Page 29*
4. [And here beginnithe þe Marchaundis tale /
[Harl. MS 7333, on leaf 68, back, col. 2.]
WEping & wayling Care and oþere sorowe
I know Inow bothe evin & Eke on morowe
Quod the marchaunt & so dothe oþere moo
That weddide be I trowe that it be soo
Line 1216
ffor wel wote I it ffarithe so be me
I have a wyf quod he the worst that may be
ffor thowhe the fende Covpelid to hir were
She wolde him ouer-mache I dare wel swere
Line 1220
What shude yewe reherce in special
her hiȝe malice she is a shrew at Alle
Ther is A longe & A large difference /
Be-twyxt gresildes gret paciens
Line 1224
And of my wyfe the passyng Crueltee
Were I vnbounde Also mut I thee
I wolde neuer Efte Come in that snare
We weddid men leve in sorow & Care
Line 1228
A-say who-so wolle And he shall fynde
That I sey sothe by seint Thomas of ynde
As for the more part I sey not Al
God shilde it that it so shulde be-falle
Line 1232
O goode sir hoste I have I-weddid be
Thes monthes too And no more parde
And yit I trowe he hathe Alle his lyf
Wyfles be thow that men wolde him Rue
Line 1236
Into the hert ne Coude in no manere where
Tellyn so muche sorow as I nowe here
Coude telle of my wyfes Cursid-nesse/
Nowe quod owre Ost marchande so god yowe blesse
Line 1240
Synne ye so mekyll Con of that Arte
fful hertly I pray yowe telle vs parte /
Gladly quod he but of myn owne sore
ffor sory herte I tell[e] may nomore]