Benedicite!

They all loved me so well, by God above, I never did set value on their love!

I bear no malice to virginity; Let such be bread of purest white wheat-seed, 150 And let us wives be called but barley bread;

That they were made for passing out, as known, Of urine, and our two belongings small Were just to tell a female from a male,

marriage.

He has not every vessel all of gold; Some are of wood and serve well all their days.

Out of permission; there’s no shame should grieve In marrying me

virginity;

I understand he had more wives than one; And now would God it were permitted me

God bade us to increase and multiply;

I never should have married more than once.

And all were worthy men in their degree.

In Southwark, at this noble hostelry Known as the Tabard Inn

And thus, with flattery and equal japes, He made the parson and the rest his apes.

Devoutly

buckler

Who had a fiery-red, cherubic face, All pimpled it was; his eyes were narrow As hot he was, and lecherous, as a sparrow; With black and scabby brows and scanty beard; 630 He had a face that little children feared.

There was no agent, herd, or servant who’d cheat; He knew too well their cunning and deceit;

Long were his legs, and they were very lean, And like a staff, with no calf to be seen. 595

Of masters had he more than three times ten,

But Christ’s own law, and His apostles’ twelve 530 He taught, but first he followed it himselve.

That never wolf could make his plans miscarry;

An overskirt was tucked around her buttocks large,

Who was somewhat deaf, it is a pity.

To speak of medicine and surgery; For he was instructed in astronomy. He cared for and saved a patient many times By natural science and studying astrological signs.

And he could roast and boil and broil and fry, And prepare a stew, and bake a tasty pie.

Filled with moral virtue was his speech;

But all that he might borrow from a friend On books and learning he would swiftly spend,

Yet strong he was as every champion. 240 In towns he knew the taverns, every one, And every good host and each barmaid too – Better than needy lepers and beggars, these he knew.

His throat was white as the lily flower I say

Graciously she reached for food to dine. And certainly delighting in good sport, She was very pleasant, amiable – in short.

modest was and coy

In company well could she laugh and chat

perchance

Married in church, husbands she had five

He kept the gold he gained from pestilence. 445 Since gold in physic is a cordial, Therefore he loved his gold exceeding all.

self-same

WIFE of BATH,

little birds make melody

April the sweet showers fall

Very often he took a draught of wine, Of Bordeaux vintage, while the trader slept.

dainty

Wherefore

He knew how to recognize a draught of London ale.

PRIORESS

PARDONER

NUN

COUNTRY PARSON

KNIGHT

, or a near city,

A SERGEANT OF THE LAW

REEVE

FRIAR

COOK

All of one solemn, great fraternity.

Freshly and new their gear, and well adorned it was; Their weapons were not cheaply shaped with brass, But all with silver; neatly made and well 370 Their belt and their purses too, I tell.

HABERDASHER

According to the various seasons of the year 350 He changed lunch and changed his supper.

Wherefore

A SERGEANT OF THE LAW

But all that he might borrow from a friend On books and learning he would swiftly spend, And then he’d pray diligently for the souls Of those who gave him resources to attend schools.

But he looked emaciated, moreover, abstemiously.

CLERK

General Prologue

He spoke out his opinions very solemnly

MERCHANT

In motley gown, and high on horse he sat, Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat; 275 His boots were fastened neatly and elegantly.

This worthy man kept all his wits well set; There was no person that knew he was in debt

His revenue exceeded his costs, it is evident.

And pins, to give to young and pleasing wives.

It’s unsuitable, as far as he could see, 245 To have sick lepers for acquaintances. There is no honest advantageousness In dealing with such poor beggars;

He had arranged many a marriage, giving each Of young women, and this at his own cost.

Equal his gossip and well-spoken speech. He had arranged many a marriage, giving each Of young women, and this at his own cost

Up rose our host, and acting as our cock, He gathered us together in a flock,

That each of you, as if to shorten the day, Shall tell two stories as you wend your way

Strong was the wine and pleasant to each guest. A seemly man our good host was, withal,

To gain some silver, preferably from the crowd; Therefore he sang so merrily and so loud.

his eyes were narrow As hot he was, and lecherous, as a sparrow;

They were afraid of him as of the death.

REEVE

layman

But never did he fail, for rain or thunder, 495 In sickness, or in sin, or any state,

Bold was her face, and fair, and red of hue. She’d been respectable throughout her life, Married in church, husbands she had five,

Her stockings were of the finest scarlet red,

He knew the cause of every sickness,

Nice conscience was a thing he never kept. And if he fought and got the upper hand,

He sadly rode a carthorse,

Were with us, clothed in the same livery,

A pleasing live was the custom he’d won,

in his company;

And every law he knew entirely by rote.

Nowhere a man so busy of his class, And yet he seemed much busier than he was.

Not one word spoke he more than was necessary;

Of Aristotle and his philosophy

But, to tell the truth, his name I can’t recall.

.

rote.

Very many excellent horses had he in stable:

Then pity ruled her

forester

And at one side a sword and a buckler, And at the other side a dagger bright,

He was as fresh as is the month of May.

Though so strong and brave, he was very wise And of temper as meekly as a maid.

and what a gentleman, Who, from the moment that he first began 45 To ride about the world, loved chivalry, Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy.

pilgrimage,

.

cloister

MONK

one of the finest sort

Then pity ruled her, and her tender heart. Very seemly her pleated wimple was; Her nose was fine; her eyes were grey as glass; Her mouth was small and therewith soft and red; But certainly her forehead was fairly spread; 155 It was almost a full span broad, I own, To tell the truth, she was not undergrown. Her cloak, as I was well aware, had a graceful charm

A forester he truly was, I guess.

a sun-browned face.

he was clothed in coat and hood of green

Courteous he, and humble, willing and able

He could make songs and words thereto indite, Joust, and dance too, as well as sketch and write.

Short was his gown, with sleeves both long and wide.

He never yet had any vileness said,

Algeciras

Tramissene

To ride about the world, loved chivalry, Truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy.

So had I spoken with them, every one, That I was of their fellowship anon, And made agreement that we’d early rise To take the road, as I will to you apprise.

In fellowship, and pilgrims were they all That toward Canterbury town would ride.

Canterbury

So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage

pilgrimage

Then folk do long to go on pilgrimage,

When in April the sweet showers fall That pierce March’s drought to the root and all And bathed every vein in liquor that has power To generate therein and sire the flower; 5 When Zephyr also has with his sweet breath, Filled again, in every holt and heath,

young sun

bygynneth

Canterbury Tales

General Prologue

morsels

Significavit

When all treasures be tried · Truth is the best.

But those that work well · as holy writ telleth, And end, as I have said · in truth, that is best, May be sure that their soul · shall wend to Heaven,

lieth of them all.

But because he obeyed not

archangels,

apostate was from the order.

And never leave them for love · nor for seizing of silver.

.

That thou shouldest be ware · I teach thee the best.

Putting blame on the wine · for that wicked deed:

throng

Hot pies, hot! Good geese and pork! Let’s go and dine!’

dawdle away the long day

louts

He cozened them with his brevet

.

their tongue turned to lies More than to tell truth · it seemed by their speech.

Feigning their fancies · and making folk fools

Such as anchorites and hermits · that kept them in their cells

.

fair field full of folk · found

deep ditches and dark · and dreadful

Under a broad bank · by a brook’s side

I was weary with wandering · and went me to rest

And grant that summoners good men become!

And you shall come to hell with me tonight,

The Devil,” said she, “take him alive today, 365 And pan and all, unless he will repent!”

I have been sick, and that for many a day.

crone

yet God knows I know of her no vice.

The peasant said one thing, but thought another. 305 Let us go forth upon our travellers’ way;

“God knows, never a bit. It is not his intention, trust to it.

And if that either of us gets more than other, 270 Let him be true and share it with his brother.

My loyalty will I preserve to my dear brother, As I have sworn, and each of us to other, 265 That we will be true brothers in this case;

bailiff,

And sometimes we are servants unto man, As to that old archbishop, Saint Dunstan, And to the apostles servant once was I.”

And sometimes have we power of both, you know, That is to say, of soul and body too.

No kind of conscience for such things have I.

extortion

My lord is harsh to me and niggardly, My job is most laborious, you see;

140 And they struck hands and made their solemn oath

He dared not, no, for very filth and shame, 130 Say that he was a summoner, for the name.

He wore a short coat of the Lincoln green

And was a thief, just such a thief was he. His master got but half of every fee.

He could protect of lechers one or two To learn of four and twenty more, mark you.

summoner

And payers of short tithes to shame descended.

That of a summoner may no good be said; I pray that no one will be angry made.

Geoffrey Chaucer

The Knight’s Tale

By which he saw the vgly monster plaine, Halfe like a serpent horribly displaide, But th’other halfe did womans shape retaine, Most lothsom, filthie, foule, and full of vile disdaine.

But forth vnto the darksome hole he went, And looked in: his glistring armor made A litle glooming light, much like a shade,

Behind her farre away a Dwarfe did lag,

That greatest Gloriana to him gaue, That greatest Glorious Queene of Faerie lond,

nd all the way she wets with flowing teares:

All night she thinks too long, and often lookes for light.

Sad Vna downe her laies in wearie plight, And at her feet the Lyon watch doth keepe: In stead of rest, she does lament, and weepe For the late losse of her deare loued knight, And sighes, and grones, and euermore does steepe Her tender brest in bitter teares all night, All night she thinks too long, and often lookes for light.

To whom approching she to her gan call, To weet, if dwelling place were nigh at hand; But the rude wench her answer’d nought at all, She could not heare, nor speake, nor vnderstand; Till seeing by her side the Lyon stand,

A ramping Lyon rushed suddainly, Hunting full greedie after saluage blood; Soone as the royall virgin he did spy, With gaping mouth at her ran greedily,

In stead thereof he kist her wearie feet, And lickt her lilly hands with fawning tong, As he her wronged innocence did weet. O how can beautie maister the most strong, And simple truth subdue auenging wrong? Whose yeelded pride and proud submission, Still dreading death, when she had marked long, Her hart gan melt in great compassion, And drizling teares did shed for pure affection.

Was neuer Prince so faithfull and so faire, Was neuer Prince so meeke and debonaire; But ere my hoped day of spousall shone, My dearest Lord fell from high honours staire, Into the hands of his accursed fone, And cruelly was slaine, that shall I euer mone.

subiect to hard mischaunce,

louer

Did search, sore grieued in her gentle brest, He so vngently left her, whom she loued best.

Swain

vp

espide