THE TALE（第13页）

yourwifeathome，thesamegoldagain，

uponyourbench;shewotitwell，certain，

bycertaintokensthaticanhertell

now，byyourleave，imaynolongerdwell;

ourabbotwilloutofthistownanon，

andinhispanyimustegon.

greetwellourdame，mineowenniecesweet，

andfarewell，dearecousin，tillwemeet.

thismerchant，whichthatwasfullwareandwise，

*creancedhath，*andpaidekeinparis*hadobtainedcredit*

tocertainlombardsreadyintheirhond

thesufgold，andgotofthemhisbond，

andhomehewent，merryasapopinjay.**parrot

forwellheknewhestoodinsucharray

thatneedesmusthewininthatvoyage

athousandfrancs，aboveallhiscostage.**expenses

hiswifefullreadymethimatthegate，

asshewaswontofoldusagealgate**always

andallthatnightinmirthetheybeset;**spent

forhewasrich，andclearlyoutofdebt.

whenitwasday，themerchantganembrace

hiswifeallnew，andkissdherinherface，

anduphewent，andmakeditfulltough.

"nore，"quothshe，"bygodyehaveenough;"

andwantonlyagainwithhimsheplayd，

tillatthelastthismerchanttohersaid.

"bygod，"quothhe，"iamalittlewroth

withyou，mywife，althoughitbemeloth;

andwotyewhy?bygod，asthatiguess，

thatyehavemadea*mannerstrangeness**akindofestrangement*

betwixtemeandmycousin，danjohn.