Chapter VIII: Part IV

A few years afterwards, Griselda had another child--a little boy. This was still more joy to the people and to Walter than the other baby, because it was the heir.

When the babe was two years old, the marquis took it into his head to tempt again his poor wife. Ah! how needless to torture her! but married men care for no limits when they find a patient wife!

“Wife,” said the marquis, “I have told you how discontented are the people with our marriage; and since the boy’s birth their anger has been greater. Their murmuring destroys all my comfort and courage. They grumble, because when I am dead the blood of Janicle shall succeed to my heritage; and I cannot disregard the words they say! So I think I will serve him as I served his sister; but do not suddenly fly out with grief. Be patient, I beg of you, and command your feelings.”

Griselda answered, sadly and calmly, when she heard this--

I have, quod sche, sayd thus, and ever schal,
I wol no thing, ne nil no thing certayn, will not
But as yow list: nought greveth me at al, please
Though that my doughter and my sone be slayn
At your comaundement: this is to sayn, say
I have not had no part of children twayne,
But first syknes, and after wo and payne. sickness

Ye ben oure lord: doth with your owne thing be, master
Right as yow list: axith no red of me; ask, advice
For as I left at hom al my clothing
Whan I first com to yow, right so, quod sche,
Left I my wille and al my liberte,
And took your clothing; wherfor, I yow preye you
Doth your plesaunce, I wil youre lust obeye. desire

“I have,” quoth she, “said this, and ever shall,
I wish not, nor will wish, it is certain,
But as you choose: I grieve me not at all,
Although my daughter and my son be slain
At your commandment: nor will I complain
That I have had no part in children twain,
But sickness first, and then a bitterer pain.

“Thou art our lord: do, then, with what is thine
E’en as thou wilt: ask not assent of me;--
For as I left at home all that was mine
When I came first to thee, right so,” quoth she,
“Left I my will and all my liberty,
And took new habits: wherefore, now, I pray
Do but thy pleasure, and I will obey.”

“If I knew beforehand what your wish was,” said poor Griselda, “I would do it without delay; but now that I know your will, I am ready to die if you desire it; for death is nothing compared with your love!”

When the marquis heard that, he cast down his eyes, and wondered how she could endure it all; and he went forth looking very dreary, but in reality he felt extremely pleased.

The ugly sergeant came again, and took away the little boy: Griselda kissed it and blessed it, only asking that his little limbs might be kept from the wild beasts and birds; but the sergeant promised nothing, and secretly took him with great care to Bologna.

The marquis was amazed at her patience; for he knew that, next to himself, she loved her children best of anything in the world. What could he do more to prove her steadfastness, and faithfulness, and patience? But there are some people who, when they have once taken a thing into their head, will stick to it as if they were bound to a stake. So this marquis made up his mind to try his wife still further.

He watched her closely, but never could he find any change in her: the older she grew, the more faithful and industrious she was. Whatever he liked, she liked: there seemed but one will between them; and, God be thanked, all was for the best.

But all this time the slander against Walter spread far and near; and the people said he had wickedly murdered both his children, because his wife was a poor woman. For the people had no idea what had really become of them. And they began to hate Walter instead of loving him, as they had once done; for a murderer is a hateful name.

Still the marquis was so determined to test his wife, that he cared for nothing else.

When Griselda’s daughter was twelve years old, Walter sent secretly to Rome, commanding that false letters, seeming to come from the Pope, should be made according to his will. These letters, or ‘bulls,’ were to give him leave to quit his first wife, for the sake of his people, and marry another woman; but they were none of them really from the Pope: they were all counterfeit and false, made by Walter’s order, to deceive Griselda.

The common people did not know the difference between true letters and false; but when the tidings arrived, Griselda was very sorrowful; for she loved Walter best of all things, as he very well knew.

I deeme that hir herte was ful wo;[151] judge, sad
But sche, ylike sad for evermo, alike, firm
Disposid was, this humble creature, disposed
Th’adversite of fortun al tendure. fortune, to
endure

Full sure am I her heart was full of wo;
But she, as though serene for evermo,
Was ready, in her humbleness of mind,
In all adversity to be resign’d.

‘And as a lamb sche sitteth meeke and stille,
And let this cruel sergeant doon his wille.’]

Then the marquis sent to the Earl of Panik, who had married his sister, begging him to bring both his children home, openly and in great honour; but no one was to know whose children they were. He was to answer no questions--

But saye the mayde schuld i-wedded be[152] should
Unto the Markys of Saluce anoon. immediately
And as this eorl was prayd, so dede he; did
For at day set he on his way is goon gone
Toward Saluce, and lordes many oon, many a one
In riche array, this mayden for to guyde,
Hir yonge brother rydyng by hir syde.

Arrayed was toward hir mariage
This freisshe may, al ful of gemmes clere; maiden, gems
Hir brother, which that seven yer was of age,
Arrayed eek ful freissh in his manere; also, manner
And thus in gret noblesse and with glad chere, nobleness
Toward Saluces shaping her journay, their
Fro day to day thay ryden in her way. their

But say the maiden should, ere long, be wed
Unto the Marquis of Saluce so high.
And as this earl was pray’d to do, he did,
And started on his journey speedily
Towards Saluces, with lordly company
In rich array, this maiden fair to guide,
Her little brother riding by her side.

And this fresh maid was robed for marriage
Full of clear gems, in goodly raiment rare;
Her brother, who was seven years of age,
Was in his fashion clad all fresh and fair;
And thus, in splendour, and with joyous air,
Towards Saluces following the way,
The cavalcade advances day by day.