Q: Now, sire”, quod she, “When we flee fro the bemes For Goddess love, as taak som laxative. Up peril of my soule and o lif, I counseille yow the beeste, I wol nat lye
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These lines are from Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, specifically from The Wife of Bath’s Tale. Here, the character is giving advice in her typically humorous and bold manner.
In modern English, this passage roughly translates to:
“Now, sir,” she said, “when we flee from misfortune (or the beams of the sun), for the love of God, take some kind of laxative. For the sake of my soul and my life, I advise you for the best—I won’t lie.”
The Wife of Bath is offering some rather frank, if comedic, advice about health, reflecting her down-to-earth, sometimes bawdy, worldview. The suggestion of a laxative here is part of Chaucer’s portrayal of her as practical and unashamedly vocal about bodily needs and pleasures, which was quite bold for a female character in the 14th century.
Chaucer uses her to challenge conventions around women, health, and personal autonomy, showing how even medical advice could be part of the lively debates and perspectives each character brings to the pilgrimage.