“Certes, Griseld’, I had enough pleasánce To have you to my wife, for your goodness, And for your truth, and for your obeisánce, Not for your lineage, nor for your richéss; But now know I, in very soothfastness, That in great lordship, if I well advise, There is great servitude in sundry wise.

“I may not do as every ploughman may: My people me constraineth for to take Another wife, and cryeth day by day; And eke the Popë, rancour for to slake, Consenteth it, that dare I undertake: And truëly, thus much I will you say, My newë wife is coming by the way.