From: Subject: from The Canterbury Tales Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:40:22 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/Elements_of_Lit_Course6/Middle_Ages/Prologue2%20p1.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 from The Canterbury Tales

from The Canterbury Tales: The=20 Prologue 

Geoffrey = Chaucer 
translated by=20 Nevill Coghill 

The=20 Prologue 

      &nbs= p;    =20 When in April the sweet showers=20 fall 
          = ; =20 And pierce the drought of March to the root, and=20 all 
          =  =20 The veins are bathed in liquor of such=20 power 
         &nbs= p; =20 As brings about the engendering of the=20 flower, 
5         When = also=20 Zephyrus with his sweet=20 breath 
         &nb= sp; =20 Exhales an air in every grove and=20 heath 
         &nbs= p; =20 Upon the tender shoots, and the young=20 sun 
          =  =20 His half-course in the sign of the Ram has=20 run, 
          = ; =20 And the small fowl are making=20 melody 
10         That = sleep=20 away the night with open=20 eye 
          =  =20 (So nature pricks them and their heart=20 engages) 
         &= nbsp; =20 Then people long to go on=20 pilgrimages 
        &nbs= p;  =20 And palmers long to seek the stranger=20 strands 
         &n= bsp; =20 Of far-off saints, hallowed in sundry=20 lands, 
15         And=20 specially, from every shire=92s=20 end 
          =  =20 Of England, down to Canterbury they=20 wend 
          = ; =20 To seek the holy blissful martyr,=20 quick 
         &nbs= p; =20 To give his help to them when they were=20 sick. 
         &nbs= p; =20 It happened in that season that one=20 day 
20         In = Southwark, at=20 The Tabard, as I=20 lay 
          =  =20 Ready to go on pilgrimage and=20 start 
         &nbs= p; =20 For Canterbury, most devout at=20 heart, 
         &nb= sp; =20 At night there came into that=20 hostelry 
         &= nbsp; =20 Some nine and twenty in a=20 company 
25         Of = sundry=20 folk happening then to=20 fall 
          = ; =20 In fellowship, and they were pilgrims=20 all 
          =  =20 That towards Canterbury meant to=20 ride. 
         &nbs= p; =20 The rooms and stables of the inn were=20 wide: 
         &nbs= p; =20 They made us easy, all was of the=20 best. 
30         And, = briefly,=20 when the sun had gone to=20 rest, 
         &nbs= p; =20 I=92d spoken to them all upon the=20 trip 
          = ; =20 And was soon one with them in=20 fellowship, 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Pledged to rise early and to take the=20 way 
          =  =20 To Canterbury, as you heard me=20 say. 
35         But = none the=20 less, while I have time and=20 space, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Before my story takes a further=20 pace, 
         &nbs= p; =20 It seems a reasonable thing to=20 say 
          =  =20 What their condition was, the full=20 array 
         &nbs= p; =20 Of each of them, as it appeared to=20 me, 
40         = According to=20 profession and=20 degree, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And what apparel they were riding=20 in; 
          =  =20 And at a Knight I therefore will=20 begin. 
         &nb= sp; =20 There was a Knight, a most distinguished=20 man, 
          = ; =20 Who from the day on which he first=20 began 
45         To = ride abroad=20 had followed=20 chivalry, 
         =   =20 Truth, honor, generousness, and=20 courtesy. 
         =   =20 He had done nobly in his sovereign=92s=20 war 
          =  =20 And ridden into battle, no man=20 more, 
         &nbs= p; =20 As well in Christian as in heathen=20 places, 
50        And ever = honored=20 for his noble=20 graces. 
         &n= bsp; =20 When we took Alexandria, he was=20 there. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He often sat at table in the=20 chair 
         &nbs= p; =20 Of honor, above all nations, when in=20 Prussia. 
         &= nbsp; =20 In Lithuania he had ridden, and=20 Russia, 
55         No = Christian=20 man so often, of his=20 rank. 
         &nbs= p; =20 When, in Granada, Algeciras=20 sank 
          = ; =20 Under assault, he had been there, and=20 in 
          &= nbsp;=20 North Africa, raiding=20 Benamarin; 
         = ;  =20 In Anatolia he had been as=20 well 
60         And = fought when=20 Ayas and Attalia=20 fell, 
         &nbs= p; =20 For all along the Mediterranean=20 coast 
         &nbs= p; =20 He had embarked with many a noble=20 host. 
         &nbs= p; =20 In fifteen mortal battles he had=20 been 
          = ; =20 And jousted for our faith at=20 Tramissene 
65         = Thrice in=20 the lists, and always killed his=20 man. 
          = ; =20 This same distinguished knight had led the=20 van 
          =  =20 Once with the Bey of Balat, doing=20 work 
          = ; =20 For him against another heathen=20 Turk; 
         &nbs= p; =20 He was of sovereign value in all=20 eyes. 
70         And = though so=20 much distinguished, he was=20 wise 
          = ; =20 And in his bearing modest as a=20 maid. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He never yet a boorish thing had=20 said 
          = ; =20 In all his life to any, come what=20 might; 
         &nb= sp; =20 He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight.

75         Speaking of his = equipment,=20 he=20 possessed 
         =   =20 Fine horses, but he was not gaily=20 dressed. 
         &= nbsp; =20 He wore a fustian tunic stained and=20 dark 
          = ; =20 With smudges where his armor had left=20 mark; 
         &nbs= p; =20 Just home from service, he had joined our=20 ranks 
80         To do = his=20 pilgrimage and render=20 thanks. 
         &n= bsp; =20 He had his son with him, a fine young=20 Squire, 
         &n= bsp; =20 A lover and cadet, a lad of=20 fire 
          = ; =20 With locks as curly as if they had been=20 pressed. 
         &= nbsp; =20 He was some twenty years of age, I=20 guessed. 
85         In = stature=20 he was of a moderate=20 length, 
         &n= bsp; =20 With wonderful agility and=20 strength. 
         =   =20 He=92d seen some service with the=20 cavalry 
         &n= bsp; =20 In Flanders and Artois and=20 Picardy 
         &n= bsp; =20 And had done valiantly in little=20 space 
90        Of time, in = hope to=20 win his lady=92s=20 grace. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He was embroidered like a meadow=20 bright 
         &nb= sp; =20 And full of freshest flowers, red and=20 white. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Singing he was, or fluting all the=20 day; 
          = ; =20 He was as fresh as is the month of=20 May. 
95         Short = was his=20 gown, the sleeves were long and=20 wide; 
         &nbs= p; =20 He knew the way to sit a horse and=20 ride. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He could make songs and poems and=20 recite, 
         &n= bsp; =20 Knew how to joust and dance, to draw and=20 write. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He loved so hotly that till dawn grew=20 pale 
100      He slept as little as a=20 nightingale. 
        &nb= sp;  =20 Courteous he was, lowly and=20 serviceable, 
        &nb= sp;  =20 And carved to serve his father at the=20 table. 
         &nb= sp; =20 There was a Yeoman with him at his=20 side, 
         &nbs= p; =20 No other servant; so he chose to = ride. 
105     This=20 Yeoman wore a coat and hood of=20 green, 
         &nb= sp; =20 And peacock-feathered arrows, bright and=20 keen 
          = ; =20 And neatly sheathed, hung at his belt the=20 while 
         &nbs= p; =20 =97For he could dress his gear in yeoman=20 style, 
         &nb= sp; =20 His arrows never drooped their feathers=20 low=97 
110     And in his hand he bore a = mighty=20 bow. 
          = ; =20 His head was like a nut, his face was=20 brown. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He knew the whole of woodcraft up and=20 down. 
         &nbs= p; =20 A saucy brace was on his arm to=20 ward 
          = ; =20 It from the bow-string, and a shield and=20 sword 
115     Hung at one side, and at the = other=20 slipped 
         &n= bsp; =20 A jaunty dirk, spear-sharp and=20 well-equipped. 
        &= nbsp;  =20 A medal of St. Christopher he=20 wore 
          = ; =20 Of shining silver on his breast, and=20 bore 
          = ; =20 A hunting-horn, well slung and burnished=20 clean, 
120     That dangled from a baldrick = of=20 bright=20 green. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He was a proper forester, I guess. 

            = There also=20 was a Nun, a=20 Prioress, 
         =   =20 Her way of smiling very simple and=20 coy. 
          = ; =20 Her greatest oath was only =93By St. = Loy!=94 
125    =20 And she was known as Madam=20 Eglantyne. 
         = ;  =20 And well she sang a service, with a=20 fine 
          = ; =20 Intoning through her nose, as was most=20 seemly, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And she spoke daintily in French,=20 extremely, 
         = ;  =20 After the school of = Stratford-atte-Bowe; 
130    =20 French in the Paris style she did not=20 know. 
         &nbs= p; =20 At meat her manners were well taught=20 withal; 
         &n= bsp; =20 No morsel from her lips did she let=20 fall, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Nor dipped her fingers in the sauce too=20 deep; 
         &nbs= p; =20 But she could carry a morsel up and = keep 
135    =20 The smallest drop from falling on her=20 breast. 
         &n= bsp; =20 For courtliness she had a special=20 zest, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And she would wipe her upper lip so=20 clean 
         &nbs= p; =20 That not a trace of grease was to be=20 seen 
          = ; =20 Upon the cup when she had drunk; to = eat, 
140    =20 She reached a hand sedately for the=20 meat. 
         &nbs= p; =20 She certainly was very=20 entertaining, 
        &n= bsp;  =20 Pleasant and friendly in her ways, and=20 straining 
         =   =20 To counterfeit a courtly kind of=20 grace, 
         &nb= sp; =20 A stately bearing fitting to her = place, 
145     And=20 to seem dignified in all her=20 dealings. 
         =   =20 As for her sympathies and tender=20 feelings, 
         =   =20 She was so charitably=20 solicitous 
         = ;  =20 She used to weep if she but saw a=20 mouse 
         &nbs= p; =20 Caught in a trap, if it were dead or=20 bleeding. 
150     And she had little dogs = she would=20 be=20 feeding 
         &n= bsp; =20 With roasted flesh, or milk, or fine white=20 bread. 
         &nb= sp; =20 And bitterly she wept if one were=20 dead 
          = ; =20 Or someone took a stick and made it=20 smart; 
         &nb= sp; =20 She was all sentiment and tender = heart. 
155     Her=20 veil was gathered in a seemly=20 way, 
          = ; =20 Her nose was elegant, her eyes=20 glass-gray; 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Her mouth was very small, but soft and=20 red, 
          = ; =20 Her forehead, certainly, was fair of=20 spread, 
         &n= bsp; =20 Almost a span across the brows, I = own; 
160     She=20 was indeed by no means=20 undergrown. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Her cloak, I noticed, had a graceful=20 charm. 
         &nb= sp; =20 She wore a coral trinket on her=20 arm, 
          = ; =20 A set of beads, the gaudies tricked in=20 green, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Whence hung a golden brooch of brightest=20 sheen 
165     On which there first was = graven a=20 crowned=20 A, 
          &= nbsp;=20 And lower, Amor vincit omnia.     (Latin for "Love = conquers=20 all")

            = Another=20 Nun, the secretary at her=20 cell, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Was riding with her, and three Priests as=20 well. 
         &nbs= p; =20 A Monk there was, one of the finest = sort 
170    =20 Who rode the country; hunting was his=20 sport. 
         &nb= sp; =20 A manly man, to be an Abbott=20 able; 
         &nbs= p; =20 Many a dainty horse he had in=20 stable. 
         &n= bsp; =20 His bridle, when he rode, a man might=20 hear 
          = ; =20 Jingling in a whistling wind as = clear, 
175     Aye,=20 and as loud as does the chapel=20 bell 
          = ; =20 Where my lord Monk was Prior of the=20 cell. 
         &nbs= p; =20 The Rule of good St. Benet or St.=20 Maur
           = ; As=20 old and strict he tended to=20 ignore; 
         &n= bsp; =20 He let go by the things of = yesterday 
180     And=20 took the modern world=92s more spacious=20 way. 
          = ; =20 He did not rate that text at a plucked=20 hen 
          =  =20 Which says that hunters are not holy=20 men 
          =  =20 And that a monk uncloistered is a=20 mere 
          = ; =20 Fish out of water, flapping on the = pier, 
185    =20 That is to say a monk out of his=20 cloister. 
         =   =20 That was a text he held not worth an=20 oyster; 
         &n= bsp; =20 And I agreed and said his views were=20 sound; 
         &nb= sp; =20 Was he to study till his head went=20 round 
         &nbs= p; =20 Poring over books in cloisters? Must he=20 toil 
190     As Austin bade and till the = very=20 soil? 
         &nbs= p; =20 Was he to leave the world upon the=20 shelf? 
         &nb= sp; =20 Let Austin have his labor to=20 himself. 
         &= nbsp; =20 This Monk was therefore a good man to=20 horse; 
         &nb= sp; =20 Greyhounds he had, as swift as birds, to=20 course.
195      Hunting a hare or riding at = a=20 fence 
         &nbs= p; =20 Was all his fun, he spared for no=20 expense. 
         &= nbsp; =20 I saw his sleeves were garnished at the=20 hand 
          = ; =20 With fine gray fur, the finest in the=20 land, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And on his hood, to fasten it at his = chin 
200    =20 He had a wrought-gold, cunningly fashioned=20 pin; 
          = ; =20 Into a lover=92s knot it seemed to=20 pass. 
         &nbs= p; =20 His head was bald and shone like=20 looking-glass; 
        &= nbsp;  =20 So did his face, as if it had been=20 greased. 
         &= nbsp; =20 He was a fat and personable priest; 
205     = His=20 prominent eyeballs never seemed to=20 settle. 
         &n= bsp; =20 They glittered like the flames beneath a=20 kettle; 
         &n= bsp; =20 Supple his boots, his horse in fine=20 condition. 
         = ;  =20 He was a prelate fit for=20 exhibition, 
        &nbs= p;  =20 He was not pale like a tormented = soul. 
210     He=20 liked a fat swan best, and roasted=20 whole. 
         &nb= sp; =20 His palfrey was as brown as is a berry. 

            = There was=20 a Friar, a wanton one and=20 merry, 
         &nb= sp; =20 A Limiter, a very festive=20 fellow. 
         &n= bsp; =20 In all Four Orders there was none so=20 mellow, 
215     So glib with gallant phrase = and=20 well-turned=20 speech. 
         &n= bsp; =20 He=92d fixed up many a marriage, giving=20 each 
          = ; =20 Of his young women what he could afford=20 her. 
          = ; =20 He was a noble pillar to his=20 Order. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Highly beloved and intimate was he 
220     = With=20 County folk within his=20 boundary, 
         =   =20 And city dames of honor and=20 possessions; 
        &nb= sp;  =20 For he was qualified to hear=20 confessions, 
        &nb= sp;  =20 Or so he said, with more than priestly=20 scope; 
         &nb= sp; =20 He had a special license from the = Pope. 
225    =20 Sweetly he heard his penitents at=20 shrift 
         &nb= sp; =20 With pleasant absolution, for a=20 gift. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He was an easy man in=20 penance-giving 
        &= nbsp;  =20 Where he could hope to make a decent=20 living; 
         &n= bsp; =20 It=92s a sure sign whenever gifts are=20 given 
230      To a poor Order that a = man=92s=20 well=20 shriven, 
         &= nbsp; =20 And should he give enough he knew in=20 verity 
         &nb= sp; =20 The penitent repented in=20 sincerity. 
         = ;  =20 For many a fellow is so hard of=20 heart 
         &nbs= p; =20 He cannot weep, for all his inward = smart. 
235    =20 Therefore instead of weeping and of=20 prayer 
         &nb= sp; =20 One should give silver for a poor Friar=92s=20 care. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He kept his tippet stuffed with pins for=20 curls, 
         &nb= sp; =20 And pocket-knives, to give to pretty=20 girls. 
         &nb= sp; =20 And certainly his voice was gay and = sturdy, 
240    =20 For he sang well and played the=20 hurdy-gurdy. 
        &nb= sp;  =20 At sing-songs he was champion of the=20 hour. 
         &nbs= p; =20 His neck was whiter than a=20 lily-flower 
        &nbs= p;  =20 But strong enough to butt a bruiser=20 down. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He knew the taverns well in every = town 
245     And=20 every innkeeper and barmaid=20 too 
          =  =20 Better than lepers, beggars and that=20 crew, 
         &nbs= p; =20 For in so eminent a man as=20 he 
          &= nbsp;=20 It was not fitting with the=20 dignity 
         &n= bsp; =20 Of his position, dealing with a = scum 
250     Of=20 wretched lepers; nothing good can=20 come 
          = ; =20 Of commerce with such slum-and-gutter=20 dwellers, 
         =   =20 But only with the rich and=20 victual-sellers. 
        = ;   =20 But anywhere a profit might=20 accrue 
         &nb= sp; =20 Courteous he was and lowly of service = too. 
255    =20 Natural gifts like his were hard to=20 match. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He was the finest beggar of his=20 batch, 
         &nb= sp; =20 And, for his begging-district, paid a=20 rent; 
         &nbs= p; =20 His brethren did no poaching where he=20 went. 
         &nbs= p; =20 For though a widow mightn=92t have a=20 shoe, 
260      So pleasant was his = holy=20 how-d=92ye-do 
        &n= bsp;  =20 He got his farthing from her just the=20 same 
          = ; =20 Before he left, and so his income=20 came 
          = ; =20 To more than he laid out. And how he=20 romped, 
         &n= bsp; =20 Just like a puppy! He was ever = prompt 
265     =20 To arbitrate disputes on settling=20 days 
          = ; =20 (For a small fee) in many helpful=20 ways, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Not then appearing as your cloistered=20 scholar 
         &n= bsp; =20 With threadbare habit hardly worth a=20 dollar, 
         &n= bsp; =20 But much more like a Doctor or a = Pope. 
270     Of=20 double-worsted was the=20 semi-cope
          =  =20 Upon his shoulders, and the swelling=20 fold 
          = ; =20 About him, like a bell about its=20 mould 
         &nbs= p; =20 When it is casting, rounded out his=20 dress. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He lisped a little out of wantonness
275     To = make his=20 English sweet upon his=20 tongue. 
         &n= bsp; =20 When he had played his harp, or having=20 sung, 
         &nbs= p; =20 His eyes would twinkle in his head as=20 bright 
         &nb= sp; =20 As any star upon a frosty=20 night. 
         &nb= sp; =20 This worthy=92s name was Hubert, it=20 appeared. 

280     There was a Merchant = with a=20 forking=20 beard 
         &nbs= p; =20 And motley dress; high on his horse he=20 sat, 
          = ; =20 Upon his head a Flemish beaver=20 hat 
          =  =20 And on his feet daintily buckled=20 boots. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He told of his opinions and = pursuits 
285     In=20 solemn tones, he harped on his=20 increase 
         &= nbsp;=20 Of capital; there should be=20 sea-police 
         = ;  =20 (He thought) upon the Harwich=96Holland=20 ranges; 
         &n= bsp; =20 He was expert at dabbling in=20 exchanges. 
         = ;  =20 This estimable Merchant so had set 
290     = His wits=20 to work, none knew he was in=20 debt, 
         &nbs= p; =20 He was so stately in=20 administration, 
        =    =20 In loans and bargains and=20 negotiation. 
        &nb= sp;  =20 He was an excellent fellow all the=20 same; 
         &nbs= p; =20 To tell the truth I do not know his = name. 
295    =20 An Oxford Cleric, still a student=20 though, 
         &n= bsp; =20 One who had taken logic long=20 ago, 
          = ; =20 Was there; his horse was thinner than a=20 rake, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And he was not too fat, I=20 undertake, 
         = ;  =20 But had a hollow look, a sober = stare; 
300     The=20 thread upon his overcoat was=20 bare. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He had found no preferment in the=20 church 
         &nb= sp; =20 And he was too unworldly to make=20 search 
         &nb= sp; =20 For secular employment. By his=20 bed 
          =  =20 He preferred having twenty books in = red 
305     And=20 black, of Aristotle=92s=20 philosophy, 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Than costly clothes, fiddle, or=20 psaltery 
         &= nbsp; =20 Though a philosopher, as I have=20 told, 
         &nbs= p; =20 He had not found the stone for making=20 gold. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Whatever money from his friends he = took 
310     He=20 spent on learning or another=20 book 
          = ; =20 And prayed for them most earnestly,=20 returning 
         =   =20 Thanks to them thus for paying for his=20 learning. 
         =   =20 His only care was study, and=20 indeed 
         &nb= sp; =20 He never spoke a word more than was = need, 
315    =20 Formal at that, respectful in the=20 extreme, 
         &= nbsp; =20 Short, to the point, and lofty in his=20 theme. 
         &nb= sp; =20 A tone of moral virtue filled his=20 speech 
         &nb= sp; =20 And gladly would he learn, and gladly=20 teach. 

         = ;  =20 A Serjeant at the Law who paid his = calls, 
320    =20 Wary and wise, for clients at St.=20 Paul=92s 
         &= nbsp; =20 There also was, of noted=20 excellence. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Discreet he was, a man to=20 reverence, 
         = ;  =20 Or so he seemed, his sayings were so=20 wise. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He often had been Justice of Assize 
325     = By=20 letters patent, and in full=20 commission. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 His fame and learning and his high=20 position 
         &= nbsp; =20 Had won him many a robe and many a=20 fee. 
          = ; =20 There was no such conveyancer as=20 he; 
          =  =20 All was fee-simple to his strong = digestion, 
330    =20 Not one conveyance could be called in=20 question. 
         =   =20 Though there was nowhere one so busy as=20 he, 
          =  =20 He was less busy than he seemed to be.

            He = knew of=20 every judgment, case, and=20 crime 
         &nbs= p; =20 Ever recorded since King William=92s = time. 
335     He=20 could dictate defenses or draft=20 deeds; 
         &nb= sp; =20 No one could pinch a comma from his=20 screeds 
         &n= bsp; =20 And he knew every statute off by=20 rote. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He wore a homely parti-colored=20 coat, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Girt with a silken belt of pin-stripe=20 stuff; 
340     Of his appearance I have = said=20 enough. 
         &n= bsp; =20 There was a Franklin with him, it=20 appeared; 
         =   =20 White as a daisy-petal was his=20 beard. 
         &nb= sp; =20 A sanguine man, high-colored and=20 benign, 
         &n= bsp; =20 He loved a morning sop of cake in = wine. 
345     He=20 lived for pleasure and had always=20 done, 
         &nbs= p; =20 For he was Epicurus=92 very=20 son, 
          = ; =20 In whose opinion sensual=20 delight 
         &n= bsp; =20 Was the one true felicity in=20 sight. 
         &nb= sp; =20 As noted as St. Julian was for = bounty 
350     He=20 made his household free to all the=20 County. 
         &n= bsp; =20 His bread, his ale were finest of the=20 fine 
          = ; =20 And no one had a better stock of=20 wine. 
         &nbs= p; =20 His house was never short of bake-meat=20 pies, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Of fish and flesh, and these in such=20 supplies 
355     It positively snowed with = meat and=20 drink 
         &nbs= p; =20 And all the dainties that a man could=20 think. 
         &nb= sp; =20 According to the seasons of the=20 year 
          = ; =20 Changes of dish were ordered to=20 appear. 
         &n= bsp; =20 He kept fat partridges in coops, = beyond, 
360    =20 Many a bream and pike were in his=20 pond. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Woe to the cook unless the sauce was=20 hot 
          =  =20 And sharp, or if he wasn=92t on the=20 spot! 
         &nbs= p; =20 And in his hall a table stood=20 arrayed 
         &n= bsp; =20 And ready all day long, with places = laid. 
365    =20 As Justice at the Sessions none stood=20 higher; 
         &n= bsp; =20 He often had been Member for the=20 Shire. 
         &nb= sp; =20 A dagger and a little purse of=20 silk 
          = ; =20 Hung at his girdle, white as morning=20 milk. 
         &nbs= p; =20 As Sheriff he checked audit, every = entry. 
370    =20 He was a model among landed gentry.


(The = Prologue  page=20 1)

Click here to navigate through = the tales: The=20 Prologue page 2, The=20 Pardoner's Tale,

The=20 Wife of Bath's Tale, and Homework.

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Back to the Table of = Contents