Geoffrey Chaucer, The Merchant's Tale (A Minimalist Translation) Poem by Forrest Hainline

Geoffrey Chaucer, The Merchant's Tale (A Minimalist Translation)

1245 Once there was dwelling in Lombardy
1246 A worthy knight, that born was of Pavia,
1247 In which he lived in great prosperity;
1248 And sixty years a wifeless man was he,
1249 And followed aye his bodily delight
1250 On women, there as was his appetite,
1251 As do these fools that be secular.
1252 And when that he was passed sixty year,
1253 Were it for holiness or for dotage
1254 I cannot say, but such a great courage
1255 Had this knight to be a wedded man
1256 That day and night he does all that he can
1257 To espy where he might wedded be,
1258 Praying our Lord to grant him that he
1259 Might once know of this blissful life
1260 That is between a husband and his wife,
1261 And for to live under that holy bond
1262 With which that first God man and woman bound.
1263 "No other life, " said he, "is worth a bean,
1264 For wedlock is so easy and so clean,
1265 That in this world it is a paradise."
1266 Thus said this old knight, that was so wise.

1267 And certainly, as sooth as God is king,
1268 To take a wife it is a glorious thing,
1269 And namely when a man is old and hoar;
1270 Then is a wife the fruit of his treasure.
1271 Then should he take a young wife and a fair,
1272 On which he might engender him an heir,
1273 And lead his life in joy and in solace,
1274 Whereas these bachelors sing "alas, "
1275 When that they find any adversity
1276 In love, which is naught but childish vanity.
1277 And truly it sits well to be so,
1278 That bachelors have often pain and woe;
1279 On brittle ground they build, and brittleness
1280 They find when they ween sureness.
1281 They live but as a bird or as a beast,
1282 In liberty and under no arrest,
1283 Whereas a wedded man in his estate
1284 Lives a life blissful andordinate
1285 Under this yoke of marriage bound
1286 Well may his heart in joy and bliss abound,
1287 For who can be so buxom as a wife?
1288 Who is so true, and eek so attentive
1289 To keep, sick and whole, as is his make?
1290 For weal or woe she will him not forsake;
1291 She's not weary him to love and serve,
1292 Though he lie bedrid til he starve.
1293 And yet some clerks say it's not so,
1294 Of which that Theofrastus is one of those.
1295 What force though Theofrastus list lie?
1296 "No. Take no wife, " said he, "for husbandry,
1297 As for to spare in household thy dispense.
1298 A true servant does more diligence
1299 Thy goods to keep than thine own wife,
1300 For she will claim half part all her life.
1301 And if thou be sick, so God me save,
1302 Thy very friends, or a true knave,
1303 Will keep thee better than she that waits aye
1304 After thy goods and has done so many a day.
1305 And if thou take a wife unto thy hold
1306 Full lightly may thou be a cuckold."
1307 This sentence, and a hundred things worse,
1308 Writes this man, there God his bones curse!
1309 But take no keep of all such vanity;
1310 Defy Theofrastus, and hearken me.

1311 A wife is God's gift verily;
1312 All other manner gifts hardily,
1313 As lands, rents, pasture, or commune,
1314 Or mobiles -all are gifts of Fortune
1315 That pass as a shadow upon a wall.
1316 But dread not, if plainly speak I shall:
1317 A wife will last, and in thy house endure,
1318 Well longer than thee list, peradventure

1319 Marriage is a full great sacrament.
1320 He which that has no wife, I hold him shent;
1321 He lives helpless and all desolate -
1322 I speak of folk in secular estate.
1323 And hearken why -I say not this for naught -
1324 That woman is for man's help wrought.
1325 The high God, when he had Adam maked,
1326 And saw him all alone, bely-naked,
1327 God of his great goodness said then,
1328 "Let us now make a help unto this man
1329 Like to himself"; and then he made him Eve.
1330 Here may you see, and hereby may you prove,
1331 That wife is man's help and his comfort,
1332 His paradise terrestre, and his disport.
1333 So buxom and so virtuous is she,
1334 They must needs live in unity.
1335 One flesh they be, and one flesh, as I guess,
1336 Has but one heart, in weel and in distress.

1337 A wife! a Saint Mary, benedicite!
1338 How might a man have any adversity
1339 That has a wife? Certain, I cannot say.
1340 The bliss that is betwixt them two
1341 There may no tongue tell, or heart think.
1342 If he be poor, she helps him to swink;
1343 She keeps his goods, and wastes never a dell;
1344 All that her husband lusts, her liketh well;
1345 She says not once "nay, " when he says "yea."
1346 "Do this, " says he; "All ready, sir, " says she.
1347 O blissful order of wedlock precious,
1348 Thou art so merry, and eek so virtuous,
1349 And so commended and approved eek
1350 That every man that halt him worth a leek
1351 Upon his bare knees ought all his life
1352 Thank his God that him has sent a wife,
1353 Or else pray to God him for to send
1354 A wife to last unto his life's end.
1355 For then his life is set in certainness;
1356 He may not be deceived, as I guess,
1357 Providing that he work after his wife's read.
1358 Then may he boldly bear up his head,
1359 They be so true and therewithal so wise;
1360 For which, if thou will work as the wise,
1361 Do always so as women will thee read.

1362 Lo, how that Jacob, as these clerks read,
1363 By good counsel of his mother Rebec,
1364 Bound the kid's skin about his neck,
1365 For which his father's benison he won.

1366 Lo Judith, as the story eek tell can,
1367 By wise counsel she God's people kept,
1368 And slew him Holofernes, while he slept.

1369 Lo Abigail, by good counsel how she
1370 Saved her husband Nabal when that he
1371 Should have been slain; and look, Esther also
1372 By good counsel delivered out of woe
1373 The people of God, and made him Mordecai

1374 Of Ahasuerus enhanced for to be.

1375 There'snothing in great superlative,
1376 As says Seneca, above a humble wife.

1377 Suffer thy wife's tongue, as Cato bit;
1378 She shall command, and thou shalt suffer it,
1379 And yet she will obey of courtesy.
1380 A wife is keeper of thy husbandry;
1381 Well may the sick man bewail and weep,
1382 There as there's no wife the house to keep.
1383 I warn thee, if wisely thou wilt work,
1384 Love well thy wife, as Christ loved his church.
1385 If thou lovest thyself, thou lovest thy wife;
1386 No man hates his flesh, but in his life
1387 He fosters it, and therefore bid I thee
1388 Cherish thy wife, or thou shalt never thee.
1389 Husband and wife, what so men jape or play,
1390 Of worldly folk hold the secure way;
1391 They be so knit there may no harm betide,
1392 And namely upon the wife's side.
1393 For which this January, of whom I told,
1394 Considered has, in with his days' old,
1395 The lusty life, the virtuous quiet,
1396 That is in marriage honey sweet,
1397 And for his friends on a day he sent,
1398 To tell them the effect of his intent.

1399 With face sad his tale he has them told.
1400 He said, "Friends, I am hoar and old,
1401 And almost, God knows, on my pit's brink;
1402 Upon my soul somewhat must I think.
1403 I have my body folily dispended;
1404 Blessed be God that it shall be amended!
1405 For I will be, certain, a wedded man,
1406 And that anon in all the haste I can.
1407 Unto some maid fair and tender of age,
1408 I pray yow, shape for my marriage
1409 All suddenly, for I will not abide;
1410 And I will find to espy, on my side,
1411 To whom I may be wedded hastily.
1412 But forasmuch as you be more than I,
1413 You shall rather such a thing espy
1414 Than I, and where me best were to ally.

1415 "But one thing warn I you, my friends dear,
1416 I will no old wife have in no manner.
1417 She shall not pass twenty year, certain;
1418 Old fish and young flesh would I have fain.
1419 "Better, " said he, "a pike than a pickerel,
1420 And better than old beef is the tender veal.
1421 I want no woman thirty years of age;
1422 It is but bean-straw and great forage.
1423 And eek these old widows, God it woot,
1424 They know so much craft on Wade's boat,
1425 So much broken harm, when that they lest,
1426 That with them should I never live in rest.
1427 For sundry schools make subtle clerks;
1428 Woman of many schools half a clerk is.
1429 But certain, a young thing may men guide,
1430 Right as men may warm wax with hands plied.
1431 Wherefore I say you plainly, in a clause,
1432 I will no old wife have right for this cause.
1433 For if so were I had such mischance
1434 That I in her could have no pleasance,
1435 Then should I lead my life in adultery
1436 And go straight to the devil when I die.
1437 Nor children should I none upon her get;
1438 Yet were me rather hounds had me eat
1439 Than that my heritage should fall
1440 In strange hand, and this I tell you all.
1441 I dote not; I know the cause why
1442 Men should wed, and furthermore know I
1443 There speaks many a man of marriage
1444 That knows no more of it than knows my page
1445 For which causes man should take a wife.
1446 If he may not live chaste his life,
1447 Take him a wife with great devotion,
1448 By cause of lawful procreation
1449 Of children to the honor of God above,
1450 And not only for paramour or love;
1451 And for they should lechery eschew,
1452 And yield their debt when that it is due;
1453 Or for that each of them should help the other
1454 In mischief, as a sister shall the brother,
1455 And live in chastity full holily.
1456 But sirs, by your leave, that am not I.
1457 For -God be thanked! -I dare make avaunt
1458 I feel my limbs stark and sufficient
1459 To do all that a man belongs to;
1460 I know myself best what I may do.
1461 Though I be hoar, I fare as does a tree
1462 That blossoms ere that fruit waxen be;
1463 And blossomy tree is neither dry nor dead.
1464 I feel me nowhere hoar but on my head;
1465 My heart and all my limbs be as green
1466 As laurel through the year is for to seen.
1467 And since that you have heard all my intent,
1468 I pray you to my will you will assent."

1469 Diverse men diversely him told
1470 Of marriage many examples old.
1471 Some blamed it, some praised it, certainly,
1472 But at the last, shortly to say,
1473 As all day falls altercation
1474 Bitwixen friends in disputation,
1475 There fell a strife betwixt his brothers two,
1476 Of which that one was called Placebo;
1477 Justinus truly called was that other.

1478 Placebo said, "O January, brother,
1479 Full little need had you, my lord so dear,
1480 Counsel to ask of any that is here,
1481 But that you be so full of sapience
1482 That you not like it, for your high prudence,
1483 To waive from the word of Solomon.
1484 This word said he unto us every one:
1485 `Work all things by counsel, ' thus said he,
1486 `And then shall thou not repent thee.'
1487 But though that Solomon spoke such a word,
1488 My own dear brother and my lord,
1489 So wisely God my soul bring at rest,
1490 I hold your own counsel is the best.
1491 For, brother mine, of me take this motif:
1492 I have now been a court-man all my life,
1493 And God it knows, though I unworthy be,
1494 I have stood in full great degree
1495 About lords of full high estate;
1496 Yet had I never with none of them debate.
1497 I never them contraried, truly;
1498 I know well that my lord ken more than I.
1499 What that he says, I hold it firm and stable;
1500 I say the same, or else things resemble.
1501 A full great fool is any counselor
1502 That serves any lord of high honor,
1503 That dares presume, or else think it,
1504 That his counsel should pass his lord's wit.
1505 Nay, lords be no fools, by my faith!
1506 You have yourselves showed here to-day
1507 Such high sentence, so holily and well,
1508 That I consent and confirm every dell
1509 Your words all and your opinion.
1510 By God, there is no man in all this town,
1511 Nor in Italy, that could best have said!
1512 Christ held him of this counsel full well apaid.
1513 And truly, it is an high courage
1514 Of any man that steppen is in age
1515 To take a young wife; by my father's kin,
1516 Your heart hangs on a jolly pin!
1517 Do now in this matter right as you lest,
1518 For finally I hold it for the best."

1519 Justinus, that ay still sat and heard,
1520 Right in this wise he to Placebo answered:
1521 "Now, brother mine, be patient, I pray,
1522 Since you have said, and hearken what I say.
1523 Seneca, among other words wise,
1524 Says that a man ought him right well avise
1525 To whom he gives his land or his chattel.
1526 And since I ought advise me right well
1527 To whom I give my goods away from me,
1528 Well much more I ought advised be
1529 To whom I give my body for always.
1530 I warn you well, it is no child's play
1531 To take a wife without advisement.
1532 Men must inquire -this is my assent -
1533 Where she be wise, or sober, or drunkelew,
1534 Or proud, or else otherwise a shrew,
1535 A chidestere, or waster of thy good,
1536 Or rich, or poor, or else mannish wood.
1537 Albeit so that no man find shall
1538 None in this world that trots whole in all,
1539 No man, nor beast, such as men could devise;
1540 But nonetheless it ought enough suffice
1541 With any wife, if so were that she had
1542 More good thewes than her vices bad;
1543 And all this asks leisure for to inquire.
1544 For, God it woot, I have wept many a tear
1545 Full privily, since I have had a wife.
1546 Praise whoso will a wedded man's life,
1547 Certain I find in it but cost and care
1548 And observances, of all blisses bare.
1549 And yet, God woot, my neighbors about,
1550 And namely of women many a rout,
1551 Say that I have the most steadfast wife,
1552 And eek the meekest one that bears life;
1553 But I know best where wrings me my shoe.
1554 You may, for me, right as you like to do;
1555 Avise you - you be a man of age -
1556 How that you enter into marriage,
1557 And namely with a young wife and a fair.
1558 By him that made water, earth, and air,
1559 The youngest man that is in all this route
1560 Is busy enough to bring it about
1561 To have his wife alone. Trust me,
1562 You shall not please her fully years three -
1563 This is to say, to do her full pleasance.
1564 A wife asks full many an observance.
1565 I pray you that you be not evil apaid."

1566 "Well, " said this January, "and hast thou said?
1567 Straw for thy Seneca, and for thy proverbs!
1568 I count not a pannier full of herbs
1569 Of school terms.Wiser men than thou,
1570 As thou hast heard, assented right now
1571 To my purpose. Placebo, what say ye? "
1572 "I say it is a cursed man, " said he,
1573 "That lettens matrimony, certainly."
1574 And with that word they rise suddenly,
1575 And be assented fully that he should
1576 Be wedded when he likes and where he would.
1577 High fantasy and curious business
1578 From day to day came in the soul impress
1579 Of January about his marriage.
1580 Many fair shape and many a fair visage
1581 There passes through his heart night by night,
1582 As whoso took a mirror, polished bright,
1583 And set it in a common market-place,
1584 Then should he see full many a figure pace
1585 By his mirror; and in the same wise
1586 Came January in with his thought devise
1587 Of maidens which that dwelt him beside.
1588 He wist not where that he might abide.
1589 For if that one have beauty in her face,
1590 Another stands so in the people's grace
1591 For her sadness and her benignity
1592 That of the people's greatest voice has she;
1593 And some were rich and had bad name.
1594 But nonetheless, betwixt earnest and game,
1595 He at the last appointed him on one,
1596 And let all others from his heart go on,
1597 And chose her of his own authority;
1598 For love is blind all-day, and may not see.
1599 And when that he was in his bed brought,
1600 He portrayed in his heart and in his thought
1601 Her fresh beauty and her age tender,
1602 Her middle small, her arms long and slender,
1603 Her wise governance, her gentleness,
1604 Her womanly bearing, and her sadness.
1605 And when that he on her was condescended,
1606 He thought his choice might not be amended.
1607 For when that he himself concluded had,
1608 He thought each other man's wit so bad
1609 That impossible it were to reply
1610 Against his choice; this was his fantasy.
1611 His friends sent he to, at his instance,
1612 And prayed them to do him that pleasance,
1613 That hastily they would to him come;
1614 He would abridge their labor, all and some.
1615 Needs no more for him to go and ride;
1616 He was appointed there he would abide.

1617 Placebo came, and eek his friends soon,
1618 And first of all he bade them all a boon,
1619 That none of them no arguments make
1620 Against the purpose which that he has take,
1621 Which purpose was pleasant to God, said he,
1622 And very ground of his prosperity.

1623 He said there was a maiden in the town,
1624 Which that of beauty had great renown,
1625 All were it so she were of small degree;
1626 Sufficeth him her youth and her beauty.
1627 Which maid, he said, he would have to his wife,
1628 To lead in ease and holiness his life;
1629 And thanked God that he might have her all,
1630 That no wight his bliss parten shall.
1631 And prayed them to labor in this need,
1632 And shapen that he fail not to spede;
1633 For then, he said, his spirit was at ease.
1634 "Then is, " said he, "nothing may me displease,
1635 Save one thing pricks in my conscience,
1636 The which I will rehearse in your presence.

1637 "I have, " said he, "heard said, full yore ago,
1638 There may no man have perfect blisses two -
1639 This is to say, in earth and eek in heaven.
1640 For though he keep him from the sins seven,
1641 And also from every branch of this tree,
1642 Yet is there so perfect felicity
1643 And so great ease and lust in marriage
1644 That ever I am aghast now in my age
1645 That I shall lead now so merry a life,
1646 So delicate, without woe and strife,
1647 That I shall have my heaven in earth here.
1648 For since that very heaven is bought so dear
1649 With tribulation and great penance,
1650 How should I then, that live in such pleasance
1651 As all wedded men do with their wives,
1652 Come to the bliss where Christ eternal lives?
1653 This is my dread, and you, my brethren tway,
1654 Resolve me this problem, I pray."

1655 Justinus, which that hated his folly,
1656 Answered anon right in his japery;
1657 And for he would his long tale abridge,
1658 He would no authority allege,
1659 But said, "Sir, so there be no obstacle
1660 Other than this, God by his high miracle
1661 And of his mercy may so for you work
1662 That, er you have your rite of holy church,
1663 You may repent of wedded man's life,
1664 In which you say there is no woe nor strife.
1665 And else, God forbid but he sent
1666 A wedded man him grace to repent
1667 Well oft rather than a single man!
1668 And therefore, sir -the best I kan -
1669 Despair you not, but have in your memory,
1670 Perhaps she may be your purgatory!
1671 She may be God's mean and God's whip;
1672 Then shall your soul up to heaven skip
1673 Swifter than does an arrow out of a bow.
1674 I hope to God, hereafter shall you know
1675 That there's no so great felicity
1676 In marriage, nor never more shall be,
1677 That you shall let of your salvation,
1678 So that you use, as skill is and reason,
1679 The lusts of your wife temperately,
1680 And that you please her not too amorously,
1681 And that you keep you eek from other sin.
1682 My tale is done, for my wit is thin.
1683 Be not aghast hereof, my brother dear,
1684 But let us wade out of this matter.
1685 The Wife of Bath, if you can understand,
1686 Of marriage, which we have on hand,
1687 Declared has full well in little space.
1688 Fare now well.God have you in his grace."

1689 And with this word this Justin and his brother
1690 Have take their leave, and each of them of other.
1691 For when they saw that it must needs be,
1692 They wrought so, by sly and wise treaty,
1693 That she, this maiden which that May was hight,
1694 As hastily as ever that she might
1695 Shall wedded be unto this January.
1696 I trow it were too long you to tarry,
1697 If I you told of every script and bond
1698 By which that she was gift in his land,
1699 Or for to hear of her rich array.
1700 But finally come is the day
1701 That to the church both be they went
1702 For to receive the holy sacrament.
1703 Forth comes the priest, with stole about his neck,
1704 And bade her be like Sarah and Rebec
1705 In wisdom and in troth of marriage;
1706 And said his orisons, as is usage,
1707 And crossed them, and bade God should them bless,
1708 And made all secure enough with holiness.

1709 Thus were they wedded with solemnity,
1710 And at the feast sits he and she
1711 With other worthy folk upon the dais.
1712 All full of joy and bliss is the palace,
1713 And full of instruments and of vitaille,
1714 The most delicious of all Italy.
1715 Before them stood instruments of such sound
1716 That Orpheus, nor Thebes' Amphion,
1717 Made never such a melody.
1718 At every course then came loud minstrelsy
1719 That never trumped Joab for hear,
1720 Nor he Theodomas, yet half so clear
1721 At Thebes when the city was in doubt.
1722 Bacchus the wine them shenked all around,
1723 And Venus laughs upon every wight,
1724 For January was become her knight
1725 And would both assay his courage
1726 In liberty, and eek in marriage;
1727 And with her firebrand in her hand about
1728 Dances before the bride and all the rout.
1729 And certainly, I dare right well say this,
1730 Hymen, that god of wedding is,
1731 Saw never his life so merry a wedded man.
1732 Hold thou thy peace, thou poet Marcian,
1733 That writes for us that like wedding merry
1734 Of her, Philology, and him, Mercury,
1735 And of the songs that the Muses sung!
1736 Too small is both thy pen, and eek thy tongue,
1737 For to describe of this marriage.
1738 When tender youth has wedded stooping age,
1739 There is such mirth that it may not be written.
1740 Assay it yourself; then may you witen
1741 If that I lie or not in this matter.

1742 May, that sits with so benign a cheer,
1743 Her to behold it seemed fairy.
1744 Queen Esther looked never with such an eye
1745 On Ahasuerus, so meek a look has she.
1746 I may you not devise all her beauty.
1747 But thus much of her beauty tell I may,
1748 That she was like the bright morn of May,
1749 Fulfilled of all beauty and pleasance.

1750 This January is ravished in a trance
1751 At every time he looked on her face;
1752 But in his heart he gan her to menace
1753 That he that night in arms would her strain
1754 Harder than ever Paris did Helain.
1755 But nonetheless yet had he great pity
1756 That this night offend her must he,
1757 And thought, "Alas! O tender creature,
1758 Now would God you might well endure
1759 All my courage, it is so sharp and keen!
1760 I am aghastyou shall it not sustain.
1761 But God forbid that I did all my might!
1762 Now would God that it were waxen night,
1763 And that the night would last evermo.
1764 I would that all this people were ago."
1765 And finally he does all his labor,
1766 As he best might, saving his honor,
1767 To haste them from the meat in subtle wise.

1768 The time came that reason was to rise;
1769 And after that men dance and drink fast,
1770 And spices all about the house they cast,
1771 And full of joy and bliss is every man -
1772 All but a squire, hight Damian,
1773 Which carved before the knight full many a day.
1774 He was so ravished on his lady May
1775 That for the very pain he was nye wood.
1776 Almost he swelt and swooned there he stood,
1777 So sore has Venus hurt him with her brand,
1778 As that she bore it dancing in her hand;
1779 And to his bed he went him hastily.
1780 No more of him at this time speak I,
1781 But there I let him weep enough and plain
1782 Until fresh May will rue on his pain.

1783 O perilous fire, that in the bedstraw breeds!
1784 O familiar foe, that his service beeds!
1785 O servant traitor, false homely hewe,
1786 Like to the adder in bosom sly untrue,
1787 God shield us all from your acquaintance!
1788 O January, drunk in pleasance
1789 In marriage, see how thy Damian,
1790 Thine own squire and thy born man,
1791 Intends for to do thee villainy.
1792 God grant thee thy homely for to espy!
1793 For in this world's no worse pestilence
1794 Than homely foe all day in thy presence.

1795 Performed has the sun his ark diurn;
1796 No longer may the body of him sojourn
1797 On the horizon, as in that latitude.
1798 Night with his mantle, that is dark and rude,
1799 Gan overspread the hemisphere about;
1800 For which departed is this lusty rout
1801 From January, with thanks on every side.
1802 Home to their houses lustily they ride,
1803 Whereas they do their things as they lest
1804 And when they see their time, go to rest.
1805 Soon after that, this hasty January
1806 Would go to bed; he would no longer tarry.
1807 He drinks hippocras, claret, and vernage
1808 Of spices hot to increase his courage;
1809 And many a lectuary has he full fine,
1810 Such as the cursed monk, Dan Constantine,
1811 Has written in his book De Coitu:
1812 To eat them all he was nothing eschew.
1813 And to his private friends thus said he:
1814 "For God's love, as soon as it may be,
1815 Let void all this house in courteous wise."
1816 And they have done right as he will devise.
1817 Men drink and travers draw anon.
1818 The bride was brought to bed as still as stone;
1819 And when the bed was with the priest blessed,
1820 Out of the chamber has every wight him dressed,
1821 And January has fast in arms take
1822 His fresh May, his paradise, his make.
1823 He lulls her; he kisses her full oft;
1824 With thick bristles of his beard unsoft,
1825 Like to the skin of houndfish, sharp as brier -
1826 For he was shave all new in his manner -
1827 He rubs her about her tender face,
1828 And said thus, "Alas! I must trespace
1829 To you, my spouse, and you greatly offend
1830 Er time comes that I will down descend.
1831 But nonetheless, consider this, " said he,
1832 "There's no workman, whatsoever he be,
1833 That may both work well and hastily;
1834 This will be done at leisure perfectly.
1835 It is no force how long we play;
1836 In true wedlock coupled be we tway,
1837 And blessed be the yoke that we be in,
1838 For in our acts we may do no sin.
1839 A man may do no sin with his wife,
1840 Nor hurt himself with his own knife,
1841 For we have leave to play us by the law."
1842 Thus labors he til that the day gan dawn;
1843 And then he takes a sop in fine claree,
1844 And upright in his bed then sits he,
1845 And after that he sang full loud and clear,
1846 And kissed his wife, and made wanton cheer.
1847 He was all coltish, full of ragerie,
1848 And full of jargon as a flecked pie.
1849 The slack skin about his neck shakes
1850 While that he sang, so chants he and crakes.
1851 But God woot what May thought in her heart,
1852 When she him saw up sitting in his shirt,
1853 In his night-cap, and with his neck lean;
1854 She praised not his playing worth a bean.
1855 Then said he thus, "My rest will I take;
1856 Now day is come, I may no longer wake."
1857 And down he laid his head and slept til prime.
1858 And afterwards, when that he saw his time,
1859 Up rises January; but fresh May
1860 Held her chamber until the fourth day,
1861 As usage is of wives for the best.
1862 For every labor sometime must have rest,
1863 Or else long may he not endure;
1864 This is to say, no live creature,
1865 Be it of fish, or bird, or beast, or man.

1866 Now will I speak of woeful Damian,
1867 That languishes for love, as you shall hear;
1868 Therefore I speak to him in this manner:
1869 I say, "O seely Damian, alas!
1870 Answer to my demand, as in this case.
1871 How shalt thou to thy lady, fresh May,
1872 Tell thy woe? She will always say nay.
1873 Eek if thou speak, she will thy woe bewray.
1874 God be thy help! I can no better say."

1875 This sick Damian in Venus' fire
1876 So burns that he dies for desire,
1877 For which he put his life in adventure.
1878 No longer might he in this wise endure,
1879 But privily a penner gan he borrow,
1880 And in a letter wrote he all his sorrow,
1881 In manner of a complaint or a lay,
1882 Unto his fair, fresh lady May;
1883 And in a purse of silk hung on his shirt
1884 He has it put, and laid it at his heart.

1885 The moon, that at noon was this day
1886 That January has wedded fresh May
1887 In two of Taur, was into Cancer glided;
1888 So long has May in her chamber abided,
1889 As custom is unto these nobles all.
1890 A bride shall not eat in the hall
1891 Til days four, or three days at the least,
1892 Passed be; then let her go to feast.
1893 The fourth day complete from noon to noon,
1894 When that the high mass was done,
1895 In hall sit this January and May,
1896 As fresh as is the bright summer's day.
1897 And so befell how that this good man
1898 Remembered him upon this Damian,
1899 And said, "Saint Mary! how may this be,
1900 That Damian attended not to me?
1901 Is he ay sick, or how may this betide? "
1902 His squires, which that stood there beside,
1903 Excused him because of his sickness,
1904 Which hindered him to do his business;
1905 No other cause might make him tarry.

1906 "That's my forethinking, " said this January,
1907 "He is a gentle squire, by my troth!
1908 If that he died, it would harm and ruth.
1909 He is as wise, discreet, and as secree
1910 As any man I woot of his degree,
1911 And thereto manly, and eek serviceable,
1912 And for to be a thrifty man right able.
1913 But after meat, as soon as ever I may,
1914 I will myself visit him, and eek May,
1915 To do him all the comfort that I can."
1916 And for that word him blessed every man,
1917 That of his bounty and his gentleness
1918 He would so comfort in sickness
1919 His squire, for it was a gentle deed.
1920 "Dame, " said this January, "take good heed,
1921 At after-meat you with your women all,
1922 When you have been in chamber out of this hall,
1923 That all you go see this Damian.
1924 Do him disport -he is a gentle man;
1925 And tell him that I will him visit,
1926 Have I nothing but rested me a lite;
1927 And speed you fast, for I will abide
1928 Til that you sleep fast by my side."
1929 And with that word he gan to him to call
1930 A squire, that was marshal of his hall,
1931 And told him certain things, what he would.

1932 This fresh May has straight her way held
1933 With all her women unto Damian.
1934 Down by his bed's side sits she then,
1935 Comforting him as goodly as she may.
1936 This Damian, when that his time he say,
1937 In secret wise his purse and eek his bill,
1938 In which he written had his will,
1939 Has put into her hand, without more,
1940 Save that he sighs wonder deep and sore,
1941 And softly to her right thus said he:
1942 "Mercy! And that you not discover me,
1943 For I am dead if this thing be kid."
1944 This purse has she inwith her bosom hid
1945 And went her way; you get no more of me.
1946 But unto January come is she,
1947 Who on his bed's side sits full soft.
1948 He takes her, and kisses her full oft,
1949 And laid him down to sleep, and that anon.
1950 She feigned her as that she must go on
1951 There as you woot that every wight must need;
1952 And when she of this bill has taken heed,
1953 She rent it all to clouts at the last,
1954 And in the privy softly it cast.

1955 Who studies now but fair fresh May?
1956 Down by old January she lay,
1957 That sleep til that the cough has him awaked.
1958 Anon he prayed her strip her all naked;
1959 He would of her, he said, have some pleasance;
1960 He said her clothes did him encumbrance,
1961 And she obeys, be her lief or loath.
1962 But lest that precious folk be with me wroth,
1963 How he wrought, I dare not to you tell,
1964 Or whether she thought it paradise or hell.
1965 But here I let them work in their wise
1966 Til evensong rang and that they must arise.

1967 Were it by destiny or by adventure,
1968 Were it by influence or by nature,
1969 Or constellation, that in such a state
1970 The heaven stood that time fortunate
1971 Was for to put a bill of Venus' works -
1972 For all things have time, as say these clerks -
1973 To any woman for to get her love,
1974 I cannot say; but great God above,
1975 That knows that no act is causeless,
1976 He deem of all, for I will hold my peace.
1977 But truth is this, how that this fresh May
1978 Has take such impression that day
1979 Of pity of this sick Damian
1980 That from her heart drive she can't
1981 The remembrance for to do him ease.
1982 "Certain, " thought she, "whom that this thing displease
1983 I reck not, for here I him assure
1984 To love him best of any creature,
1985 Though he no more had than his shirt."
1986 Lo, pity runs soon in gentle heart!

1987 Here may you see how excellent generosity
1988 In women is, when they them narrow advise.
1989 Some tyrant is, as there be many a one
1990 That has a heart as hard as any stone,
1991 Who would have let him starve in the place
1992 Well rather than have granted him her grace,
1993 And him rejoice in her cruel pride,
1994 And reck not to be an homicide.

1995 This gentle May, fulfilled of pity,
1996 Right of her hand a letter made she,
1997 In which she grants him her very grace.
1998 There lacks naught only but day and place
1999 Where that she might unto his lust suffice,
2000 For it shall be right as he will devise.
2001 And when she saw her time, upon a day
2002 To visit this Damian goes May,
2003 And subtly this letter down she threst
2004 Under his pillow; read it if he lest.
2005 She takes him by the hand and hard him twist
2006 So secretly that no wight of it wist,
2007 And bade him be all whole, and forth she went
2008 To January, when that he for her sent.

2009 Up rises Damian the next morrow;
2010 All passed was his sickness and his sorrow.
2011 He combs himself, he preens and pikes,
2012 He does all that his lady lust and likes,
2013 And also to January he goes as low
2014 As ever did a dog for the bow.
2015 He is so pleasant unto every man
2016 (For craft is all, whoso that do it can)
2017 That every wight is fain to speak him good,
2018 And fully in his lady's grace he stood.
2019 Thus leave I Damian about his need,
2020 And in my tale forth I will proceed.

2021 Some clerks hold that felicity
2022 Stands in delight, and therefore certain he,
2023 This noble January, with all his might,
2024 In honest wise, as belongs to a knight,
2025 Shape him to live full deliciously.
2026 His housing, his array, as honestly
2027 To his degree was made as a king's.
2028 Among other of his honest things,
2029 He made a garden, walled all with stone;
2030 So fair a garden woot I nowhere none.
2031 For, out of doubt, I verily suppose
2032 That he that wrote the Romance of the Rose
2033 Nor could of it the beauty well devise;
2034 Nor Priapus might not suffice,
2035 Though he be god of gardens, for to tell
2036 The beauty of the garden and the well
2037 That stood under a laurel always green.
2038 Full oft time he Pluto, and his queen,
2039 Proserpine, and all their fairy,
2040 Disport them and make melody
2041 About that well, and danced, as men told.

2042 This noble knight, this January the old,
2043 Such dainty has in it to walk and play,
2044 That he will no wight suffer bear the key
2045 Save he himself; for of the small wicket
2046 He bore always of silver a clicket,
2047 With which, when that he lest, he it unshet.
2048 And when he would pay his wife her debt
2049 In summer season, thither would he go,
2050 And May his wife, and no wight but they two;
2051 And things which that were not done abed,
2052 He in the garden performed them and sped.
2053 And in this way, many a merry day,
2054 Lived this January and fresh May.
2055 But worldly joy may not always dure
2056 To January, nor to no creature.

2057 O sudden hap! O thou Fortune unstable!
2058 Like to the scorpion so deceitful,
2059 That flatters with thy head when thou will sting;
2060 Thy tail is death, through thy envenoming.
2061 O brittle joy! O sweet venom quaint!
2062 O monster, that so subtly can paint
2063 Thy gifts under hue of steadfastness,
2064 That thou deceives both more and less!
2065 Why hast thou January thus deceived,
2066 That had him for thy full friend deceived?
2067 And now thou hast bereft him both his eyes,
2068 For sorrow of which desires he to die.

2069 Alas, this noble January free,
2070 Amid his lust and his prosperity,
2071 Is waxen blind, and that all suddenly.
2072 He weeps and he wails piteously;
2073 And therewithal the fire of jealousy,
2074 Lest that his wife should fall in some folly,
2075 So burned his heart that he would fain
2076 That some man both her and him had slain.
2077 For neither after his death nor in his life
2078 Nor would he that she were love nor wife,
2079 But ever live as widow in clothes black,
2080 Sole as the turtle that lost has her mate.
2081 But at the last, after a month or tway,
2082 His sorrow gan assuage, sooth to say;
2083 For when he wist it may no other be,
2084 He patiently took his adversity,
2085 Save, out of doubt, he may not foregone
2086 That he's not jealous evermore in one;
2087 Which jealousy it was so outrageous
2088 That neither in hall, nor in none other house,
2089 Nor in none other place, never-the-mo,
2090 He would suffer her for to ride or go,
2091 But if that he had hand on her alway;
2092 For which full oft weeps fresh May,
2093 Who loves Damian so benignly
2094 That she must either die suddenly
2095 Or else she must have him as she lest.
2096 She waits when her heart would burst.

2097 Upon that other side Damian
2098 Become is the sorrowfullest man
2099 That ever was, for neither night nor day
2100 Mightn't he speak a word to fresh May,
2101 As to his purpose, of no such matter,
2102 But if that January's must it hear,
2103 That had a hand upon her evermore.
2104 But nonetheless, by writing to and fro
2105 And privy signs wist he what she meant,
2106 And she knew eek the aim of his intent.

2107 O January, what might it thee avail,
2108 Though thou mightest see as far as ships sail?
2109 For as good is blind deceived be
2110 As to be deceived when a man may see.

2111 Lo, Argus, which that had a hundred eyes,
2112 For all that ever he could peer or pry,
2113 Yet was he blind, and, God woot, so be more
2114 That ween wisely that it be not so.

2115 Pass over is an ease, I say no more.
2116 This fresh May, that I spoke of so yore,
2117 In warm wax has imprinted the clicket
2118 That January bore of the small wicket,
2119 By which into his garden oft he went;
2120 And Damian, that knew all her intent,
2121 The clicket counterfeited privily.
2122 There's no more to say, but hastily
2123 Some wonder by this clicket shall betide,
2124 Which you shall hear, if you will abide.

2125 O noble Ovid, full sooth says thou, God woot,
2126 What slight is it, though it be long and hoot,
2127 That Love'll not find it out in some manner?
2128 By Pyramus and Thisbe may men learn;
2129 Though they were kept full long strict overall,
2130 They be accorded, rounding through a wall,
2131 Where no wight could have found out such a slight.

2132 But now to purpose: er that days eight
2133 Were passed of the month of June, befell
2134 That January has caught so great a will,
2135 Through egging of his wife, him for to play
2136 In his garden, and no wight but they tway,
2137 That in a morrow unto his May says he:
2138 "Rise up, my wife, my love, my lady free!
2139 The turtle voice is heard, my dove sweet;
2140 The winter is gone with all his rains wet.
2141 Come forth now, with thine eyes columbine!
2142 How fairer be thy breasts than is wine!
2143 The garden is enclosed all about;
2144 Come forth, my white spouse! Out of doubt
2145 Thou hast me wounded in my heart, O wife!
2146 No spot of thee knew I all my life.
2147 Come forth, and let us take our disport;
2148 I chose thee for my wife and my comfort."

2149 Such old lewd words used he.
2150 On Damian a sign made she,
2151 That he should go before with his clicket.
2152 This Damian then has opened the wicket,
2153 And in he start, and that in such manner
2154 That no wight might it see nor hear,
2155 And still he sits under a bush anon.

2156 This January, as blind as is a stone,
2157 With May in his hand, and no wight more,
2158 Into his fresh garden is gone,
2159 And clapped to the wicket suddenly.

2160 "Now wife, " said he, "here's none but thou and I,
2161 That art the creature that I best love.
2162 For by that Lord that sits in heaven above,
2163 Rather I had to die on a knife
2164 Than thee offend, true dear wife!
2165 For God's sake, think how I thee chose,
2166 Not for no covetous, doubtless,
2167 But only for the love I had to thee.
2168 And although I be old and may not see,
2169 Be to me true, and I will tell you why.
2170 Three things, certain, shall you win thereby:
2171 First, love of Christ, and to yourself honor,
2172 And all my heritage, town and tower;
2173 I give it you, make charts as you lest;
2174 This shall be done to-morrow er sun rest,
2175 As God my soul may bring in bliss.
2176 I pray you first, in covenant, you me kiss;
2177 And though that I be jealous, wite me not.
2178 You be so deep imprinted in my thought
2179 That, when that I consider your beauty
2180 And therewithal the unlikely eld of me,
2181 I may not, certain, though I should die,
2182 Forbear to be out of your company
2183 For very love; this is without doubt.
2184 Now kiss me, wife, and let us roam about."

2185 This fresh May, when she these words heard,
2186 Benignly to January answered,
2187 But first and forward she began to weep.
2188 "I have, " said she, "a soul for to keep
2189 As well as you, and also my honor,
2190 And of my wifehood that tender flower,
2191 Which I have assured in your hand,
2192 When that the priest to you my body bound;
2193 Wherefore I will answer in this manner,
2194 By the leave of you, my lord so dear:
2195 I pray to God that never dawn the day
2196 That I not starve, as foul as woman may,
2197 If ever I do unto my kin that shame,
2198 Or else I impair so my name,
2199 That I be false; and if I do that lack,
2200 Do strip me and put me in a sack,
2201 And in the next river do me drench.
2202 I am a gentle woman and no wench.
2203 Why speak you thus? But men be ever untrue,
2204 And women have reproof of you always.
2205 You have no other countenance, I believe,
2206 But speak to us of untrust and repreve."

2207 And with that word she saw where Damian
2208 Sat in the bush, and coughing she began,
2209 And with her finger signs made she
2210 That Damian should climb upon a tree
2211 That charged was with fruit, and up he went.
2212 For verily he knew all her intent,
2213 And every sign that she could make,
2214 Well bet than January, her own mate,
2215 For in a letter she had told him all
2216 Of this matter, how he working shall.
2217 And thus I let him sit upon the pear tree,
2218 And January and May roaming merrily.

2219 Bright was the day, and blue the firmament;
2220 Phoebus has of gold his streams down sent
2221 To gladden every flower with his warmness.
2222 He was that time in Gemini, as I guess,
2223 But little from his declination
2224 Of Cancer, Jove's exaltation.
2225 And so befell, that bright morning-tide
2226 That in that garden, in the further side,
2227 Pluto, that is king of Fairy.
2228 And many a lady in his company,
2229 Following his wife, the queen Proserpine,
2230 Which that he ravished out of Etna
2231 While that she gathered flowers in the mead -
2232 In Claudian you may the stories read,
2233 How in his grisly cart he her fette -
2234 This king of Fair then adown him set
2235 Upon a bench of turf, fresh and green,
2236 And right away thus said he to his queen:

2237 "My wife, " said he, "there can no wight say nay;
2238 The experience so proves every day
2239 The treasons which that women do to man.
2240 Ten hundred thousand tales tell I can
2241 Notable of your untruth and brittleness.
2242 O Solomon, wise, and richest of riches,
2243 Fulfilled of sapience and of worldly glory,
2244 Full worthy be thy words to memory
2245 To every wight that wit and reason kan.
2246 Thus praises he yet the bounty of man:
2247 Amongst a thousand men yet found I one,
2248 But of women all found I none.'

2249 "Thus says the king that knows your wickedness.
2250 And Jesus, filius Sirak, as I guess,
2251 Nor speaks of you but seldom reverence.
2252 A wild fir and corrupt pestilence
2253 So fall upon your bodies yet to-night!
2254 Nor see you not this honorable knight,
2255 Because, alas, that he is blind and old,
2256 His own man shall make him cuckold.
2257 Lo, where he sits, the lecher, in the tree!
2258 Now will I grant, of my majesty,
2259 Unto this old, blind, worthy knight
2260 That he shall have again his eyes' sight,
2261 When his wife would do him villainy.
2262 Then shall he know all her harlotry,
2263 Both in reproof of both her and others more."

2264 "You shall? " said Proserpine, "will you so?
2265 Now by my mother's sire's soul I swear
2266 That I shall give her sufficient answer,
2267 And all women after, for her sake,
2268 That, though they be in any guilt take,
2269 With bold face they shall themselves excuse,
2270 And bear them down that would them accuse.
2271 For lack of answer none of them shall die.
2272 All had man seen a thing with both his eyes,
2273 Yet shall we women visage it hardily,
2274 And weep, and swear, and chide subtly,
2275 So that you men shall be as lewed as geese.

2276 "What reckon me of your authorities?
2277 I woot well that this Jew, this Solomon,
2278 Found of us women fools many a one.
2279 But though that he found no good woman,
2280 Yet has there found many another man
2281 Women full true, full good, and virtuous.
2282 Witness on them that dwell in Christ's house;
2283 With martyrdom they proved their constance.
2284 The Roman gests eek make remembrance
2285 Of many a very, true wife also.
2286 But, sir, be not wroth, , albeit so,
2287 Though that he said he found no good woman,
2288 I pray you take the sentence of the man;
2289 He meant thus, that in sovereignbounty
2290 There's none but God, but neither he nor she.

2291 "Ey! for very God that's not but one,
2292 Why make you so much of Solomon?
2293 Why though he made a temple, God's house?
2294 Why though he were rich and glorious?
2295 So made he eek a temple of false gods.
2296 How might he do a thing that more forbode is?
2297 Pardee, as fair as you his name emplaster,
2298 He was a lecher and an idolater,
2299 And in his eld he very God forsook;
2300 And if God not had, as says the book,
2301 Spared him for his father's sake, he should
2302 Have lost his reign rather than he would.
2303 I set right not, of all the villainy
2304 That you of women write, a butterfly!
2305 I am a woman, needs must I speak,
2306 Or else swell til my heart break.
2307 For since he said that we jangleresses,
2308 As ever whole I must brook my tresses,
2309 I shall not spare, for no courtesy,
2310 To speak harm that would usvillainy."

2311 "Dame, " said this Pluto, "be no longer wroth;
2312 I give it up! But since I swore my oath
2313 That I would grant him his sight again,
2314 My word shall stand, I warn you certain.
2315 I am a king; it sit me not to lie."

2316 "And I, " said she, "a queen of Fairy!
2317 Her answer shall she have, I undertake.
2318 Let us no more words hereof make;
2319 For sooth, I will no longer you contrary."

2320 Now let us turn again to January,
2321 That in the garden with his fair May
2322 Sings full merrier than the popinjay,
2323 "You love I best, and shall, and other none."
2324 So long about the alleys is he gone,
2325 Til he was come against that pear tree
2326 Whereas this Damian sits full merry
2327 On high among the fresh leaves green.

2328 This fresh May, who is so bright and sheen,
2329 Gan for to sigh, and said, "Alas, my side!
2330 Now sire, " said she, "for aught that may betide,
2331 I must have of the pears that I see,
2332 Or I must die, so sore longeth me
2333 To eat of the small green pears.
2334 Help, for her love that is of heaven queen!
2335 I tell you well, a woman in my plight
2336 May have for fruit so great an appetite
2337 That she may die but she of it have."

2338 "Alas, " said he, "that I not do not have here a knave
2339 That could climb! Alas, alas, " said he,
2340 "For I am blind! " "Yea, sir, no force, " said she;
2341 "But would you vouchsafe, for God's sake,
2342 The pear tree within your arms for to take,
2343 For well I that you mistrust me,
2344 Then should I climb well enough, " said she,
2345 "So I my foot might set upon your back."

2346 "Certain, " said he, "there shall be no lack,
2347 Might I you help with my heart's blood."
2348 He stoops down, and on his back she stood,
2349 And caught her by a twig, and up she goes -
2350 Ladies, I pray you that you be not wroth;
2351 I cannot gloss, I am a rude man -
2352 And suddenly anon this Damian
2353 Gan pulled up the smock, and in he throng.

2354 And when that Pluto saw this great wrong,
2355 To January he gave again his sight,
2356 And made him see as well as ever he could.
2357 And when that he had caught his sight again,
2358 Nor was there never man of thing so fain,
2359 But on his wife his thought was evermore.
2360 Up to the tree he cast his eyes two,
2361 And saw that Damian his wife had dressed
2362 In such manner it may not be expressed,
2363 But if I would speak uncourteously;
2364 And up he gave a roaring and a cry,
2365 As does the mother when the child shall die:
2366 "Out! Help! Alas! Harrow! " he gan to cry,
2367 "O strong lad stoore, what dost thou? "

2368 And she answered, "Sir, what ails you?
2369 Have patience and reason in your mind.
2370 I have you helped with both your eyes blind.
2371 Up peril of my soul, I shall not lie,
2372 As me was taught, to heal with your eyes,
2373 Was nothing bet, to make you to see,
2374 Than struggle with a man upon a tree.

2375 God woot, I did it in full good intent."
2376 "Struggle? " said he, "Yea, all the way in it went!
2377 God give you both on shame's death to die!
2378 He swived thee; I saw it with my eyes,
2379 And else be I hanged by the hals! "

2380 "Then is, " said she, "my medicine false;
2381 For certainly, if that you might see,
2382 You would not say these words unto me.
2383 You have some glimpse, and no perfect sight."

2384 "I see, " said he, "as well as ever I might,
2385 Thanked be God! With both my eyes two,
2386 And by my troth, me thought he did thee so."

2387 "You maze, maze, good sir, " said she;
2388 "This thanks have I forI have made you see.
2389 Alas, " said she, "that ever I was so kind! "

2390 "Now, dame, " said he, "let all pass out of mind.
2391 Come down, my lief, and if I have missaid,
2392 So God help me so, as I am evil apaid.
2393 But, by my father's soul, I wend have seen
2394 How that this Damian had by thee lain,
2395 And that thy smock had lain upon his breast."

2396 "Yea, sir, " said she, "you may ween as you lest.
2397 But, sir, a man that wakes out of his sleep,
2398 He may not suddenly well take keep
2399 Upon a thing, nor see it perfectly,
2400 Til that he be awaked verily.
2401 Right so a man that long has blind be,
2402 He may not suddenly so well see,
2403 First when his sight is new come again,
2404 As he that has a day or two seeing..
2405 Til thatyour sight settled be a while
2406 There may full many a sight you beguile..
2407 Beware, I pray you, for by heaven's king,
2408 Full many a man weeneth to see a thing,
2409 And it is all another than it seems.
2410 He that misconceives, he misdeems."
2411 And with that word she leaped down from the tree.

2412 This January, who is glad but he?
2413 He kisses her and holds her full oft,
2414 And on her womb he strokes her full soft,
2415 And to his palace home he has her led.
2416 Now, good men, I pray you to be glad.
2417 Thus ends here my tale of January;
2418 God bless us, and his mother Saint Mary!