But wel he knew that next him-self, certayn,
She loved hir children best in every wyse. 695
But now of wommen wolde I axen fayn, (640)
If thise assayes mighte nat suffyse?
What coude a sturdy housbond more devyse
To preve hir wyfhod and hir stedfastnesse,
And he continuing ever in sturdinesse? 700