on his monkë’s snout!— For, God it wot, I ween’d withoutë doubt That he had given it me, because of you, To do therewith mine honour and my prow, For cousinage, and eke for bellë cheer That he hath had full oftentimë here. But since I see I stand in such disjoint, I will answér you shortly to the point. Ye have more slackë debtors than am I; For I will pay you well and readily, From day to day, and if so be I fail, I am your wife, score it upon my tail, And I shall pay as soon as ever I may. For, by my troth, I have on mine array, And not in waste, bestow’d it every deal. And, for I have bestowed it so well, For your honoúr, for Goddë’s sake I say, As be not wroth, but let us laugh and play. Ye shall my jolly body have to wed; By God, I will not pay you but in bed; Forgive it me, mine owen spousë dear; Turn hitherward, and makë better cheer.”
The merchant saw none other remedy; And for to chide, it were but a follý, Since that the thing might not amended be. “Now, wife,” he said, “and I forgive it thee; But by thy lifë be no more so large; Keep better my good, this give I thee in charge.” Thus endeth now my tale; and God us send Taling enough, until our livës’ end!