ANONYMOUS

127      [from The wanton Wife of Bath]

In Bath a wanton wife did dwell

as Chaucer he doth write,

Who did in pleasure spend her days

in many a fond delight.

5   Upon a time sore sick she was,

and at the length did dye:

Her soul at last at Heavens gate,

did knock most mightily.

Then Adam came unto the gate,

10          who knocketh there, quoth he,

I am the wife of Bath she said,

and fain would come to thee.

Thou art a sinner Adam said,

and here no place shall have:

15     Alas for you, good sir she said,

now gip you doting Knave.

I will come in, in spight, she said,

of all such churles as thee:

Thou wast the causer of our woe,

20          our pain and misery.

And first broke Gods Commandements,

in pleasure of thy wife:

When Adam heard her tell this tale,

he ran away for life.…

25   With thy two Daughters thou didst lye,

on them two Bastards got:

And thus most tauntingly she chaft

against poor silly Lot.

Who knocketh here, quoth Judith then,

30          with such shrill sounding notes?

Alas fine Minks, you cannot hear,

quoth she, for cutting throats.

Good Lord how Judith blusht for shame,

when she heard her say so:

35    King David hearing of the same,

he to the gate did go.…

Then up starts Peter at the last,

and to the gate he hies:

Fond fool, quoth he, knock not so fast,

40          thou weariest Christ with cries.

Peter, said she, content thy self

for mercy may be won,

I never did deny my Christ

as thou thy self hath done.

45  When as our Saviour Christ heard this,

with Heavenly Angels bright,

He comes unto this sinful soul,

who trembled at his sight.

Of him for mercy she did crave,

50        quoth he, thou hast refused

My profer, grace, and mercy both,

and much my name abused.

Sore have I sinned, Oh Lord, said she,

and spent my time in vain,

55     But bring me like a wandring sheep,

unto thy flock again.

O Lord my God, I will amend

my former wicked vice;

The thief at the poor silly words

60        past into Paradise.

My Laws and my Commandements

saith Christ, were known to thee;

But of the same in any wise

not yet one word did ye.

65   I grant the same O Lord quoth she

most lewdly did I live,

But yet the loving Father did

his Prodigal Son forgive.

And I forgive thy soul, he said,

70         through thy repenting cry;

Come therefore enter into my joys,

I will thee not deny.