The works of our ancient, learned, & excellent English poet, Jeffrey Chaucer as they have lately been compar'd with the best manuscripts, and several things added, never before in print : to which is adjoyn'd The story of the siege of Thebes, by John Lidgate ... : together with The life of Chaucer, shewing his countrey, parentage, education, marriage, children, revenues, service, reward, friends, books, death : also a table, wherein the old and obscure words in Chaucer are explained, and such words ... that either are, by nature or derivation, Arabick, Greek, Latine, Italian, French, Dutch, or Saxon, mark'd with particular notes for the better understanding of their original.

ADVERTISEMENT.

WHilst this Work was just finishing, we hapned to meet with a Manuscript, where∣in we found the Conclusion of the Cook's Tale, and also of the Squires Tale, (which in the Printed Books are said to be lost, or never finish'd by the Author,) but coming so late to our hands, they could not be inserted in their proper places, therefore the Reader is desir'd to add them, as here directed.

Immediately after what you find of the Cooks Tale, add this:

What thorow himself & his felaw y^• fought, Vnto a mischief both they were brought, The tone ydamned to prison perpetually, The tother to deth, for he couth not of clergy, And therefore yong men learne while ye may, That with many divers thoughts beth prick∣ed all the day, Remembre you what mischief cometh of mis∣governaunce, Thus mowe ye learn worschip and come to substaunce: Think how grace and governaunce hath brought aboune Many a poore man'ys Son chefe state of the Town. Euer rule thee after the best man of name, And God may grace thee to come to y^• same.

Immediately after these words, at the end of the Squires Tale,

Apollo whirleth up his chare so hie, Vntill the God Mercurius house he flie.

Let this be added,

But I here now maken a knotte, To the time it come next to my lotte, For here ben felawes behind, an hepe truly, That wolden talk full besily, And have here sport as well as I, And the day passeth certainly, So on this mattere I may no lenger dwell, But stint my clack, and let the other tell, Therefore oft taketh now good hede Who shall next tell, and late him spede.

FINIS.