And with that word up start that oldë wife Which that the knight saw sitting on the green. “Mercy,” quoth she, “my sovereign lady queen, Ere that your court departë, do me right. I taughtë this answér unto this knight, For which he plighted me his trothë there, The firstë thing I would of him requere, He would it do, if it lay in his might. Before this court then pray I thee, Sir Knight,” Quoth she, “that thou me take unto thy wife, For well thou know’st that I have kept 2072 thy life. If I say false, say nay, upon thy fay.” 2073 This knight answér’d, “Alas, and well-away! I know right well that such was my behest. 2074 For Goddë’s lovë choose a new request: Take all my good, and let my body go.” “Nay, then,” quoth she, “I shrew 2075 us bothë two, For though that I be old, and foul, and poor,