From: Subject: from The Canterbury Tales Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:45:52 -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%20p2.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 from The Canterbury Tales

from The Canterbury Tales: The = Prologue,=20 continued

Geoffrey = Chaucer 
translated by=20 Nevill Coghill 

            A=20 Haberdasher, a Dyer, a=20 Carpenter, 
       &nbs= p;   =20 A Weaver, and a Carpet-maker=20 were 
          = ; =20 Among our ranks, all in the=20 livery 
         &nb= sp; =20 Of one impressive guild-fraternity. 
375     = They=20 were so trim and fresh their gear would=20 pass 
          = ; =20 For new. Their knives were not tricked out with=20 brass 
         &nbs= p; =20 But wrought with purest silver, which=20 avouches 
         &= nbsp; =20 A like display on girdles and on=20 pouches. 
         &= nbsp; =20 Each seemed a worthy burgess, fit to = grace 
380    =20 A guild-hall with a seat upon the=20 dais. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Their wisdom would have justified a=20 plan 
          = ; =20 To make each one of them an=20 alderman; 
         =   =20 They had the capital and=20 revenue, 
         &= nbsp; =20 Besides their wives declared it was their=20 due. 
385     And if they did not think so, = then=20 they=20 ought; 
         &nb= sp; =20 To be called =93Madam=94 is a glorious=20 thought, 
         &= nbsp; =20 And so is going to church and being=20 seen 
          = ; =20 Having your mantle carried, like a=20 queen. 
         &nb= sp; =20 They had a Cook with them who stood = alone 
390    =20 For boiling chicken with a=20 marrow-bone, 
        &nb= sp;  =20 Sharp flavoring-powder and a spice for=20 savor. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He could distinguish London ale by=20 flavor, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And he could roast and seethe and broil and=20 fry, 
          = ; =20 Make good thick soup, and bake a tasty = pie. 
395    =20 But what a pity=97so it seemed to=20 me, 
          =  =20 That he should have an ulcer on his=20 knee. 
         &nbs= p; =20 As for blancmange, he made it with the=20 best. 
         &nbs= p; =20 There was a Skipper hailing from far=20 west; 
         &nbs= p; =20 He came from Dartmouth, so I = understood. 
400     He=20 rode a farmer=92s horse as best he=20 could, 
         &nb= sp; =20 In a woollen gown that reached his=20 knee. 
         &nbs= p; =20 A dagger on a lanyard falling=20 free 
          = ; =20 Hung from his neck under his arm and=20 down. 
         &nbs= p; =20 The summer heat had tanned his color = brown, 
405    =20 And certainly he was an excellent=20 fellow. 
         &n= bsp; =20 Many a draught of vintage, red and=20 yellow, 
         &n= bsp; =20 He=92d drawn at Bordeaux, while the trader=20 snored. 
         &n= bsp; =20 The nicer rules of conscience he=20 ignored. 
         &= nbsp; =20 If, when he fought, the enemy vessel = sank, 
410    =20 He sent his prisoners home; they walked the=20 plank. 
         &nb= sp; =20 As for his skill in reckoning his=20 tides, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Currents, and many another risk=20 besides, 
         &= nbsp; =20 Moons, harbors, pilots, he had such=20 dispatch 
         &= nbsp; =20 That none from Hull to Carthage was his=20 match. 
415     Hardy he was, prudent in=20 undertaking; 
        &nb= sp;  =20 His beard in many a tempest had its=20 shaking, 
         &= nbsp; =20 And he knew all the havens as they=20 were 
          = ; =20 From Gottland to the Cape of=20 Finisterre, 
        &nbs= p;  =20 And every creek in Brittany and=20 Spain; 
420      The barge he owned was = called=20 The Maudelayne. 

            A = Doctor=20 too emerged as we=20 proceeded; 
         = ;  =20 No one alive could talk as well as he=20 did 
          =  =20 On points of medicine and of=20 surgery, 
         &= nbsp; =20 For, being grounded in astronomy, 
425     = He=20 watched his patient closely for the=20 hours 
         &nbs= p; =20 When, by his horoscope, he knew the=20 powers 
         &nb= sp; =20 Of favorable planets, then=20 ascendent, 
         = ;  =20 Worked on the images for his=20 dependent. 
         = ;  =20 The cause of every malady you=92d = got 
430     =20 He knew, and whether dry, cold, moist, or=20 hot; 
          = ; =20 He knew their seat, their humor and=20 condition. 
         = ;  =20 He was a perfect practicing=20 physician. 
         = ;  =20 These causes being known for what they=20 were, 
         &nbs= p; =20 He gave the man his medicine then and=20 there. 
435     All his apothecaries in a=20 tribe 
         &nbs= p; =20 Were ready with the drugs he would=20 prescribe 
         =   =20 And each made money from the other=92s=20 guile; 
         &nb= sp; =20 They had been friendly for a goodish=20 while. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He was well-versed in Aesculapius = too 
440     And=20 what Hippocrates and Rufus=20 knew 
          = ; =20 And Dioscorides, now dead and=20 gone, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Galen and Rhazes, Hali,=20 Serapion, 
         =   =20 Averroes, Avicenna,=20 Constantine, 
        &nb= sp;  =20 Scotch Bernard, John of Gaddesden,=20 Gilbertine. 
445     In his own diet he = observed=20 some=20 measure; 
         &= nbsp; =20 There were no superfluities for=20 pleasure, 
         =   =20 Only digestives, nutritives and=20 such. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He did not read the Bible very=20 much. 
         &nbs= p; =20 In blood-red garments, slashed with bluish=20 gray 
450     And lined with taffeta, he = rode his=20 way; 
          = ; =20 Yet he was rather close as to=20 expenses 
         &= nbsp; =20 And kept the gold he won in=20 pestilences. 
        &nb= sp;  =20 Gold stimulates the heart, or so we=92re=20 told. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He therefore had a special love of = gold. 
455     A=20 worthy woman from beside Bath=20 city 
         &= nbsp; =20 Was with us, somewhat deaf, which was a=20 pity. 
         &nbs= p; =20 In making cloth she showed so great a=20 bent 
          = ; =20 She bettered those of Ypres and of=20 Ghent. 
         &nb= sp; =20 In all the parish not a dame dared = stir 
460    =20 Towards the altar steps in front of=20 her, 
          = ; =20 And if indeed they did, so wrath was=20 she 
          =  =20 As to be quite put out of=20 charity. 
         &= nbsp; =20 Her kerchiefs were of finely woven=20 ground; 
         &n= bsp; =20 I dared have sworn they weighed a good ten=20 pound, 
465     The ones she wore on Sunday, = on her=20 head. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Her hose were of the finest scarlet=20 red 
          =  =20 And gartered tight; her shoes were soft and=20 new. 
          = ; =20 Bold was her face, handsome, and red in=20 hue. 
          = ; =20 A worthy woman all her life, what=92s = more 
470    =20 She=92d had five husbands, all at the church=20 door, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Apart from other company in=20 youth; 
         &nb= sp; =20 No need just now to speak of that,=20 forsooth. 
         =   =20 And she had thrice been to=20 Jerusalem, 
         = ;  =20 Seen many strange rivers and passed over=20 them; 
475     She=92d been to Rome and also = to=20 Boulogne, 
         =   =20 St. James of Compostella and=20 Cologne, 
         &= nbsp; =20 And she was skilled in wandering by the=20 way. 
          = ; =20 She had gap-teeth, set widely, truth to=20 say. 
          = ; =20 Easily on an ambling horse she sat 
480     = Well=20 wimpled up, and on her head a=20 hat 
          =  =20 As broad as is a buckler or a=20 shield; 
         &n= bsp; =20 She had a flowing mantle that=20 concealed 
         =   =20 Large hips, her heels spurred sharply under=20 that. 
         &nbs= p; =20 In company she liked to laugh and = chat 
485     And=20 knew the remedies for love=92s=20 mischances, 
        &nbs= p;  =20 An art in which she knew the oldest=20 dances. 
         &n= bsp; =20 A holy-minded man of good=20 renown 
         &nb= sp; =20 There was, and poor, the Parson to a=20 town, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Yet he was rich in holy thought and = work. 
490    =20 He also was a learned man, a=20 clerk, 
         &nb= sp; Who=20 truly knew Christ=92s gospel and would preach=20 it 
          &= nbsp;=20 Devoutly to parishioners, and teach=20 it. 
          =  =20 Benign and wonderfully=20 diligent, 
         =   =20 And patient when adversity was sent 
495     = (For so=20 he proved in much=20 adversity) 
         = ;  =20 He hated cursing to extort a=20 fee, 
          = ; =20 Nay rather he preferred beyond a=20 doubt 
         &nbs= p; =20 Giving to poor parishioners round=20 about 
         &nbs= p; =20 Both from church offerings and his=20 property; 
500     He could in little find=20 sufficiency. 
        &nb= sp;  =20 Wide was his parish, with houses far=20 asunder, 
         &= nbsp; =20 Yet he neglected not in rain or=20 thunder, 
         &= nbsp; =20 In sickness or in grief, to pay a=20 call 
          = ; =20 On the remotest, whether great or=20 small, 
505      Upon his feet, and in = his hand=20 a=20 stave. 
         &nb= sp; =20 This noble example to his sheep he=20 gave 
          = ; =20 That first he wrought, and afterward he=20 taught; 
         &n= bsp; =20 And it was from the Gospel he had=20 caught 
         &nb= sp; =20 Those words, and he would add this figure=20 too, 
510     That if gold rust, what then = will iron=20 do? 
          =  =20 For if a priest be foul in whom we=20 trust 
         &nbs= p; =20 No wonder that a common man should=20 rust; 
         &nbs= p; =20 And shame it is to see=97let priests take=20 stock=97
          &= nbsp; A=20 shitten shepherd and a snowy flock. 
515     = The=20 true example that a priest should=20 give 
          = ; =20 Is one of cleanness, how the sheep should=20 live. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He did not set his benefice to=20 hire 
          = ; =20 And leave his sheep encumbered in the=20 mire 
          = ; =20 Or run to London to earn easy bread 
520     = By=20 singing masses for the wealthy=20 dead, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Or find some Brotherhood and get=20 enrolled. 
         =   =20 He stayed at home and watched over his=20 fold 
          = ; =20 So that no wolf should make the sheep=20 miscarry. 
         =   =20 He was a shepherd and no mercenary. 
525     = Holy=20 and virtuous he was, but=20 then 
          = ; =20 Never contemptuous of sinful=20 men, 
          = ; =20 Never disdainful, never too proud or=20 fine, 
         &nbs= p; =20 But was discreet in teaching and=20 benign. 
         &n= bsp; =20 His business was to show a fair = behavior 
530    =20 And draw men thus to Heaven and their=20 Savior, 
         &n= bsp; =20 Unless indeed a man were=20 obstinate; 
         = ;  =20 And such, whether of high or low=20 estate, 
         &n= bsp; =20 He put to sharp rebuke, to say the=20 least. 
         &nb= sp; =20 I think there never was a better = priest. 
535     He=20 sought no pomp or glory in his=20 dealings, 
         =   =20 No scrupulosity had spiced his=20 feelings. 
         =   =20 Christ and His Twelve Apostles and their=20 lore 
          = ; =20 He taught, but followed it himself before.

            = There was=20 a Plowman with him there, his=20 brother; 
540     Many a load of dung one = time or=20 other 
         &nbs= p; =20 He must have carted through the morning=20 dew. 
          = ; =20 He was an honest worker, good and=20 true, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Living in peace and perfect=20 charity, 
         &= nbsp; =20 And, as the gospel bade him, so did = he, 
545    =20 Loving God best with all his heart and=20 mind 
          = ; =20 And then his neighbor as himself,=20 repined 
         &n= bsp; =20 At no misfortune, slacked for no=20 content, 
         &= nbsp; =20 For steadily about his work he=20 went 
          = ; =20 To thrash his corn, to dig or to = manure 
550     Or=20 make a ditch; and he would help the=20 poor 
          = ; =20 For love of Christ and never take a=20 penny 
         &nbs= p; =20 If he could help it, and, as prompt as=20 any, 
          = ; =20 He paid his tithes in full when they were=20 due 
          =  =20 On what he owned, and on his earnings = too. 
555    =20 He wore a tabard smock and rode a=20 mare. 
         &nbs= p; =20 There was a Reeve, also a Miller,=20 there, 
         &nb= sp; =20 A College Manciple from the Inns of=20 Court, 
         &nb= sp; =20 A papal Pardoner and, in close=20 consort, 
         &= nbsp; =20 A Church-Court Summoner, riding at a=20 trot, 
560     And finally myself=97that was = the=20 lot. 
          = ; =20 The Miller was a chap of sixteen=20 stone, 
         &nb= sp; =20 A great stout fellow big in brawn and=20 bone. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He did well out of them, for he could=20 go 
          &= nbsp;=20 And win the ram at any wrestling = show. 
565    =20 Broad, knotty, and short-shouldered, he would=20 boast 
         &nbs= p; =20 He could heave any door off hinge and=20 post, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Or take a run and break it with his=20 head. 
         &nbs= p; =20 His beard, like any sow or fox, was=20 red 
          =  =20 And broad as well, as though it were a=20 spade; 
570     And, at its very tip, his = nose=20 displayed 
         =   =20 A wart on which there stood a tuft of=20 hair 
          = ; =20 Red as the bristles in an old sow=92s=20 ear. 
          = ; =20 His nostrils were as black as they were=20 wide. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He had a sword and buckler at his = side, 
575     His=20 mighty mouth was like a furnace=20 door. 
         &nbs= p; =20 A wrangler and buffoon, he had a=20 store 
         &nbs= p; =20 Of tavern stories, filthy in the=20 main. 
         &nbs= p; =20 His was a master-hand at stealing=20 grain. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He felt it with his thumb and thus he = knew 
580    =20 Its quality and took three times his=20 due=97 
         &nb= sp; =20 A thumb of gold, by God, to gauge an=20 oat! 
          = ; =20 He wore a hood of blue and a white=20 coat. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He liked to play his bagpipes up and=20 down 
          = ; =20 And that was how he brought us out of=20 town. 
 585     The Manciple = came from=20 the Inner=20 Temple; 
         &n= bsp; =20 All caterers might follow his=20 example 
         &n= bsp; =20 In buying victuals; he was never=20 rash 
          = ; =20 Whether he bought on credit or paid=20 cash. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He used to watch the market most = precisely 
590    =20 And got in first, and so he did quite=20 nicely. 
         &n= bsp; =20 Now isn=92t it a marvel of God=92s=20 grace 
         &nbs= p; =20 That an illiterate fellow can=20 outpace 
         &n= bsp; =20 The wisdom of a heap of learned=20 men? 
          = ; =20 His masters=97he had more than thirty = then=97 
595    =20 All versed in the abstrusest legal=20 knowledge, 
         = ;  =20 Could have produced a dozen from their=20 College 
         &n= bsp; =20 Fit to be stewards in land and rents and=20 game 
          = ; =20 To any Peer in England you could=20 name, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And show him how to live on what he = had 
600    =20 Debt-free (unless of course the Peer were=20 mad) 
          = ; =20 Or be as frugal as he might=20 desire, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And make them fit to help about the=20 Shire 
         &nbs= p; =20 In any legal case there was to=20 try; 
          = ; =20 And yet this Manciple could wipe their = eye. 
605    =20 The Reeve was old and choleric and=20 thin; 
         &nbs= p; =20 His beard was shaven closely to the=20 skin, 
         &nbs= p; =20 His shorn hair came abruptly to a=20 stop 
          = ; =20 Above his ears, and he was docked on=20 top 
          =  =20 Just like a priest in front; his legs were=20 lean, 
610      Like sticks they were, = no calf=20 was to be=20 seen. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He kept his bins and garners very=20 trim; 
         &nbs= p; =20 No auditor could gain a point on=20 him. 
          = ; =20 And he could judge by watching drought and=20 rain 
          = ; =20 The yield he might expect from seed and=20 grain. 
615     His master=92s sheep, his = animals and=20 hens, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Pigs, horses, dairies, stores, and=20 cattle-pens 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Were wholly trusted to his=20 government. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 He had been under contract to=20 present 
         &n= bsp; =20 The accounts, right from his master=92s earliest=20 years. 
620     No one had ever caught him = in=20 arrears. 
         &= nbsp; =20 No bailiff, serf, or herdsman dared to=20 kick, 
         &nbs= p; =20 He knew their dodges, knew their every=20 trick; 
         &nb= sp; =20 Feared like the plague he was, by those=20 beneath. 
         &= nbsp; =20 He had a lovely dwelling on a = heath, 
625    =20 Shadowed in green by trees above the=20 sward. 
         &nb= sp; =20 A better hand at bargains than his=20 lord, 
         &nbs= p; =20 He had grown rich and had a store of=20 treasure 
         &= nbsp; =20 Well tucked away, yet out it came to=20 pleasure 
         &= nbsp; =20 His lord with subtle loans or gifts of=20 goods, 
630     To earn his thanks and even = coats=20 and=20 hoods. 
         &nb= sp; =20 When young he=92d learnt a useful trade and=20 still 
         &nbs= p; =20 He was a carpenter of first-rate=20 skill. 
         &nb= sp; =20 The stallion-cob he rode at a slow=20 trot 
          = ; =20 Was dapple-gray and bore the name of = Scot. 
635    =20 He wore an overcoat of bluish=20 shade 
         &nbs= p; =20 And rather long; he had a rusty=20 blade 
         &nbs= p; =20 Slung at his side. He came, as I heard=20 tell, 
         &nbs= p; =20 From Norfolk, near a place called=20 Baldeswell. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 His coat was tucked under his belt and=20 splayed. 
640     He rode the hindmost of = our=20 cavalcade. 
         = ;  =20 There was a Summoner with us at that=20 Inn, 
          = ; =20 His face on fire, like a=20 cherubim, 
         =   =20 For he had carbuncles. His eyes were=20 narrow, 
         &n= bsp; =20 He was as hot and lecherous as a = sparrow. 
645    =20 Black scabby brows he had, and a thin=20 beard. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Children were afraid when he=20 appeared. 
         =   =20 No quicksilver, lead ointment, tartar=20 creams, 
         &n= bsp; =20 No brimstone, no boracic, so it=20 seems, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Could make a salve that had the power to=20 bite, 
650     Clean up, or cure his whelks = of=20 knobby=20 white 
         &nbs= p; =20 Or purge the pimples sitting on his=20 cheeks. 
         &n= bsp; =20 Garlic he loved, and onions too, and=20 leeks, 
         &nb= sp; =20 And drinking strong red wine till all was=20 hazy. 
         &nbs= p; =20 Then he would shout and jabber as if = crazy, 
655    =20 And wouldn=92t speak a word except in=20 Latin 
         &nbs= p; =20 When he was drunk, such tags as he was pat=20 in; 
          =  =20 He only had a few, say two or=20 three, 
         &nb= sp; =20 That he had mugged up out of some=20 decree; 
         &n= bsp; =20 No wonder, for he heard them every = day. 
660    =20 And, as you know, a man can teach a=20 jay 
          =  =20 To call out =93Walter=94 better than the=20 Pope. 
         &nbs= p; =20 But had you tried to test his wits and=20 grope 
         &nbs= p; =20 For more, you=92d have found nothing in the=20 bag. 
          = ; =20 Then =93Questio quid juris=94 was his=20 tag. 
665     He was a noble varlet and a = kind=20 one, 
          = ; =20 You=92d meet none better if you went to find=20 one. 
          = ; =20 Why, he=92d allow=97just for a quart of=20 wine=97
          &n= bsp; Any=20 good lad to keep a=20 concubine 
         =   =20 A twelvemonth and dispense him = altogether! 
670    =20 And he had finches of his own to=20 feather: 
         &= nbsp; =20 And if he found some rascal with a=20 maid 
          = ; =20 He would instruct him not to be=20 afraid 
         &nb= sp; =20 In such a case of the Archdeacon=92s=20 curse 
         &nbs= p; =20 (Unless the rascal=92s soul were in his=20 purse) 
675     For in his purse the = punishment=20 should=20 be. 
          =  =20 =93Purse is the good Archdeacon=92s Hell,=94 said=20 he. 
          =  =20 But well I know he lied in what he=20 said; 
         &nbs= p; =20 A curse should put a guilty man in=20 dread, 
         &nb= sp; =20 For curses kill, as shriving brings,=20 salvation. 
680     We should beware of=20 excommunication. 
        = ;   =20 Thus, as he pleased, the man could bring=20 duress 
         &nb= sp; =20 On any young fellow in the=20 diocese. 
         &= nbsp; =20 He knew their secrets, they did what he=20 said. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He wore a garland set upon his head 
685     = Large=20 as the holly-bush upon a=20 stake 
         &nbs= p; =20 Outside an ale-house, and he had a=20 cake, 
         &nbs= p; =20 A round one, which it was his joke to=20 wield 
         &nbs= p; =20 As if it were intended for a=20 shield. 
         &n= bsp; =20 He and a gentle Pardoner rode=20 together, 
690     A bird from Charing Cross = of the=20 same=20 feather, 
         &= nbsp; =20 Just back from visiting the Court of=20 Rome. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He loudly sang =93Come hither, love, come=20 home!=94 
        &nb= sp;  =20 The Summoner sang deep seconds to this=20 song, 
         &nbs= p; =20 No trumpet ever sounded half so = strong. 
695    =20 This Pardoner had hair as yellow as=20 wax, 
          = ; =20 Hanging down smoothly like a hank of=20 flax. 
         &nbs= p; =20 In driblets fell his locks behind his=20 head 
          = ; =20 Down to his shoulders which they=20 overspread; 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Thinly they fell, like rat-tails, one by=20 one. 
700     He wore no hood upon his head, = for=20 fun; 
          = ; =20 The hood inside his wallet had been=20 stowed, 
         &n= bsp; =20 He aimed at riding in the latest=20 mode; 
         &nbs= p; =20 But for a little cap his head was=20 bare 
          = ; =20 And he had bulging eye-balls, like a = hare. 
705    =20 He=92d sewed a holy relic on his=20 cap; 
          = ; =20 His wallet lay before him on his=20 lap, 
          = ; =20 Brimful of pardons come from Rome, all=20 hot. 
          = ; =20 He had the same small voice a goat has=20 got. 
          = ; =20 His chin no beard had harbored, nor would=20 harbor, 
710     Smoother than ever chin was = left by=20 barber. 
         &n= bsp; =20 I judge he was a gelding, or a=20 mare. 
         &nbs= p; =20 As to his trade, from Berwick down to=20 Ware 
          = ; =20 There was no pardoner of equal=20 grace, 
         &nb= sp; =20 For in his trunk he had a = pillow-case 
715     Which=20 he asserted was Our Lady=92s=20 veil. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He said he had a gobbet of the=20 sail 
          = ; =20 Saint Peter had the time when he made=20 bold 
          = ; =20 To walk the waves, till Jesu Christ took=20 hold. 
         &nbs= p; =20 He had a cross of metal set with = stones 
720    =20 And, in a glass, a rubble of pigs=92=20 bones. 
         &nb= sp; =20 And with these relics, any time he=20 found 
         &nbs= p; =20 Some poor up-country parson to=20 astound, 
         &= nbsp; =20 In one short day, in money down, he=20 drew 
          = ; =20 More than the parson in a month or = two, 
725     And=20 by his flatteries and=20 prevarication 
        &n= bsp;  =20 Made monkeys of the priest and=20 congregation. 
        &n= bsp;  =20 But still to do him justice first and=20 last 
          = ; =20 In church he was a noble=20 ecclesiast. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 How well he read a lesson or told a = story! 
730    =20 But best of all he sang an=20 Offertory, 
         = ;  =20 For well he knew that when that song was=20 sung 
          = ; =20 He=92d have to preach and tune his=20 honey-tongue 
        &nb= sp;  =20 And (well he could) win silver from the=20 crowd. 
         &nb= sp; =20 That=92s why he sang so merrily and = loud. 
735     Now=20 I have told you shortly, in a=20 clause, 
         &n= bsp; =20 The rank, the array, the number, and the=20 cause 
         &nbs= p; =20 Of our assembly in this=20 company 
         &n= bsp; =20 In Southwark, at that high-class=20 hostelry 
         &= nbsp; =20 Known as The Tabard, close beside The=20 Bell. 
740     And now the time has come = for me=20 to=20 tell 
          = ; =20 How we behaved that evening; I=92ll=20 begin 
         &nbs= p; =20 After we had alighted at the=20 Inn, 
          = ; =20 Then I=92ll report our journey, stage by=20 stage, 
         &nb= sp; =20 All the remainder of our = pilgrimage. 
745     But=20 first I beg of you, in=20 courtesy, 
         =   =20 Not to condemn me as=20 unmannerly 
         = ;  =20 If I speak plainly and with no=20 concealings 
        &nbs= p;  =20 And give account of all their words and=20 dealings, 
         =   =20 Using their very phrases as they = fell. 
750     For=20 certainly, as you all know so=20 well, 
         &nbs= p; =20 He who repeats a tale after a=20 man 
          =  =20 Is bound to say, as nearly as he=20 can, 
          = ; =20 Each single word, if he remembers=20 it, 
          =  =20 However rudely spoken or unfit, 
755     Or = else the=20 tale he tells will be=20 untrue, 
         &n= bsp; =20 The things pretended and the phrases=20 new. 
          = ; =20 He may not flinch although it were his=20 brother, 
         &= nbsp; =20 He may as well say one word as=20 another. 
         &= nbsp; =20 And Christ Himself spoke broad in Holy=20 Writ, 
760     Yet there is no scurrility in = it, 
          =  =20 And Plato says, for those with power to=20 read, 
         &nbs= p; =20 =93The word should be as cousin to the=20 deed.=94 
         &= nbsp; =20 Further I beg you to forgive it=20 me 
          &= nbsp;=20 If I neglect the order and degree 
765     = And what=20 is due to rank in what I=92ve=20 planned. 
         &= nbsp; =20 I=92m short of wit as you will=20 understand. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 Our Host gave us great welcome;=20 everyone 
         &= nbsp; =20 Was given a place and supper was=20 begun. 
         &nb= sp; =20 He served the finest victuals you could=20 think, 
770     The wine was strong and we = were glad=20 to=20 drink. 
         &nb= sp; =20 A very striking man our Host=20 withal, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And fit to be a marshal in a=20 hall. 
         &nbs= p; =20 His eyes were bright, his girth a little=20 wide; 
         &nbs= p; =20 There is no finer burgess in = Cheapside. 
775    =20 Bold in his speech, yet wise and full of=20 tact, 
         &nbs= p; =20 There was no manly attribute he=20 lacked, 
         &n= bsp; =20 What=92s more he was a merry-hearted=20 man. 
          = ; =20 After our meal he jokingly=20 began 
         &nbs= p; =20 To talk of sport, and, among other = things 
780    =20 After we=92d settled up our=20 reckonings, 
        &nbs= p;  =20 He said as follows: =93Truly,=20 gentlemen, 
         = ;  =20 You=92re very welcome and I can=92t think=20 when 
          = ; =20 =97Upon my word I=92m telling you no=20 lie=97
          &nb= sp; I=92ve=20 seen a gathering here that looked so = spry, 
785    =20 No, not this year, as in this tavern=20 now. 
          = ; =20 I=92d think you up some fun if I knew=20 how. 
          = ; =20 And, as it happens, a thought has just=20 occurred 
         &= nbsp; =20 To please you, costing nothing, on my=20 word. 
         &nbs= p; =20 You=92re off to Canterbury=97well, God = speed! 
790    =20 Blessed St. Thomas answer to your=20 need! 
         &nbs= p; =20 And I don=92t doubt, before the journey=92s=20 done 
          = ; =20 You mean to while the time in tales and=20 fun. 
          = ; =20 Indeed, there=92s little pleasure for your=20 bones 
         &nbs= p; =20 Riding along and all as dumb as = stones. 
795     So=20 let me then propose for your=20 enjoyment, 
         = ;  =20 Just as I said, a suitable=20 employment. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 And if my notion suits and you=20 agree 
         &nbs= p; =20 And promise to submit yourselves to=20 me 
          &= nbsp;=20 Playing your parts exactly as I say 
800     = Tomorrow as you ride along the=20 way, 
          = ; =20 Then by my father=92s soul (and he is=20 dead) 
         &nbs= p; =20 If you don=92t like it you can have my=20 head! 
         &nbs= p; =20 Hold up your hands, and not another=20 word.=94 
         &= nbsp; =20 Well, our opinion was not long = deferred, 
805     It=20 seemed not worth a serious=20 debate; 
         &n= bsp; =20 We all agreed to it at any=20 rate 
          = ; =20 And bade him issue what commands he=20 would. 
         &nb= sp; =20 =93My lords,=94 he said, =93now listen for your=20 good, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And please don=92t treat my notion with=20 disdain. 
810     This is the point. I=92ll = make it=20 short and=20 plain. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Each one of you shall help to make things=20 slip 
          = ; =20 By telling two stories on the outward=20 trip 
          = ; =20 To Canterbury, that=92s what I=20 intend, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And, on the homeward way to journey=92s = end 
815    =20 Another two, tales from the days of=20 old; 
          = ; =20 And then the man whose story is best=20 told, 
         &nbs= p; =20 That is to say who gives the fullest=20 measure 
         &n= bsp; =20 Of good morality and general=20 pleasure, 
         =   =20 He shall be given a supper, paid by = all, 
820    =20 Here in this tavern, in this very=20 hall, 
         &nbs= p; =20 When we come back again from=20 Canterbury. 
        &nbs= p;  =20 And in the hope to keep you bright and=20 merry 
         &nbs= p; =20 I=92ll go along with you myself and=20 ride 
          = ; =20 All at my own expense and serve as = guide. 
825    =20 I=92ll be the judge, and those who won=92t=20 obey 
          = ; =20 Shall pay for what we spend upon the=20 way. 
          = ; =20 Now if you all agree to what you=92ve=20 heard 
         &nbs= p; =20 Tell me at once without another=20 word, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And I will make arrangements early for = it.=94 
830    =20 Of course we all agreed, in fact we swore=20 it 
          &= nbsp;=20 Delightedly, and made entreaty=20 too 
          =  =20 That he should act as he proposed to=20 do, 
          =  =20 Become our Governor in short, and=20 be 
          &= nbsp;=20 Judge of our tales and general = referee, 
835     And=20 set the supper at a certain=20 price. 
         &nb= sp; =20 We promised to be ruled by his=20 advice 
         &nb= sp; =20 Come high, come low; unanimously=20 thus 
          = ; =20 We set him up in judgment over=20 us. 
          =  =20 More wine was fetched, the business being=20 done; 
840     We drank it off and up went=20 everyone 
         &= nbsp; =20 To bed without a moment of=20 delay. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Early next morning at the spring of=20 day 
          =  =20 Up rose our Host and roused us like a=20 cock, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Gathering us together in a flock, 
845     = And off=20 we rode at slightly faster=20 pace 
          = ; =20 Than walking to St. Thomas=92=20 watering-place; 
        =    =20 And there our Host drew up, began to=20 ease 
          = ; =20 His horse, and said, =93Now, listen if you=20 please, 
         &n= bsp; =20 My lords! Remember what you promised = me. 
850     If=20 evensong and matins will=20 agree 
         &nbs= p; =20 Let=92s see who shall be first to tell a=20 tale. 
         &nbs= p; =20 And as I hope to drink good wine and=20 ale 
          =  =20 I=92ll be your judge. The rebel who=20 disobeys, 
         =   =20 However much the journey costs, he = pays. 
855    =20 Now draw for cut and then we can=20 depart; 
         &n= bsp; =20 The man who draws the shortest cut shall start.=94 

(The Prologue  page 2)

Click here to navigate through = the tales: The=20 Prologue page 1, The=20 Pardoner's Tale,

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

----

Back to the Table of Contents