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From The Wife of Bath's Prologue, lines 330-342:
Sexual favour and the power of gold
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From The Canterbury Tales:
The Wife of Bath's Prologue
lines 343-353: The Wife of Bath rejects austerity and frugality


       Thou seyst also, that if we make us gay
With clothyng and with precious array,
345That it is peril of oure chastitee:
And yet, with sorwe, thou most enforce thee,
And seye thise wordes in the Apostles name,
"In habit, maad with chastitee and shame,
Ye wommen shul apparaille yow," quod he,
350"And noght in tressed heer and gay perree,
As perles, ne with gold, ne clothes riche."
After thy text, ne after thy rubriche
I wol nat wirche, as muchel as a gnat!
      You say, also, that if we make us gay
With clothing, all in costliest array,
345That it's a danger to our chastity;
And you must back the saying up, pardie!
Repeating these words in the apostle's name:
"In habits meet for chastity, not shame,
Your women shall be garmented," said he,
350"And not with broidered hair, or jewellery,
Or pearls, or gold, or costly gowns and chic;"
After your text and after your rubric
I will not follow more than would a gnat.




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From The Wife of Bath's Prologue, lines 354-362:
The Wife of Bath compared to a cat
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