And, certainly, if it were not too long to listen to, I would have told you fully how the kingdom of the Amazons was won by Theseus and his host. And of the great battle there was for the time between Athens and the Amazons; and how Ipolita--the fair, hardy queen of Scythia--was besieged; and about the feast that was held at the wedding of Theseus and Ipolita, and about the tempest at their home-coming. But all this I must cut short. I have, God wot, a large feeld to ere; plough And wayke ben the oxen in my plough. weak I have, God knows, a full wide field to sow, And feeble be the oxen in my plough. I will not hinder anybody in the company. Let every one tell his story in turn, and let us see now who shall win the supper! I will describe to you what happened as Theseus was bringing home his bride to Athens. This duk, of whom I make mencioun, Whan he was comen almost unto the toun, come In al his wele and in his moste pryde, prosperity He was war, as he cast his eyghe aside, aware Wher that ther knelede in the hye weye kneeled A compagnye of ladies, tweye and tweye, two Ech after other, clad in clothes blake; each, black But such a cry and such a woo they make, woe That in this world nys creature lyvynge, That herde such another weymentynge, And of that cry ne wolde they never stenten, cease Til they the reynes of his bridel henten. caught What folk be ye that at myn hom comynge Pertourben so my feste[77] with cryinge? perturb Quod Theseus; Have ye so gret envye Of myn honour, that thus compleyne and crie? Or who hath yow misboden or offendid? injured And telleth me, if it may ben amendid; And why that ye ben clad thus al in blak? black The oldest lady of hem alle spak.... them This duke aforesaid, of deserved renown, When he had almost come into the town In all his splendour and in all his pride, Perceivéd, as he cast his eyes aside, A company of ladies, in a row, Were kneeling in the highway--two by two, Each behind each, clad all in black array; But such an outcry of lament made they, That in this world there is no living thing That e’er heard such another outcrying; Nor would they cease to wail and to complain Till they had caught him by his bridle-rein. “What folk are ye who at my home-coming Perturb my festival with murmuring,” Quoth Theseus. “Or do you envy me Mine honour that ye wail so woefully? Or who hath injured you, or who offended? Tell me, if haply it may be amended, And why are all of you in black arrayed?” The oldest lady of them all then said--