Women desire to do their own sweet wills.”
[The Swains clap.]
“Ho!” cried King Arthur, “that’s the best I’ve heard
Since I was first henpecked by Guinevere.
Depart! Thy neck is free!”
But at that word,
Up sprang an old wife, sitting by the fire,
And says: “Merci, your Majesty, ’twas I
That taught this answer to the knight; and he
Hath sworn to do the next thing I require.