From: Subject: The Wife of Bath Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:40:48 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/Elements_of_Lit_Course6/Middle_Ages/Wife%20of%20Bath.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 The Wife of Bath

The Wife of Bath=92s = Tale 
from=20 The Canterbury Tales 

Geoffrey Chaucer, translated = by Nevill=20 Coghill 

       &= nbsp;   =20 The Prologue 

            = The=20 Pardoner started up, and=20 thereupon 
         =   =20 =93Madam,=94 he said, =93by God and by St.=20 John, 
         &nbs= p; =20 That=92s noble preaching no one could=20 surpass! 
         &= nbsp; =20 I was about to take a wife;=20 alas! 
5         Am I to = buy it=20 on my flesh so=20 dear? 
         &nbs= p; =20 There=92ll be no marrying for me this=20 year!=94 
         &= nbsp; =20 =93You wait,=94 she said, =93my story=92s not=20 begun. 
         &nb= sp; =20 You=92ll taste another brew before I=92ve=20 done; 
         &nbs= p; =20 You=92ll find it doesn=92t taste as good as=20 ale; 
10         And = when I=92ve=20 finished telling you my=20 tale 
          = ; =20 Of tribulation in the married=20 life 
          = ; =20 In which I=92ve been an expert as a=20 wife, 
         &nbs= p; =20 That is to say, myself have been the=20 whip. 
         &nbs= p; =20 So please yourself whether you want to=20 sip 
15        At that same = cask of=20 marriage I shall=20 broach. 
         &n= bsp; =20 Be cautious before making the=20 approach, 
         =   =20 For I=92ll give instances, and more than=20 ten. 
          = ; =20 And those who won=92t be warned by other=20 men, 
          = ; =20 By other men shall suffer their=20 correction, 
20        So = Ptolemy has=20 said, in this=20 connection. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 You read his Almagest; you=92ll find it=20 there.=94 
         =   =20 =93Madam, I put it to you as a=20 prayer,=94 
         = ;  =20 The Pardoner said, =93go on as you=20 began! 
         &nb= sp; =20 Tell us your tale, spare not for any=20 man. 
25        Instruct us = younger=20 men in your=20 technique.=94 
        &n= bsp;  =20 =93Gladly,=94 she said, =93if you will let me=20 speak, 
         &nb= sp; =20 But still I hope the company won=92t reprove=20 me 
          &= nbsp;=20 Though I should speak as fantasy may move=20 me, 
          =  =20 And please don=92t be offended at my=20 views; 
30        They=92re = really only=20 offered to amuse. 

         &nb= sp; =20 The Tale 

            = When good=20 King Arthur ruled in ancient=20 days 
          = ; =20 (A king that every Briton loves to=20 praise) 
         &n= bsp; =20 This was a land brim-full of fairy=20 folk. 
         &nbs= p; =20 The Elf-Queen and her courtiers joined and=20 broke 
35         Their = elfin=20 dance on many a green=20 mead, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Or so was the opinion once, I=20 read, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Hundreds of years ago, in days of=20 yore. 
         &nbs= p; =20 But no one now sees fairies any=20 more. 
         &nbs= p; =20 For now the saintly charity and=20 prayer 
40         Of = holy=20 friars seem to have purged the=20 air; 
          = ; =20 They search the countryside through field and=20 stream 
         &nb= sp; =20 As thick as motes that speckle a=20 sun-beam, 
         =   =20 Blessing the halls, the chambers, kitchens,=20 bowers, 
         &n= bsp; =20 Cities and boroughs, castles, courts and=20 towers, 
45         = Thorpes,=20 barns and stables, outhouses and=20 dairies, 
         &= nbsp; =20 And that=92s the reason why there are no=20 fairies. 
         &= nbsp; =20 Wherever there was wont to walk an=20 elf 
          =  =20 To-day there walks the holy friar=20 himself 
         &n= bsp; =20 As evening falls or when the daylight=20 springs, 
50         = Saying his=20 matins and his holy=20 things, 
         &n= bsp; =20 Walking his limit round from town to=20 town. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Women can now go safely up and=20 down 
          = ; =20 By every bush or under every=20 tree; 
         &nbs= p; =20 There is no other incubus but=20 he, 
55         So there = is=20 really no one else to hurt=20 you 
          =  =20 And he will do no more than take your=20 virtue. 
         &n= bsp; =20 Now it so happened, I began to=20 say, 
          = ; =20 Long, long ago in good King Arthur=92s=20 day, 
          = ; =20 There was a knight who was a lusty=20 liver. 
60         One = day as he=20 came riding from the=20 river 
         &nbs= p; =20 He saw a maiden walking all=20 forlorn 
         &n= bsp; =20 Ahead of him, alone as she was=20 born. 
         &nbs= p; =20 And of that maiden, spite of all she=20 said, 
         &nbs= p; =20 By very force he took her=20 maidenhead. 
65       This act of = violence=20 made such a=20 stir, 
         &nbs= p; =20 So much petitioning to the king for=20 her, 
          = ; =20 That he condemned the knight to lose his=20 head 
          = ; =20 By course of law. He was as good as=20 dead 
          = ; =20 (It seems that then the statutes took that=20 view) 
70         But = that the=20 queen, and other ladies=20 too, 
          = ; =20 Implored the king to exercise his=20 grace 
         &nbs= p; =20 So ceaselessly, he gave the queen the=20 case 
          = ; =20 And granted her his life, and she could=20 choose 
         &nb= sp; =20 Whether to show him mercy or=20 refuse. 
75         The = queen=20 returned him thanks with all her=20 might, 
         &nb= sp; =20 And then she sent a summons to the=20 knight 
         &nb= sp; =20 At her convenience, and expressed her=20 will: 
         &nbs= p; =20 =93You stand, for such is the position=20 still, 
         &nb= sp; =20 In no way certain of your life,=94 said=20 she, 
80         =93Yet = you shall=20 live if you can answer=20 me: 
          =  =20 What is the thing that women most=20 desire? 
         &n= bsp; =20 Beware the axe and say as I=20 require. 
         &= nbsp; =20 =93If you can=92t answer on the moment,=20 though, 
         &n= bsp; =20 I will concede you this: You are to=20 go 
85        A twelvemonth = and a day=20 to seek and=20 learn 
         &nbs= p; =20 Sufficient answer, then you shall=20 return. 
         &n= bsp; =20 I shall take gages from you to=20 extort 
         &nb= sp; =20 Surrender of your body to the=20 court.=94 
         =   =20 Sad was the knight and sorrowfully=20 sighed, 
90         But = there!=20 All other choices were=20 denied, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And in the end he chose to go=20 away 
          = ; =20 And to return after a year and=20 day 
          =  =20 Armed with such answer as there might be=20 sent 
          = ; =20 To him by God. He took his leave and=20 went. 
95        He knocked = at every=20 house, searched every=20 place, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Yes, anywhere that offered hope of=20 grace. 
         &nb= sp; =20 What could it be that women wanted=20 most? 
         &nbs= p; =20 But all the same he never touched a=20 coast, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Country, or town in which there seemed to=20 be 
100     Any two people willing to=20 agree. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Some said that women wanted wealth and=20 treasure, 
         =   =20 =93Honor,=94 said some, some =93Jollity and=20 pleasure,=94 
        &nb= sp;  =20 Some =93Gorgeous clothes=94 and others =93Fun in=20 bed,=94 
         &n= bsp; =20 =93To be oft widowed and remarried,=94 = said 
105    =20 Others again, and some that what most=20 mattered 
         &= nbsp; =20 Was that we should be cossetted and=20 flattered. 
         = ;  =20 That=92s very near the truth, it seems to=20 me; 
          =  =20 A man can win us best with=20 flattery. 
         =   =20 To dance attendance on us, make a = fuss, 
110    =20 Ensnares us all, the best and worst of=20 us. 
          =  =20 Some say the things we most desire are=20 these: 
         &nb= sp; =20 Freedom to do exactly as we=20 please, 
         &n= bsp; =20 With no one to reprove our faults and=20 lies, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Rather to have one call us good and = wise. 
115    =20 Truly there=92s not a woman in ten=20 score 
         &nbs= p; =20 Who has a fault, and someone rubs the=20 sore, 
         &nbs= p; =20 But she will kick if what he says is=20 true; 
         &nbs= p; =20 You try it out and you will find so=20 too. 
          = ; =20 However vicious we may be within 
120     We = like to=20 be thought wise and void of=20 sin. 
          = ; =20 Others assert we women find it=20 sweet 
         &nbs= p; =20 When we are thought dependable,=20 discreet 
         &= nbsp; =20 And secret, firm of purpose and=20 controlled, 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Never betraying things that we are = told. 
125    =20 But that=92s not worth the handle of a=20 rake; 
         &nbs= p; =20 Women conceal a thing? For Heaven=92s=20 sake! 
         &nbs= p; =20 Remember Midas? Will you hear the=20 tale? 
         &nbs= p; =20 Among some other little things, now=20 stale, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Ovid relates that under his long = hair 
130     The=20 unhappy Midas grew a splendid=20 pair 
          = ; =20 Of ass=92s ears; as subtly as he=20 might, 
         &nb= sp; =20 He kept his foul deformity from=20 sight; 
         &nb= sp; =20 Save for his wife, there was not one that=20 knew. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He loved her best, and trusted in her = too. 
135    =20 He begged her not to tell a living=20 creature 
         &= nbsp; =20 That he possessed so horrible a=20 feature. 
         &= nbsp; =20 And she=97she swore, were all the world to=20 win, 
          = ; =20 She would not do such villainy and=20 sin 
          =  =20 As saddle her husband with so foul a = name; 
140    =20 Besides to speak would be to share the=20 shame. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Nevertheless she thought she would have=20 died 
          = ; =20 Keeping this secret bottled up=20 inside; 
         &n= bsp; =20 It seemed to swell her heart and she, no=20 doubt, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Thought it was on the point of bursting=20 out. 
          = ; =20 Fearing to speak of it to woman or=20 man, 
          = ; =20 Down to a reedy marsh she quickly=20 ran 
          =  =20 And reached the sedge. Her heart was all on=20 fire 
          = ; =20 And, as a bittern bumbles in the=20 mire, 
         &nbs= p; =20 She whispered to the water, near the=20 ground, 
150     =93Betray me not, O water, = with thy=20 sound! 
         &nb= sp; =20 To thee alone I tell it: It=20 appears 
         &n= bsp; =20 My husband has a pair of ass=92s=20 ears! 
         &nbs= p; =20 Ah! My heart=92s well again, the secret=92s=20 out! 
        I could no = longer keep=20 it, not a doubt.=94 
155     And so you see, = although=20 we may hold=20 fast 
          = ; =20 A little while, it must come out at=20 last, 
         &nbs= p; =20 We can=92t keep secrets; as for Midas,=20 well, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Read Ovid for his story; he will=20 tell. 
         &nbs= p; =20 This knight that I am telling you = about 
160    =20 Perceived at last he never would find=20 out 
          =  =20 What it could be that women loved the=20 best. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Faint was the soul within his sorrowful=20 breast, 
         &n= bsp; =20 As home he went, he dared no longer=20 stay; 
         &nbs= p; =20 His year was up and now it was the = day. 
165     As=20 he rode home in a dejected=20 mood 
          = ; =20 Suddenly, at the margin of a=20 wood, 
         &nbs= p; =20 He saw a dance upon the leafy=20 floor 
         &nbs= p; =20 Of four and twenty ladies, nay, and=20 more. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Eagerly he approached, in hope to = learn 
170    =20 Some words of wisdom ere he should=20 return; 
         &n= bsp; =20 But lo! Before he came to where they=20 were, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Dancers and dance all vanished into=20 air! 
          = ; =20 There wasn=92t a living creature to be=20 seen 
          = ; =20 Save one old woman crouched upon the = green. 
175    =20 A fouler-looking creature I=20 suppose 
         &n= bsp; =20 Could scarcely be imagined. She=20 arose 
         &nbs= p; =20 And said, =93Sir knight, there=92s no way on from=20 here.     
     &nbs= p;     =20 Tell me what you are looking for, my=20 dear, 
         &nbs= p; =20 For peradventure that were best for = you; 
180     We=20 old, old women know a thing or=20 two.=94 
         &n= bsp; =20 =93Dear Mother,=94 said the knight, =93alack the=20 day! 
          = ; =20 I am as good as dead if I can=92t=20 say 
          =  =20 What thing it is that women most=20 desire; 
         &n= bsp; =20 If you could tell me I would pay your=20 hire.=94 
185     =93Give me your hand,=94 = she said, =93and=20 swear to=20 do 
          &= nbsp;=20 Whatever I shall next require of=20 you 
          =  =20 =97If so to do should lie within your=20 might=97 
         &= nbsp; =20 And you shall know the answer before=20 night.=94 
         =   =20 =93Upon my honor,=94 he answered, =93I = agree.=94 
190    =20 =93Then,=94 said the crone, =93I dare to=20 guarantee 
         =   =20 Your life is safe; I shall make good my=20 claim. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Upon my life the queen will say the=20 same. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Show me the very proudest of them=20 all 
          =  =20 In costly coverchief or jeweled = caul 
195     =20 That dare say no to what I have to=20 teach. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Let us go forward without further=20 speech.=94 
         = ;  =20 And then she crooned her gospel in his=20 ear 
          =  =20 And told him to be glad and not to=20 fear. 
         &nbs= p; =20 They came to court. This knight, in full=20 array, 
200     Stood forth and said, =93O = Queen, I=92ve=20 kept my=20 day 
          =  =20 And kept my word and have my answer=20 ready.=94 
         =   =20 There sat the noble matrons and the=20 heady 
         &nbs= p; =20 Young girls, and widows too, that have the=20 grace 
         &nbs= p; =20 Of wisdom, all assembled in that = place, 
205     And=20 there the queen herself was throned to=20 hear 
          = ; =20 And judge his answer. Then the knight drew=20 near 
          = ; =20 And silence was commanded through the=20 hall. 
         &nbs= p; =20 The queen gave order he should tell them=20 all 
          =  =20 What thing it was that women wanted = most. 
210    =20 He stood not silent like a beast or=20 post, 
         &nbs= p; =20 But gave his answer with the ringing=20 word 
          = ; =20 Of a man=92s voice and the assembly=20 heard: 
         &nb= sp; =20 =93My liege and lady, in general,=94 said=20 he, 
          =  =20 =93A woman wants the self-same = sovereignty 
215    =20 Over her husband as over her=20 lover, 
         &nb= sp; =20 And master him; he must not be above=20 her. 
          = ; =20 That is your greatest wish, whether you=20 kill 
          = ; =20 Or spare me; please yourself. I wait your=20 will.=94 
         &= nbsp; =20 In all the court not one that shook her=20 head 
220     Or contradicted what the = knight had=20 said; 
         &nbs= p; =20 Maid, wife, and widow cried, =93He=92s saved his=20 life!=94 
         &= nbsp; =20 And on the word up started the old=20 wife, 
         &nbs= p; =20 The one the knight saw sitting on the=20 green, 
         &nb= sp; =20 And cried, =93Your mercy, sovereign lady=20 queen! 
225     Before the court disperses, = do me=20 right! 
         &nb= sp; =20 =92Twas I who taught this answer to the=20 knight, 
         &n= bsp; =20 For which he swore, and pledged his honor to=20 it, 
          =  =20 That the first thing I asked of him he=92d do=20 it, 
          =  =20 So far as it should lie within his = might. 
230    =20 Before this court I ask you then, sir=20 knight, 
         &n= bsp; =20 To keep your word and take me for your=20 wife; 
         &nbs= p; =20 For well you know that I have saved your=20 life. 
         &nbs= p; =20 If this be false, deny it on your=20 sword!=94 
         =   =20 =93Alas!=94 he said, =93Old lady, by the = Lord 
235     I=20 know indeed that such was my=20 behest, 
         &n= bsp; =20 But for God=92s love think of a new=20 request, 
         &= nbsp; =20 Take all my goods, but leave my body=20 free.=94 
         &= nbsp; =20 =93A curse on us,=94 she said, =93if I=20 agree!     
     &nb= sp;     =20 I may be foul, I may be poor and = old, 
240     Yet=20 will not choose to be, for all the=20 gold 
          = ; =20 That=92s bedded in the earth or lies=20 above, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Less than your wife, nay, than your very=20 love!=94 
         &= nbsp; =20 =93My love?=94 said he. =93By heaven, my=20 damnation! 
         = ;  =20 Alas that any of my race and = station 
245     Should=20 ever make so foul a=20 misalliance!=94 
        =    =20 Yet in the end his pleading and=20 defiance 
         &= nbsp; =20 All went for nothing, he was forced to=20 wed. 
          = ; =20 He takes his ancient wife and goes to=20 bed. 
          = ; =20 Now peradventure some may well=20 suspect 
250      A lack of care in me = since I=20 neglect 
         &n= bsp; =20 To tell of the rejoicings and=20 display 
         &n= bsp; =20 Made at the feast upon their=20 wedding-day. 
        &nb= sp;  =20 I have but a short answer to let=20 fall; 
         &nbs= p; =20 I say there was no joy or feast at = all, 
255    =20 Nothing but heaviness of heart and=20 sorrow. 
         &n= bsp; =20 He married her in private on the=20 morrow 
         &nb= sp; =20 And all day long stayed hidden like an=20 owl, 
          = ; =20 It was such torture that his wife looked=20 foul. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Great was the anguish churning in his = head 
260    =20 When he and she were piloted to=20 bed; 
          = ; =20 He wallowed back and forth in desperate=20 style. 
         &nb= sp; =20 His ancient wife lay smiling all the=20 while; 
         &nb= sp; =20 At last she said =93Bless us! Is this, my=20 dear, 
         &nbs= p; =20 How knights and wives get on together = here? 
265    =20 Are these the laws of good King Arthur=92s=20 house? 
         &nb= sp; =20 Are knights of his all so=20 contemptuous? 
        &n= bsp;  =20 I am your own beloved and your=20 wife, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And I am she, indeed, that saved your=20 life; 
         &nbs= p; =20 And certainly I never did you = wrong. 
270     Then=20 why, this first of nights, so sad a=20 song? 
         &nbs= p; =20 You=92re carrying on as if you were=20 half-witted 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Say, for God=92s love, what sin have I=20 committed? 
         = ;  =20 I=92ll put things right if you will tell me=20 how.=94 
         &n= bsp; =20 =93Put right?=94 he cried. =93That never can be=20 now! 
275      Nothing can ever be put = right=20 again! 
         &nb= sp; =20 You=92re old, and so abominably=20 plain, 
         &nb= sp; =20 So poor to start with, so low-bred to=20 follow; 
         &n= bsp; =20 It=92s little wonder if I twist and=20 wallow! 
         &n= bsp; =20 God, that my heart would burst within my=20 breast!=94 
280       =93Is = that,=94 said she,=20 =93the cause of your=20 unrest?=94 
         = ;  =20 =93Yes, certainly,=94 he said, =93and can you=20 wonder?=94 
         = ;  =20 =93I could set right what you suppose a=20 blunder, 
         &= nbsp; =20 That=92s if I cared to, in a day or=20 two, 
          = ; =20 If I were shown more courtesy by = you. 
285     Just=20 now,=94 she said, =93you spoke of gentle=20 birth, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Such as descends from ancient wealth and=20 worth. 
         &nb= sp; =20 If that=92s the claim you make for=20 gentlemen 
         =   =20 Such arrogance is hardly worth a=20 hen. 
          = ; =20 Whoever loves to work for virtuous = ends, 
290    =20 Public and private, and who most=20 intends 
         &n= bsp; =20 To do what deeds of gentleness he=20 can, 
          = ; =20 Take him to be the greatest=20 gentleman. 
         = ;  =20 Christ wills we take our gentleness from=20 Him, 
          = ; =20 Not from a wealth of ancestry long = dim, 
295    =20 Though they bequeath their whole=20 establishment 
        &n= bsp;  =20 By which we claim to be of high=20 descent. 
         &= nbsp; =20 Our fathers cannot make us a=20 bequest 
         &n= bsp; =20 Of all those virtues that became them=20 best 
          = ; =20 And earned for them the name of = gentlemen, 
300    =20 But bade us follow them as best we=20 can. 
          = ; =20 =93Thus the wise poet of the=20 Florentines, 
        &nb= sp;  =20 Dante by name, has written in these=20 lines, 
         &nb= sp; =20 For such is the opinion Dante=20 launches: 
         =   =20 =91Seldom arises by these slender = branches 
305    =20 Prowess of men, for it is God, no=20 less, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Wills us to claim of Him our=20 gentleness.=92 
        &= nbsp;  =20 For of our parents nothing can we=20 claim 
         &nbs= p; =20 Save temporal things, and these may hurt and=20 maim. 
         &nbs= p; =20 =93But everyone knows this as well as = I; 
310     For=20 if gentility were implanted=20 by 
          &= nbsp;=20 The natural course of lineage down the=20 line, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Public or private, could it cease to=20 shine 
         &nbs= p; =20 In doing the fair work of gentle=20 deed? 
         &nbs= p; =20 No vice or villainy could then bear = seed. 
315    =20 =93Take fire and carry it to the darkest=20 house 
         &nbs= p; =20 Between this kingdom and the=20 Caucasus, 
         =   =20 And shut the doors on it and leave it=20 there, 
         &nb= sp; =20 It will burn on, and it will burn as=20 fair 
          = ; =20 As if ten thousand men were there to = see, 
320    =20 For fire will keep its nature and=20 degree, 
         &n= bsp; =20 I can assure you, sir, until it=20 dies. 
         &nbs= p; =20 =93But gentleness, as you will=20 recognize, 
         = ;  =20 Is not annexed in nature to=20 possessions. 
        &nb= sp;  =20 Men fail in living up to their = professions; 
325    =20 But fire never ceases to be=20 fire. 
         &nbs= p; =20 God knows you=92ll often find, if you=20 inquire, 
         &= nbsp; =20 Some lording full of villainy and=20 shame. 
         &nb= sp; =20 If you would be esteemed for the mere=20 name 
          = ; =20 Of having been by birth a gentleman 
330     = And=20 stemming from some virtuous, noble=20 clan, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And do not live yourself by gentle=20 deed 
          = ; =20 Or take your father=92s noble code and=20 creed, 
         &nb= sp; =20 You are no gentleman, though duke or=20 earl. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Vice and bad manners are what make a = churl. 
335    =20 =93Gentility is only the=20 renown 
         &nb= sp; =20 For bounty that your fathers handed=20 down, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Quite foreign to your person, not your=20 own; 
          = ; =20 Gentility must come from God=20 alone. 
         &nb= sp; =20 That we are gentle comes to us by = grace 
340     And=20 by no means is it bequeathed with=20 place. 
         &nb= sp; =20 =93Reflect how noble (says=20 Valerius) 
         =   =20 Was Tullius surnamed=20 Hostilius, 
         = ;  =20 Who rose from poverty to=20 nobleness. 
         = ;  =20 And read Boethius, Seneca no less, 
345     = Thus=20 they express themselves and are=20 agreed: 
         &n= bsp; =20 =91Gentle is he that does a gentle=20 deed.=92 
         &= nbsp; =20 And therefore, my dear husband, I=20 conclude 
         &= nbsp; =20 That even if my ancestors were=20 rude, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Yet God on high=97and so I hope He = will=97 
350     Can=20 grant me grace to live in virtue=20 still, 
         &nb= sp; =20 A gentlewoman only when=20 beginning 
         =   =20 To live in virtue and to shrink from=20 sinning. 
         &= nbsp; =20 =93As for my poverty which you=20 reprove, 
         &= nbsp; =20 Almighty God Himself in whom we = move, 
355    =20 Believe, and have our being, chose a=20 life 
          = ; =20 Of poverty, and every man or=20 wife 
          = ; =20 Nay, every child can see our Heavenly=20 King 
          = ; =20 Would never stoop to choose a shameful=20 thing. 
         &nb= sp; =20 No shame in poverty if the heart is = gay, 
360     As=20 Seneca and all the learned=20 say. 
          = ; =20 He who accepts his poverty=20 unhurt 
         &nb= sp; =20 I=92d say is rich although he lacked a=20 shirt. 
         &nb= sp; =20 But truly poor are they who whine and=20 fret 
          = ; =20 And covet what they cannot hope to = get. 
365     And=20 he that, having nothing, covets=20 not, 
          = ; =20 Is rich, though you may think he is a=20 sot. 
          = ; =20 =93True poverty can find a song to=20 sing. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Juvenal says a pleasant little=20 thing: 
         &nb= sp; =20 =91The poor can dance and sing in the = relief 
370    =20 Of having nothing that will tempt a=20 thief.=92 
         =   =20 Though it be hateful, poverty is=20 good, 
         &nbs= p; =20 A great incentive to a=20 livelihood, 
        &nbs= p;  =20 And a great help to our=20 capacity 
         &= nbsp; =20 For wisdom, if accepted patiently. 
375     = Poverty=20 is, though wanting in=20 estate, 
         &n= bsp; =20 A kind of wealth that none=20 calumniate. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Poverty often, when the heart is=20 lowly, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Brings one to God and teaches what is=20 holy, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Gives knowledge of oneself and even = lends 
380     A=20 glass by which to see one=92s truest=20 friends. 
         &= nbsp; =20 And since it=92s no offense, let me be=20 plain; 
         &nb= sp; =20 Do not rebuke my poverty=20 again. 
         &nb= sp; =20 =93Lastly you taxed me, sir, with being=20 old. 
          = ; =20 Yet even if you never had been told 
385     = By=20 ancient books, you gentlemen=20 engage 
         &nb= sp; =20 Yourselves in honor to respect old=20 age. 
          = ; =20 To call an old man =91father=92 shows good=20 breeding, 
         =   =20 And this could be supported from my=20 reading. 
         &= nbsp; =20 =93You say I=92m old and fouler than a=20 fen. 
390      You need not fear to be = a=20 cuckold,=20 then. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Filth and old age, I=92m sure you will=20 agree, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Are powerful wardens over=20 chastity. 
         =   =20 Nevertheless, well knowing your=20 delights, 
         =   =20 I shall fulfill your worldly = appetites. 
395    =20 =93You have two choices; which one will you=20 try?     
      = ;     =20 To have me old and ugly till I=20 die, 
          = ; =20 But still a loyal, true, and humble=20 wife 
          = ; =20 That never will displease you all her=20 life, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Or would you rather I were young and = pretty 
400    =20 And chance your arm what happens in a=20 city 
          = ; =20 Where friends will visit you because of=20 me, 
          =  =20 Yes, and in other places too,=20 maybe. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Which would you have? The choice is all your=20 own.=94 
         &n= bsp; =20 The knight thought long, and with a piteous=20 groan 
405     At last he said, with all the = care in=20 life, 
         &nbs= p; =20 =93My lady and my love, my dearest=20 wife, 
         &nbs= p; =20 I leave the matter to your wise=20 decision. 
         =   =20 You make the choice yourself, for the=20 provision 
         =   =20 Of what may be agreeable and = rich 
410      In=20 honor to us both, I don=92t care=20 which; 
         &nb= sp; =20 Whatever pleases you suffices=20 me.=94 
         &nb= sp; =20 =93And have I won the mastery?=94 said=20 she, 
          = ; =20 =93Since I=92m to choose and rule as I think=20 fit?=94 
         &n= bsp; =20 =93Certainly, wife,=94 he answered her, =93that=92s=20 it.=94 
415         = =93Kiss me,=94 she=20 cried. =93No quarrels! On my=20 oath 
          = ; =20 And word of honor, you shall find me=20 both, 
         &nbs= p; =20 That is, both fair and faithful as a=20 wife; 
         &nbs= p; =20 May I go howling mad and take my=20 life 
          = ; =20 Unless I prove to be as good and = true 
420     As=20 ever wife was since the world was=20 new! 
          = ; =20 And if to-morrow when the sun=92s=20 above 
         &nbs= p; =20 I seem less fair than any=20 lady-love, 
         = ;  =20 Than any queen or empress east or=20 west, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Do with my life and death as you think=20 best. 
425     Cast up the curtain, husband. = Look at=20 me!=94 
         &nb= sp; =20 And when indeed the knight had looked to=20 see, 
          = ; =20 Lo, she was young and lovely, rich in=20 charms. 
         &n= bsp; =20 In ecstasy he caught her in his=20 arms, 
         &nbs= p; =20 His heart went bathing in a bath of = blisses 
430    =20 And melted in a hundred thousand=20 kisses, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And she responded in the fullest=20 measure 
         &n= bsp; =20 With all that could delight or give him=20 pleasure. 
         =   =20 So they lived ever after to the=20 end 
          =  =20 In perfect bliss; and may Christ Jesus = send 
435    =20 Us husbands meek and young and fresh in=20 bed, 
          = ; =20 And grace to overbid them when we=20 wed. 
          = ; =20 And=97Jesu hear my prayer!=97cut short the=20 lives 
         &nbs= p; =20 Of those who won=92t be governed by their=20 wives; 
         &nb= sp; =20 And all old, angry niggards of their = pence, 
440    =20 God send them soon a very pestilence! 

 

Making = Meanings 

Reading Check 

a. What were the knight=92s crime, his original sentence, and = his second=20 sentence? 

b. What bargain do the knight and the old woman = strike? 

c. What payment for her help does the old woman demand, and = what is=20 the knight=92s response? 

d. What final choice does the old woman offer the knight at = the end of=20 the tale? What is his response? 


First=20 Thoughts 

1. What did you think of the Wife of Bath=92s opinion about = what women=20 want most? If she were asked what men want most, how do you suppose she = would=20 respond? 

Shaping Interpretations 

2. The knight=92s quest is to find out what women want. = What irony=20 do you see in this? 

3. In lines 276=96278, the knight moans about having the old = woman for=20 his wife. How does she respond to each objection he raises? 

4. How does the knight=92s response to the choice given him by = the old=20 woman show that he=92s learned his lesson about what women = want? 

5. What opinions does the Wife of Bath express in the tale? = What do=20 all her opinions and her tale itself tell you about her=20 character? 

6. Look at the various things the Wife of Bath, in her tale, = says=20 people think women want. What do you think of those proposed = answers? 


Extending the Text 

7. What do you think contemporary men and women think about = what the=20 other wants most out of life or from a relationship? Do you think they = would=20 agree, or do they have different wishes and expectations of one=20 another? 

8. How would the Wife of Bath fit into contemporary society? = What=20 social trends would she support or reject? 

Challenging the Text 

9. Consider the way this story begins and ends. How does the = knight=20 get into trouble, and how do things turn out for him? Does the story = satisfy or=20 trouble you, and are there any elements that bother you?

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