Previous: From The Man of Law's Tale, lines 603-630: Constance is accused, but not yet convicted

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She sette hir doun on knees, and thus she sayde, "Immortal God, that savedest Susanne 640 Fro false blame, and thou, merciful Mayde, Marie I meene, doghter to Seynte Anne, Bifore whos child angeles synge Osanne, If I be giltlees of this felonye, My socour be, for ellis shal I dye."

She dropped upon her knees and thus she prayed: "Immortal God, who saved the fair Susanna 640 From lying blame, and you, O gracious maid Mary, I mean, the daughter of Saint Anna Before child the angels sing Hosanna, If I be guiltless of this felony, My succour be, for otherwise I die!"

645        Have ye nat seyn som tyme a pale face Among a prees, of hym that hath be lad Toward his deeth, wher as hym gat no grace, And swich a colour in his face hath had, Men myghte knowe his face, that was bistad, 650 Amonges alle the faces in that route? So stant Custance, and looketh hir aboute.

645        Have you not sometime seen a pallid face Among the crowd, of one that's being led Toward his death- one who had got no grace? And such a pallor on his face was spread All men must mark it, full of horrid dread, 650 Among the other faces in the rout. So stood fair Constance there and looked about.

O queenes, lyvynge in prosperitee, Duchesses, and ladyes everichone, Haveth som routhe on hir adversitee; 655 An Emperoures doghter stant allone, She hath no wight to whom to make hir mone. O blood roial, that stondest in this drede, Fer been thy freendes at thy grete nede!

O queens that live in all prosperity, Duchesses, and you ladies, every one, Have pity, now, on her adversity; 655 An emperor's young daughter stands alone; She has no one to whom to make her moan. O royal blood that stands there in such dread, Far are your friends away in your great need!

Next: From The Man of Law's Tale, lines 659-679: Constance's innocence is proved