'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