In order to put the last trial upon Griselda, to the uttermost proof of her courage, the marquis one day, before all the household, said to her in a boisterous way-- Certes, Grisildes, I had y-nough plesaunce certainly, pleasure To have yow to my wif, for your goodnesse And for youre trouthe, and for your obeissaunce; truth, obedience Nought for your lignage, ne for your richesse; lineage, wealth But now know I in verray sothfastnesse truth That in gret lordschip, if I wel avyse, am not mistaken Ther is gret servitude in sondry wyse. sundry wise I may not do, as every ploughman may; My poeple me constreignith for to take constrain Another wyf, and crien day by day; And eek the Pope, rancour for to slake, Consentith it, that dar I undertake; dare And trewely, thus moche I wol yow saye, much My newe wif is comyng by the waye. Be strong of hert, and voyde anoon hir place, heart And thilke dower that ye broughten me that Tak it agayn, I graunt it of my grace. Retourneth to your fadres hous, quod he, return No man may alway have prosperité, With even hert I rede yow endure advise The strok of fortune or of adventure. chance And sche agayn answerd in paciènce: My lord, quod sche, I wot, and wist alway, How that bitwixe your magnificence And my poverté, no wight can ne may nobody Make comparisoun, it is no nay; I ne held me neuer digne in no manere worthy, manner To ben your wif, ne yit your chamberere. chambermaid And in this hous, ther ye me lady made, (The highe God take I for my witnesse, And al-so wisly he my soule glade) cheer I never huld me lady ne maistresse, But humble servaunt to your worthinesse, And ever schal, whil that my lyf may dure, life Aboven every worldly creature. above That ye so longe of your benignité benignity Han holden me in honour and nobleye, nobleness Wher as I was not worthy for to be, where That thonk I God and yow, to whom I preye thank For-yeld it yow, ther is no more to seye. repay Unto my fader gladly wil I wende, go And with him duelle unto my lyves ende.