The Tale 2746

Whilom there was dwelling in Lombardy A worthy knight, that born was at Pavie, In which he liv’d in great prosperity; And forty years a wifeless man was he, And follow’d aye his bodily delight On women, where as was his appetite, As do these foolës that be seculeres. 2747 And, when that he was passed sixty years, Were it for holiness, or for dotáge, I cannot say, but such a great coráge 2748 Haddë this knight to be a wedded man, That day and night he did all that he can To espy where that he might wedded be; Praying our Lord to grantë him, that he Mightë once knowen of that blissful life That is betwixt a husband and his wife, And for to live under that holy bond With which God firstë man and woman bond. “None other life,” said he, “is worth a bean; For wedlock is so easy, and so clean, That in this world it is a paradise.” Thus said this oldë knight, that was so wise.