|
Ther nys no thyng in gree superlatyf, |
| As seith Senek, above and humble wyf. |
| 165 | Suffre thy wyves tonge, as Catoun bit; |
| She shal comande, and thou shalt suffren it, |
| And yet she wole obeye of curteisye. |
| A wyf is kepere of thyn housbondrye; |
| Wel may the sike man biwaille and wepe, |
| 170 | Ther as ther nys no wyf the hous to kepe. |
| I warne thee, if wisely thou wolt wirche, |
| Love wel thy wyf, as Crist loved his chirche. |
| If thou lovest thyself, thou lovest thy wyf; |
| No man hateth his flessh, but in his lyf |
| 175 | He fostreth it, and therfore bidde I thee, |
| Cherisse thy wyf, or thou shalt nevere thee. |
| Housbonde and wyf, what so men jape or pleye, |
| Of worldly folk holden the siker weye; |
| They been so knyt ther may noon harm bityde, |
| 180 | And namely upon the wyves syde. |
| For which this Januarie, of whom I tolde, |
| Considered hath, inwith his dayes olde, |
| The lusty lyf, the vertuous quyete, |
| That is in mariage hony-sweete; |
| 185 | And for his freendes on a day he sente, |
| To tellen hem th'effect of his entente. |
|
| There is no pleasure so superlative |
| Says Seneca, as a humble wife can give. |
| 165 | Suffer your wife's tongue, Cato bids, as fit; |
| She shall command, and you shall suffer it; |
| And yet she will obey, of courtesy. |
| A wife is keeper of your husbandry; |
| Well may the sick man wail and even weep |
| 170 | Who has no wife the house to clean and keep. |
| I warn you now, if wisely you would work, |
| Love well your wife, as Jesus loves his church. |
| For if you love yourself, you love your wife; |
| No man hates his own flesh, but through his life |
| 175 | He fosters it, and so I bid you strive |
| To cherish her, or you shall never thrive. |
| Husband and wife, despite men's jape or play, |
| Of all the world's folk hold the safest way; |
| They are so knit there may no harm betide, |
| 180 | Especially upon the good wife's side. |
| For which this January, of whom I told, |
| Did well consider in his days grown old, |
| The pleasant life, the virtuous rest complete |
| That are in marriage, always honey-sweet; |
| 185 | And for his friends upon a day he sent |
| To tell them the effect of his intent. |
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