The Canterbury tales

Group 1

The General Prologue

Whan that aprill with his shoures soote Line 1 The droghte of march hath perced to the roote, Line 2 And bathed every veyne in swich licour Line 3 Of which vertu engendred is the flour; Line 4 Whan zephirus eek with his sweete breeth Line 5 Inspired hath in every holt and heeth Line 6 Tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne Line 7 Hath in the ram his halve cours yronne, Line 8 And smale foweles maken melodye, Line 9 That slepen al the nyght with open ye Line 10 (so priketh hem nature in hir corages); Line 11 Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages, Line 12 And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes, Line 13 To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; Line 14 And specially from every shires ende Line 15 Of engelond to caunterbury they wende, Line 16 The hooly blisful martir for to seke, Line 17 That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke. Line 18

Bifil that in that seson on a day, Line 19 In southwerk at the tabard as I lay Line 20 Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage Line 21 To caunterbury with ful devout corage, Line 22 At nyght was come into that hostelrye Line 23 Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye, Line 24 Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle Line 25 In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle, Line 26 That toward caunterbury wolden ryde. Line 27 The chambres and the stables weren wyde, Line 28 And wel we weren esed atte beste. Line 29 And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste, Line 30 So hadde I spoken with hem everichon Line 31 That I was of hir felaweshipe anon, Line 32 And made forward erly for to ryse, Line 33 To take oure wey ther as I yow devyse. Line 34

But nathelees, whil I have tyme and space, Line 35 Er that I ferther in this tale pace, Line 36 Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun Line 37 To telle yow al the condicioun Line 38 Of ech of hem, so as it semed me, Line 39 And whiche they weren, and of what degree, Line 40 And eek in what array that they were inne; Line 41 And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne. Line 42

A knyght ther was, and that a worthy man, Line 43 That fro the tyme that he first bigan Line 44 To riden out, he loved chivalrie, Line 45 Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie. Line 46 Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre, Line 47 And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre, Line 48 As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse, Line 49 And evere honoured for his worthynesse. Line 50 At Alisaundre he was whan it was wonne. Line 51 Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne Line 52 Aboven alle nacions in pruce; Line 53 In lettow hadde he reysed and in ruce, Line 54 No cristen man so ofte of his degree. Line 55 In gernade at the seege eek hadde he be Line 56 Of algezir, and riden in belmarye. Line 57 At lyeys was he and at satalye, Line 58 Whan they were wonne; and in the grete see Line 59 At many a noble armee hadde he be. Line 60 At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene, Line 61 And foughten for oure feith at tramyssene Line 62 In lystes thries, and ay slayn his foo. Line 63 This ilke worthy knyght hadde been also Line 64 Somtyme with the lord of palatye Line 65 Agayn another hethen in turkye. Line 66

Line 66 And everemoore he hadde a sovereyn prys; Line 67 And though that he were worthy, he was wys, Line 68 And of his port as meeke as is a mayde. Line 69 He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde Line 70 In al his lyf unto no maner wight. Line 71 He was a verray, parfit gentil knyght. Line 72 But, for to tellen yow of his array, Line 73 His hors were goode, but he was nat gay. Line 74 Of fustian he wered a gypon Line 75 Al bismotered with his habergeon, Line 76 For he was late ycome from his viage, Line 77 And wente for to doon his pilgrymage. Line 78

With hym ther was his sone, a yong squier, Line 79 A lovyere and a lusty bacheler, Line 80 With lokkes crulle as they were leyd in presse. Line 81 Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse. Line 82 Of his stature he was of evene lengthe, Line 83 And wonderly delyvere, and of greet strengthe. Line 84 And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie Line 85 In flaundres, in artoys, and pycardie, Line 86 And born hym weel, as of so litel space, Line 87 In hope to stonden in his lady grace. Line 88 Embrouded was he, as it were a meede Line 89 Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and reede. Line 90 Syngynge he was, or floytynge, al the day; Line 91 He was as fressh as is the month of may. Line 92 Short was his gowne, with sleves longe and wyde. Line 93 Wel koude he sitte on hors and faire ryde. Line 94 He koude songes make and wel endite, Line 95 Juste and eek daunce, and weel purtreye and write. Line 96 So hoote he lovede that by nyghtertale. Line 97 He sleep namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale. Line 98 Curteis he was, lowely, and servysable, Line 99 And carf biforn his fader at the table. Line 100

A yeman hadde he and servantz namo Line 101 At that tyme, for hym liste ride so, Line 102 And he was clad in cote and hood of grene. Line 103 A sheef of pecok arwes, bright and kene, Line 104 Under his belt he bar ful thriftily, Line 105 (wel koude he dresse his takel yemanly: Line 106 His arwes drouped noght with fetheres lowe) Line 107 And in his hand he baar a myghty bowe. Line 108 A not heed hadde he, with a broun visage. Line 109 Of wodecraft wel koude he al the usage. Line 110 Upon his arm he baar a gay bracer, Line 111 And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler, Line 112 And on that oother syde a gay daggere Line 113 Harneised wel and sharp as point of spere; Line 114 A cristopher on his brest of silver sheene. Line 115 An horn he bar, the bawdryk was of grene; Line 116 A forster was he, soothly, as I gesse. Line 117

Ther was also a nonne, a prioresse, Line 118 That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy; Line 119 Hire gretteste ooth was but by seinte loy; Line 120 And she was cleped madame eglentyne. Line 121 Ful weel she soong the service dyvyne, Line 122 Entuned in hir nose ful semely, Line 123 And frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly, Line 124 After the scole of stratford atte bowe, Line 125 For frenssh of parys was to hire unknowe. Line 126 At mete wel ytaught was she with alle: Line 127 She leet no morsel from hir lippes falle, Line 128 Ne wette hir fyngres in hir sauce depe; Line 129 Wel koude she carie a morsel and wel kepe Line 130 That no drope ne fille upon hire brest. Line 131 In curteisie was set ful muchel hir lest. Line 132 Hir over-lippe wyped she so clene Line 133 That in hir coppe ther was no ferthyng sene Line 134 Of grece, whan she dronken hadde hir draughte. Line 135 Ful semely after hir mete she raughte. Line 136 And sikerly she was of greet desport, Line 137 And ful plesaunt, and amyable of port, Line 138 And peyned hire to countrefete cheere Line 139 Of court, and to been estatlich of manere, Line 140 And to ben holden digne of reverence. Line 141 But, for to speken of hire conscience, Line 142 She was so charitable and so pitous Line 143 She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mous Line 144 Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde. Line 145 Of smale houndes hadde she that she fedde Line 146 With rosted flessh, or milk and wastel-breed. Line 147 But soore wepte she if oon of hem were deed, Line 148 Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte; Line 149 And al was conscience and tendre herte. Line 150 Ful semyly hir wympul pynched was, Line 151 Hir nose tretys, hir eyen greye as glas, Line 152 Hir mouth ful smal, and therto softe and reed; Line 153 But sikerly she hadde a fair forheed; Line 154 It was almoost a spanne brood, I trowe; Line 155 For, hardily, she was nat undergrowe. Line 156 Ful fetys was hir cloke, as I was war. Line 157 Of smal coral aboute hire arm she bar Line 158 A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene, Line 159 And theron heng a brooch of gold ful sheene, Line 160 On which ther was first write a crowned a, Line 161 And after amor vincit omnia. Line 162

Another nonne with hire hadde she, Line 163 That was hir chapeleyne, and preestes thre. Line 164

A monk ther was, a fair for the maistrie, Line 165 An outridere, that lovede venerie, Line 166 A manly man, to been an abbot able. Line 167 Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable, Line 168 And whan he rood, men myghte his brydel heere Line 169 Gynglen in a whistlynge wynd als cleere Line 170 And eek as loude as dooth the chapel belle. Line 171

Line 171 Ther as this lord was kepere of the celle, Line 172 The reule of seint maure or of seint beneit, Line 173 By cause that it was old and somdel streit Line 174 This ilke monk leet olde thynges pace, Line 175 And heeld after the newe world the space. Line 176 He yaf nat of that text a pulled hen, Line 177 That seith that hunters ben nat hooly men, Line 178 Ne that a monk, whan he is recchelees, Line 179 Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees, -- Line 180 This is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre. Line 181 But thilke text heeld he nat worth an oystre; Line 182 And I seyde his opinion was good. Line 183 What sholde he studie and make hymselven wood, Line 184 Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure, Line 185 Or swynken with his handes, and laboure, Line 186 As austyn bit? how shal the world be served? Line 187 Lat austyn have his swynk to hym reserved! Line 188 Therfore he was a prikasour aright: Line 189 Grehoundes he hadde as swift as fowel in flight; Line 190 Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare Line 191 Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare. Line 192 I seigh his sleves purfiled at the hond Line 193 With grys, and that the fyneste of a lond; Line 194 And, for to festne his hood under his chyn, Line 195 He hadde of gold ywroght a ful curious pyn; Line 196 A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was. Line 197 His heed was balled, that shoon as any glas, Line 198 And eek his face, as he hadde been enoynt. Line 199 He was a lord ful fat and in good poynt; Line 200 His eyen stepe, and rollynge in his heed, Line 201 That stemed as a forneys of a leed; Line 202 His bootes souple, his hors in greet estaat. Line 203 Now certeinly he was a fair prelaat; Line 204 He was nat pale as a forpyned goost. Line 205 A fat swan loved he best of any roost. Line 206 His palfrey was as broun as is a berye. Line 207

A frere ther was, a wantowne and a merye, Line 208 A lymytour, a ful solempne man. Line 209 In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan Line 210 So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage. Line 211 He hadde maad ful many a mariage Line 212 Of yonge wommen at his owene cost. Line 213 Unto his ordre he was a noble post. Line 214 Ful wel biloved and famulier was he Line 215 With frankeleyns over al in his contree, Line 216 And eek with worthy wommen of the toun; Line 217 For he hadde power of confessioun, Line 218 As seyde hymself, moore than a curat, Line 219 For of his ordre he was licenciat. Line 220 Ful swetely herde he confessioun, Line 221 And plesaunt was his absolucioun: Line 222 He was an esy man to yeve penaunce, Line 223 Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce. Line 224 For unto a povre ordre for to yive Line 225 Is signe that a man is wel yshryve; Line 226 For if he yaf, he dorste make avaunt, Line 227 He wiste that a man was repentaunt; Line 228 For many a man so hard is of his herte, Line 229 He may nat wepe, althogh hym soore smerte. Line 230 Therfore in stede of wepynge and preyeres Line 231 Men moote yeve silver to the povre freres. Line 232 His typet was ay farsed ful of knyves Line 233 And pynnes, for to yeven faire wyves. Line 234 And certeinly he hadde a murye note: Line 235 Wel koude he synge and pleyen on a rote; Line 236 Of yeddynges he baar outrely the pris. Line 237 His nekke whit was as the flour-de-lys; Line 238 Therto he strong was as a champioun. Line 239 He knew the tavernes wel in every toun Line 240 And everich hostiler and tappestere Line 241 Bet than a lazar or a beggestere; Line 242 For unto swich a worthy man as he Line 243 Acorded nat, as by his facultee, Line 244 To have with sike lazars aqueyntaunce. Line 245 It is nat honest, it may nat avaunce, Line 246 For to deelen with no swich poraille, Line 247 But al with riche and selleres of vitaille. Line 248 And over al, ther as profit sholde arise, Line 249 Curteis he was and lowely of servyse. Line 250 Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous. Line 251 He was the beste beggere in his hous; Line 252 (and yaf a certeyne ferme for the graunt; Line 252.1 Noon of his bretheren cam ther in his haunt;) Line 252.2 For thogh a wydwe hadde noght a sho, Line 253 So plesaunt was his in principio, Line 254 Yet wolde he have a ferthyng, er he wente. Line 255 His purchas was wel bettre than his rente. Line 256 And rage he koude, as it were right a whelp. Line 257 In love-dayes ther koude he muchel help, Line 258 For ther he was nat lyk a cloysterer Line 259 With a thredbare cope, as is a povre scoler, Line 260 But he was lyk a maister or a pope. Line 261 Of double worstede was his semycope, Line 262 That rounded as a belle out of the presse. Line 263 Somwhat he lipsed, for his wantownesse, Line 264 To make his englissh sweete upon his tonge; Line 265 And in his harpyng, whan that he hadde songe, Line 266 His eyen twynkled in his heed aryght, Line 267 As doon the sterres in the frosty nyght. Line 268 This worthy lymytour was cleped huberd. Line 269

A marchant was ther with a forked berd, Line 270 In mottelee, and hye on horse he sat; Line 271 Upon his heed a flaundryssh bever hat, Line 272 His bootes clasped faire and fetisly. Line 273 His resons he spak ful solempnely, Line 274 Sownynge alwey th' encrees of his wynnyng. Line 275

Line 275 He wolde the see were kept for any thyng Line 276 Bitwixe middelburgh and orewelle. Line 277 Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle. Line 278 This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette: Line 279 Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette, Line 280 So estatly was he of his governaunce Line 281 With his bargaynes and with his chevyssaunce. Line 282 For sothe he was a worthy man with alle, Line 283 But, sooth to seyn, I noot how men hym calle. Line 284

A clerk ther was of oxenford also, Line 285 That unto logyk hadde longe ygo. Line 286 As leene was his hors as is a rake, Line 287 And he nas nat right fat, I undertake, Line 288 But looked holwe, and therto sobrely. Line 289 Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy; Line 290 For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice, Line 291 Ne was so worldly for to have office. Line 292 For hym was levere have at his beddes heed Line 293 Twenty bookes, clad in blak or reed, Line 294 Of aristotle and his philosophie, Line 295 Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie. Line 296 But al be that he was a philosophre, Line 297 Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre; Line 298 But al that he myghte of his freendes hente, Line 299 On bookes and on lernynge he it spente, Line 300 And bisily gan for the soules preye Line 301 Of hem that yaf hym wherwith to scoleye. Line 302 Of studie took he moost cure and moost heede, Line 303 Noght o word spak he moore than was neede, Line 304 And that was seyd in forme and reverence, Line 305 And short and quyk and ful of hy sentence; Line 306 Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche, Line 307 And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche. Line 308

A sergeant of the lawe, war and wys, Line 309 That often hadde been at the parvys, Line 310 Ther was also, ful riche of excellence. Line 311 Discreet he was and of greet reverence -- Line 312 He semed swich, his wordes weren so wise. Line 313 Justice he was ful often in assise, Line 314 By patente and by pleyn commissioun. Line 315 For his science and for his heigh renoun, Line 316 Of fees and robes hadde he many oon. Line 317 So greet a purchasour was nowher noon: Line 318 Al was fee symple to hym in effect; Line 319 His purchasyng myghte nat been infect. Line 320 Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas, Line 321 And yet he semed bisier than he was. Line 322 In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle Line 323 That from the tyme of kyng william were falle. Line 324 Therto he koude endite, and make a thyng, Line 325 Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng; Line 326 And every statut koude he pleyn by rote. Line 327 He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote. Line 328 Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale; Line 329 Of his array telle I no lenger tale. Line 330

A frankeleyn was in his compaignye. Line 331 Whit was his berd as is the dayesye; Line 332 Of his complexioun he was sangwyn. Line 333 Wel loved he by the morwe a sop in wyn; Line 334 To lyven in delit was evere his wone, Line 335 For he was epicurus owene sone, Line 336 That heeld opinioun that pleyn delit Line 337 Was verray felicitee parfit. Line 338 An housholdere, and that a greet, was he; Line 339 Seint julian he was in his contree. Line 340 His breed, his ale, was alweys after oon; Line 341 A bettre envyned man was nowher noon. Line 342 Withoute bake mete was nevere his hous Line 343 Of fissh and flessh, and that so plentevous, Line 344 It snewed in his hous of mete and drynke, Line 345 Of alle deyntees that men koude thynke. Line 346 After the sondry sesons of the yeer, Line 347 So chaunged he his mete and his soper. Line 348 Ful many a fat partrich hadde he in muwe, Line 349 And many a breem and many a luce in stuwe. Line 350 Wo was his cook but if his sauce were Line 351 Poynaunt and sharp, and redy al his geere. Line 352 His table dormant in his halle alway Line 353 Stood redy covered al the longe day. Line 354 At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire; Line 355 Ful ofte tyme he was knyght of the shire. Line 356 An anlaas and a gipser al of silk Line 357 Heeng at his girdel, whit as morne milk. Line 358 A shirreve hadde he been, and a contour. Line 359 Was nowher swich a worthy vavasour. Line 360

An haberdasshere and a carpenter, Line 361 A webbe, a dyere, and a tapycer, -- Line 362 And they were clothed alle in o lyveree Line 363 Of a solempne and a greet fraternitee. Line 364 Ful fressh and newe hir geere apiked was; Line 365 Hir knyves were chaped noght with bras Line 366 But al with silver; wroght ful clene and weel Line 367 Hire girdles and hir pouches everydeel. Line 368 Wel semed ech of hem a fair burgeys Line 369 To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys. Line 370 Everich, for the wisdom that he kan, Line 371 Was shaply for to been an alderman. Line 372 For catel hadde they ynogh and rente, Line 373 And eek hir wyves wolde it wel assente; Line 374 And elles certeyn were they to blame. Line 375 It is ful fair to been ycleped madame, Line 376 And goon to vigilies al bifore, Line 377 And have a mantel roialliche ybore. Line 378

A cook they hadde with hem for the nones Line 379 To boille the chiknes with the marybones, Line 380 And poudre-marchant tart and galyngale. Line 381 Wel koude he knowe a draughte of londoun ale. Line 382

Line 382 He koude rooste, and sethe, and broille, and frye, Line 383 Maken mortreux, and wel bake a pye. Line 384 But greet harm was it, as it thoughte me, Line 385 That on his shyne a mormal hadde he. Line 386 For blankmanger, that made he with the beste. Line 387

A shipman was ther, wonynge fer by weste; Line 388 For aught I woot, he was of dertemouthe. Line 389 He rood upon a rounce, as he kouthe, Line 390 In a gowne of faldyng to the knee. Line 391 A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he Line 392 Aboute his nekke, under his arm adoun. Line 393 The hoote somer hadde maad his hewe al broun; Line 394 And certeinly he was a good felawe. Line 395 Ful many a draughte of wyn had he ydrawe Line 396 Fro burdeux-ward, whil that the chapmen sleep. Line 397 Of nyce conscience took he no keep. Line 398 If that he faught, and hadde the hyer hond, Line 399 By water he sente hem hoom to every lond. Line 400 But of his craft to rekene wel his tydes, Line 401 His stremes, and his daungers hym bisides, Line 402 His herberwe, and his moone, his lodemenage, Line 403 Ther nas noon swich from hulle to cartage. Line 404 Hardy he was and wys to undertake; Line 405 With many a tempest hadde his berd been shake. Line 406 He knew alle the havenes, as they were, Line 407 Fro gootlond to the cape of fynystere, Line 408 And every cryke in britaigne and in spayne. Line 409 His barge ycleped was the maudelayne. Line 410

With us ther was a doctour of phisik; Line 411 In al this world ne was the noon hym lik, Line 412 To speke of phisik and of surgerye Line 413 For he was grounded in astronomye. Line 414 He kepte his pacient a ful greet deel Line 415 In houres by his magyk natureel. Line 416 Wel koude he fortunen the ascendent Line 417 Of his ymages for his pacient. Line 418 He knew the cause of everich maladye, Line 419 Were it of hoot, or coold, or moyste, or drye, Line 420 And where they engendred, and of what humour. Line 421 He was a verray, parfit praktisour: Line 422 The cause yknowe, and of his harm the roote, Line 423 Anon he yaf the sike man his boote. Line 424 Ful redy hadde he his apothecaries Line 425 To sende hym drogges and his letuaries, Line 426 For ech of hem made oother for to wynne -- Line 427 Hir frendshipe nas nat newe to bigynne. Line 428 Wel knew he the olde esculapius, Line 429 And deyscorides, and eek rufus, Line 430 Olde ypocras, haly, and galyen, Line 431 Serapion, razis, and avycen, Line 432 Averrois, damascien, and constantyn, Line 433 Bernard, and gatesden, and gilbertyn. Line 434 Of his diete mesurable was he, Line 435 For it was of no superfluitee, Line 436 But of greet norissyng and digestible. Line 437 His studie was but litel on the bible. Line 438 In sangwyn and in pers he clad was al, Line 439 Lyned with taffata and with sendal; Line 440 And yet he was but esy of dispence; Line 441 He kepte that he wan in pestilence. Line 442 For gold in phisik is a cordial, Line 443 Therefore he lovede gold in special. Line 444

A good wif was ther of biside bathe, Line 445 But she was somdel deef, and that was scathe. Line 446 Of clooth-makyng she hadde swich an haunt, Line 447 She passed hem of ypres and of gaunt. Line 448 In al the parisshe wif ne was ther noon Line 449 That to the offrynge bifore hire sholde goon; Line 450 And if ther dide, certeyn so wrooth was she, Line 451 That she was out of alle charitee. Line 452 Hir coverchiefs ful fyne weren of ground; Line 453 I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound Line 454 That on a sonday weren upon hir heed. Line 455 Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed, Line 456 Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moyste and newe. Line 457 Boold was hir face, and fair, and reed of hewe. Line 458 She was a worthy womman al hir lyve: Line 459 Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde fyve, Line 460 Withouten oother compaignye in youthe, -- Line 461 But therof nedeth nat to speke as nowthe. Line 462 And thries hadde she been at jerusalem; Line 463 She hadde passed many a straunge strem; Line 464 At rome she hadde been, and at boloigne, Line 465 In galice at seint-jame, and at coloigne. Line 466 She koude muchel of wandrynge by the weye. Line 467 Gat-tothed was she, soothly for to seye. Line 468 Upon an amblere esily she sat, Line 469 Ywympled wel, and on hir heed an hat Line 470 As brood as is a bokeler or a targe; Line 471 A foot-mantel aboute hir hipes large, Line 472 And on hir feet a paire of spores sharpe. Line 473 In felaweshipe wel koude she laughe and carpe. Line 474 Of remedies of love she knew per chaunce, Line 475 For she koude of that art the olde daunce. Line 476

A good man was ther of religioun, Line 477 And was a povre persoun of a toun, Line 478 But riche he was of hooly thoght and werk. Line 479 He was also a lerned man, a clerk, Line 480 That cristes gospel trewely wolde preche; Line 481 His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche. Line 482 Benygne he was, and wonder diligent, Line 483 And in adversitee ful pacient, Line 484

Line 484 And swich he was ypreved ofte sithes. Line 485 Ful looth were hym to cursen for his tithes, Line 486 But rather wolde he yeven, out of doute, Line 487 Unto his povre parisshens aboute Line 488 Of his offryng and eek of his substaunce. Line 489 He koude in litel thyng have suffisaunce. Line 490 Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer asonder, Line 491 But he ne lefte nat, for reyn ne thonder, Line 492 In siknesse nor in meschief to visite Line 493 The ferreste in his parisshe, muche and lite, Line 494 Upon his feet, and in his hand a staf. Line 495 This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf, Line 496 That first he wroghte, and afterward he taughte. Line 497 Out of the gospel he tho wordes caughte, Line 498 And this figure he added eek therto, Line 499 That if gold ruste, what shal iren do? Line 500 For if a preest be foul, on whom we truste, Line 501 No wonder is a lewed man to ruste; Line 502 And shame it is, if a prest take keep, Line 503 A shiten shepherde and a clene sheep. Line 504 Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yive, Line 505 By his clennesse, how that his sheep sholde lyve. Line 506 He sette nat his benefice to hyre Line 507 And leet his sheep encombred in the myre Line 508 And ran to londoun unto seinte poules Line 509 To seken hym a chaunterie for soules, Line 510 Or with a bretherhed to been withholde; Line 511 But dwelte at hoom, and kepte wel his folde, Line 512 So that the wolf ne made it nat myscarie; Line 513 He was a shepherde and noght a mercenarie. Line 514 And though he hooly were and vertuous, Line 515 He was to synful men nat despitous, Line 516 Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne, Line 517 But in his techyng discreet and benygne. Line 518 To drawen folk to hevene by fairnesse, Line 519 By good ensample, this was his bisynesse. Line 520 But it were any persone obstinat, Line 521 What so he were, of heigh or lough estat, Line 522 Hym wolde he snybben sharply for the nonys. Line 523 A bettre preest I trowe that nowher noon ys. Line 524 He waited after no pompe and reverence, Line 525 Ne maked him a spiced conscience, Line 526 But cristes loore and his apostles twelve Line 527 He taughte, but first he folwed it hymselve. Line 528

With hym ther was a plowman, was his brother, Line 529 That hadde ylad of dong ful many a fother; Line 530 A trewe swynkere and a good was he, Line 531 Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee. Line 532 God loved he best with al his hoole herte Line 533 At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte, Line 534 And thanne his neighebor right as hymselve. Line 535 He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve, Line 536 For cristes sake, for every povre wight, Line 537 Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght. Line 538 His tithes payde he ful faire and wel, Line 539 Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel. Line 540 In a tabard he rood upon a mere. Line 541

Ther was also a reve, and a millere, Line 542 A somnour, and a pardoner also, Line 543 A maunciple, and myself -- ther were namo. Line 544

The millere was a stout carl for the nones; Line 545 Ful byg he was of brawn, and eek of bones. Line 546 That proved wel, for over al ther he cam, Line 547 At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram. Line 548 He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre; Line 549 Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre, Line 550 Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed. Line 551 His berd as any sowe or fox was reed, Line 552 And therto brood, as though it were a spade. Line 553 Upon the cop right of his nose he hade Line 554 A werte, and theron stood a toft of herys, Line 555 Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys; Line 556 His nosethirles blake were and wyde. Line 557 A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde. Line 558 His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys. Line 559 He was a janglere and a goliardeys, Line 560 And that was moost of synne and harlotries. Line 561 Wel koude he stelen corn and tollen thries; Line 562 And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee. Line 563 A whit cote and a blew hood wered he. Line 564 A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne, Line 565 And therwithal he broghte us out of towne. Line 566

A gentil maunciple was ther of a temple, Line 567 Of which achatours myghte take exemple Line 568 For to be wise in byynge of vitaille; Line 569 For wheither that he payde or took by taille, Line 570 Algate he wayted so in his achaat Line 571 That he was ay biforn and in good staat. Line 572 Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace Line 573 That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace Line 574 The wisdom of an heep of lerned men? Line 575 Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten, Line 576 That weren of lawe expert and curious, Line 577 Of which ther were a duszeyne in that hous Line 578 Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond Line 579 Of any lord that is in engelond, Line 580 To make hym lyve by his propre good Line 581 In honour dettelees (but if he were wood), Line 582 Or lyve as scarsly as hym list desire; Line 583 And able for to helpen al a shire Line 584 In any caas that myghte falle or happe; Line 585 And yet this manciple sette hir aller cappe. Line 586

The reve was a sclendre colerik man. Line 587 His berd was shave as ny as ever he kan; Line 588 His heer was by his erys ful round yshorn; Line 589

Line 589 His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn Line 590 Ful longe were his legges and ful lene, Line 591 Ylyk a staf, ther was no calf ysene. Line 592 Wel koude he kepe a gerner and a bynne; Line 593 Ther was noon auditour koude on him wynne. Line 594 Wel wiste he by the droghte and by the reyn Line 595 The yeldynge of his seed and of his greyn. Line 596 His lordes sheep, his neet, his dayerye, Line 597 His swyn, his hors, his stoor, and his pultrye Line 598 Was hoolly in this reves governynge, Line 599 And by his covenant yaf the rekenynge, Line 600 Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age. Line 601 Ther koude no man brynge hym in arrerage. Line 602 Ther nas baillif, ne hierde, nor oother hyne, Line 603 That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne; Line 604 They were adrad of hym as of the deeth. Line 605 His wonyng was ful faire upon an heeth; Line 606 With grene trees yshadwed was his place. Line 607 He koude bettre than his lord purchace. Line 608 Ful riche he was astored pryvely: Line 609 His lord wel koude he plesen subtilly, Line 610 To yeve and lene hym of his owene good, Line 611 And have a thank, and yet a cote and hood. Line 612 In youthe he hadde lerned a good myster; Line 613 He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter. Line 614 This reve sat upon a ful good stot, Line 615 That was al pomely grey and highte scot. Line 616 A long surcote of pers upon he hade, Line 617 And by his syde he baar a rusty blade. Line 618 Of northfolk was this reve of which I telle, Line 619 Biside a toun men clepen baldeswelle. Line 620 Tukked he was as is a frere aboute, Line 621 And evere he rood the hyndreste of oure route. Line 622

A somonour was ther with us in that place, Line 623 That hadde a fyr-reed cherubynnes face, Line 624 For saucefleem he was, with eyen narwe. Line 625 As hoot he was and lecherous as a sparwe, Line 626 With scalled browes blake and piled berd. Line 627 Of his visage children were aferd. Line 628 Ther nas quyk-silver, lytarge, ne brymstoon, Line 629 Boras, ceruce, ne oille of tartre noon; Line 630 Ne oynement that wolde clense and byte, Line 631 That hym myghte helpen of his whelkes white, Line 632 Nor of the knobbes sittynge on his chekes. Line 633 Wel loved he garleek, oynons, and eek lekes, Line 634 And for to drynken strong wyn, reed as blood; Line 635 Thanne wolde he speke and crie as he were wood. Line 636 And whan that he wel dronken hadde the wyn, Line 637 Thanne wolde he speke no word but latyn. Line 638 A fewe termes hadde he, two or thre, Line 639 That he had lerned out of som decree -- Line 640 No wonder is, he herde it al the day; Line 641 And eek ye knowen wel how that a jay Line 642 Kan clepen watte as wel as kan the pope. Line 643 But whoso koude in oother thyng hym grope, Line 644 Thanne hadde he spent al his philosophie; Line 645 Ay questio quid iuris wolde he crie. Line 646 He was a gentil harlot and a kynde; Line 647 A bettre felawe sholde men noght fynde. Line 648 He wolde suffre for a quart of wyn Line 649 A good felawe to have his concubyn Line 650 A twelf month, and excuse hym atte fulle; Line 651 Ful prively a fynch eek koude he pulle. Line 652 And if he foond owher a good felawe, Line 653 He wolde techen him to have noon awe Line 654 In swich caas of the ercedekenes curs, Line 655 But if a mannes soule were in his purs; Line 656 For in his purs he sholde ypunysshed be. Line 657 Purs is the ercedekenes helle, seyde he. Line 658 But wel I woot he lyed right in dede; Line 659 Of cursyng oghte ech gilty man him drede, Line 660 For curs wol slee right as assoillyng savith, Line 661 And also war hym of a significavit. Line 662 In daunger hadde he at his owene gise Line 663 The yonge girles of the diocise, Line 664 And knew hir conseil, and was al hir reed. Line 665 A gerland hadde he set upon his heed Line 666 As greet as it were for an ale-stake. Line 667 A bokeleer hadde he maad hym of a cake. Line 668

With hym ther rood a gentil pardoner Line 669 Of rouncivale, his freend and his compeer, Line 670 That streight was comen fro the court of rome. Line 671 Ful loude he soong com hider, love, to me! Line 672 This somonour bar to hym a stif burdoun; Line 673 Was nevere trompe of half so greet a soun. Line 674 This pardoner hadde heer as yelow as wex, Line 675 But smothe it heeng as dooth a strike of flex; Line 676 By ounces henge his lokkes that he hadde, Line 677 And therwith he his shuldres overspradde; Line 678 But thynne it lay, by colpons oon and oon. Line 679 But hood, for jolitee, wered he noon, Line 680 For it was trussed up in his walet. Line 681 Hym thoughte he rood al of the newe jet; Line 682 Dischevelee, save his cappe, he rood al bare. Line 683 Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an hare. Line 684 A vernycle hadde he sowed upon his cappe. Line 685 His walet lay biforn hym in his lappe, Line 686 Bretful of pardoun, comen from rome al hoot. Line 687 A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot. Line 688 No berd hadde he, ne nevere sholde have; Line 689 As smothe it was as it were late shave. Line 690 I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare. Line 691 But of his craft, fro berwyk into ware, Line 692 Ne was ther swich another pardoner Line 693 For in his male he hadde a pilwe-beer, Line 694 Which that he seyde was oure lady veyl: Line 695

Line 695 He seyde he hadde a gobet of the seyl Line 696 That seint peter hadde, whan that he wente Line 697 Upon the see, til jhesu crist hym hente. Line 698 He hadde a croys of latoun ful of stones, Line 699 And in a glas he hadde pigges bones. Line 700 But with thise relikes, whan that he fond Line 701 A povre person dwellynge upon lond, Line 702 Upon a day he gat hym moore moneye Line 703 Than that the person gat in monthes tweye; Line 704 And thus, with feyned flaterye and japes, Line 705 He made the person and the peple his apes. Line 706 But trewely to tellen atte laste, Line 707 He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste. Line 708 Wel koude he rede a lessoun or a storie, Line 709 But alderbest he song an offertorie; Line 710 For wel he wiste, whan that song was songe, Line 711 He moste preche and wel affile his tonge Line 712 To wynne silver, as he ful wel koude; Line 713 Therefore he song the murierly and loude. Line 714

Now have I toold you soothly, in a clause, Line 715 Th' estaat, th' array, the nombre, and eek the cause Line 716 Why that assembled was this compaignye Line 717 In southwerk at this gentil hostelrye Line 718 That highte the tabard, faste by the belle. Line 719 But now is tyme to yow for to telle Line 720 How that we baren us that ilke nyght, Line 721 Whan we were in that hostelrie alyght; Line 722 And after wol I telle of our viage Line 723 And al the remenaunt of oure pilgrimage. Line 724 But first I pray yow, of youre curteisye, Line 725 That ye n' arette it nat my vileynye, Line 726 Thogh that I pleynly speke in this mateere, Line 727 To telle yow hir wordes and hir cheere, Line 728 Ne thogh I speke hir wordes proprely. Line 729 For this ye knowen al so wel as I, Line 730 Whoso shal telle a tale after a man, Line 731 He moot reherce as ny as evere he kan Line 732 Everich a word, if it be in his charge, Line 733 Al speke he never so rudeliche and large, Line 734 Or ellis he moot telle his tale untrewe, Line 735 Or feyne thyng, or fynde wordes newe. Line 736 He may nat spare, althogh he were his brother; Line 737 He moot as wel seye o word as another. Line 738 Crist spak hymself ful brode in hooly writ, Line 739 And wel ye woot no vileynye is it. Line 740 Eek plato seith, whoso that kan hym rede, Line 741 The wordes moote be cosyn to the dede. Line 742 Also I prey yow to foryeve it me, Line 743 Al have I nat set folk in hir degree Line 744 Heere in this tale, as that they sholde stonde. Line 745 My wit is short, ye may wel understonde. Line 746

Greet chiere made oure hoost us everichon, Line 747 And to the soper sette he us anon. Line 748 He served us with vitaille at the beste; Line 749 Strong was the wyn, and wel to drynke us leste. Line 750 A semely man oure hooste was withalle Line 751 For to han been a marchal in an halle. Line 752 A large man he was with eyen stepe -- Line 753 A fairer burgeys is ther noon in chepe -- Line 754 Boold of his speche, and wys, and wel ytaught, Line 755 And of manhod hym lakkede right naught. Line 756 Eek therto he was right a myrie man, Line 757 And after soper pleyen he bigan, Line 758 And spak of myrthe amonges othere thynges, Line 759 Whan that we hadde maad oure rekenynges, Line 760 And seyde thus: now, lordynges, trewely, Line 761 Ye been to me right welcome, hertely; Line 762 For by my trouthe, if that I shal nat lye, Line 763 I saugh nat this yeer so myrie a compaignye Line 764 Atones in this herberwe as is now. Line 765 Fayn wolde I doon yow myrthe, wiste I how. Line 766 And of a myrthe I am right now bythoght, Line 767 To doon yow ese, and it shal coste noght. Line 768

Ye goon to caunterbury -- God yow speede, Line 769 The blisful martir quite yow youre meede! Line 770 And wel I woot, as ye goon by the weye, Line 771 Ye shapen yow to talen and to pleye; Line 772 For trewely, confort ne myrthe is noon Line 773 To ride by the weye doumb as a stoon; Line 774 And therfore wol I maken yow disport, Line 775 As I seyde erst, and doon yow som confort. Line 776 And if yow liketh alle by oon assent Line 777 For to stonden at my juggement, Line 778 And for to werken as I shal yow seye, Line 779 To-morwe, whan ye riden by the weye, Line 780 Now, by my fader soule that is deed, Line 781 But ye be myrie, I wol yeve yow myn heed! Line 782 Hoold up youre hondes, withouten moore speche. Line 783

Oure conseil was nat longe for to seche. Line 784 Us thoughte it was noght worth to make it wys, Line 785 And graunted hym withouten moore avys, Line 786 And bad him seye his voirdit as hym leste. Line 787 Lordynges, quod he, now herkneth for the beste; Line 788 But taak it nought, I prey yow, in desdeyn. Line 789 This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn, Line 790 That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye, Line 791 In this viage shal telle tales tweye Line 792 To caunterbury-ward, I mene it so, Line 793 And homward he shal tellen othere two, Line 794 Of aventures that whilom han bifalle. Line 795 And which of yow that bereth hym best of alle, Line 796 That is to seyn, that telleth in this caas Line 797 Tales of best sentence and moost solaas, Line 798 Shal have a soper at oure aller cost Line 799 Heere in this place, sittynge by this post, Line 800

Line 800 Whan that we come agayn fro caunterbury. Line 801 And for to make yow the moore mury, Line 802 I wol myselven goodly with yow ryde, Line 803 Right at myn owene cost, and be youre gyde, Line 804 And whoso wole my juggement withseye Line 805 Shal paye al that we spenden by the weye. Line 806 And if ye vouche sauf that it be so, Line 807 Tel me anon, withouten wordes mo, Line 808 And I wol erly shape me therfore. Line 809

This thyng was graunted, and oure othes swore Line 810 With ful glad herte, and preyden hym also Line 811 That he wolde vouche sauf for to do so, Line 812 And that he wolde been oure governour, Line 813 And oure tales juge and reportour, Line 814 And sette a soper at a certeyn pris, Line 815 And we wol reuled been at his devys Line 816 In heigh and lough; and thus by oon assent Line 817 We been acorded to his juggement. Line 818 And therupon the wyn was fet anon; Line 819 We dronken, and to reste wente echon, Line 820 Withouten any lenger taryynge. Line 821

Amorwe, whan that day bigan to sprynge, Line 822 Up roos oure hoost, and was oure aller cok, Line 823 And gadrede us togidre alle in a flok, Line 824 And forth we riden a litel moore than paas Line 825 Unto the wateryng of seint thomas; Line 826 And there oure hoost bigan his hors areste Line 827 And seyde, lordynges, herkneth, if yow leste. Line 828 Ye woot youre foreward, and I it yow recorde. Line 829 If even-song and morwe-song accorde, Line 830 Lat se now who shal telle the firste tale. Line 831 As evere mote I drynke wyn or ale, Line 832 Whoso be rebel to my juggement Line 833 Shal paye for al that by the wey is spent. Line 834 Now draweth cut, er that we ferrer twynne; Line 835 He which that hath the shorteste shal bigynne. Line 836 Sire knyght, quod he, my mayster and my lord, Line 837 Now draweth cut, for that is myn accord. Line 838 Cometh neer, quod he, my lady prioresse. Line 839 And ye, sire clerk, lat be youre shamefastnesse, Line 840 Ne studieth noght; ley hond to, every man! Line 841 Anon to drawen every wight bigan, Line 842 And shortly for to tellen as it was, Line 843 Were it by aventure, or sort, or cas, Line 844 The sothe is this, the cut fil to the knyght, Line 845 Of which ful blithe and glad was every wyght, Line 846 And telle he moste his tale, as was resoun, Line 847 By foreward and by composicioun, Line 848 As ye han herd; what nedeth wordes mo? Line 849 And whan this goode man saugh that it was so, Line 850 As he that wys was and obedient Line 851 To kepe his foreward by his free assent, Line 852 He seyde, syn I shal bigynne the game, Line 853 What, welcome be the cut, a goddes name! Line 854 Now lat us ryde, and herkneth what I seye. Line 855 And with that word we ryden forth oure weye, Line 856 And he bigan with right a myrie cheere Line 857 His tale anon, and seyde as ye may heere. Line 858

The Knight's Tale

Part I

Whilom, as olde stories tellen us, Line 859 Ther was a duc that highte theseus; Line 860 Of atthenes he was lord and governour, Line 861 And in his tyme swich a conquerour, Line 862 That gretter was ther noon under the sonne. Line 863 Ful many a riche contree hadde he wonne; Line 864 What with his wysdom and his chivalrie, Line 865 He conquered al the regne of femenye, Line 866 That whilom was ycleped scithia, Line 867 And weddede the queene ypolita, Line 868 And broghte hire hoom with hym in his contree Line 869 With muchel glorie and greet solempnytee, Line 870 And eek hir yonge suster emelye. Line 871 And thus with victorie and with melodye Line 872 Lete I this noble duc to atthenes ryde, Line 873 And al his hoost in armes hym bisyde. Line 874 And certes, if it nere to long to heere, Line 875 I wolde have toold yow fully the manere Line 876 How wonnen was the regne of femenye Line 877 By theseus and by his chivalrye; Line 878 And of the grete bataille for the nones Line 879 Bitwixen atthenes and amazones; Line 880

Line 880 And how asseged was ypolita, Line 881 The faire, hardy queene of scithia; Line 882 And of the feste that was at hir weddynge, Line 883 And of the tempest at hir hoom-comynge; Line 884 But al that thyng I moot as now forbere. Line 885 I have, God woot, a large feeld to ere, Line 886 And wayke been the oxen in my plough. Line 887 The remenant of the tale is long ynough. Line 888 I wol nat letten eek noon of this route; Line 889 Lat every felawe telle his tale aboute, Line 890 And lat se now who shal the soper wynne; Line 891 And ther I lefte, I wol ayeyn bigynne. Line 892 This duc, of whom I make mencioun, Line 893 Whan he was come almoost unto the toun, Line 894 In al his wele and in his mooste pride, Line 895 He was war, as he caste his eye aside, Line 896 Where that ther kneled in the heighe weye Line 897 A compaignye of ladyes, tweye and tweye, Line 898 Ech after oother, clad in clothes blake; Line 899 But swich a cry and swich a wo they make Line 900 That in this world nys creature lyvynge Line 901 That herde swich another waymentynge; Line 902 And of this cry they nolde nevere stenten Line 903 Til they the reynes of his brydel henten. Line 904 What folk been ye, that at myn homcomynge Line 905 Perturben so my feste with criynge? Line 906 Quod theseus. Have ye so greet envye Line 907 Of myn honour, that thus compleyne and crye? Line 908 Or who hath yow mysboden or offended? Line 909 And telleth me if it may been amended, Line 910 And why that ye been clothed thus in blak. Line 911 The eldeste lady of hem alle spak, Line 912 Whan she hadde swowned with a deedly cheere, Line 913 That it was routhe for to seen and heere. Line 914 She seyde: lord, to whom fortune hath yiven Line 915 Victorie, and as a conqueror to lyven, Line 916 Nat greveth us youre glorie and youre honour, Line 917 But we biseken mercy and socour. Line 918 Have mercy on oure wo and oure distresse! Line 919 Som drope of pitee, thurgh thy gentillesse, Line 920 Upon us wrecched wommen lat thou falle. Line 921 For, certes, lord, ther is noon of us alle, Line 922 That she ne hath been a duchesse or a queene. Line 923 Now be we caytyves, as it is wel seene, Line 924 Thanked be fortune and hire false wheel, Line 925 That noon estaat assureth to be weel. Line 926 And certes, lord, to abyden youre presence, Line 927 Heere in this temple of the goddesse clemence Line 928 We han ben waitynge al this fourtenyght. Line 929 Now help us, lord, sith it is in thy myght. Line 930 I, wrecche, which that wepe and wayle thus, Line 931 Was whilom wyf to kyng cappaneus, Line 932 That starf at thebes -- cursed be that day! -- Line 933 And alle we that been in this array Line 934 And maken al this lamentacioun, Line 935 We losten alle oure housbondes at that toun, Line 936 Whil that the seege theraboute lay. Line 937 And yet now the olde creon, weylaway! Line 938 That lord is now of thebes the citee, Line 939 Fulfild of ire and of iniquitee, Line 940 He, for despit and for his tirannye, Line 941 To do the dede bodyes vileynye Line 942 Of alle oure lordes whiche that been yslawe, Line 943 Hath alle the bodyes on an heep ydrawe, Line 944 And wol nat suffren hem, by noon assent, Line 945 Neither to been yburyed nor ybrent, Line 946 But maketh houndes ete hem in despit. Line 947 And with that word, withouten moore respit, Line 948 They fillen gruf and criden pitously, Line 949 Have on us wrecched wommen som mercy, Line 950 And lat oure sorwe synken in thyn herte. Line 951 This gentil duc doun from his courser sterte Line 952 With herte pitous, whan he herde hem speke. Line 953 Hym thoughte that his herte wolde breke, Line 954 Whan he saugh hem so pitous and so maat, Line 955 That whilom weren of so greet estaat; Line 956 And in his armes he hem alle up hente, Line 957 And hem conforteth in ful good entente, Line 958 And swoor his ooth, as he was trewe knyght, Line 959 He wolde doon so ferforthly his myght Line 960 Upon the tiraunt creon hem to wreke, Line 961 That al the peple of grece sholde speke Line 962 How creon was of theseus yserved Line 963 As he that hadde his deeth ful wel deserved. Line 964 And right anoon, withouten moore abood, Line 965 His baner he desplayeth, and forth rood Line 966 To thebes-ward, and al his hoost biside. Line 967 No neer atthenes wolde he go ne ride, Line 968 Ne take his ese fully half a day, Line 969 But onward on his wey that nyght he lay, Line 970 And sente anon ypolita the queene, Line 971 And emelye, hir yonge suster sheene, Line 972 Unto the toun of atthenes to dwelle, Line 973 And forth he rit; ther is namoore to telle. Line 974 The rede statue of mars, with spere and targe, Line 975 So shyneth in his white baner large, Line 976 That alle the feeldes glyteren up and doun; Line 977 And by his baner born is his penoun Line 978 Of gold ful riche, in which ther was ybete Line 979 The mynotaur, which that he slough in crete. Line 980 Thus rit this duc, thus rit this conquerour, Line 981 And in his hoost of chivalrie the flour, Line 982 Til that he cam to thebes and alighte Line 983 Faire in a feeld, ther as he thoughte to fighte. Line 984 But shortly for to speken of this thyng, Line 985 With creon, which that was of thebes kyng, Line 986

Line 986 He faught, and slough hym manly as a knyght Line 987 In pleyn bataille, and putte the folk to flyght; Line 988 And by assaut he wan the citee after, Line 989 And rente adoun bothe wall and sparre and rafter; Line 990 And to the ladyes he restored agayn Line 991 The bones of hir housbondes that were slayn, Line 992 To doon obsequies, as was tho the gyse. Line 993 But it were al to longe for to devyse Line 994 The grete clamour and the waymentynge Line 995 That the ladyes made at the brennynge Line 996 Of the bodies, and the grete honour Line 997 That theseus, the noble conquerour, Line 998 Dooth to the ladyes, whan they from hym wente; Line 999 But shortly for to telle is myn entente. Line 1000 Whan that this worthy duc, this theseus, Line 1001 Hath creon slayn, and wonne thebes thus, Line 1002 Stille in that feeld he took al nyght his reste, Line 1003 And dide with al the contree as hym leste. Line 1004 To ransake in the taas of bodyes dede, Line 1005 Hem for to strepe of harneys and of wede, Line 1006 The pilours diden bisynesse and cure Line 1007 After the bataille and disconfiture. Line 1008 And so bifel that in the taas they founde, Line 1009 Thurgh-girt with many a grevous blody wounde, Line 1010 Two yonge knyghtes liggynge by and by, Line 1011 Bothe in oon armes, wroght ful richely, Line 1012 Of whiche two arcita highte that oon, Line 1013 And that oother knyght highte palamon. Line 1014 Nat fully quyke, ne fully dede they were, Line 1015 But by hir cote-armures and by hir gere Line 1016 The heraudes knewe hem best in special Line 1017 As they that weren of the blood roial Line 1018 Of thebes, and of sustren two yborn. Line 1019 Out of the taas the pilours han hem torn, Line 1020 And han hem caried softe unto the tente Line 1021 Of theseus; and he ful soone hem sente Line 1022 To atthenes, to dwellen in prisoun Line 1023 Perpetuelly, -- he nolde no raunsoun. Line 1024 And whan this worthy duc hath thus ydon, Line 1025 He took his hoost, and hoom he rit anon Line 1026 With laurer crowned as a conquerour; Line 1027 And ther he lyveth in joye and in honour Line 1028 Terme of his lyf; what nedeth wordes mo? Line 1029 And in a tour, in angwissh and in wo, Line 1030 This palamon and his felawe arcite Line 1031 For everemoore; ther may no gold hem quite. Line 1032 This passeth yeer by yeer and day by day, Line 1033 Till it fil ones, in a morwe of may, Line 1034 That emelye, that fairer was to sene Line 1035 Than is the lylie upon his stalke grene, Line 1036 And fressher than the may with floures newe -- Line 1037 For with the rose colour stroof hire hewe, Line 1038 I noot which was the fyner of hem two -- Line 1039 Er it were day, as was hir wone to do, Line 1040 She was arisen and al redy dight; Line 1041 For may wole have no slogardie a-nyght. Line 1042 The sesoun priketh every gentil herte, Line 1043 And maketh hym out of his slep to sterte, Line 1044 And seith arys, and do thyn observaunce. Line 1045 This maked emelye have remembraunce Line 1046 To doon honour to may, and for to ryse. Line 1047 Yclothed was she fressh, for to devyse: Line 1048 Hir yelow heer was broyded in a tresse Line 1049 Bihynde hir bak, a yerde long, I gesse. Line 1050 And in the gardyn, at the sonne upriste, Line 1051 She walketh up and doun, and as hire liste Line 1052 She gadereth floures, party white and rede, Line 1053 To make a subtil gerland for hire hede; Line 1054 And as an aungel hevenysshly she soong. Line 1055 The grete tour, that was so thikke and stroong, Line 1056 Which of the castel was the chief dongeoun, Line 1057 (ther as the knyghtes weren in prisoun Line 1058 Of which I tolde yow and tellen shal) Line 1059 Was evene joynant to the gardyn wal Line 1060 Ther as this emelye hadde hir pleyynge. Line 1061 Bright was the sonne and cleer that morwenynge, Line 1062 And palamoun, this woful prisoner, Line 1063 As was his wone, by leve of his gayler, Line 1064 Was risen and romed in a chambre an heigh, Line 1065 In which he al the noble citee seigh, Line 1066 And eek the gardyn, ful of braunches grene, Line 1067 Ther as this fresshe emelye the shene Line 1068 Was in hire walk, and romed up and doun. Line 1069 This sorweful prisoner, this palamoun, Line 1070 Goth in the chambre romynge to and fro, Line 1071 And to hymself compleynynge of his wo. Line 1072 That he was born, ful ofte he seyde, allas! Line 1073 And so bifel, by aventure or cas, Line 1074 That thurgh a wyndow, thikke of many a barre Line 1075 Of iren greet and square as any sparre, Line 1076 He cast his eye upon emelya, Line 1077 And therwithal he bleynte and cride, a! Line 1078 As though he stongen were unto the herte. Line 1079 And with that cry arcite anon up sterte, Line 1080 And seyde, cosyn myn, what eyleth thee, Line 1081 That art so pale and deedly on to see? Line 1082 Why cridestow? who hath thee doon offence? Line 1083 For goddes love, taak al in pacience Line 1084 Oure prisoun, for it may noon oother be. Line 1085 Fortune hath yeven us this adversitee. Line 1086 Som wikke aspect or disposicioun Line 1087 Of saturne, by som constellacioun, Line 1088 Hath yeven us this, although we hadde it sworn; Line 1089

Line 1089 So stood the hevene whan that we were born. Line 1090 We moste endure it; this is the short and playn. Line 1091 This palamon answerde and seyde agayn: Line 1092 Cosyn, for sothe, of this opinioun Line 1093 Thow hast a veyn ymaginacioun. Line 1094 This prison caused me nat for to crye, Line 1095 But I was hurt right now thurghout myn ye Line 1096 Into myn herte, that wol my bane be. Line 1097 The fairnesse of that lady that I see Line 1098 Yond in the gardyn romen to and fro Line 1099 Is cause of al my criyng and my wo. Line 1100 I noot wher she be womman or goddesse, Line 1101 But venus is it soothly, as I gesse. Line 1102 And therwithal on knees doun he fil, Line 1103 And seyde: venus, if it be thy wil Line 1104 Yow in this gardyn thus to transfigure Line 1105 Bifore me, sorweful, wrecched creature, Line 1106 Out of this prisoun help that we may scapen. Line 1107 And if so be my destynee be shapen Line 1108 By eterne word to dyen in prisoun, Line 1109 Of oure lynage have som compassioun, Line 1110 That is so lowe ybroght by tirannye. Line 1111 And with that word arcite gan espye Line 1112 Wher as this lady romed to and fro, Line 1113 And with that sighte hir beautee hurte hym so, Line 1114 That, if that palamon was wounded sore, Line 1115 Arcite is hurt as muche as he, or moore. Line 1116 And with a sigh he seyde pitously: Line 1117 The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly Line 1118 Of hire that rometh in the yonder place, Line 1119 And but I have hir mercy and hir grace, Line 1120 That I may seen hire atte leeste weye, Line 1121 I nam but deed; ther nis namoore to seye. Line 1122 This palamon, whan he tho wordes herde, Line 1123 Dispitously he looked and answerde, Line 1124 Wheither seistow this in ernest or in pley? Line 1125 Nay, quod arcite, in ernest, by my fey! Line 1126 God helpe me so, me list ful yvele pleye. Line 1127 This palamon gan knytte his browes tweye. Line 1128 It nere, quod he, to thee no greet honour Line 1129 For to be fals, ne for to be traitour Line 1130 To me, that am thy cosyn and thy brother Line 1131 Ysworn ful depe, and ech of us til oother, Line 1132 That nevere, for to dyen in the peyne, Line 1133 Til that the deeth departe shal us tweyne, Line 1134 Neither of us in love to hyndre oother, Line 1135 Ne in noon oother cas, my leeve brother; Line 1136 But that thou sholdest trewely forthren me Line 1137 In every cas, as I shal forthren thee, -- Line 1138 This was thyn ooth, and myn also, certeyn; Line 1139 I woot right wel, thou darst it nat withseyn. Line 1140 Thus artow of my conseil, out of doute, Line 1141 And now thow woldest falsly been aboute Line 1142 To love my lady, whom I love and serve, Line 1143 And evere shal til that myn herte sterve. Line 1144 Nay, certes, false arcite, thow shalt nat so. Line 1145 I loved hire first, and tolde thee my wo Line 1146 As to my conseil and my brother sworn Line 1147 To forthre me, as I have toold biforn. Line 1148 For which thou art ybounden as a knyght Line 1149 To helpen me, if it lay in thy myght, Line 1150 Or elles artow fals, I dar wel seyn. Line 1151 This arcite ful proudly spak ageyn: Line 1152 Thow shalt, quod he, be rather fals than I; Line 1153 And thou art fals, I telle thee outrely, Line 1154 For paramour I loved hire first er thow. Line 1155 What wiltow seyen? thou woost nat yet now Line 1156 Wheither she be a womman or goddesse! Line 1157 Thyn is affeccioun of hoolynesse, Line 1158 And myn is love, as to a creature; Line 1159 For which I tolde thee myn aventure Line 1160 As to my cosyn and my brother sworn. Line 1161 I pose that thow lovedest hire biforn; Line 1162 Wostow nat wel the olde clerkes sawe, Line 1163 That "who shal yeve a lovere any lawe?" Line 1164 Love is a gretter lawe, by my pan, Line 1165 Than may be yeve to any erthely man; Line 1166 And therfore positif lawe and swich decree Line 1167 Is broken al day for love in ech degree. Line 1168 A man moot nedes love, maugree his heed. Line 1169 He may nat fleen it, thogh he sholde be deed, Line 1170 Al be she mayde, or wydwe, or elles wyf. Line 1171 And eek it is nat likly al thy lyf Line 1172 To stonden in hir grace; namoore shal I; Line 1173 For wel thou woost thyselven, verraily, Line 1174 That thou and I be dampned to prisoun Line 1175 Perpetuelly; us gayneth no raunsoun. Line 1176 We stryve as dide the houndes for the boon; Line 1177 They foughte al day, and yet hir part was noon. Line 1178 Ther cam a kyte, whil that they were so wrothe, Line 1179 And baar awey the boon bitwixe hem bothe. Line 1180 And therfore, at the kynges court, my brother, Line 1181 Ech man for hymself, ther is noon oother. Line 1182 Love, if thee list, for I love and ay shal; Line 1183 And soothly, leeve brother, this is al. Line 1184 Heere in this prisoun moote we endure, Line 1185 And everich of us take his aventure. Line 1186 Greet was the strif and long bitwix hem tweye, Line 1187 If that I hadde leyser for to seye, Line 1188 But to th' effect. It happed on a day, Line 1189 To telle it yow as shortly as I may, Line 1190 A worthy duc that highte perotheus, Line 1191 That felawe was unto duc theseus Line 1192 Syn thilke day that they were children lite, Line 1193

Line 1193 Was come to atthenes his felawe to visite, Line 1194 And for to pleye as he was wont to do; Line 1195 For in this world he loved no man so, Line 1196 And he loved hym als tendrely agayn. Line 1197 So wel they lovede, as olde bookes sayn, Line 1198 That whan that oon was deed, soothly to telle, Line 1199 His felawe wente and soughte hym doun in helle, -- Line 1200 But of that storie list me nat to write. Line 1201 Duc perotheus loved wel arcite, Line 1202 And hadde hym knowe at thebes yeer by yere, Line 1203 And finally at requeste and preyere Line 1204 Of perotheus, withouten any raunsoun, Line 1205 Duc theseus hym leet out of prisoun Line 1206 Frely to goon wher that hym liste over al, Line 1207 In swich a gyse as I you tellen shal. Line 1208 This was the forward, pleynly for t' endite, Line 1209 Bitwixen theseus and hym arcite Line 1210 That if so were that arcite were yfounde Line 1211 Evere in his lif, by day or nyght, oo stounde Line 1212 In any contree of this theseus, Line 1213 And he were caught, it was acorded thus, Line 1214 That with a swerd he sholde lese his heed. Line 1215 Ther nas noon oother remedie ne reed; Line 1216 But taketh his leve, and homward he him spedde. Line 1217 Lat hym be war! his nekke lith to wedde. Line 1218 How greet a sorwe suffreth now arcite! Line 1219 The deeth he feeleth thurgh his herte smyte; Line 1220 He wepeth, wayleth, crieth pitously; Line 1221 To sleen hymself he waiteth prively. Line 1222 He seyde, allas that day that I was born! Line 1223 Now is my prisoun worse than biforn; Line 1224 Now is me shape eternally to dwelle. Line 1225 Noght in purgatorie, but in helle. Line 1226 Allas, that evere knew I perotheus! Line 1227 For elles hadde I dwelled with theseus, Line 1228 Yfetered in his prisoun everemo. Line 1229 Thanne hadde I been in blisse, and nat in wo. Line 1230 Oonly the sighte of hire whom that I serve, Line 1231 Though that I nevere hir grace may deserve, Line 1232 Wolde han suffised right ynough for me. Line 1233 O deere cosyn palamon, quod he, Line 1234 Thyn is the victorie of this aventure. Line 1235 Ful blisfully in prison maistow dure, -- Line 1236 In prison? certes nay, but in paradys! Line 1237 Wel hath fortune yturned thee the dys, Line 1238 That hast the sighte of hire, and I th' absence. Line 1239 For possible is, syn thou hast hire presence, Line 1240 And art a knyght, a worthy and an able, Line 1241 That by som cas, syn fortune is chaungeable, Line 1242 Thow maist to thy desir somtyme atteyne. Line 1243 But I, that am exiled and bareyne Line 1244 Of alle grace, and in so greet dispeir, Line 1245 That ther nys erthe, water, fir, ne eir, Line 1246 Ne creature that of hem maked is, Line 1247 That may me helpe or doon confort in this, Line 1248 Wel oughte I sterve in wanhope and distresse. Line 1249 Farwel my lif, my lust, and my gladnesse! Line 1250 Allas, why pleynen folk so in commune Line 1251 On purveiaunce of god, or of fortune, Line 1252 That yeveth hem ful ofte in many a gyse Line 1253 Wel bettre than they kan hemself devyse? Line 1254 Som man desireth for to han richesse, Line 1255 That cause is of his mordre or greet siknesse; Line 1256 And som man wolde out of his prisoun fayn, Line 1257 That in his hous is of his meynee slayn. Line 1258 Infinite harmes been in this mateere. Line 1259 We witen nat what thing we preyen heere: Line 1260 We faren as he that dronke is as a mous. Line 1261 A dronke man woot wel he hath an hous, Line 1262 But he noot which the righte wey is thider, Line 1263 And to a dronke man the wey is slider. Line 1264 And certes, in this world so faren we; Line 1265 We seken faste after felicitee, Line 1266 But we goon wrong ful often, trewely. Line 1267 Thus may we seyen alle, and namely I, Line 1268 That wende and hadde a greet opinioun Line 1269 That if I myghte escapen from prisoun, Line 1270 Thanne hadde I been in joye and perfit heele, Line 1271 Ther now I am exiled fro my wele. Line 1272 Syn that I may nat seen you, emelye, Line 1273 I nam but deed; ther nys no remedye. Line 1274 Upon that oother syde palamon, Line 1275 Whan that he wiste arcite was agon, Line 1276 Swich sorwe he maketh that the grete tour Line 1277 Resouneth of his youlyng and clamour. Line 1278 The pure fettres on his shynes grete Line 1279 Weren of his bittre, salte teeres wete. Line 1280 Allas, quod he, arcita, cosyn myn, Line 1281 Of al oure strif, God woot, the fruyt is thyn. Line 1282 Thou walkest now in thebes at thy large, Line 1283 And of my wo thow yevest litel charge. Line 1284 Thou mayst, syn thou hast wisdom and manhede, Line 1285 Assemblen alle the folk of oure kynrede, Line 1286 And make a werre so sharp on this citee, Line 1287 That by som aventure or some tretee Line 1288 Thow mayst have hire to lady and to wyf Line 1289 For whom that I moste nedes lese my lyf. Line 1290 For, as by wey of possibilitee, Line 1291 Sith thou art at thy large, of prisoun free, Line 1292 And art a lord, greet is thyn avauntage Line 1293 Moore than is myn, that sterve here in a cage. Line 1294 For I moot wepe and wayle, whil I lyve, Line 1295 With al the wo that prison may me yive, Line 1296 And eek with peyne that love me yeveth also, Line 1297 That doubleth al my torment and my wo. Line 1298

Line 1298 Therwith the fyr of jalousie up sterte Line 1299 Withinne his brest, and hente him by the herte Line 1300 So woodly that he lyk was to biholde Line 1301 The boxtree or the asshen dede and colde. Line 1302 Thanne seyde he, o crueel goddes that governe Line 1303 This world with byndyng of youre word eterne, Line 1304 And writen in the table of atthamaunt Line 1305 Youre parlement and youre eterne graunt, Line 1306 What is mankynde moore unto you holde Line 1307 Than is the sheep that rouketh in the folde? Line 1308 For slayn is man right as another beest, Line 1309 And dwelleth eek in prison and arreest, Line 1310 And hath siknesse and greet adversitee, Line 1311 And ofte tymes giltelees, pardee. Line 1312 What governance is in this prescience, Line 1313 That giltelees tormenteth innocence? Line 1314 And yet encresseth this al my penaunce, Line 1315 That man is bounden to his observaunce, Line 1316 For goddes sake, to letten of his wille, Line 1317 Ther as a beest may al his lust fulfille. Line 1318 And whan a beest is deed he hath no peyne; Line 1319 But man after his deeth moot wepe and pleyne, Line 1320 Though in this world he have care and wo. Line 1321 Withouten doute it may stonden so. Line 1322 The answere of this lete I to dyvynys, Line 1323 But wel I woot that in this world greet pyne ys. Line 1324 Allas, I se a serpent or a theef, Line 1325 That many a trewe man hath doon mescheef, Line 1326 Goon at his large, and where hym list may turne. Line 1327 But I moot been in prisoun thurgh saturne, Line 1328 And eek thurgh juno, jalous and eek wood, Line 1329 That hath destroyed wel ny al the blood Line 1330 Of thebes with his waste walles wyde; Line 1331 And venus sleeth me on that oother syde Line 1332 For jalousie and fere of hym arcite. Line 1333 Now wol I stynte of palamon a lite, Line 1334 And lete hym in his prisoun stille dwelle, Line 1335 And of arcita forth I wol yow telle. Line 1336 The somer passeth, and the nyghtes longe Line 1337 Encressen double wise the peynes stronge Line 1338 Bothe of the lovere and the prisoner. Line 1339 I noot which hath the wofuller mester. Line 1340 For, shortly for to seyn, this palamoun Line 1341 Perpetuelly is dampned to prisoun, Line 1342 In cheynes and in fettres to been deed; Line 1343 And arcite is exiled upon his heed Line 1344 For everemo, as out of that contree, Line 1345 Ne nevere mo he shal his lady see. Line 1346 Yow loveres axe I now this questioun: Line 1347 Who hath the worse, arcite or palamoun? Line 1348 That oon may seen his lady day by day, Line 1349 But in prison he moot dwelle alway; Line 1350 That oother wher hym list may ride or go, Line 1351 But seen his lady shal he nevere mo. Line 1352 Now demeth as yow liste, ye that kan, Line 1353 For I wol telle forth as I bigan. Line 1354 Explicit prima pars.

Sequitur pars secunda.

Whan that arcite to thebes comen was, Line 1355 Ful ofte a day he swelte and seyde allas! Line 1356 For seen his lady shal he nevere mo. Line 1357 And shortly to concluden al his wo, Line 1358 So muche sorwe hadde nevere creature Line 1359 That is, or shal, whil that the world may dure. Line 1360 His slep, his mete, his drynke, is hym biraft, Line 1361 That lene he wex and drye as is a shaft; Line 1362 His eyen holwe, and grisly to biholde, Line 1363 His hewe falow and pale as asshen colde, Line 1364 And solitarie he was and evere allone, Line 1365 And waillynge al the nyght, makynge his mone; Line 1366 And if he herde song or instrument, Line 1367 Thanne wolde he wepe, he myghte nat be stent. Line 1368 So feble eek were his spiritz, and so lowe, Line 1369 And chaunged so, that no man koude knowe Line 1370 His speche nor his voys, though men it herde. Line 1371 And in his geere for al the world he ferde, Line 1372 Nat oonly lik the loveris maladye Line 1373 Of hereos, but rather lyk manye, Line 1374 Engendred of humour malencolik, Line 1375 Biforen, in his celle fantastik. Line 1376 And shortly, turned was al up so doun Line 1377 Bothe habit and eek disposicioun Line 1378 Of hym, this woful lovere daun arcite. Line 1379 What sholde I al day of his wo endite? Line 1380 Whan he endured hadde a yeer or two Line 1381 This crueel torment and this peyne and wo, Line 1382 At thebes, in his contree, as I seyde, Line 1383 Upon a nyght in sleep as he hym leyde, Line 1384 Hym thoughte how that the wynged God mercurie Line 1385 Biforn hym stood and bad hym to be murie. Line 1386 His slepy yerde in hond he bar uprighte; Line 1387 An hat he werede upon his heris brighte. Line 1388 Arrayed was this god, as he took keep, Line 1389 As he was whan that argus took his sleep; Line 1390 And seyde hym thus: to atthenes shaltou wende, Line 1391 Ther is thee shapen of thy wo an ende. Line 1392 And with that word arcite wook and sterte. Line 1393 Now trewely, hou soore that me smerte, Line 1394 Quod he, to atthenes right now wol I fare, Line 1395 Ne for the drede of deeth shal I nat spare Line 1396 To se my lady, that I love and serve. Line 1397

Line 1397 In hire presence I recche nat to sterve. Line 1398 And with that word he caughte a greet mirour, Line 1399 And saugh that chaunged was al his colour, Line 1400 And saugh his visage al in another kynde. Line 1401 And right anon it ran hym in his mynde, Line 1402 That, sith his face was so disfigured Line 1403 Of maladye the which he hadde endured, Line 1404 He myghte wel, if that he bar hym lowe, Line 1405 Lyve in atthenes everemoore unknowe. Line 1406 And seen his lady wel ny day by day. Line 1407 And right anon he chaunged his array, Line 1408 And cladde hym as a povre laborer, Line 1409 And al allone, save oonly a squier Line 1410 That knew his privetee and al his cas, Line 1411 Which was disgised povrely as he was, Line 1412 To atthenes is he goon the nexte way. Line 1413 And to the court he wente upon a day, Line 1414 And at the gate he profreth his servyse Line 1415 To drugge and drawe, what so men wol devyse. Line 1416 And shortly of this matere for to seyn, Line 1417 He fil in office with a chamberleyn Line 1418 The which that dwellynge was with emelye; Line 1419 For he was wys and koude soone espye Line 1420 Of every servaunt which that serveth here. Line 1421 Wel koude he hewen wode, and water bere, Line 1422 For he was yong and myghty for the nones, Line 1423 And therto he was long and big of bones Line 1424 To doon that any wight kan hym devyse. Line 1425 A yeer or two he was in this servyse, Line 1426 Page of the chambre of emelye the brighte; Line 1427 And philostrate he seyde that he highte. Line 1428 But half so wel biloved a man as he Line 1429 Ne was ther nevere in court of his degree; Line 1430 He was so gentil of condicioun Line 1431 That thurghout al the court was his renoun. Line 1432 They seyden that it were a charitee Line 1433 That theseus wolde enhauncen his degree, Line 1434 And putten hym in worshipful servyse, Line 1435 Ther as he myghte his vertu excercise. Line 1436 And thus withinne a while his name is spronge, Line 1437 Bothe of his dedes and his goode tonge, Line 1438 That theseus hath taken hym so neer, Line 1439 That of his chambre he made hym a squier, Line 1440 And gaf hym gold to mayntene his degree. Line 1441 And eek men broghte hym out of his contree, Line 1442 From yeer to yeer, ful pryvely his rente; Line 1443 But honestly and slyly he it spente, Line 1444 That no man wondred how that he it hadde. Line 1445 And thre yeer in this wise his lif he ladde, Line 1446 And bar hym so, in pees and eek in werre, Line 1447 Ther was no man that theseus hath derre. Line 1448 And in this blisse lete I now arcite, Line 1449 And speke I wole of palamon a lite. Line 1450 In derknesse and horrible and strong prisoun Line 1451 Thise seven yeer hath seten palamoun Line 1452 Forpyned, what for wo and for distresse. Line 1453 Who feeleth double soor and hevynesse Line 1454 But palamon, that love destreyneth so Line 1455 That wood out of his wit he goth for wo? Line 1456 And eek therto he is a prisoner Line 1457 Perpetuelly, noght oonly for a yer. Line 1458 Who koude ryme in englyssh proprely Line 1459 His martirdom? for sothe it am nat I; Line 1460 Therfore I passe as lightly as I may. Line 1461 It fel that in the seventhe yer, of may Line 1462 The thridde nyght, (as olde bookes seyn, Line 1463 That al this storie tellen moore pleyn) Line 1464 Were it by aventure or destynee -- Line 1465 As, whan a thyng is shapen, it shal be -- Line 1466 That soone after the mydnyght palamoun, Line 1467 By helpyng of a freend, brak his prisoun Line 1468 And fleeth the citee faste as he may go. Line 1469 For he hadde yeve his gayler drynke so Line 1470 Of a clarree maad of a certeyn wyn, Line 1471 With nercotikes and opie of thebes fyn, Line 1472 That al that nyght, thogh that men wolde him shake, Line 1473 The gayler sleep, he myghte nat awake; Line 1474 And thus he fleeth as faste as evere he may. Line 1475 The nyght was short and faste by the day, Line 1476 That nedes cost he moot hymselven hyde; Line 1477 And til a grove faste ther bisyde Line 1478 With dredeful foot thanne stalketh palamon. Line 1479 For, shortly, this was his opinion, Line 1480 That in that grove he wolde hym hyde al day, Line 1481 And in the nyght thanne wolde he take his way Line 1482 To thebes-ward, his freendes for to preye Line 1483 On theseus to helpe him to werreye; Line 1484 And shortly, outher he wolde lese his lif, Line 1485 Or wynnen emelye unto his wyf. Line 1486 This is th' effect and his entente pleyn. Line 1487 Now wol I turne to arcite ageyn, Line 1488 That litel wiste how ny that was his care, Line 1489 Til that fortune had broght him in the snare. Line 1490 The bisy larke, messager of day, Line 1491 Salueth in hir song the morwe gray, Line 1492 And firy phebus riseth up so bright Line 1493 That al the orient laugheth of the light, Line 1494 And with his stremes dryeth in the greves Line 1495 The silver dropes hangynge on the leves. Line 1496 And arcita, that in the court roial Line 1497 With theseus is squier principal, Line 1498 Is risen and looketh on the myrie day. Line 1499 And for to doon his observaunce to may, Line 1500 Remembrynge on the poynt of his desir, Line 1501 He on a courser, startlynge as the fir, Line 1502 Is riden into the feeldes hym to pleye, Line 1503

Line 1503 Out of the court, were it a myle or tweye. Line 1504 And to the grove of which that I yow tolde Line 1505 By aventure his wey he gan to holde, Line 1506 To maken hym a gerland of the greves Line 1507 Were it of wodebynde or hawethorn leves, Line 1508 And loude he song ayeyn the sonne shene: Line 1509 May, with alle thy floures and thy grene, Line 1510 Welcome be thou, faire, fresshe may, Line 1511 In hope that I som grene gete may. Line 1512 And from his courser, with a lusty herte, Line 1513 Into the grove ful hastily he sterte, Line 1514 And in a path he rometh up and doun, Line 1515 Ther as by aventure this palamoun Line 1516 Was in a bussh, that no man myghte hym se, Line 1517 For soore afered of his deeth was he. Line 1518 No thyng ne knew he that it was arcite; Line 1519 God woot he wolde have trowed it ful lite. Line 1520 But sooth is seyd, go sithen many yeres, Line 1521 That feeld hath eyen and the wode hath eres. Line 1522 It is ful fair a man to bere hym evene, Line 1523 For al day meeteth men at unset stevene. Line 1524 Ful litel woot arcite of his felawe, Line 1525 That was so ny to herknen al his sawe, Line 1526 For in the bussh he sitteth now ful stille. Line 1527 Whan that arcite hadde romed al his fille, Line 1528 And songen al the roundel lustily, Line 1529 Into a studie he fil sodeynly, Line 1530 As doon thise loveres in hir queynte geres, Line 1531 Now in the crope, now doun in the breres, Line 1532 Now up, now doun, as boket in a welle. Line 1533 Right as the friday, soothly for to telle, Line 1534 Now it shyneth, now it reyneth faste, Line 1535 Right so kan geery venus overcaste Line 1536 The hertes of hir folk; right as hir day Line 1537 Is gereful, right so chaungeth she array. Line 1538 Selde is the friday al the wowke ylike. Line 1539 Whan that arcite had songe, he gan to sike, Line 1540 And sette hym doun withouten any moore. Line 1541 Allas, quod he, that day that I was bore! Line 1542 How longe, juno, thurgh thy crueltee, Line 1543 Woltow werreyen thebes the citee? Line 1544 Allas, ybroght is to confusioun Line 1545 The blood roial of cadme and amphioun, -- Line 1546 Of cadmus, which that was the firste man Line 1547 That thebes bulte, or first the toun bigan, Line 1548 And of the citee first was crouned kyng. Line 1549 Of his lynage am I and his ofspryng Line 1550 By verray ligne, as of the stok roial, Line 1551 And now I am so caytyf and so thral, Line 1552 That he that is my mortal enemy, Line 1553 I serve hym as his squier povrely. Line 1554 And yet dooth juno me wel moore shame, Line 1555 For I dar noght biknowe myn owene name; Line 1556 But ther as I was wont to highte arcite, Line 1557 Now highte I philostrate, noght worth a myte. Line 1558 Allas, thou felle mars! allas, juno! Line 1559 Thus hath youre ire oure lynage al fordo, Line 1560 Save oonly me and wrecched palamoun, Line 1561 That theseus martireth in prisoun. Line 1562 And over al this, to sleen me outrely, Line 1563 Love hath his firy dart so brennyngly Line 1564 Ystiked thurgh my trewe, careful herte, Line 1565 That shapen was my deeth erst than my sherte. Line 1566 Ye sleen me with youre eyen, emelye! Line 1567 Ye been the cause wherfore that I dye. Line 1568 Of al the remenant of myn oother care Line 1569 Ne sette I nat the montance of a tare, Line 1570 So that I koude doon aught to youre plesaunce. Line 1571 And with that word he fil doun in a traunce Line 1572 A longe tyme, and after he up sterte. Line 1573 This palamoun, that thoughte that thurgh his herte Line 1574 He felte a coold swerd sodeynliche glyde, Line 1575 For ire he quook, no lenger wolde he byde. Line 1576 And whan that he had herd arcites tale, Line 1577 As he were wood, with face deed and pale, Line 1578 He stirte hym up out of the buskes thikke, Line 1579 And seide: arcite, false traytour wikke, Line 1580 Now artow hent, that lovest my lady so, Line 1581 For whom that I have al this peyne and wo, Line 1582 And art my blood, and to my conseil sworn, Line 1583 As I ful ofte have told thee heerbiforn, Line 1584 And hast byjaped heere duc theseus, Line 1585 And falsly chaunged hast thy name thus! Line 1586 I wol be deed, or elles thou shalt dye. Line 1587 Thou shalt nat love my lady emelye, Line 1588 But I wol love hire oonly and namo; Line 1589 For I am palamon, thy mortal foo. Line 1590 And though that I no wepene have in this place, Line 1591 But out of prison am astert by grace, Line 1592 I drede noght that outher thow shalt dye, Line 1593 Or thow ne shalt nat loven emelye. Line 1594 Chees which thou wolt, for thou shalt nat asterte! Line 1595 This arcite, with ful despitous herte, Line 1596 Whan he hym knew, and hadde his tale herd, Line 1597 As fiers as leon pulled out his swerd, Line 1598 And seyde thus: by God that sit above, Line 1599 Nere it that thou art sik and wood for love, Line 1600 And eek that thow no wepne hast in this place, Line 1601 Thou sholdest nevere out of this grove pace, Line 1602 That thou ne sholdest dyen of myn hond. Line 1603 For I defye the seurete and the bond Line 1604 Which that thou seist that I have maad to thee. Line 1605 What, verray fool, thynk wel that love is free, Line 1606 And I wol love hire maugree al thy myght! Line 1607

Line 1607 But for as muche thou art a worthy knyght; Line 1608 And wilnest to darreyne hire by bataille, Line 1609 Have heer my trouthe, tomorwe I wol nat faille, Line 1610 Withoute wityng of any oother wight, Line 1611 That heere I wol be founden as a knyght, Line 1612 And bryngen harneys right ynough for thee; Line 1613 And ches the beste, and leef the worste for me. Line 1614 And mete and drynke this nyght wol I brynge Line 1615 Ynough for thee, and clothes for thy beddynge. Line 1616 And if so be that thou my lady wynne, Line 1617 And sle me in this wode ther I am inne, Line 1618 Thow mayst wel have thy lady as for me. Line 1619 This palamon answerde, I graunte it thee. Line 1620 And thus they been departed til amorwe, Line 1621 Whan ech of hem had leyd his feith to borwe. Line 1622 O cupide, out of alle charitee! Line 1623 O regne, that wolt no felawe have with thee! Line 1624 Ful sooth is seyd that love ne lordshipe Line 1625 Wol noght, his thankes, have no felaweshipe. Line 1626 Wel fynden that arcite and palamoun. Line 1627 Arcite is riden anon unto the toun, Line 1628 And on the morwe, er it were dayes light, Line 1629 Ful prively two harneys hath he dight, Line 1630 Bothe suffisaunt and mete to darreyne Line 1631 The bataille in the feeld bitwix hem tweyne; Line 1632 And on his hors, allone as he was born, Line 1633 He carieth al the harneys hym biforn. Line 1634 And in the grove, at tyme and place yset, Line 1635 This arcite and this palamon ben met. Line 1636 Tho chaungen gan the colour in hir face, Line 1637 Right as the hunters in the regne of trace, Line 1638 That stondeth at the gappe with a spere, Line 1639 Whan hunted is the leon or the bere, Line 1640 And hereth hym come russhyyng in the greves, Line 1641 And breketh bothe bowes and the leves, Line 1642 And thynketh, heere cometh my mortal enemy! Line 1643 Withoute faille, he moot be deed, or I; Line 1644 For outher I moot sleen hym at the gappe, Line 1645 Or he moot sleen me, if that me myshappe, -- Line 1646 So ferden they in chaungyng of hir hewe, Line 1647 As fer as everich of hem oother knewe. Line 1648 Ther nas no good day, ne no saluyng, Line 1649 But streight, withouten word or rehersyng, Line 1650 Everich of hem heelp for to armen oother Line 1651 As freendly as he were his owene brother; Line 1652 And after that, with sharpe speres stronge Line 1653 They foynen ech at oother wonder longe. Line 1654 Thou myghtest wene that this palamon Line 1655 In his fightyng were a wood leon, Line 1656 And as a crueel tigre was arcite; Line 1657 As wilde bores gonne they to smyte, Line 1658 That frothen whit as foom for ire wood. Line 1659 Up to the ancle foghte they in hir blood. Line 1660 And in this wise I lete hem fightyng dwelle, Line 1661 And forth I wole of theseus yow telle. Line 1662 The destinee, ministre general, Line 1663 That executeth in the world over al Line 1664 The purveiaunce that God hath seyn biforn, Line 1665 So strong it is that, though the world had sworn Line 1666 The contrarie of a thyng by ye or nay, Line 1667 Yet somtyme it shal fallen on a day Line 1668 That falleth nat eft withinne a thousand yeer. Line 1669 For certeinly, oure appetites heer, Line 1670 Be it of werre, or pees, or hate, or love, Line 1671 Al is this reuled by the sighte above. Line 1672 This mene I now by myghty theseus, Line 1673 That for to hunten is so desirus, Line 1674 And namely at the grete hert in may, Line 1675 That in his bed ther daweth hym no day Line 1676 That he nys clad, and redy for to ryde Line 1677 With hunte and horn and houndes hym bisyde. Line 1678 For in his huntyng hath he swich delit Line 1679 That it is al his joye and appetit Line 1680 To been hymself the grete hertes bane, Line 1681 For after mars he serveth now dyane. Line 1682 Cleer was the day, as I have toold er this, Line 1683 And theseus with alle joye and blis, Line 1684 With his ypolita, the faire queene, Line 1685 And emelye, clothed al in grene, Line 1686 On huntyng be they riden roially. Line 1687 And to the grove that stood ful faste by, Line 1688 In which ther was an hert, as men hym tolde, Line 1689 Duc theseus the streighte wey hath holde. Line 1690 And to the launde he rideth hym ful right, Line 1691 For thider was the hert wont have his flight, Line 1692 And over a brook, and so forth on his weye. Line 1693 This duc wol han a cours at hym or tweye Line 1694 With houndes swiche as that hym list comaunde. Line 1695 And whan this duc was come unto the launde, Line 1696 Under the sonne he looketh, and anon Line 1697 He was war of arcite and palamon, Line 1698 That foughten breme, as it were bores two. Line 1699 The brighte swerdes wenten to and fro Line 1700 So hidously that with the leeste strook Line 1701 It semed as it wolde felle an ook. Line 1702 But what they were, no thyng he ne woot. Line 1703 This duc his courser with his spores smoot, Line 1704 And at a stert he was bitwix hem two, Line 1705 And pulled out a swerd, and cride, hoo! Line 1706 Namoore, up peyne of lesynge of youre heed! Line 1707 By myghty mars, he shal anon be deed Line 1708 That smyteth any strook that I may seen. Line 1709 But telleth me what myster men ye been, Line 1710 That been so hardy for to fighten heere Line 1711

Line 1711 Withouten juge or oother officere, Line 1712 As it were in a lystes roially. Line 1713 This palamon answerde hastily, Line 1714 And seyde, sire, what nedeth wordes mo? Line 1715 We have the deeth disserved bothe two. Line 1716 Two woful wrecches been we, two caytyves, Line 1717 That been encombred of oure owene lyves; Line 1718 And as thou art a rightful lord and juge, Line 1719 Ne yif us neither mercy ne refuge, Line 1720 But sle me first, for seinte charitee! Line 1721 But sle my felawe eek as wel as me; Line 1722 Or sle hym first, for though thow knowest it lite, Line 1723 This is thy mortal foo, this is arcite, Line 1724 That fro thy lond is banysshed on his heed, Line 1725 For which he hath deserved to be deed. Line 1726 For this is he that cam unto thy gate Line 1727 And seyde that he highte philostrate. Line 1728 Thus hath he japed thee ful many a yer, Line 1729 And thou hast maked hym thy chief squier; Line 1730 And this is he that loveth emelye. Line 1731 For sith the day is come that I shal dye, Line 1732 I make pleynly my confessioun Line 1733 That I am thilke woful palamoun Line 1734 That hath thy prisoun broken wikkedly. Line 1735 I am thy mortal foo, and it am I Line 1736 That loveth so hoote emelye the brighte Line 1737 That I wol dye present in hir sighte. Line 1738 Wherfore I axe deeth and my juwise; Line 1739 But sle my felawe in the same wise, Line 1740 For bothe han we deserved to be slayn. Line 1741 This worthy duc answerde anon agayn, Line 1742 And seyde, this is a short conclusioun. Line 1743 Youre owene mouth, by youre confessioun, Line 1744 Hath dampned yow, and I wol it recorde; Line 1745 It nedeth noght to pyne yow with the corde. Line 1746 Ye shal be deed, by myghty mars the rede! Line 1747 The queene anon, for verray wommanhede, Line 1748 Gan for to wepe, and so dide emelye, Line 1749 And alle the ladyes in the compaignye. Line 1750 Greet pitee was it, as it thoughte hem alle, Line 1751 That evere swich a chaunce sholde falle; Line 1752 For gentil men they were of greet estaat, Line 1753 And no thyng but for love was this debaat; Line 1754 And saugh hir blody woundes wyde and soore, Line 1755 And alle crieden, bothe lasse and moore, Line 1756 Have mercy, lord, upon us wommen alle! Line 1757 And on hir bare knees adoun they falle, Line 1758 And wolde have kist his feet ther as he stood; Line 1759 Til at the laste aslaked was his mood, Line 1760 For pitee renneth soone in gentil herte. Line 1761 And though he first for ire quook and sterte, Line 1762 He hath considered shortly, in a clause, Line 1763 The trespas of hem bothe, and eek the cause, Line 1764 And although that his ire hir gilt accused, Line 1765 Yet in his resoun he hem bothe excused, Line 1766 As thus: he thoghte wel that every man Line 1767 Wol helpe hymself in love, if that he kan, Line 1768 And eek delivere hymself out of prisoun. Line 1769 And eek his herte hadde compassioun Line 1770 Of wommen, for they wepen evere in oon; Line 1771 And in his gentil herte he thoughte anon, Line 1772 And softe unto hymself he seyde, fy Line 1773 Upon a lord that wol have no mercy, Line 1774 But been a leon, bothe in word and dede, Line 1775 To hem that been in repentaunce and drede, Line 1776 As wel as to a proud despitous man Line 1777 That wol mayntene that he first bigan. Line 1778 That lord hath litel of discrecioun, Line 1779 That in swich cas kan no divisioun, Line 1780 But weyeth pride and humblesse after oon. Line 1781 And shortly, whan his ire is thus agoon, Line 1782 He gan to looken up with eyen lighte, Line 1783 And spak thise same wordes al on highte: Line 1784 The God of love, a, benedicite! Line 1785 How myghty and how greet a lord is he! Line 1786 Ayeyns his myght ther gayneth none obstacles. Line 1787 He may be cleped a God for his myracles; Line 1788 For he kan maken, at his owene gyse, Line 1789 Of everich herte as that hym list divyse. Line 1790 Lo heere this arcite and this palamoun, Line 1791 That quitly weren out of my prisoun, Line 1792 And myghte han lyved in thebes roially, Line 1793 And witen I am hir mortal enemy, Line 1794 And that hir deth lith in my myght also; Line 1795 And yet hath love, maugree hir eyen two, Line 1796 Broght hem hyder bothe for to dye. Line 1797 Now looketh, is nat that an heigh folye? Line 1798 Who may been a fool, but if he love? Line 1799 Bihoold, for goddes sake that sit above, Line 1800 Se how they blede! be they noght wel arrayed? Line 1801 Thus hath hir lord, the God of love, ypayed Line 1802 Hir wages and hir fees for hir servyse! Line 1803 And yet they wenen for to been ful wyse Line 1804 That serven love, for aught that may bifalle. Line 1805 But this is yet the beste game of alle, Line 1806 That she for whom they han this jolitee Line 1807 Kan hem therfore as muche thank as me. Line 1808 She woot namoore of al this hoote fare, Line 1809 By god, than woot a cokkow or an hare! Line 1810 But all moot ben assayed, hoot and coold; Line 1811 A man moot ben a fool, or yong or oold, -- Line 1812 I woot it by myself ful yore agon, Line 1813 For in my tyme a servant was I oon. Line 1814 And therfore, syn I knowe of loves peyne, Line 1815 And woot hou soore it kan a man distreyne, Line 1816 As he that hath ben caught ofte in his laas, Line 1817 I yow foryeve al hoolly this trespaas, Line 1818

Line 1818 At requeste of the queene, that kneleth heere, Line 1819 And eek of emelye, my suster deere. Line 1820 And ye shul bothe anon unto me swere Line 1821 That nevere mo ye shal my contree dere, Line 1822 Ne make werre upon me nyght ne day, Line 1823 But been my freendes in all that ye may. Line 1824 I yow foryeve this trespas every deel. Line 1825 And they hym sworen his axyng faire and weel, Line 1826 And hym of lordshipe and of mercy preyde, Line 1827 And he hem graunteth grace, and thus he seyde: Line 1828 To speke of roial lynage and richesse, Line 1829 Though that she were a queene or a princesse, Line 1830 Ech of you bothe is worthy, doutelees, Line 1831 To wedden whan tyme is, but nathelees Line 1832 I speke as for my suster emelye, Line 1833 For whom ye have this strif and jalousye. Line 1834 Ye woot yourself she may nat wedden two Line 1835 Atones, though ye fighten everemo. Line 1836 That oon of you, al be hym looth or lief, Line 1837 He moot go pipen in an yvy leef; Line 1838 This is to seyn, she may nat now han bothe, Line 1839 Al be ye never so jalouse ne so wrothe. Line 1840 And forthy I yow putte in this degree, Line 1841 That ech of yow shal have his destynee Line 1842 As hym is shape, and herkneth in what wyse; Line 1843 Lo heere youre ende of that I shal devyse. Line 1844 My wyl is this, for plat conclusioun, Line 1845 Withouten any repplicacioun, -- Line 1846 If that you liketh, take it for the beste: Line 1847 That everich of you shal goon where hym leste Line 1848 Frely, withouten raunson or daunger; Line 1849 And this day fifty wykes, fer ne ner, Line 1850 Everich of you shal brynge an hundred knyghtes Line 1851 Armed for lystes up at alle rightes, Line 1852 Al redy to darreyne hire by bataille. Line 1853 And this bihote I yow withouten faille, Line 1854 Upon my trouthe, and as I am a knyght, Line 1855 That wheither of yow bothe that hath myght, -- Line 1856 This is to seyn, that wheither he or thow Line 1857 May with his hundred, as I spak of now, Line 1858 Sleen his contrarie, or out of lystes dryve, Line 1859 Thanne shal I yeve emelya to wyve Line 1860 To whom that fortune yeveth so fair a grace. Line 1861 The lystes shal I maken in this place, Line 1862 And God so wisly on my soule rewe, Line 1863 As I shal evene juge been and trewe. Line 1864 Ye shul noon oother ende with me maken, Line 1865 That oon of yow ne shal be deed or taken. Line 1866 And if yow thynketh this is weel ysayd, Line 1867 Seyeth youre avys, and holdeth you apayd. Line 1868 This is youre ende and youre conclusioun. Line 1869 Who looketh lightly now but palamoun? Line 1870 Who spryngeth up for joye but arcite? Line 1871 Who kouthe telle, or who kouthe it endite, Line 1872 The joye that is maked in the place Line 1873 Whan theseus hath doon so fair a grace? Line 1874 But doun on knees wente every maner wight, Line 1875 And thonked hym with al hir herte and myght, Line 1876 And namely the thebans often sithe. Line 1877 And thus with good hope and with herte blithe Line 1878 They taken hir leve, and homward gonne they ride Line 1879 To thebes, with his olde walles wyde. Line 1880 Explicit secunda pars.

Sequitur pars tercia.

I trowe men wolde deme it necligence Line 1881 If I foryete to tellen the dispence Line 1882 Of theseus, that gooth so bisily Line 1883 To maken up the lystes roially, Line 1884 That swich a noble theatre as it was, Line 1885 I dar wel seyen in this world ther nas. Line 1886 The circuit a myle was aboute, Line 1887 Walled of stoon, and dyched al withoute. Line 1888 Round was the shap, in manere of compas, Line 1889 Ful of degrees, the heighte of sixty pas, Line 1890 That whan a man was set on o degree, Line 1891 He letted nat his felawe for to see. Line 1892 Estward ther stood a gate of marbul whit, Line 1893 Westward right swich another in the opposit. Line 1894 And shortly to concluden, swich a place Line 1895 Was noon in erthe, as in so litel space; Line 1896 For in the lond ther was no crafty man Line 1897 That geometrie or ars-metrike kan, Line 1898 Ne portreyour, ne kervere of ymages, Line 1899 That theseus ne yaf him mete and wages, Line 1900 The theatre for to maken and devyse. Line 1901 And for to doon his ryte and sacrifise, Line 1902 He estward hath, upon the gate above, Line 1903 In worshipe of venus, goddesse of love, Line 1904 Doon make an auter and an oratorie; Line 1905 And on the gate westward, in memorie Line 1906 Of mars, he maked hath right swich another, Line 1907 That coste largely of gold a fother. Line 1908 And northward, in a touret on the wal, Line 1909 Of alabastre whit and reed coral, Line 1910 An oratorie, riche for to see, Line 1911 In worshipe of dyane of chastitee, Line 1912 Hath theseus doon wroght in noble wyse. Line 1913 But yet hadde I foryeten to devyse Line 1914 The noble kervyng and the portreitures, Line 1915 The shap, the contenaunce, and the figures, Line 1916 That weren in thise oratories thre. Line 1917

Line 1917 First in the temple of venus maystow se Line 1918 Wroght on the wal, ful pitous to biholde, Line 1919 The broken slepes, and the sikes colde, Line 1920 The sacred teeris, and the waymentynge, Line 1921 The firy strokes of the desirynge Line 1922 That loves servantz in this lyf enduren; Line 1923 The othes that hir covenantz assuren; Line 1924 Plesaunce and hope, desir, foolhardynesse, Line 1925 Beautee and youthe, bauderie, richesse, Line 1926 Charmes and force, lesynges, flaterye, Line 1927 Despense, bisynesse, and jalousye, Line 1928 That wered of yelewe gooldes a gerland, Line 1929 And a cokkow sittynge on hir hand; Line 1930 Festes, instrumentz, caroles, daunces, Line 1931 Lust and array, and alle the circumstaunces Line 1932 Of love, which that I rekned and rekne shal, Line 1933 By ordre weren peynted on the wal, Line 1934 And mo than I kan make of mencioun. Line 1935 For soothly al the mount of citheroun, Line 1936 Ther venus hath hir principal dwellynge, Line 1937 Was shewed on the wal in portreyynge, Line 1938 With al the gardyn and the lustynesse. Line 1939 Nat was foryeten the porter, ydelnesse, Line 1940 Ne narcisus the faire of yore agon, Line 1941 Ne yet the folye of kyng salomon, Line 1942 Ne yet the grete strengthe of ercules -- Line 1943 Th-enchauntementz of medea and circes -- Line 1944 Ne of turnus, with the hardy fiers corage, Line 1945 The riche cresus, kaytyf in servage. Line 1946 Thus may ye seen that wysdom ne richesse, Line 1947 Beautee ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardynesse, Line 1948 Ne may with venus holde champartie, Line 1949 For as hir list the world than may she gye. Line 1950 Lo, alle thise folk so caught were in hir las, Line 1951 Til they for wo ful ofte seyde allas! Line 1952 Suffiseth heere ensamples oon or two, Line 1953 And though I koude rekene a thousand mo. Line 1954 The statue of venus, glorious for to se, Line 1955 Was naked, fletynge in the large see, Line 1956 And fro the navele doun al covered was Line 1957 With wawes grene, and brighte as any glas. Line 1958 A citole in hir right hand hadde she, Line 1959 And on hir heed, ful semely for to se, Line 1960 A rose gerland, fressh and wel smellynge; Line 1961 Above hir heed hir dowves flikerynge. Line 1962 Biforn hire stood hir sone cupido; Line 1963 Upon his shuldres wynges hadde he two, Line 1964 And blynd he was, as it is often seene; Line 1965 A bowe he bar and arwes brighte and kene. Line 1966 Why sholde I noght as wel eek telle yow al Line 1967 The portreiture that was upon the wal Line 1968 Withinne the temple of myghty mars the rede? Line 1969 Al peynted was the wal, in lengthe and brede, Line 1970 Lyk to the estres of the grisly place Line 1971 That highte the grete temple of mars in trace, Line 1972 In thilke colde, frosty regioun Line 1973 Ther as mars hath his sovereyn mansioun. Line 1974 First on the wal was peynted a forest, Line 1975 In which ther dwelleth neither man ne best, Line 1976 With knotty, knarry, bareyne trees olde, Line 1977 Of stubbes sharpe and hidouse to biholde, Line 1978 In which ther ran a rumbel in a swough, Line 1979 As though a storm sholde bresten every bough. Line 1980 And dounward from an hille, under a bente, Line 1981 Ther stood the temple of mars armypotente, Line 1982 Wroght al of burned steel, of which the entree Line 1983 Was long and streit, and gastly for to see. Line 1984 And therout came a rage and swich a veze Line 1985 That it made al the gate for to rese. Line 1986 The northren lyght in at the dores shoon, Line 1987 For wyndowe on the wal ne was ther noon, Line 1988 Thurgh which men myghten any light discerne. Line 1989 The dore was al of adamant eterne, Line 1990 Yclenched overthwart and endelong Line 1991 With iren tough; and for to make it strong, Line 1992 Every pyler, the temple to sustene, Line 1993 Was tonne-greet, of iren bright and shene. Line 1994 Ther saugh I first the derke ymaginyng Line 1995 Of felonye, and al the compassyng; Line 1996 The crueel ire, reed as any gleede; Line 1997 The pykepurs, and eek the pale drede; Line 1998 The smylere with the knyf under the cloke; Line 1999 The shepne brennynge with the blake smoke; Line 2000 The tresoun of the mordrynge in the bedde; Line 2001 The open werre, with woundes al bibledde; Line 2002 Contek, with blody knyf and sharp manace. Line 2003 Al ful of chirkyng was that sory place. Line 2004 The sleere of hymself yet saugh I ther, -- Line 2005 His herte-blood hath bathed al his heer; Line 2006 The nayl ydryven in the shode a-nyght; Line 2007 The colde deeth, with mouth gapyng upright. Line 2008 Amyddes of the temple sat meschaunce, Line 2009 With disconfort and sory contenaunce. Line 2010 Yet saugh I woodnesse, laughynge in his rage, Line 2011 Armed compleint, outhees, and fiers outrage; Line 2012 The careyne in the busk, with throte ycorve; Line 2013 A thousand slayn, and nat of qualm ystorve; Line 2014 The tiraunt, with the pray by force yraft; Line 2015 The toun destroyed, ther was no thyng laft. Line 2016 Yet saugh I brent the shippes hoppesteres; Line 2017 The hunte strangled with the wilde beres; Line 2018 The sowe freten the child right in the cradel; Line 2019 The cook yscalded, for al his longe ladel. Line 2020 Noght was foryeten by the infortune of marte Line 2021 The cartere overryden with his carte: Line 2022 Under the wheel ful lowe he lay adoun. Line 2023 Ther were also, of martes divisioun, Line 2024

Line 2024 The barbour, and the bocher, and the smyth, Line 2025 That forgeth sharpe swerdes on his styth. Line 2026 And al above, depeynted in a tour, Line 2027 Saugh I conquest, sittynge in greet honour, Line 2028 With the sharpe swerd over his heed Line 2029 Hangynge by a soutil twynes threed. Line 2030 Depeynted was the slaughtre of julius, Line 2031 Of grete nero, and of antonius; Line 2032 Al be that thilke tyme they were unborn, Line 2033 Yet was hir deth depeynted ther-biforn Line 2034 By manasynge of mars, right by figure. Line 2035 So was it shewed in that portreiture, Line 2036 As is depeynted in the sterres above Line 2037 Who shal be slayn or elles deed for love. Line 2038 Suffiseth oon ensample in stories olde; Line 2039 I may nat rekene hem alle though I wolde. Line 2040 The statue of mars upon a carte stood Line 2041 Armed, and looked grym as he were wood; Line 2042 And over his heed ther shynen two figures Line 2043 Of sterres, that been cleped in scriptures, Line 2044 That oon puella, that oother rubeus -- Line 2045 This God of armes was arrayed thus. Line 2046 A wolf ther stood biforn hym at his feet Line 2047 With eyen rede, and of a man he eet; Line 2048 With soutil pencel depeynted was this storie Line 2049 In redoutynge of mars and of his glorie. Line 2050 Now to the temple of dyane the chaste, Line 2051 As shortly as I kan, I wol me haste, Line 2052 To telle yow al the descripsioun. Line 2053 Depeynted been the walles up and doun Line 2054 Of huntyng and of shamefast chastitee. Line 2055 Ther saugh I how woful calistopee, Line 2056 Whan that diane agreved was with here, Line 2057 Was turned from a womman til a bere, Line 2058 And after was she maad the loode-sterre; Line 2059 Thus was it peynted, I kan sey yow no ferre. Line 2060 Hir sone is eek a sterre, as men may see. Line 2061 Ther saugh I dane, yturned til a tree, -- Line 2062 I mene nat the goddesse diane, Line 2063 But penneus doghter, which that highte dane. Line 2064 Ther saugh I attheon an hert ymaked, Line 2065 For vengeaunce that he saugh diane al naked; Line 2066 I saugh how that his houndes have hym caught Line 2067 And freeten hym, for that they knewe hym naught. Line 2068 Yet peynted was a litel forther moor Line 2069 How atthalante hunted the wilde boor, Line 2070 And meleagre, and many another mo, Line 2071 For which dyane wroghte hym care and wo. Line 2072 Ther saugh I many another wonder storie, Line 2073 The which me list nat drawen to memorie. Line 2074 This goddesse on an hert ful hye seet, Line 2075 With smale houndes al aboute hir feet; Line 2076 And undernethe hir feet she hadde a moone, -- Line 2077 Wexynge it was and sholde wanye soone. Line 2078 In gaude grene hir statue clothed was, Line 2079 With bowe in honde, and arwes in a cas. Line 2080 Hir eyen caste she ful lowe adoun, Line 2081 Ther pluto hath his derke regioun. Line 2082 A womman travaillynge was hire biforn; Line 2083 But for hir child so longe was unborn, Line 2084 Ful pitously lucyna gan she calle, Line 2085 And seyde, help, for thou mayst best of alle! Line 2086 Wel koude he peynten lifly that it wroghte; Line 2087 With many a floryn he the hewes boghte. Line 2088 Now been thise lystes maad, and theseus, Line 2089 That at his grete cost arrayed thus Line 2090 The temples and the theatre every deel, Line 2091 Whan it was doon, hym lyked wonder weel. Line 2092 But stynte I wole of theseus a lite, Line 2093 And speke of palamon and of arcite. Line 2094 The day approcheth of hir retournynge, Line 2095 That everich sholde an hundred knyghtes brynge Line 2096 The bataille to darreyne, as I yow tolde. Line 2097 And til atthenes, hir covenant for to holde, Line 2098 Hath everich of hem broght an hundred knyghtes, Line 2099 Wel armed for the werre at alle rightes. Line 2100 And sikerly ther trowed many a man Line 2101 That nevere, sithen that the world bigan, Line 2102 As for to speke of knyghthod of hir hond, Line 2103 As fer as God hath maked see or lond, Line 2104 Nas of so fewe so noble a compaignye. Line 2105 For every wight that lovede chivalrye, Line 2106 And wolde, his thankes, han a passant name, Line 2107 Hath preyed that he myghte been of that game; Line 2108 And wel was hym that therto chosen was. Line 2109 For if ther fille tomorwe swich a cas, Line 2110 Ye knowen wel that every lusty knyght Line 2111 That loveth paramours and hath his myght, Line 2112 Were it in engelond or elleswhere, Line 2113 They wolde, hir thankes, wilnen to be there, -- Line 2114 To fighte for a lady, benedicitee! Line 2115 It were a lusty sighte for to see. Line 2116 And right so ferden they with palamon. Line 2117 With hym ther wenten knyghtes many on; Line 2118 Som wol ben armed in an haubergeoun, Line 2119 And in a brestplate and light gypoun; Line 2120 And som wol have a paire plates large; Line 2121 And som wol have a pruce sheeld or a targe; Line 2122 Som wol ben armed on his legges weel, Line 2123 And have an ax, and som a mace of steel -- Line 2124 Ther is no newe gyse that it nas old. Line 2125 Armed were they, as I have yow told, Line 2126 Everych after his opinioun. Line 2127 Ther maistow seen, comynge with palamoun, Line 2128 Lygurge hymself, the grete kyng of trace. Line 2129

Line 2129 Blak was his berd, and manly was his face; Line 2130 The cercles of his eyen in his heed, Line 2131 They gloweden bitwixen yelow and reed, Line 2132 And lik a grifphon looked he aboute, Line 2133 With kempe heeris on his browes stoute; Line 2134 His lymes grete, his brawnes harde and stronge, Line 2135 His shuldres brode, his armes rounde and longe; Line 2136 And as the gyse was in his contree, Line 2137 Ful hye upon a chaar of gold stood he, Line 2138 With foure white boles in the trays. Line 2139 In stede of cote-armure over his harnays, Line 2140 With nayles yelewe and brighte as any gold, Line 2141 He hadde a beres skyn, col-blak for old. Line 2142 His longe heer was kembd bihynde his bak; Line 2143 As any ravenes fethere it shoon for blak; Line 2144 A wrethe of gold, arm-greet, of huge wighte, Line 2145 Upon his heed, set ful of stones brighte, Line 2146 Of fyne rubyes and of dyamauntz. Line 2147 Aboute his chaar ther wenten white alauntz, Line 2148 Twenty and mo, as grete as any steer, Line 2149 To hunten at the leoun or the deer, Line 2150 And folwed hym with mosel faste ybounde, Line 2151 Colered of gold, and tourettes fyled rounde. Line 2152 An hundred lordes hadde he in his route, Line 2153 Armed ful wel, with hertes stierne and stoute. Line 2154 With arcita, in stories as men fynde, Line 2155 The grete emetreus, the kyng of inde, Line 2156 Upon a steede bay trapped in steel, Line 2157 Covered in clooth of gold, dyapred weel, Line 2158 Cam ridynge lyk the God of armes, mars. Line 2159 His cote-armure was of clooth of tars Line 2160 Couched with perles white and rounde and grete; Line 2161 His sadel was of brend gold newe ybete; Line 2162 A mantelet upon his shulder hangynge, Line 2163 Bret-ful of rubyes rede as fyr sparklynge; Line 2164 His crispe heer lyk rynges was yronne, Line 2165 And that was yelow, and glytered as the sonne. Line 2166 His nose was heigh, his eyen bright citryn, Line 2167 His lippes rounde, his colour was sangwyn; Line 2168 A fewe frakenes in his face yspreynd, Line 2169 Bitwixen yelow and somdel blak ymeynd; Line 2170 And as a leon he his lookyng caste. Line 2171 Of fyve and twenty yeer his age I caste. Line 2172 His berd was wel bigonne for to sprynge; Line 2173 His voys was as a trompe thonderynge. Line 2174 Upon his heed he wered of laurer grene Line 2175 A gerland, fressh and lusty for to sene. Line 2176 Upon his hand he bar for his deduyt Line 2177 An egle tame, as any lilye whyt. Line 2178 An hundred lordes hadde he with hym there, Line 2179 Al armed, save hir heddes, in al hir gere, Line 2180 Ful richely in alle maner thynges. Line 2181 For trusteth wel that dukes, erles, kynges Line 2182 Were gadered in this noble compaignye, Line 2183 For love and for encrees of chivalrye. Line 2184 Aboute this kyng ther ran on every part Line 2185 Ful many a tame leon and leopart. Line 2186 And in this wise thise lordes, alle and some, Line 2187 Been on the sonday to the citee come Line 2188 Aboute pryme, and in the toun alight. Line 2189 This theseus, this duc, this worthy knyght, Line 2190 Whan he had broght hem into his citee, Line 2191 And inned hem, everich at his degree, Line 2192 He festeth hem, and dooth so greet labour Line 2193 To esen hem and doon hem al honour, Line 2194 That yet men wenen that no mannes wit Line 2195 Of noon estaat ne koude amenden it. Line 2196 The mynstralcye, the service at the feeste, Line 2197 The grete yiftes to the meeste and leeste, Line 2198 The riche array of theseus paleys, Line 2199 Ne who sat first ne last upon the deys, Line 2200 What ladyes fairest been or best daunsynge, Line 2201 Or which of hem kan dauncen best and synge, Line 2202 Ne who moost felyngly speketh of love; Line 2203 What haukes sitten on the perche above, Line 2204 What houndes liggen on the floor adoun, -- Line 2205 Of al this make I now no mencioun, Line 2206 But al th' effect, that thynketh me the beste. Line 2207 Now cometh the point, and herkneth if yow leste. Line 2208 The sonday nyght, er day bigan to sprynge, Line 2209 Whan palamon the larke herde synge, Line 2210 (although it nere nat day by houres two, Line 2211 Yet song the larke) and palamon right tho Line 2212 With hooly herte and with an heigh corage, Line 2213 He roos to wenden on his pilgrymage Line 2214 Unto the blisful citherea benigne, -- Line 2215 I mene venus, honurable and digne. Line 2216 And in hir houre he walketh forth a pas Line 2217 Unto the lystes ther hire temple was, Line 2218 And doun he kneleth, and with humble cheere Line 2219 And herte soor, he seyde as ye shal heere: Line 2220 Faireste of faire, o lady myn, venus, Line 2221 Doughter to jove, and spouse of vulcanus, Line 2222 Thow gladere of the mount of citheron, Line 2223 For thilke love thow haddest to adoon, Line 2224 Have pitee of my bittre teeris smerte, Line 2225 And taak myn humble preyere at thyn herte. Line 2226 Allas! I ne have no langage to telle Line 2227 Th' effectes ne the tormentz of myn helle; Line 2228 Myn herte may myne harmes nat biwreye; Line 2229 I am so confus that I kan noght seye Line 2230 But, -- mercy, lady bright, that knowest weele Line 2231 My thought, and seest what harmes that I feele! Line 2232 Considere al this and rewe upon my soore, Line 2233 As wisly as I shal for everemoore, Line 2234

Line 2234 Emforth my myght, thy trewe servant be, Line 2235 And holden werre alwey with chastitee. Line 2236 That make I myn avow, so ye me helpe! Line 2237 I kepe noght of armes for to yelpe, Line 2238 Ne I ne axe nat tomorwe to have victorie, Line 2239 Ne renoun in this cas, ne veyne glorie Line 2240 Of pris of armes blowen up and doun; Line 2241 But I wolde have fully possessioun Line 2242 Of emelye, and dye in thy servyse. Line 2243 Fynd thow the manere hou, and in what wyse: Line 2244 I recche nat but it may bettre be Line 2245 To have victorie of hem, or they of me, Line 2246 So that I have my lady in myne armes. Line 2247 For though so be that mars is God of armes, Line 2248 Youre vertu is so greet in hevene above Line 2249 That if yow list, I shal wel have my love. Line 2250 Thy temple wol I worshipe everemo, Line 2251 And on thyn auter, where I ride or go, Line 2252 I wol doon sacrifice and fires beete. Line 2253 And if ye wol nat so, my lady sweete, Line 2254 Thanne preye I thee, tomorwe with a spere Line 2255 That arcita me thurgh the herte bere. Line 2256 Thanne rekke I noght, whan I have lost my lyf, Line 2257 Though that arcita wynne hire to his wyf. Line 2258 This is th' effect and ende of my preyere: Line 2259 Yif me my love, thow blisful lady deere. Line 2260 Whan the orison was doon of palamon, Line 2261 His sacrifice he dide, and that anon, Line 2262 Ful pitously, with alle circumstaunces, Line 2263 Al telle I noght as now his observaunces; Line 2264 But atte laste the statue of venus shook, Line 2265 And made a signe, wherby that he took Line 2266 That his preyere accepted was that day. Line 2267 For thogh the signe shewed a delay, Line 2268 Yet wiste he wel that graunted was his boone; Line 2269 And with glad herte he wente hym hoom ful soone. Line 2270 The thridde houre inequal that palamon Line 2271 Bigan to venus temple for to gon, Line 2272 Up roos the sonne, and up roos emelye, Line 2273 And to the temple of dyane gan hye. Line 2274 Hir maydens, that she thider with hire ladde, Line 2275 Ful redily with hem the fyr they hadde, Line 2276 Th' encens, the clothes, and the remenant al Line 2277 That to the sacrifice longen shal; Line 2278 The hornes fulle of meeth, as was the gyse: Line 2279 Ther lakked noght to doon hir sacrifise. Line 2280 Smokynge the temple, ful of clothes faire, Line 2281 This emelye, with herte debonaire, Line 2282 Hir body wessh with water of a welle. Line 2283 But hou she dide hir ryte I dar nat telle, Line 2284 But it be any thing in general; Line 2285 And yet it were a game to heeren al. Line 2286 To hym that meneth wel it were no charge; Line 2287 But it is good a man been at his large. Line 2288 Hir brighte heer was kembd, untressed al; Line 2289 A coroune of a grene ook cerial Line 2290 Upon hir heed was set ful fair and meete. Line 2291 Two fyres on the auter gan she beete, Line 2292 And dide hir thynges, as men may biholde Line 2293 In stace of thebes and thise bookes olde. Line 2294 Whan kyndled was the fyr, with pitous cheere Line 2295 Unto dyane she spak as ye may heere: Line 2296 O chaste goddesse of the wodes grene, Line 2297 To whom bothe hevene and erthe and see is sene, Line 2298 Queene of the regne of pluto derk and lowe, Line 2299 Goddesse of maydens, that myn herte hast knowe Line 2300 Ful many a yeer, and woost what I desire, Line 2301 As keepe me fro thy vengeaunce and thyn ire, Line 2302 That attheon aboughte cruelly. Line 2303 Chaste goddesse, wel wostow that I Line 2304 Desire to ben a mayden al my lyf, Line 2305 Ne nevere wol I be no love ne wyf. Line 2306 I am, thow woost, yet of thy compaignye, Line 2307 A mayde, and love huntynge and venerye, Line 2308 And for to walken in the wodes wilde, Line 2309 And noght to ben a wyf and be with childe. Line 2310 Noght wol I knowe compaignye of man. Line 2311 Now help me, lady, sith ye may and kan, Line 2312 For tho thre formes that thou hast in thee. Line 2313 And palamon, that hath swich love to me, Line 2314 And eek arcite, that loveth me so soore, Line 2315 (this grace I preye thee withoute moore) Line 2316 As sende love and pees bitwixe hem two, Line 2317 And from me turne awey hir hertes so Line 2318 That al hire hoote love and hir desir, Line 2319 And al hir bisy torment, and hir fir Line 2320 Be queynt, or turned in another place. Line 2321 And if so be thou wolt nat do me grace, Line 2322 Or if my destynee be shapen so Line 2323 That I shal nedes have oon of hem two, Line 2324 As sende me hym that moost desireth me. Line 2325 Bihoold, goddesse of clene chastitee, Line 2326 The bittre teeris that on my chekes falle. Line 2327 Syn thou art mayde and kepere of us alle, Line 2328 My maydenhede thou kepe and wel conserve Line 2329 And whil I lyve, a mayde I wol thee serve. Line 2330 The fires brenne upon the auter cleere, Line 2331 Whil emelye was thus in hir preyere. Line 2332 But sodeynly she saugh a sighte queynte, Line 2333 For right anon oon of the fyres queynte, Line 2334 And quyked agayn, and after that anon Line 2335 That oother fyr was queynt and al agon; Line 2336 And as it queynte it made a whistelynge, Line 2337 As doon thise wete brondes in hir brennynge, Line 2338 And at the brondes ende out ran anon Line 2339

Line 2339 As it were blody dropes many oon; Line 2340 For which so soore agast was emelye Line 2341 That she was wel ny mad, and gan to crye, Line 2342 For she ne wiste what it signyfied; Line 2343 But oonly for the feere thus hath she cried, Line 2344 And weep that it was pitee for to heere. Line 2345 And therwithal dyane gan appeere, Line 2346 With bowe in honde, right as an hunteresse, Line 2347 And seyde, doghter, stynt thyn hevynesse. Line 2348 Among the goddes hye it is affermed, Line 2349 And by eterne word writen and confermed, Line 2350 Thou shalt ben wedded unto oon of tho Line 2351 That han for thee so muchel care and wo; Line 2352 But unto which of hem I may nat telle. Line 2353 Farwel, for I ne may no lenger dwelle. Line 2354 The fires which that on myn auter brenne Line 2355 Shulle thee declaren, er that thou go henne, Line 2356 Thyn aventure of love, as in this cas. Line 2357 And with that word, the arwes in the caas Line 2358 Of the goddesse clateren faste and rynge, Line 2359 And forth she wente, and made a vanysshynge; Line 2360 For which this emelye astoned was, Line 2361 And seyde, what amounteth this, allas? Line 2362 I putte me in thy proteccioun, Line 2363 Dyane, and in thy disposicioun. Line 2364 And hoom she goth anon the nexte weye. Line 2365 This is th' effect; ther is namoore to seye. Line 2366 The nexte houre of mars folwynge this, Line 2367 Arcite unto the temple walked is Line 2368 Of fierse mars, to doon his sacrifise, Line 2369 With alle the rytes of his payen wyse. Line 2370 With pitous herte and heigh devocioun, Line 2371 Right thus to mars he seyde his orisoun: Line 2372 O stronge god, that in the regnes colde Line 2373 Of trace honoured art and lord yholde, Line 2374 And hast in every regne and every lond Line 2375 Of armes al the brydel in thyn hond, Line 2376 And hem fortunest as thee lyst devyse, Line 2377 Accepte of me my pitous sacrifise. Line 2378 If so be that my youthe may deserve, Line 2379 And that my myght be worthy for to serve Line 2380 Thy godhede, that I may been oon of thyne, Line 2381 Thanne preye I thee to rewe upon my pyne. Line 2382 For thilke peyne, and thilke hoote fir Line 2383 In which thow whilom brendest for desir, Line 2384 Whan that thow usedest the beautee Line 2385 Of faire, yonge, fresshe venus free, Line 2386 And haddest hire in armes at thy wille -- Line 2387 Although thee ones on a tyme mysfille, Line 2388 Whan vulcanus hadde caught thee in his las, Line 2389 And foond thee liggynge by his wyf, allas! -- Line 2390 For thilke sorwe that was in thyn herte, Line 2391 Have routhe as wel upon my peynes smerte. Line 2392 I am yong and unkonnynge, as thow woost, Line 2393 And, as I trowe, with love offended moost Line 2394 That evere was any lyves creature; Line 2395 For she that dooth me al this wo endure Line 2396 Ne reccheth nevere wher I synke or fleete. Line 2397 And wel I woot, er she me mercy heete, Line 2398 I moot with strengthe wynne hire in the place, Line 2399 And, wel I woot, withouten help or grace Line 2400 Of thee, ne may my strengthe noght availle. Line 2401 Thanne help me, lord, tomorwe in my bataille, Line 2402 For thilke fyr that whilom brente thee, Line 2403 As wel as thilke fyr now brenneth me, Line 2404 And do that I tomorwe have victorie. Line 2405 Myn be the travaille, and thyn be the glorie! Line 2406 Thy sovereyn temple wol I moost honouren Line 2407 Of any place, and alwey moost labouren Line 2408 In thy plesaunce and in thy craftes stronge, Line 2409 And in thy temple I wol my baner honge Line 2410 And alle the armes of my compaignye; Line 2411 And everemo, unto that day I dye, Line 2412 Eterne fir I wol bifore thee fynde. Line 2413 And eek to this avow I wol me bynde: Line 2414 My beerd, myn heer, that hongeth long adoun, Line 2415 That nevere yet ne felte offensioun Line 2416 Of rasour nor of shere, I wol thee yive, Line 2417 And ben thy trewe servant whil I lyve. Line 2418 Now, lord, have routhe upon my sorwes soore; Line 2419 Yif me victorie, I aske thee namoore. Line 2420 The preyere stynt of arcita the stronge, Line 2421 The rynges on the temple dore that honge, Line 2422 And eek the dores, clatereden ful faste, Line 2423 Of which arcita somwhat hym agaste. Line 2424 The fyres brenden upon the auter brighte, Line 2425 That it gan al the temple for to lighte; Line 2426 A sweete smel the ground anon up yaf, Line 2427 And arcita anon his hand up haf, Line 2428 And moore encens into the fyr he caste, Line 2429 With othere rytes mo; and atte laste Line 2430 The statue of mars bigan his hauberk rynge; Line 2431 And with that soun he herde a murmurynge Line 2432 Ful lowe and dym, and seyde thus, victorie! Line 2433 For which he yaf to mars honour and glorie. Line 2434 And thus with joye and hope wel to fare Line 2435 Arcite anon unto his in is fare, Line 2436 As fayn as fowel is of the brighte sonne. Line 2437 And right anon swich strif ther is bigonne, Line 2438 For thilke grauntyng, in the hevene above, Line 2439 Bitwixe venus, the goddesse of love, Line 2440 And mars, the stierne God armypotente, Line 2441 That juppiter was bisy it to stente; Line 2442 Til that the pale saturnus the colde, Line 2443 That knew so manye of aventures olde, Line 2444 Foond in his olde experience an art Line 2445 That he ful soone hath plesed every part. Line 2446 As sooth is seyd, elde hath greet avantage; Line 2447

Line 2447 In elde is bothe wysdom and usage; Line 2448 Men may the olde atrenne, and noght atrede. Line 2449 Saturne anon, to stynten strif and drede, Line 2450 Al be it that it is agayn his kynde, Line 2451 Of al this strif he gan remedie fynde. Line 2452 My deere doghter venus, quod saturne, Line 2453 My cours, that hath so wyde for to turne, Line 2454 Hath moore power than woot any man. Line 2455 Myn is the drenchyng in the see so wan; Line 2456 Myn is the prison in the derke cote; Line 2457 Myn is the stranglyng and hangyng by the throte, Line 2458 The murmure and the cherles rebellyng, Line 2459 The groynynge, and the pryvee empoysonyng; Line 2460 I do vengeance and pleyn correccioun, Line 2461 Whil I dwelle in the signe of the leoun. Line 2462 Myn is the ruyne of the hye halles, Line 2463 The fallynge of the toures and of the walles Line 2464 Upon the mynour or the carpenter. Line 2465 I slow sampsoun, shakynge the piler; Line 2466 And myne be the maladyes colde, Line 2467 The derke tresons, and the castes olde; Line 2468 My lookyng is the fader of pestilence. Line 2469 Now weep namoore, I shal doon diligence Line 2470 That palamon, that is thyn owene knyght, Line 2471 Shal have his lady, as thou hast him hight. Line 2472 Though mars shal helpe his knyght, yet nathelees Line 2473 Bitwixe yow ther moot be som tyme pees, Line 2474 Al be ye noght of o compleccioun, Line 2475 That causeth al day swich divisioun. Line 2476 I am thyn aiel, redy at thy wille; Line 2477 Weep now namoore, I wol thy lust fulfille. Line 2478 Now wol I stynten of the goddes above, Line 2479 Of mars, and of venus, goddesse of love, Line 2480 And telle yow as pleynly as I kan Line 2481 The grete effect, for which that I bygan. Line 2482 Explicit tercia pars.

Sequitur pars quarta.

Greet was the feeste in atthenes that day, Line 2483 And eek the lusty seson of that may Line 2484 Made every wight to been in swich plesaunce Line 2485 That al that monday justen they and daunce, Line 2486 And spenden it in venus heigh servyse. Line 2487 But by the cause that they sholde ryse Line 2488 Eerly, for to seen the grete fight, Line 2489 Unto hir reste wenten they at nyght. Line 2490 And on the morwe, whan that day gan sprynge, Line 2491 Of hors and harneys noyse and claterynge Line 2492 Ther was in hostelryes al aboute; Line 2493 And to the paleys rood ther many a route Line 2494 Of lordes upon steedes and palfreys. Line 2495 Ther maystow seen devisynge of harneys Line 2496 So unkouth and so riche, and wroght so weel Line 2497 Of goldsmythrye, of browdynge, and of steel; Line 2498 The sheeldes brighte, testeres, and trappures, Line 2499 Gold-hewen helmes, hauberkes, cote-armures; Line 2500 Lordes in parementz on hir courseres, Line 2501 Knyghtes of retenue, and eek squieres Line 2502 Nailynge the speres, and helmes bokelynge; Line 2503 Giggynge of sheeldes, with layneres lacynge Line 2504 (there as nede is they weren no thyng ydel); Line 2505 The fomy steedes on the golden brydel Line 2506 Gnawynge, and faste the armurers also Line 2507 With fyle and hamer prikynge to and fro; Line 2508 Yemen on foote, and communes many oon Line 2509 With shorte staves, thikke as they may goon. Line 2510 Pypes, trompes, nakers, clariounes, Line 2511 That in the bataille blowen blody sounes; Line 2512 The paleys ful of peple up and doun, Line 2513 Heere thre, ther ten, holdynge hir questioun, Line 2514 Dyvynynge of thise thebane knyghtes two. Line 2515 Somme seyden thus, somme seyde it shal be so; Line 2516 Somme helden with hym with the blake berd, Line 2517 Somme with the balled, somme with the thikke herd; Line 2518 Somme seyde he looked grymme, and he wolde fighte; Line 2519 He hath a sparth of twenty pound of wighte. Line 2520 Thus was the halle ful of divynynge, Line 2521 Longe after that the sonne gan to sprynge. Line 2522 The grete theseus, that of his sleep awaked Line 2523 With mynstralcie and noyse that was maked, Line 2524 Heeld yet the chambre of his paleys riche, Line 2525 Til that the thebane knyghtes, bothe yliche Line 2526 Honured, were into the paleys fet. Line 2527 Duc theseus was at a wyndow set, Line 2528 Arrayed right as he were a God in trone. Line 2529 The peple preesseth thiderward ful soone Line 2530 Hym for to seen, and doon heigh reverence, Line 2531 And eek to herkne his heste and his sentence. Line 2532 And heraud on a scaffold made an oo! Line 2533 Til al the noyse of peple was ydo, Line 2534 And whan he saugh the peple of noyse al stille, Line 2535 Tho shewed he the myghty dukes wille. Line 2536 The lord hath of his heigh discrecioun Line 2537 Considered that it were destruccioun Line 2538 To gentil blood to fighten in the gyse Line 2539 Of mortal bataille now in this emprise. Line 2540 Wherfore, to shapen that they shal nat dye, Line 2541 He wol his firste purpos modifye. Line 2542 No man therfore, up peyne of los of lyf, Line 2543 No maner shot, ne polax, ne short knyf Line 2544

Line 2544 Into the lystes sende, or thider brynge; Line 2545 Ne short swerd, for to stoke with poynt bitynge, Line 2546 No man ne drawe, ne bere it by his syde. Line 2547 Ne no man shal unto his felawe ryde Line 2548 But o cours, with a sharpe ygrounde spere; Line 2549 Foyne, if hym list, on foote, hymself to were. Line 2550 And he that is at meschief shal be take Line 2551 And noght slayn, but be broght unto the stake Line 2552 That shal ben ordeyned on either syde; Line 2553 But thider he shal by force, and there abyde. Line 2554 And if so falle the chieftayn be take Line 2555 On outher syde, or elles sleen his make, Line 2556 No lenger shal the turneiynge laste. Line 2557 God spede you! gooth forth, and ley on faste! Line 2558 With long swerd and with maces fighteth youre fille. Line 2559 Gooth now youre wey, this is the lordes wille. Line 2560 The voys of peple touchede the hevene, Line 2561 So loude cride they with murie stevene, Line 2562 God save swich a lord, that is so good, Line 2563 He wilneth no destruccion of blood! Line 2564 Up goon the trompes and the melodye, Line 2565 And to the lystes rit the compaignye, Line 2566 By ordinance, thurghout the citee large, Line 2567 Hanged with clooth of gold, and nat with sarge. Line 2568 Ful lik a lord this noble duc gan ryde, Line 2569 Thise two thebans upon either syde; Line 2570 And after rood the queene, and emelye, Line 2571 And after that another compaignye Line 2572 Of oon and oother, after hir degree. Line 2573 And thus they passen thurghout the citee, Line 2574 And to the lystes come they by tyme. Line 2575 It nas nat of the day yet fully pryme Line 2576 Whan set was theseus ful riche and hye, Line 2577 Ypolita the queene, and emelye, Line 2578 And othere ladys in degrees aboute. Line 2579 Unto the seetes preesseth al the route. Line 2580 And westward, thurgh the gates under marte, Line 2581 Arcite, and eek the hondred of his parte, Line 2582 With baner reed is entred right anon; Line 2583 And in that selve moment palamon Line 2584 Is under venus, estward in the place, Line 2585 With baner whyt, and hardy chiere and face. Line 2586 In al the world, to seken up and doun, Line 2587 So evene, withouten variacioun, Line 2588 Ther nere swiche compaignyes tweye; Line 2589 For ther was noon so wys that koude seye Line 2590 That any hadde of oother avauntage Line 2591 Of worthynesse, ne of estaat, ne age, Line 2592 So evene were they chosen, for to gesse. Line 2593 And in two renges faire they hem dresse. Line 2594 Whan that hir names rad were everichon, Line 2595 That in hir nombre gyle were ther noon, Line 2596 Tho were the gates shet, and cried was loude: Line 2597 Do now youre devoir, yonge knyghtes proude! Line 2598 The heraudes lefte hir prikyng up and doun; Line 2599 Now ryngen trompes loude and clarioun. Line 2600 Ther is namoore to seyn, but west and est Line 2601 In goon the speres ful sadly in arrest; Line 2602 In gooth the sharpe spore into the syde. Line 2603 Ther seen men who kan juste and who kan ryde; Line 2604 Ther shyveren shaftes upon sheeldes thikke; Line 2605 He feeleth thurgh the herte-spoon the prikke. Line 2606 Up spryngen speres twenty foot on highte; Line 2607 Out goon the swerdes as the silver brighte; Line 2608 The helmes they tohewen and toshrede; Line 2609 Out brest the blood with stierne stremes rede; Line 2610 With myghty maces the bones they tobreste. Line 2611 He thurgh the thikkeste of the throng gan threste; Line 2612 Ther stomblen steedes stronge, and doun gooth al; Line 2613 He rolleth under foot as dooth a bal; Line 2614 He foyneth on his feet with his tronchoun, Line 2615 And he hym hurtleth with his hors adoun; Line 2616 He thurgh the body is hurt and sither take, Line 2617 Maugree his heed, and broght unto the stake: Line 2618 As forward was, right there he moste abyde. Line 2619 Another lad is on that oother syde. Line 2620 And some tyme dooth hem theseus to reste, Line 2621 Hem to refresshe and drynken, if hem leste. Line 2622 Ful ofte a day han thise thebanes two Line 2623 Togydre ymet, and wroght his felawe wo; Line 2624 Unhorsed hath ech oother of hem tweye. Line 2625 Ther nas no tygre in the vale of galgopheye, Line 2626 Whan that hir whelp is stole whan it is lite, Line 2627 So crueel on the hunte as is arcite Line 2628 For jelous herte upon this palamon. Line 2629 Ne in belmarye ther nys so fel leon, Line 2630 That hunted is, or for his hunger wood, Line 2631 Ne of his praye desireth so the blood, Line 2632 As palamon to sleen his foo arcite. Line 2633 The jelous strokes on hir helmes byte; Line 2634 Out renneth blood on bothe hir sydes rede. Line 2635 Som tyme an ende ther is of every dede. Line 2636 For er the sonne unto the reste wente, Line 2637 The stronge kyng emetreus gan hente Line 2638 This palamon, as he faught with arcite, Line 2639 And made his swerd depe in his flessh to byte; Line 2640 And by the force of twenty is he take Line 2641 Unyolden, and ydrawe unto the stake. Line 2642 And in the rescus of this palamoun Line 2643 The stronge kyng lygurge is born adoun, Line 2644 And kyng emetreus, for al his strengthe, Line 2645

Line 2645 Is born out of his sadel a swerdes lengthe, Line 2646 So hitte him palamoun er he were take; Line 2647 But al for noght, he was broght to the stake. Line 2648 His hardy herte myghte hym helpe naught: Line 2649 He moste abyde, whan that he was caught, Line 2650 By force and eek by composicioun. Line 2651 Who sorweth now but woful palamoun, Line 2652 That moot namoore goon agayn to fighte? Line 2653 And whan that theseus hadde seyn this sighte, Line 2654 Unto the folk that foghten thus echon Line 2655 He cryde, hoo! namoore, for it is doon! Line 2656 I wol be trewe juge, and no partie. Line 2657 Arcite of thebes shal have emelie, Line 2658 That by his fortune hath hire faire ywonne. Line 2659 Anon ther is a noyse of peple bigonne Line 2660 For joye of this, so loude and heighe withalle, Line 2661 It semed that the lystes sholde falle. Line 2662 What kan now faire venus doon above? Line 2663 What seith she now? what dooth this queene of love, Line 2664 But wepeth so, for wantynge of hir wille, Line 2665 Til that hir teeres in the lystes fille? Line 2666 She seyde, I am ashamed, douteless. Line 2667 Saturnus seyde, doghter, hoold thy pees! Line 2668 Mars hath his wille, his knyght hath al his boone, Line 2669 And, by myn heed, thow shalt been esed soone. Line 2670 The trompours, with the loude mynstralcie, Line 2671 The heraudes, that ful loude yelle and crie, Line 2672 Been in hire wele for joye of daun arcite. Line 2673 But herkneth me, and stynteth noyse a lite, Line 2674 Which a myracle ther bifel anon. Line 2675 This fierse arcite hath of his helm ydon, Line 2676 And on a courser, for to shewe his face, Line 2677 He priketh endelong the large place Line 2678 Lokynge upward upon this emelye; Line 2679 And she agayn hym caste a freendlich ye Line 2680 (for wommen, as to speken in comune, Line 2681 Thei folwen alle the favour of fortune) Line 2682 And was al his chiere, as in his herte. Line 2683 Out of the ground a furie infernal sterte, Line 2684 From pluto sent at requeste of saturne, Line 2685 For which his hors for fere gan to turne, Line 2686 And leep aside, and foundred as he leep; Line 2687 And er that arcite may taken keep, Line 2688 He pighte hym on the pomel of his heed, Line 2689 That in the place he lay as he were deed, Line 2690 His brest tobrosten with his sadel-bowe. Line 2691 As blak he lay as any cole or crowe, Line 2692 So was the blood yronnen in his face. Line 2693 Anon he was yborn out of the place, Line 2694 With herte soor, to theseus paleys. Line 2695 Tho was he korven out of his harneys, Line 2696 And in a bed ybrought ful faire and blyve; Line 2697 For he was yet in memorie and alyve, Line 2698 And alwey criynge after emelye. Line 2699 Duc theseus, with al his compaignye, Line 2700 Is comen hoom to atthenes his citee, Line 2701 With alle blisse and greet solempnitee. Line 2702 Al be it that this aventure was falle, Line 2703 He nolde noght disconforten hem alle. Line 2704 Men seyde eek that arcite shal nat dye; Line 2705 He shal been heeled of his maladye. Line 2706 And of another thyng they weren as fayn, Line 2707 That of hem alle was ther noon yslayn, Line 2708 Al were they soore yhurt, and namely oon, Line 2709 That with a spere was thirled his brest boon. Line 2710 To othere woundes and to broken armes Line 2711 Somme hadden salves, and somme hadden charmes; Line 2712 Fermacies of herbes, and eek save Line 2713 They dronken, for they wolde hir lymes have. Line 2714 For which this noble duc, as he wel kan, Line 2715 Conforteth and honoureth every man, Line 2716 And made revel al the longe nyght Line 2717 Unto the straunge lordes, as was right. Line 2718 Ne ther was holden no disconfitynge Line 2719 But as a justes, or a tourneiynge; Line 2720 For soothly ther was no disconfiture. Line 2721 For fallyng nys nat but an aventure, Line 2722 Ne to be lad by force unto the stake Line 2723 Unyolden, and with twenty knyghtes take, Line 2724 O persone allone, withouten mo, Line 2725 And haryed forth by arme, foot, and too, Line 2726 And eke his steede dryven forth with staves Line 2727 With footmen, bothe yemen and eek knaves, -- Line 2728 It nas arretted hym no vileynye; Line 2729 Ther may no man clepen it cowardye. Line 2730 For which anon duc theseus leet crye, Line 2731 To stynten alle rancour and envye, Line 2732 The gree as wel of o syde as of oother, Line 2733 And eyther syde ylik as ootheres brother; Line 2734 And yaf hem yiftes after hir degree, Line 2735 And fully heeld a feeste dayes three, Line 2736 And conveyed the kynges worthily Line 2737 Out of his toun a journee largely. Line 2738 And hoom wente every man the righte way. Line 2739 Ther was namoore but fare wel, have good day! Line 2740 Of this bataille I wol namoore endite, Line 2741 But speke of palamon and of arcite. Line 2742 Swelleth the brest of arcite, and the soore Line 2743 Encreesseth at his herte moore and moore. Line 2744 The clothered blood, for any lechecraft, Line 2745 Corrupteth, and is in his bouk ylaft, Line 2746 That neither veyne-blood, ne ventusynge, Line 2747 Ne drynke of herbes may ben his helpynge. Line 2748 The vertu expulsif, or animal, Line 2749

Line 2749 Fro thilke vertu cleped natural Line 2750 Ne may the venym voyden ne expelle. Line 2751 The pipes of his longes gonne to swelle, Line 2752 And every lacerte in his brest adoun Line 2753 Is shent with venym and corrupcioun. Line 2754 Hym gayneth neither, for to gete his lif, Line 2755 Vomyt upward, ne dounward laxatif. Line 2756 Al is tobrosten thilke regioun; Line 2757 Nature hath now no dominacioun. Line 2758 And certeinly, ther nature wol nat wirche, Line 2759 Fare wel phisik! go ber the man to chirche! Line 2760 This al and som, that arcita moot dye; Line 2761 For which he sendeth after emelye, Line 2762 And palamon, that was his cosyn deere. Line 2763 Thanne seyde he thus, as ye shal after heere: Line 2764 Naught may the woful spirit in myn herte Line 2765 Declare o point of alle my sorwes smerte Line 2766 To yow, my lady, that I love moost; Line 2767 But I biquethe the servyce of my goost Line 2768 To yow aboven every creature, Line 2769 Syn that my lyf may no lenger dure. Line 2770 Allas, the wo! allas, the peynes stronge, Line 2771 That I for yow have suffred, and so longe! Line 2772 Allas, the deeth! allas, myn emelye! Line 2773 Allas, departynge of oure compaignye! Line 2774 Allas, myn hertes queene! allas, my wyf! Line 2775 Myn hertes lady, endere of my lyf! Line 2776 What is this world? what asketh men to have? Line 2777 Now with his love, now in his colde grave Line 2778 Allone, withouten any compaignye. Line 2779 Fare wel, my sweete foo, myn emelye! Line 2780 And softe taak me in youre armes tweye, Line 2781 For love of god, and herkneth what I seye. Line 2782 I have heer with my cosyn palamon Line 2783 Had strif and rancour many a day agon Line 2784 For love of yow, and for my jalousye. Line 2785 And juppiter so wys my soule gye, Line 2786 To speken of a servaunt proprely, Line 2787 With alle circumstances trewely -- Line 2788 That is to seyen, trouthe, honour, knyghthede, Line 2789 Wysdom, humblesse, estaat, and heigh kynrede, Line 2790 Fredom, and al that longeth to that art -- Line 2791 So juppiter have of my soule part, Line 2792 As in this world right now ne knowe I non Line 2793 So worthy to ben loved as palamon, Line 2794 That serveth yow, and wol doon al his lyf. Line 2795 And if that evere ye shul ben a wyf, Line 2796 Foryet nat palamon, the gentil man. Line 2797 And with that word his speche faille gan, Line 2798 For from his feet up to his brest was come Line 2799 The coold of deeth, that hadde hym overcome, Line 2800 And yet mooreover, for in his armes two Line 2801 The vital strengthe is lost and al ago. Line 2802 Oonly the intellect, withouten moore, Line 2803 That dwelled in his herte syk and soore, Line 2804 Gan faillen whan the herte felte deeth. Line 2805 Dusked his eyen two, and failled breeth, Line 2806 But on his lady yet caste he his ye; Line 2807 His laste word was, mercy, emelye! Line 2808 His spirit chaunged hous and wente ther, Line 2809 As I cam nevere, I kan nat tellen wher. Line 2810 Therfore I stynte, I nam no divinistre; Line 2811 Of soules fynde I nat in this registre, Line 2812 Ne me ne list thilke opinions to telle Line 2813 Of hem, though that they writen wher they dwelle. Line 2814 Arcite is coold, ther mars his soule gye! Line 2815 Now wol I speken forth of emelye. Line 2816 Shrighte emelye, and howleth palamon, Line 2817 And theseus his suster took anon Line 2818 Swownynge, and baar hire fro the corps away. Line 2819 What helpeth it to tarien forth the day Line 2820 To tellen how she weep bothe eve and morwe? Line 2821 For in swich cas wommen have swich sorwe, Line 2822 Whan that hir housbondes ben from hem ago, Line 2823 That for the moore part they sorwen so, Line 2824 Or ellis fallen in swich maladye, Line 2825 That at the laste certeinly they dye. Line 2826 Infinite been the sorwes and the teeres Line 2827 Of olde folk, and folk of tendre yeeres, Line 2828 In al the toun for deeth of this theban. Line 2829 For hym ther wepeth bothe child and man; Line 2830 So greet wepyng was ther noon, certayn, Line 2831 Whan ector was ybroght, al fressh yslayn, Line 2832 To troye. Allas, the pitee that was ther, Line 2833 Cracchynge of chekes, rentynge eek of heer. Line 2834 Why woldestow be deed, thise wommen crye, Line 2835 And haddest gold ynough, and emelye? Line 2836 No man myghte gladen theseus, Line 2837 Savynge his olde fader egeus, Line 2838 That knew this worldes transmutacioun, Line 2839 As he hadde seyn it chaunge bothe up and doun, Line 2840 Joye after wo, and wo after gladnesse, Line 2841 And shewed hem ensamples and liknesse. Line 2842 Right as ther dyed nevere man, quod he, Line 2843 That he ne lyvede in erthe in some degree, Line 2844 Right so ther lyvede never man, he seyde, Line 2845 In al this world, that som tyme he ne deyde. Line 2846 This world nys but a thurghfare ful of wo, Line 2847 And we been pilgrymes, passynge to and fro. Line 2848 Deeth is an ende of every worldly soore. Line 2849 And over al this yet seyde he muchel moore Line 2850 To this effect, ful wisely to enhorte Line 2851 The peple that they sholde hem reconforte. Line 2852 Duc theseus, with al his bisy cure, Line 2853

Line 2853 Caste now wher that the sepulture Line 2854 Of goode arcite may best ymaked be, Line 2855 And eek moost honurable in his degree. Line 2856 And at the laste he took conclusioun Line 2857 That ther as first arcite and palamoun Line 2858 Hadden for love the bataille hem bitwene, Line 2859 That in that selve grove, swoote and grene, Line 2860 Ther as he hadde his amorouse desires, Line 2861 His compleynte, and for love his hoote fires, Line 2862 He wolde make a fyr in which the office Line 2863 Funeral he myghte al accomplice. Line 2864 And leet comande anon to hakke and hewe Line 2865 The okes olde, and leye hem on a rewe Line 2866 In colpons wel arrayed for to brenne. Line 2867 His officers with swifte feet they renne Line 2868 And ryde anon at his comandement. Line 2869 And after this, theseus hath ysent Line 2870 After a beere, and it al over spradde Line 2871 With clooth of gold, the richeste that he hadde. Line 2872 And of the same suyte he cladde arcite; Line 2873 Upon his hondes hadde he gloves white, Line 2874 Eek on his heed a coroune of laurer grene, Line 2875 And in his hond a swerd ful bright and kene. Line 2876 He leyde hym, bare the visage, on the beere; Line 2877 Therwith he weep that pitee was to heere. Line 2878 And for the peple sholde seen hym alle, Line 2879 Whan it was day, he broghte hym to the halle, Line 2880 That roreth of the criyng and the soun. Line 2881 Tho cam this woful theban palamoun, Line 2882 With flotery berd and ruggy, asshy heeres, Line 2883 In clothes blake, ydropped al with teeres; Line 2884 And, passynge othere of wepynge, emelye, Line 2885 The rewefulleste of al the compaignye. Line 2886 In as muche as the servyce sholde be Line 2887 The moore noble and riche in his degree, Line 2888 Duc theseus leet forth thre steedes brynge, Line 2889 That trapped were in steel al gliterynge, Line 2890 And covered with the armes of daun arcite. Line 2891 Upon thise steedes, that weren grete and white, Line 2892 Ther seten folk, of whiche oon baar his sheeld, Line 2893 Another his spere up on his hondes heeld, Line 2894 The thridde baar with hym his bowe turkeys Line 2895 (of brend gold was the caas and eek the harneys); Line 2896 And riden forth a paas with sorweful cheere Line 2897 Toward the grove, as ye shul after heere. Line 2898 The nobleste of the grekes that ther were Line 2899 Upon hir shuldres caryeden the beere, Line 2900 With slakke paas, and eyen rede and wete, Line 2901 Thurghout the citee by the maister strete, Line 2902 That sprad was al with blak, and wonder hye Line 2903 Right of the same is the strete ywrye. Line 2904 Upon the right hond wente olde egeus, Line 2905 And on that oother syde duc theseus, Line 2906 With vessels in hir hand of gold ful fyn, Line 2907 Al ful of hony, milk, and blood, and wyn; Line 2908 Eek palamon, with ful greet compaignye; Line 2909 And after that cam woful emelye, Line 2910 With fyr in honde, as was that tyme the gyse, Line 2911 To do the office of funeral servyse. Line 2912 Heigh labour and ful greet apparaillynge Line 2913 Was at the service and the fyr-makynge, Line 2914 That with his grene top the hevene raughte; Line 2915 And twenty fadme of brede the armes straughte -- Line 2916 This is to seyn, the bowes weren so brode. Line 2917 Of stree first ther was leyd ful many a lode. Line 2918 But how the fyr was maked upon highte, Line 2919 Ne eek the names that the trees highte, Line 2920 As ook, firre, birch, aspe, alder, holm, popler, Line 2921 Wylugh, elm, plane, assh, box, chasteyn, lynde, laurer, Line 2922 Mapul, thorn, bech, hasel, ew, whippeltree, -- Line 2923 How they weren feld, shal nat be toold for me; Line 2924 Ne hou the goddes ronnen up and doun, Line 2925 Disherited of hire habitacioun, Line 2926 In which they woneden in reste and pees, Line 2927 Nymphes, fawnes and amadrides; Line 2928 Ne hou the beestes and the briddes alle Line 2929 Fledden for fere, whan the wode was falle; Line 2930 Ne how the ground agast was of the light, Line 2931 That was nat wont to seen the sonne bright; Line 2932 Ne how the fyr was couched first with stree, Line 2933 And thanne with drye stikkes cloven a thre, Line 2934 And thanne with grene wode and spicerye, Line 2935 And thanne with clooth of gold and with perrye, Line 2936 And gerlandes, hangynge with ful many a flour; Line 2937 The mirre, th' encens, with al so greet odour; Line 2938 Ne how arcite lay among al this, Line 2939 Ne what richesse aboute his body is; Line 2940 Ne how that emelye, as was the gyse, Line 2941 Putte in the fyr of funeral servyse; Line 2942 Ne how she swowned whan men made the fyr, Line 2943 Ne what she spak, ne what was hir desir; Line 2944 Ne what jeweles men in the fyre caste, Line 2945 Whan that the fyr was greet and brente faste; Line 2946 Ne how somme caste hir sheeld, and somme hir spere, Line 2947 And of hire vestimentz, whiche that they were, Line 2948 And coppes fulle of wyn, and milk, and blood, Line 2949 Into the fyr, that brente as it were wood; Line 2950 Ne how the grekes, with an huge route, Line 2951 Thries riden al the fyr aboute Line 2952 Upon the left hand, with a loud shoutynge, Line 2953 And thries with hir speres claterynge; Line 2954 And thries how the ladyes gonne crye; Line 2955

Line 2955 Ne how that lad was homward emelye; Line 2956 Ne how arcite is brent to asshen colde; Line 2957 Ne how that lyche-wake was yholde Line 2958 Al thilke nyght; ne how the grekes pleye Line 2959 The wake-pleyes, ne kepe I nat to seye; Line 2960 Who wrastleth best naked with oille enoynt, Line 2961 Ne who that baar hym best, in no disjoynt. Line 2962 I wol nat tellen eek how that they goon Line 2963 Hoom til atthenes, whan the pley is doon; Line 2964 But shortly to the point thanne wol I wende, Line 2965 And maken of my longe tale an ende. Line 2966 By processe and by lengthe of certeyn yeres, Line 2967 Al stynted is the moornynge and the teres Line 2968 Of grekes, by oon general assent. Line 2969 Thanne semed me ther was a parlement Line 2970 At atthenes, upon certein pointz and caas; Line 2971 Among the whiche pointz yspoken was, Line 2972 To have with certein contrees alliaunce, Line 2973 And have fully of thebans obeisaunce. Line 2974 For which this noble theseus anon Line 2975 Leet senden after gentil palamon, Line 2976 Unwist of hym what was the cause and why; Line 2977 But in his blake clothes sorwefully Line 2978 He cam at his comandement in hye. Line 2979 Tho sente theseus for emelye. Line 2980 Whan they were set, and hust was al the place, Line 2981 And theseus abiden hadde a space Line 2982 Er any word cam fram his wise brest, Line 2983 His eyen sette he ther as was his lest. Line 2984 And with a sad visage he siked stille, Line 2985 And after that right thus he seyde his wille: Line 2986 The firste moevere of the cause above, Line 2987 Whan he first made the faire cheyne of love, Line 2988 Greet was th' effect, and heigh was his entente. Line 2989 Wel wiste he why, and what thereof he mente; Line 2990 For with that faire cheyne of love he bond Line 2991 The fyr, the eyr, the water, and the lond Line 2992 In certeyn boundes, that they may nat flee. Line 2993 That same prince and that moevere, quod he, Line 2994 Hath stablissed in this wrecched world adoun Line 2995 Certeyne dayes and duracioun Line 2996 To al that is engendred in this place, Line 2997 Over the whiche day they may nat pace, Line 2998 Al mowe they yet tho dayes wel abregge. Line 2999 Ther nedeth noght noon auctoritee t' allegge, Line 3000 For it is preeved by experience, Line 3001 But that me list declaren my sentence. Line 3002 Thanne may men by this ordre wel discerne Line 3003 That thilke moevere stable is and eterne. Line 3004 Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool, Line 3005 That every part dirryveth from his hool; Line 3006 For nature hath nat taken his bigynnyng Line 3007 Of no partie or cantel of a thyng, Line 3008 But of a thyng that parfit is and stable, Line 3009 Descendynge so til it be corrumpable. Line 3010 And therfore, of his wise purveiaunce, Line 3011 He hath so wel biset his ordinaunce, Line 3012 That speces of thynges and progressiouns Line 3013 Shullen enduren by successiouns, Line 3014 And nat eterne, withouten any lye. Line 3015 This maystow understonde and seen at ye. Line 3016 Loo the ook, that hath so long a norisshynge Line 3017 From tyme that it first bigynneth to sprynge, Line 3018 And hath so long a lif, as we may see, Line 3019 Yet at the laste wasted is the tree. Line 3020 Considereth eek how that the harde stoon Line 3021 Under oure feet, on which we trede and goon, Line 3022 Yet wasteth it as it lyth by the weye. Line 3023 The brode ryver somtyme wexeth dreye; Line 3024 The grete tounes se we wane and wende. Line 3025 Thanne may ye se that al this thyng hath ende. Line 3026 Of man and womman seen we wel also Line 3027 That nedes, in oon of thise termes two, Line 3028 This is to seyn, in youthe or elles age, Line 3029 He moot be deed, the kyng as shal a page; Line 3030 Som in his bed, som in the depe see, Line 3031 Som in the large feeld, as men may see; Line 3032 Ther helpeth noght, al goth that ilke weye. Line 3033 Thanne may I seyn that al this thyng moot deye. Line 3034 What maketh this but juppiter, the kyng, Line 3035 That is prince and cause of alle thyng, Line 3036 Convertynge al unto his propre welle Line 3037 From which it is dirryved, sooth to telle? Line 3038 And heer-agayns no creature on lyve, Line 3039 Of no degree, availleth for to stryve. Line 3040 Thanne is it wysdom, as it thynketh me, Line 3041 To maken vertu of necessitee, Line 3042 And take it weel that we may nat eschue, Line 3043 And namely that to us alle is due. Line 3044 And whoso gruccheth ought, he dooth folye, Line 3045 And rebel is to hym that al may gye. Line 3046 And certeinly a man hath moost honour Line 3047 To dyen in his excellence and flour, Line 3048 Whan he is siker of his goode name; Line 3049 Thanne hath he doon his freend, ne hym, no shame. Line 3050 And gladder oghte his freend been of his deeth, Line 3051 Whan with honour up yolden is his breeth, Line 3052 Than whan his name apalled is for age, Line 3053 For al forgeten is his vassellage. Line 3054 Thanne is it best, as for a worthy fame, Line 3055 To dyen whan that he is best of name. Line 3056 The contrarie of al this is wilfulnesse. Line 3057 Why grucchen we, why have we hevynesse, Line 3058 That goode arcite, of chivalrie the flour, Line 3059 Departed is with duetee and honour Line 3060 Out of this foule prisoun of this lyf? Line 3061

Line 3061 Why grucchen heere his cosyn and his wyf Line 3062 Of his welfare, that loved hem so weel? Line 3063 Kan he hem thank? nay, God woot, never a deel, Line 3064 That both his soule and eek hemself offende, Line 3065 And yet they mowe hir lustes nat amende. Line 3066 What may I conclude of this longe serye, Line 3067 But after wo I rede us to be merye, Line 3068 And thanken juppiter of al his grace? Line 3069 And er that we departen from this place Line 3070 I rede that we make of sorwes two Line 3071 O parfit joye, lastynge everemo. Line 3072 And looketh now, wher moost sorwe is herinne, Line 3073 Ther wol we first amenden and bigynne. Line 3074 Suster, quod he, this is my fulle assent, Line 3075 With al th' avys heere of my parlement, Line 3076 That gentil palamon, youre owene knyght, Line 3077 That serveth yow with wille herte, and myght, Line 3078 And ever hath doon syn ye first hym knewe, Line 3079 That ye shul of youre grace upon hym rewe, Line 3080 And taken hym for housbonde and for lord. Line 3081 Lene me youre hond, for this is oure accord. Line 3082 Lat se now of youre wommanly pitee. Line 3083 He is kynges brother sone, pardee; Line 3084 And though he were a povre bacheler, Line 3085 Syn he hath served yow so many a yeer, Line 3086 And had for yow so greet adversitee, Line 3087 It moste been considered, leeveth me; Line 3088 For gentil mercy oghte to passen right. Line 3089 Thanne seyde he thus to palamon the knight: Line 3090 I trowe ther nedeth litel sermonyng Line 3091 To make yow assente to this thyng. Line 3092 Com neer, and taak youre lady by the hond. Line 3093 Bitwixen hem was maad anon the bond Line 3094 That highte matrimoigne or mariage, Line 3095 By al the conseil and the baronage. Line 3096 And thus with alle blisse and melodye Line 3097 Hath palamon ywedded emelye. Line 3098 And god, that al this wyde world hath wroght, Line 3099 Sende hym his love that hath it deere aboght; Line 3100 For now is palamon in alle wele, Line 3101 Lyvynge in blisse, in richesse, and in heele, Line 3102 And emelye hym loveth so tendrely, Line 3103 And he hire serveth al so gentilly, Line 3104 That nevere was ther no word hem bitwene Line 3105 Of jalousie or any oother teene. Line 3106 Thus endeth palamon and emelye; Line 3107 And God save al this faire compaignye! amen. Line 3108

The Miller's Prologue

Whan that the knyght had thus his tale ytoold, Line 3109 In al the route nas ther yong ne oold Line 3110 That he ne seyde it was a noble storie, Line 3111 And worthy for to drawen to memorie; Line 3112 And namely the gentils everichon. Line 3113 Oure hooste lough and swoor, so moot I gon, Line 3114 This gooth aright; unbokeled is the male. Line 3115 Lat se now who shal telle another tale; Line 3116 For trewely the game is wel bigonne. Line 3117 Now telleth ye, sir monk, if that ye konne Line 3118 Somwhat to quite with the knyghtes tale. Line 3119 The millere, that for dronken was al pale, Line 3120 So that unnethe upon his hors he sat, Line 3121 He nolde avalen neither hood ne hat, Line 3122 Ne abyde no man for his curteisie, Line 3123 But in pilates voys he gan to crie, Line 3124 And swoor, by armes, and by blood and bones, Line 3125 I kan a noble tale for the nones, Line 3126 With which I wol now quite the knyghtes tale. Line 3127 Oure hooste saugh that he was dronke of ale, Line 3128 And seyde, abyd, robyn, my leeve brother; Line 3129 Som bettre man shal telle us first another. Line 3130 Abyd, and lat us werken thriftily. Line 3131 By goddes soule, quod he, that wol nat I; Line 3132 For I wol speke, or elles go my wey. Line 3133 Oure hoost answerde, tel on, a devel wey! Line 3134 Thou art a fool; thy wit is overcome. Line 3135 Now herkneth, quod the millere, alle and some! Line 3136 But first I make a protestacioun Line 3137 That I am dronke, I knowe it by my soun; Line 3138 And therfore if that I mysspeke or seye, Line 3139

Line 3139 Wyte it the ale of southwerk, I you preye. Line 3140 For I wol telle a legende and a lyf Line 3141 Bothe of a carpenter and of his wyf, Line 3142 How that a clerk hath set the wrightes cappe. Line 3143 The reve answerde and seyde, stynt thy clappe! Line 3144 Lat be thy lewed dronken harlotrye. Line 3145 It is a synne and eek a greet folye Line 3146 To apeyren any man, or hym defame, Line 3147 And eek to bryngen wyves in swich fame. Line 3148 Thou mayst ynogh of othere thynges seyn. Line 3149 This dronke millere spak ful soone ageyn Line 3150 And seyde, leve brother osewold, Line 3151 Who hath no wyf, he is no cokewold. Line 3152 But I sey nat therfore that thou art oon; Line 3153 Ther been ful goode wyves many oon, Line 3154 And evere a thousand goode ayeyns oon badde. Line 3155 That knowestow wel thyself, but if thou madde. Line 3156 Why artow angry with my tale now? Line 3157 I have a wyf, pardee, as wel as thow; Line 3158 Yet nolde I, for the oxen in my plogh, Line 3159 Take upon me moore than ynogh, Line 3160 As demen of myself that I were oon; Line 3161 I wol bileve wel that I am noon. Line 3162 An housbonde shal nat been inquisityf Line 3163 Of goddes pryvetee, nor of his wyf. Line 3164 So he may fynde goddes foyson there, Line 3165 Of the remenant nedeth nat enquere. Line 3166 What sholde I moore seyn, but this millere Line 3167 He nolde his wordes for no man forbere, Line 3168 But tolde his cherles tale in his manere. Line 3169 M' athynketh that I shal reherce it heere. Line 3170 And therfore every gentil wight I preye, Line 3171 For goddes love, demeth nat that I seye Line 3172 Of yvel entente, but for I moot reherce Line 3173 Hir tales alle, be they bettre or werse, Line 3174 Or elles falsen som of my mateere. Line 3175 And therfore, whoso list it nat yheere, Line 3176 Turne over the leef and chese another tale; Line 3177 For he shal fynde ynowe, grete and smale, Line 3178 Of storial thyng that toucheth gentillesse, Line 3179 And eek moralitee and hoolynesse. Line 3180 Blameth nat me if that ye chese amys. Line 3181 The millere is a cherl, ye knowe wel this; Line 3182 So was the reve eek and othere mo, Line 3183 And harlotrie they tolden bothe two. Line 3184 Avyseth yow, and put me out of blame; Line 3185 And eek men shal nat maken ernest of game. Line 3186

The Miller's Tale

Whilom ther was dwellynge at oxenford Line 3187 A riche gnof, that gestes heeld to bord, Line 3188 And of his craft he was a carpenter. Line 3189 With hym ther was dwellynge a poure scoler, Line 3190 Hadde lerned art, but al his fantasye Line 3191 Was turned for to lerne astrologye, Line 3192 And koude a certeyn of conclusiouns, Line 3193 To demen by interrogaciouns, Line 3194 If that men asked hym in certein houres Line 3195 Whan that men sholde have droghte or elles shoures, Line 3196 Or if men asked hym what sholde bifalle Line 3197 Of every thyng; I may nat rekene hem alle. Line 3198 This clerk was cleped hende nicholas. Line 3199 Of deerne love he koude and of solas; Line 3200 And therto he was sleigh and ful privee, Line 3201 And lyk a mayden meke for to see. Line 3202 A chambre hadde he in that hostelrye Line 3203 Allone, withouten any compaignye, Line 3204 Ful fetisly ydight with herbes swoote; Line 3205 And he hymself as sweete as is the roote Line 3206 Of lycorys, or any cetewale. Line 3207 His almageste, and bookes grete and smale, Line 3208 His astrelabie, longynge for his art, Line 3209 His augrym stones layen faire apart, Line 3210 On shelves couched at his beddes heed; Line 3211 His presse ycovered with a faldyng reed; Line 3212 And al above ther lay a gay sautrie, Line 3213 On which he made a-nyghtes melodie Line 3214 So swetely that all the chambre rong; Line 3215 And angelus ad virginem he song; Line 3216 And after that he song the kynges noote. Line 3217 Ful often blessed was his myrie throte. Line 3218 And thus this sweete clerk his tyme spente Line 3219 After his freendes fyndyng and his rente. Line 3220 This carpenter hadde wedded newe a wyf, Line 3221 Which that he lovede moore than his lyf; Line 3222 Of eighteteene yeer she was of age. Line 3223 Jalous he was, and heeld hire narwe in cage, Line 3224 For she was wylde and yong, and he was old, Line 3225

Line 3225 And demed hymself been lik a cokewold. Line 3226 He knew nat catoun, for his wit was rude, Line 3227 That bad man sholde wedde his simylitude. Line 3228 Men sholde wedden after hire estaat, Line 3229 For youthe and elde is often at debaat. Line 3230 But sith that he was fallen in the snare, Line 3231 He moste endure, as oother folk, his care. Line 3232 Fair was this yonge wyf, and therwithal Line 3233 As any wezele hir body gent and smal. Line 3234 A ceynt she werede, barred al of silk, Line 3235 A barmclooth eek as whit as morne milk Line 3236 Upon hir lendes, ful of many a goore. Line 3237 Whit was hir smok, and broyden al bifoore Line 3238 And eek bihynde, on hir coler aboute, Line 3239 Of col-blak silk, withinne and eek withoute. Line 3240 The tapes of hir white voluper Line 3241 Were of the same suyte of hir coler; Line 3242 Hir filet brood of silk, and set ful hye. Line 3243 And sikerly she hadde a likerous ye; Line 3244 Ful smale ypulled were hire browes two, Line 3245 And tho were bent and blake as any sloo. Line 3246 She was ful moore blisful on to see Line 3247 Than is the newe pere-jonette tree, Line 3248 And softer than the wolle is of a wether. Line 3249 And by hir girdel heeng a purs of lether, Line 3250 Tasseled with silk, and perled with latoun. Line 3251 In al this world, to seken up and doun, Line 3252 There nys no man so wys that koude thenche Line 3253 So gay a popelote or swich a wenche. Line 3254 Ful brighter was the shynyng of hir hewe Line 3255 Than in the tour the noble yforged newe. Line 3256 But of hir song, it was as loude and yerne Line 3257 As any swalwe sittynge on a berne. Line 3258 Therto she koude skippe and make game, Line 3259 As any kyde or calf folwynge his dame. Line 3260 Hir mouth was sweete as bragot or the meeth, Line 3261 Or hoord of apples leyd in hey or heeth. Line 3262 Wynsynge she was, as is a joly colt, Line 3263 Long as a mast, and upright as a bolt. Line 3264 A brooch she baar upon hir lowe coler, Line 3265 As brood as is the boos of a bokeler. Line 3266 Hir shoes were laced on hir legges hye. Line 3267 She was a prymerole, a piggesnye, Line 3268 For any lord to leggen in his bedde, Line 3269 Or yet for any good yeman to wedde. Line 3270 Now, sire, and eft, sire, so bifel the cas, Line 3271 That on a day this hende nicholas Line 3272 Fil with this yonge wyf to rage and pleye, Line 3273 Whil that hir housbonde was at oseneye, Line 3274 As clerkes ben ful subtile and ful queynte; Line 3275 And prively he caughte hire by the queynte, Line 3276 And seyde, ywis, but if ich have my wille, Line 3277 For deerne love of thee, lemman, I spille. Line 3278 And heeld hire harde by the haunchebones, Line 3279 And seyde, lemman, love me al atones, Line 3280 Or I wol dyen, also God me save! Line 3281 And she sproong as a colt dooth in the trave, Line 3282 And with hir heed she wryed faste awey, Line 3283 And seyde, I wol nat kisse thee, by my fey! Line 3284 Why, lat be, quod she, lat be, nicholas, Line 3285 Or I wol crie -- out, harrow -- and -- allas! -- Line 3286 Do wey youre handes, for youre curteisye! Line 3287 This nicholas gan mercy for to crye, Line 3288 And spak so faire, and profred him so faste, Line 3289 That she hir love hym graunted atte laste, Line 3290 And swoor hir ooth, by seint thomas of kent, Line 3291 That she wol been at his comandement, Line 3292 Whan that she may hir leyser wel espie. Line 3293 Myn housbonde is so ful of jalousie Line 3294 That but ye wayte wel and been privee, Line 3295 I woot right wel I nam but deed, quod she. Line 3296 Ye moste been ful deerne, as in this cas. Line 3297 Nay, therof care thee noght, quod nicholas. Line 3298 A clerk hadde litherly biset his whyle, Line 3299 But if he koude a carpenter bigyle. Line 3300 And thus they been accorded and ysworn Line 3301 To wayte a tyme, as I have told biforn. Line 3302 Whan nicholas had doon thus everideel, Line 3303 And thakked hire aboute the lendes weel, Line 3304 He kiste hire sweete and taketh his sawtrie, Line 3305 And pleyeth faste, and maketh melodie. Line 3306 Thanne fil it thus, that to the paryssh chirche, Line 3307 Cristes owene werkes for to wirche, Line 3308 This goode wyf went on an haliday. Line 3309 Hir forheed shoon as bright as any day, Line 3310 So was it wasshen whan she leet hir werk. Line 3311 Now was ther of that chirche a parissh clerk, Line 3312 The which that was ycleped absolon. Line 3313 Crul was his heer, and as the gold it shoon, Line 3314 And strouted as a fanne large and brode; Line 3315 Ful streight and evene lay his joly shode. Line 3316 His rode was reed, his eyen greye as goos. Line 3317 With poules wyndow corven on his shoos, Line 3318 In hoses rede he wente fetisly. Line 3319 Yclad he was ful smal and proprely Line 3320 Al in a kirtel of a lyght waget; Line 3321 Ful faire and thikke been the poyntes set. Line 3322 And therupon he hadde a gay surplys Line 3323 As whit as is the blosme upon the rys. Line 3324 A myrie child he was, so God me save. Line 3325 Wel koude he laten blood and clippe and shave, Line 3326 And maken a chartre of lond or acquitaunce. Line 3327 In twenty manere koude he trippe and daunce Line 3328 After the scole of oxenforde tho, Line 3329 And with his legges casten to and fro, Line 3330 And pleyen songes on a smal rubible; Line 3331 Therto he song som tyme a loud quynyble; Line 3332

Line 3332 And as wel koude he pleye on a giterne. Line 3333 In al the toun nas brewhous ne taverne Line 3334 That he ne visited with his solas, Line 3335 Ther any gaylard tappestere was. Line 3336 But sooth to seyn, he was somdeel squaymous Line 3337 Of fartyng, and of speche daungerous. Line 3338 This absolon, that jolif was and gay, Line 3339 Gooth with a sencer on the haliday, Line 3340 Sensynge the wyves of the parisshe faste; Line 3341 And many a lovely look on hem he caste, Line 3342 And namely on this carpenteris wyf. Line 3343 To looke on hire hym thoughte a myrie lyf, Line 3344 She was so propre and sweete and likerous. Line 3345 I dar wel seyn, if she hadde been a mous, Line 3346 And he a cat, he wolde hire hente anon. Line 3347 This parissh clerk, this joly absolon, Line 3348 Hath in his herte swich a love-longynge Line 3349 That of no wyf took he noon offrynge; Line 3350 For curteisie, he seyde, he wolde noon. Line 3351 The moone, whan it was nyght, ful brighte shoon, Line 3352 And absolon his gyterne hath ytake, Line 3353 For paramours he thoghte for to wake. Line 3354 And forth he gooth, jolif and amorous, Line 3355 Til he cam to the carpenteres hous Line 3356 A litel after cokkes hadde ycrowe, Line 3357 And dressed hym up by a shot-wyndowe Line 3358 That was upon the carpenteris wal. Line 3359 He syngeth in his voys gentil and smal, Line 3360 Now, deere lady, if thy wille be, Line 3361 I praye yow that ye wole rewe on me, Line 3362 Ful wel acordaunt to his gyternynge. Line 3363 This carpenter awook, and herde him synge, Line 3364 And spak unto his wyf, and seyde anon, Line 3365 What! alison! herestow nat absolon, Line 3366 That chaunteth thus under oure boures wal? Line 3367 And she answerde hir housbonde therwithal, Line 3368 Yis, God woot, john, I heere it every deel. Line 3369 This passeth forth; what wol ye bet than weel? Line 3370 Fro day to day this joly absolon Line 3371 So woweth hire that hym is wo bigon. Line 3372 He waketh al the nyght and al the day; Line 3373 He kembeth his lokkes brode, and made hym gay; Line 3374 He woweth hire by meenes and brocage, Line 3375 And swoor he wolde been hir owene page; Line 3376 He syngeth, brokkynge as a nyghtyngale; Line 3377 He sente hire pyment, meeth, and spiced ale, Line 3378 And wafres, pipyng hoot out of the gleede; Line 3379 And, for she was of town, he profred meede. Line 3380 For som folk wol ben wonnen for richesse, Line 3381 And somme for strokes, and somme for gentillesse. Line 3382 Somtyme, to shewe his lightnesse and maistrye, Line 3383 He pleyeth herodes upon a scaffold hye. Line 3384 But what availleth hym as in this cas? Line 3385 She loveth so this hende nicholas Line 3386 That absolon may blowe the bukkes horn; Line 3387 He ne hadde for his labour but a scorn. Line 3388 And thus she maketh absolon hire ape, Line 3389 And al his ernest turneth til a jape. Line 3390 Ful sooth is this proverbe, it is no lye, Line 3391 Men seyn right thus, alwey the nye slye Line 3392 Maketh the ferre leeve to be looth. Line 3393 For though that absolon be wood or wrooth, Line 3394 By cause that he fer was from hire sight, Line 3395 This nye nicholas stood in his light. Line 3396 Now ber thee wel, thou hende nicholas, Line 3397 For absolon may waille and synge allas. Line 3398 And so bifel it on a saterday, Line 3399 This carpenter was goon til osenay; Line 3400 And hende nicholas and alisoun Line 3401 Acorded been to this conclusioun, Line 3402 That nicholas shal shapen hym a wyle Line 3403 This sely jalous housbonde to bigyle; Line 3404 And if so be the game wente aright, Line 3405 She sholde slepen in his arm al nyght, Line 3406 For this was his desir and hire also. Line 3407 And right anon, withouten wordes mo, Line 3408 This nicholas no lenger wolde tarie, Line 3409 But dooth ful softe unto his chambre carie Line 3410 Bothe mete and drynke for a day or tweye, Line 3411 And to hire housbonde bad hire for to seye, Line 3412 If that he axed after nicholas, Line 3413 She sholde seye she nyste where he was, Line 3414 Of al that day she saugh hym nat with ye; Line 3415 She trowed that he was in maladye, Line 3416 For for no cry hir mayde koude hym calle, Line 3417 He nolde answere for thyng that myghte falle. Line 3418 This passeth forth al thilke saterday, Line 3419 That nicholas stille in his chambre lay, Line 3420 And eet and sleep, or dide what hym leste, Line 3421 Til sonday, that the sonne gooth to reste. Line 3422 This sely carpenter hath greet merveyle Line 3423 Of nicholas, or what thyng myghte hym eyle, Line 3424 And seyde, I am adrad, by seint thomas, Line 3425 It stondeth nat aright with nicholas. Line 3426 God shilde that he deyde sodeynly! Line 3427 This world is now ful tikel, sikerly. Line 3428 I saugh to-day a cors yborn to chirche Line 3429 That now, on monday last, I saugh hym wirche. Line 3430 Go up, quod he unto his knave anoon, Line 3431 Clepe at his dore, or knokke with a stoon. Line 3432 Looke how it is, and tel me boldely. Line 3433 This knave gooth hym up ful sturdily, Line 3434

Line 3434 And at the chambre dore whil that he stood, Line 3435 He cride and knokked as that he were wood, Line 3436 What! how! what do ye, maister nicholay? Line 3437 How may ye slepen al the longe day? Line 3438 But al for noght, he herde nat a word. Line 3439 An hole he foond, ful lowe upon a bord, Line 3440 Ther as the cat was wont in for to crepe, Line 3441 And at that hole he looked in ful depe, Line 3442 And at the laste he hadde of hym a sight. Line 3443 This nicholas sat evere capyng upright, Line 3444 As he had kiked on the newe moone. Line 3445 Adoun he gooth, and tolde his maister soone Line 3446 In what array he saugh this ilke man. Line 3447 This carpenter to blessen hym bigan, Line 3448 And seyde, help us, seinte frydeswyde! Line 3449 A man woot litel what hym shal bityde. Line 3450 This man is falle, with his astromye, Line 3451 In some woodnesse or in som agonye. Line 3452 I thoghte ay wel how that it sholde be! Line 3453 Men sholde nat knowe of goddes pryvetee. Line 3454 Ye, blessed be alwey a lewed man Line 3455 That noght but oonly his bileve kan! Line 3456 So ferde another clerk with astromye; Line 3457 He walked in the feeldes, for to prye Line 3458 Upon the sterres, what ther sholde bifalle, Line 3459 Til he was in a marle-pit yfalle; Line 3460 He saugh nat that. But yet, by seint thomas, Line 3461 Me reweth soore of hende nicholas. Line 3462 He shal be rated of his studiyng, Line 3463 If that I may, by jhesus, hevene kyng! Line 3464 Get me a staf, that I may underspore, Line 3465 Whil that thou, robyn, hevest up the dore. Line 3466 He shal out of his studiyng, as I gesse -- Line 3467 And to the chambre dore he gan hym dresse. Line 3468 His knave was a strong carl for the nones, Line 3469 And by the haspe he haaf it of atones; Line 3470 Into the floor the dore fil anon. Line 3471 This nicholas sat ay as stille as stoon, Line 3472 And evere caped upward into the eir. Line 3473 This carpenter wende he were in despeir, Line 3474 And hente hym by the sholdres myghtily, Line 3475 And shook hym harde, and cride spitously, Line 3476 What! nicholay! what, how! what, looke adoun! Line 3477 Awak, and thenk on cristes passioun! Line 3478 I crouche thee from elves and fro wightes. Line 3479 Therwith the nyght-spel seyde he anon-rightes Line 3480 On foure halves of the hous aboute, Line 3481 And on the thresshfold of the dore withoute: Line 3482 Jhesu crist and seinte benedight, Line 3483 Blesse this hous from every wikked wight, Line 3484 For nyghtes verye, the white pater-noster! Line 3485 Where wentestow, seinte petres soster? Line 3486 And atte laste this hende nicholas Line 3487 Gan for to sik soore, and seyde, allas! Line 3488 Shal al the world be lost aftsoones now? Line 3489 This carpenter answerde, what seystow? Line 3490 What! thynk on god, as we doon, men that swynke. Line 3491 This nicholas answerde, fecche me drynke, Line 3492 And after wol I speke in pryvetee Line 3493 Of certeyn thyng that toucheth me and thee. Line 3494 I wol telle it noon oother man, certeyn. Line 3495 This carpenter goth doun, and comth ageyn, Line 3496 And broghte of myghty ale a large quart; Line 3497 And whan that ech of hem had dronke his part, Line 3498 This nicholas his dore faste shette, Line 3499 And doun the carpenter by hym he sette. Line 3500 He seyde john, myn hooste, lief and deere, Line 3501 Thou shalt upon thy trouthe swere me heere Line 3502 That to no wight thou shalt this conseil wreye; Line 3503 For it is cristes conseil that I seye, Line 3504 And if thou telle it man, thou art forlore; Line 3505 For this vengeaunce thou shalt han therfore, Line 3506 That if thou wreye me, thou shalt be wood. Line 3507 Nay, crist forbede it, for his hooly blood! Line 3508 Quod tho this sely man, I nam no labbe; Line 3509 Ne, though I seye, I nam nat lief to gabbe. Line 3510 Sey what thou wolt, I shal it nevere telle Line 3511 To child ne wyf, by hym that harwed helle! Line 3512 Now john, quod nicholas, I wol nat lye; Line 3513 I have yfounde in myn astrologye, Line 3514 As I have looked in the moone bright, Line 3515 That now a monday next, at quarter nyght, Line 3516 Shal falle a reyn, and that so wilde and wood, Line 3517 That half so greet was nevere noes flood. Line 3518 This world, he seyde, in lasse than an hour Line 3519 Shal al be dreynt, so hidous is the shour. Line 3520 Thus shal mankynde drenche, and lese hir lyf. Line 3521 This carpenter answerde, allas, my wyf! Line 3522 And shal she drenche? allas, myn alisoun! Line 3523 For sorwe of this he fil almoost adoun, Line 3524 And seyde, is ther no remedie in this cas? Line 3525 Why, yis, for gode, quod hende nicholas, Line 3526 If thou wolt werken after loore and reed. Line 3527 Thou mayst nat werken after thyn owene heed; Line 3528 For thus seith salomon, that was ful trewe, Line 3529 Werk al by conseil, and thou shalt nat rewe. -- Line 3530 And if thou werken wolt by good conseil, Line 3531 I undertake, withouten mast and seyl, Line 3532 Yet shal I saven hire and thee and me. Line 3533 Hastow nat herd hou saved was noe, Line 3534 Whan that oure lord hadde warned hym biforn Line 3535 That al the world with water sholde be lorn? Line 3536 Yis, quod this carpenter, ful yoore ago. Line 3537 Hastou nat herd, quod nicholas, also Line 3538 The sorwe of noe with his felaweshipe, Line 3539

Line 3539 Er that he myghte gete his wyf to shipe? Line 3540 Hym hadde be levere, I dar wel undertake Line 3541 At thilke tyme, than alle his wetheres blake Line 3542 That she hadde had a ship hirself allone. Line 3543 And therfore, woostou what is best to doone? Line 3544 This asketh haste, and of an hastif thyng Line 3545 Men may nat preche or maken tariyng. Line 3546 Anon go gete us faste into this in Line 3547 A knedyng trogh, or ellis a kymelyn, Line 3548 For ech of us, but looke that they be large, Line 3549 In which we mowe swymme as in a barge, Line 3550 And han therinne vitaille suffisant Line 3551 But for a day, -- fy on the remenant! Line 3552 The water shal aslake and goon away Line 3553 Aboute pryme upon the nexte day. Line 3554 But robyn may nat wite of this, thy knave, Line 3555 Ne eek thy mayde gille I may nat save; Line 3556 Axe nat why, for though thou aske me, Line 3557 I wol nat tellen goddes pryvetee. Line 3558 Suffiseth thee, but if thy wittes madde, Line 3559 To han as greet a grace as noe hadde. Line 3560 Thy wyf shal I wel saven, out of doute. Line 3561 Go now thy wey, and speed thee heer-aboute. Line 3562 But whan thou hast, for hire and thee and me, Line 3563 Ygeten us thise knedyng tubbes thre, Line 3564 Thanne shaltow hange hem in the roof ful hye, Line 3565 That no man of oure purveiaunce spye. Line 3566 And whan thou thus hast doon, as I have seyd, Line 3567 And hast oure vitaille faire in hem yleyd, Line 3568 And eek an ax, to smyte the corde atwo, Line 3569 Whan that the water comth, that we may go, Line 3570 And breke an hole an heigh, upon the gable, Line 3571 Unto the gardyn-ward, over the stable, Line 3572 That we may frely passen forth oure way, Line 3573 Whan that the grete shour is goon away, Line 3574 Thanne shaltou swymme as myrie, I undertake, Line 3575 As dooth the white doke after hire drake. Line 3576 Thanne wol I clepe, -- how, alison! how, john! Line 3577 Be myrie, for the flood wol passe anon. -- Line 3578 And thou wolt seyn, -- hayl, maister nicholay! Line 3579 Good morwe, I se thee wel, for it is day. -- Line 3580 And thanne shul we be lordes al oure lyf Line 3581 Of al the world, as noe and his wyf. Line 3582 But of o thyng I warne thee ful right: Line 3583 Be wel avysed on that ilke nyght Line 3584 That we ben entred into shippes bord, Line 3585 That noon of us ne speke nat a word, Line 3586 Ne clepe, ne crie, but be in his preyere; Line 3587 For it is goddes owene heeste deere. Line 3588 Thy wyf and thou moote hange fer atwynne; Line 3589 For that bitwixe yow shal be no synne, Line 3590 Namoore in lookyng than ther shal in deede, Line 3591 This ordinance is seyd. Go, God thee speede! Line 3592 Tomorwe at nyght, whan men ben alle aslepe, Line 3593 Into oure knedyng-tubbes wol we crepe, Line 3594 And sitten there, abidyng goddes grace. Line 3595 Go now thy wey, I have no lenger space Line 3596 To make of this no lenger sermonyng. Line 3597 Men seyn thus, -- sende the wise, and sey no thyng: -- Line 3598 Thou art so wys, it needeth thee nat teche. Line 3599 Go, save oure lyf, and that I the biseche. Line 3600 This sely carpenter goth forth his wey. Line 3601 Ful ofte he seide allas and weylawey, Line 3602 And to his wyf he tolde his pryvetee, Line 3603 And she was war, and knew it bet than he, Line 3604 What al this queynte cast was for to seye. Line 3605 But nathelees she ferde as she wolde deye, Line 3606 And seyde, allas! go forth thy wey anon, Line 3607 Help us to scape, or we been dede echon! Line 3608 I am thy trewe, verray wedded wyf; Line 3609 Go, deere spouse, and help to save oure lyf. Line 3610 Lo, which a greet thyng is affeccioun! Line 3611 Men may dyen of ymaginacioun, Line 3612 So depe may impressioun be take. Line 3613 This sely carpenter bigynneth quake; Line 3614 Hym thynketh verraily that he may see Line 3615 Noees flood come walwynge as the see Line 3616 To drenchen alisoun, his hony deere. Line 3617 He wepeth, weyleth, maketh sory cheere; Line 3618 He siketh with ful many a sory swogh; Line 3619 He gooth and geteth hym a knedyng trogh, Line 3620 And after that a tubbe and a kymelyn, Line 3621 And pryvely he sente hem to his in, Line 3622 And heng hem in the roof in pryvetee. Line 3623 His owene hand he made laddres thre, Line 3624 To clymben by the ronges and the stalkes Line 3625 Unto the tubbes hangynge in the balkes, Line 3626 And hem vitailled, bothe trogh and tubbe, Line 3627 With breed and chese, and good ale in a jubbe, Line 3628 Suffisynge right ynogh as for a day. Line 3629 But er that he hadde maad al this array, Line 3630 He sente his knave, and eek his wenche also, Line 3631 Upon his nede to london for to go. Line 3632 And on the monday, whan it drow to nyght, Line 3633 He shette his dore withoute candel-lyght, Line 3634 And dressed alle thyng as it sholde be. Line 3635 And shortly, up they clomben alle thre; Line 3636 They seten stille wel a furlong way. Line 3637 Now, pater-noster, clom! seyde nicholay, Line 3638 And clom, quod john, and clom, seyde alisoun. Line 3639 This carpenter seyde his devocioun, Line 3640 And stille he sit, and biddeth his preyere, Line 3641 Awaitynge on the reyn, if he it heere. Line 3642 The dede sleep, for wery bisynesse, Line 3643 Fil on this carpenter right, as I gesse, Line 3644

Line 3644 Aboute corfew-tyme, or litel moore; Line 3645 For travaille of his goost he groneth soore, Line 3646 And eft he routeth, for his heed myslay. Line 3647 Doun of the laddre stalketh nicholay, Line 3648 And alisoun ful softe adoun she spedde; Line 3649 Withouten wordes mo they goon to bedde, Line 3650 Ther as the carpenter is wont to lye. Line 3651 Ther was the revel and the melodye; Line 3652 And thus lith alison and nicholas, Line 3653 In bisynesse of myrthe and of solas, Line 3654 Til that the belle of laudes gan to rynge, Line 3655 And freres in the chaunsel gonne synge. Line 3656 This parissh clerk, this amorous absolon, Line 3657 That is for love alwey so wo bigon, Line 3658 Upon the monday was at oseneye Line 3659 With compaignye, hym to disporte and pleye, Line 3660 And axed upon cas a cloisterer Line 3661 Ful prively after john the carpenter; Line 3662 And he drough hym apart out of the chirche, Line 3663 And seyde, I noot, I saugh hym heere nat wirche Line 3664 Syn saterday; I trowe that he be went Line 3665 For tymber, ther oure abbot hath hym sent; Line 3666 For he is wont for tymber for to go, Line 3667 And dwellen at the grange a day or two; Line 3668 Or elles he is at his hous, certeyn. Line 3669 Where that he be, I kan nat soothly seyn. Line 3670 This absolon ful joly was and light, Line 3671 And thoghte, now is tyme to wake al nyght; Line 3672 For sikirly I saugh hym nat stirynge Line 3673 Aboute his dore, syn day bigan to sprynge. Line 3674 So moot I thryve, I shal, at cokkes crowe, Line 3675 Ful pryvely knokken at his wyndowe Line 3676 That stant ful lowe upon his boures wal. Line 3677 To alison now wol I tellen al Line 3678 My love-longynge, for yet I shal nat mysse Line 3679 That at the leeste wey I shal hire kisse. Line 3680 Som maner confort shal I have, parfay. Line 3681 My mouth hath icched al this longe day; Line 3682 That is a signe of kissyng atte leeste. Line 3683 Al nyght me mette eek I was at a feeste. Line 3684 Therfore I wol go slepe an houre or tweye, Line 3685 And al the nyght thanne wol I wake and pleye. Line 3686 Whan that the firste cok hath crowe, anon Line 3687 Up rist this joly lovere absolon Line 3688 And hym arraieth gay, at poynt-devys. Line 3689 But first he cheweth greyn and lycorys, Line 3690 To smellen sweete, er he hadde kembd his heer. Line 3691 Under his tonge a trewe-love he beer, Line 3692 For therby wende he to ben gracious. Line 3693 He rometh to the carpenteres hous, Line 3694 And stille he stant under the shot-wyndowe -- Line 3695 Unto his brest it raughte, it was so lowe -- Line 3696 And softe he cougheth with a semy soun -- Line 3697 What do ye, hony-comb, sweete alisoun, Line 3698 My faire bryd, my sweete cynamome? Line 3699 Awaketh, lemman myn, and speketh to me! Line 3700 Wel litel thynken ye upon my wo, Line 3701 That for youre love I swete ther I go. Line 3702 No wonder is thogh that I swelte and swete; Line 3703 I moorne as dooth a lamb after the tete. Line 3704 Ywis, lemman, I have swich love-longynge, Line 3705 That lik a turtel trewe is my moornynge. Line 3706 I may nat ete na moore than a mayde. Line 3707 "Go fro the wyndow, jakke fool," she sayde; Line 3708 As help me god, it wol nat be 'com pa me.' Line 3709 I love another -- and elles I were to blame -- Line 3710 Wel bet than thee, by jhesu, absolon. Line 3711 Go forth thy wey, or I wol caste a ston, Line 3712 And lat me slepe, a twenty devel wey! Line 3713 "Allas," quod absolon, "and weylawey, Line 3714 That trewe love was evere so yvel biset! Line 3715 Thanne kysse me, syn it may be no bet, Line 3716 For jhesus love, and for the love of me." Line 3717 Wiltow thanne go thy wey therwith? quod she. Line 3718 Ye, certes, lemman, quod this absolon. Line 3719 Thanne make thee redy, quod she, I come anon. Line 3720 And unto nicholas she seyde stille, Line 3721 Now hust, and thou shalt laughen al thy fille. Line 3722 This absolon doun sette hym on his knees Line 3723 And seyde, I am a lord at alle degrees; Line 3724 For after this I hope ther cometh moore. Line 3725 Lemman, thy grace, and sweete bryd, thyn oore! Line 3726 The wyndow she undoth, and that in haste. Line 3727 Have do, quod she, com of, and speed the faste, Line 3728 Lest that oure neighebores thee espie. Line 3729 This absolon gan wype his mouth ful drie. Line 3730 Derk was the nyght as pich, or as the cole, Line 3731 And at the wyndow out she putte hir hole, Line 3732 And absolon, hym fil no bet ne wers, Line 3733 But with his mouth he kiste hir naked ers Line 3734 Ful savourly, er he were war of this. Line 3735 Abak he stirte, and thoughte it was amys, Line 3736 For wel he wiste a womman hath no berd. Line 3737 He felte a thyng al rough and long yherd, Line 3738 And seyde, fy! allas! what have I do? Line 3739 Tehee! quod she, and clapte the wyndow to, Line 3740 And absolon gooth forth a sory pas. Line 3741 A berd! a berd! quod hende nicholas, Line 3742 By goddes corpus, this goth faire and weel. Line 3743 This sely absolon herde every deel, Line 3744 And on his lippe he gan for anger byte, Line 3745

Line 3745 And to hymself he seyde, I shal thee quyte. Line 3746 Who rubbeth now, who froteth now his lippes Line 3747 With dust, with sond, with straw, with clooth, with chippes, Line 3748 But absolon, that seith ful ofte, allas! Line 3749 My soule bitake I unto sathanas, Line 3750 But me were levere than al this toun, quod he, Line 3751 Of this despit awroken for to be. Line 3752 Allas, quod he, allas, I ne hadde ybleynt! Line 3753 His hoote love was coold and al yqueynt; Line 3754 For fro that tyme that he hadde kist hir ers, Line 3755 Of paramours he sette nat a kers; Line 3756 For he was heeled of his maladie. Line 3757 Ful ofte paramours he gan deffie, Line 3758 And weep as dooth a child that is ybete. Line 3759 A softe paas he wente over the strete Line 3760 Until a smyth men cleped daun gerveys, Line 3761 That in his forge smythed plough harneys; Line 3762 He sharpeth shaar and kultour bisily. Line 3763 This absolon knokketh al esily, Line 3764 And seyde, undo, gerveys, and that anon. Line 3765 What, who artow? it am I, absalon. Line 3766 What, absolon! for cristes sweete tree, Line 3767 Why rise ye so rathe? ey, benedicitee! Line 3768 What eyleth yow? som gay gerl, God it woot, Line 3769 Hath broght yow thus upon the viritoot. Line 3770 By seinte note, ye woot wel what I mene. Line 3771 This absolon ne roghte nat a bene Line 3772 Of al his pley; no word agayn he yaf; Line 3773 He hadde moore tow on his distaf Line 3774 Than gerveys knew, and seyde, freend so deere, Line 3775 That hoote kultour in the chymenee heere, Line 3776 As lene it me, I have therwith to doone, Line 3777 And I wol brynge it thee agayn ful soone. Line 3778 Gerveys answerde, certes, were it gold, Line 3779 Or in a poke nobles alle untold, Line 3780 Thou sholdest have, as I am trewe smyth. Line 3781 Ey, cristes foo! what wol ye do therwith? Line 3782 Therof, quod absolon, be as be may. Line 3783 I shal wel telle it thee to-morwe day -- Line 3784 And caughte the kultour by the colde stele. Line 3785 Ful softe out at the dore he gan to stele, Line 3786 And wente unto the carpenteris wal. Line 3787 He cogheth first, and knokketh therwithal Line 3788 Upon the wyndowe, right as he dide er. Line 3789 This alison answerde, who is ther Line 3790 That knokketh so? I warante it a theef. Line 3791 Why, nay, quod he, God woot, my sweete leef, Line 3792 I am thyn absolon, my deerelyng. Line 3793 Of gold, quod he, I have thee broght a ryng. Line 3794 My mooder yaf it me, so God me save; Line 3795 Ful fyn it is, and therto wel ygrave. Line 3796 This wol I yeve thee, if thou me kisse. Line 3797 This nicholas was risen for to pisse, Line 3798 And thoughte he wolde amenden al the jape; Line 3799 He sholde kisse his ers er that he scape. Line 3800 And up the wyndowe dide he hastily, Line 3801 And out his ers he putteth pryvely Line 3802 Over the buttok, to the haunche-bon; Line 3803 And therwith spak this clerk, this absolon, Line 3804 Spek, sweete bryd, I noot nat where thou art. Line 3805 This nicholas anon leet fle a fart, Line 3806 As greet as it had been a thonder-dent, Line 3807 That with the strook he was almoost yblent; Line 3808 And he was redy with his iren hoot, Line 3809 And nicholas amydde the ers he smoot. Line 3810 Of gooth the skyn an hande-brede aboute, Line 3811 The hoote kultour brende so his toute, Line 3812 And for the smert he wende for to dye. Line 3813 As he were wood, for wo he gan to crye, Line 3814 Help! water! water! water! help, for goddes herte! Line 3815 This carpenter out of his slomber sterte, Line 3816 And herde oon crien water as he were wood, Line 3817 And thoughte, allas, now comth nowelis flood! Line 3818 He sit hym up withouten wordes mo, Line 3819 And with his ax he smoot the corde atwo, Line 3820 And doun gooth al; he foond neither to selle, Line 3821 Ne breed ne ale, til he cam to the celle Line 3822 Upon the floor, and ther aswowne he lay. Line 3823 Up stirte hire alison and nicholay, Line 3824 And criden out and harrow in the strete. Line 3825 The neighebores, bothe smale and grete, Line 3826 In ronnen for to gauren on this man, Line 3827 That yet aswowne lay, bothe pale and wan, Line 3828 For with the fal he brosten hadde his arm. Line 3829 But stonde he moste unto his owene harm; Line 3830 For whan he spak, he was anon bore doun Line 3831 With hende nicholas and alisoun. Line 3832 They tolden every man that he was wood, Line 3833 He was agast so of nowelis flood Line 3834 Thurgh fantasie, that of his vanytee Line 3835 He hadde yboght hym knedyng tubbes thre, Line 3836 And hadde hem hanged in the roof above; Line 3837 And that he preyed hem, for goddes love, Line 3838 To sitten in the roof, par compaignye. Line 3839 The folk gan laughen at his fantasye; Line 3840 Into the roof they kiken and they cape, Line 3841 And turned al his harm unto a jape. Line 3842 For what so that this carpenter answerde, Line 3843 It was for noght, no man his reson herde. Line 3844 With othes grete he was so sworn adoun Line 3845 That he was holde wood in al the toun; Line 3846 For every clerk anonright heeld with oother. Line 3847

Line 3847 They seyde, the man is wood, my leeve brother; Line 3848 And every wight gan laughen at this stryf. Line 3849 Thus swyved was this carpenteris wyf, Line 3850 For al his kepyng and his jalousye; Line 3851 And absolon hath kist hir nether ye; Line 3852 And nicholas is scalded in the towte. Line 3853 This tale is doon, and God save al the rowte! Line 3854

The Reeve's Prologue

Whan folk hadde laughen at this nyce cas Line 3855 Of absolon and hende nicholas, Line 3856 Diverse folk diversely they seyde, Line 3857 But for the moore part they loughe and pleyde. Line 3858 Ne at this tale I saugh no man hym greve, Line 3859 But it were oonly osewold the reve. Line 3860 By cause he was of carpenteris craft, Line 3861 A litel ire is in his herte ylaft; Line 3862 He gan to grucche, and blamed it a lite. Line 3863 So theek, quod he, ful wel koude I thee quite Line 3864 With bleryng of a proud milleres ye, Line 3865 If that me liste speke of ribaudye. Line 3866 But ik am oold, me list not pley for age; Line 3867 Gras tyme is doon, my fodder is now forage; Line 3868 This white top writeth myne olde yeris; Line 3869 Myn herte is also mowled as myne heris, Line 3870 But if I fare as dooth an open-ers, -- Line 3871 That ilke fruyt is ever lenger the wers, Line 3872 Til it be roten in mullok or in stree. Line 3873 We olde men, I drede, so fare we: Line 3874 Til we be roten, kan we nat be rype; Line 3875 We hoppen alwey whil the world wol pype. Line 3876 For in oure wyl ther stiketh evere a nayl, Line 3877 To have an hoor heed and a grene tayl, Line 3878 As hath a leek; for thogh oure myght be goon, Line 3879 Oure wyl desireth folie evere in oon. Line 3880 For whan we may nat doon, than wol we speke; Line 3881 Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke. Line 3882 Foure gleedes han we, which I shal devyse, -- Line 3883 Avauntyng, liyng, anger, coveitise; Line 3884 Thise foure sparkles longen unto eelde. Line 3885 Oure olde lemes mowe wel been unweelde, Line 3886 But wyl ne shal nat faillen, that is sooth. Line 3887 And yet ik have alwey a coltes tooth, Line 3888 As many a yeer as it is passed henne Line 3889 Syn that my tappe of lif bigan to renne. Line 3890 For sikerly, whan I was bore, anon Line 3891 Deeth drough the tappe of lyf and leet it gon; Line 3892 And ever sithe hath so the tappe yronne Line 3893 Til that almoost al empty is the tonne. Line 3894 The streem of lyf now droppeth on the chymbe. Line 3895 The sely tonge may wel rynge and chymbe Line 3896 Of wrecchednesse that passed is ful yoore; Line 3897 With olde folk, save dotage, is namoore! Line 3898 Whan that oure hoost hadde herd this sermonyng, Line 3899 He gan to speke as lordly as a kyng. Line 3900 He seide, what amounteth al this wit? Line 3901 What shul we speke alday of hooly writ? Line 3902 The devel made a reve for to preche, Line 3903 Or of a soutere a shipman or a leche. Line 3904 Sey forth thy tale, and tarie nat the tyme Line 3905 Lo depeford! and it is half-wey pryme. Line 3906 Lo grenewych, ther many a shrewe is inne! Line 3907 It were al tyme thy tale to bigynne. Line 3908 Now, sires, quod this osewold the reve, Line 3909 I pray yow alle that ye nat yow greve, Line 3910 Thogh I answere, and somdeel sette his howve; Line 3911 For leveful is with force force of-showve. Line 3912 This dronke millere hath ytoold us heer Line 3913 How that bigyled was a carpenteer, Line 3914 Peraventure in scorn, for I am oon. Line 3915 And, by youre leve, I shal hym quite anoon; Line 3916 Right in his cherles termes wol I speke. Line 3917 I pray to God his nekke mote to-breke; Line 3918 He kan wel in myn eye seen a stalke, Line 3919 But in his owene he kan nat seen a balke. Line 3920

The Reeve's Tale

At trumpyngtoun, nat fer fro cantebrigge, Line 3921 Ther gooth a brook, and over that a brigge, Line 3922 Upon the whiche brook ther stant a melle; Line 3923 And this is verray sooth that I yow telle: Line 3924 A millere was ther dwellynge many a day. Line 3925 As any pecok he was proud and gay. Line 3926 Pipen he koude and fisshe, and nettes beete, Line 3927 And turne coppes, and wel wrastle and sheete; Line 3928 Ay by his belt he baar a long panade, Line 3929 And of a swerd ful trenchant was the blade Line 3930 A joly poppere baar he in his pouche; Line 3931 Ther was no man, for peril, dorste hym touche. Line 3932 A sheffeld thwitel baar he in his hose. Line 3933 Round was his face, and camus was his nose; Line 3934 As piled as an ape was his skulle. Line 3935 He was a market-betere atte fulle. Line 3936 Ther dorste no wight hand upon hym legge, Line 3937 That he ne swoor he sholde anon abegge. Line 3938 A theef he was for sothe of corn and mele, Line 3939 And that a sly, and usaunt for to stele. Line 3940 His name was hoote deynous symkyn. Line 3941 A wyf he hadde, ycomen of noble kyn; Line 3942 The person of the toun hir fader was. Line 3943 With hire he yaf ful many a panne of bras, Line 3944 For that symkyn sholde in his blood allye. Line 3945 She was yfostred in a nonnerye; Line 3946 For symkyn wolde no wyf, as he sayde, Line 3947 But she were wel ynorissed and a mayde, Line 3948 To saven his estaat of yomanrye. Line 3949 And she was proud, and peert as is a pye. Line 3950 A ful fair sighte was it upon hem two; Line 3951 On halydayes biforn hire wolde he go Line 3952 With his typet bounden aboute his heed, Line 3953 And she cam after in a gyte of reed; Line 3954 And symkyn hadde hosen of the same. Line 3955 Ther dorste no wight clepen hire but dame; Line 3956 Was noon so hardy that wente by the weye Line 3957 That with hire dorste rage or ones pleye, Line 3958 But if he wolde be slayn of symkyn Line 3959 With panade, or with knyf, or boidekyn. Line 3960 For jalous folk ben perilous everemo; Line 3961 Algate they wolde hire wyves wenden so. Line 3962 And eek, for she was somdel smoterlich, Line 3963 She was as digne as water in a dich, Line 3964 And ful of hoker and of bisemare. Line 3965 Hir thoughte that a lady sholde hire spare, Line 3966 What for hire kynrede and hir nortelrie Line 3967 That she hadde lerned in the nonnerie. Line 3968 A doghter hadde they bitwixe hem two Line 3969 Of twenty yeer, withouten any mo, Line 3970 Savynge a child that was of half yeer age; Line 3971 In cradel it lay and was a propre page. Line 3972 This wenche thikke and wel ygrowen was, Line 3973 With kamus nose, and eyen greye as glas, Line 3974 With buttokes brode, and brestes rounde and hye; Line 3975 But right fair was hire heer, I wol nat lye. Line 3976 This person of the toun, for she was feir, Line 3977 In purpos was to maken hire his heir, Line 3978 Bothe of his catel and his mesuage, Line 3979 And straunge he made it of hir mariage. Line 3980 His purpos was for to bistowe hire hye Line 3981 Into som worthy blood of auncetrye; Line 3982 For hooly chirches good moot been despended Line 3983 On hooly chirches blood, that is descended. Line 3984 Therfore he wolde his hooly blood honoure, Line 3985 Though that he hooly chirche sholde devoure. Line 3986 Greet sokene hath this millere, out of doute, Line 3987 With whete and malt of al the land aboute; Line 3988 And nameliche ther was a greet collegge Line 3989 Men clepen the soler halle at cantebregge; Line 3990 Ther was hir whete and eek hir malt ygrounde. Line 3991 And on a day it happed, in a stounde, Line 3992 Sik lay the maunciple on a maladye; Line 3993 Men wenden wisly that he sholde dye. Line 3994 For which this millere stal bothe mele and corn Line 3995 An hundred tyme moore than biforn; Line 3996 For therbiforn he stal but curteisly, Line 3997 But now he was a theef outrageously, Line 3998 For which the wardeyn chidde and made fare. Line 3999 But therof sette the millere nat a tare; Line 4000 He craketh boost, and swoor it was nat so. Line 4001 Thanne were ther yonge povre scolers two, Line 4002 That dwelten in this halle, of which I seye. Line 4003 Testif they were, and lusty for to pleye, Line 4004 And, oonly for hire myrthe and revelrye, Line 4005 Upon the wardeyn bisily they crye Line 4006 To yeve hem leve, but a litel stounde, Line 4007 To goon to mille and seen hir corn ygrounde; Line 4008 And hardily they dorste leye hir nekke Line 4009 The millere sholde not stele hem half a pekke Line 4010 Of corn by sleighte, ne by force hem reve; Line 4011 And at the laste the wardeyn yaf hem leve. Line 4012 John highte that oon, and aleyn highte that oother; Line 4013

Line 4013 Of o toun were they born, that highte strother, Line 4014 Fer in the north, I kan nat telle where. Line 4015 This aleyn maketh redy al his gere, Line 4016 And on an hors the sak he caste anon. Line 4017 Forth goth aleyn the clerk, and also john, Line 4018 With good swerd and with bokeler by hir syde. Line 4019 John knew the wey, -- hem nedede no gyde, -- Line 4020 And at the mille the sak adoun he layth. Line 4021 Aleyn spak first, al hayl, symond, y-fayth! Line 4022 Hou fares thy faire doghter and thy wyf? Line 4023 Aleyn, welcome, quod symkyn, by my lyf! Line 4024 And john also, how now, what do ye heer? Line 4025 Symond, quod john, by god, nede has na peer. Line 4026 Hym boes serve hymself that has na swayn, Line 4027 Or elles he is a fool, as clerkes sayn. Line 4028 Oure manciple, I hope he wil be deed, Line 4029 Swa werkes ay the wanges in his heed; Line 4030 And forthy is I come, and eek alayn, Line 4031 To grynde oure corn and carie it ham agayn; Line 4032 I pray yow spede us heythen that ye may. Line 4033 It shal be doon, quod symkyn, by my fay! Line 4034 What wol ye doon whil that it is in hande? Line 4035 By god, right by the hopur wil I stande, Line 4036 Quod john, and se howgates the corn gas in. Line 4037 Yet saugh I nevere, by my fader kyn, Line 4038 How that the hopur wagges til and fra. Line 4039 Aleyn answerde, john, and wiltow swa? Line 4040 Thanne wil I be bynethe, by my croun, Line 4041 And se how that the mele falles doun Line 4042 Into the trough; that sal be my disport. Line 4043 For john, y-faith, I may been of youre sort; Line 4044 I is as ille a millere as ar ye. Line 4045 This millere smyled of hir nycetee, Line 4046 And thoghte, al this nys doon but for a wyle. Line 4047 They wene that no man may hem bigyle, Line 4048 But by my thrift, yet shal I blere hir ye, Line 4049 For al the sleighte in hir philosophye. Line 4050 The moore queynte crekes that they make, Line 4051 The moore wol I stele whan I take. Line 4052 In stide of flour yet wol I yeve hem bren. Line 4053 -- The gretteste clerkes been noght wisest men, -- Line 4054 As whilom to the wolf thus spak the mare. Line 4055 Of al hir art ne counte I noght a tare. Line 4056 Out at the dore he gooth ful pryvely, Line 4057 Whan that he saugh his tyme, softely. Line 4058 He looketh up and doun til he hath founde Line 4059 The clerkes hors, ther as it stood ybounde Line 4060 Bihynde the mille, under a levesel; Line 4061 And to the hors he goth hym faire and wel; Line 4062 He strepeth of the brydel right anon. Line 4063 And whan the hors was laus, he gynneth gon Line 4064 Toward the fen, ther wilde mares renne, Line 4065 And forth with wehee, thurgh thikke and thurgh thenne. Line 4066 This millere gooth agayn, no word he seyde, Line 4067 But dooth his note, and with the clerkes pleyde, Line 4068 Til that hir corn was faire and well ygrounde. Line 4069 And whan the mele is sakked and ybounde, Line 4070 This john goth out and fynt his hors away, Line 4071 And gan to crie harrow! and weylaway! Line 4072

Line 4072 Oure hors is lorn, alayn, for goddes banes, Line 4073 Step on thy feet! com of, man, al atanes! Line 4074 Allas, our wardeyn has his palfrey lorn. Line 4075 This aleyn al forgat, bothe mele and corn; Line 4076 Al was out of his mynde his housbondrie. Line 4077 What, whilk way is he geen? he gan to crie. Line 4078 The wyf cam lepynge inward with a ren. Line 4079 She seyde, allas! youre hors goth to the fen Line 4080 With wilde mares, as faste as he may go. Line 4081 Unthank come on his hand that boond hym so, Line 4082 And he that bettre sholde han knyt the reyne! Line 4083 Allas, quod john, aleyn, for cristes peyne Line 4084 Lay doun thy swerd, and I wil myn alswa. Line 4085 I is ful wight, God waat, as is a raa; Line 4086 By goddes herte, he sal nat scape us bathe! Line 4087 Why ne had thow pit the capul in the lathe? Line 4088 Ilhayl! by god, alayn, thou is a fonne! Line 4089 Thise sely clerkes han ful faste yronne Line 4090 Toward the fen, bothe aleyn and eek john. Line 4091 And whan the millere saugh that they were gon, Line 4092 He half a busshel of hir flour hath take, Line 4093 And bad his wyf go knede it in a cake. Line 4094 He seyde, I trowe the clerkes were aferd. Line 4095 Yet kan a millere make a clerkes berd, Line 4096 For al his art; now lat hem goon hir weye! Line 4097 Lo, wher he gooth! ye, lat the children pleye. Line 4098 They gete hym nat so lightly, by my croun. Line 4099 Thise sely clerkes rennen up and doun Line 4100 With keep! keep! stand! stand! jossa, warderere, Line 4101 Ga whistle thou, and I shal kepe hym heere! Line 4102 But shortly, til that it was verray nyght, Line 4103 They koude nat, though they dide al hir myght, Line 4104 Hir capul cacche, he ran alwey so faste, Line 4105 Til in a dych they caughte hym atte laste. Line 4106 Wery and weet, as beest is in the reyn, Line 4107 Comth sely john, and with him comth aleyn. Line 4108 Allas, quod john, the day that I was born! Line 4109 Now are we dryve til hethyng and til scorn. Line 4110 Oure corn is stoln, men wil us fooles calle, Line 4111 Bathe the wardeyn and oure felawes alle, Line 4112 And namely the millere, weylaway! Line 4113 Thus pleyneth john as he gooth by the way Line 4114 Toward the mille, and bayard in his hond. Line 4115 The millere sittynge by the fyr he fond, Line 4116 For it was nyght, and forther myghte they noght; Line 4117 But for the love of God they hym bisoght Line 4118 Of herberwe and of ese, as for hir peny. Line 4119 The millere seyde agayn, if ther be eny, Line 4120 Swich as it is, yet shal ye have youre part. Line 4121 Myn hous is streit, but ye han lerned art; Line 4122 Ye konne by argumentes make a place Line 4123 A myle brood of twenty foot of space. Line 4124 Lat se now if this place may suffise, Line 4125 Or make it rowm with speche, as is youre gise. Line 4126 Now, symond, seyde john, by seint cutberd, Line 4127 Ay is thou myrie, and this is faire answerd. Line 4128 I have herd seyd, -- man sal taa of twa thynges Line 4129 Slyk as he fyndes, or taa slyk as he brynges. -- Line 4130 But specially I pray thee, hooste deere, Line 4131 Get us som mete and drynke, and make us cheere, Line 4132 And we wil payen trewely atte fulle. Line 4133 With empty hand men may na haukes tulle; Line 4134 Loo, heere oure silver, redy for to spende. Line 4135 This millere into toun his doghter sende Line 4136 For ale and breed, and rosted hem a goos, Line 4137 And boond hire hors, it sholde namoore go loos; Line 4138 And in his owene chambre hem made a bed, Line 4139 With sheetes and with chalons faire yspred Line 4140 Noght from his owene bed ten foot or twelve. Line 4141 His doghter hadde a bed, al by hirselve, Line 4142 Right in the same chambre by and by. Line 4143 It myghte be no bet, and cause why? Line 4144 Ther was no roumer herberwe in the place. Line 4145 They soupen and they speke, hem to solace, Line 4146 And drynken evere strong ale atte beste. Line 4147 Aboute mydnyght wente they to reste. Line 4148 Wel hath this millere vernysshed his heed; Line 4149 Ful pale he was for dronken, and nat reed. Line 4150 He yexeth, and he speketh thurgh the nose Line 4151 As he were on the quakke, or on the pose. Line 4152 To bedde he goth, and with hym goth his wyf. Line 4153 As any jay she light was and jolyf, Line 4154 So was hir joly whistle wel ywet. Line 4155 The cradel at hir beddes feet is set, Line 4156 To rokken, and to yeve the child to sowke. Line 4157 And whan that dronken al was in the crowke, Line 4158 To bedde wente the doghter right anon; Line 4159 To bedde goth aleyn and also john; Line 4160 Ther nas na moore, -- hem nedede no dwale. Line 4161 This millere hath so wisely bibbed ale Line 4162 That as an hors he fnorteth in his sleep, Line 4163 Ne of his tayl bihynde he took no keep. Line 4164 His wyf bar hym a burdon, a ful strong; Line 4165 Men myghte hir rowtyng heere two furlong; Line 4166 The wenche rowteth eek, par compaignye. Line 4167 Aleyn the clerk, that herde this melodye, Line 4168 He poked john, and seyde, slepestow? Line 4169 Herdestow evere slyk a sang er now? Line 4170 Lo, swilk a complyn is ymel hem alle, Line 4171 A wilde fyr upon thair bodyes falle! Line 4172 Wha herkned evere slyk a ferly thyng? Line 4173 Ye, they sal have the flour of il endyng. Line 4174 This lange nyght ther tydes me na reste; Line 4175 But yet, nafors, al sal be for the beste. Line 4176 For, john, seyde he, als evere moot I thryve, Line 4177 If that I may, yon wenche wil I swyve. Line 4178 Som esement has lawe yshapen us; Line 4179 For, john, ther is a lawe that says thus, Line 4180 That gif a man in a point be agreved, Line 4181 That in another he sal be releved. Line 4182 Oure corn is stoln, sothly, it is na nay, Line 4183 And we han had an il fit al this day; Line 4184 And syn I sal have neen amendement Line 4185 Agayn my los, I will have esement. Line 4186 By goddes sale, it sal neen other bee! Line 4187 This john answerde, alayn, avyse thee! Line 4188 The millere is a perilous man, he seyde, Line 4189 And gif that he out of his sleep abreyde, Line 4190 He myghte doon us bathe a vileynye. Line 4191 Aleyn answerde, I counte hym nat a flye. Line 4192 And up he rist, and by the wenche he crepte. Line 4193 This wenche lay uprighte, and faste slepte, Line 4194 Til he so ny was, er she myghte espie, Line 4195 That it had been to late for to crie, Line 4196 And shortly for to seyn, they were aton. Line 4197 Now pley, aleyn, for I wol speke of john. Line 4198 This john lith stille a furlong wey or two, Line 4199 And to hymself he maketh routhe and wo. Line 4200 Allas! quod he, this is a wikked jape; Line 4201 Now may I seyn that I is but an ape. Line 4202 Yet has my felawe somwhat for his harm; Line 4203 He has the milleris doghter in his arm. Line 4204 He auntred hym, and has his nedes sped, Line 4205 And I lye as a draf-sak in my bed; Line 4206 And when this jape is tald another day, Line 4207 I sal been halde a daf, a cokenay! Line 4208 I wil arise and auntre it, by my fayth! Line 4209 -- Unhardy is unseely, -- thus men sayth. Line 4210 And up he roos, and softely he wente Line 4211 Unto the cradel, and in his hand it hente, Line 4212 And baar it softe unto his beddes feet. Line 4213 Soone after this the wyf hir rowtyng leet, Line 4214 And gan awake, and wente hire out to pisse, Line 4215 And cam agayn, and gan hir cradel mysse, Line 4216 And groped heer and ther, but she foond noon. Line 4217

Line 4217 Allas! quod she, I hadde almoost mysgoon; Line 4218 I hadde almoost goon to the clerkes bed. Line 4219 Ey, benedicite! thanne hadde I foule ysped. Line 4220 And forth she gooth til she the cradel fond. Line 4221 She gropeth alwey forther with hir hond, Line 4222 And foond the bed, and thoghte noght but good, Line 4223 By cause that the cradel by it stood, Line 4224 And nyste wher she was, for it was derk; Line 4225 But faire and wel she creep in to the clerk, Line 4226 And lith ful stille, and wolde han caught a sleep. Line 4227 Withinne a while this john the clerk up leep, Line 4228 And on this goode wyf he leith on soore. Line 4229 So myrie a fit ne hadde she nat ful yoore; Line 4230 He priketh harde and depe as he were mad. Line 4231 This joly lyf han thise two clerkes lad Line 4232 Til that the thridde cok bigan to synge. Line 4233 Aleyn wax wery in the dawenynge, Line 4234 For he had swonken al the longe nyght, Line 4235 And seyde, fare weel, malyne, sweete wight! Line 4236 The day is come, I may no lenger byde; Line 4237 But everemo, wher so I go or ryde, Line 4238 I is thyn awen clerk, swa have I seel! Line 4239 Now, deere lemman, quod she, go, far weel! Line 4240 But er thow go, o thyng I wol thee telle: Line 4241 Whan that thou wendest homward by the melle, Line 4242 Right at the entree of the dore bihynde Line 4243 Thou shalt a cake of half a busshel fynde Line 4244 That was ymaked of thyn owene mele, Line 4245 Which that I heelp my sire for to stele. Line 4246 And, goode lemman, God thee save and kepe! Line 4247 And with that word almoost she gan to wepe. Line 4248 Aleyn up rist, and thoughte, er that it dawe, Line 4249 I wol go crepen in by my felawe; Line 4250 And fond the cradel with his hand anon. Line 4251 By god, thoughte he, al wrang I have mysgon. Line 4252 Myn heed is toty of my swynk to-nyght, Line 4253 That makes me that I ga nat aright. Line 4254 I woot wel by the cradel I have mysgo; Line 4255 Heere lith the millere and his wyf also. Line 4256 And forth he goth, a twenty devel way, Line 4257 Unto the bed ther as the millere lay. Line 4258 He wende have cropen by his felawe john, Line 4259 And by the millere in he creep anon, Line 4260 And caughte hym by the nekke, and softe he spak. Line 4261 He seyde, thou john, thou swynes-heed, awak, Line 4262 For cristes saule, and heer a noble game. Line 4263 For by that lord that called is seint jame, Line 4264 As I have thries in this shorte nyght Line 4265 Swyved the milleres doghter bolt upright, Line 4266 Whil thow hast, as a coward, been agast. Line 4267 Ye, false harlot, quod the miller, hast? Line 4268 A, false traitour! false clerk! quod he, Line 4269 Thow shalt be deed, by goddes dignitee! Line 4270 Who dorste be so boold to disparage Line 4271 My doghter, that is come of swich lynage? Line 4272 And by the throte-bolle he caughte alayn, Line 4273 And he hente hym despitously agayn, Line 4274 And on the nose he smoot hym with his fest. Line 4275 Doun ran the blody streem upon his brest; Line 4276 And in the floor, with nose and mouth tobroke, Line 4277 They walwe as doon two pigges in a poke; Line 4278 And up they goon, and doun agayn anon, Line 4279 Til that the millere sporned at a stoon, Line 4280 And doun he fil bakward upon his wyf, Line 4281 That wiste no thyng of this nyce stryf; Line 4282 For she was falle aslepe a lite wight Line 4283 With john the clerk, that waked hadde al nyght, Line 4284 And with the fal out of hir sleep she breyde. Line 4285 Help! hooly croys of bromeholm, she seyde, Line 4286 In manus tuas! lord, to thee I calle! Line 4287 Awak, symond! the feend is on me falle. Line 4288 Myn herte is broken; help! I nam but deed! Line 4289 Ther lyth oon upon my wombe and on myn heed. Line 4290 Help, symkyn, for the false clerkes fighte! Line 4291 This john stirte up as faste as ever he myghte, Line 4292 And graspeth by the walles to and fro, Line 4293 To fynde a staf; and she stirte up also, Line 4294 And knew the estres bet than dide this john, Line 4295 And by the wal a staf she foond anon, Line 4296 And saugh a litel shymeryng of a light, Line 4297 For at an hole in shoon the moone bright; Line 4298 And by that light she saugh hem bothe two, Line 4299 But sikerly she nyste who was who, Line 4300 But as she saugh a whit thyng in hir ye. Line 4301 And whan she gan this white thyng espye, Line 4302 She wende the clerk hadde wered a volupeer, Line 4303 And with the staf she drow ay neer and neer, Line 4304 And wende han hit this aleyn at the fulle, Line 4305 And smooth the millere on the pyled skulle, Line 4306 That doun he gooth, and cride, harrow! I dye! Line 4307 Thise clerkes beete hym weel and lete hym lye; Line 4308 And greythen hem, and tooke hir hors anon, Line 4309 And eek hire mele, and on hir wey they gon. Line 4310 And at the mille yet they tooke hir cake Line 4311 Of half a busshel flour, ful wel ybake. Line 4312

Line 4312 Thus is the proude millere wel ybete, Line 4313 And hath ylost the gryndynge of the whete, Line 4314 And payed for the soper everideel Line 4315 Of aleyn and of john, that bette hym weel. Line 4316 His wyf is swyved, and his doghter als. Line 4317 Lo, swich it is a millere to be fals! Line 4318 And therfore this proverbe is seyd ful sooth, Line 4319 Hym thar nat wene wel that yvele dooth; Line 4320 A gylour shal hymself bigyled be. Line 4321 And god, that sitteth heighe in magestee, Line 4322 Save al this compaignye, grete and smale! Line 4323 Thus have I quyt the millere in my tale. Line 4324

The Cook's Prologue

The cook of londoun, whil the reve spak, Line 4325 For joye him thoughte he clawed him on the bak. Line 4326 Ha! ha! quod he, for cristes passion, Line 4327 This millere hadde a sharp conclusion Line 4328 Upon his argument of herbergage! Line 4329 Wel seyde salomon in his langage, Line 4330 -- Ne bryng nat every man into thyn hous; -- Line 4331 For herberwynge by nyghte is perilous. Line 4332 Wel oghte a man avysed for to be Line 4333 Whom that he broghte into his pryvetee. Line 4334 I pray to god, so yeve me sorwe and care Line 4335 If evere, sitthe I highte hogge of ware, Line 4336 Herde I a millere bettre yset a-werk. Line 4337 He hadde a jape of malice in the derk. Line 4338 But God forbede that we stynte heere; Line 4339 And therfore, if ye vouche-sauf to heere Line 4340 A tale of me, that am a povre man, Line 4341 I wol yow telle, as wel as evere I kan, Line 4342 A litel jape that fil in oure citee. Line 4343 Oure hoost answerde and seide, I graunte it thee. Line 4344 Now telle on, roger, looke that it be good; Line 4345 For many a pastee hastow laten blood, Line 4346 And many a jakke of dovere hastow soold Line 4347 That hath been twies hoot and twies coold. Line 4348 Of many a pilgrym hastow cristes curs, Line 4349 For of thy percely yet they fare the wors, Line 4350 That they han eten with thy stubbel goos; Line 4351 For in thy shoppe is many a flye loos. Line 4352 Now telle on, gentil roger by thy name. Line 4353 But yet I pray thee, be nat wroth for game; Line 4354 A man may seye ful sooth in game and pley. Line 4355 Thou seist ful sooth, quod roger, by my fey! Line 4356 But -- sooth pley, quaad pley, -- as the flemyng seith. Line 4357 And therfore, herry bailly, by thy feith, Line 4358 Be thou nat wrooth, er we departen heer, Line 4359 Though that my tale be of an hostileer. Line 4360 But nathelees I wol nat telle it yit; Line 4361 But er we parte, ywis, thou shalt be quit. Line 4362 And therwithal he lough and made cheere, Line 4363 And seyde his tale, as ye shul after heere. Line 4364

The Cook's Tale

A prentys whilom dwelled in oure citee, Line 4365 And of a craft of vitailliers was hee. Line 4366 Gaillard he was as goldfynch in the shawe, Line 4367 Broun as a berye, a propre short felawe, Line 4368 With lokkes blake, ykembd ful fetisly. Line 4369 Dauncen he koude so wel and jolily Line 4370 That he was cleped perkyn revelour. Line 4371 He was as ful of love and paramour Line 4372 As is the hyve ful of hony sweete: Line 4373 Wel was the wenche with hym myghte meete. Line 4374

Line 4374 At every bridale wolde he synge and hoppe; Line 4375 He loved bet the taverne than the shoppe. Line 4376 For whan ther any ridyng was in chepe, Line 4377 Out of the shoppe thider wolde he lepe -- Line 4378 Til that he hadde al the sighte yseyn, Line 4379 And daunced wel, he wolde nat come ayeyn -- Line 4380 And gadered hym a meynee of his sort Line 4381 To hoppe and synge and maken swich disport; Line 4382 And ther they setten stevene for to meete, Line 4383 To pleyen at the dys in swich a streete. Line 4384 For in the toune nas ther no prentys Line 4385 That fairer koude caste a paire of dys Line 4386 Than perkyn koude, and therto he was free Line 4387 Of his dispense, in place of pryvetee. Line 4388 That fond his maister wel in his chaffare; Line 4389 For often tyme he foond his box ful bare. Line 4390 For sikerly a prentys revelour Line 4391 That haunteth dys, riot, or paramour. Line 4392 His maister shal it in his shoppe abye, Line 4393 Al have he no part of the mynstralcye. Line 4394 For thefte and riot, they been convertible, Line 4395 Al konne he pleye on gyterne or ribible. Line 4396 Revel and trouthe, as in a lowe degree, Line 4397 They been ful wrothe al day, as men may see. Line 4398 this joly prentys with his maister bood, Line 4399 Til he were ny out of his prentishood, Line 4400 Al were he snybbed bothe erly and late, Line 4401 And somtyme lad with revel to newegate. Line 4402 But atte laste his maister him bithoghte. Line 4403 Upon a day, whan he his papir soghte, Line 4404 Of a proverbe that seith this same word, Line 4405 Wel bet is roten appul out of hoord Line 4406 Than that it rotie al the remenaunt. Line 4407 So fareth it by a riotous servaunt; Line 4408 It is ful lasse harm to lete hym pace, Line 4409 Than he shende alle the servantz in the place. Line 4410 Therfore his maister yaf hym acquitance, Line 4411 And bad hym go, with sorwe and with meschance! Line 4412 And thus this joly prentys hadde his leve. Line 4413 Now lat hym riote al the nyght or leve. Line 4414 And for ther is no theef withoute a lowke, Line 4415 That helpeth hym to wasten and to sowke Line 4416 Of that he brybe kan or borwe may, Line 4417 Anon he sente his bed and his array Line 4418 Unto a compeer of his owene sort, Line 4419 That lovede dys, and revel, and disport, Line 4420 And hadde a wyf that heeld for contenance Line 4421 A shoppe, and swyved for hir sustenance. Line 4422