#  4.1 The Clerk's Prologue, Tale, and Envoy 

 



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 **The Clerk's Prologue**

*Heere folweth the Prologe of the Clerkes Tale of Oxenford*

1 **"Sire Clerk of Oxenford," oure Hooste sayde,**   
 "Sir Clerk of Oxford," our Host said,  
2 **"Ye ryde as coy and stille as dooth a mayde**  
 "You ride as demure and quiet as does a maid  
3 **Were newe spoused, sittynge at the bord;**  
 Who is just married, sitting at the banquet table;  
4 **This day ne herde I of youre tonge a word.**  
 This day I heard not one word from your tongue.  
5 **I trowe ye studie aboute som sophyme;**  
 I suppose you are thinking about some logical problem;  
6 **But Salomon seith `every thyng hath tyme.'**  
 But Solomon says `every thing has its time.'

7 **"For Goddes sake, as beth of bettre cheere!**  
 "For God's sake, cheer up!  
8 **It is no tyme for to studien heere.**  
 It is no time to study here.  
9 **Telle us som myrie tale, by youre fey!**  
 Tell us some merry tale, by your faith!  
10 **For what man that is entred in a pley,**  
 For whatever man is entered in a game,  
11 **He nedes moot unto the pley assente.**  
 He of necessity must assent unto the rules.  
12 **But precheth nat, as freres doon in Lente,**  
 But preach not, as friars do in Lent,  
13 **To make us for oure olde synnes wepe,**  
 To make us weep for our old sins,  
14 **Ne that thy tale make us nat to slepe.**  
 And let not thy tale put us to sleep.  
15 **"Telle us som murie thyng of aventures.**  
 "Tell us some merry thing of adventures.  
16 **Youre termes, youre colours, and youre figures,**  
 Your technical terms, your figures of speech, and your rhetorical devices,  
17 **Keepe hem in stoor til so be ye endite**  
 Keep them in reserve until it so be that you compose  
18 **Heigh style, as whan that men to kynges write.**  
 High style, as when men write to kings.  
19 **Speketh so pleyn at this tyme, we yow preye,**  
 Speak so plainly at this time, we pray of you,  
20 **That we may understonde what ye seye."**  
 That we can understand what you say."  
21 **This worthy clerk benignely answerde:**  
 This worthy clerk graciously answered:  
22 **"Hooste," quod he, "I am under youre yerde;**  
 "Host," said he, "I am under your authority;  
23 **Ye han of us as now the governance,**  
 You have the governance of us now,  
24 **And therfore wol I do yow obeisance,**  
 And therefore will I obey you,  
25 **As fer as resoun axeth, hardily.**  
 So far as reason demands, indeed.  
26 **I wol yow telle a tale which that I**  
 I will tell you a tale which I  
27 **Lerned at Padowe of a worthy clerk,**  
 Learned at Padua from a worthy clerk,  
28 **As preved by his wordes and his werk.**  
 As was proven by his words and his work.  
29 **He is now deed and nayled in his cheste;**  
 He is now dead and nailed in his coffin;  
30 **I prey to God so yeve his soule reste!**  
 I pray to God to give his soul rest.

31 **"Fraunceys Petrak, the lauriat poete,**  
 "Francis Petrarch, the laureate poet,  
32 **Highte this clerk, whos rethorike sweete**  
 Was called this clerk, whose sweet rhetoric   
33 **Enlumyned al Ytaille of poetrie,**  
 Illuminated all Italy with poetry,  
34 **As Lynyan dide of philosophie,**  
 As Lynyan did with philosophy,  
35 **Or lawe, or oother art particuler;**  
 Or law, or other specialized field of study;  
36 **But Deeth, that wol nat suffre us dwellen heer,**  
 But Death, that will not allow us to remain here,  
37 **But as it were a twynklyng of an ye,**  
 But as if it were a twinkling of an eye,  
38 **Hem bothe hath slayn, and alle shul we dye.**  
 Has slain them both, and we all shall die.

39 **"But forth to tellen of this worthy man**  
 "But forth to tell of this worthy man  
40 **That taughte me this tale, as I bigan,**  
 That taught me this tale, as I began,  
41 **I seye that first with heigh stile he enditeth,**  
 I say that first with high style he composes,  
42 **Er he the body of his tale writeth,**  
 Before he writes the body of his tale,  
43 **A prohemye, in the which discryveth he**  
 A proem, in which he describes  
44 **Pemond and of Saluces the contree,**  
 Piedmont and the country of Saluces,  
45 **And speketh of Apennyn, the hilles hye,**  
 And speaks of the Apennines, the high hills,  
46 **That been the boundes of West Lumbardye,**  
 That are the boundaries of West Lombardy,  
47 **And of Mount Vesulus in special,**  
 And of Mount Vesulus in particular,  
48 **Where as the Poo out of a welle smal**  
 Where the Po out of a small well   
49 **Taketh his firste spryngyng and his sours,**  
 Takes its first springing and its source,  
50 **That estward ay encresseth in his cours**  
 That eastward ever increases in its course  
51 **To Emele-ward, to Ferrare, and Venyse,**  
 Toward Emelia, to Ferrara, and Venice,  
52 **The which a long thyng were to devyse.**  
 Which would be a long thing to relate.  
53 **And trewely, as to my juggement,**  
 And truly, as to my judgment,  
54 **Me thynketh it a thyng impertinent,**  
 It seems to me a thing irrelevant,  
55 **Save that he wole conveyen his mateere;**  
 Save that he wishes to introduce his subject matter;  
56 **But this his tale, which that ye may heere."**  
 But this is his tale, which you may hear."

*Heere endeth the Prologue of the Clerk of Oxenford.*

*\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_*

*Heere bigynneth the Tale of the Clerk of Oxenford*

57 **Ther is, at the west syde of Ytaille,**  
 There is, at the west side of Italy,  
58 **Doun at the roote of Vesulus the colde,**  
 Down at the foot of Vesulus the cold,  
59 **A lusty playn, habundant of vitaille,**  
 A lusty plain, abundant with food crops,  
60 **Where many a tour and toun thou mayst biholde,**  
 Where many a tower and town thou may behold,  
61 **That founded were in tyme of fadres olde,**  
 That were founded in time of fathers old,  
62 **And many another delitable sighte,**  
 And many another delectable sight,  
63 **And Saluces this noble contree highte.**  
 And Saluces this noble country is called.

64 **A markys whilom lord was of that lond,**  
 A marquis once was lord of that land,  
65 **As were his worthy eldres hym bifore;**  
 As were his worthy elders before him;  
66 **And obeisant, ay redy to his hond,**  
 And obedient, ever ready to his hand (to do his commands),  
67 **Were alle his liges, bothe lasse and moore.**  
 Were all his subjects, both lesser ranks and nobles.  
68 **Thus in delit he lyveth, and hath doon yoore,**  
 Thus in delight he lives, and has done since long before,  
69 **Biloved and drad, thurgh favour of Fortune,**  
 Beloved and feared, through favor of Fortune,  
70 **Bothe of his lordes and of his commune.**  
 Both by his lords and by his citizenry.

71 **Therwith he was, to speke as of lynage,**  
 Moreover he was, to speak of lineage,  
72 **The gentilleste yborn of Lumbardye,**  
 The most noble born in Lombardy,  
73 **A fair persone, and strong, and yong of age,**  
 A handsome person, and strong, and young of age,  
74 **And ful of honour and of curteisye;**  
 And full of honor and of courtesy;  
75 **Discreet ynogh his contree for to gye,**  
 Discreet enough to govern his country,  
76 **Save in somme thynges that he was to blame;**  
 Except in some things he was to blame;  
77 **And Walter was this yonge lordes name.**  
 And Walter was this young lord's name.

78 **I blame hym thus: that he considered noght**  
 I blame him thus: that he considered not  
79 **In tyme comynge what myghte hym bityde,**  
 In time coming what might happen to him,  
80 **But on his lust present was al his thoght,**  
 But on his immediate pleasure was all his thought,  
81 **As for to hauke and hunte on every syde.**  
 Such as to hawk and hunt on every side.  
82 **Wel ny alle othere cures leet he slyde,**  
 Well nigh all other cares he let slip away,  
83 **And eek he nolde -- and that was worst of alle --**  
 And also he would not -- and that was worst of all --  
84 **Wedde no wyf, for noght that may bifalle.**  
 Wed any woman, for anything that may befall.

85 **Oonly that point his peple bar so soore**  
 Only that point his people took so badly  
86 **That flokmeele on a day they to hym wente,**  
 That in groups on one day they went to him,  
87 **And oon of hem, that wisest was of loore --**  
 And one of them, that wisest was in learning --  
88 **Or elles that the lord best wolde assente**  
 Or else the one that the lord most readily would consent  
89 **That he sholde telle hym what his peple mente,**  
 That he should tell him what his people meant,  
90 **Or elles koude he shewe wel swich mateere --**  
 Or else he knew well how to present such a matter --  
91 **He to the markys seyde as ye shul heere:**  
 He to the marquis said as you shall hear:

92 **"O noble markys, youre humanitee**  
 "O noble marquis, your graciousness  
93 **Asseureth us and yeveth us hardinesse,**  
 Makes us confident and gives us boldness,  
94 **As ofte as tyme is of necessitee,**  
 As often as it is time (to do so) by necessity,  
95 **That we to yow mowe telle oure hevynesse.**  
 That we to you may tell our sorrow.  
96 **Accepteth, lord, now of youre gentillesse**  
 Grant, lord, now of your nobility  
97 **That we with pitous herte unto yow pleyne,**  
 That we with pitiful heart may unto you complain,  
98 **And lat youre eres nat my voys desdeyne.**  
 And let your ears not disdain (to hear) my voice.

99 **"Al have I noght to doone in this mateere**  
 "Although I have nothing to do in this matter  
100 **Moore than another man hath in this place,**  
 More than another man has in this place,  
101 **Yet for as muche as ye, my lord so deere,**  
 Yet for as much as you, my lord so dear,  
102 **Han alwey shewed me favour and grace**  
 Have always shown me favor and grace  
103 **I dar the bettre aske of yow a space**  
 I dare the more confidently to ask of you a time  
104 **Of audience to shewen oure requeste,**  
 Of hearing to present our request,  
105 **And ye, my lord, to doon right as yow leste.**  
 And you, my lord, to do right as it may please you.

106 **"For certes, lord, so wel us liketh yow**  
 "For certainly, lord, so well you please us   
107 **And al youre werk, and evere han doon, that we**  
 And all your actions, and ever have done so, that we  
108 **Ne koude nat us self devysen how**  
 Could not ourselves imagine how  
109 **We myghte lyven in moore felicitee,**  
 We might live in more happiness,  
110 **Save o thyng, lord, if it youre wille be,**  
 Save one thing, lord, if it be your will,  
111 **That for to been a wedded man yow leste;**  
 That you would desire to be a wedded man;  
112 **Thanne were youre peple in sovereyn hertes reste.**  
 Then your people would be in complete peace of mind.

113 **"Boweth youre nekke under that blisful yok**  
 "Bow your neck under that blissful yoke  
114 **Of soveraynetee, noght of servyse,**  
 Of sovereignty, not of servitude,  
115 **Which that men clepe spousaille or wedlok;**  
 Which men call marriage or wedlock;  
116 **And thenketh, lord, among youre thoghtes wyse**  
 And think, lord, among your wise thoughts   
117 **How that oure dayes passe in sondry wyse,**  
 How our days pass in various ways,  
118 **For thogh we slepe, or wake, or rome, or ryde,**  
 For though we sleep, or wake, or roam, or ride,  
119 **Ay fleeth the tyme; it nyl no man abyde.**  
 Ever flees the time; it will wait for no man.

120 **"And thogh youre grene youthe floure as yit,**  
 "And though your green youth flowers as yet,  
121 **In crepeth age alwey, as stille as stoon,**  
 In creeps age always, as still as stone,  
122 **And deeth manaceth every age, and smyt**  
 And death menaces every age, and smites  
123 **In ech estaat, for ther escapeth noon;**  
 In each rank, for there escapes no one;  
124 **And al so certein as we knowe echoon**  
 And just as certainly as we know, each one of us,  
125 **That we shul deye, as uncerteyn we alle**  
 That we shall die, as uncertain we all  
126 **Been of that day whan deeth shal on us falle.**  
 Are of that day when death shall on us fall.

127 **"Accepteth thanne of us the trewe entente,**  
 "Accept then the true intent of us,  
128 **That nevere yet refuseden youre heeste,**  
 Who never yet refused your command,  
129 **And we wol, lord, if that ye wole assente,**  
 And we will, lord, if you will assent,  
130 **Chese yow a wyf, in short tyme atte leeste,**  
 Chose a wife for you, in short time at the least,  
131 **Born of the gentilleste and of the meeste**  
 Born of the most noble and of the greatest (in rank)  
132 **Of al this land, so that it oghte seme**  
 Of all this land, so that it must seem  
133 **Honour to God and yow, as we kan deeme.**  
 Honor to God and you, so far as we can judge.

134 **"Delivere us out of al this bisy drede,**  
 "Deliver us out of all this constant fear,  
135 **And taak a wyf, for hye Goddes sake!**  
 And take a wife, for high God's sake!  
136 **For if it so bifelle, as God forbede,**  
 For if it so happen, may God forbid,  
137 **That thurgh youre deeth youre lyne sholde slake,**  
 That through your death your line should die out,  
138 **And that a straunge successour sholde take**  
 And that a foreign successor should take  
139 **Youre heritage, O wo were us alyve!**  
 Your heritage, O woe would it be to us in our lifetime!  
140 **Wherfore we pray you hastily to wyve."**  
 Wherefore we pray you hastily to take a wife."

141 **Hir meeke preyere and hir pitous cheere**  
 Their meek prayer and their pitiful manner  
142 **Made the markys herte han pitee.**  
 Made the marquis's heart have pity.  
143 **"Ye wol," quod he, "myn owene peple deere,**  
 "You want," said he, "my own people dear,  
144 **To that I nevere erst thoughte streyne me.**  
 That which I never before thought to compel myself.  
145 **I me rejoysed of my liberte,**  
 I rejoiced in my liberty,  
146 **That seelde tyme is founde in mariage;**  
 That seldom is found in marriage;  
147 **Ther I was free, I moot been in servage.**  
 Where I was free, I must be in servitude.

148 **"But nathelees I se youre trewe entente,**  
 "But nevertheless I see your true intent,  
149 **And truste upon youre wit, and have doon ay;**  
 And trust upon your intelligence, and always have done so;  
150 **Wherfore of my free wyl I wole assente**  
 Therefore of my free will I will assent  
151 **To wedde me, as soone as evere I may.**  
 To wed, as soon as ever I can.  
152 **But ther as ye han profred me to-day**  
 But insofar as you have offered me to-day  
153 **To chese me a wyf, I yow relesse**  
 To choose me a wife, I release you   
154 **That choys and prey yow of that profre cesse.**  
 (From making) that choice and pray you to cease (making) that offer.

155 **"For God it woot, that children ofte been**  
 "For God knows it, that children often are  
156 **Unlyk hir worthy eldres hem bifore;**  
 Unlike their worthy elders (who came) before them;  
157 **Bountee comth al of God, nat of the streen**  
 All goodness comes from God, not from the lineage  
158 **Of which they been engendred and ybore.**  
 By which they are conceived and born.  
159 **I truste in Goddes bountee, and therfore**  
 I trust in God's goodness, and therefore  
160 **My mariage and myn estaat and reste**  
 My marriage and my estate and peace of mind   
161 **I hym bitake; he may doon as hym leste.**  
 I entrust to him; he may do as he pleases.

162 **"Lat me allone in chesynge of my wyf --**  
 "Let me alone in the choosing of my wife --  
163 **That charge upon my bak I wole endure.**  
 That responsibility upon my back I will endure.  
164 **But I yow preye, and charge upon youre lyf,**  
 But I you pray, and order you upon your life,  
165 **What wyf that I take, ye me assure**  
 Whatever wife I take, you me assure  
166 **To worshipe hire, whil that hir lyf may dure,**  
 To honor her, while her life may endure,  
167 **In word and werk, bothe heere and everywheere,**  
 In word and deed, both here and everywhere,  
168 **As she an emperoures doghter weere.**  
 As if she were an emperor's daughter.

169 **"And forthermoore, this shal ye swere: that ye**  
 "And furthermore, this shall you swear: that you  
170 **Agayn my choys shul neither grucche ne stryve;**  
 Against my choice shall neither grouch nor strive;  
171 **For sith I shal forgoon my libertee**  
 For since I must forgo my liberty  
172 **At youre requeste, as evere moot I thryve,**  
 At your request, as ever I may thrive,  
173 **Ther as myn herte is set, ther wol I wyve;**  
 Where my heart is set, there will I take a wife;  
174 **And but ye wole assente in swich manere,**  
 And unless you will assent in such a manner,  
175 **I prey yow, speketh namoore of this matere."**  
 I pray you, speak no more of this matter."

176 **With hertely wyl they sworen and assenten**  
 With heartfelt will they swore and assent  
177 **To al this thyng -- ther seyde no wight nay --**  
 To all this thing -- there said no person nay --  
178 **Bisekynge hym of grace, er that they wenten,**  
 Beseeching him of grace, before they went,  
179 **That he wolde graunten hem a certein day**  
 That he would grant them a fixed day  
180 **Of his spousaille, as soone as evere he may;**  
 Of his wedding, as soon as ever he can;  
181 **For yet alwey the peple somwhat dredde,**  
 For yet always the people somewhat dreaded,  
182 **Lest that the markys no wyf wolde wedde.**  
 Lest the marquis no wife would wed.

183 **He graunted hem a day, swich as hym leste,**  
 He granted them a day, such as he pleased,  
184 **On which he wolde be wedded sikerly,**  
 On which he would be wedded surely,  
185 **And seyde he dide al this at hir requeste.**  
 And said he did all this at their request.  
186 **And they, with humble entente, buxomly,**  
 And they, with humble good will, obediently,  
187 **Knelynge upon hir knees ful reverently,**  
 Kneeling upon their knees full reverently,  
188 **Hym thonken alle; and thus they han an ende**  
 All thanked him; and thus they have a conclusion  
189 **Of hire entente, and hoom agayn they wende.**  
 In accord with their wishes, and home again they go.

190 **And heerupon he to his officeres**  
 And thereupon he to his officers  
191 **Comaundeth for the feste to purveye,**  
 Commands the feast to prepare,  
192 **And to his privee knyghtes and squieres**  
 And to his household knights and squires  
193 **Swich charge yaf as hym liste on hem leye;**  
 Gave such orders as he desired to lay on them;  
194 **And they to his comandement obeye,**  
 And they to his commandment obey,  
195 **And ech of hem dooth al his diligence**  
 And each of them does all his efforts  
196 **To doon unto the feeste reverence.**  
 To lend honor unto the feast.

*Explicit prima pars.*  
The first part ends.

*Incipit secunda pars.*  
The second part begins.

197 **Noght fer fro thilke paleys honurable,**  
 Not far from that same noble palace,  
198 **Wher as this markys shoop his mariage,**  
 Where this marquis planned his marriage,  
199 **There stood a throop, of site delitable,**  
 There stood a small village, in a delightful location,  
200 **In which that povre folk of that village**  
 In which poor folk of that village  
201 **Hadden hir beestes and hir herbergage,**  
 Had their beasts and their dwellings  
202 **And of hire labour tooke hir sustenance,**  
 And of their labor took their sustenance,  
203 **After that the erthe yaf hem habundance.**  
 According to what produce the earth gave them.

204 **Amonges thise povre folk ther dwelte a man**  
 Among these poor folk there dwelt a man  
205 **Which that was holden povrest of hem alle;**  
 Who was considered poorest of them all;  
206 **But hye God somtyme senden kan**  
 But high God sometimes can send   
207 **His grace into a litel oxes stalle;**  
 His grace into a little ox's stall;  
208 **Janicula men of that throop hym calle.**  
 Janicula men of that village call him.  
209 **A doghter hadde he, fair ynogh to sighte,**  
 A daughter had he, fair enough in appearance,  
210 **And Grisildis this yonge mayden highte.**  
 And Griselda this young maiden was called.

211 **But for to speke of vertuous beautee,**  
 But to speak of virtuous beauty,  
212 **Thanne was she oon the faireste under sonne;**  
 Then was she the fairest of all under sun;  
213 **For povreliche yfostred up was she,**  
 Because she was raised in poverty,  
214 **No likerous lust was thurgh hire herte yronne.**  
 No sensual desire had run through her heart.  
215 **Wel ofter of the welle than of the tonne**  
 Much more often of the well than of the wine barrel  
216 **She drank, and for she wolde vertu plese,**  
 She drank, and because she would satisfy the demands of virtue  
217 **She knew wel labour but noon ydel ese.**  
 She knew well labor but no idle ease.

218 **But thogh this mayde tendre were of age,**  
 But though this maid was tender of age,  
219 **Yet in the brest of hire virginitee**  
 Yet in the breast of her virginity  
220 **Ther was enclosed rype and sad corage;**  
 There was enclosed a mature and steadfast spirit;  
221 **And in greet reverence and charitee**  
 And in great reverence and charity  
222 **Hir olde povre fader fostred shee.**  
 Her old poor father she cared for.  
223 **A fewe sheep, spynnynge, on feeld she kepte;**  
 A few sheep, while spinning, on field she kept;  
224 **She wolde noght been ydel til she slepte.**  
 She would not be idle until she slept.

225 **And whan she homward cam, she wolde brynge**  
 And when she homeward came, she would bring  
226 **Wortes or othere herbes tymes ofte,**  
 Cabbages or other greens very often,  
227 **The whiche she shredde and seeth for hir lyvynge,**  
 Which she shredded and boiled for their sustenance  
228 **And made hir bed ful hard and nothyng softe;**  
 And made her bed full hard and not at all soft;  
229 **And ay she kepte hir fadres lyf on-lofte**  
 And ever she sustained her father's life  
230 **With everich obeisaunce and diligence**  
 With every obedience and diligence  
231 **That child may doon to fadres reverence.**  
 That child may do to father's reverence.

232 **Upon Grisilde, this povre creature,**  
 Upon Griselda, this poor creature,  
233 **Ful ofte sithe this markys sette his ye**  
 Very many times this marquis set his eye  
234 **As he on huntyng rood paraventure;**  
 By chance, as he on hunting rode;  
235 **And whan it fil that he myghte hire espye,**  
 And when it happened that he might see her,  
236 **He noght with wantown lookyng of folye**  
 He not with lecherous looking of folly  
237 **His eyen caste on hire, but in sad wyse**  
 His eyes cast on hire, but in serious manner  
238 **Upon hir chiere he wolde hym ofte avyse,**  
 Upon her demeanor he would often think,

239 **Commendynge in his herte hir wommanhede,**  
 Commending in his heart her womanly qualities,  
240 **And eek hir vertu, passynge any wight**  
 And also her virtue, passing any person  
241 **Of so yong age, as wel in chiere as dede.**  
 Of so young age, as well in manner as deed.  
242 **For thogh the peple have no greet insight**  
 For though the people have no great insight  
243 **In vertu, he considered ful right**  
 In virtue, he considered very carefully  
244 **Hir bountee, and disposed that he wolde**  
 Her goodness, and decided that he would  
245 **Wedde hire oonly, if evere he wedde sholde.**  
 Wed her only, if ever he should wed.

246 **The day of weddyng cam, but no wight kan**  
 The day of wedding came, but no person can  
247 **Telle what womman that it sholde be;**  
 Tell what woman it should be;  
248 **For which merveille wondred many a man,**  
 For which marvel wondered many a man,  
249 **And seyden, whan they were in privetee,**  
 And said, when they were in private,  
250 **"Wol nat oure lord yet leve his vanytee?**  
 "Will not our lord yet leave his vanity?  
251 **Wol he nat wedde? Allas! Allas, the while!**  
 Will he not wed? Alas! Alas, the times!  
252 **Why wole he thus hymself and us bigile?"**  
 Why will he thus himself and us deceive?"

253 **But nathelees this markys hath doon make**  
 But nevertheless this marquis has made  
254 **Of gemmes, set in gold and in asure,**  
 Of gems, set in gold and in azure,  
255 **Brooches and rynges, for Grisildis sake;**  
 Brooches and rings, for Griselda's sake;  
256 **And of hir clothyng took he the mesure**  
 And of her clothing he took the measure  
257 **By a mayde lyk to hire stature,**  
 By a maid like her (in) stature,  
258 **And eek of othere aornementes alle**  
 And also of all other ornaments  
259 **That unto swich a weddyng sholde falle.**  
 That unto such a wedding should be appropriate.

260 **The time of undren of the same day**  
 The time of mid-morning of the same day  
261 **Approcheth, that this weddyng sholde be,**  
 Approaches, when this wedding should be,  
262 **And al the paleys put was in array,**  
 And all the palace was put in proper order,  
263 **Bothe halle and chambres, ech in his degree;**  
 Both hall and chambers, each in its turn;  
264 **Houses of office stuffed with plentee**  
 Storage buildings stuffed with plenty,  
265 **Ther maystow seen, of deyntevous vitaille**  
 There canst thou see, of delicious foods  
266 **That may be founde as fer as last Ytaille.**  
 What can be found from as far as farthest Italy.

267 **This roial markys, richely arrayed,**  
 This royal marquis, richly arrayed,  
268 **Lordes and ladyes in his compaignye,**  
 Lords and ladies in his company,  
269 **The whiche that to the feeste weren yprayed,**  
 Who were invited to the feast,   
270 **And of his retenue the bachelrye,**  
 And of his retinue the knights,  
271 **With many a soun of sondry melodye,**  
 With many a sound of varied melody,  
272 **Unto the village of the which I tolde**  
 Unto the village of which I told  
273 **In this array the righte wey han holde.**  
 In this splendid array the direct route have held.

274 **Grisilde of this, God woot, ful innocent,**  
 Griselda of this, God knows, full ignorant,  
275 **That for hire shapen was al this array,**  
 That for her was all this splendour prepared,  
276 **To fecchen water at a welle is went,**  
 Has gone to fetch water at a well,  
277 **And cometh hoom as soone as ever she may;**  
 And comes home as soon as ever she can;  
278 **For wel she hadde herd seyd that thilke day**  
 For well she had heard said that same day  
279 **The markys sholde wedde, and if she myghte,**  
 The marquis should wed, and if she could,  
280 **She wolde fayn han seyn som of that sighte.**  
 She would be happy to have seen some of that sight.

281 **She thoghte, "I wole with othere maydens stonde,**  
 She thought, "I will stand with other maidens,  
282 **That been my felawes, in oure dore and se**  
 Who are my fellows, in our door and see  
283 **The markysesse, and therfore wol I fonde**  
 The marchioness, and therefore will I try  
284 **To doon at hoom, as soone as it may be,**  
 To do at home, as soon as it can be,  
285 **The labour which that longeth unto me,**  
 The chores that I must do,  
286 **And thanne I may at leyser hire biholde,**  
 And then I may at leisure her behold,  
287 **If she this wey unto the castel holde."**  
 If she takes this way to the castle."

288 **And as she wolde over hir threshold gon,**  
 And as she would over her threshold go,  
289 **The markys cam and gan hire for to calle;**  
 The marquis came and called her;  
290 **And she set doun hir water pot anon,**  
 And she set down her water pot quickly,  
291 **Biside the thresshfold, in an oxes stalle,**  
 Beside the threshold, in an ox's stall,  
292 **And doun upon hir knes she gan to falle,**  
 And down upon her knees she fell,  
293 **And with sad contenance kneleth stille,**  
 And with sober countenance kneels without speaking,  
294 **Til she had herd what was the lordes wille.**  
 Until she had heard what was the lord's will.

295 **This thoghtful markys spak unto this mayde**  
 This pensive marquis spoke unto this maid  
296 **Ful sobrely, and seyde in this manere:**  
 Full soberly, and said in this manner:  
297 **"Where is youre fader, O Grisildis?" he sayde.**  
 "Where is your father, O Griselda?" he said.  
298 **And she with reverence, in humble cheere,**  
 And she with reverence, in humble manner,  
299 **Answerde, "Lord, he is al redy heere."**  
 Answered, "Lord, he is right here."  
300 **And in she gooth withouten lenger lette,**  
 And in she goes without longer delay,  
301 **And to the markys she hir fader fette.**  
 And to the marquis she fetched her father.

302 **He by the hand thanne took this olde man,**  
 He by the hand then took this old man,  
303 **And seyde thus, whan he hym hadde asyde:**  
 And said thus, when he had him aside:  
304 **"Janicula, I neither may ne kan**  
 "Janicula, I neither may nor can  
305 **Lenger the plesance of myn herte hyde.**  
 Longer hide the desire of my heart.  
306 **If that thou vouche sauf, what so bityde,**  
 If thou agree, whatsoever may happen,  
307 **Thy doghter wol I take, er that I wende,**  
 Thy daughter will I take, before I depart,  
308 **As for my wyf, unto hir lyves ende.**  
 For my wife, until her life's end.

309 **"Thou lovest me, I woot it wel certeyn,**  
 "Thou lovest me, I know it well for certain,  
310  **And art my feithful lige man ybore,**  
 And art my faithful liege man born,  
311  **And al that liketh me, I dar wel seyn**  
 And all that pleases me, I dare well say  
312  **It liketh thee, and specially therfore**  
 It pleases thee, and specially therefore  
313  **Tel me that poynt that I have seyd bifore,**  
 Tell me of that question that I have stated previously,  
314  **If that thou wolt unto that purpos drawe,**  
 If thou will agree with that proposal,  
315  **To take me as for thy sone-in-lawe."**  
 To take me for thy son-in-law."

316  **This sodeyn cas this man astonyed so**  
 This sudden occurrence this man so astounded   
317  **That reed he wax; abayst and al quakynge**  
 That he grew red; abashed and all trembling  
318  **He stood; unnethes seyde he wordes mo,**  
 He stood; hardly said he any more words,  
319  **But oonly thus: "Lord," quod he, "my willynge**  
 But only thus: "Lord," said he, "my desire  
320  **Is as ye wole, ne ayeynes youre likynge**  
 Is as you wish, and against your pleasure  
321  **I wol no thyng, ye be my lord so deere;**  
 I will do nothing, you are my lord so dear;  
322  **Right as yow lust, governeth this mateere."**  
 Right as you please, govern this matter."

323  **"Yet wol I," quod this markys softely,**  
 "Yet I want," said this marquis softly,  
324  **"That in thy chambre I and thou and she**  
 "That in thy chamber I and thou and she  
325  **Have a collacioun, and wostow why?**  
 Have a discussion, and knowest thou why?  
326  **For I wol axe if it hire wille be**  
 For I will ask if it be her will   
327  **To be my wyf and reule hire after me.**  
 To be my wife and conduct herself as I decide.  
328  **And al this shal be doon in thy presence;**  
 And all this shall be done in thy presence;  
329  **I wol noght speke out of thyn audience."**  
 I will say nothing out of thy hearing."

330  **And in the chambre, whil they were aboute**  
 And in the chamber, while they were engaged in  
331  **Hir tretys, which as ye shal after heere,**  
 Their negotiation, which you shall after hear,  
332  **The peple cam unto the hous withoute,**  
 The people came unto outside the house,  
333  **And wondred hem in how honest manere**  
 And wondered in what a virtuous manner  
334  **And tentifly she kepte hir fader deere.**  
 And how attentively she cared for her dear father.  
335  **But outrely Grisildis wondre myghte,**  
 But certainly Griselda might wonder,  
336  **For nevere erst ne saugh she swich a sighte.**  
 For never before saw she such a sight.

337  **No wonder is thogh that she were astoned**  
 Though it is no wonder that she was astonished  
338  **To seen so greet a gest come in that place;**  
 To see so great a guest come in that place;  
339  **She nevere was to swiche gestes woned,**  
 She never was accustomed to such guests,  
340  **For which she looked with ful pale face.**  
 For which she looked full pale in her face.  
341  **But shortly forth this matere for to chace,**  
 But shortly forth this matter to pursue,  
342  **Thise arn the wordes that the markys sayde**  
 These are the words that the marquis said  
343  **To this benigne, verray, feithful mayde:**  
 To this benign, true, faithful maid:

344  **"Grisilde," he seyde, "ye shal wel understonde**  
 "Griselda," he said, "you shall well understand  
345  **It liketh to youre fader and to me**  
 It is pleasing to your father and to me  
346  **That I yow wedde, and eek it may so stonde,**  
 That I you wed, and also it may so stand,  
347  **As I suppose, ye wol that it so be.**  
 As I suppose, that you desire that it so be.  
348  **But thise demandes axe I first," quod he,**  
 But these questions ask I first," said he,  
349  **"That, sith it shal be doon in hastif wyse,**  
 "That, since it shall be done in a hasty manner,  
350  **Wol ye assente, or elles yow avyse?**  
 Will you assent, or else think it over?

351  **"I seye this: be ye redy with good herte**  
 "I say this: are you ready (to submit) with good heart  
352  **To al my lust, and that I frely may,**  
 To all my desires, and that I freely may,  
353  **As me best thynketh, do yow laughe or smerte,**  
 As seems best to me, make you laugh or feel pain,  
354  **And nevere ye to grucche it, nyght ne day?**  
 And you never to grouch about it, at any time?  
355  **And eek whan I sey `ye,' ne sey nat `nay,'**  
 And also when I say `yes,' say not `nay,'  
356  **Neither by word ne frownyng contenance?**  
 Neither by word nor frowning countenance?  
357  **Swere this, and heere I swere oure alliance."**  
 Swear this, and here I swear our alliance."

358  **Wondrynge upon this word, quakynge for drede,**  
 Wondering upon these words, trembling for fear,  
359  **She seyde, "Lord, undigne and unworthy**  
 She said, "Lord, unsuitable and unworthy  
360  **Am I to thilke honour that ye me beede,**  
 Am I of that same honor that you offer me,  
361  **But as ye wole youreself, right so wol I.**  
 But as you desire yourself, right so desire I.  
362  **And heere I swere that nevere willyngly,**  
 And here I swear that never willingly,  
363  **In werk ne thoght, I nyl yow disobeye,**  
 In deed nor thought, will I disobey you,  
364  **For to be deed, though me were looth to deye."**  
 Even to be dead, though I would hate to die."

365  **"This is ynogh, Grisilde myn," quod he.**  
 "This is enough, Griselda mine," said he.  
366  **And forth he gooth with a ful sobre cheere**  
 And forth he goes with a full sober manner  
367  **Out at the dore, and after that cam she,**  
 Out of the door, and after that came she,  
368  **And to the peple he seyde in this manere:**  
 And to the people he said in this manner:  
369  **"This is my wyf," quod he, "that standeth heere.**  
 "This is my wife," said he, "that stands here.  
370  **Honoureth hire and loveth hire, I preye,**  
 Honor her and love her, I pray,  
371  **Whoso me loveth; ther is namoore to seye."**  
 Whoever loves me; there is no more to say."

372  **And for that no thyng of hir olde geere**  
 And so that nothing of her old belongings  
373  **She sholde brynge into his hous, he bad**  
 She should bring into his house, he ordered  
374  **That wommen sholde dispoillen hire right theere;**  
 That women should undress her right there;  
375  **Of which thise ladyes were nat right glad**  
 Of which these ladies were not very happy  
376  **To handle hir clothes, wherinne she was clad.**  
 To handle her clothes, in which she was clad.  
377  **But nathelees, this mayde bright of hewe**  
 But nevertheless, this maid bright of hue  
378  **Fro foot to heed they clothed han al newe.**  
 From foot to head they have clothed all new.

379  **Hir heris han they kembd, that lay untressed**  
 Her hair have they combed, that lay unkempt  
380  **Ful rudely, and with hir fyngres smale**  
 Very crudely, and with their elegant fingers  
381  **A corone on hire heed they han ydressed,**  
 A crown on her head they have placed,  
382  **And sette hire ful of nowches grete and smale.**  
 And set her garments full of jeweled ornaments of every sort.  
383  **Of hire array what sholde I make a tale?**  
 Of her appearance why should I make a long tale?  
384  **Unnethe the peple hir knew for hire fairnesse**  
 The hardly people knew her for her beauty  
385  **Whan she translated was in swich richesse.**  
 When she was translated into such riches.

386  **This markys hath hire spoused with a ryng**  
 This marquis has espoused her with a ring  
387  **Broght for the same cause, and thanne hire sette**  
 Brought for the same purpose, and then set her   
388  **Upon an hors, snow-whit and wel amblyng,**  
 Upon a horse, snow-white and with a gentle pace,  
389  **And to his paleys, er he lenger lette,**  
 And to his palace, before he longer delayed,  
390  **With joyful peple that hire ladde and mette,**  
 With joyful people that led and met her,  
391  **Conveyed hire; and thus the day they spende**  
 Conducted her; and thus the day they spend  
392  **In revel, til the sonne gan descende.**  
 In revel, until the sun descended.

393  **And shortly forth this tale for to chace,**  
 And shortly forth this tale to pursue,  
394  **I seye that to this newe markysesse**  
 I say that to this new marchioness   
395  **God hath swich favour sent hire of his grace**  
 God has such favor sent her of his grace  
396  **That it ne semed nat by liklynesse**  
 That it seemed not likely  
397  **That she was born and fed in rudenesse,**  
 That she was born and fed in humble circumstances,  
398  **As in a cote or in an oxe-stalle,**  
 In a peasant's hut or in an ox-stall,  
399  **But norissed in an emperoures halle.**  
 But nurtured in an emperor's hall.

400  **To every wight she woxen is so deere**  
 To every person she is grown so dear  
401  **And worshipful that folk ther she was bore,**  
 And worshipful that folk where she was born,  
402  **And from hire birthe knewe hire yeer by yeere,**  
 And from her birth knew her year by year,  
403  **Unnethe trowed they -- but dorste han swore --**  
 They hardly believed -- but dared have sworn --  
404  **That to Janicle, of which I spak bifore,**  
 That to Janicle, of whom I spoke before,  
405  **She doghter were, for, as by conjecture,**  
 She was daughter, for, by conjecture,  
406  **Hem thoughte she was another creature.**  
 They thought she was another creature.

407  **For though that evere vertuous was she,**  
 For though that she was always virtuous,  
408  **She was encressed in swich excellence**  
 She was increased in such excellence  
409  **Of thewes goode, yset in heigh bountee,**  
 Of good characteristics, set in high goodness,  
410  **And so discreet and fair of eloquence,**  
 And so discreet and fair of eloquence,  
411  **So benigne and so digne of reverence,**  
 So benign and so worthy of reverence,  
412  **And koude so the peples herte embrace,**  
 And could so the people's heart embrace,  
413  **That ech hire lovede that looked on hir face.**  
 That each who looked on her face loved her.

414  **Noght oonly of Saluces in the toun**  
 Not only in the town of Saluces   
415  **Publiced was the bountee of hir name,**  
 Was made known the praise of her name,  
416  **But eek biside in many a regioun,**   
 But also moreover in many a region,  
417  **If oon seide wel, another seyde the same;**  
 If one said well, another said the same;  
418  **So spradde of hire heighe bountee the fame**  
 So spread the fame of her high goodness   
419  **That men and wommen, as wel yonge as olde,**  
 That men and women, as well young as old,  
420  **Goon to Saluce upon hire to biholde.**  
 Go to Saluce to look upon her.

421  **Thus Walter lowely -- nay, but roially --**  
 Thus Walter lowly -- nay, but royally --  
422  **Wedded with fortunat honestetee,**  
 Wedded with beneficial virtue,  
423  **In Goddes pees lyveth ful esily**  
 In God's peace lives full easily  
424  **At hoom, and outward grace ynogh had he;**  
 At home, and to all appearances he had sufficient happiness;  
425  **And for he saugh that under low degree**  
 And because he saw that under low social rank  
426  **Was ofte vertu hid, the peple hym heelde**  
 Was often virtue hid, the people considered him  
427  **A prudent man, and that is seyn ful seelde.**  
 A prudent man, and that is seen full seldom.

428  **Nat oonly this Grisildis thurgh hir wit**  
 Not only this Griselda through her wit  
429  **Koude al the feet of wyfly hoomlinesse,**  
 Knew all the skills of a housewife's duties,  
430  **But eek, whan that the cas required it,**  
 But also, when the situation required it,  
431  **The commune profit koude she redresse.**  
 The public good could she promote.  
432  **Ther nas discord, rancour, ne hevynesse**  
 There was no discord, rancor, nor sadness   
433  **In al that land that she ne koude apese,**  
 In all that land that she could not alleviate,  
434  **And wisely brynge hem alle in reste and ese.**  
 And wisely bring them all in rest and ease.

435  **Though that hire housbonde absent were anon,**  
 Though her husband was absent at the time,  
436  **If gentil men or othere of hire contree**  
 If noble men or others of her country  
437  **Were wrothe, she wolde bryngen hem aton;**  
 Were wroth, she would bring them to agreement;  
438  **So wise and rype wordes hadde she,**  
 Such wise and well considered words had she,  
439  **And juggementz of so greet equitee,**  
 And judgments of such great justice,  
440  **That she from hevene sent was, as men wende,**  
 That she was sent from heaven, as men supposed,  
441  **Peple to save and every wrong t'amende.**  
 People to save and every wrong to amend.

442  **Nat longe tyme after that this Grisild**  
 Not long time after this Griselda  
443  **Was wedded, she a doghter hath ybore,**  
 Was married, she has borne a daughter,  
444  **Al had hire levere have born a knave child;**  
 Although she would rather have given birth to a male child;  
445  **Glad was this markys and the folk therfore,**  
 Glad was this marquis and the folk for this,  
446  **For though a mayde child coome al bifore,**  
 For though a maid child came all before,  
447  **She may unto a knave child atteyne**  
 She may unto a male child attain  
448  **By liklihede, syn she nys nat bareyne.**  
 By likelihood, since she is not barren.

*Explicit secundus pars.*  
The second part ends.

*Incipit tercia pars.*  
The third part begins.

449  **Ther fil, as it bifalleth tymes mo,**  
 There happened, as it befalls many times,  
450  **Whan that this child had souked but a throwe,**  
 When this child had suckled but a short time,  
451  **This markys in his herte longeth so**  
 This marquis in his heart longs so  
452  **To tempte his wyf, hir sadnesse for to knowe,**  
 To test his wife, her constancy to know,  
453  **That he ne myghte out of his herte throwe**  
 That he could not out of his heart throw  
454  **This merveillous desir his wyf t'assaye;**  
 This strange desire to test his wife;  
455  **Nedelees, God woot, he thoghte hire for t'affraye.**  
 Needless, God knows, he intended to frighten her.

456  **He hadde assayed hire ynogh bifore,**  
 He had tested her enough before,  
457  **And foond hire evere good; what neded it**  
 And found her always good; why was it needed  
458  **Hire for to tempte, and alwey moore and moore,**  
 To test her, and always more and more,  
459  **Though som men preise it for a subtil wit?**  
 Though some men praise its ingenuity?  
460  **But as for me, I seye that yvele it sit**  
 But as for me, I say that it ill befits one  
461  **To assaye a wyf whan that it is no nede,**  
 To test a wife when there is no need,  
462  **And putten hire in angwyssh and in drede.**  
 And put her in anguish and in dread.

463  **For which this markys wroghte in this manere:**  
 For which this marquis worked in this manner:  
464  **He cam allone a-nyght, ther as she lay,**  
 He came alone at night, where she lay,  
465  **With stierne face and with ful trouble cheere,**  
 With stern face and with a very troubled manner,  
466  **And seyde thus: "Grisilde," quod he, "that day**  
 And said thus: "Griselda," said he, "that day  
467  **That I yow took out of youre povere array,**  
 That I took you out of your impoverished situation,  
468  **And putte yow in estaat of heigh noblesse --**  
 And put you in the condition of high nobility --  
469  **Ye have nat that forgeten, as I gesse?**  
 You have not forgotten that, as I suppose?

470  **"I seye, Grisilde, this present dignitee,**  
 "I say, Griselda, this present high social position,  
471  **In which that I have put yow, as I trowe,**  
 In which I have put you, as I believe,  
472  **Maketh yow nat foryetful for to be**  
 Requires that you be not forgetful   
473  **That I yow took in povre estaat ful lowe,**  
 That I took you in a poor, very humble condition,  
474  **For any wele ye moot youreselven knowe.**  
 Despite any present prosperity you must know it yourself.   
475  **Taak heede of every word that y yow seye;**  
 Take heed of every word that I say to you;  
476  **Ther is no wight that hereth it but we tweye.**  
 There is no person that hears it but we two.

477  **"Ye woot youreself wel how that ye cam heere**  
 "You know well yourself how you came here  
478  **Into this hous, it is nat longe ago;**  
 Into this house, it is not long ago;  
479  **And though to me that ye be lief and deere,**  
 And though to me you are beloved and dear,  
480  **Unto my gentils ye be no thyng so.**  
 Unto my nobles you are not at all so.  
481  **They seyn, to hem it is greet shame and wo**  
 They say, to them it is great shame and woe  
482  **For to be subgetz and been in servage**  
 To be subjects and be in servitude  
483  **To thee, that born art of a smal village.**  
 To thee, that art born in a humble village.

484  **"And namely sith thy doghter was ybore**  
 "And especially since thy daughter was born  
485  **Thise wordes han they spoken, doutelees.**  
 These words have they spoken, doubtless.  
486  **But I desire, as I have doon bifore,**  
 But I desire, as I have done before,  
487  **To lyve my lyf with hem in reste and pees.**  
 To live my life with them in rest and peace.  
488  **I may nat in this caas be recchelees;**  
 I can not be imprudent in this case;  
489  **I moot doon with thy doghter for the beste,**  
 I must do with thy daughter for the best,  
490  **Nat as I wolde, but as my peple leste.**  
 Not as I would want, but as my people desire.

491  **"And yet, God woot, this is ful looth to me;**  
 "And yet, God knows, this is full hateful to me;  
492  **But nathelees withoute youre wityng**  
 But nevertheless without your knowledge  
493  **I wol nat doon; but this wol I," quod he,**  
 I will not do anything; but this I desire," said he,  
494  **"That ye to me assente as in this thyng.**  
 "That you assent to me in this matter.  
495  **Shewe now youre pacience in youre werkyng,**  
 Show now in your actions your patience,   
496  **That ye me highte and swore in youre village**  
 That you promised me and swore in your village  
497  **That day that maked was oure mariage."**  
 That day that our marriage was made."

498  **Whan she had herd al this, she noght ameved**  
 When she had heard all this, she changed not   
499  **Neither in word, or chiere, or contenaunce,**  
 Neither in word, nor manner, nor countenance,  
500  **For, as it semed, she was nat agreved.**  
 For, as it seemed, she was not aggrieved.  
501  **She seyde, "Lord, al lyth in youre plesaunce.**  
 She said, "Lord, all is subject to your pleasure.  
502  **My child and I, with hertely obeisaunce,**  
 My child and I, with heart-felt obedience,  
503  **Been youres al, and ye mowe save or spille**  
 Are entirely yours, and you may save or kill  
504  **Youre owene thyng; werketh after youre wille.**  
 Your own thing; do as you will.

505  **"Ther may no thyng, God so my soule save,**  
 "There can nothing, as God my soul may save,  
506  **Liken to yow that may displese me;**  
 Please you that may displease me;  
507  **Ne I desire no thyng for to have,**  
 Nor do I desire to have anything,  
508  **Ne drede for to leese, save oonly yee.**  
 Nor dread to lose, save only you.  
509  **This wyl is in myn herte, and ay shal be;**  
 This will is in my heart, and ever shall be;  
510  **No lengthe of tyme or deeth may this deface,**  
 No length of time or death can obliterate this,  
511  **Ne chaunge my corage to another place."**  
 Nor change my heart to another place."

512  **Glad was this markys of hire answeryng,**  
 Glad was this marquis of her answer,  
513  **But yet he feyned as he were nat so;**  
 But yet he feigned as if he were not so;  
514  **Al drery was his cheere and his lookyng,**  
 All sorrowful was his manner and his look,  
515  **Whan that he sholde out of the chambre go.**  
 When he had to go out of the chamber.  
516  **Soone after this, a furlong wey or two,**  
 Soon after this, in a few minutes,  
517  **He prively hath toold al his entente**  
 He privately has told all his plan  
518  **Unto a man, and to his wyf hym sente.**  
 Unto a man, and sent him to his wife.

519  **A maner sergeant was this privee man,**  
 A sort of sergeant (policeman) was this confidential servant,  
520  **The which that feithful ofte he founden hadde**  
 Whom he had often found faithful   
521  **In thynges grete, and eek swich folk wel kan**  
 In important matters, and also such folk well can  
522  **Doon execucioun in thynges badde.**  
 Carry out their orders in evil matters.  
523  **The lord knew wel that he hym loved and dradde;**  
 The lord knew well that he loved and dreaded him;  
524  **And whan this sergeant wiste his lordes wille,**  
 And when this sergeant knew his lord's will,  
525  **Into the chambre he stalked hym ful stille.**  
 Into the chamber he stalked very quietly.

526  **"Madame," he seyde, "ye moote foryeve it me,**  
 "Madame," he said, "you must forgive it me,  
527  **Though I do thyng to which I am constreyned.**  
 Though I do a thing to which I am constrained.  
528  **Ye been so wys that ful wel knowe ye**  
 You are so wise that full well you know  
529  **That lordes heestes mowe nat been yfeyned;**  
 That lords' commands may not be evaded (by feigning);  
530  **They mowe wel been biwailled or compleyned,**  
 They may well be bewailed or complained of,  
531  **But men moote nede unto hire lust obeye,**  
 But men must by necessity unto their desires obey,  
532  **And so wol I; ther is namoore to seye.**  
 And so will I; there is no more to say.

533  **"This child I am comanded for to take" --**  
 "This child I am commanded to take" --  
534  **And spak namoore, but out the child he hente**  
 And spoke no more, but out the child he seized  
535  **Despitously, and gan a cheere make**  
 Mercilessly, and made a face  
536  **As though he wolde han slayn it er he wente.**  
 As if he would have slain it before he went.  
537  **Grisildis moot al suffre and al consente,**  
 Griselda must suffer all and consent to all,  
538  **And as a lamb she sitteth meke and stille,**  
 And as a lamb she sits meek and still,  
539  **And leet this crueel sergeant doon his wille.**  
 And let this cruel sergeant do his will.

540  **Suspecious was the diffame of this man,**  
 Suspicious was the bad reputation of this man,  
541  **Suspect his face, suspect his word also;**  
 Suspect his face, suspect his word also;  
542  **Suspect the tyme in which he this bigan.**  
 Suspect the time in which he this began.  
543  **Allas! Hir doghter that she loved so,**  
 Alas! Her daughter that she loved so,  
544  **She wende he wolde han slawen it right tho.**  
 She thought he would have slain it right then.  
545  **But nathelees she neither weep ne syked,**  
 But nevertheless she neither wept nor sighed,  
546  **Conformynge hire to that the markys lyked.**  
 Conforming herself to what the marquis pleased.

547  **But atte laste to speken she bigan,**  
 But at the last she began to speak,  
548  **And mekely she to the sergeant preyde,**  
 And meekly she to the sergeant prayed,  
549  **So as he was a worthy gentil man,**  
 As he was a worthy gentle man,  
550  **That she moste kisse hire child er that it deyde.**  
 That she might kiss her child before it died.  
551  **And in hir barm this litel child she leyde**  
 And in her lap this little child she laid  
552  **With ful sad face, and gan the child to blisse,**  
 With full sad face, and blessed the child,  
553  **And lulled it, and after gan it kisse.**  
 And lulled it, and afterward kissed it.

554  **And thus she seyde in hire benigne voys,**  
 And thus she said in her benign voice,  
555  **"Fareweel my child! I shal thee nevere see.**  
 "Farewell my child! I shall thee never see.  
556  **But sith I thee have marked with the croys**  
 But since I have marked thee with the cross  
557  **Of thilke Fader -- blessed moote he be! --**  
 Of that same Father -- blessed may he be! --  
558  **That for us deyde upon a croys of tree,**  
 That for us died upon a cross of wood,  
559  **Thy soule, litel child, I hym bitake,**  
 Thy soul, little child, I entrust to him,  
560  **For this nyght shaltow dyen for my sake."**  
 For this night shalt thou die for my sake."

561  **I trowe that to a norice in this cas**  
 I believe that to a nurse in this case  
562  **It had been hard this reuthe for to se;**  
 It would have been hard this pitiful situation to see;  
563  **Wel myghte a mooder thanne han cryd "allas!"**  
 Well might a mother then have cried "alas!"  
564  **But nathelees so sad stidefast was she**  
 But nevertheless so firmly steadfast was she  
565  **That she endured al adversitee,**  
 That she endured all adversity,  
566  **And to the sergeant mekely she sayde,**  
 And to the sergeant meekly she said,  
567  **"Have heer agayn youre litel yonge mayde.**  
 "Have here again your little young maid.

568  **"Gooth now," quod she, "and dooth my lordes heeste;**  
 "Go now," said she, "and do my lord's command;  
569  **But o thyng wol I prey yow of youre grace,**  
 But one thing will I pray you of your grace,  
570  **That, but my lord forbad yow, atte leeste**  
 That, unless my lord forbad you, at the least  
571  **Burieth this litel body in som place**  
 Bury this little body in some place  
572  **That beestes ne no briddes it torace."**  
 That no beasts nor birds tear it to pieces."  
573  **But he no word wol to that purpos seye,**  
 But he no word will say to that proposal,  
574  **But took the child and wente upon his weye.**  
 But took the child and went upon his way.

575  **This sergeant cam unto his lord ageyn,**  
 This sergeant came unto his lord again,  
576  **And of Grisildis wordes and hire cheere**  
 And of Griselda's words and her manner  
577  **He tolde hym point for point, in short and pleyn,**  
 He told him in detail, in short and plain (words),  
578  **And hym presenteth with his doghter deere.**  
 And presents him with his daughter dear.  
579  **Somwhat this lord hadde routhe in his manere,**  
 Somewhat this lord had pity in his manner,  
580  **But nathelees his purpos heeld he stille,**  
 But nevertheless his purpose held he still,  
581  **As lordes doon, whan they wol han hir wille;**  
 As lords do, when they will have their will;

582  **And bad this sergeant that he pryvely**  
 And commanded this sergeant that he secretly  
583  **Sholde this child softe wynde and wrappe,**  
 Should this child softly wind and wrap (in a blanket),  
584  **With alle circumstances tendrely,**  
 With every care tenderly,  
585  **And carie it in a cofre or in a lappe;**  
 And carry it in a box or in a folded cloth;  
586  **But, upon peyne his heed of for to swappe,**  
 But, upon pain of having his head cut off,  
587  **That no man sholde knowe of his entente,**  
 No man should know of his intention,  
588  **Ne whenne he cam, ne whider that he wente;**  
 Nor whence he came, nor whither he went;

589  **But at Boloigne to his suster deere,**  
 But at Bologna to his sister dear,  
590  **That thilke tyme of Panik was countesse,**  
 Who at that very time was countess of Panik,  
591  **He sholde it take and shewe hire this mateere,**  
 He should take it and explain to her this matter,  
592  **Bisekynge hire to doon hire bisynesse**  
 Beseeching her to do her best  
593  **This child to fostre in alle gentillesse;**  
 This child to nurture in all noble manners;  
594  **And whos child that it was he bad hire hyde**  
 And whose child that it was he commanded her to hide  
595  **From every wight, for oght that may bityde.**  
 From every person, for anything that may happen.

596  **The sergeant gooth, and hath fulfild this thyng;**  
 The sergeant goes, and has fulfilled this order;  
597  **But to this markys now retourne we.**  
 But to this marquis we now return.  
598  **For now gooth he ful faste ymaginyng**  
 For now he goes very intently considering  
599  **If by his wyves cheere he myghte se,**  
 If by his wife's appearance he might see,  
600  **Or by hire word aperceyve, that she**  
 Or by her word perceive, if she  
601  **Were chaunged; but he nevere hire koude fynde**  
 Were changed; but he never could find her   
602  **But evere in oon ylike sad and kynde.**  
 Anything but always the same, alike steadfast and kind.

603  **As glad, as humble, as bisy in servyse,**  
 As glad, as humble, as diligent in service,  
604  **And eek in love, as she was wont to be,**  
 And also in love, as she was accustomed to be,  
605  **Was she to hym in every maner wyse;**  
 Was she to him in every sort of way;  
606  **Ne of hir doghter noght a word spak she.**  
 Nor of her daughter not a word spoke she.  
607  **Noon accident, for noon adversitee,**  
 No external sign, for any adversity,  
608  **Was seyn in hire, ne nevere hir doghter name**  
 Was seen in her, and never her daughter's name  
609  **Ne nempned she, in ernest nor in game.**  
 Mentioned she, in earnest nor in jest (in any way).

*Explicit tercia pars.*  
The third part ends.

*Sequitur pars quarta.*  
The fourth part follows.

610  **In this estaat ther passed been foure yeer**  
 In this condition there are passed four years  
611  **Er she with childe was, but, as God wolde,**  
 Before she was with child, but, as God would,  
612  **A knave child she bar by this Walter,**  
 A male child she bore by this Walter,  
613  **Ful gracious and fair for to biholde.**  
 Very gracious and beautiful in appearance.  
614  **And whan that folk it to his fader tolde,**  
 And when folk told it to his father,  
615  **Nat oonly he but al his contree merye**  
 Not only he but all his country merry  
616  **Was for this child, and God they thanke and herye.**  
 Was for this child, and God they thank and praise.

617  **Whan it was two yeer old, and fro the brest**  
 When it was two years old, and from the breast  
618  **Departed of his norice, on a day**  
 Of his nurse weaned, on one day  
619  **This markys caughte yet another lest**  
 This marquis caught yet another desire  
620  **To tempte his wyf yet ofter, if he may.**  
 To test his wife yet again, if he can.  
621  **O nedelees was she tempted in assay!**  
 O needless was she put to the test!  
622  **But wedded men ne knowe no mesure,**  
 But wedded men know no moderation,  
623  **Whan that they fynde a pacient creature.**  
 When they find a patient creature.

624  **"Wyf," quod this markys, "ye han herd er this**  
 "Wife," said this marquis, "you have heard before this  
625  **My peple sikly berth oure mariage;**  
 My people are unhappy with our marriage;  
626  **And namely sith my sone yboren is,**  
 And especially since my son is born,  
627  **Now is it worse than evere in al oure age.**  
 Now is it worse than ever in all our lives.  
628  **The murmur sleeth myn herte and my corage,**  
 The grumbling slays my heart and my feelings,  
629  **For to myne eres comth the voys so smerte**  
 For to my ears comes the voice so sharply  
630  **That it wel ny destroyed hath myn herte.**  
 That it well nigh has destroyed my heart.

631  **"Now sey they thus: `Whan Walter is agon,**  
 "Now say they thus: `When Walter is gone,  
632  **Thanne shal the blood of Janicle succede**  
 Then shall the blood of Janicle succeed  
633  **And been oure lord, for oother have we noon.'**  
 And be our lord, for we have no other.'  
634  **Swiche wordes seith my peple, out of drede.**  
 Such words say my people, no doubt.  
635  **Wel oughte I of swich murmur taken heede,**  
 Well ought I of such grumbling take heed,  
636  **For certeinly I drede swich sentence,**  
 For certainly I dread such opinion,  
637  **Though they nat pleyn speke in myn audience.**  
 Though they speak not plainly in my hearing.

638  **"I wolde lyve in pees, if that I myghte;**  
 "I would live in peace, if I could;   
639  **Wherfore I am disposed outrely,**  
 Therefore I am firmly resolved,   
640  **As I his suster servede by nyghte,**  
 As I dealt with his sister by night,  
641  **Right so thenke I to serve hym pryvely.**  
 Right so I intend to deal with him secretly.  
642  **This warne I yow, that ye nat sodeynly**  
 This I warn you, so that you not suddenly  
643  **Out of youreself for no wo sholde outreye;**  
 For any woe should break out in a passion;  
644  **Beth pacient, and therof I yow preye."**  
 Be patient, and for that I pray you."

645  **"I have," quod she, "seyd thus, and evere shal:**  
 "I have," said she, "said thus, and ever shall:  
646  **I wol no thyng, ne nyl no thyng, certayn,**  
 I want nothing, nor will not want any thing, certainly,  
647  **But as yow list. Naught greveth me at al,**  
 But as you desire. It does not grieve me at all,  
648  **Though that my doughter and my sone be slayn --**  
 Though my daughter and my son be slain --  
649  **At youre comandement, this is to sayn.**  
 At your commandment, this is to say.  
650  **I have noght had no part of children tweyne**  
 I have not had any part of children two  
651  **But first siknesse, and after, wo and peyne.**  
 But first sickness, and after, woe and pain.

652  **"Ye been oure lord; dooth with youre owene thyng**  
 "You are our lord; do with your own thing  
653  **Right as yow list; axeth no reed at me.**  
 Right as you desire; ask no advice from me.  
654  **For as I lefte at hoom al my clothyng,**  
 For as I left at home all my clothing,  
655  **Whan I first cam to yow, right so," quod she,**  
 When I first came to you, right so," said she,  
656  **"Lefte I my wyl and al my libertee,**  
 "Left I my will and all my liberty,  
657  **And took youre clothyng; wherfore I yow preye,**  
 And took your clothing; wherefore I you pray,  
658  **Dooth youre plesaunce; I wol youre lust obeye.**  
 Do your pleasure; I will obey your desire.

659  **"And certes, if I hadde prescience**  
 "And certainly, if I had foreknowledge  
660  **Youre wyl to knowe, er ye youre lust me tolde,**  
 To know your will, before you told me your desire,  
661  **I wolde it doon withouten necligence;**  
 I would do it without negligence;  
662  **But now I woot youre lust, and what ye wolde,**  
 But now I know your desire, and what you want,  
663  **Al youre plesance ferme and stable I holde;**  
 All your pleasure (whatever you wish) firm and stable I hold;  
664  **For wiste I that my deeth wolde do yow ese,**  
 For if I knew that my death would do you ease,  
665  **Right gladly wolde I dyen, yow to plese.**  
 Right gladly would I die, to please you.

666  **"Deth may noght make no comparisoun**  
 "Death can not make any comparison (is nothing compared)  
667  **Unto youre love." And whan this markys say**  
 Unto your love." And when this marquis saw  
668  **The constance of his wyf, he caste adoun**  
 The constancy of his wife, he cast down  
669  **His eyen two, and wondreth that she may**  
 His eyes two, and wonders that she can  
670  **In pacience suffre al this array;**  
 In patience suffer all this treatment;  
671  **And forth he goth with drery contenance,**  
 And forth he goes with sorrowful countenance,  
672  **But to his herte it was ful greet plesance.**  
 But to his heart it was full great pleasure.

673  **This ugly sergeant, in the same wyse**  
 This ugly sergeant, in the same manner  
674  **That he hire doghter caughte, right so he --**  
 That he her daughter seized, right so he --  
675  **Or worse, if men worse kan devyse --**  
 Or worse, if one can worse imagine --  
676  **Hath hent hire sone, that ful was of beautee.**  
 Has seized her son, that was full of beauty.  
677  **And evere in oon so pacient was she**  
 And continually so patient was she  
678  **That she no chiere maade of hevynesse,**  
 That she made no appearance of sadness,  
679  **But kiste hir sone, and after gan it blesse;**  
 But kissed her son, and afterwards it blessed;

680  **Save this, she preyede hym that, if he myghte,**  
 Save this, she prayed him that, if he could,  
681  **Hir litel sone he wolde in erthe grave**  
 Her little son he would bury in earth  
682  **His tendre lymes, delicaat to sighte,**  
 His tender limbs, pleasing in appearance,  
683  **Fro foweles and fro beestes for to save.**  
 From birds and from beasts to save.  
684  **But she noon answere of hym myghte have.**  
 But she no answer of him might have.  
685  **He wente his wey, as hym no thyng ne roghte,**  
 He went his way, as if he cared nothing about it,  
686  **But to Boloigne he tendrely it broghte.**  
 But to Bologna he tenderly brought it.

687  **This markys wondred, evere lenger the moore,**  
 This marquis wondered, more and more,  
688  **Upon hir pacience, and if that he**  
 Upon her patience, and if he  
689  **Ne hadde soothly knowen therbifoore**  
 Had not truly known before this  
690  **That parfitly hir children loved she,**  
 That she perfectly loved her children,  
691  **He wolde have wend that of som subtiltee,**  
 He would have supposed that by some trickery,  
692  **And of malice, or for crueel corage,**  
 And out of malice, or for hard heart,  
693  **That she hadde suffred this with sad visage.**  
 That she had suffered this with calm manner.

694  **But wel he knew that next hymself, certayn,**  
 But well he knew that next to himself, certainly,  
695  **She loved hir children best in every wyse.**  
 She loved her children best in every way.  
696  **But now of wommen wolde I axen fayn**  
 But now I would like to ask of women   
697  **If thise assayes myghte nat suffise?**  
 If these tests might not suffice?  
698  **What koude a sturdy housbonde moore devyse**  
 What could a cruel husband more devise  
699  **To preeve hir wyfhod and hir stedefastnesse,**  
 To test her wifehood and her steadfastness,  
700  **And he continuynge evere in sturdinesse?**  
 And he continuing ever in cruelty?

701  **But ther been folk of swich condicion**  
 But there are folk of such disposition  
702  **That whan they have a certein purpos take,**  
 That when they have a certain purpose taken,  
703  **They kan nat stynte of hire entencion,**  
 They can not refrain from their intention,  
704  **But, right as they were bounden to that stake,**  
 But, right as if they were bound to that stake,  
705  **They wol nat of that firste purpos slake.**  
 They will not from that original plan desist.  
706  **Right so this markys fulliche hath purposed**  
 Right so this marquis has firmly decided  
707  **To tempte his wyf as he was first disposed.**  
 To test his wife as he was first disposed.

708  **He waiteth if by word or contenance**  
 He watches to see if by word or countenance  
709  **That she to hym was changed of corage,**  
 That she to him was changed in heart,  
710  **But nevere koude he fynde variance.**  
 But never could he find variation.  
711  **She was ay oon in herte and in visage,**  
 She was always the same in heart and in visage,  
712  **And ay the forther that she was in age,**  
 And ever the further that she was in age,  
713  **The moore trewe, if that it were possible,**  
 The more true, if it were possible,  
714  **She was to hym in love, and moore penyble.**  
 She was to him in love, and more attentive.

715  **For which it semed thus: that of hem two**  
 For which it seemed thus: that of them two  
716  **Ther nas but o wyl, for as Walter leste,**  
 There was but one will, for as Walter desired,  
717  **The same lust was hire plesance also.**  
 The same desire was her pleasure also.  
718  **And, God be thanked, al fil for the beste.**  
 And, God be thanked, all fell for the best.  
719  **She shewed wel, for no worldly unreste**  
 She proved good; for no worldly discomfort  
720  **A wyf, as of hirself, nothing ne sholde**  
 A wife, concerning herself, nothing should  
721  **Wille in effect, but as hir housbonde wolde.**  
 Desire in fact, except what her husband would want.

722  **The sclaundre of Walter ofte and wyde spradde,**  
 The ill fame of Walter spread often and wide,  
723  **That of a crueel herte he wikkedly,**  
 That of a cruel heart he wickedly,  
724  **For he a povre womman wedded hadde,**  
 Because he had wedded a poor woman,  
725  **Hath mordred bothe his children prively.**  
 Has murdered both his children secretly.  
726  **Swich murmur was among hem comunly.**  
 Such grumbling was among them unanimously.  
727  **No wonder is, for to the peples ere**  
 No wonder is, for to the people's ear  
728  **Ther cam no word but that they mordred were.**  
 There came no word but that they were murdered.

729  **For which, where as his peple therbifore**  
 For which, whereas his people before this  
730  **Hadde loved hym wel, the sclaundre of his diffame**  
 Had loved him well, the disgrace of his bad reputation  
731  **Made hem that they hym hatede therfore.**  
 Made them so that they hated him for this.  
732  **To been a mordrere is an hateful name;**  
 To be a murderer is (to have) a hateful reputation;  
733  **But nathelees, for ernest ne for game,**  
 But nevertheless, not for any reason,  
734  **He of his crueel purpos nolde stente;**  
 Would he of his cruel purpose desist;  
735  **To tempte his wyf was set al his entente.**  
 To test his wife was set all his intention.

736  **Whan that his doghter twelve yeer was of age,**  
 When his daughter was twelve years of age,  
737  **He to the court of Rome, in subtil wyse**  
 He to the court of Rome, (which was) in a cunning manner  
738  **Enformed of his wyl, sente his message,**  
 Informed of his real purpose, sent his messenger,  
739  **Comaundynge hem swiche bulles to devyse**  
 Commanding them such papal bulls to devise  
740  **As to his crueel purpos may suffyse --**  
 As to his cruel purpose may suffice --  
741  **How that the pope, as for his peples reste,**  
 How the pope, to restore tranquility for his people,  
742  **Bad hym to wedde another, if hym leste.**  
 Commanded him to wed another, if he pleased.

743  **I seye, he bad they sholde countrefete**  
 I say, he commanded they should counterfeit  
744  **The popes bulles, makynge mencion**  
 The pope's bulls, making mention  
745  **That he hath leve his firste wyf to lete,**  
 That he has permission to leave his first wife,  
746  **As by the popes dispensacion,**  
 As by the pope's dispensation,  
747  **To stynte rancour and dissencion**  
 To stint rancor and dissension  
748  **Bitwixe his peple and hym; thus seyde the bulle,**  
 Between his people and him; thus said the bull,  
749  **The which they han publiced atte fulle.**  
 Which they have published widely.

750  **The rude peple, as it no wonder is,**  
 The ignorant people, as it no wonder is,  
751  **Wenden ful wel that it hadde be right so;**  
 Supposed full well that it had been right so;  
752  **But whan thise tidynges came to Grisildis,**  
 But when these tidings came to Griselda,  
753  **I deeme that hire herte was ful wo.**  
 I believe that her heart was very woeful.  
754  **But she, ylike sad for everemo,**  
 But she, continuously steadfast for evermore,  
755  **Disposed was, this humble creature,**  
 Disposed was, this humble creature,  
756  **The adversitee of Fortune al t'endure,**  
 To endure all the adversity of Fortune,

757  **Abidynge evere his lust and his plesance,**  
 Enduring ever his desire and his pleasure,  
758  **To whom that she was yeven herte and al,**  
 To whom she was given, heart and all,  
759  **As to hire verray worldly suffisance.**  
 As her true worldly source of satisfaction.  
760  **But shortly if this storie I tellen shal,**  
 But shortly if this story I tell shall,  
761  **This markys writen hath in special**  
 This marquis written has in detail  
762  **A lettre, in which he sheweth his entente,**  
 A letter, in which he reveals his intention,  
763  **And secreely he to Boloigne it sente.**  
 And secretly he sent it to Bologna.

764  **To the Erl of Panyk, which that hadde tho**  
 To the Earl of Panyk, who had then  
765  **Wedded his suster, preyde he specially**  
 Wedded his sister, prayed he specifically  
766  **To bryngen hoom agayn his children two**  
 To bring home again his two children  
767  **In honurable estaat al openly.**  
 In a noble public display.  
768  **But o thyng he hym preyede outrely,**  
 But one thing he him prayed earnestly,  
769  **That he to no wight, though men wolde enquere,**  
 That he to no one, though men would inquire,  
770  **Sholde nat telle whos children that they were,**  
 Should tell whose children they were,

771  **But seye the mayden sholde ywedded be**  
 But say the maiden should wedded be  
772  **Unto the Markys of Saluce anon.**  
 Unto the Marquis of Saluce immediately.  
773  **And as this erl was preyed, so dide he;**  
 And as this earl was asked, so did he;  
774  **For at day set he on his wey is goon**  
 For at the set day he on his way is gone  
775  **Toward Saluce, and lordes many oon**  
 Toward Saluce, and lords many a one  
776  **In riche array, this mayden for to gyde,**  
 In rich array, this maiden to guide,  
777  **Hir yonge brother ridynge hire bisyde.**  
 Her young brother riding beside her.

778  **Arrayed was toward hir mariage**  
 Adorned was in preparation for her marriage  
779  **This fresshe mayde, ful of gemmes cleere;**  
 This lovely maid, (her clothing) full of bright gems;  
780  **Hir brother, which that seven yeer was of age,**  
 Her brother, who was seven years of age,  
781  **Arrayed eek ful fressh in his manere.**  
 Adorned also full handsomely in his manner.  
782  **And thus in greet noblesse and with glad cheere,**  
 And thus in great nobility and with a glad manner,  
783  **Toward Saluces shapynge hir journey,**  
 Toward Saluces directing their journey,  
784  **Fro day to day they ryden in hir wey.**  
 From day to day they ride on their way.

*Explicit quarta pars.*  
The fourth part ends.

*Sequitur pars quinta.*  
The fifth part follows.

785  **Among al this, after his wikke usage,**  
 Meanwhile, in accord with his wicked usage,  
786  **This markys, yet his wyf to tempte moore**  
 This marquis, yet his wife to test more  
787  **To the outtreste preeve of hir corage,**  
 To the utmost test of her heart,  
788  **Fully to han experience and loore**  
 Fully to have experience and knowledge  
789  **If that she were as stidefast as bifoore,**  
 If she were as steadfast as before,  
790  **He on a day in open audience**  
 He on a certain day in the hearing of all  
791  **Ful boistously hath seyd hire this sentence:**  
 Full rudely has said to her this speech:

792  **"Certes, Grisilde, I hadde ynogh plesance**  
 "Certainly, Griselda, I had enough pleasure  
793  **To han yow to my wyf for youre goodnesse,**  
 To have you as my wife for your goodness,  
794  **As for youre trouthe and for youre obeisance,**  
 As for your truth and for your obedience  
795  **Noght for youre lynage, ne for youre richesse;**  
 Not for your lineage, nor for your riches;  
796  **But now knowe I in verray soothfastnesse**  
 But now know I in true certainty  
797  **That in greet lordshipe, if I wel avyse,**  
 That in great lordship, if I judge rightly,  
798  **Ther is greet servitute in sondry wyse.**  
 There is great servitude in various ways.

799  **"I may nat doon as every plowman may.**  
 "I can not do as every plowman may.  
800  **My peple me constreyneth for to take**  
 My people constrain me to take  
801  **Another wyf, and crien day by day;**  
 Another wife, and complain day by day;  
802  **And eek the pope, rancour for to slake,**  
 And also the pope, to quench rancor,   
803  **Consenteth it -- that dar I undertake --**  
 Consents to it -- that dare I assert --  
804  **And trewely thus muche I wol yow seye:**  
 And truly thus much I will say to you:  
805  **My newe wyf is comynge by the weye.**  
 My new wife is coming by the way.

806  **"Be strong of herte, and voyde anon hir place;**  
 "Be strong of heart, and vacate her place immediately;  
807  **And thilke dowere that ye broghten me,**  
 And that dowry that you brought me,  
808  **Taak it agayn; I graunte it of my grace.**  
 Take it back; I grant it of my grace.  
809  **Retourneth to youre fadres hous," quod he;**  
 Return to your father's house," said he;  
810  **"No man may alwey han prosperitee.**  
 "No one can always have prosperity.  
811  **With evene herte I rede yow t'endure**  
 With tranquil heart I advise you to endure  
812  **The strook of Fortune or of aventure."**  
 The stroke of Fortune or of chance."

813  **And she agayn answerde in pacience:**  
 And she in reply answered in patience:  
814  **"My lord," quod she, "I woot, and wiste alway,**  
 "My lord," said she, "I know, and knew always,  
815  **How that bitwixen youre magnificence**  
 How between your magnificence  
816  **And my poverte no wight kan ne may**  
 And my poverty no person can nor may  
817  **Maken comparison; it is no nay.**  
 Make comparison; it cannot be denied.  
818  **I ne heeld me nevere digne in no manere**  
 I considered myself never worthy in any way  
819  **To be youre wyf, no, ne youre chamberere.**  
 To be your wife, no, nor your chambermaid.

820  **"And in this hous, ther ye me lady maade --**  
 "And in this house, where you made me the lady --  
821  **The heighe God take I for my witnesse,**  
 The high God I take for my witness,  
822  **And also wysly he my soule glaade --**  
 And as surely as he my soul may gladden --  
823  **I nevere heeld me lady ne mistresse,**  
 I never considered myself lady nor mistress,  
824  **But humble servant to youre worthynesse,**  
 But humble servant to your worthiness,  
825  **And evere shal, whil that my lyf may dure,**  
 And ever shall, while my life may endure,  
826  **Aboven every worldly creature.**  
 Above every worldly creature.

827  **"That ye so longe of youre benignitee**  
 "That you so long of your benignity  
828  **Han holden me in honour and nobleye,**  
 Have maintained me in honor and nobility,  
829  **Where as I was noght worthy for to bee,**  
 Where I was not worthy to be,  
830  **That thonke I God and yow, to whom I preye**  
 For that I thank you and God, to Whom I pray  
831  **Foryelde it yow; ther is namoore to seye.**  
 To reward you for it; there is no more to say.  
832  **Unto my fader gladly wol I wende,**  
 Unto my father gladly will I go,  
833  **And with hym dwelle unto my lyves ende.**  
 And with him dwell unto my life's end.

834  **"Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal,**  
 "Where I was fostered as a child full small,  
835  **Til I be deed my lyf ther wol I lede,**  
 Until I be dead I will lead my life there,  
836  **A wydwe clene in body, herte, and al.**  
 A widow clean in body, heart, and all.  
837  **For sith I yaf to yow my maydenhede,**  
 For since I gave to you my maidenhead,  
838  **And am youre trewe wyf, it is no drede,**  
 And am your true wife, there is no doubt,  
839  **God shilde swich a lordes wyf to take**  
 God forbid such a lord's wife to take  
840  **Another man to housbonde or to make!**  
 Another man as husband or as mate!

841  **"And of youre newe wyf God of his grace**  
 "And of your new wife God of his grace  
842  **So graunte yow wele and prosperitee!**  
 Grant you happiness and prosperity!  
843  **For I wol gladly yelden hire my place,**  
 For I will gladly yield her my place,  
844  **In which that I was blisful wont to bee.**  
 In which I was accustomed to be blissful.  
845  **For sith it liketh yow, my lord," quod shee,**  
 For since it pleases you, my lord," said she,  
846  **"That whilom weren al myn hertes reste,**  
 "Who once was all my heart's peace,  
847  **That I shal goon, I wol goon whan yow leste.**  
 That I shall go, I will go when you please.

848  **"But ther as ye me profre swich dowaire**  
 "But inasmuch as you offer me such dowry  
849  **As I first broghte, it is wel in my mynde**  
 As I first brought, it is well in my mind  
850  **It were my wrecched clothes, nothyng faire,**  
 It was my wretched clothing, in no way fair,  
851  **The whiche to me were hard now for to fynde.**  
 Which to me were hard to find now.  
852  **O goode God! How gentil and how kynde**  
 O good God! How gentle and how kind  
853  **Ye semed by youre speche and youre visage**  
 You seemed by your speech and your visage  
854  **The day that maked was oure mariage!**  
 The day that our marriage was made!

855  **"But sooth is seyd -- algate I fynde it trewe,**  
 "But sooth is said -- always I find it true,  
856  **For in effect it preeved is on me --**  
 For in fact it is proven by me --  
857  **Love is noght oold as whan that it is newe.**  
 When love is old it is not the same as when it was new.  
858  **But certes, lord, for noon adversitee,**  
 But certainly, lord, for no adversity,  
859  **To dyen in the cas, it shal nat bee**  
 Even if I were to die miserably, it shall not be  
860  **That evere in word or werk I shal repente**  
 That ever in word or deed I shall repent  
861  **That I yow yaf myn herte in hool entente.**  
 That I gave you my heart whole heartedly.

862  **"My lord, ye woot that in my fadres place**  
 "My lord, you know that in my father's place  
863  **Ye dide me streepe out of my povre weede,**  
 You had me stripped out of my poor clothing,  
864  **And richely me cladden, of youre grace.**  
 And had me richly clad, by your grace.  
865  **To yow broghte I noght elles, out of drede,**  
 To you I brought nothing else, beyond doubt,  
866  **But feith, and nakednesse, and maydenhede;**  
 But faith, and nakedness, and maidenhead;  
867  **And heere agayn your clothyng I restoore,**  
 And here in return your clothing I restore,  
868  **And eek your weddyng ryng, for everemore.**  
 And also your wedding ring, for evermore.

869  **"The remenant of youre jueles redy be**  
 "The remnant of your jewels ready are  
870  **Inwith youre chambre, dar I saufly sayn.**  
 Within your chamber, dare I confidently say.  
871  **Naked out of my fadres hous," quod she,**  
 Naked out of my father's house," said she,  
872  **"I cam, and naked moot I turne agayn.**  
 "I came, and naked must I return.  
873  **Al youre plesance wol I folwen fayn;**  
 All your pleasure will I eagerly follow;  
874  **But yet I hope it be nat youre entente**  
 But yet I hope it be not your intention  
875  **That I smoklees out of youre paleys wente.**  
 That I should go without a smock out of your palace.

876  **"Ye koude nat doon so dishonest a thyng,**  
 "You could not do so shameful a thing,  
877  **That thilke wombe in which youre children leye**  
 That that same womb in which your children lay  
878  **Sholde biforn the peple, in my walkyng,**  
 Should before the people, in my walking,  
879  **Be seyn al bare; wherfore I yow preye,**  
 Be seen all bare; therefore I you pray,  
880  **Lat me nat lyk a worm go by the weye.**  
 Let me not like a worm go by the way.  
881  **Remembre yow, myn owene lord so deere,**  
 Remember, my own lord so dear,  
882  **I was youre wyf, though I unworthy weere.**  
 I was your wife, though I unworthy were.

883  **"Wherfore, in gerdon of my maydenhede,**  
 "Therefore, in recompense for my maidenhead,  
884  **Which that I broghte, and noght agayn I bere,**  
 Which I brought, and nothing I bear back,  
885  **As voucheth sauf to yeve me, to my meede,**  
 Condescend to give me, as my recompense,  
886  **But swich a smok as I was wont to were,**  
 Only such a smock as I was accustomed to wear,  
887  **That I therwith may wrye the wombe of here**  
 That I with it may cover the womb of her  
888  **That was youre wyf. And heer take I my leeve**  
 Who was your wife. And here take I my leave  
889  **Of yow, myn owene lord, lest I yow greve."**  
 Of you, my own lord, lest I you grieve."

890  **"The smok," quod he, "that thou hast on thy bak,**  
 "The smock," said he, "that thou hast on thy back,  
891  **Lat it be stille, and bere it forth with thee."**  
 Let it be (there) still, and bear it forth with thee."  
892  **But wel unnethes thilke word he spak,**  
 But scarcely that same word he spoke,  
893  **But wente his wey, for routhe and for pitee.**  
 But went his way, for grief and for pity.  
894  **Biforn the folk hirselven strepeth she,**  
 Before the folk she strips herself,  
895  **And in hir smok, with heed and foot al bare,**  
 And in her smock, with head and foot all bare,  
896  **Toward hir fadre hous forth is she fare.**  
 Toward her father's house forth is she gone.

897  **The folk hire folwe, wepynge in hir weye,**  
 The folk follow her, weeping on their way,  
898  **And Fortune ay they cursen as they goon;**  
 And Fortune ever they curse as they go;  
899  **But she fro wepyng kepte hire eyen dreye,**  
 But she from weeping kept her eyes dry,  
900  **Ne in this tyme word ne spak she noon.**  
 And in this time no word she spoke.  
901  **Hir fader, that this tidynge herde anoon,**  
 Her father, who heard this news straightway,  
902  **Curseth the day and tyme that Nature**  
 Curses the day and time that Nature  
903  **Shoop hym to been a lyves creature.**  
 Shaped him to be a living creature.

904  **For out of doute this olde poure man**  
 For doubtless this old poor man  
905  **Was evere in suspect of hir mariage;**  
 Was ever in suspicion of her marriage;  
906  **For evere he demed, sith that it bigan,**  
 For ever he believed, since it began,  
907  **That whan the lord fulfild hadde his corage,**  
 That when the lord had fulfilled his desires,  
908  **Hym wolde thynke it were a disparage**  
 He would think it was a degradation  
909  **To his estaat so lowe for t'alighte,**  
 To his rank so low to stoop,  
910  **And voyden hire as soone as ever he myghte.**  
 And get rid of her as soon as ever he could.

911  **Agayns his doghter hastily goth he,**  
 To meet his daughter hastily goes he,  
912  **For he by noyse of folk knew hire comynge,**  
 For he by noise of folk knew her coming,  
913  **And with hire olde coote, as it myghte be**  
 And with her old coat, insofar as it could  
914  **He covered hire, ful sorwefully wepynge.**  
 He covered her, full sorrowfully weeping.  
915  **But on hire body myghte he it nat brynge,**  
 But on her body he could not bring it,  
916  **For rude was the clooth, and moore of age**  
 For coarse was the cloth, and more of age  
917  **By dayes fele than at hire mariage.**  
 By many days than at her marriage.

918  **Thus with hire fader for a certeyn space**  
 Thus with her father for a certain space of time  
919  **Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pacience,**  
 Dwells this flower of womanly patience,  
920  **That neither by hire wordes ne hire face,**  
 That neither by her words nor her face,  
921  **Biforn the folk, ne eek in hire absence,**  
 Before the folk, nor also in their absence,  
922  **Ne shewed she that hire was doon offence;**  
 She showed that to her was done offence;  
923  **Ne of hire heighe estaat no remembraunce**  
 Nor of her high estate no remembrance  
924  **Ne hadde she, as by hire contenaunce.**  
 Had she, according to her countenance.

925  **No wonder is, for in hire grete estaat**  
 No wonder is, for in her great estate  
926  **Hire goost was evere in pleyn humylitee;**  
 Her spirit was ever in full humility;  
927  **No tendre mouth, noon herte delicaat,**  
 No tender mouth, no self-indulgent feelings,  
928  **No pompe, no semblant of roialtee,**  
 No pomp, nor outward appearance of royalty,  
929  **But ful of pacient benyngnytee,**  
 But full of patient goodness,  
930  **Discreet and pridelees, ay honurable,**  
 Discreet and without pride, ever honorable,  
931  **And to hire housbonde evere meke and stable.**  
 And to her husband ever meek and stable.

932  **Men speke of Job, and moost for his humblesse,**  
 Men speak of Job, and mostly for his humility,  
933  **As clerkes, whan hem list, konne wel endite,**  
 As clerks, when they want, know well how to write,  
934  **Namely of men, but as in soothfastnesse,**  
 Especially of men, but in truth,  
935  **Though clerkes preise wommen but a lite,**  
 Though clerks praise women but a little,  
936  **Ther kan no man in humblesse hym acquite**  
 There can no man in humility acquit himself  
937  **As womman kan, ne kan been half so trewe**  
 As woman can, nor can be half so true  
938  **As wommen been, but it be falle of newe.**  
 As women are, unless it happened recently.

\[PART VI.\]

939  **Fro Boloigne is this Erl of Panyk come,**  
 From Bologna is this Earl of Panyk come,  
940  **Of which the fame up sprang to moore and lesse,**  
 Of which the news up sprang to high ranks and low,  
941  **And to the peples eres, alle and some,**  
 And to the people's ears, one and all,  
942  **Was kouth eek that a newe markysesse**  
 Was made known also that a new marchioness   
943  **He with hym broghte, in swich pompe and richesse**  
 He brought with him, in such pomp and riches  
944  **That nevere was ther seyn with mannes ye**  
 That never was there seen with man's eye  
945  **So noble array in al West Lumbardye.**  
 Such a noble array in all West Lombardy.

946  **The markys, which that shoop and knew al this,**  
 The marquis, who arranged and knew all this,  
947  **Er that this erl was come, sente his message**  
 Before this earl was come, sent his messenger  
948  **For thilke sely povre Grisildis;**  
 For that same innocent poor Griselda;  
949  **And she with humble herte and glad visage,**  
 And she with humble heart and glad visage,  
950  **Nat with no swollen thoght in hire corage,**  
 Not with any proud thought in her heart,  
951  **Cam at his heste, and on hire knees hire sette,**  
 Came at his command, and on her knees set herself,  
952  **And reverently and wisely she hym grette.**  
 And reverently and wisely she greeted him.

953  **"Grisilde," quod he, "my wyl is outrely**  
 "Griselda," said he, "my will is completely  
954  **This mayden, that shal wedded been to me,**  
 That this maiden, who shall be wedded to me,  
955  **Received be to-morwe as roially**  
 Be received to-morrow as royally  
956  **As it possible is in myn hous to be,**  
 As it is possible in my house to be,  
957  **And eek that every wight in his degree**  
 And also that every person, according to his rank  
958  **Have his estaat, in sittyng and servyse**  
 Have his due respect, in seating and service  
959  **And heigh plesaunce, as I kan best devyse.**  
 And great pleasure, as I can best arrange.

960  **"I have no wommen suffisaunt, certayn,**  
 "I have no women capable, certainly,  
961  **The chambres for t'arraye in ordinaunce**  
 The chambers to put in order  
962  **After my lust, and therfore wolde I fayn**  
 According to my wishes, and therefore I would like  
963  **That thyn were al swich manere governaunce.**  
 That thine be the supervision of all this business.  
964  **Thou knowest eek of old al my plesaunce;**  
 Thou knowest also of old all my desires;  
965  **Thogh thyn array be badde and yvel biseye,**  
 Though thy dress be bad and in poor condition,  
966  **Do thou thy devoir at the leeste weye."**  
 Do thou thy duty at least."

967  **"Nat oonly, lord, that I am glad," quod she,**  
 "Not only, lord, I am glad," said she,  
968  **"To doon youre lust, but I desire also**  
 "To do your wishes, but I desire also  
969  **Yow for to serve and plese in my degree**  
 You to serve and please in accord with my rank  
970  **Withouten feyntyng, and shal everemo;**  
 Without weakening, and shall evermore;  
971  **Ne nevere, for no wele ne no wo,**  
 Nor never, for any happiness nor any woe,  
972  **Ne shal the goost withinne myn herte stente**  
 Shall the spirit within my heart cease  
973  **To love yow best with al my trewe entente."**  
 To love you best with all my true will."

974  **And with that word she gan the hous to dighte,**  
 And with that word she began to prepare the house,  
975  **And tables for to sette, and beddes make;**  
 And to set tables, and make beds;  
976  **And peyned hire to doon al that she myghte,**  
 And took pains to do all that she could,  
977  **Preyynge the chambereres, for Goddes sake,**  
 Praying the chambermaids, for God's sake,  
978  **To hasten hem, and faste swepe and shake;**  
 To hasten themselves, and fast sweep and dust;  
979  **And she, the mooste servysable of alle,**  
 And she, the most willing to serve of all,  
980  **Hath every chambre arrayed and his halle.**  
 Has every chamber prepared and his hall.

981  **Abouten undren gan this erl alighte,**  
 About mid-morning did this earl alight,  
982  **That with hym broghte thise noble children tweye,**  
 Who with him brought these noble children two,  
983  **For which the peple ran to seen the sighte**  
 For which the people ran to see the sight  
984  **Of hire array, so richely biseye;**  
 Of their accoutrements, so rich in appearance;  
985  **And thanne at erst amonges hem they seye**  
 And then for the first time amongst themselves they say  
986  **That Walter was no fool, thogh that hym leste**  
 That Walter was no fool, though he desired  
987  **To chaunge his wyf, for it was for the beste.**  
 To change his wife, for it was for the best.

988  **For she is fairer, as they deemen alle,**  
 For she is fairer, as they all decide,  
989  **Than is Grisilde, and moore tendre of age,**  
 Than is Griselda, and more tender of age,  
990  **And fairer fruyt bitwene hem sholde falle,**  
 And fairer fruit between them should fall,  
991  **And moore plesant, for hire heigh lynage.**  
 And more pleasing, because of her high lineage.  
992  **Hir brother eek so fair was of visage**  
 Her brother also so fair was of visage  
993  **That hem to seen the peple hath caught plesaunce,**  
 That the people take pleasure in seeing them,  
994  **Commendynge now the markys governaunce.**  
 Commending now the marquis's governance.

995  **"O stormy peple! Unsad and evere untrewe!**  
 "O stormy people! Inconstant and ever untrue!  
996  **Ay undiscreet and chaungynge as a fane!**  
 Ever undiscerning and changing like a weather vane!  
997  **Delitynge evere in rumbul that is newe,**  
 Delighting ever in rumor that is new,  
998  **For lyk the moone ay wexe ye and wane!**  
 For like the moon ever you wax and wane!  
999  **Ay ful of clappyng, deere ynogh a jane!**  
 Always full of chattering, not worth a penny!  
1000  **Youre doom is fals, youre constance yvele preeveth;**  
 Your judgment is false, your constancy proves evil;  
1001  **A ful greet fool is he that on yow leeveth."**  
 A full great fool is he that believes in you."

1002  **Thus seyden sadde folk in that citee,**  
 Thus said serious folk in that city,  
1003  **Whan that the peple gazed up and doun,**  
 When the people gazed up and down,  
1004  **For they were glad, right for the noveltee,**  
 For they were glad, right for the novelty,  
1005  **To han a newe lady of hir toun.**  
 To have a new lady of their town.  
1006  **Namoore of this make I now mencioun,**  
 No more of this make I now mention,  
1007  **But to Grisilde agayn wol I me dresse,**  
 But to Griselda again will I address myself,  
1008  **And telle hir constance and hir bisynesse.**  
 And tell her constancy and her diligence.

1009  **Ful bisy was Grisilde in every thyng**  
 Full busy was Griselda in every thing  
1010  **That to the feeste was apertinent.**  
 That was pertaining to the feast.  
1011  **Right noght was she abayst of hire clothyng,**  
 Not at all was she ashamed of her clothing,  
1012  **Thogh it were rude and somdeel eek torent;**  
 Though it was crude and also somewhat ragged;  
1013  **But with glad cheere to the yate is went**  
 But with glad manner to the gate is went  
1014  **With oother folk to greete the markysesse,**  
 With other folk to greet the marchioness,  
1015  **And after that dooth forth hire bisynesse.**  
 And after that carries on her work.

1016  **With so glad chiere his gestes she receyveth,**  
 With such glad manner his guests she receives,  
1017  **And so konnyngly, everich in his degree,**  
 And so skillfully, each according to his rank,  
1018  **That no defaute no man aperceyveth,**  
 That no man perceives any fault,  
1019  **But ay they wondren what she myghte bee**  
 But ever they wonder who she might be  
1020  **That in so povre array was for to see,**  
 That in such poor array was to be seen,  
1021  **And koude swich honour and reverence,**  
 And knew how to do such honor and reverence,  
1022  **And worthily they preisen hire prudence.**  
 And deservedly they praise her prudence.

1023  **In al this meene while she ne stente**  
 In all this mean while she did not cease  
1024  **This mayde and eek hir brother to commende**  
 This maid and also her brother to commend  
1025  **With al hir herte, in ful benyngne entente,**  
 With all her heart, in full benign intention,  
1026  **So wel that no man koude hir pris amende.**  
 So well that no man could praise her more highly.  
1027  **But atte laste, whan that thise lordes wende**  
 But at the last, when these lords went  
1028  **To sitten doun to mete, he gan to calle**  
 To sit down to dinner, he called  
1029  **Grisilde, as she was bisy in his halle.**  
 Griselda, as she was busy in his hall.

1030  **"Grisilde," quod he, as it were in his pley,**  
 "Griselda," said he, as if it were a joke,  
1031  **"How liketh thee my wyf and hire beautee?"**  
 "How do you like my wife and her beauty?"  
1032  **"Right wel," quod she, "my lord; for, in good fey,**  
 "Right well," said she, "my lord; for, in good faith,  
1033  **A fairer saugh I nevere noon than she.**  
 I never saw so fair a one as she.  
1034  **I prey to God yeve hire prosperitee;**  
 I pray to God to give her prosperity;  
1035  **And so hope I that he wol to yow sende**  
 And so I hope that he will to you send  
1036  **Plesance ynogh unto youre lyves ende.**  
 Pleasure enough unto your lives' end.

1037  **"O thyng biseke I yow, and warne also,**  
 "One thing I beseech you, and warn also,  
1038  **That ye ne prikke with no tormentynge**  
 That you not distress with any tormenting  
1039  **This tendre mayden, as ye han doon mo;**  
 This tender maiden, as you have done to others;  
1040  **For she is fostred in hire norissynge**  
 For she has been reared in her nurture  
1041  **Moore tendrely, and, to my supposynge,**  
 More tenderly, and, as I believe,  
1042  **She koude nat adversitee endure**  
 She could not endure adversity   
1043  **As koude a povre fostred creature."**  
 As could a poorly reared creature."

1044  **And whan this Walter saugh hire pacience,**  
 And when this Walter saw her patience,  
1045  **Hir glade chiere, and no malice at al,**  
 Her glad expression, and no malice at all,  
1046  **And he so ofte had doon to hire offence,**  
 And he so often had done to her offence,  
1047  **And she ay sad and constant as a wal,**  
 And she ever steadfast and constant as a wall,  
1048  **Continuynge evere hire innocence overal,**  
 Continuing ever her innocence in every way,  
1049  **This sturdy markys gan his herte dresse**  
 This stern marquis inclined his heart  
1050  **To rewen upon hire wyfly stedfastnesse.**  
 To have pity upon her womanly steadfastness.

1051  **"This is ynogh, Grisilde myn," quod he;**  
 "This is enough, Griselda mine," said he;  
1052  **"Be now namoore agast ne yvele apayed.**  
 "Be now no more frightened nor displeased.  
1053  **I have thy feith and thy benyngnytee,**  
 I have thy faith and thy goodness,  
1054  **As wel as evere womman was, assayed,**  
 As well as ever woman was, tested,  
1055  **In greet estaat and povreliche arrayed.**  
 In great estate and in poverty.  
1056  **Now knowe I, dere wyf, thy stedfastnesse" --**  
 Now I know, dear wife, thy steadfastness" --  
1057  **And hire in armes took and gan hire kesse.**  
 And took her in arms and kissed her.

1058  **And she for wonder took of it no keep;**  
 And she for amazement took of it no notice;  
1059  **She herde nat what thyng he to hire seyde;**  
 She heard not what thing he said to her;  
1060  **She ferde as she had stert out of a sleep,**  
 She fared as if she had suddenly awakened out of a sleep,  
1061  **Til she out of hire mazednesse abreyde.**  
 Until out of her bewilderment she suddenly awoke.  
1062  **"Grisilde," quod he, "by God, that for us deyde,**  
 "Griselda," said he, "by God, who for us died,  
1063  **Thou art my wyf, ne noon oother I have,**  
 Thou art my wife, and none other I have,  
1064  **Ne nevere hadde, as God my soule save!**  
 Nor ever had, as God my soul may save!

1065  **"This is thy doghter, which thou hast supposed**  
 "This is thy daughter, which thou hast supposed  
1066  **To be my wyf; that oother feithfully**  
 To be my wife; that other truly  
1067  **Shal be myn heir, as I have ay disposed;**  
 Shall be my heir, as I have ever intended;  
1068  **Thou bare hym in thy body trewely.**  
 Thou bore him in thy body truly.  
1069  **At Boloigne have I kept hem prively;**  
 At Bologna I have kept them secretly;  
1070  **Taak hem agayn, for now maystow nat seye**  
 Take them back, for now mayst thou not say  
1071  **That thou hast lorn noon of thy children tweye.**  
 That thou hast lost any of thy children two.

1072  **"And folk that ootherweys han seyd of me,**  
 "And folk that otherwise have said of me,  
1073  **I warne hem wel that I have doon this deede**  
 I declare to them clearly that I have done this deed  
1074  **For no malice, ne for no crueltee,**  
 For no malice, nor for no cruelty,  
1075  **But for t'assaye in thee thy wommanheede,**  
 But to test in thee thy womanhood,  
1076  **And nat to sleen my children -- God forbeede! --**  
 And not to slay my children -- God forbid! --  
1077  **But for to kepe hem pryvely and stille,**  
 But to keep them secretly and quietly,  
1078  **Til I thy purpos knewe and al thy wille."**  
 Until I knew thy perseverence and all thy will."

1079  **Whan she this herde, aswowne doun she falleth**  
 When she heard this, down she falls in a swoon  
1080  **For pitous joye, and after hire swownynge**  
 For pitiful joy, and after her swooning  
1081  **She bothe hire yonge children to hire calleth,**  
 She calls both her young children to her,  
1082  **And in hire armes, pitously wepynge,**  
 And in her arms, pitifully weeping,  
1083  **Embraceth hem, and tendrely kissynge**  
 Embraces them, and tenderly kissing  
1084  **Ful lyk a mooder, with hire salte teeres**  
 Full like a mother, with her salt tears  
1085  **She bathed bothe hire visage and hire heeres.**  
 She bathed both their visage and their hair.

1086  **O which a pitous thyng it was to se**  
 O what a pathetic thing it was to see  
1087  **Hir swownyng, and hire humble voys to heere!**  
 Her swooning, and her humble voice to hear!  
1088  **"Grauntmercy, lord, God thanke it yow," quod she,**  
 "Great thanks, lord, may God repay it to you," said she,  
1089  **"That ye han saved me my children deere!**  
 "That you have saved for me my children dear!  
1090  **Now rekke I nevere to been deed right heere;**  
 Now care I never to be dead right here;  
1091  **Sith I stonde in youre love and in youre grace,**  
 Since I stand in your love and in your grace,  
1092  **No fors of deeth, ne whan my spirit pace!**  
 Death does not matter, nor when my spirit may pass (away)!

1093  **"O tendre, o deere, o yonge children myne!**  
 "O tender, o dear, o my young children!  
1094  **Youre woful mooder wende stedfastly**  
 Your woeful mother truly believed   
1095  **That crueel houndes or som foul vermyne**  
 That cruel hounds or some foul animal pests  
1096  **Hadde eten yow; but God of his mercy**  
 Had eaten you; but God of his mercy  
1097  **And youre benyngne fader tendrely**  
 And your benign father tenderly  
1098  **Hath doon yow kept" -- and in that same stounde**  
 Has had you protected" -- and in that same moment  
1099  **Al sodeynly she swapte adoun to grounde.**  
 All suddenly she fell down to the ground.

1100  **And in hire swough so sadly holdeth she**  
 And in her swoon so tightly holds she  
1101  **Hire children two, whan she gan hem t'embrace,**  
 Her children two, when she embraced them,  
1102  **That with greet sleighte and greet difficultee**  
 That with great effort and great difficulty  
1103  **The children from hire arm they gonne arace.**  
 The children from her arm they did tear away.  
1104  **O many a teere on many a pitous face**  
 O many a tear on many a pitiful face  
1105  **Doun ran of hem that stooden hire bisyde;**  
 Down ran of them that stood beside her;  
1106  **Unnethe abouten hire myghte they abyde.**  
 Hardly about her might they remain.

1107  **Walter hire gladeth and hire sorwe slaketh;**  
 Walter comforts her and her sorrow relieves;  
1108  **She riseth up, abaysed, from hire traunce,**  
 She rises up, disconcerted, from her trance,   
1109  **And every wight hire joye and feeste maketh**  
 And every person makes joy and festivity for her  
1110  **Til she hath caught agayn hire contenaunce.**  
 Until she has regained her composure.  
1111  **Walter hire dooth so feithfully plesaunce**  
 Walter strives so faithfully to please her  
1112  **That it was deyntee for to seen the cheere**  
 That it was delightful to see the happiness  
1113  **Bitwixe hem two, now they been met yfeere.**  
 Between them two, now they are met together.

1114  **Thise ladyes, whan that they hir tyme say,**  
 These ladies, when they see their time,  
1115  **Han taken hire and into chambre gon,**  
 Have taken her and into chamber they go,  
1116  **And strepen hire out of hire rude array,**  
 And strip her out of her crude clothing,  
1117  **And in a clooth of gold that brighte shoon,**  
 And in a cloth of gold that brightly shone,  
1118  **With a coroune of many a riche stoon**  
 With a crown of many a rich stone  
1119  **Upon hire heed, they into halle hire broghte,**  
 Upon her head, they into hall her brought,  
1120  **And ther she was honured as hire oghte.**  
 And there she was honored as she deserved.

1121  **Thus hath this pitous day a blisful ende,**  
 Thus has this pitiful day a blissful end,  
1122  **For every man and womman dooth his myght**  
 For every man and woman does his might  
1123  **This day in murthe and revel to dispende**  
 This day in mirth and revel to spend  
1124  **Til on the welkne shoon the sterres lyght.**  
 Until in the sky shone the stars' light.  
1125  **For moore solempne in every mannes syght**  
 For more splendid in every man's sight  
1126  **This feste was, and gretter of costage,**  
 This feast was, and greater of cost,  
1127  **Than was the revel of hire mariage.**  
 Than was the revel of their marriage.

1128  **Ful many a yeer in heigh prosperitee**  
 Full many a year in high prosperity  
1129  **Lyven thise two in concord and in reste,**  
 Live these two in peace and in quiet,  
1130  **And richely his doghter maryed he**  
 And richly his daughter married he  
1131  **Unto a lord, oon of the worthieste**  
 Unto a lord, one of the worthiest  
1132  **Of al Ytaille; and thanne in pees and reste**  
 Of all Italy; and then in peace and rest  
1133  **His wyves fader in his court he kepeth,**  
 His wife's father in his court he keeps,  
1134  **Til that the soule out of his body crepeth.**  
 Until the soul out of his body creeps.

1135  **His sone succedeth in his heritage**  
 His son succeeds in his heritage  
1136  **In reste and pees, after his fader day,**  
 In rest and peace, after his father's day,  
1137  **And fortunat was eek in mariage,**  
 And fortunate was also in marriage,  
1138  **Al putte he nat his wyf in greet assay.**  
 Although he put not his wife in great tests.  
1139  **This world is nat so strong, it is no nay,**  
 This world is not so strong, there is no denying,  
1140  **As it hath been in olde tymes yoore,**  
 As it has been in old times long ago,  
1141  **And herkneth what this auctour seith therfoore.**  
 And listen to what this author says concerning this (tale).

1142  **This storie is seyd nat for that wyves sholde**  
 This story is said not so that wives should  
1143  **Folwen Grisilde as in humylitee,**  
 Follow Griselda in humility,  
1144  **For it were inportable, though they wolde,**  
 For it would be intolerable, though they would (want to),  
1145  **But for that every wight, in his degree,**  
 But so that every person, in his station in life,  
1146  **Sholde be constant in adversitee**  
 Should be constant in adversity  
1147  **As was Grisilde; therfore Petrak writeth**  
 As was Griselda; therefore Petrarch writes  
1148  **This storie, which with heigh stile he enditeth.**  
 This story, which with high style he composes.

1149  **For sith a womman was so pacient**  
 For since a woman was so patient  
1150  **Unto a mortal man, wel moore us oghte**  
 Unto a mortal man, well more we ought to  
1151  **Receyven al in gree that God us sent;**  
 Receive with a good will all that God sends us;  
1152  **For greet skile is he preeve that he wroghte.**  
 For it is very reasonable that he test what he made.  
1153  **But he ne tempteth no man that he boghte,**  
 But he tests no man that he redeemed,  
1154  **As seith Seint Jame, if ye his pistel rede;**  
 As says Saint James, if you his epistle read;  
1155  **He preeveth folk al day, it is no drede,**  
 He tests folk all the time, it is no doubt,

1156  **And suffreth us, as for oure excercise,**  
 And permits us, for our own good  
1157  **With sharpe scourges of adversitee**  
 With sharp whips of adversity  
1158  **Ful ofte to be bete in sondry wise;**  
 Full often to be beaten in various ways;  
1159  **Nat for to knowe oure wyl, for certes he,**  
 Not to know our will, for certainly he,  
1160  **Er we were born, knew al oure freletee;**  
 Before we were born, knew all our frailty;  
1161  **And for oure beste is al his governaunce.**  
 And for our best is all his governance.  
1162  **Lat us thanne lyve in vertuous suffraunce.**  
 Let us then live in virtuous forbearance.

1163  **But o word, lordynges, herkneth er I go:**  
 But one word, lords, hear before I go:  
1164  **It were ful hard to fynde now-a-dayes**  
 It would be very difficult to find now-a-days  
1165  **In al a toun Grisildis thre or two;**  
 In all the town Griseldas three or two;  
1166  **For if that they were put to swiche assayes,**  
 For if they were put to such tests,  
1167  **The gold of hem hath now so badde alayes**  
 The gold of them has now been so badly debased  
1168  **With bras, that thogh the coyne be fair at ye,**  
 With brass, that though the coin be fair to look at,  
1169  **It wolde rather breste a-two than plye.**  
 It would rather break in two than bend.

1170  **For which heere, for the Wyves love of Bathe --**  
 For which here, for the love of the Wife of Bath --  
1171  **Whos lyf and al hire secte God mayntene**  
 Whose life and all her sect may God maintain  
1172  **In heigh maistrie, and elles were it scathe --**  
 In high mastery, and otherwise it would be a pity --  
1173  **I wol with lusty herte, fressh and grene,**  
 I will with lusty heart, fresh and vigorous,  
1174  **Seyn yow a song to glade yow, I wene;**  
 Say you a song to make you happy, I believe;  
1175  **And lat us stynte of ernestful matere.**  
 And let us stint of serious matter.  
1176  **Herkneth my song that seith in this manere:**  
 Hear my song that says in this manner:

*Lenvoy de Chaucer.*  
Chaucer's envoy.

1177  **Grisilde is deed, and eek hire pacience,**  
 Griselda is dead, and also her patience,  
1178  **And bothe atones buryed in Ytaille;**  
 And both together buried in Italy;  
1179  **For which I crie in open audience**  
 For which I cry in the hearing of all  
1180  **No wedded man so hardy be t'assaille**  
 No wedded man so bold be to test  
1181  **His wyves pacience in trust to fynde**  
 His wife's patience trusting to find  
1182  **Grisildis, for in certein he shal faille.**  
 Griselda, for certainly he shall faille.

1183  **O noble wyves, ful of heigh prudence,**  
 O noble wives, full of great prudence,  
1184  **Lat noon humylitee youre tonge naille,**  
 Let no humility nail down your tongue,  
1185  **Ne lat no clerk have cause or diligence**  
 Nor let any clerk have cause or eagerness  
1186  **To write of yow a storie of swich mervaille**  
 To write about you a story of such marvel  
1187  **As of Grisildis pacient and kynde,**  
 As of patient and kind Griselda,  
1188  **Lest Chichevache yow swelwe in hire entraille!**  
 Lest Chichevache swallow you in her entrails!

1189  **Folweth Ekko, that holdeth no silence,**  
 Follow Echo, who holds no silence,  
1190  **But evere answereth at the countretaille.**  
 But ever answers in reply.  
1191  **Beth nat bidaffed for youre innocence,**  
 Be not fooled because of your innocence,  
1192  **But sharply taak on yow the governaille.**  
 But eagerly take the governance to yourself.  
1193  **Emprenteth wel this lessoun in youre mynde,**  
 Imprint well this lesson in your mind,  
1194  **For commune profit sith it may availle.**  
 Since it may work to the benefit of all.

1195  **Ye archewyves, stondeth at defense,**  
 You arch-wives, stand ready for battle,  
1196  **Syn ye be strong as is a greet camaille;**  
 Since you are strong as is a great camel;  
1197  **Ne suffreth nat that men yow doon offense.**  
 Suffer not that men do offense to you.  
1198  **And sklendre wyves, fieble as in bataille,**  
 And slender wives, feeble in battle,  
1199  **Beth egre as is a tygre yond in Ynde;**  
 Be fierce as is a tiger yonder in India;  
1200  **Ay clappeth as a mille, I yow consaille.**  
 Ever wag your tongues like a windmill, I you advise.

1201  **Ne dreed hem nat; doth hem no reverence,**  
 Fear them not; do them no reverence,  
1202  **For though thyn housbonde armed be in maille,**  
 For though thy husband be armed in mail,  
1203  **The arwes of thy crabbed eloquence**  
 The arrows of thy spiteful eloquence  
1204  **Shal perce his brest and eek his aventaille.**  
 Shall pierce his breast and also his neck-guard.  
1205  **In jalousie I rede eek thou hym bynde,**  
 In jealousy I advise also that thou bind him,  
1206  **And thou shalt make hym couche as doth a quaille.**  
 And thou shalt make him cower as does a quail.

1207  **If thou be fair, ther folk been in presence,**  
 If thou be fair, where folk are present,  
1208  **Shewe thou thy visage and thyn apparaille;**  
 Show thou thy visage and thy apparel;  
1209  **If thou be foul, be fre of thy dispence;**  
 If thou be ugly, be lavish in thy expenditures;  
1210  **To gete thee freendes ay do thy travaille;**  
 To get thee friends always work hard;  
1211  **Be ay of chiere as light as leef on lynde,**  
 Be ever in behavior as light as a leaf on a linden tree,  
1212  **And lat hym care, and wepe, and wrynge, and waille!**  
 And let him grieve, and weep, and wring his hands, and wail!

*Bihoold the murye words of the Host*

1212a  **This worthy Clerk, whan ended was his tale,**  
 \[When ended was the tale of this worthy Clerk,  
1212b  **Oure Hooste seyde, and swoor, "By Goddes bones,**  
 Our Host said, and swore, "By God's bones,  
1212c  **Me were levere than a barel ale**  
 I would rather than have a barrel of ale  
1212d  **My wyf at hoom had herd this legende ones!**  
 My wife at home had heard this legend once!  
1212e  **This is a gentil tale for the nones,**  
 This is a fine tale for this occasion,  
1212f  **As to my purpos, wiste ye my wille;**  
 For my purposes, if you knew my will;  
1212g  **But thyng that wol nat be, lat it be stille."\]**  
 But thing that will not be, let it be still."\]

*Heere endeth the Tale of the Clerk of Oxenford.*

*\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_*

**The Clerk's Envoy de Chaucer**

1163  **But o word, lordynges, herkneth er I go:**  
 But one word, lords, hear before I go:  
1164  **It were ful hard to fynde now-a-dayes**  
 It would be very difficult to find now-a-days  
1165  **In al a toun Grisildis thre or two;**  
 In all the town Griseldas three or two;  
1166  **For if that they were put to swiche assayes,**  
 For if they were put to such tests,  
1167  **The gold of hem hath now so badde alayes**  
 The gold of them has now been so badly debased  
1168  **With bras, that thogh the coyne be fair at ye,**  
 With brass, that though the coin be fair to look at,  
1169  **It wolde rather breste a-two than plye.**  
 It would rather break in two than bend.

1170  **For which heere, for the Wyves love of Bathe --**  
 For which here, for the love of the Wife of Bath --  
1171  **Whos lyf and al hire secte God mayntene**  
 Whose life and all her sect may God maintain  
1172  **In heigh maistrie, and elles were it scathe --**  
 In high mastery, and otherwise it would be a pity --  
1173  **I wol with lusty herte, fressh and grene,**  
 I will with lusty heart, fresh and vigorous,  
1174  **Seyn yow a song to glade yow, I wene;**  
 Say you a song to make you happy, I believe;  
1175  **And lat us stynte of ernestful matere.**  
 And let us stint of serious matter.  
1176  **Herkneth my song that seith in this manere:**  
 Hear my song that says in this manner:

*Lenvoy de Chaucer.*

*Chaucer's envoy.*

1177  **Grisilde is deed, and eek hire pacience,**  
 Griselda is dead, and also her patience,  
1178  **And bothe atones buryed in Ytaille;**  
 And both together buried in Italy;  
1179  **For which I crie in open audience**  
 For which I cry in the hearing of all  
1180  **No wedded man so hardy be t'assaille**  
 No wedded man so bold be to test  
1181  **His wyves pacience in trust to fynde**  
 His wife's patience trusting to find  
1182  **Grisildis, for in certein he shal faille.**  
 Griselda, for certainly he shall faille.

1183  **O noble wyves, ful of heigh prudence,**  
 O noble wives, full of great prudence,  
1184  **Lat noon humylitee youre tonge naille,**  
 Let no humility nail down your tongue,  
1185  **Ne lat no clerk have cause or diligence**  
 Nor let any clerk have cause or eagerness  
1186  **To write of yow a storie of swich mervaille**  
 To write about you a story of such marvel  
1187  **As of Grisildis pacient and kynde,**  
 As of patient and kind Griselda,  
1188  **Lest Chichevache yow swelwe in hire entraille!**  
 Lest Chichevache swallow you in her entrails!

1189  **Folweth Ekko, that holdeth no silence,**  
 Follow Echo, who holds no silence,  
1190  **But evere answereth at the countretaille.**  
 But ever answers in reply.  
1191  **Beth nat bidaffed for youre innocence,**  
 Be not fooled because of your innocence,  
1192  **But sharply taak on yow the governaille.**  
 But eagerly take the governance to yourself.  
1193  **Emprenteth wel this lessoun in youre mynde,**  
 Imprint well this lesson in your mind,  
1194  **For commune profit sith it may availle.**  
 Since it may work to the benefit of all.

1195  **Ye archewyves, stondeth at defense,**  
 You arch-wives, stand ready for battle,  
1196  **Syn ye be strong as is a greet camaille;**  
 Since you are strong as is a great camel;  
1197  **Ne suffreth nat that men yow doon offense.**  
 Suffer not that men do offense to you.  
1198  **And sklendre wyves, fieble as in bataille,**  
 And slender wives, feeble in battle,  
1199  **Beth egre as is a tygre yond in Ynde;**  
 Be fierce as is a tiger yonder in India;  
1200  **Ay clappeth as a mille, I yow consaille.**  
 Ever wag your tongues like a windmill, I you advise.

1201  **Ne dreed hem nat; doth hem no reverence,**  
 Fear them not; do them no reverence,  
1202  **For though thyn housbonde armed be in maille,**  
 For though thy husband be armed in mail,  
1203  **The arwes of thy crabbed eloquence**  
 The arrows of thy spiteful eloquence  
1204  **Shal perce his brest and eek his aventaille.**  
 Shall pierce his breast and also his neck-guard.  
1205  **In jalousie I rede eek thou hym bynde,**  
 In jealousy I advise also that thou bind him,  
1206  **And thou shalt make hym couche as doth a quaille.**  
 And thou shalt make him cower as does a quail.

1207  **If thou be fair, ther folk been in presence,**  
 If thou be fair, where folk are present,  
1208  **Shewe thou thy visage and thyn apparaille;**  
 Show thou thy visage and thy apparel;  
1209  **If thou be foul, be fre of thy dispence;**  
 If thou be ugly, be lavish in thy expenditures;  
1210  **To gete thee freendes ay do thy travaille;**  
 To get thee friends always work hard;  
1211  **Be ay of chiere as light as leef on lynde,**  
 Be ever in behavior as light as a leaf on a linden tree,  
1212  **And lat hym care, and wepe, and wrynge, and waille!**  
 And let him grieve, and weep, and wring his hands, and wail!

*Bihoold the murye words of the Host*

1212a  **This worthy Clerk, whan ended was his tale,**  
 \[When ended was the tale of this worthy Clerk,  
1212b  **Oure Hooste seyde, and swoor, "By Goddes bones,**  
 Our Host said, and swore, "By God's bones,  
1212c  **Me were levere than a barel ale**  
 I would rather than have a barrel of ale  
1212d  **My wyf at hoom had herd this legende ones!**  
 My wife at home had heard this legend once!  
1212e  **This is a gentil tale for the nones,**  
 This is a fine tale for this occasion,  
1212f  **As to my purpos, wiste ye my wille;**  
 For my purposes, if you knew my will;  
1212g  **But thyng that wol nat be, lat it be stille."\]**  
 But thing that will not be, let it be still."\]

*Heere endeth the Tale of the Clerk of Oxenford.*