From Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales", The Clerk's Tale, lines 792-812

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From The Clerk's Tale, lines 785-791:
Lord Walter tests his wife Griselda once more

From The Canterbury Tales:
The Clerk's Tale
lines 792-812: Walter says he wishes to remarry and he asks Griselda to return to her father's house

	"Certes, Grisilde, I hadde ynogh plesance,
	To han yow to my wyf for your goodnesse,
	As for youre trouthe, and for your obeisance-
795	Noght for youre lynage, ne for youre richesse;
	But now knowe I, in verray soothfastnesse,
	That in greet lordshipe, if I wel avyse,
	Ther is greet servitute in sondry wyse.

	"Truly, Griselda, I'd much joy, perchance,
	When you I took for wife, for your goodness
	And for your truth and your obedience,
795	Not for your lineage nor your wealth, I guess;
	But now I know, in utter certainness,
	That in great lordship, if I well advise,
	There is great servitude in sundry wise.

I may nat doon as every plowman may;

800 My peple me constreyneth for to take

Another wyf, and crien day by day,

And eek the pope, rancour for to slake,

Consenteth it, that dar I undertake -

And trewely thus muche I wol yow seye,

805 My newe wyf is comynge by the weye.

I may not act as every plowman may;

800 My people have constrained me that I take

'Another wife, and this they ask each day;

And now the pope, hot rancour thus to slake,

Consents, I dare the thing to undertake;

And truly now this much to you I'll say,

805 My new wife journeys hither on her way.

Be strong of herte, and voyde anon hir place,

And thilke dower that ye broghten me

Taak it agayn, I graunte it of my grace.

Retourneth to youre fadres hous," quod he;

810 "No man may alwey han prosperitee.

With evene herte I rede yow t'endure

This strook of Fortune or of aventure."

Be strong of heart and leave at once her place,

And that same dower that you brought to me,

Take it again, I grant it of my grace;

Return you to your father's house," said he;

810 "No man may always have prosperity;

With a calm heart I urge you to endure

The stroke of Fortune or of adventure."

Next:
From The Clerk's Tale, lines 813-861:
Griselda consents once again and shows the ultimate submissiveness