Previous Previous:
From The Clerk's Tale, lines 981-1008:
The new girl arrives in town
Previous
Librarius Homepage
© Librarius
All rights reserved.


From The Canterbury Tales:
The Clerk's Tale
lines 1009-1029: Griselda works and receives Lord Walter's guests


       Ful bisy was Grisilde in every thyng
1010That to the feeste was apertinent.
Right noght was she abayst of hir clothyng,
Thogh it were rude and somdeel eek torent,
But with glad cheere to the yate is went
With oother folk to greete the markysesse,
1015And after that dooth forth hir bisynesse.
       Full busy Griselda was in everything
1010That to the marquis' feast was pertinent;
Nothing was she confused by her clothing,
Though rude it was and somewhat badly rent
But with a glad face to the gate she went,
With other folk, to greet the marchioness,
1015And afterward she did her busyness.

       With so glad chiere hise gestes she receyveth,
And konnyngly everich in his degree,
That no defaute no man aperceyveth,
But ay they wondren what she myghte bee
1020That in so povre array was for to see,
And koude swich honour and reverence;
And worthily they preisen hire prudence.
       With so glad face his guests she did receive,
And with such tact, each one in his degree,
That no fault in it could a man perceive;
But all they wondered much who she might be
1020That in so poor array, as they could see,
Yet knew so much of rank and reverence;
And worthily they praised her high prudence.

       In al this meenewhile she ne stente
This mayde and eek hir brother to commende
1025With al hir herte, in ful benyngne entente,
So wel that no man koude hir pris amende
But atte laste, whan that thise lordes wende
To sitten doun to mete, he gan to calle
Grisilde, as she was bisy in his halle.
       In all this while she never once did cease
The maiden and her brother to commend
1025With kindness of a heart that was at peace,
So well that no man could her praise amend.
But at the last, when all these lords did wend
To seat themselves to dine, then did he call
Griselda, who was busy in his hall.





Next Next:
From The Clerk's Tale, lines 1030-1036:
Walter asks Griselda how she likes his new wife
Next