The Canterbury Tales

Fragment IV

The Merchant's Prologue

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The Prologe of the

Marchantes Tale.

Wepyng and waylyng, care and oother sorwe

I knowe ynogh, on even and a-morwe,

1215

Quod the marchant, and so doon other mo

That wedded been. I trowe that it be so,

For wel I woot it fareth so with me.

I have awyf, the worste that may be;

For thogh the feend to hire ycoupled were,

1220

She sholde I yow reherce in special

What sholde I yow reherce in special

Hir hye malice? she is a shrewe at al.

Ther is a long and large difference

Bitwix grisildis grete pacience

1225

And of my wyf the passyng crueltee.

Were I unbounden, also moot I thee!

I wolde nevere eft comen in the sanre.

We wedded men lyven in sorwe and care.

Assaye whoso wole, and he shal fynde

1230

That I seye sooth , by seint thomas of ynde,

As for the moore part, I sey nat alle.

God shilde that it sholde so bifalle!

A! goode sire hoost, I have ywedded bee

Thise monthes two, and moore nat, pardee;

1235

And yet, I trowe, he that al his lyve

Wyflees hath been, though that men wolde him ryve

Unto the herte, ne koude in no manere

Tellen so muchel sorwe as I now heere

Koude tellen of my wyves cursednesse!

1240

Now, quod oure hoost, marchaunt, so God yow blesse,

Syn ye so muchel knowen of that art

Ful hertely I pray yow telle us part.

Gladly, quod he, but of myn owene soore,

For soory herte, I telle may namoore.