The Clerk's Tale
Folio 130r
28 of 32 folios
But wiþ glad cheer to þe ȝate is sche went
With oþer folk to griete þe marquisesse
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And after þat doth forth hir busynesse /
With so glad chier his gestes sche receyueth
And so connyngly euerich in his degre /
That no defaute no man aparceyueth
But ay þay wondren what sche mighte be
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That in so pouer array was for to se
And couþe such honor and reuerence
And worthily þay prayse hir prudence /
In al þis mene while sche ne stent
This mayde and eek hir broþer to comende
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With al hir hert . in ful buxom entent
So wel þat no man couþe hir pris amende
But atte last whan þat þese lordes wende
To sitte doun to mete he gan to calle /
Grisild as sche was busy in his halle
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Grisyld quod he as it were in his play
How likith þe my wif and hir beaute
Rigħt wel my lord quod sche for in good fay
A fairer saugh I neuer noon þan sche /
I pray to god ȝiue hir prosperite
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And so hope I . þat he wol to ȝow sende
Plesaunce ynougħ vnto ȝour lyues ende /
On þing warn I ȝow and biseke also /
That ȝe ne prike wiþ no tormentynge
Þis tendre mayden as ȝe haue do mo
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For sche is fostrid in hir norischinge /
More tendrely and to my supposynge /
Sche couþe not aduersite endure /
As couþe a pore fostrid creature
And whan þis walt er saugh hir pacience
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Hir glade cheer and no malice at al
And he so oft had doon to hir offence
And sche ay sad . and constant as a wal
Continuyng . euer hir Innocence oueral
This sturdy marquys gan his herte dresse
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To Rewen vpon hir wyfly stedefastnesse /