The Canterbury tales and Faerie queene &c., &c., &c., ed. for popular perusal with current illustrations and explanatory notes, by D. Laing Purves.

84 THE CANTERBURY TALES.
That whether that Sir Robert or Sir Hugh, This Sompnour, which that was as full of
Or Jack, or Ralph, or whoso that it were jangles,'5
That lay by them, they told it in his ear. As full of venom be those wariangles,16
Thus were the wench and he of one assent; And ev'r inquiring upon every thing,
And he would fetch a feigned mandement, "Brother," quoth he, "where is now your
And to the chapter summon them both two, dwelling,
And pill' the man, and let the wench6 go. Another day if that I should you seech?"17
Then would he say, " Friend, I shall for thy sake This yeoman him answered in soft speech;
Do strike thee 2 out of oure letters blake; 3 "Brother," quoth he, "far in the North
Thee thar 4 no more as in this case travail; country,'s
I am thy friend where I may thee avail." Where as I hope some time I shall thee see.
Certain he knew of bribers many mo' Ere we depart I shall thee so well wiss,l1
Than possible is to tell in yearis two: That of mine house shalt thou never miss."
For in this world is no dog for the bow,5 "Now, brother," quoth this Sompnour, "I you
That can a hurt deer from a whole know, pray,
Bet 6 than this Sompnour knew a sly lechour, Teach me, while that we ride by the way,
Or an adult'rer, or a paramour: (Since that ye be a bailiff as am I,)
And, for that was the fruit of all his rent, Some subtilty, and tell me faithfully
Therefore on it he set all his intent. In mine office how that I most may win.
And so befell, that once upon a day And spare not 20 for conscience or for sin,
This Sompnour, waiting ever on his prey, But, as my brother, tell me how do ye."
Rode forth to summon a widow, an old ribibe,7 "Now by my trothe, brother mine," said
Feigning a cause, for he would have a bribe. he,
And happen'd that he saw before him ride' As I shall tell to thee a faithful tale:
A gay yeoman under a forest side: My wages be full strait and eke full smale;
A bow he bare, and arrows bright and keen, My lord is hard to me and dangerous,2
He had upon a courtepy 8 of green, And mine office is full laborious;
A hat upon his head with fringes blake. And therefore by extorti6n I live,
" Sir," quoth this Sompnour, " hail, and well Forsooth I take all that men will me give.
o'ertake." Algate 22 by sleighte, or by violence,
" Welcome," quoth he, "and every good fel- From year to year I win all my dispence;
law; I can no better tell thee faithfully."
Whither ridest thou under this green shaw?"9, "Now certes," quoth this Sompnour, "so
Saide this yeoman; " wilt thou far to-day?" fare 23 I;
This Sompnour answer'd him, and saide, I spare not to take, God it wot,
"Nay. But if 24 it be too heavy or too hot.
Here faste by," quoth he, " is mine intent What I may get in counsel privily,
To ride, for to raisen up a rent, No manner conscience of that have I.
That longeth to my lorde's duity." N'ere 25 mine extorti6n, I might not live,
"Ah! art thou then a bailiff?" "Yea," quoth Nor of such japes 26 will I not be shrive.27
he. Stomach nor conscience know I none;
He durste not for very filth and shame I shrew 2 these shrifte-fathers29 every one.
Say that he was a Sompnour, for the name. Well be we met, by God and by St Jame.
"De par dieux," 10 quoth this yeoman, "leve But, leve brother, tell me then thy name,"
brother, Quoth this Sompnour. Right in this meane
Thou art a bailiff, and I am another. while
I am unknowen, as in this country. This yeoman gan a little for to smile.
Of thine acquaintance I will praye thee, "Brother," quoth he, " wilt thou that I thee
And eke of brotherhood, if that thee list.12 tell?
I have gold and silver lying in my chest; I am a fiend, my dwelling is in hell,
If that thee hap to come into our shire, And here I ride about my purchasing,
All shall be thine, right as thou wilt desire." To know where men will give me any thing.
" Grand mercy," 13 quoth this Sompnour, " by My purchase is th' effect of all my rent.30
my faith." Look how thou ridest for the same intent
Each in the other's hand his trothe lay'th, To winne good, thou reckest never how,
For to be sworne brethren till they dey.l4 Right so fare I, for ride will I now
In dalliance they ridi forth and play. Unto the worlde's ende for a prey."
1 Plunder, pluck. 15 Chattering.
2 Cause thee to be struck. 16 Butcher-birds; which are very noisy and ravenous,
3 Black. 4 It is needful. and tear in pieces the birds on which they prey; the
5 Dog attending a huntsman with bow and arrow. thorn on which they do this was said to become
6 Better. poisonous. 17 Seek, visit.
7 The name of a musical instrument; applied to an 18 Mediaeval legends located hell in the North.
old woman because of the shrillness of her voice. 19 Inform. 20 Conceal nothing from me.
8 Wore a short doublet. 9 Shade. 21 Niggardly. 22 Whether. 23 Do.
10 By the gods. 11 Dear. 24 Unless. 25 Were it not for. 26 Tricks.
12 Please. 13 Great thanks. 27 Confessed, shriven. 28 Curse. 29 Confessors.
14 Die. See note 17, page 2$. 30 What I can gain is my sole revenue.