“A clerk had litherly beset his while, 995 But if 996 he could a carpenter beguile.” And thus they were accorded and y-sworn To wait a time, as I have said beforn. When Nicholas had done thus every deal, 997 And thwacked her about the lendës well, He kiss’d her sweet, and taketh his psalt’ry And playeth fast, and maketh melody. Then fell it thus, that to the parish church, Of Christë’s owen workës for to wirch, 998 This good wife went upon a holy day: Her forehead shone as bright as any day, So was it washen, when she left her werk.