|
This fresshe May, whan she thise wordes herde, |
| Benyngnely to Januarie answerde, |
| 975 | But first and forward she bigan to wepe. |
| "I have," quod she, "a soule for to kepe |
| As wel as ye, and also myn honour, |
| And of my wyfhod thilke tendre flour, |
| Which that I have assured in youre hond, |
| 980 | Whan that the preest to yow my body bond; |
| Wherfore I wole answere in this manere, |
| By the leve of yow, my lord so deere: |
| I prey to God that nevere dawe the day |
| That I ne sterve, as foule as womman may, |
| 985 | If evere I do unto my kyn that shame, |
| Or elles I empeyre so my name, |
| That I be fals; and if I do that lak, |
| Do strepe me and put me in a sak, |
| And in the nexte ryver do me drenche. |
| 990 | I am a gentil womman and no wenche. |
| Why speke ye thus? But men been evere untrewe, |
| And wommen have repreve of yow ay newe. |
| Ye han noon oother contenance, I leeve, |
| But speke to us of untrust and repreeve." |
|
| This blooming May, when these words she had heard, |
| Graciously January she answered, |
| 975 | But first and foremost she began to weep. |
| "I have also," said she, "a soul to keep, |
| As well as you, and also honour mine, |
| And of my wifehood that sweet flower divine |
| Which I assured you of, both safe and sound, |
| 980 | When unto you that priest my body bound; |
| Wherefore I'll answer you in this manner, |
| If I may by your leave, my lord so dear. |
| I pray to God that never dawns the day |
| That I'll not die, foully as woman may, |
| 985 | If ever I do unto my kin such shame, |
| And likewise damage so my own fair name, |
| As to be false; and if I grow so slack, |
| Strip me and put me naked in a sack |
| And in the nearest river let me drown. |
| 990 | I am a lady, not a wench of town. |
| Why speak you thus? Men ever are untrue, |
| And woman have reproaches always new. |
| No reason or excuse have you, I think, |
| And so you harp on women who hoodwink." |
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