THE CLERK'S TALE OF PATIENT GRISELDA. The day set for the wedding (said the Clerk) was at last arrived, and great preparations had been made in the castle. The choicest dainties of the land were brought together for the feast. Costly garments and precious gems were ready to adorn the bride. The wedding guests were arrived, but no one knew as yet whom their lord had chosen to be the bride.
Then the marquis put himself at the head of the wedding party and bade them follow him to the village near by. As they reached the humble dwelling where the poor maiden Griselda lived with her father, she was just bringing a jar of water from the well. The marquis stopped the gay procession and called the maiden by name.
"Griselda," said Lord Walter, "I wish you to become my wife. Will you promise to obey me in all things and never complain whether I give you pleasure or pain?" The Meekness of Griselda Trembling, Griselda replied : " My Lord, I am not worthy of this great honor that you offer me. But if this be your will, it is also mine; and I swear that I will die rather than willingly disobey you in thought or deed." Then the gentlewomen who were with Sir Walter robed her in beautiful garments in place of her poor attire, and placed a golden crown upon her head.
The marquis set her upon a snow-white horse by his side and conducted her in state to the palace, where the marriage was celebrated with feasting and soy.
Griselda's kindness and virtue endeared her to all the people and she made her husband very happy.
But a • foolish thought came to Lord Walter. He longed to put his wife to the test that he might see whether her patience and steadfastness were as great as they seemed. One night, soon after a little daughter had been born to them, he came to his wife, and said: "Griselda, since your daughter was born my people have been greatly displeased, and I must do with the child as they choose." " My child and I are yours," said Griselda, simply.
"Do with us as you will.". And Griselda only begged that she might kiss her baby ere she parted from if forever.
A few years afterwards another child was born— a little boy—and Lord Walter, who wished still to try his wife, told her the people were again displeased at the thought that the grandson of a lowly peasant should become their lord.
Patient as ever, Griselda gave up her little son to her husband, as she had her daughter. And so the years passed.
Not satisfied even yet, the marquis one day said: " Griselda, my people urge me to take another wife, and I must yield to their wishes."
Griselda bowed submissively before this cruel blow. " My lord," she said, " I have always known that I was never worthy to be your wife or even your servant for so much as a day. I thank God that in my unworthiness you have honored me for so long a time, and I pray Him to grant you happi ness. I came to you with nothing at all. Even the poor dress that I wore was stripped from me, and by your grace I was clad in rich garments and jewels.
Now here I give them back to you, with the wedding ring that you placed upon my finger." And so, clad only in a peasant's smock, her beauti ful head and feet all bare, she went forth to her peasant father's dwelling.
When the fair young bride came in state with her brother from Bologna, Lord Walter sent for poor Griselda to come and make the palace ready for the lady he was to marry. Faithful as ever, Griselda came at his bidding.
The Great Surprise at the Wedding Feast When all the guests were ready for the feast, the marquis called to Griselda and said, in jest, " Griselda, how do you like my new wife?" "Right well, my lord," she replied. " I never saw a fairer bride. God grant joy to you and her. Only one thing I pray of you. Do not try her heart too sorely, for she has been tenderly brought up and could hardly endure such suffering as has been my lot." Then the marquis was so moved that he cried out : "This is enough, Griselda mine! Now I know your steadfastness, dear wife." And clasping her in his arms he kissed her again and again.
"This maiden," cried he, "who you thought should be my wife is our own daughter, and the boy beside her is our son. All this while they have been cared for by my sister in Bologna. Not through malice and cruelty have I kept them from you, but that I might know your heart." Griselda swooned for joy. When she came to her senses she gathered her children in her arms, and tearfully thanked God for saving them and giving back to her her husband's love. She was again dressed in her royal robes and there was great rejoicing.
For many a year thereafter the marquis and his wife lived happily together. The daughter was married to one of the noblest lords in all Italy.
Griselda's old father was sent for and kept in com fort till the end of his life. In time Lord Walter's son succeeded to the heritage. He too married happily; but never, forsooth, did he put his wife to such a test as the patient Griselda had suffered.