'Thanne, certes,' quod she, 'han shrewes, whan they ben

85

punisshed, som-what of good anexed to hir wrecchednesse, that is

to seyn, the same peyne that they suffren, which that is good by

the resoun of Iustice; and whan thilke same shrewes ascapen

with-oute torment, than han they som-what more of yvel yit over

the wikkednesse that they han don, that is to seyn, defaute of

90

peyne; [which defaute] of peyne, thou hast graunted, is yvel for

the deserte of felonye.' 'I ne may nat denye it,' quod I. 'Moche