|
"Wepyng and waylyng, care and oother sorwe |
| I knowe ynogh, on even and a-morwe," |
| Quod the marchant, "and so doon other mo |
| That wedded been. I trowe that it be so, |
| 5 | For wel I woot it fareth so with me. |
| I have a wyf, the worste that may be; |
| For thogh the feend to hire ycoupled were, |
| She sholde hym overmacche, I dar wel swere. |
| What sholde I yow reherce in special |
| 10 | Hir hye malice? She is a shrewe at al. |
| Ther is a long and large difference |
| Bitwix Grisildis grete pacience |
| And of my wyf the passyng crueltee. |
| Were I unbounden, also moot I thee! |
| 15 | I wolde nevere eft comen in the snare. |
| We wedded men lyven in sorwe and care. |
| Assaye whoso wole, and he shal fynde |
| That I seye sooth, by Seint Thomas of Ynde, |
| As for the moore part - I sey nat alle. |
| 20 | God shilde that it sholde so bifalle! |
|
|
"Of weeping and wailing, care and other sorrow |
| I know enough, at eventide and morrow," |
| The merchant said, "and so do many more |
| Of married folk, I think, who this deplore, |
| 5 | For well I know that it is so with me. |
| I have a wife, the worst one that can be; |
| For though the foul Fiend to her wedded were, |
| She'd overmatch him, this I dare to swear. |
| How could I tell you anything special |
| 10 | Of her great malice? She is shrew in all. |
| There is a long and a large difference |
| Between Griselda's good and great patience |
| And my wife's more than common cruelty. |
| Were I unbound, as may I prosperous be! |
| 15 | I'd never another time fall in the snare. |
| We wedded men in sorrow live, and care; |
| Try it who will, and he shall truly find |
| I tell the truth, by Saint Thomas of Ind, |
| As for the greater part, I say not all. |
| 20 | Nay, God forbid that it should so befall! |
|
