of eloquence, So benign, and so digne of reverence, And couldë so the people’s heart embrace, That each her lov’d that looked on her face.
Not only of Saluces in the town Published was the bounté of her name, But eke besides in many a regioún; If one said well, another said the same: So spread of herë high bounté the fame, That men and women, young as well as old, Went to Saluces, her for to behold.
Thus Walter lowly—nay, but royally— Wedded with fortunate honesteté, In Goddë’s peace lived full easily At home, and outward grace enough had he: And, for he saw that under low degree Was honest virtue hid, the people him held A prudent man, and that is seen full seld’.
Not only this Griseldis through her wit Couth all the feat of wifely homeliness, But eke, when that the case required it, The common profit couldë she redress: There n’as discord, rancoúr, nor heaviness In all the land, that she could not appease, And wisely bring them all in rest and ease.
Though that her husband absent were or non, If gentlemen or other of that country, Were wroth, she wouldë bringë them at one, So wise and ripë wordës haddë she, And judgëment of so great equity, That she from heaven sent was, as men wend, People to save, and every wrong t’amend
Not longë time after that this Griseld’ Was wedded, she a daughter had y-bore; All she had lever borne a knavë child, Glad was the marquis and his folk therefore; For, though a maiden child came all before, She may unto a knavë child attain By likelihood, since she is not barrén.
Pars Tertia
There fell, as falleth many timës mo’, When that his child had sucked but a throw, This marquis in his heartë longed so To tempt his wife, her sadness for to know, That he might not out of his heartë throw This