| 425 |
I have," quod he, "herd seyd, ful yoore ago, |
| Ther may no man han parfite blisses two, - |
| This is to seye, in erthe and eek in hevene. |
| For though he kepe hym fro the synnes sevene, |
| And eek from every branche of thilke tree, |
| 430 | Yet is ther so parfit felicitee |
| And so greet ese and lust in mariage, |
| That evere I am agast now in myn age |
| That I shal lede now so myrie a lyf, |
| So delicat, withouten wo and stryf, |
| 435 | That I shal have myn hevene in erthe heere. |
| For sith that verray hevene is boght so deere |
| With tribulation and greet penaunce, |
| How sholde I thanne, that lyve in swich plesaunce |
| As alle wedded men doon with hire wyvys, |
| 440 | Come to the blisse ther rist eterne on lyve ys? |
| This is my drede, and ye, my bretheren tweye, |
| Assoilleth me this question, I preye. |
|
| 425 | I have," said he, "heard said, and long ago, |
| There may no man have perfect blisses two, |
| That is to say, on earth and then in Heaven. |
| For though he keep from sins the deadly seven, |
| And, too, from every branch of that same tree, |
| 430 | Yet is there so complete felicity |
| And such great pleasure in the married state |
| That I am fearful, since it comes so late, |
| That I shall lead so merry and fine a life, |
| And so delicious, without woe and strife, |
| 435 | That I shall have my heaven on earth here. |
| For since that other Heaven is bought so dear, |
| With tribulation and with great penance, |
| How should I then, who live in such pleasance, |
| As all these married men do with their wives, |
| 440 | Come to the bliss where Christ Eternal lives? |
| This is my fear, and you, my brothers, pray |
| Resolve for me this problem now, I say." |
|
