The Canterbury tales and Faerie queene &c., &c., &c., ed. for popular perusal with current illustrations and explanatory notes, by D. Laing Purves.

THE CLERK'S TALE. 97
That men and women, young as well as old, In which that I have put you, as I trow 16
Went to Saluces, her for to behold. Maketh you not forgetful for to be
Thus Walter lowly,-nay, but royally,- That I you took in poor estate full low,
Wedded with fortunate honestet,1 For any weal you must yourselfi know.
In Goddi's peace lived full easily Take heed of every word that I you say,
At home, and outward grace enough had he: There is no wight that hears it but we tway.17
And, for he saw that under low degree "Ye know yourself well how that ye came
Was honest virtue hid, the people him held here
A prudent man, and that is seen full seld'.2 Into this house, it is not long ago;
Not only this Griseldis through her wit And though to me ye be right lefe 18 and dear,
Couth all the feat 3 of wifely homeliness, Unto my gentles 19 ye be nothing so:
But eke, when that the case required it, They say, to them it is great shame and woe
The common profit coulde she redress: 4 For to be subject, and be in servage,
There n'as discord, rancoir, nor heaviness To thee, that born art of small lineage.
In all the land, that she could not appease, "And namely20 since thy daughter was y-bore
And wisely bring them all in rest and ease. These wordis have they spoken doubteless;
Though that her husband absent were or But I desire, as I have done before,
non,5 To live my life with them in rest and peace:
If gentlemen, or other of that country, I may not in this case be reckeless;
Were wroth,6 she woulde bringi them at one, I must do with thy daughter for the best,
So wise and ripe wordes hadde she, Not as I would, but as my gentles lest.21
And judgement of so great equity, "And yet, God wot, this is full loth22 to me:
That she from heaven sent was, as men wend,7 But natheless withouti your weeting 23
People to save, and every wrong t' amend. I will nought do; but this will I," quoth he,
Not longe time after that this Grisild' "That ye to me assenten in this thing.
Was wedded, she a daughter had y-bore; Shew now your patience in your working,
All she had lever 8 borne a knavi 9 child, That ye me hight 24 and swore in your village
Glad was the marquis and his folk therefore; The day that maked was our marriage."
For, though a maiden child came all before, When she had heard all this, she not amev'd25
She may unto a knavi child attain Neither in word, in cheer, nor countenance
By likelihood, since she is not barren. (For, as it seemed, she was not aggriev'd);
She saidi; " Lord, all lies in your pleasance,
My child and I, with hearty obeisance
Pars Tertia. Be youris all, and ye may save or spill 2
There fell, as falleth many times mo', Your owen thing: work then after your will.
When that his child had sucked but a throw,l0 "There may no thing, so God my soule save,
This marquis in his hearte longed so Lik to 27 you, that may displease me:
To tempt his wife, her sadness 1 for to know, Nor I desire nothing for to have,
That he might not out of his hearte throw Nor dreade for to lose, save only ye:
This marvellous desire his wife t' assay; 12 This will is in mine heart, and aye shall be,
Needless,13 God wot,,he thought her to affray.14 No length of time, nor death, may this deface,
He had assayed her anough before, Nor change my corage 28 to another place."
And found her ever good; what needed it Glad was the marquis for her answering,
Her for to tempt, and always more and more? But yet he feigned as he were not so;
Though some men praise it for a subtle wit, All dreary was his cheer and his looking
But as for me, I say that evil it sit 15 When that he should out of.the chamber go.
T' assay a wife when that it is no need, Soon after this, a furlong way or two,29
And putte her in anguish and in dread. He privily hath told all his intent
For which this marquis wrought in this man- Unto a man, and to his wife him sent.
n6re: A manner sergeant30 was this private man,3
He came at night alone there as she lay, The which he faithful often founden had
With sterne face and with full troubled cheer, In thinges great, and eke such folk well can
And saide thus; "Griseld'," quoth he, "that Do executi6n in thinges bad:
day The lord knew well, that he him loved and
That I you took out of your poor array, drad.32
And put you in estate of high nobless, And when this sergeant knew his lord's will,
Ye have it not forgotten, as I guess. Into the chamber stalked he full still.
"I say, Griseld', this present dignity, "Madam," he said, " ye must forgive it me,
1 Virtue. 2 Seldom. 18 Pleasant, loved. 19 Nobles, gentlefolk.
3 Knew, understood, all the duty or performance. 20 Especially. 21 Please. 22 Odious.
4 She could well labour for the public advantage. 23 Knowing. 24 Promised. 25 Changed.
5 Not. 6 At feud. 7 Weened, imagined. 26 Destroy. 27 Be pleasing. 28 Spirit, heart.
8 Though she had rather. 9 Male. 29 About as much time as one might take to walk a fur
10 Little while. 11 Steadfastness, endurance. long or two; a short space.
12 Try. 13 Causelessly. 14 Alarm, disturb. s0 A kind of squire. 31 Confidant, trusty tool.
15 It ill became him. 16 Believe. 17 Two, 32 Dreaded.
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