Brewer's: Patient Grisel

Grisildes, Grisild, Grisilde, or Grisildis, according to Chaucer, was the wife of Wautier, Marquis of Saluces (Clerkes Tale ). According to Boccaccio, Griselda, a poor country lass, became the wife of Gualtiere, Marquis of Saluzzo (Tenth Day, novel x.). She is put upon by her husband in the most wanton and gratuitous manner, but bears it all, not only without a murmur, but even without loss of temper. She is the model of patience under injuries. The allegory means that God takes away our children and goods, afflicts us in sundry ways, and tries us “so as with fire;” but we should always say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

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