"O noble marquess," quoth they, "why do you wrong us, Thus basely for to wed, That might have got an honourable lady 45 Into your princely bed? Who will not now your noble issue still deride, Which shall be hereafter born, That are of blood so base by the mother's side, The which will bring them to scorn? 50 Put her, therefore, quite away; Take to you a lady gay, Whereby your lineage may renown[e']d be." Thus every day they seem'd to prate At malic'd Grissel's good estate, 55 Who took all this most mild and patiently. When that the marquess did see that they were bent thus Against his faithful wife, Whom most dearly, tenderly, and intirely He loved as his life; 60 Minding in secret for to prove her patient heart, Thereby her foes to disgrace; Thinking to play a hard discourteous part, That men might pity her case,-- Great with child this lady was, 65 And at length it came to pass, Two lovely children at one birth she had; A son and daughter God had sent, Which did their father well content, And which did make their mothers heart full glad. 70 Great royal feasting was at the childrens christ'ning, And princely triumph made; Six weeks together, all nobles that came thither Were entertain'd and staid. And when that these pleasant sportings quite were done, 75 The marquess a messenger sent For his young daughter and his pretty smiling son, Declaring his full intent, How that the babes must murthered be, For so the marquess did decree. 80 "Come, let me have the children," he said: With that fair Grissel wept full sore, She wrung her hands, and said no more; "My gracious lord must have his will obey'd." She took the babies from the nursing-ladies, 85 Between her tender arms; She often wishes, with many sorrowful kisses, That she might help their harms. "Farewel," quoth she, "my children dear; Never shall I see you again; 90 'Tis long of me, your sad and woful mother dear, For whose sake you must be slain. Had I been born of royal race, You might have liv'd in happy case; But now you must die for my unworthiness. 95 "Come, messenger of death," quoth she, "Take my despised babes to thee, And to their father my complaints express."