wife as of herself no thingë should Will, in effect, but as her husband would.
The sland’r of Walter wondrous widë sprad, That of a cruel heart he wickedly, For he a poorë woman wedded had, Had murder’d both his children privily: Such murmur was among them commonly. No wonder is: for to the people’s ear There came no word, but that they murder’d were.
For which, whereas his people therebefore Had lov’d him well, the sland’r of his diffame Made them that they him hated therëfore. To be a murd’rer is a hateful name. But natheless, for earnest or for game, He of his cruel purpose would not stent; To tempt his wife was set all his intent.
When that his daughter twelve year was of age, He to the Court of Rome, in subtle wise Informed of his will, sent his messáge, Commanding him such bullës to devise As to his cruel purpose may suffice, How that the Popë, for his people’s rest, Bade him to wed another, if him lest.
I say he bade they shouldë counterfeit The Pope’s bullës, making mentión That he had leave his firstë wife to lete, As by the Popë’s dispensatión, To stintë rancour and dissensión Betwixt his people and him: thus spake the bull, The which they havë published at full.
The rudë people, as no wonder is, Weened full well that it had been right so: But, when these tidings came to Griseldis. I deemë that her heart was full of woe; But she, alikë sad for evermo’, Disposed was, this humble creatúre, Th’ adversity of fortune all t’ endure;
Abiding ever his lust and his pleasánce, To whom that she was given, heart and all, As to her very worldly suffisance. But, shortly if this story tell I shall, The marquis written hath in special A letter, in which he shewed his intent, And secretly it to Bologna sent.