may best, I will my woe endure, Nor make no countenance of heaviness, That folk of you may deemë harm, or guess.” And forth he call’d a squiër and a maid. “Go forth anon with Dorigen,” he said, “And bringë her to such a place anon.” They take their leave, and on their way they gon: But they not wistë why she thither went; He would to no wight tellë his intent.
This squiër, which that hight Aurelius, On Dorigen that was so amorous, Of áventúrë happen’d her to meet Amid the town, right in the quickest street, As she was bound to go the way forthright Toward the garden, there as she had hight. And he was to the garden-ward also; For well he spiëd when she wouldë go Out of her house, to any manner place; But thus they met, of áventúre or grace, And he saluted her with glad intent, And asked of her whitherward she went. And she answered, half as she were mad, “Unto the garden, as my husband bade, My trothë for to hold, alas! alas!” Aurelius gan to wonder on this case, And in his heart had great compassión Of her, and of her lamentatión, And of Arviragus, the worthy knight, That bade her hold all that she haddë hight; So loth him was his wife should break her truth And in his heart he caught of it great ruth, Considering the best on every side, That from his lust yet were him lever abide, Than do so high a churlish wretchedness Against franchise, and allë gentleness; For which in fewë words he saidë thus;