¶ The prologe of the Marchantes tale. [folio 106b]
Wepyng and waylyng care and oother sorwe
I knowe ynogh / on euen and a morwe
Quod the Marchant and so doon othere mo
That wedded been / I trowe that it be so
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ffor wel I woot it fareth so with me
I have a wyf/ the worste that may be
ffor thogh the feend / to hire ycoupled were
She wolde hym ouermacche / I dar wel swere
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What sholde I yow reherce in special
Hir hye malice / she is a shrewe at al
Ther is a long and large difference
Bitwix Grisildis grete pacience
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And of my wyf/ the passyng crueltee
Were I vnbounden / al so moot I thee
I wolde neuere eft comen in the snare
We wedded men / lyue in sorwe and care
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Assaye who so wole / and he shal fynde
I seye sooth / by seint Thomas of ynde
As for the moore part I sey nat alle
God shilde / that it sholde so bifalle
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¶ A good sire hoost / I haue ywedded bee
Thise Monthes two / and moore nat pardee
And yet I trowe / he that al his lyue
Wyflees hath been / though þat men wolde him ryue
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Vn-to the herte / ne koude in no manere
Tellen so muchel / sorwe / as I now heere?
Koude tellen / of my wyues cursednesse
¶ Now quod our hoost. Marchant so god yow blesse
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Syn ye so muchel / knowen of that Art
fful hertely / I pray yow telle vs part
¶ Gladly quod he / but of myn owene soore
ffor soory herte / I telle may namoore
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