To choose whether she would him save or spill. 2032 The queen thanked the king with all her might; And, after this, thus spake she to the knight, When that she saw her time upon a day. “Thou standest yet,” quoth she, “in such array, 2033 That of thy life yet hast thou no suretý; I grant thee life, if thou canst tell to me What thing is it that women most desiren: Beware, and keep thy neck-bone from the iron. 2034 And if thou canst not tell it me anon, Yet will I give thee leavë for to gon A twelvemonth and a day, to seek and lear 2035 An answer suffisant 2036 in this mattére. And surety will I have, ere that thou pace, 2037 Thy body for to yielden in this place.” Woe was the knight, and sorrowfully siked; 2038

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