From Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales", The Man of Law's Tale, lines 659-679

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From The Man of Law's Tale, lines 631-658:
Constance pleads "not guilty"

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

	This Alla kyng hath swich compassioun,
660	As gentil herte is fulfild of pitee,
	That from hise eyen ran the water doun.
	"Now hastily do fecche a book," quod he,
	"And if this knyght wol sweren how that she
	This womman slow, yet wol we us avyse,
665	Whom that we wole, that shal been oure justise."

	This King Alla has such compassion shown
660	Since gentle heart is full of all pity,
	That from his two eyes ran the tears right down.
	"Now hastily go fetch a book," said he,
	"And if this knight will swear that it was she
	Who slew the woman, then will we make clear
665	The judge we shall appoint the case to hear."

A Britoun book, written with Evaungiles,

Was fet, and on this book he swoor anoon

She gilty was, and in the meene-whiles

An hand hym smoot upon the nekke-boon,

670 That doun he fil atones, as a stoon;

And bothe hise eyen broste out of his face,

In sighte of every body in that place.

A book of Gospels writ in British tongue

Was brought, and on this Book he swore anon

Her guilt; but then the people all among

A clenched hand smote him on the shoulder-bone,

670 And down he fell, as stunned as by a stone,

And both his eyes burst forth out of his face

In sight of everybody in that place.

A voys was herd in general audience,

And seyde, "Thou hast desclaundred, giltelees

675 The doghter of hooly chirche in heigh presence,

Thus hastou doon, and yet holde I my pees."

Of this mervaille agast was al the prees,

As mazed folk they stoden everichone

For drede of wreche, save Custance allone.

A voice was heard by all that audience,

Saying: "You have here slandered the guiltless

675 Daughter of Holy Church, in high Presence;

Thus have you done, and further I'll not press."

Whereat were all the folk aghast, no less;

As men amazed they stand there, every one,

For fear of vengeance, except Constance alone.

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From The Man of Law's Tale, lines 680-693:
The lying knight is executed, king Alla is converted to Christianity and Constance and the king are married