The Canterbury tales

The Knight's Interruption of the Monk's Tale

Hoo! quod the knyght, good sire, namoore of this! Line 2767 That ye han seyd is right ynough, ywis, Line 2768 And muchel moore; for litel hevynesse Line 2769 Is right ynough to muche folk, I gesse. Line 2770 I seye for me, it is a greet disese, Line 2771 Whereas men han been in greet welthe and ese, Line 2772 To heeren of hire sodeyn fal, allas! Line 2773 And the contrarie is joye and greet solas, Line 2774 As whan a man hath been in povre estaat, Line 2775 And clymbeth up and wexeth fortunat, Line 2776 And there abideth in prosperitee. Line 2777 Swich thyng is gladsom, as it thynketh me, Line 2778 And of swich thyng were goodly for to telle. Line 2779 Ye, quod oure hooste, by seint poules belle! Line 2780 Ye seye right sooth; this monk he clappeth lowde. Line 2781 He spak how fortune covered with a clowde Line 2782 I noot nevere what; and als of a tragedie Line 2783 Right now ye herde, and, pardee, no remedie Line 2784 It is for to biwaille ne compleyne Line 2785 That that is doon, and als it is a peyne, Line 2786 As ye han seyd, to heere of hevynesse. Line 2787 Sire monk, namoore of this, so God yow blesse! Line 2788

Line 2788 Youre tale anoyeth al this compaignye. Line 2789 Swich talkyng is nat worth a boterflye, Line 2790 For therinne is ther no desport ne game. Line 2791 Wherfore, sire monk, or daun piers by youre name, Line 2792 I pray yow hertely telle us somwhat elles; Line 2793 For sikerly, nere clunkyng of youre belles, Line 2794 That on youre bridel hange on every syde, Line 2795 By hevene kyng, that for us alle dyde, Line 2796 I sholde er this han fallen doun for sleep, Line 2797 Althogh the slough had never been so deep; Line 2798 Thanne hadde your tale al be toold in veyn. Line 2799 For certeinly, as that thise clerkes seyn, Line 2800 Whereas a man may have noon audience, Line 2801 Noght helpeth it to tellen his sentence. Line 2802 And wel I woot the substance is in me, Line 2803 If any thyng shal wel reported be. Line 2804 Sir, sey somwhat of huntyng, I yow preye. Line 2805 Nay, quod this monk, I have no lust to pleye. Line 2806 Now lat another telle, as I have toold. Line 2807 Thanne spak oure hoost with rude speche and boold, Line 2808 And seyde unto the nonnes preest anon, Line 2809 Com neer, thou preest, com hyder, thou sir john! Line 2810 Telle us swich thyng as may oure hertes glade. Line 2811 Be blithe, though thou ryde upon a jade. Line 2812 What thogh thyn hors be bothe foul and lene? Line 2813 If he wol serve thee, rekke nat a bene. Line 2814 Looke that thyn herte be murie everemo. Line 2815 Yis, sir, quod he, yis, hoost, so moot I go, Line 2816 But I be myrie, ywis I wol be blamed. Line 2817 And right anon his tale he hath attamed, Line 2818 And thus he seyde unto us everichon, Line 2819 This sweete preest, this goodly man sir john. Line 2820