#  3.2 The Friar's Prologue and Tale 

 



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## **The Friars's Prologue**

***The Prologe of the Freres Tale.***

1265 **This worthy lymytour, this noble Frere,**  
 This worthy licensed beggar, this noble Friar  
1266 **He made alwey a maner louryng chiere**  
 He always made a kind of scowling face  
1267 **Upon the Somonour, but for honestee**  
 At the Summoner, but for propriety  
1268 **No vileyns word as yet to hym spak he.**  
 No churlish word as yet to him spoke he.  
1269  **But atte laste he seyde unto the wyf,**

1270 **"Dame," quod he, "God yeve yow right good lyf!**  
 "My lady," said he, "God give you a right good life!  
1271 **Ye han heer touched, also moot I thee,**  
 You have here touched, as I may prosper,  
1272 **In scole-matere greet difficultee.**  
 On academic problems of great difficulty.  
1273 **Ye han seyd muche thyng right wel, I seye;**  
 You have said many things right well, I say;  
1274 **But, dame, heere as we ryde by the weye,**  
 But, my lady, here as we ride by the way,  
1275 **Us nedeth nat to speken but of game,**  
 We need not speak of anything but pleasant matters,  
1276 **And lete auctoritees, on Goddes name,**  
 And leave authoritative texts, in God's name,  
1277 **To prechyng and to scoles of clergye.**  
 To preaching and to the universities.  
1278 **But if it lyke to this compaignye,**  
 But if it pleases this company,  
1279 **I wol yow of a somonour telle a game.**  
 I will tell you an amusing tale about a summoner.  
1280 **Pardee, ye may wel knowe by the name**  
 By God, you can easily tell by the name  
1281 **That of a somonour may no good be sayd;**  
 That no good may be said of a summoner;  
1282 **I praye that noon of you be yvele apayd.**  
 I pray that none of you be displeased.  
1283 **A somonour is a rennere up and doun**  
 A summoner is a runner up and down  
1284 **With mandementz for fornicacioun,**  
 With summonses for fornication,  
1285 **And is ybet at every townes ende."**  
 And is beaten (and driven away) at every town's end."

1286 **Oure Hoost tho spak, "A, sire, ye sholde be hende**  
 Our Host then spoke, "Ah, sir, you should be polite  
1287 **And curteys, as a man of youre estaat;**  
 And courteous, as (befits) a man of your rank;  
1288 **In compaignye we wol have no debaat.**  
 In this company we will have no arguments.  
1289 **Telleth youre tale, and lat the Somonour be."**  
 Tell your tale, and leave the Summoner alone."

1290 **"Nay," quod the Somonour, "lat hym seye to me**  
 "Nay," said the Summoner, "let him say to me  
1291 **What so hym list; whan it comth to my lot,**  
 Whatever he pleases; when it comes to my turn,  
1292 **By God, I shal hym quiten every grot.**  
 By God, I shall pay him back every groat (fourpence).  
1293 **I shal hym tellen which a greet honour**  
 I shall tell him what a great honor  
1294 **It is to be a flaterynge lymytour,**  
 It is to be a flattering licensed beggar,  
1295 **And of many another manere cryme**  
 And of many another sort of crime  
1296 **Which nedeth nat rehercen at this tyme;**  
 Which need not be told at this time;  
1297 **And his office I shal hym telle, ywis."**  
 And how he does his job I shall tell him, indeed."

1298 **Oure Hoost answerde, "Pees, namoore of this!"**  
 Our Host answered, "Quiet, no more of this!"  
1299 **And after this he seyde unto the Frere,**  
 And after this he said unto the Friar,  
1300 **"Tel forth youre tale, leeve maister deere."**  
 "Tell forth your tale, beloved master dear."

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**The Friar's Tale**

***Heere bigynneth the Freres Tale***

1301 **Whilom ther was dwellynge in my contree**  
 Once there was dwelling in my country  
1302 **An erchedeken, a man of heigh degree,**  
 An archdeacon, a man of high rank,  
1303 **That boldely dide execucioun**  
 That boldly carried out the law  
1304 **In punysshynge of fornicacioun,**  
 In punishment of fornication,  
1305 **Of wicchecraft, and eek of bawderye,**  
 Of witchcraft, and also of pandering,  
1306 **Of diffamacioun, and avowtrye,**  
 Of defamation of character, and adultery,  
1307 **Of chirche reves, and of testamentz,**  
 Of robbing churches, and of wills,  
1308 **Of contractes and of lakke of sacramentz,**  
 Of marriage contracts and of failure to take the sacraments,  
1309 **Of usure, and of symonye also.**  
 Of usury, and of simony also.  
1310 **But certes, lecchours dide he grettest wo;**  
 But certainly, to lechers did he the greatest woe;  
1311 **They sholde syngen if that they were hent;**  
 They had to sing out in pain if they were taken;  
1312 **And smale tytheres weren foule yshent,**  
 And those who paid less than full tithes were severely punished,  
1313 **If any persoun wolde upon hem pleyne.**  
 If any parson would complain about them.  
1314 **Ther myghte asterte hym no pecunyal peyne.**  
 There could escape him no monetary punishment (fine).  
1315 **For smale tithes and for smal offrynge**  
 For small tithes and for small offering  
1316 **He made the peple pitously to synge,**  
 He made the people piteously to sing out in pain,  
1317 **For er the bisshop caughte hem with his hook,**  
 For ere the bishop caught them with his crozier,  
1318 **They weren in the erchedeknes book.**  
 They were in the archdeacon's book.  
1319 **Thanne hadde he, thurgh his jurisdiccioun,**  
 Then had he, throughout his jurisdiction,  
1320 **Power to doon on hem correccioun.**  
 Power to have them punished.  
1321 **He hadde a somonour redy to his hond;**  
 He had a summoner ready at his hand;  
1322 **A slyer boye nas noon in Engelond;**  
 No one in England was a more clever rascal;  
1323 **For subtilly he hadde his espiaille,**  
 For deviously he had his network of spies,  
1324 **That taughte hym wel wher that hym myghte availle.**  
 That showed him well where there might be profit for him.  
1325 **He koude spare of lecchours oon or two,**  
 He could spare one or two of the lechers,  
1326 **To techen hym to foure and twenty mo.**  
 To direct him to four and twenty more.  
1327 **For thogh this Somonour wood were as an hare,**  
 For though this Summoner were mad as a hare,  
1328 **To telle his harlotrye I wol nat spare;**  
 To tell his wickedness I will not desist;  
1329 **For we are out of his correccioun.**  
 For we are exempt from his authority.  
1330 **They han of us no jurisdiccioun,**  
 They have over us no jurisdiction,  
1331 **Ne nevere shullen, terme of alle hir lyves.**  
 Nor never shall, until the end of all their lives.

1332 **"Peter! so been wommen of the styves,"**  
 "By St. Peter! so are women of the brothels,"  
1333 **Quod the Somonour, "yput out of oure cure!"**  
 Said the Summoner, "put out of our jurisdiction!"

1334 **"Pees! with myschance and with mysaventure!"**  
 "Quiet! with bad luck and with misfortune to you!"  
1335 **Thus seyde oure Hoost, "and lat hym telle his tale.**  
 Thus said our Host, "and let him tell his tale.  
1336 **Now telleth forth, thogh that the Somonour gale;**  
 Now tell forth, though the Summoner loudly complain;  
1337 **Ne spareth nat, myn owene maister deere."**  
 And tell everything, my own master dear."

1338 **This false theef, this somonour, quod the Frere,**  
 This false thief, this summoner, said the Friar,  
1339 **Hadde alwey bawdes redy to his hond,**  
 Had always pimps as ready to his hand,  
1340 **As any hauk to lure in Engelond,**  
 As any hawk to come to the lure in England,  
1341 **That tolde hym al the secree that they knewe,**  
 Who told him all the secrets that they knew,  
1342 **For hire acqueyntance was nat come of newe.**  
 For their acquaintance was not come recently.  
1343 **They weren his approwours prively.**  
 They were secretly his agents.  
1344 **He took hymself a greet profit therby;**  
 He got himself a great profit in this way;  
1345 **His maister knew nat alwey what he wan.**  
 His master knew not always what he earned.  
1346 **Withouten mandement a lewed man**  
 Without an actual summons an ignorant man  
1347 **He koude somne, on peyne of Cristes curs,**  
 He could summon, on pain of excommunication,  
1348 **And they were glade for to fille his purs**  
 And they were glad to fill his purse  
1349 **And make hym grete feestes atte nale.**  
 And make him great feasts at the ale-house.  
1350 **And right as Judas hadde purses smale,**  
 And just as Judas had small amounts of the apostles' money,  
1351 **And was a theef, right swich a theef was he;**  
 And was a thief, exactly such a thief was he;  
1352 **His maister hadde but half his duetee.**  
 His master had but half the amount due to him.  
1353 **He was, if I shal yeven hym his laude,**  
 He was, if I shall give him his due praise,  
1354 **A theef, and eek a somnour, and a baude.**  
 A thief, and also a summoner, and a pimp.  
1355 **He hadde eek wenches at his retenue,**  
 He had also wenches in his employ,  
1356 **That, wheither that sir Robert or sir Huwe,**  
 That, whether sir Robert or sir Huwe,  
1357 **Or Jakke, or Rauf, or whoso that it were**  
 Or Jakke, or Rauf, or whoever it was  
1358 **That lay by hem, they tolde it in his ere.**  
 That lay by them, they told it in his ear.  
1359 **Thus was the wenche and he of oon assent,**  
 Thus were the wench and he in agreement,  
1360 **And he wolde fecche a feyned mandement,**  
 And he would fetch a forged court order,  
1361 **And somne hem to chapitre bothe two,**  
 And summon both of them to the archdeacon's court,  
1362 **And pile the man, and lete the wenche go.**  
 And rob the man, and let the wench go.  
1363 **Thanne wolde he seye, "Freend, I shal for thy sake**  
 Then would he say, "Friend, I shall for thy sake  
1364 **Do striken hire out of oure lettres blake;**  
 Have her stricken out of our records;  
1365 **Thee thar namoore as in this cas travaille.**  
 Thou need trouble thyself no more in this case.  
1366 **I am thy freend, ther I thee may availle."**  
 I am thy friend, where I can help thee."  
1367 **Certeyn he knew of briberyes mo**  
 Certainly he knew of more ways of stealing  
1368 **Than possible is to telle in yeres two.**  
 Than is possible to tell in two years.  
1369 **For in this world nys dogge for the bowe**  
 For in this world is no hunting dog  
1370 **That kan an hurt deer from an hool yknowe**  
 That can know a hurt deer from a whole one  
1371 **Bet than this somnour knew a sly lecchour,**  
 Better than this summoner knew a sly lecher,  
1372 **Or an avowtier, or a paramour.**  
 Or an adulterer, or a concubine.  
1373 **And for that was the fruyt of al his rente,**  
 And because that was the best part of all his income,  
1374 **Therfore on it he sette al his entente.**  
 Therefore on it he set all his intention.

1375 **And so bifel that ones on a day**  
 And it so befell that once on a day  
1376 **This somnour, evere waityng on his pray,**  
 This summoner, ever lying in ambush for his prey,  
1377 **Rood for to somne an old wydwe, a ribibe,**  
 Rode to summon an old widow, an old crone,  
1378 **Feynynge a cause, for he wolde brybe.**  
 Pretending to have a case against her, for he wanted a bribe.  
1379 **And happed that he saugh bifore hym ryde**  
 And it happened that he saw before him ride  
1380 **A gay yeman, under a forest syde.**  
 A gay yeoman, alongside the edge of a forest.  
1381 **A bowe he bar, and arwes brighte and kene;**  
 A bow he bore, and arrows bright and keen;  
1382 **He hadde upon a courtepy of grene,**  
 He had upon him a short jacket of green,  
1383 **An hat upon his heed with frenges blake.**  
 A hat upon his head with fringes black.

1384 **"Sire," quod this somnour, "hayl, and wel atake!"**  
 "Sir," said this summoner, "hail, and well met!"

1385 **"Welcome," quod he, "and every good felawe!**  
 "Welcome," said he, "and every good fellow!  
1386 **Wher rydestow, under this grene-wode shawe?"**  
 Where ridest thou, alongside this green wood?"  
1387 **Seyde this yeman, "Wiltow fer to day?"**  
 Said this yeoman, "Wilt thou travel far today?"

1388 **This somnour hym answerde and seyde, "Nay;**  
 This summoner him answered and said, "Nay;  
1389 **Heere faste by," quod he, "is myn entente**  
 Here close by," said he, "is my intention  
1390 **To ryden, for to reysen up a rente**  
 To ride, to collect a rent  
1391 **That longeth to my lordes duetee."**  
 That belongs to my lord's due income."

1392 **"Artow thanne a bailly?" "Ye," quod he.**  
 "Art thou then a bailiff?" "Yes," said he.  
1393 **He dorste nat, for verray filthe and shame**  
 He dared not, for the true filth and shame  
1394 **Seye that he was a somonour, for the name.**  
 Of the name, say that he was a summoner.

1395 **"Depardieux," quod this yeman, "deere broother,**  
 "By God," said this yeoman, "dear brother,  
1396 **Thou art a bailly, and I am another.**  
 Thou art a bailiff, and I am another.  
1397 **I am unknowen as in this contree;**  
 I am unknown in this country;  
1398 **Of thyn aqueyntance I wolde praye thee,**  
 Of thine acquaintance I would pray thee,  
1399 **And eek of bretherhede, if that yow leste.**  
 And also of brotherhood, if you wish.  
1400 **I have gold and silver in my cheste;**  
 I have gold and silver in my chest;  
1401 **If that thee happe to comen in oure shire,**  
 If thou happen to come in our shire,  
1402 **Al shal be thyn, right as thou wolt desire."**  
 All shall be thine, just as thou wilt desire."

1403 **"Grant mercy," quod this somonour, "by my feith!"**  
 "Great thanks," said this summoner, "by my faith!"  
1404 **Everych in ootheres hand his trouthe leith,**  
 Each in other's hand pledges his troth,  
1405 **For to be sworne bretheren til they deye.**  
 To be sworn brothers until they die.  
1406 **In daliance they ryden forth and pleye.**  
 In pleasant conversation they ride forth and amuse themselves.

1407 **This somonour, which that was as ful of jangles**  
 This summoner, who was as full of idle speech  
1408 **As ful of venym been thise waryangles**  
 As full of venom are these butcherbirds  
1409 **And evere enqueryng upon every thyng,**  
 And ever inquiring about every thing,  
1410 **"Brother," quod he, "where is now youre dwellyng**  
 "Brother," said he, "where is now your dwelling  
1411 **Another day if that I sholde yow seche?"**  
 If I should seek you another day?"  
1412 **This yeman hym answerde in softe speche,**  
 This yeoman him answered in gentle words,

1413 **"Brother," quod he, "fer in the north contree,**  
 "Brother," said he, "far in the north country,  
1414 **Whereas I hope som tyme I shal thee see.**  
 Where I hope some time I shall thee see.  
1415 **Er we departe, I shal thee so wel wisse**  
 Ere we depart, I shall thee so well instruct  
1416 **That of myn hous ne shaltow nevere mysse."**  
 That thou shalt never miss my house."

1417 **"Now, brother," quod this somonour, "I yow preye,**  
 "Now, brother," said this summoner, "I you pray,  
1418 **Teche me, whil that we ryden by the weye,**  
 Teach me, while we ride by the way,  
1419 **Syn that ye been a baillif as am I,**  
 Since you are a bailiff as am I,  
1420 **Som subtiltee, and tel me feithfully**  
 Some trickery, and tell me faithfully  
1421 **In myn office how that I may moost wynne;**  
 In my occupation how I may most profit;  
1422 **And spareth nat for conscience ne synne,**  
 And spare not for conscience nor sin,  
1423 **But as my brother tel me, how do ye."**  
 But as my brother tell me, how you do your business."

1424 **"Now, by my trouthe, brother deere," seyde he,**  
 "Now, by my troth, brother dear," said he,  
1425 **"As I shal tellen thee a feithful tale,**  
 "I shall tell thee a true tale,  
1426 **My wages been ful streite and ful smale.**  
 My wages are very scanty and very small.  
1427 **My lord is hard to me and daungerous,**  
 My lord is hard to me and niggardly,  
1428 **And myn office is ful laborous,**  
 And my job is very hard work,  
1429 **And therfore by extorcions I lyve.**  
 And therefore by extortions I live.  
1430 **For sothe, I take al that men wol me yive.**  
 For truly, I take all that men will me give.  
1431 **Algate, by sleyghte or by violence,**  
 In every way, by trickery or by violence,  
1432 **Fro yeer to yeer I wynne al my dispence.**  
 From year to year I earn all my expenses.  
1433 **I kan no bettre telle, feithfully."**  
 I can no better tell, truthfully."

1434 **"Now certes," quod this Somonour, "so fare I.**  
 "Now certainly," said this Summoner, "I do the same.  
1435 **I spare nat to taken, God it woot,**  
 I do not desist from taking anything, God knows,  
1436 **But if it be to hevy or to hoot.**  
 Unless it be too heavy or too hot.  
1437 **What I may gete in conseil prively,**  
 What I can get in private secretly,  
1438 **No maner conscience of that have I.**  
 No sort of pangs of conscience for that have I.  
1439 **Nere myn extorcioun, I myghte nat lyven,**  
 Were it not for my extortion, I could not live,  
1440 **Ne of swiche japes wol I nat be shryven.**  
 Nor of such tricks will I be confessed.  
1441 **Stomak ne conscience ne knowe I noon;**  
 Stomach (compassion) nor conscience know I none;  
1442 **I shrewe thise shrifte-fadres everychoon.**  
 I curse these confessors every one.  
1443 **Wel be we met, by God and by Seint Jame!**  
 Well are we met, by God and by Saint James!  
1444 **But, leeve brother, tel me thanne thy name,"**  
 But, dear brother, tell me then thy name,"  
1445 **Quod this somonour. In this meene while**  
 Said this summoner. Meanwhile  
1446 **This yeman gan a litel for to smyle.**  
 This yeoman began a little to smile.

1447 **"Brother," quod he, "wiltow that I thee telle?**  
 "Brother," said he, "wilt thou that I thee tell?  
1448 **I am a feend; my dwellyng is in helle,**  
 I am a fiend; my dwelling is in hell,  
1449 **And heere I ryde aboute my purchasyng,**  
 And here I ride about on my acquisition of profits,  
1450 **To wite wher men wol yeve me any thyng.**  
 To know whether men will give me any thing.  
1451 **My purchas is th'effect of al my rente.**  
 What I acquire is the total of all my income.  
1452 **Looke how thou rydest for the same entente,**  
 Look how thou ridest for the same purpose,  
1453 **To wynne good, thou rekkest nevere how;**  
 To make a profit, thou carest never how;  
1454 **Right so fare I, for ryde wolde I now**  
 Right so do I, for I would ride now  
1455 **Unto the worldes ende for a preye."**  
 Unto the world's end for a prey."

1456 **"A!" quod this somonour, "benedicite! What sey ye?**  
 "Ah!" said this summoner, "bless me! What say you?  
1457 **I wende ye were a yeman trewely.**  
 I supposed you were truly a yeoman.  
1458 **Ye han a mannes shap as wel as I;**  
 You have a man's shape as well as I;  
1459 **Han ye a figure thanne determinat**  
 Have you then a definite form  
1460 **In helle, ther ye been in youre estat?"**  
 In hell, where you are in your usual condition?"

1461 **"Nay, certeinly," quod he, "ther have we noon;**  
 "Nay, certainly," said he, "there have we none;  
1462 **But whan us liketh we kan take us oon,**  
 But when we like we can take us one,  
1463 **Or elles make yow seme we been shape;**  
 Or else make it seem to you we are so shaped;  
1464 **Somtyme lyk a man, or lyk an ape,**  
 Sometimes like a man, or like an ape,  
1465 **Or lyk an angel kan I ryde or go.**  
 Or like an angel can I ride or walk about.  
1466 **It is no wonder thyng thogh it be so;**  
 It is no wonderful thing though it be so;  
1467 **A lowsy jogelour kan deceyve thee,**  
 A lousy conjurer can deceive thee,  
1468 **And pardee, yet kan I moore craft than he."**  
 And by God, yet I know more craft than he."

1469 **"Why," quod this somonour, "ryde ye thanne or goon**  
 "Why," said this summoner, "ride you then or walk about  
1470 **In sondry shap, and nat alwey in oon?"**  
 In various shapes, and not always in one?"

1471 **"For we," quod he, "wol us swiche formes make**  
 "Because we," said he, "will make us such forms  
1472 **As moost able is oure preyes for to take."**  
 As are most suitable for taking our prey."

1473 **"What maketh yow to han al this labour?"**  
 "What makes you to have all this labor?"

1474 **"Ful many a cause, leeve sire somonour,"**  
 "Very many a cause, dear sir summoner,"  
1475 **Seyde this feend, "but alle thyng hath tyme.**  
 Said this fiend, "but every thing has its time.  
1476 **The day is short, and it is passed prime,**  
 The day is short, and it is past nine a.m.,  
1477 **And yet ne wan I nothyng in this day.**  
 And yet I gained nothing in this day.  
1478 **I wol entende to wynnyng, if I may,**  
 I will concentrate on profit, if I may,  
1479 **And nat entende oure wittes to declare.**  
 And not attend to explaining our mental abilities.  
1480 **For, brother myn, thy wit is al to bare**  
 For, brother mine, thy wit is all too bare  
1481 **To understonde, althogh I tolde hem thee.**  
 To understand, even though I told them to thee.  
1482 **But, for thou axest why labouren we --**  
 But, since thou askest why labor we --  
1483 **For somtyme we been Goddes instrumentz**  
 For sometimes we are God's instruments  
1484 **And meenes to doon his comandementz,**  
 And means to do his commandments,  
1485 **Whan that hym list, upon his creatures,**  
 When he wishes, upon his creatures,  
1486 **In divers art and in diverse figures.**  
 In various methods and in various appearances.  
1487 **Withouten hym we have no myght, certayn,**  
 Without him we have no power, certainly,  
1488 **If that hym list to stonden ther-agayn.**  
 If he wishes to stand against us.  
1489 **And somtyme, at oure prayere, han we leve**  
 And sometimes, at our prayer, have we leave  
1490 **Oonly the body and nat the soule greve;**  
 Only the body and not the soul to grieve;  
1491 **Witnesse on Job, whom that we diden wo.**  
 Take the evidence of Job, to whom we did woe.  
1492 **And somtyme han we myght of bothe two --**  
 And sometimes have we power over both of the two --  
1493 **This is to seyn, of soule and body eke.**  
 This is to say, of soul and body as well.  
1494 **And somtyme be we suffred for to seke**  
 And sometimes we are allowed to harass  
1495 **Upon a man and doon his soule unreste**  
 A man and do his soul distress  
1496 **And nat his body, and al is for the beste.**  
 And not his body, and all is for the best.  
1497 **Whan he withstandeth oure temptacioun,**  
 When he withstands our temptation,  
1498 **It is a cause of his savacioun,**  
 It is a cause of his salvation,  
1499 **Al be it that it was nat oure entente**  
 Although it was not our intention  
1500 **He sholde be sauf, but that we wolde hym hente.**  
 He should be saved, but that we wanted to seize him.  
1501 **And somtyme be we servant unto man,**  
 And sometimes we are servants unto a man,  
1502 **As to the erchebisshop Seint Dunstan,**  
 As to the archbishop Saint Dunstan,  
1503 **And to the apostles servant eek was I."**  
 And to the apostles I was also a servant."

1504 **"Yet tel me," quod the somonour, "feithfully,**  
 "Yet tell me," said the summoner, "truly,  
1505 **Make ye yow newe bodies thus alway**  
 Do you make yourself new bodies thus always  
1506 **Of elementz?" The feend answerde, "Nay.**  
 Of elements?" The fiend answered, "Nay.  
1507 **Somtyme we feyne, and somtyme we aryse**  
 Sometime we dissemble, and sometimes we arise  
1508 **With dede bodyes, in ful sondry wyse,**  
 With dead bodies, in very many manners,  
1509 **And speke as renably and faire and wel**  
 And speak as readily and faire and well  
1510 **As to the Phitonissa dide Samuel.**  
 As to the Phitonissa (Witch of Endor) did Samuel.  
1511 **(And yet wol som men seye it was nat he;**  
 (And yet will some men say it was not he;  
1512 **I do no fors of youre dyvynytee.)**  
 I put no store in your theology.)  
1513 **But o thyng warne I thee, I wol nat jape:**  
 But one thing I warn thee, I will not deceive you:  
1514 **Thou wolt algates wite how we been shape;**  
 Thou want especially to know how we are shaped;  
1515 **Thou shalt herafterward, my brother deere,**  
 Thou shalt hereafter, my brother dear,  
1516 **Come there thee nedeth nat of me to leere,**  
 Come where thou need not to learn from me,  
1517 **For thou shalt, by thyn owene experience,**  
 For thou shalt, by thine own experience,  
1518 **Konne in a chayer rede of this sentence**  
 Be able in a professorial chair to lecture on this subject  
1519 **Bet than Virgile, while he was on lyve,**  
 Better than Virgil, while he was alive,  
1520 **Or Dant also. Now lat us ryde blyve,**  
 Or Dante also. Now let us ride quickly,  
1521 **For I wole holde compaignye with thee**  
 For I will hold company with thee  
1522 **Til it be so that thou forsake me."**  
 Until it be that thou forsake me."

1523 **"Nay," quod this somonour, "that shal nat bityde!**  
 "Nay," said this summoner, "that shall not happen!  
1524 **I am a yeman, knowen is ful wyde;**  
 I am a yeoman, as is very widely known;  
1525 **My trouthe wol I holde, as in this cas.**  
 My troth will I keep, in this case.  
1526 **For though thou were the devel Sathanas,**  
 For though thou were the devil Satan,  
1527 **My trouthe wol I holde to my brother,**  
 My troth will I hold to my brother,  
1528 **As I am sworn, and ech of us til oother,**  
 As I am sworn, and each of us to the other,  
1529 **For to be trewe brother in this cas;**  
 To be true brother in this case;  
1530 **And bothe we goon abouten oure purchas.**  
 And we both go about our acquisitions.  
1531 **Taak thou thy part, what that men wol thee yive,**  
 Take thou thy part, whatever men will thee give,  
1532 **And I shal myn; thus may we bothe lyve.**  
 And I shall mine; thus may we both live.  
1533 **And if that any of us have moore than oother,**  
 And if one of us have more than the other,  
1534 **Lat hym be trewe and parte it with his brother."**  
 Let him be true and share it with his brother."

1535 **"I graunte," quod the devel, "by my fey."**  
 "I grant," said the devil, "by my faith."  
1536 **And with that word they ryden forth hir wey.**  
 And with that word they ride forth their way.  
1537 **And right at the entryng of the townes ende,**  
 And right at the entrance of the town,  
1538 **To which this somonour shoop hym for to wende,**  
 To which this summoner planned to go  
1539 **They saugh a cart that charged was with hey,**  
 They saw a cart that was loaded with hay,  
1540 **Which that a cartere droof forth in his wey.**  
 Which a carter drove forth in his way.  
1541 **Deep was the wey, for which the carte stood.**  
 Deep in mud was the road, for which the cart stood still.  
1542 **The cartere smoot and cryde as he were wood,**  
 The carter smote and cried as if he were crazy,  
1543 **"Hayt, Brok! Hayt, Scot! What spare ye for the stones?**  
 "Giddap, Brok! Giddap, Scot! Why do you stop pulling for the stones?  
1544 **The feend," quod he, "yow fecche, body and bones,**  
 The fiend," said he, "fetch you, body and bones,  
1545 **As ferforthly as evere were ye foled,**  
 As surely as ever you were born,  
1546 **So muche wo as I have with yow tholed!**  
 So much woe as I have with you suffered!  
1547 **The devel have al, bothe hors and cart and hey!"**  
 The devil have all, both horses and cart and hay!"

1548 **This somonour seyde, "Heere shal we have a pley."**  
 This summoner said, "Here shall we have some fun."  
1549 **And neer the feend he drough, as noght ne were,**  
 And nearer the fiend he drew, as if it were nothing,  
1550 **Ful prively, and rowned in his ere:**  
 Very discreetly, and whispered in his ear:  
1551 **"Herkne, my brother, herkne, by thy feith!**  
 "Hearken, my brother, hearken, by thy faith!  
1552 **Herestow nat how that the cartere seith?**  
 Hearest thou not what the carter says?  
1553 **Hent it anon, for he hath yeve it thee,**  
 Seize it at once, for he has given it to thee,  
1554 **Bothe hey and cart, and eek his caples thre."**  
 Both hay and cart, and also his three horses."

1555 **"Nay," quod the devel, "God woot, never a deel!**  
 "Nay," said the devil, "God knows, never a bit!  
1556 **It is nat his entente, trust me weel.**  
 It is not his intention, trust me well.  
1557 **Axe hym thyself, if thou nat trowest me;**  
 Ask him thyself, if thou not believe me;  
1558 **Or elles stynt a while, and thou shalt see."**  
 Or else wait a while, and thou shalt see."

1559 **This cartere thakketh his hors upon the croupe,**  
 This carter whacks his horses upon the hindquarters,  
1560 **And they bigonne to drawen and to stoupe.**  
 And they began to pull and to stoop.  
1561 **"Heyt! Now," quod he, "ther Jhesu Crist yow blesse,**  
 "Giddap! Now," said he, "may Jesus Christ you bless,  
1562 **And al his handwerk, bothe moore and lesse!**  
 And all his handiwork, both more and less!  
1563 **That was wel twight, myn owene lyard boy.**  
 That was well pulled, my own dappled boy.  
1564 **I pray God save thee, and Seinte Loy!**  
 I pray God save thee, and Saint Loy!  
1565 **Now is my cart out of the slow, pardee!"**  
 Now is my cart out of the mud, by God!"

1566 **"Lo, brother," quod the feend, "what tolde I thee?**  
 "Lo, brother," said the fiend, "what told I thee?  
1567 **Heere may ye se, myn owene deere brother,**  
 Here may you see, my own dear brother,  
1568 **The carl spak oo thing, but he thoghte another.**  
 The churl spoke one thing, but he thought another.  
1569 **Lat us go forth abouten oure viage;**  
 Let us go forth on our undertaking;  
1570 **Heere wynne I nothyng upon cariage."**  
 Here gain I nothing from a tax on horse and cart."

1571 **Whan that they coomen somwhat out of towne,**  
 When they came a short way out of town,  
1572 **This somonour to his brother gan to rowne:**  
 This summoner to his brother began to whisper:  
1573 **"Brother," quod he, "heere woneth an old rebekke**  
 "Brother," said he, "here dwells an old crone  
1574 **That hadde almoost as lief to lese hire nekke**  
 Who would be almost as willing to lose her neck  
1575 **As for to yeve a peny of hir good.**  
 As to give up a penny of her goods.  
1576 **I wole han twelf pens, though that she be wood,**  
 I will have twelve pence, even if she be driven mad,  
1577 **Or I wol sompne hire unto oure office;**  
 Or I will summon her unto our court;  
1578 **And yet, God woot, of hire knowe I no vice.**  
 And yet, God knows, of her know I no vice.  
1579 **But for thou kanst nat, as in this contree,**  
 But since thou can not, in this country,  
1580 **Wynne thy cost, taak heer ensample of me."**  
 Earn thy living, learn here by my example."

1581 **This somonour clappeth at the wydwes gate.**  
 This summoner knocks at the widow's gate.  
1582 **"Com out," quod he, "thou olde virytrate!**  
 "Come out," said he, "thou old hag!  
1583 **I trowe thou hast som frere or preest with thee."**  
 I believe thou hast some friar or priest with thee."

1584 **"Who clappeth?" seyde this wyf, "benedicitee!**  
 "Who knocks?" said this wife, "bless me!  
1585 **God save you, sire, what is youre sweete wille?"**  
 God save you, sir, what is your sweet will?"

1586 **"I have," quod he, "of somonce here a bille;**  
 "I have," said he, "here a writ of summons;  
1587 **Up peyne of cursyng, looke that thou be**  
 Upon pain of excommunication, look that thou be  
1588 **Tomorn bifore the erchedeknes knee**  
 Tomorrow morning before the archdeacon's knee  
1589 **T' answere to the court of certeyn thynges."**  
 To answer to the court about certain things."

1590 **"Now, Lord," quod she, "Crist Jhesu, kyng of kynges,**  
 "Now, Lord," said she, "Christ Jesus, king of kings,  
1591 **So wisly helpe me, as I ne may.**  
 Surely help me, since I can not.  
1592 **I have been syk, and that ful many a day.**  
 I have been sick, and that full many a day.  
1593 **I may nat go so fer," quod she, "ne ryde,**  
 I can not walk so far," said she, "nor ride,  
1594 **But I be deed, so priketh it in my syde.**  
 Without being dead, it so pains in my side.  
1595 **May I nat axe a libel, sire somonour,**  
 May I not ask for a written copy of the charge, sir summoner,  
1596 **And answere there by my procuratour**  
 And answer there by my representative  
1597 **To swich thyng as men wole opposen me?"**  
 To such thing as men will bring against me?"

1598 **"Yis," quod this somonour, "pay anon -- lat se --**  
 "Yes," said this summoner, "pay at once -- let's see --  
1599 **Twelf pens to me, and I wol thee acquite.**  
 Twelve pens to me, and I will thee acquit.  
1600 **I shal no profit han therby but lite;**  
 I shall have no profit thereby but little;  
1601 **My maister hath the profit and nat I.**  
 My master has the profit and not I.  
1602 **Com of, and lat me ryden hastily;**  
 Hurry up, and let me ride hastily;  
1603 **Yif me twelf pens, I may no lenger tarye."**  
 Give me twelve pens, I can no longer tarry."

1604 **"Twelf pens!" quod she, "Now, lady Seinte Marie**  
 "Twelve pence!" said she, "Now, lady Saint Marie  
1605 **So wisly help me out of care and synne,**  
 Surely help me out of care and sin,  
1606 **This wyde world thogh that I sholde wynne,**  
 Though I should gain this wide world (if I had it),  
1607 **Ne have I nat twelf pens withinne myn hoold.**  
 I have not twelve pence within my possession.  
1608 **Ye knowen wel that I am povre and oold;**  
 You know well that I am poor and old;  
1609 **Kithe youre almesse on me, povre wrecche."**  
 Show your charity on me, poor wretch."

1610 **"Nay thanne," quod he, "the foule feend me fecche**  
 "Nay then," said he, "the foul fiend me fetch  
1611 **If I th' excuse, though thou shul be spilt!"**  
 If I excuse thee, though thou should be dead!"

1612 **"Allas!" quod she, "God woot, I have no gilt."**  
 "Alas!" said she, "God knows, I have no guilt."

1613 **"Pay me," quod he, "or by the sweete Seinte Anne,**  
 "Pay me," said he, "or by the sweet Saint Anne,  
1614 **As I wol bere awey thy newe panne**  
 I will carry off thy new pan  
1615 **For dette which thou owest me of old.**  
 For debt which thou owest me since long ago.  
1616 **Whan that thou madest thyn housbonde cokewold,**  
 When thou madest thine husband cuckold,  
1617 **I payde at hoom for thy correccioun."**  
 I paid at our court the fine for thy punishment."

1618 **"Thou lixt!" quod she, "by my savacioun,**  
 "Thou lie!" said she, "by my salvation,  
1619 **Ne was I nevere er now, wydwe ne wyf,**  
 I was never ere now, widow nor wife,  
1620 **Somoned unto youre court in al my lyf;**  
 Summoned unto your court in all my life;  
1621 **Ne nevere I nas but of my body trewe!**  
 Nor was I ever anything but true of my body!  
1622 **Unto the devel blak and rough of hewe**  
 Unto the devil black and rough of appearance  
1623 **Yeve I thy body and my panne also!"**  
 Give I thy body and my pan also!"

1624 **And whan the devel herde hire cursen so**  
 And when the devil heard her so curse  
1625 **Upon hir knees, he seyde in this manere,**  
 Upon her knees, he said in this manner,  
1626 **"Now, Mabely, myn owene mooder deere,**  
 "Now, Mabely, my own mother dear,  
1627 **Is this youre wyl in ernest that ye seye?"**  
 Is this your will in earnest that you say?"

1628 **"The devel," quod she, "so fecche hym er he deye,**  
 "The devil," said she, "so fetch him ere he die,  
1629 **And panne and al, but he wol hym repente!"**  
 And pan and all, unless he will repent!"

1630 **"Nay, olde stot, that is nat myn entente,"**  
 "Nay, old slut, that is not my intention,"  
1631 **Quod this somonour, "for to repente me**  
 Said this summoner, "to repent  
1632 **For any thyng that I have had of thee.**  
 For any thing that I have had of thee.  
1633 **I wolde I hadde thy smok and every clooth!"**  
 I would I had thy smock and every bit of your clothing!"

1634 **"Now, brother," quod the devel, "be nat wrooth;**  
 "Now, brother," said the devil, "be not angry;  
1635 **Thy body and this panne been myne by right.**  
 Thy body and this pan are mine by right.  
1636 **Thou shalt with me to helle yet tonyght,**  
 Thou shalt go with me to hell yet tonight,  
1637 **Where thou shalt knowen of oure privetee**  
 Where thou shalt know of our secrets  
1638 **Moore than a maister of dyvynytee."**  
 More than a Master of Divinity."  
1639 **And with that word this foule feend hym hente;**  
 And with that word this foul fiend seized him;  
1640 **Body and soule he with the devel wente**  
 Body and soul he with the devil went  
1641 **Where as that somonours han hir heritage.**  
 Where summoners have their heritage.  
1642 **And God, that maked after his ymage**  
 And God, that made after his image  
1643 **Mankynde, save and gyde us, alle and some,**  
 Mankind, save and guide us, one and all,  
1644 **And leve thise somonours goode men bicome!**  
 And grant that these summoners become good men!

1645 **Lordynges, I koude han toold yow, quod this Frere,**  
 Gentlemen, I could have told you, said this Friar,  
1646 **Hadde I had leyser for this Somnour heere,**  
 Had I had been given time by this Summoner here,  
1647 **After the text of Crist, Poul, and John,**  
 According to the text of Christ, Paul, and John,  
1648 **And of oure othere doctours many oon,**  
 And of our other doctors of the Church many a one,  
1649 **Swiche peynes that youre hertes myghte agryse,**  
 Such pains that your hearts might tremble,  
1650 **Al be it so no tonge may it devyse,**  
 Even though no tongue can describe it,  
1651 **Thogh that I myghte a thousand wynter telle**  
 Though I could for a thousand years tell  
1652 **The peynes of thilke cursed hous of helle.**  
 The pains of that cursed house of hell.  
1653 **But for to kepe us fro that cursed place,**  
 But to keep us from that cursed place,  
1654 **Waketh and preyeth Jhesu for his grace**  
 Keep vigil and pray Jesus for his grace  
1655 **So kepe us fro the temptour Sathanas.**  
 To protect us from the tempter Satan.  
1656 **Herketh this word! Beth war, as in this cas:**  
 Hearken this word! Beware, as in this case:  
1657 **"The leoun sit in his awayt alway**  
 "The lion sits in his ambush always  
1658 **To sle the innocent, if that he may."**  
 To slay the innocent, if he can."  
1659 **Disposeth ay youre hertes to withstonde**  
 Dispose always your hearts to withstand  
1660 **The feend, that yow wolde make thral and bonde.**  
 The fiend, who would make you thrall and enslaved.  
1661 **He may nat tempte yow over youre myght,**  
 He may not tempt you beyond your power,  
1662 **For Crist wol be youre champion and knyght.**  
 For Christ will be your champion and knight.  
1663 **And prayeth that thise somonours hem repente**  
 And pray that these summoners themselves repent  
1664 **Of hir mysdedes, er that the feend hem hente!**  
 Of their misdeeds, ere the fiend seize them!

*Heere endeth the Freres Tale*