it a despite that he should take So strange a creature unto his make.
Me list not of the chaff nor of the stre Make so long a tale, as of the corn. What should I tellen of the royalty Of this marriáge, or which course goes beforn, Who bloweth in a trump or in an horn? The fruit of every tale is for to say; They eat and drink, and dance, and sing, and play.
They go to bed, as it was skill and right; For though that wivës be full holy things, They mustë take in patience at night Such manner necessaries as be pleasings To folk that have y-wedded them with rings, And lay a lite their holiness aside As for the time, it may no better betide.
On her he got a knavë child anon, And to a Bishop and to his Constable eke He took his wife to keep, when he is gone To Scotland-ward, his foemen for to seek. Now fair Constance, that is so humble and meek, So long is gone with childë till that still She held her chamb’r, abiding Christë’s will