Stanza 158

Boccaccio:

Che si potrà dir qui? se non che anche nelle povere case piovono dal cielo de' divini spiriti, come nelle reali di quegli che sarien piú degni di guardar porci che d'avere sopra uomini signoria. Chi avrebbe, altri che Griselda, potuto col viso non solamente asciutto ma lieto sofferir le rigide e mai piú non udite prove da Gualtier fatte? Al quale non sarebbe forse stato male investito d'essersi abbattuto a una che quando, fuor di casa, l'avesse in camiscia cacciata, s'avesse sí a un altro fatto scuotere il pilliccione che riuscito ne fosse una bella roba.

Now what shall we say in this case but that even into the cots of the poor the heavens let fall at times spirits divine, as into the palaces of kings souls that are fitter to tend hogs than to exercise lordship over men? Who but Griselda had been able, with a countenance not only tearless, but cheerful, to endure the hard and unheard-of trials to which Gualtieri subjected her? Who perhaps might have deemed himself to have made no bad investment, had he chanced upon one, who, having been turned out of his house in her shift, had found means so to dust the pelisse of another as to get herself thereby a fine robe.


Petrarch:

et sepe nos multis ac gravibus flagellis exerceri sinit, non ut animum nostrum sciat, quem scivit ante quam crearemur, sed ut nobis nostra fragilitas notis ac domesticis indiciis innotescat. Abunde ego constantibus viris ascripserim, quisquis is fuerit, qui pro Deo suo sine murmure patiatur quod pro suo mortali coniuge rusticana hec muliercula passa est.


Chaucer:

And suffreth us, as for oure excercise,
With sharpe scourges of adversitee
Ful ofte to be bete in sondry wise,
Nat for to knowe oure wyl, for certes he
Er we were born knew al oure freletee,
And for oure beste is al his governaunce.
Lat us thanne lyve in vertuous suffraunce.


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Stanza 157

Boccaccio:

Che si potrà dir qui? se non che anche nelle povere case piovono dal cielo de' divini spiriti, come nelle reali di quegli che sarien piú degni di guardar porci che d'avere sopra uomini signoria. Chi avrebbe, altri che Griselda, potuto col viso non solamente asciutto ma lieto sofferir le rigide e mai piú non udite prove da Gualtier fatte? Al quale non sarebbe forse stato male investito d'essersi abbattuto a una che quando, fuor di casa, l'avesse in camiscia cacciata, s'avesse sí a un altro fatto scuotere il pilliccione che riuscito ne fosse una bella roba.

Now what shall we say in this case but that even into the cots of the poor the heavens let fall at times spirits divine, as into the palaces of kings souls that are fitter to tend hogs than to exercise lordship over men? Who but Griselda had been able, with a countenance not only tearless, but cheerful, to endure the hard and unheard-of trials to which Gualtieri subjected her? Who perhaps might have deemed himself to have made no bad investment, had he chanced upon one, who, having been turned out of his house in her shift, had found means so to dust the pelisse of another as to get herself thereby a fine robe.


Petrarch:

ut quod hec viro suo prestitit, hoc prestare Deo nostro audeant, qui licet (ut Iacobus ait Apostolus) intentator sit malorum, et ipse neminem temptet. Probat tamen


Chaucer:

For sith a womman was so pacient
Unto a mortal man, wel moore us oghte
Receyven al in gree that God us sent.
For greet skile is, he preeve that he wroghte.
But he ne tempteth no man that he boghte,
As seith Seint Jame, if ye his pistel rede;
He preeveth folk al day, it is no drede,


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Stanza 156

Boccaccio:

Che si potrà dir qui? se non che anche nelle povere case piovono dal cielo de' divini spiriti, come nelle reali di quegli che sarien piú degni di guardar porci che d'avere sopra uomini signoria. Chi avrebbe, altri che Griselda, potuto col viso non solamente asciutto ma lieto sofferir le rigide e mai piú non udite prove da Gualtier fatte? Al quale non sarebbe forse stato male investito d'essersi abbattuto a una che quando, fuor di casa, l'avesse in camiscia cacciata, s'avesse sí a un altro fatto scuotere il pilliccione che riuscito ne fosse una bella roba.

Now what shall we say in this case but that even into the cots of the poor the heavens let fall at times spirits divine, as into the palaces of kings souls that are fitter to tend hogs than to exercise lordship over men? Who but Griselda had been able, with a countenance not only tearless, but cheerful, to endure the hard and unheard-of trials to which Gualtieri subjected her? Who perhaps might have deemed himself to have made no bad investment, had he chanced upon one, who, having been turned out of his house in her shift, had found means so to dust the pelisse of another as to get herself thereby a fine robe.


Petrarch:

Hanc historiam stilo nunc alio retexere visum fuit, non tam ideo, ut matronas nostri temporis ad imitandam huius uxoris patientiam, que michi vix imitabilis videtur, quam ut legentes ad imitandam saltem femine constantiam excitarem,


Chaucer:

This storie is seyd, nat for that wyves sholde
Folwen Grisilde as in humylitee,
For it were inportable, though they wolde,
But for that every wight in his degree
Sholde be constant in adversitee
As was Grisilde. Therfore Petrark writeth
This storie, which with heigh stile he enditeth.


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Stanza 155

Boccaccio:

Il conte da Panago si tornò dopo alquanti dí a Bologna; e Gualtieri, tolto Giannucolo dal suo lavorio, come suocero il pose in istato, che egli onoratamente e con gran consolazione visse e finí la sua vecchiezza. E egli appresso, maritata altamente la sua figliuola, con Griselda, onorandola sempre quanto piú si potea, lungamente e consolato visse.

Some days after, the Count of Panago returned to Bologna, and Gualtieri took Giannucolo from his husbandry, and established him in honour as his father-in-law, wherein to his great solace he lived for the rest of his days. Gualtieri himself, having mated his daughter with a husband of high degree, lived long and happily thereafter with Griselda, to whom he ever paid all honour.


Petrarch:

Multosque post per annos ingenti pace concordiaque vixere; et Valterius inopem socerum, quem hactenus neglexisse visus erat, nequando concepte animo obstaret experientie, suam in domum translatum in honore habuit, filiam suam magnificis atque honestis nuptiis collocavit, filiumque sui dominii successorem liquit, et coniugio letus et sobole.

Many years thereafter they lived in great peace and concord; and Walter, who had appeared to neglect his father-in-law, lest he should stand in the way of the experiment he had conceived, had the old man move into his palace and held him in honor. His own daughter he gave in noble and honorable marriage, and his son he left behind him as his heir, happy in his wife and in his offspring.


Chaucer:

His sone succedeth in his heritage
In reste and pees, after his fader day,
And fortunat was eek in mariage-
Al putte he nat his wyf in greet assay;
This world is nat so strong, it is no nay,
As it hath been of olde tymes yoore.
And herkneth what this auctour seith therfore.


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Stanza 154

Boccaccio:

Il conte da Panago si tornò dopo alquanti dí a Bologna; e Gualtieri, tolto Giannucolo dal suo lavorio, come suocero il pose in istato, che egli onoratamente e con gran consolazione visse e finí la sua vecchiezza. E egli appresso, maritata altamente la sua figliuola, con Griselda, onorandola sempre quanto piú si potea, lungamente e consolato visse.

Some days after, the Count of Panago returned to Bologna, and Gualtieri took Giannucolo from his husbandry, and established him in honour as his father-in-law, wherein to his great solace he lived for the rest of his days. Gualtieri himself, having mated his daughter with a husband of high degree, lived long and happily thereafter with Griselda, to whom he ever paid all honour.


Petrarch:

Multosque post per annos ingenti pace concordiaque vixere; et Valterius inopem socerum, quem hactenus neglexisse visus erat, nequando concepte animo obstaret experientie, suam in domum translatum in honore habuit, filiam suam magnificis atque honestis nuptiis collocavit, filiumque sui dominii successorem liquit, et coniugio letus et sobole.

Many years thereafter they lived in great peace and concord; and Walter, who had appeared to neglect his father-in-law, lest he should stand in the way of the experiment he had conceived, had the old man move into his palace and held him in honor. His own daughter he gave in noble and honorable marriage, and his son he left behind him as his heir, happy in his wife and in his offspring.


Chaucer:

Ful many a yeer in heigh prosperitee
Lyven thise two in concord and in reste.
And richely his doghter maryed he
Unto a lord, oon of the worthieste
Of al Ytaille, and thanne in pees and reste
His wyves fader in his court he kepeth,
Til that the soule out of his body crepeth.


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Stanza 153

Boccaccio:

E quivi fattasi co' figliuoli maravigliosa festa, essendo ogni uomo lietissimo di questa cosa, il sollazzo e 'l festeggiar multiplicarono e in piú giorni tirarono; e savissimo reputaron Gualtieri, come che troppo reputassero agre e intollerabili l'esperienze prese della sua donna, e sopra tutti savissima tenner Griselda.

Wondrous was the cheer which there they made with the children; and, all overjoyed at the event, they revelled and made merry amain, and prolonged the festivities for several days; and very discreet they pronounced Gualtieri, albeit they censured as intolerably harsh the probation to which he had subjected Griselda, and most discreet beyond all compare they accounted Griselda.


Petrarch:

plaususque letissimus et fausta omnium verba circumsonant, multoque cum gaudio et fletu ille dies celeberrimus fuit, celebrior quoque quam dies fuerat nuptiarum.

The most joyous plaudits and auspicious words from all the throng resounded all about; and the day was the most renowned that ever was for its great joy and sorrow, – more renowned, even, than the day of her nuptials had been.


Chaucer:

Thus hath this pitous day a blisful ende,
For every man and womman dooth his myght
This day in murthe and revel to dispende,
Til on the welkne shoon the sterres lyght.
For moore solempne in every mannes syght
This feste was, and gretter of costage,
Than was the revel of hire mariage.


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Stanza 152

Boccaccio:

Le donne lietissime, levate dalle tavole, con Griselda n'andarono in camera e con migliore agurio trattile i suoi pannicelli d'una nobile roba delle sue la rivestirono; e come donna, la quale ella eziandio negli stracci pareva, nella sala la rimenarono.

Whereat the ladies, transported with delight, rose from table and betook them with Griselda to a chamber, and, with better omen, divested her of her sorry garb, and arrayed her in one of her own robes of state; and so, in guise of a lady (howbeit in her rags she had shewed as no less) they led her back into the hall.


Petrarch:

Raptimque matrone alacres ac faventes circumfuse, vilibus exutam suis, solitis vestibus induunt exornantque;

And straightway the ladies gathered about her with alacrity and affection; and when her vile apparel had been stripped off her, they clothed her in her accustomed garments and adorned her.


Chaucer:

Thise ladyes, whan that they hir tyme say,
Han taken hir and into chambre gon,
And strepen hire out of hir rude array
And in a clooth of gold that brighte shoon,
With a coroune of many a riche stoon
Upon hir heed, they into halle hir broghte,
And ther she was honured as hire oghte.


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Stanza 147

Boccaccio:

E cosí detto l'abbracciò e basciò: e con lei insieme, la qual d'allegrezza piagnea, levatosi n'andarono là dove la figliuola tutta stupefatta queste cose ascoltando sedea e, abbracciatala teneramente e il fratello altressí, lei e molti altri che quivi erano sgannarono. [

Which said, he embraced and kissed her; and then, while she wept for joy, they rose and hied them there where sate the daughter, all astonied to hear the news, whom, as also her brother, they tenderly embraced, and explained to them, and many others that stood by, the whole mystery.


Petrarch:

Hec illa audiens, pene gaudio exanimis et pietate amens iocundissimisque cum lacrimis, suorum pignorum in amplexus ruit, fatigatque osculis, pioque gemitu madefacit.

Almost out of her wits for joy and beside herself with maternal love, on hearing these words, Griselda rushed into her children's arms, shedding the most joyous tears. She wearied them with kisses and bedewed them with her loving tears.


Chaucer:

Whan she this herde, aswowne doun she falleth
For pitous joye, and after hir swownynge
She bothe hir yonge children unto hir calleth,
And in hir armes pitously wepynge
Embraceth hem, and tendrely kissynge
Ful lyk a mooder, with hir salte teeres
She bathed bothe hir visage and hir heeres.


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Stanza 146

Boccaccio:

e che coloro li quali me hanno reputato crudele e iniquo e bestiale conoscano che ciò che io faceva a antiveduto fine operava, vogliendoti insegnar d'esser moglie e a loro di saperla tenere, e a me partorire perpetua quiete mentre teco a vivere avessi: il che, quando venni a prender moglie, gran paura ebbi che non m'intervenisse, e per ciò, per prova pigliarne, in quanti modi tu sai ti punsi e trafissi.

and that those, who have deemed me cruel and unjust and insensate, should know that what I did was done of purpose aforethought, for that I was minded to give both thee and them a lesson, that thou mightst learn to be a wife, and they in like manner might learn how to take and keep a wife, and that I might beget me perpetual peace with thee for the rest of my life; whereof being in great fear, when I came to take a wife, lest I should be disappointed, I therefore, to put the matter to the proof, did, and how sorely thou knowest, harass and afflict thee.


Petrarch:

Sciant qui contrarium crediderunt me curiosum atque experientem esse, non impium; probasse coniugem, non damnasse; occultasse filios, non mactasse».

Let all know, who thought the contrary, that I am curious and given to experiments, but am not impious: I have tested my wife, not condemned her; I have hidden my children, not destroyed them."


Chaucer:

And folk that ootherweys han seyd of me,
I warne hem wel that I have doon this deede
For no malice, ne for no crueltee,
But for t'assaye in thee thy wommanheede,
And not to sleen my children - God forbeede! -
But for to kepe hem pryvely and stille,
Til I thy purpos knewe and al thy wille."


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Stanza 145

Boccaccio:

E però che io mai non mi sono accorto che in parola né in fatto dal mio piacere partita ti sii, parendo a me aver di te quella consolazione che io disiderava, intendo di rendere a te a un'ora ciò che io tra molte ti tolsi e con somma dolcezza le punture ristorare che io ti diedi. E per ciò con lieto animo prendi questa che tu mia sposa credi, e il suo fratello, per tuoi e miei figliuoli: essi sono quegli li quali e tu e molti altri lungamente stimato avete che io crudelmente uccider facessi; e io sono il tuo marito, il quale sopra ogni altra cosa t'amo, credendomi poter dar vanto che niuno altro sia che, sí com'io, si possa di sua moglier contentare.

And since I never knew thee either by deed or by word to deviate from my will, I now, deeming myself to have of thee that assurance of happiness which I desired, am minded to restore to thee at once all that, step by step, I took from thee, and by extremity of joy to compensate the tribulations that I inflicted on thee. Receive, then, this girl, whom thou supposest to be my bride, and her brother, with glad heart, as thy children and mine. These are they, whom by thee and many another it has long been supposed that I did ruthlessly to death, and I am thy husband, that loves thee more dearly than aught else, deeming that other there is none that has the like good cause to be well content with his wife."


Petrarch:

Ista autem quam tu sponsam meam reris, filia tua est; hic qui cognatus meus credebatur, tuus est filius: que divisim perdita videbantur, simul omnia recepisti.

This maiden, whom you think to be my bride, is your daughter; and he, who is thought to be my kinsman, is your son. They whom you believed you had lost, each in turn, you get back both together.


Chaucer:

This is thy doghter which thou hast supposed
To be my wyf; that oother feithfully
Shal be myn heir, as I have ay purposed;
Thou bare hym in thy body trewely.
At Boloigne have I kept hem prively.
Taak hem agayn, for now maystow nat seye
That thou hast lorn noon of thy children tweye.


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Stanza 144

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

stupore perfusam et velut e somno turbido experrectam, cupidis ulnis amplectitur et «Tu» ait «tu sola uxor mea es; aliam nec habui, nec habebo.

who stood all overcome with stupor and as if waking from a troubled sleep. "And you," he said, "are my only wife. I have no other, nor ever shall have.


Chaucer:

And she for wonder took of it no keep.
She herde nat, what thyng he to hir seyde.
She ferde as she had stert out of a sleep,
Til she out of hire mazednesse abreyde.
"Grisilde," quod he, "by God that for us deyde,
Thou art my wyf, ne noon oother I have,
Ne nevere hadde, as God my soule save.


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Stanza 143

Boccaccio:

Griselda, tempo è omai che tu senta frutto della tua lunga pazienzia,

"Griselda," said he, "'tis now time that thou see the reward of thy long patience,


Petrarch:

ac ferre diutius non valens, «Satis» inquit «mea Griseldis, cognita et spectata michi fides est tua, nec sub celo aliquem esse puto qui tanta coniugalis amoris experimenta perceperit». Simul hec dicens, caram coniugem leto

Able to bear it no longer, he cried out, "It is enough, my Griselda! Your fidelity to me is made known and proved; nor do I think that under heaven there is another woman who has undergone such trials of her conjugal love." And saying this, with eager arms he embraced his dear wife,


Chaucer:

"This is ynogh Grisilde myn," quod he,
"Be now namoore agast, ne yvele apayed.
I have thy feith and thy benyngnytee
As wel as evere womman was, assayed
In greet estaat, and povreliche arrayed;
Now knowe I, goode wyf, thy stedfastnesse!"
And hire in armes took, and gan hir kesse.


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Stanza 142

Boccaccio:

Gualtieri, veggendo che ella fermamente credeva costei dovere esser sua moglie, né per ciò in alcuna cosa men che ben parlava, la si fece sedere allato e disse:

Marking that she made no doubt but that the girl was to be his wife, and yet spoke never a whit the less sweetly, Gualtieri caused her to sit down beside him, and:


Petrarch:

Talia dicentis alacritatem intuens, atque constantiam totiens tamque acriter offense mulieris examinans, et indignam sortem non sic merite miseratus,

Walter, seeing the cheerfulness with which she spoke, and turning over in his mind the steadfastness of the woman, who had been so often and so bitterly injured, took pity on the unworthy fate that had befallen her so unjustly.


Chaucer:

And whan this Walter saugh hir pacience,
Hir glade chiere, and no malice at al,
And he so ofte had doon to hir offence
And she ay sad and constant as a wal,
Continuynge evere hir innocence overal,
This sturdy markys gan his herte dresse
To rewen upon hir wyfly stedfastnesse.


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Stanza 141

Boccaccio:

ma quanto posso vi priego che quelle punture, le quali all'altra, che vostra fu, già deste, non diate a questa, ché appena che io creda che ella le potesse sostenere, sí perché piú giovane è e sí ancora perché in dilicatezze è allevata, ove colei in continue fatiche da piccolina era stata".

but with all earnestness I entreat you, that you spare her those tribulations which you did once inflict upon another that was yours, for I scarce think she would be able to bear them, as well because she is younger, as for that she has been delicately nurtured, whereas that other had known no respite of hardship since she was but a little child."


Petrarch:

Unum bona fide te precor ac moneo: ne hanc illis aculeis agites quibus alteram agitasti, nam quod et iunior et delicatius enutrita est, pati quantum ego auguror non valeret».

One thing, in all good faith, I beg of you, one warning I give you: not to drive her with the goads with which you have driven another woman. For since she is younger and more delicately nurtured, I predict she would not be strong enough to bear so much."


Chaucer:

O thyng biseke I yow, and warne also
That ye ne prikke with no tormentynge
This tendre mayden, as ye han doon mo;
For she is fostred in hir norissynge
Moore tendrely, and to my supposynge
She koude nat adversitee endure,
As koude a povre fostred creature."


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Stanza 140

Boccaccio:

in presenzia d'ogn'uomo sorridendo le disse: "Che ti par della nostra sposa?" "Signor mio,"rispose Griselda"a me ne par molto bene; e se cosí è savia come ella è bella, che 'l credo, io non dubito punto che voi non dobbiate con lei vivere il piú consolato signor del mondo;

he said with a smile: "And what thinkst thou of our bride?" "My lord," replied Griselda, "I think mighty well of her; and if she be but as discreet as she is fair--and so I deem her--I make no doubt but you may reckon to lead with her a life of incomparable felicity;


Petrarch:

clara voce coram omnibus, quasi illudens, «Quid tibi videtur» inquit «de hac mea sponsa? Satis pulcra atque honesta est?». «Plane» ait illa «nec pulcrior ulla nec honestior inveniri potest. Aut cum nulla unquam, aut cum hac tranquillam agere poteris ac felicem vitam; utque ita sit cupio et spero.

and said before them all, as if he were making game of her, "What think you, Griselda, of this bride of mine? Is she pretty and worthy enough?" "Surely," said she, "no prettier or worthier could be found. Either with her or with no one, can you lead a life of tranquillity and happiness; and that you may find happiness is my desire and my hope.


Chaucer:

"Grisilde," quod he, as it were in his pley,
"How liketh thee my wyf and hir beautee?"
"Right wel," quod she, "my lord, for in good fey
A fairer saugh I nevere noon than she.
I prey to God yeve hir prosperitee,
And so hope I that he wol to yow sende
Plesance ynogh unto youre lyves ende.


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Stanza 139

Boccaccio:

ma intra gli altri Griselda la lodava molto, e lei e il suo fratellino. Gualtieri, al qual pareva pienamente aver veduto quantunque disiderava della pazienza della sua donna, veggendo che di niente la novità delle cose la cambiava e essendo certo ciò per mentecattaggine non avvenire, per ciò che savia molto la conoscea, gli parve tempo di doverla trarre dell'amaritudine la quale estimava che ella sotto il forte viso nascosa tenesse; per che, fattalasi venire,

and Griselda joined with the rest in greatly commending her, and also her little brother. And now Gualtieri, sated at last with all that he had seen of his wife's patience, marking that this new and strange turn made not the least alteration in her demeanour, and being well assured that 'twas not due to apathy, for he knew her to be of excellent understanding, deemed it time to relieve her of the suffering which he judged her to dissemble under a resolute front; and so, having called her to him in presence of them all,


Petrarch:

atque ipsa in primis puelle pariter atque infantis laudibus satiari nullo modo posset, sed vicissim modo virgineam, modo infantilem elegantiam predicaret. Valterius, eo ipso in tempore quo assidendum mensis erat in eam versus,

She, in her turn, could not grow weary of praising the maiden and the boy: now she extolled the maiden's beauty, now the boy's. Just as they were to sit down at the tables, Walter turned toward her


Chaucer:

In al this meenewhile she ne stente
This mayde and eek hir brother to commende
With al hir herte, in ful benyngne entente,
So wel that no man koude hir pris amende
But atte laste, whan that thise lordes wende
To sitten doun to mete, he gan to calle
Grisilde, as she was bisy in his halle.


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Stanza 138

Boccaccio:

dicendo: "Ben venga la mia donna". Le donne, che molto avevano, ma invano, pregato Gualtieri che o facesse che la Griselda si stesse in una camera o che egli alcuna delle robe che sue erano state le prestasse, acciò che cosí non andasse davanti a' suoi forestieri, furon messe a tavola e cominciate a servire.

saying with hearty cheer: "Welcome, my lady." So the ladies, who had with much instance, but in vain, besought Gualtieri, either to let Griselda keep in another room, or at any rate to furnish her with one of the robes that had been hers, that she might not present herself in such a sorry guise before the strangers, sate down to table; and the service being begun,


Petrarch:

«Bene venerit domina mea» inquit. Dehinc ceteros dum convivas leta facie et verborum mira suavitate susciperet, et immensam domum multa arte disponeret, ita ut omnes et presertim advene unde ea maiestas morum atque ea prudentia sub tali habitu vehementissime mirarentur,

Bending the knee before her, after the manner of servants, with eyes cast reverently and humbly down, she said, "Welcome, my lady." Then she greeted others of the guests with cheerful face and marvelous sweetness in her words, and she managed the vast household with great skill; so that everyone greatly wondered – especially the newcomers – whence came that dignity of manner and that discretion beneath such a dress.


Chaucer:

With so glad chiere hise gestes she receyveth,
And konnyngly everich in his degree,
That no defaute no man aperceyveth,
But ay they wondren what she myghte bee
That in so povre array was for to see,
And koude swich honour and reverence;
And worthily they preisen hire prudence.


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Stanza 137

Boccaccio:

La quale dalle donne ricevuta e nella sala dove erano messe le tavole venuta, Griselda, cosí come era, le si fece lietamente incontro

Who, being received by the ladies, was no sooner come into the hall, where the tables were set, than Griselda advanced to meet her,


Petrarch:

Sic fervente convivii apparatu, ubique presens omniumque solicita Griseldis, nec tanto casu deiecta animo nec obsolete vestis pudore confusa, sed sereno vultu intranti obvia puelle,

So, while the preparations for the feast went feverishly on, Griselda, who had been present everywhere and solicitous of all – not cast down by so grievous a lot nor confused with shame for her old-fashioned clothing, but serene of countenance – came to meet the maiden as she entered.


Chaucer:

Ful bisy was Grisilde in every thyng
That to the feeste was apertinent.
Right noght was she abayst of hir clothyng,
Thogh it were rude and somdeel eek torent,
But with glad cheere to the yate is went
With oother folk to greete the markysesse,
And after that dooth forth hir bisynesse.


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Stanza 134

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

quod et sponsa hec tenerior esset et nobilior, et cognatus tam speciosus accederet.

since this bride was more delicate and of nobler breeding, and had so fine a kinsman into the bargain.


Chaucer:

"For she is fairer," as they deemen alle,
"Than is Grisilde, and moore tendre of age,
And fairer fruyt bitwene hem sholde falle,
And moore plesant for hir heigh lynage."
Hir brother eek so faire was of visage,
That hem to seen the peple hath caught plesaunce,
Commendynge now the markys governaunce.


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Stanza 133

Boccaccio:

La fanciulla era guardata da ogn'uomo, e ciascun diceva che Gualtieri aveva fatto buon cambio;

the eyes of all were set on the girl, and every one said that Gualtieri had made a good exchange,


Petrarch:

Proxime lucis hora tertia, comes supervenerat; certatimque omnes et puelle et germani infantis mores ac pulcritudinem mirabantur. Erantque qui dicerent prudenter Valterium ac feliciter permutasse,

At the third hour of the next day, the count arrived; and all the people vied in commending the manners and the beauty of the maiden and her youthful brother. There were those who said that Walter had been fortunate and prudent in the change he made,


Chaucer:

Abouten undren gan this Erl alighte,
That with hym broghte thise noble children tweye,
For which the peple ran to seen the sighte
Of hire array, so richely biseye;
And thanne at erst amonges hem they seye,
That Walter was no fool, thogh that hym leste
To chaunge his wyf, for it was for the beste.


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Stanza 132

Boccaccio:

E entratasene co' suoi pannicelli romagnuoli e grossi in quella casa della qual poco avanti era uscita in camiscia, cominciò a spazzar le camere e ordinarle e a far porre capoletti e pancali per le sale, a fare apprestar la cucina, e a ogni cosa, come se una piccola fanticella della casa fosse, porre le mani, né mai ristette che ella ebbe tutto acconcio e ordinato quanto si conveniva. E appresso questo, fatto da parte di Gualtieri invitar tutte le donne della contrada, cominciò a attender la festa; e venuto il giorno delle nozze, come che i panni avesse poveri indosso, con animo e costume donnesco tutte le donne che a quelle vennero, e con lieto viso, ricevette.

And so, clad in her sorry garments of coarse romagnole, she entered the house, which, but a little before, she had quitted in her shift, and addressed her to sweep the chambers, and arrange arras and cushions in the halls, and make ready the kitchen, and set her hand to everything, as if she had been a paltry serving-wench: nor did she rest until she had brought all into such meet and seemly trim as the occasion demanded. This done, she invited in Gualtieri's name all the ladies of those parts to be present at his nuptials, and awaited the event. The day being come, still wearing her sorry weeds, but in heart and soul and mien the lady, she received the ladies as they came, and gave each a gladsome greeting.


Petrarch:

Et cum dicto, servilia mox instrumenta corripiens, domum verrere, mensas instruere, lectos sternere, ortarique alias ceperat, ancille in morem fidelissime.

And when she had said this, straightway she caught up the implements of servant's toil and set to work, sweeping the house, setting the tables, making the beds, and urging on the others, like the best of handmaids.


Chaucer:

And with that word she gan the hous to dighte,
And tables for to sette, and beddes make,
And peyned hir to doon al that she myghte,
Preyynge the chambereres for Goddes sake
To hasten hem, and faste swepe and shake,
And she, the mooste servysable of alle,
Hath every chambre arrayed, and his halle.


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Stanza 131

Boccaccio:

Come che queste parole fossero tutte coltella al cuor di Griselda, come a colei che non aveva cosí potuto por giú l'amore che ella gli portava come fatto aveva la buona fortuna, rispose: "Signor mio, io son presta e apparecchiata".

Albeit each of these words pierced Griselda's heart like a knife, for that, in resigning her good fortune, she had not been able to renounce the love she bore Gualtieri, nevertheless: "My lord," she made answer, "I am ready and prompt to do your pleasure."


Petrarch:

«Non libenter modo» inquit illa «sed cupide et hoc et quecunque tibi placita sensero faciam semper, neque in hoc unquam fatigabor aut lentescam dum spiritus huius reliquie ulle supererunt».

"I will do this," said she, "and whatever else I see will please you, not only willingly, but eagerly. Nor shall I grow weary or sluggish in this labor, so long as the least remnant of my spirit shall last."


Chaucer:

"Nat oonly lord, that I am glad," quod she,
"To doon your lust, but I desire also
Yow for to serve and plese in my degree
Withouten feyntyng, and shal everemo.
Ne nevere, for no wele ne no wo,
Ne shal the goost withinne myn herte stente
To love yow best with al my trewe entente."


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Stanza 130

Boccaccio:

e tu sai che io non ho in casa donne che mi sappiano acconciar le camere né fare molte cose che a cosí fatta festa si richeggiono: e per ciò tu, che meglio che altra persona queste cose di casa sai, metti in ordine quello che da far ci è, e quelle donne fa invitar che ti pare e ricevile come se donna di qui fossi: poi, fatte le nozze, te ne potrai a casa tua tornare".

and thou knowest that women I have none in the house that know how to set chambers in due order, or attend to the many other matters that so joyful an event requires; wherefore do thou, that understandest these things better than another, see to all that needs be done, and bid hither such ladies as thou mayst see fit, and receive them, as if thou wert the lady of the house, and then, when the nuptials are ended, thou mayst go back to thy cottage."


Petrarch:

Domi tamen feminas ad hoc opus ydoneas non habeo; proinde tu, quamvis veste inopi, hanc tibi, que mores meos nosti optime, suscipiendorum locandorumque hospitum curam sumes».

But I have no women in the house who are suited to cope with this task; therefore, though your garments are but poor, you may best assume the duty of receiving and placing my guests, for you know my ways."


Chaucer:

I have no wommen, suffisaunt, certayn,
The chambres for t'arraye in ordinaunce
After my lust, and therfore wolde I fayn
That thyn were al swich manere governaunce;
Thou knowest eek of olde al my plesaunce,
Thogh thyn array be badde and yvel biseye,
Do thou thy devoir at the leeste weye."


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Stanza 129

Boccaccio:

alla quale venuta disse: "Io meno questa donna la quale io ho nuovamente tolta e intendo in questa sua prima venuta d'onorarla;

To whom, being come, quoth he: "I am bringing hither my new bride, and in this her first home-coming I purpose to shew her honour;


Petrarch:

«Cupio» ait «ut puella cras huc ad prandium ventura magnifice excipiatur, virique et matrone qui secum sunt, simulque et nostri qui coniugio intererunt, ita ut locorum verborumque honor integer singulis pro dignitate servetur.

he said to her, "It is my desire that the maiden who is coming on the morrow to dine with us should be received sumptuously, as well as the men and matrons who come with her and such of our own people as are present at the feast, so that honor of place and welcome may be preserved unspotted, according to the dignity of each and all.


Chaucer:

"Grisilde," quod he, "my wyl is outrely
This mayden, that shal wedded been to me,
Received be to-morwe as roially
As it possible is in myn hous to be;
And eek that every wight in his degree
Have his estaat in sittyng and servyse
And heigh plesaunce, as I kan best devyse.


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Stanza 128

Boccaccio:

e faccendo fare l'apresto grande per le nozze mandò per la Griselda che a lui venisse;

He accordingly made great preparations as for the nuptials, during which he sent for Griselda.


Petrarch:

Pridie igitur Valterius, ad se Griseldim evocans, devotissime venienti,

The day before, therefore, Walter sent for Griseldis, and when she had come with all fidelity,


Chaucer:

The markys, which that shoop and knew al this,
Er that this Erl was come, sente his message
For thilke sely povre Grisildis;
And she with humble herte and glad visage,
Nat with no swollen thoght in hire corage
Cam at his heste, and on hir knees hire sette,
And reverently and wysely she hym grette.


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Stanza 127

Boccaccio:

Come Gualtieri questo ebbe fatto, cosí fece veduto a' suoi che presa aveva una figliuola d'uno de' conti da Panago. . . . Il gentile uomo, fatto secondo che il marchese il pregava, entrato in cammino dopo alquanti dí con la fanciulla e col fratello e con nobile compagnia in su l'ora del desinare giunse a Sanluzzo, dove tutti i paesani e molti altri vicini da torno trovò che attendevan questa novella sposa di Gualtieri.

Now no sooner had Gualtieri dismissed Griselda, than he gave his vassals to understand that he had taken to wife a daughter of one of the Counts of Panago. . . . The gentleman did as the Marquis bade him, and within a few days of his setting forth arrived at Saluzzo about breakfast-time with the girl, and her brother, and a noble company, and found all the folk of those parts, and much people besides, gathered there in expectation of Gualtieri's new bride.


Petrarch:

Iam Panici comes propinquabat, et de novis nuptiis fama undique frequens erat; premissoque uno e suis, diem quo Salutias perventurus esset acceperat.

Now the Count of Panago was drawing near; and, on every hand, rumors of the new nuptials were rife. Sending forward one of his train, he announced the day on which he would arrive at Saluzzo.


Chaucer:

Fro Boloigne is this Erl of Panyk come,
Of which the fame up sprang to moore and lesse,
And in the peples eres, alle and some,
Was kouth eek that a newe markysesse
He with hym broghte, in swich pompe and richesse,
That nevere was ther seyn with mannes eye
So noble array in al Westlumbardye.


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Stanza 125

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

quippe cum in mediis opibus inops semper spiritu vixisset atque humilis.

since, forsooth, she had always dwelt amid riches with lowly and humble spirit.


Chaucer:

No wonder is, for in hir grete estaat
Hire goost was evere in pleyn humylitee.
No tendre mouth, noon herte delicaat,
No pompe, no semblant of roialtee,
But ful of pacient benyngnytee,
Discreet and pridelees, ay honurable,
And to hire housbonde evere meke and stable.


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Stanza 124

Boccaccio:

ella rivestitiglisi, a' piccoli servigi della paterna casa si diede sí come far soleva, con forte animo sostenendo il fiero assalto della nemica fortuna.

and she, having resumed them, applied herself to the petty drudgery of her father's house, as she had been wont, enduring with fortitude this cruel visitation of adverse Fortune.


Petrarch:

Mansit illa cum patre paucos dies equanimitate et humilitate mirabili, ita ut nullum in ea signum animi tristioris, nullum vestigium fortune prosperioris extaret,

She remained with her father a few days, showing marvelous equanimity and kindness; for she gave no sign of the sadness of her heart and showed no trace of her more favorable lot,


Chaucer:

Thus with hir fader for a certeyn space
Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pacience,
That neither by hir wordes ne hir face,
Biforn the folk, ne eek in hir absence,
Ne shewed she that hir was doon offence,
Ne of hir heighe estaat no remembraunce
Ne hadde she, as by hir contenaunce.


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Stanza 123

Boccaccio:

per che recatigliele e ella rivestitiglisi, a' piccoli servigi della paterna casa si diede sí come far soleva, con forte animo sostenendo il fiero assalto della nemica fortuna.

now brought them to her; and she, having resumed them, applied herself to the petty drudgery of her father's house, as she had been wont, enduring with fortitude this cruel visitation of adverse Fortune.


Petrarch:

Audito ergo non tam filie tacite redeuntis quam comitum strepitu, occurrit in limine et seminudam antiqua veste cohoperuit.

Hearing the uproar, not of his daughter, who returned in silence, but of the accompanying throng, he ran to meet her at the threshold and covered her, half naked as she was, with the old gown.


Chaucer:

Agayns his doghter hastily goth he,
For he by noyse of folk knew hir comynge,
And with hir olde coote, as it myghte be,
He covered hir, ful sorwefully wepynge,
But on hir body myghte he it nat brynge.
For rude was the clooth, and moore of age
By dayes fele than at hir mariage.


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Stanza 122

Boccaccio:

Giannucolo, che creder non avea mai potuto questo esser ver che Gualtieri la figliuola dovesse tener moglie, e ogni dí questo caso aspettando, guardati l'aveva i panni che spogliati s'avea quella mattina che Gualtier la sposò;

Giannucolo, who had ever deemed it a thing incredible that Gualtieri should keep his daughter to wife, and had looked for this to happen every day, and had kept the clothes that she had put off on the morning that Gualtieri had wedded her,


Petrarch:

Senex, qui has filie nuptias semper suspectas habuerat neque unquam tantam spem mente conceperat semperque hoc eventurum cogitaverat, ut, satietate sponse tam humilis exorta, domo illam quandoque vir tantus et more nobilium superbus abiceret, tunicam eius hispidam et attritam senio, abdita parve domus in parte servaverat.

The good man, who had always held his daughter's marriage in suspicion and had never allowed himself high hopes, ever expecting it to turn out that so high-born a husband, proud after the fashion of noblemen, would one day be sated with so lowly a bride and send her home, had kept her coarse and well-worn gown hidden away in some corner of his narrow dwelling.


Chaucer:

For out of doute this olde povre man
Was evere in suspect of hir mariage,
For evere he demed, sith that it bigan,
That whan the lord fulfild hadde his corage,
Hym wolde thynke it were a disparage
To his estaat, so lowe for talighte,
And voyden hir as soone as ever he myghte.


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Stanza 121

Boccaccio:

e al padre se ne tornò con lagrime e con pianto di tutti coloro che la videro.

and went back to her father amid the tears and lamentations of all that saw her.


Petrarch:

atque ita prosequentibus multis ac flentibus fortunamque culpantibus, siccis una oculis et honesto veneranda silentio, ad paternam domum remeavit.

Followed by many, who wept and railed at fortune, she alone dry-eyed and to be honored for her noble silence, returned to her father's house.


Chaucer:

The folk hir folwe, wepynge in hir weye,
And Fortune ay they cursen, as they goon;
But she fro wepyng kepte hir eyen dreye,
Ne in this tyme word ne spak she noon.
Hir fader, that this tidynge herde anoon,
Curseth the day and tyme that nature
Shoop hym to been a lyves creature.


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Stanza 120

Boccaccio:

Gualtieri, che maggior voglia di piagnere avea che d'altro, stando pur col viso duro, disse: "E tu una camiscia ne porta". Quanti dintorno v'erano il pregavano che egli una roba le donasse, ché non fosse veduta colei che sua moglie tredici anni e piú era stata di casa sua cosí poveramente e cosí vituperosamente uscire, come era uscirne in camiscia; ma invano andarono i prieghi; di che la donna, in camiscia e scalza e senza alcuna cosa in capo, accomandatigli a Dio, gli uscí di casa

There was nought of which Gualtieri was so fain as to weep; but yet, setting his face as a flint, he made answer: "I allow thee a shift to thy back; so get thee hence." All that stood by besought him to give her a robe, that she, who had been his wife for thirteen years and more, might not be seen to quit his house in so sorry and shameful a plight, having nought on her but a shift. But their entreaties went for nothing: the lady in her shift, and barefoot and bareheaded, having bade them adieu, departed the house,


Petrarch:

Abundabant viro lacrime, ut contineri amplius iam non possent, itaque faciem avertens, «Et camisiam tibi unicam habeto», verbis trementibus vix expressit, et sic abiit illacrimans. Illa, coram cuntis sese exuens, solam sibi retinuit camisiam, qua contecta, nudo capite pedibusque nudis, egreditur;

The tears welled into her husband's eyes, so that they could no longer be restrained; and so, turning his face aside, "Take your one shift," he said, and his voice trembled so that he could scarcely say it. So, weeping, he took his departure. Before them all, she stripped off her clothes, keeping upon her only her shift; and covered with that alone, she went forth before them with feet and head quite bare.


Chaucer:

"The smok," quod he, "that thou hast on thy bak,
Lat it be stille, and bere it forth with thee."
But wel unnethes thilke word he spak,
But wente his wey for routhe and for pitee.
Biforn the folk hirselven strepeth she,
And in hir smok, with heed and foot al bare,
Toward hir fader hous forth is she fare.


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Stanza 119

Boccaccio:

but yet, I pray you, be pleased, in guerdon of the virginity that I brought you and take not away, to suffer me to bear hence upon my back a single shift--I crave no more--besides my dowry."

ma io vi priego, in premio della mia virginità che io ci recai e non ne la porto, che almeno una sola camiscia sopra la dota mia vi piaccia che io portar ne possa".


Petrarch:

Quamobrem si tibi placet, et non aliter, oro atque obsecro ut in precium virginitatis quam huc attuli quamque non refero, unicam michi camisiam linqui iubeas earum quibus tecum uti soleo, qua ventrem tue quondam uxoris operiam».

Wherefore, if it please you – but not otherwise – I pray and beseech you, as the price of the maidenhood which I brought hither and do not take hence, bid me keep one shift, out of those I have been wont to wear, that I may cover therewith the belly of her who was once your wife."


Chaucer:

Wherfore, in gerdoun of my maydenhede
Which that I broghte, and noght agayn I bere,
As voucheth sauf to yeve me to my meede
But swich a smok as I was wont to were,
That I therwith may wrye the wombe of here
That was your wyf. And heer take I my leeve
Of yow, myn owene lord, lest I yow greve."


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Stanza 118

Boccaccio:

e se voi giudicate onesto che quel corpo nel quale io ho portati i figliuoli da voi generati sia da tutti veduto, io me n'andrò ignuda;

And if you deem it seemly that that body in which I have borne children, by you begotten, be beheld of all, naked will I depart;


Petrarch:

nisi quod indignum reor ut hic uterus in quo filii fuerunt quos tu genuisti, populo nudus appareat.

save that I think it unseemly that this belly, in which the children you begot were shaped, should appear naked before the people.


Chaucer:

Ye koude nat doon so dishonest a thyng,
That thilke wombe in which your children leye,
Sholde biforn the peple in my walkyng
Be seyn al bare; wherfore I yow preye,
Lat me nat lyk a worm go by the weye!
Remembre yow, myn owene lord so deere,
I was your wyf, though I unworthy weere.


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Stanza 117

Boccaccio:

e se voi giudicate onesto che quel corpo nel quale io ho portati i figliuoli da voi generati sia da tutti veduto, io me n'andrò ignuda;

And if you deem it seemly that that body in which I have borne children, by you begotten, be beheld of all, naked will I depart;


Petrarch:

reliqui anuli et vestes et ornamenta quibus te donante ad invidiam aucta eram, in thalamo tuo sunt. Nuda e domo patris egressa, nuda itidem revertar, nisi quod indignum reor ut hic uterus in quo filii fuerunt quos tu genuisti, populo nudus appareat. Quamobrem

And the other rings and finery, with which your gifts have enriched me to the point of envy, are in your chamber. Naked I came from my father's house, and naked shall I return again, – save that I think it unseemly that this belly, in which the children you begot were shaped, should appear naked before the people.


Chaucer:

The remenant of youre jueles redy be
In-with youre chambre, dar I saufly sayn.
Naked out of my fadres hous," quod she,
"I cam, and naked moot I turne agayn.
Al your plesance wol I folwen fayn,
But yet I hope it be nat your entente
That I smoklees out of your paleys wente.


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Stanza 116

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

paterne olim domus in limine spoliata meis, tuis induta vestibus ad te veni, neque omnino alia michi dos fuit quam fides et nuditas. Ecce igitur ut hanc vestem exuo, anulumque restituo quo me subarrasti;

for as I came to you long since, stripped at my father's threshold of all my clothes and clad in yours, I had no other dowry but nakedness and devotion. Lo, therefore, I strip off this dress and restore this ring, with which you wed me.


Chaucer:

My lord, ye woot that in my fadres place
Ye dide me streepe out of my povre weede,
And richely me cladden of youre grace.
To yow broghte I noght elles, out of drede,
But feith, and nakednesse, and maydenhede.
And heere agayn my clothyng I restoore,
And eek my weddyng ryng for everemore.


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Stanza 114

Boccaccio:

Comandatemi che io quella dota me ne porti che io ci recai: alla qual cosa fare né a voi pagatore né a me borsa bisognerà né somiere, per ciò che di mente uscito non m'è che ignuda m'aveste;

You bid me take with me the dowry that I brought you; which to do will require neither paymaster on your part nor purse nor packhorse on mine; for I am not unmindful that naked was I when you first had me.


Petrarch:

At quod iubes dotem meam mecum ut auferam, quale sit video, neque enim excidit ut paterne olim domus in limine spoliata meis, tuis induta vestibus ad te veni, neque omnino alia michi dos fuit quam fides et nuditas.

"But as for my dowry, which you bid me take back with me, I see of what sort it is, and it has not been lost; for as I came to you long since, stripped at my father's threshold of all my clothes and clad in yours, I had no other dowry but nakedness and devotion.


Chaucer:

But ther as ye me profre swich dowaire
As I first broghte, it is wel in my mynde
It were my wrecched clothes, no thyng faire,
The whiche to me were hard now for to fynde.
O goode God! how gentil and how kynde
Ye semed by youre speche and youre visage
The day that maked was oure mariage!


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Stanza 113

Boccaccio:

piacevi di rivolerlo, e a me dee piacere e piace di renderlovi: ecco il vostro anello col quale voi mi sposaste, prendetelo.

'Tis your pleasure to recall it, and therefore it should be, and is, my pleasure to render it up to you. So, here is your ring, with which you espoused me; take it back.


Petrarch:

Nove coniugi volens cedo, que tibi utinam felix adveniat, atque hinc ubi iocundissime degebam quando ita tibi placitum, non invita discedo.

I readily yield place to your new bride – and may her coming bring you joy! – and I will not take away any ill feeling from this place, where I was wont to live most happily, while it so pleased you.


Chaucer:

And of youre newe wyf, God of his grace
So graunte yow wele and prosperitee,
For I wol gladly yelden hir my place
In which that I was blisful wont to bee.
For sith it liketh yow my lord," quod shee,
"That whilom weren al myn hertes reste,
That I shal goon, I wol goon whan yow leste.


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Stanza 112

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

atque ubi pueritiam egi senectutem agere et mori, felix semper atque honorabilis vidua, que viri talis uxor fuerim.

and to die where I have passed my youth, always happy in the honorable estate of widowhood, since I have been the wife of such a man.


Chaucer:

Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal,
Til I be deed, my lyf ther wol I lede,
A wydwe clene in body, herte, and al,
For sith I yaf to yow my maydenhede
And am youre trewe wyf, it is no drede,
God shilde swich a lordes wyf to take
Another man, to housbonde or to make.


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Stanza 111

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

De hoc igitur tempore quo tecum multo cum honore longe supra omne meritum meum fui, Deo et tibi gratias ago; de reliquo, parata sum bono pacatoque animo paternam domum repetere, atque ubi pueritiam egi senectutem agere et mori,

For these years, therefore, that I have dwelt with you in honor far beyond my deserts, I give thanks to God and you. For the rest, I am ready, with good heart and peaceful mind, to return to my father's house, to pass my age and to die where I have passed my youth,


Chaucer:

That ye so longe of youre benignitee
Han holden me in honour and nobleye,
Wher as I was noght worthy for to bee,
That thonke I God and yow, to whom I preye
Foryelde it yow; ther is namoore to seye.
Unto my fader gladly wol I wende,
And with hym dwelle unto my lyves ende.


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Stanza 110

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

inque hac domo, in qua tu me dominam fecisti, Deum testor, animo semper ancilla permansi.

and in this house, in which you have made me mistress, I call God to witness that I have remained in spirit as a handmaid.


Chaucer:

And in this hous ther ye me lady maade -
The heighe God take I for my witnesse,
And also wysly he my soule glaade -
I nevere heeld me lady ne maistresse,
But humble servant to youre worthynesse,
And evere shal whil that my lyf may dure
Aboven every worldly creature.


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Stanza 109

Boccaccio:

La donna, udendo queste parole, non senza grandissima fatica, oltre alla natura delle femine, ritenne le lagrime e rispose: "Signor mio, io conobbi sempre la mia bassa condizione alla vostra nobilità in alcun modo non convenirsi, e quello che io stata son con voi da Dio e da voi il riconoscea, né mai, come donatolmi, mio il feci o tenni ma sempre l'ebbi come prestatomi;

'Twas not without travail most grievous that the lady, as she heard this announcement, got the better of her woman's nature, and suppressing her tears, made answer: "My lord, I ever knew that my low degree was on no wise congruous with your nobility, and acknowledged that the rank I had with you was of your and God's bestowal, nor did I ever make as if it were mine by gift, or so esteem it, but still accounted it as a loan.


Petrarch:

Contra illa, «Ego» inquit «mi domine, semper scivi inter magnitudinem tuam et humilitatem meam nullam esse proportionem; meque nunquam tuo, non dicam coniugio, sed servitio dignam duxi,

She made answer: "My lord, I have always known that there was no proportion between your greatness and my lowly station. I have never considered myself worthy to be – I will not say, your wife, but your servant;


Chaucer:

And she answerde agayn in pacience,
"My lord," quod she, "I woot and wiste alway
How that bitwixen youre magnificence
And my poverte, no wight kan ne may
Maken comparisoun; it is no nay.
I ne heeld me nevere digne in no manere
To be your wyf, no, ne youre chamberere.


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Stanza 108

Boccaccio:

io intendo che tu piú mia moglie non sia, ma che tu a casa Giannucolo te ne torni con la dote che tu mi recasti, e io poi un'altra, che trovata n'ho convenevole a me, ce ne menerò".


I purpose that thou go back to Giannucolo's house with the dowry that thou broughtest me; whereupon I shall bring home a lady that I have found, and who is meet to be my wife."


Petrarch:

Esto igitur forti animo, dansque locum alteri, et dotem tuam referens, in antiquam domum equa mente revertere. Nulla homini perpetua sors est».

Therefore, be of stout heart, and yielding your place to another, take back your dowry and return to your former home with equal mind. No good fortune lasts forever."


Chaucer:

Be strong of herte, and voyde anon hir place,
And thilke dower that ye broghten me
Taak it agayn, I graunte it of my grace.
Retourneth to youre fadres hous," quod he;
"No man may alwey han prosperitee.
With evene herte I rede yow t'endure
This strook of Fortune or of aventure."


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Stanza 107

Boccaccio:

le disse: "Donna, per concession fattami dal Papa io posso altra donna pigliare e lasciar te; e per ciò che i miei passati sono stati gran gentili uomini e signori di queste contrade, dove i tuoi stati son sempre lavoratori, io intendo che tu piú mia moglie non sia, ma che tu a casa Giannucolo te ne torni con la dote che tu mi recasti, e io poi un'altra, che trovata n'ho convenevole a me, ce ne menerò".

he said to her in the presence of not a few: "Wife, by license granted me by the Pope, I am now free to put thee away, and take another wife; and, for that my forbears have always been great gentlemen and lords of these parts, whereas thine have ever been husbandmen, I purpose that thou go back to Giannucolo's house with the dowry that thou broughtest me; whereupon I shall bring home a lady that I have found, and who is meet to be my wife."


Petrarch:

non michi licet quod cuilibet liceret agricole. Cogunt mei, et papa consentit, uxorem me alteram habere, iamque uxor in via est statimque aderit.

it is not permitted me to do what any peasant may. My people compel me – and the Pope consents – to take another wife. Already my wife is on her way, and presently she will be here.


Chaucer:

I may nat doon as every plowman may;
My peple me constreyneth for to take
Another wyf, and crien day by day,
And eek the pope, rancour for to slake,
Consenteth it, that dar I undertake -
And trewely thus muche I wol yow seye,
My newe wyf is comynge by the weye.


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Stanza 106

Boccaccio:

le disse: "Donna, per concession fattami dal Papa io posso altra donna pigliare e lasciar te; e per ciò che i miei passati sono stati gran gentili uomini e signori di queste contrade, dove i tuoi stati son sempre lavoratori, io intendo che tu piú mia moglie non sia, ma che tu a casa Giannucolo te ne torni con la dote che tu mi recasti, e io poi un'altra, che trovata n'ho convenevole a me, ce ne menerò".

he said to her in the presence of not a few: "Wife, by license granted me by the Pope, I am now free to put thee away, and take another wife; and, for that my forbears have always been great gentlemen and lords of these parts, whereas thine have ever been husbandmen, I purpose that thou go back to Giannucolo's house with the dowry that thou broughtest me; whereupon I shall bring home a lady that I have found, and who is meet to be my wife."


Petrarch:

«Satis» inquit «tuo coniugio delectabar, mores tuos non originem respiciens; nunc quoniam, ut video, magna omnis fortuna servitus magna est,

and said, "I have been wont to take ample delight in our marriage, having regard for your character, not your lineage; but now, since I perceive that great place is always great servitude,


Chaucer:

"Certes, Grisilde, I hadde ynogh plesance,
To han yow to my wyf for your goodnesse,
As for youre trouthe, and for your obeisance -
Noght for youre lynage, ne for youre richesse;
But now knowe I, in verray soothfastnesse,
That in greet lordshipe, if I wel avyse,
Ther is greet servitute in sondry wyse.


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Stanza 105

Boccaccio:

Non dopo molto tempo Gualtieri fece venire sue lettere contraffatte da Roma e fece veduto a' suoi subditi il Papa per quelle aver seco dispensato di poter torre altra moglie e lasciar Griselda; per che, fattalasi venir dinanzi, in presenza di molti

Nor was it long before Gualtieri by counterfeit letters, which he caused to be sent to him from Rome, made his vassals believe that the Pope had thereby given him a dispensation to put Griselda away, and take another wife. Wherefore, having caused her to be brought before him,


Petrarch:

Hec inter Valterius, solito ut uxorem retemptaret ingenio, doloris ac pudoris ad cumulum, in publicum adducte coram multis,

Walter, in the meanwhile, with his accustomed inclination to try his wife, even to the heights of grief and shame, led her forth before the multitude


Chaucer:

Among al this, after his wikke usage,
This markys yet his wyf to tempte moore
To the outtreste preeve of hir corage,
Fully to han experience and loore,
If that she were as stidefast as bifoore,
He on a day in open audience
Ful boistously hath seyd hir this sentence.


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Staza 104

Boccaccio:

Il gentile uomo, fatto secondo che il marchese il pregava, entrato in cammino dopo alquanti dí con la fanciulla e col fratello e con nobile compagnia in su l'ora del desinare giunse a Sanluzzo, dove tutti i paesani e molti altri vicini da torno trovò che attendevan questa novella sposa di Gualtieri.

The gentleman did as the Marquis bade him, and within a few days of his setting forth arrived at Saluzzo about breakfast-time with the girl, and her brother, and a noble company, and found all the folk of those parts, and much people besides, gathered there in expectation of Gualtieri's new bride.


Petrarch:

Quod ille fideliter executurus, puellam iam nubilem, excellentem forma preclaroque conspicuam ornatu, germanumque simul suum annum iam septimum agentem ducens, cum eximia nobilium comitiva, statuto die iter arripuit.

His kinsman faithfully performed these orders and set out upon his journey on the appointed day, bringing with him, amid a brilliant throng of noblemen, the young maiden, who was now of marriageable age, of excellent beauty, and adorned with magnificent attire; and with her he brought her brother, who was now in his seventh year.


Chaucer:

Arrayed was toward hir mariage
This fresshe mayde, ful of gemmes cleere;
Hir brother, which that seven yeer was of age,
Arrayed eek ful fressh in his manere.
And thus in greet noblesse, and with glad cheere,
Toward Saluces shapynge hir journey,
Fro day to day they ryden in hir wey.



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Stanza 103

Boccaccio:

con questa sua figliuola e col figliuolo venire a Sanluzzo e ordinare di menar bella e onorevole compagnia con seco e di dire a tutti che costei per sua mogliere gli menasse, senza manifestare alcuna cosa a alcuno chi ella si fosse altramenti. Il gentile uomo, fatto secondo che il marchese il pregava,

to come with this girl and boy of his to Saluzzo, and to see that he brought a goodly and honourable company with him, and to give all to understand that he brought the girl to him to wife, and on no wisè to disclose to any, who she really was. The gentleman did as the Marquis bade him


Petrarch:

Quod ille fideliter executurus, puellam iam nubilem, excellentem forma preclaroque conspicuam ornatu, germanumque simul suum annum iam septimum agentem ducens, cum eximia nobilium comitiva, statuto die iter arripuit.

His kinsman faithfully performed these orders and set out upon his journey on the appointed day, bringing with him, amid a brilliant throng of noblemen, the young maiden, who was now of marriageable age, of excellent beauty, and adorned with magnificent attire; and with her he brought her brother, who was now in his seventh year.


Chaucer:

But seye, the mayden sholde ywedded be
Unto the Markys of Saluce anon.
And as this Erl was preyed, so dide he;
For at day set he on his wey is goon
Toward Saluce, and lordes many oon,
In riche array this mayden for to gyde,
Hir yonge brother ridynge hir bisyde.


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Stanza 102

Boccaccio:

Gualtieri, il quale diligentemente aveva i figliuoli fatti allevare in Bologna alla sua parente che maritata era in casa de' conti da Panago, essendo già la fanciulla d'età di dodici anni la piú bella cosa che mai si vedesse (e il fanciullo era di sei) avea mandato a Bologna al parente suo pregandol che gli piacesse di dovere con questa sua figliuola e col figliuolo venire a Sanluzzo e ordinare di menar bella e onorevole compagnia con seco e di dire a tutti che costei per sua mogliere gli menasse, senza manifestare alcuna cosa a alcuno chi ella si fosse altramenti.

Now Gualtieri, as we said, had caused his children to be carefully nurtured and brought up by a kinswoman of his at Bologna, which kinswoman was married into the family of the Counts of Panago; and, the girl being now twelve years old, and the loveliest creature that ever was seen, and the boy being about six years old, he had sent word to his kinswoman's husband at Bologna, praying him to be pleased to come with this girl and boy of his to Saluzzo, and to see that he brought a goodly and honourable company with him, and to give all to understand that he brought the girl to him to wife, and on no wisè to disclose to any, who she really was.

Petrarch:

cognatumque rogaverat ut ad se filios suos adduceret, fama undique diffusa virginem illam sibi in coniugium adduci.

and had asked his kinsman to send him his children, spreading the story in every quarter that this maiden was to be Walter's bride.


Chaucer:

To the Erl of Panyk, which that hadde tho
Wedded his suster, preyde he specially
To bryngen hoom agayn hise children two,
In honurable estaat al openly;
But o thyng he hym preyede outrely,
That he to no wight, though men wolde enquere,
Sholde nat telle whos children that they were,


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Stanza 101

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

inconcussa constitit, expectans quid de se ille decerneret cui se et sua cunta subiecerat. Miserat iam ille Bononiam,

she stood unshaken, awaiting what should be decreed by him to whom she had submitted herself and all that was hers. Walter had already sent to Bologna,


Chaucer:

Abidynge evere his lust and his plesance
To whom that she was yeven, herte and al,
As to hire verray worldly suffisance.
But shortly, if this storie I tellen shal,
This markys writen hath in special
A lettre, in which he sheweth his entente,
And secreely he to Boloigne it sente;


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Stanza 100

Boccaccio:

La donna, sentendo queste cose e parendole dovere sperare di ritornare a casa del padre e forse a guardar le pecore come altra volta aveva fatto e vedere a un'altra donna tener colui al quale ella voleva tutto il suo bene, forte in sé medesima si dolea; ma pur, come l'altre ingiurie della fortuna avea sostenute, cosí con fermo viso si dispose a questa dover sostenere.

Whereof the lady being apprised, and now deeming that she must look to go back to her father's house, and perchance tend the sheep, as she had aforetime, and see him, to whom she was utterly devoted, engrossed by another woman, did inly bewail herself right sorely: but still with the same composed mien with which she had borne Fortune's former buffets, she set herself to endure this last outrage.


Petrarch:

nec operosum sane fuit alpestribus rudibusque animis quidlibet persuadere. Que fama cum ad Griseldis notitiam pervenisset, tristis, ut puto, sed ut que semel de se suisque de sortibus statuisset,

nor was it difficult, in fact, to convince those untutored Alpine folk of anything you pleased. When this rumor reached Griselda, she was sad, I think; but as one who had made her decision, once and for all, about herself and her destiny,


Chaucer:

The rude peple, as it no wonder is,
Wenden ful wel that it hadde be right so;
But whan thise tidynges cam to Grisildis,
I deeme that hir herte was ful wo.
But she, ylike sad for everemo,
Disposed was, this humble creature,
The adversitee of Fortune al t'endure,


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Stanza 99

Boccaccio:

e per ciò a suo potere voleva procacciar col Papa che con lui dispensasse che un'altra donna prender potesse e lasciar Griselda; di che egli da assai buoni uomini fu molto ripreso; a che nulla altro rispose se non che conveniva che cosí fosse.

and that he therefore meant to do what he could to procure the Pope's dispensation to put Griselda away, and take another wife: for which cause being much upbraided by many worthy men, he made no other answer but only that needs must it so be.


Petrarch:

qui simulatas inde literas apostolicas referrent, quibus in populo vulgaretur datam sibi licentiam a Romano Pontefice, ut pro sua et suarum gentium quiete, primo matrimonio reiecto, aliam ducere posset uxorem;

to bring back thence documents bearing the appearance of a papal bull, which should cause the rumor to circulate among the people that licence had been granted him by the Roman pontiff, with a view to his own peace and that of his people, to annul his first marriage and to take another wife;


Chaucer:

I seye, he bad they sholde countrefete
The popes bulles, makynge mencioun
That he hath leve his firste wyf to lete
As by the popes dispensacioun,
To stynte rancour and dissencioun
Bitwixe his peple and hym, thus seyde the bulle,
The which they han publiced atte fulle.


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Stanza 98

Boccaccio:

Ma essendo piú anni passati dopo la natività della fanciulla, parendo tempo a Gualtieri di fare l'ultima pruova della sofferenza di costei, con molti de' suoi disse che per niuna guisa piú sofferir poteva d'aver per moglie Griselda e che egli cognosceva che male e giovenilmente aveva fatto quando l'aveva presa, e per ciò a suo potere voleva procacciar col Papa che con lui dispensasse che un'altra donna prender potesse e lasciar Griselda; di che egli da assai buoni uomini fu molto ripreso; a che nulla altro rispose se non che conveniva che cosí fosse.

Years not a few had passed since the girl's birth, when Gualtieri at length deemed the time come to put his wife's patience to the final proof. Accordingly, in the presence of a great company of his vassals he declared that on no wise might he longer brook to have Griselda to wife, that he confessed that in taking her he had done a sorry thing and the act of a stripling, and that he therefore meant to do what he could to procure the Pope's dispensation to put Griselda away, and take another wife: for which cause being much upbraided by many worthy men, he made no other answer but only that needs must it so be.


Petrarch:

Itaque cum iam ab ortu filie duodecimus annus elapsus esset, nuntios Romam misit, qui simulatas inde literas apostolicas referrent, quibus in populo vulgaretur datam sibi licentiam a Romano Pontefice, ut pro sua et suarum gentium quiete, primo matrimonio reiecto, aliam ducere posset uxorem;

And so, when twelve years had passed since the birth of his daughter, he sent envoys to Rome to bring back thence documents bearing the appearance of a papal bull, which should cause the rumor to circulate among the people that licence had been granted him by the Roman pontiff, with a view to his own peace and that of his people, to annul his first marriage and to take another wife;


Chaucer:

Whan that his doghter twelf yeer was of age,
He to the court of Rome in subtil wyse
Enformed of his wyl sente his message,
Comaundynge hem swiche bulles to devyse
As to his crueel purpos may suffyse,
How that the pope as for his peples reste
Bad hym to wedde another, if hym leste.


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Stanza 97

Boccaccio:

I subditi suoi, credendo che egli uccidere avesse fatti i figliuoli, il biasimavan forte e reputavanlo crudele uomo e alla donna avevan grandissima compassione.

His vassals, who believed that he had put the children to death, held him mightily to blame for his cruelty, and felt the utmost compassion for the lady.


Petrarch:

quo se ille vir alioquin clarus et suis carus multis infamem odiosumque reddiderat. Neque ideo trux animus flectebatur, sed in suscepta severitate experiendique sua dura illa libidine procedebat.

Wherefore, he who had once been a man of spotless reputation, dear to his people, had become in the eyes of many men infamous and hateful. Not on that account, however, was his stern purpose altered, but he persevered in the severity which he had assumed and in his harsh caprice of testing his wife.


Chaucer:

For which, wher as his peple therbifore
Hadde loved hym wel, the sclaundre of his diffame
Made hem, that they hym hatede therfore.
To been a mordrere is an hateful name;
But nathelees, for ernest ne for game
He of his crueel purpos nolde stente:
To tempte his wyf was set al his entente.


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Stanza 96

Boccaccio:

I subditi suoi, credendo che egli uccidere avesse fatti i figliuoli, il biasimavan forte e reputavanlo crudele uomo e alla donna avevan grandissima compassione.

His vassals, who believed that he had put the children to death, held him mightily to blame for his cruelty, and felt the utmost compassion for the lady.


Petrarch:

Ceperat sensim de Valterio decolor fama crebrescere: quod videlicet effera et inhumana duritie, humilis penitentia ac pudore coniugii filios iussisset interfici, nam neque pueri comparebant, neque ubinam gentium essent ullus audierat;

Little by little, an ugly rumor about Walter had begun to spread abroad; namely, that with savage and inhuman cruelty, out of regret and shame for his humble marriage, he had ordered his children slain; for neither did his children appear, nor had anyone heard where in the world they were.


Chaucer:

The sclaundre of Walter ofte and wyde spradde,
That of a crueel herte he wikkedly,
For he a povre womman wedded hadde,
Hath mordred bothe his children prively.
Swich murmur was among hem comunly;
No wonder is, for to the peples ere
Ther cam no word, but that they mordred were.


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Stanza 95

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

sic ut duorum non nisi unus animus videretur, isque non comunis amborum sed viri duntaxat unius, uxor enim per se nichil velle, ut dictum est, nichil nolle firmaverat.

so that it seemed there was but one mind between them, and that not common to them both, but, to say truth, the husband's alone; for the wife had declared, as has been said, that she had no wishes of her own.


Chaucer:

For which it semed thus, that of hem two
Ther nas but o wyl; for, as Walter leste,
The same lust was hir plesance also,
And, God be thanked, al fil for the beste.
She shewed wel, for no worldly unreste
A wyf as of hirself no thing ne sholde
Wille in effect, but as hir housbonde wolde.


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Stanza 94

Boccaccio:

I subditi suoi, credendo che egli uccidere avesse fatti i figliuoli, il biasimavan forte e reputavanlo crudele uomo e alla donna avevan grandissima compassione. La quale con le donne, le quali con lei de' figliuoli cosí morti si condoleano, mai altro non disse se non che quello ne piaceva a lei che a colui che generati gli avea.

His vassals, who believed that he had put the children to death, held him mightily to blame for his cruelty, and felt the utmost compassion for the lady. She, however, said never aught to the ladies that condoled with her on the death of her children, but that the pleasure of him that had begotten them was her pleasure likewise.


Petrarch:

Defixis ergo in uxorem oculis, an ulla eius mutatio erga se fieret contemplabatur assidue, nec ullam penitus invenire poterat, nisi quod fidelior illi in dies atque obsequentior fiebat,

Keeping his eyes upon his wife, therefore, Walter watched continually for any change in her behavior toward him, and he was not able to find any at all, save that she became each day more devoted and more obedient to his wishes;


Chaucer:

He waiteth, if by word or contenance
That she to hym was changed of corage;
But nevere koude he fynde variance,
She was ay oon in herte and in visage.
And ay the forther that she was in age,
The moore trewe, if that it were possible-
She was to hym in love, and moore penyble.


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Stanza 93

Boccaccio:

No Analogue


Petrarch:

sed sunt qui, ubi semel inceperint, non desinant; imo incumbant hereantque proposito.

but there are those who, when once they have begun anything, do not cease; nay, rather, they press on and cling to their purpose.


Chaucer:

But ther been folk of swich condicioun
That whan they have a certein purpos take
They kan nat stynte of hir entencioun,
But right as they were bounden to that stake
They wol nat of that firste purpos slake.
Right so this markys fulliche hath purposed
To tempte his wyf, as he was first disposed.


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