The Tale

In Armoric’, that called is Bretagne, There was a knight, that lov’d and did his pain 3219 To serve a lady in his bestë wise; And many a labour, many a great emprise, He for his lady wrought, ere she were won: For she was one the fairest under sun, And eke thereto come of so high kindréd, That well unnethës 3220 durst this knight, for dread, Tell her his woe, his pain, and his distress. But, at the last, she for his worthiness, And namëly 3221 for his meek obeisánce, Hath such a pity caught of his penánce, 3222 That privily she fell of his accord To take him for her husband and her lord (Of such lordship as men have o’er their wives); And, for to lead the more in bliss their lives, Of his free will he swore her as a knight, That never in all his life he day nor night