How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #4
But al for noght, the ende is this, that he
Constreyned was, he nedes moste hir wedde;
And taketh his olde wyf, and gooth to bedde.
(1076 – 1078)
Of all the attributes of the wife this passage could mention to emphasize how undesirable the loathly lady is to the knight, it chooses to focus on the fact that she is old. The knight must "taketh his olde wyf." The idea of taking an old woman to one's bed may be particularly odious because sex is supposed to be related to procreation in the medieval period. With a post-menopausal woman, then, sex might be pointless, even obscene.
Quote #5
Greet was the wo the knyght hadde in his thoght,
Whan he was with his wyf abedde ybroght;
He walweth and he turneth to and fro.
His olde wyf lay smylynge everemo.
(1089 – 1092)
Again, of all the attributes this passage could choose to focus on, this passage chooses to distinguish the loathly lady with the adjective 'old.' At this point, the narrator seems to be making fun of the knight, milking the age difference between him and his wife for all it's worth.
Quote #6
'Amended,' quod this knyght, 'allas! nay! nay!
It wol nat been amended nevere mo;
Thou art so loothly and so oold also.'
(1104 – 1106)
The truth of the knight's statement is particularly applicable to the issue of age here, for how is it possible to "amend" someone's age, when amendment usually involves addition?