The Canterbury tales
About this Item
- Title
- The Canterbury tales
- Author
- Chaucer, Geoffrey, d. 1400
- Publication
- Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin
- 1957
- Rights/Permissions
-
Available at URL http://www.hti.umich.edu/c/cme/
This text has been made available through the Oxford Text Archive for personal scholarly use only. OTA number: U-1678-C
- Link to this Item
-
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/CT
- Cite this Item
-
"The Canterbury tales." In the digital collection Corpus of Middle English Prose and Verse. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/CT. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 3, 2025.
Pages
Page 102
Line 70
Therwith he was, to speke as of lynage, Line 71
The gentillest yborn of lumbardye, Line 72
A fair persone, and strong, and yong of age, Line 73
And ful of honour and of curteisye; Line 74
Discreet ynogh his contree for to gye, Line 75
Save in somme thynges that he was to blame; Line 76
And walter was this yonge lordes name. Line 77
I blame hym thus, that he considered noght Line 78
In tyme comynge what myghte hym bityde, Line 79
But on his lust present was al his thoght, Line 80
As for to hauke and hunte on every syde. Line 81
Wel ny alle othere cures leet he slyde, Line 82
And eek he nolde -- and that was worst of alle -- Line 83
Wedde no wyf, for noght that may bifalle. Line 84
Oonly that point his peple bar so soore Line 85
That flokmeele on a day they to hym wente, Line 86
And oon of he, that wisest was of loore -- Line 87
Or elles that the lord best wolde assente Line 88
That he sholde telle hym what his peple mente, Line 89
Or elles koude he shewe wel swich mateere -- Line 90
He to the markys seyde as ye shul heere: Line 91
O noble markys, youre humanitee Line 92
Asseureth us and yeveth us hardinesse, Line 93
As ofte as tyme is of necessitee, Line 94
That we to yow mowe telle oure hevynesse. Line 95
Accepteth, lord, now of youre gentilesse Line 96
That we with pitous herte unto yow pleyne, Line 97
And lat youre eres nat my voys desdeyne. Line 98
Al have I noght to doone in this mateere Line 99
Moore than another man hath in this place, Line 100
Yet for as muche as ye, my lord so deere, Line 101
Han alwey shewed me favour and grace Line 102
I dar the bettre aske of yow a space Line 103
Of audience, to shewen oure requeste, Line 104
And ye, my lord, to doon right as yow leste. Line 105
For certes, lord, so wel us liketh yow Line 106
And al youre werk, and evere han doon, that we Line 107
Ne koude nat us self devysen how Line 108
We myghte lyven in moore felicitee, Line 109
Save o thyng, lord, if it youre wille be, Line 110
That for to been a wedded man yow leste; Line 111
Thanne were youre peple in sovereyn hertes reste. Line 112
Boweth youre nekke under that blisful yok Line 113
Of sovereynetee, noght of servyse, Line 114
Which that men clepe spousaille or wedlok; Line 115
And thanketh, lord, among youre thoghtes wyse Line 116
How that oure dayes passe in sondry wyse; Line 117
For thogh we slepe, or wake, or rome, or ryde, Line 118
Ay fleeth the tyme; it nyl no man abyde. Line 119
And thogh youre grene youthe floure as yit, Line 120
In crepeth age alwey, as stille as stoon, Line 121
And deeth manaceth every age, and smyt Line 122
In ech estaat, for ther escapeth noon; Line 123
And al so certein as we knowe echoon Line 124
That we shul deye, as uncerteyn we alle Line 125
Been of that day whan deeth shal on us falle Line 126
Accepteth thanne of us the trewe entente, Line 127
That nevere yet refuseden thyn heeste, Line 128
And we wol, lord, if that ye wole assente, Line 129
Chese yow a wyf, in short tyme atte leeste, Line 130
Born of the gentilleste and of the meeste Line 131
Of al this land, so that it oghte seme Line 132
Honour to God and yow, as we kan deeme. Line 133
Delivere us out of al this bisy drede, Line 134
And taak a wyf, for hye goddes sake! Line 135
For if it so bifelle, as God forbede, Line 136
That thurgh youre deeth youre lynage sholde slake, Line 137
And that a straunge successour sholde take Line 138
Youre heritage, o, wo were us alyve! Line 139
Wherfore we pray you hastily to wyve. Line 140
Hir meeke preyere and hir pitous cheer Line 141
Made the markys herte han pitee. Line 142
Ye wol, quod he, myn owene peple deere, Line 143
To that I nevere erst thoughte streyne me. Line 144
I me rejoysed of my liberte. Line 145
That seelde tyme is founde in mariage; Line 146
Ther I was free, I moot been in servage. Line 147
But nathelees I se youre trewe entente, Line 148
And truste upon youre wit, and have doon ay; Line 149
Wherfore of my free wyl I wole assente Line 150
To wedde me, as soone as evere I may. Line 151
But ther as ye han profred me to-day Line 152
To chese me a wyf, I yow relesse Line 153
That choys, and prey yow of that profre cesse. Line 154
For God it woot, that children ofte been Line 155
Unlyk hir worthy eldress hem bifore; Line 156
Bountee comth al of god, nat of the streen Line 157
Of which they been engendred and ybore. Line 158
I truste in goddes bountee, and therfore Line 159
My mariage and myn estaat and reste Line 160
I hym bitake; he may doon as hym leste. Line 161
Lat me allone in chesynge of my wyf, -- Line 162
That charge upon my bak I wole endure. Line 163
Page 103
Line 163
But I yow preye, and charge upon youre lyf, Line 164
That what wyf that I take, ye me assure Line 165
To worshipe hire, whil that hir lyf may dure, Line 166
In word and werk, bothe heere and everywheere, Line 167
As she and emperoures doghter weere. Line 168
And forthermoore, this shal ye swere, that ye Line 169
Agayn my choys shul neither grucche ne stryve; Line 170
For sith I shal forgoon my libertee Line 171
At youre requeste, as evere moot I thryve, Line 172
Ther as myn herte is set, ther wol I wyve; Line 173
And but ye wole assente in swich manere, Line 174
I prey yow, speketh namoore of this matere. Line 175
With hertely wyl they sworen and assenten Line 176
To al this thyng, ther seyde no wight nay; Line 177
Bisekynge hym of grace, er that they wenten, Line 178
That he wolde graunten hem a certein day Line 179
Of his spousaille, as soone as evere he may; Line 180
For yet alwey the peple somwhat dredde, Line 181
Lest that the markys no wyf wolde wedde. Line 182
He graunted hem a day, swich as hym leste, Line 183
On which he wolde be wedded sikerly. Line 184
And seyde he dide al this at hir requeste. Line 185
And they, with humble entente, buxomly, Line 186
Knelynge upon hir knees ful reverently, Line 187
Hym thonken alle; and thus they han an ende Line 188
Of hire entente, and hoom agayn they wende. Line 189
And heerupon he to his officeres Line 190
Comaundeth for the feste to purveye, Line 191
And to his privee knyghtes and squieres Line 192
Swich charge yaf as hym liste on hem leye; Line 193
And they to his comandement obeye, Line 194
And ech of hem dooth al his diligence Line 195
To doon unto the feeste reverence. Line 196 Explicit prima pars
Incipit secunda pars
Noght fer fro thilke paleys honurable, Line 197 Wher as this markys shoop his mariage, Line 198 There stood a throop, of site delitable, Line 199 In which that povre folk of that village Line 200 Hadden hir beestes and hir herbergage, Line 201 And of hire labour tooke hir sustenance, Line 202 After that the erthe yaf hem habundance. Line 203 Amonges thise povre folk ther dwelte a man Line 204 Which that was holden povrest of hem alle; Line 205 But hye God somtyme senden kan Line 206 His grace into litel oxes stalle; Line 207 Janicula men of that throop hym calle. Line 208 A doghter hadde he, fair ynogh to sighte, Line 209 And grisildis this yonge mayden highte. Line 210 But for to speke of vertuous beautee, Line 211 Thanne was she oon the faireste under sonne; Line 212 For povreliche yfostred up was she, Line 213 No likerous lust was thurgh hire herte yronne. Line 214 Wel ofter of the welle than of the tonne Line 215 She drank, and for she wolde vertu plese, Line 216 She knew wel labour, but noon ydel ese. Line 217 But thogh this mayde tendre were of age, Line 218 Yet in the brest of hire virginitee Line 219 Ther was enclosed rype and sad corage; Line 220 And in greet reverence and charitee Line 221 Hir olde povre fader fostred shee. Line 222 A fewe sheep, spynnynge, on feeld she kepte; Line 223 She wolde noght been ydel til she slepte. Line 224 And whan she homward cam, she wolde brynge Line 225 Wortes or othere herbes tymes ofte, Line 226 The whiche she shredde and seeth for hir lyvynge, Line 227 And made hir bed ful hard and nothyng softe; Line 228 And ay she kepte hir fadres lyf on-lofte Line 229 With everich obeisaunce and diligence Line 230 That child may doon to fadres reverence. Line 231 Upon grisilde, this povre creature, Line 232 Ful ofte sithe this markys sette his ye Line 233 As he on huntyng rood paraventure; Line 234 And whan it fil that he myghte hire espye, Line 235 He noght with wantown lookyng of folye Line 236 His eyen caste on hire, but in sad wyse Line 237 Upon hir chiere he wolde hym ofte avyse, Line 238 Commendynge in his herte hir wommanhede, Line 239 And eek hir verty, passynge any wight Line 240 Of so yong age, as wel in chiere as dede. Line 241 For thogh the peple have no greet insight Line 242 In verty, he considered ful right Line 243 Hir bountee, and disposed that he wolde Line 244 Wedde hire oonly, if evere he wedde sholde. Line 245 The day of weddyng cam, but no wight kan Line 246 Telle what womman that it sholde be; Line 247 For which merveille wondred many a man, Line 248 And seyden, whan they were in privetee, Line 249 Wol nat oure lord yet leve his vanytee? Line 250 Wol he nat wedde? allas; allas, the while! Line 251 Why wole he thus hymself and us bigile? Line 252Page 104
Line 252
But nathelees this markys hath doon make Line 253
Of gemmes, set in gold and in asure, Line 254
Brooches and rynges, for grisildis sake; Line 255
And of hir clothyng took he the mesure Line 256
By a mayde lyk to hire stature, Line 257
And eek of othere aornementes alle Line 258
That unto swich a weddyng sholde falle. Line 259
The time of undren of the same day Line 260
Approcheth, that this weddyng sholde be; Line 261
And al the paleys put was in array, Line 262
Bothe halle and chambres, ech in his degree; Line 263
Houses of office stuffed with plentee Line 264
Ther maystow seen, of deyntevous vitaille Line 265
That may be founde as fer al last ytaille. Line 266
This roial markys, richely arrayed, Line 267
Lordes and ladyes in his compaignye, Line 268
The whiche that to the feeste weren yprayed, Line 269
And of his retenue the bachelrye, Line 270
With manya soun of sondry melodye, Line 271
Unto the village of the which I tolde, Line 272
In this array the righte wey han holde. Line 273
Grisilde of this, God woot, ful innocent, Line 274
That for hire shapen was al this array, Line 275
To fecchen water at a welle is went, Line 276
And cometh hoom as soone as ever she may; Line 277
For wel she hadde herd seyd that thilke day Line 278
The markys sholde wedde, and if she myghte, Line 279
She wolde fayn han seyn som of that sighte. Line 280
She thoghte, I wole with othere maydens stonde, Line 281
That been my felawes, in oure dore and se Line 282
The markysesse, and therfore wol I fonde Line 283
To doon at hoom, as soone as it may be, Line 284
The labour which that longeth unto me; Line 285
And thanne I may at leyser hire biholde, Line 286
If she this wey unto the castel holde. Line 287
And as she wolde over hir thresshfold gon, Line 288
The markys cam and gan hire for to calle; Line 289
And she set doun hir water pot anon, Line 290
Biside the thresshfold, in an oxes stalle, Line 291
And doun upon hir knes she gan to falle, Line 292
And with sad contenance kneleth stille, Line 293
Til she had herd what was the lordes wille. Line 294
This thoghtful markys spak unto this mayde Line 295
Ful sobrely, and seyde in this manere: Line 296
Where is youre fader, o grisildis? he sayde. Line 297
And she with reverence, in humble cheere, Line 298
Answerde, lord, he is al redy heere. Line 299
And in she gooth withouten lenger lette, Line 300
And to the markys she hir fader fette. Line 301
He by the hand thanne took this olde man, Line 302
And seyde thus, whan he hym hadde asyde: Line 303
Janicula, I neither may ne kan Line 304
Lenger the plesance of myn herte hyde. Line 305
If that thou vouche sauf, what so bityde, Line 306
Thy doghter wol I take, er that I wende, Line 307
As for my wyf, unto hir lyves ende. Line 308
Thou lovest me, I woot it wel certeyn, Line 309
And art my feithful lige man ybore; Line 310
And al that liketh me, I dar wel seyn Line 311
It liketh thee, and specially therfore Line 312
Tel me that poynt that I have seyd bifore, Line 313
If that thou wolt unto that purpos drawe, Line 314
To take me as for thy sone-in-lawe. Line 315
This sodeyn cas this man astonyed so Line 316
That reed he wax; abayst and al quakynge Line 317
He stood; unnethes seyde he wordes mo, Line 318
But oonly thus: lord, quod he, my willynge Line 319
Is as ye wole, ne ayeynes youre likynge Line 320
I wol no thyng, ye be my lord so deere; Line 321
Right as yow lust, governeth this mateere. Line 322
Yet wol I, quod this markys softely, Line 323
That in thy chambre I and thou and she Line 324
Have a collacioun, and wostow why? Line 325
For I wol axe if it hire wille be Line 326
To be my wyf, and reule hire after me. Line 327
And al this shal be doon in thy presence; Line 328
I wol noght speke out of thyn audience. Line 329
And in the chambre, whil they were aboute Line 330
Hir tretys, which as ye shal after heere, Line 331
The peple cam unto the hous withoute, Line 332
And wondred hem in how honest manere Line 333
And tentifly she kepte hir fader deere. Line 334
But outrely grisildis wondre myghte, Line 335
For nevere erst ne saugh she swich a sighte. Line 336
No wonder is thogh that she were astoned Line 337
To seen so greet a gest come in that place; Line 338
She nevere was to swiche gestes woned, Line 339
For which she looked with ful pale face. Line 340
But shortly forth this matere for to chace, Line 341
Thise arn the wordes that the markys sayde Line 342
To this benigne, verray, feithful mayde. Line 343
Grisilde, he seyde, ye shal wel understonde Line 344
It liketh to youre fader and to me Line 345
Page 105
Line 345
That I yow wedde, and eek it may so stonde, Line 346
As I suppose, ye wol that it so be. Line 347
But thise demandes axe I first, quod he, Line 348
That, sith it shal be doon in hastif wyse, Line 349
Wol ye assente, or elles yow avyse? Line 350
I seye this, be ye redy with good herte Line 351
To al my lust, and that I frely may, Line 352
As me best thynketh, do yow laughe or smerte, Line 353
And nevere ye to grucche it, nyght ne day? Line 354
And eek whan I sey 'ye,' ne sey nat 'nay,' Line 355
Neither by word ne frownyng contenance? Line 356
Swere this, and heere I swere oure alliance. Line 357
Wondrynge upon this word, quakynge for drede, Line 358
She seyde, lord, undigne and unworthy Line 359
Am I to thilke honour that ye me beede, Line 360
But as ye wole youreself, right so wol I. Line 361
And heere I swere that nevere willyngly, Line 362
In werk ne thogh, I nyl yow disobeye, Line 363
For to be deed, though me were looth to deye. Line 364
This is ynogh, grisilde myn, quod he. Line 365
And forth he gooth, with a ful sobre cheere, Line 366
Out at the dore, and after that cam she, Line 367
And to the peple he seyde in this manere: Line 368
This is my wyf, quod he, that standeth heere. Line 369
Honoureth hire and loveth hire, I preye, Line 370
Whoso me loveth; ther is namoore to seye. Line 371
And for that no thyng of hir olde geere Line 372
She sholde brynge into his hous, he bad Line 373
That wommen sholde dispoillen hire right theere; Line 374
Of which thise ladyes were nat right glad Line 375
To handle hir clothes, wherinne she was clad. Line 376
But nathelees, this mayde bright of hewe Line 377
Fro foot to heed they clothed han al newe. Line 378
Hir heris han they kembd, that lay untressed Line 379
Ful rudely, and with hir fyngres smale Line 380
A corone on hire heed they han ydressed, Line 381
And sette hire ful of nowches grete and smale. Line 382
Of hire array what sholde I make a tale? Line 383
Unnethe the peple hir knew for hire fairnesse, Line 384
Whan she translated was in swich richesse. Line 385
This markys hath hire spoused with a ryng Line 386
Broght for the same cause, and thanne hire sette Line 387
Upon an hors, snow-whit and wel amblyng, Line 388
And to his paleys, er he lenger lette, Line 389
With joyful peple that hire ladde and mette, Line 390
Conveyed hire, and thus the day they spende Line 391
In revel, til the sonne gan descende. Line 392
And shortly forth this tale for to chace, Line 393
I seye that to this newe markysesse Line 394
God hath swich favour sent hire of his grace, Line 395
That it ne semed nat by liklynesse Line 396
That she was born and fed in rudenesse, Line 397
As in a cote or in an oxe-stalle, Line 398
But norissed in an emperoures halle. Line 399
To every wight she woxen is so deere Line 400
And worshipful that folk ther she was bore, Line 401
And from hire birthe knewe hire yeer by yeere, Line 402
Unnethe trowed they, -- but dorste han swore -- Line 403
That to janicle, of which I spak bifore, Line 404
She doghter were, for, as by conjecture, Line 405
Hem thoughte she was another creature. Line 406
For though that evere vertuous was she, Line 407
She was encressed in swich excellence Line 408
Of thewes goode, yset in heigh bountee, Line 409
And so discreet and fair of eloquence, Line 410
So benigne and so digne of reverence, Line 411
And koude so the peples herte embrace, Line 412
That ech hire lovede that looked in hir face. Line 413
Noght oonly of saluces in the toun Line 414
Publiced was the bountee of hir name, Line 415
But eek biside in many a regioun, Line 416
If oon seide wel, another seyde the same; Line 417
So spradde of hire heighe bountee the fame Line 418
That men and wommen, as wel yonge as olde, Line 419
Goon to saluce, upon hire to biholde. Line 420
Thus walter lowely -- nay, but roially -- Line 421
Wedded with fortunat honestetee, Line 422
In goddes pees lyveth ful esily Line 423
At hoom, and outward grace ynogh had he; Line 424
And for he saugh that under low degree Line 425
Was ofte vertu hid, the peple hym heelde Line 426
A prudent man, and that is seyn ful seelde. Line 427
Nat oonly this grisildis thurgh hir wit Line 428
Koude al the feet of wyfly hoomlinesse, Line 429
But eek, whan that the cas required it, Line 430
The commune profit koude she redresse. Line 431
Ther nas discord, rancour, ne hevynesse Line 432
In al that land, that she ne koude apese, Line 433
And wisely brynge hem alle in reste and ese. Line 434
Though that hire housbonde absent were anon, Line 435
If gentil men or othere of hire contree Line 436
Page 106
Line 436
Were wrothe, she wolde bryngen hem aton; Line 437
So wise and rype wordes hadde she, Line 438
And juggementz of so greet equitee, Line 439
That she from hevene sent was, as men wende, Line 440
Peple to save and every wrong t' amende. Line 441
Nat longe tyme after that this grisild Line 442
Was wedded, she a doghter hath ybore. Line 443
Al had hire levere have born a knave child, Line 444
Glad was this markys and the folk therfore; Line 445
For though a mayde child coome al bifore, Line 446
She may unto a knave child attayne Line 447
By liklihede, syn she nys nat bareyne. Line 448 Explicit secunda pars.
Incipit tercia pars.
Ther fil, as it bifalleth tymes mo, Line 449 Whan that this child had souked but a throwe, Line 450 This markys in his herte longeth so Line 451 To tempte his wyf, hir sadnesse for to knowe, Line 452 That he ne myghte out of his herte throwe Line 453 This merveillous desir his wyf t' assaye; Line 454 Nedelees, God woot, he thoghte hire for t' affraye. Line 455 He hadde assayed hire ynogh bifore, Line 456 And foond hire evere good; what neded it Line 457 Hire for to tempte, and alwey moore and moore, Line 458 Though som men preise it for a subtil wit? Line 459 But as for me, I seye that yvele it sit Line 460 To assaye a wyf whan that it is no nede, Line 461 And putten hire in angwyssh and in drede. Line 462 For which this markys wroghte in this manere: Line 463 He cam allone a-nyght, ther as she lay, Line 464 With stierne face and with ful trouble cheere, Line 465 And seyde thus: grisilde, quod he, that day Line 466 That I yow took out of youre povere array, Line 467 And putte yow in estaat of heigh noblesse, -- Line 468 Ye have nat that forgeten, as I gesse? Line 469 I seye, grisilde, this present dignitee, Line 470 In which that I have put yow, as I trowe, Line 471 Maketh yow nat foryetful for to be Line 472 That I yow took in povre estaat ful lowe, Line 473 For any wele ye moot youreselven knowe. Line 474 Taak heede of every word that y yow seye; Line 475 Ther is no wight that hereth it but we tweye. Line 476 Ye woot youreself wel how that ye cam heere Line 477 Into this hous, it is nat longe ago; Line 478 And though to me that ye be lief and deere, Line 479 Unto my gentils ye be no thyng so. Line 480 They seyn, to hem it is greet shame and wo Line 481 For to be subgetz and been in servage Line 482 To thee, that born art of a smal village. Line 483 And namely sith thy doghter was ybore Line 484 Thise wordes han they spoken, doutelees. Line 485 But I desire, as I have doon bifore, Line 486 To lyve my lyf with hem in reste and pees. Line 487 I may nat in this caas be recchelees; Line 488 I moot doon with thy doghter for the beste, Line 489 Nat as I wolde, but as my peple leste. Line 490 And yet, God woot, this is ful looth to me; Line 491 But nathelees withoute youre wityng Line 492 I wol nat doon; but this wol I, quod he, Line 493 That ye to me assente as in this thyng. Line 494 Shewe now youre pacience in youre werkyng, Line 495 That ye me highte and swore in youre village Line 496 That day that maked was oure mariage. Line 497 Whan she had herd al this, she noght ameved Line 498 Neither in word, or chiere, or contenaunce; Line 499 For, as it semed, she was nat agreved. Line 500 She seyde, lord, al lyth in youre plesaunce. Line 501 My child and I, with hertely obeisaunce, Line 502 Been youres al, and ye mowe save or spille Line 503 Youre owene thyng; weketh after youre wille. Line 504 Ther may no thyng, God so my soule save, Line 505 Liken to yow that may displese me; Line 506 Ne I desire no thyng for to have, Line 507 Ne drede for to leese, save oonly yee. Line 508 This wyl is in myn herte, and ay shal be; Line 509 No lengthe of tyme or deeth may this deface, Line 510 Ne chaunge my corage to another place. Line 511 Glad was this markys of hire answeryng, Line 512 But yet he feyned as he were nat so; Line 513 Al drery was his cheere and his lookyng, Line 514 Whan that he sholde out of the chambre go. Line 515 Soone after this, a furlong wey or two, Line 516 He prively hath toold al his entente Line 517 Unto a man, and to his wyf hym sente. Line 518 A maner sergeant was this privee man, Line 519 The which that feithful ofte he founden hadde Line 520 In thynges grete, and eek swich folk wel kan Line 521 Doon execucioun in thynges badde. Line 522 The lord knew wel that he hym loved and dradde; Line 523 And whan this sergeant wist his lordes wille, Line 524 Into the chambre he stalked hym ful stille. Line 525Page 107
Line 525
Madame, he seyde, ye moote foryeve it me, Line 526
Though I do thyng to which I am constreyned. Line 527
Ye been so wys that ful wel knowe ye Line 528
That lordes heestes mowe nat been yfeyned; Line 529
They mowe wel been biwailled or compleyned, Line 530
But men moote nede unto hire lust obeye, Line 531
And so wol I; ther is namoore to seye. Line 532
This child I am comanded for to take, -- Line 533
And spak namoore, but out the child he hente Line 534
Despitously, and gan a cheere make Line 535
As though he wolde han slayn it er he wente. Line 536
Grisildis moot al suffre and al consente; Line 537
And as a lamb she sitteth meke and stille, Line 538
And leet this crueel sergeant doon his wille. Line 539
Suspecious was the diffame of this man, Line 540
Suspect his face, suspect his word also; Line 541
Suspect the tyme in which he this bigan. Line 542
Allas! hir doghter that she loved so, Line 543
She wende he wolde han slawen it right tho. Line 544
But nathelees she neither weep ne syked, Line 545
Conformynge hire to that the markys lyked. Line 546
But atte laste to speken she bigan, Line 547
And mekely she to the sergeant preyde, Line 548
So as he was a worthy gentil man, Line 549
That she moste kisse hire child er that it deyde. Line 550
And in hir barm this litel child she leyde Line 551
With ful sad face, and gan the child to blisse, Line 552
And lulled it, and after gan it kisse. Line 553
And thus she seyde in hire benigne voys, Line 554
Fareweel my child! I shal thee nevere see. Line 555
But sith I thee have marked with the croys Line 556
Of thilke fader -- blessed moote he be! -- Line 557
That for us deyde upon a croys of tree, Line 558
Thy soule, litel child, I hym bitake, Line 559
For this nyght shaltow dyen for my sake. Line 560
I trowe that to a norice in this cas Line 561
It had been hard this reuthe for to se; Line 562
Wel myghte a mooder thanne han cryd allas! Line 563
But nathelees so sad stidefast was she Line 564
That she endured al adversitee, Line 565
And to the sergeant mekely she sayde, Line 566
Have heer agayn your litel yonge mayde. Line 567
Gooth now, quod she, and dooth my lordes heeste; Line 568
But o thyng wol I prey yow of youre grace, Line 569
That, but my lord forbad yow, atte leeste Line 570
Burieth this litel body in som place Line 571
That beestes ne no briddes it torace. Line 572
But he no word wol to that purpos seye, Line 573
But took the child and wente upon his weye. Line 574
This sergeant cam unto his lord ageyn, Line 575
And of grisildis wordes and hire cheere Line 576
He tolde hym point for point, in short and pleyn, Line 577
And hym presenteth with his doghter deere. Line 578
Somwhat this lord hadde routhe in his manere, Line 579
But nathelees his purpos heeld he stille, Line 580
As lordes doon, whan they wol han hir wille; Line 581
And bad this sergeant that he pryvely Line 582
Sholde this child ful softe wynde and wrappe, Line 583
With alle circumstances tendrely, Line 584
And carie it in a cofre or in a lappe; Line 585
But, upon peyne his heed of for to swappe, Line 586
That no man sholde knowe of his entente, Line 587
Ne whenne he cam, ne whider that he wente; Line 588
But at boloigne to his suster deere, Line 589
That thilke tyme of panik was countesse, Line 590
He sholde it take, and shewe hire this mateere, Line 591
Bisekynge hire to doon hire bisynesse Line 592
This child to fostre in alle gentillesse; Line 593
And whos child that it was he bad hire hyde Line 594
From every wight, for oght that may bityde. Line 595
The sergeant gooth, and hath fulfild this thyng; Line 596
But to this markys now retourne we. Line 597
For now gooth he ful faste ymaginyng Line 598
If by his wyves cheere he myghte se, Line 599
Or by hire word aperceyve, that she Line 600
Were chaunged; but he nevere hire koude fynde Line 601
But evere in oon ylike sad and kynde. Line 602
As glad, as humble, as bisy in servyse, Line 603
And eek in love, as she was wont to be, Line 604
Was she to hym in every maner wyse; Line 605
Ne of hir doghter noght a word spak she. Line 606
Noon accident, for noon adversitee, Line 607
Was seyn in hire, ne nevere hir doghter name Line 608
Ne nempned she, in ernest nor in game. Line 609 Explicit terci pars
Sequitur pars quarta.
In this estaat the passed been foure yeer Line 610 Er she with childe was, but, as God wolde, Line 611 A knave child she bar by this walter, Line 612 Ful gracious and fair for to biholde. Line 613Page 108
Line 613
And whan that folk it to his fader tolde, Line 614
Nat oonly he, but al his contree merye Line 615
Was for this child, and God they thanke and herye. Line 616
Whan it was two yeer old, and fro the brest Line 617
Departed of his norice, on a day Line 618
This markys caughte yet another lest Line 619
To tempte his wyf yet ofter, if he may. Line 620
O nedelees was she tempted in assay! Line 621
But wedded men ne knowe no mesure, Line 622
Whan that they fynde a pacient creature. Line 623
Wyf, quod this markys, ye han herd er this, Line 624
My peple sikly berth oure mariage; Line 625
And namely sith my sone yboren is, Line 626
Now is it worse than evere in al oure age. Line 627
The murmur sleeth myn herte and my corage, Line 628
For to myne eres comth the voys so smerte Line 629
That it wel ny destroyed hath myn herte. Line 630
Now sey they thus: -- whan walter is agon, Line 631
Thanne shal the blood of janicle succede Line 632
And been oure lord, for oother have we noon. Line 633
Swiche wordes seith my peple, out of drede. Line 634
Wel oughte I of swich murmur taken heede; Line 635
For certeinly I drede swich sentence, Line 636
Though they nat pleyn speke in myn audience. Line 637
I wolde lyve in pees, if that I myghte; Line 638
Wherfore I am disposed outrely, Line 639
As I his suster servede by nyghte, Line 640
Right to thenke I to serve hym pryvely. Line 641
This warne I yow, that ye nat sodeynly Line 642
Out of youreself for no wo sholde outreye; Line 643
Beth pacient, and therof I yow preye. Line 644
I have, quod she, seyd thys, and evere shal: Line 645
I wol no thyng, ne nyl no thyng, certayn, Line 646
But as yow list. Naught greveth me at al, Line 647
Though that my doughter and my sone be slayn, -- Line 648
At youre comandement, this is to sayn. Line 649
I have noght had no part of children tweyne Line 650
But first siknesse, and after, wo and peyne. Line 651
Ye been oure lord, dooth with youre owene thyng Line 652
Right as yow list; axeth no reed at me. Line 653
For as I lefte at hoom al my clothyng, Line 654
Whan I first cam to yow, right so, quod she, Line 655
Lefte I my wyl and al my libertee, Line 656
And took youre clothyng; wherfore I yow preye, Line 657
Dooth youre plesaunce, I wol youre lust obeye. Line 658
And certes, if I hadde prescience Line 659
Youre wyl to knowe, er ye youre lust me tolde, Line 660
I wolde it doon withouten necligence; Line 661
But now I woot youre lust, and what ye wolde, Line 662
Al youre plesance ferme and stable I holde; Line 663
For wiste I that my deeth wolde do yow ese, Line 664
Right gladly wolde I dyen, yow to plese. Line 665
Deth may noght make no comparisoun Line 666
Unto youre love. And whan this markys say Line 667
The constance of hys wyf, he caste adoun Line 668
His eyen two, and wondreth that she may Line 669
In pacience suffre al this array; Line 670
And forth he goth with drery contenance, Line 671
But to his herte it was ful greet plesance. Line 672
This ugly sergeant, in the same wyse Line 673
That he hire doghter caughte, right so he, Line 674
Or worse, if men worse kan devyse, Line 675
Hath hent hire sone, that ful was of beautee. Line 676
And evere in oon so pacient was she Line 677
That she no chiere maade of hevynesse, Line 678
But kiste hir sone, and after gan it blesse; Line 679
Save this, she preyede hym that, if he myghte, Line 680
Hir litel sone he wolde in erthe grave, Line 681
His tendre lymes, delicaat to sighte, Line 682
Fro foweles and fro beestes for to save. Line 683
But she noon answere of hym myghte have. Line 684
He wente his wey, as hym no thyng ne roghte; Line 685
But to boloigne he tendrely it broghte. Line 686
This markys wondred, evere lenger the moore, Line 687
Upon hir pacience, and if that he Line 688
Ne hadde soothly knowen therbifoore Line 689
That parfitly hir children loved she, Line 690
He wolde have wend that of som subtiltee, Line 691
And of malice, or for crueel corage, Line 692
That she hadde suffred this with sad visage. Line 693
But wel he knew that next hymself, certayn, Line 694
She loved hir children best in every wyse. Line 695
But now of wommen wolde I axen fayn Line 696
If thise assayes myghte nat suffise? Line 697
What koude a sturdy housbonde moore devyse Line 698
To preeve hir wyfhod and hir stedefastnesse, Line 699
And he continuynge evere in sturdinesse? Line 700
Page 109
Line 700
But ther been folk of swich condicion Line 701
That whan they have a certein purpos take, Line 702
They kan nat stynte of hire entencion, Line 703
But, right as they were bounden to a stake, Line 704
They wol nat of that firste purpos slake. Line 705
Right so this markys fulliche hath purposed Line 706
To tempte his wyf as he was first disposed. Line 707
He waiteth if by word or contenance Line 708
That she to hym was changed of corage; Line 709
But nevere koude he fynde variance. Line 710
She was ay oon in herte and in visage; Line 711
And ay the forther that she was in age, Line 712
The moore trewe, if that it were possible, Line 713
She was to hym in love, and moore penyble. Line 714
For which it semed thus, that of hem two Line 715
Ther nas but o wyl; for, as walter leste, Line 716
The same lust was hire plesance also. Line 717
And, God be thanked, al fil for the beste. Line 718
She shewed wel, for no worldly unreste Line 719
A wyf, as of hirself, nothing ne sholde Line 720
Wille in effect, but as hir housbonde wolde. Line 721
The sclaundre of walter ofte and wyde spradde, Line 722
That of a crueel herte he wikkedly, Line 723
For he a povre womman wedded hadde, Line 724
Hath mordred bothe his children prively. Line 725
Swich murmur was among hem comunly. Line 726
No wonder is, for to the peples ere Line 727
Ther cam no word, but that they mordred were. Line 728
For which, where as his peple therbifore Line 729
Hadde loved hym wel, the sclaundre of his diffame Line 730
Made hem that they hym hatede therfore. Line 731
To been a mordrere is an hateful name; Line 732
But nathelees, for ernest ne for game, Line 733
He of his crueel purpos nolde stente; Line 734
To tempte his wyf was set al his entente. Line 735
Than that his doghter twelve yeer was of age, Line 736
He to the court of rome, in subtil wyse Line 737
Enformed of his wyl, sente his message, Line 738
Comaundynge hem swiche bulles to devyse Line 739
As to his crueel purpos may suffyse, Line 740
How that the pope, as for his peples reste, Line 741
Bad hym to wedde another, if hym leste. Line 742
I seye, he bad they sholde countrefete Line 743
The popes bulles, makynge mencion Line 744
That he hath leve his firste wyf to lete, Line 745
As by the popes dispensacion, Line 746
To stynte rancour and dissencion Line 747
Bitwixe his peple and hym; thus seyde the bulle, Line 748
The which they han publiced atte fulle. Line 749
The rude peple, as it no wonder is, Line 750
Wenden ful wel that it hadde be right so; Line 751
But whan thise tidynges came to grisildis, Line 752
I deeme that hire herte was ful wo. Line 753
But she, ylike sad for everemo, Line 754
Disposed was, this humble creature, Line 755
The adversitee of fortune al t' endure, Line 756
Abidynge evere his lust and his plesance, Line 757
To whom that she was yeven herte and al, Line 758
As to hire verray worldly suffisance. Line 759
But shortly if this storie I tellen shal, Line 760
This markys writen hath in special Line 761
A lettre, in which he sheweth his entente, Line 762
And secreely he to boloigne it sente. Line 763
To the erl of panyk, which that hadde tho Line 764
Wedded his suster, preyde he specially Line 765
To bryngen hoom agayn his children two Line 766
In honurable estaat al openly. Line 767
But o thyng he hym preyede outrely, Line 768
That he to no wight, though men wolde enquere, Line 769
Sholde nat telle whos children that they were, Line 770
But seye, the mayden sholde ywedded be Line 771
Unto the markys of saluce anon. Line 772
And as this erl was preyed, so dide he; Line 773
For at day set he on his wey is goon Line 774
Toward saluce, and lordes many oon Line 775
In riche array, this mayden for to gyde, Line 776
Hir yonge brother ridynge hire bisyde. Line 777
Arrayed was toward hir mariage Line 778
This fresshe mayde, ful of gemmes cleere; Line 779
Hir brother, which that seven yeer was of age. Line 780
Arrayed eek ful fressh in his manere. Line 781
And thus in greet noblesse and with glad cheere, Line 782
Toward saluces shapynge hir journey, Line 783
Fro day to day they ryden in hir wey. Line 784 Explicit quarta pars.
Sequitur pars quinta.
Among al this, after his wikke usage, Line 785 This markys, yet his wyf to tempte moore Line 786Page 110
Line 786
To the outtreste preeve of hir corage, Line 787
Fully to han experience and loore Line 788
If that she were as stidefast as bifoore, Line 789
He on a day, in open audience, Line 790
Ful boistously hath seyd hire this sentence: Line 791
Certes, grisilde, I hadde ynogh plesance Line 792
To han yow to my wyf for youre goodnesse, Line 793
As for youre trouthe and for youre obeisance, Line 794
Noght for youre lynage, ne for youre richesse; Line 795
But now knowe I in verray soothfastnesse Line 796
That in greet lordshipe, if I wel avyse, Line 797
Ther is greet servitute in sondry wyse. Line 798
I may nat doon as every plowman may. Line 799
My peple me constreyneth for to take Line 800
Another wyf, and crien day by day; Line 801
And eek the pope, rancour for to slake. Line 802
Consenteth it, that dar I undertake; Line 803
And trewely thus muche I wol yow seye, Line 804
My newe wyf is comynge by the weye. Line 805
Be strong of herte, and voyde anon hir place, Line 806
And thilke dowere that ye broghten me, Line 807
Taak it agayn; I graunte it of my grace. Line 808
Retourneth to youre fadres hous, quod he; Line 809
No man may alwey han prosperitee. Line 810
With evene herte I rede yow t' endure Line 811
The strook of fortune or of aventure. Line 812
And she agayn answerde in pacience, Line 813
My lord, quod she, I woot, and wiste alway, Line 814
How that bitwixen youre magnificence Line 815
And my poverte no wight kan ne may Line 816
Maken comparison; it is no nay. Line 817
I ne heeld me nevere digne in no manere Line 818
To be youre wyf, no, ne youre chamberere. Line 819
And in this hous, ther ye me lady maade -- Line 820
The heighe God take I for my witnesse, Line 821
And also wysly he my soule glaade -- Line 822
I nevere heeld me lady ne mistresse, Line 823
But humble servant to youre worthynesse, Line 824
And evere shal, whil that my lyf may dure, Line 825
Aboven every worldly creature. Line 826
That ye so longe of youre benignitee Line 827
Han holden me in honour and nobleye, Line 828
Where as I was noght worthy for to bee, Line 829
That thonke I God and yow, to whom I preye Line 830
Foryelde it yow; ther is namoore to seye. Line 831
Unto my fader gladly wol I wende, Line 832
And with hym dwelle unto my lyves ende. Line 833
Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal, Line 834
Til I be deed my lyf ther wol I lede, Line 835
A wydwe clene in body, herte, and al. Line 836
For sith I yaf to yow my maydenhede, Line 837
And am youre trewe wyf, it is no drede, Line 838
God shilde swich a lordes wyf to take Line 839
Another man to housbonde or to make! Line 840
And of youre newe wyf God of his grace Line 841
So graunte yow wele and prosperitee! Line 842
For I wol gladly yelden hire my place, Line 843
In which that I was blisful wont to bee. Line 844
For sith it liketh yow, my lord, quod shee, Line 845
That whilom weren al myn hertes reste, Line 846
That I shal goon, I wol goon whan yow leste. Line 847
But ther as ye me profre swich dowaire Line 848
As I first broghte, it is wel in my mynde Line 849
It were my wrecched clothes, nothyng faire, Line 850
The whiche to me were hard now for to fynde. Line 851
O goode god! how gentil and how kynde Line 852
Ye semed by youre speche and youre visage Line 853
The day that maked was oure mariage! Line 854
But sooth is seyd -- algate I fynde it trewe, Line 855
For in effect it preeved is on me -- Line 856
Love is noght oold as whan that it is newe. Line 857
But certes, lord, for noon adversitee, Line 858
To dyen in the cas, it shal nat bee Line 859
That evere in word or werk I shal repente Line 860
That I yow yaf myn herte in hool entente. Line 861
My lord, ye woot that in my fadres place Line 862
Ye dide me streepe out of my povre weede, Line 863
And richely me cladden, of youre grace. Line 864
To yow broghte I noght elles, out of drede, Line 865
But feith, and nakednesse, and maydenhede; Line 866
And heere agayn your clothyng I restoore, Line 867
And eek your weddyng ryng, for everemore. Line 868
The remenant of youre jueles redy be Line 869
Inwith youre chambre, dar I saufly sayn. Line 870
Naked out of my fadres hous, quod she, Line 871
I cam, and naked moot I turne agayn. Line 872
Al youre plesance wol I folwen fayn; Line 873
But yet I hope it be nat youre entente Line 874
That I smoklees out of youre paleys wente. Line 875
Ye koude nat doon so dishonest a thyng, Line 876
That thilke wombe in which youre children leye Line 877
Sholde biforn the peple, in my walkyng, Line 878
Be seyn al bare; wherfore I yow preye, Line 879
Lat me nat lyk a worm go by the weye. Line 880
Page 111
Line 880
Remembre yow, myn owene lord so deere, Line 881
I was youre wyf, though I unworthy weere. Line 882
Wherfore, in gerdon of my maydenhede, Line 883
Which that I broghte, and noght agayn I bere, Line 884
As voucheth sauf to yeve me, to my meede, Line 885
But swich a smok as I was wont to were, Line 886
That I therwith may wrye the wombe of here Line 887
That was youre wyf. And heer take I my leeve Line 888
Of yow, myn owene lord, lest I yow greve. Line 889
The smok, quod he, that thou hast on thy bak, Line 890
Lat it be stille, and bere it forth with thee. Line 891
But wel unnethes thilke word he spak, Line 892
But wente his wey, for routhe and for pitee. Line 893
Biforn the folk hirselven strepeth she, Line 894
And in hir smok, with heed and foot al bare, Line 895
Toward hir fadre hous forth is she fare. Line 896
The folk hire folwe, wepynge in hir weye, Line 897
And fortune ay they cursen as they goon; Line 898
But she fro wepyng kepte hire eyen dreye, Line 899
Ne in this tyme word ne spak she noon. Line 900
Hir fader, that this tidynge herde anoon, Line 901
Curseth the day and tyme that nature Line 902
Shoop hym to been a lyves creature. Line 903
For out of doute this olde poure man Line 904
Was evere in suspect of hir mariage; Line 905
For evere he demed, sith that it bigan, Line 906
That whan the lord fulfild hadde his corage, Line 907
Hym wolde thynke it were a disparage Line 908
To his estaat so lowe for t' alighte, Line 909
And voyden hire as soone as ever he myghte. Line 910
Agayns his doghter hastily goth he, Line 911
For he by noyse of folk knew hire comynge, Line 912
And with hire olde coote, as it myghte be Line 913
He covered hire, ful sorwefully wepynge. Line 914
But on hire body myghte he it nat brynge, Line 915
For rude was the clooth, and moore of age Line 916
By dayes fele than at hire mariage. Line 917
Thus with hire fader, for a certeyn space, Line 918
Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pacience, Line 919
That neither by hire wordes ne hire face, Line 920
Biforn the folk, ne eek in hire absence, Line 921
Ne shewed she that hire was doon offence; Line 922
Ne of hire heighe astaat no remembraunce Line 923
Ne hadde she, as by hire contenaunce. Line 924
No wonder is for in hire grete estaat Line 925
Hire goost was evere in pleyn humylitee; Line 926
No tendre mouth, noon herte delicaat, Line 927
No pompe, no semblant of roialtee, Line 928
But ful of pacient benyngnytee, Line 929
Discreet and pridelees, ay honurable, Line 930
And to hire housbonde evere meke and stable. Line 931
Men speke of job, and moost for humblesse, Line 932
As clerkes, whan hem list, konne wel endite, Line 933
Namely of men, but as in soothfastnesse, Line 934
Though clerkes preise wommen but a lite, Line 935
Ther kan no man in humbless hym acquite Line 936
As womman kan, ne kan been half so trewe Line 937
As wommen been, but it be falle of newe. Line 938
Part VI
Fro boloigne is this erl of panyk come, Line 939 Of which the fame up sprang to moore and lesse, Line 940 And to the peples eres, alle and some, Line 941 Was kouth eek that a newe markysesse Line 942 He with hym broghte, in swich pompe and richesse Line 943 That nevere was ther seyn with mannes ye Line 944 So noble array in al west lumbardye. Line 945 The markys, which that shoop and knew al this, Line 946 Er that this erl was come, sente his message Line 947 For thilke sely povre grisildis; Line 948 And she with humble herte and glad visage, Line 949 Nat with no swollen thoght in hire corage, Line 950 Cam at his heste, and on hire knees hire sette, Line 951 And reverently and wisely she hym grette. Line 952 Grisilde, quod he, my wyl is outrely, Line 953 This mayden, that shal wedded been to me, Line 954 Received be to-morwe as roially Line 955 As it possible is in myn hous to be, Line 956 And eek that every wight in his degree Line 957 Have his estaat, in sittyng and servyse Line 958 And heigh plesaunce, as I kan best devyse. Line 959 I have no wommen suffisaunt, certayn, Line 960 The chambres for t' arraye in ordinaunce Line 961 After my lust, and therfore wolde I fayn Line 962 That thyn were al swich manere governaunce. Line 963 Thou knowest eek of old al my plesaunce; Line 964 Thogh thyn array be badde and yvel biseye, Line 965 Do thou thy devoir at the leeste weye. Line 966 Nat oonly, lord, that I am glad, quod she, Line 967 To doon youre lust, but I desire also Line 968 Yow for to serve and plese in my degree Line 969Page 112
Line 969
Withouten feyntyng, and shal everemo; Line 970
Ne nevere, for no wele ne no wo, Line 971
Ne shal the goost withinne myn herte stente Line 972
To love yow best with al my trewe entente. Line 973
And with that word she gan the hous to dighte, Line 974
And tables for to sette, and beddes make; Line 975
And peyned hire to doon al that she myghte, Line 976
Preyynge the chambereres, for goddes sake, Line 977
To hasten hem, and faste swepe and shake; Line 978
And she, the mooste servysable of alle, Line 979
Hath every chambre arrayed and his halle. Line 980
Abouten undren gan this erl alighte, Line 981
That with hym broghte thise noble children tweye, Line 982
For which the peple ran to seen the sighte Line 983
Of hire array, so richely biseye; Line 984
And thanne at erst amonges hem they seye Line 985
That walter was no fool, thogh that hym leste Line 986
To chaunge his wyf, for it was for the beste. Line 987
For she is fairer, as they deemen alle, Line 988
That is grisilde, and moore tendre of age, Line 989
And fairer fruyt bitwene hem sholde falle, Line 990
And moore plesant, for hire heigh lynage. Line 991
Hir brother eek so fair was of visage Line 992
That hem to seen the peple hath caught plesaunce, Line 993
Commendynge now the markys governaunce. Line 994
O stormy peple! unsad and evere untrewe! Line 995
Ay undiscreet and chaungynge as a fane! Line 996
Delitynge evere in rumbul that is newe, Line 997
For lyk the moone ay wexe ye and wane! Line 998
Ay ful of clappyng, deere ynogh a jane! Line 999
Youre doom is fals, youre constance preeveth; Line 1000
A ful greet fool is he that on yow leeveth. Line 1001
Thus seyden sadde folk in that citee, Line 1002
Whan that the peple gazed up and doun; Line 1003
For they were glad, right for the noveltee, Line 1004
To han a newe lady of hir toun. Line 1005
Namoore of this make I now mencioun, Line 1006
But to grisilde agayn wol I me dresse, Line 1007
And telle hir constance and hir bisynesse. -- Line 1008
Ful bisy was grisilde in every thyng Line 1009
That to the feeste was apertinent. Line 1010
Right noght was she abayst of hire clothyng, Line 1011
Thogh it were rude and somdeel eek torent; Line 1012
But with glad cheere to the yate is went Line 1013
With oother folk, to greete the markysesse, Line 1014
And after that dooth forth hire bisynesse. Line 1015
With so glad chiere his gestes she receyveth, Line 1016
And konnyngly, everich in his degree, Line 1017
That no defaute no man aperceyveth, Line 1018
But ay they wondren what she myghte bee Line 1019
That in so povre array was for to see, Line 1020
And koude swich honour and reverence, Line 1021
And worthily they preisen hire prudence. Line 1022
In al this meene while she ne stente Line 1023
This mayde and eek hir brother to commende Line 1024
With al hir herte, in ful benyngne entente, Line 1025
So wel that no man koude hir pris amende. Line 1026
But atte laste, whan that thise lordes wende Line 1027
To sitten doun to mete, he gan to calle Line 1028
Grisilde, as she was bisy in his halle. Line 1029
Grisilde, quod he, as it were in his pley, Line 1030
How liketh thee my wyf and hire beautee? Line 1031
Right wel, quod she, my lord; for, in good fey, Line 1032
A fairer saugh I nevere noon than she. Line 1033
I prey to God yeve hire prosperitee; Line 1034
And so hope I that he wol to yow sende Line 1035
Plesance ynogh unto youre lyves ende. Line 1036
O thyng biseke I yow, and warne also, Line 1037
That ye ne prikke with no tormentynge Line 1038
This tendre mayden, as ye han doon mo; Line 1039
For she is fostred in hire norissynge Line 1040
Moore tendrely, and, to my supposynge, Line 1041
She koude nat adversitee endure Line 1042
As koude a povre fostred creature. Line 1043
And whan this walter saugh hire pacience, Line 1044
Hir glade chiere, and no malice at al, Line 1045
And he so ofte had doon to hire offence, Line 1046
And she ay sad and constant as a wal, Line 1047
Continuynge evere hire innocence overal, Line 1048
This sturdy markys gan his herte dresse Line 1049
To rewen upon hire wyfly stedfastnesse. Line 1050
This is ynogh, grisilde myn, quod he; Line 1051
Be now namoore agast ne yvele apayed. Line 1052
I have thy feith and thy benyngnytee, Line 1053
As wel as evere womman was, assayed, Line 1054
In greet estaat, and povreliche arrayed. Line 1055
Now knowe I, dere wyf, thy stedfastnesse, -- Line 1056
And hire in armes took and gan hire kesse. Line 1057
And she for wonder took of it no keep; Line 1058
She herde nat what thyng he to hire seyde; Line 1059
Page 113
Line 1059
She ferde as she had stert out of a sleep, Line 1060
Til she out of hire mazednesse abreyde. Line 1061
Grisilde, quod he, by god, that for us deyde, Line 1062
Thou art my wyf, ne noon oother I have, Line 1063
Ne nevere hadde, as God my soule save! Line 1064
This is thy doghter, which thou hast supposed Line 1065
To be my wyf; that oother feithfully Line 1066
Shal be myn heir, as I have ay disposed; Line 1067
Thou bare hym in thy body trewely. Line 1068
At boloigne have I kept hem prively; Line 1069
Taak hem agayn, for now maystow nat seye Line 1070
That thou hast lorn noon of thy children tweye. Line 1071
And folk that ootherweys han seyd of me, Line 1072
I warne hem wel that I have doon this deede Line 1073
For no malice, ne for no crueltee, Line 1074
But for t' assaye in thee thy wommanheede, Line 1075
And nat to sleen my children -- God forbeede! -- Line 1076
But for to kepe hem pryvely and stille, Line 1077
Til I thy purpos knewe and al thy wille. Line 1078
Whan she this herde, aswowne doun she falleth Line 1079
For pitous joye, and after hire swownynge Line 1080
She bothe hire yonge children to hire calleth, Line 1081
And in hire armes, pitously wepynge, Line 1082
Embraceth hem, and tendrely kissynge Line 1083
Ful lyk a mooder, with hire salte teeres Line 1084
She bathed bothe hire visage and hire heeres. Line 1085
O which a pitous thyng it was to se Line 1086
Hir swownyng, and hire humble voys to heere! Line 1087
Grauntmercy, lord, God thanke it yow, quod she, Line 1088
That ye han saved me my children deere! Line 1089
Now rekke I nevere to been deed right heere; Line 1090
Sith I stonde in youre love and in youre grace, Line 1091
No fors of deeth, ne whan my spirit pace! Line 1092
O tendre, o deere, o yonge children myne! Line 1093
Youre woful mooder wende stedfastly Line 1094
That crueel houndes or som foul vermyne Line 1095
Hadde eten yow; but god, of his mercy, Line 1096
And youre benyngne fader tendrely Line 1097
Hath doon yow kept, -- and in that same stounde Line 1098
Al sodeynly she swapte adoun to grounde, Line 1099
And in hire swough so sadly holdeth she Line 1100
Hire children two, whan she gan hem t' embrace, Line 1101
That with greet sleighte and greet difficultee Line 1102
The children from hire arm they gonne arace. Line 1103
O many a teere on many a pitous face Line 1104
Doun ran of hem that stooden hire bisyde; Line 1105
Unnethe abouten hire myghte they abyde. Line 1106
Walter hire gladeth, and hire sorwe slaketh; Line 1107
She riseth up, abaysed, from hire traunce, Line 1108
And every wight hire joye and feeste maketh Line 1109
Til she hath caught agayn hire contenaunce. Line 1110
Walter hire dooth so feithfully plesaunce Line 1111
That it was deyntee for to seen the cheere Line 1112
Bitwixe hem two, now they been met yfeere. Line 1113
Thise ladyes, whan that they hir tyme say, Line 1114
Han taken hire and into chambre gon, Line 1115
And strepen hire out of hire rude array, Line 1116
And in a clooth of gold that brighte shoon, Line 1117
With a coroune of many a riche stoon Line 1118
Upon hire heed, they into halle hire broghte, Line 1119
And ther she was honured as hire oghte. Line 1120
Thus hath this pitous day a blisful ende, Line 1121
For every man and womman dooth his myght Line 1122
This day in murthe and revel to dispende Line 1123
Til on the welkne shoon the sterres lyght. Line 1124
For moore solempne in every mannes syght Line 1125
This feste was, and gretter of costage, Line 1126
Than was the revel of hire mariage. Line 1127
Ful many a yeer in heigh prosperitee Line 1128
Lyven thise two in concord and in reste, Line 1129
And richely his doghter maryed he Line 1130
Unto a lord, oon of the worthieste Line 1131
Of al ytaille; and thanne in pees and reste Line 1132
His wyves fader in his court he kepeth, Line 1133
Til that the soule out of his body crepeth. Line 1134
His sone succedeth in his heritage Line 1135
In reste and pees, after his fader day, Line 1136
And fortunat was eek in mariage, Line 1137
Al putte he nat his wyf in greet assay. Line 1138
This world is nat so strong, it is no nay, Line 1139
As it hath been in olde tymes yoore, Line 1140
And herkneth what this auctour seith therfoore. Line 1141
This storie is seyd, nat for that wyves sholde Line 1142
Folwen grisilde as in humylitee, Line 1143
For it were inportable, though they wolde; Line 1144
But for that every wight, in his degree, Line 1145
Sholde be constant in adversitee Line 1146
As was grisilde; therfore petrak writeth Line 1147
This storie, which with heigh stile he enditeth. Line 1148
Page 114
Line 1148
For, sith a womman was so pacient Line 1149
Unto a mortal man, wel moore us oghte Line 1150
Receyven al in gree that God us sent; Line 1151
For greet skile is, he preeve that he wroghte. Line 1152
But he ne tempteth no man that he boghte, Line 1153
As seith seint jame, if ye his pistel rede; Line 1154
He preeveth folk al day, it is no drede, Line 1155
And suffreth us, as for oure excercise, Line 1156
With sharpe scourges of adversitee Line 1157
Ful ofte to be bete in sondry wise; Line 1158
Nat for to knowe oure wyl, for certes he, Line 1159
Er we were born, knew al oure freletee; Line 1160
And for oure beste is al his governaunce. Line 1161
Lat us thanne lyve in vertuous suffraunce. Line 1162
But o work lordynges, herkneth er I go: Line 1163
It were ful hard to fynde now-a-dayes Line 1164
In al a toun grisildis thre or two; Line 1165
For if that they were put to swiche assayes, Line 1166
The gold of hem hath now so badde alayes Line 1167
With bras, that thogh the coyne be fair at ye, Line 1168
It wolde rather breste a-two than plye. Line 1169
For which heere, for the wyves love of bathe -- Line 1170
Whos lyf and al hire secte God mayntene Line 1171
In heigh maistrie, and elles were it scathe -- Line 1172
I wol with lusty herte, fressh and grene, Line 1173
Seyn yow a song to glade yow, I wene; Line 1174
And lat us stynte of ernestful matere. Line 1175
Herkneth my song that seith in this manere: Line 1176