parables of Solomon and Ovid's 'Art of Love.' They were all tales of
wicked wives, and he knew them better than all the stories of
virtuous women in the Bible. And of course this is how it would be!
All these tales are written by men and scholars. Now if women wrote
them, very different they would be.

"Well, as I was saying, one evening he read these to me, Eve and
Delilah and the death of Hercules and countless more till I could
bear it no longer, so I snatched his book and tore out the pages.
Then up he jumped and gave me that blow on the head that I told you
of, that made me deaf, and I fell down on the floor as if I was dead.
Then he was terrified till I woke a little out of my swoon, when he
came near and kneeled down by me and said, 'Dear sister Alison,
forgive me; before God I will never smite thee again. This time it
was your own fault as you know.'

"Well, to make a long story short, though it took us a long time, we
made an agreement. He gave the management of all the affairs into my
hands, and he even burnt his book and was very polite when I was
there. So when I had my wish we had no more quarrels, and you would
never find a better wife than I made him if you were to search from
Denmark to India. Now I will tell my tale."



THE WIFE OF BATH'S TALE OF THE QUEEN'S RIDDLE

In the days of good King Arthur fairies yet danced in England. As yet
there were no priests with their blessings to drive them from hall
and kitchen, bush and fairy ring. But now, where the elf walked,