The Clerk's Tale
Folio 126r
20 of 32 folios
710
But neuer couþe he fynde variaunce
Sche was ay oon in hert and in visage /
And ay þe ferþer þat sche was in age
The more trewe if þat it were possible /
Sche was to him and more penyble
715
For which it semyd þis þat of hem tuo
Þer nas but oo wil for as walter left
The same plesaūce was hir lust also /
And god by thanked al fel for þe best
Sche schewed wel for no worldly vnrest
720
A wyf as of hir self no þing ne scholde
Wylne in effect . but as hir housbond wolde
The sclaunder of walter ofte and wyde spradde
That of a cruel hert he wikkedly
For he a pore womman weddid hadde
725
Hath morthrid boþe his children priuely
Such murmur was among hem comunly
No wonder is for to þe peples eere
Ther com no word . but þat þay mortherid were /
For which wher as his peple þer byfore
730
Had loued him wel þe sclaunder of his diffame
Made hem þat þay him hatede þerfore
To ben a mordrer . is an hateful name
But naþeles for ernest or for game
He of his cruel prpos nolde stente
735
To tempt his wyf was set al his entente
Whan þat his doughter twelf ȝer was of age
He to þe court of Rome in suche wise
Enformed of his wille sent his message
Comaundyng hem . such bulles to deuyse
740
As to his cruel prpos may suffise
How þat þe pope as for his peples reste
Bad him to wedde . anoþer if him leste
I say he bad þay schulde countrefete
The popes bulles makyng mencioū
745
That he haþ leue his firste wyf to lete
As by þe popes dispensacioū
To stynte rancour and discencioun