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A marchant whilom dwelled at Seint-Denys |
| That riche was, for which men helde hym wys. |
| A wyf he hadde of excellent beautee; |
| And compaignable and revelous was she |
| 5 | Which is a thyng that causeth more dispence |
| Than worth is al the chiere and reverence |
| That men hem doon at festes and at daunces. |
| Swiche salutaciouns and contenaunces |
| Passen as dooth a shadwe upon the wal; |
| 10 | But wo is hym that payen moot for al! |
| The sely housbonde, algate he moot paye, |
| He moot us clothe, and he moot us arraye, |
| Al for his owene worshipe richely, |
| In which array we daunce jolily. |
| 15 | And if that he noght may, par aventure, |
| Or ellis list no swich dispence endure, |
| But thynketh it is wasted and ylost, |
| Thanne moot another payen for oure cost, |
| Or lene us gold, and that is perilous. |
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A merchant, dwelling, once, at Saint Denis, |
| Was rich, for which men held him wise, and he |
| Had got a wife of excellent beauty, |
| And very sociable and gay was she, |
| 5 | Which is a thing that causes more expense |
| Than all the good cheer and the deference |
| That men observe at festivals and dances; |
| Such salutations and masked countenances |
| Pass by as does a shadow on the wall; |
| 10 | But woe to him that must pay for it all. |
| The foolish husband, always he must pay; |
| He must buy clothes and other fine array, |
| And all for his own worship, wealthily, |
| In which, indeed, women dance jollily. |
| 15 | And if he cannot thus, peradventure, |
| Or cares not such expenses to endure, |
| But thinks his money wasted or quite lost, |
| Why then another man must pay the cost, |
| Or else lend gold, and that is dangerous. |
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