#  Test your reading of the The Clerk's Prologue and Tale (Lines 1-1212) 

 



 ##  

  expand\_more  

 
  

 

**Translate each of the bold-faced words in the following lines into clear modern English (it is best to write out your translation):**

22 "Hooste," quod he, "I am **under youre yerde**;  
  
122 And deeth manaceth every age, and **smyt**  
  
140 Wherfore we pray you hastily to **wyve**."  
  
201 Hadden hir beestes and hir **herbergage**,  
  
229 And ay she **kepte** hir fadres lyf **on-lofte**  
  
270 **And of his retenue the bachelrye**,  
  
327 To be my wyf and **reule hire after me**.  
  
348 But thise **demandes** axe I first," quod he,  
  
422 Wedded with fortunat **honestetee**,  
  
455 Nedelees, God woot, he thoghte hire for **t'affraye**.  
  
480 Unto my **gentils** ye be no thyng so.  
  
572 That beestes ne no **briddes** it **torace**."  
  
628 The **murmur** sleeth myn herte and my corage,  
  
706 Right so this markys fulliche hath **purposed**  
  
797 That in greet lordshipe, if I **wel avyse**,  
  
817 Maken comparison; it **is no nay**.  
  
886 But swich a **smok** as I was wont to were,  
  
917 By dayes **fele** than at hire mariage.  
  
976 And **peyned hire** to doon al that she myghte,  
  
997 Delitynge evere in **rumbul** that is newe,  
  
1018 That **no defaute** no man aperceyveth,  
  
1095 That crueel houndes or som foul **vermyne**  
  
1103 The children from hire arm they gonne **arace**.  
  
1124 Til on the **welkne** shoon the sterres lyght.  
  
1168 With bras, that thogh the coyne be fair **at ye**,

**Compare your translation with the page** [**glosses**](/glosses-quiz-clerks-prologue-and-tale-lines-i1-1212) **for these lines.**