The Canterbury tales

Group 8

The Second Nun's Prologue

The ministre and norice unto vices Line 1 Which that men clepe in englissh ydelnesse, Line 2 That porter of the gate is of delices, Line 3 To eschue, and by hire contrarie hire oppresse, Line 4 That is to seyn, by leveful bisynesse, Line 5 Wel oghten we to doon al oure entente, Line 6 Lest that the feend thurgh ydelnesse us hente. Line 7 For he that with his thousand cordes slye Line 8 Continuelly us waiteth to biclappe, Line 9 Whan he may man in ydelnesse espye, Line 10 He kan so lightly cache hym in his trappe, Line 11 Til that a man be hent right by the lappe, Line 12 He nys nat war the feend hath hym in honde. Line 13 Wel oghte us werche, and ydelnesse withstonde. Line 14 And though men dradden nevere for to dye, Line 15 Yet seen men wel by resoun, doutelees, Line 16 That ydelnesse is roten slogardye, Line 17 Of which ther nevere comth no good n' encrees, Line 18 And syn that slouthe hire holdeth in a lees Line 19 Oonly to slepe, and for to ete and drynke, Line 20 And to devouren al that othere swynke, Line 21 And for to putte us fro swich ydelnesse, Line 22 That cause is of so greet confusioun, Line 23 I have heer doon my feithful bisynesse Line 24 After the legende, in translacioun Line 25 Right of thy glorious lif and passioun, Line 26 Thou with thy gerland wroght with rose and lilie, -- Line 27 Thee meene I, mayde and martyr, seint cecile. Line 28

Invocacio ad mariam

And thow that flour of birgines art alle, Line 29 Of whom that bernard list so wel to write, Line 30 To thee at my bigynnyng first I calle; Line 31 Thou confort of us wrecches, do me endite Line 32 Thy maydens deeth, that wan thurgh hire merite Line 33 The eterneel lyf, and of the feend victorie, Line 34 As man may after reden in hire storie. Line 35 Thow mayde and mooder, doghter of thy sone, Line 36 Thow welle of mercy, synful soules cure, Line 37 In whom that God for bountee chees to wone, Line 38 Thow humble, and heigh over every creature, Line 39 Thow nobledest so ferforth oure nature, Line 40 That no desdeyn the makere hadde of kynde Line 41 His sone in blood and flessh to clothe and wynde. Line 42 Withinne the cloistre blisful of thy sydis Line 43 Took mannes shap the eterneel love and pees, Line 44 That of the tryne compas lord and gyde is, Line 45 Whom erthe and see and hevene, out of relees, Line 46 Ay heryen; and thou, virgine wemmelees, Line 47 Baar of thy body -- and dweltest mayden pure -- Line 48 The creatour of every creature. Line 49 Assembled is in thee magnificence Line 50 With mercy, goodnesse, and with swich pitee Line 51 That thou, that art the sonne of excellence Line 52 Nat oonly helpest hem that preyen thee, Line 53 But often tyme, of thy benygnytee, Line 54 Ful frely, er that men thyn help biseche, Line 55 Thou goost biforn, and art hir lyves leche. Line 56 Now help, thow meeke and blisful faire mayde, Line 57 Me, flemed wrecche, in this desert of galle; Line 58 Thynk on the womman cananee, that sayde Line 59 That whelpes eten somme of the crommes alle Line 60 That from hir lordes table been yfalle; Line 61 And though that I, unworthy sone of eve, Line 62 Be synful, yet accepte my bileve. Line 63 And, for that teith is deed withouten werkis, Line 64 So for to werken yif me wit and space, Line 65 That I be quit fro thennes that most derk is! Line 66 O thou, that art so fair and ful of grace, Line 67 Be myn advocat in that heighe place Line 68

Line 68 Theras withouten ende is songe osanne, Line 69 Thow cristes mooder, doghter deere of anne! Line 70 And of thy light my soule in prison lighte, Line 71 That troubled is by the contagioun Line 72 Of my body, and also by the wighte Line 73 Of erthely lust and fals affeccioun; Line 74 O havene of refut, o salvacioun Line 75 Of hem that been in sorwe and in distresse, Line 76 Now help, for to my werk I wol me dresse. Line 77 Yet preye I yow that reden that I write, Line 78 Foryeve me that I do no diligence Line 79 This ilke storie subtilly to endite, Line 80 For bothe have I the wordes and sentence Line 81 Of hym that at the seintes reverence Line 82 The storie wroot, and folwen hire legende, Line 83 And pray yow that ye wole my wek amende. Line 84

interpretacio nominis Cecilie quam ponit Frater Jacobus Januensis in legenda

First wolde I yow the name of seint cecilie Line 85 Expowne, as men may in hir storie see. Line 86 It is to seye in englissh hevenes lilie, Line 87 For pure chaastnesse of virginitee; Line 88 Or, ofr she whitnesse hadde of honestee, Line 89 And grene of conscience, and of good fame Line 90 The soote savour, lilie was hir name. Line 91 Or cecilie is to seye the wey to blynde, Line 92 For she ensample was by good techynge; Line 93 Or elles cecile, as I writen fynde, Line 94 Is joyned, by a manere conjoynynge Line 95 Of hevene and lia; and heere, in figurynge, Line 96 The hevene is set for thoght of hoolynesse, Line 97 And lia for hire lastynge bisynesse. Line 98 Cecile may eek be seyd in this manere, Line 99 Wantynge of blyndnesse, for hir grete light Line 100 Of sapience, and for hire thewes cleere; Line 101 Or elles, loo, this maydens name bright Line 102 Of hevene and leos comth, for which by right Line 103 Men myghte hire wel the hevene of peple calle, Line 104 Ensample of goode and wise werkes alle. Line 105 For leos peple in englissh is to seye, Line 106 And right as men may in the hevene see Line 107 The sonne and moone and sterres every weye, Line 108 Right so men goostly in this mayden free Line 109 Seyen of feith the magnanymytee, Line 110 And eek the cleernesse hool of sapience, Line 111 And sondry werkes, brighte of excellence. Line 112 And right so as thise philosophres write Line 113 That hevene is swift and round and eek brennynge, Line 114 Right so was faire cecilie the white Line 115 Ful swift and bisy evere in good werkynge, Line 116 And round and hool in good perseverynge, Line 117 And brennynge evere in charite ful brighte. Line 118 Now have I yow declared what she highte. Line 119

The Second Nun's Tale

This mayden bright cecilie, as hir lif seith, Line 120 Was comen of romayns, and of noble kynde, Line 121 And from hir cradel up fostred in the feith Line 122 Of crist, and bar his gospel in hir mynde. Line 123 She nevere cessed, as I writen fynde, Line 124 Of hir preyere, and God to love and drede, Line 125 Bisekynge hym to kepe hir maydenhede. Line 126 And whan this mayden sholde unto a man Line 127 Ywedded be, that was ful yong of age, Line 128 Which that ycleped was valerian, Line 129 And day was comen of hir marriage, Line 130 She, ful devout and humble in hir corage, Line 131 Under hir robe of gold, that sat ful faire, Line 132 Hadde next hire flessh yclad hire in an haire. Line 133 And whil the organs maden melodie, Line 134 To God allone in herte thus sang she: Line 135 O lord, my soule and eek my body gye Line 136 Unwemmed, lest that it confounded be. Line 137 And, for his love that dyde upon a tree, Line 138

Line 138 Every seconde and thridde day she faste, Line 139 Ay biddynge in hire orisons ful faste. Line 140 The nyght cam, and to bedde moste she gon Line 141 With hire housbonde, as ofte is the manere, Line 142 And pryvely to hym she seyde anon, Line 143 O sweete and wel biloved spouse deere, Line 144 Ther is a conseil, and ye wolde it heere, Line 145 Which that right fayn I wolde unto yow seye, Line 146 So that ye swere ye shul it nat biwreye. Line 147 Valerian gan faste unto hire swere Line 148 That for no cas, ne thyng that myghte be, Line 149 He sholde nevere mo biwreyen here; Line 150 And thanne at erst to hym thus seyde she: Line 151 I have an aungel which that loveth me, Line 152 That with greet love, wher so I wake or sleepe, Line 153 Is redy ay my body for to kepe. Line 154 And if that he may feelen, out of drede, Line 155 That ye me touche, or love in vileynye, Line 156 He right anon wol sle yow with the dede, Line 157 And in youre yowthe thus ye shullen dye; Line 158 And if that ye in clene love me gye, Line 159 He wol yow loven as me, for youre clennesse, Line 160 And shewen yow his joye and his brightnesse. Line 161 Valerian, corrected as God wolde, Line 162 Answerde agayn, if I shal trusten thee, Line 163 Lat me that aungel se, and hym biholde; Line 164 And if that it a verray angel bee, Line 165 Thanne wol I doon as thou hast prayed me; Line 166 And if thou love another man, for sothe Line 167 Right with this swerd thanne wol I sle yow bothe. Line 168 Cecile answerde anon-right in this wise: Line 169 If that yow list, the angel shul ye see, Line 170 So that ye trowe on crist and yow baptize. Line 171 Gooth forth to via apia, quod shee, Line 172 That fro this toun ne stant but miles three, Line 173 And to the povre folkes that ther dwelle, Line 174 Sey hem right thus, as that I shal yow telle. Line 175 Telle hem that I, cecile, yow to hem sente, Line 176 To shewen yow the goode urban the olde, Line 177 For secree nedes and for good entente. Line 178 And whan that ye seint urban han biholde, Line 179 Telle hym the wordes whiche I to yow tolde; Line 180 And whan that he hath purged yow fro synne, Line 181 Thanne shul ye se that angel, er ye twynne. Line 182 Valerian is to the place ygon, Line 183 And right as hym was taught by his lernynge, Line 184 He foond this hooly olde urban anon Line 185 Among the seintes buryeles lotynge. Line 186 And he anon, withouten tariynge, Line 187 Dide his message; and whan that he it tolde, Line 188 Urban for joye his handes gan up holde. Line 189 The teeris from his eyen leet he falle. Line 190 Almyghty lord, o jhesu crist, quod he, Line 191 Sower of chaast conseil, hierde of us alle, Line 192 The fruyt of thilke seed of chastitee Line 193 That thou hast sowe in cecile, taak to thee! Line 194 Lo, lyk a bisy bee, withouten gile, Line 195 Thee serveth ay thyn owene thral cecile. Line 196 For thilke spouse that she took but now Line 197 Ful lyk a fiers leoun, she sendeth heere, Line 198 As meke as evere was any lomb, to yow! Line 199 And with that word anon ther gan appeere Line 200 An oold man, clad in white clothes cleere, Line 201 That hadde a book with lettre of gold in honde, Line 202 And gan bifore valerian to stonde. Line 203 Valerian as deed fil doun for drede Line 204 Whan he hym saugh, and he up hente hym tho, Line 205 And on his book right thus he gan to rede: Line 206 O lord, o feith, o god, withouten mo, Line 207 O cristendom, and fader of alle also, Line 208 Aboven alle and over alle everywhere. Line 209 Thise wordes al with gold ywriten were. Line 210 Whan this was rad, thanne seyde this olde man, Line 211 Leevestow this thyng or no? sey ye or nay. Line 212 I leeve al this thyng, quod valerian, Line 213 For sother thyng than this, I dar wel say, Line 214 Under the hevene no wight thynke may. Line 215 Tho vanysshed the olde man, he nyste where, Line 216 And pope urban hym cristned right there. Line 217 Valerian gooth hoom and fynt cecilie Line 218 Withinne his chambre with an angel stonde. Line 219 This angel hadde of roses and of lilie Line 220 Corones two, the which he bar in honde; Line 221 And first to cecile, as I understonde, Line 222 He yaf that oon, and after gan he take Line 223 That oother to valerian, hir make. Line 224 With body clene and with unwemmed though Line 225 Kepeth ay wel thise corones, quod he; Line 226 Fro paradys to yow have I hem broght, Line 227 Ne nevere mo ne shal they roten bee, Line 228 Ne lese hir soote savour, trusteth me; Line 229

Line 229 Ne nevere wight shal seen hem with his ye, Line 230 But he be chaast and hate vileynye. Line 231 And thow, valerian, for thow so soone Line 232 Assentedest to good conseil also, Line 233 Sey what thee list, and thou shalt han thy boone. Line 234 I have a brother,quod valerian tho, Line 235 That in this world I love no man so. Line 236 I pray yow that my brother may han grace Line 237 To knowe the trouthe, as I do in this place. Line 238 The angel seyde,god liketh thy requeste, Line 239 And bothe, with the palm of martirdom, Line 240 Ye shullen come unto his blisful feste. Line 241 And with that word tiburce his brother coom. Line 242 And whan that he the savour undernoom, Line 243 Which that the roses and the lilies caste, Line 244 Withinne his herte he gan to wondre faste, Line 245 And seyde,i wondre, this tyme of the yeer Line 246 Whennes that soote savour cometh so Line 247 Of rose and lilies that I smelle heer. Line 248 For though I hadde hem in myne handes two. Line 249 The savour myghte in me no depper go. Line 250 The sweete smel that in myn herte I fynde Line 251 Hath chaunged me al in another kynde. Line 252 Valerian seyde: two corones han we, Line 253 Snow white and rose reed, that shynen cleere, Line 254 Whiche that thyne eyen han no myght to see; Line 255 And as thou smellest hem thurgh my preyere, Line 256 So shaltow seen hem,leeve brother deere, Line 257 If it so be thou wolt, withouten slouthe, Line 258 Bileve aright and knowen verray troughe, Line 259 Tiburce answerde, seistow this to me Line 260 In soothnesse, or in dreem I herkne this? Line 261 In dremes, quod valerian, han we be Line 262 Unto this tyme, brother myn, ywis. Line 263 But now at erst in trouthe oure dwellyng is. Line 264 How woostow this? quod tiburce, and in what wyse? Line 265 Quod valerian, that shal I thee devyse. Line 266 The aungel of God hath me the trouthe ytaught Line 267 Which thou shalt seen, if that thou wolt reneye Line 268 The ydoles and be clene, and elles naught. Line 269 And of the myracle of thise corones tweye Line 270 Seint ambrose in his preface list to seye; Line 271 Solempnely this noble doctour deere Line 272 Commendeth it, and seith in this manere: Line 273 The palm of martirdom for to receyve, Line 274 Seinte cecile, fulfild of goddes yifte, Line 275 The world and eek hire chambre gan she weyve; Line 276 Witnesse tyburces and valerians shrifte, Line 277 To whiche God of his bountee wolde shifte Line 278 Corones two of floures wel smellynge, Line 279 And make his angel hem the corones brynge. Line 280 The mayde hath broght thise men to blisse above; Line 281 The world hath wist what it is worth, certeyn, Line 282 Devocioun of chastitee to love. Line 283 Tho shewed hym cecile al open and pleyn Line 284 That alle ydoles nys but a thyng in veyn, Line 285 For they been dombe, and therto they been deve, Line 286 And charged hym his ydoles for to leve. Line 287 Whoso that troweth nat this, a beest he is, Line 288 Quod tho tiburce, if that I shal nat lye. Line 289 And she gan kisse his brest, that herde this, Line 290 And was ful glad he koude trouthe espye. Line 291 This day I take thee for myn allye, Line 292 Seyde this blisful faire mayde deere, Line 293 And after that, she seyde as ye may heere: Line 294 Lo, right so as the love of crist, quod she, Line 295 Made me thy brotheres wyf, right in that wise Line 296 Anon for myn allye heer take I thee, Line 297 Syn that thou wolt thyne ydoles despise. Line 298 Go with thy brother now, and thee baptise, Line 299 And make thee clene, so that thou mowe biholde Line 300 The angels face of which thy brother tolde. Line 301 Tiburce answerde and seyde, brother deere, Line 302 First el me whider I shal, and to what man? Line 303 To whom? quod he, com forth with right good cheere, Line 304 I wol thee lede unto the pope urban. Line 305 Til urban?brother myn valerian, Line 306 Quod tho tiburce, woltow me thider lede? Line 307 Me thynketh that it were a wonder dede. Line 308 Ne menestow nat urban,quod he tho, Line 309 That is so ofte dampned to be deed, Line 310 And woneth in halkes alwey to and fro, Line 311 And dar nat ones putte forth his heed? Line 312 Men sholde hym brennen in a fyr so reed Line 313 If he were founde, or that men myghte hym spye, Line 314 And we also, to bere hym compaignye; Line 315

Line 315 And whil we seken thile divinitee Line 316 That is yhid in hevene pryvely, Line 317 Algate ybrend in this world shul we bel Line 318 To whom cecile answerde boldely, Line 319 Men myghten dreden wel and skilfully Line 320 This lyf to lese, myn owene deere brother, Line 321 If this were lyvynge oonly and noon oother. Line 322 But ther is bettre lif in oother place, Line 323 That nevere shal be lost, ne drede thee noght, Line 324 Which goddes sone us tolde thurgh his grace. Line 325 That fadres sone hath alle thyng ywroght, Line 326 And al that wroght is with a skilful though, Line 327 The goost, that fro the fader gan procede, Line 328 Hath sowled hem, withouten any drede. Line 329 By word and by myracle heigh goodes sone Line 330 Whan he was in this world, declared heere Line 331 That ther was oother lyf ther men may wone. Line 332 To whom answerde tiburce,o suster deere, Line 333 Ne seydestow right now in this manere, Line 334 Ther nys but o god, lord in soothfastnesse? Line 335 And now of three how maystow bere witnesse? Line 336 That shal I telle,quod she, er I go. Line 337 Right as a man hath sapiences three, Line 338 Memorie, engyn, and intellect also, Line 339 So in o beynge of divinitee, Line 340 Thre persones may ther wright wel bee. Line 341 Tho gan she hym ful bisily to preche Line 342 Of cristes come, and of his peynes teche, Line 343 And manye pointes of his passioun; Line 344 How goddes sone in this world was withholde Line 345 To doon mankynde pleyn remissioun, Line 346 That was ybounde in synne and cares colde, Line 347 Al this thyng she unto tiburce tolde. Line 348 And after this, tiburce in good entente Line 349 With valerian to pope urban he wente, Line 350 That thanked god, and with glad herte light Line 351 He cristned hyn, and made hym in that place Line 352 Parfit in his lernynge, goddes knyght. Line 353 And after this, tiburce gat swich grace Line 354 That every day he saugh, in tyme and space, Line 355 The aungel of god; and every maner boone Line 356 That he God axed, it was sped ful soone. Line 357 If were ful hard by ordre for to seyn Line 358 How manye wondres jhesus for hem wroghte; Line 359 But atte laste, to tellen short and pleyn, Line 360 The sergeantz of the toun of rome hem soghte, Line 361 And hem biforn almache, the prefect, broghte, Line 362 Which hem apposed, and knew al hire entente, Line 363 And to the ymage of juppiter hem sente, Line 364 And seyde, whoso wol nat sacrifise, Line 365 Swape of his heed; this my sentence heer. Line 366 Anon thise martirs that I yow devyse, Line 367 Oon maximus, that was an officer Line 368 Of the prefectes, and his corniculer, Line 369 Hem hente, and whan he forth the seintes ladde, Line 370 Hymself he weep for pitee that he hadde. Line 371 Whan maximus had herd the seintes loore, Line 372 He gat hym of the tormentoures leve, Line 373 And ladde hem to his hous withoute moore, Line 374 And with hir prechyng, er that it were eve, Line 375 They gonnen fro the tormentours to reve, Line 376 And fro maxime, and fro his fold echone, Line 377 The false feith, to trowe in God allone. Line 378 Cecile cam, whan it was woxen nyght, Line 379 With preestes that hem cristned alle yfeere; Line 380 And afterward, whan day was woxen light, Line 381 Cecile hem seyde with a ful stedefast cheere, Line 382 Now, christes owene knyghtes leeve and deere, Line 383 Cast alle awey the werkes of derknesse, Line 384 And armeth yow in armure of brightnesse. Line 385 Ye han for sothe ydoon a greet bataille, Line 386 Youre cours is doon, youre feith han ye conserved. Line 387 Gooth to the corone of lif that may nat faille; Line 388 The rightful juge, which that ye han served, Line 389 Shal yeve it yow, as ye han it deserved. Line 390 And whan this thyng was seyd as I devyse, Line 391 Men ledde hem forth to doon the sacrefise. Line 392 But whan they weren to the place broght Line 393 To tellen shortly the conclusioun, Line 394 They nolde encense ne sacrifise right noght, Line 395 But on hir knees they setten hem adoun Line 396 With humble herte and sad devocioun, Line 397 And losten bothe hir hevedes in the place. Line 398 Hir soules wenten to the kyng of grace. Line 399 This maximus, that saugh this thyng bityde, Line 400 With pitous teeris tolde it anonright, Line 401 That he hir soules saugh to hevene glyde Line 402 With aungels ful of cleernesse and of light, Line 403 And with his word converted many a wight; Line 404 For which almachius dide hym so tobete Line 405 With whippe of leed, til he his lif gan lete. Line 406

Line 406 Cecile hym took and buryed hym anon Line 407 By tiburce and valerian softely Line 408 Withinne hire buriyng place, under the stoon; Line 409 And after this, almachius hastily Line 410 Bad his ministres fecchen openly Line 411 Cecile, so that she myghte in his presence Line 412 Doon sacrifice, and juppiter encense. Line 413 But they, converted at hir wise loore, Line 414 Wepten ful soore, and yaven ful credence Line 415 Unto hire word, and cryden moore and moore, Line 416 Crist, goddes sone, withouten difference, Line 417 Is verray God -- this is al oure sentence -- Line 418 That hath so good a servant hym to serve. Line 419 This with o voys we trowen, thogh we sterve! Line 420 Almachius, that herde of this doynge, Line 421 Bad fecchen cecile, that he myghte hire see, Line 422 And alderfirst, lo! this was his axynge. Line 423 What maner womman artow? tho quod he. Line 424 I am a gentil womman born, quod she. Line 425 I axe thee, quod he, though it thee greeve, Line 426 Of thy religioun and of thy bileeve. Line 427 Ye han bigonne youre questioun folily, Line 428 Quod she, that wolden two answers conclude Line 429 In o demande; ye axed lewedly. Line 430 Almache answerde unto that similitude, Line 431 Of whennes comth thyn answeryng so rude? Line 432 Of whennes? quod she, whan that she was freyned, Line 433 Of conscience and of good feith unfeyned. Line 434 Almachius seyde, ne takestow noon heede Line 435 Of my power? and she answerde hym this: Line 436 Youre myght, quod she, ful litel is to dreede. Line 437 For every mortal mannes power nys Line 438 But lyk a bladdre ful of wynd ywys. Line 439 For with nedles poynt, whan it is blowe, Line 440 May al the boost of it be leyd ful lowe. Line 441 Ful wrongfully bigonne thow, quod he, Line 442 And yet in wrong is thy perserveraunce. Line 443 Wostow nat how oure myghty princes free Line 444 Han thus comanded and maad ordinaunce, Line 445 That every cristen wight shal han penaunce Line 446 But if that he his cristendom withseye, Line 447 And foon al quit, if he wole it reneye? Line 448 Yowre princes erren, as youre nobleye dooth, Line 449 Quod tho cecile, and with a wood sentence Line 450 Ye make us gilty, and it is nat sooth. Line 451 For ye, that knowen wel oure innocence, Line 452 For as muche as we doon a reverence Line 453 To crist, and for we berre a cristen name, Line 454 Ye putte on us a cryme, and eek a blame. Line 455 But we that knowen thilke name so Line 456 For vertuous, we may it nat withseye. Line 457 Almache answerde, chees oon of thise two: Line 458 Do sacrifice, or cristendom reneye, Line 459 That thou mowe now escapen by that weye. Line 460 At which the hooly blisful faire mayde Line 461 Gan for to laughe, and to juge sayde: Line 462 O juge, confus in thy nycetee, Line 463 Woltow that I reneye innocence, Line 464 To make me a wikked wight? quod shee. Line 465 Lo, he dissymuleth heere in audience; Line 466 He stareth, and woodeth in his advertence! Line 467 To whom almachius, unsely wrecche, Line 468 Ne woostow nat how fer my myght may strecche? Line 469 Han noght oure myghty princes to me yiven, Line 470 Ye, bothe power and auctoritee Line 471 To maken folk to dyen or to lyven? Line 472 Why spekestow so proudly thanne to me? Line 473 I speke noght but stedfastly, quod she; Line 474 Nat prudly, for I seye, as for my syde, Line 475 We haten deedly thilke vice of pryde. Line 476 And if thou drede nat a sooth to heere, Line 477 Thanne wol I shewe al openly, by right, Line 478 That thou hast maad a ful gret lesyng heere. Line 479 Thou seyst thy princes han thee yeven myght Line 480 Bothe for to sleen and for to quyken a wight; Line 481 Thou, that ne mayst but oonly lyf bireve, Line 482 Thou hast noon oother power ne no leve. Line 483 But thou mayst seyn thy princes han thee maked Line 484 Ministre of deeth; for if thou speke of mo, Line 485 Thou lyest, for thy power is ful naked. Line 486 Do wey thy booldnesse, seyde almachius tho, Line 487 And sacrifice to oure goddes, er thou go! Line 488 Irecche nat what wrong that thou me profre, Line 489 For I kan suffre it as a philosophre; Line 490 But thilke wronges may I nat endure Line 491 That thou spekest of oure goddes heere, quod Line 492 Cecile answerde, o nyce creature! Line 493 Thou seydest no word syn thou spak to me Line 494 That I ne knew therwith thy nycetee; Line 495 And that thou were, in every maner wise, Line 496 A lewed officer and a veyn justise. Line 497

Line 497 Ther lakketh no thyng to thyne outer yen Line 498 That thou n' art blynd; for thyng that we seen alle Line 499 That it is stoon, -- that men may wel espyen, -- Line 500 That ilke stoon a God tho wolt it calle. Line 501 I rede thee, lat thyn hand upon it falle, Line 502 And taste it wel, and stoon thou shalt it fynde, Line 503 Syn that thou seest nat with thyne eyen blynde. Line 504 It is a shame that the peple shal Line 505 So scorne thee, and laughe at thy folye; Line 506 For communly men woot it wel overal Line 507 That myghty God is in his hevenes hye; Line 508 And thise ymages, wel thou mayst espye, Line 509 To thee ne to hemself mowen noght profite, Line 510 For in effect thy been nat worth a myte. Line 511 Thise wordes and swiche othere seyde she, Line 512 And he weex wroth, and bad men sholde hir lede Line 513 Hom til hir hous, and in hire hous, quod he, Line 514 Brenne hire right in a bath of flambes rede. Line 515 And as he bad, right so was doon the dede; Line 516 For in a bath they gonne hire faste shetten, Line 517 And nyght and day greet fyr they under betten. Line 518 The longe nyght, and eek a day also, Line 519 For al the fyr, and eek the bathes heete, Line 520 She sat al coold, and feelede no wo. Line 521 It made hire nat a drope for to sweete. Line 522 But in that bath hir lyf she moste lete, Line 523 For he almachius, with ful wikke entente, Line 524 To sleen hire in the bath his sonde sente. Line 525 Thre strokes in the nekke he smoot hire tho, Line 526 The tormentour, but for no maner chaunce Line 527 He myghte noght smyte al hir nekke atwo; Line 528 And for ther was that tyme an ordinaunce Line 529 That no man sholde doon man swich penaunce Line 530 The ferthe strook to smyten, softe or soore, Line 531 This tormentour ne dorste do namoore, Line 532 But half deed, with hir nekke ycorven there, Line 533 He lefte hir lye, and on his wey is went. Line 534 The cristen folk, which that aboute hire were, Line 535 With sheetes han the blood ful faire yhent. Line 536 Thre dayes lyved she in this torment, Line 537 And nevere cessed hem the feithe to teche Line 538 That she hadde fostred; hem she gan to preche, Line 539 And hem she yaf hir moebles and hir thyng, Line 540 And to the pope urban bitook hem tho, Line 541 And seyde, I axed this of hevene kyng, Line 542 To han respit thre dayes and namo, Line 543 To recomende to yow, er that I go, Line 544 Thise soules, lo! and that I myghte do werche Line 545 Heere of myn hous perpetuilly a cherche. Line 546 Seint urban, with his deknes, prively Line 547 The body fette, and buryed it by nyghte Line 548 Among his othere seintes honestly. Line 549 Hir hous the chirche of seint cecilie highte; Line 550 Seint urban halwed it, as he wel myghte; Line 551 In which, into this day, in noble wyse, Line 552 Men doon to crist and to his seint servyse. Line 553

The Canon Yeoman's Prologue

Whan ended was the lyf of seinte cecile, Line 554 Er we hadde riden fully fyve mile, Line 555 A tboghtoun under blee us gan atake Line 556 A man that clothed was in clothes blake, Line 557 And under-nethe he hadde a whyt surplys. Line 558 His hakeney, that wasal pomely grys, Line 559 So swatte that it wonder was to see; Line 560 It semed as he had priked miles three. Line 561 The hors eek that his yeman rood upon Line 562 So swatte that sunnethe myghte it gon. Line 563 Aboute the peytrel sood the foom ful hye; Line 564 He was of foom al flekked a a pye. Line 565 A male tweyfoold on his croper lay; Line 566 It semed that he caried lite array. Line 567 Al light for somer rood this worthy man, Line 568 And in myn herte wondren I bigan Line 569 What that he was, til that I understood Line 570 How that his cloke was sowed to his good; Line 571 For which, whan I hadde longe avysed me, Line 572 I demed hym som chanoun for to be. Line 573 His hat heeng at his bak doun by a laas, Line 574 For he hadde riden moore than trot or paas; Line 575 He hadde ay priked lik as he were wood. Line 576 A clote-leef he hadde under his hood Line 577

Line 577 For swoot, and for to keep his heed from heete. Line 578 But it was joye for to seen hym swete! Line 579 His forheed dropped as a stillatorie, Line 580 Were ful of plantayne and of paritorie. Line 581 And whan that he was come, he ban to crye, Line 582 God save, quod he, this joly compaignye! Line 583 Faste have I priked,!quod he, for youre sake, Line 584 By cause that I woldeyow atake, Line 585 To riden in this myrie compaignye. Line 586 His yeman eek was ful of curteisye, Line 587 And seyde, sires, now in the morwe-tyde Line 588 Out of youre hostelrie I saugh yow ryde, Line 589 And warned heer my lord and my soverayn, Line 590 Which that to ryden with yow is ful fayn Line 591 For his desport; he loveth daliaunce. Line 592 freend, for thy warnyng God yeve thee good chaunce! Line 593 Thanne seyde oure hoost, for certein it wolde seme Line 594 Thy lord were wys, and so I may wel deme. Line 595 He is ful jocunde also, dar I leye! Line 596 Can he oght telle a myrie tale or tweye, Line 597 With which he glade may his compaignye? Line 598 Who, sire? my lord? ye, ye, withouten lye, Line 599 He kan of murthe and eek of jolitee Line 600 Nat but ynough: also, sire, trusteth me, Line 601 And ye hym knewe as wel as do I, Line 602 Ye wolde wondre how wel and craftily Line 603 He koude werke, and that in sondry wise. Line 604 He hath take on hym many a greet emprise, Line 605 Which were ful hard for any that is heere Line 606 To brynge aboute, but they of hym it leere. Line 607 As hoomly as he rit amonges yow, Line 608 If ye hym kniewe, it wolde be for youre prow. Line 609 Ye wolde nat forgoon his aqueyntaunce Line 610 For muchel good, I dar leye in balaunce Line 611 Al that I have in my possessioun. Line 612 He is a man of heigh discrecioun; Line 613 I warne yow wel, he is a passyng man. Line 614 Wel, quod oure hoost, I pray thee tel me than, Line 615 Is he a clerk, or noon? telle what he is. Line 616 Nay, he is gretter than a clerk, ywis, Line 617 Seyde this yeman, and in wordes fewe, Line 618 Hoost, of his craft somwhat I wol yow shewe. Line 619 I seye, my lord kan swich subtilitee -- Line 620 But al his craft ye may nat wite at me, Line 621 And somwhat helpe I yet to his wirkyng -- Line 622 That al this ground on which we been ridyng, Line 623 Til that we come to caunterbury toun, Line 624 He koude al clene turne it up-so-doun, Line 625 And pave it al of silver and of gold. Line 626 And whan this yeman hadde this tale ytold Line 627 Unto oure hoost, he seyde, benedicitee! Line 628 This thyng is wonder merveillous to me, Line 629 Syn that thy lord is of so heigh prudence, Line 630 By cause of which men sholde hym reverence, Line 631 That of his worshipe rekketh he so lite. Line 632 His overslope nys nat worth a myte, Line 633 As in effect, to hym, so moot I go! Line 634 It is al baudy and totore also. Line 635 Why is thy lord so sluttissh, I the preye, Line 636 And is of power bettre clooth to beye, Line 637 Of that his dede accorde with thy speche? Line 638 Telle me that, and that I thee biseche. Line 639 Why? quod this yeman, wherto axe ye me? Line 640 God help me so, for he shal nevere thee! Line 641 (but I wol nat avowe that I seye, Line 642 And therfore keepe it secree, I yow preye.) Line 643 He is to wys, in feith, as I bileeve. Line 644 That that is overdoon, it wol nat preeve Line 645 Aright, as clerkes seyn; it is a vice. Line 646 Wherfore in that I holde hym lewed and nyce. Line 647 For whan a man hath over-greet a wit, Line 648 Ful oft hym happeth to mysusen it. Line 649 So doothy my lord, and that me greveth soore; Line 650 God it amende! I kan sey yow namoore. Line 651 Ther-of no fors, good yeman, quod oure hoost; Line 652 Syn of the konnyng of thy lord thow woost, Line 653 Telle how he dooth, I pray thee hertely, Line 654 Syn that he is so crafty and so sly. Line 655 Where dwelle ye, if it to telle be? Line 656 In the suburbes of a toun, quod he, Line 657 Lurkynge in hernes and in lanes blynde, Line 658 Wheras this robbours and thise theves by kynde Line 659 Holden hir pryvee fereful residence, Line 660 As they that dar nat shewen hir presence; Line 661 So faren we, if I shal seye the sothe. Line 662 Now, quod oure hoost, yit lat me talke to the. Line 663 Why artow so discoloured of thy face? Line 664 Peter! quod he, God yeve it harde grace, Line 665 I am so used in the fyr to blowe Line 666 That it hath chaunged my colour, I trowe. Line 667 I am nat wont in no mirour to prie, Line 668 But swynke soore and lerne multiplie. Line 669 We blondren evere and pouren in the fir, Line 670 And for al that we faille of oure desir, Line 671 For evere we lakken oure conclusioun. Line 672 To muchel folk we doon illusioun, Line 673 And borwe gold, be it a pound or two, Line 674 Or ten, or twelve, or manye sommes mo, Line 675 And make hem wenen, at the leeste weye, Line 676 That of a pound we koude make tweye. Line 677 Yet is it fals, but ay we han good hope Line 678

Line 678 It for to doon, and after it we grope. Line 679 But that science is so fer us biforn, Line 680 We mowen nat, although we hadden it sworn, Line 681 It overtake, it slit awey so faste. Line 682 It wole us maken beggers atte laste. Line 683 Whil this yeman was thus in his talkyng, Line 684 This chanoun drough hym neer, and herde al thyng Line 685 Which that this yeman spak, for suspecioun Line 686 Of mennes speche evere hadde this chanoun. Line 687 For catoun seith that he that gilty is Line 688 Demeth alle thyng be spoke of hym, ywis. Line 689 That was the cause he gan so ny hym drawe Line 690 To his yeman, to herknen al his sawe. Line 691 And thus he seyde unto his yeman tho: Line 692 Hoold thou thy pees, and spek no wordes mo, Line 693 For if thou do, thou shalt it deere abye. Line 694 Thou sclaundrest me heere in this compaignye, Line 695 And eek discoverest that thou sholdest hyde. Line 696 Ye, quod oure hoost, telle on, what bityde. Line 697 Of al his thretyng rekke nat a myte! Line 698 In feith, quod he, namoore I do but lyte. Line 699 And whan this chanon saugh it wolde nat bee, Line 700 But his yeman wolde telle his pryvetee, Line 701 He fledde awey for verray sorwe and shame. Line 702 A! quod the yeman, heere shal arise game; Line 703 Al that I kan anon now wol I telle. Line 704 Syn he is goon, the foule feend hym quelle! Line 705 For nevere heerafter wol I with hym meete Line 706 For peny ne for pound, I yow biheete. Line 707 He that me broghte first unto that game, Line 708 Er that he dye, sorwe have he and shame! Line 709 For it is ernest to me, by me feith; Line 710 That feele I wel, what so any man seith. Line 711 And yet, for al my smert and al my grief, Line 712 For al my sorwe, labour, and meschief, Line 713 I koude nevere leve it in no wise. Line 714 Now wolde God my wit myghte suffise Line 715 To tellen al that longeth to that art! Line 716 But nathelees yow wol I tellen part. Line 717 Syn that my lord is goon, I wol nat spare; Line 718 Swich thyng as that I knowe, I wol declare. Line 719

The Canon Yeoman's Tale

Part I

With this chanoun I dwelt have seven yeer, Line 720 And of his science am I never the neer. Line 721 Al that I hadde I have lost therby, Line 722 And, God woot, so hath many mo than I. Line 723 Ther I was wont to be right fressh and gay Line 724 Of clothyng and of oother good array, Line 725 Now may I were an hose upon myn heed; Line 726 And wher my colour was bothe fressh and reed Line 727 Now is it wan and of a leden hewe -- Line 728 Whoso it useth, soore shal he rewe! -- Line 729 And of my swynk yet blered is myn ye. Line 730 Lo! which avantage is to multiplie! Line 731 That slidynge science hath me maad so bare Line 732 That I have no good, wher that evere I fare; Line 733 And yet I am endetted so therby, Line 734 Of gold that I have borwed, trewely, Line 735 That whil I lyve I shal it quite nevere. Line 736 Lat every man be war by me for evere! Line 737 What maner man that casteth hym therto, Line 738 If he continue, I holde his thrift ydo. Line 739 For so helpe me god, therby shal he nat wynne, Line 740 But empte his purs, and make his wittes thynne. Line 741 And whan he, thurgh his madnesse and folye, Line 742 Hath lost his owene good thurgh jupartye, Line 743 Thanne he exciteth oother folk therto, Line 744 To lesen hir good, as he hymself hath do. Line 745 For unto shrewes joye it is and ese Line 746 To have hir felawes in peyne and disese. Line 747 Thus was I ones lerned of a clerk. Line 748 Of that no charge, I wol speke of oure werk. Line 749 Whan we been there as we shul exercise Line 750 Oure elvysshe craft, we semen wonder wise, Line 751 Oure termes been so clerigal and so queynte. Line 752 I blowe the fir til that myn herte feynte. Line 753 What sholde I tellen ech proporcion Line 754 Of thynges whiche that we werche upon Line 755 As on fyve or sixe ounces, may wel be, Line 756 Of silver, or som oother quantitee -- Line 757 And bisye me to telle yow the names Line 758

Line 758 Of orpyment, brent bones, iren squames, Line 759 That into poudre grounden been ful smal; Line 760 And in an erthen pot how put is al, Line 761 And salt yput in, and also papeer, Line 762 Biforn thise poudres that I speke of heer; Line 763 And wel ycovered with a lampe of glas; Line 764 And of muche oother thyng which that ther was; Line 765 And of the pot and glasses enlutyng, Line 766 That of the eyr myghte passe out nothyng; Line 767 And of the esy fir, and smart also, Line 768 Which that was maad, and of the care and wo Line 769 That we hadde in oure matires sublymyng, Line 770 And in amalgamyng and calcenyng Line 771 Of quyksilver, yclept mercurie crude? Line 772 For alle oure sleightes we kan nat conclude. Line 773 Oure orpyment and sublymed mercurie, Line 774 Oure grounden litarge eek on the porfurie, Line 775 Of ech of thise of ounces a certeyn -- Line 776 Noght helpeth us, oure labour is in veyn. Line 777 Ne eek oure spirites ascencioun, Line 778 Ne oure materes that lyen al fix adoun, Line 779 Mowe in oure werkyng no thyng us availle, Line 780 For lost is al oure labour and travaille; Line 781 And al the cost, a twenty devel waye, Line 782 Is lost also, which we upon it laye. Line 783 Ther is also ful many another thyng Line 784 That is unto oure craft apertenyng. Line 785 Though I by ordre hem nat reherce kan, Line 786 By cause that I am a lewed man, Line 787 Yet wol I telle hem as they come to mynde, Line 788 Thogh I ne kan nat sette hem in hir kynde: Line 789 As boole armonyak, verdegrees, boras, Line 790 And sondry vessels maad of erthe and glas, Line 791 Oure urynales and oure descensories, Line 792 Violes, crosletz, and sublymatories, Line 793 Cucurbites and alambikes eek, Line 794 And othere swiche, deere ynough a leek. Line 795 Nat nedeth it for to reherce hem alle, -- Line 796 Watres rubifyng, and boles galle, Line 797 Arsenyk, sal armonyak and brymstoon; Line 798 And herbes koude I telle eek many oon, Line 799 As egremoyne, valerian, and lunarie, Line 800 And othere swiche, if that me liste tarie; Line 801 Oure lampes brennyng bothe nyght and day, Line 802 To brynge aboute oure purpos, if we may; Line 803 Oure fourneys eek of calcinacioun, Line 804 And of watres albificacioun; Line 805 Unslekked lym,chalk, and gleyre of an ey, Line 806 Poudres diverse, asshes, donge, pisse, and cley, Line 807 Cered pokkets, sal peter, vitriole, Line 808 And diverse fires maad of wode and cole; Line 809 Sal tartre, alkaly, and sal preparat, Line 810 And combust materes and coagulat; Line 811 Cley maad with hors of mannes heer, and oille Line 812 Of tartre, alum glas, berme, wort, and argoille, Line 813 Resalgar, and oure materes enbibyng, Line 814 And eek of oure materes encorporyng, Line 815 And of oure silver citrinacioun, Line 816 Oure cementyng and fermentacioun, Line 817 Oure yngottes, testes, and many mo. Line 818 I wol yow telle, as was me taught also, Line 819 The foure spirites and the bodies sevene, Line 820 By ordre, as ofte I herde my lord hem nevene. Line 821 The firste spirit quyksilver called is, Line 822 The seconde orpyment, the thridde, ywis, Line 823 Sal armonyak, and the ferthe brymstoon. Line 824 The bodyes sevene eek, lo! hem heere anoon: Line 825 Sol gold is, and luna silver we threpe, Line 826 Mars ire, mercurie quyksilver we clepe, Line 827 Saturnus leed, and juppiter is tyn, Line 828 And venus coper, by my fader kyn! Line 829 This cursed craft whoso wole excercise, Line 830 He shal no good han that hym may suffise; Line 831 For al the good he spendeth theraboute Line 832 He lese shal; therof have I no doute. Line 833 Whoso that listeth outen his folie, Line 834 Lat hym come forth and lerne multiplie; Line 835 And every man that oght hath in his cofre, Line 836 Lat hym appiere, and wexe a philosophre. Line 837 Ascaunce that craft is so light to leere? Line 838 Nay, nay, God woot, al be he monk or frere, Line 839 Preest or chanoun, or any oother wyght, Line 840 Though he sitte at his book bothe day and nyght Line 841 In lernyng of this elvysshe nyce loore, Line 842 Al is in veyn, and parde! muchel moore. Line 843 To lerne a lewed man this subtiltee -- Line 844 Fy! spek nat therof, for it wol nat bee; Line 845 And konne he letterure, or konne he noon, Line 846 As in effect, he shal fynde it al oon. Line 847 For bothe two, by my savacioun, Line 848 Concluden in multiplicacioun Line 849 Ylike wel, whan they han al ydo; Line 850 This is to seyn, they faillen bothe two. Line 851 Yet forgat I to maken rehersaille Line 852 Of watres corosif, and of lymaille, Line 853 And of bodies mollificacioun, Line 854 And also of hire induracioun; Line 855 Oilles, ablucions, and metal fusible, -- Line 856 To tellen al wolde passen any bible Line 857 That owher is; wherfore, as for beste, Line 858 Of alle thise names now wol I me reste. Line 859 For, as I trowe, I have yow toold ynowe Line 860 To reyse a feend, al looke he never so rowe. Line 861 A!nay! lat be; the philosophres stoon, Line 862 Elixer clept, we sechen faste echoon; Line 863 For hadde we hym, thanne were we siker ynow. Line 864

Line 864 But unto God of hevene I make avow, Line 865 For al oure craft, whan we han al ydo, Line 866 And al oure sleighte, he wol nat come us to. Line 867 He hath ymaad us spenden muchel good, Line 868 For sorwe of which almoost we wexen wood, Line 869 But that good hope crepeth in oure herte, Line 870 Supposynge evere, though we sore smerte, Line 871 To be releeved by hym afterward. Line 872 Swich supposyng and hope is sharp and hard; Line 873 I warne yow wel, it is to seken evere. Line 874 That futur temps hath maad men to dissevere, Line 875 In trust therof, from al that evere they hadde. Line 876 Yet of that art they kan nat wexen sadde, Line 877 For unto hem it is a bitter sweete, -- Line 878 So semeth it, -- for nadde they but a sheete, Line 879 Which that they myghte wrappe hem inne a-nyght, Line 880 And a brat to walken inne by daylyght, Line 881 They wolde hem selle and spenden on this craft. Line 882 They kan nat stynte til no thyng be laft. Line 883 And everemoore, where that evere they goon Line 884 Men may hem knowe by smel of brymstoon. Line 885 For al the world they stynken as a goot; Line 886 Hir savour is so rammyssh and so hoot Line 887 That though a man from hem a mile be, Line 888 The savour wole infecte hym, trusteth me. Line 889 And thus by smel, and by threedbare array, Line 890 If that men liste, this folk they knowe may. Line 891 And if a man wole aske hem pryvely Line 892 Why they been clothed so unthriftily, Line 893 They right anon wol rownen is his ere, Line 894 And seyn that if that they espied were, Line 895 Men wolde hem slee by cause of hir science. Line 896 Lo, thus this folk bitrayen innocence! Line 897 Passe over this; if go my tale unto. Line 898 Er that the pot be on the fir ydo, Line 899 Of metals with a certeyn quantitee, Line 900 My lord hem tempreth, and no man be he -- Line 901 Now he is goon, I dar seyn boldely -- Line 902 For, as men seyn, he kan doon craftily. Line 903 Algate I woot wel he hath swich a name, Line 904 And yet ful ofte he renneth in a blame. Line 905 And wite ye how? ful ofte it happeth so, Line 906 The pot tobreketh, and farewel, al is go! Line 907 Thise metals been of so greet violence, Line 908 Oure walles mowe nat make hem resistence, Line 909 But if they weren wroght of lym and stoon; Line 910 They percen so, and thurgh the wal they goon. Line 911 And somme of hem synken into the ground -- Line 912 Thus han we lost by tymes many a pound -- Line 913 And somme are scatered al the floor aboute; Line 914 Somme lepe into the roof. Withouten doute, Line 915 Though that the feend noght in oure sighte hym shewe, Line 916 I trowe he with us be, that ilke shrewe! Line 917 In helle, where that he lord is and sire, Line 918 Nis ther moore wo, ne moore rancour ne ire. Line 919 Whan that oure pot is broke, as I have sayd, Line 920 Every man chit, and halt hym yvele apayd. Line 921 Somme seyde it was long on the fir makyng; Line 922 Somme seyde nay, it was on the blowyng, -- Line 923 Thanne was I fered, for that was myn office. Line 924 Straw! quod the thridde, ye been lewed and nyce. Line 925 It was nat tempred as it oghte be. Line 926 Nay, quod the fourthe, stynt and herkne me. Line 927 By cause oure fir ne was nat maad of beech, Line 928 That is the cause, and oother noon, so theech! Line 929 I kan nat telle wheron it was long, Line 930 But wel I woot greet strif is us among. Line 931 What, quod my lord, ther is namoore to doone; Line 932 Of thise perils I wol be war eftsoone. Line 933 I am right siker that the pot was crased. Line 934 Be as be may, be ye no thyng amased; Line 935 As usage is, lat swepe the floor as swithe, Line 936 Plukke up youre hertes, and beeth glad and blithe. Line 937 The mullok on an heep ysweped was, Line 938 And on the floor ycast a canevas, Line 939 And al this mullok in a syve ythrowe, Line 940 And sifted, and ypiked mayn a throwe. Line 941 Pardee, quod oon, somwhat of oure metal Line 942 Yet is ther heere, though that we han nat al. Line 943 Although this thyng myshapped have as now, Line 944 Another tyme it may be well ynow. Line 945 Us moste putte oure good in aventure. Line 946 A marchant, pardee, may nat ay endure, Line 947 Trusteth me wel, in his prosperitee. Line 948 Somtyme his good is drowned in the see, Line 949 And somtyme comth it sauf unto the londe. Line 950 Pees! quod my lord, the nexte tyme I wol fonde Line 951 To bryngen oure craft al in another plite, Line 952 And but I do, sires, lat me han the wite. Line 953 Ther was defaute in somwhat, wel I woot, Line 954 Another seyde the fir was over-hoot, -- Line 955 But, be it hoot or coold, I dar seye this, Line 956 That we concluden everemoore amys. Line 957 We faille of that which that we wolden have, Line 958 And in oure madnesse everemoore we rave. Line 959 And whan we been togidres everichoon, Line 960 Every man semeth a salomon. Line 961 But al thyng which that shineth as the gold Line 962 Nis nat gold, as that I have herd it told; Line 963 Ne every appul that is fair at eye Line 964

Line 964 Ne is nat good, what so men clappe or crye. Line 965 Right so, lo, fareth it amonges us: Line 966 He that semeth the wiseste, by jhesus! Line 967 Is moost fool, whan it cometh to the preef; Line 968 And he that semeth trewest is the theef. Line 969 That shul ye knowe, er that I fro yow wende, Line 970 By that I of my tale have maad an ende. Line 971 Explicit prima pars.

Et sequitur pars secunda.

Ther is a chanoun of religioun Line 972 Amounges us, wolde infecte al a toun, Line 973 Thogh it as greet were as was nynyvee, Line 974 Rome, alisaundre, troye, and othere three. Line 975 His sleightes and his infinite falsnesse Line 976 Ther koude no man writen, as I gesse, Line 977 Though that he myghte lyve a thousand yeer. Line 978 In al this world of falshede nis his peer; Line 979 For in his termes he wol hym so wynde, Line 980 And speke his wordes in so sly a kynde, Line 981 Whanne he commune shal with any wight, Line 982 That he wol make hym doten anonright, Line 983 But it a feend be, as hymselven is. Line 984 Ful many a man hath he bigiled er this, Line 985 And wole, if that he lyve may a while; Line 986 And yet men ride and goon ful many a mile Line 987 Hym for to seke and have his aqueyntaunce, Line 988 Noght knowynge of his false governaunce. Line 989 And if yow list to yeve me audience, Line 990 I wol it tellen heere in youre presence. Line 991 But worshipful chanons religious, Line 992 Ne demeth nat that I sclaundre youre hous, Line 993 Although that my tale of a chanoun bee. Line 994 Of every ordre som shrewe is, pardee, Line 995 And God forbede that al a compaignye Line 996 Sholde rewe o singuleer mannes folye. Line 997 To sclaundre yow is no thyng myn entente, Line 998 But to correcten that is mys I mente. Line 999 This tale was nat oonly toold for yow Line 1000 But eek for othere mo; ye woot wel how Line 1001 That among cristes apostelles twelve Line 1002 Ther nas no traytour but judas hymselve. Line 1003 Thanne why sholde al the remenant have a blame Line 1004 That giltlees were? by yow I seye the same, Line 1005 Save oonly this, if ye wol herke me: Line 1006 If any judas in youre covent be, Line 1007 Remoeveth hym bitymes, I yow rede, Line 1008 If shame or los may causen any drede. Line 1009 And beeth no thyng displesed, I yow preye, Line 1010 But in this cas herkneth what I shal seye. Line 1011 In londoun was a preest, an annueleer, Line 1012 That therinne dwelled hadde mayn a yeer, Line 1013 Which was so plesaunt and se servysable Line 1014 Unto the wyf, where as he was at table, Line 1015 That she wolde suffre hym no thyng for to paye Line 1016 For bord ne clothyng, wente he never so gaye; Line 1017 And spendyng silver hadde he right ynow. Line 1018 Therof no fors; I wol procede as now, Line 1019 And telle forth my tale of the chanoun Line 1020 That broghte this preest to confusioun. Line 1021 This false chanon cam upon a day Line 1022 Unto this preestes chambre, wher he lay, Line 1023 Bisechynge hym to lene hym a certeyn Line 1024 Of gold, and he wolde quite it hym ageyn. Line 1025 Leene me a marc, quod he, but dayes three, Line 1026 And at my day I wol it quiten thee. Line 1027 And if so be that thow me fynde fals, Line 1028 Another day do hange me by the hals! Line 1029 This preest hym took a marc, and that as swithe, Line 1030 And this chanoun hym thanked ofte sithe, Line 1031 And took his leve, and wente forth his weye, Line 1032 And at the thridee day broghte his moneye, Line 1033 And to the preest he took his gold agayn, Line 1034 Wherof this preest was wonder glad and fayn. Line 1035 Certes, quod he, no thyng anoyeth me Line 1036 To lene a man a noble, or two, or thre, Line 1037 Or what thyng were in my possessioun, Line 1038 Whan he so trewe is of condicioun Line 1039 That in no wise he breke wole his day; Line 1040 To swich a man I kan never seye nay. Line 1041 What! quod this chanoun, sholde I be untrewe? Line 1042 Nay, that were thyng yfallen al of newe. Line 1043 Trouthe is a thyng that I wol evere kepe Line 1044 Unto that day in which that I shal crepe Line 1045 Into my grave, and ellis God forbede. Line 1046 Bileveth this as siker as your crede. Line 1047 God thanke I, and in good tyme be it sayd, Line 1048 That ther was nevere man yet yvele apayd Line 1049 For gold ne silver that he to me lente, Line 1050 Ne nevere falshede in myn herte I mente. Line 1051 And sire, quod he, now of my pryvetee, Line 1052 Syn ye so goodlich han been unto me, Line 1053 And kithed to me so greet gentillesse, Line 1054 Somwhat to quyte with youre kyndenesse Line 1055 I wol yow shewe, and if yow list to leere, Line 1056 I wol yow teche pleynly the manere Line 1057 Yow I kan werken in philosophie. Line 1058 Taketh good heede, ye shul wel seen at ye Line 1059 That I wol doon a maistrie er I go. Line 1060 Ye, quod the preest, ye, sire, and wol ye so? Line 1061 Marie! therof I pray yow hertely. Line 1062

Line 1062 At youre comandement, sire, trewely, Line 1063 Quod the chanoun, and ellis God forbeede! Line 1064 Loo, how this theef koude his service beede! Line 1065 Ful sooth it is that swich profred servyse Line 1066 Stynketh, as witnessen thise olde wyse, Line 1067 And that, ful soone I wol it verifie Line 1068 In this chanoun, roote of al trecherie, Line 1069 That everemoore delit hath and gladnesse -- Line 1070 Swiche feendly thoghtes in his herte impresse -- Line 1071 How cristes peple he may to meschief brynge. Line 1072 God kepe us from his false dissymulynge! Line 1073 Noght wiste this preest with whom that he delte, Line 1074 Ne of his harm comynge he no thyng felte. Line 1075 O sely preest! o sely innocent! Line 1076 With coveitise anon thou shalt be blent! Line 1077 O gracelees, ful blynd is thy conceite, Line 1078 No thyng ne artow war of the deceite Line 1079 Which that this fox yshapen hath to thee! Line 1080 His wily wrenches thou ne mayst nat flee. Line 1081 Wherfore, to go to the conclusion, Line 1082 That refereth to thy confusion, Line 1083 Unhappy man, anon I wol me hye Line 1084 To tellen thyn unwit and thy folye, Line 1085 And eek the falsnesse of that oother wrecche, Line 1086 As ferforth as that my konnyng wol strecche. Line 1087 This chanon was my lord, ye wolden weene? Line 1088 Sire hoost, in feith, and by the hevenes queene, Line 1089 It was another chanoun, and nat hee, Line 1090 That kan an hundred foold moore subtiltee. Line 1091 He hath bitrayed folkes many tyme; Line 1092 Of his falsnesse it dulleth me to ryme. Line 1093 Evere whan that I speke of his falshede, Line 1094 For shame of hym my chekes wexen rede. Line 1095 Algates they bigynnen for to glowe, Line 1096 For reednesse have I noon, right wel I knowe, Line 1097 In my visage; for fumes diverse Line 1098 Of metals, whiche ye han herd me reherce, Line 1099 Consumed and wasted han my reednesse. Line 1100 Now taak heede of this chanons cursednesse! Line 1101 Sire, quod he to the preest, lat youre man gon Line 1102 For quyksilver, that we it hadde anon; Line 1103 And lat hym bryngen ounces two or three; Line 1104 And whan he comth, as faste shal ye see Line 1105 A wonder thyng, which ye saugh nevere er this. Line 1106 Sire, quod the preest, it shal be doon, ywis. Line 1107 He bad his servant fecchen hym this thyng, Line 1108 And he al redy was at his biddyng, Line 1109 And wente hym forth, and cam anon agayn Line 1110 With this quyksilver, shortly for to sayn, Line 1111 And took thise ounces thre to the chanoun; Line 1112 And he hem leyde faire and wel adoun, Line 1113 And bad the servant coles for to brynge, Line 1114 That he anon myghte go to his werkynge. Line 1115 The coles right anon weren yfet, Line 1116 And this chanoun took out a crosselet Line 1117 Of his bosom, and shewed it to the preest. Line 1118 This instrument, quod he, which that thou seest, Line 1119 Taak in thy hand, and put thyself therinne Line 1120 Of this quyksilver an ounce, and heer bigynne, Line 1121 In name of crist, to wexe a philosofre. Line 1122 Ther been ful fewe to whiche I wolde profre Line 1123 To shewen hem thus muche of my science. Line 1124 For ye shul seen heer, by experience, Line 1125 That this quyksilver I wol mortifye Line 1126 Right in youre sighte anon, withouten lye, Line 1127 And make it as good silver and as fyn Line 1128 As ther is any in youre purs or myn, Line 1129 Or elleswhere, and make it malliable; Line 1130 And elles holdeth me fals and unable Line 1131 Amonges folk for evere to appeere. Line 1132 I have poudre heer, that coste me deere, Line 1133 Shal make al good, for it is cause of al Line 1134 My konnyng, which that I yow shewen shal. Line 1135 Voyde youre man, and lat hym be theroute, Line 1136 And shette the dore, whils we been aboute Line 1137 Oure pryvetee, that no man us espie, Line 1138 Whils that we werke in this philosophie. Line 1139 Al as he bad fulfilled was in dede. Line 1140 This ilke servant anonright out yede Line 1141 And his maister shette the dore anon, Line 1142 And to hire labour spedily the gon. Line 1143 This preest, at this cursed chanons biddyng, Line 1144 Upon the fir anon sette this thyng, Line 1145 And blew the fir, and bisyed hym ful faste. Line 1146 And this chanoun into the crosselet caste Line 1147 A poudre, noot I wherof that it was Line 1148 Ymaad, outher of chalk, outher of glas, Line 1149 Or somwhat elles, was nat worth a flye, Line 1150 To blynde with this preest; and bad hym hye Line 1151 The coles for to couchen al above Line 1152 The crosselet. For in tokenyng I thee love, Line 1153 Quod this chanoun, thyne owene handes two Line 1154 Shul werche al thyng which that shal heer be do. Line 1155 Graunt mercy, quod the preest, and was ful glad, Line 1156 And couched coles as that the chanoun bad. Line 1157 And while he bisy was, this feendly wrecche, Line 1158 This false chanoun -- the foule feend hym fecche! -- Line 1159 Out of his bosom took a bechen cole, Line 1160 In which ful subtilly was maad an hole, Line 1161

Line 1161 And therinne put was of silver lemaille Line 1162 An ounce, and stopped was, withouten faille, Line 1163 This hole with wex, to kepe the lemaille in. Line 1164 And understondeth that this false gyn Line 1165 Was nat maad ther, but it was maad bifore; Line 1166 And othere thynges I shal tellen moore Line 1167 Herafterward, whiche that he with hym broghte. Line 1168 Er he cam there, hym to bigile he thoghte, Line 1169 And so he dide, er that they wente at wynne; Line 1170 Til he had terved hym, koude he nat blynne. Line 1171 It dulleth me whan that I of hym speke. Line 1172 On his falshede fayn wolde I me wreke, Line 1173 If I wiste how, but he is heere and there; Line 1174 He is so variaunt, be abit nowhere. Line 1175 But taketh heed now, sires, for goddes love! Line 1176 He took his cole of which I spak above, Line 1177 And in his hand he baar it pryvely. Line 1178 And whiles the preest couched bisily Line 1179 The coles, as I tolde yow er this, Line 1180 This chanoun seyde, freend, ye doon amys. Line 1181 This is nat couched as it oghte be; Line 1182 But soone I shal amenden it, quod he. Line 1183 Now lat me medle therwith but a while, Line 1184 For of yow have I pitee, by seint gile! Line 1185 Ye been right hoot; I se wel how ye swete. Line 1186 Have heere a clooth, and wipe awey the wete. Line 1187 And whiles that the preest wiped his face, Line 1188 This chanoun took his cole -- with sory grace! -- Line 1189 And leyde it above upon the myddeward Line 1190 Of the crosselet, and blew wel afterward, Line 1191 Til that the coles gonne faste brenne. Line 1192 Now yeve us drynke, quod the chanoun thenne; Line 1193 As swithe al shal be wel, I undertake. Line 1194 Sitte we doun, and lat us myrie make. Line 1195 And whan that this chanounes bechen cole Line 1196 Was brent, al the lemaille out of the hole Line 1197 Into the crosselet fil anon adoun; Line 1198 And as it moste nedes, by resoun, Line 1199 Syn it so even aboven it couched was. Line 1200 But therof wiste the preest nothyng, alas! Line 1201 He demed alle the coles yliche good; Line 1202 For of that sleighte he nothyng understood. Line 1203 And whan this alkamystre saugh his tyme, Line 1204 Ris up, quod he, sire preest, and stondeth by me; Line 1205 And for I woot wel ingot have ye noon, Line 1206 Gooth, walketh forth, and brynge us a chalk stoon; Line 1207 For I wol make it of the same shap Line 1208 That is an ingot, if I may han hap. Line 1209 And bryngeth eek with yow a bolle or a panne Line 1210 Ful of water, and ye shul se wel thanne Line 1211 How that oure bisynesse shal thryve and preeve. Line 1212 And yet, for ye shul han no mysbileeve Line 1213 New wrong conceite of me in youre absence, Line 1214 I ne wol nat been out of youre presence, Line 1215 But go with yow, and come with yow ageyn. Line 1216 The chambre dore, shortly for to seyn, Line 1217 They opened and shette, and wente hir weye. Line 1218 And forth with hem they carieden the keye, Line 1219 And coome agayn withouten any delay. Line 1220 What sholde I tarien al the longe day? Line 1221 He took the chalk, and shoop it in the wise Line 1222 Of an ingot, as I shal yow devyse. Line 1223 I seye, he took out of his owene sleeve Line 1224 A teyne of silver -- yvele moot he cheeve! -- Line 1225 Which that ne was nat but an ounce of weighte. Line 1226 And taaketh heede now of his cursed sleighte! Line 1227 He shoop his ingot, in lengthe and in breede Line 1228 Of this teyne, withouten any drede, Line 1229 So slyly that the preest it nat espide, Line 1230 And in his sleve agayn he gan it hide, Line 1231 And fro the fir he took up his mateere, Line 1232 And in th' yngot putte it with myrie cheere, Line 1233 And in the water-vessel he it caste, Line 1234 Whan that hym luste, and bad the preest as faste, Line 1235 Loke what ther is, put in thyn hand and grope. Line 1236 Thow fynde shalt ther silver, as I hope. Line 1237 What, devel of helle! sholde it elles be? Line 1238 Shaving of silver silver is, pardee! Line 1239 He putte his hand in and took up a teyne Line 1240 Of silver fyn, and glad in every veyne Line 1241 Was this preest, whan he saugh that it was so. Line 1242 Goddes blessyng, and his moodres also, Line 1243 And alle halwes, have ye, sire chanoun, Line 1244 Seyde the preest, and I hir malisoun, Line 1245 But, and ye vouche-sauf to techen me Line 1246 This noble craft and this subtilitee, Line 1247 I wol be youre in al that evere I may. Line 1248 Quod the chanoun, yet wol I make assay Line 1249 The seconde tyme, that ye may taken heede Line 1250 And been expert of this, and in youre neede Line 1251 Another day assaye in myn absence Line 1252 This disciplyne and this crafty science. Line 1253 Lat take another ounce, quod he tho, Line 1254 Of quyksilver, withouten wordes mo, Line 1255 And do therwith as ye han doon er this Line 1256 With that oother, which that now silver is. Line 1257 This preest hym bisieth in al that he kan Line 1258 To doon as this chanoun, this cursed man, Line 1259 Comanded hym, and faste he blew the fir, Line 1260 For to come to th' effect of his desir. Line 1261 And this chanon, right in the meene while, Line 1262

Line 1262 Al redy was this preest eft to bigile, Line 1263 And for a contenaunce in his hand he bar Line 1264 An holwe stikke -- taak kep and be war! -- Line 1265 In the ende of which an ounce, and namoore, Line 1266 Of silver lemaille put was, as bifore Line 1267 Was in his cole, and stopped with wex weel Line 1268 For to kepe in his lemaille every deel. Line 1269 And whil this preest was in his bisynesse, Line 1270 This chanoun with his stikke gan hym dresse Line 1271 To hym anon, and his poudre caste in Line 1272 As he dide er -- the devel out of his skyn Line 1273 Hym terve, I pray to god, for his falshede! Line 1274 For he was evere fals in thoght and dede -- Line 1275 And with this stikke, above the crosselet, Line 1276 That was ordeyned with that false jet Line 1277 He stired the coles til relente gan Line 1278 The wex agayn the fir, as every man, Line 1279 But it a fool be, woot wel it moot nede, Line 1280 And al that in the stikke was out yede, Line 1281 And in the crosselet hastily it fel. Line 1282 Now, good sires, what wol ye bet than wel? Line 1283 Whan that this preest thus was bigiled ageyn, Line 1284 Supposynge noght but treuthe, sooth to seyn, Line 1285 He was so glad that I kan nat expresse Line 1286 In no manere his myrthe and his gladnesse; Line 1287 And to the chanoun he profred eftsoone Line 1288 Body and good. Ye, quod the chanoun soone, Line 1289 Though poure I be, crafty thou shalt me fynde. Line 1290 I warne thee, yet is ther moore bihynde. Line 1291 Is ther any coper herinne? seyde he. Line 1292 Ye, quod the preest, sire, I trowe wel ther be. Line 1293 Elles go bye us som, and that as swithe; Line 1294 Now, goode sire, go forth thy wey and hy the. Line 1295 He wente his wey, and with the coper cam, Line 1296 And this chanon it in his handes nam, Line 1297 And of that coper weyed out but an ounce. Line 1298 Al to symple is my tonge to pronounce, Line 1299 As ministre of my wit, the doublenesse Line 1300 Of this chanoun, roote of alle cursednesse! Line 1301 He semed freendly to hem that knewe hym noght, Line 1302 But he was feendly bothe in werk and thoght. Line 1303 It weerieth me to telle of his falsnesse, Line 1304 And nathelees yet wol I it expresse, Line 1305 To th' entente that men may be war therby, Line 1306 And for noon oother cause, trewely. Line 1307 He putte this ounce of coper in the crosselet, Line 1308 And on the fir as swithe he hath it set, Line 1309 And caste in poudre, and made the preest to blowe, Line 1310 And in his werkyng for to stoupe lowe, Line 1311 As he dide er, -- and al nas but a jape; Line 1312 Right as hym liste, the preest he made his ape! Line 1313 And afterward in the ingot he it caste, Line 1314 And in the panne putte it at the laste Line 1315 Of water, and in he putte his owene hand, Line 1316 And in his sleve (as ye biforen-hand Line 1317 Herde me telle) he hadde a silver teyne. Line 1318 He slyly took it out, this cursed heyne, Line 1319 Unwityng this preest of his false craft, Line 1320 And in the pannes botme he hath it laft; Line 1321 And in the water rombled to and fro, Line 1322 And wonder pryvely took up also Line 1323 The coper teyne, noght knowynge this preest, Line 1324 And hidde it, and hym hente by the breest, Line 1325 And to hym spak, and thus seyde in his game: Line 1326 Stoupeth adoun, by god, ye be to balme! Line 1327 Helpeth me now, as I dide yow whileer; Line 1328 Putte in youre hand, and looketh what is theer. Line 1329 This preest took up this silver teyne anon, Line 1330 And thanne seyde the chanoun, lat us gon Line 1331 With thise thre teynes, whiche that we han wroght, Line 1332 To som goldsmyth, and wite if they been oght. Line 1333 For, by my feith, I nolde, for myn hood, Line 1334 But if that they were silver fyn and good, Line 1335 And that as swithe preeved it shal bee. Line 1336 Unto the goldsmyth with thise teynes three Line 1337 They wente, and putte thise teynes in assay Line 1338 Fo fir and hamer; myghte no man seye nay, Line 1339 But that they weren as hem oghte be. Line 1340 This sotted preest, who was gladder than he? Line 1341 Was nevere brid gladder agayn the day, Line 1342 Ne nyghtyngale, in the sesoun of may, Line 1343 Was nevere noon that luste bet to synge; Line 1344 Ne lady lustier in carolynge, Line 1345 Or for to speke of love and wommanhede, Line 1346 Ne knyght in armes to doon an hardy dede, Line 1347 To stonden in grace of his lady deere, Line 1348 Than hadde this preest this soory craft to leere. Line 1349 And to the chanoun thus he spak and seyde: Line 1350 For love of god, that for us alle deyde, Line 1351 And as I may deserve it unto yow, Line 1352 What shal this receite coste? telleth now! Line 1353 By oure lady, quod this chanon, it is deere, Line 1354 I warne yow wel; for save I and a frere, Line 1355 In engelond ther kan no man it make. Line 1356 No fors, quod he, now, sire, for goddes sake, Line 1357 What shal I paye? telleth me, I preye. Line 1358 Ywis, quod he, it is ful deere, I seye. Line 1359 Sire, at o word, if that thee list it have, Line 1360 Ye shul paye fourty pound, so God me save! Line 1361

Line 1361 And nere the freendshipe that ye dide er this Line 1362 To me, ye sholde paye moore, ywis. Line 1363 This preest the somme of fourty pound anon Line 1364 Of nobles fette, and took hem everichon Line 1365 To this chanoun, for this ilke receite. Line 1366 Al his werkyng nas but fraude and deceite. Line 1367 Sire preest, he seyde, I kepe han no loos Line 1368 Of my craft, for I wolde it kept were cloos; Line 1369 And, as ye love me, kepeth it secree. Line 1370 For, and men knewen al my soutiltee, Line 1371 By god, they wolden han so greet envye Line 1372 To me, by cause of my philosophye, Line 1373 I sholde be deed; ther were noon oother weye. Line 1374 God it forbeede, quod the preest, what sey ye? Line 1375 Yet hadde I levere spenden al the good Line 1376 Which that I have, and elles wexe I wood, Line 1377 Than that ye sholden falle in swich mescheef. Line 1378 For youre good wyl, sire, have ye right good preef, Line 1379 Quod the chanoun, and farwel, grant mercy! Line 1380 He wente his wey, and never the preest hym sy Line 1381 After that day; and whan that this preest shoolde Line 1382 Maken assay, at swich tyme as he wolde, Line 1383 Of this receit, farwel! it wolde nat be. Line 1384 Lo, thus byjaped and bigiled was he! Line 1385 Thus maketh he his introduccioun, Line 1386 To brynge folk to hir destruccioun. Line 1387 Considereth, sires, how that, in ech estaat, Line 1388 Bitwixe men and gold ther is debaat Line 1389 So ferforth that unnethes is ther noon. Line 1390 This multiplying blent so many oon Line 1391 That in good feith I trowe that it bee Line 1392 The cause grettest of swich scarsetee. Line 1393 Philosophres speken so mystily Line 1394 In this craft that men kan nat come therby, Line 1395 For any wit that men han now-a-dayes. Line 1396 They mowe wel chiteren as doon thise jayes, Line 1397 And in hir termes sette hir lust and peyne, Line 1398 But to hir purpos shul they nevere atteyne. Line 1399 A man may lightly lerne, if he have aught, Line 1400 To multiplie, and brynge his good to naught! Line 1401 Lo! swich a lucre is in this lusty game, Line 1402 A mannes myrthe it wol turne unto grame, Line 1403 And empten also grete and hevye purses, Line 1404 And maken folk for to purchacen curses Line 1405 Of hem that han hir good therto ylent. Line 1406 O! fy, for shame! they that han been brent, Line 1407 Allas! kan they nat flee the fires heete? Line 1408 Ye that it use, I rede ye it leete, Line 1409 Lest ye lese al; for bet than nevere is late. Line 1410 Nevere to thryve were to long a date. Line 1411 Though ye prolle ay, ye shul it nevere fynde. Line 1412 Ye been as boold as is bayard the blynde, Line 1413 That blondreth forth, and peril casteth noon. Line 1414 He is as boold to renne agayn a stoon Line 1415 As for to goon bisides in the weye. Line 1416 So faren ye that multiplie, I seye. Line 1417 If that youre eyen kan nat seen aright, Line 1418 Looke that youre mynde lakke noght his sight. Line 1419 For though ye looken never so brode and stare, Line 1420 Ye shul nothyng wynne on that chaffare, Line 1421 But wasten al that ye may rape and renne. Line 1422 Withdraweth the fir, lest it to faste brenne; Line 1423 Medleth namoore with that art, I mene, Line 1424 For if ye doon, youre thrift is goon ful clene. Line 1425 And right as swithe I wol yow tellen heere Line 1426 What philosophres seyn in this mateere. Line 1427 Lo, thus seith arnold of the newe toun, Line 1428 As his rosarie maketh mencioun; Line 1429 He seith right thus, withouten any lye: Line 1430 Ther may no man mercurie mortifie Line 1431 But it be with his brother knowlechyng. Line 1432 How be that he which that first seyde this thyng Line 1433 Of philosophres fader was, hermes -- Line 1434 He seith how that the dragon, doutelees, Line 1435 Ne dyeth nat, but if that he be slayn Line 1436 With his brother; and that is for to sayn, Line 1437 By the dragon, mercurie, and noon oother Line 1438 He understood, and brymstoon by his brother, Line 1439 That out of sol and luna were ydrawe. Line 1440 And therfore, seyde he, -- taak heede to my sawe -- Line 1441 Lat no man bisye hym this art for to seche, Line 1442 But if that he th' entencioun and speche Line 1443 Of philosophres understonde kan; Line 1444 And if he do, he is a lewed man. Line 1445 For this science and this konnyng, quod he, Line 1446 Is of the secree of secrees, pardee. Line 1447 Also ther was a disciple of plato, Line 1448 That on a tyme seyde his maister to, Line 1449 As his book senior wol bere witnesse, Line 1450 And this was his demande in soothfastnesse: Line 1451 Telle me the name of the privee stoon? Line 1452 And plato answerde unto hym anoon, Line 1453 Take the stoon that titanos men name. Line 1454 Which is that? quod he. Magnasia is the same, Line 1455 Seyde plato. Ye, sire, and is it thus? Line 1456 This is ignotum per ignocius. Line 1457 What is magnasia, good sire, I yow preye? Line 1458 It is a water that is maad, I seye, Line 1459 Of elementes foure, quod plato. Line 1460 Telle me the roote, good sire, quod he tho, Line 1461 Of that water, if it be youre wil. Line 1462 Nay, nay, quod plato, certein, that I nyl. Line 1463 The philosophres sworn were everychoon Line 1464

Line 1464 That they sholden discovere it unto noon, Line 1465 Ne in no book it write in no manere. Line 1466 For unto crist it is so lief and deere Line 1467 That he wol nat that it discovered bee, Line 1468 But where it liketh to his deitee Line 1469 Men for t' enspire, and eek for to deffende Line 1470 Whom that hym liketh; lo, this is the ende. Line 1471 Thanne conclude I thus, sith that God of hevene Line 1472 Ne wil nat that the philosophres nevene Line 1473 How that a man shal come unto this stoon, Line 1474 I rede, as for the beste, lete it goon. Line 1475 For whoso maketh God his adversarie, Line 1476 As for to werken any thyng in contrarie Line 1477 Of his wil, certes, never shal he thryve, Line 1478 Thogh that he multiplie terme of his lyve. Line 1479 And there a poynt; for ended is my tale. Line 1480 God sende every trewe man boote of his bale! Line 1481