I seye this: be ye redy with good herte To al my lust, and that I frely may, As me best thynketh, do yow laughe or smerte, And nevere ye to grucche it, nyght ne day? And eek whan I sey ye, ne sey nat nay, Neither by word ne frownyng contenance? Swere this, and heere I swere oure alliance.

I seye this: be ye redy with good herte
To al my lust, and that I frely may,
As me best thynketh, do yow laughe or smerte,
And nevere ye to grucche it, nyght ne day?
And eek whan I sey ye, ne sey nat nay,
Neither by word ne frownyng contenance?
Swere this, and heere I swere oure alliance.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Clerk’s Tale. The unromantic and controlling Walter spells out to Griselda the terms of his marriage to her. He demands that she swear to do whatever he asks of her without complaint, to nor even frown, and never to say "no" when he says "yes." A bit of a one-sided marriage contract for him demanding complete obedience and loyalty, but what does the woman get?

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes