I rede that we make of sorwes two O parfit joye lasting evermo: And loketh now wher most sorwe is herein, Ther wol I firste amenden and begin. Sister, (quod he) this is my full assent, With all the avis here of my parlement, That gentil Palamon, your owen knight, That serveth you with will, and herte, and might, And ever hath don sin you first him knew, That ye shall of your grace upon him rew, And taken him for husbond and for lord: Lene me your hand, for this is oure accord. Let see now of your womanly pitee: He is a kinges brothers sone pardee; And though he were a poure bachelere, Sin he hath served you so many a yere, And had for you so gret adversite, It moste ben considered, leveth me, For gentil mercy oweth to passen right. Than sayed he thus to Palamon the knight; I trow their nedeth litel sermoning To maken you assenten to this thing. Cometh ner, and take your lady by the hond. Betwixen hem was maked anon the bond That highte matrimoine or mariage, By all the conseil of the baronage; And thus with alle blisse and melodie Hath Palamon ywedded Emelie; And God, that all this wide world hath wrought, Send him his love that hath it dere ybought. For now is Palamon in alle wele, Living in blisse, in richesse, and in hele, And Emilie him loveth so tendrely, And he hire serveth all so gentilly, That never was ther no word hem betwene Of jalousie, ne of non other tene. Thus endeth Palamon and Emelie; And God save all this fayre compagnie. FOOTNOTES: [1] "If the King's Majesty say but Ho! or give any other signal, then they who are within the lists, with the constable and marshal, throwing their lances between the appellant and defendant, so part them."--_The Ancient Method of Duels before the King._ THE NONNES PREESTES TALE.