The Merchant's Tale
Folio 134r
3 of 32 folios
70
Or oþer moeblis ben ȝiftes of fortune
That passen as a schadow on a wal
But dred not if I playnly telle schal
A wyf wil last and in þin hous endure
Wel lenger þan þe lust par aduenture
75
Mariage is a ful gret sacrament
He which haþ no wif I hold hym schent
He lyueth helples . and is al desolate
I speke of folk / in seculer estate
And herken why I say not þis for nougħt
80
The wōman is for mannes help I wrought
The heighe god whan he had adam maked
And saugh him aloone body naked
God of his grete goodnes sayde þanne
Let vs now make an helpe to þis manne
85
Lyk to himself . and þan he made Eue
Her may ȝe see . and here may ȝe preue
That wyf is mannes help and his comfort
His paradis terrestre and his desport
So buxom and so vertuous is sche
90
Thay mosten neede lyue in vnite .
O fleisch þay ben and on blood as I gesse
Haue but oon hert . in wele and in distresse /
A wyf ; a seinte mary benedicite
How might a man haue eny aduersite
95
That haþ a wyf . certes I can not say
The ioye þat is bitwixen hem tway
Ther may no tonge telle ne herte þink
If he be pore sche helpith him to swynk
Sche kepith his good and wastith neuer a del
100
And al þat hir housbond list . sche likith it wel
Sche saith nougħt oones nay whan he saith ȝe
Do þis saith he . al redy sir saith sche
O blisful ordre o wedlok precious
Thou art so mery and ek so vertuous
105
And so comendid and approued eek
That euery man þat holt him worth a leek
Vpon his bare knees ought al his lyf