• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

it is day And þan schul we be lordes al oure lyf Of al þe world as noe and his wyf But of oo þing I warne þe ful right Be wel auysed of þat ilke nyght That we ben

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

is his wyf and pryuely he hight And sped him fro þe table þat he might Parfay þought he fantom is in myn heed I ought to deme of righful iuggemēt That in þe salte see my wyf is deed

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

seint Denys That riche was for which men hild him wys A wyf he had of excellent beaute And companable and reuerent was sche Which is a þing þat causeth more despence Than worth is al þe cher and reuerence

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

his wyf , And hir forsok for terme of al his lyf Nought but for open heedid he hir say Lokyng out at his dore vpon a day Anoþer Romayn told he me by name That for his wyf was

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

hath no wyf , he is no Cokewold But I seye nat ther fore , p thow art oon Ther been ful goode wyues many oon Why artow angry , wit my tale now I haue a wyf pardee ,

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

To take a wyf , it is a glorious thyng And namely , whan a man is old and hoor Thanne is a wyf , the fruyt of his tresor Thanne sholde he take , a yong wyf and a

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

hym leste , he it vnshette And whan he wolde , paye his wyf hir dette In somer seson , thider wolde he go And May his wyf and no wight but they two And thynges , whiche þt were

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

swich array That nedes moste he wynne , in that viage A thousand frankes , abouen al his costage His wyf ful redy , mette hym at the gate As she was wont of old vsage algate And al that

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

lady , Emperice , or Queene And but I be to morn , as fair to sene As euere was wyf , syn þt the world was newe But I to yow , be also good and trewe I pray

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

felawe vnto man Man sholde bere hym to his wyf In feith , in trouthe , and in loue , as seith Seint Paul . that a man sholde louen his wyf , as Crist loued hooly chirche . that

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

wyf , and preuyly he sight And sped h#299; fro the table , that he myght Parfey thought he , fantom is in myn heede I ought deme , of skylful Iugement That in the salt See , my

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

a yong wyf , and a fair By hym þt made water , erthe , and Air The yongeste man , þt is in al this route Is bisy ynough , to bryngen it aboute To han his wyf allone

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

the court ne was ther wyf ne mayde Ne wydwe , that contraried that he sayde But seyden , he was worthy han his lyf And with that word , vp stirte the olde wyf Which that the knyght ,

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

, his wyf looked so foule Greet was the wo , the knyght hadde in his thoght Whan he was with his wyf abedde ybroght , He walweth , and he turneth to and fro His olde wyf , lay

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

louyst thȳ self thow louyst thȳ wyf No man hatyth his flesch but in his lyf He fosteryth it therfore bidde I the Cheryche thȳ wyf or thow schat neuere the Husbonde or wyf , what so men Iape or

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

EY goddes mercy , seyde oure hoost tho Now swich a wyf , I prey god kepe me fro Lo whiche sleightes , and subtiltees In wommen ben , for ay as bisy as bees Ben they , vs sely

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

alle þe cheere and reuerence Which is a þing þat causeþ more dispence And compynable and reuerent was sche A wyf he hadde of excellent beaute That riche was for which men heelde him wys A Marchaunt whilom dwelled at

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

that is so meke and pacient And therfore Thomras , trowe me if þè lest Ne stryue nat with thy wyf , as for the best And bere this word a wey , now be thy feyth Touchyng swich thyng

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

courte , ne was there wyf ne mayde Ne wydewe , that contraried that he sayde But seiden he was worthy , to haue his lyf And with that word , vp stirt this olde wyf Which that the knyght

• The Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales

twey To han me foul and old , til that I deydydey And be to ȝow , a trewe humble wyf And neuere ȝow displese , in al my lyf Or ellis ȝe wyl han me , ȝong and faire