And  in  he  stert,  and  that  in  swiche  manere,
That  no  wight  might  him  see  neyther  yhere,
And  still  he  sit  under  a  bush.    Anon
This  January,  as  blind  as  is  a  ston,
With  Mains  in  his  hand,  and  no  wight  mo.
Into  this  freshe  gardin  is  ago,
And  clapped  to  the  wiket  sodenly.
Now,  wif,  quod  he,  here  n'is  but  thou,  and  I,
That  art  the  creature  that  I  best  love:
For  by  that  lord  that  sit  in  heven  above,
I  hadde  lever  dien  on  a  knif.
Than  thee  oflfenden,  dere  trewe  wif.
For  Goddes  sake,  thinke  how  I  thee  chees,
Not  for  no  covetise  douteles,
But  only  for  the  love  I  had  to  thee.
And  though  that  1  be  old  and  may  not  see,
Beth  to  me  trewe,  and  I  wol  tell  you  why;
Certes  three  thinges  shal  ye  win  therby;
First  love  of  Crist,  and  to  yourself  honour,
And  all  min  heritage,  toim  and  tour.
I  yeve  it  you,  maketh  chartres  as  you  lest:
This  shal  be  don  to-morwe  er  sonne  rest,
So  wisly  Gk)d  my  soule  bring  to  blisse ;
I  pray  you  on  this  covenant  ye  me  kisse.
And  though  that  I  be  jalous,  wite  me  nought;'
Ye  ben  so  depe  enprented  in  my  thought,
That  whan  that  I  consider  your  beautee,
And  therwithall  the  unlikely  elde  of  me,

1  Think  nothing  of  it.
T


274  THB  CANTERBURY  TALES.  10055-1009C.
I  may  not  certes,  though  I  sliulde  die,
Forbere  to  ben  out  of  your  compagnie
For  veray  love ;  this  is  withouten  doute :
Now  kisse  me,  wif,  and  let  us  rome  aboute.
