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

eTH CLiES S TALE. 99
Then shall the blood of'Janicol' succeed, That perfectly her children loved she,
And be our lord, for other have we none:' He would have ween'd 1 that of some subtilty,
Such wordes say my people, out of drede.1 And of malice, or for cruel corage,l4
Well ought I of such murmur take heed, She haddB suffer'd this with sad 15 visage.
For certainly I dread all such sentence, But well he knew, that, next himself, certain
Though they not plainen in mine audience.3 She lov'd her children best in every wise.
"I woulde live in peace, if that I might; But now of women would I aske fain,
Wherefore I am disposed utterly, If these assayes mighte not suffice?
As I his sister served ere 4 by night, What could a sturdy 16 husband more devise
Right so think I to serve him privily. To prove her wifehood and her steadfastness,
This warn I you, that ye not suddenly And he continuing ev'r in sturdiness?
Out of yourself for no woe should outraie; 5 But there be folk of such conditin,
Be patient, and thereof I you pray." That, when they have a certain purpose take,
"I have," quoth she, "said thus, and ever They cannot stint 17 of their intention,
shall, But, right as they *ere bound unto a stake,
I will no thing, nor n'ill no thing, certain, They will not of their firste purpose slake:
But as you list; not grieveth me at all Right so this marquis fully hath purp6s'd
Though that my daughter and my son be slain To tempt his wife, as he was first dispos'd.
At your commandement; that is to sayn, He waited, if by word or countenance
I have not had no part of children twain, That she to him was changed of corfge 19
But first sickness, and after woe and pain. But never could he finde variance,
"Ye be my lord, do with your owen thing She was aye one in heart and in visage,
Right as you list, and ask no rede 6 of me; And aye the farther that she was in age,
For, as I left at home all my clothing The more true (if that it were possible)
When I came first to you, right so," quoth she, She was to him in love, and more penible.20
" Left I my will and all my liberty, For which it seemed thus, that of them two
And took your clothing: wherefore I you pray, There was but one will; for, as Walter,lest,21
Do your pleasance, I will your lust 7 obey. The same pleasince was her lust also;
"And, certes,'if I hadde prescience And, God be thanked, all fell for the best.
Your will to know, ere ye your lust 7 me told, She shewed well, for no worldly unrest,
I would it do withoute negligence: A wife as of herself no thinge should
But, now I know your lust, and what ye wo'ld, Will, in effect, but as her husband would.
All your pleasance firm and stable I hold; The sland'r of Walter wondrous wid5 sprad,
For, wist I that my death might do you ease, That of a cruel heart he wickedly,
Right gladly would I dien you to please. For 22 he a poore woman wedded had,
"Death may not make no comparisoun Had murder'd both his children privily:
Unto your love." And when this marquis says Such murmur was among them commonly.
The constance of his wife, he cast adown No wonder is: for to the people's ear
His eyen two, and wonder'd how she may There came no word, but that they murder'd
In patience suffer all this array; were.
And forth he went with dreary countenance; For which, whereas his people therebefore
But to his heart it was full great pleasance. Had lov'd him well, the sland'r of his diffame 23
This ugly sergeant, in the same wise Made them that they him hated therefore.
That he her daughter caught, right so hath he To be a murd'rer is a hateful name.
(Or worse, if men can any worse devise,) But natheless, for earnest or for game,
Y-hent 9 her son, that full was of beauty: He of his cruel purpose would not stent; 24
And ever-in-one 1 so patient was she, To tempt his wife was set all his intent.
That she no cheere made of heaviness, When that his daughter twelve year was of
But kiss'd her son, and after gan him bless. age,
Save this she prayed him, if that he might, He to the Court of Rome, in subtle wise
Her little son he would in earthe grave,"1 Informed of his will, sent his message,25
His tender limbes, delicate to sight, Commanding him such bulles to devise
From fowles and from beastes for to save. As to his cruel purpose may suffice,
But she none answer of him mighte have; How that the Pope, for his people's rest,
He went his way, as him nothing ne raught,l2 Bade him to wed another, if him lest.26
But to Bologna tenderly it brought. I say he bade they shoulde counterfeit
The marquis wonder'd ever longer more The Pope's bulles, making menti6n
Upon her patience; and, if that he That he had leave his firste wife to lete,7
Not hadde soothly knowen therebefore As by the Pope's dispensation,
1 Doubt. 2 Expression of opinion. 17 Cease. 18 Slacken, abate,
3 Complain in my hearing. 4 Before. 19 Spirit.
5 Become outrageous, rave. 6 Advice. 20 Devoted, full of painstaking in duty.
7 Will. Saw. 9 Seized. 21 Pleased. 22 Because.
10 Unvaryingly. 11 Bury. 12 Recked, cared. 23 Evil repute, reproach. 24 Desist, stop,
s1 Thought. 14 Disposition. 25 Messenger; for French' "messager."
15 Steadfast, unmoved. 16 Stubborn, stern. 26 Please.d. 27 Leave.