The+Canterbury+Tales

The Canterbury Tales
The Pardoner's Tale The Wife of Bath's Tale

At the Tabard Inn, a tavern in Southwark, near London, the narrator joins a company of twenty-nine pilgrims. The pilgrims, like the narrator, are traveling to the shrine of the martyr Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The narrator gives a descriptive account of twenty-seven of these pilgrims, including a Knight, Squire, Yeoman, Prioress, Monk, Friar, Merchant, Clerk, Man of Law, Franklin, Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapestry-Weaver, Cook, Shipman, Physician, Wife, Parson, Plowman, Miller, Manciple, Reeve, Summoner, Pardoner, and Host. (He does not describe the Second Nun or the Nun’s Priest, although both characters appear later in the book.) The Host, whose name, we find out in the Prologue to the Cook’s Tale, is Harry Bailey, suggests that the group ride together and entertain one another with stories. He decides that each pilgrim will tell two stories on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back. Whomever he judges to be the best storyteller will receive a meal at Bailey’s tavern, courtesy of the other pilgrims. The pilgrims draw lots and determine that the Knight will tell the first tale.

**The Canterbury Tales : Prologue**


 * **Here bygynneth the Book**

of the tales of Caunterbury || **Here begins the Book**

of the Tales of Canterbury || 2: The droghte of march hath perced to the roote, 3: And bathed every veyne in swich licour 4: Of which vertu engendred is the flour; 5: Whan zephirus eek with his sweete breeth 6: Inspired hath in every holt and heeth 7: Tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne 8: Hath in the ram his halve cours yronne, 9: And smale foweles maken melodye, 10: That slepen al the nyght with open ye 11: (so priketh hem nature in hir corages); 12: Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages, 13: And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes, 14: To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; 15: And specially from every shires ende 16: Of engelond to caunterbury they wende, 17: The hooly blisful martir for to seke, 18: That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke. || When April with his showers sweet with fruit The drought of March has pierced unto the root And bathed each vein with liquor that has power To generate therein and sire the flower; When Zephyr also has, with his sweet breath, Quickened again, in every holt and heath, The tender shoots and buds, and the young sun Into the Ram one half his course has run, And many little birds make melody That sleep through all the night with open eye (So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)- Then do folk long to go on pilgrimage, And palmers to go seeking out strange strands, To distant shrines well known in sundry lands. And specially from every shire's end Of England they to Canterbury wend, The holy blessed martyr there to seek Who helped them when they lay so ill and weal || 20: In southwerk at the tabard as I lay 21: Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage 22: To caunterbury with ful devout corage, 23: At nyght was come into that hostelrye 24: Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye, 25: Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle 26: In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle, 27: That toward caunterbury wolden ryde. 28: The chambres and the stables weren wyde, 29: And wel we weren esed atte beste. 30: And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste, 31: So hadde I spoken with hem everichon 32: That I was of hir felaweshipe anon, 33: And made forward erly for to ryse, 34: To take oure wey ther as I yow devyse. || Befell that, in that season, on a day In Southwark, at the Tabard, as I lay Ready to start upon my pilgrimage To Canterbury, full of devout homage, There came at nightfall to that hostelry Some nine and twenty in a company Of sundry persons who had chanced to fall In fellowship, and pilgrims were they all That toward Canterbury town would ride. The rooms and stables spacious were and wide, And well we there were eased, and of the best. And briefly, when the sun had gone to rest, So had I spoken with them, every one, That I was of their fellowship anon, And made agreement that we'd early rise To take the road, as you I will apprise. || 36: Er that I ferther in this tale pace, 37: Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun 38: To telle yow al the condicioun 39: Of ech of hem, so as it semed me, 40: And whiche they weren, and of what degree, 41: And eek in what array that they were inne; 42: And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne. || But none the less, whilst I have time and space, Before yet farther in this tale I pace, It seems to me accordant with reason To inform you of the state of every one Of all of these, as it appeared to me, And who they were, and what was their degree, And even how arrayed there at the inn; And with a knight thus will I first begin. || THE KNIGHT A knight there was, and he a worthy man, Who, from the moment that he first began To ride about the world, loved chivalry, Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy. Full worthy was he in his liege-lord's war, And therein had he ridden (none more far) As well in Christendom as heathenesse, And honoured everywhere for worthiness. At Alexandria, he, when it was won; Full oft the table's roster he'd begun Above all nations' knights in Prussia. In Latvia raided he, and Russia, No christened man so oft of his degree. In far Granada at the siege was he Of Algeciras, and in Belmarie. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At Ayas was he and at Satalye <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">When they were won; and on the Middle Sea <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At many a noble meeting chanced to be. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of mortal battles he had fought fifteen, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And he'd fought for our faith at Tramissene <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Three times in lists, and each time slain his foe. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">This self-same worthy knight had been also <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At one time with the lord of Palatye <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Against another heathen in Turkey: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And always won he sovereign fame for prize. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Though so illustrious, he was very wise <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And bore himself as meekly as a maid. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He never yet had any vileness said, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In all his life, to whatsoever wight. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was a truly perfect, gentle knight. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But now, to tell you all of his array, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His steeds were good, but yet he was not gay. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of simple fustian wore he a jupon <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Sadly discoloured by his habergeon; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For he had lately come from his voyage <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And now was going on this pilgrimage.
 * 1: Whan that aprill with his shoures soote
 * 19: Bifil that in that seson on a day,
 * 35: But nathelees, whil I have tyme and space,

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">THE SQUIRE <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With him there was his son, a youthful squire, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A lover and a lusty bachelor, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With locks well curled, as if they'd laid in press. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some twenty years of age he was, I guess. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In stature he was of an average length, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wondrously active, aye, and great of strength. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He'd ridden sometime with the cavalry <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In Flanders, in Artois, and Picardy, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And borne him well within that little space <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In hope to win thereby his lady's grace. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Prinked out he was, as if he were a mead, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All full of fresh-cut flowers white and red. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Singing he was, or fluting, all the day; <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He was as fresh as is the month of May. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Short was his gown, with sleeves both long and wide. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well could be sit on horse, and fairly ride. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He could make songs and words thereto indite, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Joust, and dance too, as well as sketch and write. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So hot he loved that, while night told her tale, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He slept no more than does a nightingale. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Courteous he, and humble, willing and able, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And carved before his father at the table.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE YEOMAN <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A yeoman had he, nor more servants, no, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At that time, for he chose to travel so; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And he was clad in coat and hood of green. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A sheaf of peacock arrows bright and keen <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Under his belt he bore right carefully <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">(Well could he keep his tackle yeomanly: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His arrows had no draggled feathers low), <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And in his hand he bore a mighty bow. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A cropped head had he and a sun-browned face. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of woodcraft knew he all the useful ways. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Upon his arm he bore a bracer gay, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And at one side a sword and buckler, yea, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And at the other side a dagger bright, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well sheathed and sharp as spear point in the light; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">On breast a Christopher of silver sheen. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He bore a horn in baldric all of green; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A forester he truly was, I guess.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE PRIORESS <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was also a nun, a prioress, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Who, in her smiling, modest was and coy; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Her greatest oath was but "By Saint Eloy!" <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And she was known as Madam Eglantine. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Full well she sang the services divine, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Intoning through her nose, becomingly; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And fair she spoke her French, and fluently, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">After the school of Stratford-at-the-Bow, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For French of Paris was not hers to know. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At table she had been well taught withal, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And never from her lips let morsels fall, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor dipped her fingers deep in sauce, but ate <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With so much care the food upon her plate <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That never driblet fell upon her breast. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In courtesy she had delight and zest. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Her upper lip was always wiped so clean <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That in her cup was no iota seen <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of grease, when she had drunk her draught of wine. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Becomingly she reached for meat to dine. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And certainly delighting in good sport, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">She was right pleasant, amiable- in short. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">She was at pains to counterfeit the look <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of courtliness, and stately manners took, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And would be held worthy of reverence. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But, to say something of her moral sense, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">She was so charitable and piteous <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That she would weep if she but saw a mouse <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Caught in a trap, though it were dead or bled. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">She had some little dogs, too, that she fed <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">On roasted flesh, or milk and fine white bread. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But sore she'd weep if one of them were dead, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Or if men smote it with a rod to smart: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For pity ruled her, and her tender heart. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Right decorous her pleated wimple was; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Her nose was fine; her eyes were blue as glass; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Her mouth was small and therewith soft and red; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But certainly she had a fair forehead; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">It was almost a full span broad, I own, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For, truth to tell, she was not undergrown. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Neat was her cloak, as I was well aware. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of coral small about her arm she'd bear <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A string of beads and gauded all with green; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And therefrom hung a brooch of golden sheen <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Whereon there was first written a crowned "A," <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And under, Amor vincit omnia.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE NUN <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Another little nun with her had she, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE THREE PRIESTS <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Who was her chaplain; and of priests she'd three.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE MONK <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A monk there was, one made for mastery, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">An outrider, who loved his venery; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A manly man, to be an abbot able. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Full many a blooded horse had he in stable: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And when he rode men might his bridle hear <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A-jingling in the whistling wind as clear, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Aye, and as loud as does the chapel bell <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Where this brave monk was of the cell. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The rule of Maurus or Saint Benedict, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">By reason it was old and somewhat strict, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">This said monk let such old things slowly pace <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And followed new-world manners in their place. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He cared not for that text a clean-plucked hen <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Which holds that hunters are not holy men; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor that a monk, when he is cloisterless, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Is like unto a fish that's waterless; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That is to say, a monk out of his cloister. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But this same text he held not worth an oyster; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And I said his opinion was right good. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">What? Should he study as a madman would <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Upon a book in cloister cell? Or yet <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Go labour with his hands and swink and sweat, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As Austin bids? How shall the world be served? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Let Austin have his toil to him reserved. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Therefore he was a rider day and night; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Greyhounds he had, as swift as bird in flight. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Since riding and the hunting of the hare <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Were all his love, for no cost would he spare. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I saw his sleeves were purfled at the hand <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With fur of grey, the finest in the land; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Also, to fasten hood beneath his chin, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He had of good wrought gold a curious pin: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A love-knot in the larger end there was. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His head was bald and shone like any glass, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And smooth as one anointed was his face. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hot <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">They gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His boots were soft; his horse of great estate. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Now certainly he was a fine prelate: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was not pale as some poor wasted ghost. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A fat swan loved he best of any roast. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His palfrey was as brown as is a berry.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE FRIAR <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A friar there was, a wanton and a merry, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A limiter, a very festive man. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In all the Orders Four is none that can <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Equal his gossip and his fair language. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He had arranged full many a marriage <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of women young, and this at his own cost. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Unto his order he was a noble post. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well liked by all and intimate was he <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With franklins everywhere in his country, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And with the worthy women of the town: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For at confessing he'd more power in gown <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">(As he himself said) than it good curate, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For of his order he was licentiate. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He heard confession gently, it was said, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Gently absolved too, leaving naught of dread. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was an easy man to give penance <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">When knowing he should gain a good pittance; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For to a begging friar, money given <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Is sign that any man has been well shriven. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For if one gave (he dared to boast of this), <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He took the man's repentance not amiss. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For many a man there is so hard of heart <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He cannot weep however pains may smart. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Therefore, instead of weeping and of prayer, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Men should give silver to poor friars all bare. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His tippet was stuck always full of knives <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And pins, to give to young and pleasing wives. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And certainly he kept a merry note: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well could he sing and play upon the rote. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At balladry he bore the prize away. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His throat was white as lily of the May; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Yet strong he was as ever champion. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In towns he knew the taverns, every one, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And every good host and each barmaid too- <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Better than begging lepers, these he knew. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For unto no such solid man as he <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Accorded it, as far as he could see, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To have sick lepers for acquaintances. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There is no honest advantageousness <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In dealing with such poverty-stricken curs; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's with the rich and with big victuallers. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And so, wherever profit might arise, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Courteous he was and humble in men's eyes. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was no other man so virtuous. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was the finest beggar of his house; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A certain district being farmed to him, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">None of his brethren dared approach its rim; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For though a widow had no shoes to show, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">So pleasant was his In principio, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He always got a farthing ere he went. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He lived by pickings, it is evident. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And he could romp as well as any whelp. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">On love days could he be of mickle help. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For there he was not like a cloisterer, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With threadbare cope as is the poor scholar, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But he was like a lord or like a pope. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of double worsted was his semi-cope, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That rounded like a bell, as you may guess. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He lisped a little, out of wantonness, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To make his English soft upon his tongue; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And in his harping, after he had sung, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His two eyes twinkled in his head as bright <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As do the stars within the frosty night. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">This worthy limiter was named Hubert.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE MERCHANT <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was a merchant with forked beard, and girt <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In motley gown, and high on horse he sat, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His boots were fastened rather elegantly. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His spoke his notions out right pompously, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Stressing the times when he had won, not lost. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He would the sea were held at any cost <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Across from Middleburgh to Orwell town. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At money-changing he could make a crown. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">This worthy man kept all his wits well set; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was no one could say he was in debt, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">So well he governed all his trade affairs <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With bargains and with borrowings and with shares. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Indeed, he was a worthy man withal, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But, sooth to say, his name I can't recall.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE CLERK <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A clerk from Oxford was with us also, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Who'd turned to getting knowledge, long ago. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As meagre was his horse as is a rake, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor he himself too fat, I'll undertake, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But he looked hollow and went soberly. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Right threadbare was his overcoat; for he <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Had got him yet no churchly benefice, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor was so worldly as to gain office. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For he would rather have at his bed's head <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Some twenty books, all bound in black and red, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of Aristotle and his philosophy <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Than rich robes, fiddle, or gay psaltery. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Yet, and for all he was philosopher, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He had but little gold within his coffer; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But all that he might borrow from a friend <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">On books and learning he would swiftly spend, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And then he'd pray right busily for the souls <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of those who gave him wherewithal for schools. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of study took he utmost care and heed. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Not one word spoke he more than was his need; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And that was said in fullest reverence <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And short and quick and full of high good sense. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Pregnant of moral virtue was his speech; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE LAWYER <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A sergeant of the law, wary and wise, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Who'd often gone to Paul's walk to advise, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was also, compact of excellence. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Discreet he was, and of great reverence; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At least he seemed so, his words were so wise. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Often he sat as justice in assize, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">By patent or commission from the crown; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Because of learning and his high renown, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He took large fees and many robes could own. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">So great a purchaser was never known. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">All was fee simple to him, in effect, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Wherefore his claims could never be suspect. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nowhere a man so busy of his class, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And yet he seemed much busier than he was. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">All cases and all judgments could he cite <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That from King William's time were apposite. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And he could draw a contract so explicit <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Not any man could fault therefrom elicit; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And every statute he'd verbatim quote. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He rode but badly in a medley coat, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Belted in a silken sash, with little bars, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But of his dress no more particulars.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE FRANKLIN <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was a franklin in his company; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">White was his beard as is the white daisy. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of sanguine temperament by every sign, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He loved right well his morning sop in wine. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Delightful living was the goal he'd won, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For he was Epicurus' very son, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That held opinion that a full delight <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Was true felicity, perfect and right. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A householder, and that a great, was he; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Saint Julian he was in his own country. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His bread and ale were always right well done; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A man with better cellars there was none. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Baked meat was never wanting in his house, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of fish and flesh, and that so plenteous <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">It seemed to snow therein both food and drink <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of every dainty that a man could think. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">According to the season of the year <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He changed his diet and his means of cheer. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Full many a fattened partridge did he mew, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And many a bream and pike in fish-pond too. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Woe to his cook, except the sauces were <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Poignant and sharp, and ready all his gear. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His table, waiting in his hall alway, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Stood ready covered through the livelong day. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At county sessions was he lord and sire, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And often acted as a knight of shire. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A dagger and a trinket-bag of silk <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hung from his girdle, white as morning milk. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He had been sheriff and been auditor; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And nowhere was a worthier vavasor.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE HABERDASHER AND THE CARPENTER <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A haberdasher and a carpenter, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE WEAVER, THE DYER, AND THE ARRAS-MAKER <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">An arras-maker, dyer, and weaver <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Were with us, clothed in similar livery, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">All of one sober, great fraternity. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Their gear was new and well adorned it was; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Their weapons were not cheaply trimmed with brass, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But all with silver; chastely made and well <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Their girdles and their pouches too, I tell. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Each man of them appeared a proper burges <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To sit in guildhall on a high dais. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And each of them, for wisdom he could span, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Was fitted to have been an alderman; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For chattels they'd enough, and, too, of rent; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To which their goodwives gave a free assent, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Or else for certain they had been to blame. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">It's good to hear "Madam" before one's name, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And go to church when all the world may see, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Having one's mantle borne right royally.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE COOK <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A cook they had with them, just for the nonce, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To boil the chickens with the marrow-bones, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And flavour tartly and with galingale. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well could he tell a draught of London ale. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And he could roast and seethe and broil and fry, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And make a good thick soup, and bake a pie. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But very ill it was, it seemed to me, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That on his shin a deadly sore had he; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For sweet blanc-mange, he made it with the best.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE SAILOR <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was a sailor, living far out west; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For aught I know, he was of Dartmouth town. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He sadly rode a hackney, in a gown, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of thick rough cloth falling to the knee. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A dagger hanging on a cord had he <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">About his neck, and under arm, and down. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The summer's heat had burned his visage brown; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And certainly he was a good fellow. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Full many a draught of wine he'd drawn, I trow, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of Bordeaux vintage, while the trader slept. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nice conscience was a thing he never kept. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">If that he fought and got the upper hand, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">By water he sent them home to every land. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But as for craft, to reckon well his tides, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His currents and the dangerous watersides, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His harbours, and his moon, his pilotage, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was none such from Hull to far Carthage. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hardy. and wise in all things undertaken, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">By many a tempest had his beard been shaken. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He knew well all the havens, as they were, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">From Gottland to the Cape of Finisterre, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And every creek in Brittany and Spain; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His vessel had been christened Madeleine.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE PHYSICIAN <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With us there was a doctor of physic; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In all this world was none like him to pick <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For talk of medicine and surgery; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For he was grounded in astronomy. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He often kept a patient from the pall <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">By horoscopes and magic natural. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well could he tell the fortune ascendent <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Within the houses for his sick patient. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He knew the cause of every malady, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Were it of hot or cold, of moist or dry, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And where engendered, and of what humour; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was a very good practitioner. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The cause being known, down to the deepest root, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Anon he gave to the sick man his boot. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Ready he was, with his apothecaries, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To send him drugs and all electuaries; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">By mutual aid much gold they'd always won- <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Their friendship was a thing not new begun. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well read was he in Esculapius, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And Deiscorides, and in Rufus, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hippocrates, and Hali, and Galen, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Serapion, Rhazes, and Avicen, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Averrhoes, Gilbert, and Constantine, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Bernard and Gatisden, and John Damascene. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In diet he was measured as could be, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Including naught of superfluity, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But nourishing and easy. It's no libel <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To say he read but little in the Bible. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In blue and scarlet he went clad, withal, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Lined with a taffeta and with sendal; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And yet he was right chary of expense; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He kept the gold he gained from pestilence. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For gold in physic is a fine cordial, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And therefore loved he gold exceeding all.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE WIFE OF BATH <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was a housewife come from Bath, or near, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Who- sad to say- was deaf in either ear. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At making cloth she had so great a bent <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">She bettered those of Ypres and even of Ghent. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In all the parish there was no goodwife <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Should offering make before her, on my life; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And if one did, indeed, so wroth was she <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">It put her out of all her charity. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Her kerchiefs were of finest weave and ground; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I dare swear that they weighed a full ten pound <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Which, of a Sunday, she wore on her head. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Her hose were of the choicest scarlet red, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Close gartered, and her shoes were soft and new. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Bold was her face, and fair, and red of hue. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">She'd been respectable throughout her life, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With five churched husbands bringing joy and strife, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Not counting other company in youth; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But thereof there's no need to speak, in truth. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Three times she'd journeyed to Jerusalem; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And many a foreign stream she'd had to stem; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At Rome she'd been, and she'd been in Boulogne, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In Spain at Santiago, and at Cologne. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">She could tell much of wandering by the way: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Gap-toothed was she, it is no lie to say. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Upon an ambler easily she sat, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well wimpled, aye, and over all a hat <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As broad as is a buckler or a targe; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A rug was tucked around her buttocks large, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And on her feet a pair of sharpened spurs. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In company well could she laugh her slurs. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The remedies of love she knew, perchance, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For of that art she'd learned the old, old dance.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE PARSON <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was a good man of religion, too, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A country parson, poor, I warrant you; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But rich he was in holy thought and work. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was a learned man also, a clerk, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Who Christ's own gospel truly sought to preach; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Devoutly his parishioners would he teach. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Benign he was and wondrous diligent, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Patient in adverse times and well content, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As he was ofttimes proven; always blithe, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was right loath to curse to get a tithe, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But rather would he give, in case of doubt, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Unto those poor parishioners about, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Part of his income, even of his goods. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Enough with little, coloured all his moods. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Wide was his parish, houses far asunder, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But never did he fail, for rain or thunder, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In sickness, or in sin, or any state, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To visit to the farthest, small and great, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Going afoot, and in his hand, a stave. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">This fine example to his flock he gave, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That first he wrought and afterwards he taught; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Out of the gospel then that text he caught, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And this figure he added thereunto- <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That, if gold rust, what shall poor iron do? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For if the priest be foul, in whom we trust, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">What wonder if a layman yield to lust? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And shame it is, if priest take thought for keep, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A shitty shepherd, shepherding clean sheep. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well ought a priest example good to give, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">By his own cleanness, how his flock should live. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He never let his benefice for hire, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Leaving his flock to flounder in the mire, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And ran to London, up to old Saint Paul's <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To get himself a chantry there for souls, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor in some brotherhood did he withhold; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But dwelt at home and kept so well the fold <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That never wolf could make his plans miscarry; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was a shepherd and not mercenary. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And holy though he was, and virtuous, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To sinners he was not impiteous, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor haughty in his speech, nor too divine, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But in all teaching prudent and benign. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To lead folk into Heaven but by stress <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of good example was his busyness. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But if some sinful one proved obstinate, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Be who it might, of high or low estate, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Him he reproved, and sharply, as I know. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There is nowhere a better priest, I trow. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He had no thirst for pomp or reverence, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor made himself a special, spiced conscience, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But Christ's own lore, and His apostles' twelve <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He taught, but first he followed it himselve.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE PLOWMAN <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With him there was a plowman, was his brother, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That many a load of dung, and many another <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Had scattered, for a good true toiler, he, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Living in peace and perfect charity. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He loved God most, and that with his whole heart <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At all times, though he played or plied his art, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And next, his neighbour, even as himself. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He'd thresh and dig, with never thought of pelf, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For Christ's own sake, for every poor wight, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">All without pay, if it lay in his might. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He paid his taxes, fully, fairly, well, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Both by his own toil and by stuff he'd sell. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In a tabard he rode upon a mare. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There were also a reeve and miller there; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A summoner, manciple and pardoner, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And these, beside myself, made all there were.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE MILLER <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The miller was a stout churl, be it known, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hardy and big of brawn and big of bone; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Which was well proved, for when he went on lam <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At wrestling, never failed he of the ram. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was a chunky fellow, broad of build; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He'd heave a door from hinges if he willed, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Or break it through, by running, with his head. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His beard, as any sow or fox, was red, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And broad it was as if it were a spade. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Upon the coping of his nose he had <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A wart, and thereon stood a tuft of hairs, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Red as the bristles in an old sow's ears; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His nostrils they were black and very wide. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A sword and buckler bore he by his side. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His mouth was like a furnace door for size. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was a jester and could poetize, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But mostly all of sin and ribaldries. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He could steal corn and full thrice charge his fees; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And yet he had a thumb of gold, begad. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A white coat and blue hood he wore, this lad. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A bagpipe he could blow well, be it known, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And with that same he brought us out of town.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE MANCIPLE <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was a manciple from an inn of court, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To whom all buyers might quite well resort <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To learn the art of buying food and drink; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For whether he paid cash or not, I think <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That he so knew the markets, when to buy, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He never found himself left high and dry. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Now is it not of God a full fair grace <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That such a vulgar man has wit to pace <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The wisdom of a crowd of learned men? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of masters had he more than three times ten, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Who were in law expert and curious; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Whereof there were a dozen in that house <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Fit to be stewards of both rent and land <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of any lord in England who would stand <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Upon his own and live in manner good, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In honour, debtless (save his head were wood), <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Or live as frugally as he might desire; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">These men were able to have help ed a shire <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In any case that ever might befall; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And yet this manciple outguessed them all.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE REEVE <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The reeve he was a slender, choleric man <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Who shaved his beard as close as razor can. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His hair was cut round even with his ears; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His top was tonsured like a pulpiteer's. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Long were his legs, and they were very lean, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And like a staff, with no calf to be seen. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well could he manage granary and bin; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">No auditor could ever on him win. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He could foretell, by drought and by the rain, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The yielding of his seed and of his grain. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His lord's sheep and his oxen and his dairy, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His swine and horses, all his stores, his poultry, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Were wholly in this steward's managing; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And, by agreement, he'd made reckoning <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Since his young lord of age was twenty years; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Yet no man ever found him in arrears. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was no agent, hind, or herd who'd cheat <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But he knew well his cunning and deceit; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">They were afraid of him as of the death. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His cottage was a good one, on a heath; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">By green trees shaded with this dwelling-place. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Much better than his lord could he purchase. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Right rich he was in his own private right, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Seeing he'd pleased his lord, by day or night, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">By giving him, or lending, of his goods, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And so got thanked- but yet got coats and hoods. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In youth he'd learned a good trade, and had been <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A carpenter, as fine as could be seen. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">This steward sat a horse that well could trot, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And was all dapple-grey, and was named Scot. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A long surcoat of blue did he parade, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And at his side he bore a rusty blade. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of Norfolk was this reeve of whom I tell, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">From near a town that men call Badeswell. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Bundled he was like friar from chin to croup, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And ever he rode hindmost of our troop.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE SUMMONER <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A summoner was with us in that place, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Who had a fiery-red, cherubic face, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For eczema he had; his eyes were narrow <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As hot he was, and lecherous, as a sparrow; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With black and scabby brows and scanty beard; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He had a face that little children feared. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">There was no mercury, sulphur, or litharge, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">No borax, ceruse, tartar, could discharge, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor ointment that could cleanse enough, or bite, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To free him of his boils and pimples white, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor of the bosses resting on his cheeks. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well loved he garlic, onions, aye and leeks, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And drinking of strong wine as red as blood. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Then would he talk and shout as madman would. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And when a deal of wine he'd poured within, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Then would. he utter no word save Latin. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Some phrases had he learned, say two or three, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Which he had garnered out of some decree; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">No wonder, for he'd heard it all the day; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And all you know right well that even a jay <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Can call out "Wat" as well as can the pope. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But when, for aught else, into him you'd grope, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">'Twas found he'd spent his whole philosophy; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Just "Questio quid juris" would he cry. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was a noble rascal, and a kind; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A better comrade 'twould be hard to find. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Why, he would suffer, for a quart of wine, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Some good fellow to have his concubine <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A twelve-month, and excuse him to the full <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">(Between ourselves, though, he could pluck a gull). <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And if he chanced upon a good fellow, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He would instruct him never to have awe, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In such a case, of the archdeacon's curse, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Except a man's soul lie within his purse; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For in his purse the man should punished be. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">"The purse is the archdeacon's Hell," said he. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But well I know he lied in what he said; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A curse ought every guilty man to dread <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">(For curse can kill, as absolution save), <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And 'ware significavit to the grave. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In his own power had he, and at ease, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The boys and girls of all the diocese, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And knew their secrets, and by counsel led. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A garland had he set upon his head, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Large as a tavern's wine-bush on a stake; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A buckler had he made of bread they bake.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE PARDONER <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With him there rode a gentle pardoner <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of Rouncival, his friend and his compeer; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Straight from the court of Rome had journeyed he. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Loudly he sang "Come hither, love, to me," <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The summoner joining with a burden round; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Was never horn of half so great a sound. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">This pardoner had hair as yellow as wax, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But lank it hung as does a strike of flax; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In wisps hung down such locks as he'd on head, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And with them he his shoulders overspread; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But thin they dropped, and stringy, one by one. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But as to hood, for sport of it, he'd none, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Though it was packed in wallet all the while. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">It seemed to him he went in latest style, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Dishevelled, save for cap, his head all bare. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As shiny eyes he had as has a hare. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He had a fine veronica sewed to cap. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His wallet lay before him in his lap, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Stuffed full of pardons brought from Rome all hot. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A voice he had that bleated like a goat. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">No beard had he, nor ever should he have, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For smooth his face as he'd just had a shave; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I think he was a gelding or a mare. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But in his craft, from Berwick unto Ware, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Was no such pardoner in any place. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For in his bag he had a pillowcase <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The which, he said, was Our True Lady's veil: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He said he had a piece of the very sail <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That good Saint Peter had, what time he went <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Upon the sea, till Jesus changed his bent. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He had a latten cross set full of stones, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And in a bottle had he some pig's bones. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But with these relics, when he came upon <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Some simple parson, then this paragon <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In that one day more money stood to gain <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Than the poor dupe in two months could attain. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And thus, with flattery and suchlike japes, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He made the parson and the rest his apes. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But yet, to tell the whole truth at the last, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was, in church, a fine ecclesiast. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well could he read a lesson or a story, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But best of all he sang an offertory; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For well he knew that when that song was sung, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Then might he preach, and all with polished tongue. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To win some silver, as he right well could; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Therefore he sang so merrily and so loud.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">PROLOGUE <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Now have I told you briefly, in a clause, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The state, the array, the number, and the cause <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Of the assembling of this company <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In Southwark, at this noble hostelry <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Known as the Tabard Inn, hard by the Bell. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But now the time is come wherein to tell <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">How all we bore ourselves that very night <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">When at the hostelry we did alight. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And afterward the story I engage <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To tell you of our common pilgrimage. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But first, I pray you, of your courtesy, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">You'll not ascribe it to vulgarity <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Though I speak plainly of this matter here, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Retailing you their words and means of cheer; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor though I use their very terms, nor lie. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For this thing do you know as well as I: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">When one repeats a tale told by a man, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He must report, as nearly as he can, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Every least word, if he remember it, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">However rude it be, or how unfit; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Or else he may be telling what's untrue, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Embellishing and fictionizing too. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He may not spare, although it were his brother; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He must as well say one word as another. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Christ spoke right broadly out, in holy writ, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And, you know well, there's nothing low in it. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And Plato says, to those able to read: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">"The word should be the cousin to the deed." <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Also, I pray that you'll forgive it me <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">If I have not set folk, in their degree <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Here in this tale, by rank as they should stand. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">My wits are not the best, you'll understand.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">THE HOST <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Great cheer our host gave to us, every one, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And to the supper set us all anon; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And served us then with victuals of the best. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Strong was the wine and pleasant to each guest. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A seemly man our good host was, withal, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Fit to have been a marshal in some hall; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He was a large man, with protruding eyes, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As fine a burgher as in Cheapside lies; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Bold in his speech, and wise, and right well taught, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And as to manhood, lacking there in naught. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Also, he was a very merry man, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And after meat, at playing he began, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Speaking of mirth among some other things, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">When all of us had paid our reckonings; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And saying thus: "Now masters, verily <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">You are all welcome here, and heartily: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For by my truth, and telling you no lie, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I have not seen, this year, a company <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Here in this inn, fitter for sport than now. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Fain would I make you happy, knew I how. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And of a game have I this moment thought <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To give you joy, and it shall cost you naught. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">"You go to Canterbury; may God speed <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And the blest martyr soon requite your meed. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And well I know, as you go on your way, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">You'll tell good tales and shape yourselves to play; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">For truly there's no mirth nor comfort, none, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Riding the roads as dumb as is a stone; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And therefore will I furnish you a sport, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As I just said, to give you some comfort. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And if you like it, all, by one assent, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And will be ruled by me, of my judgment, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And will so do as I'll proceed to say, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tomorrow, when you ride upon your way, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Then, by my father's spirit, who is dead, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">If you're not gay, I'll give you up my head. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hold up your hands, nor more about it speak." <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Our full assenting was not far to seek; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">We thought there was no reason to think twice, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And granted him his way without advice, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And bade him tell his verdict just and wise, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">"Masters," quoth he, "here now is my advice; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But take it not, I pray you, in disdain; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">This is the point, to put it short and plain, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That each of you, beguiling the long day, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Shall tell two stories as you wend your way <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To Canterbury town; and each of you <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">On coming home, shall tell another two, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">All of adventures he has known befall. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And he who plays his part the best of all, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That is to say, who tells upon the road <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tales of best sense, in most amusing mode, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Shall have a supper at the others' cost <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Here in this room and sitting by this post, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">When we come back again from Canterbury. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And now, the more to warrant you'll be merry, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I will myself, and gladly, with you ride <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At my own cost, and I will be your guide. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">But whosoever shall my rule gainsay <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Shall pay for all that's bought along the way. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And if you are agreed that it be so, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tell me at once, or if not, tell me no, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And I will act accordingly. No more." <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">This thing was granted, and our oaths we swore, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With right glad hearts, and prayed of him, also, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">That he would take the office, nor forgo <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The place of governor of all of us, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Judging our tales; and by his wisdom thus <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Arrange that supper at a certain price, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">We to be ruled, each one, by his advice <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In things both great and small; by one assent, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">We stood committed to his government. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And thereupon, the wine was fetched anon; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">We drank, and then to rest went every one, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And that without a longer tarrying. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Next morning, when the day began to spring, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Up rose our host, and acting as our cock, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He gathered us together in a flock, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And forth we rode, a jog-trot being the pace, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Until we reached Saint Thomas' watering-place. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And there our host pulled horse up to a walk, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And said: "Now, masters, listen while I talk. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">You know what you agreed at set of sun. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">If even-song and morning-song are one, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Let's here decide who first shall tell a tale. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And as I hope to drink more wine and ale, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Whoso proves rebel to my government <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Shall pay for all that by the way is spent. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Come now, draw cuts, before we farther win, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And he that draws the shortest shall begin. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Sir knight," said he, "my master and my lord, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">You shall draw first as you have pledged your word. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Come near," quoth he, "my lady prioress: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And you, sir clerk, put by your bashfulness, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nor ponder more; out hands, flow, every man!" <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At once to draw a cut each one began, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And, to make short the matter, as it was, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Whether by chance or whatsoever cause, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The truth is, that the cut fell to the knight, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">At which right happy then was every wight. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Thus that his story first of all he'd tell, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">According to the compact, it befell, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As you have heard. Why argue to and fro? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And when this good man saw that it was so, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Being a wise man and obedient <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">To plighted word, given by free assent, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">He slid: "Since I must then begin the game, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Why, welcome be the cut, and in God's name! <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Now let us ride, and hearken what I say." <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And at that word we rode forth on our way; <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">And he began to speak, with right good cheer, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">His tale anon, as it is written here. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">HERE ENDS THE PROLOGUE OF THIS BOOK <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">AND HERE BEGINS THE FIRST TALE, <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">WHICH IS THE KNIGHT'S TALE