|
"Hoo!" quod the Knyght, "good sire, namoore of this, |
| That ye han seyd is right ynough, ywis, |
| And muchel moore, for litel hevynesse |
| Is right ynough to muche folk, I gesse. |
| 5 | I seye for me, it is a greet disese |
| Where as men han been in greet welthe and ese, |
| To heeren of hir sodeyn fal, allas! |
| And the contrarie is joye and greet solas, |
| As whan a man hath been in povre estaat, |
| 10 | And clymbeth up, and wexeth fortunat, |
| And there abideth in prosperitee. |
| Swich thyng is gladsom, as it thynketh me, |
| And of swich thyng were goodly for to telle." |
|
| Hold!" said the knight. "Good sir, no more of this, |
| What you have said is right enough, and is |
| Very much more; a little heaviness |
| Is plenty for the most of us, I guess. |
| 5 | For me, I say it's saddening, if you please, |
| As to men who've enjoyed great wealth and ease, |
| To hear about their sudden fall, alas! |
| But the contrary's joy and great solace, |
| As when a man has been in poor estate |
| 10 | And he climbs up and waxes fortunate, |
| And there abides in all prosperity. |
| Such things are gladsome, as it seems to me, |
| And of such things it would be good to tell." |
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