How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #4
This carpenter answerde, 'Allas, my wyf!
And shal she drenche? allas, myn Alisoun!'
For sorwe of this he fil almost adoun,
And seyde, 'Is ther no remedie in this cas?'
(419-422)
Stricken by the thought of Alisoun dying, John proves himself to be perhaps the only character in the tale who truly loves her.
Quote #5
This sely carpenter biginneth quake;
Him thinketh verraily that he may see
Noes flood come walwing as the see
To drenchen Alisoun, his hony dere.
He wepeth, weyleth, maketh sory chere.
(511-515)
John's agony over the image of Alisoun drowning spurs him to obtain and provision the three tubs. As it does in the previous citation, the thought of Alisoun drowning has a strong physical effect on John, causing him to weep and wail.
Quote #6
To Alisoun now wol I tellen al
My love-longing, for yet I shal nat misse
That at the leste wey I shal hire kisse.
(575-577)
Absolon raises the question here of whether his real goal is love or just physical gratification. He is pretending to suffer from "love-longing" just so Alisoun will kiss him.