Previous: From The Clerk's Tale, lines 316-322: Janicula consents

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330        And in the chambre whil they were aboute Hir tretys which as ye shal after heere, The peple cam unto the hous withoute, And wondred hem in how honeste manere And tentifly she kepte hir fader deere. 335 But outrely Grisildis wondre myghte For nevere erst ne saugh she swich a sighte.

330        And while in chamber they three were about Their business, whereof you'll hereafter hear, The people crowded through the house without And wondered by what honest method there So carefully she'd kept her father dear. 335 But more Griselda wondered, as she might, For never before that saw she such a sight.

No wonder is thogh that she were astoned To seen so greet a grest come in that place; She nevere was to swiche gestes woned, 340 For which she looked with ful pale face- But shortly forth this tale for to chace, Thise arn the wordes that the markys sayde To this benigne verray feithful mayde.

No wonder, though, astonishment she felt At seeing so great a guest within that place; With people of his sort she'd never dealt, 340 Wherefore she looked on with a pallid face. But briefly through the matter now to race, These are the very words the marquis said To this most modest, truly constant maid.

"Grisilde," he seyde, "ye shal wel understonde 345 It liketh to youre fader and to me That I yow wedde, and eek it may so stonde, As, I suppose, ye wol that it so be. But thise demandes axe I first," quod he, "That sith it shal be doon in hastif wyse, 350 Wol ye assente, or elles yow avyse?

"Griselda," said he, "You shall understand 345 It's pleasing to your father and to me That I marry you, and even it may stand, As I suppose, that you would have it be. But these demands must I first make," said he, "And since it shall be done in hasty wise, 350 Will you consent, or will you more advise?

Next: From The Clerk's Tale, lines 351-364: Griselda consents