|
He seyde ther was a mayden in the toun, |
| Which that of beautee hadde greet renoun, |
| Al were it so she were of smal degree; |
| Suffiseth hym hir yowthe and hir beautee. |
| 415 | Which mayde, he seyde, he wolde han to his wyf, |
| To lede in ese and hoolynesse his lyf; |
| And thanked God that he myghte han hire al, |
| That no wight his blisse parten shal. |
| And preyed hem to laboure in this nede, |
| 420 | And shapen that he faille nat to spede; |
| For thanne, he seyde, his spirit was at ese. |
| "Thanne is," quod he, "no thyng may me displese, |
| Save o thyng priketh in my conscience, |
| The which I wol reherce in youre presence. |
|
| He said there was a maiden in the town |
| Who had for beauty come to great renown, |
| Despite the fact she was of small degree; |
| Sufficed him well her youth and her beauty. |
| 415 | Which maid, he said, he wanted for his wife, |
| To lead in ease and decency his life. |
| And he thanked God that he might have her, all, |
| That none partook of his bliss now, nor shall. |
| And prayed them all to labour in this need |
| 420 | And so arrange that he'd fail not, indeed; |
| For then, he said, his soul should be at case. |
| "And then," said he, "there's naught can me displease, |
| Except one lone thing that sticks in my conscience, |
| The which I will recite in your presence. |
|
