# 7.7 The Prologue, Tale, and Epilogue of the Nun's Priest ## expand\_more ## **The Prologue of the Nun's Priest's Tale** *The Prologue of the Nonnes Preestes Tale.* 2767 **"Hoo!" quod the Knyght, "good sire, namoore of this!** "Whoa!" said the Knight, "good sire, no more of this! 2768 **That ye han seyd is right ynough, ywis,** What you have said is quite enough, indeed, 2769 **And muchel moore; for litel hevynesse** And much more; for a little sadness 2770 **Is right ynough to muche folk, I gesse.** Is quite enough for many people, I guess. 2771 **I seye for me, it is a greet disese,** I say for myself, it is a great distress, 2772 **Whereas men han been in greet welthe and ese,** When men have been in great wealth and ease, 2773 **To heeren of hire sodeyn fal, allas!** To hear of their sudden fall, alas! 2774 **And the contrarie is joye and greet solas,** And the contrary is joy and great comfort, 2775 **As whan a man hath been in povre estaat,** As when a man has been in a poor condition, 2776 **And clymbeth up and wexeth fortunat,** And climbs up and becomes fortunate, 2777 **And there abideth in prosperitee.** And there remains in prosperity. 2778 **Swich thyng is gladsom, as it thynketh me,** Such a thing is pleasing, as it seems to me, 2779 **And of swich thyng were goodly for to telle."** And of such a thing it would be good to tell." 2780 **"Ye," quod oure Hooste, "by Seint Poules belle!** "Yea," said our Host, "by Saint Paul's bell! 2781 **Ye seye right sooth; this Monk he clappeth lowde.** You say the very truth; this Monk he chatters noisily. 2782 **He spak how Fortune covered with a clowde** He spoke of how Fortune covered with a cloud 2783 **I noot nevere what; and als of a tragedie** I know not what; and also of a tragedy 2784 **Right now ye herde, and pardee, no remedie** Just now you heard, and by God, no remedy 2785 **It is for to biwaille ne compleyne** Is it to bewail or lament 2786 **That that is doon, and als it is a peyne,** That which is done, and also it is a pain, 2787 **As ye han seyd, to heere of hevynesse.** As you have said, to hear of sadness. 2788 **"Sire Monk, namoore of this, so God yow blesse!** "Sir Monk, no more of this, as God may you bless! 2789 **Youre tale anoyeth al this compaignye.** Your tale annoys all this company. 2790 **Swich talkyng is nat worth a boterflye,** Such talking is not worth a butterfly, 2791 **For therinne is ther no desport ne game.** For in it there is no pleasure nor amusement. 2792 **Wherfore, sire Monk, daun Piers by youre name,** Therefore, Sir Monk, dan Piers by your name, 2793 **I pray yow hertely telle us somwhat elles;** I pray yow earnestly tell us something else; 2794 **For sikerly, nere clynkyng of youre belles** For truly, were it not for the clinking of your bells 2795 **That on youre bridel hange on every syde,** That on your bridle hang on every side, 2796 **By hevene kyng that for us alle dyde,** By heaven's King who for us all died, 2797 **I sholde er this han fallen doun for sleep,** I should before this have fallen down because of sleepiness, 2798 **Althogh the slough had never been so deep;** Although the mud had never been so deep; 2799 **Thanne hadde your tale al be toold in veyn.** Then had your tale been told all in vain. 2800 **For certeinly, as that thise clerkes seyn,** For certainly, as these clerks say, 2801 **Whereas a man may have noon audience,** Where a man may have no hearers, 2802 **Noght helpeth it to tellen his sentence.** It is no use to tell his opinion. 2803 **"And wel I woot the substance is in me,** "And well I know the capacity of appreciation is in me, 2804 **If any thyng shal wel reported be.** If any thing shall be well told. 2805 **Sir, sey somwhat of huntyng, I yow preye."** Sir, say something about hunting, I you pray." 2806 **"Nay," quod this Monk, "I have no lust to pleye.** "Nay," said this Monk, "I have no desire to play. 2807 **Now lat another telle, as I have toold."** Now let another tell, as I have told." 2808 **Thanne spak oure Hoost with rude speche and boold,** Then spoke oure Host with rude speech and bold, 2809 **And seyde unto the Nonnes Preest anon,** And said unto the Nun's Priest straightway, 2810 **"Com neer, thou preest, com hyder, thou sir John!** "Come near, thou priest, come hither, thou sir John! 2811 **Telle us swich thyng as may oure hertes glade.** Tell us such thing as may our hearts gladden. 2812 **Be blithe, though thou ryde upon a jade.** Be happy, though thou ride upon a nag. 2813 **What thogh thyn hors be bothe foul and lene?** What if thy horse be both poor and lean? 2814 **If he wol serve thee, rekke nat a bene.** If he will serve thee, care not a bean. 2815 **Looke that thyn herte be murie everemo."** See that thy heart be merry evermore." 2816 **"Yis, sir," quod he, "yis, Hoost, so moot I go,** "Yes indeed, sir," said he, "yes indeed, Host, as I may I prosper, 2817 **But I be myrie, ywis I wol be blamed."** Unless I be merry, indeed I will be blamed." 2818 **And right anon his tale he hath attamed,** And right away his tale he has begun, 2819 **And thus he seyde unto us everichon,** And thus he said unto us every one, 2820 **This sweete preest, this goodly man sir John.** This sweet priest, this goodly man sir John. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **The Nun's Priest's Tale** *Heere bigynneth the Nonnes Preestes Tale of the Cok and Hen,* *Chauntecleer and Pertelote* 2821 **A povre wydwe, somdeel stape in age,** A poor widow, somewhat advanced in age, 2822 **Was whilom dwellyng in a narwe cotage,** Was once dwelling in a small cottage, 2823 **Biside a grove, stondynge in a dale.** Beside a grove, standing in a dale. 2824 **This wydwe, of which I telle yow my tale,** This widow, of whom I tell you my tale, 2825 **Syn thilke day that she was last a wyf** Since that same day that she was last a wife 2826 **In pacience ladde a ful symple lyf,** In patience led a very simple life, 2827 **For litel was hir catel and hir rente.** For little was her possessions and her income. 2828 **By housbondrie of swich as God hire sente** By husbandry of such as God sent her 2829 **She foond hirself and eek hir doghtren two.** She provided for herself and also her two daughters. 2830 **Thre large sowes hadde she, and namo,** She had three large sows, and no more, 2831 **Three keen, and eek a sheep that highte Malle.** Three cows, and also a sheep that is called Malle. 2832 **Ful sooty was hire bour and eek hir halle,** Full sooty was her bedchamber and also her hall, 2833 **In which she eet ful many a sklendre meel.** In which she ate very many a scanty meal. 2834 **Of poynaunt sauce hir neded never a deel.** She needed not a bit of spicy sauce. 2835 **No deyntee morsel passed thurgh hir throte;** No dainty morsel passed through her throat; 2836 **Hir diete was accordant to hir cote.** Her diet was such as her farm produced. 2837 **Repleccioun ne made hire nevere sik;** Overeating never made her sick; 2838 **Attempree diete was al hir phisik,** Moderate diet was all her medical treatment, 2839 **And exercise, and hertes suffisaunce.** And exercise, and a contented heart. 2840 **The goute lette hire nothyng for to daunce,** The gout not at all prevented her from dancing, 2841 **N' apoplexie shente nat hir heed.** And apoplexy harmed not her head. 2842 **No wyn ne drank she, neither whit ne reed;** No wine she drank, neither white nor red; 2843 **Hir bord was served moost with whit and blak --** Her board was provided mostly with white and black -- 2844 **Milk and broun breed, in which she foond no lak,** Milk and dark bread, in which she found no lack, 2845 **Seynd bacoun, and somtyme an ey or tweye,** Broiled bacon, and sometimes an egg or two, 2846 **For she was, as it were, a maner deye.** For she was, as it were, a sort of dairywoman. 2847 **A yeerd she hadde, enclosed al aboute** She had a yard, enclosed all around 2848 **With stikkes, and a drye dych withoute,** With sticks, and a dry ditch outside it, 2849 **In which she hadde a cok, hight Chauntecleer.** In which she had a cock, called Chauntecleer. 2850 **In al the land, of crowyng nas his peer.** In all the land, there was not his peer in crowing. 2851 **His voys was murier than the murie orgon** His voice was merrier than the merry organ 2852 **On messe-dayes that in the chirche gon.** That goes in the church on mass-days. 2853 **Wel sikerer was his crowyng in his logge** Well more accurate was his crowing in his lodge 2854 **Than is a clokke or an abbey orlogge.** Than is a clock or an abbey timepiece. 2855 **By nature he knew ech ascencioun** By nature he knew (the hour of) each ascension 2856 **Of the equynoxial in thilke toun;** Of the celestial equator in that same town; 2857 **For whan degrees fiftene weren ascended,** For when degrees fifteen were ascended, 2858 **Thanne crew he that it myghte nat been amended.** Then he crowed so that it could not be improved. 2859 **His coomb was redder than the fyn coral,** His comb was redder than the fine coral, 2860 **And batailled as it were a castel wal;** And notched with battlements as if it were a castle wall; 2861 **His byle was blak, and as the jeet it shoon;** His bill was black, and it shone like the jet stone; 2862 **Lyk asure were his legges and his toon;** Like azure were his legs and his toes; 2863 **His nayles whitter than the lylye flour,** His nails whiter than the lily flour, 2864 **And lyk the burned gold was his colour.** And like the burnished gold was his color. 2865 **This gentil cok hadde in his governaunce** This gentle cock had in his governance 2866 **Sevene hennes for to doon al his plesaunce,** Seven hens to do all his pleasure, 2867 **Whiche were his sustres and his paramours,** Which were his sisters and his concubines, 2868 **And wonder lyk to hym, as of colours;** And wonderfully like him, in their colors; 2869 **Of whiche the faireste hewed on hir throte** Of which the fairest colored on her throat 2870 **Was cleped faire damoysele Pertelote.** Was called fair demoiselle Pertelote. 2871 **Curteys she was, discreet, and debonaire,** Courteous she was, discreet, and gracious, 2872 **And compaignable, and bar hyrself so faire** And companionable, and bore herself so fair 2873 **Syn thilke day that she was seven nyght oold** Since that same day that she was seven nights old 2874 **That trewely she hath the herte in hoold** That truly she has in possession the heart 2875 **Of Chauntecleer, loken in every lith;** Of Chauntecleer, locked in every limb (completely); 2876 **He loved hire so that wel was hym therwith.** He loved her so that well was him because of that. 2877 **But swich a joye was it to here hem synge,** But such a joy it was to hear them sing, 2878 **Whan that the brighte sonne gan to sprynge,** When the bright sun began to spring, 2879 **In sweete accord, "My lief is faren in londe!" --** In sweet accord, "My love has gone to the country!" -- 2880 **For thilke tyme, as I have understonde,** For in that same time, as I have understood, 2881 **Beestes and briddes koude speke and synge.** Beasts and birds could speak and sing. 2882 **And so bifel that in a dawenynge,** And so befell that in a dawning, 2883 **As Chauntecleer among his wyves alle** As Chauntecleer among all his wives 2884 **Sat on his perche, that was in the halle,** Sat on his perch, that was in the hall, 2885 **And next hym sat this faire Pertelote,** And next to him sat this faire Pertelote, 2886 **This Chauntecleer gan gronen in his throte,** This Chauntecleer began to groan in his throat, 2887 **As man that in his dreem is drecched soore.** As one that in his dream is deeply troubled. 2888 **And whan that Pertelote thus herde hym roore,** And when Pertelote thus heard him roar, 2889 **She was agast and seyde, "Herte deere,** She was aghast and said, "Dear heart, 2890 **What eyleth yow, to grone in this manere?** What ails you, to groan in this manner? 2891 **Ye been a verray sleper; fy, for shame!"** You are a true (sound) sleeper; fie, for shame!" 2892 **And he answerde, and seyde thus: "Madame,** And he answered, and said thus: "Madame, 2893 **I pray yow that ye take it nat agrief.** I pray you that you take it not amiss. 2894 **By God, me mette I was in swich meschief** By God, I dreamed I was in such mischief 2895 **Right now that yet myn herte is soore afright.** Right now that yet my heart is grievously frightened. 2896 **Now God," quod he, "my swevene recche aright,** Now God," said he, "interpret my dream correctly, 2897 **And kepe my body out of foul prisoun!** And keep my body out of foul prison! 2898 **Me mette how that I romed up and doun** I dreamed how I roamed up and down 2899 **Withinne our yeerd, wheer as I saugh a beest** Within our yard, where I saw a beast 2900 **Was lyk an hound, and wolde han maad areest** Was like a hound, and would have seized 2901 **Upon my body, and wolde han had me deed.** Upon my body, and would have had me dead. 2902 **His colour was bitwixe yelow and reed,** His color was between yellow and red, 2903 **And tipped was his tayl and bothe his eeris** And tipped was his tail and both his ears 2904 **With blak, unlyk the remenant of his heeris;** With black, unlike the rest of his hair; 2905 **His snowte smal, with glowynge eyen tweye.** His snout small, with two glowing eyes. 2906 **Yet of his look for feere almoost I deye;** Yet for fear of his look I almost die; 2907 **This caused me my gronyng, doutelees."** This caused my groaning, doubtless." 2908 **"Avoy!" quod she, "fy on yow, hertelees!** "Shame!" said she, "fie on you, coward! 2909 **Allas," quod she, "for, by that God above,** Alas," said she, "for, by that God above, 2910 **Now han ye lost myn herte and al my love!** Now have you lost my heart and all my love! 2911 **I kan nat love a coward, by my feith!** I can not love a coward, by my faith! 2912 **For certes, what so any womman seith,** For certainly, whatever any woman says, 2913 **We alle desiren, if it myghte bee,** We all desire, if it might be, 2914 **To han housbondes hardy, wise, and free,** To have husbands hardy, wise, and generous, 2915 **And secree -- and no nygard, ne no fool,** And secret -- and no miser, nor no fool, 2916 **Ne hym that is agast of every tool,** Nor him who is afraid of every weapon, 2917 **Ne noon avauntour, by that God above!** Nor any boaster, by that God above! 2918 **How dorste ye seyn, for shame, unto youre love** How dare you say, for shame, unto your love 2919 **That any thyng myghte make yow aferd?** That any thing might make you afraid? 2920 **Have ye no mannes herte, and han a berd?** Have you no man's heart, and have a beard? 2921 **Allas! And konne ye been agast of swevenys?** Alas! And can you be frightened of dreams? 2922 **Nothyng, God woot, but vanitee in sweven is.** Nothing, God knows, but foolishness is in dreams. 2923 **Swevenes engendren of replecciouns,** Dreams are produced by overeating, 2924 **And ofte of fume and of complecciouns,** And often by stomach vapors and by the mixture of bodily humors, 2925 **Whan humours been to habundant in a wight.** When humors are too abundant in a person. 2926 **Certes this dreem, which ye han met to-nyght,** Certainly this dream, which you have dreamed to-night, 2927 **Cometh of the greete superfluytee** Comes of the great superfluity 2928 **Of youre rede colera, pardee,** Of your red choleric humor, indeed, 2929 **Which causeth folk to dreden in hir dremes** Which causes folk in their dreams to be afraid 2930 **Of arwes, and of fyr with rede lemes,** Of arrows, and of fire with red flames, 2931 **Of rede beestes, that they wol hem byte,** Of red beasts, (fearing) that they will bite them, 2932 **Of contek, and of whelpes, grete and lyte;** Of strife, and of dogs, big and little; 2933 **Right as the humour of malencolie** Right as the humor of melancholy 2934 **Causeth ful many a man in sleep to crie** Causes very many a man in sleep to cry 2935 **For feere of blake beres, or boles blake,** For fear of black bears, or black bulls, 2936 **Or elles blake develes wole hem take.** Or else black devils will take them. 2937 **Of othere humours koude I telle also** Of other humors could I tell also 2938 **That werken many a man sleep ful wo;** That cause many a man much woe (in) sleep; 2939 **But I wol passe as lightly as I kan.** But I will pass over as lightly as I can. 2940 **"Lo Catoun, which that was so wys a man,** "Lo Cato, who was so wise a man, 2941 **Seyde he nat thus, `Ne do no fors of dremes'?** Said he not thus, `Attach no importance to dreams'? 2942 **"Now sire," quod she, "whan we flee fro the bemes,** "Now sir," said she, "when we fly from the beams, 2943 **For Goddes love, as taak som laxatyf.** For God's love, take some laxative. 2944 **Up peril of my soule and of my lyf,** Upon peril of my soul and of my life, 2945 **I conseille yow the beste -- I wol nat lye --** I counsel you the best -- I will not lie -- 2946 **That bothe of colere and of malencolye** That both of choler and of melancholy 2947 **Ye purge yow; and for ye shal nat tarie,** You purge yourself; and so that you shall not delay, 2948 **Though in this toun is noon apothecarie,** Though in this town is no apothecary, 2949 **I shal myself to herbes techen yow** I shall myself guide you to herbs 2950 **That shul been for youre hele and for youre prow;** That shall be for your health and for your benefit; 2951 **And in oure yeerd tho herbes shal I fynde** And in our yard I shall find those herbs 2952 **The whiche han of hire propretee by kynde** The which by nature have the power 2953 **To purge yow bynethe and eek above.** To purge you beneath and also above. 2954 **Foryet nat this, for Goddes owene love!** Forget not this, for God's own love! 2955 **Ye been ful coleryk of compleccioun;** You are dominated by the choleric humor; 2956 **Ware the sonne in his ascencioun** Beware the sun when it is high in the sky 2957 **Ne fynde yow nat repleet of humours hoote.** And do not find yourself with an excess of hot humors. 2958 **And if it do, I dar wel leye a grote,** And if there be an excess, I dare well bet four pence, 2959 **That ye shul have a fevere terciane,** That you shall have a fever recurring every three days, 2960 **Or an agu that may be youre bane.** Or an ague that may be your death. 2961 **A day or two ye shul have digestyves** A day or two you shall have digestives 2962 **Of wormes, er ye take youre laxatyves** Of worms, before you take your laxatives 2963 **Of lawriol, centaure, and fumetere,** Of spurge laurel, centaury, and fumitory, 2964 **Or elles of ellebor, that groweth there,** Or else of hellebore, that grows there, 2965 **Of katapuce, or of gaitrys beryis,** Of caper-spurge, or of rhamus, 2966 **Of herbe yve, growyng in oure yeerd, ther mery is;** Of ground ivy, growing in our yard, where it is pleasant; 2967 **Pekke hem up right as they growe and ete hem yn.** Peck them up right as they grow and eat them in. 2968 **Be myrie, housbonde, for youre fader kyn!** Be merry, husband, for your father's kin! 2969 **Dredeth no dreem; I kan sey yow namoore."** Dread no dream; I can say you no more." 2970 **"Madame," quod he, "graunt mercy of youre loore.** "Madame," said he, "great thanks for your learning. 2971 **But nathelees, as touchyng daun Catoun,** But nonetheless, as touching dan Cato, 2972 **That hath of wysdom swich a greet renoun,** That has of wisdom such a great renown, 2973 **Though that he bad no dremes for to drede,** Though he commanded (us) to dread no dreams, 2974 **By God, men may in olde bookes rede** By God, men may in old books read 2975 **Of many a man moore of auctorite** Of many a man of more authority 2976 **Than evere Caton was, so moot I thee,** Than Cato ever was, as I may prosper, 2977 **That al the revers seyn of this sentence,** Who say all the reverse of this sentence, 2978 **And han wel founden by experience** And have well found by experience 2979 **That dremes been significaciouns** That dreams are significations 2980 **As wel of joye as of tribulaciouns** As well of joy as of tribulations 2981 **That folk enduren in this lif present.** That folk endure in this present life. 2982 **Ther nedeth make of this noon argument;** There need be no argument about this; 2983 **The verray preeve sheweth it in dede.** The proof itself shows it in the deed. 2984 **"Oon of the gretteste auctour that men rede** "One of the greatest author that men read 2985 **Seith thus: that whilom two felawes wente** Says thus: that once two fellows went 2986 **On pilgrimage, in a ful good entente,** On pilgrimage, with a very good intention, 2987 **And happed so, they coomen in a toun** And it so happened, they came in a town 2988 **Wher as ther was swich congregacioun** Where there was such a gathering 2989 **Of peple, and eek so streit of herbergage,** Of people, and also such a scantiness of lodging, 2990 **That they ne founde as muche as o cotage** That they found not so much as one cottage 2991 **In which they bothe myghte ylogged bee.** In which they both might be lodged. 2992 **Wherfore they mosten of necessitee,** Therefore they must of necessity, 2993 **As for that nyght, departen compaignye;** For that night, part company; 2994 **And ech of hem gooth to his hostelrye,** And each of them goes to his hostelry, 2995 **And took his loggyng as it wolde falle.** And took his lodging as it would befall. 2996 **That oon of hem was logged in a stalle,** The one of them was lodged in a stall, 2997 **Fer in a yeerd, with oxen of the plough;** Far in a yard, with oxen of the plough; 2998 **That oother man was logged wel ynough,** That other man was lodged well enough, 2999 **As was his aventure or his fortune,** As was his adventure or his fortune, 3000 **That us governeth alle as in commune.** Which us governs all in common. 3001 **"And so bifel that, longe er it were day,** "And it so befell that, long before it was day, 3002 **This man mette in his bed, ther as he lay,** This man dreamed in his bed, where he lay, 3003 **How that his felawe gan upon hym calle,** How his fellow began to call upon him, 3004 **And seyde, `Allas, for in an oxes stalle** And said, `Alas, for in an oxen's stall 3005 **This nyght I shal be mordred ther I lye!** This night I shall be murdered where I lie! 3006 **Now help me, deere brother, or I dye.** Now help me, dear brother, or I die. 3007 **In alle haste com to me!' he sayde.** In all haste come to me!' he said. 3008 **This man out of his sleep for feere abrayde;** This man out of his sleep for fear awakened suddenly; 3009 **But whan that he was wakened of his sleep,** But when he was wakened of his sleep, 3010 **He turned hym and took of this no keep.** He turned himself and took no heed of this. 3011 **Hym thoughte his dreem nas but a vanitee.** He thought his dream was nothing but a fantasy. 3012 **Thus twies in his slepyng dremed hee;** Thus twice in his sleeping he dreamed; 3013 **And atte thridde tyme yet his felawe** And at third time yet his fellow 3014 **Cam, as hym thoughte, and seide, `I am now slawe.** Came, as it seemed to him, and said, `I am now slain. 3015 **Bihoold my bloody woundes depe and wyde!** Behold my bloody wounds deep and wide! 3016 **Arys up erly in the morwe tyde,** Arise up early in the morning time, 3017 **And at the west gate of the toun,' quod he,** And at the west gate of the town,' he said, 3018 **`A carte ful of dong ther shaltow se,** `A cart full of dung there shalt thou see, 3019 **In which my body is hid ful prively;** In which my body is hid very secretly; 3020 **Do thilke carte arresten boldely.** Have that same cart immediately seized. 3021 **My gold caused my mordre, sooth to sayn,'** My gold caused my murder, to say the truth,' 3022 **And tolde hym every point how he was slayn,** And told him in full detail how he was slain, 3023 **With a ful pitous face, pale of hewe.** With a very piteous face, pale of hue. 3024 **And truste wel, his dreem he foond ful trewe,** And trust well, his dream he found very true, 3025 **For on the morwe, as soone as it was day,** For on the morrow, as soon as it was day, 3026 **To his felawes in he took the way;** To his fellow's inn he took the way; 3027 **And whan that he cam to this oxes stalle,** And when he came to this oxen's stall, 3028 **After his felawe he bigan to calle.** After his fellow he began to call. 3029 **"The hostiler answerede hym anon,** "The innkeeper answered him straightway, 3030 **And seyde, `Sire, your felawe is agon.** And said, `Sir, your fellow is gone. 3031 **As soone as day he wente out of the toun.'** As soon as it was day he went out of the town.' 3032 **"This man gan fallen in suspecioun,** "This man began to fall in suspicion, 3033 **Remembrynge on his dremes that he mette,** Remembering his dreams that he dreamed, 3034 **And forth he gooth -- no lenger wolde he lette --** And forth he goes -- no longer would he delay -- 3035 **Unto the west gate of the toun, and fond** Unto the west gate of the town, and found 3036 **A dong-carte, wente as it were to donge lond,** A dung-cart, which went as if it were to dung land, 3037 **That was arrayed in that same wise** That was drawn up in that same manner 3038 **As ye han herd the dede man devyse.** As you have heard the dead man tell. 3039 **And with an hardy herte he gan to crye** And with a hardy heart he began to cry for 3040 **Vengeance and justice of this felonye:** Vengeance and justice of this felony: 3041 **`My felawe mordred is this same nyght,** `My fellow is murdered this same night, 3042 **And in this carte he lith gapyng upright.** And in this cart he lies gaping upright. 3043 **I crye out on the ministres,' quod he,** I cry out on the officials,' said he, 3044 **`That sholden kepe and reulen this citee.** `Who should guard and rule this city. 3045 **Harrow! Allas! Heere lith my felawe slayn!'** Help! Alas! Here lies my fellow slain!' 3046 **What sholde I moore unto this tale sayn?** What should I more unto this tale say? 3047 **The peple out sterte and caste the cart to grounde,** The people rushed out and cast the cart to ground, 3048 **And in the myddel of the dong they founde** And in the middle of the dung they found 3049 **The dede man, that mordred was al newe.** The dead man, who was just recently murdered. 3050 **"O blisful God, that art so just and trewe,** "O blissful God, that art so just and true, 3051 **Lo, how that thou biwreyest mordre alway!** Lo, how thou always reveal murder! 3052 **Mordre wol out; that se we day by day.** Murder will out; we see that day by day. 3053 **Mordre is so wlatsom and abhomynable** Murder is so disgusting and abominable 3054 **To God, that is so just and resonable,** To God, who is so just and reasonable, 3055 **That he ne wol nat suffre it heled be,** That He will not suffer it to be hidden, 3056 **Though it abyde a yeer, or two, or thre.** Though it may wait a year, or two, or three. 3057 **Mordre wol out, this my conclusioun.** Murder will out, this is my conclusion. 3058 **And right anon, ministres of that toun** And immediately, officials of that town 3059 **Han hent the carter and so soore hym pyned,** Have seized the carter and so painfully tortured him, 3060 **And eek the hostiler so soore engyned,** And also the hosteller so grievously tortured, 3061 **That they biknewe hire wikkednesse anon,** That they straightway acknowledged their wickedness, 3062 **And were anhanged by the nekke-bon.** And were hanged by the neck-bone. 3063 **"Heere may men seen that dremes been to drede.** "Here men may seen that dreams are to be feared. 3064 **And certes in the same book I rede,** And certainly in the same book I read, 3065 **Right in the nexte chapitre after this --** Right in the next chapter after this -- 3066 **I gabbe nat, so have I joye or blis --** I do not lie, as I may have joy or bliss -- 3067 **Two men that wolde han passed over see,** Two men that would have passed over see, 3068 **For certeyn cause, into a fer contree,** For a certain reason, into a far country, 3069 **If that the wynd ne hadde been contrarie,** If that the wind had not been contrary, 3070 **That made hem in a citee for to tarie** That made them to tarry in a city 3071 **That stood ful myrie upon an haven-syde;** That stood very merrily upon an haven-side; 3072 **But on a day, agayn the even-tyde,** But on a day, toward the evening time, 3073 **The wynd gan chaunge, and blew right as hem leste.** The wind began to change, and blew exactly as they desired. 3074 **Jolif and glad they wente unto hir reste,** Jolly and glad they went unto their rest, 3075 **And casten hem ful erly for to saille.** And they planned to sail very early. 3076 **But herkneth! To that o man fil a greet mervaille:** But listen! To that one man befell a great marvel: 3077 **That oon of hem, in slepyng as he lay,** The one of them, in sleeping as he lay, 3078 **Hym mette a wonder dreem agayn the day.** He dreamed a wondrous dream before the day. 3079 **Hym thoughte a man stood by his beddes syde,** He thought a man stood by his bed's side, 3080 **And hym comanded that he sholde abyde,** And commanded him that he should stay, 3081 **And seyde hym thus: `If thou tomorwe wende,** And said to him thus: `If thou travel tomorrow, 3082 **Thow shalt be dreynt; my tale is at an ende.'** Thou shalt be drowned; my tale is at an end.' 3083 **He wook, and tolde his felawe what he mette,** He woke, and told his fellow what he dreamed, 3084 **And preyde hym his viage for to lette;** And prayed him to delay his voyage; 3085 **As for that day, he preyde hym to byde.** For that day, he prayed him to wait. 3086 **His felawe, that lay by his beddes syde,** His fellow, that lay by his bed's side, 3087 **Gan for to laughe, and scorned him ful faste.** Began to laugh, and vigorously scorned him. 3088 **`No dreem,' quod he, `may so myn herte agaste** `No dream,' said he, `may so frighten my heart 3089 **That I wol lette for to do my thynges.** That I will desist from doing my tasks. 3090 **I sette nat a straw by thy dremynges,** I set not a straw by (put no value on) thy dreams, 3091 **For swevenes been but vanytees and japes.** For dreams are but fantasies and foolishness. 3092 **Men dreme alday of owles and of apes,** Men dream all the time of owls and of apes, 3093 **And of many a maze therwithal;** And of many a source of amazement indeed; 3094 **Men dreme of thyng that nevere was ne shal.** Men dream of a thing that never was nor shall be. 3095 **But sith I see that thou wolt heere abyde,** But since I see that thou will remain here, 3096 **And thus forslewthen wilfully thy tyde,** And thus willfully waste thy tide, 3097 **God woot, it reweth me; and have good day!'** God knows, it makes me sorry; and have good day!' 3098 **And thus he took his leve, and wente his way.** And thus he took his leave, and went his way. 3099 **But er that he hadde half his cours yseyled,** But before he had sailed half his course, 3100 **Noot I nat why, ne what myschaunce it eyled,** I know not why, nor what mischance harmed it, 3101 **But casuelly the shippes botme rente,** But by chance the ship's bottom broke open, 3102 **And ship and man under the water wente** And ship and man went under the water 3103 **In sighte of othere shippes it bisyde,** In sight of other ships beside it, 3104 **That with hem seyled at the same tyde.** That with them sailed on the same tide. 3105 **And therfore, faire Pertelote so deere,** And therefore, faire Pertelote so dear, 3106 **By swiche ensamples olde maistow leere** By such old examples thou may learn 3107 **That no man sholde been to recchelees** That no man should be too heedless 3108 **Of dremes; for I seye thee, doutelees,** Of dreams; for I say to thee, doubtless, 3109 **That many a dreem ful soore is for to drede.** That many a dream is very greatly to be feared. 3110 **"Lo, in the lyf of Seint Kenelm I rede,** "Lo, I read in the life of Saint Kenelm, 3111 **That was Kenulphus sone, the noble kyng** That was son of Kenulphus, the noble king 3112 **Of Mercenrike, how Kenelm mette a thyng.** Of Mercia, how Kenelm dreamed a thing. 3113 **A lite er he was mordred, on a day,** A little before he was murdered, on a day, 3114 **His mordre in his avysioun he say.** He saw his murder in his vision. 3115 **His norice hym expowned every deel** His nurse completely explained to him 3116 **His sweven, and bad hym for to kepe hym weel** His dream, and ordered him to guard himself well 3117 **For traisoun; but he nas but seven yeer oold,** From treason; but he was only seven years old, 3118 **And therfore litel tale hath he toold** And therefore he put little store 3119 **Of any dreem, so hooly was his herte.** In any dream, so holy was his heart. 3120 **By God! I hadde levere than my sherte** By God! I had rather than my shirt (give my shirt) 3121 **That ye hadde rad his legende, as have I.** That you had read his legend, as have I. 3122 **"Dame Pertelote, I sey yow trewely,** "Dame Pertelote, I say you truly, 3123 **Macrobeus, that writ the avisioun** Macrobius, that wrote the vision 3124 **In Affrike of the worthy Cipioun,** In Africa of the worthy Scipio, 3125 **Affermeth dremes, and seith that they been** Affirms (the value of) dreams, and says that they are 3126 **Warnynge of thynges that men after seen.** Warnings of things that men later see (come to pass) 3127 **And forthermoore, I pray yow, looketh wel** And furthermore, I pray you, look well 3128 **In the olde testament, of Daniel,** In the Old Testament, concerning Daniel, 3129 **If he heeld dremes any vanitee.** If he held dreams (to be) any foolishness. 3130 **Reed eek of Joseph, and ther shul ye see** Read also of Joseph, and there shall you see 3131 **Wher dremes be somtyme -- I sey nat alle --** Whether dreams are sometimes -- I say not all -- 3132 **Warnynge of thynges that shul after falle.** Warnings of things that shall afterward befall. 3133 **Looke of Egipte the kyng, daun Pharao,** Consider the king of Egypt, dan Pharaoh, 3134 **His bakere and his butiller also,** His baker and his butler also, 3135 **Wher they ne felte noon effect in dremes.** Whether or not they felt any effect in dreams. 3136 **Whoso wol seken actes of sondry remes** Whoever will seek out the histories of various nations 3137 **May rede of dremes many a wonder thyng.** May read many a wonderful thing about dreams. 3138 **Lo Cresus, which that was of Lyde kyng,** Lo Croesus, who was king of Lydia, 3139 **Mette he nat that he sat upon a tree,** Dreamed he not that he sat upon a tree, 3140 **Which signified he sholde anhanged bee?** Which signified he should be hanged? 3141 **Lo heere Andromacha, Ectores wyf,** Lo here Andromacha, Hector's wife, 3142 **That day that Ector sholde lese his lyf,** That day that Hector should lose his life, 3143 **She dremed on the same nyght biforn** She dreamed on the same night before 3144 **How that the lyf of Ector sholde be lorn,** How the life of Hector should be lost, 3145 **If thilke day he wente into bataille.** If that same day he went into battle. 3146 **She warned hym, but it myghte nat availle;** She warned him, but it might not avail; 3147 **He wente for to fighte natheles,** He went to fight nonetheless, 3148 **But he was slayn anon of Achilles.** But he was slain straightway by Achilles. 3149 **But thilke tale is al to longe to telle,** But that same tale is all too long to tell, 3150 **And eek it is ny day; I may nat dwelle.** And also it is nigh day; I may not delay. 3151 **Shortly I seye, as for conclusioun,** Shortly I say, as for conclusion, 3152 **That I shal han of this avisioun** That I shall have of this vision 3153 **Adversitee; and I seye forthermoor** Adversity; and I say furthermore 3154 **That I ne telle of laxatyves no stoor,** That I put no store in laxatives, 3155 **For they been venymes, I woot it weel;** For they are poisonous, I know it well; 3156 **I hem diffye, I love hem never a deel!** I renounce them, I love them not at all! 3157 **"Now let us speke of myrthe, and stynte al this.** "Now let us speak of mirth, and stop all this. 3158 **Madame Pertelote, so have I blis,** Madame Pertelote, as I may have bliss, 3159 **Of o thyng God hath sent me large grace;** Of one thing God has sent me a great favor; 3160 **For whan I se the beautee of youre face,** For when I see the beauty of your face, 3161 **Ye been so scarlet reed aboute youre yen,** You are so scarlet red about your eyes, 3162 **It maketh al my drede for to dyen;** It makes all my dread die; 3163 **For al so siker as In principio,** For as surely as `In the beginning, 3164 **Mulier est hominis confusio --** `Woman is the ruin of man --' 3165 **Madame, the sentence of this Latyn is,** Madame, the meaning of this Latin is, 3166 **`Womman is mannes joye and al his blis.'** `Woman is man's joy and all his bliss.' 3167 **For whan I feele a-nyght your softe syde --** For when I feel at night your soft side -- 3168 **Al be it that I may nat on yow ryde,** Although I can not on you ride, 3169 **For that oure perche is maad so narwe, allas --** Because our perch is made so narrow, alas -- 3170 **I am so ful of joye and of solas,** I am so full of joy and of pleasure, 3171 **That I diffye bothe sweven and dreem."** That I renounce both vision and dream." 3172 **And with that word he fley doun fro the beem,** And with that word he flew down from the beam, 3173 **For it was day, and eke his hennes alle,** For it was day, and also all his hens, 3174 **And with a chuk he gan hem for to calle,** And with a cluck he began to call them, 3175 **For he hadde founde a corn, lay in the yerd.** Because he had found a seed, which lay in the yard. 3176 **Real he was, he was namoore aferd.** Royal he was, he was no longer afraid. 3177 **He fethered Pertelote twenty tyme,** He embraced Pertelote twenty times, 3178 **And trad hire eke as ofte, er it was pryme.** And copulated with her also as often, before it was 6 a.m.. 3179 **He looketh as it were a grym leoun,** He looks as if he were a grim lion, 3180 **And on his toos he rometh up and doun;** And on his toes he roams up and down; 3181 **Hym deigned nat to sette his foot to grounde.** He deigned not to set his foot to ground. 3182 **He chukketh whan he hath a corn yfounde,** He clucks when he has found a seed, 3183 **And to hym rennen thanne his wyves alle.** And then his wives all run to him. 3184 **Thus roial, as a prince is in his halle,** Thus royal, as a prince is in his hall, 3185 **Leve I this Chauntecleer in his pasture,** Leave I this Chauntecleer in his feeding place, 3186 **And after wol I telle his aventure.** And after I will tell his adventure. 3187 **Whan that the month in which the world bigan,** When the month in which the world began, 3188 **That highte March, whan God first maked man,** Which is called March, when God first made man, 3189 **Was compleet, and passed were also,** Was complete, and passed were also, 3190 **Syn March \[was gon\], thritty dayes and two,** Since March had gone, thirty days and two, 3191 **Bifel that Chauntecleer in al his pryde,** Befell that Chauntecleer in all his pride, 3192 **His sevene wyves walkynge by his syde,** His seven wives walking by his side, 3193 **Caste up his eyen to the brighte sonne,** Cast up his eyes to the bright sun, 3194 **That in the signe of Taurus hadde yronne** That in the sign of Taurus had run 3195 **Twenty degrees and oon, and somwhat moore,** Twenty degrees and one, and somewhat more, 3196 **And knew by kynde, and by noon oother loore,** And knew by nature, and by none other knowledge, 3197 **That it was pryme, and crew with blisful stevene.** That it was prime, and crowed with blissful voice. 3198 **"The sonne," he seyde, "is clomben up on hevene** "The sun," he said, "has climbed up on heaven 3199 **Fourty degrees and oon, and moore ywis.** Forty degrees and one, and more indeed. 3200 **Madame Pertelote, my worldes blis,** Madame Pertelote, my world's bliss, 3201 **Herkneth thise blisful briddes how they synge,** Listen to these blissful birds, how they sing, 3202 **And se the fresshe floures how they sprynge;** And see the fresh flowers, how they spring; 3203 **Ful is myn herte of revel and solas!"** My heart is full of revel and pleasure!" 3204 **But sodeynly hym fil a sorweful cas,** But suddenly to him befell a sorrowful situation, 3205 **For evere the latter ende of joye is wo.** For ever the latter end of joy is woe. 3206 **God woot that worldly joye is soone ago;** God knows that worldly joy is soon gone; 3207 **And if a rethor koude faire endite,** And if a rhetorician could fairly compose, 3208 **He in a cronycle saufly myghte it write** He in a chronicle confidently could write it 3209 **As for a sovereyn notabilitee.** As a supremely important fact. 3210 **Now every wys man, lat him herkne me;** Now every wise man, let him listen to me; 3211 **This storie is also trewe, I undertake,** This story is as true, I declare, 3212 **As is the book of Launcelot de Lake,** As is the Book of Lancelot of the Lake, 3213 **That wommen holde in ful greet reverence.** Which women hold in very great reverence. 3214 **Now wol I torne agayn to my sentence.** Now will I turn again to my subject matter. 3215 **A col-fox, ful of sly iniquitee,** A fox, full of sly iniquity, 3216 **That in the grove hadde woned yeres three,** That in the grove had dwelled three years, 3217 **By heigh ymaginacioun forncast,** By exalted imagination predestined, 3218 **The same nyght thurghout the hegges brast** The same night through the hedges broke 3219 **Into the yerd ther Chauntecleer the faire** Into the yard where the handsome Chauntecleer 3220 **Was wont, and eek his wyves, to repaire;** Was accustomed, and also his wives, to repair; 3221 **And in a bed of wortes stille he lay** And in a bed of cabbages he lay quietly 3222 **Til it was passed undren of the day,** Until it had passed 9 a.m. of the day, 3223 **Waitynge his tyme on Chauntecleer to falle,** Waiting his time on Chauntecleer to fall, 3224 **As gladly doon thise homycides alle** As habitually do all these homicides 3225 **That in await liggen to mordre men.** That in ambush lie to murder men. 3226 **O false mordrour, lurkynge in thy den!** O false murderer, lurking in thy den! 3227 **O newe Scariot, newe Genylon,** O new Judas Iscariot, new Genylon, 3228 **False dissymulour, o Greek Synon,** False deceiver, O Greek Synon, 3229 **That broghtest Troye al outrely to sorwe!** That brought all Troy completely to sorrow! 3230 **O Chauntecleer, acursed be that morwe** O Chauntecleer, cursed be that morning 3231 **That thou into that yerd flaugh fro the bemes!** That thou flew from the beams into that yard! 3232 **Thou were ful wel ywarned by thy dremes** Thou were very well warned by thy dreams 3233 **That thilke day was perilous to thee;** That that same day was perilous to thee; 3234 **But what that God forwoot moot nedes bee,** But what God knows beforehand must by necessity be, 3235 **After the opinioun of certein clerkis.** According to the opinion of certain scholars. 3236 **Witnesse on hym that any parfit clerk is,** Take witness of him that is a thoroughly competent scholar, 3237 **That in scole is greet altercacioun** That in the university is great disagreement 3238 **In this mateere, and greet disputisoun,** In this matter, and great disputation, 3239 **And hath been of an hundred thousand men.** And has been (disputed) by a hundred thousand men. 3240 **But I ne kan nat bulte it to the bren** But I can not separate the valid and invalid arguments 3241 **As kan the hooly doctour Augustyn,** As can the holy doctor Augustine, 3242 **Or Boece, or the Bisshop Bradwardyn,** Or Boethius, or the Bishop Bradwardyn, 3243 **Wheither that Goddes worthy forwityng** Whether God's worthy foreknowledge 3244 **Streyneth me nedely for to doon a thyng --** Constrains me by need to do a thing -- 3245 **"Nedely" clepe I symple necessitee --** "Need" I call simple necessity -- 3246 **Or elles, if free choys be graunted me** Or else, if free choice be granted to me 3247 **To do that same thyng, or do it noght,** To do that same thing, or do it not, 3248 **Though God forwoot it er that I was wroght;** Though God knew it before I was born; 3249 **Or if his wityng streyneth never a deel** Or if his knowledge constrains not at all 3250 **But by necessitee condicioneel.** But by conditional necessity. 3251 **I wol nat han to do of swich mateere;** I will not have to do with such matter; 3252 **My tale is of a cok, as ye may heere,** My tale is of a cock, as you may hear, 3253 **That tok his conseil of his wyf, with sorwe,** Who took his counsel from his wife, with sorrow, 3254 **To walken in the yerd upon that morwe** To walk in the yard upon that morning 3255 **That he hadde met that dreem that I yow tolde.** That he had dreamed that dream of which I told you. 3256 **Wommennes conseils been ful ofte colde;** Women's counsels are very often fatal; 3257 **Wommannes conseil broghte us first to wo** Woman's counsel brought us first to woe 3258 **And made Adam fro Paradys to go,** And made Adam to go from Paradise, 3259 **Ther as he was ful myrie and wel at ese.** Where he was very merry and well at ease. 3260 **But for I noot to whom it myght displese,** But because I know not to whom it might displease, 3261 **If I conseil of wommen wolde blame,** If I would blame counsel of women, 3262 **Passe over, for I seyde it in my game.** Pass over, for I said it as a joke. 3263 **Rede auctours, where they trete of swich mateere,** Read authors, where they treat of such matter, 3264 **And what they seyn of wommen ye may heere.** And what they say of women you may hear. 3265 **Thise been the cokkes wordes, and nat myne;** These are the cock's words, and not mine; 3266 **I kan noon harm of no womman divyne.** I know no harm of any woman divine. 3267 **Faire in the soond, to bathe hire myrily,** Fair in the sand, to bathe her merrily, 3268 **Lith Pertelote, and alle hire sustres by,** Lies Pertelote, and all her sisters by her, 3269 **Agayn the sonne, and Chauntecleer so free** In the sunshine, and Chauntecleer so noble 3270 **Soong murier than the mermayde in the see** Sang more merrily than the mermaid in the sea 3271 **(For Phisiologus seith sikerly** (For Phisiologus says surely 3272 **How that they syngen wel and myrily).** How they sing well and merrily). 3273 **And so bifel that, as he caste his ye** And so befell that, as he cast his eye 3274 **Among the wortes on a boterflye,** On a butterfly among the cabbages, 3275 **He was war of this fox, that lay ful lowe.** He was aware of this fox, that lay very low. 3276 **Nothyng ne liste hym thanne for to crowe,** Not at all then did he want to crow, 3277 **But cride anon, "Cok! cok!" and up he sterte** But cried straightway, "Cock! cock!" and up he leaped 3278 **As man that was affrayed in his herte.** As one that was frightened in his heart. 3279 **For natureelly a beest desireth flee** For naturally a beast desires to flee 3280 **Fro his contrarie, if he may it see,** From his natural opponent, if he may see it, 3281 **Though he never erst hadde seyn it with his ye.** Though he never before had seen it with his eye. 3282 **This Chauntecleer, whan he gan hym espye,** This Chauntecleer, when he did espy him, 3283 **He wolde han fled, but that the fox anon** He would have fled, but that the fox straightway 3284 **Seyde, "Gentil sire, allas, wher wol ye gon?** Said, "Gentle sir, alas, where will you go? 3285 **Be ye affrayed of me that am youre freend?** Are you afraid of me who is your friend? 3286 **Now, certes, I were worse than a feend,** Now, certainly, I would be worse than a fiend, 3287 **If I to yow wolde harm or vileynye!** If I to you would do harm or villainy! 3288 **I am nat come youre conseil for t' espye,** I am not come to spy on your secrets, 3289 **But trewely, the cause of my comynge** But truly, the cause of my coming 3290 **Was oonly for to herkne how that ye synge.** Was only to hear how you sing. 3291 **For trewely, ye have as myrie a stevene** For truly, you have as merry a voice 3292 **As any aungel hath that is in hevene.** As has any angel that is in heaven. 3293 **Therwith ye han in musyk moore feelynge** Therewith you have in music more feeling 3294 **Than hadde Boece, or any that kan synge.** Than had Boethius, or any that knows how to sing. 3295 **My lord youre fader -- God his soule blesse! --** My lord your father -- God bless his soul! -- 3296 **And eek youre mooder, of hire gentillesse,** And also your mother, of her graciousness, 3297 **Han in myn hous ybeen to my greet ese;** Have been in my house to my great pleasure; 3298 **And certes, sire, ful fayn wolde I yow plese.** And certainly, sir, I would very eagerly please you. 3299 **But, for men speke of syngyng, I wol seye --** But, insofar as men speak of singing, I will say -- 3300 **So moote I brouke wel myne eyen tweye --** As I may well have use of my two eyes -- 3301 **Save yow, I herde nevere man so synge** Except for you, I heard never man so sing 3302 **As dide youre fader in the morwenynge.** As did your father in the morning. 3303 **Certes, it was of herte, al that he song.** Certainly, it came from the heart, all that he sang. 3304 **And for to make his voys the moore strong,** And to make his voice the more strong, 3305 **He wolde so peyne hym that with bothe his yen** He would so exert himself that with both his eyes 3306 **He moste wynke, so loude he wolde cryen,** He had to wink, so loud he would cry, 3307 **And stonden on his tiptoon therwithal,** And stand on his tiptoes simultaneously, 3308 **And strecche forth his nekke long and smal.** And stretch forth his neck long and small. 3309 **And eek he was of swich discrecioun** And also he was of such sound judgment 3310 **That ther nas no man in no regioun** That there was no man in any region 3311 **That hym in song or wisedom myghte passe.** That might pass him in song or wisdom. 3312 **I have wel rad in `Daun Burnel the Asse,'** I have well read in `Dan Burnel the Ass,' 3313 **Among his vers, how that ther was a cok,** Among his verses, how there was a cock, 3314 **For that a preestes sone yaf hym a knok** Because a priest's son gave him a knock 3315 **Upon his leg whil he was yong and nyce,** Upon his leg while he was young and foolish, 3316 **He made hym for to lese his benefice.** He made him lose his benefice. 3317 **But certeyn, ther nys no comparisoun** But certainly, there is no comparison 3318 **Bitwixe the wisedom and discrecioun** Between the wisdom and discretion 3319 **Of youre fader and of his subtiltee.** Of your father and of his subtlety. 3320 **Now syngeth, sire, for seinte charitee;** Now sing, sir, for Saint Charity; 3321 **Lat se; konne ye youre fader countrefete?"** Let's see; can you imitate your father?" 3322 **This Chauntecleer his wynges gan to bete,** This Chauntecleer began to beat his wings, 3323 **As man that koude his traysoun nat espie,** As one that could not espy his treason, 3324 **So was he ravysshed with his flaterie.** He was so ravished with his flattery. 3325 **Allas, ye lordes, many a fals flatour** Alas, you lords, many a false flatterer 3326 **Is in youre courtes, and many a losengeour,** Is in your courts, and many a sycophant, 3327 **That plesen yow wel moore, by my feith,** Who please you well more, by my faith, 3328 **Than he that soothfastnesse unto yow seith.** Than he who says the truth unto you. 3329 **Redeth Ecclesiaste of flaterye;** Read Ecclesiastes about flattery; 3330 **Beth war, ye lordes, of hir trecherye.** Beware, you lords, of their treachery. 3331 **This Chauntecleer stood hye upon his toos,** This Chauntecleer stood high upon his toes, 3332 **Strecchynge his nekke, and heeld his eyen cloos,** Stretching his neck, and held his eyes closed, 3333 **And gan to crowe loude for the nones.** And began to crow loud for the occasion. 3334 **And daun Russell the fox stirte up atones,** And dan Russell the fox leaped up at once, 3335 **And by the gargat hente Chauntecleer,** And grabbed Chauntecleer by the throat, 3336 **And on his bak toward the wode hym beer,** And carried him on his back toward the woods, 3337 **For yet ne was ther no man that hym sewed.** For yet there was no one that pursued him. 3338 **O destinee, that mayst nat been eschewed!** O destiny, that may not be escaped! 3339 **Allas, that Chauntecleer fleigh fro the bemes!** Alas, that Chauntecleer flew from the beams! 3340 **Allas, his wyf ne roghte nat of dremes!** Alas, his wife took no heed of dreams! 3341 **And on a Friday fil al this meschaunce.** And on a Friday befell all this misfortune. 3342 **O Venus, that art goddesse of plesaunce,** O Venus, who art goddess of pleasure, 3343 **Syn that thy servant was this Chauntecleer,** Since this Chauntecleer was thy servant, 3344 **And in thy servyce dide al his poweer,** And in thy service did all his power, 3345 **Moore for delit than world to multiplye,** More for delight than to people the world, 3346 **Why woldestow suffre hym on thy day to dye?** Why wouldest thou allow him to die on thy day? 3347 **O Gaufred, deere maister soverayn,** O Gaufred, dear supreme master, 3348 **That whan thy worthy kyng Richard was slayn** Who when thy worthy king Richard was slain 3349 **With shot, compleynedest his deeth so soore,** By shot of an arrow, complained his death so grievously, 3350 **Why ne hadde I now thy sentence and thy loore,** Why had I not now thy wisdom and thy learning, 3351 **The Friday for to chide, as diden ye?** To chide the Friday, as you did? 3352 **For on a Friday, soothly, slayn was he.** For on a Friday, truly, he was slain. 3353 **Thanne wolde I shewe yow how that I koude pleyne** Then would I show you how that I could complain 3354 **For Chauntecleres drede and for his peyne.** For Chanticleer's dread and for his pain. 3355 **Certes, swich cry ne lamentation** Certainly, such cry nor lamentation 3356 **Was nevere of ladyes maad whan Ylion** Was never made by ladies when Ilion (Troy) 3357 **Was wonne, and Pirrus with his streite swerd,** Was won, and Pirrus with his drawn sword, 3358 **Whan he hadde hent kyng Priam by the berd,** When he had seized king Priam by the beard, 3359 **And slayn hym, as seith us Eneydos,** And slain him, as the Aeneid tells us, 3360 **As maden alle the hennes in the clos,** As all the hens made in the yard, 3361 **Whan they had seyn of Chauntecleer the sighte.** When they had seen the sight of Chauntecleer. 3362 **But sovereynly dame Pertelote shrighte** But supremely dame Pertelote shrieked 3363 **Ful louder than dide Hasdrubales wyf,** Much louder than did Hasdrubales' wife, 3364 **Whan that hir housbonde hadde lost his lyf** When her husband had lost his life 3365 **And that the Romayns hadde brend Cartage.** And the Romans had burned Carthage. 3366 **She was so ful of torment and of rage** She was so full of torment and of rage 3367 **That wilfully into the fyr she sterte** That willfully into the fire she leaped 3368 **And brende hirselven with a stedefast herte.** And burned herself with a steadfast heart. 3369 **O woful hennes, right so criden ye** O woeful hens, exactly so you cried 3370 **As whan that Nero brende the citee** As when Nero burned the city 3371 **Of Rome cryden senatoures wyves** Of Rome senators' wives cried 3372 **For that hir husbondes losten alle hir lyves --** Because their husbands lost all their lives -- 3373 **Withouten gilt this Nero hath hem slayn.** Without guilt this Nero has them slain. 3374 **Now wole I turne to my tale agayn.** Now will I turn to my tale again. 3375 **This sely wydwe and eek hir doghtres two** This poor widow and also her two daughters 3376 **Herden thise hennes crie and maken wo,** Heard these hens cry and make woe, 3377 **And out at dores stirten they anon,** And out at doors they rush anon, 3378 **And syen the fox toward the grove gon,** And see the fox go toward the grove, 3379 **And bar upon his bak the cok away,** And carried the cock away upon his back, 3380 **And cryden, "Out! Harrow and weylaway!** And cried, "Help! Help and alas! 3381 **Ha, ha! The fox!" and after hym they ran,** Ha, ha! The fox!" and after him they ran, 3382 **And eek with staves many another man.** And also with staves many another man. 3383 **Ran Colle oure dogge, and Talbot and Gerland,** Ran Colle our dog, and Talbot and Gerland, 3384 **And Malkyn, with a dystaf in hir hand;** And Malkyn, with a distaff in her hand; 3385 **Ran cow and calf, and eek the verray hogges,** Ran cow and calf, and also the very hogs, 3386 **So fered for the berkyng of the dogges** So frightened for the barking of the dogs 3387 **And shoutyng of the men and wommen eeke** And shouting of the men and women also 3388 **They ronne so hem thoughte hir herte breeke.** They ran so hard that they thought their hearts would break. 3389 **They yolleden as feendes doon in helle;** They yelled as fiends do in hell; 3390 **The dokes cryden as men wolde hem quelle;** The ducks cried as if men would them kill; 3391 **The gees for feere flowen over the trees;** The geese for fear flew over the trees; 3392 **Out of the hyve cam the swarm of bees.** Out of the hive came the swarm of bees. 3393 **So hydous was the noyse -- a, benedicitee! --** So hideous was the noise -- a, bless me! -- 3394 **Certes, he Jakke Straw and his meynee** Certainly, he Jack Straw and his company 3395 **Ne made nevere shoutes half so shrille** Never made shouts half so shrill 3396 **Whan that they wolden any Flemyng kille,** When they would any Fleming kill, 3397 **As thilke day was maad upon the fox.** As that same day was made upon the fox. 3398 **Of bras they broghten bemes, and of box,** They brought trumpets of brass, and of box-wood, 3399 **Of horn, of boon, in whiche they blewe and powped,** Of horn, of bone, in which they blew and puffed, 3400 **And therwithal they skriked and they howped.** And with that they shrieked and they whooped. 3401 **It semed as that hevene sholde falle.** It seemed as if heaven should fall. 3402 **Now, goode men, I prey yow herkneth alle:** Now, good men, I pray you all to listen: 3403 **Lo, how Fortune turneth sodeynly** Lo, how Fortune turns suddenly 3404 **The hope and pryde eek of hir enemy!** The hope and pride also of her enemy! 3405 **This cok, that lay upon the foxes bak,** This cock, that lay upon the fox's back, 3406 **In al his drede unto the fox he spak,** In all his dread unto the fox he spoke, 3407 **And seyde, "Sire, if that I were as ye,** And said, "Sir, if I were you, 3408 **Yet sholde I seyn, as wys God helpe me,** Yet should I say, as God may help me, 3409 **`Turneth agayn, ye proude cherles alle!** `Turn again, all you proud churls! 3410 **A verray pestilence upon yow falle!** May a true pestilence fall upon you! 3411 **Now I am come unto the wodes syde;** Now I am come unto the wood's side; 3412 **Maugree youre heed, the cok shal heere abyde.** Despite all you could do, the cock shall here remain. 3413 **I wol hym ete, in feith, and that anon!'"** I will eat him, in faith, and that right away!'" 3414 **The fox answerde, "In feith, it shal be don."** The fox answered, "In faith, it shall be done." 3415 **And as he spak that word, al sodeynly** And as he spoke that word, all suddenly 3416 **This cok brak from his mouth delyverly,** This cock nimbly broke from his mouth, 3417 **And heighe upon a tree he fleigh anon.** And high upon a tree he quickly flew. 3418 **And whan the fox saugh that the cok was gon,** And when the fox saw that the cock was gone, 3419 **"Allas!" quod he, "O Chauntecleer, allas!** "Alas!" said he, "O Chauntecleer, alas! 3420 **I have to yow," quod he, "ydoon trespas,** I have to you," said he, "done offense, 3421 **In as muche as I maked yow aferd** In as much as I made you afraid 3422 **Whan I yow hente and broghte out of the yerd.** When I seized you and brought you out of the yard. 3423 **But, sire, I dide it in no wikke entente.** But, sir, I did it with no wicked intention. 3424 **Com doun, and I shal telle yow what I mente;** Come down, and I shall tell you what I meant; 3425 **I shal seye sooth to yow, God help me so!"** I shall say the truth to you, as God may help me!" 3426 **"Nay thanne," quod he, "I shrewe us bothe two.** "Nay then," said he, "I curse both of us two. 3427 **And first I shrewe myself, bothe blood and bones,** And first I curse myself, both blood and bones, 3428 **If thou bigyle me ofter than ones.** If thou trick me more often than once. 3429 **Thou shalt namoore thurgh thy flaterye** Thou shalt no more through thy flattery 3430 **Do me to synge and wynke with myn ye;** Make me sing and close my eyes; 3431 **For he that wynketh, whan he sholde see,** For he that closes his eyes, when he should see, 3432 **Al wilfully, God lat him nevere thee!"** All willfully, God let him never prosper!" 3433 **"Nay," quod the fox, "but God yeve hym meschaunce,** "Nay," said the fox, "but God give him misfortune, 3434 **That is so undiscreet of governaunce** Who is so indiscreet of governance 3435 **That jangleth whan he sholde holde his pees."** That he chatters when he should hold his peace." 3436 **Lo, swich it is for to be recchelees** Lo, such it is to be careless 3437 **And necligent, and truste on flaterye.** And negligent, and trust on flattery. 3438 **But ye that holden this tale a folye,** But you who hold this tale a folly, 3439 **As of a fox, or of a cok and hen,** As of a fox, or of a cock and hen, 3440 **Taketh the moralite, goode men.** Take the morality, good men. 3441 **For Seint Paul seith that al that writen is,** For Saint Paul says that all that is written, 3442 **To oure doctrine it is ywrite, ywis;** Is written for our instruction, indeed; 3443 **Taketh the fruyt, and lat the chaf be stille.** Take the fruit, and let the chaff be still. 3444 **Now, goode God, if that it be thy wille,** Now, good God, if it be thy will, 3445 **As seith my lord, so make us alle goode men,** As says my lord, make us all good men, 3446 **And brynge us to his heighe blisse! Amen.** And bring us to his high bliss! Amen. *Heere is ended the Noones Preestes Tale* \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Epilogue to the Nun's Priest's Tale** 3447 **\["Sire Nonnes Preest," oure Hooste seide anoon,** \["Sir Nun's Priest," our Host said straightway, 3448 **"I-blessed be thy breche, and every stoon!** "Blessed be thy buttocks, and every testicle! 3449 **This was a murie tale of Chauntecleer.** This was a merry tale of Chanticleer. 3450 **But by my trouthe, if thou were seculer,** But by my troth, if thou were a layman, 3451 **Thou woldest ben a trede-foul aright.** Thou would be an excellent copulator of fouls (rooster). 3452 **For if thou have corage as thou hast myght,** For if thou have as much desire as thou hast might, 3453 **Thee were nede of hennes, as I wene,** Thou would have need of hens, as I think, 3454 **Ya, moo than seven tymes seventene.** Yea, more than seven times seventeen. 3455 **See, whiche braunes hath this gentil preest,** See, what muscles has this gentle priest, 3456 **So gret a nekke, and swich a large breest!** So big a neck, and such a large chest! 3457 **He loketh as a sperhauk with his yen;** He looks like a sparrow-hauk with his eyes; 3458 **Him nedeth nat his colour for to dyen** He needs not paint his complexion 3459 **With brasile ne with greyn of Portyngale.** With red dye nor with grain of Portugal. 3460 **Now, sire, faire falle yow for youre tale!"** Now, sir, may good fortune come to you for your tale!" 3461 **And after that he, with ful merie chere,** And after that he, with a very merry manner, 3462 **Seide unto another, as ye shuln heere.\]** Said unto another, as you shall hear.\]