But at the last her friendës have her married To Odenate, a prince of that countrý; All were it so, that she them longë tarried. And ye shall understandë how that he Haddë such fantasies as haddë she; But natheless, when they were knit in fere, They liv’d in joy, and in felicity, For each of them had other lefe and dear.
Save one thing, that she never would assent, By no way, that he shouldë by her lie But onës, for it was her plain intent To have a child, the world to multiply; And all so soon as that she might espy That she was not with childë by that deed, Then would she suffer him do his fantasy Eftsoon, and not but onës, out of dread.
And if she were with child at thilkë cast, No morë should he playë thilkë game Till fully forty dayës werë past; Then would she once suffer him do the same. All were this Odenatus wild or tame, He got no more of her; for thus she said, It was to wivës lechery and shame In other case if that men with them play’d.
Two sonës, by this Odenate had she, The which she kept in virtue and lettrure. But now unto our talë turnë we; I say, so worshipful a creatúre, And wise therewith, and largë with measúre, So penible in the war, and courteous eke, Nor more labour might in war endure, Was none, though all this worldë men should seek.
Her rich array it mightë not be told, As well in vessel as in her clothíng: She was all clad in pierrie and in gold, And eke she leftë not, for no huntíng, To have of sundry tonguës full knowíng, When that she leisure had, and for t’ intend To learnë bookës was all her likíng, How she in virtue might her life dispend.
And, shortly of this story for to treat, So doughty was her husband and eke she, That they conquered many regnës great In th’ Orient, with many a fair city Appertinent unto the majesty Of Rome, and with strong handë held them fast, Nor ever might their foemen do them flee, Aye while that Odenatus’ dayës last’.