How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #13
There shul ye seen expres that it no drede is,
That he is gentil that dooth gentil dedis.
And therfore, leeve housbonde, I thus conclude:
Al were it that myne auncestres weren rude,
Yet may the hye God, and so hope I,
Grante me grace to lyven vertuously.
Thanne am I gentil whan that I bigynne
To lyven vertuously, and weyve synne.
(1175 – 1182)
Here comes the pay-dirt for the lady; her entire speech has been designed to allow her to say at the end of it that, despite the knight's claims to the contrary, she is gentle and he is not. She also explains here how gentility can be both a gift of grace and a result of one's own actions. God gives a person the grace to act with gentility.