Lines 125-162
- The narrator gives us an extensive description of Alisoun's character. (For more on this portrait, see the "Character Analysis" section.)
Lines 163-198
- One day when John is away in a nearby town, Nicholas decides to seduce Alisoun.
- He grabs her butt and tells her that unless she grants him her love, he will die.
- Alisoun leaps away from him and declares that she will not kiss him.
- She threatens to scream unless Nicholas leaves her alone.
- Nicholas asks Alisoun to grant him mercy, pleading with her to have sex with him.
- Alisoun relents and grants Nicholas her "love" (probably meaning sex).
- She warns Nicholas that her husband is jealous. The two of them must be very careful and secretive about the affair; otherwise she will be punished.
- Nicholas agrees to wait until John is not around to have sex with Alisoun again.
- He pats her butt and kisses her some more.
- Nicholas plays his harp.