marvellous desire his wife t’assay; Needless, God wot, he thought her to affray.
He had assayed her anough before, And found her ever good; what needed it Her for to tempt, and always more and more? Though some men praise it for a subtle wit, But as for me, I say that evil it sit T’ assay a wife when that it is no need, And puttë her in anguish and in dread.
For which this marquis wrought in this mannére: He came at night alone there as she lay, With sternë face and with full troubled cheer, And saidë thus; “Griseld’,” quoth he “that day That I you took out of your poor array, And put you in estate of high nobléss, Ye have it not forgotten, as I guess.
“I say, Griseld’, this present dignity, In which that I have put you, as I trow Maketh you not forgetful for to be That I you took in poor estate full low, For any weal you must yourselfë know. Take heed of every word that I you say, There is no wight that hears it but we tway.
“Ye know yourself well how that ye came here Into this house, it is not long ago; And though to me ye be right lefe and dear, Unto my gentles ye be nothing so: They say, to them it is great shame and woe For to be subject, and be in serváge, To thee, that born art of small lineage.
“And namely since thy daughter was y-bore These wordës have they spoken doubtëless; But I desire, as I have done before, To live my life with them in rest and peace: I may not in this case be reckëless; I must do with thy daughter for the best, Not as I would, but as my gentles lest.
“And yet, God wot, this is full loth to me: But natheless withoutë your weeting I will nought do; but this will I,” quoth he, “That ye to me assenten in this thing. Shew now your patience in your working, That ye me hight and swore in your villáge The day that maked was our marriáge.”