro
1. 1074  And to hymself compleynyng of his wo
1. 1075  That he was born. Ful ofte he seyde allas.
1. 1076  And so bifel by auenture or cas
1. 1077  That thurgh a wyndow, thikke of many a barre
1. 1078  Of iren greet and square as any sparre,
1. 1079  He caste his eye vpon Emelya
1. 1080  And therwithal he bleynte and cryde 'A',
1. 1081  As thogh he stongen weere vnto the herte.
1. 1082    And with that cry Arcite anoon vp sterte
1. 1083  And seyde: 'Cosyn myn, what eyleth thee
1. 1084  That art so pale and deedly on to see?
1. 1085  Why cridestow? Who hath thee doon offence?
1. 1086  For goddes loue tak al in pacience
1. 1087  Oure prison, for it may noon oother be:
1. 1088  Fortune hath yeuen vs this aduersitee.
1. 1089  Som wikked aspect or disposicion
1. 1090  Of Saturne by som constellacion
1. 1091  Hath yeuen vs this. Althogh we hadde it sworn,
1. 1092  So stood the heuene whan that we were born.
1. 1093  We mote endure it. This is the short and playn.'
1. 1094    This Palamon answerde and seyde agayn:
1. 1095  'Cosyn, for sothe of this opinioun
1. 1096  Thow hast a vayn ymaginacion.
1. 1097  This prison caused me noght to crye.
1. 1098  But I was hurt right now thurghout myn iye
1. 1099  Into myn herte, that wol my bane be.
1. 1100  The fairnesse of that lady that I se
1. 1101  Yond in the gardyn romen to and fro
1. 1102  Is cause of al my cryyng and my wo.
1. 1103  I noot wher she be womman or goddesse,
1. 1104  But Venus is it soothly as I gesse.'
1. 1105  And therwithal on knees down he fil
1. 1106  And seyde: 'Venus, if it be thy wil
1. 1107  Yow in this gardyn thus to transfigure
1. 1108  Bifore me, sorweful, wrecched creature,
1. 1109  Out of this prison help that we may scape.
1. 1110  And if so be my destynee be shape
1. 1111  By eterne word to dyen in prison,
1. 1112  Of oure lynage haue som compassion
1. 1113  That is so lowe ybroght by tirannye.'
1. 1114    And with that word Arcite gan espye
1. 1115  Wher as this lady romed to and fro.
1. 1116  And with that sighte hir beautee hurte hym so
1. 1117  That if that Palamon was wounded soore,
1. 1118  Arcite is hurt as muche as he or moore.
1. 1119  And with a syk he seyde pitously:
1. 1120  'The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly
1. 1121  Of hir that rometh in the yonder place.
1. 1122  And but I haue hir mercy and hir grace
1. 1123  That I may seen hir at the leeste weye,
1. 1124  I nam but deed. Ther nys namoore to seye.'
1. 1125    This Palamon, whan he tho wordes herde,
1. 1126  Despitously he loked and answerde:
1. 1127  'Wheither seistow this in ernest or in pley?'
1. 1128    'Nay,' quod Arcite, 'in ernest by my fey.
1. 1129  God help me so, me list ful yuele pleye.'
1. 1130    This Palamon gan knytte his browes tweye.
1. 1131  'It were to thee,' quod he, 'no greet honour
1. 1132  For to be fals ne for to be traytour
1. 1133  To me that am thy cosyn and thy brother
1. 1134  Ysworn ful depe, and ech of vs til oother,
1. 1135  That neuere for to dyen in the peyne
1. 1136  Til that the deeth departe shal vs tweyne
1. 1137  Neither of vs in loue to hyndre oother
1. 1138  Ne in noon oother caas, my leeue brother.
1. 1139  But that thow sholdest trewely forthre me
1. 1140  In euery caas, as I shal forthren thee,
1. 1141  This was thyn ooth and myn also certeyn.
1. 1142  I woot right wel thow darst it nat withseyn.
1. 1143  Thus artow of my conseil out of doute.
1. 1144  And now thow woldest falsly been aboute
1. 1145  To loue my lady, whom I loue and serue
1. 1146  And euere shal til that myn herte sterue.
1. 1147  Now certes, false Arcite, thow shalt nat so.
1. 1148  I loued hir first and tolde thee my wo
1. 1149  As to my conseil and my brother sworn
1. 1150  To forthre me, as I haue told biforn.
1. 1151  For which thow art ybounden as a knyght
1. 1152  To helpe me, if it laye in thy myght,
1. 1153  Or ellis artow fals I dar wel sayn.'
1. 1154    This Arcite ful proudly spak agayn:
1. 1155  'Thow shalt,' quod he, 'be rather fals than I.
1. 1156  And thow art fals I telle thee outrely.
1. 1157  For paramour I loued hire first er thow.
1. 1158  What wiltow seyn? Thow woost nat yet now
1. 1159  Wheither she be a womman or goddesse.
1. 1160  Thyn is affeccion of holynesse
1. 1161  And myn is loue as to a creature.
1. 1162  For which I tolde thee myn auenture
1. 1163  As to my cosyn and my brother sworn.
1. 1164  I pose that thow louedest hir biforn,
1. 1165  Wostow nat wel the olde clerkes sawe
1. 1166  That who shal yeue a louere any lawe?
1. 1167  Loue is a gretter lawe by my pan
1. 1168  Than may be yeue to any erthely man.
1. 1169  And therfore posityf lawe and swich decree
1. 1170  Is broke al day for loue in ech degree.
1. 1171  A man moot nedes loue maugree his heed.
1. 1172  He may nat fleen it thogh he sholde be deed,
1. 1173  Al be she mayde, wydwe or ellis wyf.
1. 1174  And eek it is nat likly al thy lyf
1. 1175  To stonden in hir grace. Namoore shal I.
1. 1176  For wel thow woost thyself verraily
1. 1177  That thow and I been dampned to prisoun
1. 1178  Perpetuelly. Vs gayneth no raunsoun.
1. 1179  We stryue as dide the houndes for the boon:
1. 1180  They foghte al day and yet hir part was noon.
1. 1181  Ther cam a kyte whil that they were so wrothe
1. 1182  That bar awey the boon bitwix hem bothe.
1. 1183  And therfore at the kynges court, my brother,
1. 1184  Ech man for hymself, ther is noon oother.
1. 1185  Loue if thee lest, for I loue and ay shal.
1. 1186  And soothly, leue brother, this is al.
1. 1187  Heere in this prison moote we endure
1. 1188  And euerich of vs take his auenture.'
1. 1189    Greet was the stryf and long bitwix hem tweye,
1. 1190  If that I hadde leyser for to seye.
1. 1191  But to th'effect. It happed on a day,
1. 1192  To telle it yow as shortly as I may,
1. 1193  A worthy duc that highte Parotheus,
1. 1194  That felawe was vnto duc Theseus
1. 1195  Syn thilke day that they were children lyte,
1. 1196  Was come to Atthenes his felawe to visite
1. 1197  And for to pleye as he was wont to do.
1. 1198  For in this world he loued no man so,
1. 1199  And he loued hym as tendrely agayn.
1. 1200  So wel they loued, as olde bookes sayn,
1. 1201  That whan that oon was deed, soothly to telle
1. 1202  His felawe wente and soghte hym down in helle.
1. 1203  But of that storie list me noght to write.
1. 1204  Duc Parotheus loued wel Arcite
1. 1205  And hadde hym knowe at Thebes yeer by yere.
1. 1206  And finally at requeste and prayere
1. 1207  Of Parotheus, withouten any raunson
1. 1208  Duc Theseus hym leet out of prison
1. 1209  Frely to goon wher that hym liste oueral
1. 1210  In swich a gyse as I yow tellen shal.
1. 1211  This was the forward, pleynly for t'endite,
1. 1212  Bitwixe Theseus and hym Arcite
1. 1213  That if so weere that Arcite weere yfounde
1. 1214  Euere in his lyf by day or nyght or stounde
1. 1215  In any contree of this Theseus
1. 1216  And he weere caught, it was acorded thus
1. 1217  That with a swerd he sholde lese his heed.
1. 1218  Ther nas noon oother remedye ne reed,
1. 1219  But taketh his leue and homward he hym spedde.
1. 1220  Lat hym be war, his nekke lyth to wedde.
1. 1221    How greet a sorwe suffreth now Arcite.
1. 1222  The deeth he feeleth thurgh his herte smyte.
1. 1223  He wepeth, wayleth, cryeth pitously.
1. 1224  To sleen hymself he wayteth pryuely.
1. 1225  He seyde: 'Allas the day that I was born.
1. 1226  Now is my prison worse than biforn.
1. 1227  Now is me shape eternally to dwelle
1. 1228  Noght in purgatorie, but in helle.
1. 1229  Allas that euere knew I Parotheus,
1. 1230  For ellis hadde I dwelled with Theseus
1. 1231  Yfettred in his prison eueremo.
1. 1232  Thanne hadde I been in blisse and nat in wo.
1. 1233  Oonly the sighte of hir whom that I serue,
1. 1234  Thogh that I neuere hir grace may disserue,
1. 1235  Wolde haue suffised right ynogh for me.
1. 1236    O deere cosyn Palamon,' quod he,
1. 1237  'Thyn is the victorie of this auenture.
1. 1238  Ful blisfully in prisoun maystow dure.
1. 1239  In prison? Nay certes but in paradys.
1. 1240  Wel hath fortune yturned thee the dys
1. 1241  That hast the sighte of hir, and I th'absence.
1. 1242  For possible is syn thow hast hire presence
1. 1243  And art a knyght, a worthy and an able,
1. 1244  That by som caas syn fortune is chaungeable
1. 1245  Thow mayst to thy desir somtyme atteyne.
1. 1246  But I, that am exiled and bareyne
1. 1247  Of alle grace and in so greet despeyr
1. 1248  That ther nys erthe, water, fyr ne eyr
1. 1249  Ne creature that of hem maked is
1. 1250  That may me helpe or do confort in this,
1. 1251  Wel oghte I sterue in wanhope and distresse.
1. 1252  Farwel my lyf, my lust and my gladnesse.
1. 1253    'Allas why pleynen folk so in commune
1. 1254  On purueiance of god or of fortune,
1. 1255  That yeueth hem ful ofte in many a gyse
1. 1256  Wel bettre than they kan hemself deuyse?
1. 1257  Som man desireth for to haue richesse
1. 1258  That cause is ofte of his moerdre or gret siknesse.
1. 1259  And som man wolde out of his prison fayn
1. 1260  That in his hous is of his meynee slayn.
1. 1261  Infinite harmes been in this matere.
1. 1262  We woot nat what thyng that we prayen heere.
1. 1263  We fare as he that dronke is as a mous:
1. 1264  A dronke man woot wel he hath an hous,
1. 1265  But he noot which the righte wey is thider;
1. 1266  And to a dronke man the wey is slider.
1. 1267  And certes in this world so faren we:
1. 1268  We seken faste after felicitee,
1. 1269  But we goon wrong ful ofte trewely.
1. 1270  Thus may we seyn alle, and nameliche I
1. 1271  That wende and hadde a greet opinion
1. 1272  That if I myghte scapen fro prison
1. 1273  Thanne hadde I been in ioye and parfit heele.
1. 1274  Ther now I am exiled fro my wele
1. 1275  Syn that I may nat seen yow, Emelie,
1. 1276  I nam but deed. Ther nys no remedie.'
1. 1277    Vpon that oother syde Palamon,
1. 1278  Whan that he wiste Arcite was agon,
1. 1279  Swich sorwe he maketh that the grete tour
1. 1280  Resowneth of his yowlyng and clamour.
1. 1281  The pure fettres of his shynes grete
1. 1282  Were of his bittre, salte teeris wete.
1. 1283  'Allas,' quod he, 'Arcita, cosyn myn,
1. 1284  Of al oure stryf, god woot, the fruyt is thyn.
1. 1285  Thow walkest now in Thebes at thy large
1. 1286  And of my wo thow yeuest litel charge.
1. 1287  Thow mayst, syn thou hast wisdom and manhede,
1. 1288  Assemblen al the folk of oure kynrede
1. 1289  And make a werre so sharp on this citee
1. 1290  That by som auenture or som tretee
1. 1291  Thow mayst haue hire to lady and to wyf,
1. 1292  For whom that I moste nedes lese my lyf.
1. 1293  For as by wey of possibilitee
1. 1294  Sith thow art at thy large of prison free
1. 1295  And art a lord, greet is thyn auantage
1. 1296  Moore than is myn that sterue her in a cage.
1. 1297  For I moot wepe and waille whil I lyue
1. 1298  With al the wo that prison may me yeue,
1. 1299  And eek with peyne that loue me yeueth also
1. 1300  That doubleth al my torment and my wo.'
1. 1301    Therwith the fyr of ialousie vp sterte
1. 1302  Withinne his brest and hente hym by the herte
1. 1303  So woodly that he lyk was to byholde
1. 1304  The boxtree or the asshen dede and colde.
1. 1305  Thanne seyde he: 'O crewel goddes that gouerne
1. 1306  This world with byndyng of youre word eterne,
1. 1307  And writen in the table of atthamaunt
1. 1308  Youre parlement and youre eterne graunt,
1. 1309  What is mankynde moore vnto yow holde
1. 1310  Than is the sheep that rowketh in the folde?
1. 1311  For slayn is man right as another beest
1. 1312  And dwelleth eek in prison and arrest
1. 1313  And hath siknesse and greet aduersitee --
1. 1314  And ofte tymes giltlees pardee.
1. 1315    'What gouernance is in this prescience
1. 1316  That giltlees tormenteth innocence?
1. 1317  And yet encreeceth this al my penance
1. 1318  That man is bounden to his obseruance
1. 1319  For goddes sake to letten of his wille
1. 1320  Ther as a beest may al his lust fulfille.
1. 1321  And whan a beest is deed it hath no peyne.
1. 1322  But man after his deeth moot wepe and pleyne
1. 1323  Thogh in this world he haue care and wo.
1. 1324  Withouten doute it moot stonden so.
1. 1325  The answere of this lete I to diuynys,
1. 1326  But wel I woot that in this world greet pyne is.
1. 1327  Allas, I se a serpent or a theef
1. 1328  That many a trewe man hath doon mescheef
1. 1329  Goon at his large and wher hym lust may turne.
1. 1330  But I moot been in prison thurgh Saturne
1. 1331  And eek thurgh Iuno, ialous and eek wood,
1. 1332  That hath destroyed wel neigh al the blood
1. 1333  Of Thebes with his waste walles wyde.
1. 1334  And Venus sleeth me on that oother syde
1. 1335  For ialousie and feere of hym Arcite.'
1. 1336    Now wol I stynte of Palamon a lite
1. 1337  And lete hym in his prison stille dwelle,
1. 1338  And of Arcita forth I wol yow telle.
1. 1339    The somer and the nyghtes longe
1. 1340  Encreecen doublewise the peynes stronge
1. 1341  Bothe of the louere and the prisoner.
1. 1342  I noot which hath the sorwefuller myster.
1. 1343  For soothly for to seyn this Palamon
1. 1344  Perpetuelly is dampned to prison,
1. 1345  In cheynes and in fettres to been deed.
1. 1346  And Arcite is exiled vpon his heed
1. 1347  For eueremo as out of that contree,
1. 1348  Ne neuere mo ne shal his lady see.
1. 1349  Yow loueris, axe I now this question:
1. 1350  Who hath the worse, Arcite or Palamon?
1. 1351  That oon may seen his lady day by day,
1. 1352  But in prison moot he dwelle alway.
1. 1353  That oother where hym list may ride or go,
1. 1354  But seen his lady shal he neuere mo.
1. 1355  Now demeth as yow list, ye that kan,
1. 1356  For I wol telle forth as I bigan.
1. 1357    Whan that Arcite to Thebes comen was,
1. 1358  Ful ofte a day he swelte and seyde allas,
1. 1359  For seen his lady shal he neuere mo.
1. 1360  And shortly to concluden al his wo,
1. 1361  So muchel sorwe hadde neuere creature
1. 1362  That is or shal whil that the world may dure.
1. 1363  His sleep, his mete, his drynke is hym biraft
1. 1364  That leene he weex and drye as is a shaft,
1. 1365  Hise eyen holwe and grisly to biholde,
1. 1366  His hewe falow and pale as asshen colde.
1. 1367  And solitarie he was and euere alloone,
1. 1368  And waillynge al the nyght, makynge his moone.
1. 1369  And if he herde soong or instrument,
1. 1370  Thanne wolde he wepe, he myghte nat be stent.
1. 1371  So feble eek were his spiritz and so lowe
1. 1372  And chaunged so that no man koude knowe
1. 1373  His speche nor his voys thogh men it herde.
1. 1374  And in his gere for al the world he ferde
1. 1375  Nat oonly lyk the loueris maladye
1. 1376  Of Hereos, but rather lyk manye
1. 1377  Engendred of humour malencolyk
1. 1378  Biforn his celle fantastyk.
1. 1379  And shortly turned was al vp-so-down
1. 1380  Bothe habit and eek disposicioun
1. 1381  Of hym, this woful louere, daun Arcite.
1. 1382    What sholde I al day of his wo endite?
1. 1383  Whanne he endured hadde a yeer or two
1. 1384  This cruel torment and this peyne and wo
1. 1385  At Thebes in his contree, as I seyde,
1. 1386  Vpon a nyght in sleep as he hym leyde
1. 1387  Hym thoughte how that the wynged god Mercurye
1. 1388  Biforn hym stood and bad hym to be murye.
1. 1389  His slepy yerde in honde he bar vprighte,
1. 1390  An hat he wered vpon his herys brighte.
1. 1391  Arrayed was this god as he took keep
1. 1392  As he was whan that Argus took his sleep.
1. 1393  And seyde hym thus: 'To Atthenes shaltow wende.
1. 1394  Ther is thee shapen of thy wo an ende.'
1. 1395    And with that word Arcite wook and sterte.
1. 1396  'Now trewely how sore that me smerte,'
1. 1397  Quod he, 'to Atthenes right now wol I fare,
1. 1398  Ne for the drede of deeth shal I nat spare
1. 1399  To se my lady that I loue and serue.
1. 1400  In hir presence I recche nat to sterue.'
1. 1401    And with that word he caughte a greet mirour
1. 1402  And saugh that chaunged was al his colour
1. 1403  And saugh his visage al in another kynde.
1. 1404  And right-anoon it ran hym in his mynde
1. 1405  That sith his face was so disfigured
1. 1406  Of maladie the which he hadde endured,
1. 1407  He myghte wel if that he bar hym lowe
1. 1408  Lyue in Atthenes eueremoore vnknowe
1. 1409  And seen his lady wel ny day by day.
1. 1410  And right-anoon he chaunged his array
1. 1411  And cladde hym as a poure laborer.
1. 1412  And al allone, saue oonly a squyer
1. 1413  That knew his pryuetee and al his cas
1. 1414  Which was disgised pourely as he was,
1. 1415  To Atthenes is he goon the nexte way.
1. 1416  And to the court he wente vpon a day
1. 1417  And at the gate he profreth his seruyse
1. 1418  To drugge and drawe whatso men wol deuyse.
1. 1419  And shortly of this matere for to seyn
1. 1420  He fil in office with a chambreleyn
1. 1421  The which that dwellyng was with Emelye,
1. 1422  For he was wys and koude soone espye
1. 1423  Of euery seruant which that serueth here.
1. 1424  Wel koude he hewen wode and water bere,
1. 1425  For he was yong and myghty for the nones
1. 1426  And therto he was strong and byg of bones
1. 1427  To doon what any wight kan hym deuyse.
1. 1428  A yeer or two he was in this seruyse,
1. 1429  Page of the chambre of Emelie the brighte,
1. 1430  And Philostrate he seyde that he highte.
1. 1431    But half so wel biloued a man as he
1. 1432  Ne was ther neuere in court of his degree.
1. 1433  He was so gentil of condicion
1. 1434  That thurghout al the court was his renon.
1. 1435  They seiden that it were a charitee
1. 1436  That Theseus wolde enhauncen his degree
1. 1437  And putten hym in worshipful seruyse
1. 1438  Ther as he myghte his vertu excercise.
1. 1439  And thus withinne a while his name is spronge,
1. 1440  Bothe of his dedes and his goode tonge,
1. 1441  That Theseus hath taken hym so ner
1. 1442  That of his chambre he made hym a squier
1. 1443  And gaf hym gold to mayntene his degree.
1. 1444  And eek men broghte hym out of his contree
1. 1445  Fro yeer to yeer ful pryuely his rente,
1. 1446  But honestly and sleighly he it spente
1. 1447  That no man wondred how that he it hadde.
1. 1448  And thre yeer in this wise his lyf he ladde
1. 1449  And bar hym so in pees and ek in werre
1. 1450  Ther was no man that Theseus hath derre.
1. 1451  And in this blisse lete I now Arcite
1. 1452  And speke I wole of Palamon a lite.
1. 1453    In derknesse and horrible and strong prison
1. 1454  This seuen yeer hath seten Palamon
1. 1455  Forpyned, what for wo and for distresse.
1. 1456  Who feeleth double soor and heuynesse
1. 1457  But Palamon, that loue destreyneth so,
1. 1458  That wood out of his wit he gooth for wo
1. 1459  And eek therto he is a prisoner
1. 1460  Perpetuelly, nat oonly for a yer?
1. 1461  Who koude ryme in Englissh proprely
1. 1462  His martirdom? For sothe it am noght I.
1. 1463  Therfore I passe as lightly as I may.
1. 1464    It fil that in that seuenthe yeer of May
1. 1465  The thridde nyght, as olde bokes seyn
1. 1466  That al this storie tellen moore pleyn,
1. 1467  (Were it by auenture or destynee
1. 1468  As whan a thyng is shapen it shal be),
1. 1469  That soone after the mydnyght Palamon
1. 1470  By helpyng of a freend brak his prison
1. 1471  And fleeth the citee faste as he may go.
1. 1472  For he hadde yeue his gailler drynke so
1. 1473  Of a clarree maad of certeyn wyn
1. 1474  With nercotikes and opye of Thebes fyn
1. 1475  That al that nyght, thogh that men wolde hym shake,
1. 1476  The gailler sleep; he myghte noght awake.
1. 1477  And thus he fleeth as faste as euere he may.
1. 1478  The nyght was short and faste by the day
1. 1479  That nedes cost he moste hymseluen hyde,
1. 1480  And til a groue faste therbisyde
1. 1481  With dreedful foot thanne stalketh Palamon.
1. 1482  For shortly this was his opynyon
1. 1483  That in that groue he wolde hym hyde al day
1. 1484  And in the nyght thanne wolde he take his way
1. 1485  To Thebesward, his freendes for to preye
1. 1486  On Theseus to helpe hym to werreye.
1. 1487  And shortly outher he wolde lese his lyf
1. 1488  Or wynnen Emelie vnto his wyf.
1. 1489  This is th'effect and his entente pleyn.
1. 1490    Now wol I turne to Arcite ageyn
1. 1491  That litel wiste how neigh that was his care
1. 1492  Til that fortune hadde broght hym in the snare.
1. 1493    The bisy larke, messager of day,
1. 1494  Salueth in hir song the morwe gray,
1. 1495  And firy Phebus riseth vp so brighte
1. 1496  That al the orient laugheth of the lighte,
1. 1497  And with his stremes dryeth in the greues
1. 1498  The siluer dropes hangynge on the leues.
1. 1499  And Arcita, that in the court roial
1. 1500  With Theseus is squyer principal,
1. 1501  Is risen and looketh on the murye day.
1. 1502  And for to doon his obseruance to May
1. 1503  Remembrynge on the point of his desir,
1. 1504  He on a courser startlynge as the fir
1. 1505  Is riden into the feldes hym to pleye
1. 1506  Out of the court, were it a myle or tweye.
1. 1507  And to the groue of which that I yow tolde
1. 1508  By auenture his wey he gan to holde
1. 1509  To maken hym a gerland of the greues,
1. 1510  Were it of wodebynde or hawethorn leues.
1. 1511  And loude he soong ayein the sonne shene:
1. 1512  'May, with alle thy floures and thy grene
1. 1513  Welcome be thow, faire, fresshe May,
1. 1514  In hope that I som grene gete may.'
1. 1515  And from his courser with a lusty herte
1. 1516  Into the groue ful hastily he sterte
1. 1517  And in a path he rometh vp and doun
1. 1518  Ther as by auenture this Palamon
1. 1519  Was in a bussh that no man myghte hym se,
1. 1520  For soore afered of his deeth was he.
1. 1521  Nothyng knew he that it was Arcite;
1. 1522  God woot, he wolde haue trowed it ful lite.
1. 1523  But sooth is seyd go sithen many yeris:
1. 1524  That feeld hath eyen and the wode hath erys.
1. 1525  It is ful fair a man to bere hym euene
1. 1526  For al day meeten men at vnset steuene.
1. 1527  Ful litel woot Arcite of his felawe
1. 1528  That was so neigh to herknen al his sawe.
1. 1529  For in the bussh he sitteth now ful stille.
1. 1530    Whan that Arcite hadde romed al his fille
1. 1531  And songen al the roundel lustily,
1. 1532  Into a studie he fil sodeynly
1. 1533  As doon thise louerys in hir queynte gerys:
1. 1534  Now in the crop, now down in the brerys,
1. 1535  Now vp, now down, as boket in a welle.
1. 1536  Right as the Friday soothly for to telle
1. 1537  Now it shyneth, now it reyneth faste,
1. 1538  Right so kan gery Venus ouercaste
1. 1539  The hertes of hir folk. Right as hir day
1. 1540  Is gerful, right so chaungeth she array.
1. 1541  Selde is the Friday al the wike ylike.
1. 1542    Whan that Arcite hadde songe, he gan to syke
1. 1543  And sette hym down withouten any moore:
1. 1544  'Allas,' quod he, 'that day that I was bore.
1. 1545  How longe, Iuno, thurgh thy crueltee
1. 1546  Woltow werreyen Thebes the citee?
1. 1547  Allas ybroght is to confusion
1. 1548  The blood roial of Cadme and Amphion.
1. 1549  Cadmus, which that was the firste man
1. 1550  That Thebes bulte and first bigan
1. 1551  And of the citee first was crowned kyng,
1. 1552  Of his lynage am I and his ofspryng






1. 1553  By verray ligne as of the stok roial.
1. 1554  And now I am so caytyf and so thral
1. 1555  That, he that is my mortal enemy,
1. 1556  I serue hym as his squyer pourely.
1. 1557  And yet dooth Iuno me wel moore shame
1. 1558  For I dar noght biknowe myn owen name.
1. 1559  But ther as I was wont to highte Arcite
1. 1560  Now highte I Philostrate, noght worth a myte.
1. 1561  Allas thow felle Mars, allas Iuno,
1. 1562  Thus hath youre ire oure lynage al fordo
1. 1563  Saue oonly me and wrecched Palamon
1. 1564  That Theseus martireth in prison.
1. 1565  And ouer al this to sleen me outrely
1. 1566  Loue hath his firy dart so brennyngly
1. 1567  Ystiked thurgh my trewe, careful herte
1. 1568  That shapen was my deeth erst than my sherte.
1. 1569  Ye sleen me with youre eyen, Emelye,
1. 1570  Ye been the cause wherfore that I dye.
1. 1571  Of al the remenant of myn oother care
1. 1572  Ne sette I noght the mountaunce of a tare
1. 1573  So that I koude doon aught to your plesaunce.'
1. 1574  And with that word he fil down in a traunce
1. 1575  A longe tyme, and afterward he vp sterte.
1. 1576    This Palamon, that thoughte that thurgh his herte
1. 1577  He felte a coold swerd sodeynly glyde,
1. 1578  For ire he quook; no lenger wolde he byde.
1. 1579  And whan that he had herd Arcites tale,
1. 1580  As he were wood with face deed and pale
1. 1581  He stirte hym vp out of the buskes thikke
1. 1582  And seyde: 'Arcite, false traytour wikke,
1. 1583  Now artow hent that louest my lady so
1. 1584  For whom that I haue al this peyne and wo,
1. 1585  And art my blood and to my conseil sworn
1. 1586  As I ful ofte haue toold thee her-biforn,
1. 1587  And hast byiaped here duc Theseus
1. 1588  And falsly chaunged hast thy name thus.
1. 1589  I wol be deed or ellis thow shalt dye.
1. 1590  Thow shalt noght loue my lady Emelye,
1. 1591  But I wol loue hir oonly and namo.
1. 1592  For I am Palamon thy mortal foo.
1. 1593  And thogh that I no wepne haue in this place
1. 1594  But out of prison am astert by grace,
1. 1595  I drede noght that outher thow shalt dye
1. 1596  Or thow ne shalt noght louen Emelye.
1. 1597  Chees which thow wolt, or thow shalt noght asterte.'
1. 1598    This Arcite with ful despitous herte,
1. 1599  Whan he hym knew and hadde his tale herd,
1. 1600  As fiers as leon pulled out his swerd
1. 1601  And seyde thus: 'By god that sitteth aboue,
1. 1602  Nere it that thow art syk and wood for loue
1. 1603  And eek that thow no wepne hast in this place,
1. 1604  Thow sholdest neuere out of this groue pace
1. 1605  That thow ne sholdest dyen of myn hond,
1. 1606  For I diffye the seuretee and the bond
1. 1607  Which that thow seist that I haue maad to thee.
1. 1608  What, verray fool, thynk wel that loue is free!
1. 1609  And I wol loue hire maugree al thy myght.
1. 1610    'But for as muche as thow art a worthy knyght
1. 1611  And wilnest to darreyne hire by bataille,
1. 1612  Haue here my trouthe: tomorwe I nyl nat faille






1. 1613  Withouten wityng of any oother wight
1. 1614  That here I wol be founden, as a knyght,
1. 1615  And bryngen harneys right ynogh for thee,
1. 1616  And chees the beste and leef the worste to me.
1. 1617  And mete and drynke this nyght wol I brynge
1. 1618  Ynogh for thee and clothes for thy beddynge.
1. 1619  And if so be that thow my lady wynne
1. 1620  And sle me in this wode ther I am inne,
1. 1621  Thow mayst wel haue thy lady as for me.'
1. 1622    This Palamon answerde: 'I graunte it thee.'
1. 1623  And thus they been departed til amorwe,
1. 1624  Whan ech of hem hadde leyd his feith to borwe.
1. 1625      O Cupide out of alle charitee
1. 1626    O regne that wolde no felawe haue to thee,
1. 1627  Ful sooth is seyd that loue ne lordshipe
1. 1628  Wol noght his thankes haue no felaweshipe.
1. 1629  Wel fynden that Arcite and Palamoun.
1. 1630    Arcite is riden anoon vnto the town.
1. 1631  And on the morwe er it were dayes lyght
1. 1632  Ful priuely two harneys hath he dyght,
1. 1633  Bothe suffisaunt and mete to darreyne
1. 1634  The bataille in the feeld bitwix hem tweyne.
1. 1635  And on his hors allone as he was born
1. 1636  He carieth al this harneys hym biforn.
1. 1637  And in the groue at tyme and place yset
1. 1638  This Arcite and this Palamon been met.
1. 1639    To chaungen gan the colour in hir face,
1. 1640  Right as the hunterys in the regne of Trace
1. 1641  That stonden at the gappe with a spere,
1. 1642  Whanne hunted is the leon or the bere;
1. 1643  And hereth hym come russhynge in the greues
1. 1644  (And breketh bothe bowes and the leues)
1. 1645  And thynketh: 'Here cometh my mortal enemy.
1. 1646  Withoute faille he moot be deed or I.
1. 1647  For outher I moot sleen hym at the gappe
1. 1648  Or he moot sle me if that me myshappe.'
1. 1649  So ferden they in chaungyng of hir hewe
1. 1650  As fer as euerich oother of hem knewe.
1. 1651  Ther nas no good day ne no saluynge,
1. 1652  But streight withouten word or rehersynge
1. 1653  Euerich of hem heelp for to armen oother
1. 1654  As frendly as he weere his owene brother.
1. 1655  And after that with sharpe speres stronge
1. 1656  They foynen ech at oother wonder longe.
1. 1657  Thou myghtest wene that this Palamon
1. 1658  In his fightyng were a wood leon.
1. 1659  And as a crewel tygre was Arcite.
1. 1660  As wilde boores gonnen they to smyte
1. 1661  That frothen whit as foom, for ire wood.
1. 1662  Vp to the anclees foghte they in hir blood.
1. 1663  And in this wise I lete hem fightyng dwelle,
1. 1664  And forth I wole of Theseus yow telle.
1. 1665    The destynee, ministre general
1. 1666  That executeth in the world oueral
1. 1667  The purueiance that god hath seyn biforn,
1. 1668  So stroong it is that thogh the world hadde sworn
1. 1669  The contrarie of a thyng by ye or nay,
1. 1670  Yet somtyme it shal fallen on a day
1. 1671  That falleth nat eft withinne a thousand yeer.
1. 1672  For certeinly oure appetites heer,






1. 1673  Be it of werre or pees or hate or loue,
1. 1674  Al is this ruled by the sighte aboue.
1. 1675  This mene I now by myghty Theseus
1. 1676  That for to hunten is so desirus,
1. 1677  And namely at the grete hert in May,
1. 1678  That in his bed ther daweth hym no day
1. 1679  That he nys clad and redy for to ryde
1. 1680  With hunte and horn and houndes hym bisyde.
1. 1681  For in his huntyng hath he swich delit
1. 1682  That it is al his ioye and appetit
1. 1683  To been hymself the grete hertes bane,
1. 1684  For after Mars he serueth now Diane.
1. 1685    Cleer was the day, as I haue told er this,
1. 1686  And Theseus with alle ioye and blys
1. 1687  With his Ypolita, the faire queene,
1. 1688  And Emelie clothed al in greene,
1. 1689  On huntyng be they riden roially.
1. 1690  And to the groue that stood ful faste by
1. 1691  In which ther was an hert as men hym tolde
1. 1692  Duc Theseus the streighte wey hath holde.
1. 1693  And to the launde he rideth hym ful right
1. 1694  For thider was the hert wont haue his flight
1. 1695  And ouer a brook and so forth on his weye.
1. 1696  This duc wol han a cours at hym or tweye
1. 1697  With houndes swiche as that hym list comaunde.
1. 1698  And whan this duc was come vnto the launde,
1. 1699  Vnder the sonne he looketh and anon
1. 1700  He was war of Arcite and Palamon
1. 1701  That foghten breme as it were boles two.
1. 1702  The brighte swerdes wenten to and fro
1. 1703  So hidously that with the leeste strook
1. 1704  It semed as it wolde felle an ook.
1. 1705  But what they weere nothyng he ne woot.
1. 1706  This duc his courser with the spores smoot
1. 1707  And at a stert he was bitwix hem two
1. 1708  And pulled out a swerd and cryed: 'Hoo,
1. 1709  Namoore vpon peyne of lesyng of your heed.
1. 1710  By myghty Mars, he shal anon be deed
1. 1711  That smyteth any strook that I may seen.
1. 1712  But telleth me what myster men ye been
1. 1713  That been so hardy for to fighten heer
1. 1714  Withouten iuge or oother officer,
1. 1715  As it weere in a lystes roially-
1. 1716    This Palamon answerde hastily
1. 1717  And seyde: 'Sire, what nedeth wordes mo:
1. 1718  We haue the deeth disserued bothe two?
1. 1719  Two woful wrecches been we, two caytyues,
1. 1720  That been encombred of oure owene lyues.
1. 1721  And as thow art a rightful lord and iuge
1. 1722  Ne yif vs neither mercy ne refuge.
1. 1723  But slee me first for seinte charitee,
1. 1724  But slee my felawe eek as wel as me.
1. 1725  Or slee hym first, for thogh thow knowe it lite
1. 1726  This is thy mortal foo, this is Arcite
1. 1727  That fro thy lond is banysshed on his heed,
1. 1728  For which he hath deserued to be deed.
1. 1729  For this is he that cam vnto thy yate
1. 1730  And seyde that he highte Philostrate.
1. 1731  Thus hath he iaped thee ful many a yeer,
1. 1732  And thow hast maked hym thy chief squyer.






1. 1733  And this is he that loueth Emelye.
1. 1734  For sith the day is come that I shal dye,
1. 1735  I make pleynly my confession
1. 1736  That I am thilke woful Palamon
1. 1737  That hath thy prison broken wikkedly.
1. 1738  I am thy mortal foo, and it am I
1. 1739  That loueth so hoote Emelye the brighte
1. 1740  That I wol dyen present in hir sighte.
1. 1741  Wherfore I axe deeth and my iuwise.
1. 1742  But slee my felawe in the same wise
1. 1743  For bothe haue we deserued to be slayn.'
1. 1744    This worthy duc answerde anoon agayn
1. 1745  And seyde: 'This is a short conclusion.
1. 1746  Youre owene mouth by your confession
1. 1747  Hath dampned yow, and I wol it recorde.
1. 1748  It nedeth noght to pyne yow with the corde.
1. 1749  Ye shul be deed by myghty Mars the rede.'
1. 1750    The queene anoon for verray wommanhede
1. 1751  Gan for to wepe, and so dide Emelye
1. 1752  And alle the ladies in the compaignye.
1. 1753  Greet pitee was it as it thoughte hem alle
1. 1754  That euere swich a chaunce sholde falle,
1. 1755  For gentil men they weere of greet estaat
1. 1756  And nothyng but for loue was this debaat.
1. 1757  And sawe hir blody wowndes wide and soore.
1. 1758  And alle cryden, bothe lasse and moore:
1. 1759  'Haue mercy, lord, vpon vs wommen alle.'
1. 1760  And on hir bare knees adown they falle
1. 1761  And wolde haue kist his feet ther as he stood.
1. 1762  Til at the laste asked was his mood,
1. 1763  For pitee renneth soone in gentil herte.
1. 1764  And thogh he first for ire quook and sterte,
1. 1765  He hath considred, shorthly in a clause,
1. 1766  The trespas of hem bothe and eek the cause.
1. 1767  And althogh that his ire hir gilt accused,
1. 1768  Yet in his reson he hem bothe excused
1. 1769  As thus. He thoghte wel that euery man
1. 1770  Wol helpe hymself in loue, if that he kan,
1. 1771  And eek deliuere hymself out of prison.
1. 1772  And eek his herte hadde compassion
1. 1773  Of wommen, for they wepten euere in oon.
1. 1774    And in his gentil herte he thoghte anoon
1. 1775  And softe vnto hymself he seyde: 'Fy
1. 1776  Vpon a lord that wol haue no mercy,
1. 1777  But be a leon bothe in word and dede
1. 1778  To hem that been in repentaunce and drede
1. 1779  As wel as to a proud, despitous man
1. 1780  That wol mayntene that he first bigan.
1. 1781  That lord hath litel of discrecion
1. 1782  That in swich caas kan no dyuysion,
1. 1783  But weyeth pryde and humblesse after oon.'
1. 1784     And shortly whan his ire is thus agoon,
1. 1785  He gan to loken vp with eyen lighte
1. 1786  And spak thise same wordes al on highte:
1. 1787  'The god of loue, a benedicitee
1. 1788  How myghty and how greet a lord is he.
1. 1789  Agayns his myght ther gayneth none obstacles.
1. 1790  He may be clepid a god for his miracles,
1. 1791  For he kan maken at his owene gyse
1. 1792  Of euerich herte as that hym list deuyse.






1. 1793  Lo here this Arcite and this Palamon,
1. 1794  That quitly were out of my prison
1. 1795  And myghte haue lyued in Thebes roially
1. 1796  And witen I am hir mortal enemy
1. 1797  And that hir deeth lyth in my myght also,
1. 1798  And yet hath loue maugree hir eyen two
1. 1799  Broght hem hyder bothe for to dye.
1. 1800  Now looketh: is nat that an heigh folye?
1. 1801  Who may been a fool but if he loue?
1. 1802  Bihoold for goddes sake that sit aboue
1. 1803  Se how they blede. Be they noght wel arrayed.
1. 1804  Thus hath hir lord, the god of loue, ypayed
1. 1805  Hir wages and hir fees for hir seruyse.
1. 1806  And yet they wenen for to be ful wyse
1. 1807  That seruen loue for aught that may bifalle.
1. 1808    'But this is yet the beste game of alle
1. 1809  That she for whom they haue this iolitee
1. 1810  Kan hem therfore as muche thank as me.
1. 1811  She woot namoore of al this hoote fare,
1. 1812  By god, than woot a cokkow of an hare.
1. 1813  But al moot been assayed, hoot and coold;
1. 1814  A man moot been a fool, or yong or oold.
1. 1815  I woot it by myself ful yoore agoon
1. 1816  For in my tyme a seruant was I oon.
1. 1817  And therfore syn I knowe of loues peyne
1. 1818  And woot how soore it kan a man distreyne,
1. 1819  As he that hath been caught ofte in his laas,
1. 1820  I yow foryeue al hoolly this trespas
1. 1821  At requeste of the queene that kneeleth heere
1. 1822  And eek of Emelye, my suster deere.
1. 1823  And ye shal bothe anoon vnto me swere
1. 1824  That neuere mo ye shal my contree dere
1. 1825  Ne make werre vpon me nyght nor day,
1. 1826  But been my freendes in al that ye may.
1. 1827  I yow foryeue this trespas euery del.'
1. 1828    And they hym sworen his axing faire and wel
1. 1829  And hym of lordshipe and of mercy preyde.
1. 1830  And he hem graunteth grace, and thanne he seyde:
1. 1831  'To speke of roial lynage and richesse,
1. 1832  Thogh that she weere a queene or a princesse,
1. 1833  Ech of yow bothe is worthy doutelees
1. 1834  To wedden whan tyme is. But nathelees
1. 1835  I speke as for my suster Emelye,
1. 1836  For whom ye haue this stryf and ialousye,
1. 1837  Ye woot yourself she may nat wedden two
1. 1838  Atones, thogh ye fighten eueremo.
1. 1839  That oon of yow, al be hym looth or lief,
1. 1840  He moot go pipen in an yuy-leef,
1. 1841  This is to seyn she may nat now haue bothe,
1. 1842  Al be ye neuere so ialous ne so wrothe.
1. 1843  And forthy I yow putte in this degree
1. 1844  That ech of yow shal haue his destynee
1. 1845  As hym is shape, and herkneth in what wyse.
1. 1846  Lo here your ende of that I shal deuyse.
1. 1847    'My wil is this for plat conclusion
1. 1848  Withouten any replicacion
1. 1849  (If that yow liketh take it for the beste)
1. 1850  That euerich of yow shal goon wher hym leste
1. 1851  Frely withouten raunson or daunger.
1. 1852  And this day fifty wykes fer ne neer






1. 1853  Euerich of yow shal brynge an hundred knyghtes
1. 1854  Armed for listes vp at alle rightes,
1. 1855  Al redy to darreyne hire by bataille.
1. 1856  And this bihoote I yow withouten faille
1. 1857  Vpon my trouthe and as I am a knyght
1. 1858  That wheither of yow bothe that hath myght,
1. 1859  This is to seyn that wheither he or thou
1. 1860  May with his hundred as I spak of now
1. 1861  Sleen his contrarie or out of lystes dryue,
1. 1862  Thanne shal I yeue Emelye to wyue
1. 1863  To whom that fortune yeueth so fair a grace.
1. 1864  The lystes shal I maken in this place.
1. 1865  And god so wisly on my soule rewe
1. 1866  As I shal euene iuge been and trewe.
1. 1867  Ye shul noon oother ende with me maken
1. 1868  That oon of yow ne shal be deed or taken.
1. 1869  And if yow thynketh this is wel ysayd,
1. 1870  Sey youre auys and holdeth yow apayd.
1. 1871  This is youre ende and your conclusion.'
1. 1872    Who looketh lightly now but Palamon?
1. 1873  Who spryngeth vp for ioye but Arcite?
1. 1874  Who koude telle or who koude it endite,
1. 1875  The ioye that is maked in the place
1. 1876  Whan Theseus hath doon so fair a grace?
1. 1877  But doun on knees wente euery maner wight
1. 1878  And thonken hym with al hir herte and myght,
1. 1879  And namely the Thebans ofte sythe.
1. 1880  And thus with good hope and herte blythe
1. 1881  They take hir leeue and homward gonne they ryde
1. 1882  To Thebes with olde walles wyde.

    Explicit prima pars

     Incipit pars secunda

1. 1883  I trowe men wolde deme it necligence
1. 1884  If I foryete to tellen the despence
1. 1885  Of Theseus, that gooth so bisily
1. 1886  To maken vp the lystes roially
1. 1887  That swich a noble theatre as it was
1. 1888  I dar wel seyn in this world ther nas.
1. 1889  The circuit a myle was aboute,
1. 1890  Walled of stoon and dyched al withoute.
1. 1891  Round was the shap in manere of compas,
1. 1892  Ful of degrees the heighte of sixty paas
1. 1893  That whan a man was set on o degree
1. 1894  He letted noght his felawe for to see.
1. 1895    Estward ther stood a gate of marbul whit,
1. 1896  Westward right swich another in the oposit.
1. 1897  And shortly to concluden, swich a place
1. 1898  Was noon in erthe as in so lite a space.
1. 1899  For in the lond ther was no crafty man
1. 1900  That geometrye or arsmetrik kan
1. 1901  Ne purtreyour ne keruere of ymages
1. 1902  That Theseus ne yaf mete and wages
1. 1903  The theatre for to maken and deuyse.
1. 1904  And for to doon his ryte and sacrifise
1. 1905  He estward hath vpon the gate aboue,
1. 1906  In worship of Venus, goddesse of loue,
1. 1907  Doon maad an auter and an oratorie.






1. 1908  And on the westward in memorie
1. 1909  Of Mars he maked hath right swich another
1. 1910  That coste largely of gold a fother.
1. 1911  And northward in a touret on the wal
1. 1912  Of alabastre whit and reed coral
1. 1913  An oratorie riche for to see,
1. 1914  In worship of Diane of chastitee,
1. 1915  Hath Theseus doon wroght in noble wise.
1. 1916    But yet hadde I forgeten to deuyse
1. 1917  The noble keruyng and the purtreitures,
1. 1918  The shap, the contenance and the figures
1. 1919  That weren in thise oratories thre.
1. 1920    First in the temple of Venus maystow se
1. 1921  Wroght on the wal, ful pitous to biholde,
1. 1922  The broken slepes and the sykes colde,
1. 1923  The sacred teerys and the waymentynge,
1. 1924  The firy strokes of the desirynge
1. 1925  That loues seruantz in this lyf enduren;
1. 1926  The othes that hir couenantz assuren;
1. 1927  Plesance and hope, desir, foolhardynesse,
1. 1928  Beautee and youthe, baudrye, richesse,
1. 1929  Charmes and force, lesynges, flaterye,
1. 1930  Despense, bisynesse and ialousye
1. 1931  That wered of yelowe gooldes a gerland
1. 1932  And a cokkow sittyng on hir hand;
1. 1933  Festes, instrumentz, caroles, daunces,
1. 1934  Lust and array, and alle the circumstaunces
1. 1935  Of loue, whiche that I rekned and rekne shal,
1. 1936  By ordre weren peynted on the wal,
1. 1937  And mo than I kan make of mencion.
1. 1938  For soothly al the mount of Citheron
1. 1939  Ther Venus hath hir principal dwellynge
1. 1940  Was shewed on the wal in purtreyynge
1. 1941  With al the gardyn and the lustynesse.
1. 1942  Nat was foryeten the porter ydelnesse,
1. 1943  Ne Narcisus the faire of yoore agon,
1. 1944  Ne yet the folie of kyng Salomon,
1. 1945  Ne yet the grete strengthe of Ercules,
1. 1946  Th'enchantementz of Medea and Circes,
1. 1947  Ne of Turnus with the hardy, fiers corage,
1. 1948  The ryche Cresus caytif in seruage.
1. 1949    Thus may ye seen that wisdom ne richesse,
1. 1950  Beautee ne sleighte, strengthe, hardynesse
1. 1951  Ne may with Venus maken champartie,
1. 1952  For as hir lust the world than may she gye.
1. 1953  Lo al this folk so caught were in hir laas
1. 1954  Til they for wo ful ofte seyde allas.
1. 1955  Suffiseth heere ensamples oon or two --
1. 1956  And, though, I koude rekne a thousand mo.
1. 1957    The statue of Venus, glorious for to see,
1. 1958  Was naked fletyng in the large see,
1. 1959  And fro the nauele doun al couered was
1. 1960  With wawes grene and brighte as any glas.
1. 1961  A citole in hir right hand hadde she,
1. 1962  And on hir heed ful semely for to se
1. 1963  A rose gerland, fressh and wel smellynge.
1. 1964  Aboue hir heed hir dowues flikerynge.
1. 1965  Biforn hir stood hir sone Cupido.
1. 1966  Vpon his shuldres wynges hadde he two;
1. 1967  And blynd he was, as it is ofte seene.






1. 1968  A bowe he bar and arwes brighte and keene.
1. 1969    Why sholde I nat as wel eek telle yow al
1. 1970  The purtreyture that was vpon the wal
1. 1971  Withinne the temple of myghty Mars the rede?
1. 1972  Al peynted was the wal in lengthe and brede
1. 1973  Lyk to the eestres of the grisly place
1. 1974  That highte the grete temple of Mars in Trace,
1. 1975  In thilke colde, frosty region
1. 1976  Ther as Mars hath his souereyn mansion.
1. 1977    First on the wal was peynted a forest,
1. 1978  In which ther dwelleth neither man ne best,
1. 1979  With knotty, knarry, bareyne trees olde,
1. 1980  Of stubbes sharpe and hidouse to biholde,
1. 1981  In which ther ran a rombul in a swough
1. 1982  As thogh a storm sholde bresten euery bough.
1. 1983  And downward on an hil vnder a bente
1. 1984  Ther stood the temple of Mars armypotente
1. 1985  Wroght al of burned steel, of which the entree
1. 1986  Was long and streyt and gastly for to see.
1. 1987  And therout cam a rage and swich a veze
1. 1988  That it made al the gate for to rese.
1. 1989  The northren light in at the dores shoon,
1. 1990  For wyndow on the wal ne was ther noon
1. 1991  Thurgh which men myghten any light discerne.
1. 1992  The dore was al of athamant eterne,
1. 1993  Yclenched ouerthwart and endelong
1. 1994  With iren togh. And for to make it strong
1. 1995  Euery piler, the temple to sustene,
1. 1996  Was tonne-greet of iren bright and shene.
1. 1997    Ther say I first the dirke ymagynynge
1. 1998  Of felonye and al the compassynge;
1. 1999  The cruel ire reed as any gleede;
1. 2000  The pikepurs and eek the pale drede;
1. 2001  The smyler with the knyf vnder the cloke;
1. 2002  The shipne brennyng with the blake smoke;
1. 2003  The treson of the mordryng in the bed;
1. 2004  The open werre with woundes al bibled;
1. 2005  Contek with blody knyf and sharp manace.
1. 2006  Al ful of chirkyng was that sory place.
1. 2007  The sleer of hymself yet saugh I ther,
1. 2008  His herte-blood hath bathed al his heer;
1. 2009  The nayl ydryuen in the shode a nyght;
1. 2010  The colde deeth with mouth gapyng vpright.
1. 2011  Amyddes of the temple sat meschaunce
1. 2012  With disconfort and sory contenaunce.
1. 2013  Yet saugh I woodnesse laughyng in his rage,
1. 2014  Armed compleynt, outhees and fiers outrage;
1. 2015  The caroyne in the bussh with throte ycorue;
1. 2016  A thousand slayn and noght of qualm ystorue;
1. 2017  The tiraunt with the praye by force yraft;
1. 2018  The town destroyed, ther was nothyng laft.
1. 2019  Yet saugh I brent the shippes hoppesteres.
1. 2020  The hunte strangled with the wilde beres;
1. 2021  The sowe freten the child right in the cradel;
1. 2022  The cook yscalded for al his longe ladel.
1. 2023  Naught was forgeten by the infortune of Marte
1. 2024  The carter ouerryden with his carte:
1. 2025  Vnder the wheel ful lowe he lay adown.
1. 2026  Ther were also of Martes deuysioun
1. 2027  The barbour and the bochier and the smyth






1. 2028  That forgeth sharpe swerdes on his styth.
1. 2029  And al aboue depeynted in a tour
1. 2030  Saugh I conquest sittyng in greet honour
1. 2031  With the sharpe swerd ouer his heed
1. 2032  Hangynge by a subtil twynes threed.
1. 2033  Depeynted was the slaghtre of Iulius,
1. 2034  Of grete Nero and of Anthonius.
1. 2035  Al be that thilke tyme they were vnborn,
1. 2036  Yet was hir deeth depeynted therbiforn
1. 2037  By manacynge of Mars right by figure.
1. 2038  So was it shewed in that purtreyture
1. 2039  As is depeynted in the sterres aboue
1. 2040  Who shal be slayn or ellis deed for loue.
1. 2041  Suffiseth oon ensample in stories olde,
1. 2042  I may nat rekne hem alle thogh I wolde.
1. 2043    The statue of Mars vpon a carte stood
1. 2044  Armed, and loked grym as he were wood.
1. 2045  And ouer his heed ther shynen two figures
1. 2046  Of sterres, that been clepyd in scriptures
1. 2047  That oon Puella, that oother Rubeus.
1. 2048  This god of armes was arrayed thus;
1. 2049  A wolf ther stood bifore hym at his feet
1. 2050  With eyen rede and of a man he eet.
1. 2051  With subtil pencel was depeynted this storie
1. 2052  In redoutynge of Mars and of his glorie.
1. 2053    Now to the temple of Diane the chaste
1. 2054  As shortly as I kan I wol me haste
1. 2055  To telle yow al the discripsioun.
1. 2056  Depeynted been the walles vp and doun
1. 2057  Of huntyng and of shamefast chastitee.
1. 2058  Ther saw I how woful Calistopee
1. 2059  Whan that Diane agreued was with here
1. 2060  Was turned fro a womman til a bere,
1. 2061  And after was she maad the lode-sterre.
1. 2062  Thus was it peynted, I kan seye yow no ferre.
1. 2063  Hir sone is eek a sterre, as men may see.
1. 2064  Ther saw I Dane yturned to a tree;
1. 2065  I mene nat the goddesse Diane,
1. 2066  But Penneus doghter which that highte Dane.
1. 2067  Ther saw I Attheon an hert ymaked
1. 2068  For vengeaunce that he saw Diane al naked.
1. 2069  I seigh how that hise houndes haue hym caught
1. 2070  And freten hym, for that they knewe hym naught.
1. 2071  Yet peynted was a litel ferther moor
1. 2072  How Atthalante hunted the wilde boor,
1. 2073  And Meleagree and many another mo,
1. 2074  For which Diane wroghte hym care and wo.
1. 2075  Ther saw I many another wonder storie
1. 2076  The whiche me list nat drawen to memorie.
1. 2077    This goddesse on hert ful hye seet
1. 2078  With smale houndes al aboute hir feet.
1. 2079  And vndernethe hir feet she hadde a moone,
1. 2080  Wexinge it was and sholde wanye soone.
1. 2081  In gaude grene hir statue yclothed was,
1. 2082  With bowe in honde and arwes in a cas.
1. 2083  Hir eyen caste she ful lowe adown
1. 2084  Ther Pluto hath his dirke regioun.
1. 2085  A womman trauailyng was hir biforn.
1. 2086  But for hir child so longe was vnborn,
1. 2087  Ful pitously Lucina gan she calle






1. 2088  And seyde: 'Help, for thow mayst best of alle.'
1. 2089  Wel koude he peynte lyfly that it wroghte,
1. 2090  With many a floryn he the hewes boghte.
1. 2091    Now been thise listes maad. And Theseus
1. 2092  That at his grete cost arrayed thus
1. 2093  The temples and the theatre euery del,
1. 2094  Whan it was doon hym liked wonder wel.
1. 2095  But stynte I wole of Theseus a lite,
1. 2096  And speke of Palamon and of Arcite.
1. 2097    The day approcheth of hir retournynge
1. 2098  That euerich sholde an hundred knyghtes brynge
1. 2099  The bataille to darreyne, as I yow tolde.
1. 2100  And til Atthenes, hir couenant for to holde,
1. 2101  Hath euerich of hem broght a hundred knyghtes
1. 2102  Wel armed for the werre at alle rightes.
1. 2103  And sikerly ther trowed many a man
1. 2104  That neuere sithen that the world bigan,
1. 2105  As for to speke of knyghthod of hir hond
1. 2106  As fer as god hath maked see and lond,
1. 2107  Nas of so fewe so noble a compaignye.
1. 2108  For euery wight that loued chiualrye
1. 2109  And wolde his thankes han a passant name
1. 2110  Hath prayd that he myghte been of that game.
1. 2111  And wel was hym that therto chosen was.
1. 2112  For if ther fille tomorwe swich a cas,
1. 2113  Ye knowen wel that euery lusty knyght,
1. 2114  That loueth paramours and hath his myght
1. 2115  (Were it in Engelond or elliswhere),
1. 2116  They wolde hir thankes wilnen to be there
1. 2117  To fighten for a lady. Benedicitee
1. 2118  It were a lusty sighte for to see.
1. 2119    And right so ferden they with Palamon.
1. 2120  With hym ther wenten knyghtes many oon.
1. 2121  Som wol ben armed in an haubergeon
1. 2122  And in a brestplate and in a light gypon.
1. 2123  And som wol haue a peire plates large.
1. 2124  And som wol haue a Pruce sheeld or a targe.
1. 2125  Som wol been armed on his legges weel
1. 2126  And haue an ax, and som a maas of steel.
1. 2127  Ther nys no newe gyse that it nas oold.
1. 2128  Armed were they, as I haue yow toold,
1. 2129  Euerich after his opinyon.
1. 2130    Ther maystow seen comynge with Palamon
1. 2131  Lygurge hymself, the grete kyng of Trace.
1. 2132  Blak was his beerd and manly was his face.
1. 2133  The cercles of his eyen in his heed
1. 2134  They gloweden bitwixen yelow and reed.
1. 2135  And lyk a griffon loked he aboute
1. 2136  With keempe herys on his browes stoute.
1. 2137  His lymes grete, his brawnes harde and stronge,
1. 2138  Hys shuldres brode, hise armes rounde and longe.
1. 2139  And as the gyse was in his contree
1. 2140  Ful hye vpon a chaar of gold stood he
1. 2141  With foure white boles in the trays.
1. 2142  In stide of cote-armure ouer his harnays
1. 2143  With nayles yelwe and brighte as any gold
1. 2144  He hadde a berys skyn, colblak for old.
1. 2145  His longe heer was kembed bihynde his bak,
1. 2146  As any rauenes fethere it shoon for blak.
1. 2147  A wrethe of gold greet, of huge wighte,






1. 2148  Vpon his heed, and ful of stones brighte,
1. 2149  Of fyne rubyes and of dyamauntz.
1. 2150  Aboute his chaar ther wente white alauntz
1. 2151  Twenty and mo as grete as any steer
1. 2152  To hunten at the leon and the deer,
1. 2153  And folwed hym with mosel faste ybounde,
1. 2154  Colered of gold and turrettes filed rounde.
1. 2155  An hundred lordes hadde he in his route
1. 2156  Armed ful wel, with hertes stierne and stoute.
1. 2157    With Arcita, in stories as men fynde,
1. 2158  The grete Emetrius, the kyng of Inde,
1. 2159  Vpon a steede bay, trapped in steel,
1. 2160  Couered in a clooth of gold dyapred weel,
1. 2161  Cam ridynge lyk the god of armes, Mars.
1. 2162  His cote-armure was of clooth of Tars,
1. 2163  Couched with perlys white and rounde and grete.
1. 2164  His sadel was of brend gold newe ybete
1. 2165  A mantelet vpon his shulder hangynge,
1. 2166  Bretful of rubies reede as fyr sparklynge.
1. 2167  His crispe heer lyk rynges was yronne
1. 2168  And that was yelow and glitred as the sonne.
1. 2169  His nose was heigh, hise eyen bright citryn,
1. 2170  His lyppes rounde his colour was sangwyn.
1. 2171  A fewe fraknes in his face yspreynd
1. 2172  Bitwixen yelow and somdel blak ymeynd.
1. 2173  And as a leon he his lookyng caste.
1. 2174  Of xxv yeer his age I caste.
1. 2175  His beerd was wel bigonne for to sprynge,
1. 2176  His voys was as a trompe thonderynge.
1. 2177  Vpon his heed he wered of laurer grene
1. 2178  A gerland fressh and lusty for to seene.
1. 2179  Vpon his hand he bar for his deduyt
1. 2180  An egle tame, as any lilie whyt.
1. 2181  An hundred lordes hadde he with hym there
1. 2182  Al armed, saue hir heddes, in al hir gere
1. 2183  Ful richely in alle manere thynges.
1. 2184  For trusteth wel that dukes, erles, kynges
1. 2185  Were gadred in this noble compaignye
1. 2186  For loue and for encrees of chiualrye.
1. 2187  Aboute this kyng ther ran on euery part
1. 2188  Ful many a tame leon and leopart.
1. 2189    And in this wise thise lordes alle and some
1. 2190  Been on the Sonday to the citee come
1. 2191  Aboute pryme and in the town alight.
1. 2192    This Theseus, this duc, this worthy knyght,
1. 2193  Whan he hadde broght hem into his citee
1. 2194  And inned hem euerich at his degree,
1. 2195  He festeth hem and dooth so gret labour
1. 2196  To esen hem and doon hem al honour
1. 2197  That yet men wenen that no mannes wit
1. 2198  Of noon estaat ne koude amenden it.
1. 2199  The mynstralcye, the seruyce at the feeste,
1. 2200  The grete yiftes to the meeste and leeste,
1. 2201  The ryche array of Theseus paleys,
1. 2202  Ne who sat first or last vpon the deys,
1. 2203  What ladyes fairest been and best daunsynge
1. 2204  Or which of hem kan daunse best and synge,
1. 2205  Ne who moost feelyngly speketh of loue
1. 2206  What haukes sitten on the perche aboue,
1. 2207  What houndes lyggen on the floor adown,






1. 2208  Of al this make I now no mencioun,
1. 2209  But al th'effect, that thynketh me the beste.
1. 2210  Now comth the point and herkneth if yow leste.
1. 2211    The Sonday nyght er day bigan to sprynge,
1. 2212  Whan Palamon the larke herde synge
1. 2213  Althogh it nere nat day by houres two
1. 2214  Yet soong the larke, and Palamon right tho
1. 2215  With holy herte and with an heigh corage
1. 2216  He roos, to wenden on his pilgrymage
1. 2217  Vnto the blisful Scitherea benygne,
1. 2218  I mene Venus honurable and digne.
1. 2219  And in hir hour he walketh forth a paas
1. 2220  Vnto the lystes ther hir temple was
1. 2221  And down he kneleth, and with humble cheere
1. 2222  And herte soor he seyde as ye shal heere:
1. 2223    'Faireste of faire, O lady myn Venus,
1. 2224  Doghter of Ioue and spouse to Vulcanus,
1. 2225  Thow gladere of the mount of Cytheron,
1. 2226  For thilke loue thow haddest to Adoon
1. 2227  Haue pitee of my bittre teerys smerte
1. 2228  And taak myn humble prayere at thyn herte.
1. 2229    'Allas I ne haue no langage to telle
1. 2230  Th'effect ne the tormentz of myn helle.
1. 2231  Myn herte may myne harmes nat biwreye.
1. 2232  I am so confus that I kan noght seye
1. 2233  But mercy, lady bright, that knowest wele
1. 2234  My thoght and seest what harmes that I feele.
1. 2235  Considre al this and rewe vpon my soore,
1. 2236  As wisly as I shal for eueremoore
1. 2237  Emforth my myght thy trewe seruant be
1. 2238  And holden werre alwey with chastitee.
1. 2239  That make I myn avow, so ye me helpe.
1. 2240  I kepe noght of armes for to yelpe
1. 2241  Ne I ne axe noght tomorwe to haue victorie
1. 2242  Ne renoun in this cas ne veyne glorie
1. 2243  Of prys of armes blowen vp and down.
1. 2244  But I wolde haue fully possessioun
1. 2245  Of Emelye and dye in thy seruyse.
1. 2246  Fynd thow the manere how and in what wyse.
1. 2247  I recche nat but it may bettre be
1. 2248  To haue victorie of hem or they of me
1. 2249  So that I haue my lady in myn armes.
1. 2250  For thogh so be that Mars is god of armes,
1. 2251  Youre vertu is so greet in heuene aboue
1. 2252  That if yow list I shal wel haue my loue.
1. 2253    'Thy temple wol I worshipe eueremo
1. 2254  And on thyn auter, wher I ryde or go,
1. 2255  I wol doon sacrifice and fyres beete.
1. 2256  And if ye wol noght so, my lady sweete,
1. 2257  Thanne praye I thee tomorwe with a spere
1. 2258  That Arcita me thurgh the herte bere.
1. 2259  Thanne rekke I noght whan I haue lost my lyf
1. 2260  Thogh that Arcita wynne hire to his wyf.
1. 2261  This is th'effect and ende of my prayere:
1. 2262  Yif me my loue, thow blisful lady deere.'
1. 2263    Whan the orison was doon of Palamon,
1. 2264  His sacrifice he dide and that anon
1. 2265  Ful pitously with alle circumstances,
1. 2266  Al telle I nat as now his obseruances.
1. 2267  But at the laste the statue of Venus shook






1. 2268  And made a signe wherby that he took
1. 2269  That his prayere accepted was that day.
1. 2270  For thogh the signe shewed a delay,
1. 2271  Yet wiste he wel that graunted was his boone;
1. 2272  And with glad herte he wente hym hoom ful soone.
1. 2273    The thridde hour inequal that Palamon
1. 2274  Bigan to Venus temple for to gon,
1. 2275  Vp roos the sonne and vp roos Emelye
1. 2276  And to the temple of Diane gan hye.
1. 2277  Hir maydens that she thider with hire ladde
1. 2278  Ful redily with hem the fyr they hadde,
1. 2279  Th'encens, the clothes, and the remenant al
1. 2280  That to the sacrifice longen shal,
1. 2281  The hornes ful of mede as was the gyse;
1. 2282  Ther lakked noght to doon hir sacrifise.
1. 2283    Smokynge the temple, ful of clothes faire,
1. 2284  This Emelye with herte debonaire
1. 2285  Hir body wessh with water of a welle.
1. 2286  But hou she dide hir ryte I dar nat telle
1. 2287  But it be any thyng in general;
1. 2288  And yet it were a game to heren al.
1. 2289  To hym that meneth wel it nere no charge,
1. 2290  But it is good a man be at his large.
1. 2291  Hir brighte heer was kembed, vntressed al,
1. 2292  A corone of a grene ook cerial
1. 2293  Vpon hir heed was set ful fair and meete.
1. 2294  Two fyres on the auter gan she beete
1. 2295  And dide hir thynges, as men may biholde
1. 2296  In Stace of Thebes and othere bokes olde.
1. 2297  Whan kyndled was the fyr, with pitous cheere
1. 2298  Vnto Diane she spak as ye may heere:
1. 2299    'O chaste goddesse of the wodes grene
1. 2300  To whom bothe heuene and erthe and see is seene,
1. 2301  Queene of the regne of Pluto derk and lowe,
1. 2302  Goddesse of maydens that myn herte hast knowe
1. 2303  Ful many a yeer and woost what I desire,
1. 2304  As keep me fro thy vengeance and thyn ire
1. 2305  That Attheon aboghte crewelly;
1. 2306  Chaste goddesse, wel wostow that I
1. 2307  Desire to been a mayden al my lyf.
1. 2308  Ne neuere wol I be no loue ne wyf.
1. 2309  I am, thow woost, yet of thy compaignye
1. 2310  A mayde, and loue huntyng and venerye
1. 2311  And for to walken in the wodes wilde
1. 2312  And noght to been a wyf and be with childe.
1. 2313  Noght wol I knowe compaignye of man.
1. 2314  Now help me, lady, sith ye may and kan
1. 2315  For tho thre formes that thow hast in thee.
1. 2316  And Palamon that hath swich loue to me
1. 2317  And eek Arcite that loueth me so soore,
1. 2318  This grace I praye thee withoute moore
1. 2319  As seend loue and pees bitwix hem two
1. 2320  And fro me turn awey hir hertes so
1. 2321  That al hir hote loue and hir desir
1. 2322  And al hir bisy torment and hir fyr
1. 2323  Be queynt and turned in another place.
1. 2324  And if so be thow wolt noght do me grace
1. 2325  Or if my destynee be shape so
1. 2326  That I shal nedes haue oon of hem two,
1. 2327  As seend me hym that moost desireth me.






1. 2328  Bihoold, goddesse of clene chastitee,
1. 2329  The bittre teerys that on my chekes falle.
1. 2330  Syn thow art mayde and keper of vs alle.
1. 2331  My maydenhode thow kepe and wel conserue;
1. 2332  And whil I lyue, a mayde I wol thee serue.'
1. 2333    The fyres brenne vpon the auter cleere
1. 2334  Whil Emelie is thus in hir prayere.
1. 2335  But sodeynly she seigh a sighte queynte,
1. 2336  For right-anon oon of the fyres queynte
1. 2337  And quyked agayn, and after that anon
1. 2338  That oother fyr was queynt and al agon.
1. 2339  And as it queynte it made a whistlynge
1. 2340  As doon thise weete brondes in hir brennynge.
1. 2341  And at the brondes ende out ran anoon
1. 2342  As it were blody dropes many oon,
1. 2343  For which so soore agast was Emelye
1. 2344  That she was wel neigh mad and gan to crye,
1. 2345  For she ne wiste what it signyfied.
1. 2346  But oonly for the feere thus hath she cryed
1. 2347  And weep that it was pitee for to heere.
1. 2348    And therwithal Diane gan appeere
1. 2349  With bowe in honde right as an hunteresse
1. 2350  And seyde: 'Doghter, stynt thyn heuynesse.
1. 2351  Among the goddes hye it is affermed
1. 2352  And by eterne word writen and confermed
1. 2353  Thou shalt be wedded vnto oon of tho
1. 2354  That han for thee so muche care and wo.
1. 2355  But vnto which of hem I may noght telle.
1. 2356  Farewel, for I ne may no lenger dwelle.
1. 2357  The fires whiche that on myn auter brenne
1. 2358  Shul thee declaren, er that thow go henne,
1. 2359  Thyn auenture of loue as in this cas.'
1. 2360    And with that word the arwes in the caas
1. 2361  Of the goddesse clateren faste and rynge,
1. 2362  And forth she wente and made a vanysshynge
1. 2363  For which this Emelye astoned was
1. 2364  And seyde: 'What amounteth this allas?
1. 2365  I putte me in thy proteccion,
1. 2366  Diane, and in thy disposicion.'
1. 2367  And hoom she gooth anoon the nexte weye.
1. 2368  This is th'effect. Ther nys namoore to seye.
1. 2369    The nexte houre of Mars folwynge this,
1. 2370  Arcite vnto the temple walked is
1. 2371  Of fierse Mars to doon his sacrifise
1. 2372  With alle the rytes of his payen wise.
1. 2373  With pitous herte and heigh deuocion
1. 2374  Right thus to Mars he seyde his orison:
1. 2375    'O stronge god that in the regnes colde
1. 2376  Of Trace honoured art and lord yholde
1. 2377  And hast in euery regne and euery lond
1. 2378  Of armes al the brydel in thyn hond
1. 2379  And hem fortunest as thee list deuyse,
1. 2380  Accepte of me my pitous sacrifise.
1. 2381  If so be that my youthe may disserue
1. 2382  And that my myght be worthy for to serue
1. 2383  Thy godhede that I may be oon of thyne,
1. 2384  Thanne praye I thee to rewe vpon my pyne
1. 2385  For thilke peyne and thilke hote fyr
1. 2386  In which thow whilom brendest for desir
1. 2387  Whan that thow vsedest the beautee






1. 2388  Of faire, yonge, fresshe Venus free
1. 2389  And haddest hire in armes at thy wille,
1. 2390  Although thee ones on a tyme mysfille
1. 2391  Whan Vulcanus hadde caught thee in his laas
1. 2392  And foond thee lyggyng by his wyf allas.
1. 2393  For thilke sorwe that was in thyn herte
1. 2394  Haue routhe as wel vpon my peynes smerte.
1. 2395  I am yong and vnkonnyng as thow woost
1. 2396  And, as I trowe, with loue offended moost
1. 2397  That euere was any lyues creature.
1. 2398  For she that dooth me al this wo endure
1. 2399  Ne reccheth neuere wher I synke or fleete.
1. 2400  And wel I woot er she me mercy heete,
1. 2401  I moot with strengthe wynne hire in the place.
1. 2402  And wel I woot, withouten help and grace
1. 2403  Of thee, ne may my strengthe noght auaille.
1. 2404  Thanne help me, lord, tomorwe in my bataille
1. 2405  For thilke fyr that whilom brende thee
1. 2406  As wel as thilke fyr now brenneth me
1. 2407  And do that I tomorwe may haue victorie.
1. 2408  Myn be the trauaille and thyn be the glorie.
1. 2409  Thy souereyn temple wol I moost honouren
1. 2410  Of any place and alwey moost labouren
1. 2411  In thy plesaunce and in thy craftes stronge.
1. 2412  And in thy temple I wol my baner honge
1. 2413  And alle the armes of my compaignye
1. 2414  And eueremo vntil that day I dye.
1. 2415  Eterne fyr I wol bifore thee fynde.
1. 2416  And eek to this auow I wol me bynde:
1. 2417  My berd, myn heer, that hangeth long adown,
1. 2418  That neuere yet ne felte offensioun
1. 2419  Of rasour nor of shere I wol thee yiue
1. 2420  And been thy trewe seruant whil I lyue.
1. 2421  Now, lord, haue routhe vpon my sorwes soore.
1. 2422  Yif me the victorie: I axe thee namoore.'
1. 2423    The prayere stynt of Arcita the stronge.
1. 2424  The rynges on the temple-dore that honge
1. 2425  And eek the dores clatereden ful faste,
1. 2426  Of which Arcita somwhat hym agaste.
1. 2427  The fires brende vpon the auter brighte
1. 2428  That it gan al the temple for to lighte.
1. 2429  A swete smel anoon the ground vp yaf.
1. 2430  And Arcita anoon his hand vp haf
1. 2431  And moore encens into the fyr he caste
1. 2432  With othere rytes mo. And at the laste
1. 2433  The statue of Mars bigan his hauberk rynge.
1. 2434  And with that sown he herde a murmurynge
1. 2435  Ful lowe and dym and seyde thus 'Victorie',
1. 2436  For which he yaf to Mars honour and glorie.
1. 2437  And thus with ioye and hope wel to fare
1. 2438  Arcite anoon vnto his in is fare
1. 2439  As fayn as fowel is of the brighte sonne.
1. 2440    And right-anoon swich stryf ther is bigonne
1. 2441  For thilke grauntyng in the heuene aboue
1. 2442  Bitwixe Venus, the goddesse of loue,
1. 2443  And Mars, the sterne god armipotente,
1. 2444  That Iuppiter was bisy it to stente.
1. 2445  Til that the pale Saturnus the colde,
1. 2446  That knew so manye of auentures olde,
1. 2447  Foond in his olde experience an art






1. 2448  That he ful soone hath plesed euery part.
1. 2449  As sooth is seyd: elde hath greet auantage.
1. 2450  In elde is bothe wisdom and vsage.
1. 2451  Men may the olde atrenne and nat atrede.
1. 2452  Saturne anoon to stynten stryf and drede
1. 2453  Al be it that it is agayn his kynde,
1. 2454  Of al this stryf he kan remedie fynde.
1. 2455    'My deere doghter Venus,' quod Saturne,
1. 2456  'My cours that hath so wyde for to turne
1. 2457  Hath moore power than woot any man.
1. 2458  Myn is the drenchyng in the see so wan,
1. 2459  Myn is the prison in the derke cote,
1. 2460  Myn is the stranglyng and hangyng by the throte
1. 2461  The murmur and the cherles rebellynge,
1. 2462  The groynyng and the pryuee empoysonynge.
1. 2463  I do vengeance and pleyn correccion
1. 2464  Whil I dwelle in the signe of the leon.
1. 2465  Myn is the ruyne of the heighe halles,
1. 2466  The fallyng of the toures and of the walles
1. 2467  Vpon the mynour or the carpenter;
1. 2468  I slow Sampson shakyng the piler.
1. 2469  And myne be the maladies colde,
1. 2470  The derke tresons and the castes olde;
1. 2471  My lookyng is the fader of pestilence.
1. 2472  Now weep namoore: I shal doon diligence
1. 2473  That Palamon that is thyn owene knyght
1. 2474  Shal haue his lady as thow hast hym hight.
1. 2475  Thogh Mars shal helpe his knyght, yet nathelees
1. 2476  Bitwixe yow ther moot be somtyme pees,
1. 2477  Al be ye noght of o complexion
1. 2478  That causeth al day swich diuision.
1. 2479  I am thyn aiel, redy at thy wille.
1. 2480  Weep now namoore: I wol thy lust fulfille.'
1. 2481    Now wol I stynten of the goddes aboue,
1. 2482  Of Mars and of Venus goddesse of loue
1. 2483  And telle yow as pleynly as I kan
1. 2484  The grete effect for which that I bigan.
1. 2485    Greet was the feeste in Atthenes that day.
1. 2486  And eek the lusty seson of that May
1. 2487  Made euery wight to been in swich plesaunce
1. 2488  That al that Monday iusten they and daunce
1. 2489  And spenden it in Venus heigh seruyse.
1. 2490  And by the cause that they sholde ryse
1. 2491  Erly for to seen the grete sight,
1. 2492  Vnto hir reste wente they at nyght.
1. 2493  And on the morwe whan the day gan sprynge,
1. 2494  Of hors and harneys noyse and claterynge
1. 2495  Ther was in hostelryes al aboute.
1. 2496  And to the paleys rood ther many a route
1. 2497  Of lordes vpon steedes and palfreys.
1. 2498  Ther maistow seen deuysynge of harneys
1. 2499  So vnkouth and so ryche and wroght so weel
1. 2500  Of goldsmythrye, of broudyng and of steel;
1. 2501  The sheldes brighte, testers and trappures,
1. 2502  Gold-hewen helmes, hauberkes, cote-armures;
1. 2503  Lordes in parementz on hir coursers,
1. 2504  Knyghtes of retenue and eek squyers;
1. 2505  Nailynge the speres and the helmes bokelynge,
1. 2506  Gyggynge of sheeldes, with layners lasynge
1. 2507  Ther as nede is -- they were nothyng ydel;






1. 2508  The fomy steedes on the golden brydel
1. 2509  Gnawynge, and faste the armurers also
1. 2510  With fyle and hamer prykyng to and fro;
1. 2511  Yemen on foote and communes many oon
1. 2512  With shorte staues, thikke as they may goon;
1. 2513  Pipes, trompes, nakers, claryounes
1. 2514  That in the bataille blowen blody sownes;
1. 2515  The paleys ful of peples vp and down,
1. 2516  Heer thre, ther ten, holdynge hir questioun,
1. 2517  Deuynynge of thise Thebans knyghtes two;
1. 2518  Somme seyde thus, somme seyden it shal be so,
1. 2519  Somme helden with hym with the blake berd,
1. 2520  Somme with the balled, somme with the thikke herd,
1. 2521  Somme seyde he looked grym and he wolde fighte:
1. 2522  He hath a sparth of xx pound of wighte.
1. 2523  Thus was the halle ful of deuynynge
1. 2524  Longe after that the sonne gan to sprynge.
1. 2525    The grete Theseus, that of his sleep awaked
1. 2526  With mynstralcye and noyse that was maked,
1. 2527  Held yet the chambres of his paleys ryche
1. 2528  Til that the Theban knyghtes, bothe yliche
1. 2529  Honoured, weren into the paleys fet.
1. 2530  Duc Theseus is at a wyndow set
1. 2531  Arrayed right as he weere a god in trone.
1. 2532  The peple preeseth thiderward ful soone
1. 2533  Hym for to seen and doon heigh reuerence
1. 2534  And eek to herkne his heste and his sentence.
1. 2535    An heraud on a scaffold made an oo
1. 2536  Til al the noyse of the peple was ydo.
1. 2537  And whan he say the peple of noyse al stille,
1. 2538  Thus shewed he the myghty dukes wille:
1. 2539  'The lord hath of his heighe discrecion
1. 2540  Considred that it were destruccion
1. 2541  To gentil blood to fighten in the gyse
1. 2542  Of mortal bataille now in this emprise.
1. 2543  Wherfore to shapen that they shal noght dye
1. 2544  He wole his firste purpos modifie.
1. 2545  No man therfore vpon peyne of los of lyf
1. 2546  No manere shot ne polax ne short knyf
1. 2547  Into the lystes sende or thider brynge.
1. 2548  Ne short swerd for to stoke with point bitynge
1. 2549  No man ne drawe ne bere it by his syde.
1. 2550  Ne no man shal vnto his felawe ryde
1. 2551  But o cours with a sharp ygrounde spere;
1. 2552  Foyne, if hym list, on foote hymself to were.
1. 2553  And he that is at meschief shal be take
1. 2554  And noght slayn, but be broght vnto the stake
1. 2555  That shal been ordeyned on eyther syde.
1. 2556  But thider he shal bi force and ther abyde.
1. 2557  And if so falle the chiefteyn be take
1. 2558  On outher syde or ellis sleen his make,
1. 2559  No lenger shal the tourneying laste.
1. 2560  God spede yow, go forth and ley on faste.
1. 2561  With long swerd and with mace fighteth your fille.
1. 2562  Go now youre wey. This is the lordes wille.'
1. 2563    The voys of peple touched the heuene,
1. 2564  So loude cryde they with loude steuene:
1. 2565  'God saue swich a lord that is so good!
1. 2566  He wilneth no destruccion of blood.'
1. 2567    Vp goon the trompes and the melodye.






1. 2568  And to the lystes ryt the compaignye
1. 2569  By ordinance thurghout the citee large,
1. 2570  Hanged with clooth of gold and noght with sarge.
1. 2571  Ful lyk a lord this noble duc gan ryde,
1. 2572  Thise two Thebans vpon eyther syde,
1. 2573  And after rood the queene and Emelye,
1. 2574  And after that another compaignye
1. 2575  Of oon and oother after hir degree.
1. 2576  And thus they passen thurghout the citee
1. 2577  And to the lystes coome they bityme.
1. 2578  It nas nat of the day yet fully pryme.
1. 2579    Whan set was Theseus ful ryche and hye,
1. 2580  Ypolita the queene and Emelye,
1. 2581  And othere ladyes in degrees aboute,
1. 2582  Vnto the setes preeseth al the route.
1. 2583  And westward thurgh the gates vnder Marte
1. 2584  Arcite and eek the hundred of his parte
1. 2585  With baner reed is entred right-anon.
1. 2586  And in that selue moment Palamon
1. 2587  Is vnder Venus estward in the place
1. 2588  With baner whit and hardy cheere and face.
1. 2589  In al the world to seken vp and down
1. 2590  So euene withouten variacioun
1. 2591  Ther nere swiche compaignyes tweye.
1. 2592  For ther was noon so wys that koude seye
1. 2593  That any hadde of oother auantage
1. 2594  Of worthynesse ne of estaat ne age,
1. 2595  So euene were they chosen for to gesse.
1. 2596  And in two renges faire they hem dresse.
1. 2597  Whan that hir names rad were euerichon
1. 2598  That in hir nombre gyle were ther noon,
1. 2599  Tho were the gates shet and cryd was loude:
1. 2600  'Do now youre deuoir, yonge knyghtes proude.'
1. 2601    The heraudes lefte hir prikyng vp and down.
1. 2602  Now ryngen trompes loude and clarioun.
1. 2603  Ther is namoore to seyn but west and est
1. 2604  In goon the speres ful sadly in the arest.
1. 2605  In gooth the sharpe spore into the syde.
1. 2606  Ther seen men who kan iuste and who kan ryde.
1. 2607  Ther shyueren shaftes vpon sheeldes thikke.
1. 2608  He feeleth thurgh the herte-spoon the prykke.
1. 2609  Vp spryngeth speres twenty foot on highte,
1. 2610  Out goon the swerdes as the siluer brighte.
1. 2611  The helmes they tohewen and toshrede.
1. 2612  Out brest the blood with sterne stremys rede.
1. 2613  With myghty maces the bones they tobreste.
1. 2614  He thurgh the thikkest of the throng gan threste.
1. 2615  Ther stomblen steedes stronge, and doun gooth al.
1. 2616  He rolleth vnder foot as dooth a bal.
1. 2617  He foyneth on his feet with his tronchoun.
1. 2618  And he hym hurteth with his hors adoun.
1. 2619  He thurgh the body is hurt and sithen ytake
1. 2620  Maugree his heed and broght vnto the stake.
1. 2621  As forward was, right there he moste abyde.
1. 2622  Another lad is on that oother syde.
1. 2623    And somtyme dooth hem Theseus to reste
1. 2624  Hem to refresshe and drynken if hem leste.
1. 2625  Ful ofte a day haue thise Thebans two
1. 2626  Togydre ymet and wroght his felawe wo.
1. 2627  Vnhorsed hath ech oother of hem tweye.






1. 2628  Ther nas no tygre in the vale of Galgopheye
1. 2629  Whan that hir whelp is stole whan it is lyte
1. 2630  So cruel on the hunte as is Arcite
1. 2631  For ialous herte vpon this Palamon.
1. 2632  Ne in Belmarye ther nys so fel leon
1. 2633  That hunted is or for his hunger wood
1. 2634  Ne of his praye desireth so the blood
1. 2635  As Palamon to sleen his foo Arcite.
1. 2636  The ialous strokes on hir helmes byte.
1. 2637  Out renneth blood on bothe hir sydes rede.
1. 2638    Somtyme an ende ther is of euery dede.
1. 2639  For er the sonne vnto the reste wente
1. 2640  The stronge kyng Emetrius gan hente
1. 2641  This Palamon, as he faught with Arcite,
1. 2642  And made his swerd depe in his flessh to byte.
1. 2643  And by the force of twenty is he take
1. 2644  Vnyolden and ydrawen to the stake.
1. 2645  And in the rescous of this Palamon
1. 2646  The stronge kyng Lygurge is born adoun.
1. 2647  And kyng Emetrius for al his strengthe
1. 2648  Is born out of his sadel a swerdes lengthe,
1. 2649  So hitte hym Palamon er he were take,
1. 2650  But al for noght. He was broght to the stake,
1. 2651  His hardy herte myghte hym helpe naught.
1. 2652  He moste abyde whan that he was caught
1. 2653  By force and eek by composicion.
1. 2654    Who sorweth now but woful Palamon
1. 2655  That moot namoore goon agayn to fighte?
1. 2656  And whan that Theseus hadde seen this sighte,
1. 2657  Vnto the folk that foghten thus echon
1. 2658  He cryde: 'Hoo, namoore, for it is doon.
1. 2659  I wol be trewe iuge and nat partye
1. 2660  Arcite of Thebes shal haue Emelye
1. 2661  That by his fortune hath hire faire ywonne.'
1. 2662  Anon ther is a noyse of peple bigonne
1. 2663  For ioye of this, so loude and heigh withalle
1. 2664  It semed that the lystes sholde falle.
1. 2665    What kan now faire Venus doon aboue?
1. 2666  What seith she now? What dooth this queene of loue;
1. 2667  But wepeth so for wantyng of hir wille
1. 2668  Til that hir teerys in the lystes fille?
1. 2669  She seyde: 'I am ashamed doutelees.'
1. 2670    Saturnus seyde: 'Doghter, hoold thy pees.
1. 2671  Mars hath his wyl, his knyght hath al his boone.
1. 2672  And by myn heed thow shalt been esed soone.'
1. 2673    The trompours with the loude mynstralcye,
1. 2674  The heraudes that ful loude yelle and crye
1. 2675  Been in hir wele for ioye of daun Arcite.
1. 2676  But herkneth me, and stynteth noyse a lite,
1. 2677  Which a myracle ther bifel anon.
1. 2678    This fierse Arcite hath of his helm ydon
1. 2679  And on a courser for to shewe his face
1. 2680  He priketh endelong the large place
1. 2681  Lookyng vpward vpon this Emelye,
1. 2682  And she agayn hym caste a freendly eye.
1. 2683  And she was al his cheere as in his herte.
1. 2684  Out of the ground a furye infernal sterte
1. 2685  From Pluto sent at requeste of Saturne,
1. 2686  For which his hors for feere gan to turne
1. 2687  And leep asyde and foundred as he leep.






1. 2688  And er that Arcite may taken keep,
1. 2689  He pighte hym on the pomel of his heed
1. 2690  That in the place he lay as he were deed,
1. 2691  His brest tobrosten with his sadel-bowe.
1. 2692  As blak he lay as any col or crowe
1. 2693  So was the blood yronnen in his face.
1. 2694  Anon he was yborn out of the place
1. 2695  With herte soor to Theseus paleys.
1. 2696  Tho was he coruen out of his harneys
1. 2697  And in a bed ybroght ful faire and blyue,
1. 2698  For he was yet in memorie and alyue
1. 2699  And alwey cryinge after Emelye.
1. 2700    Duc Theseus with al his compaignye
1. 2701  Is comen hoom to Atthenes his citee
1. 2702  With alle blisse and greet solempnytee.
1. 2703  Al be it that this auenture was falle
1. 2704  He nolde noght disconforten hem alle.
1. 2705  Men seyde eek Arcite shal nat dye,
1. 2706  He shal been heelyd of his maladye.
1. 2707  And of another thyng they were as fayn
1. 2708  That of hem alle was ther noon yslayn,
1. 2709  Al were they soore yhurt and namely oon
1. 2710  That with a spere was thirled the brest-boon.
1. 2711  To oothere woundes and to broken armes
1. 2712  Somme hadden salues and somme hadden charmes.
1. 2713  Fermacyes of herbes and eek saue
1. 2714  They dronken, for they wolde hir lymes haue.
1. 2715  For which this noble duc, as he wel kan,
1. 2716  Conforteth and honoureth euery man
1. 2717  And made reuel al the longe nyght
1. 2718  Vnto the straunge lordes, as was right.
1. 2719    Ne ther was holden no disconfitynge,
1. 2720  But as a iustes or a tourneyinge.
1. 2721  For soothly ther was no disconfiture
1. 2722  For fallyng nys nat but an auenture.
1. 2723  Ne to been had by force vnto the stake
1. 2724  Vnyolden and with twenty knyghtes take
1. 2725  O persone allone withouten mo
1. 2726  And haryed forth by arm, foot and to,
1. 2727  And eek his steede dryuen forth with staues,
1. 2728  With footmen, bothe yemen and eek knaues,
1. 2729  It nas arretted hym no vileynye;
1. 2730  Ther may no man clepe it cowardye.
1. 2731  For which anoon duc Theseus leet crye,
1. 2732  To stynten al rancour and enuye,
1. 2733  The gre as wel of oo syde as of oother
1. 2734  And eyther syde ylyk as otheres brother.
1. 2735  And yaf hem yiftes after hir degree
1. 2736  And fully heeld a feeste dayes three.
1. 2737  And conueyed the kynges worthily
1. 2738  Out of his toun a iournee largely.
1. 2739  And hoom wente euery man the righte way
1. 2740  Ther was namoore but farewel, haue good day.
1. 2741  Of this bataille I wol namoore endite,
1. 2742  But speke of Palamon and of Arcite.

    <1explicit secunda pars>1


    <1Incipit pars tercia et vltima>1







1. 2743  Swelleth the brest of Arcite, and the soore
1. 2744  Encreeseth at his herte moore and moore.
1. 2745  The clothered blood for any lechecraft
1. 2746  Corrupteth and is in his bouk ylaft
1. 2747  That neyther veyne-blood ne ventusynge
1. 2748  Ne drynke of herbes may been his helpynge.
1. 2749  The vertu expulsyf or animal
1. 2750  Fro thilke vertu clepyd natural
1. 2751  Ne may the venym voyden ne expelle.
1. 2752  The pipes of his longes gan to swelle,
1. 2753  And euery lacerte in his brest adown
1. 2754  Is shent with venym and corrupcioun.
1. 2755  Hym gayneth neither for to gete his lyf
1. 2756  Vomyt vpward ne downward laxatyf;
1. 2757  Al is tobrosten thilke regioun.
1. 2758  Nature hath no dominacioun.
1. 2759  And certeinly ther nature wol nat werche,
1. 2760  Farewel phisyk: go ber the man to cherche.
1. 2761  This al and som that Arcita moot dye,
1. 2762  For which he sendeth after Emelye
1. 2763  And Palamon, that was his cosyn deere.
1. 2764  Thanne seyde he thus as ye shal after heere:
1. 2765    'Nat may the woful spirit in myn herte
1. 2766  Declare a point of alle my sorwes smerte
1. 2767  To yow, my lady that I loue moost.
1. 2768  But I byquethe the seruice of my goost
1. 2769  To yow abouen euery creature,
1. 2770  Syn that my lyf may no lenger dure.
1. 2771  Allas the wo, allas the peynes stronge
1. 2772  That I for yow haue suffred and so longe.
1. 2773  Allas the deeth, allas myn Emelye,
1. 2774  Allas departyng of oure compaignye.
1. 2775  Allas myn hertes queene, allas my wif,
1. 2776  Myn hertes lady, ender of my lyf.
1. 2777  What is this world? What axeth men to haue?
1. 2778  Now with his loue, now in his colde graue.
1. 2779    'I haue heer with my cosyn Palamon
1. 2780  Had stryf and rancour many a day gon
1. 2781  For loue of yow and for my ialousye.
1. 2782  And Iuppiter so wys my soule gye,
1. 2783  To speken of a seruaunt proprely
1. 2784  With circumstaunces alle trewely
1. 2785  (That is to seyn trouthe, honour, knyghthede,
1. 2786  Wisdom, humblesse, estaat and heigh kynrede,
1. 2787  Fredom and al that longeth to that art),
1. 2788  So Iuppiter haue of my soule part
1. 2789  As in this world right now ne knowe I non
1. 2790  So worthy to been loued as Palamon,
1. 2791  That serueth yow and wol doon al his lyf.
1. 2792  And if that euere ye shal been a wyf
1. 2793  Foryet nat Palamon the gentil man.'
1. 2794    And with that word his speche faille gan,
1. 2795  For from his feet vp to his brest was come
1. 2796  The coold of deeth that hadde hym ouercome.
1. 2797  And yet mooreouer for in his armes two
1. 2798  The vital strengthe is lost and al ago,
1. 2799  Oonly the intellect withoute moore
1. 2800  That dwelled in his herte syk and soore
1. 2801  Gan faillen whan the herte felte deeth.






1. 2802  Dusked hise eyen two and fayled breeth.
1. 2803  But on his lady yet caste he his eye,
1. 2804  His laste word was: 'Mercy, Emelye.'
1. 2805  His spirit chaunged hous and wente ther
1. 2806  As I cam neuere, I kan nat tellen wher.
1. 2807  Therfore I stynte, I nam no dyuynystre.
1. 2808  Of soules fynde I nat in this registre,
1. 2809  Ne me ne lyst thilke opynyons to telle
1. 2810  Of hem, thogh that they writen wher they dwelle.
1. 2811  Arcite is coold, ther Mars his soule gye.
1. 2812  Now wol I speken forth of Emelye.
1. 2813    Shrighte Emelye and howleth Palamon.
1. 2814  And Theseus his suster took anon
1. 2815  Swownynge and baar hir fro the corps away.
1. 2816  What helpeth it to tarien forth the day
1. 2817  To tellen how she weep bothe eue and morwe,
1. 2818  For in swich caas wommen haue swich sorwe
1. 2819  Whan that hir housbondes been from hem ago
1. 2820  That for the moore part they sorwen so
1. 2821  Or ellis fallen in swich a maladye
1. 2822  That at the laste certeinly they dye?
1. 2823    Infinite been the sorwes and the teerys
1. 2824  Of olde folk and folk of tendre yeerys
1. 2825  In al the town for the deeth of this Theban.
1. 2826  For hym ther wepeth bothe child and man.
1. 2827  So greet wepyng was ther noon certayn
1. 2828  Whan Ector was broght al fressh yslayn
1. 2829  To Troye. Allas the pitee that was ther,
1. 2830  Cracchynge of chekes, rentyng eek of heer.
1. 2831  'Why woldestow be deed,' thise wommen crye,
1. 2832  'And haddest gold ynow and Emelye?'
1. 2833     No man myghte gladen Theseus
1. 2834  Sauyng his olde fader Egeus
1. 2835  That knew this worldes transmutacioun
1. 2836  As he hadde seyn it chaungen bothe vp and down,
1. 2837  Ioye after wo and wo after gladnesse,
1. 2838  And shewed hem ensample and lyknesse.
1. 2839    'Right as ther deyed neuere man,' quod he,
1. 2840  'That he ne lyued in erthe in som degree,
1. 2841  Right so ther lyued neuere man,' he seyde,
1. 2842  'In al this world that somtyme he ne deyde.
1. 2843  This world nys but a thurghfare ful of wo
1. 2844  And we been pilgrymes passynge to and fro.
1. 2845  Deeth is an ende of euery worldly soore.'
1. 2846  And ouer al this yet seyde he muchel moore
1. 2847  To this effect, ful wysly to enhorte
1. 2848  The peple that they sholde hem reconforte.
1. 2849     Duc Theseus with al his bisy cure
1. 2850  Caste now wher that the sepulture
1. 2851  Of goode Arcite may best ymaked be
1. 2852  And eek moost honurable in his degree.
1. 2853  And at the laste he took conclusion
1. 2854  That ther as first Arcite and Palamon
1. 2855  Hadden for loue the bataille hem bitwene
1. 2856  That in the selue groue swoote and grene
1. 2857  Ther as he hadde hise amorouse desires,
1. 2858  His compleinte, and for loue his hote fyres,
1. 2859  He wolde make a fyr in which the office
1. 2860  Funeral he myghte al acomplice.
1. 2861  And leet anoon comaunde to hakke and hewe






1. 2862  The okes olde and leyen hem on a rewe
1. 2863  In colpons wel arrayed for to brenne.
1. 2864  Hise officers with swifte feet they renne
1. 2865  And ryde anoon at his comandement.
1. 2866  And after this Theseus hath ysent
1. 2867  After a beere and it al ouerspradde
1. 2868  With clooth of gold, the richeste that he hadde.
1. 2869  And of the same suyte he cladde Arcite.
1. 2870  Vpon his handes his gloues white
1. 2871  Eek on his heed a coroune of laurer greene,
1. 2872  And in his hand a swerd ful bright and keene,
1. 2873  He leyde hym bare the visage on the beere.
1. 2874  Therwith he weep that pitee was to heere.
1. 2875  And for the peple sholde seen hym alle
1. 2876  Whan it was day, he broghte hym to the halle
1. 2877  That roreth of the cryyng and the sown.
1. 2878    Tho cam this woful Theban Palamon
1. 2879  With flotry berd and ruggy, asshy heerys,
1. 2880  In clothes blake, ydropped al with teerys;
1. 2881  And passyng othere of wepyng, Emelye
1. 2882  The rufulleste of al the compaignye.
1. 2883  In as muche as the seruyce sholde be
1. 2884  The moore noble and ryche in his degree,
1. 2885  Duc Theseus leet forth thre steedes brynge
1. 2886  That trapped weren in steel al gliterynge
1. 2887  And couered with the armes of daun Arcite.
1. 2888  Vpon thise steedes grete and whyte
1. 2889  Ther seten folk, of which oon baar his sheeld,
1. 2890  Another his spere vpon his hondes heeld,
1. 2891  The thridde bar with hym his bowe Turkeys.
1. 2892  Of brend gold was the caas and eek the harneys.
1. 2893  And ryden forth a paas with sorweful cheere
1. 2894  Toward the groue, as ye shul after heere.
1. 2895  The nobleste of the Grekys that ther were
1. 2896  Vpon hir shuldres carieden the beere
1. 2897  With slak paas and eyen rede and weete
1. 2898  Thurghout the citee by the maister streete
1. 2899  That sprad was al with blak; and wonder hye
1. 2900  Right of the same is the strete ywrye.
1. 2901  Vpon the right hand wente olde Egeus
1. 2902  And on that oother syde duc Theseus,
1. 2903  With vessels in hir hand of gold ful fyn
1. 2904  Al ful of hony, melk and blood and wyn;
1. 2905  Eek Palamon with ful greet compaignye.
1. 2906  And after that cam woful Emelye
1. 2907  With fyr in hande, as was that tyme the gyse,
1. 2908  To do the office of funeral seruyse.
1. 2909    Heigh labour and greet apparaillynge
1. 2910  Was at the seruyce and the fyr-makynge,
1. 2911  That with his grene top the heuene raughte
1. 2912  And twenty fadme of brede the armes straughte;
1. 2913  This is to seyn the bowes were so brode.
1. 2914  Of stree first ther was leyd many a lode.
1. 2915  But how the fyr was maked vpon highte
1. 2916  Ne eek the names how the trees highte,
1. 2917  As ook, fyrre, birch, asp, alder, holm, popler,
1. 2918  Wylow, elm, plane, assh, box, chestayn, lynde, laurer,
1. 2919  Mapul, thorn, beech, hasyl, ew, whippultree,
1. 2920  How they were feld shal nat been told for me;
1. 2921  Ne how the goddes ronnen vp and doun






1. 2922  Desherited of hir habitacioun
1. 2923  In which they woneden in reste and pees,
1. 2924  Nymphes, fawnes and amadrides;
1. 2925  Ne how the beestes and the bryddes alle
1. 2926  Fledden forfered, whan the wode was falle;
1. 2927  Ne how the ground agast was of the lyght
1. 2928  That was nat wont to seen the sonne bright;
1. 2929  Ne how the fyr was couched first with stree,
1. 2930  And thanne with drye stikkes clouen a three,
1. 2931  And thanne with grene wode and spicerye,
1. 2932  And thanne with clooth of gold and with perrye
1. 2933  And gerlandes hangynge ful of many a flour,
1. 2934  The mirre, th'encens with al so greet sauour;
1. 2935  Ne how Arcite lay among al this;
1. 2936  Ne what richesse aboute the body is;
1. 2937  Ne how that Emelye, as was the gyse,
1. 2938  Putte in the fyr of funeral seruyse;
1. 2939  Ne how she swowned whan men made the fyr;
1. 2940  Ne what she spak, ne what was hir desir;
1. 2941  Ne what iuels men in the fyr caste
1. 2942  Whan that the fyr was greet and brente faste;
1. 2943  Ne how somme caste hir sheeld and somme hir spere
1. 2944  And of hir vestimentz, whiche that they were,
1. 2945  And coppes fulle of milk and wyn and blood
1. 2946  Into the fyr that brente as it were wood;
1. 2947  Ne how the Grekys with an huge route
1. 2948  Thries ryden al the fyr aboute
1. 2949  Vpon the left hand with a loud shoutynge,
1. 2950  And thries with hir speres claterynge;
1. 2951  And thries how the ladyes gonne crye;
1. 2952  And how that lad was homward Emelye;
1. 2953  Ne how Arcite is brent to asshen colde;
1. 2954  Ne how that lychwake was yholde
1. 2955  Al thilke nyght; ne how the Grekys pleye
1. 2956  The wake-pleyes. Ne kepe I noght to seye
1. 2957  Who wrastleth best naked with oille enoynt;
1. 2958  Ne who that baar hym best in no disioynt.
1. 2959  I wol nat tellen al how they goon
1. 2960  Hoom til Atthenes whan the pleye is doon.
1. 2961  But shortly to the poynt than wol I wende
1. 2962  And maken of my longe tale an ende.
1. 2963    By proces and by lengthe of certeyn yerys
1. 2964  Al stynt is the moornynge and the terys
1. 2965  Of Grekys by oon general assent.
1. 2966  Thanne semed me ther was a parlement
1. 2967  At Atthenes vpon a certeyn point and caas.
1. 2968  Among the whiche pointes yspoken was
1. 2969  To haue with certeyn contrees alliance
1. 2970  And haue fully of Thebans obeisance.
1. 2971  For which this noble Theseus anon
1. 2972  Leet senden after gentil Palamon,
1. 2973  Vnwist of hym what was the cause and why.
1. 2974  But in his blake clothes sorwefully
1. 2975  He cam at his comandement in hye.
1. 2976  Tho sente Theseus for Emelye.
1. 2977    Whan they were set and hust was al the place
1. 2978  And Theseus abiden hath a space
1. 2979  Er any word cam fro his wise brest,
1. 2980  His eyen sette he ther as was his lest
1. 2981  And with a sad visage he siked stille,






1. 2982  And after that right thus he seyde his wille:
1. 2983    'The firste moeuere of the cause aboue,
1. 2984  Whan he first made the faire cheyne of loue,
1. 2985  Greet was th'effect and heigh was his entente.
1. 2986  Wel wiste he why and what therof he mente.
1. 2987  For with that faire cheyne of loue he boond
1. 2988  The fyr, the eyr, the water and the loond
1. 2989  In certeyn boundes that they may nat flee.
1. 2990  That same prince and that moeuere,' quod he,
1. 2991  'Hath stabliced in this wrecched world adoun
1. 2992  Certeine dayes and duracioun
1. 2993  To al that is engendred in this place,
1. 2994  Ouer the which day they may nat pace
1. 2995  Al mowe they yet tho dayes abregge.
1. 2996  Ther nedeth noon auctoritee to allegge
1. 2997  For it is proued by experience,
1. 2998  But that me list declaren my sentence.
1. 2999  Thanne may men wel by this ordre discerne
1. 3000  That thilke moeuere stable is and eterne.
1. 3001  Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool,
1. 3002  That euery part is diryued from his hool.
1. 3003  For nature hath nat taken his bigynnyng
1. 3004  Of no partie or of cantel of a thyng,
1. 3005  But of a thyng that parfit is and stable
1. 3006  Descendynge so til it be corrumpable.
1. 3007  And therfore for his wise purueiaunce
1. 3008  He hath so wel biset his ordinaunce
1. 3009  That specis of thynges and progressions
1. 3010  Shullen enduren by successions
1. 3011  And noght eterne, withouten any lye.
1. 3012  This maistow vnderstonde and seen at iye.
1. 3013    'Loo the ook that hath so long a norisshynge
1. 3014  Fro the tyme that it first gynneth sprynge
1. 3015  And hath so long a lyf, as ye may see
1. 3016  Yet at the laste wasted is the tree.
1. 3017    'Considreth eek how that the harde stoon
1. 3018  Vnder oure foot on which we ryde and goon
1. 3019  It wasteth as it lyth by the weye.
1. 3020  The brode ryuer somtyme wexeth dreye.
1. 3021  The grete townes se we wane and wende.
1. 3022  Thanne se ye that al this thyng hath ende.
1. 3023  Of man and womman se we wel also
1. 3024  That nedeth in oon of thise termes two,
1. 3025  This is to seyn in youthe or ellis age,
1. 3026  He moot be deed, the kyng as shal a page:
1. 3027  Som in his bed, som in the depe see,
1. 3028  Som in the large feeld. As ye may se
1. 3029  Ther helpeth noght: al gooth that ilke weye.
1. 3030  Thanne may I seyn that al this thyng moot deye.
1. 3031  What maketh this but Iuppiter the kyng,
1. 3032  That is prince and cause of alle thyng,
1. 3033  Conuertyng al vnto his propre welle
1. 3034  From which it is diryued sooth to telle?
1. 3035  And heer-agayns no creature on lyue
1. 3036  Of no degree auailleth for to stryue.
1. 3037    'Thanne is it wisdom, as it thynketh me,
1. 3038  To maken vertu of necessitee
1. 3039  And take it wel that we may nat eschue,
1. 3040  And nameliche that to vs alle is due.
1. 3041  And whoso gruccheth oght, he dooth folye






1. 3042  And rebel is to hym that al may gye.
1. 3043  And certeinly a man hath moost honour
1. 3044  To dyen in his excellence and flour,
1. 3045  Whan he is siker of his goode name.
1. 3046  Thanne hath he doon his freend ne hym no shame.
1. 3047  And gladder oghte his freend been of his deeth
1. 3048  Whan with honour yolden is vp his breeth
1. 3049  Than whan his name apalled is for age,
1. 3050  For al forgeten is his vasselage.
1. 3051  Thanne is it best, as for a worthy fame,
1. 3052  To dyen whan he is best of name.
1. 3053    'The contrarie of al this is wilfulnesse.
1. 3054  Why grucchen we, why haue we heuynesse
1. 3055  That goode Arcite, of chiualrie flour,
1. 3056  Departed is with duetee and with honour
1. 3057  Out of this foule prison of this lyf?
1. 3058  Why gruccheth heere his cosyn and his wyf
1. 3059  Of his welfare, that loueth hem so weel?
1. 3060  Kan he hem thank (Nay, god woot, neuer-a-deel),
1. 3061  That bothe his soule and eek hemself offende?
1. 3062  And yet they mowe hir lustes nat amende.
1. 3063    'What may I conclude of this longe serye
1. 3064  But after wo I rede vs to be merye
1. 3065  And thanken Iuppiter of al his grace?
1. 3066  And er we departen from this place
1. 3067  I rede we make of sorwes two
1. 3068  O parfit ioye lastynge eueremo.
1. 3069  And loketh now wher moost sorwe is herinne,
1. 3070  Ther wol I first amenden and bigynne.
1. 3071    'Suster,' quod he, 'this is my ful assent
1. 3072  With al th'auys heer of my parlement
1. 3073  That gentil Palamon, youre owene knyght,
1. 3074  That serueth yow with wyl and herte myght
1. 3075  And euere hath doon syn ye first hym knewe,
1. 3076  That ye shal of youre grace vpon hym rewe
1. 3077  And taken hym for housbond and for lord.
1. 3078  Leen me youre hond, for this is oure acord.
1. 3079  Lat se now of youre wommanly pitee.
1. 3080  He is a kynges brother sone pardee.
1. 3081  And thogh he were a poure bachiler,
1. 3082  Syn he hath serued yow so many a yeer
1. 3083  And had for yow so greet aduersitee,
1. 3084  It moste been considred, leueth me,
1. 3085  For gentil mercy oghte to passen right.'
1. 3086    Thanne seyde he thus to Palamon the knyght:
1. 3087  'I trowe ther nedeth litel sermonyng
1. 3088  To make yow assente to this thyng.
1. 3089  Com neer and taketh youre lady by the hond.'
1. 3090    Bitwixe hem was maad anon the bond
1. 3091  That highte matrymoigne or mariage
1. 3092  By al the conseil and the baronage.
1. 3093  And thus with alle blisse and melodye
1. 3094  Hath Palamon ywedded Emelye.
1. 3095  And god, that al this world hath wroght,
1. 3096  Sende hym his loue that hath it deere aboght,
1. 3097  For now is Palamon in alle wele,
1. 3098  Lyuynge in blisse, in richesse and in heele.
1. 3099  And Emelye hym loueth so tendrely
1. 3100  And he hir serueth so gentilly
1. 3101  That was ther no word hem bitwene






1. 3102  Of ialousie or any oother teene.
1. 3103  Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye,
1. 3104  And god saue al this faire compaignye. Amen.

<1Here is ended the knyghtes tale.>1



<1The prologe of the milleres tale.>1

1. 3105  Whan that the knyght hadde thus his tale ytoold,
1. 3106  In al the compaignie nas ther yong ne oold
1. 3107  That he ne seyde it was a noble storie
1. 3108  And worthy for to drawen to memorie,
1. 3109  And namely the gentils euerichon.
1. 3110    Oure hoost lough and swoor: 'So moot I gon,
1. 3111  This gooth aright. Vnbokeled is the male.
1. 3112  Lat se now who shal telle another tale,
1. 3113  For trewely the game is wel bigonne.
1. 3114  Now telleth ye, sire monk, if that ye konne,
1. 3115  Somwhat to quite with the knyghtes tale.'
1. 3116    The millere that fordronken was a pale
1. 3117  So that vnnethe vpon his hors he sat,
1. 3118  He nolde aualen neither hood ne hat
1. 3119  Ne abiden no man for his curteisye.
1. 3120  But in Pilates voys he gan to crye
1. 3121  And swoor: 'By armes and by blood and bones,
1. 3122  I kan a noble tale for the nones
1. 3123  With which I wol now quite the knyghtes tale.'
1. 3124    Oure hoost saugh that he was dronke of ale
1. 3125  And seyde: 'Abyde, Robyn, leeue brother,
1. 3126  Som bettre man shal telle vs first another.
1. 3127  Abyde, and lat vs werken thriftily.'
1. 3128    'By goddes soule,' quod he, 'that wol nat I.
1. 3129  For I wol speke or ellis go my wey.'
1. 3130    Oure hoost answerde: 'Tel on, a deuele wey.
1. 3131  Thow art a fool. Thy wit is ouercome.'
1. 3132    'Now herkneth,' quod the millere, 'alle and some.
1. 3133  But first I make a protestacioun
1. 3134  That I am dronke. I knowe it by my sown.
1. 3135  And therfore if that I mysspeke or seye,
1. 3136  Wite it the ale of Southwerk I preye.
1. 3137  For I wol telle a legende and a lyf,
1. 3138  Bothe of a carpenter and of his wyf,
1. 3139  How that a clerk hath set the wrightes cappe.'
1. 3140    The reue answerde and seyde: 'Stynt thy clappe.
1. 3141  Lat be thy lewed, dronken harlotrye.
1. 3142  It is a synne and eek a greet folye
1. 3143  To apeyren any man or hym diffame
1. 3144  And eek to bryngen wyues in swich fame.
1. 3145  Thow mayst ynow of othere thynges seyn.'
1. 3146    This dronken miller spak ful soone ageyn
1. 3147  And seyde: 'Leeue brother Osewold,
1. 3148  Who hath no wyf, he is no cokewold.
1. 3149  But I seye nat therfore that thow art oon.
1. 3150  Ther been ful goode wyues many oon.
1. 3151  Why artow angry with my tale now?
1. 3152  I haue a wyf pardee as wel as thow.
1. 3153  Yet nolde I for the oxen in my plough
1. 3154  Take vpon me moore than ynough






1. 3155  As demen of myself that I were oon.
1. 3156  I wol bileeue wel that I am noon.
1. 3157  An housbonde shal noght been inquisityf
1. 3158  Of goddes pryuetee nor of his wyf.
1. 3159  So he may fynde goddes foyson there,
1. 3160  Of the remenant nedeth noght enquere.'
1. 3161    What sholde I moore seyn but this millere
1. 3162  He nolde his wordes for no man forbere,
1. 3163  But tolde his cherles tale in his manere?
1. 3164  Me athynketh that I shal reherce it heere
1. 3165  And therfore euery gentil wight, I preye,
1. 3166  Demeth noght for goddes loue that I seye
1. 3167  Of yuel entente, but for I moot reherse
1. 3168  Hir tales alle be they bet or werse
1. 3169  Or ellis falsen som of my matere.
1. 3170  And therfore whoso list it noght yhere
1. 3171  Turne ouer the leef and chese another tale,
1. 3172  For he shal fynde ynowe, grete and smale,
1. 3173  Of storial thyng that toucheth gentilesse
1. 3174  And eek moralitee and holynesse.
1. 3175  Blameth noght me if that ye chese amys.
1. 3176  The millere is a cherl, ye knowe wel this,
1. 3177  So was the reue eek and othere mo:
1. 3178  And harlotrye they tolden bothe two.
1. 3179  Auyseth yow and put me out of blame,
1. 3180  And eek men shal noght maken ernest of game.


<1Here bigynneth the millerys tale.>1


1. 3181  Whilom ther was dwellyng in Oxenford
1. 3182  A riche gnof that gestes heeld to bord,
1. 3183  And of his craft he was a carpenter.
1. 3184  With hym ther was dwellynge a poure scoler
1. 3185  Hadde lerned art, but al his fantasie
1. 3186  Was turned for to leere astrologie,
1. 3187  And koude a certeyn of conclusions
1. 3188  To demen by interrogacions,
1. 3189  If that men axed hym in certein houres
1. 3190  Whan that men sholde haue droghte or ellis shoures,
1. 3191  Or if men axed hym what shal bifalle
1. 3192  Of euery thyng. I may nat rekene hem alle.
1. 3193    This clerk was clepyd hende Nicholas.
1. 3194  Of derne loue he koude and of solas.
1. 3195  And therto he was sleigh and ful pryuee
1. 3196  And lyk a mayde meke for to see.
1. 3197  A chambre hadde he in that hostelrie
1. 3198  Allone withouten any compaignye
1. 3199  Ful fetisly dight with herbes swoote.
1. 3200  And he hymself as sweete as is the roote
1. 3201  Of lycorys or any cetuale.
1. 3202  His Almageste and bookes grete and smale,
1. 3203  His astrelabye longynge for his art,
1. 3204  His augrym stones layen faire apart
1. 3205  On shelues couched at his beddes heed;
1. 3206  His presse ycouered with a faldyng reed.
1. 3207  And al aboue ther lay a gay sautrye
1. 3208  On which he made a nyghtes melodye
1. 3209  So swetely that al the chambre roong.






1. 3210  And <1Angelus ad Virginem>1 he soong.
1. 3211  And after that he soong the kynges note.
1. 3212  Ful often blissed was his murye throte.
1. 3213  And thus this swete clerk his tyme spente
1. 3214  After his freendes fyndyng and his rente.
1. 3215    This carpenter hadde wedded newe a wyf
1. 3216  Which that he louede moore than his lyf.
1. 3217  Of xviij yeer she was of age.
1. 3218  Ialous he was and heeld hir narwe in cage,
1. 3219  For she was wilde and yong and he was old
1. 3220  And demed hymself been lyk a cokewold.
1. 3221  He knew nat Catoun, for his wit was rude,
1. 3222  That bad men sholde wedde his similitude.
1. 3223  Men sholde wedden after hir estaat,
1. 3224  For youthe and elde is often at debaat.
1. 3225  But sith that he was fallen in the snare,
1. 3226  He moste endure as oother folk his care.
1. 3227     Fair was this yonge wyf, and therwithal
1. 3228  As any wesele hir body gent and smal.
1. 3229  A ceynt she werde, barred al of sylk,
1. 3230  A barmclooth as whit as morne-mylk
1. 3231  Vpon hir lendes, ful of many a goore.
1. 3232  Whit was hir smok and broyden al bifoore
1. 3233  And eek bihynde on hir coler aboute
1. 3234  Of colblak silk withinne and eek withoute.
1. 3235  The tapes of hir white voluper
1. 3236  Were of the same sute of hir coler.
1. 3237  Hir filet brood of sylk and set ful hye.
1. 3238  And sikerly she hadde a likerous iye.
1. 3239  Ful smale ypulled were hir browes two
1. 3240  And tho were bent and blake as is a slo.
1. 3241  She was ful moore blisful on to see
1. 3242  Than is the newe pereionette tree,
1. 3243  And softer than the wolle is of a wether.
1. 3244  And by hir girdel heeng a purs of lether
1. 3245  Tasseled with silk and perled with latoun.
1. 3246  In al this world to seken vp and doun
1. 3247  Ther nys no man so wys that koude thenche
1. 3248  So gay a popelote or swich a wenche.
1. 3249  Ful brighter was the shynyng of hir hewe
1. 3250  Than in the Tour the noble yforged newe.
1. 3251  But of hir soong it was as loude and yerne
1. 3252  As any swalwe sittyng on a berne.
1. 3253  Therto she koude skippe and make game
1. 3254  As any kyde or calf folwynge his dame.
1. 3255  Hir mouth was sweete as bragot or the meeth
1. 3256  Or hoord of apples leyd in hey or heeth.
1. 3257  Wynsynge she was as is a ioly colt,
1. 3258  Loong as a mast and vprighte as a bolt.
1. 3259  A brooch she baar vpon hir loue coler
1. 3260  As brood as is the boos of a bokeler.
1. 3261  Hir shoes were laced on hir legges hye.
1. 3262  She was a prymerole, a piggesnye,
1. 3263  For any lord to leggen in his bedde
1. 3264  Or yet for any good yeman to wedde.
1. 3265    Now, sire, and eft, sire, so bifel the cas
1. 3266  That on a day this hende Nicholas
1. 3267  Fil with this yonge wyf to rage and pleye
1. 3268  Whil that hir housbonde was at Osneye
1. 3269  (As clerkes been ful subtil and ful queynte)






1. 3270  And pryuely he caughte hir by the queynte
1. 3271  And seyde: 'Ywys but if ich haue my wille
1. 3272  For derne loue of thee, lemman, I spille.'
1. 3273  And heeld hir harde by the haunche-bones
1. 3274  And seyde: 'Lemman, loue me al atones
1. 3275  Or I wol dyen, also god me saue.'
1. 3276    And she sproong as a colt dooth in the traue
1. 3277  And with hir heed she wryed faste awey.
1. 3278  She seyde: 'I wol nat kisse thee by my fey.
1. 3279  Wy, lat be quod ich, lat be Nicholas.
1. 3280  Or I wol crye out, harrow and allas.
1. 3281  Do wey youre handes for youre curteisye '
1. 3282    This Nicholas gan mercy for to crye
1. 3283  And spak so faire and profred hym so faste
1. 3284  That she hir loue hym graunted atte laste.
1. 3285  And swoor hir ooth by seint Thomas of Kent
1. 3286  That she wolde been at his comaundement
1. 3287  Whan that she may hir leyser wel espie.
1. 3288  'Myn housbonde is so ful of ialousie
1. 3289  That but ye waite wel and been pryuee,
1. 3290  I woot right wel I nam but deed,' quod she.
1. 3291  'Ye moste been ful derne as in this cas.'
1. 3292    'Nay, therof care thee noght,' quod Nicholas.
1. 3293  'A clerc hadde lutherly biset his while
1. 3294  But if he koude a carpenter bigyle.'
1. 3295  And thus they been acorded and ysworn
1. 3296  To waite a tyme, as I haue told biforn.
1. 3297  Whan Nicholas hadde doon thus euery del
1. 3298  And thakked hire vpon the lendes wel,
1. 3299  He kiste hir sweete and taketh his sautrye
1. 3300  And pleyeth faste and maketh melodye.
1. 3301    Thanne fil it thus that to the parissh chirche,
1. 3302  Cristes owene werkes for to wirche,
1. 3303  This goode wyf wente on an haliday.
1. 3304  Hir forheed shoon as bright as any day,
1. 3305  So was it wasshen whan she leet hir werk.
1. 3306    Now was ther of that chirche a parissh clerk
1. 3307  The which that was yclepid Absolon.
1. 3308  Crul was his heer and as the gold it shoon
1. 3309  And strouted as a fanne large and brode.
1. 3310  Ful streight and euene lay his ioly shode.
1. 3311  His rode was reed, hise eyen greye as goos.
1. 3312  With Poules wyndow coruen on his shoos,
1. 3313  In hoses rede he wente fetisly.
1. 3314  Yclad he was ful smal and proprely
1. 3315  Al in a kirtel of a light waget,
1. 3316  Ful faire and thikke been the pointes set.
1. 3317  And thervpon he hadde a gay surplys
1. 3318  As whit as is the blosme vpon the rys.
1. 3319  A murye child he was, so god me saue.
1. 3320  Wel koude he laten blood and clippe and shaue
1. 3321  And maken a chartre of lond or aquitaunce.
1. 3322  On twenty manere koude he trippe and daunce
1. 3323  After the scole of Oxenford tho
1. 3324  And with his legges casten to and fro,
1. 3325  And pleyen songes on a smal rubible.
1. 3326  Therto he soong somtyme a loud quynyble.
1. 3327  And as wel koude he pleye on a gyterne.
1. 3328  In al the town nas brewhous ne tauerne
1. 3329  That he ne visited with his solas






1. 3330  Ther any gaylard tappestere was.
1. 3331  But sooth to seyn he was somdel squaymous
1. 3332  Of fartyng and of speche daungerous.
1. 3333    This Absolon, that ioly was and gay,
1. 3334  Gooth with a sencer on the haliday
1. 3335  Sensynge the wyues of the parisshe faste.
1. 3336  And many a louely look on hem he caste
1. 3337  And namely on this carpenters wyf.
1. 3338  To looke on hire hym thoughte a murye lyf:
1. 3339  She was so propre and sweete and likerous.
1. 3340  I dar wel seyn if she hadde been a mous
1. 3341  And he a cat, he wolde hir hente anon.
1. 3342  This parisshe clerk, this ioly Absolon,
1. 3343  Hath in his herte swich a loue-longynge
1. 3344  That of no wyf ne took he noon offrynge.
1. 3345  For curteisye, he seyde, he wolde noon.
1. 3346  The moone, whan it was nyght, ful brighte shoon,
1. 3347  And Absolon his gyterne hath ytake
1. 3348  For paramours he thoghte for to wake.
1. 3349  And forth he gooth, iolyf and amorous,
1. 3350  Til he cam to the carpenters hous
1. 3351  A litel after cokkes hadde ycrowe
1. 3352  And dressed hym vp by a shot-wyndowe
1. 3353  That was vpon the carpenters wal.
1. 3354  He syngeth in his voys gentil and smal:
1. 3355  'Now, deere lady, if thy wille be
1. 3356  I prey yow that ye wol rewe on me,'
1. 3357  Ful wel acordant to his giternynge.
1. 3358    This carpenter awook and herde hym synge
1. 3359  And spak vnto his wyf and seyde anon:
1. 3360  'What, Alison, herestow noght Absolon
1. 3361  That chaunteth thus vnder oure boures wal?'
1. 3362    And she answerde hir housbonde therwithal:
1. 3363  'Yis, god woot, Iohn, I here it euery del.'
1. 3364    This passeth forth; what wol ye bet than wel?
1. 3365  Fro day to day this ioly Absolon
1. 3366  So woweth hir that hym is wo bigon.
1. 3367  He waketh al the nyght and al the day.
1. 3368  He kembed his lokkes brode and made hym gay.
1. 3369  He woweth hir by meenes and brocage
1. 3370  And swoor he wolde been hir owene page.
1. 3371  He syngeth brokkyng as a nyghtyngale.
1. 3372  He sente hir pyment, meeth and spiced ale
1. 3373  And wafres pipyng hoot out of the gleede.
1. 3374  And for she was of towne he profred meede,
1. 3375  For som folk wol be wonnen for richesse
1. 3376  And som for strokes and som for gentilesse.
1. 3377  Somtyme to shewe his lightnesse and maistrye
1. 3378  He pleyeth Herodes vpon a scaffold hye.
1. 3379  But what auailleth hym as in this cas.
1. 3380  She loueth so this hende Nicholas
1. 3381  That Absolon may blowe the bukkes horn.
1. 3382  He ne hadde for his labour but a scorn
1. 3383  And thus she maketh Absolon hir ape
1. 3384  And al his ernest turneth til a iape.
1. 3385  Ful sooth is this prouerbe, it is no lye,
1. 3386  Men seith right thus: alwey the neighe slye
1. 3387  Maketh the ferre leeue to be looth.
1. 3388  For thogh that Absolon be wood or wrooth,
1. 3389  By cause that he fer was from hir sighte






1. 3390  This neighe Nicholas stood in his lighte.
1. 3391    Now bere thee wel, thow hende Nicholas,
1. 3392  For Absolon may waille and synge allas.
1. 3393    And so bifel it on a Saterday
1. 3394  This carpenter was goon til Osenay,
1. 3395  And hende Nicholas and Alison
1. 3396  Acorded been to this conclusion
1. 3397  That Nicholas shal shapen hem a wile
1. 3398  This sely ialous housbonde to bigile.
1. 3399  And if so be the game wente aright
1. 3400  She sholde slepen in his arm al nyght,
1. 3401  For this was hir desir and his also.
1. 3402  And right-anoon withouten wordes mo
1. 3403  This Nicholas no lenger wolde tarie
1. 3404  But dooth ful softe vnto his chambre carie
1. 3405  Bothe mete and drynke for a day or tweye.
1. 3406  And to hir housbonde bad hire for to seye
1. 3407  If that he axed after Nicholas,
1. 3408  She sholde seye she nyste wher he was.
1. 3409  Of al that day she seigh hym noght with iye.
1. 3410  She trowed that he was in maladye
1. 3411  For for no cry hir mayde koude hym calle.
1. 3412  He nolde answere for nothyng that myghte falle.
1. 3413    This passeth forth al thilke Saterday
1. 3414  That Nicholas stille in his chambre lay,
1. 3415  And eet and sleep or dide what hym leste
1. 3416  Til Sonday that sonne gooth to reste.
1. 3417  This sely carpenter hath greet meruaille
1. 3418  Of Nicholas or what thyng myghte hym aille
1. 3419  And seyde: 'I am adrad by seint Thomas
1. 3420  It stondeth nat aright with Nicholas.
1. 3421  God shilde that he deyde sodeynly.
1. 3422  This world is now ful tikel sikerly:
1. 3423  I seigh today a corps born to chirche
1. 3424  That now a Monday last I seigh hym wirche.
1. 3425  Go vp,' quod he vnto his knaue anoon.
1. 3426  'Clepe at his dore or knokke with a stoon.
1. 3427  Looke how it is and tel me boldely.'
1. 3428    This knaue gooth hym vp ful sturdily.
1. 3429  And at the chambre-dore, whil that he stood,
1. 3430  He cryde and knokked as that he were wood:
1. 3431  'What how? What do ye, maister Nicholay?
1. 3432  How may ye slepen al the longe day?'
1. 3433  But al for noght; he herde nat a word.
1. 3434  An hole he foond ful lowe vpon a bord
1. 3435  Ther as the cat was wont in for to crepe
1. 3436  And at that hole he looked in ful depe.
1. 3437  And atte laste he hadde of hym a sighte.
1. 3438  This Nicholas sat euere capyng vprighte
1. 3439  As he hadde kiked on the newe moone.
1. 3440  Adown he gooth and tolde his maister soone
1. 3441  In what array he saw this ilke man.
1. 3442     This carpenter to blessen hym bigan
1. 3443  And seyde: 'Help vs, seinte Frideswyde.
1. 3444  A man woot litel what hym shal bityde.
1. 3445  This man is falle with his astromye
1. 3446  In som woodnesse or in som agonye.
1. 3447  I thoghte ay wel how that it sholde be.
1. 3448  Men sholde noght knowe of goddes priuetee.
1. 3449  Ye, blissed be alwey a lewed man






1. 3450  That noght but oonly his bileue kan.
1. 3451  So ferde another clerk with astromye:
1. 3452  He walked in the feeldes for to prye
1. 3453  Vpon the sterres what ther sholde bifalle
1. 3454  Til he was in a marle-pit yfalle.
1. 3455  He saw nat that. But yet by seint Thomas
1. 3456  Me reweth sore of hende Nicholas.
1. 3457  He shal be rated of his studiyng,
1. 3458  If that I may, by Iesus heuene-kyng.
1. 3459  Get me a staf that I may vnderspore
1. 3460  Whil that thow, Robyn, heuest vp the dore.
1. 3461  He shal out of his studyyng as I gesse.'
1. 3462  And to the chambre-dore he gan hym dresse.
1. 3463  His knaue was a strong carl for the nones
1. 3464  And by the haspe he haaf it vp atones.
1. 3465  Into the floor the dore fil anoon.
1. 3466    This Nicholas sat ay as stille as stoon
1. 3467  And euere caped vp into the eyr.
1. 3468  This carpenter wende he were in despeyr
1. 3469  And hente hym by the sholdres myghtily
1. 3470  And shook hym harde and cryde spitously:
1. 3471  'What, Nicholay, what how? Looke adoun.
1. 3472  Awake and thenk on Cristes passioun.
1. 3473  I crouche thee from elues and fro wightes.'
1. 3474  Therwith the nyghtspel seyde he anon-rightes
1. 3475  On foure halues of the hous aboute
1. 3476  And on the thresshfold on the dore withoute:
1. 3477  'Iesu Crist and seint Benedight,
1. 3478  Blesse this hous from euery wikked wight;
1. 3479  For the nyghtes nerye the white Pater Noster.
1. 3480  Where wentestow seinte Petres suster?'
1. 3481    And at the laste this hende Nicholas
1. 3482  Gan for to sike soore and seyde: 'Allas
1. 3483  Shal al the world be lost eftsoones now?'
1. 3484    This carpenter answerde: 'What seistow?
1. 3485  What thenk on god as we doon men that swynke.'
1. 3486    This Nicholas answerde: 'Fecche me drynke,
1. 3487  And after wol I speke in pryuetee
1. 3488  Of certein thyng that toucheth me and thee.
1. 3489  I wol telle it noon oother man certayn.'
1. 3490    This carpenter gooth doun and comth agayn
1. 3491  And broghte of myghty ale a large quart.
1. 3492  And whan that eech of hem hadde dronke his part,
1. 3493  This Nicholas his dore faste shette,
1. 3494  And doun the carpenter by hym he sette,
1. 3495  And seyde: 'Iohn, myn hoost lief and deere,
1. 3496  Thou shalt vpon thy trouthe swere me heere
1. 3497  That to no wight thou shalt this conseil wreye,
1. 3498  For it is Cristes conseil that I seye.
1. 3499  And if thou telle it man, thou art forlore.
1. 3500  For this vengeaunce thow shalt haue therfore
1. 3501  That if thow wreye me thow shalt be wood.'
1. 3502    'Nay, Crist forbede it for his holy blood,'
1. 3503  Quod tho this sely man, 'I nam no labbe.
1. 3504  And thogh I seye, I nam nat lief to gabbe.
1. 3505  Sey what thow wolt, I shal it neuere telle
1. 3506  To child ne wyf by hym that harwed helle.'
1. 3507    'Now, Iohn,' quod Nicholas, 'I wol noght lye.
1. 3508  I haue yfounde in myn astrologye,
1. 3509  As I haue looked in the moone bright,






1. 3510  That now a Monday next at quarter-nyght
1. 3511  Shal falle a reyn and that so wilde and wood
1. 3512  That half so greet was neuere Nowels flood.
1. 3513  This world,' he seyde, 'in lasse than in an hour
1. 3514  Shal al be dreynt, so hidous is the shour.
1. 3515  Thus shal mankynde drenche and lese hir lyf.
1. 3516    This carpenter answerde: 'Allas my wyf.
1. 3517  And shal she drenche? Allas myn Alisoun.'
1. 3518  For sorwe of this he fil almoost adoun
1. 3519  And seyde: 'Is ther no remedie in this cas?'
1. 3520    'Why, yis, for gode,' quod hende Nicholas
1. 3521  'If thow wolt werken after loore and reed
1. 3522  Thow mayst noght werken after thyn owene heed,
1. 3523  For thus seith Salomon that was ful trewe:
1. 3524  Werk al by conseil and thow shalt noght rewe.
1. 3525  And if thow werken wolt by good consayl,
1. 3526  I vndertake withouten mast or sayl
1. 3527  Yit shal I saue hir and thee and me.
1. 3528  Hastow nat herd how saued was Noe,
1. 3529  Whan that oure lord hadde warned hym biforn
1. 3530  That al the world with water sholde be lorn?'
1. 3531    'Yis,' quod this carpenter, 'ful yore ago.'
1. 3532    'Hastow nat herd,' quod Nicholas also,
1. 3533  'The sorwe of Noe with his felaweshipe
1. 3534  Er that he myghte gete his wyf to shipe?
1. 3535  Hym hadde leuere, I dar wel vndertake,
1. 3536  At thilke tyme than alle hise wetheres blake
1. 3537  That she hadde had a ship hirself allone.
1. 3538  And therfore wostow what is best to done?
1. 3539  This axeth haste, and of an hastyf thyng
1. 3540  Men may noght preche or maken tariyng.
1. 3541  Anoon go gete vs faste into this in
1. 3542  A knedyng-trogh or ellis a kymelyn
1. 3543  For eech of vs. But looke that they be large,
1. 3544  In whiche we mowen swymme as in a barge
1. 3545  And han therinne vitaille suffisaunt
1. 3546  But for a day; fy on the remenaunt.
1. 3547  The water shal aslake and goon away
1. 3548  Aboute pryme vpon the nexte day.
1. 3549  But Robyn may nat wite of this, thy knaue,
1. 3550  Ne eek thy mayde Gille I may nat saue.
1. 3551  Axe noght why, for thogh thou axe me
1. 3552  I wol noght tellen goddes pryuetee.
1. 3553  Suffiseth thee, but if thy wittes madde,
1. 3554  To han as greet a grace as Noe hadde.
1. 3555  Thy wif shal I wel sauen out of doute.
1. 3556  Go now thy wey and speed thee heeraboute.
1. 3557  But whan thou hast for hir and thee and me
1. 3558  Ygeten vs thise knedyng-tubbes thre
1. 3559  Thanne shaltow hangen hem in the roof ful hye
1. 3560  That no man of oure purueiance espye.
1. 3561  And whan thow thus hast doon as I haue seyd
1. 3562  And hast oure vitaille faire in hem yleyd
1. 3563  And eek an ax to smyte the corde atwo
1. 3564  Whan that the water cometh that we may go,
1. 3565  And breke an hole an heigh vpon the gable
1. 3566  Vnto the gardynward ouer the stable
1. 3567  That we may frely passen forth oure wey.
1. 3568  Whan that the grete shour is goon awey,
1. 3569  Thanne shaltow swymme as murye, I vndertake,






1. 3570  As dooth the white doke after his drake.
1. 3571  Thanne wol I clepe: 'How, Alison? How, Iohn?
1. 3572  Be murye for the flood wol passe anon.'
1. 3573  And thou wolt seyn: 'Hail, maister Nicholay.
1. 3574  Good morwe. I see thee wel, for it is day.'
1. 3575  And thanne shal we be lordes al oure lyf
1. 3576  Of al the world, as Noe and his wyf.
1. 3577  But of o thyng I warne thee ful right.
1. 3578  Be wel auysed on that ilke nyght
1. 3579  That we been entred into shippes bord
1. 3580  That noon of vs ne speke noght a word
1. 3581  Ne clepe ne crye, but been in his prayere,
1. 3582  For it is goddes owene heste deere.
1. 3583  Thy wyf and thow mote hange fer atwynne
1. 3584  For that bitwix yow shal be no synne
1. 3585  Namoore in lookyng than ther shal in dede.
1. 3586  This ordinaunce is seyd. Go. God thee spede.
1. 3587  Tomorwe at nyght whan men been alle aslepe
1. 3588  Into oure knedyng-tubbes wol we crepe
1. 3589  And sitten there abidyng goddes grace.
1. 3590  Go now thy wey. I haue no lenger space
1. 3591  To make of this no lenger sermonyng.
1. 3592  Men seyn thus: Seend the wise and sey nothyng.
1. 3593  Thow art so wys, it nedeth thee nat teche.
1. 3594  Go. Saue oure lyf. And that I thee biseche.'
1. 3595    This sely carpenter gooth forth his wey.
1. 3596  Ful ofte he seyde allas and weylawey.
1. 3597  And to his wyf he tolde his priuetee,
1. 3598  And she was war and knew it bet than he
1. 3599  What al this queynte cast was for to seye.
1. 3600  But nathelees she ferde as she wolde deye
1. 3601  And seyde: 'Allas, go forth thy wey anon.
1. 3602  Help vs to scape or we been dede echon.
1. 3603  I am thy trewe, verray wedded wyf.
1. 3604  Go, deere spouse, and help to saue oure lyf.'
1. 3605    Lo which a greet thyng is affeccion!
1. 3606  Men may dyen of ymaginacion,
1. 3607  So depe may impression be take.
1. 3608  This sely carpenter bigynneth quake.
1. 3609  Hym thynketh verrailiche that he may se
1. 3610  Noes flood come walwyng as the see
1. 3611  To drenchen Alison, his hony deere.
1. 3612  He wepeth, waileth, maketh sory cheere.
1. 3613  He siketh with ful many a sory swogh.
1. 3614  And gooth and geteth hym a knedyng-trogh
1. 3615  And after a tubbe and a kymelyn.
1. 3616  And pryuely he sente hem to his in
1. 3617  And heeng hem in the roof in priuetee.
1. 3618  His owene hand he made laddres thre
1. 3619  To clymben by the ronges and the stalkes
1. 3620  Vnto the tubbes hangyng in the balkes.
1. 3621  And hem vitailed, bothe trogh and tubbe,
1. 3622  With breed and chese and good ale in a iubbe,
1. 3623  Suffisynge right ynogh as for a day.
1. 3624  But er that he hadde maad al this array
1. 3625  He sente his knaue and eek his wenche also
1. 3626  Vpon his nede to Londoun for to go.
1. 3627  And on the Monday whan it drogh to nyght,
1. 3628  He shette his dore withouten candel-lyght
1. 3629  And dressed alle thyng as it sholde be.






1. 3630  And shortly vp they clomben alle thre.
1. 3631  They seten stille wel a furlong way.
1. 3632  'Now Pater Noster, clom,' seyde Nicholay,
1. 3633  And 'Clum' quod Iohn, and 'Clum' seyde Alison.
1. 3634  This carpenter seyde his deuocion
1. 3635  And stille he sit and biddeth his prayere
1. 3636  Awaitynge on the reyn if he it heere.
1. 3637    The dede sleep for wery bisynesse
1. 3638  Fil on this carpenter, right as I gesse,
1. 3639  Aboute corfew-tyme or litel moore.
1. 3640  For trauaillyng of his goost he groneth soore,
1. 3641  And eft he routeth for his heed myslay.
1. 3642  Doun of the laddre stalketh Nicholay
1. 3643  And Alison ful softe adoun she spedde.
1. 3644  Withouten wordes mo they goon to bedde
1. 3645  Ther as the carpenter is wont to lye.
1. 3646  Ther was the reuel and the melodye.
1. 3647  And thus lyth Alison and Nicholas
1. 3648  In busynesse of myrthe and in solas
1. 3649  Til that the belle of laudees gan to rynge
1. 3650  And freres in the chauncel gonne synge.
1. 3651    This parissh clerk, this amorous Absolon,
1. 3652  That is for loue alwey so wo-bigon,
1. 3653  Vpon the Monday was at Osneye
1. 3654  With compaignye hym to disporte and pleye.
1. 3655  And axed vpon caas a cloistrer
1. 3656  Ful pryuely after Iohn the carpenter.
1. 3657  And he drogh hym apart out of the cherche
1. 3658  And seyde: 'I noot. I saugh hym here noght werche
1. 3659  Sith Saterday. I trowe that he be went
1. 3660  For tymber ther oure abbot hath hym sent,
1. 3661  For he is wont for tymber for to go
1. 3662  And dwellen atte graunge a day or two.
1. 3663  Or ellis he is at his hous certeyn.
1. 3664  Where that he be, I kan noght soothly seyn.'
1. 3665    This Absolon ful iolyf was and lyght
1. 3666  And thoghte: 'Now is tyme to wake al nyght.
1. 3667  For sikerly I saugh hym noght stirynge
1. 3668  Aboute his dore syn day bigan to sprynge.
1. 3669  So mote I thryue, I shal at cokkes crowe
1. 3670  Ful priuely knokken at his wyndowe
1. 3671  That stant ful lowe vpon his boures wal.
1. 3672  To Alison now wol I tellen al
1. 3673  My loue-longyng. For yit I shal nat mysse
1. 3674  That at the leeste wey I shal hir kisse.
1. 3675  Som manere confort shal I haue parfay.
1. 3676  My mouth hath icched al this longe day,
1. 3677  That is a signe of kissyng at the leeste.
1. 3678  Al nyght me mette eek I was at a feeste.
1. 3679  Therfore I wol go slepe an houre or tweye.
1. 3680  And al the nyght than wol I wake and pleye.'
1. 3681    Whan that the firste cok hath crowe anon
1. 3682  Vp rist this ioly louere Absolon
1. 3683  And hym arrayeth gay at point-deuys.
1. 3684  But first he cheweth grayn and likorys
1. 3685  To smellen swete, er he hadde kembd his heer.
1. 3686  Vnder his tonge a trewe-loue he beer,
1. 3687  For therby wende he to be gracious.
1. 3688  He rometh to the carpenters hous
1. 3689  And stille he stant vnder the shot-wyndowe.






1. 3690  Vnto his brest it raughte, it was so lowe.
1. 3691  And ofte he cogheth with a semysown:
1. 3692  'What do ye, honycomb, swete Alisoun,
1. 3693  My faire bryd, my swete cynamome?
1. 3694  Awaketh, lemman myn, and speketh to me.
1. 3695  Wel litel thynken ye vpon my wo,
1. 3696  That for youre loue I swete ther I go.
1. 3697  No wonder is thogh that I swelte and swete,
1. 3698  I  moorne as dooth a lamb after the tete.
1. 3699  Ywis, lemman, I haue swich loue-longyng
1. 3700  That lyk a turtle trewe is my moornyng.
1. 3701  I  may nat ete namoore than a mayde.'
1. 3702     'Go fro the wyndow, Iakke fool,' she sayde.
1. 3703  'As help me God, it wol nat be com-pa-me.
1. 3704  I  loue another, and ellis I were to blame,
1. 3705  Wel bet than thee, by Iesu, Absolon.
1. 3706  Go forth thy wey or I wol caste a stoon,
1. 3707  And lat me slepe a twenty deuele wey.'
1. 3708     'Allas,' quod Absolon, 'and weilawey
1. 3709  That trewe loue was euere so yuel biset.
1. 3710  Thanne kys me, syn that it may be no bet,
1. 3711  For Iesus loue and for the loue of me.'
1. 3712     'Woltow thanne go thy wey therwith?' quod she.
1. 3713     'Ye certes, lemman,' quod this Absolon.
1. 3714     'Thanne make thee redy,' quod she, 'I come anon.'
1. 3715     This Absolon doun sette hym on his knees
1. 3716  And seyde: 'I am a lord at alle degrees,
1. 3717  For after this I hope ther cometh moore.
1. 3718  Lemman, thy grace, and, swete bryd, thyn oore.'
1. 3719     The wyndow she vndooth and that in haste.
1. 3720  'Haue do,' quod she, 'com of and speed thee faste
1. 3721  Lest that oure neghebores thee espye.'
1. 3722     This Absolon gan wipe his mouth ful drye.
1. 3723  Derk was the nyght as pych or as the cole,
1. 3724  And at the wyndow out she putte hir hole.
1. 3725  And Absolon hym fil no bet ne wers
1. 3726  But with his mouth he kiste hir naked ers
1. 3727  Ful sauourly, er he were war of this.
1. 3728  Abak he sterte and thoghte it was amys,
1. 3729  For wel he wiste a womman hath no berd.
1. 3730  He felte a thyng al rogh and longe yherd
1. 3731  And seyde: 'Fy allas, what haue I do?'
1. 3732     'Te-hee,' quod she, and clapte the wyndow to.
1. 3733  And Absolon gooth forth a sory paas.
1. 3734     'A berd, a berd,' quod hende Nicholas,
1. 3735  'By goddes corpus this gooth faire and wel.'
1. 3736     This sely Absolon herde euery del
1. 3737  And on his lippe he gan for anger byte.
1. 3738  And to hymself he seyde: 'I shal thee quyte.'
1. 3739  Who rubbeth now, who froteth now his lippes
1. 3740  With dust, with sond, with straw, with clooth, with chippes,
1. 3741  But Absolon that seith ful ofte allas?
1. 3742  'My soule bitake vnto Sathanas
1. 3743  But me were leuere than al this town,' quod he,
1. 3744  'Of this despit awreken for to be.
1. 3745  Allas,' quod he, 'allas I ne hadde ybleynt.'
1. 3746  His hote loue was coold and al yqueynt.
1. 3747  For fro that tyme that he hadde kist hir ers,
1. 3748  Of paramours he sette noght a kers,
1. 3749  For he was heelyd of his maladye.






1. 3750  Ful ofte paramours he gan defye,
1. 3751  And weep as dooth a child that is ybete.
1. 3752  A softe paas he wente ouer the strete
1. 3753  Vntil a smyth, men clepen daun Gerueys,
1. 3754  That in his forge smythed plogh-harneys.
1. 3755  He sharpeth shaar and cultour bisily.
1. 3756  This Absolon knokketh al esily
1. 3757  And seyde: 'Vndo, Gerueys, and that anon.'
1. 3758     'What? Who artow?' 'It am I, Absolon.'
1. 3759  'What, Absolon, what, Cristes swete tree,
1. 3760  Why rise ye so rathe? Ey benedicitee
1. 3761  What eyleth yow? Som gay gerl, god it woot
1. 3762  Hath broght yow thus vpon the viritoot;
1. 3763  By seinte Note ye woot wel what I mene.'
1. 3764     This Absolon ne roghte nat a bene
1. 3765  Of al his pley; no word agayn he yaf.
1. 3766  He hadde moore tow on his dystaf
1. 3767  Than Gerueys knew and seyde: 'Freend so deere,
1. 3768  That hoote cultour in the chymenee heere
1. 3769  As lene it me, I haue therwith to doone.
1. 3770  I  wol brynge it thee agayn ful soone.'
1. 3771     Gerueys answerde: 'Certes were it gold
1. 3772  Or in a poke nobles al vntold
1. 3773  Thow sholdest haue as I am trewe smyth.
1. 3774  Ey Cristes foo, what wol ye do therwith?'
1. 3775     'Therof,' quod Absolon, 'be as be may.
1. 3776  I  shal wel telle it thee another day.'
1. 3777  And caughte the cultour by the colde stele.
1. 3778  Ful softe out at the dore he gan to stele
1. 3779  And wente vnto the carpenters wal.
1. 3780  He cogheth first and knokketh therwithal
1. 3781  Vpon the wyndow right as he dide er.
1. 3782     This Alison answerde: 'Who is ther
1. 3783  That knokketh so? I warante it a theef.'
1. 3784     'Wy nay,' quod he. 'God woot, my swete lief,
1. 3785  I  am thyn Absolon, my derelyng.
1. 3786  Of gold,' quod he, 'I haue thee broght a ryng.
1. 3787  My moder yaf it me, so god me saue.
1. 3788  Ful fyn it is and therto wel ygraue.
1. 3789  This wol I yeuen thee if thow me kisse.'
1. 3790     This Nicholas was risen for to pisse
1. 3791  And thoghte he wolde amenden al the iape:
1. 3792  He sholde kisse his ers er that he scape.
1. 3793  And vp the wyndow dide he hastely
1. 3794  And out his ers he putteth pryuely
1. 3795  Ouer the buttok to the haunche-bon.
1. 3796     And therwith spak this clerk, this Absolon:
1. 3797  'Spek, swete herte, I noot noght wher thow art.'
1. 3798  This Nicholas anoon leet fle a fart
1. 3799  As greet as it hadde been a thonder-dent
1. 3800  That with the strook he was almoost yblent.
1. 3801  And he was redy with his iren hoot
1. 3802  And Nicholas in the ers he smoot:
1. 3803  Of gooth the skyn an handbrede aboute.
1. 3804  The hoote cultour brende so his toute
1. 3805  That for the smert he wende for to dye.
1. 3806  As he were wood for wo he gan to crye:
1. 3807  'Help, water, water, help for goddes herte.'
1. 3808     This carpenter out of his slomber sterte
1. 3809  And herde oon cryen 'Water' as he were wood






1. 3810  And thoghte: 'Allas, now cometh Nowelys flood.'
1. 3811  He sette hym vp withoute wordes mo
1. 3812  And with his ax he smoot the corde atwo
1. 3813  And down gooth al. He foond neither to selle
1. 3814  Ne breed ne ale til he cam to the celle
1. 3815  Vpon the floor and ther aswowne he lay.
1. 3816     Vp stirte hir Alison and Nicholay
1. 3817  And cryden 'Out' and 'Harrow' in the strete.
1. 3818  The neghebores bothe smale and grete
1. 3819  In ronnen for to gauren on this man
1. 3820  That aswowne lay, bothe pale and wan,
1. 3821  For with the fal he brosten hadde his arm.
1. 3822  But stonde he moste vnto his owene harm,
1. 3823  For whan he spak he was anon bore doun
1. 3824  With hende Nicholas and Alisoun.
1. 3825  They tolden euery man that he was wood.
1. 3826  He was agast so of Nowelys flood
1. 3827  Thurgh fantasie that of his vanytee
1. 3828  He hadde yboght hym knedyng-tubbes thre
1. 3829  And hadde hem hanged in the roof aboue
1. 3830  And that he preyde hem for goddes loue
1. 3831  To sitten in the roof par compaignye.
1. 3832     The folk gan laughen at his fantasye.
1. 3833  Into the roof they kiken and they cape,
1. 3834  And turned al his harm vnto a iape.
1. 3835  For whatso that this carpenter answerde,
1. 3836  It was for noght: no man his reson herde.
1. 3837  With othes grete he was so sworn adoun
1. 3838  That he was holden wood in al the toun.
1. 3839  For euery clerk anon-right heeld with oother;
1. 3840  They seyde: 'The man was wood, my leeue brother.'
1. 3841  And euery wight gan laughen at this stryf.
1. 3842     Thus swyued was the carpenters wyf
1. 3843  For al his kepyng and his ialousye.
1. 3844  And Absolon hath kist hir nether iye
1. 3845  And Nicholas is scalded in the toute.
1. 3846  This tale is doon, and god saue al the route.

Here is ended the millerys tale.




The prologe of the reues tale.


1. 3847  Whan folk hadde laughen at this nyce cas
1. 3848  Of Absolon and hende Nicholas,
1. 3849  Diuerse folk diuersely they seyde,
1. 3850  But for the moore part they lowe and pleyde.
1. 3851  Ne at his tale I seigh no man hym greue
1. 3852  But it were oonly Osewold the reue.
1. 3853  By cause he was of carpenters craft,
1. 3854  A  litel ire is in his herte ylaft.
1. 3855  He gan to grucche and blamed it a lite.
1. 3856     'So the ik,' quod he, 'ful wel koude I thee quyte
1. 3857  With bleryng of a proud millerys iye,
1. 3858  If that me liste speke of rybaudye.
1. 3859  But ik am oold, me list no pleye for age.
1. 3860  Gras tyme is doon, my fodder is now forage.






1. 3861  This white top writeth myne olde yerys,
1. 3862  Myn herte is also mowled as myne herys
1. 3863  But if ik fare as dooth an open-ers,
1. 3864  That ilke fruyt is euer lenger the wers
1. 3865  Til it be roten in mollok or in stree;
1. 3866  We olde men, I drede, so fare we:
1. 3867  Til we be roten kan we noght be rype.
1. 3868  We hoppe alwey whil that the world wol pipe,
1. 3869  For in oure wil ther stiketh euere a nayl
1. 3870  To haue an hoor heer and a grene tayl
1. 3871  As hath a leek. For thogh oure myght be goon,
1. 3872  Oure wil desireth folie euere in oon,
1. 3873  For whan we may noght doon than wol we speke.
1. 3874  Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke.
1. 3875  Foure gleedes haue we, whiche I shal deuyse:
1. 3876  Auauntyng, lyyng, anger, coueitise.
1. 3877  Thise foure sparkles longen vnto eelde.
1. 3878  Oure lymes mowe wel been vnweelde,
1. 3879  But wil ne shal noght faillen that is sooth.
1. 3880  And yet I haue alwey a coltes tooth,
1. 3881  As many a yeer as it is passed henne
1. 3882  Syn that my tappe of lyf bigan to renne.
1. 3883  For sikerlik whan ik was bore, anon
1. 3884  Deeth drogh the tappe of lyf and leet it goon.
1. 3885  And euere sith hath so the tappe yronne
1. 3886  Til that almoost al empty is the tonne:
1. 3887  The streem of lyf now droppeth on the chymbe.
1. 3888  The sely tonge may wel rynge and chymbe
1. 3889  Of wrecchednesse that passed is ful yoore.
1. 3890  With olde folk, saue dotage is namoore.'
1. 3891     Whan that oure hoost hadde herd this sermonyng,
1. 3892  He gan to speke as lordly as a kyng.
1. 3893  He seyde: 'What amounteth al this wit?
1. 3894  What, shal we speke al day of holy writ?
1. 3895  The deuel made a reue for to preche
1. 3896  Or of a souter a shipman or a leche.
1. 3897  Sey forth thy tale and tarie noght the tyme.
1. 3898  Lo Depeford and it is half-wey pryme,
1. 3899  Lo Grenewych, ther many a sherewe is inne,
1. 3900  It were al tyme thy tale to bigynne.'
1. 3901     'Now, sires,' quod this Osewold the reue,
1. 3902  'I pray yow alle that ye noght yow greue
1. 3903  Thogh I answere and somdel sette his howue
1. 3904  For leueful is with force force of showue.
1. 3905  This dronken miller hath ytoold vs heer
1. 3906  How that bigiled was a carpenter,
1. 3907  Parauenture in scorn for I am oon.
1. 3908  And by youre leue I shal hym quyte anon.
1. 3909  Right in his cherles termes wol I speke.
1. 3910  I pray to god his nekke mote tobreke.
1. 3911  He kan wel in myn eye seen a stalke,
1. 3912  But in his owene he kan noght seen a balke.'
1. 3913     At Trompyngtoun nat fer fro Cantebrygge
1. 3914  Ther gooth a brook and ouer that a brygge.
1. 3915  Vpon the which brook ther stant a melle,
1. 3916  And this is verray sooth that I yow telle.
1. 3917  A  miller was ther dwellyng many a day,
1. 3918  As any pecok he was proud and gay.
1. 3919  Pipen he koude and fisshe and nettes beete
1. 3920  And torne coppes and wel wrastle and sheete.






1. 3921  And by his belt he baar a long panade
1. 3922  And of a swerd ful trenchaunt was the blade.
1. 3923  A  ioly popper baar he in his pouche.
1. 3924  Ther was no man for peril dorste hym touche.
1. 3925  A  Sheffeld thwitel baar he in his hose.
1. 3926  Round was his face and camuse was his nose.
1. 3927  As piled as an ape was his skulle.
1. 3928  He was a market-beter atte fulle.
1. 3929  Ther dorste no wight hand vpon hym legge
1. 3930  That he ne swoor he sholde anon abegge.
1. 3931  A  theef he was for sothe of corn and mele,
1. 3932  And that a sleigh and vsant for to stele.
1. 3933  His name was hoten deynous Symkyn.
1. 3934  A  wif he hadde, comen of noble kyn.
1. 3935  The person of the toun hir fader was.
1. 3936  With hir he yaf ful many a panne of bras
1. 3937  For that Symkyn sholde in his blood allye.
1. 3938  She was yfostred in a nonnerye,
1. 3939  For Symkyn wolde no wyf, as he sayde,
1. 3940  But she were wel ynorissed and a mayde
1. 3941  To sauen his estaat of yemanrye.
1. 3942  And she was proud and peert as is a pye.
1. 3943     A ful fair sighte was it vpon hem two:
1. 3944  On halidayes biforn hir wolde he go
1. 3945  With his tipet wounden aboute his heed,
1. 3946  And she cam after in a gyte of reed;
1. 3947  And Symkyn hadde hosen of the same.
1. 3948  Ther dorste no wight clepen hire but dame.
1. 3949  Was noon so hardy that wente by the weye
1. 3950  That with hire dorste rage or ones pleye
1. 3951  But if he wolde be slayn of Symkyn
1. 3952  With panade or with knyf or boydekyn;
1. 3953  For ialous folk been perilouse eueremo,
1. 3954  Algate they wolde hir wyues wenden so.
1. 3955  And eek for she was somdel smoterlich,
1. 3956  She was as digne as water in a dich
1. 3957  And ful of hoker and of bismare.
1. 3958  Hir thoghte that a lady sholde hir spare,
1. 3959  What for hir kynrede and hir nortelrye
1. 3960  That she hadde lerned in the nonnerye.
1. 3961     A doghter hadde they bitwix hem two
1. 3962  Of twenty yeer, withouten any mo
1. 3963  Sauyng a child that was of half-yeer age.
1. 3964  In cradel it lay and was a propre page.
1. 3965  This wenche thikke and wel ygrowen was,
1. 3966  With camuse nose and eyen greye as glas,
1. 3967  With buttokes brode and brestes rounde and hye.
1. 3968  But right fair was hir heer I wol nat lye.
1. 3969  The person of the toun, for she was so feir,
1. 3970  In purpos was to maken hir his heir
1. 3971  Bothe of his catel and his mesuage.
1. 3972  And straunge he made it of hir mariage.
1. 3973  His purpos was for to bistowe hir hye
1. 3974  Into som worthy blood of auncetrye,
1. 3975  For holi cherches good moot been despended
1. 3976  On holi cherches blood that is descended.
1. 3977  Therfore he wolde his holy blood honoure,
1. 3978  Thogh that he holy chirche sholde deuoure.
1. 3979     Greet sokne hath this miller out of doute
1. 3980  With whete and malt of al the land aboute,






1. 3981  And nameliche ther was a greet collegge
1. 3982  Men clepeth the Soler Halle at Cantebregge:
1. 3983  Ther was hir whete and eek hir malt ygrounde.
1. 3984  And on a day it happed in a stounde
1. 3985  Syk was this maunciple on a maladie.
1. 3986  Men wenden wisly that he sholde dye,
1. 3987  For which this millere stal bothe mele and corn
1. 3988  An hondred tyme moore than biforn,
1. 3989  For therbiforn he stal but curteisly.
1. 3990  But now he was a theef outrageously,
1. 3991  For which the wardeyn chidde and made fare;
1. 3992  But therof sette the millere noght a tare.
1. 3993  He craked boost and swoor it was noght so.
1. 3994  Thanne were ther yonge, poure scolers two
1. 3995  That dwelten in the halle of which I seye.
1. 3996  Testyf they were and lusty for to pleye:
1. 3997  And oonly for hir myrthe and reuerye
1. 3998  Vpon the wardeyn bisily they crye
1. 3999  To yeue hem leue but a litel stounde
1. 4000  To go to mille and seen hir corn ygrounde.
1. 4001  And hardily they dorste leye hir nekke
1. 4002  The millere sholde noght stelen hem half a pekke
1. 4003  Of corn by sleighte ne by force hem reue.
1. 4004  And atte laste the wardeyn yaf hem leue.
1. 4005  Iohn highte that oon and Aleyn highte that oother.
1. 4006  Of oon town were they born that highte Strother
1. 4007  Fer in the north, I kan noght telle where.
1. 4008  This Aleyn maketh redy al his gere
1. 4009  And on an hors the sak he caste anon.
1. 4010  Forth gooth Aleyn the clerk and also Iohn
1. 4011  With good swerd and with bokeler by his syde.
1. 4012  Iohn knew the wey hym neded no gyde.
1. 4013  And at the mille the sak adoun he layth.
1. 4014  Aleyn spak first: 'Al hayl, Symkyn, in fayth.
1. 4015  How fares thy faire doghter and thy wyf?'
1. 4016     'Aleyn welcome,' quod Symkyn, 'by my lyf,
1. 4017  And Iohn also. How now, what do ye here?'
1. 4018     'By god,' quod Iohn, 'Symond, nede has na peere.
1. 4019  Hym bihoues serue hymself that has na swayn
1. 4020  Or ellis he is a fool, as clerkes sayn.
1. 4021  Oure maunciple, I hope he wol be deed,
1. 4022  Swa werkes ay the wanges in his heed.
1. 4023  And therfore is I come and eek Alayn
1. 4024  To grynde oure corn and carie it heem agayn.
1. 4025  I pray yow speed vs heythen what ye may.'
1. 4026     'It shal be doon,' quod Symkyn, 'by my fay.
1. 4027  What wol ye doon whil that it is in hande?'
1. 4028     'By god, right by the hoper wol I stande,'
1. 4029  Quod Iohn, 'and se how the corn gas in.
1. 4030  Yet saw I neuere by my fader kyn
1. 4031  How that the hoper wagges til and fra.'
1. 4032     Aleyn answerde: 'Iohn, wiltow swa?
1. 4033  Thanne wol I be byneth by my crown,
1. 4034  And se how that the mele falles down
1. 4035  Into the trogh. That sal be my desport.
1. 4036  For, Iohn, in faith I may been of youre sort,
1. 4037  I is as ille a millere as ar ye.'
1. 4038     This millere smyled of hir nycetee
1. 4039  And thoghte: 'Al this nys doon but for a wyle.
1. 4040  They wene that no man may hem bigile.






1. 4041  But by my thrift yet shal I blere hir iye
1. 4042  For al the sleighte in hir phislophye.
1. 4043  The moore queynte crekys that they make,
1. 4044  The moore wol I stele whan I take.
1. 4045  In stede of flour yet wol I yeue hem bren.
1. 4046  The grettest clerkes been noght the wisest men,
1. 4047  As whilom to the wolf thus spak the mare.
1. 4048  Of al hir art counte I noght a tare.
1. 4049     Out of the dore he gooth ful pryuely
1. 4050  Whan that he saugh his tyme softely.
1. 4051  He looketh vp and doun til he hath founde
1. 4052  The clerkes hors ther as it stood ybounde
1. 4053  Bihynde the mille vnder a leefsel.
1. 4054  And to the hors he gooth hym faire and wel,
1. 4055  He strepeth of the bridel right-anon.
1. 4056  And whan the hors was laus, he gynneth gon
1. 4057  Toward the fen ther wilde mares renne
1. 4058  And forth with 'wehe' thurgh thikke and thenne.
1. 4059  This millere gooth ayein. No word he seyde,
1. 4060  But dooth his note and with the clerkes pleyde
1. 4061  Til that hir corn was faire and wel ygrounde.
1. 4062     And whan the mele was sakked and ybounde,
1. 4063  This Iohn gooth out and fynt his hors away
1. 4064  And gan to crye 'Harrow and weilaway,
1. 4065  Oure hors is lost. Alayn, for goddes banes
1. 4066  Step on thy feet. Com of, man, al atanes.
1. 4067  Allas oure wardeyn has his palfrey lorn.'
1. 4068     This Alayn al forgat bothe mele and corn,
1. 4069  Al was out of his mynde his housbondrye.
1. 4070  'What, whilk wey is he gane?' he gan to crye.
1. 4071     The wyf cam lepyng inward with a ren.
1. 4072  She seyde: 'Allas youre hors gooth to the fen
1. 4073  With wilde mares as faste as he may go.
1. 4074  Vnthank come on his hand that boond hym so
1. 4075  And he that bettre sholde haue knyt the reyne.'
1. 4076     'Allas,' quod Iohn, 'Aleyn, for Cristes peyne
1. 4077  Lay doun thy swerd and I wol myn alswa.
1. 4078  I  is ful wight, god waat, as is a ra.
1. 4079  By god hert he sal nat scape vs bathe.
1. 4080  Why ne had thow pit the capil in the lathe?
1. 4081  Il-hail, by god. Alayn, thow is a fonne.'
1. 4082     This sely clerkes haan ful faste yronne
1. 4083  Toward the fen, bothe Alayn and eek Iohn.
1. 4084  And whan the millere seigh that they were gon,
1. 4085  He half a busshel of hir flour hath take
1. 4086  And bad his wyf go knede it in a cake.
1. 4087  He seyde: 'I trowe the clerkes were aferd.
1. 4088  Yet kan a millere maken a clerkes berd
1. 4089  For al his art. Ye, lat hem goon hir weye.
1. 4090  Lo wher he gooth. Ye, lat the children pleye.
1. 4091  They gete hym noght so lightly by my croun.'
1. 4092     Thise sely clerkes rennen vp and doun
1. 4093  With 'Keep, keep; stand, stand; iossa, warderere.
1. 4094  Ga whistle thow and I sal kepe hym heere.'
1. 4095  But shortly, til that it was verray nyght
1. 4096  They koude noght, thogh they dide al hir myght,
1. 4097  Hir capyl cacche, he ran alwey so faste,
1. 4098  Til in a dych they caughte hym at the laste.
1. 4099     Wery and weet as beest is in the reyn
1. 4100  Comth sely Iohn and with hym comth Aleyn.






1. 4101  'Allas ' quod Iohn 'the day that I was born,
1. 4102  Now ar we dryuen til hethyng and til scorn.
1. 4103  Oure corn is stole. Men wil vs foolis calle,
1. 4104  Bothe the wardeyn and oure felawes alle,
1. 4105  And namely the millere weilawey.'
1. 4106     Thus pleyneth Iohn as he gooth by the wey
1. 4107  Toward the mille and Bayard in his hond.
1. 4108  The millere sittyng by the fyr he fond,
1. 4109  For it was nyght and ferther myghte they noght.
1. 4110  But for the loue of god they hym bisoght
1. 4111  Of herberwe and of ese as for hir peny.
1. 4112     The millere seide agayn: 'If ther be eny,
1. 4113  Swich as it is yet shal ye haue youre part.
1. 4114  Myn hous is streyt, but ye han lerned art:
1. 4115  Ye kan by argumentz make a place
1. 4116  A  myle brood of twenty foot of space.
1. 4117  Lat se now if this place may suffise -
1. 4118  Or make it rowm with speche, as is your gyse.'
1. 4119     'Now, Symond,' seyde this Iohn, 'by seint Cutberd,
1. 4120  Ay is thou myrie and that is faire answerd.
1. 4121  I haue herd seye men sal tak of twa thynges,
1. 4122  Swilk as he fyndes or tak swilk as he brynges.
1. 4123  But specialy I pray thee, hoost deere,
1. 4124  Get vs som mete and drynke and make vs cheere
1. 4125  And we wol payen trewely atte fulle.
1. 4126  With empty hand men may none haukes tulle.
1. 4127  Lo heere oure siluer, redy for to spende.'
1. 4128     This millere into town his doghter sende
1. 4129  For ale and breed and rosted hem a goos
1. 4130  And boond hir hors, it sholde namoore go loos.
1. 4131  And in his owene chambre hem made a bed
1. 4132  With shetes and with chalons faire yspred
1. 4133  Noght from his owene bed but ten foot or twelue.
1. 4134  His doghter hadde a bed al by hirselue
1. 4135  Right in the same chambre by and by.
1. 4136  It myghte be no bet. And cause why?
1. 4137  Ther was no rowmer herberwe in the place.
1. 4138  They soupen and they speken hem to solace
1. 4139  And drynken euere stroong ale at the beste.
1. 4140     Aboute mydnyght wente they to reste.
1. 4141  Wel hath this millere vernysshed his heed.
1. 4142  Ful pale he was fordronke and noght reed.
1. 4143  He yexeth and he speketh thurgh the nose
1. 4144  As he were on the quakke or on the pose.
1. 4145  To bedde he goth and with hym goth his wyf.
1. 4146  As any iay she light was and iolyf,
1. 4147  So was hir ioly whistle wel ywet.
1. 4148  The cradel at hir beddes feet is set
1. 4149  To rokken and to yeue the child to sowke.
1. 4150  And whan that dronken al was in the crowke,
1. 4151  To bedde wente the doghter right-anon,
1. 4152  To bedde gooth Aleyn and also Iohn.
1. 4153  Ther nas namoore. Hem neded no dwale:
1. 4154  This millere hath so wisly bibbed ale
1. 4155  That as an hors he fnorteth in his sleep,
1. 4156  Ne of his tayl bihynde he took no keep;
1. 4157  His wyf bar hym a burdon, a ful strong,
1. 4158  Men myghten hir routyng heren a furlong;
1. 4159  The wenche routeth eek par compaignye.
1. 4160     Aleyn the clerc that herde this melodye,






1. 4161  He poked Iohn and seyde: 'Slepestow?
1. 4162  Herd thow euere slyk a sang er now -
1. 4163  Lo swilk a couplyng is ymel hem alle?
1. 4164  A wilde fyr on thair bodyes falle.
1. 4165  Wha herkned euere swilk a ferly thyng?
1. 4166  Ye, they sal haue the flour of il-endyng.
1. 4167  This lang nyght ther tydes me na reste,
1. 4168  But yet na force, al sal be for the beste.
1. 4169  For, Iohn,' seyde he, 'als euere moot I thryue,
1. 4170  If that I may, yon wenche wol I swyue.
1. 4171  Som esement has lawe shapen vs,
1. 4172  For, Iohn, ther is a lawe that says thus:
1. 4173  That gif a man in a point be agreued
1. 4174  That in another he sal be releued.
1. 4175  Oure corn is stoln, soothly it is na nay,
1. 4176  And we han had an ille fit today.
1. 4177  And syn I sal haue naan amendement
1. 4178  Agayn my los, I wil haue esement.
1. 4179  By goddes saule it sal naan other be.'
1. 4180     This Iohn answerde: 'Aleyn, auyse thee.
1. 4181  The millere is a perilous man,' he sayde,
1. 4182  'And if that he out of his sleep abrayde
1. 4183  He myghte doon vs bathe a vileynye.'
1. 4184     Aleyn answerde: 'I counte hym noght a flye.'
1. 4185  And vp he rist and by the wenche he crepte.
1. 4186  This wenche lay vprighte and faste slepte
1. 4187  Til he so neigh was er she myghte espie
1. 4188  That it hadde been to late for to crie.
1. 4189  And shortly for to seyn, they were at oon.
1. 4190  Now pley, Aleyn, for I wol speke of Iohn.
1. 4191     This Iohn lith stille a furlang wey or two
1. 4192  And to hymself he maketh routhe and wo.
1. 4193  'Allas', quod he, 'this is a wikked iape.
1. 4194  Now may I seyn that I is but an ape.
1. 4195  Yet has my felawe somwhat for his harm:
1. 4196  He has the milleris doghter in his arm.
1. 4197  He auntred hym and has his nedes sped,
1. 4198  And I lye as a draf-sak in my bed.
1. 4199  And whan this iape is told another day
1. 4200  I sal ben halden a daf, a cokenay.
1. 4201  I wil arise and auntre it by my fayth.
1. 4202  Vnhardy is vnsely, thus men sayth.'
1. 4203  And vp he roos and softely he wente
1. 4204  Vnto the cradel and in his hand it hente
1. 4205  And baar it softe vnto his beddes feet.
1. 4206     Soone after this the wyf hir routyng leet
1. 4207  And gan awake and wente hir out to pisse.
1. 4208  And cam agayn and gan hir cradel mysse
1. 4209  And groped heer and ther, but she foond noon.
1. 4210  'Allas,' quod she, 'I hadde almoost mysgoon.
1. 4211  I hadde almoost goon to the clerkes bed.
1. 4212  Ey benedicite thanne had I foule ysped.'
1. 4213  And forth she gooth til she the cradel fond.
1. 4214  She gropeth alwey forther with hir hond
1. 4215  And foond the bed and thoghte noght but good
1. 4216  By cause that the cradel by it stood,
1. 4217  And nyste wher she was for it was derk.
1. 4218  But faire and wel she creep in to the clerk
1. 4219  And lyth ful stille and wolde haue caught a sleep.
1. 4220  Withinne a while this Iohn the clerk vp leep






1. 4221  And on this goode-wyf he leyth on soore.
1. 4222  So murie a fyt ne hadde she nat ful yoore,
1. 4223  He priketh harde and depe as he were mad.
1. 4224  This ioly lyf han thise two clerkes lad
1. 4225  Til that the thridde cok bigan to synge.
1. 4226     Aleyn wax wery in the dawenynge
1. 4227  For he hadde swonken al the longe nyght
1. 4228  And seyde: 'Farewel, Malyn, swete wight.
1. 4229  The day is come, I may no lenger byde.
1. 4230  But eueremo wherso I go or ryde
1. 4231  I is thyn awen clerk, so haue I sel.'
1. 4232     'Now, deere lemman,' quod she, 'go; farewel.
1. 4233  But er thow go, o thyng I wol thee telle.
1. 4234  Whan that thow wendest homward by the melle
1. 4235  Right at the entree of the dore bihynde
1. 4236  Thow shalt a cake of half a busshel fynde.
1. 4237  That was ymaked of thyn owene mele
1. 4238  Which that I heelp my sire for to stele.
1. 4239  And, good lemman, god thee saue and kepe.'
1. 4240  And with that word almoost she gan to wepe.
1. 4241     Aleyn vp rist and thoghte: 'Er that it dawe
1. 4242  I wol go crepen in by my felawe.'
1. 4243  And fond the cradel with his hond anon.
1. 4244  'By god,' thoghte he, 'al wrang I haue mysgon,
1. 4245  Myn heed is toty of my swynk tonyght.
1. 4246  That maketh me that I go noght aright.
1. 4247  I woot wel by the cradel I haue mysgo.
1. 4248  Here lyth the millere and his wyf also.'
1. 4249  And forth he gooth on twenty deuele way
1. 4250  Vnto the bed ther as the millere lay.
1. 4251  He wende haue cropen by his felawe Iohn,
1. 4252  And by the millere in he creep anoon
1. 4253  And caughte hym by the nekke and softe he spak.
1. 4254  He seyde: 'Thou, Iohn, thow swyneshed, awak
1. 4255  For Cristes saule and here a noble game.
1. 4256  For by that lord that called is seint Iame
1. 4257  As I haue thries in this shorte nyght
1. 4258  Swyued the milleris doghter bolt vpright,
1. 4259  Whil thow hast as a coward been agast.'
1. 4260     'Ye, false harlot,' quod the millere, 'hast?
1. 4261  A, false traytour, false clerk,' quod he,
1. 4262  'Thou shalt be deed by goddes dignytee.
1. 4263  Who dorste be so bold to disparage
1. 4264  My doghter, that is come of swich lynage?'
1. 4265     And by the throte-bolle he caughte Alayn.
1. 4266  And he hente hym despitously agayn
1. 4267  And on the nose he smoot hym with his fest;
1. 4268  Doun ran the blody streem vpon his brest.
1. 4269  And on the floor with nose and mouth tobroke
1. 4270  They walwen as doon two pigges in a poke.
1. 4271  And vp they goon and doun agayn anoon
1. 4272  Til that the millere sporned on a stoon
1. 4273  And doun he fil bakward vpon his wyf
1. 4274  That wiste nothyng of this nyce stryf,
1. 4275  For she was falle aslepe a litel wight
1. 4276  With Iohn the clerk that waked hadde al nyght.
1. 4277  And with the fal out of hir sleep she brayde.
1. 4278  'Help, holy cros of Bromholm,' she sayde.
1. 4279  'In manus tuas, lord, to thee I calle.
1. 4280  Awake, Symond, the feend is on me falle.






1. 4281  Myn herte is broken. Help, I nam but ded:
1. 4282  Ther lyth oon vpon my wombe and vp myn hed.
1. 4283  Help, Symkyn, for the false clerkes fighte.'
1. 4284     This Iohn sterte vp as faste as euere he myghte
1. 4285  And graspeth by the walles to and fro
1. 4286  To fynde a staf. And she sterte vp also
1. 4287  And knew the estres bet than dide this Iohn.
1. 4288  And by the wal a staf she foond anon
1. 4289  And saugh a litel shymeryng of a light,
1. 4290  For at an hole in shoon the moone bright.
1. 4291  And by that light she saugh hem bothe two,
1. 4292  But sikerly she nyste who was who
1. 4293  But as she saugh a whit thyng in hir iye.
1. 4294  And whan she gan this white thyng espye
1. 4295  She wende the clerk hadde wered a voluper.
1. 4296  And with the staf she drow ay ner and ner
1. 4297  And wende han hit this Aleyn atte fulle,
1. 4298  And smoot the millere on the piled skulle
1. 4299  That doun he gooth and cryde: 'Harrow, I dye.'
1. 4300  Thise clerkes bette hym wel and lete hym lye.
1. 4301  And greithen hem and tooke hir hors anon
1. 4302  And eek hir mele and on hir wey they gon.
1. 4303  And at the mille yet they toke hir cake
1. 4304  Of half a busshel flour ful wel ybake.
1. 4305     Thus is the proude millere wel ybete
1. 4306  And hath ylost the gryndyng of the whete
1. 4307  And payed for the souper euery del
1. 4308  Of Aleyn and of Iohn that bette hym wel.
1. 4309  His wyf is swyued and his doghter als.
1. 4310  Lo which it is a millere to be fals.
1. 4311  And therfore this prouerbe is seyd ful sooth:
1. 4312  Hym thar nat wene wel that yuele dooth;
1. 4313  A  gilour shal hymself bigiled be.
1. 4314  And god, that sitteth heighe in magestee,
1. 4315  Saue al this compaignie grete and smale.
1. 4316  Thus haue I quyt the millere in my tale.

Here endeth the reues tale.





The prologe of the cookes tale.

1. 4317  The cook of Londoun, whil the reue spak,
1. 4318  For ioye hym thoughte he clawed hym on the bak.
1. 4319  Ha, ha, quod he, 'for Cristes passion
1. 4320  This millere hadde a sharp conclusion
1. 4321  Vpon his argument of herbergage.
1. 4322  Wel seyde Salomon in his langage:
1. 4323  Ne bryng nat euery man into thyn hous
1. 4324  For herberwyng by nyghte is perilous.
1. 4325  Wel oghte a man auysed for to be
1. 4326  Whom that he broghte into his priuetee.
1. 4327  I  pray to god so yeue me sorwe and care
1. 4328  If euer sith I highte Hogge of Ware
1. 4329  Herde I a millere bettre yset awerk.
1. 4330  He hadde a iape of malice in the derk.
1. 4331  But god forbede that we stynten heere.






1. 4332  For if ye vouchesauf to heere
1. 4333  A tale of me, that am a poure man,
1. 4334  I wol yow telle as wel as euere I kan
1. 4335  A litel iape that fil in oure citee.'
1. 4336     Oure hoost answerde and seyde: 'I graunte it thee.
1. 4337  Now tel on, Roger, looke that it be good,
1. 4338  For many a pastee hastow laten blood
1. 4339  And many a Iakke-of-Douere hastow soold
1. 4340  That hath been twies hoot and twies coold.
1. 4341  Of many a pilgrym hastow Cristes curs,
1. 4342  For of thy persle yet they fare the wors
1. 4343  That they han eten with thy stubbul-goos
1. 4344  For in thy shoppe is many a flye loos.
1. 4345  Now tel on, gentil Roger, by thy name.
1. 4346  But yet I praye thee be nat wrooth for game,
1. 4347  A man may seye ful sooth in game and pley.'
1. 4348     'Thow seist ful sooth,' quod Roger, 'by my fey.
1. 4349  But sooth pley quade pley, as the Flemyng seith.
1. 4350  And therfore, Herry Bailly, by thy feith
1. 4351  Be thou nat wrooth er we departen heer
1. 4352  Thogh that my tale be of an hostiler.
1. 4353  But nathelees I wol nat telle it yit,
1. 4354  But er we parte, ywis thow shalt be quyt.'
1. 4355     And therwithal he lough and made cheere
1. 4356  And seyde his tale, as ye shal after heere.


Here bigynneth the cook his tale.


1. 4357  A prentis whilom dwelled in oure citee
1. 4358  And of a craft of vitaillers was he.
1. 4359  Gaillard he was as goldfynch in the shawe,
1. 4360  Broun as a berye, a propre short felawe
1. 4361  With lokkes blake ykembd ful fetisly.
1. 4362  Dauncen he koude so wel and iolily
1. 4363  That he was clepyd Perkyn Reuelour.
1. 4364  He was as ful of loue and paramour
1. 4365  As is the hyue ful of hony swete.
1. 4366  Wel was the wenche that with hym myghte meete.
1. 4367  At euery bridale wolde he synge and hoppe.
1. 4368  He loued bet the tauerne than the shoppe,
1. 4369  For whan ther any ridyng was in Chepe
1. 4370  Out of the shoppe thider wolde he lepe.
1. 4371  Til that he hadde al the sighte yseyn
1. 4372  And daunced wel, he wolde noght come ageyn.
1. 4373  And gadred hym a meynee of his sort
1. 4374  To hoppe and synge and maken swich disport.
1. 4375  And ther they setten steuene for to meete
1. 4376  To pleyen at the dees in swich a streete.
1. 4377  For in the town nas ther no prentys
1. 4378  That fairer koude caste a paire of dys
1. 4379  Than Perkyn koude; and therto he was free
1. 4380  Of his dispense in place of pryuetee.
1. 4381  That foond his maister wel in his chaffare,
1. 4382  For ofte tyme he foond his box ful bare.
1. 4383  For sikerly a prentys reuelour
1. 4384  That haunteth dees, ryot or paramour,
1. 4385  His maister shal it in his shoppe abye
1. 4386  Al haue he no part of the minstralcye;






1. 4387  For thefte and riot, they been conuertible,
1. 4388  Al konne he pleye on giterne or rubible.
1. 4389  Reuel and trouthe, as in a lowe degree,
1. 4390  They been ful wrothe al day as men may see.
1. 4391     This ioly prentys with his maister bood
1. 4392  Til he were neigh out of his prentishood,
1. 4393  Al were he snybbed bothe erly and late
1. 4394  And somtyme lad with reuel to Newgate.
1. 4395  But atte laste his maister hym bithoghte
1. 4396  Vpon a day whan he his papir soghte
1. 4397  Of a prouerbe that seith this same word:
1. 4398  Wel bet is roten appul out of hoord
1. 4399  Than that it rotte al the remenaunt.
1. 4400  So fareth it by a riotous seruaunt:
1. 4401  It is ful lasse harm to lete hym pace
1. 4402  Than he shende alle the seruantz in the place.
1. 4403  Therfore his maister gaf hym acquitaunce
1. 4404  And bad hym go with sorw and with meschaunce.
1. 4405  And thus this ioly prentys hadde his leeue.
1. 4406  Now lat hym riote al the nyght or leeue.
1. 4407     And for ther nys no theef withoute a lowke
1. 4408  That helpeth hym to wasten and to sowke
1. 4409  Of that he brybe kan or borwe may,
1. 4410  Anon he sente his bed and his array
1. 4411  Vnto a compeer of his owene sort
1. 4412  That loued dees and reuel and disport
1. 4413  And hadde a wyf that heeld for contenaunce
1. 4414  A  shoppe and swyued for hir sustenaunce.


 Of this cokes tale maked Chaucer namoore.










                       Section 2 (Fragment III, Group D)

     Here bigynneth the prologe of the tale of the wyf of Bathe.
f.58

2. 0001  'Experience, thogh noon auctoritee
2. 0002  Were in this world, is right ynogh for me
2. 0003  To speke of wo that is in mariage,
2. 0004  For, lordynges, sith that I twelf yeer was of age,
2. 0005  Thonked be god that is eterne on lyue,
2. 0006  Housbondes atte chirche-dore I haue had fyue
2. 0007  (If I so ofte myghte han wedded be)
2. 0008  And alle were worthy men in hir degree.
2. 0009  But me was told certeyn noght longe agon is
2. 0010  That sith that Crist ne wente neuere but onys
2. 0011  To weddyng in the Cane of Galilee,
2. 0012  That by the same ensample taughte he me
2. 0013  That I ne sholde wedded be but ones.
2. 0014    'Herke eek lo which a sharp word for the nones
2. 0015  Bisyde a welle Iesus, god and man
2. 0016  Spak in repreeue of the Samaritan:
2. 0017  'Thow hast yhad fyue housbondes,' quod he,
2. 0018  'And that ilke man which that now hath thee
2. 0019  Is nat thyn housbonde.' Thus he seyde certeyn.
2. 0020  What that he mente therby I kan nat seyn,
2. 0021  But that I axe why that the fifthe man
2. 0022  Was noon housbonde to the Samaritan.
2. 0023  How manye myghte she han in mariage?
2. 0024  Yet herde I neuere tellen in myn age
2. 0025  Vpon this nombre diffynycioun.
2. 0026  Men may dyuyne and glosen vp and doun,
2. 0027  But wel I woot expres withouten lye
2. 0028  God bad vs for to wexe and multiplye.
2. 0029  That gentil text kan I wel vnderstonde.
2. 0030  Eek wel I woot he seyde that myn housbonde
2. 0031  Sholde lete fader and moder and take to me.
2. 0032  But of no nombre mencion made he,
2. 0033  Of bigamye or of octogamye.
2. 0034  Why sholde men thanne speke of it vileynye?
2. 0035    'Lo here the wise kyng, daun Salomon:
2. 0036  I trowe he hadde wyues many oon,
2. 0037  As wolde god it leueful were to me
2. 0038  To be refresshed half so ofte as he.
2. 0039  Which yifte of god hadde he for alle hise wyuys|
2. 0040  No man hath swich that in this world alyue is.
2. 0041  God woot this noble kyng, as to my wit,
2. 0042  The firste nyght hadde many a murye fit
2. 0043  With ech of hem so wel was hym on lyue.
2. 0044  Blessed be god that I haue wedded fyue.
2. 0045  Welcome the sixte whan that euere he shal|
2. 0046  For sith I wol nat kepe me chaast in al
2. 0047  Whan myn housbonde is fro the world agon,
2. 0048  Som cristen man shal wedde me anon,
2. 0049  For thanne th'apostle seith that I am free
2. 0050  To wedde a goddes half where it liketh me.
2. 0051  He seith that to be wedded is no synne:
2. 0052  Bet is to be wedded than to brynne.
2. 0053  What rekketh me theigh folk seye vileynye






2. 0054  Of shrewed Lameth and his bigamye?
2. 0055  I woot wel Abraham was an holy man
2. 0056  And Iacob eek, as fer as euere I kan,






2. 0057  And ech of hem hadde wyues mo than two;
2. 0058  And many another holy man also.
2. 0059    'Where kan ye seye in any maner age
2. 0060  That heighe god defended mariage
2. 0061  By expres word? I pray yow telleth me.
2. 0062  Or where comanded he virgynytee?
2. 0063  I woot as wel as ye, it is no drede,
2. 0064  Th'apostle whan he speketh of maydenhede
2. 0065  He seyde that precept therof hadde he noon.
2. 0066  Men may conseille a womman'to be oon,
2. 0067  But conseillyng nys no comandement.
2. 0068  He put it in oure owene iuggement.
2. 0069  For hadde god comanded maydenhede
2. 0070  Thanne hadde he dampned weddyng with the dede.
2. 0071  And certes if ther were no seed ysowe,
2. 0072  Virgynytee thanne wherof sholde it growe.
2. 0073  Poul dorste nat comanden at the leeste
2. 0074  A thyng of which his mayster yaf noon heeste.
2. 0075  The dart is set vp for virgynytee:
2. 0076  Cacche whoso may; who renneth best lat se.
2. 0077  But this word is noght take of euery wight,
2. 0078  But ther as god list yeue it of his myght.
2. 0079  I woot wel that th'apostle was a mayde;
2. 0080  But nathelees thogh that he wroot or sayde
2. 0081  He wolde that euery wight were swich as he,
2. 0082  Al nys but conseil to virgynytee.
2. 0083  And for to been a wyf he yaf me leue
2. 0084  Of indulgence; so nys it no repreue
2. 0085  To wedde me if that my make dye
2. 0086  Withouten excepcioun of bigamye.
2. 0087  Al were it good no womman for to touche,
2. 0088  He mente as in his bed or in his couche,
2. 0089  For peril is bothe fyr and tow t'assemble;
2. 0090  Ye knowe what this ensample may resemble.
2. 0091  This al and som he heeld virgynytee
2. 0092  Moore parfit than weddyng in freletee.
2. 0093  Freletee clepe I but if that he and she
2. 0094  Wolde leden al hir lyf in chastitee.
2. 0095    'I graunte it wel. I haue noon enuye
2. 0096  Thogh maydenhede preferre bigamye.
2. 0097  It liketh hem to be clene in body and goost.
2. 0098  Of myn estat ne wol I make no boost.
2. 0099  For wel ye knowe a lord in his houshold
2. 0100  Ne hath nat euery vessel al of gold:
2. 0101  Somme been of tree and doon hir lord seruyse.
2. 0102  God clepeth folk to hym in sondry wyse,
2. 0103  And euerich hath of god a propre yifte.
2. 0104  Som this, som that, as hym liketh shifte.
2. 0105    'Virgynytee is greet parfeccioun
2. 0106  And continence eek with deuocioun.
2. 0107  But Crist that of parfeccion is welle






2. 0108  Bad nat euery wight he sholde go selle
2. 0109  Al that he hadde and yeue it to the poore
2. 0110  And in swich wise folwe hym and his foore.
2. 0111  He spak to hem that wol lyue parfitly:
2. 0112  And, lordynges, by youre leue that am nat I.
2. 0113  I wol bistowe the flour of al myn age
2. 0114  In th'actes and in fruyt of mariage.
2. 0115    'Telle me also: to what conclusioun
2. 0116  Were membres maad of generacioun
2. 0117  And of so parfit wys a wight ywroght?
2. 0118  Trusteth right wel they were nat maad for noght.
2. 0119  Glose whoso wole and seye bothe vp and doun
2. 0120  That they were maad for purgacioun
2. 0121  Of vryne, and oure bothe thynges smale
2. 0122  Was eek to knowe a femelle from a male
2. 0123  And for noon oother cause - sey ye no?
2. 0124  Th'experience woot wel it is noght so.
2. 0125  So that the clerkes be nat with me wrothe
2. 0126  I sey this that they maked been for bothe,
2. 0127  That is to seyn for office and for ese
2. 0128  Of engendrure, ther we nat god displese.
2. 0129  Why sholde men ellis in hir bokes sette
2. 0130  That man shal yelde to his wyf hir dette?
2. 0131  Now wherwith sholde he make his paiement
2. 0132  If he ne vsed his sely instrument?
2. 0133  Thanne were they maad vpon a creature
2. 0134  To purge vryne and eek for engendrure.
2. 0135    'But I seye noght that euery wight is holde
2. 0136  That hath swich harneys, as I to yow tolde,
2. 0137  To goon and vsen hem in engendrure.
2. 0138  Thanne sholde men take of chastitee no cure.
2. 0139  Crist was a mayde and shapen as a man;
2. 0140  And many a seynt sith that the world bigan,
2. 0141  Yet lyued they euere in parfit chastitee.
2. 0142  I nyl envie no virgynytee.
2. 0143  Lat hem be breed of pured whete-seed,
2. 0144  And lat vs wyues hote barlybreed.
2. 0145  And yet with barlybreed Mark telle kan
2. 0146  Oure lord Iesu refresshed many a man
2. 0147  In swich estat as god hath clepyd vs.
2. 0148  I wol perseuere, I nam nat precius:
2. 0149  In wifhode wol I vse myn instrument
2. 0150  As frely as my makere hath it sent.
2. 0151  If I be daungerous, god yeue me sorwe.
2. 0152  Myn housbonde shal it han bothe eue and morwe
2. 0153  Whan that hym list com forth and paye his dette.
2. 0154  And housbonde wol I haue, I wol nat lette,
2. 0155  Which shal be bothe my dettour and my thral
2. 0156  And haue his tribulacion withal
2. 0157  Vpon his flessh whil that I am his wyf.
2. 0158  I haue the power duryng al my lyf
2. 0159  Vpon his propre body and nat he.
2. 0160  Right thus th'apostle tolde it vnto me
2. 0161  And bad oure housbondes for to loue vs wel.
2. 0162  Al this sentence me liketh euery del.'
2. 0163    Vp stirte-the pardoner and that anon.
2. 0164  'Now dame,' quod he, 'by god and by seint Iohn
2. 0165  Ye been a noble prechour in this cas.
2. 0166  I was aboute to wedde a wyf: allas
2. 0167  What sholde I bye it on my flessh so deere?






2. 0168  Yet hadde I leuere wedde no wyf to-yeere.'
2. 0169    'Abyd,' quod she, 'my tale is nat bigonne.
2. 0170  Nay thow shalt drynken of another tonne,
2. 0171  Er that I go, shal sauoure wors than ale.
2. 0172  And whan that I haue toold thee forth my tale
2. 0173  Of tribulacion in maryage,
2. 0174  Of which I am expert in al myn age
2. 0175  (This is to seye myself hath been the whippe),
2. 0176  Thanne maystow chese wheither that thow wolt sippe
2. 0177  Of thilke tonne that I shal abroche.
2. 0178  Be war of it er thow to neigh approche,
2. 0179  For I shal telle ensamples mo than ten.
2. 0180  Whoso that nyle be war by othere men,
2. 0181  By hym shal othere men corrected be.
2. 0182  Thise same wordes writeth Protholome;
2. 0183  Rede in his Almageste and take it there.'
2. 0184    'Dame, I wolde pray yow, if youre wyl it were,'
2. 0185  Seyde this pardoner, 'as ye bigan
2. 0186  Telle forth youre tale. Spareth for no man
2. 0187  And techeth vs yonge men of youre praktyke.'
2. 0188    'Gladly,' quod she, 'syn it may yow lyke.
2. 0189  But that I praye to al this compaignye,
2. 0190  If that I speke after my fantasye
2. 0191  As taketh nat agrief of that I seye,
2. 0192  For myn entente nys but for to pleye.
2. 0193    'Now, sire, thanne wol I telle yow forth my tale.
2. 0194  As euere moot I drynke wyn or ale
2. 0195  I shal seye sooth. Tho housbondes that I hadde
2. 0196  As three of hem were goode and two were badde.
2. 0197  The thre men were goode and ryche and olde:
2. 0198  Vnnethe myghte they the statut holde
2. 0199  In which that they were bounden vnto me;
2. 0200  Ye woot wel what I mene of this pardee.
2. 0201  As help me god I laughe whan I thynke
2. 0202  How pitously a nyght I made hem swynke,
2. 0203  And by my fey I tolde of it no stoor.
2. 0204  They hadde me yeuen hir land and hir tresoor.
2. 0205  Me neded nat do lenger diligence
2. 0206  To wynne hir loue or doon hem reuerence.
2. 0207  They loued me so wel by god aboue
2. 0208  That I ne tolde no deyntee of hir loue.
2. 0209  A wys womman wol bisye hir euere in oon
2. 0210  To gete hir loue, ye ther as she hath noon.
2. 0211  But sith I hadde hem hoolly in myn hond
2. 0212  And sith that they hadde yeuen me al hir lond,
2. 0213  What sholde I take kepe hem for to plese
2. 0214  But it were for my profit and myn ese?
2. 0215  I sette hem awerk by my fey
2. 0216  That many a nyght they songen weylawey.
2. 0217  The bacon was nat fet for hem, I trowe,
2. 0218  That som men han in Essex at Donmowe.
2. 0219  I gouerned hem so wel after my lawe
2. 0220  That ech of hem ful blisful was and fawe
2. 0221  To brynge me gaye thynges fro the feyre.
2. 0222  They were ful glad whan I spak to hem feyre.
2. 0223  For god it woot I chidde hem spitously.
2. 0224    'Now herkneth how I bar me proprely.
2. 0225  Ye wise wyues that konne vnderstonde,
2. 0226  Thus sholde ye speke and bere hem wrong on honde,
2. 0227  For half so boldely kan ther no man






2. 0228  Swere and lye as a womman kan.
2. 0229  I sey nat this by wyues that ben wyse
2. 0230  But if it be whan they hem mysauyse.
2. 0231  A wys wyf, if that she kan hir good,
2. 0232  Shal bere hym an hond the cow is wood
2. 0233  And take witnesse of hir owene mayde
2. 0234  Of hire assent. But herkneth how I sayde:
2. 0235    'Sire olde kaynard, is this thyn array?
2. 0236  Why is my neghebores wyf so gay?






2. 0237  She is honoured oueral ther she goth.
2. 0238  I sitte at hoom, I haue no thrifty cloth.
2. 0239  What dostow at my neghebores hous?
2. 0240  Is she so fair? Artow so amorous?
2. 0241  What rowne ye with oure mayde benedicite?
2. 0242  Sire olde lechour, lat thy iapes be.
2. 0243  And if I haue a gossib or a freend,
2. 0244  Withouten gilt ye chiden as a feend
2. 0245  If that I walke or pleye vnto his hous.
2. 0246  Thow comest hoom as dronken as a mous
2. 0247  And prechest on thy bench with yuel preef.
2. 0248  Thow seyst to me it is a greet mescheef
2. 0249  To wedde a poure womman for costage.
2. 0250  And if that she be ryche of heigh parage
2. 0251  Thanne seistow that it is a tormentrye
2. 0252  To suffre hir pryde and hir malencolye.
2. 0253  And if that she be fair, thow verray knaue,
2. 0254  Thow seist that euery holour wol hir haue:
2. 0255  She may no while in chastitee abyde
2. 0256  That is assayled vpon ech a syde.
2. 0257    'Thow seyst som folk desiren vs for richesse,
2. 0258  Somme for oure shap and somme for oure fairnesse,
2. 0259  And somme for she kan outher synge or daunce,
2. 0260  And somme for gentillesse and dalyaunce,
2. 0261  Somme for hir handes and hir armes smale.
2. 0262  Thus goth al to the deuel by thy tale.
2. 0263  Thow seyst men may nat kepe a castel wal,
2. 0264  It may so longe assaylled been oueral.
2. 0265  And if that she be foul thow seyst that she
2. 0266  Coueiteth euery man that she may se,
2. 0267  For as a spaynel she wol on hym lepe
2. 0268  Til that she fynde som man hir to chepe.
2. 0269  Ne noon so grey goos goth ther in the lake
2. 0270  As, seistow, wol be withoute make.
2. 0271  And seyst it is an hard thyng for to wolde
2. 0272  A thyng that no man wol his thankes holde.
2. 0273  Thus seistow, lorel, whan thow goost to bedde
2. 0274  And that no wys man nedeth for to wedde
2. 0275  Ne no man that entendeth vnto heuene.
2. 0276  With wilde thonder-dynt and firy leuene
2. 0277  Moote thy welked nekke be tobroke.
2. 0278    'Thow seyst that droppyng houses and eek smoke
2. 0279  And chidyng wyues maken men to flee
2. 0280  Out of hir owene houses. A benedicitee
2. 0281  What eyleth swich an old man for to chide?






2. 0282  Thow seyst we wyues wil oure vices hyde
2. 0283  Til we be fast and thanne we wol hem shewe.
2. 0284  Wel may that be a prouerbe of a shrewe.
2. 0285  Thow seist that oxen, asses, hors and houndes,
2. 0286  They been assayed at dyuerse stoundes,
2. 0287  Bacynes, lauours er that men hem bye,
2. 0288  Spoones, stooles and al swich housbondrye,
2. 0289  And so be pottes, clothes and array;
2. 0290  But folk of wyues maken noon assay
2. 0291  Til they be wedded, olde dotard shrewe|,
2. 0292  And thanne seistow we wil oure vices shewe.
2. 0293  Thow seist also that it displeseth me
2. 0294  But if that thow wolt preise my beautee,
2. 0295  And but thow powre alwey vpon my face
2. 0296  And clepe me faire dame in euery place,






2. 0297  And but thow make a feeste on thilke day
2. 0298  That I was born and make me fressh and gay,
2. 0299  And but thow do to my norice honour
2. 0300  And to my chambrere withinne my bour
2. 0301  And to my fadres folk and his allyes.
2. 0302  Thus seistow, olde barel ful of lyes.
2. 0303  And yet of oure apprentice Iankyn
2. 0304  For his crisp heer shynyng as gold so fyn
2. 0305  And for he squyereth me bothe vp and doun,
2. 0306  Yet hastow caught fals suspecioun.
2. 0307  I wil hym nat thogh thow were deed tomorwe.
2. 0308    'But tel me this: why hidestow with sorwe
2. 0309  The keyes of thy cheste awey fro me?
2. 0310  It is my good as wel as thyn pardee.
2. 0311  What wenestow make an ydiote of oure dame?
2. 0312  Now by that lord that called is seint Iame,
2. 0313  Thow shalt noght bothe, thogh that thow were wood,
2. 0314  Be maister of my body and my good.
2. 0315  That oon thow shalt forgo maugree thyne eyen.
2. 0316  What helpeth it of me enquere and spyen?
2. 0317  I trowe thow woldest lok me in thy chiste.
2. 0318  Thow sholdest seye: 'Wyf, go wher thee liste.
2. 0319  Taak youre disport. I nyl leue no talis.
2. 0320  I knowe yow for a trewe wyf, dame Alis.'
2. 0321  We loue no man that taketh kepe or charge
2. 0322  Wher that we goon. We wol been at oure large.
2. 0323  Of alle men yblessed moote he be
2. 0324  The wise astrologen, daun Protholome,
2. 0325  That seith this prouerbe in his Almageste:
2. 0326  Of alle men his wisdom is hyeste
2. 0327  That rekketh nat who hath the world in honde.
2. 0328  By this prouerbe thow shalt vnderstonde:
2. 0329  Haue thow ynogh, what thar thee rekke or care
2. 0330  How myrily that othere folkes fare?
2. 0331  For certes, olde dotard, by youre leue
2. 0332  Ye shal han queynte right ynogh at eue.
2. 0333  He is to greet a nygard that wil werne
2. 0334  A man to lighte a candle at his lanterne.
2. 0335  He shal han neuer the lasse light pardee.






2. 0336  Haue thow ynogh, thee thar nat pleyne thee.
2. 0337     'Thow seist also that if we make vs gay
2. 0338  With clothyng and with precious array
2. 0339  That it is peril of oure chastitee.
2. 0340  And yet with sorwe thow most enforce thee
2. 0341  And seye thise wordes in th'apostles name:
2. 0342  In habit maad with chastitee and shame
2. 0343  Ye wommen shal apparaille yow (quod he)
2. 0344  And nat in tressed heer and gay perree
2. 0345  As perlys ne with gold ne clothes ryche.
2. 0346  After thy text ne after thy rubryche
2. 0347  I wol nat werke as muche as is a gnat.
2. 0348  Thow seydest this, that I was lyk a cat,
2. 0349  For whoso wolde senge a cattes skyn
2. 0350  Thanne wolde the cat wel dwellen in his in.
2. 0351  And if the cattes skyn be slyk and gay,
2. 0352  She wol nat dwelle in house half a day
2. 0353  But forth she wole er any day be dawed
2. 0354  To shewe hir skyn and goon a caterwawed.
2. 0355  This is to seye if I be gay, sir shrewe,
2. 0356  I wol renne out my borel for to shewe.






2. 0357  Sire olde fool, what helpeth thee t'espyen?
2. 0358  Thogh thow preye Argus with his hundred eyen
2. 0359  To be my wardecorps as he kan best,
2. 0360  In feith he shal nat kepe me but me lest.
2. 0361  Yet koude I make his berd as mote I thee.
2. 0362    'Thow seydest eek that ther ben thynges three
2. 0363  The whiche thynges troublen al this erthe
2. 0364  And that no wight may endure the ferthe.
2. 0365  O leeue sire shrewe, Iesu shorte thy lyf.
2. 0366  Yet prechestow and seist an hateful wyf
2. 0367  Yrekened is for oon of thise myschaunces.
2. 0368  Been ther noone othere resemblaunces
2. 0369  That ye may likne youre parables to
2. 0370  But if a sely wyf be oon of tho.
2. 0371    'Thow liknest eek wommanes loue to helle,
2. 0372  To bareyne lond ther water may nat dwelle.
2. 0373  Thow liknest it also to wilde fyr,
2. 0374  The moore it brenneth the moore it hath desyr
2. 0375  To consumen euery thyng that brent wol be.
2. 0376  Thow seist right as wormes shende a tree,
2. 0377  Right so a wyf destroyeth hir housbonde;
2. 0378  This knowen they that been to wyues bonde.'
2. 0379    'Lordynges, right thus as ye han vnderstonde
2. 0380  Bar I stifly myne olde housbondes on honde
2. 0381  That thus they seyden in hir dronkenesse.
2. 0382  And al was fals, but that I took witnesse
2. 0383  On Iankyn and on my nece also.
2. 0384    O lord, the pyne I dide hem and the wo
2. 0385  Ful giltlees, by goddes swete pyne.
2. 0386  For as an hors I koude byte and whyne,
2. 0387  I koude pleyne and I was in the gilt
2. 0388  Or ellis often tyme I hadde been spilt.
2. 0389  Whoso that first to mille comth first grynt.






2. 0390  I pleyned first: so was oure werr stynt.
2. 0391  They were ful glad to excusen hem ful blyue
2. 0392  Of thyng of which they neuere agilte hir lyue.
2. 0393  Of wenches wolde I bern hem on honde
2. 0394  Whan that for syk they myghte vnnethe stonde.
2. 0395  Yet tikled I his herte for that he
2. 0396  Wende that I hadde had of hym so greet chiertee.
2. 0397  I swoor that my walkyng out by nyghte
2. 0398  Was for to espye wenches that he dighte.
2. 0399  Vnder that colour hadde I many a myrthe
2. 0400  For al swich wit is yeuen vs in oure birthe.
2. 0401  Deceite, wepyng, spynnyng god hath yeue
2. 0402  To wommen kyndely whil they may lyue.
2. 0403  And thus of o thyng I auante me:
2. 0404  At ende I hadde the bet in ech degree
2. 0405  By sleighte or force or by som maner thyng,
2. 0406  As by continuel murmur or grucchyng.
2. 0407  Namely a bedde hadden they meschaunce.
2. 0408  Ther wolde I chide and do hem no plesaunce.
2. 0409  I wolde no lenger in the bed abyde.
2. 0410  If that I felte his arm ouer my syde
2. 0411  Til he hadde maad his raunceon vnto me.
2. 0412  Thanne wolde I suffre hym do his nycetee.
2. 0413    'And therfore euery man this tale I telle:
2. 0414  Wynne whoso may for al is for to selle.
2. 0415  With empty hond men may none haukes lure.
2. 0416  For wynnyng wolde I al his lust endure






2. 0417  And make me a feyned appetit.
2. 0418  And yet in bacoun hadde I neuere delit.
2. 0419  That made me that euere I wolde hem chyde,
2. 0420  For thogh the pope hadde seten hem bisyde
2. 0421  I wolde noght spare hem at hir owene bord,
2. 0422  For by my trouthe I quytte hem word for word.
2. 0423  As help me verray god omnipotent,
2. 0424  Thogh I right now sholde make my testament
2. 0425  I ne owe hem nat a word that it nys quyt.
2. 0426  I broghte it so aboute by my wit
2. 0427  That they moste yeue it vp as for the beste
2. 0428  Or ellis hadde we neuere been in reste.
2. 0429  For thogh he looked as a wood leoun
2. 0430  Yet sholde he faille of his conclusioun.
2. 0431    'Thanne wolde I seye: 'Good lief, taak keep
2. 0432  How mekely looketh Wilkyn oure sheep.
2. 0433  Com neer, my spouse, lat me ba thy cheke.
2. 0434  Ye sholden be al pacient and meke.
2. 0435  And han a swete-spyced conscience
2. 0436  Sith ye so preche of Iobes pacience.
2. 0437  Suffreth alwey, syn ye so wel kan preche,
2. 0438  And but ye do, certeyn we shal yow teche
2. 0439  That it is fair to han a wyf in pees.
2. 0440  Oon of vs two moste bowen doutelees
2. 0441  And sith a man is moore resonable
2. 0442  Than womman is, ye mosten been suffrable.
2. 0443  What eyleth yow to grucche thus and grone?






2. 0444  Is it for ye wolde haue my queynte allone?
2. 0445  Wy, taak it al. Lo haue it euery del.
2. 0446  Peter, I shrewe yow but ye loue it wel.
2. 0447  For if I wolde selle my bele chose,
2. 0448  I koude walke as fressh as is a rose.
2. 0449  But I wol kepe it for youre owene tooth.
2. 0450  Ye be to blame, by god I sey yow sooth.'
2. 0451    'Swiche manere wordes hadde we on honde.
2. 0452  Now wol I speke of my ferthe housbonde.
2. 0453    'My ferthe housbonde was a reuelour,
2. 0454  This is to seyn he hadde a paramour.
2. 0455  And I was yong and ful of ragerye,
2. 0456  Stibourne and strong and ioly as a pye.
2. 0457  How koude I daunce to an harpe smale
2. 0458  And synge ywys as any nyghtyngale
2. 0459  Whan I hadde dronke a draghte of swete wyn|
2. 0460  Metellyus, the foule cherl, the swyn
2. 0461  That with a staf birafte his wyf hir lyf
2. 0462  For she drank wyn, though I hadde been his wyf,
2. 0463  Ne sholde nat han daunted me fro drynke.
2. 0464  And after wyn on Venus moste I thynke,
2. 0465  For also siker as coold engendreth hayl
2. 0466  A likerous mouth moste han a likerous tayl.
2. 0467  In womman vynolent is no defence:
2. 0468  This knowen lechours by experience.
2. 0469  But lord Crist whan that it remembreth me
2. 0470  Vpon my youthe and on my iolytee,
2. 0471  It tikeleth me aboute myn herte-roote.
2. 0472  Vnto this day it dooth myn herte boote
2. 0473  That I haue had my world as in my tyme.
2. 0474  But age allas that al wole enuenyme
2. 0475  Hath me biraft my beautee and my pith.
2. 0476  Lat go. Farwel. The deuel go therwith.






2. 0477  The flour is goon. Ther is namoore to telle.
2. 0478  The bren as I best kan now moste I selle.
2. 0479  But yet to be right murye wol I fonde.
2. 0480  Now wol I tellen of my ferthe housbonde.
2. 0481    'I seye I hadde in herte gret despit
2. 0482  That he of any oother had delit.
2. 0483  But he was quyt, by god and by seint Ioce.
2. 0484  I made hym of the same wode a croce,
2. 0485  Nat of my body in no foul manere:
2. 0486  But certeynly I made folk swich chiere
2. 0487  That in his owene grece I made hym frye
2. 0488  For angre and for verray ialousye.
2. 0489  By god, in erthe I was his purgatorie,
2. 0490  For which I hope his soule be in glorie.
2. 0491  For god it woot he sat ful ofte and soong
2. 0492  Whan that his shoo ful bitterly hym wroong.
2. 0493  Ther was no wight saue god and he that wiste
2. 0494  In many wise how soore I hym twiste.
2. 0495  He deyde whan I cam fro Ierusalem
2. 0496  And lyth ygraue vnder the roode-beem,
2. 0497  Al is his toumbe noght so curyus






2. 0498  As was the sepulcre of hym Daryus
2. 0499  Which that Appellus wroghte subtilly,
2. 0500  It nys but wast to burye hym preciously.
2. 0501  Lat hym fare wel. God gyue his soule reste.
2. 0502  He is now in his graue and in his cheste.
2. 0503    'Now of my fifthe housbonde wol I telle.
2. 0504  God lat his soule neuere come in helle,
2. 0505  And yet was he to me the mooste shrewe:
2. 0506  That feele I on my rybbes al by rewe
2. 0507  And euere shal vnto myn endyng-day.
2. 0508  But in oure bed he was so fressh and gay
2. 0509  And therwithal so wel koude he me glose
2. 0510  Whan that he wolde han my bele chose
2. 0511  That thogh he hadde me bet on euery bon
2. 0512  He koude wynne agayn my loue anon.
2. 0513  I trowe I loued hym best for that he
2. 0514  Was of his loue daungerous to me.
2. 0515  We wommen han, if that I shal nat lye,
2. 0516  In this matere a queynte fantasye.
2. 0517  Wayte what thyng we may nat lightly haue
2. 0518  Therafter wol we crye al day and craue.
2. 0519  Forbede vs thyng and that desiren we.
2. 0520  Preesse on vs faste and thanne wol we fle.
2. 0521  With daunger oute we al oure chaffare.
2. 0522  Greet prees at market maketh deere ware
2. 0523  And to greet cheep is holden at litel prys.
2. 0524  This knoweth euery womman that is wys.
2. 0525    'My fifthe housbonde (god his soule blesse|)
2. 0526  Which that I took for loue and no rychesse,
2. 0527  He somtyme was a clerk of Oxenford
2. 0528  And hadde laft scole and wente at hom to bord
2. 0529  With my gossyb dwellyng in oure town --
2. 0530  God haue hir soule, hir name was Alisoun.
2. 0531  She knew myn herte and eek my pryuetee
2. 0532  Bet than oure parysshe preest as mote I thee;
2. 0533  To hire biwreyed I my conseil al.
2. 0534  For hadde myn housbonde pissed on a wal
2. 0535  Or doon a thyng that sholde haue cost his lyf,
2. 0536  To hire and to another worthy wyf






2. 0537  And to my nece which that I loued wel
2. 0538  I wolde han toold his conseil euery del.
2. 0539  And so I dide ful often, god it woot,
2. 0540  That made his face often reed and hoot
2. 0541  For verray shame, and blamed hymself for he
2. 0542  Hadde toold to me so greet a pryuetee.
2. 0543    'And so bifel that ones in a Lente
2. 0544  (So often tymes I to my gossyb wente,
2. 0545  For euere yet I louede to be gay
2. 0546  And for to walke in March, Aueryll and May
2. 0547  From hous to hous to here sondry tales)
2. 0548  That Iankyn clerk and my gossyb, dame Alys,
2. 0549  And I myself into the feeldes wente.
2. 0550  Myn housbonde was at Londoun al that Lente.
2. 0551  I hadde the bettre leyser for to pleye






2. 0552  And for to se and eek for to be seye
2. 0553  Of lusty folk. What wiste I wher my grace
2. 0554  Was shapen for to be or in what place?
2. 0555  Therfore I made my visitacions
2. 0556  To vigilies and to processions,
2. 0557  To prechyng eek and to thise pilgrymages,
2. 0558  To pleyes of myracles and to mariages
2. 0559  And wered vpon my gaye, scarlet gytes.
2. 0560  Thise wormes ne thise moththes ne thise mytes
2. 0561  Vpon my peril frete hem neuer-a-del.
2. 0562  And wostow why? For they were vsed wel.
2. 0563    'Now wol I tellen forth what happed me.
2. 0564  I seye that in the feeldes walked we
2. 0565  Til trewely we hadde swich daliaunce,
2. 0566  This clerk and I, that of my purueiaunce
2. 0567  I spak to hym and seyde hym how that he,
2. 0568  If I were wydewe, sholde wedde me.
2. 0569  For certeynly I seye for no bobaunce
2. 0570  Yet was I neuere withouten purueiaunce
2. 0571  Of mariage n'of othere thynges eek.
2. 0572  I holde a mouses herte noght worth a leek
2. 0573  That hath but oon hole for to sterte to,
2. 0574  And if that faille thanne is al ydo.
2. 0575  But now, sire, lat me se what shal I seyn.
2. 0576  A ha, by god I haue my tale ageyn.
2. 0577    'Whan that my fourthe housbonde was a beere,
2. 0578  I weep algate and made sory cheere
2. 0579  As wyues mooten for it is vsage
2. 0580  And with my couerchief couered my visage.
2. 0581  But for that I was purueyed of a make
2. 0582  I wepte but smal - and that I vndertake.
2. 0583    'To chirche was myn housbonde born a morwe
2. 0584  With neghebores that for hym maden sorwe,
2. 0585  And Iankyn oure clerk was oon of tho.
2. 0586  As help me god, whan that I saw hym go
2. 0587  After the beere me thoughte he hadde a payre
2. 0588  Of legges and of feet so clene and fayre
2. 0589  That al myn herte I yaf vnto his hoold.
2. 0590  He was, I trowe, twenty wynter oold
2. 0591  And I was fourty if I shal seye sooth.
2. 0592  But yet I hadde alwey a coltes tooth,
2. 0593  Gat-tothed I was and that bicam me weel.
2. 0594  I hadde the preente of seynt Venus seel.
2. 0595  As help me god, I was a lusty oon
2. 0596  And fayr and ryche and yong and wel-bigoon.






2. 0597  And trewely as myne housbondes tolde me
2. 0598  I hadde the beste quonyam myghte be:
2. 0599  Myn ascendent was Taur and Mars therinne;
2. 0600  Allas, allas that euere loue was synne.
2. 0601  I folwed ay myn inclinacioun
2. 0602  By vertu of my constellacioun
2. 0603  That made me I koude noght withdrawe
2. 0604  My chambre of Venus from a good felawe.
2. 0605    'What sholde I seye but at the monthes ende






2. 0606  This ioly clerk Iankyn that was so hende
2. 0607  Hath wedded me with greet solempnytee.
2. 0608  And to hym yaf I al the lond and fee
2. 0609  That euere was me yeuen therbifore,
2. 0610  But afterward repented me ful sore.
2. 0611  He nolde suffre nothyng of my list.
2. 0612  By god he smoot me ones on the lyst
2. 0613  For that I rente out of his book a leef
2. 0614  That of the strook myn ere weex al deef.
2. 0615  Stibourne I was as is a leonesse
2. 0616  And of my tonge a verray iangleresse
2. 0617  And walke I wolde as I hadde doon biforn
2. 0618  From hous to hous, althogh he hadde it sworn.
2. 0619  For which he often tymes wolde preche
2. 0620  And me of olde Romayn gestes teche
2. 0621  How he Symplicius Gallus lafte his wif
2. 0622  And hire forsook for terme of al his lif
2. 0623  Noght but for open-heueded he hir say
2. 0624  Lokynge out at his dore vpon a day.
2. 0625    'Another Romayn tolde he me by name,
2. 0626  That for his wyf was at a someres game
2. 0627  Withouten his wityng he forsook hir eke.
2. 0628  And thanne wolde he vpon his Bible seke
2. 0629  That ilke prouerbe of Ecclesiaste
2. 0630  Where he comandeth and forbedeth faste
2. 0631  Man shal nat suffre his wyf go roule aboute.
2. 0632  Thanne wolde he seye right thus withouten doute:
2. 0633  Whoso that buyldeth his hous al of salwes
2. 0634  And priketh his blynde hors ouer the falwes
2. 0635  And suffreth his wyf to go seken halwes
2. 0636  Is worthy to ben hanged on the galwes.
2. 0637  But al for noght. I sette noght an hawe
2. 0638  Of his prouerbe n'of his olde sawe,
2. 0639  N'Y wolde nat of hym corrected be.
2. 0640  I hate hym that my vices telleth me
2. 0641  And so doon mo, god woot, of vs than I.
2. 0642  This made hym with me wood al outrely.
2. 0643  I nolde noght forbere hym in no cas.
2. 0644    'Now wol I sey yow sooth by seint Thomas
2. 0645  Why that I rente out of his book a leef
2. 0646  For which he smoot me so that I was deef.
2. 0647  He hadde a book that gladly nyght and day
2. 0648  For his disport he wolde rede alway.
2. 0649  He clepyd it Valerie and Theofraste,
2. 0650  At which book he logh alwey ful faste.
2. 0651  And eek ther was somtyme a clerk at Rome,
2. 0652  A cardynal that highte seint Ierome,
2. 0653  That made a book agayn Iovinian
2. 0654  In which book eek ther was Tertulan,
2. 0655  Crisippus, Trotula and Helowys
2. 0656  That was abbesse nat fer fro Parys,






2. 0657  And eek the parables of Salomon,
2. 0658  Ouydes Art and bokes many on,
2. 0659  And alle thise were bounden in o volume.






2. 0660  And euery nyght and day was his custume
2. 0661  Whan he hadde leyser and vacacioun
2. 0662  From oother worldly ocupacioun
2. 0663  To reden in this book of wikked wyues.
2. 0664  He knew of hem mo legendes and lyues
2. 0665  Than been of goode wyues in the Bible.
2. 0666  For trusteth wel it is an inpossible
2. 0667  That any clerk wol speke good of wyues
2. 0668  But if it be of holy seintes lyues,
2. 0669  N'of noon oother womman neuer the mo.
2. 0670  Who peynted the leon, tel me, who?
2. 0671  By god, if wommen hadden writen stories
2. 0672  As clerkes han withinne hir oratories,
2. 0673  They wolde han writen of men moore wikkednesse
2. 0674  Than al the mark of Adam may redresse.
2. 0675  The children of Mercurie and Venus
2. 0676  Been in hir wirkyng ful contrarius.
2. 0677  Mercurie loueth wysdam and science
2. 0678  And Venus loueth riot and dispence.
2. 0679  And for hir diuerse disposicioun
2. 0680  Ech faileth in ootheres exaltacioun,
2. 0681  And thus, god woot, Mercurie is desolat
2. 0682  In Pisces wher Venus is exaltat
2. 0683  And Venus faileth ther Mercurie is reysed.
2. 0684  Therfore no womman of no clerk is preysed.
2. 0685  The clerk, whan he is old and may noght do
2. 0686  Of Venus werkes worth his olde sho,
2. 0687  Thanne sit he doun and writ in his dotage
2. 0688  That wommen kan nat kepe hir mariage.
2. 0689    'But now to purpos why I tolde thee
2. 0690  That I was beten for a book pardee.
2. 0691  Vpon a nyght Iankyn, that was oure sire,
2. 0692  Redde on his book as he sat by the fire
2. 0693  Of Eua first, that for hir wikkednesse
2. 0694  Was al mankynde broght to wrecchednesse.
2. 0695    'Tho redde he me how Sampson loste his herys
2. 0696  Slepynge; his lemman kitte it with hir sherys.
2. 0697  Thurgh which tresoun loste he bothe hise eyen.
2. 0698  Tho redde he me, if that I shal nat lyen,
2. 0699  Of Hercules and of his Dianyre
2. 0700  That caused hym to sette hymself a fyre.
2. 0701  Nothyng forgat he the sorwe and wo
2. 0702  That Socrates hadde with his wyues two:
2. 0703  How Xantippa caste pisse vpon his heed.
2. 0704  This sely man sat stille as he were deed.
2. 0705  He wipte his heed. Namoore dorste he seyn
2. 0706  But er that thonder stynte comth a reyn.
2. 0707  Of Phasifpha that was the queene of Crete
2. 0708  For shrewednesse hym thoughte the tale swete.
2. 0709  Fy, spek namoore, it is a grisly thyng
2. 0710  Of hir horrible lust and hir likyng.
2. 0711  Of Clitermystra for hir lecherye
2. 0712  That falsly made hir housbonde for to dye,
2. 0713  He redde it with ful good deuocioun.
2. 0714  He tolde me eek for what occasioun
2. 0715  Amphiorax at Thebes loste his lyf.
2. 0716  Myn housbonde hadde a legende of his wyf.












2. 0717  Exiphilem that for an ouch of gold
2. 0718  Hath priuely vnto the Grekys told
2. 0719  Wher that hir housbonde hidde hym in a place
2. 0720  For which he hadde at Thebes sory grace.
2. 0721    'Of Lyuia tolde he me and of Lucie.
2. 0722  They bothe made hir housbondes for to dye,
2. 0723  That oon for loue, that oother was for hate.
2. 0724  Lyuia hir housbonde on an euen late
2. 0725  Empoysoned hath for that she was his fo.
2. 0726  Lucya likerous loued hir housbonde so,
2. 0727  That for he sholde alwey vpon hir thynke
2. 0728  She yaf hym swich a manere loue-drynke
2. 0729  That he was deed er it were by the morwe.
2. 0730  And thus algates housbondes han sorwe.
2. 0731    'Thanne tolde he me how that oon Latumyus
2. 0732  Compleyned vnto his felawe Arrius
2. 0733  That in his gardyn growed swich a tree
2. 0734  On which he seyde how that hise wyues thre
2. 0735  Honged hemself for hertes despitus.
2. 0736  'O leeue brother,' quod this Arrius,
2. 0737  'Yif me a plante of thilke blessed tree
2. 0738  And in my gardyn planted shal it be.'
2. 0739    'Of latter date of wyues hath he red
2. 0740  That somme han slayn hir housbondes in hir bed
2. 0741  And lete hir lechour dighte hir al the nyght
2. 0742  Whan that the corps lay in the floor vpryght.
2. 0743  And somme han dryuen nayles in hir brayn
2. 0744  Whil that they sleepe and thus they han hem slayn.
2. 0745  Somme han hem yeuen poysoun in hir drynke.
2. 0746  He spak moore harm than herte may bithynke.
2. 0747  And therwithal he knew of mo prouerbes
2. 0748  Than in this world ther growen gras or herbes.
2. 0749  Bet is (quod he) thyn habitacioun
2. 0750  Be with a leon or a foul dragoun
2. 0751  Than with a womman vsyng for to chide.
2. 0752  Bet is (quod he) hye in the roof abyde
2. 0753  Than with an angry wyf down in the hous.
2. 0754  They been so wikked and contrarious,
2. 0755  They haten that hir housbondes loueth ay.
2. 0756  He seyde a womman cast hir shame away
2. 0757  Whan she cast of hir smok, and forthermo
2. 0758  A fair womman but she be chaast also
2. 0759  Is lyk a gold ryng in a sowes nose.
2. 0760  Who wolde wene or who wolde suppose
2. 0761  The wo, that in myn herte was, and pyne?
2. 0762    'And whan I say he wolde neuere fyne
2. 0763  To reden on this cursed book al nyght,
2. 0764  Al sodeynly thre leues haue I plyght
2. 0765  Out of his book right as he radde, and eke
2. 0766  I with my fist so took on the cheke
2. 0767  That in oure fyr he fil bakward adown.
2. 0768  And he vp stirte as dooth a wood leoun
2. 0769  And with his fest he smoot me on the heed
2. 0770  That in the floor I lay as I were deed.
2. 0771  And whan he say how stille that I lay
2. 0772  He was agast and wolde haue fled his way
2. 0773  Til atte laste out of my swowgh I brayde.






2. 0774    'O hastow slayn me, false theef?' I sayde.
2. 0775  'And for my land thus hastow mordred me?
2. 0776  Er I be deed yet wol I kisse thee.'






2. 0777    'And neer he cam and kneled faire adown
2. 0778  And seyde: 'Deere suster Alisoun,
2. 0779  As help me god I shal thee neuere smyte.
2. 0780  That I haue doon it is thyself to wyte.
2. 0781  Foryeue it me and that I thee biseke.'
2. 0782    'And yet eftsoones I hitte hym on the cheke
2. 0783  And seyde: 'Theef, thus muchel am I wreke.
2. 0784  Now wol I dye, I may no lenger speke.'
2. 0785    'But at the laste with muchel care and wo
2. 0786  We fille acorded by vsseluen two.
2. 0787  He yaf me al the brydel in myn hond
2. 0788  To han the gouernance of hous and lond,
2. 0789  And of his tonge and his hond also.
2. 0790  And made hym brenne his book anon-right tho.
2. 0791    'And whan that I hadde geten vnto me
2. 0792  By maistrye al the soueraynetee
2. 0793  And that he seyde 'Myn owene trewe wyf,
2. 0794  Do as thee lust the terme of al thy lyf,
2. 0795  Keep thyn honour and keep eek myn estaat',
2. 0796  After that day we hadden neuere debaat.
2. 0797  God help me so, I was to hym as kynde
2. 0798  As any wyf from Denmark vnto Inde
2. 0799  And also trewe, and so was he to me.
2. 0800  I pray to god, that sit in magestee,
2. 0801  So blesse his soule for his mercy deere.
2. 0802  Now wol I seye my tale if ye wol heere.'
2. 0803    The frere logh whan he hadde herd al this.
2. 0804  'Now, dame,' quod he, 'so haue I ioye or blys
2. 0805  This is a long preamble of a tale.'
2. 0806     And whan the somnour herde the frere gale,
2. 0807  'Lo,' quod the somnour, 'goddes armes two,
2. 0808  A frere wol entremette hym eueremo.
2. 0809  Loo goode men, a flye and eek a frere
2. 0810  Wol falle in euery dyssh and matere.
2. 0811  What spekestow of preambulacioun?
2. 0812  What amble or trotte or pees or go sit doun;
2. 0813  Thow lettest oure disport in this manere.'
2. 0814    'Ye, woltow so, sir somnour?' quod the frere.
2. 0815  'Now by my feith I shal, er that I go,
2. 0816  Telle of a somnour swich a tale or two
2. 0817  That al the folk shal laughen in this place.'
2. 0818    'Now ellis, frere, I wol bishrewe thy face,'
2. 0819  Quod this somnour. 'And I bishrewe me
2. 0820  But if I telle tales two or thre
2. 0821  Of freres er I come to Sydyngborne
2. 0822  That I shal make thyn herte for to morne
2. 0823  For wel I woot thy pacience is gon.'
2. 0824    Oure hoost cryde: 'Pees and that anon|'
2. 0825  And seyde: 'Lat the womman telle hir tale.
2. 0826  Ye fare as folk that dronken ben of ale.
2. 0827  Do, dame: tel forth youre tale and that is best.'






2. 0828    'Al reddy, sire,' quod she, 'right as yow lest
2. 0829  If I haue licence of this worthy frere.'
2. 0830    'Yis, dame,' quod he, 'tel forth and I wol heere.'


ere endeth the prologe of the wyf of Bathe.


ere bigynneth the tale of the wyf of Bathe.








2. 0831  In th'olde dayes of the kyng Arthour,
2. 0832  Of which that Britons speken greet honour,
2. 0833  Al was this land fulfild of fairye;
2. 0834  The elf-queene with hir ioly compaignye
2. 0835  Daunced ful ofte in many a grene mede.
2. 0836  This was the olde opynyon as I rede --
2. 0837  I speke of many hundred yerys ago.
2. 0838  But now kan no man se none elues mo,
2. 0839  For now the grete charitee and prayeres
2. 0840  Of lymytours and othere holy freres
2. 0841  That serchen euery lond and euery streem
2. 0842  As thikke as motes in the sonne-beem,
2. 0843  Blessynge halles, chambres, kichenes, boures,
2. 0844  Citees, burghes, castels, hye toures,
2. 0845  Thropes, bernes, shipnes, dayeryes,
2. 0846  This maketh that ther been no fairyes.
2. 0847  For ther as wont to walken was an elf
2. 0848  Ther walketh now the lymytour hymself
2. 0849  In vndermelys and in morwenynges
2. 0850  And seith his matyns and his holy thynges
2. 0851  As he gooth in his lymytacioun.
2. 0852  Wommen may go saufly vp and down,
2. 0853  In euery bussh or vnder euery tree
2. 0854  Ther is noon oother incubus but he,
2. 0855  And he ne wol doon hem but dishonour.
2. 0856    And so bifel that this kyng Arthour
2. 0857  Hadde in his hous a lusty bachiler
2. 0858  That on a day cam ridyng fro ryuer
2. 0859  And happed that allone as he was born
2. 0860  He say a mayde walkynge hym biforn.
2. 0861  Of which mayde anoon maugree hir hed
2. 0862  By verray force he rafte hir maydenhed.
2. 0863  For which oppressioun was swich clamour
2. 0864  And swich pursuyte vnto the kyng Arthour
2. 0865  That dampned was this knyght for to be deed
2. 0866  By cours of lawe, and sholde han lost his heed
2. 0867  (Parauenture swich was the statut tho)
2. 0868  But that the queene and othere ladyes mo
2. 0869  So longe preyden the kyng of grace
2. 0870  Til he his lyf hym graunted in the place
2. 0871  And yaf hym to the queene al at hir wille
2. 0872  To chese wheither she wolde hym saue or spille.
2. 0873    The queene thanketh the kyng with al hir myght.






2. 0874  And after this thus spak she to the knyght
2. 0875  Whan that she saw hir tyme vpon a day.
2. 0876  'Thow standest yet,' quod she, 'in swich array
2. 0877  That of thy lyf yet hastow no suretee.
2. 0878  I graunte thee lyf if thow kanst tellen me
2. 0879  What thyng is it that wommen moost desiren.
2. 0880  Be war and keep thy nekke-boon from iren.
2. 0881  And if thow kanst nat tellen me anon,
2. 0882  Yet wol I yeue thee leue for to gon
2. 0883  A twelf monthe and a day to seche and lere
2. 0884  An answere suffisant in this matere.
2. 0885  And seuretee wol I han, er that thow pace,
2. 0886  Thy body for to yelden in this place.'
2. 0887    Wo was this knyght and sorwefully he siketh.
2. 0888  But what, he may nat doon al as hym liketh.






2. 0889  And atte laste he chees hym for to wende
2. 0890  And come agayn right at the yeres ende
2. 0891  With swich answere as god wolde hym purueye.
2. 0892  And taketh his leue and wendeth forth his weye.
2. 0893  He seketh euery hous and euery place
2. 0894  Where as he hopeth for to fynde grace
2. 0895  To lerne what thyng wommen loue moost.
2. 0896  But he ne koude arryuen in no coost
2. 0897  Where as he myghte fynde in this matere
2. 0898  Two creatures acordyng in feere.
2. 0899    Somme seyden wommen louen best richesse,
2. 0900  Somme seyde honour, somme seyde iolifnesse,
2. 0901  Somme riche array, somme lust a bedde
2. 0902  And ofte tyme to be widwe and wedde.
2. 0903  Somme seyde that oure herte is moost esed
2. 0904  Whan that we been yflatered and yplesed.
2. 0905  He gooth ful ny the sothe, I wol nat lye.
2. 0906  A man shal wynne vs best with flaterye,
2. 0907  And with attendaunce and with bisynesse
2. 0908  Been we ylymed bothe moore and lesse.
2. 0909    And somme seyn that we louen best
2. 0910  For to be free and do right as vs lest
2. 0911  And that no man repreue vs of oure vice
2. 0912  But seye that we be wise and nothyng nyce.
2. 0913  For trewely ther is noon of vs alle
2. 0914  If any wight wolde clawe vs on the galle
2. 0915  That we nyl kike for he seith vs sooth.
2. 0916  Assay, and he shal fynde it that so dooth,
2. 0917  For be we neuer so vicious withinne
2. 0918  We wol be holden wise and clene of synne.
2. 0919    And somme seyn that greet delit han we
2. 0920  For to be holden stable and eek secree
2. 0921  And in o purpos stedefastly to dwelle
2. 0922  And nat biwreye thyng that men vs telle.
2. 0923  But that tale is nat worth a rake-stele.
2. 0924  Pardee we wommen konne nothyng hele;
2. 0925  Witnesse on Mida, wol ye heere the tale.
2. 0926    Ouyde amonges othere thynges smale
2. 0927  Seyde Mida hadde vnder his longe herys






2. 0928  Growynge vpon his heed two asses erys.
2. 0929  The which vice he hidde as he best myghte
2. 0930  Ful sotilly from euery mannes sighte
2. 0931  That saue his wyf ther wiste of it namo.
2. 0932  He loued hir moost and trusted hir also.
2. 0933  He preyed hir that to no creature
2. 0934  She sholde tellen of his disfigure.
2. 0935    She swoor hym nay for al this world to wynne
2. 0936  She nolde do that vileynye or syn,
2. 0937  To make hir housbonde han so foul a name
2. 0938  She nolde nat telle it for hir owene shame.
2. 0939  But nathelees hir thoughte that she dyde
2. 0940  That she so longe sholde a conseil hyde.
2. 0941  Hir thoughte it swal so soore aboute hir herte
2. 0942  That nedely som word hir moste asterte.
2. 0943  And sith she dorste nat telle it to no man
2. 0944  Doun to a marys faste by she ran.
2. 0945  Til she cam there hir herte was a fyre.
2. 0946  And as a bitore bombleth in the myre,
2. 0947  She leyde hir mouth vnto the water down.
2. 0948  'Biwrey me nat, thow water, with thy sown,'






2. 0949  Quod she, 'to thee I telle it and namo:
2. 0950  Myn housbonde hath longe asses erys two.
2. 0951  Now is myn herte al hool, now it is oute;
2. 0952  I myghte no lenger kepe it out of doute.'
2. 0953  Heere may ye see thogh we a tyme abyde
2. 0954  Yet out it moot, we kan no conseil hyde.
2. 0955  The remenant of the tale, if ye wol heere,
2. 0956  Redeth Ouyde and ther ye may it leere.
2. 0957    This knyght of which my tale is specially
2. 0958  Whan that he say he myghte nat come therby,
2. 0959  This is to seye what wommen louen moost,
2. 0960  Withinne his brest ful sorweful was the goost.
2. 0961  But hom he gooth, he myghte nat soiorne,
2. 0962  The day was come that homward moste he torne.
2. 0963  And in his wey it happed hym to ryde
2. 0964  In al this care vnder a forest-syde
2. 0965  Wher as he say vpon a daunce go
2. 0966  Of ladyes xxiiij and yet mo.
2. 0967  Toward the whiche daunce he drow ful yerne
2. 0968  In hope that som wisdom sholde he lerne.
2. 0969  But certeynly er he cam fully there
2. 0970  Vanysshed was this daunce he nyste where.
2. 0971  No creature say he that bar lyf
2. 0972  Saue on the grene he say sittynge a wyf;
2. 0973  A fouler wight ther may no man deuyse.
2. 0974  Agayn the knyght this olde wyf gan ryse
2. 0975  And seyde: 'Sire knyght, heer forth ne lyth no wey.
2. 0976  Tel me what that ye seken by youre fey.
2. 0977  Parauenture it may the bettre be:
2. 0978  This olde folk konne muchel thyng,' quod she.
2. 0979    'My leeue moder,' quod this knyght, 'certeyn
2. 0980  I nam but deed but if that I kan seyn
2. 0981  What thyng it is that wommen moost desire.






2. 0982  Koude ye me wisse I wolde wel quyte youre hyre.'
2. 0983    'Plight me thy trouthe here in myn hand,' quod she,
2. 0984  'The nexte thyng that I requere thee
2. 0985  Thow shalt it do if it lye in thy myght,
2. 0986  And I wol telle it yow er it be nyght.'
2. 0987    'Haue here my trouthe,' quod the knyght 'I graunte '
2. 0988    'Thanne,' quod she, 'I dar me wel auaunte
2. 0989  Thy lyf is sauf, for I wole stonde therby
2. 0990  Vpon my lyf the queene wol seye as I.
2. 0991  Lat see which is the prouddeste of hem alle
2. 0992  That wereth on a couerchief or a calle
2. 0993  That dar seye nay of that I shal thee teche.
2. 0994  Lat vs go forth withouten lenger speche.'
2. 0995  Tho rowned she a pistel in his ere
2. 0996  And bad hym to be glad and haue no fere.
2. 0997    Whan they be comen to the court, this knyght
2. 0998  Seyde he hadde holde his day as he had hight
2. 0999  And redy was his answere as he sayde.
2. 1000  Ful many a noble wyf and many a mayde
2. 1001  And many a widwe for that they ben wise,
2. 1002  The queene hirself sittyng as iustise
2. 1003  Assembled been this answere for to here.
2. 1004  And afterward this knyght was bode appere.
2. 1005  To euery wight comanded was silence
2. 1006  And that the knyght sholde telle in audience
2. 1007  What thyng that worldly wommen louen best.
2. 1008  This knyght ne stood nat stille as dooth a best,






2. 1009  But to his question anon answerde
2. 1010  With manly voys that al the court it herd.
2. 1011    'My lige lady, generally,' quod he,
2. 1012  'Wommen desire to haue souereyntee
2. 1013  As wel ouer hir housbonde as hir loue
2. 1014  And for to been in maistrie hym aboue.
2. 1015  This is youre mooste desir thogh ye me kille.
2. 1016  Dooth as yow list: I am here at youre wille.'
2. 1017    In al the court ne was ther wyf ne mayde
2. 1018  Ne wydwe that contraryed that he sayde,
2. 1019  But seyden he was worthy han his lyf.
2. 1020    And with that word vp stirte that olde wyf
2. 1021  Which that the knyght say sittyng on the grene.
2. 1022  'Mercy,' quod she, 'my souereyn lady queene,
2. 1023  Er that youre court departe, do me right.
2. 1024  I taughte this answere vnto the knyght
2. 1025  For which he plighte me his trouthe there:
2. 1026  The firste thyng I wolde hym requere,
2. 1027  He wolde it do if it laye in his myght.
2. 1028  Bifore the court thanne preye I thee, sire knyght,'
2. 1029  Quod she, 'that thow me take vnto thy wyf
2. 1030  For wel thow woost that I haue kept thy lyf.
2. 1031  If I seye fals, sey nay vpon thy fey.'
2. 1032    This knyght answerde: 'Allas and weilawey,
2. 1033  I woot right wel that swich was my biheste.
2. 1034  For goddes loue as chees a newe requeste.
2. 1035  Taak al my good and lat my body go.'






2. 1036    'Nay thanne,' quod she, 'I shrewe vs bothe two.
2. 1037  For thogh that I be foul, old and poore,
2. 1038  I nolde for al the metal ne for oore
2. 1039  That vnder erthe is graue or lith aboue
2. 1040  But if thy wyf I were and eek thy loue.'
2. 1041    'My loue,' quod he, 'nay my dampnacioun.
2. 1042  Allas that any of my nacioun
2. 1043  Sholde euere so foule disparaged be.'
2. 1044  But al for noght. Th'ende is this that he
2. 1045  Constreyned was. He nedes moste hir wedde,
2. 1046  And taketh his olde wyf and goth to bedde.
2. 1047    Now wolden som men seye parauenture
2. 1048  That for my necligence I do no cure
2. 1049  To tellen yow the ioye and al th'array
2. 1050  That at the feste was that ilke day.
2. 1051  To which thyng shortly answere I shal.
2. 1052  I seye ther nas no ioye ne feste at al.
2. 1053  Ther nas but heuynesse and muche sorwe.
2. 1054  For priuely he wedded hir on morwe
2. 1055  And al day after hidde hym as an owle,
2. 1056  So wo was hym his wyf looked so foule.
2. 1057    Greet was the wo the knyght hadde in his thoght.
2. 1058  Whan he was with his wyf a bedde ybroght,
2. 1059  He walweth and he turneth to and fro.
2. 1060  His olde wyf lay smylyng eueremo
2. 1061  And seyde: 'O deere housbonde, benedicite
2. 1062  Fareth euery knyght thus with his wyf as ye?
2. 1063  Is this the lawe of kyng Arthures hous?
2. 1064  Is euery knyght of his thus daungerous?
2. 1065  I am youre owene loue and youre wyf.
2. 1066  I am she which that saued hath youre lyf.
2. 1067  And certes yet ne dide I yow neuere vnright
2. 1068  Why fare ye thus with me this firste nyght?






2. 1069  Ye faren lyk a man hadde lost his wit.
2. 1070  What is my gilt? For goddes loue tel it
2. 1071  And it shal ben amended if I may.'
2. 1072    'Amended?' quod this knyght. 'Allas nay, nay.
2. 1073  It wol nat ben amended neuere mo.
2. 1074  Thow art so loothly and so old also
2. 1075  And therto comen of so lowe a kynde
2. 1076  That litel wonder is thogh I walwe and wynde.
2. 1077  So wolde god myn herte wolde breste|'
2. 1078    'Is this,' quod she, 'the cause of youre vnreste?'
2. 1079    'Ye certeynly,' quod he, 'no wonder is.'
2. 1080    'Now sire,' quod she, 'I koude amende al this
2. 1081  If that me liste er it were dayes thre
2. 1082  So wel ye myghte bere yow vnto me.
2. 1083  But for ye speken of swich gentillesse
2. 1084  As is descended out of old richesse
2. 1085  That therfore sholden ye be gentil men --
2. 1086  Swich errogaunce is nat worth an hen.
2. 1087  Looke who that is moost vertuous alway,
2. 1088  Pryuee and apert, and moost entendeth ay
2. 1089  To do the gentil dedes that he kan,






2. 1090  Taak hym for the gentileste man
2. 1091  Crist wol we clayme of hym oure gentilesse,
2. 1092  Nat of oure eldres for hir old richesse.
2. 1093  For thogh they yeue vs al hir heritage
2. 1094  For which we clame to been of hir parage,
2. 1095  Yet may they nat biquethe for nothyng
2. 1096  To noon of vs hir vertuous lyuyn
2. 1097  That made hem gentil men ycalled be
2. 1098  And bad vs folwen hem in swich degree.
2. 1099    'Wel kan the wise poete of Florence
2. 1100  That highte Dant speken in this sentence.
2. 1101  Lo in swich maner rym is Dantes tale:
2. 1102  Ful selde vp riseth by his braunches smale
2. 1103  Prowesse of man, for god of his prowesse
2. 1104  Wole that of hym we clayme oure gentilesse.
2. 1105  For of oure eldres may we nothyng clayme
2. 1106  But temporel thyng that man may hurte and mayme.
2. 1107  Eek euery wight woot this as wel as I:
2. 1108  If gentilesse were planted naturelly
2. 1109  Vnto a certeyn lynage doun the lyne,
2. 1110  Pryuee and apert thanne wolde they neuere fyne
2. 1111  To doon of gentilesse the faire office;
2. 1112  They myghte do no vileynye or vice.
2. 1113    'Taak fyr and bere it in the derkeste hous
2. 1114  Bitwix this and the mount of Kaukasous
2. 1115  And lat men shette the dores and go thenne,
2. 1116  Yet wol the fyr as faire lye and brenne
2. 1117  As twenty thousand men myghte it biholde.
2. 1118  His office naturel ay wol it holde
2. 1119  Vp peril of my lyf til that it dye.
2. 1120  Here may ye se wel how that genterye
2. 1121  Is nat annexed to possession,
2. 1122  Sith folk ne doon hir operacion
2. 1123  Alwey as dooth the fyr lo in his kynde.
2. 1124  For god it woot men may wel often fynde
2. 1125  A lordes sone do shame and vileynye.
2. 1126  And he that wol han prys of his gentrye
2. 1127  For he was born of a gentil hous
2. 1128  And hadde hise eldres noble and vertuous






2. 1129  And nyl hymseluen do no gentil dedis
2. 1130  Ne folwen his gentil auncestre that deed is,
2. 1131  He nys nat gentil, be he duc or erl,
2. 1132  For vileynes, synful dedes maken a cherl.
2. 1133  For gentilesse nys but renomee
2. 1134  Of thyne auncestres for hir hye bountee,
2. 1135  Which is straunge thyng for thy persone.
2. 1136  Thy gentilesse cometh fro god allone.
2. 1137  Thanne comth oure verray gentilesse of grace,
2. 1138  It was nothyng biquethe vs with oure place.
2. 1139    'Thenketh how noble, as seith Valerius,
2. 1140  Was thilke Tullius Hostillius
2. 1141  That out of pouerte roos to heigh noblesse.
2. 1142  Redeth Senek and redeth eek Boece:
2. 1143  Ther shul ye seen expres that no drede is






2. 1144  That he is gentil that dooth gentil dedis.
2. 1145  And therfore, leue housbonde, I thus conclude:
2. 1146  Al were it that myne auncestres weren rude,
2. 1147  Yet may the hye god (and so hope I)
2. 1148  Graunte me grace to lyuen vertuously.
2. 1149  Thanne am I gentil whan that I bigynne
2. 1150  To lyuen vertuously and weyue synne.
2. 1151    'And ther as ye of pouerte me repreue,
2. 1152  The hye god on whom that we bileue
2. 1153  In wilful pouerte chees to lyue his lyf.
2. 1154  And certes euery man, mayden or wyf
2. 1155  May vnderstonde that Iesus heuene-kyng
2. 1156  Ne wolde nat chese a vicious lyuyng.
2. 1157  Glad pouerte is an honeste thyng certeyn,
2. 1158  This wol Senek and othere clerkes seyn.
2. 1159  Whoso that halt hym payd of his pouerte
2. 1160  I holde hym riche al hadde he nat a sherte.
2. 1161  He that coueiteth is a poure wight
2. 1162  For he wolde han that is nat in his myght.
2. 1163  But he that noght hath ne coueiteth haue
2. 1164  Is riche, althogh we holde hym but a knaue.
2. 1165  Verray pouerte it syngeth proprely.
2. 1166  Iuuenal seith of pouerte myrily:
2. 1167  The poure man whan he gooth by the weye,
2. 1168  Biforn the theues he may synge and pleye.
2. 1169  Pouerte is hateful good and as I gesse
2. 1170  A ful greet brynger out of bisynesse,
2. 1171  A greet amendere eek of sapience
2. 1172  To hym that taketh it in pacience.
2. 1173  Pouerte is thyng, althogh it seme elenge,
2. 1174  Possessioun that no wight wol chalenge.
2. 1175  Pouerte ful often whan a man is lowe
2. 1176  Maketh hymself and eek his god to knowe.
2. 1177  Pouerte a spectacle is as thynketh me
2. 1178  Thurgh which he may his verray freendes se.
2. 1179  And therfore, sire, syn that I noght yow greue
2. 1180  Of my pouerte namoore ye me repreue.
2. 1181    'Now, sire, of elde ye repreue me.
2. 1182  And certes, sire, thogh noon auctoritee
2. 1183  Were in no book, ye gentils of honour
2. 1184  Seyn that men an old wight sholde doon fauour
2. 1185  And clepe hym fader for youre gentilesse;
2. 1186  And auctours shal I fynden as I gesse.
2. 1187  Now ther ye seye that I am foul and old,
2. 1188  Thanne drede yow noght to been a cokewold,






2. 1189  For filthe and elde also mote I thee
2. 1190  Been grete wardeyns vpon chastitee.
2. 1191  But nathelees syn I knowe youre delit
2. 1192  I shal fulfille youre worldly appetit.
2. 1193    'Chees now,' quod she, 'oon of thise thynges tweye:
2. 1194  To han me foul and old til that I deye
2. 1195  And be to yow a trewe, humble wyf
2. 1196  And neuere yow displese in al my lyf,
2. 1197  Or ellis ye wol han me yong and fair






2. 1198  And take youre auenture of the repair
2. 1199  That shal be to youre hous by cause of me
2. 1200  Or in som oother place may wel be.
2. 1201  Now chees yourseluen wheither that yow liketh.'
2. 1202    This knyght auyseth hym and soore siketh.
2. 1203  But atte laste he seyde in this manere:
2. 1204  'My lady and my loue and wyf so deere,
2. 1205  I putte me in youre wise gouernaunce.
2. 1206  Cheseth yourself which that may be moost plesaunce
2. 1207  And moost honour to yow and me also.
2. 1208  I do no fors the wheither of the two,
2. 1209  For as yow liketh it suffiseth me.'
2. 1210    'Thanne haue I gete of yow maistrye,' quod she,
2. 1211  'Syn I may chese and gouerne as me lest.'
2. 1212    'Ye certes, wyf,' quod he; 'I holde it best.'
2. 1213    'Kys me,' quod she, 'we be no lenger wrothe,
2. 1214  For by my trouthe I wol be to yow bothe:
2. 1215  This is to seyn ye bothe fair and good.
2. 1216  I pray to god that I mote steruen wood
2. 1217  But I to yow be also good and trewe
2. 1218  As euere was wyf syn that the world was newe
2. 1219  And but I be tomorn as fair to sene
2. 1220  As any lady, emperice or queene
2. 1221  That is bitwix the est and eek the west.
2. 1222  Do with my lyf and deth right as yow lest.
2. 1223  Cast vp the curtyn. Looke how that it is.'
2. 1224    And whan the knyght say verraily al this,
2. 1225  That she so fair was and so yong therto,
2. 1226  For ioye he hente hir in his armes two.
2. 1227  His herte bathed in a bath of blisse.
2. 1228  A thousand tyme a rewe he gan hir kisse.
2. 1229  And she obeyed hym in euery thyng
2. 1230  That myghte do hym plesance or likyng.
2. 1231  And thus they lyue vnto hir lyues ende
2. 1232  In parfit ioye. And Iesu Crist vs sende
2. 1233  Housbondes meke, yonge and fressh a bedde
2. 1234  And grace t'ouerbyde hem that we wedde.
2. 1235  And eek I praye Iesu shorte hir lyues
2. 1236  That noght wol be gouerned by hir wyues.
2. 1237  And olde and angry nygardes of dispence
2. 1238  God sende hem soone verray pestilence.


ere endeth the wyues tale of Bathe.


he prologe of the freres tale.

2. 1239  This worthy lymytour, this noble frere,
2. 1240  He made alwey a manere louryng cheere
2. 1241  Vpon the somnour, but for honestee






2. 1242  No vileyns word as yet to hym spak he.
2. 1243  But atte laste he seyde vnto the wyf.:
2. 1244  'Dame,' quod he, 'god yeue yow right good lyf.






2. 1245  Ye han heer touched also mote I thee
2. 1246  In scole-matere greet difficultee.
2. 1247  Ye han seyd muche thyng right wel, I seye.
2. 1248  But, dame, here as we ryden by the weye
2. 1249  Vs nedeth nat to speken but of game,
2. 1250  And lete auctoritees on goddes name
2. 1251  To prechyng and to scole of clergye.
2. 1252  But if it like to this compaignye,
2. 1253  I wol yow of a somnour telle a game.
2. 1254  Pardee ye may wel knowe by the name
2. 1255  That of a somnour may no good be sayd.
2. 1256  I praye that noon of yow be yuel ypayd.
2. 1257  A somnour is a rennere vp and doun
2. 1258  With mandementz for fornicacioun
2. 1259  And is ybet at euery townes ende.'
2. 1260    Oure hoost tho spak: 'A, sire, ye sholde be hende
2. 1261  And curteys, as a man of youre estaat.
2. 1262  In compaignye we wol no debaat.
2. 1263  Telleth youre tale and lat the somnour be.'
2. 1264    'Nay,' quod the somnour, 'lat hym seye to me
2. 1265  Whatso hym list. Whan it comth to my lot,
2. 1266  By god I shal hym quyten euery grot.
2. 1267  I shal hym telle which a gret honour
2. 1268  It is to be a flaterynge lymytour
2. 1269  And of many another maner cryme,
2. 1270  Which nedeth nat rehercen for this tyme.
2. 1271  And his office I shal hym telle ywys.'
2. 1272    Oure hoost answerde: 'Pees. Namoore of this.'
2. 1273  And after this he seyde vnto the frere:
2. 1274  'Tel forth youre tale, leeue maister deere.'


ere endeth the prologe of the frere and bigynneth his tale.


2. 1275  Whilom ther was dwellynge in my contree
2. 1276  An erchedekne, a man of hy degree
2. 1277  That boldely dide execucioun
2. 1278  In punysshynge of fornicacioun,
2. 1279  Of wicchecraft and eek of bawderye,
2. 1280  Of diffamacioun and auoutrye,
2. 1281  Of chirche-reues and of testamentz,
2. 1282  Of contractes and eek of lakke of sacramentz,
2. 1283  Of vsure and of symonye also.
2. 1284  But certes lecchours dide he grettest wo:
2. 1285  They sholde syngen if that they were hent.
2. 1286  And smale tytheres were foule yschent:
2. 1287  If any persoun wold vpon hem pleyne
2. 1288  Ther myghte asterte hym no pecunial peyne.
2. 1289  For smale tithes and for smal offryng
2. 1290  He made the peple ful pitusly to syng.
2. 1291  For er the bysschop caght hem with hys hooc
2. 1292  They were in the erchdeknys book,
2. 1293  And thanne had he thurgh hys iurisdiccion
2. 1294  Power to do on hem correccion.
2. 1295  He hadde a somnour redy to his hond,
2. 1296  A slyer boy nas noon in Engelond,












2. 1297  For subtilly he hadde his espiaille
2. 1298  That taughte hym wher hym myghte auaille.
2. 1299  He koude spare of lecchours oon or two
2. 1300  To techen hym to foure and twenty mo.
2. 1301  For theigh this somnour wood were as an hare,
2. 1302  To telle his harlotrye I wol nat spare
2. 1303  For we been out of his correccioun;
2. 1304  They han of vs no iurisdiccioun
2. 1305  Ne neuere shullen terme of hir lyues.
2. 1306    'Peter, so been wommen of the styves,'
2. 1307  Quod the somnour, 'yput out of my cure.'
2. 1308    'Pees with myschaunce and with mysauenture,'
2. 1309  Thus seyde oure hoost, 'and lat hym telle his tale.
2. 1310  Now telleth forth thogh that the somnour gale
2. 1311  Ne spareth nat, myn owene mayster deere.'
2. 1312    This false theef, this somnour, (quod the frere)
2. 1313  Hadde alwey baudes redy to his hond
2. 1314  As any hauk to lure in Engelond
2. 1315  That tolde hym al the secree that they knewe
2. 1316  For hire aqueyntance was nat come of newe.
2. 1317  They weren hise approwours pryuely.
2. 1318  He took hymself a greet profit therby.
2. 1319  His maister knew nat alwey what he wan.
2. 1320  Withouten mandement a lewed man
2. 1321  He koude somne on peyne of Cristes curs
2. 1322  And they were glade for to fille his purs
2. 1323  And make hym grete festes atte nale.
2. 1324  And right as Iudas hadde purses smale
2. 1325  And was a theef, right swich a theef was he.
2. 1326  His maister hadde but half his duetee.
2. 1327    He was, if I shal yeuen hym his laude,
2. 1328  A theef and eek a somnour and a baude.
2. 1329  He hadde eek wenches at his retenue
2. 1330  That wheither that sir Robert or sir Hewe
2. 1331  Or Iakke or Rauf or whoso that it were
2. 1332  That lay by hem, they tolde it in his ere.
2. 1333  Thus was the wenche and he of oon assent.
2. 1334  And he wolde fecche a feyned mandement
2. 1335  And somne hem to chapitre bothe two
2. 1336  And pile the man and lete the wenche go.
2. 1337    Thanne wolde he seye: 'Freend, I shal for thy sake
2. 1338  Do stryke hir out of oure lettres blake;
2. 1339  Thee thar namoore as in this cas trauaille.
2. 1340  I am thy freend ther I thee may auaille.'
2. 1341    Certeyn he knew of bryberyes mo
2. 1342  Than possible is to telle in yeres two,
2. 1343  For in this world nys dogge for the bowe
2. 1344  That kan an hurt deer from an hool knowe
2. 1345  Bet than this somnour knew a sly lecchour
2. 1346  Or an auouter or a paramour.
2. 1347  And for that was the fruyt of al his rente,
2. 1348  Therfore on it he sette al his entente.
2. 1349    And so bifel that ones on a day
2. 1350  This somnour euere waityng on his pray,
2. 1351  For to somne an old wydewe, a ribibe,
2. 1352  Feynynge a cause for he wolde brybe,
2. 1353  Happed that he say bifore hym ryde






2. 1354  A gay yeman vnder a forest-syde.
2. 1355  A bowe he bar and arwes brighte and kene.
2. 1356  He hadde vpon a courtepy of grene,






2. 1357  An hat vpon his heed with frenges blake.
2. 1358    'Sir,' quod this somnour, 'hayl and wel atake.'
2. 1359    'Welcome,' quod he, 'and euery good felawe.
2. 1360  Wher ridestow vnder this grene shawe?'
2. 1361  Seyde this yeman. 'Wiltow fer today?'
2. 1362    This somnour hym answerde and seyde: 'Nay.
2. 1363  Here faste by,' quod he, 'is myn entente
2. 1364  To ryden, for to reysen vp a rente
2. 1365  That longeth to my lordes duetee.'
2. 1366    'Artow thanne a bailly?' 'Yes,' quod he.
2. 1367  He dorste nat for verray filthe and shame
2. 1368  Seye that he was a somnour for the name.
2. 1369    'Depardieux,' quod this yeman, 'deere brother,
2. 1370  Thow art a bailly and I am another.
2. 1371  I am vnknowen as in this contree.
2. 1372  Of thyn aqueyntance I wolde praye thee
2. 1373  And eek of bretherhede if that yow leste.
2. 1374  I haue gold and siluer in my cheste;
2. 1375  If that thee happed to come in oure shire
2. 1376  Al shal be thyn right as thow wolt desire.'
2. 1377    'Graunt mercy,' quod this somnour, 'by my feith.'
2. 1378  Euerich in ootheres hond his trouthe leyth
2. 1379  For to be sworn bretheren til they deye.
2. 1380  In daliaunce they ryden forth and pleye.
2. 1381    This somnour which that was as ful of iangles
2. 1382  As ful of venym been thise waryangles
2. 1383  And euere enqueryng vpon euery thyng
2. 1384  'Brother,' quod he, 'wher is now youre dwellyng
2. 1385  Another day if that I sholde yow seche?'
2. 1386    This yeman hym answerde in softe speche.
2. 1387  'Brother,' quod he, 'fer in the north contree
2. 1388  Wher as I hope somtyme I shal thee see.
2. 1389  Er we departe I shal thee so wel wisse
2. 1390  That of myn hous ne shaltow neuere mysse.'
2. 1391    'Now, brother,' quod this somnour, 'I yow preye
2. 1392  Teche me whil that we ryden by the weye,
2. 1393  Syn that ye been a baillyf as am I,
2. 1394  Som subtiltee; and tel me feithfully
2. 1395  In myn office how I may moost wynne.
2. 1396  And spareth nat for conscience ne synne,
2. 1397  But as my brother tel me how do ye.'
2. 1398     'Now by my trouthe, brother deere,' seyde he,
2. 1399  'As I shal tellen thee a feithful tale.
2. 1400  My wages been ful streyte and ful smale.
2. 1401  My lord is hard to me and daungerous
2. 1402  And myn office is ful laborous,
2. 1403  And therfore by extorcions I lyue.
2. 1404  For sothe I take al that men wol me yeue.
2. 1405  Algate by sleighte or by violence
2. 1406  Fro yeer to yeer I wynne al my dispence.
2. 1407  I kan no bettre tellen feithfully.'






2. 1408    'Now certes,' quod this somnour, 'so fare I.
2. 1409  I spare nat to taken god it woot,
2. 1410  But it be to heuy or to hoot.
2. 1411  What I may gete in conseil priuely
2. 1412  No manere conscience of that haue I.
2. 1413  Nere myn extorcioun I myghte nat lyuen.
2. 1414  Ne of swiche iapes wol I nat be shryuen.
2. 1415  Stomak ne conscience ne knowe I noon,
2. 1416  I sherewe thise shryftes fadres euerychon.






2. 1417  Wel be we met by god and by seint Iame.
2. 1418  But, leeue brother, tel me thanne thy name,'
2. 1419  Quod this somnour. In this mene whyle
2. 1420  This yeman gan a litel for to smyle.
2. 1421    'Brother,' quod he, 'woltow that I thee telle?
2. 1422  I am a feend. My dwellyng is in helle.
2. 1423  And here I ryde aboute my purchasyng
2. 1424  To wite wher men wolde yeue me any thyng.
2. 1425  My purchas is th'effect of al my rente.
2. 1426  Looke how thow rydest for the same entente
2. 1427  To wynne good, thow rekkest neuere how.
2. 1428  Right so fare I, for ryde wold I now
2. 1429  Vnto the worldes ende for a preye.'
2. 1430    'A,' quod this somnour, 'benedicite what sey ye?
2. 1431  I wende ye were a yeman trewely.
2. 1432  Ye han a mannes shap as wel as I.
2. 1433  Han ye a figure thanne determynat
2. 1434  In helle ther ye been in youre estat?'
2. 1435    'Nay certeynly,' quod he, 'ther haue we noon.
2. 1436  But whan vs liketh we kan take vs oon
2. 1437  Or ellis make yow seme we ben shape
2. 1438  Somtyme lyk a man or lyk an ape;
2. 1439  Or lyk an aungel kan I ryde or go.
2. 1440  It is no wonder thyng theigh it be so:
2. 1441  A lousy iogelour kan deceyue thee
2. 1442  And pardee yet kan I moore craft than he.'
2. 1443    'Whi,' quod this somnour, 'ryde ye thanne or goon
2. 1444  In sondry shap and nat alwey in oon?'
2. 1445    'For we,' quod he, 'wol vs swiche formes make
2. 1446  As moost able is oure preyes for to take.'
2. 1447     'What maketh yow to han al this labour?'
2. 1448     'Ful many a cause, leue sir somnour,
2. 1449  Seyde this feend. 'But alle thyng hath tyme,
2. 1450  The day is short and it is passed pryme
2. 1451  And yet ne wan I nothyng in this day.
2. 1452  I wol entende to wynnyng if I may
2. 1453  And nat entende oure wittes to declare.
2. 1454  For, brother myn, thy wit is al to bare
2. 1455  To vnderstonde, althogh I tolde hem thee;
2. 1456  But for thow axest why labouren we:
2. 1457  For somtyme we been goddes instrumentz
2. 1458  And meenes to doon his comandementz
2. 1459  Whan that hym list vpon his creatures,
2. 1460  In diuers art and in diuerse figures.
2. 1461  Withouten hym we han no myght certayn






2. 1462  If that hym lyst to stonde theragayn.
2. 1463  And somtyme at oure preyere han we leue
2. 1464  Oonly the body and nat the soule greue,
2. 1465  Witnesse on Iob whom that we diden wo.
2. 1466  And somtyme han we myght of bothe two,
2. 1467  This is to seyn of soule and body eke.
2. 1468  And somtyme be we suffred for to seke
2. 1469  Vpon a man and do his soule vnreste
2. 1470  And nat his body. And al is for the beste
2. 1471  Whan he withstandeth oure temptacioun;
2. 1472  It is a cause of his sauacioun,
2. 1473  Al be it that it was nat oure entente
2. 1474  He sholde be sauf but that we wolde hym hente.
2. 1475  And somtyme be we seruant vnto man
2. 1476  As to the erchebisshop, seint Dunstan.






2. 1477  And to the apostles seruant eek was I.'
2. 1478    'Yet tel me,' quod the somnour, 'feithfully:
2. 1479  Make ye yow newe bodyes thus alway
2. 1480  Of elementz?' The feend answerde: 'Nay.
2. 1481  Somtyme we feyne and somtyme we aryse
2. 1482  With dede bodyes in ful sondry wyse
2. 1483  And speke as renably and faire and wel
2. 1484  As to the phitonissa dide Samuel.
2. 1485  (And yet wol som men seye it was nat he --
2. 1486  I do no fors of youre dyuynytee.)
2. 1487  But o thyng warne I thee, I wol nat iape,
2. 1488  Thow wolt algates wite how we be shape:
2. 1489  Thow shalt herafterwardes, my brother deere,
2. 1490  Come there; thee nedeth nat of me to lere.
2. 1491  For thow shalt by thyn owene experience
2. 1492  Konne in a chayer rede of this sentence
2. 1493  Bet than Virgile whil he was on lyue
2. 1494  Or Dant also. Now lat vs ryde blyue.
2. 1495  For I wol holde compaignye with thee
2. 1496  Til it be so that thow forsake me.'
2. 1497    'Nay,' quod this somnour, 'that shal nat bityde.
2. 1498  I am a yeman knowen is ful wyde,
2. 1499  My trouthe wol I holde as in this cas.
2. 1500  For theigh thow were the deuel Sathanas
2. 1501  My trouthe wol I holde to thee, my brother,
2. 1502  As I am sworn, and ech of vs til oother,
2. 1503  For to be trewe brother in this cas.
2. 1504  And bothe we goon abouten oure purchas:
2. 1505  Taak thow thy part what that men wol thee yeue
2. 1506  And I shal myn. Thus may we bothe lyue.
2. 1507  And if that any of vs haue moore than oother,
2. 1508  Lat hym be trewe and parte it with his brother.'
2. 1509    'I graunte,' quod the deuel, 'by my fey.'
2. 1510  And with that word they ryden forth hir wey.
2. 1511    And right at the entryng of the townes ende
2. 1512  To which this somnour shoop hym for to wende
2. 1513  They saye a cart that charged was with hey
2. 1514  Which that a cartere droof forth in his wey.
2. 1515  Deep was the wey for which the carte stood.






2. 1516  This carter smoot and cryde as he were wood:
2. 1517  'Hayt, Brok; hayt, Scot. What spare ye for the stones?
2. 1518  The feend,' quod he, 'yow fecche body and bones,
2. 1519  As ferforthly as euere were ye foled,
2. 1520  So muchel wo as I haue with yow tholed.
2. 1521  The deuel haue al, bothe hors and cart and hey.'
2. 1522    This somnour seyde: 'Heer shul we han a pley.'
2. 1523  And neer the feend he drogh as noght ne were
2. 1524  Ful pryuely and rowned in his ere.
2. 1525  'Herkne, my brother, herkne by thy feith.
2. 1526  Herestow nat how that the cartere seith?
2. 1527  Hent it anon for he hath yeue it thee,
2. 1528  Bothe hey and cart and eek his caples thre.'
2. 1529    'Nay,' quod the deuel, 'god woot neuer-a-del.
2. 1530  It is nat his entente, trust thow me wel.
2. 1531  Axe hym thyself if thow nat trowest me;
2. 1532  Or ellys stynt a while and thow shalt se.'
2. 1533    This cartere thakketh his hors vpon the croupe
2. 1534  And they bigonne drawen and to stoupe.
2. 1535  'Heyt now ' quod he 'ther Iesu Crist yow blesse
2. 1536  And al his handeswerk, bothe moore and lesse.






2. 1537  That was wel twight, myn owene lyard boy|
2. 1538  I pray god saue thee and seint Loy.
2. 1539  Now is my cart out of the slow pardee.'
2. 1540    'Lo, brother,' quod the feend, 'what tolde I thee?
2. 1541  Heere may ye se, myn owene deere brother,
2. 1542  The carl spak o thyng but he thoghte another.
2. 1543  Lat vs go forth abouten oure viage,
2. 1544  Heere wynne I nothyng vpon cariage.'
2. 1545    Whan that they coomen somwhat out of towne
2. 1546  This somnour to his brother gan to rowne:
2. 1547  'Brother,' quod he, 'here woneth an old rebekke
2. 1548  That hadde almoost as leef to lese hir nekke
2. 1549  As for to yeue a peny of hir good.
2. 1550  I wol han xij pens thogh that she be wood
2. 1551  Or I wol somne hir vnto oure office.
2. 1552  And yet god woot of hir knowe I no vice.
2. 1553  But for thow canst nat as in this contree
2. 1554  Wynne thy cost, taak heer ensample of me.'
2. 1555  This somnour clappeth at the wydwes gate:
2. 1556  'Com out,' quod he, 'thow olde viritrate,
2. 1557  I trowe thow hast som frere or preest with thee.'
2. 1558    'Who clappeth?' seyde this wyf. 'Benedicitee
2. 1559  God saue yow, sire. What is youre swete wille?'
2. 1560    'I haue,' quod he, 'of somonce a bille.
2. 1561  Vp peyne of cursyng looke that thow be
2. 1562  Tomorn bifore the erchedeknes knee
2. 1563  T'answere to the court of certeyn thynges.'
2. 1564    'Now, lord,' quod she, 'Crist Iesu, kyng of kynges,
2. 1565  So wisly helpe me, as I ne may:
2. 1566  I haue been syk and that ful many a day.
2. 1567  I may nat go so fer,' quod she, 'ne ryde
2. 1568  But I be deed, so priketh it in my syde.
2. 1569  May I nat axe a libel, sir somnour,






2. 1570  And answere there by my procutour
2. 1571  To swich thyng as men wole opposen me?'
2. 1572    'Yis,' quod this somnour. 'Pay anon -- lat see --
2. 1573  Twelf pens to me and I wol thee acquyte.
2. 1574  I shal no profit han therby but lyte;
2. 1575  My maister hath the profit and nat I.
2. 1576  Com of and lat me ryden hastily.
2. 1577  Yif me xij pens, I may no lenger tarye.'
2. 1578    'Twelf pens?' quod she. 'Now lady seinte Marie|
2. 1579  So wisly help me god out of care and synne,
2. 1580  This wyde world thogh that I sholde wynne
2. 1581  Ne haue I nat xij pens withinne myn hoold.
2. 1582  Ye knowen wel that I am poure and oold;
2. 1583  Kythe youre almesse on me, poure wrecche.'
2. 1584    'Nay thanne,' quod he, 'the foule feend me fecche
2. 1585  If I th'excuse, theigh thow shul be spilt.'
2. 1586    'Allas,' quod she, 'god woot I haue no gilt.'
2. 1587    'Pay me,' quod he, 'or by the swete seinte Anne
2. 1588  As I wol bere awey thy newe panne
2. 1589  For dette which thow owest me of oold.
2. 1590  Whan that thow madest thyn housbonde cokewold
2. 1591  I payde at hom for thy correccioun.
2. 1592    'Thow lyxt,' quod she. 'By my sauacioun
2. 1593  Ne was I neuere er now, wydwe ne wyf,
2. 1594  Somoned vnto youre court in al my lyf,
2. 1595  Ne neuere I nas but of my body trewe.
2. 1596  Vnto the deuel, blak and row of hewe,






2. 1597  Yeue I thy body and my panne also.'
2. 1598    And whan the deuel herde hir cursen so
2. 1599  Vpon hir knees, he seyde in this manere:
2. 1600  'Now, Mabely, myn owene moder deere,
2. 1601  Is this youre wyl in ernest that ye seye?'
2. 1602    'The deuel,' quod she, 'so fecche hym er he deye
2. 1603  And panne and al, but he wol hym repente.'
2. 1604    'Nay, olde stot, that is nat myn entente,'
2. 1605  Quod this somnour, 'for to repente me
2. 1606  For any thyng that I haue had of thee.
2. 1607  I wolde I hadde thy smok and euery clooth.'
2. 1608    'Now, brother,' quod the deuel, 'be noght wrooth,
2. 1609  Thy body and this panne been myne by right.
2. 1610  Thow shalt with me to helle yet tonyght
2. 1611  Wher thow shalt knowen of oure pryuetee
2. 1612  Moore than a maister of dyuynytee.'
2. 1613  And with that word this foule feend hym hente.
2. 1614  Body and soule he with the deuel wente
2. 1615  Wher as that somnours han hir heritage.
2. 1616  And god, that made after his ymage
2. 1617  Mankynde, saue and gyde vs alle and some
2. 1618  And leue thise somnours goode men to bicome.
2. 1619    Lordynges, I koude han told yow (quod this frere),
2. 1620  Hadde I had leyser for this somnour heere,
2. 1621  After the text of Crist, Poul and Iohn
2. 1622  And of oure othere doctours many oon
2. 1623  Swiche peynes that youre hertes myghte agryse,






2. 1624  Al be it so no tonge may it deuyse
2. 1625  Thogh that I myghte a thousand wynter telle
2. 1626  The peynes of thilke cursed hous of helle.
2. 1627  But for to kepe vs fro that cursed place
2. 1628  Waketh and preyeth Iesu for his grace
2. 1629  So kepe vs fro the temptour Sathanas.
2. 1630  Herketh this word. Beth war as in this cas.
2. 1631  The leon sit in his awayt alway
2. 1632  To sle the innocent if that he may.
2. 1633  Disposeth ay youre hertes to withstonde
2. 1634  The feend that yow wolde maken thral and bonde.
2. 1635  He may nat tempte yow ouer your myght
2. 1636  For Crist wol be youre champion and knyght.
2. 1637  And prayeth that this somnours hem repente
2. 1638  Of hir mysdedes er that the feend hem hente.


ere endeth the freres tale.


he prologe of the somnours tale.

2. 1639  This somnour in his stiropes hye he stood:
2. 1640  Vpon this frere his herte was so wood
2. 1641  That lyk an aspen-lief he quook for ire.
2. 1642    'Lordynges,' quod he, 'but o thyng I desire:
2. 1643  I yow biseke that of youre curteisye
2. 1644  Syn ye han herd this false frere lye
2. 1645  As suffreth me I may my tale telle.
2. 1646  This frere bosteth that he knoweth helle,
2. 1647  And god it woot that it is litel wonder:
2. 1648  Freres and feendes been but lyte asonder.
2. 1649  For pardee ye han ofte tyme herd telle






2. 1650  How that a frere rauysshed was to helle
2. 1651  In spirit ones by avisioun,
2. 1652  And as an aungel ladde hym vp and down
2. 1653  To shewen hym the peynes that ther were
2. 1654  In al the place say he nat a frere.
2. 1655  Of oother folk he say ynowe in wo.
2. 1656    'Vnto this aungel spak the frere tho:
2. 1657  'Now, sire,' quod he, 'han freres swich a grace
2. 1658  That noon of hem shal come to this place?'
2. 1659     'Yis,' quod this aungel, 'many a milioun|'
2. 1660  And vnto Sathanas he ladde hym doun.
2. 1661  'And now hath Sathanas,' seith he, 'a tayl
2. 1662  Brodder than of a carryk is the sayl.
2. 1663  Hold vp thy tayl, thow Sathanas,' quod he;
2. 1664  'Shewe forth thyn ers and lat the frere se
2. 1665  Where is the nest of freres in this place.'
2. 1666     'And er that half a furlong wey of space
2. 1667  Right so as bees out swarmen from an hyue
2. 1668  Out of the deueles ers ther gonne dryue
2. 1669  Twenty thousand freres on a route
2. 1670  And thurghout helle swarmeden aboute






2. 1671  And comen again as faste as they may gon,
2. 1672  And in his ers they crepten euerychon.
2. 1673  He clapte his tayl agayn and lay ful stille.
2. 1674  This frere whan he looked hadde his fille
2. 1675  Vpon the tormentz of this sory place,
2. 1676  His spirit god restored of his grace
2. 1677  Vnto his body agayn, and he awook.
2. 1678  But nathelees for fere yet he quook,
2. 1679  So was the deueles ers ay in his mynde
2. 1680  That is his heritage of verray kynde.
2. 1681     'God saue yow alle saue this cursed frere.
2. 1682  My prologe wol I ende in this manere.'


ere endeth the prologe of the somnours tale.

ere bygynneth the somnours tale.

2. 1683  Lordynges, ther is in Yorkshire as I gesse
2. 1684  A merssh-contree called Holdernesse
2. 1685  In which ther wente a lymytour aboute
2. 1686  To preche and eek to begge, it is no doute.
2. 1687  And so bifel that on a day this frere
2. 1688  Hadde preched at a chirche in his manere
2. 1689  And specially abouen euerythyng
2. 1690  Excyted he the peple in his prechyng
2. 1691  To trentals and to yeue for goddes sake
2. 1692  Wherwith men myghte holy houses make
2. 1693  Ther as dyuyne seruice is honoured --
2. 1694  Nat ther as it is wasted and deuoured,
2. 1695  Ne ther it nedeth nat to be yeue
2. 1696  As to possessioners that mowen lyue,
2. 1697  Thanked be god, in wele and habundaunce.
2. 1698    'Trentals,' seyde he, 'deliuereth from penaunce
2. 1699  Hir freendes soules as wel olde as yonge,
2. 1700  Ye whan that they been hastily ysonge --
2. 1701  Nat for to holde a preest ioly and gay,
2. 1702  He syngeth nat but o masse in a day.
2. 1703  Deliuereth out,' quod he, 'anon the soules:






2. 1704  Ful hard it is with flessh-hook or with oules
2. 1705  To been yclawed or to brenne or bake.
2. 1706  Now spede yow hastily for Cristes sake.'
2. 1707    And whan this frere hadde seyd al his entente
2. 1708  With qui cum patre forth his wey he wente.
2. 1709  Whan folk in chirche hadde yeue hym what hem leste
2. 1710  He wente his wey, no lenger wolde he reste.
2. 1711  With scryppe and typped staf, ytukked hye,
2. 1712  In euery hous he gan to poure and prye
2. 1713  And beggeth mele and chese or ellis corn.
2. 1714  His felawe hadde a staf typped with horn,
2. 1715  A peyre of tables al of yuory
2. 1716  And a poyntel polysshed fetisly
2. 1717  And wroot the names alwey as he stood
2. 1718  Of alle folk that yaf hem any good






2. 1719  Ascaunces that he wolde for hem preye.
2. 1720    'Yif vs a busshel whete, malt or reye,
2. 1721  A goddes kechyl or a tryp of cheese
2. 1722  Or ellis what yow lyst, we may nat chese,
2. 1723  A goddes halfpeny or a masse-peny;
2. 1724  Or yif vs of youre brawn if ye haue eny,
2. 1725  A dagon of youre blanket, leeue dame,
2. 1726  (Oure suster deere, lo heere I write your name|)
2. 1727  Bacoun or boef or swich thyng as ye fynde.'
2. 1728    A sturdy harlot wente ay hem bihynde
2. 1729  That was hir hostes-man and baar a sak
2. 1730  And what men yaf hem leyde it on his bak.
2. 1731  And whan that he was out at dore, anon
2. 1732  He planed awey the names euerichon
2. 1733  That he biforn hadde writen in his tables.
2. 1734  He serued hem with nyfles and with fables.
2. 1735    'Nay ther thow lixt, thow somnour ' quod the frere.
2. 1736    'Pees,' quod oure hoost, 'for Cristes moder deere.
2. 1737  Tel forth thy tale and spare it nat at al.'
2. 1738    So thryue I (quod this somnour) so I shal.
2. 1739  So longe he wente hous by hous til he
2. 1740  Cam til an hous ther he was wont to be
2. 1741  Refresshed moore than in an hundred placis.
2. 1742  Syk lay the goode man whos the place is,
2. 1743  Bedrede vpon a couche lowe he lay.
2. 1744  'Deus hic,' quod he. 'O Thomas freend, good day,'
2. 1745  Seyde this frere curteisly and softe.
2. 1746  'Thomas,' quod he, 'god yelde yow, ful ofte
2. 1747  Haue I vpon this bench faren ful wel.
2. 1748  Heere haue I eten many a murye mel.'
2. 1749  And fro the bench he droof awey the cat
2. 1750  And leyde adoun his potente and his hat
2. 1751  And eek his scrippe and sette hym softe adown.
2. 1752  His felawe was go walked into town
2. 1753  Forth with his knaue into that hostelrye
2. 1754  Wher as he shoop hym thilke nyght to lye.
2. 1755    'O deere maister,' quod this syke man,
2. 1756  'How han ye fare sith that March bigan?
2. 1757  I say yow noght this fourtnyght or moore.'
2. 1758    'God woot,' quod he, 'laboured I haue ful soore.
2. 1759  And specially for thy sauacioun
2. 1760  Haue I seyd many a precious orisoun
2. 1761  And for oure othere freendes, god hem blesse|
2. 1762  I haue today been at youre chirche at messe
2. 1763  And seyd a sermon after my symple wit






2. 1764  Nat al after the text of holy writ
2. 1765  For it is hard to yow as I suppose,
2. 1766  And therfore wol I teche yow al the glose.
2. 1767  Glosyng is a glorious thyng certeyn,
2. 1768  For lettre sleeth so as we clerkes seyn.
2. 1769  Ther haue I taught hem to be charitable
2. 1770  And spende hir good ther it is resonable.
2. 1771  And ther I say oure dame. A wher is she?'
2. 1772    'Yond in the yerd I trowe that she be,'






2. 1773  Seyde this man, 'and she wol come anon.'
2. 1774    'Ey maister, welcome be ye by seint Iohn,'
2. 1775  Seyde this wyf. 'How fare ye hertely?'
2. 1776    The frere ariseth vp ful curteisly
2. 1777  And hir embraceth in hise armes narwe
2. 1778  And kiste hir swete and chirteth as a sparwe
2. 1779  With his lippes. 'Dame,' quod he, 'right wel,
2. 1780  As he that is youre seruant euery del,
2. 1781  Thanked be god that yow yaf soule and lyf.
2. 1782  Yet say I nat this day so fair a wyf
2. 1783  In al the chirche, god so saue me.'
2. 1784     'Ye, god amende defautes, sir,' quod she.
2. 1785  'Algates welcome be ye by my fey.'
2. 1786    'Graunt mercy, dame, this haue I founde alwey.
2. 1787  But of youre grete goodnesse by youre leue
2. 1788  I wolde pray yow that ye nat yow greue:
2. 1789  I wol with Thomas speke a litel throwe.
2. 1790  Thise curatz been ful necligent and slowe
2. 1791  To grope tendrely a conscience
2. 1792  In shrift; in prechyng is my diligence
2. 1793  And studie. In Petres wordes and in Poules
2. 1794  I walke and fisshe cristen mennes soules
2. 1795  To yelden Iesu Crist his propre rente.
2. 1796  To sprede his word is set al myn entente.'
2. 1797    'Now by youre leeue, o deere sire,' quod she,
2. 1798  'Chideth hym wel for seinte Trinitee:
2. 1799  He is as angry as a pissemyre
2. 1800  Thogh that he haue al that he kan desire.
2. 1801  Thogh I hym wrye a nyght and make hym warm
2. 1802  And on hym leye my leg outher myn arm,
2. 1803  He groneth lyk oure boor lyth in oure sty.
2. 1804  Oother disport right noon of hym haue I.
2. 1805  I may nat plese hym in no maner cas.'
2. 1806    'O Thomas, ie vous dy, Thomas, Thomas,
2. 1807  This maketh the feend. This moste been amended.
2. 1808  Ire is a thyng that hye god defended;
2. 1809  And therof wol I speke a word or two.'
2. 1810     'Now maister,' quod the wyf, 'er that I go,
2. 1811  What wol ye dyne? I wol go theraboute.'
2. 1812    'Now, dame,' quod he, 'now ie vous dy sanz doute
2. 1813  Haue I nat of a capoun but the lyuere
2. 1814  And of youre softe breed nat but a shyuere
2. 1815  And after that a rosted pigges heed
2. 1816  (But that I nolde no beest for me were deed),
2. 1817  Thanne hadde I with yow homly suffisaunce.
2. 1818  I am a man of litel sustenaunce:
2. 1819  My spirit hath his fostryng in the Bible.
2. 1820  The body is ay so redy and penyble
2. 1821  To wake that my stomak is destroyed.
2. 1822  I pray yow, dame, ye be nat anoyed
2. 1823  Thogh I so freendly yow my conseil shewe.






2. 1824  By god I wolde nat telle it but a fewe.'
2. 1825    'Now, sire,' quod she, 'but o word er I go:
2. 1826  My child is deed withinne thise wykes two






2. 1827  Soone after that ye wente out of this town.'
2. 1828    'His deeth say I by reuelacioun,'
2. 1829  Seith this frere, 'at hom in oure dortour.
2. 1830  I dar wel seyn that er that half an hour
2. 1831  After his deeth I say hym born to blisse
2. 1832  In myn avisioun. So god me wisse
2. 1833  So dide oure sexteyn and oure fermerer
2. 1834  That han been trewe freres fifty yeer.
2. 1835  They may now (god be thanked of his lone|)
2. 1836  Maken hir iubilee and walke allone.
2. 1837  And vp I roos and al oure couent eke
2. 1838  With many a teere triklyng on my cheke,
2. 1839  Withouten noyse or clateryng of belles.
2. 1840  Te Deum was oure song and nothyng elles,
2. 1841  Saue that to Crist I seyde an orisoun
2. 1842  Thankynge hym of his reuelacioun.
2. 1843  For, sire and dame, trusteth me right wel
2. 1844  Oure orisons been wel moore effectuel
2. 1845  And moore we seen of Cristes secree thynges
2. 1846  Than burell folk althogh that they were kynges.
2. 1847  We lyue in pouerte and in abstinence
2. 1848  And burell folk in richesse and dispence
2. 1849  Of mete and drynke and in hir foul delit.
2. 1850  We han this worldes lust al in despit.
2. 1851  Lazar and Diues lyueden diuersly
2. 1852  And diuerse gerdon hadde they therby.
2. 1853  Whoso wol praye he moot faste and be clene
2. 1854  And fatte his soule and make his body lene.
2. 1855  We fare as seith th'apostle: clooth and foode
2. 1856  Suffiseth vs thogh they be nat ful goode.
2. 1857  The clennesse and the fastyng of vs freres
2. 1858  Maketh that Crist accepteth oure prayeres.
2. 1859     'Lo Moyses fourty dayes and fourty nyght
2. 1860  Fasted er that the heighe god of myght
2. 1861  Spak with hym in the mountayne of Synay.
2. 1862  With empty wombe fastynge many a day
2. 1863  Receyued he the lawe that was writen
2. 1864  With goddes fynger. And Elye, wel ye witen,
2. 1865  In mount Oreb er he hadde any speche
2. 1866  With hye god that is oure lyues leche,
2. 1867  He fasted longe and was in contemplaunce.
2. 1868  Aaron that hadde the temple in gouernaunce
2. 1869  And eek that othere preestes euerichon,
2. 1870  Into the temple whan they sholde gon
2. 1871  To preye for the peple and do seruyse
2. 1872  They nolden drynken in no maner wyse
2. 1873  No drynke which that myghte hem dronke make;
2. 1874  But there in abstinence preye and wake
2. 1875  Lest that they deyden. Tak hede what I seye:
2. 1876  But they be sobre that for the peple preye
2. 1877  War that I seye; namoore, for it suffiseth.
2. 1878     'Oure lord Iesu, as holy writ deuyseth,
2. 1879  Yaf vs ensample of fastyng and prayeres.
2. 1880  Therfore we mendynantz, we sely freres,
2. 1881  Been wedded to pouerte and continence,
2. 1882  To charitee, humblesse and abstinence,
2. 1883  To persecucioun for rightwisnesse,












2. 1884  To wepyng, misericorde and clennesse.
2. 1885  And therfore may ye se that oure prayeres
2. 1886  (I speke of vs, we mendinantz, we freres)
2. 1887  Be to the hye god moore acceptable
2. 1888  Than youres with youre festes at the table.
2. 1889  Fro paradys first if I shal nat lye
2. 1890  Was man out chaced for his glotonye,
2. 1891  And chaast was man in paradys certeyn.
2. 1892    'But herkne, Thomas, what I shal seyn.
2. 1893  I ne haue no text of it as I suppose
2. 1894  But I shal fynde it in a maner glose
2. 1895  That specially oure swete lord Iesus
2. 1896  Spak this by freres whan he seyde thus:
2. 1897  Blessed be they that poure in spirit been.
2. 1898  And so forth al the gospel may ye seen
2. 1899  Wher it be likker oure professioun
2. 1900  Or hire that swymmen in possessioun.
2. 1901  Fy on hir pompe and hir glotonye
2. 1902  And for hir lewednesse I hem diffye.
2. 1903  Me thynketh they been lyk Iouynyan,
2. 1904  Fat as a whale and walkyng as a swan,
2. 1905  Al vynolent as botel in the spence.
2. 1906  Hir preyere is of ful greet reuerence,
2. 1907  Whan they for soules seye the psalm of Dauit:
2. 1908  'Lo buf,' they seye, 'cor meum eructauit.'
2. 1909  Who folweth Cristes gospel and his foore
2. 1910  But we that humble been and chaast and poore,
2. 1911  Werkers of goddes word, nat auditours?
2. 1912  Therfore right as an hauk vp at a sours
2. 1913  Vp spryngeth into th'eyr, right so prayeres
2. 1914  Of charitable and chaste, bisy freres
2. 1915  Maken hir sours to goddes erys two.
2. 1916  Thomas, Thomas, so mote I ryde or go
2. 1917  And by that lord that clepid is seint Yue,
2. 1918  Nere thow oure brother, sholdestow nat thryue.
2. 1919  In oure chapitre praye we day and nyght
2. 1920  To Crist that he thee sende heele and myght
2. 1921  Thy body for to welden hastily.'
2. 1922    'God woot,' quod he, 'nothyng therof feele I.
2. 1923  As help me Crist as I in fewe yeres
2. 1924  Haue spended vpon diuerse manere freres
2. 1925  Ful many a pound, yet fare I neuere the bet.
2. 1926  Certeyn my good haue I almoost biset.
2. 1927  Farwel my gold, for it is al ago.'
2. 1928    The frere answerde: 'O Thomas, doostow so?
2. 1929  What nedeth yow diuerse freres seche?
2. 1930  What nedeth hym that hath a parfit leche
2. 1931  To sechen othere leches in the town?
2. 1932  Youre inconstance is youre confusioun.
2. 1933  Holde ye thanne me or ellis oure couent
2. 1934  To preye for yow been insufficient?
2. 1935  Thomas, that iape nys nat worth a myte:
2. 1936  Youre maladye is for we han to lyte.
2. 1937  A, yif that couent half a quarter otes;
2. 1938  A, yif that couent xxiiij grotes;
2. 1939  A, yif that frere a peny and lat hym go.
2. 1940  Nay, nay, Thomas, it may nothyng be so.






2. 1941  What is a ferthyng worth parted in twelue?
2. 1942  Lo ech thyng that is oned in hymselue
2. 1943  Is moore strong than whan it is toscatered.






2. 1944  Thomas, of me thow shalt nat been yflatered:
2. 1945  Thow woldest han oure labour al for noght.
2. 1946  The hye god that al this world hath wroght
2. 1947  Seith that the werkman worthy is his hire.
2. 1948  Thomas, noght of youre tresor I desire
2. 1949  As for myself, but that al oure couent
2. 1950  To praye for yow is ay so diligent
2. 1951  And for to buylden Cristes owene chirche.
2. 1952  Thomas, if ye wol lernen for to wirche,
2. 1953  Of buyldyng vp of chirches may ye fynde
2. 1954  If it be good in Thomas lyf of Inde.
2. 1955  Ye lye heere ful of anger and of ire
2. 1956  With which the deuel set youre herte afire
2. 1957  And chiden heere the sely innocent,
2. 1958  Youre wyf, that is so meke and pacient.
2. 1959  And therfore, Thomas, trowe me if thee leste
2. 1960  Ne stryue nat with thy wyf as for thy beste.
2. 1961  And bere this word awey now by thy feith,
2. 1962  Touchynge swich thyng lo what the wise man seith:
2. 1963  Withinne thyn hous ne be thow no leoun;
2. 1964  To thy subgitz do noon oppressioun
2. 1965  Ne make thyne aqueyntances nat for to flee.
2. 1966    'And, Thomas, yet eftsoones I charge thee
2. 1967  Be war from hire that in thy bosom slepeth,
2. 1968  War fro the serpent that so sleighly crepeth
2. 1969  Vnder the gras and styngeth subtilly.
2. 1970  Be war, my sone, and herkne paciently
2. 1971  That twenty thousand men han lost hir lyues
2. 1972  For stryuyng with hir lemmans and hir wyues.
2. 1973  Now sith ye han so holy meke a wyf,
2. 1974  What nedeth yow, Thomas, to maken stryf?
2. 1975  Ther nys ywis no serpent so cruel
2. 1976  Whan man tret on his tayl ne half so fel
2. 1977  As womman is whan she hath caught an ire.
2. 1978  Vengeance is thanne al that they desire.
2. 1979  Ire is a synne, oon of the grete of seuene,
2. 1980  Abhomynable vnto the god of heuene;
2. 1981  And to hymself it is destruccioun.
2. 1982  This euery lewed viker or persoun
2. 1983  Kan seye, how ire engendreth homicide.
2. 1984  Ire is in sooth executour of pryde.
2. 1985  I koude of ire seye so muche sorwe
2. 1986  My tale sholde laste til tomorwe.
2. 1987  And therfore praye I god bothe day and nyght:
2. 1988  An irous man god sende hym litel myght.
2. 1989  It is greet harm and certes greet pitee
2. 1990  To sette an irous man in heigh degree.
2. 1991    'Whilom ther was an irous potestat,
2. 1992  As seith Senek, that durynge his estat
2. 1993  Vpon a day out ryden knyghtes two;
2. 1994  And as fortune wolde that it were so






2. 1995  That oon of hem cam hom, that oother noght.
2. 1996  Anon the knyght bifore the iuge is broght
2. 1997  That seyde thus: 'Thow hast thy felawe slayn,
2. 1998  For which I deme thee to the deeth certayn.'
2. 1999  And to another knyght comanded he:
2. 2000  'Go leed hym to the deeth I charge thee.'
2. 2001  And happed as they wente by the weye
2. 2002  Toward the place ther he sholde deye,
2. 2003  The knyght cam which men wenden had be deed.






2. 2004  Thanne thoghten they it were the beste reed
2. 2005  To lede hem bothe to the iuge agayn.
2. 2006  They seyden: 'Lord, the knyght ne hath nat slayn
2. 2007  His felawe. Heere he stant hool alyue.'
2. 2008  'Ye shul be deed,' quod he, 'so moot I thryue,
2. 2009  This is to seyn bothe oon and two and thre.'
2. 2010  And to the firste knyght right thus spak he:
2. 2011  'I dampned thee, thou most algate be deed.
2. 2012  And thow also most nedes lese thyn heed
2. 2013  For thow art cause why thy felawe deyth.'
2. 2014  And to the thridde knyght right thus he seith:
2. 2015  'Thow hast nat doon that I comanded thee.'
2. 2016  And thus he dide do sleen hem alle thre.
2. 2017    'Irous Cambyses was eek dronkelewe
2. 2018  And ay delited hym to been a shrewe.
2. 2019  And so bifel a lord of his meynee
2. 2020  That louede vertuous moralitee
2. 2021  Seyde on a day bitwix hem two right thus:
2. 2022  'A lord is lost if he be vicius,
2. 2023  And dronkenesse is eek a foul record
2. 2024  Of any man and namely in a lord.
2. 2025  Ther is ful many an eighe and many an ere
2. 2026  Awaityng on a lord he noot nat where.
2. 2027  For goddes loue drynk moore attemprely.
2. 2028  Wyn maketh man to lesen wrecchedly
2. 2029  His mynde and eek his lymes euerychon.'
2. 2030  'The reuers shaltow se,' quod he anon,
2. 2031  'And preue it by thyn owene experience
2. 2032  That wyn ne dooth to folk no swich offence.
2. 2033  Ther is no wyn bireueth me my myght
2. 2034  Of hond ne foot ne of myne eyen-sight.'
2. 2035  And for despit he drank ful muchel moore
2. 2036  An hundred part than he hadde doon bifore.
2. 2037  And right-anon this irous, cursed wrecche
2. 2038  Bifore hym leet this knyghtes sone fecche,
2. 2039  Comandynge hym he sholde bifore hym stonde.
2. 2040  And sodeynly he took his bowe in honde
2. 2041  And vp the streng he pulled to his ere
2. 2042  And with an arwe he slow the child right there.
2. 2043  'Now wheither haue I a siker hand or noon?'
2. 2044  Quod he. 'Is al my myght and mynde agoon?
2. 2045  Hath wyn byreued me myn eye-sight.
2. 2046  What sholde I telle th'answere of the knyght?
2. 2047  His sone was slayn. Ther is namoore to seye.
2. 2048  Beth war therfore with lordes how ye pleye.






2. 2049  Syngeth placebo and I shal if I kan,
2. 2050  But if it be vnto a poure man.
2. 2051  To a poure man men sholde his vices telle,
2. 2052  But nat to a lord thogh he sholde go to helle.
2. 2053    'Lo irous Syrus, thilke Percien,
2. 2054  How he destroyed the ryuer of Gysen
2. 2055  For that an hors of his was dreynt therinne
2. 2056  Whan that he wente Babiloyne to wynne.
2. 2057  He made that the ryuer was so smal
2. 2058  That wommen myghte wade it oueral.
2. 2059  Lo what seyde he that so wel teche kan:
2. 2060  Ne be no felawe to an irous man
2. 2061  Ne with no wood man walke by the weye
2. 2062  Lest thee repente. I wol no ferther seye.
2. 2063    'Now, Thomas, leeue brother, lef thyn ire.






2. 2064  Thow shalt me fynde as iust as is a squyre.
2. 2065  Hoold nat the deueles knyf ay at thyn herte,
2. 2066  Thyn angre dooth thee al to soore smerte,
2. 2067  But shewe to me al thy confessioun.'
2. 2068     Nay, quod the sike man, 'by seint Symoun.
2. 2069  I haue be shryuen this day at my curat:
2. 2070  I haue hym toold hoolly al myn estat.
2. 2071  Nedeth namoore to speke of it, seith he,
2. 2072  But if me list of myn humylitee.'
2. 2073    'Yif me thanne of thy gold to make oure cloystre,'
2. 2074  Quod he, 'for many a muscle and many an oystre
2. 2075  Whan othere men han been ful wel at eyse,
2. 2076  Hath been oure foode oure cloystre for to reyse;
2. 2077  And yet god woot vnnethe the fundement
2. 2078  Parfourned is, ne of oure pauement
2. 2079  Nys nat a tyle yet withinne oure wones.
2. 2080  By god we owen fourty pound for stones.
2. 2081  Now help, Thomas, for hym that harwed helle
2. 2082  Or ellis mote we oure bookes selle.
2. 2083  And if yow lakke oure predicacioun
2. 2084  Thanne gooth the world al to destruccioun.
2. 2085  For whoso fro this world wolde vs bireue,
2. 2086  So god me saue, Thomas, by youre leue,
2. 2087  He wolde bireue out of the world the sonne.
2. 2088  For who kan teche and werchen as we konne?
2. 2089  And that is nat of litel tyme,' quod he,
2. 2090  'But sith Elie was or Elize
2. 2091  Han freres been, that fynde I of record,
2. 2092  In charitee, thonked be oure lord|
2. 2093  Now Thomas, help for seinte Charitee.'
2. 2094  And down anon he set hym on his knee.
2. 2095    This sike man weex wel-neigh wood for ire.
2. 2096  He wolde that the frere hadde been afire
2. 2097  With his false dissimulacioun.
2. 2098  'Swich thyng as is in my possessioun,'
2. 2099  Quod he, 'that may I yeue, and noon oother.
2. 2100  Ye sey me thus how that I am youre brother?'
2. 2101    'Ye certes,' quod the frere, 'trusteth wel;
2. 2102  I took oure dame oure lettre with oure sel.'






2. 2103    'Now wel,' quod he, 'and somwhat shal I yeue
2. 2104  Vnto youre holy couent whil I lyue.
2. 2105  And in thyn hand thow shalt it han anon
2. 2106  On this condicioun and oother noon
2. 2107  That thow departe it so, my deere brother,
2. 2108  That euery frere haue as muche as oother.
2. 2109  This shaltow swere on thy professioun
2. 2110  Withouten fraude or cauelacioun.'
2. 2111    'I swere it,' quod this frere, 'vpon my feith.'
2. 2112  And therwithal his hand in his he leith.
2. 2113  'Lo here my feith, in me shal be no lak.'
2. 2114    'Now thanne put thyn hand down by my bak,'
2. 2115  Seyde this man, 'and grope wel bihynde.
2. 2116  Bynethe my buttok there shaltow fynde
2. 2117  A thyng that I haue hyd in pryuetee.'
2. 2118    'A,' thoghte this frere, 'that shal go with me.'
2. 2119  And down his hand he launcheth to the clifte
2. 2120  In hope for to fynde there a yifte.
2. 2121  And whan this sike man felte this frere
2. 2122  Aboute his tuwel grope there and heere,
2. 2123  Amydde his hand he leet the frere a fart.






2. 2124  Ther is no capul drawyng in a cart
2. 2125  That myghte han late a fart of swich a sown.
2. 2126    The frere vp stirte as dooth a wood leoun.
2. 2127  'A, false cherl,' quod he, 'for goddes bones
2. 2128  This hastow for despit doon for the nones.
2. 2129  Thow shalt abye this fart if that I may.'
2. 2130    His meynee which that herden this affray
2. 2131  Cam lepyng in and chaced out the frere.
2. 2132  And forth he gooth with a ful angry cheere
2. 2133  And fette his felawe ther as lay his stoor.
2. 2134  He looked as he were a wilde boor.
2. 2135  He grynt with his teeth so was he wrooth.
2. 2136  A sturdy paas doun to the court he gooth
2. 2137  Wher as ther woned a man of greet honour
2. 2138  To whom that he was alwey confessour.
2. 2139  This worthy man was lord of that village.
2. 2140  This frere cam as he were in a rage
2. 2141  Where as this lord sat etyng at his boord.
2. 2142  Vnnethe myghte the frere speke a woord
2. 2143  Til atte laste he seyde: 'God yow see.'
2. 2144    This lord gan looke and seyde: 'Benedicitee.
2. 2145  What, frere Iohn, what manere world is this?
2. 2146  I se wel that somthyng ther is amys.
2. 2147  Ye looken as the wode were ful of theuys.
2. 2148  Sit doun anon and tel me what youre grief is
2. 2149  And it shal been amended if I may.'
2. 2150    'I haue,' quod he, 'had a despit today,
2. 2151  God yelde yow, adown in youre village
2. 2152  That in this world ther nys so poure a page
2. 2153  That he nolde haue abhomynacioun
2. 2154  Of that I haue receyued in youre toun.
2. 2155  And yet ne greueth me nothyng so soore
2. 2156  As that this olde cherl with lokkes hoore






2. 2157  Blasphemed hath oure hooly couent eke.'
2. 2158    'Now, maister,' quod this lord, 'I yow biseke.'
2. 2159    'No maister, sire,' quod he, 'but seruytour.
2. 2160  Thogh I haue in scole that honour,
2. 2161  God liketh nat that raby men vs calle
2. 2162  Neither in market n'yn youre large halle.'
2. 2163    'No force,' quod he.  'But tel me al youre grief.'
2. 2164    'Sire,' quod this frere, 'an odious meschief
2. 2165  This day bityd is to myn ordre and me
2. 2166  And so par consequens to ech degree
2. 2167  Of holy chirche, god amende it soone.'
2. 2168    'Sire,' quod the lord, 'ye woot what is to doone.
2. 2169  Distempre yow noght.  Ye be my confessour.
2. 2170  Ye been the salt of th'erthe and the sauour.
2. 2171  For goddes loue youre pacience ye holde:
2. 2172  Tel me youre grief.'  And he anon hym tolde.
2. 2173  As ye han herd biforn, ye woot wel what.
2. 2174    The lady of the hous ay stille sat
2. 2175  Til she hadde herd what the frere sayde.
2. 2176  'Ey goddes moder,' quod she, 'blisful mayde.
2. 2177  Is ther aught ellis?  Tel me feithfully.'
2. 2178     'Madame,' quod he, how thynketh yow therby?'
2. 2179     'How that me thynketh?' quod she.  'So god me spede
2. 2180  I seye a cherl hath doon a cherles dede.
2. 2181  What sholde I seye?  God lat hym neuere thee.
2. 2182  His sike heed is ful of vanytee.
2. 2183  I holde hym in a manere frenesye.'






2. 2184     'Madame,' quod he, 'by god I shal nat lye:
2. 2185  But I on oother wise may be wreke
2. 2186  I shal diffame hym oueral wher I speke,
2. 2187  The false blasphemour that charged me
2. 2188  To parte that wol nat departed be
2. 2189  To euery man yliche, with meschaunce!'
2. 2190     The lord sat stille as he were in a traunce
2. 2191  And in his herte he rolled vp and down
2. 2192  How hadde this cherl ymaginacioun
2. 2193  To shewe swich a probleme to the frere.
2. 2194  'Neuere erst er now herde I swich matere.
2. 2195  I trowe the deuel putte it in his mynde.
2. 2196  In arsmetrik shal ther no man fynde
2. 2197  Bifore this day of swich a questioun.
2. 2198  Who sholde make a demonstracioun
2. 2199  That euery man sholde han ylike his part
2. 2200  As of a soun or sauour of a fart.
2. 2201  O nyce, prowde cherl, I shrewe his face.
2. 2202  Lo sires,' quod the lord, 'with harde grace|
2. 2203  Whoeuere herde of swich a thyng er now?
2. 2204  To euery man ylike, tel me how?
2. 2205  It is an inpossible. It may nat be.
2. 2206  Ey nyce cherl, god lat hym neuere thee.
2. 2207  The rumblyng of a fart and euery soun
2. 2208  Nys but of eyr reuerberacioun,
2. 2209  And ther it wasteth lite and lite awey.
2. 2210  Ther nys no man kan deme by my fey






2. 2211  If that it were departed equally.
2. 2212  What lo my cherl, lo yet how shrewedly
2. 2213  Vnto my confessour today he spak|
2. 2214  I holde hym certeynly demonyak.
2. 2215  Now ete youre mete and lat the cherl go pleye.
2. 2216  Lat hym go hange hymself a deuel weye.'
2. 2217    Now stood the lordes squyer at the boord,
2. 2218  That carf his mete, and herde word by woord
2. 2219  Of alle thyng of which I haue yow sayd.
2. 2220    'My lord,' quod he, 'be ye nat yuele apayd,
2. 2221  I koude telle for a gowne-clooth
2. 2222  To yow, sire frere, so ye be nat wrooth,
2. 2223  How that this fart sholde euene ydeled be
2. 2224  Among youre couent if it liked me.'
2. 2225    'Tel,' quod the lord, 'and thow shalt haue anon
2. 2226  A gowne-clooth by god and by seint Iohn.'
2. 2227    'My lord,' quod he, 'whan that the weder is fair
2. 2228  Withouten wynd or parturbynge of air,
2. 2229  Lat brynge a cartwheel heere into this halle.
2. 2230  But looke that it haue his spokes alle --
2. 2231  Twelf spokes hath a cartwheel comunly.
2. 2232  And brynge me thanne twelf freres. Woot ye why?
2. 2233  For thrittene is a couent as I gesse.
2. 2234  Youre confessour heere for his worthynesse
2. 2235  Shal parfourne vp the nombre of this couent.
2. 2236  Thanne shal they knele adown by oon assent
2. 2237  And to euery spokes ende in this manere:
2. 2238  Ful sadly leye his nose shal a frere.
2. 2239  Youre noble confessour, ther god hym saue,
2. 2240  Shal holde his nose vpright vnder the naue.
2. 2241  Thanne shal this cherl, with baly stif and toght
2. 2242  As any tabour, hider been ybroght.
2. 2243  And sette hym on the wheel right of this cart






2. 2244  Vpon the naue and make hym lete a fart.
2. 2245  And ye shal seen on peril of my lyf
2. 2246  By proue which that is demonstratyf
2. 2247  That equally the soun of it wol wende
2. 2248  And eek the stynk vnto the spokes ende,
2. 2249  Saue that this worthy man, youre confessour,
2. 2250  By cause he is a man of greet honour
2. 2251  Shal han the firste fruyt as reson is.
2. 2252  The noble vsage of freres yet is this
2. 2253  The worthy men of hem shul first be serued.
2. 2254  And certeynly he hath it wel disserued:
2. 2255  He hath today taught vs so muchel good
2. 2256  With prechyng in the pulput ther he stood
2. 2257  That I may vouchesauf (I seye for me)
2. 2258  He hadde the firste smel of fartes thre;
2. 2259  And so wolde al his couent hardily,
2. 2260  He bereth hym so faire and holily.'
2. 2261    The lord, the lady, ech man saue the frere
2. 2262  Seyden that Iankyn spak in this matere
2. 2263  As wel as Euclyde or Protholomee.
2. 2264  Touchynge the cherl, they seyde subtiltee






2. 2265  And hy wit made hym speke as he spak;
2. 2266  He nys no fool ne no demonyak.
2. 2267  And Iankyn hath ywonne a newe gowne.
2. 2268  My tale is doon. We been almoost at towne.


     Here endeth the somnours tale.




                   Section 3 (Fragment II, Group B1)

The prohemie of the mannes tale of lawe.                               f. 112

3. 0001  Ovre hoost saw wel that the brighte sonne
3. 0002  The ark of his artificial day hath ronne
3. 0003  The ferthe part and half an hour and moore.
3. 0004  And thogh he were nat depe ystert in loore
3. 0005  He wiste it was the xviijthe day
3. 0006  Of April that is messager to May,
3. 0007  And saw wel that the shadwe of euery tree
3. 0008  Was as in lengthe the same quantitee
3. 0009  That was the body erect that caused it.
3. 0010  And therfore by the shadwe he took his wit
3. 0011  That Phebus which that shoon so cleer and brighte
3. 0012  Degrees was xlv clombe on highte,
3. 0013  And for that day as in that latitude
3. 0014  It was ten at the clokke he gan conclude.
3. 0015  And sodeynly he plighte his hors aboute.
3. 0016    'Lordynges,' quod he, 'I warne yow, al this route,
3. 0017  The ferthe party of this day is goon.
3. 0018  Now for the loue of god and of seint Iohn
3. 0019  Leseth no tyme as ferforth as ye may.
3. 0020  Lordynges, the tyme it wasteth nyght and day
3. 0021  And steleth from vs, what pryuely slepynge
3. 0022  And what thurgh necligence in oure wakynge,
3. 0023  As dooth the streem that turneth neuere agayn
3. 0024  Descendynge fro the montaigne into playn.
3. 0025  Wel kan Senec and many a philosophre
3. 0026  Biwaillen tyme moore than gold in cofre:
3. 0027  For los of catel may recouered be,
3. 0028  But los of tyme shendeth vs, quod he.
3. 0029  It wol nat come agayn withouten drede
3. 0030  Namoore than wol Malkyns maydenhede
3. 0031  Whan she hath lost it in hir wantownesse.
3. 0032  Lat vs nat mowlen thus in ydelnesse.
3. 0033    'Sire man of lawe,' quod he, 'so haue ye blys
3. 0034  Tel vs a tale anon as forward is.
3. 0035  Ye been submitted thurgh youre free assent
3. 0036  To stonden in this cas at my iuggement.
3. 0037  Aquiteth yow now of youre biheste
3. 0038  Thanne haue ye doon youre deuoir atte leeste.'
3. 0039    'Hoost,' quod he, 'depardieux ich assente.
3. 0040  To breken forward is nat myn entente.
3. 0041  Biheste is dette and I wol holde fayn
3. 0042  Al my biheste; I kan no bettre sayn.
3. 0043  For swich lawe as a man yeueth another wight
3. 0044  He sholde hymself vsen it by right.
3. 0045  Thus wol oure text. But nathelees certein
3. 0046  I kan right now no thrifty tale seyn
3. 0047  That Chaucer, thogh he kan but lewedly
3. 0048  On metres and on rymyng craftily,
3. 0049  Hath seyd hem in swich Englissh as he kan
3. 0050  Of olde tyme, as knoweth many a man.
3. 0051  And if he ne haue nat seyd hem, leeue brother,
3. 0052  In o book, he hath seyd hem in another.
3. 0053  For he hath toold of louers vp and doun
3. 0054  Mo than Ouide made of mencioun
3. 0055  In his Epistles that been ful olde.






3. 0056  What sholde I tellen hem syn they been tolde?
3. 0057  In yowthe he made of Ceys and Alcione.
3. 0058  And sithen hath he spoke of euerychone
3. 0059  Thise noble wyues and thise loueres eke.
3. 0060  Whoso that wole his large volum seke
3. 0061  Clepyd the Seintes Legende of Cupide,
3. 0062  Ther maystow seen the large woundes wyde
3. 0063  Of Lucresse and of Babilan Tisbee,
3. 0064  The swerd of Dido for the false Enee,
3. 0065  The tree-of Phillis for hir Demophon;
3. 0066  The pleinte of Dianire and of Hermyoun,
3. 0067  Of Adriane and of Ysiphilee --
3. 0068  The barayne ile stondynge in the see;
3. 0069  The dreynte Leandre for his Erro;
3. 0070  The terys of Eleyne, and eke the wo
3. 0071  Of Brixseyde, and of the, Ladomea;
3. 0072  The crueltee of the queene Medea,
3. 0073  The litel children hangyng by the hals
3. 0074  For thy Iason that was of loue so fals.
3. 0075  O Ypermystra, Penolopee, Alceste,
3. 0076  Youre wifhod he comendeth with the beste.
3. 0077  But certeinly no word ne writeth he
3. 0078  Of thilke wikke ensample of Canacee
3. 0079  That loued hir owene brother synfully
3. 0080  (Of swiche cursed stories I sey fy),
3. 0081  Or ellis of Tyro Appollonius,
3. 0082  How that the cursed kyng Antiochus
3. 0083  Birafte his doghter of hir maydenhede,
3. 0084  That is so horrible a tale for to rede
3. 0085  Whan he hir threw vpon the pauement.
3. 0086  And therfore he of ful auisement
3. 0087  Nolde neuere write in noon of his sermons
3. 0088  Of swiche vnkynde abhominacions.
3. 0089    'Ne I wol noon reherce if that I may.
3. 0090  But of my tale how shal I doon this day?
3. 0091  Me were looth be likned doutelees
3. 0092  To Muses that been clepyd Pierides,
3. 0093  Methamorphosios woot what I mene.
3. 0094  But nathelees I recche noght a bene
3. 0095  Thogh I come after hym with hawe bake.
3. 0096  I speke in prose and lat hym rymes make.'
3. 0097    And with that word he with a sobre cheere
3. 0098  Bigan his tale as ye shal after heere.


ere bigynneth the tale.



3. 0099  O hateful harm, condicion of pouerte,
3. 0100  With thurst, with cold, with hunger so confoundid
3. 0101  To axen help thee shameth in thyn herte.
3. 0102  If thou noon axe, with nede artow so woundid
3. 0103  That verray nede vnwrappeth al thy wounde hid.
3. 0104  Maugree thyn heed thou most for indigence
3. 0105  Or stele or begge or borwe thy despence.

3. 0106  Thou blamest Crist and seist ful bitterly
3. 0107  He mysdeparteth richesse temporal.
3. 0108  Thy neghebore thow witest synfully






3. 0109  And seist thow hast to lite and he hath al.
3. 0110  Parfay, seistow, somtyme he rekne shal
3. 0111  Whan that his tayl shal brennen in the gleede
3. 0112  For he noght helpeth nedefulle in hir nede.

3. 0113  Herke what is the sentence of the wise:
3. 0114  Bet is to dyen than haue indigence.
3. 0115  Thy selue neghebor wol thee despise
3. 0116  If thow be pouere; farewel thy reuerence.
3. 0117  Yet of the wise man tak this sentence:
3. 0118  Alle the dayes of pouere men been wikke;
3. 0119  Be war therfore er thow come to that prikke.


3. 0120  If thou be pouere thy brother hateth thee
3. 0121  And alle thy freendes fleen from thee allas|
3. 0122    O riche marchauntz, ful of wele been ye|
3. 0123  O noble, o prudent folk, as in this cas|
3. 0124  Youre bagges been noght filled with ambes as
3. 0125  But with sys cynk that renneth for youre chaunce;
3. 0126  At Cristemasse murye may ye daunce.

3. 0127  Ye seken lond and see for youre wynnynges;
3. 0128  As wise folk ye knowen al th'estat
3. 0129  Of regnes; ye been fadres of tidynges
3. 0130  And tales bothe of pees and of debat.
3. 0131  I were right now of tales desolat
3. 0132  Nere that a marchaunt, goon is many a yere,
3. 0133  Me taughte a tale which that ye shal heere.

3. 0134    In Surrye whilom dwelte a compaignye
3. 0135  Of chapmen riche and therto sadde and trewe
3. 0136  That wydewhere senten hir spicerye,
3. 0137  Clothes of gold and satyns riche of hewe.
3. 0138  Hir cheffare was so thrifty and so newe
3. 0139  That euery wight hath deyntee to cheffare
3. 0140  With hem and eek to sellen hem hir ware.


3. 0141  Now fil it that the maistres of that sort
3. 0142  Han shapen hem to Rome for to wende.
3. 0143  Were it for chapmanhod or for desport
3. 0144  Noon oother message wolde they thider sende
3. 0145  But coomen hemself to Rome, this is the ende.
3. 0146  And in swich place as thoughte hem auauntage
3. 0147  For hir entente they take hir herbergage.


3. 0148  Soiourned han thise marchauntz in that town
3. 0149  A certein tyme as fil to hir plesaunce.
3. 0150  But so bifel that the excellent renoun
3. 0151  Of the emperours doghter, dame Custaunce,
3. 0152  Reported was with euery circumstaunce
3. 0153  Vnto thise Surryen marchauntz in swich wise
3. 0154  Fro day to day as I shal yow deuyse.

3. 0155  This was the commune voys of euery man:
3. 0156  Oure emperour of Rome (god hym se|)
3. 0157  A doghter hath that syn the world bigan
3. 0158  To rekne as wel hir goodnesse as beautee






3. 0159  Nas neuere swich another as is she.
3. 0160  I pray to god in honour hir sustene -
3. 0161  And wolde she were of al Europe the queene.

3. 0162  In hire is heigh beautee withoute pryde,
3. 0163  Youthe withouten grenehede or folye.
3. 0164  To alle hir werkes vertu is hir gyde.
3. 0165  Humblesse hath slayn in hir al tirannye.
3. 0166  She is mirour of al curteisye.
3. 0167  Hir herte is verray chambre of holynesse,
3. 0168  Hir hand ministre of fredam for almesse.

3. 0169  And al this voys was sooth as god is trewe.
3. 0170  But now to purpos lat vs come agayn.
3. 0171  Thise marchauntz han doon fraught hir shippes newe;
3. 0172  And whan they han this blisful mayden sayn,
3. 0173  Hom to Surrye been they went ful fayn
3. 0174  And doon hir nedes as they han doon yoore
3. 0175  And lyuen in wele. I kan sey yow namoore.

3. 0176  Now fil it that thise marchauntz stode in grace
3. 0177  Of hym that was the sowdan of Surrye,
3. 0178  For whan they coome from any straunge place
3. 0179  He wolde of his benygne curteisye
3. 0180  Maken hem good cheere and bisily espye
3. 0181  Tidynges of sondry regnes for to leere
3. 0182  The wondres that they myghte seen or heere.

3. 0183  Amonges othere thynges specially
3. 0184  Thise marchauntz han hym told of dame Custaunce
3. 0185  So greet noblesse in ernest ceriously
3. 0186  That this sowdan hath caught so greet plesaunce
3. 0187  To han hir figure in his remembraunce;
3. 0188  And al his lust and al his bisy cure
3. 0189  Was for to loue hir whil his lyf may dure.

3. 0190  Parauenture in thilke large book,
3. 0191  Which that men clepe the heuene, ywriten was
3. 0192  With sterres whan that he his birthe took
3. 0193  That he for loue sholde han his deth allas|
3. 0194  For in the sterres clerer than is glas
3. 0195  Is writen, god woot, whoso koude it rede,
3. 0196  The deeth of euery man withouten drede.


3. 0197  In sterres many a wynter therbiforn
3. 0198  Was writen the deeth of Ector, Achilles,
3. 0199  Of Pompei, Iulius, er they were born;
3. 0200  The stryf of Thebes; and of Hercules,
3. 0201  Of Sampson, Turnus, and of Socrates
3. 0202  The deeth. But mennes wittes been so dulle
3. 0203  That no wight kan wel rede it atte fulle.

3. 0204  This sowdan for his priuee conseil sente.
3. 0205  And shortly of this matere for to pace
3. 0206  He hath to hem declared his entente,
3. 0207  And seyde hem certein but he myghte haue grace
3. 0208  To han Custaunce withinne a litel space
3. 0209  He nas but deed, and charged hem in hye
3. 0210  To shapen for his lyf som remedye.







3. 0211  Diuerse men diuerse thynges seyden.
3. 0212  They argumenten, casten vp and doun,
3. 0213  Many a subtil reson forth they leyden.
3. 0214  They speken of magyk and abusioun.
3. 0215  But finally as in conclusioun
3. 0216  They kan nat seen in that noon auauntage
3. 0217  Ne in noon oother wey saue mariage.

3. 0218  Thanne sawe they therinne swich difficultee
3. 0219  By wey of reson, for to speke al playn,
3. 0220  By cause that ther was swich diuersitee
3. 0221  Bitwene hir bothe lawes that they sayn
3. 0222  They trowe that no cristen prince wolde fayn
3. 0223  Wedden his child vnder oure lawes swete
3. 0224  That vs was taught by Mahoun oure prophete.

3. 0225  And he answerde: 'Rather than I lese
3. 0226  Custaunce, I wol be cristned doutelees.
3. 0227  I moot ben hires: I may noon oother chese.
3. 0228  I pray yow hold youre argumentz in pees.
3. 0229  Saueth my lyf, and beth noght recchelees
3. 0230  To geten hire that hath my lyf in cure
3. 0231  For in this wo I may nat longe endure.'

3. 0232  What nedeth gretter dilatacioun?
3. 0233  I seye by tretys and embassadrye
3. 0234  And by the popes mediacioun
3. 0235  And al the chirche and al the chiualrie
3. 0236  That in destruccion of mawmetrie
3. 0237  And in encrees of Cristes lawe deere
3. 0238  They been acorded, so as ye shal heere.

3. 0239  How that the sowdan and his baronage
3. 0240  And alle his liges sholde ycristned be,
3. 0241  And he shal han Custaunce in mariage
3. 0242  And certeyn gold (I noot what quantitee);
3. 0243  And heerto founden sufficient seuretee.
3. 0244  This same acord was sworn on either syde.
3. 0245  Now faire Custaunce almyghty god thee gyde.


3. 0246  Now wolde som men waiten as I gesse
3. 0247  That I sholde tellen al the purueiaunce
3. 0248  That th'emperour of his grete noblesse
3. 0249  Hath shapen for his doghter dame Custaunce.
3. 0250  Wel may men knowen that so greet ordinaunce
3. 0251  May no man tellen in a litel clause
3. 0252  As was arrayed for so heigh a cause.

3. 0253  Bisshopes been shapen with hir for to wende,
3. 0254  Lordes, ladies, knyghtes of renoun,
3. 0255  And oother folk ynowe; this is th'ende.
3. 0256  And notified is thurghout the town
3. 0257  That euery wight with greet deuocioun
3. 0258  Sholde preyen Crist that he this mariage
3. 0259  Receyue in gree and spede this viage.

3. 0260  The day is comen of hir departynge,
3. 0261  I seye the woful day fatal is come






3. 0262  That ther may be no lenger taryynge,
3. 0263  But forthward they hem dresse alle and some.
3. 0264  Custaunce that was with sorwe al ouercome
3. 0265  Ful pale arist and dresseth hire to wende,
3. 0266  For wel she seeth ther nys noon oother ende.


3. 0267  Allas what wonder is it thogh she wepte
3. 0268  That shal be sent to straunge nacion
3. 0269  Fro freendes that so tendrely hir kepte
3. 0270  And to be bounden vnder subieccion
3. 0271  Of oon, she knoweth noght his condicion?
3. 0272  Housbondes been alle goode and han been yoore,
3. 0273  That knowen wyues. I dar sey yow namoore.


3. 0274  'Fader,' she seyde, 'thy wrecched child Custaunce,
3. 0275  Thy yonge doghter fostred vp so softe,
3. 0276  And ye my moder, my souereyn plesaunce
3. 0277  Ouer alle thyng outtaken Crist on lofte,
3. 0278  Custaunce youre child hir recomaundeth ofte
3. 0279  Vnto youre grace, for I shal to Surrye
3. 0280  Ne shal I neuere seen yow moore with eye.

3. 0281  'Allas vnto the barbre nacioun
3. 0282  I moste anon, syn that it is youre wille.
3. 0283  But Crist that starf for oure redempcioun
3. 0284  So yeue me grace hise hestes to fulfille.
3. 0285  I, wrecche womman, no fors thogh I spille:
3. 0286  Wommen are born to thraldom and penaunce
3. 0287  And to been vnder mannes gouernaunce.'

3. 0288  I trowe at Troye whan Pirrus brak the wal
3. 0289  Or Ylion brent hadde, Thebes the citee,
3. 0290  N'at Rome for the harm thurgh Hanybal
3. 0291  That Romayns hath venquysshed tymes thre
3. 0292  Nas herd swich tendre wepyng for pitee
3. 0293  As in the chambre was for hir departynge.
3. 0294  But forth she moot wherso she wepe or synge.

3. 0295  O firste moeuer, cruel firmament
3. 0296  With thy diurnal sweigh that crowdest ay
3. 0297  And hurlest al fro est til occident
3. 0298  That naturelly wolde holde another way,
3. 0299  Thy crowdyng set the heuene in swich array
3. 0300  At bigynnyng of this fiers viage
3. 0301  That cruel Mars hath slayn this mariage.

3. 0302  Infortunat ascendent tortuous,
3. 0303  Of which the lord is helplees falle allas
3. 0304  Out of his angle into the derkest hous.
3. 0305  O Mars, O atazir as in this cas,
3. 0306  O fieble moone, vnhappy been thy pas:
3. 0307  Thow knyttest thee ther thow nart nat receyued;
3. 0308  Ther thow were wel, fro thennes artow weyued.

3. 0309  Inprudent emperour of Rome, allas
3. 0310  Was ther no philosophre in al thy town?
3. 0311  Is no tyme bet than oother in swich cas?
3. 0312  Of viage is ther noon eleccioun,






3. 0313  Namely to folk of heigh condicioun,
3. 0314  Nat whan a roote is of a burthe yknowe?
3. 0315  Allas we been to lewed or to slowe|

3. 0316  To ship is broght this woful, faire mayde
3. 0317  Solempnely with euery circumstaunce.
3. 0318  'Now Iesu Crist be with yow alle,' she seyde.
3. 0319  Ther nys namoore but farewel, faire Custaunce.
3. 0320  She peyneth hire to make good contenaunce.
3. 0321  And forth I lete hir sayle in this manere
3. 0322  And turne I wole agayn to my matere.

3. 0323  The moder of the sowdan, welle of vices
3. 0324  Espied hath hir sones pleyn entente
3. 0325  How he wol lete his olde sacrifices.
3. 0326  And right-anon she for hir conseil sente
3. 0327  And they ben come to knowen what she mente.
3. 0328  And whan assembled was this folk in feere
3. 0329  She sette hir down and seyde as ye shal heere.

3. 0330  'Lordes,' quod she, 'ye knowen euerychon
3. 0331  How that my sone in point is for to lete
3. 0332  The holy lawes of oure Alkaron
3. 0333  Yeuen by goddes message Makomete.
3. 0334  But oon avow to grete god I hete:
3. 0335  The lyf shal rather out of my body sterte
3. 0336  Than Makometes lawe out of myn herte.

3. 0337  'What sholde vs tiden of this newe lawe
3. 0338  But thraldom to oure bodies and penaunce
3. 0339  And afterward in helle to be drawe
3. 0340  For we reneyed Mahoun oure creaunce?
3. 0341  But, lordes, wol ye maken assuraunce
3. 0342  As I shal seyn, assentyng to my loore,
3. 0343  And I shal make vs sauf for eueremoore?'

3. 0344  They sworen and assenten euery man
3. 0345  To lyue with hir and dye and by hir stonde;
3. 0346  And euerich in the beste wise he kan
3. 0347  To strengthen hir shal alle hise freendes fonde.
3. 0348  And she hath this emprise ytake on honde
3. 0349  Which ye shal heren that I shal deuyse.
3. 0350  And to hem alle she spak right in this wise.

3. 0351  'We shul first feyne vs cristendom to take:
3. 0352  Coold water shal nat greue vs but a lite.
3. 0353  And I shal swich a feste and reuel make
3. 0354  That as I trowe I shal the sowdan quyte.
3. 0355  For thogh his wyf be cristned neuer so whyte,
3. 0356  She shal haue nede to wasshe awey the rede
3. 0357  Thogh she a font-ful water with hir lede.'

3. 0358  O sowdanesse, roote of iniquitee,
3. 0359  Virago, thow Semyrame the secounde,
3. 0360    O serpent vnder femynynytee
3. 0361  Lyk to the serpent depe in helle ybounde|
3. 0362  O feyned womman, al that may confounde
3. 0363  Vertu and innocence thurgh thy malice
3. 0364  Is bred in thee as nest of euery vice.







3. 0365  O Sathan enuyous, syn thilke day
3. 0366  That thow were chaced from oure heritage
3. 0367  Wel knowestow to wommen the olde way.
3. 0368  Thow madest Eua brynge vs in seruage;
3. 0369  Thow wolt fordoon this cristen mariage.
3. 0370  Thyn instrument (so weylawey the while|)
3. 0371  Makestow of wommen whan thou wolt bigile.

3. 0372  This sowdanesse whom I thus blame and warye
3. 0373  Leet pryuely hir conseil goon his way.
3. 0374  What sholde I in this tale lenger tarye?
3. 0375  She rideth to the sowdan on a day
3. 0376  And seyde hym that she wolde reneye hir lay
3. 0377  And cristendom of preestes handes fonge,
3. 0378  Repentynge hire she hethen was so longe.


3. 0379  Bisekyng hym to doon hir that honour
3. 0380  That she moste han the cristen folk to feste:
3. 0381  'To plesen hem I shal do my labour.'
3. 0382  The sowdan seith: 'I wol doon at youre heste.'
3. 0383  And knelynge thanketh hir of that requeste.
3. 0384  So glad he was he nyste what to seye.
3. 0385  She kiste hir sone and hom she gooth hir weye.

3. 0386    Arryued been this cristen folk to londe
3. 0387  In Surrye with a gret solempne route.
3. 0388  And hastily this sowdan sente his sonde
3. 0389  First to his moder and al the regne aboute
3. 0390  And seyde his wyf was comen out of doute,
3. 0391  And preyde hir for to ryde agayn the queene
3. 0392  The honour of his regne to sustene.

3. 0393  Greet was the prees and riche was th'array
3. 0394  Of Surryens and Romayns met yfeere.
3. 0395  The moder of the sowdan, riche and gay,
3. 0396  Receyueth hire with also glad a cheere
3. 0397  As any moder myghte hir doghter deere.
3. 0398  And to the nexte citee therbisyde
3. 0399  A softe paas solempnely they ryde.

3. 0400  Naught trowe I the triumphe of Iulius
3. 0401  Of which that Lucan maketh swich a boost
3. 0402  Was roiallour ne moore curyus
3. 0403  Than was the assemblee of this blisful oost.
3. 0404  But this scorpion, this wikked goost,
3. 0405  The sowdanesse, for al hir flaterynge
3. 0406  Caste vnder this ful mortally to stynge.

3. 0407  The sowdan cometh hymself soone after this
3. 0408  So roially that wonder is to telle;
3. 0409  He welcometh hire with alle ioye and blys.
3. 0410  And thus in myrthe and ioye I lete hem dwelle:
3. 0411  The fruyt of this matere is that I telle.
3. 0412  Whan tyme cam, men thoughte it for the beste
3. 0413  That reuel stynte and men go to hir reste.

3. 0414  The tyme cam this olde sowdanesse
3. 0415  Ordeyned hath this feste of which I tolde.
3. 0416  And to the feste cristen folk hem dresse






3. 0417  In general, ye bothe yonge and olde.
3. 0418  Heer may men feste and roialtee biholde
3. 0419  And deyntees mo than I kan yow deuyse.
3. 0420  But al to deere they boghte it er they ryse.

3. 0421  O sodeyn wo that euere art successour
3. 0422  To worldly blisse spreynd with bitternesse|
3. 0423  The ende of the ioye of oure worldly labour,
3. 0424  Wo ocupieth the fyn of oure gladnesse.
3. 0425  Herke this conseil for thy sikernesse:
3. 0426  Vpon thy glade day haue in thy mynde
3. 0427  The vnwar wo or harm that comth bihynde.

3. 0428  For shortly for to tellen at a word,
3. 0429  The sowdan and the cristen euerychone
3. 0430  Been al tohewe and stiked at the bord
3. 0431  But it were oonly dame Custaunce allone.
3. 0432  This olde sowdanesse, cursed krone,
3. 0433  Hath with hir freendes doon this cursed dede
3. 0434  For she hirself wolde al the contree lede.

3. 0435  Ne ther nas Surryen noon that was conuerted
3. 0436  That of the conseil of the sowdan woot
3. 0437  That he nas al tohewe er he asterted.
3. 0438  And Custaunce han they take anon foot-hoot
3. 0439  And in a ship al sterelees, god woot,
3. 0440  They han hir set and bidde hir lerne sayle
3. 0441  Out of Surrye agaynward to Itaille.

3. 0442  A certein tresor that she thider ladde
3. 0443  And sooth to seyn vitaille gret plentee
3. 0444  They han hir yeuen, and clothes eek she hadde.
3. 0445  And forth she sayleth in the salte see.
3. 0446  O my Custaunce, ful of benygnytee,
3. 0447  O emperours yonge doghter deere,
3. 0448  He that is lord of fortune be thy steere.

3. 0449  She blisseth hire and with ful pitous voys
3. 0450  Vnto the cros of Crist thus seyde she:
3. 0451  'O clere, o weleful auter, holy croys
3. 0452  Reed of the lambes blood ful of pitee
3. 0453  That wesshe the world fro the olde iniquitee,
3. 0454  Me fro the feend and fro his clawes kepe
3. 0455  That day that I shal drenchen in the depe.

3. 0456  'Victorious tree, proteccion of trewe,
3. 0457  That oonly worthy were for to bere
3. 0458  The kyng of heuene with his woundes newe --
3. 0459  The white lamb that hurt was with a spere,
3. 0460  Flemere of feendes out of hym and here
3. 0461  On which thy lymes feithfully extenden,
3. 0462  Me kepe and yeue me myght my lyf t'amenden.'

3. 0463  Yeres and dayes fleet this creature
3. 0464  Thurghout the see of Grece vnto the Strayte
3. 0465  Of Marrok, as it was hir auenture.
3. 0466  O many a sory meel now may she bayte,
3. 0467  After hir deth ful often may she wayte,
3. 0468  Er that the wilde wawes wol hir dryue
3. 0469  Vnto the place ther she shal arryue.







3. 0470  Men myghten axen why she was noght slayn
3. 0471  Eek at the feste. Who myghte hir body saue?
3. 0472  And I answere to that demaunde agayn:
3. 0473  Who saued Danyel in the horrible caue
3. 0474  Ther euery wight saue he, maister and knaue,
3. 0475  Was with the leon frete er he asterte?
3. 0476  No wight but god that he bar in his herte.

3. 0477  God liste to shewe his wonderful miracle
3. 0478  In hir for we sholde seen his myghty werkes.
3. 0479  Crist, which that is to euery harm triacle,
3. 0480  By certein menes ofte, as knowen clerkes,
3. 0481  Dooth thyng for certein ende that ful derk is
3. 0482  To mannes wit, that for oure ignoraunce
3. 0483  Ne konne noght knowe his prudent purueiaunce.

3. 0484  Now sith she was nat at the feste yslawe,
3. 0485  Who kepte hire fro the drenchyng in the see?
3. 0486  Who kepte Ionas in the fisshes mawe
3. 0487  Til he was spowted vp at Nynyuee?
3. 0488  Wel may men knowe it was no wight but hee
3. 0489  That kepte peple Ebrayk from hir drenchyng
3. 0490  With drye feet thurghout the see passyng.


3. 0491  Who bad the foure spiritz of tempest,
3. 0492  That power han t'anoyen lond and see
3. 0493  Bothe north and south and also west and est:
3. 0494  Anoyeth neither see ne land ne tree?
3. 0495  Soothly the comaundour of that was hee
3. 0496  That fro the tempest ay this womman kepte
3. 0497  As wel whan she wook as whan she slepte.

3. 0498  Wher myghte this womman mete and drynke haue
3. 0499  Thre yeer and moore? How lasteth hir vitaille?
3. 0500  Who fedde the Egipcien Marie in the caue
3. 0501  Or in desert? No wight but Crist sanz faille.
3. 0502  Fyue thousand folk it was as greet meruaille
3. 0503  With loues fyue and fisshes two to fede:
3. 0504  God sente his foyson at hir grete nede.


3. 0505  She dryueth forth into oure occian
3. 0506  Thurghout the wilde see til at the laste
3. 0507  Vnder an hoold, that nempnen I ne kan,
3. 0508  Fer in Northumberland the wawe hir caste.
3. 0509  And in the sond hir ship stiked so faste
3. 0510  That thennes wolde it noght of al a tyde.
3. 0511  The wyl of Crist was that she sholde abyde.

3. 0512  The constable of the castel down is fare
3. 0513  To seen this wrak, and al the ship he soghte
3. 0514  And foond this wery womman ful of care.
3. 0515  He foond also the tresor that she broghte.
3. 0516  In hir langage mercy she bisoghte:
3. 0517  The lyf out of hir body for to twynne
3. 0518  Hir to deliuere of wo that she was inne.

3. 0519  A manere Latyn corrupt was hir speche,






3. 0520  But algates therby was she vnderstonde.
3. 0521  The constable whan hym liste no lenger seche,
3. 0522  This woful womman broghte he to the londe.
3. 0523  She kneleth doun and thanketh goddes sonde.
3. 0524  But what she was she wolde no man seye
3. 0525  For foul ne fair thogh that she sholde deye.

3. 0526  She seyde she was so mazed in the see
3. 0527  That she forgat hir mynde by hir trouthe.
3. 0528  The constable hath of hir so greet pitee
3. 0529  And eek his wyf that they wepten for routhe.
3. 0530  She was so diligent withouten slouthe
3. 0531  To serue and plese euerich in that place
3. 0532  That alle hir louen that looken on hir face.

3. 0533  This constable and dame Hermengyld his wyf
3. 0534  Were payens, and that contree euerywhere;
3. 0535  But Hermengyld loued hir right as hir lyf.
3. 0536  And Custaunce hath so longe soiourned there
3. 0537  In orisons with many a bitter teere
3. 0538  Til Iesu hath conuerted thurgh his grace
3. 0539  Dame Hermengyld, constablesse of thilke place.

3. 0540  In al that land no cristen dorste route;
3. 0541  Alle cristen folk been fled fro that contree
3. 0542  Thurgh payens that conquereden al aboute
3. 0543  The plages of the north by land and see.
3. 0544  To Walys fledde the cristianytee
3. 0545  Of olde Britons dwellyng in this ile,
3. 0546  Ther was hir refut for the mene while.

3. 0547  But yet nere cristen Britons so exiled
3. 0548  That ther nere somme that in hir pryuetee
3. 0549  Honoured Crist and hethen folk bigiled.
3. 0550  And neigh the castel swiche ther dwelten thre:
3. 0551  That oon of hem was blynd and myghte nat se
3. 0552  But it were with thilke eyen of his mynde
3. 0553  With whiche men seen after that they been blynde.

3. 0554  Bright was the sonne as in that someres day
3. 0555  For which the constable and his wyf also
3. 0556  And Custaunce han ytake the righte way
3. 0557  Toward the see a furlong wey or two
3. 0558  To pleyen and to romen to and fro.
3. 0559  And in hir walk this blynde man they mette
3. 0560  Croked and old, with eyen faste yshette.

3. 0561  'In name of Crist,' cryde this blynde Britoun,
3. 0562  'Dame Hermengyld yif me my sighte agayn.'
3. 0563  This lady weex affrayed of the sown
3. 0564  Lest that hir housbonde, shortly for to sayn,
3. 0565  Wolde hire for Iesu Cristes loue han slayn,
3. 0566  Til Custaunce made hir boold and bad hir wirche
3. 0567  The wyl of Crist, as doghter of his chirche.

3. 0568  The constable weex abasshed of that sight
3. 0569  And seide: 'What amounteth al this fare?'
3. 0570  Custaunce answerde: 'Sire, it is Cristes myght,
3. 0571  That helpeth folk out of the feendes snare.'
3. 0572  And so ferforth she gan oure lay declare






3. 0573  That she the constable er that it was eue
3. 0574  Conuerteth and on Crist made hym bileue.

3. 0575  This constable was nothyng lord of this place
3. 0576  Of which I speek, ther he Custaunce fond,
3. 0577  But kepte it strongly many wynter-space
3. 0578  Vnder Alla, kyng of al Northumberlond,
3. 0579  That was ful wys and worthy of his hond
3. 0580  Agayn the Scottes, as men may wel heere.
3. 0581  But turne I wole agayn to my matere.

3. 0582  Sathan, that euere vs waiteth to bigile,
3. 0583  Saugh of Custaunce al hir parfeccioun
3. 0584  And caste anon how he myghte quite hir while,
3. 0585  And made a yong knyght that dwelte in that town
3. 0586  Loue hir hote of foul affeccioun
3. 0587  That verraily hym thoughte he sholde spille
3. 0588  But he of hir myghte ones haue his wille.

3. 0589  He woweth hire, but it auailleth noght.
3. 0590  She wolde do no synne by no weye.
3. 0591  And for despit he compassed in his thoght
3. 0592  To maken hir on shameful deeth to deye.
3. 0593  He wayteth whan the constable was aweye
3. 0594  And priuely vpon a nyght he crepte
3. 0595  In Hermengildes chambre whil she slepte.

3. 0596  Wery forwaked in hir orisons
3. 0597  Slepeth Custaunce and Hermengild also.
3. 0598  This knyght thurgh Sathans temptacions
3. 0599  Al softely is to the bed ygo
3. 0600  And kitte the throte of Hermengild atwo
3. 0601  And leyde the blody knyf by dame Custaunce
3. 0602  And wente his wey; ther god yeue hym meschaunce|

3. 0603  Soone after cometh this constable hom agayn,
3. 0604  And eek Alla that kyng was of that lond,
3. 0605  And saw his wyf despitously yslayn
3. 0606  For which ful ofte he weep and wrong his hond;
3. 0607  And in the bed the blody knyf he fond
3. 0608  By dame Custaunce. Allas what myghte she seye?
3. 0609  For verray wo hir wit was al aweye.


3. 0610  To kyng Alla was told al this meschaunce
3. 0611  And eek the tyme and where and in what wise
3. 0612  That in a ship was founde this Custaunce
3. 0613  As herbiforn that ye han herd deuyse.
3. 0614  The kynges herte of pitee gan agryse
3. 0615  Whan he saw so benygne a creature
3. 0616  Falle in disese and in mysauenture.


3. 0617  For as the lomb toward his deeth is broght
3. 0618  So stant this innocent bifore the kyng.
3. 0619  This false knyght that hath this treson wroght
3. 0620  Bereth hir on hond that she hath doon this thyng.
3. 0621  But nathelees ther was greet moornyng
3. 0622  Among the peple, and seyn they kan nat gesse
3. 0623  That she had doon so greet a wikkednesse.







3. 0624  For they han seyn hir euere so vertuous
3. 0625  And louyng Hermengild right as hir lyf.
3. 0626  Of this baar witnesse euerich in that hous
3. 0627  Saue he that Hermengild slow with his knyf.
3. 0628  This gentil kyng hath caught a gret motyf
3. 0629  Of this witnesse, and thoghte he wolde enquere
3. 0630  Depper in this a trouthe for to lere.

3. 0631  Allas Custaunce, thow nast no champioun
3. 0632  Ne fighte kanstow noght so weilawey|
3. 0633  But he that starf for oure redempcioun
3. 0634  And bond Sathan (and yet lyth ther he lay)
3. 0635  So be thy stronge champion this day.
3. 0636  For but if Crist open miracle kythe,
3. 0637  Withouten gilt thow shalt been slayn as swythe.

3. 0638  She sette hir down on knees and thus she sayde:
3. 0639  'Inmortal god, that sauedest Susanne
3. 0640  Fro fals blame, and thow merciful mayde,
3. 0641  Marie I mene, doghter to seint Anne,
3. 0642  Biforn whos child aungels synge osanne,
3. 0643  If I be giltlees of this felonye
3. 0644  My socour be, for ellis shal I dye.'

3. 0645  Haue ye nat seyn somtyme a pale face,
3. 0646  Among a prees of hym that hath be lad
3. 0647  Toward his deeth wher as hym gat no grace,
3. 0648  And swich a colour in his face hath had,
3. 0649  Men myghte knowe his face, that was bistad,
3. 0650  Amonges alle the faces in that route?
3. 0651  So stant Custance and looketh hir aboute.

3. 0652    O queenes lyuynge in prosperitee,
3. 0653  Duchesses and ye ladies euerichon,
3. 0654  Haueth som reuthe on hir aduersitee.
3. 0655  An emperours doghter stant allone:
3. 0656  She hath no wight to whom to make hir mone.
3. 0657  O blood roial that stondest in this drede,
3. 0658  Fer be thy freendes at thy grete nede.

3. 0659  This Alla kyng hath swich compassioun,
3. 0660  As gentil herte is fulfild of pitee,
3. 0661  That from his eyen ran the water doun.
3. 0662  'Now hastily do fecche a book,' quod he,
3. 0663  'And if this knyght wol sweren how that she
3. 0664  This womman slow, yet wol we vs auyse
3. 0665  Whom that we wole that shal been oure iustise.'

3. 0666  A Briton book writen with euaungiles
3. 0667  Was fet. And on this book he swoor anon
3. 0668  She gilty was. And in the mene whiles
3. 0669  An hand hym smoot vpon the nekke-bon
3. 0670  That doun he fel atones as a stoon
3. 0671  And bothe hise eyen broste out of his face
3. 0672  In sighte of euerybody in that place.

3. 0673  A voys was herd in general audience
3. 0674  And seyde: 'Thow hast disclaundred giltlees
3. 0675  The doghter of holy chirche in heigh presence.






3. 0676  Thus hastow doon and yet I holde my pees.'
3. 0677  Of this meruaille agast was al the prees;
3. 0678  As mazed folk they stoden euerychone
3. 0679  For drede of wreche saue Custance allone.

3. 0680  Greet was the drede and eek the repentaunce
3. 0681  Of hem that hadden wrong suspecioun
3. 0682  Vpon this sely, innocent Custaunce.
3. 0683  And for this miracle in conclusioun
3. 0684  And by Custaunces mediacioun
3. 0685  The kyng and many another in that place
3. 0686  Conuerted was -- thanked be Cristes grace|

3. 0687  This false knyght was slayn for his vntrouthe
3. 0688  By iuggement of Alla hastily.
3. 0689  And yet Custaunce hadde of his deeth greet routhe.
3. 0690  And after this Iesus of his mercy
3. 0691  Made Alla wedden ful solempnely
3. 0692  This holy mayden that is so bright and shene.
3. 0693  And thus hath Crist maad Custance a queene.

3. 0694  But who was woful, if I shal nat lye,
3. 0695  Of this weddyng but Donegild and namo,
3. 0696  The kynges moder ful of tirannye?
3. 0697  Hir thoughte hir cursed herte brast atwo:
3. 0698  She wolde noght hir sone had doon so.
3. 0699  Hir thoughte a despit that he sholde take
3. 0700  So straunge a creature vnto his make.


3. 0701  Me list nat of the chaf or of the stree
3. 0702  Maken so long a tale as of the corn.
3. 0703  What sholde I tellen of the realtee
3. 0704  At mariages, or which cours gooth biforn,
3. 0705  Who bloweth in trompe or in an horn?
3. 0706  The fruyt of euery tale is for to seye:
3. 0707  They ete and drynke and daunce and synge and pleye.

3. 0708  They goon to bedde as it was skile and right.
3. 0709  For though that wyues been ful holy thynges
3. 0710  They moste take in pacience at nyght
3. 0711  Swiche manere necessaries as been plesynges
3. 0712  To folk that han ywedded hem with rynges
3. 0713  And leye a lite hir holynesse asyde
3. 0714  As for the tyme; it may noon oother bityde.

3. 0715  On hire he gat a knaue-child anon
3. 0716  And to a bisshop and his constable eke
3. 0717  He took his wyf to kepe whan he is gon
3. 0718  To Scotlondward his foomen for to seke.
3. 0719  Now faire Custaunce that is so humble and meke
3. 0720  So longe is goon with childe til that stille
3. 0721  She halt hir chambre abidyng Cristes wille.

3. 0722  The tyme is come a knaue-child she beer.
3. 0723  Mauricius at the font-stoon they hym calle.
3. 0724  This constable dooth forth come a messager
3. 0725  And wroot vnto his kyng that clepyd was Alle
3. 0726  How that this blisful tidynge is bifalle
3. 0727  And othere tidynges speedful for to seye.






3. 0728  He tath the lettre and forth he goth his weye.

3. 0729  This messager to doon his auauntage
3. 0730  Vnto the kynges moder rideth swithe
3. 0731  And salueth ful faire in his langage.
3. 0732  'Madame,' quod he, 'ye may be glad and blithe,
3. 0733  And thanketh god an hundred thousand sithe:
3. 0734  My lady queene hath child withouten doute
3. 0735  To ioye and blisse of al this regne aboute.


3. 0736  'Lo here the lettres seled of this thyng
3. 0737  That I moot bere with al the haste I may.
3. 0738  If ye wol aught vnto youre sone the kyng
3. 0739  I am youre seruaunt bothe nyght and day.'
3. 0740  Donegild answerde: 'As now at this tyme nay.
3. 0741  But here al nyght I wol thow take thy reste.
3. 0742  Tomorwe wol I seye thee what me leste.'

3. 0743  This messager drank sadly ale and wyn,
3. 0744  And stolen were his lettres pryuely
3. 0745  Out of his box whil he sleep as a swyn.
3. 0746  And countrefeted was ful subtilly
3. 0747  Another lettre wroght ful synfully
3. 0748  Vnto the kyng direct of this matere
3. 0749  Fro his constable, as ye shal after heere.

3. 0750  The lettre spak the queene deliuered was
3. 0751  Of so horrible a fendlich creature
3. 0752  That in the castel noon so hardy was
3. 0753  That any while dorste ther endure.
3. 0754  The moder was an elf, by auenture
3. 0755  Ycomen, by charmes or by sorcerye;
3. 0756  And euerich hateth hir compaignye.


3. 0757  Wo was this kyng whan he this lettre hadde seyn.
3. 0758  But to no wight he tolde his sorwes soore.
3. 0759  But of his owene hond he wroot ageyn:
3. 0760  Welcome the sonde of Crist for eueremoore
3. 0761  To me that am now lerned in his loore.
3. 0762  Lord, welcome be thy lust and thy plesaunce;
3. 0763  My lust I putte al in thyn ordinaunce.


3. 0764  Kepeth this child al be it foul or feir
3. 0765  And eek my wyf vnto myn hom-comynge.
3. 0766  Crist, whan hym list, may sende me an heir
3. 0767  Moore agreable than this to my likynge.
3. 0768  This lettre he seleth pryuely wepynge,
3. 0769  Which to the messager was take soone.
3. 0770  And forth he goth; ther is namoore to doone.

3. 0771  O messager fulfild of dronkenesse,
3. 0772  Strong is thy breeth, thy lymes faltren ay.
3. 0773  And thow biwreyest al secrenesse.
3. 0774  Thy mynde is lorn, thow ianglest as a iay.
3. 0775  Thy face is turned in a newe array.
3. 0776  Ther dronkenesse regneth in any route
3. 0777  Ther is no conseil hid withouten doute.







3. 0778  O Donegild, I ne haue noon Englissh digne
3. 0779  Vnto thy malice and thy tirannye,
3. 0780  And therfore to the feend I thee resigne:
3. 0781  Lat hym enditen of thy traitorie.
3. 0782  Fy mannyssh fy -- o nay by god I lye| --
3. 0783  Fy fendlich spirit, for I dar wel telle
3. 0784  Thogh thow heere walke thy spirit is in helle.

3. 0785  This messager comth fro the kyng agayn
3. 0786  And at the kynges modres court he lighte.
3. 0787  And she was of this messager ful fayn
3. 0788  And plesed hym in al that euere she myghte.
3. 0789  He drank and wel his girdel vnderpighte;
3. 0790  He slepeth and he fnorteth in his gyse
3. 0791  Al nyght, til the sonne gan aryse.

3. 0792  Eft were his lettres stolen euerichon,
3. 0793  And countrefeted lettres in this wyse:
3. 0794  The kyng comaundeth his constable anon
3. 0795  Vp peyne of hangyng and on heigh iuyse
3. 0796  That he ne sholde suffren in no wyse
3. 0797  Custance inwith his regne for t'abyde
3. 0798  Thre dayes and a quarter of o tyde.

3. 0799  But in the same ship as he hir fond
3. 0800  Hire and hir yonge sone and al hir geere
3. 0801  He sholde putte and crowde hir fro the lond
3. 0802  And charge hire that she neuere eft coome there.
3. 0803  O my Custaunce, wel may thy goost haue fere
3. 0804  And slepyng in thy dreem been in penaunce,
3. 0805  Whan Donegild caste al this ordinaunce.

3. 0806  This messager on morwe whan he wook
3. 0807  Vnto the castel halt the nexte wey
3. 0808  And to the constable he the lettre took.
3. 0809  And whan that he this pitous lettre sey
3. 0810  Ful ofte he seyde allas and weilawey.
3. 0811  'Lord Crist,' quod he, 'how may this world endure,
3. 0812  So ful of synne is many a creature?

3. 0813  'O myghty god, if that it be thy wille
3. 0814  Sith thow art rightful iuge how may it be
3. 0815  That thow wolt suffren innocentz to spille
3. 0816  And wikked folk regnen in prosperitee?
3. 0817  O goode Custaunce, allas so wo is me
3. 0818  That I moot be thy tormentour or deye
3. 0819  On shames deeth; ther nys noon oother weye.'

3. 0820  Wepen bothe yonge and olde in al that place
3. 0821  Whan that the kyng this cursed lettre sente.
3. 0822  And Custaunce with a dedly pale face
3. 0823  The ferthe day toward hir ship she wente.
3. 0824  But nathelees she taketh in good entente
3. 0825  The wyl of Crist, and knelyng on the stronde
3. 0826  She seyde: 'Lord, ay welcome be thy sonde.

3. 0827  'He that me kepte fro the false blame
3. 0828  Whil I was on the lond amonges yow,
3. 0829  He kan me kepe fro harm and eek fro shame






3. 0830  In salte see, althogh I se noght how.
3. 0831  As strong as euere he was he is yet now.
3. 0832  In hym triste I and in his moder deere,
3. 0833  That is to me my sayl and eek my steere.'

3. 0834  Hir litel child lay wepyng in hir arm.
3. 0835  And knelyng pitously to hym she seyde:
3. 0836  'Pees, litel sone, I wol do thee noon harm.'
3. 0837  With that hir couerchief ouer hir hed she breyde
3. 0838  And ouer his litel eyen she it leyde.
3. 0839  And in hir arm she lulleth it ful faste
3. 0840  And into heuene hir eyen vp she caste.

3. 0841  'Moder,' quod she, 'and mayden bright, Marie,
3. 0842  Sooth is that thurgh wommans eggement
3. 0843  Mankynde was lorn and dampned ay to dye,
3. 0844  For which thy child was on a croys yrent;
3. 0845  Thy blisful eyen sawe al his torment.
3. 0846  Thanne is ther no comparison bitwene
3. 0847  Thy wo and any wo man may sustene.

3. 0848  'Thow saw thy child yslayn bifor thyne eyen,
3. 0849  And yet now lyueth my litel child parfay.
3. 0850  Now, lady bright, to whom alle woful cryen,
3. 0851  Thow glorie of wommanhod, thow faire may,
3. 0852  Thow hauen of refut, brighte sterre of day,
3. 0853  Rewe on my child that of thy gentillesse
3. 0854  Rewest on euery rewful in distresse.


3. 0855  'O litel child, allas what is thy gilt
3. 0856  That neuere wroghtest synne as yet pardee?
3. 0857  Why wil thyn harde fader han thee spilt?
3. 0858  O mercy, deere constable,' quod she,
3. 0859  'As lat my litel child dwelle here with thee.
3. 0860  And if thow darst noght sauen hym for blame,
3. 0861  So kys hym ones in his fader name.'


3. 0862  Therwith she looketh bakward to the londe
3. 0863  And seyde: 'Farewel, housbonde routhelees.'
3. 0864  And vp she rist and walketh doun the stronde
3. 0865  Toward the ship. Hir folweth al the prees.
3. 0866  And euere she prayeth hir child to holde his pees.
3. 0867  And taketh hir leue and with an holy entente
3. 0868  She blesseth hire and into ship she wente.

3. 0869  Vitailled was the ship it is no drede
3. 0870  Habundantly for hire ful longe space,
3. 0871  And othere necessaries that sholde nede
3. 0872  She hadde ynow, heryed be goddes grace|
3. 0873  For wynd and weder almyghty god purchace
3. 0874  And brynge hir hom. I kan no bettre seye,
3. 0875  But in the see she dryueth forth hir weye.

3. 0876    Alla the kyng comth hom soone after this
3. 0877  Vnto his castel of the which I tolde
3. 0878  And axeth wher his wyf and his child is.
3. 0879  The constable gan aboute his herte colde
3. 0880  And pleynly al the manere he hym tolde






3. 0881  As ye han herd (I kan telle it no bettre)
3. 0882  And sheweth the kyng his seel and his lettre.

3. 0883  And seyde: 'Lord, as ye comaunded me
3. 0884  Vp peyne of deeth so haue I do certein.'
3. 0885  This messager tormented was til he
3. 0886  Moste biknowe and tellen plat and pleyn
3. 0887  Fro nyght to nyght in what place he had leyn.
3. 0888  And thus by wit and subtil enquerynge
3. 0889  Ymagined was by whom this harm gan sprynge.

3. 0890  The hond was knowe that the lettre wroot
3. 0891  And al the venym of this cursed dede;
3. 0892  But in what wise certeynly I noot.
3. 0893  Th'effect is this that Alla out of drede
3. 0894  His moder slow (that may men pleynly rede)
3. 0895  For that she traytour was to hir ligeaunce.
3. 0896  Thus endeth olde Donegild with meschaunce.

3. 0897  The sorwe that this Alla nyght and day
3. 0898  Maketh for his wyf and for his child also
3. 0899  Ther is no tonge that it telle may.
3. 0900  But now wol I vnto Custaunce go
3. 0901  That fleteth in the see in peyne and wo
3. 0902  Fyue yeer and moore, as liked Cristes sonde,
3. 0903  Er that hir ship approched vnto londe.

3. 0904  Vnder an hethen castel atte laste,
3. 0905  Of which the name in my text noght I fynde,
3. 0906  Custaunce and eek hir child the see vp caste.
3. 0907  Almyghty god that saueth al mankynde
3. 0908  Haue on Custaunce and on hir child som mynde
3. 0909  That fallen is in hethen hand eftsoone
3. 0910  In point to spille, as I shal telle yow soone.

3. 0911  Down fro the castel comth ther many a wight
3. 0912  To gauren on this ship and on Custaunce.
3. 0913  But shortly from the castel on a nyght
3. 0914  The lordes styward -- god yeue hym meschaunce| --
3. 0915  A theef that hadde reneyed oure creaunce,
3. 0916  Cam into ship allone and seyde he sholde
3. 0917  Hir lemman be wherso she wolde or nolde.

3. 0918  Wo was this wrecched womman tho bigon.
3. 0919  Hir child cryde and she cryde pitously.
3. 0920  But blisful Marie heelp hir right-anon,
3. 0921  For with hir strogelyng wel and myghtily
3. 0922  The theef fil ouerbord al sodeynly
3. 0923  And in the see he dreynte for vengeaunce.
3. 0924  And thus hath Crist vnwemmed kept Custaunce.

3. 0925    O foule lust of luxurie, lo thyn ende,
3. 0926  Nat oonly that thou fayntest mannes mynde
3. 0927  But verraily thow wolt his body shende.
3. 0928  Th'ende of thy werk or of thy lustes blynde
3. 0929  Is compleynyng. How many oon may men fynde
3. 0930  That noght for werk somtyme but for th'entente
3. 0931  To doon this synne been outher slayn or shente.

3. 0932  How may this wayke womman han this strengthe






3. 0933  Hir to defende agayn this renegat?
3. 0934  O Golias, vnmesurable of lengthe,
3. 0935  How myghte Dauid make thee so maat
3. 0936  So yong and of armure so desolat?
3. 0937  How dorste he looke vpon thy dredful face?
3. 0938  Wel may men seen it was but goddes grace.

3. 0939  Who yaf Iudith corage or hardynesse
3. 0940  To sleen hym Olofernus in his tente
3. 0941  And to deliueren out of wrecchednesse
3. 0942  The peple of god? I sey for this entente
3. 0943  That right as god spirit of vigour sente
3. 0944  To hem and saued hem out of meschaunce,
3. 0945  So sente he myght and vigour to Custaunce.

3. 0946  Forth gooth hir ship thurghout the narwe mouth
3. 0947  Of Iubaltar and Septe dryuyng ay,
3. 0948  Somtyme west and somtyme north and south
3. 0949  And somtyme est ful many a wery day,
3. 0950  Til Cristes moder (blissed be she ay|)
3. 0951  Hath shapen thurgh hir endelees goodnesse
3. 0952  To make an ende of al hir heuynesse.

3. 0953  Now lat vs stynte of Custaunce but a throwe
3. 0954  And speke we of the Romayn emperour
3. 0955  That out of Surrye hath by lettres knowe
3. 0956  The slaughtre of cristen folk and dishonour
3. 0957  Doon to his doghter by a fals traytour,
3. 0958  I mene the cursed, wikked sowdanesse
3. 0959  That at the feeste leet sleen bothe moore and lesse.

3. 0960  For which this emperour hath sent anon
3. 0961  His senatour with roial ordinaunce
3. 0962  And othere lordes, god woot many oon,
3. 0963  On Surryens to taken heigh vengeaunce.
3. 0964  They brennen, sleen, and brynge hem to meschaunce
3. 0965  Ful many a day. But shortly this is th'ende:
3. 0966  Homward to Rome they shapen hem to wende.

3. 0967  This senatour repaireth with victorie
3. 0968  To Romeward saylynge ful roially
3. 0969  And mette the ship dryuynge, as seith the storie,
3. 0970  In which Custaunce sit ful pitously.
3. 0971  Nothyng ne knew he what she was, ne why
3. 0972  She was in swich array, ne she nyl seye
3. 0973  Of hir estaat thogh she sholde deye.

3. 0974  He bryngeth hir to Rome, and to his wyf
3. 0975  He yaf hire and hir yonge sone also.
3. 0976  And with the senatour she ladde hir lyf.
3. 0977  Thus kan oure lady bryngen out of wo
3. 0978  Woful Custaunce and many another mo.
3. 0979  And longe tyme dwelled she in that place
3. 0980  In holy werkes euere, as was hir grace.

3. 0981  The senatours wyf hir aunte was,
3. 0982  But for al that she knew hir neuer the moore.
3. 0983  I wol no lenger taryen in this cas.
3. 0984  But to kyng Alla which I spak of yoore
3. 0985  That for his wyf wepeth and siketh soore






3. 0986  I wol retourne, and lete I wole Custaunce
3. 0987  Vnder the senatours gouernaunce.

3. 0988  Kyng Alla which that hadde his moder slayn
3. 0989  Vpon a day fil in swich repentaunce
3. 0990  That, if I shortly tellen shal and playn,
3. 0991  To Rome he cometh to receyuen his penaunce
3. 0992  And putte hym in the popes ordinaunce
3. 0993  In heigh and logh, and Iesu Crist bisoghte
3. 0994  Foryeue his wikked werkes that he wroghte.

3. 0995  The fame anon thurgh Rome town is born
3. 0996  How Alla kyng shal comen in pilgrymage
3. 0997  By herbergeours that wenten hym biforn.
3. 0998  For which the senatour, as was vsage,
3. 0999  Rood hym agayns and many of his lynage
3. 1000  As wel to shewen his heighe magnyficence
3. 1001  As to doon any kyng a reuerence.

3. 1002  Greet cheere dooth this noble senatour
3. 1003  To kyng Alla and he to hym also;
3. 1004  Euerich of hem dooth oother greet honour.
3. 1005  And so bifel that in a day or two
3. 1006  This senatour is to kyng Alla go
3. 1007  To feste, and shortly if I shal nat lye
3. 1008  Custaunces sone wente in his compaignye.

3. 1009  Som men wolde seyn at requeste of Custaunce
3. 1010  This senatour hath lad this child to feste;
3. 1011  I may nat tellen euerich circumstaunce.
3. 1012  Be as be may ther was he atte leste.
3. 1013  But sooth is this that at his modres heste
3. 1014  Biforn Alla duryng the metes space
3. 1015  The child stood lookynge in the kynges face.

3. 1016  This Alla kyng hath of this child greet wonder
3. 1017  And to the senatour he seyde anon:
3. 1018  'Whos is that faire child that stondeth yonder?'
3. 1019  'I noot,' quod he. 'By god and by seint Iohn
3. 1020  A moder he hath, but fader hath he non
3. 1021  That I of woot.' And shortly in a stounde
3. 1022  He tolde Alla how that this child was founde.

3. 1023  'But god woot,' quod this senatour also,
3. 1024  'So vertuous a lyuere in my lyf
3. 1025  Ne saw I neuere as she, ne herde of mo
3. 1026  Of worldly wommen, mayde ne of wyf.
3. 1027  I dar wel seyn hir hadde leuere a knyf
3. 1028  Thurghout hir brest than been a womman wikke;
3. 1029  Ther is no man koude brynge hire to that prikke.'

3. 1030  Now was this child as lyk vnto Custaunce
3. 1031  As possible is a creature to be.
3. 1032  This Alla hath the face in remembraunce
3. 1033  Of dame Custaunce, and theron mused he
3. 1034  If that the childes moder were aught she
3. 1035  That is his wyf. And pryuely he sighte,
3. 1036  And spedde hym fro the table that he myghte.








3. 1037  Parfay, thoughte he, fantome is in myn heed.
3. 1038  I oghte deme of skilful iugement
3. 1039  That in the salte see my wif is deed.
3. 1040  And afterward he made his argument:
3. 1041  What woot I if that Crist hath hider sent
3. 1042  My wif by see as wel as he hir sente
3. 1043  To my contree from thennes that she wente?

3. 1044  And after noon hom with the senatour
3. 1045  Goth Alla for to seen this wonder chaunce.
3. 1046  This senatour dooth Alla greet honour
3. 1047  And hastily he sente after Custaunce.
3. 1048  But tristeth wel hir liste noght to daunce.
3. 1049  Whan that she wiste wherfore was that sonde,
3. 1050  Vnnethe vpon hir feet she myghte stonde.

3. 1051  Whan Alla saugh his wyf, faire he hir grette
3. 1052  And weep that it was routhe for to se.
3. 1053  For at the firste look he on hir sette
3. 1054  He knew wel verraily that it was she.
3. 1055  And she for sorwe as domb stant as a tree,
3. 1056  So was hir herte shet in hir distresse
3. 1057  Whan she remembred his vnkyndenesse.

3. 1058  Twies she swowneth in his owene sighte.
3. 1059  He weep and hym excuseth pitously.
3. 1060  'Now god,' quod he, 'and his halwes brighte
3. 1061  So wisly on my soule as haue mercy
3. 1062  That of youre harm as giltlees am I
3. 1063  As is Maurice, my sone, so lyk youre face;
3. 1064  Ellis the feend me fecche out of this place.'

3. 1065  Long was the sobbyng and the bitter peyne
3. 1066  Er that hir woful hertes myghte cesse.
3. 1067  Greet was the pitee for to heere hem pleyne
3. 1068  Thurgh whiche pleintes gan hir wo encresse.
3. 1069  I pray yow al my labour to relesse:
3. 1070  I may nat telle hir wo vntil tomorwe,
3. 1071  I am so wery for to speke of sorwe.

3. 1072  But finally whan that the sooth is wist
3. 1073  That Alla giltlees was of hir wo,
3. 1074  I trowe an hundred tymes been they kist
3. 1075  And swich a blisse is ther bitwix hem two
3. 1076  That saue the ioye that lasteth eueremo
3. 1077  Ther is noon lyk that any creature
3. 1078  Hath seyn or shal whil that the world may dure.

3. 1079  Tho preyde she hir housbond mekely
3. 1080  In relief of hir longe pitous pyne
3. 1081  That he wolde praye hir fader specially
3. 1082  That of his magestee he wolde enclyne
3. 1083  To vouchesauf somday with hym to dyne.
3. 1084  She preyde hym eek he sholde by no weye
3. 1085  Vnto hir fader no word of hir seye.

3. 1086  Som men wolde seyn how that the child Mauryce
3. 1087  Dooth this message vnto this emperour;
3. 1088  But as I gesse Alla was noght so nyce
3. 1089  To hym, that was of so souereyn honour






3. 1090  As he that is of cristen folk the flour,
3. 1091  Sente any child. But it is bet to deme
3. 1092  He wente hymself, and so it may wel seme.

3. 1093  This emperour hath graunted gentill
3. 1094  To come to dyner as he hym bisoghte.
3. 1095  And wel rede I he looked bisily
3. 1096  Vpon this child, and on his doghter thoghte.
3. 1097  Alla gooth to his in, and as hym oghte
3. 1098  Arrayed for this feste in euery wise
3. 1099  As ferforth as his konnyng may suffise.

3. 1100  The morwe cam and Alla gan hym dresse
3. 1101  And eek his wyf this emperour to meete.
3. 1102  And forth they ryde in ioye and in gladnesse.
3. 1103  And whan she say hir fader in the streete
3. 1104  She lighte doun and falleth hym to feete.
3. 1105  'Fader,' quod she, 'youre yonge child Custaunce
3. 1106  Is now ful clene out of youre remembraunce.

3. 1107  'I am youre doghter Custance,' quod she,
3. 1108  'That whilom ye han sent vnto Surrye.
3. 1109  It am I, fader, that in the salte see
3. 1110  Was put allone and dampned for to dye.
3. 1111  Now, goode fader, mercy I yow crye.
3. 1112  Seend me namoore vnto noon hethenesse,
3. 1113  But thonke my lord heere of his kyndenesse.'

3. 1114  Who kan the pitous ioye tellen al
3. 1115  Bitwix hem thre syn they be thus ymette?
3. 1116  But of my tale make an ende I shal:
3. 1117  The day goth faste, I wol no lenger lette.
3. 1118  This glade folk to dyner they hem sette.
3. 1119  In ioye and blisse at mete I lete hem dwelle
3. 1120  A thousand fold wel moore than I kan telle.

3. 1121  This child Maurice was sithen emperour
3. 1122  Maad by the pope and lyued cristenly.
3. 1123  To Cristes chirche he dide greet honour.
3. 1124  But I lete al this storie passen by,
3. 1125  Of Custaunce is my tale specially.
3. 1126  In the olde Romayn gestes may men fynde
3. 1127  Maurices lyf, I bere it noght in mynde.

3. 1128  This kyng Alla whan he his tyme say
3. 1129  With his Custaunce, his holy wif so swete,
3. 1130  To Engelond been they come the righte way
3. 1131  Wher as they lyue in ioye and in quiete.
3. 1132  But litel while it lasteth I yow heete,
3. 1133  Ioye of this world, for tyme wol nat abyde:
3. 1134  Fro day to nyght it chaungeth as the tyde.

3. 1135  Who lyued euere in swich delit a day
3. 1136  That hym ne moeued outher conscience
3. 1137  Or ire or talent or som kyn affray,
3. 1138  Enuye or pryde or passion or offence?
3. 1139  I ne seye but for this ende this sentence:
3. 1140  That litel while in ioye or in plesaunce
3. 1141  Lasteth the blisse of Alla with Custaunce.







3. 1142  For deeth that taketh of heigh and logh his rente,
3. 1143  Whan passed was a yeer euene as I gesse
3. 1144  Out of this world this kyng Alla he hente
3. 1145  For whom Custance hath ful greet heuynesse.
3. 1146  Now lat vs prayen god his soule blesse.
3. 1147  And dame Custance, fynally to seye,
3. 1148  Toward the town of Rome gooth hir weye.

3. 1149  To Rome is come this holy creature
3. 1150  And fyndeth hir freendes hoole and sownde.
3. 1151  Now is she scaped al hir auenture.
3. 1152  And whan that she hir fader hath yfownde,
3. 1153  Doun on hir knees falleth she to grownde
3. 1154  Wepynge for tendrenesse; in herte blythe
3. 1155  She herieth god an hondred thousand sythe.

3. 1156  In vertue and holy almus dede
3. 1157  They lyuen alle and neuere asonder wende.
3. 1158  Til deeth departeth hem this lyf they lede.
3. 1159  And fareth now wel, my tale is at an ende.
3. 1160  Now Iesu Crist, that of his myght may sende
3. 1161  Ioye after wo, gouerne vs in his grace
3. 1162  And kepe vs alle that been in this place.  Amen.


Here is ended the tale of the man of lawe.





                 Section 4 (Fragment V, Group F)

Here bigynneth the squiers tale.                              f. 129

4. 0001  At Sarray in the land of Tartarye
4. 0002  Ther dwelte a kyng that werreyed Russye
4. 0003  Thurgh which ther deyde many a doghty man;
4. 0004  This noble kyng was clepid Kambyuskan
4. 0005  Which in his tyme was of so greet renoun
4. 0006  That ther nas nowher in no regioun
4. 0007  So excellent a lord in alle thyng.
4. 0008  Hym lakked noght that longed to a kyng.
4. 0009  As of the secte of which that he was born
4. 0010  He kepte his lay to which that he was sworn.
4. 0011  And therto he was hardy, wys and riche,
4. 0012  Pietous and iust and eueremoore yliche
4. 0013  Sooth of his word, benigne and honurable,
4. 0014  Of his corage as any centre stable,
4. 0015  Yong, fressh and strong; in armes desirous
4. 0016  As any bachiler of al his hous.
4. 0017  A fair persone he was and fortunat
4. 0018  And kepte alwey so wel roial estat
4. 0019  That ther nas nowher swich another man.
4. 0020    This noble kyng, this Tartre Cambyuskan
4. 0021  Hadde two sones on Elfeta his wyf,
4. 0022  Of whiche the eldeste highte Algarsyf,
4. 0023  That oother sone was clepid Cambalo.
4. 0024  A doghter hadde this worthy kyng also
4. 0025  That yongest was and highte Canacee.
4. 0026  But for to telle yow al hir beautee
4. 0027  It lyth nat in my tonge n'yn my konnyng.
4. 0028  I dar nat vndertake so heigh a thyng.
4. 0029  Myn Englyssh eek is insufficient.
4. 0030  It moste been a rethor excellent
4. 0031  That koude his colours longyng for that art
4. 0032  If he sholde hir discryuen euery part.
4. 0033  I am noon swich; I moot speke as I kan.
4. 0034  And so bifel that whan this Kambyuskan
4. 0035  Hath xx wynter born his dyademe,
4. 0036  As he was wont fro yeer to yeer I deme
4. 0037  He leet the feste of his natiuitee
4. 0038  Don crien thurghout Sarray his citee
4. 0039  The laste Idus of March. After the yeer
4. 0040  Phebus the sonne ful iolyf was and cleer
4. 0041  For he was ny his exaltacion
4. 0042  In Martes face and his mansion
4. 0043  In Aries, the coleryk, hote signe.
4. 0044  Ful lusty was the weder and benygne
4. 0045  For which the foweles agayn the sonne shene,
4. 0046  What for the sesoun and the yonge grene,
4. 0047  Ful loude songen hir affeccions;
4. 0048  Hem semed han geten hem proteccions
4. 0049  Agayn the swerd of wynter kene and cold.
4. 0050    This Cambyuskan of which I haue yow told
4. 0051  In roial vestyment sit on his deys
4. 0052  With dyademe ful hye in his paleys
4. 0053  And halt his feste solempne and so riche
4. 0054  That in this world ne was ther noon it liche;
4. 0055  Of which if I shal tellen al th'array
4. 0056  Thanne wolde it ocupie a someres day.






4. 0057  And eek it nedeth nat to deuyse
4. 0058  At euery cours the ordre of hir seruyse.
4. 0059  I wol nat tellen of hir straunge sewes
4. 0060  Ne of hir swannes ne of hir heron-sewes.
4. 0061  Eek in that land as tellen knyghtes olde
4. 0062  Ther is som mete that is ful deyntee holde
4. 0063  That in this land men recche of it but smal;
4. 0064  Ther nys no man that may reporten al.
4. 0065  I wol nat tarien yow, for it is pryme
4. 0066  And for it is no fruyt but los of tyme;
4. 0067  Vnto my firste I wol haue my recours.
4. 0068    And so bifel that after the thridde cours,
4. 0069  Whil that this kyng sit thus in his nobleye
4. 0070  Herknynge his mynstrals hir thynges pleye
4. 0071  Biforn hym at the bord deliciously,
4. 0072  In at the halle-dore al sodeynly
4. 0073  Ther cam a knyght vpon a steede of bras
4. 0074  And in his hand a brood mirour of glas.
4. 0075  Vpon his thombe he hadde of gold a ryng
4. 0076  And by his syde a naked swerd hangyng.
4. 0077  And vp he rydeth to the heighe bord.
4. 0078  In al the halle ne was ther spoke a word
4. 0079  For merueille of this knyght. Hym to biholde
4. 0080  Ful bisily they wayten yonge and olde.
4. 0081    This straunge knyght that cam thus sodeynly
4. 0082  Al armed saue his heed ful richely
4. 0083  Salueth kyng and queene and lordes alle
4. 0084  By ordre as they seten in the halle
4. 0085  With so heigh reuerence and obeisaunces
4. 0086  As wel in his speche as in his contenaunces
4. 0087  That Gawayn with his olde curteisye,
4. 0088  Thogh he were come agayn out of fairye,
4. 0089  Ne koude hym nat amende with a word.
4. 0090  And after this biforn the hye bord
4. 0091  He with a manly voys seyde his message
4. 0092  After the forme vsed in his langage
4. 0093  Withouten vice of silable or of lettre.
4. 0094  And for his tale sholde seme the bettre,
4. 0095  Acordant to his wordes was his cheere
4. 0096  As techeth art of speche hem that it leere.
4. 0097  Al be that I kan nat sowne his style
4. 0098  Ne kan nat clymben ouer so heigh a style,
4. 0099  Yet seye I this that as to commune entente
4. 0100  Thus muche amounteth al that euere he mente,
4. 0101  If it so be that I haue it in my mynde.
4. 0102    He seyde: 'The kyng of Arabe and of Inde,
4. 0103  My lige lord, on this solempne day
4. 0104  Salueth yow as he best kan and may
4. 0105  And sendeth yow in honour of youre feste
4. 0106  By me that am al redy at youre heste
4. 0107  This steede of bras, that esily and weel
4. 0108  Kan in the space of o day naturel
4. 0109  (This is to seyn in xxiiij houres)
4. 0110  Wherso yow list in droghte or ellis shoures
4. 0111  Beren youre body into euery place
4. 0112  To which youre herte wilneth for to pace
4. 0113  Withouten wem of yow thurgh foul or fair.
4. 0114  Or if yow list to flee as hye in the ayr
4. 0115  As dooth an egle whan hym list to soore
4. 0116  This same steede shal bere yow eueremoore






4. 0117  Withouten harm til ye be ther yow leste,
4. 0118  Though that ye slepen on his bak or reste,
4. 0119  And turne agayn with writhyng of a pyn.
4. 0120  He that it wroghte koude many a gyn.
4. 0121  He wayted many a constellacioun
4. 0122  Er he hadde doon this operacioun
4. 0123  And knew ful many a seel and many a bond.
4. 0124    'This mirour eek that I haue in myn hond
4. 0125  Hath swich a myght that men may in it see
4. 0126  Whan ther shal fallen any aduersitee
4. 0127  Vnto youre regne or to yourself also
4. 0128  And openly who is youre freend or fo.
4. 0129    'And ouer al this if any lady bright
4. 0130  Hath set hir herte on any maner wight,
4. 0131  If he be fals she shal his trayson see,
4. 0132  His newe loue, and al his subtiltee
4. 0133  So openly that ther shal nothyng hyde.
4. 0134  Wherfore agayn this lusty someres tyde
4. 0135  This mirour and this ryng that ye may see
4. 0136  He hath sent to my lady Canacee,
4. 0137  Youre excellente doghter that is heere.
4. 0138    'The vertu of the ryng, if ye wol heere,
4. 0139  Is this: that if hir list it for to were
4. 0140  Vpon hir thombe or in hir purs it bere,
4. 0141  Ther nys no fowel that fleeth vnder the heuene
4. 0142  That she ne shal wel vnderstonde his steuene
4. 0143  And knowe his menyng openly and pleyn
4. 0144  And answere hym in his langage ageyn.
4. 0145  And euery gras that groweth vpon roote
4. 0146  She shal eek knowe and whom it wol doon boote
4. 0147  Al be his woundes neuer so depe and wyde.
4. 0148    'This naked swerd that hangeth by my syde
4. 0149  Swich vertu hath that what man so ye smyte
4. 0150  Thurghout his armure it wol kerue and byte
4. 0151  Were it as thikke as is a braunched ook.
4. 0152  And what man that is wounded with the strook
4. 0153  Shal neuere be hool til that yow lust of grace
4. 0154  To stroke hym with the platte in thilke place
4. 0155  Ther he is hurt. This is as muche to seyn
4. 0156  Ye moote with the platte swerd ageyn
4. 0157  Stroke hym in the wounde and it wol close;
4. 0158  This is a verray sooth withouten glose.
4. 0159  It failleth nat whiles it is in youre hold.'
4. 0160    And whan this knyght hath thus his tale ytold
4. 0161  He rideth out of halle and doun he lighte.
4. 0162  His steede which that shoon as sonne brighte
4. 0163  Stant in the court stille as any stoon.
4. 0164  This knyght is to his chambre lad anon
4. 0165  And is vnarmed and to mete yset.
4. 0166  The presentz been ful realliche yfet,
4. 0167  This is to seyn the swerd and the mirour,
4. 0168  And born anon into the heighe tour
4. 0169  With certein officers ordeyned therfore.
4. 0170  And vnto Canacee the ryng is bore
4. 0171  Solempnely ther she sit at the table.
4. 0172  But sikerly withouten any fable
4. 0173  The hors of bras that may nat been remewed
4. 0174  It stant as it were to the ground yglewed,
4. 0175  Ther may no man out of the place it dryue
4. 0176  For noon engyn of wyndas or polyue --






4. 0177  And cause why? For they kan nat the craft.
4. 0178  And therfore in the place they han it laft
4. 0179  Til that the knyght hath taught hem the manere
4. 0180  To voyden hym, as ye shal after heere.
4. 0181    Greet was the prees that swarmeth to and fro
4. 0182  To gauren on this hors that stondeth so.
4. 0183  For it so heigh was and so brood and long
4. 0184  So wel proporcioned for to ben strong
4. 0185  Right as it were a steede of Lumbardye;
4. 0186  Therwith so horsly and so quyk of eye
4. 0187  As it a gentil Poyleys courser weere.
4. 0188  For certes fro his tayl vnto his eere
4. 0189  Nature ne art ne koude hym nat amende
4. 0190  In no degree, as al the peple wende.
4. 0191    But eueremoore hir mooste wonder was
4. 0192  How that it koude goon and was of bras;
4. 0193  It was a fairye as the peple semed.
4. 0194  Dyuerse folk dyuersely han demed:
4. 0195  As many heuedes as many wittes ther been.
4. 0196  They murmured as dooth a swarm of been
4. 0197  And maden skiles after hir fantasies
4. 0198  Rehersynge of thise olde poetries
4. 0199  And seyden it was lyk the Pegasee,
4. 0200  The hors that hadde wynges for to flee,
4. 0201  Or ellis it was the Grekys hors Synoun
4. 0202  That broghte Troye to destruccioun,
4. 0203  As men in thise olde gestes rede.
4. 0204    'Myn herte,' quod oon, 'is eueremoore in drede:
4. 0205  I trowe som men-of-armes been therinne
4. 0206  That shapen hem this citee for to wynne.
4. 0207  It were right good that al swich thyng were knowe.'
4. 0208    Another rowned to his felawe lowe
4. 0209  And seyde: 'He lyeth, for it is rather lyk
4. 0210  An apparence ymaad by som magyk
4. 0211  As iogelours pleyen at thise festes grete.'
4. 0212  Of sondry doutes thus they iangle and trete,
4. 0213  As lewed peple demeth comunly
4. 0214  Of thynges that been moore maad subtilly
4. 0215  Than they kan in hir lewednesse comprehende:
4. 0216  They demen gladly to the badder ende.
4. 0217    And somme of hem wondren on the mirour
4. 0218  That born was vp vnto the maister-tour
4. 0219  How men myghte in it swiche thynges se.
4. 0220    Another answerde and seyde it myghte wel be
4. 0221  Naturelly by composicions
4. 0222  Of anglis and of sly reflexions.
4. 0223  And seiden that in Rome was swich oon.
4. 0224  They speke of Alocen and Vitulon,
4. 0225  Of Aristotle, that writen in hir lyues
4. 0226  Of queynte mirours and of perspectyues,
4. 0227  As knowen they that han hir bookes herd.
4. 0228    And oother folk han wondred on the swerd
4. 0229  That wolde percen thurghout euery thyng;
4. 0230  And fille in speche of Thelophus the kyng
4. 0231  And of Achilles for his queynte spere,
4. 0232  For he koude with it bothe heele and dere
4. 0233  Right in swich wise as men may with the swerd
4. 0234  Of which right now ye han yourseluen herd.
4. 0235  They speeke of sondry hardyng of metal
4. 0236  (And speke of medicynes therwithal)






4. 0237  And how and whanne it sholde yharded be,
4. 0238  Which is vnknowe algates vnto me.
4. 0239    Tho speeke they of Canacees ryng,
4. 0240  And seyden alle that swich a wonder thyng
4. 0241  Of craft of rynges herde they neuere non
4. 0242  Saue that he Moyses and kyng Salomon
4. 0243  Hadde a name of konnyng in swich art.
4. 0244  Thus seyn the peple and drawen hem apart.
4. 0245    But nathelees somme seyden that it was
4. 0246  Wonder to maken of fern-asshen glas
4. 0247  And yet is glas nat lyk asshen of fern.
4. 0248  But for they han knowen it so fern,
4. 0249  Therfore cesseth hir ianglyng and hir wonder.
4. 0250    As soore wondren somme on cause of thonder,
4. 0251  On ebbe and flood, on gossomer and on myst,
4. 0252  And alle thyng til that the cause is wist.
4. 0253  Thus ianglen they and demen and deuyse
4. 0254  Til that the kyng gan fro the bord aryse.
4. 0255    Phebus hath laft the angle meridional
4. 0256  And yet ascendyng is the beest roial,
4. 0257  The gentil leon, with his Aldiran
4. 0258  Whan that this Tartre kyng Cambyuskan
4. 0259  Roos fro his bord ther as he sat ful hye.
4. 0260  Biforn hym gooth the loude mynstralcye
4. 0261  Til he cam to his chambre of parementz
4. 0262  There as ther sownen diuerse instrumentz
4. 0263  That it is lyk an heuene for to heere.
4. 0264  Now dauncen lusty Venus children deere,
4. 0265  For in the fissh hir lady sat ful hye
4. 0266  And looketh on hem with a freendly eye.
4. 0267    This noble kyng is set vpon his trone.
4. 0268  This straunge knyght is fet to hym ful soone
4. 0269  And on the daunce he gooth with Canacee.
4. 0270  Here is the reuel and the iolitee
4. 0271  That is nat able a dul man to deuyse.
4. 0272  He moste han knowe loue and his seruyse
4. 0273  And been a festlich man as fressh as May
4. 0274  That sholde yow deuysen swich array.
4. 0275    Who koude telle yow the forme daunces
4. 0276  So vnkouthe, and swiche fresshe contenaunces,
4. 0277  Swich subtil lookyng and dissimulynges
4. 0278  For drede of ialous mennes aperceyuynges?
4. 0279  No man but Launcelot and he is deed.
4. 0280  Therfore I passe of al this lustiheed;
4. 0281  I sey namoore; but in this iolynesse
4. 0282  I lete hem, til men to the souper dresse.
4. 0283    The styward byt spices for to hye
4. 0284  And eek the wyn in al this melodye.
4. 0285  The vsshers and the squyers been ygon;
4. 0286  The spices and the wyn is come anon.
4. 0287  They ete and drynke and whan this hadde an ende
4. 0288  Vnto the temple, as reson was, they wende.
4. 0289    The seruyce doon they soupen al by day.
4. 0290  What nedeth yow rehercen hir array?
4. 0291  Ech man woot wel that at a kynges feste
4. 0292  Hath plentee to the meeste and to the leeste
4. 0293  And deyntees mo than been in my knowyng.
4. 0294  At after-souper gooth this noble kyng
4. 0295  To seen this hors of bras with al a route
4. 0296  Of lordes and of ladyes hym aboute.






4. 0297    Swich wondryng was ther on this hors of bras
4. 0298  That syn the grete sege of Troye was,
4. 0299  Ther as men wondreden on an hors also,
4. 0300  Ne was ther swich a wondryng as was tho.
4. 0301  But finally the kyng axeth this knyght
4. 0302  The vertu of this courser and the myght,
4. 0303  And preyed hym to telle his gouernaunce.
4. 0304    This hors anon gan for to trippe and daunce
4. 0305  Whan that this knyght leyde hand vpon his reyne;
4. 0306  And seyde: 'Sire, ther nys namoore to seyne
4. 0307  But whan yow list to ryden anywhere
4. 0308  Ye moten trille a pyn stant in his ere,
4. 0309  Which I shal yow telle bitwixe vs two.
4. 0310  Ye mote nempne hym to what place also
4. 0311  Or to what contree that yow list to ryde.
4. 0312  And whan ye come ther as yow list abyde
4. 0313  Byd hym descende and tryl another pyn
4. 0314  For therinne lyth th'effect of al the gyn.
4. 0315  And he wol doun descende and doon youre wille
4. 0316  And in that place he wol abiden stille:
4. 0317  Theigh al the world the contrarie hadde yswore
4. 0318  He shal nat thennes be ydrawe nor ybore.
4. 0319  Or if yow list bidde hym thennes gon,
4. 0320  Trille this pyn and he wol vanysshe anon
4. 0321  Out of the sighte of euery maner wight
4. 0322  And come agayn be it day or nyght
4. 0323  Whan that yow list to clepen hym ageyn
4. 0324  In swich a gyse as I shal to yow seyn
4. 0325  Bitwixen yow and me, and that ful soone.
4. 0326  Ryd whan yow lust. Ther is namoore to doone.'
4. 0327    Enformed whan the kyng was of that knyght
4. 0328  And hath conceyued in his wit aright
4. 0329  The manere and the forme of al this thyng,
4. 0330  Ful glad and blythe this noble, doghty kyng
4. 0331  Repeireth to his reuel as biforn.
4. 0332  The brydel is vnto the tour yborn
4. 0333  And kept among his iewels lief and deere.
4. 0334  The hors vanysshed, I noot in which manere,
4. 0335  Out of hir sighte; ye gete namoore for me.
4. 0336  But thus I lete in lust and iolitee
4. 0337  This Cambyuskan his lordes festeyynge
4. 0338  Til wel neigh the day bigan to sprynge

xplicit prima pars

ncipit pars secunda

4. 0339  The norice of digestion, the sleep,
4. 0340  Gan on hem wynke and bad hem take keep
4. 0341  That muche drynke and labour wol haue reste.
4. 0342  And with a galpyng mouth hem alle he keste
4. 0343  And seyde that it was tyme to lye adoun
4. 0344  For blood was in his domynacioun.
4. 0345  'Cherisseth blood, natures freend,' quod he.
4. 0346  They thanken hym galpynge by two, by thre.
4. 0347  And euery wight gan drawe hym to his reste
4. 0348  As sleep hem bad; they take it for the beste.
4. 0349    Hir dremes shul nat now be toold for me;
4. 0350  Ful were hir heuedes of fumositee
4. 0351  That causeth dreem of which ther nys no charge.






4. 0352  They slepen til that it was pryme large,
4. 0353  The mooste part but it were Canacee.
4. 0354  She was ful mesurable as wommen be
4. 0355  For of hir fader hadde she take leue
4. 0356  To goon to reste soone after it was eue.
4. 0357  Hir liste nat apalled for to be
4. 0358  Nor on the morwe vnfestlich for to se.
4. 0359  And slepte hir firste sleep and awook,
4. 0360  For swich a ioye she in hir herte took
4. 0361  Bothe of hir queynte ryng and hir mirour
4. 0362  That xx tyme she chaunged hir colour.
4. 0363  And in hir sleep right for impressioun
4. 0364  Of hir mirour she hadde a visioun.
4. 0365  Wherfore er that the sonne gan vp glyde
4. 0366  She clepyd vpon hir maistresse hir bisyde
4. 0367  And seyde that hir liste for to ryse.
4. 0368    Thise olde wommen that been gladly wyse,
4. 0369  As is hir maystresse, answerde hir anon
4. 0370  And seyde: 'Madame, whider wolde ye gon
4. 0371  Thus erly, for the folk been alle on reste?'
4. 0372    'I wol,' quod she, 'aryse, for me leste
4. 0373  No lenger for to slepe, and walke aboute.'
4. 0374    Hir maistresse clepith wommen a gret route,
4. 0375  And vp they rysen wel an x or xije.
4. 0376  Vp riseth fresshe Canacee hirselue
4. 0377  As rody and bright as dooth the yonge sonne
4. 0378  That in the ram is 4 degrees vp ronne;
4. 0379  Noon hyere was he whan she redy was.
4. 0380  And forth she walketh esily a pas
4. 0381  Arrayed after the lusty seson soote,
4. 0382  Lightly for to pleye and walke on foote
4. 0383  Nat but with v or vj of hir meynee.
4. 0384  And in a trench forth in the park goth she.
4. 0385    The vapour which that fro the erthe glood
4. 0386  Made the sonne to seme rody and brood.
4. 0387  But nathelees it was so fair a sighte
4. 0388  That it made al hir hertes for to lighte,
4. 0389  What for the seson and the morwenynge
4. 0390  And for the fowles that she herde synge.
4. 0391  For right-anon she wiste what they mente
4. 0392  Right by hir song and knew al hir entente.
4. 0393    The knotte why that euery tale is told
4. 0394  If it be taryed til that lust be cold
4. 0395  Of hem that han it after herkned yoore,
4. 0396  The sauour passeth euer lenger the moore
4. 0397  For fulsomnesse of his prolixitee.
4. 0398  And by this same reson thynketh me
4. 0399  I sholde to the knotte condescende
4. 0400  And maken of hir walkyng soone an ende.
4. 0401    Amydde a tree for drye as whit as chalk
4. 0402  As Canacee was pleyynge in hir walk
4. 0403  Ther sat a fawkon ouer hir heed ful hye
4. 0404  And with a pitous voys so gan to crye
4. 0405  That al the wode resowned of hir cry.
4. 0406  Ybeten hadde she hirself so pitously
4. 0407  With bothe hir wynges til the rede blood
4. 0408  Ran endelong the tree ther as she stood.
4. 0409  And euere in oon she cryde alwey and shrighte
4. 0410  And with hir beek hirseluen so she prighte
4. 0411  That ther nys tygre ne so cruel beest






4. 0412  That dwelleth outher in wode or in forest
4. 0413  That nolde han wept if that he wepe koude
4. 0414  For sorwe of hire, she shrighte alwey so loude.
4. 0415    For ther nas neuere man yet on lyue,
4. 0416  If that I koude a faukon wel discryue,
4. 0417  That herde of swich another of fairnesse
4. 0418  As wel of plumage as of gentillesse
4. 0419  Of shap, of al that myghte yrekened be.
4. 0420  A faukon peregryn thanne semed she
4. 0421  Of fremde land; and eueremoore as she stood
4. 0422  She swowned now and now for lakke of blood
4. 0423  Til wel neigh is she fallen fro that tree.
4. 0424    This faire kynges doghter Canacee,
4. 0425  That on hir fynger baar the queynte ryng
4. 0426  Thurgh which she vnderstood wel euery thyng
4. 0427  That any fowl may in his ledne sayn
4. 0428  And koude answere hym in his ledne agayn,
4. 0429  Hath vnderstonden what this faukon seyde:
4. 0430  And wel neigh for the routhe almoost she deyde.
4. 0431  And to the tree she goth ful hastily
4. 0432  And on this faukon looketh pitously
4. 0433  And heeld hir lappe abrood, for wel she wiste
4. 0434  The faukon moste fallen fro the twiste
4. 0435  Whan that it swowneth next for lakke of blood.
4. 0436  A long while to wayten hir she stood
4. 0437  Til at the laste she spak in this manere
4. 0438  Vnto the hauk, as ye shal after heere.
4. 0439    'What is the cause, if it be for to telle,
4. 0440  That ye been in this furial pyne of helle?'
4. 0441  Quod Canacee vnto this hauk aboue.
4. 0442  'Is this for sorwe of deeth or los of loue?
4. 0443  For as I trowe thise been causes two
4. 0444  That causen moost a gentil herte wo;
4. 0445  Of oother harm it nedeth nat to speke.
4. 0446  For ye yourself vpon yow self yow wreke,
4. 0447  Which proeueth wel that outher ire or drede
4. 0448  Moot been encheson of youre cruel dede,
4. 0449  Syn that I se noon oother wight yow chace.
4. 0450  For loue of god as dooth yourseluen grace
4. 0451  Or what may been youre help, for west nor est
4. 0452  Ne saw I neuere er now no bryd ne beest
4. 0453  That ferde with hymself so pitously?
4. 0454  Ye sleen me with youre sorwe verraily,
4. 0455  I haue of yow so greet compassioun.
4. 0456  For goddes loue com fro the tree adoun,
4. 0457  And as I am a kynges doghter trewe
4. 0458  If that I verraily the cause knewe
4. 0459  Of youre disese, if it laye in my myght
4. 0460  I wolde amende it er that it were nyght
4. 0461  As wisly help me grete god of kynde.
4. 0462  And herbes shal I right ynowe fynde
4. 0463  To heele with youre hurtes hastily.'
4. 0464    Tho shrighte this faukon yet moore pitously
4. 0465  Than euer she dide and fil to ground anon
4. 0466  And lyth aswowne deed and lik a ston
4. 0467  Til Canacee hath in hir lappe hir take
4. 0468  Vnto that tyme she gan of swowne awake.
4. 0469  And after that she of swow gan abreyde
4. 0470  Right in hir haukes ledne thus she seyde:
4. 0471  'That pitee renneth soone in gentil herte






4. 0472  Feelynge his similitude in peynes smerte
4. 0473  Is proued al day, as men may it see
4. 0474  As wel by werk as by auctoritee.
4. 0475  For gentil herte kitheth gentilesse.
4. 0476  I se wel that ye han of my distresse
4. 0477  Compassion, my faire Canacee,
4. 0478  Of verray wommanly benygnitee
4. 0479  That nature in youre principles hath set.
4. 0480  But for noon hope for to fare the bet,
4. 0481  But for to obeye vnto youre herte free
4. 0482  And for to maken othere ywar by me
4. 0483  (As by the whelp chasted is the leon),
4. 0484  Right for that cause and for that conclusioun
4. 0485  Whil that I haue a leyser and a space
4. 0486  Myn harm I wol confessen er I pace.'
4. 0487  And euere whil that oon hir sorwe tolde,
4. 0488  That oother weep as she to water wolde
4. 0489  Til that the faukon bad hir to be stille.
4. 0490  And with a syk right thus she seyde hir wille.
4. 0491    'Ther I was bred, allas that ilke day,
4. 0492  And fostred in a roch of marbul gray
4. 0493  So tendrely that nothyng eyled me;
4. 0494  I nyste nat what was aduersitee
4. 0495  Til I koude fle ful hye vnder the sky.
4. 0496  Tho dwelte a tercelet me faste by
4. 0497  That semed welle of alle gentillesse,
4. 0498  Al were he ful of trayson and falsnesse.
4. 0499  It was so wrapped vnder humble cheere
4. 0500  And vnder hewe of trouthe in swich manere,
4. 0501  Vnder plesaunce and vnder bisy peyne
4. 0502  That no wight wolde han wend he koude feyne,
4. 0503  So depe in greyn he dyed his colours.
4. 0504  Right as a serpent hit hym vnder floures
4. 0505  Til he may se his tyme for to byte,
4. 0506  Right so this god of loues ypocrite
4. 0507  Dooth so his cerymonijs and obeysaunces
4. 0508  And kepeth in semblant alle hise obseruaunces
4. 0509  That sownen into gentilesse of loue.
4. 0510  As on a tombe is al the faire aboue
4. 0511  And vnder is the cors, swich as ye woot,
4. 0512  Swich was this ypocrite bothe cold and hoot.
4. 0513  And in this wise he serued his entente
4. 0514  That saue the feend noon wiste what he mente,
4. 0515  Til he so longe hadde wopen and compleyned
4. 0516  And many a yeer his seruice to me feyned
4. 0517  Til that myn herte (to pitous and to nyce,
4. 0518  Al innocent of his crowned malice,
4. 0519  Forfered of his deeth, as thoughte me)
4. 0520  Vpon his othes and his seuretee
4. 0521  Graunted hym loue vpon this condicioun
4. 0522  This eueremo myn honour and renoun
4. 0523  Were saued bothe pryuee and apert.
4. 0524  This is to seyn that after his desert
4. 0525  I yaf hym al myn herte and my thoght
4. 0526  (God woot and he, that ootherwise noght)
4. 0527  And took his herte in chaunge of myn for ay.
4. 0528  But sooth is seyd, goon sithen many a day:
4. 0529  A trewe wight and a theef thynketh nat oon.
4. 0530    'And whanne he saw the thyng so fer ygon
4. 0531  That I hadde graunted hym fully my loue






4. 0532  In swich a gise as I haue seyd aboue
4. 0533  And yeuen hym my trewe herte as fre
4. 0534  As he swoor he yaf his herte to me,
4. 0535  Anoon this tygre ful of doublenesse
4. 0536  Fil on his knees with so deuout humblesse,
4. 0537  With so heigh reuerence and as by his cheere
4. 0538  So lyk a gentil louere of manere,
4. 0539  So rauysshed as it semed for the ioye
4. 0540  That neuere Iason ne Parys of Troye
4. 0541  (Iason certes ne noon oother man
4. 0542  Syn Lameth was that alderfirst bigan
4. 0543  To louen two, as writen folk biforn)
4. 0544  Ne neuere syn the firste man was born
4. 0545  Ne koude man by twenty thousand part
4. 0546  Countrefete the sophymes of his art
4. 0547  Ne were worthy vnbokele his galoche,
4. 0548  Ther doublenesse or feynyng sholde approche,
4. 0549  Ne so koude thanke a wight as he did me.
4. 0550  His manere was an heuene for to see
4. 0551  Til any womman, were she neuer so wys,
4. 0552  So peynted he and kembde at poynt-deuys
4. 0553  As wel his wordes as his contenaunce.
4. 0554  And I so loued hym for his obeisaunce
4. 0555  And for the trouthe I demed in his herte
4. 0556  That if so weere that any thyng hym smerte,
4. 0557  Al were it neuer so litel and I it wiste,
4. 0558  Me thoughte I felte deeth myn herte twiste.
4. 0559  And shortly so ferforth this thyng is went
4. 0560  That my wyl was his willes instrument,
4. 0561  This is to seyn my wyl obeyed his wil
4. 0562  In alle thyng as fer as reson fil
4. 0563  Kepynge the boundes of my worship euere.
4. 0564  Ne neuere hadde I thyng so lief ne leuere
4. 0565  As hym, god woot, ne neuere shal namo.
4. 0566    'This laste lenger than a yeer or two
4. 0567  That I supposed of hym nat but good.
4. 0568  But finally thus at the laste it stood
4. 0569  That fortune wolde that he moste twynne
4. 0570  Out of that place which that I was inne.
4. 0571  Wher me was wo, that is no questioun:
4. 0572  I kan nat make of it descripsioun.
4. 0573  For o thyng dar I tellen boldely,
4. 0574  I knowe what is the peyne of deeth therby.
4. 0575  Swich harm I felte for he ne myghte bileue.
4. 0576  So on a day of me he took his leue
4. 0577  So sorwefully eek, that I wende verraily
4. 0578  That he hadde feelyd as muche harm as I
4. 0579  Whan that I herde hym speke and saw his hewe.
4. 0580  But nathelees I thoughte he was so trewe
4. 0581  And eek that he repeyre sholde agayn
4. 0582  Withinne a litel while, sooth to sayn,
4. 0583  And reson wolde eek that he moste go
4. 0584  For his honour, as ofte happeth so,
4. 0585  That I made vertu of necessitee
4. 0586  And took it wel syn that it moste be.
4. 0587  As I best myghte I hidde from hym my sorwe
4. 0588  And took hym by the hand, seint Iohn to borwe,
4. 0589  And seyde thus: 'Lo I am youres al.
4. 0590  Beeth swich as I to yow haue been and shal.'
4. 0591  What he answerde it nedeth nat reherse:






4. 0592  Who kan seyn bet than he? Who kan doon werse?
4. 0593  Whan he hath al wel seyd, thanne hath he doon.
4. 0594  Therfore bihoued hir a ful long spoon
4. 0595  That shal ete with a feend, thus herde I seye.
4. 0596  So at the laste he moste forth his weye;
4. 0597  And forth he fleeth til he cam ther hym leste.
4. 0598  Whan it cam hym to purpos for to reste,
4. 0599  I trowe he hadde thilke text in mynde
4. 0600  That alle thyng repeiryng to his kynde
4. 0601  Gladeth hymself, thus seyn men as I gesse.
4. 0602  Men louen of propre kynde newfangelnesse
4. 0603  As bryddes doon that men in cages feede.
4. 0604  For theigh thow nyght and day take of hem hede
4. 0605  And strawe hir cages faire and softe as sylk
4. 0606  And yeue hem sugre, hony, breed and milk,
4. 0607  Yet right-anon as that his dore is vppe
4. 0608  He with his feet wol sporne doun his cuppe
4. 0609  And to the wode he wole and wormes ete.
4. 0610  So newfangel been they of hir mete
4. 0611  And louen nouelries of propre kynde,
4. 0612  No gentilesse of blood may hem bynde.
4. 0613    'So ferde this gentil tercelet, allas the day,
4. 0614  Thogh he were gentil born and fressh and gay
4. 0615  And goodlich for to seen and humble and free.
4. 0616  He saw vpon a tyme a kyte flee,
4. 0617  And sodeynly he loued this kyte so
4. 0618  That al his loue is clene fro me ago
4. 0619  And hath his trouthe falsed in this wise.
4. 0620  Thus hath the kyte my loue in hir seruyse
4. 0621  And I am lorn withouten remedye.'
4. 0622  And with that word this faukon gan to crye
4. 0623  And swowned eft in Canacees barm.
4. 0624    Greet was the sorwe for the haukes harm
4. 0625  That Canacee and alle hir wommen made.
4. 0626  They nyste how that they myghte the faukon glade.
4. 0627  But Canacee hom bereth hire in hir lappe
4. 0628  And softely in plastres gan hir wrappe
4. 0629  Ther as she with hir beek hadde hurt hirselue.
4. 0630    Now kan nat Canacee but herbes delue
4. 0631  Out of the grownd and maken saues newe
4. 0632  Of herbes preciouse and fyn of hewe
4. 0633  To heelen with this hauk. Fro day to nyght
4. 0634  She dooth hir bisynesse and al hir myght.
4. 0635  And by hir beddes heed she made a muwe
4. 0636  And couered it with veluettes blue
4. 0637  In signe of trouthe that is in wommen sene.
4. 0638  And al withoute the muwe is peynted grene
4. 0639  In which were peynted alle thise false fowles
4. 0640  As been thise tydyues; terceletz and owles
4. 0641  Right for despit were peynted hem bisyde,
4. 0642  And pyes on hem for to crye and chyde.
4. 0643    Thus lete I Canacee hir hauk kepyng.
4. 0644  I wol namoore as now speke of hir ryng
4. 0645  Til it come eft to purpos for to seyn
4. 0646  How that this faukon gat hir loue ageyn
4. 0647  Repentant, as the storie telleth vs
4. 0648  By mediacion of Cambalus,
4. 0649  The kynges sone of which I to yow tolde.
4. 0650  But hennesfort I wol my proces holde
4. 0651  To speke of auentures and of batailles






4. 0652  That neuere yet was herd so greet meruailles.
4. 0653    First wol I telle yow of Cambyuskan
4. 0654  That in his tyme many a citee wan
4. 0655  And after wol I speke of Algarsyf
4. 0656  How that he wan Theodora to his wyf
4. 0657  For whom ful ofte in gret peril he was
4. 0658  Ne hadde he been holpen by the steede of bras.
4. 0659  And after wol I speke of Cambalo
4. 0660  That faught in lystes with the bretheren two
4. 0661  For Canacee, er that he myghte hir wynne.
4. 0662  And ther I lefte I wol ayein bigynne.                   670

explicit secunda pars

Incipit tercia pars                                                 f. 137v

4. 0663  Appollo whirleth vp his char so hye
4. 0664  Til that the god Mercuries hous the slye.



                 Section 5 (Fragment IV, Group E)


Here bigynneth the marchantes tale                           f. 1 38

5. 0001  Whilom ther was dwellynge in Lumbardye
5. 0002  A worthy knyght that born was of Pauye
5. 0003  In which he lyuede in greet prosperitee.
5. 0004  And lx yeer a wiflees man was he,
5. 0005  And folwed ay his bodily delit
5. 0006  On wommen, ther as was his appetit,
5. 0007  As doon thise fooles that been seculer.
5. 0008  And whan that he was passed lx yeer,
5. 0009  Were it for holynesse or for dotage
5. 0010  I kan nat seye, but swich a greet corage
5. 0011  Hadde this knyght to been a wedded man
5. 0012  That day and nyght he dooth al that he kan
5. 0013  T'espien where he myghte wedded be,
5. 0014  Preyynge oure lord to graunten hym that he
5. 0015  Mighte ones knowe of thilke blisful lyf
5. 0016  That is bitwix an housbonde and his wyf
5. 0017  And for to lyue vnder that holy bond
5. 0018  With which that god man and womman boond.
5. 0019  Noon oother lyf (seyde he) is worth a bene,
5. 0020  For wedlok is so esy and so clene
5. 0021  That in this world it is a paradys.
5. 0022  Thus seyde this olde knyght that was so wys.
5. 0023    And certeynly as sooth as god is kyng
5. 0024  To take a wyf it is a glorious thyng
5. 0025  And namely whan a man is old and hoor:
5. 0026  Thanne is a wyf the fruyt of his tresor.
5. 0027  Thanne sholde he take a yong wyf and a feir
5. 0028  On which he myghte engendren hym an heir;
5. 0029  And lede his lyf in ioye and in solas,
5. 0030  Wher as thise bachilers synge allas
5. 0031  Whan that they fynde any aduersitee
5. 0032  In loue, which nys but childissh vanytee.
5. 0033  And trewely it sit wel to be so
5. 0034  That bachilers haue ofte peyne and wo:
5. 0035  On brotil ground they bilde, and brotilnesse
5. 0036  They fynde whan they wene sikernesse.
5. 0037  They lyue but as bryd or as a beest
5. 0038  In libertee and vnder noon arest,
5. 0039  Ther as a wedded man in his estat
5. 0040  Lyueth a lyf blisful and ordynat
5. 0041  Vnder this yok of mariage ybounde.
5. 0042  Wel may his herte in ioye and blisse habounde,
5. 0043  For who kan be so buxom as a wyf?
5. 0044  Who is so trewe and eek so ententyf
5. 0045  To kepe hym syk and hool as is his make?
5. 0046  For wele or wo she wol hym nat forsake;
5. 0047  She nys nat wery hym to loue and serue
5. 0048  Thogh that he ly bedrede til he sterue.
5. 0049  And yet som clerkes seyn it is nat so,
5. 0050  Of whiche he Theofraste is oon of tho.
5. 0051  What force thogh Theofraste liste lye?
5. 0052    Ne tak no wyf (quod he) for housbondrye
5. 0053  As for to spare in houshold thy dispence.
5. 0054  A trewe seruant dooth moore diligence
5. 0055  Thy good to kepe than thyn owene wyf,






5. 0056  For she wol clayme half part al hir lyf.
5. 0057  And if thow be syk, so god me saue,
5. 0058  Thy verray freendes or a trewe knaue
5. 0059  Wol kepe thee bet than she that wayteth ay
5. 0060  After thy good, and hath do many a day.
5. 0061  And if thow take a wyf ((she wole destroye))
5. 0062  ((Thy good substance and thy body annoye))
5. 0063    This sentence and an hundred thynges worse
5. 0064  Writeth this man, ther god his bones curse.
5. 0065  But tak no kepe of al swich vanytee.
5. 0066  Diffye Theofraste and herke me.
5. 0067    A wyf is goddes yifte verraily.
5. 0068  Alle othere manere yiftes hardily
5. 0069  As londes, rentes, pasture, or comune,
5. 0070  Or moebles, alle been yiftes of fortune
5. 0071  That passen as a shadwe vpon the wal.
5. 0072  But dreed nat if pleynly speke I shal:
5. 0073  A wyf wol laste and in thyn hous endure
5. 0074  Wel lenger than thee lyst parauenture.
5. 0075    Mariage is a ful greet sacrament.
5. 0076  He which that hath no wyf I holde hym shent.
5. 0077  He lyueth helplees and al desolat.
5. 0078  I speke of folk in seculer estat.
5. 0079    And herke why (I sey nat this for noght)
5. 0080  That womman is for mannes help ywroght.
5. 0081  The hye god whan he hadde Adam maked
5. 0082  And seigh hym allone bely-naked,
5. 0083  God of his grete goodnesse seyde than:
5. 0084  'Lat vs now make an help vnto this man
5. 0085  Lyk to hymself.' And thanne he made hym Eue.
5. 0086  Here may ye see and here may ye preeue
5. 0087  That wyf is mannes help and his confort,
5. 0088  His paradys terrestre, and his disport;
5. 0089  So buxom and so vertuous is she
5. 0090  They moste nedes lyue in vnytee.
5. 0091    O flessh they been, and o flessh as I gesse
5. 0092  Hath but oon herte in wele and in distresse.
5. 0093    A wyf! A seinte Marie benedicitee,
5. 0094  How myghte a man han any aduersitee
5. 0095  That hath a wyf? Certes I kan nat seye.
5. 0096  The blisse which that is bitwix hem tweye
5. 0097  Ther may no tonge telle or herte thynke.
5. 0098  If he be poure she helpeth hym to swynke,
5. 0099  She kepeth his good and wasteth neuer-a-del.
5. 0100  Al that hir housbonde lust hir liketh wel,
5. 0101  She seith nat ones nay whan he seith yee.
5. 0102  'Do this,' seith he. 'Al redy, sire,' seith she.
5. 0103      O blisful ordre! O wedlok precious!
5. 0104  Thou art so murye and eek so vertuous
5. 0105  And so commended and approued eek
5. 0106  That any man that halt hym worth a leek
5. 0107  Vpon his bare knees oghte al his lyf
5. 0108  Thanken his god that hym hath sent a wyf,
5. 0109  Or ellis preye to god hym for to sende
5. 0110  A wyf to laste vnto his lyues ende
5. 0111  For thanne his lyf is set in sikernesse.
5. 0112  He may nat be deceyued as I gesse
5. 0113  So that he werke after his wyues reed:
5. 0114  Thanne may he boldely kepen vp his heed --
5. 0115  They been so trewe and therwithal so wyse.






5. 0116  For which if thow wolt werken as the wyse:
5. 0117  Do alwey so as wommen wol thee rede.
5. 0118    Lo how that Iacob, as thise clerkes rede,
5. 0119  By good conseil of his moder Rebekke
5. 0120  Boond the kydes skyn aboute his nekke
5. 0121  For which his fadres benyson he wan.
5. 0122    Lo Iudith, as the storie eek telle kan,
5. 0123  By good conseil she goddes peple kepte
5. 0124  And slow hym Olofernus whil he slepte.
5. 0125    Lo Abigayl by good conseil how she
5. 0126  Saued hir housbonde Nabal whan that he
5. 0127  Sholde han ben slayn. And looke Ester also
5. 0128  By good conseil delyuered out of wo
5. 0129  The peple of god and made hym Mardochee
5. 0130  Of Assuere enhaunced for to be.
5. 0131    Ther nys nothyng in gree superlatyf,
5. 0132  As seith Senec, aboue an humble wyf.
5. 0133  Suffre thy wyues tonge, as Caton byt.
5. 0134  She shal comaunde and thow shalt suffren it,
5. 0135  And yet she wol obeye of curteisye.
5. 0136    A wyf is keper of thyn housbondrye.
5. 0137  Wel may the sike man biwaille and wepe
5. 0138  Ther as ther is no wyf the hous to kepe.
5. 0139  I warne thee if wisly thow wolt wirche:
5. 0140  Loue wel thy wyf as Crist loued his chirche.
5. 0141  If thow louest thyself, thow louest thy wif.
5. 0142  No man hateth his flessh, but in his lyf
5. 0143  He fostreth it; and therfore bidde I thee
5. 0144  Cherisse thy wyf or thow shalt neuere thee.
5. 0145  Housbonde and wyf whatso men iape or pleye
5. 0146  Of worldly folk holden the siker weye.
5. 0147  They been so knyt ther may noon harm bityde
5. 0148  And namely vpon the wyues syde.
5. 0149    For which this Ianuarie, of whom I tolde,
5. 0150  Considered hath inwith his dayes olde
5. 0151  The lusty lyf, the vertuous quyete
5. 0152  That is in mariage hony-swete.
5. 0153  And for his freendes on a day he sente
5. 0154  To tellen hem th'effect of his entente.
5. 0155    With face sad this tale he hath hem told.
5. 0156  He seyde: 'Freendes, I am hoor and old
5. 0157  And almoost god woot on my pittes brynke.
5. 0158  Vpon my soule somwhat moste I thynke.
5. 0159  I haue my body folily despended;
5. 0160  Blissed be god that it shal been amended.
5. 0161  For I wol be certeyn a wedded man
5. 0162  And that anon in al the haste I kan
5. 0163  Vnto som mayde fair and tendre of age.
5. 0164  I pray yow shapeth for my mariage
5. 0165  Al sodeynly, for I wol nat abyde.
5. 0166  And I wol fonde t'espien on my syde
5. 0167  To whom I may be wedded hastily.
5. 0168  But for as muche as ye been mo than I,
5. 0169  Ye shullen rather swich a thyng espien
5. 0170  Than I, and where me best were to allien.
5. 0171    'But o thyng warne I yow, my freendes deere,
5. 0172  I wol noon old wyf han in no manere:
5. 0173  She shal nat passe xx yeer certeyn.
5. 0174  Old fissh and yong flessh wol I haue feyn.
5. 0175  Bet is,' quod he, 'a pyk than a pykerel






5. 0176  And bet than old boef is the tendre vel.
5. 0177  I wol no womman xxxti yeer of age:
5. 0178  It is but bene-straw and greet forage.
5. 0179  And eek thise olde widwes, god it woot,
5. 0180  They konne so muche craft on Wades boot,
5. 0181  So muchel broken harm whan hem leste,
5. 0182  That with hem sholde I neuere lyue in reste.
5. 0183  For sondry scoles maketh subtile clerkis:
5. 0184  Womman of many scoles half a clerk is.
5. 0185  But certeinly a yong thyng may men gye
5. 0186  Right as men may warm wex with handes plye.
5. 0187  Wherfore I sey yow pleynly in a clause
5. 0188  I wol noon old wyf han right for this cause:
5. 0189  For if so were I hadde swich meschaunce
5. 0190  That I in hire ne koude han no plesaunce,
5. 0191  Thanne sholde I lede my lyf in avoutrye
5. 0192  And go streight to the deuel whan I dye,
5. 0193  Ne children sholde I none vpon hir geten.
5. 0194  Yet were me leuere houndes hadde me eten
5. 0195  Than that myn heritage sholde falle
5. 0196  In straunge hand, and this I telle yow alle.
5. 0197  I dote nat. I woot the cause why
5. 0198  Men sholde wedde. And ferthermoore woot I
5. 0199  Ther speketh many a man of mariage
5. 0200  That woot namoore of it than woot my page,
5. 0201  For whiche causes man sholde take a wyf.
5. 0202  If he ne may nat lyue chast his lyf
5. 0203  Take hym a wyf with greet deuocioun
5. 0204  By cause of leueful procreacioun
5. 0205  Of children to th'onour of god aboue
5. 0206  And nat oonly for paramour or loue.
5. 0207  And for they sholde lecherye eschue
5. 0208  And yelde hir dette whan that it is due
5. 0209  Or for that ech of hem sholde helpen oother
5. 0210  In meschief, as a suster shal the brother,
5. 0211  And lyue in chastitee ful holily.
5. 0212  But, sires, by youre leue that am nat I.
5. 0213  For god be thanked I dar make auant
5. 0214  I feele my lymes stark and suffisant
5. 0215  To do al that a man bilongeth to.
5. 0216  I woot myself best what I may do.
5. 0217    'Thogh I be hoor I fare as dooth a tree
5. 0218  That blosmeth er the fruyt ywoxen be;
5. 0219  And blosmy tree nys neither drye ne deed.
5. 0220  I feele me nowher hoor but on myn heed.
5. 0221  Myn herte and alle my lymes been as grene
5. 0222  As laurer thurgh the yeer is for to sene.
5. 0223  And syn that ye han herd al myn entente
5. 0224  I pray yow to my conseil ye wol assente.'
5. 0225    Dyuerse men diuersely hym tolde
5. 0226  Of mariage manye ensamples olde.
5. 0227  Somme blamed it, somme preised it certeyn.
5. 0228  But at the laste shortly for to seyn
5. 0229  As alday falleth altercacion
5. 0230  Bitwixe freendes in disputison,
5. 0231  Ther fil a stryf bitwix his bretheren two
5. 0232  Of whiche that oon was clepid Placebo;
5. 0233  Iustinus soothly called was that oother.
5. 0234    Placebo seyde: 'O Ianuarie, brother,
5. 0235  Ful litel nede hadde ye, my lord so deere,






5. 0236  Conseil to axe of any that is heere,
5. 0237  But that ye been so ful of sapience
5. 0238  That yow ne liketh for youre heigh prudence
5. 0239  To weyuen fro the word of Salomon.
5. 0240  This word seyde he vnto vs euerichon:
5. 0241  Werk alle thyng by conseil, thus seyde he,
5. 0242  And thanne shaltow nat repenten thee.
5. 0243  But thogh that Salomon spak swich a word,
5. 0244  Myn owene deere brother and my lord,
5. 0245  So wisly god my soule brynge at reste
5. 0246  I holde your owene conseil is the beste.
5. 0247  For, brother myn, of me tak this motyf:
5. 0248  I haue now been a court-man al my lyf
5. 0249  And god it woot, thogh I vnworthy be,
5. 0250  I haue stonden in ful greet degree
5. 0251  Abouten lordes in ful greet estat;
5. 0252  Yet hadde I neuere with noon of hem debat:
5. 0253  I neuere hem contraryed. Trewely
5. 0254  I woot wel that my lord kan moore than I.
5. 0255  What that he seith I holde it ferm and stable:
5. 0256  I seye the same or ellis thyng semblable.
5. 0257  A ful greet fool is any conseillour
5. 0258  That serueth any lord of heigh honour
5. 0259  That dar presume or ellis thenken it,
5. 0260  That his conseil sholde passe his lordes wit.
5. 0261  Nay. Lordes be no fooles by my fay.
5. 0262  Ye han yourseluen shewed heer today
5. 0263  So heigh sentence so holily and weel
5. 0264  That I consente and conferme euery deel
5. 0265  Youre wordes alle and youre opynyoun.
5. 0266  By god ther nys no man in al this toun
5. 0267  Ne in Ytaille koude bet han ysayd.
5. 0268  Crist halt hym of this conseil ful wel apayd.
5. 0269  And trewely it is an heigh corage
5. 0270  Of any man that stapen is in age
5. 0271  To take a yong wyf. By my fader kyn
5. 0272  Youre herte hangeth on a iolyf pyn.
5. 0273  Dooth now in this matere right as yow leste,
5. 0274  For fynally I holde it for the beste.'
5. 0275    Iustinus that ay stille sat and herde,
5. 0276  Right in this wise he to Placebo answerde.
5. 0277  'Now, brother myn, be pacient I preye
5. 0278  Syn ye han seyd, and herkneth what I seye.
5. 0279  Senec amonges othere wordes wise
5. 0280  Seith that a man oghte hym right wel auyse
5. 0281  To whom he yeueth his lond or his catel.
5. 0282  And syn I oghte auysen me right wel
5. 0283  To whom I yeeue my good awey fro me,
5. 0284  Wel muchel moore I oghte auysed be
5. 0285  To whom I yeeue my body for alwey.
5. 0286  I warne yow wel it is no childes pley
5. 0287  To taken a wyf withouten auysement.
5. 0288  Men moste enquere, this is myn assent,
5. 0289  Wher she be wys and sobre, or dronkelewe
5. 0290  Or proud or ellis oother weys a shrewe,
5. 0291  A chidester or wastour of thy good,
5. 0292  Or riche or poure or ellis mannyssh-wood.
5. 0293  Al be it so that no man fynden shal
5. 0294  Noon in this world that trotteth hool in al,
5. 0295  Ne man ne beest swich as men koude deuyse,






5. 0296  But nathelees it oghte ynogh suffise
5. 0297  With any wyf if so were that she hadde
5. 0298  Mo goode thewes than hir vices badde.
5. 0299  And al this axeth leyser for t'enquere,
5. 0300  For god it woot I haue wept many a teere
5. 0301  Ful pryuely syn that I hadde a wyf.
5. 0302  Preyse whoso wole a wedded mannes lyf,
5. 0303  Certeyn I fynde in it but cost and care
5. 0304  And obseruances of alle blisses bare.
5. 0305  And yet, god woot, my neghebores aboute
5. 0306  And namely of wommen many a route
5. 0307  Seyn that I haue the mooste stedefast wyf
5. 0308  And eek the mekeste that bereth lyf;
5. 0309  But I woot best where wryngeth me my sho.
5. 0310  Ye mowe for me right as yow liketh do:
5. 0311  Auyseth yow, ye been a man of age,
5. 0312  How that ye entren into mariage
5. 0313  And namely with a yong wyf and a feir.
5. 0314  By hym that made water, erthe, and eir
5. 0315  The yongest man that is in al this route
5. 0316  Is bisy ynow to bryngen it aboute
5. 0317  To han his wyf allone, trusteth me.
5. 0318  Ye shul nat plesen hir fully yeres thre,
5. 0319  This is to seyn to doon hir ful plesance:
5. 0320  A wyf axeth ful many an obseruance.
5. 0321  I pray yow that ye be nat yuele apayd.'
5. 0322    'Wel,' quod this Ianuarie, 'and hastow ysayd?
5. 0323  Straw for thy Senec and for thy prouerbes!
5. 0324  I counte nat a panyer ful of herbes
5. 0325  Of scole termes! Wiser man than thow,
5. 0326  As thow hast herd, assenteden right now
5. 0327  To my purpos. Placebo, what sey ye?'
5. 0328    'I seye it is a cursed man,' quod he,
5. 0329  'That letteth matrymoigne sikerly.'
5. 0330  And with that word they risen sodeynly,
5. 0331  And been assented fully that he sholde
5. 0332  Be wedded whan hym liste and wher he wolde.
5. 0333    Heigh fantasie and curious bisynesse
5. 0334  Fro day to day gan in the soule impresse
5. 0335  Of Ianuarie aboute his mariage.
5. 0336  Many fair shap and many a fair visage
5. 0337  Ther passeth thurgh his herte nyght by nyght,
5. 0338  As whoso tooke a mirour polisshed bright
5. 0339  And sette it in a commune market-place
5. 0340  Thanne sholde he se ful many a figure pace
5. 0341  By his mirour. And in the same wise
5. 0342  Gan Ianuarie inwith his thoght deuyse
5. 0343  Of maydens whiche that dwelten hym bisyde.
5. 0344  He wiste nat wher that he myghte abyde,
5. 0345  For if that oon haue beautee in hir face
5. 0346  Another stant so in the peples grace
5. 0347  For hir sadnesse and hir benygnytee
5. 0348  That of the peple grettest voys hath she;
5. 0349  And somme were riche and hadden badde name.
5. 0350  But nathelees bitwene ernest and game
5. 0351  He atte laste apoynted hym on oon
5. 0352  And leet alle othere from his herte goon,
5. 0353  And chees hir of his owene auctoritee
5. 0354  For loue is blynd alday and may nat see.
5. 0355  And whan that he was in his bed ybroght






5. 0356  He purtreyde in his herte and in his thoght
5. 0357  Hir fresshe beautee and hir age tendre,
5. 0358  Hir myddel smal, hir armes longe and sklendre,
5. 0359  Hir wise gouernance, hir gentilesse,
5. 0360  Hir wommanly beryng, and hir sadnesse.
5. 0361  And whan that he on hire was condescended,
5. 0362  Hym thoughte his choys myghte nat ben amended.
5. 0363  For whan that he hymself concluded hadde,
5. 0364  Hym thoughte ech oother mannes wit was badde
5. 0365  That impossible it weere to replye
5. 0366  Agayn his choys; this was his fantasie.
5. 0367    His freendes sente he to at his instance
5. 0368  And preyde hem to doon hym that plesance
5. 0369  That hastily they wolden to hym come.
5. 0370  He wolde abregge hir labour alle and some:
5. 0371  Nedeth namoore for hym to go ne ryde,
5. 0372  He was apointed ther he wolde abyde.
5. 0373    Placebo cam and eek his freendes soone;
5. 0374  And alderfirst he bad hem alle a boone
5. 0375  That noon of hem none argumentz make
5. 0376  Agayn the purpos which that he hath take.
5. 0377  Which purpos was plesant to god seyde he
5. 0378  And verray ground of his prosperitee.
5. 0379    He seyde ther was a mayden in the toun
5. 0380  Which that of beautee hadde greet renoun
5. 0381  Al were it so she were of smal degree.
5. 0382  Suffiseth hym hir youthe and hir beautee.
5. 0383  Which mayde he seyde he wolde han to his wyf
5. 0384  To lede in ese and holynesse his lyf;
5. 0385  And thanked god that he myghte han hir al
5. 0386  That no wight his blisse parten shal.
5. 0387  And preyde hem to labouren in this nede
5. 0388  And shapen that he faille nat to spede
5. 0389  For thanne he seyde his spirit was at ese.
5. 0390  'Thanne is,' quod he, 'nothyng may me displese,
5. 0391  Saue o thyng priketh in my conscience
5. 0392  The which I wol reherce in youre presence.
5. 0393    'I haue,' quod he, 'herd seyd ful yoore ago
5. 0394  Ther may no man han parfite blisses two,
5. 0395  This is to seye in erthe and eek in heuene.
5. 0396  For thogh he kepe hym fro the synnes seuene
5. 0397  And eek from euery branche of thilke tree,
5. 0398  Yet if ther so parfit felicitee
5. 0399  And so greet ese and lust in mariage
5. 0400  That euere I am agast now in myn age
5. 0401  That I shal lede now so murye a lyf,
5. 0402  So delicat withouten wo and stryf,
5. 0403  That I shal han myn heuene in erthe heere.
5. 0404  For sith that verray heuene is boght so deere
5. 0405  With tribulacions and greet penance,
5. 0406  How sholde I thanne that lyue in swich plesance,
5. 0407  As alle wedded men doon with hir wyuys,
5. 0408  Come to the blisse that Crist eterne on lyue is?
5. 0409  This is my drede; and ye my bretheren tweye
5. 0410  Assoileth me this question I preye.'
5. 0411    Iustinus which that hated his folye
5. 0412  Answerde anon-right in his iaperye.
5. 0413  And for he wolde his longe tale abregge
5. 0414  He wolde noon auctoritee allegge.
5. 0415  But seide: 'Sire, so ther be noon obstacle






5. 0416  Oother than this, god of his hye myracle
5. 0417  And of his mercy may so for yow werche
5. 0418  That er ye haue your right of holy cherche
5. 0419  Ye may repente of wedded mannes lyf,
5. 0420  In which ye seyn ther is no wo ne stryf.
5. 0421  And ellis god forbede but he sente
5. 0422  A wedded man hym grace to repente
5. 0423  Wel ofte rather than a sengle man.
5. 0424  And therfore, sire, the beste reed I kan:
5. 0425  Despeire yow noght, but haue in youre memorie
5. 0426  Paraunter she may be youre purgatorie.
5. 0427  She may be goddes mene and goddes whippe;
5. 0428  Thanne shal your soule vp to heuene skippe
5. 0429  Swifter than dooth an arwe out of a bowe.
5. 0430  I hope to god heerafter ye shul knowe
5. 0431  That ther nys noon so greet felicitee
5. 0432  In mariage ne neuere mo shal be
5. 0433  That yow shal lette of your saluacioun
5. 0434  So that ye vse, as skile is and resoun,
5. 0435  The lustes of your wyf attemprely
5. 0436  And that ye plese hir nat to amorously
5. 0437  And that ye kepe yow eek from oother synne
5. 0438  My tale is doon for my wit is thynne.
5. 0439  Beth nat agast herof, my brother deere,
5. 0440  But lat vs waden out of this matere.
5. 0441  The wyf of Bathe, if ye han vnderstonde,
5. 0442  Of mariage which we han on honde
5. 0443  Declared hath ful wel in litel space.
5. 0444  Fareth now wel; god haue yow in his grace.'
5. 0445    And with that word this Iustyn and his brother
5. 0446  Han take hir leue and ech of hem of oother.
5. 0447  For whan they sawe that it moste nedes be,
5. 0448  They wroghten so by sly and wys tretee
5. 0449  That she, this mayden which that Mayus highte,
5. 0450  As hastily as euer that she myghte
5. 0451  Shal wedded be vnto this Ianuarie.
5. 0452  I trowe it were to longe yow to tarye
5. 0453  If I yow tolde of euery scrit and bond
5. 0454  By which that she was feffed in his lond
5. 0455  Or for to herknen of hir riche array.
5. 0456  But finally ycomen is that day
5. 0457  That to the chirche bothe be they went
5. 0458  For to receyue the holy sacrament.
5. 0459    Forth comth the preest with stoole aboute his nekke
5. 0460  And bad hire be lyk Sarra and Rebekke
5. 0461  In wisdom and in trouthe of mariage;
5. 0462  And seyde his orisons as is vsage;
5. 0463  And croucheth hem and bad god sholde hem blesse
5. 0464  And made al siker ynow with holynesse.
5. 0465    Thus been they wedded with solempnitee.
5. 0466  And at the laste sitteth he and she
5. 0467  With oother worthy folk vpon the deys.
5. 0468  Al ful of ioye and blisse is the paleys
5. 0469  And ful of instrumentz and of vitaille,
5. 0470  The mooste deynteuous of al Ytaille.
5. 0471  Biforn hem stoode swiche instrumentz of swich soun
5. 0472  That Orpheus n'of Thebes Amphioun
5. 0473  Ne maden neuere swich a melodye.
5. 0474  At euery cours thanne cam loud mynstralcye,
5. 0475  That neuere tromped Ioab for to heere






5. 0476  Ne he Theodomas yet half so cleere
5. 0477  At Thebes whan the citee was in doute.
5. 0478  Bacus the wyn hem shenketh al aboute
5. 0479  And Venus laugheth vpon euery wight
5. 0480  For Ianuarie was bicome hir knyght,
5. 0481  And wolde bothe assayen his corage
5. 0482  In libertee and eek in mariage,
5. 0483  And with hir firbrond in hir hand aboute
5. 0484  Daunceth bifore the bryde and al the route.
5. 0485  And certeinly I dar right wel seye this:
5. 0486  Ymeneus, that god of weddyng is'
5. 0487  Say neuere his lyf so murye a wedded man.
5. 0488  Hoold thow thy pees, thou poete Marcian,
5. 0489  That writest vs that ilke weddyng murye
5. 0490  Of hir Philologie and he Mercurie
5. 0491  And of the songes that the muses songe,
5. 0492  To smal is bothe thy penne and eek thy tonge
5. 0493  For to discryuen of this mariage.
5. 0494  Whan tendre youthe hath wedded stoupyng age
5. 0495  Ther is swich murthe that it may nat be writen.
5. 0496  Assayeth it yourself, than may ye witen
5. 0497  If that I lye or noon in this matere.
5. 0498    Mayus that sit with so benygne a cheere,
5. 0499  Hir to biholde it semed fairye.
5. 0500  Queene Ester looked neuere with swich an eye
5. 0501  On Assuer, so meke a look hath she.
5. 0502  I may yow nat deuyse al hir beautee.
5. 0503  But thus muche of hir beautee telle I may
5. 0504  That she was lyk the brighte morwe of May
5. 0505  Fulfild of alle beautee and plesaunce.
5. 0506    This Ianuarie is rauysshed in a traunce
5. 0507  At euery tyme he looked on hir face,
5. 0508  But in his herte he gan hir to manace
5. 0509  That he that nyght in armes wolde hir streyne
5. 0510  Harder than euere Parys dide Eleyne.
5. 0511  But nathelees yet hadde he gret pitee
5. 0512  That thilke nyght offenden hir moste he,
5. 0513  And thoghte: 'Allas o tendre creature,
5. 0514  Now wolde god ye myghte wel endure
5. 0515  Al my corage, it is so sharp and kene.
5. 0516  I am agast ye shul it nat sustene:
5. 0517  But god forbede that I dide al my myght!
5. 0518  Now wolde god that it were woxen nyght
5. 0519  And that the nyght wolde laste eueremo.
5. 0520  I wolde that al this peple were ago!'
5. 0521    And fynally he dooth al his labour
5. 0522  As he best myghte sauyng his honour
5. 0523  To haste hem fro the mete in subtil wise.
5. 0524  The tyme cam that reson was to rise;
5. 0525  And after that men daunce and drynken faste
5. 0526  And spices al aboute the hous they caste.
5. 0527  And ful of ioye and blisse is euery man
5. 0528  Al but a squyer, highte Damyan,
5. 0529  Which carf biforn the knyght ful many a day:
5. 0530  He was so rauysshed on his lady May
5. 0531  That for the verray peyne he was ny wood.
5. 0532  Almoost he swelte and swowned as he stood
5. 0533  So sore hath Venus hurt hym with hir brond
5. 0534  As that she baar it dauncyng in hir hond,
5. 0535  And to his bed he wente hym hastily.






5. 0536  Namoore of hym at this tyme speke I,
5. 0537  But ther I lete hym wepe ynow and pleyne
5. 0538  Til fresshe May wol rewen on his peyne.
5. 0539     O perilous fyr that in the bedstraw bredeth,
5. 0540  O famulier foo that his seruice bedeth,
5. 0541    O seruant traytour, false, homly hewe
5. 0542  Lyk to the neddre in bosom sly, vntrewe,
5. 0543  God shilde vs alle from youre aqueyntance.
5. 0544  O Ianuarie dronken in plesance
5. 0545  In mariage, se how thy Damyan,
5. 0546  Thyn owene squyer and thy born man,
5. 0547  Entendeth for to do thee vileynye.
5. 0548  God grante thee thyn homly fo espye,
5. 0549  For in this world nys worse pestilence
5. 0550  Than homly fo alday in thy presence.
5. 0551    Parfourned hath the sonne his ark diurne;
5. 0552  No lenger may the body of hym soiurne
5. 0553  On th'orisonte as in that latitude.
5. 0554  Night with his mantel that is derk and rude
5. 0555  Gan ouersprede th'emysperies aboute;
5. 0556  For which departed is this lusty route
5. 0557  Fro Ianuarie with thank on euery syde.
5. 0558  Hom to hir houses lustily they ryde
5. 0559  Wher as they doon hir thynges as hem leste,
5. 0560  And whan they say hir tyme go to reste.
5. 0561    Soone after that this hasty Ianuarie
5. 0562  Wol go to bedde, he wol no lenger tarie.
5. 0563  He drynketh ypocras, clarree and vernage
5. 0564  Of spices hoote t'encressen his corage.
5. 0565  And many a letuarie hadde he ful fyn
5. 0566  Swich as the cursed monk daun Constantyn
5. 0567  Hath writen in his book De coitu.
5. 0568  To eten hem alle he nas nothyng eschu.
5. 0569  And to his pryuee freendes thus seyde he:
5. 0570  'For goddes loue as soone as it may be
5. 0571  Lat voyden al this hous in curteis wise.'
5. 0572  And they han doon right as he wol deuyse.
5. 0573  Men drynken and the trauers drawe anon;
5. 0574  The bryde was broght a bedde as stille as stoon.
5. 0575  And whan the bed was with the preest yblessed,
5. 0576  Out of the chambre hath euery wight hym dressed.
5. 0577  And Ianuarie hath faste in armes take
5. 0578  His fresshe May, his paradys, his make.
5. 0579  He lulleth hir, he kisseth hire ful ofte
5. 0580  With thilke bristles of his berd vnsofte
5. 0581  Lyk to the skyn of houndfyssh, sharp as brere,
5. 0582  For he was shaue al newe in his manere.
5. 0583  He rubbeth hir aboute hir tendre face
5. 0584  And seyde thus: 'Allas I moot trespace
5. 0585  To yow, my spouse, and yow gretly offende
5. 0586  Er tyme come that I wol doun descende.
5. 0587  But natheles considereth this,' quod he,
5. 0588  'Ther nys no werkman whatsoeuere he be
5. 0589  That may bothe werke wel and hastily.
5. 0590  This wol be doon at leyser parfitly.
5. 0591  It is no fors how longe that we pleye:
5. 0592  In trewe wedlok coupled be we tweye,
5. 0593  And blessed be the yok that we been inne
5. 0594  For in actes we mow do no synne.
5. 0595  A man may do no synne with his wyf,






5. 0596  Ne hurte hymseluen with his owene knyf,
5. 0597  For we han leue to pleye vs by the lawe'
5. 0598    Thus laboureth he til that the day gan dawe.
5. 0599  And thanne he taketh a sop in fyn clarree
5. 0600  And vpright in his bed thanne sitteth he
5. 0601  And after that he song ful loude and clere
5. 0602  And kiste his wyf and made wantown cheere.
5. 0603  He was al coltyssh, ful of ragerye,
5. 0604  And ful of iargon as a flekked pye.
5. 0605  The slakke skyn aboute his nekke shaketh
5. 0606  Whil that he song, so chaunteth he and craketh.
5. 0607  But god woot what that May thoghte in hir herte
5. 0608  Whan she hym saw vp sittyng in his sherte,
5. 0609  In his nyght-cappe and with his nekke lene;
5. 0610  She preiseth nat his pleyyng worth a bene.
5. 0611  Thanne seyde he thus: 'My reste wol I take.
5. 0612  Now day is come I may no lenger wake.'
5. 0613  And doun he leyde his heed and sleep til pryme.
5. 0614  And afterward whan that he saw his tyme
5. 0615  Vp riseth Ianuarie. But fresshe May
5. 0616  Heeld hir chambre vnto the fourthe day
5. 0617  As vsage is of wyues for the beste,
5. 0618  For euery labour somtyme moot han reste
5. 0619  Or ellis longe may he nat endure,
5. 0620  This is to seyn no lyues creature
5. 0621  Be it fissh or bryd or beest or man.
5. 0622    Now wol I speke of woful Damyan
5. 0623  That langwissheth for loue, as ye shul heere.
5. 0624  Therfore I speke to hym in this manere.
5. 0625    I seye: 'O sely Damyan allas,
5. 0626  Answere to my demaunde as in this cas:
5. 0627  How shaltow to thy lady, fresshe May,
5. 0628  Telle thy wo? She wol alwey sey nay.
5. 0629  Eek if thow speke, she wol thy wo biwreye.
5. 0630  God be thyn help, I kan no bettre seye.'
5. 0631  This syke Damyan in Venus fyr
5. 0632  So brenneth that he dyeth for desyr,
5. 0633  For which he putte his lyf in auenture.
5. 0634  No lenger myghte he in this wise endure,
5. 0635  But priuely a penner gan he borwe
5. 0636  And in a lettre wroot he al his sorwe
5. 0637  In manere of a compleynt or a lay
5. 0638  Vnto his faire, fresshe lady May.
5. 0639  And in a purs of sylk heng on his sherte
5. 0640  He hath it put and leyd it at his herte.
5. 0641    The moone that at noon was thilke day
5. 0642  That Ianuarie hath wedded fresshe May
5. 0643  In two of Taur was into Cancre gliden,
5. 0644  So longe hath Mayus in hir chambre abyden
5. 0645  As custume is vnto thise nobles alle.
5. 0646  A bryde shal nat eten in the halle
5. 0647  Til dayes foure or thre dayes atte leeste
5. 0648  Ypassed ben; thanne lat hir go to feste.
5. 0649    The fourthe day complet fro noon to noon,
5. 0650  Whan that the heighe masse was ydoon
5. 0651  In halle sit this Ianuarie and May
5. 0652  As fressh as is the brighte someres day.
5. 0653  And so bifel how that this goode man
5. 0654  Remembred hym vpon this Damyan
5. 0655  And seyde: 'Seynte Marie, how may it be






5. 0656  That Damyan entendeth nat to me?
5. 0657  Is he ay syk? Or how may this bityde?'
5. 0658    Hys squyers whiche that stooden therbisyde
5. 0659  Excused hym by cause of his siknesse
5. 0660  Which letted hym to doon his bisynesse;
5. 0661  Noon oother cause myghte make hym tarye.
5. 0662    'That me forthynketh,' quod this Ianuarye.
5. 0663  'He is a gentil squyer by my trouthe.
5. 0664  If that he deyde it were harm and routhe.
5. 0665  He is as wys, discret and eek secree
5. 0666  As any man I woot of his degree,
5. 0667  And therto manly and eek seruysable,
5. 0668  And for to be a thrifty man right able.
5. 0669  But after mete as soone as euere I may
5. 0670  I wol myself visite hym and eek May
5. 0671  To do hym al the confort that I kan.'
5. 0672  And for that word hym blessed euery man
5. 0673  That of his bountee and his gentilesse
5. 0674  He wolde so conforten in siknesse
5. 0675  His squyer, for it was a gentil dede.
5. 0676    'Dame,' quod this Ianuarie, 'tak good hede:
5. 0677  At after-mete ye with your wommen alle
5. 0678  Whan ye han ben in chambre out of this halle
5. 0679  That alle ye go to this Damyan.
5. 0680  Dooth hym disport, he is a gentil man,
5. 0681  And telleth hym that I wol hym visite,
5. 0682  Haue I nothyng but rested me a lite.
5. 0683  And spede yow faste for I wol abide
5. 0684  Til that ye slepe faste by my syde.'
5. 0685  And with that word he gan to hym to calle
5. 0686  A squier that was marchal of his halle
5. 0687  And tolde hym certein thynges what he wolde.
5. 0688    This fresshe May hath streight hir wey yholde
5. 0689  With alle hir wommen vnto Damyan.
5. 0690  Doun by his beddes syde sit she than,
5. 0691  Confortyng hym as goodly as she may.
5. 0692    This Damyan whan that his tyme he say
5. 0693  In secree wise his purs and eek his bille,
5. 0694  In which that he ywriten hadde his wille,
5. 0695  Hath put into hir hand withoute moore
5. 0696  Saue that he siketh wonder depe and soore.
5. 0697  And softely to hir right thus seyde he:
5. 0698  'Mercy and that ye nat discouere me,
5. 0699  For I am deed if that this thyng be kyd.'
5. 0700  This purs hath she inwith hir bosom hyd
5. 0701  And wente hir wey; ye gete namoore of me.
5. 0702  But vnto Ianuarie ycomen is she
5. 0703  That on his beddes syde sit ful softe,
5. 0704  And taketh hir and kisseth hir ful ofte
5. 0705  And leyde hym doun to slepe and that anon.
5. 0706  She feyned hir as that she moste gon
5. 0707  Ther as ye woot that euery wight moot nede.
5. 0708  And whan she of this bille hath taken hede
5. 0709  She rente it al to cloutes at the laste
5. 0710  And in the pryuee softely it caste.
5. 0711    Who studieth now but faire, fresshe May?
5. 0712  Adoun by olde Ianuarie she lay
5. 0713  That sleep til that the coghe hath hym awaked.
5. 0714  Anon he preyde strepen hir al naked
5. 0715  He wolde of hir, he seyde, han som plesaunce;






5. 0716  He seyde hir clothes dide hym encombrance.
5. 0717  And she obeyeth be hir lief or looth.
5. 0718  But lest that precious folk be with me wrooth
5. 0719  How that he wroghte I dar nat to yow telle
5. 0720  Or wheither it thoughte paradys or helle.
5. 0721  But heere I lete hem werken in hir wise
5. 0722  Til euensong rong and that they moste arise.
5. 0723  Were it by destynee or by auenture,
5. 0724  Were it by influence or by nature,
5. 0725  Or constellacioun that in swich estat
5. 0726  The heuene stood that tyme fortunat
5. 0727  As for to putte a bille of Venus werkes
5. 0728  (For alle thyng hath tyme, as seyn thise clerkes)
5. 0729  To any womman for to gete hir loue
5. 0730  I kan nat seye; but grete god aboue
5. 0731  That knoweth that noon act is causelees,
5. 0732  He deme of al for I wol holde my pees.
5. 0733    But sooth is this how that this fresshe May
5. 0734  Hath taken swich impressioun that day
5. 0735  Of pitee on this syke Damyan
5. 0736  That from hir herte she ne dryue kan
5. 0737  The remembrance for to doon hym ese.
5. 0738  'Certeyn,' thoghte she, 'whom that this thyng displese
5. 0739  I rekke nat, for here I hym assure
5. 0740  To loue hym best of any creature
5. 0741  Thogh he namoore hadde than his sherte.'
5. 0742  Loo pitee renneth soone in gentil herte.
5. 0743    Heere may ye se how excellent franchise
5. 0744  In wommen is whan they hem narwe auyse.
5. 0745  Som tiraunt is (as ther be many oon!)
5. 0746  That hath an herte as hard as is a stoon,
5. 0747  Which wolde han leten steruen in the place
5. 0748  Wel rather than han graunted hym hir grace;
5. 0749  And hem reioysen in hir cruel pryde
5. 0750  And rekke nat to been an homycide.
5. 0751    This gentil May fulfilled of pitee
5. 0752  Right of hir hand a lettre maked she
5. 0753  In which she graunteth hym hir verray grace --
5. 0754  Ther lakketh noght oonly but day and place
5. 0755  Wher that she myghte vnto his lust suffise,
5. 0756  For it shal be right as he wol deuyse.
5. 0757  And whan she saw hir tyme vpon a day
5. 0758  To visite this Damyan goth May
5. 0759  And subtilly this lettre doun she threste
5. 0760  Vnder his pilwe, rede it if hym leste.
5. 0761  She taketh hym by the hand and harde hym twiste
5. 0762  So secrely that no wight of it wiste
5. 0763  And bad hym be al hool, and forth she wente
5. 0764  To Ianuarie whan that he for hir sente.
5. 0765    Vp riseth Damyan the nexte morwe:
5. 0766  Al passed was his siknesse and his sorwe.
5. 0767  He kembeth hym, he prayneth hym and pyketh,
5. 0768  He dooth al that his lady lust and lyketh.
5. 0769  And eek to Ianuarie he goth as lowe
5. 0770  As euere dide a dogge for the bowe.
5. 0771  He is so plesant vnto euery man,
5. 0772  For craft is al whoso that do it kan,
5. 0773  That euery wight is fayn to speke hym good;
5. 0774  And fully in his ladyes grace he stood.
5. 0775  Thus lete I Damyan aboute his nede






5. 0776  And in my tale forth I wol procede.
5. 0777    Somme clerkes holden that felicitee
5. 0778  Stant in delit; and therfore certeyn he,
5. 0779  This noble Ianuarie, with al his myght
5. 0780  In honeste wise as longeth to a knyght
5. 0781  Shoop hym to lyue ful deliciously.
5. 0782  His housyng, his array as honestly
5. 0783  To his degree was maked as a kynges.
5. 0784  Amonges othere of his honeste thynges
5. 0785  He made a gardyn walled al with stoon.
5. 0786  So fair a gardyn woot I nowher noon,
5. 0787  For out of doute I verraily suppose
5. 0788  That he that wroot the Romance of the Rose
5. 0789  Ne koude of it the beautee wel deuyse.
5. 0790  Ne Priapus ne myghte nat suffise,
5. 0791  Thogh he be god of gardyns, for to telle
5. 0792  The beautee of the gardyn and the welle
5. 0793  That stood vnder a laurer alwey grene.
5. 0794  Ful ofte tyme he Pluto and his queene
5. 0795  Proserpina and al hir fairye
5. 0796  Disporten hem and maken melodye
5. 0797  Aboute that welle and daunced, as men tolde.
5. 0798  This noble knyght, this Ianuarie the olde,
5. 0799  Swich deyntee hath in it to walke and pleye
5. 0800  That he wol no wight suffre bere the keye
5. 0801  Saue he hymself, for of the smal wyket
5. 0802  He bar alwey of siluer a clyket
5. 0803  With which whan that hym leste he it vnshette.
5. 0804  And whan he wolde paye his wyf hir dette
5. 0805  In somer seson, thider wolde he go
5. 0806  And May his wyf and no wight but they two.
5. 0807  And thynges whiche that were nat doon abedde,
5. 0808  He in the gardyn parfourned hem and spedde.
5. 0809  And in this wise many a murye day
5. 0810  Lyued this Ianuarie and fresshe May.
5. 0811  But worldly ioye may nat alwey dure
5. 0812  To Ianuarie ne to no creature.
5. 0813     O sodeyn hap, o thow fortune vnstable,
5. 0814  Lyk to the scorpion so deceyuable
5. 0815  That flaterest with thyn heed whan thow wolt stynge,
5. 0816  Thy tayl is deeth thurgh thyn enuenymynge,
5. 0817    O brotil ioye, o swete venym queynte,
5. 0818    O monstre that so subtilly kanst peynte
5. 0819  Thy yiftes vnder hewe of stedefastnesse
5. 0820  That thow deceyuest bothe moore and lesse,
5. 0821  Why hastow Ianuarie thus deceyued
5. 0822  That haddest hym for thy fulle freend receyued?
5. 0823  And now thow hast biraft hym bothe his eyen
5. 0824  For sorwe of which desireth he to dyen.
5. 0825  Allas this noble Ianuarie free
5. 0826  Amydde his lust and his prosperitee
5. 0827  Is woxen blynd and that al sodeynly.
5. 0828  He wepeth and he waileth pitously,
5. 0829  And therwithal the fyr of ialousye
5. 0830  Lest that his wyf sholde falle in som folye
5. 0831  So brente his herte that he wolde fayn
5. 0832  That som man bothe hir and hym had slayn;
5. 0833  For neither after his deeth ne in his lyf
5. 0834  Ne wolde he that she were loue ne wyf,
5. 0835  But euere lyue as wydwe in clothes blake






5. 0836  Soul as the turtle that lost hath hir make.
5. 0837  But atte laste after a monthe or tweye
5. 0838  His sorwe gan aswage sooth to seye,
5. 0839  For whan he wiste it may noon oother be
5. 0840  He paciently took his aduersitee
5. 0841  Saue out of doute he may nat forgoon
5. 0842  That he nas ialous eueremoore in oon.
5. 0843  Which ialousye it was so outrageous
5. 0844  That neither in halle ne in noon oother hous
5. 0845  Ne in noon oother place neuer-the-mo
5. 0846  He nolde suffre hir for to ryde or go
5. 0847  But if that he hadde hond on hir alway.
5. 0848  For which ful ofte wepeth fresshe May,
5. 0849  That loueth Damyan so benygnely
5. 0850  That she moot outher dyen sodeynly
5. 0851  Or ellis she moot han hym as hir leste.
5. 0852  She wayteth whan hir herte wolde breste.
5. 0853    Vpon that oother syde Damyan
5. 0854  Bicomen is the sorwefulleste man
5. 0855  That euere was, for neither nyght ne day
5. 0856  Ne myghte he speke a word to fresshe May
5. 0857  As to his purpos of no swich matere
5. 0858  But if that Ianuarie moste it heere
5. 0859  That hadde an hand vpon hir eueremo.
5. 0860  But nathelees by writyng to and fro
5. 0861  And pryuee signes wiste he what she mente,
5. 0862  And she knew eek the fyn of his entente.
5. 0863      O Ianuaire, what myghte it thee auaille
5. 0864  Thow myghtest se as fer as shippes saille?
5. 0865  For as good is blynd deceyued be
5. 0866  As to be deceyued whan a man may se!
5. 0867  Lo Argus which that hadde an hundred eyen,
5. 0868  For al that euere he koude poure or pryen
5. 0869  Yet was he blent; and god woot so been mo
5. 0870  That weneth wisly that it be nat so.
5. 0871  Passe ouer is an ese, and sey namoore.
5. 0872    This fresshe May, that I spak of so yoore,
5. 0873  In warm wex hath prented the clyket
5. 0874  That Ianuarie bar of that smale wyket
5. 0875  By which into his gardyn ofte he wente.
5. 0876  And Damyan that knew al his entente
5. 0877  The clyket countrefeted pryuely.
5. 0878  Ther nys namoore to seye but hastily
5. 0879  Som wonder by this cliket shal bityde,
5. 0880  Which ye shal heren if ye wol abyde.
5. 0881      O noble Ouyde, wel sooth seistow god woot:
5. 0882  What sleighte is it, thogh it be long and hoot,
5. 0883  That he nel fynde it out in som manere?
5. 0884  By Pyramus and Thesbe may men lere:
5. 0885  Thogh they were kept ful longe streyte oueral,
5. 0886  They been acorded rownyng thurgh a wal,
5. 0887  Ther no wight koude han founde out swich a sleighte.
5. 0888  But now to purpos. Er that dayes eighte
5. 0889  Were passed er the monthe of Iuyl, bifille
5. 0890  That Ianuarie hath caught so greet a wille
5. 0891  Thurgh eggyng of his wyf hym for to pleye
5. 0892  In his gardyn, and no wight but they tweye,
5. 0893  That in a morwe vnto his May seith he:
5. 0894  'Rys vp, my wyf, my loue, my lady free.
5. 0895  The turtles voys is herd, my dowue swete,






5. 0896  The wynter is goon with reynes wete.
5. 0897  Com forth now with thyne eyen columbyn.
5. 0898  How fairer been thy brestes than is wyn.
5. 0899  The gardyn is enclosed al aboute.
5. 0900  Com forth, my white spouse; out of doute
5. 0901  Thow hast me wounded in myn herte. O wyf,
5. 0902  No spot of thee ne knew I al my lyf.
5. 0903  Com forth and lat vs taken oure desport:
5. 0904  I chees thee for my wyf and my confort.'
5. 0905    Swiche olde, lewed wordes vsed he.
5. 0906  On Damyan a signe made she
5. 0907  That he sholde go biforn with his clyket.
5. 0908  This Damyan thanne hath opned the wyket
5. 0909  And in he stirte and that in swich manere
5. 0910  That no wight myghte it se neither yheere;
5. 0911  And stille he sit vnder a bussh anon.
5. 0912    This Ianuarie as blynd as is a stoon
5. 0913  With Mayus in his hand and no wight mo
5. 0914  Into his fresshe gardyn is ago,
5. 0915  And clapte to the wyket sodeynly.
5. 0916  'Now, wyf,' quod he, 'here nys but thow and I,
5. 0917  That art the creature that I best loue.
5. 0918  For by that lord that sit in heuene aboue
5. 0919  Leuere ich hadde to dyen on a knyf
5. 0920  Than thee offende, trewe, deere wyf.
5. 0921  For goddes sake thenk how I thee chees
5. 0922  Noght for no coueitise doutelees,
5. 0923  But oonly for the loue I hadde to thee.
5. 0924  And thogh that I be old and may nat see
5. 0925  Beth to me trewe and I wol telle yow why:
5. 0926  Thre thynges certes shal ye wynne therby.
5. 0927    'First loue of Crist, and to yourself honour,
5. 0928  And al myn heritage, toun and tour,
5. 0929  I yeue it yow; maketh chartres as ye leste.
5. 0930  This shal be doon tomorwe er sonne reste
5. 0931  So wisly god my soule brynge in blisse.
5. 0932  I pray yow first in couenant ye me kisse.
5. 0933  And thogh that I be ialous, wyt me noght:
5. 0934  Ye been so depe emprented in my thoght
5. 0935  That whan that I considere your beautee
5. 0936  And therwithal the vnlikly elde of me,
5. 0937  I may noght certes thogh I sholde dye
5. 0938  Forbere to been out of your compaignye
5. 0939  For verray loue; this is withouten doute.
5. 0940  Now kys me, wyf, and lat vs rome aboute.'
5. 0941    This fresshe May, whan she thise wordes herde,
5. 0942  Benygnely to Ianuarie answerde.
5. 0943  But first and forward she bigan to wepe.
5. 0944  'I haue,' quod she, 'a soule for to kepe
5. 0945  As wel as ye and also myn honour,
5. 0946  And of my wifhod thilke tendre flour
5. 0947  Which that I haue assured in your hond
5. 0948  Whan that the preest to yow my body bond;
5. 0949  Wherfore I wol answere in this manere
5. 0950  By the leue of yow, my lord so deere.
5. 0951  I pray to god that neuere dawe the day
5. 0952  That I ne sterue as foule as womman may
5. 0953  If euere I do vnto my kyn that shame
5. 0954  Or ellis I empeyre so my name
5. 0955  That I be fals, and if I do that lakke






5. 0956  Do strepe me and put me in a sakke
5. 0957  And in the nexte ryuer do me drenche.
5. 0958  I am a gentil womman and no wenche.
5. 0959  Why speke ye thus? But men been euere vntrewe
5. 0960  And wommen haue reproue of yow ay newe.
5. 0961  Ye han noon oother contenance I leue
5. 0962  But speke to vs of vntrust and repreue.'
5. 0963    And with that word she saw wher Damyan
5. 0964  Sat in the bussh, and coghen she bigan,
5. 0965  And with hir fynger signes made she
5. 0966  That Damyan sholde clymbe vpon a tree
5. 0967  That charged was with fruyt. And vp he wente
5. 0968  For verraily he knew al hir entente
5. 0969  And euery signe that she koude make
5. 0970  Wel bet than Ianuarie, hir owene make,
5. 0971  For in a lettre she hadde told hym al
5. 0972  Of this matere how he werken shal.
5. 0973  And thus I lete hym sitte vpon the purye
5. 0974  And Ianuarie and May romynge murye.
5. 0975    Bright was the day and blew the firmament.
5. 0976  Phebus hath of gold his stremys doun ysent
5. 0977  To gladen euery flour with his warmnesse.
5. 0978  He was that tyme in Geminis, as I gesse,
5. 0979  But litel fro his declynacioun
5. 0980  Of Cancer, Iouis exaltacioun.
5. 0981  And so bifel that brighte morwe-tyde
5. 0982  That in that gardyn in the ferther syde
5. 0983  Pluto, that is kyng of fairye,
5. 0984  And many a lady in his compaignye
5. 0985  Folwynge his wyf, the queene Proserpyne,
5. 0986  ((Whos answer hath doon many a man pyne))
5. 0987  Whil that she gadrede floures in the mede:
5. 0988  In Claudyan ye may the stories rede
5. 0989  How in his grysly carte he hir sette.
5. 0990    This kyng of fairye thanne adown hym sette
5. 0991  Vpon a bench of turues fressh and grene
5. 0992  And right-anon thus seyde he to his queene.
5. 0993    'My wyf,' quod he, 'ther may no wight sey nay,
5. 0994  Th'experience so proueth euery day
5. 0995  The treson which that womman dooth to man.
5. 0996  Ten hundred thousand tellen I kan
5. 0997  Notable of your vntrouthe and brotelnesse
5. 0998  O Salomon, wys and richest of richesse,
5. 0999  Fulfild of sapience and of worldly glorie,
5. 1000  Ful worthy been thy wordes to memorie
5. 1001  To euery wight that wit and reson kan;
5. 1002  Thus preyseth he yet the bountee of man:
5. 1003  Amonges a thousand men yet foond I oon,
5. 1004  But of wommen alle foond I noon.
5. 1005  Thus seith the kyng that knoweth youre wikkednesse.
5. 1006  And Iesus filius Syrak, as I gesse,
5. 1007  Ne speketh of yow but selde reuerence.
5. 1008  A wilde fyr and corrupt pestilence
5. 1009  So falle vpon youre bodyes yet tonyght!
5. 1010  Ne se ye noght this honurable knyght,
5. 1011  By cause allas that he is blynd and old,
5. 1012  His owene man shal make hym cokewold?
5. 1013  Lo where he sit, the lechour in the tree.
5. 1014  Now wol I graunten of my magestee
5. 1015  Vnto this olde, blynde, worthy knyght






5. 1016  That he shal haue ayein his eyensyght
5. 1017  Whan that his wyf wolde doon hym vileynye.
5. 1018  Thanne shal he knowen al hir harlotrye
5. 1019  Bothe in repreue of hir and othere mo.'
5. 1020    'Ye shal?' quod Prosperpyne. 'Wol ye so?
5. 1021  Now by my modres sires soule I swere
5. 1022  That I shal yeuen hire suffisant answere --
5. 1023  And alle wommen after for hir sake,
5. 1024  That thogh they be in any gilt ytake
5. 1025  With face bold they shul hemself excuse
5. 1026  And bere hem doun that wolde hem accuse;
5. 1027  For lakke of answer noon of hem shal dyen.
5. 1028  Al hadde man seyn a thyng with bothe his eyen,
5. 1029  Yet shal we wommen visagen it hardily
5. 1030  And wepe and swere and chide subtilly
5. 1031  So that ye men shul been as lewed as gees.
5. 1032  What rekketh me of youre auctoritees?
5. 1033  I woot wel that this lew, this Salomon,
5. 1034  Fand of vs wommen folyes many oon.
5. 1035  But thogh that he ne fand no good womman,
5. 1036  Yet hath ther founde many another man
5. 1037  Wommen ful trewe, ful goode and vertuous.
5. 1038  Witnesse on hem that dwelle in Cristes hous:
5. 1039  With martirdom they proued hir constaunce.
5. 1040  The Romayn geestes eek maken remembraunce
5. 1041  Of many a verray, trewe wyf also.
5. 1042  But, sire, ne be nat wrooth, albe it so
5. 1043  Thogh that he seyde he foond no good womman;
5. 1044  I pray yow taak the sentence of the man.
5. 1045  He mente thus that in souerayn bountee
5. 1046  Nys noon but god, but neither he ne she.
5. 1047    'Ey for verray god that nys but oon
5. 1048  What make ye so muche of Salomon?
5. 1049  What thogh he made a temple, goddes hous?
5. 1050  What thogh he were riche and glorious?
5. 1051  So made he eek a temple of false goddys.
5. 1052  How myghte he do a thyng that moore forbode is?
5. 1053  Pardee as faire as ye his name emplastre,
5. 1054  He was a lechour and an ydolastre
5. 1055  And in his elde he verray god forsook.
5. 1056  And if god ne hadde, as seith the book,
5. 1057  Yspared hym for his fadres sake, he sholde
5. 1058  Haue lost his regne rather than he wolde.
5. 1059  I sette right noght of al the vileynye
5. 1060  That ye of wommen write a boterflye.
5. 1061  I am a womman, nedes moot I speke
5. 1062  Or ellis swelle til myn herte breke.
5. 1063  For sithen he seyde that we been iangleresses,
5. 1064  As euere hool I mote brouke my tresses
5. 1065  I shal nat spare for no curteisye
5. 1066  To speke hym harm that wolde vs vileynye.'
5. 1067    'Dame,' quod this Pluto, 'be no lenger wrooth:
5. 1068  I yeue it vp. But sith I swoor myn ooth
5. 1069  That I wolde graunten hym his sighte ayein
5. 1070  My word shal stonde, I warne yow certeyn.
5. 1071  I am a kyng, it sit me noght to lye.'
5. 1072    'And I,' quod she, 'a queene of fairye.
5. 1073  Hir answere shal she haue I vndertake.
5. 1074  Lat vs namoore wordes herof make.
5. 1075  For sothe I wol no lenger yow contrarie.'






5. 1076    Now lat vs turne agayn to Ianuarie
5. 1077  That in the gardyn with his faire May
5. 1078  Syngeth ful murier than the papeiay:
5. 1079  'Yow loue I best and shal and oother noon.'
5. 1080  So longe aboute the aleyes is he goon
5. 1081  Til he was come agayns thilke pirye
5. 1082  Wher as this Damyan sitteth ful myrye
5. 1083  An heigh among the fresshe leues grene.
5. 1084    This fresshe May that is so bright and shene
5. 1085  Gan for to syke and seyde: 'Allas my syde.
5. 1086  Now, sire,' quod she, 'for aught that may bityde
5. 1087  I moste han of the perys that I se
5. 1088  Or I moot dye, so sore longeth me
5. 1089  To eten of the smale perys grene.
5. 1090  Help for hir loue that is of heuene queene.
5. 1091  I telle yow wel a womman in my plit
5. 1092  May han to fruyt so gret an appetit
5. 1093  That she may dyen but she of it haue.'
5. 1094    'Allas,' quod he, 'that I ne hadde here a knaue
5. 1095  That koude clymbe. Allas, allas,' quod he,
5. 1096  'For I am blynd.' 'Ye sire, no fors,' quod she.
5. 1097  'But wolde ye vouchesauf for goddes sake
5. 1098  The pirye inwith youre armes for to take,
5. 1099  For wel I woot that ye mystruste me,
5. 1100  Thanne sholde I clymbe wel ynow,' quod she,
5. 1101  'So I my foot myghte sette vpon your bak.'
5. 1102    'Certes,' quod he, 'theron shal be no lak,
5. 1103  Mighte I yow helpen with myn herte-blood.'
5. 1104  He stoupeth doun and on his bak she stood
5. 1105  And caughte hir by a twiste and vp she goth.
5. 1106  Ladys, I pray yow that ye be nat wroth:
5. 1107  I kan nat glose I, a rude man.
5. 1108  And sodeynly anon this Damyan
5. 1109  Gan pullen vp the smok and in he throng.
5. 1110    And whan that Pluto saugh this grete wrong,
5. 1111  To Ianuarie he yaf agayn his sighte
5. 1112  And made hym see as wel as euere he myghte.
5. 1113  And whan that he hadde caught his sighte agayn
5. 1114  Ne was ther neuere man of thyng so fayn.
5. 1115  But on his wyf his thoght was eueremo:
5. 1116  Vnto the tree he caste his eyen two
5. 1117  And say that Damyan his wyf had dressed
5. 1118  In swich manere it may nat ben expressed
5. 1119  But if I wolde speken vncurteisly.
5. 1120  And vp he yaf a roryng and a cry
5. 1121  As dooth the moder whan the child shal dye.
5. 1122  'Out, help, allas, harrow,' he gan to crye,
5. 1123  'O stronge lady stoore, what dostow?'
5. 1124    And she answerde: 'Sire, what eyleth yow?
5. 1125  Haue pacience and reson in youre mynde:
5. 1126  I haue yow holpe on bothe your eyen blynde
5. 1127  Vp peril of my soule I shal nat lyen:
5. 1128  As me was taught, to heele with your eyen
5. 1129  Was nothyng bet to make yow to se
5. 1130  Than strugle with a man vpon a tree.
5. 1131  God woot I dide it in ful good entente.'
5. 1132    'Strugled?' quod he. 'Ye, algate in it wente.
5. 1133  God yeue yow bothe on shames deth to dyen.
5. 1134  He swyued thee; I saw it with myne eyen.
5. 1135  And ellis be I hanged by the hals.'






5. 1136    'Thanne is,' quod she, 'my medicyne al fals,
5. 1137  For certeinly if that ye myghte se
5. 1138  Ye wolde nat seyn thise wordes vnto me.
5. 1139  Ye han som glymsynge and no parfit sighte.'
5. 1140    'I se,' quod he, 'as wel as euere I myghte,
5. 1141  Thonked be god, with bothe myne eyen two
5. 1142  And by my trouthe me thoughte he dide thee so.'
5. 1143    'Ye maze, maze, goode sire,' quod she.
5. 1144  'This thank haue I for I haue maad yow se.
5. 1145  Allas,' quod she, 'that euere I was so kynde.'
5. 1146    'Now, dame, 'quod he, 'lat al passe out of mynde.
5. 1147  Com doun, my lief, and if I haue myssayd
5. 1148  God help me so as I am yuele apayd.
5. 1149  But by my fadres soule I wende haue seyn
5. 1150  How that this Damyan hadde by thee leyn
5. 1151  And that thy smok hadde leyn vpon his bryst.'
5. 1152    'Ye, sire,' quod she, 'ye may wene as yow lyst.
5. 1153  But, sire, a man that waketh out of his sleep
5. 1154  He may nat sodeynly wel taken keep
5. 1155  Vpon a thyng ne seen it parfitly
5. 1156  Til that he be adawed verraily,
5. 1157  Right so a man that longe hath blynd ybe
5. 1158  Ne may nat sodeynly so wel yse
5. 1159  First whan his sighte is newe come ageyn
5. 1160  As he that hath a day or two yseyn.
5. 1161  Til that your sighte ysatled be a while
5. 1162  Ther may ful many a sighte yow bigile.
5. 1163  Beth war I pray yow, for by heuene kyng
5. 1164  Ful many a man weneth to se a thyng
5. 1165  And it is al another than it semeth.
5. 1166  He that mysconceyueth, he mysdemeth.'
5. 1167  And with that word she lepte doun fro the tree.
5. 1168    This Ianuarie, who is glad but he?
5. 1169  He kisseth hir and clippeth hir ful ofte
5. 1170  And on hir wombe he stroketh hire ful softe
5. 1171  And to his palays hom he hath hir lad.
5. 1172  Now, goode men, I pray yow to be glad,
5. 1173  Thus endeth here my tale of Ianuarie.
5. 1174  God blesse vs and his moder seinte Marie. Amen.

Here is ended the marchantes tale of Ianuarie.



                  Section 6 (Fragment V, Group F)


Here bigynneth the frankeleyns tale.                         f. 153v

6. 0001  Thise olde, gentil Britons in hir dayes
6. 0002  Of diuerse auentures maden layes
6. 0003  Rymeyed in hir firste Briton tonge
6. 0004  Whiche layes with hir instrumentz they songe
6. 0005  Or ellis redden hem for hir plesaunce.
6. 0006  And oon of hem haue I in remembraunce
6. 0007  Which I shal seyn with good wyl as I kan.
6. 0008    But, sires, by cause I am a burel man
6. 0009  At my bigynnyng first I yow biseche
6. 0010  Haue me excused of my rude speche.
6. 0011  I lerned neuere rethorik certeyn:
6. 0012  Thyng that I speke it moot be bare and pleyn.
6. 0013  I sleep neuere in the mount of Parnaso
6. 0014  Ne lerned Marcus Tullius Scithero.
6. 0015  Colours ne knowe I none withouten drede
6. 0016  But swiche colours as growen in the mede
6. 0017  Or ellis swiche as men dye or peynte.
6. 0018  Colours of rethoryk they ben to queynte,
6. 0019  My spirit feeleth nat of swich matere.
6. 0020  But if yow list my tale shul ye heere.
6. 0021    In Armorik that called is Britayne
6. 0022  Ther was a knyght that louede and dide his payne
6. 0023  To serue a lady in his beste wise.
6. 0024  And many a labour, many a gret emprise
6. 0025  He for his lady wroghte er she were wonne.
6. 0026  For she was oon the faireste vnder sonne
6. 0027  And eek therto come of so heigh kynrede
6. 0028  That wel vnnethes dorste this knyght for drede
6. 0029  Telle hir his wo, his peyne, and his distresse.
6. 0030  But atte laste she for his worthynesse
6. 0031  And namely for his meke obeysance
6. 0032  Hath swich a pitee caught of his penance
6. 0033  That priuely she fel of his acord
6. 0034  To taken hym for hir housbonde and hir lord
6. 0035  Of swich lordshipe as men han ouer hir wyues.
6. 0036  And for to lede the moore in blisse hir lyues
6. 0037  Of his fre wyl he swoor hir as a knyght
6. 0038  That neuere in al his lyf he day ne nyght
6. 0039  Ne sholde vpon hym take no maistrye
6. 0040  Agayn hir wyl ne kithe hir ialousye,
6. 0041  But hir obeye and folwe hir wyl in al
6. 0042  As any louere to his lady shal --
6. 0043  Saue that the name of soueraynetee
6. 0044  That wolde he haue for shame of his degree.
6. 0045    She thonked hym and with ful gret humblesse
6. 0046  She seyde: 'Sire, sith of youre gentilesse
6. 0047  Ye profre me to haue so large a reyne,
6. 0048  Ne wolde neuere god bitwix vs tweyne
6. 0049  As in my gilt were outher werre or stryf.
6. 0050  Sire, I wol be your humble, trewe wyf,
6. 0051  Haue heer my trouthe, til that myn herte breste.'
6. 0052    Thus been they bothe in quiete and in reste.
6. 0053  For o thyng, sires, saufly dar I seye
6. 0054  That freendes euerich oother moote obeye
6. 0055  If they wol longe holden compaignye.






6. 0056  Loue wol nat be constreyned by maistrye.
6. 0057  Whan maistrie comth, the god of loue anon
6. 0058  Beteth his wynges and farwel he is gon.
6. 0059  Loue is a thyng as any spirit free.
6. 0060  Wommen of kynde desiren libertee
6. 0061  And nat to been constreyned as a thral;
6. 0062  And so doon men if I sooth seyn shal.
6. 0063  Looke who that moost is pacient in loue,
6. 0064  He is at his auantage al aboue.
6. 0065  Pacience is an heigh vertu certeyn
6. 0066  For it venquysseth, as thise clerkes seyn,
6. 0067  Thynges that rigour sholde neuere atteyne.
6. 0068  For euery word men may nat chide or pleyne.
6. 0069  Lerneth to suffre or ellis so moot I gon
6. 0070  Ye shul it lerne wherso ye wole or non.
6. 0071  For in this world certeyn ther no wight is
6. 0072  That he ne dooth or seith somtyme amys:
6. 0073  Ire, siknesse or constellacioun,
6. 0074  Wyn, wo or chaungyng of complexioun
6. 0075  Causeth ful ofte to doon amys or speken.
6. 0076  On euery wrong a man may nat be wreken.
6. 0077  After the tyme moste be temperaunce
6. 0078  To euery wight that kan on gouernaunce.
6. 0079  And therfore hath this wise, worthy knyght
6. 0080  To lyue in ese suffraunce hir bihight.
6. 0081  And she to hym ful wisly gan to swere
6. 0082  That neuere sholde ther be defaute in here
6. 0083    Here may men seen an humble, wys acord.
6. 0084  Thus hath she take hir seruant and hir lord,
6. 0085  Seruant in loue and lord in mariage.
6. 0086  Thanne was he bothe in lordshipe and seruage.
6. 0087  Seruage, nay| But in lordshipe aboue,
6. 0088  Sith he hath bothe his lady and his loue --
6. 0089  His lady certes and his wyf also
6. 0090  The which that lawe of loue acordeth to.
6. 0091  And whan he was in this prosperitee,
6. 0092  Hom with his wyf he gooth to his contree
6. 0093  Nat fer fro Pedmark ther his dwellyng was,
6. 0094  Wher as he lyueth in blisse and in solas.
6. 0095    Who koude telle but he hadde wedded be
6. 0096  The ioye, the ese, and the prosperitee
6. 0097  That is bitwix an housbonde and his wyf?
6. 0098  A yeer and moore lasted this blisful lyf
6. 0099  Til that the knyght, of which I speke of thus
6. 0100  That of Kairrud was clepid Arueragus,
6. 0101  Shoop hym to goon and dwelle a yeer or twayne
6. 0102  In Engelond, that clepid was ek Britayne,
6. 0103  To seke in armes worship and honour,
6. 0104  For al his lust he sette in swich labour;
6. 0105  And dwelled ther two yeer. The book seith thus.
6. 0106    Now wol I stynte of this Arueragus
6. 0107  And speke I wole of Dorigene his wyf
6. 0108  That loueth hir housbonde as hir hertes lyf.
6. 0109  For his absence wepeth she and siketh
6. 0110  As doon thise noble wyues whan hem liketh.
6. 0111  She moorneth, waketh, waileth, fasteth, pleyneth.
6. 0112  Desir of his presence hir so destreyneth
6. 0113  That al this wide world she set at noght.
6. 0114  Hir freendes whiche that knowe hir heuy thoght
6. 0115  Conforten hire in al that euer they may.






6. 0116  They prechen hire. They telle hir nyght and day
6. 0117  That causelees she sleeth hirself allas.
6. 0118  And euery confort possible in this cas
6. 0119  They doon to hire with al hir bisynesse
6. 0120  Al for to make hire leue hir heuynesse.
6. 0121    By proces as ye knowen euerichoon
6. 0122  Men may so longe grauen in a stoon
6. 0123  Til som figure therinne emprented be.
6. 0124  So longe han they conforted hir til she
6. 0125  Receyued hath by hope and by resoun
6. 0126  The emprentyng of hir consolacioun
6. 0127  Thurgh which hir grete sorwe gan aswage;
6. 0128  She may nat alwey duren in swich rage.
6. 0129    And eek Arueragus in al this care
6. 0130  Hath sent hir lettres hom of his welfare
6. 0131  And that he wole come hastily agayn,
6. 0132  Or ellis hadde this sorwe hir herte slayn.
6. 0133  Hir freendes sawe hir sorwe gan to slake
6. 0134  And preyde hir on knees for goddes sake
6. 0135  To come and romen hire in compaignye
6. 0136  Awey to dryue hir derke fantasye.
6. 0137  And finally she graunted that requeste
6. 0138  For wel she saw that it was for the beste.
6. 0139    Now stood hir castel faste by the see.
6. 0140  And often with hir freendes walketh she
6. 0141  Hir to disporte vpon the bank an heigh
6. 0142  Wher as she many a ship and barge seigh
6. 0143  Seillynge hir cours wher as hem liste go.
6. 0144  But thanne was that a parcel of hir wo,
6. 0145  For of hirself ful ofte 'Allas,' seith she,
6. 0146  'Is ther no ship of so manye as I se
6. 0147  Wol bryngen hom my lord? Thanne were myn herte
6. 0148  Al warisshed of hise bittre peynes smerte.'
6. 0149    Another tyme there wolde she sitte and thynke
6. 0150  And caste hir eyen downward fro the brynke.
6. 0151  But whan she seigh the grisly rokkes blake,
6. 0152  For verray fere so wolde hir herte quake
6. 0153  That on hir feet she myghte hir noght sustene.
6. 0154  Thanne wolde she sitte adoun vpon the grene
6. 0155  And pitously into the see biholde
6. 0156  And seyn right thus with sorweful sikes colde.
6. 0157    'Eterne god that thurgh thy purueiance
6. 0158  Ledest the world by certeyn gouernance,
6. 0159  In ydel as men seyn ye nothyng make.
6. 0160  But, lord, thise grisly, feendly rokkes blake
6. 0161  That semen rather a foul confusioun
6. 0162  Of werk than any fair creacioun
6. 0163  Of swich a parfit, wys god and a stable,
6. 0164  Why han ye wroght this werk vnresonable?
6. 0165  For by this werk south, north, ne west, ne est
6. 0166  Ther nys yfostred man ne bryd ne beest:
6. 0167  It doth no good to my wit, but anoyeth.
6. 0168  Se ye nat, lord, how mankynde it destroyeth?
6. 0169  An hundred thousand bodies of mankynde
6. 0170  Han rokkes slayn al be they nat in mynde --
6. 0171  Which mankynde is so fair part of thy werk
6. 0172  That thow it madest lyk to thyn owen merk.
6. 0173  Thanne semed it ye hadde a greet chiertee
6. 0174  Toward mankynde. But how thanne may it be
6. 0175  That ye swiche menes make it to destroyen?






6. 0176  Whiche menes do no good, but euere anoyen.
6. 0177  I woot wel clerkes wol seyn as hem leste
6. 0178  By argumentz that al is for the beste
6. 0179  Thogh I ne kan the causes nat yknowe.
6. 0180  But thilke god that made wynd to blowe
6. 0181  As kepe my lord; this my conclusioun.
6. 0182  To clerkes lete I al disputisoun.
6. 0183  But wolde god that alle thise rokkes blake
6. 0184  Were sonken into helle for his sake.
6. 0185  Thise rokkes sleen myn herte for the feere.'
6. 0186  Thus wolde she seyn with many a pitous teere.
6. 0187    Hir freendes sawe that it was no disport
6. 0188  To romen by the see, but disconfort,
6. 0189  And shopen for to pleyen somwher ellys.
6. 0190  They leden hir by ryuers and by wellys
6. 0191  And eek in othere places delitables.
6. 0192  They dauncen and they pleyen at ches and tables.
6. 0193    So on a day right in the morwe-tyde
6. 0194  Vnto a gardyn that was therbisyde,
6. 0195  In which that they hadde maad hir ordinance
6. 0196  Of vitaille and of oother purueiance,
6. 0197  They goon and pleye hem al the longe day.
6. 0198  And this was on the sixte morwe of May;
6. 0199  Which May hadde peynted with his softe shoures
6. 0200  This gardyn ful of leues and of floures.
6. 0201  And craft of mannes hond so curiously
6. 0202  Arrayed hadde this gardyn trewely
6. 0203  That neuere was ther gardyn of swich prys
6. 0204  But if it were the verray paradys.
6. 0205  The odour of floures and the fresshe sighte
6. 0206  Wolde han maked any herte lighte
6. 0207  That euere was born, but if to greet siknesse
6. 0208  Or to greet sorwe helde it in destresse,
6. 0209  So ful it was of beautee with plesaunce.
6. 0210  At after-dyner gonne they to daunce
6. 0211  And synge also, saue Dorigen allone
6. 0212  Which made alwey hir compleynt and hir mone,
6. 0213  For she ne saugh hym on the daunce go
6. 0214  That was hir housbonde and hir loue also.
6. 0215  But nathelees she moste a tyme abyde
6. 0216  And with good hope lete hir sorwe slyde.
6. 0217    Vpon this daunce amonges othere men
6. 0218  Daunced a squier bifore Dorigen
6. 0219  That fressher was and iolier of array
6. 0220  As to my doom than is the monthe of May.
6. 0221  He syngeth, daunceth passyng any man
6. 0222  That is or was sith that the world bigan.
6. 0223  Therwith he was, if men sholde hym discryue,
6. 0224  Oon of the beste-farynge man on lyue.
6. 0225  Yong, strong, right vertuous, and riche and wys,
6. 0226  And wel biloued and holden in gret prys.
6. 0227  And shortly if the sothe I tellen shal,
6. 0228  Vnwityng of this Dorigen at al
6. 0229  This lusty squier, seruant to Venus,
6. 0230  Which that yclepid was Aurelius,
6. 0231  Hadde loued hir best of any creature
6. 0232  Two yeer and moore as was his auenture,
6. 0233  But neuere dorste he tellen hir his greuance.
6. 0234  Withouten coppe he drank al his penance.
6. 0235  He was despeyred, nothyng dorste he seye --






6. 0236  Saue in his songes somwhat wolde he wreye
6. 0237  His wo as in a general compleynyng.
6. 0238  He seyde he louede and was biloued nothyng.
6. 0239  Of which matere made he many layes,
6. 0240  Songes, compleyntes, roundels, vyrelayes,
6. 0241  How that he dorste nat his sorwe telle
6. 0242  But langwissheth as a furye dooth in helle.
6. 0243  And dye he moste (he seyde) as dide Ekko
6. 0244  For Narcisus that dorste nat telle hir wo.
6. 0245  In oother manere than ye heere me seye
6. 0246  Ne dorste he nat to hire his wo biwreye
6. 0247  Saue that parauenture somtyme at daunces,
6. 0248  Ther yong folk kepen hir obseruaunces,
6. 0249  It may wel be he looked on hir face
6. 0250  In swich a wise as man that asketh grace.
6. 0251  But nothyng wiste she of his entente.
6. 0252    Nathelees it happed er they thennes wente,
6. 0253  By cause that he was hir neghebour
6. 0254  And was a man of worship and honour
6. 0255  And hadde yknowen hym of tyme yoore,
6. 0256  They fille in speche, and forth moore and moore
6. 0257  Vnto this purpos drough Aurelius.
6. 0258  And whan he saugh his tyme he seyde thus.
6. 0259    'Madame,' quod he, 'by god that this world made,
6. 0260  So that I wiste it myghte your herte glade
6. 0261  I wolde that day that youre Arueragus
6. 0262  Wente ouer the see that I Aurelius
6. 0263  Hadde went ther neuere I sholde haue come agayn,
6. 0264  For wel I woot my seruyce is in vayn.
6. 0265  My gerdon is but brestyng of myn herte.
6. 0266  Madame, reweth vpon my peynes smerte
6. 0267  For with a word ye may me sle or saue.
6. 0268  Here at youre feet god wolde that I were graue.
6. 0269  I ne haue as now no leyser moore to seye:
6. 0270  Haue mercy, swete, or ye wol do me deye.'
6. 0271    She gan to looke vpon Aurelius.
6. 0272  'Is this youre wil' quod she, 'and sey ye thus?
6. 0273  Neuere erst,' quod she, "ne wiste I what ye mente.
6. 0274  But now, Aurelie, I knowe youre entente
6. 0275  By thilke god that yaf me soule and lyf
6. 0276  Ne shal I neuere been vntrewe a wyf
6. 0277  In word ne werk as fer as I haue wyt.
6. 0278  I wol been hys to whom that I am knyt.
6. 0279  Taak this for fynal as of me.'
6. 0280  But after that in pleye thus seyde she.
6. 0281    'Aurelie,' quod she, 'by heighe god aboue
6. 0282  Yet wolde I graunte yow to been your loue
6. 0283  Syn I yow se so pitously complayne.
6. 0284  Looke what day that endelong Britayne
6. 0285  Ye remoeue alle the rokkes stoon by stoon
6. 0286  That they ne lette ship ne boot to goon,
6. 0287  I seye whan ye han maad the coost so clene
6. 0288  Of rokkes that ther nys no stoon ysene,
6. 0289  Thanne wol I loue yow best of any man.
6. 0290  Haue heer my trouthe in al that euere I kan.'
6. 0291    'Is ther noon oother grace in yow?' quod he.
6. 0292    'No by that lord,' quod she, "that maked me.
6. 0293  'For wel I woot that it shal neuere bityde,
6. 0294  Lat swiche folies out of youre herte slyde.
6. 0295  What deyntee sholde a man han his lyf






6. 0296  For to loue another mannes wyf,
6. 0297  That hath hir body whanso that hym liketh?'
6. 0298    Aurelius ful ofte soore siketh.
6. 0299  Wo was Aurelie whan that he this herde
6. 0300  And with a sorweful herte he thus answerde.
6. 0301  'Madame,' quod he, 'this were an inpossible.
6. 0302  Thanne moot I dye of sodeyn deth horrible.'
6. 0303    And with that word he turned hym anon.
6. 0304  Tho coome hir othere freendes many oon
6. 0305  And in the aleyes romeden vp and doun
6. 0306  And nothyng wiste of this conclusioun.
6. 0307  But sodeynly bigonne reuel newe
6. 0308  Til that the brighte sonne loste his hewe
6. 0309  For th'orisonte hath reft the sonne his light,
6. 0310  This is as muche to seye as it was nyght.
6. 0311  And hom they goon in ioye and in solas
6. 0312  Saue oonly wrecched Aurelius allas.
6. 0313  He to his hous is goon with sorweful herte.
6. 0314  He seeth he may nat from his deeth asterte.
6. 0315  Hym semed that he felte his herte colde.
6. 0316  Vp to the heuene hise hondes he gan holde
6. 0317  And on his knowes bare he sette hym doun
6. 0318  And in his rauynge seyde his orisoun.
6. 0319  For verray wo out of his wit he breyde;
6. 0320  He nyste what he spak, but thus he seyde.
6. 0321  With pitous herte his pleynt hath he bigonne
6. 0322  Vnto the goddes and first vnto the sonne.
6. 0323    He seyde: 'Appollo, god and gouernour
6. 0324  Of euery plaunte, herbe, tree, and flour,
6. 0325  That yeuest after thy declynacioun
6. 0326  To ech of hem his tyme and his sesoun,
6. 0327  As thyn herberwe chaungeth lowe or heighe,
6. 0328  Lord Phebus, cast thy merciable eighe
6. 0329  On wrecche Aurelie which that am but lorn.
6. 0330  Lo, lord, my lady hath my deeth ysworn
6. 0331  Withouten gilt, but thy benygnytee
6. 0332  Vpon my dedly herte haue som pitee.
6. 0333  For wel I woot, lord Phebus, if yow lest
6. 0334  Ye may me helpen saue my lady best.
6. 0335  Now voucheth sauf that I may yow deuyse
6. 0336  How that I may been holpe and in what wyse.
6. 0337    'Youre blisful suster, Lucyna the shene,
6. 0338  That of the see is chief goddesse and queene
6. 0339  (Thogh Neptunus haue deitee in the see
6. 0340  Yet empiresse abouen hym is she),
6. 0341  Ye knowen wel, lord, that right as hir desir
6. 0342  Is to be quyked and lighted of youre fyr
6. 0343  For which she folweth yow ful bisily
6. 0344  Right so the see desireth naturelly
6. 0345  To folwen hire as she that is goddesse
6. 0346  Bothe in the see and ryuers moore and lesse.
6. 0347  Wherfore, lord Phebus, this is my requeste:
6. 0348  Do this myracle, or do myn herte breste,
6. 0349  That now next at this opposicioun
6. 0350  Which in the signe shal be of the lion
6. 0351  As preyeth hire so greet a flood to brynge
6. 0352  That fyue fadme at the leeste it ouersprynge
6. 0353  The hyeste rok in Armoryk Britayne;
6. 0354  And lat this flood endure yeris twayne.
6. 0355  Thanne certes to my lady may I seye






6. 0356  Holdeth youre heste, the rokkes been aweye.
6. 0357    'Lord Phebus, dooth this myracle for me.
6. 0358  Pray hire she go no faster cours than ye.
6. 0359  I seye this: prayeth youre suster that she go
6. 0360  No faster cours than ye thise yeris two.
6. 0361  Thanne shal she been euene at the fulle alway
6. 0362  And spryng-flood lasten bothe nyght and day.
6. 0363  And but she vouchesauf in swich manere
6. 0364  To graunte me my souerayn lady deere,
6. 0365  Pray hire to synken euery rok adown
6. 0366  Into hir owene dirke regioun
6. 0367  Vnder the ground ther Pluto dwelleth inne
6. 0368  Or neuere mo shal I my lady wynne.
6. 0369  Thy temple in Delphos wol I barfoot seke,
6. 0370  Lord Phebus. Se the teerys on my cheke
6. 0371  And of my peyne haue som compassioun.'
6. 0372    And with that word in swowne he fil adoun
6. 0373  And longe tyme he lay forth in a traunce
6. 0374  His brother which that knew of his penaunce
6. 0375  Vp caughte hym and to bedde he hath hym broght
6. 0376  Despeired in this torment and this thoght
6. 0377  Lete I this woful creature lye --
6. 0378  Chese he for me wher he wol lyue or dye.
6. 0379    Arueragus with heele and greet honour
6. 0380  As he that was of chiualrie the flour
6. 0381  Is comen hom and othere worthy men.
6. 0382    O blisful artow now, thow Dorigen,
6. 0383  That hast thy lusty housbonde in thyn armes,
6. 0384  The fresshe knyght, the worthy man-of-armes,
6. 0385  That loueth thee as his owene hertes lyf.
6. 0386  Nothyng list hym to been ymagynatyf
6. 0387  If any wight hadde spoke, whil he was oute,
6. 0388  To hire of loue; he ne hadde of it no doute.
6. 0389  He noght entendeth to no swich matere,
6. 0390  But daunceth, iusteth, maketh hir good cheere.
6. 0391  And thus in ioye and blisse I lete hem dwelle
6. 0392  And of the syke Aurelius wol I telle.
6. 0393    In langour and in torment furyus
6. 0394  Two yeer and moore lay wrecche Aurelius
6. 0395  Er any foot he myghte on erthe gon.
6. 0396  Ne confort in this tyme hadde he non
6. 0397  Saue of his brother which that was a clerk.
6. 0398  He knew of al this wo and al this werk;
6. 0399  For to noon oother creature certeyn
6. 0400  Of this matere he dorste no word seyn.
6. 0401  Vnder his brist he baar it moore secree
6. 0402  Than euere dide Panfilus for Galathee.
6. 0403  His brist was hool withoute for to sene,
6. 0404  But in his herte ay was the arwe kene.
6. 0405  And wel ye knowe that of a sursanure
6. 0406  In surgerye is perilous the cure
6. 0407  But men myghte touche the arwe or come therby.
6. 0408  His brother weep and wayled pryuely,
6. 0409  Til at the laste hym fil in remembrance
6. 0410  That whils he was at Orliens in France,
6. 0411  As yonge clerkes that been lykerous
6. 0412  To reden artz that been curious
6. 0413  Seken in euery halke and euery herne
6. 0414  Particuler sciences for to lerne,
6. 0415  He hym remembred that vpon a day






6. 0416  At Orliens in studie a book he say
6. 0417  Of magyk naturel which his felawe,
6. 0418  That was that tyme a bachiler of lawe
6. 0419  Al were he ther to lerne another craft,
6. 0420  Hadde priuely vpon his desk ylaft.
6. 0421  Which book spak muchel of the operaciouns
6. 0422  Touchynge the xxviij mansiouns
6. 0423  That longen to the moone and swich folye
6. 0424  As in oure dayes is nat worth a flye,
6. 0425  For holy chirches feith in oure bileue
6. 0426  Ne suffreth noon illusioun vs to greue.
6. 0427  And whan this book was in his remembraunce,
6. 0428  Anon for ioye his herte gan to daunce
6. 0429  And to hymself he seyde pryuely:
6. 0430  'My brother shal be warisshed hastily,
6. 0431  For I am siker that ther be sciences
6. 0432  By whiche men make diuerse apparences
6. 0433  Swiche as thise subtile tregettours pleye.
6. 0434  For ofte at festes haue I wel herd seye
6. 0435  That tregettours withinne an halle large
6. 0436  Haue maad come in a water and a barge
6. 0437  And in the halle rowen vp and doun.
6. 0438  Somtyme hath semed come a grym leoun,
6. 0439  And somtyme floures sprynge as in a mede,
6. 0440  Somtyme a vyne and grapes white and rede,
6. 0441  Somtyme a castel al of lym and stoon,
6. 0442  And whan hem lyked voyded it anoon.
6. 0443  Thus semed it to euery mannes sighte.
6. 0444    'Now thanne conclude I thus that if I myghte
6. 0445  At Orliens som old felawe yfynde
6. 0446  That hadde this moones mansions in mynde
6. 0447  Or oother magyk naturel aboue,
6. 0448  He sholde wel make my brother han his loue.
6. 0449  For with an apparence a clerk may make
6. 0450  To mannes sighte that alle the rokkes blake
6. 0451  Of Britaigne were yvoyded euerichon
6. 0452  And shippes by the brynke comen and gon
6. 0453  And in swich forme enduren a day or two;
6. 0454  Thanne were my brother warisshed of his wo.
6. 0455  Thanne moste she nedes holden hir biheste
6. 0456  Of ellis he shal shame hir at the leeste.'
6. 0457    What sholde I make a lenger tale of this?
6. 0458  Vnto his brotheres bed he comen is
6. 0459  And swich confort he yaf hym for to gon
6. 0460  To Orliens that he vp stirte anon;
6. 0461  And on his wey forthward thanne he is fare
6. 0462  In hope for to been lissed of his care.
6. 0463    Whan they were come almoost to that citee,
6. 0464  But if it were a two furlong or thre,
6. 0465  A yong clerk romynge by hymself they mette
6. 0466  Which that in Latyn thriftily hem grette.
6. 0467  And after that he seyde a wonder thyng.
6. 0468  'I knowe,' quod he, 'the cause of youre comyng.'
6. 0469  And er they ferther any foote wente
6. 0470  He tolde hem al that was in hir entente.
6. 0471    This Britoun clerk hym asked of felawes
6. 0472  The whiche that he hadde knowe in olde dawes.
6. 0473  And he answerde hym that they dede were,
6. 0474  For which he weep ful ofte many a teere.
6. 0475    Doun of his hors Aurelius lighte anon






6. 0476  And with this magicien forth he is gon
6. 0477  Hom to his hous, and maden hem wel at ese:
6. 0478  Hem lakked no vitaille that myghte hem plese.
6. 0479  So wel arrayed hous as ther was oon
6. 0480  Aurelius in his lyf saw neuere noon.
6. 0481    He shewed hym er he wente to soper
6. 0482  Forestes, parkes ful of wilde deer;
6. 0483  Ther saw he hertes with hir hornes hye,
6. 0484  The gretteste that euere were seyn with eye.
6. 0485  He say of hem an hundred slayn with houndes
6. 0486  And somme with arwes blede of bittre woundes.
6. 0487  He saw, whan voyded were thise wilde deer,
6. 0488  Thise fawconers vpon a fair ryuer
6. 0489  That with hir hawkes han the heron slayn.
6. 0490  Tho saugh he knyghtes iustyng in a playn.
6. 0491  And after this he dide hym this plesaunce
6. 0492  That he hym shewed his lady on a daunce
6. 0493  On which hymself he daunced as hym thoughte.
6. 0494  And whan this maister that this magyk wroughte
6. 0495  Saugh it was tyme, he clapte his handes two
6. 0496  And farwel al oure reuel was ago.
6. 0497  And yet remoeued they neuere out of the hous
6. 0498  Whil they sawe al this sighte merueillous,
6. 0499  But in his studie ther as his bookes be
6. 0500  They sitten stille and no wight but they thre.
6. 0501    To hym this maister called his squyer
6. 0502  And seide hym thus: 'Is redy oure soper?
6. 0503  Almoost an houre it is I vndertake
6. 0504  Sith I yow bad oure soper for to make
6. 0505  Whan that thise worthy men wenten with me
6. 0506  Into my studie ther as my bookes be.'
6. 0507    'Sire,' quod this squyer, 'whan it liketh yow
6. 0508  It is al redy, thogh ye wol right now.'
6. 0509    'Go we thanne soupe,' quod he, 'as for the beste.
6. 0510  This amorous folk somtyme mote han hir reste.'
6. 0511    At after-soper fille they in tretee
6. 0512  What somme sholde this maistres gerdoun be
6. 0513  To remoeuen alle the rokkes of Britayne
6. 0514  And eek from Gerounde to the mouth of Sayne.
6. 0515  He made it straunge and swoor so god hym saue
6. 0516  Lasse than a thousand pound he wolde nat haue
6. 0517  Ne gladly for that somme he wolde nat gon.
6. 0518    Aurelius with blisful herte anon
6. 0519  Answerde thus: 'Fy on a thousand pound|
6. 0520  This wyde world which that men seye is round
6. 0521  I wolde it yeue if I were lord of it.
6. 0522  This bargayn is ful dryue for we ben knyt.
6. 0523  Ye shal be payed trewely by my trouthe.
6. 0524  But looketh now for no necligence or slouthe
6. 0525  Ye tarie vs heer no lenger than tomorwe.'
6. 0526    'Nay,' quod this clerk, 'haue heer my feith to borwe.'
6. 0527    To bedde is goon Aurelius whan hym leste
6. 0528  And wel neigh al that nyght he hadde his reste:
6. 0529  What for his labour and his hope of blisse
6. 0530  His woful herte of penaunce hadde a lisse.
6. 0531  Vpon the morwe whan that it was day
6. 0532  To Britayne tooke they the righte way,
6. 0533  Aurelius and this magicien bisyde,
6. 0534  And been descended ther they wolde abyde.
6. 0535  And this was as thise bookes me remembre






6. 0536  The colde, frosty seson of Decembre.
6. 0537    Phebus wax old and hewed lyk latoun,
6. 0538  That in his hote declynacioun
6. 0539  Shoon as the burned gold with stremys brighte,
6. 0540  But now in Capricorn adoun he lighte
6. 0541  Wher as he shoon ful pale, I dar wel seyn.
6. 0542  The bittre frostes with the sleet and reyn
6. 0543  Destruyed hath the grene in euery yerd.
6. 0544  Ianus sit by the fyr with double berd
6. 0545  And drynketh of his bugle-horn the wyn,
6. 0546  Biforn hym stant brawen of the tusked swyn;
6. 0547  And Nowel crieth euery lusty man.
6. 0548    Aurelius al that euere he kan
6. 0549  Dooth to this maister cheere and reuerence;
6. 0550  And preyeth hym to doon his diligence
6. 0551  To bryngen hym out of his peynes smerte
6. 0552  Or with a swerd that he wolde slytte his herte.
6. 0553    This subtil clerk swich routhe hadde of this man
6. 0554  That nyght and day he spedde hym that he kan
6. 0555  To wayten a tyme of his conclusioun,
6. 0556  This is to seyn to make illusioun
6. 0557  By swich an apparence or iogelrye
6. 0558  (I ne kan no termes of astrologye),
6. 0559  That she and euery wight sholde wene and seye
6. 0560  That of Britayne the rokkes were aweye
6. 0561  Or ellis were sonken vnder grounde.
6. 0562  So at the laste he hath his tyme yfounde
6. 0563  To maken his iapes and his wrecchednesse
6. 0564  Of swich a supersticious cursednesse.
6. 0565  His tables tolletanes forth he broght
6. 0566  Ful wel corrected; ne ther lakked noght
6. 0567  Neither his collect ne his expans yeris
6. 0568  Ne hise rootes ne hise othere geris,
6. 0569  As been his centris and hise argumentz
6. 0570  And hise proporcionels conuenientz
6. 0571  For hise equacions in euery thyng.
6. 0572  And by his 8 speere in his wirkyng
6. 0573  He knew ful wel how fer Alnath was shoue
6. 0574  Fro the heed of thilke fixe Aries aboue
6. 0575  That in the 9 speere considered is;
6. 0576  Ful subtilly he kalkuled al this.
6. 0577    Whan he hadde founde his firste mansioun
6. 0578  He knew the remenaunt by proporcioun,
6. 0579  And knew the arisyng of his moone wel
6. 0580  And in whos face and terme and euery del,
6. 0581  And knew ful wel the moones mansioun
6. 0582  Acordaunt to his operacioun,
6. 0583  And knew also hise othere obseruaunces
6. 0584  For swiche illusions and swiche meschaunces
6. 0585  As hethen folk vseden in thilke dayes.
6. 0586  For which no lenger maked he delayes,
6. 0587  But thurgh his magyk for a wyke or tweye
6. 0588  It semed that alle the rokkes were aweye.
6. 0589    Aurelius, which that yet despeired is
6. 0590  Wher he shal han his loue or fare amys,
6. 0591  Awaiteth nyght and day on this myracle.
6. 0592  And whan he knew that ther was noon obstacle,
6. 0593  That voyded were thise rokkes euerichon,
6. 0594  Doun to his maistres feet he fil anon
6. 0595  And seyde: 'I, woful, wrecche Aurelius,






6. 0596  Thonke yow, lord, and lady myn Venus
6. 0597  That me han holpen fro my cares colde.'
6. 0598  And to the temple his wey forth hath he holde
6. 0599  Wher as he knew he sholde his lady se.
6. 0600  And whan he saw his tyme, anon-right he
6. 0601  With dredful herte and with ful humble cheere
6. 0602  Salued hath his souerayn lady deere.
6. 0603    'My righte lady,' quod this woful man,
6. 0604  'Whom I moost drede and loue as I best kan
6. 0605  And lothest were of al this world displese,
6. 0606  Nere it that I for yow haue swich disese
6. 0607  That I moste dyen heer at youre foot anon,
6. 0608  Noght wolde I telle yow how me is wo bigon;
6. 0609  But certes outher moste I dye or pleyne
6. 0610  Ye sleen me giltlees for verray peyne.
6. 0611  But of my deeth thogh that ye haue no routhe
6. 0612  Auyseth yow er that ye breke your trouthe.
6. 0613  Repenteth yow for thilke god aboue
6. 0614  Er ye me sleen by cause that I yow loue.
6. 0615  For, madame, wel ye woot what ye han hight --
6. 0616  Nat that I chalange anythyng of right
6. 0617  Of yow, my souereyn lady, but youre grace.
6. 0618  But in a gardyn yond at swich a place
6. 0619  Ye woot right wel what ye bihighten me,
6. 0620  And in myn hand your trouthe plighten ye
6. 0621  To loue me best, god woot ye seyden so,
6. 0622  Al be that I vnworthy am therto.
6. 0623  Madame, I speke it for the honour of yow
6. 0624  Moore than to saue myn hertes lyf right now.
6. 0625  I haue do so as ye comaunded me,
6. 0626  And if ye vouchesauf ye may go se.
6. 0627  Dooth as yow list; haue youre biheste in mynde
6. 0628  For quyk or deed right ther ye shal me fynde.
6. 0629  In yow lyth al to do me lyue or deye --
6. 0630  But wel I woot the rokkes been aweye.'
6. 0631    He taketh his leue and she astoned stood:
6. 0632  In al hir face nas a drope of blood.
6. 0633  She wende neuere haue come in swich a trappe.
6. 0634  'Allas,' quod she, 'that euere this sholde happe,
6. 0635  For wende I neuere by possibilitee
6. 0636  That swich a monstre or merueille myghte be;
6. 0637  It is agayns the proces of nature.'
6. 0638  And hom she gooth a sorweful creature;
6. 0639  For verray feere vnnethe may she go.
6. 0640  She wepeth, wayleth al a day or two,
6. 0641  And swowneth that it routhe was to se.
6. 0642  But why it was to no wight tolde she,
6. 0643  For out of towne was goon Arueragus.
6. 0644    But to hirself she spak and seyde thus
6. 0645  With face pale and with ful sorweful cheere
6. 0646  In hir compleinte, as ye shal after heere.
6. 0647  'Allas,' quod she, 'on thee fortune I pleyne
6. 0648  That vnwar wrapped hast me in thy cheyne,
6. 0649  For which t'escape woot I no socour
6. 0650  Saue oonly deeth or deshonour.
6. 0651  Oon of thise two bihoueth me to chese.
6. 0652  But nathelees yet haue I leuere to lese
6. 0653  My lyf than of my body to haue a shame
6. 0654  Or knowen myseluen fals or lese my name.
6. 0655  And with my deeth I may be quyt ywis.






6. 0656  Hath ther nat many a noble wyf er this
6. 0657  And many a mayde yslayn hirself allas
6. 0658  Rather than with hir body doon trespas?
6. 0659    'Yis certes lo thise stories beren witnesse
6. 0660  Whan xxx tirauntz ful of cursednesse
6. 0661  Hadde slayn Phidon in Atthenes atte feste,
6. 0662  They comaunded his doghtren t'areste
6. 0663  And bryngen hem biforn hem in despit
6. 0664  Al naked to fulfille hir foul delit;
6. 0665  And in hir fadres blood they made hem daunce
6. 0666  Vpon the pauement, god yeue hem meschaunce.
6. 0667  For which thise woful maydens ful of drede,
6. 0668  Rather than they wolde lese hir maydenhede
6. 0669  They pryuely been stirt into a welle
6. 0670  And dreynte hemseluen, as the bokes telle.
6. 0671    'They of Mecene leete enquere and seke
6. 0672  Of Lacedomye fifty maydens eke
6. 0673  On whiche they wolden doon hir lecherye;
6. 0674  But was ther noon of al that compaignye
6. 0675  That she nas slayn, and with a good entente
6. 0676  Chees rather for to dye than assente
6. 0677  To been oppressed of hir maydenhede.
6. 0678  Why sholde I thanne to dye been in drede?
6. 0679    'Loo eek the tiraunt Aristoclides
6. 0680  That loued a mayden highte Stymphalides
6. 0681  Whan that hir fader slayn was on a nyght
6. 0682  Vnto Dianes temple gooth she right
6. 0683  And hente the ymage in hir handes two,
6. 0684  Fro which ymage wolde she neuere go.
6. 0685  No wight ne myghte hir handes of it arace
6. 0686  Til she was slayn right in the selue place.
6. 0687  Now sith that maydens hadden swich despit
6. 0688  To been defouled with mannes foul delit,
6. 0689  Wel oghte a wyf rather hirseluen sle
6. 0690  Than be defouled as it thynketh me.
6. 0691    'What shal I seyn of Hasdrubales wyf
6. 0692  That at Cartage birafte hirself hir lyf?
6. 0693  For whan she saw that Romayns wan the town,
6. 0694  She took hir children alle and skipte adown
6. 0695  Into the fyr and chees rather to dye
6. 0696  Than any Romayn dide hir vileynye.
6. 0697    'Hath nat Lucresse yslayn hirself allas
6. 0698  At Rome, whan she oppressed was
6. 0699  Of Tarquyn? For hir thoughte it was a shame
6. 0700  To lyuen whan she hadde lost hir name.
6. 0701    'The vij maydens of Milesie also
6. 0702  Han slayn hemself for verray drede and wo
6. 0703  Rather than folk of Gawle hem sholde oppresse.
6. 0704  Mo than a thousand stories as I gesse
6. 0705  Koude I now telle as touchyng this matere.
6. 0706    'Whan Habradace was slayn, his wyf so deere
6. 0707  Hirseluen slow and leet hir blood to glyde
6. 0708  In Habradaces woundes depe and wyde,
6. 0709  And seyde: 'My body at the leeste way
6. 0710  Ther shal no wight defoulen, if I may.'
6. 0711    'What sholde I mo ensamples herof sayn,
6. 0712  Sith that so manye han hemseluen slayn
6. 0713  Wel rather than they wolde defouled be?
6. 0714  I wol conclude that it is bet for me
6. 0715  To sleen myself than ben defouled thus.






6. 0716  I wol be trewe vnto Arueragus
6. 0717  Or rather sle myself in som manere
6. 0718  As dide Democienis doghter deere
6. 0719  By cause that she wolde nat defouled be.
6. 0720    'O Cedasus, it is ful gret pitee
6. 0721  To reden how thy doghtren deyde allas
6. 0722  That slowe hemself for swich maner cas.
6. 0723  As greet a pitee was it or wel moore
6. 0724  The Theban mayden that for Nychanore
6. 0725  Hirseluen slow right for swich manere wo.
6. 0726  Another Theban mayden dide right so
6. 0727  For oon of Macedonye hadde hir oppressed.
6. 0728  She with hir owene deeth hir maydenhed redressed.
6. 0729    'What shal I seyn of Nyceratis wyf
6. 0730  That for swich cas birafte hirself hir lyf?
6. 0731  How trewe eek was to Alcebiades
6. 0732  His loue, that rather for to dyen chees
6. 0733  Than for to suffre his body vnburyed be.
6. 0734  Lo which a wyf was Alceste,' quod she.
6. 0735  'What seith Omer of goode Penolopee?
6. 0736  Al Grece knoweth of hir chastitee.
6. 0737  Pardee of Laodomya is writen thus
6. 0738  That whan at Troye was slayn Protheselaus
6. 0739  No lenger wolde she lyue after his day.
6. 0740  The same of noble Porcia telle I may:
6. 0741  Withoute Brutus koude she nat lyue
6. 0742  To whom she hadde al hool hir herte yeue.
6. 0743  The parfit wifhod of Arthemesye
6. 0744  Honoured is thurgh al the Barbarye.
6. 0745  O Teuta queene, thy wifly chastitee
6. 0746  To alle wyues may a mirour bee.'
6. 0747    Thus pleyned Dorigene a day or tweye
6. 0748  Purposynge euere that she wolde deye.
6. 0749  But nathelees vpon the thridde nyght
6. 0750  Hom cam Arueragus, this worthy knyght,
6. 0751  And asked hire why that she weep so soore.
6. 0752  And she gan wepen euer lenger the moore.
6. 0753    'Allas,' quod she, 'that euere was I born.
6. 0754  Thus haue I seyd,' quod she, 'thus haue I sworn.'
6. 0755  And tolde hym al as ye han herd bifore:
6. 0756  It nedeth nat reherce it yow namoore.
6. 0757    This housbond with glad cheere in frendly wise
6. 0758  Answerde and seyde as I shal yow deuyse.
6. 0759  'Is ther oght ellis, Dorigen, but this?'
6. 0760    'Nay, nay,' quod she, 'god help me so as wys,
6. 0761  This is to muche and it were goddes wille.'
6. 0762    'Ye, wyf,' quod he, 'lat slepen that is stille.
6. 0763  It may be wel parauenture. Yet today
6. 0764  Ye shul youre trouthe holden by my fay,
6. 0765  For god so wisly haue mercy vpon me
6. 0766  I hadde wel leuere ystiked for to be
6. 0767  For verray loue which that I to yow haue
6. 0768  But if ye sholde youre trouthe kepe and saue.
6. 0769  Trouthe is the hyeste thyng that man may kepe.'
6. 0770  But with that word he brast anon to wepe.
6. 0771  And seyde: 'I yow forbede vp peyne of deeth
6. 0772  That neuere whil thee lasteth lyf ne breeth
6. 0773  To no wight tel thow of this auenture
6. 0774  (As I may best I wol my wo endure)
6. 0775  Ne make no contenance of heuynesse






6. 0776  That folk of yow may demen harm or gesse.'
6. 0777    And forth he clepyd a squyer and a mayde.
6. 0778  'Goth forth anon with Dorigen,' he sayde,
6. 0779  'And bryngeth hir to swich a place anon.'
6. 0780  They toke hir leue and on hir wey they gon,
6. 0781  But they ne wiste why they thider wente
6. 0782  He nolde to no wight tellen his entente.
6. 0783    This squyer, which that highte Aurelius
6. 0784  On Dorigen that was so amorus,
6. 0785  Of auenture happed hir to meete
6. 0786  Amydde the town right in the quykkest strete
6. 0787  As she was boun to goon the wey forth right
6. 0788  Toward the gardyn ther as she had hight;
6. 0789  And he was to the gardynward also,
6. 0790  For wel he spyed whan she wolde go
6. 0791  Out of hir hous to any maner place.
6. 0792  But thus they meete of auenture or grace
6. 0793  And he salueth hir with glad entente
6. 0794  And asked of hir whiderward she wente.
6. 0795    And she answerde half as she were mad:
6. 0796  'Vnto the gardyn, as myn housbond bad,
6. 0797  My trouthe for to holde allas, allas.'
6. 0798    Aurelius gan wondren on this cas;
6. 0799  And in his herte hadde greet compassioun
6. 0800  Of hir and of hir lamentacioun
6. 0801  And of Arueragus, the worthy knyght,
6. 0802  That bad hir holden al that she had hight --
6. 0803  So looth hym was his wyf sholde breke hir trouthe.
6. 0804  And in his herte he caughte of this greet routhe,
6. 0805  Considerynge the beste on euery syde,
6. 0806  That fro his lust yet were hym leuere abyde
6. 0807  Than doon so heigh a cherlyssh wrecchednesse
6. 0808  Agayns franchise and alle gentillesse.
6. 0809    For which in fewe wordes seyde he thus:
6. 0810  'Madame, seyeth to youre lord Arueragus
6. 0811  That sith I se his grete gentillesse
6. 0812  To yow, and eek I se wel youre distresse,
6. 0813  That hym were leuere han shame (and that were routhe)
6. 0814  Than ye to me sholde breke thus your trouthe,
6. 0815  I haue wel leuere euere to suffre wo
6. 0816  Than I departe the loue bitwix yow two.
6. 0817  I yow relesse, madame, into youre hond
6. 0818  Quyt euery serement and euery bond
6. 0819  That ye han maad to me as herbiforn
6. 0820  Sith thilke tyme which that ye were born.
6. 0821  My trouthe I plighte: I shal you neuer repreue
6. 0822  Of no biheeste, and here I take my leue
6. 0823  As of the treweste and the beste wyf
6. 0824  That euere yet I knew in al my lyf.
6. 0825  But euery wyf be war of hir biheste:
6. 0826  On Dorigene remembreth at the leste|
6. 0827  Thus kan a squyer doon a gentil dede
6. 0828  As wel as kan a knyght withouten drede.'
6. 0829    She thonketh hym vpon hir knees al bare
6. 0830  And hom vnto hir housbond is she fare
6. 0831  And tolde hym al as ye han herd me sayd.
6. 0832  And be ye siker he was so wel apayd
6. 0833  That it were inpossible me to write.
6. 0834  What sholde I lenger of this cas endite?
6. 0835    Arueragus and Dorigene his wyf






6. 0836  In souereyn blisse leden forth hir lyf;
6. 0837  Neuere eft ne was ther angre hem bitwene.
6. 0838  He cherisseth hir as thogh she were a queene
6. 0839  And she was to hym trewe for eueremoore.
6. 0840  Of thise two folk ye gete of me namoore.
6. 0841    Aurelius that his cost hath al forlorn
6. 0842  Curseth the tyme that euere he was born.
6. 0843  'Allas,' quod he, 'allas that I bihighte
6. 0844  Of pured gold a thousand pound of wighte
6. 0845  Vnto this philosophre. How shal I do?
6. 0846  I se namoore but that I am fordo.
6. 0847  Myn heritage moot I nedes selle
6. 0848  And been a beggere. Here may I nat dwelle
6. 0849  And shamen al my kynrede in this place,
6. 0850  But I of hym may gete bettre grace.
6. 0851  But nathelees I wol of hym assaye
6. 0852  At certeyn dayes yeer by yeer to paye,
6. 0853  And thonke hym of his grete curteisye
6. 0854  My trouthe wol I kepe: I nel nat lye.'
6. 0855    With herte soor he gooth vnto his cofre
6. 0856  And broghte gold vnto this philosophre
6. 0857  The value of fyue hundred pound I gesse,
6. 0858  And hym bisecheth of his gentillesse
6. 0859  To graunten hym dayes of the remenant.
6. 0860  And seyde: 'Maister, I dar wel make auant
6. 0861  I fayled neuere of my trouthe as yit,
6. 0862  For sikerly my dette shal be quyt
6. 0863  Towardes yow howeuere that I fare
6. 0864  To goon abegged in my kirtel bare.
6. 0865  But wolde ye vouchesauf vpon seuretee
6. 0866  Two yeer or thre for to respiten me,
6. 0867  Thanne were I wel. For ellis moot I selle
6. 0868  Myn heritage; ther is namoore to telle.'
6. 0869    This philosophre sobrely answerde
6. 0870  And seyde thus whan he thise wordes herde:
6. 0871  'Haue I nat holden couenant vnto thee?'
6. 0872    'Yis certes wel and trewely,' quod he.
6. 0873    'Hastow nat had thy lady as thee liketh?'
6. 0874    'No, no,' quod he, and sorwefully he siketh.
6. 0875    'What was the cause? Tel me if thow kan.'
6. 0876    Aurelius his tale anon bigan
6. 0877  And tolde hym al as ye han herd bifore
6. 0878  It nedeth nat to yow reherce it moore.
6. 0879    He seyde: 'Arueragus of gentillesse
6. 0880  Hadde leuere dye in sorwe and in distresse
6. 0881  Than that his wyf were of hir trouthe fals.'
6. 0882  The sorwe of Dorigen he tolde hym als:
6. 0883  How looth hir was to ben a wikked wyf,
6. 0884  And that she leuere had lost that day hir lyf,
6. 0885  And that hir trouthe she swoor thurgh innocence.
6. 0886  She neuere erst hadde herd speke of apparence
6. 0887  'That made me han of hir so greet pitee.
6. 0888  And right as frely as he sente hir me
6. 0889  As frely sente I hire to hym agayn:
6. 0890  This al and som; ther is namoore to sayn.'
6. 0891    This philosophre answerde: 'Leeue brother,
6. 0892  Euerich of yow dide gentilly til oother.
6. 0893  Thow art a squyer and he is a knyght.
6. 0894  But god forbede for his blisful myght
6. 0895  But if a clerk koude doon a gentil dede






6. 0896  As wel as any of yow it is no drede.
6. 0897    'Sire, I relesse thee thy thowsand pound
6. 0898  As thow right now were cropen out of the ground
6. 0899  Ne neuere er now ne haddest knowen me.
6. 0900  For, sire, I wol nat take a peny of thee
6. 0901  For al my craft ne noght for my trauaille.
6. 0902  Thow hast ypayed wel for my vitaille;
6. 0903  It is ynogh. And farewel. Haue good day.'
6. 0904  And took his hors and forth he goth his way.
6. 0905    Lordynges, this questioun than wol I aske now
6. 0906  Which was the mooste free as thynketh yow.
6. 0907  Now telleth me er that ye ferther wende.
6. 0908  I kan namoore; my tale is at an ende.


Here endeth the frankeleyns tale.



              Section 7 (Fragment VIII, Group G)


The nonne                                                      f.165v

7. 0001  The ministre and the norice vnto vices,
7. 0002  Which that men clepeth in Englissh ydelnesse
7. 0003  That porter at the gate is of delices,
7. 0004  To eschuen and by hir contrarie hir oppresse,
7. 0005  That is to seyn by leueful bisynesse,
7. 0006  Wel oghte we to doon al oure entente
7. 0007  Lest that the feend thurgh ydelnesse vs hente.

7. 0008  For he that with his thousand cordes slye
7. 0009  Continuelly vs wayteth to biclappe,
7. 0010  Whan he may man in ydelnesse espye,
7. 0011  He kan so lightly cacche hym in his trappe;
7. 0012  Til that a man be hent right by the lappe
7. 0013  He nys nat war the feend hath hym in honde.
7. 0014  Wel oghte vs werche and ydelnesse withstonde.

7. 0015  And thogh men dradden neuere for to dye,
7. 0016  Yet seen men wel by reson doutelees
7. 0017  That ydelnesse is roten slogardye
7. 0018  Of which ther neuere comth no good n'encrees,
7. 0019  And seen that slouthe hir holdeth in a lees
7. 0020  Oonly for to slepe and ete and drynken
7. 0021  And to deuouren al that othere swynken.

7. 0022  And for to putte vs from swich ydelnesse,
7. 0023  That cause is of so greet confusioun,
7. 0024  I haue here doon my feithful bisynesse
7. 0025  After the legende in translacioun
7. 0026  Right of thy glorious lyf and passioun,
7. 0027  Thow with thy gerland wroght of rose and lilie:
7. 0028  Thee mene I, mayde and martir seinte Cecilie.

7. 0029    And thow that flour of virgines art alle,
7. 0030  Of whom that Bernard list so wel to write,
7. 0031  (To thee at my bigynnyng I first calle)
7. 0032  Thow, confort of vs wrecches, do m'endite
7. 0033  Thy maydens deeth that wan thurgh hir merite
7. 0034  The eternal lyf and of the feend victorie,
7. 0035  As man may after reden in hir storie.

7. 0036  Thow mayde and moder, doghter of thy sone,
7. 0037  Thow welle of mercy, synful soules cure,
7. 0038  In whom that god for bountee chees to wone,
7. 0039  Thow humble and heigh ouer euery creature,
7. 0040  Thow nobledest so ferforth oure nature
7. 0041  That no desdaign the makere hadde of kynde
7. 0042  His sone in blood and flessh to clothe and wynde.

7. 0043  Withinne the cloistre blisful of thy sydis
7. 0044  Took mannes shap the eternal loue and pees,
7. 0045  That of the tryne compas lord and gyde is,
7. 0046  Whom erthe and see and heuene out of relees
7. 0047  Ay heryen. And thow, virgyne wemmelees,
7. 0048  Bar of thy body -- and dweltest mayde pure --
7. 0049  The creatour of euery creature.







7. 0050  Assembled is in thee magnificence,
7. 0051  With mercy, goodnesse, and swich pitee
7. 0052  That thow that art the sonne of excellence
7. 0053  Nat oonly helpest hem that prayen thee,
7. 0054  But ofte tyme of thy benygnytee
7. 0055  Ful frely, er that men thyn help biseche,
7. 0056  Thow goost biforn and art hir lyues leche.

7. 0057  Now help thow, meke and blisful faire mayde,
7. 0058  Me flemed wrecche in this desert of galle.
7. 0059  Thynk on the womman Cananee, that sayde
7. 0060  That whelpes eten somme of the crommes alle
7. 0061  That from hir lordes table been yfalle.
7. 0062  And thogh that I, vnworthy sone of Eue,
7. 0063  Be synful, yet accepte my bileue.


7. 0064  And for that feith is deed withouten werkis,
7. 0065  So for to werken yif me wit and space
7. 0066  That I be quyt from thennes that moost derk is.
7. 0067  O thow that art so fair and ful of grace
7. 0068  Be myn aduocate in that heighe place
7. 0069  Ther as withouten ende is songe osanne,
7. 0070  Thow Cristes moder, doghter deere of Anne.

7. 0071  And of thy light my soule in prison lighte
7. 0072  That troubled is by the contagioun
7. 0073  Of my body and also by the wighte
7. 0074  Of erthely lust and fals affeccioun.
7. 0075    O hauene, o refut, o sauacioun
7. 0076  Of hem that been in sorwe and in distresse,
7. 0077  Now help, for to my werk I wol me dresse.


7. 0078  Yet praye ich yow that reden that I write
7. 0079  Foryeue me that I do no diligence
7. 0080  This ilke storie subtilly t'endite.
7. 0081  For bothe haue I the wordes and sentence
7. 0082  Of hym that at the seintes reuerence
7. 0083  The storie wroot, and folwen hir legende;
7. 0084  And pray yow that ye wol my werk amende.


7. 0085  First wolde I yow the name of seinte Cecilie
7. 0086  Expowne as men may in hir storie se.
7. 0087  It is to seyn on Englissh heuenes lilie
7. 0088  For pure chastnesse of virginitee.
7. 0089  Or for she whitnesse hadde of honestee
7. 0090  And grene of conscience, and of good fame
7. 0091  The swote sauour, lilie was hir name.

7. 0092  Or Cecile is to seyn the wey to blynde,
7. 0093  For she ensample was by good techynge.
7. 0094  Or ellis Cecile as I writen fynde
7. 0095  Is ioyned by a manere conioignynge
7. 0096  Of heuene and Lia; and here in figurynge
7. 0097  The heuene is set for thoght of holynesse
7. 0098  And Lia for hir lastynge bisynesse.







7. 0099  Cecile may eek be seyd in this manere
7. 0100  Wantynge of blyndnesse for hir grete light
7. 0101  Of sapience and for hir thewes clere.
7. 0102  Or ellis lo this maydenes name bright
7. 0103  Of heuene and leos comth, for which by right
7. 0104  Men myghte hir wel the heuene of peple calle,
7. 0105  Ensample of goode and wise werkes alle.


7. 0106  For leos peple in Englissh is to seye.
7. 0107  And right as men may in the heuene see
7. 0108  The sonne and moone and sterres euery weye.
7. 0109  Right so men goostly in this mayden free
7. 0110  Sayen of feith the magnanymytee
7. 0111  And eek the cleernesse hool of sapience
7. 0112  And sondry werkes brighte of excellence.

7. 0113  And right so as thise philosophres write
7. 0114  That heuene is swift and round and eek brennynge,
7. 0115  Right so was faire Cecile the white
7. 0116  Ful swift and bisy euere in good werkynge,
7. 0117  And round and hool in good perseuerynge,
7. 0118  And brennyng euere in charite ful brighte.
7. 0119  Now haue I yow declared what she highte.

7. 0120    This mayde, bright Cecilie, as hir lyf seith,
7. 0121  Was come of Romayns and of noble kynde
7. 0122  And from hir cradel vp fostred in the feith
7. 0123  Of Crist and baar his gospel in hir mynde.
7. 0124  She neuere cessed, as I writen fynde,
7. 0125  Of hir prayere and god to loue and drede,
7. 0126  Bisekyng hym to kepe hir maydenhede.

7. 0127  And whan this mayden sholde vntil a man
7. 0128  Ywedded be that was ful yong of age,
7. 0129  Which that ycleped was Valerian,
7. 0130  And day was comen of hir mariage,
7. 0131  She ful deuout and humble in hir corage
7. 0132  Vnder hir robe of gold that sat ful faire
7. 0133  Hadde next hir flessh yclad hir in an haire.

7. 0134  And whil that the organs maden melodie,
7. 0135  To god allone in hir herte thus soong she:
7. 0136  'O lord, my soule and eek my body gye
7. 0137  Vnwemmed, lest that I confounded be.'
7. 0138  And for his loue that deyde vpon the tree
7. 0139  Euery seconde and thridde day she faste
7. 0140  Ay biddyng in hir orisons ful faste.

7. 0141  The nyght cam and to bedde moste she gon
7. 0142  With hir housbonde as ofte is the manere.
7. 0143  And priuely to hym she seyde anon:
7. 0144  'O swete and wel-biloued spouse deere,
7. 0145  Ther is a conseil, and ye wolde it heere,
7. 0146  Which that right fayn I wolde vnto yow seye
7. 0147  So that ye swere ye shul it nat biwreye.'

7. 0148  Valerian gan faste vnto hir swere
7. 0149  That for no cas ne thyng that myghte be
7. 0150  He sholde neuere mo biwreyen here.






7. 0151  And thanne at erst to hym seyde she:
7. 0152  'I haue an aungel which that loueth me
7. 0153  That with gret loue, wherso I wake or slepe,
7. 0154  Is redy ay my body for to kepe.

7. 0155  'And if that he may feelen out of drede
7. 0156  That ye me touche or loue in vileynye,
7. 0157  He right-anon wol sleen yow with the dede
7. 0158  And in youre youthe thus ye shullen dye.
7. 0159  And if that ye in clene loue me gye,
7. 0160  He wol yow loue as me for youre clennesse
7. 0161  And shewe to yow his ioye and his brightnesse.'

7. 0162  This Valerian, corrected as god wolde,
7. 0163  Answerde agayn: 'If I shal trusten thee
7. 0164  Lat me that aungel seen and hym biholde.
7. 0165  And if that it a verray aungel be,
7. 0166  Thanne wol I doon as thow hast prayed me.
7. 0167  And if thow loue another man, for sothe
7. 0168  Right with this swerd than wol I sle yow bothe.'

7. 0169  Cecile answerde right in this wise:
7. 0170  'If that yow list, the aungel shal ye se
7. 0171  So that ye trowe on Crist and yow baptise.
7. 0172  Goth forth to Via Apia,' quod she,
7. 0173  'That fro this town ne stant but milys thre,
7. 0174  And to the poure folkes that ther dwellen
7. 0175  Sey hem right thus as that I shal yow tellen.

7. 0176  'Telle hem that I, Cecile, yow to hem sente
7. 0177  To shewen yow the goode Vrban the olde
7. 0178  For secree nedes and for good entente.
7. 0179  And whan that ye seint Vrban han biholde,
7. 0180  Telle hym the wordes whiche I to yow tolde.
7. 0181  And whan that he hath purged yow fro synne,
7. 0182  Thanne shal ye seen that aungel er we twynne.'


7. 0183  This Valerian is to the place gon.
7. 0184  And right as hym was taught by his lernynge
7. 0185  He foond this holy, olde Vrban anon
7. 0186  Among the seintes buryels lotynge.
7. 0187  And he anon withouten tariynge
7. 0188  Dide his message. And whan that he it tolde,
7. 0189  Vrban for ioye hise handes gan vp holde.

7. 0190  The teerys from hise eyen leet he falle.
7. 0191  'Almyghty lord, o Iesu Crist,' quod he,
7. 0192  'Sower of chaast conseil, hierde of vs alle,
7. 0193  The fruyt of thilke seed of chastitee
7. 0194  That thow hast sowe in Cecilie taak to thee.
7. 0195  Lo lyk a bisy bee withouten gyle,
7. 0196  Thee serueth ay thyn owene thral Cecile.


7. 0197  'For thilke spouse that she took but now
7. 0198  Ful lyk a fiers leon, she sendeth heere
7. 0199  As meke as euere was any lamb to yow.'
7. 0200  And with that word anon ther gan appeere
7. 0201  An old man clad in white clothes cleere






7. 0202  That hadde a book with lettre of gold in honde,
7. 0203  And gan biforn Valerian to stonde.


7. 0204  Valerian as deed fil doun for drede
7. 0205  Whan he hym say; and he vp hente hym tho.
7. 0206  And on his book right thus he gan to rede:
7. 0207  'O lord, o feith, o god withoute mo,
7. 0208  O cristendom, and fader of all also,
7. 0209  Abouen alle and oueral euerywhere.'
7. 0210  Thise wordes al with gold ywriten were.

7. 0211  Whan this was rad, thanne seyde this olde man:
7. 0212  'Leuestow this thyng or no? Sey ye or nay.'
7. 0213  'I leue al this thyng,' quod Valerian,
7. 0214  'For sother thyng than this I dar wel say
7. 0215  Vnder the heuene no wight thynke may.'
7. 0216  Tho vanysshed this olde man he nyste where
7. 0217  And pope Vrban hym cristned right there.

7. 0218  Valerian goth hom and fynt Cecilie
7. 0219  Inwith his chambre with an aungel stonde.
7. 0220  This aungel hadde of roses and of lilie
7. 0221  Corones two, the whiche he bar in honde.
7. 0222  And first to Cecile as I vnderstonde
7. 0223  He yaf that oon, and after gan he take
7. 0224  That oother to Valerian hir make.

7. 0225  'With body clene and with vnwemmed thoght
7. 0226  Kepeth ay wel thise corones,' quod he.
7. 0227  Fro paradys to yow haue I hem broght,
7. 0228  Ne neuere mo ne shal they roten be
7. 0229  Ne lese hir swote sauour, trusteth me,
7. 0230  Ne neuere wight shal seen hem with his eye
7. 0231  But he be chaast and hate vileynye.

7. 0232  'And thow, Valerian, for thow so soone
7. 0233  Assentedest to good conseil also,
7. 0234  Sey what thee list and thow shalt han thy boone.'
7. 0235  'I haue a brother,' quod Valerian tho,
7. 0236  'That in this world I loue no man so.
7. 0237  I pray yow that my brother may han grace
7. 0238  To knowe the trouthe as I do in this place.'

7. 0239  The aungel seyde: 'God liketh thy requeste.
7. 0240  And bothe with the palm of martirdom
7. 0241  Ye shullen come vnto his blisful feste.'
7. 0242  And with that word Tiburce, his brother, coom.
7. 0243  And whan that he the sauour vndernoom
7. 0244  Which that the roses and the lilies caste,
7. 0245  Withinne his herte he gan to wondre faste.

7. 0246  And seyde: 'I wondre this tyme of the yere
7. 0247  Whennes that swote sauour cometh so
7. 0248  Of rose and lilies that I smelle heere.
7. 0249  For thogh I hadde hem in myne handes two
7. 0250  The sauour myghte in me no depper go.
7. 0251  The swete smel that in myn herte I fynde
7. 0252  Hath chaunged me al in another kynde.'







7. 0253  Valerian seyde: 'Two corones han we,
7. 0254  Snow-white and rose-reed, that shynen clere
7. 0255  Which that thyne eyen han no myght to se.
7. 0256  And as thow smellest hem thurgh my prayere
7. 0257  So shaltow seen hem, leue brother deere,
7. 0258  If it so be thow wolt withouten slouthe
7. 0259  Bileue aright and knowen verray trouthe.'


7. 0260  Tiburce answerde: 'Seystow this to me
7. 0261  In soothnesse? Or in dreem I herkne this?'
7. 0262  'In dremes,' quod Valerian, 'han we be
7. 0263  Vnto this tyme, brother myn, ywys.
7. 0264  And now at erst in trouthe oure dwellyng is.'
7. 0265  'How wostow this?' quod Tiburce. 'In what wyse?'
7. 0266  Quod Valerian: 'That shal I thee deuyse.'

7. 0267  'The aungel of god hath me the trouthe ytaught
7. 0268  Which thow shalt seen, if that thow wolt reneye
7. 0269  The ydoles and be clene, and ellis naught.'
7. 0270  And of the myracle of thise corones tweye
7. 0271  Seint Ambrose in his preface list to seye;
7. 0272  Solempnely this noble doctour deere
7. 0273  Commendeth it and seith in this manere.

7. 0274  The palme of martirdom for to receyue
7. 0275  Seinte Cecile, fulfild of goddes yifte,
7. 0276  The world and eek hir chambre gan she weyue,
7. 0277  Witnesse Tiburces and Valerians shrifte;
7. 0278  To whiche god of his bountee wolde shifte
7. 0279  Corones two of floures wel smellynge
7. 0280  And made his aungel hem the corones brynge.

7. 0281  The mayde hath broght men to blisse aboue-
7. 0282  The world hath wist what it is worth certeyn
7. 0283  Deuocion of chastitee to loue.
7. 0284  Tho shewed hym Cecile al open and pleyn
7. 0285  That alle ydoles nys but a thyng in veyn,
7. 0286  For they been dowmbe and therto they been deue,
7. 0287  And charged hym hise ydoles for to leue.

7. 0288  'Whoso that troweth nat this, a beest he is,'
7. 0289  Quod tho Tiburce, 'if that I shal nat lye.'
7. 0290  And she gan kisse his brest, that herde this,
7. 0291  And was ful glad he koude trouthe espye.
7. 0292  'This day I take thee for myn allye,'
7. 0293  Seyde this blisful, faire mayde deere,
7. 0294  And after that she seyde as ye may heere.


7. 0295  'Lo right so as the loue of Crist,' quod she,
7. 0296  'Made me thy brotheres wyf, right in that wise
7. 0297  Anon for myn allie heere take I thee,
7. 0298  Syn that thow wolt thyne ydoles despise.
7. 0299  Go with thy brother now and thee baptise
7. 0300  And make thee clene so that thow mowe biholde
7. 0301  The aungeles face of which thy brother tolde.'


7. 0302  Tiburce answerde and seyde: 'Brother deere,






7. 0303  First tel me whider that I shal and to what man.'
7. 0304  'To whom?' quod he. 'Com forth with right good cheere:
7. 0305  I wol thee lede vnto the pope Vrban.'
7. 0306  'Til Vrban, brother myn Valerian?'
7. 0307  Quod tho Tiburce. 'Woltow me thider lede?
7. 0308  Me thynketh that it were a wonder dede.

7. 0309  'Ne menestow nat Vrban,' quod he tho,
7. 0310  'That is so ofte dampned to be deed
7. 0311  And woneth in halkes alwey to and fro
7. 0312  And dar nat ones putte forth his heed?
7. 0313  Men sholde hym brennen in a fyr so reed
7. 0314  If he were founde or that men myghte hym spye --
7. 0315  And we also to bere hym compaignye?

7. 0316  'And whil we seken thilke diuinytee
7. 0317  That is yhyd in heuene priuely,
7. 0318  Algate ybrend in this world shul we be?'
7. 0319  To whom Cecile answerde boldely:
7. 0320  'Men myghten dreden wel and skilfully
7. 0321  This lyf to lese, myn owene deere brother,
7. 0322  If thys were lyuyng oonly and noon oother.

7. 0323  'But ther is bettre lyf in oother place
7. 0324  That neuere shal be lost ne drede thee noght,
7. 0325  Which goddes sone vs tolde thurgh his grace.
7. 0326  That fadres sone hath alle thynges wroght.
7. 0327  And al that wroght is with a skilful thoght,
7. 0328  The goost that fro the fader gan procede
7. 0329  Hath souled hem withouten any drede.

7. 0330  'By word and by myracle he, goddes sone,
7. 0331  Whan he was in this world declared heere
7. 0332  That ther was oother lyf ther men may wone.'
7. 0333  To whom answerde Tiburce: 'O suster deere,
7. 0334  Ne seydestow right now in this manere
7. 0335  Ther nys but o god, lord in sothfastnesse?
7. 0336  And now of thre how maystow bere witnesse?'

7. 0337  'That shal I telle,' quod she, 'er I go.
7. 0338  Right as a man hath sapiences thre,
7. 0339  Memorie, engyn, and intellect also,
7. 0340  So in o beynge of diuinytee
7. 0341  Thre persones may ther right wel be.'
7. 0342  Tho gan she hym ful bisily to preche
7. 0343  Of Cristes come, and of his peynes teche

7. 0344  And manye pointes of his passioun:
7. 0345  How goddes sone in this world was withholde
7. 0346  To doon mankynde pleyn remyssioun
7. 0347  That was ybounde in synne and cares colde.
7. 0348  Al this thyng she vnto Tiburce tolde.
7. 0349  And after this Tiburce in good entente
7. 0350  With Valerian to pope Vrban he wente,

7. 0351  That thanked god; and with glad herte and light
7. 0352  He cristned hym and made hym in that place
7. 0353  Parfit in his lernyng, goddes knyght.
7. 0354  And after this Tiburce gat swich grace
7. 0355  That euery day he say in tyme and space






7. 0356  The aungel of god: and euery maner boone
7. 0357  That he god axed, it was sped ful soone.

7. 0358  It were ful hard by ordre for to seyn
7. 0359  How many wondres Iesus for hem wroghte.
7. 0360  But at the laste to tellen short and pleyn
7. 0361  The sergeantz of the town of Rome hem soghte
7. 0362  And hem biforn Almache, the prefect, broghte,
7. 0363  Which hem opposed and knew al hir entente
7. 0364  And to the ymage of Iubiter hem sente.

7. 0365  And seyde: 'Whoso wol nat sacrifise,
7. 0366  Swap of his heed. This is my sentence heer.'
7. 0367  Anon thise martirs that I yow deuyse
7. 0368  Oon Maximus, that was an officer
7. 0369  Of the prefectes and his corniculer,
7. 0370  Hem hente; and whan he forth the seintes ladde
7. 0371  Hymself he weep for pitee that he hadde.

7. 0372  Whan Maximus hadde herd the seintes loore
7. 0373  He gat hym of the tormentours leue
7. 0374  And ladde hem to his hous withoute moore.
7. 0375  And with hir prechyng er that it were eue
7. 0376  They gonnen fro the tormentours to reue
7. 0377  And fro Maxime and fro his folk echone
7. 0378  The false feith to trowe in god allone.

7. 0379  Cecile cam whan it was woxen nyght
7. 0380  With preestes that hem cristned alle yfeere.
7. 0381  And afterward whan day was woxen light
7. 0382  Cecile hem seyde with a ful stedefast cheere:
7. 0383  'Now, Cristes owene knyghtes leue and deere,
7. 0384  Cast al awey the werkes of derknesse
7. 0385  And armeth yow in armure of brightnesse.

7. 0386  'Ye han for sothe ydoon a greet bataille,
7. 0387  Youre cours is doon, youre feith han ye conserued.
7. 0388  Goth to the corone of lyf that may nat faille.
7. 0389  The rightful iuge which that ye han serued
7. 0390  Shal yeue it yow as ye han it disserued.'
7. 0391  And whan this thyng was seyd, as I deuyse
7. 0392  Men ledde hem forth to doon the sacrifise.

7. 0393  But whan they weren to the place broght,
7. 0394  To tellen shortly the conclusioun
7. 0395  They nolde encense ne sacrifise right noght;
7. 0396  But on hir knees they setten hem adoun
7. 0397  With humble herte and sad deuocioun
7. 0398  And losten bothe hir heuedes in the place.
7. 0399  Hir soules wenten to the kyng of grace.

7. 0400  This Maximus, that say this thyng bityde,
7. 0401  With pitous teerys tolde it anon-right
7. 0402  That he hir soules saugh to heuene glyde
7. 0403  With aungeles ful of cleernesse and of light,
7. 0404  And with his word conuerted many a wight;
7. 0405  For which Almachius dide hym so bete
7. 0406  With whippe of leed til he his lyf gan lete.

7. 0407  Cecile hym took and buryed hym anon






7. 0408  By Tiburce and Valerian softely
7. 0409  Withinne hir buryyng-place vnder the stoon.
7. 0410  And after this Almachius hastily
7. 0411  Bad hise ministres fecchen openly
7. 0412  Cecilie so that she myghte in his presence
7. 0413  Doon sacrifice and Iubiter encense.

7. 0414  But they, conuerted at hir wise loore,
7. 0415  Wepten ful sore and yauen ful credence
7. 0416  Vnto hir word and cryden moore and moore:
7. 0417  'Crist, goddes sone withouten difference,
7. 0418  Is verray god (this is al oure sentence)
7. 0419  That hath so good a seruant hym to serue.
7. 0420  This with o voys we trowen, thogh we sterue.'

7. 0421  Almachius that herde of this doynge
7. 0422  Bad fecchen Cecilie that he myghte hir se.
7. 0423  And alderfirst lo this was his axynge:
7. 0424  'What maner womman artow?' quod he.
7. 0425  'I am a gentil womman born,' quod she.
7. 0426  'I axe thee,' quod he, 'thogh it the greue,
7. 0427  Of thy religion and of thy bileue.'

7. 0428  'Ye han bigonne youre question folily,'
7. 0429  Quod she, 'that wolden two answeres conclude
7. 0430  In o demande. Ye axed lewedly.
7. 0431  Almachie answerde vnto that similitude:
7. 0432  'Of whennes comth thyn answeryng so rude?'
7. 0433  'Of whennes?' quod she whan that she was freyned.
7. 0434  'Of conscience and of good feith vnfeyned!'

7. 0435  Almachius seyde: 'Ne takestow noon hede
7. 0436  Of my power?' And she answerde hym this:
7. 0437  'Youre myght,' quod she, 'ful litel is to drede:
7. 0438  For euery mortal mannes power nys
7. 0439  But lyk a bladdre ful of wynd ywys,
7. 0440  For with a nedles point, whan it is blowe,
7. 0441  May al the boost of it be leyd ful lowe.'

7. 0442  'Ful wrongfully bigonne thow,' quod he,
7. 0443  'And yet in wrong is al thy perseueraunce.
7. 0444  Wostow nat how oure myghty princes free
7. 0445  Han thus comanded and maad ordinaunce
7. 0446  That euery cristen wight shal han penaunce
7. 0447  But if that he his cristendom withseye,
7. 0448  And goon al quyt if he wol it reneye?'

7. 0449  'Youre prynces erren as youre nobleye dooth,'
7. 0450  Quod tho Cecile, 'and with a wood sentence
7. 0451  Ye make vs gilty, and is nat sooth.
7. 0452  For ye that knowen wel oure innocence,
7. 0453  For as muche as we doon a reuerence
7. 0454  To Crist and for we bere a cristen name,
7. 0455  Ye putte on vs a cryme and eek a blame.

7. 0456  'But we that knowen thilke name so
7. 0457  For vertuous, we may it nat withseye.'
7. 0458  Almache answerde: 'Chees oon of thise two:
7. 0459  Do sacrifice or cristendom reneye
7. 0460  That thow mowe now escapen by that weye.'






7. 0461  At which this holy, blisful, faire mayde
7. 0462  Gan for to laughe and to the iuge she sayde.

7. 0463  'O iuge confus in thy nycetee,
7. 0464  Wiltow that I reneye innocence
7. 0465  To maken me a wikked wight?' quod she.
7. 0466  'Lo he dissimuleth heere in audience,
7. 0467  He stareth and woodeth in his aduertence.'
7. 0468  To whom Almachius: 'Vnsely wrecche,
7. 0469  Ne wostow nat how fer my myght may strecche?

7. 0470  'Han noght oure myghty princes to me yeuen
7. 0471  Ye bothe power and auctoritee
7. 0472  To maken folk to dyen or to lyuen?
7. 0473  Why spekestow so prowdly thanne to me?'
7. 0474  'I speke noght but stedefastly,' quod she.
7. 0475  'Nat proudly, for I seye as for my syde
7. 0476  We haten dedly thilke vice of pryde.

7. 0477  'And if thow drede nat a sooth to here.
7. 0478  Thanne wol I shewe al openly by right
7. 0479  That thow hast maad a ful greet lesyng here.
7. 0480  Thow seist thy princes han thee yeuen myght
7. 0481  Bothe for to sleen and for to quyken a wight,
7. 0482  Thow that ne mayst but oonly lyf byreue --
7. 0483  Thow hast noon oother power ne no leue.

7. 0484  'But thow mayst seyn thy princes han thee maked
7. 0485  Ministre of deeth, for if thow speke of mo
7. 0486  Thow lyest, for thy power is ful naked.'
7. 0487  'Do wey thy boldnesse,' seyde Almachius tho,
7. 0488  'And sacrifice to oure goddes er thow go.
7. 0489  I recche nat what wrong that thow me profre
7. 0490  For I kan suffre it as a philosophre.

7. 0491  'But thilke wronges may I nat endure
7. 0492  That thow spekest of oure goddes here,' quod he.
7. 0493  Cecilie answerde: 'O nyce creature,
7. 0494  Thow seydest no word syn thow spak to me
7. 0495  That I ne knew therwith thy nycetee
7. 0496  And that thow were in euery maner wise
7. 0497  A lewed officer, a veyn iustise.

7. 0498  'Ther lakketh nothyng to thyne outter eyen
7. 0499  That thow n'art blynd for thyng that we seen alle:
7. 0500  That is a stoon that men may wel espien.
7. 0501  That ilke stoon a god thow wolt it calle!
7. 0502  I rede thee lat thyn hand vpon it falle
7. 0503  And taste it wel and stoon thow shalt it fynde,
7. 0504  Syn that thow seest nat with thyne eyen blynde.

7. 0505  'It is a shame that the peple shal
7. 0506  So scornen thee and laughe at thy folye,
7. 0507  For comenly men woot it wel oueral
7. 0508  That myghty god is in hise heuenes hye.
7. 0509  And thise ymages wel thow mayst espye
7. 0510  To thee ne to hemself mowe noght profite,
7. 0511  For in effect they be nat worth a myte.'

7. 0512  Thise and swiche othere seyde she.






7. 0513  And he weex wrooth and bad men sholde hir lede
7. 0514  Hoom til hir hous. 'And in hir hous,' quod he,
7. 0515  'Bren hir right in a bath of flambes rede.'
7. 0516  And as he bad right so was doon the dede,
7. 0517  For in a bath they gonne hir faste shetten
7. 0518  And nyght and day greet fyr they vnder betten.

7. 0519  The longe nyght and eek a day also
7. 0520  For al the fyr and eek the bathes hete
7. 0521  She sat al coold and feeled no wo;
7. 0522  It made hir nat o drope for to swete.
7. 0523  But in that bath hir lyf she moste lete,
7. 0524  For he Almachius with a ful wikke entente
7. 0525  To sleen hir in the bath his sonde sente.

7. 0526  Thre strokes in the nekke he smoot hir tho,
7. 0527  The tormentour, but for no maner chaunce
7. 0528  He myghte noght smyte al hir nekke atwo.
7. 0529  And for ther was that tyme an ordinaunce
7. 0530  That no man sholde doon man swich penaunce
7. 0531  The ferthe strook to smyten softe or soore
7. 0532  This tormentour ne dorste do namoore.

7. 0533  But half-deed with hir nekke ycoruen there
7. 0534  He lefte hir lye and on his wey he went.
7. 0535  The cristen folk whiche that aboute hir were
7. 0536  With shetes han the blood ful faire yhent.
7. 0537  Thre dayes lyued she in this torment
7. 0538  And neuere cessed hem the feith to teche
7. 0539  That she hadde fostred; hem she gan to preche.

7. 0540  And hem she yaf hir moebles and hir thyng,
7. 0541  And to the pope Vrban bitook hem tho;
7. 0542  And seyde: 'I axed =is of heuene kyng
7. 0543  To han respit thre dayes and namo
7. 0544  To recommende to yow er that I go
7. 0545  Thise soules lo and that I myghte do werche
7. 0546  Here of myn hous perpetuelly a cherche.'

7. 0547  Seint Vrban with hise deknes pryuely
7. 0548  The body fette and buryed it by nyghte
7. 0549  Among hise othere seintes honestly.
7. 0550  Hir hous the chirche of seinte Cecilie highte.
7. 0551  Seint Vrban halwed it as he wel myghte.
7. 0552  In which into this day in noble wyse
7. 0553  Men doon to Crist and to his seinte seruyse.

Here is ended the nonnes tale.
               Section 8 (Fragment IV, Group E)


The prohemie of the clerkys tale of Oxenford                            f 173v

8. 0001  'Sire clerk of Oxenford,' oure hoost sayde,
8. 0002  Ye ride as coy and stille as dooth a mayde
8. 0003  Were newe spoused sittyng at the bord.
8. 0004  This day ne herde I of your tonge a word.
8. 0005  I trowe ye studie aboute som sophyme,
8. 0006  But Salomon seith euery thyng hath tyme.
8. 0007    'For goddes sake as beth of bettre cheere.
8. 0008  It is no tyme for to studien heere.
8. 0009  Tel vs som murie tale by youre fey,
8. 0010  For what man that is entred in a pley
8. 0011  He nedes moot vnto the pley assente.
8. 0012  But precheth nat as freres doon in Lente
8. 0013  To maken vs for oure olde synnes wepe,
8. 0014  Ne that thy tale make vs nat to slepe.
8. 0015    'Tel vs som murye thyng of auentures.
8. 0016  Youre termes, your colours and your figures
8. 0017  Kepe hem in stoor til so be ye endite
8. 0018  Heigh stile as whan that men to kynges write.
8. 0019  Speketh so pleyn at this tyme, we yow preye,
8. 0020  That we may vnderstonde what ye seye.'
8. 0021    This worthy clerk benygnely answerde.
8. 0022  'Hoost,' quod he, 'I am vnder your yerde.
8. 0023  Ye han of vs as now the gouernaunce
8. 0024  And therfore wol I do yow obeisaunce
8. 0025  As fer as reson asketh hardily.
8. 0026  I wol yow telle a tale which that I
8. 0027  Lerned at Padwe of a worthy clerk,
8. 0028  As proued by his wordes and his werk.
8. 0029  He is now deed and nayled in his cheste;
8. 0030  I pray to god so yeue his soule reste.
8. 0031    'Fraunceys Petrak, the lauryat poete,
8. 0032  Highte this clerk whos rethoryk swete
8. 0033  Enlumyned al Ytaille of poetrie,
8. 0034  As Lynyan dide of philosophie
8. 0035  Or lawe or oother art particuler.
8. 0036  But deth that wol nat suffre vs dwellen her
8. 0037  But as it were a twynklyng of an eye
8. 0038  Hem bothe hath slayn; and alle shul we dye.
8. 0039    'But forth to tellen of this worthy man
8. 0040  That taughte me this tale, as I bigan,
8. 0041  I seye that first with heigh stile he enditeth
8. 0042  Er he the body of his tale writeth
8. 0043  A prohemie in which discryueth he
8. 0044  Pemond and of Saluces the contree
8. 0045  And speketh of Appenyn, the hilles hye,
8. 0046  That been the boundes of West Lumbardye,
8. 0047  And of Mount Vesulus in special
8. 0048  Wher as the Poo out of a welle smal
8. 0049  Taketh his firste spryngyng and his cours
8. 0050  That estward ay encresseth in his cours
8. 0051  To Emeleward, to Ferare, and Venyse.
8. 0052  The which a long thyng were to deuyse
8. 0053  And trewely as to my iuggement
8. 0054  Me thynketh it a thyng inpertinent
8. 0055  Saue that he wole convoien his matere.






8. 0056  But this his tale which that ye shal heere.'


ere bigynneth the tale.


8. 0057  Ther is at the west syde of Ytaille
8. 0058  Doun at the roote of Vesulus the colde
8. 0059  A lusty playne habundant of vitaille
8. 0060  Wher many a tour and town thow mayst biholde,
8. 0061  That founded were in tyme of fadres olde,
8. 0062  And many another delitable sighte;
8. 0063  And Saluces this noble contree highte.


8. 0064  A markys whilom lord was of that lond
8. 0065  As were his worthy eldres hym bifore;
8. 0066  And obeysant ay redy to his hond
8. 0067  Were alle his liges bothe lasse and moore.
8. 0068  Thus in delit he lyueth and hath doon yoore,
8. 0069  Biloued and drad thurgh fauour of fortune
8. 0070  Bothe of his lordes and of his commune.

8. 0071  Therwith he was, to speke as of lynage
8. 0072  The gentileste yborn of Lumbardye,
8. 0073  A fair persone and strong and yong of age
8. 0074  And ful of honour and of curteisye,
8. 0075  Discret ynogh his contree for to gye
8. 0076  Saue in some thynges that he was to blame.
8. 0077  And Walter was this yonge lordes name.

8. 0078  I blame hym thus that he considered noght
8. 0079  In tyme comynge what myghte hym bityde,
8. 0080  But on his lust present was al his thoght
8. 0081  As for to hauke and hunte on euery syde.
8. 0082  Wel neigh alle oothere cures leet he slyde.
8. 0083  And eek he nolde (and that was worst of alle)
8. 0084  Wedde no wyf for noght that may bifalle.

8. 0085  Oonly that point his peple bar so soore
8. 0086  That flokmele on a day they to hym wente.
8. 0087  And oon of hem that wisest was of loore
8. 0088  Or ellis that the lord best wolde assente
8. 0089  That he sholde telle hym what his peple mente
8. 0090  Or ellis koude he shewe wel swich matere,
8. 0091  He to the markys seyde as ye shal heere.

8. 0092  'O noble markys, your humanitee
8. 0093  Assureth vs and yeueth vs hardynesse
8. 0094  As ofte as tyme is of necessitee
8. 0095  That we to yow mowe telle oure heuynesse.
8. 0096  Accepteth, lord, now of your gentillesse
8. 0097  That we with pitous herte vnto yow pleyne
8. 0098  And lat youre erys noght my voys disdeyne.

8. 0099  'Al haue I noght to doone in this matere
8. 0100  Moore than another man hath in this place,
8. 0101  Yet for as muche as ye, my lord so deere,
8. 0102  Han alwey shewed me fauour and grace
8. 0103  I dar the bettre aske of yow a space






8. 0104  Of audience to shewen oure requeste.
8. 0105  And ye, my lord, to doon right as yow leste.

8. 0106  'For certes, lord, so wel vs liketh yow                   75
8. 0107  And al youre werk and euere han doon, that we
8. 0108  Ne kouden nat vsself deuysen how
8. 0109  We myghte lyuen in moore felicitee
8. 0110  Saue o thyng, lord. If it your wille be
8. 0111  That for to been a wedded man yow leste,
8. 0112  Thanne were your peple in souereyn hertes reste.

8. 0113  'Boweth your nekke vnder that blisful yok
8. 0114  Of souereyntee, noght of seruyse,
8. 0115  Which that men clepe spousaille or wedlok.
8. 0116  And thenketh, lord, among your thoghtes wyse
8. 0117  How that oure dayes passe in sondry wyse:
8. 0118  For thogh we slepe or wake or renne or ryde
8. 0119  Ay fleeth the tyme; it nel no man abyde.

8. 0120  'And thogh youre grene youthe floure as yit,
8. 0121  In crepeth age alwey as stille as stoon
8. 0122  And deth manaceth euery age and smyt
8. 0123  In ech estat, for ther escapeth noon.
8. 0124  And also certeyn as we knowe echon
8. 0125  That we shal dye, as vncerteyn we alle
8. 0126  Been of that day whan deth shal on vs falle.

8. 0127  'Accepteth thanne of vs the trewe entente
8. 0128  That neuere yet refuseden thyn heste;
8. 0129  And we wol, lord, if that ye wol assente
8. 0130  Chese yow a wyf in short tyme at the leeste
8. 0131  Born of the gentileste and of the meeste
8. 0132  Of al this lond, so that it oghte seme
8. 0133  Honour to god and yow as we kan deme.

8. 0134  'Delyuere vs out of al this bisy drede
8. 0135  And tak a wyf for heighe goddes sake.
8. 0136  For if so bifelle, as god forbede,
8. 0137  That thurgh youre deeth youre ligne sholde slake
8. 0138  And that a straunge successour sholde take
8. 0139  Youre heritage, o wo were vs alyue!
8. 0140  Wherfore we pray yow hastily to wyue.'

8. 0141  Hir meke prayere and hir pitous cheere
8. 0142  Made the markys herte han pitee.
8. 0143  'Ye wol,' quod he, 'myn owene peple deere,
8. 0144  To that I neuere erst thoghte streyne me.
8. 0145  I me reioysed of my libertee
8. 0146  That selde tyme is founde in mariage.
8. 0147  Ther I was free I moot ben in seruage.

8. 0148  'But nathelees I se your trewe entente
8. 0149  And truste vpon youre wit and haue doon ay.
8. 0150  Wherfore of my free wyl I wol assente
8. 0151  To wedde me as soone as euere I may.
8. 0152  But ther as ye han profred me today
8. 0153  To chese me a wyf, I yow relesse
8. 0154  That choys and pray yow of that profre cesse.

8. 0155  'For god it woot that children ofte ben






8. 0156  Vnlyk hir worthy eldres hem bifore.
8. 0157  Bountee comth al of god, nat of the stren
8. 0158  Of which they been engendred and ybore.
8. 0159  I triste in goddes bountee, and therfore
8. 0160  My mariage and myn estat and reste
8. 0161  I hym bitake; he may doon as hym leste.

8. 0162  'Lat me allone in chesyng of my wyf.
8. 0163  That charge vpon my bak I wol endure.
8. 0164  But I pray yow and charge vpon your lyf
8. 0165  That what wyf that I take, ye me assure
8. 0166  To worshipe hire whil that hir lyf may dure
8. 0167  In word and werk bothe here and euerywhere
8. 0168  As she an emperours doghter were.

8. 0169  'And ferthermoore this shal ye swere: that ye
8. 0170  Agayn my choys shal neither grucche ne stryue.
8. 0171  For sith I shal forgoon my libertee
8. 0172  At your requeste, as euere mote I thryue
8. 0173  Ther as myn herte is set ther wol I wyue.
8. 0174  And but ye wol assente in swich manere,
8. 0175  I pray yow speketh namoore of this matere.'

8. 0176  With hertly wyl they sworen and assenten
8. 0177  To al this thyng. Ther seyde no wight nay,
8. 0178  Bisekynge hym of grace er that they wenten
8. 0179  That he wolde graunten hem a certein day
8. 0180  Of his spousaille as soone as euere he may.
8. 0181  For yet alwey the peple somwhat dredde
8. 0182  Lest that the markys no wyf wolde wedde.

8. 0183  He graunted hem a day swich as hym leste
8. 0184  On which he wolde be wedded sikerly,
8. 0185  And seyde he dide al this at hir requeste.
8. 0186  And they with humble entente buxomly,
8. 0187  Knelynge vpon hir knees ful reuerently,
8. 0188  Hym thanken alle. And thus they han an ende
8. 0189  Of hir entente, and hom agayn they wende.

8. 0190  And hervpon he to his officers
8. 0191  Comaundeth for the feste to purueye.
8. 0192  And to his pryuee knyghtes and squyers
8. 0193  Swich charge yaf as hym liste on hem leye.
8. 0194  And they to his comandement obeye.
8. 0195  And ech of hem dooth al his diligence
8. 0196  To doon vnto the feste reuerence.

Explicit prima pars


Incipit pars secunda

8. 0197  Noght fer fro thilke paleys honurable
8. 0198  Wher as this markys shoop his mariage
8. 0199  Ther stood a throop of site delitable,
8. 0200  In which that poure folk of that village
8. 0201  Hadden hir bestes and hir herbergage
8. 0202  And of hir labour token hir sustenance
8. 0203  After that the erthe yaf hem habundance.







8. 0204  Among this poure folk ther dwelte a man
8. 0205  Which that was holden pourest of hem alle.
8. 0206  But heighe god somtyme senden kan
8. 0207  His grace into a litel oxes stalle.
8. 0208  Ianicula men of that throop hym calle.
8. 0209  A doghter hadde he fair ynogh to sighte
8. 0210  And Grisildis this yonge mayden highte.

8. 0211  But for to speke of vertuous beautee
8. 0212  Thanne was she oon the faireste vnder the sonne.
8. 0213  For poureliche yfostred vp was she,
8. 0214  No likerous lust was thurgh hir herte yronne.
8. 0215  Wel ofter of the welle than of the tonne
8. 0216  She drank, and for she wolde vertu plese
8. 0217  She knew wel labour but noon ydel ese.

8. 0218  But thogh this mayde tendre were of age,
8. 0219  Yet in the brest of hir virginitee
8. 0220  Ther was enclosed rype and sad corage.
8. 0221  And in gret reuerence and charitee
8. 0222  Hir olde, poure fader fostred she.
8. 0223  A fewe sheep spynnynge on feld she kepte.
8. 0224  She wolde noght been ydel til she slepte.

8. 0225  And whan she homward cam she wolde brynge
8. 0226  Wortes or othere herbes tymes ofte,
8. 0227  The whiche she shredde and seeth for his lyuynge;
8. 0228  And made hir bed ful harde and nothyng softe.
8. 0229  And ay she kepte hir fadres lyf on lofte
8. 0230  With euery obeysance and diligence
8. 0231  That child may doon to fadres reuerence.

8. 0232  Vpon Grisilde, this poure creature,
8. 0233  Ful ofte sithe this markys sette his eye
8. 0234  As he on huntyng rood parauenture.
8. 0235  And whan it fil that he myghte hir espie,
8. 0236  He noght with wantowne lookyng of folye
8. 0237  Hise eyen caste on hir, but in sad wyse.
8. 0238  Vpon hir cheere he wolde hym ofte auyse:

8. 0239  Commendynge in his herte hir wommanhede
8. 0240  And eek hir vertu passyng any wight
8. 0241  Of so yong age as wel in cheere as dede.
8. 0242  For thogh the peple hath no greet insight
8. 0243  In vertue, he considered ful right
8. 0244  Hir bountee; and disposed that he wolde
8. 0245  Wedde hir oonly if euere he wedden sholde.

8. 0246  The day of weddyng cam, but no wight kan
8. 0247  Telle what womman that it sholde be.
8. 0248  For which merueille wondred many a man
8. 0249  And seyden, whan they were in priuetee:
8. 0250  'Wol nat oure lord yet leue his vanytee?
8. 0251  Wol he nat wedde? Allas the while!
8. 0252  Why wol he thus hymself and vs bigyle?'

8. 0253  But nathelees this markys hath doon make
8. 0254  Of gemmes set in gold and in asure
8. 0255  Broches and rynges for Grisildis sake.
8. 0256  And of hir clothyng took he the mesure






8. 0257  Of a mayde lyk to hir stature,
8. 0258  And eek of othere aournementes alle
8. 0259  That vnto swich a weddyng sholde falle.

8. 0260  The tyme of vndren of the same day
8. 0261  Approcheth that this weddyng sholde be.
8. 0262  And al the palays put was in array
8. 0263  Bothe halle and chambres ech in his degree,
8. 0264  Houses of office stuffed with plentee.
8. 0265  Ther maystow seen of deynteuous vitaille
8. 0266  That may be founde as fer as last Ytaille.

8. 0267  This roial markys richeliche arrayed,
8. 0268  Lordes and ladys in his compaignye
8. 0269  The whiche that to the feste were yprayed,
8. 0270  And of his retenue the bachilrye,
8. 0271  With many a sown of sondry melodye
8. 0272  Vnto the village of the which I tolde
8. 0273  In this array the righte wey han holde.

8. 0274  Grisilde of this, god woot, ful innocent                  77v
8. 0275  That for hir shapen was al this array
8. 0276  To fecchen water at a welle is went,
8. 0277  And cometh hom as soone as euer she may
8. 0278  For wel she hadde herd seyd that thilke day
8. 0279  The markys sholde wedde; and if she myghte
8. 0280  She wolde fayn han seyn som of that sighte.

8. 0281  She thoghte: I wole with othere maydens stonde,
8. 0282  That been my felawes, in oure dore and se
8. 0283  The markisesse. And therfore wol I fonde
8. 0284  To doon at hom as soone as it may be
8. 0285  The labour which that longeth vnto me.
8. 0286  And thanne I may at leyser hir biholde
8. 0287  Yf she this wey vnto the castel holde.

8. 0288  And as she wolde ouer the thresshfold gon
8. 0289  The markys cam and gan hir for to calle.
8. 0290  And she sette doun hir waterpot anon
8. 0291  Bisyde the thresshfold in an oxes stalle
8. 0292  And doun vpon hir knees she gan to falle;
8. 0293  And with sad contenance kneleth stille
8. 0294  Til she hadde herd what was the lordes wille.

8. 0295  This thoghtful markys spak vnto this mayde
8. 0296  Ful sobrely and seyde in this manere.
8. 0297  'Where is youre fader, o Grisildis?' he sayde.
8. 0298  And she with reuerence in humble cheere
8. 0299  Answerde: 'Lord, he is al redy heere.'
8. 0300  And she goth withouten lenger lette
8. 0301  And to the markys she hir fader fette.

8. 0302  He by the hand than took this olde man
8. 0303  And seyde thus whan he hym hadde asyde:
8. 0304  'Ianicula, I neither may ne kan
8. 0305  Lenger the plesance of myn herte hyde.
8. 0306  If that thow vouchesauf whatso bityde,
8. 0307  Thy doghter wol I take er that I wende
8. 0308  As for my wyf vnto my lyues ende.







8. 0309  'Thow louest me, I woot it wel certeyn,
8. 0310  And art my feithful lige man ybore.
8. 0311  And al that liketh me I dar wel seyn
8. 0312  It liketh thee; and specially therfore
8. 0313  Tel me that point that I haue seyd bifore:
8. 0314  If that thow wolt vnto that purpos drawe
8. 0315  To take me as for thy sone-in-lawe.'

8. 0316  The sodeyn cas this man astoneyd so
8. 0317  That reed he weex; abayst and al quakyng
8. 0318  He stood. Vnnethe seyde he wordes mo
8. 0319  But oonly this: 'Lord,' quod he, 'my willyng
8. 0320  Is as ye wole; ne ayeins youre likyng
8. 0321  I wol nothyng, ye be my lord so deere.
8. 0322  Right as yow list gouerneth this matere.'

8. 0323  'Yet wol I,' quod this markys softely,
8. 0324  'That in thy chambre I and thow and she
8. 0325  Haue a collacioun. And wostow why?
8. 0326  For I wol aske if it hir wille be
8. 0327  To be my wyf and rule hir after me.
8. 0328  And al this shal be doon in thy presence;
8. 0329  I wol noght speke out of thyn audience.'

8. 0330  And in the chambre whil they were aboute
8. 0331  Hir tretys which as ye shal after heere,
8. 0332  The peple cam vnto the hous withoute
8. 0333  And wondred hem in how honeste manere
8. 0334  And tentifly she kepte hir fader deere.
8. 0335  But outrely Grisildis wondre myghte
8. 0336  For neuere erst ne saw she swich a sighte.

8. 0337  No wonder is thogh that she were astoned
8. 0338  To seen so greet a gest come into place;
8. 0339  She neuere was to swiche gestes woned
8. 0340  For which she looked with ful pale face.
8. 0341  But shortly forth this matere for to chace
8. 0342  Thise arn the wordes that this markys sayde
8. 0343  To this benygne, verray, feithful mayde.

8. 0344  'Grisilde,' he seyde, 'ye shal wel vnderstonde            78'
8. 0345  It liketh to youre fader and to me
8. 0346  That I yow wedde. And eek it may so stonde
8. 0347  As I suppose ye wol that it so be.
8. 0348  But thise demandes aske I first,' quod he,
8. 0349  'That sith it shal be doon in hastif wyse,
8. 0350  Wol ye assente or ellis yow auyse?

8. 0351  'I sey this: Be ye redy with good herte
8. 0352  To al my lust and that I frely may
8. 0353  As me best thynketh do yow laughe or smerte
8. 0354  And neuere ye to grucche it nyght ne day,
8. 0355  And eek whan I sey ye ne sey nat nay
8. 0356  Neither by word ne frownyng contenance?
8. 0357  Swere this and heere I swere oure alliance.'

8. 0358  Wondrynge vpon this word, quakyng for drede
8. 0359  She seyde: 'Lord, vndigne or vnworthy
8. 0360  I am to thilke honour that ye me bede.
8. 0361  But as ye wol yourself right so wol I.






8. 0362  And heere I swere that neuere willyngly
8. 0363  In werk ne thoght I nel yow disobeye
8. 0364  For to be deed, thogh me were looth to deye.'

8. 0365  'This is ynough, Grisilde myn,' quod he.
8. 0366  And forth he goth with a ful sobre cheere
8. 0367  Out at the dore, and after that cam she.
8. 0368  And to the peple he seyde in this manere.
8. 0369  'This is my wyf,' quod he, 'that standeth heere.
8. 0370  Honureth hire and loueth hire I preye
8. 0371  Whoso me loueth. Ther is namoore to seye.'

8. 0372  And for that nothyng of hir olde gere
8. 0373  She sholde brynge into his hous, he bad
8. 0374  That wommen sholde dispoylen hir right there;
8. 0375  Of which thise ladys were noght right glad
8. 0376  To handle hir clothes wherinne she was clad.
8. 0377  But nathelees this mayde bright of hewe
8. 0378  Fro foot to heed they clothed han al newe.

8. 0379  Hir herys han they kembd that laye vntressed
8. 0380  Ful rudely, and with hir fyngres smale
8. 0381  A coroune on hir heed they han ydressed
8. 0382  And sette hir ful nowches grete and smale.
8. 0383  Of hir array what sholde I make a tale?
8. 0384  Vnnethe the peple hir knew for hir fairnesse
8. 0385  Whan she translated was in swich richesse.

8. 0386  This markys hath hire spoused with a ryng
8. 0387  Broght for the same cause and thanne hir sette
8. 0388  Vpon an hors snow-whyt and wel amblyng
8. 0389  And to his palays, er he lenger lette,
8. 0390  With ioyful peple that hir ledde and mette
8. 0391  Convoied hire. And thus the day they spende
8. 0392  In reuel til the sonne gan descende.

8. 0393  And shortly forth this tale for to chace
8. 0394  I seye that to this newe markysesse
8. 0395  God hath swich fauour sent hire of his grace
8. 0396  That it ne semed nat by liklynesse
8. 0397  That she was born and fed in rudenesse,
8. 0398  As in a cote or in an oxes stalle,
8. 0399  But norissed in an emperours halle.

8. 0400  To euery wight she woxen is so deere
8. 0401  And worshipful, that folk ther she was bore
8. 0402  That from hir burthe knewe hir yeer by yeere
8. 0403  Vnnethe trowed they, but dorste han swore,
8. 0404  That to Ianicle of which I spak bifore
8. 0405  She doghter were, for as by coniecture
8. 0406  Hem thoughte she was another creature.

8. 0407  For thogh that euere vertuous was she,
8. 0408  She was encressed in swich excellence
8. 0409  Of thewes goode yset in heigh bountee,
8. 0410  And so discreet and fair of eloquence,
8. 0411  So benygne and so digne of reuerence,
8. 0412  And koude so the peples herte embrace
8. 0413  That ech hir louede that looked on hir face.







8. 0414  Noght oonly of Saluce in the town
8. 0415  Publissed was the bountee of hir name,
8. 0416  But eek bisyde in many a regioun:
8. 0417  If oon seyde wel, another seyde the same.
8. 0418  So spradde of hir heighe bountee the fame
8. 0419  That men and wommen as wel yonge as olde
8. 0420  Goon to Saluce on hir to biholde.

8. 0421  Thus Walter, lowely -- nay but roially --
8. 0422  Wedded with fortunat honestetee,
8. 0423  In goddes pees lyueth ful esily
8. 0424  At hom, and outward grace ynow hath he.
8. 0425  And for he saugh that vnder lowe degree
8. 0426  Was ofte vertu hyd, the peple hym helde
8. 0427  A prudent man and that is seyn ful selde.

8. 0428  Noght oonly this Grisildis thurgh hir wit
8. 0429  Koude al the feet of wifly humblenesse,
8. 0430  But eek whan that the cas required it
8. 0431  The commune profit koude she redresse.
8. 0432  Ther nas discord, rancour, ne heuynesse
8. 0433  In al that land that she ne koude apese
8. 0434  And wisly brynge hem alle in reste and ese.

8. 0435  Thogh that hir housbond absent were, anon
8. 0436  If gentil men or othere of hir contree
8. 0437  Were wrothe, she wolde bryngen hem at on.
8. 0438  So wise and rype wordes hadde she
8. 0439  And iuggementz of so greet equytee
8. 0440  That she from heuene sent was, as men wende,
8. 0441  Peple to saue and euery wrong t'amende.

8. 0442  Nat longe tyme after that this Grisild
8. 0443  Was ywedded, she a doghter hath ybore.
8. 0444  Al hadde hir leuere haue had a knaue-child,
8. 0445  Glad was the markys and the folk therfore:
8. 0446  For thogh a mayde-child coome al bifore
8. 0447  She may vnto a knaue-child atteyne
8. 0448  By liklyhede, syn she nys nat bareyne.

Explicit secunda pars

Incipit pars tercia


8. 0449  Ther fil as it bifalleth tymes mo
8. 0450  Whan that this child hath souked but a throwe,
8. 0451  This markys in his herte longeth so
8. 0452  To tempte his wyf hir sadnesse for to knowe
8. 0453  That he ne myghte out of his herte throwe
8. 0454  This merueilous desir his wyf t'assaye.
8. 0455  Nedelees, god woot, he thoghte hir for t'afraye.

8. 0456  He hadde assayed hir ynow bifore
8. 0457  And fond hir euere good. What neded it
8. 0458  Hir for to tempte and alwey moore and moore?
8. 0459  Thogh som men preyse it for a subtil wit,
8. 0460  But as for me I seye that yuele it sit
8. 0461  T'assaye a wyf whan that it is no nede
8. 0462  And putten hir in angwyssh and in drede.







8. 0463  For which this markys wroghte in this manere:
8. 0464  He cam allone a nyght ther as she lay,
8. 0465  With steerne face and with ful trouble cheere,
8. 0466  And seyde thus. 'Grisilde,' quod he, 'that day
8. 0467  That I yow took out of your poure array
8. 0468  And putte yow in estat of heigh noblesse,
8. 0469  Ye haue nat that forgeten as I gesse.

8. 0470  'I seye, Grisilde, this present dignitee
8. 0471  In which that I haue put yow, as I trowe,
8. 0472  Maketh yow nat foryetful for to be
8. 0473  That I yow took in poure estat ful lowe
8. 0474  For any wele ye mote yourseluen knowe.
8. 0475  Tak hede of euery word that I yow seye,
8. 0476  Ther is no wight that hereth it but we tweye.

8. 0477  'Ye woot yourself wel how that ye cam heere
8. 0478  Into this hous, it is nat longe ago.
8. 0479  And thogh to me that ye be lief and deere
8. 0480  Vnto my gentils ye be nothyng so.
8. 0481  They seyn to hem it is greet shame and wo
8. 0482  For to be subgitz and been in seruage
8. 0483  To thee, that born art of a smal village.

8. 0484  'And namely sith thy doghter was ybore
8. 0485  Thise wordes han they spoken doutelees.
8. 0486  But I desire, as I haue doon bifore,
8. 0487  To lyue my lyf with hem in reste and pees
8. 0488  I may nat in this cas be recchelees.
8. 0489  I moot doon with thy doghter for the beste,
8. 0490  Nat as I wolde but as my peple leste.

8. 0491  'And yet god woot this is ful looth to me.
8. 0492  But nathelees withouten your wityng
8. 0493  I wol nat doon. But this wol I,' quod he,
8. 0494  'That ye to me assente as in this thyng.
8. 0495  Shewe now youre pacience in your wirkyng
8. 0496  That ye me highte and swore in yone village
8. 0497  That day that maked was oure mariage.'

8. 0498  Whan she hadde herd al this she noght ameued
8. 0499  Neither in word or cheere or contenance,
8. 0500  For as it semed she was nat agreued.
8. 0501  She seyde: 'Lord, al lith in your plesance.
8. 0502  My child and I with hertly obeisance
8. 0503  Been youres al: and ye mowe saue or spille
8. 0504  Youre owene thyng. Werketh after your wille.

8. 0505  'Ther may nothyng, god so my soule saue,
8. 0506  Liken to yow that may displesen me.
8. 0507  Ne I ne desire nothyng for to haue
8. 0508  Ne drede for to lese saue oonly thee.
8. 0509  This wyl is in myn herte and ay shal be.
8. 0510  No lengthe of tyme or deth may this deface
8. 0511  Ne chaunge my corage to oother place.'

8. 0512  Glad was this markys of hir answeryng,
8. 0513  But yet he feyned as he were nat so.
8. 0514  Al drery was his cheere and his lookyng






8. 0515  Whan that he sholde out of the chambre go.
8. 0516  Soone after this a furlang wey or two
8. 0517  He pryuely hath told al his entente
8. 0518  Vnto a man, and to his wyf hym sente.

8. 0519  A maner sergeant was this priuee man,
8. 0520  The which that feithful ofte he founden hadde
8. 0521  In thynges grete; and eek swich folk wel kan
8. 0522  Doon execucioun in thynges badde.
8. 0523  The lord knew wel that he hym loued and dradde.
8. 0524  And whan this sergeant wiste his lordes wille
8. 0525  Into the chambre he stalked hym ful stille.

8. 0526  'Madame,' he seyde, 'ye mote foryeue it me
8. 0527  Thogh I do thyng to which I am constreyned.
8. 0528  Ye ben so wys that ful wel knowe ye
8. 0529  That lordes hestes mowe nat ben yfeyned;
8. 0530  They mowe wel been biwailled or compleyned,
8. 0531  But men mote nede vnto hir lust obeye.
8. 0532  And so wol I: ther is namoore to seye.

8. 0533  'This child I am comaunded for to take.'
8. 0534  And spak namoore, but out the child he hente
8. 0535  Despitously, and gan a cheere make
8. 0536  As thogh he wolde han slayn it er he wente.
8. 0537  Grisildis moot al suffre and al consente;
8. 0538  And as a lamb she sitteth meke and stille
8. 0539  And leet this crewel sergeant doon his wille.

8. 0540  Suspecious was the diffame of this man,
8. 0541  Suspect his face, suspect his word also,
8. 0542  Suspect the tyme in which he this bigan.
8. 0543  Allas hir doghter that she loued so,
8. 0544  She wende he wolde han slayn it right tho.
8. 0545  But nathelees she neither weep ne syked
8. 0546  Conformynge hire to that the markys liked.

8. 0547  But at the laste speken she bigan.
8. 0548  And mekely she to the sergeant preyde
8. 0549  So as he was a worthy, gentil man
8. 0550  That she moste kisse hir child er that it deyde.
8. 0551  And on hir barm this litel child she leyde
8. 0552  With ful sad face, and gan the child to blesse,
8. 0553  And lulled it, and after gan it kesse.

8. 0554  And thus she seyde in hir benygne voys:
8. 0555  'Farewel, my child, I shal thee neuere see.
8. 0556  But sith I thee haue marked with the croys
8. 0557  Of thilke fader (blessed mote he be!)
8. 0558  That for vs deyde vpon a croys of tree,
8. 0559  Thy soule, litel child, I hym bitake
8. 0560  For this nyght shaltow dyen for my sake.'

8. 0561  I trowe that to a norice in this cas
8. 0562  It hadde been hard this routhe for to se,
8. 0563  Wel myghte a moder haue cryd allas.
8. 0564  But nathelees so sad stedefast was she
8. 0565  That she endured al aduersitee.
8. 0566  And to the sergeant mekely she sayde:
8. 0567  'Haue here agayn youre litel, yonge mayde.







8. 0568  'Goth now,' quod she, 'and doth my lordes heste.
8. 0569  But o thyng wol I pray yow of youre grace:
8. 0570  That but my lord forbad yow at the leeste,
8. 0571  Burieth this litel body in som place
8. 0572  That bestes ne no bryddes it torace.'
8. 0573  But he no word wol to that purpos seye,
8. 0574  But took the child and wente vpon his weye.


8. 0575  This sergeant cam vnto his lord agayn,
8. 0576  And of Grisildis wordes and hir cheere
8. 0577  He tolde hym poynt for poynt in short and playn
8. 0578  And hym presenteth with his doghter deere.
8. 0579  Somwhat this lord hadde routhe in his manere,
8. 0580  But nathelees his purpos held he stille
8. 0581  As lordes doon whan they wol han hir wille.


8. 0582  And bad this sergeant that he pryuely
8. 0583  Sholde this child softe wynde and wrappe
8. 0584  With alle circumstances tendrely
8. 0585  And carie it in a cofre or in a lappe,
8. 0586  But vpon peyne his heed of for to swappe
8. 0587  That no man sholde knowe of this entente
8. 0588  Ne whennes he cam ne whider that he wente.

8. 0589  But at Boloigne he to his suster deere,
8. 0590  That thilke tyme of Panyk was countesse,
8. 0591  He sholde it take and shewe hir this matere,
8. 0592  Bisekynge hir to doon hir bisynesse
8. 0593  This child to fostre in alle gentilesse.
8. 0594  And whos child that it was he bad hir hyde
8. 0595  From euery wight for aught that may bityde.

8. 0596  The sergeant goth and hath fulfild this thyng.
8. 0597  But to this markys now retourne we,
8. 0598  For now goth he ful faste ymagynyng
8. 0599  If by his wyues cheere he myghte se
8. 0600  Or by hir word aparceyue that she
8. 0601  Were chaunged; but he neuere hir koude fynde
8. 0602  But euere in oon ylike sad and kynde.

8. 0603  As glad, as humble, as busy in seruyse
8. 0604  And eek in loue as she was wont to be
8. 0605  Was she to hym in euery maner wise.
8. 0606  Ne of hir doghter noght a word spak she.
8. 0607  Noon accident for noon aduersitee
8. 0608  Was seyn in hir, ne neuere hir doghter name
8. 0609  Ne nempned she in ernest ne in game.

Explicit tercia pars


Incipit pars quarta

8. 0610  In this estat ther passed ben 4 yeer
8. 0611  Er she with childe was. But as god wolde
8. 0612  A knaue-child she bar by this Walter
8. 0613  Ful gracious and fair for to biholde.






8. 0614  And whan that folk it to his fader tolde
8. 0615  Nat oonly he but al his contree merye
8. 0616  Was for this child, and god they thanke and herye.

8. 0617  Whan it was two yeer old and fro the brest
8. 0618  Departed of his norice, on a day
8. 0619  This markys caughte yet another lest
8. 0620  To tempte his wyf yet ofter if he may.
8. 0621    O nedelees was she tempted in assay.
8. 0622  But wedded men ne knowe no mesure
8. 0623  Whan that they fynde a pacient creature.

8. 0624  'Wyf,' quod this markys, 'ye han herd er this
8. 0625  My peple sikly berth this mariage,
8. 0626  And namely sith my sone yborn is
8. 0627  Now is it worse than euere in al oure age;
8. 0628  The murmur sleeth myn herte and my corage,
8. 0629  For to myne erys comth the voys so smerte
8. 0630  That it wel neigh destroyed hath myn herte.

8. 0631  'Now sey they thus: Whan Walter is agon
8. 0632  Thanne shal the blood of Ianycle succede
8. 0633  And been oure lord, for oother haue we noon.
8. 0634  Swiche wordes seith my peple out of drede.
8. 0635  Wel oghte I of swich murmur taken hede,
8. 0636  For certeinly I drede swich sentence
8. 0637  Though they nat pleyn speke in myn audience.

8. 0638  'I wolde lyue in pees if that I myghte.
8. 0639  Wherfore I am disposed outrely
8. 0640  As I his suster serued by nyghte
8. 0641  Right so thenke I to serue hym priuely.
8. 0642  This warne I yow that ye nat sodeynly
8. 0643  Out of yourself for no wo sholde outraye;
8. 0644  Beth pacient and therof I yow praye.'


8. 0645  'I haue,' quod she, 'seyd thus and euere shal:
8. 0646  I wol nothyng ne nyl nothyng certeyn
8. 0647  But as yow list. Noght greueth me at al
8. 0648  Thogh that my doghter and my sone be sleyn,
8. 0649  At youre comandement this is to seyn.
8. 0650  I haue nat had no part of children- tweyne,
8. 0651  But first siknesse and after wo and peyne.

8. 0652  'Ye ben oure lord: dooth with your owene thyng
8. 0653  Right as yow list. Axeth no reed of me.
8. 0654  For as I lefte at hom al my clothyng
8. 0655  Whan I first cam to yow, right so,' quod she,
8. 0656  'Lefte I my wyl and al my libertee
8. 0657  And took youre clothyng. Wherfore I yow preye
8. 0658  Dooth your plesance, I wol youre lust obeye.


8. 0659  'And certes if I hadde prescience
8. 0660  Youre wyl to knowe er ye your lust me tolde,
8. 0661  I wolde it doon withouten necligence.
8. 0662  But now I woot youre lust and what ye wolde,
8. 0663  Al your plesance ferm and stable I holde.
8. 0664  For wiste I that my deeth wolde doon yow ese






8. 0665  Right gladly wolde I dyen yow to plese.

8. 0666  'Deeth may nat make no comparisoun
8. 0667  Vnto youre loue.' And whan this markys say
8. 0668  The constance of his wyf, he caste adoun
8. 0669  Hise eyen two and wondreth that she may
8. 0670  In pacience suffre al this array.
8. 0671  And forth he goth with drery contenance,
8. 0672  But to his herte it was ful gret plesance.

8. 0673  This vggly sergeant in the same wyse
8. 0674  That he hir doghter caughte, right so he
8. 0675  Or worse if men worse kan deuyse
8. 0676  Hath hent hir sone that ful was of beautee.
8. 0677  And euere in oon so pacient was she
8. 0678  That she no cheere made of heuynesse
8. 0679  But kiste hir sone and after gan it blesse.

8. 0680  Saue this she prayde hym that if he myghte
8. 0681  Hir litel sone he wolde in erthe graue,
8. 0682  His tendre lymes delicat to sighte,
8. 0683  Fro foweles and fro bestes hem to saue.
8. 0684  But she noon answere of hym myghte haue.
8. 0685  He wente his wey as hym nothyng roghte,
8. 0686  But to Boloigne he tendrely it broghte.

8. 0687  This markys wondreth euer lenger the moore
8. 0688  Vpon hir pacience, and if that he
8. 0689  Ne hadde soothly knowen therbifoore
8. 0690  That parfitly hir children loued she
8. 0691  He wolde haue wend that of som subtiltee
8. 0692  And of malice or of cruel corage
8. 0693  That she hadde suffred this with sad visage.

8. 0694  But wel he knew that next hymself certayn
8. 0695  She loued hir children best in euery wise.
8. 0696  But now of wommen wolde I asken fayn
8. 0697  If thise assayes myghte nat suffise?
8. 0698  What koude a sturdy housbond moore deuyse
8. 0699  To proue hir wifhod and hir stedfastnesse,
8. 0700  And he contynuynge euere in sturdynesse?

8. 0701  But ther ben folk of swich condicioun
8. 0702  That whan they haue a certeyn purpos take
8. 0703  They kan nat stynte of hir entencioun.
8. 0704  But right as they were bounden to that stake
8. 0705  They wol nat of that firste purpos slake.
8. 0706  Right so this markys fulliche hath purposed
8. 0707  To tempte his wyf as he was first disposed.

8. 0708  He wayteth if by word or contenance
8. 0709  That she to hym was chaunged of corage.
8. 0710  But neuere koude he fynde variance:
8. 0711  She was ay oon in herte and in visage.
8. 0712  And ay the ferther that she was of age,
8. 0713  The moore trewe if that it were possible
8. 0714  She was to hym in loue and moore penyble.

8. 0715  For which it semed thus that of hem two
8. 0716  Ther nas but o wyl, for as Walter leste






8. 0717  The same lust was hir plesance also.
8. 0718  And god be thanked al fyl for the beste!
8. 0719  She shewed wel for no worldly vnreste
8. 0720  A wif as of hirself nothyng ne sholde
8. 0721  Wille in effect but as hir housbond wolde.

8. 0722  The sclaundre of Walter ofte and wyde spradde,
8. 0723  That of a cruel herte he wikkedly
8. 0724  For he a poure womman wedded hadde
8. 0725  Hath mordred bothe his children pryuely.
8. 0726  Swich murmur was among hem comunly.
8. 0727  No wonder is, for to the peples ere
8. 0728  Ther cam no word but that they mordred were.

8. 0729  For which wher as his peple ther bifore
8. 0730  Hadde loued hym wel, the sclaundre of his diffame
8. 0731  Made hem that they hym hated therfore.
8. 0732  To ben a mordrer is an hateful name.
8. 0733  But natheles for ernest ne for game
8. 0734  He of his cruel purpos nolde stente:
8. 0735  To tempte his wyf was set al his entente.

8. 0736  Whan that this doghter xij yer was of age
8. 0737  He to the court of Rome, in subtil wise
8. 0738  Enformed of his wil, sente his message
8. 0739  Comaundynge hem swiche bulles to deuyse
8. 0740  As to his cruel purpos may suffise:
8. 0741  How that the pope as for his peples reste
8. 0742  Bad hym to wedde another if hym leste.

8. 0743  I seye he bad they sholde contrefete
8. 0744  The popes bulles, makyng mencioun
8. 0745  That he hath leue his firste wyf to lete
8. 0746  As by the popes dispensacioun
8. 0747  To stynte rancour and dissencioun
8. 0748  Bitwix his peple and hym. Thus seyde the bulle
8. 0749  The which they han publissed at the fulle.

8. 0750  The rude peple, as it no wonder is,
8. 0751  Wenden ful wel that it hadde ben right so.
8. 0752  But whan thise tidynges cam to Grisildis
8. 0753  I deme that hir herte was ful wo.
8. 0754  But she ylike sad for eueremo
8. 0755  Disposed was, this humble creature,
8. 0756  Th'aduersitee of fortune al t'endure;

8. 0757  Abidynge euere his lust and his plesance
8. 0758  To whom that she was yeuen herte and al
8. 0759  As to hir verray worldly suffisance.
8. 0760  But shortly if this storie I tellen shal,
8. 0761  This markys writen hath in special
8. 0762  A lettre in which he sheweth his entente
8. 0763  And secrely he to Boloigne it sente.

8. 0764  To the erl of Panyk, which that hadde tho
8. 0765  Wedded his suster, prayde he specially
8. 0766  To bryngen hom agayn his children two
8. 0767  In honurable estat al openly.
8. 0768  But o thyng he hym prayde outrely
8. 0769  That he to no wight, thogh men wolde enquere,






8. 0770  Sholde nat tellen whos children that they were,

8. 0771  But seye the mayden sholde ywedded be
8. 0772  Vnto the markys of Saluce anon.
8. 0773  And as this erl was prayd, so dide he.
8. 0774  For at day set he on his wey is gon
8. 0775  Toward Saluce and lordes many oon
8. 0776  In riche array this mayden for to gyde,
8. 0777  Hir yonge brother ridyng hir bisyde.

8. 0778  Arrayed was toward hir mariage
8. 0779  This fresshe mayde ful of gemmes clere.
8. 0780  Hir brother which that seuen yeer was of age
8. 0781  Arrayed eek ful fressh in his manere.
8. 0782  And thus in gret noblesse and with glad cheere
8. 0783  Toward Saluces shapyng hir iourney
8. 0784  Fro day to day they ryden in hir wey.

Explicit quarta pars

Incipit pars quinta

8. 0785  Among al this after his wikke vsage
8. 0786  This markys yet his wif to tempte moore
8. 0787  To the outreste preue of hir corage,
8. 0788  Fully to han experience and loore
8. 0789  If that she were as stedefast as bifore,
8. 0790  He on a day in open audience
8. 0791  Ful boystously hath seyd hir this sentence.

8. 0792  'Certes, Grisilde, I hadde ynogh plesance
8. 0793  To han yow to my wyf for your goodnesse
8. 0794  As for youre trouthe and for your obeysance,
8. 0795  Noght for your lynage ne for your richesse.
8. 0796  But now knowe I in verray sothfastnesse
8. 0797  That in gret lordshipe, if I wel auyse,
8. 0798  Ther is gret seruitute in sondry wyse.

8. 0799  'I may nat do as euery plowman may.
8. 0800  My peple me constreyneth for to take
8. 0801  Another wyf and cryen day by day;
8. 0802  And eek the pope rancour for to slake
8. 0803  Consenteth it, that dar I vndertake.
8. 0804  And trewely thus muche I wol yow seye
8. 0805  My newe wyf is comynge by the weye.

8. 0806  'Be strong of herte and voyde anon hir place.
8. 0807  And thilke dower that ye broghten me
8. 0808  Tak it agayn, I graunte it of my grace.
8. 0809  Retourneth to youre fadres hous,' quod he.
8. 0810  'No man may alwey han prosperitee.
8. 0811  With euene herte I rede yow t'endure
8. 0812  The strook of fortune or of auenture.'

8. 0813  And she agayn answerde in pacience:
8. 0814  'My lord,' quod she, 'I woot and wiste alway
8. 0815  How that bitwixen youre magnificence
8. 0816  And my pouerte no wight kan ne may
8. 0817  Maken comparisoun, it is no nay.
8. 0818  I ne heeld me neuere digne in no manere






8. 0819  To be your wyf no ne youre chambrere.

8. 0820  'And in this hous ther ye me lady made,
8. 0821  The heighe god take I for my witnesse
8. 0822  And also wisly he my soule glade,
8. 0823  I neuere heeld me lady ne maistresse
8. 0824  But humble seruant to youre worthynesse,
8. 0825  And euere shal whil that my lyf may dure
8. 0826  Abouen euery worldly creature.

8. 0827  'That ye so longe of youre benygnytee
8. 0828  Han holden me in honour and nobleye
8. 0829  Where as I was noght worthy for to be,
8. 0830  That thonke I god and yow, to whom I preye
8. 0831  Foryelde it yow; ther is namoore to seye.
8. 0832  Vnto my fader gladly wol I wende
8. 0833  And with hym dwelle vnto my lyues ende.

8. 0834  'Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal
8. 0835  Til I be deed my lyf ther wol I lede,
8. 0836  A wydewe clene in body, herte, and al.
8. 0837  For sith I yaf to yow my maydenhede
8. 0838  And am youre trewe wyf it is no drede,
8. 0839  God shilde swich a lordes wyf to take
8. 0840  Another man to housbond or to make.

8. 0841  'And of youre newe wyf god of his grace
8. 0842  So graunte yow wele and prosperitee.
8. 0843  For I wol gladly yelden hir my place
8. 0844  In which that I was blisful wont to be.
8. 0845  For sith it liketh yow, my lord,' quod she,
8. 0846  'That whilom weren al myn hertes reste
8. 0847  That I shal goon, I wol goon whan yow leste.

8. 0848  'But ther as ye me profre swich dowaire
8. 0849  As I first broghte, it is wel in my mynde
8. 0850  It were my wrecched clothes nothyng faire,
8. 0851  The whiche to me were hard now for to fynde.
8. 0852  O goode god, how gentil and how kynde
8. 0853  Ye semed by your speche and your visage
8. 0854  The day that maked was oure mariage!

8. 0855  'But sooth is seyd, algate I fynde it trewe,              55
8. 0856  For in effect it proued is on me:
8. 0857  Loue is noght old as whan that it is newe.
8. 0858  But certes, lord, for noon aduersitee,
8. 0859  To dyen in this cas, it shal nat be
8. 0860  That euere in word or werk I shal repente
8. 0861  That I yow yaf myn herte in hool entente.

8. 0862  'My lord, ye woot that in my fadres place
8. 0863  Ye dide me strepe out of my poure wede
8. 0864  And richely me cladden of youre grace.
8. 0865  To yow broghte I noght ellis out of drede
8. 0866  But feith and nakednesse and maydenhede.
8. 0867  And here agayn my clothyng I restore
8. 0868  And eek my weddyng-ryng for eueremoore.

8. 0869  'The remenant of your iewels redy be
8. 0870  Inwith your chambre dar I saufly sayn.






8. 0871  Naked out of my fadres hous,' quod she,
8. 0872  'I cam and naked moot I turne agayn.
8. 0873  Al youre plesance wol I folwen fayn:
8. 0874  But yet I hope it be nat youre entente
8. 0875  That I smoklees out of your palays wente.

8. 0876  'Ye koude nat doon so dishoneste a thyng
8. 0877  That thilke wombe in which youre children leye
8. 0878  Sholde biforn the peple in my walkyng
8. 0879  Be seyn al bare. Wherfore I yow preye
8. 0880  Lat me nat lyk a worm go by the weye.
8. 0881  Remembre yow, myn owene lord so deere,
8. 0882  I was youre wyf thogh I vnworthy weere.

8. 0883  'Wherfore in gerdon of my maydenhede
8. 0884  Which that I broghte and noght agayn I bere
8. 0885  As voucheth sauf to yeue me to my mede
8. 0886  But swich a smok as I was wont to were,
8. 0887  That I therwith may wrye the wombe of here
8. 0888  That was youre wyf. And here I take my leeue
8. 0889  Of yow, myn owene lord, lest I yow greeue.'

8. 0890  'The smok,' quod he, 'that thow hast on thy bak
8. 0891  Lat it be stille and bere it forth with thee.'
8. 0892  But wel vnnethes thilke word he spak,
8. 0893  But wente his wey for routhe and for pitee.
8. 0894  Biforn the folk hirseluen strepeth shee,
8. 0895  And in hir smok with heued and feet al bare
8. 0896  Toward hir fader hous forth is she fare.

8. 0897  The folk hir folwen wepynge in hir weye
8. 0898  And fortune ay they cursen as they goon.
8. 0899  But she fro wepyng kepte hir eyen dreye
8. 0900  Ne in this tyme word ne spak she noon.
8. 0901  Hir fader that this tidynge herde anon
8. 0902  Curseth the day and tyme that nature
8. 0903  Shoop hym to been a lyues creature.

8. 0904  For out of doute this olde, poure man
8. 0905  Was euere in suspect of hir mariage,
8. 0906  For euere he demed sith that it bigan
8. 0907  That whan the lord fulfild hadde his corage
8. 0908  Hym wolde thynke it were a disparage
8. 0909  To his estat so lowe for t'alighte
8. 0910  And voyden hir as soone as euere he myghte.

8. 0911  Agayns his doghter hastiliche goth he
8. 0912  For he by noyse of folk knew hir comynge
8. 0913  And with hir olde cote as it myghte be
8. 0914  He couered hire ful sorwefully wepynge.
8. 0915  But on hir body myghte he it nat brynge
8. 0916  For rude was the clooth and she moore of age
8. 0917  By dayes fele than at hir mariage.

8. 0918  Thus with hir fader for a certein space
8. 0919  Dwelleth this flour of wifly pacience
8. 0920  That neyther by hir wordes ne hir face
8. 0921  Biforn the folk ne eek in hir absence
8. 0922  Ne shewed she that hir was doon offence;
8. 0923  Ne of hir heighe estat no remembrance






8. 0924  Ne hadde she as by hir contenance.

8. 0925  No wonder is, for in hir grete estat                      5
8. 0926  Hir goost was euere in pleyn humylitee:
8. 0927  No tendre mouth, noon herte delicat,
8. 0928  No pompe, no semblant of realtee,
8. 0929  But ful of pacient benygnytee,
8. 0930  Discreet and pridelees, ay honurable,
8. 0931  And to hir housbonde euere meke and stable.

8. 0932  Men speke of Iob and moost for his humblenesse,
8. 0933  As clerkes whan hem lest konne wel endite
8. 0934  Namely of men: but as in soothfastnesse
8. 0935  Thogh clerkes preyse wommen but a lite
8. 0936  Ther kan no man in humblesse hym acquite
8. 0937  As wommen kan, ne kan be half so trewe
8. 0938  As wommen been, but it be falle of newe.

8. 0939    Fro Boloigne is this erl of Panyk come
8. 0940  Of which the fame vp sprong to moore and lesse.
8. 0941  And to the peples erys alle and some
8. 0942  Was kouth eek that a newe markisesse
8. 0943  He with hym broghte, in swich pomp and richesse
8. 0944  That neuere was ther seyn with mannes eye
8. 0945  So noble array in al West Lumbardye.

8. 0946  The markys, which that shoop and knew al this,
8. 0947  Er that this erl was come sente his message
8. 0948  For thilke sely, poure Grisildis.
8. 0949  And she with humble herte and glad visage,
8. 0950  Nat with no swollen thoght in hir corage,
8. 0951  Cam at his heste and on hir knees hir sette
8. 0952  And reuerently and wysly she hym grette.

8. 0953  'Grisilde,' quod he, 'my wyl is outrely
8. 0954  This mayden that shal wedded been to me
8. 0955  Receyued be tomorwe as really
8. 0956  As it possible is in myn hous to be
8. 0957  And eek that euery wight in his degree
8. 0958  Haue his estat in sittyng and seruyse
8. 0959  And heigh plesance as I kan best deuyse.

8. 0960  'I haue no wommen suffisant certayn
8. 0961  The chambres for t'araye in ordynance
8. 0962  After my lust. And therfore wolde I fayn
8. 0963  That thyn were al swich manere gouernance.
8. 0964  Thow knowest eek of old al my plesance.
8. 0965  Though thyn array be badde and yuel-biseye,
8. 0966  Do thow thy deuoir at the leeste weye.'

8. 0967  'Nat oonly, lord, that I am glad,' quod she,
8. 0968  'To doon youre lust, but I desire also
8. 0969  Yow for to serue and plese in my degree
8. 0970  Withouten feyntyng and shal eueremo,
8. 0971  Ne neuere for no wele ne no wo
8. 0972  Ne shal the goost withinne myn herte stente
8. 0973  To loue yow best with al my trewe entente.'

8. 0974  And with that word she gan the hous to dighte
8. 0975  And tables for to sette and beddes make






8. 0976  And peyned hir to doon al that she myghte,
8. 0977  Preyynge the chambreres for goddes sake
8. 0978  To hasten hem and faste swepe and shake.
8. 0979  And she, the mooste seruysable of alle,
8. 0980  Hath euery chambre arrayed and his halle.

8. 0981  Abouten vndren gan this erl alighte
8. 0982  That with hym broghte thise noble children tweye,
8. 0983  For which the peple ran to seen the sighte
8. 0984  Of hire array so richely biseye.
8. 0985  And thanne at erst amonges hem they seye
8. 0986  That Walter was no fool thogh that hym leste
8. 0987  To chaunge his wyf, for it was for his beste.

8. 0988  For she is fairer, as they demen alle,
8. 0989  Than is Grisilde and moore tendre of age
8. 0990  And fairer fruyt bitwene hem sholde falle
8. 0991  And moore plesant for hir heigh lynage,
8. 0992  Hir brother eek so fair was of visage
8. 0993  That hem to seen the peple hath caught plesance,
8. 0994  Commendynge now the markys gouernance.

8. 0995  O stormy peple, vnsad and euere vntrewe,
8. 0996  Ay vndiscreet and chaungynge as a vane,
8. 0997  Delitynge euere in rumbel that is newe,
8. 0998  For lyk the moone ay wexe ye and wane,
8. 0999  Ay ful of clappyng deere ynow a iane.
8. 1000  Youre doom is fals, youre constance yuele preueth;
8. 1001  A ful greet fool is he that on yow leueth.

8. 1002  Thus seyden sadde folk in that citee
8. 1003  Whan that the peple gazed vp and doun,
8. 1004  For they were glad right for the noueltee
8. 1005  To han a newe lady of hir town.
8. 1006  Namoore of this make I now mencioun,
8. 1007  But to Grisilde agayn wol I me dresse
8. 1008  And telle hir constance and hir bisynesse.

8. 1009  Ful bisy was Grisilde in euery thyng
8. 1010  That to the feste was apertinent.
8. 1011  Right noght was she abayst of hir clothyng
8. 1012  Thogh it were rude and somdel eek torent.
8. 1013  But with glad cheere to the yate is she went
8. 1014  With oother folk to greete the markysesse,
8. 1015  And after that dooth forth hir bisynesse.

8. 1016  With so glad cheere his gestes she receyueth
8. 1017  And so konnyngly euerich in his degree
8. 1018  That no defaute no man aparceyueth.
8. 1019  But ay they wondren what she myghte be
8. 1020  That in so poure array was for to se
8. 1021  And koude swich honour and reuerence,
8. 1022  And worthily they preysen hir prudence.

8. 1023  In al this mene while she ne stente
8. 1024  This mayde and eek hir brother to commende
8. 1025  With al hir herte in ful benygne entente
8. 1026  So wel that no man koude hir prys amende.
8. 1027  But at the laste whan that thise lordes wende
8. 1028  To sitten doun to mete, he gan to calle






8. 1029  Grisilde as she was bisy in his halle.

8. 1030  'Grisilde,' quod he as it were in his pley,               030
8. 1031  'How liketh thee my wyf and hir beautee?'
8. 1032  'Right wel,' quod she, 'my lord, for in good fey
8. 1033  A fairer saw I neuere noon than she.
8. 1034  I prey to god yeue hire prosperitee.
8. 1035  And so hope I that he wol to yow sende
8. 1036  Plesance ynogh vnto youre lyues ende.

8. 1037  'O thyng biseke I yow and warne also
8. 1038  That ye ne prike with no tormentynge
8. 1039  This tendre mayden, as ye han do mo,
8. 1040  For she is fostred in hir norissynge
8. 1041  Moore tendrely and to my supposynge
8. 1042  She koude nat aduersitee endure
8. 1043  As koude a poure-fostred creature.'

8. 1044  And whan this Walter saw hir pacience,
8. 1045  Hir glad cheere and no malice at al,
8. 1046  And he so ofte had doon to hir offence,
8. 1047  And she ay sad and constant as a wal
8. 1048  Continuynge euere hir innocence oueral,
8. 1049  This sturdy markys gan his herte dresse
8. 1050  To rewen vpon hir wifly stedfastnesse.

8. 1051  'This is ynogh, Grisilde myn,' quod he.
8. 1052  'Be now namoore agast ne yuele apayed,
8. 1053  I haue thy feith and thy benygnytee,
8. 1054  As wel as euere womman was, assayed
8. 1055  In greet estat and poureliche arrayed.
8. 1056  Now knowe I, deere wyf, thy stedfastnesse.'
8. 1057  And hire in armes took and gan hir kesse.

8. 1058  And she for wonder took of it no keep:
8. 1059  She herde nat what thyng he to hir seyde;
8. 1060  She ferde as she hadde stirt out of a sleep
8. 1061  Til she out of hir mazednesse abreyde.
8. 1062  'Grisilde,' quod he, 'by god that for vs deyde
8. 1063  Thow art my wyf. noon oother I haue
8. 1064  Ne neuere hadde as god my soule saue.

8. 1065  'This is thy doghter which thow hast supposed
8. 1066  To be my wyf, that oother feithfully
8. 1067  Shal be myn heir as I haue ay supposed.
8. 1068  Thow bare hym in thy body trewely.
8. 1069  At Boloigne haue I kept hem priuely.
8. 1070  Tak hem agayn, for now maistow nat seye
8. 1071  That thow hast lorn noon of thy children tweye.


8. 1072  'And folk that ootherweys han seyd of me,
8. 1073  I warne hem wel that I haue doon this dede
8. 1074  For no malice ne for no crueltee,
8. 1075  But for t'assaye in thee thy wommanhede;
8. 1076  And nat to sleen my children, god forbede,
8. 1077  But for to kepe hem pryuely and stille
8. 1078  Til I thy purpos knewe and al thy wille.'

8. 1079  Whan she this herde aswowne doun she falleth






8. 1080  For pitous ioye. And after hir swownynge
8. 1081  She bothe hir yonge children vnto hir calleth
8. 1082  And in hir armes pitously wepynge
8. 1083  Embraceth hem, and tendrely kissynge
8. 1084  Ful lyk a moder, with hir salte terys
8. 1085  She batheth bothe hir visage and hir herys.

8. 1086    O which a pitous thyng it was to se
8. 1087  Hir swownyng and hir humble voys to heere.
8. 1088  'Grant mercy, lord, god thanke it yow,' quod she,
8. 1089  'That ye han saued me my children deere.
8. 1090  Now rekke I neuere to been ded right heere.
8. 1091  Sith I stonde in your loue and in youre grace,
8. 1092  No fors of deeth ne whan my spirit pace.


8. 1093  'O tendre, o deere, o yonge children myne,
8. 1094  Youre woful moder wende stedefastly
8. 1095  That cruel houndes or som foul vermyne
8. 1096  Hadde eten yow. But god of his mercy
8. 1097  And youre benygne fader tendrely
8. 1098  Hath doon yow kept.' And in that same stounde
8. 1099  Al sodeynly she swapte adoun to grounde.

8. 1100  And in hir swogh so sadly holdeth she
8. 1101  Hir children two, whan she gan hem t'embrace,
8. 1102  That with greet sleghte and greet difficultee
8. 1103  The children from hir arm they gonne arace.
8. 1104    O many a teer (o many a pitous face!)
8. 1105  Doun ran of hem that stoden hir bisyde.
8. 1106  Vnnethe aboute hir myghte they abyde.

8. 1107  Walter hir gladeth and hir sorwe slaketh.
8. 1108  She riseth vp abaysed from hir traunce.
8. 1109  And euery wight hir ioye and feste maketh
8. 1110  Til she hath caught agayn hir contenaunce.
8. 1111  Walter hir dooth so feithfully plesaunce
8. 1112  That it was deyntee for to seen the cheere
8. 1113  Bitwix hem two, now they ben met yfeere.

8. 1114  Thise ladies, whan that they hir tyme say,
8. 1115  Han taken hir and into chambre goon
8. 1116  And strepen hir out of hir rude aray;
8. 1117  And in a clooth of gold that brighte shoon
8. 1118  With a coroune of many a riche stoon
8. 1119  Vpon hir hed they into halle hir broghte.
8. 1120  And ther she was honured as hir oghte.

8. 1121  Thus hath this pitous day a blisful ende,
8. 1122  For euery man and womman dooth his myght
8. 1123  This day in murthe and reuel to dispende
8. 1124  Til on the welkne shoon the sterres lyght.
8. 1125  For moore solempne in euery mannes syght
8. 1126  This feste was and gretter of costage
8. 1127  Than was the reuel of hir mariage.

8. 1128  Ful many a yeer in heigh prosperitee
8. 1129  Lyuen thise two in concord and in reste.
8. 1130  And richely his doghter maried he
8. 1131  Vnto a lord, oon of the worthyeste
8. 1132  Of al Ytaille. And thanne in pees and reste
8. 1133  His wyues fader and his court he kepeth
8. 1134  Til that the soule out of his body crepeth.

8. 1135  His sone succedeth in his heritage
8. 1136  In reste and pees after his fader day;
8. 1137  And fortunat was eek his mariage
8. 1138  Al putte he nat his wyf in gret assay.
8. 1139  This world is nat so strong it is no nay
8. 1140  As it hath been in olde tymes yore;
8. 1141  And herkneth what this auctour seith therfore.

8. 1142  This storie is seyd nat for that wyues sholde
8. 1143  Folwen Grisilde as in humylitee
8. 1144  For it were inportable thogh they wolde,
8. 1145  But for that euery wight in his degree
8. 1146  Sholde be constant in aduersitee
8. 1147  As was Grisilde. Therfore Petrak writeth
8. 1148  This storie, which he with heigh stile enditeth.

8. 1149  For sith a womman was so pacient
8. 1150  Vnto a mortal man, wel moore vs oghte
8. 1151  Receyuen al in gree that god vs sent,
8. 1152  For gret skile is he preue that he wroghte.
8. 1153  But he ne tempteth no man that he boghte,
8. 1154  As seith seint Iame if ye his pistel rede:
8. 1155  He preueth folk al day it is no drede

8. 1156  And suffreth vs as for oure excercise
8. 1157  With sharpe scourges of aduersitee
8. 1158  Ful ofte to be bete in sondry wise -
8. 1159  Nat for to knowe oure wyl, for certes he
8. 1160  Er we were born knew al oure freletee.
8. 1161  And for oure beste is al his gouernance:
8. 1162  Lat vs thanne lyue in vertuous suffrance.

8. 1163  But o word, lordynges, herkneth er I go.
8. 1164  It were ful hard to fynde now-a-dayes
8. 1165  In al a town Grisildis thre or two;
8. 1166  For if that they were put to swiche assayes
8. 1167  The gold of hem hath now so badde alayes
8. 1168  With bras, that thogh the coigne be fair at eye

8. 1169  It wolde rather breste atwo than plye.

8. 1170  For which heere for the wyues loue of Bathe
8. 1171  (Whos lyf and al hir secte god mayntene
8. 1172  In heigh maistrie, or ellis were it scathe)
8. 1173  I wol with lusty herte fressh and grene
8. 1174  Seye yow a song to glade yow I wene,
8. 1175  And lat vs stynte of ernestful matere.
8. 1176  Herkneth my song that seith in this manere.

ere is ended the tale of the clerk of Oxenford.


L'enuoy de Chaucer.

8. 1177  Grisilde is deed and eek hir pacience
8. 1178  And bothe atones buryed in Ytaille,
8. 1179  For which I crye in open audience:
8. 1180  No wedded man so hardy be t'assaille
8. 1181  His wyues pacience in trust to fynde
8. 1182  Grisildis, for in certein he shal faille.


8. 1183    O noble wyues ful of heigh prudence,
8. 1184  Lat noon humilitee youre tonge nayle,
8. 1185  Ne lat no clerk haue cause or diligence
8. 1186  To write of yow a storie of swich meruaile
8. 1187  As of Grisildis pacient and kynde
8. 1188  Lest Chichyuache yow swelwe in hir entrayle.

8. 1189  Folweth Ekko that holdeth no silence,
8. 1190  But euere answereth at the countretaile.
8. 1191  Beth nat bidaffed for youre innocence,
8. 1192  But sharply tak on yow the gouernaile.
8. 1193  Emprenteth wel this lessoun in your mynde
8. 1194  For commune profit, sith it may auaile.

8. 1195  Ye archewyues, stondeth at defense
8. 1196  Syn ye be strong as is a gret camaile
8. 1197  Ne suffreth nat that men yow doon offense.
8. 1198  And sklendre wyues fieble as in bataile,
8. 1199  Beth egre as is a tigre yond in Ynde:
8. 1200  Ay clappeth as a mille I yow consaile.

8. 1201  Ne dreed hem nat, dooth hem no reuerence;
8. 1202  For thogh thyn housbond armed be in maile
8. 1203  The arwes of thy crabbed eloquence
8. 1204  Shal perce his brest and eek his auentaile.
8. 1205  In ialousie I rede eek thow hym bynde
8. 1206  And thow shalt make hym couche as dooth a quaile.

8. 1207  If thow be fair, ther folk ben in presence
8. 1208  Shewe thow thy visage and thyn aparaile.
8. 1209  If thow be foul, be fre of thy dispence,
8. 1210  To gete thee freendes ay do thy trauaile.
8. 1211  Be ay of cheere as light as leef on lynde
8. 1212  And lat hym care and wepe and wrynge and wayle.


Explicit.


8. 1213  This worthy clerk whan ended was his tale,
8. 1214  Oure hoost seyde and swoor by goddes bones:
8. 1215  'Me were leuere than a barel ale
8. 1216  My wyf at hom had herd this legende ones.
8. 1217  This is a gentil tale for the nones
8. 1218  As to my purpos, wiste ye my wille.
8. 1219  But thyng that wol nat be, lat it be stille!'