‘Grisilde,’ he seyde, ‘ye shul wel understonde
It lyketh to your fader and to me 345
That I yow wedde, and eek it may so stonde, (290)
As I suppose, ye wol that it so be.
But thise demandes axe I first,’ quod he,
‘That, sith it shal be doon in hastif wyse,
Wol ye assente, or elles yow avyse? 350
[400: T. 8227-8261.]
I seye this, be ye redy with good herte
To al my lust, and that I frely may,
As me best thinketh, do yow laughe or smerte,
And never ye to grucche it, night ne day?
And eek whan I sey “ye,” ne sey nat “nay,” 355
Neither by word ne frowning contenance; (300)
Swer this, and here I swere our alliance.’