The Canterbury tales

Group 2

The Introduction to the Man of Law's Tale

Oure hooste saugh wel that the brighte sonne Line 1 The ark of his artificial day hath ronne Line 2 The ferthe part, and half an houre and moore, Line 3 And though he were nat depe ystert in loore, Line 4 He wiste it was the eightetethe day Line 5 Of aprill, that is messager to may; Line 6 And saugh wel that the shadwe of every tree Line 7 Was as in lengthe the same quantitee Line 8 That was the body erect that caused it. Line 9 And therfore by the shadwe he took his wit Line 10 That phebus, which that shoon so clere and brighte, Line 11 Degrees was fyve and fourty clombe on highte; Line 12 And for that day, as in that latitude, Line 13 It was ten of the clokke, he gan conclude, Line 14 And sodeynly he plighte his hors aboute. Line 15 Lordynges, quod he, I warne yow, al this route, Line 16 The fourthe party of this day is gon. Line 17 Now, for the love of God and of seint john, Line 18 Leseth no tyme, as ferforth as ye may. Line 19 Lordynges, the tyme wasteth nyght and day, Line 20 And steleth from us, what pryvely slepynge, Line 21 And what thurgh necligence in oure wakynge, Line 22 As dooth the streem that turneth nevere agayn, Line 23 Descendynge fro the montaigne into playn. Line 24 Wel kan senec and many a philosophre Line 25 Biwaillen tyme moore than gold in cofre; Line 26 For -- los of catel may recovered be, Line 27 But los of tyme shendeth us, -- quod he. Line 28 It wol nat come agayn, withouten drede, Line 29 Namoore than wole malkynes maydenhede, Line 30 Whan she hath lost it in hir wantownesse. Line 31 Lat us nat mowlen thus in ydelnesse. Line 32 Sire man of lawe, quod he, so have ye blis, Line 33 Telle us a tale anon, as forward is. Line 34 Ye been submytted, thurgh youre free assent, Line 35 To stonden in this cas at my juggement. Line 36 Acquiteth yow now of youre biheeste; Line 37 Thanne have ye do youre devoir atte leeste. Line 38 Hooste, quod he, depardieux, ich assente; Line 39 To breke forward is nat myn entente. Line 40 Biheste is dette, and I wole holde fayn Line 41 Al my biheste, I kan no bettre sayn. Line 42 For swich lawe as a man yeveth another wight, Line 43 He sholde hymselven usen it, by right; Line 44 Thus wole oure text. But nathelees, certeyn, Line 45 I kan right now no thrifty tale seyn Line 46 That chaucer, thogh he kan but lewedly Line 47 On metres and on rymyng craftily, Line 48 Hath seyd hem in swich englissh as he kan Line 49 Of olde tyme, as knoweth many a man; Line 50 And if he have noght seyd hem, leve brother, Line 51 In o book, he hath seyd hem in another. Line 52 For he hath toold of loveris up and doun Line 53 Mo than ovide made of mencioun Line 54 In his episteles, that been ful olde. Line 55 What sholde I tellen hem, syn they been tolde? Line 56 In youthe he made of ceys and alcione, Line 57 And sitthen hath he spoken of everichone, Line 58 Thise noble wyves and thise loveris eke. Line 59 Whoso that wole his large volume seke, Line 60 Cleped the seintes legende of cupide, Line 61 Ther may he seen the large woundes wyde Line 62 Of lucresse, and of babilan tesbee; Line 63 The swerd of dido for the false enee; Line 64 The tree of phillis for hire demophon; Line 65 The pleinte of dianire and of hermyon, Line 66 Of adriane, and of isiphilee; Line 67 The bareyne yle stondynge in the see; Line 68 The dreynte leandre for his erro; Line 69 The teeris of eleyne, and eek the wo Line 70 Of brixseyde, and of the, ladomya; Line 71 The crueltee of the, queene medea, Line 72 Thy litel children hangynge by the hals, Line 73 For thy jason, that was of love so fals! Line 74 O ypermystra, penelopee, alceste, Line 75 Youre wifhod he comendeth with the beste! Line 76 But certeinly no word ne writeth he Line 77 Of thilke wikke ensample of canacee, Line 78 That loved hir owene brother synfully; Line 79 Of swiche cursed stories I sey fy!) Line 80 Or ellis of tyro appollonius, Line 81 How that the cursed kyng antiochus Line 82 Birafte his doghter of hir maydenhede, Line 83 That is so horrible a tale for to rede, Line 84 Whan he hir threw upon the pavement. Line 85 And therfore he, of ful avysement, Line 86

Line 86 Nolde nevere write in none of his sermons Line 87 Of swiche unkynde abhomynacions, Line 88 Ne I wol noon reherce, if that I may. Line 89 But of my tale how shal I doon this day? Line 90 Me were looth be likned, doutelees, Line 91 To muses that men clepe pierides -- Line 92 Methamorphosios woot what I mene; Line 93 But nathelees, I recche noght a bene Line 94 Though I come after hym with hawebake. Line 95 I speke in prose, and lat him rymes make. Line 96 And with that word he, with a sobre cheere, Line 97 Bigan his tale, as ye shal after heere. Line 98

The Man of Law's Prologue

O hateful harm, condicion of poverte! Line 99 With thurst, with coold, with hunger so confoundid! Line 100 To asken help thee shameth in thyn herte; Line 101 If thou noon aske, with nede artow so woundid Line 102 That verray nede unwrappeth al thy wounde hid! Line 103 Maugree thyn heed, thou most for indigence Line 104 Or stele, or begge, or borwe thy despence! Line 105 Thow blamest crist, and seist ful bitterly, Line 106 He mysdeparteth richesse temporal; Line 107 Thy neighebor thou wytest synfully, Line 108 And seist thou hast to lite, and he hath al. Line 109 0parfay, seistow, somtyme he rekene shal, Line 110 Whan that his tayl shal brennen in the gleede, Line 111 For he noght helpeth needfulle in hir neede. Line 112 Herkne what is the sentence of the wise: Line 113 Bet is to dyen than have indigence; Line 114 Thy selve neighebor wol thee despise. Line 115 If thou be povre, farwel thy reverence! Line 116 Yet of the wise man take this sentence: Line 117 Alle the dayes of povre men been wikke. Line 118 Be war, therfore, er thou come to that prikke! Line 119 If thou be povre, thy brother hateth thee, Line 120 And alle thy freendes fleen from thee, allas! Line 121 O riche marchauntz, ful of wele been yee, Line 122 O noble, o prudent folk, as in this cas! Line 123 Youre bagges been nat fild with ambes as, Line 124 But with sys cynk, that renneth for youre chaunce; Line 125 At cristemasse myrie may ye daunce! Line 126 Ye seken lond and see for yowre wynnynges; Line 127 As wise folk ye knowen al th' estaat Line 128 Of regnes; ye been fadres of tidynges Line 129 And tales, bothe of pees and of debaat. Line 130 I were right now of tales desolaat, Line 131 Nere that a marchant, goon is many a yeere, Line 132 Me taughte a tale, which that ye shal heere. Line 133

The Man of Law's Tale

In surrye whilom dwelte a compaignye Line 134 Of chapmen riche, and therto sadde and trewe, Line 135 That wyde-where senten hir spicerye, Line 136 Clothes of gold, and satyns riche of hewe. Line 137 Hir chaffare was so thrifty and so newe Line 138 That every wight hath deyntee to chaffare Line 139 With hem, and eek to sellen hem hire ware. Line 140 Now fil it that the maistres of that sort Line 141 Han shapen hem to rome for to wende; Line 142 Were it for chapmanhod or for disport, Line 143 Noon oother message wolde they thider sende, Line 144 But comen hemself to rome, this is the ende; Line 145 And in swich place as thoughte hem avantage Line 146 For hire entente, they take hir herbergage. Line 147 Sojourned han thise merchantz in that toun Line 148 A certein tyme, as fil to hire plesance. Line 149 And so bifel that th' excellent renoun Line 150 Of the emperoures doghter, dame custance, Line 151 Reported was, with every circumstance, Line 152 Unto thise surryen marchantz in swich wyse. Line 153 Fro day to day, as I shal yow devyse. Line 154 This was the commune voys of every man: Line 155 Oure emperour of rome -- God hym see! -- Line 156 A doghter hath that, syn the world bigan, Line 157 To rekene as wel hir goodnesse as beautee, Line 158 Nas nevere swich another as is shee. Line 159 I prey to God in honour hire susteene, Line 160 And wolde she were of al europe the queene. Line 161

Line 161 In hire is heigh beautee, withoute pride, Line 162 Yowthe, withoute grenehede or folye; Line 163 To alle hire werkes vertu is hir gyde; Line 164 Humblesse hath slayn in hire al tirannye. Line 165 She is mirour of alle curteisye; Line 166 Hir herte is verray chambre of hoolynesse, Line 167 Hir hand, ministre of fredam for almesse. Line 168 And al this voys was sooth, as God is trewe. Line 169 But now to purpos lat us turne agayn. Line 170 Thise marchantz han doon fraught hir shippes newe, Line 171 And whan they han this blisful mayden sayn, Line 172 Hoom to surrye been they went ful fayn, Line 173 And doon hir nedes as they han doon yoore, Line 174 And lyven in wele; I kan sey yow namoore. Line 175 Now fil it that thise marchantz stode in grace Line 176 Of hym that was the sowdan of surrye; Line 177 For whan they cam from any strange place, Line 178 He wolde, of his benigne curteisye, Line 179 Make hem good chiere, and bisily espye Line 180 Tidynges of sondry regnes, for to leere Line 181 The wondres that they myghte seen or heere. Line 182 Amonges othere thynges, specially, Line 183 Thise marchantz han hym toold of dame custance Line 184 So greet noblesse in ernest, ceriously, Line 185 That this sowdan hath caught so greet plesance Line 186 To han hir figure in his remembrance, Line 187 That al his lust and al his bisy cure Line 188 Was for to love hire while his lyf may dure. Line 189 Paraventure in thilke large book Line 190 Which that men clepe the hevene ywriten was Line 191 With sterres, whan that he his birthe took, Line 192 That he for love sholde han his deeth, allas! Line 193 For in the sterres, clerer than is glas, Line 194 Is writen, God woot, whoso koude it rede, Line 195 The deeth of every man, withouten drede. Line 196 In sterres, many a wynter therbiforn, Line 197 Was writen the deeth of ector, achilles, Line 198 Of pompei, julius, er they were born; Line 199 The strif of thebes; and of ercules, Line 200 Of sampson, turnus, and of socrates Line 201 The deeth; but mennes wittes ben so dulle Line 202 That no wight kan wel rede it atte fulle. Line 203 This sowdan for his privee conseil sente, Line 204 And, shortly of this matiere for to pace, Line 205 He hath to hem declared his entente, Line 206 And seyde hem, certein, but he myghte have grace Line 207 To han custance withinne a litel space, Line 208 He nas but deed; and charged hem in hye Line 209 To shapen for his lyf som remedye. Line 210 Diverse men diverse thynges seyden; Line 211 They argumenten, casten up and doun; Line 212 Many a subtil resoun forth they leyden; Line 213 They speken of magyk and abusioun. Line 214 But finally, as in conclusioun, Line 215 They kan nat seen in that noon avantage, Line 216 Ne in noon oother wey, save mariage. Line 217 Thanne sawe they therinne swich difficultee Line 218 By wey of reson, for to speke al playn, Line 219 By cause that ther was swich diversitee Line 220 Bitwene hir bothe lawes, that they sayn Line 221 They trowe, that no cristen prince wolde fayn Line 222 Wedden his child under oure lawe sweete Line 223 That us was taught by mahoun, oure prophete. Line 224 And he answerde, rather than I lese Line 225 Custance, I wol be cristned, doutelees. Line 226 I moot been hires, I may noon oother chese. Line 227 I prey yow hoold youre argumentz in pees; Line 228 Saveth my lyf, and beth noght recchelees Line 229 To geten hire that hath my lyf in cure; Line 230 For in this wo I may nat longe endure. Line 231 What nedeth gretter dilatacioun? Line 232 I seye, by tretys and embassadrie, Line 233 And by the popes mediacioun, Line 234 And al the chirche, and al the chivalrie, Line 235 That in destruccioun of mawmettrie, Line 236 And in encrees of cristes lawe deere, Line 237 They been acorded, so as ye shal heere: Line 238 How that the sowdan and his baronage Line 239 And alle his liges sholde ycristned be, Line 240 And he shal han custance in mariage, Line 241 And certein gold, I noot what quantitee; Line 242 And heer-to founden sufficient suretee. Line 243 This same accord was sworn on eyther syde; Line 244 Now, faire custance, almyghty God thee gyde! Line 245 Now wolde som men waiten, as I gesse, Line 246 That I sholde tellen al the purveiance Line 247 That th' emperour, of his grete noblesse, Line 248 Hath shapen for his doghter, dame custance. Line 249 Wel may men knowen that so greet ordinance Line 250 May no man tellen in a litel clause Line 251 As was arrayed for so heigh a cause. Line 252 Bisshopes been shapen with hire for to wende, Line 253 Lordes, ladies, knyghtes of renoun, Line 254

Line 254 And oother folk ynowe, this is th' ende; Line 255 And notified is thurghout the toun Line 256 That every wight, with greet devocioun, Line 257 Sholde preyen crist that he this mariage Line 258 Receyve in gree, and spede this viage. Line 259 The day is comen of hir departynge; Line 260 I seye, the woful day fatal is come, Line 261 That ther may be no lenger tariynge, Line 262 But forthward they hem dressen, alle and some. Line 263 Custance, that was with sorwe al overcome, Line 264 Ful pale arist, and dresseth hire to wende; Line 265 For wel she seeth ther is noon oother ende. Line 266 Allas! what wonder is it thogh she wepte, Line 267 That shal be sent to strange nacioun Line 268 Fro freendes that so tendrely hire kepte, Line 269 And to be bounden under subjeccioun Line 270 Of oon, she knoweth nat his condicioun? Line 271 Housbondes been alle goode, and han ben yoore; Line 272 That knowen wyves; I dar sey yow na moore. Line 273 Fader, she seyde, thy wrecched child custance, Line 274 Thy yonge doghter fostred up so softe, Line 275 And ye, my mooder, my soverayn plesance Line 276 Over alle thyng, out-taken crist on-lofte, Line 277 Custance youre child hire recomandeth ofte Line 278 Unto youre grace, for I shal to surrye, Line 279 Ne shal I nevere seen yow moore with ye. Line 280 Allas! unto the barbre nacioun Line 281 I moste anoon, syn that it is youre wille; Line 282 But crist, that starf for our redempcioun Line 283 So yeve me grace his heestes to fulfille! Line 284 I, wrecche womman, no fors though I spille! Line 285 Wommen are born to thraldom and penance, Line 286 And to been under mannes governance. Line 287 I trowe at troye, whan pirrus brak the wal, Line 288 Or ilion brende, at thebes the citee, Line 289 N' at rome, for the harm thurgh hanybal Line 290 That romayns hath venquysshed tymes thre, Line 291 Nas herd swich tendre wepyng for pitee Line 292 As in the chambre was for hire departynge; Line 293 But forth she moot, wher-so she wepe or synge. Line 294 O firste moevyng! crueel firmament, Line 295 With thy diurnal sweigh that crowdest ay Line 296 And hurlest al from est til occident Line 297 That naturelly wolde holde another way, Line 298 Thy crowdyng set the hevene in swich array Line 299 At the bigynnyng of this fiers viage, Line 300 That crueel mars hath slayn this mariage. Line 301 Infortunat ascendent tortuous, Line 302 Of which the lord is helplees falle, allas, Line 303 Out of his angle into the derkeste hous! Line 304 O mars, o atazir, as in this cas! Line 305 O fieble moone, unhappy been thy paas! Line 306 Thou knyttest thee ther thou art nat receyved; Line 307 Ther thou were weel, fro thennes artow weyved. Line 308 Imprudent emperour of rome, allas! Line 309 Was ther no philosophre in al thy toun? Line 310 Is no tyme bet than oother in swich cas? Line 311 Of viage is ther noon eleccioun, Line 312 Namely to folk of heigh condicioun? Line 313 Noght whan a roote is of a burthe yknowe? Line 314 Allas, we been to lewed or to slowe! Line 315 To shippe is brought this woful faire mayde Line 316 Solempnely, with every circumstance. Line 317 Now jhesu crist be with yow alle! she sayde; Line 318 Ther nys namoore, but farewel, faire custance! Line 319 She peyneth hire to make good contenance; Line 320 And forth I lete hire saille in this manere, Line 321 And turne I wole agayn to my matere. Line 322 The mooder of the sowdan, welle of vices, Line 323 Espied hath hir sones pleyn entente, Line 324 How he wol lete his olde sacrifices; Line 325 And right anon she for hir conseil sente, Line 326 And they been come to knowe what she mente. Line 327 And whan assembled was this folk in-feere, Line 328 She sette hire doun, and seyde as ye shal heere. Line 329 Lordes, quod she, ye knowen everichon, Line 330 How that my sone in point is for to lete Line 331 The hooly lawes of our alkaron, Line 332 Yeven by goddes message makomete. Line 333 But oon avow to grete God I heete, Line 334 The lyf shal rather out of my body sterte Line 335 Or makometes lawe out of myn herte! Line 336 What sholde us tyden of this newe lawe Line 337 But thraldom to oure bodies and penance, Line 338 And afterward in helle to be drawe, Line 339 For we reneyed mahoun oure creance? Line 340 But, lordes, wol ye maken assurance, Line 341 As I shal seyn, assentynge to my loore, Line 342 And I shal make us sauf for everemoore? Line 343 They sworen and assenten, every man, Line 344 To lyve with hire and dye, and by hire stonde, Line 345 And everich, in the beste wise he kan, Line 346 To strengthen hire shal alle his frendes fonde; Line 347

Line 347 And she hath this emprise ytake on honde, Line 348 Which ye shal heren that I shal devyse, Line 349 And to hem alle she spak right in this wyse: Line 350 We shul first feyne us cristendom to take, -- Line 351 Coold water shal nat greve us but a lite! Line 352 And I shal swich a feeste and revel make Line 353 That, as I trowe, I shal the sowdan quite. Line 354 For thogh his wyf be cristned never so white, Line 355 She shal have nede to wasshe awey the rede, Line 356 Thogh she a font-ful water with hire lede. Line 357 O sowdanesse, roote of iniquitee! Line 358 Virago, thou semyrame the secounde! Line 359 O serpent under femynynytee, Line 360 Lik to the serpent depe in helle ybounde! Line 361 O feyned womman, al that may confounde Line 362 Vertu and innocence, thurgh thy malice, Line 363 Is bred in thee, as nest of every vice! Line 364 O sathan, envious syn thilke day Line 365 That thou were chaced from oure heritage, Line 366 Wel knowestow to wommen the olde way! Line 367 Thou madest eva brynge us in servage; Line 368 Thou wolt fordoon this cristen mariage. Line 369 Thyn instrument so, weylawey the while! Line 370 Makestow of wommen, whan thou wolt bigile. Line 371 This sowdanesse, whom I thus blame and warye, Line 372 Leet prively hire conseil goon hire way. Line 373 What sholde I in this tale lenger tarye? Line 374 She rydeth to the sowdan on a day, Line 375 And seyde hym that she wolde reneye hir lay, Line 376 And cristendom of preestes handes fonge, Line 377 Repentynge hire she hethen was so longe; Line 378 Bisechynge hym to doon hire that honour, Line 379 That she moste han the cristen folk to feeste, -- Line 380 To plesen hem I wol do my labour. Line 381 The sowdan seith, I wol doon at youre heeste; Line 382 And knelynge thanketh hire of that requeste. Line 383 So glad he was, he nyste what to seye. Line 384 She kiste hir sone, and hoom she gooth hir weye. Line 385 Arryved been this cristen folk to londe Line 386 In surrye, with a greet solempne route, Line 387 And hastifliche this sowdan sente his sonde, Line 388 First to his mooder, and al the regne aboute, Line 389 And seyde his wyf was comen, out of doute, Line 390 And preyde hire for to ryde agayn the queene, Line 391 The honour of his regne to susteene. Line 392 Greet was the prees, and riche was th' array Line 393 Of surryens and romayns met yfeere; Line 394 The mooder of the sowdan, riche and gay, Line 395 Receyveth hire with also glad a cheere Line 396 As any mooder myghte hir doghter deere, Line 397 And to the nexte citee ther bisyde Line 398 A softe paas solempnely they ryde. Line 399 Noght trowe I the triumphe of julius, Line 400 Of which that lucan maketh swich a boost, Line 401 Was roialler ne moore curius Line 402 Than was th' assemblee of this blisful hoost. Line 403 But this scorpioun, this wikked goost, Line 404 The sowdanesse, for al hire flaterynge, Line 405 Caste under this ful mortally to stynge. Line 406 The sowdan comth hymself soone after this Line 407 So roially, that wonder is to telle, Line 408 And welcometh hire with alle joye and blis. Line 409 And thus in murthe and joye I lete hem dwelle; Line 410 The fryt of this matiere is that I telle. Line 411 Whan tyme cam, men thoughte it for the beste Line 412 That revel stynte, and men goon to hir reste. Line 413 The tyme cam this olde sowdanesse Line 414 Ordeyned hath this feeste of which I tolde, Line 415 And to the feeste cristen folk hem dresse Line 416 In general, ye, bothe yonge and olde. Line 417 Heere may men feeste and roialtee biholde, Line 418 And deyntees mo than I kan yow devyse; Line 419 But al to deere they boghte it er they ryse. Line 420 O sodeyn wo, that evere art successour Line 421 To worldly blisse, spreynd with bitternesse! Line 422 The ende of the joye of oure worldly labour! Line 423 Wo occupieth the fyn of oure gladnesse. Line 424 Herke this conseil for thy sikernesse: Line 425 Upon thy glade day have in thy mynde Line 426 The unwar wo or harm that comth bihynde. Line 427 For shortly for to tellen, at o word, Line 428 The sowdan and the cristen everichone Line 429 Been al tohewe and stiked at the bord, Line 430 But it were oonly dame custance allone. Line 431 This olde sowdanesse, cursed krone, Line 432 Hath with hir freendes doon this cursed dede, Line 433 For she hirself wolde al the contree lede. Line 434 Ne ther was surryen noon that was converted, Line 435 That of the conseil of the sowdan woot, Line 436

Line 436 That he nas al tohewe er he asterted. Line 437 And custance han they take anon, foot-hoot, Line 438 And in a ship al steerelees, God woot, Line 439 They han hir set, and bidde hire lerne saille Line 440 Out of surrye agaynward to ytaille. Line 441 A certein tresor that she thider ladde, Line 442 And, sooth to seyn, vitaille greet plentee Line 443 They han hire yeven, and clothes eek she hadde, Line 444 And forth she sailleth in the salte see. Line 445 O my custance, ful of benignytee, Line 446 O emperoures yonge doghter deere, Line 447 He that is lord of fortune be thy steere! Line 448 She blesseth hire, and with ful pitous voys Line 449 Unto the croys of crist thus seyde she: Line 450 O cleere, o welful auter, hooly croys, Line 451 Reed of the lambes blood ful of pitee, Line 452 That wessh the world fro the olde iniquitee, Line 453 Me fro the feend and fro his clawes kepe, Line 454 That day that I shal drenchen in the depe. Line 455 Victorious tree, proteccioun of trewe, Line 456 That oonly worthy were for to bere Line 457 The kyng of hevene with his woundes newe, Line 458 The white lamb, that hurt was with a spere, Line 459 Flemere of feendes out of hym and here Line 460 On which thy lymes feithfully extenden, Line 461 Me kepe, and yif me myght my lyf t' amenden. Line 462 Yeres and dayes fleet this creature Line 463 Thurghout the see of grece unto the strayte Line 464 Of marrok, as it was hire aventure. Line 465 On many a sory meel now may she bayte; Line 466 After hir deeth ful often may she wayte, Line 467 Er that the wilde wawes wol hire dryve Line 468 Unto the place ther she shal arryve. Line 469 Men myghten asken why she was nat slayn Line 470 Eek at the feeste? who myghte hir body save? Line 471 And I answere to that demande agayn, Line 472 Who saved danyel in the horrible cave Line 473 Ther every wight save he, maister and knave, Line 474 Was with the leon frete er he asterte? Line 475 No wight but god, that he bar in his herte. Line 476 God liste to shewe his wonderful myracle Line 477 In hire, for we sholde seen his myghty werkis; Line 478 Crist, which that is to every harm triacle, Line 479 By certeine meenes ofte, as knowen clerkis, Line 480 Dooth thyng for certein ende that ful derk is Line 481 To mannes wit, that for oure ignorance Line 482 Ne konne noght knowe his prudent purveiance. Line 483 Now sith she was nat at the feeste yslawe, Line 484 Who kepte hire fro the drenchyng in the see? Line 485 Who kepte jonas in the fisshes mawe Line 486 Til he was spouted up at nynyvee? Line 487 Wel may men knowe it was no wight but he Line 488 That kepte peple ebrayk from hir drenchynge, Line 489 With drye feet thurghout the see passynge. Line 490 Who bad the foure spirites of tempest Line 491 That power han t' anoyen lond and see, Line 492 Bothe north and south, and also west and est, Line 493 Anoyeth, neither see, ne land, ne tree? Line 494 Soothly, the comandour of that was he Line 495 That fro the tempest ay this womman kepte Line 496 As wel whan she wook as whan she slepte. Line 497 Where myghte this womman mete and drynke have Line 498 Thre yeer and moore? how lasteth hire vitaille? Line 499 Who fedde the egipcien marie in the cave, Line 500 Or in desert? no wight but crist, sanz faille. Line 501 Fyve thousand folk it was as greet mervaille Line 502 With loves fyve and fisshes two to feede. Line 503 God sente his foyson at hir grete neede. Line 504 She dryveth forth into oure occian Line 505 Thurghout oure wilde see, til atte laste Line 506 Under an hoold that nempnen I ne kan, Line 507 Fer in northhumberlond the wawe hire caste, Line 508 And in the sond hir ship stiked so faste Line 509 That thennes wolde it noght of al a tyde; Line 510 The wyl of crist was that she sholde abyde. Line 511 The constable of the castel doun is fare Line 512 To seen this wrak, and al the ship he soghte, Line 513 And foond this wery womman ful of care; Line 514 He foond also the tresor that she broghte. Line 515 In hir langage mercy she bisoghte, Line 516 The lyf out of hir body for to twynne, Line 517 Hire to delivere of wo that she was inne. Line 518 A maner latyn corrupt was hir speche, Line 519 But algates therby was she understonde. Line 520 The constable, whan hym lyst no longer seche, Line 521 This woful womman broghte he to the londe. Line 522 She kneleth doun and thanketh goddes sonde; Line 523 But what she was she wolde no man seye, Line 524 For foul ne fair, thogh that she sholde deye. Line 525 She seyde she was so mazed in the see Line 526 That she forgat hir mynde, by hir trouthe. Line 527 The constable hath of hire so greet pitee, Line 528 And eek his wyf, that they wepen for routhe. Line 529

Line 529 She was so diligent, withouten slouthe, Line 530 To serve and plesen everich in that place, Line 531 That alle hir loven that looken in hir face. Line 532 This constable and dame hermengyld, his, wyf, Line 533 Were payens, and that contree everywhere; Line 534 But hermengyld loved hire right as hir lyf, Line 535 And custance hath so longe sojourned there, Line 536 In orisons, with many a bitter teere, Line 537 Til jhesu hath converted thurgh his grace Line 538 Dame hermengyld, constablesse of that place. Line 539 In al that lond no cristen dorste route; Line 540 Alle cristen folk been fled fro that contree Line 541 Thurgh payens, that conquereden al aboute Line 542 The plages of the north, by land and see. Line 543 To walys fledde the cristyanytee Line 544 Of olde britons dwellynge in this ile; Line 545 Ther was hir refut for the meene while. Line 546 But yet nere cristene britons so exiled Line 547 That ther nere somme that in hir privetee Line 548 Honoured crist and hethen folk bigiled, Line 549 And ny the castel swiche ther dwelten three. Line 550 That oon of hem was blynd and myghte nat see, Line 551 But it were with thilke eyen of his mynde Line 552 With whiche men seen, after that they ben blynde. Line 553 Bright was the sonne as in that someres day, Line 554 For which the constable and his wyf also Line 555 And custance han ytake the righte way Line 556 Toward the see a furlong wey or two, Line 557 To pleyen and to romen to and fro; Line 558 And in hir walk this blynde man they mette, Line 559 Croked and oold, with eyen faste yshette. Line 560 In name of crist, cride this blinde britoun, Line 561 Dame hermengyld, yif me my sighte agayn! Line 562 This lady weex affrayed of the soun, Line 563 Lest that hir housbonde, shortly for to sayn, Line 564 Wolde hire for jhesu cristes love han slayn, Line 565 Til custance made hire boold, and bad hire wirche Line 566 The wyl of crist, as doghter of his chirche. Line 567 The constable weex abasshed of that sight, Line 568 And seyde, what amounteth al this fare? Line 569 Custance answerde, sire, it is cristes myght, Line 570 That helpeth folk out of the feendes snare. Line 571 And so ferforth she gan oure lay declare Line 572 That she the constable, er that it was eve Line 573 Converted, and on crist made hym bileve. Line 574 This constable was nothyng lord of this place Line 575 Of which I speke, ther he custance fond, Line 576 But kepte it strongly many a wyntres space Line 577 Under alla, kyng of al northhumbrelond, Line 578 That was ful wys, and worthy of his hond Line 579 Agayn the scottes, as men may wel heere; Line 580 But turne I wole agayn to my mateere. Line 581 Sathan, that evere us waiteth to bigile, Line 582 Saugh of custance al hire perfeccioun, Line 583 And caste anon how he myghte quite hir while, Line 584 And made a yong knyght that dwelte in that toun Line 585 Love hire so hoote, of foul affeccioun, Line 586 That verraily hym thoughte he sholde spille, Line 587 But he of hire myghte ones have his wille. Line 588 He woweth hire, but it availleth noght; Line 589 She wolde do no synne, by no weye. Line 590 And for despit he compassed in his thoght Line 591 To maken hire on shameful deeth to deye. Line 592 He wayteth whan the constable was aweye, Line 593 And pryvely upon a nyght he crepte Line 594 In hermengyldes chambre, whil she slepte. Line 595 Wery, forwaked in hire orisouns, Line 596 Slepeth custance, and hermengyld also. Line 597 This knyght, thurgh sathanas temptaciouns, Line 598 Al softely is to the bed ygo, Line 599 And kitte the throte of hermengyld atwo, Line 600 And leyde the blody knyf by dame custance, Line 601 And wente his wey, ther God yeve hym meschance! Line 602 Soone after cometh this constable hoom agayn, Line 603 And eek alla, that kyng was of that lond, Line 604 And saugh his wyf despitously yslayn, Line 605 For which ful ofte he weep and wroong his hond, Line 606 And in the bed the blody knyf he fond Line 607 By dame custance. Allas! what myghte she seye? Line 608 For verray wo hir wit was al aweye. Line 609 To kyng alla was toold al this meschance, Line 610 And eek the tyme, and where, and in what wise Line 611 That in a ship was founden this custance, Line 612 As heer-biforn that ye han herd devyse. Line 613 The kynges herte of pitee gan agryse, Line 614 Whan he saugh so benigne a creature Line 615 Falle in disese and in mysaventure. Line 616 For as the lomb toward his deeth is broght, Line 617 So stant this innocent bifore the kyng. Line 618

Line 618 This false knyght, that hath this tresoun wroght, Line 619 Berth hire on hond that she hath doon thys thyng. Line 620 But nathelees, ther was greet moornyng Line 621 Among the peple, and seyn they kan nat gesse Line 622 That she had doon so greet a wikkednesse; Line 623 For they han seyn hire evere so vertuous, Line 624 And lovynge hermengyld right as hir lyf. Line 625 Of this baar witnesse everich in that hous, Line 626 Save he that hermengyld slow with his knyf. Line 627 This gentil kyng hath caught a greet motyf Line 628 Of this witnesse, and thoghte he wolde enquere Line 629 Depper in this, a trouthe for to lere. Line 630 Allas! custance, thou hast no champioun, Line 631 Ne fighte kanstow noght, so weylaway! Line 632 But he that starf for our redempcioun, Line 633 And boond sathan (and yet lith ther he lay), Line 634 So be thy stronge champion this day! Line 635 For, but if crist open myracle kithe, Line 636 Withouten gilt thou shalt be slayn as swithe. Line 637 She sette hire doun on knees, and thus she sayde: Line 638 Immortal god, that savedest susanne Line 639 Fro false blame, and thou, merciful mayde, Line 640 Marie I meene, doghter to seint anne, Line 641 Bifore whos child angeles synge osanne, Line 642 If I be giltlees of this felonye, Line 643 My socour be, for ellis shal I dye! Line 644 Have ye nat seyn somtyme a pale face, Line 645 Among a prees, of hym that hath be lad Line 646 Toward his deeth, wher as hym gat no grace, Line 647 And swich a colour in his face hath had, Line 648 Men myghte knowe his face that was bistad, Line 649 Amonges alle the faces in that route? Line 650 So stant custance, and looketh hire aboute. Line 651 O queenes, lyvynge in prosperitee, Line 652 Duchesses, and ye ladyes everichone, Line 653 Haveth som routhe on hire adversitee! Line 654 An emperoures doghter stant allone; Line 655 She hath no wight to whom to make hir mone. Line 656 O blood roial, that stondest in this drede, Line 657 Fer been thy freendes at thy grete nede! Line 658 This alla kyng hath swich compassioun, Line 659 As gentil herte is fulfild of pitee, Line 660 That from his eyen ran the water doun. Line 661 Now hastily do fecche a book, quod he, Line 662 And if this knyght wol sweren how that she Line 663 This womman slow, yet wol we us avyse Line 664 Whom that we wole that shal been oure justise. Line 665 A britoun book, written with evaungiles, Line 666 Was fet, and on this book he swoor anoon Line 667 She gilty was, and in the meene whiles Line 668 An hand hym smoot upon the nekke-boon, Line 669 That doun he fil atones as a stoon, Line 670 And bothe his eyen broste out of his face Line 671 In sighte of every body in that place. Line 672 A voys was herd in general audience, Line 673 And seyde, thou hast desclaundred, giltelees, Line 674 The doghter of hooly chirche in heigh presence; Line 675 Thus hastou doon, and yet holde I my pees! Line 676 Of this mervaille agast was al the prees; Line 677 As mazed folk they stoden everichone, Line 678 For drede of wreche, save custance allone. Line 679 Greet was the drede and eek the repentance Line 680 Of hem that hadden wrong suspecioun Line 681 Upon this sely innocent, custance; Line 682 And for this miracle, in conclusioun, Line 683 And by custances mediacioun, Line 684 The kyng -- and many another in that place -- Line 685 Converted was, thanked be cristes grace! Line 686 This false knyght was slayn for his untrouthe Line 687 By juggement of alla hastifly; Line 688 And yet custance hadde of his deeth greet routhe. Line 689 And after this jhesus, of his mercy, Line 690 Made alla wedden ful solempnely Line 691 This hooly mayden, that is so bright and sheene; Line 692 And thus hath crist ymaad custance a queene. Line 693 But who was woful, if I shal nat lye, Line 694 Of this weddyng but donegild, and namo, Line 695 The kynges mooder, ful of tirannye? Line 696 Hir thoughte hir cursed herte brast atwo. Line 697 She wolde noght hir sone had do so; Line 698 Hir thoughte a despit that he sholde take Line 699 So strange a creature unto his make. Line 700 Me list nat of the chaf, ne of the stree, Line 701 Maken so long a tale as of the corn. Line 702 What sholde I tellen of the roialtee Line 703 At mariage, or which cours goth biforn; Line 704 Who bloweth in a trumpe or in an horn? Line 705 The fruyt of every tale is for to seye: Line 706 They ete, and drynke, and daunce, and synge, and pleye. Line 707

Line 707 They goon to bedde, as it was skile and right; Line 708 For thogh that wyves be ful hooly thynges, Line 709 They moste take in pacience at nyght Line 710 Swiche manere necessaries as been plesynges Line 711 To folk that han ywedded hem with rynges, Line 712 And leye a lite hir hoolynesse aside, Line 713 As for the tyme, -- it may no bet bitide. Line 714 On hire he gat a knave child anon, Line 715 And to a bisshop, and his constable eke, Line 716 He took his wyf to kepe, whan he is gon Line 717 To scotlond-ward, his foomen for to seke. Line 718 Now faire custance, that is so humble and meke, Line 719 So longe is goon with childe, til that stille Line 720 She halt hire chambre, abidyng cristes wille. Line 721 The tyme is come a knave child she beer; Line 722 Mauricius at the fontstoon they hym calle. Line 723 This constable dooth forth come a messageer, Line 724 And wroot unto his kyng, that cleped was alle, Line 725 How that this blisful tidyng is bifalle, Line 726 And othere tidynges spedeful for to seye. Line 727 He taketh the lettre, and forth he gooth his weye. Line 728 This messager, to doon his avantage, Line 729 Unto the kynges mooder rideth swithe, Line 730 And salueth hire ful faire in his langage: Line 731 Madame, quod he, ye may be glad and blithe, Line 732 And thanketh God an hundred thousand sithe! Line 733 My lady queene hath child, withouten doute, Line 734 To joye and blisse to al this regne aboute. Line 735 Lo, heere the lettres seled of this thyng, Line 736 That I moot bere with al the haste I may. Line 737 If ye wol aught unto youre sone the kyng, Line 738 I am youre servant, bothe nyght and day. Line 739 Donegild answerde, as now at this tyme, nay; Line 740 But heere al nyght I wol thou take thy reste. Line 741 To-morwe wol I seye thee what me leste. Line 742 This messager drank sadly ale and wyn, Line 743 And stolen were his lettres pryvely Line 744 Out of his box, whil he sleep as a swyn; Line 745 And countrefeted was ful subtilly Line 746 Another lettre, wroght ful synfully, Line 747 Unto the kyng direct of this mateere Line 748 Fro his constable, as ye shal after heere. Line 749 The lettre spak the queene delivered was Line 750 Of so horrible a feendly creature Line 751 That in the castel noon so hardy was Line 752 That any while dorste ther endure. Line 753 The mooder was an elf, by aventure Line 754 Ycomen, by charmes or by sorcerie, Line 755 And every wight hateth hir compaignye. Line 756 Wo was this kyng whan he this lettre had sayn, Line 757 But to no wight he tolde his sorwes soore, Line 758 But of his owene hand he wroot agayn, Line 759 Welcome the sonde of crist for everemoore Line 760 To me that am now lerned in his loore! Line 761 Lord, welcome be thy lust and thy plesaunce; Line 762 My lust I putte al in thyn ordinaunce. Line 763 Kepeth this child, al be it foul or feir, Line 764 And eek my wyf, unto myn hoom-comynge. Line 765 Crist, whan hym list, may sende me an heir Line 766 Moore agreable than this to my likynge. Line 767 This lettre he seleth, pryvely wepynge, Line 768 Which to the messager was take soone, Line 769 And forth he gooth; ther is na moore to doone. Line 770 O messager, fulfild of dronkenesse, Line 771 Strong is thy breeth, thy lymes faltren ay, Line 772 And thou biwreyest alle secreenesse. Line 773 Thy mynde is lorn, thou janglest as a jay, Line 774 Thy face is turned in a newe array. Line 775 Ther dronkenesse regneth in any route, Line 776 Ther is no conseil hyd, withouten doute. Line 777 O donegild, I ne have noon englissh digne Line 778 Unto thy malice and thy tirannye! Line 779 And therfore to the feend I thee resigne; Line 780 Lat hym enditen of thy traitorie! Line 781 Fy, mannysh, fy! -- o nay, by god, I lye -- Line 782 Fy, feendlych spirit, for I dar wel telle, Line 783 Thogh thou heere walke, thy spirit is in helle! Line 784 This messager comth fro the kyng agayn, Line 785 And at the kynges moodres court he lighte, Line 786 And she was of this messager ful fayn, Line 787 And plesed hym in al that ever she myghte. Line 788 He drank, and wel his girdel underpighte; Line 789 He slepeth, and he fnorteth in his gyse Line 790 Al nyght, til the sonne gan aryse. Line 791 Eft were his lettres stolen everychon, Line 792 And countrefeted lettres in this wyse: Line 793 The king comandeth his constable anon, Line 794 Up peyne of hangyng, and on heigh juyse, Line 795 That he ne sholde suffren in no wyse Line 796 Custance in-with his reawme for t' abyde Line 797 Thre dayes and o quarter of a tyde; Line 798

Line 798 But in the same ship as he hire fond, Line 799 Hire, and hir yonge sone, and al hir geere, Line 800 He sholde putte, and croude hire fro the lond, Line 801 And charge hire that she never eft coome theere. Line 802 O my custance, wel may thy goost have feere, Line 803 And, slepynge, in thy dreem been in penance, Line 804 Whan donegild cast al this ordinance. Line 805 This messager on morwe, whan he wook, Line 806 Unto the castel halt the nexte way, Line 807 And to the constable he the lettre took; Line 808 And whan that he this pitous lettre say, Line 809 Ful ofte he seyde, allas! and weylaway! Line 810 Lord crist, quod he, how may this world endure, Line 811 So ful of synne is many a creature? Line 812 O myghty god, if that it be thy wille, Line 813 Sith thou art rightful juge, how may it be Line 814 That thou wolt suffren innocentz to spille, Line 815 And wikked folk regne in prosperitee? Line 816 O goode custance, allas! so wo is me Line 817 That I moot be thy tormentour, or deye Line 818 On shames deeth; ther is noon oother weye. Line 819 Wepen bothe yonge and olde in al that place Line 820 Whan that the kyng this cursed lettre sente, Line 821 And custance, with a deedly pale face, Line 822 The ferthe day toward hir ship she wente. Line 823 But nathelees she taketh in good entente Line 824 The wyl of crist, and knelynge on the stronde, Line 825 She seyde, lord, ay welcome be thy sonde! Line 826 He that me kepte fro the false blame Line 827 While I was on the lond amonges yow, Line 828 He kan me kepe from harm and eek fro shame Line 829 In salte see, althogh I se noght how. Line 830 As strong as evere he was, he is yet now. Line 831 In hym triste I, and in his mooder deere, Line 832 That is to me my seyl and eek my steere. Line 833 Hir litel child lay wepyng in hir arm, Line 834 And knelynge, pitously to hym she seyde, Line 835 Pees, litel sone, I wol do thee noon harm. Line 836 With that hir coverchief of hir heed she breyde, Line 837 And over his litel eyen she it leyde, Line 838 And in hir arm she lulleth it ful faste, Line 839 And into hevene hire eyen up she caste. Line 840 Mooder, quod she, and mayde bright, marie, Line 841 Sooth is that thurgh wommanes eggement Line 842 Mankynde was lorn, and damned ay to dye, Line 843 For which thy child was on a croys yrent. Line 844 Thy blisful eyen sawe al his torment; Line 845 Thanne is ther no comparison bitwene Line 846 Thy wo and any wo man may sustene. Line 847 Thow sawe thy child yslayn bifore thyne yen, Line 848 And yet now lyveth my litel child, parfay! Line 849 Now, lady bright, to whom alle woful cryen, Line 850 Thow glorie of wommanhede, thow faire may, Line 851 Thow haven of refut, brighte sterre of day, Line 852 Rewe on my child, that of thy gentillesse, Line 853 Rewest on every reweful in distresse. Line 854 O litel child, allas! what is thy gilt, Line 855 That nevere wroghtest synne as yet, pardee? Line 856 Why wil thyn harde fader han thee spilt? Line 857 O mercy, deere constable, quod she, Line 858 As lat my litel child dwelle heer with thee; Line 859 And if thou darst nat saven hym, for blame, Line 860 So kys hym ones in his fadres name! Line 861 Therwith she looked bakward to the londe, Line 862 And seyde, farewel, housbonde routhelees! Line 863 And up she rist, and walketh doun the stronde Line 864 Toward the ship, -- hir folweth al the prees, -- Line 865 And evere she preyeth hire child to holde his pees; Line 866 And taketh hir leve, and with an hooly entente Line 867 She blisseth hire, and into ship she wente. Line 868 Vitailled was the ship, it is no drede, Line 869 Habundantly for hire ful longe space, Line 870 And othere necessaries that sholde nede Line 871 She hadde ynogh, heryed be goddes grace! Line 872 For wynd and weder almyghty God purchace, Line 873 And brynge hire hoom! I kan no bettre seye, Line 874 But in the see she dryveth forth hir weye. Line 875 Alla the kyng comth hoom soone after this Line 876 Unto his castel, of the which I tolde, Line 877 And asketh where his wyf and his child is. Line 878 The constable gan aboute his herte colde, Line 879 And pleynly al the manere he hym tolde Line 880 As ye han herd -- i kan telle it no bettre -- Line 881 And sheweth the kyng his seel and eek his lettre, Line 882 And seyde, lord, as ye comanded me Line 883 Up peyne of deeth, so have I doon, certein. Line 884 This messager tormented was til he Line 885

Line 885 Moste biknowe and tellen, plat and pleyn, Line 886 Fro nyght to nyght, in what place he had leyn; Line 887 And thus, by with and sotil enquerynge, Line 888 Ymagined was by whom this harm gan sprynge. Line 889 The hand was knowe that the lettre wroot, Line 890 And al the venym of this cursed dede, Line 891 But in what wise, certeinly, I noot. Line 892 Th' effect is this, that alla, out of drede, Line 893 His mooder slow -- that may men pleynly rede -- Line 894 For that she traitour was to hire ligeance. Line 895 Thus endeth olde donegild, with meschance! Line 896 The sorwe that this alla nyght and day Line 897 Maketh for his wyf, and for his child also, Line 898 Ther is no tonge that it telle may. Line 899 But now wol I unto custance go, Line 900 That fleteth in the see, in peyne and wo, Line 901 Fyve yeer and moore, as liked cristes sonde, Line 902 Er that hir ship approched unto londe. Line 903 Under an hethen castel, atte laste, Line 904 Of which the name in my text noght I fynde, Line 905 Custance, and eek hir child, the see up caste. Line 906 Almyghty god, that saveth al mankynde, Line 907 Have on custance and on hir child som mynde, Line 908 That fallen is in hethen hand eft soone, Line 909 In point to spille, as I shal telle yow soone. Line 910 Doun fro the castel comth ther many a wight Line 911 To gauren on this ship and on custance. Line 912 But shortly, from the castel, on a nyght, Line 913 The lordes styward -- God yeve hym meschance! -- Line 914 A theef, that hadde reneyed oure creance, Line 915 Cam into ship allone, and seyde he sholde Line 916 Hir lemman be, wher-so she wolde or nolde. Line 917 Wo was this wrecched womman tho bigon; Line 918 Hir child cride, and she cride pitously. Line 919 But blisful marie heelp hire right anon; Line 920 For with hir struglyng wel and myghtily Line 921 The theef fil over bord al sodeynly, Line 922 And in the see he dreynte for vengeance; Line 923 And thus hath crist unwemmed kept custance. Line 924 O foule lust of luxurie, lo, thyn ende! Line 925 Nat oonly that thou feyntest mannes mynde, Line 926 But verraily thou wolt his body shende. Line 927 Th' ende of thy werk, or of thy lustes blynde, Line 928 Is compleynyng. Hou many oon may men fynde Line 929 That noght for werk somtyme, but for th' entente Line 930 To doon this synne, been outher slayn or shente! Line 931 How may this wayke womman han this strengthe Line 932 Hire to defende agayn this renegat? Line 933 O golias, unmesurable of lengthe, Line 934 Hou myghte david make thee so maat, Line 935 So yong and of armure so desolaat? Line 936 Hou dorste he looke upon thy dredful face? Line 937 Wel may men seen, it nas but goddes grace. Line 938 Who yaf judith corage or hardynesse Line 939 To sleen hym olofernus in his tente, Line 940 And to deliveren out of wrecchednesse Line 941 The peple of god? I seye, for this entente, Line 942 That right as God spirit of vigour sente Line 943 To hem, and saved hem out of meschance, Line 944 So sente he myght and vigour to custance. Line 945 Forth gooth hir ship thurghout the narwe mouth Line 946 Of jubaltare and septe, dryvynge ay Line 947 Somtyme west, and somtyme north and south, Line 948 And somtyme est, ful many a wery day, Line 949 Til cristes mooder -- blessed be she ay! -- Line 950 Hath shapen, thurgh hir endelees goodnesse, Line 951 To make an ende of al hir hevynesse. Line 952 Now lat us stynte of custance but a throwe, Line 953 And speke we of the romayn emperour, Line 954 That out of surrye hath by lettres knowe Line 955 The slaughtre of cristen folk, and dishonour Line 956 Doon to his doghter by a fals traytour, Line 957 I mene the cursed wikked sowdanesse Line 958 That at the feeste leet sleen bothe moore and lesse. Line 959 For which this emperour hath sent anon Line 960 His senatour, with roial ordinance, Line 961 And othere lordes, God woot, many oon, Line 962 On surryens to taken heigh vengeance. Line 963 They brennen, sleen, and brynge hem to meschance Line 964 Ful many a day; but shortly, this is th' ende, Line 965 Homward to rome they shapen hem to wende. Line 966 This senatour repaireth with victorie Line 967 To rome-ward, saillynge ful roially, Line 968 And mette the ship dryvynge, as seith the storie, Line 969 In which custance sit ful pitously. Line 970 Nothyng ne knew he what she was, ne why Line 971 She was in swich array, ne she nyl seye Line 972 Of hire estaat, althogh she sholde deye. Line 973 He bryngeth hire to rome, and to his wyf Line 974 He yaf hire, and hir yonge sone also; Line 975

Line 975 And with the senatour she ladde hir lyf. Line 976 Thus kan oure lady bryngen out of wo Line 977 Woful custance, and many another mo. Line 978 And longe tyme dwelled she in that place, Line 979 In hooly werkes evere, as was hir grace. Line 980 The senatoures wyf hir aunte was, Line 981 But for al that she knew hire never the moore. Line 982 I wol no lenger tarien in this cas, Line 983 But to kyng alla, which I spak of yoore, Line 984 That for his wyf wepeth and siketh soore, Line 985 I wol retourne, and lete I wol custance Line 986 Under the senatoures governance. Line 987 Kyng alla, which that hadde his mooder slayn, Line 988 Upon a day fil in swich repentance Line 989 That, if I shortly tellen shal and playn, Line 990 To rome he comth to receyven his penance; Line 991 And putte hym in the popes ordinance Line 992 In heigh and logh, and jhesu crist bisoghte Line 993 Foryeve his wikked werkes that he wroghte. Line 994 The fame anon thurgh rome toun is born, Line 995 How alla kyng shal comen in pilgrymage, Line 996 By herbergeours that wenten hym biforn; Line 997 For which the senatour, as was usage, Line 998 Rood hym agayns, and many of his lynage, Line 999 As wel to shewen his heighe magnificence Line 1000 As to doon any kyng a reverence. Line 1001 Greet cheere dooth this noble senatour Line 1002 To kyng alla, and he to hym also; Line 1003 Everich of hem dooth oother greet honour. Line 1004 And so bifel that in a day or two Line 1005 This senatour is to kyng alla go Line 1006 To feste, and shortly, if I shal nat lye, Line 1007 Custances sone wente in his compaignye. Line 1008 Som men wolde seyn at requeste of custance Line 1009 This senatour hath lad this child to feeste; Line 1010 I may nat tellen every circumstance, -- Line 1011 Be as be may, ther was he at the leeste. Line 1012 But sooth is this, that at his moodres heeste Line 1013 Biforn alla, durynge the metes space, Line 1014 The child stood, lookynge in the kynges face. Line 1015 This alla kyng hath of this child greet wonder, Line 1016 And to the senatour he seyde anon, Line 1017 Whos is that faire child that stondeth yonder? Line 1018 I noot, quod he, by god, and by seint john! Line 1019 A mooder he hath, but fader hath he noon Line 1020 That I of woot -- and shortly, in a stounde, Line 1021 He tolde alla how that this child was founde. Line 1022 But God woot, quod this senatour also, Line 1023 So vertuous a lyvere in my lyf Line 1024 Ne saugh I nevere as she, ne herde of mo, Line 1025 Of worldly wommen, mayde, ne of wyf. Line 1026 I dar wel seyn hir hadde levere a knyf Line 1027 Thurghout hir brest, than ben a womman wikke; Line 1028 There is no man koude brynge hire to that prikke. Line 1029 Now was this child as lyk unto custance Line 1030 As possible is a creature to be. Line 1031 This alla hath the face in remembrance Line 1032 Of dame custance, and ther on mused he Line 1033 If that the childes mooder were aught she Line 1034 That is his wyf, and pryvely he sighte, Line 1035 And spedde hym fro the table that he myghte. Line 1036 Parfay, thoghte he, fantome is in myn heed! Line 1037 I oghte deme, of skilful juggement, Line 1038 That in the salte see my wyf is deed. Line 1039 And afterward he made his argument: Line 1040 What woot I if that crist have hyder ysent Line 1041 My wyf by see, as wel as he hire sente Line 1042 To my contree fro thennes that she wente? Line 1043 And after noon, hoom with the senatour Line 1044 Goth alla, for to seen this wonder chaunce. Line 1045 This senatour dooth alla greet honour, Line 1046 And hastifly he sente after custaunce. Line 1047 But trusteth weel, hire liste nat to daunce, Line 1048 Whan that she wiste wherfore was that sonde; Line 1049 Unnethe upon hir feet she myghte stonde. Line 1050 Whan alla saugh his wyf, faire he hire grette, Line 1051 And weep, that it was routhe for to see; Line 1052 For at the firste look he on hire sette, Line 1053 He knew wel verraily that it was she. Line 1054 And she, for sorwe, as doumb stant as a tree, Line 1055 So was hir herte shet in hir distresse, Line 1056 Whan she remembred his unkyndenesse. Line 1057 Twyes she swowned in his owene sighte; Line 1058 He weep, and hym excuseth pitously. Line 1059 Now god, quod he, and alle his halwes brighte Line 1060 So wisly on my soule as have mercy, Line 1061 That of youre harm as giltelees am I Line 1062 As is maurice my sone, so lyk youre face; Line 1063 Elles the feend me fecche out of this place! Line 1064

Line 1064 Long was the sobbyng and the bitter peyne, Line 1065 Er that hir woful hertes myghte cesse; Line 1066 Greet was the pitee for to heere hem pleyne, Line 1067 Thurgh whiche pleintes gan hir wo encresse. Line 1068 I pray yow alle my labour to relesse; Line 1069 I may nat telle hir wo until to-morwe, Line 1070 I am so wery for to speke of sorwe. Line 1071 But finally, whan that the sothe is wist Line 1072 That alla giltelees was of hir wo, Line 1073 I trowe an hundred tymes been they kist, Line 1074 And swich a blisse is ther bitwix hem two Line 1075 That, save the joye that lasteth everemo, Line 1076 Ther is noon lyk that any creature Line 1077 Hath seyn or shal, whil that the world may dure. Line 1078 Tho preyde she hir housbonde mekely, Line 1079 In relief of hir longe, pitous pyne, Line 1080 That he wolde preye hir fader specially Line 1081 That of his magestee he wolde enclyne Line 1082 To vouche sauf som day with hym to dyne. Line 1083 She preyde hym eek he sholde by no weye Line 1084 Unto hir fader no word of hire seye. Line 1085 Som men wolde seyn how that the child maurice Line 1086 Dooth this message unto this emperour; Line 1087 But, as I gesse, alla was nat so nyce Line 1088 To hym that was of so sovereyn honour Line 1089 As he that is of cristen folk the flour, Line 1090 Sente any child, but it is bet to deeme Line 1091 He wente hymself, and so it may wel seeme. Line 1092 This emperour hath graunted gentilly Line 1093 To come to dyner, as he hym bisoughte; Line 1094 And wel rede I he looked bisily Line 1095 Upon this child, and on his doghter thoghte. Line 1096 Alla goth to his in, and as hym oghte, Line 1097 Arrayed for this feste in every wise Line 1098 As ferforth as his konnyng may suffise. Line 1099 The morwe cam, and alla gan hym dresse, Line 1100 And eek his wyf, this emperour to meete; Line 1101 And forth they ryde in joye and in gladnesse. Line 1102 And whan she saugh hir fader in the strete, Line 1103 She lighte doun, and falleth hym to feete. Line 1104 Fader, quod she, youre yonge child custance Line 1105 Is now ful clene out of youre remembrance. Line 1106 I am youre doghter custance, quod she, Line 1107 That whilom ye han sent unto surrye. Line 1108 It am I, fader, that in the salte see Line 1109 Was put allone and dampned for to dye. Line 1110 Now, goode fader, mercy I yow crye! Line 1111 Sende me namoore unto noon hethenesse, Line 1112 But thonketh my lord heere of his kyndenesse. Line 1113 Who kan the pitous joye tellen al Line 1114 Bitwixe hem thre, syn they been thus ymette? Line 1115 But of my tale make an ende I shal; Line 1116 The day goth faste, I wol no lenger lette. Line 1117 This glade folk to dyner they hem sette; Line 1118 In joye and blisse at mete I lete hem dwelle Line 1119 A thousand foold wel moore than I kan telle. Line 1120 This child maurice with sithen emperour Line 1121 Maad by the pope, and lyved cristenly; Line 1122 To cristes chirche he dide greet honour. Line 1123 But I lete al his storie passen by; Line 1124 Of custance is my tale specially. Line 1125 In the olde romayn geestes may men fynde Line 1126 Maurices lyf; I bere it noght in mynde. Line 1127 This kyng alla, whan he his tyme say, Line 1128 With his custance, his hooly wyf so sweete, Line 1129 To engelond been they come the righte way, Line 1130 Wher as they lyve in joye and in quiete. Line 1131 But litel while it lasteth, I yow heete, Line 1132 Joye of this world, for tyme wol nat abyde; Line 1133 Fro day to nyght it changeth as the tyde. Line 1134 Who lyved euere in swich delit o day Line 1135 That hym ne moeved outher conscience, Line 1136 Or ire, or talent, or som kynnes affray, Line 1137 Envye, or pride, or passion, or offence? Line 1138 I ne seye but for this ende this sentence, Line 1139 That litel while in joye or in plesance Line 1140 Lasteth the blisse of alla with custance. Line 1141 For deeth, that taketh of heigh and logh his rente, Line 1142 Whan passed was a yeer, evene as I gesse, Line 1143 Out of this world this kyng alla he hente, Line 1144 For whom custance hath ful greet hevynesse. Line 1145 Now lat us prayen God his soule blesse! Line 1146 And dame custance, finally to seye, Line 1147 Toward the toun of rome goth hir weye. Line 1148 To rome is come this hooly creature, Line 1149 And fyndeth hire freendes hoole and sounde; Line 1150 Now is she scaped al hire aventure. Line 1151 And whan that she hir fader hath yfounde, Line 1152 Doun on hir knees falleth she to grounde; Line 1153 Wepynge for tendrenesse in herte blithe, Line 1154 She heryeth God an hundred thousand sithe. Line 1155

Line 1155 In vertu and in hooly almus-dede Line 1156 They lyven alle, and nevere asonder wende; Line 1157 Til deeth departeth hem, this lyf they lede. Line 1158 And fareth now weel! my tale is at an ende. Line 1159 Now jhesu crist, that of his myght may sende Line 1160 Joye after wo, governe us in his grace, Line 1161 And kepe us alle that been in this place! amen Line 1162

The Man of Law's Epilogue

(Owre hoost upon his stiropes stood anon, Line 1163 And seyde, goode men, herkeneth everych on! Line 1164 This was a thrifty tale for the nones! Line 1165 Sir parisshe prest, quod he, for goddes bones, Line 1166 Telle us a tale, as was thi forward yore. Line 1167 I se wel that ye lerned men in lore Line 1168 Can moche good, by goddes dignitee! Line 1169 The parson hem answerde, benedicite! Line 1170 What eyleth the man, so synfully to swere? Line 1171 Oure host answerde, o jankin, be ye there? Line 1172 I smelle a lollere in the wynd, quod he. Line 1173 Now! goode men, quod oure hoste, herkeneth me; Line 1174 Abydeth, for goddes digne passioun, Line 1175 For we schal han a predicacioun; Line 1176 This lollere heer wil prechen us somwhat. Line 1177 Nay, by my fader soule, that schal he nat! Line 1178 Seyde the shipman; heer schal he nat preche; Line 1179 He schal no gospel glosen here ne teche. Line 1180 We leven alle in the grete god, quod he; Line 1181 He wolde sowen som difficulte, Line 1182 Or springen cokkel in our clene corn. Line 1183 And therfore, hoost, I warne thee biforn, Line 1184 My joly body schal a tale telle, Line 1185 And I schal clynken you so mery a belle, Line 1186 That I schal waken al this compaignie. Line 1187 But it schal not ben of philosophie, Line 1188 Ne phislyas, ne termes queinte of lawe. Line 1189 Ther is but litel latyn in my mawe!) Line 1190