The Prologue + 

“Weeping and wailing, care and other sorrow, + 

I have enough, on even and on morrow,” + 

Quoth the Merchánt, “and so have other mo’, + 

That wedded be; I trow that it be so; + 

For well I wot it fareth so by me. + 

I have a wife, the worstë that may be, + 

For though the fiend to her y-coupled were, + 

She would him overmatch, I dare well swear: + 

Why should I you rehearse in speciál + 

Her high malíce? she is a shrew at all. + 

There is a long and largë difference + 

Betwixt Griselda’s greatë patience, + 

And of my wife the passing cruelty. + 

Were I unbounden, all so may I thé, + 

I wouldë never eft come in the snare. + 

We wedded men live in sorrow and care; + 

Assay it whoso will, and he shall find + 

That I say sooth, by Saint Thomas of Ind, + 

As for the morë part; I say not all⁠— + 

God shieldë that it shouldë so befall. + 

Ah! good Sir Host, I have y-wedded be + 

These moneths two, and morë not, pardie; + 

And yet I trow that he that all his life + 

Wifeless hath been, though that men would him rive + 

Into the heartë, could in no mannére + 

Tellë so much sorrów, as I you here + 

Could tellen of my wifë’s cursedness.” + 

“Now,” quoth our Host, “Merchánt, so God you bless, + 

Since ye so muchë knowen of that art, + 

Full heartily I pray you tell us part.” + 

“Gladly,” quoth he; “but of mine owen sore, + 

For sorry heart, I tellë may no more.” + 