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University of Baltistan, Skardu

(Department of Languages and Cultural Studies)P

CLASSICAL POETRY
Class: M.A. English 1st Section B

COMPLETE TEXT OF
The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales
(Modern and Middle English side by side)

Instructor
Irshad Hussain
Email: [email protected]
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CONTENT
Lines 1-42: Introduction ................................................................................................................. 2
Lines 43-78: The Knight ................................................................................................................. 4
Lines 79-100: The Squire................................................................................................................ 6
Lines 101-117: The Yeoman .......................................................................................................... 7
Lines 118-162: The Prioress ........................................................................................................... 8
Lines 163-164: The Second Nun and Three Priests...................................................................... 10
Lines 165-207: The Monk ............................................................................................................ 11
Lines 208-271: The Friar .............................................................................................................. 13
Lines 272-286: The Merchant ....................................................................................................... 15
Lines 287-310: The Clerk ............................................................................................................. 16
Lines 311-332: The Sergeant of The Law .................................................................................... 17
Lines 333-362: The Franklin ........................................................................................................ 18
Lines 363-380: The Haberdasher, Carpenter, Arras-Maker, Dyer And Weaver .......................... 19
Lines 381-389: The Cook ............................................................................................................. 20
Lines 390-412: The Shipman ........................................................................................................ 21
Lines 413-446: The Physician ...................................................................................................... 22
Lines 447-478: The Wife of Bath ................................................................................................. 24
Lines 479-530: The Parson ........................................................................................................... 25
Lines 531-543: The Plowman ....................................................................................................... 27
Lines 544-568: The Miller ............................................................................................................ 28
Lines 569-588: The Manciple ....................................................................................................... 29
Lines 589-624: The Reeve ............................................................................................................ 30
Lines 625-670: The Summoner .................................................................................................... 32
Lines 671-716: The Pardoner........................................................................................................ 34
Lines 717-785: The Proposal of The Host .................................................................................... 36
Lines 786-811: The Rules of The Game ....................................................................................... 38
Lines 812-823: The Agreement .................................................................................................... 39
Lines 824-860: Drawing of Lots ................................................................................................... 40
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Here bygynneth the Book of the Tales of Caunterbury

Here begins the Book of the Tales of Canterbury

LINES 1-42: INTRODUCTION

Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote When in April the sweet showers fall
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote That pierce March's drought to the root and all
And bathed every veyne in swich licour, And bathed every vein in liquor that has power
Of which vertu engendred is the flour; To generate therein and sire the flower;
5 Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth 5 When Zephyr also has with his sweet breath,
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth Filled again, in every holt and heath,
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne The tender shoots and leaves, and the young sun
Hath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne, His half-course in the sign of the Ram has run,
And smale foweles maken melodye, And many little birds make melody
10 That slepen al the nyght with open eye- 10 That sleep through all the night with open eye
(So priketh hem Nature in hir corages); (So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)
Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages Then folk do long to go on pilgrimage,
And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes And palmers to go seeking out strange strands,
To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; To distant shrines well known in distant lands.
15 And specially from every shires ende 15 And specially from every shire's end
Of Engelond, to Caunterbury they wende, Of England they to Canterbury went,
The hooly blisful martir for to seke The holy blessed martyr there to seek
That hem hath holpen, whan that they Who helped them when they lay so ill and weak
were seeke.
Bifil that in that seson, on a day, It happened that, in that season, on a day
20 In Southwerk at the Tabard as I lay 20 In Southwark, at the Tabard, as I lay
Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage Ready to go on pilgrimage and start
To Caunterbury with ful devout corage, To Canterbury, full devout at heart,
At nyght was come into that hostelrye There came at nightfall to that hostelry
Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye Some nine and twenty in a company
25 Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle 25 Of sundry persons who had chanced to fall
In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle, In fellowship, and pilgrims were they all
That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde. That toward Canterbury town would ride.
The chambres and the stables weren wyde, The rooms and stables spacious were and wide,
And wel we weren esed atte beste; And well we there were eased, and of the best.
30 And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste, 30 And briefly, when the sun had gone to rest,
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So hadde I spoken with hem everichon So had I spoken with them, every one,
That I was of hir felaweshipe anon, That I was of their fellowship anon,
And made forward erly for to ryse And made agreement that we'd early rise
To take our wey, ther as I yow devyse. To take the road, as I will to you apprise.
35 But nathelees, whil I have tyme and space, 35 But none the less, whilst I have time and
space,
Er that I ferther in this tale pace, Before yet further in this tale I pace,
Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun It seems to me in accord with reason
To telle yow al the condicioun To describe to you the state of every one
Of ech of hem, so as it semed me, Of each of them, as it appeared to me,
40 And whiche they weren, and of what degree, 40 And who they were, and what was their degree,
And eek in what array that they were inne; And even what clothes they were dressed in;
And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne. And with a knight thus will I first begin.
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LINES 43-78: THE KNIGHT

A KNYGHT ther was, and that A KNIGHT there was, and what a
a worthy man, gentleman,
That fro the tyme that he first bigan Who, from the moment that he first began
45 To riden out, he loved chivalrie, 45 To ride about the world, loved chivalry,
Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie. Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy.
Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre, Full worthy was he in his sovereign's war,
And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre, And therein had he ridden, no man more,
As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse, As well in Christendom as heathenesse,
50 And evere honoured for his worthynesse. 50 And honoured everywhere for worthiness.
At Alisaundre he was, whan it was wonne. At Alexandria, in the winning battle he was
there;
Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne Often put in the place of honour, a chair.
Aboven alle nacions in Pruce; Above all nations' knights in Prussia.
In Lettow hadde he reysed, and in Ruce, In Latvia raided he, and Russia,
55 No Cristen man so ofte of his degree. 55 No christened man so oft of his degree.
In Gernade at the seege eek hadde he be In far Granada at the siege was he
Of Algezir, and riden in Belmarye. Of Algeciras, and in Belmarie.
At Lyeys was he and at Satalye, At Ayas was he and at Satalye
Whan they were wonne; and in the Grete See When they were won; and on the Middle Sea
60 At many a noble armee hadde he be. 60 At many a noble meeting chanced to be.
At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene, Of mortal battles he had fought fifteen,
And foughten for oure feith at Tramyssene And he'd fought for our faith at Tramissene
In lystes thries, and ay slayn his foo. Three times in duels, always killed his foe.
This ilke worthy knyght hadde been also This self-same worthy knight had been also
65 Somtyme with the lord of Palatye 65 At one time with the lord of Palatye
Agayn another hethen in Turkye. Against another heathen in Turkey:
And everemoore he hadde a sovereyn prys; And always won he widespread fame for prize.
And though that he were worthy, he was wys, Though so strong and brave, he was very wise
And of his port as meeke as is a mayde. And of temper as meekly as a maid.
70 He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde 70 He never yet had any vileness said,
In al his lyf unto no maner wight. In all his life, to whatsoever wight.
He was a verray, parfit gentil knyght. He was a truly perfect, noble knight.
But, for to tellen yow of his array, But now, to tell you all of his array,
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His hors were goode, but he was nat gay. His steeds were good, but he was not gaily
dressed.
75 Of fustian he wered a gypon 75 A tunic of simple cloth he possesed
Al bismotered with his habergeoun, Discoloured and stained by his habergeon;
For he was late ycome from his viage, For he had lately returned from his voyage
And wente for to doon his pilgrymage. And now was going on this pilgrimage.
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LINES 79-100: THE SQUIRE

With hym ther was his sone, a With him there was his son, a young
yong SQUIER, SQUIRE,
80 A lovyere and a lusty bacheler; 80 A lover and a lively bachelor,
With lokkes crulle, as they were leyd in presse. With locks well curled, as if they'd laid in press.
Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse. Some twenty years of age he was, I guess.
Of his stature he was of evene lengthe, In stature he was of average length,
And wonderly delyvere, and of greet strengthe. Wondrously active, agile, and great of strength.
85 And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie 85 He'd ridden sometime with the cavalry
In Flaundres, in Artoys, and Pycardie, In Flanders, in Artois, and Picardy,
And born hym weel, as of so litel space, And conducted well within that little space
In hope to stonden in his lady grace. In hope to win thereby his lady's grace.
Embrouded was he, as it were a meede, Embroidered he was, as if he were a meadow
bright,
90 Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and reede; 90 All full of fresh-cut flowers red and white.
Syngynge he was, or floytynge, al the day, Singing he was, or whistling, all the day;
He was as fressh as is the monthe of May. He was as fresh as is the month of May.
Short was his gowne, with sleves longe and Short was his gown, with sleeves both long and
wyde. wide.
Wel koude he sitte on hors, and faire ryde. Well could he sit on horse, and fairly ride.
95 He koude songes make, and wel endite, 95 He could make songs and words thereto indite,
Juste, and eek daunce, and weel purtreye and Joust, and dance too, as well as sketch and write.
write.
So hoote he lovede, that by nyghtertale So hot he loved that, while night told her tale,
He slepte namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale. He slept no more than does a nightingale.
Curteis he was, lowely, and servysable, Courteous he, and humble, willing and able,
100 And carf biforn his fader at the table. 100 And carved before his father at the table.
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LINES 101-117: THE YEOMAN

A YEMAN hadde he and servantz namo A YEOMAN had he at his side,

At that tyme, for hym liste ride soo; No more servants, for he chose so to ride;
And he was clad in cote and hood of grene. And he was clothed in coat and hood of green.
A sheef of pecok arwes, bright and kene A sheaf of peacock arrows bright and keen
105 Under his belt he bar ful thriftily, 105 Under his belt he bore very carefully
(Wel koude he dresse his takel yemanly: (Well could he keep his gear yeomanly:
Hise arwes drouped noght with fetheres lowe) His arrows had no drooped feathers low),
And in his hand he baar a myghty bowe. And in his hand he bore a mighty bow.
A not heed hadde he, with a broun visage, A cropped head had he and a sun-browned face.
110 Of woodecraft wel koude he al the usage. 110 Of woodcraft he knew all the useful ways.
Upon his arm he baar a gay bracer, Upon his arm he bore a bright bracer,
And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler, And at one side a sword and a buckler,
And on that oother syde a gay daggere And at the other side a dagger bright,
Harneised wel and sharpe as point of spere. Well sheathed and sharp as a spear's point in the
light;
115 A Cristopher on his brest of silver sheene. 115 A Christopher medal on his breast of silver
An horn he bar, the bawdryk was of grene; sheen.
A forster was he, soothly, as I gesse. He bore a horn, the baldric all of green;
A forester he truly was, I guess.
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LINES 118-162: THE PRIORESS

Ther was also a Nonne, a PRIORESSE, There was also a nun, a PRIORESS,
That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy; Who, in her smiling, modest was and coy;
120 Hir gretteste ooth was but by Seinte Loy; 120 Her greatest oath was but "By Saint Eloy!"
And she was cleped Madame Eglentyne. And she was called Madam Eglantine.
Ful weel she soong the service dyvyne, Very well she sang the service divine,
Entuned in hir nose ful semely, Intoning through her nose, becomingly;
And Frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly, And she spoke French fairly and fluently,
125 After the scole of Stratford-atte-Bowe, 125 After the school of Stratford-at-the-Bow,
For Frenssh of Parys was to hir unknowe. For French of Paris style she didn't know.
At mete wel ytaught was she with alle: At table her manners were well taught withall,
She leet no morsel from hir lippes falle, And never let morsels from her lips fall,
Ne wette hir fyngres in hir sauce depe; Nor dipped her fingers deep in sauce, but ate
130 Wel koude she carie a morsel, and wel kepe 130 With so much care the food upon her plate
That no drope ne fille upon hir brist. That no drop could fall upon her breast.
In curteisie was set ful muche hir list. In courtesy she had delight and zest.
Hire over-lippe wyped she so clene Her upper lip was always wiped so clean
That in hir coppe ther was no ferthyng sene That on her cup no speck or spot was seen
135 Of grece, whan she dronken hadde hir draughte. 135 Of grease, when she had drunk her draught of
wine.
Ful semely after hir mete she raughte. Graciously she reached for food to dine.
And sikerly, she was of greet desport, And certainly delighting in good sport,
And ful plesaunt, and amyable of port, She was very pleasant, amiable - in short.
And peyned hir to countrefete cheere She was in pains to imitate the cheer
140 Of court, and been estatlich of manere, 140 Of courtliness, and stately manners here,
And to ben holden digne of reverence. And would be held worthy of reverence.
But, for to speken of hir conscience, But, to speak about her moral sense,
She was so charitable and so pitous She was so charitable and solicitous
She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mous That she would weep if she but saw a mouse
145 Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde. 145 Caught in a trap, whether it were dead or bled.
Of smale houndes hadde she, that she fedde She had some little dogs, that she fed
With rosted flessh, or milk and wastel-breed. On roasted flesh, or milk and fine white bread.
But soore weep she if oon of hem were deed, But sorely she wept if one of them were dead,
Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte; Or if men smote it with a stick to smart:
150 And al was conscience, and tendre herte. 150 Then pity ruled her, and her tender heart.
Ful semyly hir wympul pynched was, Very seemly her pleated wimple was;
Hire nose tretys, hir eyen greye as glas, Her nose was fine; her eyes were grey as glass;
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Hir mouth ful smal, and therto softe and reed; Her mouth was small and therewith soft and red;
But sikerly she hadde a fair forheed; But certainly her forehead was fairly spread;
155 It was almoost a spanne brood, I trowe; 155 It was almost a full span broad, I own,
For, hardily, she was nat undergrowe. To tell the truth, she was not undergrown.
Ful fetys was hir cloke, as I was war; Her cloak, as I was well aware, had a graceful
charm
Of smal coral aboute hir arm she bar She wore a small coral trinket on her arm
A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene, A string of beads and gauded all with green;
160 An theron heng a brooch of gold ful sheene, 160 And therefrom hung a brooch of golden sheen
On which ther was first write a crowned A, Whereon there was engraved a crowned "A,"
And after Amor vincit omnia. And under, Amor vincit omnia.
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LINES 163-164: THE SECOND NUN AND THREE PRIESTS

Another NONNE with hir hadde she, Another NUN with her had she,
That was hire chapeleyne, and preestes thre. Who was her chaplain; and priests, she had three.
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LINES 165-207: THE MONK

165 A MONK ther was, a fair for the maistrie, 165 A MONK there was, one of the finest sort,
An outridere, that lovede venerie, An outrider; hunting was his sport;
A manly man, to been an abbot able. A manly man, to be an abbot able.
Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable, Very many excellent horses had he in stable:
And whan he rood, men myghte his brydel heere And when he rode men might his bridle hear
170 Gynglen in a whistlynge wynd als cleere 170 Jingling in the whistling wind as clear,
And eek as loude, as dooth the chapel belle. Also, and as loud as does the chapel bell
Ther as this lord was keper of the celle, Where this monk was governour of the cell.
The reule of Seint Maure, or of Seint Beneit, The rule of Maurus or Saint Benedict,
By cause that it was old and somdel streit By reason it was somewhat old and strict,
175 This ilke Monk leet olde thynges pace, 175 This same monk let such old things slowly pace
And heeld after the newe world the space. And followed new-world manners in their place.
He yaf nat of that text a pulled hen, He gave for that text not a plucked hen
That seith that hunters beth nat hooly men, Which holds that hunters are not holy men;
Ne that a monk, whan he is recchelees, Nor that a monk, when he is cloisterless,
180 Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees,- 180 Is like unto a fish that's waterless;
This is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre That is to say, a monk out of his cloister.
But thilke text heeld he nat worth an oystre; But this same text he held not worth an oyster;
And I seyde his opinioun was good. And I said his opinion was good.
What sholde he studie, and make Why should he study as a madman would
hymselven wood,
185 Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure, 185 Poring a book in a cloister cell? Or yet
Or swynken with his handes and laboure, Go labour with his hands and work and sweat,
As Austyn bit? How shal the world be served? As Austin bids? How shall the world be served?
Lat Austyn have his swynk to him reserved! Let Austin have his toil to him reserved.
Therfore he was a prikasour aright: Therefore he was a rider day and night;
190 Grehoundes he hadde, as swift as fowel in flight; 190 Greyhounds he had, as fast as a bird in flight.
Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare Since riding and the hunting of the hare
Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare. Were all his love, for no cost would he spare.
I seigh his sleves purfiled at the hond I saw his sleeves were made with fur at the hand
With grys, and that the fyneste of a lond; With fine grey fur, the finest in the land;
195 And, for to festne his hood under his chyn, 195 Also, to fasten his hood under his chin,
He hadde of gold ywroght a curious pyn; He had made of wrought-gold a curious pin:
A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was. A love-knot in the larger end there was.
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His heed was balled, that shoon as any glas, His head was bald and shone like any glass,
And eek his face, as it hadde been enoynt. And smooth as one anointed was his face.
200 He was a lord ful fat and in good poynt, 200 Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case.
Hise eyen stepe, and rollynge in his heed, His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hot
That stemed as a forneys of a leed; They gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot;
His bootes souple, his hors in greet estaat. His boots were soft; his horse of great estate.
Now certeinly he was a fair prelaat; Now certainly he was a fine prelate:
205 He was nat pale as a forpyned goost. 205 He was not pale as some tormented ghost.
A fat swan loved he best of any roost. A fat swan he loved best of any roast.
His palfrey was as broun as is a berye, His palfrey was as brown as is a berry.
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LINES 208-271: THE FRIAR

A FRERE ther was, a wantowne and a A FRIAR there was, a wanton and a merry,
merye,
A lymytour, a ful solempne man. A limiter, a very festive man.
210 In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan 210 In all the Four Orders is no one that can
So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage. Equal his gossip and well-spoken speech.
He hadde maad ful many a mariage He had arranged many a marriage, giving each
Of yonge wommen at his owene cost. Of young women, and this at his own cost.
Unto his ordre he was a noble post, For his order he was a noble post.
215 And wel biloved and famulier was he 215 Highly liked by all and intimate was he
With frankeleyns overal in his contree, With franklins everywhere in his country,
And eek with worthy wommen of the toun; And with the worthy women living in the city:
For he hadde power of confessioun, For his power of confession met no equality
As seyde hymself, moore than a curat, That's what he said, in the confession to a curate,
220 For of his ordre he was licenciat. 220 For his order he was a licentiate.
Ful swetely herde he confessioun, He heard confession gently, it was said,
And plesaunt was his absolucioun: Gently absolved too, leaving no dread.
He was an esy man to yeve penaunce, He was an easy man in penance-giving
Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce. He knew how to gain a fair living;
225 For unto a povre ordre for to yive 225 For to a begging friar, money given
Is signe that a man is wel yshryve; Is sign that any man has been well shriven.
For, if he yaf, he dorste make avaunt, For if one gave, he dared to boast bluntly,
He wiste that a man was repentaunt; He took the man's repentance not lightly.
For many a man so harde is of his herte, For many a man there is so hard of heart
230 He may nat wepe, al thogh hym soore smerte; 230 He cannot weep however pains may smart.
Therfore in stede of wepynge and preyeres Therefore, instead of weeping and of prayers,
Men moote yeve silver to the povre freres. Men should give silver to the poor friars.
His typet was ay farsed ful of knyves His tippet was always stuffed with pocket-knives
And pynnes, for to yeven yonge wyves. And pins, to give to young and pleasing wives.
235 And certeinly he hadde a murye note: 235 And certainly he possesed a merry note:
Wel koude he synge, and pleyen on a rote; Well could he sing and play upon the rote.
Of yeddynges he baar outrely the pris. At ballad contests, he bore the prize away.
His nekke whit was as the flour-de-lys; His throat was white as the lily flower I say;
Therto he strong was as a champioun. Yet strong he was as every champion.
240 He knew the tavernes wel in every toun 240 In towns he knew the taverns, every one,
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And everich hostiler and tappestere And every good host and each barmaid too -
Bet than a lazar or a beggestere; Better than needy lepers and beggars, these he
knew.
For unto swich a worthy man as he For unto no such a worthy man as he
Acorded nat, as by his facultee, It's unsuitable, as far as he could see,
245 To have with sike lazars aqueyntaunce. 245 To have sick lepers for acquaintances.
It is nat honeste, it may nat avaunce, There is no honest advantageousness
For to deelen with no swich poraille, In dealing with such poor beggars;
But al with riche and selleres of vitaille. It's with the rich victual-buyers and sellers.
And over al, ther as profit sholde arise, And generally, wherever profit might arise,
250 Curteis he was, and lowely of servyse. 250 Courteous he was and servicable in men's eyes.
Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous. There was no other man so virtuous.
He was the beste beggere in his hous; He was the finest beggar of his house;
(And yaf a certeyn ferme for the graunt (And gave a certain fee for his begging rights,
Noon of his brethren cam ther in his haunt;) None of his brethren dared approach his hights;)
255 For thogh a wydwe hadde noght a sho, 255 For though a widow had no shoes to show,
So plesaunt was his "In principio" So pleasant was his "In principio",
Yet wolde he have a ferthyng, er he wente; He always got a farthing before he went.
His purchas was wel bettre than his rente. His revenue exceeded his costs, it is evident.
And rage he koude, as it were right a whelp. And he could flirt as well as any pup.
260 In love-dayes ther koude he muchel help, 260 He could help resolve disputes that were brought
up.
For there he was nat lyk a cloysterer In this he was not like a cloisterer,
With a thredbare cope, as is a povre scoler, With threadbare cope like the poor scholar,
But he was lyk a maister or a pope; But he was like a lord or like a pope.
Of double worstede was his semycope, Of double cloth was his semi-cope,
265 That rounded as a belle out of the presse. 265 That rounded like a bell, as if straight from the
press.
Somwhat he lipsed for his wantownesse He lisped a little, out of wantonness,
To make his Englissh sweete upon his tonge; To make his English soft upon his tongue;
And in his harpyng, whan that he hadde songe, And in his harping, when he had sung,
Hise eyen twynkled in his heed aryght His two eyes twinkled in his head as bright
270 As doon the sterres in the frosty nyght. 270 As do the stars within the frosty night.
This worthy lymytour was cleped Huberd. This worthy friar was named Hubert.
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LINES 272-286: THE MERCHANT

A MARCHANT was ther with a forked There was a MERCHANT with forked beard
berd, In motley gown, and high on horse he sat,
In mottelee, and hye on horse he sat; Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat;
Upon his heed a Flaundryssh bever hat, 275 His boots were fastened neatly and elegantly.
275 His bootes clasped faire and fetisly. He spoke out his opinions very solemnly,
His resons he spak ful solempnely, Stressing the times when he had won, not lost.
Sownynge alway th'encrees of his wynnyng. He wanted the sea were guarded at any cost
He wolde the see were kept for any thyng Between Middleburgh and the town of Orwel.
Bitwixe Middelburgh and Orewelle. 280 He knew how to deal foreign currencies, buy and
280 Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle. sell.
This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette; This worthy man kept all his wits well set;
Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette, There was no person that knew he was in debt,
So estatly was he of his governaunce So well he managed all his trade affairs
With his bargaynes and with his chevyssaunce. With bargains and with borrowings and with
285 For sothe, he was a worthy man with-alle, shares.
But, sooth to seyn, I noot how men hym calle. 285 Indeed, he was a worthy man withall,
But, to tell the truth, his name I can't recall.
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LINES 287-310: THE CLERK

A CLERK ther was of Oxenford also, A CLERK from Oxford was there also,
That unto logyk hadde longe ygo. Who'd studied philosophy, long ago.
As leene was his hors as is a rake, As lean was his horse as is a rake,
290 And he nas nat right fat, I undertake, 290 And he too was not fat, that I take,
But looked holwe and therto sobrely. But he looked emaciated, moreover,
abstemiously.
Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy; Very worn off was his overcoat; for he
For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice, Had got him yet no churchly benefice,
Ne was so worldly for to have office. Nor he was worldly to accept secular office.
295 For hym was levere have at his beddes heed 295 For he would rather have at his bed's head
Twenty bookes, clad in blak or reed, Some twenty books, all bound in black or red,
Of Aristotle and his philosophie, Of Aristotle and his philosophy
Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie. Than rich robes, fiddle, or gay psaltery.
But al be that he was a philosophre, Yet, and for all he was philosopher in base,
300 Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre; 300 He had but little gold within his suitcase;
But al that he myghte of his freendes hente, But all that he might borrow from a friend
On bookes and on lernynge he it spente, On books and learning he would swiftly spend,
And bisily gan for the soules preye And then he'd pray diligently for the souls
Of hem that yaf hym wherwith to scoleye. Of those who gave him resources to attend
schools.
305 Of studie took he moost cure and moost heede. 305 He took utmost care and heed for his study.
Noght o word spak he moore than was neede, Not one word spoke he more than was necessary;
And that was seyd in forme and reverence, And that was said with due formality and dignity
And short and quyk, and ful of hy sentence; And short and lively, and full of high morality.
Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche, Filled with moral virtue was his speech;
310 And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche. 310 And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.
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LINES 311-332: THE SERGEANT OF THE LAW

A SERGEANT OF THE LAWE, war and A SERGEANT OF THE LAW, keen and
wys, wise,
That often hadde been at the Parvys, Who'd often been at St. Paul's Porch, to advise,
Ther was also, ful riche of excellence. There was also, rich of superior quality
Discreet he was, and of greet reverence- Disinterested he was, and of great dignity;
315 He semed swich, hise wordes weren so wise. 315 At least it seemed so, his words were so wise.
Justice he was ful often in assise, Often he was a judge in court, in assize,
By patente, and by pleyn commissioun. By royal assignment or commission giving
jurisdiction;
For his science, and for his heigh renoun, Because of his knowledge and high reputation,
Of fees and robes hadde he many oon. He took large fees, had robes more than one.
320 So greet a purchasour was nowher noon: 320 So great a land-buyer there was none.
Al was fee symple to hym in effect, All was fee simple to him, in effect,
His purchasyng myghte nat been infect. Wherefore his claims could never be suspect.
Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas, Nowhere a man so busy of his class,
And yet he semed bisier than he was. And yet he seemed much busier than he was.
325 In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle 325 He knew all convictions, common and crime
That from the tyme of Kyng William were falle. Recorded since King William's time.
Therto he koude endite and make a thyng, And he could write a contract so explicit
Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng; Not any man could trace a fault in it;
And every statut koude he pleyn by rote. And every law he knew entirely by rote.
330 He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote 330 He rode but simply in a medley coat,
Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale; Girded with a belt of silk, with little bars,
Of his array telle I no lenger tale. But of his outfit no more particulars.
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LINES 333-362: THE FRANKLIN

A FRANKELEYN was in his compaignye. There was a FRANKLIN in his company;

Whit was his berd as is a dayesye; White was his beard as is the white daisy.
335 Of his complexioun he was sangwyn. 335 Of sanguine temperament by every sign,
Wel loved he by the morwe a sope in wyn,; He loved to dip his morning bread in wine.
To lyven in delit was evere his wone, A pleasing live was the custom he'd won,
For he was Epicurus owene sone, For he was Epicurus' very son,
That heeld opinioun that pleyn delit That held opinion that plain and pure delight
340 Was verray felicitee parfit. 340 Was true happiness, perfect and right.
An housholdere, and that a greet, was he; A householder, and that a great, was he;
Seint Julian was he in his contree. Saint Julian he was in his own country.
His breed, his ale, was alweys after oon, His bread, his ale were always good and fine;
A bettre envyned man was nowher noon. No man had cellars better stocked with wine.
345 Withoute bake mete was nevere his hous 345 His house was never short of food and pies
Of fissh and flessh, and that so plentevous, Of fish and flesh, and these in large supplies
It snewed in his hous of mete and drynke, It seemed to snow therein both food and drink
Of alle deyntees that men koude thynke. Of every dainty that a man could think.
After the sondry sesons of the yeer, According to the various seasons of the year
350 So chaunged he his mete and his soper. 350 He changed lunch and changed his supper.
Ful many a fat partrich hadde he in muwe, Very many fattened partridges he kept in a mew,
And many a breem and many a luce in stuwe. And many a bream and pike in fish-pond too.
Wo was his cook, but if his sauce were Woe to his cook, unless the sauces were
Poynaunt and sharp, and redy al his geere. Poignant and sharp, and ready all his gear.
355 His table dormant in his halle alway 355 His dining table, waiting in his hall, I say,
Stood redy covered al the longe day. Stood ready covered throughout the whole day.
At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire; At county sessions he was lord and sire,
Ful ofte tyme he was knyght of the shire. And often acted as a knight of shire.
An anlaas and a gipser al of silk A dagger and a purse all of silk
360 Heeng at his girdel, whit as morne milk. 360 Hung at his belt, white as morning milk.
A shirreve hadde he been, and a countour. He had been sheriff and been tax auditor;
Was nowher swich a worthy vavasour. There was nowhere such a worthy vavasor.
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LINES 363-380: THE HABERDASHER, CARPENTER, ARRAS-MAKER,

DYER AND WEAVER

An HABERDASSHERE and a A HABERDASHER and a CARPENTER,

CARPENTER, An ARRAS-MAKER, DYER, and WEAVER
A WEBBE, a DYERE, and a TAPYCER,- 365 Were with us, clothed in the same livery,
365 And they were clothed alle in o lyveree All of one solemn, great fraternity.
Of a solempne and a greet fraternitee. Freshly and new their gear, and well adorned it
Ful fressh and newe hir geere apiked was; was;
Hir knyves were chaped noght with bras, Their weapons were not cheaply shaped with
brass,
But al with silver; wroght ful clene and weel, But all with silver; neatly made and well
370 Hire girdles and hir pouches everydeel. 370 Their belt and their purses too, I tell.
Wel semed ech of hem a fair burgeys Each man of them appeared a proper citizen
To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys. To sit in guildhall on a dais, he can
Everich, for the wisdom that he kan, And each of them, for wisdom he could span,
Was shaply for to been an alderman. Was suitable to serve as an alderman;
375 For catel hadde they ynogh and rente, 375 For property they'd enough, and income too;
And eek hir wyves wolde it wel assente; Besides their wives declared it was their due,
And elles certeyn, were they to blame. Or else for certain they had been to blame.
It is ful fair to been ycleped "madame," It's good to hear "Madam" before one's name,
And goon to vigilies al bifore, And go to church when all the world may see,
380 And have a mantel roialliche ybore. 380 Having one's gown carried right royally.
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LINES 381-389: THE COOK

A COOK they hadde with hem for the nones A COOK they had with them, just for once,
To boille the chiknes with the marybones, To boil the chickens with the marrow-bones,
And poudre-marchant tart, and galyngale. And poudre-marchant tart and galingale.
Wel koude he knowe a draughte of London ale. He knew how to recognize a draught of London
ale.
385 He koude rooste, and sethe, and broille, and frye, 385 And he could roast and boil and broil and fry,
Maken mortreux, and wel bake a pye. And prepare a stew, and bake a tasty pie.
But greet harm was it, as it thoughte me, But a pity it was, it seemed to me,
That on his shyne a mormal hadde he. That on his shin an open sore had he;
For blankmanger, that made he with the beste. For sweet blanc-mange, he made it with the best.
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LINES 390-412: THE SHIPMAN

390 A SHIPMAN was ther, wonynge fer by 390 There was a SAILOR, living far out west;
weste;
For aught I woot, he was of Dertemouthe. For all I know, he was of Dartmouth town.
He rood upon a rouncy, as he kouthe, He sadly rode a carthorse, in a gown,
In a gowne of faldyng to the knee. Of thick woolen cloth that reached unto the knee.
A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he A dagger hanging on a cord had he
395 Aboute his nekke, under his arm adoun. 395 About his neck, under his arm, and down.
The hoote somer hadde maad his hewe al broun, The hot summer had burned his face all brown;
And certeinly he was a good felawe. And certainly he was a person fine.
Ful many a draughte of wyn had he ydrawe Very often he took a draught of wine,
Fro Burdeux-ward, whil that the chapman sleep. Of Bordeaux vintage, while the trader slept.
400 Of nyce conscience took he no keep. 400 Nice conscience was a thing he never kept.
If that he faught, and hadde the hyer hond, And if he fought and got the upper hand,
By water he sente hem hoom to every lond. By water he sent them home to every land.
But of his craft, to rekene wel his tydes, But as for craft, to calculate his tides,
His stremes, and his daungers hym bisides, His currents and the dangerous watersides,
405 His herberwe and his moone, his lodemenage, 405 His harbours, and his moon, his pilotage,
Ther nas noon swich from Hulle to Cartage. There was none such from Hull to far Carthage.
Hardy he was, and wys to undertake; Hardy and wise in all things undertaken,
With many a tempest hadde his berd been shake. By many tempests had his beard been shaken.
He knew alle the havenes as they were, He knew well all the havens, how they were,
410 From Gootlond to the Cape of Fynystere, 410 From Gottland to the Cape of Finisterre,
And every cryke in Britaigne and in Spayne. And every creek in Brittany and Spain;
His barge ycleped was the Maudelayne. His vessel had been called the Madeleine.
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LINES 413-446: THE PHYSICIAN

With us ther was a DOCTOUR OF PHISIK; With us there was a DOCTOR OF

In al this world ne was ther noon hym lik, MEDICINE;
415 To speke of phisik and of surgerye, In all this world there was none like him
For he was grounded in astronomye. 415 To speak of medicine and surgery;
He kepte his pacient a ful greet deel For he was instructed in astronomy.
In houres, by his magyk natureel. He cared for and saved a patient many times
By natural science and studying astrological
Wel koude he fortunen the ascendent signs.
420 Of his ymages for his pacient. Well could he calculate the planetary position
He knew the cause of everich maladye, 420 To improve the state his patient is in.
Were it of hoot, or coold, or moyste, or drye, He knew the cause of every sickness,
Whether it brings heat or cold, moisture or
And where they engendred, and of what humour. dryness,
He was a verray parfit praktisour: And where engendered, and of what humour;
425 The cause yknowe, and of his harm the roote, He was a very good practitioner.
Anon he yaf the sike man his boote. 425 The cause being known, the root of the malady,
Ful redy hadde he hise apothecaries At once he gave to the sick man his remedy.
To sende him drogges and his letuaries, Prepared he was, with his apothecaries,
For ech of hem made oother for to wynne- To send him drugs and all electuaries;
430 Hir frendshipe nas nat newe to bigynne. By mutual aid much gold they'd always won-
Wel knew he the olde Esculapius, 430 Their friendship was a thing not new begun.
And Deyscorides and eek Rufus, Well he knew the old Esculapius,
Olde Ypocras, Haly, and Galyen, And Deiscorides, and also Rufus,
Serapioun, Razis, and Avycen, Old Hippocrates, Hali, and Galen,
435 Averrois, Damascien, and Constantyn, Serapion, Rhazes, and Avicen,
Bernard, and Gatesden, and Gilbertyn. 435 Averroes, Gilbertus, and Constantine,
Of his diete mesurable was he, Bernard and Gatisden, and John Damascene.
For it was of no superfluitee, In diet he was modest as could be,
But of greet norissyng, and digestible. No one could blame him of superfluity,
440 His studie was but litel on the Bible. But greatly nourishin and digestible.
In sangwyn and in pers he clad was al, 440 His study was but little on the Bible.
Lyned with taffata and with sendal; Blue and scarlet his clothes were therewithal,
And yet he was but esy of dispence; Lined with taffeta and with sendal;
He kepte that he wan in pestilence. And yet he was right careful of expense;
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445 For gold in phisik is a cordial, He kept the gold he gained from pestilence.
Therfore he lovede gold in special. 445 Since gold in physic is a cordial,
Therefore he loved his gold exceeding all.
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LINES 447-478: THE WIFE OF BATH

A good WIF was ther, OF biside BATHE, There was a WIFE of BATH, or a near city,
But she was somdel deef, and that was scathe. Who was somewhat deaf, it is a pity.
Of clooth-makyng she hadde swich an haunt, At making clothes she had a skillful hand
450 She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt. 450 She bettered those of Ypres and of Ghent.
In al the parisshe wif ne was ther noon In all the parish there was no wife to go
That to the offrynge bifore hire sholde goon; And proceed her in offering, it is so;
And if ther dide, certeyn so wrooth was she, And if one did, indeed, so angry was she
That she was out of alle charitee. It put her out of all her charity.
455 Hir coverchiefs ful fyne weren of ground; 455 Her head-dresses were of finest weave and
ground;
I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound I dare swear that they weighed about ten pound
That on a Sonday weren upon hir heed. Which, on a Sunday, she wore on her head.
Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed, Her stockings were of the finest scarlet red,
Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moyste and newe. Tightly fastened, and her shoes were soft and
new.
460 Boold was hir face, and fair, and reed of hewe. 460 Bold was her face, and fair, and red of hue.
She was a worthy womman al hir lyve: She'd been respectable throughout her life,
Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde fyve, Married in church, husbands she had five,
Withouthen oother compaignye in youthe, - Not counting other company in youth;
But therof nedeth nat to speke as nowthe. But thereof there's no need to speak, in truth.
465 And thries hadde she been at Jerusalem; 465 Three times she'd travelled to Jerusalem;
She hadde passed many a straunge strem; And many a foreign stream she'd had to stem;
At Rome she hadde been, and at Boloigne, At Rome she'd been, and she'd been in Boulogne,
In Galice at Seint-Jame, and at Coloigne. In Spain at Santiago, and at Cologne.
She koude muchel of wandrynge by the weye. She could tell much of wandering by the way:
470 Gat-tothed was she, soothly for to seye. 470 Gap-toothed was she, it is the truth I say.
Upon an amblere esily she sat, Upon a pacing horse easily she sat,
Ywympled wel, and on hir heed an hat Wearing a large wimple, and over all a hat
As brood as is a bokeler or a targe; As broad as is a buckler or a targe;
A foot-mantel aboute hir hipes large, An overskirt was tucked around her buttocks
large,
475 And on hir feet a paire of spores sharpe. 475 And her feet spurred sharply under that.
In felaweshipe wel koude she laughe and carpe. In company well could she laugh and chat.
Of remedies of love she knew per chaunce, The remedies of love she knew, perchance,
For she koude of that art the olde daunce. For of that art she'd learned the old, old dance.
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LINES 479-530: THE PARSON

A good man was ther of religioun, A good man was there of religion,
480 And was a povre PERSOUN OF A TOUN, 480 He was a poor COUNTRY PARSON,
But riche he was of hooly thoght and werk. But rich he was in holy thought and work.
He was also a lerned man, a clerk, He was a learned man also, a clerk,
That Cristes gospel trewely wolde preche; Who Christ's own gospel truly sought to preach;
His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche. Devoutly his parishioners would he teach.
485 Benynge he was, and wonder diligent, 485 Gracious he was and wondrously diligent,
And in adversitee ful pacient, Patient in adversity and well content,
And swich he was ypreved ofte sithes. Many times thus proven had he
Ful looth were hym to cursen for his tithes, He excommunicated not to force a fee,
But rather wolde he yeven, out of doute, But rather would he give, there is no doubt,
490 Unto his povre parisshens aboute 490 Unto his poor parishioners about,
Of his offryng and eek of his substaunce. Some of his income, even of his property.
He koude in litel thyng have suffisaunce. He could in little find sufficiency.
Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer asonder, Wide was his parish, houses far asunder,
But he ne lefte nat, for reyn ne thonder, But never did he fail, for rain or thunder,
495 In siknesse nor in meschief to visite 495 In sickness, or in sin, or any state,
The ferreste in his parisshe, muche and lite, To visit the farthest, regardless their financial
state,
Upon his feet, and in his hand a staf. Going by foot, and in his hand, a stave.
This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf, This fine example to his flock he gave,
That first he wroghte, and afterward he taughte. That first he wrought and afterwards he taught;
500 Out of the gosple he tho wordes caughte, 500 Out of the gospel then that text he caught,
And this figure he added eek therto, And this metaphor he added thereunto -
That if gold ruste, what shal iren do? That, if gold would rust, what shall iron do?
For if a preest be foul, on whom we truste, For if the priest be foul, in whom we trust,
No wonder is a lewed man to ruste; No wonder that a layman thinks of lust?
505 And shame it is, if a prest take keep, 505 And shame it is, if priest take thought for keep,
A shiten shepherde and a clene sheep. A shitty shepherd, looking after clean sheep.
Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yive, A trully good example a priest should give,
By his clennesse, how that his sheep sholde lyve. Is his own chastity, how his flock should live.
He sette nat his benefice to hyre He never let his benefice for hire,
510 And leet his sheep encombred in the myre 510 And leave his sheep encumbered in the mire,
And ran to Londoun unto Seinte Poules And ran to London, up to old Saint Paul's
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To seken hym a chaunterie for soules, To get himself a chantry there for souls,
Or with a bretherhed to been witholde; Nor in some fraternity did he withhold;
But dwelt at hoom, and kepte wel his folde, But dwelt at home and kept so well the fold
515 So that the wolf ne made it nat myscarie; 515 That never wolf could make his plans miscarry;
He was a shepherde and noght a mercenarie. He was a shepherd and not mercenary.
And though he hooly were and vertuous, And holy though he was, and virtuous,
He was to synful men nat despitous, To sinners he was not impiteous,
Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne, Nor haughty in his speech, nor too divine,
520 But in his techyng discreet and benygne; 520 But in all teaching courteous and benign.
To drawen folk to hevene by fairnesse, To lead folk into Heaven by means of gentleness
By good ensample, this was his bisynesse. By good example was his business.
But it were any persone obstinat, But if some sinful one proved obstinate,
What so he were, of heigh or lough estat, Whoever, of high or low financial state,
525 Hym wolde he snybben sharply for the nonys. 525 He put to sharp rebuke, to say the least.
A bettre preest I trowe, that nowher noon ys. I think there never was a better priest.
He waited after no pompe and reverence, He had no thirst for pomp or ceremony,
Ne maked him a spiced conscience, Nor spiced his conscience and morality,
But Cristes loore, and Hise apostles twelve But Christ's own law, and His apostles' twelve
530 He taughte, but first he folwed it hymselve. 530 He taught, but first he followed it himselve.
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LINES 531-543: THE PLOWMAN

With hym ther was a PLOWMAN, was his With him there was a PLOWMAN, his
brother, brother,
That hadde ylad of dong ful many a fother; That loaded many carts with dung, and many
other
A trewe swynkere and a good was he, Had transported; a true worker was he,
Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee. Living in peace and perfect charity.
535 God loved he best with al his hoole herte 535 He loved God most, and that with his whole heart
At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte, At all times, whether it was easy or hard,
And thanne his neighebor right as hym-selve. And next, his neighbour, even as himself.
He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve, He'd thresh and dig, and never thought of wealth,
For Cristes sake, for every povre wight For Christ's own sake, for every person poor,
540 Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght. 540 Without payment, if his power could assure.
Hise tithes payed he ful faire and wel, He paid his taxes, fully, when it was due,
Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel. Both by his toil and possessions he'd sell too.
In a tabard he rood, upon a mere. In a tabard he rode upon a mare.
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LINES 544-568: THE MILLER

Ther was also a REVE and a MILLERE, A REEVE and a MILLER were also there;
545 A SOMNOUR and a PARDONER also, 545 A SUMMONER, MANCIPLE and
A MAUNCIPLE, and myself - ther were namo. PARDONER,
All these, beside myself, there were no more.
The MILLERE was a stout carl for the The MILLER was a strong fellow, be it
nones; known,
Ful byg he was of brawn and eek of bones- Hardy, big of brawn and big of bone;
That proved wel, for over al ther he cam Which was well proved, for wherever a festive
day
550 At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram. 550 At wrestling, he always took the prize away.
He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre, He was stoutly built, broad and heavy;
Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre, He lifted each door from its hinges, that easy,
Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed. Or break it through, by running, with his head.
His berd as any sowe or fox was reed, His beard, as any sow or fox, was red,
555 And therto brood, as though it were a spade. 555 And broad it was as if it were a spade.
Upon the cop right of his nose he hade Upon his nose right on the top he had
A werte, and thereon stood a toft of herys, A wart, and thereon stood a tuft of hairs,
Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys; Red as the bristles in an old sow's ears;
Hise nosethirles blake were and wyde. His nostrils they were black and wide.
560 A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde. 560 A sword and buckler he carried by his side.
His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys. His mouth was like a furnace door for size.
He was a janglere and a goliardeys, He was a jester and knew some poetry,
And that was moost of synne and harlotries. But mostly all of sin and obscenity.
Wel koude he stelen corn, and tollen thries; He could steal corn and three times charge his
fee;
565 And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee. 565 And yet indeed he had a thumb of gold.
A whit cote and a blew hood wered he. A blue hood he wore and a white coat;
A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne, A bagpipe he could blow well, up and down,
And therwithal he broghte us out of towne. And with that same he brought us out of town.
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LINES 569-588: THE MANCIPLE

A gentil MAUNCIPLE was ther of a temple, The MANCIPLE was from the Inner
Temple,
570 Of which achatours myghte take exemple 570 To whom all buyers might think of as an
example
For to be wise in byynge of vitaille; To learn the art of buying victuals;
For wheither that he payde or took by taille, Cash or credit, he knew all the rituals,
Algate he wayted so in his achaat That he knew the markets, watched them closely,
That he was ay biforn, and in good staat. And found himself ahead, he did quit nicely.
575 Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace, 575 Now is it not of God's very fair grace
That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace That such a vulgar man has wit to pace
The wisdom of an heep of lerned men? The wisdom of a crowd of learned men?
Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten, Of masters had he more than three times ten,
That weren of lawe expert and curious, Who were in law expert and curious;
580 Of whiche ther weren a duszeyne in that hous 580 Whereof there were a dozen in that house
Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond Fit to be stewards of both rent and land
Of any lord that is in Engelond, Of any lord in England who would stand
To maken hym lyve by his propre good, To make him live by his own wealth and fee,
In honour dettelees (but if he were wood), In honour, debtless (unless his head was crazy),
585 Or lyve as scarsly as hym list desire, 585 Or live as economically as he might desire;
And able for to helpen al a shire These men were able to have helped a shire
In any caas that myghte falle or happe- In any case that ever might occur;
And yet this Manciple sette hir aller cappe. And yet this manciple covered their sight with
blur.
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LINES 589-624: THE REEVE

The REVE was a sclendre colerik man. The REEVE was a slender choleric man
590 His berd was shave as ny as ever he kan; 590 Who shaved his beard as close as ever he can.
His heer was by his erys ful round yshorn; His hair was closely cropped around his ears;
His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn. His head, the top was cut alike a pulpiteer's.
Ful longe were his legges, and ful lene, Long were his legs, and they were very lean,
Ylyk a staf, ther was no calf ysene. And like a staff, with no calf to be seen.
595 Wel koude he kepe a gerner and a bynne; 595 Well could he manage granary and bin;
Ther was noon auditour koude on him wynne. No auditor could ever find anything.
Wel wiste he by the droghte and by the reyn, He could foretell, by drought and by the rain,
The yeldynge of his seed and of his greyn. The yielding of his seed and of his grain.
His lordes sheep, his neet, his dayerye, His lord's sheep and his cattle and his dairy cows,
600 His swyn, his hors, his stoor, and his pultrye, 600 His swine and horses, his stores, his poultry
Was hoolly in this Reves governynge, house,
And by his covenant yaf the rekenynge, Were wholly in the Reve his managing;
Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age, And, by agreement, he'd gave reckoning
Ther koude no man brynge hym in arrerage. Since his young lord of age was twenty years;
605 Ther nas baillif, ne hierde, nor oother hyne, Yet no man ever found him in arrears.
That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne; 605 There was no agent, herd, or servant who'd cheat;
They were adrad of hym as of the deeth. He knew too well their cunning and deceit;
His wonyng was ful faire upon an heeth; They were afraid of him as of the death.
With grene trees shadwed was his place. His cottage was a good one, on a heath;
610 He koude bettre than his lord purchace. By green trees shaded was his dwelling-place.
Ful riche he was astored pryvely: 610 Much better than his lord could he purchase.
His lord wel koude he plesen subtilly, Very rich and well he was provided all secretly,
To yeve and lene hym of his owene good, He knew well how to please his lord subtly,
And have a thank, and yet a cote and hood. By giving him, or lending, of his own goods,
615 In youthe he hadde lerned a good myster; And so got thanked - but yet got coats and hoods.
He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter. 615 In youth he'd learned a good trade, and had been
This Reve sat upon a ful good stot, A carpenter, good skillful and keen.
That was al pomely grey, and highte Scot. This Reve sat on a horse that could well trot,
A long surcote of pers upon he hade, And was all dapple grey, and was named Scot.
620 And by his syde he baar a rusty blade. A long surcoat of blue did he parade,
Of Northfolk was this Reve, of which I telle, 620 And at his side he bore a rusty blade.
Bisyde a toun men clepen Baldeswelle. Of Norfolk was this Reeve of whom I tell,
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Tukked he was as is a frere aboute, From near a town that men call Badeswell.
And evere he rood the hyndreste of oure route. His coat was like a friar's tightly closed,
From our company he rode always hindmost.
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LINES 625-670: THE SUMMONER

625 A SOMONOUR was ther with us in that 625 A SUMMONER was with us in that place,
place,
That hadde a fyr-reed cherubynnes face, Who had a fiery-red, cherubic face,
For saucefleem he was, with eyen narwe. All pimpled it was; his eyes were narrow
As hoot he was and lecherous as a sparwe, As hot he was, and lecherous, as a sparrow;
With scalled browes blake, and piled berd, With black and scabby brows and scanty beard;
630 Of his visage children were aferd. 630 He had a face that little children feared.
Ther nas quyk-silver, lytarge, ne brymstoon, There was no mercury, sulphur, or litharge,
Boras, ceruce, ne oille of tartre noon, No borax, ceruse, tartar, could discharge,
Ne oynement, that wolde clense and byte, Nor ointment that could cleanse enough, or bite,
That hym myghte helpen of his whelkes white, To free him of his boils and pimples white,
635 Nor of the knobbes sittynge on his chekes. 635 Nor of the knobs located on his cheeks.
Wel loved he garleek, oynons, and eek lekes, Well loved he garlic, onions, and also leeks,
And for to drynken strong wyn, reed as blood; And drink strong blood red wine untill dizzy.
Thanne wolde he speke and crie as he Then would he talk and shout as if he's crazy.
were wood.
And whan that he wel dronken hadde the wyn, And when a deal of wine he'd taken in,
640 Than wolde he speke no word but Latyn. 640 Then would he utter no word except Latin.
A fewe termes hadde he, two or thre, Some phrases had he learned, say two or three,
That he had lerned out of som decree- Which he had learned out of some decree;
No wonder is, he herde it al the day, No wonder, he had heard it all the day;
And eek ye knowen wel how that a jay And all you know right well that even a jay
645 Kan clepen "Watte" as wel as kan the pope. 645 Can call out "Walter" better than the Pope.
But whoso koude in oother thyng hym grope, But if, to try his wits in him you'd grope,
Thanne hadde he spent al his philosophie; 'Twas found he'd spent his whole philosophy;
Ay "Questio quid iuris" wolde he crie. Always "Questio quid juris" would he cry.
He was a gentil harlot and a kynde; He was a noble rascal, and a kind;
650 A bettre felawe sholde men noght fynde; 650 A better comrade would be hard to find.
He wolde suffre, for a quart of wyn, Why, he would suffer, for a quart of wine,
A good felawe to have his concubyn Some good fellow to have his concubine
A twelf-monthe, and excuse hym atte fulle; A twelve-month, and excuse him to the full
Ful prively a fynch eek koude he pulle. (Secretly, though he knew how a trick to pull).
655 And if he foond owher a good felawe, 655 And if he found somewhere a good fellow,
He wolde techen him to have noon awe, He would instruct him never to have awe,
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In swich caas, of the ercedekenes curs, In such a case, of the archdeacon's curse,
But if a mannes soule were in his purs; Unless a man's soul were within his purse;
For in his purs he sholde ypunysshed be. For in his purse the man should punished be.
660 "Purs is the erchedekenes helle," seyde he. 660 "The purse is the archdeacon's hell," said he.
But wel I woot he lyed right in dede; But well I know he lied in what he said;
Of cursyng oghte ech gilty man him drede, A curse ought every guilty man to dread
For curs wol slee, right as assoillyng savith, (For curse can kill, as absolution save),
And also war him of a Significavit. And also be aware of Significavit.
665 In daunger hadde he at his owene gise 665 In his own power had he, and at ease,
The yonge girles of the diocise, Young people of the entire diocese,
And knew hir conseil, and was al hir reed. And knew their secrets, they did what he said.
A gerland hadde he set upon his heed A garland had he set upon his head,
As greet as it were for an ale-stake; Large as a tavern's road sign on a stake;
670 A bokeleer hadde he maad him of a cake. 670 He'd made himself a buckler from a cake
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LINES 671-716: THE PARDONER

With hym ther rood a gentil PARDONER With him there rode a noble PARDONER
Of Rouncivale, his freend and his compeer, Of Rouncival, his friend and his compeer;
That streight was comen fro the court of Rome. Straight from the court of Rome had journeyed
he.
Ful loude he soong "Com hider, love, to me!" Loudly he sang "Come hither, love, to me,"
675 This Somonour bar to hym a stif burdoun; 675 The summoner added a strong bass to his song;
Was nevere trompe of half so greet a soun. No horn ever sounded half so strong.
This Pardoner hadde heer as yelow as wex, This pardoner had hair as yellow as wax,
But smothe it heeng as dooth a strike of flex; But smooth it hung as does a strike of flax;
By ounces henge his lokkes that he hadde, In driplets hung his locks behind his head,
680 And therwith he hise shuldres overspradde; 680 Down to his shoulders which they overspread;
But thynne it lay by colpons oon and oon. But thin they dropped, these strings, all one by
one.
But hood, for jolitee, wered he noon, He had no hood, it was for sport and fun,
For it was trussed up in his walet. Though it was packed in knapsack all the while.
Hym thoughte he rood al of the newe jet; It seemed to him he rode in latest style,
685 Dischevelee, save his cappe, he rood al bare. 685 With unbound hair, except his cap, head all bare.
Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an hare. As shiny eyes he had as has a hare.
A vernycle hadde he sowed upon his cappe. He had a fine Veronica sewed to his cap.
His walet lay biforn hym in his lappe His knapsack lay before him in his lap,
Bretful of pardoun come from Rome al hoot. Stuffed full with pardons brought from Rome all
hot.
690 A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot, 690 A voice he had that sounded like a goat.
No berd hadde he, ne nevere sholde have; No beard had he, nor ever should he have,
As smothe it was as it were late shave, For smooth his face as he'd just had a shave;
I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare. I think he was a gelding or a mare.
But of his craft, from Berwyk into Ware, But in his craft, from Berwick unto Ware,
695 Ne was ther swich another pardoner; 695 Was no such pardoner of equal grace.
For in his male he hadde a pilwe-beer, For in his bag he had a pillow-case
Which that he seyde was Oure Lady veyl: Of which he said, it was Our True Lady's veil:
He seyde he hadde a gobet of the seyl He said he had a piece of the very sail
That Seint Peter hadde, whan that he wente That good Saint Peter had, on time he sailed
700 Upon the see, til Jesu Crist hym hente. 700 Upon the sea, till Jesus him had hailed.
He hadde a croys of latoun ful of stones, He had a latten cross set full of stones,
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And in a glas he hadde pigges bones. And in a bottle had he some pig's bones.
But with thise relikes, whan that he fond But with these relics, when he found on ride
A povre persoun dwellyng upon lond, Some simple parson dwelling in the countryside,
705 Upon a day he gat hym moore moneye 705 In that one day gathered more money
Than that the person gat in monthes tweye; Than the parson in two months, that easy.
And thus, with feyned flaterye and japes, And thus, with flattery and equal japes,
He made the persoun and the peple his apes. He made the parson and the rest his apes.
But trewely to tellen atte laste, But yet, to tell the whole truth at the last,
710 He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste. 710 He was, in church, a fine ecclesiast.
Wel koude he rede a lessoun or a storie, Well could he read a lesson or a story,
But alderbest he song an offertorie; But best of all he sang an offertory;
For wel he wiste, whan that song was songe, For he knew well that when that song was sung,
He moste preche, and wel affile his tonge Then must he preach, and all with smoothened
tongue.
715 To wynne silver, as he ful wel koude; 715 To gain some silver, preferably from the crowd;
Therfore he song the murierly and loude. Therefore he sang so merrily and so loud.
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LINES 717-785: THE PROPOSAL OF THE HOST

Now have I toold you shortly in a clause, Now have I told you briefly, in a clause,
Th'estaat, th'array, the nombre, and eek the cause The state, the array, the number, and the cause
Why that assembled was this compaignye Of the assembling of this company
720 In Southwerk, at this gentil hostelrye 720 In Southwark, at this noble hostelry
That highte the Tabard, faste by the Belle. Known as the Tabard Inn, closely to the Bell.
But now is tyme to yow for to telle But now the time has come wherein to tell
How that we baren us that ilke nyght, How we conducted ourselves that very night
Whan we were in that hostelrie alyght; When at the hostelry we did alight.
725 And after wol I telle of our viage 725 And afterward the story I begin
And all the remenaunt of oure pilgrimage. To tell you of our pilgrimage we're in.
But first I pray yow, of youre curteisye, But first, I beg, address your courtesy,
That ye n'arette it nat my vileynye, You'll not ascribe it to vulgarity
Thogh that I pleynly speke in this mateere, Though I speak plainly of this matter here,
730 To telle yow hir wordes and hir cheere, 730 Explain to you their words and means of cheer;
Ne thogh I speke hir wordes proprely. Nor though I use their very terms, nor lie.
For this ye knowen also wel as I, For this thing do you know as well as I:
Whoso shal telle a tale after a man, When one repeats a tale told by a man,
He moot reherce as ny as evere he kan He must report, as closely as he can,
735 Everich a word, if it be in his charge, 735 Every single word, as he remembers it,
Al speke he never so rudeliche or large, How vulgar it be, or how unfit;
Or ellis he moot telle his tale untrewe, Or else he may be telling what's untrue,
Or feyne thyng, or fynde wordes newe. Embellishing, even making up things too.
He may nat spare, al thogh he were his brother; He may not spare, although it were his brother;
740 He moot as wel seye o word as another. 740 He must as well say one word as another.
Crist spak hymself ful brode in hooly writ, Christ spoke very plainly, in holy writ,
And, wel ye woot, no vileynye is it. And, you know well, there's nothing rude in it.
Eek Plato seith, whoso kan hym rede, And Plato says, to those able to read:
The wordes moote be cosyn to the dede. "The word should be the cousin to the deed."
745 Also I prey yow to foryeve it me, 745 Also, I beg that you'll forgive it me
Al have I nat set folk in hir degree If I have not set folk, in their degree
Heere in this tale, as that they sholde stonde. Here in this tale, by rank as they should stand.
My wit is short, ye may wel understonde. My wit is short, as you'll well understand.
Greet chiere made oure Hoost us everichon, Great fun our host provided, every one,
750 And to the soper sette he us anon. 750 Was set and the supper straightway begun;
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He served us with vitaille at the beste; And served us then with victuals of the best.
Strong was the wyn, and wel to drynke us leste. Strong was the wine and pleasant to each guest.
A semely man OURE HOOSTE was withalle A seemly man our good host was, withal,
For to been a marchal in an halle. And fit to be a marshal in a hall;
755 A large man he was, with eyen stepe - 755 A large man he was, with piercing eyes,
A fairer burgeys was ther noon in Chepe - As fine a burgher as in Cheapside lies;
Boold of his speche, and wys, and well ytaught, Bold in his speech, and wise, and fairly taught,
And of manhod hym lakkede right naught. And as to manhood, lacking there was not.
Eek therto he was right a myrie man, Moreover, he's a very merry man,
760 And after soper pleyen he bigan, 760 And after dinner, with playing he began,
And spak of myrthe amonges othere thynges, And spoke of mirth among some other things,
Whan that we hadde maad our rekenynges, When all of us had paid our reckonings;
And seyde thus: "Now lordynges, trewely, And saying thus: "Now my lords, truly
Ye been to me right welcome hertely; You are all welcome here, and heartily:
765 For by my trouthe, if that I shal nat lye, 765 On my word, I'm telling you no lie,
I saugh nat this yeer so myrie a compaignye I have not seen, this year, a company
Atones in this herberwe, as is now. Here in this inn, fitter for sport than now.
Fayn wolde I doon yow myrthe, wiste I how. Fain I'd make you happy, if I'd knew how.
And of a myrthe I am right now bythoght, And of a game have I this moment thought
770 To doon yow ese, and it shal coste noght. 770 To give you joy, and it shall cost you not.
Ye goon to Caunterbury - God yow speede, "You go to Canterbury; may God speed
The blisful martir quite yow youre meede! And the blest martyr listens to your need.
And wel I woot, as ye goon by the weye, And well I know, as you go on your way,
Ye shapen yow to talen and to pleye, You'll tell good tales and shape yourselves to
play;
775 For trewely, confort ne myrthe is noon 775 For truly there's no mirth nor comfort, none,
To ride by the weye doumb as stoon; Riding the roads as dumb as is a stone;
And therfore wol I maken yow disport, And therefore I provide to you a sport,
As I seyde erst, and doon yow som confort. As I just said, to give you some comfort.
And if yow liketh alle by oon assent And if you like it all, unanimously,
780 For to stonden at my juggement, 780 Accept my judgement, submit yourselves, agree
And for to werken as I shal yow seye, And will so do as I'll proceed to say,
To-morwe, whan ye riden by the weye, Tomorrow, when you ride upon your way,
Now, by my fader soule that is deed, Then, by my father's spirit, who is dead,
But ye be myrie, I wol yeve yow myn heed! If you're not merry, I will give you my head.
785 Hoold up youre hond, withouten moore speche." 785 Hold up your hands, nor more about it speak."
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LINES 786-811: THE RULES OF THE GAME

Oure conseil was nat longe for to seche. Our decision was not so far to seek;
Us thoughte it was noght worth to make it wys, We thought there was no reason to debate,
And graunted hym, withouten moore avys, And granted him his way at any rate,
And bad him seye his voirdit, as hym leste. And asked him tell his verdict just and wise,
790 "Lordynges," quod he, "now herkneth for the 790 "Masters," said he, "listen to my advice;
beste;
But taak it nought, I prey yow, in desdeyn. But take it not, I pray you, in disdain;
This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn, This is the point, to put it short and plain,
That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye, That each of you, as if to shorten the day,
In this viage shal telle tales tweye Shall tell two stories as you wend your way
795 To Caunterbury-ward I mene it so, 795 To Canterbury town; and each of you
And homward he shal tellen othere two, On coming home, shall tell another two,
Of aventures that whilom han bifalle. About adventures that happened in the past.
And which of yow that bereth hym best of alle, And he who plays his part of all the best,
That is to seyn, that telleth in this caas That is to say, who tells upon the road
800 Tales of best sentence and moost solaas, 800 Tales of best sense, in most amusing mode,
Shal have a soper at oure aller cost Shall have a supper at all others' cost
Heere in this place, sittynge by this post, Here in this room and sitting by this post,
Whan that we come agayn fro Caunterbury. When we come back again from Canterbury.
And for to make yow the moore mury, And now, the more to make sure you'll be merry,
805 I wol myselven goodly with yow ryde 805 I will myself, and gladly, with you ride
Right at myn owene cost, and be youre gyde; At my own cost, and I will be your guide.
And who so wole my juggement withseye But whosoever will and tries to disobey
Shal paye al that we spenden by the weye. Shall pay for all that's bought along the way.
And if ye vouche sauf that it be so, And if you grant, agree it will be so,
810 Tel me anon, withouten wordes mo, 810 Tell me at once, or if not, tell me no,
And I wol erly shape me therfore." And I will get ready early. No more."
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LINES 812-823: THE AGREEMENT

This thyng was graunted, and oure othes This thing was granted, and our oaths we
swore swore,
With ful glad herte, and preyden hym also With right glad hearts, and prayed of him, also,
That he wolde vouche sauf for to do so, That he would take the office, nor forgo
815 And that he wolde been oure governour, 815 The place of governor of all of us,
And of our tales juge and reportour, Judging our tales; and by his wisdom thus
And sette a soper at a certeyn pris, Arrange that supper at a certain price,
And we wol reuled been at his devys We to be ruled, each one, by his advice
In heigh and lough; and thus by oon assent In every respect; unanimously thus,
820 We been acorded to his juggement. 820 We accepted his judgment over us.
And therupon the wyn was fet anon; And thereupon, the wine was fetched
immediately;
We dronken, and to reste wente echon, We drank, and went to rest ultimately,
Withouten any lenger taryynge. And that without a longer tarrying.
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LINES 824-860: DRAWING OF LOTS

Amorwe, whan that day bigan to sprynge, Next morning, when the day began to spring,
825 Up roos oure Hoost, and was oure aller cok, 825 Up rose our host, and acting as our cock,
And gadrede us to gidre alle in a flok, He gathered us together in a flock,
And forth we riden, a litel moore than paas And forth we rode, a a little faster than pace,
Unto the wateryng of Seint Thomas; Until we reached Saint Thomas' watering-place.
And there oure Hoost bigan his hors areste Our host then pulled his horse, began to ease
830 And seyde, "Lordynges, herkneth if yow leste. 830 And said: "Now, gentleman, listen if you please.
Ye woot youre foreward, and I it yow recorde. You know what you agreed, I'll remind thee.
If even-song and morwe-song accorde, If even-song and morning-song agree,
Lat se now who shal telle the firste tale. Let's here decide who first shall tell a tale.
As evere mote I drynke wyn or ale, And as I hope to drink more wine and ale,
835 Whoso be rebel to my juggement 835 Whoso proves rebel to my very judgment
Shal paye for al that by the wey is spent. Shall pay for all that by the way is spent.
Now draweth cut, er that we ferrer twynne, Come now, draw straws, before we further
He which that hath the shorteste shal bigynne. depart,
Sire Knyght," quod he, "my mayster and my And he that draws the shortest has to start.
lord, Sir knight," said he, "my master and my lord,
840 Now draweth cut, for that is myn accord. 840 You shall draw first as you have pledged your
word.
Cometh neer," quod he, "my lady Prioresse, Come near," said he, "my lady prioress:
And ye, Sir Clerk, lat be youre shamefastnesse, And you, sir clerk, away with all your shyness,
Ne studieth noght; ley hond to, every man!" Nor ponder more; out hands, draw, every man!"
Anon to drawen every wight bigan, At once to draw a straw each one began,
845 And shortly for to tellen as it was, 845 And, to shorten up the story, as it was,
Were it by aventure, or sort, or cas, By chance or luck or whatsoever cause,
The sothe is this, the cut fil to the Knyght, The truth is, that the cut fell to the knight,
Of which ful blithe and glad was every wyght. Which all the others greeted with delight.
And telle he moste his tale, as was resoun, Thus tell his story first as was agreed,
850 By foreward and by composicioun,- 850 According to our promise pledged, indeed,
As ye han herd, what nedeth wordes mo? As you have heard. Why argue to and fro?
And whan this goode man saugh that it was so, And when this good man saw that it was so,
As he that wys was and obedient Being a wise man and obedient
To kepe his foreward by his free assent, To pledged word, given by free assent,
855 He seyde, "Syn I shal bigynne the game, 855 He said: "Since I must then begin the game,
 P a g e | 41

What, welcome be the cut, a Goddes name! Why, welcome be the cut, and in God's name!
Now lat us ryde, and herkneth what I seye." Now let us ride, and listen to what I say."
And with that word we ryden forth oure weye, And at that word we rode forth on our way;
And he bigan with right a myrie cheere And he began to speak, with words of cheer,
860 His tale anon, and seyde as ye may heere. 860 His tale straightway, and said as you may hear.

Source:

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