The Merchant's Tale Prologue

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========= SensUal Joy =========

'Weeping and wailing, care and other sorrow,
I know them well enough by eve and morrow,'
The Merchant said;' like others I suppose
That have been married, that's the way it goes;

I know too well that's how it goes with me.
I have a wife, the worst that there could be;
For if a fiend were coupled to my wife,
She'd overmatch him, you can bet your life.

Love Program

Why choose a special instance to recall
Her soaring malice? She's a shrew in all.
There's a wide difference I'm bound to say
Between Griselda's patience and the way

My wife behaves; her studied cruelty
Surpasses everything. If I were free,
Never again, never again the snare!

Love Program

We married men, our life is grief and care.
Try it who will, and he will find, I promise
That I have spoken truly, St Thomas,
For most of us - I do not say for all,
And God forbid that such a thing befall.

'Ah, my good Host, I have been wedded now
These two months past, no more than that, I vow,
Yet I believe no bachelor alive,
Not if you were to take a knife and rive
Him to the heart, could tell of so much grief
As I could tell you of; beyond belief,
The curst malignity I get from her!'

Love Program

Our Host replied,' God bless you, my dear sir!
But since you know so much about the art
Of marriage, let me beg you to impart.'
'With pleasure,' he said,' but on the personal score
I'm so heart-scalded I shall say no more.'

- Penguin Classics
Geoffrey Chaucer
Edited by Nevill Coghill

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