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THE PROLOGUE.

 

 "HEY! Godde's mercy!" said our Hoste tho,*            *then
 

 "Now such a wife I pray God keep me fro'.
 

 Lo, suche sleightes and subtilities
 

 In women be; for aye as busy as bees
 

 Are they us silly men for to deceive,
 

 And from the soothe* will they ever weive,**  *truth **swerve, depart
 

 As this Merchante's tale it proveth well.
 

 But natheless, as true as any steel,
 

 I have a wife, though that she poore be;
 

 But of her tongue a labbing* shrew is she;         *chattering
 

 And yet* she hath a heap of vices mo'.           *moreover
 

 Thereof *no force;* let all such thinges go.       *no matter*
 

 But wit* ye what? in counsel** be it said, *know **secret, confidence
 

 Me rueth sore I am unto her tied;
 

 For, an'* I shoulde reckon every vice               *if
 

 Which that she hath, y-wis* I were too nice;**  *certainly **foolish
 

 And cause why, it should reported be
 

 And told her by some of this company
 

 (By whom, it needeth not for to declare,
 

 Since women connen utter such chaffare <1>),
 

 And eke my wit sufficeth not thereto
 

 To tellen all; wherefore my tale is do.*             *done
 

 Squier, come near, if it your wille be,
 

 And say somewhat of love, for certes ye
 

 *Conne thereon* as much as any man."          *know about it*
 

 "Nay, Sir," quoth he; "but such thing as I can,
 

 With hearty will, -- for I will not rebel
 

 Against your lust,* -- a tale will I tell.         *pleasure
 

 Have me excused if I speak amiss;
 

 My will is good; and lo, my tale is this."
 

 

Notes to the Prologue to the Squire’s Tale

1. Women connen utter such chaffare: women are adepts at giving circulation to such wares. The Host evidently means that his wife would be sure to hear of his confessions from some female member of the company.

THE TALE

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 *Pars Prima.*                       *First part*