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This carpenter hadde newe a wyf, |
| Which that he lovede moore than his lyf; |
| 115 | Of eighteteene yeer she was of age. |
| Jalous he was, and heeld hire narwe in cage, |
| For she was wylde and yong, and he was old, |
| And demed hymself, been lik a cokewold. |
| He knew nat Catoun, for his wit was rude, |
| 120 | That bad man sholde wedde his simylitude. |
| Men sholde wedden after hire estaat, |
| For youth and elde is often at debaat. |
| But sith that he was fallen in the snare, |
| Her moste endure, as oother folk, his care. |
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This carpenter had recently married a wife |
| Whom he loved more than he loved his life; |
| 115 | And she had become eighteen years of age. |
| Jealous he was and held her close in cage. |
| For she was wild and young, and he was old, |
| And deemed himself as like to be cuckold. |
| He knew not Cato, for his lore was rude: |
| 120 | That vulgar man should wed similitude. |
| A man should wed according to estate, |
| For youth and age are often in debate. |
| But now, since he had fallen in the snare, |
| He must endure, like other folk, his care. |
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