|
And with this word this Justyn and his brother |
| Han take hir leve, and ech of hem of oother. |
| For whan they saughe that it moste nedes be, |
| 480 | They wroghten so, by sly and wys tretee, |
| That she, this mayden, which that Mayus highte, |
| As hastily as evere that she myghte, |
| Shal wedded be unto this Januarie. |
| I trowe it were to longe yow to tarie, |
| 485 | If I yow tolde of every scrit and bond |
| By which that she was feffed in his lond, |
| Or for to herknen of hir riche array. |
| But finally ycomen is the day |
| That to the chirche bothe be they went |
| 490 | For to receyve the hooly sacrement. |
| Forth comth the preest, with stole aboute his nakke, |
| And bad hire be lyk Sarra and Rebekke |
| In wysdom and in trouthe of mariage; |
| And seyde his orisons, as is usage, |
| 495 | And croucheth hem, and bad God sholde hem blesse, |
| And made al siker ynogh with hoolynesse. |
|
| And with that word this Justin and his brother |
| Did take their leave, and each of them from other. |
| For when they all saw that it must needs be, |
| 480 | They so arranged, by sly and wise treaty, |
| That she, this virgin, who was Maia hight, |
| As speedily indeed as ever she might, |
| Should married be unto this January. |
| I think it were too long a time to tarry |
| 485 | To tell of deed and bond between them, and |
| The way she was enfeoffed of all his land; |
| Or to hear tell of all her rich array. |
| But finally was come the happy day |
| When to the church together they two went, |
| 490 | There to receive the holy sacrament. |
| Forth came the priest with stole about his neck, |
| Saying of Rebecca and Sarah she should reck |
| For wisdom and for truth in her marriage; |
| And said his orisons, as is usage, |
| 495 | And crossed them, praying God that he should bless, |
| And made all tight enough with holiness. |
|
