|
Justinus, that ay stille sat and herde, |
| Right in this wise he to Placebo answerde: |
| "Now, brother myn, be pacient, I preye, |
| 310 | Syn ye han seyd, and herkneth what I seye. |
| Senek, amonges othere wordes wyse, |
| Seith that a man oghte hym right wel avyse |
| To whom he yeveth his lond or his catel. |
| And syn I oghte avyse me right wel |
| 315 | To whom I yeve my good awey from me, |
| Wel muchel moore I oghte avysed be |
| To whom I yeve my body for alwey. |
| I warne yow wel, it is no childes pley |
| To take a wyf withouten avysement. |
| 320 | Men moste enquere, this is myn assent, |
| Wher she be wys, or sobre, or dronkelewe, |
| Or proud, or elles ootherweys a shrewe, |
| A chidestere, or wastour of thy good, |
| Or riche, or poore, or elles mannyssh wood. |
| 325 | Al be it so that no man fynden shal |
| Noon in this world that trotteth hool in al, |
| Ne man, ne beest, swich as men koude devyse; |
| But nathelees it oghte ynough suffise |
| With any wyf, if so were that she hadde |
| 330 | Mo goode thewes than hire vices badde; |
| And al this axeth leyser for t'enquere. |
| For, God it woot, I have wept many a teere |
| Ful pryvely, syn I have had a wyf. |
| Preyse whoso wole a wedded mannes lyf, |
| 335 | Certein I fynde in it but cost and care |
| And observances, of alle blisses bare. |
| And yet, God woot, my neighebores aboute, |
| And namely of wommen many a route, |
| Seyn that I have the mooste stedefast wyf, |
| 340 | And eek the mekeste oon that bereth lyf; |
| But I woot best where wryngeth me my sho. |
| Ye mowe, for me, right as yow liketh do; |
| Avyseth yow - ye been a man of age - |
| How that ye entren into mariage, |
| 345 | And namely with a yong wyf and a fair. |
| By hym that made water, erthe, and air, |
| The yongeste man that is in al this route |
| Is bisy ynough to bryngen it aboute |
| To han his wyf allone. Trusteth me, |
| 350 | Ye shul nat plesen hire fully yeres thre, - |
| This is to seyn, to doon hire ful plesaunce. |
| A wyf axeth ful many an observaunce. |
| I prey yow that ye be nat yvele apayd." |
|
| Justinus, who sat still and calm, and heard, |
| Right in this wise Placebo he answered: |
| "Now, brother mine, be patient, so I pray; |
| 310 | Since you have spoken, hear what I shall say. |
| For Seneca, among his words so wise, |
| Says that a man ought well himself advise |
| To whom he'll give his chattels or his land. |
| And since I ought to know just where I stand |
| 315 | Before I give my wealth away from me, |
| How much more well advised I ought to be |
| To whom I give my body; for alway |
| I warn you well, that it is not child's play |
| To take a wife without much advisement. |
| 320 | Men must inquire, and this is my intent, |
| Whether she's wise, or sober, or drunkard, |
| Or proud, or else in other things froward, |
| Or shrewish, or a waster of what's had, |
| Or rich, or poor, or whether she's man-mad. |
| 325 | And be it true that no man finds, or shall, |
| One in this world that perfect is in all, |
| Of man or beast, such as men could devise; |
| Nevertheless, it ought enough suffice |
| With any wife, if so were that she had |
| 330 | More traits of virtue that her vices bad; |
| And all this leisure asks to see and hear. |
| For God knows I have wept full many a tear |
| In privity, since I have had a wife. |
| Praise whoso will a wedded man's good life, |
| 335 | Truly I find in it, but cost and care |
| And many duties, of all blisses bare. |
| And yet, God knows, my neighbours round about, |
| Especially the women, many a rout, |
| Say that I've married the most steadfast wife, |
| 340 | Aye, and the meekest one there is in life. |
| But I know best where pinches me my shoe. |
| You may, for me, do as you please to do; |
| But take good heed, since you're a man of age, |
| How you shall enter into a marriage, |
| 345 | Especially with a young wife and a fair. |
| By him ho made the water, earth, and air, |
| The youngest man there is in all this rout |
| Is busy enough to bring the thing about |
| That he alone shall have his wife, trust me. |
| 350 | You'll not be able to please her through years three, |
| That is to say, to give all she desires. |
| A wife attention all the while requires. |
| I pray you that you be not offended." |
|
