|
Thou seist, that oxen, asses, hors, and houndes, |
| They been assayd at diverse stoundes; |
| Bacyns, lavours, er that men hem bye, |
| Spoones and stooles, and al swich housbondrye, |
| 295 | And so been pottes, clothes, and array; |
| But folk of wyves maken noon assay |
| Til they be wedded, olde dotard shrewe! |
| And thanne, seistow, we wol oure vices shewe. |
| Thou seist also, that it displeseth me |
| 300 | But if that thou wolt preyse my beautee, |
| And but thou poure alwey upon my face, |
| And clepe me "faire dame" in every place, |
| And but thou make a feeste on thilke day |
| That I was born, and make me fressh and gay, |
| 305 | And but thou do to my norice honour, |
| And to my chamberere withinne my bour, |
| And to my fadres folk and hise allyes- |
| Thus seistow, olde barel-ful of lyes! |
|
| You say that oxen, asses, horses, hounds |
| Are tried out variously, and on good grounds; |
| Basins and bowls, before men will them buy, |
| And spoons and stools and all such goods you try. |
| 295 | And so with pots and clothes and all array; |
| But of their wives men get no test, you say, |
| Till they are married, base old dotard you! |
| And then we show what evil we can do. |
| You say also that it displeases me |
| 300 | Unless you praise and flatter my beauty, |
| And save you gaze always upon my face |
| And call me "lovely lady" every place; |
| And save you make a feast upon that day |
| When I was born, and give me garments gay; |
| 305 | And save due honour to my nurse is paid |
| As well as to my faithful chambermaid, |
| And to my father's folk and his allies- |
| Thus you go on, old barrel full of lies! |
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