THE KN2GHTES TALE. 14!
I make pleynly my confessioun, That I am thilke woful Palamoun, That hath thy prisoun broke wikkedly. I am thy mortal foo, and it am I That loveth so hoote Emelye the brighte, That I wol dye present in hire sighte. Therfore I aske deeth and my juwyse; But slee my felawe in the same wyse, For both han we deserved to be slayn.'
This worthy duk answerde anon agayn, And seide, * This is a schort conclusioun : Foure owne mouthe, byj/oure confessioun, Hath dampned jyou, and I wil it recorde. It nedeth nought to pyne yovf with the corde. Pe schul be deed by mighty Mars the reede ! * The queen anon for verray wommanhede Gan for to wepe, and so dede Emelye, And alle the ladies in the compainye. Gret pitd was it, as it thoughte hem alle, That evere suche a chaunce schulde falle; For gentil men thei were, of gret estate, And nothing but for love* was this debate. And sawe here bloody woundes wyde and sore; And alle cryden, bothe lasse and more, * Have mercy, Lord, upon us wommen alle !* And on here bare knees adoun they falle, And wolde han kist his feet ther as he stood, Til atte laste aslaked was his mood ; For pite renneth sone in gentil herte. And though he first for ire quok and sterte, He hath considerd shortly in a clause, The trespas of hem bothe, and eek the cause: And although that his ire here gylt accusede, Fet in his resoun he hem bothe excusede ; And thus he thoughte wel that every man Wol helpe himself in love if that he can, And eek delyvere himself out of prisoun;