|
"That me forthynketh," quod this Januarie, |
| 695 | "He is a gentil squier, by my trouthe! |
| If that he deyde, it were harm and routhe. |
| He is as wys, discreet, and as secree |
| As any man I woot of his degree, |
| And therto manly, and eek servysable. |
| 700 | And for to been a thrifty man right able. |
| But after mete, as soone as evere I may, |
| I wol myself visite hym, and eek May, |
| To doon hym al the confort that I kan." |
| And for that word hym blessed every man, |
| 705 | That of his bountee and his gentillesse |
| He wolde so conforten in siknesse |
| His squier, for it was a gentil dede. |
| "Dame," quod this Januarie, "taak good hede, |
| At after-mete ye with youre wommen alle, |
| 710 | Whan ye han been in chambre out of this halle, |
| That alle ye go se this Damyan. |
| Dooth hym disport - he is a gentil man; |
| And telleth hym that I wol hym visite, |
| Have I no thyng but rested me a lite; |
| 715 | And spede yow faste, for I wole abyde |
| Til that ye slepe faste by my syde." |
| And with that word he gan to hym to calle |
| A squier, that was marchal of his halle, |
| And tolde hym certeyn thynges, what he wolde. |
|
| "That is a pity," said this January, |
| 695 | "He is a gentle squire, aye, by my truth! |
| If he should die, it were great harm and ruth; |
| As wise and secret, and discreet is he |
| As any man I know of his degree; |
| Therewith he's manly and he's serviceable, |
| 700 | And to become a useful man right able. |
| But after meat, as soon as ever I may, |
| I will myself go visit him, with May, |
| To give him all the comfort that I can." |
| And for that word they blessed him, every man, |
| 705 | Because, for goodness and his gentleness, |
| He would so go to comfort, in sickness, |
| His suffering squire, for 'twas a gentle deed. |
| "Dame," said this January, "take good heed |
| That after meat, you, with your women all, |
| 710 | When you have gone to chamber from this hall, |
| That all you go to see this Damian; |
| Cheer him a bit, for he's a gentleman; |
| And tell him that I'll come to visit him |
| After I've rested- a short interim; |
| 715 | And get this over quickly, for I'll bide |
| Awake until you sleep there at my side." |
| And with that word he raised his voice to call |
| A squire, who served as marshal of his hall, |
| And certain things he wished arranged were told. |
|
