Previous: From The Clerk's Tale, lines 792-812: Walter says he wishes to remarry and he asks Griselda to return to her father's house

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820        And in this hous ther ye me lady maade - The heighe God take I for my witnesse, And also wysly he my soule glaade - I nevere heeld me lady ne maistresse, But humble servant to youre worthynesse, 825 And evere shal whil that my lyf may dure Aboven every worldly creature.

820        And in this house, where lady you made me The High God do I take now to witness, And as He truly may my soul's joy be I never held me lady nor mistress, But only servant to your worthiness; 825 And ever shall, while my life may endure, Beyond all worldly beings, that is sure.

That ye so longe of youre benignitee Han holden me in honour and nobleye, Wher as I was noght worthy for to bee, 830 That thonke I God and yow, to whom I preye Foryelde it yow; ther is namoore to seye. Unto my fader gladly wol I wende, And with hym dwelle unto my lyves ende.

That you so long, of your benignity, Have held me here in honour in this way, Where I was never worthy, once, to be, 830 For that, thank God and you- to God I pray He will reward you. There's no more to say. Unto my father gladly will I wend And dwell with him until my life shall end.

Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal, 835 Til I be deed, my lyf ther wol I lede, A wydwe clene in body, herte, and al, For sith I yaf to yow my maydenhede And am youre trewe wyf, it is no drede, God shilde swich a lordes wyf to take 840 Another man, to housbonde or to make.

Where I was fostered when an infant small, 835 There will I lead my life till I be dead, A widow, clean in body, heart, and all. For, since I gave to you my maidenhead, And am your true and lawful wife, wedded, May God forbid such a lord's wife to take 840 Another man for husband or love's sake.

And of youre newe wyf, God of his grace So graunte yow wele and prosperitee, For I wol gladly yelden hir my place In which that I was blisful wont to bee. 845 For sith it liketh yow my lord," quod shee, "That whilom weren al myn hertes reste, That I shal goon, I wol goon whan yow leste.

And of your new wife, may God of His grace Grant you but joy and all prosperity: For I will gladly yield to her my place, Wherein so happy I was wont to be, 845 For since it pleases you, my lord," said she, Who have been all my heart's ease and its rest, That I shall go, I'll go when you request.

But ther as ye me profre swich dowaire As I first broghte, it is wel in my mynde 850 It were my wrecched clothes, no thyng faire, The whiche to me were hard now for to fynde. O goode God! how gentil and how kynde Ye semed by youre speche and youre visage The day that maked was oure mariage!

But whereas now you proffer me such dower As first I brought to you, it's in my mind 850 That 'twas my wretched clothes and nothing fair. The which to me were hard now for to find. O my good God! How noble and how kind You seemed then, in your speech and in your face. The day we married in that humble place.

855        But sooth is seyd - algate I fynde it trewe, For in effect it preeved is on me - Love is noght oold, as whan that it is newe, But certes, lord, for noon adversitee, To dyen in the cas it shal nat bee 860 That evere in word or werk I shal repente That I yow yaf myn herte in hool entente.

855        But truth is said - at least I find it true For actually its proof is seen in me - Old love is not the same as when it's new. But truly, lord, for no adversity, Though I should die of all this, shall it be 860 That ever in word or deed I shall repent That I gave you my heart in whole intent.

Next: From The Clerk's Tale, lines 862-896: Griselda asks Walter not to send her away naked