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Dd.  4.  24. 

OF 


THE 


Dd.  4.  24. 


OF 


COMPLETED  BY  THE  EGERTON  MS.  2726  (THE  HAISTWELL  MS). 

EDITED    BY 

FREDERICK  J.  FURNIVALL. 

PARTHI. 


LONDON : 
PUBLISHED  FOR  THE   CHAUCER  SOCIETY 

BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNER  &  CO, 

PRYDEN  HOUSE,  43,  GERRARD   STREET,  SOHO,  W. 
1902 


TO 
OUR  GOOD  FRIEND  AND  HELPER, 

Jlrof.  gr.  |obn  #4. 


^Lv  1 
irst  Strus,  xcvi. 


RICHARD   CLAV  &.  SONS,    LIMITED,    LONDON  &   BUNG  AY. 


FOKEWOKDS. 

PROF.  ZUPITZA  having  decided  that  the  Cambridge 
University  Dd.  MS  of  the  Canterbury  Tales  represents  a 
distinct  type,  and  Prof.  Jn.  Koch  and  Prof.  Kittredge 
having  approved  of  the  printing  of  this  MS,  I  have 
reproduced  it  in  the  following  pages.  Chaucer  students 
rightly  expected  the  Society  not  to  leave  out  the  Dd, 
when  the  other  main  types — the  Ellesmere,  Corpus,  Pet- 
worth,  and  HarL  7334 — had  been  printed  by  us. 

Dr.  Aldis  Wright's  edition  of  the  Clerk's  Tale  from 
this  Dd.  MS  in  1867,  long  since  cald  attention  to  the 
merits  of  the  MS ;  and  tho  it  is  not  of  the  first  class, 
I  am  sure  that  all  Chaucer  workers  will  be  glad  to  have 
it  made  accessible  to  them.  The  odd  thing  is  that  so 
good  a  MS  should  contain  six  spurious  lines1  in  tho 
"Wife  of  Bath's  Preamble,  on  her  five  dead  husbands : 

Of  whiche  /  I  haue  p'yked  out  the  beste, 
Bothe  of  here  nether  purs  /  and  of  here  cheste. 
Diuerse  scoles  /  maken  parfyt  clerkes, 
And  diuerse  practyk  in  many  sondry  werkes 
Maken  /  the  workman  parfyt  sekirly. 
Of  fyue  husbondes  scoleiyng  am  I. 
p.  168  below,  between  lines  44  and  45  of  tlie  Tale? 

altho  that  is  (I  think)  the  most  spuriost  and  alterd  part 
of  the  Canterbury  Tales.  This  fact  made  me  ask  Prof. 
Zupitza  to  take  the  Wife's  Preamble  and  Tale  as  the 
piece  for  his  Specimens  of  all  the  unprinted  MSS  of  the 

1  Harl.  7334   has  eight  spurious  lines  :   see  its  print,   p.  vii 
and  x,  n.  2. 

2  Eg.  2726  has  two  spurious  lines  in  the  Nonnes  Prestes  Tale, 
p.  505  below : 

Curteys  she  was  /  discrete  and  debonair1 
And  compynable  /  and  bare  lur  self  so  fair*. 


VI  FOREWORDS. 

Talcs,  but  he  declined,  as  lie  disliked  the  subject,  and 
instead  he  accepted  the  Pardoner,  which  I  then  bclievd 
to  be  the  Tale  most  varied  in  its  readings. 

These  six  spurious  Wife-lines,  Tyrwhitt  found  also 
in  two  other  MSS  of  the  Dd.  type — the  Cambridge 
University  MS  li.  3.  26,  the  Haistwell  or  Egerton  MS 
2726— and  in  Caxton's  2nd  edition  of  the  Tales.  They 
are  also  in  Mr.  Lawrence  Hodson's  MSS.1 

The  Dd.  MS  being  incomplete — not  much  more  than 
half  of  it  is  left2 — it  had  to  be  supplemented  by  the 

1  Iu  Thomas's  interleave!  copy  of  Urry's  Chaucer  (Brit.  Mus. 
11,607,  k.  1)  he  gives  three  other  spurious  bits  in  the  Tales  of  the 
Miller,  the  Reve,  and  Sir  Thopas  : 

The  Millers  Tale:  six  spurious  lines  from  Thomas's  copy  of 
Urry's  Chaiuxr,  opp.  p.  28. 

"  After  v.  544  [or  A  3652,  There  was  the  revill  &  the  melodye] 
the  foil,  lines  are  wrote  in  the  Margin  of  Kele's  Edn  [1598]  in  the 
Harl.  Libiy,  to  come  in  there  : 

Vppe  goethe  thys  nycholay  full  jolyfe  &  fayne, 
he  plougethe  as  a  goose  ayenst  the  rayne, 
full  lykorously  he  kyste  &  depe  thronge, 
hys  toole  was  ever  ylyke  freshe  &  stronge, 
he  bare  a  better  estoppell  de  bcuiche 
than  any  Case  that  may  the  la  we  thouche."    [touch] 
The  Reve's  Tale.     Opposite  p.  33  : 

"After  v.  1122  [or  A  4230,  'So  mery  a  fitt  ne  had  she  nought 
full  yore ']  MS.  Ch[olmondley,  now  Lord  Delamere's]  hath  this ; 
Hoe  [she]  kydde  well  hee  was  a  ioly  clerk    [sjrurious] 
For  often  tyme  hee  made  up  thee  werk  ,, 

And  evere  ylike  frechs  and  ylike  glade  ,, 

This  ioly  lyif  haven  this  two  clerkis  hade,  &c.,  1.  1124, 

or  A  4232  [Chaucer}. 

From  this  MS  is  printed  in  Urry's  Chanter,  p.  146,  col.  2,  at  foot, 
the  following  spurious  tag  to  the  Tale  of  Sir  Thopas  : 
Here  endyth  Chaucer'  is  tale  of  Sire  Thopas, 

A  doughty  Knight  in  alle  his  dede ; 
God  us  helpe,  and  Saynt  Thomas, 

And  graunte  us  alle,  grace  weel  to  spede. " 

Six  spurious  lines  in  the  Merchant's  Tale,  Group  E,  §  4,  from  the 
Harl.  MS  1758  are  printed  in  the  Six-Text  margin,  p.  474. 

2  Dd.  has  lost  in  Group  A,  lines  1-252,  505-758  (of  the  General 
Prolog),   and  920-1170,  1502-1631,  2927-3016   (of  the   Knight's 
Tale). 

In  Group  B,  Dd.  has  lost  lines  630-710  (of  the  Man  of  Law's 
Tale),  1584-1663,  1837-80  (of  the  Shipman's  Tale,  the  Shipman- 
Prioress  Link — mistakenly  cald  'Shipman's  End-Link,'  p.  181/402 
below— and  the  Prioress's  Tale),  1901-34  (Tale  of  Sir  Thopas), 
2247-89  (Mclibeus),  4000-79  (of  the  Monk's  End-Link  and  Nuu's- 
Priest's  Tale),  4353-56  (Nun's-Priest's  Tale). 

The  leaving-out  of  the  four  lines,  B  4353-6,  p.  292/513,  was 
no  doubt  the  scribe's  carelessness. 

In  Group  F,  Dd.  has  lost  lines  673-753  and  1472-1564  (the 


FOREWORDS.  Vll 

probably  next  best  MS  of  its  type,  Tyrwhitt's  Haistwell 
MS,  now  Egerton  2726  in  the  British.  Museum,  which 
I  first  examined  (ab.  18G9)  in  the  country-house  in  Kent 
of  Sir  Morton  Peto,  its  former  owner.  For  omissions  in 
the  Egerton  MS,  see  the  double-numberd  pages  208/429, 
216/437,  217/438,  224/445,  228/449,  229-30/450-1,  242/ 
463,  247/468,  251/472,  and  notes  3  and  4  on  p.  xi  below. 

The  main  gaps  in  the  Tale  of  Melibe  have  been 
collated  in  vain  with  Mr.  Lawrence  Hodson's  MSS  by 
the  kindness  of  his  librarian,  Miss  Constance  Belliss. 
She  thinks  it  likely  that  Mr.  Hodson  will  hereafter  print 
the  whole  of  his  hitherto  unworkt  MS,  no.  35, — of  which 
the  Chaucer  Society  has  printed  a  Specimen, — with  full 
collations  of  his  other  MSS.  My  suggestion  that  the  late 
copy  of  the  end  of  the  Parson's  Tale  in  the  Egerton  MS 
is  from  a  Laud  MS  (p.  684/677  n.  below)  is  no  good : 
Miss  Parker  has  lookt  at  the  MS. 

In  paging  Part  I,  the  nos.  of  the  Six-Text  pages  were 
inadvertently  left  out.  In  Part  II  the  double  paging 
is  given,  for  convenience  of  reference. 

I  do  not  attempt  to  enter  on  the  specialties  of  the 
Dd.  and  Egerton  MSS,  as  I  trust  that  our  good  friend, 
Prof.  John  Koch,  will  soon  give  us  his  Comparison  of 
the  eight  leading  MSS  of  the  Canterbury  Tales  which  the 
Chaucer  Society  has  printed :  the  Ellesmere,  Hengwrt, 
Cambridge  Gg.,  Corpus,  Petworth,  Lansdowne,  Harleian 
7334,  and  Cambridge  Dd.  completed  by  the  Egerton 
2726. 

Brit.  Mus.,  Feb.  21,  1903. 


Squire-Franklin  Link  and  the  beginning,  and  a  leaf  near  the  end, 
of  the  Franklin's  Tale).  The  omission  of  lines  69-72,  p.  313,  may 
be  due  to  the  scribe :  lines  1455-6,  1493-8  (p.  354-5)  are  only  in 
the  Ellesmere  MS. 

In  Group  G,  Dd.  ends  with  line  855,  and  has  thus  lost  lines 
856-1481  (Canon's  Yeoman's  Preamble  and  Tale).  And  it  has  also 
lost  the  whole  of  Groups  H  and  I,  the  Manciple's  Head-Link  and 
Tale,  and  the  Blank-Parson  Link  and  Parson's  Talc. 


IX 


CONTENTS 


OF  THE  CAMBRIDGE  MS  Dd.  4.  24,  AND  THOSE  PARTS 

OF  THE  EGERTON  MS  2726  WHICH  ARE  PRINTED  TO 

COMPLETE   IT. 


Six-Text 
Group  pages 

A.  §  1.  General  Prologue1  ...         ...          ...       1 

§  2.  Knight's  Tale  (of  Palamon,  Arcite,  and 
fair  Emelye)  (Pt.  II,  p.  40  j  Pt.  Ill, 
p.  54;  Pt.  IV,  p.  71)  26 

§3.      Knight-Miller  Link      89 

§  4.  Miller's  Tale  (of  Nicholas,  Absolon  and 

the  Oxford-Carpenter's  Wife)  ...     92 

§5.      Miller-Reeve  Link        Ill 

§  6.  Reeve's  Tale  (of  the  Trumpington  Miller 

and  Cambridge  Clerks)         ...          ...  113 

§  7.      Eeeve-Cook  Link          125 

§  8.  Cook's  Tale  (of  the  London  Victualler's 

Apprentice)  unfinisht  ...         ...   127 


Dd.4.24. 

pages 

1 


26 


92 
111 

113 
125 

127 


B.  §  1.      Man  of  Law's  Head-Link         129129 

§  2.  Man  of  Law's  (Proem  p.  132/132  and) 
Tale  (of  Constance  and  her  Boy)  (Pt. 
I,  p.  134/134;  Pt.  II,  p.  142/142; 
Pt.  Ill,  p.  157/1 57 2... 132 


[For  B,  §  4-14,  see  p.  168/389.] 


132 


1  Eg.  has  not  lines  219-20,  or  the  lines  252  b,  c,  which  are  only  in 
the   Hengwrt   MS.     Dd.  begins  with  line   253,  and  has   lost  many 
leaves  :   see  the  footnotes  to  p.  vi-vii  above.     It  also  leaves  out  A 
2681-2  (p.  77),  2754-7  and  2779-82  (p.  79),  3155-6  (p.  90),  3721-2 
(p.  106). 

2  B,  §  3,  the  Man  of  Law's  End-Link  or  Shipman's  Prolog  (lines 
1163-1190)  is  not  in  either  Dd.  or  Eg. 


CONTENTS   OF   THE   CAMBRIDGE   MS   Del.  4.  24. 


Six-Text 


Group  pages 

D.  §  1.  Wife  of  Bath's  Preamble  (of  her  5  Hus- 

bands, &C.)1  ............  334 

§  2.  Wife  of  Bath's  Tale  (of  what  Women 

most  desire  :  liule  over  Husbands)  .  .  .  359 

§3.      Wife-Friar  Link  .........  371 

§  4.  Friar's    Tale   (of  the   Summoner  being 

carried  off  to  Hell)    ...          ...         ...  372 

§  5.      Friar-Summoner  Link  ...         ...         ...  383 

§  6.  Summoner's  Tale  (of  the  Friar  being 
trickt  by  a  Sick  man  and  a  Lord's 
Squire)  ............  385 


E.  §  1.      Clerk's  Head-Link        403 

§  2.  Clerk's  Tale  (of  Grisilde)  (Ft.  II,  p.  409/ 
241;  Ft.  Ill,  p.  417/249;  Ft.  IV, 
p.  422/254;  Ft.  V,  p.  428/260;  Ft. 
VI,  p.  433/265;  Chaucer's  Envoy, 
p.  440/272)2...  ...  405 

§  3.      Clerk-Merchant  Link 442 

:•    §  4.  Merchant's  Tale  (of  January  and  May)3  443 
5.      Merchant's  End-Link 476 


F.  §  1.      Squire's  Head-Link      478 

§  2.  Squire's  Tale  (of  the  Magic  Horse,  &c., 
and  the  Falcon)  unfinislit  (Ft.  II, 
p.  488/321)1 479 

§3.      Squire-Franklin  Link 512 


Dtl.4.24. 


167 


192 
204 


205 
216 


235 


237 
275 
276 
309 


311 

312 
331 


1  Dd.'s  6  spurious  lines  between  the  genuine  44  and  45  (p.  168) 
have  been  quoted  at  p.  v  abuv. 

2  After  the  Envoy,  Dd.  inserts  (p.  274  below)  the  7-line  stanza 
which  Chaucer  first  wrote  after  the  wind-up  of  his  Tale,  1.  1162,  p.  272, 
but  rejected  for  his  later  Envoy,  with  its  two  introductory  stanzas, 

1>.  272-3.  The  forcing-in  of  this  7-line  stanza  (which,  by  oversight, 
ms  the  line-numbers  1213-19,  p.  274)  spoils  Chaucer's  linking  of  the 
Man-of-Law's  and  Merchant's  Tales  by  the  lines 

'  And  late  him  care  /  wepe  /  wrynge  /  and  waille  1212 

Wepyng  and  waylyng  /care  and  other  sorwe. '  1213 

3  There's  an  odd  '  Ihu '  in  1.  2080,  p.  239,  for  '  Soul '  or  '  Sole.' 

4  Dd.  leaves  out  lines  69-72  (p.  313),  and  the  2  lines,  671-2,  of 
the  Third  Part  of  the  Tale,  p.  330,  tho  it  says  that  it  has  '  as  muche 
as  Chaucer  made.' 


CONTENTS    OF    THE    CAMBRIDGE    MS    D(l.  4.  24. 


Six-Text 


Group  pages 

§  4.  Franklin's  Tale  (of  Dorigen,  Arviragus, 
and  Aurilius ;  less  the  Proem  and 
the  beginning  of  the  Tale,  to  line 
753,  torn  out  of  the  MS)1 514 


IM.l.'Jl. 
pages 


C.  §  1.  Doctor's  Tale  (of  Virginia)                    ...  303 
§2.      Doctor-Pardoner  Link2  312 

§  3.  Pardoner's  Preamble  (of  his  Preaching 

and  Tricks)3 314 

§  4.  Pardoner's  Tale  (of  the  Three  Rioters)4     318 


B.  §  4.  Shipman's  Tale  (of  the  Monk  and  the 

Merchant's  Wife)      168 

§  5.      Shipman-Prioress  Link  ...          ...   181 

§  6.  Prioress's    Tale    (of  the   little   murderd 

Boy) 182 

§  7.      Prioress-Thopas  Link  ...         ...          ...   190 

§  8.  Chaucer's  Tale  of  Sir  Thopas  (unjinisht]  191 
§9.      Thopas-Melibe  Link     199 

§  10.  Chaucers  Tale  of  Melibe  (prose:  englisht 

from  French)5  201 

§  11.      Melibe-Monk  Link       253 

§  12.  Monk's  Tale  (of  folk  fallen  from  high 

estate)6          256 

§13.      Monk-Nun's  Priest  Link         281 

§  14.  Nun's  Priest's  Tale  (of  the  Cock  and  Fox)  283 
§  15.      The  Nun's-Priest's  End-Link 301 


359 
368 

370 

374 


389 
402 


403 
411 
412 
420 


422 
474 

477 
502 
504 
522 


1  Dd.  has  lines  917-18  in  the  right  order,  tho'  I  numberd  em  in  the 
wrong  order,  according  to  the  Ellesmere,  Hengwrt  and  Cambridge  Gg. 
MSS,  which  transpose  the  lines,  p.  506.     Dd.  has  not  lines  1455-6, 
1493-8  (p.  354-5),  which  are  only  in  the  Ellesmere  MS. 

2  Lines  297-8  of  Group  C  are  left  out,  p.  312/368  below. 

3  Lines  333-4  of  Group  C  are  put  between  lines  346  and  347, 
p.  314/370  below. 

4  Dd.  has  not  the  two  spurious  lines  of  the  Corpus  and  Lansdowne 
MSS  after  1.  488  of  Group  C,  p.  318/374  below. 

5  Dd.  leaves  out  in  Melibe  all  or  part  of  lines  2252-3  (p.  208/429),. 
2387  (p.  216/437),  2390  (p.  217/438),  2525-6  (p.  224/445),  2623-4  (p, 
229-30/450-1),  2854  (p.  242/263),  2967  (p.  247/468),  3059  (p.  251/472). 

6  The  three  '  modern  instances ' — Peter  the  Cruel  of  Spain,  Peter  of 
Cyprus,  and  Ugolino,  Count  of  Pisa — are,  as  in  the  A  MSS,  shifted  to 
the  end  of  the  Dd.  MS,  tho'  printed  in  their  right  places,  p.  268/489- 
270/491  below,  between  Zenobia  and  Nero. 


Xli  CONTENTS   OF    THE    CAMBRIDGE    MS    D(l.  4.  24. 

Six-Text   Oil.  1.21. 
<!nmp  jia^'i-s     jiau-i's 

G.  §  1.  Second  Nun's  (Proem  and)  Tale  (of  St 

Cecile)  527  523 

j5  2.      Second  Nun-Canon's- Yeoman  Link1   ...  547  543 

§  3.  Canon's -Yeoman's     Preamble     (of    Al- 
chemy)2        ...         : 552  548 

§  4.  Canon's -Yeoman's  Tale  (of  the  rascally 

Alchemist  Canon)3 560556 

H.  §  1.      Manciple's  Head-Link 576  571 

§  2.  Manciple's  Tale  (of  the  Crow) 580  575 

I.  §  1.  Blank-Parson  Link          589583 

§  2.  Parson's  Tale  (a  prose  Treatise  on  Peni- 
tence)4    593  586 

Pt.  I.  Contrition,  p.  593-612/586-605; 
Pt.  II.  Confession  (with  the  Seven  Deadly 

Sins),  p.  612-678/605-671; 
Pt.  III.  Satisfaction,  p.  679-683/672- 

676; 
Leave-Taking    (Preces    de    Chauceres), 

p.  684/677. 

Appendix : 

1.  Lines  and  parts  of  lines  (from  Skeat's  edition) 

left  out  of  the  MSS          681 

2.  The    Hymn    of    Chaucer's    Oxford    Clerk 

Nicholas,  Angelus  ad  Virginem  (see  A 
3216,  p.  92),  and  prints  of  the  English 
and  Latin  Versions  ...  ...  ...  687 

3.  Woodcuts  of  the  23  Tellers  of  the  Canter- 

bury Tales  from  the  Ellesmere  MS. 

4.  Woodcuts  of  6  Tellers  of  Tales  and  6  Alle- 

gorical Figures  from  the  Cambr.  Univ. 
Libr.  MS  Gg.  4.  27. 

1  Line  711  is  left  out  by  Dd.,  p.  551/547  below. 

2  MS  Dd.  4.  24  stops  at  line  855  ;  the  rest  of  the  MS  is  gone. 

3  The  Egerton  MS  leaves  out  lines  1238/9,  p.  567/563  below. 

4  The  Egerton  MS  leaves  out  of  I,  §  2,  a  part  or  the  whole  of  lines 
136  (p.  597/590),  212  (p.  603/596),  226  (p.  604/597),  241  (p.  605/598), 
273  (p.  608/601),  338,  342  (p.  614/607),  357  (p.  616/609),  373  (p.  617/ 
610),  383  (p.  618/611),  431  (p.  622/615),  435,  437  (p.  623/616),  448-9, 
451,  452,  454,  455  (p.  624/617),  458  (p.  625/618),  494  (p.  628/621), 
511  (p.  629/622),  547  (p.  633/626),  588  (p.  636/629),  592,  598  (p.  637/ 
630),  601  (p.  638/631),  616  (p.  639/632),  622  (p.   640/633),  639,  640 
(p.  641/632),  794  (p.  656/649),  806  (p.  657/650),  942  (p.  670/663),  947 
(p.  671/664),  965,  969  (p.  673/666),  989  (p.  675/668),  1085  (p.  684/677), 
and  thence  to  the  end,  1.  1092,  and  the  Colophon. 


SIX-TEXT    592 
CONTENTS   OF   PARSON'S   TALE.       PART   I.  xiii 

( The  Page-numbers  arc  those  of  the  Six-  Text. ) 

THE   PARSON'S  TALE. 

A  TREATISE  ON  PENITENCE,  IN  3  PARTS : 
Part  I.  On  Penitence,  and  its   1st   requisite   Contrition  (A)  (p. 

593-612). 

Part  II.  On  its  2nd  requisite,  Confession  (B)  (p.  612-679). 
Part  III.   On  its  3rd  requisite,  Satisfaction  (C)  (p.  679-684),  with 
the  Writer's  Leave-taking  and  Retractations  (p.  684-85). 

PART  I.  (p.  593-612). 

ON  PENITENCE,  AND  ITS  IST  REQUISITE,  CONTRITION. 
Proem  on  Jeremiah  vi.  16.     The  Tale  is  to  be  on  Penitence  as  a  full 
noble  way  to  lead  folk  to  Christ,  and  is  to  treat  of 
i.   '  what  is  Penitence '  (p.  594). 

ii.   '  whennes  it  is  cleped  Penitence',  [not  in  the  Talc.] 
iii.   '  in  how  manye  maneres  been  the  acciowns  or  werkynges  of 

Penitence '  (p.  594-5). 

iv.   'how  many  speces  ther  been  of  Penitence'  (p.  595). 
v.   '  whiche  thynges  aperteuen  and  bihouen  to  Penitence '  (p.  595- 

682 :  nearly  all  Parts  I  and  III,  and  all  Part  II). 
vi.   ' whiche  thynges  destourbe»  Penitence"  (at  end  of  Part  III, 

p.  682)  (p.  593). 

i.  Penitence  denned,  by  a.  St  Ambrose;  b.  'som  doctour" ;  c.  the 
writer.     Its  requisites:   1.  bewailing  of  sins:   2.  purpose  to 
have  shrift,  to  do  satisfaction,  never  to  sin  again,  to  continue 
in  good  works  (p.  594). 
[ii.  not  given.  ] 

iii.  The  3  actions  of  Penitence:  1.  Baptism  after  sin  ;  2.  not  to  do 
deadly  sin  after  baptism  ;  3.  not  thus  to  do  venial  sin  (p.  594-5). 
iv.  The  3  species  or  kinds  of  Penitence :  1.  Solemn  (to  be  put  out  of 
church,  or  do  open  penance) ;  2.  Common  (to  go  naked  on  pil- 
grimage) ;  3.  Private  (p.  595). 
v.  The  3  necessities  or  requisites  for  Penitence  (p.  596-682) : 

A.  Contrition  of  heart  (p.  596-612). 

B.  Confession  of  mouth  (Part  II,  p.  612-679). 

C.  Satisfaction  (Part  III,  p.  679-682). 

Penitence  avails  against  3  things,  by  which  we  wrath  Christ  (p.  595). 
A.  Contrition  is  the  root  of  Penitence,  whose  stem  bears  branches 

and  leaves  of  Confession,  and  fruit  of  Satisfaction. 
Contrition  also  bears  a  seed  of  grace,  whose  heat  draws  men  to 

God.     (Simile  of  the  child  and  his  nurse's  milk. ) 
Penance  is  the  tree  of  life  (p.  596). 
Four  Points  to  be  known  about  Contrition : 

1.  What  it  is ;  2.  the  causes  that  move  a  man  to  it ;  3.  how  to 

be  contrite  ;  4.  what  it  avails  the  soul  (p.  597). 
2.  The  6  Causes  that  should  move  a  man  to  Contrition : 

a.  Remembrance  of  Sins  (p.  597-8). 

6.  Whoso  does  sin  is  the  Thrall  of  Sin  (p.  598-99). 

c.  Dread  of  the  Day  of  Doom  and  the  Pains  of  Hell  (p.  599-604). 
These  described:   the   Doom  (p.  599-600);   Job's  'loud  of 

mysese  and  of  derknesse '  (p.  600-1) ;  the  3  shames  in  hell 
against  (1)  'Honours,  (2)delices,  and(3)richesses'  (p.  611) ; 
poverty  in  4  things:  no  treasure,  food,  clothing,  or  friends 
(p.  602) ;  and  no  delights  of  the  5  senses.  The  pain  shall  be 
eternal  (p.  603).  Hell  is  orderless  (p.  603-4).  The  7  causes 
why  the  damnd  have  lost  all  hope  (p.  604). 

d.  Remembrance  of  the  good  works  we've  left  undone,  and  the 

loss  of  the  good  works  done  while  we  were  in  sin  (p.  604-6). 
Deadly  sin  wipes  out  all  good  works  formerly  done  (p.  605) ; 
ami  no  good  works  can  be  done  in  deadly  sin  (p.  605-6). 
The  new  French  song.  J'ai  tout  perdu  mon,  temps,  1.  248, 
is  also  .[Uotnl  iu  (.'luuuvr's  latr  poem  of  Fortune. 


592    SIX-TEXT 

\iv  CONTENTS    OP    PARSON'S    TALE.       PART    II. 

.  Ki'iacmbrance  of  Christ's  suffering  for  our  sins  (p.  606).  In 
man's  sin,  every  ordinance  is  turnd  up-so-down  (p.  607). 
For  this  disorder  Christ  siill'erd  (p.  608). 

/.  The  hope  of  3  things:  1.  Forgiveness  of  Sins,  2.  the  Gift  of 
Grace  to  do  well,  3.  the  Glory  of  Heaven  (p.  609). 

3.  How  to  be  contrite.     Contrition  must  be  universal  and  total : 

for  sins  of  thought,  for  desires  against  God's  law,  for  wicked 
words  as  well  as  wicked  deeds  (p.  610).  Contrition  must  be 
angwishous  and  continual  (p.  609-11). 

4.  How  Contrition  helps  the  soul.     It  sometimes  delivers  a  man 

from  sin  ;  destroys  the  prison  of  hell ;  cleanses  the  soul ; 
changes  the  son  of  Wrath  to  the  son  of  Grace  (p.  611-12). 


PAET  II  (no.  v.  continued}. 

B.  CONFESSION  (THE   2xD   REQUISITE   FOR  PENITENCE) 

(p.  612-679). 
B.  Confession.     §  1.  (1.  317)  'what  is  confession'  (p.  612). 

§  2.   '  wheither  it  oghte  nedes  be  doon  or  noon  '  (p.  672-9). 
§  3.   '  whiche  thynges  been  couenable  to  vcrray  Confession '  (p. 
674-79). 

CONFESSION,  §  1. 

1.  '  Confession  is  verray  shewynge  of  synnes  to  the  prcest ' 

(1.  318)  (p.  612).     We  must  understand  too 
a.  (1.  321)  'whenues  that  synnes  spryngen'  (p.  612-15). 
I.   'how  they  encreessen'  (p.  615-16  ;  672-74). 
c.   'whiche  they  been'  (p.  616-672).  c 

l.a.  Sin  sprang  from  the  fall  of  Adam  (p.  612).  The  legend  of 
Adam  and  Eve  told  (p.  613).  From  Adam  we  took  Original 
Sin,  and  were  born  sons  of  eternal  damnation ;  but  Baptism 
rescues  us ;  though  we  keep  liability  to  temptation,  or  Con- 
cupiscence (p.  613-14). 
Concupiscence,  or  the  nourishing  and  occasion  of  sin.  St  Paul 

and  St  Jerome's  temptations  (p.  614-15). 

1.6.  How  Sin  grows  in  a  man.     1.  by  Concupiscence  ;  2.  Subjec- 
tion to  the  Devil ;  3.  Hesitation ;  4.  Doing,  the  Sin  be- 
coming Actual  (p.  615-16). 
I.e.   Sin  is  a.  venial,  $.  deadly  (or  mortal). 

o.  1.  Venial  Sin  denned.    It  skips  into  Deadly  Sin.    (Simile 
of  the  drops  of  water  into  a  vessel's  hold  drowning 
the  ship;)  (p.  616). 
0.  1.  Deadly  Sin  denned  (p.  617). 

a.  2.  Of  divers  small  venial  sins,  hardly  thought  sins  (p.  617- 
18) ;  eating,  drinking,  talking,  too  much ;  using  your 
wife  too  much ;  not  visiting  the  sick  (p.  617) ;  talking 
vanities  at  church,  &c.  (p.  618).  Cure  of  venial  sins 
by  love  to  Christ,  prayer,  confession,  good  works,  re- 
ceiving the  Sacrament,  holy-water,  &c.  (p.  618). 
I.e.  £.  2.  The  Seven  Deadly  Sins.  The  Chieftains,  head  and 

spring,  of  all  other  Sins  (p.  619). 
i.  Pride  (p.  619-26),  and  its  Remedy  (p.  626-8). 
ii.  Envy  (p.  628-30),  and  its  Remedy  (p.  630-1). 
iii.   Ire  or  Anger  (p.  631-42),  and  its  Remedy  (p.  642-5). 
iv.  Accidie  or  Sloth  (Discontent,  Ennui)  (p.  645-49),  and 

its  Remedy  (p.  650-1). 
v.  Avarice  or  Covetousness  (p.  651-7),  and  its  Remedy 

(p.  657-8). 

vi.  Gluttony  (p.  658-9),  and  its  Remedy  (p.  660). 
vii.  Lechery  (p.  660-8),  and  its  Remedy  (p.  668-72). 
i.  PRIDE  (p.  619-626).    Its  16  (and  more)  Twigs.     1.  Disobedience, 

2.  Boasting,  3.  Hypocrisy,  4.  Despite,  5.  Arrogance  (p.  619), 
6.   Impudence,  7.  Swelling  of  Heart  (rejoicing  in  harm  done), 
8.  Insolence,  9.  Elation,  10.  Impatience,  11.  Contumacy.  12. 


SIX-TEXT    592 
CONTENTS    OF   PARSON'S   TALE.       PART    II.  XV 

Presumption,  13.  Irreverence,  14.  Pertinacity,  15.  Vain-glory, 
16.  Jangling  (chattering). 
A  private  kind  of  pride  (the  Host's  Wife's  and  Wife  of  Bath's1), 

wanting  to  go  to  offering  first,  &c.  (p.  620). 

Two  kinds  of  Pride,  a.  '  within  man's  heart,'  b.  without ;  b.  being 
the  sign  of  a.,  'as  the  gaye  leefsel  atte  Taverne  is  sign  of  the 
wyn  that  is  in  the  Celer"-  (p.  620-21),  b.  outside  pride, 
a.  in  dear  clothing,  1.  superfluity  of  it:  its  cost,  furring,  chisel- 
holes,  dragging  in  the  dung,  waste  of  material  (p.  621),  un- 
fitness  for  giving  to  the  poor:  2.  scantness  of  it:  showing 
men's  privy  members,  ami  buttocks  (like  a  she-ape's  rump), 
and  the  former  as  half-flayd,  in  parti-colourd  hose3.     The 
'  outrageous  array  of  Women '  (p.  623). 

8.  in  horses  (p.  623),  and  vicious  grooms  to  tend  'em  ;  plate- 
harness,  &c. 
7.  in  household :  keeping  too  many  retainers  or  servants,  who 

oppress  the  poor  (p.  624). 

5.  in  table:  not  asking  the  poor  to  feasts  ;  having  burning  and 
ornamented  dishes4;  too  costly  cups,  &c. ,  and  too  choice 
minstrelsy  (p.  624). 

What  Pride  sins  are  deadly,  and  what  venial  (p.  624). 
The  Sources  of  Pride  (p.  624):  goods  of  Nature.,  Fortune,  Grace 
(p.  624).     The  Folly  of  Pride  in  any  of  these  goods  of  Nature : 
'  we  ben  alle  of  o  fader  and  of  o  mooder,  and  .  .  of  o  nature ' 5. 
The  general  signs  of  Gentleness.     (The  flies  calld  '  bees ',  and 
their  stingless  king)  (p.  625) ;  3  gifts  of  Grace  ;  3  of  Fortune. 
The  brittleness  of  popular  praise6  (p.  626). 
TJie  Remedy  against  Pride. 
Humility  or  Meekness,  and  its  3  kinds:  in  1.  heart,  2.  mouth, 

3.  works.     4  kinds  of  each  of  these  (p.  626-27). 
ii.  ENVY  (p.  627-30);:  denned  by  the  Philosopher  and  St  Augustine. 

It  springs  from  Malice  (p.  627). 

Malice;  2  kinds  of:  1.  hardness  of  heart,  or  recklessness  ;  2.  op- 
posing truth  (p.  627). 

The  2  kinds  of  Envy  (p,  628) :  1.  sorrow  at  other  men's  prosper- 
ity ;  2.  joy  at  other  men's  harm ;  whence  comes 
Backbiting ;  5  kinds  (p.  628) :  1.  praise  with  a  but  at  the  end ;  2. 
turning  well-meant  things  upside  down  to  ill  ones  ;  3.  lessening 
a  neighbour's  goodness ;  4.  putting  one  man  above  another ;  5. 
glad  listening  to  scandal  (p.  628). 

Grudging  or  murmuring  (p-  628) :  1.  against  God  (p.  629) ;  2. 
Murmuring  from  avarice,  3.  from  pride,  4.  from  envy  ;  5.  among 
Servants,  who  say  'the  Devil's  Paternoster';  6.  Murmuring 
from  ire  or  hate  :  thence,  a.  Bitterness  of  Heart,  b.  Discord, 
c.  Scorning;  d.  Accusing  (p.  629) ;  c.  Malignity  (p.  630). 
Tilt  Remedy  against  Envy  (p.  630-31). 

Love  of  God  and  one's  neighbour.  How  a  man  shall  love  his 
neighbour.  How  an  enemy  is  included  in  the  name  '  neigh- 
bour :  (p.  630).  3  Remedies  of  Love,  against  3  deeds  of  Hate 
(p.  631).  Love  is  the  medicine  that  casts  out  the  venom  of 
Envy  from  man's  heart  (p.  631). 

iii.  IRE  or  ANGER  (p.  631-42),  and  its  2  kinds :  a.  good  Ire  or  Wrath 
(p.  632) ;  b.  wicked  Ire,  and  its  2  kinds :  sudden  ire,  and  ire 
of  malice  aforethought  (p;  632-33). 

Three  Shrews  that  forge  in  the  Devil's  furnace  :  Pride,  Envy, 
and  Contumely  (p.  633). 

1  Melibe-Monk  Link,  B.  §  11 ;  and  General  Prologue,  A. 

2  Chaucer's  father  no  doubt  had  a  sign  outside  his  wine-shop  or  tavern  in  Thames 
Street,  London. 

3  The  outspoken  and  somewhat  coarse  abuse  of  the  new  fashions  in  dress  is  a  great 
change  from  Chaucer's  admirable  Third-Period  chaff  of  the  moral  short-comings  of 
the  monks  and  friars,  &c.,  in  the  Prologue  and  middle  Tales.    If  this  is  not  change  of 
man,  it's  change  of  mood. 

*  Chaucer  must  have  seen  plenty  of  these  when  ho  was  page,  valet,  nnd  squire. 
5  Compare  Chaucer's  Gentleness,  &c.       6  Compare  Clerk's  Tale,  Part  VI,  st.  1S5. 


.VJ2    SIX-TEXT 

Xvi  CONTENTS    OF    PARSON'S    TALE.       PART    II. 

Wrath  takes  away  a  man's  wit  and  spiritual  life  (p.  634). 
Fruits  of  Wrath  :  1.  Hate.     2.  War  ami  wrong.     3.  Manslaughter, 
a.   spiritual  ;  b.  bodily  (p.  634). 

a.  The  3  kinds  of  spiritual  Manslaughter  (3,  calld  6  in  MSS, 
p.  634) :   1.  by  Hate.     2.  by  Backbiting.     3.  Giving  wicked 
Counsel,  by  Fraud  (p.  634). 

b.  bodily   Manslaughter :   slaying  with   your  tongue,    giving 
orders  or  counsel  to  slay  a  man  (p.  634). 

Manslaughter  in  deed:  its  4  (that  is,  7)  kinds  (p.  635) :  1.  by  law  : 
a  Justice  condemning  a  man  to  death ;  2.  justifiable  homicide, 
in  defence  of  one's  own  life ;  3.  by  misadventure :  shooting  an 
arrow,  &c.  ;  4,  a  woman  overlying  her  child ;  5.  a  man  making 
a  woman  barren  by  drinks,  &c.,  killing  the  foetus  within  her, 
shedding  his  seed  in  the  wrong  place  ;  a  woman  killing  the  child 
in  her  womb  ;  6.  a  woman  killing  her  child  (after  birth)  for 
shame  ;  7.  a  man  by  lechery  or  blows  killing  a  foetus. 

(Sixteen)  other  sins  coming  from  Ire  or  Anger. 

1.  blaming  or  despising  God,  as  hazarders  do   (Cp.  Pardoner's 

Tale)  (p.  63, i);  and  those  who  treat  of  the  Sacrament  of 
the  altar  irreverently  (p.  636). 

2.  Attry  anger  :  making  angry  false  excuses  for  sin. 

3.  Swearing,  which  dismembers  Christ  (p.  636). 

a.  Of  lawful  Swearing,  before  a  Judge :  its  3  conditions,  and 
its  motives ;  b.  God's  name  and  Christ's,  not  to  be  taken 
in  vain  (p.  637);  c.  swearing  for  gentility  or  manliness 
(p.  633) ;  d.  swearing  suddenly  ;  e.  of  Adjuration  and 
Conjuration  by  enchanters  and  necromancers ;  /.  of 
Divination  by  Dreams,  &c.  ;  g.  of  Charms  for  Wounds 
and  Maladies  (p.  638). 

4.  Lying  (p.  638),  and  its  6  kinds. 

5.  Flattering.     How    Flatterers    are    the    Devil's    Nurses,   his 

Enchanters  and  Chaplains  (p.  639), 

6.  Cursing  that  comes  of  irons  heart :  Malison. 

7.  Chiding  and  Reproach  (p.  640);   (specially  a  chiding  wife1) 

(p.  640-41). 


8.  Scorning  (p.  641). 

9.  Giving     wicked     Counsel 

(p.  641). 

10.  Sowing   and   making    Dis- 

cord (p.  642). 

11.  Double  tongue  (p.  642). 


12.  Betraying    of    Counsel    (p. 

642) 

13.  Menace. 

14.  Idle  words. 

15.  Jangling(chattering)  (p.  642). 

16.  Japing  (joking)  (p.  642-43). 


Tke  Remedy  against  Anger  (p.  643-5).  Debonairtee  and  Patience 
(p.  643).  Four  kinds  of  grievances,  and  their  remedies  :  1. 
wicked  words,  2.  loss  of  goods,  3.  harm  of  body,  4.  outrageous 
labour  (p.  644). 

Incentives  to   Patience.     Story  of  the   Philosopher  and   Child 
(p.  644-45).     Obedience  comes  from  Patience  (p.  645). 

iv.  ACCIDIE,  or  SLOTH  (Discontent,  Ennui)  (p.  645-49),  is  an  enemy 
to  the  3  states  of  man, — 1.  innocence  (p.  645),  2.  prayer  (p.  646), 
3.  grace  ; — and  to  one's  livelihood.  Its  12  bad  consequences  (p. 
646):  1.  Sloth  (and  its  remedy);  2.  Dread  to  begin  good  works 
(p.  646) ;  3.  Wanhope,  or  Despair  (and  its  Remedy)  (p.  647) ;  4. 
Somnolence  (p.  648),  and  5.  Negligence,  or  6.  Recklessness,  and 
the  Remedy  for  each  ;  7.  Idleness  ;  8.  TardUas,  or  tarrying 
before  turning  to  God  (p.  649) ;  9.  Lachesse,  or  giving  up  a 
good  work  begun ;  10.  Coldness;  11.  Undevotion;  12.  Worldly 
sorrow  (p.  649). 

The  Remedy  against  Accidie  (p.  650-51) :  Fortitude  or  Strength, 
and  its  5  kinds.  1.  Magnanimity2  or  great  Courage;  2.  Faith 
or  Hope ;  3.  Assurance  ;  4.  Magnificence ;  5.  Constancy  (p. 
651). 

1  Doe*  Cliaucur  here  refer  to  liis  former  wife? 
2  MiMvritleu  'M.^'iiiiic-eiu-e1  in  Kllesmere  ami  Lunsduwnc  5I>-. 


SIX-TEXT    592 
CONTEXTS    OF    PARSON'S    TALE.       PART    II. 


v.  AVARICE  (p.  651-57).  The  difference  between  Avarice  find  Covet- 
ousness  (p.  651)  ;  and  between  an  Idolater  and  an  avaricious 
man  (p.  6521.  Of  Covetousness,  and  lords'  extortion  from  their 
bondmen:  "humble  folk  been  Cristes  freendes  "  (p.  652-53).  The 
Duty  of  lords  to  their  thralls  or  churls.  Of  those  that  pillage 
Holy  Church  (p.  653-54)  ;  lords  who  plunder  the  poor  are  like 
wolves  (p.  654).  Of  Deceit  between  Merchant  and  Merchant 
(p.  654).  Of  honest  bodily  Merchandise  (the  surplus  of  one 
country  may  be  sent  to  help  another)  (p.  654).  Of  spiritual 
Merchandise,  or  Simony,  and  its  2  kinds  (p.  655),  —  thieves  that 
steal  Christ's  souls  get  livings  (p.  655-56)  ;  —  Hasardry  or  Games 
of  Chance  (p.  656).  Other  outcomes  of  Avarice  (p.  656):  1.  Lying, 
2.  Theft  (bodily  and  spiritual)  (p.  656-57),  3.  False  Witness, 

4.  False  Oaths  (p.  657). 

The  Remedy  ayaiiist  Avarice  (p.  657):  Mercy  and  Pity,  and  reason- 
able Liberality  (p.  658).  Of  foolish  largess  (p.  658). 

vi.  GLUTTONY  (p.  658-59),  and  its  5  kinds  (p.  659):  1.  Drunkenness, 
or  the  burial  of  man's  reason  ;  2.  a  troubled  spirit  ;  3.  bad  way 
of  eating  ;  4.  distemperd  bodily  humours  ;  5.  forgetfulness.  Or, 
as  St  Gregory  says,  1.  eating  too  soon  ;  2.  eating  too  delicate 
food  ;  3.  taking  too  much  ;  4.  troubling  too  much  about  cooking 
food  ;  5.  eating  greedily  :  these  are  the  5  fingers  of  the  devil's 
hand  (p.  659). 

The  Remedy  agninst  Gluttony  (p.  660)  :  Abstinence,  and  its  fellows, 
Temperance,  Shame,  Content  with  plain  food,  Moderation,  So- 
berness, Sparing  (p.  660). 

vii.  LECHERY  (p.  660).     Its  punishment  in  the  Old  Testament  (p. 

660).  Adultery,  and  the  desire  of  it  (p.  661-62). 
The  5  lingers  of  the  Devil's  other  hand  (p.  662)  ;  1.  foolish  look- 
ing ;  2.  villainous  touching  ;  3.  foul  words  ;  4.  kissing  (old  do- 
tards, and  dry  dogs  at  a  rose-tree  (p.  662)  ;  and  how  a  man  should 
love  his  wife)  ;  5.  the  stinking  deed  of  lechery  (p.  663).  Its 
kinds:  1.  Fornication.  Taking  a  maid's  maidenhead,  or  100th 
fruit  (p.  663).  2.  Adultery,  denned.  3.  Harms  following  from  it  : 
a.  breaking  of  faith  ;  b.  theft  (of  the  wife's  body  from  her  hus- 
band (Joseph  and  Potiphar's  wife),  and  of  her  soul  from  Christ)  ; 
c.  breaking  God's  commandment,  and  defouling  Christ  (p.  664). 
Of  Harlots  and  Bawds  (p.  665).  Adultery  is  set  between  Theft 
and  Manslaughter.  More  kinds  of  Adultery  :  1.  by  Men  bound 
by  Religious  Vows,  &c.  ;  2.  those  in  Holy  Orders  (p.  665). 
Lecherous  Priests  are  like  a  free  Bull  in  a  town,  and  they  eat 
raw  flesh  of  folk's  wives  and  daughters  (p.  666)  ;  3.  by  man  and 
wife  copulating  for  pleasure  only  (p.  667)  ;  4.  copulation  with 
kinsfolk,  spiritual  (or  godchildren)  or  fleshly  (blood  relations)  ; 

5.  the  abominable  unmentionable  sin  ;  6.  Pollution,  of  3  kinds  ; 
1.  too  rank  humours  ;  2.  weakness  (p.  667)  ;  3.  evil  thoughts 
(p.  668). 

The  Remedy  for  Lechery  (p.  668)  :  I.  Chastity  and  Continence. 

1.  in  Marriage.     (The  true  effect  of  Marriage.     One  husband  to 
have  one  wife  (p.  668).     How  a  man  should  behave  to  his  wife 
(p.  669).     How  the  wife  should  be  subject  to  her  husband  (p. 
669),  and  be  moderate  in  behaviour,  discreet  in  words,  &c.  (p. 
669-70).     The  3  causes  for  which  man  and  wife  may  copulate 
(p.  670)  :  a.  begetting  of  children  ;  b.  to  pay  the  mutual  debt  of 
their  bodies  ;  c.  to  avoid  lechery  ;  (p.  670).     The  4th  cause, 
pli-asure,  is  deadly  sin  (p.  670-71).) 

2.  In  Widowhood  ;  3.  Virginity  (p.  671). 

II.  Special  avoidance  of  causes  of  lechery  :  a.  eating  and  drink- 
ing; long  sleeping  ;  b.  the  person  who'd  tempt  you  (p.  671-2). 
(I  wish  I  could  tell  you  the  Ten  Commandments  ;  but  it's 
too  high  doctrine  (p.  672).)  [End  of  Confession,  §  1,  c.] 

Sin  is  in  heart,  mouth,  deed,  by  the  5  Wits  (p.  672). 


.r)D2    SIX-TEXT 

Xviii      CONTENTS   OF   PARSON'S   TALE.       PARTS   II    AND    IIT. 

§!./>.  (sec  p.  615-16).  The  7  Circumstances  that  encrcasc  or  aggravate 
sins  (p.  672).  1.  the  person  who  sins  (male  or  female,  &c.); 
2.  the  kind  of  sin  (fornication  or  homicide) ;  3.  the  place  it 
was  committed  in  (as  in  a  church,  by  a  priest)  (p.  673)  ;  4.  for 
what  motive  ;  5.  the  number  of  times  it  was  committed  ;  6. 
by  what  temptation  ;  7.  how  it  was  committed  ;  and  all  other 
circumstances  (p.  674). 

CONFESSION,  §  2,  §  3  (p.  674-79). 
Profitable  Confession,  and  its  4  ( =  3)  Conditions  (p.  674) : 

1.  sorrowful  bitterness  of  heart  (p.  674);  its  5  signs :  a.  shame- 
fastness  (like  the  Publican's)  (p.  675) ;  b.  humility;  c.  fulness 
of  tears  (p.  675) ;   d.  no  hesitation  (like  the  Magdalen)  for 
shame  ;  e.  obedience  to  receive  penance  laid  on  you  (p.  675). 

2.  speedy  Confession  (p.  676) ;  its  4  Conditions  :  /.  that  it  be 
well  thought  over ;  g.  the  greatness  and  number  of  sins  must 
be  understood  ;  h.  the  sinner  must  be  contrite,  and  i.  avoid 
occasions  of  sins. 

3.  Shrift  must  be  made  to  one  man,  not  more  (p.  676). 

True  Shrift,  and  its  10  Conditions  (p.  677) :  1.  that  it  be  of  free 
will ;  2.  that  it  be  lawful  (both  sinner  and  priest,  Popish)  ;  3. 
that  it  be  not  despairing  of  Christ's  mercy ;  4.  that  a  man 
accuse  himself  only,  and  not  another ;  5.  that  it  be  not  lying 
(accusing  oneself  of  sins  never  committed)  (p.  678) ;  that  it  be 
by  one's  own  mouth,  and  not  by  letter  ;  7.  that  the  sin  be  not 
painted  with  fair  words  ;  8.  that  the  shrift  be  to  a  discreet 
priest ;  9.  that  the  shrift  be  not  made  for  vain-glory,  but  for 
fear  of  Christ ;  10.  that  the  shrift  be  not  made  suddenly,  for  a 
joke  (p.  678).  You  may  be  shriven  more  than  once  for  the  same 
sin  ;  and  should  be  houseld  once  a  year  (p.  679). 

PART   III  (no.  V.  continued,  and  no.  vi.). 

SATISFACTION  (THE  3RD  REQUISITE  FOR  PENITENCE) 

(p.  679-684). 
In  o.  Alms.     0.  bodily  punishment. 

a.  Alms  and  its  three  kinds  (p.  679) :   1.  Contrition  of  heart. 

Pity  for  one's  neighbour's  faults.  3.  Giving  good  counsel  to 
other's  souls  and  bodies  (food,  visits  in  prison,  burial).  These 
Alms  should  be  done  privily,  if  possible  (p.  680). 

0.  Bodily  Punishment  (Penance),  of  4  kinds:  1.  Prayers 
(chiefly  of  the  Paternoster,  whose  expounding  I  leave  to  Mas- 
ters of  Theology)  (p.  680).  2.  Watching,  and  its  3  kinds : 
forbearing,  a.'  meat  and  drink,  &.  worldly  jollity,  and  c. 
deadly  sin  (p.  681).  3.  Fasting,  and  its  4  kinds :  Liberality  to 
poor  folk ;  spiritual  gladness  of  heart ;  not  grudging  .at  fasting ; 
reasonable  eating.  4.  Virtuous  teachings,  or  Discipline  :  a. 
by  word,  writing,  or  example  ;  b.  by  wearing  hairshirts,  &c., 
next  your  skin,  scourging  yourself,  taking  evils  and  injuries 
patiently  (p.  682).  [End  of  no.  v.  in  Part  i ;  p.  593.] 

vi.  The  4  Things  that  disturb  Penance  [no.  vi,  or  last  §,  of  p.  593 
at  foot]  (p.  682).  1.  Dread,  and  its  remedy.  2.  Shame,  and 
its  remedy.  3.  Hope  :  a.  of  long  life,  and  b.  consequent  over- 
confidence  in  Christ's  mercy  (p.  683).  4.  Wanhope,  or  Despair 
of  Mercy ;  its  3  kinds :  x.  from  great  and  long-continued  sin  ; 
//.  from  falls-back  into  sin ;  z.  from  not  being  able  to  persevere 
in  goodness  (p.  683). 
The  fruit  of  Penance  (p.  683-4). 

EPILOGUE. 

The  Author's  Leave-taking,  and  Lament  over,  and  Withdrawal 
of,  his  Sinful  Books,  &c.  (p.  684  -S5). 


GROUP  A,    FRAGMENT  I. 

§  1.     GENERAL  PROLOGUE. 

CAMBRIDGE  MS.  Dd.  4.  24  (copied  by  Wytton), 

Completed  by  Egerton  MS.  2726  (the  Haistwell  MS.)  from  which 

are  Lines  1-252,  505-758,  920-1170,  1502-1931,  2927-3016,  etc. 

Its  tags  to  final  d',  f,  g*  and  k' are  not  printed. 

"Han  that  ApriH  with  his  shoures  soote  [Eg. 2726, leaf  i] 
The  draught  of  Marche  hath  pershed  J>e  route 
And  bathed  euery  veyii)  in  swhiche  licour 
Of  soche  vertue  engendred  is  )>e  flonre  -4 

And  jepherus  eke  witli  his  swete  breth 
Enspired  hath  in  euery  kolt  and  heth 
The  teudre  croppes  and  the  yonge  son 

Hath  in  the  Earn  half  his  conrs  ron)  8 

And  smale  foules  make  melody 

That  slepe  aH  night  wrt//  open  le 

So  prekketh  hem  nature  in  hir  corage 

Than  longeth  yt  folk  to  go  on)  pilgremage  12 

And  Palmers  for  to  seche  straungc  strondes 

To  feme  halowes  coutlie  in  sondry  londes 

And  specially  from  euery  shires  ende 

Of  Engelond  to  Caunterbury  ])ei  Avende  1G 

The  holy  blisful  martir  for  to  seke 

That  hem  hath  holp  when  they  were  seke 

So  byfyH  yt  fat  seson  on)  a  day 
In  southwerk  at  J?e  Tabard  as  I  lay  20 

Redy  to  wende  on)  my  pilgremage 
To  Caunterbury  \vith  f uH  deuou[t] l  corage       »  MS.  rubd 
That  night  was  com[e] l  in  to  our  hostry 
Wele  xxix  in  a  cumpany  24 

Of  diuers  folk  by  auer.ture  yfaH 
In  felyshipe  and  pilgrymes  were  they  aH 
And  toward  Caunterbury  wold  J>ei  ryde 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.]  u 


_'    <.K'ii  r  A.    $  1.    ';I:M:I:.\I.  ri:«'i  .-«;fi:.    Egerton  2726. 

Tlio  di.inilin-s  ami  >tnMfs  wrirn  wydu 

Ai:«l  wele  were  we  esed  at  tlie  best 

And  shortly  when  )?e  soil)  went  to  rost 

S.i  li.ide  I  spoke  wtt/<  hem  eiwychone 

That  I  was  of  her  felyshipp*  anone 

And  mad«>  foreward  erly  to  aryso 

To  take  our  wey  as  I  shaH  ym  douiso 

lint  neue/'theless  while  I  haue  tynio  and  spa< •«• 

Mr  fat  I  in  f  is  tale  ferther  pace  M> 

Me  thinketli  yt  accordyng  were  to  roson) 

To  telle  you  aH  the  condicon) 

Of  eccli  of  hem  so  as  it  semetli  mo 

And  whiche  they  were  and  of  what  degro  40 

And  eke  of  what  array  fei  were  in  [ieafi,wk] 

And  at  a  knight  fan  woH  I  ferst  bcgynnc 

A  Knight  J>ere  was  and  fat  a  worthy  man 
J?at  fro  |>e  tyme  fat  he  first  began  -1 1 

To  ryde  out  he  loued  chiualrye 
Trewth  honour  fredome  and  curtesyc 
And  ther^-to  hade  he  ryden  no  man  so  ferre 
ffuH  worthy  was  he  in  his  lordcs  werre  4S 

As  wele  in  cristendome  as  in  hethnesso 
And  oner  honour  for  his  worthynesso 
At  alisaundre  he  was  /  whan  it  was  won) 
ffuH  often  tymes  haile  he  /  the  boorde  bygnn)  52 

Aboue  aH  nacions  /  in  Spruce 
In  lettow  hade  he  be  and  in  Rnce 
No  cristen  man  so  oft  in  his  degre 

In  <  laniard  eke  at  the  sege  hade  lie  l>e  5G 

In  Algaryse  and  rydyn)  in  Bolmary 
At  Lyaios  hade  he  be  and  at  Sataly 
Wlit-n  they  were  wonne  and  in  J>e  grot. 
At  many  a  noble  aryve  hade  ho  bee  GO 

At  mortaiH  batailles  hade  he  In-  xv 
And  fought  for  our  feitli  at  Tramysscn.- 
"\V/t/(in  fe  lyestes  iij-  and  ay  sWu)  his  fo 
[This  j);i«(.,  IVi-toii  2726.] 


GROUP   A.     §    1.      GENERAL   PROLOGUE.      EgCtton   2726.      .'i 

This  ilk  worthy  knight  hade  be  also  64 

Somtyme  with  the  lord  of  Palacye 

Ageyns  an  other  hethen  in  Turkye 

And  euermore  he  hade  a  soueraigne  pryse 

And  though"  he  were  worthy  he  was  wyse  68. 

And  of  his  port  as  meke  as  a  meide 

He  ncner  yit  no  velany  seide 

In  att  his  lyf  vn-to  no  manere  wyght 

He  was  a  verrey  perh'te  genteH  knight  72 

And  for  to  telle  you  of  his  array 

his  hors  was  gode  but  him  self  was  nat  gay 

Of  fustyan  he  wered  a  gepon) 

AH  besmotered  vrtth  his  habergeon  76- 

ffor  he  was  late  come  fro  his  viage 

And  went  to  do  his  pilgremage 

With"  hym  fere  was  his  son)  a  yong  squyer 
A  lovier  and  a  lusty  bachelor  80. 

"\VYt7i  lokkes  cruH  as  they  were  leyde  in  presse       [leaf  2] 
Of  xx  yere  of  age  he  was  as  I  gesse 
Of  his  stature  he  was  of  even  lengthe 
And  wonder] y  deliuere  and  grete  of  strengthe  84 

And  he  hade  be  somtyme  in  chiuache 
In  flaundres  Artoys  and  in  pycarde 
And  born)  hym  wele  as  of  his  liteH  space 
In  hope  to  stonde  in  his  lady  grace  88. 

Embrouded  was  he  as  yt  were  a  mede 
Alt  fuH  of  fressh  floures  white  and  rede 
Syngyng  he  was  or  floytyng  aft  the  day 
He  was  as  fressh  as  ys  the  monthe  of  May  92 

Short  was  his  goun)  wt't/i  sieves  longe  and  wyde 
Wele  coude  he  sit  an  hors  and  feire  ride 
he  coude  eke  songes  make  and  wele  endite 
luste  and  daunce  portray  and  eke  write  96 

And  so  hote  he  loued  fat  by  nyghtertale 
He  slepe  no  more  fan  doth  the  nyghtyngale 
Curteys  he  was  lowly  and  ss^oiisable 

[This  page,  Egorton  2720.] 


A.    §  1.    CHXKUAL  ruoi.tHH'i:.    Egerton  2726. 

He  carf  by  fore  his  fadre  at  the  table  100 

Ayoman  hade  he  and  sey-uauntes  noino 
At  fat  tyme  for  hyin  lyst  to  ryde  so 
And  was  aH  cladde  in  cote  and  hode  of  grene 
A  sheef  of  pecok  arowes  bryght  and  shene  104 

vndre  his  belt  he  bare  fuH  thriftyly 
\Vele  coude  he  dresse  his  takle  and  yomanly 
His  arowes  drouped  nat  w/t//  fedres  lowe 
And  in  lii.s  hande  he  bare  a  inyghty  bowe  108 

A  not  hede  he  liade  with  a  broun)  visage 
<  )f  wode  craft  wele  koude  he  aH  j?c  vsage 
Vp-on)  liis  arme  he  bare  a  gay  braccre 
And  by  his  syde  a  swerde  and  a  bokclere  1  1  "-' 

And  on)  fat  other  syde  a  gay  daggeie 
Harnest  wele  as  sharpe  as  pointe  of  spere 
A  rJit'fttfohc  on)  his  brest  of  silver  slnnie 
An  liorn)  lie  bare  •  J?e  baudryk  was  of  grene  116 

A  foster  he  was  sothly  as  I  gesse 

There  was  also  a  nonne  a  prioiv>sr 
That  of  hir  sinylyng  was  fuH  syniple  and  coy 
hir  grettest  othe  was  but  by  seint  L<>y  120 

And  she  was  cleped  nuulame  Eglentyins         [ie:if2,i).i.-k] 
ft'nH  welo  lihc  song  the  sc/'iiice  devyne 
Entuned  in  hir  voyse  fuH  seinely 

And  frensh  she  spake  feire  and  fetysly  124 

After  J>e  scole  of  Stratford  at  J>e  bowe 
ffor  frensh  of  Parys  was  to  hir  vnknowe 
At  J>e  mete  wele  taught  was  she  -with  aH 
She  lete  no  morsi-H  fro  hir  lyppes  falle  1  i'S 

Ni-  wet  hir  fyngers  in  hir  sauce  depe 
Wele  koude  she  cary  a  morseH  and  wele  kepe 
That  no  droppe  ne  feH  vp  on)  hir  brest 
In  curtesye  was  set  fuH  nioche  hir  lest  132 

Hir  oiwlyppe  wyped  she  so  clene 
That  in  hir  cujipe  ]>PI-O  was  no  ferthing  sene 
Of  grrrc  and  whan  sho  hade  dronko  hir  drauglit 
[This  p;iL'c.  Kgrrtou  272G.J 


GROUP    A.      §    1.      GENERAL    PROLOGUE.      EgeitOH    2726.      5 

ffuH  senily  aft«r  liir  mete  she  ruught  136 

And  sokcrly  she  was  of  grete  disport 

And  fuH  plesaunt  and  amiable  of  port 

And  peined  liir  to  countrefeit  chore 

Of  court  for  to  be  statelyche  of  manure  1 10 

And  for  to  be  holde  digue  of  reuerence 

And  for  to  spcke  of  hir  conscience 

She  was  so  charitable  and  pitous 

She  wold  wepe  y f  Jjat  she  saw  a  mous  1 44 

Caught  in  a  trap  yf  pat  it  were  dede  or  bled 

Of  smale  houndes  hade  she  fat  she  fedde 

\V7t//.  rostcd  flessli  or  mylk  and  wasteH  brede 

But  sore  wepte  she  yf  ony  of  hem  were  dede  148 

Or  yf  men  smote  it  \viUi  yerdo  smerte 

And  aH  was  conscience  aiid  tendre  herte 

ffuH  semely  hir  wymple  pynched  was 

Hir  nose  tretise  hir  yen)  grey  as  glas  152 

Hir  mouthe  fuH  smaH  and  per-to  softe  and  rede 

But  sekcrly  she  hade  a  feire  forehede 

ffor  hardely  she  was  nat  vndregrowe 

It  was  almost  a  span  brede  I  trowe  156 

ffuH  fetyse  was  hir  cloke  as  I  was  ware 

Of  smaH  coraH  about  hir  arme  she  bare 

A  peire  of  bedes  gauded  aH  with  grene 

And  Jjere-on)  liyng  a  broche  of  gold  fuH  shene  160 

On  which"  was  first  write  a  crowned  A  [leaf  sj 

And  after  amor  vincit  omnia 

An  other  nonne  with  hir  hade  she 

That  was  hir  Chapelyn)  and  prestos  iij  164 

Amonke  fere  was  a  feire  for  )>e  maistry 
An  outryder  J>at  loucd  venery 
A  manly  man  to  be  an  Abbot  able 

ffor  many  a  deinty  hors  hade  he  in  his  stable  168 

And  whan  he  rode  men  myght  his  brideH  here 
( lyngelyng  in  a  whistelyng  Avynde  as  clere 
And  eke  as  loude  as  doth"  J>e  ChapeH  beH 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


6     GROi:P   A.     §    1.     GENERAL   PROLOGUE.      EgertOtt   2726. 

There  as  the  lord  was  keper  of  fe  scH  172 

The  rewle  of  seint  Maure  or  of  seiut  Benet 

By-cause  it  was  olde  and  sonidele  streyt 

This  ilk  moiike  lete  olde  thinges  passe 

And  helde  after  J>e  newe  world  his  space  176 

He  gaue  nat  at  fat  tixt  a  pulled  hen 

That  seith  fat  honnters  be  nat  holy  men 

No  fat  a  monke  whan  he  is  reeheles 

Ys  lykned  to  a  fyssh"  fat  is  waterles  180 

This  is  to  seyn)  a  monke  out  of  his  cloystre 

But  fat  tixt  helde  I  nought  worth  an  oystre 

And  I  seide  his  oppenyon)  was  gode 

What  shold  he  stody  and  make  hym  self  wode  184 

Vp-on  a  boke  in  Cloystre  aft  wey  to  pore 

Or  swynke  wit/t  his  hondes  and  labore 

As  Austyn  bit  ya  how  shaH  f  e  world  be  senied 

Lete  Austyn)  haue  his  swyuk  to  hym  resenied  188 

J3erfoi-e  he  was  a  prykasour  aryght 

Greyhoundes  he  hade  as  swyft  as  foule  of  flyght 

On  prekyng  and  huntyng  for  the  hare 

Was  aH  his  lust  for  no  thing  wold  he  spare  192 

I  sawe  his  sieves  purfyled  at  f  e  hande 

Wit/t  gryse  and  fat  f  e  fynest  of  a  londe 

And  for  to  festyn  his  hode  vndre  his  chyn) 

He  hade  of  gold  wrought  a  furl  coryous  pyn)  1 96 

A  lone  knot  in  fe  gretter  ende  fere  was 

His  hede  was  balled  fat  shone  as  ony  glas 

And  eke  his  face  as  he  hade  ben  anoynte 

He  was  a  lord  fuH  fat  and  in  good  poynte  200 

His  yen)  stepe  were  and  rollyng  in  his  hede     [leaf  3,  back] 

That  sterned  as  a  fourneys  of  a  lede 

His  botes  souple  his  hors  in  grete  state 

Now  certeinly  he  was  a  feire  p?-6'late  204 

He  was  nought  pale  as  a  forpyned  gost 

A  fat  swan  loved  he  best  of  any  rost 

Hitf  palfray  was  as  broun)  as  a  bery 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.    §  1.    GENERAL  PROLOGUE.    Egerton  2726.    7 

Afrcre  fere  was  a  wanton)  and  a  nicry  208 

A  lyinytour  and  a  fuH  soloinpne  man 
In  f  e  orders  iiij  •  ys  non)  so  wele  fat  can) 
80  nioclie  of  daliaunce  and  feirc  langage 
He  hade  made  fuH  many  a  feire  mariage  212 

Of  youg  wommen  at  his  owen  coste 
Vn-to  his  ordre  he  was  a  noble  poste 
ffuH  wele  beloved  and  famuler  was  he 
with  fraunkleyns  oner  aH  in  his  centre  216 

And  wt't/t  worthy  wommen  of  fe  toiui) 
ffor  he  hadde  power  of  confession) 

[ 

IM  (jap  i/t  the  MIS.]  220 

ffor  swetely  herde  he  confession) 

And  plesaunt  was  his  absolucon) 

lie  was  an  esy  man  to  yeve  penaunce 

There  as  he  wist  to  haue  a  gode  petaunce  224 

ffor  vn-to  a  poure  ordre  for  to  geve 

Ys  syngne  fat  a  man  ys  wele  shreve 

ffor  yf  he  gaf  he  durst  make  auaunt 

He  wist  fat  a  man  was  repentaunt  228 

ffor  many  a  man  so  herde  ys  of  his  hert 

He  may  nought  wepe  att1  fough"  hym  sore  smert 

Therfore  in-stede  of  penaunce  and  prayers 

Men  most  yeve  silver  to  fe  poure  freres  232 

His  typpet  /  was  ay  farsed  fuH  of  knyves 

And  pynnes  for  to  yeve  feire  wyves 

And  certeinly  he  hade  a  mery  note 

Wele  coude  he  syng  and  pley  on)  a  rote  236 

Of  yeddy-nges  he  bare  outerly  f e  prys 

His  nek  was  white  as  a  floure  delys 

Tlierto  he  was  stronge  as  a  champyon) 

He  knewe  the  tauernes  wele  in  eue/y  town)  240 

And  eue/y  hostiller  and  tapstere 

Better  fan  a  laser  or  a  bcggere 

ffor  vn-to  soch"  a  worthy  man  as  he 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


8      GROUP    A.       §    1.       GENERAL    PROLOGUE.       Dd.  4.  24. 

Accordetli  noght  as  by  his  faculte  [*g.  2726,  leaf  4]     244 

To  haue  w/t/<  seke  lasers  acqueyntaunce 

It  is  nought  honest  yt  may  nought  auaunce 

ffor  to  dele  with  socli  poraylle 

But  aH  with  ryche  and  sellers  of  vitayllo  248 

And  oner  aH  fere  profit  shold  aryse 

Curteys  he  was  and  lowely  of  smiyce 

There  was  no  man  no  where  so  vertuous 

He  was  fe  best  begger  in  his  hous  252 

[ 252  & 

HO  <Jdj[)  ill  the  MS.~\  (Eg.  2726  ends]    252  C 

llbr  though  a  wydewe  /  had  nouit  a  shoo  (D.d-  *-. 2*  *«»«»*, 

*  leaf  0 ;  leaves  1-5 

So  plesant  was  his  /  In  principio  g™'^  £**,?*?»* 

3et  wold  he  haue  /  a  ferthyng  or  he  went       disregarded.} 

his  pMJ-chas  was  wel  betir  /  than  his  rent  256 

And  rage  lie  coude  /  as  it  had  be  a  whelp 

In  louedayes  /  there  coude  he  meche  help 

ffor  there  lie  was  /  nat  lyke  a  Cloisterere 

\fith  a  thredbare  Cope  /  as  is  a  pore  scolere  2GO 

But  he  was  like  a  Maister  /  or  a  Pope 

Of  double  worstede  /  was  his  seiny  Cope 

Kounde  /  as  any  belle  /  ou$t  of  the  presse 

Somwhat  he  lisped  /  for  his  wantounesse  264 

To  make  his  englyssh  /  swete  on  his  tonge 

And  in  his  harpyng  /  whan  that  he  songe 

liys  eyen  twynkeled  /  in  his  hede  a-rigfit 

As  don  the  sterres  /  in  a  frosty  nyght  268 

This  worthy  lymytowr  /  was  cleped  Huberd 

AMaxtthaMffit  fore  was  /  \vith  a  forked  bcrd  A  Mar- 
In  motlee  /  and  heye  on  hors  he  satte        chatomt 
And  on  his  heued  /  a  flaundryssh"  beue>'  hatte  272 

His  botes  clasped  /  faire  and  fetisly 
His  resons  he  spak  /  ful  solempnely 
Sownyng  alwcy  /  the  encres  of  his  wynnyng 
He  wold  fe  see  were  kepte  /  for  any  thyng  276 

By-tvvene  Midelburgfi  /  and  Orewelle 

[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.   §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Dd.  4.  24.   9 

wel  coiule  he  /  in  escliannges  /  sheldes  selle 

This  worthy  man  /  fill  wel  /  his  wyt  bysette 

There  wyst  no  wyght  /  that  he  was  in  dette  280 

So  steclefastly  dede  he  /  of  his  gouemance 

•with  his  bargeyns  /  and  -with  his  cheuysance 

ffor  sothe  he  was  /  a  worthy  man  w/tA  alle 

But  sothe  to  seyn  /  I  no  wot  how  men  him  calle  284 

A  Clerk  ther  was  /  of  Oxenford  also  ^[  A  Clerk 

That  vnto  logyk  /  had  longe  I-go 
And  lene  was  his  hors  /  as  it  were  a  rake 
And  he  was  noujt  right  fat  /  I  vndertake  288 

But  loked  holwe  /  and  ther-to  soberly 
fful  thredbare  was  his  oxierest  Courteby 
ffor  he  had  $et  /  geten  hint  no  benefice 
Ne  was  noiTjt  wordly  /  to  haue  an  Office  292 

ffor  hiwi  was  leuer  /  haue  /  at  his  bcddis  hede 
Twenty  bokes  clad  /  in  blak  and  in  rede        neafc.imck] 
Of  Aristotle  /  and  his  philosophic 

Than  riche  robes  /  or  fethil  or  sautrie  296 

But  al  be  it  though  /  he  were  a  Philosophre 
$et  had  he  but  litel  /  gold  in  his  coffre 
But  al  J>at  he  /  from  his  frendis  hent 
On  bokes  and  on  lernyng  /  he  it  spent/  300 

And  bisily  gan  /  for  the  soules  pray 
Of  hem  /  J?rtt  ^af  him  /  wherwith  to  scoley 
Of  stody  tok  lie  /  most  cure  and  hede 
Koujt  a  word  spak  he  /  more  than  was  nede  304 

And  Jwt  was  seide  /  in  fowme  and  reuerence 
And  short  and  quyk  /  &  fill  of  heigh  sentence 
Sownyng  in  moral  vt'/'tue  /  was  his  speche 
And  gladly  wold  he  lerne  /  and  gladly  teche  308 

ASergeaiwt  of  lawe  /  there  was  /  war  &  wys  51  A  ser- 
That  ful  often  had  ben  /  at  Pardys  8eanfc  of 

That  was  ful  richc  /  of  excellence 

Discrete  he  was  /  and  of  gret  reuemice  312 

he  semed  swicli  /  his  wordes  were  so  wyse 


10      GUOUl'    A.       §    1.      GENEUAL    I'ltOLOGUE.       Dd.  4.  24. 

Justice  had  he  be  /  fill  often  in  assise 

Both  by  patent  /  and  pleyn  comissioiw 

ffor  liis  science  /  and  his  heigh  renoim  316 

Of  fees  and  robes  /  had  he  many  on 

So  grete  a  purchasour  /  was  nowher  non 

Al  was  fee  simple  /  to  \rirn  in  effect 

His  pwchasyng  /  myght  nat  l>eu  /  in  suspect  320 

Nowher  so  besy  a  man  .  as  he  there  nas 

And  jet  he  seined  /  besiere  than  he  was 

In  tennes  had  lie  cas  /  and  domes  alle 

That  fro  J?e  tyme  /  of  kyug  witt  /  weren  falle  324 

Ther-to  lie  coude  endyte  /  and  make  a  thyng 

Tlier  coude  no  man  pynche  /  at  his  writyng 

And  euery  statut  /  coude  he  /  pleynly  by  rote 

He  rod  but  homely  /  in  a  Medlee  Cote  328 

(iiit  vfiih  a  seynt  of  silk  /  with  barres  smale 

Of  his  array  /  telle  I  /  no  lengere  tale 

Affrankeleyn  J>ere  was  /  in  this  compaignye  H  A  ffran- 
whyt  was  his  berd  /  as  is  the  daysye  keleyn 

Of  his  complexion  /  he  was  sangweyn  333 

wel  loued  he  by  the  morwe  /  a  soppe  in  vyn 
To  lyue  in  delyt  /  was  cuere  liis  wone 
ffor  he  was  Epiowrs  /  owen  sone  [leatrj     336 

That  held  opynyofi  /  that  pleyn  del  it 
was  verray  /  felicite  parfyt 
An  housholdere  /  and  J>at  a  grct  was  lie 
The  grettost  /  of  al  his  contre  340 

liis  brede  his  ale  /  was  alwey  after  one 
A  betir  wyned  man  /  was  nowher  none 
wi't/f-oute  bake  mete  /  was  neuere  his  hous 
Of  fyssli  and  flesch  /  and  J»at  so  plenteuous  344 

It  sewed  in  his  hous  /  of  mete  and  drynke 
Of  alle  deyntes  /  )>«t  cny  man  coude  thynke 
After  the  sondry  sesons  /  of  the  jere 
So  chaunged  he  his  mete  /  &  his  sopere  348 

if  ul  many  a  fat  pa/lricli  /  had  he  in  niue 


GROUP  A.   §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Dd.  4.  24.   11 

And  many  a  breme  /  &  many  a  luce  in  stiie 

wo  was  his  coke  /  but  if  his  sauce  were 

Poynawnt  and  sharp  /  and  redy  al  his  gere  352 

his  table  dunnaiwt  /  in  his  haH  ahvey 

Stod  redy  couered  /  al  the  long  day 

At  the  sessiones  /  there  was  he  lord  and  sire 

fful  often  tyme  /  he  was  knyght  of  the  shire  356 

And  an  Anlaas  /  and  a  Gipciere  al  of  silk 

Heng  at  his  girdil  /  as  whyt  as  morwe  mylk 

A  sherewe  had  he  be  /  and  a  Counkwr 

was  nowher  swich  /  a  worthy  vauasow  360 

An  haberdassher  /  and  a  Carpenter         IT  An  Haber- 
A  webbere  a  dighere  /  and  a  tapicer     dassher 

.  HA  Carpenter 

And  they  were  clothed  /  alle  in  oo  lyuere    ^  ^  webbere 

Of  a  solempne  /  and  gret  frate?-nite  U  A  Dighere 

fful  fressh"  and  newe  /  her  gere  pyked  was    "  A  Tapicer 

here  knywes  were  nou^t  /  chaped  wi't/t  bras 

But  al  vfith  siluer  /  wroujt  ful  clene  and  wele 

here  Girdeles  /  and  here  pouches  /  euerydele  368 

wel  seined  icli  of  hem  /  a  fair  Burgeys 

To  sitte  in  the  jildehalle  /  vp-on  fe  heye  deys 

Euerych"  for  the  wysdom  /  that  he  can 

was  shaply  to  be  /  an  Alderman  372 

ffor  catel  hadden  they  I-nougn"  and  rent 

And  eke  here  wyues  /  wold  it  wel  assent  / 

And  ellis  serteyn  /  they  weren  to  blame 

It  is  ful  feyr  /  to  be  cleped  Madame  376 

And  go  to  the  vigiles  /  al  by  fore 

And  haue  a  Mantel  /  rially  bore  [leaf  7,  back] 

A  Coke  they  had  /  wit7t  hem  for  ]?e  nones         A  Coke 
To  boyle  the  Chikenys  /  with  the  Maribones    380 
And  pouder  Merchaunt  /  tart  /  and  Galyngale 
wel  coude  he  knowe  /  a  draught  of  london)  ale 
he  coude  /  roste  /  sethe  /  boille  /  and  frye 
Make  Mortrewes  /  and  wel  bake  a  pye  384 

But  gret  harm  was  it  /  as  thoujt  me 


12       GHOUP    A.       §    1.      (JliNKUAL    I'KOUHi  UK.       Dd.   4.  24. 

That  on  Ins  sliyne  /  a  mormal  had  he 

And  blunrhemangere  /  mad  he  w/t/t  the  l>ost 

ASliipnum  there  was  /  fat  woned  fer  by  west       11  A 
ffor  ought  |>«t  I  wot  /  he  was  of  Dertemouthe  Ship- 
he  rod  vp-on  a  Ilouncy  /  as  wel  as  he  coude 
In  a  gowne  of  faldyng  /  vn-to  the  knee 
A  daggere  hangyng  /  on  a  lace  had  he  3U2 

A-boute  his  nekke  /  vndir  liis  arme  a-doun 
The  liote  somer  /  had  mad  his  hew  al  brouu 
And  scrtcynly  /  lie  was  a  good  felawe 
ffnl  many  a  draught  /  of  wyn  /  had  lie  dm  we  396 

IVro  Burdeusward  /  whiles  the  chapmen  slepe 
Of  nyce  conscience  /  toke  he  no  kepe 
If  \ai  he  faught  /  and  had  the  hcyer  hand 
Be  water  he  sent  it  home  /  fro  Query  lond  400 

But  to  reken  wel  /  of  his  craft  the  tydes 
The  stremes  and  the  strand cs  hym  beside  is 
his  herberwe  /  his  mono  /  and  his  lodes  manage 
There  was  non  swicli  /  from  hulle  in-to  cartage  404 

Hardy  he  was  /  and  wys  /  I  vndcrtakc 
w/l/t  many  a  tempest  /  he  had  his  herd  shake 
He  knew  alle  the  hauenes  /  as  tlioy  were 
ffro  Gutlond  /  to  the  Cape  de  fenistre  408 

And  euery  Cryke  /  fro  Bretaigjie  in-to  Spayne 
liis  Barge  was  called  /  the  Magdaleyne 

With  vs  there  was  /  a  DoctoM/-  of  Phisik    A  Duct*.///- 
In  al  J>is  world  /  was  non  liiwi  lyk          °*  P^isyk 
To  speke  of  Phesik  /  and  of  surgcrie  413 

ilor  he  was  grounded  /  in  Astronomye 
he  kept  his  pacience  /  a  ful  gret  dele 
In  hourcs  by  his  /  magyk  /  naturele  ]  1  (j 

Wel  coude  he  fortunen  /  the  accident 
Of  hise  y mages  /  for  be  his  pacient 
lie  knew  the  cause  /  of  euery  maladye 
whei]>er  it  were  cold  /  hote  /  nioist  /  or  dryc      [leafsj     420 
and  wher-of  it  engendered  /  and  of  what  huniuM/1 


GROUP    A.       §    1.       GENERAL    PKOT,»»<!UE.       Dd.  4    24.       13 

lie  was  a  vcrray  prtrfyt/  practisour 

The  cause  he  knew  /  and  of  his  harm  the  rote 

A-non  he  jaf  /  the  syke  man  his  bote  424 

fful  redy  had  he  /  alle  hise  appoticaries 

To  sende  him  draggges  /  and  his  lettuarius 

ffor  echo  of  hem  /  mad  other  for  to  wynne 

her  ffrenshipe  /  was  nat  newe  /  to  bygynne  428 

wel  knew  he  /  the  old  Esculapius 

And  deiscorides  /  and  eke  Rusus 

Olde  ypocras  /  and  Galyen 

Berapyoun  /  Kajis  /  and  Auy^en  432 

Auiierrois  /  Dasmacien  /  and  Costantya 

Bernard  /  Gatisden  /  and  Gilbertyii 

Of  his  diete  /  mesurable  was  he 

ffor  he  was  /  of  no  superfluite  436 

But  of  gret  norisshyng  /  and  digestible 

his  stody  was  but  litel  /  in  the  bible 

In  Sangweyn  /  and  in  pers  /  clad  wt't/d-alle 

lyncd  with  taffata  /  and  sendalle  440 

And  jet  he  was  but  esy  of  dispence 

ffor  he  kept  Jwt  he  wan  /  in  the  pestilence 

ffor  gold  in  phisyk  /  is  a  ccordiaH 

Therfore  he  loued  gold  /  in  especiaH.  444 

A  good  wyf  bere  was  /  of  beside  bathe  IT  the 

But  she  was  somclel  def  /  &  bat  was  skathe  "^  *  °* 

Bathe 
Of  cloth  makyng  /  she  had  swich  an  haunt 

That  she  passed  hem  /  of  ypris  &  of  gaunt  448 

In  aH  the  paryssfi  /  wyf  was  there  non 

That  to  offryng  /  a-forn  hire  shuld  gon 

And  if  there  dide  /  scrteyn  so  wroth  was  she 

That  she  was  oute  /  of  al  charite  4."»2 

Hire  kerches  /  were  of  fyn  ground 

I  durst  swere  /  they  weyed  doun  a  pound 

That  on  the  Sonday  /  were  vp-on  hire  hede 

hire  hosen  were  /  of  fyn  skarlet  rede  456 

fFul  streite  teyed  /  and  shoon  moist  &  newo 


It   GROUP  A.   §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Dd.  4.  24. 

Bold  was  hire  face  /  and  feir  &  rede  of  hewe 
She  was  a  worthy  wowman  /  al  hire  lyue 
housbondes  at  J>e  chirche  dore  /  had  she  had  fyue         460 
"WYt/i-outen  other  companye  /  in  hire  jouthe 
But  ther-of  nedeth  nat  /  to  speke  of  nouthe 
And  thries  had  she  ben  /  at  lerusalem         [leaf  s,  back] 
She  had  passed  /  many  a  straunge  strem  464 

At  Rome  had  she  be  /  and  at  Boloyne 
In  Galice  at  Seynt  lame}  /  and  at  Coloyne 
She  coude  meche  /  of  wandryng  by  the  weye 
Gat-tothed  was  she  /  sothly  to  seye  468 

Vp-on  an  aumblere  /  esily  she  sat 
"Wcl  I-wympled  /  and  on  liire  lied  an  hat 
As  brod  as  is  /  a  bokeler  or  a  targe 

A  fote  mantel  /  aboute  hire  hepes  large  472 

And  on  hire  fete  /  a  peire  of  spores  sharpe 
In  felashippe  /  coude  she  /  laughe  &  carpe 
The  remedies  of  loue  /  she  coude  per  chaunce 
ffor  of  fat  art  /  she  knew  J»e  olde  daunce  476 

A     Good  man  \>crc  was  /  of  religion  IT  A  Person 

^E\.    That  was  a  pore  Person  /  of  a  toun 
But  riche  he  was  /  of  holy  thoujt  and  werke 
He  was  also  /  a  lerned  man  /  a  clerke  480 

That  cristes  gospel  /  trewely  wold  preche 
His  parisshyns  deuoutly  /  wold  he  teche 
Benygne  he  was  /  and  wonder  diligent 
And  in  aduersite  /  ful  abidyng  /  and  pacient  484 

ffor  which"  he  was  preued  /  often  sithes 
fful  lothe  were  him  to  curse  /  for  his  tithes 
But  rather  wold  he  jeuen  /  witft-oute  clouto 
Vn-to  his  pore  parisshyns  /  a-boute  488 

Of  his  off ryng  /  and  eke  of  his  substance 
lie  coude  in  litil  /  thyng  /  haue  suffisance 
"Wyde  was  his  parissh"  /  and  houses  fer  a-sonder 
But  he  left  noujt  /  for  reyn  ne  for  thonder  492 

In  sekenesse  and  in  myschef  /  to  visite 


GROUP  A.    §  1.    GENERAL  PROLOGUE.    Dd.  &  Egert.    15 

The  farthest  /  in  his  parissh  /  moche  and  lite 

Vp-on  his  feet  /  and  in  his  hond  a  staf 

This  noble  eusaumple  /  to  his  shepe  he  $af  496 

That  first  he  wroujt  /  and  afterward  he  taught 

Ouj  t  of  fe  gospel  /  he  tho  wordes  caught 

And  this  figure  /  he  added  eke  thcr-to 

That  if  gold  rust  /  what  shuld  Iren  do  500 

ffor  if  a  preest  be  foul  /  on  whom  we  trust 

no  wonder  is  /  a  lowed  man  to  rust 

And  shame  it  is  /  if  a  preest  take  kepe  503 

To  se  a  sheton  shepherde  /  &  a  clene  shepe  [Ddl*-?oTi'^w^ft'e* 

Wele  aught  a  prest  ensaumple  for  to  yeve        [Egerton  begins, 

<m  leaf  7J 

By  his  clennes  how  fat  his  shepe  shold  leve 
He  set  nought  his  benefice  to  hire 

And  lete  his  shepe  accombred  in  the  mire  508 

No  renne  to  london)  to  Seint  Poules 
To  seche  hym  a  chauntry  for  soules 
Or  be  w/t/i  a  bretherhede  w*t7/hold 

But  dwelled  at  home  and  kept  wele  his  fold  512 

So  J>at  fe  wolf  made  fere  no  maistrye 
He  was  a  shepard  and  not  a  mersonarye 
And  though  he  holy  were  and  virtuous 
He  was  nat  w/t/t  synfuH  men  despitous  51 G 

Xe  of  his  speche  daungerous  ne  digne 
But  in  his  speche  discrete  and  benigne 
To  drawen)  folk  to  heveji  by  feirenesse 
By  gode  ensaumple  fis  was  his  besynesse  520 

But  and  he  knewe  ony  person)  obstenate 
Whether  he  were  hiegli  or  lowe  astate 
Hym  wold  he  snebbe  for  fe  nones 

A  better  prest  I  tro we  nowhere  none  ys       [leaf?, back]     524 
He  awayted  after  no  pompe  ne  reuerence 
~NQ  made  hym  a  spiced  conscience 
But  cristes  lore  and  his  Appostels  xij 
He  caught  but  furst  he  folowed  it  ]rim  solve  528 

"\\7yth  hym  fere  was  a  plowman  was  his  brothere 
[Part  of  this  pago,  Egcrton  2726.] 


16  GROUP  A.   §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Egerton  2726. 

That  hade  lad  of  dong  many  a  fothere 

A  trewe  swynker  arid  a  gode  was  he 

Levyng  in  pees  and  perfite  charite  532 

God  loued  he  best  with  aH  his  hole  liert 

At  aH  tymes  Jjougft  he  gained  or  smert 

And  fan  his  neighbour  right  as  hym  selue 

He  wold  thressh"  and  Jjere-to  dyke  and  delue  536 

ffor  cristes  sake  for  euery  poure  wight 

without  hire  yf  it  lay  in  his  might 

His  tithes  payde  he  fuH  faire  and  wele 

Both  of  his  propre  swynk  and  of  his  catele  540 

In  a  tabard  he  rode  vp-on)  a  mere 

There  was  also  a  Reve  and  a  millere 

A  sompnour  and  a  pardoner  also 

A  maunciple  and  myself  |>erc  was  no  mo  544 

T  |^1  he  miller  was  a  stout  carle  for  J>e  nones 

ffuH  bigge  he  was  of  brawne  and  of  bones 
,  1      That  preueth"  wele  for  euer  where  he  cam) 
At  the  wrestellyng  he  wold  haue  J>e  ram)  548 

Ho  was  short  sholdred  brode  and  a  thik  gnarre 
There  was  no  dore  but  he  yt  wold  lyft  of  barre 
Or  breke  it  with  rennyng  \\itli  his  hede 
His  berde  as  ony  fox  .  was  rede  552 

And  there-to  brode  as  it  were  a  spade 
Vp-on)  J»e  cop  of  his  nose  he  hade 
A  wert  and  fere-on)  stode  a  tuft  of  heirs 
Rede  as  the  bristels  of  sow  erys  556 

His  nosethrilles  blak  were  and  wyde 
A  swcrde  and  a  bokeler  bare  he  by  his  syde 
His  mouthe  was  as  grete  as  a  fournesse 
he  was  a  langeler  and  golyardes  560 

And  J»at  was  most  synne  and  harlottryes 
"\Vel  coude  he  stele  corne  and  tolle  iij 
And  yit  he  hade  a  thorn)  of  golde  panle  ' 
A  white  cote  and  a  blewe  hode  wered  he  Deaf  sj     564 

A  bagpipe  wele  koude  he  blawe  and  sowne 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.   §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Egerton  2726.    17 

And  therewit/i-aH  he  brought  vs  out  of  towne 

AgentyH  Mansiple  was  there  of  a  temple 
Of  which"  al1  ca tours  mighten  take  exemple    568 
ff or  to  be  wyse  in  bying  of  vitaiH      ll  al  later} 
ffor  whether  he  paide  or  toke  by  taiH 
Alwey  he  wayted  so  in  his  acate 

That  he  was  ay  byforn)  and  in  gode  state  572 

Now  is  nat  that  of  god  a  fuH  feire  grace 
That  soch"  a  lewde  mans  witte  shall  passe 
The  wysdom)  of  an  hepe  of  lerned  men 
That  maistres  haue  hade  mo  than  iij'  ten  576 

That  of  lawe  were  expert  and  curious 
Of  which"  there  were  a  dosen  in  J?at  hous 
Worthy  to  be  stewardes  of  rent  and  londe 
Of  ony  lord  that  is  in  Ingelonde  580 

To  make  hym  leve  by  his  propre  gode 
In  honour  douteles  but  yf  he  were  wode 
Or  lyue  as  skarsly  as  hym  lyst  desire 
And  able  to  helpen  aft  a  shire  584 

In  ony  cas  J?at  myght  falle  or  happe 
And  yit  this  manciple  set  her  aller  cappe 

The  reve  was  a  sklendre  coloryk  man 
his  berde  was  shave  as  nygh  as  euer  he  can        588 
His  here  was  by  his  eres  fuH  rounde  shorn) 
His  top  was  dokked  like  a  prest  byforn) 
ff uH  longe  were  his  legges  and  fuH:  lene 
Like  a  staf  there  was  no  calf  a-sene  592 

Wele  koude  he  kepe  a  gerner  and  a  byn)     [2  coude,  oo«r«»«] 
There  was  none  auditour  coude 2  on)  him  wyn) 
Wele  wist  he  by  the  drought  and  by  the  reyn) 
The  yeldyng  of  his  corn)  and  of  his  greyn)  596 

His  lordes  shepe  his  note  his  dayre 
His  swyne  his  hors  his  stok  and  his  pultrye 
Was  holy  in  this  reves  gouernyng 

And  by  his  couenawnt  he  yaf  J>e  rekenyng  600 

Sen  fat  his  lord  was  xx*  yere  of  age 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.]  c 


18    GROUP  A.  §  1.   GEXI.KAI.  1'uoi.ocuK.   Egerton  2726. 

There  koude  no  man  bryng  him  in  arrerage 

The  was  no  baillyf  herde  ne  other  hyne 

That  he  ne  knewe  her  sleight  and  her  couyne  [if. »,  bk.]  604 

They  were  adradde  of  hym  as  of  the  dethe 

His  wonyng  was  feire  vp-on)  an  hethe 

\\itJi  grene  trees  shadowed  was  his  place 

he  koude  better  fan  his  lord  purchace  ('IIS 

ffuH  riche  he  was  astored  priuely 

his  lorde  he  koude  plese  fuH  subtelly 

To  yeue  and  lene  hym  of  his  owen  godo 

And  haue  a  thank  and  yit  a  gowne  and  hodc  612 

This  Revo  satte  vp-on)  a  weH  godc  stot 

AH  pomely  grey  and  ho  hight  scot 

lerned  he  hade  in  youth  a  gode  meistere 

He  was  a  gode  wright  a  Carpentere  616 

A  long  surcote  of  Pers  vp-oii)  he  hade 

And  by  his  syde  he  bare  a  lusty  blade 

Of  Norfolk  was  this  Reve  of  which"  I  telle 

Beside  a  touii)  men  clepe  BaldesweH  620 

Tukked  he  was  as  ys  a  frere  aboute 

And  euer  he  rode  J>e  hyndrest  of  J>e  route 

Asompnour  was  Jjere  with  vs  in  J>at  place 
That  hade  a  feire  rede  cherubyns  face  624 

ffuH  saussleeui  he  was  wit//  yen)  narow 
As  hote  he  was  and  licherous  as  a  sparow 
Wit/t  skalled  browes  blake  and  pyled  berde 
Of  his  visage  children)  were  a-ferde  628 

There  was  neyther  lytarge  quiksiluer  ne  bremstone 
Borage  ceruce  no  oyle  of  tartre  none 
Ne  oynement  J>at  wolde  dense  and  byte 
That  hym  might  help  of  his  whelkes  white  632 

Ne  of  J>c  knobbes  sutyng1  in  his  chokes       ['  or1  Bitty ng'i 
Wele  loued  he  garlyk  oynous  and  lekes 
And  for  to  drynke  strouge  wyne  as  rede  as  blode 
Than  wold  lie  spoke  and  crye  as  he  were  wodo  636 

And  whan  J);it  lie  wele  dronken  hade  the  wyne 
[This  page,  Egcrton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.   §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Egerton  2726.    19 

Than  wold  he  speke  no  worde  but  latyn) 

A  fewe  termes  hade  he  ij'  or  iij* 

That  he  hade  lerned  out  of  som)  decre  640 

No  wonder  ys  he  herde  yt  aH  the  day 

And  eke  he  knowe  wele  how  fat  a  lay 

Kan  clepe  wat  as  wele  as  kan  Jje  pope 

But  who  so  koude  in  other  thinges  hym  grope    [leaf  9]    644 

Than  hade  he  spent  aH  his  felosophie 

Ay  questio  quid  luris  wold  he  crye 

He  was  a  geutiH  harlot  and  a  kynde 

A  better  felaw  shold  men  nowhere  fynde  648 

He  wold  suffre  for  a  quart  of  wyne 

A  gode  felaw  to  haue  his  concubyne 

A  twelmonth"  and  excuse  hym  atte  fuH 

ffuH  priuely  eke  a  fynche  koude  he  pulle  652 

And  yf  he  fonde  owhere  a  gode  felawe 

He  wold  tech"  hym  to  haue  none  awe 

In  swicfi  cas  of  fe  Archedekenes  curs 

But  yf  a  mans  soule  heng  in  his  purs  656 

ffor  his  purs  he  shold  pyned  be 

purs  is  the  Erchedekenes  heH  quod  he 

But  wele  I  wote  he  lyeth"  right  in  dede 

Of  cursyng  ought  euery  gilty  man  to  drede  660 

ffor  curs  wiH  slee  right  as  assoylyng  sauetfi 

And  also  ware  hym  of  a  significauetli 

In  daungere  hade  he  at  his  owen  gyse 

AH  the  yong  gerles  of  the  diocyse  664 

And  knewe  her  counseiH  and  was  aH  her  rede 

A  gerlonde  he  hade  set  vp-on)  his  hede 

As  grete  as  yt  were  for  an  ale  stake 

A  bokeler  hade  he  made  hym  of  a  cake  668 

Wyth  hym  there  rode  a  gentyH  pardonere 
Of  rouncyvale  his  felawe  and  his  compere 
That  streight  was  come  fror  the  court  of  Rome 
ffuH  loude  he  song  come  byder  loue  come  672 

This  sumpnour  bare  to  hym  a  styf  burden) 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


20   GROUP  A.  §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Egerton  2726. 

Was  neuer  trornpe  of  half  so  grete  a  soun) 

This  pardoner  hade  here  as  yelowe  as  ony  wex 

But  smoth"  hang  it  as  doth"  a  stryke  of  flex  676 

By  ounces  hyng  his  lokkes  that  he  hade 

And  therewith  his  sholdres  it  ouersprade 

But  thynne  yt  lay  by  culpons  one  and  one 

And  hode  for  iolyte  wered  he  none  680 

ffor  it  was  trussed  vp  in  his  walet 

liym  thought  he  rode  att  of  ])e  uewe  get 

Dyscheuele  saue  his  cape  he  rode  aH  bare 

With  glaryng  yen)  as  hath"  an  hare  Oafit,  bark]     684 

A  vernicle  hade  he  sewed  on)  his  cappe 

Ilys  walet  ley  byforn)  hym  in  his  lappe 

ffret  fuH  of  pardon)  come  fro  Rome  aH  hote 

A  voys  ho  hade  as  smaft  as  hath"  a  gote  688 

No  berde  hade  he  no  neuer  shold  haue 

Als  smoth"  yt  was  as  yt  were  newe  shaue 

I  trowe  he  were  a  geldyng  or  a  mare 

But  of  his  craft  fro  Berewyk  vn-to  Ware  692 

No  was  there  soch"  a-nother  pardonere 

ffor  in  his  male  he  hade  a  pelough"  bere 

Which  that  he  seid  was  our  lady  veiH 

lie  seid  he  hade  a  gobet  of  the  saiH  696 

That  seint  Petir  hade  when  he  went 

Vp-on)  J>e  see  tyH  Ihesu  crist  hym  hcnt 

he  hade  a  croos  of  laton)  f  uH  of  stones 

And  in  a  glas  he  hade  pyggesbones  700 

But  which  thise  relikkes  whan  fat  he  fonde 

A  poure  person)  dwellyng  vp-on  londe 

Vp-on)  a  day  he  gate  hym  more  money 

Than  J>e  person)  gate  in  monethes  twey  704 

And  thus  with  his  feyned  flaterye  and  Tapes 

He  made  J>e  person)  and  the  peple  his  Apes 

But  trewely  to  telle  at  the  last 

He  was  in  chirche  a  noble  eccliast  708 

Wrk-  koiuk'  lie  rede  a  lesson)  or  a  story 

[This  page,  Eg.-rtnn  L'726.] 


GROUP  A.    §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Egerton  2726.    21 

But  altherbest  he  song  an  affertory 

ffor  wele  he  wist  whan  fat  song  was  song 

He  most  preche  and  wele  afile  his  tong  712 

To  wyn  siluer  as  he  wele  koude 

Therfore  he  song  so  mery  and  so  loude 

w  how  I  tolde  you  sothely  in  a  clause 

The  state  the  array  the  nombre  and  the  cause 

_u     i      Why  fat  assembled  was  this  company  717 

In  Suthwerk  at  this  gentiH  Ostry 

That  hight  f  e  Tabard  fast  by  the  belle 

But  now  yt  ys  tyme  to  yow  for  to  telle  720 

How  fat  we  bare  vs  fat  ilk  nyght 

When  we  were  in  f  e  ostry  alight 

And  after  wiH  I  telle  of  our  viage 

And  aH  the  remenaunt  of  our  pilgrymage         [leaf  10]     724 

But  first  I  pray  yow  of  your1  curtesy 

That  ye  ne  arrete  nat  my  velany 

Though"  fat  I  pleinly  speke  in  this  mate?-e 

To  telle  you  her  wordes  and  her  chere  728 

Ne  though"  I  speke  her  wordes  proprely 

ffor  this  ye  knowe  as  wele  as  I 

Who-so  shaH  telle  a  tale  after  a  man 

he  most  reherce  as  nygh"  as  euer  he  can  732 

Eu<?ry  word  yf  yt  be  in  his  charge 

Speke  he  neuer  so  rewdely  ne  so  large 

Or  elles  he  mote  telle  his  tale  vntrewe 

Or  feyn  thing  or  fynde  wordes  newe  736 

He  may  nought  spare  aH-thogh"  yt  were  his  brother 

He  mote  as  wele  sey  o*  worcle  as  an  other 

Crist  spake  hym  self  fuH  brode  in  holy  wryt 

And  wele  ye  wote  no  velany  ys  yt  740 

Eke  plato  seith"  who-so  can  hym  rede 

The  Avordes  most  be  cosyn)  to  the  dede 

Also  I  pray  you  to  forgevo  it  me 

Thogli  I  haue  nat  set  folk  in  her  degre  744 

Here  in  this  tale  as  that  they  shold  stond 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


22  GROUP  A.  §  1.  GENERAL  PROLOGUE.  Eg.  &  Dd.  4.  24 

My  wit  is  short  ye  may  wele  vndrestond 

Grete  chere  made  our  host  vs  euerychone 

And  to  soper  set  we  vs  anone  748 

He  serued  vs  vrith  vitailles  at  J>e  best 

Strong  was  the  wyne  and  wele  drynke  vs  lest 

A  semely  man  our  host  was  wit//-aH 

ffor  to  ben  a  MarchaH  in  an  haH  752 

A  large  man  he  was  wt'tA  yen)  stepe 

A  feirer  burgeys  was  there  nought  in  chepe 

Bold  of  his  speche  and  wyse  and  wele  taglit 

And  of  manhode  lakked  hym  right  naght  756 

Eke  he  was  therto  a  mery  man 

And  after  soper  pley  he  began  [Eg-  2726  ends] 

And  spak  of  mirthe  /  a-mong  other  thynges    Ilt^^]beffitu' 

Whan  fat  he  had  mad  /  oure  rekenynges  760 

And  seide  /  lo  lordyngges  trewely 

3e  ben  to  me  /  right  welcome  hertily 

ffor  be  my  treuthe  /  if  that  I  shal  nat  lye 

I  sey  nat  J)is  jcre  /  so  merie  a  companye  764 

At  ones  /  in  this  herberwe  /  as  is  nowe 

ffayn  wold  I  do  jow  myrthe  /  &  I  wist  howe 

And  of  a  mirthe  /  I  am  ryght  now  be-J>ou}t 

To  don  $ow  ease  /  and  it  shal  cost  noujt  768 

H  ^e  gon  to  Caunterbury  /  god  }ow  spede 

That  blisful  martir  /  quyte  $ow  $oure  mede 

And  wel  I  wot  /  as  $e  gon  by  the  weye 

je  shapen  30  w  to  talken  /  and  to  pleye  772 

ffor  trewely  /  comfort  ne  mirthe  is  non 

To  ride  by  the  weye  /  as  dom  as  it  were  a  ston 

And  J>erfore  wyl  I  /  maken  jow  disport 

As  I  seide  erst  /  and  do  jow  som  comfort  776 

And  if  $ow  like  /  alle  be  one  assent 

To  stonden  /  at  my  luggoment 

And  for  to  werken  /  as  I  shal  jow  sey 

To-morwe  /  whan  30  riden  by  the  woy  780 

Now  be  my  faders  soule  /  J»at  is  dede 

[Part  of  this  page",  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.   §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Dd.  4.  24.   23 

But  30  be  mcrie  /  I  wyl  jeue  jow  myn  hede 

holde  vp  3oure  hondes  /  \n't/<-oute  more  specho 

Oure  counseil  was  noujt  /  longe  for  to  seche  784 

Vs  fou3t  it  was  nat  worthy  /  to  make  it  nyce 

And  graunted  him  /  wit/i-oute  more  a-vyse 

And  bad  him  sey  /  his  verdyt  as  hi??i  lest  787 

IT  fa  lordyngges  quod  he  /  now  herkeneth  for  the  best 

But  take  it  noi^t  /  I  prey  $ow  in  disdeyn 

This  is  J)e  poynt  /  to  speke  it  short  &  pleyn 

That  eche  of  3ow  /  to  short  with  joure  weye 

In  this  viage  /  shall  telle  tales  tweye  792 

To  Caunterburyward  /  I  mene  it  so 

And  homward  /  he  shal  telle  othere  two 

Of  auentures  /  that  whilom  /  han  byfalle 

And  which  of  30 w  /  bereth  him  best  of  alle  796 

That  is  to  seyn  /  that  telleth  in  Jus  cas 

Tales  /  of  most  sentence  and  solas 

Shal  haue  a  soper  /  at  our  alder  cost 

Here  in  this  place  /  si ttyng  by  this  post      [leaf  12,  back]    800 

whan  fat  we  comen  a-geyn  /  fro  Caunterbury 

And  for  to  make  3ow  /  the  more  mery 

I  wyl  my  self  goodly  /  with  3ow  ryde 

Right  at  myn  owen  cost  /  and  be  3oure  guyde  804 

And  who  so  wyl  /  my  luggement  with-sey 

shal  paie  al  that  we  spende  /  by  the  wey 

And  if  36  wouchesaue  /  fat  it  be  so 

Telle  me  a-non  /  wit/i-oute  wordes  mo  808 

And  I  wyl  erly  /  shape  me  therfore 

This  fing  was  graunted  /  and  cure  othes  swore 

wit/i  ful  glad  hert  /  and  prayed  him  also 

That  he  wold  vouchesaue  /  so  to  do  812 

And  that  he  wolde  be  /  oure  gouemour 

And  of  our  tales  /  lugge  and  reportour 

And  sette  a  soper  /  at  a  certein  prise 

And  we  wyl  reuled  be  /  at  his  deuyse  816 

In  heygh  &  lowe  /  and  thus  by  one  assent 


24   GROUP  A.   §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Dd.  4.  24. 

we  be  acorded  /  to  his  luggement  / 

And  ther-vp-on  /  the  wyn  was  fet  anon 

we  dronkyn  &  to  rest  /  wenten  ichofi  820 

with-outen  eny  lengere  /  tariyng 

II  ^5)  A  morwe  /  whan  J>e  day  gan  spryng 

Vp  ros  oure  Ost  /  and  was  oure  aller  Cok 

And  gadered  vs  to  gedir  /  on  a  flok  824 

And  forth  we  redyn  /  a  litel  pas 

vn-to  the  wateryng  /  of  seynt  Thomas 

And  there  oure  Oat  /  bygan  his  hors  arest 

And  seide  lordes  /  herkeneth  if  $ow  list  828 

$e  wete  oure  forward  /  if  36  it  record 

If  euesong  /  and  morwesong  accord 

late  se  now  /  who  shall  telle  fe  first  tale 

As  euere  mote  I  drynke  /  wyn  or  ale  832 

who  so  be  rebel  /  to  my  luggement 

Shal  paie  for  al  fat  is  /  by  the  weye  I-spent 

Now  draweth  cutte  /  er  we  ferthere  twynne 

ffor  he  pat  hath  the  shortest  /  shal  begynne  836 

1T  fo  Sire  Knygtt  quod  he  /  my  maister  &  my  lord 

Now  draweth  Cutte  /  for  this  is  myn  accord 

Cometh  nere  quod  he  /  my  lady  Prioresse 

And  30  sire  clerk  /  late  be  }oure  shamefastnesso  840 

Ne  studieth  nought  /  ley  hand  to  euery  man      [leaf  is] 

A-non  to  drawe  /  euery  wygh"t  bygan 

And  shortly  to  telle  /  as  it  was 

were  it  by  auenture  /  or  sort  /  or  cas  844 

The  soth  is  this  /  the  kut  fel  on  the  knygfit 

Of  which  ful  glad  /  was  euery  wyght 

And  telle  he  must  his  tale  /  as  it  was  resoii 

By  forward  /  and  by  composicion  848 

As  30  han  herd  /  what  nedeth  wordes  mo 

And  whan  J>is  good  man  /  saugh  J>at  it  was  so 

As  he  J>at  wys  was  /  and  obedient 

To  kope  his  forward  /  by  his  free  assent  852 

And  seide  /  sithe  /  I  shal  begynne  j>e  game 


GROUP  A.   §  1.   GENERAL  PROLOGUE.   Dd.  4.  24.   25 

welcome  be  the  cutte  /  in  goddes  name 

Now  late  vs  ride  /  and  herkeneth  what  I  sey 

And  with  fat  word  /  we  redyn  forth  cure  wey  856 

And  he  bygan  /  with  right  a  mery  chere 

This  tale  a-non  /  and  seide  on  fis  manere 


26       GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

1T  Hccrc  bigynnctli  the  knyghtes  tale 
[Unes  920-1170,  1582-1931,  2927-3016  from  Egertou  2726.] 

1T  lamqwe  domos  patrias  scithice  post  aspera  gentis  / 
prelia  laurigero  &c. 

Whilom  there  was  /  as  olde  stories  tellen  vs, 
A  Duke  /  a  worthy  man  that  bight  Theseus 
Of  Athenes  /  he  was  lord  and  gouernour       861 
And  in  his  tyme  /  swiche  a  conquerour 
That  grettere  was  ther  non  /  vnder  the  sonne 
iful  many  a  riche  contre  /  had  he  wonne  864 

what  with  his  wysdom  /  and  Chyualrie 
•He  conquered  al  the  regne  /  of  femenye 
That  whilom  cleped  was  /  Scithia 

And  wedded  the  fressfi  quene  /  ypolita  868 

And  broujt  hire  horn  w/t/i  him  /  to  his  contre 
•with  meche  glorie  /  and  grete  solempnytc 
And  eke  hire  jonge  suster  /  Emelye 

And  thus  with  hlisse  /  &  with  victorie  872 

Lete  I  this  noble  Duke  /  to  Athenes  ride 
And  al  his  Ost  /  in  armes  /  by  his  side 
And  certes  if  it  ne  were  /  to  longe  to  here 
I  wold  haue  told  fully  /  the  manere  876 

How  wo/me  was  the  regne  /  of  ffemonye 
By  Theseus  /  and  by  his  cheualrie  [leaf  i«,  buck] 

And  of  the  grete  bataille  /  for  the  nones 
Bytwene  the  Athenes  /  and  Amasones  880 

And  how  assegid  was  /  Ipolita 
The  fair  hardy  Quene  /  of  Scithia 
And  of  the  fest  )>at  was  /  at  hire  weddyng 
Aud  of  the  temple  /  at  hire  horn  co//anyng  884 

But  al  this  thyng  /  I  mot  as  now  forbere 
I  haue  god  wote  /  a  large  felde  to  ere 
And  weyke  be  the  Oxen  /  in  my  plow 
The  remenauwt  of  niy  tale  /  is  long  I-uow  888 

I  wil  nuu^l  letten  eke  /  non  of  J>is  route 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.      27 

Lete  e\\ery  f  el  awe  /  tellen  his  tale  a-boute 

And  lat  se  now  /  who  shal  the  soper  wynne 

And  there  as  I  left  /  I  wyl  a-jein  begynne  892 

This  Duke  /  of  which  I  made  mencion 

whan  he  was  come  /  almost  to  the  toun 

In  al  his  wele  /  and  in  his  most  pride 

He  was  ware  /  and  cast  his  eye  a-side  896 

where  that  there  kneled  /  in  the  heye  weye 

A  companye  of  ladies  /  tweye  and  tweye 

Eche  after  other  /  clothed  in  clothes  blake 

But  swich  a  cry  /  and  swich  a  woo  they  make  900 

That  in  fis  world  /  is  no  creature  leuyng 

That  euere  herd  swich  a-nofer  /  weymentyng 

And  of  this  cry  /  they  wold  iieuere  stynt  / 

Til  they  the  Eeyne  /  of  his  bridel  hent  /  904 

what  folk  be  30  /  that  at  myn  horn  comyng 

Perturbeth  so  my  folk  /  with  criyng 

Quod  Theseus  /  haue  36  so  gret  enuye 

Of  myn  honour  /  fat  je  Jms  compleyne  and  crye  908 

Or  who  hath"  $ow  mysboden  /  or  offended 

Do  /  telle  me  /  if  fat  it  may  be  amended 

And  why  30  be  thus  clothed  al  in  blak 

The  eldest  lady  of  hem  alle  /  fa?me  spak  912 

whan  she  had  swowned  /  with  a  dedly  chere 

That  it  was  reuthe  /  for  to  sene  and  here 

And  seide  lord  /  to  whom  fortune  /  hath  I-^euen 

Victorie  /  and  as  a  conquerowr  to  leuen  916 

Noujt  greueth  vs  joure  glorie  /  ne  Honowr 

But  we  be-seke  ^ow  /  of  mercy  and  socow 

Haue  mercy  on  oure  woo  /  and  oure  distresse  fDd-  ends>  lea^es 

14-16  gone] 

Some  drope  of  pyte  furgfr  f  y  gentillesse          &£•  *®6  begins, 

Vp-on)  vs  wrecched  wommen  lete  fou  falle       [leaf  12,  back] 

ffor  certes  lord  fere  is  none  of  vs  aH: 

That  we  haue  be  a  duchesse  or  a  quene 

Now  be  we  caytyfs  as  it  is  wele  sene  924 

Thanked  be  fortune  and  hir  fals  whele 

[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


28     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNICHT'.S  TALK.     Egerton  2726. 

That  none  astatc  assureth"  to  be  welo 
Ami  certes  lord  to  abide  your  presence 
Here  iii  this  temple  of  goddes  clemence  928 

We  haue  be  wayting  aH  pis  fourtenyght 
Now  helpe  vs  lord  setth"  it  is  in  thy  might 
I  wrecch"  which  fat  wepe  and  wayH  )ms 
Whilom)  was  wyf  to  kyng  Capaneus  932 

That  starf  at  Thebes  cursed  be  the  day 
And  aH  we  fat  ben  in  this  array 
And  make  aH  this  lamentacion) 

We  lost  aH  our  housbondes  at  pat  toxin  936 

While  Jjat  pe  sege  there  aboute  lay 
And  yit  now  the  olde  creon)  weleaway 
That  lord  is  now  of  Thebes  pe  Citee 

{fulfilled  of  ire  and  iniquitee  940 

ho  for  despyte  and  tyrannye 
To  done  the  dede  bodyes  velanye 
Of  aH  our  lordes  which"  pat  ben  slawc 
He  hath"  aH  bodies  on  an  hepe  drawe  944 

And  wiH  nat  suffre  by  none  assent 
Neyther  to  be  buried  ne  ybrent 
I5ut  make  houndes  ete  hem  in  despite 
And  wt't/t  pat  worde  wtt/tout  more  respite  948 

They  feH  grovelyng  and  cried  pitously 
haue  on)  vs  wrecched  wowmen  som)  mercy 
And  lete  our  sorow  synk  in  thyne  hcrt 
This  gentyH  dtik  from  his  corsoto-  stert  952 

Wit/i  hert  pitous  whan  he  herde  he?tt  speke 
hym  thoght  pat  his  hert  wold  breko 
When  he  saw  he?>i  so  pitous  and  so  mate 
That  somtyme  were  of  so  grete  astate  956 

And  in  his  armes  he  hem  aH  hent 
And  hem  comforted  in  fuH  gode  entent 
And  swore  his  oth"  as  he  was  trewe  knight 
he  wold  done  so  ferforth"  his  might  960 

Vp-on)  this  Tiraunt  Creon)  hem  to  wreke  [leaf  is] 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726.       29 

That  aH  f  e  peple  of  grece  there-of  shold  speke 

how  Creon)  was  of  Thebes  serued 

As  he  fat  hade  fuH  wele  his  detfi.  desemed  964 

And  right  anone  wM-out  more  a"bode 

His  baner  he  desplayetfi  and  forth"  rode 

To  Thebes  ward  and  aH  his  ost  beside 

!N"e  nere  Athenes  wold  he  go  ne  ride  968 

~NQ  take  his  ese  fully  half  a  day 

But  omvard  on)  his  way  that  nyght  he  lay 

And  sent  anone  to  ypolita  fe  quene 

And  Emely  hir  yonge  suster  shene  972 

Vn-to  Athenes  fere  for  to  dweH 

And  forthe  he  rode  there  is  no  more  to  telle 

The  rede  statute  of  Mars  w/t7i  spere  and  targe 
So  shineth"  in  his  white  baner  large  976 

That  aH  the  feldes  glite/'en  vp  and  doun) 
And  by  his  baner  born)  was  his  penoun) 
Of  gold  fuH  riche  in  which  there  was  ybete 
The  manatour  which"  fat  lie  wan)  in  Crete  980 

Thus  rideth"  this  duk  this  noble  conquerour 
And  in  his  ost  of  chiualrye  f  e  flour* 
TiH  fat  he  came  to  Thebes  and  alight 
ifeir  in  a  felde  there  as  he  thought  to  fight  98-i 

But  shortly  for  to  speke  of  this  thing 
Witt  Creon)  which"  was  of  Thebes  kyng 
He  faught  and  slewe  him  manly  as  a  knight 
In  plein  bateH  and  put  his  folk  to  flight  988 

And  by  assent  he  wan  f  e  Cite  after 
And  rent  adoun)  spar  waH  and  rafter 
And  to  the  ladies  he  restored  hath"  ageyn) 
The  bones  of  her  housbondes  fat  were  sleyn)  992 

To  do  obsequies  as  was  tho  the  gyse 
But  it  were  aH  to  long  for  to  deuyse 
The  grete  clamour  and  f  e  grete  weymentyng 
That  the  ladies  made  at  the  brennyng  996 

Of  the  bodies  and  the  grete  honour 

[This  pagn,  Egerton  2726.] 


30    GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALK.     Egerton  2726. 

That  Theseus  this  noble  conquerour 
doth  to  thise  ladies  when  they  fro  him  went 
But  shortly  to  telle  is  myn)  entent  1000 

Whan  )>at  pis  worthy  duk  this  Theseus         [leaf  is,  back] 
hath  Creon)  sleine  and  wonne  Thebes  thus 
Stille  in  J>at  felde  he  toke  aH  night  his  rest 
And  did  \vtth  all  J>e  contre  as  hym  lest  1004 

To  ransake  in  the  taas  of  J>e  bodyes  dede 
Hym  for  to  strype  of  harneys  and  of  wede 
The  pilours  didden  her  besynesse  and  cure 
After  the  bataiH  and  the  discomfiture  1008 

And  so  befiH  J?at  in  the  taas  they  founde 
Thurgh"  gurt  with  many  a  greuous  wounde 
Two  yong  kniglites  liggyng  by  and  by 
Both"  in  one  armes  wroght  fuH  richely  1012 

Of  which"  two  Arcita  was  J>at  one 
And  fat  other  knight  hight  Palamoue 
Ifoght  fully  quyk  ne  fully  dede  they  were 
But  by  her  cotearmes  and  by  her  gere  1016 

The  heraudes  knew  hew  best  of  aH 
As  they  that  weren  of  J>e  blode  riaH 
Of  Thebes  and  of  tAvo  susters  born) 

Out  of  the  taas  the  pilowrs  haue  hew  born)  1020 

And  ban  hem  caried  soft  vn-to  the  tent 
Of  theseus  and  fuH  sone  he  hem  hent 
And  sent  to  Athenes  to  dweH  in  prison) 
perpetuelly  wt't/i-outeri)  raunson)  1024 

And  whan  this  worthy  duk  hath"  Jms  done 
He  toke  his  ost  and  home  he  ryt  anone 
\vit/i  laurieH  crowned  as  a  conquerowr 
And  there  he  leved  in  ioy  and  honowr  1028 

Terme  of  his  lyf  what  nedeth  wordes  mo 
And  in  a  townie  of  angwyssh"  and  of  wo 
Dwellen  thise  palamon)  and  his  felawe  arcite 
ffor  euermore  there  may  no  gold  hem  quite  1032 

This  passeth"  yere  by  yere  and  day  by  day 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726.       31 

TiH  it  befeH  ones  in  a  morow  of  May 
That  Emely  that  feirer  was  to  sene 

Then  is  the  lilly  vp-on)  J>e  stalk  so  grene  1036 

And  fressher  fan  J)e  May  with  floures  new 
ffor  with"  J>e  rose  stroue  hir  hewe 
I  note  which  was  f>e  feirer  of  he??i  two 
Er  it  were  clay  as  was  hir  wont  to  do  1040 

She  was  aresen)  and  aH  redy  dight  [lean*] 

ffor  May  wott  haue  no  slogardrye  a  night 
That  seson)  prykketh"  euery  genteH  hert 
And  maketh  hym  out  of  his  slepe  to  stert  1044 

And  seith"  arise  and  do  thine  obseruance 
This  ineyde  Emelye  to  haue  remembrance 
To  dori)  honour  to  May  and  for  to  ryse 
Clothed  was  she  fressh"  for  to  deuyse  1048 

Her  yelow  heres  browded  were  in  o  tresse 
Behinde  hir  bak  a  yerde  longe  as  I  gesse 
And  to  the  gardyn)  at  the  sonne  vprest 
She  walketh"  vp  and  doun)  and  as  hir  lest  1052 

She  gadred  floures  party  white  and  rede 
To  make  a  soteH  garlond  for  hir  hede 
And  as  an  AngeH  hevenlich"  she  songe 
The  toure  J?at  was  so  thik  and  so  stronge  105G 

Which  of  jje  casteH  was  ]>e  chief  dongeon) 
There  as  thise  knightes  were  in  prison) 
Of  which"  I  told  you  and  telle  shaH 

Was  even)  ioynyng  to  J>e  gardyn)  watt  1060 

There  as  this  Emely  hade  hir  pleying 
Bright  was  the  son)  and  clere  J?e  mornyng 
And  palamon)  pis  wofuH  prisoner 

As  was  his  wone  by  leve  of  his  gayler  1064 

Was  risen)  and  romed  in  the  chambre  on)  high" 
In  the  which  he  ali  the  noble  Citee  sigh 
And  eke  J>e  gardyn)  fuH  of  braunches  grene 
There  as  this  fressh  Emelye  the  shene  1068 

And  was  hir  walke  and  romed  vp  and  douii) 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


32    GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726. 

This  wofuH  prisoner  )>is  palamon) 
Gotfi  in  the  chambre  to  and  fro 

And  to  \rirn  self  compleynyng  of  his  wo  1072 

That  he  was  born)  fuH  oft  cried  he  alias 
And  so  befiH  ]?at  by  auenture  or  cas 
That  thurgh  J>e  wyndowe  thik  of  many  a  barre 
Of  Iren  grete  and  square  as  ony  sparre  1076 

He  cast  his  yee  vp-on  Emelya 
And  there-w/t/t-aH  he  blent  and  cried  A 
As  thogh  he  stougen  were  vn-to  the  hert 
And  we't/i  J)at  crie  Arcite  anone  vp  stert  1080 

And  seide  Cosyn)  myu)  what  eyleth  the         [leaf  u,  back] 
That  art  so  pale  and  dedely  for  to  see 
Why  cridest  thow  who  hath"  the  don)  offence 
ffor  goddes  sake  take  it  in  pacience  1084 

Our  prison)  for  it  may  none  other  be 
ffortune  hath  yeve  vs  this  aduersite 
Soro)  wikked  aspect  or  disposiciown 

Of  Saturne  by  som)  constillac/ozm  1088 

hath  yeve  vs  this  althogh  we  hade  sworn) 
So  stode  the  heven)  whan)  that  we  were  borii) 
"We  most  endure  this  is  the  short  and  plein) 
This  palamon)  answerd  and  seide  agein)  1092 

Cosyn)  forsoth  of  Jris  opinion) 
Thow  hast  a  veyn)  ymaginacon) 
This  prison)  caused  me  not  for  to  cryee 
But  I  was  hurt  right  now  Jmrgh  myn  yee  1096 

In-to  myn)  hert  fat  yt  wiH  my  bane  be 
The  feirenes  of  fat  lady  that  I  se 
Yonder  in  the  gardyn)  romyng  to  and  fro 
Is  cause  of  aH  my  crying  and  my  wo  1100 

I  ne  wote  whether  she  be  a  womman  or  a  goddes 
But  Venus  I  trow  it  be  as  I  gesse 
And  there- wit/i-aH  on)  knees  he  fiH 

And  seid  Venus  yf  it  be  thy  wiH  1104 

Now  in  fis  gardyn)  thus  J>e  to  transfigure 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726.       33 

Byfore  me  sorowfuH  wrecched  creature 

Out  of  this  prison  helpe  fat  we  may  skape 

And  yf  so  be  our  desteny  be  shape  1108 

By  ete>Tie  worde  to  dey  in  prison 

Of  our  linage  haue  som)  compassion) 

That  is  so  lowe  brought  by  tyrannye 

And  with  that  worde  Arcite  gan  aspie  1112 

Where  as  this  lady  romed  to  and  fro 

And  wit/i  pat  sight  hir  beaute  hurt  him  so 

That  yf  fat  palamon)  was  wounded  sore 

Arcite  is  hurt  as  mocfi  or  more  1116 

And  -with  fat  sight  he  seide  pitously 

Thy  fressli  beaute  sletfi  me  sodeinly 

Of  hir  fat  rometfi  fere  in  yondre  place 

And  but  yf  I  haue  hir  me>-cy  and  hir  grace  1120 

That  I  may  seyn)  hir  at  the  lest  wey  [leaf  is] 

I  am  but  dede  there  is  no  more  to  sey 

This  palamon)  whan  he  thise  wordes  herd 

Dispitously  he  loked  and  answerd  1124 

Whether  seist  thow  this  in  ernest  or  in  play 

Nay  quod  Arcite  in  ernest  by  my  fay 

God  helpe  me  so  me  lust  yueH  to  pley 

This  palamou)  gan  to  kny tie  his  browes  twey  1128 

Yt  were  to  the  quod  he  no  grete  honowr 

ffor  to  be  fals  and  for  to  be  a  traytow 

To  me  that  am  f  y  Cosyn)  and  f  y  brother 

Isworn)  fuH  depe  and  eccli  of  vs  to  other  1132 

That  neuer  for  to  dey  in  peyne 

Till  fat  the  detfi  depart  shaH  vs  tweyne 

Neyther  of  vs  in  loue  to  hynder  other 

NQ  in  none  other  caas  my  leve  brother  1136 

But  that  f  ou  sholdest  trewly  forther  me 

In  euery  caas  as  I  shaH  forther  the 

This  was  thine'  othe'  and  myn)  certeyn) 

I  wote  right  wele  fou  darst  it  nat  wi'Wseyn  1140 

Thus  art  fou  of  my  counseiH  out  of  dout 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.]  D 


34    GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726. 

And  now  pou  vvoldest  falsly  bene  about 

To  loue  my  lady  whom  I  loue  and  seme 

And  euere  shaH  tyU  pat  my  hert  sterue  1144 

Nay  certes  fals  Arcite  thow  shalt  nat  so 

I  loued  hir  first  and  told  the  my  wo 

As  to  my  counseiH  and  to  my  brother  sworn) 

To  forther  me  as  I  haue  told  byforn)  1148 

ffor  which  pou  art  bounde  as  a  knight 

To  help  me  yf  it  lay  in  thy  myght 

Or  elles  art  pou  fals  I  dare  wele  seyn) 

This  Arcite  proudely  spake  ageyri)  1152 

Thow  shalt  qwod  he  be  rather  fals  pan  I 

And  JJGU  art  fals  I  telle  the  witterly 

ffor  powauenture  I  loued  hir  first  or  thow 

"What  wiH  pou  sey  pou  wost  it  now  1156 

Whether  she  be  a  womman  or  a  goddesse 

Thyn  is  the  affeccon)  of  holynesse 

And  myn)  is  love  as  to  a  creature 

ffor  which  I  telle  the  myn)  auenture  1160 

As  to  my  Cosyn  and  my  brother  swore         [leaf  is,  back] 

I  pwpose  pat  pou  lovedest  hir  byfore 

Wost  pou  nat  wele  pat  olde  clerkes  sawe 

That  who  shaH  yeve  lovers  ony  lawe  1164 

Love  is  a  gretter  lawe  by  my  pan 

Than  be  yeven  may  to  ony  erthly  man 

And  therfore  posityf  lawe  and  swich"  decre 

Is  broken  aB  day  for  love  in  ecch  degre  1168 

A  man  most  love  nedys  maugre  in  his  hede 

He  may  noght  fie  yt  though  he  shold  be  dede   [Eg.  2726  ends] 

Al  be  she  /  Mayde  /  wydewe  /  or  ellis  wyff/         [D.d-  beqins, 

And  eke  it  is  noujt  likly  /  al  thy  lif/  1172 

To  stonde  in  hire  grace  /  no  more  shal  I 

ffor  wel  pou  wost  /  thy  seluen  verayly 

That  pou  and  I  /  be  dampned  to  prison 

Perpetuelly  /  vs  geyneth  no  raunson  1176 

We  striue  /  as  dide  pe  houndes  /  for  pe  bon 

[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.      35 

That  faught  al  day  /  and  $et  here  part  was  non 

There  cam  a  kyte  /  whyle  J?ei  were  so  wrothe 

And  bar  a-wey  J>e  bon  /  bytwen  hem  bothe  1180 

And  ferfore  /  at  Jje  kynges  court  /  my  brother 

Eche  for  him  self  /  there  is  non  other 

U  loue  if  J?ou  list  /  for  I  lone  and  ay  shal 

And  sothly  leue  brother  /  this  is  al  1184 

Here  in  prison  /  mote  we  endure 

And  ech  of  vs  /  take  his  aventure 

U  jgj  Gret  was  fe  strif  /  and  longe  bytwen  hem  twey 

If  J>at  I  had  leyser  /  for  to  sey  1188 

But  to  the  effect  /  it.  happed  on  a  day 

To  telle  it  jow  /  as  shortly  as  I  may 

A  worthy  Duke  /  that  hight  Parotheus 

That  felawe  was  /  to  J>is  Duke  theseus  1192 

Syn  thilk  day  /  fat  J>ei  were  children  lyte 

was  come  to  Athenes  /  his  felawe  to  visite 

ffor  to  pley  /  as  he  was  wont  to  do 

ffor  in  the  world  /  he  loued  no  man  so  1196 

And  he  loued  him  /  as  tenderly  a-geyn 

So  wele  they  loued  /  as  olde  bokes  seyn 

That  wharane  fat  on  was  ded  /  soth  to  telle 

his  felawe  went  /  &  sought  him  doun  in  helle  1200 

But  of  that  story  /  list  ne  nat  to  wryte 

Duke  Parotheus  /  loued  wel  Arcite 

And  had  him  knowe  /  at  Thebes  jere  by  jere 

And  finally  at  the  request  /  and  prayere  1204 

Of  Parotheus  /  wit/i-oute  ony  raunsom 

Duke  Theseus  /  lete  him  oujt  of  prison) 

ffreely  to  go  /  where  as  him  list  ouer  alle 

In  swich  a  gyse  /  as  I  jow  telle  shalle  1208 

This  was  the  forward  /  pleynly  to  eiidite 

By-twene  Theseus  /  and  this  Arcite 

That  if  so  were  /  J?at  Arcite  were  founde 

Euere  in  his  lyue  /  by  day  or  nygfit  o  stounde  [leaf  n,  back] 

In  ony  contre  /  of  this  Theseus  1213 


36    GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Ld.  4.  24. 

And  he  were  caught  /  it  was  a-corded  thus 

That  -with  a  swerd  /  he  shulde  lese  hise  hede 

There  was  non  o\er  remedy  /  ne  rede  1216 

But  taketh  his  leue  /  and  homward  he  him  spedde 

Lat  him  be  ware  /  his  nekke  lith  to  wedde 

So  gret  a  sorwe  /  suffreth  now  Arcite 

The  deth  he  feleth  /  Jmrugfc  his  hert  smyte  1220 

he  wepeth  and  wayleth  /  he  crieth  pytously 

To  sle  him  self  /  he  wayteth  preuyly 

He  seide  alias  /  the  day  fat  he  was  born 

Now  is  my  prison  wers  /  than  biforn  1224 

Now  is  me  shape  /  eternely  to  dwelle 

Nought  in  purgatorie  /  but  in  helle 

Alias  J?at  euere  I  knew  /  Parotheus 

ffor  elles  had  I  dwelled  /  w?t7i  Duke  Theseus  1228 

ffetered  in  his  prison  /  for  euere  mo 

Than  had  I  ben  in  blisse  /  &  nou^t  in  woo 

Only  the  sight  of  hire  /  whom  J?at  I  serue 

Though  \>at  I  neuere  /  hire  grace  may  deserue  1232 

wold  haue  suffised  /  right  I-now  to  me 

O.  dere  Cosyn  /  Palamon  /  quod  he 

Thyn  is  the  victorie  /  of  this  auenture 

fful  blisfully  in  prison  /  maist  JJGU  endure  1236 

In  prison  /  nay  certes  /  but  in  Paradys 

wel  hath  fortune  /  turned  the  the  dys 

Thou  hast  the  sight  /  of  hire  /  &  I  the  absence 

ffor  possible  it  is  /  sith  J?ou  hast  hire  presence  1240 

And  art  a  knyght  /  a  worthy  &  an  able 

That  be  som  cas  /  sithe  fortune  is  chaungeable 

Thow  maist  to  thy  desyre  /  som  tyme  atteyne 

But  I  J>at  am  exiled  /  and  barayne  1244 

Of  alle  grace  /  and  in  so  gret  dispeyre 

That  there  nys  no  water  /  ffyr  /  ne  Eyre 

Ne  creature  /  that  of  hem  maked  Is 

That  may  me  hele  /  or  do  comfort  in  this  1248 

wel  ought  I  sterue  /  in  wauhope  &  distresse 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  37 

ffare  wel  my  lyf  /  my  lust  /  and  my  gladnesse 

U  ^j  Alias  why  pleyne  so  folk  /  in  comune 

Of  purueance  of  god  /  or  of  fortune  1252 

That  3eueth  hem  ful  oft  /  in  many  gyse  [leans] 

wel  beter  /  pawne  pei  can  /  hem  self  deuyse 

Sowme  men  desire  /  for  to  haue  richesse 

That  cause  is  of  here  mordre  /  or  gret  seknes  1256 

And  sowme  man  wold  /  out  of  prison  fayn 

That  in  his  hous  /  is  of  his  meyne  slayn 

Infenyt  harmes  /  ben  in  this  matere 

we  wot  neuere  /  what  we  preisen  here  1260 

we  faren  as  he  /  pat  dronken  is  as  a  mous 

A  dronke  man  wot  wel  /  he  hath  an  hous 

But  he  ne  wot  which  is  /  pe  rigfit  weye  theder 

And  to  a  dronke  man  /  the  weye  is  slyder  1264 

And  certes  in  pis  world  /  so  fare  we 

we  seke  fast  after  /  felicite 

But  we  gon  wrong  /  ful  ofte  trewely 

Thus  may  we  seyn  alle  /  and  namely  I  1268 

That  wende  /  and  had  /  a  gret  opinyon 

That  if  I  myght  escape  /  from  prison 

Than  had  I  ben  /  in  ioye  &  pa?-fyt  hele 

That  now  am  exiled  /  fro  my  wele  1272 

Syn  I  may  noujt  se  $ow  /  Emelye 

I  am  but  ded  /  pere  is  non  oper  remedye 

U  fo  Vp-on  fat  oper  side  /  Palamon 

whan  fat  he  wist  /  pat  Arcite  was  gon  1276 

Swich  sorwe  he  maketh  /  pat  the  grete  Tour 

Eesouned  of  his  langlyng  /  and  clamour 

The  pure  feteres  /  on  his  shynes  grete 

were  of  his  bittere  /  salt  teres  /  wete  1 280 

Alias  qwod  he  /  Arcite  Cosyn  myn 

Of  al  oure  strif  /  god  wot  pe  fruyt  is  thyn 

Thow  walkest  now  /  in  Thebes  at  thy  large 

And  of  my  woo  /  pou  ^euest  litel  charge  1284 

Thow  maist  /  sithe  pou  hast  /  wysdoni  &  manhode 


38      GROUP  A.    §  2.    KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

Assemble  alle  the  folk  /  of  oure  kynrede 

And  make  a  werre  so  sharp  /  on  this  Citee 

That  he  som  auenture  /  or  tretee  1288 

Thow  maist  haue  hire  /  to  lady  &  to  wyf 

ffor  whom  I  must  nedes  /  lese  my  lyf 

ffor  as  be  weye  /  of  possibilitee 

sithe  pou  art  at  J>e  large  /  of  prison  free  1292 

And  art  a  lord  /  gret  is  pin  auauntage 

More  fan  myn  /  pat  sterueth  here  in  a  cage    [leaf  is,  back] 

ffor  I  mote  wepe  /  and  wayle  while  I  leue 

with  al  the  woo  /  pat  prison  may  me  3eue  1296 

And  eke  wit/i  peyne  /  that  loue  me  jeueth  also 

That  doubleth  al  my  twrment  /  and  my  woo 

U  (fo  Ther-with  /  the  fyr  of  ielousie  vp  stirte 

with-Inne  his  brest  /  &  hent  him  by  the  herte  1300 

So  wodly  /  pat  he  lyke  was  /  to  be-hold 

To  Box  tree  /  or  to  asshen  /  dede  and  cold 

U  fg)  Thawne  seide  he  /  0  cruel  goddes  pat  gouerne 

This  world  vrith  byndyng  /  of  3oure  word  eterne         1304 

And  wryte  in  the  table  /  of  Athamante 

3oure  parlament  /  and  joure  eterne  graunte 

what  is  man-kynde  more  /  vn-to  $ow  hold 

Than  is  a  shepe  /  that  rukketh  in  the  fold  1308 

ffor  slayn  is  man  /  right  as  an  other  best 

And  dwelleth  eke  /  in  prison  /  and  arrest 

And  hath  seknes  /  and  gret  aduersitee 

And  often  tymes  /  giltlees  parde  1312 

what  gouemance  is  /  in  this  prescience 

That  giltles  /  twrmentist  Innocence 

And  jet  encreseth  this  /  al  my  penaunce 

That  man  is  bounde  /  to  his  obseruance  1316 

ffor  goddes  sake  /  to  letten  of  his  wylle 

There  as  a  best  may  /  al  his  lust  fulfille 

And  when  a  best  is  ded  /  he  hath  no  peyne 

But  after  his  deth  /  a  man  mote  wepe  &  pleyne          1320 

Though  in  pis  world  /  he  haue  care  and  woo 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  39 

wit/i-oute  doute  /  it  may  stonde  so 

The  answere  of  pis  /  lete  I  to  deuynes 

But  wel  I  wot  /  in  pis  world  gret  peyne  is  1324 

U  f5)  Alias  /  I  se  a  serpent  or  a  thef 

That  many  a  trewe  man  /  hath  do  myschef 

Gon  at  his  large  /  &  where  him  list  may  twme 

But  I  mot  be  in  prison  /  thurugh  satwnie  1328 

And  eke  Jmrugh"  luno  lelous  /  and  eke  wode 

That  hath  wel  ny  destroyed  /  al  the  blode 

Of  Thebes  /  with  his  wast  walles  wyde 

And  Venus  sleth  me  /  on  pat  other  syde  1332 

ffor  ielousye  /  and  feer  of  pis  Arcite 

Now  wyl  I  stynt  /  of  Palamon  a  lyte 

And  lete  him  in  this  prison  stille  dwelle  Deaf  i»] 

And  of  Arcite  /  forth  I  wyl  $ow  telle  1336 

U  fgj  The  somer  passeth  /  &  the  nygntes  longe 

Encresynge  double  wyse  /  the  peynes  stronge 

Bothe  of  the  louere  /  and  of  the  prisoner 

I  ne  wot  which  hath  /  the  sorwefullest  myster  1340 

ffor  shortly  to  seyn  /  this  Palamon 

Perpetuelly  /  is  dampned  to  prison 

In  cheynes  and  in  feteres  /  to  be  ded 

And  Arcite  is  exiled  /  vp-on  his  hed  1344 

ffor  euere  more  /  ou$t  of  pat  centre 

Ne  neuere  more  /  he  shal  his  lady  se 

Now  louyers  I  ask  3ow  /  this  question 

Who  hath  the  werse  /  Arcite  or  Palamon  1 348 

That  on  may  se  his  lady  /  day  by  day 

But  in  prison  /  mote  he  dwellen  ay 

That  other  where  him  list  /  may  ride  or  go 

But  sen  his  lady  /  shal  he  neuere  mo  1352 

Now  demeth  as  $ow  list  /  30  pat  can 

ffor  I  wyl  telle  $ow  forth  /  as  I  began 


40      GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

[Part  II.     No  gap  in  the  MS.] 

U  fljj  Whan  fat  Arcite  /  to  Thebes  come  was 

fful  ofte  a  day  /  he  swelte  &  seide  alias  1356 

ffor  sen  my  lady  /  shal  I  neuere  mo 

And  shortly  to  conoluden  /  al  his  woo 

So  meche  sorwe  /  had  neuere  creature 

That  is  or  shal  /  while  pe  world  may  dure  1360 

his  slepe  his  mete  &  drynk  /  is  him  byraft 

That  lene  he  wex  &  drye  /  as  is  a  shaft 

His  eyen  holwe  /  and  grysely  to  be-holde 

his  hewe  falwe  /  and  pale  /  as  asshen  colde  1364 

And  solitarie  he  was  /  and  euere  allone 

And  walkyng  al  )?e  nygfit  /  makyng  his  mone 

And  if  he  herd  song  /  or  Instrument 

Than  wold  he  wepe  /  he  myght  nat  stynt  1368 

So  feble  eke  were  hise  spirites  /  and  so  lowe 

And  chaunged  so  /  J>at  noman  koude  him  knovre 

His  speche  ne  his  vois  /  though  men  yt  herde 

And  in  his  gere  /  for  al  the  world  he  ferde  1372 

Nou3t  only  lyke  /  the  louyers  maladye 

Of  hereos  /  but  rather  lyke  Manye  IT  mania 

Engendred  /  of  humo?*r  /  malicolyk  [leaf  19,  back] 

Byforn  his  owen  /  Celle  fantasyk  1376 

And  shortly  twmed  /  was  al  vp  so  doun) 

Bothe  habit  /  and  eke  disposiciouw 

Of  hym  /  this  wooful  louyer  Arcite 

what  shuld  I  al  day  /  of  hys  woo  endite  1 380 

whan  he  endured  had  /  a  $ere  or  two 

Thys  cruel  twrment  /  &  thys  peyne  &  woo 

At  Thebes  in  his  contre  /  as  I  seyde 

Vp-on  a  nyght  in  slepe  /  as  he  him  leyde  1384 

him  Jjou3t  how  J?at  /  the  wynged  god  Mercuric 

Byforn  him  stod  /  &  bad  him  to  be  merie 

his  slepy  yerde  /  in  honde  he  bar  vp-right 

An  hatte  he  wered  /  vp-on  his  heris  bright  1388 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  41 

Arrayed  was  f  is  god  /  as  I  tok  kepe 

As  he  was  /  whan  Argus  /  toke  his  slepe 

And  seide  him  thus  /  to  Athenes  shalt  fou  wende 

There  is  the  shapen  /  of  thy  woo  an  ende  1392 

II  (*}  And  with  that  word  /  Arcite  woke  and  stirt 

Now  trewely  /  how  sore  fat  me  smert 

Quod  he  /  to  Athenes  /  right  now  wyl  I  fare 

Ne  for  the  drede  of  deth  /  I  wyl  nat  spare  1396 

To  se  my  lady  /  whom  fat  I  loue  and  serue 

In  hire  presence  /  I  rekke  noujt  /  though"  I  sterue 

And  vfiih  fat  word  /  he  caught  a  gret  Myrour 

And  saw  /  fat  chaunged  was  al  his  colour  1400 

And  saw  his  visage  /  al  in  an  ofer  kynde 

And  right  a-non  /  it  ran  him  in  his  mynde 

That  sithe  his  face  /  was  so  disfigured 

Of  maladye  /  that  he  had  endured  1404 

He  myght  wele  jeue  /  that  he  bare  hym  lowe 

Lyue  in  Athenes  /  eueremore  vnknowe 

And  sen  his  lady  /  wel  ny  day  by  day 

And  right  a-non  /  he  chaunged  his  array  1408 

And  clad  him  /  as  a  pore  laborere 

And  al  a-lone  /  saue  oonly  a  squyere 

That  knew  his  preuyte  /  and  al  his  cas 

which  was  disgysed  /  porely  as  he  was  1412 

To  a  Athenes  is  he  gon  /  the  next  wey 

And  to  the  court  /  he  com  on  a  dey 

And  at  the  gate  /  he  profred  his  seruyse 

To  drugge  and  drawe  /  what  men  wold  deuyse  [if.  20]  1416 

And  shortly  of  this  matere  /  for  to  seyn 

He  fel  in  office  /  with  a  Chaumberleyn 

The  which  fat  dwellyng  was  /  with  Emelye 

ffor  he  was  wys  /  and  coude  sone  espie  1420 

Of  euery  seruaunt  /  which  fat  serueth  hire 

wel  coude  he  hewe  /  wode  /  and  water  here 

ffor  he  was  jong  &  myghty  /  for  f  e  nones 

And  ther-to  he  was  long  /  and  bygge  of  bones  1424 


42      GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

To  don  fat  ony  wygfrt  /  can  him  deuyse 

A  jere  or  two  /  lie  was  in  this  seruyse 

Page  of  the  chaumbre  /  of  Emelye  the  bryght 

And  Philostrate  he  seide  /  that  he  hignt  1428 

But  half  so  wel  hyloued  a  man  /  as  he 

Ne  was  fere  neuere  in  courte  /  of  his  degre 

he  was  so  gentil  /  of  condicioim 

That  forugh~-ou3t  al  fe  court  /  was  his  renoura  1432 

They  seiden  fat  it  were  /  a  charite 

That  Theseus  wold  /  enhaunce  his  degre 

And  putten  hi?»  /  in  worshipful  seruyse 

There  as  he  mygfit  /  his  vertue  exercise  1436 

And  thus  witfe-Inne  a  while  /  his  name  is  spronge 

Both  of  his  dedes  /  and  his  goode  tonge 

That  Theseus  hath  taken  him  /  so  nere 

That  of  his  chaumbre  /  he  mad  him  a  squyere  1440 

And  $af  him  gold  /  to  meyntene  his  degree 

And  eke  men  broujt  him  /  oujt  of  his  contre 

ffrom  $ere  to  $ere  /  ful  preuyly  his  rent 

But  honestly  &  slily  /  he  it  spent  1444 

That  no  man  wondrede  /  how  fat  he  it  hadde 

And  thre  $ere  in  this  wyse  /  his  lyf  he  ladde 

And  bar  him  so  in  pees  /  and  eke  in  werre 

There  was  no  man  /  fat  Theseus  hath  derre  1448 

IT  fa  And  in  this  blisse  /  lete  I  now  Arcite 

And  speke  I  wyl  of  Palamon  /  a  lyte 

In  derknesse  and  orrible  /  and  strong  prison 

This  seuene  $er  /  hath  seten  Palamon  1452 

ff or-pyned  /  what  for  woo  /  and  for  distresse 

who  feleth  double  soor  /  and  heuynesse 

But  Palamon  /  fat  loue  distreyneth  so 

That  wod  ou^t  of  his  wytte  /  he  goth  for  woo  1456 

And  eke  ther-to  /  he  is  a  prisonere 

Perpetuelly  /  nought  oonly  for  a  ^ere 

IT  fo  who  coude  ryme  /  in  englyssh  proprely     [leaf  20,  back] 

hys  martirdom  /  by  god  it  am  nat  I  1460 


GROUP  A.     §  2.    KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  43 

Therfore  I  passe  /  as  lightly  as  I  may 

It  fel  /  that  in  the  /  vij  /  $ere  /  in  May 

The  thridde  nyght  /  as  olde  bokes  seyn 

That  al  this  storie  /  tellen  more  pleyn  1464 

were  it  by  auentwre  /  or  destyne 

As  whan  a  J>ing  is  shapen  /  it  shal  be  .IT  verum  est 

That  sone  after  the  mydnyght  /  Palamon 

Be  helpyng  of  a  frende  /  brake  his  prison  1468 

And  fleeth  the  Citee  /  as  fast  as  he  may  go 

ffor  he  had  jeue  /  his  layler  drynke  so 

Of  Clarry  /  mad  of  a  certeyn  wyne  1471 

\fith  Nerkotikes  and  opye  /  of  Thebes  fyne  If  Opiu?» 

TllG* 

That  al  )>at  nyght  /  J>ough  )>at  men  wold  him  shake 


The  layler  slep  so  /  he  mygfit  nou^t  wake 

II  (J)  And  thus  he  fleeth  /  as  fast  as  euere  he  may 

The  nyght  was  short  /  and  fast  by  the  day  1476 

That  nedes  cost  /  he  must  him  seluen  hyde 

And  to  a  groue  /  fast  there  besyde 

•with  dredful  fote  /  than  walketh  Palamon 

ffor  shortly  /  this  was  his  oppinyon  1480 

That  in  fat  groue  /  he  wold  him  hyde  al  day 

And  in  the  nygfit  /  pan  wold  he  take  his  wey 

To  Thebes  ward  /  his  frendes  for  to  pray 

On  Theseus  to  helpen  him  /  to  werrey  1484 

And  shortly  /  eife?-  he  wold  lese  hise  lyf 

On  wynnen  Emelye  /  vn-to  his  wyf 

This  is  J>e  effect  /  and  his  entent  pleyn 

U  (gj  Now  wyl  I  twrne  /  to  Arcite  a-geyn  1488 

That  litel  wyst  /  how  ny  J>at  was  his  care 

Til  J>at  fortune  /  had  brought  him  in  pe  snare 

The  besy  larke  /  the  messanger  of  day 

Saleweth  in  hir  song  /  the  morwe  gray  1492 

And  verray  Phebus  /  riseth  vp  so  brygfct 

That  al  J>e  orient  /  laugheth  of  J>e  light 

And  vfith  hise  stremes  /  drieth  in  the  greues 

The  siluer  dropes  /  hangyng  on  the  leues  1496 


44    GROUP  A.    §  2.    KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  &  Egerton. 

And  Arcite  fat  is  /  in  the  court  rial 
with  Theseus  /  the  squyer  principal 
ys  rysen  and  loketh  /  on  the  mery  day 
And  for  to  don  /  his  obseruaurace  to  May  1500 

Kemembryng  on  J)e  poynt  /  of  his  desyre 
He  on)  a  courser  stertlyng  as  the  fire 
Is  ryden  in-to  the  feldes  hym  to  pley 
Out  of  fe  court  were  it  a  myle  or  twey  1504 

And  to  the  groue  of  which"  that  I  you  told 
By  auenture  his  wey  he  gan  hold 
To  maken  him  a  gerlond  of  f  e  greues 
Were  it  of  wodebynd  or  hathorn)  leues  1 508 

And  lowde  he  song  ayein  the  son)  shene 
May  wit/i  aH  thy  floures  and  Jjy  grene 
Welcome  be  f  ow  feire  fressh"  May 

In  hope  that  I  som)  grene  gete  may  1512 

And  from  his  courser  wz't7t  a  lusty  hert 
In-to  the  grove  furl  hastely  he  stert 
And  in  a  path"  he  rometh"  vp  and  doun) 
There  as  by  auenture  this  palamon)  1516 

Was  in  a  bussh"  fat  no  man  might  hiwt  se 
ffor  sore  aferde  of  his  detfi  than  was  he 
No  thing  knewe  he  fat  it  was  Arcite 
God  wote  he  wold  haue  trowed  it  fuH  lyte       [leaf  20]  1520 
But  soth"  is  seide  gone  seth"  ys  many  yeres 
That  felde  hath"  yen)  and  wode  hath"  eres 
It  is  fuH  feire  a  man  to  bere  hym  even) 
ffor  all  day  meteth"  men  at  vnset  steven)  1524 

ffuH  liteH  wote  Arcite  of  his  felawe 
That  was  so  ny  to  herken  aH  his  sawe 
ffor  in  this  bussh"  he  sitteth  now  fuH  stylle 
Whan  fat  Arcite  hade  romed  aH  his  fylle  1528 

And  songen  aH  the  roundeH  lustely 
In-to  a  stody  he  felle  so  sodeinly 
As  done  thise  louers  in  her  queint  geres 
Now  in  the  crop  now  in  the  breres  1532 

[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726.        45 

Now  vp  now  doun)  as  boket  in  a  weli 
Eight  as  J>e  friday  sothly  for  to  teH 
Now  yt  shineth"  now  it  reyneth"  fast 

Eight  so  caan  gery  venus  ouer-cast  1536 

The  hertes  of  hir  folk  right  as  hir  day 
Is  geer-fuH  right  so  chaungeth"  she  array 
Selde  is  the  friday  aH  the  woke  lyke 
Whan  that  Arcite  hade  songe  he  gan  to  syke  1540 

And  set  him  doun)  wit/i-outen  ony  more 
Alias  qwod  he  that  day  fat  I  was  bore 
How  longe  luno  thurgh"  thy  cruelte 
WyH  J>ou  weren  Thebes  the  Cite  1544 

Alias  ybrought  is  to  confusion) 
The  blode  ryatt  of  Cadme  and  amphion) 
Of  Cadmus  which"  that  was  the  first  man 
That  Thebes  bylde  or  first  the  toun)  began  1548 

And  of  )>e  Cite  first  was  crowned  Kyng 
Of  his  lynage  am  I  and  his  of-spring 
By  verray  lyne  as  of  the  stok  roiaH 
And  now  I  am  so  kaytyfd  and  so  thraH  1552 

That  he  that  is  my  mortaH  enemy 
I  seme  him  as  his  squier  pourely 
And  yit  doth"  luno  me  wel  more  shame 
I  dare  nat  by  know  myn)  owen  name  1556 

But  there  as  I  was  wont  to  hight  Arcite 
Now  hight  I  philostrate  nat  worth"  a  mite 
Alias  ]?ow  felt  mars  alias  luno 

Thus  hath"  your  Ire  ali  our  lynage  for-do    [leaf  20,  back]  1560 
Saue  only  me  and  wrecched  Palamon) 
That  Theseus  martiretfr  in  his  prison) 
And  ouer  aH  this  to  sle  me  outerly 

Loue  hath  his  verry  dart  so  brennyngly  1564 

Isteked  thurgh"  my  trewe  carefuH  hert 
That  shapen  was  my  dethe  erst  er  my  shert 
Ye  sle  me  with  your  yeen  Emelye 

Ye  been  the  cause  wherfore  that  I  dye  1568 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


46    GROUP  A.     §  2.    KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726. 

Of  att  J?e  remenaunt  of  myn  other  care 
Ne  set  I  nat  the  mountance  of  a  tare 
So  that  I  koude  do  ought  to  your  plesance 
And  with  that  word  he  felle  doun)  in  a  trance  1572 

A  long  tyme  and  afterward  he  vp  sterte 
This  palamon)  that  thoght  that  thurgh"  his  hert 
He  felt  a  cold  swerd  sodeinly  glyde 
ffor  Ire  he  quoke  no  longer  wold  he  byde  1576 

And  whan  that  he  hade  herde  Arcites  tale 
As  he  were  wode  wiik  face  dede  and  pale 
He  stert  hym  vp  out  of  the  buskes  thykke 
And  seide  Arcite  fals  tray  tour  wykke  1580 

Now  art  J>ou  hent  JJQW  louest  my  lady  so 
ffor  whom  that  I  haue  aH  this  peyn)  and  wo 
And  art  my  blode  and  to  my  counseiH  sworn) 
As  I  fuH  oft  haue  told  the  here  byforn)  1584 

And  hast  beiaped  here  duk  theseus 
And  falsly  chaunged  hast  fow  J>y  name  thus 
I  woH  be  dede  or  elles  Jjow  shalt  dye 
Thow  shalt  nat  loue  my  lady  Emelye  1588 

But  I  woH  loue  hir  onely  and  no  mo 
ffor  I  am  palamon)  thy  mortaH  fo 
And  pough  fat  I  no  wepen  haue  in  this  place 
But  out  of  prison)  am  stert  by  grace  1592 

I  drede  nat  that  other  J>ow  shalt  dye 
Or  Jiou  ne  shalt  nat  loven  Emelye 
Chese  which  JJGU  wolt  or  Jjou  shalt  nat  sterte 
This  Arcite  with  fuH  dispitous  hert  1596 

Whan  he  hym  knewe  and  hade  his  tale  herde 
As  fers  as  a  lyon)  pulled  out  his  swerde 
And  seide  thus  by  god  that  sittetft  aboue 
Nere  it  that  ]?ou  art  seke  and  wode  for  loue      [leaf  21]  1600 
And  eke  that  thow  no  wepen  hast  in  this  place 
Thow  shuldest  neuere  out  of  this  greue  pace 
That  thow  ne  sholdest  dyen  of  my  honde 
ffor  I  desire  the  seurtee  and  the  bonde  1604 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726.       47 

Which"  fat  fou  seist  Jmt  I  haue  made  to  the 

What  verray  fole  thinke  wele  that  loue  is  fre 

And  I  woU  loue  hir  maugre  aH  thy  might 

But  for  as  moch"  as  thow  art  a  knight  1608 

And  wilnest  to  darreyn  hir  by  bataiH 

Haue  here  my  treuthe  to-morowe  I  wyH  nat  fayH 

With-out  wetyng  of  ony  other  wight 

That  here  I  woH  be  founde  as  a  knight  1612 

And  bryngen  harneys  righ"  ynough"  for  the 

And  chese  the  best  and  leue  the  werst  for  me 

And  mete  and  drynke  this  night  woH  I  bryng 

Ynogh"  for  the  and  clothes  for  thy  beddyng  1616 

And  yf  so  be  that  J>ow  my  lady  wynne 

And  sle  me  in  the  wode  there  I  am  Inne 

Thow  maist  wele  haue  thy  lady  as  for  me 

This  palamon)  answerd  and  seide  I  graunte  yt  the      1620 

And  thus  they  ben  departed  tyH  a  morowe 

"Whan  ech"  of  hem  hade  leyde  his  feythe  to  borowe 

Ocupide  out  of  aH  charite 
0  reigne  fat  wilt  no  felawe  haue  with  the        1624 
ffuH  soth"  is  seide  that  loue  ne  lordship 
"Witt  nat  hir  thankes  haue  no  felawship 
Wele  fynden  that  Arcite  and  palamon) 
Arcite  is  ryden  anone  vn-to  the  toun)  1628 

And  on  J>e  morow  er  yt  were  dayes  light 
ffuH  priuely  ij.  harneys  hathe  he  dight 
Buth"  suffisant  and  mete  to  darreyne 

The  bataitt  in  the  feld  bitwex  he?ra  tweyne  1632 

And  on  his  hors  alone  as  he  was  born) 
he  carieth"  aH  this  harneys  him  byforn) 
And  in  the  grove  at  tyme  and  place  yset 
This  Arcite  and  palamon)  ben  met  1636 

They  gan  to  chaunge  colour  in  her  face 
Eight  as  the  hunters  in  the  reigne  of  trace 
That  stonden  at  the  gap  with  a  spere 
Whan  hunted  is  the  lyon)  or  the  here          [leaf  21,  back]  1640 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


48     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726. 

And  heretfe  hym  come  russhing  in  the  greves 
And  breketh  both  bowes  and  the  leves 
A  thinketfi  here  comth"  my  mortali  enemy 
wi't/touten  fayle  he  mote  be  dede  or  I  1644 

ffor  outher  I  mote  sle  hym  at  the  gap 
Or  he  mot  sle  me  yf  that  me  myshap 
So  ferden  they  in  chaungyng  of  her  hewe 
As  fer  us  euerych"  of  hem  other  knewe  1648 

There  was  no  gode  day  ne  no  saluyng 
But  streight  wit/tout  worde  or  rehersyng 
Euerycfr  of  hem  helpe  to  armen  other 
As  frendely  as  he  were  his  owen  brother  1652 

And  after  that  wa't/i  sharpe  speres  strong 
They  foynen  ecch"  at  other  wonder  long 
Thow  myghtest  wene  that  this  palamon) 
In  his  fightyng  were  a  wode  lyon)  1656 

And  as  a  crueH  tygre  was  Arcite 
As  wylde  bores  gan  they  smyte 
That  frothen  white  as  fome  for  ire  wode 
Vp  to  the  Ancles  fyght  they  in  her  blode  1660 

And  in  this  wyse  I  lete  hew  fightyng  dweH 
And  forthe  of  theseus  I  witi  you  teli 
The  desteny  ministre  general! 

That  executeth"  in  the  world  oner  &R  1664 

The  pwrueaunce  that  god  hath"  seyn)  byforn) 
So  stronge  it  is  that  though"  pe  werld  hade  sworn) 
The  contrary  of  a  thing  by  yee  and  nay 
Yit  somtyme  yt  shali  fallen  on  a  day  1668 

That  falleth"  nat  est  within,  a  M*  yere 
ffor  certeinly  our  appetites  here 
Be  it  of  werre  or  pees  or  hate  or  loue 
AH:  is  this  rewled  by  the  sight  aboue  1672 

This  meyne  I  now  by  mighty  Theseus 
That  for  to  hunten  ys  so  desirous 
And  namely  at  the  grete  hert  in  May 
That  in  his  bed  fere  daweth  hym  no  day  1676 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.    KNIGHT'S  TALE.    Egerton  2726.       49 

That  he  nys  cladde  /  and  rcdy  for  to  ride 
•with  hunt  and  horn)  and  houndes  him  besyde 
ffor  in  his  huntyng  hath"  he  soch"  delite 
That  yt  is  aH  his  ioy  and  appetit  [leaf  22]  1680 

To  ben  him  self  the  grete  hertes  bane 
And  after  Mars  he  semeth  now  diane 
Clere  was  the  day  as  I  haue  tolde  or  this 
And  Theseus  with"  aH  ioy  and  blis  1684 

With"  his  ypolita  the  feir1  quene 
And  Emely  clothed  aH  in  grene 
On)  huntyng  be  they  riden  rially 

And  to  the  groue  that  stode  fuH  fast  by  1688 

In  which,  there  was  an  hert  as  men  him  told 
Duk  Theseus  streight  the  wey  hath  hold 
And  to  the  lauiide  he  rideth"  hym  fuH  right 
ffor  theder  was  the  hert  wont  haue  his  flight  1692 

And  ouer  a  broke  and  so  forth"  on)  his  way 
This  duk  woH  haue  a  cours  at  hym  or  twey 
with  soch  as  that  hym  lyst  comaunde 
And  whan  this  duk  was  com  vn-to  the  launde  1696 

Vnder  the  sonne  he  lokketh  and  anon) 
He  was  ware  of  Arcite  and  palamon) 
That  foughten  breme  as  it  were  bores  two 
The  bright  swerdes  wenten  to  and  fro  1 700 

So  hidously  that  with  the  lest  stroke 
yt  seined  as  yt  wold  felle  an  oke 
But  what  they  were  no  thing  he  ne  wote 
This  duk  his  courser  with"  the  spores  smote  1704 

And  at  a  stert  he  was  bitwex  hem  two 
And  pulled  out  a  swerde  and  cried  ho 
Noniore  vp-on)  peyne  of  lesyng  of  your  hede 
By  mighty  Mars  he  shaH  anone  be  dede  1708 

That  smyteth  ony  stroke  fat  I  may  seen 
But  telleth.  me  what  mister  men  ye  been 
That  ben  so  hardy  for  to  fighten  here 
wit/i-outen  luge  of  other  officere  1712 

[This  page,  Egertou  2726.]  E 


50    GUOUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726. 

As  it  were  in  a  listes  roially 
This  palainon)  auswerd  hastely 
And  seide  sire  what  nedeth"  wordes  mo 
We  han  deserued  the  deth  both  two  1716 

Two  wofuH  wrecches  ben  we  and  caytyfes 
That  ben  encombred  of  our  owen  lyfes 
And  as  )>ou  art  a  rightfuH  lord  and  iuge 
Ne  ye ve  vs  nother  mercy  ne  refuge  [leaf  22,  bock]  1720 

But  sle  me  first  for  seint  charitee 
But  sle  my  felawe  eke  as  wele  as  me 
Or  sle  hym  first  for  thogh  pou  know  it  lyte 
This  is  thy  mortaH  fo  this  is  Arcite      .  1724 

That  fro  thy  lond  is  banesshed  on)  his  hede 
ffor  which"  he  hath"  deserued  to  be  dede 
ffor  this  is  he  that  came  vn-to  thy  yate 
And  seide  that  he  hight  philostrate  1728 

Thus  hath  he  iaped  Jje  fuH  many  a  yere 
And  Jjou  hast  maked  hym  thy  chief  squiere 
And  this  is  he  that  loueth"  Emely 

ffor  seth"  the  day  is  come  that  I  shaB  dey  1 732 

I  make  pleinly  my  confession) 
That  I  am  thyk  wofuH  palamon) 
That  hath  thy  prison)  broken  wykkedly 
I  am  thy  mortaH  fo  and  yit  am  !•  1736 

That  loueth  so  hote  Emelye  the  bright 
That  I  wiH  dien  presens  in  hir  sight 
Wherfore  I  ax  deth  and  my  iuwyse 
But  sle  my  felawe  in  the  same  wyse  1740 

ffor  both  haue  we  deserued  to  be  sleyu) 
This  worthy  duk  answerd  anone  ayein 
And  seide  this  is  a  short  conclusyon) 
your  owen  inouthe  by  your  confessyon)  1744 

Hath  dampned  yow  and  I  woH  it  recorde 
Yt  nedeth"  nought  to  pyne  you  viii/t  the  corde 
Ye  shaH  be  dede  by  mighty  Mars  the  rede 
The  quene  anone  for  verry  wommanhede  1748 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726.       51 

Gan  for  to  wepe  and  so  did  Emelye 
And  aH  the  ladyes  in  the  cumpanye 
Grete  pite  was  yt  as  yt  thoght  hem  aH 
That  ever  socfi  a  chaunce  shold  faH  1752 

ffor  genteH  men  they  were  of  grete  astate 
And  no  thing  but  for  loue  was  this  debate 
And  saugh"  her  blody  woundes  wyde  and  sore 
And  aH  cry  den  both"  las  and  more  1756 

Haue  mercy  lord  vpon  vs l  wemen  aH         ['  vs  overlive] 
And  on)  her  bare  knees  adoun)  they  faH 
And  wold  haue  kist  his  fete  there  as  he  stode 
TiH:  at  the  last  aslaked  was  his  mode  pear  23]  1760 

ffor  pitee  renneth  sone  in  genteH  herte 
And  J>ough~  he  first  for  Ire  quoke  and  sterte 
He  hath"  considred  shortly  in  a  clause 
The  trespas  of  hem  both"  and  eke  the  cause  1764 

And  aH  though  that  his  Ire  her  gilt  accused 
yit  in  his  reason)  he  hem  both  excused 
As  thus  he  thought  wele  that  euery  man 
woH  help  hym  self  in  loue  yf  that  he  can  1768 

And  deliuere  hyin  self  out  of  prison) 
And  eke  his  hert  hade  compassion) 
Of  wommen  for  they  wepen  euery  in  one 
And  in  his  gentle  hert  he  fought  anone     [««« by  corrector] 
And  softe  vn-to  hym  self  he  seide  fye  1773 

Vp-on)  a  lord  that  woH  haue  no  mercy 
But  ben  a  lyon)  both  in  worde  and  dede 
To  hem  that  ben  in  repentaunce  and  drede  1776 

As  wele  as  to  a  proude  dispitous  man 
That  woH  maintene  that  he  first  bygan 
That  lord  hath  liteH  of  discrecion) 

That  in  soch  cas  can  no  deuysion)  1780 

But  weyeth  pride  and  humbles  after  one 
And  shortly  whan  his  Ire  ys  thus  agone 
He  gan  to  loken  Vp  vrith  yeen)  light 
And  spak  thise  same  wordes  aH  on)  hight  1784 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


52    GROUP  A.    §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726. 

The  god  of  loue  a  benedicite 
How  mighty  and  how  grete  a  lord  is  he 
Ayeinst  his  might  there  geynetfi  none  obstacles 
He  may  be  cleped  a  god  for  his  miracles  1788 

ffor  he  kan  maken  at  his  owen  gyse 
Of  eueryche  hert  as  that  him  lust  deuyse 
Lo  here  this  Arcite  and  this  palamon) 
That  quikly  were  out  of  my  preson)  1792 

And  might  haue  leved  in  Thebes  roially 
And  weten  fat  I  am  her  mortaH  enemy 
And  that  her  deth"  lietfi  in  my  might  also 
And  yit  hath"  loue  maugre  her  yen)  two  1796 

Brought  hem  hider  both"  for  to  dye 
Now  loketh"  is  nat  that  an  hie  folye 
Who  may  ben  a  fole  but  yf  he  loue 
By  hold  for  goddes  sake  that  sittetfi  aboue  1800 

See  how  they  blede  be  they  nat  wele  arayed    Deaf  as,  back] 
Thus  hath  her  lord  the  god  of  loue  payed 
Her  wages  and  her  fees  for  her  seruice 
And  yit  they  wenen  for  to  been  fuH  wyse  1804 

That  seruen  loue  for  ought  that  may  faH 
But  this  ys  yit  the  best  game  of  aH 

That  she  for  whom  they  han  this  iolyte  1807 

Konne  hem  ferfore1  as  moche  thanke  as  me  [>  Jxsifore  owiine] 
She  wote  na  more  of  aH  this  hote  fare 
By  god  than  wote  a  Cokkow  or  an  hare 
But  att  mote  ben  assayed  hote  and  colde 
A  man  mote  be  a  fole  outlier  yong  or  olde  1812 

I  wote  yt  by  my  self  fuH  yore  agone 
ffor  in  my  tyme  a  seruaunt  was  I  one 
And  therfore  sen  I  know  of  loves  peyne 
And  wote  how  sore  he  kan  a  man  destreyne  1816 

As  he  that  hath  be  caught  oft  in  his  laas 
I  yow  foryeve  aH  holy  this  trespaas 
At  request  of  the  quene  that  kneletfi  here 
And  eke  of  Emely  my  suster  dere  1820 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.    §  2.    KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726.       53 

And  ye  shaH  both  anone  vn-to  me  swere 

That  neuer  mo  ye  shaH  my  cuntrey  dere 

Ne  make  werre  vp  on  me  night  ne  day 

But  be  my  frendes  in  aH  that  ye  may  1824 

I  you  foryeve  this  trespase  eue/ydele 

And  they  hym  sworen  his  askyng  feire  and  wele 

And  hym  of  lordship  and  mercy  preyde 

And  hem  graunteth"  grace  and  than  he  seyde  1828 

To  speke  of  royaH  lynage  and  richesse 

Though"  that  she  were  a  quene  or  a  princesse 

Ecch"  of  you  both"  is  worthy  doutles 

To  wedden  whan  tyme  is  but  natheles  1832 

I  speke  as  for  my  suster  Emelye 

ffor  whom  ye  haue  this  stryfe  and  ielousye 

Ye  wote  your  self  she  may  nat  wedden  two 

At  ones  thougn"  ye  fighten  euermo  1836 

That  one  of  you  aft  be  hym  loth"  or  leef 

He  mot  gO  pype  in  an  Ivy  leef        [line «'»  margin,  by  corrector'] 

This  is  to  seyn)  she  may  nat  now  haue  both" 
Att  be  you  neuer  so  ielous  ne  so  wrothe  1840 

And  for-thy  I  you  put  in  this  degree 
That  ecch  of  you  shaB  haue  his  destenye          [leaf  at] 
As  hym  is  shape  and  herkeneth"  in  what  wyse 
lo  here  your  ende  of  that  I  shaH  devyse  1844 

My  will  is  this  for  plat  conclusyon) 
Witfr-out  ony  replicacyon) 
Yf  that  you  liketh"  take  it  for  the  best 
That  eue?ycli  of  you  shaH  gone  where  hym  lest  1848 

ffrely  with-outen  raunsouw  or  daunger 
And  this  day  .L.  wekes  fer  ne  neij 
Euerycfi.  of  you  shaH  bryng  an  C.  knightes 
Armed  for  lystes  vp  at  aH  rigfrtes  1852 

AH  redy  to  darreyne  her  bataiH 
And  this  byhote  I  you  wat/touten  fayle 
Vp-on)  my  trewth"  and  as  I  am  a  knight 
That  whether  of  you  both  that  hath"  might  1856 

[This  page,  Egortou  2726.] 


54     GROUP  A.     §  2.    KNIGHT'S  TALE.    Egerton  2726. 

This  is  to  seyn)  that  whether  he  or  thow 

May  with  his  .C.  as  I  spake  of  now 

Sleen  his  contrarye  or  out  of  lystes  dryve 

Than  shaH  I  yeve  Emelye  to  wyve  1860 

To  whom  that  fortune  yeveth"  so  feire  a  grace 

The  lystes  shaft  I  maken  in  this  place 

And  god  so  wysly  on)  my  soule  rewe 

As  I  shaH  even  luge  been  and  trewe  1864 

Ye  shaH  none  other  ende  \vith  me  maken 

Jjat  that  one  of  you  ne  shatt  be  dede  or  taken 

And  you  think  that  this  be  wele  ysayde 

Seith"  your  avys  and  holdeth"  yow  apayde  1868 

This  is  your  ende  and  your  conclusyon) 

Who  loketh"  lightly  now  but  palamon) 

Who  spryngeth"  for  ioy  but  Arcite 

Who  kouth"  telle  or  who  kouth"  it  endite  1872 

The  ioy  that  is  maked  in  the  place 

Whan  Theseus  hath"  done  so  feire  a  grace 

But  doun)  on)  knees  went  eue?y  mane?-  wight 

And  thonked  him  vrith  aH  her  hert  and  might  1876 

And  namely  the  Thebans  oft  sythe 

And  thus  vrtih  gode  hope  and  hert  blythe 

They  take  her  leve  and  homeward  gon)  they  ryde 

To  Thebes  vriih  his  olde  walles  wyde  1880 

[PART  HI.     No  gap  in  the  MS.] 

i     trowe  men  wolde  deme  yt  necgligence 
Yf  I  f oryete  to  tellen  the  dispence  [leaf  2*,  back] 

Of  Theseus  that  gothe  so  besely 

That  maken  vp  the  lystes  roially  1884 

That  soch"  a  noble  teatre  as  yt  was 
I  dare  wele  seyn  in  this  world  there  nas 
The  circuite  a  myle  was  aboute 

Walled  of  stone  and  dyched  aH  wt't/i-oute  1888 

Rounde  was  the  shap  in  manere  of  a  compaas 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.    Egerton  2726.       55 

ffuH  of  degrees  the  height  of  .Ix.  paas 

That  whan  a  man  was  set  on)  o  degree 

He  letted  nat  his  felaw  for  to  see  1892 

Estward  there  stode  a  gate  of  marbyH  white 

Westward  right  soch  an  other  in  the  opposyte 

And  shortly  to  concluden  socfi  a  place 

Was  none  in  erthe  as  in  so  liteH  a  space  1896 

ffor  in  the  londe  there  was  no  crafty  man 

That  geometrye  or  ars  metryk  can 

Ne  portreyour  ne  kerver  of  ymages 

That  Theseus  ne  yaf  mete  and  wages  1900 

The  teatre  for  to  maken  and  devyse 

And  for  to  done  his  right  and  sacrifise 

He  Estward  hath  vp  on  the  gate  aboue 

In  worshippe  of  venus  goddes  of  loue  1904 

Done  made  an  Awter  and  an  oratorye 

And  westward  in  memorie 

Of  Mars  he  hath"  maked  soch"  an  other 

That  cost  largely  of  gold  a  fother  1908 

And  Northward  in  a  Toret  on  the  waH 

Of  Alabastre  white  and  rede  coraH 

An  oratorye  riche  for  to  see 

In  worshippe  of  Dyane  the  chastitee  1912 

Hath  Theseus  done  wrought  in  a  noble  wyse 

But  yit  hade  I  forgeten  to  deuyse 

The  noble  kervyng  and  the  purtratures 

The  shape  the  countenance  and  the  figures  1916 

That  weren  in  thise  oratories  thre 

ffirst  in  the  temple  of  venus  maist  pou  se 

wroght  on  the  waH  fuH  pitous  to  be-holde 

The  broken  slepes  and  the  sigfies  colde  1920 

The  sacred  teres  and  the  weymentyng 

The  verey  strokes  of  the  desiryng  [leaf  25] 

That  loue  semauntes  in  this  lyf  enduren 

The  othes  that  her  couenauntes  assuren  1924 

Plesaunce  and  hope  desire  futt  hardynes 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


56    GROUP  A.    §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.    Egerton  &  Dd. 

Beaute  youth  bawdrye  and  riches 

Charmes  and  force  lesynges  flaterie 

Dispence  besynes  and  ielousye  1928 

That  wered  of  yelow  gooldes  a  garland 

And  a  cukkow  sittyng  on)  hir  hand 

ffeestes  instrumentes  caroles  daunces  [Eg.  ends.]  1931 

Lust  and  array  /  and  alle  the  circumstaunces  [Dd.  begins,  if.  26J 

Of  loue  /  which  j>at  I  rekened  /  and  reken  shalle 

Be  ordre  weren  peynted  /  on  the  walle 

And  moo  than  I  can  make  of  /  mention 

ffor  sothly  /  al  the  Mount  of  Sytheron  1936 

There  venus  hath  /  hire  p?incipal  dwellyng 

was  shewed  on  the  wal  /  in  portraiyng 

with  al  the  gardeyn  /  and  the  lustynesse 

Nat  was  for-jeten  /  the  porter  Idelnesse  1940 

Ke  Narsisus  /the  faire  /  of  jore  a-gon 

Ne  $et  the  folie  /  of  kyng  Salamon 

Ne  $et  the  gret  strengthe  /  of  Hercules 

The  enchauutement  /  of  Medea  and  Circes  1944 

Ne  of  Turnus  /  vfith  the  hardy  fiers  corage 

The  riche  Cresus  /  kaytif  in  semage 

1T  5)  Thus  may  $e  sen  /  J?at  wysdom  ne  richesse 

Beaute  ne  sleight  /  strengthe  hardynesse  1948 

Ne  may  with  venus  /  maken  champertye 

ffor  as  hire  lust  /  J>e  world  J>anne  may  she  gye 

loo  all  )>eise  folk  /  so  caught  were  in  hire  laas 

Til  they  for  woo  /  ful  often  seid  alias  1952 

1T  (5b  Siiffisith  here  /  ensamples  on  or  two 

And  jet  I  koude  reken  /  a  M*  /  mo 

The  statute  of  venus  /  glorious  for  to  se 

was  naked  /  fletyng  in  the  large  see  1956 

And  fro  the  nauyl  doun  /  al  couered  was 

with  waughes  grene  /  &  bright  as  eny  glas 

A  Citole  /  in  hire  right  hand  /  had  she 

And  on  hire  hede  /  ful  semely  for  to  se  1960 

A  Rose  garlond  /  fressh  &  wel  smellyng 

[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.    KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  57 

A-bouen  hire  hede  /  hire  dowes  flekeryng 

Biforn  hire  stod  /  hir  sone  Cupido 

Vp-on  hise  shuldres  /  wynges  had  he  two  1964 

And  blynd  he  was  /  as  it  is  oft  sene 

A  bo  we  he  bar  /  and  arwes  bright  &  kene 

IT  fo  why  shuld  I  nat  eke  /  as  wel  telle  $ow  aH 

The  portrature  /  fat  was  vp-on  the  waH  1968 

with-Inne  the  temple  /  of  myghty  Mars  the  rede 

Al  peynted  was  the  wal  /  in  lengthe  &  brede 

lyke  to  the  Estres  /  of  the  grisly  place 

That  higfit  the  gret  temple  of  Mars  in  Trace  1972 

In  thilk  cold  frosty  /  region 

There  as  Mars  /  hath  his  souereigne  mansion       [leaf  26,  back] 

ffirst  on  the  wal  /  was  peynted  a  forest 

In  which"  there  dwelleth  /  neifer  man  ne  best  1976 

with  knotty  knarry  /  barreyne  trees  olde 

Of  stubbes  sharpe  /  and  hedous  to  byholde 

In  which"  there  ran  /  a  rombel  in  a  swough" 

As  though  a  storme  /  shulde  bresten  eue/y  bough       1980 

And  dounward  from  an  hille  /  vnder  a  bent 

There  stode  a  temple  /  of  Mars  Armypotent 

wrought  al  of  horned  stele  /  of  which"  the  entree 

was  long  and  streyt  /  and  gastly  for  to  se  1984 

U  And  bere-omt  cam  a  rage  /  and  swich  a  veae    If  id  est 

impetus 
That  it  mad  al  the  gate  /  for  to  rese 

The  northern  light  /  in  at  the  dores  shone 

ffor  wyndowe  on  the  wal  /  ne  was  fere  none  1988 

Thorugh"  which  men  myghten  /  eny  light  disceme 

The  dore  was  al  /  of  Athamant  eteme 

I-clenched  ouferthwert  /  and  endlong 

•with  Iren  tough  /  and  for  to  make  it  strong  1992 

Euery  piiler  /  the  temple  to  sustene 

was  tonne  gret  of  Iren  /  bright  &  shene 

1F  fo  There  saw  I  first  /  the  derk  ymagenynge 

Of  felonye  /  and  al  the  compassynge  1996 

The  cruel  /  Ire  /  red  as  eny  glede 


58     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALK.    Dd.  4.  24. 

The  pyke  purs  /  and  eke  the  pale  drede 

The  smylere  wz't/t  fe  knyf  /  vnder  the  cloke 

The  shippen  brennyng  /  vrith  the  blak  smoke  2000 

The  treson  of  the  morderynge  /  in  the  bedde 

The  open  werre  /  with  woundes  al  be-bledde 

Conteke  with  blody  knyf  /  and  sharp  manace 

Al  ful  of  chidyng  /  was  this  sory  place  2004 

The  sleere  of  him  self  /  $et  saugh"  I  there 

his  hert  blode  /  hath  bathed  al  his  heere 

The  nail  I-dreuen  /  in  the  shode  a-nyght 

The  colde  detfi  /  wz't/i  mouth  gapyng  vp-right  2008 

IT  (3)  A  myddes  of  the  temple  /  sat  myschaunce 

with  discomfort  /  &  sory  countenaunce 

3et  saugh  I  woodnes  /  laughyng  in  his  rage 

Armed  /  compleynt  /  ou3t-hees  /  &  fiers  outrage          2012 

The  careyne  in  J»e  bussfi  /  with  throte  koruen 

A  /  M*  /  sleyn  /  and  noujt  of  qualme  I-storuen 

The  teraunt  with  the  pray  /  by  force  I-raft 

The  Toun  destroied  /  fere  was  no  fing  I-laft  2016 

3et  saugh  I  brent  /  the  shippes  hoppesteres 

The  honte  strangelid  /  with  the  wylde  beres 

The  So  we  freetyng  the  child  /  right  in  the  Cradel      [leaf  27] 

The  koke  I-skaldede  /  for  al  his  longe  ladel  2020 

Nou^t  was  for-^eten  /  by  fe  infortune  of  Marte 

The  Cartere  ouer-ryden  /  with  his  carte 

Vnder  the  whele  /  ful  lowe  he  lay  a-doun 

There  were  also  /  of  Martes  deuysion  2024 

The  Barbour  /  and  the  Bocher  /  and  the  Smyth" 

That  forgeth  sharpe  swerdes  /  on  the  styth" 

IT  f^b  And  al  aboue  /  depeynted  in  a  Tour 

Saugh  I  conquest  /  sittyng  in  gret  honour  2028 

with  the  sharp  swerde  /  ouer  his  hede 

hangyng  /  by  a  sotel.  twyned  threde 

Depeynted  was  the  sla^ter  /  of  lulius 

Of  gret  Nero  /  and  of  Anthonius  2032 

Alle-be  fat  thilke  tyme  /  they  were  vnborii 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  59 

3et  was  here  deth"  /  depeynted  fere  biforn 

By  manassyng  of  Mars  /  right  be  figure 

So  was  it  shewed  /  in  that  portrature  2036 

As  is  depeynted  /  in  the  sertres  a-boue 

who  shal  be  slayn  /  or  elles  ded  for  loue 

Suffiseth  on  ensaumple  /  in  stories  olde 

I  may  nat  rekken  hem  alle  /  though  I  wolde  2040 

U  (5)  The  statute  of  Mars  /  vp  on  a  carte  stode 

Armed  and  loked  grym  /  as  he  were  wode 

And  ouer  his  hed  /  fere  shynen  two  figures 

Of  stories  /  fat  ben  cleped  /  in  scn'ptures  2044 

That  on  Puella  /  that  other  Kubeus 

This  god  of  armes  /  was  a-rayed  thus 

A  wolf  fere  stode  /  biforn  him  at  his  fete 

with  eyen  rede  /  and  of  a  man  he  ete  2048 

with  sotil  pencelles  /  was  depeynted  fis  storie 

In  redoutyng  of  Mars  /  &  of  his  glorie 

IT  fS)  Now  to  the  Temple  /  of  Diane  the  chaste 

As  shortly  as  I  can  /  I  wyl  me  haste  2052 

To  tellen  $ow  /  of  the  discnpcion 

Depeynted  by  the  walles  /  vp  and  doun 

Of  huntyng  /  and  of  shamefast  chastite 

There  saugh"  I  /  how  wooful  Calistope  2056 

whan  fat  Diane  /  a-greued  was  with  hire 

was  turned  fro  a  woraman  /  to  a  Beere 

and  aftir  was  she  mad  /  f  e  lode  sterre          IT  vrsa  maior 

Thus  was  it  peynted  /  I  can  sey  $ow  no  ferre  2060 

Hire  sone  is  eke  /  a  sterre  as  men  may  se 

There  saugh  I  Dane  /  turned  to  a  tre 

I  mene  nat  /  the  goddes  Diane 

But  Penneus  doughter  /  which"  fat  hight  Dane    [leaf  27,  back] 

There  saugh  I  Atheon  /  an  hert  I-maked  2065 

ffor  vengeaunce  fat  he  saugh  /  Diane  al  naked 

I  saw  how  fat  hise  houndes  /  han  him  caught 

And  fretyn  him  /  for  fat  fei  knew  him  naught  2068 

$et  peynted  was  /  a  litel  forthermore 


CO*     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

how  Atthalaunce  /  honted  the  wylde  bore 
And  Meleagre  /  and  many  an  other  moo 
ffor  which  /  Diane  /  wrou3t  hem  care  and  woo  2072 

There  saw  I  many  a  nojw  /  wonder  story 
The  which  me  list  nat  drawe  /  to  memory 
This  goddesse  on  an  hert  /  ful  heye  sette 
with  smale  houndes  /  al  a-boute  hire  fete  2076 

And  vndirnethe  hire  feet  /  she  had  a  Mono 
waxyng  it  was  /  &  shulde  vanysshe  sone 
In  gaude  grene  /  hire  stature  clothed  was 
\vith  bow  in  hond  /  and  arwes  in  a  cas  2080 

hire  eyen  cast  she  /  ful  lowe  a-doun 
There  Pluto  hath  /  his  derke  region 
A  wowman  trauaillyng  /  was  hire  biforn 
But  for  hire  child  /  so  longe  was  vn-born  2084 

fful  pytously  Lucyna  /  gan  she  calle 
And  seide  help  /  for  Jxm  maist  best  of  alle 
wel  coude  he  peynt  lifly  /  that  it  wrought 
•with  many  a  floreyn  /  he  the  hewes  bought  2088 

1T  (5)  Now  ben  theise  lystes  mad  /  and  Theseus 
That  at  his  gret  cost  /  arrayed  thus 
The  temples  /  and  the  teatre  euery  dele 
"Whan  it  was  don  /  him  liked  wonder  wele  2092 

But  stynte  I  wyl  /  of  Theseus  a  lyte 
And  speke  of  Palamon  /  and  of  Arcite 
IT  (5)  The  day  approcheth  /  of  here  returnynge 
That  eue?ych  shulde  /  an  /  C  /  knyghtis  brynge         2096 
The  bataylle  to  darreyne  /  as  I  jow  told 
And  to  Athenes  /  here  couenawnt  for  to  hold 
hath  euerych  of  hem  /  brought  an  /  C  /  knygfites 
wel  armed  for  the  werre  /  at  alle  rightes  2100 

And  sekerly  /  there  trowed  many  a  man 
That  neuere  sithen  /  fat  the  world  bygan 
As  for  to  speke  /  of  knyghthod  of  here  hond 
As  fer  as  god  hath  maked  /  see  and  lond  2104 

of  so  fewe  /  so  noble  a  companye 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  Gl 

ffor  euerych  wyght  /  fat  loued  cheualrye 

And  wold  his  thankes  /  han  a  passaunt  name 

Hath  preyed  fat  he  myght  /  ben  of  that  game  [leaf  28]  2108 

And  wel  was  him  /  that  ther-to  chosen  was 

ffor  if  there  fel  /  to-morwen  swich  a  kaas 

3e  knowen  wele  /  that  euery  lusty  knyght 

That  loueth"  paramours  /  and  hath  his  myght  2112 

Were  it  in  Engelond  /  or  elles  where 

They  wolde  here  thankes  /  wyllen  to  be  there 

To  fighten  for  a  lady  /  benedicite 

It  were  a  lusty  sight  /  for  to  se  2116 

U  fa  And  right  so  ferden  they  /  with  Palamon 

with  him  there  went  /  knyghtes  many  on 

Some  wold  ben  armed  /  in  haberioun 

And  in  a  breestplate  /  and  a  light  lepoun  2120 

And  some  wold  haue  /  a  peyre  plates  large 

And  some  wold  haue  /  a  spruce  sheld  &  targe 

And  some  wold  ben  armed  /  on  hise  legges  wele 

And  haue  an  Ax  /  &  some  a  mace  of  stele  2124 

There  nys  no  newe  gyse  /  fat  it  nas  old 

Armed  were  they  /  as  I  haue  $ow  told 

Euerych  after  /  hise  opynion 

U  fe  There  maist  fou  se  /  comyng  wit/t  Palamon        2128 

lygurge  him  self  /  the  grete  kyng  of  Trace 

Blak  was  his  berd  /  and  manly  was  his  face 

The  sercles  of  hise  eyen  /  in  his  hede 

They  gloweden  /  betwix  ^elwe  &  rede  2132 

And  like  a  griffon  /  loked  he  a-boute 

with  kempe  heeres  /  on  hise  browes  stoute 

hys  lymes  grete  /  liise  braunes  hard  &  strong 

his  shuldres  brode  /  his  arnies  grete  &  long  2136 

And  as  the  gyse  was  /  in  his  contre 

fful  heye  /  vp  on  a  chayer  of  gold  /  stod  he 

with  foure  white  Boles  /  in  the  trays 

In  stede  of  Cotearmure  /  oner  his  harneys  2140 

with  nay les  ^elwe  /  and  bright  as  eny  gold 


62     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

he  had  a  beres  skyn  /  cole  blak  for  old 

his  long  her  /  was  keinbed  behynde  his  bak 

As  ony  rauenes  f ether  /  it  shone  for  blak  2144 

A  wrethe  of  gold  /  arme  gret  /  of  huge  weyght 

Vp  on  his  hede  /  and  ful  of  stones  brygnt 

Of  fyne  Eubies  /  and  Diamauntes 

Abouten  his  chaier  /  there  went  white  alauntes  2148 

Twenty  and  mo  /  as  grete  as  ony  stere 

To  honten  at  the  lyon  /  or  the  deere 

And  folvved  him  /  with  niosellis  faste  I-bounde 

Colered  of  gold  /  and  torettes  fyled  rounde  2152 

An  C.  lordes  /  had  he  in  his  route  [leaf  28,  back] 

Armed  ful  wele  /  vfiih  wertes  sterne  &  stoute 

U  (Jb  with  Arcita  /  in  stories  as  men  fynde 

The  grete  Emytrius  /  the  kyng  of  Inde  2156 

vp-ou  a  steede  Bay  /  trapped  in  stel 

Couered  with  a  cloth  of  gold  /  dyapred  wel 

Cam  ridyng  lyke  the  god  /  of  armes  Mars 

His  Cotearnmre  /  was  of  cloth  of  Tars  2160 

Couched  with  perles  /  white  rounde  &  grete 

his  sadel  was  of  brent  gold  /  newe  I-bete 

A  mantelet  /  vp-on  his  shulder  hangyng 

Bret  ful  of  Rubies  /  rede  as  fir  sparkelyng  2164 

his  crispe  heer  /  lyke  rynges  was  I-ronne 

And  that  was  jehve  /  and  gletered  as  the  sowne 

His  nose  was  hey  /  his  eyen  bright  Citryn 

His  lippes  rounde  /  his  colour  was  sangwyii  2168 

A  fewe  fraknes  /  in  his  face  I-spreynt 

Betwixen  jelwe  /  and  sorndel  blak  I-meyut 

And  as  a  lyon  /  he  his  lokyng  caste 

Of  xxvli  jere  /  his  age  I  caste  2172 

His  berd  was  wel  bygonwe  /  for  to  springe 

his  throte  was  as  a  trompe  /  thonderynge 

Vp-on  his  hede  /  he  wered  a  loirrer  grene 

ffressh"  and  lusty  /  ffor  to  sene  2176 

Vp-on  his  hand  he  bar  /  for  his  deduyt 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  63 

An  Egle  tame  /  as  ony  lilly  wliyt 

An  C  /  lordes  /  had  he  with  him  there 

Alle  armed  saue  here  hedes  /  in  al  here  gere  2180 

fful  richely  /  in  alle  manere  thynges 

ffor  trosteth  wele  /  that  Dukes  Erles  kynges 

were  gadred  /  in  this  noble  companye 

ffor  loue  &  for  encres  /  of  chyualrye  2184 

A-boute  this  kyng  /  \>ere  ran  on  euery  part 

fful  many  a  tame  lyon  /  and  leopart 

U  fo  And  in  this  wyse  /  Jjeise  lordes  alle  and  Some 

Ben  .on  the  Sonday  /  to  the  Cite  come  2188 

A-boute  prime  /  and  in  the  Toun  a-ligfit 

This  Theseus  Jris  Duke  /  this  worthy  knygh~t 

whan  he  had  brou^t  hew  /  in-to  his  Citee 

And  Inned  eue/ych  of  hem  /  at  his  degree  2192 

He  festeth  hem  /  and  doth  so  gret  labour 

To  esen  hem  /  and  don  hem  aH  honour 

That  jet  man  wenen  /  J>at  no  mawnys  wytte 

Of  none  astate  /  ne  coude  amenden  ytte  2196 

U  fo  The  mynstralsie  /  the  seruyse  at  the  feest 

The  grete  jiftes  /  to  the  most  and  lest  [leaf  29] 

The  riche  a-ray  /  of  Theseus  paleys 

Ne  who  sat  first  ne  last  /  vp  on  the  deys  2200 

what  ladies  fairest  ben  /  and  best  daunsynge 

Or  which"  of  hem  /  kan  best  dauuce  or  synge 

Ne  who  most  feynywgly  /  speketh  of  loue 

what  haukes  seten  /  on  the  perches  a-boue  2204 

what  houndes  liggen  /  on  the  flore  a-doune 

Of  al  this  /  make  I  no  mencion 

But  al  j>e  effect  /  that  thynketh  me  the  best 

Now  cometh  the  poynt  /  herkeneth  if  jow  lest  2208 

1T  fo  The  Sonday  nyght  /  or  day  bygan  to  springe 

whan  Palamon  /  the  lark  herde  synge 

al  though"  it  nere  nat  day  /  by  houres  two 

3et  song  the  lark  /  and  Palamon  right  tho  2212 

with  holy  hert  /  and  hey  corage 


64     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

He  rod  to  wenden  /  on  his  pilgrimage 

Vn-to  the  blisseful  /  Sitheria  benigne 

I  mene  veuus  /  honorable  and  digne  2216 

And  in  hire  houre  /  he  walketh  forth  a  paas 

Vn-to  the  lystes  /  there  hire  temple  was 

And  doun  he  kneleth"  /  and  with  humble  chere 

And  herte  soor  /  he  seide  as  $e  shuln  here  2220 

Fairest  of  fair  /  0  lady  myn  /  venus 
Doughter  to  loue  /  and  spouse  to  vulcanus 
Thow  glader  /  of  Jje  mouwte  of  Scitheron 
ffor  thilke  loue  /  Jjou  haddest  /  to  Adoott  2224 

Haue  pyte  /  of  niy  bytter  teres  smerte 
And  take  myn  humble  preyer  /  at  thyn  herte 
Alias  I  ne  haue  /  no  langage  to  telle 

The  effect  /  and  the  twnnentj  of  myn  helle  2228 

Myn  hert  may  nat  /  myn  harmes  bywrye 
I  am  so  sorweful  /  that  I  can  nat  seye 
But  mercy  lady  bright  /  that  knowest  wele 
My  thought  /  and  seest  what  harmes  pat  I  fele  2232 

Considre  al  this  /  and  rewe  vp-on  my  sore 
As  wysly  /  as  I  shal  for  euere  more 
Perfownnyng  be  my  myght  /  thy  trewe  seruauwt  to  be 
And  holden  werre  alwey  /  with  chastite  2236 

That  make  I  myn  a-vow  /  so  30  me  helpe 
I  kepe  nat  of  armes  /  for  to  jelpe 
Ne  I  ne  ask  noujt  to-morwe  /  to  han  victorie 
Ne  renoii  in  this  caas  /  ne  veyn  glorie  2240 

Of  prys  of  armes  /  blowen  vp  and  doun 
But  I  wold  haue  fully  /  possession  IT  nota  benc 

Of  Emelie  /  and  dye  in  thy  seruyse  [leaf  29,  back] 

ffynde  pou  the  maner  /  &  in  what  wyse  2244 

I  recche  nat  /  but  it  may  better  be 
Than  victorie  /  of  hem  /  or  they  of  me 
So  that  I  haue  my  lady  /  in  myne  armes 
ffor  though"  so  be  /  that  Mars  is  god  of  armes  2248 

Joure  vertu  is  so  gret  /  in  heuene  a-boue 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  65 

That  if  }ow  list  /  I  shal  wel  haue  my  loue 

Thy  temple  wol  I  worships  /  euere  mo 

And  on  thyn  auter  /  where  I  ride  or  go  2252 

I  wyl  don  sacrifise  /  and  fires  bete 

And  if  30  wyl  nat  so  /  my  lady  swete 

Than  preye  I  the  /  to-morwe  with  a  spere 

That  Arcita  me  /  thorugh  J>e  hert  bere  2256 

Than  rekke  I  nought  /  whan  I  haue  lost  my  lif 

Though  fat  Arcita  /  Wynne  hire  to  his  wyf 

This  is  the  effect  /  and  ende  of  my  preyere 

$eue  me  my  lyf  /  j>ou  blisseful  lady  dere  2260 

IT  (5)  whan  fat  the  orison  /  was  don  of  Palamon 

His  sacrifise  he  dide  /  and  that  a-non 

fful  pitously  /  with  alle  the  circumstaunce3 

Alle  telle  i  nat  /  as  now  /  his  obseruauncej  2264 

But  at  the  laste  /  the  stature  ofrvenus  shoke 

And  made  a  signe  /  wher-by  J>at  he  toke 

That  his  prayer  /  accepted  was  that  day 

ffor  though  the  signe  /  shewed  a  delay  2268 

3et  wist  he  wele  /  that  grawnted  was  his  bone 

And  with  glad  herte  /  he  went  him  horn  ful  sone 

THe  thriilde  houre  /  in-equaH  J>at  Palamon 
Began  to  venus  temple  /  for  to  gon  2272 

vp  ros  the  sorcne  /  and  vp  ros  Emelye 
And  to  the  temple  of  Diane  /  gan  hye 
Hire  maydenes  /  fat  she  thidder  wit/t  hire  ladde 
fful  redily  w/t/t  hem  /  the  fyr  they  hadde  2276 

The  encence  /  the  clothes  /  and  the  remenau/tt  alle 
That  to  the  sacrefice  /  longen  shalle 
The  homes  ful  of  mecle  /  as  was  the  gyse 
There  lakked  noujt  /  to  don  hire  sacrefise  2280 

Smokyng  the  temple  /  ful  of  clothes  faire 
This  Emelye  /  with  herte  debonaire 
hir  body  vessh"  /  with  water  of  a  welle 
But  how  she  dide  /  hir  rite  /  I  dar  nat  telle  2284 

But  it  be  ony  thyng  /  in  general 


66     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  $ete  it  were  /  a  game  /  to  heren  al  [leaf  so] 

To  him  ]>at  meneth  wel  /  it  were  no  charge 

But  it  is  good  /  a  man  ben  at  his  large  2288 

hire  bright  heer  was  kembed  /  vn-tressed  aH 

A  corone  of  a  grene  Oke  /  seriaft 

Vp-on  hire  hed  was  set  /  f ul  fair  and  mete 

Two  fires  vp-on  the  auter  /  gan  she  bete  2292 

And  dide  hire  thynges  /  as  men  may  byholde 

In  stace  of  Thebes  /  and  othere  bokes  olde 

whan  kynled  was  the  fyr  /  vfith  pytous  chere 

Vn-to  Diane  she  spak  /  as  30  may  here  2296 

Ochast  goddesse  /  of  the  wodes  grene 
To  whom  /  bothe  heuen  /  erthe  /  and  see  /  ys  sene 
Quene  of  the  regne  of  Pluto  /  Derk  and  lowe 
Goddesse  of  Maydenes  /  that  myn  hert  hast  knowe     2300 
fful  many  a  }ere  /  and  wost  what  I  desire 
As  kepe  me  fro  thy  vengeaunce  /  &  thyn  Ire 
That  Antheon  /  a-bougtit  cruelly 

Chaste  goddesse  /  wel  wost  thow  that  I  2304 

Desire  to  be  a  Mayden  /  al  my  lif 
Ke  neue/'e  wyl  I  be  /  no  loue  /  ne  wyf 
I  am  pou  wost  $et  /  of  thy  companye 
A  Maide  /  and  loue  huntyng  and  venerie  2308 

And  for  to  walken  /  in  the  wodes  Avyld 
And  nat  to  ben  a  wyf  /  &  be  with  child 
Nought  wol  I  knowe  /  companye  of  man 
Now  help  lady  /  sith  30  may  and  kan  2312 

ff or  tho  thre  formes  /  that  foil  hast  in  the 
And  Palamon  /  that  hath  swich"  loue  to  me 
And  eke  Arcite  /  that  loueth  me  so  sore 
-This  grace  I  preye  the  /  with-oute  more  2316 

As  send  loue  and  pes  /  betwix  hem  two 
And  fro  me  turne  a-wey  /  here  hertes  so 
That  al  here  hot  loue  /  and  here  desire 
And  alle  here  besy  ttirmente}  /  and  here  fire  2320 

Be  quenched  /  and  turned  /  in  a-nother  place 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  07 

And  if  so  be  /  J?ou  wylt  nat  do  me  grace 

Of  if  my  destenye  /  be  I-shape  so 

That  I  shal  nedes  liaue  /  on  of  hem  two  2321 

As  send  me  him  /  that  most  desire th  me 

Byhold  goddesse  /  of  clene  chastite 

The  bitter  teres  /  that  on  my  chekys  falle 

Syn  fou  art  Mayde  /  and  kepere  of  vs  alle  2328 

My  maydenhode  J>0u  kepe  /  and  wel  conserue 

And  while  I  lyue  /  a  Mayde  I  wol  the  serue    [leaf  so,  back] 

IT  fo  The  fires  brennen  /  vp-on  the  auter  clere 

while  Emelye  /  was  thus  /  in  hire  preyere  2332 

But  sodeynly  she  sey  /  a  sight  queynte 

ffor  right  a-non  /  on  of  the  fires  queynte 

And  quyked  a-geyn  /  and  after  that  a-non 

That  other  fir  was  queynt  /  and  al  a-gofi  2336 

And  as  it  queynt  /  it  made  a  whistelyng 

As  don  theise  wete  brondes  /  in  here  brennyng 

And  at  the  brondes  ende  /  oujt  ran  a-non 

As  it  were  blody  dropes  /  many  on  2340 

ffor  which  so  sore  a-gast  /  was  Emelye 

That  she  was  wol  ny  mad  /  and  gan  to  crye 

ffor  she  ne  wyst  /  what  it  signified 

But  only  for  the  feer  /  thus  hath  she  cried  2344 

And  wepte  /  J>at  it  was  pite  for  to  here 

H  (£)  And  ther-withal  /  Diane  gan  a-pere 

with  bowe  in  hond  /  right  as  an  huntresse 

And  seide  doughter  /  stynt  thyn  heuynesse  2348 

Among  the  goddes  hie  /  it  is  a-fermed 

And  by  eteme  word  /  wryten  and  conformed 

Thow  shalt  ben  wedded  /  vn-to  on  of  tho 

That  han  for  the  /  so  meche  care  and  woo  2352 

But  vn-to  which  of  hem  /  I  may  nat  telle 

ffare  wel  /  I  may  no  lengere  dwelle 

The  fires  which  /  that  on  myn  auter  brenne 

Shuln  the  declaren  /  er  that  j?ow  go  henne  2356 

Thyn  auenture  of  loue  /  as  in  this  caas 


68     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  with  J?at  word  /  the  arwes  in  the  caas 

Of  the  goddesse  /  clateren  faste  and  rynge 

And  forth  she  went  /  and  mad  a  vanasshynge  2360 

ffor  which  this  Emelye  /  astoyned  was 

And  seide  /  what  amountith  this  /  alias 

I  putte  me  /  in  thyn  proteccioii 

Diane  /  and  in  thyn  disposicion  2364 

And  horn  she  goth  a-non  /  the  next  wey 

This  is  the  effect  /  there  is  no  more  to  sey 

IT  (5)  The  next  houre  /  of  Mars  /  folwyng  this 

Arcite  /  vn-to  the  temple  /  walked  is  2368 

Of  fiers  Mars  /  to  don  his  sacrefice 

with  alle  the  rightes  /  of  his  payen  wyse 

with  pitous  hert  /  and  hie  deuocion 

OEyght  thus  to  Mars  /  he  seid  his  orison  2372 

Strong  god  /  that  in  the  regnes  cold 
Of  Trace  /  honoured  art  /  and  god  I-hold 
And  hast  in  euery  regne  /  and  euery  lond         [leaf  si] 
Of  armes  /  alle  the  brydeles  in  fin  hond  2376 

And  hem  fortunest  /  as  the  list  deuyse 
Accepte  of  me  /  my  pitous  sacrifise 
If  so  be  /  that  my  jouthe  /  may  deserue 
And  fat  my  mygh"t  /  be  worthy  for  to  serue  2380 

Thyn  godhed  /  that  I  may  be  on  of  thyne 
Than  preye  I  the  /  to  rewe  vp-pn  my  pyne 
ffor  thilk  pyne  /  and  thilk  hote  fyre 
Jn  which  /  )>0u  whilom  /  brendest  for  desire  2384 

whan  that  Jjou  vsedest  /  the  beaute 
Of  fair  ^ong  and  fressh  /  Venus  fre 
And  haddest  hire  in  arines  /  at  thy  wylle 
Al-though  the  ones  /  on  a  tyme  mys-felle  2388 

whan  Vulcanus  /  had  caught  the  in  his  laas 
And  fond  the  liggynge  /  by  his  wyf  /  Alias 
ffor  thilk  sorwe  /  that  was  tho  in  thyn  hert 
Haue  reuthe  as  wel  /  vp-on  my  peynes  smert  2392 

I  am  jong  /  and  vnkonyng  /  as  fou  wost 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  69 

And  as  I  trowe  /  with  loue  offended  most 

That  mere  was  ony  /  lyues  creature 

ffor  she  fat  doth  me  /  al  this  woo  endure  2396 

Ne  reccheth  neuere  /  wheif  er  I  synke  or  flete 

And  wel  I  wot  /  or  she  me  mercy  hete 

I  mot  vfith  strengthe  /  wynne  hire  in  the  place 

And  wel  I  wot  /  with-outen  help  &  grace  2400 

Of  the  /  ne  may  my  strengthe  /  nat  a-vaille 

Than  help  me  lord  /  to-morwe  in  my  bataille 

ffor  thilk  fire  /  that  whilom  brent  the 

As  wele  as  thilk  fire  /  now  brenneth  me  2404 

And  do  fat  I  to-morwe  /  may  hau  victorie 

Myn  be  the  trauaylle  /  &  thyn  be  the  glorie 

Thy  souereygne  temple  /  wyl  I  most  honowe 

Of  ony  place  /  and  alwey  most  labowre  2408 

In  thy  plesaunce  /  and  in  thy  craftes  strong 

And  in  thy  temple  /  I  wol  my  baner  hong 

And  alle  the  armes  /  of  my  companye 

And  euere  mo  /  vn-to  that  day  I  dye  2412 

Eterne  fyre  /  I  wyl  byfore  the  fynde 

And  eke  to  this  .a-vow  /  I  wyl  me  bynde 

My  berd  myn  her  /  fat  hangeth  long  a-doun  n 

That  neuere  jet  felte  /  nor  offension  2416 

Of  Rasour  ne  of  shere  /  I  wyl  the  jeue 

And  ben  thyn  trewe  seruawnt  /  whyl  I  lyue 

Now  lord  haue  reuthe  /  vp-on  my  sorwes  sore     [leaf  si,  back] 

$eue  me  the  victorie  /  I  aske  the  no  more  2420 

^1  fo  The  prayer  stynt  /  of  Arcita  the  strong 

The  rynges  of  the  temple  dore  /  fat  hong 

And  eke  the  dores  /  clateren  ful  faste 

Of  which  Arcita  /  som-what  "him  a-gaste  2424 

The  fires  brent  /  vp-on  the  auter  brygfit 

That  it  gan  /  al  the  temple  for  to  light 

A  swete  smel  /  a-non  /  f e  ground  vp  $aue 

And  Arcita  a-non  /  his  hand  vp  haue  2428 

And  more  encens  /  in-to  the  fyr  he  cast 


70     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

with  othere  ri^tes  mo  /  and  at  the  last 

U  fa  The  statute  of  Mars  /  bygan  his  hauberk  rynge 

And  with  J>at  soun  /  he  herd  a  mm-murynge  2432 

fful  lowe  and  dyra  /  and  seide  thus  /  victorie 

ffor  which  /  he  $af  to  Mars  /  honour  and  glorie 

11  ^  And  thus  with  ioye  /  and  hope  wel  to  fare 

Arcite  a-non  /  vn-to  his  In  is  fare  2436 

As  fayn  as  foul  /  is  of  the  bryght  sonne 

And  right  a-non  /  swich  a  strif  /  fere  is  bygonne 

ffor  thilke  grawntyng  /  in  J>e  heuene  a-boue 

Betwix  venus  /  the  goddesse  of  loue  2440 

And  Mars  /  the  sterne  god  arrnypotent 

That  lubiter  was  besy  /  it  to  stent 

Til  pat  the  pale  /  Saturn  us  /  the  colde 

That  knew  so  manye  /  of  auentures  olde  2444 

ffond  in  his  old  experience  /  and  art 

That  the  ful  sone  /  hath  plesed  euery  part 

As  soth  is  seid  /  elde  hath  gret  auauntage        U  No/a 

In  elde  is  bothe  wysdom  /  and  vsage  2448 

Men  may  the  olde  at  renne  /  and  nat  at  rede 

Saturne  a-iion  /  to  stynten  stryf  and  drede 

Al  be  it  /  J?at  it  is  /  a-geyn  his  kynde 

Of  al  this  strif  /  he  can  remedye  fynde  2452 

1f  fo  My  dere  dough  ter  Venus  /  quod  Saturne 

My  cours  /  that  hath  so  wyde  /  for  to  turne 

Hath  more  powere  /  than  wot  ony  man 

Myn  is  the  drenchyng  /  in  the  see  so  wan  2456 

Myn  is  the  prysofi  /  in  the  derke  Cote 

Myn  is  the  strangelyng  /  &  hangyng  by  the  throte 

The  murmur  /  and  the  cherles  rebellyng 

The  groynyng  /  and  the  pryue  enpoysenyng  2460 

I  do  vengeaunce  /  and  pleyn  correccion) 

While  I  dwelle  in  )>e  signe  /  of  the  lyon 

Myn  is  the  ruyne  /  of  the  heye  halles 

The  fallyng  of  the  Toures  /  and  of  the  walles  [leaf  ss]  2464 

Vp-on  the  Mynour  /  or  the  Carpentere 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  71 

I  slow  Sampson  /  shakyng  the  pylere 

And  myne  ben  /  the  maladyes  colde 

The  clerk  treson  /  and  the  castes  olde  2468 

My  lokyng  is  /  the  fader  of  pestilence 

Now  wepe  no  more  /  I  shal  don  diligence 

That  Palamon  /  J)at  is  thyn  owen  knyght 

Shal  liaue  his  lady  /  as  J>ou  hast  him  higfit  2472 

This  Mars  /  shal  helpe  his  knyght  jet  /  natheles 

Be-twix  30 w  /  there  mot  /  be  som  tynie  pees 

Al  be  je  nat  /  of  oo  compleccion 

That  causeth  al  day  swich"  deuysion  2476 

I  am  thyn  al  redy  /  at  thy  wylle 

wepe  now  no  more  /  I  wol  thy  lust  fulfille 

Now  wol  I  stynt  /  of  the  goddes  a-boue 

Of  Mars  and  of  Venus  /  goddesse  of  loue  2480 

And  tellen  $ow  /  as  pleynly  as  I  can 

The  grete  effect  /  for  which  J>at  I  bygan 

[Part  IV.     No  gap  in  the  MS.] 

Gret  was  the  fest  /  at  Athenes  that  day 
And  eke  the  lusty  seson  /  of  that  May  2484 

Made  euery  wygfit  /  to  ben  in  swich"  plesance 
That  al  that  Monday  /  lusten  they  and  daunce 
And  spenden  it  /  in  venus  hey  seruyse 
And  by  the  cause  /  that  they  shulden  ryse  2488 

Erly  for  to  sen  /  the  grete  sight 
vn-to  here  reest  /  went  they  at  nygfit 
And  on  Jje  morwe  /  whan  the  day  gan  spryng 
Of  hors  and  harneys  /  noyse  and  clate/yng  2492 

There  was  /  in  hostryes  al  a-boute 
And  to  the  Paleys  /  rod  J>ere  many  a  route 
Of  lordes  /  vp-on  stedes  and  palfreyes 
H  f^b  There  maist  fou  sen  /  deuysyng  of  harneys        2496 
So  vnkouth  /  and  so  riche  /  and  wroujt  so  wele 
Of  goldsmythrie  /  of  browdyng  and  of  stele 


72     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGUT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

The  sheldes  bright  /  testres  and  trappurcs 

Gold  hewen  helmes  /  hauberkes  Cotearmw/'ea  2500 

Lordes  in  panneutis  /  or  here  courseres 

knyghtes  of  retenue  /  and  eke  squyeres 

Naylyng  the  speres  /  and  helmes  bokelyng 

Gynggynge  of  sheldes  /  w/t/i  layneres  lassyng  2504 

There  as  nede  is  /  they  were  no  thyng  Idel 

The  fomy  steedes  /  on  the  goldene  brydel 

Gnawyng  /  and  faste  the  armures  also 

with  fyle  and  hamer  /  prykyng  to  and  fro  2508 

$emen  on  fote  /  and  commies  many  on       [leaf  32,  back] 

with  shorte  staues  /  thikke  as  they  may  gon 

Pipes  /  tronipes  /  Nakeres  Clariones 

That  in  the  bataiH  /  blowen  blody  sownes  2512 

The  paleys  ful  of  peeple  /  vp  and  doun 

here  thre  /  there  /x/  holdyng  here  question 

Diuynyng  of  theise  Thebans  /  knyghtes  two 

Sownie  seyden  thus  /  som)  seyden  it  shal  be  so  2516 

Sowme  heldyn  with  him  /  with  the  blak  berde 

Some  with  the  balled  /  some  vrith  the  thikke  herede 

Somme  seide  he  loked  grym  /  and  he  wold  fygh~t 

he  hath  a  sparthe  /  of  twenty  pound  of  wyght  2520 

Thus  was  the  ha  lie  /  ful  of  dyuynyng 

longe  after  the  sonne  /  gan  vp  spryng 

U  fe  The  grete  Theseus  /  of  his  slep  a-waked 

with  mynstralsie  /  and  noise  )>at  was  maked  2524 

he  held  }et  the  chaumbres  /  of  his  paleys  riche 

Til  fat  the  Thebans  knyghtes  /  bo  the  I-liche 

Houndred  /  weren  in-to  the  paleys  fet 

Duke  Theseus  /  is  at  the  wyndowe  set  2528 

Arrayed  /  right  as  he  were  /  a  god  in  trone 

The  peeple  preseth  /  thederward  ful  sone 

Hym  for  to  sen  /  and  don  hey  reuerence 

And  eke  to  herken  /  his  hest  /  and  his  sentence          2532 

U  fo  An  heraud  on  a  skaffold  /  made  an  oo 

Til  al  the  uoyse  of  the  peeple  /  was  I-do 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Ld.  4.  24.  73 

And  whan  he  saw  /  the  peeple  of  noyse  al  stille 

Thus  shewed  he  /  the  mygh"ty  Dukes  wylle  2536 

U  f5)  The  lord  hath  /  of  heye  discrecion 

Considered  /  that  it  were  destruccioii 

To  gentil  blode  /  to  fighten  in  the  gyse 

Of  mortal  bataille  /  now  in  this  emprise  2540 

wherfore  to  shapen  /  that  they  shal  nat  deye 

he  wol  his  ffirst  purpos  /  modifie 

1T  fS)  No  man  ]>e?iore  /  vp  peyne  of  losse  of  lyf 

No  mane/-  shote  /  ne  pollax  /  ne  sliort  knyf  2544 

lu-to  the  lystes  sende  /  or  theder  hryng 

No  short  swerd  for  to  steke  /  with  poynt  bityng 

Ne  nomau  ne  drawe  /  ne  here  it  by  his  syde 

Ne  noman  shal  /  vn-to  his  felawe  ryde  2548 

But  oo  cours  /  with  a  sharp  I-grounde  spere 

ffoyne  if  him  list  /  on  fote  hiw  self  to  were 

And  he  fat  is  at  myschef  /  shal  be  take 

And  noujt  slayn  /  but  be  brou^t  vn-to  J?e  stake  2552 

That  shal  ben  ordeyned  /  on  eyther  syde 

And  thidder  he  shal  by  force  /  and  there  a-byde    [leaf  33] 

And  if  so  falle  /  that  the  cheuenteyn  be  take 

On  either  syde  /  or  elles  sle  his  make  2556 

No  lengere  shal  /  the  turnayng  laste 

God  spede  $ow  go  forth"  /  and  ley  on  faste 

vtith  long  swerd  and  \\ith  mace  /  fighteth"  $oure  fille 

Go  now  joure  wey  /  this  is  the  lordes  wylle  2560 

IT  (5)  The  voys  of  J>e  peeple  /  toucheth  the  heuene 

So  loude  crieden  they  /  viiih  mery  steuene 

God  saue  swich  a  lord  /  fat  is  so  good 

he  ne  wyl  /  no  destruccion  of  blod  2564 

IT  Vp  gon  the  trumpes  /  and  the  melodye  Note 

And  to  the  lystes  /  ri}t  the  cumpanye 

By  ordinaunce  /  jjorugli-oujt  the  Citee  large 

Houged  with  cloth  of  gold  /  and  nat  with  sarge          2568 

ff ul  lyke  a  lord  /  this  noble  Duke  gan  ryde 

Theise  two  Thcbans  /  vp-on  either  side 


74     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  after  rod  the  Queue  /  and  Emelye 

And  after  that  /  a-nother  company  e  2572 

Of  on  and  other  /  after  here  degree 

And  thus  they  passen  /  thontyh-oujt  the  Citee 

And  to  the  lystes  /  come  they  be  tyme 

It  nas  noujt  of  the  day  /  jet  fully  pryme  2576 

II  fo  Whan  set  was  Theseus  /  ful  riche  and  keye 

ypolita  the  Quene  /  and  Emelye 

And  other  ladies  /  in  degrees  a-boute 

Vn-to  the  setes  /  presetli  eue/y  route  2580 

And  westward  /  forugh"  the  gates  /  vnder  Marte 

Arcite  /  and  eke  the  C  /  of  his  parte 

with  baner  red  /  is  entred  right  a-non 

U  ^  And  in  fat  selue  moment  /  Palamon  2584 

Is  vnder  venus  /  estward  in  the  place 

with  bauer  whit  /  &  hardy  chere  and  face 

In  al  the  world  /  to  seken  vp  and  doun 

So  euene  /  with-oute  variacion  2588 

There  ne  is  /  swich"  companyes  twey 

ffor  there  was  non  /  so  wys  fat  koude  sey 

That  any  had  /  of  other  auawntage 

Of  worthy  nesse  /  ne  of  estate  ne  Age  2592 

So  euen  were  they  /  chosen  for  to  gesse 

And  in  two  renges  /  faire  they  hem  dresse 

whan  fat  here  names  /  red  were  euerychoft 

That  in  here  noumbre  /  gyle  were  fere  non  2596 

Tho  were  the  gates  shette  /  and  cried  was  loude 

Do  now  joure  deuer  /  jonge  knyghtes  proude 

U  (5)  The  heraudes  left  here  prekyng  /  vp  and  doun 

Now  ryngen  trompes  loude  /  and  Clarioura  2600 

There  nys  nomore  to  sey  /  but  west  and  Est      1T 


T  ii  /  t  i         11      •      1.1  [leaf  33,  back] 

In  gon  the  speres  /  ful  sadly  in  the  rest 

In  goth  the  sharp  spore  /  in-to  the  syde 

Jjere  se  men  who  can  luste  /  and  who  can  ryde  2604 

They  sheueren  shaftes  /  vp-on  sheldes  thikke 

he  feleth  f  orugh"  the  hert  spone  /  the  prikke 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.    Dd.  4.  24.  75 

Vp  springen  speres  /  xxu  fote  on  height 

Ou^t  gon  the  swerdes  /  as  the  siluer  bright  2608 

The  helmes  they  to-hewen  /  and  to-slirede 

Oujt  brest  the  blod  /  \vith  sterne  stremes  rede 

with  myghty  maces  /  to  bons  they  /  to-brest 

lie  forugh  the  thikkest  /  of  the  throng  gan  threst       2612 

There  stomblen  steedes  strong  /  &  douu  goth  al 

He  rolleth  vnder  fote  /  as  doth  a  bal 

He  foyneth  on  his  fet  /  \vi\Ji  his  tronchon 

And  he  him  hurteth  /  with  his  hors  a-doun  2616 

he  thurgh  the  body  is  hurt  /  and  sithen  take 

Maugre  his  hede  /  and  brou3t  vn-to  the  stake 

As  forward  was  /  and  J>ere  he  must  a-byde 

A-nother  lad  is  /  on  fat  other  syde  2620 

And  sora  tyrne  /  doth  Theseus  /  to  reste 

hem  /  to  refresshe  /  &  drynken  if  hem  liste 

U  (5)  fful  ofte  a  day  /  han  theise  Thebans  two 

To-geder  mette  /  and  wrou^t  his  felawe  woo  2624 

Vnhorsed  hath  ech  other  /  of  hem  tweye 

There  nas  no  Tygre  /  in  the  vale  of  Galgopheye 

whan  J>at  hire  whelp  were  stole  /  whan  it  is  lite 

50  cruel  on  the  hunte  /  as  is  Arcite  2628 
ffor  ielous  hert  /  vp-on  this  Palamon 

Ne  in  belmarie  /  there  nys  no  fel  lyon 

That  hunted  is  /  or  for  his  honger  wood 

Ne  of  his  pray  /  desireth  so  the  blod  2632 

As  Palamon  /  to  slen  his  foo  Arcite 

The  ielous  strokes  /  on  here  helmes  byte 

Ou^t  ronneth  blod  /  on  both  here  sides  rede 

51  (^  Somtyme  an  ende  fere  is  /  of  euery  dede  2636 
ffor  er  the  sonne  /  vn-to  the  rest  went 

The  strong  kyng  /  Emetrius  /  gan  hent 

This  Palamon  /  as  he  faught  with  Arcite 

And  mad  his  swerd  depe  /  in  his  flessh  to  byte  2640 

And  by  the  force  of  xx11  /  is  he  take 

vnjolden  /  and  I-drawen  /  vn-to  the  stake 


76     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  in  the  rescuys  /  of  )>is  Palamofi 

The  strong  kyng  lygurge  /  is  bom  a-doun  2644 

And  kyng  Emetrius  /  for  al  his  strengthe 

Is  born  oujt  of  his  sadel  /  a  swerd  lengthe        [leaf  34] 

So  hit  him  Palamon  /  er  he  were  take 

But  al  for  nought  /  he  was  brou^t  to  ]?e  stake  2648 

his  hardy  hert  /  myght  him  help  right  nought 

he  must  abide  /  whan  that  he  was  caught 

By  force  /  and  eke  by  composicion 

U  fo  who  sorweth  now  /  but  wooful  Palamon  2652 

That  mot  no  more  /  gon  a-geyn  to  fight 

And  whan  that  Theseus  /  had  seyn  fis  sight 

Vn-to  the  folk  /  that  foughten  thus  echon 

He  cried  hoo  no  more  /  for  it  is  don  2656 

I  wol  be  trewe  lugge  /  and  no  partie 
Arcite  of  Thebes  /  shal  haue  Emelie 

That  by  his  fortune  /  hath  hire  faire  I-wonne 

A-non  there  is  a  noyse  /  of  peeple  bygonue  2660 

ff  or  ioye  of  this  /  so  loude  and  hye  with-alle 

It  semed  that  the  listes  /  shulde  falle 

U  (2b  what  can  now  /  fayr  venus  don  a-boue 

what  seith  she  now  /  what  doth  this  Quene  of  loue    2664 

But  wepeth  so  /  wantyng  of  hire  wylle 

Til  that  hire  teres  /  in  the  listes  felle 

She  seide  /  I  am  a-shamed  douteles 

II  (£b  Saturnus  seide  /  doughter  hold  fin  pes  2668 
Mars  hath  his  wylle  /  his  knyght  hath  al  his  bone 

And  be  myn  hede  /  J)ou  shalt  ben  eesed  sone 

The  trompoures  /  with  the  loude  Mynstralsye 

The  heraudes  /  that  ful  loude  /  jelle  and  crye  2672 

Ben  in  here  wele  /  for  Ioye  of  Daun  Arcite 

But  herkeneth  now  /  and  stynteth  noyse  a  lite 

which  a  miracle  /  there  fel  a-non 

This  fiers  Arcite  /  hath  of  his  helm  don  2676 

And  on  a  Courser  /  for  to  shewe  his  face 

he  preketh  endlong  /  the  large  place 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  77 

lokyng  vp-ward  /  vp-on  this  Emelye 

And  she  ageyn  him  cast  /  a  frendly  eye  2680 

[For  wommen  as  speketh"  the  conmne     [Ef  ,*726;  le?^*,; 

left  out  o/Dd.] 

They  folowe  aH  j?e  faucwr  of  fortune]          [leaf  34,  back] 

And  she  was  al  his  cher  /  as  in  his  herte 

Ou^t  of  the  ground  /  a  fire  infernel  sterte  2684 

ffro  Pluto  sent  /  at  the  request  of  Saturne 

ffor  which"  /  his  hors  for  fer  /  gan  to  turne 

And  lepte  a-side  /  and  foundred  as  he  lepe 

And  er  that  Arcite  /  may  taken  kepe  2688 

he  pygh~t  him  on  the  pomel  /  of  his  hede 

That  in  the  place  /  he  lay  as  he  were  ded 

his  brest  to-brosten  /  with  his  sadel  bowe 

As  blak  he  was  /  as  ony  cole  or  crowe         [leaf  si,  back]  2692 

So  was  the  blode  /  I-ronnen  in  his  face 

U  fo  A-non  he  was  born  /  ou^t  of  the  place 

With  hert  sore  /  to  Theseus  paleys 

Tho  was  he  coruen  /  oujt  of  his  harneys  2696 

And  in  a  bed  I-brough"t  /  ful  fair  and  blyue 

ffor  he  was  3et  /  in  memorie  and  lyue 

And  alwey  criyng  /  after  Emelye 

Duke  Theseus  /  with  al  his  companye  2700 

Is  comen  horn  /  to  Athenes  his  Citee 

'With  aH  blisse  /  and  gret  solempnyte 

Al  be  it  /  that  this  auenture  was  falle 

He  nolde  nat  /  discomforten  hem  alle  2704 

Men  seide  eke  /  Arcite  shal  nat  deye 

he  shal  ben  heled  /  of  his  maladye 

And  of  a-nofer  thyng  /  they  were  as  fayn 

That  of  hem  alle  /  was  non  I-slayn  2708 

Alle  were  they  sore  I-hurt  /  and  namely  on 

That  vrii/i  a  spere  was  thirled  /  forugh"  J>e  brest  bon 

To  oj>ere  woundes  /  and  to  broken  armes 

•Sowime  hadden  salue  /  &  somme  had  den  charmes        2712 

ffermacies  of  herbes  /  and  eke  sane 

They  dronken  /  for  J>ei  wold  here  lyues  haue 


7S     CROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Ld.  4.  24. 

ffor  which  this  noble  Duke  /  as  ho  wel  can 

Comforteth"  /  and  honoweth  /  euery  man  2716 

And  mad  reuel  /  al  the  longe  nyght 

Vn-to  the  straunge  lordes  /  as  was  right 

U  fa  Ne  there  was  holden  /  non  discomfityng 

But  as  a  lustes  /  or  a  turneyeng  2720 

ffor  sothly  there  was,/  no  disconfiture 

ffor  fallyng  nys  nat  /  but  an  auenture 

Ne  to  ben  had  by  force  /  vn-to  the  stake 

Vnjolden  /  and  with  /  xxu  /  knygfttes  take  2724 

O  persone  a-lone  /  with-outen  mo 

And  haried  forth  /  by  arm  foot  and  too 

And  eke  his  steede  /  dreuen  forth"  \\iih  staues 

With  fotmen  /  bothe  $emen  &  eke  knaues  2728 

It  nas  aretted  him  /  no  velanye 

There  may  no  man  /  clepe  it  cowardie 

If  (£)  ifor  which"  a-non  /  Duke  Theseus  let  crie 

To  stynten  al  rancour  /  and  Envie  2732 

The  gree  as  wele  /  of  o  side  as  of  other 

And  either  side  elyke  /  as  others  brother 

And  jaf  hem  jiftes  /  after  here  degree 

And  fully  held  a  fest  /  dayes  thre  2736 

And  conueyed  the  kyngis  /  worthily 

Oujt  of  his  toun  /  a  iourne  largely  [leaf  85] 

And  horn  went  euery  man  /  the  right  wey 

There  was  no  more  /  but  fare  wel  haue  good  day         2740 

Of  this  bataille  /  I  wol  no  more  endyte 

But  speke  of  Palamon  /  and  of  Arcite 

Swelleth  the  brest  of  Arcite  /  and  the  sore 
Encreseth  /  at  his  hert  /  more  and  more  2744 

The  clotered  blod  /  for  ony  lechecraft 
Corupteth"  /  and  is  in  his  bouke  I-laft 
That  neither  veyn  blod  /  ne  ventusyng 
Ne  drynk  of  herbes  /  may  ben  his  helpyng  2748 

The  vertue  of  explyf  /  or  Animaft 
ffor  thilk  vertue  /  cleped  naturaH 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  <V:  Eg.     79 

Ne  may  the  venym  voide  /  ne  expelle 

The  pipes  of  his  Ion  gen  /  gonen  swelle  2752 

And  euery  lacerte  /  in  his  brest  a-doim 

[Fs  shent  with  venym  and  corrupcoun)     IEf,?78Ve?f1?5; 

left  out  of  Dd.] 

Him  gayneth"  nought  to  gete  his  lyf 

Vomyt  vpward  nc  don  ward  laxatyf  2756 

AH  is  brosten  fat  regioun)] 

Nature  hath"  now  /  no  dominacion 

And  certeynly  /  there  nature  wyl  nat  werche 

flare  wel  Phisyk  /  go  bere  ]>e  man  to  cherche      IT  verum  est 

This  is  al  and  som  /  that  Arcite  mot  deye  2761 

ffor  which"  he  sendeth  /  after  Emelye 

And  Palamon  /  that  was  his  Cosyn  dere 

Than  seide  he  thus  /  as  $e  shuln  after  here  2764 

IT  fo  Nat  may  the  wooful  spirit  /  in  myn  hert 

Declare  a  poynt  /  of  alle  my  sorwes  smert 

To  jow  my  lady  /  that  I  loue  most 

But  I  quethe  /  the  /  sernyse  of  my  gost  2768 

To  $ow  /  a-bouen  euery  creature 

Sen  that  my  lif  /  may  no  lengere  dure 

Alias  the  woo  /  alias  the  peynes  stronge        IT  Noto  bene 

That  I  for  $ow  haue  /  suffred  /  and  so  longe  2772 

Alias  the  deth  /  alias  myn  Emelye 

Alias  departyng  /  of  oure  companye 

Alias  myn  hertes  Quene  /  alias  my  wyf 

Myn  hertes  lady  /  endere  of  my  lif  2776 

What  is  this  world  /  what  asken  men  to  haue 

Now  with  his  loue  /  now  in  his  cold  graue 

[Allone  wzt/i-out  ony  cumpany        ^f^fHi  o/Iw }  ba°k : 

Farewele  my  swete  farewele  myn)  Emely  2780 

And  soft  take  me  in  your  armes  twey 

For  the  loue  of  god  and  herkeneth  what  I  sey] 

IF  fS)  I  haue  here  with  my  Cosyn  /  Palamon 

had  strif  and  rancour  /  many  a  day  a-gon  2784 

ffor  loue  of  jow  /  and  for  my  lelousie 

And  lubiter  /  so  wysly  /  my  soule  gye 

[Part  of  this  page,  Egorton  272G.] 


80      GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

To  speken  of  a  semaunt  /  proprely 

with  circunistauncej  /  aH  trewely  2788 

That  is  to  seyn  /  trewpe  /  honowr  /  kny3thede 

Wysdom  humblesse  /  estate  /  and  heigh  kynrede 

ffreedom  /  and  al  that  longeth  /  to  that  art      [leaf  ss,  back] 

So  lubiter  haue  /  of  my  soule  part  2792 

As  in  this  world  right  now  /  ne  knowe  I  non 

So  worthy  to  ben  loued  /  as  Palamon 

That  serueth  $ow  /  and  wel  don  al  his  lyf 

And  if  fat  euere  /  $e  schuln  ben  a  wyf  2796 

fforjete  nat  Palamou  /  the  gentil  man 

IT  fo  And  with  that  word  /  his  speche  faile  began 

ffor  fro  his  fete  /  vp  to  his  brest  was  come 

The  colde  of  deth  /  that  had  him  ouercome  2800 

And  jet  more-ouer  /  for  in  his  armes  two 

The  vitayH  strengthe  /  is  lost  and  al  a-go 

Oonly  the  intellect  /  with-outen  more 

That  dwelleth"  /  in  his  hert  /  seke  and  sore  2804 

Gan  faylen  /  whan  the  hert  feleth  deth 

Dusked  ys  hise  eyen  two  /  and  faileth  breth 

But  on  his  lady  /  $et  cast  he  his  eye 

His  last  word  /  was  mercy  Emelye  2808 

his  spirit  chaunged  hens  /  &  went  there 

As  I  cam  neuere  /  I  kan  nat  tellen  where 

Therfore  I  stynt  /  I  am  no  diuinistre 

Of  soules  fynde  I  noujt  /  in  this  registre  2812 

Ne  me  ne  list  /  thilke  opinions  to  telle 

Of  hem  /  though  j>at  |>ei  wryten  /  where  they  dwelle 

Arcite  is  cold  /  there  Mars  his  soule  gye 

Now  wol  I  speken  forth  /  of  Emelye  2816 

H  f£)  Shryghte  /  Emelye  /  and  howleth"  Palamon 

And  Theseus  his  Suster  /  tok  a-non 

Swoughnyng  /  &  bar  hire  /  fro  the  corps  a-way 

What  helpeth  it  /  to  tarien  forth  the  day  2820 

To  tellen  how  she  wepte  /  both  eue  and  morwe 

ffor  in  swicfc  cas  /  wommen  han  swich"  sorwe 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  81 

Whan  J)«t  here  husbondes  /  ben  fro  hem  a-go 

That  for  the  more  part  /  they  sorwen  so  2824 

Or  ellis  fallen  /  in  swich"  a  maladie 

That  at  the  last  /  certeynly  they  deye 

1T  (JJ)  Infinite  ben  the  sorwes  /  and  the  teeres 

Of  olde  folk  /  and  folk  of  tendre  jeres  2828 

In  al  the  Toun  /  for  the  detfi  /  of  this  Theban 

ffor  him  fere  wepeth  /  bothe  child  &  man 

So  gret  a  wepyng  /  was  fere  non  certeyn 

Whan  Ector  was  brought  /  al  fressh"  I-slayn  2832 

To  Troye  /  alias  the  pyte  that  was  there 

Cracchyng  of  chekes  /  rendyng  eke  of  here 

Why  woldest  f  ou  be  ded  /  theise  wo?ttmen  crye 

And  haddest  gold  I-now  /  and  Emelye  [leafse]  2836 

U  fo  No  man  myght  gladen  /  Theseus 

Sauyng  his  old  fader  /  Egeus 

That  knew  this  worldlis  /  transmutacion 

As  he  had  seyn  it  chaunge  /  bof  e  vp  &  doun  2840 

loye  after  woo  /  and  woo  after  gladnes 

And  shewed  him  ensample  /  and  lyknes 

Eight  as  there  deyed  neuere  man  /  quod  he    IT  Noto 

„,       ,  ...         ,,      .  .  ,  IF  Argumentuw 

lhat  he  ne  loued  in  erthe  /  in  som  degre 

Eight  so  fere  lyued  neuere  man  /  he  seide  2845 

In  al  this  world  /  J>at  somtyme  he  ne  deyede 

This  world  nys  but  a  thurgh-feire  /  ful  of  woo 

And  we  ben  pilgrimes  /  passyng  to  and  froo  2848 

Deth  is  an  ende  /  of  euery  worldly  sore 

And  ouer  al  this  /  jet  seide  he  meche  more 

To  this  effect  /  ful  wysly  to  enhorte 

The  people  /  fat  they  shuld  him  /  recomforte  2852 

IT  |£)  Duke  Theseus  /  with  al  his  bysy  cure 

Oast1  now  where  /  that  the  sepulture  [>/&*•  Cast] 

Of  goode  Arcite  /  may  best  I-maked  be 

And  eke  most  honourable  /  in  his  degre  2856 

And  at  the  last  /  he  tok  conclusion 

That  there  as  first  /  Arcite  &  Palamon 

G 


82      GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

hadden  for  loue  /  the  bataylle  hew  bytwene 

That  in  the  selue  Groue  /  swete  &  grene  2860 

There  as  he  had  /  his  amorous  desires 

Hys  compleynt  /  and  for  loue  his  hote  fires 

he  wold  make  a  fir  /  in  which  the  office 

ffuneraH  /  he  mygh~t  al  accomplice  2864 

And  lete  a-non  comaunde  /  to  hakke  and  hewe 

The  Okes  olde  /  and  leyn  hem  on  a  rewe 

In  culpons  /  wel  arayed  for  to  brenne 

IF  fo  His  officers  /  witA  swift  fet  they  renne  2868 

And  ride  a-non)  /  at  his  comauwdement 

And  after  this  /  Theseus  hath  I-sent 

After  a  Bere  /  and  it  al  ouer-spredde 

\vith  clothes  of  gold  /  the  richest  )>at  he  hadde  2872 

And  of  J>e  same  seute  /  he  clad  Arcite 

vp-on  his  handes  /  his  glowys  whyte 

Eke  on  his  hede  /  a  corone  of  laurere  grene 

And  in  his  hand  /  a  swerd  ful  bright  and  kene  2876 

He  leid  him  bare  /  the  visage  /  on  the  bere 

Ther-wit7i  he  wepte  /  that  pite  was  to  here 

And  for  the  people  /  shuld  sen  him  alle 

Whan  it  was  day  /  he  broujt  him  to  J>e  halle  2880 

That  roreth  of  the  criyng  and  the  souii 

Tho  cam  this  wooful  Theaban  /  Palamon     [leaf  so,  back] 

With  flotry  berd  /  and  ruggy  asshy  heres 

In  clothes  blake  /  I-dropped  al  with  teres  2884 

And  passyng  othere  /  of  wepyng  /  Emelye 

The  reuf ullest  /  of  al  the  cumpanye 

And  in  as  meche  /  as  the  seruyse  shuld  be 

The  more  noble  /  and  riche  in  his  degree  2888 

Duke  Theseus  /  let  forth  the  steedes  bryng 

That  trapped  weren  /  in  stele  al  gleteryng 

And  couered  with  the  Armes  /  of  daun  Arcite 

vp-on  the  steedes  /  grete  and  whyte  2892 

There  seten  folk  /  of  which  on  bar  his  shelde 

Another  his  spere  /  vp-on  his  hondes  helde 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  &  Eg.  2726.     83 

They  bar  with  him  /  his  bowe  Turkeys 
Of  brend  gold  was  the  caas  /  &  eke  the  barneys          2896 
And  riden  forth  a  paas  /  with  sorwef ul  chere 
Toward  the  Groue  /  as  30  schuln  after  here 
The  noblest  of  the  Grekys  /  that  there  were 
Vp-on  here  shuldres  /  carieden  the  bere  2900 

with  slakke  paas  /  and  eyen  rede  and  wete 
Thorugh-ou^t  the  Citee  /  by  the  maister  strete 
That  spred  was  al  with  blak  /  and  wonder  hye 
Rygh"t  of  the  same  /  is  the  strete  I-wrye  2904 

H  fo  Vp-on  the  right  hand  /  went  old  Egeus 
And  on  that  other  side  /  Duke  Theseus 
With  vesseles  in  here  handes  /  of  gold  ful  fyne 
Al  ful  of  hony  /  melk  /  Blod  /  and  wyne  2908 

Eke  Palamon  /  with  ful  gret  companye 
And  after  fat  cam  /  wooful  Emelye 
With  fir  in  hand  /  as  was  pat  tyme  the  gyse 
To  do  the  offise  /  of  ffuneraH  seruyce  .      2912 

H  |£)  Heigh"  labour  /  and  gret  apparaillyng 
Was  at  the  seruice  /  and  the  fir  makyng 
That  with  his  grene  top  /  the  heuene  laugfet 
And  xxti  /  fadome  of  brede  /  the  armes  straugfit         2916 
This  is  to  seyn  /  the  bowes  were  so  brode 
Of  stree  first  /  there  was  leid  mony  a  lode 
11  (5)  But  how  the  fire  /  was  maked  vp  on  height 
Ne  eke  the  names  /  how  the  trees  hight  2920 

As  Oke  fir  /  Birche  /  Aspe  /  Alder  /  holm  /  Popler  Arberes 
Wylew  /  Elm)  /  Plane  /  AssR  /  Box  /  Chesteyn/  lynde  /  laurer 
Mapul  /  Thorn  /  Beche  /  Hasel  /  Ew  /  Whippeltre 
How  they  were  feld  /  shal  nat  be  told  for  me  2924 

U  fo  N~e  how  the  goddes  /  ronnen  vp  and  doun 
Disherited  /  of  here  habitacion  [Dd.  ends;  leaf  37 gone] 

In  which"  they  woneden)  in  rest  and  pees       ^j^'f ns>  leaf  8T 
nymphes  fawnes  and  madrides  2928 

Ne  how  the  bestes  and  the  briddes  aH 
ffledden  for  ferde  whan  whan  the  wode  was  faH 
[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


84     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726. 

Ne  how  the  grounde  agast  was  of  the  light 

That  was  nat  wonte  to  seen  the  sonne  bright  2932 

Ne  how  the  fire  was  chaunged  first  with  stre 

And  then  dry  stykkes  cloven  in  iij  • 

And  than  with  grene  wode  and  spicery 

And  than  wiih  cloth  of  golde  and  witJi  perry  2936 

And  garlandes  hangyng  fuH  of  many  a  ftour 

The  mirre  Theceus  vfiih  aH  the  grete  sauowr 

Ne  how  Arcite  lay  amonge  aH  this 

Ne  what  ricches  aboute  his  body  ys  2940 

Ne  how  that  Emelye  as  was  the  gyse 

put  in  the  fire  of  funeraH  seruice 

Ne  how  the  swowned  whan  men  made  the  fire 

ne  what  she  spake  ne  what  was  hir  desire  2944 

ne  what  lewels  men  in  the  fire  cast 

Whan  that  the  fire  was  grete  and  brent  faste 

Ne  how  som  her  sheldes  and  soni  her  spere 

And  of  her  vestimentes  which  that  they  were  2948 

And  cuppes  fuH  of  mylke  and  wyne  and  blode 

In-to  the  fire  than  brent  as  yt  were  wode 

And  how  the  grekes  with  an  houge  route 

Thriea  ryden  the  fire  aboute  2952 

Vp-on  the  left  hande  with  a  loude  showtyng 

And  thries  with  her  speres  clateryng 

And  thries  how  the  ladies  gonnen  crye 

And  how  that  lad  was  homward  Emelye  2956 

Ne  how  Arcite  ys  brent  to  asshen  colde 

Ne  how  J>at  light  wake  was  yholde 

AH  that  night  ne  how  the  grekes  pleye 

The  wake  pleys  ne  kepe  I  nat  to  seye^  2960 

Who  wrastelleth"  best  naked  with  oyle  enoynt 

No  who  that  bare  hym  best  in  no  disioynt       [leaf  ss] 

I  woH  nat  tellen  aH  how  they  gon) 

Horn  to  Athenes  whan  the  pleye  ys  don)  2964 

But  shortly  to  the  poynte  than)  woH  I  wende 

And  maken  of  my  longe  tale  an  ende 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Egerton  2726.        85 

By  processe  and  by  length  of  certein  yeres 

AH  stynt  is  the  mowrnyng  and  the  teres  2968 

Of  grekes  by  one  generaH  assent 

Than  semed  me  there  was  a  parlement 

Among  the  which  pointes  spoken  was  2972 

At  Athenes  vp-on  certein  poyntes  and  caas  2971 

To  liaue  vrith  certein  encres  aliaunce 

And  haue  fully  of  Thebans  obeisaunce 

ffor  which  this  noble  Theseus  anon 

leten  sende  after  genteH  Palamon  2976 

Vnwyst  of  hym  what  was  the  cause  and  why 

But  in  his  blake  clothes  sorowf ully 

he  cam  at  his  comaundement  in  hie 

Tho  sent  Theseus  for  Emelye  2930 

Whan  they  were  set  and  hussh  was  aH  the  place 

And  Theseus  abyden  hath  a  space 

Er  ony  worde  cam  from  his  wyse  brest 

His  yeen  set  he  there  as  was  his  list  2984 

And  vriih  a  sad  visage  he  sighed  styH 

And  after  pat  right  thus  he  seide  his  wiH 

The  first  mouer  of  the  cause  aboue 
whan  he  first  made  pe  feir  cheine  of  loue          2988 
Grete  was  theffect  and  hie  was  his  entent 
Wele  wist  he  why  and  what  there-of  he  ment 
ffor  -with  pat  feir  chein  of  loue  he  bonde 
The  fire  the  eyer  the  water  and  the  londe  2992 

In  certein  bondes  that  they  may  nat  fie 
That  same  prince  and  pat  mover  quod  he 
hath  stabliced  in  this  wrecched  world  adoun) 
Certein  dayes  and  duracioun)  2996 

To  aH  that  gendred  is  in  this  place 
Ouer  the  which  day  they  may  nat  pace 
AH  mow  they  yit  tho  dayes  a-brigge 
There  nedeth  none  auctorite  to  alegge  3000 

ffor  yt  ys  preued  by  experience  / 
But  pat  me  list  declaren  my  sentence          [leaf  ss,  back] 
[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


86     GROUP  A.    §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Eg.  2726  &  Dd. 

Then  men  may  wele  by  this  ordre  discerne 

That  thilke  mover  stable  ys  and  eterne  3004 

Wele  may  men  knowe  but  it  be  a  fole 

That  euery  part  is  dareined  from  his  hole 

ffor  nature  hatfi  nat  taken  his  begynnyng 

Of  no  party  or  of  canteH  or  of  a  thing  3008 

But  of  a  thing  that  parfite  is  and  stable 

Descendyng  so  tytt  it  be  corumpable 

And  therfore  for  his  wyse  pwveyaunce 

He  hath"  so  wele  byset  his  ordinaunce  3012 

That  spices  of  thinges  and  progressions 

Sholden  enduren  by  successions 

And  noght  eteme  wiMouten  ony  lye 

This  maist  )>ou  vndrestonde  and  seyn)  at  eye  [Eg.  ends]  3016 

Lo  the  Oke  /  that  hatfi  /  so  longe  a  norisshyng    1D£J <*£»»»«• 

ff ro  the  tyme  /  fat  it  first  /  bygynneth  to  spryng  IT  Noto  bcne 

And  hath  so  longe  a  lyf  /  as  30  may  se 

3et  at  the  last  /  wasted  is  the  tree  3020 

Considereth  eke  /  how  that  the  harde  stoii 

Vnder  cure  fote  /  on  which"  we  ride  and  gon 

It  wasteth  /  as  it  lith  /  by  the  weye 

The  brode  ryuer  /  somtyme  waxeth  drye  3024 

The  grete  townes  /  se  we  wane  and  wend 

Than  se  je  /  fat  al  this  thyng  /  hath  an  end 

Of  man  and  wowman  /  se  we  wel  also 

That  nedes  in  on  /  of  feise  teraies  two  3028 

This  is  to  seyn  /  in  jouthe  or  ellis  in  age 

he  mot  be  ded  /  the  kyng  /  as  shal  a  page 

Som  in  his  bed  /  som)  in  the  depe  see 

Som)  in  the  large  feld  /  as  $e  moun)  se  3032 

There  helpeth  noujt  /  alle  gon  Jj«t  ilke  wey 

Than  may  I  seyn  /  that  al  this  thyng  mot  dey 

U  fo  What  makith  this  /  but  lubiter  the  kyng 

That  is  prince  and  cause  /  of  alle  thyng  3036 

Conue>'tyng  alle  /  vn-to  his  propre  wylle 

ifrom  which"  it  is  derreyned  /  soth  to  telle 

[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  87 

And  here  a-geyns  /  no  creature  on  lyue 

Of  no  degree  /  auayleth  nat  for  to  stryue  3040 

U  fo  Than  is  it  wysdom)  /  as  it  thynketfi  me 

To  maken  vertue  /  of  necessite 

And  take  it  wele  /  fat  we  may  nat  escheue 

And  namelich  /  fat  to  vs  alle  /  is  due  3044 

And  vvho-so  gruccheth  ou^t  /  he  doth  folie 

That  rebel  is  to  hym  /  fat  al  may  gye 

And  certeynly  /  a  man  hath  most  honour 

To  dyen  /  in  his  excellence  and  flour  3048 

Whan  he  is  syker  /  of  his  good  name 

Than  hath  he  don)  /  his  frend  ne  him  no  shame 

And  gladdere  ought  his  frend  /  ben  of  his  deth" 

Whan  fat  with  honour  /  jolden  is  his  broth"  3052 

Than  whan  his  name  /  appalled  is  for  age 

ffor  al  forgetyn  /  is  his  vassillage 

Than  is  it  best  /  as  for  a  worthy  fame 

To  dyen  /  whan  he  is  best  of  name  3056 

The  contrary  of  al  this  /  is  wylfulnesse 

Why  grucchen  we  /  why  haue  we  heuynesse 

That  good  Arcite  /  of  Chyualrie  the  flour 

Departed  ys  /  with  duete  and  honour  3060 

Oujt  of  this  foul  prison  /  of  this  lyf 

Why  grucchen  heere  /  his  Cosyn  and  his  wyff  rieaf38,back] 

Of  his  welfare  /  that  louen  him  so  wele 

Can  he  hem  thank  /  nay  god  wot  /  neuere  a  dele        3064 

That  bothe  his  soule  /  and  eke  hem  self  offend 

And  3et  they  moun  /  here  lustes  nat  a-mend 

IT  fo  What  may  I  concluden  /  of  this  long  serie 

But  after  woo  /  I  rede  vs  alle  be  merye  3068 

And  thanken  lubiter  /  of  al  his  grace 

And  er  we  departen  /  from  this  place 

I  rede  we  make  /  of  sorwes  two 

0  parfyt  loye  /  lastyng  eue»*e  moo  3072 

And  loketh  now  /  where  most  sorwe  is  here-Iime 

There  wyl  I  tirst  amenden  /  and  bygynue 


88     GROUP  A.     §  2.     KNIGHT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

U  (£)  Suster  qwod  he  /  this  is  my  ful  assent 

with  alle  the  lordes  here  /  of  my  parlement  3076 

Tat  lentil  Palamon  /  joure  owen  knygfit 

That  serueth  $ow  /  with  wyl  hert  &  myght 

And  euere  hath  don  /  syn  first  30  him  knewe 

That  30  schuln  of  jour  grace  /  vp-on  him  rewe  3080 

And  taken  him  for  husbonde  /  and  for  lord 

lene  me  joure  hand  /  for  j>is  is  oure  acord 

lat  se  now  /  of  joure  wowmanly  pitee 

he  is  a  kyngis  brotheres  sone  /  parde  3084 

And  though"  he  were  /  a  pore  bachelere 

Syn  he  hath  serued  $ow  /  so  many  a  $ere 

And  had  for  $ow  /  so  gret  aduersitee 

It  must  ben  considered  /  leueth  me  3088 

ffor  gentil  mercy  /  oujt  to  passen  right 

11  fo  Than  seide  he  thus  /  to  Palamon  the  kuygfit 

I  trowe  there  nedeth  /  litel  sermonyng 

To  maken  jow  assenten  /  to  this  thyng  3092 

Come  nere  /  &  taketh  $oure  lady  /  by  the  hond 

Bytwixen  hem  /  was  mad  a-non  the  bond 

That  hight  matrimon)  /  or  mariage 

By  al  the  counseil  /  and  the  baronage  3096 

U  fo  And  thus  with  al  blisse  /  and  melodye 

hath  Palamon  I-wedded  /  Emelye 

And  god  fat  al  this  world  /  hath  wrought 

Sende  him  his  loue  /  fat  hath  it  dere  a-bougfrt  3100 

ffor  now  is  Palamon  /  in  att  wele 

leuyng  in  blisse  /  in  richesse  and  in  hele 

And  Emelye  /  him  loueth  so  tenderly 

And  he  hire  serueth  /  so  gentilly  3104 

That  fere  was  /  no  word  /  hem  bytwene 

Of  ielousie  /  or  ony  other  tene  [leaf  39] 

Thus  endeth  Palamon  /  and  Emelye  3107 

And  god  saue  al  /  this  fair  companye. 

IT  Amen  quod  Wy tton '. 


GROUP  A.     §  3.     MILLER'S  PROLOGUE.     Dd.  4.  24.     89 


11  The  prologe  of  the  Millere 

rHan  that  the  knyght  /  had  thus  his  tale  I-told 
In  al  the  compauye  /  ne  was  fyere  3ong  ne  old 
That  he  ne  seide  /  it  was  a  noble  storie 
And  worthy  for  to  drawen  /  to  memorie       3112 

And  namely  the  gentiles  /  euerychon 

H  fS)  Oure  Host  lough  /  and  swor  as  mot  I  gon 

This  goth  a-rigfit  /  vnbocled  is  the  male 

Lat  se  now  /  who  shal  telle  /  a-nother  tale  31 16 

ffor  trewely  /  J>is  game  is  wel  bygonne 

Now  telleth  je  sire  Monke  /  if  fat  30  cone 

Som  what  /  to  quyte  with  /  J)e  knyghtes  tale 

al  pale 

IT  fo  The  Millere  /  fat  for-dronken  was  /  of  Ale         3120 

So  fat  vn-ethe  vp-on  his  hors  he  sat 

he  nolde  a-valen  /  neither  hod  ne  hat 

Ne  a-byden  no  man  /  for  his  curteysie 

But  in  pilates  vois  /  he  gan  to  crye  3124 

And  swor  by  armes  /  and  by  blod  &  bones 

I  can  a  noble  tale  /  for  the  nones 

With  which  I  wol  now  /  quyte  f e  knyghtes  tale 

Oure  host  saw  /  that  he  was  dronke  of  ale  3128 

And  seide  abyde  /  Robyn  leue  brother 

Som  betir  man  /  shal  telle  vs  first  a-nother 

A-byde  /  and  late  vs  werkyn  /  thriftily 

By  goddes  soule  quod  he  /  that  wol  nat  I  3132 

ffor  I  wol  speke  /  or  elles  go  my  wey 

Oure  host  answered  /  telle  on  a  dewel  wey 

Thow  art  a  fool  /  thy  wyt  is  ouercome 

U  fo  Now  herkeneth  quod  the  Millere  /  alle  &  some  3136 

But  first  I  make  /  a  protestacion 

That  I  am  dronke  /  I  knowe  it  be  my  soun) 

And  f erfore  /  if  that  I  /  mysspeke  or  sey 

Wyteth  it  the  Ale  /  of  Southwerk  / 1  prey  3140 


90      GROUP  A.     §  3.     MILLER'S  PROLOGUE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

ff or  I  wol  telle  /  a  legend  /  or  a  lyf 

Bothe  of  a  Carpenter  /  and  of  his  wyf 

How  J>at  a  Clerk  /  hath  set  the  wrygfites  cap 

1T  fe  The  Reve  answered  /  and  seide  stynt  thy  clap  [if.  so,  bk.] 

late  be  thyn  lewed  /  dronken  Harlotrie  3145 

It  is  a  synne  /  and  eke  a  gret  folie 

To  a-peyren  any  man  /  of  his  defame 

And  eke  to  brynge  wyues  /  in  swicfi.  name  3148 

Thow  maist  I-now  /  of  othere  thynges  seyn 

1T  fo  This  dronken  Millere  /  spak  ful  sone  a-geyn 

And  seide  /  leue  brother  Oswold 

Who  hath  no  wyf  /  he  is  no  Cokewold  3152 

But  I  seye  nat  perfore  /  that  J>ou  art  on 

There  ben  ful  goode  wyues  /  many  on 

[ [not  in  Eg.  2726] 

no  gap  in  the  MS.}  3156 

Why  art  J>ou  angry  /  with  my  tale  now 

I  haue  a  wyf  parde  /  as  wel  as  thow 

$et  nolde  I  /  for  the  Oxen  in  my  plougfi 

Taken  vp-on  me  /  more  than  I-nougfi  3160 

As  demen  on)  my  self  /  fat  I  were  one 

I  wol  byleue  wel  /  fat  I  am  none 

An  husbonde  /  shal  nat  ben  inquesitif          IT  Noto  bene 

Of  goddes  preuyte  /  ne  of  his  wyf  3164 

So  he  may  fynden  /  goddes  foyson  there 

Of  the  remencmnt  /  nedeth  nat  enquere 

IT  lub  What  shulde  I  more  seyn  /  but  ]>is  Millere 

he  nolde  hise  wordes  /  for  no  man  for-bere  3168 

But  told  his  Cherles  tale  /  in  his  manere 

Me  a-thynketh  /  J»at  I  shal  /  reherce  it  here 

And  therfore  /  euery  gentil  wygfit  I  pray 

Demeth  nat  /  for  goddes  loue  /  that  I  say  3172 

Of  euele  entent  /  but  for  I  mot  reherce 

here  tales  alle  /  al  be  they  bet  /  or  werce 

Or  elles  falsen  /  som)  of  my  inatere 

And  ferfore  /  wo-so  list  it  nat  /  to  here  3176 


GROUP  A.     §  3.     MILLER'S  PROLOGUE.     Dd.  4.  24.     91 

Turne  ouer  the  lef  /  and  chese  a-noj>er  tale 

ffor  he  shal  fynde  I-nowe  /  grete  &  smale 

Of  storial  thyng  /  that  toucheth  gentilnesse 

And  eke  moralite  /  and  holynesse  3180 

Blameth  nat  me  /  if  fat  je  chese  a-mys 

The  Millere  is  a  charl  /  30  knowe  wel  this 

So  was  the  Reve  eke  /  and  othere  moo 

And  Harlotrie  they  tolden  /  bothe  two  3184 

A-vyseth  $ow  /  and  put  me  ou^t  of  blame 

And  eke  /  men  shuln)  nat  make  /  ernest  of  game 


92      GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 


1[  Heere  bygynnetli  the  Millers  tale  f       [leaf  40] 

WHilom  there  was  dwellyng  /  in  Oxenford 
A  riche  gnof  /  that  gestes  held  to  bord      3188 
And  of  his  craft  /  he  was  a  Carpentere 
-with  him  J>ere  was  dwellyng  /  a  poore  scolere 
Had  lerned  art  /  but  al  his  fantasye 
was  turned  /  for  to  lerne  /  Astrology e  3192 

And  koude  a  serteyn  /  of  conclusions 
To  demen  /  by  interrogacions 
If  Jjat  men  asked  him  /  in  certeyn  houres 
What  }>at  men  shuld  haue  /  drought  or  elles  shoures  3196 
Or  if  men  asked  him  /  what  shulde  by-falle 
Of  euery  thyng  /  I  may  nat  rekken  hem  alle 
IT  (2b  This  Clerk  was  cleped  /  hende  Nicholas 
Of  derne  loue  he  coude  /  and  of  solas  3200 

And  ther-to  he  was  sly  /  and  ful  preue 
And  like  a  Maide  /  meke  for  to  se 
A  Chaumbre  had  he  /  in  that  hostelrye 
A-lone  /  with-outen  ony  companye  3204 

fful  fetisly  dig&t  /  vrith  herbes  swote 
And  he  him  self  /  as  swete  as  is  the  rote 
Of  licoris  /  or  ony  Setuale 

his  Almageste  /  and  bokes  grete  and  smale  3208 

his  Astralabie  /  longyng  for  his  art 
His  Augryme  stones  /  loyn  faire  a-pert 
On  shelues  /  kouched  /  at  his  beddis  hede 
His  presse  couered  /  with  a  faldyng  rede  3212 

And  al  a-boue  /  there  lay  a  gay  Sautrye 
On  whiche  he  mad  /  on  nygfitis  melodye 
So  swetely  /  J>at  al  the  chaumber  rong 
And  Angelus  ad  virginem  /  he  song  3216 

And  after  that  /  he  song  the  kynges  note 
fful  often  blissed  /  was  his  niery  throte 


GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  93 

And  thus  this  swete  Clerk  /  his  tyine  spent 

After  his  frendis  fyndyng  /  and  his  rent  3220 

H  fo  This  Carpenter  had  wedded  /  newe  a  wyf 

•which"  pat  he  loued  /  more  than  his  lyf 

Of  xviij  jere  /  she  was  of  age 

lelous  he  was  /  &  held  hire  narwe  in  kage  3224 

ff or  she  was  wylde  /  &  jong  /  and  he  was  old 

And  demed  him  self  /  to  ben  like  a  Cokewold 

he  knew  nat  Caton)  /  for  his  wyt  was  rude 

That  bad  men  shulde  wedde  /  here  similitude  3228 

Men  shulde  wedden  /  after  here  astate 

ffor  ^outhe  and  age  /  is  often  at  debate 

But  sithe  fat  he  /  was  fallen  in  the  snare       [leaf  40,  back] 

he  must  enduren  /  as  other  folk  /  his  care  3232 

U  f£b  ffair  was  this  3ong  wyf  /  and  there-wtt/i-alle      Note 

As  ony  wesyl  /  hir  body  gent  and  smalle 

A  Seynt  she  wered  barred  /  al  of  sylke 

A  barmclothe  as  whyte  /  as  morvve  mylke  3236 

vp-on  hire  lendes  /  ful  of  many  a  goore 

white  was  hire  smokke  /  and  browded  al  byfore 

And  eke  behynd  /  on  hire  coler  a-boute 

Of  cole  blak  sylk  /  wit/i-Inne  &  eke  w/t/i-oute  3240 

The  tapes  /  of  hire  white  volupere 

Were  of  )>e  same  seute  /  of  hire  colere 

hire  filet  brod  of  sylk  /  and  set  ful  hye 

And  sekirly  she  hadde  /  a  lykerous  eye  3244 

ff  ul  smale  I-pulled  /  were  hire  browes  two 

And  tho  were  bent  /  &  blake  as  is  a  slo 

She  was  ful  more  blisful  /  on  to  se 

Than  is  the  newe  /  Pere-Ionet  tre  3248 

And  softer  fawne  the  wolle  is  /  of  a  weder 

And  by  hire  girdel  heng  /  a  purs  of  lether 

Tasseled  with  silk  /  and  perled  wt't/i  latouw 

In  al  this  world  /  to  seken  vp  and  doun)  3252 

There  nys  no  man  /  so  wys  /  J>at  coude  thenche 

So  gay  a  popelot  /  or  swiche  a  wenche 


94     GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

fful  brigfetere  was  the  shynyng  /  of  hire  hewe 

Than  in  the  Tour  /  the  noble  I-forged  newe  3256 

But  of  hire  song  /  it  was  as  loude  /  and  3erne 

As  ony  swalwe  /  sittyng  on  a  berne 

Ther-to  she  coude  skyp  /  and  make  game 

As  ony  kydde  or  calf  /  folwyng  his  dame  3260 

Hire  mouth  was  swete  /  as  braket  or  the  moth" 

Or  hoord  of  apples  /  leyd  in  hey  or  hetfc 

Wynsyng  she  was  /  as  is  a  ioly  colt 

long  as  a  mast  /  and  vp-righ"t  as  a  bolt  3264 

A  broche  she  bar  /  vp-on  hire  lowe  coler 

As  brod  /  as  is  the  boos  /  of  a  bokeler 

hire  shoes  were  laced  /  on  hire  legges  heye 

She  was  a  prymerole  /  a  Pyggesnye  3268 

ffor  any  lord  /  to  leggen  in  his  bedde 

Or  ^et  /  for  ony  good  ^emman  /  to  wedde 

H  fo  Now  sire  and  eft  sire  /  so  byfel  the  cas 

That  on  a  day  /  }>is  hende  Nicholas  3272 

ff el  with  ]>is  $ong  wyf  /  to  rage  and  pleye 

While  that  hire  husbond  /  was  at  Osneye 

As  clerkis  ben  ful  sotil  /  and  ful  queynt 

And  preuyly  /  he  caught  hire  /  by  the  queynt  [ieaf«]  3276 

And  seide  I-wysse  /  but  ich"  haue  my  wylle 

ffor  derne  loue  /  of  the  le??mian  /  I  spille 

And  held  hire  harde  /  by  the  haunche  bones 

And  seide  lemman  /  loue  me  al  at  ones  3280 

Or  I  wol  deyen  /  also  god  me  saue 

And  she  sprong  /  as  a  colt  doth  in  a  traue 

And  with  hire  hed  /  she  wryed  fast  a-wey 

She  seyde  /  I  wol  nat  kysse  the  /  be  my  fey  3284 

We  lat  be  quod  icfi  /  lat  be  Nicholas 

Or  I  wol  crie  /  ou$t  herrowe  /  and  alias 

Do  wey  $oure  handes  /  for  joure  curteisie 

1f  fe  This  Nicholas  /  gan  mercy  for  to  crye  3288 

And  spak  so  faire  /  and  profred  him  so  faste 

That  she  hire  loue  /  hym  grawnted  at  the  laste 


GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.]  95 

And  swor  hire  oth  /  by  seynt  Thomas  of  Kent 

That  she  wolde  ben  /  at  his  comaundement  3292 

whan  fat  she  may  /  hire  leiser  wel  a-spie 

Myn  husbond  is  /  so  ful  of  lelusye 

That  but  $e  wayte  wel  /  and  be  preue 

I  wot  right  wel  /  I  nam  but  ded  qiiod  she  3296 

3e  must  be  ful  derne  /  as  in  this  cas 

IT  (5)  ^ay  ther-of  care  the  nought  /  quod  Nicholas 

A  Clerk  had  litherly  /  byset  his  whyle 

But  if  he  coude  /  a  Carpenter  begyle  3300 

And  thus  they  ben  /  acorded  /  and  I-sworn) 

To  wayte  a  tyme  /  as  I  haue  told  byforn 

1T  whan  Nicholas  had  don  this  /  euery  dele      Noto  bcne 

And  thakkede  hire  /  a-boute  the  lendes  wele  3304 

he  kisseth  hire  swete  /  and  taketh  his  sautrie 

And  pleyeth  faste  /  and  maketh  melodye 

U  (ft  Tha?me  fel  it  thus  /  fat  to  the  Parissh"  Chirche 

Cristes  owen  werk  /  for  to  werche  3308 

This  good  wyf  went  /  on  an  haliday 

hire  forhede  shon  /  as  bright  as  ony  day 

So  was  it  wasshen  /  whan  she  lete  hir  werk 

If  f5b  Now  was  there  of  fat  chirche  /  a  parissh"  clerk  3312 

The  which  /  fat  was  I-cleped  /  Absolon) 

Crool  was  his  heer  /  &  as  the  gold  it  shon 

And  strotted  as  a  fanne  /  large  and  brode 

fful  streyt  and  euene  /  lay  his  ioly  shode  3316 

his  rode  was  rede  /  his  eyen  grey  as  goos 

with  Poules  wyndowes  /  coruen  on  hise  shoos 

In  Hosen  rede  /  he  went  ful  fetislye  [leaf  41,  back] 

I-clad  he  was  /  ful  smal  and  pj-oprelye  3320 

Al  in  a  kirtil  /  of  a  light  vaget 

fful  fair  &  thikke  /  ben  the  poyntis  set 

And  ther-vp-on)  /  he  had  a  gay  surplice 

As  white  as  is  /  the  blosme  on  the  rice  3324 

A  mery  child  he  was  /  so  god  me  saue 

wel  coude  he  laten  blod  /  &  clippe  and  shaue 


96      GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  make  a  charter  of  lond  /  or  acquietance 

In  xxu  maners  /  coude  he  tryppe  and  daunce  3328 

After  the  scole  /  of  Oxenford  tho 

And  -with  hise  leggis  /  casten  to  and  fro 

And  pleyen  song  /  on  a  smal  ribible 

Ther-to  he  song  som  tyme  /  a  loude  quynyble  3332 

And  as  wel  coude  he  pley  /  on  a  geterne 

In  al  the  Toun)  nas  there  /  brewhous  ne  Taueme 

That  he  ne  vesited  /  with  his  solace 

There  ony  gaylard  /  tapstere  was  3336 

But  sothe  to  seyn  /  he  was  soradele  squeymous 

Of  fartyng  /  and  of  speche  daungerous 

This  Absolon  /  that  ioly  was  and  gay 

Goth  with  a  Censer  /  on  the  haliday  3340 

Sensyng  the  wyues  /  of  the  Parissh"  fast 

And  many  a  louely  loke  /  on  hem  he  cast 

And  namely  /  on  this  Carpenteres  wyf 

To  loke  on  hire  /  him  fought  a  mery  lif  3344 

She  was  so  propre  /  and  swete  /  and  likerous 

I  dar  wel  seyn  /  if  she  had  ben  a  Mous 

And  he  a  kat  /  he  wold  hire  hent  a-non) 

This  parissh  Clerk  /  this  ioly  Absolon)  3348 

hath  in  his  hert  /  swich"  a  loue  longyng 

That  of  no  wyf  /  toke  he  non)  offryng 

ffor  curteisie  he  seide  /  he  wold  non) 

The  Mone  /  whan  it  was  nygfit  /  ful  bright  shon)        3352 

And  Absolon  /  his  gytterne  /  hath  I-take 

ffor  paramowrs  he  fought  /  for  to  wake 

And  forth  he  goth  /  lolyf  and  amerous 

Til  he  cam  /  to  the  Carpenters  hous  3356 

A  litel  after  Cokkes  /  had  I-crowe 

And  dressed  him  vp  /  by  a  shot  wyndowe 

That  was  vp-on  /  the  Carpenteres  wal 

he  syngeth  in  his  voys  /  gentil  and  smal  3360 

Now  dere  lady  /  if  thy  wyl  be 

I  pray  jow  /  fat  30  wol  /  rewe  on  me 


GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  97 

fful  wel  accordyng  /  to  his  gitternyng 

11  (5)  This  Carpenter  a- woke  /  and  herd  him  syng   [leaf  42] 

And  spak  vn-to  his  wyf  /  and  seide  a-non  3635 

What  Alison  /  herest  fou  nat  Absolon) 

That  cliauuteth  thus  /  vnder  oure  boures  walle 

And  she  answered  hire  husbond  /  there-wit/i-alle        3368 

Jis  god  wot  lohn  /  I  here  it  euery  dele 

This  passeth  forth  /  what  wyl  je  bet  than  wele 

ffro  day  to  day  /  this  loly  Absolon) 

So  wougheth  hire  /  that  him  is  woo-bygon)  3372 

he  waketh  al  the  nyght  /  and  al  the  day 

he  kembeth  hise  lokkes  brode  /  &  mad  him  gay 

he  wougheth  hire  by  menes  /  and  brocage 

And  swor  he  wolde  ben  /  hire  owen  page  3376 

he  syngeth  brokkyng  /  as  a  Nyghtyugale 

And  sent  hire  pyment  /  Meth  &  spiced  ale 

And  waferes  pypyng  hote  /  oujt  of  the  glede 

And  for  she  was  of  Toune  /  he  profred  mede  3380 

•ffor  so?mne  folk  /  wol  be  wonnen  for  richesse 

And  somnie  for  strokes  /  and  somme  for  gentilnesse1 

Somtyme  to  shewen  /  his  lightnesse  and  niaistrye 

he  pleyeth  heraudes  /  vp-on  a  skaffold  heye  3384 

11  fo  But  what-availleth  him  /  as  in  this  cas  *  IT  Vmfc  Ouidius/ 

She  loueth  so  /  this  hende  Nicholas  ^ 

That  Absolon)  may  blowe  /  the  bukkes  horn) 

he  ne  had  for  his  labour  /  but  a  skorn)  3388 

And  thus  she  maketh  /  Absolou)  hire  Ape 

And  al  his  ernest  /  turneth  to  a  lape 

fful  soth  is  this  prouerbe  /  it  is  no  lye 

Men  sayn  right  thus  /  alwey  the  nye  slye  3392 

Maketh  the  fer  leef  /  to  be  loth 

ffor  though  fat  Absolon)  /  be  wood  or  wroth 

By-cause  J?at  he  fer  wes  /  from  hire  sight 

This  nye  Nicholas  /  stod  in  his  light  3396 

U  fo  Now  bere  the  wel  /  thow  hende  Nicholas 

ffor  Absolon)  may  waylle  /  and  syuge  alias 


98     GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  so  byfel  it  /  that  on  a  Saterday 

This  Carpenter  /  was  gone  to  Osney  3400 

And  hende  Nicholas  /  and  Alison 

Accorded  ben  /  to  this  conclusion 

That  Nicholas  /  shal  shapen  hem  a  wyle 

The  sely  lelous  husbonde  /  to  begyle  3404 

And  if  so  be  /  the  game  went  a-righ"t 

She  shulde  slepe  /  in  his  arme  al  nygfit       [leaf  42,  back] 
ffor  this  was  hire  desir  /  and  his  also 
And  right  a-non  /  with-oute  wordes  moo  3408 

This  Nicholas  /  no  lengere  wold  tarie 
But  doth  ful  softe  /  vn-to  his  chaumbre  carie 
Bothe  mete  and  drynk  /  for  a  day  or  twey 
And  to  hire  husbonde  /  bad  hire  for  to  sey  3412 

If  that  he  axed  /  after  Nicholas 
She  shulde  seye  /  she  nyst  where  he  was 
Of  al  that  day  /  she  sey  him  nat  with  eye 
She  trowed  J>at  he  was  /  in  sum  maladye  3416 

ffor  •  for  no  cry  /  hire  mayde  koude  him  calle  H  quia  •  pro  • 
he  nolde  answere  /  for  thyng  fat  mygftt  falle 
This  passeth  forth"  /  al  thilk  Satirday 
That  Nicholas  stille  /  in  his  chaumbre  lay  3420 

And  ete  and  slepe  /  or  dede  what  him  list 
Til  Sonday  /  that  )>e  sonne  goth"  to  rest 
51  fo  This  sely  Carpenter  /  hath  gret  merueylle 
Of  Nicholas  /  or  what  thyng  myght  him  eylle  3424 

And  seide  /  I  am  a-drad  /  by  seynt  Thomas 
It  stondeth  nat  a  right  /  with  Nicholas 
God  shilde  /  fat  he  deyed  sodeynly 

This  world  is  now  /  ful  tekil  sekerly  3428 

I  saw  to-day  /  a  cors  I-bovn  to  chirche 
That  now  on  monday  last  /  I  saw  him  werche 
Go  vp  qwod  he  /  vn-to  his  knaue  a-non 
Clepe  at  the  dore  /  and  knokke  wa't/t  a  ston)  3432 

loke  how  it  is  /  and  telle  me  boldely 
f  fo  This  knaue  goth  hi?»  vp  /  ful  sturdily 


GROUP  A.     §  4.    MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  99 

And  at  the  chaumbre  dore  /  while  fat  he  stode 

he  cryed  and  knokked  /  as  he  were  wode  3436 

what  how  /  what  do  30  /  Maister  Nicholay 

how  may  30  slepen  /  al  the  long  day 

But  al  for  noujt  /  he  seide  nat  a  worde 

An  hole  he  fond  /  ful  lowe  vp-on  the  horde  3440 

There  as  the  Cat  /  was  wont  /  In  /  for  to  crepe 

And  at  that  hole  /  he  loked  In  /  ful  depe 

And  at  the  last  /  he  had  of  him  a  sight 

This  Mcholas  sat  euere  /  gapyng  vp-right  3444 

As  he  had  loked  /  on  the  newe  Mone 

A-doun  he  goth  /  and  telleth  his  maister  sone 

In  what  array  /  he  saugh  this  ilke  man 

U  fo  This  Carpenter  /  to  blissen  him  /  bygan  3448 

And  seide  /  helpe  vs  /  seynt  ffredeswyde 

A  man  wot  litel  /  what  hym  shal  betyde  peaf«] 

This  man  is  fallen  /  with  his  Astronomye 

In  som  woodnesse  /  or  in  som  Agonye  3452 

I  thought  ay  wele  /  how  that  it  shulde  be 

Men  shuld  nat  knowe  /  of  goddis  preuyte 

$a  blissed  be  alwey  /  a  lewed  man 

That  nought  but  only  /  his  byleue  can  3456 

So  ferde  a-nother  clerk  /  wt't/t  his  Astronomye 

he  walked  in  the  feldes  /  for  to  prye 

Vp-on  the  sterres  /  what  there  shuld  byfalle 

Til  fat  he  /  in  a  marie  pyt  /  was  falle  3460 

he  saw  nat  that  /  but  jet  be  Seynt  Thomas 

Me  reweth  sore  /  of  hende  Nicholas 

he  shal  be  ratid  /  of  his  studiyng 

If  fat  I  may  /  be  Ihesus  heuene  kyng  3464 

Get  me  a  staf  /  that  I  may  vnder  pore 

while  fat  f ow  Robyn  /  heuest  of  the  dore 

he  shal  oujt  of  his  studiyng  /  as  I  gesse 

And  to  the  chaumbre  dore  /  he  gan  him  dresse  3468 

his  knaue  was  a  strong  Carl  /  for  the  nones 

And  by  the  haspe  /  he  haf  it  of  at  ones 


100      GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4  24. 

In  to  the  flore  /  the  dore  fel  a-non) 

This  Nicholas  sat  ay  as  stille  /  as  ony  ston)  3472 

And  euere  he  gaped  vpward  /  in-to  the  Eyre 

This  Carpentere  wende  /  he  were  in  dispeyre 

And  hent  him  /  by  the  shuldres  /  mygh~tyly 

And  shoke  him  harde  /  and  cried  spetously  3476 

what  Nicholay  /  what  how  /  loke  a-doun) 

A-wake  /  and  thynk  on  cristes  passion) 

I  crouche  the  from  Elues  /  and  fro  wyghtes 

There-with  the  nygh"t  spel  /  seide  he  a-non  rigfites      3480 

On  foure  halues  /  of  the  hous  a-boute 

And  on  the  thressewold  /  at  the  dore  wit/ioute 

Ihesu  crist  /  and  seynt  Benedyght 

Blisse  this  hous  /  fro  euery  euyl  wyght  3484 

ffor  the  nygh~tesmare  /  the  whyjt  Pater  noster 

Where  wonest  thow  /  seynt  Petres  suster 

U  fo  And  at  the  last  /  this  hende  Nicholas 

Gan  for  to  sigfie  sore  /  and  seide  alias  3488 

Shal  al  the  world  /  be  lost  eftsones  now 

This  Carpenter  answered  /  what  seist  J»ou 

what  thynk  on  god  /  as  we  don  men  fat  swynke 

U  (5)  This  Nicholas  answered  /  fecche  me  a  drynke    3492 

And  after  wol  I  speke  /  in  preuyte 

Of  thyng  pat  toucheth  /  the  and  me 

I  wyl  telle  it  non  other  man  /  certeyn  [leaf  43,  back] 

This  Carpenter  goth  doun  /  and  cometh  a-geyn  3496 

And  brought  of  mygh~ty  ale  /  a  large  quart 

And  whawne  pat  ech"-  of  hem  /  had  dronken  his  part 

This  Nicholas  /  his  dore  faste  shette 

And  doun)  the  Carpenter  /  by  him  he  sette  3500 

And  seide  Ioh"n  myn  host  /  lef  and  dere 

Thow  shalt  vp-on  thy  treuthe  /  swere  me  heere 

That  to  no  wyght  /  pou  shalt  my  counseil  wreye 

ffor  it  is  cristes  counseil  /  pat  I  seye  3504 

And  if  pou  telle  ony  man  /  pou  art  for-lore 

ffur  this  vengeaunce  /  thow  shalt  haue  perfore 


GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.          101 

That  if  fou  wreye  me  /  thow  shalt  be  wode 

Nay  I  criste  for-bede  it  /  for  his  holy  blode  3508 

Quod  tho  this  sely  man  /  I  am  uon  labbe 

Ne  though  I  sey  it  /  I  nam  nat  lief  to  gabbe 

Sey  what  foil  wyle  /  I  shal  it  neuere  telle 

To  child  ne  wyf  /  by  hi??i  fat  harwed  helle  3512 

II  fo  Now  lofin  qwod  this  Nicholas  /  I  wol  nat  lye 

I  haue  founden  /  iu  myn  Astrologye 

As  I  haue  loked  /  in  the  Mone  bright 

That  now  on  monday  next  /  at  quarter  nyght  3516 

ShaH  fallen  a  reyn  /  and  that  so  wylde  &  wood 

That  half  so  gret  /  was  neuere  Noes  flod 

This  world  he  seide  /  in  lesse  than  an  houre 

Shal  be  dreynt  /  so  hydous  is  the  shoure  3520 

Thus  shal  mankynde  /  drenche  /  &  lose  here  lif 

This  Carpenter  answered  /  alias  my  wyf 

And  shal  she  drenche  /  alias  myn  Alisomj 

ffor  sorwe  of  this  /  he  fel  almost  a-doun)  3524 

And  seide  /  is  there  no  remedye  in  this  cas 

We  }is  for  gode  /  qwod  hende  Nicholas 

If  fou  wilt  werken  /  after  lore  and  rede 

Thow  maist  nat  werken  /  after  fin  owen  hede  3528 

ffor  thus  seith  Salamon)  /  fat  was  ful  trewe 

werk  al  by  counseyl  /  and  f  ow  shalt  nat  rewe 

And  if  thow  werken  wolt  /  by  good  counsaylle 

I  vndertake  /  with-outen  mast  or  saylle  3532 

Jet  shal  I  saue  hire  /  and  the  and  me 

hast  fou  nat  herd  /  how  saued  was  Noe 

wharaie  fat  oure  lord  /  had  warned  \\irn  biforn 

That  al  the  world  /  wit/i  water  shuld  be  lorn  3536 

U  fo  }is  quod,  this  Carpentere  /  ful  $ore  a-go 

hast  fou  nat  herd  /  qwod  Nicholas  also 

The  sorwe  of  Noe  /  with  his  felaweshipe 

Er  that  he  myght  gete  /  his  wyf  to  shipe        [leaf  41]     3540 

hym  had  be  leuere  /  I  dar  wel  vndertake 

At  thilk  tyme  /  than  alle  hise  wetheres  blake 


102        GROUP    A.       §    4.       MILLElt's   TALE.       Dd.  4.  24. 

That  she  had  had  /  a  ship  hire-self  a-lone 

And  ferfore  wost  J>ou  wliat  /  is  best  to  done  3544 

This  asketh  hast  /  and  of  an  hasty  thyng 

Men  moun)  nat  preche  /  and  maken  tariyng 

A-non  go  gete  vs  fattes  /  in-to  this  Inne 

A  knedyng  trow  /  or  ellis  a  kamelyne  3548 

ffor  ech  of  vs  /  but  loke  fat  they  be  large 

In  whiche  we  moun)  swywme  /  as  in  a  barge 

And  haue  fere-Inne  /  vetaille  sufficient 

But  for  o  day  /  fy  on  the  remenaunt  3552 

The  water  shal  a-slake  /  and  gon  a-wey 

A-boute  pryme  /  vp-on  the  next  day 

But  Robyn  may  nat  wyte  of  this  /  thy  knaue 

Ne  eke  thy  mayde  Gille  /  I  may  nat  saue  3556 

Aske  nat  why  /  for  though  J>ou  axe  me 

I  wol  nat  telle  /  goddis  preuyte 

Suffiseth  the  /  but  if  thyne  wyttes  madde 

To  han  as  gret  a  grace  /  as  Noe  hadde  3560 

Thy  wyf  shal  I  wel  aauen  /  oujt  of  doute 

Go  now  thy  wey  /  and  spede  the  here  a-boute 

But  when  fou  hast  /  for  hire  and  the  and  me 

I-geten  vs  /  theise  knedyng  tubbes  thre  3564 

Tharcne  shalt  )>ou  hangen  hem  /  in  the  roof  ful  heye 

That  noman  /  of  oure  purueance  /  espie 

And  whan  ]>ow  hast  don  /  as  I  haue  seid 

And  hast  oure  vetaille  /  faire  in  hem  leyd  3568 

And  eke  an  ax  /  to  smyte  the  cord  a-two 

Whan  J)at  the  water  cometh  /  J>at  we  may  go 

And  breke  an  hole  an  hey  /  vp-on  the  gable 

Vn-to  the  gardeyn  ward  /  ouer  the  stable  3572 

That  we  moun  freely  passen  /  forth  oure  wey 

whawne  J>at  the  grete  shour  /  is  gon  a-wey 

Tharaie  shalt  )>ou  swymme  /  as  mery  I  vndertake 

As  doth  the  white  doke  /  after  hire  drake  3576 

Than  wyl  I  clepe  /  how  Alison  /  how  lohn) 

Be  mery  /  for  the  flode  /  shal  passe  a-non 


GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.          103 

And  J>ou  wolt  seyn  /  heyl  Maister  Nicholay 
Good  morwe  /  I  se  the  wele  /  for  it  is  day  3580 

And  J>a/me  shuln  we  /  be  lordes  aH  oure  lyf 
Of  al  the  world  /  as  Noe  and  his  wyf 
But  of  o  thyng  /  I  warne  the  ful  right          [leaf  a,  back] 
Be  we  a-vysed  /  on  that  ilke  nyght  3584 

That  we  ben  entred  /  in-to  shippes  bord 
That  non)  of  vs  /  speke  nat  a  word 
Ne  clepe  ne  crie  /  but  ben  in  his  prayere 
ffor  it  is  /  goddis  /  owen  heste  dere  3588 

Thy  wyf  and  thow  /  mot  hange  fer  a-twynne 
ffor  that  betwixe  $ow  /  shal  be  no  synne 
No  more  in  lokyng  /  than  there  shal  in  dede 
This  ordynance  is  seid  /  so  god  the  spede  3592 

To-morwe  at  nygfit  /  when  men  ben  alle  a-slepe 
In-to  our  kneding  tubbes  /  wol  we  crepe 
And  sitten  there  /  a-bidyng  goddis  grace 
Go  now  thy  wey  /  I  haue  no  lengere  space  3596 

To  maken  of  this  /no  lengere  sermonynge 
Men  seyn  thus  /  sende  the  wyse  /  &  sey  no  thynge1 
Thou  art  so  wys  /  it  nedeth  the  nought  to  teche          3599 
Go  saue  oure  lyf  /  and  that  I  the  byseche         1 1T  Mitte  sa- 
il (£)  This  sely  Carpenter  /  goth  forth  his  wey 
fful  ofte  he  seide  /  alias  and  wellawey 
And  to  his  wyf  /  he  told  his  preuyte 
And  she  was  war  /  and  knewe  it  bet  than  he  3604 

what  al  jjis  queynt  cas  /  was  for  to  sey 
But  natheles  /  she  ferd  as  she  wold  dey 
And  seide  alias  /  go  forth"  thy  weye  a-non) 
help  vs  to  skape  /  or  we  ben  ded  ichon)  3608 

I  am  thy  trewe  /  verray  wedded  wyf 
Go  dere  spouse  /  and  help  to  saue  oure  lyf 
lo  whiche  a  gret  thyng  /  is  affeccion  H  Auctor 

Men  moun)  deyen  /  of  ymaginacion  3612 

So  depe  /  may  impression  be  take 
This  sely  Carpenter  /  begyinieth  quake 


104      GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

Lyra  thynketh  verraylich  /  that  he  may  se 

Noes  flode  /  come  \vahvyng  as  the  see  36 1C 

To  drenchen  Alisofi  /  his  hony  dere 

he  wepeth  wailleth  /  and  maketh  sory  chere 

lie  sigfteth"  /  with  ful  many  a  sory  swough 

And  goth  &  getith  him  /  a  knedyng  trow  3620 

And  after  a  tubbe  /  and  a  kemelyn 

And  preuyly  he  sent  hew  /  to  his  In 

And  heng  hem  in  the  roof  /  in  preuytee 

his  owen  hand  /  he  made  laddres  tlire  3624 

To  clymben  by  the  roumes  /  and  the  stalkes 

Vn-to  the  Tubbes  /  hanggyng  in  the  balkes 

And  hem  vetailled  /  bothe  kemelyn  trow  and  Tubbe  3627 

With  bred  and  chese  /  and  good  ale  in  a  lubbe      [leaf  45] 

Suffisyng  right  I-now  /  as  for  a  day 

But  er  that  he  /  had  mad  al  this  array 

he  sent  his  knaue  /  and  eke  his  wenche  also 

vp-on  his  nede  /  to  london  for  to  go  3632 

And  on  the  monday  /  whan  it  drow  to  nyght 

he  shette  his  dore  /  with-outen  candel  light 

And  dressyd  al  thyng  /  as  it  shulde  be 

And  shortly  vp  they  clymben  alle  thre  3636 

They  setyn  stille  /  wel  a  forlong  wey 

Now  pater  noster  /  clum  seide  Nicfiolay 

And  clum  quod  John)  /  and  clum  seide  Alison 

This  Carpenter  /  seide  his  deuocion  3640 

And  stille  he  syt  /  and  biddeth  his  prayere 

A-waytyng  on  the  reyn  /  if  he  it  here 

The  dede  slepe  /  for  verrey  besynesse 

ffel  on  this  Carpenter  /  right  as  I  gesse  3644 

A-boute  curfewe  tyme  /  or  litel  more 

ffor  trauaille  of  his  gest  /  he  groneth  sore 

And  eft  he  routeth"  /  for  his  hede  myslay 

Down)  on  the  laddre  /  stalketh  Nicholay  3648 

And  Alison  ful  soft  /  adouw  she  spedde 

With-oute  wordes  mo  /  they  gon  to  bedde 


GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.    Dd.  4.  24.          105 

There  as  this  Carpenter  /  is  wont  to  lye 

There  was  the  reuel  /  and  the  melodye  3652 

And  thus  lyn  Alison  /  and  Nicholas 

In  besynesse  of  myrthe  /  and  in  solas 

Til  that  the  belle  /  of  laudes  gan  to  rynge 

And  freres  in  the  chaunsel  /  gofl  synge  3656 

U  (5)  TMS  parissh"  Clerk  /  this  amerous  Absolofi 

That  is  for  loue  /  ahvey  so  woo-bygon 

vp-on  the  monday  /  was  at  Osneye 

with  companye  /  him  to  disporte  and  pleye  3660 

And  axed  vp-on  cas  /  a  cloisterere 

fful  preuyly  /  after  Ioh"n)  the  Carpentere 

And  he  drough"  him  a-pert  /  ou^t  of  the  chirche 

And  seide  I  not  /  I  saugfi  him  here  nat  werche  3664 

Sithe  Satirday  /  I  trow  fat  he  be  went 

ffor  tymber  /  there  oure  Abbot  hath"  him  sent 

ffor  he  is  wont  /  for  tymber  for  to  go 

And  dwellyn  at  the  Graunge  /  a  day  or  two  3668 

Or  ellis  he  is  /  at  his  hous  certeyn 

where  that  he  be  /  I  kan  nat  sothely  seyn 

11  fo  This  Absolon  /  ful  loly  was  and  ligh~t 

And  thou^t  now  is  tyme  /  to  wake  al  nyglit  3672 

And  sekirly  /  I  saugh  him  nat  steryng          [leaf  45,  back] 

Aboute  his  dore  /  sen  day  began  to  spring 

So  mot  I  thryue  /  I  shal  at  Cokkes  crowe 

fful  preuly  knokken  /  at  his  wyndowe  3676 

That  stant  ful  lowe  /  vp-on  his  boures  walle 

To  Alison  now  /  wol  I  tellen  alle 

My  loue  longyng  for  jet  /  I  shal  nat  mysse 

That  at  the  leste  weye  /  I  shal  hire  kysse  3680 

Som  maner  comfort  /  shal  I  haue  pa?-fay 

My  mouth"  hath  yched  /  al  this  long  day 

This  is  a  signe  /  of  kyssyng  at  the  lest 

Al  nyght  me  mette  eke  /  \>at  I  was  at  a  fest  3684 

Therfore  I  wyl  go  slepe  /  an  houre  or  twey 

And  al  the  nyglit  J>a»ne  /  wol  I  wake  &  pley 


106      GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

U  (£)  Whan  that  the  first  kok  /  hath  crow  a-nori) 

Vp  risith  this  loly  louyere  /  Absolon)  3688 

And  him  arrayeth  gay  /  at  poynt  deuys 

But  first  he  cheweth  /  Greynes  &  lycoris 

To  smellen  swete  /  er  he  had  kembed  his  heer 

Vnder  his  tonge  /  a  treweloue  he  her  11  Note     3692 

ffor  ther-by  wend  he  /  to  be  gracious 

he  rometh  /  to  the  Carpeuteres  hous 

And  stiile  he  stant  /  vnder  the  shot  wyndowe 

Vn-to  his  brest  it  raught  /  it  was  so  lowe  3696 

And  softe  he  koughed  /  vrit/i  a  semy  soun) 

What  do  je  honycombe  /  swete  Alison 

My  fair  brede  /  my  swete  Cinamome 

A-waketh  leraman  myn  /  and  speketh  to  me  3700 

Wol  litel  thenke  je  /  vp-on  my  woo 

That  for  joure  loue  /  I  swete  there  I  go 

No  wonder  is  /  though  fat  I  swelt  and  swete 

I  morne  as  doth  a  lambe  /  after  the  tete  3704 

I-wysse  leraman  /  I  haue  swicli  loue  longyng 

That  like  a  TurtiH  trewe  /  is  my  nrnmyng 

I  may  nat  ete  /  no  more  than  a  mayde 

U  c(J)  Go  fro  the  wyndowe  /  lakke  fool  she  seyde        3708 

As  help  me  god  /  it  wol  nat  be  compame 

I  loue  a-nother  /  and  ellis  I  were  to  blame 

wel  bet  than  the  /  by  Ihesu  Absolon 

Go  forth  thy  wey  /  or  I  wol  cast  a  ston  3712 

And  lete  me  slepe  /  a  twenty  deuel  wey 

Alias  qwod  Absolon  /  and  weyllawey 

That  trewloue  was  /  euere  /  so  yuel  bysette 

Than  kisse  me  /  si  the  it  may  be  no  bette  3716 

ffor  Ihesus  loue  /  and  for  the  loue  of  me 

Wylt  thow  thanne  go  thy  wey  /  ther-witfi  qwod  she  [leaf  46] 

3a  certis  le?mnan  /  quod  this  Absolon 

Than  make  the  redy  quod  she  /  I  come  a-non)  3720 

[ 

no  gap  in  the 

This  Absolon  doun  sette  hiwi  /  on  his  knees 


GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  107 

And  seyde  /  I  am  a  lord  /  at  alle  degrees  3724 

ffor  after  this  /  I  hope  there  cometh  more 

Lewman  thy  grace  /  and  swete  brede  thyn  ore 

The  wyndowe  she  vn-doth  /  and  that  in  hast 

Haue  I-don  quod  she  /  come  of  &  spede  the  fast          3728 

leste  that  oure  neyghebores  /  the  espie 

This  Alison  gan  wype  /  his  mouth  ful  drye 

Derke  was  the  nyght  /  as  pych  or  as  the  cole 

And  at  the  wyndowe  /  oujt  she  put  hire  hole  3732 

And  Absolon  him  fel  /  neither  bet  ne  wers 

But  with  his  mouth"  /  he  kiste  hire  naked  ers     U  Note  quid 

ff  ul  sauerly  /  er  he  were  war  of  this 

A-bak  he  stirte  /  and  Jjoujt  it  was  a-mys  3736 

ffor  wele  he  wyst  /  a  womman  had  no  berd 

he  felt  a  thyng  al  row  /  and  longe  I-hered 

And  seide  fy  alias  /  what  haue  I  do 

H  ^)  Te  he  quod  she  /  and  clapped  the  wyndowe  to   3740 

And  Absolon)  goth  forth  /  a  sory  pace 

A  berd  a  berd  /  seide  hende  Nicholas 

By  goddes  corpus  /  this  goth  fair  &  wele 

This  sely  Absolon)  /  herd  euejydele  3744 

And  on  his  lyppe  /  for  anger  he  gan  to  byte 

And  to  him  self  he  seide  /  I  shal  the  quyte 

U  fa  Who  rubbeth  now  /  who  froteth  now  hise  lippes 

With  dust/  with  sond / with  strawe /  with  cloth  /  with  chippes 

But  Absolon)  that  seith  /  ful  ofte  alias  3749 

My  soule  be-take  I  /  vn-to  Satanas 

But  me  were  leuere  /  than  al  this  toun  quod  he 

Of  this  dispyt  /  a-wreken  for  to  be  3752 

Alias  quod  he  /  alias  I  ne  hadde  I-blent 

his  hote  loue  was  cold  /  and  al  I-queynt 

ffor  fro  \>at  tyme  /  that  he  had  kist  hire  ers 

Of  paramours  /  ne  rough" t  he  nat  a  kers  3756 

ffor  he  was  heled  /  of  his  maladye 

fful  ofte  paramours  /  he  gan  defye 

And  wepe  /  as  doth  a  child  /  \>at  is  I-bete 

A  soft  pas  he  went  him  /  ouer  the  strete  3760 


108      GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

Vu-to  a  smyth"  /  men  callen  daun  Gerueys 

That  in  his  forge  /  smethed  plough  barneys 

he  sharpeth  shaare  /  and  cultur  besily 

This  Absolon  /  knokketh  /  al  esily  3764 

And  seide  /  vn-do  Gerueys  /  and  that  a-non     [leaf  46, back] 

What  who  art  Jiow  /  it  am  I  Absolon 

What  Absolon)  /  what  cristes  swete  tre 

Why  ryse  je  so  rathe  /  ey  benedicite  3768 

What  eyleth  $ow  /  some  gay  gerle  god  it  wote 

hath  brought  jow  thus  /  vp-on  the  veritote 

By  seynt  Note  /  30  wot  wel  what  I  mene 

This  Absolon  /  ne  rought  nat  a  bene  3772 

Of  al  his  pley  /  no  word  a-geyn  he  $af 

he  had  more  thought  /  on  his  distaf 

Than  Gerueys  knew  /  and  seide  frend  so  dere 

That  hote  culter  /  in  the  chemyny  here  3776 

As  lene  it  me  /  I  haue  there-with  to  done 

I  wol  bryng  it  the  /  a-geyn  /  ful  sone 

Gerueys  answered  /  certes  were  it  gold 

Or  in  a  poke  /  nobles  al  vn-told  3780 

Thow  shuldest  haue  /  as  I  am  trewe  smytK 

Ey  cristes  foo  /  what  wol  }e  do  ther-wyth" 

There-of  quod  Absolon  /  be  as  be  may 

I  shal  wel  telle  it  the  /  a-nother  day  3784 

And  cauth  the  cultur  /  by  the  hote  stele 

ff ul  softe  oujt  at  the  dore  /  he  gan  to  stele 

And  went  vn-to  /  the  Carpenteres  wal 

he  kougheth  first  /  &  knokketh  ther-with-al  3788 

vp-on  the  wyndowe  /  right  as  he  dede  ere 

This  Alison  answered  /  who  is  there 

That  knokketh  so  /  I  warant  it  is  a  thefe 

Nay  nay  quod  he  /  god  wot  my  swete  lefe  3792 

I  am  thyn  Absolon  /  thy  derlyng 

Of  gold  quod  he  /  I  haue  the  broujt  a  ryng 

My  moder  jaf  it  me  /  so  god  me  saue 

fful  ffyne  it  is  /  and  ther-to  wel  I-graue  3796 


GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.          109 

This  wol  I  }eue  the  /  if  thow  me  kysse 

U  (5)  This  Nicholas  /  was  risen  vp  /  to  pysse 

He  thought  he  wolde  amende  /  al  the  lape 

he  shulde  kysse  hise  ars  /  er  that  he  skape  3800 

And  vp  the  wyndowe  /  he  dide  hastily 

And  oujt  his  ers  /  he  putteth  preuyly 

0\ier  the  buttok  /  to  the  haunche  bon)    • 

And  ther-with  spak  this  Clerk  /  this  Absolon  3804 

Speke  svvete  brede  /  I  not  where  thow  art 

11  (5)  This  Nicholas  a-non  /  let  flee  a  fart 

As  gret  as  it  had  ben  /  a  thonder  dynt 

That  with  the  stroke  /  he  was  almost  I-blynt  3808 

And  he  was  redy  /  with  his  Iren  hote  [leaf*?] 

And  Nicholas  /  in  the  ars  he  smote 

Of  goth  the  skyn  /  an  hanbrede  a-boute 

The  hote  cultur  /  brent  so  his  toute  3812 

That  for  the  smert  /  he  wend  for  to  dye 

As  he  were  wode  /  for  woo  he  gan  to  crye 

help  /  water  water  /  help  for  goddes  hert 

H  (5)  This  Carpenter  /  oujt  of  his  slomer  stert/  3816 

And  herd  on  crye  water  /  as  he  were  wode 

And  seide  alias  /  now  Cometh  Noes  fflode 

he  sette  him  vp  /  with-oute  wordes  moo 

And  with  his  ax  /  he  smote  the  corde  a-two   •  3820 

And  doun  goth  al  /  he  fond  neither  to  selle 

Brede  ne  Ale  /  tyl  he  cam  to  the  Celle 

vp-on  the  flor  /  and  there  a  swou^ne  he  lay 

Vp  stirt  hire  Alison  /  and  Nicholay  3824 

And  crieden  ou^t  /  and  herrowe  /  in  the  strete 

The  neyghebores  /  bothe  smale  and  grete 

In  ronnen  /  for  to  gawren  /  on  this  man 

That  in  swownyng  lay  /  bothe  pale  and  wan  3828 

ffor  with  the  fal  /  he  broken  had  his  arme 

But  stonde  he  must  /  vn-to  his  owen  harme 

ffor  whan  he  spak  /  he  was  a-non  born  doun 

With  hende  Nicholas  /  \md  Alisowi  3832 


110      GROUP  A.     §  4.     MILLER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

They  tolden  euery  man  /  that  he  was  wode 

he  was  so  a-gast  /  of  Noes  flode 

Thorugh  fantasye  /  that  of  his  vanyte 

he  had  brought  him  /  knedynge  tubbes  thre  3836 

And  had  hem  hanged  /  in  the  rof  a-boue 

And  that  he  preyed  hem  /  for  goddes  loue 

To  sitteu  in  the  rof  /  par  companye 

The  folk  gonne  laughen  /  at  his  fantasye  3840 

In- to  the  rof  /  they  kekyn  and  they  gape 

And  turned  al  his  harm  /  vn-to  a  lape 

ffor  what  so  /  fat  this  Carpenter  /  answered 

It  was  for  nought  /  no  man  his  reson  hered  3844 

with  othes  grete  /  he  was  so  sworn  a-doun 

That  he  was  holden  wod  /  in  al  the  toun 

ffor  euery  clerk  /  a-non  right  /  held  with"  other 

And  seiden  /  the  man  was  wod  /  my  lef  brother         3848 

And  euery  wyght  gan  laughen  /  of  this  striffe 

Thus  swyued  was  /  the  Carpenteres  wyffe 

ffor  al  his  kepyng  /  and  his  lelousye 

And  Absolon  /  hath  kyssed  /  hire  nether  eye  3852 

And  Nicholas  is  skalded  /  in  the  toute 

This  tale  is  don  /  and  god  saue  al  the  routh  f  quod  Wy  tton  i 

Thus  endeth"  the  Millers  tale  /  [leaf  47,  back] 

[No  break  in  the  MS.] 


GROUP  A.     §  5.     REEVE'S  PROLOGUE.     Dd.  4.  24.      Ill 


[on  leaf  47,  back]     &  bygynneth  the  prologe  of  the  Reve 


W 


"Haraie  folk  han  laughen  /  at  fis  nyce  cas 
Of  Absolon)  /  and  hende  Nicholas        3856 
Dyuerse  folk  /  diuersly  they  seyde 
But  for  the  more  part  /  they  loughe  &  pleyde 

Ne  at  this  tale  /  I  saw  no  man  him  greue 

But  it  were  oonly  /  Oswold  the  Reue  3860 

By-cause  he  was  /  of  Carpenteres  craft 

A  litel  Ire  /  is  /  in  his  hert  laft 

he  gan  to  grocche  /  and  blamed  it  a  lyte 

So  thike  quod  he  /  ful  wel  coude  I  the  quyte  3864 

with  bleryng  /  of  a  proude  Milleres  eye 

If  fat  me  list  /  to  speke  of  rybauclye 

But  ik  am  old  /  me  list  nat  pleye  for  age 

Gras  tyme  is  don  /  my  foder  is  now  forage  3868 

This  white  top  /  wryteth  myne  olde  3eres 

Myn  hert  is  also  /  mouled  /  as  myne  heeres 

But  if  I  fare  /  as  doth  an  open  ars 

That  ilke  fruyt  /  is  euere  lengere  the  wers  3872 

Til  it  be  roten  /  in  mullok  or  in  stree 

We  olde  men  /  I  drede  /  so  fare  we 

Til  we  be  roten  /  kan  we  nat  be  rype 

"We  liope  alwey  /  while  fat  the  world  wol  pipe  3876 

ffor  in  oure  wyl  /  there  steketh  eue?'e  a  nayl 

To  han  an  hore  heer  /  and  a  grene  tayl 

As  hath  a  leek  /  for  though  oure  mygh~t  be  gon 

Oure  wyl  /  desireth  folye  /  euere  in  on)  3880 

ffor  wharaie  we  moun  nat  don  /  than  wol  we  speke 

$et  in  our  asshen  old  /  ys  fire  I-reke 

ffoure  gledes  han  we  /  which  I  shal  deuyse 

Auauntyng  /  lying  /  Angyr  /  Coueytise   H  Note  bene    3884 

Theise  foure  sparcles  /  longen  vn-to  elde 

Our  olde  lymes  /  moun  wel  ben  vn-welde 


112     GROUP  A.     §  5.     REEVE'S  PROLOGUE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

But  wyl  ne  shal  faylen  /  that  is  sotli 

Ami  jet  haue  ik  alwey  /  a  coltyssh  toth  3888 

As  many  a  jere  /  as  it  is  passed  henne 

Sithe  that  my  tappe  /  of  lyf  /  bygan  to  renne 

ffor  sekirly  /  wlian  yk  was  born  /  a-non 

Deth"  drough"  the  tapp  of  lyf  /  and  let  it  gon  3892 

And  euere  sithe  /  hathe  so  /  the  tappe  I-ronne 

Til  that  almost  /  al  empty  is  the  tonne 

The  strerne  of  lyf  /  now  droppeth  on  the  chyme 

The  sely  tonge  /  may  wel  rynge  &  chynibe  3896 

Of  wrecchednesse  /  that  passed  is  ful  $ore 

With  olde  folk  /  saue  /  dotage  is  na  more 

H  fo  Whan  fat  our  host  /  had  herd  this  sermonyng 

he  gan  to  speke  /  as  lordly  as  a  kynge  3900 

And  seide  what  amounteth  al  this  wyt  [leaf  48] 

Why  shuln  we  al  day  /  speke  of  holy  wryt 

The  deuele  mad  a  Reue  /  for  to  preche 

Or  a  Soutere  /  a  shipman  /  or  a  leche  3904 

Sey  forth  thy  tale  /  and  tary  nat  the  tyme 

lo  Depforde  /  and  it  is  half  weye  pryme 

lo  Grenewyche  /  there  many  a  shrewe  is  lime 

It  were  al  tyme  /  thy  tale  to  bygynne  3908 

Now  Sires  /  quod  this  Oswold  the  Reue 

I  prey  jow  alle  /  that  je  nat  $ow  greue 

Though  I  answere  /  and  somdel  sette  his  howe 

ffor  leueful  is  /  with  force  /  force  of  showe  3912 

This  dronken  Millere  /  hath  told  vs  here 

how  that  begyled  was  /  a  Carpentere 

Parauenture  in  skorne  /  for  I  am  one 

And  by  joure  leue  /  I  shal  liim  quyte  anone  3916 

Ryght  in  his  cherles  termes  /  wol  I  speke 

I  preye  to  god  /  his  nekke  mot  to-breke 

lie  can  wol  in  myn  eye  /  sen  a  stalke 

But  in  his  owen  /  he  can  nat  sen  a  balke  3920 


GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  113 


II  Heere  bigynneth"  the  Eeues  Tale  f 

At  Trompyngton  /  nat  fer  fro  Caumbrygge 
There  goth  a  broke  /  and  ouer  that  a  brygge 
vp-on  the  whiche  broke  /  there  stant  a  Mille 
And  this  is  verray  soth"  /  that  I  }ow  telle  3924 

A  Millere  was  there  /  dwellyng  many  a  day 
As  any  Pecok  /  he  was  proud  and  gay 
Pipe  he  coude  and  fisshe  /  and  nettes  bete 
And  turns  cuppes  /  &  wel  wrestel  and  shete  3928 

Ay  by  his  belt  /  he  bar  a  long  panade 
And  of  a  sword  /  ful  trenchaiwt  was  the  blade 
A  loly  poppere  bar  he  /  in  his  pouche 
There  was  no  man  for  paril  durst  him  touche  3932 

A  Shefeld  whitel  /  bar  he  in  his  hose 
Round  was  his  face  /  &  kamuse  was  his  nose 
As  pilled  as  an  Ape  /  was  his  skulle 
he  was  a  markete  betere  /  at  the  fulle  3936 

There  durst  no  wyght  /  hand  vp-on  him  legge 
That  he  ne  swor  /  he  shulde  a-non  a-begge 
A  thef  he  was  /  forsothe  /  of  corn  &  mele 
And  that  a  slye  /  and  vsand  for  to  stele  3940 

his  name  was  hoten  /  deignous  Symkyn 
A  wyf  he  hadde  /  coniyn  of  noble  kyn 
The  parson)  of  the  touw  /  hire  fader  was 
With  hire  he  jaf  /  ful  many  a  panne  of  bras  [leaf  48,  back]  3944 
ffor  that  Symkyn  /  shulde  in  his  blod  a-lye 
She  was  I-fostred  /  in  a  Nonnerye 
ffor  Symkyn  nolde  no  wyf  /  as  he  said 
But  she  were  wel  norisshed  /  and  a  mayd  3948 

To  sauen  his  estate  /  of  jemanrye 
And  she  was  proud  /  and  pert  as  a  pye 
A  ful  fair  sight  /  was  it  vp-on  hem  two 
On  halidayes  biforn  hire  /  wold  he  go  3952 


114      GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

with  his  typet  wounde  /  a-boute  his  hede 

And  she  cam  after  /  in  a  gyte  of  rede 

And  Symkyn  had  hosen  /  of  the  same 

There  durst  no  wyght  /  clepen  hire  but  dame  3956 

was  no  so  hardy  /  that  went  by  the  weye 

That  with  hire  durst  rage  /  or  ellis  pleye 

But  if  he  wolde  be  slayn  /  of  Symkyn 

vfitii  panade  /  or  with  knyf  /  or  boydekyn  3960 

ffor  ielous  folk  /  ben  perilous  euere  mo 

Algate  they  wold  /  here  wyues  wend  so 

And  eke  for  she  was  /  somdel  smoterlicfi 

She  was  as  deigne  /  as  water  in  a  dich"  3964 

So  ful  of  hoker  /  and  of  bysmare 

Hire  Tpoujt  that  a  lady  /  shuld  hire  spare 

what  for  hire  kynrede  /  and  hire  norturye 

That  she  had  lerned  /  in  the  Nonnerye  3968 

U  (5)  A  doughter  had  they  /  bytwix  hem  two 

Of  twenty  jere  /  with-outen  ony  mo 

Sauyng  a  child  /  J>at  was  of  half  }ere  age 

In  cradel  it  lay  /  and  was  a  propre  page  3972 

This  wenche  thikke  /  &  wel  I-growen  was 

with  camuse  nose  /  and  eyen  greye  as  glas 

wft/i  bottokes  brode  /  and  brestes  rounde  &  heye 

But  right  fair  was  hire  her  /  I  wol  nat  lye  3976 

U  (5b  The  Parson  of  the  toun  /  for  she  was  fair 

In  purpose  was  /  to  maken  hire  his  eyr 

Bothe  of  his  catel  /  and  his  mesuage 

And  straunge  he  mad  it  /  of  hire  mariage  3980 

his  purpos  was  /  for  to  bystowen  hire  heye 

In-to  som  worthy  blode  /  of  Auncetrye 

ffor  holy  chirche  good  /  mot  ben  dispended 

On  holy  chirche  blod  /  that  is  descended  3984 

Therfore  he  wolde  /  his  holy  blod  honoure 

Though  J>rtt  he  /  holy  chirche  /  shuld  deuoure 

U  fa  Gret  soken  had  this  Millere  /  out  of  doute 

witli  whete  /  and  malt  /  of  al  the  lond  a-boute  3988 


GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  115 

And  namelich  there  was  /  a  gret  College  [leaf  49] 

Men  clepen  the  Soler  halle  /  of  Caumbrygge 

There  was  here  whete  /  &  eke  here  malt  I-grounde 

U  fo  And  on  a  day  /  it  happed  in  a  stounde  3992 

Seke  lay  the  Maunciple  /  on  a  naaladie 

Men  wenden  wysly  /  that  he  shulde  deye 

ffor  which"  this  Millere  /  stal  bothe  mele  &  corii 

An  hondred  tyraes  more  /  than  byforn  3996 

ffor  there  biforn  /  he  stale  but  curteisly 

But  now  he  was  a  thef  /  outrageously 

ffor  which"  the  wardeyn  chide  /  &  made  fare 

But  ferof  sette  the  Millere  /  nought  a  tare  4000 

he  craketh  bost  /  and  swor  it  was  nat  so 

If  (2b  Tharaie  were  there  $onge  /  pore  scoleres  two 

That  dwelleden  in  the  halle  /  of  which"  I  sey 

Testy f  they  were  /  and  lusty  for  to  pley  4004 

And  only  for  here  myrthe  /  and  reuelrye 

vp-on  on  the  wardeyn  /  besily  they  crye 

To  jeue  hew  leue  /  but  a  litel  stounde 

To  go  to  Mille  /  and  sen  here  corn  I-grounde  4008 

And  hardily  /  they  durst  leyn  here  nekke 

The  Millere  shuld  nat  stelen  hem  /  half  a  pekke 

Of  corn  /  by  sleight  /  ne  by  force  hem  reue 

And  at  the  last  /  the  wardeyn  $af  hem  leue  4012 

Ioh"n  hight  J>at  one  /  &  Aleyn  hyght  that  other 

Of  on  toun)  were  they  born)  /  that  hight  Strother 

ffer  in  the  North  /  I  can  nat  telle  where 

This  Aleyn  maketh  redy  /  al  his  gere  4016 

And  on  an  hors  /  the  sakke  he  cast  a-nou 

fforth  goth  Aleyn  the  Clerk  /  &  also  Ioh~n) 

with  good  swerde  &  bokeler  /  by  here  syde 

Ioh"n  knew  the  weye  /  hem  nedeth  no  gyde  4020 

And  at  the  last  /  the  sakke  doun  he  layth 

Aleyn  spak  first  /  al  hayl  Symond  in  fayth" 

how  fares  thy  fair  doughter  /  and  thy  wyf 

11  fo  Aleyn  welcome  c[uod  Symkyn  /  be  my  lyf          4024 


116     GROUP  A.     §6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  loliu  also  /  how  now  what  do  30  here 

By  god  q«od  lofin  /  nede  must  /  nede  hath  no  pere 

hym  byhoues  to  serue  him  self  /  J>at  has  na  swayn 

Or  ellis  he  is  a  fool  /  as  clerkes  sayn  .  4028 

Oure  Maunciple  I  hope  /  he  wol  be  dede 

Swa  werkes  ay  /  the  wanges  in  his  hede 

And  forthy  is  I  come  /  &  eke  Alayn 

To  gvynde  oure  corn)  /  and  carye  mele  a-gayn  4032 

I  pray  $ow  spede  vs  hethen  /  what  30  may 

H  fo  It  shal  be  do  quod  Symkyn  /  be  my  fay 

What  wyl  30  don  /  while  pat  it  is  in  hand      [leaf  49,  back] 

By  god  /  right  by  the  hoper  /  wyl  I  stand  4036 

Quod  lofin  /  and  se  how  the  corn  gas  In 

$et  saw  I  neuere  /  be  my  fader  kyn 

how  that  the  hoper  /  wagges  tyl  and  fra 

Aleyn  answered  /  lofin  wylt  thow  swa  4040 

Than  wyl  I  be  by-nethe  /  be  my  croun) 

And  se  how  that  the  mele  /  falles  doun) 

In-tyl  the  trow  /  that  shal  be  myn  disport 

ffor  Ioh~n  in  faith  /  I  may  be  of  joure  sort  4044 

I  is  as  ille  a  Myllere  /  as  ar  30 

1T  fo  This  Millere  smyleth  /  at  here  nycete 

And  thought  /  al  this  nys  /  but  for  a  wyle 

They  wene  J>at  no  man  /  may  hewi  begyle  4048 

But  be  my  thrift  /  3et  shal  I  blere  here  eye 

ffor  al  the  sleight  /  in  here  philosophic 

The  more  queynt  crekes  /  that  they  make 

The  more  wol  I  stele  /  whan  I  take  4052 

In  stede  of  flour  /  3et  wol  I  }eue  hem  bren 

The  grettest  Clerkes  /  be  nat  the  wysest  men 

As  whilom  to  the  wolf  /  thus  spak  the  Mare 

Of  al  here  art  /  counte  I  nat  a  tare  4056 

Ou3t  at  the  dore  /  he  goth  ful  preuyly 

whan  J>at  he  sawgh  his  tymo  /  softly 

he  loketh  vp  and  doun)  /  til  he  had  found 

The  Clerkes  horse  /  there  as  it  stod  I-bound  4060 


GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  117 

Behyncle  the  Mylle  /  vnder  a  lefselle 

And  to  the  hors  /  he  goth  him  faire  &  wele 

And  strepeth  of  the  brydel  /  right  a-non) 

And  whan  the  hors  was  loos  /  he  begynneth  to  gon)  4064 

Toward  the  fen  /  there  wylde  Mares  renne 

And  forth  with  we  he  /  thorugh"  thikke  &  thenne 

IT  (ft  This  Millere  goth  a-geyn  /  no  word  he  seid 

But  cloth  his  note  /  &  with  the  Clerkes  pleyd  4068 

Til  that  here  corn)  /was  faire  &  wel  I-grounde 

And  whan  the  Mele  is  sakked  /  &  I-bounde 

This  loftn  goth  ou^t  /  and  fynt  his  hors  a-wey 

And  gan  to  crye  herrowe  /  and  weylawey  4072 

Oure  hors  is  lost  /  Aleyn  /  for  goddes  banes 

Step  on  thy  fete  /  coine  of  man  al  at  anes 

Alias  oure  wardeyn  /  has  his  palfrey  lorn 

This  Aleyn  /  al  forgat  /  bothe  Mele  and  corn  4076 

Al  was  oute  of  his  mynde  /  his  husbondrye 

what  whilk  weye  is  he  gan  /  he  gan  crye 

The  wyf  cam  lepyng  inward  /  with  a  renne        [leaf  so] 

She  seide  alias  /  joure  hors  goth  to  the  fenue  4080 

with  wylde  Mares  /  as  fast  as  he  may  go 

Vnthank  come  on  his  hand  /  J?«t  bond  him  so 

And  he  fat  betir  /  shuld  han  knyt  the  reyne 

Alias  quod  lofin  /  Aleyn  for  cristes  peyne  4084 

lay  doun  thy  swerd  /  and  I  wyl  myn  alswa 

I  is  f ul  wygfet  /  god  wayt  as  is  a  raa 

By  goddes  hert  /  he  shal  nat  skape  vs  bathe 

Why  ne  had  thow  put  /  the  capul  in  the  lathe  4088 

II  hayl  /  by  god  Aleyn  /  thow  is  a  fonne 

U  fo  Theise  sely  Clerkes  /  han  ful  fast  I-ronne 

Toward  the  fen  /  bothe  Aleyn  &  lohn 

And  wharnie  the  Millere  saw  /  Jjat  they  weren  gon     4092 

he  half  a  busshel  /  of  here  flour  hath  take 

And  bad  his  wyf  /  go  knede  it  in  a  kake 

he  seide  I  trowe  /  the  Clerkes  ben  a-ferd 

Jet  can  a  Millere  /  make  a  Clerkes  berd  4096 


118     GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

ffor  al  his  art  /  ja  lat  hem  gon  here  wey 

10  where  they  go  /  30  late  the  children  pley 
They  get  him  nat  /  so  lightly  /  be  my  croun 

Theise  sely  Clerkes  /  rennen  vp  and  doun  4100 

with  kepe  kepe  /  stand  stand  /  lossa  warderere 

Ga  /  whistel  thow  /  and  I  shal  kepe  kiwi  here 

But  shortly  /  til  it  was  verray  nyght 

They  coude  nat  /  though"  they  dede  al  here  myght      4104 

here  capel  cacche  /  he  ran  alwey  so  fast 

Til  in  a  diche  /  they  cached  liim  at  the  last 

"VVery  and  wete  /  as  beest  is  in  the  reyn 

Cometh  sely  John  /  &  with"  hiwi  cometh  Aleyn  4108 

H  (ft  Alias  qwod  lohn  /  that  day  that  I  was  born 

Now  are  we  dreuyn  til  hethyng  /  and  to  skorn 

Oure  corn  is  stole  /  men  wyl  vs  fonnes  calle 

Bothe  the  wardeyn  /  and  our  felawes  alle  4112 

And  namely  the  Millere  /  weylawey 

Thus  playneth  lohn  /  as  he  goth  by  the  wey 

Toward  the  Mille  /  and  bayard  in  his  hond 

The  Millere  sittyng  by  the  fyr  /  he  fond  4116 

ffor  it  was  nyght  /  and  ferthere  myght  Jjei  nought 

But  for  the  loue  of  god  /  they  him  bysought 

Of  herberwe  &  of  ease  /  as  for  here  peny 

U  fa  The  Millere  seide  a-geyn  /  if  here  be  eny  4120 

Svnch  as  it  is  /  jet  shuln  30  han  joure  part 

Myn  hous  is  streyt  /  but  30  han  lerned  art 

3e  conne  by  argumente}  /  maken  a  place 

A  myle  brod  /  of  twenty  fote  of  space        [leaf  so,  back]  4124 

late  se  now  /  if  this  place  may  suffice 

Or  make  it  roume  /  with  speche  /  as  is  joure  gyse 

11  f^b  Now  Symond  seide  this  lofin  /  by  Seynt  Cutberd 
Ay  is  thow  mery  /  and  )>at  is  feir  answerd  4128 
I  haue  herd  sey  /  men  sal  ta  /  of  twa  thynges 

Slike  as  he  fyudes  /  or  ta  slike  as  he  brynges 

But  specialy  /  I  pray  the  Host  dere 

Gar  vs  haue  mete  and  drynk  /  &  make  vs  chere          4132 


GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  119 

And  we  sal  paie  trewely  /  at  the  fulle 

With  empty  hand  /  men  moun  na  haukes  tulle 

lo  here  cure  siluer  /  redy  for  to  spende 

^[  (5)  This  Millere  /  to  the  toun  /  his  dough" ter  sende  4136 

ffor  ale  and  brede  /  and  rested  hem  a  goos 

And  bond  here  hors  /  it  shulde  no  more  go  loos 

And  in  his  owen  chaumbre  /  hem  mad  a  bed 

With  shetes  /  and  with  chalons  /  faire  I-spred  4140 

Nat  fro  his  owen  bed  /  ten  fote  or  twelue 

His  doughter  had  a  bed  /  al  by  hire  selue 

Eight  in  J>e  same  chaumbre  /  by  and  by 

It  myght  be  no  bet  /  and  cause  why  4144 

There  was  no  roumere  herberwe  /  in  the  place 

They  soupen  /  and  they  speken  of  solace 

And  drynken  euere  strong  ale  /  at  the  best 

Aboute  mydnyght  /  went  they  to  rest  4148 

U  fo  Wei  hath  this  Millere  /  vernysshed  his  hede 

fful  pale  he  was  /  for-dronke  /  and  nat  rede 

he  ^esketh  /  and  he  speketh  thorugh"  the  nose 

As  he  were  on  the  quak  /  or  on  the  pose  4152 

To  bedde  he  goth"  /  &  with  him  goth  his  wyf 

As  ony  lay  /  she  light  was  and  iolyf 

So  was  hire  ioly  whistel  /  wel  I-wette 

The  cradel  at  hire  beddes  fete  /  is  shette  4156 

To  rokken  /  and  to  $eue  the  child  souke 

And  whan  pat  dronken  al  was  /  in  the  crouke 

To  bedde  went  the  doughter  /  right  a-non 

To  bedde  goth  Aleyn  /  and  also  lohn  4160 

There  was  nomore  /  hem  nedeth  no  dwale 

This  Millere  hath  so  wysely  /  by  bed  ale 

That  as  an  hors  /  he  snorteth  in  his  slepe 

Ne  of  his  tayl  behynde  /  he  toke  no  kepe  4164 

His  wyf  bar  \iini  a  burdon  /  a  ful  strong 

Men  myght  here  routyng  heren  /  a  furlong 

The  wenche  routed  eke  /  par  compaignye 

IT  (5)  Aleyn  the  Clerk  /  that  herd  this  melodye  4168 


120      GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

He  poked  lohn  /  and  seide  slepes  thow 

Herd  thow  euere  slike  a  sang  /  or  now 

Lo  slike  a  complyng  /  is  ymeH  hem  alle  [leaf  si] 

A  wylde  fyr  /  on  theire  bodies  falle  4172 

Wha  herd  euere  /  slike  a  ferly  thyng 

$e  they  sal  haue  /  the  flour  of  euele  endyng 

This  lang  nygfit  /  ne  tydes  me  na  rest 

But  jet  na  force  /  al  sal  be  for  the  best  4176 

ffor  John  seide  he  /  as  euere  mot  I  thryue 

If  Jjat  I  may  /  jone  lasse  wol  I  swyue 

Som  easement  /  has  lawe  shapen  vs 

ffor  lohn  there  is  a  lawe  /  that  seith  thus  4180 

That  gyf  a  man  /  in  a  poynt  be  greued 

That  in  a-nother  /  he  shal  be  releued 

Oure  corn)  is  stolen  /  sothly  it  is  na  nay 

And  we  han  had  /  an  ylle  fyt  this  day  4184 

And  syn  I  sal  haue  /  nan  amendement 

Agayn  my  losse  /  I  wyl  haue  an  easement 

By  goddes  saule  /  it  sal  nan  other  be 

U  f2b  This  lohn  answered  /  Aleyn  a-vyse  the  4188 

The  Millere  is  a  parlious  man  /  he  seide 

And  gyf  that  he  /  ou^t  of  his  slepe  breyde 

he  myght  do  vs  bathe  /  a  velanye 

Aleyn  answered  /  I  counte  \\irn  nat  a  flye  4192 

vp  he  rist  /  and  by  the  wenche  he  crepte 

This  wenche  lay  vp-rigfit  /  &  faste  slepte 

Til  he  so  ny  was  /  er  she  myght  a-spye 

That  it  had  ben  to  late  /  for  to  crye  4196 

And  shortly  for  to  seyn  /  they  were  at  on 

Now  pley  Aleyn  /  for  I  wyl  speke  of  loRn 

U  fo  This  lohn  lith  stille  /  a  forlong  wey  or  two 

And  to  him  self  /  he  maketh  reuthe  and  woo  4200 

Alias  qwod  he  /  this  is  /  a  wykked  Tape 

Now  may  I  sey  /  that  I  is  but  an  Ape 

5et  has  my  felawe  /  somwhat  for  his  harm 

he  has  the  Milleres  doughter  /  in  his  arm  4204 


GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  121 

he  auntred  him  /  and  has  his  nedes  spedde 

And  I  ly  as  a  drafsakke  /  in  my  bedde 

And  whan  this  iape  /  is  tald  another  day 

I  sal  be  halden  a  daffe  /  a  Cokenay  4208 

I  wyl  aryse  /  and  auntre  it  be  my  feith" 

vnhardy  /  is  vnsely  /  thus  men  seith" 

And  vp  he  roos  /  and  softly  he  went 

Vn-to  the  cradel  /  and  in  his  hand  it  hent  4212 

And  bar  it  softe  /  vn-to  his  beddes  fete 

IT  fa  Sone  after  this  /  the  wyf  hire  routyng  lete 

And  gan  a-wake  /  and  went  hire  oujt  to  pisse 

And  cam  a-geyn  /  and  gan  hire  cradel  mysse  4216 

And  groped  here  and  there  /  and  she  fond  non    [leaf  si,  back] 

Alias  quod  she  /  I  had  almost  mysgon 

I  had  almost  gon  /  to  the  Clerkes  bedde 

Ey  benedicite  /  than  had  I  foule  spedde  4220 

And  forth  she  goth  /  til  she  the  cradil  fonde 

She  gropeth  alwey  /  ferthere  with  hire  honde 

And  fond  the  bed  /  and  foujt  nat  but  good 

By-cause  that  the  cradil  /  by  it  stod  4224 

And  nyst  where  she  was  /  for  it  was  derke 

And  faire  &  wele  /  she  crepte  in  by  the  clerke 

And  lith  f  ul  stille  /  and  wold  han  caught  a  slepe 

we't/t-Inne  a  while  /  this  lohn  the  Clerk  vp  lepe          4228 

And  on  this  goode  wyf  /  he  leyd  on  sore 

So  mery  a  fit  /  ne  had  she  nat  ful  $ore 

he  pryketh  hard  /  and  depe  /  as  he  were  mad 

This  ioly  lyf  /  han  theise  two  Clerkes  lad  4232 

Til  J>at  the  .iij.  Cok  /  bygan  to  synge 

II  fo  Aleyn  wex  wery  /  in  the  morwenynge 
ffor  he  had  swonken  /  al  the  longe  nyght 

And  seide  /  fare  wel  Malkyn  /  swete  wyght  4236 

The  day  is  come  /  I  may  no  lengere  byde 

But  euere  more  /  where  so  I  go  or  ryde 

I  is  thyn  owen  Clerk  /  so  haue  I  seele 

U  (5)  Now  dere  lemman  qwod  she  /  go  fare  wele          4240 


122      GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

But  er  thow  go  /  o  thyng  I  wyl  the  telle 

Whan  that  Jwu  wendest  homward  /  by  the  Mille 

Right  at  the  entre  /  of  the  dore  behynde 

Thow  shalt  a  cake  /  of  a  busshel  fynde  4244 

That  was  I-maked  /  of  thyn  owen  Mele 

which  J?at  I  halpe  /  my  sire  for  to  -stele 

And  good  lemniau  /  god  the  saue  &  kepe 

And  with  that  word  /  almost  he  gaii  to  wepe  4248 

U  fo  Aleyn  vp  ryst  /  and  thought  er  J>«t  it  dawe 

I  wyl  go  crepe  in  /  be  my  felawe 

And  fond  the  cradil  /  at  his  hand  a-non 

By  god  quod  he  /  al  wrang  I  had  mysgon  4252 

Myn  hed  is  toty  /  of  my  swynk  to-nyght 

That  makes  me  /  that  I  go  nat  aright 

I  wat  wel  by  the  Cradel  /  I  haue  mysgaa 

he  lyes  the  Millere  /  and  his  wyf  alswa  4256 

U  fe  And  forth  he  goth  /  a  twenty  deuele  way 

Vn-to  the  bedde  /  fe/'e  as  the  Millere  lay 

he  wend  han  cropen  /  by  his  felawe  lohn 

And  by  the  Millere  /  In  he  crepe  a-non  4260 

And  caught  him  by  J>e  nekke  /  and  softe  he  spake 

He  seide  thow  lohn  /  }>ow  swyneshede  a- wake      [leaf  52] 

ffor  cristes  soule  /  and  here  a  noble  game 

ffor  by  that  lord  /  that  called  is  Seynt  Jame  4264 

As  I  haue  times  /  in  this  short  nyght 

Swyued  the  Milleres  doughter  /  bolt  vp-right 

"While  thow  hast  /  as  a  coward  /  ben  a-gast 

51  fgj  3e  fals  harlot  /  quod  the  Millere  hast  4268 

A  fals  traytour  /  fals  Clerk  quod  he 

Thow  shalt  be  ded  /  by  goddis  dignyte 

Who  durst  be  so  bold  /  to  disparage 

My  doughter  /  J>at  is  come  /  of  swich  lynage  4272 

And  by  the  throte  bolle  /  he  caught  Aleyn 

And  he  hent  him  /  dispetously  a-geyn 

And  on  the  nose  /  he  smot  him  with  his  fist 

Doun  ran  the  blody  strem  /  vp-on  his  brest  4276 


GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  123 

And  in  the  flora  /  with  nose  &  mouth  to-broke 

They  \valwen  /  as  don  /  tweyne  pygges  in  a  poke 

And  vp  they  gon  /  and  doun  a-geyn  a-non 

Til  fat  the  Millere  /  spurned  at  a  ston  4280 

And  doun  he  fel  bakward  /  vp-on  his  wyf 

That  wyst  no  thyng  /  of  this  nyce  stryf 

ffor  she  was  falle  a-slepe  /  a  litel  wyght 

vrith  lohn  the  Clerk  /  that  waked  had  al  nyght          4284 

And  with  the  fal  /  out  of  hire  slepe  she  breyde 

help  holy  croys  of  Bromholme  /  she  seide 

In  manus  tuas  /  lord  to  the  I  calle 

A-wake  Symkyn  /  the  fend  is  on  me  falle  4288 

Myn  liert  is  broken  /  help  I  nam  but  dede 

There  lith  vp-on  my  wombe  /  &  on  myn  hede 

help  Symkyn  /  for  tho-fals  Clerkes  fight 

11  (£)  Thi8  Ioh~n  stirt  vp  /  als  fast  as  euere  he  myght  4292 

And  gropeth  by  the  walles  /  to  and  fro 

To  fynde  a  staf  /  and  she  stert  vp  also 

And  knew  the  estres  /  bet  panne  dide  this  Ioh~n 

And  by  the  wal  /  a  staf  she  fond  a-non  4296 

And  saw  a  litel  slemeryug  /  of  a  light 

tfor  at  an  hole  /  in  shon  the  Moue  bright 

And  by  )>at  light  /  she  saw  hem  bothe  two 

But  sekerly  she  nyst  /  who  was  who  4300 

But  as  she  saw  /  a  whit  ]?ing  in  hire  eye 

And  whan  she  gan  /  this  white  fing  aspie 

She  wende  the  Clerk  /  had  wered  a  volupere 

And  with  the  staf  /  she  drow  ay  nere  &  nere  4304 

And  wend  han  hit  /  this  Aleyn  at  the  fulle 

And  sniot  the  Millere  /  on  the  pyled  skulle 

That  doun  he  goth"  /  and  cried  Harrow  I  dye  [leaf  52,  back] 

Theise  Clerkes  /  bete  hym  wele  /  and  lete  him  lye      4308 

And  ordeyned  hem  /  and  toke  here  hors  a-non 

And  eke  here  mele  /  and  on)  here  weye  they  gon) 

And  at  the  Mille  /  $et  they  toke  here  cake 

Of  half  a  busshel  flour  /  ful  wel  I-bake  4312 


124      GROUP  A.     §  6.     REEVE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

1T  fo  Thus  is  the  proud  Millere  /  wel  I-bete 

And  hath"  I-lost  /  the  gryndyng  of  the  whete 

And  paid  for  )>e  sopere  /  eue?'ydele 

Of  Aleyn  and  of  John  /  )>at  be  ten  him  wele  4316 

his  wyf  is  swyued  /  and  his  dougfiter  als 

lo  /  s  \vich~  it  is  /  a  Millere  to  be  fals 

And  perfore  /  this  prouerbe  /  is  seid  f ul  sotK 

hym  thar  nat  wene  wel  /  that  euele  dotfr  4320 

A  gylour  /  shal  hi?>i-self  /  begyled  be 

And  got  fat  sitteth  heye  /  in  mageste 

Saue  al  this  companye  /  grete  and  smale  4323 

Thus  haue  I  quyt  the  Millere  /  in  my  tale    H  quod  the  Reve 

IT  Thus  endetfi  the  Reues  Tale  / 

[No  break  in  the  MS.] 


GROUP  A.     §  7.     COOK'S  PROLOGUE.     Dd.  4.  24.      125 


&  bigynneth  the  prologe  of  the  Cook 

The  Cok  of  london  /  while  the  Eeve  spak 
ffor  ioye  him  Bought  /  he  clawed  him  on  the  bak 
A  ha  qwod  he  /  for  cristes  passion 
This  Millere  hadde  /  a  sharp  conclusion       4328 
Vp-on  this  argument  /  of  herberwegage 
wel  seide  Salamon  /  in  his  langage 
Ne  bryng  nat  euery  man  /  in-to  thyn  hous 
ffor  herberwyng  by  nygfit  /  is  parly ous  4332 

Wel  ougfit  a  man  /  avysed  for  to  be 
Whom  that  he  brought  /  in-to  his  preuyte 
I  preye  to  god  /  so  $eue  me  sorwe  and  care 
If  euere  sithe  /  I  high"t  hogge  of  ware  4336 

Herde  I  a  Millere  /  bettir  sette  a-werke 
He  hedde  a  iape  of  Malice  /  in  the  derke 
But  god  forbede  /  that  we  stynten  here 
And  therfore  /  if  $e  wouchensaf  to  here  4340 

A  tale  of  me  /  that  am  a  pore  man 

I  wol  3ow  telle  /  as  wel  as  euere  I  can 

A  litel  iape  /  that  fel  in  oure  Citee  4343 

U  fo  Oure  host  answered  /  and  seide  /  I  graunte  it  the 

Now  telle  on  Koger  /  and  loke  fat  it  be  good 

ffor  many  a  paste  /  hast  thow  laten  blod 

And  many  a  lakke  of  Dover  /  hast  thow  sold 

That  hath  ben  twyes  hot  /  &  twyes  cold  4348 

Of  many  a  pilgrym  /  hast  thow  cristes  curs      [leaf  53] 

ffor  of  thy  pa?-selee  /  $et  they  fare  the  wers 

That  they  han  eten  /  in  thy  stobel  goos 

ffor  in  thy  shoppe  /  is  many  a  flye  loos  4352 

Now  telle  on  gentil  Eoger  /  be  thy  name 

But  }et  I  preye  the  /  be  nat  wroth  for  game 

And  man  may  sey  ful  soth  /  in  game  and  pleye 

II  (3)  Thow  seist  ful  soth  /  qwod  Roger  /  be  my  feye  4356 


126     GROUP  A.     §  7.     COOK'S  PROLOGUE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

But  swhich  pley  /  quade  pley  /  as  the  fflewmyng  seitfi 

And  Jjerfore  herry  Bailly  /  be  thy  feith" 

Be  thow  nat  wroth"  /  er  we  departe  heere 

Though  that  my  tale  /  be  of  an  hostelere  4360 

But  natheles  /  I  wol  nat  telle  it  jet 

But  er  we  parte  /  I-wysse  J>ou  shalt  be  quyt 

And  ther-with-alle  /  he  lough  &  made  chere 

And  seide  his  tale  /  as  $e  shuln  after  here  4364 

[No  break  in  the  MS.] 


GROUP  A.     §  8.     COOK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  127 


f  The  Cookes  Tale 

APrentys  whilom  /  dwelled  iu  cure  Citee 
Of  a  craft  /  of  vetayleres  was  he 
And  Gaillard  was  he  /  as  a  Goldffynch  in  fe  shawe 
Broun  as  a  Bery  /  a  propre  short  f  el  awe  4368 

With  lokkes  blake  /  kembed  ful  fetisly 
Daunce  he  koude  /  so  wel  and  iolyly 
That  he  was  cleped  /  Perkyn  reuelour 
he  was  as  ful  of  loue  /  and  paramour  4372 

As  is  the  hyue  /  ful  of  hony  swete 
Wel  was  the  wenche  /  wa't/i  him  myght  mete 
At  euery  brydale  /  wold  he  synge  and  hoppe 
He  loued  bet  the  taueme  /  fan  the  shoppe  4376 

ffor  whan  there  ony  ridyng  was  in  Chepe 
Out  of  the  shoppe  /  thider  wold  he  lepe 
Til  fat  he  had  /  al  the  sight  I-seyn 

And  daunced  wele  /  he  nolde  nat  come  ageyn  4380 

And  gadred  Irim  a  meyne  /  of  his  sort 
To  hoppe  &  synge  /  and  make  swich"  disport 
And  there  they  setten  steuene  /  for  to  mete 
To  play  at  the  dys  /  in  swich"  a  strete  4384 

ffor  in  the  Toun)  /  nas  there  no  Prcntys 
That  fairere  coude  kast  /  a  peyre  of  Dys 
Than  Perkyn  coude  /  and  ther-to  he  was  free 
Of  hys  dispence  /  in  place  of  preuyte  4388 

That  fond  his  Maister  wel  /  in  his  chaffare 
ffor  oft  tyme  he  fond  /  his  box  ful  bare      [leaf  53,  back] 
ffor  sothly  /  a  Prentys  a  Eeuelour 

That  haunteth  Dys  /  riot  /  &  Paramour  4392 

his  maister  shal  it  /  in  his  shoppe  a-bye 
Al  haue  he  no  part  /  of  the  Mynstralsye 
ffor  theft  and  riot  /  they  ben  conuertible 
Al  can  he  pleye  /  on  gyterue  or  ribible  4396 


128     GROUP  A.     §  8.     COOK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

Reuel  and  trouthe  /  as  in  a  lowe  degre 

They  ben  ful  wrothe  /  al  day  /  as  men  may  se 

U  (Jjb  This  ioly  Prentis  /  with  his  maister  stode 

Til  he  was  ny  /  out  of  his  Prentyshode  4400 

Al  were  he  snybbed  /  bothe  erly  and  late 

And  somtyme  lad  /  with  reuel  to  Newgate 

But  at  the  last  /  his  Maister  him  bythought 

Vp-on  a  day  /  whan  he  his  paper  sought  4404 

Of  a  prouerbe  /  that  seith  this  same  word 

"Wei  bet  is  roten  Appel  /  out  of  hord 

Than  that  he  rote  /  al  the  remenaunt 

So  fareth"  it  /  by  a  riotous  seruaunt  4408 

It  is  ful  lasse  harm  /  to  late  him  passe 

Than  he  shende  alle  /  the  serutmntes  in  the  place 

Therfore  his  Maister  /  $af  him  acquietance 

And  bad  him  go  /  \viih  sorwe  /  &  with"  meschaunce   4412 

And  thus  this  ioly  Prentys  /  had  his  leue 

Now  late  him  riote  /  al  the  nygtit  /  or  leue 

And  for  there  nys  no  thef  /  with-oute  a  louke 

That  helpeth"  him  /  to  wasten  and  to  souke  4416 

Of  that  he  bribe  can  /  or  borwe  may 

A-non  he  sent  his  bed  /  and  his  array 

Vn-to  a  Compere  /  of  his  owen  sorte 

That  loued  Dys  /  ryot  and  desporte  4420 

And  had  a  wyf  /  fat  held  for  countenaunce 

A  shoppe  /  and  swyued  for  hire  sustenaunce 

[Rest  of  page  blank.] 
IT  Sic  desinit  fabula  Coci  /  [leaf  54] 


GROUP  B.     §  1.     MAN  OF  LAW'S  HEAD-LINK.     DtL  4  24.     129 


(Man  of  Law's  Head-Link.) 

et  Incipit  p?-01ogus  Legis  periti  f 

Oure  Host  saw  wel  /  pat  the  bright  sonne 
The  ark  of  his  artificiale  day  /  hath"  ronne 
The  ferthe  part  /  and  half  an  oure  &  more 
And  thought  he  were  not  /  depe  I-stert  in  lore  4 
He  wist  it  was  /  the  eight  and  twenty  day 
Of  ApriH  /  that  is  messanger  vn-to  May 
And  saw  wel  /  j>at  the  shadewe  of  euery  tree 
was  as  in  lengthe  /  the  same  quantite  8 

That  was  the  body  erecte  /  that  causet  it 
And  perfore  by  the  shadewe  /  he  tok  his  wyt 
That  phebus  /  which  J>at  shone  /  so  clere  and  bright 
Sixe  degrees  was  fyue  &  fourty  clombe  on  height  12 

And  for  that  day  /  as  in  that  latitude 
It  was  ten  of  the  clok  /  he  gan  conclude 
And  sodeynly  he  plight  /  his  hors  a-boute 
lordynggis  quod  he  /  I  warne  jow  alle  this  route  16 

The  ferthe  partie  of  this  day  /  is  gon 
Now  for  the  loue  of  god  /  &  of  Seynt  lohn 
lesetfe  no  tyme  /  as  ferforth  as  30  may 
lordyngges  the  tyme  wasteth  /  nyght  &  day  20 

And  steleth  from  vs  /  what  preuyly  slepynge 
And  what  porugh  negligence  /  in  our  wakynge 
As  doth  the  streni  /  that  twmeth  neuere  a-geyn 
Descendyng  fro  the  mounteyn  /  in-to  a  pleyn  24 

Wel  can  Senek  /  and  many  a  Philosophre 
Bywaylen  tyme  /  more  than  gold  in  coffre 
ffor  losse  of  catel  /  may  recouered  be 
But  losse  of  tyme  /  shendeth  vs  quod  he  28 


130     GROUP  B.     §  1.     MAN  OF  LAW'S  HEAD-LINK.     Dd.  4.  24. 

It  wyl  not  comen  a-geyn  /  wt'Mouten  drede 

No  more  than  wyl  /  Malkyns  maydenhede 

Whan  she  hath  lost  it  /  in  hire  wantounesse 

lat  vs  nought  mowlen  thus  /  in  Idelnesse  32 

Sire  man  of  lawe  quod  he  /  so  haue  30  blisse 

Tells  vs  a  tale  a-non  /  as  forward  isse 

3e  ben  submytted  /  thurgh"  3oure  free  assent 

To  stonden  in  this  cas  /  at  my  lugement  36 

Acquiteth  $ow  now  /  of  3oure  byhest 

Than  han  30  don  /  joure  deuer  at  the  lest 

host  quod  he  /  de  par  dieux  iche  assent 

To  breke  forward  /  is  not  myn  entent  40 

Byhest  is  dette  /  and  I  wol  holde  fayne 

Al  my  behest  /  I  can  no  betre  sayne 

ffor  swich  lawe  as  a  man  jeueth  /  a-nojier  wygh"t  [leaf  54,  back] 

he  shulde  him  selue  vsen  it  /  be  right  44 

Thus  wyl  cure  text  /  but  natheles  certeyn 

I  can  right  now  /  no  thrifty  tale  seyn 

But  Chaucer  /  though  he  can  but  lewedly 

On  meetris  /  and  on  rymyng  craftily  48 

hath  seid  hem  /  in  swich  englissfi  as  he  can 

Of  olde  tyme  /  as  knoweth  many  a  man 

And  if  he  haue  nou3t  seid  hew  /  leue  brother 

In  a  boke  /  he  hath  seid  hew  /  in  a-nother  52 

ffor  he  hath  told  of  louyers  /  vp  and  downe 

Moo  than  Ouyde  made  of  /  mencione 

In  liise  epistles  /  than  ben  ful  olde 

What  shulde  I  telle  hew  /  syn  they  ben  tolde  56 

In  3outhe  he  made  /  of  Ceys  and  Alcione 

And  sithen  hath  he  spoken  /  of  euerychone 

Theise  noble  wyues  /  and  theise  louyers  eke 

Who  so  J?at  wyl  /  his  large  volume  seke  CO 

Cleped  the  Seyntes  legende  /  of  cupide 

There  may  he  sen  /  the  large  woundes  wyde 

Of  lucresse  /  and  of  babilan  Tesbe 

The  swerd  of  Dido  /  for  the  fals  Ene  64 


GROUP  B.     §  1.     MAN  OF  LAW'S  HEAD-LINK.     Dd.  4.  24.     131 

The  tree  of  phillis  /  for  hir  demoplion 

The  pleynte  of  Diane  /  and  of  Herrayoii 

Of  Adriane  /  and  Isiphilee 

The  baraigne  Isle  /  stondyng  in  the  see  68 

The  dreynte  leandre  /  for  his  erro 

And  teeres  of  Eleyne  /  and  eke  the  woo 

Of  Brixseide  /  and  of  the  ladomya 

The  cruelte  /  of  the  Quene  Medea  72 

Thy  litel  children  hangynge  /  by  the  hals 

ff  or  thy  loson  /  that  was  of  lone  so  fals 

Of  Parmystre  /  Penelape  Alceste 

^oure  wyfhode  /  je  comende  with  the  beste  76 

But  certeynly  /  no  word  wrytetfi.  he 

Of  thilke  wykked  ensaumple  /  of  Canacee 

That  loued  hire  owen  brother  /  synfully 

Of  swiche  cursed  stories  /  I  seye  fy  80 

Or  ellis  of  Tiro  /  Appollonius 

how  \at  the  cursed  kyng  /  Antiochus 

Biraft  hire  dougfiter  /  of  hire  maydenhede 

That  is  so  horrible  a  tale  /  for  to  rede  84 

Whan  he  hire  threwe  /  vp-on  the  paument 

And  therfore  he  /  of  ful  auysement  [leaf  55] 

Nolde  neuere  wryte  /  in  none  of  hise  sermouns 

Of  swich"  vnkynde  /  abhominacions  88 

Ne  I  wyl  noon  reherce  /  if  J>at  I  may 

But  of  my  tale  /  how  shal  I  don  this  day 

Me  were  loth"  /  be  likned  doutelees 

To  muses  /  fat  men  clepe  pierides  92 

Methamorphosios  /  woot  what  I  mene 

But  natheles  /  I  recche  not  a  bene 

Though"  I  come  after  him  /  with"  hawe  bake 

I  speke  in  prose  /  and  lat  him  rymes  make  96 

And  with  that  word  /  he  with  a  sober  chere 

Bygan  his  tale  /  as  je  shuln  after  here  98 

U  Hie  finitwr  prologus  legis  periti  / 
[No  break  in  the  MS.] 


132  GROUP  B.  §  2.  MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.  PUOL.  Dd.  4.  24. 


et  incipit  fabula  eiusdem '. 

n  Hateful  harme  /  condicione  of  pouerte  99 

with  thrust  with  cold  /  with  houger  so  confounded 
To  asken  helpe  /  the  shameth  in  thyn  herte 
If  thow  noon  aske  /  so  sore  art  J?ow  I- wounded  102 
That  verray  nede  /  vnwrappeth  alle  thy  wounde  hid 
Maugre  thyn  heede  /  thow  must  for  indigence 
Or  stele  or  begge  /  or  borwe  thyn  dispence  105 

11  Thow  blamest  crist  /  and  seist  ful  bitterly 

he  mysdeparteth  /  ricchesse  temporal 

Thy  neyghebore  /  thow  wytest  synfully 

And  seist  J>ou  hast  to  lite  /  and  he  hath  al  109 

Parfey  seist  J>ou  /  sumtyme  he  rekne  shal 

Whan  fat  his  taylle  /  shal  brennen  in  the  glede 

ffor  he  nought  helpeth"  /  nedef ul  in  here  nede  112 

U  Herkeneth  what  is  the  sentence  /  of  the  wyse 

Bette  is  to  deyen  /  than  haue  indigence 

Thy  selue  neyghebore  /  wyl  the  despise 

If  thow  be  pore  /  fare  wel  thy  reuerence  116 

3et  if  the  wyse  man  /  take  this  sentence 

Alle  the  dayes  of  poore  men  /  ben  wykke 

Be  war  ferfore  /  er  J>ou  come  to  )>at  prikke  119 

U  If  J>ou  be  pore  /  thy  brother  hateth"  the 

And  alle  thyne  frendes  /  flen  fro  the  /  alias 

O  riche  marchauntej  /  ful  of  wele  ben  30 

O  noble  o  prudent  folk  /  as  in  this  cas  123 

3oure  bagges  be  noujt  filled  /  with  aumbes-as 

But  with  sys  synk  /  fat  renneth"  for  joure  chaunce 

At  Cristeuiasse  /  merie  may  30  daunce          [leaf  55,  back]  126 


GROUP  B.  §  2.  MAN  OP  LAW'S  TALE.  PROL.  Dd.  4.  24.  133 

U  }e  seken  lond  and  see  /  for  joure  wynnynges 

As  wyse  folk  30  knowen  /  alle  the  estat 

Of  regnes  /  30  ben  fadres  of  tidynges 

And  tales  /  both  of  pees  and  of  debat  130 

I  were  right  now  /  of  tales  desolat 

Ner  that  a  Marchaimt  /  gon  is  many  a  3010 

Me  taught  a  tale  /  which  pat  30  shal  here  133 


[As  there  is  no  room  in  this  print  for  the  Latin  notes  in  the 
margin  of  the  MS.,  they  are  put  here,  with  the  numbers  of  the  lines 
to  which  they  refer."] 

1.  197.  IT  Ceptra  phoronei  fratrum  discordia  thebe  fflaramawi 
phetontis  deucalionis  aque.  In  stellia  priami  species  audacia  turni 
sensus  vlixews  herculews  qw  vigor  &c.  [leaf  56] 

1.  295.  Vnde  Ptholomeus  libro  1°  /  capitulo .  x°.  primi  motus  celi  / 
duo  sunt  /  quorum  vmis  est  /  qwi  mouet  totnm  semper  /  ab  orient* 
in  occidente?/i  /  vno  modo  super  orbes  &c.  Item  aliter  vero  motus 
est  /  qui  mouot  orbem  stellamm  currencium  contra  motum  primuwi  / 
videlicet  ab  occidente  in  orientem  super  alios  duos  polos  &c.  [leaf  57] 

1.  309.  IT  Onmes  concordat!  simt  q«od  elecciowes  sint  debiles 
nisi  in  diuitibtts  habent  enim  isti  licet  debilitentitr  eoram  elecczVmes 
radicem  .  id  est .  natiuitates  eorum  q?te  co?ifortat  omne?«,  plancta?M 
debilem  in  itiuere  &c.  [leaf  57,  back] 

1.  421.  IT  No£«  de  inopinato  dolore  1T  Semper  mundane  leticie 
tristicia  repentiua  succedit  /  Mundana  igitur  felicitas  mitltis  amari- 
tudinibjw  est  repersa  .  extrema  gaudii  luct«s  occupat  Audi  ergo 
salubre  consilimn.  in  die  bonorum  ne  i?ftmemor  sis  maloru??t  J  [if.  58,  bk.] 

1.  771.  IT  Quid  turpius  ebrioso  /  cui  fetor  in  ore.  tremor  in  corpore. 
qui  p?-omit  stulta.  prodit  occulta.  cui  mens  alienator,  facies  trans- 
formatitr  nullum  enim  latet  secretum  /  vbi  regnat  ebrietas '.  [if.  62,  bk.] 

1.  925.  IT  0  extrema  libidinis  turpitude  qwe  non  solum  mentera 
effeminat  /  set  eciaw  corpus  eneruat  /  semper  secuntwr  dolor  & 
penitencia  pos<  &c.  [leaf  64] 

1.  1130.  IT  A  mane  vsqzte  ad  vesperam  mutabitur  tempus  /  tenent 
tympanttjn,  &  gaudent  ad  sonu?/i  orgaui  &c.  [leaf  66,  back] 

1.  1135.  IT  Quis  vnq«am  vnica?«  diem  totam  duxit  in  sua  dilec- 
cio?ie  iocundam  /  que??i  in  aliqwa  parte  dici  /  reattis  co?isciencie  viz.  / 
impetus  /  ire  /  vel  motzw  co?icupi.scencie  non  twrbauerit  //  quern  liuor 
vel  ardor  auaricie  vel  tumor  supe?'bie  non  vexauerit  que?n  aliqua 
iactura  vel  offensa  vel  passio  non  commonerit  &c.  [leaf  66,  back] 


134      GROUP   B.       §    2.       MAN    OF   LAW'S    TALE.      Dd.  4.  24. 


[PART  /.] 

H  In  Surrye  whilom  /  dwelled  a  companye 

Of  chapmen  riche  /  and  ther-to  sad  &  trewe 

That  wyde  where  /  senten  here  spicerye 

Clothes  of  gold  /  of  satyn  /  riche  of  hewe  137 

here  chaffare  was  so  thrifty  /  &  so  newe 

That  euery  wyght  /  hath  deynte  to  chaffare 

With"  hem  /  &  eke  to  sellen  hem  here  ware  140 

U  Now  fel  it  /  J>at  the  maistres  of  fat  sorte 

Han  shapen  hem  /  to  Rome  for  to  wende 

Were  it  for  chapmanhod  /  or  for  disport 

Non  other  message  /  wold  they  thidder  sende  144 

But  comen  hem  selue  /  to  Eome  /  this  is  the  ende 

And  in  swich  place  /  as  thought  hem  auauntage 

ffor  here  entente  /  they  take  here  herbergage  147 

U  Soiourned  han  theise  Marchaunt}  /  in  that  toun 

A  certayne  tyme  /  as  fel  to  here  plesaunce 

And  so  byfel  /  that  the  excellent  renoun 

Of  the  Emperoures  dough" ter  /  Dame  Custaunce  151 

Reported  was  /  with"  eue?*y  circuwstaunce 

Vn-to  theise  Surryen  Marchaunt3  /  in  swich  a  wyse 

ffro  day  to  day  /  as  I  shal  $ow  deuyse  154 

1T  This  was  the  comune  voys  /  of  euery  man 

Oure  Empwoure  of  Rome  /  god  him  se 

A  doughter  hath  /  that  syn  the  world  bygan 

To  rekne  as  wel  hire  goodnesse  /  as  beaute  158 

Nas  neuere  swich  a-nother  /  as  is  she 

I  preye  to  god  in  honour  /  hire  sustene 

And  wolde  she  were  /  of  al  Europe  the  Quene  161 

•  Europa  eat  tercia  pars  mUMili 


GROUP   B.       §    2.       MAN    OF    LAW'S    TALE.       Dd.  4.  24.       135 

IF  In  hire  is  heigh"  beaute  /  witB-outen  pride 

3outhe  with-outen  greenheede  /  or  of  folye 

To  alle  hire  werkes  /  vertu  is  hire  gyde 

Humblesse  hath  slayn  in  hire  /  al  tirannye  165 

She  is  myrour  /  of  al  curteisye 

hir  herte  is  verrey  chaumbre  /  of  holynesse 

hir  /  and  Ministre  /  of  freedom  /  for  almesse  168 

II  And  al  this  voys  was  soth"  /  as  god  is  trewe 

But  now  to  purpos  /  lat  vs  turne  a-gayne 

Theise  Marchaunt}  han  don  fraught/  here  sheppes  newe 

And  whan  they  han  /  this  blisf ul  mayden  sayne    [leaf  56] 

Horn  to  Surrye  /  ben  they  went  ful  fayne  173 

And  don  here  nedes  /  as  they  han  don  jore 

And  lyuen  in  wele  /  I  can  sey  }ow  no  more  175 

IT  Now  fel  it  /  that  theise  Marchauntj  stoden  in  grace 

Of  hym  fat  was  /  the  Soudon  of  Surrie 

That  whan  they  come  /  fro  any  straunge  place 

he  wolde  of  his  benygne  /  curteisie  1 79 

Make  hem  good  cheer  /  and  bisily  aspie 

Tidynges  /  of  sondry  regnes  for  to  lere 

The  wondres  that  they  /  myght  seen  or  here  182 

IT  Amonges  othere  thynges  specially 

Theise  Marcliauntj  han  him  told  /  of  Dame  Custaunce 

So  greet  noblesse  /  in  ernest  ceriously 

That  this  Soudan  hath"  caught  /  so  gret  plesaunce          186 

To  han  hire  figure  /  in  his  remembraunce 

That  al  his  lust  /  and  his  besy  cure 

was  for  to  loue  hire  /  while  his  lif  may  dure  189 

11  Parauenture  /  in  thilke  large  boke 

which"  )>rtt  men  clepe  /  the  heuene  /  I-wryten  was 

with  sterres  /  whan  that  he  his  birthe  toko 

That  he  for  loue  /  shulde  han  his  deth"  alias  193 


136       GROUP   B.       §    2.       MAN    OF   LAW'S   TALE.       Dd.  4.  24. 

ffor  in  the  sterres  clerere  /  than  is  glas 

I-wryten  is1  god  wot  /  who  so  coude  it  rede         [1tot™f """' 

The  deth  of  euery  man  /  with-outen  drede  196 

U  In  sterres  /  many  a  wynter  there  biforn     [.Latin  note,  p.  iss.] 

was  wretyn  the  detfi  /  of  Ector  Achilles 

Of  ponipey  lulyus  /  er  they  were  born) 

The  strif  of  Thebes  /  and  of  Hercules  200 

Of  Sampson  /  Turnus  /  and  of  Socrates 

The  doth"  /  but  mennes  wyttes  ben  so  dulle 

That  no  wygfct  can  wel  rede  it  /  at  the  fulle  203 

U  This  Soudan  /  for  his  pryue  couuseil  sent 

And  shortly  of  this  mater  /  for  to  pace 

he  hath"  to  hem  declared  /  his  entent 

And  seide  hew  certeyn  /  but  he  myght  han  grace          207 

To  haue  Custaunce  /  wit/i-inne  a  litel  space 

he  nas  but  dede  /  and  charged  hem  in  hye 

To  shapen  for  his  lyf  /  som  remedy e  210 

U  Diuerse  men  /  diuerse  thynges  seiden 

They  Argument}  cast  /  vp  and  doun 

Many  a  subtile  reson  /  forth"  they  leiden 

They  spoken  of  magyk  /  and  of  abusione  214 

But  finally  /  as  in  conclusione 

Thci  can  nat  sen  /  in  that  non  auauntage     [leaf  sc,  back] 

As  in  none  other  wey  /  saue  in  mariage  217 

U  Than  saw  they  pere-Inne  /  swich"  difficulte 

By  weye  of  resofi  /  for  to  speke  al  pleyne 

By  cause  that  there  was  /  swiche  diuersite 

Bytwene  here  bo  the  lawes  /  that  they  seyne  221 

They  trowe  that  no  cristene  prince  /  wolde  feyne 

wedden  his  childe  /  vn-to  our  lawes  swete 

That  vs  was  taught  /  by  Mahoum  oure  p/ophete          224 


GROUP   B.       §   2.      MAN   OF   LAW'S   TALE.      Dd.  4.  24.       137 

U  And  he  answered  /  rather  than  I  lese 

Custaunce  /  I  AVO!  be  cristened  doutelesse 

I  mot  ben  hires  /  I  may  noon  other  chese 

I  prey  jow  /  holde  joure  argumentej  in  pes  228 

Saueth  my  lyf  /  and  betfi  nought  reccheles 

To  getyn  hire  /  that  hatfi  my  lyf  in  cure 

ffor  in  this  woo  /  I  may  not  longe  endure  231 

If  what  nedeth"  grettere  /  dilatacione 

I  seye  be  tretys  /  and  embassatrye 

And  by  the  Popes  /  mediacione 

And  alle  the  chirche  /  and  al  the  chyualrie  235 

That  in  destruccione  /  of  maumentrie 

And  in  encresse  /  of  cristes  lawe  dere 

They  ben  accorded  /  so  as  30  shuln  here  238 

If  how  pat  the  Soudan  /  and  his  baronage 

And  alle  hise  lieges  /  shulde  I-cristened  be 

And  he  shal  haue  Custaunce  /  in  mariage 

And  certeyne  gold  /  I  not  what  quantite  242 

And  her  to  founden  /  sufficeant  seurte 

This  same  accord  /  was  sworn  on  either  syde 

Now  fair  Custaunce  /  almyghty  god  the  gyde  245 

If  Now  wolde  summe  men  /  wayten  as  I  gesse 

That  I  shulde  tellen  /  al  the  purueance 

That  the  Emperour  /  of  his  grete  noblesse 

hatfi  shapen  for  his  dougfiter  /  Dame  Custaunce  249 

wel  may  men  knowen  /  that  so  grete  ordinaunce 

May  no  man  telle  /  in  a  litel  clause 

As  was  arrayed  /  for  so  heygfi  a  cause  252 

If  Bisshopes  ben  shapen  /  with"  hire  for  to  wende 

lordes  ladies  /  knygfites  of  renoune 

And  othere  folk  I-nowe  /  this  is  the  ende 

And  notified  is  /  thurgfi-ou^t  the  touii  256 


138    GROUP  B.     §  2.     MAX  OF  LAW'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

That  euery  wygfit  /  with"  gret  deuocion 

Shulde  preyen  crist  /  that  he  this  mariage 

Receyue  in  gree  /  and  spede  this  viage  259 

U  The  day  is  comen  /  of  here  departynge  [leaf  57] 

I  say  the  wooful  day  /  fatal  /  is  come 

That  there  may  be  /  no  lengere  tariynge 

And  forth  ward  they  hem  dressen  /  alle  &  some  263 

Custaunce  that  was  /  with  sorwe  al  ouercome 

fful  pale  arist  /  and  dressith  hire  to  wende 

ffor  wel  she  seth  /  fere  is  noon  other  ende  266 

U  Alias  what  wonder  is  it  /  though  she  wepte 

That  shal  be  sent  /  to  straunge  nacione 

ffro  frendes  /  fat  so  tenderly  hire  kepte 

And  to  be  bounde  /  vnder  subieccione  270 

Of  oon  /  she  knowejj  nou$t  /  his  condicione 

housbondes  ben  alle  goode  /  and  ban  ben  ^ore 

That  knowen  wyues  /  I  dar  sey  $ow  no  more  273 

U  ffader  she  seide  /  thy  wrecched  child  Custaunce 

Thy  $onge  doughter  /  fostred  vp  so  softe 

And  30  my  moder  /  my  souereigne  plesaunce 

Ouer  alle  thynge  /  out-take  crist  on  loft  277 

Custaunce  $oure  child  /  hire  recomaundeth"  oft 

vn-to  ^oure  grace  /  for  I  shal  to  Surrye 

Ne  shal  I  neuere  /  sen  jow  more  with  eye  280 

H  Alias  vn-to  the  barbre  /  nacione 

I  must  goon  /  syn  that  it  is  3oure  wylle 

But  crist  that  starf  /  for  cure  sauacione 

So  jeue  me  grace  /  hise  hestes  to  fulfills  284 

I  wrecched  womman  /  no  fors  though  I  spille 

Wommen  arn  born  /  to  thraldom  &  penaunce 

And  to  ben  /  vnder  mannes  gouemance  287 


GROUP  B.   §  2.   MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.   Dd.  4.  24.   139 

U  I  trowe  at  Troye  /  whan  Pirrus  brak  the  wal 

Or  ylyon  brende  /  Thebes  the  Citee 

Ne  at  Rome  /  for  the  harme  thurgh"  hanybal 

That  Romeyns  han  venquyssed  /  tymes  three  291 

Nas  herd  /  swich"  tendre  wepynge  /  for  pitee 

As  in  the  chaumbre  was  /  for  hire  departynge 

But  forth"  she  moot  /  wheij>er  so  she  wepe  or  synge       294 

U  0  first  meeuing  /  cruel  firmament         {.Latin  note,  p.  133.] 

With"  thy  dyurnal  sweigh"  /  that  crowdest  ay 

And  hurlest  alle  /  fro  Est  til  Occident 

That  naturelly  wolde  holde  /  a-nother  wey  298 

Thy  crowdyng  sette  the  heuene  /  in  swich"  array 

At  the  begynnynge  /  of  this  fiers  viage 

That  cruel  Mars  /  hath  slayn  this  mariage  301 

U  Infortunat  ascendent  tortuous 

Of  which"  the  lord  /  is  helplees  falle  alias 

Oujt  of  his  angle  /  in-to  the  derkest  hous 

0  Mars,  o  Athasir  /  as  in  this  cas  [leaf  57,  back]  305 

0  feble  Mone  /  vnhappy  ben  thy  paas 

Thow  knyttest  the  /  there  Jwu  art  nought  receyued 

There  )>0u  were  wel  /  fro  thens  art  J>ou  weyued  308 

IT  Imprudent  Emperour  /  of  Rome  /  alias      [.Latin  note,  p.  iss.] 

Was  fere  no  philosophre  /  in  al  thj^  toune 

Is  no  tyme  bet  than  other  /  in  swich  a  caas 

Of  viage  /  is  fere  noon  eleccione  312 

Namely  to  folk  /  of  heigh  condicione 

Nought  whan  a  root  /  is  of  birthe  I-knowe 

Alias  we  ben  to  lewed  /  or  to  slowe  315 

U  To  shippe  is  brought  /  this  wooful  fair  mayde 

Solempnely  /  with  euery  circximstaunce 

Now  ihesu  crist  /  be  with"  $ow  alle  she  sayde 

There  nys  namore  /  but  fare- wel  fair  Custaunce  319 


140   GROUP  B.   §  2.   MAN  OP  LAW'S  TALE.   Dd.  4.  24. 

She  peyneth  hire  /  to  make  good  countenaunce 

And  forth  I  lete  hire  seyle  /  in  this  manere 

And  turne  I  wyl  a-geyn  /  to  my  inatere  322 

H  Tlie  moder  of  the  Soudan  /  welle  of  vices 

A-spied  hath"  /  hire  sones  pleynt  entent 

How  he  wolde  lete  /  his  olde  sacrifys 

And  right  a-noon  /  she  for  hire  counseil  sent  326 

And  they  ben  come  /  to  knowe  what  she  ment/ 

And  whan  assembled  was  /  this  folk  in  fere 

She  sette  hire  doun  /  and  seyde  as  je  shuln  here  329 

U  lordes  she  seide  /  30  knowen  euerychone 

How  that  my  sone  /  in  poynt  is  for  to  lete 

The  holy  lawes  /  of  oure  Alkarone 

^ouen  by  goddes  messanger  /  Macamete  333 

But  oon  a-vow  /  to  grete  god  I  hete 

The  lif  shal  rather  /  out  of  my  body  stert 

Er  Macametes  lawe  /  out  of  myn  hert  336 

U  what  shulde  vs  tiden  /  of  this  newe  lawe 

But  thraldome  to  oure  bodies  /  and  penaunce 

And  afterward  in  helle  /  to  ben  drawe 

ffor  we  reneyed  Mahoun  /  oure  creaunce  340 

But  lordes  wol  je  maken  /  asseuraunce 

As  I  shal  seyn  /  assentyng  to  my  loore 

And  I  shal  make  vs  saf  /  for  euere  more  343 

H  They  sworn  &  assentyn  /  eue?y  man 

To  liue  with  hire  &  deye  /  &  by  hire  stonde 

And  euerich  /  in  the  best  wyse  /  he  can 

To  strengthe  hire  /  shal  alle  hise  frendes  fonde  347 

And  she  hath"  this  emprise  /  I-take  on  honde 

which  je  shal  heren  /  that  I  shal  deuyse 

And  to  hem  alle  /  she  spak  right  in  this  wyse    [leafssj  350 


GROUP   B.       §    2.       MAN   OP   LAW'S   TALE.       D<1.  4.  24.       141 

U  we  shuln  first  feyne  vs  /  cristendome  to  take 

Cold  water  shal  noujt  greue  vs  /  but  a  lite 

And  I  shal  swicfi  a  feest  /  and  reuel  make 

That  as  I  trowe  /  I  shal  the  Soudan  quyte  354 

ffor  though"  his  wyf  be  cristened  /  neuere  so  whyte 

She  shal  haue  nede  /  to  wasshe  a-wey  the  rede 

Though  she  a  fontful  water  /  with"  hire  lede  357 

II  0  Soudanesse  /  roote  of  iniquite 

Virago  thow  semirame  /  the  secounde  / 

0  serpent  /  vnder  femynynytee 

like  to  the  serpent  /  depe  in  helle  I-bounde  361 

O  feyned  womman  /  al  that  may  confounde 

Vertue  and  innocence  /  thurgh"  thy  malice 

Is  bred  in  the  /  as  neste  of  eue?y  vyce  364 

U  0  Sathan  enuyous  /  syn  thilke  day 

That  thow  were  chased  /  from  oure  heritage 

wel  knowest  fou  /  to  wommen  the  olde  way 

Thow  madest  Eue  /  brynge  vs  in  seruage  368 

Thow  wylt  for-don  /  this  cristene  mariage 

Thyn  instrument  /  so  welawey  the  whyle 

Makest  J?ou  of  wowmen  /  whan  JJGU  wylt  begyle  371 

11  This  Soudanesse  /  whom  I  thus  blame  &  warye 

leet  pryuyly  hire  counseil  /  gon  here  way 

what  shulde  I  in  this  tale  /  lengere  tary 

She  rideth  to  the  Soudan  /  on  a  day  375 

And  seide  him  that  she  wolde  /  reneye  hire  lay 

And  cristendome  /  of  prestes  handes  fonge 

Eepentynge  hire  /  she  hethene  was  so  longe  378 

H  Bysechyng  him  /  to  don  hire  that  honour 

That  she  must  han  /  the  cristene  folk  to  fest 

To  plesen  hem  /  I  wyl  do  my  labour 

The  Soudan  seitfi  /  I  wyl  don  at  joure  host  382 


142   GROUP  B.   §  2.   MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.   Dd.  4.  24. 

And  knelynge  thanketh  hire  /  of  that  request 

So  glad  was  he  /  he  nyst  what  to  seye 

She  kist  hire  sone  /  and  horn  she  goth  hire  weye          385 


H  Desinit  prima  pars 

IT  Incipit  SeCUnda  pars  [in  margin] 

U      A     ryued  ben  /  theise  cristene  folk  to  londe 
\      In  Surrye  /  with  a  gret  solempne  route 
JL.  JL.  And  hastilich"  this  Soudan  /  sent  his  sonde 
ffirst  to  his  moder  /  and  al  the  regne  a-boute  389 

And  seide  /  his  wyf  was  comen  /  out  of  doute 
And  preyede  hire  for  to  ride  /  a-geyne  the  Quene 
The  honour  of  his  regne  /  to  sustene  392 

IT  Greet  was  the  prees  /  and  riche  was  the  Arraye 

Of  Surreyens  and  Romayns  /  mette  I-feere 

The  moder  of  the  Soudan  /  riche  and  gay      [leaf  58,  back] 

Eeceyueth"  hire  /  with  al  so  glad  a  chere  396 

As  any  moder  myght  /  hire  doughter  deere 

And  to  the  next  Citee  /  there  beside 

A  softe  paas  /  solempnely  they  ride  399 

U  Nougfit  trowe  I  /  the  triumphe  of  lulius 

Of  which  that  lucan  /  maketh  swich  a  boost 

Was  reallere  /  or  more  curious 

Than  was  the  assemble  /  of  this  blisful  oost  403 

But  this  scorpion  /  this  wykked  gost 

The  Soudanesse  /  for  al  hire  flaterynge 

Cast  vnder  this  /  ful  mortally  to  stynge  406 

IT  The  Soudan  cometh"  him  selue  /  sone  after  J>is 

So  really  /  that  wonder  is  to  telle 

he  welcome  th  hire  /  with  alle  ioye  &  blisse 

And  thus  in  myrthe  &  ioye  /  I  lat  hem  dwelle  410 


GROUP   B.       §    2.       MAN    OF   LAW'S   TALE.      Dd.  4.  24.       143 

The  fruyt  of  this  mater  /  is  that  I  telle 

Whan  tyme  come  /  men  thou^t  it  for  the  best 

That  reuel  stynt  /  and  men  gon  to  here  rest  413 

H  The  tyme  come  /  this  olde  Soudanesse 

Ordeyned  had  this  fest  /  of  whiche  I  tolde 

And  to  the  feest  /  cristen  folk  hem  dresse 

In  general  /  30  bothe  jonge  and  olde  417 

here  moun)  men  feest  /  and  realte  beholde 

And  deyntees  moo  /  than  I  can  $ow  deuyse 

But  al  to  dere  /  they  bought  it  er  they  ryse  420 

IT  0  sodeyn  woo  /  that  euere  art  successour  [.Latin  note,  p.  133.] 

To  worldly  blisse  /  spreynde  with  bitternesse 

The  ende  of  the  ioye  /  of  oure  worldly  labour 

woo  /  occupieth"  the  fyn  /  of  oure  gladnesse  424 

herkene  this  counseil  /  for  thy  sekirnesse 

vp-on  thy  glad  day  /  haue  in  thy  mynde 

The  vnwar  woo  /  or  harm  /  fat  cometh"  behynde          427 

5T  ffor  shortly  to  tellen  /  at  a  word 

The  Soudan  /  &  the  cristene  euerichone 

Ben  al  to-hewe  /  and  stiked  at  the  bord 

But  it  were  oonly  /  dame  Custaunce  allone  431 

This  olde  Soudanesse  /  cursed  crone 

hath"  with"  hire  frendes  /  doon  this  cursed  dede 

ffor  she  hire  selue  wolde  /  al  the  contree  lode  434 

IT  Ne  was  Surryen  noon  /  that  was  conuertcd 

That  of  the  counseil  /  of  the  Soudan  woot 

That  he  nas  al  to-hewe  /  er  he  a-sterted 

And  Custaunce  han  they  take  /  a-none  foot  hoot  438 

And  in  a  shippe  /  al  steereles  god  woot/ 

They  han  hire  sette  /  and  bidden  hire  lerne  saile    [leaf  59] 

Out  of  Surrie  /  ageynward  to  Itaile  441 


144      GROUP   B.      §   2.      MAN   OF   LAW'S   TALE.      Dd.  4.  24. 

II  A  certeyn  tresore  /  that  she  thidder  ladde 

Aud  sothe  to  seyn  /  vitaille  gret  plentee 

They  han  hire  3euen  /  &  clothes  eke  she  hadde 

And  forth  she  seileth"  /  in  the  salt  See  445 

O  my  Custaunce  /  ful  of  benignytee 

O  Empe?'oures  /  $onge  doughter  deere 

he  fat  is  lord  ouer  fortune  /  be  thy  steere  448 

H  She  blissed  hire  /  and  witfi  ful  pitous  vois 

Vn-to  the  Croos  of  crist  /  thus  seide  she 

0  cleer  /  o  welful  auter  /  holy  croys 

Reed  of  the  lambes  blood  /  ful  of  pitee  452 

That  wesshe  the  world  /  fro  Jje  olde  iniquite 

Me  fro  the  fende  /  and  fro  his  clawes  kepe 

That  day  fat  I  shal  drenchen  /  in  the  depe  455 

U  Victorious  tree  /  proteccione  of  trewe 

That  oonly  worthy  were  /  for  to  bere 

The  kyng  of  heuene  /  with  hise  woundes  newe 

The  whit  lamb  fat  hurt  was  /  with"  a  spere  459 

fflemer  of  feendes  /  out  of  him  and  heere 

On  which  thy  lymes  /  feithfully  extenden 

Me  kepe  /  and  3eue  me  mygfct  /  my  lif  to  amenden      462 

U  $eres  and  dayes  /  fleetith  this  creature 

Thurgh"-out  the  see  /  of  Grece  /  vn-to  the  strayte 

Of  Marrok  /  as  it  was  hire  auenture 

0  many  sory  meel  /  now  may  she  bayte  466 

After  hire  deth"  /  ful  often  may  she  wayte 

Er  that  the  wylde  wawes  /  wyln  hire  dryue 

Vn-to  the  place  /  there  she  shal  arryue  469 

U  Men  myght  asken  /  why  she  was  nou^t  slayne 

Eke  atte  feest  /  whoo  mygfit  hire  body  saue 

And  I  answere  /  to  that  demaunde  a-gayne 

Who  saued  Danyel  /  in  the  horrible  caue  473 


GROUP  B.   §  2.   MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.   Dd.  4.  24.   145 

There  eue?y  wyght  saw  he  /  maister  and  knaue 

Was  with  the  leouw  /  freet  /  er  he  a-sterte 

No  wyght  but  god  /  that  he  bar  in  his  herte  476 

U  God  list  to  she  we  /  his  wonderful  myracle 

In  hire  /  for  we  shulde  /  seen  his  mighty  werkes 

Crist  which  fat  is  /  to  every  harm  triacle 

By  certeyn  menes  oft  /  as  knowen  clerkes  480 

Doth  thyng  for  certeyu  ende  /  that  ful  derk  is 

To  mawnes  wyt  /  that  for  oure  ignoraunce 

Ne  konne  nought  knowe  /  his  prudent  purueaunce       483 

H  Now  sithe  she  was  nought  /  at  the  feest  I-slawe 

Who  kepte  hire  fro  the  drenchynge  in  the  See    [leaf  59,  back] 

Who  kepte  lonas  /  in  the  fysshes  rnawe 

Til  he  was  spouted  vp  /  at  Nynyuee  487 

wel  may  men  knowe  /  it  was  no  wyght  but  hee 

That  kepte  people  Ebrayk  /  fro  here  drenchynge 

With  drye  feet  /  thurgfi-out  the  see  passynge  490 

U  Who  bad  the  foure  spiritej  /  of  tempest 

That  power  han  /  to  anoyen  lond  and  see 

Bothe  North  and  south  /  and  also  west  and  Est 

Anoyeth  neither  see  /  ne  lond  ne  tree  494 

Sothely  the  comaundour  /  of  that  was  he 

That  fro  the  tempest  /  ay  this  wowrnan  kepte 

As  wel  whan  she  wook  /  as  whan  she  slepte  497 

11  Where  mygfit  this  wowman  /  mete  &  drynk  haue 

Thre  3er  &  more  /  how  lasteth  hire  vetaille 

who  fedde  the  egipciene  Marye  /  in  the  caue 

Or  in  desert  /  no  wyght  but  crist  saunj  faille  501 

ffyue  thousand  folk  /  it  was  as  gret  meruaylle 

With  loues  fyue  /  and  fisshes  two  to  fede 

God  sent  his  foyson  /  at  here  grete  nede  504 


146    GROUP   B.     §    2.     MAN   OF    LAW'S   TALE.    Dd.  &  EgClt. 

U  She  dryueth  forth  /  in  to  oure  occeane 

Thurgh-out  oure  wylde  see  /  til  at  the  laste 

Vnder  an  hold  /  that  nernpnen  I  ne  can 

ffer  in  Northumberlond  /  the  wawe  hire  caste  508 

And  in  the  sond  /  hire  ship  stiked  so  faste 

That  thens  wold  it  nought  /  of  al  a  tyde 

The  wyl  of  criste  was  /  that  she  shulde  a-byde  511 

U  The  Constable  of  the  Castel  /  doun  is  fare 

To  sen  his  wrek  /  and  al  the  ship  he  sought 

And  fond  this  wery  womman  /  ful  of  care 

he  fond  also  /  the  tresor  fat  she  brought  515 

In  hire  langage  /  mercy  she  bysought 

The  lyf  out  of  hire  body  /  for  to  twynne 

hire  to  delyuere  of  woo  /  that  she  was  Inne  518 

IT  A  maner  latyn  corupt  /  was  hire  speche 

But  algates  ther-by  /  was  she  vnderstonde 

The  Constable  whan  him  list  /  no  lengere  seche 

This  wooful  wowman  /  brought  he  to  the  londe  522 

She  kneleth  doun  /  and  thanketh  goddes  sonde 

But  what  she  was  /  she  wold  noman  say 

tfor  foule  ne  fayr  /  though  that  she  shulde  deye  525 

51  She  seide  she  was  /  mased^in  the  See 

That  she  forgat  /  hir  mynde  be  hire  trouthe 

The  Constable  hath  of  hire  /  so  gret  pitee 

And  eke  his  wyf  /  that  J>ei  wepen  for  routhe  ^^f*^*0,*6* 

She  was  so  diligent  wit^outen  sleuth  [Egw-ton  2726  begins, 

leaf  71] 

To  serue  and  plese  euerycch  in  that  place 

That  aH:  hir  loven)  that  loken)  in  hir  face  532 

H  This  Constable  and  Dame  Hermengild  his  wif 
Weren)  payens  /  and  fat  cuntre  Query  where 
But  Hermengild  loued  hir  right  as  hir*  lyf 
And  Custaunce  hath  so  long  soiourned  fere  536 

[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  B.    §  2.    MAN  OP  LAW'S  TALE.    Egerton  2726.    147 

In  orisons  vrith  many  a  bitter*  tere 

TiH:  Ihesu  hath"  conuerted  thurgh"  his  grace 

Dame  Hermengild  Constablesse  of  that  place  539 

U  In  aH  that  lond  no  cristen)  durst  route 

AH  cristen)  folk  ben)  fledde  from)  J?at  contree 

Thurgh"  payens  that  conquered  ati  about/ 

The  plages  of  the  North"  by  lond  and  see  543 

To  Wales  fledde  the  cristianite 

Of  old  bretons  dwellyng  in  this  He 

There  was  her1  refute  for  J>e  niene  while  546 

II  But  yitte  nere  cristen)  bretons  so  exiled 

That  there  nere  som)  /  that  in  her  preuetee 

Honoured  Crist  /  and  hethen)  folk  begiled 

And  nye  the  CasteH  /  soch"  J>eiJ  dwellen)  .iij.  550 

That  one  of  hem  was  blynd  and  niyght  nat  see 

But  it  were  wz't/i  thilk  eyen)  of  his  mynd 

With  which"  men  seen)  /  whan  that  pey  be  blynd          553 

U  Bright  was  the  son)  /  as  in  that  somm  day 

ffor  which"  the  constable  and  his  wyf  also 

And  Custaunce  ban)  take  the  right  way 

Toward  the  see  /  a  furlong  way  or  two  557 

To  playen)  and  to  romen)  to  and  fro 

And  in  her  walk  this  blynd  man  J>ey  niette 

Croked  and  old  vtith  eyen)  fast  yshette  560 

IT  IN  name  of  crist  kried  this  blynd  bretoure 
Dame  Hermengild  /  yeve  me  my  sight  ageyn) 
This  lady  waxe  aff  raied  of  Jje  souu) 

Lest  that  hir  husbond  /  shortly  for  to  seyn)  564 

Wold  hir  for  Thesu  cristes  loue  haue  sleyn 
Till  Custaunce  made  hir  bold  /  and  bad  hir  wirche 
The  wiH  of  Crist  /  as  doughter  of  his  chirche  567 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


148    GROUP  B.    §  2.    MAN  OP  LAW'S  TALE.    Egerton  2726. 

N  THe  Constable  wax  abasshed  of  that  sight/    [ieaf7i,backj 
And  seid  what  amounteth"  aH  this  fare 
Custaunce  answerd  /  sire  it  is  Cristes  myght 
That  helpeth"  folk  /  out  of  the  fendes  snare  571 

And  so  ferfortfc  /  she  gan)  our1  lay  declare 
That  she  the  Constable  /  or  that  it  was  eve 
Conuerteth  /  and  on)  Crist  maketh"  him  byleve  574 

U  The  Constable  was  no  thyng  lord  of  this  place 

Of  which"  I  speke  /  there  as  he  Custaunce  fonde 

But  kept  It  strongly  many  a  wynters  space 

Vnder  Alia  kyng  of  aB  .N"orthumbe?iond  578 

That  was  fuH  wys  and  worthy  of  his  honde 

Agayn)  fe  Scottes  as  men  may  weH  here 

But  turne  I  woH  ageyn)  to  my  matere  581 

U  Sathan  that  vs  waitetfi  ever  to  begile 

Saugh"  of  Custaunce  aH  her  perfeccion) 

And  cast  anon)  how  he  myght  quyte  hir1  while 

'And  made  a  yong  knyght  /  that  dwelt  in  the  toun)       585 

Love  hir  so  hote  of  foule  affeccion) 

That  verrely  hym  thought  /  he  shold  spitt 

But  he  of  hir1  myght  ones  haue  his  wiH  588 

ff  He  woweth"  hir  but  it  availeth"  nought 

She  wold  do  no  synne  by  no  wey 

And  for  despit  he  compassed  in  his  thought 

To  make  hir  on)  shames  deth"  to  deye  592 

He  waiteth  whan  the  Constable  was  awey 

And  prively  vpon)  a  "nyght  he  crepte 

In  Hermyngildes  chambre  while  she  slepte  595 

U  Wery  for-waked  in  her  orisons 
Slepeth"  Custaunce  and  Hermyngild  also 
This  knyght  thurgh  Sathanas  temptactons 
AH  softly  is  to  the  bed  ygoo  599 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  B.    §  2.    MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.   Egerton  2726,   149 

And  kutte  the  throte  of  Hermyngild  a-two 

And  leid  the  blody  knyf  by  Dame  Custaunce 

And  went  his  wey  /  ther  god  yeve  him  meschaunce      602 

U  Sone  after  comth"  this  constable  home  agayn) 

And  eke  Alia  that  kyng  was  of  fat  lond 

And  saugh"  his  wyf  dispitously  slayn) 

ffor  which"  fuH  oft  he  wepe  /  and  wrong  his  honde        606 

And  in  the  bedde  /  the  blody  knyf  he  fonde  /  • 

By  Dame  Custaunce  /  alias  what  myght  he  sey    [leaf  723 

ffor  verrey  woo  /  his  witte  was  aH  awey  609 

IT  To  kyng  Alia  was  told  aH  this  myschaunce 

And  eke  the  tyme  and  where  /  and  in  what  wise 

That  in  ship  was  found  this  Custaunce 

As  ye  han)  here-beforn)  herd  devise  613 

The  kynges  hert  of  pitee  gan)  agrise 

Whan  he  saugh"  /  so  benigne  a  creature 

ffall  in  disese  and  mysauenture  616 

IT  ffor  as  the  lombe  toward  his  deth"  is  brought/ 

So  stant  this  Innocent  byfore  this  kyng  .,,... 

This  fals  knyght  that  hath  this  treson)  wrought/ 

Bereth  hir  on)  honde  fat  she  hath  don)  this  thing          620 

But  natheles  ther*  was  grete  morenyng 

Among  /  the  peple  /  and  seyn)  fey  can)  nat  gesse 

Jjat  she  hade  don)  so  grete  a  wikkednesse  623 

IT  ffor  they  han)  seen)  hir  euere  so  vertuous 
And  lovyng  Herniengild  right  as  hir  lyf 
Of  this  bare  witnes  /  euerycch"  in  that  hous 
Saue  he  fat  Herniengild  slough"  vfilli  his  knyf  627 

This  gentitt  kyng  hath  caught  a  grete  motyf 
Of  thise  witnes  /  and  thought  he  wold  enquere 
Depper1  in  this  mater*  /  a  trowtli  for  to  here  630 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


150   GROUP  B.    §  2.    MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.   Egerton  2726. 

IT  Alias  Custaunce  \>ou  hast  no  champion) 

Ne  fight  canst  J>ou  nought  so  wele  a  wey 

But  he  J>at  starf  for  our  redempcon) 

And  bond  Sathan  and  lyeth"  there  he  lay  634 

So  be  thy  strong  Champion)  this  day 

ffor  but  Crist  open)  myracle  kythe 

wtt/iouten)  gilt  J>ou  shalt  be  slayn)  as  swythe  /  637 

IT  She  sette  hir  doun)  on)  knees  /  and  thus  she  seid. 

InmortaH  god  that  savedest  Susanne 

ffrom)  fals  blame  /  and  fou  mercifuH  meid. 

Marie  I  mene  doughtei*  to  Seint  Anne  641 

Byfore  whoos  child  Aungels  syng  Osanne 

Yf  I  be  giltles  of  this  felonye 

My  socour1  be  or  elles  shaH  I  dye  644 

IT  Haue  ye  nat  seen)  somtyme  a  pale  face 

Among  a  prees  /  of  hym  fat  hath"  be  lad 

Toward  his  deth"  where  as  hym  gate  no  grace 

And  soch"  a  colour  in  his  face  hath"  hade    [leaf  ?«,  back]     648 

Men)  myght  knowe  his  face  /  that  was  bestade 

Among  aH  the  faces  in  that  route 

So  stant  Custaunce  /  and  loketh  hir  about  651 

IT  O  queenes  lyuyng  in  prosperitee 

Duchesse  /  and  ye  ladies  euerychone 

Haueth"  som)  rewtfi  of  her  aduersitee 

An  Emperous  dough ter1  stant  aH  alone  655 

She  hath  no  wight  to  whom)  to  make  hir  mone 

0  blode  riaH  that  stondeth"  in  this  drede 

ffer*  ben)  thy  frendes  at  thy  grete  nede  658 

5T  This  Alia  kyng  hath  soch"  compassion) 
As  gentle  hert  is  fulfilled  of  pitee 
That  from)  his  eyen)  ran)  jje  water  doun) 
Now  hastely  do  fecche  a  boke  koth"  he  662 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  B.    §  2.    MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.   Egerton  2726.    151 

And  yf  this  knyght  woH  swere  how  J»at  she 
This  woroman  slough"  yitte  woH  we  vs  avise 
Whom)  that  we  woH  that  shaH  be  GUI'  lustise  665 

H  A  bretoii)  boke  writeii)  vrith  Ewangeles 

was  fette  /  and  on)  this  boke  he  sware  anon) 

She  gilty  was  /  and  in  the  mene  whiles 

An  hand  hym  smote  /  vp-on)  the  nek  boon)  669 

That  doun)  he  feH  at  ones  as  a  stoon) 

And  both  his  yen)  brast  out  of  his  face 

In  sight  of  euery  body  in  that  place  672 

11  A  voys  was  herd  in  generaft  audience 

And  seid  Jwu  hast  disclaundred  giltlees 

The  doughter1  of  holy  chirch"  in  high"  presence 

Thus  haast  \>on  doon)  /  and  yitte  hold  I  my  pece  676 

Of  this  mervaiH  agast  was  aH  the  prece 

As  mased  folk  J>ey  stoden  euerychone 

ffor  drede  of  wreche  saue  Custaunce  allone  679 

U  Grete  was  the  drede  /  and  eke  J?e  repentaunce 

Of  hem  that  haderi)  wrong  suspescion) 

Vp-on)  this  sely  Innocent  Custaunce 

And  for  this  mateij  in  conclusion)  683 

And  by  Custaunce  mediacion) 

The  kyng  and  many  another*  in  fat  place 

Conuerte'  was  thanked  be  Cristes  grace  686 

U  This  fals  knyght  was  slayn)  for  his  vntreutfi 
By  lugement  of  Alia  hastely  [Uaf7S] 

And  yitte  Custaunce  hade  of  his  deth  grete  reuth" 
And  after  this  Thesu  of  his  mercy  690 

Made  Alia  weddeu  fuii  solempnely 
This  holy  maiden)  /  that  is  so  bright  and  shene 
And  thus  hath  crist  ymade  Custaunce  a  quene  693 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


152  GROUP  B.  §  2.  MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.  Eg.  &  Dd.  4.  24. 

H  But  who  was  wooftiH  yf  I  shaH  nat  lye 

Of  this  wedclyng  but  Donegild  and  no  moo 

The  kynges  moder1  f utt  of  tyrannye 

Hir  thought  hir  cursed  hert  brast  a-two  697 

She  wold  nat  hir  son)  hade  doon)  so 

Hir  thought  a  despit  /  that  he  shold  take 

So  straunge  a  creatue  /  vn  to-his  make  700 

U  Me  list  nat  of  the  chaffe  ne  of  the  stree 

Maken)  so  long  a  tale  as  of  the  corn) 

What  shold  I  teH  of  J?e  rialtee 

At  the  manage  /  or  which  cours  goth"  by  fora)  704 

"Who  blowetfi  in  a  trump  or  in  an  horn) 

The  fruyt  of  euery  tale  is  for  to  sey 

They  ete  /  drank  /  daunce  syng  and  pley.  707 

U  They  goon)  to  bed  /  as  it  was  skiH  and  right/ 

ffor  though"  )>at  wyfes  ben)  fuH  holy  thynges 

They  most  take  in  pacience  at  nyght  [Egerton  endt] 

Swiche  maner  necessaries  /  as  ben  plesynges     ^^J^f?*' 

To  folk  /  that  han  I-wedded  hem  /  with"  rynges 

And  ley  a  lite  /  here  holynesse  a-syde 

As  for  the  tyme  /  it  may  no  bet  betide  714 

U  On  hire  he  gat  /  a  knaue  child  a-noone 

And  to  a  Busshop  /  and  his  Constable  eke 

he  tok  his  wyf  to  kepe  /  whan  he  is  gone 

To  Scotlondward  /  his  foomen  for  to  seke  718 

Now  fair  Custaunce  /  J>at  is  so  humble  &  meke 

So  longe  is  goon  \rith  childe  /  to  that  stille 

She  halt  hire  chaumbre  /  abidynge  cn'stes  wylle  721 

H  The  tyme  is  come  /  a  knaue  child  she  beer 
Mauricius  at  the  fontstone  /  they  hi?n  calle 
This  Constable  /  doth  forth  come  /  a  messanger 
And  wroot  vn-to  his  kynge  /  J>at  cleped  was  Alle         725 
[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP   B.      §    2.      MAN   OF   LAW'S   TALE.       D(L   4.  24.       153 

how  that  this  blisful  tidynge  /  is  byfalle 

And  othere  tidyngges  /  spedeful  for  to  seye 

he  hath"  the  let  tie  /  and  forth"  he  goth"  his  weye  728 

IT  This  messanger  /  to  doon  hise  auauntage 

Vn-to  the  kynges  moder  /  rideth  swithe 

And  salueth  hire  faire  /  in  his  langage 

Madame  quod  he  /  je  may  be  glad  and  blithe  732 

And  thanketh  god  /  an  hundred  thousand  sithe 

My  lady  Queene  hath  child  /  wtt/ioute  doute 

To  ioye  &  blisse  /  to  al  this  regne  a-boute  735 

U  lo  heere  the  le^res  /  seeled  of  this  thynge 

That  I  moot  beere  /  with  al  the  hast  I  may 

If  je  wol  aught  /  vn-to  joure  sone  the  kynge 

I  am  3oure  seruauwt  /  bothe  nyght  and  day  739 

Donegilde  answered  /  as  now  at  this  tyme  /  nay 

But  heere  al  nyght  /  I  wol  thow  take  thy  reest 

To-morwe  wol  I  sey  thee  /  what  me  leest  742 

IF  This  messanger  drank  sadly  /  Ale  and  wyne 

And  stolen  were  hise  letties  f  preuyly 

Out  of  his  box  /  while  he  slepe  /  as  a  swyne 

And  countrefeted  was  /  ful  subtilly  746 

A-nother  lettre  /  wrought  ful  synfully 

Vn-to  the  kynge  /  directe  of  this  mateer 

ffro  his  Constable  /  as  30  shuln  after  heer  749 

U  The  lettre  spak  /  the  Queene  delyuered  was 

Of  so  horrible  /  a  feendliche  creature 

That  in  the  Castel  /  noon  so  hardy  was 

That  any  while  /  durst  there  endure  753 

The  moder  was  an  Elf  /  be  auenture 

I-comen  be  charmes  /  or  by  sorcerie 

And  euerich"  man  hateth"  /  hire  companye   [leaf  62,  back]    756 


154    GROUP  B.     §  2.     MAN  OP  LAW'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

11  Woo  was  this  kyng  /  whan  he  this  letfae  had  sayn 

But  to  no  wygftt  he  tolde  /  hise  sorwes  soore 

But  of  his  owen  hond  /  he  wroot  a-gayn 

Welcome  the  sonde  of  Crist  /  for  euere  more  760 

To  me  that  am  now  /  lerned  in  his  loore 

lord  welcome  be  thy  lust  /  and  thy  plesaunce 

My  lust  I  putte  /  al  in  thyn  ordinaunce  763 

1T  Kepeth  this  child  /  al  he  it  foul  or  feyre 

And  eke  my  wyf  /  vn-to  myn  hoom  comynge 

Crist  whan  him  list  /  may  sende  me  an  Eyr 

Moore  agreable  /  than  this  /  to  my  likynge  767 

This  lettre  he  seeleth"  /  pryuely  wepynge 

Which"  to  the  messanger  /  was  take  soone 

And  forth"  he  goth"  /  there  is  no  more  to  done  770 

IT  0  Messanger  fulfilled  /  of  drunkenesse      {.Latin  note,  p.  iss.] 

Stronge  is  thy  breetfi  /  thy  lymes  faltren  ay 

And  thow  bywreyest  /  alle  secrenesse 

Thy  mind  is  lorn  /  )>ou  ianglest  as  a  lay  774 

Thy  face  is  turned  /  in  a  newe  a-ray 

There  dronkenesse  regnetfi  /  in  any  route 

There  is  no  counseil  hid  /  wtt^-outen  doute  777 

1f  0  Donegild  /  I  ne  haue  /  noon  englissh"  digne 

vn-to  thy  malice  /  and  thy  tyrannye 

And  Jjerfore  to  the  feild  /  I  the  resigne 

lat  hym  endyten  /  of  thy  tray  tone  781 

ffy  mannyssh"  f y  /  o  nay  be  god  I  lye 

ffy  feendly  spirit  /  for  I  dar  wel  telle 

Though"  J>ou  heere  walk  /  thy  spirit  is  in  helle  784 

U  This  messanger  cometh"  /  fro  the  kyng  a-gayn 

And  at  the  kynges  modres  court  /  he  light 

And  she  was  of  this  messanger  /  ful  fayn 

And  pleesed  him  /  in  al  that  euere  she  mygfct  788 


GROUP  B.    §  2.    MAN  OP  LAW'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.     155 

he  drank  /  and  wel  his  girdel  vnderpight 

he  slepeth  and  he  snorteth"  /  in  his  gyse 

Al  nyght  /  to  the  sonne  gan  aryse  791 

IT  Eft  weere  hise  lettres  /  stolen  euerychone 

And  countrefeted  ]ettres  /  in  thys  wyse 

The  kyng  comaundetfi  /  his  Constable  a-noon 

vp  peyne  of  hangynge  /  and  on  hey  luyse  795 

That  he  ne  shulde  suffren  /  in  no  wyse 

Custaunce  with-Inne  his  regne  /  for  to  abide 

Three  dayes  /  and  o  quarter  of  a  tyde  798 

^T  But  in  the  same  ship  /  as  he  hire  fonde 

hire  and  hire  jonge  sone  /  and  al  hire  gere 

He  shulde  putte  /  and  croude  hire  fro  the  londe     [leafes] 

And  charge  hire  /  she  neuere  eft  come  there  802 

0  my  Custaunce  /  wel  may  thy  goost  haue  feere 

And  slepynge  in  thy  dreem  /  ben  in  penaunce 

Whan  Donegild  cast  /  al  this  ordinaunce  805 

U  This  Messanger  on  morwe  /  whan  he  woke 

vn-to  the  Castel  /  al  the  next  way 

And  to  the  Constable  /  he  the  lettre  tooke 

And  whan  that  he  /  this  pytous  lettre  say  809 

fful  ofte  he  seide  alias  /  and  weilawey 

lord  Crist  quod  he  /  how  may  this  world  endure 

So  ful  of  synne  /  is  many  a  creature  812 

IF  0  myghty  god  /  if  that  it  be  thy  wylle 

Sithe  ])ou  art  rightful  luge  /  how  may  it  be 

That  )>ow  wolt  suffren  /  Innocentej  to  spille 

And  wykked  folk  regnen  /  in  prosperitee  816 

0  goode  Custaunce  /  alias  so  woo  is  me 

That  I  mot  be  thy  turmentour  /  or  deye 

On  shames  deetfi  /  there  is  noon  other  weye  819 


156      GROUP   B.       §    2.      MAN    OF    LAW'S   TALE.       Dd.  4.  24. 

IT  Wepen  bothe  jonge  &  olde  /  in  al  that  place 

Whan  that  the  kynge  /  this  cursed  lettre  sente 

And  Custaunce  /  with"  a  deedly  pale  face 

The  fierthe  day  /  toward  hire  ship  she  went  823 

But  nathelees  /  she  taketh"  in  good  entent 

The  wyl  of  Crist  /  and  kneled  on  the  stronde 

She  seide  lord  /  ay  welcome  be  thy  sonde  826 

1f  He  that  me  kepte  /  fro  the  fals  blame 

Whyl  I  was  on  the  lond  /  a-monges  jow 

he  can  me  kepe  /  fro  harme  &  eke  fro  shame 

In  salt  see  /  al-thougfi  I  se  nought  how  830 

As  stronge  as  euere  he  was  /  he  is  jet  now 

In  him  troost  I  /  and  in  his  moder  deere 

That  is  to  me  my  seyl  /  and  eke  my  steere  833 

U  hire  litel  child  /  lay  wepyng  in  hire  arme 

And  knelynge  pytously  /  to  him  she  seyde 

Pees  litel  sone  /  I  wol  do  the  noon  harme 

With  J?at  hire  couerchief  /  ouer  hire  hede  she  brayde  837 

And  ouer  his  litel  eyen  /  she  it  leyde 

And  in  hire  arm  /  she  lulleth"  it  ful  fast 

And  in-to  heuene  /  hire  eyen  vp  she  cast  840 

U  Moder  qxiod  she  /  and  mayde  bright  Marie 

Sotfi  is  /  that  thurgh"  wommanues  eggement 

Mankynde  was  lorn  /  and  dampned  ay  to  deye 

ffor  whiche  thy  child  /  was  on  J>e  croys  I-rent  844 

Thy  blissef ul  eyen  /  saw  al  this  turmont      [leaf  es,  back] 

Thawne  is  there  /  no  comparisone  bytwene 

Thy  woo  /  and  any  woo  /  man  may  sustene  847 

U  Thow  saw  thy  child  I-slayn  /  biforn  thyne  eyen 

And  jet  now  lyuetfi  /  my  litel  child  parfay 

Now  lady  bright  /  to  whom  alle  wooful  cryen 

Thow  glorie  of  wommanhode  /  }><m  faire  may  851 


GROUP  B.   §  2.   MAN  OF  LAW'g  TALE.   Dd.  4.  24.   157 

Thow  hauene  of  refuyt  /  bright  sterre  of  day 

Eewe  on  my  childe  /  that  of  thy  gentillesce 

Kewest  on  euery  reuful  /  in  distresse  854 

1T  0  litel  child  /  alias  what  is  thy  gilt 

That  neuere  wroughtest  synne  /  as  jet  pardee 

Why  wyl  thyn  fader  /  han  the  spilt 

O  mercy  deere  Constable  /  quod  she  858 

As  lat  my  litel  child  /  dwelle  heere  with"  the 

And  if  fou  darst  nou^t  /  sauen  him  fro  blame 

So  kisse  him  oones  /  in  his  fadres  name  861 

IT  There-with"  she  loked  bakward  /  to  the  londe 

And  seide  farewel  husbonde  /  routhelees 

And  vp  she  rist  /  and  walketh"  doun  the  stronde 

Toward  the  ship  /  hire  folweth"  al  the  prees  865 

And  euere  she  preyeth"  /  hire  child  /  to  hold  his  pees 

And  takith"  hire  leue  /  and  with  an  hoi  entent 

She  blissed  hire  /  and  in-to  shipe  she  went  868 

IT  Vetailled  was  the  ship  /  it  is  no  drede 

habundauntly  /  for  hire  /  ful  longe  space 

And  othere  necessaries  /  that  shulde  nede 

She  had  I-now  /  heried  be  goddes  grace  872 

ffor  wynd  &  weder  /  almygftty  god  purchace 

And  brynge  hire  home  /  I  kan  no  betyr  seye 

But  in  the  See  /  she  dryueth"  forth"  hire  weye  875 


[PART  III.} 


lla  the  kyng  /  cometh"  horn  sone  after  this    1T  Tercia 
vn-to  his  Castel  /  of  the  whiche  I  tolde 
And  asketh"  where  his  wyf  /  and  his  child  is 
The  Constable  gan  /  a-boute  his  hert  colde  879 


A: 


158   GROUP  B.   §  2.   MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.   Dd.  4.  24. 

And  pleynly  al  the  maner  /  he  him  tolde 

As  $e  han  herd  /  I  kan  telle  it  no  bettre 

And  sheweth"  the  kyng  /  his  seel  &  his  lettre  882 

II  And  seide  /  lord  /  as  36  comaunded  me 

vp  peyne  of  deetft  /  so  haue  I  doon  certeyne 

This  Messanger  turmented  was  /  til  he 

Most  byknowe  /  and  tellen  plat  and  pleyn  886 

ffro  nygfit  to  nygh"t  /  in  what  place  he  had  leyn 

And  thus  by  wytte  /  and  subtil  enquerynge         [leaf  64] 

Imagyned  was  /  by  whom  this  harm  gan  sprynge         889 

U  The  hond  was  knowe  /  that  the  \ethe  wroot 

And  al  the  venym  /  of  this  cursed  dede 

But  in  what  wyse  /  certeynly  I  not 

The  effect  is  this  /  that  Alia  oute  of  dreede  893 

his  moder  slough"  /  that  moun  men  pleynly  reede 

ffor  that  she  traytour  was  /  to  hire  ligeaunce 

Thus  endith"  Donegild  /  with  inyschaunce  896 

IT  The  sorwe  that  this  Alia  /  nygfit  and  day 

Maketh  for  his  wyf  /  and  for  his  child  also 

There  is  no  tonge  /  that  it  telle  may 

But  now  wol  I  /  vn-to  Custaunce  go  900 

That  fleteth"  in  the  See  /  in  peyne  and  woo 

ffyue  jer  and  more  /  as  lyked  cristes  sonde 

That  hire  ship  approched  /  vn-to  the  londe  903 

IT  vnder  an  hethen  Castel  /  at  the  last 

Of  which"  the  name  /  in  my  text  /  noujt  I  fynde 

Custaunce  and  eke  hire  child  /  the  see  vp  cast 

Almygh'ty  god  /  that  saued  al  mankynde  907 

haue  oon  Custaunce  /  &  on  hire  child  sum  mynde 

That  fallen  is  /  in  hethen  hand  eft-sone 

In  poynt  to  spille  /  as  I  shal  telle  $ow  sone  910 


GROUP   B.      §    2.       MAN    OF   LAW'S   TALE.      Dd.  4.  24.       159 

51  Doun  fro  the  Castel  /  cometh  there  many  a  wyght 

To  gauren  on  this  ship  /  and  on  Custaunce 

But  shortly  from  the  Castel  /  on  a  nyght 

The  lordes  sty  ward  /  god  jeue  him  myschaunce  914 

A  theef  fat  had  reneyed  /  cure  creaunce 

Come  in-to  the  ship  allone  /  and  seid  he  shulde 

hire  lemman  be  /  wheife?'  so  she  wolde  or  nolde  917 

11  Woo  was  this  wrecched  womman  /  thoo  bygon 

hire  child  cryed  /  and  she  cryed  pitously 

But  blisful  Mary  halp  /  hire  right  a-noon 

ffor  with  here  strogelyng  /  wel  and  myghtily  921 

The  thef  fel  ouer  bord  /  al  sodeynly 

And  in  the  See  he  dreynt  /  for  vengeaunce 

And  thus  hath  Crist  /  vnwemmed  kept  Custaunce        924 

U  0  foule  lust  of  luxurie  /  lo  thyn  ende     [Latin  not*,  p.  us.] 

Nat  oonly  that  )>0u  feyntest  /  mannes  mynde 

But  verraily  thow  wold  /  his  body  shende 

The  ende  of  thy  werk  /  or  of  thy  lustes  blynde  928 

Is  compleynynge  /  how  many  oon  /  may  men  fynde 

That  nought  for  werk  /  sumtyme  but  for  the  entent 

To  doon  this  synne  /  ben  outher  slayn  or  shent  931 

1H  How  may  this  weyke  womman  /  han  this  strengths 

hire  to  defende  /  a-gey n  this  renegat         ['  leaf  M,  back] 

0  Golias  /  vn-mesurable  of  lengthe 

How  myght  Dauyd  /  make  the  so  mat  935 

So  ^onge  /  and  of  armure  so  desolat 

How  durst  he  loke  /  vp-on  thy  dreedful  face 

Wel  may  men  seen  /  it  was  but  goddes  grace  938 

U  Who  jaf  Judith"  /  corage  or  hardynesse 

To  slen  him  Olyferii  /  in  his  tent 

And  to  delyueren  out  /  of  wrechednesse 

The  peeple  of  god  /  I  sey  for  this  entent  942 


160       GROUP   B.       §    2.       MAN    OF   LAW'S   TALE.       Dd.  4.  24. 

That  right  as  god  /  spirit  /  of  vigour  sent 
To  hem  /  and  saued  hew  /  out  of  meschaunce 

50  sent  he  myght  and  vigour  /  to  Custaunce  945 

U  fforth"  goth"  hir  ship  /  thurghout  the  narugh"  moutfc 

Of  lubaltare  and  Septe  /  dryuyng  alway 

Sumtyme  west  /  &  sumtyme  North"  &  South" 

And  sumtyme  Est  /  ful  many  a  wery  day  949 

Til  Cristes  moder  /  blessed  be  she  ay 

hath"  shapen  thurgfi  /  hire  endlees  gooduesse 

To  make  an  ende  /  of  al  hire  heuynesse  952 

II  Now  lat  vs  stynt  /  of  Custaunce  but  a  thro  we 

And  speke  of  the  Romayn  /  Emperour 

That  out  of  Surrye  /  hath"  by  letffres  knowe 

The  slaughtre  of  Cristene  folk  /  and  dishonour  956 

Doon  to  his  doughter  /  by  a  fals  traytour 

I  mene  the  cursed  wykked  /  Soudanesse 

That  at  the  feest  /  let  sleen  bothe  moore  &  lesse  959 

51  ffor  which"  this  Emperour  /  hath"  sent  a-noon 
his  senatour  /  with  roial  ordinaunce    • 

And  othere  lordes  /  god  woot  many  oon 

On  Surryens  /  to  taken  heigh"  vengeaunce  963 

They  brennen  /  sleen  /  and  brynge  hem  to  meschaunce 

fful  many  a  day  /  but  shortly  this  is  the  ende 

homward  to  Borne  /  they  shepen  hem  to  wende  966 

II  This  senatour  /  repaireth"  with"  victorie 
To  Homeward  /  seillynge  ful  roially 

And  mette  the  ship  dryuyng  /  as  seitfi  the  storie 

In  which"  Custaunce  sitteth"  /  ful  pytously  970 

No  thyng  knew  he  /  what  she  was  /  ne  why 

She  was  in  swich"  aray  /  ne  she  nyl  sey 

Of  hire  estate  /  though  she  shulde  dey  973 


GROUP  B.   §  2.   MAN  OP  LAW'S  TALE.   Dd.  4.  24.   161 

U  He  bryngeth  hire  to  Eome  /  and  to  hig  wyf 

he  jaf  hire  /  and  hire  jonge  sone  also 

And  with  the  senatour  /  she  lad  hire  lif 

Thus  can  oure  lady  /  bryngen  out  of  woo         [leaf  65]     977 

Wooful  Custaunce  /  and  many  a-nother  moo 

And  longe  tyme  dwelled  she  /  in  that  place 

In  holy  werkes  eue?-e  /  as  was  hire  grace  980 

U  The  senatours  wyf  /  hire  Aunte  was 

But  for  al  that  /  she  knew  hire  neue^e  the  moore 

I  wyl  no  lengere  tary  /  in  this  caas 

But  to  the  kyng  Alia  /  which"  I  spak  of  jore  984 

That  wepeth  for  his  wyf  /  and  sygheth.  sore 

I  wyl  returne  /  and  lete  I  wyl  Custaunce 

vnder  the  Senatours  /  gouernaunce  987 

U  Kyng  Alia  /  which  /  f>at  hath  /  his  moder  slayn 

yp-on  a  day  fel  /  in  swicfi  repentaunce 

That  if  I  shortly  tellen  shal  /  and  pleyn 

To  Eome  he  cometh"  /  to  resceyue  his  penaunce      .      991 

And  putte  him  /  in  the  Popes  ordinaunce 

In  heigh  and  low  /  and  ihesu  crist  bysougfit 

ffor-jeue  hise  wykked  werkes  /  that  he  wrought  994 

U  The  fame  a-noon  /  thurgh~-out  the  toun  is  born 

how  Alia  kyng  /  shal  come  on  pilgrymage 

By  herbegours  /  that  wenten  him  byforn) 

ffor  which  the  Senatour  /  as  it  was  vsage  998 

Rood  him  a-jein  /  and  many  of  his  lynage 

As  wel  to  shewen  /  his  heigh  magnificence 

As  to  doon  /  any  kyng  /  a  reuerence  1001 

II  Gret  cher  maketfi  /  this  noble  Senatour 
To  kyng  Alia  /  and  he  to  hym  also 
Eueryche  of  hem  /  doth  other  grot  honour 

And  so  byfeH  /  that  with-inne  a  day  or  twoo  1005 

M 


162     GROUP  B.     §  2.     MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

This  Senatour  is  /  to  kyng  Alia  goo 

To  feeste  /  and  shortly  /  if  I  shal  nat  lye 

Custaunces  sone  /  went  in  his  companye  1008 

U  Sowtme  men  wold  seyn  /  that  at  the  request  of  Custaunce 

This  senatour  hath"  lad  /  this  child  to  feste 

I  may  nat  tellen  /  euery  circumstaunce 

Be  as  be  may  /  there  was  he  at  the  leste  1012 

But  soth  is  /  that  /  at  his  modres  heeste 

Byforn  Alia  /  duryng  the  metes  space 

The  child  stood  /  lokyng  in  the  kynges  face    .  1015 

U  This  Alia  kyng  /  hath"  of  the  child  greet  wonder 

And  to  the  Senatour  /  he  seide  a-noon 

Whoos  is  this  fair  child  /  that  stondeth  Bonder 

I  not  quod  he  /  by  god  /  and  by  seynt  lohn  1019 

A  moder  he  hath"  /  but  fader  hath  he  noon      [leaf  65,  back] 

That  I  of  woot  /  but  shortly  in  a  stounde 

he  told  Alia  /  how  that  child  was  founde  1022 

U  But  god  woot  /  quod  this  senatour  also 

50  vertuous  a  lyuere  /  in  al  my  lyf 

Ne  saw  I  neuere  /  as  she  /  ne  herd  of  moo 

Of  worldly  wommen  /  may  den  ne  of  wyf  1026 

I  dar  wel  seyn  /  hire  had  leuere  a  knyf 

ThurgR-out  hire  breest  /  than  be  a  wo??iman  wykke 

There  is  no  man  /  coude  bryng  hire  to  that  prykke    1029 

51  .Now  was  this  child  /  as  lyke  vn-to  Custaunce 
As  possible  is  /  a  creature  for  to  be 

This  Alia  hath"  the  face  /  in  remembraunce 

Of  Dame  Custaunce  /  and  ther-oon  mused  he  1033 

If  that  the  childes  moder  /  were  ought  she 

That  is  his  wyf  /  and  preuyly  he  sight 

And  sped  him  fro  the  table  /  that  he  myght  1036 


GROUP   B.       §    2.       MAN    OF    LAW'S   TALE.      Dd.  4.  24.        163 

IT  Parfoy  thought  he  /  fantom)  is  in  myn  heede 

I  ought  deme  /  of  skylful  lugement 

That  in  the  salt  See  /  my  wife  is  dede 

And  afterward  he  mad  /  his  argument  1040 

What  woot  I  /  if  that  Crist  haue  bidder  sent 

My  wyf  by  See  /  as  wel  as  he  hire  lent 

To  my  conferee  /  from  thens  that  she  went  1043 

H  And  after  noon  /  horn  with  the  senatour 

Gooth  Alia  /  for  to  seen  this  wonder  chaunce 

This  Senatour  doth"  Alia  /  greet  honour 

And  hastily  he  sent  /  after  Custaunce  1047 

But  trosteth  wel  /  hire  list  nat  to  daunce 

Whan  fat  she  wyst  /  wherfore  /  was  that  sond 

vn-ethe  vp-oon  hire  feet  /  she  myght  stond  1050 

U  Whan  Alia  saugh  his  wyf  /  faire  he  hire  grette 

And  wepte  /  J?at  it  was  /  reuthe  for  to  se 

ffor  at  the  first  looke  /  he  on  hire  sette 

he  knew  wel  weraily  /  that  it  was  she  1054 

And  she  for  sorwe  /  as  dombe  stant  /  as  tree 

So  was  hire  hert  shette  /  in  hir  distresse 

Whan  she  remembred  /  his  vnkyndenesse  1057 

H  Twyes  she  swoughned  /  in  his  owen  sight 

he  wepeth"  /  and  him  excuseth"  pitously 

Now  god  qttod  he  /  and  his  halwes  bright 

So  wysly  oon  my  soule  /  as  haue  mercy  1061 

That  of  joure  harm  /  as  giltlees  am  I 

As  is  Maurice  my  sone  /  like  joure  face 

Elles  the  fend  /  me  fecche  out  of  this  place  1064 

H  Longe  was  the  sobbyng  /  and  the  bittere  peyne  [leaf  66] 

Er  that  here  wooful  hertes  /  myghten  sese 

Greet  was  the  pitee  /  for  to  heere  hem  pleyn) 

Thurgh  which"  pleyntes  /  gan  here  woo  encrese  1068 


164   GROUP  B.   §  2.   MAN  OF  LAW'S  TALE.   Dd.  4.  24. 

I  prey  $ow  Alia  /  iny  labour  to  relese 

I  may  not  telle  my  woo  /  vn-til  to-morwe 

I  am  so  wery  /  for  to  speke  of  sorwe  1071 

U  But  finally  /  whan  the  sothe  is  wist 

That  Alia  /  giltlees  was  /  of  hire  woo 

I  trowe  an  /  C  /  tymes  /  ben  they  kist 

And  swicfi  a  blisse  is  there  /  be-twix  hem  two  1075 

That  saue  the  ioye  /  that  lasteth"  euere  moo 

There  is  noon  lyke  /  that  any  creature 

Hath  seen  /  or  shal  /  while  the  world  may  endure       1078 

51  Tho  preyede  she  hire  housbonde  /  mekely 

In  releef  /  of  hire  longe  /  pytous  peyn) 

That  he  wold  prey  hire  fader  /  specialy 

That  of  his  mageste  /  he  wold  enclyn)  1082 

To  vouchesaf  /  som  day  /  with"  him  to  dyne 

She  preyed  him  eke  /  he  wold  by  no  wey 

vn-to  hire  fader  /  no  word  of  hire  sey  1085 

U  Somme  men  wold  seyn  /  how  that  the  child  Maurice 

Dooth"  this  message  /  vn-to  this  Emperour 

But  as  I  gesse  /  Alia  was  nou^t  so  nyce 

To  hym  that  was  /  of  so  soleyn  honour  1089 

As  he  that  is  /  of  Cristene  folk  the  flour 

Sent  ony  child  /  but  it  is  bete  to  deme 

He  went  him  self  /  and  so  it  may  wel  seme  1092 

U  This  Emperour  /  hath"  graunted  /  gentilly 

To  come  to  dyner  /  as  he  him  bysougfit 

And  wel  reede  I  /  he  loked  besily 

vp-on  this  child  /  and  on  his  doughter  fought  1096 

Alia  gooth  to  his  Inne  /  and  as  him  ought 

Arrayed  for  this  feeste  /  in  euery  wyse 

As  ferforth  /  as  his  conyng  may  suffise  1099 


GROUP  B.    §  2.     MAN  OP  LAW'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.     165 

H  The  morwe  cam  /  and  Alia  gan  him  dresse 

And  eke  his  wyf  /  this  Emperour  to  mete 

And  forth  they  ryde  /  in  ioye  and  in  gladnesse 

And  whan  she  saw  /  hire  fader  in  the  strete  1103 

She  light  doun  /  and  fallitfi  him  to  fete 

ffader  quod  she  /  joure  jong  child  Custaunce 

Is  now  ful  clene  /  out  of  joure  remembraunce  1106 

1T I  am  joure  dougfiter  /  Custaunce  /  qwod  she 

That  whilom  /  je  han  sent  /  in-to  Surrye   [leaf  66,  back] 

It  am  I  fader  /  that  in  the  salt  See 

Was  put  allone  /  and  dampned  for  to  deye  1110 

Now  good  fader  /  mercy  I  jow  crye 

Send  me  nomore  /  vn-to  noon  hethenes 

But  thanketh"  my  lord  /  heere  /  of  his  kyndnes  1113 

U  Who  can  the  pytous  /  ioye  /  tellen  alle 

Be-twixe  hem  three  /  syn  they  be  thus  I-mette 

But  of  my  tale  /  make  an  ende  I  shalle 

The  day  gooth"  fast  /  I  wyl  no  lengere  lette  1117 

This  glad  folk  /  to  dyner  they  hem  sette 

In  ioye  &  blisse  /  at  mete  I  lete  hem  dwelle 

A  /  M*  /  fold  /  moore  than  I  can  telle  1120 

11  This  child  Maurice  /  was  sithen  Emperour 

Mad  by  the  Pope  /  and  lyued  cristenly 

To  cristes  chirche  /  he  dide  gret  honour 

But  I  lete  al  /  this  story  passen  by  1124 

Of  Custaunce  is  my  tale  /  specialy 

In  the  olde  Romayne  gestes  /  moun)  men  fynde 

Maurices  lyf  /  I  here  it  nat  in  mynde  1127 

5T  The  kyng  Alia  /  whan  he  his  tyme  sey 

With  his  Custaunce  /  his  holy  wyf  so  swete 

To  Englond  ben  they  come  /  the  right  wey  [Latin  note,  p.  iss.] 

Wheere  as  they  lyue  /  in  ioye  and  in  quiete  1131 


166       GROUP    B.       §    2.       MAN    OF    LAW'S    TALE.       Dd.  4.  24. 

But  litel  while  it  lastetft  /  I  $ow  hete 

loye  of  this  world  /  for  tyme  wol  nat  a-byde 

ffro  day  to  nygfit  /  it  chaungeth"  as  the  tyde  1134 

H  Who  leued  euere  /  in  swich"  dely t  /  oo  /  day    t^g*  note,  p. 

That  him  ne  meeued  /  other  conscience 

Or  ire  /  or  talent  /  or  som  maner  affray 

Enuye  /  or  pryde  /  or  passion  /  or  offence  1138 

I  ne  seye  /  but  for  this  ende  /  this  sentence 
That  litel  while  /  in  ioye  or  in  plesaunce 

lastetfi  the  blisse  /  of  Alia  /  with  Custaunce  1141 

II  ffor  det£  that  taketh"  /  of  hey  &  lowe  his  rente 
Whan  passed  was  a  jere  /  euene  as  I  gesse 

Out  of  this  world  /  this  kyng  Alia  he  hente 

ffor  whom  Custaunce  /  hath"  ful  gret  heuynesse  1145 

Now  lat  vs  preye  to  god  /  his  soule  blisse 

And  Dame  Custaunce  /  fynaly  to  seye 

Toward  the  toun  of  Rome  /  gootfi  hire  weye  1148 

U  To  Rome  is  come  /  this  holy  creature 

And  fyndeth"  hire  frendes  /  hole  and  sounde 

Now  is  she  skaped  /  al  hire  auenture  1151 

And  whan  that  she  /  her  fader  /  hath  I-founde      [leaf  67] 

Doun  on  hire  knees  /  falleth  she  to  grounde 

Wepynge  for  tendirnesse  /  in  hert  blithe 

She  herieth"  god  /  an  hundred  thousand  sithe  1155 

U  In  vertue  &  holy  /  almes  dede 

They  lyuen  alle  /  and  neuere  a-sonder  wende 

Til  deeth"  departeth  hem  /  this  lif  they  lede 

And  faretfi  now  wel  /  my  tale  is  at  an  ende  1159 

Now  ihesu  crist  /  that  of  his  myght  may  sende 

Ioye  after  woo  /  gouerne  vs  /  in  his  grace 

And  kepe  vs  alle  /  that  ben  in  this  place.        IT  Amen_qwod 

wytton. 

U  Hie  finitzw  fabula  legis  periti  / 


GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIFE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24.   167 


[on  leaf  e?]  11  Incipit  prologus  vxoris  do  Bathe 

Experience  /  though  noon  auctoritee 
Were  in  this  world  /  is  right  I-now  for  me 
To  speken  of  woo  /  that  is  in  mariage 
ffor  lordynges  /  syn  I  twelue  3er  was  of  age      4 
Thanked  be  god  /  that  is  eterne  on  lyue 
husbondes  at  the  chirche  doore  /  haue  I  had  fyue 
If  I  so  often  myght  /  han  wedded  be 
And  alle  weren  worthy  men  /  in  here  degree  8 

But  me  was  told  /  nought  longe  agon  is 
That  sithen  Crist  /  ne  went  neuere  but  oonys 
To  weddyng  /  in  the  Cane  of  Galilee 
That  by  the  same  ensaumple  /  taught  he  me  12 

That  I  ne  wedded  /  shuld  be  but  ones 
loo  herkene  which  /  a  sharp  word  /  for  the  nones 
Beside  a  welle  /  iihesus  god  and  man 
Spak  in  repreue  /  of  the  Samaritan  16 

Thow  hast  I-had  /  fyue  husbondes  quod  he 
And  that  ilke  man  /  which  that  now  hath  the 
Is  nat  thyn  husbonde  /  thus  seide  he  certeyn 
What  that  he  ment  ther-by  /  I  can  nought  seyn  20 

But  that  I  aske  why  /  that  the  fifte  man 
Was  noon  husbonde  /  to  the  Samaritan 
how  many  myght  she  haue  /  in  mariage 
3et  herd  I  neuere  /  tellen  in  myn  age  24 


1 68    GROUP  D.    §  1.    WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.    Dd.  4.  24. 

vp-on  this  noumbre  /  diffinicion 

Men  may  deuyne  /  and  glosen  vp  and  douii 

But  wel  I  woot  /  expresse  /  with-outen  lye 

God  bad  vs  for  to  wexe  /  and  multiplie  28 

That  gentil  text  /  can  I  wel  vnderstonde      [leaf  67,  back] 

Eke  wel  I  woot  he  seide  /  J>at  myn  husbonde 

Shuld  leete  fader  and  moder  /  and  take  to  me 

But  of  no  noumbre  /  mencione  mad  he  32 

Of  Bygamye  /  or  of  Octogamye 

Why  shulde  men  thanne  /  speke  of  it  velanye 

loo  heere  the  wyse  kyng  /  Salamon) 

I  trowe  he  hadde  /  wyues  moo  than  oon)  36 

As  wolde  god  /  it  leueful  were  to  me 

To  be  refresshed  /  half  so  ofte  as  he 

Which"  a  $ift  of  god  /  had  he  for  alle  his  wyues 

No  man  hath  swich"  /  fat  now  on  lyue  is  40 

God  wot  this  noble  kyng  /  as  to  my  wytte 

The  first  nygh"t  /  had  many  a  mery  fitte 

With  ech  of  hem  /  so  wel  was  him  on  lyue 

Blessed  be  god  /  that  I  haue  wedded  fyue  44 

Of  whiche  /  I  haue  pyked  out  the  beste      [6  tpunous  une»] 

Bothe  of  here  nether  purs  /  and  of  here  cheste  £eri£g'^%*? 

Diuerse  scoles  /  maken  parfyt1  clerkes  «*«] 

And  diuerse  practyk  in  many2  sondry  werkes    p  a  dotted  out] 

Maken  /  the  werkman  parfyt3  /  sekirly          p  man  totted  out] 

Of  fyue  husbondes  scoleiyng  /  am  I 

Welcome  the  sixte  /  whan  J?at  euere  he  shal  45 

ffor  syn  I  wol  nat  kepe  me  /'  chast  in  al 

Whan  myn  husbonde  /  is  fro  the  world  goon 

Sum  cristene  man  /  shal  wedde  me  a-noon  48 

ffor  thawne  the  Apostle  /  seith  pat  I  am  free 

To  wedde  a  goddes  halue  /  where  it  liketh"  me 

he  eeith  /  that  to  be  wedded  /  is  no  synne 

Bet  is  to  be  wedded  /  than  brynne  52 

What  rekketh  me  /  though  folk  sey  vylenye 

Of  shrewed  lameth  /  and  his  bygamye 

I  woot  wel  Abraham  /  was  an  holy  man 

And  Jacob  eke  /  as  fer  as  euer  y  can  56 

And  ich  of  hem  had  wyues  /  moo  than  twoo 

And  many  a-nother  /  holy  man  also 

Wheere  can  ye  seen  /  in  any  maner  age 

That  heye  god  defended  /'  manage  60 


GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIPE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24.   169 

By  expresse  word  /  I  prey  jow  telletfi.  me 

Or  where  comaunded  he  /  virginite 

I  woot  as  wel  as  je  /  it  is  no  drede 

The  Appostel  whan  he  speketh"  /  of  maydenhede  64 

he  seide  that  precept  /  had  he  ther-of  noon 

Men  moun)  counseile  /  a  womman  to  ben  oon 

But  counseillynge  /  is  no  comaundement 

He  putte  it  /  in  oure  owen  lugement  /  Deaf  68]       68 

ffor  had  god  comaunded  /  maydenheede 

Than  had  he  dampned  /  weddyng  with  the  dede 

And  certes  if  there  were  /  no  seede  I-sowe 

virginite  than  /  wher-of  shuld  it  growe  72 

Poule  durst  nat  comaunden  /  at  the  leste 

A  thyng  of  which"  /  his  maister  jaf  noon  heeste 

The  dart  is  sette  vp  /  for  virginitee 

Cacche  who  so  may  /  who  renneth  best  lat  se  76 

But  this  word  is  nat  take  /  of  enery  wygh~t 

But  there  as  god  wol  jeue  it  /  of  his  mygh~t 

I  wot  wel  that  the  Appostel  /  was  a  mayde 

But  nathelees  /  though"  that  he  wroot  or  sayde  80 

he  wolde  fat  euery  wyght  /  were  swich"  as  he 

Al  nys  but  counseille  /  to  virginitee 

And  for  to  be  a  wyf  /  he  ^af  me  leeue 

Of  indulgence  /  so  is  noon  repreeue  84 

To  wedde  me  /  if  that  my  make  deye 

With"  oute  excepcione  /  of  by  gamy  e 

Al  were  it  good  /  no  womman  for  to  touche 

he  ment  in  his  bed  /  or  in  his  couche  88 

ffor  peril  is  /  bothe  tow  and  fyr  /  to  assemble 

$e  knowe  what  this  ensaumple  /  may  resemble 

This  is  al  and  sum  /  he  held  virginitee  j 

More  parfyt  /  than  weddyuge  in  freeletee  92 

ffreeltee  clepe  I  /  but  if  that  he  and  she 

Wold  here  lyues  lede  /  al  in  chastitee 

I  graunte  it  wel  /  I  haue  noon  envye 

Though"  maydenhede  /  preferre  bygamye  96 


170  GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIFE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

It  liketh  hem  to  be  clene  /  in  body  and  goost 

Of  myn  estat  /  I  wol  nat  maken  boost 

ffor  wel  30  knowe  /  a  lord  in  his  houshold 

Ne  hatli  nat  every  vessel  /  al  of  gold  100 

Simme  ben  of  tree  /  and  don  here  lord  seruyse 

God  clepeth  folk  /  to  hym  in  sundry  wyse 

And  euerich  hath  of  god  /  a  propre  jifte 

Som  this  /  som  that  /  as  fat  him  liketh  shifte  104 

virginite  is  /  a  gret  perfeccion 

And  continence  eke  /  with  deuocion 

But  crist  /  that  of  perfeccion  /  is  welle 

Ne  bad  nat  euery  wyght  /  he  shuld  selle  108 

Al  J>at  he  had  /and  $eue  it  to  the  poore 

And  in  swich  wyse  /  folwe  him  and  his  foore 

he  spak  to  hem  /  that  wold  leue  parfitly 

And  lordynges  be  joure  leeue  /  that  am  not  I  112 

I  wol  bestowe  /  the  flour  of  al  myn  age        [leaf  es,  back] 

In  the  actes  /  and  in  the  fruyt  of  mariage 

Telle  me  also  /  in  what  conclusione 

Were  membres  made  /  of  generacione  116 

And  of  so  pa?'fyt  wyse  /  a  wyght  I- wrought 

Trosteth  right  wel  /  they  were  nat  made  for  nought 

Close  who  so  wele  /  and  sey  bothe  vp  and  douu 

That  they  weren  I-made  /  for  purgacione  120 

Of  vryne  /  and  oure  bothe  thynges  smale 

Weren  eke  to  knowe  /  a  femele  fro  a  male 

And  for  noon  other  cause  /  sey  30  noo 

The  experience  wot  wel  /  it  is  nat  so  124 

So  that  the  Clerkes  /  be  nat  with  me  wroth 

I  seye  this  /  that  they  maked  be  /  for  bothe 

This  is  to  seyn  /  bothe  for  office  &  for  ease 

Of  engendure  /  there  we  nat  god  displeese  128 

Why  shulde  men  ellis  /  in  here  bookes  sette 

That  men  shal  jelde  /  .to  his  wyf  hire  dette 

Now  wher-with  shuld  he  make  /  his  paiement 

If  that  he  ne  vsed  /  his  seely  Instrument  132 


GROUP  D.    §  1.    WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.    Dd.  4.  24.    171 

Than  were  they  made  /  vp-oon  a  creature 

To  purge  vryne  /  and  eke  for  engendrure 

But  I  sey  nought  /  that  euery  wyght  is  holde 

That  hath  swich  harneys  /  as  I  to  30  w  tolde  136 

To  gon  and  vsen  hem  /  in  engendrure 

Than  shulde  men  take  /  of  chastitee  no  cure 

Crist  was  a  mayde  /and  shapen  as  a  man 

And  many  a  Seynt  /  sithe  )>at  the  world  bygan  140 

3et  lyued  they  euere  /  in  parfyt  chastitee 

I  nyl  envye  /  no  virginitee 

Lat  hem  be  breed  /  of  pured  whete  seede 

And  lat  vs  wyues  /  hote  barly  breede  144 

And  jet  with"  barly  breed  /  Mark  telle  can 

Oure  lord  ihesu  /  refresshed  many  a  man 

In  swich  estat  /  as  god  hath  cleped  vs 

I  wol  pe?-seuere  /  I  nam  nat  precious  1 48 

In  wyfhode  wyl  I  vse  /  myn  Instrument 

As  freely  as  my  makere  /  hath  it  sent 

If  I  be  daungerous  /  god  jeue  me  sorwe 

Myn  husbonde  shal  it  haue  /  bothe  eue  &  morwe          152 

Whan  that  him  liste  /  come  forth  &  paie  his  dette 

An  husbonde  wol  I  haue  /  I  wol  nat  lette 

Which  shal  be  bothe  /  my  dettour  and  my  thral 

And  haue  his  tribulacion  /  with-al  156 

Vp-on  his  fleessh  /  while  that  I  am  his  wyf       [leaf  69] 

I  haue  the  power  /  duryng  al  my  lyf 

vp-on  his  propre  body  /  and  nat  he 

Eight  thus  the  Apostel  /  told  it  vn-to  me  160 

And  bad  oure  husbondes  /  for  to  loue  vs  wele 

Al  this  sentence  /  me  liketh  euerydele 

^  fS)  VP  sterte  the  Pardoner  /  and  that  a-noon 

Now  dame  quod  he  /  by  god  &  by  Seynt  lohn  164 

}e  ben  a  noble  prechour  /  in  this  caas 

I  was  aboute  to  wedde  a  wyf  /  Alias 

What  shulde  I  bye  it  /  on  my  flessh  so  deere 

}et  had  I  leuere  /  wedde  noon  to  jere  168 


172  GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIFE  OF  BATH^  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

A-byde  quod  she  /  my  tale  is  nat  bygonne 

Nay  Jjou  shalt  drynken  /  of  a-nother  tonne 

Er  that  I  go  /  shal  sauer  wers  than  Ale 

Whan  that  I  haue  told  the  /  forth"  my  tale  172 

Of  tribulacione  /  that  is  in  manage 

Of  which  I  am  expert  /  in  al  myn  age 

This  is  to  seyn  /  my  self  hath"  ben  the  whippe 

Than  maist  fou  chese  /  whider  fat  thow  wylt  sippe     176 

Of  thilk  Tonne  /  that  I  wyl  a-broche 

By  war  of  it  /  or  pou  to  ny  approche 

ffor  I  shal  telle  ensaumples  /  moo  than  ten 

Who  so  that  nyl  /  be  war  /  by  othere  men  180 

By  him  shuln)  othere  men  /  corrected  be 

Theise  same  wordes  /  wryteth"  Protholomee    IT  Qut^aHos  no* 

Eede  in  his  Almagest  /  and  take  it  there       Alii£ent|£'*mcori' 

Dame  I  wold  preye  $ow  /  if  joure  wyl  were 

Seide  this  Pardoner  /  as  je  bygan  185 

Telleth  forth  joure  tale  /  &  spareth  for  no  man 

And  techeth  vs  jonge  men  /  of  joure  practike 

Gladly  quod  she  /  syn  that  it  may  $ow  lyke  188 

But  that  I  praye  /  to  alle  this  companye 

If  that  I  speke  /  after  my  fantasye 

As  taketfi  it  nought  a  gref  /  of  that  I  seye 

ffor  myn  entent  is  nat  /  but  for  to  pleye  192 

Now  Sires  than  shal  I  /  tellen  jow  forth  my  tale 

As  euere  mot  I  /  drynken  wyn  or  Ale 

I  shal  seye  soth  /  the  husbondes  that  I  had 

As  thre  of  hem  weren  goode  /  &  twoo  weren  bad          196 

The  thre  of  hem  weren  goode  /  and  riche  &  olde 

Vn-ethe  myghten  they  /  the  statut  holde 

In  which  that  they  were  bounden  /  vn-to  me 

Je  wot  wel  what  I  mene  /  of  this  pardee  200 

As  god  helpe  me  / 1  laughe  whan  that  I  thynke  [leaf  69,  back] 

how  pitously  a  nyght  /  I  made  hem  swynke 

But  be  my  fey  /  I  tolde  of  it  no  store 

They  had  me  3euen  /  here  lond  and  here  tresore  204 


GROUP  D.   §  1.  WIFE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24.   173 

Me  neded  nat  /  do  lengere  diligence 

To  wynne  here  loue  /  or  do  hem  reuerence 

They  loued  me  so  wel  /  by  god  a-boue 

That  I  ne  told  /  no  deynte  of  here  loue  208 

A  wys  womman  /  wyl  besy  hire  euere  in  oon 

To  geten  hire  loue  /  there  as  she  hath  noon 

But  syn  I  had  hem  /  holly  in  myn  hand 

And  syn  that  they  /  had  $eue  me  al  here  land  212 

what  shulde  I  take  kepe  /  hem  for  to  pleese 

But  if  it  were  for  my  profyt  /  and  myn  eese 

I  sette  hem  so  a  werk  /  be  my  fey 

That  many  a  nygfit  /  they  songen  weylawey  216 

The  bacon)  was  nat  fet  /  for  hem  as  I  trowe 

That  summe  men  han  in  Essex  /  at  Donmowe 

I  gouerned  hem  so  wel  /  after  my  lawe 

That  iche  of  hem  /  ful  blisful  was  and  fawe  220 

To  brynge  me  gay  thynges  /  fro  the  feyre 

They  were  ful  glad  /  when  I  spak  to  hem  fayre 

ffor  god  it  woot  /  I  chidde  hem  spitously 

Now  herkenetH  how  /  I  bar  me  proprely  224 

3e  wyse  wyues  /  that  can  vnderstonde 

Thus  shuld  30  speke  /  &  bere  hem  wrong  on  honde 

ffor  half  so  boldly  /  there  can  no  man 

Sweren  and  lyen  /  as  a  womman  can          IT  Verum  est  228 

I  sey  nat  this  /  be  wyues  that  ben  wyse 

But  if  it  be  /  whan  they  hem  mys  a-vyse 

A  wys  wyf  shal  /  if  that  she  can  hire  good 

Bere  him  on  honde  /  that  the  kow  is  wood  232 

And  take  wytnesse  /  of  hire  owen  mayde 

Of  hire  assent  /  but  herkenetfi  how  I  sayde 

Sire  olde  kaynard  /  is  this  thyn  array     . 

why  is  my  neyghebores  wyf  /  so  gay  236 

She  is  honoured  /  ouer  alle  there  she  goth" 

I  sitte  at  horn  /  I  haue  no  thrifty  clotfi. 

what  dost  thow  /  at  my  neyhebores  hous 

Is  she  so  fair  /  art  thow  so  amerous  240 


174  GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIPE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

what  rovne  $e  with  oure  mayden  /  benedicite 

Sire  olde  lecchour  /  late  thyne  iapes  be 

[An]d  if  that  I  haue  /  a  gosship  or  a  freende 

[witjhouten  gilt  /  je  chiden  as  a  fende  244 

If  that  I  walke  or  rome  /  vn-to  hir  hous  [leaf  70] 

Thow  comest  hom  /  as  dronken  as  a  Mous 

And  prechest  on  thy  benche  /  with  euele  preef 

Thow  seist  to  me  /  it  is  a  gret  myschief  248 

To  wedde  a  poore  womman  /  for  costage 

And  if  that  she  be  riche  /  of  heigh  parage 

Than  seist  thow  /  that  it  is  a  turmentrie 

To  suffre  hire  pride  /  and  hire  malacolie  252 

And  if  that  she  be  fair  /  thow  verray  knaue 

Thow  seist  that  euery  holour  /  wol  hire  haue 

She  may  no  while  /  in  chastite  a-byde 

That  is  assayled  /  vp-on  eche  a  syde  256 

Thow  seist  sowme  folk  /  desiren  vs  for  richesse 

Somme  for  oure  shap  /  and  somme  for  oure  fairnesse 

And  sum  for  she  can  /  either  synge  or  daunce 

And  sum  for  gentilnesse  /  and  daliaunce  260 

Sum  for  hire  hondes  /  and  hire  armes  smale 

Thus  goth"  al  to  the  deuele  /  by  thy  tale 

Thow  seist  men  moun)  nat  kepe  /  a  castel  wal 

It  may  so  longe  /  assailed  ben  /  ouer  al  264 

And  if  that  she  be  foul  /  thow  seist  that  she 

Coueyteth"  euery  man  /  that  she  may  se 

ffor  as  a  spaynel  /  she  wol  on  him  lepe 

Til  that  she  fynde  sum  man  /  hire  to  chepe  268 

Ne  noon  so  grey  goos  /  goth"  there  in  the  lake 

As  seist  jjou  /  wyl  be  with"-outen  a  make 

And  seist  it  is  /  an  hard  thyng  for  to  welde 

A  thyng  J>«t  no  man  wyl  /  his  thankes  helde  272 

Thus  seist  ]>ou  lorel  /  whan  thow  gost  to  bedde 

And  that  no  wyse  man  /  nedeth  for  to  wedde 

Ne  no  man  that  entendeth  /  vn-to  heuen 

with  wylde  thundir  dynt  /  and  firy  leuen  276 


GROUP  D.    §  1.    WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.    Dd.  4.  24.     175 

Mote  thy  welked  nekke  /  be  to-broke 

Thow  seist  that  droppyng  houses  /  &  eke  smoke 

And  chidyng  wyues  /  maken  men  to  flee 

Out  of  hire  owen  houses  /  a  benedicite  280 

what  eilith  swich"  an  olde  man  /  to  chide 

Thow  seist  we  wyues  /  wyln  oure  vices  hide 

Til  we  be  fast  /  and  thanne  we  wol  hem  shewe 

wel  may  this  be  /  a  prouerbe  of  a  shrewe  284 

Thow  seist  that  Oxen  /  Assen  /  Hors  and  houndes 

They  ben  assayed  /  at  diuerse  stoundes 

Basyns  /  lauours  /  or  that  men  hem  bye 

Spones  stoles  /  and  al  swiche  husbondrye    [leaf  70,  back]    288 

And  so  ben  pottes  /  clothes  and  array 

But  men  of  wommen  /  maken  noon  assay 

Til  they  ben  wedded  /  olde  doted  shrewe 

And  thawne  seist  J>ou  /  we  wol  oure  vices  shewe  292 

Thow  seist  also  /  that  it  displeseth  me 

But  if  fat  )>0u  wylt  preyse  /  my  beaute 

And  but  thow  poure  /  alwey  vp-on  my  face 

And  clepe  me  fair  dame  /  in  euery  place  296 

And  but  thow  make  a  feest  /  on  thilke  day 

That  I  was  born  /  and  make  me-fressh.  and  gay 

And  but  thow  do  /  to  my  norice  honour 

And  to  my  chaumberer  /  with-Inne  my  boure  300 

And  to  my  fadres  folk  /  and  hise  allies 

Thus  seist  fou  olde  barel  /  ful  of  lyes 

And  jet  of  oure  Apprentys  /  lankyn 

ffor  his  crispe  heer  shynynge  /  as  gold  fyn  304 

And  for  he  squyereth"  me  /  vp  and  doun 

3et  hast  J?ou  caught  /  a  fals  suspecion 

I  wol  hi?n  nought  /  though  J>ou  were  ded  to-morwe 

But  telle  me  J>is  /  why  /  hidest  thow  with  sorwe  308 

The  keyes  of  thy  chest  /  a-wey  fro  me 

It  is  my  good  /  as  wel  as  thyn  /  parde 

what  wenest  thow  /  to  make  an  Idiote  of  oure  dame 

Now  by  that  lord  /  that  cleped  is  Seynt  lame  312 


176  GROUP  D.   §  1.  WIFE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

Thow  shalt  nat  bothe  /  though  fat  fou  were  wood 

Be  maistre  of  my  body  /  and  of  my  good 

That  oon  Jjou  shalt  for-gon  /  maugre  thyne  eyen 

what  nedeth  the  of  me  /  to  enqueren  &  spyen  316 

I  trowe  }?ou  woldest  lokke  me  /  in  thy  cheste 

Thow  shuldest  seye  good  wyf  /  go  where  the  liste 

Taketh  joure  disport  /  I  wol  nat  leue  no  tales 

I  knowe  jow  for  a  trewe  wyf  /  dame  Alys  320 

we  loue  no  man  /  thak  taketh"  kep  on  charge 

where  fat  we  goo  /  we  wol  be  at  oure  large 

Of  alle  men  /  I-blessed  mot  he  be 

The  wyse  Astrologien  /  Dan  Protholomee  324 

That  seith"  this  prouerbe  /  in  his  almagest 

Of  alle  men  /  his  wysdom  is  heyest 

That  rekketh"  nat  /  who  hath"  the  world  in  honde 

By  this  prouerbe  /  J)ou  shalt  vnderstonde  328 

haue  thow  I-now  /  what  thar  the  rekke  or  care 

how  merily  /  that  othere  folkes  fare 

ffor  certes  olde  dotard  /  be  jour  leue 

Je  shuln  haue  queynte  right  I-now  /  at  eeue     [leaf  71]     332 

He  is  to  gret  a  nygard  /  that  wol  werne 

A  man  to  light  a  candele  /  at  his  lanterne 

he  shal  haue  /  neuere  the  lasse  light  /  pardee 

haue  thow  I-now  /  the  thar  nat  pleyne  thee  336 

Thow  seist  also  /  if  that  we  make  vs  gay 

with  clothynge  /  or  with  precious  array 

That  it  is  perile  /  of  oure  chastitee 

And  jet  with  sorwe  /  J>ou  must  enforce  the  340 

And  seyn  theise  wordes  /  in  the  Aposteles  name 

In  habyt  mad  /  with  chastite  and  shame 

$e  wommen  /  shulde  apparaille  jow  quod  he 

And  nat  in  tressed  heer  /  and  riche  perre  344 

Ns1  peerles  ne  gold  /  ne  clothes  riche          [ip/brNe] 

After  thy  text  /  ne  after  thy  rubriche 

I  wol  nat  werche  /  as  nieche  as  doth  a  gnat 

Thow  seist  als  / 1  walke  out  lyke  a  kat  348 


GROUP  D.   §  1.  WIFE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24.  177 

ffor  who  so  wolde  senge  /  the  Cattes  skyn 

Than  wold  the  kat  /  dwellen  in  his  In 

And  if  the  kattes  skyn  /  be  slyke  and  gay 

She  wol  nat  dwelle  /  in  house  half  a  day  352 

But  forth"  she  wol  /  or  any  day  be  dawed 

To  shewe  hire  skyn  /  &  go  on  Caterwawed 

This  is  to  seyn  /  if  I  be  gay  sire  shrewe 

I  wol  reiine  out  /  my  borel  for  to  shewe  356 

Sire  olde  foole  /  what  helpeth"  the  to  aspyen 

Though  thow  preye  Argus  /  we'tft  his  hundred  eyen 

To  be  my  wardecors  /  as  he  can  best 

In  feith  he  shal  nat  kepe  me  /  but  me  list  360 

3et  coude  I  make  his  berd  /  also  mote  I  thee 

Thow  seidest  eke  /  Jjat  there  ben  thynges  three 

The  which  e  thynges  /  troublen  al  this  erthe 

And  that  no  wyght  /  may  endure  the  f erthe  364 

0  leue  sire  shrewe  /  Ihesus  short  thy  lyf 

3et  precest  fou  and  seist  /  an  hateful  wyf 

I-rekened  is  /  for  oon  of  theise  meschaunces 

Beth  there  noone  othere  /  resemblaunces  368 

That  je  may  likne  /  joure  Parables  to 

But  if  a  seely  wyf  /  be  on  of  thoo 

Thow  likenest  eke  /  wo?rananes  loue  to  helle 

To  bareyn  lond  /  there  water  may  nat  dwelle  372 

Thow  likenest  it  also  /  to  wylde  fyre 

The  more  it  brenneth  /  the  more  it  hath  desire 

To  consume  euery  thyng  /  that  wol  brent  be 

Thow  seist  right  as  wormes  /  shenden  a  tree  [leaf  71,  back]  376 

Right  so  a  wyf  /  destroyeth  hire  husbonde 

This  knowen  they  /  that  ben  to  wyues  bonde 

Lordynges  /  right  thus  /  as  30  han  vnderstonde 
Bar  I  stifly  /  myn  olde  husbondes  on  honde       380 
That  thus  they  seiden  /  in  here  dronkenesse 
And  al  was  fals  /  but  that  I  tok  wytnesse 
On  lankyn  /  and  on  my  nece  also 
O  lord  the  peyne  /  I  did  hem  and  the  woo  384 

N 


178  GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

fful  giltlees  /  by  goddes  swete  pyne 

ffor  as  an  hors  /  I  coude  byte  and  whyne 

I  coude  pleyne  /  and  I  was  in  the  gilt 

Or  elles  often  tyme  /  I  had  ben  spilt  388 

who  so  that  first  cometh"  to  the  Mylle  /  first  he  grynt 

I  pleyned  first  /  so  was  oure  werre  I-stynt 

They  weren  ful  glad  /  to  excuse  hem  ful  blife 

Of  thyng  /  of  whiche  /  they  gilten  neuere  in  here  lyue  392 

Of  wenches  /  wold  I  beren  hem  on  honde 

whan  that  for  seke  /  they  mygfit  vnethes  stonde 

$et  tikeled  I  his  hert  /  for  that  he 

wende  /  that  I  of  him  had  /  so  gret  chierte  396 

I  swor  that  al  my  walkyng  /  out  be  nyght 

was  for  to  aspien  /  wenches  that  he  digfit 

rnder  that  colour  /  had  I  many  a  myrthe 

ffor  al  swich"  wyt  /  is  jeuen  vs  in  oure  birthe  400 

Disceite  /  wepyng  /  spynnyng  /  god  hath  jeuen 

To  wommau  kyndely  /  while  that  they  moun  lyuen 

And  thus  of  on  thyng  /  I  auaunt  me 

At  the  ende  /  I  had  the  beter  /  in  ich"  degree  404 

Be  sleigfit  or  force  /  or  sum  maner  thyng 

As  by  contenuel  murmur  /  and  grucchyng 

Namely  a  bedde  /  there  had  they  myschaunce 

There  wold  I  chide  /  and  do  hem  no  plesaunce  408 

I  wold  no  lengere  /  in  the  bed  a-byde 

If  that  I  felt  /  his  arme  al  ouer  my  syde 

Til  that  he  had  mad  /  his  raunson)  vn-to  me 

Than  wold  I  suffren  him  /  to  doon  his  nycete  412 

And  ferfore  to  eue;y  man  /  this  tale  I  telle 

Wynne  who  so  may  /  for  aH  is  for  to  selle 

with"  empty  hond  /  men  moun)  noone  haukes  lure 

ffor  wynnynge  wold  I  /  al  his  lust  endure  416 

And  make  me  /  a  feyned  appetit 

And  jet  in  bacouw  /  had  I  neue7-e  delit 

That  made  me  /  fat  euere  I  wold  hem  chide 

ffor  though  the  pope  /  had  siten  hem  beside     [leaf  72]     420 


GROUP  D..  §  1.  WIFE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24.   179 

I  wold  nat  spare  hem  /  at  here  owen  bord 

ffor  be  my  trouthe  /  I  quyt  hem  word  for  word 

As  help  me  verray  god  /  omnipotent 

Though  I  right  now  /  shulde  make  my  testament         424 

I  owe  hem  nat  a  word  /  that  it  nys  quytte 

I  brought  it  so  a-boute  /  be  my  wytte 

That  they  must  jeue  it  vp  /  for  the  best 

Or  elles  had  we  neuere  /  ben  in  rest  428 

ffor  though  he  loked  /  as  a  wod  lyofi 

Jet  shulde  he  faile  /  of  his  conclusion 

Than  wold  I  sey  /  good  lef  take  kepe 

how  mekely  loketh  /  wylkyn  oure  shepe  432 

Come  neer  my  spouse  /  lat  me  ba  thy  cheke 

3e  schulden  be  /  al  pacient  and  meke 

And  han  a  swete  /  spiced  conscience 

Sithe  30  so  preche  /  of  lobes  pacience  436 

Suffretfc  al-wey  /  syn  30  so  wel  can  preche 

And  but  36  do  /  certeyn  we  shuln  ^ow  teche 

That  it  is  fair  /  to  han  a  wyf  in  pees 

Oon  of  vs  two  /  must  bowen  doutelees  440 

And  sithe  a  man  /  is  more  resonable 

Than  wornrnan  is  /  30  must  ben  suffrable 

what  eyleth"  $ow  /  to  grucche  thus  and  grone 

It  is  for  30  wolde  /  han  my  queynte  allone  444 

we  take  it  al  /  lo  haue  it  euerydele 

Petir  I  shrewe  3ow  /  but  30  loue  it  wele 

ffor  if  I  wolde  selle  /  my  beal  chose 

I  coude  walke  /  as  fressh  as  any  Eose  448 

But  I  wol  kepe  it  /  for  3oure  owen  toth" 

3e  be  to  blame  /  by  god  I  seye  3ow  soth" 

Swiche  maner  wordes  /  had  we  on  honde 

Now  wol  I  speke  /  of  my  first  husbonde  452 

IT  My  first  husbonde  /  was  a  reuelour 

That  is  to  seyn  /  he  had  a  paramour 

And  I  was  3ong  /and  ful  of  ragerie 

Stiburne  and  strong  /  and  ioly  as  a  Pye  456 


180    GROUP  D.    §  1.    WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.    Dd.  4.  24. 

Tho  coude  I  daunce  /  to  an  harp  smale 

And  synge  I-wysse  /  as  any  nytynggale 

whan  I  had  dronke  /  a  draught  of  swete  wyn 

Metellius  the  foul  cherl  /  the  swyn  460 

That  with"  a  staf  /  byreft  his  wyf  hir  lif 

ffor  she  drank  wyn  /  though  I  had  ben  his  wyf 

he  shulde  nat  han  daunted  /  me  fro  drynke 

And  after  wyn  /  on  venus  must  I  thynke  464 

ffor  also  siker  /  as  cold  engendereth  hail 

A  likerous  mouth  /  must  han  a  likerous  tail     [leaf  72,  back] 

In  womman  vynolent  /  is  no  diffence 

This  knowen  lecchours  /  be  experience  468 

But  lord  crist  /  whan  that  it  remembreth"  me 

Vp-on  my  ^outhe  /  and  on  my  lolyte 

It  tikeleth"  me  /  a-boute  myn  hert  rote 

Vn-to  this  day  /  it  dooth  myn  hert  bote  472 

That  I  haue  had  my  world  /  as  in  my  tyme 

But  age  alias  /  that  al  wyl  envenyme 

hatfi  me  byraft  /  my  beaute  and  my  pith 

late  go  fare  wel  /  the  deuele  goo  there- with  476 

The  flour  is  goon  /  there  is  no  more  to  telle 

The  bren  as  I  beest  can  /  now  mot  I  selle 

But  3et  to  be  right  merye  /  wol  I  fonde 

U  fo  Now  forth  to  telle  of  my  secund  husbonde  480 

I  sey  I  had  /  in  hert  greet  despit 

That  he  of  any  other  /  had  delit 

But  he  was  quyt  /  be  god  and  be  Seynt  loce 

I  mad  him  of  the  same  wode  /  a  Croce  484 

Nat  of  my  body  /  in  no  foule  manere 

But  certeynly  /  I  made  folk  swich  chere 

That  in  his  owen  grees  /  I  mad  him  frie 

ffor  anger  /  and  for  verrey  lelusie  488 

By  god  /  in  erthe  /  I  was  his  purgatorie 

ffor  whiche  I  hope  /  his  soule  be  in  glorie 

ffor  god  it  woot  /  he  sat  ful  ofte  and  songe 

whan  that  his  shoo  /  ful  bitterly  him  wronge  492 


GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24.  181 

ffor  there  was  no  wygh"t  /  saue  god  and  he  fat  wyst 

In  manye  wyses  /  how  sore  I  him  twist 

he  deyed  whan  I  come  /  fro  Jerusalem 

And  lith"  in  graue  /  vnder  the  roode  Bern)  496 

Al  is  his  toumbe  /  nought  so  curious 

As  was  the  sepulcre  /  of  him  Darius 

whiche  that  Appollus  /  wrought  so  sotelly 

It  nys  but  waast  /  to  bery  him  preciously  500 

lat  him  fare  wel  /  god  jeue  his  soule  good  reest 

he  is  now  in  his  graue  /  and  ded  in  his  chest 

IT  Now  of  my  thridde  husbonde  /  wol  I  telle 

God  lat  his  soule  /  neuere  come  in  helle  504 

Aud  jet  was  he  to  me  /  the  moost  shrewe 

That  fele  I  now  on  my  ribbes  /  al  by  rewe 

And  euere  shal  /  vn-to  myn  endyng  day 

But  in  oure  bed  /  he  was  ful  fressh  and  gay  508 

And  there-with  also  /  wel  coude  he  me  gloose     IT  Noto 

whan  that  he  wolde  /  ban  my  beal  chose 

That  though  he  had  /  me  bete  on  euery  bon         [leaf  73] 

he  coude  wynne  /  my  loue  a-geyn  a-noon  512 

I  trowe  I  loued  him  best  /  for  that  he 

was  of  his  loue  /  daungerous  vn-to  me 

we  wommen  han  /  if  that  I  shal  nat  lye 

In  this  mater  /  a  queynt  fantasie  516 

"Wayte  what  thyng  /  we  may  nat  lightly  haue 

Ther-after  wyl  wo  crye  al  day  /  and  craue 

fforbede  vs  thyng  /  and  that  desiren  we  IF  Noto 

Presse  on  vs  fast  /  and  than  wol  we  flee  520 

with  daunger  outer  we  /  al  oure  chaffare 

Greet  prees  at  market  /  maketh  dere  ware 

And  to  gret  chep  /  is  holden  at  litel  pris 

This  knoweth  euery  womman  /  that  is  wys  524 

IT  fo  My  ferthe  husbonde  /  god  his  soule  blisse 

which  that  I  took  /  for  loue  &  no  richesse 

he  somtyme  was  /  a  clerk  of  Oxenforde 

And  had  left  scole  /  and  went  at  horn  to  horde  528 


182  GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

with"  my  gossyp  /  dwellynge  in  oure  toun) 

God  haue  hire  soule  /  hire  name  was  Alison) 

She  knew  myn  hert  /  and  al  my  preuytee 

Bet  than  oure  parissh"  preest  /  so  mot  I  the  532 

To  hire,  be-wreyed  I  /  my  counseil  al 

ffor  had  myn  husbonde  /  pissed  on  a  wal 

Or  don  a  thyng  /  that  shuld  han  cost  his  lif 

To  hire  /  and  to  a-nother  worthy  wyf  536 

And  to  my  Nece  /  whiche  that  I  loued  wel 

I  wold  han  told  /  his  counseil  euerydel 

And  so  I  dide  ful  often  /  god  it  woot 

That  mad  his  face  /  ful  often  red  and  hoot  540 

ffor  verray  shame  /  and  blamed  hiw-self  for  he 

had  told  to  me  /  so  gret  a  preuytee 

And  so  byfel  /  that  ones  in  a  lente 

So  often  tymes  /  I  to  my  gossip  wente  544 

ffor  Quere  $et  /  I  loued  to  be  gay 

And  for  to  walke  /  in  March  /  April!  &  May 

ffro  hous  to  hous  /  to  here  sondry  tales 

That  lankyu  Clerk  /  &  my  gossip  dame  Ales  548 

And  I  my  selue  /  in-to  the  feeldes  went 

Myn  husbonde  was  at  londofi  /  al  that  lent 

I  had  the  betir  leiser  /  for  to  pleye 

And  for  to  se  /  and  eke  for  to  be  seye  552 

Of  lusty  folk  /  what  wyst  I  /  where  my  grace 

was  shapen  for  to  be  /  or  in  what  place 

Therfore  made  I  /  my  visitasions  [leaf  73,  back] 

To  vigiles  /  and  to  processions  556 

To  prechynge  eke  /  and  to  theise  pilgrimages 

To  pleyes  of  miracles  /  and  of  mariages 

And  wered  vp-on  /  my  gay  skarlet  gytes 

Theise  wormes  /  ne  theise  mothes  /  ne  theise  mytes      560 

vp-on)  my  paraille  /  frette  hem  neuere  a  del 

And  wost  J?ou  why  /  for  they  were  vsed  wel 

1T  (5)  Now  wol  I  telle  forth  /  what  happed  me 

I  seye  that  in  the  feldes  /  walked  we  564 


GROUP  D.    §  1.    WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.    Dd.  4.  24.    183 

Til  trewely  we  had  /  swicfi  daliaunce 

This  clerk  and  I  /  that  of  my  purueaunce 

I  spak  to  him  /  and  seide  how  that  he 

If  I  were  wydewe  /  he  shulde  wedde  me  568 

ffor  certeynly  I  seye  /  for  no  bobaunce 

$et  was  I  neue?-e  /  with"-outen  purueaunce 

Of  mariage  /  ne  of  othere  thynges  eke 

I  hold  a  mouses  hert  /  nat  worth  a  leke  572 

That  hath"  but  on  hole  /  for  to  stirte  to 

And  if  that  fayle  /  than  is  al  I-do 

I  bar  him  on  honde  /  he  had  enchaunted  me 

My  dame  taught  me  /  that  sotilte  576 

And  eke  I  seide  /  I  mette  of  him  al  nyght 

he  wolde  han  slayn  me  /  as  I  lay  vp  right 

And  al  my  bed  /  was  ful  of  verray  blod 

But  jet  I  hope  /  that  30  shuln  do  me  good  580 

ffor  blod  bytokeneth"  gold  /  as  me  was  taught 

And  al  was  fals  /  I  dremed  of  it  right  nought 

But  as  I  folwed  ay  /  my  dames  loore 

As  wel  of  that  /  as  of  othere  thynges  more  584 

But  now  sire  late  me  sen  /  what  I  shuld  seyn 

A  ha  by  god  /  I  haue  my  tale  a-geyn 

If  fo  Whan  that  my  fierthe  husbonde  /  was  on  beere 

I  wep  algate  /  and  mad  sory  chere  588 

As  wyues  moton  /  for  it  is  the  vsage 

And  with  my  kercheue  /  I  couered  my  visage 

But  for  that  I  was  purueiede  /  of  a  make 

I  wepte  but  smale  /  and  that  I  vndertake  592 

To  chirche  was  myn  husbonde  /  born  a-morwe 

with  neyghebores  /  that  for  him  maden  sorwe 

And  lankyn  oure  clerk  /  was  oon  of  thoo 

As  helpe  me  god  /  whan  that  I  saw  him  goo  596 

After  the  beere  /  me  thought  he  had  a  peire 

Of  legges  and  of  feet  /  so  clene  and  so  feire 

That  al  myn  hert  /  I  jaf  vn-to  his  holde 

I  trowe  he  was  /  a  twenty  wynter  olde  600 


184  GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIFE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

And  I  was  fourty  /  if  I  shal  sey  the  sothe  [leaf  74] 

But  jet  I  had  alwey  /  a  coltyssh"  tothe 

Gat-tothed  I  was  /  and  that  be-cam  me  wele 

I  had  the  prente  /  of  seynt  venus  seele  604 

As  help  me  god  /  I  was  a  lusty  oon 

And  fair  and  riche  /  and  jonge  /  and  wel  bygofi 

And  trewely  /  as  myne  husbondes  tolde  me 

I  had  the  best  quoniam  /  that  mygfrt  be          IT  Note     608 

ffor  certes  I  am  /  al  venerien) 

In  feelyng  /  and  myn  hert  is  Marcien) 

Venus  me  $af  my  lust  /  my  likerousnesse 

And  Mars  $af  me  /  my  sturdy  hardynesse  612 

Myn  ascendent  was  Taur  /  and  Mars  f  ere-Inne 

Alias  alias  /  that  euere  loue  was  synne 

I  folwed  alwey  /  myn  inclynacione 

By  vertue  /  of  myn  Constellacione  616 

That  made  me  /  I  coude  nat  with-drawe 

My  chaumbre  of  venus  /  fro  a  good  felawe 

3et  haue  I  Mars  merk  /  vp-on  my  face 

And  also  /  in  a-nother  pryue  place  620 

ffor  god  so  wysely  /  be  my  sauaciofi 

I  loued  neuere  /  by  no  discrecion 

But  euere  folwed  /  myn  appetit 

Al  were  he  short  /  long  blak  or  whi^t  624 

I  toke  no  kepe  /  so  that  he  liked  me 

how  poore  he  was  /  ne  eke  of  what  degree 

IT  (5)  what  shulde  I  seye  /  but  at  the  monthes  ende 

This  ioly  Clerk  /  lankyn  J?at  was  so  hende  628 

hath"  wedded  me  /  witfi  greet  solempnytee 

And  to  hi?n  jaf  I  /  al  the  lond  and  fee 

That  euere  was  me  jeuen  /  there-byfore 

But  afterward  /  me  repented  ful  sore  632 

he  nolde  suffre  /  no  thyng  of  my  list 

By  god  he  smot  me  /  oonys  with  his  fist 

On  the  cheke  /  for  fat  I  rent  /  out  of  his  book  a  leef 

That  of  the  stroke  /  myn  ere  wex  al  deef  636 


GROUP  D.    §  1.    WIFE  OF  BATIl's  PREAMBLE.    Dd.  4.  24.    185 

Stiburne  I  was  /  as  is  a  leonesse 

And  of  my  tonge  /  a  veray  langeleresse 

And  walke  I  wold  /  as  I  had  don  byforfi 

ffrom  hous  to  hous  /  al-though"  he  had  it  sworn  640 

ffor  whiche  /  he  often  tymes  wold  preche 

And  me  of  olde  Romayne  gestes  /  teche 

how  he  /  simplicius  Gallus  /  laft  his  wyf 

And  hire  forsoke  /  for  terme  of  al  his  lyf  644 

nought  but  for  openheded  /  he  hire  say 

Lokyng  out  at  his  dore  /  vp-on  a  day          [leaf  74,  back] 

A-nother  Romayne  /  told  he  me  by  name 

That  for  his  wyf  /  was  at  a  Someres  game  648 

with"-outen  his  wetyng  /  he  forsoke  hire  eke 

And  than  wold  he  /  vp-on  his  bible  seke 

That  ilke  prouerbe  /  of  ecclesiaste 

where  he  comaundeth  /  &  forbedeth  faste  652 

Man  shal  nat  suffre  his  wyf  /  go  royle  a-boute 

Than  wold  he  sey  right  thus  /  wit7z.oute  doute 

who-so  that  bildeth"  his  hous  /  al  of  salwes        IT  Nota 

And  priketh"  his  blynd  hors  /  ouer  the  falwes  656 

And  suffreth  his  wyf  /  to  seken  halwes 

Is  worthy  to  ben  hanged  /  on  the  galwes 

But  al  for  nought  /  I  sette  nought  an  ha  we 

Of  hise  prouerbes  /  ne  of  his  olde  la  we  660 

Ne  I  wold  nat  of  him  /  corrected  be 

I  hate  him  /  that  my  vices  telleth"  me 

And  so  don  moo  of  vs  /  god  wot  /  than  I 

This  mad  him  with  me  wood  /  al  vtterly  664 

I  wold  nat  forbere  him  /  in  no  cas 

Now  wyl  I  sey  jow  soth  /  by  Seynt  Thomas 

why  that  I  rent  out  /  of  his  book  a  leef 

ffor  whiche  he  smot  me  so  /  that  I  was  deef  668 

he  had  a  bok  /  that  gladly  nyght  and  day 

ffor  his  desport  /  he  wold  it  rede  alway 

he  cleped  it  valerie  /  and  Theofaste 

At  which"  book  /  he  lough  alwey  ful  fast  672 


186  GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIPE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

And  eke  there  was  somtyme  /  a  Clerk  at  Rome 

A  Cardynale  that  bight  /  Seynt  lerome 

That  mad  a  book  /  a-geyn  lovynyan 

In  whiche  book  eke  /  there  was  Terculan  676 

Crisippus  /  Tortula  /  and  Helowys 

That  was  Abbesse  /  nat  fer  fro  Parys 

And  eke  the  parobles  /  of  Salamon 

Ouydes  art  /  and  bookes  many  oon  680 

And  alle  theise  were  bounden  /  in  o  volume 

And  euery  nygh~t  &  day  /  was  his  custume 

Whan  he  had  leiser  /  and  vacacione 

ffrom  other  worldly  /  occupacione  684 

To  redyn  in  this  book  /  of  wykked  wyues 

he  knew  of  hem  /  moo  legendes  &  lyues 

Than  ben  of  goode  wyues  /  in  the  bible 

ffor  trosteth"  wel  /  it  is  an  inpossible  688 

That  any  Clerk  /  wyl  speke  good  of  wyues 

But  if  it  be  /  of  holy  Seyntes  lyues 

Ne  of  noone  othere  woramen  /  neuere  the  moo 

Who  peynted  the  lyon)  /  telle  me  who  p«af  75]     692 

By  god  if  a  woraman  /  had  wryten  stories 

As  Clerkes  han  /  witfi-Inne  here  oratories 

They  wold  han  wretyn  of  men  /  more  wykkednesse 

Than  al  the  mark  of  Adam  /  may  redresse  696 

The  children  of  Mercurie  /  and  of  Venus 

Ben  in  here  werkyng  /  ful  contrarious 

Mercurie  loueth"  wysdom  /  and  science 

And  venus  louetn"  riot  /  and  despence  700 

And  for  here  dyuers  /  disposition 

Eche  fayleth"  /  in  others  exaltation 

As  thus  /  god  woot  /  Mercurie  is  desolate 

In  pisses  /  whan  venus  is  exaltate  704 

And  venus  falleth"  /  there  Mercurie  is  reised 

Therfore  no  womman  /  of  no  Clerk  is  preysed 

The  Clerk  whan  he  is  old  /  &  may  nat  do 

Of  venus  werkes  /  worth"  his  olde  shoo  708 


GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIPE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24.   187 

Than  syt  he  doun)  /  and  wryteth  in  his  dotage 

That  wommen  conne  nout  kepen  /  here  mariage 

But  now  to  purpos  /  why  I  tolde  the 

That  I  was  be  ten  /  for  a  book  parde  712 

Vp-on  a  nyght  /  lankyn  that  was  oure  Sire 

Eed  on  his  book  /  as  he  sat  by  the  fyre 

Of  Eue  first  /  that  for  hire  wykkednesse 

Was  al  mankynde  brought  /  to  wrechednesse  716 

ffor  which  that  ihesu  crist  /  him  self  was  slayn 

That  bought  vs  /  with  his  hert  blod  a-gayn 

loo  heere  expres  of  wominen  /  may  30  fynde 

That  woraman  was  the  losse  /  of  al  mankynde  720 

Tho  redde  he  me  /  how  Sampson  loost  hise  heeres 

Slepynge  his  lemman  /  kytte  hem  -with  hire  shores 

Thurgh  which"  treson)  /  lost  he  bothe  hise  eyen 

Tho  redde  he  me  /  if  that  I  shal  nat  lyen  724 

Of  Hercules  /  and  of  Dyanyre 

That  caused  him  /  to  sette  him  self  a-fyre 

Nothyng  for-gat  he  /  the  care  and  the  woo 

That  Socrates  had  /  with"  hise  wyues  twoo  728 

how  Exantipa  /  cast  pisse  vp-on  hise  bed 

This  sely  man  sat  stille  /  as  he  were  ded 

he  wypte  his  bed  /  no  more  durst  he  seyn 

But  er  that  the  thonder  stynt  /  cometh  reyn  732 

Of  Phasipha  /  that  was  the  Quene  of  Creete 

ffor  shrewednesse  him  thought  /  the  tale  swete 

ffy  speke  no  more  /  it  is  a  grisly  thyng 

Of  hire  horrible  lust  /  &  hire  lykyng  736 

Of  Clithermystra  /  for  hire  lecherie 

That  falsly  mad  hire  husbonde  /  for  to  deye 

He  red  it  /  with  ful  good  deuocion)  [leaf  75,  back] 

he  told  me  eke  /  for  what  occasion)  740 

Amphiorax  at  Thebes  /  lost  his  lyf 

Myn  husbond  had  a  legend  /  of  his  wyf 

Exiphilem  /  that  for  an  ouche  of  gold 

hath  preuyly  /  vn-to  the  grekes  I-told  744 


188  GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIFE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

"Where  that  hire  husbonde  /  hid  him  in  a  place 

ff  or  which"  he  had  /  at  Thebes  sory  grace 

Of  lyrna  told  he  me  /  and  of  lucye 

They  bothe  maden  /  here  husbondes  for  to  deye  748 

That  on  for  loue  /  that  other  was  for  hate 

lyma  /  hire  husbonde  /  vp-on  an  euen  late 

Enpoysoned  hath"  /  for  that  she  was  his  foo 

lucya  lykerous  /  loued  hire  husbond  so  752 

That  for  he  shuld  alwey  /  vp-on  hire  thynke 

She  $af  him  swich"  /  a  manor  loue  drynke 

That  he  was  ded  /  er  it  were  by  the  morwe 

And  thus  algates  /  husbondes  han  sorwe  756 

Than  told  he  me  /  how  on  lathimyus 

Compleyned  /  vn-to  his  felawe  /  Arryus 

That  in  his  gardeyn  /  growed  swich"  a  tree 

On  which"  he  seido  /  how  that  hise  wyues  three  760 

honged  hem  self  /  for  hertes  dispetous 

O  lef  brother  /  quod  this  Arryus 

Jeue  me  a  plante  /  of  thilk  blissed  tre 

And  in  myn  gardeyn  /  planted  shal  it  be  764 

Of  lattere  date  /  of  wyues  hath"  he  red 

That  some  han  slayn  /  here  husbondes  in  here  bed 

And  let  hire  lecchour  /  digfit  hire  al  the  nygnt 

While  that  the  cors  /  lay  in  the  floor  vp-rigfit  768 

And  some  han  dreuyn  nayles  /  in  here  brayne 

While  that  they  slep  /  &  thus  they  han  hem-  slayne 

Some  han  jeuen  hem  poyson  /  in  here  drynke 

he  spak  more  harm  /  than  hert  may  be-thynke  772 

And  ther-witfi-al  /  he  knew  of  moo  prouerbes 

Than  is  this  world  /  groweth"  gras  or  Erbes 

Bet  is  quod  he  /  thyn  habitacion) 

Be  with"  a  lyon)  /  or  a  foul  dragon)  776 

Than  with"  a  womnian  /  vsyng  for  to  chide 

Bet  is  quod  he  /  hie  in  the  roof  a-byde 

Than  with  an  angry  womman  /  doun  in  the  hous 

They  ben  so  wykked  /  and  so  contrarious          IT  Noto  780 


GROUP  D.    §  1.    WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.    Dd.  4.  24.     189 

They  hateu  /  that  here  husbondes  louen  ay 

he  seide  a  womman  /  kast  hire  shame  a-way 

Whan  she  cast  of  hire  smok  /  and  forthere-moo 

A  fair  womman  /  but  she  be  chast  also  784 

Is  lyke  a  gold  ryng  /  in  a  sowes  nose 

Who  wold  wene  /  or  who  wold  suppose  [leaf  76] 

The  woo  that  in  myn  hert  was  /  &  the  pyne 

And  whan  I  saw  /  he  wolde  neuere  fyne  788 

To  reden  on  this  cursed  book  /  al  nygnt 

Al  sodeynly  /  three  leeues  haue  I  plight 

Out  of  his  booke  /  right  as  he  radde  /  &  eke 

I  with"  my  fist  /  so  toke  him  on  the  cheke  792 

That  in  our  fyr  /  he  fel  bakward  a-doun) 

And  he  vp  stirt  /  as  doth"  a  wood  lyon) 

And  with"  his  fist  /  he  smot  me  on  the  hede 

That  in  the  floor  /  I  lay  as  I  were  dede  796 

And  whan  he  saw  /how  stille  that  I  lay 

he  was  a-gast  /  and  wold  han  fled  a-way 

Til  at  the  last  /  out  of  my  swough  I  brayde 

0  hast  J?ou  slayn  me  /  fals  theef  I  sayde  800 

And  for  my  lond  /  thus  hast  Jwu  mordred  me 

Or  I  be  ded  /  jet  wole  I  kysse  the 

And  ner  he  com  /  and  kneled  faire  a-doun 

And  seide  deere  Suster  /  Alisoun)  804 

As  helpe  me  god  /  I  shal  the  neuere  smyte 

That  I  haue  doon  /  it  is  thy  self  to  wyte 

fforjeue  it  me  /  and  that  I  the  byseke 

And  jet  eftsones  /  I  hitte  him  on  the  cheke  808 

And  seide  thef  /  thus  meche  am  I  a-wreke 

Now  wol  I  dye  /  I  may  no  lengere  speke 

But  at  the  last  /  with"  mechil  kare  &  woo 

We  fel  accorded  /  be  oure  seluen  twoo  812 

he  jaf  me  al  the  brydel  /  in  myn  honde 

To  han  the  gouernaunce  /  of  hous  &  londe 

And  of  his  tonge  /  and  of  his  hond  also 

And  mad  him  brenne  his  book  /  a-noon  right  thoo        816 


190  GROUP  D.  §  1.  WIFE  OP  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

And  wharane  that  I  had  getyn  vn-to  me 

Be  maistrye  /  al  the  Soueraynte 

And  that  he  seide  /  myn  owen  trewe  wyf 

Do  as  the  list  /  the  terme  of  al  thy  lyf  820 

Kepe  thyn  honour  /  &  kepe  eke  myn  estate 

And  after  that  day  /  we  hadden  neuere  debate 

God  help  me  so  /  I  was  to  him  as  kynde 

As  any  wyf  /  fro  Denmark  vn-to  Inde  824 

And  also  trewe  /  and  so  was  he  to  me 

I  preye  to  god  /  that  sitteth"  in  mageste 

So  blisse  his  soule  /  for  his  mercy  deere 

Now  wol  I  seyn  my  tale  /  if  30  wyln  heere  828 

^[  Heere  maketh  the  ffrere  an  interempcion 
of  the  wyues  tale         [<««ar^n] 

f  ,£b  The  ffrere  lougfc  /  whan  he  had  herd  al  this 

Now  dame  quod,  he  /  so  haue  I  ioye  or  blys 

This  is  a  long  preamble  /  of  a  tale 

And  whan  the  sompnour  /  herd  the  ffrere  gale  ir™k^n£nfc>ur 

loo  quod  the  sompnour  /  for  goddes  arrnes  two        re 

A  ffrere  wyl  entermente  him  /  euere  moo     [leaf  ve,  back] 

loo  goodmen  /  a  flye  and  eke  a  ffrere 

Wol  falle  in  euery  dissh"  /  and  eke  matere  836 

"What  spekest  thow  /  of  preambulacion 

What  aumble  or  trotte  /  or  pes  /  or  go  sitte  doun 

Thow  lettest  oure  disport  /  in  this  manere 

1T  $e  wilt  J>ou  so  Sompnour  /  quod  the  ffrere  840 

Now  be  my  feith"  /  I  shal  er  that  I  goo 

Telle  of  Sompnoures  /  swich"  a  tale  or  twoo 

That  alle  folk  /  shuln  laugfcen  /  in  this  place 

Now  elles  ffrere  /  I  be-shrewe  thyn  face  844 

Quod  the  Sompnour  /  and  I  be-shrewe  me 

But  if  I  telle  tales  /  two  or  three 

Of  ffreres  /  or  J)at  I  come  to  Sydyngburne 

That  I  shal  make  /  thyn  hert  for  to  morne  848 


GROUP  D.    §  1.    WIFE  OF  BATH'S  PREAMBLE.    Dd.  4.  24.    191 

ffor  wel  I  wot  /  thy  pacience  is  a-gon 

II  Oure  host  cried  pees  /  and  that  a-noon 

And  seide  /  late  the  womman  telle  hire  tale 

3e  fare  as  folk  /  that  dronken  ben  of  Ale  852 

Do  dame  /  telle  forth  3oure  tale  /  &  that  is  hest 

Al  redy  sire  quod  she  /  right  as  $ow  list 

If  I  haue  lycence  /  of  this  worthy  ffrere 

$is  dame  quod  he  /  teH  forth  /  &  I  wyl  here  856 

11  Hie  desinit  prologus  / 


192      GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 


[o»  fea/76,  back]  et  incipit  fabula  Vxoris  de  Bathe 

In  the  olde  dayes  /  of  kyng  Arthour 
Of  which  that  Bretons  speken  /  gret  honour 
Al  was  this  lond  /  fulfilled  of  fairie 
The  Elf  Quene  /  with  hire  ioly  companye          860 
Daunced  ful  ofte  /  in  many  a  grene  mede 
This  was  the  olde  oppynyofi  /  as  I  rede 
I  speke  of  manye  /  hundred  jeres  a-go 
But  now  can  no  man  /  se  noone  Elues  moo  864 

ffor  now  the  gret  charite  /  and  preyeres 
Of  lyinytours  /  and  other  holy  ffreres 
That  serchen  euery  lond  /  and  euery  streme 
As  thikke  as  motes  /  in  the  Sonne  heme  868 

Blissyng  Halles  /  chaumhres  /  kychenes  /  boures 
Citees  /  Burghes  /  Castelles  /  heye  Toures 
Thropes  /  Bernes  /  Shepenes  /  Deyries 
This  maketh  that  there  ben  /  no  fayeries  872 

ffor  there  as  wont  /  to  walken  was  an  Elf 
There  walketft  now  /  the  lymytour  him-self 
In  vndermeles  /-and  in  morwenynges  [leaf  77] 

And  seith  hise  matynes  /  &  his  holy  thynges  876 

As  he  goth  /  in  his  lymytacion) 
wommen  moun  go  now  /  safly  vp  &  doun) 
In  euery  bussh  /  and  vnder  euery  tree 
There  is  noon  other  /  Incubus  but  he  880 

And  he  ne  wyl  do  hem  /  but  dishonour 
IT  And  so  byfel  /  that  this  kyng  Arthour 
had  in  his  hous  /  a  lusty  bacheler 
That  on  a  day  /  cam  ridyng  fro  ryuer  884 


GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  193 

And  happed  that  allone  /  as  he  was  born 
he  saw  a  mayde  /  walkyng  him  byforii 
Of  whyche  mayde  /  a-noon  maugre  hire  hede 
By  verray  force  /  byraft  hire  maydenhede  888 

ffor  which"  oppression  /  was  swich  clamour 
And  swich"  pursute  /  vn-to  the  kyng  Arthour 
That  dampned  was  this  knygh"t  /  for  to  be  deed 
By  cours  of  lawe  /  and  shuld  han  loost  his  heed  892 

Pa?-auenture  /  swich  was  the  statute  thoo 
But  that  the  Quene  /  and  othere  ladies  moo 
So  longe  preyeden  /  the  kyng  of  grace 
Til  he  his  lyf  /  him  graunted  in  the  place  896 

And  jaf  him  to  the  Quene  /  al  at  hire  wylle 
To  chese  wheither  she  wolde  /  him  saue  or  spille 
The  Quene  thanketh"  the  kyng  /  wiih  al  hire  myght 
And  aftir  this  /  thus  spak  she  to  the  knyght  900 

Whan  that  she  saw  hire  tyme  /  vp-on  a  day 
Thow  stondest  $et  quod  she  /  in  swich"  array 
That  of  thy  lif  /  $et  hast  jjou  non  seurte 
I  g?minte  the  lif  /  if  thow  canst  telle  me  904 

what  thyng  is  it  /  that  wommen  most  desiren 
Be  war  /  &  kepe  thyn  nekke  bon  /  from)  Iren 
And  if  J>ou  canst  nat  /  telle  it  me  a-noon 
$et  wol  I  jeue  the  /  leue  for  to  goon  908 

A  twelwemoneth"  &  a  day  /  to  seche  &  leere 
An  answere  sufficeant  /  in  this  matere 
And  seurte  wol  I  haue  /  er  that  thow  pace 
Thy  body  for  to  ^elden  /  in  this  place  912 

"Wo  was  this  knyght  /  and  sorwefully  he  syketh" 
But  what  /  he  may  nat  do  /  al  as  him  liketh" 
And  at  the  last  /  he  ches  him  for  to  wende 
And  come  a-geyn  /  right  at  the  ^eres  ende  916 

with  swich  answere  /  as  god  him  wold  purueye 
And  taketh  his  leue  /  and  wendeth  forth  his  weye 
he  seketh"  Query  hous  /  and  euery  place 
where  as  he  hopeth"  /  for  to  fynden  grace    [leaf  77,  back]    920 

o 


194      GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

To  lerne  what  thyng  /  wommen  louen  moost 

But  he  ne  coude  /  aryuen  in  no  coost 

where  as  he  niyght  fynde  /  in  this  niatere 

Two  creatures  /  accordynge  in  fere  924 

Some  seyden  /  wommen  louen  hest  richesse 

Some  seiden  honour  /  some  seydeu  lolynesse 

Some  seiden  riche  aray  /  some  seiden  lust  a-bedde 

And  ofte  tymes  to  be  wydewe  /  and  wedde  928 

Some  seiden  that  oure  hert  /  is  most  eased 

whan  that  we  ben  /  I-flatered  /  and  I-plesed 

he  goth  ful  ny  the  sothe  /  I  wol  nat  lye 

A  man  shal  wynne  vs  best  /  with  flaterie  932 

And  with  attendaunce  /  and  besynesse 

Ben  we  I-lymed  /  bothe  more  &  lesse 

And  some  seyn  /  that  we  louen  best 

ffor  to  be  free  /  &  do  right  as  vs  list  936 

And  that  no  man  /  repreeue  vs  /  of  oure  vice 

But  seye  /  J>at  we  ben  wyse  /  &  no  thyng  nyce 

ffor  trewely  /  there  is  noon  of  vs  alle 

If  ony  wyght  /  wyl  clawe  vs  on  the  galle  940 

That  we  nyl  kyke  /  for  he  seith  vs  soth. 

Assay  /  and  he  shal  fynde  it  /  fat  so  doth" 

ffor  be  we  neuere  /  so  vicious  with-Inne 

we  wol  be  holden  /  wys  /  and  clene  of  synne  944 

And  some  seiden  /  that  gret  delyt  han  we 

ffor  to  be  holden  stable  /  and  eke  secree 

And  on  a  purpos  /  stedfastly  to  dwelle 

And  nought  be-wreye  thyng  /  that  men  vs  telle  948 

But  that  tale  is  nought  worth  /  a  rake  stele 

Parde  /  we  wommen  /  conne  no  thyng  hele 

wytnesse  on  Myda  /  wol  $e  here  the  tale 

Ouyde  a-monges  /  othere  thynges  srnale  952 

Seide  /  Myda  had  /  vnder  his  longe  heeres 

Growyng  vp-on  his  hed  /  two  asses  eres 

The  which  vice  he  hid  /  as  he  best  myght 

fful  sotilly  /  fro  euery  marines  sight  956 


GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  195 

That  saw  his  wyf  /  there  wyst  of  it  no  moo 

he  loued  hire  most  /  and  trosted  hire  also 

he  preyede  hire  /  that  to  no  creature 

She  shulde  tellen  /  of  his  disfigure  960 

She  swor  him  nay  /  for  al  this  world  to  wynne 

She  nolde  do  /  that  velanye  or  synne 

To  make  hire  husbonde  /  han  so  foul  a  name 

She  nolde  nat  telle  it  /  for  hire  owen  shame  964 

But  natheles  /  hire  thought  right  that  he  deyed 

That  she  so  longe  /  shulde  a  counseil  hide 

Hire  thought  it  swal  /  so  sore  a-boute  hire  hert      [leaf  TS] 

That  nedely  som  word  /  hire  must  a-stert  968 

And  sithe  she  durst  nat  /  telle  it  to  no  man 

Doun  to  a  Mareys  /  fast  by  /  she  ran  1T  Nofa  bene 

Til  she  come  there  /  hire  hert  was  a-fyre 

And  as  a  bytore  /  bumbleth  in  the  rnyre  972 

She  leid  her  mouth  /  vn-to  the  water  douu) 

Bewreye  me  nat  /  thow  water  with  thy  soun) 

Quod  she  /  to  the  I  telle  it  and  no  moo 

Myn  husbonde  hath  long  /  asses  Eres  twoo  976 

Now  is  myn  hert  al  hoi  /  now  is  it  oute 

I  myght  no  lengere  kepe  it  /  out  of  doute 

here  may  $e  se  /  though  we  a  tyme  a-byde  979 

3et  out  it  must  /  we  conne  no  counseil  hide        If  Verum  est 

The  remenaunt  of  the  tale  /  if  30  wol  here 

Eedeth  Ouyde  /  and  there  30  may  it  lere 

IT  This  knyght  of  whiche  /  my  tale  is  specially 

whan  that  he  saw  /  he  niyght  nought  come  therby        984 

This  is  to  seyn  /  what  wommen  louen  most 

with-Inne  his  breest  /  ful  sorweful  was  the  goost 

But  horn  he  goth  /  he  myght  nat  soiourne 

The  day  was  comen  /  J>at  homward  must  he  turne         988 

And  iu  his  wey  /  as  happed  him  to  ride 

In  al  his  care  /  vnder  a  fforest  side 

Where-as  he  sey  /  vp-on  a  daunce  goo 

Of  ladyes  foure  and  twenty  /  and  3et  moo  992 


196      GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

Toward  the  wliich"  daunce  /  he  drow  ful  jerne 

In  hope  that  he  /  sum  wysdom  shulde  lerne 

But  certeyuly  /  er  he  cam  fully  there 

I-vanysshed  was  this  daunce  /  he  nyst  where  996 

No  creature  saw  he  /  that  bar  lyf 

Saue  oon  the  grene  /  he  saw  sittyng  a  wyf 

A  foulere  wygfit  /  there  may  no  man  deuyse 

A-geyn  the  kuyght  /  this  olde  wyf  gan  aryse  1000 

And  seide  /  sire  knygftt  /  here  forth"  ne  lith  no  wey 

Telle  me  /  what  that  ^e  seken  /  be  ^oure  fey 

Parauenture  /  it  may  the  bettir  be     [» thyng  over  good  dotted  out] 

Theise  olde  folk  /  conne  mechil  thyng1  quod  she         1004 

My  leue  Moder  /  quod  this  knyght  certeyn 

I  nam  but  ded  /  but  if  that  I  can  seyn 

what  thyng  it  is  /  that  womman  most  desire 

Coude  ^e  me  wysse  /  I  wolde  wel  quyte  ^our  hire        1008 

Plyght  me  thy  trouthe  /  here  in  myn  hond  quod  she 

The  nexte  thyng  /  that  I  requere  the 

Thow  shalt  it  do  /  if  it  be  in  thy  myglit 

And  I  wyl  telle  it  $ow  /  er  it  be  nyght  1012 

Haue  here  my  trouthe  /  quod  the  knygh"  1 1  graunte  [if.  78,  bk.] 

Than  quod  she  /  I  dar  me  wel  a-vaunte 

Thy  lif  is  saf  /  for  I  wol  stonde  ther-by 

Vp-on  my  lif  /  the  Quene  wol  seye  as  I  1016 

lat  se  /  which"  is  the  pruddest  /  of  hem  alle 

That  weretn"  on  /  a  kerchef  or  a  calle 

That  dar  say  nay  /  of  that  I  shal  the  teche 

lat  vs  go  forth"  /  witR-outen  lengere  speche  1020 

Tho  rovned  she  /  a  pistel  in  his  eere 

And  bad  him  to  be  glad  /  &  haue  no  fere 

IT  Whan  they  ben  comen  /  to  the  court  /  this  knyght 

Seyde  /  he  had  hold  his  day  /  as  he  had  hight  1024 

And  redy  was  his  answere  /  as  he  seide 

fful  many  a  noble  wyf  /  &  many  a  mayde 

And  many  a  wydewe  /  for  that  they  ben  wyse 

The  Quene  hire  self  /  sittynge  as  lustise  1028 


GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  197 

Assembled  been  /  his  answere  for  to  here 

And  afterward  /  this  knyglit  was  bode  appere 

To  euery  wyght  /  comaunded  was  silence 

And  that  the  knyght  /  shulde  telle  in  audience  1032 

What  thyng  /  that  worldly  wommen  /  louen  best 

This  knyght  ne  stod  nat  stille  /  as  doth  a  best 

But  to  this  question)  /  a-noon  answerede 

vrilh  manly  voys  /  that  al  the  courte  it  herde  1036 

My  liege  lady  /  generally  quod  he 

wommen  desiren  /  to  han  soueraignete 

As  wel  ouer  hire  husbonde  /  as  hire  loue 

And  for  to  ben  /  in  maistrie  him  a-boue  1040 

This  is  joure  most  desire  /  though  30  me  kille 

Doth  as  jow  list  /  I  am  here  at  }oure  wylle 

IT  In  al  the  courte  /  ne  was  there  wyf  ne  mayde 

Ne  wydewe  /  that  contraried  that  he  sayde  1044 

But  seiden  he  was  worthy  /  to  haue  his  lyf 

And  with  that  word  /  vp  stirt  this  olde  wyf 

which  that  the  knyght  saw  /  sittyng  on  the  grene 

Mercy  quod  she  /  my  souereyne  lady  Queue  1048 

Er  that  joure  courte  departe  /  do  me  right 

I  taught  this  answere  /  vn-to  the  knyght 
ffor  which  he  plight  me  /  his  trouthe  there 

The  first  thyng  /  that  I  wolde  him  requere  1052 

he  wolde  it  do  /  if  it  lay  in  his  myght 

Byfore  this  courte  /  than  preye  I  the  sire  knyght 

Quod  she  /  that  Jwu  me  take  vn-to  thy  wyf 

ffor  wel  thow  wost  /  that  I  haue  kept  thy  lif  1056 

If  I  soy  fals  /  sey  nay  vp-on  thy  fey 

II  This  knyght  answered  /  alias  and  weilawey 
I  wot  right  wel  /  fat  swich"  was  myn  byheste 

ffor  goddes  loue  /  as  chese  a  newe  requeste      [leaf  79]     1060 

Take  al  my  good  /  and  late  my  body  goo 

Nay  thanne  quod  she  /  I  shrewe  vs  bothe  twoo 

ffor  though  that  I  be  foul  /  old  and  pore 

I  nold  for  al  the  metal  /  ne  for  ore  1064 


198      GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

That  vnder  erthe  is  graue  /  or  lith  a-boue 

But  if  thy  wyf  I  were  /  and  eke  thy  loue 

1T  My  loue  quod  he  /  nay  my  dampnacione 

Alias  that  ony  /  of  my  nacione  1068 

Shulde  euere  so  foule  /  desparaged  be 

But  al  for  nought  /  the  end  is  this  /  that  he 

Constreyned  was  /  he  nedes  must  hire  wedde 

And  taketh  this  old  wyf  /  &  goth  to  bedde  1072 

Now  wolde  somme  men  seyn  /  parauenture 

That  for  my  negligence  /  I  do  no  cure 

To  telle  3ow  the  ioye  /  and  al  the  array 

That  at  the  fest  was  /  that  ilke  day  1076 

To  which"  thyng  /  shortly  answeren  I  shal 

I  seye  there  was  no  feest  /  ne  ioye  at  al 

There  nas  but  heuynesse  /  and  mechel  sorwe 

ffor  preuyly  he  wedded  hire  /  on  the  morwe  1080 

And  al  day  after  /  hid  him  as  an  Owle 

So  woo  was  him  /  his  wyf  loked  so  foule 

Gret  was  the  woo  /  the  knyght-had  in  his  thought 

whan  he  was  with  his  wyf  /  abedde  I-brought  1084 

he  walueth  /  and  he  turneth  to  and  froo 

This  olde  wyf  /  lay  smylyng  euere  moo 

And  seide  /  o  dere  husbonde  benedicite 

ffareth  euery  knygfrt  thus  /  with  his  wyf  as  $e  1088 

Is  this  the  lawe  /  of  kyng  Arthoures  hous 

Is  euery  knyght  of  his  /  thus  daungerous 

I  am  joure  owen  loue  /  &  eke  ^oure  wyf 

I  am  she  /  which  fat  saued  hath  ^oure  lyf  1092 

And  certes  /  $et  ne  dide  I  jow  /  neue/'e  vnright 

Why  fare  $e  thus  with"  me  /  this  first  nyght 

$e  faren  like  a  man  /  had  lost  his  wytte 

what  is  my  gilt  /  for  goddes  loue  telle  itte  1096 

And  it  shal  ben  amended  /  if  I  may 

Amendid  /  quod  this  knyght  /  alias  nay  nay 

It  wol  not  ben  amended  /  neuere  moo 

Thow  art  so  lothly  /  and  so  old  also  1100 


GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  199 

And  ther-to  comen  /  of  so  lowe  a  kynde 

That  lytel  wonder  is  /  though"  I  walwe  &  wyncle 

So  wolde  god  /  myn  hert  Avoid  brest 

Is  this  quod  she  /  the  cause  of  joure  vnrest  1104 

3ee  certeynly  quod  he  /  no  wonder  is 

No  we  sire  quod  she  /  I  coude  amende  al  this    [leaf  79,  back] 

If  that  me  list  /  er  it  were  dayes  three 

So  wel  30  mygh~t  here  jow  /  vn-to  me  1108 

IF  But  for  30  speken  /  of  swicfi  gentilnesse      IT  Nota  causas 

As  is  descendid  /  out  of  olde  richesse 

That  therfore  je  shulden  /  ben  gentilmen  1111 

Swich  arrogance  /  is  nat  worth"  an  hen      IT  arrogance  is  pride 

loke  who  that  is  most  /  vertuous  al-wey 

Preue  and  apert  /  and  most  entendeth"  ay 

To  do  the  gentil  dedis  /  that  he  can  IT  Note  verissimam 

„,.,.,,  .       ,  .,  causaw  generosi- 

Take  him  for  the  grettist  /  gentil  man          tatis 

Crist  wol  we  clay  me  of  him  /  our  gentilnesse  1117 

Nought  of  our  eldres  /  for  here  old  richesse 

ffor  though"  they  jeue  vs  /  al  here  heritage 

ff or  whicfi  we  cleyme  /  to  be  of  hey  parage  1120 

3ot  may  they  nat  be-quethe  /  for  no  thyng 

To  noon  of  vs  /  here  vertuous  leuyng 

That  mad  hem  gentil  men  /  called  to  be 

And  bad  vs  folwen  hem  /  in  swicft  degree  1 124 

wel  can  the  wys  Poete  /  of  fflorence 

That  high~t  Dant  /  speken  of  this  sentence 

lo  in  swych  mane?1  ryme  /  is  Dantes  tale 

fful  seld  vp  riseth"  /  by  his  braunches  smale  1128 

Prowesse  of  man  /  for  god  of  his  goodnes 

wol  /  that  of  him  we  clayme  /  oure  gentilnes 

ffor  of  oure  auncestres  /  mow  we  no  thyng  clayme 

But  temporal  thyng  /  that  man  may  hurt  &  mayme    1132 

Euery  wygh~t  wot  this  /  as  wel  as  I 

If  gentilnesse  were  plaunted  /  naturelly 

vn-to  a  certeyn  lynage  /  doim  the  lyne 

Pryue  and  apcrt  /  than  wold  they  neuere  fyne  1136 


200     GROUP. D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TAIJS.     Dd.  4.  24. 

To  don  of  gentilnesse  /  the  fair  office 

They  mygfct  do  /  no  velanye  or  vice 

Tak  fir  &  here  it  /  in  the  derkest  hous  1139 

Betwix  this  /  and  the  Mount  of  Caukasous       H  Exempluwi 

And  lete  men  shette  the  dores  /  &  go  thenne 

3et  wol  the  fyr  /  as  faire  lye  and  brenne 

As  twenty  thousand  men  /  myght  it  byholde 

his  office  naturel  /  ay  wol  it  holde  1144 

vp  peril  of  my  lif  /  til  that  it  deye 

here  may  30  se  \vel  /  how  that  gentrie 

Is  nat  annexed  /  to  possessione 

Sith  folk  ne  doon  /  here  operacione  1148 

Alwey  as  doth  the  fir  /  lo  in  his  kynde 

ffor  god  it  wot  /  men  moun  wel  often  fynde 

A  lordes  sone  do  shame  /  and  velanye 

And  he  that  wol  han  /  prys  of  his  gentrye  1152 

ffor  he  was  born)  /  of  a  gentil  hous 

And  had  hise  auncestres  /  noble  and  vertuous 

And  nyl  him  seluen  /  do  no  gentil  dedes          Oeaf  so] 

Ne  folwe  his  gentil  auncetrye  /  that  ded  is  1156 

he  is  nat  gentil  /  be  he  Duke  or  Erl 

ffor  vyleyns  synful  dedes  /  maken  a  Cherl 

ffor  gentilnesse  /  nys  but  renounee 

Of  thyn  Auncestres  /  for  here  heye  bounte  1160 

which  is  a  straunge  thyng  /  to  thy  persone 

Thy  gentilnesse  cometh"  /  fro  god  allone 

Thanne  cometh  oonly  /  our  gentilnesse  of  grace 

It  was  no  thyng  be-quethed  vs  /  with  cure  place         1164 

Thynketh  how  noble  /  as  seith"  Valerius 

was  thilke  Tullius  /  hostilius 

That  out  of  pouerte  roos  /  to  heygh  noblesse 

Redeth  Senek  /  and  redeth  eke  Boece  1168 

There  shul  ^e  sen  expresse  /  that  no  dred  is 

That  he  is  gentil  /  that  doth  gentil  dedis  IF  Nofci  \>ene 

And  therfore  leue  husbonde  /  I  thus  conclude 

Al  were  it  /  that  myne  Auncestres  weren  rude^  1172 


GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  201 

$et  may  the  heye  god  /  and  so  hope  I 

Graunte  me  grace  /  to  lyuen  vertuously 

Than  am  I  gentil  /  whan  that  I  begynne 

To  lyuen  vertuously  /  and  weyven  synne  1176 

IT  And  there  as  30  /  of  pouerte  me  repreeue    IT  Note,  de  pau- 

The  heye  god  /  on  whom  that  we  byleue 

In  wylful  pouert  /  ches  to  leue  his  lyf 

And  certes  euery  man  /  Mayden  or  wyf  1180 

May  vnderstonde  /  that  Ihesws  heuene  kyng 

Ne  wold  nat  chese  /  a  vicious  lyuyng 

Glad  pouerte  /  is  an  honest  thyng  certeyn 

This  wol  Senek  /  and  othere  clerkes  seyn  1184 

who-so  that  halt  hi?n  paid  /  of  his  pouerte 

I  holde  him  riche  /  al  had  he  nought  a  shert 

he  that  coueyteth  /  is  a  pore  wygfit 

ffor  he  wold  han  /  that  is  nought  in  his  myght  1188 

But  he  that  nought  hath  /  ne  coueyteth  to  haue 

Is  riche  /  al-though  ^e  hold  him  but  a  knaue 

verray  synne  pouerte  /  is  proprely 

luuenal  speketh  /  of  pouerte  merily  1192 

The  pore  man  /  whan  he  goth  by  the  wey 

Byfore  the  theues  /  he  may  synge  &  pley 

Pouerte  is  hateful  good  /  and  as  I  gesse 

A  ful  greet  bryngere  /  out  of  besynesse  1196 

A  gret  amendere  eke  /  of  sapience 

To  him  that  taketh  it  /  in  pacience 

Pouerte  is  this  /  al-though"  it  seme  alenge 

Possession  /  that  no  wyght  wol  chalenge  1200 

Poue?'te  ful  often  /  whan  a  man  is  lowe  IT  Noto  bene 

Maketh  his  god  /  and  eke  hi??i  self  to  knowe    [leaf  so,  back] 

Pouerte  /  a  spectakil  is  /  as  thynketh  me 

Thurgh  which  he  may  /  his  verray  frendes  so  1204 

And  J>erfore  sire  /  syn  that  I  nou^t  }ow  greue 

Of  my  pouerte  /  no  more  30  me  repreeue 

Now  sire  /  of  elde  $e  repreeue  me 

And  certes  sire  /  though  non  auctorite  1208 


202     GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

were  in  no  book  /  p  gentiles  of  honour 

Seyn  /  )>at  men  shulde  /  an  olde  wyglit  do  fauour 

And  clepe  him  fader  /  for  pure  gentilnesse 

And  auctoures  shal  I  fynden  /  as  I  gesse  1212 

Now  there  as  36  seyn  /  Jjat  I  am  foul  and  old 

Than  drede  jow  nought  /  to  ben  a  Cokewold 

ffor  filthe  and  elde  /  also  mot  I  the 

Ben  grete  wardeyns  /  vp-on  chastite  1216 

But  neueretheles  /  syn  I  knowe  pure  delite 

I  shal  fulfille  /  pure  worldly  appetite 

Chese  now  quod  she  /  on  of  theise  thynges  twey 

To  han  me  foul  and  old  /  til  that  I  dey  1220 

And  be  to  pw  /  a  trewe  humble  wyf 

And  neuere  pw  displese  /  in  al  my  lyf 

Or  ellis  30  wyl  han  me  /  png  and  faire 

And  take  pure  auenture  /  of  the  repaire  1224 

That  shal  be  to  pure  hous  /  by-cause  of  me 

Or  in  som  other  place  /  it  may  wel  be 

Now  chese  pure  self  /  wheifer  that  pw  liketh 

This  knyght  auyseth"  him  /  &  sore  syketh"  1228 

But  at  the  last  /  he  seide  in  this  manere 

My  lady  &  my  loue  /  and  wyf  so  dere 

I  putte  me  /  in  pure  wyse  gouernaunce 

Cheseth  pure  self  /  which"  may  be  most  plesaunce      1232 

And  most  honour  /  to  jow  and  me  also 

I  do  no  force  /  wheither  of  the  two 

ffor  as  jow  liketh"  /  it  suffiseth  me 

Then  haue  I  get  of  pw  /  the  maistrye  quod,  she          1236 

Syn  I  may  chese  /  and  gouerne  as  me  list 

$e  certes  wyf  quod,  he  /  I  holde  it  the  best 

Kisse  me  quod  she  /  we  be  no  lengere  wrothe 

ffor  be  my  trouthe  /  I  shal  be  to  3ow  bothe  1240 

This  is  to  seyn  /  p  bothe  fair  and  good 

I  preye  to  god  /  that  I  mot  steruen  wood 

But  I  to  pw  /  be  also  good  and  trewe 

As  euere  was  wyf  /  si  the  fat  the  world  was  newe        1244 


GROUP  D.     §  2.     WIFE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  203 

And  but  I  be  to-morwe  /  as  fair  to  sene 

As  any  lady  /  Emperesse  or  Queue 

That  is  be-twix  the  Est  /  &  eke  the  west 

Do  with  my  lif  and  deth  /  right  as  30  w  list  1248 

Cast  vp  the  curtyn  /  loke  how  that  it  is  [leafsij 

And  whan  J>at  the  knygRt  /  saw  verreyly  al  this 

That  she  so  fair  was  /  &  so  }ong  ther-to 

ffor  ioye  he  hent  hire  /  in  hise  armes  two  1252 

his  hert  bathed  /  in  a  batfi  of  blisse 

A  thousand  tymes  a  rowe  /  he  gan  hire  kysse 

And  she  obeyed  him  /  in  euevy  thyng 

That  myglit  don  him  plesaunce  or  likyng  1256 

And  thus  they  leue  /  vn-to  here  lyues  ende 

In  parfyt  ioye  /  and  ihesu  crist  vs  sende 

husbondes  meke  /  $onge  and  fressn"  abedde 

And  grace  to  ouer-byde  hem  /  that  we  wedde  1260 

And  eke  I  preye  ihesu  /  shorte  here  lyues 

That  nougftt  wyl  be  gouerned  /  by  here  wyues 

And  olde  and  angry  /  nygardes  of  despence 

God  sende  hem  sone  /  verray  pestilence  1264 

If  Hie  desinit  fabula  Vxoris  de  Bathe 


204       GROUP    D.       §    3.       WIFE-FRIAR    LINK.       Dd.  4.  24. 


Ion  leaf  si]  Et  inciplt  prologus  trains 

THis  worthy  Lymytour  /  this  noble  frere 
he  make  alwey  /  a  maner  louryng  chore 
vp-on  this  Sompnoxir  /  but  for  honeste 
No  vyleyns  word  /  to  hi??i  as  jet  spak  he      1268 
But  at  the  laste  /  he  seide  vn-to  the  wyf 
Danie  quod,  he  /  god  jeue  jow  right  good  lyf 
Je  han  here  touched  /  also  mot  I  the 
In  scole  mater  /  a  greet  difficultee  1272 

3e  han  seide  meche  thyng  /  right  wel  I  seye 
But  Dame  /  here  as  we  riden  /  by  the  weye 
vs  nedeth"  nought  to  speken  /  but  of  game 
Ane  lete  auctorites  be  /  a  goddes  name  1276 

To  p?*echynge  and  to  scole  /  of  clergie 
And  if  it  like  /  vn-to  this  compaignye 
I  wyl  jow  of  a  Sompnour  /  telle  a  game 
Parde  30  may  wel  knowen  /  by  the  name  1280 

That  of  a  Sompnour  /  may  no  good  be  seide 
I  preye  that  noon  of  jow  /  be  euele  a-payde 
A  Sompnour  is  a  rennere  /  vp  and  doun 
With"  maundementej  /  for  ffornicacion  1284 

And  is  I-bete  /  at  euery  tounes  ende 
U  Oure  host  tho  spak  /  a  sire  30  shuld  ben  hende 
And  curteys  /  as  a  man  of  joure  estat 
In  compaignye  /  we  wyln  haue  noon  debat  1288 

Telleth  joure  tale  /  and  late  the  Sompnour  bo  [leaf  si,  back] 
Nay  quod  the  Sompnour  /  late  him  sey  to  mo 
What  so  him  list  /  whan  it  cometh  to  my  lot 
By  god  I  shal  hi?n  quyten  /  euery  grot  1292 

I  shal  \\iin  telle  /  which"  a  gret  honour 
It  is  to  be  /  a  flateryng  ly  my  tour 
And  eke  /  of  ful  many  a-nother  crime 
Which  nedeth  uat  /  to  rehercen  at  this  tyme  1296 

And  his  office  /  I  shal  him  telle  I-wys 
U  Oure  host  answered  /  pees  nomore  of  this 
And  after  this  /  he  seide  vn-to  the  ff rere 
Telleth  forth  joure  tale  /  myn  owen  maister  dere         1300 


GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAR'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  205 


ton  leaf  si,  &acfr]       H  Incipit  fabula  fratris 

WHilom  there  was  dwellyng  /  in  my  contree 
An  Archedekene  /  a  man  of  hey  degree 
That  boldely  /  dede  /  execution 
In  punysshyng  /  of  fornication  1304 

Of  wychecraft  /  and  eke  of  baudrye 
Of  diffamacion  /  and  aduoutrye 
Of  chirche  Reues  /  and  of  testamentes 
Of  Contractes  /  and  of  lak  of  Sacramentes  1308 

Of  Vsurie  /  and  of  Syinonye  also 
But  certis  lecchours  /  dide  he  grettest  woo 
They  shulden  synge  /  if  that  they  were  hent 
And  smale  titheres  /  weren  foule  I-shent  1312 

If  ony  Persone  /  wold  vp-on  hew  pleyne 
There  myght  a-stert  him  /  no  pecunyal  peyne 
ffor  smale  tithes  /  and. for  smale  offrynge 
he  mad  the  peeple  /  pytously  to  synge  1316 

ffor  er  the  Busshop  /  caught  hem  with  his  hoke 
They  weren  /  in  the  Archedekenes  boke 
And  than  had  he  /  thurgh  his  lurisdiccion 
Power  /  to  don  on  hem  correction  1320 

he  had  a  sompnour  /  redy  to  his  hond 
A  Slier  boy  /  was  noon  in  Engelond 
ffor  sotilly  he  had  /  his  espialle 

That  taught  him  wele  /  where  it  mygfrfc  availle  1324 

he  coude  spere  /  of  lecchoures  oon  or  twoo 
To  techen  him  /  to  foure  and  twenty  moo 
ffor  though  this  sompnowr  /  wod  were  as  an  hare 
To  telle  hise  harlotrie  /  I  wyl  nat  spare  1328 


206      GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAR'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

ffor  we  ben  out  /  of  here  correccion 

They  han  of  vs  /  no  lurisdicciou 

Ke  neuere  shuln  /  terme  of  al  here  lyues  [leaf  82] 

Peter  so  ben  the  worn  men  /  of  the  styues  1332 

Quod  the  sompnour  /  I  put  out  of  our  cure 

Pees  vfith  myschaunce  /  and  with  mysauenture 

Thus  seide  oure  host  /  and  late  him  telle  his  tale 

Now  telletfi  forth  /  and  lat  the  Sompnour  gale  1336 

Ne  sparetfL  nought  /  myn  owen  maister  deere 

This  fals  thef  /  this  Sompnour  /  qwod  the  frere 

had  alwey  /  Baudes  /  redy  to  his  hond 

As  ony  hauke  /  to  lure  in  Eugelond  1340 

That  told  him  al  the  secree  /  that  they  knewe 

ffor  hire  acqueyntaunce  /  was  nat  comen  of  newe 

They  weren  hise  approwoures  /  preuyly 

he  tok  him  self  /  a  gret  profyt  ther-by  1344 

his  maister  knew  nat  alwey  /  what  he  wan 

With-outen  maundement  /  a  lewed  man 

he  coude  sompne  /  vp  peyne  of  cristes  curs 

And  they  were  Inly  glad  /  for  to  fille  his  purs  1348 

And  make  him  greete  festis  /  at  the  nale 

And  right, as  ludas  /  had  purses  srnale 

And  was  a  thef  /  right  swich  a  thef  was  lie 

his  maister  had  but  half  /  his  duete  1352 

he  was  /  if  I  shal  jeuen  him  his  lavde 

A  thef  /  and  eke  a  sompnour  /  and  a  baude 

he  had  eke  wenchis  /  at  his  retynew 

That  wheither  sire  Robert  /  or  sire  Heughe  1356 

Or  lohn  or  Raf  /  or  who-so  that  it  were 

That  lay  by  hem  /  they  told  it  in  his  eere 

Thus  was  the  wenche  /  and  he  of  oon  assent 

And  he  wold  fecche  /  a  feyned  maundement  1360 

And  sompne  hem  to  chapetle  /  bothe  two 

And  pille  the  man  /  and  late  the  wenche  go 

Than  wold  he  sey  freud  /  I  shal  for  thy  sake 

Do  strike  the  out  /  of  oure  le#res  blake  1364 


GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAR'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  207 

The  thar  no  more  /  as  in  this  cas  trauaille 

I  am  thy  frend  /  there  I  may  the  auaille 

Certeyn  he  knew  /  of  bryboures  moo 

Than  possible  is  /  to  telle  in  $eres  twoo  1368 

ffor  in  this  world  /  nys  dogge  for  the  bowe 

That  can  an  hurt  deer  /  from  an  hoi  bet  knowe 

Than  that  this  Sompnour  /  knew  a  sly  lechour 

Or  on  aduouter  /  or  a  Paramour  1372 

And  for  that  was  the  fruyt  /  of  al  his  rente 

Therfore  on  it  he  sette  /  al  his  entente 

And  so  byfel  /  that  ones  vp-on  a  day 

This  sompnour  eue?-e  /  waytyng  on  his  pray  1376 

Rod  for  to  sompne  /  an  old  wyf  orrible       [leaf  82,  back] 

ffeynyng  a  cause  /  for  he  wold  hire  brydle 

And  happed  that  he  saw  /  byforn  him  ryde 

A  gay  ^oman  /  vnder  a  forest  syde  1380 

A  bowe  he  bar  /  and  arwes  brygfct  and  kene 

he  had  vp-on  /  a  courteby  of  Grene 

An  hat  vp-on  his  hed  /  with"  frenges  blake 

Sire  quod  this  sompnour  /  heyl  and  wel  a-take  1384 

Welcome  qiiod  he  /  and  euery  good  felawe 

Winder  ridest  )>ou  /  vnder  this  grene  wode  shawe 

Seide  this  3oman  /  wylt  J>0u  fer  to-day 

This  sompnour  answered  /  and  seide  nay  1388 

heere  fast  by  quod  he  /  is  myn  entent 

To  riden  /  for  to  reysen  vp  /  a  rent 

That  longetfi.  to  my  lordes  /  duete 

A  /  art  thow  thanne  a  bayly  /  30  quod  he  1392 

he  durst  nat  for  verray  velanye  /  and  shame 

Sey  that  he  was  a  sompnow  /  for  the  name 

Depardeux  quod  this  ^oman  /  dere  brother 

Thow  art  a  Bailly  /  and  I  am  a-nother  1396 

I  am  vnknowen  /  as  in  this  contree 

Of  thyn  acqueyntaunce  /  I  wold  preye  the 

And  eke  of  brotherhede  /  if  that  thow  list 

I  haue  gold  and  siluer  /  in  my  chest  1400 


208     GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAR'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

If  that  the  happed  /  to  come  iu-to  our  shire 

Al  shal  be  thyn  /  right  as  thow  wolt  desire 

Graunt  mercy  quod  this  Sompnour  /  be  my  feith 

Euerych  in  otheres  hand  /  his  trouthe  leith"  1404 

ffor  to  be  sworn  bretheren  /  til  that  they  deye 

In  daliaunce  they  reden  forth  /  and  pleye 

This  sompnour  which  pat  was  /  as  ful  of  langles 

As  ful  of  venym  ben  /  theise  wariangles  1 408 

And  euere  enqueryng  /  vp-on  euery  thyng 

Brother  quod,  he  /  where  is  now  /  $oure  dwellyng 

Another  day  /if  that  I  shuld  $ow  seche 

This  ^eman  him  answered  /  in  softe  speche  1412 

Brother  quod  he  /  fer  in  the  North  contree 

Where  as  I  hope  /  somtyme  I  shal  the  se 

Er  we  departe  /  I  shal  the  so  wel  wysse 

That  of  myn  hous  /  ne  shalt  J)ou  neuere  mysse  1416 

Now  Brother  quod  this  Sompnour  /  I  $ow  preye 

Teche  me  /  whil  we  riden  by  the  weye 

Syn  that  je  ben  /  a  Bailly  /  as  am  I 

Som  sotiltee  /  and  telle  me  feithfully  1420 

In  myn  office  /  how  that  I  may  most  wynne 

And  spareth"  nat  /  for  conscience  or  for  synne 

But  as  my  brother  /  tell  me  how  do  je  [leaf  83] 

Now  be  my  trouthe  /  dere  brother  seyde  he  1424 

As  I  shal  tellen  the  /  a  feithful  tale 

My  wages  ben  ful  streyte  /  and  eke  ful  smale 

My  lord  is  hard  to  me  /  and  daungerous 

And  myn  office  /  is  ful  laborious  1428 

And  therefore  /  by  extorcions  I  lyue 

ffor-sothe  I  tak  /  al  that  men  wol  me  3eue 

Algate  by  sleighte  /  or  by  violence 

ffro  3ere  to  jere  /  I  wynne  al  my  dispence  1432 

I  can  no  betir  tellen  /  feithfully 

U  Now  certis  quod  this  Sompnour  /  so  fare  I 

I  spare  nat  to  take  /  god  it  wot 

But  if  it  be  to  heuy  /  or  to  hot  1436 


GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  209 

What  I  may  gete  /  in  counseil  preuyly 
No  manere  conscience  /  of  that  haue  I 
Ner  myn  exterciofi  /  I  might  nat  lyuen 
Ne  of  swich  lapes  /  wol  I  nat  be  shreuen)  1440 

Stomak  ne  conscience  /  knowe  I  noon 
I  shrewe  theise  shriftefaderes  /  euerychon 
Wei  be  we  mette  /  by  god  &  by  Seynt  lame 
But  leue  brother  /  telle  me  thy  name  1444 

Quod  this  Sompnour  /  right  in  this  mene  while 
This  jeman  gan  /  a  litel  for  to  smyle 
Brother  quod,  he  /  wylt  J>ou  that  I  the  telle 
I  am  a  fende  /  my  dwellyng  is  in  helle  1448 

And  here  I  ryde  /  a-boute  my  purchasyng 
To  wete  /  where  men  wold  me  ^eue  /  ony  thyng 
My  purchas  is  the  effect  /  of  al  my  rent 
loke  how  thow  ridest  /  for  the  same  entent  1452 

To  wynne  good  /  thow  rekkest  neuere  how 
Kygh~t  so  fare  I  /  for  ride  wold  I  now 
Vn-to  the  worlddes  ende  /  for  a  preye 
IT  A  quod  this  Sompnowr  /  benedicite  what  30  seye     1456 
I  wende  30  were  /  a  jeman  trewely 
Je  han  a  mannes  shap  /  as  wel  as  I 
han  30  thanne  a  figure  /  determinate 
In  helle  there  30  ben  /  in  3oure  estate  1 460 

Nay  certeynly  quod  he  /  there  han  we  noone 
But  whan  vs  liketh  /  we  can  take  vs  one 
Or  ellis  make  3ow  seme  /  we  ben  shape 
Somtyme  lyke  a  man  /  or  lyke  an  Ape  1464 

Or  lyke  an  Auugel  /  can  I  ride  or  go 
It  is  no  wonder  thyng  /  though"  it  be  so 
A  lousy  logelour  /  can  disceyue  the 

And  parde  3et  can  I  /  moore  craft  than  he  1468 

Why  quod  this  Sompnour  /  ride  je  than  or  gon  [leafss,  back] 
In  sondry  shap  /  and  nat  alwey  in  oon 
ffor  we  quod,  he  /  wyln  vs  swich  formes  make 
As  most  able  is  /  our  preyes  for  to  take  1472 

p 


210      GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAR'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

What  maketh"  jow  /  to  han  al  this  labour 

fful  many  a  cause  /  leue  sire  Sompnour 

Seide  this  fende  /  but  al  thyng  hath"  tyme 

The  day  is  short  /  and  it  is  passed  pryme  1476 

And  jet  ne  wan  I  /  no  thyng  in  this  day 

I  wol  entende  /  to  wynnyng  if  I  may 

And  nat  entende  /  cure  wyttes  to  declare 

ffor  brother  myn  /  thy  wyt  is  al  to  bare  1480 

To  vnderstonde  /  al-though  I  told  he?n  thee 

But  for  thow  axest  /  why  laboren  we 

ffor  somtyme  we  ben  /  goddis  Instruments 

And  meenes  to  do  /  his  comaundementis  1484 

"Whan  that  him  list  /  vp-on  his  creaturis 

In  diue?-se  actes  /  and  in  dyuers  fyguris 

With~-outen  hi?w  /  we  han  no  mygh't  certayne 

If  that  him  list  /  to  stonden  there  a-gayne  1488 

And  somtyme  at  oure  preyer  /  han  we  leue 

Oonly  the  body  /  and  nat  the  soule  greue 

Wytnesse  on  lob  /  whom  that  we  dedyn  woo 

And  somtyme  han  we  mygh't  /  of  bothe  twoo  1492 

This  is  to  seyn  /  of  soule  and  body  eke 

And  somtyme  be  we  /  suffred  for  to  seke 

Vp-on  a  man  /  and  do  his  soule  vnrest 

And  nat  his  body  /  and  al  is  for  the  best  1496 

Whan  he  withstondeth"  /  our  temptacion 

It  is  the  cause  of  his  /  saluacion 

Al  be  it  /  that  it  was  /  nat  oure  entente 

he  shulde  be  saf  /  but  that  we  wold  him  hente  1500 

And  somtyme  be  we  /  seruawnt  vn-to  man 

As  to  the  Erchebusshop  /  seynt  Dunstan 

And  to  the  Apostles  /  seruauwt  eke  was  I 

H  3et  telle  me  quod,  the  sompnour  feith"  fully  1504 

Make  $e  $ow  newe  bodyes  /  thus  alwey 

Of  Elementis  /  the  fend  answered  nay 

Sumtyme  we  feyne  /  and  sumtyme  we  aryse 

With"  dede  bodyes  /  in  ful  sondry  wyse  1508 


GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAR'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  211 

And  speke  as  rcnably  /  and  faire  and  wel 

As  to  Phitonissa  /  dide  Samuel 

And  jet  wyl  sowme  men  seyn  /  it  was  nat  he 

I  do  no  force  /  of  $oure  dyuynyte  1512 

But  of  o  thyng  I  warne  the  /  I  wol  nat  lape 

Thow  wolt  algates  wete  /  how  we  be  shape 

Thow  shalt  here  afterward  /  my  brother  deere 

Come  there  /  the  nedeth"  nat  of  me  to  lore       [leaf  84]     1516 

ffor  J)ou  shalt  /  be  thyn  owen  expe?ience 

Come  in  a  chayer  /  rede  al  this  sentence 

Bette  than  virgile  /  while  he  was  on  lyue 

Or  Dant  also  /  nowe  late  vs  ride  blyue  1520 

ffor  I  wyl  holde  /  companye  with  the 

Til  it  be  so  /  that  thow  forsake  me 

U  Nay  quod  this  sompnowr  /  that  shal  nat  betide  1T  Sompnour 

I  am  a  jeman  /  that  knowen  is  ful  wyde  1524 
My  trouthe  wol  I  holde  /  as  in  this  caas 

ffor  though  thow  were  /  the  deuele  Sathanas 

My  trouthe  wyl  I  holde  /  to  the  my  brother 

As  I  haue  sworn  /  and  ech  of  vs  to  other  1528 

ffor  to  be  trewe  bretheren  /  as  in  this  cas 

And  bothe  we  gon  /  a-bouten  oure  purchas 

Take  thow  thy  part  /  what  J>at  men  wol  the  jeue 

And  I  shal  myn  /  thus  may  we  bothe  leue  1532 

And  if  that  any  of  vs  /  haue  more  than  other 

Lat  him  be  trewe  /  and  part  it  with"  his  brother 

II  I  grcmnte  quod  the  Deuele  /  be  my  fey 

And  with  that  word  /  they  ryden  forth"  here  wey        1536 

And  right  at  the  entryng  /  of  the  tounes  ende 

To  which  this  sompnow  /  shop  him  for  to  wende 

They  saw  a  cart  /  that  charged  was  with"  hey 

Which"  that  a  Cartere  /  drof  forth"  in  his  wey  1540 

Depe  was  the  weye  /  for  which  the  cart  stode 

This  Cartere  smot  /  and  cried  as  he  were  wode 

hayt  Brok  hayt  Skot  /  what  spare  je  for  the  stones 

The  fend  quod  he  /  $ow  fecche  body  and  bones  ]  544 


212  GROUP  D.  §  4.  FRIAR'S  TALE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

As  ferforth"  /  as  eue?fe  were  30  foled 

So  mechil  woo  /  as  I  haue  with  jow  tholed 

The  deuele  haue  al  /  bo  the  hors  Cart  and  hey 

U  This  sompnowr  seide  /  here  shuln  we  han  a  plcy      1548 

And  nere  the  fend  he  drow  /  as  nought  ne  were 

fful  pryuely  /  and  rovned  in  his  Eere 

herkene  my  brother  /  herken  be  thyn  feith" 

herest  thow  nat  how  /  that  the  Cartere  seitfi  1552 

hent  it  a-noon  /  for  he  hath  jeue  it  the 

Bothe  hey  and  cart  /  and  eke  hise  caples  three 

Nay  quod  the  deuele  /  god  wot  neuere  a  dele 

It  is  nat  his  entent  /  trost  me  wele  1556 

Aske  him  thy  selue  /  if  J>ou  nat  trowest  me 

Or  ellys  stynt  a  while  /  and  JJGU  shalt  se 

This  Cartere  takkith"  his  hors  /  on  the  croupe 

And  they  bygonne  /  to  drawen  &  to  stoupe  1560 

hayt  now  quod  he  /  there  ihesu  crz'st  jow  blisse 

And  al  his  handwork  /  bothe  more  &  lesse 

That  was  wel  twyt  /  my  owen  lyard  boy 

I  preye  to  god  saue  thy  body  and  Seynt  Loy    [leaf  84,  back] 

Now  is  my  Cart  /  out  of  the  slow  parde  1565 

loo  brother  quod  the  fend  /  what  told  I  the 

here  may  30  se  /  myn  owen  dere  brother 

The  charl  spak  oo  thyng  /  but  he  thoujt  a-nother        1568 

late  vs  go  forth  /  a-bouteu  oure  vyage 

lieere  wynne  I  no-thyng  /  vp-on  this  cariage 

Whan  that  they  comen  /  som-what  out  of  toune 

This  Sompnour  to  his  brother  /  gan  to  roune  1572 

Brother  quod  he  /  here  woneth  an  olde  rebekke 

That  had  almost  /  as  lef  to  lese  hire  nekke 

As  for  to  3eue  /  a  peny  of  hire  good 

I  wol  haue  twelue  pans  /  though  J>at  she  be  wood       1576 

Or  I  wyl  somoune  hire  /  vn-to  oure  office 

And  jet  god  wot  /  of  hire  knowe  I  no  vice 

But  for  Jwii  canst  not  /  as  in  this  contree 

Wynne  thy  cost  /  take  here  ensauuiple  of  mo  1580 


GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAR'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  213 

This  sompnozw  clappeth"  /  at  the  wydewes  gate 

Come  out  quod  he  /  thow  old  /  very  trate 

I  trowe  j)0u  hast  /  some  ffrere  or  prest  with  the 

Who  clappeth"  there  /  seitfi  this  wyf  /  benedicite        1584 

God  saue  jow  sire  /  what  is  ^oure  swete  wylle 

I  haue  quod  he  /  of  somouns  here  a  bille 

vp  peyne  of  cursynge  /  loke  that  thow  be 

To  morwe  byfore  /  the  Archedekenes  kne  1588 

To  answere  vn-to  the  courte  /  of  certeyne  thynges 

Now  lord  quod  she  /  crist  ihesu  /  kyng  of  kynges 

So  wysly  help  me  /  as  I  ne  may 

I  haue  ben  seeke  /  and  that  ful  many  a  day  1592 

I  may  nat  go  quod  she  /  so  fer  /  ne  ryde 

But  I  be  ded  /  so  pryketh"  it  in  my  syde 

May  I  nat  aske  /  a  libel  sire  sompnour 

And  answere  there  /  be  my  procuratour  1596 

To  swiche  thyng  /  as  men  wold  appose  me 

3is  quod  this  sompnour  /  paye  a-noon  lat  se 

Twelue  pens  to  me  /  and  I  wol  the  acquyte 

I  shal  no  p?-ofyt  han  ther-by  /  but  lyte  1600 

My  Maister  hath  the  profyt  /  and  nat  I 

Come  of  /  and  late  me  ryden  /  hastily 

$eue  me  tvvelue  pans  /  I  may  no  lengere  tarye 

Twelue  pens  quod  she  /  now  lady  Seynt  Marye  1604 

So  wysly  help  me  /  out  of  care  and  synne 

This  wyde  world  /  though"  fat  I  shuld  it  wynne 

Ne  haue  I  nat  twelue  pans  /  with-Inne  myn  holde 

3e  knowen  wel  /  that  I  am  pore  and  olde  1608 

Kythe  joure  almesse  /  on  me  pore  wrecche 

JS"ay  thawne  quod  he  /  the  foule  fend  me  fecche 

If  I  the  excuse  /  though  thow  shuldest  be  spilt     [leafss] 

Alias  quod  she  /  god  wot  I  haue  no  gilt  1612 

Paie  me  quod  he  /  or  by  the  swete  Seynt  Anne. 

As  I  wol  bere  a-wey  /  thy  newe  panne 

ffor  dette  /  which"  fou  owest  me  of  olde 

Whan  )>ou  madest  thyn  husbonde  /  Cokewolde  161G 


214     GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAR'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

I  paid  at  horn  /  for  thyn  correction 

U  Thow  lixt  quod,  she  /  be  myn  saluacion 

Ne  was  I  neuere  or  now  /  wydewe  ne  wyf 

Somound  vn-to  joure  court  /  in  al  my  lyf  1620 

Ne  neuere  I  nas  /  but  of  my  body  trewe 

vn-to  the  deuele  blak  /  &  row  of  hewe 

Jeue  I  thy  body  /  and  my  panne  also 

And  whanne  the  deuele  /  herd  hire  cursen  so  1624 

Vp-on  hire  knees  /  he  seide  in  this  manere 

Now  Mabily  /  myn  owen  moder  deere 

Is  this  joure  wylle  in  ernest  /  that  $e  seye 

The  deuele  quod  she  /  so  fecche  him  or  he  deye          1628 

And  panne  and  al  /  but  he  wol  him  repente 

Nay  olde  stot  /  that  is  nat  myn  entente 

Quod  this  sompnowr  /  for  to  repente  me 

ffor  ony  thyng  /  that  I  haue  had  of  the  1632 

I  wold  I  had  thy  smok  /  and  euery  cloth" 

Now  brother  quod  the  deuele  /  be  nat  wroth" 

Thy  body  and  this  panne  /  ben  myn  be  right 

Thow  shalt  to  helle  /  with  me  /  }et  to-nygh"t  1636 

There  thow  shalt  knowen  /  of  oure  pryuete 

More  than  a  Maister  /  of  dyuynyte 

And  with"  that  word  /  this  foul  fend  him  hente 

Body  and  soule  /  he  with  the  deuele  wente  1640 

Where  as  theise  Sompnoures  /  han  here  heritages 

And  god  that  made  /  aftir  his  Image 

Man-kynde  saue  /  and  gyde  /  vs  alle  and  some 

And  leue  this  sompnour  /  good  man  to  by  come  1644 

IT  lordynggis  I  coude  haue  told  }ow  /  quod  this  ffrere 

had  I  had  lesyer  /  for  this  sompnour  heere 

After  the  tixt  of  crist  /  Poule  and  lohn 

And  of  oure  othere  doctoures  /  many  oon  1648 

Swiche  peynes  /  that  joure  hertes  myght  a-gryse 

Al  be  it  so  /  no  tonge  may  it  deuyse 

Though  that  I  myght  /  a  thousand  wynter  telle 

The  peynes  of  that  cursed  hous  /  in  helle  1652 


GROUP  D.     §  4.     FRIAR'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  215 

But  for  to  kepe  vs  /  fro  that  cursed  place 

Waketh"  and  preyeth  /  ihesu  for  his  grace 

So  kepe  vs  /  fro  the  temptour  Sathanas 

herkeneth"  this  word  /  by-war  as  in  this  cas  1656 

The  lyon  sitteth"  /  in  his  wayte  alwey 

To  slee  the  Innocent  /  if  that  he  may 

Disposeth"  ay  3oure  hertis  /  to  with~stonde       [leaf  as,  back] 

The  fend  /  that  jow  wol  make  /  thral  &  bonde  1660 

he  may  nat  tempten  jow  /  ouer  joure  mygfit 

ffor  crist  wol  be  $oure  champion  /  &  joure  knygfit 

And  preyeth"  that  theise  Sompnours  /  hem  repent 

Of  here  misdedis  /  or  that  the  fend  hem  hent  1664 

U  Hie  desinit  fabula  fraMs  / 


216     GROUP   D.     §   5.     FRIAR-SUMMONER   LINK.      Dd.  4.  24. 


bade]  Et  incipit  prologus  Summonitoris 

ris  Sompnowr  /  in  hise  stiropes  heye  stode 
Vp-on  this  frere  /  his  hert  was  so  wode 
That  like  an  Aspen  lef  /  he  quok  for  ire 
lordynggis  quod,  he  /  but  o  thyng  I  desire         1668 
I  $ow  byseche  /  that  of  3oure  curteisye 
Syn  30  han  herd  /  this  fals  frere  lye 
As  suffreth"  me  /  I  may  my  tale  telle 
This  frere  bosteth"  /  that  he  knoweth"  helle  1672 

And  god  it  woot  /  that  is  but  litel  wonder 
ffreres  and  fendes  /  ben  but  lite  asonder 
ffor  parde  /  30  han  ofte  tyme  herd  telle 
how  that  a  frere  /  rauysshed  was  to  helle  1676 

In  spirit  oones  /  by  a  vysion 
And  as  an  Aungel  /  led  him  vp  and  doun 
To  shewen  him  /  the  peynes  that  there  were 
In  al  that  place  /  saw  he  nat  a  frere  1680 

Of  othere  folk  /  he  saw  I-nowe  in  woo 
vn-to  this  Aungel  /  spak  this  frere  thoo 
U  Now  sire  quod,  he  /  han  freres  swicB.  a  grace 
That  noone  of  hem  /  shal  comen  in  this  place  1684 

3is  quod  this  Aungel  /  many  a  mylioun 
And  vn-to  Sathanas  /  he  led  him  doun 
And  now  hatfi  Sathanas  /  seith"  he  /  a  tayle 
Braddere  than  of  a  Caryk  /  is  the  sayle  1688 

hold  vp  thy  tayl  /  thow  sathanas  quod  he 
Shewe  forth"  thyn  Ars  /  and  late  the  frere  se 
Where  is  the  nest  /  of  freres  in  this  place 
And  er  that  half  a  furlong  weye  /  of  space  1692 


GROUP  D.      §   5.      FRIAR-SUMMONER   LINK.      Dd.  4.  24.      217 

Eight  so  as  Bees  /  out  swarmen  of  an  hyue 

Out  of  the  Deueles  Ars  /  they  gonne  dryue 

Twenty  thousand  freres  /  on  a  route 

And  thurgh-out  helle  /  they  swarmed  al  a-boute          1696 

And  comen  a-geyn  /  as  fast  as  they  moun  gofl 

And  in  his  Ars  /  they  crepten  euerychon 

he  clapte  his  tayl  a-geyn  /  &  lay  full  stille 

This  frere  /  whan  he  loked  had  /  his  fille  1700 

vp-on  the  turmentes  /  of  this  sory  place 

His  spirit  /  god  restored  /  of  his  grace  [leaf  86] 

vn-to  his  body  a-^ein  /  and  he  a-woke 

But  natheles  /  for  feer  /  $et  he  quoke  1704 

So  was  the  deueles  ars  /  ay  in  his  mynde. 

That  is  hise  Eritage  /  of  verrey  kynde 

God  saue  jow  alle  /  saue  this  cursed  ffrere 

My  prolog  wol  I  ende  /  in  this  inanere  1708 

IT  Hie  desinit  prologus  / 


218     GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 


Et  incipit  fabula 

Lordyngges  there  is  /  in  jorkshire  as  I  gesso 
A  mersshy  centre  /  called  Holdernesse 
In  which"  there  wente  /  a  lymytour  a-boute 
To  preche  and  eke  to  begge  /  it  is  no  doute        1712 
And  so  byfel  /  that  on  a  day  this  frere 
Had  preched  at  a  chirche  /  in  his  inanere 
And  specially  /  a-bouen  euery  thynge 
Excited  he  the  peeple  /  in  his  prechynge  1716 

To  trentales  /  and  to  jeuen  for  goddis  sake 
Where-with"  men  mygh"t  /  holy  houses  make 
There  as  diuine  seruyse  /  is  honoured 
Nat  there  as  it  is  wasted  /  and  deuoured  1720 

Ne  there  it  nedeth  nat  /  for  to  be  jeue 
As  to  possessioneres  /  that  moun  lyue 
Thanked  be  god  /  in  wele  and  habundaunce 
Trentals  quod  he  /  delyueren  fro  penaunce  1724 

here  frendes  soules  /  as  vvel  old  as  ^onge 
3a  /  whan  that  they  ben  /  hastily  I-songe 
Nat  for  to  holden  a  prest  /  loly  and  gay 
he  syngetfr  nat  /  but  oo  masse  on  a  day  1728 

Delyuereth"  out  a-non  qztod  he  /  the  soules 
fful  hard  it  is  /  vrith  flesshoke  /  or  with"  owles 
To  ben  I-clawed  /  or  to  brenne  or  bake 
Now  spede  jow  hastily  /  for  cristes  sake  1732 

And  whan  this  frere  /  had  seid  al  his  entente 
With  Qui  cum  patre  /  forth  his  weye  he  wente 
U  "Wharaie  folk  in  chirche  /  had  jeuen  him  what  hem  list 
lie  went  his  wey  /  no  lengere  wold  he  rest  1736 


GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMOXER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.     219 

"With  skrippe  and  tipped  staf  /  I-tukked  heye 

In  eue?y  hous  /  he  gan  to  poore  and  prye 

And  begged  mele  and  chese  /  or  ellis  corfl 

his  felawe  had  a  staf  /  typped  with"  horn  1740 

A  peyre  of  tables  /  al  of  yuory 

And  a  poyntel  /  polysshed  fetisly 

And  wrot  the  names  alwey  /  as  he  stode 

Of  alle  folk  /  that  }af  hem  any  good  1744 

A-scaunce  that  he  wold  /  for  hem  preye 

3eue  vs  a  busshel  whete  /  malt  or  reye 

A  goddis  kechel  /  or  a  tryp  of  chese  [leaf  se,  back] 

Or  ellis  what  30  w  list  /  we  moun  nat  chese  1748 

A  goddis  halpeny  /  or  a  masse  peny 

Or  3eue  vs  of  joure  brawne  /  if  30  haue  eny 

A  dagon  of  joure  blanket  /  lef  dame 

loo  deere  suster  /  heere  wryte  I  ^oure  name  1752 

Bacon  or  Beef  /  or  swich  thyng  as  30  fynde 

H  A  sturdy  harlot  /  went  hem  ay  behynde 

That  was  here  hostis  man  /  and  bar  a  sak 

And  that  men  3af  hem  /  leide  it  on  his  bak  1756 

And  whan  that  he  was  /  out  at  the  dore  /  a-noon 

he  planed  a-wey  /  the  names  eueiychon 

That  he  byforn  had  wretyn  /  in  his  tables 

he  serued  hem  with  nyfles  /  and  with  fables  1760 

U  Nay  there  thow  lixt  /  thow  Sompnow  quod  the  frere 

Pees  quod  oure  host  /  for  cristes  moder  deere 

Telle  forth  thy  tale  /  and  spare  it  nat  at  al 

So  thryue  I  quod  this  sompnour  /  so  I  shal  1764 

So  longe  he  went  /  fro  hous  to  hous  /  til  he 

Cam  to  an  hous  /  there  he  was  wont  to  be 

Refresshed  moore  /  than  in  an  hundred  places 

Seke  lay  the  bonde  man  /  whos  the  place  is  1768 

Bedred  vp-on  a  couche  /  lowe  he  lay 

Deus  hie  quod  he  /  0  Thomas  frend  good  day 

Seide  this  frere  /  curteisly  and  softe 

Thomas  quod  he  /  god  3elde  3ow  /  ful  ofte  1772 


220    GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

haue  I  vp-on  this  benche  /  faren  ful  wele 

heere  haue  I  eten  /  ful  many  a  mery  mele 

And  fro  the  benche  /  he  drof  a-wey  the  cat 

And  leide  a-doun  his  potent  /  and  his  hat  1776 

And  eke  his  skrippe  /  and  sette  him  softe  a-doune 

his  felawe  was  gem  /  walked  in  to  toune 

fEorth-with  his  knaue  /  in-to  that  hostelrye 

Where  as  he  shop  him  /  thilke  nyght  to  lye  1780 

0  deere  maister  /  quod  this  syke  man 
how  han  30  faren  /  syn  that  Marche  bygan 

1  saw  $ow  nat  /  this  fourtene  nyght  or  more 

God  wot  quod  he  /  laboured  haue  I  sore  1784 

And  specially  /  for  thy  saluacione 

haue  I  seid  /  many  a  precious  orisone 

And  for  oure  opere  frendis  /  god  hem  blisse 

I  haue  to-day  ben  /  at  $oure  chirche  at  messe  1788 

And  seid  a  serraoun  /  to  my  symple  wytte 

Nat  al  after  the  text  /  of  holy  wrytte 

ffor  it  is  hard  to  $ow  /  as  I  suppose 

And  therfore  wol  I  telle  jow  /  al  the  glose  1792 

Glosyng  /  is  a  ful  glorious  thyng  /  certeyn 

ffor  lettre  sleetfi  /  so  as  we  clerkes  seyn  [leaf  87] 

There  haue  I  taught  hem  /  to  be  charitable 

And  spende  here  good  /  there  it  is  resonable  1796 

And  there  I  saw  oure  dame  /  a  where  is  she 

Bonder  in  the  $erd  /  I  trowe  that  she  be 

Seyde  this  man  /  and  she  wyl  come  a-noon 

U  Ey  Maister  welcome  be  je  /  be  Seynt  John  1800 

Seide  this  wyf  /  how  fare  30  hertily 

The  frere  a-riseth"  vp  /  ful  curteisly 

And  hire  embraceth"  /  in  his  armes  narwe 

And  kist  hire  swete  /  and  chirketfi  as  a  sparwe  1804 

With  hise  lippes  /  dame  quod  he  right  wel 

As  he  that  is  joure  seruauwt  /  euerydel 

Thanked  be  god  /  fat  jow  $af  soule  and  lyf 

3et  saw  I  uat  this  day  /  so  fair  a  wyf  1808 


GROUP   D.      §   6.       SUMMONEB'S   TALE.       Dd.  4.  24.       221 

In  al  the  chirche  /  god  so  saue  me 

3e  god  amende  defautes  /  sire  quod  she 

Algates  welcome  be  30  /  be  my  fay 

Graunt  mercy  dame  /  this  haue  I  founde  alway  1812 

But  of  3oure  greet  gooduesse  /  be  joure  leeue 

I  wolde  preye  jow  /  that  je  nat  ^ow  greeue 

I  wol  witli  Thomas  /  speke  a  litel  thro  we 

Theise  curatours  /  ben  so  negligent  /  and  slowe  1816 

To  gropen  tenderly  /  a  conscience 

In  shrift  /  in  prechynge  /  is  my  diligence 

And  studye  /  in  Petres  wordes  /  and  in  Poules 

I  walke  and  fisshe  /  mennes  soules  1820 

To  3elden  ihesu  crist  /  his  propre  rent 

To  sprede  his  word  /  is  sette  al  myn  entent 

U  Now  be  ^oure  leue  /  deere  sire  quod,  she 

Chideth"  him  wele  /  for  seynt  charite  1824 

he  is  as  angry  /  as  a  Pissemyre 

Thougfi  that  he  haue  /  al  that  he  can  desire 

Though"  I  him  wrye  a  nyght  /  &  make  him  warme 

And  ouer  him  leye  /  my  legge  and  eke  myn  arme        1828 

he  groneth  lyke  oure  Boor  /  litB  in  oure  sty 

Other  disport  of  him  /  right  noon  haue  I 

I  may  nat  pleese  him  /  in  no  maner  caas 

0  Thomas  ieo  vous  dye  /  Thomas  Thomas  1832 
This  inaketh  the  fend  /  this  must  ben  amended 

Ire  is  a  thyng  /  that  heye  god  defended 

And  ther-of  wol  I  speke  /  a  word  or  twoo 

Now  maister  quod  the  wyf  /  or  that  I  goo  183G 

What  wol  je  dyne  /  I  wol  go  ther-aboute 

Now  dame  qitod  he  /  now  ieo  vous  die  saunj  doute 

haue  I  nat  of  a  Capone  /  but  the  lyuere 

And  of  3oure  white  bred  /  no  but  a  shyuere  1 840 

And  after  that  /  a  rested  pygges  hede         [leaf  sv,  back] 

But  that  I  nolde  for  me  /  no  beest  were  dede 

Than  had  I  with  jow  /  homly  sufficeaunce 

1  am  a  man  /  of  litel  sustenaunce  1844 


222     GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

My  spirit  hath  his  fostrynge  /  in  the  bible 

My  body  is  ay  so  redy  /  &  so  penyble 

To  wake  /  that  my  stomak  is  destroyed 

I  preye  $ow  dame  /  that  je  be  nat  a-noyed  1848 

Though  I  so  frendly  /  jow  iny  counseil  shewe 

By  god  I  nold  han  told  it  /  but  a  fewe 

U  Now  sire  qwod  she  /  but  a  word  or  I  goo 

My  child  is  deed  /  with-inne  theise  wekes  twoo  1852 

Sone  after  that  30  went  /  out  of  this  Toufl 

U  his  deth  saw  I  /  by  reuelacion 

Seide  this  ffrere  /  at  horn  in  oure  dortour 

I  dar  wel  seyn  /  that  or  half  an  houre  1856 

Aftir  his  deetfi  /  I  saw  hi??i  born  to  blisse 

In  myn  auysione  /  so  god  me  wysse 

So  dide  oure  sexteyn  /  and  oure  ffermerer 

That  han  ben  trewe  freres  /  fifty  $ere  1860 

They  moun  now  /  god  by  thanked  of  his  loue 

Maken  here  lubilee  /  and  walken  allone 

And  vp  I  roos  /  and  al  our  couent  eke 

With"  many  a  teer  /  trillynge  on  my  cheke  1864 

With~-outen  noyse  /  and  clateryng  of  belles 

Te  Deum  /  was  oure  song  /  &  nothyng  elles 

Saue  that  to  Crist  /  I  bad  an  orison 

Thankynge  him  /  of  my  reuelacion  1868 

ffor  sire  and  dame  /  trosteth  me  right  weie 

Oure  orisons  ben  more  /  effectuele 

And  more  we  sen  /  of  Cristes  secree  thynges 

Than  borel  folk  /  al- though  that  they  ben  kynges        1872 

We  iyue  in  pouert  /  and  in  abstinence  « 

And  borel  folk  /  in  rychesse  and  in  despence 

Of  mete  and  drynk  /  and  in  here  foule  delyt 

We  han  this  worldlis  list  /  al  in  despyt  1876 

Lajar  and  Dyues  /  lyueden  dyuersly 

And  dyuers  guerdoun  /  hadden  ther-by 

Who  so  wol  preye  /  he  must  fast  and  be  clene 

And  fatte  his  soule  /  and  make  his  body  leene  1880 


GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.     223 

"We  fare  as  seith"  the  Appostel  /  cloth"  and  food 

Suffiseth"  vs  /  though  they  be  nat  ful  good 

The  clennesse  and  the  fastynge  /  of  vs  ffreres 

Maketh  that  Crist  /  accepteth"  oure  preyeres  1884 

loo  Moyses  /  fourty  dayes  and  fourty  nygfit 

ffasted  /  er  that  god  ful  of  myght 

Spak  with"  him  /  in  the  mounte  of  Syiiay         [leafss] 

With"  empty  wombe  /  of  fastynge  many  a  day  1888 

Receyued  he  the  la  we  /  that  was  wryten 

With  goddes  fynger  /  and  Ely  wel  30  wyten 

In  Monte  Oreb  /  or  he  had  any  speche 

With  heye  god  /  that  is  oure  lyues  leche  1892 

he  fasted  longe  /  and  was  in  contemplauuce 

Aron  that  had  /  the  temple  in  gouernaunce 

And  eke  the  othere  prestis  /  euerychone 

In-to  the  temple  /  whan  they  shuld  gone  1896 

To  preyen  for  the  peeple  /  and  do  seruyse 

They  uolde  drynken  /  in  no  mane?1  wyse 

No  drynk  /  which  that  myght  hew  dronken  make 

But  there  in  abstinence  /  preye  and  wake  1900 

leest  that  they  dedyn  take  hede  /  what  I  seye 

But  they  be  sobre  /  that  for  the  peeple  preye 

War  that  /  I  sey  no  more  /  for  it  suffiseth" 

Oure  lord  ihesu  /  as  holy  wryt  deuyseth  1904 

3af  vs  eusaumple  /  of  fastynge  and  preyeres 

Therfore  we  mendyuauntj  /  we  sely  freres 

Ben  wedded  to  pouert  /  and  to  contynence 

To  charite  humblesse  /  and  Abstinence  1908 

To  persecucione  /  for  rightwysnesse 

To  wepynge  /  misericorde  /  and  clennesse 

And  therfore  moun  $e  se  /  that  oure  preyeres 

I  speke  of  vs  /  we  mendyuaunt}  /  we  freres  1912 

Ben  to  the  heye  god  /  more  acceptable 

Than  joures  /  with  joure  feestes  /  at  the  table 

ffro  Paradys  first  /  if  I  shal  nat  lye 

Was  man  out  chased  /  for  his  glotonye  1916 


224    GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  chast  was  man  /  in  paradys  certeyne 

But  herkene  now  Thomas  /  that  I  shal  seyne 

I  haue  no  text  of  it  /  as  I  suppose 

But  I  shal  fynde  /  in  a  maner  glose  1920 

That  specially  /  oure  swete  lord  Hiexus 

Spak  this  by  freres  /  whan  he  seide  thus 

Blissed  be  they  /  that  poere  in  spirit  bene 

And  so  forth"  /  al  the  gospel  /  may  je  sene  1924 

Wheither  it  be  lykere  /  oure  professione 

Or  heres  /  that  swymmen  /  in  possessione 

ffy  on  hire  pompe  /  and  on  here  glotonye 

And  of  here  lewednesse  /  I  hem  diffye  1928 

Me  thynketh"  they  ben  lyke  /  to  louynyan 

flat  as  a  whale  /  and  walken  as  a  swan 

Al  vynolent  /  as  a  botle  in  the  spence 

here  preyere  is  /  ful  greet  reuerence  1932 

"Whan  they  for  soules  /  seyn  the  psalme  of  Dauyd  [if.  88,  bk.] 

loo  buf  they  seyn  /  Cor  meum  eructauit 

Who  folweth"  Cristes  gospel  /and  here  fore 

But  we  that  humble  ben  /  and  chaast  and  poore          1936 

Werkers  of  goddis  word  /  nat  auditours 

Therfore  right  as  an  hauke  /  vp-on  a  sours 

vp  spryngeth  in-to  the  Eyr  /  right  so  preyeres 

Of  charitable  and  chaast  /  bisy  freres  1940 

Maken  here  sours  /  to  goddis  Eres  twoo 

Thomas  Thomas  /  so  mot  I  ride  or  goo 

And  be  that  lord  /  that  clepe'd  is  seynt  lue 

Nere  thow  oure  brother  /  shuldest  fou  neuere  thryue  1944 

In  oure  chapitre  /  preye  we  day  and  nyght 

To  Crist  /  that  he  sende  the  /  hele  and  myght 

Thy  body  /  for  to  welden  hastily 

God  wot  quod  he  /  no  thyng  ther-of  fele  I  1948 

As  helpe  me  god  /  as  I  in  fevve  3eres 

haue  spended  /  vp-on  many  dyuers  freres 

fful  many  a  pound  /  3et  fare  I  neuere  the  bette 

Certeyn  my  good  /  haue  I  almost  bysette  1952 


GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.     225 

ffarewel  my  gold  /  for  it  is  al  a-go 

The  frere  answered  /  o  Thomas  dost  pou  so 

What  nedeth"  the  /  dyuerse  freres  seche 

What  nedeth"  him  /  that  hath  a  parfyt  leche  1956 

To  sechen  othere  leches  /  in  tovne 

3oure  inconstaunce  /  is  joure  confusione 

holde  30  thanne  me  /  and  eke  al  oure  couent 

To  preye  for  $ow  /  be  insufficient  1960 

Thomas  that  iape  /  is  nat  worth"  a  myte 

Joure  maladye  is  /  for  we  han  to  lyte 

A  /  jeue  that  Couent  foure  and  twenty  grotes 

A  /  $eue  that  Couent  /  half  a  quarter  Otes  1964 

A  /  jeue  that  ffrere  /  a  peny  and  lat  him  goo 

Nay  nay  Thomas  /  it  may  no  thyng  be  soo 

What  is  a  ferthyng  /  worth"  /  parted  on  twelue 

Loo  /  ech"  thyng  that  is  oued  /  in  him  selue  1968 

Is  more  strong  /  than  whan  it  is  I-skatered 

Thomas  of  me  /  thow  shalt  nat  ben  I-flatered 

Thow  woldest  han  oure  labour  /  half  for  nought 

The  heye  god  /  that  al  this  world  hath  wrought  1972 

Seitft  that  the  workman  /  is  worth  his  hyre 

Thomas  nat  of  }oure  tresore  /  I  desire 

As  for  my  selue  /  but  that  al  oure  Couent 

To  preye  for  30 w  /  ben  ay  so  diligent  1976 

And  for  to  holden  /  Cristes  owen  chirche 

Thomas  if  30  wyln  lerne  /  for  to  werche 

Of  beldynge  /  vp-on  chirches  /  may  30  fynde 

If  it  be  good  /  in  Thomas  lyf  of  Ynde  [leaf  89]  1980 

3e  lyn  here  ful  of  anger  /  and  of  Ire 

With"  which"  the  deuele  /  setteth"  $oure  hert  a-fyre 

And  chiden  heere  /  the  sely  Innocent 

$oure  wyf  /  that  is  so  meke  and  pacient  1984 

And  therfore  Thomas  /  trowe  me  if  )>ou  lest 

Ne  stryue  nat  with  thy  wyf  /  as  for  the  best 

And  bere  this  word  a-wey  /  now  be  thy  feyth 

Touchyng  swich"  thyng  /  lo  what  the  wyseman  seith  1988 


22G     GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

With-Inne  thyn  hous  /  ne  be  )>ou  no  lyon 

To  thyne  suggettj  /  do  non  oppression 

Ne  make  thyn  acqueyntaunce  /  nat  to  flee 

And  Thomas  /  jet  eftsones  charge  I  the  1992 

Be  war  from  hire  /  that  in  thy  bosom  slepeth" 

War  froo  the  serpent  /  that  so  slyly  crepeth" 

vnder  the  gras  /  and  styngeth"  sotilly 

Be  war  my  sone  /  and  herkene  paciently  1996 

That  twenty  thousand  men  /  han  lost  here  lyues 

ffor  stryuyng  with  here  lemmans  /  and  here  wyues 

Now  syn  je  han  /  so  holy  meeke  a  wyf 

What  nedeth"  jow  /  Thomas  to  maken  strif  2000 

Ther  nys  I-wysse  /  no  serpent  so  cruelle 

Whan  &  man  tret  vp-on  his  tail  /  ne  half  so  felle 

As  womman  is  /  whan  she  hath  caught  an  Ire 

vengeaunce  is  thanne  /  al  that  they  desire  2004 

Ire  is  a  synne  on1  /  of  the  greete  of1  seuene    [J0""^f>  overline> 

Abhominable  /  to  the  god  of  heuene 

And  to  him  self  /  it  is  destruccione 

This  euery  lewed  vyker  /  or  Persone  2008 

Gan  seyn  /  how  Ire  /  engendreth"  homycide 

Ire  is  in  sotfi  /  executour  of  pryde 

I  coude  of  .Ire  /  s'eyn  so  mechil  sorwe 

My  tale  shuld  laste  /  til  to-morwe  2012 

And  ferfore  preye  I  god  /  bothe  day  &  nygfit 

An  Irous  man  /  god  sende  him  litel  myght 

It  is  gret  harm  /  and  certes  greet  pitee 

To  sette  an  Irous  man  /  in  heye  degree  2016 

U  Whilom  there  was  /  an  Irous  potestate 

As  seith  Senek  /  that  duryng  his  estate 

vp-on  a  day  /  out  redyn  knygfites  twoo 

And  as  fortune  wolde  /  that  it  was  so  2020 

That  oon  of  hem  cam  horn  /  that  othir  nought 

A-noon  the  knyght  /  byfore  the  luge  is  brought 

That  seide  thus  /  thow  hast.thy  felawe  slayne 

ffor  which  I  cleme  the  /  to  the  deth"  certayne  2024 


GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONEB'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.     227 

And  to  a-nother  knyglit  /  comaunded  he 

Go  lede  him  to  the  deth  /  I  charge  the       [leaf  so,  back] 

And  happed  as  they  wenten  /  by  the  weye 

Toward  the  place  /  there  he  shulcl  deye  2028 

The  knyglit  cam  /  which"  fat  men  wenden  /  had  ben  ded 

Thau  thoughten  they  /  it  were  the  best  red 

To  lede  hem  bothe  /  to  the  luge  a-geyne 

They  seiden  lord  /  the  knyght  ne  hath  nat  slayne       2032 

his  felawe  /  heere  he  stant  /  hool  a-lyue 

1T  }e  shuln  be  deede  quod  he  /  so  mote  I  thryue 

This  is  to  seyn  /  bothe  on  two  and  three 

And  to  the  first  knyght  /  right  thus  spak  he  2036 

I  dampned  the  /  thow  must  algate  be  deed 

And  thow  also  /  must  nedes  lese  thyn  hed 

ffor  thow  art  cause  /  why  thy  felawe  dyeth" 

And  to  the  thridde  knyght  /  right  thus  he  seith          2040 

Thow  hast  nat  do  /  that  I  comaunded  the 

And  thus  he  dide  /  do  slee  hem  alle  three 

U  Irrous  Cambises  /  was  thus  eke  dronkelewe 

And  ay  delited  him  /  to  ben  a  shrewe  2044 

And  so  byfel  /  a  lord  of  his  meyne 

That  loued  vertuous  /  moralite 

Seide  on  a  day  /  betwix  hew  two  right  thus 

A  lord  is  lost  /  if  he  be  vicious  2048 

And  dronkenesse  eke  /  is  a  foul  recorde 

Of  any  man  /  and  namely  in  a  lorde 

There  is  ful  many  an  eye  /  &  many  an  ere 

A-waytynge  on  a  man  /  he  wot  nat  where  2052 

ffor  goddis  loue  /  drynketh  more  attemprely 

Wyn  maketh  a  man  /  to  leese  wrecchedly 

hys  mynde  /  &  eke  hise  lymes  euerychone 

U  The  reuers  shalt  thow  se  /  quod  he  a-none  2056 

And  preeue  it  /  be  thyn  owen  experience 

That  wyn  ne  doth  to  folk  no  swich  offence 

There  is  no  wyn  /  byreueth  me  my  myght 

Of  hond  ne  foot  /  ne  of  myn  eyeu  sight  2060 


228    GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  for  despyt  /  he  drank  ful  mechel  more 

An  hundred  part  /  than  he  had  don  byfore 

And  right  anon  /  this  Irrous  cursed  wrecche 

This  knyghtis  sone  /  let  byfore  him  fecche  2064 

Comaundynge  him  /  he  shulde  byfore  him  stonde 

And  sodeynly  /  he  tok  his  bowe  in  honde 

And  vp  the  stryng  /  he  pulleth  to  his  Ere 

And  with"  an  arwe  /  he  slow  the  child  right  there       2068 

Now  wheither  haue  I  /  a  syker  hand  or  noone 

Quod  he  /  is  al  my  myght  /  and  mynde  a-gone 

hath  wyn  byreued  me  /  myn  eyen  sight 

What  shulde  I  telle  /  the  answere  of  the  knyght    [leaf  90] 

His  sone  was  slayn  /  there  nys  no  more  to  seye  2073 

By  war  therfore  /  with  lordes  how  30  pleye 

Syngeth  Placebo  /  and  I  shal  if  I  can 

But  if  it  be  /  vn-to  a  pore  man  2076 

To  a  pore  man  /  men  shulde  hise  vices  telle 

But  nat  to  a  lord  /  though  he  shulde  go  "to  helle 

51  loo  /  Irrous  Cirus  /  thilk  percien 

How  destroyed  he  /  the  ryuer  of  Gysen  2080 

ffor  that  an  hors  of  his  /  was  dreynt  there-Inne 

Whan  that  he  went  /  Babylon  to  wynne 

he  made  that  the  Ryuer  /  was  so  smal 

That  wommen  myght  /  wade  it  oueral  2084 

lo  /  what  seide  he  /  that  so  wel  teche  can 

Ke  be  no  felawe  /  to  non  Irous  man 

Ne  with  no  wood  man  /  walke  by  the  weye 

lest  the  repente  /  I  wol  no  forthere  seye  2088 

Now  Thomas  leue  brother  /  leeue  thyn  Ire 

Thow  shalt  me  fynde  /  as  lust  as  is  a  squire 

holde  nat  the  deuelis  knyf  /  ay  at  thyn  herte 

Thyn  anger  doth"  the  /  al  to  sore  smerte  2092 

But  shewe  to  me  /  al  thyn  confessione 

Nay  qwod  this  seke  man  /  be  seynt  Symon 

I  haue  ben  shreue  this  day  /  at  myn  curat 

I  haue  hiw  told  /  holly  al  myn  estat  2096 


GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.     229 

It  nedeth  no  more  /  to  speke  of  it  seitfi  he 

But  if  me  liste  /  of  myn  humylitee 

H  }eue  me  thanne  of  thy  good  /  to  make  oure  cloistre 

Quod  lie  /  for  many  a  muscle  and  many  an  Oistre       2100 

Whan  other  men  /  han  ben  ful  wel  at  eese 

hath"  ben  oure  fode  /  our  cloistre  for  to  reise 

And  jet  god  woot  /  vnethe  the  fundament 

Parfourmed  is  /  ne  of  oure  pauement  2104 

Is  nat  a  tyle  jet  /  with-Inne  oure  wones 

By  god  we  owen  /  fourty  pound  for  stones 

Now  help  Thomas  /  for  him  fat  hanved  helle 

Or  elles  mote  we  /  oure  bookes  selle  2108 

And  if  J)ou  lakke  /  oure  predicacion 

Than  gotfi.  the  world  /  al  to  destruccioii 

ffor  who  so  fro  this  world  /  wold  vs  byreue 

So  god  me  saue  Thomas  /  be  joure  leeue  2112 

he  wold  byreue  /  out  of  this  world  the  Sonne 

ffor  who  can  teche  and  worken  /  as  we  conne 

And  that  is  nat  /  of  lytel  tyme  quod,  he 

But  sithe  Ely  was  /  and  Helysee  2116 

han  freres  ben  /  that  fynde  I  of  recorde 

lu  charitee  /  I-thanked  be  oure  lorde 

Now  Thomas  help  /  for  seynt  charitee        [leaf  90,  back] 

And  doun  a-noon  /  he  sette  him  on  his  knee  2120 

U  This  syke  man  /  wex  ny  wood  /  for  Ire 

he  wolde  that  the  frere  /  had  ben  a-fire 

With  his  fals  /  dissimulacione 

Swicfc  thyng  as  is  /  in  myn  possessione  2124 

Qnod  he  /  that  may  I  jeue  jow  &  noon  other 

3e  seye  me  thus  /  how  that  I  am  joure  brother 

U  }a  certes  quod  the  frere  /  trosteth  wel 

I  toke  oure  dame  /  the  lettre  of  oure  seal  2128 

U  Now  wel  quod,  he  /  &  sumwhat  shal  I  jeue 

vn-to  joure  Holy  Couent  /  whil  I  lyue 

And  in  thyn  hand  /  J>ou  shalt  it  han  a-noone 

On  this  condicione  /  and  other  noone  2132 


230  GROUP  D.  §  6.  SUMMONER'S  TALE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

That  ]>o\\  departe  it  /  so  /  my  clere  brother 

That  euery  frere  /  haue  as  meche  as  other 

Thus  shalt  Jwu  swere  /  on  thy  professions 

Witfi-outen  fraude  /  or  cauellacione  2136 

51  I  svvere  it  quod  the  frere  /  vp-on  my  feith" 

And  ther-with-al  /  his  hond  in  his  he  leith 

loo  heere  my  feith"  /  in  me  shal  be  no  lak 

U  Thanne  put  thyn  hand  /  adoun  riglit  be  my  bale      2140 

Seide  this  man  /  and  grope  \vel  behynde 

By-nethe  my  buttok  /  there  shalt  j)0u  fynde 

A  thyng  that  I  haue  /  hid  /  in  preuytee 

U  A  thought  this  frere  /  that  shal  go  with  me  2144 

And  doun  his  hand  /  he  launched  to  the  clift 

In  hope  /  for  to  fynde  there  /  a  jift 

U  And  whan  this  syke  man  /  felt  this  frere 

Aboute  his  towel  /  gropen  heere  and  there  2148 

Amydde  his  hand  /  he  leet  the  frere  a  fart 

There  is  no  capel  /  drawyng  in  a  cart 

That  myght  han  leet  a  fart  /  of  swich  a  soun 

U  The  frere  vp  stirt  /  as  doth  a  wood  lyon  2152 

A  fals  cherl  quod,  he  /  for  goddis  bones 

This  hast  f>ou  for  despyt  /  don  for  the  nones 

Thow  shalt  a-bye  /  this  fart  if  I  may 

his  meyne  /  which  /  J>«t  herden  swich  a  fray  2156 

Comen  lepyng  In  /  and  chased  out  the  frere 

And  forth"  he  goth  /  with"  a  ful  angry  chere 

And  fette  his  felawe  /  there  as  lay  his  stoor 

he  loked  as  he  were  /  a  wylde  Boor  2160 

And  grynt  with  the  teth"  /  so  Avas  he  wroth" 

A  sturdy  paas  /  doun  to  the  courte  he  gotfi. 

Where  as  there  woued  /  a  man  of  gret  honour 

To  whom  that  he  was  /  alwey  confessour  2164 

This  worthy  man  /  was  lord  of  that  village      [leafoi] 

This  frere  cam  /  as  he  were  in  a  rage 

Where  as  this  lord  /  sat  etyng  at  his  bord 

vnethe  myght  the  frere  /  speke  a  word  2168 


GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.     231 

Til  at  the  laste  /  he  seide  god  3ow  se 

This  lord  gan  loke  /  and  seide  benedicite 

What  frere  lohn  /  what  maner  world  is  this 

I  se  wel  that  sum  thyng  /  there  is  amys  2172 

}e  loken  as  the  wode  /  were  ful  of  theues 

Sitte  doun  a-noon  /and  telle  me  /  what  joure  gref  is 

And  it  shal  ben  amended  /  if  I  may 

I  haue  quod  he  had  /  a  despyt  to-day  2176 

God  jelde  it  $ow  /  a-doun  in  joure  village 

That  in  this  world  /  there  nys  so  poere  a  page 

That  he  nold  han  /  abhoininacion 

Of  that  I  haue  resseyued  /  in  the  toun  2180 

And  3et  no  greueth"  it  me  /  half  so  sore 

As  that  the  olde  charl  /  with  lokkes  hore 

Blasfemed  hath  /  oure  holy  couent  eke 

U  Now  Maister  quod  this  lord  /  I  jow  byseke  2184 

No  Maister  sire  quod  he  /  but  seruytour 

Though  I  haue  had  /  in  scole  that  Honour 

God  lyketfi  nat  /  that  Eaby  men  vs  calle 

Neither  in  market  /  ne  in  joure  large  halle  2188 

No  fors  quod  he  /  but  telle  me  al  joure  greef 

Sire  quod  this  frere  /  an  odious  meschef 

This  day  be-tid  is  /  myn  order  and  me 

And  so  par  consquens  /  in  ich"  degree  2192 

Of  holy  chirche  /  god  amende  it  sone 

Sire  quod  the  lord  /  30  wot  what  is  to  done 

Distempre  $ow  nat  /  30  be  my  confessour 

$e  be  the  salt  of  the  erthe  /  and  the  sauour  2196 

libr  goddes  loue  /  30111-  pacience  now  holde 

Telle  me  joure  greef  /  and  he  a-noon  hi»i  tolde 

As  30  han  herd  byforfi  /  30  wot  wel  what 

The  lady  of  the  hous  /  ay  stille  sat  2200 

Til  she  had  herd  /  what  the  frere  seide 

Ey  goddis  moder  quod  she  /  blisseful  mayde 

Is  there  ought  elles  /  telle  me  feithfully 

Madame  quod  he  /  how  thynketh"  3ow  ther-by  2204 


232    GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

how  fat  me  thynketh"  quod  she  /  so  god  me  spede 
I  seve  a  cherl  /  hath  doon  a  cherles  dede 

i/  / 

What  shulde  I  sey  /  god  late  him  neuere  thee 

his  syke  hede  /  is  ful  of  vanytee  2208 

I  holde  him  /  in  a  maner  fransye 

Madame  quod  he  /  by  god  I  shal  nat  lye 

But  I  on  other  wyse  /  may  be  wreke          [leaf  91,  back] 

I  shal  deffame  him  /  ouer  al  where  I  speke  2212 

The  fals  blasfemour  /  that  charged  me 

To  parte  /  that  wyl  nat  /  departed  be 

To  euery  man  I-liche  /  with"  meschaunce 

The  lord  sat  stille  /  as  he  were  in  a  trauiice  2216 

And  in  his  herte  /  he  rolleth  vp  and  doun 

how  that  this  cherl  had  /  ymaginacioun 

To  shewe  swich"  a  probleme  /  to  the  frere 

Neuere  erst  er  now  /  ne  herd  I  swich  matere  2220 

I  trowe  the  deuele  /  put  it  in  his  mynde 

In  ars  metryk  /  shal  there  no  man  fynde 

By-forn  this  day  /  of  swich  a  question 

Who  shulde  make  /  a  demonstracion  2224 

That  euery  man  /  shuld  han  lyke  his  part 

As  of  a  soun  /  or  of  a  sauour  of  a  fart 

0  nyce  proud  cherl  /  I  shrewe  his  face 

lo  sires  quod  the  lord  /  with  harde  grace  2228. 

Who  euere  herde  /  of  swich  a  thyng  or  now  0'»  another  hand.-} 

To  euery  man  I-lyke  /  telletfi  me  how 

It  is  an  impossible  /  it  may  nat  be 

Ey  nyce  cherl  /  god  late  him  neuere  the  2232 

The  rumblynge  of  a  fart  /  and  euery  soune 

Nis  but  of  eyre  /  reuerberacione 

And  there  it  wasteth  /  litel  and  litel  a-wey 

There  nys  no  man  /  can  deme  be  my  fey  2236 

If  that  it  were  /  departed  equally 

What  lo  my  cherl  /  lo  $et  how  shrewedly 

vn-to  my  confessour  /  to-day  he  spak  - 

1  holde  him  certeyn  /  a  demonyak  2240 


GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.     233 

Now  etc  3oure  mete  /  and  late  the  cherl  go  pleye 
lat  him  go  hange  him  self  /  a  deuel  weye 

{The  Solution  of  the  "  Probleme  "  by  the  Lord's  Squire. 
No  break  in  the  MS.] 

U  Now  stod  the  lordes  squyer  /  at  his  bord 

That  carf  his  mete  /  and  herd  word  by  word  2244 

Of  al  this  thyng  /  of  which"  I  haue  jow  seyde 

My  lord  qwod  he  /  be  30  nat  euele  a-paide 

I  coude  telle  /  for  a  gowne  cloth" 

To  jow  sire  frere  /  so  36  be  nat  wroth"  2248 

how  that  this  fart  /  shulde  euene  deled  be 

Amonge  joure  Couent  /  if  it  lyked  me 

Telle  quod  the  lord  /  &  thow  shalt  haue  a-noon 

A  govne  cloth  /  by  god  and  by  Seynt  lohn  2252 

My  lord  qwod  he  /  whan  that  the  wedir  is  fayre 

With"-outyn  wynd  /  or  pertourbyng  of  eyre     [in  another  hand.] 

lat  brynge  a  Carte  whel  /  heere  in-to  this  halle 

But  loke  that  it  haue  /  his  spokes  alle  2256 

Twelue  spokes  hath  a  cart  whel  /  comounly 

And  brynge  me  Jjawne  twelue  freres  /  wete  36  why  [leaf  92] 

ffor  threttene  /  is  a  couent  /  as  I  gesse 

3oure  confessoure  heere  /  for  his  worthynesse  2260 

Shal  perfourme  vp  /  the  noumbre  of  this  Couent 

Than  shulfl  they  knele  a-doun  /  by  oon  assent 

And  to  euery  spokes  ende  /  in  this  manere 

fful  sadly  leyn  his  nose  /  shal  a  frere  2264 

$oure  noble  confessour  /  there  god  him  saue 

Shal  holde  his  nose  vp-right  /  vnder  the  naue 

Than  shal  this  cherl  /  with  bely  stif  and  tought 

As  any  tabour  /  hedir  ben  I-brought  2268 

And  sette  him  on  the  whel  /  right  of  this  cart 

vp-on  the  naue  /  and  make  him  late  a  fart 

And  30  shuln  sen  /  vp  perill  of  my  lif 

By  preeue  /  which"  that  is  /  demonstratif  2272 


234     GROUP  D.     §  6.     SUMMONER'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

That  equally  /  the  sovne  of  it  /  wyl  wende 

Ad  eke  the  stynk  /  vn-to  the  spokes  ende 

Saue  that  this  worthy  man  /  joure  coufessour 

By  cause  he  is  a  man  /  of  gret  Honour  2276 

Shal  han  the  first  fruyt  /  as  reson  is 

The  noble  vsage  of  freres  /  jet  is  this 

The  worthy  men  of  hem  /  shuln  first  be  serued 

And  certeynly  /  he  hath"  it  wel  deserued  2280 

he  hatfi  to-day  taught  vs  /  so  mechil  good 

"With  prechynge  in  the  pulpyt  /  there  he  stod 

That  I  may  vouche-saf  /  I  seye  for  me 

lie  had  the  first  smel  /  of  fartes  three  2284 

And  so  wold  al  his  Couent  /  hardily 

he  bereth  him  so  fayre  /  and  so  holily 

U  The  lord  the  lady  /  and  eche  man  saue  the  frere 

Seyden  that  lankyn  /  spak  in  this  matere  2288 

As  wel  as  Euclide  /  or  protholome 

Towchynge  the  cherles  /  they  seyden  sotiltee 

An  hey  wyt  /  made  him  speke  /  as  he  spak 

he  nys  no  fool  /  ne  noo  demonyak  2292 

And  lankyn  hath"  I-wonne  /  a  newe  Govne 

My  Tale  is  doon  /  we  ben  almost  at  Tovne    1  qtwd  Wyttoft 

H  Hie  finitwr  fabula  Summonitoris  / 


GROUP  E.     §  1.     CLERK'S  HEAD-LINK.     Dd.  4.  24.       235 


[This  was  set  from  Dr.    W.  Aldis  Wright's  very  accurate  quarto 
print,  but.  has  been  collated  again  with  the  JUS. — F.] 

&  incipit  prologus  clerici  de  Oxouia 

Sire  Clerk  of  Oxenford  /  oure  Host  sayde    [leaf  02,  back] 
3e  ride  as  stille  and  coy  /  as  dooth  a  mayde 
Were  newe  spoused  /  syttynge  at  the  bord 
This  day  ne  herd  I  /  of  ^oure  tonge  a  word  4 

I  trowe  30  studye  /  a-bouten  som  Sophyme 
But  Salamon  seith"  /  J>at  euery  thyng  hath"  tyme 
For  goddis  sake  /  as  beth"  of  betre  cheere 
It  is  no  tyme  /  for  to  sttidyen  heere  8 

Telle  vs  som  mery  tale  /  be  ^oure  feye 
For  what  man  /  that  is  entred  /  in  a  pleye 
He  nedes  must  /  vn-to  the  pley  assent 
But  preechetfi  nat  /  as  f reres  don  in  lent  1 2 

To  maks  vs  /  for  oure  olde  synnes  wepe 
Ne  that  thy  tale  /  make  vs  nat  to  slepe 
Telle  vs  sum  mery a  thyng  /  of  auentures 
^oure  termes  /  3oure  coloures  /  and  figures  16 

Kepe  hem  in  stoor  /  til  so  be  /  fat'2  36  endite 
Heye  stile  /  as  whan  fat  men  /  to  kynges  wryte 
Spekith  so  pleyn  /  at  this  tyme  /  we  ^ow  preye 
That  we  moun  vnderstonde  /  what  that  30  seye  20 

U  This  worthy  Clerk  /  benygnely  answered 
Host  quod  he  /  I  am  vnder  3oure  3erde 
$e  han  of  vs  /  as  now  /  the  goueraaunce 
And  therfore  wold  I  do  3ow  /  obeiaaunce  24 

1  mery  added  above  the  line. — "W.  2  J)1  added  above. — W. 


236     GROUP  E.     §  1.     CLERK'S  HEAD-LINK.     Dd.  4.  24. 

As  fer  as  reson  axeth"  /  hardily 

I  wold  sow  telle  a  tale  /  which,  that  I 

lerned  at  Padowe  /  of  a  worthy  Clerk 

As  proued  be  his  wordes  /  and  his  werk  28 

he  is  now  deed  /  and  nayled  in  his  cheste 

I  preye  to  god  /  so  $eue  his  soule  reste 

Fraunceys  Petrak  /  the  laureat  poete 

hygh"t  this  Clerk  /  whos  Retoryk  swete  32 

Enlumyned  al  Itaille  /  of  Poetrye 

As  lynyan  dide  /  of  Philosophye 

Or  lawe  /  or  other  art  particuler 

But  deth"  that  wol  nat  /  suffren  vs  /  dwellen  heer  36 

But  as  it  were  /  a  twynkelynge  of  an  eye 

hem  bothe  hath"  slayne  /  and  alle  slmln  we  deye 

But  forth"  to  tellen  /  of  this  worthy  man 

That  taught  me  this  tale  /  as  I  began  40 

I  seye  /  that  first  /  he  with"  heye1  stile  enditeth" 

Or  he  the  dety  /  of  his  tale  Wryteth" 

A  probleme  /  in  the  whiche  /  descryueth  he 

Pemond  and  of  Saluces  /  the  contree  44 

And  spekith"  of  Appenym  /  the  hilles  heye 

That  ben  the  boundes  /  of  westlurabardye 

And  of  Mount  vesulus  /  in  speciale 

Where  as  the  Poo  /  out  of  a  welle  smalle 

Taketh"  his  first  spryngynge  /  and  his  sours2 

That  Estward  ay  /  encresith"  in  his  cours 

To  Emelie8  ward  /  To  fferaro  and  venyse 

The  which  a  long  thyng  were  /  to  deuyse  52 

And  trewely  /  as  to  my  lugement 

Me  thynketh  it  a  thyng  /  impartinent 

Saue  he  wole  conueyen  /  his  matere 

But  this  is  the  tale  /  which"  fat  $e  nioun  heere.  56 

II  Hie  desinit  prologus  / 

1  his  corrected  into  keys. — W.       2  cours  corrected  into  sours. — "W. 
3  Emclc  corrected  into  Emelie. — W. 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  237 


et  incipit  fabula  Clerici  de  Oxoma ' 

There  is  right  at  the  west  side  /  of  ytaille  ^^"^^^n 
Doun  at  the  rote  /  of  vesulus  the  colde  ^foSSS? 
A  lusty  pleyn  /  habundaunt  of  vy taille  H  Grata  pianiciea 
Where  many  a  Toun  &  Tour  /  J>ou  mayst  byholde 
That  founded  were  /  in  tyme  of  fadres  olde 
And  many  a-nother  /  delitable  sygfct 
And  Saluces  /  this  noble  contree  hyght  63 

U  A  Markys  why  lorn  /  lord  was  of  that  londe  64 

As  were  his  worthy  elderes  /  him  byfore 

And  obeissant  /  ay  redy  to  his  honde 

Were  alle  hise  lieges  /  bothe  lesse  and  more  67 

Thus  in  delyt  he  lyuetR  /  and  hath"  doon  $ore 

Byloued  and  dred  /  thurgh"  fauour  of  fortune 

Bothe  of  his  lordes  /  &  of  his  Comune  70 

U  Therc-with"  he  was  /  to  speken  of  lynage  71 

The  gentillest  I-born  /  of  lumbardye 

A  fair  persone  and  strong  /  and  jong  of  age 

And  ful  of  honour  /  and  curteysye  74 . 

Discret  I-now  /  his  contree  for  to  gye 

Saue  in  somme  thynges  /  he  was  to  blame 

And  Walter1  /  was  this  3ong  lordes  name  77 

11  I  blame  hi?n.  thus  /  that  he  considered  nought  78 

In  tyme  comyng  /  what  myght  him  betyde 

But  on  his  lust  present  /  was  al  his  thought 

As  for  to  hauke  and  hunte  /  on  eue?y  syde  8 1 

Wei  ny  /  alle  othere  cures  /  leet  he  slide 

And  eke  he  nolde  /  and  that  was  werst  of  alle 

Wedde  no  wyf  /  for  nought  that  niyght  by  f alle  84 

1  Originally  Wawlter,  but  the  'u'  is  erased. — W. 


238     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

U  Only  that  poynt  /  his  peeplo  bar  so  sore  85 

That  flokmele  on  a  day  /  to  him  they  went  cateruatim 

And  oon  of  hem  /  that  wysest  was  of  lore 

Or  elles  /  that  the  lord  best  /  wolde  assent  88 

That  he  shulde  telle  him  /  what  the  peeplo  ment 

Or  elles  coude  he  shewe  wel  /  swich  mateer 

he  to  the  Markys  seyde  /  as  30  shuln  heere  91 

U  0  noble  Markys  /  3oure  humanyte  [leaf  93,  bk.]  ^t^1™^ 

Assuretfi  vs  /  and  ^euetfe  vs  hardynesse  time  Marchioi 

As  of  te  /  as  tyme  is  /  of  necessite 

That  we  to  $ow  mow  telle  /  oure  heuynesse  95 

Accepteth"  lord  /  thanne  of  joure  gentilnesse 

That  if  we  /  with  pytous  hert  /  vn-to  $ow  pleyne 

And  lete  joure  Eeres  /  nat  my  voys  desdeyne  98 

U  Al  haue  I  nat  to  done  /  in  this  matere  99 

More  than  a-nother  man  /  hath"  in  this  place 

}et  for-as-meche  /  as  30  /  my  lord  so  deere 

han  alwey  shewed  me  /  fauour  and  grace  102 

I  dar  the  betre  /  aske  of  3ow  a  space 

Of  audience  /  to  shewen  oure  request 

And  30  my  lord  /  to  don  right  as  3ow  list  105 

U  For  certes  lord  /  so  wel  vs  lyketh"  30^  10G 

And  alle  3oure  werke  /  and  euere  han  don  /  that  we 

Ne  coude  nat  /  oure  self  /  deuysen  how 

We  myghten  lyuen  /  in  more  felicite  109 

Saue  o  thyng  lord  /  if  it  3owre  wylle  be 

That  for  to  be  /  a  wedded  man  /  3ow  list 

Than  were  3oure  peeple  /  in  souerayne  hertis  rest          112 

U  Boweth"  3oure  nekke  /  vnder  that  blisseful  3ok  113 

Of  Souereyntee  /  nought  of  seruyse 

Which  that  men  clepen  /  spousaile  or  wedlak 

And  thynketh  lord  /  a-mong  3oure  thoughtes  wyse        116 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  239 

how  that  oure  dayes  /  passe  in  sondiy  gyse 

For  though  we  slepe  or  wake  /  or  rome  or  ryde 

Ay  fleeth  the  tyme  /  it  wyl  no  man  a-byde  119 

1F  And  though  joure  grene  jouthe  /  floure  as  }et  120 

In  crepeth  age  alwey  /  as  stille  as  ston 

And  deth  manaceth  euere  age  /  and  smyt 

In  ecfi  estate  /  for  there  eskapeth  noon.  123 

And  also  certeyn  /  as  we  knowen  echon 

That  we  shuln  deye  /  and  vncerteyne  we  alle 

Ben  of  that  day  /  whan  deth"  shal  on  vs  falle  126 

U  Accepteth  thanne  of  vs  /  the  trewe  entent  127 

That  neuere  ^et  /  refuseden  ^oure  heeste 

And  we  wyln  lord  /  if  that  30  wyln  assent 

Chese  $ow  a  wyf  /  in  short  tyme  at  the  leste  130 

Born  of  the  gentillest  /  and  of  the  meste 

Of  al  this  lond  /  so  that  it  ought  seme 

honour  to  god  and  $ow  /  as  we  can  dome  133 

U  Delyuere  vs  out  /  of  al  this  besi  drede  134 

And  take  a  wyf  /  for  heye  goddis  sake 

For  if  it  so  byfel  /  as  god  for-bede 

That  thurgh  ^oure  deth  /  3oure  lynage  shuld  slake        137 

And  that  a  straunge  successour  /  sbuld  take 

3oure  heritage  /  0  woo  were  vs  on  lyue  [leaf  94] 

Wherfore  we  preye  jow  /  hastily  to  wyue  140 

IF  Here  meke  preyere  /  and  here  pytous  chere  141 

Made  the  Markys  hert  /  bane  pytee 

3e  wyln  quod  he  /  myn  owen  peeple  deere 

To  that  I  neuere  erst  thought  /  streyne  me  144 

I  me  reioysed  /  of  my  liberte 

That  selde  tyme  /  is  founde  in  mariage 

Ther  1  was  free  /  I  must  ben  in  seruage  147 


240    GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

^1  But  nathelees  /  I  see  3oure  trewe  entent  148 

And  troste  vp-on  joure  wyt  /  and  haue  don  ay 

Wherfore  of  my  free  wyl  /  I  wol  assent 

To  wedde  me  /  as  sone  as  euere  I  may  151 

But  there  as  30  ban  /  profred  me  to-day 

To  chese  me  a  wyf  /  I  ^ow  relesse 

That  choys  /  and  prey  $ow  /  of  that  profre  cese  154 

U  For  god  it  wot  /  that  children  often  been  155 

Vnlyke  /  here  worthy  elders  /  hem  byfore 

Bounte  cometn  al  of  god  /  nat  of  the  streen 

Of  which"  /  they  ben  I-gendred  /  and  I-bore  158 

I  troste  in  goddis  bounte  /  and  therfore 

My  mariage  /  and  myn  estat  and  reste 

I  hym  by  take  /  he  may  do  as  him  leste  161 

IF  lat  me  a-lone  /  in  chesyng  of  my  wyf  162 

That  charge  vp-on  my  bak  /  I  wol  endure 

But  I  3ow  preye  and  charge  /  vp-ou  joure  lyf 

That  what  wyf  that  I  take  /  30  me  assure  165 

To  worshipe  hire  /  whyle  that  hire  lyf  may  dure 

In  word  and  werk  /  bothe  heere  and  euerywhere 

As  she  an  Emperoures  dougnter  /  were  168 

H  And  forthermore  /  this  shuln  30  swere  /  that  30         169 

A-geyn  my  choys  /  shuln  neuere  grucche  ne  stryue 

For  syn  I  shal  for-go  /  my  libertee 

At  3oure  request  /  as  euere  mot  1  thryue  172 

There  as  myn  hert  is  sette  /  there  wol  I  wyue 

And  but  30  wyln  assent  /  in  swich"  manere 

I  preye  30 w  /  speketh"  no  more  /  of  this  matere  175 

IT  Witn  hertly  wyl  /  they  sworn  and  assenten  176 

To  al  this  thyng  /  there  seide  no  wyght  nay 

Bysekyng  him  of  grace  /  or  fat  they  wenten 

That  he  wolde  graunte  hem  /  a  certeyu  day  179 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  241 

Of  his  spousaille  /  as  sone  as  euere  he  may. 

ffor  jet  alwey  /  the  peeple  sumwhat  dredde1 

lest  that  the  Markys  /  no  wyf  wold  wedde  182 

U  he  graunted  hem  a  day  /  swich"  as  him  list  183 

On  which"  he  wolde  /  be  wedded  sekerly 

And  seide  /  he  dide  al  this  /  at  here  request    {leaf  94,  back] 

And  they  with"  humble  entent  /  ful  buxumly  186 

Knelyng  vp-oon  here  knees  /  ful  reuerently 

hym  thanken  alle  /  and  thus  they  han  an  ende 

Of  here  entent  /  and  horn  a-geyn  they  wende  189 

U  And  heere-vp-on  /  he  vn-to  hise  officers  190 

Comaundeth"  /  for  the  feest  to  purueye 

And  to  his  pryue  knightis  /  and  Squyers 

Swich"  charge  jaf  /  as  him  list  on  hem  leye  193 

And  they  /  to  his  comaundement  /  obeye 

And  ecli  of  hem  dooth"  /  al  his  diligence 

To  don  vn-to  the  feest  /  reuerence  196 

1T  Prima  pars  [in  margin :  no  break  in 
IT  Incipit  p«?'s  Secunda         ,,         „ 

Nought  fer  /  fro  thilke  paleys  /  honurable  ^ 

Where-as  the  Markys  /  shop  his  manage 

There  stod  a  Thrope  /  of  syght  delitable 

In  which"  /  that  poore  folk  /  of  that  village  200 

hadden  here  beestes  /  and  here  herbergage 

And  of  here  labour  /  token  here  sustenaunce 

After  that  the  erthe  /  jaf  hem  habundaunce  203 

11  A-monges  theise  poore  folk  /  there  dwelt  a  man        204 
Which"  that  was  holden  /  poorest  of  hem  alle 
But  heye  god  /  somtyme  sende  can 

his  grace  /  in-to  a  litel  Oxes  stalle  207 

lanycola  /  men  of  that  Throp  him  calle 
A  dougfiter  had  he  /  fair  I-now  to  sight 
And  Grysildes  /  this  jonge  mayden  hight  210 

1  drede  in  MS.  corrected  into  dredde. — "W. 


242     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

U  But  for  to  speke  /  of  vertuous  beaute  211 

Than  was  she  oon  /  of  the  fayrest  vnder  Sonne 

fful  poorely  /  I-fostred  vp  /  was  she 

No  lykerous  lust  /  was  in  hire  hert  I-ronne  214 

Wei  oftere  of  the  welle  /  than  of  the  Tonne 

She  dranke  /  and  for  she  wolde  vertu  plese 

She  knew  wel  labour  /  but  noon  Idel  eese  217 

U  But  though"  this  Mayde  /  tendre  were  of  age  218 

$et  in  the  breest  /  of  hire  virgynytee 

There  was  enclosed  /  ripe  and  sad  corage 

And  in  gret  reuerence  /  and  charitee  221 

hire  olde  poore  fader  /  fostred  she 

A  fewe  shepe  /  spynnyng  on  the  feld  /  she  kepte 

She  wolde  nought  /  ben  Idel  /  til  she  slepte  224 

II  And  whan  she  horn  ward  cam  /  she  wolde  brynge      225 

Wortes  /  or  other  Erbes  /  tymes  ofte 

The  which"  she  shredde  /  and  seth"  for  here  lyuynge 

And  mad  hire  bed  ful  hard  /  and  no  thyng  softe  228 

And  ay  she  kepte  /  hire  fadres  lyf  on  lofte 

with"  euery  obeisaunce  /  and  diligence 

That  child  may  don  /  to  fadres  reuerence  231 

H  Vp-on  Grisilde  /  this  poore  creature  [leaf  95]         232 

fful  often  sithes  /  this  Markys  sette  his  eye 

As  he  on  huntyng  rod  /  perauenture 

And  whan  it  fel  /  that  he  mygfet  hire  a-spye  235 

he  nought  /  with"  wantoun  lokyng  /  of  folye 

his  eyen  cast  on  hire  /  but  in  sad  wyse 

vp-on  hir  chere  /  he  wold  him  oft  avyse  238 

U  Commendynge  in  his  hert  /  hire  wommanhede          239 

And  eke  hire  vertue  /  passyng  any  wyght 

Of  so  jonge  age  /  as  wel  in  cheer  as  dede 

ffor  though"  the  peeple  /  haue  no  gret  insyght  242 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  243 

In  vertue  /  he  considered  ful  right 

hire  bounte  /  and  disposed  that  he  wolde 

wedde  hire  oonly  /  if  euere  he  wedde  shulde  245 

H  The  day  of  weddynge  cam  /  but  no  wyght  can          246 

Telle  what  womman  /  that  it  shulde  be 

ffor  which  meruayle  /  wondreth"  many  a  man 

And  seyden  /  whan  they  weren  /  in  preuyte  249 

wyl  nat  oure  lord  /  jet  leuen  his  vanyte 

wyl  he  nat  wedde  /  alias  alias  the  whyle 

why  wyl  he  thus  /  hym  self  /  and  vs  begyle  252 

II  But  nathelees  this  Markys  /  hath  don  make  253 

Of  gemmes  /  sette  in  gold  /  and  in  Asure 

Broches  and  rynges  /  for  Grisildes  sake 

And  of  hire  clothynge  /  toke  he  the  mesure  256 

Of  a  mayden  /  lyke  /  vn-to  hire  stature 

And  eke  of  othere  /  ornamentis  alle 

That  vn-to  swich  a  weddynge  /  shulde  falle  259 

IT  The  tyme  of  vnderne  /  of  the  same  day  260 

Approcheth  /  that  this  weddynge  /  shulde  be 

And  al  the  paleys  /  put  was  in  a-ray 

Bothe  halle  and  chaumbres  /  eche  in  his  degree  263 

houses  of  office  /  stuffed  with  plentee 

There  maist  Jwu  se  /  of  deynteuous  vetaille 

That  may  be  founde  /  as  fer  as  lasteth  ytaille  266 

IT  This  ryal  Markys  /  richely  arayed  267 

lordes  and  ladyes  /  in  his  companye 

The  which  /  vn-to  the  feest  /  were  I-preyed 

And  of  his  retenue  /  the  bachelerye  270 

With  many  a  soun  /  of  sondry  melodye 

vn-to  the  village  /  of  the  which  I  tolde 

In  this  array  /  the  right  weye  they  holde  273 


244     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

H  Grisilde  of  this  /  god  wot  ful  Innocent  274 

That  for  hire  shapen  was  /  al  this  array 

To  fecchen  water  /  at  a  welle  is  went 

And  coraeth"  horn  /  as  sone  as  euere  she  may    [leaf  95,  back] 

For  wel  she  had  herd  sey  /  that  thilke  day 

The  Markys  shuld  wedde  /  and  if  she  myght 

She  wolde  fayn  han  sen  /  som  of  that  sight  280 

U  She  thought  I  wyl  /  with  othere  Maydenes  stonde  [ipa^"74"f  •• 

That  ben  myne  felawes  /  in  oure  dore  and  se 

The  Markysesse  /  and  therfore  wol  I  fonde 

To  do  at  horn  /  as  sone  as  it  may  be  284 

The  labour  /  which  that  longeth"  vn-to  me 

And  thanne  I  may  /  at  leyser  hire  byholde 

If  she  this  weye  /  vn-to  the  Castel  holde  287 

11  And  as  she  wolde  /  ouer  the  threswold  gon  288 

The  Markys  cam  /  and  gan  hire  for  to  calle 

And  she  sette  doun  /  hire  watir  pot  a-noon 

Beside  the  threswold  /  in  an  oxes  stalle  291 

And  doun  vp-on  hire  knees  /  she  gan  to  falle 

And  with"  sad  countenaunce  /  knelitfi.  stille 

Til  she  had  herd  /  what  was  the  lordis  wylle  294 

If  This  thoughtful  Markys  /  spak  vn-to  this  mayde  IL^^U' 

fful  soberly  /  and  seide  in  this  manere 

Where  is  $oure  fader  /  Grisildis  he  seyde 

And  she  with"  reuerence  /  in  humble  cheere  298 

Answered  /  lord  /  he  is  al  redy  heere 

And  In  she  goth"  /  with"-outen  lengere  lette 

And  to  the  Markys  /  she  hire  fader  fette  301 

U  he  by  the  hond  /  than  toke  this  poore  man  302 

And  seide  thus  /  whan  he  hi??*  had  a-syde 

lanycula  /  I  neyther  may  ne  can 

leugere  the  plesaunce  /  of  myn  hert  hyde  305 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  245 

If  that  thow  vouchesaf  /  what  so  betyde 

Thy  doughter  wol  I  take  /  er  that  I  wende 

As  for  my  wyf  /  vn-to  hire  lyues  ende  308 

H  Thow  louest  me  /  that  wot  I  wel  certeyn  309 

And  art  my  feitfiful  leige  man  /  I-bore 

And  al  that  lyketh"  me  /  I  dar  wel  seyn 

It  lyketh  the  /  and  specially  therfore  312 

Telle  me  that  poynt  /  that  I  haue  seid  byfore 

If  that  thow  wylt  /  vn-to  that  purpos  drawe 

To  take  me  /  as  for  thyn  sone  in  la  we  315 

^1  This  sodeyn  caas  /  the  man  a-stoyned  so  316 

That  red  he  wex  a-baist  /  and  al  quakynge 

he  stod  /  vnethe  seide  he  wordes  moo 

But  oonly  thus  /  lord  quod,  he  my  wyllynge  319 

Is  as  30  wole  /  ne  a-^eyns  joure  likynge 

I  wyl  no  thyng  /  myn  owen  lord  so  deere 

Kyght  as  jow  lyst  /  gouerneth"  this  matere  322 

U  3et  wol  I  /  quod,  this  Markys  softly  [leafoe]     323 

That  in  thy  chaumbre  /  I  and  thow  and  she 

haue  a  colacione  /  and  wost  thow  why 

ffor  I  wol  aske  /  if  it  hire  wyl  be  326 

To  be  my  wyf  /  and  reule  hire  after  me 

And  al  this  shftl  be  don  /  in  thy  presence 

I  wol  nat  speke  /  out  of  thyn  audyence  329 

II  And  in  the  Chaumbre  /  while  they  were  a-boute       330 
here  tretee  /  which"  as  30  shuln  after  heere 

The  people  cam  /  in-to  the  hous  with"-oute 

And  wondred  hem  /  in  how  honest  manere  333 

Ententifly  /  she  kept  hire  fader  dere 

But  vtterly  /  Grisildis  wondir  myght 

ffor  neuere  erst  /  ne  saw  she  /  swich"  a  sight  336 


24:6     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 


U  No  wonder  is  /  though  that  she  were  a-stoned 

To  se  so  gret  a  gest  /  come  iu-to  that  place  gtt"$\!im 

.  .  iiiuenit: 

She  neuere  was  /  to  swicn  gestes  woned 

ffor  which  she  loked  /  with  ful  pale  face  340 

But  shortly  /  forth  /  this  matere  for  to  chace 

Theise  arn  the  wordes  /  that  the  Markys  seyde 

To  this  benygne  /  verray  feithful  Mayde  343 

II  Grisilde  he  seide  /  30  shuln  wel  vnderstonde      ti*ati»note, 

It  lyketh  to  3oure  fader  /  and  to  me 

That  I  3ow  wedde  /  and  eke  it  may  so  stonde 

As  I  suppose  /  30  wol  that  it  so  be  347 

But  this  demaunde  /  aske  I  first  qwod  he 

That  syn  it  shal  be  don  /  in  hasty  wyse 

"VVol  30  assent  /  or  ellis  $ow  a-vyse  350 

H  I  seye  this  /  be  30  redy  with"  good  hert  351 

To  al  my  lust  /  and  that  I  freely  may 

As  me  best  thynketh  /  do  $ow  laughe  or  smert 

And  neuere  30  to1  grucche  it  /  nyght  ne  day  r^i^f^^  -\ 

And  eke  whan  I  sey  ^a  /  30  sey  nat  nay 

Neither  be  word  /  ne  frounyng  countenaunce 

Swere  this  /  and  heerc  I  swere  oure  alliaunce  357 

U  Wondrynge  vp-on  this  thyng  /  quakyng  for  drede    358 

She  seyde  /  lord  /  vn-digne  and  vnwortby    [Latin  note,  p.  274.] 

Am  I  /  to  thilke  honour  /  that  30  me  bede 

But  as  30  wol  3oure  self  /  right  so  wol  I  361 

And  heere  I  swere  /  that  neuere  wyllyngly 

In  werk  ne  thought  /  I  nyl  3ow  disobeye 

ffor  to  be  deed  /  though  me  were  loth  to  deye  364 

U  This  is  I-now  /  Grisilde  myn  qwod  he  365 

And  forth  he  gooth  /  with  a  ful  sobre  cheer 

Out  at  the  dore  /  and  after  that  cam  she 

And  to  the  people  he  seide  /  in  this  manere  368 

1  to  inserted  above  the  line.  —  W. 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.    Dd.  4.  24.  247 

This  is  my  wyf  quod  he  /  that  stondeth"  heere 
Honoureth"  hire  /  and  loueth"  hire  I  preye     [leaf  96,  back] 
Who  so  me  loueth"  /  there  is  no  more  to  seye  371 

U  And  for  that  no  thyng  /  of  hire  olde  gere  LLatin  note,  p.  274.] 

She  shulde  brynge  /  in-to  his  hous  /  he  bad 

That  wommen  shulde  /  dispoylen  hire  right  there 

Of  which  theise  ladyes  /  weren  no  thyng  glad  375 

To  handle  hire  clothes  /  where-Inne  she  was  clad 

But  nathelees  /  this  mayden  bright  of  hewe 

ffro  foot  to  hede  /  they  clothed  han  al  nevve  378 

U  Hire  heres  they  kerned  /  that  leyn  vntressed  379 

ff  ul  rudely  /  and  with"  here  fyngeris  smale 

A  corone  on  hire  hede  /  they  han  I-dressed 

And  sette  hire  ful  /  of  Ouches  grete  &  smale  382 

Of  hire  array  /  what  shulde  I  make  a  tale 

vnethe  the  peeple  hire  knew  /  for  hire  fairnesse 

Whan  she  transmeeuyd  was  /  in  swich"  richesse  385 

U  This  Markys  /  hath"  hire  spoused  /  with  a  rynge        386 

Brought  for  the  same  cause  /  and  thanne  hire  sette 

vp-on  an  hors  /  snow  whyte  /  &  wel  aumblynge 

And  to  his  Paleys  /  er  he  lengere  lette  389 

With  ioyeful  peeple  /  that  hire  lad  and  mette 

Conveyed  hire  /  and  thus  the  day  they  spende 

In  reuel  /  tyl  the  Sonne  gan  descende  392 

II  And  shortly  forth"  /  this  mater  for  to  chace  393 

I  seye  /  that  to  this  newe  /  Markysesse 

God  hath  swich  fauour  sent  hire  /  of  his  grace 

That  it  ne  semed  nought  /  by  lyknesse  396 

That  she  was  born  and  fed  /  in  rudenesse 

As  in  a  Cote  /  or  in  an  Oxes  stalle 

But  norisshed  /  in  an  Emperoures  halle  399 


248    GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

U  To  euery  wygfit  /  she  wexen  is  so  deere     [.Latin  note,  p.  274.3 

And  worshipful  /  that  folk  there  she  was  bore 

And  from  hire  birthe  /  knewen  hire  ^ere  by  jere 

vnethe  trowed  they  /  but  durst  han  swore  403 

That  to  lanicle  /  of  which"  I  spak  byfore 

She  dougfiter  were  /  for  as  by  coniecture 

hem  thought  she  was  /  a-nother  creature  406 

H  ffor  though"  that  cuere  /  vertuous  was  she  407 

She  was  encresed  /  in  swich"  excellence 

Of  thewes  goode  /  I-sett  in  hey  bounte 

And  so  discreet  /  and  fair  of  eloquence  410 

So  benygne  /  and  so  digne  of  reuerence 

And  coude  so  /  the  peoples  hertes  embrace 

That  ech  hire  loueth  /  that  loked  in  hire  face  413 

H  Nat  oonly  of  Saluces  /  in  the  toun  414 

Publisshed  was  /  the  bounte  of  hire  name 

But  eke  beside  /  in  many  a  Eegion  peaf97] 

If  on  seith  wel  /  a-nother  seith"  the  same  417 

So  spredeth"  /  of  hire  heye  bounte  /  the  fame 

That  men  &  wommen  /  as  wel  ^onge  as  olde 

Gon  to  Saluces  /  vp-on  hire  to  byholde  420 

U  Thus  "Walter  lowely  /  nay  but  really          [Latin  note,  p.  27*.] 

Wedded  /  with"  fortunat  honestete 

In  goddis  pees  /  lyueth  ful  esily 

At  horn  /  and  grace  I-now  outward  had  he  424 

And  for  he  saw  /  that  vnder  lowe  degree      [Latin  note,  p.  274.] 

Was  often  vertue  hid  /  the  people  him  helde 

A  prudent  man  /  and  that  is  sen  ful  selde  427 


U  Nat  oonly  this  Grisildis  /  thurgh  hire  wytte 

Coude  al  the  feet  /  of  wyfly  humblenesse 

But  eke  whan  that  the  cass  /  requered  ytte 

The  comune  profyt  /  coude  she  redresse  431 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALK.     Dd.  4.  24.  249 

There  nas  discord  /  rancour  ne  heuynesse 

In  al  that  lond  /  that  she  ne  coude  appese 

And  wysely  brynge  hem  alle  /  in  reste  and  ease  434 

^1  Though"  that  hire  husbonde  /  absent  were  or  noon     435 

If  gentil  men  /  or  othere  of  the  contree          \Lat\n note, p.m.] 

Weren  wrothe  /  she  wolde  brynge  hem  at  oon 

So  wyse  /  and  ripe  wordes  /  had  she  438 

And  luggementj  /  of  so  grete  equyte 

That  she  from  heuene  /  sent  was  /  as  men  wende 

Peeple  to  saue  /  and  euery  wrong  to  amende  441 

U  Nought  longe  tyme  after  /  that  this  Grisilde  442 

Was  wedded  /  she  a  doughter  hath  I-bore 

Al  had  hire  leuere  /  han  born  a  knaue  childe 

Glad  was  this  Markys  /  and  his  folk  therfore  445 

ffor  though  a  mayden  child  /  come  al  byfore 

She  may  vn-to  a  knaue  child  /  atteyne 

Be  lyklihede  /  syn  she  nys  nat  bareyne  448 

U  Secunda  pars  [in  margin :  no  break  in  MS.] 
1[  Incipit  pars  tercia         „         „         „ 

U  There  fel  /  as  it  byfalleth"  tymes  moo  \_iatm  note,  p.  274.]  449 

Whan  that  this  child  /  hath"  souked  but  a  thro  we 

This  Markys  in  his  hert  /  longeth"  so 

To  tempte  his  wyf  /  hire  sadnesse  for  to  knowe  452 

That  he  ne  myght  /  out  of  his  hert  throwe 

This  merueillous  desir  /  his  wyf  to  assaye 

Nathelees  god  wot  /  he  thought  hire  for  to  affraye        455 

^I  he  had  assayed  hire  /  I-now  byfore  456 

And  fond  hire  euere  good  /  what  nedeth  it 

hire  for  to  tempte  /  and  alwey  more  and  more 

But  as  for  me  I  seye  /  that  euyl  it  sitte  459 

Though  summe  men  preyse  it  /  for  a  sotil  wyt    [leaf  97,  back] 

To  assaye  a  wyf  /  whan  that  it  is  no  nede 

And  putten  hire  /  in  angwyssh  and  in  drede  462 


250    GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

II  ffor  which  this  Markys  /  wrought  in  this  manere      463 

he  cam  a  nyght  a-lone  /  there  as  she  lay 

With  sterne  face  /  and  with  ful  trouble  cheere 

And  seide  thus  /  Grisilde  quod  he  /  that  day  466 

That  I  jow  toke  /  out  of  $oure  poore  array 

And  putte  jow  in  estat  /  of  heigh  noblesse 

3e  han  it  nat  forgeten  /  as  I  gesse  469 

U  I  seye  Grisilde  /  this  present  dignitee  470 

In  which  that  I  haue  put  jow  /  as  I  trowe 

Maketh  jow  nat  /  forgeteful  for  to  be 

That  I  $ow  toke  /  in  poore  estat  /  ful  lowe  473 

For  any  wele  /  je  mot  joure  seluen  knowe 

Take  hede  /  of  euery  word  /  that  I  $ow  seye 

There  nys  no  wyght  /  that  herith  it  but  we  tweye        476 

U  3e  wot  joure  self  wel  /  how  that  je  cam  heere  477 

In-to  this  hous  /  it  is  nat  longe  a-goo 

And  though  to  me  /  that  $e  be  leef  and  deere 

Vn-to  my  gentiles  /  30  be  no  thyng  soo  480 

They  seyn  to  hem  /  it  is  gret  shame  and  woo 

For  to  be  suggettes  /  and  ben  in  seruage 

To  the  /  that  born  art  /  of  a  smal  lynage  483 

IT  And  namely  /  sithe  thy  doughter  was  I-bore  484 

Theise  wordes  han  they  spoken  /  doutelees 

But  I  desire  /  as  I  haue  don  byfore 

To  lyue  my  lif  with"  hem  /  in  reste  and  pees  487 

I  may  nat  in  this  caas  /  be  rechelees 

I  mot  don  with  thy  doughter  /  for  the  beste 

Nat  as  I  wolde  /  but  as  myne  gentiles  liste  490 

U  And  jet  god  wot  /  this  is  ful  loth  to  me  491 

But  nathelees  /  w/th-outeu  $oure  wetynge 

I  wyl  nat  don  /  but  this  wol  I  quod  he 

That  je  to  mo  assenten  /  as  in  this  thynge  494 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  251 

Shewe  now  3oure  pacience  /  in  ^oure  werkynge 

That  36  me  hight  /  and  swor  in  ^oure  village 

That  day  that  maked  was  /  oure  mariage  497 

U  Whan  she  had  herd  al  this  /  she  nought  a-meeued    498 

Neither  in  word  /  chere  ne  countenaunce       '  NueCVvuiiumota 

For  as  it  semed  /  she  was  nought  a-greued 

She  seide  lord  /  al  lith"  in  joure  plesaunce  501 

My  child  and  I  /  with"  hertly  obeysaunce 

Ben  3oures  alle  /  and  30  moun  sane  or  spille 

Joure  owen  thyng  /  werketh"  after  3oure  wylle  504 

U  There  may  no  thyng  /  so  god  my  soule  saue  [leafos]  505 

lykyng  to  3ow  /  that  may  displese  me 

Ne  I  desire  /  no  thyng  for  to  haue 

Ne  drede  for  to  lese  /  saue  oonly  30  508 

This  wyl  is  in  myn  hert  /  and  ay  shal  be 

No  lengthe  of  tyme  /  or  deth"  /  may  this  deface 

Ne  chaunge  my  corage  /  to  a-nother  place  511 

IT  Glad  was  this  Markys  /  of  hire  answerynge  512 

But  3et  he  feyned  /  as  he  were  nat  so 

Al  drery  was  his  chere  /  and  his  lokynge 

Whan  that  he  shulde  /  out  of  the  chaumbre  goo  515 

Sone  after  this  /  a  f uiionge  weye  or  twoo 

he  preuyly  hath  told  /  al  his  entente 

Vn-to  a  man  /  and  to  his  wyf  him  sente  518 

IT  A  maner  of  a  Sergeaunt  /  was  this  pryue  man  519 

The  which  he  feithful  /  often  founden  had 

In  thynges  greete  /  and  eke  swich"  folk  wel  can 

Don  execution  /  on  thynges  badde  522 

The  lord  knew  wel  /  that  he  him  loued  and  dradde 

And  whan  this  sergeauwt  /  knew  his  lordes  wylle 

In- to  the  chaumbre  /  he  stalketh"  him  ful  stille  525 


252    GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

H  Madame  he  seide  /  30  mot  for-jeue  it  me  526 

Though"  I  do  thyng  /  to  which"  I  am  constreyned 

3e  ben  so  wys  /  that  right  wel  knowen  30 

That  lordes  hestes  /  moun  nat  ben  feyned  529 

They  moun  wel  ben  beweilled  /  or  compleyned 

But  men  must  nedes  /  to  here  lust  obeye 

And  so  wol  I  /  there  nys  no  more  to  seye  532 

U  This  child  am  I  /  comaunded  for  to  take  533 

And  spak  no  more  /  but  out  the  child  he  hent 

Dispetously  /  and  gan  a  cher  make 

As  though  he  wolde  /  han  slayn  it  /  or  he  went  536 

Grisildis  mot  al  suffre  /  and  al  consent 

And  as  a  lomb  /  she  sitteth  meke  and  stille 

And  leet  this  cruel  Sergeaurat  /  don  his  wille  539 


H  Suspecious  was  the  diffame  /  of  this  man     J[, 
Suspect  his  face  /  suspect  his  word  also  fwrT/  Buspecu 

n  ^  ii_  ;  •  1.  •   »-  i       ii  •     i  erat  oracio  : 

Suspect  the  tyme  /  in  whicn  he  this  bygan 

Alias  hire  dough"  ter  /  that  she  loued  so  543 

She  wende  he  wolde  /  han  slayn  it  right  thoo 

But  natheless  /  she  neither  wep  ne  syked 

Conformynge  hire  /  to  that  the  Markys  lyked  546 

51  But  at  the  laste  /  to  speken  she  bygan  547 

And  mekely  she  /  to  the  sergeaiwt  preyede 

So  as  he  was  /  a  worthy  gentil  man 

That  she  must  kysse  hire  child  /  er  that  it  deyede         550 

And  in  hire  arm  /  this  litel  child  she  leyde 

With  ful  sad  face  /  and  gan  the  child  to  blisse    [leaf  98,  back] 

And  lulled  it  /  and  after  gan  it  kysse  553 

U  And  thus  she  seide  /  in  hire  benygne  vois  554 

Fare  wel  my  child  /  I  shal  the  neuere  se 

But  sithe  I  haue  the  marked  /  with  the  crois 

Of  thilke  fader  /  I-blissed  mot  thow  be  557 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  253 

That  for  vs  deyed  /  vp-on  a  cros  of  tree 

Thy  soule  litel  child  /  I  him  betake 

For  this  nygfit  /  shalt  )>ou  dyen  for  my  sake  560 

U  I  trowe  that  to  a  Notice  /  in  this  caas  56 1 

It  had  ben  hard  /  this  reuthe  for  to  se 

Wei  myght  a  moder  thanne  /  han  cried  alias 

But  nathelees  /  so  sad  and  stedefast  was  she  564 

That  she  endured  /  al  aduersitee 

And  to  the  Sergeauwt  /  mekely  she  seyde 

haue  heere  a-geyn  /  joure  litel  jong  mayde  567 

U  Goth"  now  quod  she  /  and  doth"  my  my  lordes  heste    568 

But  o  thyng  wold  I  preye  3ow  /  of  3oure  grace 

That  but  my  lord  /  forbad  3ow  at  the  leste 

Berieth"  this  litel  body  /  in  sum  place  571 

That  beestes  ne  no  briddes  /  it  to-race 

But  he  no  word  /  wolde  to  the  purpos  seye 

But  toke  the  child  /  and  went  vp-on  his  weye  574 

U  This  Sergeauwt  cam  /  vn-to  his  lord  a-geyn  575 

And  of  Grisildis  wordes  /  and  of  hire  chere 

he  told  \i\ni  poynt  for  poynt  /  in  short  and  pleyn 

And  him  presenteth"  /  with  his  doughter  dere  578 

Sumwhat  this  lord  /  hath  reuthe  in  his  manere 

But  nathelees  /  his  purpos  held  he  stille   ' 

As  lordes  don  /  whan  they  wyln  han  here  wille  581 

11  And  bad  this  Sergeauwt  /  that  he  preuyly  582 

Shulde  this  child  ful  softe  /  wynde  and  wrappe 

With  alle  the  circumstauncej  /  tenderly 

And  carie  it  in  a  coffre  /  or  in  a  lappe  585 

But  vp-on  peyne  /  his  hede  of  for  to  swappe 

That  no  man  shulde  knowe  /  of  this  entent 

Ne  whens  he  cam  /  ne  whider  that  he  went  588 


254     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

U  But  at  Boloigne  /  to  his  Suster  deere  589 

That  thilke  tyme  /  of  Pauyk  was  Contesse 

he  shuld  it  take  /  and  shewe  hire  this  matere 

Bysekyng  hire  /  to  don  hire  besynesse  592 

This  child  to  fostren  /  in  al  gentilnesse 

And  whos  child  that  it  was  /  he  bad  hire  hyde 

From  euery  wyght  /  for  ought  that  may  betide  595 

U  The  Sergeaunt  goth  /  and  hath"  fulfilled  this  thyng   596 

But  to  the  Markys  /  now  retourne  we 

For  now  goth  he  /  ful  fast  ymaginyng 

If  by  his  wyues  chere  /  he  mygfit  se  [leaf  99]  599 

Or  by  hire  word  /  a-perceyue  that  she 

Were  chaunged  /  but  he  neuere  coude  hire  fynde 

But  euere  in  oon  /  I-lyke  /  sad  and  kynde  602 

IT  As  glad  as  humble  /  as  bysy  in  seruyce  l^mt^tU'T- 

And  eke  in  loue  /  as  she  was  wont  to  be     %S?SaX£S*SK 

Was  she  to  him  /  in  euery  maner  wyse 

Ne  of  hire  doughter  /  nought  a  word  spak  she  606 

Noon  accident  /  for  noon  aduersite 

Was  seen  in  hire  /  ne  neuere  hire  doughter  name 

Ne  neinpned  she  /  in  ernest  ne  in  game  609 

H  Tercia  pars  desinit  [in  margin  :  no  break  in  MS.] 
Et  Incipit  pars  .4**.  „  ,,  „ 

II  In  this  estate  /  there  passed  ben  foure  jere    1^™™^™"* 


Er  she  with  childe  was  /  but  as  god  wole  ce 


"ice  jjrauida 

&  C*  / 


A  knaue  child  she  bar  /  be  this  wautere 

fful  gracious  /  and  fair  for  to  beholde  613 

And  whan  that  folk  /  it  to  his  fader  tolde 

Nat  oonly  he  /  but  al  his  oontree  merye 

Was  for  this  child  /  and  god  they  thanke  &  herye        616 

U  Whan  it  was  two  $er  olde  /  and  fro  the  breste  617 

Departid  of  his  norice  /  vp-on  a  day 
This  Markys  cauglit  jet  /  a-nother  lyste 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  255 

To  tempte  his  wyf  /  $et  oftere  if  he  may  620 

0  nedlees  /'  was  she  tempted  in  assay 

But  wedded  men  /  ne  knowe  no  mesure  f  No*a 

Whan  that  they  fynde  /  a  pacient  creature  623 

U  Wyf  qwod  this  Markys  /  $e  han  herd  or  this  ^figt"'^^^ 
My  peeple  sekerly  /  beren  oure  mariage  no«tn»»Sferre 

,       .     ., ,  ,  T  ,       _   .  connubium  &  c' 

And  namely  /  sithen  my  sone  /  I-born  is 

Now  is  it  werse  /  than  euere  in  al  oure  age  627 

The  murmur  sleeth  myn  herte  /  &  myn  corage 

For  to  myn  Eres  /  cometh  the  voys  so  smerte 

That  it  wol  njr  /  destroyed  hath  myn  herte  630 

H  Now  sey  they  thus  /  whan  wauter  is  a-goon  631 

Than  shal  the  blode  /  of  lanicle  succede 

And  be  oure  lord  /  for  other  han  we  noon 

Swich  wordes  seyn  my  peeple  /  it  is  no  drede  634 

Wei  ought  I  /  of  swich  murmur  /  take  hede 

For  certeynly  /  I  drede  /  swich  sentence 

Though  they  nou3t  pleyne  &  speke  /  in  myn  audience  637 

U  I  wolde  lyue  in  pees  /  if  that  I  myght  638 

Wherfore  /  I  am  disposed  /  vtterly 

As  I  his  Suster  /  serued  be  nyght 

Right  so  thynke  I  /  to  serue  him  preuyly  641 

This  warne  I  jow  /  for  $e  nat  sodeynly 

Out  of  joure  selue  /  for  no  woo  shulde  outraye 

Beth  pacient  /  and  ther-of  I  $ow  preye         [leaf  99,  back]  644 

IT  I  haue  qwod  she  /  seid  thus  /  and  eue?-e  shal  645 

1  wol  no  thyng  /  ne  nyl  no  thyng  certeyn 
But  as  $ow  list  /  nought  greueth"  me  at  al 

Though  that  my  doughter  /  &  my  sone  be  slayn  648 

At  $oure  comaundement  /  that  is  to  slayn  [«•«] 

I  haue  nought  had  no  part  /  of  children  tweyne 

But  first  sykenesse  /  and  after  woo  and  peyne  651 


256    GROUP  E.     §  2.    CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

H  $e  be  my  lord  /  doth  with  ^oure  owyn  thynge  652 

Right  as  jow  list  /  asketh  no  reed  of  me 

For  as  I  left  at  home  /  al  my  clothynge 

Whan  I  first  cam  to  jow  /  right  so  quod  she  655 

Lefte  I  my  wylle  /  and  my  liberte 

And  toke  ^oure  clothynge  /  wherfore  I  jow  preye 

Doth"  joure  plesaunce  /  I  wol  joure  lust  obeye  658 

U  And  certes  if  I  had  had  /  prescience  H  *{*  8f"^em 

Joure  wyl  to  knowe  /  or  $e  $oure  lust  me  tolde     voiens'moriar 

I  wold  it  don)  /  with-outen  negligence 

But  now  I  wot  3oure  lust  /  and  what  je  wolde  662 

Al  joure  plesaunce  /  ferme  and  stable  I  holde 

For  wyst  I  /  that  my  deth"  /  myght  do  3ow  eese 

Right  gladly  wold  I  deye  /  jow  to  please  665 

II  Deth"  may  nat  make  /  no  comparisone  666 
Vn-to  joure  loue  /  and  whan  this  Markys  say 

The  constaunce  of  his  wyf  /  he  cast  a-doune 

hise  eyen  two  /  and  wondreth  that  she  may  669 

In  pacience  suffre  /  al  this  array 

And  forth"  he  goth"  /  with  drery  countenaunce 

But  to  his  herte  /  it  was  right  gret  plesaunce  672 

U  This  vgly  Sergeaurct  /  in  the  same  wyse  673 

That  he  hire  daughter  caught  /  right  so  he 

Or  worse  /  if  men  can  werse  deuyse 

hath  hent  hir  sone  /  that  ful  was  of  beaute  676 

And  euere  in  oone  /  so  pacient  was  she 

That  she  no  chere  made  /  of  heuynesse 

But  kyst  hire  sone  /  and  after  gan  him  blisse  679 

11  Saue  this  she  preyed  him  /  if  that  he  myght  680 

hire  lytel  sone  /  he  wolde  in  erthe  graue 

hise  tendre  lymes  /  delicat  to  sight 

ffro  foules  and  fro  bestes  /  for  to  saue  683 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

But  she  noon  answere  /  of  hi?n  myght  haue 

He  went  his  wey  /  as  him  no  thyng  ne  rought 

But  to  Boloigne  /  he  it  tenderly  brought  686 

U  This  Markys  wondreth"  /  euere  lengere  the  more        687 

Vp-on  hire  pacience  /  and  if  that  he 

Ne  had  sothly  /  knowen  ther  byfore 

That  parfytly  /  hire  children  loued  she  [leaf  100]  690 

he  wolde  han  wende  /  that  of  som  sotiltee 

And  of  malice  /  or  for  cruel  corage 

That  she  had  suffred  this  /  with"  sad  visage  693 

U  But  wel  he  knew  /  that  next  him  self  certeyn  694 

She  loued  hire  children  best  /  in  Query  wyse 

But  now  of  wommen  /  wold  I  asken  fayn 

If  theise  assayes  /  myght  nat  suffise  697 

What  coude  a  sturdy  husbonde  /  more  deuyse 

To  preue  hire  wyfhode  /  and  hire  stedfastnesse 

And  he  contynuynge  /  euere  in  sturdynesse  700 

^1  But  there  be  folk  /  of  swicfi.  condicioil  701 

That  whan  they  han  /  a  certeyn  purpos  take 

They  conne  nat  stynt  /  of  here  entencion 

But  right  as  they  were  bounden  /  vn-to  a  stake  704 

They  wyl  nat  /  of  that  first  purpos  slake 

Right  so  this  Markys  /  fullich"  hath  purposed 

To  tempte  his  wyf  /  as  he  was  first  disposed  707 

U  He  wayteth  /  if  by  word  /  or  countenaunce  708 

That  she  to  him  /  was  chaunged  of  corage 

But  neuere  coude  he  fynde  /  variaunce 

She  was  ay  oon  /  in  hert  and  in  visage  711 

And  ay  the  ferthere  /  that  she  was  in  age 

The  more  trewe  /  if  that  it  were  possible 

She  was  to  him  /  in  loue  /  and  more  penyble  714 

8 


258     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

IT  For  which"  it  semed  thus  /  that  of  hem  two  715 

There  nas  hut  oo  wyl  /  for  as  Walter  lest 

The  same  lust  /  was  hire  pleasaunce  also 

And  god  hy  thanked  /  as  fel  for  the  best  718 

She  shewed  wel  /  for  no  worldly  vnrest 

A  wyf  as  of  hire  self  /  no  thyng  ne  shulde 

Wyln  in  effect  /  but  as  hire  husbonde  wolde  721 

U  The  sclaunder  of  Wautere  /  ofte  and  wyde  sprad       722 

That  of  cruel  herte  /  he  wykkedly 

For  he  /  a  pore  womman  /  wedded  had 

hath"  mordred  /  bothe  hise  children  preuyly  725 

Swich"  murmur  /  was  a-mong  hem  comounly 

No  wonder  is  /  for  to  the  peeples  Ere 

There  cam  no  word  /  but  that  they  mordred  were         728 


U  For  which"  /  there  as  his  peeple  ther  byfore 

had  loued  him  wel  /  the  sclaunder  of  his  defame 

Mad  hem  /  that  they  him  hated  therfore 

To  ben  a  mortherere  /  is  an  hateful  name  732 

But  nathelees  /  for  ernest  or  for  game 

he  of  his  cruel  purpos  /  nold  he  stynt 

To  tempte  his  wyf  /  was  sette  al  his  entent  [leafioo.bk.]  735 

U  Whan  that  his  dougfeter  /  twelue  $er  was  of  age        736 

he  to  the  courte  of  Eome  /  in  subtyl  wyse 

Enformed  of  his  wyl  /  sent  his  message 

Comaundyng  hem  /  swich"  bulles  to  deuyse  739 

As  to  his  cruel  purpos  /  may  suffise 

How  that  the  Pope  /  as  for  his  peeples  reest 

Bad  him  to  wedde  /  a-nother  if  him  list  742 

U  I  sey  he  bad  /  they  shulde  countrefete  743 

The  Popes  bulles  /  makyng  mention 

That  he  hath"  leue  /  his  first  wyf  to  lete 

As  by  the  Popes  /  dispensation  746 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  259 

To  stynte  rancour  /  and  discenciofi 

Be-twix  his  peeple  &  him  /  thus  seide  the  bulle 

The  which"  they  han  /  publisshed  at  the  fulle  749 


IT  The1  rude  peeple  /  as1  it  no  wondir  is     ^t^ 

Wende  ful  wele  /  that  it  had  ben  right  so 

But  whanne  theise  tidynggis  /  comen  to  Grisildis 

I  deme  /  that  hire  herte  /  was  ful  woo  753 

But  she  e-lyke  sad  /  for  euere  moo 

Disposid  was  /  this  humble  creature 

The  aduersite  of  fortune  /  al  to  endure  756 

IT  A-bidyng  euere  his  lust  /  and  his  plesaunce  757 

To  whom  that  she  was  jeuen  /  hert  and  al 

As  to  hire  verray  worldly  /  suffisaunce 

But  shortly  /  if  I  this  story  /  tellen  shal  760 

This  Markys  /  wryten  hath  in  special 

A  le^re  /  in  which  he  sheweth"  /  his  entent 

And  secretly  /  he  to  Boloigne  /  it  sent  763 

IT  To  the  Erl  of  Pauyk  /  which  that  hadde  tho  764 

"Wedded  his  Suster  /  preyed  he  specially 

To  bryngen  horn  a-geyn  /  hise  children  two 

In  honurable  estat  /  al  openly  767 

But  oo  thyng  he  him  preyed  /  vtterly 

That  he  to  no  wygh~t  /  though  men  wolde  enquere 

Shulde  nat  telle  /  whos  children  that  they  were  770 

IT  But  seyn  that  the  mayden  /  shulde  wedded  be          771 

Vn-to  the  Markys  /  of  Saluce  a-noon 

And  as  this  Erl  was  preyed  /  so  dide  he 

For  at  the  day  sette  /  he  on  his  wey  is  gon  774 

And  forth  he  rod  /  ful  fast  a-noon 

Toward  Saluce  /  this  Mayde  for  to  gyde 

hire  jonge  brother  /  ridyng  hire  besyde  777 


260     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

U  Arrayed  was  /  toward  hire  mariage  778 

This  fressh"  May  /  ful  of  gemines  clere 

Hire  brother  which  /  that  Seuene  3er  was  of  age    [leafioi] 

Arayed  eke  ful  fressh"  /  in  his  manere  781 

And  thus  in  gret  noblesse  /  and  with  glad  chere 

Toward  Saluces  /  shapyng  here  lourney 

Fro  day  to  day  /  they  ryden  in  here  wey  784 

II  Explicit  quarta  pars  [in  margin :  no  break  in  MS.] 
U  Incipit  pars  quinta :  „  ,,  „ 

1T  A  mong  al  this  /  after  his  wykked  vsage  785 

This  Markys  /  $et  his  wyf  to  tempte  more 

To  the  outrest  preue  /  of  hire  corage 

ffully  /  to  haue  /  experience  and  lore  788 

If  that  she  were  /  as  stedefast  as  byfore 

he  on  a  day  /  in  open  audience 

fful  boistously  /  hath  seid  hire  /  this  sentence  791 

IT  Certes  Grisilde  /  I  had  I-now  plesaunce  792 

To  haue  $ow  to  my  wyf  /  for  $oure  goodnesse 

As  for  3oure  trouthe  /  and  for  3oure  obeysaunce 

Nought  for  joure  lynage  /  ne  for  joure  richesse  795 

But  now  knowe  I  /  in  verray  sotfifastnesse 

That  in  gret  lordship  /  if  I  me  wel  auyse 

There  is  gret  seruitute  /  in  sondry  wyse  798 

U  I  may  nat  do  /  as  euery  plowman  may  799 

My  peeple  constreyneth"  me  /  to  take 

A-nother  wyf  /and  crien  day  be  day 

And  eke  the  Pope  /  rancour  /  for  to  slake  802 

Consenteth"  it  /  that  dar  I  vndertake 

And  trewely  /  thus  meche  /  I  wyl  jow  sey 

My  newe  wyf  /  is  comyng  by  the  wey  805 

f  Be  strong  of  hert  /  and  voide  a-noon  hire  place          806 
And  thilke  dower  /  that  36  broughten  me 
Take  it  a-geyn  /  I  graunt  it  of  my  grace 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  261 

Returneth  to  joure  fadres  hous  /  quod,  he  809 

Noraan  may  alwey  /  hauo  prosperite 

With"  euen  hert  /  I  rede  30  \v  to  endure 

The  stroke  of  fortune  /  or  of  auenture  812 

H  And  she  a-geyn  answered  /  in  pacience  813 

My  lord  quod  she  /  I  wot  and  wyst  alwey 

how  that  bytwene  /  joure  magnificence 

And  my  pou^rte  /  no  wyght  ne  can  ne  may  816 

Maken  comparison  /  it  is  no  nay 

I  ne  held  me  neuere  digne  /  in  no  manere 

To  be  joure  wyf  /  ne  joure  chaumbrere  819 

II  And  in  this  hous  /  there  $e  me  lady  made  820 
The  heye  god  take  I  /  for  my  wytnesse 

And  also  wysly  /  he  my  soule  glade 

I  neuere  held  me  lady  /  ne  maistresse  823 

But  humble  seruaunt  /  to  ^oure  worthynesse 

And  euere  shal  /  while  fat  my  lyf  may  dure 

A-bouen  euery  /  worldly  creature  Deaf  101,  back]  826 

U  That  $e  so  longe  /  of  ^oure  benignite  827 

han  holden  me  /  in  honour  and  nobley 

Where  as  I  was  /  nought  worthy  for  to  be 

That  thanke  I  god  /  and  $ow  /  to  whom  I  prey  830 

ffor-^elde  it  $ow  /  there  is  no  more  to  sey 

Vn-to  my  fader  /  gladly  wol  I  wende 

And  with  him  dwelle  /  vn-to  my  lyues  ende  833 

U  There  I  was  fostered  /  of  a  child  ful  smal  834 

Til  I  be  dede  /  my  lyf  there  wol  I  lede 

A  wydewe  cleue  /  in  body  hert  and  al 

And  sithe  I  $af  to  jow  /  my  maydenhede  837 

And  am  joure  trewe  wyf  /  it  is  no  drede 

God  shilde  /  swich"  a  lordes  wyf  /  to  take 

A-nother  man  /  to  husbonde  or  to  make  840 


262     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLBUK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

fl  And  of  ^oure  newe  wyf  /  god  of  his  grace  841 

So  graunte  ^ow  welthe  /  and  p?'0sperite 

ffor  I  wol  gladly  /  ^elden  hire  my  place 

In  which  that  I  was  /  blisful  wont  to  be  844 

For  sithe  it  liketh  $ow  /  my  lord  quod  she 

That  whilom  weren  /  al  myn  hertis  rest 

That  I  shal  gon  /  I  wyl  go  whan  jow  list  847 

^1  But  there  as  $e  me  profre  /  swicn"  doware  848 

As  I  first  brought  /  it  is  wel  in  my  mynde 

It  were  my  wreched  clothes  /  no  thyng  faire 

The  which  to  me  /  were  hard  now  for  to  fynde  851 

0  goode  god  /  how  gentyl  and  how  kynde 
$e  semed  by  joure  speche  /  and  $oure  vysage 

The  day  /  that  maked  was  /  oure  mariage  854 

U  But  soth"  is  seid  /  algate  I  fynde  it  trewe  855 

For  in  effect  /  it  preued  is  011  me 

loue  is  nought  old  /  as  whan  that  it  is  newe 

But  certes  lord  /  for  noon  aduersitee  858 

To  deye  in  this  cas  /  it  shal  nat  be 

That  euere  in  word  or  werk  /  I  shal  repent 

That  I  jow  $af  myn  hert  /  in  hole  en  tent  861 

U  My  lord  $e  wot  /  that  in  my  fadres  place  862 

3e  dide  me  stripe  /  out  of  my  poore  wede 

And  richely  me  clad  /  of  $oure  grace 

To  ^ow  brought  I  nat  ellis  /  out  of  drede  865 

But  filthe  and  nakednesse  /  and  maydenhede 

And  heere  a-geyn  /  my  clothyng  I  restore 

And  eke  my  weddyng  ryng  /  for  eueremore  868 

II  The  remenawnt  of  $oure  loweles  /  redy  be  869 

With-inne  ^oure  chaumbre  /  I  dar  it  safly  seyn 
Naked  out  of  my  fadres  hous  /  quod  she 

1  cam  /  and  naked  mot  I  turne  a-geyn  [leafioa]  872 


GROUP   E.       §    2.       CLERK'rf    TALE.       Dd.  4.  24.  263 

Al  3oure  plesaunce  /  wold  I  folwe  feyn 
But  3et  I  hope  /  it  be  nat  joure  entent 
That  I  smokies  /  out  of  joure  paleys  went  875 

U  }e  coucle  nat  do  /  so  dishonest  a  thyng  876 

That  thilke  wombe  /  in  which"  joure  children  ley 

Slmlde  byforn  the  peeple  /  in  my  walkyng 

Be  seyn  al  bare  /  wherfore  I  jow  prey  870 

late  me  nat  lyke  a  worme  /  go  by  the  wey 

Remembre  3ow  /  myn  owen  lord  so  dere 

I  was  3oure  wyf  /  though"  I  vmvortby  were  882 

H  Wherfore  in  guerdoue  /  of  my  maydenhede  883 

Which  that  I  brought  /  and  nought  a-geyn  I  bere 

As  vouchesaf  /  to  jeue  me  to  my  mede 

But  swich  a  smok  /  as  I  was  wont  to  were  886 

That  I  there-with"  may  wrye  /  the  wombe  of  hire1 

That  was  joure  wyf  /  and  here  I  take  my  leue  £.0^^nf— 

Of  30 w  rnyn  owen  lord  /  leste  I  30  w  greue 

U  The  smok  quod  he  /  that  J>ou  hast  on  thy  bak  890 

lat  it  be  stille  /  and  bere  it  forth  with  the 

But  wel  vnethes  /  thilke  word  he  spak 

But  went  his  wey  /  for  reuthe  and  for  pite  893 

Byforfi  the  folk  /  hire  seluen  stripeth"  she 

And  in  hire  smok  /  with  foot  and  hede  al  bare 

Toward  hire  fadres  hous  /  forth2  is  she  fare       t2  ^ove "« , 

'  line. — W.] 

U  The  folk  hire  folvven  /  wepyng  in  here  wey  897 

And  fortune  ay  /  they  cursen  /  as  they  gon 

But  she  fro  wepyng  /  kepeth  hire  eyen  drey 

Ne  in  this  tyme  /  word  ne  spak  she  noon  900 

hire  fader  /  that  this  tidyng  /  herd  a-noon 

Cursed  the  day  /  and  tyme  /  that  nature 

Shop  him  to  ben  /  a  lyues  creature  903 


264    GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

If  For  out  of  doute  /  this  olde  poore  man  904, 

"Was  euere  in  suspect  /  of  hire  mariage 

F?r  euere  he  demed  /  sithe  that  it  bygan 

That  whan  the  lord  /  fufilled  had  his  corage  907 

hym  wolde  thynke  /  it  were  a  disperage 

To  his  estate  /  so  lowe  for  to  light 

And  voyden  hire  /  as  sone  as  eue?'e  he  myght  910 

If  A-geyns  his  doughter  /  hastily  goth"  he  911 

For  he  by  noyse  of  folk  /  knew  hire  comyng 

And  with"  hire  olde  cote  /  as  it  mygfit  be 

he  couered  hire  /  ful  sorwefully  wepyng  914 

But  oon  hire  body  /  myght  he  it  nat  bring 

For  rude  was  the  cloth  /  and  she  more  of  age 

Be  dayes  feele  /  than  at  hire  mariage          [leaf  102,  back]  917 

IT  Thus  with  hire  fader  /  for  a  certeyn  space  918 

Dwelleth  this  flour  /  of  wyfly  pacience 

That  neither  by  hire  wordes  /  ne  hire  face 

Byforn  the  folk  /  ne  eke  in  here  absence  921 

Ne  shewed  she  /  that  hire  was  don  offence 

Ne  of  hire  heye  estate  /  no  remembraunce 

Ne  had  she  /  as  by  hire  countenaunce  924 

1f  No  wonder  is  /  for  in  hire  gret  estate  925 

hire  goost  was  euere  /  in  pleyn  humylite 

No  tendre  mouth  /  non  hert  delicate 

No  pompe  /  no  semblaunt  of  ryalte  928 

But  ful  of  pacient  benygnyte 

Discrete  /  and  prydles  /  ay  honorable 

And  to  hire  husbond  /  ay  meke  and  stable  931 

If  Men  speken  of  lob  /  and  most  for  his  humblesse       932 

As  clerkis  whan  hem  list  /  konne  wel  endite 

Namely  of  men  /  but  as  in  sothfastnesse 

Though  Clerkis  preyse  wommen  /  but  a  lite  935 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  265 

There  can  no  man  /  in  humblesse  him  a-quyte 

As  women  konne  /  ne  konne  be  half  so  trewe    f  No<ob«ne 

As  wommen  ben  /  but  it  be  falle  of  newe  938 

[PART  VI.     No  break  in  the  MS.] 

U  Fro  Boloigne  /  is  this  Erl  of  Pauyk  come  939 

Of  which  the  fame  /  vp  sprong  /  to  more  and  lesse 

And  in  the  peeples  Eres  /  alle  and  some 

Was  couth"  eke  /  that  a  newe  markysesse  942 

he  with"  him  brought  /  in  swich"  pompe  &  richesse 

That  neuere  was  there  seyn  /  with"  mawnes  eye 

So  noble  aray  /  in  al  West  lumbardye  945 

U  The  Markys  /  which  that  shope  /  &  knew  al  this      946 

Er  that  this  Erl  was  come  /  sent  his  message 

For  thilke  sely  /  poore  Grisildis 

And  she  with  humble  hert  /  and  glad  visage  949 

Nat  with  no  swollen  thought  /  in  hire  corage 

Cam  at  his  heste  /  and  oon  hir  knees  hire  sette 

And  reuerently  /  and  wysly  she  him  grette  952 

U  Grisilde  quod  he  /  my  wyl  is  outerly  953 

This  mayden  /  that  shal  wedded  be  to  me 

Resceyued  be  to-morwe  /  as  ryally 

As  yt  possible  is  /  in  myn  hous  to  be  956 

And  eke  that  euery  wyght  /  in  his  degree 

haue  his  estate  /  in  syttyng  and  in  seruyse 

And  hey  plesaunce  /  as  I  can  best  deuyse  959 

11 1  haue  no  womman  /  sufficient  certeyn  960 

The  chaumbres  to  araye  /  in  ordinaunce 

After  my  lust  /  and  therfore  wold  I  feyn  [leaf  ios] 

That  thyn  were  /  al  swich  maner  gouernaunce  963 

Thow  knowest  eke  /  of  olde  al  my  plesaunce 

Though  thyn  a-ray  be  badde  /  and  euel  be-seye 

Do  thow  thyn  deuer  /  at  the  leste  weye  966 


266    GKOUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

^1  Nat  oonly  lord  /  that  I  am  glad  quod  she  967 

To  do  joure  lust  /  but  I  desire  also 

$ow  for  to  seme  /  and  pleese  in  my  degree 

With-outen  feyntyng  /  and  shal  euere  moo  970 

Ne  neuere  for  no  wele  /  lie  no  woo 

Ne  shal  the  goost  /  with-Inne  myn  hert  stynt 

To  loue  jow  best  /  with"  al  myn  trewe  en  tent  973 

U  And  with"  that  word  /  she  gan  the  hous  to  digfrt        974 

And  tables  for  to  sette  /  and  beddes  make 

And  peyned  hire  /  to  don  al  that  she  myght 

Preying  the  chaumbreres  /  for  goddis  sake  977 

To  hasten  hem  /  and  faste  swepe  and  shake 

And  she  the  most  /  seruysable  of  alle 

hath"  euery  chaumbre  arayed  /  and  his  halle  980 

U  A-bouten  the  vnderne  /  gan  this  Erl  a-light  981 

That  with  him  brought  /  theise  noble  children  twey 

ffor  which  the  people  /  ran  to  se  the  sight 

Of  here  aray  /  so  richely  be-sey  984 

And  tharaie  at  arst  /  a-monges  hem  they  sey 

That  "Walter  was  no  fool  /  though  that  him  list 

To  chaunge  his  wyf  /  for  it  was  for  his  best  987 

U  ffor  she  is  feyrere  /  as  they  demen  alle  988 

Than  is  Grisilde  /  and  more  tendre  of  age 

And  fairere  fruyt  /  bytwen  hew  shuld  fallo 

And  more  plesaunt  /  for  hire  heigh  lynage  991 

hire  brother  eke  /  so  fayr  was  of  vysage 

That  hem  to  seen  /  the  peeple  hath  caught  plesauiice 

Commendyng  now  /  the  Markys  gouernaunce  994 

U  0  stormy  peeple  /  vn-sad  /  and  euere  vntrewe  H  Auctor 

Ay  vndiscret  /  and  chaungyng  as  a  fane 

Delityng  euere  /  in  rumbul  that  is  uewe 

ffor  lyke  the  Moue  /  ay  waxeth  he  and  wane  998 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  267 

Ay  ful  of  clappyng  /  dere  I-now  a  lane 

3oure  dome  is  fals  /  joure  constaunce  euele  preueth" 

A  ful  gret  fool  is  he  /  that  oon  jow  leueth  1001 

IT  Thus  seiden  sadde  folk  /  in  that  Citee  1002 

Whan  that  the  people  /  gased  vp  and  doun 

ffor  they  were  glad  /  right  for  the  nouelte 

To  han  a  newe  lady  /  of  here  toun  1005 

No  more  of  this  /  make  I  now  mencion 

But  to  Grisilde  a-geyn  /  I  wol  me  dresse     [leaf  103,  back] 

And  telle  hire  constaunce  /  and  hire  besynesse  1008 

U  fful  besy  was  Grisilde  /  in  euery  thyng  1009 

That  to  the  fest  /  was  pertynent 

Eight  nought  was  she  a-bayst  /  of  hire  clothyng 

Though  it  were  rude  /  and  somdele  eke  to-rent  1012 

But  with  glad  chere  /  to  the  jate  is  she  went 

With  othere  folk  /  to  grete  the  Markysesse 

And  after  that  /  doth  forth  hire  besynesse  1015 

U  With  so  glad  chere  /  hise  gestes  she  resceyued         1016 

And  so  konyngly  /  euerich  in  his  degree 

That  no  defaute  /no  man  perceyued 

But  ay  they  wondren  /  what  she  be  1019 

That  in  so  poore  aray  /  was  for  to  se 

And  coude  swich  honow  /  and  reuerence 

And  worthily  they  preisen  /  hire  prudence  1022 

U  In  all  this  mene  while  /  she  ne  stynt  1023 

This  Mayde  /  and  eke  hire  brother  /  to  comende 

With"  al  hire  herte  /  in  ful  benigne  entent 

So  wel  /  that  noman  coude  /  hire  pris  amende  1026 

But  at  the  last  /  whan  that  theise  lordes  wende 

To  setten  hem  doun  to  mete  /  he  gan  to  calle 

Grisilde  /  as  she  was  besy  /  in  the  halle  1029 


268    GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

^1  Grisilde  quod,  he  /  as  it  were  in  his  pley  1030 

how  lyketh  the  my  wyf  /  and  hire  beaute 

Right  wel  qwod  she  /  my  lord  /  for  in  good  fey 

A  fairere  saw  I  n  euere  noon  /  than  she  1033 

I  preye  to  god  /  jeue  hire  prosperite 

And  so  hope  I  /  that  he  wyl  to  $ow  send 

Plesaunce  I  now  /  vn  to  30111-6  lyues  end  1036 


bom  MB 


U  0  thyng  byseke  I  3ow  /  and  warne  also    ^ 

That  30  ne  pryke  /  wtt/i  no  turmentynge        l^tes  q'ttib^U'aiter- 

„,,.      .        ,        ,..        .       ,  .  ,  am  agitasti  nai»q«« 

Ihis  tendre  Jvlayde  /  as  30  nan  don  moo         &  minor  &  deiicaei- 

us  nutrita  est  /  pati 

ffor  she  is  fostred  /  in  hire  norisshynge  quantum  ego  vt  re- 

*     '  or  11011  valeret : — 

More  tenderly  /  and  to  my  supposynge 

She  coude  nat  /  aduersite  endure 

As  coude  a  poore  /  fostred  creature  1043 

U  And  whan  this  Walter  /  saugfi  hire  pacience  1044 

hire  glad  chere  /  and  no  malice  at  al 

And  he  so  oft  /  had  don  to  hire  offence 

And  she  ay  sad  /  and  constaunt  as  a  wal  1047 

Contenuyng  euere  /  hire  Innocence  ouer  al 

This  sturdy  Markys  /  gan  his  hert  dresse 

To  rewe  vp-oon  hire  wyfly  /  stedfastnesse  1050 

If  This  is  I-now  /  Grisilde  myn  quod  he  1051 

Be  now  nomore  a-gast  /  ne  euele  apayd  ,[ie»f  10*] 

I  haue  thy  feith"  /  and  thyn  benygnytee 

As  wel  as  euere  womman  /  was  assayed  1054 

In  gret  a-stat  /  and  poorely  arrayed 

Now  knowe  I  deere  wyf  /  thy  stedfastnesse 

And  hire  in  armes  toke  /  and  gan  hire  kysse  1057 

IT  And  she  for  wonder  /  toke  of  it  no  kepe  1058 

She  herde  nat  /  what  thyng  he  to  hire  seyde 

She  ferd  as  she  had  stirt  /  out  of  a  slepe 

Tyl  she  /  out  of  hire  Masednesse  /  a-breyde  1061 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  269 

Grisilde  qwod  he  /  by  god  that  for  vs  deyde 

Thow  art  my  wyf  /  noon  other  I  haue 

Ne  neuere  had  /  as  god  my  soule  saue  1064 

51  This  is  thy  doughter  /  which"  J?ou  hast  supposed       1065 

To  be  my  wyf  /  that  other  feitfifully 

Shal  be  myn  Eyr  /  as  I  haue  ay  disposed 

Thow  bar  him  /  in  thy  body  trewely  1068 

At  Boloigne  /  haue  I  kept  hem  preuyly 

Take  hem  a-geyn  /  for  now  maist  fou  nat  sey 

That  thow  hast  lorn  /  noone  of  fine  children  twey      1071 

U  And  folk  that  other  wyse  /  han  seyd  on  me  1072 

I  warne  he?ra  wele  /  that  I  haue  don  this  dede 

ffor  no  malice  /  ne  for  no  cruelte 

But  for  to  assay e  /  in  the  /  thy  wommanhede  1075 

And  nat  to  slen  myne  children  /  god  forbede 

But  for  to  kepen  hem  /  preuyly  and  stille 

Til  I  thy  purpos  knew  /  and  al  thy  wylle  1078 

IT  Whan  she  this  herd  /  on  swoujne  doun  she  falleth"  1079 

For  pytous  ioye  /  and  aftir  hire  swownyng 

She  /  bothe  hire  jonge  children  /  vn-to  hire  calleth" 

And  in  hire  armes  /  pytously  wepyng  1082 

Embracede  hem  /  and  tenderly  kyssing 

fful  lyke  a  Moder  /  with"  her  salte  teres 

She  bathed  bothe  here  visage  /  and  here  heres  1085 

U  0  which"  a  pytous  thyng  /  it  was  to  se  1086 

hire  swownyng  /  and  hire  humble  voys  to  heere 

Graunt  mercy  lord  /  god  thanke  it  jow  qwod  she 

That  30  han  saued  me  /  myne  children  dere  1089 

Now  rekke  I  neuere  /  to  be  ded  right  heere 

Sithe  I  stonde  /  in  3oure  loue  /  and  in  joure  grace 

No  force  of  deth"  /  ne  whan  my  spirit  pace  1092 


270     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

U  0  tendre  o  dere  /  o  jonge  children  myne  1093 

Joure  wooful  Moder  /  wend  stedfastly 

That  cruel  houndes  /  or  som  foule  venyme 

had  eteii  jow  /  but  god  of  his  mercy  1096 

And  joure  benigne  fader  /  tenderly  o«af  toi,  back] 

hath  don  jow  kepe  /  and  in  that  same  stouncle 

Al  sodeynly  /  she  fel  a-doun  to  grounde  1099 

U  And  in  hire  swougfi.  /  so  sadly  holdeth"  she  1100 

hire  children  two  /  whan  she  gan  hem  embrace 

That  with"  gret  sleight  /  and  gret  difficulte 

The  children  /  from  hire  arm  /  they  gonne  race  1103 

0  many  a  teere  /  many  a  pytous  pace 

Doun  ran  of  hem  /  that  stoden  hire  beside 

Vnethe  a-boute  hire  /  mygfit  they  a-byde  1106 

H  Walter  hire  gladeth"  /  and  hire  sorwe  slaketh"  1107 

Sche  ryseth"  vp  /  a-basshed  /  from  hire  traunce 

And  euery  wygfit  /  hire  ioye  /  and  feste  maketh" 

Til  she  hath  caught  /  a-geyn  /  hire  countenaunce        1110 

Walter  hire  doth"  /  so  feithful  plesaunce 

That  it  was  deynte  /  for  to  se  the  chere 

By twen  hem  two  /  syn  they  ben  met  in  fere  1113 

II  Theise  ladyes  /  whan  that  they  /  here  tyme  sey       1114 

han  taken  hire  /  and  in-to  chaumbre  gon 

And  stripen  hire  /  out  of  hire  rude  aray 

And  in  a  cloth  of  gold  /  that  bright  shon  1117 

With  a  Corone  /  of  many  a  riche  ston 

Vp-on  hire  hede  /  they  in-to  halle  hire  brought 

And  there  she  was  honoured  /  as  hire  ougfit  1120 

II  Thus  hath"  this  pytous  day  /  a  blisful  ende  1121 

ffor  euery  man  &  wowman  doth  his  myght 

This  day  /  in  myrthe  and  reuel  /  to  spende 

Til  on  the  walkene  /  shon  the  sterres  light  1124 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  271 

ffor  more  solempne  /  in  every  mawnes  sight 

This  feste  was  /  and  grettere  of  costage 

Than  was  the  reuel  /  of  hire  manage  1127 

U  fful  many  a  jere  /  in  heigh  prosperitee  1128 

lyuen  theise  two  /  in  concord  and  in  reest 

And  richely  his  doughter  /  maryed  he 

Vn-to  a  lord  /  oon  of  the  worthiest  1131 

Of  al  Itayle  /  and  thanne  in  pees  and  rest 

his  wyues  fader  /  in  his  court  he  kepeth" 

Til  that  the  soule  /  out  of  his  body  crepe th  1134 

U  His  sone  succedith  /  in  his  heritage  1135 

In  reste  and  pees  /  after  his  faderes  day 

And  fortunat  was  eke  /  in  mariage 

Al  put  he  nat  his  wyf  /  in  gret  assay  1138 

This  world  is  nat  so  strong  /  it  is  no  nay 

As  it  hath  ben  /  in  olde  tymes  $ore 

And  herkeneth  /  what  this  Auctor  /  seith"  therfore      1141 

H  This  storie  is  seid  /  nat  for  that  wyues  shulde    Deaf  105] 

ffolwe  Grisilde  /  as  in  Immilitee 

ffor  it  were  importable  /  though  they  wold  1144 

But  for  that  euery  wyght  /  in  his  degree    lLatin  note,  p.  274.] 

Shulde  be  constaunt  /  in  aduersitee 

As  was  Grisilde  /  therfore  Petrak  wrytetfi 

This  storie  /  which  with  heye  stile  /  he  endyteth"         1148 

U  ffor  sithe  a  womman  /  was  so  pacient  1149 

Vn-to  a  mortal  man  /  wel  more  we1  ought 

Eesceyuen  al  in  gree  /  that  god  vs  sent     ['  Move  the  line.— w.] 

ffor  gret  skyl  is  /  he  preeue  that  he  wrought  1152 

But  he  ne  tempteth  no  man  /  that  he  bought 

As  seith  Seynt  lame  /  if  30  his  pistel  rede 

he  preeueth  folk  al  day  /  it  is  no  drede  1155 


272     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

51  And  suffreth"  vs  /  as  for  cure  exercise  1156 

With  sharpe  skorges  /  and  aduersitee 

fful  oft  to  be  bete  /  in  sondry  wyse 

Nat  for  to  knowe  /  cure  wyl  /  for  certis  he  1159 

Er  we  were  born  /  knew  al  oure  freeletee 

And  for  oure  best  /  is  al  his  gouemaunce 

lat  vs  thanne  lyne  /  in  vertuous  suffraunce  1162 


U  But  oo  word  lordynggis  /  herkeneth  or  I  go  1163 

It  were  ful  hard  /  to  fynde  now  a  dayes 

In  al  a  Toun  /  Grisildis  thre  or  twoo 

ffor  if  J>at  thay  were  put  /  to  swicfi  assay es  1166 

The  gold  of  hem  /  hath  now  so  bad  a-layes 

With  bras  /  that  though  the  coyne  /  be  fair  at  eye 

It  wolde  rather  breste  a  two  /  than  plye  1169 


U  ffor  which"  here  /  for  the  wyues  loue  of  Bathe          1170 

Whos  lyf  /  and  al  hire  secte  /  God  mayntene 

In  heigh  maistrie  /  and  elles  were  it  skathe 

I  wol  with  lusty  hert  /  fressh"  and  grene  1173 

Seyn  jow  a  song  /  to  glade  $ow  I  wene 

And  late  vs  stynt  /  of  ernestful  matere 

Herkeneth  my  song  /  that  seith  in  this  manere  1176 


GRisilde  is  ded  /  and  eke  hire  pacience 
And  bothe  at  ones  /  I-beried  in  Itaylle 
ffor  which  I  crie  /  in  open  audience  1179 

No  wedded  man  /  so  hardy  be  /  to  assaylle 
his  wyues  pacience  /  in  trost  to  fynde 
Grisildis  /  for  in  certeyn  he  shal  fayle  1182 


GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  273 

U  0  noble  wyues  /  ful  of  heigh  prudence  IT  Auctor 

lat  noon  hunrilite  /  joure  tonges  nayle 

Ne  late  no  Clerk  /  haue  cause  or  diligence  1185 

To  wryte  of  $ow  /  a  etorie  of  swich  meruaille  [leaf  105,  back] 

As  of  Grisilde  /  pacient  and  kynde 

lest  Chechiuache  /  $ow  swelwe  /  in  hire  entraille         1188 

H  ffolweth  Ekko  /  that  holdeth  noon  silence 

But  euere  answereth"  /  at  the  counter  taille 

Beth  uat  be-daffed  /  for  joure  Innocence  1191 

But  sharply  taketh  on  $ow  /  the  gouemaille 

Emprentetfi  wel  /  this  lesson  /  in  ^oure  mynde 

ffor  comune  profyt  /  si  the  it  may  a-vaille  1194 

H  }e  Archewyues  /  stondeth  ay  at  defence 

Syn  30  ben  stronge  /  as  is  a  gret  Camaille 

Ne  suffreth"  nat  /  that  men  $ow  do  offence  1197 

And  sklendre  wyues  /  feble  as  in  bataille 

Beth  egre  /  as  a  Tygre  is  be-^onde  in  Inde 

Ay  clappeth  as  a  Mille  /  I  }ow  counsaille  1200 

11  NQ  drede  hem  nat  /  doth  hem  no  reuerence 

For  though  thyn  husbonde  /  armed  be  in  maille 

The  arwes  of  thyn  crabbed  /  eloquence  1203 

Shal  perse  his  brest  /  and  eke  his  auentaille 

In  ielousye  / 1  rede  eke  thow  him  bynde 

And  jjou  shalt  make  him  couche  /  as  doth  a  quaille    1206 

U  If  thow  be  fair  /  there  folk  ben  in  presence 
Shewe  thow  thy  vysage  /  and  thyn  apparaille 
If  thow  be  foule  /  be  free  of  thyn  dispence  1209 

To  gete  the  frendes  /  ay  do  thyn  trauaille 
Be  ay  of  chere  as  light  /  as  lef  on  lynde 
And  late  him  care  /  wepe  /  wrynge  /  and  waille          1212 

T 


274     GROUP  E.     §  2.     CLERK'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

II  This  worthy  Clerk  /  whan  ended  was  his  tale          1213 

Oure  host  seyde  /  and  swor  by  goddes  bones 

Me  were  leuere  /  than  a  Barel  of  ale 

My  wyf  at  horn  /  had  herd  this  legend  ones  1216 

This  is  a  gentil  tale  /  for  the  nones 

As  to  my  purpos  /  wyst  je  my  wylle 

But  thyng  that  wol  nat  be  /  lat  it  be  stille  1219 

U  Sic  desinit  fabula  Clerici  / 


p.  244, 1.  281.  IT  Vt  expe.ditis  curis  aliia  ad  videndim  domini  sui 
sponsam  cum  puellis  comitibus  prepararet '. 

p.  244, 1.  295.  If  Qttam  Walterus  cogitabundus  incedens  eamq«« 
compellans  no?nine '. 

p.  246,  1.  344.  IT  Et  patri  tuo  placet  inquid  &  mihi  vt  vxor  mea 
sis  /  &  credo  idipswm  tibi  placeat  set  habeo  ex  te  querere  &  c'  i 

p.  246,  1.  354.     IT  Sine  vlla  frontis  aut  verbi  inpugnacione '. 

p.  246, 1.  359.  IT  Nil  ego  vnqttam  sciens  ne  dum  faciam  set  eciam 
cogitabo  quod  contra  aiumum  tuum  sit  /  nee  tu  aliquid  facies  &  si 
me  mori  iusseris  quod  moleste  feram  i 

p.  247,  1.  372.  H  De  hinc  ne  quid  reliquiar«m  fortune  veteris 
nouawi  inferat  /  in  domum  nudari  earn  iussit! 

p.  248,  1.  400.  IT  Atqwe  apud  omnes  supra  fidem  cara  est  /  vix 
quod  hijs  ipsis  qui  illius  originem  nouerant  persuaderi  posset 
lanicule  natam  esse  tant?<s  vite  tantws  morwm  decor  ea  verbontw 
grauitas  atqwe  dulcedo  quibtts  omnium  a?iimos  nexu  sibi  magni 
amoris  astiinxerat : — 

p.  248,  1.  421.  H  Sic  Walters  humili  quidem  set  insigni  ac  pro- 
spero  matrimonio  honestatis  summa  dei  in  pace  &  c' : — 

p.  248,  1.  425.  IT  Quodqwe  eximiam  virtutewt  tanta  sub  inopia 
latitantem  tarn  perspicaciter  deprendisset  vulgzts  prndentissimws 
habebaturi 

p.  248,  1.  428.  IF  Neqw«  vero  solers  sponsa  muliebria  iantum  ac 
domestica  set  vbi  res  posceret  publica  eciam  subibat  omcia : — 

p.  249,  1.  436.  H  viro  absente  lites  patrie  ndbilium  discordias 
dirimeras  atqtte  componens  tarn  g?-auibus  responsis  tautaqw«  matu- 
ritate  &  iudicii  equitate  vt  om?ies  ad  salutem  publicam  demissam 
celo  feminam  predicarent : — 

p.  249,  1.  449.  II  Ceperit  ut  fit  int«rdum  Walterum  cum  iam  ab- 
lactata  esset  infantula  mirabilis  quedam  qwam  laudabilis  cupiditas 
satis  expertam1  care  fidem  coniugis  experiendi  alcius  &  it«rum  atqit« 
iterum  retemptandi : — 

p.  271, 1.  1145.  11  Hanc  Historiam  stilo  mmc  alto  retexere  visum 
fuit  now,  turn  ideo  vt  matronas  nostri  temporis  ad  imitandam  huius 
vxoris  pacienciam  que  miAi  inimitabilis  videtwr  quaere  vt  legentes  ad 
imitanda?«  saltern  fewiiTie  constanciajft  excitarentwr  vt  quod  liec  viro 
suo  prestitit  /  hoc  prestare  deo  nostro  audeat  quilibet  vt  lacobus  ait 
Aposfolus  /  Intemptator  sit  malorww  &  ipse  nemmem  temptat  /  pro- 
bat  tamen  &  sepe  nos  multis  ac  grauibits  flagellis  exerceri  sinit  non 
vt  animum  nostrum  sciat  quern  sciuit  anteq?f«m  crearemur  &  c' : 

1  apertam  corrected  to  expertam. — W. 


GROUP   E.      §    3.      CLERK-MERCHANT-LINK.      Dd.  4.  24.      275 


[o»  leaf  105,  back']      &  incipit  prologus  of  the  Marchaunt 

Wepy  ng  and  waylyng  /  care  and  other  sorwe  [leaf  106] 
I  knowe  I-now  /  on  Euen  and  on  monve 
Quod  the  Marchaunt  /  and  so  don  othere  moo 
That  wedded  ben  /  I  trowe  that  it  be  so     1216 
fful  wel  I  wot  /  it  fareth"  so  by  me 
I  haue  a  wyf  /  the  werste  that  may  be 
For  though  the  fend  /  to  hire  I-coupled  were 
She  wolde  him  ouer-macche  /  I  dar  wel  swere  1220 

what  shulde  I  $ow  reherce  /  in  special 
hire  heye  malice  /  she  is  a  shrewe  with-al 
There  is  a  long  /  and  a  large  difference 
Be-twix  Grisildis  /  grete  pacience  1224 

And  of  my  wyf  /  the  passyng  cruelte 
were  I  vnbounden  /  also  mot  I  the 
I  wolde  neuere  eft  /  comen  in  the  snare 
we  wedded  men  /  lyue  in  sorwe  and  care  1228 

Assay  who-so  wyl  /  and  he  shal  fynde 
That  I  seye  soth"  /  be  seynt  Thomas  of  Inde 
As  for  the  more  part  j  I  seye  nat  alle 
God  shilde  that  it  shulde  /  so  byfalle  1232 

A  goode  sire  hoost  /  I  haue  I-wedded  be 
Theise  Monthes  two  /  and  more  nat  parde 
And  jet  I  trowe  /  that  he  that  al  his  lyue 
wy flees  hath"  ben  /  though  that  men  wold  him  ryue    1236 
vn-to  the  hert  /  ne  coude  in  no  man  ere 
Tellen  so  meche  sorwe  /  as  I  now  here 
Coude  tellen  /  of  my  wyues  cursidnes 
Now  qwod  oure  host  /  Marchaunt  so  god  jow  blis       1240 
Syn  $e  so  mechil  knowen  /  of  that  art 
fful  hertily  I  pray  }ow  /  telle  vs  part 
Gladly  quod  he  /  but  of  myn  owen  sore 
ffor  sory  hert  /  I  telle  may  no  more  1244 


276      GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 


H  Incipit  fabula  Mercatoris 

WHilom  there  was  dwellyng  /  in  Lumbardie 
A  worthy  knygfct  /  that  born  was  of  Pauye 
In  which"  he  leued  /  in  gret  prosperite 
And  Sexty  jere  /  a  wyfles  man  was  he        1248 
And  folwed  ay  /  his  bodily  delyt 
On  wommen  /  there  as  was  his  appetit 
As  don  theise  fooles  /  that  ben  seculere 
And  whan  that  he  was  passed  /  sexty  $ere  1252 

Were  it  for  holynesse  /  or  for  dotage  Deaf  ioe,  back] 

I  can  nat  sey  /  but  swich"  a  gret  corage 
had  this  knyght  /  to  ben  a  wedded  man 
That  day  and  nygfit  /  he  doth"  al  that  he  can  1256 

To  spye  /  where  he  myght  /  wedded  be 
Preying  oure  lord  /  to  graunte  him  that  he 
Mygfit  ones  knowe  /  of  thilk  blisful  lyf 
That  is  bytwix  /  an  husbonde  and  his  wyf  1260 

And  for  to  lyue  /  vnder  that  holy  bond 
with"  which"  /  that  first  /  god  /  man  and  wo??iman  bond 
Noon  other  lyf  seide  he  /  is  worth"  a  bene 
ffor  wedlak  is  so  esy  /  and  so  clene  1264 

That  in  this  world  /  it  is  a  Paradyse 
Thus  seyde  this  olde  knyght  /  that  was  so  wyse 
And  certeynly  as  soth"  /  as  god  is  kyng 
To  take  a  wyf  /  it  is  a  glorious  thyng  1268 

And  namely  whan  a  man  /  is  old  and  hore 
Than  is  a  wyf  /  the  fruyt  of  his  tresore 
Than  shuld  he  take  /  a  $ong  wyf  and  a  feyre 
Of  which"  he  mygfit  /  engender  him  an  Eyre  1272 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         277 

And  lede  his  lyf  /  in  loye  and  solace 

where  alle  theise  bacheleres  /  syngen  alias 

whan  that  they  fynd  /  any  aduersitee 

In  loue  /  which"  is  but  childissh"  vanyte  1276 

And  trewely  it  syt  wel  /  to  be  so 

That  bacheleres  /  han  oft  tyme  peyne  and  woo 

On  brotel  ground  /  they  bilde  /  and  brothilnesse 

They  fynde  /  whan  they  wene  sekernesse  1280 

They  lyue  but  as  a  bird  /  or  as  a  beest 

In  liberte  /  and  vnder  noon  a-reest 

There  as  a  wedded  man  /  in  his  estate 

lyueth  a  lyf  blisseful  /  and  ordinate  1284 

vnder  this  jok  /  of  mariage  I-bounde 

wel  may  his  hert  /  in  loye  and  blisse  habounde 

ff  or  who  can  be  /  so  buxum  as  a  wyf          IT  Note  bene 

who  is  so  trewe  /  and  eke  so  ententyf  1288 

To  kepe  him  syke  and  hole  /  as  is  his  make 

ffor  wel  or  woo  /  she  wyl  him  nat  forsake 

She  nys  nat  wery  /  him  to  loue  and  serue 

Though"  that  he  lye  /  bedrede  /  til  he  sterue  1292 

And  jet  somme  Clerkes  seyn  /  it  is  nat  so 

Of  which"  /  Theofaste  /  is  on  of  thoo 

what  force  /  though"  Theofaste  list  lye 

Ne  take  ]>o\i  no  wyf  quod  he  /  for  husbondrye  1296 

As  for  to  spare  /  in  houshold  thyn  dispence 

A  trewe  seruauwt  /  doth"  more  diligence 

Thy  good  to  kepe  /  than  thyn  owen  wyf 

ffor  she  wyl  cleyme  half  part  /  al  hire  lyf      [leaf  107]     1300 

And  if  Jwu  be  syke  /  so  god  me  saue 

Thyne  verray  frendes  /  or  a  trewe  knaue 

wyln  kepe  the  bet  /  than  she  that  waytetfi  ay 

After  thy  good  /  and  hath"  don  many  a  day  1304 

And  if  thow  take  a  wyf  /  of  heye  lynage 

She  shal  be  hauteyn  /  and  of  gret  costage 

Theise  sentences  /  and  an  hondred  thynges  worse 

wryteth"  this  man  /  there  god  his  soule  curse  1308 


278      GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

But  take  no  kepe  /  of  aH  swich"  vanyte 

Diffye  Theofaste  /  and  herkene  to  me 

A  wyf  is  goddis  jifte  /  verrayly  [Latin  note,  p.  sio.] 

Alle  othere  manere  3iftes  /  hardily  1312 

As  /  londes  /  Eentes  /  Pasture  or  Comune 

Or  mebles  /  alle  ben  jiftes  of  fortune 

That  passen  /  as  a  shadewe  on  a  wal 

But  drede  nat  /  if  pleynly  speke  I  shal  1316 

A  wyf  wol  last  /  and  in  thyn  hous  endure       1  verum 

wel  lengere  /  than  the  list  perauenture 

Mariage  is  /  a  ful  gret  sacrament 

he  that  hath"  no  wyf  /  I  holde  hi??i  shent  1320 

he  lyueth"  helpelees  /  and  al  dissolate 

I  speke  of  folk  /  in  seculer  estate 

And  herkene  why  /  I  seye  nat  this  for  nought 

That  wowman  is  /  for  mawnes  help  I-wrought  J.324 

The  heye  god  /  whan  he  had  Adam  maked 

And  saw  him  a-lone  /  bely  naked 

God  of  his  gret  goodnes  /  seide  than      [.Latin  note,  p.  sio.] 

Lat  vs  now  make  /  an  helpe  vn-to  this  man  1328 

lyke  to  him  self  /  and  thawne  he  mad  him  Eue 

here  may  30  se  /  and  heere-by  may  je  preeue 

That  wyf  is  maraies  help  /  and  his  comfort 

his  paradise  terrestre  /  and  his  disport  1332 

So  buxum  /  and  so  vertuous  is  she 

They  must  nedes  /  lyue  in  vnite 

O  flessh"  they  ben  /  and  oo  flessh"  as  I  gesse 

hath  but  on  hert  /  in  wele  and  in  distresse  1336 

A  wyf  /  a  Seynt  Mary  benedicite 

how  mygfit  a  man  /  han  ony  aduersite 

That  hath"  a  wyf  /  certes  I  can  nat  sey 

The  blisse  ther  is  /  be-twix  hem  twey  1340 

There  may  no  tonge  telle  /  or  herte  thynke 

if  he  be  poore  /  she  helpeth  him  to  swynke    IT  or  to  drynke 

She  kepeth  his  good  /  and  wasteth"  neuere  a  dele 

Al  that  hire  husbonde  lust  /  hire  liketh  wele  1344 


GROUP  E.  §  4.  MERCHANT'S  TALE.  Dd.  4.  24.    279 

She  seith  nat  ones  nay  /  whan  she  seith"  30     [leafw, back] 

Do  this  seith  he  /  al  redy  sire  seith  she 

O  blisseful  ordre  of  wedlak  /  preciouse 

Thow  that  art  so  mery  /  and  eke  so  vertuouse  1348 

And  so  comended  /  and  approued  eke 

That  ony  man  /  )>at  holdith"  him  worth  a  leke 

vp-oon  his  bare  knees  /  ought  al  his  lyf 

Thanke  his  god  /  that  him  hath  sent  a  wyf  1352 

Or  ell  is  preye  to  god  /  hym  for  to  sende 

A  wyf  /  to  laste  /  vn-to  his  lyues  ende 

ffor  than  his  lyf  /  is  sette  in  sekernes 

he  may  nat  be  /  disseyued  as  I  gesse  1356 

So  that  he  werke  /  after  his  wyues  rede 

Than  may  he  boldely  /  bere  vp  his  hede 

They  ben  so  trewe  /  and  ther-with-al  so  wyse 

ffor  which  /  if  J>ou  wylt  werke  /  as  the  wyse  1360 

Do  alwey  /  so  as  womnien  wol  the  rede 

Lo  how  J>at  lacob  /  as  theise  Clerkes  rede     [Latin  note,  p.  sio.] 

By  good  counseil  /  of  his  Moder  rebekke 

Bond  the  kydes  skyn  /  a-boute  his  nekke  1364 

ffor  which  /  his  fadres  benyson  he  wan 

Lo  ludyth  /  as  the  story  eke  telle  can  [Latin  note,  p.  sio.] 

Be  wys  counseil  /  she  goddis  peeple  kepte 

And  slough  him  /  Olofemws  /  while  he  slepte  1368 

lo  AbygaH  /  by  good  counseil  /  how  she        {.Latin  note,  p.  sio.] 

Saued  hire  husbonde  /  Nabal  /  whan  that  he 

Shulde  haue  be  slayn  /  and  loke  Ester  also   {.Latin  note,  p.sio.] 

By  good  counseil  /  delyuered  out  of  woo  1372 

The  peeple  of  god  /  and  mad  him  Mardochee 

Of  Assuer  /  enhaunced  for  to  be 

There  nys  no  thyng  /  in  gree  superlatyf 

As  seith  Senek  /  a-boue  an  humble  wyf  [.Latin  note,  p.  sio.]  1376 

Suffre  thy  wyues  tonge  /  as  Caton)  byt 

She  shal  comaunde  /  and  }?ou  shalt  suffren  it  [Latin  note,  p.  sio.] 

And  jet  she  wyl  obeye  /  of  curteisye 

A  wyf  is  kepere  /  of  thyn  husboiidrye  13&0 


280     GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

wel  may  the  syke  man  /  bywaylle  and  wepe 
There  as  nys  no  wyf  /  the  hous  to  kepe 

I  warne  the  /  if  wysely  pou  wolt  werche        [Latin  note,  p.  sio.] 
loue  wel  thy  wyf  /  as  crist  loued  his  chirche  1384 
If  pou  loue  thy  self  /  thow  louest  thy  wyf     [.Latin  note,  p.  sio.] 
Neman  hateth"  his  flessh  /  but  in  his  lyf 

he  f ostreth"  it  /  and  therf ore  bidde  I  the         [Latin  note,  p.  sio.] 

Chore  thy  wyf  /  or  thow  shalt  neuere  thee  1388 

husbonde  or  wyf  /  what  so  men  iape  or  pleye 

Of  worldly  folk  /  holden  the  sekyr  weye 

They  ben  so  kny  t  /  there  may  noon  harm  betide    [leaf  108] 

And  namely  vp-oon  the  wyues  syde  1392 

II  This  olde  knygfrt  lanuare  /  of  which"  I  tolde 
Considered  hath"  /  with-Inne  his  dayes  olde 
The  lusty  lyf  /  the  vertuouse  quiete 

That  is  in  mariage  /  hony  swete  1396 

And  for  hise  frendes  /  oon  a  day  he  sent 

To  telleii  hem  /  the  effect  /  of  his  entent 

with  face  sad  /  this  tale  he  hath"  hew  told 

he  seide  frendes  /  I  am  hore  and  old  1400 

And  almost  god  wot  /  oon  pittis  brynke 

vpon  my  soule  /  somwhat  must  I  thynke 

I  haue  my  body  /  fouly  dispended 

Blissed  be  god  /  that  it  shal  be  amended  1404 

And  that  a-noon  /  in  al  the  hast  that  I  can 

ffor  I  wol  be  certeyn  /  a  wedded  man 

vn-to  sum  maide  /  fair  and  tendre  of  age 

I  preye  $ow  shapeth"  /  for  my  mariage  1408 

Al  sodeynly  /  for  I  wol  nat  a-bide 

And  I  wyl  fond  /  to  spien  of  my  syde 

To  whom  I  may  be  wedded  /  hastily 

But  for-as-meche  /  as  30  ben  moo  than  I  1412 

3e  shuln  rather  /  swich"  a  thyng  a-spien 

Than  I  /  and  where  /  me  best  were  to  allien 

But  oo  thyng  warne  I  $ow  /  my  frendes  deere 

I  wol  noon  old  wyf  haue  /  in  no  manere  1416 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         281 

She  shal  not  passe  /  sextene  jer  certeyn 

Okie  fyssh"  and  ^onge  flessh  /  wolde  I  haue  fayn 

Bet  quod,  he  is  a  Pyke  /  than  a  PykereH 

And  bet  than  olde  Beef  /  is  the  tendre  veH  1420 

I  wol  no  woraman  /  thretty  $er  of  age 

It  is  but  benstraw  /  and  gret  forage 

And  eke  theise  olde  wydewes  /  god  it  wot 

They  knowe  so  meche  craft  /  on  wades  bot  1424 

So  ineche  broken  harm  /  whan  hem  liste 

That  with"  hem  /  shuld  I  neuere  lyue  in  reste 

ffor  sondry  scoles  /  maken  subtil  clerkes 

A  wo?nman  of  many  scoles  /  half  a  clerk  is  1428 

But  certeynly  /  a  ^onge  thyng  /  moun  men  gye 

Eight  as  men  moun  warme  wex  /  with  hondis  plye 

Wherfore  I  seye  jow  /  pleynly  in  a  clause 

I  wol  noon  olde  wyf  haue  /  right  for  this  cause  1432 

ffor  if  so  were  /  I  had  swich"  myschaunce 

That  I  in  hire  /  coude  haue  no  plesaunce 

Than  shuld  I  lede  my  lyf  /  in  avoutree 

And  streight  go  to  the  deuel  /  whan  I  deye    [leaf  ios,  back] 

!N"e  children  shulde  I  noone  /  vp-oon  hire  geten  1437 

3et  were  me  leuere  /  houndes  had  me  eten 

Than  that  myn  heritage  /  shulde  falle 

In  straunge  hand  /  and  this  I  telle  $ow  alle  1440 

I  doute  nought  /  I  wot  the  cause  why 

Men  shulde  wedde  /  and  forthermore  wot  I 

There  speketh  many  man  /  of  mariage 

That  wot  no  more  of  it  /  than  wot  my  page  1444 

ffor  which  causes  /  man  shulde  take  a  wyf 

If  he  ne  may  nat  /  lyue  chast  his  lyf 

Take  him  a  wyf  /  with  gret  deuocion 

By  cause  of  leueful  /  procreacion  1448 

Of  children  /  to  honour  of  god  a-boue 

And  nat  oonly  /  for  paramour  or  loue 

And  for  they  shuld  /  lecherie  eschue 

And  jelde  here  dettes  /  whan  that  it  is  due  1452 


282      GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

Or  for  that  eche  of  hem  /  shulcle  helpen  other 

In  myschief  /  as  a  suster  shal  the  brother 

And  lyue  in  chastite  /  ful  holily 

But  sires  be  ^oure  leue  /  that  am  nat  I  1456 

ffor  god  be  thanked  /  I  dar  mak  a-vaunt 

I  fele  myne  lymes  stark  /  and  sufficeaunt 

To  do  al  that  a  man  /  bylongeth"  to 

I  wot  my  self  best  /  what  I  may  do  1460 

Though"  I  be  hore  /  I  fare  as  doth"  a  tree 

That  blomyth"  /  er  ]>at  fruyt  I-wexen  be 

A  blosmy  tree  /  nys  neither  drye  ne  dede 

I  fele  me  nowher  hore  /  but  oon  myn  hede 

My  herte  and  alle  myne  lymes  /  ben  as  grene 

As  laureH  thurgh"  the  ^ere  /  is  for  to  sene 

And  syn  that  je  /  han  herd  al  myn  entent 

I  preye  $ow  to  my  wyl  /  $e  wyln  assent 

Dyuerse  men  /  diuersly  him  told 

Of  manage  /  manye  ensaumples  old 

Some  blamed  it  /  some  preised  it  certeyn 

But  at  the  laste  /  shortly  for  to  seyn  1472 

As  al  day  falletli  /  altercacion 

Betwixe  frendes  /  in  disputacion 

There  fel  a  strif  /  be-twix  hise  bretheren  two 

Of  which"  /  fat  on  /  was  cleped  /  Placebo  1476 

lustinus  sothly  /  called  was  that  other 

Placebo  seide-  /  o  lanuare  brother 

fful  litel  nede  /  had  je  my  lord  so  deere 

Counseil  to  aske  /  of  ony  that  is  heere  1480 

But  that  30  ben  /  so  ful  of  sapience  [leaf  109] 

That  ^ow  ne  lyketh  /  for  ^oure  heygh"  prudence 

To  wyue  fro  the  word  /  of  Salamon 

This  word  seide  he  /  vn-to  vs  euerychoil  1484 

Werk  al  thyng  be  counseil  /  thus  seide  he 

And  tharcne  shalt  JJGU  nat  /  repente  the 

But  though"  that  Salamon  /  spak  swich"  a  word 

Myn  owen  dere  brother  /  and  my  lord  1488 


GUOUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         283 

So  wysly  god  my  soule  /  brynge  at  rest 

I  holde  ^oure  owen  counseil  /  is  the  best 

fibr  brother  myn  /  of  me  take  this  motyf 

I  haue  now  ben  /  a  courte  man,  al  my  lyf  1492 

And  god  it  wot  /  though"  I  vnworthy  be 

I  haue  stonden  /  in  ful  gret  degree 

Aboue  lordes  /  of  ful  heigh"  astate 

Jet  had  I  neuere  /  with  noon  of  hem  debate  1496 

I  neuere  hem  contraried  /  trewely 

I  wot  wel  that  my  lord  /  can  more  than  I 

What  that  he  seith"  /  I  holde  it  ferme  and  stable 

I  seye  the  same  /  or  ellis  thyng  semblable  1500 

A  ful  gret  fool  /  is  ony  counseillour 

That  serueth  any  lord  /  of  heigh  honour 

That  dar  presume  /  or  ellys  thynken  it 

That  his  counseil  /  shulde  passe  his  lordes  wyt  1504 

Nay  /  lordes  be  none  fooles  be  my  fay 

3e  han  ^oure  self  /  seid  heere  to-day 

So  heigh"  sentence  /  so  holily  and  so  wele 

That  I  consente  /  and  conferme  euerydele  1508 

Joure  wordes  alle  /  and  $oure  opynyon 

By  god  there  nys  man  /  in  al  this  toun 

Ne  in  ytaille  /  coude  bet  haue  I-seyd 

Crist  halt  hym  /  of  this  counseille  ful  wel  paid  1512 

And  trewely  it  is  /  an  heigh"  corage 

Of  ony  man  /  that  stopen  is  in  age 

To  take  a  jong  wyf  /  be  my  fader  kyn 

3oure  hert  hangeth  /  oon  a  loly  pyn  1516 

Doth  now  in  this  matere  /  right  as  $ow  lyst 

ff or  ff ynally  /  I  holde  it  for  the  best 

V  lustinus  that  ay  stille  sat  /  and  herde 

Eight  in  this  wyse  /  he  to  Placebo  answerde  1520 

Now  brother  myn  /  be  pacient  I  pray 

Syn  30  han  seid  /  and  herkene  what  I  sey 

Senek  /  amongis  hise  othere  wordes  wyse 

Seith  /  that  a  man  /  ought  him  right  wel  avyse  1524 


284     GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.    Dd.  4.  24. 

To  whom  hew  3eueth  his  lond  or  his  Catel 

And  syn  I  ought  /  a-vyse  me  right  wel        [leaf  109,  back] 

To  whom  I  joue  /  my  good  a-wey  fro  me 

Wel  meche  more  I  ought  /  avysen  me  parde  1528 

To  whom  I  jeue  my  body  /  for  alwey 

I  warne  $ow  wele  /  it  is  no  childes  pley 

To  take  a  wyf  /  with-outen  avyseinent 

Men  must  enquere  /  this  is  myn  assent  1532 

Wheiper  she  be  wys  /  and  sobre  /  or  dronkelewe 

Or  proud  /  or  ellis  /  other  weyes  a  shrewe 

A  chidere  /  or  a  wastour  of  thy  good 

Or  riche  or  poore  /  or  ellis  mannyssh"  wood  1536 

Al  be  it  so  /  that  no  man  fynden  shal 

Noon  in  this  world  /  that  trotteth  hool  in  al 

Ne  man  ne  best  /  swich  as  men  coude  deuyse 

But  natheles  /  it  ought  I-now  suffise  1540 

With  any  wyf  /  if  so  were  that  she  had 

Moo  goode  thewes  /  than  hire  vices  bad 

And  al  this  askitfi  leyser  /  for  to  enquere 

ffor  god  it  woot  /  I  haue  wept  many  a  tere  1544 

fful  preuyly  /  syn  that  I  hadde  a  wyf 

Preyse  who  so  wyl  /  a  wedded  mawnys  lyf 

Certeyn  I  fynde  in  it  /  but  cost  and  care 

And  obseruaunces  /  of  alle  blisses  bare  1548 

And  jet  god  wot  /  myne  neyghebores  aboute 

And  namely  of  wo?)imen  /  many  a  route 

Seyn  /  that  I  haue  /  the  most  stedefast  wyf 

And  eke  the  mekest  /  on  that  berith  lyf  1552 

But  I  wot  best  /  where  wryngeth  me  my  sho 

$e  moun  for  me  /  right  as  $ow  liketh  do 

Auyseth  ^ow  /  $e  ben  a  man  of  age 

how  that  30  entren  /  in-to  mariage  1556 

And  namely  /  with  a  jong  wyf  and  a  fair 

Be  him  that  made  /  water  /  Erthe  /  and  Eyr 

The  Congest  man  that  is  /  in  al  this  route 

Is  besy  I-now  to  bryngen  it  a-boute  1560 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         285 

To  ban  his  wyf  a-loue  /  trosteth"  me 

3e  shuln  nat  plese  hire  /  fully  jeres  thre 

That  is  to  seyn  /  to  don  hire  ful  plesaunce 

A  wyf  asketh  /  ful  many  an  obseruaunce  1564 

I  pray  $ow  /  that  je  be  nat  /  euele  a-paid 

U  Wei  quod  this  lanuarie  /  and  hast  Jiou  seid 

Straw  for  thy  Senek  and  for  thyne  prouerbes 

I  counte  it  nat  a  panyere  ful  of  herbes  1568 

Of  scole  termes  wysere  men  than  thow 

As  Jjou  hast  herd  /  assentyd  right  now 

To  my  purpos  /  Placebo  what  seye  30  [leaf  no] 

I  seye  it  is  a  cursed  man  /  quod  he  1572 

That  lettith"  matrimoyne  /  sekerly 

And  with"  that  word  /  they  resyn  sodeynly 

And  ben  assentid  fully  /  that  he  shulde 

Be  wedded  /  whan  him  list  /  and  where  he  wolde       1576 

heigh"  fantasie  /  and  curious  besynesse 

ffro  day  to  day  /  gan  in  the  soule  impresse 

Of  lanuarie  /  a-boute  his  mariage 

Many  fair  shap  /  and  many  a  fair  visage  1580 

There  passeth  thurgh"  his  hert  /  nygh~t  be  nyght 

As  who  toke  a  Myrour  /  polysshed  bryght 

And  sette  it  /  in  a  comune  /  Market  place 

Than  shuld  he  se  /  ful  many  a  fygure  pace  1584 

By  his  Mirour  /  and  in  this  same  wyse 

Gan  lanuarie  /  with-Inne  his  J)oujt  deuyse 

Of  maydenes  /  which"  that  dwelt  him  beside 

he  wyst  nought  where  /  that  he  myght  a-byde  1588 

ffor  if  that  on  /  haue  beaute  in  hire  face 

Another  stondeth  so  /  in  the  peoples  grace 

ffor  hire  sadnes  /  and  hire  benignitee 

That  of  the  peeple  /  the  grettest  voys  hath"  she  1592 

And  sojrame  were  riche  /  and  had  a  bad  name 

But  natheles  /  betwixt  ernest  and  game 

he  at  the  last  /  a-poynteth"  him  oon  one 

And  lete  alle  othere  /  from  his  hert  gone  1596 


286   GROUP  E.  §  4.  MERCHANT'S  TALE.  Dd.  4.  24. 

And  chesith  hire  /  of  his  owen  auctorite 

ffor  loue  is  blynde  /  al  day  /  and  may  nat  se 

And  whan  that  he  was  /  in  his  bed  brought 

he  portrayed  in  his  hert  /  and  in  his  thought  1600 

hire  ff  ressh  beaute  /  and  hire  age  tendre  1  Nota 

hire  mydel  smal  /  and  hire  armes  sklendre 

hire  wys  gouernaimce  /  hire  gentilnesse 

hire  wommanly  beryng  /  and  hire  sadnesse  1604 

And  whan  that  he  /  on  hire  was  condescended 

hym  thought  his  choys  /  myght  nat  ben  amended 

ffor  whan  pat  he  him  self  /  concluded  had 

him  thought  /  eche  other  mawuys  wyt  so  bad  1608 

That  inpossible  it  were  /  to  replie 

Ageyn  his  choise  /  this  was  his  fantasie 

hise  frendes  sent  he  to  /  at  his  instaunce 

And  preyed  hem  /  to  do  him  that  plesaunce  1612 

That  hastily  they  woldyn  /  to  him  come 

he  wold  a-quyt  here  labour  /  al  and  some 

Nedith"  it  no  more  /  for  him  to  go  ne  ride     [leaf  no,  back] 

he  was  a-poynted  /  there  he  wold  a-byde  1616 

Placebo  cam  /  and  eke  hise  frendes  sone 

And  alderfirst  /  he  bad  hem  alle  a  boone 

That  noone  of  hem  /  noone  argumentez  make 

Ageyn  the  purpos  /  which"  J»at  he  hath"  take  1620 

Which  purpos  /  was  plesyng  to  god  /  seide  he 

And  verray  ground  /  of  his  prosperite 

he  seide  there  was  /  a  mayden  in  the  toun 

"Which  that  of  beaute  /  had  gret  renoun  1624 

Al  were  it  so  /  she  were  of  smal  degree 

Suffiseth"  hym  /  hire  ^outhe  and  hire  beaute 

Which  maide  he  seide  /  he  wolde  han  to  his  wyf 

To  leade  in  ease  and  holynesse  /  his  lyf  1628 

And  thanke  god  /  that  he  myght  haue  hire  al 

That  no  wyght  /  his  blisse  parten  shal 

he  preyed  hem  /  to  laboure  in  this  nede 

And  shape  that  he  /  faille  nat  to  spede  1632 


GROUP  E.  §  4.  MERCHANT'S  TALE.  Dd.  4.  24.    287 

ffor  than  he  seide  /  his  spirit  was  at  ease 

Than  is  quod  he  /  no  thyng  may  me  displese 

Saue  o  thyng  /  prykketh"  in  my  conscience 

The  which  I  wol  reherce  /  in  ^oure  p/-esence  1636 

I  haue  quod  he  herd  seid  /  ful  jore  a-go 

There  may  no  man  haue  /  parfyt  blisses  two 

This  is  to  seyn  /  in  erthe  and  eke  in  heuene 

ffor  though"  he  kepe  him  /  fro  the  sinnes  seuene          1640 

And  eke  from  euery  braunche  /  of  thilke  tree 

Jet  is  there  /  so  parfyt  felicite 

And  so  gret  ese  /  and  lust  in  mariage 

That  euere  I  am  agast  /  now  in  myn  age  1644 

That  I  shal  lede  now  /  so  mery  a  lyf 

So  delicat  /  with-outen  woo  and  strif 

That  I  shal  haue  /  myn  heuene  in  erthe  heere 

ffor  si  the  that  verray  heuene  /  is  bought  so  dere          1648 

With"  tribulacions  /  and  gret  penaunce 

how  shuld  I  than  /  that  lyue  in  swich  plesaunce 

As  alle  wedded  men  /  don  with  here  wyxies 

Come  to  the  blisse  /  there  crist  eterne  /  oon  lyue  ys    1652 

This  is  my  drede  /  and  30  myne  bretheryn  twey 

Assoyleth  me  /  this  question  /  I  prey 

lustinus  /  which"  that  hated  his  foly 

Answered  a-noon  /  right  in  his  iapery  1656 

And  for  he  wold  /  his  longe  tale  a-bregge 

he  wold  noon  auctorite  /  allege 

But  seide  sire  /  so  there  be  noon  obstacle 

Othere  than  this  /  god  of  his  heye  myracle    peafiii]     1660 

And  of  his  mercy  /  may  so  for  jow  werche 

That  er  $e  han  /  joure  rightis  of  holi  chirche 

$e  may  repent  /  of  wedded  ma?mys  lyf 

In  which  je  seyn  /  there  nys  no  woo  ne  strif  1664 

And  elles  god  forbede  /  but  he  sent 

A  wedded  man  /  hym  grace  to  repent 

Wei  oft  rather  /  than  a  sengle  man 

And  ferfore  sire  /  the  best  red  that  I  can  1668 


288     GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

Despeire  ^ow  nought  /  but  haue  in  joure  memorie 

Parauenture  she  may  /  be  3  cure  purgatorie 

She  may  be  goddis  meene  /  and  goddis  whip 

Than  shal  ^oure  soule  /  vp  to  heuene  skip  1672 

Swiftere  than  an  arwe  /  doth"  out  of  a  bowe 

I  hope  to  god  /  here-after  shuln  30  knowe 

That  there  nys  noon  /  so  gret  felicite 

In  mariage  /  ne  neuere  more  shal  be  1676 

That  $ow  shal  lette  /  of  ^oure  sauacion 

So  that  je  vse  /  as  skyl  is  and  reson 

The  lustes  of  3oure  wyf  /  attemprely 

Take  hem  nat  ofte  /  but  mesurabely  1680 

And  that  $e  kepyn  $ow  /  eke  /  from  other  synne 

My  tale  is  don  /  for  my  wyt  is  thynne 

Beth  nat  a-gast  /  here-of  /  my  brother  dere 

But  late  vs  waden  /  out  of  this  matere  1684 

The  wyf  of  Bathe  /  if  je  han  vnderstonde 

Of  mariage  /  which  we  han  oon  honde 

Declared  /  hath  /  ful  wel  in  litel  space 

ffareth  now  wel  /  god  haue  $ow  in  his  grace  1688 

U  And  with  that  word  /  this  Listings  &  his  brother 

han  tan  here  leue  /  and  ech"  of  hem  of  other 

ffor  whan  they  saugh"  /  that  it  must  nedes  be 

They  wroughten  so  /  by  sleyte  and  wys  tretee  1692 

That  she  this  Mayde  /  which"  that  Mayus  high"t 

As  hastily  /  as  euere  that  she  myght 

Shal  wedded  be  /  vn-to  this  lanuarie 

I  trowe  it  were  /  to  longe  jow  to  tarie  1696 

If  I  ^ow  told  /  of  euery  script  and  bond 

By  which  that  she  /  was  feffed  in  his  lond 

Or  for  to  rekken  /  of  hire  riche  a-ray 

But  finally  /  I-comen  is  that  day  1700 

That  to  the  chirche  /  bothe  be  they  went 

ffor  to  resceyue  /  the  holy  sacrament 

fforth  cometh  the  prest  /  with  stole  a-boute  his  nekke 

And  bad  hire  be  lyke  /  Sarra  and  Kebekke  1704 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         289 

In  wysdom  /  and  in  trouthe  of  mariage 

And  seide  hise  orisouns  /  as  is  vsage 

And  crouched  hem  /  and  bad  god  shuld  hem  blis 

And  rnad  al  seker  I-now  /  with"  holynes   [leaf  in,  back]    1708 

THus  Leu  they  wedded  /  with"  solempnyte 
And  at  the  fest  sitteth"  /  he  and  she 
With  othere  worthy  folk  /  vp-oon  the  deys 
Al  ful  of  ioye  and  blisse  /  is  the  paleys  1712 

And  ful  of  Instrumente^  /  and  of  vetaille 
The  most  deynteuows  /  of  al  ytaille 
Byforn  hem  were  there  /  Instrumentes  of  swich"  soun 
That  Orpheus  /  nor  Thebes  Amphioun  1716 

NQ  maden  neuere  /  swich"  a  melody 
At  euery  cours  /  than  cam  loud  Mynstralsy 
That  neuere  tromped  /  loab  /  for  to  here 
Ne  he  Theodomas  /  half  so  clere  1720 

At  Thebes  /  whan  the  Citee  was  in  doute 
Bacus  /  the  wyn  /  hem  shynketh  al  a-boute 
And  venus  laugfieth"  /  vp-oon  euery  wyght 
ffor  lanuarie  /  was  by  come  hire  knyght  1724 

And  wolde  both  assay  en  /  his  corage 
In  liberte  /  and  eke  in  mariage 
And  with"  hire  fyrbrond  /  in  hire  hand  aboute 
Daunceth"  byforn  the  Bryde  /  and  al  the  route  1728 

And  certeynly  /  I  dar  wel  seyn  this 
That  Ymeneus  /  which  god  of  weddyng  is 
Saw  neuere  his  lyf  /  so  merye  a  wedded  man 
holde  }>ou  thy  pees  /  thow  Poete  Marcian  1732 

That  wrytest  vs  /  that  ilke  weddyng  mery 
Of  hire  philosophie  /  and  hym  Marcury 
And  of  the  songes  /  that  the  Muses  song 
To  smal  is  bothe  thy  penne  /  and  eke  thy  tong  1736 

ffor  to  discryuen  /  of  this  mariage 
whan  tendre  3outhe  /  hath"  wedded  stoupyng  age 
There  is  swich"  myrthe  /  that  it  may  nat  be  wretyn 
Assayetfi  it  ^oure  self  /  than  may  30  wetyn  1740 


290     GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

If  that  I  lye  /  or  noon  /  in  thys  matere 

Mayus  that  syt  /  with"  so  benigne  a  chere 

hire  to  byholde  /  it  semed  feyrie 

Queue  Ester  /  loked  neuere  with  swich  an  eye  1744 

On  Assure  /  so  meke  a  loke  hath  she 

I  may  jow  nat  deuyse  /  al  hire  beaute 

But  thus  muche  /  of  hire  beaute  /  tellen  I  may 

That  she  was  lyke  /  the  bright  morwe  of  May  1748 

fulfilled  of  al  beaute  /  and  plesaunce 

This  lanuarie  /  is  rauysshed  /  in  a  traunce 

At  euery  tyme  /  he  loked  oon  hire  face 

But  in  his  hert  /  to  gan  hire  to  manace  1752 

That  he  that  nyght  /  in  armes  wolde  hire  streyne 

Hardere  /  than  euere  Parys  /  dide  Elyne         Deaf  112] 

But  nathelees  /  $et  had  he  gret  pitee         II  Noto  bene 

That  thilke  nyght  /  offende  hire  must  he  1756 

And  thought  alias  /  o  tendre  creature 

Now  wolde  god  /  30  myght  wel  endure 

Al  my  corage  /  it  is  so  sharp  and  kene 

I  am  a-gaast  /  30  shuln  it  nat  sustene  1760 

But  god  forbede  /  that  I  dide  al  my  myght 

Now  wolde  god  /  that  it  were  wexin  nyght 

And  that  the  nyght  /  wolde  lasten  euere  moo 

I  wolde  /  that  al  this  peeple  /  were  a-go  1764 

And  finally  /  he  doth  al  his  labour 

As  he  best  myght  /  sauyng  his  honour 

To  hast  hem  fro  the  mete  /  in  subtil  wyse 

The  tyme  cam  /  that  resoii)  was  to  ryse  1768 

And  after  that  /  men  daunce  /  and  drynke  fast 

And  spices  /  al  a-boute  the  hous  /  they  cast 

And  ful  of  ioye  and  blisse  /  is  euery  man 

Al  but  a  Squyere  /  hyght  Damyan  1772 

which  carf  byforn  the  knyght  /  ful  many  a  day 

he  was  so  rauysshed  /  oon  his  lady  /  May 

That  for  the  verray  peyne  /  he  was  ny  wood 

Al-most  he  swelt  /  and  swougftned  as  he  stood  1776 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALK.     Dd.  4.  24.         291 

So  sore  hath  venus  hurt  him  /  with  hire  bronde 

As  that  she  bar  it  /  daunsyng  in  hire  honde 

And  to  his  bed  /  he  went  him  hastily 

No  more  of  him  /  at  this  tyme  speke  I  1780 

But  there  /  I  lete  him  wepe  I-now  /  and  pleyne 

Til  fresshe  May  /  wol  rewen  oon  his  peyne 

Q  perilous  fire  /  that  in  the  bedstrawe  bredetli      H  Auctor 

0  famulere  foo  /  that  his  seruyce  bedeth  1784 

O  seraaunt  tray  tour  /  fals  homly  he  we 

lyke  to  the  Naddere  /  in  bosom)  sly  vntrewe 

God  shilde  vs  alle  /  from  joure  acqueyntaunce 

0  lanuarie  /  dronken  in  plesaunce  1788 

In  mariage  /  se  how  thy  Damyan 

Thyn  owen  squyer  /  and  thy  born  man 

Entendeth"  /  for  to  do  the  velanye 

God  grownt  the  /  thyn  homely  foo  /  to  spye  1792 

ffor  in  this  world  /  nys  werse  pestilence 

Than  homely  foo  /  al  day  in  thy  presence 

Parfourmed  hath  the  Sonne  /  his  Ark  diurne 

No  lengere  may  /  the  body  of  him  soioz^rne  1796 

On  the  orison  /  as  in  that  latitude 

Night  with  his  mantel  /  that  is  derk  and  rude 

Gan  ouer-sprede  /  the  Emysperye  a-boute 

ffor  which  /  departed  is  /  this  lusty  route  1800 

ffor  lanuarie  /  with"  thank  oon  euery  syde 

Horn  to  here  hous  /  lustily  they  ryde         [leaf  112,  back] 

where  as  they  don  /  here  thynges  as  he;?i  list 

And  whan  they  saw  here  tyme  /  go  to  rest  1804 

IT  Sone  after  that  /  this  hasty  lanuarie 

wold  go  to  bedde  /  he  wold  no  lengere  tarie 

he  drynketh  /  Ypocras  /  Clarre  and  Vernage 

Of  spices  hote  /  to  encresen  his  corage  1808 

And  many  a  letuarie  /  had  he  ful  fyne 

Swicfi  as  the  cursed  Monk  /  Daun  Constantyne 

hath"  wryten  in  his  bok  /  de  Coitu 

To  ete  hem  alle  /  he  was  no  thyng  eschue  1812 


292      GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  to  hise  pryue  frendes  /  thus  seide  he 

ffor  goddis  loue  /  as  some  as  it  may  be 

lat  voyden  al  this  hous  /  in  curteys  wyse 

And  they  han  don  /  right  as  he  wol  deuyse  1816 

Men  drynken  /  and  the  trailers  drawen  a-noon 

The  bryde  was  brought  /  abedde  /  as  stille  as  a  ston 

And  whan  the  bed  /  was  with  the  prest  I-blissed 

Out  of  the  chaumbre  /  hatfi  euery  wyght  him  dressed 

And  lanuarie  /  hath  fast  in  armes  take 

his  fressh  May  /  his  paradyse  his  make 

he  lulleth  hire  /  he  kisseth  hire  ful  ofte 

with  thikke  bristelis  /  of  his  berd  /  vn-softe  1824 

lyke  to  the  skyn  /  of  houndes  fissh  /  sharp  as  a  brere 

ffor  he  was  shaue  /  al  newe  /  in  his  manere 

he  rubbeth  hire  /  a-boute  hire  tendre  face 

And  seide  thus  /  alias  /  I  mot  trespace  1828 

To  }ow  my  spouse  /  and  }ow  gretly  offende 

Er  tyme  come  /  that  I  wol  doun  descende 

But  natheles  /  considereth  this  qitod  he 

There  nys  no  werkeman  /  what  so  eue?'e  he  be  1832 

That  may  bothe  werke  wel  /  and  hastily 

This  wyl  be  don  at  leyser  /  parfytly 

It  is  no  force  /  how  longe  that  we  pleye 

In  trewe  wedlake  /  coupled  be  we  tweye  1836 

And  blissed  be  the  $ok  /  that  we  ben  Inne 

ffor  in  actes  /  we  moun  do  no  synne 

A  man  may  do  no  synne  /  with  his  wyf 

Ne  hurte  himself  /  with  his  owen  knyf  1840 

ffor  we  han  leue  /  to  pleye  /  as  by  the  la  we 

Thus  labureth  he  /  til  that  the  day  gan  dawe 

And  thanne  he  taketh  a  soppe  /  in  fyn  Clarre 

And  vp-right  in  his  bed  /  than  sitteth"  he  1844 

And  after  that  /  he  song  ful  loude  and  clere 

And  kissed  his  wyf  /  and  mad  wantoun  chere 

he  was  al  coltyssh  /  ful  of  ragerye 

And  ful  of  lergoil  /  as  a  flckked  pye  1848 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         293 

The  slak  skyn  /  a-boute  his  nekke  shaketh" 

While  that  he  song  /  so  chaunteth"  he  and  craketh"    [leaf  us] 

And  god  wot  /  what  that  May  /  thought  in  hire  hert 

Whan  she  him  saw  /  vpsittyng  in  his  shert  1852 

In  his  nyght-cappe  /  and  with"  his  nekke  lene 

She  preyseth"  nat  /  his  pleiyng  worth"  a  bene 

Than  seide  he  thus  /  my  reste  wol  I  take 

Now  day  is  come  /  I  may  no  lengere  wake  1856 

And  doun  he  leid  his  hede  /  and  slepe  til  pn'me 

And  afterward  /  whan  that  he  saw  his  tyrne 

vp  riseth"  lanuarie  /  but  fresshe  May 

held  hire  chaumbre  /  vn-to  the  ferthe  day  1860 

As  vsage  is  /  of  wyues  /  for  the  beste 

ffor  eueyy  labour  sumtyme  /  mote  haue  reste 

Or  ellis  longe  may  he  /  nat  endure 

This  is  to  seyn  /  no  lyues  creature  1864 

Be  it  of  fyssh"  or  bryd  /  or  beest  or  man 

Now  wol  I  speke  /  of  wooful  Darnyan 

That  langwyssheth"  for  loue  /  as  30  shuln  heere 

Therfore  I  speke  to  hi??i  /  in  this  man  ere  1868 

I  seide  /  o  seely  Damyan  /  alias  IT  Auctor 

Answere  to  myn  demaunde  /  as  in  this  cas 

how  shalt  fou  /  to  thy  lady  fressh"  may 

Telle  thy  woo  /  she  wyl  alwey  sey  nay  1872 

Eke  if  J?0u  speke  /  she  wyl  thy  woo  be-wrey 

God  be  thyn  helpe  /  I  can  no  betyr  sey 

This  syke  Damyan  /  in  venus  fyre 

So  brenneth  /  that  he  deyeth  for  desyre  1876 

ffor  which"  he  put  his  lyf  /  in  auenture 

No  lengere  myght  he  /  in  this  wyse  endure 

But  preuyly  a  pennere  /  gan  he  borwe 

And  in  a  le^re  wrot  he  /  al  his  sorwo  1880 

In  manere  of  a  compleynt  /  or  a  lay 

Vn-to  this  fair  /  fressh  May 

And  in  a  purs  of  sylk  /  heug  oon  his  sherte 

he  hath"  it  put  /  and  leide  it  at  his  herte  1884 


294      GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.        Dd.  4.  24. 

The  Mono  that  at  noon  /  was  that  like  day 

That  lanuarie  hath  wedded  /  fressh  May 

In  two  of  Taure  /  was  in-to  Cancre  glyden 

So  longe  hath"  Mayus  /  in  hire  chaumbre  abedefi         1888 

As  custume  is  /  vn-to  theise  nobles  alle 

A  bryde  shal  nat  /  eten  in  the  hallo 

Til  dayes  foure  /  or  thre  dayes  at  the  lest 

Passed  ben  /  than  late  hire  go  to  feest  1892 

The  ferthe  day  complet  /-fro  noon  to  noon 

whan  that  the  heye  masse  /  was  I-don 

In  halle  syt  this  lanuarie  /  and  May 

As  fressh"  as  is  /  the  bright  Somers  day     [leaf  us,  back]  1896 

And  so  byfel  /  how  that  this  goode  man 

Kemembred  him  /  vp-oon  this  Damyan 

And  seide  /  Seynt  Marie  /  how  may  it  be 

That  Damyan  /  entendeth"  nat  to  me  19UO 

Is  he  ay  syke  /  or  how  may  it  betyde 

his  squyers  /  which  that  stoden  /  J?ere  beside 

Excused  hiwi  /  by-cause  of  his  syknes 

which"  letted  him  /  to  don  his  besynes  1904 

Noon  other  cause  /  inyght  make  hi?ra  tarie 

That  me  forthynketh  /  quod  this  lanuarie 

he  is  a  gentil  Squyer  /  be  my  trewthe 

If  that  he  deyed  /  it  were  harm  and  reuthe  1908 

he  is  as  wys  /  discrete  /  and  as  secree 

As  ony  man  I  knowe  /  of  his  degree 

And  ther-to  manly  /  and  eke  seruysable 

And  for  to  be  a  man  /  thrifty  and  able  1912 

But  after  mete  /  as  sone  as  euere  I  may 

I  wyl  my  self  /  vysyte  hi??i  /  and  eke  May 

To  don  him  al  the  comfort  /  that  I  can 

And  for  that  word  /  him  blissed  euery  man  1916 

That  of  his  bounte  /  and  his  gentilnesse 

he  wolde  so  comfort  /  in  sekenesse 

his  Squyer  /  for  his  gentil  dede 

Dame  quod  this  lanuarie  /  take  good  hede  1920 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TA.LB.     Dd.  4.  24.         295 

At  after  mete  /  30  with  joure  woramen  alle 

whan  30  han  ben  in  chaumbre  /  out  of  this  ha'lle 

That  alle  30  gon  /  to  se  this  Damyan 

Doth  him  disport  /  he  is  a  gentil  man  1924 

And  tellith  him  /  that  I  wyl  him  visite 

haue  I  no  thyng  /  but  rested  me  a  lyte 

And  spede  3ow  fast  /  for  I  wyl  a-byde 

Til  that  30  slope  /  fast  be  my  syde  1928 

And  with  that  word  /  he  gan  to  him  calle 

A  Squyer  /  that  was  Marchal  /  of  his  halle 

And  told  him  certeyne  thynges  /  that  he  wolde 

This  fressh"  May  /  hath  streyt  /  hire  weye  holde          1932 

with  alle  hire  wommen  /  vn-to  Damyan 

Doun  by  hise  beddis  syde  /  sytte  she  than 

Comfortynge  him  /  as  goodly  as  she  may 

This  Damyan  /  whan  he  his  tyme  sey  1936 

In  secrete  wyse  /  his  purs  and  eke  his  bylle 

In  which"  that  he  wryten  had  /  his  wylle 

hatfi  put  in-to  hire  hond  /  with-outen  more 

Saue  that  he  sigfieth"  /  wonder  depe  and  sore  1940 

And  softly  to  hire  /  right  thus  seide  he  [leaf  1143 

Mercy  /  and  that  30  nought  bewreye  me 

ffor  I  am  ded  /  if  that  thyng  be  kydde 

This  purs  /  she  with-Inne  hire  bosom  /  hidde  1944 

And  went  hire  wey  /  30  gete  no  more  of  me 

But  vn-to  lanuarie  /  a-geyn  comen  is  she 

That  oon  his  beddis  syde  /  sat  ful  softe 

And  takith  hire  /  and  kysseth"  hire  ful  ofte  1948 

And  leid  him  doun  to  slepe  /  and  that  a-noon 

She  feyned  hire  /  as  though  she  must  gon 

There  as  30  wote  /  that  euery  wyght  must  nede 

And  whan  she  of  this  bille  /  hath  taken  hede  1952 

She  rent  it  al  to  peces  /  at  the  last 

And  in  the  preeue  /  softely  it  cast 

IT  who  stodieth  now  /  but  fair  fresshe  May 

A-doun  /  by  olde  lanuarie  /  she  lay  1956 


296      GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

That  slepe  /  til  the  coughe  hath  him  waked 

A-noon  he  preyed  hire  /  to  strepen  hire  al  naked 

he  wold  of  hire  he  seide  /  haue  som  plesaunce 

And  seide  /  hire  clothes  /  dide  him  combraunce  1960 

And  she  obeyeth  him  /  be  hire  leef  or  loth 

But  lest  that  precious  folk  /  be  with  me  wroth 

how  that  he  wrought  /  I  dar  nat  to  ^ow  telle 

Or  wheither  hire  thought  yt  /  paradys  or  hello  1964 

But  heere  I  lete  hem  /  werken  in  here  wyse 

Til  Euene  song  rong  /  and  that  they  must  a-ryse 

were  it  by  destenye  /  or  by  auenture 

were  it  by  enfluence  /  or  by  nature  1968 

Or  constellacion  /  that  in  swich  estate 

The  heuene  stod  /  in  that  tyme  fortunate 

was  /  for  to  putte  a  bille  /  of  venus  werkes 

ffor  al  thyng  hath  tyme  /  as  seyn  theise  clerkes  1972 

To  euery  womman  /  for  to  gete  hire  loue 

I  can  nought  seye  /  but  grete  god  a-boue 

That  knoweth  that  noon  acte  /  is  causelecs 

he  deme  of  alle  /  for  I  wol  holde  my  pees  1976 

But  soth  is  this  /  how  that  this  fressh  May 

hath  take  swich  impression)  /  that  day 

Of  pitee  /  of  this  syke  Damyan 

That  fro  hire  hert  /  she  ne  dryue  can  1980 

The  remembrauwce  /  for  to  don  him  eese 

Certeyne  thought  she  /  whom  that  this  J>ing  displese 

I  rekke  nought  /  for  heere  I  him  assure 

To  loue  him  best  /  of  ony  creature  1984 

Though  he  no  more  had  /  than  his  sherte 

lo  pitee  /  renneth  sone  /  in  gentil  herte 

Heere  may  je  se  /  how  excellent  fraunchise     [leaf  iu, back] 

In  womman  is  /  whan  they  hem  narwe  a-vyse  1988 

Som  tyraunt  is  /  as  there  be  many  oone 

That  hath  an  herte  /  as  hard  as  ony  stone 

which  wold  han  lete  him  /  sterue  in  the  place 

wel  rather  /  than  haue  graunt  him  hire  grace  1992 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         297 

And  hem  reioysen  /  in  here  cruel  pride 

And  rekke  nat  /  to  ben  an  homycide 

This  gentil  Mayus  /  fulfilled  of  pitee 

Eight  of  hire  hond  /  a  le^re  maketh"  she  1996 

In  which  she  graunted  him  /  hire  verray  grace 

There  lakketh  nought  /  oonly  /  hut  day  and  space 

There  as  she  myght  /  vn-to  his  lust  suffice 

ffor  it  shal  he  /  right  as  he  wol  deuyse  2000 

And  whan  she  saw  hire  tyme  /  vp-oon  a  day 

To  visite  this  Damyan  /  goth  this  May 

And  softly  this  leftre  /  doun  she  threst 

vnder  his  Pilewe  /  rede  it  if  him  list  2004 

She  taketh"  him  hy  the  hond  /  and  hard  him  twist 

So  secrely  /  that  no  wyght  it  wyst 

And  bad  him  be  al  hole  /  and  forth"  she  went 

To  lanuarie  /  whan  that  he  for  hire  sent  2008 

vp  risith  Damyan  /  the  next  morwe 

Al  passed  is  /  his  syknes  /  and  his  sorwe 

he  kembeth  /  he  proyneth"  him  /  and  pyketh 

he  doth"  /  al  that  his  lady  lust  /  and  lyketh  2012 

And  eke  to  lanuarie  /  he  goth"  as  lowe 

As  euere  dide  a  dogge  /  for  the  bowe 

he  is  so  plesaunt  /  to  euery  man 

ffor  craft  is  al  /  who  so  that  do  yt  can  2016 

That  euery  wyght  is  fayn  /  to  speke  him  good 

And  fully  /  in  hise  ladies  grace  /  he  stod 

Thus  lete  I  Damyan  /  a-boute  his  nede 

And  in  my  tale  /  forth  I  wyl  procede  2020 

H  Some  Clerkys  holden  /  that  felicite 

Stant  in  delite  /  and  therfore  certeyne  he 

This  noble  lanuarie  /  with  al  his  myght 

In  honest  wyse  /  as  longeth"  to  a  knyght  2024 

shope  him  to  lyue  /  ful  deliciously 

his  housyng  is  arrayed  /  as  honestly 

To  his  degree  /  was  maked  /  as  a  kynges 

Amonges  othere  /  of  hise  honest  thynges  2028 


298     GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

he  mad  a  gardeyne  /  walled  al  with"  stone 

A  fairere  gardeyne  /  what  I  no  wher  noone 

ffor  out  of  doute  /  I  verraily  suppose 

That  he  that  wrot  /  the  Komauns  of  the  Kose  2032 

Ne  coude  of  it  /  the  beaute  wel  deuyse  [leaf  us] 

Ne  Priapus  /  myght  nought  suffise 

Though"  he  be  god  /  of  gardeynes  for  to  telle 

The  beaute  of  the  gardeyn  /  and  the  welle  2036 

That  stod  vnder  a  laurer  /  alwey  grene 

fful  ofte  tyme  he  /  Pluto  and  his  Quene 

Proserpina  /  and  al  hire  feyree 

Disporten  hem  /  and  maken  melodee  2040 

A-boute  that  welle  /  and  daunsyng  as  men  told 

U  This  noble  knygfct  /  lanuarie  the  old 

Swich  deynte  hath  /  in  it  to  walke  and  pley 

That  he  wol  suffre  /  no  wyght  bere  the  key  2044 

But  he  him  self  /  for  of  the  smal  wyket 

he  bar  alwey  /  of  siluere  /  a  cleket 

With"  whiche  /  whan  that  him  liste  /  he  it  vnshette 

And  whan  he  wold  pay  /  his  wyues  dette  2048 

In  somer  seson  /  thider  wold  he  go 

And  May  his  wyf  /  and  no  wyght  but  they  two 

And  thynges  /  which  /  that  were  nat  don  abedde 

he  in  the  gardeyn  /  parfourmed  hem  /  and  spedde      2052 

And  in  this  wyse  /  f ul  many  a  mery  day 

lyueth  this  lanuarie  /  and  this  fressh"  May 

51  But  worldly  ioye  /  may  nought  alwey  endure 

To  lanuarie  /  ne  to  no  creature  2056 

0  sodeyne  hap  /  o  thow  fortune  vnstable 

lyke  to  the  Skorpiofi  /  so  disceyuable 

That  flaterest  with  thyn  hede  /  whan  J?ou  wylt  stynge 

Thy  tail  is  deth  /  thurgh  thyn  envenemynge  2060 

0  brotel  ioye  /  o  swete  venym  queynte 

0  monstre  /  that  so  sotelly  /  canst  peynte 

Thy  }iftes  /  vnder  he  we  of  stedfastnes 

That  thow  disceyuest  /  bothe  more  and  lesse  2064 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         299 

Why  hast  fou  /  lanuarie  /  thus  disceyued 

That  haddest  him  /  for  thy  ful  frend  resceyued 

And  now  J>ou  hast  byreft  him  /  bothe  his  eyen 

ffor  sorwe  of  which"  /  he  desireth  to  deyen  2068 

Alias  this  noble  lanuarie  /  the  free 

Amydde  hise  lust  /  and  his  prosperitee 

Is  woxen  blynd  /  and  that  al  sodeynly 

he  wepeth  /  he  weyleth"  also  /  pitously  2072 

And  there-witfi-al  /  the  fire  of  lelousie 

leste  that  his  wyf  /  shulde  falle  in  som  folie 

50  brent  his  hert  /  that  he  wolde  fayn 

That  som  man  /  bothe  hire  and  him  had  slayn  2076 

ffor  neither  after  his  deth  /  ne  in  his  lyf 

Ne  wolde  he  /  fat  she  were  /  no  loue  ne  wyf 

But  euere  lyue  as  a  wydewe  /  in  clothes  blake    [leaf  us,  back] 

Shu          as  the  Turtyl  /  that  lost  hatn  hire  make       2080 

But  at  the  last  /  after  a  moneth"  or  twey 

his  sorwe  gau  to  a-swage  /  sotft  to  sey 

ffor  whan  he  wyst  /  it  myght  noon  other  be 

he  paciently  took  /  his  aduersitee  2084 

Saue  out  of  doute  /  he  may  nat  forgon 

That  he  nas  ielous  /  euere  more  in  on 

Which  ielousie  /  it  was  so  outrageous 

That  neither  in  Halle  /  ne  in  non  oper  hous  2088 

Ne  in  non  other  place  /  neuere  the  moo 

he  nolde  suffre  hire  /  for  to  ryde  ne  goo 

But  if  he  had  hond  /  on  hire  alwey 

ffor  which"  ful  ofte  /  wepetfc  fressfc  May  2092 

That  loueth  Damyan  /  so  benygnely 

That  she  mot  either  deyen  /  sodeynly 

Or  ellis  she  mot  han  him  /  as  hire  list 

She  wayteth  whaune  /  hire  hert  wold  brest  2096 

51  vp-on  that  other  syde  /  Damyan 
Bycomen  is  /  the  sorwefullest  man 

That  eue?-e  was  /  for  neither  nyght  ne  day 

Ne  myght  he  speke  /  a  word  /  to  fressh  May  2100 


300     GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

As  to  his  purpos  /  of  no  swich  matere 

But  if  that  lanuarie  /  must  it  heere 

That  had  an  hand  /  vp-on  hire  /  euere  moo 

But  natheles  /  be  wrytyng  to  and  froo  2104 

And  pryue  signes  /  wyst  he  what  she  ment 

And  she  knewe  eke  /  the  fyn  of  his  entent 

U  0  lanuarie  /  what  mygfit  it  the  a-vaille 

Though  Jjou  mygfit  seen  /  as  fer  as  shippes  seylle        2108 

ffor  as  good  is  blynd  /  disceyued  be 

As  ben  disceyued  /  whan  a  man  may  se 

lo  Argue  /  which  that  had  /  an  hondred  eyen 

if  or  al  that  euere  he  coude  /  poure  or  preyen  2112 

3et  was  he  blynd  /  as  god  wot  so  ben  moo 

That  wenen  wysely  /  that  it  be  nat  so 

Passe  ouer  /  is  an  ease  /  I  sey  no  more 

This  fressh"  May  /  that  I  spak  of  bifore  2116 

In  warme  wex  /  hath"  enprented  the  cliket 

That  lanuarie  bar  /  of  the  smal  wyket 

By  which  /  in-to  his  gardeyn  /  oft  he  went 

And  Damyan  that  knew  /  al  hire  entent  2120 

The  cliket  countrefetet  /  preuyly 

There  is  nomore  to  seye  /  but  hastily 

Som  wonder  by  this  cliket  /  shal  betide 

Which"  30  shuln  heren  /  if  $e  wiln  a-bide         [leaf  ne]  2124 

IT  0  noble  Ouyde  /  ful  soth"  seist  pou  god  wot 

What  sleithe  is  it  /  though"  it  be  long  and  hot 

That  loue  nyl  fynde  it  out  /  in  som  nianere 

By  Priamus  and  Tisbe  /  may  je  leere  2128 

Though"  they  were  kept  ful  longe  /  and  streite  ouer  alle 

They  ben  accorded  /  rounyng  thurgh  a  walle 

There  no  wyght  coude  han  founde  out  /  swich"  a  sleight 

But  now  to  the  purpos  /  or  that  deyes  eight  2132 

were  passed  /  er  that  the  monthe  of  lull  /  byfelle 

That  lanuarie  hath  caught  /  so  gret  a  wylle 

Thurgh"  eggyng  of  his  wyf  /  him  for  to  pley 

In  his  gardeyn  /  and  no  wygftt  but  they  twey  213G 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         301 

That  in  a  morwe  /  vn-to  this  May  seith"  he 

Eyse  vp  my  wyf  /  my  loue  /  my  lady  free 

The  turtles  voys  is  herd  /  my  dowe  so  swete 

The  wynter  is  gon  /  with"  hise  reynes  wete  2140 

Come  forth"  now  /  with  thyne  eyne  Columbyne 

how  meche  fairere  /  ben  thyne  brestes  /  than  is  wyne 

The  gardeyn  is  enclosed  /  al  a-boute 

Come  forth"  my  swete  spouse  /  for  out  of  doute  2144 

Thow  hast  we  wounded  /  in  myn  hert  /  0  wyf 

No  spot  ne  knowe  I  in  the  /  in  al  my  lyf 

Come  forth  /  and  late  vs  taken  /  oure  disport 

I  chese  the  for  my  wyf  /  and  my  comfort  2148 

Swiche  olde  /  lewede  wordes  /  vsed  he 

On  Damyan  /  a  signe  mad  she 

That  he  shulde  go  byforn  /  with"  his  clyket 

This  Damyan  /  than  hath  opened  the  wyket  2152 

And  in  he  stirt  /  and  that  in  swich"  manere 

That  no  wyght  /  myght  him  se  /  neither  heere 

And  stille  he  syt  /  vnder  a  bussh  a-noon 

This  lanuarie  /  as  blynd  as  ony  ston  2156 

With  Mayus  in  his  hond  /  and  no  wyght  moo 

In-to  this  fressh  gardeyn  /  is  a-goo 

And  claped  to  /  the  wyket  /  sodeynly 

Now  wyf  quod  he  /  here  is  but  ^e  and  I  2160 

Thow  art  the  creature  /  that  I  best  loue 

ffor  be  that  lord  /  that  syt  in  heuene  a-boue 

leuer  I  had  to  deyen  /  on  a  knyf 

Than  the  offende  /  trewe  dere  wyf  2164 

ffor  goddis  sake  /  thynk  how  I  the  ches 

Nought  for  no  coueitise  /  douteles 

But  oonly  for  the  loue  /  I  had  to  the 

And  though"  that  I  be  olde  /  and  may  nat  se  2168 

Beth"  to  me  trewe  /  and  I  wyl  telle  jow  why    [leaf  ne,  back] 

Thre  thynges  certes  /  shuln  je  wynne  ther-by 

ffirst  /  loue  of  Crist  /  and  to  joure  self  /  honour 

And  al  myn  heritage  /  bothe  toun  and  tour  2172 


302      GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

I  3eue  it  3ow  /  maketh  chartres  as  3ow  list 
This  shal  be  dofi  /  to-morwe  or  the  sonne  rist 

50  wysly  god  my  soule  /  brynge  in-to  blysse 

I  preye  jow  first  /  in  couenatmt  30  me  kisse  2176 

And  though  I  be  ielous  /  wyte  me  nought 

3e  ben  so  depe  /  enprented  in  my  thought 

That  whan  I  considre  /  3oure  beaute 

And  ther-witfi-al  /  the  vnlikly  age  of  me  2180 

I  may  nought  certes  /  though  I  shulde  deye 

ffor-bere  to  ben  /  oute  of  ^oure  companye 

ff  or  verray  loue  /  this  is  with-outen  doute 

Now  kisse  we  wyf  /  and  late  vs  rome  aboute  2184 

51  This  fresshe  May  /  whan  she  theise  wordes  herd 
Benygnely  /  to  lanuarie  she  answerd 

But  first  and  forward  /  she  bygan  to  wepe 

51  I  haue  qttod  she  /  god  wot  /  a  soule  to  kepe  2188 

As  wel  as  30  /  and  also  myn  honour 

And  of  my  wyfhod  /  thilke  tendre  flour 

Which  that  I  haue  assured  /  in  }oure  hond 

Whan  that  the  prest  /  to  $ow  my  body  bond  2192 

Wherfore  I  wyl  answere  /  in  this  manere 

By  the  leue  of  $ow  /  that  ben  my  lord  so  dere 

I  preye  to  god  /  that  neuere  dawe  the  day 

That  I  ne  sterue  /  as  foule  as  a  womman  may  2196 

If  euere  I  do  /  vn-to  my  kyn  /  that  shame 

Or  ellis  if  that  I  /  enpeire  so  my  name 

That  I  be  fals  /  and  if  I  do  that  lak 

Do  stripe  me  /  and  put  me  in  a  sak  2200 

And  in  the  nexte  Ryuer  /  do  me  drenche 

I  am  a  gentil  woraman  /  and  no  wenche 

Why  speke  30  thus  /  but  men  ben  eue7'e  vntrewe 

And  wo?nmen  han  of  3ow  /  repref  ay  newe  2204 

}e  conne  noon  other  countenaunce  /  1  leue 

But  speke  to  vs  /  as  of  vntrust  and  repreue 

And  with  that  word  /  she  saw  where  Damyan 

Sat  in  a  Bussh  /  and  coughe  she  bygan  2208 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         303 

And  with  hire  fynger  /  a  signe  mad  she 

That  Damyan  shulde  /  clymbe  vp  oon  a  tree 

That  charged  was  /  with"  f ruyt  /  and  vp  he  went 

fEor  verraily  he  knew  /  al  hire  entent  2212 

And  euery  signe  /  that  she  coude  make 

Wei  betir  than  lanuarie  /  hire  owen  make       [leaf  117] 

ff  or  in  a  lettie  /  she  had  told  him  alle 

Of  this  matere  /  how  he  werken  shalle  2216 

And  thus  I  lete  hiw  sitte  /  vp-oon  this  Perie 

And  lanuarie  and  May  /  romyng  ful  merye 

II  Bright  was  the  day  /  and  blew  the  firmament 

Phebus  hath"  of  gold  /  hise  stremes  doun  sent  2220 

That  gladen  Query  flour  /  with"  hise  warmnes 

he  was  that  tyme  /  in  gemine  •  as  I  gesse 

But  litel  from  his  /  declinacion 

Of  Cancer  /  louis  exaltacion  2224 

And  so  byfel  /  in  that  bright  morwe  tyde 

That  in  that  gardeyn  /  in  the  ferther  syde 

Pluto  that  is  kyng  /  of  fayrie 

And  many  a  lady  /  in  his  companye  2228 

ffolwyng  his  wyf  /  the  Quene  of  Proserpyne 

Ech"  after  other  /  as  right  as  a  lyne 

While  that  she  gadered  /  floures  in  the  mede 

In  Claudian  /  $e  moun  the  stories  rede  .        2232 

how  in  his  grisly  Cart  /  he  hire  fette 

U  The  kyng  of  fayrie  /  douw  him  sette 

vp-on  a  benche  /  of  torues  faire  and  grene 

And  right  a-noon  /  thus  seide  he  to  the  Quene  2236 

Now  wyf  quod  he  /  there  may  no  wyght  sey  nay 

The  experience  /  so  preeueth  it  euery  day 

The  treson  /  which  that  woraman  doth  to  man 

Ten  hondred  thousand  /  wel  tellen  I  can  2240 

Notable  /  of  ^oure  vntrewthe  /  and  brotilnes 

0  noble  Salamofl  /  rychest  of  Eyches 

ffulfilled  of  sapience  /  and  of  worldly  glorie 

fful  worthy  ben  thyne  wordes  /  to  memorie  2244 


304     GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

To  Query  wyght  /  that  wyt  and  resoii  can 

Thus  preiseth  he  jet  /  the  bounte  of  man 

Among  a  thousand  men  /  jet  fond  I  one 

But  of  wowmen  alle  /  jet  fond  I  noone  2248 

Thus  seith"  the  kyng  /  that  knoweth  joure  wykkednes 

And  Ihesus  filius  Sirac  /  as  I  gesse 

Ne  speketh  of  jow  /  but  selde  reue?-ence 

A  wylde  fyre  /  and  corupte  pestilence  2252 

So  fal  vp-oon  joure  bodyes  /  jet  to-nyght 

Ne  se  je  nought  /  this  honorable  knyght 

Bycause  alias  /  that  lie  is  blynd  and  old 

his  owen  man  /  shal  make  him  cokewold  2256 

lo  where  he  syt  /  the  lechour  oon  the  tree 

Now  wol  I  graunte  /  of  my  mageste 

Vn-to  this  olde  /  blynde  /  worthy  knyght      [leaf  117,  back] 

That  he  shal  haue  /  a-jein  /  his  eyen  sight  2260 

And  whan  that  his  wyf  /  wold  don  hi??i  velanye 

Than  shal  he  knowe  /  al  hire  harlotrye 

Bothe  in  repreef  of  hire  /  and  othere  moo 

^1  $ee  shal  quod  Proserpyne  /  wyl  je  so  2264 

Now  be  my  modres  soule  /  sire  I  jow  swere 

That  I  shal  jeuen  hire  /  sufficeamzt  answere  H  verum  quidem 

And  alle  wommen  after  /  for  hire  sake 

That  though  they  be  /  in  ony  gilt  take  2268 

with  face  bold  /  they  shuln  hew  self  excuse 

And  bereu  hem  doun  /  that  wolden  hem  accuse  IT  Note  bene 

ffor  lakke  of  answere  /  noon)  of  hew  shal  deyen 

Al  had  a  man  /  sen  a  thyng  /  with  hise  eyen  2272 

3et  shuln  we  wommen  /  "visage  it  hardily 

And  wepe  and  swere  /  and  chide  sotelly 

So  that  je  men  /  shuln  ben  as  lewed  as  gees 

what  rekketh  me  /  of  joure  auctorites  2276 

I  wot  wel  /  that  this  lew  /  this  Salamon) 

ffond  of  vs  wyues  /  fooles  /  many  on) 

But  though  that  he  fond  /  no  good  womman) 

3et  hath"  there  founden  /  many  a-nother  man)  2280 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd,  4.  24.         305 

wowmen  ful  trewe  /  ful  goode  and  vertuous 

wytnesse  of  hem  /  that  dwellen  /  in  cmtis  hous 

with  martirdom  /  they  preeued  heere  constaunce 

The  Komayns  lestes  /  eke  /  make  remembraunce        2284 

Of  many  a  verrey  /  trewe  wyf  /  also 

But  sire  be  not  wroth  /  al  be  it  so 

Though  that  he  seide  /  he  fond  no  trewe  wowman 

I  prey  jow  take  this  sentence  /  as  I  telle  can  2288 

She  ment  thus  /  that  in  soueraigne  bounte 

Nis  noon  but  god  /  neither  he  ne  she 

Ey  for  verrey  god  /  that  nys  but  one 

what  make  $e  so  meche  /  of  Salamone  2292 

what  though  he  mad  a  temple  /  goddis  hous 

what  though  he  were  riche  /  and  glorious 

So  mad  he  a  temple  eke  /  of  fals  goddis 

who  myght  don  a  thyng  /  that  more  for-boden  is         2296 

Pardee  /  as  fair  as  je  /  his  name  plaistre 

he  was  a  lecchour  /  and  an  ydolatre 

And  in  his  elde  /  he  verray  god  forsoke 

And  if  that  god  ne  hadde  /  as  seith  the  boke  2300 

Spared  him  /  for  his  fadres  sake  /  he  shulde 

haue  lost  his  regne  /  rather  than  he  wolde 

I  sette  nought  /  of  al  the  velanye 

That  he  of  wo?mnen  wrot  /  a  botirflye  Deafiis]  2304 

I  am  a  wowwnan  /  nedes  must  I  speke 

Or  ellis  swelle  /  til  myn  hert  breke 

ffor  sithe  he  seide  /  that  we  ben  iangelers 

As  euere  hole  mote  I  /  brouke  my  tresses  2308 

I  shal  nat  spare  /  for  no  curteisie 

To  speke  hi??i  harm  /  that  wolde  vs  velanye 

Dame  quod  this  Pluto  /  be  no  lengere  wroth 

I  jeue  it  vp  /  but  sithe  I  swor  myn  oth  2312 

That  I  wolde  grawit  him  /  his  sight  a-jeyne 

my  word  shal  stonde  /  I  warne  $ow  certeyne 

I  am  a  kyng  /  it  syt  me  nought  to  lye 

And  I  quod  she  /  a  Quene  of  fayrie  2316 


306     GROUP  E.     §  4.    MERCHANT'S  TALE.    Dd.  4.  24. 

hire  answere  shal  she  haue  /  I  vndertake 

lat  vs  no  moo  wordes  /  here-of  make 

for  sothe  I  wyl  no  lengere  /  $ow  contrarie 

U  Novf  late  vs  turne  a^ein  /  to  lanuarie  2320 

That  in  the  gardeyn  /  with"  hise  fair  May 

Syngeth"  ful  meriere  /  than  the  Popyngay 

}ow  loue  I  best  /  and  shal  /  and  other  noon 

So  longe  a-boute  the  Aleys  /  is  he  gon  2324 

Til  he  was  come  a-geyn  /  to  thilke  perye 

where  as  this  Damyan  /  sitteth"  ful  merye 

And  heygh"  /  a-mong  theise  fressh"  leues  grene 

This  fressh"  May  /  that  is  so  bright  and  shene  2328 

Gan  for  to  sighe  /  and  seide  alias  my  syde 

Now  sire  quod  she  /  for  ought  that  may  betide 

I  must  haue  on  of  the  peeres  /  that  I  se 

Or  I  mot  deye  /  so  sore  longeth"  me  2332 

To  eten  /  of  the  smale  peeres  grene 

helpe  for  hire  loue  /  that  is  heuene  Quene 

I  telle  3ow  wel  /  a  wo?nman  in  my  plight 

May  haue  to  fruyt  /  so  gret  an  appetit  2336 

That  she  may  deyen  /  but  she  it  haue 

Alias  qiiod  he  /  that  I  haue  here  no  knaue 

That  coude  clymbe  /  alias  alias  quod  he 

ffor  I  am  blynde  /  36  sire  no  force  quod  she  2340 

But  wolde  30  vouchesaf  /  for  goddis  sake 

The  Perie  /  with-Inne  joure  armes  /  for  to  take 

iful  wel  I  wote  /  that  30  mystrosten  me 

Than  shulde  I  clymbe  /  wel  I-now  quod  she  2344 

So  I  my  fote  /  may  sette  vp-oon  ^oure  bak 

Certes  quod  he  /  ther-of  shal  be  no  lak 

Mygtit  I  3ow  helpen  /  with"  myn  hert  blode 

he  stouped  doun  /  and  she  vp-on  his  bak  stode  2348 

And  caught  hire  by  a  twist  /  and  vp  she  goth" 

Ladyes  I  pray  3ow  /  that  30  be  nat  wroth"       [leaf  us,  back] 

I  can  nat  glose  /  I  atn  a  rude  man 

And  sodeynly  a-noon  /  this  Damyan  2352 


GROUP  E.     §  4.     MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         307 

Gan  pullen  vp  the  smok  /  and  in  he  thronge 

And  whan  that  Pluto  /  saw  this  grete  wronge 

To  lanuarie  /  he  $af  a-noon  his  sight 

That  he  thanne  /  right  wel  /  se  myght  2356 

And  whan  pat  he  /  had  caught  his  sight  a-geyn 

Ne  was  there  neuere  man  /  of  thyng  so  feyn 

But  oon  his  wyf  /  his  thought  was  euere  moo 

vp-oon  the  tree  /  he  east  hise  eyen  two  2360 

And  saw  that  Damyan  /  hys  wyf  had  dressed 

In  swicfi  manere  /  it  may  nought  ben  expressed 

But  if  I  wold  speke  /  vncurteislye 

And  vp  he  $af  a  rooryng  /  and  a  crye  2364 

As  dotfi  the  Moder  /  whan  the  child  shal  deye 

Out  /  help  /  alias  /  harrow  /  he  gan  to  crye 

0  stronge  lady  /  store  /  what  dost  thow 

And  she  answered  /  sire  /  what  eyleth"  jow  2368 

haue  pacience  and  reson  /  in  $oure  mynde 

1  haue  $ow  holpe  /  of  bothe  ^oure  eyen  blynde 
vp  perile  of  my  soule  /  I  shal  nat  lyen 

As  me  was  taught  /  to  helen  with  $oure  eyen  2372 

was  no  thyng  betir  /  for  to  make  30 w  se 

Than  strogle  with  a  man  /  vp-oon  a  tree 

God  wot  I  dide  it  /  in  ful  good  entent 

Strogle  quod  he  /  ja  algate  In  it  went  2376 

God  jeue  $ow  bothe  /  oon  shames  detfi  to  deyen 

he  swyued  the  /  I  saw  it  with  myne  eyen 

And  elles  be  I  hanged  /  by  the  hals 

And  thawne  is  quod  she  /  my  medycyne  fals  2380 

ffor  certeynly  /  if  that  je  myght  se 

$e  wolde  nat  seye  /  theise  wordes  vn-to  me 

3e  han  som  glemeryng  /  and  no  parfyt  sight 

I  se  quod  he  /  as  wel  as  euere  I  myght  2384 

Thanked  be  god  /  with"  bothe  myne  eyen  twoo 

And  be  my  trewthe  /  me  thoujt  he  dide  the  so 

U  }a  mase  mase  /  good  sire  quod  she 

This  thank  haue  I  /  for1 1  made  jow  se  2388 


308     GROUP  E.     §  4.    MERCHANT'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

Alias  quod,  she  /  that  euere  I  was  so  kynde 

Now  dame  quod  he  /  late  al  passe  out  of  mynde 

Come  a-doun  my  leef  /  and  if  I  haue  mysseyd 

God  help  me  so  /  as  I  am  euele  a-payd  2392 

But  be  my  fadres  soule  /  I  wende  haue  sen 

how  that  this  Damyan  /  had  by  the  leyn 

And  that  thy  smok  /  had  leyn  vp-oon  thy  brest     [leaf  119] 

3a  sire  quod  she  /  36  moun  seyn  as  $ow  lest  2396 

But  sire  /  a  man  /  that  waketh  out  of  his  slepe 

he  may  nat  so  sodeynly  /  take  kepe 

vp-oon  a  thyng  /  ne  seyn  it  so  parfitly 

That  til  he  be  a- waked  /  verrayly  2400 

Rigfit  so  a  man  /  )?at  long  hath  blynd  I-be 

!Ne  may  nought  sodeynly  /  so  wel  se 

ffirst  /  whan  his  sight  /  is  newe  comyn  a-geyn 

As  he  that  hath  a  day  /  or  tweyne  seyn  2404 

Til  that  3oure  sight  /  be  satled  a  while 

There  may  ful  many  a  sight  /  jow  begyle 

Beth  war  I  preye  3ow  /  for  by  heuene  kyng 

fful  many  a  man  wenetfc  /  to  seyn  a  thyng  2408 

And  it  is  al  a-nother  /  than  it  serneth" 

he  that  mys  conceyueth  /  mys  demeth 

And  with  that  word  /  she  lepe  doun  fro  the  tree 

This  lanuarie  /  who  is  glad  but  he  2412 

he  kissith  hire  /  and  clippeth  hire  ful  ofte 

And  oon  hire  wombe  /  he  streked  hire  ful  softe 

And  to  his  Paleys  /  horn  he  hath  hire  ladde 

Now  goode  men  /  I  preye  3ow  alle  betfi  gladde  2416 

Thus  endeth  heere  my  tale  /  of  lanuarie 

God  blisse  vs  alle  /  and  oure  lady  Seynt  Marie    51  Amen  f 

51  Sic  desinit  fabula  Mercatoris  / 


GROUP  E.    §  5.    MERCHANT'S  END-LINK.    Dd.  4.  24.    309 


[o«  leaf  119]  Et  mcipit  pj'ologus  Armigeri 

EY  goddis  mercy  /  seide  oure  boost  tho 
Now  swicfi  a  wyf  /  I  preye  god  kepe  me  fro 
lo  swicfi  sleigfttes  /  and  subtilitees  2421 

In  wowmen  ben  /  for  ay  as  besiens  bees 
Ben  they  /  vs  sely  men  for  to  deceyue 
And  froo  a  sotfi  /  euere  wyl  they  weyue  2424 

By  this  Marchauwtes  tale  /  it  preuetfi  wel 
But  doutelees  /  as  trewe  as  any  stel 
I  haue  a  wyf  /  thougfi  that  she  pore  be 
But  of  hire  tonge  /  a  labbyng  shrewe  is  she  2428 

And  jet  she  hatfi  an  hepe  /  of  vices  moo 
Ther-of  no  fors  /  lat  alle  suche  thynges  goo 
But  wyte  30  what  /  in  counseile  be  it  seyde 
Me  rewetfi  sore  / 1  am  vn-to  hire  teyde  2432 

ffor  and  I  shuld  rekene  /  euery  vyce 
Which  that  she  hath  /  I-wys  I  were  to  nyce    [leaf  119,  back] 
And  cause  why  /  it  shulde  reported  be 
And  tolde  to  hire  /  of  some  of  this  meyne  2436 

Of  whom  it  nedetfi  nat  /  for  to  declare 
Syn  wommen  connen  oute  /  sucfi  chaffare 
And  eke  my  wyt  /  suffisetfi  nat  ther-to- 
To  tellen  al  /  wherfore  my  tale  is  do-  2440 


310 


[As  there  is  no  room  in  this  print  for  the  Latin  notes  in  the 
margin  of  the  MS.,  they  are  put  here,  with  the  numbers  of  the  lines 
to  which  they  refer.  ] 

1.  1311.  vxor  est  diligenda  /  quia  donura  dei  est  /  Ihestts  filius 
Sirac  /  domws  &  diuicie  dantwr  a  parentibus  /  a  domino  autera 
proprie  /  vxor  bona  vel  prudens  : — Dona  fortune. 

1.  1327.  ffa.cia.iaus  ei  adiutorium  et  extracta  costa  de  corpore 
Ade  fecit  Euam  &  dixit  propter  hec  relinquet  ho?n,o  patrem  et 
matrem  et  adherebit  &c.  et  erunt  duo  in  carne  vna : — 

1.  1362.     IT  lacobws  em'm  per  consilium  matris  sue  Rebecce  &c. 
1.  1366.     IT  ludit  &c.  de  manibus  Oloferni. 

1.  1369.  IT  Et  Abigail  per  suum  bonum  coMsilium  virum  simm 
Nabal  ab  ira  dau[i]t  liberauit. 

1.  1371.  IF  Ester  &c.  ludeos  per  bonnm  consiliu?rt  simul  cum 
Mardocheo  in  regno  assuri  &c. 

1.  1376.  U  Seneca  /  sicut  nihH  est  superius  benigna  cowiuge  / 
ita  nihi[  est  crudelius  infesta  muliere  : — 

1.  1378.     H  Cato  /  vxoris  linguawi  si  frugi  est  ferre  memento  : — 
1.  1 383.     ^[  Bona  mulier  /  fidelis  custos  est  &  bona  domus  : — 

1.  1385.  IT  Apos<ol«s  faulits  ad  Epheswwios.  Diligite  vxores 
vestras  sicut  Christus  dilexit  ecclesiam  &c. 

1.  1387.  Apostolus  /  ita  viri  debent  diligere  vxores  suas  ut  cor- 
pora sua  (\uia  (\ui  suam  vxore7n-  diligit  seipswm  diligit  nemo  vnqwam 
carnewi  suam  odio  haJuit  set  nutrit  &  fouet  earn  /  &  postea  vn«s- 
qm'sqwe  suam  vxorem  sicut  se  ipswm  diligat : — 


GROUP  F.     §  1.     SQUIRE'S  HEAD-LINK.     Dd.  4.  24.      311 


[<m  leaf  119,  back] 

Squyere  come  ner  /  if  it  joure  wylle  be 
And  seye  som-what  of  loue  /  for  certes  $e 
Konen  ther-oon  /  as  meche  as  any  man 
Nay  sire  quod  he  /  but  swich"  thyng  as  I  can 
"With"  hertly  wylle  /  for  I  wil  nought  rebelle 
A-geyn  joure  lust  /  a  tale  wol  I  jow  telle 
haue  me  excused  /  if  I  speke  arnys 
My  wyl  is  good  /  and  lo  my  tale  is  this 

U  Sic  desinit  prologus 


312     GROUP  F.    §  2.    SQUIRE'S  TALE.     D(L  4.  24. 


COM  leaf  ii9,  saeic]  &  Incipit  fabula  Arruigeri 

At  Sarray  /  in  the  lond  of  Tartarye 
There  dwelled  a  kyng  /  that  werred  Kussye 
Thorugh"  which"  there  cleyed  /  many  a  doughty 
This  noble  kyng  was  cleped  /  Cambyuscan  [man 
Which  in  his  tyme  /  was  of  so  gret  renoun  13 

That  ther  was  nowher  /  in  no  region 
So  excellent  a  lord  /  of  al  thyng 

him  lakked  no  thyng  /  that  longeth"  to  a  kyng  16 

As  of  the  secte  /  of  which"  that  he  was  born 
he  kept  his  lay  /  to  which  that  he  was  sworn 
And  ther-to  he  was  hardy  /  wys  and  riche 
And  pitous-  and  lust  /  alwey  I-liche  20 

Sooth"  of  his  word  /  benygne  and  honorable 
A[n]d  of  his  corage  /  alwey  sad  and  stable 
}ong  fressh"  and  strong  /  in  armes  desirous 
As  any  bacheler  /  of  al  his  hous  24 

A  faire  persone  he  was  /  and  fortunat 
And  kept  alwey  so  wel  /  Real  estat 
That  there  nas  no-wher  /  such  an-other  man 
U  This  noble  kyng  /  this  Tartre  Cambiuscan  28 

hadde  two  sones  /  on  Elfeta  his  wyf 
Of  which  the  eldest  hight  /  Algarsyf 
That  other  sone  /  was  called  Camballo 
A  doughter  hadde  /  this  worthy  kyng  also  32 

That  Congest  was  /  and  hight  Canacee  [leaf  120] 

But  for  to  telle  $ow  /  al  hire  beaute 
It  lith"  nought  in  my  tonge  /  or  my  konnynge 
I  dar  nought  vndertake  /  so  heigh  a  thynge  36 


GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  313 

Myn  englyssh"  eke  is  /  insufficient 

It  must  ben  a  Rethor  /  excellent 

That  coude  hise  colours  /  longyng  for  that  art 

If  he  shulde  hire  discryuen  /  euery  part  40 

I  nam  noon  suche  /  I  mot  speke  as  I  can 

And  so  byfel  /  that  whan  this  Cambiuscan 

hadde  twenty  wynter  /  born  his  Diademe 

As  he  was  wont  /  fro  $ere  to  $ere  I  deme  44 

he  lete  the  feste  /  of  his  Natiuitee 

Do  crien  thurgh"-out  Sarray  /  his  Citee 

The  last  ydus  of  March"  /  after  the  jer 

Phebus  the  Sonne  /  fill  iolyf  was  and  cler  48 

ffor  he  was  ney  /  his  exaltacion 

In  martes  face  /  &  in  his  maneion 

In  Aries  /  the  coleryk  hote  signe 

fful  lusty  was  the  wedir  /  &  benygne  52 

ffor  which"  the  foules  /  ageyn  the  sonne  shene 

What  for  the  seson  /  &  the  ^onge  greene 

fful  loude  songen  /  in  here  affeccions 

hem  semed  haue  geten  hem  /  protections  56 

Ageyns  the  swerd  of  wynter  /  kene  &  colde 

This  Cambiuscan  /  of  which  I  haue  jo-w  tolde 

In  real  vestiment  /  syt  on  his  deys 

With"  Diademe  ful  heigh"  /  in  his  paleys  60 

And  h^tt  his  feste  /  so  solempne  &  so  riche 

That  in  this  world  /  ne  was  ]>ere  noon  it  liche 

Of  which"  /  if  I  shal  tellen  /  al  the  array 

Than  wold  it  occupie  /  a  someres  day  64 

And  eke  it  nedeth"  nat  /  for  to  deuyse 

At  euery  cours  /  the  ordre  of  here  seruyse 

I  wyl  nought  tellen  /  of  here  straunge  sewes 

Ne  of  here  swann,es  /  ne  here  heronsewes  68 


no  gap  in  the  MS.]  72 


314     GROUP  F.     §  2.    SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

I  wyl  nought  tarien  $ow  /  for  it  is  pryme 

And  for  it  is  no  fruyt  /  but  losse  of  tyme 

vn-to  my  first  /  I  wyl  haue  myn  retours 

And  so  byfel  after  /  the  thridde  cours  76 

whil  that  this  kyng  syt  thus  /  in  his  nobleye 

Herkenyng  his  raynstralles  /  here  thynges  pleye 

Biforn  him  at  the  bord  /  deliciously 

In  at  the  halle  dore  /  al  sodeynly  [leaf  120,  back]       80 

There  cam  a  knyght  /  vp-on  a  steede  of  Bras 

And  in  his  hand  /  a  brode  Myrour  of  glas 

Vp-on  his  thombe  /  he  hadde  of  gold  a  ryng 

And  by  his  syde  /  a  naked  swerd  hangyng  84 

And  vp  he  rideth"  /  vn-to  the  heigh"  bord 

In  al  the  halle  /  ne  was  there  spoke  a  word 

ffor  merueille  of  this  knyght  /  him  to  byholde 

fful  bisily  they  wayten  /  $onge  and  olde  88 

IT  This  straunge  knygfit  /  that  cam  thus  sodeynly 

Al  armed  saue  his  hed  /  ful  richely 

Salueth"  kyng  and  Quene  /  and  lordes  alle 

By  ordre  /  as  they  setyn  /  in  the  halle  92 

With"  so  heigh"  reuerence  /  and  obeisaunce 

As  wel  in  speche  /  as  in  his  countenaunce 

That  Gawayn  /  with"  his  olde  curteisye 

Though"  he  were  come  a-geyn  /  out  of  fairye  96 

Ne  coude  him  nought  amende  /  with  a  word 

And  after  this  /  bifore  the  heigh  bord 

he  with  a  manly  voice  /  seide  his  message 

After  the  fowme  vsed  /  in  his  langage  100 

With"-outen  vice  of  silable  /  or  lettre 

And  for  his  tale  /  shulde  seme  the  bettre 

Accordant  to  his  wordes  /  was  his  chiere 

As  techeth  art  of  speche  /  hem  that  it  lere  104 

Al  be  it  /  that  I  can  nought  /  sowne  his  stile 

Ne  can  nought  clymben  /  oner  so  heigh  a  stile 

3et  sey  I  this  /  that  as  to  comune  entent 

Thus  meche  amounteth  /  al  pat  euere  he  ment  108 


GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  315 

If  it  so  be  /  that  I  haue  it  in  mynde 

IF  He  seide  the  kyng  of  Arabe  /  and  of  Ynde 

My  lige  lord  /  on  this  solempne  day 

Salueth  $ow  /  as  he  best  can  and  may  112 

And  sendeth"  jow  /  in  honour  of  joure  feste 

By  me  /  that  am  al  redy  /  at  joure  heste 

This  steede  of  Bras  /  that  esily  and  wel 

Can  in  the  space  /  of  oo  day  naturel  116 

That  is  to  seyn  /  in  foure  and  twenty  houres 

Where-so  $ow  list  /  in  drought  or  ellis  shoures 

Beren  ^oure  body  /  in-to  euery  place 

To  which  joure  herte  wylneth  /  for  to  pace  120 

With"-outen  wem  of  jow  /  thurgh  foule  and  fair 

Or  if  jow  list  /  to  fleighe  as  heigh"  in  the  eyr 

As  doth"  an  Egle  /  whan  him  list  to  sore          [leaf  121] 

This  same  Steede  /  shal  bere  $ow  eue?'emore  124 

With-outen  harm  /  til  30  be  there  30 w  list 

Though  that  $e  slepen  /  on  his  bak  &  rest 

And  twrne  ageyn  /  with  writhyng  of  a  pyn 

he  that  it  wrought  /  he  coude  many  a  gyn  128 

he  wayted  many  /  a  constellacion 

Or  he  had  don  /  this  operation 

And  knew  ful  many  /  a  sel  /  &  many  a  bonde 

IF  This  Mirour  eke  /  that  I  haue  in  myn  honde  132 

hath  swich"  a  myght  /  that  men  moun  in  it  se 

Whan  there  shal  fallen  /  any  aduersitee 

vn-to  ^oure  regne  /  or  to  $oure  self  also 

And  openly  /  who  is  joure  frend  or  foo  136 

And  ouer  al  this  /  if  any  lady  bright 

hath  set  hire  herte  /  on  any  maner  wyght 

If  he  be  fals  /  she  shal  his  treson  see 

his  newe  loue  /  and  al  his  subtiltee  140 

So  openly  /  there  shal  no  thyng  hyde 

Wherfore  /  a-geyns  this  lusty  someres  tyde 

This  Myrour  &  this  Ryng  /  that  30  may  se 

he  hath  sent  /  to  my  lady  Canacee  144 


316     GROUP  F.    §  2.    SQUIRE'S  TALE.    Dd.  4.  24. 

Joure  excellente  doughter  /  that  is  here 

The  vertu  of  the  Ryng  /  if  ye  wiln  heere 

Is  this  /  that  if  hire  list  /  it  /  for  to  were 

vp-on  hire  thombe  /  or  in  hire  purs  it  bere  148 

There  nys  no  foule  /  that  flietfe  vnder  the  heuene 

That  she  ne  shal  wel  /  vnderstonde  his  steuene 

And  knowe  his  nienyng  /  openly  and  pleyn 

And  answere  hi?n  /  in  his  langage  ageyn  152 

And  euery  gras  /  that  groweth  vp-on  rote 

She  shal  eke  knowe  /  &  whom  it  wol  do  bote 

Al  ben  hise  woundes  /  neuere  so  depe  &  wyde 

1F  This  naked  swerd  /  that  hangeth"  be  my  syde  156 

Swich  vertu  hath"  /  that  what  man  pat  30  smyte 

Thurgh-out  his  armure  /  it  wil  kerue  &  byte 

"Were  it  as  thikke  /  as  is  a  braunched  ook 

And  what  man  fat  is  wounded  /  with"  the  strok  160 

Shal  neuere  be  hoi  /  til  that  jow  list  of  grace 

To  stroke  him  with  the  plat  /  in  thilke  place 

There  he  is  hurt  /  this  is  so  meche  to  seyn 

3e  mote  with  the  plat  swerd  /  a-geyn  164 

Stroke  him  in  the  wounde  /  and  it  wol  close 

This  is  a  verray  soth  /  witfr-outen  glose 

It  failleth"  not  /  whil  it  is  in  }oure  wolde       Deaf  121,  back] 

IT  And  whan  this  knyght  /  hath  thus  his  tale  I-tolde    168 

he  rideth  out  of  halle  /  and  doun  he  light 

his  Steede  which  that  shone  /  as  sonne  bright 

Stant  in  the  courte  /  as  stille  as  ony  ston 

This  knyght  is  to  his  chaumber  /  lad  a-non  172 

And  is  vnarmed  /  and  to  mete  I-sette 

The  presentes  /  ben  f ul  richelich  I-fette 

This  is  to  seyn  /  the  swerd  and  the  Mirour 

And  born  a-non  /  vn-to  the  heigh  Tour  176 

With  certeyne  officers  /  ordeyned  therfore 

And  to  Canacee  /  the  Ryng  is  bore 

Solempnely  /  there  she  sat  at  the  table 

But  sekerly  /  with-outcu  any  fable  180 


GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24,  317 

The  hors  of  Bras  /  that  can  nought  be  remewed 

Is  stant  as  it  were  /  to  the  ground  I-glewed 

There  may  no  man  /  out  of  that  place  it  dryue 

ffor  non  engyne  /  of  wyndas  or  polyuo  184 

And  cause  why  /  for  they  cowne  nought  the  craft 

And  therfore  in  the  place  /  they  han  it  laft 

Til  that  the  knyght  /  hath  taught  hem  the  manere 

To  voiden  him  /  as  $e  shuln  after  here  188 

IT  Greet  was  the  prees  /  that  swarmeth"  to  and  froo 

To  gauren  on  this  hors  /  that  stondeth"  so 

ffor  it  so  heigh  was  /  &  so  hrode  and  longe 

So  wel  proporcioned  /  for  to  be  stronge  192 

Eight  as  it  were  a  Steede  /  of  lumbardie 

There-with  so  horsly  /  and  so  quyk  at  eye 

As  it  a  gentil  poleis  /  courser  were 

ffor  certes  from  his  taille  /  vn-to  his  ere  196 

Nature  ne  art  /  ne  coude  him  nought  amende 

In  no  degree  /  as  al  the  peple  wende 

But  euere  moo  /  here  moost  wondre  was 

how  that  it  coude  gon  /  &  was  of  bras  200 

It  was  a  fayrie  /  as  the  peeple  semed 

Diuerse  folk  /  diuersely  han  denied 

As  many  hedes  /  as  many  wyttes  ben 

They  mormered  /  as  doth  a  swarm  of  been  204 

And  maden  skyles  /  after  here  fantasies 

Eehersyng  /  of  this  olde  poetries 

And  seiden  it  was  like  /  the  pegasee          Widest  equus pe- 

The  hors  that  hadde  /  wenges  for  to  flee 

Or  ellis  it  was  /  the  Grekes  hors  sinon  209 

That  brought  Troye  /  to  destruction 

As  men  moun  /  in  theise  old  gestes  rede 

Myn  herte  qwod  on  /  is  eueremo  in  drede        [leaf  122]     212 

I  trowe  some  men  of  armes  /  ben  there-Inne 

That  shapen  hem  /  this  Citee  for  to  wynne 

It  were  right  good  /  that  al  such  thyng  were  knowe 

An  other  rouned  /  to  his  felawe  lowe  21G 


318     GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

And  seide  he  lyeth  /  for  it  is  rather  lyk 

An  apparence  I-made  /  by  some  magyk 

As  iogeloures  pleyen  /  at  thise  grete 

Of  sondry  doutes  /  thus  they  langle  &  trete  220 

As  lewede  peeple  demen  /  comunely 

Of  thynges  that  hen  made  /  more  subtily 

Than  they  can  /  in  here  lewednes  comprehende 

They  demen  gladly  /  to  the  haddere  ende  224 

H  And  some  of  hem  wondred  /  on  the  Mirour 

That  horn  was  vp  /  vn-to  the  maister  Tour 

how  men  myght  in  it  /  swich  thynges  se 

Another  answered  &  seide  /  it  myght  wel  he  228 

Naturely  /  by  composicions 

Of  anglys  /  and  of  sligh  reflexions 

And  seiden  /  that  in  Eome  /  was  swich  on 

They  spoken  of  Alocen  /  and  vitulon  232 

Of  Aristotle  /  that  wretyn  in  here  lyues 

Of  queynt  Miroures  /  and  of  perspectyues ' 

As  knowen  they  /  that  han  here  bokes  herd 

And  other  folk  /  han  wondred  on  the  svverd  236 

That  wolde  percen  /  thurgfi-out  euery  thyng 

And  feln  in  speche  /  of  Thelephus  the  kyng 

And  of  Achilles  /  for  his  queynt  spere 

ffor  he  coude  with"  it  /  bo  the  hele  and  dere  240 

Eight  in  swich"  gise  /  as  men  moun  with"  the  swerd 

Of  which  right  now  /  je  han  ^oure  seluen  herd 

They  speken  of  sondry  hardyng  /  of  metal 

And  speken  of  medicynes  /  ther-witfi-al  244 

And  how  &  whawne  /  it  shulde  I-harded  be 

Which  is  vnknowe  /  algates  vn-to  me 

Tho  speken  they  /  of  Canaces  ryng 

And  seiden  alle  /  that  swich"  a  wonder  thyng  248 

Of  craft  of  Rynges  /  herd  they  neue/e  non 

Saue  that  he  Moyses  /  and  kyng  Salamon 

hadden  a  name  of  konnyng  /  in  swich  art 

Thus  seith"  the  peeple  /  &  drawen  hem  a-part  252 


GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  319 

But  nathelees  some  seiden  /  that  it  was 

Wonder  to  make  /  of  ffern  asshen  /  glas 

And  jet  is  glas  /  nought  lyke  asshen  of  fern 

And  for  they  han  I-knowen  it  /  so  fern     [leaf  122,  back]     256 

Therfore  cesseth  here  iangelyng  /  &  here  wonder 

As  sore  wonder  some  /  on  cause  of  thonder 

On  ebbe  on  flode  /  on  gossomer  &  on  myst 

And  on  alle  thynge  /  til  pat  the  cause  is  wist  260 

Thus  iangle  they  /  &  demen  &  deuyse 

Til  that  the  kyng  /  gan  fro  the  bord  arise 

U  Phebus  hath"  lost  |  the  angle  mediornal 

And  jet  ascendyng  /  was,  the  best  roial  264 

The  gentil  leon  /  with"  his  aldiran 

Whan  that  this  tartre  kyng  /  Cambyuscan 

Eos  fro  his  bord  /  there  as  he  sat  ful  heye 

Bifore  him  goth"  /  the  loude  mynstralcye  268 

Til  he  come  to  his  chambre  /  of  parementj 

There  as  there  sounen  /  diuerse  Instrument^ 

That  it  is  like  an  heuene  /  for  to  here 

Now  dauncen  lusty  venus  /  children  dere  272 

ffor  in  the  ffissh  /  here  lady  sat  ful  heye 

And  loketh"  on  hem  /  with  a  frendlich  eye 

This  noble  kyng  /  is  set  vp-on  his  Trone 

This  straunge  knyght  /  is  to  him  fet  ful  sone  276 

^1  And  on  the  daunce  he  goth  /  with  Canacee 

here  is  the  reuel  /  and  the  lolitee 

That  is  nat  able  /  a  dul  man  to  deuyse 

he  must  han  knowen  loue  /  and  his  seruyse  280 

And  ben  a  feestlich  man  /  as  fressh"  as  May 

That  shulde  jow  deuysen  /  swich  a-ray 

who  coude  telle  jow  /  the  fowrme  of  daunces 

So  vncouth  /  and  swich  fressh  countenaunces  284 

Swich  subtil  lokyng  /  and  dissimulynges 

ffor  drede  /  of  gelous  mewnes  /  aparceyuynges 

Noman  but  launcelot  /  and  he  is  ded 

Therfore  I  passe  /  of  al  this  lustied  288 


320     GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

I  sey  no  more  /  but  in  this  lolynesse 

I  lete  hem  /  til  men  to  the  Soper  dresse 

The  Styward  /  bit  spices  for  to  hye 

And  eke  the  wyn  /  and  al  this  melodye  292 

The  vsshers  /  and  the  Squyery  is  gon 

The  spices  and  the  wyn  /  is  come  anon 

They  ete  &  drynke  /  and  whan  this  had  an  ende 

vn-to  the  temple  /  as  reson  was  /  they  wende  296 

IT  The  seruyse  don  they  /  &  soupen  al  be  day 

what  nedetfi  to  $ow  /  rehercen  here  /  here  array 

Eche  man  wot  wel  /  that  a  kynges  fest 

Hath"  plentee  to  the  meest  /  and  to  the  leest  300 

And  deyntes  moo  than  ben  /  in  my  knowyng      [ieafi23] 

At  after  soper  /  goth"  this  noble  kyng 

To  sen  this  hors  /  of  Bras  /  with"  al  a  route 

Of  ladyes  /  and  of  lordes  /  him  a-boute  304 

U  Swicfi  wondryng  was  there  /  on  this  hors  of  Bras 

That  syn  the  gret  assege  /  of  Troie  was 

There  as  men  wondred  /  on  an  hors  also 

Ne  was  there  swich"  a  wondryng  /  as  was  tho  308 

But  fynaly  /  the  kyng  axed  the  knygh"t 

The  vertu  of  this  courser  /  and  the  mygh"t 

And  preyed  hi?rc  to  telle  /  his  gouernaunce 

This  hors  a-non  /  gan  for  to  trippe  &  daunce  312 

whan  that  the  knygh't  /  leid  hand  vp-on  his  reyne 

And  seide  sire  /  there  nys  no  more  to  seyne 

But  whan  $ow  list  /  to  riden  any  where 

?e  moten  trille  a  pyn  /  stant  in  his  Ere  316 

which"  I  shal  tellen  $ow  /  betwixe  vs  two 

3e  moten  nempne  him  /  to  what  place  also 

Or  to  what  centre  /  that  jow  list  to  ryde 

And  whan  30  come  there  /  as  jow  list  abide  320 

Bid  him  decende  /  and  trille  an  other  pyn 

ffor  fere-Inne  lith"  the  effect  /  of  al  the  gyn 

And  he  wol  doun  decende  /  &  don  3oure  wille 

And  in  that  place  /  he  wol  abyden  stille  324 


GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  321 

Though"  al  the  world  /  the  contrarie  had  swore 

he  shal  nat  thens  be  drawe  /  ne  be  bore 

Or  if  jow  list  /  to  bidde  him  /  thens  gon 

Trille  this  pyn  /  &  he  wol  vanysshe  a-non  328 

Out  of  the  sight  /  of  euery  manere  wygh~t 

And  come  a-geyn  /  be  it  day  or  nyght 

whan  that  jow  list  /  to  clepen  him  a-geyn 

In  swich"  a  gyse  /  as  I  shal  to  $ow  seyn  332 

Betwixen  $ow  &  me  /  &  that  ful  sone 

Eyde  whan  $ow  list  /  there  is  no  more  to  done 

IT  Enformed  whan  the  kyng  was  /  of  this  knygfit 

And  hath"  conceyued  /  in  his  wyt  a-right  336 

The  manere  &  the  fourme  /  of  al  this  thyng 

fful  glad  and  blithe  /  this  noble  lusty  kyng 

Repaireth"  to  his  reuel  /  as  byforn 

The  brydel  is  /  in-to  the  Tour  I-born  340 

And  kept  among  his  lueles  /  lief  &  deere 

The  hors  vanysshed  /  I  not  in  which"  manere 

Out  of  here  sight  /  je  gete  no  more  for  me 

But  thus  I  leete  /  in  lust  and  lolitee  344 

This  Cambyuscan  /  his  lordes  festeiynge 

Til  wel  neygh"  /  the  day  bygan  to  springe      [leaf  123,  back] 

11  Explicit  prima  pars          [/n  margin.    No  break  in  MS.] 

[PART  IL] 

The  norice  of  digestion  /  the  sleep 

Gan  on  hem  wynke  /  &  bad  hem  taken  kep  348 

That  mechel  drynk  &  labour  /  wyl  haue  rest 

And  with"  a  galpyng  mouth  /  hem  alle  he  kest 

And  seide  that  it  was  tyme  /  to  lye  a-doun 

ffor  blod  was  /  in  his  dominacion  352 

Cherisheth"  blood  /  natures  frend  quod  he 

They  thanked  hi?»  galpyng  /  by  two  by  three 

And  euery  wyght  /  gan  drawe  him  to  his  rest 

As  sleep  hem  bad  /  they  toke  it  for  the  best  356 


322     GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

here  dremes  shuln  nat  now  /  ben  tolde  for  me 

fful  were  here  hedes  /  of  fumositee 

That  causeth"  dreem  /  of  which"  there  is  no  charge 

They  slepe  /  til  that  it  was  /  prime  large  360 

The  moste  parte  /  but  it  were  Canacee 

She  was  f  ul  mesurable  /  as  wommen  be 

ffor  of  hire  fader  /  had  she  taken  leue 

To  gon  to  rest  /  sone  after  it  was  cue  364 

hire  list  nat  appalled  /  for  to  be 

Ne  on  the  morwe  /  vnfestliche  for  to  se 

And  slept  hire  first  sleep  /  &  thamie  a-woke 

ffor  swicfi  a  ioie  /  she  in  hire  hert  toke  368 

Bothe  of  hire  queync  Ryng  /  &  hire  Mirour 

That  twenty  tyme  /  she  chaunged  hire  colour 

And  in  hire  sleep  /  right  for  the  inpression 

Of  hire  Mirour  /  she  had  a  vision  372 

wherfore  /  er  that  the  sonne  /  gan  vp  glyde 

She  cleped  vp-on  hire  Maistres  /  hire  beside 

And  seide  /  that  hire  list  for  to  ryse 

Theise  olde  woramen  /  that  ben  gladly  wyse  376 

As  is  hire  Maistresse  /  answered  a-non 

And  seide  Madame  /  whider  wolde  50  gon 

Thus  erly  /  for  the  folk  ben  alle  in  rest 

I  wil  qwod  she  arrisen  /  for  me  lest  380 

No  lengere  for  to  slepe  /  and  walke  a-boute 

hire  Maistresse  clepeth  wowimen  /  a  gret  route 

And  vp  they  risen  /  wel  an  ten  or  twelue 

vp  riseth  fressh  Canacee  /  hire  selue  384 

As  rody  and  bright  /  as  doth  the  ^onge  Sonne 

That  in  the  Ram  /  is  foure  degrees  vp  ronne 

Non  heighere  was  he  /  whan  she  redy  was 

And  forth"  she  walketh  /  esily  a  paas  388 

Arrayed  after  the  lusty  seson  /  swote 

lightly  for  to  pleye  /  &  walke  on  foote 

Nat  but  with  fyue  or  sexe  /  of  hire  meyne         [leaf  124] 

And  in  a  trenche  /  forth  in  the  Park  gotli  she  392 


GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  323 

U  The  vapor  /  which  /  that  from  the  erthe  glode 

Made  the  Sonne  to  seme  /  rody  and  brode 

But  nathelees  it  was  /  so  fair  a  sight 

That  it  made  alle  here  hertes  /  for  to  light  396 

What  for  the  Seson  /  &  the  morwenyng 

What  for  the  foules  /  that  she  herd  syng 

ffor  right  a-non  /  she  wist  what  they  ment 

Eight  by  here  song  /  &  knew  al  here  entent  400 

U  The  knotte  why  /  that  euery  tale  is  told 

If  it  be  taried  /  til  the  lust  be  cold 

Of  hem  /  that  after  it  /  han  herkened  jore 

The  sauour  passeth"  /  euere  lengere  the  more  404 

ffor  fulsumnesse  /  of  his  prolixitee 

And  by  this  same  reson  /  thynketh"  me 

I  shulde  vn-to  the  knot  /  condescende 

And  maken  of  here  walkyng  /  sone  an  ende  408 

H  Amydde  a  tree  ful  drye  /  as  white  as  chalk 

As  Canace  was  pleiyng  /  in  hire  walk 

There  sat  a  faucon  /  otier  hire  hed  ful  heye 

That  with  a  pitous  voice  /  so  gan  to  crye  412 

That  al  the  wode  /  resouned  of  hire  cry 

I-betyn  had  she  hire  self  /  so  pitously 

with"  bothe  hire  wenges  /  til  the  red  blod 

Ean  endelong  the  tree  /  there  as  she  stood  416 

And  eue^e  in  on  alwey  /  she  cried  and  shright 

And  with  hire  beek  /  hire  seluen  she  so  twight 

That  there  nas  tygre  /  ne  so  cruel  beste 

That  dwelleth"  either  in  wode  /  or  in  foreste  420 

That  nolde  han  wept  /  if  that  he  wepe  coude 

ffor  sorwe  of  hire  /  she  shright  alwey  so  loude 

U  ffor  ]>ere  was  neuere  jet  /  no  man  a-lyue 

If  that  I  coude  /  a  faucon  wel  discryue  424 

That  herd  of  swich  an  other  /  of  fairnesse 

As  wel  of  plumage  /  as  of  gentilnesse 

Of  shap  /  of  al  that  myght  I-rekened  be 

A  faucon  peregryn  /  than  semed  she  428 


324      GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

Of  fremd  land  /  and  euerenio  there  she  stod 

She  swoughned  now  and  now  /  for  lakke  of  blood 

Til  wol  ny  is  she  fallen  /  fro  the  Tree 

This  faire  kynges  dough" ter  /  Canacee  432 

That  on  hire  fyngre  /  bare  the  queynt  Eyng 

Thurgh"  which"  /  she  vnderstod  wel  /  euery  thyng 

That  any  foul  /  may  in  his  ledne  seyn  435 

And  coude  answere  him  /  in  his  ledne  a-geyn   [leaf  124,  back] 

hath  vnderstonden  /  what  this  faucon  seide 

And  wel  neigh"  for  the  routhe  /  almest  she  deiede 

And  to  the  tree  /  she  goth"  ful  hastily 

And  on  this  faucon  /  loketh"  pytously  440 

And  held  hire  lappe  a-brod  /  for  wel  she  wiste 

The  faucon  must  fallen  /  fro  the  twiste 

when  that  it  swoughneth  next  /  for  lak  of  blood 

A  longe  while  /  to  wayten  hire  she  stood  444 

Til  at  the  laste  /  she  spak  in  this  manere 

vn-to  the  hauke  /  as  $e  shuln  after  heere 

what  is  the  cause  /  if  that  it  be  to  telle 

That  30  ben  /  in  this  furyal  peyne  of  helle  448 

Quod  Canacee  /  vn-to  this  hauke  a-boue 

Is  this  for  sorwe  of  detfi  /  or  losse  of  loue 

ffor  as  I  trowe  /  theise  ben  causes  two 

That  causen  moost  /  a  gentil  herte  woo  452 

Of  other  harm  /  it  nedeth"  nat  to  speke 

ffor  je  joure  self  /  vp-on  3oure  self  $ow  wreke 

which  preeueth  wel  /  that  either  Ire  or  drede 

Mote  ben  encheson  /  of  joure  cruel  dede  456 

Syn  that  I  se  /  noon  other  wyght  /  jow  chace 

ffor  loue  of  god  /  as  doth  $oure  seluen  grace 

Or  what  may  ben  ^oure  helpe  /  for  west  north"  est 

Ne  saw  I  neuere  or  now  /  no  bryd  nor  beest  460 

That  ferde  with  him  self  /  so  pitously 

}e  slee  me  with  joure  sorwe  /  verreyly 

I  haue  of  jow  /  so  gret  compassion 

ffor  goddes  loue  /  come  fro  the  tree  a-doun  464 


GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  325 

And  as  I  am  /  a  kynges  dougfiter  trewe 

If  that  I  verreyly  /  the  causes  knewe 

Of  joure  dissese  /  if  it  lay  in  my  niygfit 

I  wolde  amende  it  /  or  that  it  were  nyght  468 

As  wisly  helpe  me  /  gret  god  of  kynde 

And  herbes  shal  I  /  right  I-nowe  fynde 

To  hele  witfi  joure  hurtes  /  hastily 

Tho  shright  this  faucon  /  $et  more  pitously  472 

Than  euere  she  dide  /  &  fel  to  grounde  anon 

And  lith"  a-swougfine  /  as  ded  as  litli  a  ston 

Til  Canacee  /  hath"  in  hire  lappe  /  hire  take 

In-to  that  tyme  /  she  gan  of  swough"  a- wake  476 

And  after  that  /  she  of  swoi^nyng  gan  a-breyde 

Eight  in  hire  haukes  ledne  /  thus  she  seide 

U  That  pitee  renneth  sone  /  in  gentil  herte 

ffelyng  his  similitude  /  in  peynes  smerte  480 

Is  preeued  al  day  /  as  men  moun  it  se 

As  wel  by  werk  /  as  by  auctoritee  [leaf  125] 

ffor  gentil  herte  /  kitheth  gentillesse 

I  se  wel  30  han  /  of  my  distresse  484 

Compassion  /  my  faire  Canacee 

Of  verray  wommanly  /  benygnetee 

That  nature  /  in  joure  principiis  hath"  set 

But  for  non  hope  /  for  to  fare  the  bet  488 

But  for  to  obeye  /  vn-to  3oure  herte  free 

And  for  to  maken  othere  /  I- war  by  me 

As  by  the  whelp  /  is  chastised  the  Icon 

Right  for  that  cause  /  and  that  conclusion  492 

whil  that  I  haue  a  leiser  /  and  a  space 

Myn  harm  I  wil  confessen  /  or  I  pace 

And  whil  that  oon  /  hire  sorwe  tolde 

That  other  wep  /  as  she  to  water  wolde  496 

Til  that  the  faucon  /  bad  hire  to  be  stille 

And  with  a  syke  /  right  thus  she  seide  hire  wylle 

H  There  I  was  bred  /  alias  that  ilke  day 

An  forstred  in  a  roche  /  of  marbel  gray  500 


326      GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIUE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

So  tenderly  /  that  no  thyng  eyled  me 

I  nyst  nat  /  what  was  aduersitee 

Til  I  coude  flee  /  ftrl  heigfi  vnder  the  sky 

Tho  dwelled  a  Tercelet  /  me  fast  by  504 

That  semed  welle  /  of  al  gentillesse 

Al  were  he  ful  of  treson  /  &  falsnesse 

It  was  so  wrapped  /  vnder  humble  chere 

And  vnder  hew  of  trouthe  /  in  such  manere  508 

vnder  plesaunce  /  &  vnder  besy  peyne 

That  no  wyght  wold  han  wend  /  he  coude  feyne 

So  diep  in  greyn  /  he  dyed  hise  colours 

Eight  as  a  serpent  /  hideth  vnder  floures  512 

Til  he  may  sen  his  tyme  /  for  to  byte 

Eight  so  /  this  god  of  loues  ypoerite 

Doth  his  sermouns  /  and  obeisaunces 

And  kepeth  in  semblaunt  /  alle  his  obseruaunces          516 

That  sovneth  in-to  gentillesse  /  of  loue 

As  on  a  Toumbe  /  is  al  the  fair  a-boue 

And  vnder  is  the  cors  /  swich  as  30  wote 

Swich  was  this  ypoerite  /  bothe  cold  and  hote  520 

And  in  this  wyse  /  he  serued  his  entente 

That  saue  the  fend  /  noon  wist  what  he  ment 

Til  he  so  longe  had  weped  /  and  compleyned 

And  many  jere  /  his  seruyse  to  me  feyned  524 

Til  that  myn  herte  /  to  pitous  &  to  nyce 

Al  Innocent  /  of  his  crowned  malice 

So  fered  of  his  deth  /  as  thought  me 

vp-on  hise  othes  /  and  on  his  seurtee  [leaf  125,  back]  528 

Graunted  him  loue  /  on  this  condicion 

That  euere  mo  /  myn  honour  &  renoun 

were  saued  /  bothe  pryue  and  apert 

This  is  to  seyn  /  that  after  his  desert  532 

I  jaf  him  al  myn  hert  /  &  al  my  thought 

God  wot  and  he  /  that  other  weyes  nought 

And  toke  his  herte  /  in  chaunge  of  myn  for  ay 

But  soth  is  seide  /  gon  si  then  many  a  day  536 


GUOUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  327 

A  trewe  wyght  and  a  thef  /  thynke  nat  on 

U  And  whan  he  sey  the  thyng  /  so  fer  I-gon 

That  I  had  graunted  hi??z  /  fully  my  loue 

In  swich"  a  gyse  /  as  I  haue  seid  a-boue  540 

And  3euen  him  /  my  trewe  herte  /  as  free 

As  he  swore  /  that  he  $af  his  herte  to  me 

A-non  this  Tigre  /  ful  of  doublenesse 

ffel  on  his  knees  /  with  so  deuout  humblesse  544 

with"  so  heigh"  reuerence  /  as  by  his  chere 

So  like  a  gentil  louere  /  of  manere 

So  rauysshed  /  as  it  semed  for  the  ioye 

That  neuere  lason  /  or  Paris  of  Troye  548 

lasofi  certes  /  ne  non  other  man 

Syn  lameth"  was  /  that  aider-first  bygan 

To  louen  two  /  as  wryten  folk  byforn 

Ne  neuere  syn  /  the  first  man  was  born  552 

Ne  coude  man  /  by  twenty  thousand  parte 

Countrefete  the  sophimes  /  of  his  arte 

Ne  were  worthy  /  don  bokelyn  his  galoche 

There  doublenesse  or  feynyng  /  shulde  approche  556 

Ne  so  coude  thanke  a  wyght  /  as  he  did  me 

his  manere  was  an  heuene  /  for  to  se 

To  any  womman  /  were  she  neuere  so  wys 

So  peynted  he  and  kempt  /  at  poynt  deuys  560 

As  wel  hise  wordes  /  as  his  countenaunce 

And  so  loued  hint  /  for  his  obeisaunce 

And  for  the  trouthe  /  I  demed  in  his  herte 

That  if  so  were  /  that  any  thyng  him  smerte  564 

Al  were  it  neuere  so  lite  /  and  I  it  wiste 

Me  thought  I  felt  delft  /  myn  herte  twiste 

And  shortly  so  ferforth"  /  this  thyng  is  wente 

That  my  wyl  was  /  his  willes  Instramente  568 

This  is  to  seyn  /  my  wyl  obeyed  his  wille 

In  alle  thynge  /  as  fer  as  reson  fille 

kepyng  the  boundes  /  of  my  worship  euere 

Ne  neuere  hadde  I  thyng  /  so  lief  ne  leuere  572 


328     GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

As  hym  god  \voot  /  ne  neiwe  shal  no  moo        [leaf  120] 

This  last  lengere  /  than  a  301  or  twoo 

That  I  supposed  of  him  /  nought  but  good 

But  fynally  /  thus  at  the  laste  it  stod  576 

That  fortune  wolde  /  that  he  must  twynne 

Out  of  that  place  /  which"  that  I  was  Inne 

where  me  was  woo  /  that  is  no  question 

I  can  nat  make  of  it  /  discripcion  580 

ffor  oo  thyng  dar  I  tellen  /  boldely 

I  knowe  what  is  the  peyne  of  deth  /  ther-by 

Swich  harm  I  felt  /  for  he  ne  myght  byleue 

So  on  a  day  of  me  /  he  tok  his  leue  584 

So  sorweful  eke  /  that  I  wende  verreily 

That  he  had  felt  /  as  muchel  harm  as  I 

whan  that  I  herd  him  speke  /  &  saugh"  his  hewe 

But  natheles  I  thought  /  he  was  so  trewe  588 

And  eke  that  he  repeire  /  shulde  a-geyn 

witR-Inne  a  litel  tyme  /  soth"  to  seyn 

And  reson  wolde  eke  /  that  he  must  go 

ffor  his  honour  f  as  often  happeth"  so  592 

That  I  made  vertu  /  of  necessite 

And  toke  it  wel  /  syn  that  it  must  be 

As  I  best  myght  /  I  hidde  fro  him  my  sorwe 

And  tok  him  by  the  hand  /  Seynt  lohn  to  borwe         596 

And  seide  him  thus  /  I  am  ^owres  al 

Beth"  swich"  as  I  to  $ow  /  haue  ben  &  shal 

what  he  answered  /  it  nedeth"  nat  reherce 

who  can  seyn  bet  /  than  he  /  and  don  werse  600 

whan  he  hath  al  wel  seid  /  than  hath"  he  don 

Therfore  byhoued  hire  /  a  ful  long  spon 

That  shal  ete  with"  the  fend  /  thus  herd  I  seye 

So  at  the  laste  /  he  must  forth  his  weye  604 

And  forth"  he  fleeth  /  til  he  come  ]>e?-e  him  luste 

U  Whan  it  come  him  to  purpos  /  for  to  reste    ^  re^tu  l"^"; 

I  trowe  that  he  hadde  /  thilke  text  in  mynde 

That  al  thyng  /  repairyng  to  his  kynde  608 


GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.  329 

Gladeth  him  self  /  thus  seyn  men  as  I  gesse 

Men  louen  of  prapre  kynde  /  newfangelnesae 

As  briddes  don  /  that  men  in  kages  fede 

ffor  though"  thow  nyght  &  day  /  take  of  hem  hede        612 

And  strowe  here  cage  /  as  faire  &  softe  as  sylk 

And  $eue  hem  sugre  /  hony  bred  and  mylk 

3et  right  a-non  /  as  that  his  dore  is  vppe 

he  with  his  feet  /  wol  spume  doun  his  cuppe  616 

And  to  the  wode  he  wole  /  &  wormes  ete 

So  newef ongel  ben  they  /  of  here  mete        [leaf  125,  back] 

And  louen  nouelries  /  of  propre  kynde 

No  gentillesse  of  blod  /  ne  may  hem  bynde  620 

So  ferde  this  Tercelet  /  alias  that  day 

Though  he  were  gentil  born  /  &  fressh  &  gay 

And  goodlich  for  to  sen  /  and  humble  and  free 

he  sey  vp-on  a  tyme  /  a  kyte  flee  624 

And  sodeynly  /  he  loued  /  this  kyte  so 

That  al  his  loue  /  is  clene  fro  me  a-go 

And  hath  his  trouthe  I-falsed  /  in  this  wyse 

Thus  hath  the  kyte  my  loue  /  in  hire  seruyse  628 

And  I  am  born  /  with-outen  remedie 

And  with"  that  word  /  this  faucon  gan  to  crie 

And  swoughned  eft  /  in  Canacees  barm 

U  Gret  was  the  sorwe  /  for  the  haukes  harm  632 

That  Canacee  /  &  alle  hire  wommen  made 

They  nyste  how  they  myghte  /  the  faucon  glade 

But  Canacee  horn  bereth"  hire  /  in  hire  lappe 

And  softly  in  plaistris  /  gan  hire  wrappe  636 

There  as  she  with  hire  hook  /  had  hurt  hire  selue 

Now  can  nat  Canacee  /  but  herbes  delue 

Out  of  the  ground  /  and  make  salues  newe 

Of  herbes  preciouse  /  and  fyne  of  hewe  640 

To  helen  with  this  hauke  /  fro  day  to  nyght 

She  doth  hire  besynesse  /  with  al  hire  myght 

And  by  hire  beddes  hed  /  she  mad  a  Mewe 

And  couered  it  /  with  veluettes  blewe  644 


330     GROUP  F.     §  2.     SQUIRE'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

In  signe  of  trouthe  /  that  is  in  wommen  sene 

And  al  witft-oute  the  Mewe  /  is  peynted  grene 

In  which"  were  peynted  /  alle  theise  false  foules 

As  ben  theise  Tidifs  /  Tercellettes  and  Oules  648 

Eight  for  despit  /  were  peynted  hem  be-side 

And  Pies  on  hem  /  for  to  crie  and  chide 

That  lete  I  Canacee  /  hire  hauke  kepyng 

I  wol  no  more  as  now  /  speke  of  hire  Ryng  652 

Til  it  come  eft  to  purpos  /  for  to  seyn 

how  that  this  faucon  /  gat  hire  loue  a-geyn 

Eepeutaunt  /  as  the  story  telletS  vs 

By  mediacion  /  of  Kambalus  656 

The  kynges  sone  /  of  which"  that  I  jow  tolde 

But  hens-forth"  /  I  wol  my  processe  holde 

To  speke  of  auentures  /  and  of  batailles 

That  neuere  jet  was  herd  /  so  greete  memailles  660 

ffirst  wol  I  telle  jow  /  of  Cambyuscan 

That  in  his  tyme  /  many  a  citee  wan 

And  after  wol  I  speke  /  of  Algerlif 

how  that  he  wan  /  Theodera  to  his  wif  664 

ffor  whom  ful  ofte  /  in  gret  perile  he  was          [leaf  127] 

Ne  had  he  ben  holpen  /  by  the  Steede  of  Bras 

And  after  wol  I  speken  /  of  Kambalo 

That  faugh" t  in  listes  /  with"  the  bretheren  two  668 

ffor  Canacee  /  or  that  he  mygftt  hire  wynne 

And  there  I  lefte  /  I  wil  a^ein  begynne 

IT  Explicit  secunda  pars 

11  Here  endith"  the  Squyeres  tale  /  as  meche  as 
Chaucer  made. 

[the  rest  of  leaf  127  $  back,  blank;  leaf  128  gone,] 


GROUP  F.  §  3.  SQUIRE-FRAN  KLIN-LINK.  Egerton  2726.  331 


&  incipit  p?'ologus  Clerici  Oxome       [Eg-  2726,  on 

In  fei])  Squyer*  /  Jju  hast  f  e  wele  y-quytte 
And  gentilly  /  I  preise  wele  thy  witte 
Kof  f  e  ffrankeleyn)  /  consideryng  f  y  youthee 
So  felyngly  fou  spekest  /  sir*  I  the  alough  fe  676 

As  to  my  dome  /  fere  is  none  that  is  here 
Of  elloquence  /  fat  shaH  be  f  y  pere 
Yf  fat  f  ou  lyve  /  god  yeue  f  e  gode  chaunce 
And  in  vertue  /  send1  the  contynuaunce  680 

For  of  thy  speche  /  I  haue  grete  deynte       [leaf  u?,  back] 
I  haue  a  son)  /  and  by  f  e  Trinitee 
I  hade  leuer  /  fan  .xx.li.  worf  londl 

Though"  it  right  now  /  were  fall  in  myn)  honcB  684 

He  were  a  man  /  of  soch  discresciouw 
As  fat  ye  ben)  /  fye  on)  possessions 
But  yf  a  man  /  be  vertuous  w£t/iaH  / 
I  haue  my  son)  subbed?  /  and  yitte  shaH  688 

ffor  he  to  vertue  /  listeth"  nat  to  entende 
But  for  to  pley  at  Dys  /  and  dispende 
And  lese  aH  fat  he  hath  /  is  his  vsage 
And  he  hath  leuer  /  talken)  vfiih  a  page  692 

Than  to  commouw  /  with  ony  gentle  wight/ 
Where  he  myght  lerne  /  gentilnes  aright/ 
Strawe  for  gentilnes  /  koth  our*  Hoost/ 
What  ffrankeleyn)  /  parde  sir  wele  fou  wost  696 

That  ecch  of  you  /  mot  tellen  atte  leest 
A  tale  or  two  /  or  breke  his  heesf 
That  knowe  I  wele  sir  /  koth  f e  ffrankeleyn) 
I  pray  you  haueth  me  nat  /  in  disdeyn)  700 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


332      GROUP   F.      §   3.      SQUIUE-FRANKLIN-LINK.      Eg.   2726. 

Though  to  this  man  /  I  speke  a  wore?  or  two 

TeH  on  thy  tale  wtt/iout  /  wordes  mo  / 

Gladly  sir  boost  koth  he  /  I  woll  obeye 

Vn-to  jour  wiH  /  now  herkeneth  what  I  seye  704 

I  woH  you  nat  contrarie  in  no  wise 

As  fer  j)at  /  aH  my  wittes  wollen  suffise 

I  pray  to  god  /  J>at  it  may  plesen)  you 

Than  wote  I  wele  /  j)«t  it  is  gode  ynow  708 

Hie  desinit  prologus  de  flrankeleyn) 


[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  F.    §  4.    FRANKLIN'S  TALE.    Egerton  2726.    333 


&  Incipit  fabula  sua  de  Eokkes  de  Bretayne  [,Eg;.127?6',fw 

iQQrj  147)  OK.] 

Thise  old  gentle  Bretons  /  in  her  dayes 
Of  diuers  auentures  /  maden)  layes 
Romaunced*  in  her  first  bretons  tung 
Which  laies  /  wi't/t  her  Instruments  fey  song  712 

Or  els  reden)  hem  /  for  her  plesaunce 
And  one  of  hem  /  haue  I  in  remembraunce 
Which  I  shaH  seyn)  /  with  gode  wiU  /  as  I  can)     [leaf  1*8] 
But  sires  /  by-cause  I  am  a  boreH  man  716 

At  my  begynnyng/  first  I  you  beseche 
Haue  me  excused?  of  my  rude  speche 
I  lerned?  neuer  retoryk  certeyn) 

Thyng  fat  I  speke  /  mot  be  bare  and  pleyn)  720 

I  slepe  neuere  on)  the  mount  of  parnaso 
Ne  lerned?  neuer  Marcus  Tullyus  Sythero 
Colours  ne  knowe  I  noon)  /  wMout  drede 
But  soch  colours  /  fat  growen)  in  the  mede  724 

Or  els  soch"  as  men  dye  /  or  peynt/ 
Colours  of  Eethoryk/  ben)  to  me  queynt/ 
My  spirit  feleth  nat  of  soch  matere 
But  yf  you  list/  my  tale  shuH  ye  here  728 

[THE  TALE.] 

IN  Amoryk/  fat  called!  is  Bretayne 
There  was  a  knyght  /  fat  loued  and  did  his  peyne 
To  seme  a  lady  /  in  his  best  wise 

And  many  a  labour  /  many  a  grete  emprise  732 

[This  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


334   GROUP  F.    §  4.   FRANKLIN'S  TALE.    Eg.  &  Dd.  4.  24. 

He  for  his  lady  wrought/  or  she  were  won) 
ffor  she  was  one  /  )>e  fairest  vnder  son) 
And  eke  fere-to  come  /  of  so  high  kynrede 
That  weH  vnethes/  durst  J»is  knyght  for  drede  736 

TeH  hir  his  wo  /  his  peyn)  /  and  his  distresse 
But  at  fe  last  /  she  for  his  worthynesse 
And  namely  /  for  his  meke  obeysaunce 
Hath  socfi  a  Pite  caught/  of  his  penaunce  740 

That  priuely  /  she  feB  of  his  accorde 
To  take  hym  /  for  hir  housbond?  and  hir  lord 
Of  socfi  lordshipe  /  as  men  /  han  of  her  wyfes 
And  for  to  lede  the  more  in  blys  /  her  lyfes  744 

Of  his  free  wiH  /  he  swore  hir  /  as  a  knyght 
That  neuer  in  aH  his  lyue  /  he  day  ne  night* 
Ne  shold?  vp-on)  hym  take  /  no  maistrie 
Ageyn)  hir  wiH  /  ne  kithe  hir  ielousye  748 

But  hir1  obeye  /  and  folow  hir  wiH/  in  aH 
As  ony  louer  /  vn-to  his  lady  shaH/ 
Saue  fat  the  name  of  soueraintee 

That  wold?  he  haue  /  for  shame  of  his  degree  752 

She  thanked?  hym  and  \viih  full  grete  Hurnblesse   [Egr.  ends] 
She  seide  sire  /  sithe  of  joure  gentillesse    [Da.  1 84,  leaf  120] 
3e  profre  me  /  to  haue  so  large  a  reyne 
Ne  wolde  neuere  god  /  bytwixte  vs  tweyne  756 

As  in  my  gilt  /  were  either  werre  or  strif 
Sire  /  I  wil  be  joure  humble  /  trewe  wyf 
haue  here  my  trouthe  /  til  that  myn  herte  breste 
Thus  ben  they  bothe  /  in  quiete  and  in  reste  760 

U  ffor  oo  thyng  sires  /  safly  dar  I  seye 
That  frendes  /  euericfi  other  /  mot  obeye 
If  they  wiln  longe  /  holden  compaignye 
loue  wol  nat  be  constreyned  /  by  maistrye  764 

Whan  maistre  cometh  /  god  of  loue  a-noon 
Beteth  hise  wynges  /  and  fare-wel  he  is  gon 
loue  is  a  thyng  /  as  any  spirit  free 

Wowmen  of  kynde  /  desiren  libertee  768 

[Part  of  this  page,  Egerton  2726.] 


GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.        335 

And  nat  to  be  constreyned  /  as  a  thral 

And  so  doon  men  /  If  I  sooth  seyn  /  shal 

loke  who  that  most  /  is  pacient  in  loue 

he  is  at  his  auauntage  /  al  a-boue  772 

Pacience  /  is  an  heigh"  vertu  /  certeyn 

ffor  it  venquyssheth  /  alle  theise  clerkes  seyn 

Thynges  /  that  rigour  shulde  neuere  ateyne 

ffor  euery  word  /  men  moun  nat  chide  or  pleyne          776 

Lerneth  to  suffre  /  or  elles  so  mot  I  gon 

3e  shuln  it  lerne  /  wheiper  so  30  wol  or  noon 

ffor  in  this  world  certeyn  /  there  no  wyght  is 

That  he  ne  doth"  or  seith"  /  somtyme  amys  780 

Ire  /  sykenesse  /  or  constellacion 

Wyn  /  woo  /  or  chaungyng  of  complexion 

Causetfi  ful  ofte  /  to  don  a-mys  or  spekyn 

On  euery  wrong  /  a  man  may  nat  be  wrekyn  784 

After  the  tyme  /  must  be  temperaunce 

To  euery  wyght  /  that  can  on  gouernaunce 

And  therfore  hath  /  this  wys  worthy  knyght 

To  lyue  in  ease  /  suffraunce  hire  behight  788 

And  she  to  him  /  ful  wysly  gan  to  swere 

That  neuere  shulde  there  be  /  defaute  in  hire 

U  heere  moun  men  sen  /  an  humble  wys  accord 

Thus  hath"  she  take  hire  seruauwt  /  &  hire  lord  792 

Seruaunt  in  loue  /  and  lord  in  mariage 

Thanrie  was  he  /  bothe  in  lordshipe  /  &  seruage 

Seruage  nay  /  but  in  lordshipe  a-boue 

Sithe  he  hath"  bothe  /  his  lady  and  his  loue  796 

His  lady  certes  /  and  his  wyf  also  [leaf  129,  back] 

To  which  /  that  lawe  of  loue  /  accordeth"  to 

And  whan  he  was  /  in  this  prosperitee 

hoom  with  his  wyf  /  he  gooth  to  his  contree  800 

Nat  fer  fro  Pedmarke  /  there  his  dwellyng  was 

Where  as  he  lyueth"  /  in  blisse  and  in  solas 

U  Who  coude  telle  /  but  he  had  wedded  be 

The  ioye  /  the  ese  /  and  the  prosperitee  804 


336      GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

That  is  bytwixte  /  an  husbonde  /  and  his  wyf 

A  jere  and  more  /  lasteth  this  blisf  ul  lif 

Til  that  the  knygfit  /  of  which  I  speke  of  thus 

That  of  kairud  /  was  cleped  Arueregus  808 

Shoope  him  to  gon  /  and  dwelled  a  jere  or  tweyne 

In  Engelond  /  that  cleped  was  eke  Bretaigne 

To  seke  in  armes  /  worshipe  and  honour 

ffor  al  his  lust  /  he  sette  in  swich  labour  812 

And  dwelled  there  /  the  $ere  /  the  book  seith  thus 

U  Now  wol  I  stynten  /  of  this  Arueragus 

And  speken  I  wol  /  of  Dorigen  his  wif 

That  loueth  hire  husbonde  /  as  hire  hertes  lyf  816 

ffor  his  absence  /  wepeth  she  and  syketh 

As  doon  theise  noble  wyues  /  whan  hem  liketh" 

She  morneth"  /  waketn"  /  wayleth"  /  fasteth"  /  pleyneth" 

Desire  of  his  presence  /  hire  so  destreyneth"  820 

That  al  this  wyde  world  /  she  sette  at  nought 

hire  frendes  /  which  that  knewe  /  hire  heuy  thought 

Conforten  hire  /  in  al  that  euere  they  may 

They  prechen  hire  /  they  tellen  hire  /  nyght  &  day       824 

That  causelees  /  she  sleth  hire  self  /  alias 

And  euery  confort  /  possible  in  this  cas 

They  don  to  hire  /  with  al  here  besynesse 

Al  for  to  make  hire  leue  /  hire  heuynesse  828 

If  By  processe  /  as  30  knowen  euerychon 

Men  moun  so  longe  /  grauen  in  a  ston 

Til  som  figure  /  ther-Inne  empreynted  be 

So  longe  han  they  /  conforted  hire  /  til  she  832 

Eeceyued  hath  /  by  hope  and  by  reson 

The  empryntynge  /  of  hire  consolation 

Thurgh  which  /  hire  gret  sorwe  /  gan  a-swage 

She  may  nat  alwey  duren  /  in  swich  rage  836 

If  And  eke  Arueragus  /  in  al  this  care 

hath  sent  hire  lettres  horn  /  of  his  welfare 

And  that  he  wol  come  hastily  /  a-geyn 

Or  elles  had  this  sorwe  /  hire  hert  slayn  840 


GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.         337 

1T  hire  frendes  saugh  /  hire  sorwe  gan  to  slake 

And  preyeden  hire  on  knees  /  for  goddes  sake    [leafiso] 

To  come  and  romen  hire  /  in  compaignye 

Awey  to  dryue  /  hire  derk  fantasie  844 

And  finally  she  graunted  /  that  requeste 

fFor  wel  she  saugh"  /  that  it  was  for  the  beste 

If  Now  stood  hire  Castel  /  fast  by  the  see 

And  often  with  hire  frendes  /  walketh"  she  848 

hire  to  disporte  /  vp-on  the  banke  an  heigh" 

Where-as  she  many  a  ship  /  and  barge  seigh" 

Seylyng  here  cours  /  where  as  hem  list  to  goo 

But  thanne  was  that  /  a  parcel  of  hire  woo  852 

ffor  to  hire  self  /  ful  ofte  alias  seith"  she 

Is  there  no  ship  /  of  so  manye  as  I  se 

Wil  bryngen  horn  my  lord  /  thawne  were  myn  herte 

Al  warisshed  /  of  hise  bittre  peynes  smerte  856 

1T  A-nother  tyme  /  there  wold  she  sitte  and  thynke 

And  cast  hire  eighen  /  dounward  fro  the  brynke 

But  whan  she  seigh"  /  the  grisly  Rokkes  blake 

ffor  verrey  fere  /  so  wold  hire  hert  quake  860 

That  on  hire  feet  /  she  myght  hire  nought  sustene 

Than  wolde  she  sitte  a-doun  /  vp-on  the  grene 

And  pitously  /  in-to  the  See  byholde 

And  seyn.  right  thus  /  with"  sorweful  sikes  colde  864 

Eterne  god  /  that  thurgh"  thy  purueaunce 

ledest  the  world  /  by  eterne  gouernaunce 

In  ydel  as  men  seyn  /  30  no  thyng  make 

But  lord  theise  grisly  /  fendly  rokkes  blake  868 

That  semen  rather  /  a  foul  confusion 

Of  work  /  than  any  fair  /  creacioun 

Of  swich"  a  parfyt  wys  god  /  and  a  stable 

Why  han  30  wrought  this  werk  /  vn-resonable  872 

ffor  by  this  werk  /  South"  /  North  /  West  ne  Est 

Ther  nys  I-fostred  no  man  /no  bryd  ne  beest 

It  dooth"  no  good  /  to  my  wytte  /  but  annoyeth" 

Se  30  nat  lord  /  how  mankynde  it  destroyeth"  876 


338      GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

An  hundred  thousand  bodyes  /  of  man-kynde 

han  Rokkes  slayn  /  al  be  they  nought  in  mynde 

Which  mankynde  is  so  faire  /  a  part  of  thy  werke 

That  thow  it  madest  /  like  to  thyn  owen  merke  880 

Thanne  semed  it  /  $e  had  a  gret  chierte 

Toward  mankynde  /  but  how  tharaie  may  it  be 

That  30  swich"  menes  make  /  it  to  destroyen 

Which"  menes  do  no  good  /  but  euere  annoyen  884 

I  wot  wel  /  clerkes  wiln  seyn  as  hem  lest 

By  argumentej  that  al  is  for  the  best         [leaf  iso,  back] 

Though"  I  ne  can  the  causes  /  nought  I-knowe 

But  thilke  god  /  that  made  wynd  to  blowe  888 

As  kepe  my  lord  /  this  is  myn  conclusion 

To  clerkes  lete  I  /  al  disputisioun 

But  wolde  god  /  that  alle  theise  Rokkes  blake 

Were  sonken  in-to  helle  /  for  his  sake  892 

Theise  Rokkes  slen  myn  herte  /  for  the  fere 

Thus  she  seide  /  with  many  a  pytous  tere 

hire  frendes  saugh"  /  that  it  was  no  disport 

To  rornen  by  the  See  /  but  discomfort  896 

And  shopen  for  to  pleyen  /  som-wher  elles 

They  leddyn  hire  by  Ryuevs  /  and  by  welles 

And  eke  in  othere  places  /  delitables 

They  dauncen  /  and  they  pleyen  at  chesse  /  and  tables 

If  So  on  a  day  /  right  in  the  morwe  tyde  901 

vn-to  a  gardeyn  /  that  was  there  beside 

In  which  they  had  mad  /  here  ordinaunco 

Of  vitaille  /  and  of  other  purtieaunce  904 

They  gon  and  pleye  hem  /  al  the  longe  day 

And  this  was  on  the  sexte  morwe  /  of  May 

Which  May  had  peynted  /  with  his  softe  shoures 

This  gardeyn  ful  of  leues  /  and  of  floures  908 

And  craft  of  mannys  hand  /  so  curiously 

Arrayed  had  this  gardeyn  /  trewely 

That  neuere  was  there  gardyn  /  of  swich  a  prys 

But  if  it  were  /  the  verray  Paradys  912 


GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.        339 

The  odour  of  floures  /  and  the  fressh"  sight 

Wolde  han  maked  /  any  hert  light 

That  euere  was  born  /  but  if  to  gret  sykenesse 

Or  to  gret  sorwe  /  helde  it  in  destresse  916 

So  ful  it  was  of  beaute  /  with  plesaunce  918 

At  after  dyner  /  gonne  they  to  daunce  917 

And  synge  also  /  sane  Dorigen  alloiie 

Which  made  alwey  /  hire  compleynt  and  hire  mone     920 

ffor  she  ne  saugh"  him  /  on  the  daunce  goo 

That  was  hire  husbonde  /  and  hire  loue  also 

But  nathelees  /  she  must  a  tyme  a-byde 

And  with"  good  hope  /  late  hire  sorwe  slyde  924 

IT  Vp-on  this  daunce  /  amonges  othere  men 

Daunced  a  Squyer  /  byfore  Dorigen 

That  fresshere  was  /  and  loliere  of  array 

As  to  my  doom  /  than  is  the  monthe  of  May  928 

he  syngeth  /  daunceth"  /  passyng  any  man 

That  is  /  or  was  /  silhe  that  the  world  bygan 

There-with  he  was  /  if  men  shulde  him  discryue    [leaf  isi] 

On  of  the  best  faryng  man  /  on  lyue  932 

$ong  /  strong  /  right  vertuous  /and  riche  and  wys 

And  welbyloued  /  and  holden  in  gret  prys 

And  shortly  /  if  the  sothe  /  I  tellen  shal 

vnwetyng  of  this  /  Dorigen  at  al  936 

This  lusty  squyere  /  seruaunt  to  venus 

Which  that  I-cleped  was  /  Aurelius 

hadde  loued  hire  best  /  of  any  creature 

Two  jere  and  more  /  as  was  his  auenture  940 

But  neuere  durst  he  tellen  hire  /  his  greuaunce 

With-outen  cuppe  he  drank  /  al  his  penaunce 

he  was  dispeyred  /  nothyng  durst  he  seye 

Saue  in  hise  songes  /  somwhat  wolde  he  wreye  944 

his  woo  /  as  in  a  gentil  compleyuyng 

he  seide  he  loued  /  and  was  byloued  no  thyng 

Of  which  matere  /  made  he  many  layes 

Songes  /  compleyntes  /  roundels  /  virelayes  948 


340      GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

how  that  he  durst  nat  /  his  sorwe  telle 

But  languysshetfe  /  as  a  fire  doth"  in  helle 

And  deye  he  must  /  he  seide  /  as  dide  Ekko 

ffor  Narcisus  /  that  durst  nat  telle  hire  wo  952 

In  othere  manere  /  than  30  heere  me  seye 

Ne  durst  he  nat  to  hire  /  his  woo  bewreye 

Saue  that  perauenture  /  somtyme  at  daunces 

There  jonge  folk  kepen  /  here  obseruaunces  956 

It  may  wel  be  /  he  loked  on  hire  face 

In  swych"  a  wyse  /  as  man  that  asketh  grace 

But  no  thyng  wist  she  /  of  his  entent 

Nathelees  it  happed  /  er  they  thens  went  960 

Bycause  that  he  was  /  hire  neighebour 

And  was  a  man  of  worshipe  and  honour 

And  hadde  I-knowen  him  /  of  tyme  $ore 

They  fel  in  speche  /  and  forth  more  and  more  964 

vn-to  that  purpos  /  drough"  Aurelius 

And  whan  he  saw  his  tyme  /  he  seide  thus 

11  Madame  quod,  he  /  by  god  that  this  world  made 

If  that  I  wiste  /  it  mygfit  joure  hert  glade  968 

I  wolde  that  day  /  that  jour  Arueragus 

Went  ouer  the  see  /  that  I  Aurelius 

hadde  went  /  there  neuere  I  shulde  haue  come  ageyn 

ffor  wel  I  woot  /  my  seruyse  is  in  veyn  972 

My  gerdon  is  /  but  brestyng  of  myn  herte 

Madame  /  rewetfi  vp-on  /  my  peynes  smerte 

ffor  with  a  word  /  30  moun  me  slen  or  saue 

Heere  at  joure  feet  /  god  wolde  that  I  were  graue  [if.  m,  bk.] 

I  ne  haue  as  now  /  no  leiser  more  to  seye  977 

haue  mercy  swete  /  or  30  wol  do  me  deye 

U  She  gan  to  loke  vp  /  on  Aurelius 

Is  this  joure  wil  quod,  she  /  and  seye  30  thus  980 

Neuere  erst  quod  she  /  ne  wist  I  what  30  mente 

But  now  Aurelie  /  I  knowe  joure  entente 

By  thilke  god  /  that  3af  me  soule  and  lyf 

Ne  shal  I  neuere  ben  /  an  vntrewe  wyf  984 


GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.        341 

In  word  ne  werk  /  as  fer  as  I  haue  wit 

I  wol  ben  his  /  to  whom  that  I  am  knyt 

Take  this  for  fynal  answere  /  as  of  me 

But  after  that  in  pley  /  thus  seide  she  988 

U  Aurelie  qwod  she  /  by  heigh"  god  a-boue 

3et  wolde  I  graunte  $ow  /  to  ben  ^oure  loue 

Syn  I  ^ow  se  /  so  pitously  compleigne 

loke  what  day  /  endelong  Britaigne  992 

3e  remoue  alle  the  Rokkes  /  ston  by  ston 

That  they  ne  lette  ship  /  ne  bot  to  gon 

I  seye  whan  36  han  mad  /  the  coost  so  clene 

Of  Rokkes  /  that  there  nys  no  stoon  I-sene  996 

Thanne  wol  I  loue  jow  best  /  of  any  man 

haue  heere  my  trouthe  /  in  al  that  euere  I  can 

U  Is  there  non  other  grace  in  $ow  /  quod  he 

No  by  that  lord  qwod  she  /  that  maked  me  1000 

ffor  wel  I  wot  /  that  it  shal  neuere  betide 

late  swicli  folies  /  from  joure  herte  slide 

What  deynte  /  shulde  a  man  han  /  in  his  lyf 

ffor  to  go  loue  /  another  mannes  wyf  1004 

That  hath  hire  body  /  whan  so  J>«t  him  liketh" 

Aurelius  ful  ofte  /  sore  siketh" 

II  Woo  was  Aurelie  /  whan  that  he  this  herde 

And  with"  a  sorweful  hert  /  he  thus  answerde  1008 

Madame  quod  he  /  this  were  an  inpossibile 

Thanne  moot  I  deye  /  of  sodeyn  cleth  possible 

And  with  that  word  /  he  turned  him  a-noon 

Tho  come  hire  othere  frendes  /  many  oon  1012 

And  in  the  Aleyes  /  romeden  vp  and  doun 

And  nothyng  wisten  /  of  this  conclusion 

But  sodeynly  bygonne  /  reuel  newe 

Til  that  the  bright  sonne  /  lost  his  hewe  1016 

ffor  thorisonte  hath  reft  /  the  sonne  his  light 

This  as  meche  to  seye  /  as  it  was  nyght 

And  hoom  they  gon  /  in  loye  and  in  solas 

Saue  oonly  /  wrecched  Aurelius  /  Alias  1020 


342     GROUP^F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 


He  to  his  hous  is  gon  /  with"  sorweful  herte 

lie  seeth"  he  may  nat  /  froo  his  deeth"  a-sterte 

hym  semed  that  he  felt  /  his  hert  colde 

vp  to  the  heuene  /  hise  hondes  he  gan  holde  1024 

And  on  hise  knees  bare  /-he  sette  him  doun 

And  in  his  rauyng  /  seide  his  orisoun 

ffor  werray  woo  /  out  of  his  wyt  he  breide 

he  nyste  what  he  spak  /  but  thus  he  seide  1028 

With"  pitous  herte  /  his  pleynt  hath"  he  bygonne 

vn-to  the  goddes  /  and  first  vn-to  the  Sonne 

H  he  seide  Apollo  /  god  and  gouernour 

Of  euery  plaunte  /  herbe  /  Tree  and  flour  1032 

That  jeuest  after  /  thy  declynacion 

To  eche  of  hem  /his  tyme  and  his  sesoun 

As  thyn  herberwe  chaungeth"  /  lowe  or  heiglie 

lord  Phebus  /  cast  thy  mercyable  eye  1036 

On  wrecched  Aurelie  /  which"  that  am  but  lorn 

loo  lord  my  lady  /  hath"  my  deth  I-sworn 

With"-outen  gilt  /  but  thyn  benygnetee 

vp-on  my  dedly  hert  /  haue  some  pitee  1040 

ffor  wel  I  woot  /  lord  Phebus  /  if  jow  list 

Je  moun  me  helpen  /  saue  my  lady  best 

Now  vouche-saf  /  that  I  may  3ow  deuyse 

how  that  I  may  be  holpen  /  and  in  what  wyse  1044 

id  fit  luna 

U  $oure  blisful  suster  /  lucyna  the  shene 

That  of  the  see  /  is  chief  goddes  and  quene 

Though"  Neptunws  /  haue  deitee  in  the  see 

3et  emperesse  a-bouen  him  /  is  she  1048 

$e  knowen  wel  lord  /  that  right  as  hire  desire 

Is  to  be  quyked  and  lighted  /  of  joure  fyre 

ffor  which  she  folweth  jow  /  ful  besily 

Right  to  the  see  /  desireth"  naturely  1052 

To  folwen  hire  /  as  she  that  is  goddesse 

Bothe  in  the  See  /  and  Ryuers  more  and  lesse 

Wherfore  lord  Phebus  /  this  is  my  requeste 

Do  this  myracle  /  or  do  niyn  herte  breste  1056 


GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.        343 

That  now  next  /  at  this  apposicioun 

which"  in  the  signe  shal  be  /  of  the  leoun 

As  preieth"  hire  /  so  gret  a  flood  to  brynge 

That  fyue  fadme  at  the  leste  /  it  oner  springe  1060 

The  heieste  Rokke  /  in  armoryk  Brytayne 

And  late  this  flode  /  endure  ^eres  tweyne 

Thanne  certes  to  my  lady  /  may  I  seye 

haldeth"  3oure  heste  /  the  Rokkes  ben  a-weye  1064 

U  lord  Phebus  /  do  this  myracle  for  me 

Preye  hire  she  go  /  no  fastere  cours  than  30    [leaf  m,  back] 

I  seye  /  preieth"  ^oure  suster  that  she  goo 

!N"o  faster  cours  than  30  /  theise  ^eres  twoo  1068 

Thanne  shal  she  ben  euene  /  at  the  fulle  alwey 

And  spryng  flood  lastynge  /  bothe  nygh"t  and  day 

And  but  she  vouche-saf  /  in  swich"  manere 

To  graunte  me  /  my  souereigne  lady  deere  1072 

Preye  hire  to  synken  /  Query  Kokke  a-doun 

In-to  hire  owen  derk  /  region 

vnder  the  ground  /  there  pluto  dwelleth"  Inne 

Or  neuere  moo  shal  I  /  my  lady  wynne  1076 

Thy  temple  in  delphos  /  wol  I  barfot  seke 

lord  Phebus  /  se  the  teeres  on  my  cheke 

And  of  my  peyne  /  haue  soin  compassion 

And  with  that  word  /  in  sorwe  he  fel  a-doun  1080 

And  longe  tyme  he  lay  forth"  /  in  a  traunce 

fl  his  brother  which"  that  knew  /  of  his  penaunce 

vp  caugftte  him  /  and  to  bedde  he  hath  him  brought 

Dispeired  in  this  torment  /  and  this  thought  1084 

late  I  this  wooful  creature  /  lye 

Chese  he  for  me  /  wheij>er  he  wil  lyue  or  dye 

U  Arueragus  with  hele  /  and  gret  honour 

As  he  that  was  /  of  Chyualrie  the  flour  1088 

Is  comen  horn  /  and  othere  worthy  men 

0  bli[s]ful  artow  now  /  thow  Dorigen 

That  hast  thy  lusty  housbonde  /  in  thyne  armes 

The  fresshe  knygfit  /  the  worthy  man  of  armes  1092 


344     GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

That  loueth"  the  /  as  his  owne  hertes  lyf 

No  thyng  list  him  /  to  ben  yraagnityf 

If  any  wygftt  had  spoke  /  whil  he  was  oute 

To  hire  of  loue  /  he  ne  hadde  of  it  /  no  doute  1096 

he  nouglit  entendeth"  /  to  no  swich"  matere 

But  dauncetfi  /  lusteth"  /  maketh"  hire  good  chere 

And  thus  in  ioye  and  blisse  /  I  late  hem  dwelle 

And  of  the  seke  Aurelius  /  wol  I  telle  1100 

TI  In  langour  /  and  in  turment  furious 

Two  jere  and  more  /  lay  wrecched  Aurelius 

Er  any  foot  /  he  mygfit  on  erthe  goon 

Ne  comfort  in  this  tyrae  /  had  he  noon  1104 

Saue  of  his  brother  /  which"  that  was  a  clerk 

he  knew  of  al  this  woo  /  and  al  this  werk 

ffor  to  noon  other  creature  /  certeyn 

Of  this  matere  /  he  durst  no  word  seyn  1108 

vnder  his  brest  /  he  bare  it  more  secree 

Than  euere  dide  Pamphilus  /  for  Galathee 

his  brest  was  hole  /  witfe-oute  for  to  sene 

But  in  his  herte  /  ay  was  the  arwe  kene  [leafiss]  1112 

And  wel  30  knowe  /  that  of  a  sursanure 

In  surgerie  /  is  perilous  the  cure 

But  men  mygfit  touche  the  arwe  /  or  come  ther-by 

his  brother  weep  /  and  wailed  preuyly  1116 

Til  at  the  laste  /  him  fel  in  remembraunce 

That  whiles  he  was  /  at  Orleens  in  fraunce 

As  jonge  clerkes  /  that  ben  likerous 

To  reden  artes  /  that  ben  curious  1120 

Seken  in  euery  halke  /  and  euery  herne 

Particulere  sciences  /  for  to  lerne 

he  him  remembred  /  that  vp-on  a  day 

At  Orliens  /  in  studie  /  a  book  he  say  1124 

Of  magyk  naturel  /  which"  his  felawe 

That  was  that  tyme  /  a  bachelor  of  lawe 

Al  were  he  there  /  to  lerne  a-nother  craft 

hadde  preuely  /  vp-on  his  deske  I-laft  1128 


GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.        345 

Which"  book  spak  muchel  /  of  the  operaciouns 

Touchyng  the  xxviijty  mansciouns 

That  longeth"  to  the  mone  /  and  swich"  folie 

As  in  our  dayes  /  is  nat  worth  a  flie  1132 

ffor  holichirche  feittL  /  in  oure  byleue 

Ne  suffretfi.  noon  illusion  /  vs  to  greue 

And  whan  this  book  /  was  in  his  remembraunce 

A-noon  for  ioye  /  his  herte  gan  to  daunce  1 1 36 

And  to  him  self  /  he  seide  priuely 

My  brother  shal  be  warisshed  /  hastily 

ffor  I  am  syker  /  that  there  be  sciences 

By  which"  men  make  /  dyuerse  apparences  1140 

Swicfi.  as  theise  subtile  tregetoures  /  pleye 

ffor  ofte  atte  festes  /  haue  I  wel  herd  seye 

That  Tregetours  /  witfe-Inne  an  halle  large 

han  made  come  in  /  a  water  and  a  barge  1144 

And  in  the  halle  /  rowen  vp  and  doun 

Some  tyme  hath"  semed  come  /  a  grym  leoun 

And  somtyme  floures  spn'nge  /  as  in  a  Mede 

Somtyme  a  vyne  and  grapes  /  white  &  reede  1148 

Somtyme  a  castel  /  al  of  lyme  and  ston 

And  whan  him  lyked  /  voided  it  a-noon 

Thus  semed  it  /  to  euery  mawnes  sight 

Now  thanne  conclude  I  thus  /  that  if  I  mygh"t  1152 

At  Orliens  /  some  olde  felawe  I-fynde 

That  hadde  this  mones  mansiouns  /  in  mynde 

Or  other  magyk  /  naturel  a-boue 

he  shulde  wel  make  my  brother  /  haue  his  loue  1156 

ffor  with"  an  apparence  /  a  Clerk  may  make 

To  ma?mes  sight  /  that  alle  the  Eokkes  blake  [leaf  iss,  back] 

Of  Britaygne  /  were  I-voided  euerychon 

And  shippes  by  the  brynke  /  come  and  gon  1160 

And  in  swich  fourme  /  endure  /  a  day  or  two 

Thaune  were  my  brother  warisshede  /  of  his  woo 

Thanne  must  she  nodes  holden  /  hire  byheste 

Or  elles  he  shal  shame  hire  /  atte  the  leste  1164 


346        GROUP   F.       §    4.       FRANKL1N.'S   TALE.       Dd.  4.  24. 

U  What  shulde  I  make  /  a  lengere  tale  of  this 

vn-to  his  brothers  bed  /  he  comen  is 

And  swicfi.  confort  /  he  jaf  him  for  to  gon 

To  Orliens  /  that  he  vp  stirte  a-noon  1168 

And  on  his  wey  forthward  /  thawne  is  he  fare 

In  hope  for  to  ben  lissed  /  of  his  care 

U  Whan  they  were  come  /  almoost  to  that  Citee 

But  if  it  were  /  a  two  forlong  or  three  1172 

A  jonge  Clerk  romyng  /  by  him  self  /  they  mette 

Which  that  in  latyn  /  thriftily  hem  grette 

And  after  that  he  seide  /  a  wonder  thyng 

I  knowe  qwod  he  the  cause  /  of  ^oure  corny ng  1176 
And  er  they  ferthere  /  any  foote  wente 

he  told  hem  al  that  was  /  in  here  entente 

U  This  Britoun  Clerk  /  him  asked  of  felawes 

The  which"  that  he  had  knowe  /  in  olde  dawes  1180 

And  he  answered  him  /  that  they  deede  were 

ffor  which"  he  wep  ful  ofte  /  many  a  teere 

Doun  of  his  hors  /  Aurelius  light  a-noon 

And  with"  this  Magicien  /  forth"  he  is  goon  1184 

horn  to  his  hous  /  and  maden  hem  wel  att  ese 

hem  lakked  no  vitaille  /  that  mygh"t  hem  plese 

So  wel  arrayed  hous  /  as  there  was  oon 

Aurelius  in  his  lyf  /  saw  neuere  noon  1188 

he  shewed  him  /  er  he  wente  to  soupere 

fforestes  Parkes  /  ful  of  wylde  dere 

There  saw  he  hertes  /  with  here  homes  heye 

The  grettest  /  that  euere  was  seyn  /  with"  eye  1192 

he  saw  of  hem  /  an  hundred  slayn  with"  houndes 

And  some  with  arwes  blede  /  of  bittere  woundes 

II  he  saw  whan  voided  were  /  the  wilde  deere 

Theise  faucons  /  vp-on  a  fair  Eyuere  1196 

That  with"  here  haukes  /  han  the  heroun  slayn 

Tho  saw  he  knygfites  /  lustyng  in  a  pleyn 

And  after  this  /  he  dide  him  swich"  plesaunce 

That  he  him  shewed  /  his  lady  on  a  daunce  1 200 


GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.        347 

On  which  him  self  he  daunced  /  as  him  thought 

And  whan  this  Maister  /  that  this  Magyk  wrought  Deaf  is*] 

Saw  it  was  tyme  /  he  clapt  hise  handes  two 

And  fare  wel  /  al  oure  reuel  was  a-goo  1204 

And  remeeued  they  neuere  /  out  of  the  hous 

While  they  saugh"  /  al  this  sight  merueillous 

But  in  his  studie  /  there  as  hise  bookes  bee 

They  seten  stille  /  but  no  wyght  /  but  they  three        1 208 

To  him  this  niaister  called  /  his  squyere 

And  seide  him  thus  /  is  redy  oure  soupere 

Almost  an  houre  it  is  /  I  vndertake 

Sithe  I  jow  bad  /  oure  souper  for  to  make  1212 

Whan  that  theise  worthy  men  /  wenten  with  me 

In-to  my  studie  /  there  as  my  bookes  be 

U  Sire  qiiod  this  squyere  /  whan  that  it  lyketh  jow 

It  is  al  redy  /  though  je  wol  right  now   .  1216 

Go  we  thanne  soupe  /  quod  he  /  for  the  beste 

Theise  amerous  folk  /  somtyme  mot  han  here  reste 

U  At  after  souper  /  fel  they  in  tretee 

What  somme  /  shulde  this  maistres  /  gerdoun  be        1220 

To  remeeuen  alle  the  Rokkes  /  of  Brytaigne 

And  eke  from  gerounde  /  to  the  mouth  of  sayne 

he  mad  it  straunge  /  and  swor  so  god  him  saue 

lasse  than  a  thousand  pound  /  he  wolde  nat  haue      1224 

Ne  gladly  for  that  somme  /  he  wolde  nat  gon 

Aurelius  /  with  blisful  herte  a-noon 

Answered  thus  /  fy  on  a  thousand  pound 

This  wide  world  /  which"  that  men  seye  is  round         1228 

I  wolde  it  jeue  /  if  I  were  lord  of  it 

This  bargeyn  is  ful  dreue  /  for  we  ben  knyt 

}e  shal  be  paid  trewely  /  by  my  trouthe 

But  loketh  now  /  for  no  necligence  /  or  slouthe  1232 

3e  tarie  vs  heere  /  no  lengere  than  to-morwe 

Nay  quod  this  Clerk  /  haue  heere  my  feith"  to  borwe 

To  bedde  is  gon  Aurelius  /  whan  him  leste 

And  wel  ny  al  that  nyght  /  he  had  his  reste  1236 


348      GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

What  for  his  labour  /  and  his  hope  of  blisse 

his  woeful  herte  /  of  penaunce  had  a  lisse 

H  vp-on  the  morwe  /  whan  that  it  was  day 

To  Britaigne  toke  they  /  the  right  way  1240 

Aurelius  /  and  this  Magicien  byside 

And  ben  descended  /  there  they  wolde  a-byde 

And  this  was  /  as  theise  bookes  me  remembre 

The  colde  frosty  sesoun  /  of  Decembre  1244 

U  Phebus  wex  old  /  and  hewed  like  latoun 

That  in  his  hote  /  declinacioun  [leaf  m,  back] 

Shoon  /  as  the  burned  gold  /  with  stremes  bright 

But  now  in  Capricorn  /  a-doun  he  lyght  1248 

Where-as  he  shon  ful  pale  /  I  dar  wel  seyn 

The  bittre  frostes  /  with  the  sleet  and  reyn 

Destroyed  hath"  the  grene  /  in  euery  jerd        IT  lanus  biceps 

lanus  syt  by  the  fyre  /  with  double  berd  1252 

And  drynketh"  of  his  bugle  horn  /  the  wyn 

Biforn  him  stant  Brawn  /  of  the  tusked  swyn 

And  nowel  crieth"  /  euery  lusty  man 

U  Aurelius  /  in  al  that  euere  he  can  1256 

Doth"  to  this  Maister  /  chiere  and  reuerence 

And  preieth"  him  /  to  doon  his  diligence 

To  bryngen  him  /  out  of  hise  peynes  smerte 

Or  with  a  swerd  /  that  he  wold  slitte  his  herte  1260 

U  This  subtil  clerk  /  swich"  routhe  had  of  this  man 

That  nyght  and  day  /  he  spedde  him  that  he  can 

To  wayten  a  tyme  /  of  his  conclusioun 

This  is  to  seyn  /  to  make  illusioun  1264 

By  swich.  an  apparence  /  or  logelrie 

I  ne  can  no  termes  /  of  Astrologie 

That  she  and  euery  wyght  /  shulde  wene  and  seye 

That  of  Brytaigne  /  the  Rokkes  were  a-weye  1268 

Or  elles  they  were  sonken  /  vnder  grounde 

So  at  the  laste  /  he  hath  his  tyme  I-founde 

To  make  his  Tapes  /  and  his  wrechednesse 

Of  swich  a  supersticies  /  cursednesse  1272 


GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.        349 

his  tables  tolletanes  /  forth  he  brought 

fful  wel  corrected  /  ne  there  lakked  nought 

Neither  his  collect  /  ne  his  expans  3eres 

Ne  hise  rootes  /  ne  hise  othere  geres  1276 

As  ben  hise  centris  /  and  hise  argumente^ 

And  hise  proporcionelles  /  conuenientej 

ffor  hise  equaciouns  /  in  euery  thyng 

And  by  hise  eighte  spere  /  in  his  werkyng  1280 

he  knew  ful  wel  /  how  fer  alnath"  was  shoue 

ffro  the  hed  /  of  thilk  fixe  Aries  a-boue 

That  in  the  .ix.  spere  /  considered  is 

fful  subtilly  /  he  kalculed  al  this  1284 

"Whan  he  had  founde  /  his  first  mansioun 

he  knewe  the  remenaunt  /  by  proporcioun 

And  knew  the  arisyng  /  of  his  Mono  wel 

And  in  whos  face  and  terme  /  and  euerydel  1288 

And  knewe  ful  wele  /  the  Mones  mansioun 

Acordaunt  /  to  his  operacioun 

And  knew  also  /  hise  othere  obseruaunces 

ffor  which  illusions  /  and  swich  meschaunces  [leaf  135]  1292 

As  hethen  folk  vseden  /  in  thilke  dayes 

ffor  which  no  lengere  /  maketh  he  delayes 

But  thurgh  his  Magyk  /  for  a  weke  or  tweye 

It  semed  /  that  alle  the  Rokkes  /  were  aweye  1296 

U  Aurelius  /  which  that  $et  /  despayred  is 

Wheither  he  shal  han  his  lyf  /  or  fare  amys 

A-wayteth  nyght  and  day  /  on  this  myracle 

And  whan  he  knew  /  that  there  was  noon  obstacle     1300 

That  voided  were  theise  Rokkes  /  euerychon 

Doun  to  his  maistres  feet  /  he  fel  a-noon 

And  seide  /  I  wooful  wrecched  Aurelius 

Thank  $ow  lord  /  and  lady  myn  /  venus  1304 

That  me  han  holpen  /  for  my  cares  colde 

And  to  the  Temple  /  his  weye  /  forth  hath  he  holde 

Where  as  he  knew  /  he  shulde  his  lady  se 

And  whau  he  saugh  his  tyme  /  a-noon  right  he  1308 


350      GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 

With  dredful  herte  /  and  with  humble  chore 

Salued  hath  /  his  souerayn  lady  dere 

U  My  rightful  lady  /  quod  this  wooful  man 

Whom  I  moost  drede  and  loue  /  as  I  best  can  1312 

And  lothest  were  /  of  al  this  world  /  displese 

Nere  it  that  I  /  for  $ow  haue  swich  dissese 

That  I  must  deyen  heere  /  at  ^oure  foot  a-noon 

Nought  wolde  I  telle  /  how  me  is  woo-bygon  1316 

But  certes  /  either  must  I  dye  or  pleyne 

$e  sleen  me  giltlees  /  for  verray  peyne 

But  of  my  deth  /  though  that  30  haue  no  routhe 

A-vyseth  jow  /  er  that  30  breke  joure  trouthe  1320 

Eepenteth  jow  /  for  thilke  god  a-boue 

Or  30  me  sleen  /  by-cause  that  I  jow  loue 

ffor  Madame  wel  30  woot  /  what  36  han  hight 

Nat  that  I  chalenge  /  any  thyng  of  right  1 324 

Of  3ow  /  my  souerayn  lady  /  but  ^oure  grace 

But  in  a  gardeyn  jonder  /  at  swich  a  place 

}e  wot  right  wel  /  what  30  behighten  me 

And  in  myn  hond  /  joure  treuthe  plight  je  1328 

To  loue  me  best  /  god  wot  30  seide  so 

Al  be  /  that  I  vnworthy  am  ther-to 

Madame  /  I  speke  it  for  the  honour  of  3ow 

More  than  to  saue  /  myn  hertes  lyf  right  now  1332 

I  haue  do  so  /  as  30  comaunded  me 

And  if  30  vouchesaf  /  30  may  go  se 

Doth  as  3ow  list  /  haue  3owre  bihest  in  mynde  [leaf  135,  back] 

ffor  quykke  or  ded  /  right  there  30  shal  me  fynde        1336 

In  3ow  lith  al  /  to  do  me  lyue  or  deye 

But  wel  I  woot  /  the  Rokkes  ben  a-weye 

he  taketh  his  leue  /  and  she  astoned  stode 

In  al  hire  face  /  nas  a  drope  of  bloode  1340 

She  wend  neuere  han  come  /  in  swich  a  trappe 

IT  Alias  quod  she  /  that  euere  this  shulde  happe 

ffor  wende  I  neuere  /  by  possibilitee 

That  such  a  moastre  /  or  merueille  myght  be  1341 


GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24.        351 

It  is  a-geyns  /  the  processe  of  nature 

And  horn  she  goth"  /  a  sorweful  creature 

ffor  verrey  fere  /  vnethe  may  she  goo 

She  wepeth  weyleth"  /  al  a  day  or  two  1348 

And  swoughneth"  /  that  it  reuthe  was  to  se 

But  why  it  was  /  to  no  wyght  told  she 

ffor  ough"t  of  toune  /  was  goon  Arueragus 

But  to  hire  self  she  spak  /  and  seide  thus  1352 

"With"  face  pale  /  and  with"  ful  sorweful  chere 

In  hire  compleynte  /  as  30  shuln  after  heere 

Alias  quod,  she  /  oon  the  fortune  /  I  pleyne 

That  vnwar  /  wrapped  hast  me  /  in  thy  cheyne  1356 

ffro  which"  to  escape  /  woot  I  no  socoure 

Saue  oonly  deth"  /  or  ellis  dishonoure       [latin  note,  p.  m] 

Oon  of  theise  two  /  bihoueth"  me  to  chese 

But  nathelees  /  3et  haue  I  leuere  to  lese  1360 

My  lyf  /  than  of  my  body  haue  a  shame 

Or  knowe  my  seluen  false  /  or  lese  my  name 

And  with"  my  deth"  /  I  may  be  quyte  I-wys 

hath"  there  nat  /  many  a  noble  wyf  er  this  1364 

And  many  a  mayde  /  I-slayn  hire  self  /  alias 

Rather  than  with"  hire  body  /  do  trespas 

1F  3  is  certes  /  lo  feise  stories  beren  wytnesse 

Whan  thretty  Tyrauntej  /  ful  of  cursednesse  1368 

had  slayn  Phidon  /  in  Athenes  atte  feste 

They  comaunded  his  doughtren  /  fort  arreste 

And  bryngen  hem  biforn  him  /  in  despit 

Al  naked  /  to  fulfille  here  foule  delit  1372 

And  in  here  fadres  blod  /  they  mad  hem  daunce 

Vp-on  the  pauement  /  god  jeue  hem  myschaunce 

ffor  which  theise  wooful  maydenes  /  ful  of  drede 

Rathere  than  they  wold  lese  /  here  maydenhede          1376 

They  pryuely  ben  stirt  /  in-to  a  welle 

And  dreynt  hem  seluen  /  as  the  bookes  telle 

H  They  of  Metene  /  lete  enquere  and  seke 

Of  lacedomye  /  fifty  maydenes  eke  1380 


352      GROUP  F.     §  4.     FRANKLIN'S  TALE.     Dd.  4.  24. 


On  which  they  wolden  doon  /  here  lecherie 

But  was  there  noon  /  of  al  that  companye 

That  she  nas  slayn  /  and  with  a  good  entente 

Ches  rather  for  to  deye  /  than  assente  1384 

To  ben  oppressed  /  of  here  maydenhede 

"Why  shulde  I  tharane  to  dye  /  ben  in  drede 

lo  eke  the  Tiraunt  /  Aristoclides 

That  loued  a  mayden  /  bight  Stymphalides  1  388 

Whan  that  hire  fader  /  slayn  was  /  on  a  nyght 

Vn-to  Dianes  temple  /  gooth  she  right  If  louiuianwn. 

And  hente  the  ymage  /  in  hire  handes  twoo 

ffro  which"  ymage  /  wold  she  neuere  goo        [Latin  note,  p.  350.] 

U  No  wight  ne  myght  /  hire  handes  of  it  arrace          1393 

Til  she  was  slayn  /  right  in  the  selue  place 

Now  sithe  that  may  denes  /  hadden  swich  despit 

To  ben  defouled  /  with  marines  foule  delit  1396 

Wei  ought  I  wyf  /  rather  my  seluen  slee 

Than  be  defouled  /  as  it  thynketh"  me 

What  shal  I  seyn  /  of  Hasterubales  wyf 

That  at  Cartage  /  byrafte  hire  selue  hire  lif  1400 

ffor  whan  she  saw  /  that  Romeyns  wan  the  Toun 

She  took  hire  children  alle  /  and  skipte  a-doun 

In-to  the  fire  /  and  ches  rathere  to  deye 

Than  any  Eomayn  /  dide  hire  velanye  1404 

U  hath  nat  lucresse  /  I-slayn  hire  self  alias 

At  Rome  /  whan  she  oppressed  was 

Of  Tarquyn  /  for  hire  thoughte  it  was  a  shame 

To  lyuen  /  whan  she  had  lost  hire  name  1408 

U  The  Seuene  Maydenes  /  of  Melesie  also 

ban  slayn  hem  self  /  for  verrey  drede  and  woo 

Rather  than  folk  of  Sawle  /  hem  shulde  oppresse 

moo  than  a  thousand  stories  /  as  I  gesse  1412 

Coude  I  now  telle  /  as  touchyng  this  matere 

U  Whan  habradate  was  slayu  /  his  wyf  so  deere 

hire  seluen  slow  /  and  leet  hire  blood  to  glide 

In  habradeces  woundes  /  depe  and  wyde  1416