The Merchant’s Tale

“Weeping and wailing, care and other sorrow, I have enough, on even and on morrow,” Quoth the Merchánt, “and so have other mo’, That wedded be; I trow 2739 that it be so; For well I wot it fareth so by me. I have a wife, the worstë that may be, For though the fiend to her y-coupled were, She would him overmatch, I dare well swear: Why should I you rehearse in speciál Her high malíce? she is a shrew at all. 2740 There is a long and largë difference Betwixt Griselda’s greatë patience, And of my wife the passing cruelty. Were I unbounden, all so may I thé, 2741 I wouldë never eft 2742 come in the snare. We wedded men live in sorrow and care; Assay it whoso will, and he shall find That I say sooth, by Saint Thomas of Ind,