|
The moone, that at noon was thilke day |
| That Januarie hath wedded fresshe May |
| 675 | In two of Tawr, was into Cancre glyden; |
| So longe hath Mayus in hir chambre abyden, |
| As custume is unto thise nobles alle. |
| A bryde shal nat eten in the halle |
| Til dayes foure, or thre dayes atte leeste, |
| 680 | Ypassed been; thanne lat hire go to feeste. |
| The fourthe day compleet fro noon to noon, |
| Whan that the heighe masse was ydoon, |
| In halle sit this Januarie and May, |
| As fressh as is the brighte someres day. |
| 685 | And so bifel how that this goode man |
| Remembred hym upon this Damyan, |
| And seyde, "Seynte Marie! how may this be, |
| That Damyan entendeth nat to me? |
| Is he ay syk, or how may this bityde?" |
| 690 | His squieres, whiche that stooden ther bisyde, |
| Excused hym by cause of his siknesse, |
| Which letted hym to doon his bisynesse; |
| Noon oother cause myghte make hym tarye. |
|
| The moon, which was at noon of that same day |
| Whereon this January wedded May |
| 675 | Half way through Taurus, had to Cancer glided, |
| So long had Maia in her chamber bided. |
| As is the custom among nobles all. |
| A bride shall not eat in the common hall |
| Until four days, or three days at the least, |
| 680 | Have fully passed; then let her go to feast. |
| On the fourth day, complete from noon to noon, |
| After the high Mass had been said and done, |
| In hall did January sit with May |
| As fresh as is the fair bright summer day. |
| 685 | And so befell it there that this good man |
| Recalled to mind his squire, this Damian, |
| And said: "Why holy Mary! How can it be |
| That Damian attends not here on me? |
| Is he sick always? How may this betide?" |
| 690 | His other squires, who waited there beside, |
| Made the excuse that he indeed was ill, |
| Which kept him from his proper duties still; |
| There was no other cause could make him tarry. |
|
