From Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales", The Clerk's Tale, lines 141-161

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From The Clerk's Tale, lines 85-140:
Lord Walter's subjects ask him to marry

From The Canterbury Tales:
The Clerk's Tale
lines 141-161: Lord Walter consents to marriage

	Hir meeke preyere and hir pitous cheere
	Made the markys herte han pitee.
	"Ye wol," quod he, "myn owene peple deere,
	To that I nevere erst thoughte, streyne me.
145	I me rejoysed of my liberte,
	That seelde tyme is founde in mariage.
	Ther I was free, I moot been in servage.

	Their humble prayer and their so earnest cheer
	Roused in the marquis' heart great sympathy.
	"You'd have me," he replied, "my people dear,
	Do what I've never yet thought necessary.
145	I have rejoiced in my fond liberty,
	That men so seldom find in their marriage;
	Where I was free, I must be in bondage.

But nathelees I se youre trewe entente,

And truste upon youre wit, and have doon at;

150 Wherfore of my free wyl I wole assente

To wedde me, as soone as evere I may.

But ther as ye han profred me to-day

To chese me a wyf, I yow relesse

That choys, and prey yow of that profre cesse.

Nevertheless, I see your true intent,

And know there's always sense in what you say;

150 Wherefore of my free will, will I consent

To marry a wife, as soon as ever I may.

But whereas you have offered here today

To choose a wife for me, I you release

From that, and pray that you thereof will cease.

155 For God it woot, that children ofte been

Unlyk hir worthy eldres hem bifore.

Bountee comth al of God, nat of the streen,

Of which they been engendred and ybore.

I truste in Goddes bountee; and therfore

160 My mariage, and myn estaat and reste,

I hym bitake, he may doon as hym leste.

155 For God knows well that children oft retain

Naught of their worthy elders gone before;

Goodness comes all from God, not of the strain

Whereof they were engendered; furthermore

I trust in God's great goodness, and therefore

160 My marriage and my state and all my ease

I leave to him to do with as he pleases.

Next:
From The Clerk's Tale, lines 162-175:
Lord Walter stipulates some conditions