From Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales", The Clerk's Tale, lines 526-539

Previous:
From The Clerk's Tale, lines 512-525:
Walter leaves and sends a sergeant to Griselda's room

From The Canterbury Tales:
The Clerk's Tale
lines 526-539: The sergeant says to Griselda he has come to take the child

	"Madame," he seyde, "ye moote foryeve it me,
	Though I do thyng to which I am constreyned,
	Ye been so wys, that ful wel knowe ye
	That lordes heestes mowe nat been yfeyned,
530	They mowe wel been biwailled and compleyned,
	But men moote nede unto hir lust obeye;
	And so wol I, ther is namoore to seye.

	"Madam," said he, "you must forgive it me,
	Though I do that to which I am constrained;
	You are so wise you know well, it may be,
	That a lord's orders may not well be feigned;
530	They may be much lamented or complained,
	But men must needs their every wish obey,
	And thus will I; there is no more to say.

This child I am comanded for to take."

And spak namoore, but out the child he hente

535 Despitously, and gan a cheere make

As though he wolde han slayn it er he wente.

Grisildis moot al suffren and consente;

And as a lamb she sitteth meke and stille,

And leet this crueel sergeant doon his wille.

This child I am commanded now to take"-

And spoke no more, but seized that innocent

535 Pitilessly, and did a gesture make

As if he would have slain it before he went,

Griselda, she must suffer and consent;

And so, meek as a lamb, she sat there, still,

And let this cruel sergeant do his will.

Next:
From The Clerk's Tale, lines 540-574:
Griselda gives her child a goodbyekiss and the sergeant leaves with the child