How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #10
"But God woot," quod this senatour also,
"So vertuous a lyvere in my lyf
Ne saugh I nevere as she, ne herde of mo
Of worldly wommen, mayde, ne of wyf;
I dar wel seyn, hir hadde levere a knyf
Thurghout hir brest, than ben a womman wikke,
Ther is no man koude brynge hir to that prikke." (1023-1029)
The Senator's description of Maurice's mother's great virtue is what enables Alla to eventually recognize her as his wife. As it did when she was falsely accused of killing a man, the news of Custance's virtue helps her to unite with Alla. In a way, we might view this as recompense for the time when her reputation brought about her unsuccessful marriage to the Sultan of Babylon.
Quote #11
In vertu and in hooly almus-dede
They lyven alle; and never asonder wende
Til deeth departed hem; this lyf they lede. (1156-1158)
The conclusion of the widowed Custance's life in "vertue and hooly almus-dede" aligns her with many real-life medieval noblewomen, who were often encouraged to become nuns after the death of their husbands.