From Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales", The Clerk's Tale, lines 631-644

Previous:
From The Clerk's Tale, lines 617-630:
Two years later, Walter tests his wife Griselda once more

From The Canterbury Tales:
The Clerk's Tale
lines 631-644: Walter explains there are doubts about his son's nobleness

	Now sey they thus, `whan Walter is agon,
	Thanne shal the blood of Janicle succede,
	And been oure lord, for oother have we noon.'
	Swiche wordes seith my peple, out of drede,
635	Wel oughte I of swich murmur taken heede,
	For certeinly I drede swich sentence,
	Though they nat pleyn speke in myn audience.

	Now they say this: 'When Walter's dead and gone.
	Then shall Janicula's base blood succeed
	And be our lord, for other have we none!'
	Such words my people say, 'tis true, indeed!
635	Well ought I of such murmurs to take heed;
	For truly do I fear the populace,
	Though they say nothing plainly to my face.

I wolde lyve in pees, if that I myghte;

Wherfore I am disposed outrely

640 As I his suster servede by nyghte,

Right so thenke I to serve hym pryvely.

This warne I yow, that ye nat sodeynly

Out of yourself for no wo sholde outreye.

Beth pacient, and therof I yow preye."

I would exist in peace, if that I might;

Wherefore I am determined utterly

640 That as his sister served I, and by night,

Just so will I serve him full secretly;

And thus I warn you, that not suddenly

Out of yourself for woe you start or stray;

Be patient in this sorrow, so I pray."

Next:
From The Clerk's Tale, lines 645-672:
Griselda again submits herself to Walter's will