Previous: From The Clerk's Tale, lines 897-917: Griselda returns to her father's house

© Librarius All rights reserved.

925        No wonder is, for in hir grete estaat Hire goost was evere in pleyn humylitee. No tendre mouth, noon herte delicaat, No pompe, no semblant of roialtee, But ful of pacient benyngnytee, 930 Discreet and pridelees, ay honurable, And to hire housbonde evere meke and stable.

925        No wonder, though, for while in high estate, Her soul kept ever full humility; No mouth complaining, no heart delicate, No pomp, no look of haughty royalty, But full of patience and benignity, 930 Discreet and prideless, always honourable, And to her husband meek and firm as well.

Men speke of Job, and moost for his humblesse, As clerkes whan hem list konne wel endite, Namely of men; but as in soothfastnesse, 935 Though clerkes preise wommen but a lite, Ther kan no man in humblesse hym acquite, As womman kan, ne kan been half so trewe As wommen been, but it be falle of newe.

Men speak of Job and of his humbleness, As clerks, when they so please, right well can write Concerning men, but truth is, nevertheless, 935 Though clerks' praise of all women is but slight, No man acquits himself in meekness quite As women can, nor can be half so true As women are, save this be something new.

Next: From The Clerk's Tale, lines 939-966: Walter tests Griselda once again and asks her to be a servant in order to receive his new wife according to her stature