THE PROLOGUE.
“SIR Clerk of Oxenford,” our Hoste said,“Ye ride as still and coy, as doth a maidThat were new spoused, sitting at the board:This day I heard not of your tongue a word.I trow ye study about some sophime:* *sophismBut Solomon saith, every thing hath time.For Godde’s sake, be of *better cheer,* *livelier mien*It is no time for to study here.Tell us some merry tale, by your fay;* *faithFor what man that is entered in a play,He needes must unto that play assent.But preache not, as friars do in Lent,To make us for our olde sinnes weep,Nor that thy tale make us not to sleep.Tell us some merry thing of aventures.Your terms, your coloures, and your figures,Keep them in store, till so be ye inditeHigh style, as when that men to kinges write.Speake so plain at this time, I you pray,That we may understande what ye say.”
This worthy Clerk benignely answer’d;“Hoste,” quoth he, “I am under your yerd,* *rod <1>Ye have of us as now the governance,And therefore would I do you obeisance,As far as reason asketh, hardily:* *boldly, trulyI will you tell a tale, which that ILearn’d at Padova of a worthy clerk,As proved by his wordes and his werk.He is now dead, and nailed in his chest,I pray to God to give his soul good rest.Francis Petrarc’, the laureate poet,<2>Highte* this clerk, whose rhetoric so sweet *was calledIllumin’d all Itale of poetry,As Linian <3> did of philosophy,Or law, or other art particulere:But death, that will not suffer us dwell hereBut as it were a twinkling of an eye,Them both hath slain, and alle we shall die.
“But forth to tellen of this worthy man,That taughte me this tale, as I began,I say that first he with high style inditeth(Ere he the body of his tale writeth)A proem, in the which describeth hePiedmont, and of Saluces <4> the country,And speaketh of the Pennine hilles high,That be the bounds of all West Lombardy:And of Mount Vesulus in special,Where as the Po out of a welle smallTaketh his firste springing and his source,That eastward aye increaseth in his courseT’Emilia-ward, <5> to Ferraro, and Venice,The which a long thing were to devise.* *narrateAnd truely, as to my judgement,Me thinketh it a thing impertinent,* *irrelevantSave that he would conveye his mattere:But this is the tale, which that ye shall hear.”
Notes to the Prologue to the Clerk’s Tale
1. Under your yerd: under your rod; as the emblem ofgovernment or direction.
2. Francesco Petrarca, born 1304, died 1374; for his Latin epicpoem on the carer of Scipio, called “Africa,” he was solemnlycrowned with the poetic laurel in the Capitol of Rome, onEaster-day of 1341.
3. Linian: An eminent jurist and philosopher, now almostforgotten, who died four or five years after Petrarch.
4. Saluces: Saluzzo, a district of Savoy; its marquises werecelebrated during the Middle Ages.
5. Emilia: The region called Aemilia, across which ran the ViaAemilia — made by M. Aemilius Lepidus, who was consul atRome B.C. 187. It continued the Flaminian Way fromAriminum (Rimini) across the Po at Placentia (Piacenza) toMediolanum (Milan), traversing Cisalpine Gaul.
THE TALE.<1>
*Pars Prima.* *First Part*
There is, right at the west side of Itale,Down at the root of Vesulus<2> the cold,A lusty* plain, abundant of vitaille;* *pleasant **victualsThere many a town and tow’r thou may’st behold,That founded were in time of fathers old,And many another delectable sight;And Saluces this noble country hight.
A marquis whilom lord was of that land,As were his worthy elders* him before, *ancestorsAnd obedient, aye ready to his hand,Were all his lieges, bothe less and more:Thus in delight he liv’d, and had done yore,* *longBelov’d and drad,* through favour of fortune, *held in reverenceBoth of his lordes and of his commune.* *commonalty
Therewith he was, to speak of lineage,The gentilest y-born of Lombardy,A fair person, and strong, and young of age,And full of honour and of courtesy:Discreet enough his country for to gie,* *guide, ruleSaving in some things that he was to blame;And Walter was this younge lordes name.
I blame him thus, that he consider’d notIn time coming what might him betide,But on his present lust* was all his thought, *pleasureAnd for to hawk and hunt on every side;Well nigh all other cares let he slide,And eke he would (that was the worst of all)Wedde no wife for aught that might befall.
Only that point his people bare so sore,That flockmel* on a day to him they went, *in a bodyAnd one of them, that wisest was of lore(Or elles that the lord would best assentThat he should tell him what the people meant,Or elles could he well shew such mattere),He to the marquis said as ye shall hear.
“O noble Marquis! your humanityAssureth us and gives us hardiness,As oft as time is of necessity,That we to you may tell our heaviness:Accepte, Lord, now of your gentleness,What we with piteous heart unto you plain,* *complain ofAnd let your ears my voice not disdain.
“All* have I nought to do in this mattere *althoughMore than another man hath in this place,Yet forasmuch as ye, my Lord so dear,Have always shewed me favour and grace,I dare the better ask of you a spaceOf audience, to shewen our request,And ye, my Lord, to do right *as you lest.* *as pleaseth you*
“For certes, Lord, so well us like youAnd all your work, and ev’r have done, that weNe coulde not ourselves devise howWe mighte live in more felicity:Save one thing, Lord, if that your will it be,That for to be a wedded man you lest;Then were your people *in sovereign hearte’s rest.* *completely
“Bowe your neck under the blissful yokeOf sovereignty, and not of service,Which that men call espousal or wedlock:And thinke, Lord, among your thoughtes wise,How that our dayes pass in sundry wise;For though we sleep, or wake, or roam, or ride,Aye fleeth time, it will no man abide.
“And though your greene youthe flow’r as yet,In creepeth age always as still as stone,And death menaceth every age, and smit* *smitethIn each estate, for there escapeth none:And all so certain as we know each oneThat we shall die, as uncertain we allBe of that day when death shall on us fall.
“Accepte then of us the true intent,* *mind, desireThat never yet refused youre hest,* *commandAnd we will, Lord, if that ye will assent,Choose you a wife, in short time at the lest,* *leastBorn of the gentilest and of the bestOf all this land, so that it ought to seemHonour to God and you, as we can deem.
“Deliver us out of all this busy dread,* *doubtAnd take a wife, for highe Godde’s sake:For if it so befell, as God forbid,That through your death your lineage should slake,* *become extinctAnd that a strange successor shoulde takeYour heritage, oh! woe were us on live:* *aliveWherefore we pray you hastily to wive.”
Their meeke prayer and their piteous cheerMade the marquis for to have pity.“Ye will,” quoth he, “mine owen people dear,To that I ne’er ere* thought constraine me. *beforeI me rejoiced of my liberty,That seldom time is found in rnarriage;Where I was free, I must be in servage!* *servitude
“But natheless I see your true intent,And trust upon your wit, and have done aye:Wherefore of my free will I will assentTo wedde me, as soon as e’er I may.But whereas ye have proffer’d me to-dayTo choose me a wife, I you releaseThat choice, and pray you of that proffer cease.
“For God it wot, that children often beenUnlike their worthy elders them before,Bounte* comes all of God, not of the strene** *goodnessOf which they be engender’d and y-bore: **stock, raceI trust in Godde’s bounte, and thereforeMy marriage, and mine estate and rest,I *him betake;* he may do as him lest. *commend to him
“Let me alone in choosing of my wife;That charge upon my back I will endure:But I you pray, and charge upon your life,That what wife that I take, ye me assureTo worship* her, while that her life may dure, *honourIn word and work both here and elleswhere,As she an emperore’s daughter were.
“And farthermore this shall ye swear, that yeAgainst my choice shall never grudge* nor strive. *murmurFor since I shall forego my libertyAt your request, as ever may I thrive,Where as mine heart is set, there will I liveAnd but* ye will assent in such mannere, *unlessI pray you speak no more of this mattere.”
With heartly will they sworen and assentTo all this thing, there said not one wight nay:Beseeching him of grace, ere that they went,That he would grante them a certain dayOf his espousal, soon as e’er he rnay,For yet always the people somewhat dread* *were in fear or doubtLest that the marquis woulde no wife wed.
He granted them a day, such as him lest,On which he would be wedded sickerly,* *certainlyAnd said he did all this at their request;And they with humble heart full buxomly,* *obediently <3>Kneeling upon their knees full reverently,Him thanked all; and thus they have an endOf their intent, and home again they wend.
And hereupon he to his officersCommanded for the feaste to purvey.* *provideAnd to his privy knightes and squiersSuch charge he gave, as him list on them lay:And they to his commandement obey,And each of them doth all his diligenceTo do unto the feast all reverence.
*Pars Secunda* *Second Part*
Not far from thilke* palace honourable, *thatWhere as this marquis shope* his marriage, *prepared; resolved onThere stood a thorp,* of sighte delectable, *hamletIn which the poore folk of that villageHadde their beastes and their harbourage,* *dwellingAnd of their labour took their sustenance,After the earthe gave them abundance.
Among this poore folk there dwelt a manWhich that was holden poorest of them all;But highe God sometimes sende canHis grace unto a little ox’s stall;Janicola men of that thorp him call.A daughter had he, fair enough to sight,And Griseldis this younge maiden hight.
But for to speak of virtuous beauty,Then was she one the fairest under sun:Full poorely y-foster’d up was she;No *likerous lust* was in her heart y-run; *luxurious pleasure*Well ofter of the well than of the tunShe drank, <4> and, for* she woulde virtue please *becauseShe knew well labour, but no idle ease.
But though this maiden tender were of age;Yet in the breast of her virginityThere was inclos’d a *sad and ripe corage;* *steadfast and matureAnd in great reverence and charity spirit*Her olde poore father foster’d she.A few sheep, spinning, on the field she kept,She woulde not be idle till she slept.
And when she homeward came, she would bringWortes,* and other herbes, times oft, *plants, cabbagesThe which she shred and seeth’d for her living,And made her bed full hard, and nothing soft:And aye she kept her father’s life on loft* *up, aloftWith ev’ry obeisance and diligence,That child may do to father’s reverence.
Upon Griselda, this poor creature,Full often sithes* this marquis set his eye, *timesAs he on hunting rode, paraventure:* *by chanceAnd when it fell that he might her espy,He not with wanton looking of follyHis eyen cast on her, but in sad* wise *seriousUpon her cheer* he would him oft advise;** *countenance **consider
Commending in his heart her womanhead,And eke her virtue, passing any wightOf so young age, as well in cheer as deed.For though the people have no great insightIn virtue, he considered full rightHer bounte,* and disposed that he would *goodnessWed only her, if ever wed he should.
The day of wedding came, but no wight canTelle what woman that it shoulde be;For which marvail wonder’d many a man,And saide, when they were in privity,“Will not our lord yet leave his vanity?Will he not wed? Alas, alas the while!Why will he thus himself and us beguile?”
But natheless this marquis had *done make* *caused to be made*Of gemmes, set in gold and in azure,Brooches and ringes, for Griselda’s sake,And of her clothing took he the measureOf a maiden like unto her stature,And eke of other ornamentes allThat unto such a wedding shoulde fall.* *befit
The time of undern* of the same day *evening <5>Approached, that this wedding shoulde be,And all the palace put was in array,Both hall and chamber, each in its degree,Houses of office stuffed with plentyThere may’st thou see of dainteous vitaille,* *victuals, provisionsThat may be found, as far as lasts Itale.
This royal marquis, richely array’d,Lordes and ladies in his company,The which unto the feaste were pray’d,And of his retinue the bach’lery,With many a sound of sundry melody,Unto the village, of the which I told,In this array the right way did they hold.
Griseld’ of this (God wot) full innocent,That for her shapen* was all this array, *preparedTo fetche water at a well is went,And home she came as soon as e’er she may.For well she had heard say, that on that dayThe marquis shoulde wed, and, if she might,She fain would have seen somewhat of that sight.
She thought, “I will with other maidens stand,That be my fellows, in our door, and seeThe marchioness; and therefore will I fand* *striveTo do at home, as soon as it may be,The labour which belongeth unto me,And then I may at leisure her behold,If she this way unto the castle hold.”
And as she would over the threshold gon,The marquis came and gan for her to call,And she set down her water-pot anonBeside the threshold, in an ox’s stall,And down upon her knees she gan to fall,And with sad* countenance kneeled still, *steadyTill she had heard what was the lorde’s will.
The thoughtful marquis spake unto the maidFull soberly, and said in this mannere:“Where is your father, Griseldis?” he said.And she with reverence, *in humble cheer,* *with humble air*Answered, “Lord, he is all ready here.”And in she went withoute longer let* *delayAnd to the marquis she her father fet.* *fetched
He by the hand then took the poore man,And saide thus, when he him had aside:“Janicola, I neither may nor canLonger the pleasance of mine hearte hide;If that thou vouchesafe, whatso betide,Thy daughter will I take, ere that I wend,* *goAs for my wife, unto her life’s end.
“Thou lovest me, that know I well certain,And art my faithful liegeman y-bore,* *bornAnd all that liketh me, I dare well saynIt liketh thee; and specially thereforeTell me that point, that I have said before, —If that thou wilt unto this purpose draw,To take me as for thy son-in-law.”
This sudden case* the man astonied so, *eventThat red he wax’d, abash’d,* and all quaking *amazedHe stood; unnethes* said he wordes mo’, *scarcelyBut only thus; “Lord,” quoth he, “my willingIs as ye will, nor against your likingI will no thing, mine owen lord so dear;Right as you list governe this mattere.”
“Then will I,” quoth the marquis softely,“That in thy chamber I, and thou, and she,Have a collation;* and know’st thou why? *conferenceFor I will ask her, if her will it beTo be my wife, and rule her after me:And all this shall be done in thy presence,I will not speak out of thine audience.”* *hearing
And in the chamber while they were aboutThe treaty, which ye shall hereafter hear,The people came into the house without,And wonder’d them in how honest mannereAnd tenderly she kept her father dear;But utterly Griseldis wonder might,For never erst* ne saw she such a sight. *before
No wonder is though that she be astoned,* *astonishedTo see so great a guest come in that place,She never was to no such guestes woned;* *accustomed, wontFor which she looked with full pale face.But shortly forth this matter for to chase,* *push on, pursueThese are the wordes that the marquis saidTo this benigne, very,* faithful maid. *true <6>
“Griseld’,” he said, “ye shall well understand,It liketh to your father and to meThat I you wed, and eke it may so stand,As I suppose ye will that it so be:But these demandes ask I first,” quoth he,“Since that it shall be done in hasty wise;Will ye assent, or elles you advise?* *consider
“I say this, be ye ready with good heartTo all my lust,* and that I freely may, *pleasureAs me best thinketh, *do you* laugh or smart, *cause you to*And never ye to grudge,* night nor day, *murmurAnd eke when I say Yea, ye say not Nay,Neither by word, nor frowning countenance?Swear this, and here I swear our alliance.”
Wond’ring upon this word, quaking for dread,She saide; “Lord, indigne and unworthyAm I to this honour that ye me bede,* *offerBut as ye will yourself, right so will I:And here I swear, that never willinglyIn word or thought I will you disobey,For to be dead; though me were loth to dey.”* *die
“This is enough, Griselda mine,” quoth he.And forth he went with a full sober cheer,Out at the door, and after then came she,And to the people he said in this mannere:“This is my wife,” quoth he, “that standeth here.Honoure her, and love her, I you pray,Whoso me loves; there is no more to say.”
And, for that nothing of her olde gearShe shoulde bring into his house, he badeThat women should despoile* her right there; *stripOf which these ladies were nothing gladTo handle her clothes wherein she was clad:But natheless this maiden bright of hueFrom foot to head they clothed have all new.
Her haires have they comb’d that lay untress’d* *looseFull rudely, and with their fingers smallA crown upon her head they have dress’d,And set her full of nouches <7> great and small:Of her array why should I make a tale?Unneth* the people her knew for her fairness, *scarcelyWhen she transmuted was in such richess.
The marquis hath her spoused with a ringBrought for the same cause, and then her setUpon a horse snow-white, and well ambling,And to his palace, ere he longer let* *delayedWith joyful people, that her led and met,Conveyed her; and thus the day they spendIn revel, till the sunne gan descend.
And, shortly forth this tale for to chase,I say, that to this newe marchionessGod hath such favour sent her of his grace,That it ne seemed not by likelinessThat she was born and fed in rudeness, —As in a cot, or in an ox’s stall, —But nourish’d in an emperore’s hall.
To every wight she waxen* is so dear *grownAnd worshipful, that folk where she was born,That from her birthe knew her year by year,*Unnethes trowed* they, but durst have sworn, *scarcely believed*That to Janicol’ of whom I spake before,She was not daughter, for by conjectureThem thought she was another creature.
For though that ever virtuous was she,She was increased in such excellenceOf thewes* good, y-set in high bounte, *qualitiesAnd so discreet, and fair of eloquence,So benign, and so digne* of reverence, *worthyAnd coulde so the people’s heart embrace,That each her lov’d that looked on her face.
Not only of Saluces in the townPublished was the bounte of her name,But eke besides in many a regioun;If one said well, another said the same:So spread of here high bounte the fame,That men and women, young as well as old,Went to Saluces, her for to behold.
Thus Walter lowly, — nay, but royally,-Wedded with fortn’ate honestete,* *virtueIn Godde’s peace lived full easilyAt home, and outward grace enough had he:And, for he saw that under low degreeWas honest virtue hid, the people him heldA prudent man, and that is seen full seld’.* *seldom
Not only this Griseldis through her wit*Couth all the feat* of wifely homeliness, *knew all the duties*But eke, when that the case required it,The common profit coulde she redress:There n’as discord, rancour, nor heavinessIn all the land, that she could not appease,And wisely bring them all in rest and ease
Though that her husband absent were or non,* *notIf gentlemen or other of that country,Were wroth,* she woulde bringe them at one, *at feudSo wise and ripe wordes hadde she,And judgement of so great equity,That she from heaven sent was, as men wend,* *weened, imaginedPeople to save, and every wrong t’amend
Not longe time after that this Griseld’Was wedded, she a daughter had y-bore;All she had lever* borne a knave** child, *rather **boyGlad was the marquis and his folk therefore;For, though a maiden child came all before,She may unto a knave child attainBy likelihood, since she is not barren.
*Pars Tertia.* *Third Part*
There fell, as falleth many times mo’,When that his child had sucked but a throw,* little whileThis marquis in his hearte longed soTo tempt his wife, her sadness* for to know, *steadfastnessThat he might not out of his hearte throwThis marvellous desire his wife t’asssay;* *tryNeedless,* God wot, he thought her to affray.** *without cause **alarm, disturbHe had assayed her anough before,And found her ever good; what needed itHer for to tempt, and always more and more?Though some men praise it for a subtle wit,But as for me, I say that *evil it sit* *it ill became him*T’assay a wife when that it is no need,And putte her in anguish and in dread.
For which this marquis wrought in this mannere:He came at night alone there as she lay,With sterne face and with full troubled cheer,And saide thus; “Griseld’,” quoth he “that dayThat I you took out of your poor array,And put you in estate of high nobless,Ye have it not forgotten, as I guess.
“I say, Griseld’, this present dignity,In which that I have put you, as I trow* *believeMaketh you not forgetful for to beThat I you took in poor estate full low,For any weal you must yourselfe know.Take heed of every word that I you say,There is no wight that hears it but we tway.* *two
“Ye know yourself well how that ye came hereInto this house, it is not long ago;And though to me ye be right lefe* and dear, *lovedUnto my gentles* ye be nothing so: *nobles, gentlefolkThey say, to them it is great shame and woeFor to be subject, and be in servage,To thee, that born art of small lineage.
“And namely* since thy daughter was y-bore *especiallyThese wordes have they spoken doubteless;But I desire, as I have done before,To live my life with them in rest and peace:I may not in this case be reckeless;I must do with thy daughter for the best,Not as I would, but as my gentles lest.* *please
“And yet, God wot, this is full loth* to me: *odiousBut natheless withoute your weeting* *knowingI will nought do; but this will I,” quoth he,“That ye to me assenten in this thing.Shew now your patience in your working,That ye me hight* and swore in your village *promisedThe day that maked was our marriage.”
When she had heard all this, she not amev’d* *changedNeither in word, in cheer, nor countenance(For, as it seemed, she was not aggriev’d);She saide; “Lord, all lies in your pleasance,My child and I, with hearty obeisanceBe youres all, and ye may save or spill* *destroyYour owen thing: work then after your will.
“There may no thing, so God my soule save,*Like to* you, that may displease me: *be pleasing*Nor I desire nothing for to have,Nor dreade for to lose, save only ye:This will is in mine heart, and aye shall be,No length of time, nor death, may this deface,Nor change my corage* to another place.” *spirit, heart
Glad was the marquis for her answering,But yet he feigned as he were not so;All dreary was his cheer and his lookingWhen that he should out of the chamber go.Soon after this, a furlong way or two,<8>He privily hath told all his intentUnto a man, and to his wife him sent.
A *manner sergeant* was this private* man, *kind of squire*The which he faithful often founden had *discreetIn thinges great, and eke such folk well canDo execution in thinges bad:The lord knew well, that he him loved and drad.* *dreadedAnd when this sergeant knew his lorde’s will,Into the chamber stalked he full still.
“Madam,” he said, “ye must forgive it me,Though I do thing to which I am constrain’d;Ye be so wise, that right well knowe ye*That lordes’ hestes may not be y-feign’d;* *see note <9>*They may well be bewailed and complain’d,But men must needs unto their lust* obey; *pleasureAnd so will I, there is no more to say.
“This child I am commanded for to take.”And spake no more, but out the child he hent* *seizedDispiteously,* and gan a cheer** to make *unpityingly **show, aspectAs though he would have slain it ere he went.Griseldis must all suffer and consent:And as a lamb she sat there meek and still,And let this cruel sergeant do his will
Suspicious* was the diffame** of this man, *ominous **evil reputationSuspect his face, suspect his word also,Suspect the time in which he this began:Alas! her daughter, that she loved so,She weened* he would have it slain right tho,** *thought **thenBut natheless she neither wept nor siked,* *sighedConforming her to what the marquis liked.
But at the last to speake she began,And meekly she unto the sergeant pray’d,So as he was a worthy gentle man,That she might kiss her child, ere that it died:And in her barme* this little child she laid, *lap, bosomWith full sad face, and gan the child to bless,* *crossAnd lulled it, and after gan it kiss.
And thus she said in her benigne voice:Farewell, my child, I shall thee never see;But since I have thee marked with the cross,Of that father y-blessed may’st thou beThat for us died upon a cross of tree:Thy soul, my little child, I *him betake,* *commit unto him*For this night shalt thou dien for my sake.
I trow* that to a norice** in this case *believe **nurseIt had been hard this ruthe* for to see: *pitiful sightWell might a mother then have cried, “Alas!”But natheless so sad steadfast was she,That she endured all adversity,And to the sergeant meekely she said,“Have here again your little younge maid.
“Go now,” quoth she, “and do my lord’s behest.And one thing would I pray you of your grace,*But if* my lord forbade you at the least, *unless*Bury this little body in some place,That neither beasts nor birdes it arace.”* *tear <10>But he no word would to that purpose say,But took the child and went upon his way.
The sergeant came unto his lord again,And of Griselda’s words and of her cheer* *demeanourHe told him point for point, in short and plain,And him presented with his daughter dear.Somewhat this lord had ruth in his mannere,But natheless his purpose held he still,As lordes do, when they will have their will;
And bade this sergeant that he privilyShoulde the child full softly wind and wrap,With alle circumstances tenderly,And carry it in a coffer, or in lap;But, upon pain his head off for to swap,* *strikeThat no man shoulde know of his intent,Nor whence he came, nor whither that he went;
But at Bologna, to his sister dear,That at that time of Panic’* was Countess, *PanicoHe should it take, and shew her this mattere,Beseeching her to do her businessThis child to foster in all gentleness,And whose child it was he bade her hideFrom every wight, for aught that might betide.
The sergeant went, and hath fulfill’d this thing.But to the marquis now returne we;For now went he full fast imaginingIf by his wife’s cheer he mighte see,Or by her wordes apperceive, that sheWere changed; but he never could her find,But ever-in-one* alike sad** and kind. *constantly **steadfast
As glad, as humble, as busy in service,And eke in love, as she was wont to be,Was she to him, in every *manner wise;* *sort of way*And of her daughter not a word spake she;*No accident for no adversity* *no change of humour resultingWas seen in her, nor e’er her daughter’s name from her affliction*She named, or in earnest or in game.
*Pars Quarta* *Fourth Part*
In this estate there passed be four yearEre she with childe was; but, as God wo’ld,A knave* child she bare by this Waltere, *boyFull gracious and fair for to behold;And when that folk it to his father told,Not only he, but all his country, merryWere for this child, and God they thank and hery.* *praise
When it was two year old, and from the breastDeparted* of the norice, on a day *taken, weanedThis marquis *caughte yet another lest* *was seized by yetTo tempt his wife yet farther, if he may. another desire*Oh! needless was she tempted in as say;* *trialBut wedded men *not connen no measure,* *know no moderation*When that they find a patient creature.
“Wife,” quoth the marquis, “ye have heard ere thisMy people *sickly bear* our marriage; *regard with displeasure*And namely* since my son y-boren is, *especiallyNow is it worse than ever in all our age:The murmur slays mine heart and my corage,For to mine ears cometh the voice so smart,* *painfullyThat it well nigh destroyed hath mine heart.
“Now say they thus, ‘When Walter is y-gone,Then shall the blood of Janicol’ succeed,And be our lord, for other have we none:’Such wordes say my people, out of drede.* *doubtWell ought I of such murmur take heed,For certainly I dread all such sentence,* *expression of opinionThough they not *plainen in mine audience.* *complain in my hearing*
“I woulde live in peace, if that I might;Wherefore I am disposed utterly,As I his sister served ere* by night, *beforeRight so think I to serve him privily.This warn I you, that ye not suddenlyOut of yourself for no woe should outraie;* *become outrageous, raveBe patient, and thereof I you pray.”
“I have,” quoth she, “said thus, and ever shall,I will no thing, nor n’ill no thing, certain,But as you list; not grieveth me at allThough that my daughter and my son be slainAt your commandement; that is to sayn,I have not had no part of children twain,But first sickness, and after woe and pain.
“Ye be my lord, do with your owen thingRight as you list, and ask no rede of me:For, as I left at home all my clothingWhen I came first to you, right so,” quoth she,“Left I my will and all my liberty,And took your clothing: wherefore I you pray,Do your pleasance, I will your lust* obey. *will
“And, certes, if I hadde prescienceYour will to know, ere ye your lust* me told, *willI would it do withoute negligence:But, now I know your lust, and what ye wo’ld,All your pleasance firm and stable I hold;For, wist I that my death might do you ease,Right gladly would I dien you to please.
“Death may not make no comparisounUnto your love.” And when this marquis say* *sawThe constance of his wife, he cast adownHis eyen two, and wonder’d how she mayIn patience suffer all this array;And forth he went with dreary countenance;But to his heart it was full great pleasance.
This ugly sergeant, in the same wiseThat he her daughter caught, right so hath he(Or worse, if men can any worse devise,)Y-hent* her son, that full was of beauty: *seizedAnd ever-in-one* so patient was she, *unvaryinglyThat she no cheere made of heaviness,But kiss’d her son, and after gan him bless.
Save this she prayed him, if that he might,Her little son he would in earthe grave,* *buryHis tender limbes, delicate to sight,From fowles and from beastes for to save.But she none answer of him mighte have;He went his way, as him nothing ne raught,* *caredBut to Bologna tenderly it brought.
The marquis wonder’d ever longer moreUpon her patience; and, if that heNot hadde soothly knowen therebeforeThat perfectly her children loved she,He would have ween’d* that of some subtilty, *thoughtAnd of malice, or for cruel corage,* *dispositionShe hadde suffer’d this with sad* visage. *steadfast, unmoved
But well he knew, that, next himself, certainShe lov’d her children best in every wise.But now of women would I aske fain,If these assayes mighte not suffice?What could a sturdy* husband more devise *sternTo prove her wifehood and her steadfastness,And he continuing ev’r in sturdiness?
But there be folk of such condition,That, when they have a certain purpose take,Thiey cannot stint* of their intention, *ceaseBut, right as they were bound unto a stake,They will not of their firste purpose slake:* *slacken, abateRight so this marquis fully hath purpos’dTo tempt his wife, as he was first dispos’d.
He waited, if by word or countenanceThat she to him was changed of corage:* *spiritBut never could he finde variance,She was aye one in heart and in visage,And aye the farther that she was in age,The more true (if that it were possible)She was to him in love, and more penible.* *painstaking in devotion
For which it seemed thus, that of them twoThere was but one will; for, as Walter lest,* *pleasedThe same pleasance was her lust* also; *pleasureAnd, God be thanked, all fell for the best.She shewed well, for no worldly unrest,A wife as of herself no thinge shouldWill, in effect, but as her husbaud would.
The sland’r of Walter wondrous wide sprad,That of a cruel heart he wickedly,For* he a poore woman wedded had, *becauseHad murder’d both his children privily:Such murmur was among them commonly.No wonder is: for to the people’s earThere came no word, but that they murder’d were.
For which, whereas his people therebeforeHad lov’d him well, the sland’r of his diffame* *infamyMade them that they him hated therefore.To be a murd’rer is a hateful name.But natheless, for earnest or for game,He of his cruel purpose would not stent;To tempt his wife was set all his intent.
When that his daughter twelve year was of age,He to the Court of Rome, in subtle wiseInformed of his will, sent his message,* *messengerCommanding him such bulles to deviseAs to his cruel purpose may suffice,How that the Pope, for his people’s rest,Bade him to wed another, if him lest.* *wished
I say he bade they shoulde counterfeitThe Pope’s bulles, making mentionThat he had leave his firste wife to lete,* *leaveTo stinte* rancour and dissension *put an end toBetwixt his people and him: thus spake the bull,The which they have published at full.
The rude people, as no wonder is,Weened* full well that it had been right so: *thought, believedBut, when these tidings came to Griseldis.I deeme that her heart was full of woe;But she, alike sad* for evermo’, *steadfastDisposed was, this humble creature,Th’ adversity of fortune all t’ endure;
Abiding ever his lust and his pleasance,To whom that she was given, heart and all,As *to her very worldly suffisance.* *to the utmost extentBut, shortly if this story tell I shall, of her power*The marquis written hath in specialA letter, in which he shewed his intent,And secretly it to Bologna sent.
To th’ earl of Panico, which hadde tho* *thereWedded his sister, pray’d he speciallyTo bringe home again his children twoIn honourable estate all openly:But one thing he him prayed utterly,That he to no wight, though men would inquere,Shoulde not tell whose children that they were,
But say, the maiden should y-wedded beUnto the marquis of Saluce anon.And as this earl was prayed, so did he,For, at day set, he on his way is goneToward Saluce, and lorde’s many a oneIn rich array, this maiden for to guide, —Her younge brother riding her beside.
Arrayed was toward* her marriage *as if forThis freshe maiden, full of gemmes clear;Her brother, which that seven year was of age,Arrayed eke full fresh in his mannere:And thus, in great nobless, and with glad cheer,Toward Saluces shaping their journey,From day to day they rode upon their way.
*Pars Quinta.* *Fifth Part*
*Among all this,* after his wick’ usage, *while all this wasThe marquis, yet his wife to tempte more going on*To the uttermost proof of her corage,Fully to have experience and lore* *knowledgeIf that she were as steadfast as before,He on a day, in open audience,Full boisterously said her this sentence:
“Certes, Griseld’, I had enough pleasanceTo have you to my wife, for your goodness,And for your truth, and for your obeisance,Not for your lineage, nor for your richess;But now know I, in very soothfastness,That in great lordship, if I well advise,There is great servitude in sundry wise.
“I may not do as every ploughman may:My people me constraineth for to takeAnother wife, and cryeth day by day;And eke the Pope, rancour for to slake,Consenteth it, that dare I undertake:And truely, thus much I will you say,My newe wife is coming by the way.
“Be strong of heart, and *void anon* her place; *immediately vacate*And thilke* dower that ye brought to me, *thatTake it again, I grant it of my grace.Returne to your father’s house,” quoth he;“No man may always have prosperity;With even heart I rede* you to endure *counselThe stroke of fortune or of aventure.”
And she again answer’d in patience:“My Lord,” quoth she, “I know, and knew alway,How that betwixte your magnificenceAnd my povert’ no wight nor can nor mayMake comparison, it *is no nay;* *cannot be denied*I held me never digne* in no mannere *worthyTo be your wife, nor yet your chamberere.* *chamber-maid
“And in this house, where ye me lady made,(The highe God take I for my witness,And all so wisly* he my soule glade),** *surely **gladdenedI never held me lady nor mistress,But humble servant to your worthiness,And ever shall, while that my life may dure,Aboven every worldly creature.
“That ye so long, of your benignity,Have holden me in honour and nobley,* *nobilityWhere as I was not worthy for to be,That thank I God and you, to whom I prayForyield* it you; there is no more to say: *rewardUnto my father gladly will I wend,* *goAnd with him dwell, unto my lifes end,
“Where I was foster’d as a child full small,Till I be dead my life there will I lead,A widow clean in body, heart, and all.For since I gave to you my maidenhead,And am your true wife, it is no dread,* *doubtGod shielde* such a lordes wife to take *forbidAnother man to husband or to make.* *mate
“And of your newe wife, God of his graceSo grant you weal and all prosperity:For I will gladly yield to her my place,In which that I was blissful wont to be.For since it liketh you, my Lord,” quoth she,“That whilom weren all mine hearte’s rest,That I shall go, I will go when you lest.
“But whereas ye me proffer such dowaireAs I first brought, it is well in my mind,It was my wretched clothes, nothing fair,The which to me were hard now for to find.O goode God! how gentle and how kindYe seemed by your speech and your visage,The day that maked was our marriage!
“But sooth is said, — algate* I find it true, *at all eventsFor in effect it proved is on me, —Love is not old as when that it is new.But certes, Lord, for no adversity,To dien in this case, it shall not beThat e’er in word or work I shall repentThat I you gave mine heart in whole intent.
“My Lord, ye know that in my father’s placeYe did me strip out of my poore weed,* *raimentAnd richely ye clad me of your grace;To you brought I nought elles, out of dread,But faith, and nakedness, and maidenhead;And here again your clothing I restore,And eke your wedding ring for evermore.
“The remnant of your jewels ready beWithin your chamber, I dare safely sayn:Naked out of my father’s house,” quoth she,“I came, and naked I must turn again.All your pleasance would I follow fain:* *cheerfullyBut yet I hope it be not your intentThat smockless* I out of your palace went. *naked
“Ye could not do so dishonest* a thing, *dishonourableThat thilke* womb, in which your children lay, *thatShoulde before the people, in my walking,Be seen all bare: and therefore I you pray,Let me not like a worm go by the way:Remember you, mine owen Lord so dear,I was your wife, though I unworthy were.
“Wherefore, in guerdon* of my maidenhead, *rewardWhich that I brought and not again I bear,As vouchesafe to give me to my meed* *rewardBut such a smock as I was wont to wear,That I therewith may wrie* the womb of her *coverThat was your wife: and here I take my leaveOf you, mine owen Lord, lest I you grieve.”
“The smock,” quoth he, “that thou hast on thy back,Let it be still, and bear it forth with thee.”But well unnethes* thilke word he spake, *with difficultyBut went his way for ruth and for pity.Before the folk herselfe stripped she,And in her smock, with foot and head all bare,Toward her father’s house forth is she fare.* *gone
The folk her follow’d weeping on her way,And fortune aye they cursed as they gon:* *goBut she from weeping kept her eyen drey,* *dryNor in this time worde spake she none.Her father, that this tiding heard anon,Cursed the day and time, that natureShope* him to be a living creature. *formed, ordained
For, out of doubt, this olde poore manWas ever in suspect of her marriage:For ever deem’d he, since it first began,That when the lord *fulfill’d had his corage,* *had gratified his whim*He woulde think it were a disparage* *disparagementTo his estate, so low for to alight,And voide* her as soon as e’er he might. *dismiss
Against* his daughter hastily went he *to meet(For he by noise of folk knew her coming),And with her olde coat, as it might be,He cover’d her, full sorrowfully weeping:But on her body might he it not bring,For rude was the cloth, and more of ageBy dayes fele* than at her marriage. *many <11>
Thus with her father for a certain spaceDwelled this flow’r of wifely patience,That neither by her words nor by her face,Before the folk nor eke in their absence,Ne shewed she that her was done offence,Nor of her high estate no remembranceNe hadde she, *as by* her countenance. *to judge from*
No wonder is, for in her great estateHer ghost* was ever in plein** humility; *spirit **fullNo tender mouth, no hearte delicate,No pomp, and no semblant of royalty;But full of patient benignity,Discreet and prideless, aye honourable,And to her husband ever meek and stable.
Men speak of Job, and most for his humbless,As clerkes, when them list, can well indite,Namely* of men; but, as in soothfastness, *particularlyThough clerkes praise women but a lite,* *littleThere can no man in humbless him acquiteAs women can, nor can be half so trueAs women be, *but it be fall of new.* *unless it has lately come to pass*
*Pars Sexta* *Sixth Part*
From Bologn’ is the earl of Panic’ come,Of which the fame up sprang to more and less;And to the people’s eares all and someWas know’n eke, that a newe marchionessHe with him brought, in such pomp and richessThat never was there seen with manne’s eyeSo noble array in all West Lombardy.
The marquis, which that shope* and knew all this, *arrangedEre that the earl was come, sent his message* *messengerFor thilke poore sely* Griseldis; *innocentAnd she, with humble heart and glad visage,Nor with no swelling thought in her corage,* *mindCame at his hest,* and on her knees her set, *commandAnd rev’rently and wisely she him gret.* *greeted
“Griseld’,” quoth he, “my will is utterly,This maiden, that shall wedded be to me,Received be to-morrow as royallyAs it possible is in my house to be;And eke that every wight in his degreeHave *his estate* in sitting and service, *what befits hisAnd in high pleasance, as I can devise. condition*
“I have no women sufficient, certain,The chambers to array in ordinanceAfter my lust;* and therefore would I fain *pleasureThat thine were all such manner governance:Thou knowest eke of old all my pleasance;Though thine array be bad, and ill besey,* *poor to look on*Do thou thy devoir at the leaste way.”* * do your duty in the quickest manner*“Not only, Lord, that I am glad,” quoth she,“To do your lust, but I desire alsoYou for to serve and please in my degree,Withoute fainting, and shall evermo’:Nor ever for no weal, nor for no woe,Ne shall the ghost* within mine hearte stent** *spirit **ceaseTo love you best with all my true intent.”
And with that word she gan the house to dight,* *arrangeAnd tables for to set, and beds to make,And *pained her* to do all that she might, *she took pains*Praying the chambereres* for Godde’s sake *chamber-maidsTo hasten them, and faste sweep and shake,And she the most serviceable of allHath ev’ry chamber arrayed, and his hall.
Aboute undern* gan the earl alight, *afternoon <5>That with him brought these noble children tway;For which the people ran to see the sightOf their array, so *richely besey;* *rich to behold*And then *at erst* amonges them they say, *for the first time*That Walter was no fool, though that him lest* *pleasedTo change his wife; for it was for the best.
For she is fairer, as they deemen* all, *thinkThan is Griseld’, and more tender of age,And fairer fruit between them shoulde fall,And more pleasant, for her high lineage:Her brother eke so fair was of visage,That them to see the people hath caught pleasance,Commending now the marquis’ governance.
“O stormy people, unsad* and ev’r untrue, *variableAnd undiscreet, and changing as a vane,Delighting ev’r in rumour that is new,For like the moon so waxe ye and wane:Aye full of clapping, *dear enough a jane,* *worth nothing <12>*Your doom* is false, your constance evil preveth,** *judgment **provethA full great fool is he that you believeth.”
Thus saide the sad* folk in that city, *sedateWhen that the people gazed up and down;For they were glad, right for the novelty,To have a newe lady of their town.No more of this now make I mentioun,But to Griseld’ again I will me dress,And tell her constancy and business.
Full busy was Griseld’ in ev’ry thingThat to the feaste was appertinent;Right nought was she abash’d* of her clothing, *ashamedThough it were rude, and somedeal eke to-rent;* *tatteredBut with glad cheer* unto the gate she went *expressionWith other folk, to greet the marchioness,And after that did forth her business.
With so glad cheer* his guestes she receiv’d *expressionAnd so conningly* each in his degree, *cleverly, skilfullyThat no defaulte no man apperceiv’d,But aye they wonder’d what she mighte beThat in so poor array was for to see,And coude* such honour and reverence; *knew, understoodAnd worthily they praise her prudence.
In all this meane while she not stent* *ceasedThis maid, and eke her brother, to commendWith all her heart in full benign intent,So well, that no man could her praise amend:But at the last, when that these lordes wend* *goTo sitte down to meat, he gan to callGriseld’, as she was busy in the hall.
“Griseld’,” quoth he, as it were in his play,“How liketh thee my wife, and her beauty?”“Right well, my Lord,” quoth she, “for, in good fay,* *faithA fairer saw I never none than she:I pray to God give you prosperity;And so I hope, that he will to you sendPleasance enough unto your lives end.
“One thing beseech I you, and warn also,That ye not pricke with no tormentingThis tender maiden, as ye have done mo:* *me <13>For she is foster’d in her nourishingMore tenderly, and, to my supposing,She mighte not adversity endureAs could a poore foster’d creature.”
And when this Walter saw her patience,Her gladde cheer, and no malice at all,And* he so often had her done offence, *althoughAnd she aye sad* and constant as a wall, *steadfastContinuing ev’r her innocence o’er all,The sturdy marquis gan his hearte dress* *prepareTo rue upon her wifely steadfastness.
“This is enough, Griselda mine,” quoth he,“Be now no more *aghast, nor evil paid,* *afraid, nor displeased*I have thy faith and thy benignityAs well as ever woman was, assay’d,In great estate and poorely array’d:Now know I, deare wife, thy steadfastness;”And her in arms he took, and gan to kiss.
And she for wonder took of it no keep;* *noticeShe hearde not what thing he to her said:She far’d as she had start out of a sleep,Till she out of her mazedness abraid.* *awoke“Griseld’,” quoth he, “by God that for us died,Thou art my wife, none other I have,Nor ever had, as God my soule save.
“This is thy daughter, which thou hast suppos’dTo be my wife; that other faithfullyShall be mine heir, as I have aye dispos’d;Thou bare them of thy body truely:At Bologna kept I them privily:Take them again, for now may’st thou not sayThat thou hast lorn* none of thy children tway. *lost
“And folk, that otherwise have said of me,I warn them well, that I have done this deedFor no malice, nor for no cruelty,But to assay in thee thy womanhead:And not to slay my children (God forbid),But for to keep them privily and still,Till I thy purpose knew, and all thy will.”
When she this heard, in swoon adown she fallethFor piteous joy; and after her swooning,She both her younge children to her calleth,And in her armes piteously weepingEmbraced them, and tenderly kissing,Full like a mother, with her salte tearsShe bathed both their visage and their hairs.
O, what a piteous thing it was to seeHer swooning, and her humble voice to hear!“Grand mercy, Lord, God thank it you,” quoth she,That ye have saved me my children dear;Now reck* I never to be dead right here; *careSince I stand in your love, and in your grace,No *force of* death, nor when my spirit pace.* *no matter for* *pass
“O tender, O dear, O young children mine,Your woeful mother *weened steadfastly* *believed firmly*That cruel houndes, or some foul vermine,Had eaten you; but God of his mercy,And your benigne father tenderlyHave *done you keep:”* and in that same stound* *caused you toAll suddenly she swapt** down to the ground. be preserved* *hour **fellAnd in her swoon so sadly* holdeth she *firmlyHer children two, when she gan them embrace,That with great sleight* and great difficulty *artThe children from her arm they can arace,* *pull awayO! many a tear on many a piteous faceDown ran of them that stoode her beside,Unneth’* aboute her might they abide. *scarcely
Walter her gladdeth, and her sorrow slaketh:* *assuagesShe riseth up abashed* from her trance, *astonishedAnd every wight her joy and feaste maketh,Till she hath caught again her countenance.Walter her doth so faithfully pleasance,That it was dainty for to see the cheerBetwixt them two, since they be met in fere.* *together
The ladies, when that they their time sey,* *sawHave taken her, and into chamber gone,And stripped her out of her rude array,And in a cloth of gold that brightly shone,And with a crown of many a riche stoneUpon her head, they into hall her brought:And there she was honoured as her ought.
Thus had this piteous day a blissful end;For every man and woman did his mightThis day in mirth and revel to dispend,Till on the welkin* shone the starres bright: *firmamentFor more solemn in every mannes sightThis feaste was, and greater of costage,* *expenseThan was the revel of her marriage.
Full many a year in high prosperityLived these two in concord and in rest;And richely his daughter married heUnto a lord, one of the worthiestOf all Itale; and then in peace and restHis wife’s father in his court he kept,Till that the soul out of his body crept.
His son succeeded in his heritage,In rest and peace, after his father’s day:And fortunate was eke in marriage,All* he put not his wife in great assay: *althoughThis world is not so strong, it *is no nay,* *not to be denied*As it hath been in olde times yore;And hearken what this author saith, therefore;
This story is said, <14> not for that wives shouldFollow Griselda in humility,For it were importable* though they would; *not to be borneBut for that every wight in his degreeShoulde be constant in adversity,As was Griselda; therefore Petrarch writethThis story, which with high style he inditeth.
For, since a woman was so patientUnto a mortal man, well more we oughtReceiven all in gree* that God us sent. good-will*For great skill is he proved that he wrought:* *see note <15>*But he tempteth no man that he hath bought,As saith Saint James, if ye his ’pistle read;He proveth folk all day, it is no dread.* *doubt
And suffereth us, for our exercise,With sharpe scourges of adversityFull often to be beat in sundry wise;Not for to know our will, for certes he,Ere we were born, knew all our frailty;And for our best is all his governance;Let us then live in virtuous sufferance.
But one word, lordings, hearken, ere I go:It were full hard to finde now-a-daysIn all a town Griseldas three or two:For, if that they were put to such assays,The gold of them hath now so bad allays* *alloysWith brass, that though the coin be fair *at eye,* *to see*It woulde rather break in two than ply.* *bend
For which here, for the Wife’s love of Bath, —Whose life and all her sex may God maintainIn high mast’ry, and elles were it scath,* — *damage, pityI will, with lusty hearte fresh and green,Say you a song to gladden you, I ween:And let us stint of earnestful mattere.Hearken my song, that saith in this mannere.
L’Envoy of Chaucer.
“Griseld’ is dead, and eke her patience,And both at once are buried in Itale:For which I cry in open audience,No wedded man so hardy be t’ assailHis wife’s patience, in trust to findGriselda’s, for in certain he shall fail.
“O noble wives, full of high prudence,Let no humility your tongues nail:Nor let no clerk have cause or diligenceTo write of you a story of such marvail,As of Griselda patient and kind,Lest Chichevache<16> you swallow in her entrail.
“Follow Echo, that holdeth no silence,But ever answereth at the countertail;* *counter-tally <17>Be not bedaffed* for your innocence, *befooledBut sharply take on you the governail;* *helmImprinte well this lesson in your mind,For common profit, since it may avail.
“Ye archiwives,* stand aye at defence, *wives of rankSince ye be strong as is a great camail,* *camelNor suffer not that men do you offence.And slender wives, feeble in battail,Be eager as a tiger yond in Ind;Aye clapping as a mill, I you counsail.
“Nor dread them not, nor do them reverence;For though thine husband armed be in mail,The arrows of thy crabbed eloquenceShall pierce his breast, and eke his aventail;<18>In jealousy I rede* eke thou him bind, *adviseAnd thou shalt make him couch* as doth a quail. *submit, shrink
“If thou be fair, where folk be in presenceShew thou thy visage and thine apparail:If thou be foul, be free of thy dispence;To get thee friendes aye do thy travail:Be aye of cheer as light as leaf on lind,* *linden, lime-treeAnd let him care, and weep, and wring, and wail.”
Notes to the Clerk’s Tale
1. Petrarch, in his Latin romance, “De obedientia et fide uxoriaMythologia,” (Of obedient and faithful wives in Mythology)translated the charming story of “the patient Grizel” from theItalian of Bocaccio’s “Decameron;” and Chaucer has closelyfollowed Petrarch’s translation, made in 1373, the year beforethat in which he died. The fact that the embassy to Genoa, onwhich Chaucer was sent, took place in 1372-73, has lentcountenance to the opinion that the English poet did actuallyvisit the Italian bard at Padua, and hear the story from his ownlips. This, however, is only a probability; for it is a moot pointwhether the two poets ever met.
2. Vesulus: Monte Viso, a lofty peak at the junction of theMaritime and Cottian Alps; from two springs on its east siderises the Po.
3. Buxomly: obediently; Anglo-Saxon, “bogsom,” old English,“boughsome,” that can be easily bent or bowed; German,“biegsam,” pliant, obedient.
4. Well ofter of the well than of the tun she drank: she drankwater much more often than wine.
5. Undern: afternoon, evening, though by some “undern”is understood as dinner-time — 9 a. m. See note 4 to the Wife ofBath’s Tale.
- Very: true; French “vrai”.
7. Nouches: Ornaments of some kind not precisely known;some editions read “ouches,” studs, brooches. (Transcriber’snote: The OED gives “nouches” as a form of “ouches,”buckles)
8. A furlong way or two: a short time; literally, as long as ittakes to walk one or two furlongs (a furlong is 220 yards)
9. Lordes’ hestes may not be y-feign’d: it will not do merely tofeign compliance with a lord’s commands.
- Arace: tear; French, “arracher.”
- Fele: many; German, “viel.”
12. Dear enough a jane: worth nothing. A jane was a small coinof little worth, so the meaning is “not worth a red cent”.
13. Mo: me. “This is one of the most licentious corruptions oforthography,” says Tyrwhitt, “that I remember to have observedin Chaucer;” but such liberties were common among theEuropean poets of his time, when there was an extreme lack ofcertainty in orthography.
14. The fourteen lines that follow are translated almost literallyfrom Petrarch’s Latin.
15. For great skill is he proved that he wrought: for it is mostreasonable that He should prove or test that which he made.
16. Chichevache, in old popular fable, was a monster that fedonly on good women, and was always very thin from scarcity ofsuch food; a corresponding monster, Bycorne, fed only onobedient and kind husbands, and was always fat. The origin ofthe fable was French; but Lydgate has a ballad on the subject.“Chichevache” literally means “niggardly” or “greedy cow.”
17. Countertail: Counter-tally or counter-foil; something exactlycorresponding.
- Aventail: forepart of a helmet, vizor.