|
To Flaundres wol I go to-morwe at day, |
| 240 | And come agayn, as soone as evere I may. |
| For which, my deere wyf, I thee biseke, |
| As be to every wight buxom and meke, |
| And for to kepe oure good be curious, |
| And honestly governe wel oure hous. |
| 245 | Thou hast ynough, in every maner wise, |
| That to a thrifty houshold may suffise. |
| Thee lakketh noon array ne no vitaille; |
| Of silver in thy purs shaltow nat faille." |
| And with that word his contour-dore he shette, |
| 250 | And doun he gooth, no lenger wolde he lette. |
| But hastily a messe was ther seyd, |
| And spedily the tables were yleyd, |
| And to the dyner faste they hem spedde, |
| And richely this monk the chapman fedde. |
|
|
To Flanders go I at the break of day, |
| 240 | And I'll come back as soon as ever I may. |
| For which, my dearest wife, your aid I seek |
| To be, to all, both courteous and meek, |
| And to maintain our wealth be studious, |
| And govern honourably and well our house. |
| 245 | You have enough in every sort of wise |
| That, to a thrifty, household, should suffice. |
| You've clothes and food, I've seen to each detail, |
| And silver in your purse shall never fail." |
| And with that word his counting-door he shut |
| 250 | And down he went, no longer tarrying, but |
| Right hastily a mass for them was said, |
| And speedily the tables there were spread, |
| And to the dinner swiftly all they sped; |
| And richly then the monk this merchant fed. |
|
