Heere bigynneth the Marchantes Tale

	Whilom ther was dwellynge in Lumbardye
	A worthy knyght, that born was of Pavye,
35	In which he lyved in greet prosperitee;
	And sixty yeer a wyflees man was hee,
	And folwed ay his bodily delyt
	On wommen, ther as was his appetyt,
	As doon thise fooles that been seculeer.
40	And whan that he was passed sixty yeer,
	Were it for hoolynesse or for dotage,
	I kan nat seye, but swich a greet corage
	Hadde this knyght to been a wedded man
	That day and nyght he dooth al that he kan
45	T'espien where he myghte wedded be,
	Preyinge oure lord to graunten him that he
	Mighte ones knowe of thilke blisful lyf
	That is bitwixe an housbonde and his wyf,
	And for to lyve under that hooly boond
50	With which that first God man and womman bond.
	"Noon oother lyf," seyde he, "is worth a bene;
	For wedlok is so esy and so clene,
	That in this world it is paradys."
	Thus seyde this olde knyght, that was so wys.

	Once on a time there dwelt in Lombardy
	A worthy knight, born in Pavia,
35	And there he lived in great prosperity;
	And sixty years a wifeless man was he,
	And followed ever his bodily delight
	In women, whereof was his appetite,
	As these fool laymen will, so it appears.
40	And when he had so passed his sixty years,
	Were it for piety or for dotage
	I cannot say, but such a rapturous rage
	Had this knight to become a married man
	That day and night he did his best to scan
45	And spy a place where he might married be;
	Praying Our Lord to grant to him that he
	Might once know something of that blissful life
	That is between a husband and his wife;
	And so to live within that holy band
50	Wherein God first made man and woman stand.
	"No other life," said he, "is worth a bean;
	For marriage is so easy and so clean
	That in this world it is a paradise."
	Thus said this ancient knight, who was so wise.

lines 55-98: About the pros of marriage

55	And certeinly, as sooth as God is kyng,
	To take a wyf it is a glorious thyng,
	And namely whan a man is oold and hoor;
	Thanne is a wyf the fruyt of his tresor.
	Thanne sholde he take a yong wyf and a feir,
60	On which he myghte engendren hym and heir,
	And lede his lyf in joye and in solas,
	Where as thise bacheleris synge allas,
	Whan that they funden any adversitee
	In love, which nys but childyssh vanytee.
65	And trewely it sit wel to be so,
	That bacheleris have often peyne and wo;
	On brotel ground they buylde, and brotelnesse
	They fynde, whan they wene sikernesse.
	They lyve but as a bryd or as a beest,
70	In libertee, and under noon arreest,
	Ther as a wedded man in his estaat
	Lyveth a lyf blisful and ordinaat,
	Under this yok of mariage ybounde.
	Wel may his herte in joy and blisse habounde,
75	For who kan be so buxom as a wyf?
	Who is so trewe, and eek so ententyf
	To kepe hym, syk and hool, as is his make?
	For wele or wo she wole hym nat forsake;
	She nys nat wery hym to love and serve,
80	Thogh that he lye bedrede, til he sterve.
	And yet somme clerkes seyn it nys nat so,
	Of whiche he Theofraste is oon of tho.
	What force though Theofraste liste lye?
	"Ne take no wyf," quod he, "for housbondrye,
85	As for to spare in houshold thy dispence.
	A trewe servant dooth moore diligence
	Thy good to kepe, than thyn owene wyf,
	For she wol clayme half part al hir lyf.
	And if that thou be syk, so God me save,
90	Thy verray freendes, or a trewe knave,
	Wol kepe thee bet than she that waiteth ay
	After thy good and hath doon many a day.
	And if thou take a wyf unto thyn hoold,
	Ful lightly maystow been a cokewold."
95	This sentence, and an hundred thynges worse,
	Writeth this man, ther God his bones corse!
	But take no kep of al swich vanytee;
	Deffie Theofraste, and herke me.

55	And certainly, as sure as God is King,
	To take a wife, it is a glorious thing,
	Especially when a man is old and hoary;
	Then is a wife the fruit of wealth and glory.
	Then should he take a young wife and a fair,
60	On whom he may beget himself an heir,
	And lead his life in joy and in solace,
	Whereas these bachelors do but sing "Alas!"'
	When they fall into some adversity
	In love, which is but childish vanity.
65	And truly, it is well that it is so
	That bachelors have often pain and woe;
	On shifting ground they build, and shiftiness
	They find when they suppose they've certainness.
	They live but as a bird does, or a beast,
70	In liberty and under no arrest,
	Whereas a wedded man in his high state
	Lives a life blissful, ordered, moderate,
	Under the yoke of happy marriage bound;
	Well may his heart in joy and bliss abound.
75	For who can be so docile as a wife?
	Who is so true as she whose aim in life
	Is comfort for him, sick or well, to make?
	For weal or woe she will not him forsake.
	She's ne'er too tired to love and serve, say I,
80	Though he may lie bedridden till he die.
	And yet some writers say it is not so,
	And Theophrastus is one such, I know.
	What odds though Theophrastus chose to lie?
	"Take not a wife," said he, "for husbandry,
85	If you would spare in household your expense;
	A faithful servant does more diligence
	To keep your goods than your own wedded wife.
	For she will claim a half part all her life;
	And if you should be sick, so God me save,
90	Your true friends or an honest serving knave
	Will keep you better than she that waits, I say,
	After your wealth, and has done, many a day.
	And if you take a wife to have and hold,
	Right easily may you become cuckold."
95	This judgment and a hundred such things worse
	Did this man write, may God his dead bones curse!
	But take no heed of all such vanity.
	Defy old Theophrastus and hear me.

lines 99-124: God made Adam a wife

	A wyf is Goddes yifte verraily;
100	Alle othere manere yiftes hardily,
	As londes, rentes, pasture, or commune,
	Or moebles, alle been yiftes of fortune,
	That passen as a shadwe upon a wal.
	But drede nat, if pleynly speke I shal,
105	A wyf wol laste, and thyn hous endure,
	Wel lenger than thee list, paraventure.

	A wife is God's own gift, yes truly;
100	All other kinds of gifts, most certainly,
	As lands, rents, pasture, rights in common land,
	Or moveables, in gift of Fortune stand,
	And pass away like shadows on the wall.
	But, without doubt, if plainly speak I shall,
105	A wife will last, and in your house endure
	Longer than you would like, peradventure.

	Mariage is a ful greet sacrement.
	He which that hath no wyf, I holde hym shent;
	He lyveth helplees and al desolat, --
110	I speke of folk in seculer estaat.
	And herke why, I sey nat this for noght,
	That womman is for mannes helpe ywroght.
	The hye God, whan he hadde Adam maked,
	And saugh him al allone, bely-naked,
115	God of his grete goodnesse syde than,
	"Lat us now make an helpe unto this man
	Lyk to hymself"; and thanne he made him Eve.
	Heere may ye se, and heerby may ye preve,
	That wyf is mannes helpe and his confort,
120	His paradys terrestre, and his disport.
	So buxom and so vertuous is she,
	They moste nedes lyve in unitee.
	O flessh they been, and o fleesh, as I gesse,
	Hath but oon herte, in wele and in distresse.

	But marriage is a solemn sacrament;
	Who has no wife I hold on ruin bent;
	He lives in helplessness, all desolate,
110	I speak of folk in secular estate.
	And listen why, I say not this for naught:
	It's because woman was for man's help wrought.
	The High God, when He'd Adam made, all rude,
	And saw him so alone and belly-nude,
115	God of His goodness thus to speak began:
	"Let us now make a help meet for this man,
	Like to himself." And then he made him Eve.
	Here may you see, and here prove, I believe,
	A wife is a man's help and his comfort,
120	His earthly paradise and means of sport;
	So docile and so virtuous is she
	That they must needs live in all harmony.
	One flesh they are, and one flesh, as I guess,
	Has but one heart in weal and in distress.

lines 125-149: Men should thank God for their wives

125	A wyf! a, Seinte Marie, benedicite!
	How myghte man han any adversitee
	That hath a wyf? certes, I kan nat seye.
	The blisse which that is bitwixe hem tweye
	Ther may no tonge telle, or herte thynke.
130	If he be povre, she helpeth hym to swynke;
	She kepeth his good, and wasteth never a deel;
	Al that hire housbonde lust, hire liketh weel;
	She seith nat ones "nay", whan he seith "ye".
	"Do this," seith he; "Al redy, sire," seith she.
135	O blisful ordre of wedlok precious,
	Thou art so murye, and eek so vertuous,
	And so commended and appreved eek
	That every man that halt hym worth a leek,
	Upon his bare knees oughte al his lyf
140	Thanken his God that hym hath sent a wyf,
	Or elles preye to God hym for to sende
	A wyf, to laste unto his lyves ende.
	For thanne his lyf is set in sikernesse;
	He may nat be deceyved, as I gesse,
145	So that he werke after his wyves reed.
	Thanne may he boldely beren up his heed,
	They been so trewe, and therwithal so wyse;
	For which, if thou wolt werken as the wyse,
	Do alwey so as wommen wol thee rede.

125	A wife! Ah, Holy Mary, ben'cite!
	How may a man have any adversity
	Who has a wife? Truly, I cannot say.
	The bliss that is between such two, for aye,
	No tongue can tell, nor any heart can think.
130	If he be poor, why, she helps him to swink;
	She keeps his money and never wastes a deal;
	All that her husband wishes she likes well;
	She never once says "nay" when he says "yea."
	"Do this," says he; "All ready, sir," she'll say.
135	O blissful state of wedlock, prized and dear,
	So pleasant and so full of virtue clear,
	So much approved and praised as fortune's peak,
	That every man who holds him worth a leek
	Upon his bare knees ought, through all his life,
140	To give God thanks, who's sent to him a wife;
	Or else he should pray God that he will send
	A wife to him, to last till his life's end.
	For then his life is set in certainness;
	He cannot be deceived, as I may guess,
145	So that he act according as she's said;
	Then may he boldly carry high his head,
	They are so true and therewithal so wise;
	Wherefore, if you will do as do the wise,
	Then aye as women counsel be your deed.

lines 150-162: Biblical examples about good wives

150	Lo, how that Jacob, as thise clerkes rede,
	By good conseil of his mooder Rebekke,
	Boond the kydes skyn aboute his nekke,
	For which his fadres benyson he wan.
	Lo, Judith, as the storie eek telle kan,
155	By wys conseil she Goddes peple kepte,
	And slow hym Olofernus, whil he slepte.
	Lo Abigayl, by good conseil, how she
	Saved hir housbonde Nabal, whan that he
	Sholde han be slayn; and looke, Ester also
160	By good conseil delyvered out of wo
	The peple of God, and made hym Mardochee
	Of Assuere enhaunced for to be.

150	Lo, how young Jacob, as these clerics read,
	About his hairless neck a kid's skin bound,
	A trick that Dame Rebecca for him found,
	By which his father's benison he won.
	Lo, Judith, as the ancient stories run,
155	By her wise counsel she God's people kept,
	And Holofernes slew, while yet he slept.
	Lo, Abigail, by good advice how she
	Did save her husband, Nabal, when that he
	Should have been slain; and lo, Esther also
160	By good advice delivered out of woe
	The people of God and got him, Mordecai,
	By King Ahasuerus lifted high.

lines 163-186: January the knight decides to marry

	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.

lines 187-202: January tells his friends he wants to marry

	With face sad his tale he hath hem toold.
	He seyde, "Freendes, I am hoor and oold,
	And almost, God woot, on my pittes brynke;
190	Upon my soule somwhat moste I thynke.
	I have my body folily despended;
	Blessed be God that it shal been amended!
	For I wol be, certeyn, a wedded man,
	And that anoon in al the haste I kan.
195	Unto som mayde fair and tendre of age,
	I prey yow, shapeth for my mariage
	Al sodeynly, for I wol nat abyde;
	And I wol fonde t'espien, on my syde,
	To whom I may be wedded hastily.
200	But forasmuche as ye been mo than I,
	Ye shullen rather swich a thyng espyen
	Than I, and where me best were to allyen.

	With sober face his tale to them he's told;
	He said to them: "My friends, I'm grey and old,
	And almost, God knows, come to my grave's brink;
190	About my soul, now, somewhat must I think.
	I have my body foolishly expended;
	Blessed be God, that thing be amended!
	For I will be, truly, a wedded man,
	And that at once, in all the haste I can,
195	Unto some maiden young in age and fair.
	I pray you for my marriage all prepare,
	And do so now, for I will not abide;
	And I will try to find one, on my side,
	To whom I may be wedded speedily.
200	But for as much as you are more than I,
	It's better that you have the thing in mind
	And try a proper mate for me to find.

lines 203-256: January explains he wants a young wife

	"But o thyng warne I yow, my freendes deere,
	I wol moon oold wyf han in no manere.
205	She shal nat passe twenty yeer, certayn;
	Oold fissh and yong flessh wolde I have ful fayn.
	Bet is," quod he, "a pyk than a pykerel,
	And bet than old boef is the tendre veel.
	I wol no womman thritty yeer of age;
210	It is but bene-straw and greet forage.
	And eek thise olde wydwes, God it woot,
	They konne so muchel craft on Wades boot,
	So muchel broken harm, whan that hem leste,
	That with hem sholde I nevere lyve in reste.
215	For sondry scoles maken sotile clerkis;
	Womman of manye scoles half a clerk is.
	But certeynly, a yong thyng may men gye,
	Right as men may warm wex with handes plye.
	Wherfore I sey yow pleynly, in a clause,
220	I wol noon oold wyf han right for this cause.
	For if so were I hadde swich myschaunce,
	That I in hire ne koude han no plesaunce,
	Thanne sholde I lede my lyf in avoutrye,
	And go streight to the devel, whan I dye.
225	Ne children sholde I none upon hire geten;
	Yet were me levere houndes hand me eten,
	Than that myn heritage sholde falle
	In straunge hand, and this I telle yow alle.
	I dote nat, I woot the cause why
230	Men sholde wedde, and forthermoore woot I,
	Ther speketh many a man of mariage
	That woot namoore of it than woot my page,
	For whiche causes man sholde take a wyf.
	If he ne may nat lyven chaast his lyf,
235	Take hym a wyf with greet devocioun,
	By cause of leveful procreacioun
	Of children, to th'onour of God above,
	And nat oonly for paramour or love;
	And for they sholde leccherye eschue,
240	And yelde hir dette whan that it is due;
	Or for that ech of hem sholde helpen oother
	In meschief, as a suster shal the brother;
	And lyve in chastitee ful holily.
	But sires, by youre leve, that am nat I.
245	For, God be thanked! I dar make avaunt,
	I feele my lymes stark and suffisaunt
	To do al that a man bilongeth to;
	I woot myselven best what I may do.
	Though I be hoor, I fare as dooth a tree
250	That blosmeth er that fruyt ywoxen bee;
	And blosmy tree nys neither drye ne deed.
	I feele me nowhere hoor but on myn heed;
	Myn herte and alle my lymes been as grene
	As laurer thurgh the yeer is for to sene.
255	And syn that ye han herd al myn entente,
	I prey yow to my wyl ye wole assente.

	"But of one thing I warn you, my friends dear,
	I will not have an old wife coming here.
205	She shan't have more than twenty years, that's plain;
	Of old fish and young flesh I am full fain.
	Better," said he, "a pike than pickerel;
	And better than old beef is tender veal.
	I'll have no woman thirty years of age,
210	It is but bean-straw and such rough forage.
	And these old widows, God knows that, afloat,
	They know so much of spells when on Wade's boat,
	And do such petty harm, when they think best,
	That with one should I never live at rest.
215	For several schools can make men clever clerks;
	Woman in many schools learns clever works.
	But certainly a young thing men may guide,
	Just as warm wax may with one's hands be plied.
	Wherefore I tell you plainly, in a clause,
220	I will not have an old wife, for that cause.
	For if it chanced I made that sad mistake
	And never in her could my pleasure take,
	My life I'd lead then in adultery
	And go straight to the devil when I die.
225	No children should I then on her beget;
	Yet would I rather hounds my flesh should fret
	Than that my heritage descend and fall
	Into strange hands, and this I tell you all.
	I dote not, and I know the reason why
230	A man should marry, and furthermore know I
	There speaks full many a man of all marriage
	Who knows no more of it than knows my page,
	Nor for what reasons man should take a wife.
	If one may not live chastely all his life,
235	Let him take wife whose quality he's known
	For lawful procreation of his own
	Blood children, to the honour of God above,
	And not alone for passion or for love;
	And because lechery they should eschew
240	And do their family duty when it's due;
	Or because each of them should help the other
	In trouble, as a sister shall a brother;
	And live in chastity full decently.
	But, sirs, and by your leave, that is not I.
245	For, God be thanked, I dare to make a vaunt,
	I feel my limbs are strong and fit to jaunt
	In doing all man's are expected to;
	I know myself and know what I can do.
	Though I am hoar, I fare as does a tree
250	That blossoms before the fruit be grown; you see
	A blooming tree is neither dry nor dead.
	And I feel nowhere hoary but on head;
	My heart and all my limbs are still as green
	As laurel through the year is to be seen.
255	And now that you have heard all my intent,
	I pray that to my wish you will assent."

ines 257-306: January's brother Placebo agrees with him

	Diverse men diversely hym tolde
	Of mariage manye ensamples olde.
	Somme blamed it, somme preysed it, certeyn;
260	But atte laste, shortly for to seyn,
	As al day falleth altercacioun
	Bitwixen freendes in disputisoun,
	Ther fil a stryf bitwixe his bretheren two,
	Of whiche that oon was cleped Placebo,
265	Justinus soothly called was that oother.
	Placebo seyde, "O Januarie, brother,
	Ful litel nede hadde ye, my lord so deere,
	Conseil to axe of any that is heere,
	But that ye been so ful of sapience
270	That yow ne liketh, for youre heighe prudence,
	To weyven fro the word of Salomon.
	This word seyde he unto us everychon:
	Wirk alle thyng by conseil," - thus seyde he,
	"And thanne shaltow nat repente thee." -
275	But though that Salomon spak swich a word,
	Myn owene deere brother and my lord,
	So wysly God my soule brynge at reste,
	I holde youre owene conseil is the beste.
	For, brother myn, of me taak this motyf,
280	I have now been a court-man al my lyf,
	And God it woot, though I unworthy be,
	I have stonden in ful greet degree
	Abouten lordes of ful heigh estaat;
	Yet hadde I nevere with noon of hem debaat.
285	I nevere hem contraried, trewely;
	I woot wel that my lord kan moore than I.
	With that he seith, I holde it ferme and stable;
	I seye the same, or elles thyng semblable.
	A ful greet fool is any conseillour
290	That serveth any lord of heigh honour,
	That dar presume, or elles thanken it,
	That his conseil sholde passe his lordes wit.
	Nay, lordes been no fooles, by my fay!
	Ye han youreselven shewed heer to-day
295	So heigh sentence, so holily and weel,
	That I consente and conferme everydeel
	Youre wordes alle and youre opinioun.
	By God, ther nys no man in al this toun,
	Ne in Ytaille, that koude bet han sayd!
300	Crist halt hym of this conseil ful wel apayd.
	And trewely, it is an heigh corage
	Of any man that stapen is in age
	To take a yong wyf; by my fader kyn,
	Youre herte hangeth on a joly pyn!
305	Dooth now in this matiere right as yow leste,
	For finally I holde it for the beste."

	Then divers men to him diversely told,
	Of marriage, many an instance known of old.
	Some blamed it and some praised it, that's certain,
260	But at the last, and briefly to make plain,
	Since altercation follows soon or late
	When friends begin such matters to debate,
	There fell a strife between his brothers two,
	Whereof the name of one was Placebo
265	And truly Justinus was that other.
	Placebo said: "O January, brother,
	Very little need had you, my lord so dear,
	Counsel to ask of anyone that's here;
	Except that you are so full of sapience
270	That you like not, what of your high prudence,
	To vary from the word of Solomon.
	This word said he to each and every one:
	'Do everything by counsel,' thus said he,
	'And then thou hast no cause to repent thee.'
275	But although Solomon spoke such a word,
	My own dear brother and my proper lord,
	So truly may God bring my soul to rest
	As I hold your own counsel is the best.
	For, brother mine, of me take this one word,
280	I've been a courtier all my days, my lord.
	And God knows well, though I unworthy be
	I have stood well, and in full great degree,
	With many lords of very high estate;
	Yet ne'er with one of them had I debate.
285	I never contradicted, certainly;
	I know well that my lord knows more than I.
	Whate'er he says, I hold it firm and stable;
	I say the same, or nearly as I'm able.
	A full great fool is any Councillor
290	That serves a lord of any high honour
	And dares presume to say, or else think it,
	His counsel can surpass his lordship's wit.
	Nay, lords are never fools, nay, by my fay;
	You have yourself, sir, showed, and here today,
295	With such good sense and piety withal
	That I assent to and confirm it all,
	The words and the opinions you have shown.
	By God, there is no man in all this town,
	Or Italy, it better could have phrased;
300	And Christ Himself your counsel would have praised
	And truthfully, it argues high courage
	In any man that is advanced in age
	To take a young wife; by my father's kin,
	A merry heart you've got beneath your skin?
305	Do in this matter at your own behest,
	For, finally, I hold that for the best."

lines 307-353: January's brother Justinus advises a wise wife

	Justinus, that ay stille sat and herde,
	Right in this wise he to Placebo answerde:
	"Now, brother myn, be pacient, I preye,
310	Syn ye han seyd, and herkneth what I seye.
	Senek, amonges othere wordes wyse,
	Seith that a man oghte hym right wel avyse
	To whom he yeveth his lond or his catel.
	And syn I oghte avyse me right wel
315	To whom I yeve my good awey from me,
	Wel muchel moore I oghte avysed be
	To whom I yeve my body for alwey.
	I warne yow wel, it is no childes pley
	To take a wyf withouten avysement.
320	Men moste enquere, this is myn assent,
	Wher she be wys, or sobre, or dronkelewe,
	Or proud, or elles ootherweys a shrewe,
	A chidestere, or wastour of thy good,
	Or riche, or poore, or elles mannyssh wood.
325	Al be it so that no man fynden shal
	Noon in this world that trotteth hool in al,
	Ne man, ne beest, swich as men koude devyse;
	But nathelees it oghte ynough suffise
	With any wyf, if so were that she hadde
330	Mo goode thewes than hire vices badde;
	And al this axeth leyser for t'enquere.
	For, God it woot, I have wept many a teere
	Ful pryvely, syn I have had a wyf.
	Preyse whoso wole a wedded mannes lyf,
335	Certein I fynde in it but cost and care
	And observances, of alle blisses bare.
	And yet, God woot, my neighebores aboute,
	And namely of wommen many a route,
	Seyn that I have the mooste stedefast wyf,
340	And eek the mekeste oon that bereth lyf;
	But I woot best where wryngeth me my sho.
	Ye mowe, for me, right as yow liketh do;
	Avyseth yow - ye been a man of age -
	How that ye entren into mariage,
345	And namely with a yong wyf and a fair.
	By hym that made water, erthe, and air,
	The yongeste man that is in al this route
	Is bisy ynough to bryngen it aboute
	To han his wyf allone. Trusteth me,
350	Ye shul nat plesen hire fully yeres thre, -
	This is to seyn, to doon hire ful plesaunce.
	A wyf axeth ful many an observaunce.
	I prey yow that ye be nat yvele apayd."

	Justinus, who sat still and calm, and heard,
	Right in this wise Placebo he answered:
	"Now, brother mine, be patient, so I pray;
310	Since you have spoken, hear what I shall say.
	For Seneca, among his words so wise,
	Says that a man ought well himself advise
	To whom he'll give his chattels or his land.
	And since I ought to know just where I stand
315	Before I give my wealth away from me,
	How much more well advised I ought to be
	To whom I give my body; for alway
	I warn you well, that it is not child's play
	To take a wife without much advisement.
320	Men must inquire, and this is my intent,
	Whether she's wise, or sober, or drunkard,
	Or proud, or else in other things froward,
	Or shrewish, or a waster of what's had,
	Or rich, or poor, or whether she's man-mad.
325	And be it true that no man finds, or shall,
	One in this world that perfect is in all,
	Of man or beast, such as men could devise;
	Nevertheless, it ought enough suffice
	With any wife, if so were that she had
330	More traits of virtue that her vices bad;
	And all this leisure asks to see and hear.
	For God knows I have wept full many a tear
	In privity, since I have had a wife.
	Praise whoso will a wedded man's good life,
335	Truly I find in it, but cost and care
	And many duties, of all blisses bare.
	And yet, God knows, my neighbours round about,
	Especially the women, many a rout,
	Say that I've married the most steadfast wife,
340	Aye, and the meekest one there is in life.
	But I know best where pinches me my shoe.
	You may, for me, do as you please to do;
	But take good heed, since you're a man of age,
	How you shall enter into a marriage,
345	Especially with a young wife and a fair.
	By him ho made the water, earth, and air,
	The youngest man there is in all this rout
	Is busy enough to bring the thing about
	That he alone shall have his wife, trust me.
350	You'll not be able to please her through years three,
	That is to say, to give all she desires.
	A wife attention all the while requires.
	I pray you that you be not offended."

lines 354-364: The purpose of January

	"Wel," quod this Januarie, "and hastow ysayd?
355	Straw for thy Senek, and for thy proverbes!
	I counte nat a panyer ful of herbes
	Of scole-termes. Wyser men than thow,
	As thou hast herd, assenteden right now
	To my purpos. Placebo, what sey ye?"
360	"I seye it is a cursed man," quod he,
	"That letteth matrimoigne, sikerly."
	And with that word they rysen sodeynly,
	And been assented fully that he sholde
	Be wedded whanne hym liste, and where he wolde.

	"Well?" asked this January, "And have you said?
355	A straw for Seneca and your proverbs!
	I value not a basketful of herbs
	Your schoolmen's terms; for wiser men than you,
	As you have heard, assent and bid me do
	My purpose now. Placebo, what say ye?"
360	"I say it is a wicked man," said he,
	"That hinders matrimony, certainly."
	And with that word they rose up, suddenly,
	Having assented fully that he should
	Be married when he pleased and where he would.

lines 365-410: January chooses a bride and calls his brothers

365	Heigh fantasye and curious bisynesse
	Fro day to day gan in the soule impresse
	Of Januarie aboute his mariage.
	Many fair shap and many a fair visage
	Ther passeth thurgh his herte nyght by nyght,
370	As whoso tooke a mirour, polisshed bryght,
	And sette it in a commune market-place,
	Thanne sholde he se ful many a figure pace
	By his mirour; and in the same wyse
	Gan Januarie inwith his thoght devyse
375	Of maydens whiche that dwelten hym bisyde.
	He wiste nat wher that he myghte abyde.
	For if that oon have beaute in hir face,
	Another stant so in the peples grace
	For hire sadnesse and hire benyngnytee
380	That of the peple grettest voys hath she;
	And somme were riche, and hadden badde name.
	But nathelees, bitwixe ernest and game,
	He atte laste apoynted hym on oon,
	And leet alle othere from his herte goon,
385	And chees hire of his owene auctoritee;
	For love is blynd alday, and may nat see.
	And whan that he was in his bed ybroght,
	He purtreyed in his herte and in his thoght
	Hir fresshe beautee and hir age tendre,
390	Hir myddel smal, hire armes longe and sklendre,
	Hir wise governaunce, hir gentillesse,
	Hir wommanly berynge, and hire sadnesse.
	And whan that he on hire was condescended,
	Hym thoughte his choys myghte nat ben amended.
395	For whan that he hymself concluded hadde,
	Hym thoughte ech oother mannes wit so badde
	That inpossible it were to repplye
	Agayn his choys, this was his fantasye.
	His freendes sente he to, at his instaunce,
400	And preyed hem to doon hym that plesaunce,
	That hastily they wolden to hym come;
	He wolde abregge hir labour, alle and some.
	Nedeth namoore for hym to go ne ryde;
	He was apoynted ther he wolde abyde.
405	Placebo cam, and eek his freendes soone,
	And alderfirst he bad hem alle a boone,
	That noon of hem none argumentes make
	Agayn the purpos which that he hath take,
	Which purpos was plesant to God, seyde he,
410	And verray ground of his prosperitee.

365	Imagination and his eagerness
	Did in the soul of January press
	As he considered marriage for a space.
	Many fair shapes and many a lovely face
	Passed through his amorous fancy, night by night.
370	As who might take mirror polished bright
	And set it in the common market-place
	And then should see full many a figure pace
	Within the mirror; just in that same wise
	Did January within his thought surmise
375	Of maidens whom he dwelt in town beside.
	He knew not where his fancy might abide.
	For if the one have beauty of her face,
	Another stands so in the people's grace
	For soberness and for benignity,
380	That all the people's choice she seems to be;
	And some were rich and had an evil name.
	Nevertheless, half earnest, half in game,
	He fixed at last upon a certain one
	And let all others from his heart be gone,
385	And chose her on his own authority;
	For love is always blind and cannot see.
	And when in bed at night, why then he wrought
	To portray, in his heart and in his thought,
	Her beauty fresh and her young age, so tender,
390	Her middle small, her two arms long and slender,
	Her management full wise, her gentleness,
	Her womanly bearing, and her seriousness.
	And when to her at last his choice descended,
	He thought that choice might never be amended.
395	For when he had concluded thus, egad,
	He thought that other men had wits so bad
	It were impossible to make reply
	Against his choice, this was his fantasy.
	His friends he sent to, at his own instance,
400	And prayed them give him, in this wise, pleasance,
	That speedily they would set forth and come:
	He would abridge their labour, all and some.
	He need not more to walk about or ride,
	For he'd determined where he would abide.
405	Placebo came, and all his friends came soon,
	And first of all he asked of them the boon
	That none of them an argument should make
	Against the course he fully meant to take;
	'Which purpose pleasing is to God,' said he,
410	'And the true ground of my felicity.'

lines 411-424: January says he likes her but has one urgent question

	He seyde ther was a mayden in the toun,
	Which that of beautee hadde greet renoun,
	Al were it so she were of smal degree;
	Suffiseth hym hir yowthe and hir beautee.
415	Which mayde, he seyde, he wolde han to his wyf,
	To lede in ese and hoolynesse his lyf;
	And thanked God that he myghte han hire al,
	That no wight his blisse parten shal.
	And preyed hem to laboure in this nede,
420	And shapen that he faille nat to spede;
	For thanne, he seyde, his spirit was at ese.
	"Thanne is," quod he, "no thyng may me displese,
	Save o thyng priketh in my conscience,
	The which I wol reherce in youre presence.

	He said there was a maiden in the town
	Who had for beauty come to great renown,
	Despite the fact she was of small degree;
	Sufficed him well her youth and her beauty.
415	Which maid, he said, he wanted for his wife,
	To lead in ease and decency his life.
	And he thanked God that he might have her, all,
	That none partook of his bliss now, nor shall.
	And prayed them all to labour in this need
420	And so arrange that he'd fail not, indeed;
	For then, he said, his soul should be at case.
	"And then," said he, "there's naught can me displease,
	Except one lone thing that sticks in my conscience,
	The which I will recite in your presence.

lines 425-442: "How do I get to heaven when marriage is already heaven on earth?"

425	I have," quod he, "herd seyd, ful yoore ago,
	Ther may no man han parfite blisses two, -
	This is to seye, in erthe and eek in hevene.
	For though he kepe hym fro the synnes sevene,
	And eek from every branche of thilke tree,
430	Yet is ther so parfit felicitee
	And so greet ese and lust in mariage,
	That evere I am agast now in myn age
	That I shal lede now so myrie a lyf,
	So delicat, withouten wo and stryf,
435	That I shal have myn hevene in erthe heere.
	For sith that verray hevene is boght so deere
	With tribulation and greet penaunce,
	How sholde I thanne, that lyve in swich plesaunce
	As alle wedded men doon with hire wyvys,
440	Come to the blisse ther rist eterne on lyve ys?
	This is my drede, and ye, my bretheren tweye,
	Assoilleth me this question, I preye.

425	I have," said he, "heard said, and long ago,
	There may no man have perfect blisses two,
	That is to say, on earth and then in Heaven.
	For though he keep from sins the deadly seven,
	And, too, from every branch of that same tree,
430	Yet is there so complete felicity
	And such great pleasure in the married state
	That I am fearful, since it comes so late,
	That I shall lead so merry and fine a life,
	And so delicious, without woe and strife,
435	That I shall have my heaven on earth here.
	For since that other Heaven is bought so dear,
	With tribulation and with great penance,
	How should I then, who live in such pleasance,
	As all these married men do with their wives,
440	Come to the bliss where Christ Eternal lives?
	This is my fear, and you, my brothers, pray
	Resolve for me this problem now, I say."

ines 443-476: Justinus puts marriage as heaven on earth in perspective

	Justinus, which that hated his folye,
	Answerde anon right in his japerye;
445	And for he wolde his longe tale abregge,
	He wolde noon auctoritee allegge,
	But seyde, "Sire, so ther be noon obstacle
	Oother than this, God of his hygh myracle
	And of his mercy may so for yow wirche
450	That, er ye have youre right of hooly chirche,
	Ye may repente of wedded mannes lyf,
	In which ye seyn ther is no wo ne stryf.
	And elles, God forbede but he sente
	A wedded man hym grace to repente
455	Wel ofte rather than a sengle man!
	And therfore, sire - the beste reed I kan -
	Dispeire yow noght, but have in youre memorie,
	Paraunter she may be youre purgatorie!
	She may be Goddes meene and Goddes whippe;
460	Thanne shal youre soule up to hevene skippe
	Swifter than dooth and arwe out of bowe.
	I hope to God, herafter shul ye knowe
	That ther nys no so greet felicitee
	In mariage, ne nevere mo shal bee,
465	That yow shal lette of youre savacion,
	So that ye sue, as skile is an reson,
	The lustes of youre wyf attemprely,
	And that ye plese hire nat to amorously,
	And that ye kepe yow eek from oother synne.
470	My tale is doon, for my wit is thynne.
	Beth nat agast herof, my brother deere,
	But lat us waden out of this mateere.
	The Wyf of Bathe, if ye han understonde,
	Of mariage, which we have on honde,
475	Declared hath ful wel in litel space.
	Fareth now wel, God have yow in his grace."

	Justinus, who so hated this folly,
	Answered at once in jesting wise and free;
445	And since he would his longish tale abridge,
	He would no old authority allege,
	But said: "Sir, so there is no obstacle
	Other than this, God, of high miracle
	And of his mercy, may so for you work
450	That, before you have your right of holy church,
	You'll change your mind on wedded husband's life,
	Wherein you say there is no woe or strife.
	And otherwise, God grant that there be sent
	To wedded man the fair grace to repent
455	Often, and sooner than a single man!
	And therefore, sir, this is the best I can:
	Despair not, but retain in memory,
	Perhaps she may your purgatory be!
	She may be God's tool, she may be God's whip;
460	Then shall your spirit up to Heaven skip
	Swifter than does an arrow from the bow!
	I hope to God, hereafter you shall know
	That there is none so great felicity
	In marriage, no nor ever shall there be,
465	To keep you from salvation that's your own,
	So that you use, with reason that's well known,
	The charms of your wife's body temperately,
	And that you please her not too amorously,
	And that you keep as well from other sin.
470	My tale is done now, for my wit is thin.
	Be not deterred hereby, my brother dear" -
	But let us pass quite over what's said here.
	The wife of Bath, if you have understood,
	Has treated marriage, in its likelihood,
475	And spoken well of it in little space -
	"Fare you well now, God have you in His grace."

lines 477-496: January the knight and Maia the virgin are married

	And with this word this Justyn and his brother
	Han take hir leve, and ech of hem of oother.
	For whan they saughe that it moste nedes be,
480	They wroghten so, by sly and wys tretee,
	That she, this mayden, which that Mayus highte,
	As hastily as evere that she myghte,
	Shal wedded be unto this Januarie.
	I trowe it were to longe yow to tarie,
485	If I yow tolde of every scrit and bond
	By which that she was feffed in his lond,
	Or for to herknen of hir riche array.
	But finally ycomen is the day
	That to the chirche bothe be they went
490	For to receyve the hooly sacrement.
	Forth comth the preest, with stole aboute his nakke,
	And bad hire be lyk Sarra and Rebekke
	In wysdom and in trouthe of mariage;
	And seyde his orisons, as is usage,
495	And croucheth hem, and bad God sholde hem blesse,
	And made al siker ynogh with hoolynesse.

	And with that word this Justin and his brother
	Did take their leave, and each of them from other.
	For when they all saw that it must needs be,
480	They so arranged, by sly and wise treaty,
	That she, this virgin, who was Maia hight,
	As speedily indeed as ever she might,
	Should married be unto this January.
	I think it were too long a time to tarry
485	To tell of deed and bond between them, and
	The way she was enfeoffed of all his land;
	Or to hear tell of all her rich array.
	But finally was come the happy day
	When to the church together they two went,
490	There to receive the holy sacrament.
	Forth came the priest with stole about his neck,
	Saying of Rebecca and Sarah she should reck
	For wisdom and for truth in her marriage;
	And said his orisons, as is usage,
495	And crossed them, praying God that he should bless,
	And made all tight enough with holiness.

nes 497-529: The wedding party

	Thus been they wedded with solempnitee,
	And at the feeste sitteth he and she
	With othere worthy folk upon the deys.
500	Al ful of joye and blisse is the paleys,
	And ful of instrumentz and of vitaille,
	The mooste deyntevous of al Ytaille.
	Biforn hem stoode instrumentz of swich soun
	That Orpheus, ne of Thebes Amphioun,
505	Ne maden nevere swich a melodye.
	At every cours thanne cam loud mynstralcye,
	That nevere tromped Joab for to heer,
	Nor he Theodomas, yet half so cleere,
	At Thebes, whan the citee was in doute.
510	Bacus the wyn hem shynketh al aboute,
	And Venus laugheth upon every wight,
	For Januarie was bicome hir knyght,
	And wolde bothe assayen his corage
	In libertee, and eek in mariage;
515	And with hire fyrbrond in hire hand aboute
	Daunceth biforn the bryde and al the route.
	And certeinly, I dar right wel seyn this,
	Ymeneus, that God of weddyng is,
	Saugh nevere his lyf so myrie a wedded man.
520	Hoold thou thy pees, thou poete Marcian,
	That writest us that ilke weddyng murie
	Of hire Philologie and hym Mercurie,
	And of the songes that the Muses songe!
	To smal is bothe thy penen, and eek thy tonge,
525	For to descryven of this mariage.
	Whan tendre youthe hath wedded stoupyng age,
	Ther is swich myrthe that it may nat be writen.
	Assayeth it youreself, thanne may ye witen
	If that I lye or noon in this matiere.

	Thus are they wedded with solemnity,
	And at the feast are sitting, he and she,
	With other worthy folk upon the dais.
500	All full of joy and bliss the palace gay is,
	And full of instruments and viandry,
	The daintiest in all of Italy.
	Before them played such instruments anon
	That Orpheus or Theban Amphion
505	Never in life made such a melody.
	With every course there rose loud minstrelsy,
	And never Joab sounded trump, to hear,
	Nor did Theodomas, one half so clear
	At Thebes, while yet the city hung in doubt.
510	Bacchus the wine poured out for all about,
	And Venus gaily laughed for every wight.
	For January had become her knight,
	And would make trial of his amorous power
	In liberty and in the bridal bower;
515	And with her firebrand in her hand, about
	Danced she before the bride and all the rout.
	And certainly I dare right well say this,
	That Hymenaeus, god of wedded bliss,
	Ne'er saw in life so merry a married man.
520	Hold thou thy peace, thou poet Marcian
	Who tellest how Philology was wed
	And how with Mercury she went to bed,
	And of the sweet songs by the Muses sung.
	Too slight are both thy pen and thy thin tongue.
525	To show aright this wedding on thy page.
	When tender youth has wedded stooping age,
	There is such mirth that no one may it show;
	Try it yourself, and then you well will know
	Whether I lie or not in matters here.

lines 530-537: Maia sits beautifully

530	Mayus, that sit with so benyngne a chiere,
	Hire to biholde it semed fayerye.
	Queene Ester looked nevere with swich an ye
	On Assuer, so meke a look hath she.
	I may yow nat devyse al hir beautee.
535	But thus muche of hire beautee telle I may,
	That she was lyk the brighte morwe of May,
	Fulfild of alle beautee and plesaunce.

530	Maia, she sat there with so gentle cheer,
	To look at her it seemed like faery;
	Queen Esther never looked with such an eye
	Upon Ahasuerus, so meek was she.
	I can't describe to you all her beauty;
535	But thus much of her beauty I can say,
	That she was like the brightening morn of May,
	Fulfilled of beauty and of all pleasance.

ines 538-555: January thinks about consummation of his marriage

	This Januarie is ravysshed in a traunce
	At every tyme he looked on hir face;
540	But in his herte he gan hire to manace
	That he that nyght in armes wolde hire streyne
	Harder than evere Par