GROUP B. (β. FRAGMENT III.)
§ 4. THE SHIPMAN'S TALE.
¶ Heere bigynneth the Shipmannes tale. . [Elles.] [folio 147b]
A Marchant whilom dwelled at Seint Denys,
That riche was / for which men helde hym wys
A wyf he hadde / of excellent beautee [[Painting of the Shipman, on the left.]]
And compaignable / and reuelous was she
Which is a thyng that causeth more dispence
Than worth is / al the chiere and reuerence
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That men hem doon / at festes and at daunces
Swiche salutacions / and contenaunces
Passen / as dooth a shadwe vp on the wal
But wo is hym / that payen moot for al
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The sely housbonde / algate he moste paye
He moot vs clothe / and he moot vs arraye
Al for his owene worship richely
In which array / we daunce iolily
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And if þat he noght may / par auenture
Or ellis / list no swich dispence endure
But thynketh / it is wasted / and ylost
Thanne moot another / payen for oure cost
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Or lene vs gold / and that is perilous
¶ This noble Marchant heeld a worthy hous
ffor which / he hadde alday so greet repair
ffor his largesse / and for his wyf was fair
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That wonder is / but herkneth to my tale
Amonges alle hise gestes / grete and smale
Ther was a Monk a fair man and a boold
I trowe of thritty wynter he was oold
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That euere in oon / was comynge to that place
This yonge Monk / þat was so fair of face
