GROUP B. (β. FRAGMENT III.)
§ 4. THE SHIPMAN'S TALE.
¶ Here bygynneth þe Schipman his tale/
A Marchaunt whilom dwelled at seint Denys
That riche was for which men hild him wys
A wyf he had of excellent beaute
And companable and reuerent was sche
which is a þing þat causeth more despence
Than worth is al þe cher and reuerence
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That men doon hem at festes or at daunces
Such salutaciouns and continaunces
Passeth as doþ þe schadow on a wal
But wo is him þat paye moot for al
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The sely housbond algat moste pay [folio 194b]
He most vs cloþe . in ful good array
Al for his oughne worschip richely
In which array we daunce iolily
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And if þat he may not parauenture
Or elles wil not/ such dispens endure
But þynkeþ it is wasted and I-lost
Than moot anoþer paye for oure cost
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Or lene vs gold and þat is perilous
The worþy marchaunt huld a noble hous/
For which he hadde alday gret repair
For his largesce and for his wyf was fair
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what wonder is but herkneþ to my tale
Amonges al þese gestes gret and smale /
Ther was a monk a fair man and a bold
I trowe þritty wynter he was old
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That euer in oon was drawyng to þat place /
This ȝonge monk þat was so fair of face
