From day to day, and if so be I fail, I am your wife, score it upon my tail, And I shall pay as soon as ever I may. For, by my troth, I have on mine array, And not in waste, bestow’d it every deal. And, for I have bestowed it so well, For your honoúr, for Goddë’s sake I say, As be not wroth, but let us laugh and play. Ye shall my jolly body have to wed; 3783 By God, I will not pay you but in bed; Forgive it me, mine owen spousë dear; Turn hitherward, and makë better cheer.”

The merchant saw none other remedy; And for to chide, it were but a follý, Since that the thing might not amended be. “Now, wife,” he said, “and I forgive it thee; But by thy lifë be no more so large; 3784 Keep better my good, this give I thee in charge.” Thus endeth now my tale; and God us send Taling enough, until our livës’ end!