Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AGAINST WOMEN UNCONSTANT, by GEOFFREY CHAUCER



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AGAINST WOMEN UNCONSTANT, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Madame, for your newfangleness
Last Line: In stede of blew, thus may ye were al grene.
Subject(s): Unfaithfulness; Infidelity; Adultery; Inconstancy


MADAME, for your newefangelnesse,
Many a servaunt have ye put out of grace.
I take my leve of your unstedfastnesse,
For wel I wot, whyl ye have lyves space,
Ye can not love ful half yeer in a place,
To newe thing your lust is ay so kene;
In stede of blew, thus may ye were al grene.

Right as a mirour nothing may enpresse,
But, lightly as it cometh, so mot it pace,
So fareth your love, your werkes bereth witnesse.
Ther is no feith that may your herte enbrace;
But, as a wedercok, that turneth his face
With every wind, ye fare, and that is sene;
In stede of blew, thus may ye were al grene.

Ye might be shryned, for your brotelnesse,
Bet than Dalyda, Creseyde or Candace;
For ever in chaunging stant your sikernesse;
That tache may no wight fro your herte arace.
If ye lese oon, ye can wel tweyn purchace;
Al light for somer, ye woot wel what I mene,
In stede of blew, thus may ye were al grene.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net