The workes of Geffray Chaucer newlye printed, wyth dyuers workes whych were neuer in print before: as in the table more playnly doth appere. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum.

¶The sergiaunte at lawe. ix.

A sergiaunt of lawe, ware and wyse That often had bene at the peruyst That was also full ryche of excellence Dyscrete he was, and of great reuerence He semed suche, hys wordes were so wyse Iustyce he was full often in assyse By patent, and by playne commyssyoun For hys science, and hys hye renoun Of fees and robes had he many one So great a purchasour was no where none All was fee symple to hym in effecte Hys purchasynge myght not be to hym suspecte Nowhere so besy a man as he there nas And yet he semed besyer then he was In termes had he case and domes all That fro the tyme of kynge Wylliam was fall Therto he could endyte, and maken a thynge There coude no wyght pynche at hys wrytynge And euery statute coude he playne by rote He rode but homely in a medley cote Gyrte wyth a seynt of syl••••, with barres smale Of hys arraye, tell I no lenger tale.