#  1.1 General Prologue 

 



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The Middle English text is from Larry D. Benson., Gen. ed., The Riverside Chaucer,  
Houghton-Mifflin Company; used with permission of the publisher.

1 **Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote**  
 When April with its sweet-smelling showers  
 2 **The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,**  
 Has pierced the drought of March to the root,  
 3 **And bathed every veyne in swich licour**  
 And bathed every vein (of the plants) in such liquid  
 4 **Of which vertu engendred is the flour;**  
 By which power the flower is created;  
 5 **Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth**  
 When the West Wind also with its sweet breath,  
 6 **Inspired hath in every holt and heeth**  
 In every wood and field has breathed life into   
 7 **The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne**  
 The tender new leaves, and the young sun  
 8 **Hath in the Ram his half cours yronne,**  
 Has run half its course in Aries,  
 9 **And smale foweles maken melodye,**  
 And small fowls make melody,  
 10 **That slepen al the nyght with open ye**  
 Those that sleep all the night with open eyes  
 11 **(So priketh hem Nature in hir corages),**  
 (So Nature incites them in their hearts),  
 12 **Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages,**  
 Then folk long to go on pilgrimages,  
 13 **And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes,**  
 And professional pilgrims to seek foreign shores,  
 14 **To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes;**  
 To distant shrines, known in various lands;  
 15 **And specially from every shires ende**  
 And specially from every shire's end  
 16 **Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende,**  
 Of England to Canterbury they travel,  
 17 **The hooly blisful martir for to seke,**  
 To seek the holy blessed martyr,  
 18 **That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke.**  
 Who helped them when they were sick.

19 **Bifil that in that seson on a day,**  
 It happened that in that season on one day,  
 20 **In Southwerk at the Tabard as I lay**  
 In Southwark at the Tabard Inn as I lay  
 21 **Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage**  
 Ready to go on my pilgrimage  
 22 **To Caunterbury with ful devout corage,**  
 To Canterbury with a very devout spirit,  
 23 **At nyght was come into that hostelrye**  
 At night had come into that hostelry  
 24 **Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye**  
 Well nine and twenty in a company  
 25 **Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle**  
 Of various sorts of people, by chance fallen  
 26 **In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle,**  
 In fellowship, and they were all pilgrims,  
 27 **That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde.**  
 Who intended to ride toward Canterbury.  
 28 **The chambres and the stables weren wyde,**  
 The bedrooms and the stables were spacious,  
 29 **And wel we weren esed atte beste.**  
 And we were well accommodated in the best way.  
 30 **And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste,**  
 And in brief, when the sun was (gone) to rest,  
 31 **So hadde I spoken with hem everichon**  
 I had so spoken with everyone of them   
 32 **That I was of hir felaweshipe anon,**  
 That I was of their fellowship straightway,  
 33 **And made forward erly for to ryse,**  
 And made agreement to rise early,  
 34 **To take oure wey ther as I yow devyse.**  
 To take our way where I (will) tell you.

35 **But nathelees, whil I have tyme and space,**  
 But nonetheless, while I have time and opportunity,  
 36 **Er that I ferther in this tale pace,**  
 Before I proceed further in this tale,  
 37 **Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun**  
 It seems to me in accord with reason  
 38 **To telle yow al the condicioun**  
 To tell you all the circumstances  
 39 **Of ech of hem, so as it semed me,**  
 Of each of them, as it seemed to me,  
 40 **And whiche they weren, and of what degree,**  
 And who they were, and of what social rank,  
 41 **And eek in what array that they were inne;**  
 And also what clothing that they were in;  
 42 **And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne.**  
 And at a knight then will I first begin.

43 **A KNYGHT ther was, and that a worthy man,**  
 A KNIGHT there was, and that (one was) a worthy man,  
 44 **That fro the tyme that he first bigan**  
 Who from the time that he first began  
 45 **To riden out, he loved chivalrie,**  
 To ride out, he loved chivalry,  
 46 **Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie.**  
 Fidelity and good reputation, generosity and courtesy.  
 47 **Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,**  
 He was very worthy in his lord's war,  
 48 **And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre,**  
 And for that he had ridden, no man farther,  
 49 **As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse,**  
 As well in Christendom as in heathen lands,  
 50 **And evere honoured for his worthynesse;**  
 And (was) ever honored for his worthiness;  
 51 **At Alisaundre he was whan it was wonne.**  
 He was at Alexandria when it was won.  
 52 **Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne**  
 He had sat very many times in the place of honor,  
 53 **Aboven alle nacions in Pruce;**  
 Above (knights of) all nations in Prussia;  
 54 **In Lettow hadde he reysed and in Ruce,**  
 He had campaigned in Lithuania and in Russia,  
 55 **No Cristen man so ofte of his degree.**  
 No Christian man of his rank so often.  
 56 **In Gernade at the seege eek hadde he be**  
 Also he had been in Grenada at the siege   
 57 **Of Algezir, and riden in Belmarye.**  
 Of Algeciras, and had ridden in Morocco.  
 58 **At Lyeys was he and at Satalye,**  
 He was at Ayash and at Atalia,  
 59 **Whan they were wonne, and in the Grete See**  
 When they were won, and in the Mediterranean  
 60 **At many a noble armee hadde he be.**  
 He had been at many a noble expedition.  
 61 **At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene,**  
 He had been at fifteen mortal battles,  
 62 **And foughten for oure feith at Tramyssene**  
 And fought for our faith at Tlemcen  
 63 **In lystes thries, and ay slayn his foo.**  
 Three times in formal duels, and each time slain his foe.  
 64 **This ilke worthy knyght hadde been also**  
 This same worthy knight had also been   
 65 **Somtyme with the lord of Palatye**  
 At one time with the lord of Balat  
 66 **Agayn another hethen in Turkye;**  
 Against another heathen in Turkey;  
 67 **And everemoore he hadde a sovereyn prys.**  
 And evermore he had an outstanding reputation  
 68 **And though that he were worthy, he was wys,**  
 And although he was brave, he was prudent,  
 69 **And of his port as meeke as is a mayde.**  
 And of his deportment as meek as is a maid.  
 70 **He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde**  
 He never yet said any rude word  
 71 **In al his lyf unto no maner wight.**  
 In all his life unto any sort of person.  
 72 **He was a verray, parfit gentil knyght.**  
 He was a truly perfect, noble knight.  
 73 **But for to tellen yow of his array,**  
 But to tell you of his clothing,  
 74 **His hors were goode, but he was nat gay.**  
 His horses were good, but he was not gaily dressed.  
 75 **Of fustian he wered a gypon**  
 He wore a tunic of coarse cloth   
 76 **Al bismotered with his habergeon,**  
 All stained (with rust) by his coat of mail,  
 77 **For he was late ycome from his viage,**  
 For he was recently come (back) from his expedition,  
 78 **And wente for to doon his pilgrymage.**  
 And went to do his pilgrimage.

79 **With hym ther was his sone, a yong SQUIER,**  
 With him there was his son, a young SQUIRE,  
 80 **A lovyere and a lusty bacheler,**  
 A lover and a lively bachelor,  
 81 **With lokkes crulle as they were leyd in presse.**  
 With locks curled as if they had been laid in a curler.  
 82 **Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse.**  
 He was twenty years of age, I guess.  
 83 **Of his stature he was of evene lengthe,**  
 Of his stature he was of moderate height,  
 84 **And wonderly delyvere, and of greet strengthe.**  
 And wonderfully agile, and of great strength.  
 85 **And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie**  
 And he had been for a time on a cavalry expedition  
 86 **In Flaundres, in Artoys, and Pycardie,**  
 In Flanders, in Artois, and Picardy,  
 87 **And born hym weel, as of so litel space,**  
 And conducted himself well, for so little a space of time,  
 88 **In hope to stonden in his lady grace.**  
 In hope to stand in his lady's good graces.  
 89 **Embrouded was he, as it were a meede**  
 He was embroidered, as if it were a mead  
 90 **Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and reede.**  
 All full of fresh flowers, white and red.  
 91 **Syngynge he was, or floytynge, al the day;**  
 Singing he was, or fluting, all the day;  
 92 **He was as fressh as is the month of May.**  
 He was as fresh as is the month of May.  
 93 **Short was his gowne, with sleves longe and wyde.**  
 His gown was short, with long and wide sleeves.  
 94 **Wel koude he sitte on hors and faire ryde.**  
 He well knew how to sit on horse and handsomely ride.  
 95 **He koude songes make and wel endite,**  
 He knew how to make songs and well compose (the words),  
 96 **Juste and eek daunce, and weel purtreye and write.**  
 Joust and also dance, and well draw and write.  
 97 **So hoote he lovede that by nyghtertale**  
 He loved so passionately that at nighttime  
 98 **He sleep namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale.**  
 He slept no more than does a nightingale.  
 99 **Curteis he was, lowely, and servysable,**  
 Courteous he was, humble, and willing to serve,  
 100 **And carf biforn his fader at the table.**  
 And carved before his father at the table.

101 **A YEMAN hadde he and servantz namo**  
 He (the Knight) had A YEOMAN and no more servants   
 102 **At that tyme, for hym liste ride so,**  
 At that time, for it pleased him so to travel,  
 103 **And he was clad in cote and hood of grene.**  
 And he (the yeoman) was clad in coat and hood of green.  
 104 **A sheef of pecok arwes, bright and kene,**  
 A sheaf of peacock arrows, bright and keen,  
 105 **Under his belt he bar ful thriftily**  
 He carried under his belt very properly  
 106 **(Wel koude he dresse his takel yemanly;**  
 (He well knew how to care for his equipment as a yeoman should;  
 107 **His arwes drouped noght with fetheres lowe),**  
 His arrows did not fall short because of drooping feathers),  
 108 **And in his hand he baar a myghty bowe.**  
 And in his hand he carried a mighty bow.  
 109 **A not heed hadde he, with a broun visage.**  
 He had a close-cropped head, with a brown face.  
 110 **Of wodecraft wel koude he al the usage.**  
 He well knew all the practice of woodcraft.  
 111 **Upon his arm he baar a gay bracer,**  
 He wore an elegant archer's wrist-guard upon his arm,  
 112 **And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler,**  
 And by his side a sword and a small shield,  
 113 **And on that oother syde a gay daggere**  
 And on that other side an elegant dagger  
 114 **Harneised wel and sharp as point of spere;**  
 Well ornamented and sharp as the point of a spear;  
 115 **A Cristopher on his brest of silver sheene.**  
 A Christopher-medal of bright silver on his breast.  
 116 **An horn he bar, the bawdryk was of grene;**  
 He carried a horn, the shoulder strap was green;  
 117 **A forster was he, soothly, as I gesse.**  
 He was a forester, truly, as I guess.

118 **Ther was also a Nonne, a PRIORESSE,**  
 There was also a Nun, a PRIORESS,  
 119 **That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy;**  
 Who was very simple and modest in her smiling;  
 120 **Hire gretteste ooth was but by Seinte Loy;**  
 Her greatest oath was but by Saint Loy;  
 121 **And she was cleped madame Eglentyne.**  
 And she was called Madam Eglantine.  
 122 **Ful weel she soong the service dyvyne,**  
 She sang the divine service very well,  
 123 **Entuned in hir nose ful semely;**  
 Intoned in her nose in a very polite manner;  
 124 **And Frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly,**  
 And she spoke French very well and elegantly,  
 125 **After the scole of Stratford atte Bowe,**  
 In the manner of Stratford at the Bow,  
 126 **For Frenssh of Parys was to hire unknowe.**  
 For French of Paris was to her unknown.  
 127 **At mete wel ytaught was she with alle;**  
 At meals she was well taught indeed;  
 128 **She leet no morsel from hir lippes falle,**  
 She let no morsel fall from her lips,  
 129 **Ne wette hir fyngres in hir sauce depe;**  
 Nor wet her fingers deep in her sauce;  
 130 **Wel koude she carie a morsel and wel kepe**  
 She well knew how to carry a morsel (to her mouth) and take good care  
 131 **That no drope ne fille upon hire brest.**  
 That no drop fell upon her breast.  
 132 **In curteisie was set ful muchel hir lest.**  
 Her greatest pleasure was in good manners.  
 133 **Hir over-lippe wyped she so clene**  
 She wiped her upper lip so clean  
 134 **That in hir coppe ther was no ferthyng sene**  
 That in her cup there was seen no tiny bit   
 135 **Of grece, whan she dronken hadde hir draughte.**  
 Of grease, when she had drunk her drink.  
 136 **Ful semely after hir mete she raughte.**  
 She reached for her food in a very seemly manner.  
 137 **And sikerly she was of greet desport,**  
 And surely she was of excellent deportment,  
 138 **And ful plesaunt, and amyable of port,**  
 And very pleasant, and amiable in demeanor,  
 139 **And peyned hire to countrefete cheere**  
 And she took pains to imitate the manners  
 140 **Of court, and to been estatlich of manere,**  
 Of court, and to be dignified in behavior,  
 141 **And to ben holden digne of reverence.**  
 And to be considered worthy of reverence.  
 142 **But for to speken of hire conscience,**  
 But to speak of her moral sense,  
 143 **She was so charitable and so pitous**  
 She was so charitable and so compassionate  
 144 **She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mous**  
 She would weep, if she saw a mouse  
 145 **Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde.**  
 Caught in a trap, if it were dead or bled.  
 146 **Of smale houndes hadde she that she fedde**  
 She had some small hounds that she fed  
 147 **With rosted flessh, or milk and wastel-breed.**  
 With roasted meat, or milk and fine white bread.  
 148 **But soore wepte she if oon of hem were deed,**  
 But sorely she wept if one of them were dead,  
 149 **Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte;**  
 Or if someone smote it smartly with a stick;  
 150 **And al was conscience and tendre herte.**  
 And all was feeling and tender heart.  
 151 **Ful semyly hir wympul pynched was,**  
 Her wimple was pleated in a very seemly manner,  
 152 **Hir nose tretys, hir eyen greye as glas,**  
 Her nose well formed, her eyes gray as glass,  
 153 **Hir mouth ful smal, and therto softe and reed.**  
 Her mouth very small, and moreover soft and red.  
 154 **But sikerly she hadde a fair forheed;**  
 But surely she had a fair forehead;  
 155 **It was almoost a spanne brood, I trowe;**  
 It was almost nine inches broad, I believe;  
 156 **For, hardily, she was nat undergrowe.**  
 For, certainly, she was not undergrown.  
 157 **Ful fetys was hir cloke, as I was war.**  
 Her cloak was very well made , as I was aware.  
 158 **Of smal coral aboute hire arm she bar**  
 About her arm she bore of small coral   
 159 **A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene,**  
 A set of beads, adorned with large green beads,  
 160 **And theron heng a brooch of gold ful sheene,**  
 And thereon hung a brooch of very bright gold,  
 161 **On which ther was first write a crowned A,**  
 On which there was first written an A with a crown,  
 162 **And after Amor vincit omnia.**  
 And after "Love conquers all."

163 **Another NONNE with hire hadde she,**  
 She had another NUN with her,  
 164 **That was hir chapeleyne, and preestes thre.**  
 Who was her secretary, and three priests.

165 **A MONK ther was, a fair for the maistrie,**  
 There was a MONK, an extremely fine one,  
 166 **An outridere, that lovede venerie,**  
 An outrider (a monk with business outside the monastery), who loved hunting,  
 167 **A manly man, to been an abbot able.**  
 A virile man, qualified to be an abbot.  
 168 **Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable,**  
 He had very many fine horses in his stable,  
 169 **And whan he rood, men myghte his brydel heere**  
 And when he rode, one could hear his bridle  
 170 **Gynglen in a whistlynge wynd als cleere**  
 Jingle in a whistling wind as clear  
 171 **And eek as loude as dooth the chapel belle**  
 And also as loud as does the chapel belle  
 172 **Ther as this lord was kepere of the celle.**  
 Where this lord was prior of the subordinate monastery.  
 173 **The reule of Seint Maure or of Seint Beneit --**  
 The rule of Saint Maurus or of Saint Benedict --  
 174 **By cause that it was old and somdel streit**  
 Because it was old and somewhat strict  
 175 **This ilke Monk leet olde thynges pace,**  
 This same Monk let old things pass away,  
 176 **And heeld after the newe world the space.**  
 And followed the broader customs of modern times.  
 177 **He yaf nat of that text a pulled hen,**  
 He gave not a plucked hen for that text  
 178 **That seith that hunters ben nat hooly men,**  
 That says that hunters are not holy men,  
 179 **Ne that a monk, whan he is recchelees,**  
 Nor that a monk, when he is heedless of rules,  
 180 **Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees --**  
 Is like a fish that is out of water --  
 181 **This is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre.**  
 This is to say, a monk out of his cloister.  
 182 **But thilke text heeld he nat worth an oystre;**  
 But he considered that same text not worth an oyster;  
 183 **And I seyde his opinion was good.**  
 And I said his opinion was good.  
 184 **What sholde he studie and make hymselven wood,**  
 Why should he study and make himself crazy,  
 185 **Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure,**  
 Always to pore upon a book in the cloister,  
 186 **Or swynken with his handes, and laboure,**  
 Or work with his hands, and labor,  
 187 **As Austyn bit? How shal the world be served?**  
 As Augustine commands? How shall the world be served?  
 188 **Lat Austyn have his swynk to hym reserved!**  
 Let Augustine have his work reserved to him!  
 189 **Therfore he was a prikasour aright:**  
 Therefore he was indeed a vigorous horseman:  
 190 **Grehoundes he hadde as swift as fowel in flight;**  
 He had greyhounds as swift as fowl in flight;  
 191 **Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare**  
 Of tracking and of hunting for the hare  
 192 **Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare.**  
 Was all his pleasure, by no means would he refrain from it.  
 193 **I seigh his sleves purfiled at the hond**  
 I saw his sleeves lined at the hand  
 194 **With grys, and that the fyneste of a lond;**  
 With squirrel fur, and that the finest in the land;  
 195 **And for to festne his hood under his chyn,**  
 And to fasten his hood under his chin,  
 196 **He hadde of gold ywroght a ful curious pyn;**  
 He had a very skillfully made pin of gold;  
 197 **A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was.**  
 There was an elaborate knot in the larger end.  
 198 **His heed was balled, that shoon as any glas,**  
 His head was bald, which shone like any glass,  
 199 **And eek his face, as he hadde been enoynt.**  
 And his face did too, as if he had been rubbed with oil.  
 200 **He was a lord ful fat and in good poynt;**  
 He was a very plump lord and in good condition;  
 201 **His eyen stepe, and rollynge in his heed,**  
 His eyes were prominent, and rolling in his head,  
 202 **That stemed as a forneys of a leed;**  
 Which gleamed like a furnace under a cauldron;  
 203 **His bootes souple, his hors in greet estaat.**  
 His boots supple, his horse in excellent condition.  
 204 **Now certeinly he was a fair prelaat;**  
 Now certainly he was a handsome ecclesiastical dignitary;  
 205 **He was nat pale as a forpyned goost.**  
 He was not pale as a tormented spirit.  
 206 **A fat swan loved he best of any roost.**  
 A fat swan loved he best of any roast.  
 207 **His palfrey was as broun as is a berye.**  
 His saddle horse was as brown as is a berry.

208 **A FRERE ther was, a wantowne and a merye,**  
 There was a FRIAR, a pleasure-loving and merry one,  
 209 **A lymytour, a ful solempne man.**  
 A limiter (with an assigned territory), a very solemn man.  
 210 **In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan**  
 In all the four orders of friars is no one that knows  
 211 **So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage.**  
 So much of sociability and elegant speech.  
 212 **He hadde maad ful many a mariage**  
 He had made very many a marriage  
 213 **Of yonge wommen at his owene cost.**  
 Of young women at his own cost.  
 214 **Unto his ordre he was a noble post.**  
 He was a noble supporter of his order.  
 215 **Ful wel biloved and famulier was he**  
 Very well beloved and familiar was he  
 216 **With frankeleyns over al in his contree,**  
 With landowners every where in his country,  
 217 **And eek with worthy wommen of the toun;**  
 And also with worthy women of the town;  
 218 **For he hadde power of confessioun,**  
 For he had power of confession,  
 219 **As seyde hymself, moore than a curat,**  
 As he said himself, more than a parish priest,  
 220 **For of his ordre he was licenciat.**  
 For he was licensed by his order.  
 221 **Ful swetely herde he confessioun,**  
 He heard confession very sweetly,  
 222 **And plesaunt was his absolucioun:**  
 And his absolution was pleasant:  
 223 **He was an esy man to yeve penaunce,**  
 He was a lenient man in giving penance,  
 224 **Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce.**  
 Where he knew he would have a good gift.  
 225 **For unto a povre ordre for to yive**  
 For to give to a poor order (of friars)  
 226 **Is signe that a man is wel yshryve;**  
 Is a sign that a man is well confessed;  
 227 **For if he yaf, he dorste make avaunt,**  
 For if he gave, he (the friar) dared to assert,  
 228 **He wiste that a man was repentaunt;**  
 He knew that a man was repentant;  
 229 **For many a man so hard is of his herte,**  
 For many a man is so hard in his heart,  
 230 **He may nat wepe, althogh hym soore smerte.**  
 He can not weep, although he painfully suffers.  
 231 **Therfore in stede of wepynge and preyeres**  
 Therefore instead of weeping and prayers  
 232 **Men moote yeve silver to the povre freres.**  
 One may give silver to the poor friars.  
 233 **His typet was ay farsed ful of knyves**  
 His hood was always stuffed full of knives  
 234 **And pynnes, for to yeven faire wyves.**  
 And pins, to give to fair wives.  
 235 **And certeinly he hadde a murye note:**  
 And certainly he had a merry voice:  
 236 **Wel koude he synge and pleyen on a rote;**  
 He well knew how to sing and play on a rote (string instrument);  
 237 **Of yeddynges he baar outrely the pris.**  
 He absolutely took the prize for reciting ballads.  
 238 **His nekke whit was as the flour-de-lys;**  
 His neck was white as a lily flower;  
 239 **Therto he strong was as a champioun.**  
 Furthermore he was strong as a champion fighter.  
 240 **He knew the tavernes wel in every toun**  
 He knew the taverns well in every town  
 241 **And everich hostiler and tappestere**  
 And every innkeeper and barmaid  
 242 **Bet than a lazar or a beggestere,**  
 Better than a leper or a beggar-woman,  
 243 **For unto swich a worthy man as he**  
 For unto such a worthy man as he  
 244 **Acorded nat, as by his facultee,**  
 It was not suitable, in view of his official position,  
 245 **To have with sike lazars aqueyntaunce.**  
 To have acquaintance with sick lepers.  
 246 **It is nat honest; it may nat avaunce,**  
 It is not respectable; it can not be profitable,  
 247 **For to deelen with no swich poraille,**  
 To deal with any such poor people,  
 248 **But al with riche and selleres of vitaille.**  
 But all with rich people and sellers of victuals.  
 249 **And over al, ther as profit sholde arise,**  
 And every where, where profit should arise,  
 250 **Curteis he was and lowely of servyse;**  
 He was courteous and graciously humble;  
 251 **Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous.**  
 There was no man anywhere so capable (of such work).  
 252 **He was the beste beggere in his hous;**  
 He was the best beggar in his house;  
 252a **\[And yaf a certeyn ferme for the graunt;**   
 \[And he gave a certain fee for his grant (of begging rights);  
 252a **Noon of his bretheren cam ther in his haunt;\]**   
 None of his brethren came there in his territory;\]  
 253 **For thogh a wydwe hadde noght a sho,**  
 For though a widow had not a shoe,  
 254 **So plesaunt was his "In principio,"**  
 So pleasant was his "In the beginning,"  
 255 **Yet wolde he have a ferthyng, er he wente.**  
 Yet he would have a farthing, before he went away.  
 256 **His purchas was wel bettre than his rente.**  
 His total profit was much more than his proper income.  
 257 **And rage he koude, as it were right a whelp.**  
 And he knew how to frolic, as if he were indeed a pup.  
 258 **In love-dayes ther koude he muchel help,**  
 He knew how to be much help on days for resolving disputes,  
 259 **For ther he was nat lyk a cloysterer**  
 For there he was not like a cloistered monk  
 260 **With a thredbare cope, as is a povre scoler,**  
 With a threadbare cope, like a poor scholar,  
 261 **But he was lyk a maister or a pope.**  
 But he was like a master of arts or a pope.  
 262 **Of double worstede was his semycope,**  
 Of wide (expensive) cloth was his short cloak,  
 263 **That rounded as a belle out of the presse.**  
 Which was round as a bell fresh from the clothespress.  
 264 **Somwhat he lipsed, for his wantownesse,**  
 Somewhat he lisped, for his affectation,  
 265 **To make his Englissh sweete upon his tonge;**  
 To make his English sweet upon his tongue;  
 266 **And in his harpyng, whan that he hadde songe,**  
 And in his harping, when he had sung,  
 267 **His eyen twynkled in his heed aryght**  
 His eyes twinkled in his head exactly  
 268 **As doon the sterres in the frosty nyght.**  
 As do the stars in the frosty night.  
 269 **This worthy lymytour was cleped Huberd.**  
 This worthy friar was called Huberd.

270 **A MARCHANT was ther with a forked berd,**  
 There was a MERCHANT with a forked beard,  
 271 **In mottelee, and hye on horse he sat;**  
 Wearing parti-colored cloth, and proudly he sat on his horse;  
 272 **Upon his heed a Flaundryssh bever hat,**  
 Upon his head (he wore a) Flemish beaver hat,  
 273 **His bootes clasped faire and fetisly.**  
 His boots were buckled handsomely and elegantly.  
 274 **His resons he spak ful solempnely,**  
 His opinions he spoke very solemnly,  
 275 **Sownynge alwey th' encrees of his wynnyng.**  
 Concerning always the increase of his profits.  
 276 **He wolde the see were kept for any thyng**  
 He wanted the sea to be guarded at all costs  
 277 **Bitwixe Middelburgh and Orewelle.**  
 Between Middelburgh (Holland) and Orwell (England).  
 278 **Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle.**  
 He well knew how to deal in foreign currencies.  
 279 **This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette:**  
 This worthy man employed his wit very well:  
 280 **Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette,**  
 There was no one who knew that he was in debt,  
 281 **So estatly was he of his governaunce**  
 He was so dignified in managing his affairs  
 282 **With his bargaynes and with his chevyssaunce.**  
 With his buying and selling and with his financial deals.  
 283 **For sothe he was a worthy man with alle,**  
 Truly, he was a worthy man indeed,  
 284 **But, sooth to seyn, I noot how men hym calle.**  
 But, to say the truth, I do not know what men call him.

285 **A CLERK ther was of Oxenford also,**  
 There was also a CLERK (scholar) from Oxford,  
 286 **That unto logyk hadde longe ygo.**  
 Who long before had begun the study of logic.  
 287 **As leene was his hors as is a rake,**  
 His horse was as lean as is a rake,  
 288 **And he nas nat right fat, I undertake,**  
 And he was not very fat, I affirm,  
 289 **But looked holwe, and therto sobrely.**  
 But looked emaciated, and moreover abstemious.  
 290 **Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy,**  
 His short overcoat was very threadbare,  
 291 **For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice,**  
 For he had not yet obtained an ecclesiastical living,  
 292 **Ne was so worldly for to have office.**  
 Nor was he worldly enough to take secular employment.  
 293 **For hym was levere have at his beddes heed**  
 For he would rather have at the head of his bed  
 294 **Twenty bookes, clad in blak or reed,**  
 Twenty books, bound in black or red,  
 295 **Of Aristotle and his philosophie**  
 Of Aristotle and his philosophy  
 296 **Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie.**  
 Than rich robes, or a fiddle, or an elegant psaltery.   
 297 **But al be that he was a philosophre,**  
 But even though he was a philosopher,  
 298 **Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre;**  
 Nevertheless he had but little gold in his strongbox;  
 299 **But al that he myghte of his freendes hente,**  
 But all that he could get from his friends,  
 300 **On bookes and on lernynge he it spente,**  
 He spent on books and on learning,  
 301 **And bisily gan for the soules preye**  
 And diligently did pray for the souls   
 302 **Of hem that yaf hym wherwith to scoleye.**  
 Of those who gave him the wherewithal to attend the schools.  
 303 **Of studie took he moost cure and moost heede.**  
 He took most care and paid most heed to study.  
 304 **Noght o word spak he moore than was neede,**  
 He spoke not one word more than was needed,  
 305 **And that was seyd in forme and reverence,**  
 And that was said with due formality and respect,  
 306 **And short and quyk and ful of hy sentence;**  
 And short and lively and full of elevated content;  
 307 **Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche,**  
 His speech was consonant with moral virtue,  
 308 **And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche.**  
 And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.

309 **A SERGEANT OF THE LAWE, war and wys,**  
 A SERGEANT OF THE LAW (high-ranking attorney), prudent and wise,  
 310 **That often hadde been at the Parvys,**  
 Who often had been at the Porch of St. Paul's (where lawyers gather)  
 311 **Ther was also, ful riche of excellence.**  
 Was also there, very rich in superior qualities.  
 312 **Discreet he was and of greet reverence --**  
 He was judicious and of great dignity --  
 313 **He semed swich, his wordes weren so wise.**  
 He seemed such, his words were so wise.  
 314 **Justice he was ful often in assise,**  
 He was very often a judge in the court of assizes,  
 315 **By patente and by pleyn commissioun.**  
 By royal appointment and with full jurisdiction.  
 316 **For his science and for his heigh renoun,**  
 For his knowledge and for his excellent reputation,  
 317 **Of fees and robes hadde he many oon.**  
 He had many grants of yearly income.  
 318 **So greet a purchasour was nowher noon:**  
 There was nowhere so great a land-buyer:  
 319 **Al was fee symple to hym in effect;**  
 In fact, all was unrestricted possession to him;  
 320 **His purchasyng myghte nat been infect.**  
 His purchasing could not be invalidated.  
 321 **Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas,**  
 There was nowhere so busy a man as he,   
 322 **And yet he semed bisier than he was.**  
 And yet he seemed busier than he was.  
 323 **In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle**  
 He had in Year Books all the cases and decisions  
 324 **That from the tyme of kyng William were falle.**  
 That from the time of king William have occurred.  
 325 **Therto he koude endite and make a thyng,**  
 Furthermore, he knew how to compose and draw up a legal document,  
 326 **Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng;**  
 So that no one could find a flaw in his writing;  
 327 **And every statut koude he pleyn by rote.**  
 And he knew every statute completely by heart.  
 328 **He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote,**  
 He rode but simply in a parti-colored coat,  
 329 **Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale;**  
 Girded with a belt of silk, with small stripes;  
 330 **Of his array telle I no lenger tale.**  
 I tell no longer tale of his clothing.

331 **A FRANKELEYN was in his compaignye.**  
 A FRANKLIN was in his company.  
 332 **Whit was his berd as is the dayesye;**  
 His beard was white as a daisy;  
 333 **Of his complexioun he was sangwyn.**  
 As to his temperament, he was dominated by the humor blood.  
 334 **Wel loved he by the morwe a sop in wyn;**  
 He well loved a bit of bread dipped in wine in the morning;  
 335 **To lyven in delit was evere his wone,**  
 His custom was always to live in delight,  
 336 **For he was Epicurus owene sone,**  
 For he was Epicurus' own son,  
 337 **That heeld opinioun that pleyn delit**  
 Who held the opinion that pure pleasure   
 338 **Was verray felicitee parfit.**  
 Was truly perfect happiness.  
 339 **An housholdere, and that a greet, was he;**  
 He was a householder, and a great one at that;  
 340 **Seint Julian he was in his contree.**  
 He was Saint Julian (patron of hospitality) in his country.  
 341 **His breed, his ale, was alweys after oon;**  
 His bread, his ale, was always of the same (good) quality;  
 342 **A bettre envyned man was nowher noon.**  
 Nowhere was there any man better stocked with wine.  
 343 **Withoute bake mete was nevere his hous,**  
 His house was never without baked pies  
 344 **Of fissh and flessh, and that so plentevous**  
 Of fish and meat, and that so plentiful  
 345 **It snewed in his hous of mete and drynke;**  
 That in his house it snowed with food and drink;  
 346 **Of alle deyntees that men koude thynke,**  
 Of all the dainties that men could imagine,  
 347 **After the sondry sesons of the yeer,**  
 In accord with the various seasons of the year,  
 348 **So chaunged he his mete and his soper.**  
 So he varied his midday meal and his supper.  
 349 **Ful many a fat partrich hadde he in muwe,**  
 He had very many fat partridges in pens,  
 350 **And many a breem and many a luce in stuwe.**  
 And many a bream and many a pike in his fish pond.  
 351 **Wo was his cook but if his sauce were**  
 Woe was his cook unless his sauce was  
 352 **Poynaunt and sharp, and redy al his geere.**  
 Hotly spiced and sharp, and ready all his cooking equipment.  
 353 **His table dormant in his halle alway**  
 In his hall his dining table always  
 354 **Stood redy covered al the longe day.**  
 Stood covered (with table cloth) and ready all the long day.  
 355 **At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire;**  
 He presided as lord and sire at court sessions;  
 356 **Ful ofte tyme he was knyght of the shire.**  
 He was a member of parliament many times.  
 357 **An anlaas and a gipser al of silk**  
 A dagger and a purse all of silk  
 358 **Heeng at his girdel, whit as morne milk.**  
 Hung at his belt, white as morning milk.  
 359 **A shirreve hadde he been, and a contour.**  
 He had been a sheriff, and an auditor of taxes.  
 360 **Was nowher swich a worthy vavasour.**  
 There was nowhere such a worthy landowner.

361 **AN HABERDASSHERE and a CARPENTER,**  
 A HABERDASHER and a CARPENTER,  
 362 **A WEBBE, a DYERE, and a TAPYCER --**  
 A WEAVER, a DYER, and a TAPESTRY-MAKER --  
 363 **And they were clothed alle in o lyveree**  
 And they were all clothed in one livery  
 364 **Of a solempne and a greet fraternitee.**  
 Of a solemn and a great parish guild.  
 365 **Ful fressh and newe hir geere apiked was;**  
 Their equipment was adorned all freshly and new;  
 366 **Hir knyves were chaped noght with bras**  
 Their knives were not mounted with brass  
 367 **But al with silver, wroght ful clene and weel,**  
 But entirely with silver, wrought very neatly and well,  
 368 **Hire girdles and hir pouches everydeel.**  
 Their belts and their purses every bit.  
 369 **Wel semed ech of hem a fair burgeys**  
 Each of them well seemed a solid citizen  
 370 **To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys.**  
 To sit on a dais in a city hall.  
 371 **Everich, for the wisdom that he kan,**  
 Every one of them, for the wisdom that he knows,  
 372 **Was shaply for to been an alderman.**  
 Was suitable to be an alderman.  
 373 **For catel hadde they ynogh and rente,**  
 For they had enough possessions and income,  
 374 **And eek hir wyves wolde it wel assente;**  
 And also their wives would well assent to it;  
 375 **And elles certeyn were they to blame.**  
 And otherwise certainly they would be to blame.  
 376 **It is ful fair to been ycleped "madame,"**  
 It is very fine to be called "my lady,"  
 377 **And goon to vigilies al bifore,**  
 And go to feasts on holiday eves heading the procession,  
 378 **And have a mantel roialliche ybore.**  
 And have a gown with a train royally carried.

379 **A COOK they hadde with hem for the nones**  
 A COOK they had with them for the occasion  
 380 **To boille the chiknes with the marybones,**  
 To boil the chickens with the marrow bones,  
 381 **And poudre-marchant tart and galyngale.**  
 And tart poudre-marchant and galingale (spices).  
 382 **Wel koude he knowe a draughte of Londoun ale.**  
 He well knew how to judge a draft of London ale.  
 383 **He koude rooste, and sethe, and broille, and frye,**  
 He knew how to roast, and boil, and broil, and fry,  
 384 **Maken mortreux, and wel bake a pye.**  
 Make stews, and well bake a pie.  
 385 **But greet harm was it, as it thoughte me,**  
 But it was a great harm, as it seemed to me,  
 386 **That on his shyne a mormal hadde he.**  
 That he had an open sore on his shin.  
 387 **For blankmanger, that made he with the beste.**  
 As for white pudding, he made that of the best quality.

388 **A SHIPMAN was ther, wonynge fer by weste;**  
 A SHIPMAN was there, dwelling far in the west;  
 389 **For aught I woot, he was of Dertemouthe.**  
 For all I know, he was from Dartmouth.  
 390 **He rood upon a rouncy, as he kouthe,**  
 He rode upon a cart horse, insofar as he knew how,  
 391 **In a gowne of faldyng to the knee.**  
 In a gown of woolen cloth (that reached) to the knee.  
 392 **A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he**  
 He had a dagger hanging on a cord   
 393 **Aboute his nekke, under his arm adoun.**  
 About his neck, down under his arm.  
 394 **The hoote somer hadde maad his hewe al broun;**  
 The hot summer had made his hue all brown;  
 395 **And certeinly he was a good felawe.**  
 And certainly he was a boon companion.  
 396 **Ful many a draughte of wyn had he ydrawe**  
 He had drawn very many a draft of wine  
 397 **Fro Burdeux-ward, whil that the chapman sleep.**  
 While coming from Bordeaux, while the merchant slept.  
 398 **Of nyce conscience took he no keep.**  
 He had no concern for a scrupulous conscience.  
 399 **If that he faught and hadde the hyer hond,**  
 If he fought and had the upper hand,  
 400 **By water he sente hem hoom to every lond.**  
 He sent them home by water to every land (they walked the plank).   
 401 **But of his craft to rekene wel his tydes,**  
 But of his skill to reckon well his tides,  
 402 **His stremes, and his daungers hym bisides,**  
 His currents, and his perils near at hand,  
 403 **His herberwe, and his moone, his lodemenage,**  
 His harbors, and positions of his moon, his navigation,  
 404 **Ther nas noon swich from Hulle to Cartage.**  
 There was none other such from Hull to Cartagena (Spain).  
 405 **Hardy he was and wys to undertake;**  
 He was bold and prudent in his undertakings;  
 406 **With many a tempest hadde his berd been shake.**  
 His beard had been shaken by many a tempest.  
 407 **He knew alle the havenes, as they were,**  
 He knew all the harbors, how they were,  
 408 **Fro Gootlond to the cape of Fynystere,**  
 From Gotland to the Cape of Finisterre,  
 409 **And every cryke in Britaigne and in Spayne.**  
 And every inlet in Brittany and in Spain.  
 410 **His barge ycleped was the Maudelayne.**  
 His ship was called the Maudelayne.

411 **With us ther was a DOCTOUR OF PHISIK;**  
 With us there was a DOCTOR OF MEDICINE  
 412 **In al this world ne was ther noon hym lik,**  
 In all this world there was no one like him,  
 413 **To speke of phisik and of surgerye,**  
 To speak of medicine and of surgery,  
 414 **For he was grounded in astronomye.**  
 For he was instructed in astronomy.  
 415 **He kepte his pacient a ful greet deel**  
 He took care of his patient very many times  
 416 **In houres by his magyk natureel.**  
 In (astronomically suitable) hours by (use of) his natural science.  
 417 **Wel koude he fortunen the ascendent**  
 He well knew how to calculate the planetary position  
 418 **Of his ymages for his pacient.**  
 Of his astronomical talismans for his patient.  
 419 **He knew the cause of everich maladye,**  
 He knew the cause of every malady,  
 420 **Were it of hoot, or coold, or moyste, or drye,**  
 Were it of hot, or cold, or moist, or dry elements,  
 421 **And where they engendred, and of what humour.**  
 And where they were engendered, and by what bodily fluid.  
 422 **He was a verray, parfit praktisour:**  
 He was a truly, perfect practitioner:  
 423 **The cause yknowe, and of his harm the roote,**  
 The cause known, and the source of his (patient's) harm,  
 424 **Anon he yaf the sike man his boote.**  
 Straightway he gave the sick man his remedy.  
 425 **Ful redy hadde he his apothecaries**  
 He had his apothecaries all ready   
 426 **To sende hym drogges and his letuaries,**  
 To send him drugs and his electuaries,  
 427 **For ech of hem made oother for to wynne --**  
 For each of them made the other to profit --  
 428 **Hir frendshipe nas nat newe to bigynne.**  
 Their friendship was not recently begun.  
 429 **Wel knew he the olde Esculapius,**  
 He well knew the old Aesculapius,  
 430 **And Deyscorides, and eek Rufus,**  
 And Dioscorides, and also Rufus,  
 431 **Olde Ypocras, Haly, and Galyen,**  
 Old Hippocrates, Haly, and Galen,  
 432 **Serapion, Razis, and Avycen,**  
 Serapion, Rhazes, and Avicenna,  
 433 **Averrois, Damascien, and Constantyn,**  
 Averroes, John the Damascan, and Constantine,  
 434 **Bernard, and Gatesden, and Gilbertyn.**  
 Bernard, and Gaddesden, and Gilbertus.  
 435 **Of his diete mesurable was he,**  
 He was moderate in his diet,  
 436 **For it was of no superfluitee,**  
 For it was of no excess,  
 437 **But of greet norissyng and digestible.**  
 But greatly nourishing and digestible.  
 438 **His studie was but litel on the Bible.**  
 His study was but little on the Bible.  
 439 **In sangwyn and in pers he clad was al,**  
 He was clad all in red and in blue,  
 440 **Lyned with taffata and with sendal.**  
 Lined with taffeta and with silk.  
 441 **And yet he was but esy of dispence;**  
 And yet he was moderate in spending;  
 442 **He kepte that he wan in pestilence.**  
 He kept what he earned in (times of) plague.  
 443 **For gold in phisik is a cordial,**  
 Since in medicine gold is a restorative for the heart,  
 444 **Therefore he lovede gold in special.**  
 Therefore he loved gold in particular.

**Do you want to check your understanding of the text? If so take a [brief quiz.](http://sites.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/teachslf/test2gp.htm)**

445 **A good WIF was ther OF biside BATHE,**  
 There was a good WIFE OF beside BATH,  
 446 **But she was somdel deef, and that was scathe.**  
 But she was somewhat deaf, and that was a pity.  
 447 **Of clooth-makyng she hadde swich an haunt**  
 She had such a skill in cloth-making   
 448 **She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt.**  
 She surpassed them of Ypres and of Ghent.  
 449 **In al the parisshe wif ne was ther noon**  
 In all the parish there was no wife   
 450 **That to the offrynge bifore hire sholde goon;**  
 Who should go to the Offering before her;  
 451 **And if ther dide, certeyn so wrooth was she**  
 And if there did, certainly she was so angry  
 452 **That she was out of alle charitee.**  
 That she was out of all charity (love for her neighbor).  
 453 **Hir coverchiefs ful fyne weren of ground;**  
 Her kerchiefs were very fine in texture;  
 454 **I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound**  
 I dare swear they weighed ten pound  
 455 **That on a Sonday weren upon hir heed.**  
 That on a Sunday were upon her head.  
 456 **Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed,**  
 Her stockings were of fine scarlet red,  
 457 **Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moyste and newe.**  
 Very closely laced, and shoes very supple and new.  
 458 **Boold was hir face, and fair, and reed of hewe.**  
 Bold was her face, and fair, and red of hue.  
 459 **She was a worthy womman al hir lyve:**  
 She was a worthy woman all her life:  
 460 **Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde fyve,**  
 She had (married) five husbands at the church door,  
 461 **Withouten oother compaignye in youthe --**  
 Not counting other company in youth --  
 462 **But thereof nedeth nat to speke as nowthe.**  
 But there is no need to speak of that right now.  
 463 **And thries hadde she been at Jerusalem;**  
 And she had been three times at Jerusalem;  
 464 **She hadde passed many a straunge strem;**  
 She had passed many a foreign sea;  
 465 **At Rome she hadde been, and at Boloigne,**  
 She had been at Rome, and at Boulogne,  
 466 **In Galice at Seint-Jame, and at Coloigne.**  
 In Galicia at Saint-James (of Compostella), and at Cologne.  
 467 **She koude muchel of wandrynge by the weye.**  
 She knew much about wandering by the way.  
 468 **Gat-tothed was she, soothly for to seye.**  
 She had teeth widely set apart, truly to say.  
 469 **Upon an amblere esily she sat,**  
 She sat easily upon a pacing horse,  
 470 **Ywympled wel, and on hir heed an hat**  
 Wearing a large wimple, and on her head a hat  
 471 **As brood as is a bokeler or a targe;**  
 As broad as a buckler or a shield;  
 472 **A foot-mantel aboute hir hipes large,**  
 An overskirt about her large hips,  
 473 **And on hir feet a paire of spores sharpe.**  
 And on her feet a pair of sharp spurs.  
 474 **In felaweshipe wel koude she laughe and carpe.**  
 In fellowship she well knew how to laugh and chatter.  
 475 **Of remedies of love she knew per chaunce,**  
 She knew, as it happened, about remedies for love   
 476 **For she koude of that art the olde daunce.**  
 For she knew the old dance (tricks of the trade) of that art.

477 **A good man was ther of religioun,**  
 A good man was there of religion,  
 478 **And was a povre PERSOUN OF A TOUN,**  
 And (he) was a poor PARSON OF A TOWN,  
 479 **But riche he was of hooly thoght and werk.**  
 But he was rich in holy thought and work.  
 480 **He was also a lerned man, a clerk,**  
 He was also a learned man, a scholar,  
 481 **That Cristes gospel trewely wolde preche;**  
 Who would preach Christ's gospel truly;  
 482 **His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche.**  
 He would devoutly teach his parishioners.  
 483 **Benygne he was, and wonder diligent,**  
 He was gracious, and wonderfully diligent,  
 484 **And in adversitee ful pacient,**  
 And very patient in adversity,  
 485 **And swich he was ypreved ofte sithes.**  
 And such he was proven many times.  
 486 **Ful looth were hym to cursen for his tithes,**  
 He was very reluctant to excommunicate for (nonpayment of) his tithes,  
 487 **But rather wolde he yeven, out of doute,**  
 But rather would he give, there is no doubt,  
 488 **Unto his povre parisshens aboute**  
 Unto his poor parishioners about  
 489 **Of his offryng and eek of his substaunce.**  
 Some of his offering (received at mass) and also some of his income.  
 490 **He koude in litel thyng have suffisaunce.**  
 He knew how to have sufficiency in few possessions.  
 491 **Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer asonder,**  
 His parish was wide, and houses far apart,  
 492 **But he ne lefte nat, for reyn ne thonder,**  
 But he did not omit, for rain nor thunder,  
 493 **In siknesse nor in meschief to visite**  
 In sickness or in trouble to visit  
 494 **The ferreste in his parisshe, muche and lite,**  
 Those living farthest away in his parish, high-ranking and low,  
 495 **Upon his feet, and in his hand a staf.**  
 Going by foot, and in his hand a staff.  
 496 **This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf,**  
 He gave this noble example to his sheep,  
 497 **That first he wroghte, and afterward he taughte.**  
 That first he wrought, and afterward he taught.  
 498 **Out of the gospel he tho wordes caughte,**  
 He took those words out of the gospel,  
 499 **And this figure he added eek therto,**  
 And this metaphor he added also to that,  
 500 **That if gold ruste, what shal iren do?**  
 That if gold rust, what must iron do?  
 501 **For if a preest be foul, on whom we truste,**  
 For if a priest, on whom we trust, should be foul  
 502 **No wonder is a lewed man to ruste;**  
 It is no wonder for a layman to go bad;  
 503 **And shame it is, if a prest take keep,**  
 And it is a shame, if a priest is concerned:  
 504 **A shiten shepherde and a clene sheep.**  
 A shit-stained shepherd and a clean sheep.  
 505 **Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yive,**  
 Well ought a priest to give an example,  
 506 **By his clennesse, how that his sheep sholde lyve.**  
 By his purity, how his sheep should live.  
 507 **He sette nat his benefice to hyre**  
 He did not rent out his benefice (ecclesiastical living)  
 508 **And leet his sheep encombred in the myre**  
 And leave his sheep encumbered in the mire  
 509 **And ran to Londoun unto Seinte Poules**  
 And run to London unto Saint Paul's  
 510 **To seken hym a chaunterie for soules,**  
 To seek an appointment as a chantry priest (praying for a patron)  
 511 **Or with a bretherhed to been withholde;**  
 Or to be hired (as a chaplain) by a guild;  
 512 **But dwelte at hoom, and kepte wel his folde,**  
 But dwelt at home, and kept well his sheep fold (parish),  
 513 **So that the wolf ne made it nat myscarie;**  
 So that the wolf did not make it go wrong;  
 514 **He was a shepherde and noght a mercenarie.**  
 He was a shepherd and not a hireling.  
 515 **And though he hooly were and vertuous,**  
 And though he was holy and virtuous,  
 516 **He was to synful men nat despitous,**  
 He was not scornful to sinful men,  
 517 **Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne,**  
 Nor domineering nor haughty in his speech,  
 518 **But in his techyng discreet and benygne.**  
 But in his teaching courteous and kind.  
 519 **To drawen folk to hevene by fairnesse,**  
 To draw folk to heaven by gentleness,  
 520 **By good ensample, this was his bisynesse.**  
 By good example, this was his business.  
 521 **But it were any persone obstinat,**  
 Unless it were an obstinate person,  
 522 **What so he were, of heigh or lough estat,**  
 Whoever he was, of high or low rank,  
 523 **Hym wolde he snybben sharply for the nonys.**  
 He would rebuke him sharply at that time.   
 524 **A bettre preest I trowe that nowher noon ys.**  
 I believe that nowhere is there a better priest.  
 525 **He waited after no pompe and reverence,**  
 He expected no pomp and ceremony,  
 526 **Ne maked him a spiced conscience,**  
 Nor made himself an overly fastidious conscience,  
 527 **But Cristes loore and his apostles twelve**  
 But Christ's teaching and His twelve apostles   
 528 **He taughte; but first he folwed it hymselve.**  
 He taught; but first he followed it himself.

529 **With hym ther was a PLOWMAN, was his brother,**  
 With him there was a PLOWMAN, who was his brother,  
 530 **That hadde ylad of dong ful many a fother;**  
 Who had hauled very many a cartload of dung;  
 531 **A trewe swynkere and a good was he,**  
 He was a true and good worker,  
 532 **Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee.**  
 Living in peace and perfect love.  
 533 **God loved he best with al his hoole herte**  
 He loved God best with all his whole heart  
 534 **At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte,**  
 At all times, whether it pleased or pained him,  
 535 **And thanne his neighebor right as hymselve.**  
 And then (he loved) his neighbor exactly as himself.  
 536 **He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve,**  
 He would thresh, and moreover make ditches and dig,  
 537 **For Cristes sake, for every povre wight,**  
 For Christ's sake, for every poor person,  
 538 **Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght.**  
 Without payment, if it lay in his power.  
 539 **His tithes payde he ful faire and wel,**  
 He paid his tithes completely and well,  
 540 **Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel.**  
 Both of his own labor and of his possessions.  
 541 **In a tabard he rood upon a mere.**  
 He rode in a tabard (sleeveless jacket) upon a mare.

542 **Ther was also a REVE, and a MILLERE,**  
 There was also a REEVE, and a MILLER,  
 543 **A SOMNOUR, and a PARDONER also,**  
 A SUMMONER, and a PARDONER also,  
 544 **A MAUNCIPLE, and myself -- ther were namo.**  
 A MANCIPLE, and myself -- there were no more.

545 **The MILLERE was a stout carl for the nones;**  
 The MILLER was a stout fellow indeed;  
 546 **Ful byg he was of brawn, and eek of bones.**  
 He was very strong of muscle, and also of bones.  
 547 **That proved wel, for over al ther he cam,**  
 That was well proven, for wherever he came,  
 548 **At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram.**  
 At wrestling he would always take the the prize.  
 549 **He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre;**  
 He was stoutly built, broad, a large-framed fellow;  
 550 **Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre,**  
 There was no door that he would not heave off its hinges,  
 551 **Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed.**  
 Or break it by running at it with his head.  
 552 **His berd as any sowe or fox was reed,**  
 His beard was red as any sow or fox,  
 553 **And therto brood, as though it were a spade.**  
 And moreover broad, as though it were a spade.  
 554 **Upon the cop right of his nose he hade**  
 Upon the exact top of his nose he had  
 555 **A werte, and theron stood a toft of herys,**  
 A wart, and thereon stood a tuft of hairs,  
 556 **Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys;**  
 Red as the bristles of a sow's ears;  
 557 **His nosethirles blake were and wyde.**  
 His nostrils were black and wide.  
 558 **A swerd and a bokeler bar he by his syde.**  
 He wore a sword and a buckler by his side.  
 559 **His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys.**  
 His mouth was as large as a large furnace.  
 560 **He was a janglere and a goliardeys,**  
 He was a loudmouth and a buffoon,  
 561 **And that was moost of synne and harlotries.**  
 And that was mostly of sin and deeds of harlotry.  
 562 **Wel koude he stelen corn and tollen thries;**  
 He well knew how to steal corn and take payment three times;  
 563 **And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee.**  
 And yet he had a thumb of gold, indeed.  
 564 **A whit cote and a blew hood wered he.**  
 He wore a white coat and a blue hood.  
 565 **A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne,**  
 He well knew how to blow and play a bag-pipe,  
 566 **And therwithal he broghte us out of towne.**  
 And with that he brought us out of town.

567 **A gentil MAUNCIPLE was ther of a temple,**  
 There was a fine MANCIPLE of a temple (law school),  
 568 **Of which achatours myghte take exemple**  
 Of whom buyers of provisions might take example  
 569 **For to be wise in byynge of vitaille;**  
 For how to be wise in buying of victuals;  
 570 **For wheither that he payde or took by taille,**  
 For whether he paid (cash) or took (goods) on credit,  
 571 **Algate he wayted so in his achaat**  
 Always he watched so (carefully for his opportunity) in his purchases  
 572 **That he was ay biforn and in good staat.**  
 That he was always ahead and in good state.  
 573 **Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace**  
 Now is not that a very fair grace of God   
 574 **That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace**  
 That such an unlearned man's wit shall surpass  
 575 **The wisdom of an heep of lerned men?**  
 The wisdom of a heap of learned men?  
 576 **Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten,**  
 He had more than three times ten masters,  
 577 **That weren of lawe expert and curious,**  
 Who were expert and skillful in law,  
 578 **Of which ther were a duszeyne in that hous**  
 Of whom there were a dozen in that house  
 579 **Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond**  
 Worthy to be stewards of rent and land  
 580 **Of any lord that is in Engelond,**  
 Of any lord that is in England,  
 581 **To make hym lyve by his propre good**  
 To make him live by his own wealth  
 582 **In honour dettelees (but if he were wood),**  
 In honor and debtless (unless he were crazy),  
 583 **Or lyve as scarsly as hym list desire;**  
 Or live as economically as it pleased him to desire;  
 584 **And able for to helpen al a shire**  
 And (they would be) able to help all a shire  
 585 **In any caas that myghte falle or happe.**  
 In any emergency that might occur or happen.  
 586 **And yet this Manciple sette hir aller cappe.**  
 And yet this Manciple fooled them all.

587 **The REVE was a sclendre colerik man.**  
 The REEVE was a slender choleric man.  
 588 **His berd was shave as ny as ever he kan;**  
 His beard was shaved as close as ever he can;  
 589 **His heer was by his erys ful round yshorn;**  
 His hair was closely cropped by his ears;  
 590 **His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn.**  
 The top of his head in front was cut short like a priest's.  
 591 **Ful longe were his legges and ful lene,**  
 His legs were very long and very lean,  
 592 **Ylyk a staf; ther was no calf ysene.**  
 Like a stick; there was no calf to be seen.  
 593 **Wel koude he kepe a gerner and a bynne;**  
 He well knew how to keep a granary and a storage bin;  
 594 **Ther was noon auditour koude on him wynne.**  
 There was no auditor who could earn anything (by catching him).  
 595 **Wel wiste he by the droghte and by the reyn**  
 He well knew by the drought and by the rain  
 596 **The yeldynge of his seed and of his greyn.**  
 (What would be) the yield of his seed and of his grain.  
 597 **His lordes sheep, his neet, his dayerye,**  
 His lord's sheep, his cattle, his herd of dairy cows,  
 598 **His swyn, his hors, his stoor, and his pultrye**  
 His swine, his horses, his livestock, and his poultry  
 599 **Was hoolly in this Reves governynge,**  
 Was wholly in this Reeve's control,  
 600 **And by his covenant yaf the rekenynge,**  
 And in accord with his contract he gave the reckoning,  
 601 **Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age.**  
 Since his lord was twenty years of age.  
 602 **Ther koude no man brynge hym in arrerage.**  
 There was no man who could find him in arrears.  
 603 **Ther nas baillif, ne hierde, nor oother hyne,**  
 There was no farm manager, nor herdsman, nor other servant,  
 604 **That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne;**  
 Whose trickery and treachery he did not know;  
 605 **They were adrad of hym as of the deeth.**  
 They were afraid of him as of the plague.  
 606 **His wonyng was ful faire upon an heeth;**  
 His dwelling was very nicely situated upon an heath;  
 607 **With grene trees yshadwed was his place.**  
 His place was shaded by green trees.  
 608 **He koude bettre than his lord purchace.**  
 He could buy property better than his lord could.  
 609 **Ful riche he was astored pryvely.**  
 He was secretly very richly provided.  
 610 **His lord wel koude he plesen subtilly,**  
 He well knew how to please his lord subtly,  
 611 **To yeve and lene hym of his owene good,**  
 By giving and lending him some of his lord's own possessions,  
 612 **And have a thank, and yet a cote and hood.**  
 And have thanks, and also a coat and hood (as a reward).  
 613 **In youthe he hadde lerned a good myster:**  
 In youth he had learned a good craft:  
 614 **He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter.**  
 He was a very good craftsman, a carpenter.  
 615 **This Reve sat upon a ful good stot**  
 This Reeve sat upon a very good horse  
 616 **That was al pomely grey and highte Scot.**  
 That was all dapple gray and was called Scot.  
 617 **A long surcote of pers upon he hade,**  
 He had on a long outer coat of dark blue,  
 618 **And by his syde he baar a rusty blade.**  
 And by his side he wore a rusty sword.  
 619 **Of Northfolk was this Reve of which I telle,**  
 Of Northfolk was this Reeve of whom I tell,  
 620 **Biside a toun men clepen Baldeswelle.**  
 Near to a town men call Bawdeswelle.  
 621 **Tukked he was as is a frere aboute,**  
 He had his coat hitched up and belted, like a friar,  
 622 **And evere he rood the hyndreste of oure route.**  
 And ever he rode as the last of our company.

623 **A SOMONOUR was ther with us in that place,**  
 There was a SUMMONER with us in that place,  
 624 **That hadde a fyr-reed cherubynnes face,**  
 Who had a fire-red cherubim's face,  
 625 **For saucefleem he was, with eyen narwe.**  
 For it was pimpled and discolored, with swollen eyelids.  
 626 **As hoot he was and lecherous as a sparwe,**  
 He was as hot and lecherous as a sparrow,  
 627 **With scalled browes blake and piled berd.**  
 With black, scabby brows and a beard with hair fallen out.  
 628 **Of his visage children were aferd.**  
 Children were afraid of his face.  
 629 **Ther nas quyk-silver, lytarge, ne brymstoon,**  
 There was no mercury, lead monoxide, nor sulphur,  
 630 **Boras, ceruce, ne oille of tartre noon,**  
 Borax, white lead, nor any oil of tarter,  
 631 **Ne oynement that wolde clense and byte,**  
 Nor ointment that would cleanse and burn,  
 632 **That hym myghte helpen of his whelkes white,**  
 That could cure him of his white pustules,  
 633 **Nor of the knobbes sittynge on his chekes.**  
 Nor of the knobs sitting on his cheeks.  
 634 **Wel loved he garleek, oynons, and eek lekes,**  
 He well loved garlic, onions, and also leeks,  
 635 **And for to drynken strong wyn, reed as blood;**  
 And to drink strong wine, red as blood;  
 636 **Thanne wolde he speke and crie as he were wood.**  
 Then he would speak and cry out as if he were crazy.  
 637 **And whan that he wel dronken hadde the wyn,**  
 And when he had drunk deeply of the wine,  
 638 **Thanne wolde he speke no word but Latyn.**  
 Then he would speak no word but Latin.  
 639 **A fewe termes hadde he, two or thre,**  
 He had a few legal terms, two or three,  
 640 **That he had lerned out of som decree --**  
 That he had learned out of some text of ecclesiastical law --  
 641 **No wonder is, he herde it al the day;**  
 That is no wonder, he heard it all the day;  
 642 **And eek ye knowen wel how that a jay**  
 And also you know well how a jay  
 643 **Kan clepen "Watte" as wel as kan the pope.**  
 Can call out "Walter" as well as the pope can.  
 644 **But whoso koude in oother thyng hym grope,**  
 But whoever knew how to examine him in other matters,  
 645 **Thanne hadde he spent al his philosophie;**  
 (Would find that) he had used up all his learning;  
 646 **Ay "Questio quid iuris" wolde he crie.**  
 Always "The question is, what point of the law applies?" he would cry.  
 647 **He was a gentil harlot and a kynde;**  
 He was a fine rascal and a kind one;  
 648 **A bettre felawe sholde men noght fynde.**  
 One could not find a better fellow.  
 649 **He wolde suffre for a quart of wyn**  
 For a quart of wine he would allow  
 650 **A good felawe to have his concubyn**  
 A good fellow to have his concubine  
 651 **A twelf month, and excuse hym atte fulle;**  
 For twelve months, and excuse him completely;  
 652 **Ful prively a fynch eek koude he pulle.**  
 Secretly he also knew how to pull off a clever trick.  
 653 **And if he foond owher a good felawe,**  
 And if he found anywhere a good fellow,  
 654 **He wolde techen him to have noon awe**  
 He would teach him to have no awe  
 655 **In swich caas of the ercedekenes curs,**  
 Of the archdeacon's curse (of excommunication) in such a case,  
 656 **But if a mannes soule were in his purs;**  
 Unless a man's soul were in his purse;  
 657 **For in his purs he sholde ypunysshed be.**  
 For in his purse he would be punished.  
 658 **"Purs is the ercedekenes helle," seyde he.**  
 "Purse is the archdeacon's hell," he said.  
 659 **But wel I woot he lyed right in dede;**  
 But well I know he lied right certainly;  
 660 **Of cursyng oghte ech gilty man him drede,**  
 Each guilty man ought to be afraid of excommunication,  
 661 **For curs wol slee right as assoillyng savith,**  
 For excommunication will slay just as forgiveness saves,  
 662 **And also war hym of a Significavit.**  
 And let him also beware of a Significavit (order for imprisonment).  
 663 **In daunger hadde he at his owene gise**  
 In his control he had as he pleased  
 664 **The yonge girles of the diocise,**  
 The young people of the diocese,  
 665 **And knew hir conseil, and was al hir reed.**  
 And knew their secrets, and was the adviser of them all.  
 666 **A gerland hadde he set upon his heed,**  
 He had set a garland upon his heed,  
 667 **As greet as it were for an ale-stake.**  
 As large as if it were for the sign of a tavern  
 668 **A bokeleer hadde he maad hym of a cake.**  
 He had made himself a shield of a cake.

669 **With hym ther rood a gentil PARDONER**  
 With him there rode a fine PARDONER  
 670 **Of Rouncivale, his freend and his compeer,**  
 Of Rouncivale, his friend and his companion,  
 671 **That streight was comen fro the court of Rome.**  
 Who had come straight from the court of Rome.  
 672 **Ful loude he soong "Com hider, love, to me!"**  
 Very loud he sang "Come hither, love, to me!"  
 673 **This Somonour bar to hym a stif burdoun;**  
 This Summoner harmonized with him in a strong bass;  
 674 **Was nevere trompe of half so greet a soun.**  
 There was never a trumpet of half so great a sound.  
 675 **This Pardoner hadde heer as yelow as wex,**  
 This Pardoner had hair as yellow as wax,  
 676 **But smothe it heeng as dooth a strike of flex;**  
 But smooth it hung as does a clump of flax;  
 677 **By ounces henge his lokkes that he hadde,**  
 By small strands hung such locks as he had,  
 678 **And therwith he his shuldres overspradde;**  
 And he spread them over his shoulders;  
 679 **But thynne it lay, by colpons oon and oon.**  
 But thin it lay, by strands one by one.  
 680 **But hood, for jolitee, wered he noon,**  
 But to make an attractive appearance, he wore no hood,  
 681 **For it was trussed up in his walet.**  
 For it was trussed up in his knapsack.  
 682 **Hym thoughte he rood al of the newe jet;**  
 It seemed to him that he rode in the very latest style;  
 683 **Dischevelee, save his cappe, he rood al bare.**  
 With hair unbound, save for his cap, he rode all bare-headed.  
 684 **Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an hare.**  
 He had glaring eyes such as has a hare.  
 685 **A vernycle hadde he sowed upon his cappe.**  
 He had sewn a Veronica upon his cap.  
 686 **His walet, biforn hym in his lappe,**  
 Before him in his lap, (he had) his knapsack,   
 687 **Bretful of pardoun comen from Rome al hoot.**  
 Brimful of pardons come all fresh from Rome.  
 688 **A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot.**  
 He had a voice as small as a goat has.  
 689 **No berd hadde he, ne nevere sholde have;**  
 He had no beard, nor never would have;  
 690 **As smothe it was as it were late shave.**  
 It (his face) was as smooth as if it were recently shaven.  
 691 **I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare.**  
 I believe he was a eunuch or a homosexual.  
 692 **But of his craft, fro Berwyk into Ware**  
 But as to his craft, from Berwick to Ware  
 693 **Ne was ther swich another pardoner.**  
 There was no other pardoner like him.  
 694 **For in his male he hadde a pilwe-beer,**  
 For in his pouch he had a pillow-case,  
 695 **Which that he seyde was Oure Lady veyl;**  
 Which he said was Our Lady's veil;  
 696 **He seyde he hadde a gobet of the seyl**  
 He said he had a piece of the sail  
 697 **That Seint Peter hadde, whan that he wente**  
 That Saint Peter had, when he went  
 698 **Upon the see, til Jhesu Crist hym hente.**  
 Upon the sea, until Jesus Christ took him.  
 699 **He hadde a croys of latoun ful of stones,**  
 He had a cross of latten (brass-like alloy) covered with stones,  
 700 **And in a glas he hadde pigges bones.**  
 And in a glass container he had pigs' bones.  
 701 **But with thise relikes, whan that he fond**  
 But with these relics, when he found  
 702 **A povre person dwellynge upon lond,**  
 A poor parson dwelling in the countryside,  
 703 **Upon a day he gat hym moore moneye**  
 In one day he got himself more money  
 704 **Than that the person gat in monthes tweye;**  
 Than the parson got in two months;  
 705 **And thus, with feyned flaterye and japes,**  
 And thus, with feigned flattery and tricks,  
 706 **He made the person and the peple his apes.**  
 He made fools of the parson and the people.  
 707 **But trewely to tellen atte laste,**  
 But truly to tell at the last,  
 708 **He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste.**  
 He was in church a noble ecclesiast.  
 709 **Wel koude he rede a lessoun or a storie,**  
 He well knew how to read a lesson or a story,  
 710 **But alderbest he song an offertorie;**  
 But best of all he sang an Offertory;  
 711 **For wel he wiste, whan that song was songe,**  
 For he knew well, when that song was sung,  
 712 **He moste preche and wel affile his tonge**  
 He must preach and well smooth his speech  
 713 **To wynne silver, as he ful wel koude;**  
 To win silver, as he very well knew how;   
 714 **Therefore he song the murierly and loude.**  
 Therefore he sang the more merrily and loud.

715 **Now have I toold you soothly, in a clause,**  
 Now have I told you truly, briefly,  
 716 **Th' estaat, th' array, the nombre, and eek the cause**  
 The rank, the dress, the number, and also the cause  
 717 **Why that assembled was this compaignye**  
 Why this company was assembled   
 718 **In Southwerk at this gentil hostelrye**  
 In Southwark at this fine hostelry  
 719 **That highte the Tabard, faste by the Belle.**  
 That is called the Tabard, close by the Bell.  
 720 **But now is tyme to yow for to telle**  
 But now it is time to tell to you   
 721 **How that we baren us that ilke nyght,**  
 How we conducted ourselves that same night,  
 722 **Whan we were in that hostelrie alyght;**  
 When we had arrived in that hostelry;  
 723 **And after wol I telle of our viage**  
 And after that I will tell of our journey  
 724 **And al the remenaunt of oure pilgrimage.**  
 And all the rest of our pilgrimage.  
 725 **But first I pray yow, of youre curteisye,**  
 But first I pray yow, of your courtesy,  
 726 **That ye n' arette it nat my vileynye,**  
 That you do not attribute it to my rudeness,  
 727 **Thogh that I pleynly speke in this mateere,**  
 Though I speak plainly in this matter,  
 728 **To telle yow hir wordes and hir cheere,**  
 To tell you their words and their behavior,  
 729 **Ne thogh I speke hir wordes proprely.**  
 Nor though I speak their words accurately.  
 730 **For this ye knowen al so wel as I:**  
 For this you know as well as I:  
 731 **Whoso shal telle a tale after a man,**  
 Whoever must repeat a story after someone,  
 732 **He moot reherce as ny as evere he kan**  
 He must repeat as closely as ever he knows how  
 733 **Everich a word, if it be in his charge,**  
 Every single word, if it be in his power,  
 734 **Al speke he never so rudeliche and large,**  
 Although he may speak ever so rudely and freely,  
 735 **Or ellis he moot telle his tale untrewe,**  
 Or else he must tell his tale inaccurately,  
 736 **Or feyne thyng, or fynde wordes newe.**  
 Or make up things, or find new words.  
 737 **He may nat spare, althogh he were his brother;**  
 He may not refrain from (telling the truth), although he were his brother;  
 738 **He moot as wel seye o word as another.**  
 He must as well say one word as another.  
 739 **Crist spak hymself ful brode in hooly writ,**  
 Christ himself spoke very plainly in holy writ,  
 740 **And wel ye woot no vileynye is it.**  
 And you know well it is no rudeness.  
 741 **Eek Plato seith, whoso kan hym rede,**  
 Also Plato says, whosoever knows how to read him,  
 742 **The wordes moote be cosyn to the dede.**  
 The words must be closely related to the deed.  
 743 **Also I prey yow to foryeve it me,**  
 Also I pray you to forgive it to me,  
 744 **Al have I nat set folk in hir degree**  
 Although I have not set folk in order of their rank  
 745 **Heere in this tale, as that they sholde stonde.**  
 Here in this tale, as they should stand.  
 746 **My wit is short, ye may wel understonde.**  
 My wit is short, you can well understand.

747 **Greet chiere made oure Hoost us everichon,**  
 Our Host made great hospitality to everyone of us,  
 748 **And to the soper sette he us anon.**  
 And to the supper he set us straightway.  
 749 **He served us with vitaille at the beste;**  
 He served us with victuals of the best sort;  
 750 **Strong was the wyn, and wel to drynke us leste.**  
 The wine was strong, and it well pleased us to drink.  
 751 **A semely man OURE HOOSTE was withalle**  
 OUR HOST was an impressive man indeed  
 752 **For to been a marchal in an halle.**  
 (Qualified) to be a master of ceremonies in a hall.  
 753 **A large man he was with eyen stepe --**  
 He was a large man with prominent eyes --  
 754 **A fairer burgeys was ther noon in Chepe --**  
 There was no better business man in Cheapside --  
 755 **Boold of his speche, and wys, and wel ytaught,**  
 Bold of his speech, and wise, and well mannered,  
 756 **And of manhod hym lakkede right naught.**  
 And he lacked nothing at all of the qualities proper to a man.  
 757 **Eek therto he was right a myrie man;**  
 Also moreover he was a right merry man;  
 758 **And after soper pleyen he bigan,**  
 And after supper he began to be merry,  
 759 **And spak of myrthe amonges othere thynges,**  
 And spoke of mirth among other things,  
 760 **Whan that we hadde maad oure rekenynges,**  
 When we had paid our bills,  
 761 **And seyde thus: "Now, lordynges, trewely,**  
 And said thus: "Now, gentlemen, truly,  
 762 **Ye been to me right welcome, hertely;**  
 You are right heartily welcome to me;  
 763 **For by my trouthe, if that I shal nat lye,**  
 For by my word, if I shall not lie (I must say),  
 764 **I saugh nat this yeer so myrie a compaignye**  
 I saw not this year so merry a company  
 765 **Atones in this herberwe as is now.**  
 At one time in this lodging as is (here) now.  
 766 **Fayn wolde I doon yow myrthe, wiste I how.**  
 I would gladly make you happy, if I knew how.  
 767 **And of a myrthe I am right now bythoght,**  
 And I have just now thought of an amusement,  
 768 **To doon yow ese, and it shal coste noght.**  
 To give you pleasure, and it shall cost nothing.

769 **"Ye goon to Caunterbury -- God yow speede,**  
 "You go to Canterbury -- God give you success,  
 770 **The blisful martir quite yow youre meede!**  
 May the blessed martyr give you your reward!  
 771 **And wel I woot, as ye goon by the weye,**  
 And well I know, as you go by the way,  
 772 **Ye shapen yow to talen and to pleye;**  
 You intend to tell tales and to amuse yourselves;  
 773 **For trewely, confort ne myrthe is noon**  
 For truly, it is no comfort nor mirth  
 774 **To ride by the weye doumb as a stoon;**  
 To ride by the way dumb as a stone;  
 775 **And therfore wol I maken yow disport,**  
 And therefore I will make a game for you,  
 776 **As I seyde erst, and doon yow som confort.**  
 As I said before, and provide you some pleasure.  
 777 **And if yow liketh alle by oon assent**  
 And if pleases you all unanimously  
 778 **For to stonden at my juggement,**  
 To be subject to my judgment,  
 779 **And for to werken as I shal yow seye,**  
 And to do as I shall tell you,  
 780 **Tomorwe, whan ye riden by the weye,**  
 Tomorrow, when you ride by the way,  
 781 **Now, by my fader soule that is deed,**  
 Now, by the soul of my father who is dead,  
 782 **But ye be myrie, I wol yeve yow myn heed!**  
 Unless you be merry, I will give you my head!  
 783 **Hoold up youre hondes, withouten moore speche."**  
 Hold up your hands, without more speech."

784 **Oure conseil was nat longe for to seche.**  
 Our decision was not long to seek out.  
 785 **Us thoughte it was noght worth to make it wys,**  
 It seemed to us it was not worthwhile to deliberate on it,  
 786 **And graunted hym withouten moore avys,**  
 And (we) granted his request without more discussion,  
 787 **And bad him seye his voirdit as hym leste.**  
 And asked him to say his decision as it pleased him.  
 788 **"Lordynges," quod he, "now herkneth for the beste;**  
 "Gentlemen," said he, "now listen for the best course of action;  
 789 **But taak it nought, I prey yow, in desdeyn.**  
 But, I pray yow, do not take it in disdain (scorn it).  
 790 **This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn,**  
 This is the point, to speak briefly and clearly,  
 791 **That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye,**  
 That each of yow, to make our way seem short by this means,  
 792 **In this viage shal telle tales tweye**  
 Must tell two tales in this journey  
 793 **To Caunterbury-ward, I mene it so,**  
 On the way to Canterbury, that is what I mean,  
 794 **And homward he shal tellen othere two,**  
 And on the homeward trip he shall tell two others,  
 795 **Of aventures that whilom han bifalle.**  
 About adventures that in old times have happened.  
 796 **And which of yow that bereth hym best of alle --**  
 And whoever of you who does best of all --  
 797 **That is to seyn, that telleth in this caas**  
 That is to say, who tells in this case  
 798 **Tales of best sentence and moost solaas --**  
 Tales of best moral meaning and most pleasure --  
 799 **Shal have a soper at oure aller cost**  
 Shall have a supper at the cost of us all  
 800 **Heere in this place, sittynge by this post,**  
 Here in this place, sitting by this post,  
 801 **Whan that we come agayn fro Caunterbury.**  
 When we come back from Canterbury.  
 802 **And for to make yow the moore mury,**  
 And to make you the more merry,  
 803 **I wol myselven goodly with yow ryde,**  
 I will myself gladly ride with you,  
 804 **Right at myn owene cost, and be youre gyde;**  
 Entirely at my own cost, and be your guide;  
 805 **And whoso wole my juggement withseye**  
 And whosoever will not accept my judgment   
 806 **Shal paye al that we spenden by the weye.**  
 Shall pay all that we spend by the way.  
 807 **And if ye vouche sauf that it be so,**  
 And if you grant that it be so,  
 808 **Tel me anon, withouten wordes mo,**  
 Tell me straightway, without more words,  
 809 **And I wol erly shape me therfore."**  
 And I will get ready early for this."

810 **This thyng was graunted, and oure othes swore**  
 This thing was granted, and our oaths sworn  
 811 **With ful glad herte, and preyden hym also**  
 With very glad hearts, and (we) prayed him also  
 812 **That he wolde vouche sauf for to do so,**  
 That he would consent to do so,  
 813 **And that he wolde been oure governour,**  
 And that he would be our governor,  
 814 **And of oure tales juge and reportour,**  
 And judge and score keeper of our tales,  
 815 **And sette a soper at a certeyn pris,**  
 And set a supper at a certain price,  
 816 **And we wol reuled been at his devys**  
 And we will be ruled as he wishes  
 817 **In heigh and lough; and thus by oon assent**  
 In every respect; and thus unanimously  
 818 **We been acorded to his juggement.**  
 We are accorded to his judgment.  
 819 **And therupon the wyn was fet anon;**  
 And thereupon the wine was fetched immediately;  
 820 **We dronken, and to reste wente echon,**  
 We drank, and each one went to rest,  
 821 **Withouten any lenger taryynge.**  
 Without any longer tarrying.

822 **Amorwe, whan that day bigan to sprynge,**  
 In the morning, when day began to spring,  
 823 **Up roos oure Hoost, and was oure aller cok,**  
 Our Host arose, and was the rooster of us all (awakened us).  
 824 **And gadrede us togidre alle in a flok,**  
 And gathered us together all in a flock,  
 825 **And forth we riden a litel moore than paas**  
 And forth we rode at little more than a walk  
 826 **Unto the Wateryng of Seint Thomas;**  
 Unto the Watering of Saint Thomas;  
 827 **And there oure Hoost bigan his hors areste**  
 And there our Host stopped his horse  
 828 **And seyde, "Lordynges, herkneth, if yow leste.**  
 And said, "Gentlemen, listen, if you please.  
 829 **Ye woot youre foreward, and I it yow recorde.**  
 You know your agreement, and I remind you of it.  
 830 **If even-song and morwe-song accorde,**  
 If what you said last night agrees with what you say this morning,   
 831 **Lat se now who shal telle the firste tale.**  
 Let's see now who shall tell the first tale.  
 832 **As evere mote I drynke wyn or ale,**  
 As ever I may drink wine or ale,  
 833 **Whoso be rebel to my juggement**  
 Whosoever may be rebel to my judgment  
 834 **Shal paye for al that by the wey is spent.**  
 Shall pay for all that is spent by the way.  
 835 **Now draweth cut, er that we ferrer twynne;**  
 Now draw straws, before we depart further (from London);  
 836 **He which that hath the shorteste shal bigynne.**  
 He who has the shortest shall begin.  
 837 **Sire Knyght," quod he, "my mayster and my lord,**  
 Sir Knight," said he, "my master and my lord,  
 838 **Now draweth cut, for that is myn accord.**  
 Now draw a straw, for that is my decision.  
 839 **Cometh neer," quod he, "my lady Prioresse.**  
 Come nearer," he said, "my lady Prioress.  
 840 **And ye, sire Clerk, lat be youre shamefastnesse,**  
 And you, sir Clerk, let be your modesty,  
 841 **Ne studieth noght; ley hond to, every man!"**  
 And study not; lay hand to (draw a straw), every man!"  
 842 **Anon to drawen every wight bigan,**  
 Every person began straightway to draw,  
 843 **And shortly for to tellen as it was,**  
 And shortly to tell as it was,  
 844 **Were it by aventure, or sort, or cas,**  
 Were it by chance, or destiny, or luck,  
 845 **The sothe is this: the cut fil to the Knyght,**  
 The truth is this: the draw fell to the Knight,  
 846 **Of which ful blithe and glad was every wyght,**  
 For which everyone was very happy and glad,  
 847 **And telle he moste his tale, as was resoun,**  
 And he must tell his tale, as was reasonable,  
 848 **By foreward and by composicioun,**  
 By our previous promise and by formal agreement,  
 849 **As ye han herd; what nedeth wordes mo?**  
 As you have heard; what more words are needed?  
 850 **And whan this goode man saugh that it was so,**  
 And when this good man saw that it was so,  
 851 **As he that wys was and obedient**  
 Like one who was wise and obedient  
 852 **To kepe his foreward by his free assent,**  
 To keep his agreement by his free assent,  
 853 **He seyde, "Syn I shal bigynne the game,**  
 He said, "Since I must begin the game,  
 854 **What, welcome be the cut, a Goddes name!**  
 What! Welcome be the draw, in God's name!  
 855 **Now lat us ryde, and herkneth what I seye."**  
 Now let us ride, and listen to what I say."  
 856 **And with that word we ryden forth oure weye,**  
 And with that word we rode forth on our way,  
 857 **And he bigan with right a myrie cheere**  
 And he began with a truly merry demeanor  
 858 **His tale anon, and seyde as ye may heere.**  
 To tell his tale straightway, and said as you may hear.