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Suster," quod he, "this is my fulle assent, |
| With all th'avys heere of my parlement, |
| That gentil Palamon thyn owene knyght, |
2220 | That serveth yow with wille, herte, and myght, |
| And evere hath doon, syn that ye first hym knewe, |
| That ye shul of your grace upon hym rewe, |
| And taken hym for housbonde and for lord. |
| Lene me youre hond, for this is oure accord. |
2225 | Lat se now of youre wommanly pitee; |
| He is a kynges brother sone, pardee, |
| And though he were a povre bacheler, |
| Syn he hath served yow so many a yeer, |
| And had for yow so greet adversitee, |
2230 | It moste been considered, leeveth me, |
| For gentil mercy oghte to passen right." |
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Sister," said he, "you have my full consent, |
| With the advice of this my Parliament, |
| That gentle Palamon, your own true knight, |
2220 | Who serves you well with will and heart and might, |
| And so has ever, since you knew him first- |
| That you shall, of your grace, allay his thirst |
| By taking him for husband and for lord: |
| Lend me your hand, for this is our accord. |
2225 | Let now your woman's pity make him glad. |
| For he is a king's brother's son, by gad; |
| And though he were a poor knight bachelor, |
| Since he has served you for so many a year, |
| And borne for you so great adversity, |
2230 | This ought to weigh with you, it seems to me, |
| For mercy ought to dominate mere right." |
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