Therwith she looked bakward to the londe, And seyde, "Farewel, housbonde routhelees!" And up she rist, and walketh doun the stronde Toward the ship - hir folweth al the prees - And evere she preyeth hire child to holde his pees; And taketh hir leve, and with an hooly entente She blisseth hire, and into ship she wente.

Therwith she looked bakward to the londe,
And seyde, "Farewel, housbonde routhelees!"
And up she rist, and walketh doun the stronde
Toward the ship – hir folweth al the prees –
And evere she preyeth hire child to holde his pees;
And taketh hir leve, and with an hooly entente
She blisseth hire, and into ship she wente.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Man of Law’s Tale. Constance and her child are banished from Northumberland on foot of a letter purporting to be from husband King Alla, but forged by his mother Donegild. Looking back on the land she bids farewell to a ruthless husband, then walks down the strand towards the ship as the crowds follow her. She blesses herself and steps on board the vessel for the start of her second sea voyage.

Geoffrey Chaucer Quotes