Then mote it follow, of necessity, Sith art asketh so great engine and pain A woman to deceive, what so she be? Of constancy be they not so barren As that some of these silly Clerkis feign; But they be, as women oughtin to be, Sad, constant, and full fillèd of pity. How friendly was MEDEA to JASON In his Conquering of the Fleece of Gold! How falsely quit he, her true affection, By whom victory he gate as he would! How may this man, for shame, be so bold To falsin her, that, from his death and shame Him kept, and gate him so great a prize and name? Of Troy also, the traitor ÆNEAS, The faithless wretch! how he himself forswore To DIDO, which that Queen of Carthage was That him relievèd of his smartis sore! What gentleness might she have doin more Than she, with heart unfeigned, to him kidde? And what mischief to her thereof betid! In my _Legend of Natures_ may men find (Whoso yliketh therein for to read) That oathis ne behest may man not bind Of reprovable shame have they no dread In manis heart truth ne hath no stead. The soil is naught; there may no troth ygrow. To women, namely, it is not unknow[n]. Clerkis feign also there is no malice Like unto woman's wicked crabbedness. O Woman! how shalt thou thyself chevice; Sith men of thee, so mochil harm witness? Beth ware! O Woman! of their fickleness. Kepeth thine ownè! what men clap or crake! And some of them shall smart, I undertake! Malice of women! What is it to dread? They slay no man, destroyin no cities, Ne oppress people, ne them overlaid, Betray Empires, Realms, or Duchies, Nor bereaven men their landis, ne their mees, Empoison folk, ne houses set on fire, Ne false contractis makin for no hire. Trust, Perfect Love, and Entire Charity, Fervent Will, and Entalented Courage, All thewis good, as sitteth well to be, Have women, ere, of custom and usage. And well they canin manis ire asuage, With soft wordis, discreet and benign. What they be inward, they show outward by sign! Womanis heart unto no cruelty Inclined is; but they be Charitable, Piteous, Devout, Full of Humility, Shamefast, Debonaire, and Amiable, Dread full, and of wordis measurable: What women, these have not, peradventure; Followeth not the way of their nature.