| 905 |
The queene thanketh the kyng with al hir myght, |
| And after this thus spak she to the knyght, |
| Whan that she saugh hir tyme, upon a day, |
| "Thou standest yet," quod she, "in swich array |
| That of thy lyf yet hastow no suretee. |
| 910 | I grante thee lyf, if thou kanst tellen me |
| What thyng is it that wommen moost desiren. |
| Be war and keep thy nekke-boon from iren! |
| And if thou kanst nat tellen it anon, |
| Yet shal I yeve thee leve for to gon |
| 915 | A twelf-month and a day to seche and leere |
| An answere suffisant in this mateere; |
| And suretee wol I han, er that thou pace, |
| Thy body for to yelden in this place." |
|
| 905 |
The queen she thanked the king with all her might, |
| And after this, thus spoke she to the knight, |
| When she'd an opportunity, one day: |
| "You stand yet," said she, "in such poor a way |
| That for your life you've no security. |
| 910 | I'll grant you life if you can tell to me |
| What thing it is that women most desire. |
| Be wise, and keep your neck from iron dire! |
| And if you cannot tell it me anon, |
| Then will I give you license to be gone |
| 915 | A twelvemonth and a day, to search and learn |
| Sufficient answer in this grave concern. |
| And your knight's word I'll have, before forth you pace, |
| To yield your body to me in this place." |
|
