'This is wonder thing,' quod I; 'for me thinketh, as the person
in dignitè is worthy honour for goodnesse, so, tho[ugh] a person
for badnesse magree hath deserved, yet the dignitè leneth to
be commended.'
55
'Let be,' quod she, 'thou errest right foule; dignitè with
badnesse is helper to performe the felonous doing. Pardy, were
it kyndly good, or any propertè of kyndly vertue [that men]
hadden in hem-selfe, shrewes shulde hem never have; with hem
shulde they never accorde. Water and fyr, that ben contrarious,