Ry1 · London, British Library Royal MS 17.d.xv
Canterbury Tales Project.
talesofcanterbury.org/GP/xml/transcripts/Ry1/
[2r]
And of his porte As Meke as is A Mayde
He neủer yett no villanye ne sayde
In all his lyfe vnto no man̉ere wyghte
He was A gentulle parfytte knyghte
For to telle you of his Araye
His horse was gode butte he was notte gaye
Of Fustyan he werede A Gypoun
All by smeterede with his habergoune
For he was late ycome Frome his vyage
And wente For to doone his pilgrymage
With hym þ̉er was his sone A yonge sqwyer
A louer And a lustye bacchelere
With lockes crulle As they were leyde in presse
Of twenty yere of Age he was as I gesse
Of his stature he was of euene lengthe
And wonderlye delyuoure And clene of strengthe
And hadde bene some tyme in Chyuachie
In Flaunders in Artoys ⁊and in pyckardye
And borne hym welle As of litulle space
In hope to stande in his ladye grace
Euene browede was he As hitt were A Mayde
And Fulle of fresche Flowers whyte ⁊and rede
Syngenge he was And Floytenge all þe daye
He was as Fresche As is þe moneþe of Maije
Schorte was his gowne wᵗith sleues longe ⁊and wyde
Welle couþe he sytten on horse ⁊and Fayer ryde
He couþe songes make And welle endyte
Iuste ⁊and eke dawnce ⁊and welle purtrewe ⁊and wryte
So hote he louede that by nyghtertale
He slepte no More þan A nyghtyngale
Curtayse he was lowlye And sarvysable
And karuede bifore his Fader Atte the table
A yeman hadde he And saruantes no Mo
As atte þᵗat tyme For hym luste ryde tho
And he was cladde in Cote And hode of grene
A Schefe of Arrowes brighte ⁊and keene
Vnder his belte he bare Fulle þryfftelye
Welle couþe he dresse his tabulle yemanlye
His Arrowes drowpnyde noughte wᵗith Fethurs lowe
And in his hande he bare A Mightye bowe
A notte hede hadde he wᵗith A browne vysage
Of woode craffte couþe he all the vsage
Vppon his Arme he bare A gaye braser
And by his Syde A swerde ⁊and A buckeler
And on that oþ̉ere syde A gaye daggar
Harneysede welle ⁊and scharpe As poynte of Spere
A Cristoffle on his backe welle schene
An horne he bare the Bawderike was grene
A Forster was he soþelye As I gesse
There was Allso a Nonne A prioresse
That of hyr Smylenge was semple ⁊and koye
Her gretteste othe nas butte by Saynte loye
And sche was clepede Madame Eglentyne
Fulle welle Sche sange the saruyce deuyne
Entunede in her voyce welle semelye
And Fresche Sche spake Fayer ⁊and Fetuslye
Affter the scoole of Stratteforde atte þe bowe
For Frensche of paryce was to hyr vnknowe
Atte þe Mete welle ytaughte was sche Fulle welle
Sche lete no Morselle Frome her Mouthe Falle
Ne wete hyr Fyngurs in hyr Sawce deepe
Welle couþe sche carrye A morselle of Mete
That no droppe ne Felle vppon hyr breste
In curtasye was sette Fulle Meke hyr luste
Hyr ouer lyppe wypede sche so clene
That in hir cuppe þ̉er nas no Foylenge seene
Of grese whan sche hadde dronke her draughte
Fulle semelye Affter hyr Mete sche raughte
And sykerlye sche was of grete disporte
And Fulle plesaunte and Fulle Amyable of porte
And paynede hyr to Counterfette chere
Of courte to bene estatelye of Manere
And to be holden dygne of reuerence
Butte For to Speke of hyr Conscience
Sche was to Charitable ⁊and to pyteouse
For sche wolde wepe yefe sche sawe A Mouse
Caughte in A trappe yefe hitt were eyther dede or bledde
Of smale howndes hadde sche þat sche Fedde
With rostede Flesche other Mylke other wastelle brede
Butte sore wepte sche yefe one of hem were dede
Other yefe Men smote hitt wᵗith A yerde smerte
And all was conscyence And tendure herte
Fulle semelye hyr wymple pynchede was
Hyr nose strayte hyr eyene As graye as glasse
Hyr Mouthe Fulle smale ⁊and þ̉erto soffte ⁊and rede
Butte sikurlye Sche hadde A Fayer Forehede
Hitt was Almoste A Spanne of brede I trowe
For hardelye sche nas noughte vnder growe
Fulle Fete was hyr Cloke As I was ware
Of smale Coralle Abowte hyr Arme sche bare
A payer of bedes ygawdiede All with grene
And þ̉eron hynge A broche of golde welle schene
On whiche þ̉er was Firste wrytten A crownede A
And affter Amor vincit omia
Another nonne with hyr was sche
That was hyr chapelayne And preestes thre
A Monke þ̉er was A Fayer For the Maystrie
An owte ryder that louede venerye
A Manelye Man to be an Abbott able
Fulle manye A deynte horse he hadde in stable
And whan he rode Men myghte his brydulle here
Gyngelenge in A whystelenge wynde As clere
And eke As lowde as dothe A chapelle belle
There as this lorde was kepere of the selle
The rule of saynte Mawr oþ̉ere of saynte benette
Bicause itt was olde And somedele strayte
Thys ylke Monke lete olde thynges passe
And helde affter þe newe worlde the paase
He yafe noughte of the tyxte A pullede henne
That sayethe that hunters be none holye Men
Thoughe þat A Monke whan he is recchelese
Is lyckenede vnto A Fysche þat is waterlese
That is to saye A Monke þat is owte of cloystre
Thilke texte holte he notte worþe An oystre
And I sayde his openyou was gode
Whatt schulde he studye And make hym selfe woode
Vppon a boke allwaye in cloystre to pore
Other swynken wᵗith his handes ⁊and laboure
As Austyne bytte how schall þe worlde be saruede
Lette Austyne haue his swynke to hym resaruede
Therefor he was A predicator Arighte
Greyhowndes he hadde As swyffte as Fowle in Flyghte
Of pryckenge And of huntenge For the hare
Was all his luste For no Coste wolde he spare
I sawe his sleues purflede Atte the honde
Wᵗith Gryce ⁊and that þe Fyneste of A londe
And for to Festene his hode vnder the chynne
He hadde of golde wroughte A Fulle curiouse pynne
A loue knotte in þe gretter ende þ̉er was
His hede was ballede þat schone As the glasse
And eke his Face As hitt hadde be Anoynte
He was A lorde Fulle Fatte ⁊and in Fulle gode poynte
His eyene stepe ⁊and rollenge in his hede
That Stemede As a Fournayse of lede
His botes Souple his horses in grete estate
Now sartaynelye he was A Fayer prelate
He nas notte paale As A Sore pynede Goste
A Fatte swane louede he best of enye Roste
His pallfraye was As browne as is A berye
A Fryer þ̉er was A wantou ⁊and A Merye
A lymytour And a Fulle solempne Man
In all þe orders þ̉er nys none þᵗat better can
So moche of dalyaıı̄unce And So Fayer language
He hadde made Manye A Fayer Mariage
Of yonge wymmen Atte his owne Coste
Vntille þe ordre he was A noble poste
Fulle welle bilouede and Fulle Famylar was he
With Franklayns oủer all in that Contre
And with worthye wymmen of þe towne
For he hadde powere of Confessioun
And sayde hym selfe More þan A Curate
For his ordre he was licenciate
Fulle swetelye harde his Confessiou
And plesaunte was his Absolucou
He was An esye Man to yeue penᵃnce
There As he hopede to haue A gode petᵃunce
For vnto A poure ordre For to yeue
Is signe þat A Man is welle schryue
For yefe he yafe he durste make Auᵃnte
He wyste þat A Man was repentuᵃnte
For manye A Man so harde is of his herte
He maye noughte wepe All þoughe he sore smerte
Therefore in Stede of wepenge and of pᵃyours
Men mis Moste yeue siluer vnto powre Fryers
His typpette was Ay Farsede Fulle of knyues
And pynnes For to yeue Fayer wyues
And insartayne he hadde A Merye note
Welle couþe he synge ⁊and playe in A rote
Of ȝeddenges he bare vtterlye the pryce
His necke whyte was As Flower delyce
Therto he stronge was as A Champyoun
He knewe the tauerners welle in euerye Towne
And euerye hostyller And Tapsterr
Better þan A lazar or A beggestar
For vnto suche A Man as he
Acordethe noughte As by his Faculte
To haue wᵗith suche lazers Aqweyntance
Hit nys noughte honeste hitt maye notte auᵃnce
For to dele with Suche porrayle
Butte all with ryche And sellers of vytayle
And oủer all there As profytte schulde aryse
Curtayse he was And lowlye of Saruyse
There was no Man no where so vertuouse
He was the best begger in his howse
For þeye A wydowe hadde noughte A schoo
So plesaunte wh was his In principio
Yette wolle he haue A Ferthenge er þat he wente
His pʳchace was welle better where þat he wente
And Rage he couþe As hitt were A whelpe
In loue dayes þ̉er couþe he moche helpe
For þ̉er he was noughte lyke A Cloystre
With A threde bare Cope As is A Scoler
Butte he was lyke A Mayster or A pope
Of double worstede was his semye Cope
That rowndede was as A belle owte of presse
Somewhatt he lypsede For his wantounesse
To make his englysche swete vppon his tonge
And in his harpenge whan þat he hadde Songe
His eyene twynklede in his hede arighte
As doone the Starres on the Frostye nyghte
This worthy lymytour was callede hubert
A M̉erchaunte þ̉er was there wᵗith A Forkede berde
In Mottele on heyghe on horse he sate
Vppon his hede A Flawnders bevyr hatte
His bootes clapsede Fayer And Fetouselye
His resounes he spake Fulle Solepnelye
Schewenge allweye þe encrece of his wynnenge
He wolde the Se were kepte in enye þynge
Bitwyxe Myddelboroughe ⁊and Orwelle
Well couþe he in eschaunge Schyldes selle
This worthye man Fulle welle his wytte bisette
There wyste no wyghte þat he was in dette
So estatelye was he of goủernawnce
With his bargaynes And with his Cheuysaunce
Forsoþe he was A worthye Man with all
Butte soþe to Sayen I notte how Men hym calle
A Clerke þere was of Oxenforde Allso
That vnto logyke hadde longe tyme go
As lene was his horse As is A Rake
And he was notte Fatte I vndertake
Butte lokede hollowe And þ̉erto soburlye
Fulle threde bare was his oủereste kaurteby
For he hadde notte getene hym no bnfyce
Ne was noughte worthye to haue none office
For hym was leủere Atte his beddes hede
XXᵗⁱ bokes cladde in blacke oþ̉ere in rede
Of Aristotle ⁊and of his phillosophye
Than Robes Ryche or off Fyther or Sawterye
Butte all be that he was A phillosopher
Yette hadde he butte litulle golde in Cofure
Butte all þat he myghte of his Frendes helpe
On bokes And on lernenge he hitt Spente
And beselye ganne For tho sowles praye
For them þat yafe hym to scole huyre
Of studye toke he moste Cure ⁊and hede
Noughte one worde spake he more þan was nede
And that was Sayde in Fourme And in reủerence
And schorte ⁊and qwycke And of hyghe Sentence
Sownenge in Moralle vertue was his Speche
And gladelye wolde he lerne and gladely teche
A Sargaunte of lawe ware ⁊and wyse
That offten hadde bene hadde bene atte paruyse
He was allso Fulle ryche of excellence
Discrete he was And of grete reủerence
He semede suche his wordes were So wyse
Iustyse he was Fulle often in Assyse
By patente And by playne Comyssiou
For his Science And his heyghe renowne
Of Fees And Robes he hadde Manye one
So grete A pʳchasoure was no where none
As was Fee Semple to hym in effecte
His pʳchasenge myghte noughte be to hym in Suspecte
No where So besye A Man as he þ̉er nas
And yett he Semede besyer þan he was
In termes hadde causes And domes all
That Frome þe tyme of kynge willᵃm were Falle
Therto he couþe endyte And make a þynge
Ther couþe no wyghte pynche Atte his wrytenge
And euerye Statute couþe he playnelye by rote
He rode butte onelye in A Medelede Cote
Y gurdede wᵗith A gurdulle of Sylke ⁊and harneyse Smale
Of his Araye telle I no lenger tale
A Franklayne þ̉er was in his Componye
Whyte was his berde As is the Dayesye
Of his complexiou he was Sangweyne
Welle louede he by the Morowe A Soppe of wyn
To lyue in delyte was eủer his woone
For he was Epiorous his owne Sone
That helde openyone that playne delyte
Was vereye Felicite ⁊and parfytte
An howseholder And þat A grete was he
Saynte Iulyan he was in his Contre
His brede his Ale was all affter oone
A better envynede Man was þ̉er noone
Withouten bake Mete was neủer his howse
His Fysche his Flesche was so plenteouse
Hitt Snewede in his howse of Mete ⁊and drynke
Of all deyntees þat Men couþe thynke
Affter the sondery sesounes of the yere
So chaungede he his Mete ⁊and his Soupere
Fulle manye A Fatte partrycche hadde he in Mue
And Manye A breme ⁊and Manye A luce in Stue
Woo was his Cooke butte his Sawce were
Poynaunte And Scharpe ⁊and redye all his gere
His tabulle dormaunte in his halle was allwey
Stode redye coủerede All the longe daye
Atte Sessyans þ̉er was he lorde ⁊and Syer
Fulle offten tyme was he þe knyghte of Schyre
An Awlas ⁊and A Gypser bare he all of Sylke
Hynge Atte his girdulle As whyte as Morowe Mylke
A Schryve hadde he be And Acounter
Was no where Suche A worthy vauasour
An haberdasscher ⁊and A Carpynter
A Webberr A dyser A Tapestarr
And þey werne clothede All in oone lyvereye
Of A solempne ⁊and of A grete Fraternyte
Fulle Fresche And newe her gere was
His knyues was notte chapede of brasse
Butte all with Siluer wroughte clene ⁊and welle
Hyr gurdilles ⁊and hyr powches euerydele
Welle Semede ylke of hem A Fayer burgeyse
To Syttene in An hyghe halle on A dease
Euerye For þe wysedome that he can
Was Schapelye to haue bene an Alderman
For cattelle hadde þeye ynoughe ⁊and rente
And eke hyr wyues wolde hitt welle assente
And elles Sartayne þey were to blame
Hitt is Fulle Fayer to be clepede Madame
And to go virgilees All byfore
And haue A Mantelle afore hem ybore
A Cooke þey hadde with hem For þe nones
To boyle the Chyckunes with the Marybones
And powder Mᵃrchuᵃnte tarte ⁊and galyngale
Welle couþe he knowe A draughte of londou Ale
He couþe Roste Sethe boyle ⁊and Frye
Make Mortreuse ⁊and welle bake A pye
Butte grete harme was hitt As hitt þoughte me
That on his Schynne A Mormale hadde he
For blanke Maung made he with þe best
A schypeman was þ̉er wonenge by weste
For oughte I wote he was of Dartemouþe
He rode vppon A rouncye as he couþe
In A gowne of Foldenge to the knee
A daggar hangenge in A lace hadde he
Abowte his necke vnder his Arme adowne
The hote Somer hadde made his hwe all doune
And Sartayne he was A gode Fellowe
Fulle manye A draughte of wyn hadde he drawe
Frome Burdeuse warde whyle þe Schypman slepe
Of nyce Conscience toke he no kepe
Of that he Faughte And hadde þe heygher hande
By water he Sente hem home by euerye lande
Butte of his craffte to recken welle the Tydes
His Stremes And his daungeres hym besydes
His herborowe And his Moone ⁊and his lodemenage
There was no suche Frome hulle to Cartage
Hardye he was And wyse to vndertake
With manye A tempeste hadde his berde be schake
He knewe All þe havynnes as þey were
Frome Scottelande vntille Cape Fenestr
And Emarye Greke in Britaygne ⁊and in Spayne
His barge hitt was yclepede the Mawdelyne
With vs there was A doctoure of phisyke
In all þe worlde þ̉er was Man hym lyke
He spake of physike And of Surgerye
For he was groundede In Astronomye
He kepte his paciente A Fulle grete dole
In howre by his Magyke naturalle
Welle couþe he Fortune the Ascendent
Of his ymagike For the paciente
He knewe the cause of euerye Malladye
Were hitt of hete Colde Moyste or drye
And where engendereþe of whatt humoᵘure
He was A verye parfytte praktizer
The cause he knewe And of his harme þe roote
Anone he yafe þe Syke Man his boote
Fulle redye hadde he his Apottikaries
To sende hym his dregges And his lectuaries
For ylke of hem Made other For to wynne
Her Frendeschepe was notte newe to bigynne
Welle couþe he the olde esculapius
And Discordes And eke Ruphus
Of ypocrase halye And Galyene
Seraphyn Rasye And Auysenne
Aueroys Damassyen And Constantyne
Bernarde And Gatisden And Gybertyne
Of his dyette Mesurable was he
For hitt nas of no Suꝑperfluyte
Butte of grete noryschenge And digestible
His Studye was butte litulle on the bible
In Sangweyn And in perse ycladde was he wᵗith all
Y lynede with Taffata And with Sendelle
And yett he was butte esye of dispence
He kepte þat he wanne in pestilence
For golde in physyke is Acordaylle
Therefore he Sauede golde inespecialle
A gode wyfe þ̉er was of besyde bathe
Butte Sche was somedele deefe ⁊and þat was schat scathe
Of clothe makenge Sche hadde suche Anhᵃunte
Sche passede hem of ypryse And of Gawnte
In all þe parrische wyfe was þ̉er none
That to þe offerenge byforne her Schulde gone
And yefe þ̉er dydde Sartayne wrothe was Sche
That Sche was owte of all Charite
Her kerchuffes were Fulle Fyne of grounde
I durste Swere they wayede . x .li.
That vppon A Sonedaye were on her hede
Her hosene were of Fyne skarlette rede
Fulle Strayte ytayede ⁊and schoede Fulle newe
Bolde was her Face Fayer ⁊and rede of hwe
Sche was A worthy woman All her lyue
Husbandes Atte chirche þ̉er hadde sche Fyve
Withouten other Compaynye in youthe
Butte þ̉erofe nedethe notte to speke of nouthe
Atte yries hadde Sche be And atte Ierm
Sche hadde passede Manye A stᵃunge Streme
Atte Rome Sche hadde bene And atte boleygne
In Gales Atte Saynte Iames ⁊and Atte Coleygne
Sche couþe Myche of Iangelenge by the waye
Gappe tothede was Sche soþelye to saye
Vppon An Ambeler eselye Sche satte
Y wymplede welle And on her hede anhatte
As brode As is A buckeler other A Targette
A Foote Mantelle abowte her hyppes large
And on her Feete A payer of Spurres scharpe
Yn Fellischepe welle couþe sche lawghe ⁊and carpe
Of remedyes and loue Sche couþe ꝑperchaᵘunce
For Sche couþe of þarte Art the dawnce
A gode Man was there of Religiowne
And was A poure ꝑpersoune of A Towne
Butte ryche he was of holye werke ⁊and þoughte
He was allso A lernede Man A Clarke
That Cristis gospelle truelye wolde preche
His parrischons deuoutelye wolde he teche
Benynge he was And wonder diligente
And in Aduersyte Fulle paciente
And suche he was prouede offte Sythes
Fulle lothe were hym to cursene For his tythes
Butte rather wolde he yeuene owte of dowte
Vnto his poure parrischons Abowte
Of his offerenge And of his Substaunce
He couþe in litulle þynge haue Suffysaunce
Wyde was his parrische And howses Ferre asonder
Butte he ne leffte noughte For Rayne ne For thunder
In Syknesse More in Myschefe For to vesyte
The Ferreste in his parrische grete ⁊and lyte
Vppon his Feete And in his hande A Staffe
This noble ensample to his Schepe he yafe
That Firste he wroughte ⁊and affterwarde he taughte
Owte of the gospelle the wordes he caughte
And this Figure he Addede eke therto
That yefe golde Ruste whatte schall yren do
For yefe A preeste be Fowle in whom we truste
No wonder nys A lewde Man to Ruste
And Schame itt is yefe A preeste take kepe
A Schitten Scheparde ⁊and A clene Schepe
Welle aughte A preeste ensample to yeue
By his clennesse how þat his Schepe schulde lyue
He Sette noughte his bnfyce to huyere
And lette the schepe be Acombrede in the Myer
And rynne vnto londou to Saynte powles
And sechere hym A Chaunterye For Sowles
Other with A brotherhede to be wyþeholde
Butte dwelte Atte home ⁊and kepte welle his Folde
So that þe wolues ne made hitt noughte Myscarye
He was A Schepharde ⁊and noughte A M̉ercenarye
And þoughe he holye were And vertuouse
He was noughte to Synefulle Men disꝑperitous
Ne of his Speche daungerous ne digne
Butte in his Speche discrete ⁊and benygne
To drawe Folke to heuene by Fayernesse
By gode ensample this was his besynesse
Butte hitt were enye parsou of obstynacye
Who so he were of hyghe or lower estate
Hym wolde he Snybben schortelye For þe nones
A bettere preeste I trowe þ̉er no where is
He waytede Affter no pompe ne reủerence
Ne makede hym no Spycede Conscience
Butte Cristes lore ⁊and his Apostles twelue
He taughte butte Firste he Followede in hem selue
With hym þ̉er was A plowman was his brother
That hadde yladde of dounge Manye A Fother
A true Swynker And a gode was he
Lyenge in pease And in parfytte Charite
God louethe he best / with all his herte
Atte all tymes þoughe he gamede or Smerte
And þan hit neygheboure righte As hym Selue
He wolde thrassche And therto dyke and delue
For Cristes Sake For euerye poure wyghte
Withouten huyer For hitt laye in his Myghte
His tythes payede he Fulle Fayer And wele
Bothe of his propre Swynke And of his catelle
In the Tabbarde he rode vppon A Mere
There Allso was A Reve and A Myllere
A Somenoure And A pardoner allso
A Manciple and my selfe þ̉er was no Mo
The Myller was A Stowt Carle For þe nones
Fulle bygge he was of brayne And of bones
That prouede welle For All oủer there he cāme
Atte wrastelenge he wolde aweye haue þe Rame
He was schorte Schulderede A thycke knarre
There nas no durre þat he nolde heve on barre
Other breke hitt Atte rynnenge wᵗith his hede
And therto brode As hitt were A spade
Vppon the coppe righte on his nose he hadde
A werte ⁊and þ̉eron stode A Tuffte of heres
Rede As the brystulle of A Sowes Eares
His nosestrelles blacke were and wyde
A Swerde and bockeler bare he by his Syde
His Mouthe as grete As is A Fournayse
He was A Iangeler ⁊and A golyardeys
And that was Moste of Synne ⁊and of harlotryes
Welle couþe he Stele Corne ⁊and tolle hitt thryse
And þat he hadde A thombe of golde ꝑparde
A whyte Cote And a blewe hode werede he
A Bagge pype couþe he blowe And Sowne
And þ̉erwith all he broughte vs owte of Towne
A gentele Manciple þ̉er was of A Temple
Of whiche All doctours Mighte take ensample
For to be wyse in beyenge of vytayle
For whiche he payede other toke by entayle
Allgate he waytede So in his Acate
That aye he was Aforne ⁊and Aye in gode estate
Now is notte that of god A Fulle Fayer grace
That Suche A lewde Mannes wytte schall passe
The wysedome of An hepe of lernede Men
Of Maysters hadde he Mo þan thryse tenne
That were of lawe experte And curiouse
Of whiche þ̉er was A dossayne in þat howse
Worthye to be Stewardes of Rente ⁊and lande
Of enye lorde that is in Engelande
To make hym lyve in his propre gode
In honoure dettelese butte yefe he were wode
Other lyve As Scarselye as hym luste desyre
And able to helpen all A Schyre
In enye case that myghte Falle othyr happe
And yett this Manciple Sette her Alder Cappe
The Reve was A Sklendre Collerike Man
His berde was Schave As nyghe as eủer he can
His here was by his Eares rownde yschore
His toppe was dockede lyke A preeste byfore
Fulle longe were his legges And Fulle lene
Ylyke A Staffe þere was no Calfe yseene
Welle couþe he kepe A Garnarre ⁊and a bynne
There was none Auditoure couþe on hym wynne
Welle wyste he by the droughte ⁊and by the Rayne
The yeldenge of his Sede and of his Grayne
His lordes Schepe his Neete his dayerye
His Swyne his horse his Store ⁊and his pullterye
Was hole in this Reve his gouernenge
And by his couenᵃnte yafe the reckenenge
Sythen his lorde was of xxᵗⁱ yere of Age
There couþe no Man brynge hym in Arrage
That he ne knewe his Sleuthe ⁊and his couyne
There was no bayelyfe ne herde ne oþir hyne
They were Adradde of hym as of the dethe
His wonnenge was righte Fayer vppon an heethe
With grene treeis Schadowede was his place
He couþe better þan his lorde purchace
Fulle ryche he was Astorede preuelye
His lorde he couþe plese Crafftelye
To lene And to yeue hym of his owne gode
And haue a thancke And yett a Cote ⁊and an hode
In youthe he hadde lernede A gode Mayster
He was A welle gode wryghte A Carpynter
This Reve satte vppon A fulle gode Scotte
That was all pomelye grene ⁊and heyghe State
A longe Surcote of peers vppon he hadde
And by his Syde he bare A Rustye blade
Of Norfolke was þe Reve of whiche I telle
Besyde A Towne Men clepethe Baldiswelle
Tukkede he was As is A Fryer abowte
And euere he rode the hyndereste of ower Rowte
A somenour was þ̉er with vs in that place
That hadde A Smerede Cherubyns Face
For Sawcefflevme he was wᵗith eyene narrowe
All hote he was And lecherouse As a Sparowe
With Skallede browes blacke ⁊and pyllede berde
Of his vysage Childrone were Aferde
There nas qwycke Siluer litarge ne Brymston
Borace ceruce ne oyle of tartr none
Ne oynemente þat wolde Clanse ⁊and byghte
That hym myghte helpe of his whelkes whyte
Ne of the knobbes Syttenge on his Chekes
Welle louede he Garlyke oynons And lekes
And For to drynke Stronge wyn As rede as blode
Than wolde he speke And crye as he were wode
And whan þat he hadde welle drunken þe wyn
Than nolde he Speke no worde butte latyn
A Fewe termes hadde he ii othir thre
That he hadde lernede owte of Some degre
No wonder nys he hitt herde All þe daye
And eke ye knowe welle that A Iaye
Can clepe watte As welle as the pope
Butte whos couþe hym in other þynges grope
Than hadde he Spente All his phillosophye
A Questio quid Iuris þan wolde he crye
He was a gentulle harlatte And a kynde
A better Fellowe Schull Men notte Fynde
He wolde Suffere For A quarte of Wyn
A gode Fellowe to his Concubyne
A twelue Moneþe ⁊and excuse hym Atte þe Fulle
Fulle preuelye A Fynche eke couþe he pulle
And yefe he Fende Owhere A gode Fellowe
He wolde techene hym to haue none hawe
In Suche caase of the Archedecon Course
Butte yefe mannes Sowle were in his purse
For in his purse he Schulde yponnyschede be
Purse is the Archedecōns helle Sayde he
Butte welle I wote he lyede in dede
Of cursenge Aughte ylke Man drede
For Curse wolle Sle righte As asoylenge sauethe
And allso ware hym of A Signyficauit
In daunger hadde he Atte his owne gyse
The yonge Gurles of All his dyocise
And knewe her cownsayle And was of her rede
A garlande hadde he Sette vppon his hede
As grete as hitt were For An Ale Stake
A Bokeler hadde he made hym of A Cake
With hym þ̉er rode A gentulle pardoner
Of Rowncyuale his Frende And his compere
That strayghte was comenge Frome þe Courte of Rome
Fulle lowde he Sange come hyþer love to me
This Somenour bare to hym Affter Burdou
Was neủer Trumpe of halfe So gret Asowne
This pardoner hadde here As yellowe as waxe
Butte Smothe hitt henge As dothe a Stryke of Flaxe
By vncyse hynge his lokkes that he hadde
And þ̉erwith he his Schulders oủer Spradde
Butte thynne hitt laye by Culpounes one ⁊and one
Butte hode For Iolyte werede he none
For hitt was trussede vppe in his wallette
Hym þoughte he rode All of the newe engette
Vncoủerede Saufe his Cappe he rode All bare
Suche glarenge eyen hadde he As an hare
A vernycle hadde he Sewede vppon his Cappe
His wallette bifore hym in his lappe
Brytte Fulle of pardou come Fro Rome all hote
A voyce he hadde As Smale as A Gote
No berde hadde he ne neủer schulde haue
As Smothe hitt was As hitt / were newe schaue
I trowe he were A geldenge othir A Mare
Butte of his Craffte Frome Barwyke vnto ware
Ne was there Suche Anoþ̉ere pardoner
For in his Male he hadde A pillwbere
Whiche þat he sayde was ower ladye veyle
He Sayde he hadde A gobbette of þe Sayle
That Saynte Petir hadde whan he wente
Vppon the See tille IħuIhesu Criste hym hente
He hadde A Crosse of lattou Fulle of Stones
And in A glasse he hadde pygges bones
Butte with thes Relickes whan þᵗat he Fonde
A poure parsou dwellenge vppon lande
Vppon A daye he gate hym more Moneye
Than þat the parsou gatte in Moneþes twey
And þus with Faynede Flaterynge ⁊and Iapes
He Made the parsou And the peple his Aprys
Butte truelye to tellen Atte the laste
He was in Chirche A noble Ecclesiastr
Welle couþe he rede A lessou othir A Storye
Butte alderbeste he sange An offretorye
For welle he wyste whan þat Songe was songe
He Muste prechen and welle affrayne his tonge
To wynne Siluer As he welle couþe
Therefor he Sange þe Meriorlye ⁊and lowde
¶ Now haue I tolde yow Soþelye in A Clawse
The estate the Araye the noumbir ⁊and eke the cause
Why that I Assemblede was with this Companye
In Sowthewerke Atte this gentille hostilrye
That hyghte the Tabbarde Faste by the belle
Butte now is tyme to you For to telle
How þat we beryne vs thylke nyghte
Whan þat we were in that Ostelrye Alyghte
And affter woll I telle of ower vyage
And all the remenawnte of ower pilgrymage
Butte Firste I praye you of your Curtasye
That ye ne Sette hitt notte My villanye
Thoughe þat I playnely Speke in this Matere
To telle you of her wordes And of her chere
Ne thoughe I speke notte her wordes proprelye
For this ye knowen As wele as I
Who schall telle A tale Affter A Man
He Muste reche As nyghe as eủer he can
Euerye a worde yefe hitt be in his charge
All speke he neủer So rudelye nor So large
Othir elles he Muste telle his tale vntrulye
Othir Fayne þynges oþ̉er Fynde wordes newe
He maye notte Spare All þough he was his brother
He Motte As wele Sayene one worde As Anoþ̉ere
Crist Spake hym selfe Fulle brode in holye wrytte
As wele ye wote no villanye nys hitt
Eke plato Sayethe who So can hym rede
The wordes Muste be Cosyne to the dede
Allso I praye you Foryeuethe hitt Me
All haue I noughte Sette Folke in her degree
Here in this tale As they Schullen stonde
My wytte is Schorte ye maye welle vnderstonde
¶ Grete chere Made ower Oste vs euerichone
And to the Souper sette he vs righte Anone
He Saruede vs with vittayle Atte the best
Straunge was the wyn And well drynke vs lyste
A Semelye Man ower Oste was with all
For to haue bene A Marchall in an halle
A large Man he was with eyen Stepe
A Fayerer burgeys nys none in Chepe
Bolde of his Speche wyse And well ytaughte
And of Manhode lackede he righte noughte
And eke þ̉erto was he righte Amery Man
And affter Souper playen he bigan
And Spake of Myrþe Amonge other þynges
Whan þat we hadde Made ower reckenenges
And Sayde thus now lordenges trulye
Ye bene to me wellcome righte hertelye
For by my trouthe yefe that I schall notte lye
I Sawe notte this yere So merye A companye
Atte ones in this herborowe As I do now
Fayne wolde I do you Mirthe And I wyste how
And of A Myrthe I am righte now bithoughte
To doone you ese ⁊and hitt schall coste you noughte
Ye goone to Camterbury god you Spede
The blysefulle Marter qwyte you your Mede
And wele ye wote As ye goone by the waye
Ye Schapen you to Iape And to playe
For trulye Comforte ne Myrthe nys none
To Ryde by þe waye As dowme as Stone
And þ̉erfore woll I make you disporte
As I Sayde erste And doone you Some comforte
And yefe ye lykeþe All by oone Assente
For to Standen Atte my Iugemente
And For to worken As I Schall you saye
To morne whan ye ryden by the waye
Now by my Fadurs Sowle þat is dede
Butte ye be Merye I woll yeuen you my hede
¶ Holden vppe your handes withouten more speche
Ower cownsayle was noughte longe For to seche
Vs þought hitt / was notte worþe to make hitt wyse
And gᵃrantede hym withouten More Auyse
And badde hym Saye his vardytte As hym luste
Lordenges qd he now harkeneþe For the best
Butte takeþe hitt notte I praye you in disdaigne
This is the poynte to Speke schorte ⁊and playne
That ylke of you to Schorte with your waye
In this vyage Schall telle tales twey
To Caunterbury warde I Mene hitt so
And homewarde he Schall tellen othir two
Of Aventures þat whylome haue Falle
And whiche of you þat bereþe hym best of all
That is to Saye that tellethe in this caase
Tales of best Sentence And of moste Solaase
Schall haue a Souper Atte ower Alder coste
Here in this place Sittenge by this poste
Whan þat we comene home Frome Caunterbury
And For to Make you the more Merye
I woll my Selfe gladely with you ryde
Righte Atte myne owne Coste ⁊and be your gyde
And who þᵗat woll my Iugemente withsaye
Schall paye All þat is Spente by the waye
And yefe vouche saufe þat hitt So be
Telle me And withoute wordes Moo
And I woll erelye Schape me therfore
This þynge was guᵃntede And ower othes Swore
With Fulle gladde herte And pᵃyen hym allso
That he wolde vouchesaufe For to do so
And þat he wolde be ower goủernoure
And of ower tales Iuge ⁊and reportoure
And Sette A Souper atte A sartayne pryce
And we wollne ruelede be Atte thy deuyse
In hyghe ⁊and lowe And þus by oone Assente
We bene Acordede to thyne Iugemente
And þ̉eruppon the wyn was Fette Anon
We drunken And to Reste wente ylkeone
Withouten onye lenger taryenge
Amorne whan þᵗat daye gan to sprynge
Vppe Roste Rose ower Oste And was ower koke
And gaderede vs All in a Flocke
And Forþe we ryden A litulle more þan A paase
Vnto þe waterenge place of Saynte Thomas
And þ̉er ower Oste bigan his horse to Areste
And Sayde lordenges harkeneþe yefe you lyste
Ye wote your Forewarde And your recorde
Yefe Evne Songe And Morne Songe Acorde
Latte Se now how ho schall telle the Firste tale
As euer Motte I drynke wyn or Ale
Who So þat is Rebelle to my Iugemente
Schall paye For All that by the waye is Spente
Now draweþe Cutte Ar that ye Furþer twynne
The whiche þat haþe the Schorteste he schall bigyne
¶ Sir knyghte qd he my Mayster And my lorde
Now draweþe Cutte For þat is Myne Acorde
Comeþe nere qd he My ladye prioresse
And ye Sir Clarke lette be your Schamefastnesse
Ne Stondeþe notte leye hande þ̉erto euery Man
Anon to drawe eủery wyghte bigane
And Schortely For to telle As hitt was
Were hitt / by Aduenture oþ̉er sorte or caase
The seþe is this the Cutte Fylle to þe knyghte
Of whiche Fulle blyþe and glade was eủerye wyghte
And telle he Muste his tale As is Resoune
Bifore warde of his Composiciou
As ye haue herde whatt nedeþe wordes moo
And whan þis gode Man Sawe þᵗat hitt was So
As he þat wyse was And obediente
To kepe his Forewarde by his Free Assente
He Sayde Sythynnes I Schall bigyne þe game
Whatt well come be Cutte in goddes name
Now lette vs ryde And harken whatt I Saye
And with þat worde we rydde Forþe ower waye
And he bigane with righte Amerye chere
His Tale anon And Sayde as ye may here
Here begynyth the ꝓprolog of the knyghtꝭes tale ·
Whyle—om was as olde Stories telle vs
There was a duke þat highte Theseus
And of Athenes he was lorde ⁊and goủernoure
And in his tyme suche a Conquerour
That gretter was þ̉er none vnder the Sonne
Fulle Manye ariche Contre hadde he wonne
That with his wysedome and his Chyualrye
He Conquerrede all þe Reygne of Femenyne
That whyl om was clepede Scithia
And weddede the qweene ypolyta
And brought her home with hym in his Contre