The Tale

A Merchant whilom dwell’d at Saint Deníse, That richë was, for which men held him wise. A wife he had of excellent beautý, And companiable and revellous 3684 was she, Which is a thing that causeth more dispence Than worth is all the cheer and reverence That men them do at feastës and at dances. Such salutatións and countenánces Passen, as doth the shadow on the wall; Put woe is him that payë must for all. The sely 3685 husband algate 3686 he must pay, He must us 3687 clothe and he must us array All for his owen worship richëly: In which array we dancë jollily. And if that he may not, paráventure, Or ellës list not such dispence endure,