‘Suster,’ quod he, ‘this is my fulle assent, 3075
With al thavys heer of my parlement,
That gentil Palamon, your owne knight,
That serveth yow with wille, herte, and might, (2220)
And ever hath doon, sin that ye first him knewe,
That ye shul, of your grace, up-on him rewe, 3080
And taken him for housbonde and for lord:
Leen me your hond, for this is our acord.
Lat see now of your wommanly pitee.
He is a kinges brother sone, pardee;
And, though he were a povre bacheler, 3085
Sin he hath served yow so many a yeer,
And had for yow so greet adversitee,
It moste been considered, leveth me; (2230)
For gentil mercy oghte to passen right.’
3077. your] E. thyn. 3082. Hn. Leen; _rest_ Lene.
Than seyde he thus to Palamon ful right; 3090
‘I trowe ther nedeth litel sermoning
To make yow assente to this thing.
Com neer, and tak your lady by the hond.’
[88: T. 3096-3110.]
Bitwixen hem was maad anon the bond,
That highte matrimoine or mariage, 3095
By al the counseil and the baronage.
And thus with alle blisse and melodye
Hath Palamon y-wedded Emelye. (2240)
And God, that al this wyde world hath wroght,
Sende him his love, that hath it dere a-boght. 3100
For now is Palamon in alle wele,
Living in blisse, in richesse, and in hele;
And Emelye him loveth so tendrely,
And he hir serveth al-so gentilly,
That never was ther no word hem bitwene 3105
Of Ielousye, or any other tene.
Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye;
And God save al this faire companye!—Amen. (2250)