|
With face sad his tale he hath hem toold. |
| He seyde, "Freendes, I am hoor and oold, |
| And almost, God woot, on my pittes brynke; |
| 190 | Upon my soule somwhat moste I thynke. |
| I have my body folily despended; |
| Blessed be God that it shal been amended! |
| For I wol be, certeyn, a wedded man, |
| And that anoon in al the haste I kan. |
| 195 | Unto som mayde fair and tendre of age, |
| I prey yow, shapeth for my mariage |
| Al sodeynly, for I wol nat abyde; |
| And I wol fonde t'espien, on my syde, |
| To whom I may be wedded hastily. |
| 200 | But forasmuche as ye been mo than I, |
| Ye shullen rather swich a thyng espyen |
| Than I, and where me best were to allyen. |
|
| With sober face his tale to them he's told; |
| He said to them: "My friends, I'm grey and old, |
| And almost, God knows, come to my grave's brink; |
| 190 | About my soul, now, somewhat must I think. |
| I have my body foolishly expended; |
| Blessed be God, that thing be amended! |
| For I will be, truly, a wedded man, |
| And that at once, in all the haste I can, |
| 195 | Unto some maiden young in age and fair. |
| I pray you for my marriage all prepare, |
| And do so now, for I will not abide; |
| And I will try to find one, on my side, |
| To whom I may be wedded speedily. |
| 200 | But for as much as you are more than I, |
| It's better that you have the thing in mind |
| And try a proper mate for me to find. |
|
