Commending in his heart her womanhead, And eke her virtue, passing any wight Of so young age, as well in cheer as deed. For though the people have no great insight In virtue, he considered full right Her bounté, 2483 and disposed that he would Wed only her, if ever wed he should.

The day of wedding came, but no wight can Tellë what woman that it shouldë be; For which marvail wonder’d many a man, And saidë, when they were in privity, “Will not our lord yet leave his vanity? Will he not wed? Alas, alas the while! Why will he thus himself and us beguile?”