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2 THE NUN'S PRIEST'S END-LINK. [Incipit prologus fabule secunde monialis
[Addit. MS 5140, Brit. Mus., leaf 282, back (paper).]
SIr Nvnnys preest / our host seide anoon
I-blessid be thi breche / and every stoon
This was a mery tale / of Chantecleer
But bi my trouth / yiff thou were seculer
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Thou woldist ben / a trede foule a riht
ffor yff thou coragge / as thou hast myht
The were neede / of hennys as I weene
ya. mo than vij tymes / seventene
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See suche brawne / hath this gentil preest
So grete a neck / and such a large breest
He lookith as a sparhawk / with his eyen
Hym needith nat / his colour for to dyen
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With brasill ne with greyn / off portyngal
Now sire fair falle you / for your tale
And aftir that / he with full mery cheer
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Seid vnto the Nunne / as ye may heer] [[Addit. MS extract stops]] [[Group H (the Manciple) follows in the MS.]]