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THE "WANTON WIFE OP BATH. 153
Her soul at last at Heaven's gate • Did knock most mightily.
Then Adam came unto the gate:
" Who knocketh there ? " quoth he: w
' 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;" " And so art thou, I trow," quoth she, «
" And gip, a doting knave !
" I will come in in spite," she said,
" Of all such churls as thee ; Thou wert the causer of our woe,
Our pain and misery; 20
" And first broke God's commandments,
In pleasure of thy wife:" When Adam heard her tell this tale,
He run away for life.
Then down came Jacob at the gate, 25
And bids her pack to hell: " Thou false deceiver, why ? " said she; —
" Thou mayst be there as well.
" For thou deceiv'dst thy father dear,
And thine own brother too :" 30
Away slunk Jacob presently, And made no more ado. |
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