But for to speken of hire conscience,
She was so charitable and so pitoús,
She woldë wepe if that she saw a mous
Caughte in a trappe, if it were ded or bledde.
Of smalë houndës hadde she, that she fedde
With rested flesh and milk and wastel brede.[[32]]
But sore wept she if on of hem were dede,
Or if men smote it with a yerdë[[33]] smert:[[34]]
And all was conscience and tendre herte.
[23] Called.
[24] Neatly.
[25] Stratford on the Bow (river): a small village where such French as was spoken would be provincial.
[26] Delight.
[27] Farthing, bit.
[28] Reached.
[29] Surely.
[30] Took pains to imitate court manners.
[31] Worthy.
[32] Fine bread.
[33] Stick.
[34] Smartly.