|
Greet was the sorwe for the haukes harm |
| That Canacee and alle hir wommen made. |
| They nyste hou they myghte the faucoun glade; |
| 635 | But Canacee hom bereth hir in hir lappe, |
| And softely in plastres gan hir wrappe, |
| Ther as she with hir beek hadde hurt hirselve. |
| Now kan nat Canacee but herbes delve |
| Out of the ground, and make saves newe |
| 640 | Of herbes preciouse and fyne of hewe, |
| To heelen with this hauk. Fro day to nyght |
| She dooth hir bisynesse and al hir myght. |
| And by hir beddes heed she made a mewe, |
| And covered it with veluettes blewe, |
| 645 | In signe of trouthe that is in wommen sene. |
| And al withoute, the mewe is peynted grene, |
| In which were ypeynted alle thise false fowles, |
| As ben thise tidyves, tercelettes, and owles, |
| Right for despit were peynted hem bisyde, |
| 650 | Pyes, on hem for to crie and chyde. |
|
| Great was the sorrow for the falcon's harm |
| That Canace and all her women made; |
| They knew not how they might this falcon aid. |
| 635 | But Canace home bore her in her lap, |
| And softly her in poultices did wrap |
| Where she with her own beak had hurt herself. |
| Now Canace dug herbs more rich than pelf |
| Out of the ground, and made up ointments new |
| 640 | Of precious herbs, all beautiful of hue, |
| Wherewith to heal this hawk; from day to night |
| She nursed her carefully with all her might. |
| And by her bed's head she contrived a mew |
| And lined the cage with velvets all of blue, |
| 645 | Symbol of truth that is in women seen. |
| And all without, the mew was painted green, |
| And there were painted all these treacherous fowls |
| As are these titmice, tercelets, and these owls, |
| While for despite were painted there beside |
| 650 | Magpies, that they might cry at them and chide. |
|
