There fell, as falleth many timës mo’, When that his child had sucked but a throw, 2529 This marquis in his heartë longed so To tempt his wife, her sadness 2530 for to know, That he might not out of his heartë throw This marvellous desire his wife t’assay; 2531 Needless, 2532 God wot, he thought her to affray. 2533

He had assayed her anough before, And found her ever good; what needed it Her for to tempt, and always more and more? Though some men praise it for a subtle wit, But as for me, I say that evil it sit 2534 T’ assay a wife when that it is no need, And puttë her in anguish and in dread.