Griseld’ of this (God wot) full innocent, That for her shapen was all this array, To fetchë water at a well is went, And home she came as soon as e’er she may. For well she had heard say, that on that day The marquis shouldë wed, and, if she might, She fain would have seen somewhat of that sight.
She thought, “I will with other maidens stand, That be my fellows, in our door, and see The marchioness; and therefore will I fand To do at home, as soon as it may be, The labour which belongeth unto me, And then I may at leisure her behold, If she this way unto the castle hold.”
And as she would over the threshold gon, The marquis came and gan for her to call, And she set down her water-pot anon Beside the threshold, in an ox’s stall, And down upon her knees she gan to fall, And with sad countenancë kneeled still, Till she had heard what was the lordë’s will.
The thoughtful marquis spake unto the maid Full soberly, and said in this mannére: “Where is your father, Griseldis?” he said. And she with reverence, in humble cheer, Answered, “Lord, he is all ready here.” And in she went withoutë longer let, And to the marquis she her father fet.
He by the hand then took the poorë man, And saidë thus, when he him had aside: “Janicola, I neither may nor can Longer the pleasance of mine heartë hide; If that thou vouchësafe, whatso betide, Thy daughter will I take, ere that I wend, As for my wife, unto her lifë’s end.
“Thou lovest me, that know I well certáin, And art my faithful liegëman y-bore, And all that liketh me, I dare well sayn It liketh thee; and specially therefore Tell me that point, that I have said before— If that thou wilt unto this purpose draw, To takë me as for thy son-in-law.”
This sudden case the man astonied so, That red he wax’d, abash’d, and all quaking He stood; unnethës said he wordës mo’, But only thus; “Lord,” quoth he, “my willing Is as ye will, nor against your liking I will no thing, mine owen lord so dear; Right as you list governë this mattére.”