The Man of Law's Epilogue
(Owre hoost upon his stiropes stood anon, Line 1163
And seyde, goode men, herkeneth everych on! Line 1164
This was a thrifty tale for the nones! Line 1165
Sir parisshe prest, quod he, for goddes bones, Line 1166
Telle us a tale, as was thi forward yore. Line 1167
I se wel that ye lerned men in lore Line 1168
Can moche good, by goddes dignitee! Line 1169
The parson hem answerde, benedicite! Line 1170
What eyleth the man, so synfully to swere? Line 1171
Oure host answerde, o jankin, be ye there? Line 1172
I smelle a lollere in the wynd, quod he. Line 1173
Now! goode men, quod oure hoste, herkeneth me; Line 1174
Abydeth, for goddes digne passioun, Line 1175
For we schal han a predicacioun; Line 1176
This lollere heer wil prechen us somwhat. Line 1177
Nay, by my fader soule, that schal he nat! Line 1178
Seyde the shipman; heer schal he nat preche; Line 1179
He schal no gospel glosen here ne teche. Line 1180
We leven alle in the grete god, quod he; Line 1181
He wolde sowen som difficulte, Line 1182
Or springen cokkel in our clene corn. Line 1183
And therfore, hoost, I warne thee biforn, Line 1184
My joly body schal a tale telle, Line 1185
And I schal clynken you so mery a belle, Line 1186
That I schal waken al this compaignie. Line 1187
But it schal not ben of philosophie, Line 1188
Ne phislyas, ne termes queinte of lawe. Line 1189
Ther is but litel latyn in my mawe!) Line 1190