|
Telle me also, to what conclusion |
| Were membres maad of generacion, |
| And of so parfit wys a wright ywroght? |
| Trusteth right wel, they were nat maad for noght. |
| 125 | Glose whoso wole, and seye bothe up and doun, |
| That they were maked for purgacioun |
| Of uryne, and oure bothe thynges smale |
| Were eek to knowe a femele from a male, |
| And for noon other cause, -say ye no? |
| 130 | The experience woot wel it is noght so. |
| So that the clerkes be nat with me wrothe, |
| I sey this: that they maked ben for bothe, |
| That is to seye, for office and for ese |
| Of engendrure, ther we nat God displese. |
| 135 | Why sholde men elles in hir bookes sette |
| That man shal yelde to his wyf hire dette? |
| Now wherwith sholde he make his paiement, |
| If he ne used his sely instrument? |
| Thanne were they maad upon a creature |
| 140 | To purge uryne, and eek for engendrure. |
|
|
Tell me also, to what purpose or end |
| The genitals were made, that I defend, |
| And for what benefit was man first wrought? |
| Trust you right well, they were not made for naught. |
| 125 | Explain who will and argue up and down |
| That they were made for passing out, as known, |
| Of urine, and our two belongings small |
| Were just to tell a female from a male, |
| And for no other cause - ah, say you no? |
| 130 | Experience knows well it is not so; |
| And, so the clerics be not with me wroth, |
| I say now that they have been made for both, |
| That is to say, for duty and for ease |
| In getting, when we do not God displease. |
| 135 | Why should men otherwise in their books set |
| That man shall pay unto his wife his debt? |
| Now wherewith should he ever make payment, |
| Except he used his blessed instrument? |
| Then on a creature were devised these things |
| 140 | For urination and engenderings. |
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